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It’s about freaking time. Often when we search for a home tech product, nothing pops up that looks good (or gets good reviews). That’s been my experience when searching for home security, more specifically, video cameras at the entryway. I know some of my neighbors have spent thousands of dollars on a whole home security package just so they can see a person at their front door. If they were patient, they could have saved a lot of money by trying out this $200 doorbell.
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Remember this smart lock? Through the magic known as bluetooth, the August Smart Lock senses your approach and unlocks your door for you, without you reaching for your phone. Here’s the lowdown: It fits over the interior portion of your current deadbolt, so there’s no need to change out your door hardware, as from the outside you’ll still have the same keyed entry. August’s encrypted locking technology allows you to control when people have access to your home, from family members to cleaning crews, and you can see a complete log of who has come and gone (and the exact times of their arrival/departure) remotely from your phone or computer. Don’t worry about power outages or internet connections, as the August is powered by standard batteries. The second batch of August Smart Locks will be available later this year; reserve yours now.
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While these door knobs from Brinks Home Security aren’t as visually appealing as a minimalist/modernist would hope, they do pack a certain punch in terms of function. Simply push, pull, or rotate the door knob to open a door. Have your arms full of groceries/kids/laundry/etc? Use your hip/elbow/knee/whatever to push the knob and open the door.
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Maybe you can’t yet afford an Olson Kundig house, but you might just be able to splurge on some special Kundig hardware. There’s twenty-five cut-and-folded steel products- from cabinet pulls to various door hardware- each fabricated by 12th Avenue Iron. As usual, prepare your wallet for specialty hardware prices ($19+ per drawer pull will add up pretty quickly).
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“Down with lame door knobs” is the motto Mary & Jeff of ModKnobs go by. They couldn’t find any suitable ones on the market when remodeling their home, so they decided to release their own line. Four styles are available — puck, matte, walnut, oak — in a handful of materials: vulcanized rubber, PaperStone (a pressed material made from recycled cardboard), and of course; walnut and oak. If you’re going for sleek and modern interior you really can’t go wrong with one of these door knobs.  Prices range from $95 to $125, depending on style and material.
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The front door is your home’s main focal point, so it of course makes sense to keep it looking presentable. My own front door was looking pretty sad after ten years of not-so-gentle use, with chips in the paint, battered hardware and a pretty rough looking dent around the knob (not sure how it happened, it almost looked like someone took a battering ram to it), so it was past time to give it a facelift.

After scouring many shops online, I settled on this door hardware set by Emtek. It has a satisfying heft, and obviously, is super modern. After sanding down my door, filling the dent with Bondo (several times), more sanding, priming, and painting, here’s the finished product:

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Not that original sugar warehouses are a dime a dozen, but this open plan space might be easy to replicate given a few splurges. The owners of this particular loft have used beige (or natural?) linen curtains throughout to separate areas and, surprisingly, it seems to work well with the original beams and floors. Curtains can look a little fussy at times, but given that the fabric and color is consistent in this case, they look functional and appropriate to the decor.

[via LoftLife Magazine]

This two family home in Austin uses so many large glass walls that it seems like an open air living space. Inspired by Asian architecture, the architects used large glass sheets to ensure spatial continuity between the indoor and outdoor spaces. Incorporating a body of water that perfectly matches the floor height further extends the space by reflecting light and, with a cluster of water plants carefully positioned so that they can be seen from various viewpoints, it adds a natural element that balances out all the steel and glass. Plus, take a look at that glowing garage and the sail used on the upper level to create a shady outdoor living space.

A few details/quotes from Dwell on the project:

The exterior walls of the Bercy house are constructed with Thermasteel, panels made from galvanized steel and a unique resin that provide structural framing, insulation, and vapor barrier with an R-29 rating twice the required amount. “We have so much glass that we have to offset it by having very efficient ceiling and wall systems,” says Bercy. “We wanted movable glass walls instead of tiny little sliding glass doors that pop off their tracks all the time,” says Bercy. So he and Chen tracked down the double-glazed, insulated, six-by-nine-foot doors rom a company called Fleetwood. “They’re a little more expensive, but when you slide the heavy doors open, you’re making a profound gesture to leave the house and step outside,” says Bercy. –Dwell

Whoa, take a look at this kick ass hallway. Folding doors are located within the walls that swivel open in different directions depending on the privacy needed. I also really like the way they handled the exposed brick and white columns.

Reforma de piso
Architect: Alfredo Sirvent
Photographer: Santos-Díez

See it here.

[via materialicious]

[posted by katie]

I stumbled upon the blog Building Green on Montrose where they’re tracking the renovation of a 100-year old rowhouse in Philadelphia. Besides being an interesting read, they’re providing some excellent links and references for materials. If you’ve ever thought about a roof hatch/deck, check out their post here.

Picture on left is taken from Building Green on Montrose (Update on the roof hatch).

Roof hatches shown on right available from Insula-Dome: Buy it here.

Sure, we’ve all seen some items made from windshields, but actually using the breaks and cracks of damaged windshields as a design element is something slightly new (to me, at least). I really wish they’d come up with better photography, but if you’ve any imagination you can see how this idea would be great as a shower door or, as shown above, as a wall divider or door.

Converting junk or damaged windshields into new glass products is a patent-pending process that we have perfected. While simple in concept it is a complex formula of art and science. We can add color to co-ordinate with other design elements. Second Glass can be framed, lighted, mounted, or hung just as in most glass applications creating attractive and easily maintained walls, dividers, fronts, partitions, and lighting.

Price available upon request. Buy it here.

[via materialicious]

The ever resourceful Julie from Remodelista did a great post about steel door and window fabricators. If you’re in the market, I highly suggest checking it out.

Photos shown above:
top two from Bliss Nor-Am (located Syracuse N.Y.)
bottom two from Crittall Windows (UK)

Yes, this is more expensive than any door knocker you’ll find at your local hardware store. It’s also an exponentially nicer design and is sure to dress up your entrance a bajillion times more than the others available.

This bronze door knocker brings old world craftsmanship and unadorned utility together to create a minimalist sculpture. The hefty weight of the handle feels good in your hand, and has slightly recessed sides to intuitively grasp. The bronze is a living finish patina, which will naturally wear and color according to use and environment.

1.50″l x 2.00″w x 10.00″h

$275.00, Buy it here.

I’m imagining these glass doors would work well for closet doors, or if it’s a really modern space, they would even work for dividing a kitchen and dining space or for creating a bedroom in loft spaces.

[posted by kris]

I’m loving these large scale windows and simplicity of design in the Dowling House by Hackett Hall McKnight. Also of interest are these narrow doors which abut them, providing an interesting contrast.