Monday, April 26, 2010

World Bank Sees Progress on Development Goals

25 April 2010

This is the VOA Special English Development Report.

The World Bank says most developing countries have made important progress toward the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals.

Last week the international lender released its yearly World Development Indicators. Hundreds of indicators are used to measure progress in areas such as education, health, poverty, the environment and trade.

One of the Millennium Development Goals is to reduce by half the number of people living in extreme poverty by twenty fifteen.

Out of eighty-seven countries with data available, forty-nine seem likely to reach that goal. "Extreme poverty" is defined as earning less than one dollar a day.

Another goal is to make education available to all young children. The report shows that in two thousand seven, seven out of ten children lived in developing countries that had met or were close to meeting that goal.

Also, thirty-nine countries have achieved or are likely to achieve the goal of reducing child death rates. The target is a two-thirds reduction by twenty fifteen.

And the report from the World Bank shows the first reduction in AIDS-related deaths.

But even with all the progress, there is still a long way to go to reach all eight goals approved by world leaders ten years ago. This is especially true in sub-Saharan Africa, which falls behind on all of the goals.

Eric Swanson is a program manager for the World Development Indicators.

ERIC SWANSON: "You have had a decade or more in Africa of very slow economic progress in the nineties. You've had civil war and other disruptions, you've had poor governance in many countries that has not allowed the economy to grow and, in particular, has not allowed poor people to share in the benefits of growth."

Still, he points to some hopeful signs -- including a large reduction in the child death rate in Malawi.

ERIC SWANSON: "Malawi is a landlocked state, it is one of the ones that we tend to worry most about, and yet it has demonstrated that when you focus attention on a problem you can make progress."

Last week the World Bank also launched a new "open data initiative." The bank will make its data on living conditions around the world publicly available. Officials say this will make it easier to measure the effects of policies and develop new solutions to help the world's poor.

And that's the VOA Special English Development Report, written by June Simms. You can comment on our programs and learn about other development issues at voaspecialenglish.com. You can find transcripts, MP3s and podcasts. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and iTunes at VOA Learning English. I'm Steve Ember.

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Obama Concerned About Tough New Arizona Immigration Law

Photo: AP

Standing in front of members of law enforcement Gov. Jan Brewer, the Republican Arizona governor, talks about signing immigration bill SB1070 into law Friday, April 23, 2010, in Phoenix

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A tough new immigration law has been enacted in the Southwestern U.S. state of Arizona. U.S. President Barack Obama calls the crackdown misguided.

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed legislation Friday that has been described as one of America's toughest immigration laws.

The new law requires police in Arizona to question people about their immigration status if there is reason to suspect they are in the country illegally. Immigrants are now required to carry registration documents at all times.

Governor Brewer said drug violence in Mexico, along Arizona's southern border, has forced her to act, to protect the people of her state. "We in Arizona have been more than patient, waiting for Washington to act. But decades of federal inaction and misguided policy have created a dangerous and unacceptable situation," she said.

Earlier, at the White House, President Obama said the Arizona legislation is the kind of irresponsibility that could result if the U.S. government does not act responsibly on immigration. "And that includes, for example, the recent efforts in Arizona, which threaten to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and their communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe," he said.

Mr. Obama said the Justice Department will look at the new Arizona law to determine whether it is legal, and whether it might violate people's civil rights. "In fact, I have instructed members of my administration to closely monitor the situation and examine the civil rights and other implications of this legislation, but if we continue to fail to act at a federal level, we will continue to see misguided efforts opening up around the country," he said.

Civil rights activists have said the bill would lead to Hispanics being targeted by police because of their race. Hundreds of Hispanics protested the legislation at the state capitol in Phoenix on Thursday.

Before signing the bill, Brewer said she has worked with state lawmakers to ensure that the legislation will respect people's civil rights. "I will not tolerate racial discrimination or racial profiling in Arizona," she said.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security estimates that more than 10 million people are in the country illegally, 460,000 of them in Arizona. Thousands of Mexicans and Central Americans enter the U.S. illegally through the state.

President Obama said the controversy over the legislation should push U.S. lawmakers of both parties to reform national immigration policies. "I will continue to consult with Democrats and Republicans in Congress, and I would note that 11 current Republican Senators voted to pass immigration reform four years ago. I am hopeful that they will join with Democrats in doing so again, so we can make the progress the American people deserve," he said.

At a naturalization ceremony for members of the U.S. military, Mr. Obama said businesses should obey immigration law and not undermine American workers.

The president also said illegal immigrants should pay their back taxes, admit responsibility for breaking the law, pay a penalty, learn English and pass criminal background checks, before they can get in line and eventually earn citizenship.

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Ten Technologies That Will Rock 2010

Now that the aughts are behind us, we can start the new decade with a bang. So many new technologies are ready to make a big impact this year. Some of them will be brand new, but many have been gestating and are now ready to hatch. If there is any theme here it is the mobile Web. As I think through the top ten technologies that will rock 2010, more than half of them are mobile. But those technologies are tied to advances in the overall Web as well.

Below is my list of the ten technologies that will leave the biggest marks on 2010:

  1. The Tablet: It’s the most anticipated product of the year. The mythical tablet computer (which everyone seems to be working on). There are beautiful Android tablets, concept tablets, and, of course, the one tablet which could define the category, the Apple Tablet. Or iSlate or whatever it’s called. If Steve Jobs is not working on a tablet, he’d better come up with one because anything else will be a huge disappointment.Why do we need yet another computer in between a laptop and an iPhone? We won’t really know until we have it. But the answer lies in the fact that increasingly the Web is all you need. As all of our apps and data and social lives move to the Web, the Tablet is the incarnation of the Web in device form, stripped down to its essentials. It will also be a superior e-reader for digital books, newspapers, and magazines, and a portable Web TV.
  2. Geo: The combination of GPS chips in mobile phones, social networks, and increasingly innovative mobile apps means that geolocation is increasingly becoming a necessary feature for any killer app. I’m not just talking about social broadcasting apps like Foursquare and Gowalla. The advent of Geo APIs from Twitter , SimpleGeo, and hopefully Facebook will change the game by adding rich layers of geo-related data to all sorts of apps. Twitter just recently launched its own Geo API for Twitter apps and acquired Mixer Labs, which created the GeoAPI.
  3. Realtime Search: After licensing realtime data streams from Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and others, Google and Bing are quickly ramping up their realtime search. But realtime search is still treated as a silo, and is not regularly surfaced in the main search results page. In 2010, I expect that to change as the search engines learn for what types of searches it makes sense to show Tweets and other realtime updates. In the meantime, a gaggle of realtime search startups such as Collecta, OneRiot, and Topsy will continue to push the ball forward on the realtime search experience. Realtime search will also become a form of navigation, especially on Twitter and Facebook. The key will be to combine realtime search with realtime filters so that people are delivered not only the most recent information but the most relevant and authoritative as well.
  4. Chrome OS: In November, Google gave the world a sneak peek at its Chrome operating system, which is expected to be released later this year. The Chrome OS is Google’s most direct attack on Windows with an OS built from the ground up to run Web apps fast and furious. Already a Google is rumored to be working on a Chrome Netbook which will show the world what is possible with it a “Web OS.” It sounds like it would be perfect for Tablet computers also (see above). Chrome is a risky bet for Google, but it is also potentially disruptive.
  5. HTML5: The Web is built on HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) and the next version which has been taking form for a while is HTML5. Already browsers such as Firefox and Google’s Chrome (the browser, not the OS) are HTML5-friendly. Once HTML5 becomes more widespread across the Web, it will reduce the need for Flash or Silverlight plug-ins to view videos, animations, or other rich applications. They will all just be Web-native. HTML5 also supports offline data storage, drag-and-drop, and other features which can make Web apps act more like desktop apps. A lot of Websites will be putting HTML5 under the hood in 2010.
  6. Mobile Video: With video cameras integrated into the latest iPhone 3GS and other Web phones, live video streaming apps are becoming more commonplace—both streaming from phones and to them. As mobile data networks beef up their 3G bandwidth and even start to tiptoe into true broadband with 4G (which Verizon is heading towards with its next-gen LTE network), mobile video usage will take off.
  7. Augmented Reality: One of the coolest ways to use the camera lens on a mobile phone is with the increasing array of augmented reality apps. They add a layer of data to reality by placing everything from photos to Tweets to business listings directly on top of the live live image captured by the camera. Tonchidot’s Sekai Camera, Layar, GraffitiGeo and even Yelp are examples of augmented reality apps.
  8. Mobile Transactions: As mobile phones become full-fledged computers, they can be used for mobile commerce also. One area poised to take off in 2010 are mobile payments and transactions. Twitter founder Jack Dorsey’s latest startup Square turns the iPhone into a credit card reader. Verifone has its competing product, as does Mophie. The idea is that any mobile phone can become a point of sale, and those mobile transactions can tie into back-end accounting, CRM, and other enterprise systems.
  9. Android: Last year saw the launch of nearly two dozen Android-powered phones, including the Verizon Droid. In a few days, Google’s Nexus One will launch as the first Android phone which can be unlocked from any given carrier (it is launching with T-Mobile). Android is Google’s answer to the iPhone, and as it reaches critical mass across multiple carriers and handsets it is becoming increasingly attractive to developers. There are already more than 10,000 apps on Android, next year there will be even more. And other devices running on the mobile OS are launching as well.
  10. Social CRM: We’ve seen the rise of Twitter and Facebook as social communication tools. This year, those modes of realtime communication will find their way deeper into the enterprise. Salesforce.com is set to launch Chatter, it’s realtime stream of enterprise data which interfaces with Twitter and Facebook and turn them into business tools. Startups like Yammer and Bantam Live are also making business more social.
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Friday, April 16, 2010

Green Growth: The Way Forward for Asia and the Pacific

Green Growth: The Way Forward for Asia and the Pacific

In the Asian and Pacific region, facing ever-increasing demands for food, water, shelter, sanitation, energy, health services and economic and human security, how will we cope with all these added pressures?

How will we meet the difficult global challenges before us, while simultaneously improving people’s lives and conserving our natural resources?

The Governments in the Asian and Pacific region have unanimously agreed to respond to these challenges through the promising path of environmentally sustainable economic growth, or “Green Growth”.

In March 2005, at the Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific, 2005,3 held at Seoul, Republic of Korea, approximately 340 delegates, including representatives from 52 members and associate members of Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) embraced the approach of environmentally sustainable economic growth (Green Growth).

The Conference endorsed Green Growth as a policy focus and a powerful strategy to promote “winwin” approaches to reconciling the conflict between current pathways for the achievement of two important Millennium Development Goals: MDG 1 (on poverty reduction) and MDG 7 (on environmental sustainability).

In this sense, the conference were milestones of strategy for regional cooperation for sustainable development for the period 2005-2010, which were reflected in three major documents adopted at the meeting: the Ministerial Declaration on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific, 2005; Regional Implementation Plan for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific 2006-2010 and the Seoul Initiative on Environmentally Sustainable Economic Growth (Green Growth).

Read the UNESCAP's book: "Green Growth at a Glance"

Source:
UN-ESCAP,Green Growth at a Glance; ttp://www.unescap.org/esd/water/publications/sd/GGBrochure.pdf, downloaded: 10 April 2010.

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Indonesia Ecotourism 6#: Tanjung Puting National Park And The Problem


[1]

On the Tanjung Peninsula in the south of Borneo, the Tropical humid forests cover 3.050 sq km (1178 sq mi) of the swampy alluvial areas between Kumai Bay and Seruyan River has been known as biosphere reserve and national park. This ecosystems were characterized by various type of forests, such as remnants of dryland dipterocarp forests, peripheral mixed swamp forests, peat swamp forests, mangrove and coastal beach forests, and secondary forests. Here is The Tanjung Puting National Park, a large spectrum of ecosystems!

Dryland dipterocarp forest consist of Shorea spp., Myristica spp., Castanopsis spp., Lithocarpus spp, Iron wood (Eusideroxylon zwageri), etc; peat swamp forest with Dyera spp., Tetramerista spp, and, the high value coservation of plant species, ramin (Gonystylus bancanus). Heath forest composed of Dacrydium spp., Eugenia spp., Lithocarpus conocarpus and Castanopsis spp.; mangrove and coastal beech forest including Rhizophora spp., Bruguiera spp., Sonneratia spp. and Xylocarpus granatum.

The area is also significant for marine animals, including crocodiles, dolphins, mudskippers, and dragon fish. The dragon fish, highly prized by collectors, are vulnerable to poaching.

History

The Tanjung Puting National Park was primarily established by the Dutch colonial government for the protection of the orang-utan (Pongo pygmaeus) and Proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) in the 1930’s. The area was originally declared as a game reserve in 1935. In 1971, Camp Leakey was established as a site for scientific research and a rehabilitation centre for orangutans.

[2]

In 1986, Dr. Biruté M.F. Galdikas established the Orangutan Foundation International , a non-profit organisation that raises much needed funds for the rehabilitation of orangutans, to re-install their natural instincts for the wild. She has been involved in the conservation of Indonesia's natural resources and proved to be instrumental in convincing the Indonesian government to turn the site of her orangutan research at Tanjung Puting Reserve, into a National Park. Indonesia government, then, declared Tanjung Puting National Park in 1982.

Untill now, Tanjung Puting National Park has been known as the important park for it's orangutan rehabilitation. It helps orangutans that have been raised illegally as pets to adapt to wilderness.


Tourism

As great apes, Orangutans ("people of the forest") are among human kind’s closest living relatives in the animal kingdom. These great red apes share approximately 97% of their genetic material with humans.

[3]

At Tanjung Puting National Park, visitors can cruise on the Leakey River towards camp Leakey and thrill treks into the heart of the jungle will be unique opportunity to observe Orangutans, and watch them live , breed, and roam freely in their natural habitat, besides these fascinating Red-orangutan.

There will be innumerable other creatures to see and hear, there are Orangutan (the agile gibbon), The long nosed Proboscis monkey, The crab eating Macaque, The satin blue King fisher, The rare Storm stork, The pied Hornbill, and a wide variety of song birds. In fact, visitors will be entering the realm of prehistoric wonders of nature. In the last Eden of Borneo’s tropical rain forest, you will catch glimpses of fragrant Orchids high in the canopy intricate blossoms, Lush foliage and colorful fruits deep in luxuriant heart of this great island.

At Rimba Lodge and Relax, take your time and afternoon be ready to involve with unique local community in the Seikonyer village (Rimba Lodge to village just neighbor). There are massage & Spa, called Batimung, visitors would be relax after the long jungle treks. Then, canoeing in the river and accompanied by experienced local children. Born to be wild...!!!


Problem

Among the problems that the biosphere reserve faces today are illegal logging, agricultural practices and gold mining which takes place adjacent to the biosphere reserve boundaries. There also, palm oil plantations surrounding the Park. Palm oil plantations are the number one threat to rain forests in Indonesia and, thus, to orangutans and other species of wildlife.

Palm oil is used as an ingredient in products such as soap, cosmetics, and cooking oil. Furthermore, palm oil is now being used for biofuel. Ironically, turning palm oil into biofuel is probably worse than using the petroleum products we are trying to avoid. To prepare palm oil plantation, most people in Indonesia ussualy slash and burn forests land. It emits large quantities of carbon dioxide into the world's atmosphere, making Indonesia the third largest emitter of carbon in the world after China and the United States.

Substituting biofuel based on palm oil for regular petroleum-based fuels does not decrease the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, rather it increases these emissions from the fires used to convert forest to plantation and destroys precious habitats for endangered animals, see this video: BIOFUELS: Driving a Catastrophe).

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“Onthel” Bike: Antique and Unique Bike in Indonesia



"Onthel" (Javanese language, means "push or propelling”)-bike is a standard bicycle with 28-inch tire's size. A bicycle, also known as a bike, push bike or cycle, is a pedal-driven, human-powered, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist or a bicyclist.

Bicycles can be categorized in different ways: e.g. by function, by number of riders, by general construction, by gearing or by means of propulsion. The bicycle products also can be classified into 3 variants of the standard frame-sizes 57, 61 and 66 cm. There are different between bicycles used for men and woman, a clear gender classification of bike!


Male's Bike



Female's Bike


Bicycles were ever used by urban communities in Indonesia until the 1970s. Various brands of bicycles range from the premium brand, such as Fongers and Gazelle, until the common brands, such as Simplex, Burgers, Raleigh, Humber, Rudge, Batavus, Phillips, can be found and well-known in Indonesia market at this time.

In the 1970s, the existence of bicycles is displaced with the new models which are compacted in size and not distinguished between male and female bike-designs. The new popular bike's model was made in China and known as Phoenix brand. Then, the Phoenix bikes have also been shifted by Mountain Bikes models since the 1980s. Today “Onthel”-bike widely used by rural communities for their daily activities.


Phoenix-bike



Mountain Bike


Because of his age and scarcity, the "Onthel" has been transformed into antique and unique bikes since the 2000s. Like all antiques, bicycles are most valuable when the finish is original and in good condition. During the last decade "Onthel" bikes are being hunted by groups or hobbyist to be collectible or to ride for pleasure.

In Indonesia more than 100 groups or communities of "onthel" bikes promote the importance of riding bike. When the fuel price raising and the lack of pollution control, bicycling is a transportation alternative. It’s good for health and fights global warming.


"Onthel"-Cyclist Just Married, Source: Flickr


Bicycles that used to be ancient and lout might be return back to the main transportation in the future. Enjoy!

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Modern fan-shaped lamp

Find your perfect balance. Lighting is an important part of every room, and the lighting you choose will reflect something about yourself. This Modern Fan-Shaped Lamp appears to spring from its base, giving a sense of joy, freedom and bliss. The fan-shaped lampshade is ribbed with bamboo and rests gracefully between two satin steel-finished poles. These poles are attached close together at the maple base, and bend outward to hold the circular lampshade. This form is all about fluidity and existing without restraint – and whichever room you place it in will feel lighter, beyond just being lit with the bulb. You’ll find the Modern fan-shaped lamp at LA-Decor.com for $67.00 (table lamp) or $168.00 (floor lamp).

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Antfarm



Your room will be crawling with style. Lighting is important in any room, and adds a special something to a modern home. The Antfarm creative lighting system allows your to design a web of light that is fully customizable based on your design instincts. You can choose from one to seven pods, which are connected via pathways of interconnected rope, and which use LED, long-lasting light fixtures. Great as mood lighting, the flexibility and versatility of this lighting system means that you can run it across the ceiling, around corners or along a wall. The Antfarm wall lighting system is available now at PlushPod.com for $440.00 – $2420.00.

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Imaging and Imagining Space: A Collaboration Between Art and Science



Supernova Echo, 1987
Farhad Zadeh
Monochrome digital Lambda print
Courtesy of the artist

In January 2001, Pamela Bannos, lecturer and artist, and Farhad Zadeh, an observational astrophysics professor, came together to explore each other's perspectives on space in an exhibition at the Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University. The exhibition, Imaging and Imagining Space: A Collaboration Between Art and Science, demonstrated that astronomical and artistic photographs may present outer space in surprisingly similar ways. A year later, they discussed their collaboration with science teachers during the Art Institute’s course, Science, Art, and Technology. In this combined effort, Bannos and Zadeh explored visible, invisible, and imagined space through optical telescope pictures, images from X-ray and radio telescopes, and fine-art photographs.

Bannos and Zadeh used contrasting methods but similar visions in choosing images for the exhibition. Bannos’s work seeks to challenge the truth of photographs. Using a projector, enlarger, and materials such as glass, spray paint, paper, vaseline, and mold, she created artistic photographs that resemble astronomical images. The effect of running her fingers through vaseline on glass or shining a flashlight on paper submerged in chemical developer produced ghostly pictures that look strikingly like images taken from a telescope pointed at the stars—so much so that an astronomer who saw one of her works believed it was an actual space image and attempted to classify it as a remnant of a super nova. Although her works are not based on any specific space phenomena, Bannos’s images “convey the essence of what might be."

Unlike Bannos’s work, Zadeh translated digital images directly from space through a telescope into a computer and then turned them into photographs. Zadeh, who received his Ph.D. in astronomy from Columbia University, and spent two years at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center before he joined the department of physics and astronomy at Northwestern University, used images derived from devices such as the Hubble Space Telescope and radio telescopes. Astronomers typically look at a static image of a galaxy as it moves at a very high speed and produces jets of material emanating from its core. This material follows the motion of the galaxy, and astronomers use this path to determine such aspects as acceleration of particles and radiation emission. Zadeh, in imaging these distant bodies, looked for symmetry and structural details in small-scale systems, such as Saturn's ring, and large-scale systems, such as galaxy clusters, around which to compose his photographs. Speaking about the exhibition of real and imagined photographs of the universe, Zadeh states, "just as one can view a tree versus the forest, this exhibit presents details of nearby objects while displaying a holistic view of distant phenomena.”

Visit Spaceimages.northwestern.edu for additional information on Pamela Bannos and Farhad Zadeh's collaborative exhibition.

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O-Moon Lamp

Your guests will be howling at the moon when you incorporate this O-Moon Lamp into your next gathering. Whether you’re having a quiet night of cocktails and finger-foods or a care-free party on the patio, you’ll find that this lamp gives off a flattering glow that illuminates just enough – but not too much. It is designed to look like the Australian moon, and its natural inspiration can be seen in its simplicity and its versatile outdoor/indoor placement options. The sturdy stainless steel base allows this lamp to be picked up and moved wherever the party roams, so you and your guests don’t have to be without a little luminescence. You’ll find the O-Moon Lamp at DWR.com for $880.00.

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Toto Cube Lamp

Every good conversation piece deserves an interesting story. The Toto Cube Lamp is not only a minimalist piece of modern art, but it is a uniquely created lamp with origins in the oddest of places. It is manufactured by a wine crate maker in its off-season, in the mold of the many crates that are made to carry bottles of wine. It offers three levels of functionality in addition to its statement as a piece of art: it can be used as a coffee table, a seat or a lamp (or all three). Perfect for a loft, modern dining room, living room or commercial setting, your guests will love to hear about the unique creation process of your Toto Cube Lamp over a nice glass of wine. The Toto Cube Lamp is available at DWR.com for $275.00.

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LineaAqua Anna 19 x 19 x 25 Modern Bathroom Vanity Set with Porcelain Sink, Faucet, and Mirror


LineaAqua Anna 19 x 19 x 25 Modern Bathroom Vanity Set with Porcelain Sink, Faucet, and Mirror

LineaAqua Anna 19 x 19 x 25 Modern Bathroom Vanity Set with Porcelain Sink, Faucet, and Mirror

LineaAqua Anna 19 x 19 x 25 Modern Bathroom Vanity Set with Porcelain Sink, Faucet, and Mirror

BOXY, BEAUTIFUL BATHROOM BRILLIANCE! There is something to be said for a luxurious bathroom, even if it is not for the master bedroom suite. Style up small bathroom spaces, loft spaces, or half baths with the LineaAqua Anna 19 x 19 x 25 Modern Bathroom Vanity Set with Porcelain Sink, Faucet, and Mirror. Remodeling projects will take on a new life! Couple this vanity set with any color palette and finish successfully and beautifully. Do not be afraid to mix and match tile choices, metals, and fabrics in these modern and contemporary bathroom spaces. You can purchase this vanity set from lineaqua.net for $2,300.00.

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Abaca Wall Shelf

Frame your storage in style. Shelving units don’t have to be dull, horizontal slabs of wood to fit with a modern home. The Abaca Wall Shelf takes the functionality of a flat shelf and adds three more sides to give you a frame for whatever knick-knacks you want to highlight and store at the same time. You can use these frame/shelves for displaying tasteful pieces of accent furnishings, or for storing books, DVDs and other media. These frames are available in natural abaca or dark chocolate finish, and would look stunning in a natural- or tropical-inspired setting. You can add the Abaca Wall Shelf to your home for $66.00 each by visiting Spacify.com.

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Modern Bedroom Furniture: Delta Low Profile Platform Bed


Sleep soundly in style. Although your guests might not see it, a modern bedroom is often the cornerstone of any modern home. LTD Mod has a large selection of furnishings for your bedroom, ranging from platform beds, to nightstands, to dressers, and beyond. Any of your modern bedroom needs can be met – and they will even custom create a piece for you if you don’t find what you’re looking for. Their Modern Bedroom Furniture offers minimalistic design balanced by rich tones, high functionality, and sophisticated style that simply cannot be matched. The Delta Low Profile Platform Bed from LTD Mod’s collection is a perfect blend of modern minimalism with a touch of nature. Retailing for $1698.00, this platform bed offers a unique style that is utterly priceless. Crafted from rustic acacia mangium wood, this bed is perfect for the bedroom that wants to stand out from the crowd. And the attached, matching nightstands make for a functional, fashionable bedroom set. Why not try pairing the Delta Bed with the Kobe Armoire, a teak armoire that is made of sturdy construction and features a grainy, natural finish. This armoire features ample space for storage and beauty needs in its large cupboards and lower drawer, and would look stunning in a modern bedroom that uses earthy tone
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Double Bathroom Vanities: 59″ Augusta Contemporary Wall Mounted Bath Vanity

Double Bathroom Vanities: 59″ Augusta Contemporary Wall Mounted Bath Vanity

Complete your modern bathroom with a sleek double vanity. Ditch the sterile white traditional bathroom for something with more of a punch. BathGems.com has one of the largest selections of bathroom vanities and cabinets out there, and their products are truly modern in appeal. For the larger bathroom, why not check out the Double Bathroom Vanities available at BathGems.com. These vanities are wide enough for two people to use them at once, and they offer ample storage space as well. For those on the cutting-edge of modern design, the 59″ Augusta Contemporary Wall Mounted Bath Vanity is a great choice. It features two square sinks mounted on a black wood countertop that floats elegantly above the matching three-drawer cabinet below. Stainless steel accents top off this piece, and it comes with the ability to customize the faucet to truly reflect your inner fashionista. For a more traditional, yet still contemporary, look, try the 63″ Grand Regent Double Bathroom Vanity – Espresso. This chunky, sturdy vanity features frosted glass accents on the cupboard doors and the countertop, as well as stainless steel handles to accentuate the rich espresso finish. With three drawers and two large cupboards, this vanity adds storage space to its abundance of style.

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Top 25 Interior Design & Furniture Blogs

1. Design Sponge

designsponge This style website is the cream of the crop – using a gentle and creative presentation, Design Sponge serves up multiple posts every day about home design, new and innovative products and tips on home living in a modern world. You will discover gems within every post, whether they discuss mini trends like ombre and glass lamps or give a detailed “before and after” description (complete with beautiful photos) of room and furniture redecoration. Design Sponge is worth subscribing to, even if it is just to browse the artistic photos that go hand-in-hand with every post and use them for inspiration in your own decorating adventure.

2. Moco Loco

mocoloco For a frequently updated online magazine dedicated to everything modern, give Moco Loco a visit. It covers not only modern furniture, but also architecture, interior design, accessories, other resources for modern living and so much more. The authors and editor strive to bring the latest news, reviews and recommendations of innovative products and services to their eager and creative audience. Moco Loco gathers its articles from a wide variety of sources, so you won’t see the same design twice on this stylish website.

3. Apartment Therapy

apartment-therapy With the tagline “Saving the world, one room at a time,” Apartment Therapy makes it very clear that it has big dreams for its readers. Whether you are from Washington DC, New York, LA or anywhere in between, this website has the trends in your area covered. Its posts are beautifully highlighted by artistic photos of bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms, and they point the readers in the direction of new and innovative home design for healthier, happier living. A key aspect to this website is the community that it nurtures – members can post comments, ask design questions, and discuss styles with fashion gurus and newbies alike. The philosophy of Apartment Therapy and its contributors is that luxurious living doesn’t have to come at the expense of simplicity, and this is seen throughout the entire website.

4. InHabitat

inhabitat1 InHabitat is a design website with a mission – to bring together design solutions that are cutting-edge, high-tech, innovative and green. Sustainable living in the modern world is no easy task, and many of the solutions are buried beneath bargains, advertisements and other distractions. This website was created by founder Jill Fehrenbacher in order to sift through the architectural and interior design clutter to bring to the surface some of the most environmentally-friendly and forward-looking trends. Visitors will find all sorts of product reviews, fashion recommendations, and design tips that follow the philosophy that “good design is green design, green design is good design.”

5. Ikea Hacker

ikeahacker

Just as its name implies, this website takes traditional Ikea furniture and redesigns it. Each post features an Ikea item with pictures of the before and after modifications – whether it is a Poang Chair spruced up with some stenciled orange flowers, a dog bed made from two Expedit Desks or art made from several Ikea tables and accessories. Possibly the best aspect of this website is the community interaction. The author will post pictures and descriptions of user-submitted Ikea Hacks, in order to highlight her readers’ creativity and showcase their skills. If you are looking for a way to breathe new life into some of your old furniture, the inspiration you need is somewhere in the posts you’ll find here.

6. Yanko Design

yankodesign1

Moving design beyond the present and casting an anticipatory glance to the future is what Yanko Design is all about. Since its founding in 2002, the product reviews and pieces that are highlighted have often found their way into mainstream interior design. It is one of the top 100 most-read blogs according to Technorati, and because of its massive readership, its design suggestions are propelled into the public’s consciousness. It focuses on modern industrial design, and some of its featured products aren’t even on the market yet! This is a superior resource for modern designers with a keen eye for the up-and-coming, the cutting-edge and the future of design.

7. Decor8

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This is a style blog all about creativity. Its founder, Holly Becker, is a traveling interior design consultant who tests the artistic waters in both the United States and Germany frequently. She will often post independent artists, designers and other creative types who have yet to be discovered. Holly discusses everything from interior design to trade shows and hosts contests and conversations to engage her large readership. The ultimate goal of Decor8 is to “inspire readers to live a more fulfilling, creative life,” and you’re sure to catch the creativity bug too when you visit.

8. Dezeen

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With the aim to provide its readers with news from the design community before anyone else, Dezeen is the place to go for breaking architectural and interior design news. You know what you’re reading on Dezeen is fresh, enthusiastic and inspired, because the team is dedicated to researching and reporting on new products and projects every day. The founder and editor Marcus Fairs is a well-established design journalist who has worked for many magazines and other publications, and has appeared on radio shows and television. His vision guides Dezeen, and its rapid growth in monthly users proves that more and more of the online community is beginning to crave the up-to-the-minute breaking news that only Dezeen can provide.

9. Design Spotter

designspotter Trends, fashions, design movements. These all have to start somewhere, and Design Spotter believes they start with young talent. That’s why the authors use this blog to highlight young and undiscovered design artists. They are dedicated to creating a base for communication among hot new designers and a place to showcase their products and ideas. Anything modern, contemporary, fresh and new is welcome at Design Spotter. Individuals can submit their design ideas and get a spot on the front page, add an event to their calendar, or they can browse the archives to find inspiration for a new project.

10. Web Urbanist

weburbanist This site compiles hidden urban gems from across the internet and in neighborhoods around the world. Its goal is to exhaust any and all creative urban art, innovative architecture, alternative design and subversive style. If you’re looking for off-beat, wacky, unique and underground design concepts, you’re sure to find something that piques your interest at Web Urbanist. The team behind Web Urbanist is as diverse as their subject matter, and is composed of web designers, architects, bloggers and other creative types. Each article is packed with pictures, links, descriptions and as much information as possible so that you can learn about the topic and incorporate its design into your style canvass.

11. Swiss Miss

swissmiss1 Sometimes you’ll hit a creative roadblock in your quest for style. If that’s the case, Swiss Miss might have what you’re looking for to get those wheels back in motion. Imagine being immersed in the mind of a designer, seeing everything through the eyes of someone always on the lookout for interesting shapes, colors and style – that’s the experience that Swiss Miss offers. According to founder Tina Roth Eisenberg, this site is a “visual archive of things that ‘make me look’.” Everything from intriguing postcards to visually delicious sculptures are featured. Your creative journey will be revved up after a peek into the mind of this well-traveled, articulate and curious designer.

12. Desire to Inspire

desiretoinspire We’ve all heard the phrase “a picture’s worth a thousand words,” and the authors of Desire to Inspire really take this to heart. Each post is resplendent with its dazzling barrage of visuals. The authors do take the time to describe and comment on the designs that they showcase, but the images they present are simply stunning and often outshine everything else. With the goal of “trying to inspire the world one room at a time,” Desire to Inspire certainly does so through its use of images and frequent posts. If you’re in the mood to just sit back and let great architecture and interior design wash over you, this website will do the trick.

13. Better Living through Design

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Are you ready to do a massive redecoration? Or maybe you just want to add another little accent table to your living room? Better Living through Design is the resource to check out when you know you want to add something to your furniture and design collection. This site features creative and unique pieces of furniture that are available immediately for purchase online. This means that if you fall in love with a piece, it can be yours with the click of a mouse. BLTD is all about scouring the internet to bring you the best products each day, and showing you where you can order them. The two authors have immense experience in the design world, so you know the products you see are vetted by experts.

14. Freshome

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Freshome has a simple objective – to inspire its readers to beautify their homes. What makes this site so unique is its perfectly balanced posts, covering gadgets, furniture pieces, tips and more with informative text and gorgeous pictures. There is no pressure to buy any of the products shown, as Freshome is simply there to offer you inspiration. The authors will sometimes even post tips on how to achieve a design without the large budget that their featured product might require. From wall decals to curved countertops, Freshome will invite new elements into your home décor that will make your living space a warm, modern style-zone.

15. Design Milk

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Art and beauty are the main criteria for blog posts on Design Milk. If something is inspiring, creative and unique, the authors will feature it. Sometimes it is in the form of street art on the side of a building, other times it is in the form of a crumpled paper chair – but it’s always beautiful. Design Milk is not a purchase site, and they do not get commission for any of the products they direct their readers to. Everything is done for the love of design. The high-quality photos are enough to pull you in, and the tips and explanations the authors give you in the text are enough to make you stay.

16. Trendir

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Catering to the high-end, luxury market, Trendir does a splendid job rounding up all the latest sophisticated and stylish home décor. This site covers home exteriors and interiors, gadgets and appliances, dining and home entertainment, home automation, outdoors, ultra modern items and a special section on green design. The author and editor of this site is Lillian Pikus, a long-time interior decorator who handles projects with big budgets – in the $20,000 to $250,000 range. She is versatile, doing everything from traditional to modern to commercial decorating, and this range will show up in her posts. If you are looking to dive into the luxury home interior and exterior market, let Lillian and Trendir be your guides.

17. the style files

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With daily posts, large, eye-catching pictures and no fear of fashion, the style files is a site that will please fashion experts and newbies alike. The author, Danielle de Lange searches the globe for style finds in order to unearth the best of “design and (life) style”. Danielle is not afraid to tell readers about her personal experiences with her own home remodeling (her kitchen and living rooms are both in the early stages of a total redecoration), her online business that sells home accents and furniture, or her adventures as a design consultant. Her self-professed design style is “basic and modern with clean lines,” and she believes that every space can be simple, warm and unique.

18. Remodelista

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The first thing you’ll notice about Remodelista is its lack of frills – a clean and crisp web design coupled with easy-to-read posts and strategically placed pictures make this site a pleasure to delve into. Upon reading even a few posts, it is clear that this is a site for interior design addicts. The authors and readers of this site are “interiors aficionados who share the same design DNA: a genetically encoded aesthetic.” It began as a group of friends who loved to discuss home fashion, and grew into a blog that displays complete design ideas, home accessories, shopping secrets and a unique section called “10 easy pieces” that offers advice on renovations. Remodelista is a fun and friendly interior design site, and its seriousness towards style means that you only get the best of the best.

19. Sub-Studio Design Blog

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The authors of this blog simply want to share the “products, furniture, jewelry, architecture and artists that float our boat” with you, the reader. Keeping this simple mission statement in mind, it’s clear that the Sub-Studio Design Blog is eclectic in scope and lighthearted in nature. The features include everything from affordable art that you can wrap around your favorite book to holiday gift ideas. Some of what is featured are products, including links to the purchase site, but a lot of what these designers find interesting is not for sale – monolith sculptures, renovated barns and an artist’s tool box are some of what’s been featured but not for sale.

20. Funfurde

funfurde1 You’ll find no frills at Funfurde, but lots of design ideas. This blog is updated rather infrequently, but when it is updated, it’s always with an eye for style. The posts are simple – one mid-sized picture and a short description of the product. You might find the links along the sidebar even more useful however – they cover everything from retail furniture stores to online-only web stores, manufacturers and other design blogs. This is a blog that hasn’t taken off just yet, but with its coverage of new and upcoming interior design ideas, its one to keep your eye on.

21. Contemporist

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This site covers a large area of design with a simple eye towards contemporary style. Its posts include lovely photos of anything and everything to do with contemporary design along with interesting and informed articles. The topics that the Contemporist focuses on are architecture, furniture, interior lighting and other miscellaneous contemporary design. Many of the photos are particularly stunning, especially of the interior design and architecture, and anyone with a sense of style should give a quick glance over the archives to see what trends are coming up.

22. GrassrootsModern

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One of the best things about GrassrootsModern is its focus on providing affordable home design tips and products to its readers. Rather than feature beautiful but exorbitantly priced merchandise, most of the products you’ll see here are within the price range of a middle-class family. The two authors, Creede Fitch and Capree Kimball are do-it-yourselfers who take pride in their minimalist and modern approach to affordable design. Creede even takes readers through the process of remodeling his house, so you can follow the trials, tribulations and triumphs of a designer’s quest for a modern, affordable design.

23. 2Modern Design Talk

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Almost an open-ended discussion on design more than just a blog, 2Modern Design Talk is a forum for people of all walks of life to discuss what they love in the contemporary design world. The contributors to this blog are what make it unique – because they all have different perspectives, the posts will range from paper wall art to food fashion. 2Modern Design Talk accepts contributions from everyday people, as well as designers, manufacturers, editors, architects, artists, innovators, furniture connoisseurs and more. 2Modern is about seeing design and potential in everything, and it is sure to show you how to look with new eyes at the shapes, colors, patterns and beauty in your own life.

24. Coochicoos

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This website is for the parent who doesn’t want to give up their love of design just because they have children. Coochicoos features modern and hip baby products, children’s furniture, and anything to make your life a little easier and a little more stylish. It features design news, baby shower gift ideas, furniture, nursery designs and more. It even includes a special section just for moms and dads. The posts are beautiful, and always have two things in mind: you and your child. There are many resources on this website as well, including places to shop (both on and offline), special sites for the modern parent and other design blogs that parents would go ga-ga over.

25. Home Design Find

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The layout of this blog tells you immediately that it’s all about style. It looks like an artist’s notebook, with Polaroids of homes and design paper-clipped to the corner and tags sticking out of the places that are noteworthy. Within this “notebook” exists the sightings, suggestions and musings of the authors on all sorts of contemporary style. Including architecture, furniture, interior design and more, Home Design Finds contains a wealth of information for the curious designer. The ideas come from all around the globe, and the authors are more than willing to receive email tips about new trends from readers. hr

honorable mentions

26. Haute Nature

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Home décor and design doesn’t have to have a negative impact on our environment, and Haute Nature is here to tell you how you can blend high style with sustainability. All of their products and design tips are focused on the green movement. Whether it is a recycled table made from scraps out of the garage or a bench made from an old oak tree struck by lightning, the end result is beautiful, original style that is eco-friendly. Haute Nature is for anyone who craves unique design but wants to leave only a small carbon footprint (or preferably none at all!) when adding products into their home.

27. Hatch: The Design Public Blog

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Design Public is an online vendor of unique, modern and stylish home décor, and they have their own blog to keep their customers in the loop. The blog focuses not only on new lines and products coming to Design Public, but also on the design world at large. Its scope is wide – it has articles about the latest iPhone application for interior designers, an overview of the interior design of the White House, posts about accessories, the best workspaces of ’08 and much, much more. Updated daily, Hatch is a wonderful fountain of inspiration for the aspiring designer.

28. Gaile Guevara

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This is a little blog that is straight from the author’s heart – it showcases designs that Gaile Guevara hopes will inspire anyone looking for a push in the (modern) interior decorating direction. She chooses to feature items that embody what she feels is the modern spirit: “precision of minimal detail, quality and honesty of materials, timeless and sophisticated interiors.” Her blog, an extension of her relationship with clients, colleagues, friends and family, was created in order to share the pieces and designs that she sees and enjoys. This site features designs inspired by New York and Vancouver living.

29. Design Boston

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A local-oriented blog that offers design ideas for anyone, anywhere, Design Boston is a great resource for anyone interested in the world of interior design. Its features include local Boston-area events (even if you don’t live in Boston, you can get a taste for what goes on in the design scene in your area), green products and ideas, shopping tips, furniture reviews and many others. Its creator Gradon Tripp simply wants to help anyone interested find their inner designer and grasp what interior design is all about, and he does this with style and enthusiasm.

30. Breathe Modern

breathemodern With a smattering of products, weird and wacky design, updated retro hits and modern architecture, this site has it all. It is updated frequently, and its posts are nicely laid out, with the focus on the picture and minimal text. The products and architecture that make up the bulk of the posts are creative and often rare finds that you won’t see anywhere else. You’re sure to see something that will inspire you – either to make a purchase or to redecorate part of your home. Breathe Modern succeeds in bringing modern products to your screen, and shouldn’t be passed up.

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