Have you ever wondered what kind of technology the most expensive homes in the world use? Look no further.

The most expensive home in the world, named Antilia, is located in Mumbai, India and is worth $1 billion. The house includes a 50-seat movie theater, crystal chandeliers in the ballroom that take up 80% of the ceiling, and is 27 stories! Don't worry about getting around though. Its nine elevators will get you up and down 550 foot tall home in no time. And if you ever get sick of the warm weather, there's a snow room with man made snowflakes.

If that's a little too much for you, check out Bill Gates' Home, Xanadu 2.0, in Medina Washington. This 66,000 square foot home comes with a 20-seat art-deco theater, pressure sensitive floors that detects who is in the house based on footsteps, and temperature, light and music adjustment from a chip.

And you thought your new big screen TV was cool. For a longer description of some of the coolest gadget powered homes, look at this inforgraphic.

This infographic is brought to you by Vivint. Be sure to check out Vivint to outfit your home with a state-of-the-art home automation system.

1. The Meaden Project  

The 'War and Peace' of self-build blogs, our first place offering goes to show that it's true -- you can't get enough of a good thing. Boasting over 75,000 blog views since its June 2012 inception, the Meaden saga is still going strong, and we, for one, are hooked. Hilariously candid and occasionally crude, the anecdotes just keep on coming, each one more interesting, cringe-worthy and 'lol' than the one before.  A self-build renovation plus new-build extension (not to mention stables and 'man-cave'), this wife and husband team have certainly bitten off a lot, but it's chew, chew, chew - and so far, it seems to be going down well.

From a self-builder's point of view, there is a wealth of instruction on offer, whether it be author Emma's name-and-shame policy of which suppliers to plump for (cleverly uses her blog hits as discount leverage) or the overarching philosophy not to be scared of a challenge.  It'll all come out in the wash, as they say (although when the caravan pipes froze last winter it doesn't sound like Emma and Richard washed quite often enough).

My favourite character? The Turdis. A real page stealer.

2. Agent-Mumpreneur's Blog   

This dual purpose blog of a dedicated mother come property agent is doubly good. Written from a vantage of concentrated knowledge and proprietary passion, this blog can't fail to impress. Witty, intelligent and darkly observant, our self-styled 'agent-mumpreneur' (part mum, part property agent, part entrepreneur) begins by addressing chosen issues from her specialised angles, before progressing to chronicle her near complete self-build project: what turns out to be a staggeringly impressive, breathtakingly contemporary affair, complete with lashings of blue lighting, glass and sustainable features. Wow. Less Highgate and more Hollywood, this is a thoroughly enjoyable read - if only we'd been in on it from the start!  

3. Self build diary  

Neil Grimshaw's charming, enthusiastic, and darn right funny insights into the self-build dramas of being an overstretched project manager overseeing the construction of his family home - including the arrival of a newborn baby half way through. To tent or not to tent? This is the inherent dilemma of the build, and there's even a clever running-table-thingy to track the number of days saved by tenting against the number of days that would have been lost through not weatherproofing. Tenting turns out to be a sensible investment, saving time and ultimately money in the long run. The most mysterious aspect of this blog? It's - um - mysterious, untimely demise just a few weeks prior to scheduled completion. What happened?

4. Self Build Bungalow Diary  

An endearing account of the self-build overtures of a professional joiner, embarking on a modest 75m2, 2 bedroom bungalow in the Midlands. Includes periodical pics that help move the story along nicely, for a sound sense of progression and vicarious thrill at watching it all come together in what seems rapid time, with (selfishly, sadly!) little or no hiccups whatsoever.

'Ojz''s musings on the ominous air-tightness test are shrewdly philosophical. As our sage protagonist recounts: "Air tightness test was last week. Achieved a ridiculously good result of 2.72 only be told that it's almost too good which is when you start needing extra mechanical ventilation. I don't understand how you can strive to achieve air tightness to then be told you did too well". Aah, the old 'overqualified' conundrum. You've happened upon one of life's great mysteries there, my friend...

5. Self Build House Whitstable    

This is a charming - if sporadic -- account of a dedicated self build in suburban Whitby, again for a family home. Alice's words recount her family's plunge into the dreamer's abyss, succumbing to an alluringly vacant plot in a residential area (having never considered self build before). The design is charming - subtly 'boat shaped' with curved walls to resemble a hull - balancing contemporary lines with timeless ideals, managing quaint, yet universal appeal. And it overlooks the sea! Ultimately there is a lot to be learnt from their frustrated and fraught experience - battling planning authorities and utilities alike - all of which makes for a heart-warming and informative read. Currently a work in progress, we wish them all the best with the build. This story is sure to have a happy ending.

Inspired yet?

It's a common occurrence, battling through age-old manuals belonging to an increasingly spluttering and ailing boiler that is stubbornly refusing to do its job. This normally happens at the most inopportune times, such as a Monday morning, desperately trying to get to work, just as a cold snap hit and your feet turn to ice or when the in-laws come to stay. Of course, their boiler would never let them down.
In all seriousness, you may or may not know but a boiler of fifteen years old or more is probably not doing its job as well as you would like. As with anything mechanical, time can be unkind and as advances in technology are made, certain aspects of old boilers become outdated. Perhaps more seriously, older boilers can carry more of a health risk for you and for your family. Every year, families are needlessly killed by toxic fumes from dangerous old boilers. Most of these are tragedies that need never have happened.

The cost may seem daunting initially, but installing a modern boiler can actually see your heating bills decreasing over time. In fact, some statistics suggest that a new boiler plus manageable controls can result in bills being slashed by as much as 25%. All of this is because their efficiency far outweighs any older counterparts.  

For example, many regular boilers are fitted with a heat exchanger that works to use steam more than once as opposed to emitting it straight away. Reduced emissions equal reduced bills. For households with just one bathroom, a new Combi boiler is a good option. With this boiler type, the water used is heated as needed. Therefore, the boiler has an easier time and so does your bank balance.

Aside from cost, safety is a key issue as alluded to before. If your boiler is over a certain age, you cannot be certain that it was installed absolutely accurately. At present, all plumbers who fit gas appliances are registered with a scheme called Gas Safe, which assures customers of the highest quality of installation.  

Getting a new boiler installed is also a good opportunity for potential home improvements. There is little point in investing in a money saving boiler if heat is escaping through badly insulated walls and ceilings. So it might also be the time to ensure energy efficiency is in place across your home. Furthermore, many older properties will have boilers fitted in the most unusual of locations. Nowadays, companies such as Glow Worm Boilers offer units in all shapes and sizes for all types of spaces and properties. Therefore, having a modern boiler fitted means, space allowing, you can relocate it to a less obtrusive part of the house. That's something that is sure to impress even the most discerning of in-laws!

Jemima Webb is head of sustainability for a national housing company. She writes for a range of websites and publications on the subject of efficiency and recommends Glow Worm Boilers to clients who are energy aware.

Everyone who has ever stayed in the same place for a certain amount of time starts to notice things deteriorating after a while. Your home won't stay the same forever no matter how much you pray that it does. After a while you know it's time to spend money because you can't bear the thought of someone coming to your home and seeing it in such a mess. Do you have any idea what you will start with first and what things you can leave until a later date?

You'll obviously have to replace things that are broken and there is no getting around that, but there are a few changes you can make that will make the place look beautiful again. Even though there are things that haven't been touched before and you can't afford to do everything at the same time, you still feel satisfied because your home looks OK. If you don't know where to start we can look at some of those things now and you can leave everything else until you have more money.

Paint your walls

When you need to make a big impact the obvious thing is painting the walls because it covers the largest amount of area in each room. You don't even need to get someone in if you want to try it yourself and it might take you a weekend to paint each room. When you consider how much a tub of paint and some brushes cost it makes sense to do this before you try anything else. Either paint over the walls in the same color to make them look fresher, or you can start again with an entirely new color which might be more fun.

Replace tables and desks

When you bought tables and desks a few years ago they might have been expensive, but people are always finding ways to make things cheaper and everybody is always competing on price. Wooden furniture does start to look old after a while and buying some cheap ones to replace them doesn't mean they will look worse. You might be surprised by the quality you get from items that won't come close to breaking the bank. If something is really old and expensive you could just have it repainted and varnished by a professional.

Touch up the window frames

Windows take a very long time to deteriorate, but the same can't be said for the frames and when you start to see paint chipping off it's time to sand them down and touch them up. Flaking paint could make a perfectly good window look cheap and nasty and you don't want that. You might want to do the same on the outside because that is the side people will be able to see when they're walking past, but make sure you get a professional to do anything high up so you don't hurt yourself.

Look over the roof

Tiles get battered by the elements every day and it's no surprise they look old as the years pass. Some people don't mind having an old looking roof because they think it gives their home character, but others want it to be as fresh as the day the house was built. There is a way to make it look like this without replacing all the tiles, but it involves someone going onto the roof and cleaning it with a power spray before spraying the tiles with paint. It's always an option if you would prefer it to look new.

Shampoo your carpets

How much crap do you think falls onto your carpet over the years? Even if you hoover everything weekly it's not enough to get it all off. After a while your bright carpet could start to look dark and dingy. If you get someone in to clean it properly it can look almost new and it will make the room shine again. When you eventually get to the stage where you're sick and tired of having a carpet you could even look into laying wooden flooring.

This post is authored by Patrick of Geocrete. He believes that if we decorate your home in a certain manner, it gives us the illusion that our life is more interesting than it really is. He considers polished concrete flooring second to none.

Are you planning to relocate to a new commercial place for office purposes? Relocation can be a strenuous job especially when you are all by yourself. Before moving into a new place there are some things that need to be taken under consideration. The exterior as well as interior decorations need to be suited as per your convenience so that you can use it favorably for your business purpose. The easiest is contacting an interior designer for designing your office, but if you are thinking of an alternative, why don't you try and implement your creativity to design your own office?

1.Budgeting

Budgeting is one of the primary things that need to be taken under consideration as that would determine the interiors decorations that you would like to put up. It is easier to decide how you would design your interiors if you have an allocated budget beforehand. The main requirements should be focused on wall paintings, shelving and furniture's, the lighting and the area of work. These are the basic things. You can also add onto it by wall paintings, floor carpeting, etc depending on your budget.

2.Spacing and lighting

Before planning the interiors, it is important that one also thinks over the internal as well as external space. The internal space includes the workplace, the place where employees would be sitting and a place for the different departments. You should categorize the sections as per requirements. The external space includes the parking space and the no smoking zone which needs to be considered. Also, if you are planning for a studio, make sure that you have a green room as well.

Along with the spacing, it is really important that there is good and adequate lighting in all corners of the office. There should be large windows so that adequate amount of sunlight can enter in the morning and lighting to light up the place at night. Natural light should not be blocked from coming in as it helps in invigorating employees.

3.Remember about taking permission before planning your space

Before planning for your office you need to make sure that you take the consent of either the landlord or the person giving rent. Also try registering your office by the corporation so that it is legal. If you feel that you need to remodel any part of the room or space, remember to take permission from the owner.

4.Install partitions which are transparent

If you need to install partitions, the best would be installation of glass partitions so that one person can see the other and communicate accordingly. Glass partitions also help to get rid of the boredom which one might face sitting all alone. Also, it helps in increasing the light. Glass partitions are very easy to set up as well as remove as per requirement. They look elegant and are cost effective.

5.Interiors for the office

Plan what you would like for your office. For that you need to do a market research on things that are in demand. This includes shopping for proper and affordable furniture's like chairs and tables, cupboards, Storage places as well as containers, and rest of the accessories. Consider the budget, space as well as things required for comfort of employees.

The above are some of the most primary things that one must consider while designing a commercial space. Click here to consider whether you want to go for a contemporary look or a traditional look and half your problem will definitely be solved. Try following the other tips and get the best commercial space in town.

Below are a few tips which can help make your home more inviting for both you and your guests. Ways of making your home more inviting can be as simple as changing the layout of the books on your bookshelf or as extravagant as adding a granite sink to your kitchen. Whatever your budget may be, you'll find tips below to cater for every budget.

Add Some Flowers

Flowers can brighten bare space in a living room. For a floral look that's different from the norm, try lining them in a row. The key to keeping the design modern is to choose flowers that have clean lines. I recommend getting something like Purple Alliums. The long stems and simple circles are very contemporary. A minimal base is another way to create a current look. I personally love the small ceramic bud ones. 

Organise Your Books

Put your books to good use and use them as book ends. Small books are a great way of keeping larger ones in place. Organise them by using repetition and you'll give a shelf an instant lift. I've lined out my bookshelf with books of the same edition, but you can also categorise by colour.

Buy a Clear Coffee Table

A clear coffee table can instantly bring new life to your living room. It can also make your favourite rug really stand out. A see through surface makes the room seem bigger so it's especially great for small spaces. I use two glass nesting tables in my living room and they always receive complements. You could also try creating a fun display by pairing your coffee table books with related items. Try to get personal by incorporating your hobbies or love for travel. On my coffee table, I paired a small bottle of Sangria with some of my favourite travel guides.

Create a Unique Display

To create a unique display, try using empty picture frames and unframed pictures. A mix of frames of different shapes and sizes creates a sculptural effect without making the shelf appear too cluttered. Add some colour by incorporating a picture you love. To accent the antique look, we propped a classic portrait behind the frames. Modern styles work well too so pick whatever suits your style.

Put Your Chopping Board to Use

In my message area I use a chopping board as a centre piece. It's a great place to jot down notes and will eliminate lots of messy papers. I also arranged colour trays around the board. Not only are they cute, they're also perfect for storing your mail, keys and other miscellaneous items.

Jazz Up Your Dining Room

In the dining room I went for a fun informal feel. To set the mood I made the long table seem more intimate. You can do this by using a shortened runner that doesn't reach the end of the table. We made a centrepiece out of hurricane lanterns and wine glasses. Turned upside down they become a candle holder. Pastel shades create a fresh feel so we used light greens and baby blues for the place settings. Play around with textures; it's a great way to mix things up too. We combined fabric napkins with vinyl place mats. The combo is light and relaxed. Finally make your guests feel special and use place cards. But get resourceful and make them with something you have around the house. We made ours with left over napkins. It's an affordable way to craft a trendy design.

Update Your Kitchen

Update your kitchen doesn't need to mean replacing all your appliances. You can start simple by rearranging the order of your appliances. Rearrange them so they are both pleasing to the eye and practical. Purchase a solid block chopping board and have it on show on your counter top. If you want to create a more extravagant feel to your kitchen and you have the money to spend, a granite sink could be just what you're looking for - stylish, elegant, sophisticated. 

Organise Your Office

With an organised office, you'll be sure to get inspired. First, make sure you've got yourself an ergonomic and stylish chair. You can make an old one seem new by changing the cushion cover. I my office, I chose a decorative turquoise and white pattern. Next, you can add personal touches to your desk. Make his and her boxes to stash odds and ends. Turn your favourite mugs into pen jars. Make an inspiration board for any other home projects you're working on. Stash your postcards and everyday mail in an unexpected place, a vintage bird cage has a whimsical appeal. You can also clip items on a lamp shade. A white one atop a hand blown glass lamp gives the illusion of a bigger area. I like to conceal my shelves to mask clutter. A thin layer of an opaque fabric hides a messy workspace or books, and looks good too.

What needs to be budgeted for when building your own home?

The housing market has been seeing something of a downturn recently. With the global economic crisis and the reluctance of many banks to lend money, it can seem impossible for some people to buy a home. There is another option to the traditional buying route however and that is buying some land and building your own home from scratch. This could potentially work out even cheaper than buying a 'finished' home and there is also the bonus of getting a home you have had an input in from the very start of the building project.

So what costs need to be budgeted for when building your own home?

• First of all, you need to buy some land. Make sure you seek independent advice if you are unsure of the suitability of the land for building. For instance land that is easily water clogged or that is slightly sloped may need to be treated before work can begin. Also have a look at the land registry to make sure the land you are buying actually belongs to the seller you are buying from.
• Unless you are an architect or work in the building trade yourself you will need to seek advice from an expert. You cannot just start building and see how it turns out. Every part of the build from the materials used to the layout need to be planned meticulously. Also you will need special planning permission for every part of the building project.
• As building a home is a big investment getting your legal affairs in order is another important task to consider. Set aside some money for legal costs and any planning permission applications you will need to make to the local council.
• A large chunk of your budget will go on building materials. If you have planned for what materials you need such as bricks, wood, tiles, flooring, roof windows and so on you should come in on budget. It is always a good idea to set some money aside for any additional materials you may need to buy though.
• Installing a kitchen and bathroom can also be costly so set aside about 5-20k for this depending on the type of finish you are after.
• Plumbing and electrics can be easily forgotten about until you are nearing the end of the building work. Depending on the size of the building this could set you back as much as 10k.
• Once all the structural work has been completed the next job should be getting the building watertight. Windows and doors could cost anything from 5-10k depending on what type of finish and standard you are going for. Of course when buying windows and doors you should try to aim to spend as much as you can afford as you want them to last as long as possible.
• Next up comes the cosmetics such as wallpaper, painting, plastering, flooring and tiling. This is one area where things could get dangerous as it is so easy to get carried away as many people spend a lot more than they had originally budgeted for just to get a particular finish. Of course there is nothing wrong with wanting your home to look attractive but you should make an interior design plan and stick to it. Shop around for deals on paint and tiles and consider using neutral or 'easy' colours that will be timeless and will not have to be updated on a regular basis.
• Furniture is almost the final part for the jigsaw. Make sure you shop around for bank holiday deals or a 'buy now pay nothing until next year' deal. Buy what you can afford and what is practical to your life. There is no point in buying a cream sofa if you have young children and a dog running around for instance.
• What is the first thing people will notice when coming to your home? The garden and driveway of course. Make sure you invest as much time and energy on the exterior of your building as you have on the interior. By having a driveway that is practical and can be used you will add value to the property especially if there is no off road parking or garage available. Planting a few flower beds and laying down patio decking with a garden arbour at the bottom of the garden will make the outdoors more useable. This will also appeal more to buyers when and if the time comes to sell.
• Throughout the course of the build think about where you will live while the work is being carried out. If you are fortunate enough to have another property to live in then that is good news. Otherwise ask if you can stay with friends and family or even try to rent an affordable property nearby the site. Perhaps staying in a temporary caravan or mobile home could also be an option. Once the structural work, electrics and plumbing has been installed it may be possible to move into the home while the final cosmetic flourishes are made. Although that may not be for everyone and you may want to wait until the entire project is finished before moving in.

Good luck on your build!

WOW - Who said Eco Homes couldn't be beautiful? Simon Dale has created this fantastic home and offers eco building courses in Pembrokeshire.

We dig your work Simon!