Edit Designs Presents

The Loire Valley is a truly spectacular destination for a family vacation. There are many historical chateaux to visit, so many that it can be difficult to decide on which ones to visit before it becomes too much for the children to bare. Each of the Loire Valley chateaux listed below have their own special attraction.

We would highly recommend Chateau Close Luc and its beautiful park and working models of over forty of Leonardo Da Vinci’s amazing creations. Chateau Chaumont is worth a visit in the high season for the garden festival alone. Many of the gardens are incredibly interactive and highly sensory designed to capture the imaginations of children and adults.

Chateau Chenonceau is architecturally breathtaking and a must see. There is a maize for children to get lost in for a little while. Chateau Cheverney has spectacular furniture and a working pack of hounds. Chateau Chambord is the largest of the Loire Valley castles and you can hire bicycles or pedal boats to make it more child appealing.

Chateau Blois is interesting architecturally because it is like four chateaux rolled into one. It has the added benefit of being located opposite the Maison de la Magie which is a magic museum in honour of Robert Houdin who was Houdini’s inspiration. Children delight at the exhibits and simulations and the magic show is very impressive.

Chateau Chaumont (minimum visit 1 hour and another 2 hours for the garden festival)
Hours- 9:30-5:30, plan on 1 hour for your visit Cost- $6.00 includes an English pamphlet
Located between Amboise and Blois, this chateau is set high above the Loire River and commands lovely views. Its placement was for strategic reasons, since it was built as a fortress stronghold in 1465.

Later it became a home for royalty and then the merely rich. The most famous resident was Diane de Poitiers, the former mistress of King Henri II who lived in exile here, after Catherine de Medici demanded Chateau Chenonceau when King Henri II died.

Today the interiors represent the lavishness of the rich people living here until the 1930’s when the stock market crash caused the last owner to sell the property to the government. Of particular interest are the elaborate horse stables.

Chateau Blois (minimum visit 2-3 hours)
Hours- 9:00-6:00 Cost- $6.00 includes an English pamphlet. You can book a free guided tour even available in English. This castle dominates the town of Blois and was the home of royalty for over 400 years, including Charles the VIII and Francois I. Parts of the building, composed of four wings each of a different architectural style joined by a large central courtyard, date back to the 10th century.

Interiors include luxurious period design and floors stamped with fleur-de-lis motifs. One of the highlights is a Renaissance exterior spiral staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci. In summer they have a sound and light show at night and on Wednesdays it is in English.

Chateau Azay-le-Rideau (minimum visit 1.5 hours)
Hours- 9:30-6:00 Cost- $6.00 for entrance and $4.00 for an audio guide
This chateau is less grand in size than many of the others listed here, but is all the more beautiful for it. Built in 1515, this is a fine example of early Renaissance. In summer there are often evening son et lumiere spectacles at the castle. It is best to visit this chateau late in the afternoon in summer so you can enjoy the sound and light show in the evening.

Chateau Usse (minimum 1.5 hours)
Hours- 9:00-6:30 Cost- $8.00 includes English pamphlet. This fairytale chateau with lots of turrets was the inspiration for the chateau in Sleeping Beauty. Construction began in 1455 on the foundation of an 11th century chateau, and subsequent remodels took place in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The chateau has been owned by the Blacas family since the 18th century and the family still occupies one of the wings. The grounds include several centuries old trees and a cedar that was given to the family in 1808.

There is a chapel from 1528 with a white sparkling interior made from local stones, and a garage with antique vehicles and a wicker carriage. The castle interior is filled with 18th century antiques. Finally you can climb the round tower to see wax figures depicting characters in Sleeping Beauty. If you are travelling with young children they will probably love the fairy tale scenes in the round tower depicted by wax models.

Chateau Cheverny (minimum visit 1.5 hours)
Hours- 9:15-6:45 Cost- $6.00, includes English pamphlet. This chateau was built in 1634 and has been owned and occupied by the same family ever since. Today family members occupy the 3rd floor. This castle has the best furniture of the Loire Valley Chateaux open to the public because the family that owned Cheverny was very popular with the local villagers and as a result the castle was not stripped of it’s treasures during the French Revolution.

The current interior is the most complete and lavish in the Loire Valley. This castle was built as a hunting palace and today hunts still take place on the grounds. You can visit the 70 hounds in their kennel, or watch the daily feed at 5:00 PM. The trophy room proudly displays the antlers from more than two thousand animals.

Chateau Amboise (minimum visit 1.5 hours)
Hours- 9:00-6:30 Cost- $7.00 includes an English pamphlet. The chateau towers over the town and offers a mix of architectural styles including 17th century classical and 16th century gothic. Six Kings of France lived here including Francois the 1st, who had an underground tunnel built to the home of Leonardo da Vinci, located nearby. Using this passage they could visit each other without mingling with the locals. In the 15th century this castle was four times its current size, but it has been reduced by war and neglect.

It is worth combining a trip to Chateau Amboise with a visit to Chateau Clos Luce as they are nearby.

Chateau Chenonceau (minimum visit 2.5 hours)
Hours- 9:00-7:00 Cost- $8.00 includes an English pamphlet. This castle is one of the most striking of the Loire Valley chateaux. It was built for Diane de Poitiers, the mistress of King Henri II. In 1559 when the King died his wife, Catherine de Medici, forced Diane into exile (to the smaller chateau of Chaumont).

After Catherine moved in she had the beautiful gallery added, which is 180 feet long, 18 feet wide, with 18 windows and set on arches over the Cher River. It was originally used as a ballroom, and in WWI it became a hospital and the wounded soldiers used to fish out the windows. During world war II it was a means of escape as the castle sat in occupied territory but the door at the end of the gallery opened to the Free Zone.

The kitchen is very popular with children. Today the gallery holds art exhibits. Also worth a note are the Marques Tower, the two formal gardens (each named for the two ladies who ruled the house), the 16th century working farm and the flower shop.

Chateau Chambord (minimum visit 2.5 hours)
Hours- 9:00-5:45 Cost- $7.00 for entrance and $4.00 for an audio guide
Chambord was commissioned by the young (then 25) King Francois in 1519 to help feed his power and establish his power. The building we see today was not completed until 1685, and by far it is the largest chateau in the Loire. The style is a combination of traditional French and Renaissance Italian with a variety of towers and turrets.

The facade alone is 470 feet wide and over 168 feet high (18 stories), with 365 chimneys and 440 rooms. The highlight inside the chateau is the double helix staircase which serves as the axis for the entire building, and is thought to have been designed by Leonardo da Vinci.

Originally built as a meeting place for hunting and later used for royal celebrations, today it is surrounded by a nineteen mile wall that encloses the largest forest park in Europe. During its 500 year history, it was only used as a residence for 20 of those years.

If you have time to spare, you can rent boats or bikes to explore the park. There is a 2 hour evening light and sound show at dusk on weekends from mid-April to June and September, and nightly in July and August.

Corina Clemence
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/which-loire-valley-historic-french-castles-must-you-visit-on-a-family-holiday-112888.html

http://www.concretenetwork.com Tips for designing a kitchen with concrete countertops that are functional and last a lifetime. Award-winning kitchen and home designer Fu-Tung Cheng discusses the vulnerabilities and assets of concrete countertops and what to think about when you put them in your home. The Concrete Network presents Design Tips with Fu-Tung Cheng.

Duration : 0:4:36

Read more…

Technorati Tags: building, Concrete, countertops, Design, durability, Kitchen, strengths, weaknesses

i will show how to download IKEA Home Planner and how to use it this program is for bulders who want remake them
room and plan with it so please whatch it and comment the page for download is here http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/rooms_ideas/splashplanners.html

you can add items to your bedroom to your office and kitchen so try it out this is not trial or somethink like that so recomend that !
TUTORIAL!

Duration : 0:7:25

Read more…

Technorati Tags: bedroom, Computer, google., home, House, Ikea, Kitchen, office, Owned, planner, porn, runescape, sex, soz, tutorial, xxx, zezima

You can order your kitchen cabinets online with Destiny Cabinets. In this video, we give you a run down of our business. We sell only high end solid wood cabinets at the lowest possible price. View our website for more information about our kitchen cabinets: http://www.meikitchens.com

Duration : 0:1:50

Read more…

Technorati Tags: Cabinet, cabinets, catalog, cheap, destiny, Ikea, Kitchen, kraftmaid, online, ordering, quality, Tour, value, website

Due to copyright issue the original video is uploaded at
http://tinyurl.com/ydjrugo

Duration : 0:0:43

Read more…

Technorati Tags: bathroom remodeling designs, big girls small kitchen, cooking for real, food network canada, Kitchen, Kitchen Design Ideas, kitchen remodel, kitchen remodeling ideas, kitchen remodeling plan, kitchen showrooms, pork tenderloin recipes, remodeling small kitchens, seafood gumbo, slice tv, small bathroom designs, small bathroom remodeling

http://www.tourfactory.com/s542396/r_www.youtube.com

For more information, contact:
Jeanette Shelby
512-281-3412
Jeanette Shelby Realtors

Open floor plan with large living room. Brick fireplace, vaulted ceiling in living room. Formal dining room and breakfast area. Skylights in living room make it very bright. Kitchen is open to the living room. Wood floor in the breakfast area and hard tile in the kitchen. Glass top range, refrigerator, dishwasher. Tankless water heater. Large master bedroom with huge walk-in closet, double vanity in the master bath. Extra large utility room is great for a hobby room. Enclosed sun room with tons of windows for wildlife viewing. Hot tub right next to the house. Decorative pond. Back yard is fenced. There is a security system installed.

Duration : 0:4:16

Read more…

Technorati Tags: 107, 78621, Elgin, Estate, For, home, homes, Jeanette, Lost, Pine, real, Realtors, sale, Shelby, Tour, Tour542396, TourFactory, TX, Virtual

http://www.kitchenremodelhome.com/remodeling-your-kitchen-with-island-ideas.html Remodeling a kitchen can be a big job. If you have some handy skills, some things can be done with little to no professional help

Duration : 0:2:7

Read more…

Technorati Tags: ideas, Island, Kitchen

Hotel staffs provide a variety of services to guests and must do so efficiently, courteously, and accurately.

Employment of hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks is expected to grow faster than some other occupations in the industry as responsibilities become more numerous and some of these workers take on tasks previously reserved for managers.

Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks perform a variety of services for guests of hotels, motels, and other lodging establishments. They register arriving guests, assign rooms, and check out guests at the end of their stay. They also keep records of room assignments and other registration-related information on computers. When guests check out, desk clerks prepare and explain the charges, as well as process payments.

Front-desk clerks always are in the public eye and typically are the first line of customer service for a lodging property. Their attitude and behavior greatly influence the public’s impressions of the establishment. They always must be courteous and helpful. Desk clerks answer questions about services, checkout times, the local community, or other matters of public interest. Clerks also report problems with guest rooms or public facilities to members of the housekeeping or maintenance.

In the smaller places, desk clerks may perform the work of a bookkeeper, advance reservation agent, cashier, laundry attendant, and telephone switchboard operator.

Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks deal directly with the public, so a professional appearance and a pleasant personality are important. A clear speaking voice and fluency in English also are essential, because these employees talk directly with hotel guests and the public and frequently use the telephone or public-address systems. Good spelling and computer literacy are needed, because most of the work involves use of a computer. In addition, speaking a foreign language fluently is increasingly helpful, because of the growing international clientele of many properties.

Formal academic training generally is not required so many students take jobs as desk clerks on evening or weekend shifts or during school vacation periods. Most employers look for people who are friendly and customer-service oriented, well groomed, and display the maturity and self confidence to demonstrate good judgment. Desk clerks, especially in high-volume and higher-end properties should be quick-thinking, show initiative, and be able to work as a member of a team. Hotel managers typically look for these personal characteristics when hiring first-time desk clerks, because it is easier to teach company policy and computer skills than personality traits.

General Managers have overall responsibility for the operation of the hotel. They allocate funds to departments, approve expenditures, and ensure expected standards for guest service, decor, housekeeping, food quality, and banquet operations.

Resident or hotel managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the property. In larger properties, more than one of these managers may assist the general manager, frequently dividing responsibilities between the food and beverage operations and the rooms or lodging services. Assistant managers help running the day-to-day operations of the hotel. Assistant managers may adjust charges on a hotel guest’s bill when a manager is unavailable.

An Executive Committee made up of a hotel’s senior managers advises the general manager, assists in setting hotel policy, coordinates services that cross departmental boundaries, and collaborates on efforts to ensure consistent and efficient guest services throughout the hotel. The Committee may be comprised of the department heads for housekeeping, front office, food and beverage, security, sales and public relations, meetings and conventions, engineering and building maintenance, and human resources.

Executive housekeepers ensure that guest rooms, meeting and banquet rooms, and public areas are clean, orderly, and well maintained. They also train, schedule, and supervise the work of housekeepers, inspect rooms, and order cleaning supplies.

Front office managers coordinate reservations and room assignments, as well as train and direct the hotel’s front desk staff. They ensure that guests are treated courteously, complaints and problems are resolved, and requests for special services are carried out.

Convention services managers coordinate the activities of various departments in larger hotels to accommodate meetings, conventions, and special events. They meet with representatives of groups or organizations to plan the number of rooms to reserve, the desired configuration of the meeting space, and banquet services. During the meeting or event, they resolve unexpected problems and monitor activities to ensure that hotel operations conform to the expectations of the group.

Food and beverage managers oversee all food service operations maintained by the hotel. They coordinate menus with the Executive Chef for the hotel’s restaurants, lounges, and room service operations. They supervise the ordering of food and supplies, direct service and maintenance contracts within the kitchens and dining areas, and manage food service budgets.

Catering managers arrange for food service in a hotel’s meeting and convention rooms. They coordinate menus and costs for banquets, parties, and events with meeting and convention planners or individual clients. They coordinate staffing needs and arrange schedules with kitchen personnel to ensure appropriate food service.

Workers in cleaning and housekeeping occupations ensure that the lodging facility is clean and in good condition for the comfort and safety of guests. Maids and housekeepers clean lobbies, halls, guestrooms, and bathrooms. They make sure that guests not only have clean rooms, but have all the necessary furnishings and supplies.

They change sheets and towels, vacuum carpets, dust furniture, empty wastebaskets, and mop bathroom floors. In larger hotels, the housekeeping staff may include assistant housekeepers, floor supervisors, housekeepers, and executive housekeepers. Janitors help with the cleaning of the public areas of the facility, empty trash, and perform minor maintenance work.

Sales or marketing directors and public relations directors oversee the advertising and promotion of hotel operations and functions, including lodging and dining specials and special events, such as holiday or seasonal specials. They direct the efforts of their staff to purchase advertising and market their property to organizations or groups seeking a venue for conferences, conventions, business meetings, trade shows, and special events. They also coordinate media relations and answer questions from the press.

Hotel managers, general managers, lodging managers, executive housekeepers, catering managers, cleaning and housekeeping workers and resort desk clerks are just a few careers developed in the hotel industry.

Josh Stone
http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/so-you-want-a-rewarding-career-in-the-hotel-industry-93020.html

The immense popularity of the retro themes of the 1960’s has unfortunately meant it has been a little overused. This has lead some style conscious homeowners to look back a little further to the 1950’s and even 1940’s for a historical reference point. Though paired together under the banner of “vintage”, the two decades did actually have quite different looks and nuances. Here we will take a look at both periods and see how simple it is to recreate the increasingly popular vintage look for our own homes.

Very much taking its lead from turn of the century British interior design, the 40’s style was still concerned with heavy use of floral wallpapers and fabrics. For a sincere recreation of this particular feature, look for wallpapers, curtains and cushions that contain daisies and rosebuds. Colours to include are pinks, greens and blues that have a grey tinge to them as colour schemes during the 40’s were generally quite muted. In keeping this muted look, settees should be covered in either cool green or beige velvet. If you cannot find a settee in these classic colours simply buy some cheap fabric in the style you want and have some slip covers made up. As in the case of Victorian style, a dark wood finish was favoured for furniture, however it was now much less decorative and more streamlined. Look for sleek sideboards in a dark wood finish for the sitting room and delicate dressers for the bedroom also in a dark wood to remain faithful to the 40’s look.

If it is a little less formality you desire then advancing a decade to the 1950’s will give you the same vintage feel but with a much lighter tone. Fabrics and wallpapers remain heavily patterned but now they are concerned with geometric designs inspired by new sciences of the period. Recreate this look with polka dot cushions and curtains matched with starburst or atom print wallpapers. All should be in sugary reds, blues and yellows.

Make your house as open plan as possible. The popularization of the television meant homes in the 1950’s were built in a much more open style than anything seen previously so that wives preparing meals could still be reached by advertising! The 1950’s home recognized the emerging importance of the kitchen as the hub of family life so lots of attention was given to their design and the appliances that went in them. Things to include in yours are a chequerboard vinyl floor, melamine fitted kitchen and lots of chrome appliances. The effect is purposefully quite brash as what you are trying to recreate is very similar to the American-style diner. A cheap roller blind will really finish off the look but if you really want to splash out why not add an oversize pastel coloured fridge-freezer- a real icon of the period.

Whichever end of the vintage era you lean towards you are sure to be delighted with the finished result. Vintage style is set to grow massively in popularity over the next few years and its timelessness will ensure your home is still looking top notch by the time vintage means 2008.

Terry Henman
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/go-vintage-to-remain-contemporary-706618.html

Design ideas for your kitchen remodel project.

Duration : 0:4:20

Read more…

Technorati Tags: concepts, construction, consultant, consulting, Design, Kitchen, New, Project, remodel, wilson