Sunday, October 19, 2008

What Does 'Ski-In, Ski-Out' Really Mean?

When you are booking a vacation rental property in a ski resort there is an indisputable magic to the phrase 'ski-in, ski-out'. It conjures up images of a loving restored log cabin on the edge of an immaculately groomed piste, of watching fellow skiers carve elegant turns from your living room window, with the occasional spray of snow against the window pane. It suggests stepping out of your front door, clicking on your skis and gliding down the slopes to the lift. You may anticipate avoiding the crush of people waiting for a lukewarm and soggy pizza in the mountain restaurant by using your own chalet as ... a mountain restaurant. And, perhaps best of all, you may look forward to skiing back to your own front door at the end of the afternoon and forgetting about trudging along paths and the indignity of crowded shuttle buses.

The reality may be very different. Knowing the power of the term 'ski-in, ski-out', vacation rental providers are quick to use it to cover a myriad of different arrangements and a range of proximity to the slopes. Here are a few things to watch out for:

1) The 'ski-in ski-out' home that is really 'hiking distance' to the slopes. The economics of housing development on mountainsides mean that when an area is developed next to the slopes, only some of it is actually next to the slopes. There is almost certain to be a hinterland of properties that have access to the slopes...via pathways, steps, roadways etc. The pathways may be short, or they may not. Make sure you ask exactly how far a particular property is from the actual ski slope, and what the path is actually like: is it a level walkway or a series of dozens of icy steps?

2) The ski-in, ski-out home that is reached via an ungroomed trail through the woods. When these homes were originally built the developers cut a trail to them so that they could be sold as 'ski-in, ski-out'. However these trails are very often too narrow for a snow-cat to use; furthermore, they are very likely private property and the lift company which grooms the slopes may have no responsibility for them. Only if the owners of properties served by that trail get together and make private arrangements for grooming will you find the trail in good enough condition for safe usage.

3) The ski-in, ski-out home that offers good ski-in, ski-out access...if you've chosen one of the 2 weeks of the year when the snow is down to that level. Many resorts that offer ski accommodation are down in the valley, and global warming has led to a raising of the snow line and a decline in the number of weeks that snow is on the ground at given elevations.

4) Finally, there is the nirvana: a ski-in, ski-out home that is what it says it is: situated right on slopes which are snow-covered throughout the season and groomed by the lift company's snowcats daily. This is what is often now referred to as 'true ski-in, ski-out'. However, you may find that because this real estate is so scarce it is also very pricey, or alternatively it is developed with rather high-density and charmless accommodation. The Aspens in Whistler is a good example of this. The situation is perfect, right on the slopes, but the accommodation is mostly fairly spartan.

The lesson here is simple. When you are booking ski-in, ski-out accommodation, make sure that you know exactly what you are getting. If you are booking a resort such as Whistler,, where there are many gradations of ski-in, ski-out accommodation, consult one of the local property management companies like Holiday Whistler, and question them very closely on its exact location before you book yourWhistler accommodation.

About The Author
Henry Schlee is the owner of Holiday Whistler, which offers a wide choice of great vacation rental properties in Whistler, BC, North America's #1 ski resort. Try this link Whistler accommodation for a great choice of rental properties.
Henry also operates several other travel websites which actively engage in link exchange with legitimate, high-traffic travel-related websites. If you want a link from a high PR URL, go to on of these sites: Travel link exchange, or Free travel links.

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Saturday, October 18, 2008

Glass Coffee Tables Online - Why Not!!

One of the biggest and most exciting adventures is moving out on your own but it is a time when the number of choices and decisions may seem overwhelming. Now, this "moving out on your own" does not include heading off to college to live in some dingy, cramped dorm room. Your first place is that home or apartment that follows school and is therefore the true cornerstone of your adult existence. Buying the right furniture for you décor is one of those decisions that must be made that will make a bold statement as to your character. A stunning glass coffee table may not be the first piece of furniture in your new home or even the most urgent interior decorating need—but, it is vital to the living room and will certainly make a bold statement about your level of sophistication and taste.

In all honesty, a premium glass coffee table is a furnishing you either buy later in life or at the beginning of your journey into adulthood. Once (or if) children enter into the picture, there are certain safety concerns that must be considered. Plus, despite the fact that we all love our children, the potential for damage to the top of the table is very high which is why many people store away their glass coffee tables once children enter into the picture. However, once the children have grown or at least reached ages where they can be careful around valuable furniture, you may wish to bring the premium glass coffee table back out of storage so it may be displayed properly.

However, in between the time when children enter into the picture and that seemingly brief window of care-free adulthood, there is the possibility to prominently display your premium glass coffee table with the other fine furniture in your new home or apartment. The truly great fact about these types of tables is that they can truly be at home in any interior design scheme, be it modern or traditional.

In more rustic or naturalistic settings, glass coffee tables would most likely feature a base made from a fine hardwood such as oak, cherry, or even mahogany. The traditional glass coffee table may feature inlayed glass partitions set into the wooden base. On more contemporary glass coffee tables, the base will tend to be metallic and generally coated in nickel, brass, or perhaps be solid wrought iron. So long as you take the time to understand and design a comprehensive interior design scheme for you décor, you will have no problem complementing your other furnishings and giving the entire space a more unified and "sophisticated" look—befitting of your new status as a fully independent adult.

About The Author
Jesse Akre, owner of numerous sites specializing in coffee tables, console tables, and home decor, makes it easy to find contemporary Coffee Tables and the perfect glass Coffee Table. Learn how to decorate your home in style-Click Today: http://www.Onlycoffeetables.com/.

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Monday, October 06, 2008

What Exactly Is Crown Molding?

By definition, a molding is an ornamental piece of wood, metal, or plaster, used to decorate or outline something. It can be used on the interior or exterior of a home. Moldings frame walls, ceilings, windows, and door openings. Examples of moldings used to decorate with are baseboards, crown molding, and chair rails. Today, I want to talk exclusively about crown molding as a decorative architectural choice.

Crown molding, also referred to as crown moulding, or cornice, is probably the most important architectural accent used to detail any interior space. Most interior designers today would agree that every room can be improved with the use of crown molding. Crown molding smoothes the transition from the wall to the ceiling and does a wonderful job of defining the architectural style of a room. The size and style of crown molding used may vary widely, from a simple cove in a farmhouse kitchen to a large built-up cornice in a grand entry.

The initial use of a cornice in building design is anyone's guess. By the time the ancient Greeks had gained power, rules had already been created to define the use and design of crown molding. Originally, it was used as a structural element to help support the weight of the roof. It also served to keep water away from the building, thus protecting the lower walls and the foundation. However, the use of cornice as a decorative element was not considered any less important than it's more utilitarian functions. Most of the ornamental design patterns that you see on today's crown molding originated from the ancient Greeks. Egg and dart, dentil and acanthus leaf are the most obvious examples and these were used extensively in ancient times by both the Greeks and the Romans.

With the rebirth of the arts in the Renaissance period came a renewed interest in classical architecture as well. The rules of the classical orders were applied to the interior decoration of rooms. These were the rules of "3". A column, the basis of classical architecture, is divided into 3 parts: base, shaft and capital. The base and the capital were then further divided into 3 parts and prescribed rules applied to the relationship and the proportion of these divisions as well. The same divisions that apply to a column are also applied to the wall. The wall is divided into the baseboard, the wall and a crown molding. The lower wall can be further divided into the base, dado and chair rail. Finally, the upper wall is divided into the picture molding, frieze and crown molding.

When beginning any decorative project to include several types of molding, it is recommended that you choose the style and size of crown molding first, as it is the most prominently displayed. Then select the rest of the moldings to match. Regarding the proper sizing of the crown molding, advice is abundant and many guidelines have been written. Most often the advice directs you to select the size of the crown molding based on the height of your ceiling. This may be a common approach to this aspect of the design process, though, as larger crown moldings have often been used to impressively decorate rooms of more modest proportions. What IS important is to properly scale the casings and other moldings to the size of the crown molding that you wish to use. When choosing crown molding for your interior, feel free to select the size and style that YOU like. Historically, larger crown moldings were more frequently used than what is recommended today by many interior designers. Change is anticipated as the current architectural renaissance continues and more designers and homeowners endeavor to add warmth to their homes and to personalize their interiors. So have a go at it and don't be intimidated . You are limited only by your imagination.

About The Author
Patricia Tomaskovic is the President of http://www.goceilingmedallion.com Copyright 2006. Visit us soon and let us help you decorate with style. We look forward to serving you.
info@goceilingmedallion.com

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