EVERYTHING FOR THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN
PROFESSIONAL GRILLS
The outdoors is our habitat. Its also our specialty – were experts at it. And while the worlds greatest grill will always be our flagship, weve applied the Lynx philosophy and outstanding workmanship to the whole collection of outdoor products and accessories, from refrigerators to warming drawers. Lynxs complete line of outdoor kitchen products combines advanced proprietary technologies and refined features that you can use to design your own outdoor cooking center. For more information about Lynx Professional Grills, please call Armands Discount BBQ at 1-310-839-5555 or visit us at www.armandsdiscount.com.
ALL WELDED CONSTRUCTION
RED BRASS BURNER LIFETIME WARRANTY
LOS ANGELESLIVING VOL XXXVI • NO. 5 • EVEN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015
LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
LOSANGELESLIVING PUBLISHER WALLY HICKS III
PRODUCTION MANAGERS
Contents
DAWN DOWLATSHAHI, DAVID MARCHAND
12 - 17 HOME FASHION
WRITER/COPY EDITOR
The Ideal Motorized Window Covering Experience Elegant Surfaces That Last Forever Simplify Your Life By Organizing Your Home Lighting 101™ With Hinkley Lighting
MARKETING MANAGER
18 HOME REMODELING Love The Home You’re In–Why Remodeling Is A Wise Choice
20 PRODUCTS & SERVICES A More Efficient Heating And Air Sysytem
22 KITCHEN & BATH From Design To Completion–Create The Kitchen And Bath Of Your Dreams
23 - 26 EXTERIORS & LANDSCAPING Take Back Your Backyard With Motorized Exterior Awnings Why Is My Foundation Failing? It’s All In The Soil Outdoor Kitchenware. What’s Cookin’ This Season? Evict Termites Without Leaving Your Home
CAITLIN FEENER DEBBIE TARNOFF
HOME FURNISHINGS DIRECTOR DEBORAH MESNA
MARKETING SPECIALISTS PHILLIP ALVIDREZ GLENDA BAYLY LISA TURNER
PUBLISHER’S REPRESENTATIVES MARKET LINK
ACCOUNTING MAI HUONG THI LE
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR SARAH CARLISLE
28 KIDS Whimsical Tree Houses That Come With Their Very Own Trees!
30 - 31 HEALTH, BEAUTY & FITNESS Reshape Your Body In 20 Minutes!
32 FOR YOUR INFORMATION A Personal Virtual Assistant That’s Always Ready To Help Are You Making Value A Priority?
ADVERTISING MAILING ADDRESS Affluent Target Marketing, Inc. P.O. Box 18507 Anaheim Hills, California 92817-8507 (714) 446-6280 FAX (714) 446-6294 (888) 612-7400
www.losangeleslivingmagazine.com
For comments to the publisher: ocpub@keyaccess.com
ON THE COVER Smart home technology has arrived at the window with products like the Hunter Douglas PowerView™ Motorization, featured on the cover. This new wireless technology is available on a wide array of sophisticated window treatment designs and fits perfectly with today’s connected lifestyle. To see a variety of different Hunter Douglas products, you can call Window Collections at 310-773-9792. You can also visit their showroom at 11704 Wilshire Blvd. Ste. D-212 in Los Angeles, or visit their website at www.windowcollections.com. See their ad on page 3 and article on page 12.
The opinions expressed in the editorials are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Los Angeles Living. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, we cannot supervise the way in which information found in Los Angeles Living is used. Los Angeles Living is produced bi-monthly by Affluent Target Marketing, Inc., P.O. Box 18507, An a heim Hills, California 92817-8507. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. All submitted materials, including images, logos, and text, for advertising and editorial are assumed to be the property of the provider, and Affluent Target Marketing, Inc. can take no responsibility for unintentional copyright infringement. Affluent Target Marketing, Inc. has the right to refuse advertising. CIRCULATION VERIFIED BY U.S. POSTAL RECEIPTS.
homefashion
Beach Home motorized coverings by Window Collections
Elegant motorized coverings by Window Collections
T I he
deal
MOTORIZED WINDOW COVERING EXPERIENCE
M
otorized window coverings are today’s standard. Automated window treatments allow function to meet form by offering full enjoyment of that million-dollar view, and controlling the exterior and interior lighting to create an elegant atmosphere. There are two things that are crucial to achieving the best experience when you are looking to incorporate automated window treatments into your own home. First, you want to find a company you can trust that has the top reputation in your local area. Experienced professionals will be able to help you find the perfect window treatment match for your home, and can answer any questions you may have so you can feel confident with your purchase. The second aspect to consider is product quality. You want a company that carries top-of-the-line products that offer the most innovative technologies on the market. Timers, applications, and other incredible options can allow the sun to wake you naturally, shield your view from the sun’s harsh glare, protect furnishings throughout the day, and know that your privacy is maintained at night. Customizable settings allow you to enhance your lifestyle, however you’d like. Lutron® keypad technology is one of the most cutting edge options available to homeowners. Featuring intuitive functionality, one control enables you to access several pages for simple control of your window shades, and even other aspects such as lighting, temperature, and more.
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LOS ANGELES LIVING • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015
Cutting Edge Lutron® Keypad Technology
On-screen button labels are personalized for your home, making operation extremely easy to navigate. Professionals will work with your audio/video technician and lighting designer to ensure seamless integration and control of window treatments with internal lighting and other electronics. Also, automation isn’t just for roller shades anymore. You can experience cutting-edge control with the Lutron Sivoia QS™ line of controllable shading products. The silent QS motor accommodates SunScreen or Blackout roller shades, custom fabric Roman shades, natural grass shades, wood blinds, and track systems for draperies and sheers. Drapery tracks are custom-built to fit your window, and are available in both straight and curved configurations up to 90 degrees. Drapery systems can also be dual mounted over windows and sliding glass doors for two layers of fabric. For homeowners looking for the most dramatic window presentation, motorized plantation shutters add upscale elegance and value to your home. For over 25 years Window Collections has designed, engineered, manufactured, project-managed, installed, and programmed window treatments, and are proud to be the top provider in Southern California for motorized window coverings. With an A+ ranking with the Better Business Bureau, Window Collections has also been praised by Robb Report, Gensler, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, LA Design Magazine, and many more. They combine expert products with design knowledge about window coverings, such as roller shades, Roman shades, draperies, natural shades, and plantation shutters, to provide homeowners with a smooth and worry-free transition into using the latest in automation technology. For more information, you can call them at 310-773-9792 or visit www.windowcollections.com. You can also visit their showroom, featuring over 50 automated window coverings, at 11704 Wilshire Blvd. Ste D-212 in Los Angeles. ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015 • LOS ANGELES LIVING
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homefashion
rom countertops to floors, it seems almost inevitable that every homeowner experiences the moment of realization that those once flawless surfaces simply just don’t look as beautiful as they used to. Natural stone can become stained, scratched, or discolored, and you may have even started to spot holes. The bottom line is—it’s just not as easy to take care of your surfaces any longer. However, before you start to stress over the cost of replacing those tired surfaces, you might want to explore a superior option that allows you to not only enjoy the floors, countertops, and showers that you once fell in love with, but also save both money and time on a replacement project. Not only can those surfaces be restored to like-new condition, but the right professional can teach you how to take control of your investment by providing care tips that prevent future wear and tear. You will finally be able to enjoy surfaces that sparkle, all year long. Whether your surfaces need a deep cleaning, refinishing, polishing, repair, sealing, stripping, or more, the key to long-term success is to become involved during the process so that you too can learn about your unique situation. When professionals evaluate your surfaces, whether a floor, counter or shower, they are also creating a personalized list of customized maintenance suggestions as they go, providing you with insight on how to properly care for your home. Here are just some examples of care tips that professionals can educate you about in regards to surface care:
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LOS ANGELES LIVING • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015
Natural stone. Use only neutral pH 7, no rinse, concentrated stone soaps when cleaning, and be sure that the label says “safe for marble.” Never use vinegar, lemon juice, or bathroom tube and tile cleaners that contain acid on marble, travertine, limestone, or onyx surfaces. Floors. Blot spills to remove liquids. When mopping is necessary, remove all loose debris and dust with a vacuum or broom before damp mopping, making sure to never flood the floor. Countertops. Wipe the surface daily with a clean damp rag and neutral cleaner, and make sure to have high traffic surfaces sealed periodically to prevent long-term staining. Showers. Squeegee all wall surfaces upon completion of each shower, or the very last shower of the morning. Also, be sure to remove standing water from the surface after use; this prevents mineral build-up on the surface. Sureshine™ Care and Restoration Services believes that client education on the proper maintenance of treated surfaces is of utmost importance. Sureshine carries high quality maintenance products that are made in the USA and designed to keep your treated surfaces looking great. Their professionals understand that in most cases, following simple maintenance instructions can save you thousands of dollars by extending the useful life of your floors and reducing the need for professional help. Services include marble, limestone, and travertine refinishing, polishing and cleaning, granite repair and sealing, tile and grout cleaning, concrete and terrazzo polishing, saltillos and Mexican paver stripping and refinishing, exterior paver deep cleaning, and glass polishing, as well as comprehensive and personalized maintenance plans. For more information, you can call Sureshine at 866-346-2121 or visit www.sureshinecares.com. ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
homefashion
G
etting ready in the morning has to be easier than racing around the house, trying to find matching shoes and a shirt that isn’t wrinkled. Isn’t it time to rid your life of the morning mayhem? Working with a closet professional, they will help design and create an organized custom closet, as well as other areas of your home. A custom closet adds value to your home. There is something luxurious about walk-in closets, no matter what the size, devoting an entire room to storage and organization. Reach-in closets can literally double your storage with closet organizers. Multiple rods, custom-built trays, shelves and cabinets will utilize all of your space. For additional closet space, turn one of your bedroom walls into a wardrobe closet with lots of hanging and folding space, hidden shoe shelves, and closet doors that slide or swing open. Finishes add color and character. Melamine finish is affordable and durable, while opting for stained or painted wood offers higher levels of customization. You can add decorative and architectural elements such as carved wood appliqués, crown and base molding, and decorative hardware. Wood closet organizers offer the ultimate in personalization and luxury. The richness and exclusive feel of wood and wood veneer accentuates the architecture and beauty of your home. Choose from maple, cherry, birch, and mahogany. Closet accessories are the essential working pieces, from padded jewelry drawers to customized additions such as tie, belt, and pant racks, ironing stations, shelf dividers, shoe racks, pull-out baskets and trays.
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LOS ANGELES LIVING • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015
Organization can be achieved in other areas of the home, too. Because home offices are often located in very visible parts of the home, custom office desks, workstations, bookshelves, and more can help clean things up. Designs feature both freestanding furniture and built-in configurations in a huge range of sizes, finishes and details.
Wall beds are the perfect way to save space. Wall beds allow you to convert rooms instantly, save valuable floor space, and let guests sleep over with comfort and convenience. Everything is designed to work within the bed cabinet and surrounding built-ins, effectively creating a multi-functional room. Custom shelving, drop-down tables, pullout nightstands, display alcoves, and media cabinetry are some of the accessories to consider. For more information or to schedule a free design consultation, you can call Closet Factory at 800-692-5673 (please mention code 62). Or, you can visit them online at www.closetfactory.com. ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
homefashion
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or the past 90 years, Hinkley Lighting has been creating lighting for the modern family that reflects evolving lifestyles, and brightens the simple pleasures of day-to-day moments. Hinkley understands the importance of lighting and its vital role in how you live in and enjoy every aspect of your home. To enhance your home with lighting, follow these simple tips from Hinkley about sizing and hanging a home full of lighting fixtures: Outdoor lanterns. If you are hanging one lantern, it should measure about one-third the height of your door, and if you are hanging two, they should measure about one-quarter the height of the door. The center of the light source should rest approximately 66-inches above the threshold. Foyer or entry. When hanging a fixture in the foyer, the bottom of the fixture should be at least seven-feet from the floor. If there is a window above the door in a two-story foyer, center the fixture so it can be seen from the outside. Sconces can be installed 60-inches from the floor and about six-to-eight-feet apart. Bath and vanity. Fixtures above the vanity should be at least 24-inches-wide, and the center should be mounted 75-to-80-inches
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from the floor. Mini chandeliers add sparkle to a nook or high powder room ceilings. Sconces flanking the vanity allow light to be evenly distributed across your face and should be mounted at eye level, about 36-to-40-inches apart. Dining chandelier. To size a fixture over a dining table, measure the length and width of the room or dining space, and add those figures together. The sum converted to inches will equal the right sized chandelier. The bottom of the chandelier should also sit approximately 32-to-34-inches above the tabletop. Island pendants. A group of pendants is an ideal lighting solution for islands and breakfast bars, with smaller fixtures generally hung in odd numbered groups, and larger pendants in pairs. In general, pendants should be hung with the bottom of the fixture 28-to-34-inches about the tabletop. Landscape lighting. Path and area lighting should be installed to enhance landscaping and to safely illuminate pathways. About six-feet between each light is a general guideline to follow. Uplighting creates soft focal points. Use a flashlight to test where you’d like the light to hit, then mount the fixtures accordingly. Bedroom basics. Overhead lighting such as central flush, semi-flush mount, or chandelier
will allow for the general illumination of the room. Ambient lighting such as bedside sconces make for easy reading, but also bounce light off the walls. Mudroom. Eight-foot or below ceilings are best fitted with a flush mount fixture, while nine-or-ten-foot ceilings are perfect for a semi-flush mount, which typically hangs less than 12-inches from the ceiling. Laundry room. Overhead lighting provides the main lighting, while sconces on either side of a laundry tub or folding area act as decorative task lighting. For more information about Hinkley products and much more, you can call Lighting Zone, Inc., located at 17354 Hawthorne Blvd. in Torrance, at 310-921-9495, e-mail lightingzoneinc@aol.com, or visit them online at www.DreamOnLighting.com. With over 25 years of experience, the professionals at Lighting Zone continue to place quality above all else. Their mission is to simultaneously help all customers with their lighting needs and provide exceptional customer service, ensuring that your shopping experience will be both pleasant and professional. In addition to an extensive collection of highquality light fixtures, Lighting Zone also carries mirrors, accessories, and fine art objects to complement and enhance your lighting choices.
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homeremodeling
Home
omeowners are continuing to choose to reinvest in their existing homes rather than buy a new one. If you already enjoy the general look of your home, updating the kitchen, renovating the bathroom, or adding on to the existing structure will have it looking newer and fresher than before. Home remodeling and renovation are common undertakings to increase the resale value of a home, yet more importantly; it is an investment in your quality of life. With a new color palette, flooring, efficient windows and doors, and the implementation of numerous other creative options, including architectural elements and sunrooms, remodeling your space will increase the value of your home and enhance the quality of your lifestyle. If you know that remodeling is in your future, but aren’t quite sure where to start, two areas of the home that will allow you to maximize any sort of transformation are both the kitchen and bath. So much of our time is spent
in our kitchen and bathrooms. The kitchen is the heart of the home, around which everything revolves; from everyday routine to the most special occasions, it draws people in and fulfills needs. While the bathroom is where you often start your day, as well as escape for relaxation and quiet time with a nice long bubble bath. Specialized home remodeling companies offer full-service design and construction to customize and improve your home through all phases of construction. One such local company is Sol Design Group Inc, a family owned and operated business that is capable of meeting all of your home remodeling needs. Sol Design Group Inc. strives to create memorable and lasting relationships with their clients, working with architects and interior designers to bring your dream to reality. For more information, you can call them at 844-876-5247 or visit www.solairinc.com.
Reach Your Best Buyers
Do you want to use your advertising dollars where they will be most beneficial? Getting your company’s message out to homeowners that are interested in upgrading their home and lifestyle can increase your sales at a very economical price per household. Advertisers can utilize the attractive format of Los Angeles Living to reach qualified buyers that are interested in the products and services they sell. For more information on how we can help you grow your business, you can call:
(888) 612-7400
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LOS ANGELES LIVING • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015
ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
productsandservices
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hile being comfortable is always a critical component, when it comes to your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, it’s also crucial to be aware of both efficiency and health. An inefficient system can not only cost a ton of money when the time comes to pay your monthly electricity bill, but it can also force your family to breathe unclean air that is polluted with dust and other allergens. With an environmentally conscientious future on our horizon, energy efficiency is becoming a major decision maker for homeowners buying household products. Windows, water heaters, and most appliances are all being manufactured with energy consumption in mind. Like many homeowners are currently experiencing, you might feel a bit guilty when constantly running your air conditioning each and every day while knowing how much energy it consumes. You also might find yourself forced to cut back on using the air conditioner due to those high bills. Here’s the good news—if you are looking for more efficient ways to cool your home that can also provide your family with safe, clean air, there are solutions.
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If indoor air quality is a top priority, Air Scrubber Plus® is a revolutionary new system designed to help eliminate air quality risks by reducing air pollutants, VOCs (chemical odors), cigarette smoke, dust, pollen, mold, odor-causing bacteria, and odors caused by pets and cooking. Air Scrubber cleans, freshens, and purifies the air using specialized germicidal UV light waves along with a proprietary catalytic process that creates enviroscrubbing molecules of oxygen and hydrogen, just like nature’s outdoor scrubbers. A professional heating and cooling technician can easily install the unit.
LOS ANGELES LIVING • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015
Zoning systems are the ultimate way to maximize your comfort while keeping things efficient. In just about every home, temperatures often fluctuate from one room to the next. A zoned heating and cooling system breaks your home into different areas, or “zones,” that are each controlled separately by a thermostat. This helps to not only eliminate hot and cold spots, but you also have individual control over the temperature of each room in your home. Finally, WiFi thermostats and programmable thermostats are fabulous ways to gain some energy efficiency over your system. Also known as smart thermostats, WiFi capabilities improve energy efficiency by allowing you to control the temperature of your home from a computer, tablet, or smart phone. Programmable thermostats save energy and money by allowing you to adjust your home to a user-set temperature program. Along with these new innovations in home heating and cooling technology, professionals can also help you find the quietest systems on the market, as well as many other requirements that you may have. It’s time for you to experience the ultimate in home comfort. Whether you’re thinking about going green, or simply want to increase your home’s value quickly and affordably, SolAir & Energy is your one-stop shop for all of your energy efficiency needs. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, you can call them for a free consultation or more information at 1-855-7-SOLAIR (776-5247) or visit www.SolAirAndEnergy.com.
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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015 • LOS ANGELES LIVING
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kitchen&bath
From Design to Completion Create the Kitchen and Bath of Your Dreams
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My Daddy fixes bumpers! At Your Home or Office
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LOS ANGELES LIVING • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015
he design of your living spaces is fundamental to creating a fresh and exciting feel in your home. If your kitchen and bathroom are lacking the style and personality you desire, then it’s time to discover a unique and avantgarde solution that challenges traditional design conceptions. Indulge in the latest styles and features from both European and local manufacturers. By visiting just one showroom, you can have the exclusive opportunity to experience numerous designs and layouts of cabinets, countertops, flooring, lighting and many accessories. Italian designers bring the art of sensuality back into your kitchen while making the space more functional and efficient. If your taste is not towards the contemporary, there are traditional offerings available as well. A full design team will listen and work with you in order to achieve the look and feel that you are seeking. From initial design to completion, professionals will make the process easy with careful planning, scheduling, installation and assistance. Designer Kitchens is an ideal choice for all of your kitchen and bathroom remodeling needs. Offering Italian cabinets from Astra Cucine, UltraCraft euro-style cabinetry that come with an incredible 100-year warranty, Kraftmaid® cabinetry, Caesarstone® quartz countertops, and much more, they have been serving Los Angeles County for over 10 years. Designer Kitchens is fully certified, licensed, bonded and insured General Contractors. For more information and a free consultation, you can call them at 310-474-5120. You can also visit their website at www.designerkitchensla.com or see their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/designerkitchensla ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
The Continental Patio Awning Deployed
Take Back Your Backyard With Motorized Exterior Awnings
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hen you invest in a home, you are buying more than just an interior. Think about it—if you didn’t like spending time outside enjoying the view and your beautiful surroundings, then you could have just bought a condominium. There’s a reason why you bought your beautiful home. The real question is: are you using it to its full potential? One of the main issues that might be keeping you and your family from completely utilizing your backyard is the weather. While basking in the sun for a few minutes can be nice, there quickly comes a point when it simply becomes overwhelming. What if you had the luxury to spend time outside whenever you want, whether it’s day or night, and always feel comfortable? Retractable shading systems allow you to finally take control of your backyard. Enhance your outdoor living experience by creating the functional space you have always wanted. One of the best features of innovative motorized awnings is that they don’t change the look of your home. Instead, they can enhance your backyard by adding color, more versatility and creating a new usable space. When an awning is retractable, you can have shade when you need it and sun when you want it. Therefore, depending on the weather and your needs, the control is totally in your hands!
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The Continental Patio Awning Retracted
An awning can be either deployed or retracted. While deployed, you can sit back, relax and enjoy your outdoor surroundings in comfort while being protected from the sun and other natural elements based on the system you choose. Watch the kids play in the pool and enjoy your backyard in the shade without worrying about getting too much sun. Relax by your outdoor fire pit at night and soak in the ambiance of your stunning landscape in the moonlight. When an awning is retracted, it disappears from sight and doesn’t change the look of your exterior décor. Essentially, a retractable shade system helps protect both you and your home at all times. When retracted, you can help protect your investment. Invest in your outdoor living spaces, reclaim your space and start appreciating every aspect that your backyard has to offer. For more information about high-quality awnings and other systems, you can contact Alpha Productions, Inc. at 800-223-0883 or visit them at www.alphaproductions.com. Alpha Productions has been manufacturing their Suntamer® products in the U.S.A. since 1978. They design, manufacture and install all of their own systems. With the majority of their business coming from client referrals, Alpha Productions always strives to provide the best possible customer service experience.
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exteriorslandscaping
WHY IS MY FOUNDATION FAILING? It’s All in the Soil
T
he old adage, “a house must be built on a solid foundation if it is to last,” rings all too true when you begin to understand the signs of foundation problems. Cracks in the walls, windows, and doors begin to stick, or won’t even open at all, and floors begin to settle and become uneven. Finally you think your foundation is slowly sinking into the ground. It may seem as though your home is falling apart at the seams. The truth is, it may very well be due to a failing foundation.
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But what causes your foundation to fail? The number one reason is settlement due to expansive soils that your home was built upon. Shrinkage and swelling from dry conditions and rainy or wet conditions cause soil to pull away from your foundation. Settlement due to this moisture imbalance will cause cracks to appear throughout the structure, including interior-exterior walls and floors. Settlement eventually causes your foundation to crack and separate, causing even more damage. Expansive soils are present throughout the world and are known in every US state. Every year, they cause billions of dollars in damage. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that ¼ of all homes in the United States have some damage caused by expansive soils. In a typical year in the United States, they cause a greater financial loss to property owners than earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes combined. Along with the shrinking and expanding of soils, some other causes of foundation failure include: • Wash-outs or over-wetting due to pipes leaking • Poor compaction or fill techniques • Tree roots or other growth causing damage • Hillside slippage due to erosion or seismic • Poor construction techniques • Material failure due to age or infestation Foundation Technology is an expert company in determining the causes of foundation failure, and designing a cost-effective permanent repair solution that is guaranteed to bring your house back to health. Their alternative repair solutions are backed by structural engineering, and also come with a limited lifetime warranty. The best part is, the cost to inspect is free and the cost to repair is far less than you might expect. To reach Foundation Technology, you can call 855-650-2211 or visit www.foundationtechnology.com.
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exteriorslandscaping Outdoor Kitchenware What’s Cookin’ This Season?
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hether you’re grilling steak and lobster this holiday season or just craving hot dogs and hamburgers, cooking outdoors adds the perfect ingredient to parties and celebrating holidays with family and friends. Barbecued chicken, pork ribs, and grilled veggies have a way of pleasing everyone and tasting great cooked outside. Now you can learn helpful tips from professionals by visiting a showroom that offers a range of innovative grills featuring different options and name brands. You’ll be able to assess various grills, learn how to maximize your accessories, and make an informed decision about which barbecue is best for you. There are two ways to add a touch of designer class to your outdoor kitchenware. All barbecues and accessories can be fit into designer islands configured to accommodate chefs and guests with working and serving space as well as comfortable dining space.
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Barbecue islands can have the look of brick, stucco, marble, tile, or stainless steel blending seamlessly into a variety of desired looks. For the ultimate complementary product, a freestanding stainless steel cocktail bar with water and filtration system provides iced beer, mixed drinks, soda, and pretzels easily rolled on heavy-duty wheels. The cocktail bars can also be integrated into designer islands for a more permanent look. The professionals at Armand’s Discount Fireplaces & BBQ Company can help you find the right barbecue, island, and cocktail bar for your outdoor entertainment. When everything in modern barbecue technology is conveniently displayed for your review, it’s easy to find what you’re looking for. For more information and to see these products year-round, you can call Armand’s Discount Fireplace & BBQ Company at 310-839-5555. 9400 Venice Blvd., Culver City. www.ArmandsDiscount.com
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exteriorslandscaping
Evict Termites Without Leaving Your Home
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ermites are among the most destructive pests in the United States, causing property damage to 600,000 homeowners each year. Although you have no choice when the termites move into your home, you have many different choices once you discover them. Twenty years ago homeowners didn’t have many choices, and tent fumigation was the standard extermination method for termites. This outdated method entails moving out of your home for three and a half days while a dangerous amount of toxic gas is pumped into your home. Homeowners who choose tent fumigation are forced to pay for three days worth of lodging, dining and pet boarding, as well as pack or discard all the food and medicine in their home. Not only is tent fumigation incredibly inconvenient, it also leaves a huge footprint on the environment. The chemicals used for fumigation have been identified by the California Air Resources Board as Toxic Air Contaminants, and have a harmful and long-lasting impact on the ozone layer. Fortunately there is an affordable, eco-friendly and effective alternative that won’t displace you from your home. XT-2000 Orange Oil® Plus is a revolutionary, scientifically proven product used by IPM companies to control termites. This innovative formula is 95% pure orange oil, a natural termite pesticide made from pressed and distilled orange rinds. With orange oil, you get rid of your termites with the same guaranteed results as fumigation while still enjoying the comforts of home. Trained technicians come to your home and perform a thorough inspection to detect the termite colonies. Using a high-tech optical scope, the technician can determine the extent to the infestation and inject orange oil directly into the infested wood members, killing the termites on contact. The fumes also act as a neurotoxin to the termites, creating a pleasant orange fragrance that humans smell without any effect. A remarkable property of orange oil is its ability to wick
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through wood, traveling through the porous cells in all directions. Therefore, orange oil not only treats the areas into which it was injected, but will soak into surrounding areas providing a superior termite protection. For more information on XT-2000 Orange Oil® Plus, or to find a certified Pest Control operator, you can call (866) 870-8485. XT-2000 has been in business since 2004, and they have treated over half a million structures, including homes, apartments, schools, commercial buildings, and more. Orange Oil Plus is 95% pure orange oil— beware of imposter products that contain only trace amounts of orange oil but also contain hazardous petroleum distillates. XT-2000 Orange OIl professionals are certified XT-2000 Orange Oil experts. They go through a required vigorous training program and have annual training updates. Very few pest control products are as vigorously controlled, so when looking for a pest control professional be sure they are a Certified XT-2000 affiliate by visiting their website at www.xt2000.com ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
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kids
TREE HOUSES
That Come with Their Very Own Trees!
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ho says that you need a very large tree in your backyard in order to build a tree house? Now, you can have the addition of a charming, quaint, and enchanting playhouse without having to worry about the actual tree or the construction. Authentic to the core, this unique clubhouse starts with the log of a real, old fallen tree, and is then hollowed out. The charming house that sits atop of the tree is made from old, recycled barn wood. Choose from styles that offer a more traditional look, or make guests walk the plank on creative pirate ship tree houses. You can even design a custom tree house based on your specifications. Standard features include log porch and windows, a ladder with trap door, all wood construction, cedar siding, redwood decking, crooked windows, swayed rooflines, recycled cedar shingles, a rust accent package, painting and staining, and installation hardwood. Tree houses can be shipped anywhere in the country. For more information on The Ultimate Tree Houses, you can call Affluent Products at 888-612-7400, extension 321. You can also visit www.affluentproducts.com, or email products@keyaccess.com. Invoke playful emotions in both the young and old with your own fantastic tree house.
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ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
healthbeautyfitness
Reshape Your Body in 20 Minutes! By John Colman
When Diane Rand reached age 50, she got concerned that her weight was slowly creeping higher and her clothes were feeling too tight. As a practicing physician in San Diego, she knew the diagnosis. “Your muscles atrophy as you age, and this slows down the metabolism,” says Rand. “I knew it would keep getting worse if I didn’t correct it.” The antidote? Effective weight training. But, she’d never lifted weights before. Plus, her fulltime job as a physician as well as her family life left little time in her schedule for exercise. Fortunately, Diane read an article about “slow-motion” strength training, a revolutionary new exercise method promising a firmer, stronger, more shapely body from just two 20-minute training sessions per week. Even though the time efficiency and results sounded almost too good to be true, she decided to enroll with a personal trainer at The Perfect Workout, a local company with dozens of private fitness studios specializing in this unique approach. Right away she noticed immediate increases in her muscle tone and energy. After several months she’d also dropped one to two clothing sizes and was fitting into clothes which used to be too small. “My trainer pushes me in a safe way, and I walk away feeling great after each session,” says Diane. “This is the wave of the future.”
Lean Muscles—The Key To Reshaping Your Body The Perfect Workout’s trainers encourage clients to build lean muscle tissue, which increases the body’s metabolism, burning extra calories even while you’re sleeping. Many people—especially women—have a fear of “bulking up” like a
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Physician Diane Rand tones her arms as part of her 20-minute training session in San Diego.
bodybuilder if they were to start strength training. In reality, if you’re older than 25, it’s much more likely that too little muscle is the problem rather than too much muscle. In their book Biomarkers: The 10 Keys to Prolonging Vitality , William Evans, Ph.D., and Irwin Rosenberg, M.D., show the research demonstrating that adults who don’t strength train lose an average of a half pound of lean muscle tissue each year starting at age 25. As an example, a typical 55-year-old woman will have 15 pounds less lean muscle (and significantly more fat) than what she had at age 25. Muscle takes up less space than fat, so this typical
LOS ANGELES LIVING • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015
55-year-old woman has arms and thighs that are softer and less firm, wears a larger clothing size, and has a slower metabolism that burns fewer calories each day. Effective strength training changes all of this. It increases your body’s metabolism, causing you to burn more fat and calories all day long. Strength training reshapes and tones your legs and arms. And since muscle takes up 20% less space than fat, adding muscle and losing fat will make your body firmer, smaller, and more shapely. A fit 140-pound person can wear clothes several sizes smaller than an out of shape 140-pound person. ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
healthbeautyfitness How Can Slow-Motion Strength Training Work So Quickly? Slow-motion strength training involves brief and demanding workouts to get great results. The basic concept? Lift relatively heavy weights excruciatingly slowly (10 seconds to lift, another 10 seconds to lower) for as many repetitions as you can until you’re unable to move the weights anymore. And when you learn to challenge your muscles as deeply as a skilled trainer can teach, it’s impossible to workout much longer than 20 minutes, even if you try. Dr. Philip Alexander, physician and faculty member at Texas A&M University’s College of Medicine, explains that it’s the intensity of exercise that stimulates greatest changes. “A slower repetition loads the muscles more effectively and efficiently. It’s harder!” exclaims Alexander. “That’s why it stimulates such a great total response from the body.” Dr. Alexander has tracked hundreds of subjects using slow-motion strength training, noting significant improvements in muscular strength, HDL cholesterol profiles, bone density, and glucose tolerance. Other research adds more supporting data. Two separate studies by Wayne Westcott, Ph.D., and one study by Ellington Darden, Ph.D., demonstrate that slow-motion strength training produces 50% to 59% faster improvements than regular weight training. And because the repetitions are harder, each training session must be limited to 20 minutes—making this exercise method quite time efficient.
In 3 months Justin Brunette dropped 4 inches from his waist and lowered his body fat percentage by 6.4% with effective nutrition and weekly 20-minute training sessions at The Perfect Workout.
Joyce Reclaims Her Youthful Figure 54-year-old Joyce Magnuson had always been slim and slender when she was younger. But in her mid 40s, life’s stresses caught up with her and she began gaining weight. “During the next few years, I kept getting heavier, until I was thoroughly broken and disgusted with myself,” says Joyce. Fortunately, she happened to read an article about slow-motion strength training and how it would reshape her body with just two 20-minute training sessions per week. The effectiveness of the method made sense to Joyce, and she decided to enroll with a personal trainer at The Perfect Workout. ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
In 3 months Laura Retana Shelp lost 23.4 pounds and 10 inches off her waist with improved nutrition and two 20-minute training sessions a week at The Perfect Workout. After five months of combining an effective nutrition plan with two 20minute training sessions each week, not only had she gotten stronger, she’d lost 43 pounds and dropped from a size 16 to a size 10. She was also able to get completely off the blood pressure medications that she’d previously needed to take. She adds, “The perk is looking good in the current styles. Even Macy’s keeps me motivated to stay fit!”
The Perfect Workout has dozens of private studios throughout the United States that specialize in one-on-one personal training with the slow-motion strength training method, including these Los Angeles area locations: Redondo Beach (310) 697-1238, Thousand Oaks (805) 413-4880, Long Beach (562) 606-0677, Pasadena (626) 658-2142, and West L A (310) 500-2005. www.ThePerfectWorkout.com
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015 • LOS ANGELES LIVING
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foryourinformation a
Personal Virtual Assistant That’s Always Ready to Help
hen you are a busy person, you know how hard it can be to find the time to focus on the little details in life. Aspects such as scheduling meetings, paying bills, and booking travel can quickly escape your to-do list when you are constantly worrying about much larger issues. Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone who is always available to help you at any given moment? If this sounds all too familiar, then it’s time for you to meet Iris. Iris is the secret weapon of successful people—not just in work, but in life. Part robot and part human, Iris has the personality of a human being and the brain of a high-powered robot in order to help you get things done quickly and efficiently. Plus, Iris is available 24/7 via text message or email. From social media assistance to dinner reservations, Iris is always a text message away. You delegate a task, and Iris is on it. For $35 a week, the Mogul package grants you access to unlimited task requests, 24/7 coverage,
and one-minute response time to all communication. Some sample tasks include business oriented aspects, such as website management, event planning, legal research, financial planning, sales tracking, market watch, data-entry, meeting scheduling, creating reports and documents, staff recruiting, and more. However, Iris can also handle those personal tasks, such as diet tracking, motivational quotes, jokes, dinner reservations, online ordering, deal hunting, travel planning, and wake up calls. No task is too big or small for Iris. If you are ready to streamline your success, maximize your time, and optimize your day, then it’s time for you to hire Iris. For more information about HireIris, you can text 442-500-IRIS or visit www.HireIris.com.
ARE YOU MAKING
VALUE A PRIORITY?
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hen it comes to making a purchase, whether you are buying something as small as a new chair or as large as a kitchen remodel, people tend to gravitate towards the lowest price. The fact of the matter is, who doesn’t want to save some money? There is an exciting thrill that comes with the concept of getting a bargain that seems to be ingrained in all human beings. However, succumbing to that thrill without giving your purchase any critical thought might end up being a choice that can completely negate your savings later on down the line. Here’s why. A low price tag almost always equals a low-quality item or service, no matter how you look at it. In order to achieve such a low cost on something, it’s almost guaranteed that corners have been cut to get there. During the recession, many people got used to low prices because businesses were simply trying to survive. But now, it’s crucial to recognize that the economy is showing stable improvement. Because of this, if you are a smart shopper, you
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have most likely started to become extremely cautious of the price that seems suspiciously low. Also, low prices oftentimes reflect a cheaply crafted product from overseas that can result in a short life span. The solution is simple: do the research before jumping at the sight of an attractive price tag. Always remember to prioritize both value and quality way above bargain because these are the factors that will guide you along the path to choosing a sound investment. Pay attention to the aspects that prove a company cares, such as customer service, honesty, and having pride in their product. Make sure you have an actual relationship with a company to ensure they are going to be there in a few years to take care of any future work. Information and education go a long way, and you will always experience peace of mind knowing that you made a confident decision. In the end, the lowest price more often than not becomes the highest price—it just might take some time to get there. ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM