It’s become clear that humans weren’t designed to sit for hours on end while working an office job or lounging around the house. Research praises the idea that sitting less, or standing more often while incorporating movement into your daily life, is beneficial to both short-term and long-term health. Moving frequently during the day promotes blood flow and burns calories. Enhanced circulation increases energy and focus by distributing oxygen more efficiently and can help prevent chronic ailments. With regards to posture, standing is also a healthier position for our bodies than sitting.

Sitting tends to promote compression, leaning, and slouching. All of which can contribute to chronic back, neck and shoulder pain as well as longer-term ailments such as arthritis. Standing tends to open the body and easily facilitates movement so that we are rarely in the same position long enough for it to be significantly deleterious to our health.

An adjustable ergonomic stand up desk is the ideal product to promote standing, especially for those of us with office or desk jobs. Adjust ability is a key component of ergonomic standing desks because rarely do two people require materials to be elevated to the same height. There are two main versions of the adjustable ergonomic stand up desk. The first is a more expensive option that elevates the entire desk platform via either an electric motor or hand cranked motor. While costly, these standing desks are beneficial because they elevate the entire working platform so that standing is easier (and hence sitting is harder). The downside to these adjustable desks is that for true ergonomic position, you’ll still most likely need to elevate your computer monitor and find an attachment to support both your keyboard and CPU.

The second version of an adjustable ergonomic stand up desk can be considered a similar conversion kit, retrofitting existing desks so that the user can stand up easily and comfortably. These products sit on top of your existing desk, elevating monitors to a comfortable height for standing. While significantly more affordable than the aforementioned option, the downside to retrofitting a desk for standing is that the main work surface is lower than the ideal position.

The standing desk keyboard tray is another key component of an ergonomic standing desk because it can facilitate wrist, forearm, and shoulder health. People interact with computers almost exclusively through the use of a keyboard and mouse. Properly positioning these devices is important for improved health. A standing desk keyboard tray should allow you to position the keyboard independently from the mouse.

The optimal keyboard position is at a downward angle, which allows you to type with your wrists drooping down naturally (not cocked upwards, which is the unhealthiest wrist position for typing). A standing desk keyboard tray that slopes down should have an independent mouse pad adjustment. This will allow you to use your mouse on a level platform while the keyboard slopes down.

Combining a standing desk keyboard tray with an adjustable ergonomic stand up desk is a good way to incorporate standing and the health benefits associated with not sitting into your daily life.

Source by Mark P Watson

Just about every person in the entire world owns at least one chair. Even if it’s an upside-down milk crate, we have to sit somewhere, right? I happen to be a person who thinks a lot about chairs. I like the way they look, the amazing varieties in which they are made, the way designs cross cultures and time.

I’d like to take a moment to discuss an issue that’s been on my mind lately. It might seem a bit odd or off-center, but I think you’ll see the logic behind my concerns.

For good or ill, we live in a very litigious society. People sue each other all the time, whether they have good cause or not. Millions, possibly billions of dollars are spent every year paying legal fees and settlements for these lawsuits, especially in personal injury cases. I guess a lot of people see these cases as get-rich-quick schemes. Sadly, they’re right.

Right about now, you might be wondering what all of these concerns have to do with chairs. Well, I’ll tell you.

Along with the increasing number of lawsuits, another unfortunate trend on the rise is obesity. More and more Americans are crossing the line between being healthy and being overweight, and the trend is getting worse. Fatter people are heavier people. I know enough about chairs to say that not every chair is built to hold very large person. In fact, many common chairs are not safe for people over a certain weight.

By not acknowledging this, you are putting yourself at risk for being sued by a person who comes to your property and hurts himself when he sits in one of your chairs and it buckles underneath him.

Here are two examples of types of chairs that are most susceptible to this problem.

Anything suspended: Chairs that hang from the ceiling, hammocks, or porch-swing like chairs are particularly high risk. If you purchase one of these chairs, be sure to check the packaging for the weight limit. You might be surprised at how low it is! Take heed of the number, and stick to it. You might regret it if you don’t. If you have built your own hammock or swing, use good judgment and be sure your guests don’t overload it.

Folding chairs: That rickety folding lounge chair you’ve had since 1972 may be a loved favorite, but it can pose a risk. Many low-cost folding chairs [http://www.millbrookindustries.com/folding-chairs] (especially beach chairs, camping chairs and other outdoor chairs) are not very sturdy and can easily buckle under unexpectedly. If you have old beach chairs, you might want to invest in some new ones before you have your hefty in-laws over for a backyard barbeque. Also, many indoor-use folding chairs can break easily when their weight limits are exceeded. Again, older, cheaply manufactured chairs are most susceptible.

Most wood, metal or hybrid wood-and-metal chairs are sturdy and have high weight limits. If you primarily use these types of chairs then you probably have little to worry about. Even so, whenever you buy new chairs of any kind, be sure and know their weight limits. Adhere to them, and you and your guests will always sit in comfort and safety.

Source by Amy Nutt

As you get older, your furniture needs change. The sofa that you bought when you were younger because it was sleek and fashionable will not be comfortable when your back aches in the evening. The low chairs may be too difficult for you to get into and out of without hurting your knees or losing your balance. Fortunately, you can get age-friendly furniture for your living room that you can use as you get older.

Lift Chairs and Recliners

Lift chairs and recliners make it easy and comfortable for you to relax in your living room. They are nice and cushioned, which will allow you to sit back and enjoy your free time in comfort. Unlike some other chairs that are extremely rigid or too soft, lift chairs and recliners have the perfect amount of plump cushions. This keeps your body in a comfortable position so that you are less likely to experience hip or back pain after you get up.

Lift chairs and recliners are also perfect for those who feel as though they need a little extra stability when they are in the process of sitting down or standing up. Many people lose their balance as they get into or out of traditional chairs, which can cause them to fall and hurt themselves. Traditional chairs can also make it very painful for those with knee problems. Lift chairs, however, can rise up to meet you or to lift you up out of the chair. This will keep you steady as you sit or stand, and it will minimize the strain on your hips and knees.

Adequate Lighting

Your living room needs to be well lit so that you can see exactly where you are going. If the room is too dim, you may end up tripping or falling over something that was hidden from view. A bright light will also keep from straining your eyes as you read, solve puzzles or watch television.

There are different types of lighting that you can use in your living room. In addition to ceiling lights, floor lamps offer a cheap and easy way to add extra brightness. You can also install wall sconces or cabinet lights that will provide subtle lighting to make your pathways clear.

Since you go to your living room to relax, visit, read and watch television, you need to make sure that it is a place in which you can be comfortable. When you buy the right furniture, you can enjoy your living room for years to come.

Source by Monika Kay

They said that the advent of the modern automatic washing machine would spell the end of the old-style laundry. Then again, they also said that video would kill the movies. They were wrong on both counts.

Far from becoming a thing of the past, the laundry has come of age. It’s no longer the dull, deserted place that you might remember. It’s a thriving place that now offers more services than ever before. From kid’s play rooms to relaxing massage chairs, here’s just some of the surprising things that you can find in the modern laundromat.

Customer Lounge

There’s no more sitting and watching your smalls going around and around in the modern washeteria. They now have customer lounges that you can sit back and relax in. With comfortable chairs, trendy bistro tables, and TV, it almost makes doing the weekly wash a pleasure.

Vending Machines

If all that relaxing makes you feel hungry, you can grab a snack or get a drink while you wait for the wash cycle to finish. Drinks and snack vending machines are all part of the service at the best modern laundry.

Kid’s Play Area

Remember how the kids used to get bored and start playing up when you visited the local laundromat? That’s a thing of the past too. You’ll be relieved to learn that the modern laundry has a purpose-built kid’s playroom to keep the kids amused as well.

Massage Chairs

You might remember sitting on those hard benches while you watched the spin cycle. Well, that’s all gone. Now, you get to sit back and relax in a massage chair while you are washing your clothes.

Free Wi-Fi

If the kid’s get bored with the playroom, and you’ve had enough massaging for one day, you can log on to the free Wi-Fi. You can catch up with friends on Facebook and send a few emails, while the kids play their favorite games.

Pick Up and Delivery Service

If you don’t have the time to do your clothes washing yourself, why not have someone else do it for you. The modern washateria will now pick up your clothes from you, do the wash, and then deliver them back to you all clean and nicely folded. With the wash and fold delivery services that you now get, it hardly seems worth buying a washing machine at all.

It seems, then, that doing the clothes washing is not the chore that you thought it was. You can now do your washing in comfortable surroundings and make use of all the facilities. Or, if you prefer, you can use the wash and fold delivery services and have it all done for you.

The way that the modern laundry has evolved is a great example of businesses adapting. The introduction of the automatic washer hasn’t killed off washaterias, it’s made them up their game. The same thing happened with cinemas. Movie theatres adapted as well. They got smarter, cleaner and they now offer a much better service to their customers.

So, the next time you look at that huge pile of clothes that needs washing, don’t despair. Take a trip to your local laundromat. You might be surprised at what you find there.

Source by Neil Savin

The Adirondack chair has existed for more than 100 years. In 1903, Thomas Lee vacationed with his family in the Adirondack Mountains in the state of New York. Without an adequate chair for the outdoor terrain, Lee set about to devise one. His primary concern was producing a chair that would be both useful and comfortable. He began to experiment with pieces of wood and tested his resulting work on his family. His final product incorporated a slanted back and seat, as well as wide armrests.

Lee took his design to a carpenter in the town of Westport. This carpenter, Harry Bunnell, must have seen potential in Lee’s idea. In 1905, two years after Lee designed what is now called the Adirondack chair, Bunnell received a patent for the design. He named the chair after his town; he called it the Westport chair. From what we know, Bunnell applied for the patient without Lee’s knowledge. With the patent in hand, Bunnell began a successful campaign. He built the chairs for the next 20 years and sold them to vacationers in the region. His benches are still around today, although their value has multiplied hugely. During these years, Bunnell also experimented with variations of the original design.

Of course, the experimentation has continued. The basic design retains the same core elements. But furniture makers have adapted the structure of the Adirondack chair to many other pieces of furniture, including rocking chairs, gliders, benches, love seats, tables, footrests, and more. Whereas the original chairs were made from woods native to New York, Adirondack chairs come today in a variety of materials, including fabricated wood and synthetic resin. Likewise, the choice of colors is endless today. And the Westport chair, named for the town in New York, has become known as the Adirondack chair, named for the mountain range in which the town and surrounding country lies.

This style of furniture, although rooted in American history, appeals to people in other countries, too. In fact, Canadians may call this chair by the name “Muskoka chair.” The province of Ontario contains a region called Muskoka, which is known for lakes and other outdoor recreation. In other circles, you might hear people refer to this style as a “Cape Cod chair.”

Despite the name game, the basic elements remain the same. Like the prototype, today’s Adirondack chair continues to be made from planks or slats. Most of these chairs still have wide, flat armrests, which allow users room to rest drinks and snacks while they sit. Many chairs sit low to the ground, which is probably why they have become popular choices for beach chairs. Most still have the angled backrest and seat.

Experimentation with the Adirondack chair will likely continue. As it does, the design may evolve in other ways. But it seems that the basic Adirondack style won’t be disappearing soon. From the product of a vacationer’s search for comfort, we have turned out a whole style of furniture that continues to appeal to people, even after a century has passed.

Source by Rachelle Dawson

Bamboo furniture has a style and beauty all its own. As beautiful as any other wood furniture, bamboo pieces have the added advantage of being much more environmentally friendly. The range of furniture and accessories available is quite wide. Bamboo furniture pieces will fit in every home and every room in the home.

Bamboo furniture is not all alike. The look, it allows you to create, can range from pure fun to classic. Its natural beauty is only matched by its strength and is highly functional. Bamboo pieces compliment the seasons; it is cool and fresh in the summertime and warm in the cold of winter. Decorating with bamboo furniture is something different, new, and exciting to consider for your living space.

With tables to stools, benches, and chairs, bamboo furniture can be used as complimentary pieces as well as the total theme for your rooms. Because bamboo furniture has been around for so long, you are able to decorate with classic pieces with the traditional yellowish high gloss finish or more subtle, contemporary styles. Bamboo is also used to enhance pieces, as a veneer, on larger laminated items, for instance, bookshelves, cabinets, chairs, sofas, and tables. Whatever style you choose, bamboo pieces will enchant the guests you invite to your home.

The range of furniture pieces made form bamboo is almost limitless. Both solid and veneer functional pieces can be found for every space in your home such as:

• Couches
• Stools
• Rockers
• Chairs
• Sofas
• Loveseats
• Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinets
• Beds
• Chest of Drawers
• Desks and Workstations
• Tables of every kind

And on and on…

You can decorate with bamboo accessory pieces that go beyond the functional. You can find:

• Lamps
• Picture Frames
• Counters
• Shelves
• Screens
• Racks
• Mats and Rugs
• Shades, Blinds, and Curtain Rods
• Bamboo Plants

As you can see well crafted bamboo furniture encompasses a large range of items to accommodate the taste of every buyer. Bamboo furniture can also be made-to-order allowing you to select custom pieces for your home.

Bamboo furniture is in demand because of its strength and natural beauty. It is sturdy, durable, and inexpensive while being elegant. Easy to care for, it is just like any other wood pieces you have in your home. It can be dusted, waxed, or polished. With proper care it can last a lifetime. Even though bamboo furniture has been around for a long time, in many ways it is something new and exciting to consider when decorating your home.

Source by David Wilding

Let’s face it: There’s really nothing pretty about bed bugs. They are unwelcome (and yucky) intruders in mattresses, bedding and furniture all across the country. Getting rid of bed bugs can be tricky and the treatment for these critters is usually best left to a professional pest control technician. If you think you have these bugs in your home, here are some things to look for and actions you can take to help get rid of them.

Do I Have Bed Bugs In My Home? Bug Detection

It is common for a person to have the physical symptoms of bed bugs without ever actually seeing a bug. Unfortunately, just having bites on the skin is not a good indicator of an infestation. In many cases, bed bug bites look very similar to other insect bites or skin conditions (like eczema or hives). Making matters more complex, some people that are being bit will not have any visible reaction to the bites at all. An undiagnosed case of bed bugs can give the insects time to feed, breed, and spread from one area of your home to furniture and other areas throughout your house.

Here are some signs to look for if you think you have a bed bug infestation:

• Live bugs around your mattress, bedding or couch cushions
• Eggs and casings (eggshells)
• Excrement – dark spots on your sheets that will typically bleed into fabric
• Skins that nymphs shed as they grow larger
• Signs of dead bugs – either dead bugs or reddish stains on bed sheets from crushed bugs

Where should you look for bed bugs in your home?

• On your mattress or box springs around seams and tags
• On your mattress in cracks on the bed frame and headboard
• In the seams of chair and couch cushions
• Between curtain folds

Treatment for Bed Bug Infestations

There is no quick fix for treating infestations. Keep in mind that controlling an infestation can take time. The two ways to treat a bed bug infestation are with or without chemicals.

While both non-chemical and chemical solutions have been shown to be effective when properly used, I recommend an integrated approach of using both chemical and non-chemical (heat) techniques. Experience has proven that the integrated approach offers efficiency and effectiveness when you need it most.

Recommended Steps for Treating an Identified Bug Infestation

Recommended steps:

• Clean all items in or near a bug infested living space
• Remove any excess items where bugs might hide (like storage boxes and clutter)
• Eliminate bed bug habitats
• Physically remove bed bugs through cleaning and vacuuming affected areas
• Try non-chemical methods
• Follow up non-chemical methods — take care to only use pesticides according to the manufacturer suggestions or hire a pest control company
• Be consistent with post-treatment inspections and re-treatments

Non-Chemical Bed Bug Treatments

• Wash and dry bedding and clothing at high temperatures. However, just washing bedding or clothing is generally not enough to kill the bugs. Drying at high temperatures is the key.
• Heat infested areas to at least 118 ºF for 1 hour. The higher the temperature, the less time is required to kill the bugs.
• Cold treatments below 0ºF for at least 5 days (or 120 hours) can eliminate some infestations with the colder the temperature the less time required to kill the bed bug infestation. However, your home freezer is generally not cold enough to effectively kill them.

Chemical Treatments

There are dozens of chemical products on the market that are registered with the EPA to kill or repel the bugs. Unfortunately, many of the over-the-counter products simply do not work. Therefore, many homeowners will unknowingly waste time and money trying to treat their homes without professional assistance. We have found that most DIY homeowners will either over-apply or misapply the chemicals they purchase. This can cause bugs to spread throughout the home or cause increased skin irritations from pesticides.

It would be difficult to provide you with a complete list of the strengths and weaknesses of each of the DIY chemicals, so I always recommend contacting the manufacturer of each product directly (because most local pest control professionals will not be able to consult you on which DIY chemical they’d recommend for your situation.)

How to Keep Them Out of Your Home

The creatures are very adept at hitchhiking from one infested site to another. A key reason for their success at spreading from location to location is due to their ability to survive extended periods time without feeding. The bugs feed on blood from humans or animals usually every five to ten days. Some bugs can survive up to 12 months without feeding.

There are a few precautions that you can help keep your home safe from an infestation:

• Use protective covers to encase mattresses, box springs and furniture to eliminate hiding spots
• Remove clutter from your home that might be prone for hiding places
• Avoid bringing used furniture into your home without a comprehensive inspection

To prevent bed bugs from coming home with you when you’re on a trip or staying at a hotel or motel:

• Perform a thorough search of your hotel room for signs of bugs
• Use luggage racks for suitcases and reduce the contact between your clothing and the bed or carpet
• Perform a thorough inspection of your luggage and clothing when you return home and limit the contact between travel clothing and mattresses, box springs and furniture

Bed bugs aren’t fun, but if you are knowledgeable about what to look for and consult with a pest solutions technician to find the best solution, you can beat bed bugs.

Source by Derek Wetlaufer

A four poster bed has four posts in each corner, usually capped at the top. Initially, it was designed to support a tester used for hanging curtains. It enclosed the bed and protected the sleeper from insects and drafts. Original bed was designed for the specific purposes but this modern day bed is merely a piece of furniture giving a traditional look to your room.

The poster bed has been known as “the king of beds” or “the bed of kings”. These beds are the choice of elite people as they add luxury to their room furniture. They have been considered as royal beds bringing charm and old elegant style to your bedroom. These poster beds are a symbol of charming decors, wealth and royalty, thus boosting a long history.  

Four Poster Beds History

 

Four poster bed were first made in the Austria in the 15th century. Purpose of these beds was to protect the sleeper from drafts, pests and insects. Tudor, the four poster bed had canopy at the top with four posts.

 

Tudor was a huge poster bed with marvelously carved posts having 18 inches of diameter holding the weight of wooden canopy. The carvings on the bed displayed wife’s and husbands family coat of arms prepared from griffin’s, knights, monsters, metals and cupids. The drapes and tapestries used were greatly embroidered in magnificent designs and colors. When visiting mansions, lords carry these beds along with themselves. Portable beds were usually called “trussing beds”. 

For many centuries now, beds are considered as a significant element in houses and are regarded as a symbol of wealth. In fact, in present world, there are people who desire to own a four poster bed. Several popular hotels catering to the needs of rich clients are slowly realizing the true value of poster beds in their hotel rooms. They have realized that sleeping in a poster bed is an experience their clients will relish forever.

 

Beds were decorated with the silver, gold and precious stones adding further flamboyance to them. Velvet, silk and other fine fabric bed covers added more elegance to these beds. Instead of straw mattresses, feather beds commanded luxury to them.

 

Modern day poster bed

 

There are few advantages of machine made poster beds:

• They are available in wide range of designs.
• They are inexpensive.
• In a short span of time, a large no. of such beds can be produced.

However, handmade four poster beds have their own advantages and charm. You have the choice of selecting timber or wood and you can even get them designed according to the size of your room. Not only they are biodegradable, they are long lasting and eco friendly. Due to the rise in the cost of timber and workmanship, handmade poster beds can give you a run for money. 

Therefore, with the vast variety of designs, sizes and styles , these poster beds fits well into your budgets as well as your room.

Source by Erric Ravi

1. Back to black – Contrasting with organic finishes or warm metallics, bold black radiators offer a striking yet timeless look. Consequently we now stock a number of radiators and towel rails in black for quick delivery. See our towel rail range for a low priced, high impact bathroom heating solution.

2. Industrial revolution – Bare metals and raw finishes dominate Instagram interior images in 2019. Our best-selling multi-column radiator shows off its natural manufacturing marks and comes in a range of sizes to suit any space, be it traditional or contemporary.

3. Natural selection – Organically inspired radiator designs aim to bring the feeling of outside in and give a traditionally “hard” product a more tactile feel. Our wood radiator is finished in FSC certified timber and has an aluminium core for optimum sustainability. Upgrade to have hidden valves/electric connections for the most “natural” finish.

4. Dark and brooding – Dark matt finishes can be seen throughout kitchens and bathrooms in 2019, particularly dark blues, forest greens and burgundys. All our cast iron radiators are available in colour matches to Farrow and Ball so popular colour choices include Hague Blue, Studio Green and Brinjal.

5. Water conservation – Consumers are increasingly concerned about their impact on the environment and are consequently making conscious decisions to choose products that use less water. Many of our radiators are made of aluminium, which hold less water and offer a rapid reaction time. Aluminium also ticks the eco box as it can be recycled.

6. Copper look! – Taking inspiration from the popular stripped back look, plumbing parts such as taps and valves are increasingly specified in copper finishes. Our traditional towel radiator range can all be made to order in a range of copper finishes including antiqued and polished or our column radiators can be finished in a copper tinted lacquer over bare steel.

7. Concrete basics – The urban industrial theme continues with the use of concrete greys and raw finishes throughout 2019 interiors. Our stone radiator can now be finished in a concrete veneer matching up to the latest worktops and floor coverings.

8. Soft metallics – Luxurious and tactile metallic finishes are a key trend for 2019,

taking inspiration from boutique hotel bedrooms. So thanks to popular demand, we have introduced a range of towel rails in gold and brass with matt, brushed and antiqued finishes. These highly affordable and exclusive ladder rail in a brushed brass finish is worth its weight when it comes to bathroom design.

9. Hide and chic – Radiators with hidden valves or cables are increasingly popular as homeowners opt for products that streamline and maximise a space. Examples that work well are our mirror radiator that is dual purpose and can be made with hidden valves/electrical connections to ensure the cleanest finish possible.

10. State-of-the-art finishes – the latest technology can now be applied to the finishing of designer radiators. For example, PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) gives a sleek metallic finish that is very durable with a corrosion and tarnish resistant finish. PVD is now commonly used for bathroom fixtures that are exposed to frequent moisture and/or salt air and is available on some of our designer radiators.

Source by Helena Gerwitz

Koh Samui Island Property Investment

Koh Samui, Thailand’s number one tropical Island destination with its own international airport creates an ideal platform for any would be property investor. Recognized for being an internationally known World class holiday destination not only brings an abundance of nationalities but also opportunities for lucrative property investment.

While the majority of interest has traditionally been from European countries such as the UK, Germany, Russia, the Netherlands, France and Scandinavian countries, a new market of investors is emerging from Asia and Middle Eastern countries including Singapore, Vietnam, Korea, China and the UAE. The recent surge of interest from Asian investors is due to an increase in the levels of disposable income, recent deregulation of foreign investment laws (Korea) as well as new direct air links to/from Koh Samui. Discounted flights within the region also offer tremendous value to tourists wishing to holiday on Koh Samui and its surrounding Islands.

Koh Samui’s real estate profile includes many large branded hotels and exclusive luxury villa developments.

The market here is firmly based due to the fact that nearly all purchases of property are made without finance. Local mortgages are indeed not readily available, making property prices much more resilient to the World financial meltdown. What had been seen over recent months are certain properties being discounted, where the owner has a need to sell quickly due to financial losses sustained elsewhere in the World. This has created several buying opportunities, although these are generally quickly moved on to investors with cash.

So recent activity in the property market in Koh Samui has mainly been driven by cash investors, looking to move funds into property where good discounts have been offered. There is activity both on resale properties with price reductions of 10% to 30% to move property quickly to release cash and also certain developers looking to manage their working capital and clear property stock. Developer’s in the early part of 2009 have been finishing off part complete properties, and selling them at a discount to realize cash. At this time there are still several opportunities to gain and purchase luxury property, before the local market shows complete signs of rebound and starting its predicted growth path.

After understanding these current local climate conditions, the Koh Samui market has undergone a change of emphasis with the arrival of a new breed of creative developers aware of the great potential from planned increases in numbers of luxury travelers and investors looking for Lifestyle investments.

Focusing on two innovative developers both anticipating this demand for Lifestyle investment properties, both focusing on the area surrounding Plai Laem and Cheong Mon. They reason that with the areas fantastic beaches, closeness to the airport and no signs of overcrowding this makes it an ideal location for a lifestyle investment. Indeed the area still exhibits a traditional Thai feel with small beach resorts combined with more luxurious properties, 5 star spa resorts and hotels.

Both have strong ideas about how to create lifestyle property, which act as both an exciting investment and life style vehicle for those seeking to experience Koh Samui tropical Island life in luxury packages.

The Mandalay Gardens apartment project is set not far from Cheong Mon on the hillside. It is only 800 metres from the beach, with many of the apartments having spectacular sea views. It is indeed a fully flexible vehicle and as a lifestyle investment gives its owners the best possible advantages, having the special feature of a branded hotel management by Astudo. The project was soft launched in May this year, with a show unit being ready for active investors already in place at the hillside site. There are 9 different types of 1 bedroom units ranging from 50 Sqm to 90 Sqm. Prices start from 3.49m Thai Baht. Investment returns are not guaranteed, but with a 35% occupancy level are anticipated to reach 6 to 8 % at a 3,600 Baht a night average rate. Most owners are anticipated to participate in the rental program, and by doing so are granted up to 60 days per year free use. There is the possibility before construction commences of combining 2 or more units to create 2 or 3 bedroom apartments. Following on from its successful first project, Mandalay Villas, Tibor Szedlak CEO of Mandalay Samui Developments stated that the company has been founded on private financing, with no loans or other outstanding commitments. The legal status of this current project gives its owners a leasehold ownership of 30 + 30 + 30 years. Land ownership is secured by the fact that each unit owner equal shareholder in the land owning company. Payment’s after the initial 35% deposit are based on monthly installments becoming due as work is completed. Sterling has been appointed as Project Managers with DFDL Crawshaws acting are legal advisors. The whole project is set on 5,600 Sqm of land and with construction commencing in September 2009 and completion of Phase 1 by the third quarter of 2010.

The Samui Emerald Condominium represents another attractive option as a lifestyle investment, with the construction already underway, now is the time to take advantage of the remaining units on offer. Completion of the whole facility is contractually scheduled for no later than December 2010. Situated along side Plai Laem beach it gives easy access to Cheong Mon and back along the coastline to the chic boutique resort, Fisherman’s village. This area is home to the high end resort, Six Senses-Hideaway and Giorgio Armani’s branded villa development is also close by. Among the other close by attractions are Big Buddha, Turtle Island and Koh Som. The Samui Emerald units give their owners access to classy facilities including a large swimming pool, restaurant, fitness suite and multi lingual reception. Units range from 1 to 3 bedrooms, including 4 Penthouse apartments with standard units from 44sqm to 109Sqm with prices starting from 3.05m Baht. Units come fully furnished with modern designs including all loose furniture and electrical items. Again, there is no guarantee on investment returns but expect 8% with average rental rates estimated at 2,700 Baht per day for a standard studio room with 30% occupancy. Samui Emerald will be run like a hotel. Guests will be met at the airport, transferred to the site, deposits will be taken, guests will be shown to their rooms to find welcome basket and shower amenities waiting.

Owners who enter the rental scheme can benefit from up to 167 days per year free usage, whilst obtaining income for the rest of the year. Given its legal status as a Condominium, also gives foreign investors the opportunity to obtain foreign title.

Source by John Smalls