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Have you had any thoughts for small space furniture for your tiny house, small apartment or studio? I’m sure you’ve searched the web for different ideas. If and when you get into this new adventure of tiny houses and small space living, you will find quite a few storage options or you can customize your own to fit your needs in order to maximize the new tiny space you will live in from now on.

In the meantime while I was writing this article, I ran into a little interruption… I have a teenage kitten named Coco and he decided to creep up into the attic through the A/C unit in the laundry room. He’s been up there for 4 days now, without food or water, and no matter how many times I’ve sweet talked him into coming down, I’ve had no luck!

Would you believe I even called the local Fire Department and 3 fire-fighters went up into the attic to help out with this situation, but they gave up saying “he’ll come down when he’s good and hungry”. So then, a little after they left, I went upstairs to the attic and sat down on the edge of the Attic stairway and started to sweet talk him again and after about 15 minutes, (I had turned myself into a kitty shrink) he voluntarily walked towards me and I grabbed him before he would decide to jump away. Has this ever happened to you?

Smart Small Space Furniture

Part #2 – Sofas

But getting into the real reason for this article, this past week I read for the first time articles by Architect, Sarah Susanka, FAIA, Acclaimed author of “The Not So Big House” series, “Home By Design” and “The Not So Big Life” where she transforms houses into dual purpose rooms and presents better solutions that fit our current lifestyles for that different kind of house you are dreaming of.

One of the solutions for these small spaces could very well be sofas with storage drawers underneath. This kind of sofa actually offers a three win-win solution as it can be used during the day as a regular seating couch, opens into a futon for sleeping and also comes with drawers underneath for smart storage at your feet. Some of these sofas have space for magazines and even little side tables as part of the rest arm extension. Like I said in my first article, “necessity is the mother of invention”.

First of all, functionality takes over as a priority and then design falls into the picture. Using a light color scheme, windows for light, mirrors and unused corners will optimize any small space furniture. There are several sofas for small space living and you will be surprised to see them. Make sure to leave windows unobstructed for lighting to flow through your small space and your area will seem bigger with this in mind. But, as mentioned before… functionality is a priority.

Dubai’s construction boom never ceases to exist. The architects and builders first used every piece of land to build magnanimous entertainment havens and when they were left with no ground; the ocean was up for grabs. Dubai’s passion to think out-of-the-box crossed all boundaries when it constructed the Burj Khalifa – The Tallest Skyscraper in the World. The panoramic view offered by the towering structure could give you jitters, but still the view from the Observation Deck is an unforgettable memory that could last up to centuries. It is such an overwhelming feeling, getting to know that human creativity has surpassed all levels of imagination.

Discover fascinating facts as you unravel the various high points of Burj Khalifa. The magnanimous man-made structure is truly appreciated only if you witness Dubai through Burj Khalifa’s eyes. Called ‘At the Top’, tourists are taken to Level 124, where they experience Dubai in its true spirit. You will know what the world is like when viewed from hundred floors above. It arouses a state of weightlessness and recognition of the ‘One’. Magically, everything that seemed so humongous on land turns into a minuscule replica laid out perfectly on a desert playground.

From the time you leave Dubai Mall to start your journey towards the Observation Deck, every moment introduces you to a new emerging technology. The jet speed elevators, the glass ceiling walls, awe-inspiring height, and overall opulence transcends into a virtual feeling of an alien colony, but a man-made one. Star trek was just a movie, but if there is anything that could come as close in reality, it would have to be Burj Khalifa.

The tour atop the Observation Deck lasts for up to one hour during which tourists are given a chance to view Dubai through special telescopes with close-up real-time views. They could also shop for a souvenir or two before descending back.

Burj Khalifa is an excellent destination in Downtown Dubai whose residences and office spaces are open to only an elite few. Presently, it houses the Armani hotel, the world’s first hotel developed and designed by Giorgio Armani himself. While the observation deck experience can leave you feeling overwhelmed, do not miss the stunning Burj Khalifa Park and Dubai Fountain performances.

Reports are trickling about China building a tower taller than Burj Khalifa in just 90 days. Maybe it will be taller, but would it be comparable to Burj Khalifa in terms of design, popularity, and architecture? Only time will tell.

The Middle-East is a part of Afro-Eurasia and is significant for its historical and political context. The history of the middle-eastern countries dates back to ancient times and is the hub of all the major religions like Christianity, Islam and Judaism. The Middle-East generally has a hot and dry climate and is the world’s largest crude oil owner.

The Middle-East is also world renowned for its architectural marvels and rich cultural heritage.

The Middle East travel Guide is the perfect source for you to choose an ideal itinerary and go places!

Dubai has transformed completely from being the tranquil, sleepy town of exotic coral and gypsum courtyard houses, Bedouin fishermen to being a dream city of high-rises and jetsetters. Today it’s a flashy, glossy sun-n-sand city, which offers luxury at its heightened glory.

Hotels in Dubai cater to the high-fliers and are the embodiment of exclusivity. There are several four-star hotels like the Novotel, the Rimal Rotana, Le Meridien Fairway and many more. Each hotel has a distinct style in terms of architecture, ambience and service.

Dubai’s existence can be traced back to 1799. The city has been progressing rapidly and become one of the most important cities in the world. Some of the best hotels in Dubai are situated in the plush hotels of Dubai. The restaurants of Dubai have a wide cuisine for its food connoisseurs.
Some of the renowned eateries in Dubai are hotel Ashiana, Al Qasr, Antique Bazaar, Benjarong and so on.

Dubai is called the shopping capital of the Middle East. The city is abounding with shopping malls and souks. Dubai shopping is a heaven for duty free shopping and the products give value for money. Goods such as cars, haute couture, jewelry, sports equipments, furnishing and much more are all available here. Some of the world-renowned shopping malls include Mall of the Emirates, Ibn Battuta Mall and Burjuman Centre.

The annual Dubai Shopping Festival is one of the major attractions of the city and people flock here from all parts of the world. Dubai shopping is an experience that will be memorable.

There are many things to do in Dubai. The city is full of entertainment hubs and Dubai has a flamboyant nightlife with the choicest bars and bistros. Some of the famous bars in Dubai are Alamo, Atlantis, Carter’s, Century Village and so on.

There are several multiplexes and exhibitions and events like Cityscape and Gitex.

Some of the famous festivals in Dubai include Dubai Desert Classic, which is one of the most popular golf tournaments. The Bride Show features a host of events based on the theme of weddings. The Dubai International Film Festival is also one such festival that has special screenings of international and local cinema.

Dubai festivals are round the clock and there are too many things to do in Dubai and one has to make an itinerary to enjoy most of Dubai.

Qatar has a wide variety of good food and drink. Seafood apart from the traditional food is also very appetizing and consumed on special occasions. A traditionally Qatari breakfast comprises milk, coffee or tea, olives, dates, bread. Cheese, eggs, yoghurt and the more conventional food like the Balaleet, noodles cooked in sugar, cardamom, and cinnamon and served with a fried egg as a garnish. Hummus is very popular and Qataris usually eat Michee, which is a similar food item.

Food in Qatar consists of fish and meat of the spicy type. One of the most popular dishes is Matchboush which is tender meat cooked and served with spices and rice. Om Ali is another popular dessert that suits the taste buds of the Westerners. Qatar has several restaurants that will serve very good food at reasonable rates. Turkish meals are also for cheap.

The culture in Saudi Arabia is rich and the heritage is worth a watch. Arabic is the official language of Saudi Arabia. English is widely spoken and is used for conversations and business and in schools. Islam is practiced throughout Saudi Arabia. Ramadan is the holy month that includes fasting and no one is allowed eating, drinking, cigarette smoking, gum chewing. At the end of the day, people eat together and break the fast.

This is what happens when you sometimes look at trends or fashions that go out of style quickly. Opting for looks that last you for life, or pieces which have relevance at all times can help keep your furniture looking fresh at all times.

Office refurbishment in London can be an expensive affair. In terms of looking for pieces that can suit all the requirements that your office has, you will need to look at different options that not just fill the space, but also provide all the utilities needed. This is an expensive and laborious affair.

Your furniture is not the only thing you need to pay attention to. In addition, you also have to pay attention to soft furnishing, and refurbishment. Refurbishment of residential properties in London and Dubai offer you not just stylish options, but those which will last you for several years without spoiling or going out of style.

What is important is not to fill your room with multiple pieces of furniture. Opting for minimal furniture which is capable of making a statement will not just glamorize the room, but also add a touch of style.

Refurbishment in London can help add many shades of color and style without being overly garish. They are understated and subtle even though they may be large in size. The most important thing about them is that they can find many uses and be placed equally easily in various locations around the room. Offering plenty of scope in terms of colors and design, they can help transform the room to be impacting or muted in accordance with your preference.

When looking for soft furnishings Dubai can prove the ideal destination. This is a city which combines the best of all worlds, and brings together influences that no other location can afford. Bringing together varieties that span all ranges and tastes, this is where you will find the ultimate in soft furnishings. UAE soft furnishings can actually open up before you a world of opportunity, allowing you to experiment with textures, shades and styles.

Getting an office or home in order does not always need a highly priced interior decorator. It can be quite simple by looking for a trusted provider who can give you not just varied options, but also allow you to select refurbishment that match all your furniture to perfection. Getting the right blend is most important to give your rooms a perfect finish, and this is easily possible provided you have the right source. The right furniture destination will not just find you perfect pieces for residential refurbishment in London or Dubai, but also the grandest, most exquisite interiors that you could have imagined.

For more information visit us at http://www.instyledirect.com

Deira is located on the east side of the Dubai Creek and has many wonders and hidden treasures for its visitors to discover. Located opposite Bur Dubai, it is easily reached by water taxi from the west side of the Creek.

Full of meandering narrow streets lined with small merchant shops and coffee houses, Deira is home to some of the oldest trading areas in Dubai, including the gold souk. Wander along the Dhow Wharfage and watch the local merchants selling their wares to shoppers in an atmosphere which is reminiscent of what it would have been like in times gone by.

As you walk along the side of the Dubai Creek you will come across a number of modern buildings and properties. One such building is the impressive Etisalat Telecommunications building which has a large round object on the top of the building which looks like a giant golf ball! Another impressive building is the National Bank of Dubai which is known as the ‘pregnant lady’. The exterior of the bank is made completely out of glass which acts like a giant convex mirror when the sun shines on the building at certain angles.

Every visitor to Deira should take time to visit Dubai’s oldest market which is located next to the Deira Abra Station. Merchants at the market sell a variety of goods, mainly household items. Then on to the Spice Souk where the intense aroma of the spices will have your senses working overtime. Here at the souk you will also find local healers and pharmacists who make their own special and traditional medicines. Probably the best known souk in Dubai is the Deira Gold Souk where you will find street after street of shops selling some of the finest gold collections in the world. A visit to the Gold Souk is a must do on your bargain holidays to Dubai.

Located close to the Gold Souk is Dubai’s first school which was established in 1912 and is among one of the many historical attractions in Deira. Three watch towers guard the city of Dubai. Burj Nahar is one such tower which is located in Deira. This beautiful tower stands in exotic gardens and makes the perfect backdrop for visitors to take some stunning photographs. Heritage House is home to some wealthy pearl merchants where visitors are offered chick-peas and tea, a traditional Emirati snack. The building itself is built from coral and gypsum and is built like an old bastakiya building with rooms looking out over a central courtyard.

Deira is an exciting place in the evening where visitors can wander around the streets and enjoy a nice meal at one of the many outdoor restaurants and coffee shops.

Diera City Centre first opened its doors in 1995. Covering over 115,000 square metres of retail space, the centre is home to retail outlets, restaurants, entertainment venues and a hotel. Entertainment venues include the popular Magic Planet where the whole family can enjoy the latest game simulators and theme rides, the 8-lane Bowling City and the 11 screen VOX Cinemas multiplex. The centre offers a wide range of dining venues from chic cafes to lively restaurants and an International Food Court. With over 55 dining outlets to choose from you will be spoilt for choice! The centre also features the 11-storey MAF Tower and direct access to the 5-star City Centre Hotel & Residence which is an 11-storey hotel with 318 rooms and 112 apartments. Located close to the Deira City Centre are 25 other hotels for you to chose from on your last minute holidays to Dubai.

Warehousing costs are levied by the warehouse owners and are an unavoidable expense for the companies that use the space. The owners should be conversant with the applicable charges. In years to come, users will find it increasingly mandatory to implement nearline storage, to reduce their data warehousing costs and make data analysis more efficient and effective.

As the warehouses grow in number and provide more services, determining the cost of the company gets more difficult. Basic costs need to be understood, even if there is a third party involved. There are generally three types of expenses involved and they should be understood, while calculating the costs.

The first is the General Overhead Cost. This consists of the cost of space per cubic square foot. It may further include rent or mortgage, property taxes and utilities. General Overhead Costs also comprise of the cost of racks, tables and other equipment used in staging areas. They include the cost of various security devices, as well as the cost of material handling equipment, depreciation and document destruction services, if necessary and the cost of repairs or shrinkage.

The second type of cost included is the delivery cost. This cost includes freight charges from outside vendors. These costs may also include the cost of gas, the insurance and the cost of the delivery trucks. These rates are subject to the time involved in negotiating rates and to select vendors, as well as the time to prepare shipping documents.

The third type of cost is the labor cost. This involves the receiving of incoming goods, including entering the relevant data into the computer and assigning warehouse positions. It includes the time taken to move goods from shipping to pallet positions. It is necessary for warehouse owners to be informed about the existing warehousing costs.

Article 1494 of the Maltese Civil Code (Chapter 16 of the Laws of Malta), defines Emphyteusis as follows:

“Emphyteusis is a contract whereby one of the contracting parties grants to the other, in perpetuity or for a time, a tenement for a stated yearly rent or ground-rent which the latter binds himself to pay to the former, either in money or in kind, as an acknowledgment of the tenure.”

Emphyteusis is typical of Continental law (European) and not English law. It is very different from lease or rent of a dwelling house or a piece of land. This is because unlike lease, Emphyteusis is a real right which attaches to the land being contracted and not to the person contracting such right. On the other hand, lease, being a personal right, does not attach to the land or the dwelling house being granted, but only to the person receiving the lease. The legal implications arising out of these differences are considerable, especially with regards to the rights and obligations of the contracting parties.

The contract of Emphyteusis must be made by public deed before a Notary Public. It would be null if done by means of a private writing. Lease, on the other hand may be entered into by private writing and will have the force of law. The contract of Emphyteusis cannot be changed throughout the emphyteutical period. Once the ground-rent is established, it cannot be changed.

Article 1494 provides three key phrases which need to be clarified:

i. perpetuity or for a time

There are two types of empytheutical grants: Perpetual Emphyteusis and temporary Emphyteusis. The former is a payment which must be effected annually with the legal option of redemption. Redemption renders the land freehold. Temporary Emphyteusis, on the other hand, is a contract for a number of years. (Usually in Malta the most popular number of years contracted for are 17 years, 21 years, 99 years and 150 years.)

ii. stated yearly rent or ground-rent

The ‘canone’ or ground-rent must be stated in the contract, under pain of nullity, and is to be paid yearly to the dominus, i.e. the owner of the house.

iii.

On expiration of the Emphyteusis, the utilista is bound by law to return the land or tenement with all the improvements made throughout the years during which the property was under Emphyteusis.

DLF is otherwise known as Delhi Land and Finance. It is India’s largest real estate located in New Delhi, the capital city of India. In the year 1946, it was founded by Raghavendra Singh. It has built many residential colonies in New Delhi like Shivaji Park, Hauz Khas, and Krishna Nagar etc. Its future plans include many hotels and other vast infrastructures. At present, its head person is Kushal Pal Singh, who is the 98th richest person in the world according to the Forbes Magazine. DLF possesses lands outside the jurisdiction of Delhi Development Authority. These lands are located, in and around, Gurgaon.

Some of the famous international partners of DLF are UK based Laing O’Rourke, Dubai based Nakheel, WSP group Plc etc. DLF works along with its partners to develop new infrastructures which include residential colonies, hotels etc. At present, DLF is sponsoring IPL, a twenty-twenty format of a popular game in India, cricket.

Recently, DLF has launched a plot in Gurgaon sector 73, an integrated township on NH-8 having good connectivity with the KMP Expressway. From past 64 years, DLF has successfully gained a good customer satisfaction. DLF has played an important role in developing a modern India. Some of the tentative details of the ongoing project work in Gurgaon are:

• Both Commercial And Residential Activities In and Around Gurgaon

• Some attractive infrastructures from DLF

• 18-24 Month Payment Plan(Tentative) which is flexible

• The most expected and eagerly awaited township in NCR

• Limited Dlf Plots

• Expected sizes of plots are 240, 350, 420, 502, 1000 Sq.Yds.

The DLF, Gurgaon is located on 75 meter sector road, which is just a 20 minutes drive from the IGI Airport. It will be half kilometer from the proposed metro route and the proposed ISBT. The site map is going to be launched soon by DLF. The tentative price per square yard is Rs.40000 and the booking amount is Rs.10 lakhs which should be given as a cheque. It is expected that the whole project of Gurgaon, sector 73, will be sold out in a day. Hence, DLF insists on confirming the book by sending the above mentioned amount in cheque. This cheque is refundable if the customer is not satisfied with the layout proposed by DLF. Associations of realtors also work in DLF who analyze the future of the investments done by the customers and can also arrange loans for them too.

If you think of a hotel as a well-oiled machinery, with its million little parts functioning together to deliver a seamless experience, a good property management system (PMS) is the heart that keeps the machine beating perfectly. From simple check-ins and check outs to offering sublime experiences based on guest preferences, a good PMS is integral to the functioning of hotels of all shapes and sizes.

That said, the technological needs of a smaller hotel are very different from that of larger establishments. An intuitive PMS that understands their specific requirements is worth its weight in gold. But it is also a significant investment and to ensure that the money is well spent, hoteliers need to choose a system that works well for their property.

Most hoteliers consider security to be their top priority, and that is a valid concern indeed. Any PMS you select must be PCI compliant. Without it, the system is open to threats and vulnerable to attacks. The banking data of your clients, their credit card details, and other personal information must be protected at all costs.

However, the specifications don’t end with security measures. There are a few other things to consider before you finalize a PMS for your property.

1. It should be easy to use

The best kind of technology is that which is absolutely easy to use. The longer it takes for you to wrap your head around the system, the more quickly you’ll get fed up of it. Besides, hotels are famous for their high turnover rates, and the software is likely to be used by young executives and experts alike. The system should be such that it requires minimum training for people to get comfortable with it.

2. It should be mobile compatible

Gone are the days when technology was restricted to personal computers attached to a desk. This is the 21st century and unless your technological solution can literally walk with you, it’s useless for all intents and purposes.

Any PMS you consider should be able to connect and send information to mobile devices. It should be able to communicate with you no matter where you are and what device you are using, including mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and personal computers. Not only does this promote operational efficiency, your staff will also be able to deliver great guest service on the go.

3. It should be easy to integrate

The PMS you select should have APIs that support both inbound and outbound connections. This will ensure that you’re able to integrate it with any other solution you may be using in your hotel, such as customer relationship management and rate management software.

If your PMS doesn’t facilitate deep partnerships with other vendors, you will have a fractured technology solution on your hands. It will impede two-way exchange of information and hinder sharing of guest profile data. The final result will be less than satisfactory guest experience, not to mention a breakdown of relevant systems.

4. It should keep track of guest preferences and history

The front desk is one part of the hotel that sees the maximum engagement, and, yet, most of the tasks happening there are fairly mundane and repetitive. If there was a way to automate them, the staff would be free to attend to more important duties.One way in which a PMS can add significant value to an establishment is by making low end decisions on behalf of the hotel. For instance, it should be able to auto assign rooms based on the guests’ preferences. This it will do by collecting all the relevant information and using it to make appropriate choices on behalf of the guests.

Secondly, a good PMS should be able to pull a guest’s history to discern what he likes and what his preferences were. This way, if a repeat guest has booked a room by the swimming pool in the past, the system will automatically book him the same room or something similar to that.

This form of automation not only eliminates congestion at the front desk, it also results in more intuitive exchanges with guests and the delivery of personalized and informed services.

5. It should automate guest communication

Hotels are often required to reach out to their guests to share regular updates. But due to conflicting time zones, it becomes difficult to get in touch with them on phone. That’s why they generally prefer to communicate via emails.

Having to do this manually can get fairly tedious for hotel owners and the staff. And should you forget to send an email out, it could cause serious lag in communication. To keep things running ship shape, a property management system can automate this process, sending out emails related to confirmation of reservations, post-stay thank you’s, and everything else in between.

6. It should help you measure success

A great feature to have in your property management system is advanced reporting. It frees you up from having to go through long and complicated spreadsheets and deciphering the data that is relevant to you. Instead, it places all the information you need at your fingertips, accessible in just a few clicks.

Basic systems will give you an overview of the daily running of your property. More advance systems should be able to provide reports around parameters like check ins and check-outs, cancellations, payment methods, average unoccupied rooms, average occupancy, average length of stay, and even revenue per available room.

With so much data at your disposal, you can get a perspective into the workings of your business and even identify areas that need improvement.

As you may have gathered by now, a good property management system can really be god sent for a small hotel. Working invisibly behind the scenes, it combines the best parts of workflow management and decision automation. It also displays a fair amount of intelligence, learning from external systems it is integrated with, and delivering subtle insights that help improve guest relations.

That’s why it’s important you choose a PMS that fits your establishment. Take into account all considerations, evaluate your requirements, and take a final decision once you’re sure the product ticks all the boxes.

For any business to set up in Dubai, an ecommerce license is necessary. This is needed from the emirates first before being able to trade or operate a business in the free zones. The cost for a ecommerce license in Dubai is not free as it needs to be paid before one gets his trade name and the certificate. The free zone is not so restrictive in terms of business set ups as they do not have any restrictions. In terms of business costs, this is one of the lowest business costs in the world. Just the registration fee and the certificate will cost you about the same amount as buying an auto or a house.

For an individual entrepreneur planning to start a business setup in Dubai trading, he may choose to apply for a business permit first. There are several companies offering trading permits in Dubai. Most of these companies offer free quotes on the basis of which the permits can be purchased. Once you have paid the required fee for the free permits, you can start trading in the free zones.

Another option to set up a business setup in Dubai is to get a visa through the Dubai authorities. The only condition for this is that you should hold a valid passport with you. The type of visa, which is available is a business visa or an ordinary visa. To apply for an ordinary visa, you need to apply directly at the immigration department of the Dubai.

A business setup in Dubai, which is complete without having obtained a residence visa does not make any sense. The reason is that most of the trades that take place internationally do not require proof of residence in the country. The documents required for this are the passport and the registration certificate of the person. You can get this information online. You can also visit the Dubai free zone office to find out the procedure for applying for this business set up.

If you want to set up your business in Dubai and you are planning to do so on your own, you will have to obtain a non-immigrant visa. This type of visa is called a residence visa. The other options of business set up in Dubai include the following: a business permit, an offshore business permit or an EEC or an employment permit. These are all different names of the same document. The important differences are the legal status and the eligibility requirements for each one.

The process of obtaining the documentation also differs from one issuing a visa to another. For the first option, you will be required to present your passport and the fee for the processing of your application. For the second option, you will need to present your business activities license and the fee for the processing of your application. The business activities license must be renewed every two years or else it will be considered invalid. For the EEC or the employment permit, you will not be required to pay the fee.

The business setup cost involved in Dubai includes the processing of the documents. The processing cost is calculated according to the number of items that you require and the amount of materials that you require to ship or deliver. The rates may be based on the product or service that you are selling and the location of your business. If you do not want to use the services of a UAE company or individual to process your application, you may choose to hire a freelance translator to do the job for you. Hiring a freelance translator can be an affordable way to get your business running smoothly.