Do You Know Your Bodys ph And Its Relation To Your Health
September 29, 2005
Do you know your ph? By getting ph strips at a pharmacy, pool store or lab you can test your urine in the moring and see it’s range. A good range is between 6.5 and 7.2. Most of are too acidic.When we are too acidic, the body takes minerals from important organs and our bones to neutralize the acid.
These minerals can include calcium, sodium, potassium and magenesium. Though we may not notice it, an overly acidic situation can develop in time into various symptoms and problems.
In the Book Alkalize or Die , Dr. Theodore A. Baroody says ,”The countless names of illnesses do not really matter. What does matter is that they all come from the same root cause…too much tissue acid waste in the body!”- Theodore A. Baroody, N.D., D.C., Ph.D.
Some problems thatcan indicate acidosis include: bladder and kidney conditions, immune deficiency, diabetes, weak brittle bones and lactic acid build up. PH is behind the bodies electrical system, intracellular activity and the way our bodies utilize enzymes, and minerals, and vitamins. That is why pH is one of the first things to be looked at if you are experiencing an imbalance in your body. Decades ago Dr. Otto Warburg, the only physician to ever win two Nobel prizes, proved that cancer can not exist in an alkaline/high pH environment.
We can eat more alkalinic foods which include brocoli, carrots, dried figs, celery, grains and many fruits. On the other hand, the active ingredient in the soft drink Coke is phosphoric acid. Its pH is 2.8 and it will dissolve a nail in about four days. The phosphates in soft drinks bind to calcium and we can’t absorb it. The typical Western diet is largely composed of acidic or acidifying elements (proteins, cereals, sugars). Alkaline foods such as vegetables are eaten in much smaller quantities; their alkaline content is insufficient to neutralize surplus acids.
Stimulants like tobacco, coffee, tea, and alcohol are also extremely acidifying. When we get angry or stressed we are also making the body ph more acidic. Our ph changes not just from the foods we eat, but due to our emotional states.
Some books worth reviewing at the library include:
Understanding Acid-Base ? A medical text on the fundamentals of human blood pH, by Benjamin Abelow, M.D. 1998; Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD.
The pH Miracle ? Balance Your Diet, Reclaim Your Health, by Robert O. Young, Ph.D. 2002, Warner Books, Inc. New York, NY.
Reverse Aging ? Scientific Health Methods, by Sang Whang. 1994; Siloam Enterprise, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
Acid & Alkaline ? An overview of pH and human health by Herman Aihara 1986: George Ohsawa Macrobiotic Foundation, Oroville, CA.
Try and make healthy choices when shopping and eating out to keep your body ph balanced.
Dee Cohen is a licensed social worker and certified yoga teacher. To learn more ways to raise the body’s ph and restore health, Visit http://www.mangolife.com/miracle2webpage2.html
Invite Spring Early - Grow in Your Basement
September 29, 2005
Now’s the time to get ready to grow your own seedlings! It’s not really difficult, and can extend your growing season by many weeks. For example, by planting brassica’s (cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower) in February in your basement under grow-lights, you can put large, sturdy transplants into your garden by the end of March or early April, and be eating them when others are just seeing them come up! However, remembering that photosynthesis, using light, heat and moisture causes plant growth, you must follow a few key natural principles very carefully, or you will be disappointed.
First, seeds must have moisture to germinate and grow. And the soil mix must be moist, but not soggy, or you’ll drown the new plant, since it must also have oxygen!
Second, while heat is essential, temperatures must be maintained in a narrow range for ideal germination to occur. Most vegetable seeds germinate quickly between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. After plants are up, many of them will grow in cooler temperatures, but most all will become dormant (stop growing) at temperatures below 50 degrees.
Third, light is not necessary for seed germination, but as soon as your seedlings begin to emerge from the soil, maximum light is required immediately for proper development. Therefore, to grow in your house, make sure your plants have a strong (but not hot!) light source directly on the plants, for up to 16 hours per day. Pictures of two grow-light shelves can be seen in the Photos section of the free gardening group at MittleiderMethodGardening@yahoogroups.com. The metal one is 6-shelf Commercial Chrome Shelving, from Sam’s Club costing only $70, and will hold 20 flats of plants. Suspend shop lights with 2 cool and 2 warm 40-watt tubes 2 to 4″ above the plants.
The fourth principle relates to feeding. A balanced nutrient mix of 13 minerals is essential to plants immediately after germination. Those nutrients are mineral salts and must be very dilute in the soil moisture, otherwise osmosis will cause the salt to draw the life-giving moisture out of the plants, and they will die. To ensure you never burn your plants, water seedlings daily using the “Constant Feed Solution” of one ounce (2 level tablespoons) of Weekly Feed dissolved in 3 gallons of water. For the free Weekly Feed formula, go to the Gardening Techniques section at www.foodforeveryone.org, and look on the Fertilizer page.
Next, it is important to separate your small plants before their leaves begin to overlap with others’, or the tiny stems will become very weak and spindly as the plants all stretch - looking for more light. By the time the plants have their first or second true leaf, this step should be completed. Failure to wait even a few hours can result in spindly, weak plants, which never recover. Transplanting seedlings into 2″ 6-paks or pots will provide adequate space for them to grow an additional 2-3 weeks, depending on variety. If it’s still too early to put them out into the garden by the time plant leaves are again beginning to overlap, prune the leaves, transplant again into larger pots, or separate pots, so the plant leaves always have maximum light.
Before transplanting into the garden, “harden-off” your plants outside, off the ground for 2 to 3 days, to acclimate them to direct sunlight, temperature, wind, etc. This is important so the plant doesn’t have the shock of a new environment added to the shock to its root system caused by transplanting. If the weather turns cold at night, bring the plants back in the house. The temperature adjustment needs to be gradual.
For many of your plants, the pruning process does double duty. In addition to assuring maximum light, it shocks the plant mildly, causing it to pause in its growth and produce a thicker, sturdier stem. This process makes the plant much better able to endure the vicissitudes of the outside environment, such as cutworms, ants, etc. that often quickly decimate plants with weak, spindly stems.
For tall-growing plants, like tomatoes, by the time they are 12″ tall, provide small stakes tied to the plant stem to prevent them from falling over. And with tomatoes, begin immediately to remove all sucker stems as soon as they appear, to assure a single, strong stem and maximum production from your plant.
Jim Kennard, President Food For Everyone Foundation “Teaching the world to grow food one family at a time.” www.foodforeveryone.org,
Jim Kennard is the President of Food For Everyone Foundation. He teaches gardening classes and trains people throughout the world in family-based food production.
The Foundation provides free materials on its website including a gardening ebook, greenhouse plans, automated watering plans, garden calendar, and a valuable free chapter from every one of the world-renowned Dr. Jacob Mittleider’s vegetable gardening books. All of Dr. Mittleider’s gardening books, software, and CD’s are also available to purchase. And you can share knowledge with others and be taught personally by Jim Kennard in the free MittleiderMethodGardening@yahoogroups.com.
Visit the website at http://www.foodforeveryone.org
Family Fun on the Rails
September 29, 2005
Imagine your are five years old. As your family arrives at the train station, your hand slips free of your Mom’s and you dash over to the tracks. Looking left, then right, your eager eyes scan the horizon, searching for your train.
Then you hear it. The quiet chugging of the locomotive. The clicking and clacking of the wheels gliding over the rails. The sound of happy families enjoying their ride as they arrive at the station
The engine pulls to a stop; the steam escaping. You run to the first car, eager to board and ride behind the engineer. But this is no ordinary train. This engine is just your size! The cars have seats built just for you! Even still, these cars are large enough for your Mom and Dad to come along for the ride.
With the toot of the horn, the engineer gently pulls the throttle and the little engine slowly starts inching forward. The cylinders pump and the steam chuffs and before long, the engine is chugging along. As you round the first curve, you look back and see the trusty red caboose tootling along, bringing up the rear.
Bright, cheery smiles are every where! Children cry out with glee as the train winds through the tunnel and into the day light. Parents look on with joy and contentment as they reflect on their own precious memories and those that are being made now. You and your parents never want this moment to end.
WHOLESOME & EDUCATIONAL FAMILY FUN
Railroading is in the blood of thousands of Americans. And, even through steam engines may have disappeared from full size rails across the nation, they are still running strong in miniature railroads. What is it about trains that appeals to children and adults alike? Is it the freedom of travel? The sound of the whistle? The simplicity of design? The life-like sounds of a chuffing steam engine? Or the smile on the face of a tired, yet friendly engineer?
There is no one answer but one thing is for certain: children of all ages, love trains! Look at the phenomenal success of Thomas the Tank engine properties! But it doesn’t stop with wood Thomas engines or electric HO train sets. No, this affection seems to grow into something much bigger. . . trains that are large enough to ride in, whether you are 3 or 93. There is no mistaking the attraction of trains to folks of all ages.
And even if you have never ridden aboard an Amtrak train, you may have fond memories of miniature, or Grand Scale, trains found at your local park or drive-in theater when you were young. Maybe you were one of the children who have fond memories of riding behind the diesel at Kiddieland in Chicago or in one of the department store displays of the time. Or perhaps you have heard stories of the famous steam engines running at Coney Island. Fairs, amusement parks, local parks, pumpkin farms, roadside attractions and others have all housed miniature trains at one time. Literally millions of people have had the joy of riding these at one time.
But what of today? Do these iron horses still exist to thrill our children of today? Are there place for families to go so that their young children can make their own memories? Yes! These trains are alive and steaming all around the world today! And more are being built or re-built every year!
In the California alone, it is estimated that there are at least 45 miniature engines being built. New facilities are opening or are in the planning stages each year. Some railroads, like the Redwood Valley Railway in Tilden Park, Berkeley, California, and the Riverside and Great Northern Railroad in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, have just recently celebrated 50 years of service! Other mile stones include the 10 year anniversary of the Orland, Newville & Pacific Railroad in Orland, California. Various museums have resurrected old trains and brought them back to life for their visitors as well.
But it isn’t just public attractions. Private individuals are building their own railroad empires right in their own back yard. Some are indeed empires, as the track runs through miles of property. Many are smaller lines that might run around a city lot. All of them provide hours of fun for young and old alike.
FAMILY OPPORTUNITIES
But what does this all mean for families today? For many, it is a living, breathing education. In one visit you can learn about history of railroading, the science and math behind the locomotives, building and construction, wood working, machining, and more. You can visit with the people who run the railroads, often volunteers , and receive a lesson in community service. Visit the ticket office and gift shops and learn about business. And take a look at the gorgeous locomotives and rolling stock and see pure art! Creative families can find educational value in all aspects of Grand Scale railroading.
As an adult, you can be transported back in time to your youth. Revisit your own memories of the whistles and happy families. . . and make new memories with your own family today.
Where to Ride?
Grand Scale railroads can literally found all around the country. Three of the public railroads are listed above but others include: Griffith Park in Los Angeles, the Little Puffer in the San Francisco Zoo, the Portland Zoo railroad in Portland, Oregon, the Milwaukee Zoo railway, the Whiskey River Railway, Little A-Merrick-A, Marshall, Wisconsin, the Michigan AuSable Valley Railway in Fairview, Michigan, the Detroit Zoo railway, the Traverse City Railway, the Peconic County RR in Long Island, and many, many more private and public RRs.
HOW TO LEARN MORE
Various publications now exist to help people in their search for Grand Scale railroads. The prominent magazines include the Grand Scales Quarterly and the 7+RAILROADER, both published by Robinson & Associates in Red Bluff, California and Live Steam, published by Village Press in Traverse City, Michigan.
The Web has also been a valuable tool for those interested in learning more. Web sites of interest include www.grandscales.com and www.7plusrailroader.com, which have exhaustive links pages. Another great resource is www.discoverlivesteam.com, www.livesteaming.com and www.steamingpriest.com. All provide a great deal of information.
Susan Robinson is the associate editor of both the Grand Scales Quarterly and the 7+RAILROADER magazines. Contact her for a free brochure titled "Want to Learn More About Riding Railways?” by calling 530-527-0141, by visiting http://www.grandscales.com or by mail at PO Box 8953, Red Bluff, CA 96080.
Handling Failure — Teaching Kids How to Profit From It
September 29, 2005
There is nothing pleasant about failure, at least not at the time that it happens! Failure embarrasses us, feels bad, and often costs us money. Little wonder that people avoid failure like the plague.
As parents, we unwittingly pass on the message to our kids that it is bad to go wrong or fail. Teachers punish pupils directly or indirectly, for making mistakes. Their peers never let them live it down. Friends and loved ones try to discourage us from venturing into the unknown, all for the fear of making mistakes and failing. In the final analysis, we have become a people who think we are "better safe than sorry." We become "once bitten, twice shy."
However, failure can be a blessing in disguise. Through it we can learn what doesn’t work. Then we can find what does. Failure is a much better teacher than success. Success makes our heads swell; failure makes us stop, look and listen. If we add "Learn" to this sequence, then failure becomes the first step to success. Stop-Look-Listen-Learn; that’s the way to profit from failure.
The role of failure is expressed in these words of wisdom:
I’ve missed more than nine thousand shots in my career. I’ve lost almost three hundred games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. -Michael Jordan
Failure is an absolute pre-requisite for success. You learn to succeed by failing. -Brian Tracy
Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent. -Marilyn Vos Savant
I am not judged by the number of times I fail, but by the number of times I succeed? and the number of times I succeed is in direct proportion to the number of times I can fail and keep on trying. -Tom Hopkins
If we give our kids the right perspective on failure, that it can be a spring board to success and not a hindrance, then we will prepare them to handle the real world out there, where nothing good comes easy. We will teach them to build realistic expectations ? that success does not come easy, that winning comes from losing and learning, that when we lose, we must learn from our losses, and you cannot get success without first failing.
Practical examples
Here are some "failure scenarios" and ways that we can teach our kids to learn from failure:
Scenario 1: He spills his food all over the floor.
Lesson: We show him where he went wrong (wasn’t looking where he was going, ran instead of walked etc) and how to do it better next time to avoid the spill. We express confidence that he can do it properly in future and praise him when he does. Now he knows how to avoid the mistake, and has the self-confidence to keep on trying till he can do it right.
Scenario 2: She gets her sums wrong.
Lesson: We show her where she went wrong, and the right way to do them, as often as it takes her to get them right without help. We give her more sums to re-enforce the learning. We express confidence that she can get them right next time, and praise her when she does. This way, we provide an atmosphere where it is safe to keep on trying, because if she "fails" she will be helped and not ridiculed. She learns that it is OK to try and fail, because you can keep on trying till you succeed. And you will succeed, if you don’t give up.
Scenario 3: He loses his job
Lesson: We analyze the situation together, identifying where he went wrong and what he could have done to achieve better results. We express confidence that he will get it right next time, and praise him when he does. The support he receives boosts his self-confidence. Self-confidence strengthens the resolve to keep on till you win.
Scenario 4: She gets pregnant
Lesson: We talk about the choices we make and having to bear the consequences. We discuss how this will affect her life. We may express disappointment, but also show her that we love her and are there for her. We discuss plans for the baby, and preventing a re-occurrence of this situation. Supporting her through this trying time tells her that she is valued by you, even though she has failed you. Show her that you expect her to make wiser choices in future, and that you believe that she can. This way you boost her self-esteem and strengthen her resolve to be more responsible in future.
While you may not agree with some of these recommendations, please note that the focus is on making a learning experience of the situation. It is important to teach children not to be afraid to make mistakes (though we do not plan to make them!). Rather, when failure does happen it’s a sign that our strategies aren’t working and it’s time to make a change.
Adults all around the world spend huge sums of money on personal development seminars, trying to get rid of the fear of failure. But you can give your children an edge; give them those success lessons right now!
Failing does not make us failures. It is failing to learn from failure that undoes us. We must teach our kids that failure is the first part of success. The sooner you learn all the things that don’t work, the sooner you learn what does. And that means success, by learning from failure and winning!
Copyright 2005 Oma Edoja
This article may be reproduced but only if left as is, with the writer’s resource box below, accompanying it.
Oma Edoja is a published writer, motivational speaker and infopreneur. She works with adults and teens, helping them set goals, overcome obstacles and move forward. She is also a mother and former schoolteacher. Please visit Oma’s motivational blog http://omaslounge.blogspot.com and her parenting blog http://theparentingmix.blogspot.com for more useful tips and resources.
Trusting Your Genius Within
September 29, 2005
Comments about New Theories in the Professions and Business!
I recall reading an article in The New York Times which fascinated me entitled, “Geniuses, Crackpots and a Grand Unified Theory” by James Glanz. The article basically stated that even geniuses have some crackpot ideas! It was about one genius meeting with other geniuses expounding all types of incredible theories. For instance, Glanz related this story of Einstein. “Once, in the 1940’s he met for four hours with Wilheim Reich, who believed that a box called an Orgone Accumulator could concentrate an energy of which the entire universe was supposedly composed, and that he thought could cure human maladies like cancer and impotence." Dr. Reich relates, "when I told him, (Einstein) in concluding, that people considered me mad, his reply was ‘I can believe that, ‘ Dr. Reich wrote in his journal.”
Reich envisioned himself, thinking Einstein was agreeing with his theory, instead Einstein concurred with the concept of Reich’s possible madness! So you see even Einstein met with some very interesting people!
Another comment, "Oddly, scientists who lose their bearings in one topic are often perfectly sound in the rest of their work," said Dr. Virginia Trimble, an astro-physicist at the University of California at Irvine. Why couldn’t this apply to Real Estate Professionals who are thinking "outside the box?" Let’s face it changes in many fields is not even gradual but cataclysmically annoying.
So please take this theory and expand it to the limits of your imagination. It is not offering any medical or treatment advice. This book is a sharing of ideas and thoughts about what many consider to be elusive, esoteric or strange, especially in the field of Real Estate. You might try asking some long time Real Estate Professionals about the concepts discussed in this book regarding the selling and buying of real estate. The response should be most interesting!
I recall vividly over 20 years ago while looking into an electronic microscope, the fascinating world of viruses! Looking at these exciting forms and shapes in the microscope, magnified, hundreds of times, a thought crossed my mind, why couldn’t there be thoughts which appear like viruses hidden within the crevices of these incredible designs? I was attending a unique course at the University of California in Irvine, when we had the privilege of utilizing electronic microscopy technology. When I asked the question if a good virus, thought or even touch transmission, could transmit impulses to a bad virus, cell, a microorganism or intelligence. I recall the skeptical look the professor gave me. But isn’t selling and buying really an emotional experience.
Even though we associate a virus, transcending thought transmission, touch impulse, with an infectious process and non infectious process, why couldn’t there be good viruses attached to these bad viruses or in some way, related to them or even some other process or intelligences? After all there are about 4000 viruses classified, even 200 associated with the common cold. Maybe, just maybe, various Theories of thought, processes in deciding on Real Estate and healing applications could be transmitted just like any other virus. After all, the human eye can see none of these viruses, let alone thought or certain energy transmissions? How about the eight intelligences under Howard Gardner’s Theories on Multiple Intelligences? Also my theories on Prosperity, Spiritual or Intuitive Intelligences. The viruses can only be viewed with sophisticated expensive electronic microscope, but various Intelligences can only be measured by awareness, accomplishments or various evaluating systems.
Gardner defines intelligence as “the capacity to solve problems or to fashion products that are valued in one or more cultural settings” (Gardner & Hatch, 1989).
What fortified this theory was at the same time I was studying laser medicine and surgery. Since laser is an acronym, light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation, I thought that some Theories on Intelligences, healing, prosperity thoughts and energy transmission, buying and selling decisions, could be based on, learning, optimism, vulnerability and exposing our inner thoughts.
I was fascinated with the concept of the carbon dioxide laser but there are other forms of lasers. The sun is the major source of electromagnetic radiation and laser energy comes from the visible portion of that electromagnetic spectrum. This is the portion that stimulates the eye and we see it as visible light. There’s a great variation in the electromagnetic spectrum. We don’t see x-rays, gamma rays, radio waves and a host of other components of the electromagnetic spectrum. We don’t even see the common microwaves in our home microwave cooker!
Picture an incandescent bulb where the light is diffused in all directions, which is called incoherent light. Doesn’t our thinking sometimes feel a little incoherent? Especially with the paradox of some buyer’s and seller’s of real estate. Even though we perceive the light from a bulb as white, it really is made up of the colors of the rainbow. So, don’t always think your perception of your client’s and customer’s thoughts may be a little incoherent! The common light bulb has numerous incoherent rays in all directions?
Isn’t it our responsibility to help with information for our buyers and sellers make coherent and beneficial decisions during any Real Estate transaction?
The difference in laser light is that it is coherent, which means its wavelengths are not thrown in all directions but that the photons, the radiation energy, are all in the same wavelength and in the same phase. When they pass through time and space, they are parallel, monochromatic, the same color focused directly which intensifies the energy. View it as sunlight being focused through a magnifying glass. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could focus all our thinking processes when considering real estate, with this intensity, dedication and energy? I believe we can and do!
Trusting the Cyclotron in your head!
Here’s another thought, just picture a group of atoms, inside a tube. Picture them, if you will, like little golf balls. Some of the little golf balls may have stripes around them depicting an atom as it has a nucleus and electrons circling it. This circle of electrons could be substituted with positive thoughts or affirmations. Just picture all these little golf balls sitting in a tube. Now we pass a source of energy, which could be heat or light, or in our concept it may be auto-suggestion, thought transference, or vital energy and it starts shaking these little golf balls into an excited state. Is it any different with the multitude of disclosures that need clarification?
As these atoms absorb more energy they start hitting each other with great force and bounce around in the tube being deflected by mirrors and hitting one another. Probably no different than all of us passing on an excited enthusiastic state of action, to each other or just maybe that exciting state of love, the locating of the perfect property or whatever our perception may be? Just think of getting all of these golf balls excited hitting each other, then all of them flying through the same opening, in line with the same direction! How about this energy force being correlated within Multiple Intelligences? Imagine the power we would have, if we focused our energies to a specific goal? That goal could be the final road to escrow and closing. Essentially this is what happens when the final decision is made on a property. Well, at least most of the time.
While this brief explanation may be simplistic, I have attempted to illustrate the possibility of different Theories, which could be stimulating our curiosity, even our Multiple Intelligences.
“Think of happiness as a disease. I don’t mean it’s good or bad, I use the word disease on purpose. It has a negative connotation, but we talk about disease as a state of non— health often caused by an infection or by an inherent degree of damage to the body. This is to say that there is a characteristic’s state that is usually beyond the control of happiness is like that. Maybe it happens to you and it is beyond your control. Maybe it’s a chemical state, and the organization of your brain, like intelligence and the mixed of what happens culturally, plays on that.”
Robert K. Jarvick, M.D.
Copyright © 2005 Ted Borgeas, All Rights Reserved
Ted Borgeas, Author, 35 years Self-Coaching Yourself.
Helps people get insight on Career & Life Transitions.
E-mail: for free 30 minute introductory phone coaching session.
E-zine: SELF-COACHING YOUR INTELLIGENCES.
E-mail: ted@atborgeas.com
website: www.atborgeas.com
Phone: 619-235-9393, PO Box, 3022, La Jolla, CA 92038-3022
Dr. Ted Borgeas is a 75 year old retired Foot Surgeon-Podiatrist who is a master of transcending through life transitions and piggybacking careers and attitudes to success. He limits his coaching to Doctors and other professionals. Dr. Ted had been a Podiatric consultant inside a Federal Prison for 15 years and inside a state mental hospital for 7 years. The author of 11 books. Keynote speaker and lecturer.
Most business gurus will stress using “Other Peoples Money” But Dr. Ted believes and lives on the premise cultivate and enlighten “Other Peoples Youth” it nourishes your own youth.
Dr. Ted’s mutiple careers include being a prominent Real Estate Broker-Consultant for over 20 years and an Auctioneer for 10 years. A proponent of “It ain’t Braggin’ If you’ver done it” one of his books. His latest book is “Grandpa is a Giggle” How to turn Adversities into Adventures! 8 books are on amazon.com under Borgeas.
Loves to hear from everybody and answers all mail.
Email: ted@atborgeas.com
Website: http://www.atborgeas.com
Planning Permision Tips UK - 6 Common Design Mistakes When Extending a Residential Property
September 29, 2005
Don’t you just love the design of some of these alpine chalets??!!**??
One year we were given a loft bedroom that you couldn’t stand up in with no wardrobe space and another chalet only had 2 bathrooms for 18 occupants. Still, skiers are the kind of people that can ruff it for most times so its no major hassle. But what if these kind of deficiencies were commonly found in ordinary homes in the UK? Surely no one would make such glaring mistakes on comfort and amenities when extending or developing their own homes would they?
OK, setting that little seed of doubt lets explore 6 of the most common design mistakes people can make when extending their homes. Most professional developers understand their market and fail to make these errors but most ordinary homeowners on the other hand have a totally different set of criteria and motivations when developing their own homes which can lead to some costly mistakes.
1. Small kitchens mean small appeal. - Failure to improve the size and usability of a kitchen to include for an eating area as well is possibly the most common error. Like all changing lifestyle issues, you have to differentiate between what are passing fads and long term preferences. Unless you live in a studio or one bedroom property, having a larger kitchen with a dedicated eating area for those all important dinner parties, household hubs and ’show’ appeal is one of the most important alterations or extension you can do to a property. Many people embark on ground floor extensions aiming for larger living rooms, studies or a dedicated dining room when the existing kitchen is no more than a 3M x 2M corridor with cut across access.
2. Ground floor bedrooms to two storey dwellings - Sometimes people are so desperate for additional bedroom space they take the cheap option and decide on a ground floor extension. This invariably leads to poor access to the new room (say from the living room or kitchen for example) rather than off the main circulation areas such as the hall. Most people still like to see all bedroom space on the first floor. Unless the new bedroom is for an elderly or disabled person unable to navigate the stairs, or your property is a chalet bungalow, it is often best to avoid ground floor bed space unless the room is flexible for a re-allocated use later on.
3. Loft conversions with inadequate ridge height - Not all lofts are ideal for conversion. There is a fine line between a great loft conversion and a poor one. Most loft conversions involve a delicate balancing act between the new access, usable new space and compromised existing space. Get one criteria wrong and the whole thing often becomes a clumsy compromise of no real value. The biggest area of failure often arises when the ridge height is already quite low. Generally speaking in my opinion a 3M minimum joist to ridge height needs to be in place for the finished room(s) to be of a useful height for a functional bedroom for example. Anything less than 3M ridge height will simply end up as triangular tube with only being able to stand up in the middle - great for a childs play room but not for an adult bedroom.
4. The creation of extra space at any cost - Many homeowners just want the added space and fail to consider some of the detailed design elements that will make their extended home look good. The most common error is the simple ‘block on the side’ two storey side extension that runs level with the existing front and rear elevation walls. Yes this maximises the usable inside space but the external effect is to create bland long wall and roof lines with little interest or relief. It really doesn’t take much effort or sacrifice of space to create a well designed and interesting extension simply by incorporating some simple design principals such as the ‘jut it in and jut it out’ approach for the new work were is adjoins the existing structure.
5. Mis-match of roof pitches - Sometimes the size of the extension forces a roof design that at first look is unable to match in with the pitch of the existing roof slopes which is invariable lower than the original. On most modern housing this can result in an awful jarring to the eye creating an unbalanced dysfunctional looking property. Installing matching roof pitches is a major design ‘must do’ for all extension developments. A more complicated roof line may have to be provided but in the end is well worth the effort and cost.
6. The piecemeal extension without upgrading the existing property - Spending money on an extension when the existing property is in a spoor state of repair or of limited facilities and failing to allow money for the upgraded of the existing property to match the new works is a false economy. Many homeowners who I see live in a property that could already absorb £30k for repairs, upgrades and alterations in itself without any extension works but have no intention of allocating resources for these works while the extension is being built. This simply devalues the result of the new works and can lead to future problems when eventually the existing services for example fail and are then difficult to integrate with the newer built works. Always thinking of the ‘whole’ dwelling and how it functions as one unit rather than having a selected piecemeal focus is the way to go for most development.
Some of these design issues are often now incorporated within most councils design guides and are prevented from being granted Planning Permission if prior consent is required.
Our ‘Maximum Build Planning Guide’ explains further the issues involved when extending or developing a property in the UK for planning permission.
http://www.planning-approval.co.uk
