Tag: home
Pick Up The Smartest Clock In The World — For $30 Off

Pick Up The Smartest Clock In The World — For $30 Off

With smart devices everywhere, smartwatches and other tech-enabled timepieces have become the standard. But why settle for smart when you could just go ahead and get the smartest…as in, the smartest clock in the world?

The LaMetric Time programmable clock just may hold that title, so when the opportunity arises to get this aggressively power-packed timekeeper at 15 percent off — just $169 — you may just want to pay close attention.

Yes, you can plug The LaMetric Time in and it’ll tell you the time. But like the best smart devices of this age, this multi-functional package links via WiFi to literally dozens of partner apps, feeding you virtually any information you want whenever you want it.

Along with the time, you can get current weather conditions, Google email notifications, stock quotes and a whole armada of social media alerts and stats for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more (including this huge list of apps listed on LaMetric Time’s website).

Since we’re all already assembling a home full of smart products, LaMetric Time can also serve as your control center for all that smart tech. You can control objects like Philips Hue lightbulbs and a Nest thermostat right from this unit.

It’s even got a Bluetooth speaker built-in to stream music, all in a slick, compact package that won the LaMetric Time team a 2016 Red Dot Design Award.

Right now you can turn LaMetric Time into the indispensable housemate you’re looking for at 15 percent of its retail price, only $169 while this offer lasts.

This sponsored post is brought to you by StackCommerce. 

These Luxury Sheets Are On Sale For Just $35

These Luxury Sheets Are On Sale For Just $35

Politics aside — we all need a good night’s sleep now more than ever. Sometimes refreshing your bedding is all you need to lock in night after night of blissful slumber. This quality 6-piece set of silky smooth 2000 series luxury Bamboo sheets is on sale right now for only $35, a full 80% off the retail price.

Bamboo sheets are best known for their brilliant mix of durability and comfort. Made from an eco-friendly bamboo-microfiber blend, they’re extremely breathable while also offering warmth and softness. Each six-piece set (including a flat sheet, fitted sheet and four pillow cases) comes in one of seven different colors and either king, queen or full sizes. Coupled with this limited-time deal, these sheets are the best purchase you’ll make this spring.

These sets usually sell for $175, so jump on this deal right now at just $35 before the offer expires.

Get these sheets and discover more exclusive deals everyday in the new National Memo Shop.

This sponsored post is brought to you by StackCommerce.

‘Passive House’ Project Is A Living Laboratory For Energy Efficiency

‘Passive House’ Project Is A Living Laboratory For Energy Efficiency

By Rosa Colucci, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS)

PITTSBURGH — In the Shadyside neighborhood of the city, a large sign declares that a “Passive House” renovation is underway at 5724 Walnut Street.

“When the gentleman who owned 5724 was going into the nursing home, he said, ‘I’d like to sell it to you. I know you do quality work,'” recalled architect Laura Nettleton, one of the principals in the firm Thoughtful Balance Inc. The property is a three-story wood-frame home with four bedrooms, and Nettleton took on the project as a living design laboratory. Ten years ago, she had renovated its twin next door.

She saw the project as a way to compare the energy needs and usage of two similar houses renovated at different times. Her ten-year-old firm has focused on affordable housing and sustainability.

“This was an unusual project for us. I did one of the first LEED Gold Projects in the city. (LEED stands for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design and is certified through the U.S. Green Building Council.) Over time, we were disappointed in the energy performance of that project. LEED predicted great performance, but did not deliver. Then I was introduced to Passive House.”

The term refers to a building standard that features among other things, much more insulation than in a conventionally built house.

“In retrofits, this is not an easy thing to do. You can’t wrap leaky basements in foam. The Walnut Street house is performing really well. With the thermostat set to 57 and just body heat, the indoor temperature was 65. That was pretty cool.”

That is remarkable considering that the house was built in 1890. The renovation is light, bright, and modern compared with other houses of that age. But there are other differences that become apparent. It is ultra-quiet inside and there are no warm or cold spots. Even near a window.

“It has a feeling of luxury, like you are entering a refuge,” Nettleton said.

The windows, which have R-5 or R-7 insulation values, are triple-paned European windows that open in two directions, as casements and awnings. They are outfitted with exterior shades that are operated by a remote.

“This is great for everyday living. You can open windows and have security.”

The home has 3,000 square feet of living space. All of the walls are painted a crisp white and the floors are lightly stained maple. Clean lines run from the open staircase that ascends three levels to the white quartz counter tops in the 15 by 13 foot kitchen.

The dining room is in the front of the home and measures 13 by 13 feet. It has an architectural feature wall and recessed lighting. It is staged with mid-century modern furniture and features a wall cutout that offers views into the kitchen. It has custom-made walnut cabinets made by a local firm which also did the cabinets in the bathrooms.

Stainless steel Bosch appliances are set in a modern configuration with double wall ovens, a dishwasher, and an induction cooktop whose overhead exhaust almost seems to float in midair. The entire house is outfitted with Hans-Grohe Water Sense faucets. Some of the cabinets have frosted glass fronts that reflect more light into the room.

“We chose materials that were as close as we could come to locally sourced and low-VOC for a healthy interior,” Nettleton said. “We used Sherwin-Williams Harmony paint. I like the quartz as a manmade material. It has less impact on the landscape.”

Just beyond, the 19 by 14 foot living room features a large patio door that opens to a deck. A powder room and a bench are bookended by tall cabinet closets.

The master bedroom is on the second floor, in the rear. It measures 13 by 13 feet and opens to a nine by six foot office. The ten 1/2 by seven 1/2 foot bathroom features a quartz vanity top with a raised bowl on walnut cabinets. There is a roomy linen closet, glass enclosed shower, and a separate soaking tub.

Also attached to the bedroom is a ten by five foot walk-in closet and a separate laundry center with Bosch washer and dryer behind closed doors. “The condensing washing and dryer work very well with Passive House because of the intake and exhaust issues with dryers,” Nettleton said.

The second bedroom also measures 13 by 13 feet and has a five by six foot study nook and loft area open to the space below. The floor is also maple.

The third floor has two bedrooms measuring 15 by 12 feet and 12 by 11 feet and features a bank of windows overlooking Walnut Street. They are serviced by a full bathroom with a large skylight. Each bedroom has a full walk-in closet.

The finished basement was excavated and a new slab poured with insulation underneath. The family room measures 21 by 14 feet and has hardwood floors and modern lighting. A full bathroom is off to the left.

The mechanical room has a heat pump that provides heat and air conditioning and the heat recovery ventilator that circulates air in the home, recapturing heat and conditioned air.

“The ventilator cleans and exchanges the air in the home completely every three hours. It removes the outdoor pollutants,” Nettleton said.

The expected energy cost to run this home is about $35 per month. One condition of the sale is that the owner must allow Nettleton to have access to the energy bills so that she can track the performance of the project.

“I am really proud of the design and what it represents. I didn’t want Passive House to hang out in the affordable housing world and only be available for special funding.”

Photo: Larry Roberts via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/TNS