The mansion belongs to Lebanese immigrants, Liza and Jammal Said. Liza loved travelling, and after their marriage in 1980. Jammal had promised to build a plane-shaped home for her one day as a symbol of their love and her love of travel. A contractor himself, Jammal fulfilled his promise made to his lady love in 1999, when the Said family found the perfect location to build their dream home in.

Although the plot was bought in 1999, the construction of this beauty began in 2002. Jammal himself oversaw the entire process so that the result came out to be just perfect. Wanting to fulfill the promise of a plane-house made to his wife, Jammal began work on a 100-foot long plane with a wingspan of 50 feet extending over the sides of the hilltop villa. The airplane structure spans across the entire roof. In fact, it can be called a complete home in itself for the body of the plane features a kitchen and a computer room inside the cockpit that looks out over Abuja. Isn’t that absolutely fantastic?

If the main aero-villa was not all, the property also features a number of other aircraft-styled structures. You would be surprised to know that a smaller, plane-topped guest house and a two-story security booth created to resemble an aircraft control tower have been built right behind the Abuja Airplane House. The right juxtaposition of these two buildings creates a magical appearance, which is absolutely unmatched to any villa we have ever seen. Have you ever been to this part of the world and witnessed this creative magic?

The post This Abuja Airplane House Showcases The Love For Aviation And Architecture appeared first on Pep Up Home.

However, if you are someone who is just initiating your way into the smart home structure, this article is for you. Here, we discuss the set-up process to initiate your Samsung SmartThings Hub and Home Monitoring Kit. Please take a look –

1. Pay attention to your package and read the manual thoroughly

The SmartThings Hub comes in a sturdy square box. Apart from the device, the package also consists of a power outlet, a motion sensor, and two multi-purpose sensors. On removing the Hub from the box, you shall find the device having slots for the power adapter, ethernet cable, and two USBs on one side. In the package, kept underneath the hub, you shall find the plugs you need to set the whole setup up.

2. Follow the instructions on the box

Samsung isn’t really lying when they say it is extremely easy to set up. There are four basic steps provided at the back of the cover, where Samsung has written the steps extremely carefully. While you may not have any problem here, you may face problem while searing for the SmartThing app on your phones. The fact the app is not branded with Samsung in the app stores that makes it pretty difficult to locate. Thereafter, you can follow the app set-up process to make the entire steps easier.

3. Connect your SmartThings device

After you initialize the mobile application, you can now proceed on to the next to them, which is connecting the device. For this, simply plug the ethernet cable into the device, then into your router. Thereafter, plug the power cord into the Hub. You can now plug the power plug into your regular electricity source and tada! The LED light will light up, signaling connection to your device.

4. The LED will cycle through different colors before being ready to be used

This step may take some moments, so don’t worry if you’re watching the pretty light colors for more than 5 and even 15 minutes. Once the LED light stays green, you shall receive a notification on your SmartThings app about the device is ready. Now, you can move onto your first accessory.

5. Plugin the outlet for using the Hub to perfection

The outlet is of prime importance with manifold possibilities. Basically, it will communicate with your SmartThings Hub to do any number of things. You have the liberty to manually turn it on or off with your phone, or you can program what you want it to do when you’re home or away or asleep, or you can schedule certain activities. Simply pair the device now with various outlets, and enjoy your smart home device taking care of your home like no other!

The post Follow These Simple Steps To Set Up SmartThings Hub And Home Monitoring Kit appeared first on Pep Up Home.

Presenting their initiative on Instagram, Just Kids said,

We have a brand new gigantic Okuda‘s artwork in town folks! The Spanish artist returned to Fort Smith a few days ago to create the Rainbow Embassy, a stunning urban installation curated by Just Kids. You can see it near the Darby Junior High School at the intersection of North 14th Street and North G Street.

It must be noted that for his first installation in the town, the maverick painted a neglected house that is situated right adjacent to Darby Junior High School. On that abandoned house, he drew a series of geometric lines and shapes in myriad colors. When noticed carefully, the structure bears two faces akin to animals painted on its sides.

Talking about this endeavor, Okuda said,

“This project gave me the possibility to expand on my previous work, adding in more architectonic dimension and completing my vision of mythical animals.”

According to him, he desires his art to bring “a touch of imagination and play into the daily lives of the neighboring community and students and Darby Junior High, as they will get to enjoy the installation and watch as it evolves through the seasons.

We are indeed smitten by his idea and genial creativity, what about you?

The post Artist Okuda San Miguel Transforms an Abandoned House In Myriad Geometric Hues appeared first on Pep Up Home.

Inside Story of This Tiny House in Utah

Welcome to the house of Laurel Harry. She lives with her husband, three kids and numerous pets. Located in Kaysville, the specialty of Laurel’s 3,100 sq feet house is that almost every decor piece in the house has been handcrafted by them. Talking about how the idea of DIY’ing the entire house (literally!) dawned in their minds, Laurel says their love for DIY started as his husband’s woodworking hobby. She told Apartment Therapy,

My hubby does wood working as a hobby, and he has created so many of the pieces in our home—from giant pegboard shelves, to a sunburst coffee table, to a magical TV stand that lifts the TV up when we want to see it, and down when we want it out of sight.

Interestingly, the couple has been coloring their entrance door regularly on their anniversary every year to apparently infuse a bit of newness and color more than ever. Don’t we just love this concept?

In fact, you would be surprised to know how they have added DIY touches to all their rooms to celebrate their uniqueness. We particularly love the penny tile that says “Hello” in the entryway to welcome guests.

Also, when asked to describe their house in five simple words, her answer was smart and endearing,

Whimsical, Eclectic, DIYed, thrifted, and fun!

Don’t you just love this house?

The post This Pretty Utah House Boasts DIY Items in Every Room appeared first on Pep Up Home.

1. High-quality doors with deadbolts

Often while choosing doors for our houses, we tend to think twice about spending more money. However, it is exactly where you should spend the most on. A sturdy door can be difficult to be break-in. And, when it is provided with deadbolts, it provides double security. If you ask us, we would implore you to get deadbolts installed in your main door, with at least an inch of the bolt inside the frame of the door.

2. Fit a burglar alarm

This is one of the main precautions you can take while setting up your house. A burglar alarm turned on at nights or when you go out serves as a great way to prevent anyone from breaking in. Even if you are not at home when the burglars try to break in, your neighbors can hear the siren and take adequate care of the thieves.

3. Take your house in a safer place

If you are thinking of buying a house or renting a place to stay, make sure it is predominantly considered a safe location. You can drive around the location a few times at various times of the day to get an idea of the kind of place it is – if it is extremely lonely or lively. You may also talk with your prospective neighbors or locals to get an idea of the safety of the place. This point may seem a bit of trouble, but you do what you gotta do! When it comes to your and your family’s safety, you have to walk that extra mile.

4. Keep safety in mind while landscaping

Often, while making our house look beautiful from the outside, we tend to overlook our security. We tend to have tall grasses, trees, and overgrown bushes sometimes to make our house look beautiful. While they do look great, they also offer great opportunities for the thieves to shield themselves from public eyes. So, try to trim the vegetation periodically to safeguard yourself from the burglars.

5. Make jolly rapport with your neighbors

Maintaining healthy relationships with people does not cost us any. However, during times of crisis, these relationships sometimes turn out to be saviors. Living like a community also ensures that you at least know your neighbors by face, so that you can spot unfamiliar faces frequenting around your locality. Also, if you are not at home and burglars come in, in case there is an alarm, your neighbors will be the first ones to help.

6. Install a CCTV in your home

If God forbid, there is a theft at your home, a CCTV can help the police spot the criminals with ease.

The post Efficient Thinking And Good Habits Can Save Your House From Burglary appeared first on Pep Up Home.

1. Roof

The most accessible point of your house for the hailstorm is the roof. Hence, it should be checked thoroughly. For the same, get a ladder and climb up the roof. Check minutely for dents or cracks. If there are any, make sure to avail professional help immediately for house maintenance.

2. Gas vents and chimney

Hails have extremely bad effects on the rain vents and the chimney vents. Even if your chimney is at a good height, you need to make sure to check every bit of it. The rain caps or the gas vent caps are generally made of aluminium, which makes them more prone to hail damage. Check them, and replace or repair them, if needed.

3. Gutters and downspouts

These may seem minor areas but not checking them can create drainage problems in the house. Gutters are generally made of aluminium, which are prone to hail damages. On the other hand, the downspouts are also heavily susceptible to hail-storm damage. So, a check on these two places should also be high on your list.

4. Flashing

As pointed out a couple of times already, aluminium is extremely prone to hail damages. Hence, the flashings placed along the chimneys or wall intersection can also be severely damaged by hailstorms. And, these are the places we often choose to ignore. So, after the next hailstorm, assess thoroughly to check if the flashing is in perfect condition.

5. Skylight

As a result of the damaging effect on aluminium, the glasses of skylights can be broken by the hail. As a result, the bulb within can also get severely damage to the condition of even bursting.

6. Windows and window screens

The windows, especially along with the sash and trims of the glass, can be damaged by hailstorms. Thereby, the cold winds can easily seep in, ushering in bad health. Furthermore, the hails can also have damaging effects on the window screens. So, make sure to check these points thoroughly as well.

7. Siding

If you have vinyl siding, it can get chipped or broken by hail. Even if your house has the latest Synthetic Stucco, a hailstorm can damage even that. Therefore, it is better to examine these areas closely.

8. HVAC equipment

Check the fins and coils of the HVAC units placed outdoors of your home. Once the hailstorms damage these areas, there might be severe airflow and leakage issues in your house.

The post Checkpoints For House Maintenance After A Hailstorm appeared first on Pep Up Home.

1. Find your style and taste

Before you decide on the furniture, the first thing you have to decide is what is your taste like. There are numerous types of styles to choose from:

a) Contemporary (metallic, sharp and angular)

b) Casual (wood, cozy and earthy)

c) Eclectic (highly individualized artisan or ethnic pieces)

d) Traditional (dark-toned wood, damask, and chintz, antique)

e) Country (painted wood, floral prints, soft tones)

If you are newly doing up your house or are doing so in a rented space, we would ask you to go for the casual or country vibes for they are pretty easier to assimilate and structure. The eclectic and traditional types are more high-end and shall require a lot of effort and time to put together. Having said that, if you have a penchant for home decor and love the eclectic and traditional styles, do go ahead!

2. Think honestly about your lifestyle

Like we said earlier, picking out certain types of furniture can go extremely high on cost. So, evaluate your finances and see if you can manage to put together an entire living space as per your taste. If not, then pick casual or country or even choosing the right furniture that you can even mix and match together for different rooms. Also, if you have kids and pets at home, you would want to steer clear of that ivories and whites!

3. Evaluate your necessities

If you work from home, you would need a separate working space apart from the usual one. If you are a new mum, you would want a separate relaxing chair installed right beside the baby crib for the long nights feeding the baby. Perhaps, you will do just good with a love-seat and a two-seater dining table rather than making them elaborate. What we mean to say here is that your profession or situation may demand some extra furniture than necessary, so evaluating your personal necessities should always be prioritized. Don’t give in to temptation, especially if you are doing up a house for the first time.

4. Take advantages of free services

Numerous furniture stores give you product brochures the first time you step in. Instead of looking up the internet (where can move you away from your goals), give these brochures a look. Also, interior design consulting and room planning guides are often offered by furniture stores for free. Avail those services without a glitch to evaluate your desires and the requirements of your house properly.

The post Setting Up New Home? Here’s A Guide To Choosing The Right Furniture appeared first on Pep Up Home.

What do we mean by a relaxation zone?

Well, at first thought, anyone might think that we are talking about a gaming zone or the TV room. However, what we are talking about is a peaceful corner, where the entire family can relax and talk or just sit quietly and do nothing. We are talking about a space, where you don’t necessarily have to carry the baggage of your professional stress. It will be your simple, mindful space sans much distraction.

Where to set up the room?

If you are willing to set up a relaxation zone in your house, you must remember that it has to be cozy and comfortable. The place does not need any technological distraction – it must be a space that will allow you and your family to unwind after a stressful day. However, it has to be inviting as well so that you don’t have to push yourself to go there and relax – it must not be the cause of any added stress. So, select your space accordingly – it must be located somewhere you are quite comfortable in – perhaps near a window, glass wall or even a corner of your room.

Few ideas of creating the relaxation zone

The sole idea behind the creation of your de-stress zone is simple – to cut you out from the worldly tensions and help you remain calm. Hence, space has to be minimal yet magical. Here are some ideas –

a) If you have a large window, install a tiny bed. Add cushions and throws in warm and neutral tones to give you that cozy effect always. You can also add a tiny table by its side to keep your books and/or music player.

b) If you don’t have so much space, you can add just a lounge chair and an ottoman unit. The idea behind this zone is to help you relax, so you don’t want any furniture that will let you sit uncomfortably.

c) For people residing in tiny apartments in cities, where windows open to traffic and chaos, you can select just a corner of your home. Keep some green plants and a chair adjacent to it, and you will automatically see the difference greens create!

d) If meditation and yoga is your thing, you can keep the space dark with aromatic candles. Keep the seating arrangement on the floor, and install a music system that will chant Hindu Vedic hymns for the perfect ambiance.

The post Home Relaxation Zone appeared first on Pep Up Home.

1. Clean and clear the gutter

Often while house maintenance, we forget about the gutter and the drainage system, which is an integral part of our house. Before the winter arrives, you would want to clear it, and even replace the same if need be. After all, if they get clogged during the winters, you might end up having flooded interiors, which no one wants during winters at least.

2. Turn off and disconnect your garden hoses

The next step is to check and make sure all the garden and outdoor faucets are turned off. Also, make sure to turn off and drain all the outdoor hoses from spigots so that the water does not freeze inside these pipes. Freezing water inside pipes may result in them bursting, which none of us really wants.

3. Fix and fill the gaps in your driveway

Now, this may seem absolutely unnecessary and tedious chore. However, trust us when we term it as one of the main maintenance chores. If you ignore a tiny gap in your driveway, water can seep into the same during the winter, freeze and eventually make that small gap bigger. And if it gets way too bigger, your entire concrete set-up might crumble, resulting in the creation of a giant pothole. We are pretty sure you can do without the pothole, right? So, take care of it now before it gets too late and costly.

4. Fertilize your lawn

Wondering why we are talking about lawns and gardens here for winter maintenance? Well, it is often said that prevention is better than cure. Likewise, take care of your lawn from today if you want to maintain it well tomorrow. While the grass might not grow during winters, the roots are always active. So, make sure to apply fertilizers that will prevent further winter damage. Doing this will ensure the grass to grow fast and smoothly right after the winters, making your spring and summer look bright and verdant.

5. Check your heaters

It goes without saying that heaters are by far the most important and utilized household item during winters. So, before the fall and winter arrive, you would want to ensure that your heaters are running smoothly. If you use wood hearth, you might want to check the chimney for any maintenance that it may need. Furthermore, check if your carbon monoxide detector has proper batteries in place or rather change them before it gets too late.

The post Prepare Your Home For Winters With These Easy Fall Maintenance Tasks appeared first on Pep Up Home.