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simple house design by kimura kouichi

daydaily.com — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:17:11 +0000

the simple house design below are the masterpieces from japanese architect kimura kouichi, i like the design very much that design show the simpleness and elegance.

Light floods into this Kyoto house by Japanese studio FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects through a light well in its enormous chimney.

The two-storey residence, named House of Representation, occupies a countryside location and has an off-white rendered exterior.

Rooms on the house’s ground floor surround a central living room with a recessed stone floor.

A staircase with glass handrails leads up to a study on the first floor, as well as a bedroom that opens out to a rooftop balcony.

We’ve published lots of houses by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects on Dezeen, all with rendered monochrome exteriors – take a closer look at them all here.

Photography is by Takumi Ota.

Here’s a little more explanation from the architects:

House of representation

This house is planned on a site from where there are beautiful views of the country side.

The request from the client was for the creation of intimacy, but with large living area.

The exterior is designed as a monumental form so that it can seem to be a new addition to the countryside scenery.

I created a centripetal plan where each room is connected through a corridor from the multi-level living area.

Around the corridor, walls, which have different textures and shapes, make a sequence inside the space.

The walls and spaces are highlighted by natural, indirect light, so your eyes are drawn to, and focus on, the interior.

By the basic process of manipulating and controlling “light” and “views”, I tried to make the inside space more intimate and deeper.

Rather than doing large gestures of acrobatic space composition, I have instead created what I feel is a space that represent the unusual, by doing small and poetic movements that control light and the viewers eyes.

Architect: Form/Kouichi Kimura Architects
Location: Kyoto, Japan
Client: Private

Construction: 2011
Site area: 355.78 m
Construction area: 213.20 m

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How to keep your home pest-free while you travel

daydaily.com — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 01:37:11 +0000

Travelling is certainly a pleasant and rewarding endeavor, and can enrich your life more than many other pursuits. However there are a few things you should keep in mind when you do leave your home so that you don’t come back to unwanted or unexpected surprises. One of the foremost concerns regarding the safety of your home should be centered on pest issues such as aroach problemor rodents. There are many cases of people going off on vacation and coming home to find that their house has been overtaken by the menace of insects or rats. Luckily there are a few things you can do to keep yourself from facing this annoying and stressful situation.

Do A Pre-Trip Check
Before you leave your home, you should check the exterior of it to make sure there are no visible cracks or crevices in the façade of your home that can provide a quick route of access for any pests that might want to come in. If there are any such cracks, you would do well to fill them with a product such as copper mesh, which will keep out both rodents and some insects. Smaller cracks can be sealed with caulk or a similar product to provide complete protection against the incursion of problem species of animal. One last thing you might do to the exterior of your home is to spray it with a barrier insecticide such as talstar to kill anything that tries to get in.

Protect Your Home With The Right Products
Inside the home there are also some measures you should take to keep pests away during your absence. The most important measure by far is the removal of any foodstuffs from the premises, including garbage. There are numerous tales of someone forgetting to take the garbage out before setting off for a trip and returning to find that their kitchen or perhaps even their entire home has been overrun by cockroaches, ants or some similar species of insect. This sort of situation will necessitate the use of pest control products such as sticky mouse glue traps or pesticides so it’s best to try and prevent the problem in the first place.

And Finally…
Lastly, you shouldn’t be afraid to put down some traps, pesticides or both in and around the kitchen, garage and other areas of the house as a final and complete protection against these annoying critters. By doing all these things, you will be able to relax and enjoy your holiday free from any worries that you might be coming home to an unpleasant situation.

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how to decorating a small house

daydaily.com — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 01:18:41 +0000

In a real estate market where a bungalow costs big bucks, small-space living is the norm. Instead of longing for more palatial digs, make your small space lovely and maximize every inch you have. Think of decorating a small house as filling a jewel box. Fill it only with gems–those things you really love–and tuck every item into its proper slot.

Considerations

Before you start decorating, make a list of each room and how you’ll live in them. Everyone eats, sleeps and sits. Beyond that, will any member of the household need a place for working, studying or hobbies? Do you entertain? Do you need book storage and a comfortable reading area? Allot space for your particular needs before you start adding the extras. It’s fine to decorate for the lifestyle you’d like to have, but designate space for the life you actually lead first.

Misconceptions

In small space decorating, the conventional advice is to paint the walls with white or light colors to make the space look larger. That’s good advice–if you like light-colored walls. If you long for intense color, go for it. It works as long as the color flows and you don’t chop up the space visually. If your rooms are visible to each other, contrasting colors will make them look smaller because abrupt color changes stop the eye. Instead, try graduating shades of the same color or colors next to each other on the color wheel. For example, your eye flows from pumpkin to rust to brick, but stops at each color change with red, yellow, and blue. If you want contrasting color, paint an accent wall at the end of the house on an outside wall, where the eye would naturally stop anyway.

Scale

Beware of pieces that are larger than they look in that spacious furniture showroom, but don’t fill your small home with a bunch of tiny furniture and accessories. A jumble of little stuff looks messy. Small spaces look and feel larger with fewer items of medium to large scale. Think of yourself as Goldilocks and look for the scale that’s just right: comfortable for your body but not too big for the space.

Arrangement

Make sure each room has a focal point and arrange your room around it. Place your largest pieces first. Bumping into the furniture makes a small house feel even smaller, so allow at least 3 feet for major pathways. Utilize your vertical space. Hang artwork in clusters that reach all the way to the ceiling. If your kitchen storage is limited, hang pots and pans on the wall.

Selection

Look for multipurpose furnishings to maximize the space you have. For example, choose a sofa table that doubles as a desk and an ottoman with hidden storage. Metallic and mirrored surfaces, in furniture and accessories, make a space look larger by reflecting light into the room. Glass-topped tables have less visual weight than wood–which makes a big difference when they’re placed in the middle of the room.

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how to buy your first house

daydaily.com — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:18:29 +0000

Buying a house is one of the biggest decisions that you will ever make. It is important to take this decision seriously. You need to take the time prepare yourself in every aspect in order to make your home a blessing, and not a negative experience. Here are the basic steps that you should hollow when it is time to buy a home.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: Several Months

Here’s How:

First you should determine if you are ready to buy a home. Home ownership is a lot more expensive than renting. You are responsible for paying for all the repairs. You may also have added utility costs, such as garbage and water. In addition to that you will need to pay for taxes and insurance related to your home. These costs add up quickly, and if you are not financially prepared, you may end up in a very negative position. You should take the time to get out of debt and save up an emergency fund, before you purchase your first home. You should definitely get rid of all of your credit card debt first.
Second you should begin to shop for a loan. You need to get preapproved before you shop for a home. This will help you to look within your price range. You should contact at least three people before you decide which loan to take. A mortgage broker will look at several different loan companies to find you the best rates. However, your small local bank or your credit union may have options that will save you money as well. Once you find a loan with the correct terms you can begin shopping.
When it comes to your mortgage you may be surprised at the different loan types and payment options available to you. It can be baffling when you think about ARMS and PMI. Usually a fixed rate fifteen or twenty year loan is the best option. This can help you lock in a low rate. You may be considering creative financing to cover the down payment, but you should be careful when you make these choices. You want to build wealth with your home purchase. If you make the wrong choice than you may end up hurting yourself financially.
You also need to determine how much home you can really afford. A good rule of thumb is to keep your mortgage along with your taxes and insurance between twenty five and thirty percent of your income. Other experts advise that your home cost be limited to two and half times your annual salary. It can be crippling if you are house poor. If you spend too much on your mortgage you may not be able to meet your daily obligations let alone save for retirement. A smaller house is worth the peace of mind.
Once you have determined how much you can really spend and are preapproved you should find a good realtor. Your realtor should listen to your wants and needs carefully. She may make recommendations or explain the market to help you find a home that suits your needs and that you can afford. She should offer several different options. Once you make an offer your realtor should work to negotiate terms that you are happy with. A good way to find a realtor is through the recommendations of friends and colleagues.
Another important step is a thorough home inspection. This is different from an appraisal. You should pay for the home inspection. The home inspector will look for hidden problems with the home. Through the home inspection you can learn about any issues that may prevent you from buying the home. This may include mold problems, termites, foundation problems and a bad roof. The inspection can save you thousands in repairs later on. Additionally you may be able to negotiate a lower price if you know the home needs a new roof.
Once you have bid on your home and the offer is accepted you will go into escrow. The escrow holder will work to make sure that all the documents, money and other necessary information is together before you close. Escrow is set up to protect the buyer, the seller and the lender. It can take time to complete escrow, although the time really depends on circumstances around your purchase. Once everything is completed for escrow you will sign the closing papers. You may or may not sign your mortgage papers at escrow. If you do, you can request that the bank send a representative to help you fully understand your loan.
Once you have closed on your home, it is time to move in. You can paint, unpack and enjoy your new home. Be sure that you change your address with your bank, and other accounts. You can set up your utilities and cancel your old ones as well. This will save you time and money, because you will avoid late fees. Some companies will waive installation fees if you transfer your old account to your new address.

Tips:

It is important to realize that you need to include the cost of taxes and homeowner’s insurance into your monthly housing cost. With the insurance and taxes your monthly housing costs should not be more than thirty percent of your monthly salary.
Additionally you should be prepared to pay for all of your closing costs out of pocket. This will save you money over time. If you are finding it difficult to save up for closing costs you may not be ready to purchase a home.
Be sure that you can afford your home payments, don’t stretch yourself because you may end up losing your home, which can destroy any good memories you have of your home.

sources

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Most Important House Design Principles

daydaily.com — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:15:34 +0000

At the end of this article you’ll be able to recognize and use the basic interior design principles used by every interior designer to create a great design, and who knows maybe you’ll also save some money, or start a new career ! Now let’s begin with the beginning, and undestand what interior design is …

“Interior design is the process of shaping the experience of interior space, through the manipulation of spatial volume as well as surface treatment. Not to be confused with interior decoration, interior design draws on aspects of environmental psychology, architecture, and product design in addition to traditional decoration.

An interior designer is a person who is considered a professional in the field of interior design or one who designs interiors as part of their job. Interior design is a creative practice that analyzes programmatic information, establishes a conceptual direction, refines the design direction, and produces graphic communication and construction documents. In some jurisdictions, interior designers must be licensed to practice.” – Source :Wikipedia

Now that you have an idea about interior design, we can move forward and learn something really useful, the principles of interior design. Let’s begin !

When doing interior design it is necessary to think of the house as a totality; a series of spaces linked together by halls and stairways. It is therefore appropriate that a common style and theme runs throughout. This is not to say that all interior design elements should be the same but they should work together and complement each other to strengthen the whole composition. A way to create this theme or storyline is with the well considered use of color. Color schemes in general are a great way to unify a collection of spaces. For example, you might pick three or four colors and use them in varying shades thoughout the house.

In a short sentence for those who just scan this article balance can be described as the equal distribution of visual weight in a room. There are three styles of balance: symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial.

Symmetrical balance is usually found in traditional interiors. Symmetrical balance is characterized by the same objects repeated in the same positions on either side of a vertical axis, for example you might remember old rooms where on each side of a room is an exact mirror of the other. This symmetry also reflects the human form, so we are inately comfortable in a balanced setting.

Asymmetrical balance is more appropriate in design in these days. Balance is achieved with some dissimilar objects that have equal visual weight or eye attraction. Assymetrical balance is more casual and less contrived in feeling, but more difficult to achieve. Asymmetry suggests movement, and leads to more lively interiors.

Radial symmetry is when all the elements of a design are arrayed around a center point. A spiral staircase is also an excellent example of radial balance. Though not often employed in interiors, it can provide an interesting counterpoint if used appropriately.

Interior design’s biggest enemy is boredom. A well-designed room always has, depending on the size of it, one or more focal points. A focal point must be dominant to draw attention and interesting enough to encourage the viewer to look further. A focal point thus must have a lasting impression but must also be an integral part of the decoration linked through scale, style, color or theme. A fireplace or a flat tv is the first example that most people think of when we talk about a room focal point.

If you don’t have a natural focal point in your space, such as a fireplace for example, you can create one by highlighting a particular piece of furniture, artwork, or by simply painting a contrasting color in one area. Try to maintain balance, though, so that the focal point doesn’t hog all of the attention.

If we would speak about music we would describe rhytmas the beat of pulse of the music. In interior design, rhythm is all about visual pattern repetition. Rhythm is defined as continuity, recurrence or organized movement. To achieve these themes in a design, you need to think about repetition, progression, transition and contrast. Using these mechanisms will impart a sense of movement to your space, leading the eye from one design element to another.

Repetition is the use of the same element more than once throughout a space. You can repeat a pattern, color, texture, line, or any other element, or even more than one element.

Progression is taking an element and increasing or decreasing one or more of its qualities. The most obvious implementation of this would be a gradation by size. A cluster of candles of varying sizes on a simple tray creates interest because of the natural progression shown. You can also achieve progression via color, such as in a monochromatic color scheme where each element is a slightly different shade of the same hue.

Transition is a little harder to define. Unlike repetition or progression, transition tends to be a smoother flow, where the eye naturally glides from one area to another. The most common transition is the use of a curved line to gently lead the eye, such as an arched doorway or winding path.

Finally, contrast is fairly straightforward. Putting two elements in opposition to one another, such as black and white pillows on a sofa, is the hallmark of this design principle. Opposition can also be implied by contrasts in form, such as circles and squares used together. Contrast can be quite jarring, and is generally used to enliven a space. Be careful not to undo any hard work you’ve done using the other mechanisms by introducing too much contrast!

Another important element of interior design where it is necessary to take infinite pains is details. Everything from the trimming on the lamp shade, the color of the piping on the scatter cushion, to the light switches and cupboard handles need attention. Unlike color people find details boring. As a result it gets neglected and skimmed over or generally left out. As color expresses the whole spirit and life of a scheme; details are just as an important underpinning of interior design. Details should not be obvious but they should be right, enhancing the overall feel of a room.

Scale and Proportion – These two design principles go hand in hand, since both relate to size and shape. Proportion has to do with the ratio of one design element to another, or one element to the whole. Scale concerns itself with the size of one object compared to another.

Color – Colors have a definite impact on the atmosphere that you want to create when doing interior design.

sources : freshome.com

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how to renovate a house | 5 Remodeling Mistakes

daydaily.com — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:09:54 +0000

Lucky are those who already have their own homes because they can consider them as investments. No matter how old the home is, there is always an option and an opportunity to make the home as good as new. This can be done by introducing changes in the home design or in the home facade or color.

Some people renovate their homes because they have lived there for several years already and they have gone tired of the look of their homes. Of course, there are people who renovate their homes with the view of reselling them at higher prices.
Owning a property or a home can be very useful not only as a dwelling place for the owner and his family. Some people who have extra money invest in foreclosed homes and either live in them or remodel them for a higher resale price. Buying and remodeling homes is starting to become a very good business provided the investor has a keen eye for good locations or areas.

Some people who have owned their homes for several years already get tired of the design and the aesthetics of their homes that they resort to remodeling their homes. In most cases, the homeowner who sets out to remodel his own is always on a tight budget.

Remodeling a home is not an easy task and it is very demanding. Remodeling a home is just like constructing your home all over again but this time, it can prove more difficult because there is already an existing structure. Building a new home is said to be easier since it is like drawing on a blank canvas and any idea is possible. Remodeling an already existing home can be more challenging because the designer has to contend with an existing structure.

While home remodeling can add up to the resale value of a home, it can also lower the price and sometimes lessen the chances of the home being resold. This happens when remodeling mistakes are committed, destroying the aesthetic and functional aspects of the home.

Any homeowner planning to remodel his home should watch out for these 5 remodeling mistakes that have been committed by other people over and over again. These may be simple mistakes but they can ruin the house value so it is recommended that every homeowner be aware of these mistakes.

1. Starting a home remodeling project without considering and estimating the costs involved

- Every homeowner who is planning to remodel his home should first take into consideration his financial capacity. Home remodeling can cost more considering the high prices of construction materials today. Prices of cement, paint, and other materials to be used in the home remodeling should be checked first before touching or destroying any part of the home. The homeowner should be prepared to invest money in home remodeling and finish the remodeling project. Or else, he can end up with a debased or devalued home instead of having its price or value improved.

2. Implementing remodeling projects without creating a remodeling plan

- This is one of the most common mistakes committed by most homeowners. There are times when a homeowner notices the faded paint of a room, or the damaged blocks in a certain part of a home. Then and there, he decides to have the room or that part destroyed as he wants to convert it into open concept. He contacts a builder to destroy the room and when the job is finished, he finds out that turning the room or area into open concept can cause problems in the overall structure of the house.

By failing to create a remodeling plan, the homeowner has just destroyed a still-useful room and expended money in the process. He now has to spend more

3. Selecting a contractor and starting the remodeling project without researching on the reputation of such contractor
- Any homeowner who hires a contractor should make sure he gets referrals for the contractor. If not, he should check on the background and work ethics of the contractor to make sure that he gets his remodeling project done quickly and efficiently. There are homeowners who are so excited about their home remodeling project that they commit the mistake of hiring a contractor without knowing his background. This can cost the homeowner a lot in terms of time and money especially if the contractor produces inferior work or leaves the work without finishing the remodeling project.

4. Embarking on a very expensive and impractical remodeling project making it impossible to resell the house at a profit

- Some homeowners become overzealous when starting a home remodeling project that they commit the mistake of spending more on the remodeling project than what is reasonable. Sometimes the expenses for the remodeling project becomes too much that the owner can no longer resell at a price within the range of the real estate rates in the community. Of course, if the home is an inherited home and the homeowner intends to preserve the home to his family for a long time, then such expenses may be justified.

5. Veering away from classic design and turning to color and design trends when remodeling a home

- It is always good to keep up with the times especially when remodeling a home but following the trend too much can cost the homeowner in the end. Classic home designs are still the ideal for home remodeling projects because such designs never go out of style. Following a certain color trend or design that will last only for one or two years will require another home renovation project when the trend has passed.

The goal of home remodeling will always be to improve the value of the home for whatever purpose. To achieve this goal, homeowners should consider the 5 common home remodeling mistakes and avoid them at all cost.

sources

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great house design for narrow house | architecture

daydaily.com — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:19:11 +0000

The residence was designed by architect Christopher Polly. It was located in the Newtown neighborhood in Sydney, Australia, on a small lot of 115 square meters. Casa Haines was a modern semi-detached dwelling based on a complete renovation of a single story family house. The house design was a long and narrow living space. It comprised everything needed for a single family. There were a bedroom, bathroom, an open floor kitchen and dining area, a small study room, a laundry room and an outside deck leading to a beautiful garden.

The structure of the minimalist house gave a natural ventilation system, while the small but necessary garden warranted frisk air, fresh thoughts and relaxation. The modern house was presented by Plataforma Arquitectura as being a place with all the elements aligned in one continuous space wrapped around the rear interior volume. A narrow passage connected the old part of the house to the newly added kitchen. It also served like a passage from the slightly raised front part of the house to the lowered back. Natural light for the dining room was assured by having a slightly slanted roof, living room and kitchen with the help of strategically placed windows. The roof continued over the deck into the garden, which sized 58 square meters. Take a look at the pictures below and then help us figure out if there is enough space available for a comfortable living situation.

the sources or the original articles : http://www.freshomedesign.com/2011/02/long-and-narrow-dwelling-design-with-a-provocative-shape-by-christopher-polly/

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property investment

daydaily.com — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 00:00:30 +0000

Any property that is purchased with the intent of gaining a return is considered investment property. Investment property can be an apartment building, a duplex, a single-family dwelling, vacant land, commercial property — basically any type of real estate. The term investment property usually describes property that the owner does not occupy, but in some cases, the owner may occupy a portion of it.

Purchasing investment property can be a lucrative venture, whether one simply hopes to purchase a home or plans to make a business out of such investments. One strategy for beginners is to purchase an investment property such as a duplex, or other multiple family dwelling, and live in one unit while renting out the other(s). This way, monies collected from the renter or renters covers the note, leaving the owner without a mortgage payment. Eventually the property is paid off, and the purchaser continues collecting the rent for a profit.The owner may also purchase another investment property, using the equity in the first property to finance the purchase. Equity simply means the fair market value of the property minus the amount still owed, including any liens. It is common to borrow against the equity in a property. Rates for such loans are fairly competitive because the property acts as collateral to secure the loan. The less risk there is in lending, the better the rates are.

Sometimes an investment property is purchased at a tax sale. When the original owner defaults on property tax payments for a certain length of time, the property may be auctioned. An investor starts with a minimum bid, one that is high enough to cover the back taxes and the expenses of the sale, yet still allows the investor to purchase the property for minimal cost. Such a purchase is an investment property because the new owner will most likely attempt to resell it at market value, fix it up and sell it at a premium, or use it as a rental.

Investment property is purchased with the sole intent of realizing an income, either by renting the property, profiting over time from appreciation, buying low and selling high, or renovating the property and selling it for more than the purchase price.

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tips to buy a house

daydaily.com — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:52:12 +0000

Buying a house can be hard work. A lot can go wrong and delays are normal. But there are things you can do to make it easier, starting with reading this buying property checklist.

everyone wants a house

Work out how much you can afford

If you are looking to buy a house on your own, a lender will agree to offer you at least 3 to 4 times your income, so if you earn £30,000 you can obtain a loan for at least £90,000. A couple are likely to be offered 2.75 to 3 times their joint income. Some lenders will offer bigger income multiples if they think that you have enough disposable income to meet the monthly repayments.

Save

If you have a deposit, lenders will offer a lower interest rate. Aim to save at least 10 per cent of the property’s value and ideally more than 25 per cent. Since the credit crunch, lenders have been demanding bigger deposits for their best rates.

Go househunting

Contact estate agents in your chosen area and ask to be put on their mailing lists. Encourage them to ring you when suitable properties become available. The internet is a useful research tool, with websites such as mortgage comparison tables, but remember that websites are not always completely up to date. Try propertyfinder, rightmove or zoomf.

View as many properties as possible, preferably in the daylight. When you find one that you really like, return for a follow-up visit at a different time of day and take a friend or relative for a second opinion. Take this opportunity to inspect the area more closely.

Make an offer

Ring the estate agent and make an offer. To decide how much to offer, consider how long the property has been on the market and whether any work needs to be done. These could be bargaining tools to offer less than the asking price. If the offer is accepted, ask for the property to be taken off the market. This helps to prevent gazumping, which is when someone else makes a higher offer that the estate agent must pass on to the seller. Your offer is not legally binding, unless you live in Scotland.

Arrange your mortgage

To choose a mortgage, you can either find one yourself using the internet or by asking lenders directly. Alternatively, you can use a mortgage broker. Sometimes brokers, who have access to all the products in a particular market, will be able to find the cheapest deals more easily. Once the application is submitted, the lender will carry out credit checks and tell you, often within 24 hours, if your application has been accepted “on principle”.

Appoint a solicitor or conveyancer to do the legal work. Some mortgage brokers will recommend one if you cannot find one yourself. Check The Law Society for names, then call a few to ask for a quote.

Arrange a survey

The property needs to be valued to establish that it is worth the asking price before your lender agrees the loan. You will need to pay a fee for the survey. If the lender is happy with the results, you should receive a formal offer within two weeks.

However this basic valuation survey is not enough if you want to know about any potential problems with the property. A homebuyer’s report or full structural survey will give a more detailed picture. These might be included in the seller’s home information pack, but are not compulsory.

Sign the contract

Your solicitor will present you with the contract, unless he or she has uncovered any legal complications. The seller also has to sign a contract. Once signed, the contracts will be exchanged. You will then have to pay the deposit to your solicitor, which you would lose if you were to pull out.

You will have to wait about four weeks for completion, which is when the mortgage is passed on to the seller and you are given the keys. Do not forget to book your removal company.

What can possibly go wrong?

Your offer could be refused. Only offer a higher amount if you can afford it, no matter how perfect the property. Otherwise, it is back to the drawing board.

You are gazumped. A painful and frustrating experience, unless you are buying in Scotland.

The seller backs out. This can happen at any point until contracts are exchanged.

Your mortgage application is refused. If your credit score is not high enough, or if the survey uncovers problems, the lender can back out.

You back out after exchanging. You lose your deposit.

Your solicitor finds problems with the title deeds or uncovers any planning applications that affect the property.

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is IKEA good furniture to your house decoration?

daydaily.com — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 01:14:52 +0000

The problem is that no one appreciates fine workmanship in furniture. Many think the best indicator of quality is the price: the lower the price the better it is. So Ikea comes along and makes things out of particle board with a thin laminated surface and all held together by a few metal insert connectors at certain points and this passes as a new standard in quality. Get a solid hardwood piece held together with glue, dovetail joints and wood screws and you will see the difference immediately.

The Ikea piece might sell for $100, the real hardwood piece maybe $1000. So the demand is for cheap, shoddy items and that is what you get. The side effect of all this is that the Ikea piece might last 5 years, so all the Ikea pieces are temporary usage on their way to a landfill. Quality hardwood pieces might last a couple of hundred years.

You decide. Is cheap really better? Most people seem to think so. If price were no object, nobody in their right mind would touch the Ikea stuff to decorate your house.

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