Lifestyle

The most beautiful cycling routes in Schleswig-Holstein

for the beginning of spring

Why floating homes are the next big thing in architecture

Dubai, Amsterdam, Seattle – all glamorous cities in which to drop anchor and make a home.

Historic building materials for sustainable construction

A conversation with Uwe Gotomsky from Sölstiin-Persch in North Friesland

St Patrick's Day: Why green is part of it and other exciting facts

As the world gears up to celebrate the famous Irish holiday on 17 March, we take a closer look at the background and traditions of the St Patrick's Day story to reveal some surprising and unusual St Patrick's Day facts.

Eco-friendly swimming pool alternatives

A swimming pool may be a refreshing oasis in the summer, but its maintenance isn’t always best for the environment. If you live in an area prone to drought or are trying to minimise your energy use, you may be considering repurposing your pool. Here are a few swimming pool alternatives to help you make the best use of this space.

6 reasons why your construction project will take longer than planned

If you’re embarking on a construction project, be prepared for delays. With multiple tasks, communication methods and contractors involved, projects can easily fall behind. Here are a few reasons why you should expect your project to last longer than initially planned, as well as some suggestions to help mitigate hold-ups.

Modernity, openness and nature: the enduring appeal of Eichler homes

The Eichler name is attached to one of the best-known and best-loved architectural trends in 20th-century American architecture. Here, we examine the defining aspects of the design, with a view to understanding how Eichler's homes are inspiring the homes of today.

The Saint Patrick's Day Story

The jolly green holiday of Saint Patrick's Day, associated with shamrocks, Guinness and often fancy dress, has much older roots than you might imagine. The story dates back to 387 AD, to a Romano-British missionary who was captured by Irish pagans and taken to the Emerald Isle to be a shepherd. After finding God, he became a priest, converting thousands to Christianity. Venture out in any major European city on 17th March and you'll almost certainly find festivities celebrating this legendary saint underway.

The smart home: What is part of the basic configuration and what additional devices are useful?

Properties are becoming more and more upmarket and the demands of prospective buyers for upmarket furnishings are also increasing. Smart home refers to the technology for an intelligent home that brings more living comfort and security to everyday life. 

6 tips on installing a basement home gym

Making a house a home is all about personality. The best luxury properties are those which serve as more than just places to live – acting, too, as spaces which shape and interact with our lifestyle. Installing a basement home gym is a fine example of how your home can be built around your hobbies. It might even help add value to your home. Here's a guide to setting one up, covering practicalities and some smart home-gym ideas.

Smarthome cameras: What you need to know about smart video surveillance

A good video surveillance system with several smart home cameras ensures more security for your property. Be it the garden gate, the front door or the interior, smart cameras allow you to keep a close eye on your apartment or house via your smartphone, even when you're out and about. If there is no time for this, the smart cameras save the video recordings, which are then available on memory card, cloud or mobile phone when needed. A large selection of smart home cameras is available from various manufacturers. For this reason, it is important to know what to look for in a smart home camera and what it is intended for.

Tips to help you face retirement with confidence