#Decorator pattern java example

[souhaillaghchimdev]

Learning Design Patterns in Programming

Design patterns are reusable solutions to common software design problems. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, learning design patterns can greatly improve your ability to write clean, scalable, and maintainable code. This post introduces the concept of design patterns, why they're important, and how you can start using them effectively in your projects.

What Are Design Patterns?

A design pattern is a proven way to solve a specific problem in software design. These patterns are not code snippets but templates or best practices that guide developers in structuring their programs.

Why Use Design Patterns?

Code Reusability: Promotes the use of reusable solutions.

Scalability: Makes it easier to scale applications.

Maintainability: Leads to cleaner and more organized code.

Team Collaboration: Helps teams follow a shared vocabulary and approach.

Problem Solving: Speeds up decision-making by providing tried-and-tested approaches.

Categories of Design Patterns

Creational Patterns: Focus on object creation mechanisms (e.g., Singleton, Factory).

Structural Patterns: Deal with object composition (e.g., Adapter, Decorator).

Behavioral Patterns: Manage communication and behavior (e.g., Observer, Strategy).

Common Design Patterns Explained

1. Singleton Pattern

Ensures a class has only one instance and provides a global access point to it.// Singleton in Java public class Database { private static Database instance; private Database() {} public static Database getInstance() { if (instance == null) { instance = new Database(); } return instance; } }

2. Factory Pattern

Creates objects without exposing the instantiation logic to the client.// Factory Example in Python class ShapeFactory: def get_shape(self, type): if type == 'circle': return Circle() elif type == 'square': return Square()

3. Observer Pattern

Defines a one-to-many dependency so that when one object changes state, all its dependents are notified.

4. Strategy Pattern

Allows algorithms to be selected at runtime by defining a family of interchangeable behaviors.

5. Decorator Pattern

Adds new functionality to objects dynamically without changing their structure.

Best Practices for Learning Design Patterns

Start with the basics: Singleton, Factory, and Observer.

Understand the problem each pattern solves.

Use real-world examples to grasp each pattern.

Refactor your existing code using design patterns where applicable.

Don't force patterns—use them where they naturally fit.

Resources for Learning

Refactoring Guru – Visual and code-based examples.

SourceMaking – Classic explanations.

Java Design Patterns GitHub Repo

Book: Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software by the "Gang of Four".

Conclusion

Design patterns are a powerful tool for developers at all levels. They provide a structured approach to solving common programming problems and help build applications that are easier to manage and extend. Start small, practice often, and soon you'll be writing better code with confidence.

[subb01]

Key Concepts to Review Before Your Java Interview

Java interviews can be both challenging and rewarding, often acting as a gateway to exciting roles in software development. Whether you're applying for an entry-level position or an advanced role, being well-prepared with core concepts is essential. In this guide, we’ll cover key topics to review before your Java interview, ensuring you're confident and ready to impress. Additionally, don't forget to check out this detailed video guide to strengthen your preparation with visual explanations and code demonstrations.

1. Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) Concepts

Java is known for its robust implementation of OOP principles. Before your interview, make sure to have a firm grasp on:

Classes and Objects: Understand how to create and use objects.

Inheritance: Review how subclasses inherit from superclasses, and when to use inheritance.

Polymorphism: Know the difference between compile-time (method overloading) and runtime polymorphism (method overriding).

Abstraction and Encapsulation: Be prepared to explain how and why they are used in Java.

Interview Tip: Be ready to provide examples of how you’ve used these concepts in your projects or coding exercises.

2. Core Java Concepts

In addition to OOP, there are foundational Java topics you need to master:

Data Types and Variables: Understand primitive types (int, double, char, etc.) and how they differ from non-primitive types.

Control Structures: Revise loops (for, while, do-while), conditional statements (if-else, switch-case), and how they control program flow.

Exception Handling: Know how try, catch, finally, and custom exceptions are used to manage errors in Java.

Collections Framework: Familiarize yourself with classes such as ArrayList, HashSet, HashMap, and their interfaces (List, Set, Map).

Interview Tip: Be prepared to discuss the time and space complexities of different collection types.

3. Java Memory Management

Understanding how Java manages memory can set you apart from other candidates:

Heap vs. Stack Memory: Explain the difference and how Java allocates memory.

Garbage Collection: Understand how it works and how to manage memory leaks.

Memory Leaks: Be prepared to discuss common scenarios where memory leaks may occur and how to avoid them.

Interview Tip: You may be asked how to optimize code for better memory management or to explain how Java’s finalize() method works.

4. Multithreading and Concurrency

With modern applications requiring multi-threading for efficient performance, expect questions on:

Threads and the Runnable Interface: Know how to create and run threads.

Thread Lifecycle: Be aware of thread states and what happens during transitions (e.g., from NEW to RUNNABLE).

Synchronization and Deadlocks: Understand how to use synchronized methods and blocks to manage concurrent access, and how deadlocks occur.

Concurrency Utilities: Review tools like ExecutorService, CountDownLatch, and Semaphore.

Interview Tip: Practice writing simple programs demonstrating thread synchronization and handling race conditions.

5. Java 8 Features and Beyond

Many companies expect candidates to be familiar with Java’s evolution, especially from Java 8 onward:

Lambda Expressions: Know how to write concise code with functional programming.

Streams API: Understand how to use streams for data manipulation and processing.

Optional Class: Learn to use Optional for handling null checks effectively.

Date and Time API: Review java.time package for managing date and time operations.

Interview Tip: Be prepared to solve coding problems using Java 8 features to show you’re up-to-date with recent enhancements.

6. Design Patterns

Java interviews often include questions on how to write clean, efficient, and scalable code:

Singleton Pattern: Know how to implement and when to use it.

Factory Pattern: Understand the basics of creating objects without specifying their exact class.

Observer Pattern: Be familiar with the publish-subscribe mechanism.

Decorator and Strategy Patterns: Understand their practical uses.

Interview Tip: Have examples ready that demonstrate how you’ve used these patterns in your projects.

7. Commonly Asked Coding Problems

Prepare by solving coding problems related to:

String Manipulations: Reverse a string, find duplicates, and check for anagrams.

Array Operations: Find the largest/smallest element, rotate arrays, or merge two sorted arrays.

Linked List Questions: Implement basic operations such as reversal, detecting cycles, and finding the middle element.

Sorting and Searching Algorithms: Review quicksort, mergesort, and binary search implementations.

Interview Tip: Practice on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to improve your problem-solving skills under time constraints.

Final Preparation Tips

Mock Interviews: Conduct practice interviews with peers or mentors.

Review Your Code: Ensure your past projects and code snippets are polished and ready to discuss.

Brush Up on Basics: Don’t forget to revise simple concepts, as interviews can include questions on any level of difficulty.

For more in-depth preparation, watch this helpful video that provides practical examples and coding tips to boost your confidence.

With these concepts in mind, you'll be well-equipped to handle any Java interview with poise. Good luck!

[codeonedigest]

The Decorator Pattern Tutorial with Java Example You've Been Waiting For | Compare it with Strategy Pattern

Full Video link https://youtu.be/CJ-EDREomJ0 Hello friends, #Decoratorpattern video in #JavaDesignPatterns is published on #codeonedigest #youtube channel. This video covers topics 1. What is #Decoratordesignpattern? 2. What is the use of Decorator #de

Decorator design pattern is to allow additional responsibility to object at the run time. Use Decorator pattern whenever sub-classing is not possible. Decorator pattern provides more flexibility than static inheritance. Decorator pattern simplifies the coding. Decorator design pattern allows the extension of object by adding new classes for new behavior or responsibility. Decorator pattern is a…

[prettylittleflowerx]

Affordable Interior Home Improvement Ideas

Searching for some simple interior home improvement ideas that may enhance the appearance of your house without huge expenses? We've got some inexpensive ideas for you.

Why Update?

So you've lived in your home for a couple of years and its showing wear and tear. There are a great deal of home improvement ideas which you can do inside your home that do not cost much money; that is if you do them yourself. It's far cheaper to do what enhancements you can by yourself. These improvements could even enhance the value of your home so that it's well worth looking into them.

Wet Paint

Painting the interior of your home is something you can do very easily. Matte-finished paint is very simple to paint with. Your regional home-improvement shop can fill you in on what supplies you require. It may even teach you what materials you need and the processes you want to go through to successfully paint your interior walls. You might even learn how to perform stenciling or other decorative techniques.

Curtain Call

You may replace your old, faded curtains with bright new ones at a minimal price. Hit the deal stores for these rather than the high price stores however. Remember you are attempting to keep everything as cheap as possible. 

Kitchen Duty

Kitchen responsibility involves brightening up the kitchen you've got. You only have to replace the cabinet doors with new ones if they're too badly aged. Another way to brighten them up is to paint them. When they have a protective finish on them it will need to be eliminated first through sanding or stripping. Then all you've got to do is use a great quality high-gloss or satin-finish paint to lift their appearance. Also replace the knobs with fresh ones. Do not overlook the drawers either.

Clean the Carpets

Simply shampooing the carpets will work wonders for your entire house. Carpets have a means of being stained and grungy looking if not cleaned periodically. We walk all day without realizing we're grounding in dirt that dims the colour of the carpet. It is possible to rent shampooers or do it professionally; either way is an inexpensive investment in your property.

Shine the Floors

For those who have hardwood flooring gently clean them and if they have a finish on them you might have to strip and then redo the flooring. In the event that you have tile flooring though examine the flooring to see if there are cracked tiles that the need replacing. If you're able to still get that exact same style of tile the majority of the time that the broken ones can easily be replaced. You may want an expert for this job if you aren't handy with your hands.

Basking in the Bathroom

You want to have the ability to appreciate your bathrooms. What's fun about taking a look at a whole lot of worn out fixtures however? Replace these unsightly fittings with shiny new ones. These too can be substituted or in certain cases resurfaced. This may cost you a bit for the bathtub but a sink or bathroom isn't that big of an expense.

Doing the above mentioned improvements is quite reasonably priced and well worth doing for the appearance and value of your dwelling.

Home Improvement Ideas: The 10 Most Worth It

Summarized below are 10 home improvement ideas that may make your area more effective and more enjoyable filled than ever. Here are those:

1. Kitchen Remodelling

Kitchen upgrade not only increases your home's buying value, but also its aesthetic allure. A light green tile backsplash, by way of instance, helps emphasize your simple white wood cabinetry or white marble ledges. When there's a modern feel to your rooms, then you can select from clear natural colours to bold tiles, such as red or orange. Colorful recycled glass tiles, on the other hand, can result in a classic room's pragmatic feel. Generally speaking, coupled with other remodelling ideas, the final output is dazzling, yet not exaggerated, balancing the last design of your dwelling.

2. Roof Replacement

Given the broad variety of roofing types and materials you can choose from, roof replacement may invariably alter the personality and the vibe of your dwelling. By way of instance, if you would like a natural texture to your roof, you can select natural thin layers of slate. If, on the other hand, you want an energy efficient and a fire resistant roof that comes in designer colors, a metal roof is a good idea. Actually, there are quite a few other options aside from these. But all in all, all roofing materials and types can increase your home's appeal, besides it shielding you from catastrophes.

3. Deck Addition

Deck addition can increase the value of your home, it may also make it a more desirable area to go home to, after school or after work. I mean, there is nothing like relaxing on a deck, enjoying the view with a hot or cool beverage in your hand, right?

4. Bathroom Remodelling

Bathrooms are more than merely a utilitarian area in your house, since you are able to place many spins on it. There are lots of available bathroom systems it is possible to choose from. By way of example, you can put in a bathroom system using a walk-in bathtub which will make it possible for you to go into the bathtub with much simplicity, without needing to measure over the awkward barrier of a conventional tub, which may cause you to slip or fall off. Apart from that, many other striking alternatives are readily available. You could even add taps and mirrors, and then paint it to freshen it. In any case, building a better toilet, to make an perfect at-home oasis, is officially needed.

5. Reinventing a Room

You can reinvent your space by turning any unoccupied spaces in your house, such as your attic and your own bathrooms, and convert it into a bedroom, a living area, or a game room instead. In this manner, you can maximize your home's space, and also its worth.

6. Establish a Backyard Patio

Having a backyard terrace, you can get cozy and intimate gatherings with your nearest and dearest, without needing to go outside and spend lavishly. All the more, you might have a cool place in your home, where you are able to enjoy your java in the morning and at night. That would truly be a relaxing place to visit.

7. Basement Waterproofing

Basement waterproofing, so to speak, eliminates mould, and base and wall problems within your dwelling. Not just that, it may also prevent seepage and function as a vapor barrier. These benefits speak for themselves, as to why cellar waterproofing is a home improvement option to take under account.

8. Update your Yard

The front lawn is a vital component to accentuate your home's curb appeal. By upgrading your front lawn, you can enhance your home's flow. Moreover, you can strategically place trees, which may help decorate your lawn, help shade your home from heat, block cold winds during winter, and thereby reduces cooling costs. Consequently, adding some hanging baskets, flower pot, plus trimming hedges and lawns, can definitely create a welcoming impression.

9. Attic Remodelling

Exactly as with other empty spaces in your house, attics may also be turned into a possible functional space, if revived properly and designed more creatively. It could be turned into an office area, a home theater, a reading area, or a sport area. To put it simply, you can feel more at ease and alleviated with the cold breeze and the quiet night on your attic.

10. Make Your Home Exterior Pop

Color plays a important role in fostering your home's curb appeal. It can make your house either stick out from the pack or blend in pleasantly with the environment. To create your home's exterior pop, you can pattern the color of your roof's shingles following the designs you used in your dwelling. By way of instance, higher contrast colors accentuate your roofs' finest characteristics, while low contrast colors tend to hide its flaws. Moreover, beside the shingles, you may also make it pop by buying a front door entrance, that's the home feature that delivers the most adaptability in color choices.

[cooperhewitt]

Cinderella Goes Batik

Title page illustration.

At the Cooper Hewitt Museum the study and teaching of design includes learning about the materials and techniques used in designing objects, textiles, and works on paper. The Cooper Hewitt Museum Library collection supports research into the study of design with books that demonstrate and document techniques and materials, the “how to” and “with what” of decorative arts and design.

Cinderella’s newly made and designed batik ballgown.

In writing an instructional book using the old fairy story of Cinderella, Jessie M. King (Scottish, 1875- 1949) wanted to “awaken your imagination to that point where you want to look further into the wonderland of “BATIK.”  This is a wax resist dyeing technique to create patterns and designs for textiles.

Tools needed to create a batik.

In King’s story, three sisters are invited to the annual Midsummer’s Eve dance but there are only two ball gowns available and neither one would fit Cinderella. In their attic is an old chest that is full of “BATIK”, left by her faerie godmother who had gone to live in Java for a time. While Cinderella cries over missing the ball, the godmother appears and finds a solution; they will re-use an old white silk frock. Cinderella is sent out to find some beeswax and onions. The godmother paints different flowers with the wax on the silk, pointing out that the designs she is painting are all from the flowers in the garden. The patterns and colors you can create are everywhere in nature. Cinderella, who watches and joins in the carefully explained batik design technique and dying process, now has a beautiful saffron yellow dress to wear to the ball. At the happy ending of the fairy tale, the godmother rattled off the following list to Cinderella: “Beeswax, brushes, newspapers, irons…PATIENCE…,”she then wagged her finger roguishly at her godchild, “…and a SENSE OF DESIGN.”  In “Exit the Fairies,” Jessie King gives the reader more basic advice and ideas for the applications of the art of batik in textiles.

An example of a batik technique tunic.

Jessie M. King is best known for her drawings in the Art Nouveau style (more particularly the Glasgow School), but she also designed jewelry, greeting cards, fabric, ceramics and batik textiles, and especially, murals.

      Elizabeth Broman is the Reference Librarian, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Library.

from Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum https://ift.tt/2OrVbSB via IFTTT

[vicky643]

Indian Furniture: History & Styles

Discover the history and styles of Indian furniture, meaning furniture produced and used in India. Explore the Indo-European, Mughal, Goanese, and Indo-Dutch styles of Indian furniture, including the characteristics of each style and materials used.

History of Indian Furniture

What kind of furniture do you have? Is it a mix of styles and influences? The furniture made and used in India is an excellent example of the blending of various artistic styles into unique work.

India is a large country on the Asian continent, full of diverse peoples and cultural traditions, but one thing many of these cultures didn't place much emphasis on historically was furniture. For much of India's history, people didn't use a lot of furniture in their homes. A few cultures in early India did have furniture-making traditions, like the 14th-century Vijayanagar Empire in Southern India, but the furniture was mostly ceremonial, like royal thrones. Most people in India didn't have what we would consider furniture, things like tables, desks, dressers, and chairs. With the exception of perhaps a few low chairs and cushions used for support, they usually sat on the floor, even sleeping and eating on the floor.

Beginning around the 1500s, a series of European powers invaded and conquered parts of India. The first was Portugal, followed by France in the late 1600s, then the Dutch, and finally the English in the 18th century. People came and settled and built homes and businesses. These settlers wanted furniture similar to what they knew from their home countries, so these Europeans used Indian carpenters to develop furniture using European styles and Indian materials. The result was furniture that reflected a mix of Europe and India. Indian craftsmen created distinctive furniture with very decorative qualities using their skills in woodcarving and inlay, which is the process of creating patterns on wood surfaces with small pieces of precious materials cut and placed so they lay flush, creating a smooth, flat surface.

Most furniture was made of wood, a plentiful material in India. Types of woods included many excellent hardwoods like rosewood, teak, acacia, ebony, and shisham (also sometimes called North Indian rosewood and native to the Himalayas). Other materials included exotic substances like ivory from elephant tusks.

Indian Furniture: Styles

As a result of the nation's history, Indian furniture styles are a mix of those from the East and West, often called Indo-European furniture. There are several types of Indo-European furniture, reflecting either Portuguese or Dutch influence.

Portuguese-influenced styles included the Mughal Style, found in Northern Indian. Mughal style featured furniture like tables and writing desks made of dark hardwoods like ebony with decorations of inlaid bone or ivory. To the south, the Portuguese-influenced Goanese Style included furniture like large cabinets, adapted from traditional Portuguese forms, with intricate inlaid and incised (cut into the wood) geometric decorations.

Furniture made in the Indo-Dutch Style included light-colored hardwoods with incised and inlaid decorations. Another style, used in India but made mostly on the island of Java (also colonized by the Dutch), featured furniture made of dark woods like ebony with elaborate carved floral decorations.

The furniture industry in India evolved with the departure of the British and furniture is now essential to the lifestyles of most people in India. Ornamentation and wood varieties have changed, mostly because of price considerations. Furniture today not only needs to be pretty but versatile too, fitting the smaller homes and simpler lifestyles of busy families. The influences are still mostly European, but modern furniture stores in delhi continue to add their special touch.

However, there is still a market for niche buyers who want the older styles and there are still craftsmen who produce items in these styles or are experts at preserving existing pieces. Rajasthan, the state with its beautiful palaces is where many travellers to India who want to admire craftsmen who still make traditional Indian pieces.

[gwen-chan]

[WRITER AVAILABLE] Need to write a java code using Observer design Patterns. There is one example i

[WRITER AVAILABLE] Need to write a java code using Observer design Patterns. There is one example i

Need to write a java code using Observer design Patterns. There is one example in the text book. Refer that one. I will attach the text book below. Read pages 1 through 108 (intro, observer, decorator sections ) as an introduction to design patterns and meet your first design patterns.

[gritvan]

[WRITER AVAILABLE] Need to write a java code using Observer design Patterns. There is one example i

[WRITER AVAILABLE] Need to write a java code using Observer design Patterns. There is one example i

Need to write a java code using Observer design Patterns. There is one example in the text book. Refer that one. I will attach the text book below. Read pages 1 through 108 (intro, observer, decorator sections ) as an introduction to design patterns and meet your first design patterns.

[owninsedona]

All Things Bright and Beautiful - Fixing Your Buy-to-Let Property

If you're hoping that as many tenants as possible will soon be falling over themselves to lease the premises, it really is important that the decoration and contents are up to scratch, either inside and outside.

 Preparation and planning

 As with most things, preparation and planning on your part would be the secret to accomplishment.

 Set a decorating budget and time frame and then stick to them.

Contemplate whether you have the required skill and expertise to do the work your self, thereby helping you save cash. However, be fair on your own it can be cost effective and less stressful to employ an experienced builder.

Style

 Today's renters are discerning. The further stylish your home, the more the additional rental you are very likely to receive.

 Do not make your own personal taste has an effect on the décor of one's buy-to-let property.

Make sure the décor is really to a high quality, updated and very well maintained at all moments.

Get some insider advice - take a look at some new-build possessions and get ideas by the pros regarding how to decorate.

Tailor the kind of your buy-to-let residence to the form of tenant you wish to entice.

Sterile, functional and modern kitchens and baths are frequently renters' priorities.

Using mild colors during perhaps not just tends to make rooms appear brighter and larger but in addition, it promotes cleanliness.

Interior

Walls

 Paint is better than background because it's simpler to maintain.

Utilize durable high quality oil paint which can withstand wear and tear tear (pushchairs, bicycles, shoe scuffs and household furniture will undoubtedly knock on the walls).

Use wipe paint.

Utilize light, neutral colors like magnolia for those partitions, white for both white and ceilings shine for both studs. Think sterile canvas in which tenants may imagine their belongings as opposed to bland.

Mold and warm water resistant paint can be vital for bathroom and kitchen partitions. Condensation can wreak havoc in the event the incorrect paint can be properly used.

Produce a note of the name and new paint you have useful for when you will need to accomplish touchup work or redecoration.

Flooring

 Contemplate fitting felt endorsed bleach cleanable carpets which don't require underlay. Replace every 3 to five years.

Beige carpets may make a place look brighter, lighter and bigger if they have been clean but are they suitable for the tenants you would like to attract?

Patterned rugs cover stains.

Wooden floor stiles and vinyl floors are lasting and easy to clean.

Lighting

Ensure that the property is nicely ventilated.

Strategically put mirrors to increase the lighting on your premises and make rooms appear bigger.

To provide, partly furnish it's best to supply?

 Whether to supply your leasing property or maybe not essentially depends upon the type of tenants you desire to bring , marketplace forces in the area where your house is situated and the personal circumstances in that you wind up. A determining factor may be whether providing furnishings increase your rental money. When it doesn't then it can be better not to bother. Furniture takes maintenance and repair that means possible supplemental costs to you personally. In the event you opt to provide then bear the follow things in mind. Read more about property insurance

 new and second-hand furniture has to comply with relevant legislation.

Supplying key appliances like a stove, washing machine and kitchen appliance is much more likely to draw tenants thus raising rental earnings. Make sure that the appliances comply with all criteria and laws.

Consider your renters' needs. By way of example, students will be needing a desk, bed and storage space. Other tenants may need chairs, dining room furniture along with java tables.

Offer an Stock. This may enable one to maintain an eye on the condition of your property and its contents.

Exterior

Initial impressions depend that the following are in order.

 Residence number and/or house name is observable.

Re-paint and touch up outside paintwork as and when required.

Ensure Brick Work is fresh and totally free of debris.

Assure guttering and fascia's are clear, clean and in operating order.

Check always flat and pitched roofs and also create necessary repairs, replacing roof tiles and felt.

Maintain outside spots clean and make sure gardens are under handle.

Fit outdoor lighting in the front and back of this house.

Clean windows frequently.

[codeonedigest]

The Decorator Pattern Tutorial with Java Example You've Been Waiting For..

The Decorator Pattern Tutorial with Java Example You’ve Been Waiting For..

Decorator design pattern is to allow additional responsibility to object at the run time. Use Decorator pattern whenever sub-classing is not possible. Decorator pattern provides more flexibility than static inheritance. Decorator pattern simplifies the coding. Decorator design pattern allows the extension of object by adding new classes for new behavior or responsibility. Decorator pattern is a…

[fatherlongboy]

Top Five Home Improvement Ideas for Spring

A home is a private place where we feel free to act ourselves. Just about all people desire for a dream house. We hope our houses should be cosy, welcoming and tranquil. This is the reason almost all people are interested in home improvement. We like to design our inside in such a subtle way that it looks appealing and visually attractive.

Spring is the most colourful and appealing seasons. We always long for this. This is the reason you should designs your house so to welcome and celebrate the season.

If you would like to show yourself a man of refined taste, you should have great home improvement ideas. You can't do this quite well, unless you've got innovative interior design ideas. Before reaching your inside, it's much better to begin with the exterior. Once it's completed, you can go for the next step, your interior design. Revamp your house with some cleaning and reorganizing functions to give it a substantial facelift.

In this Report we will discuss on five effective home Improvement Tips for spring

• Clean out the mess by eliminating the rubbish accumulated during the last couple of months in your backyard or garden. Clear your garden and the open patio in front of your property. Beautify them with lovely green plants. Open up the curtains. Let some sun and fresh air come to the chambers. Remove all the additional stuff lying around.

• Clean up your doorsteps. Go Green with a few new plants, and shrubs. A set of vibrant blooms will do all of the good. Remove the old, ill and dusty plants. Prone your greenery regularly to provide them symmetrical shapes.

• Spring is the season of colours and you will need to do some justice to the time by choosing for as much colour as possible. Uplift the appearance of the interiors of your home by placing some brightly colored flower plants in some certain points.

• look after your flooring and update your spring rugs. You can find an attractive carpet of bright and contrasting colors, which will'go' with the colors of your furniture, wood panels, curtains and other accessories. It can allow you to make an impressive ambience.

• Assess your accessories and wall decor. Look around your room. See if there's a need of revamping or refurbishing. If so, then opt for a few innovative wallpapers and smart paintings. However, you want to keep a balance. Don't overcrowd the rooms with paintings or photographs. Bring a number of changes from the accessories to give your house a different look.

Home Improvement Ideas: The 10 Most Worth It

Summarized below are 10 home improvement ideas that may make your area more effective and more enjoyable filled than ever. Here are those:

1. Kitchen Remodelling

Kitchen update not only increases your home's buying value, but its aesthetic appeal. 1 way to remodel your kitchen is to use tile backsplashes, which is a stylistic way of spicing up your kitchen interiors. A light green tile backsplash, by way of instance, helps emphasize your simple white wood cabinetry or white marble ledges. When there's a modern feel to your rooms, then you can select from clear natural colours to bold tiles, such as red or orange. Colorful recycled glass tiles, on the other hand, can result in a classic room's pragmatic feel. Generally speaking, coupled with other remodeling thoughts, the final outcome is dazzling, yet not exaggerated, balancing the last design of your dwelling.

2. Roof Replacement

Given the broad variety of roofing types and materials you can choose from, roof replacement may invariably alter the personality and the vibe of your dwelling. By way of instance, if you would like a natural texture to your roof, you can select natural thin layers of slate. If, on the other hand, you want an energy efficient and a fire resistant roof that comes in designer colors, a metal roof is a good idea. Actually, there are quite a few other options aside from these. But all in all, all roofing materials and types can increase your home's appeal, besides it shielding you from catastrophes.

3. Deck Addition

Deck addition can increase the value of your home, it may also make it a more desirable area to go home to, after school or after work. 

4. Bathroom Remodelling

Bathrooms are more than merely a utilitarian area in your house, since you are able to place many spins on it. There are lots of available bathroom systems it is possible to choose from. By way of example, you can put in a bathroom system using a walk-in bathtub which will make it possible for you to go into the bathtub with much simplicity, without needing to measure over the awkward barrier of a conventional tub, which may cause you to slip or fall off. Apart from that, many other striking alternatives are readily available. You could even add taps and mirrors, and then paint it to freshen it. In any case, building a better toilet, to make an perfect at-home oasis, is officially needed.

5. Reinventing a Room

You can reinvent your space by turning any unoccupied spaces in your house, such as your attic and your own bathrooms, and convert it into a bedroom, a living area, or a game room instead. In this manner, you can maximize your home's space, and also its worth.

6. Establish a Backyard Patio

Having a backyard terrace, you can get cozy and intimate gatherings with your nearest and dearest, without needing to go outside and spend lavishly. All the more, you might have a cool place in your home, where you are able to enjoy your java in the morning and at night. That would truly be a relaxing place to visit.

7. Basement Waterproofing

Basement waterproofing, so to speak, eliminates mould, and base and wall problems within your dwelling. Not just that, it may also prevent seepage and function as a vapor barrier. These benefits speak for themselves, as to why cellar waterproofing is a home improvement option to take under account.

8. Update your Yard

The front lawn is a vital component to accentuate your home's curb appeal. By upgrading your front lawn, you can enhance your home's flow. Moreover, you can strategically place trees, that can help decorate your lawn, help shade your home from heat, block cold winds during winter, and thus reduces heating costs. Consequently, adding some hanging baskets, flower pot, plus trimming hedges and lawns, can definitely create a welcoming impression.

9. Attic Remodelling

Exactly as with other empty spaces in your house, attics may also be turned into a possible functional space, if revived properly and designed more creatively. It could be turned into an office area, a home theater, a reading area, or a sport area. To put it simply, you can feel more at ease and alleviated with the cold breeze and the quiet night on your attic.

10. Make Your Home Exterior Pop

Color plays a important role in fostering your home's curb appeal. It can make your house either stick out from the pack or blend in pleasantly with the environment. To create your home's exterior pop, you can pattern the color of your roof's shingles following the designs you used in your dwelling. By way of instance, higher contrast colors accentuate your roofs' finest characteristics, while low contrast colors tend to hide its flaws. Moreover, beside the shingles, you may likewise make it pop by investing on a front door entrance, that's the home feature that delivers the most adaptability in color choices.

[roundtheworldrambles]

Singapore - Part 1

Day 138 – Auckland to Singapore

Leaving New Zealand behind, I took off from Auckland’s airport in the early afternoon, heading northwest towards Asia. My flight took me over the Tasman Sea, across the orange sand plains of the Australian outback, and across the Java Sea, sprinkled with thousands of Indonesian islands.

As our airplane drew near to Changi airport, I had a spectacular, birds-eye view of hundreds upon hundreds of ships anchored along the Singapore Strait. It was an amazing sight, and I was able to immediately get a snapshot of Singapore’s economic and trading power in the region. Incredibly, at any given time, there are about 1,000 vessels in Singapore’s port, with a ship arriving or departing almost every 2-3 minutes!

Arriving at the contemporary airport, I breezed through customs and onto Singapore’s equally modern transit system, heading west into the city. I arrived in the heart of Chinatown at dusk, emerging onto Pagoda Street, a historic merchant’s district packed with souvenir shops, Chinese restaurants, traditional art and electronics. This vibrant area was packed with people, with food stalls, kiosks and musicians spilling out onto the street in celebration of Chinese New Years. The architecture of the neighbourhood was fascinating, with rows upon rows of technicolour shophouses. Originally built in the early 1800s, these buildings have been restored and repainted in every colour of the rainbow, with large, shuttered windows opening onto the humming streets below.  

Chinatown in Singapore

In every direction I looked I saw red, the official colour of Chinese New Years, and a symbol of luck and good fortune. I wove through the crowds and under hundreds of swinging lanterns, finally locating my hostel for the evening. I hadn’t realized it at the time of booking, but my hostel was actually on the second storey of one of these historic shophouses, with my room looking directly out over Pagoda Street. While this made for some very cool pictures, and a birds-eye view of the festivities below, it also ended up being very loud! Over the rest of the week, earplugs and a loud fan became my best friends – allowing me to get some much-needed shut-eye while the New Years’ revelry carried on late into the night. Despite this small inconvenience, it was very cool to be in Singapore during this time, and get an inside look at the country’s celebrations!

After checking in, I returned to the bustling streets to explore. Although I was tired for my long flight, my senses were jolted awake from the sights, smells and sounds of Chinatown – steaming baskets of dim sum and street food, red envelopes for “lucky money”, a traditional gift for children during New Years, the pungent smell of durian fruit, and a canopy of lanterns criss-crossing the night sky overhead.

I capped off my evening with chicken rice and dim sum at Maxwell Food Centre, one of the many hawker markets that Singapore is famous for. Scattered around the city, these local food halls are home to some Michelin-starred food stalls – with all eats usually under $10! It was a delicious way to start off my travel in Southeast Asia.

Day 139 – Singapore

My first full day started with life admin – getting set up with a new SIM card, a replacement tote bag and new set of reading glasses, after I accidentally stepped on mine when camping in New Zealand! I had to be in Singapore for almost a week because of the timing for my second set of vaccinations – Rabies and Japanese Encephalitis - specific to my next two months in Southeast Asia. Although I wasn’t originally planning to be in Singapore for this long, it was a nice change of pace, as I didn’t feel rushed to see everything at once.

Chinatown

I wandered around Chinatown and downtown Singapore during that daytime, and began to get an even clearer picture of Singapore’s rich cultural diversity, from the countless options for ethnic cuisine, to numerous places of worship for Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim and Christian faiths – often all within a few blocks. It is clear that Singapore’s culture is an incredible fusion of culture, ethnicity, faith, and language. The blend of Malaysian, Indian, Chinese, Arab and English cultures is on full display at every turn throughout this vibrant “Lion City”.  

Kumquat Plants on Pagoda Street

Walking through the heart of Chinatown, I first explored Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu Shrine in Singapore. It was originally built in 1827 by an Indian trader from Penang, Malaysia, and the Dravidian architecture of the temple was simply stunning. This particular style of temple originated from South India and Sri Lanka, with the architecture consisting of pyramid shaped towers throughout the temple. The Sri Mariamman Temple stands out with its large gopurum (monumental entrance tower). The massive gopurum had numerous tiers, consisting of brightly coloured sculptures of Hindu deities.

Covering my shoulders and taking my shoes off, I walked through the heavy wooden gates to enter the temple. I wandered into a courtyard with the main prayer hall located in the centre, where there were large sculptures of deities such as Rama, Muraga and Krishna. Flower garlands, called “mala” had been placed around the necks of these deities by devotees.

Heading over a few blocks, I walked around the perimeter of Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, a 5-story, modern Buddhist Temple. Built in 2007, the temple gets its name from what is thought to be the tooth of Buddha (recovered from his funeral pyre in India), which is displayed in the temple. Thousands of red lanterns encircled the base of the temple, swinging in the breeze.

Clarke Quay

I continued onwards to Clarke Quay, located on the banks of the Singapore River. Once the heart of the city and a centre for marine trade and commerce, this neighbourhood is packed with both colonial-era architecture and colourful modern buildings. Visitors to Clarke Quay can still ride the historic “bumboats” that were used to unload wares from around the world. I wandered along the walkways lining the river, taking in the sights of this diverse neighbourhood.

MICA Building in Clarke Quay

In the late afternoon, I boarded the MTR to head up to Emerald Hill. Located near the famous shopping district of Orchard Road, Emerald Hill is a peaceful conservation area, filled with cobblestoned streets and beautifully preserved Peranakan shop houses, complete with grand entrance gates, sculpted, colourful wall decorations, and wooden window shutters. Beautifully tended gardens with lush, tropical vegetation surrounded the buildings, adding to the beauty of this neighbourhood. In front of some of the homes, there were touches of red decorations, in celebration of the New Year. Kumquat plants were outside the front doors, decorated with red ribbons for luck, their yellow-orange fruit symbolizing prosperity.

Emerald Hill

A few of the shophouses on Emerald Hill had been converted into trendy patios and cafes, where I stopped at one for a glass of wine, taking in the peaceful ambience of the neighbourhood. As evening fell, I returned to the hubbub of Chinatown, sampling street food on Smith Street and popping in and out of bustling stalls and shops, before making my way home for the evening.

Day 140 – Singapore

It was a hot, humid morning as I boarded the MRT, heading to Eunos Station in Eastern Singapore. My destination was the Joo Chiat, located on the Eastern side of the island, a neighbourhood considered to be one of the early heritage towns in the country. It is also known for being a Peranakan community, an ethnic group descended from marriages between Chinese and Indian men and local Malay or Indonesian women from the Malaysian Archipelago (with Singapore at its base).

Joo Chiat

In Joo Chiat, the neighbourhood is full of colourful homes decorated with ceramic tiles and sculpted facades. These heritage homes are juxtaposed with trendy bars and modern shops, sprinkled throughout the neighbourhood. I walked along Koon Seng Road to visit the famous stretch of Peranakan shophouses. Built in the 1920s, these 3-storey homes are painted in various pastel shades, with intricate floral patterns decorating the exteriors.

House of Tan Teng Niah

Because I love a good walk when travelling, I decided to head back towards the city centre on foot, which was a great way for me to get a sense of everyday life in the Singapore.  I stopped in Little India in the early afternoon to visit the house of Tan Teng Niah. Constructed in the early 1900s by a local businessman, this villa is an example of a home of many of Singapore’s ethnic-Chinese business around the turn of the century. When it was restored about 30 years ago, it was painted in a rainbow of vivid colours – with every section of the house in a slightly different hue.  It was quite a striking sight!

I continued onwards to Kampong Gelam, a neighbourhood which has been home to the Malay, Arab and Burgis communities of Singapore since the 1800s. Today, the area is one of Singapore’s creative hubs, packed with street art, independent boutiques, and trendy pubs and bars. In addition to being a popular hipster hangout, Kampong Glam also is host to many colourful heritage and worship sites. Arab Street, part of Singapore’s Muslim Quarter, is packed with stores selling wares such as Persian Rugs, intricate textiles and Arab teas. It is an area that has fusion of culture, religion and people, and definitely has something for everyone.

Nearby, the spectacular Masjid Sultan Mosque is framed by swaying palm trees. Considered to be the “national mosque” of the city-state, it has a history of over 200 years, with several versions of a mosque having been built on the grounds. The current Masjid Sultan Mosque was built in the 1930s, and has an iconic gold dome, flanked by a tall minaret with a gold roof.

Masjid Sultan

I stopped for dinner and a Tiger beer at the patio of a jazz café, tucked along an alley with extravagant and street art, people watching and taking in the sights and sounds of Kampong Gelam. Tired from the humidity and my long day of walking, I hopped on the MRT and headed back to my hostel in Chinatown.  

[123designsrq]

MULTIFUNCTIONAL STOOLS INSPIRED BY MINIMALIST JAPANESE NESTING PUZZLES

There’s something about Japanese-inspired designs that instantly calm you lower, and wash you over and done with a feeling of peace. They always have the ability to the simple, minimal, and complicated. For this reason they always get me excited! One particular example could be the Multifunctional Stools. Inspired by traditional Japanese Shinto Kumiki puzzles, this set of nesting stools feature the Yosegi technique, the art of making exquisite patterns using inlaid wood. You will see that the Tsugite technique was even utilized, including getting together geometric wooden joints, leading to 12 gemstone-formed posts that effortlessly merge together. Because of these wooden joints and different posts, both stools could be used together to produce one space-saving stool! This space-saver can be simply set aside for storage. When separated in 2, additionally they work as companion seats or footrests. Constructed from Japanese Hinoki Cypress and Jindai Cedar plank, the stools showcase diverse warm tones of wood, flittering from more dark browns to lighter coffee hues. Uniting just like a puzzle, the Yosegi Stools function as minimal and classic decorative pieces, besides their seating functionality. The seamlessness that the Multifunctional Stools fit together as well as their unique geometric structure causes it to be no real surprise they won the Gold A’ Design Award in 2018. There exists a large amount of item and style of Japanese Stool or Shower Stool. Bamboo, suar wood and lychee wood is really a natural material that may be easily cut and formed. It’s provides you with the opportunity to make all kinds of tables. For example, you may make some form of wood logs, or possibly create some interesting shape from wood slices. Alas gembol is furniture manufacturer and export company situated in Java Indonesia, in which the largest teak plantation on the planet located. We've export permit and v-legal wood certificate. japanese low stool japanese stool design japanese stool plans japanese folding stool japanese meditation stool japanese bar stool japanese step stool antique japanese stool Read the full article

[tak4hir0]

1. Don’t use public accessor within classesDon’t: Do: Why? All members within class are public by default (and always public in runtime, TS private/protected will "hide" particular class properties/methods only during compile time). Don't introduce extra churn to your codebase. Also using publicaccessor is not "valid/idiomatic javascript" 2. Don’t use private accessor within Component classDon’t: Good: Better: Why: private accessor won't make your properties/methods on class private during runtime. It's just TypeScript "emulation during compile time". Don't get fooled and make things "private" by using well known patterns like: In reality, you should almost never need to work directly with React Component instance nor accessing its class properties. 3. Don’t use protected accessor within Component classDon’t: Do: Why: Using protected is an immediate "RED ALERT" 🚨🚨🚨 in terms of functional patterns leverage with React. There are more effective patterns like this for extending behaviour of some component. You can use: just extract the logic to separate component and use it as seen aboveHoC (high order function) and functional composition.CaaF ( children as a function )4. Don’t use enumDon’t: Good: If you need to support runtime enums use following pattern: Better: If you don’t need to support runtime enums, all you need to use are type literals: Why?: To use enum within TypeScript might be very tempting, especially if you're coming from language like C# or Java. But there are better ways how to interpret both with well known JS idiomatic patterns or as can be seen in "Better" example just by using compile time type literals. Enums compiled output generates unnecessary boilerplate (which can be mitigated with const enum though. Also string enums are better in this one)Non string Enums don’t narrow to proper number type literal, which can introduce unhandled bug within your appIt’s not standard/idiomatic JavaScript (although enum is reserved word in ECMA standard)Cannot be used with babel for transpiling 👀🙇‍Enum helperIn our “Good” example, you might think like, ugh that’s a lot of boilerplate dude! I hear you my friends. Loud and clear 🙏 If you need to support runtime enums for various reasons, you can leverage small utility function from rex-tils library like showcased here: 5. Don’t use constructor for class ComponentsDon’t: Do: Why: There is really no need to use constructor within React Component. If you do so, you need to provide more code boilerplate and also need to call super with provided props ( if you forget to pass props to your super, your component will contain bugs as props will not be propagated correctly). But… but… hey ! React official docs use constructor! 👉 That’s fine (React team uses current version of JS to showcase stuff) But… but…, class properties are not standard JavaScript! 👉 Class fields are in Stage 3, which means they are gonna be implemented in JS soon Initializing state with some logicOf course you may ask, what if I need to introduce some logic to initialize component state, or even to initialize the state from some dependant values, like props for example. Answer to your question is rather straightforward. Just define a pure function outside the component with your custom logic (as a “side effect” you’ll get easily tested code as well 👌). 6. Don’t use decorators for class ComponentsDon’t: Good: Better: Why: Decorators are parasitic 🐛 👀 🤢 You won’t be able to get original/clean version of your class.TypeScript uses old version of decorator proposal which isn’t gonna be implemented in ECMAscript standard 🚨.It adds additional runtime code and processing time execution to your app.What is most important though, in terms of type checking within JSX, is, that decorators don’t extend class type definition. That means (in our example), that our Container component, will have absolutely no type information for consumer about added/removed props.7. Use lookup types for accessing component State/Props types🙇‍ lookup types Don’t: Do: Why: Exporting Props or State from your component implementation is making your API surface bigger.You should always ask a question, why consumers of your component should be able to import explicit State/Props type? If they really need that, they can always access it via type lookup functionality. So cleaner API but type information is still there for everyone. Win Win 💪If you need to provide a complex Props type though, it should be extracted to models/types file exported as Public API.8. Always provide explicit type for children PropsDon’t: Do: Why: children prop is annotated as optional within both Component and Functional Component in react.d.ts which just mirrors the implementation how React handles children. While that's ok and everything, I prefer to be explicit with component API.if you plan to use children for content projection, make sure to explicit annotate it with type of your choosing and in opposite, if your component doesn't use it, prevent it's usage with never type.Children type constraint 🚸Hey, mister Skateboarder ! I have a question ✋: What types can be used for children annotation in TypeScript ? I mean, can I constraint children to be only a particular type of Component (like is possible with Flow) ? Something like Tab within Tabs children: Tab[] ? Unfortunately not 🙃, as TypeScript isn’t able to “parse” output of JSX.factory 👉 React.createElement which returns JSX.Element from global namespace, which so what compiler gets is an object type, with type checking turned off (WARNING:every time you any a kitten dies 🙀😅) Or as stated in TypeScript docs 👀: “By default the result of a JSX expression is typed as any. You can customize the type by specifying the JSX.Element interface. However, it is not possible to retrieve type information about the element, attributes or children of the JSX from this interface. It is a black box ⬛️ 📦." NOTE: TS 2.8 introduced locally scoped JSX namespaces, which may help to resolve this feature in the future. Watch this space! We can use following types for annotating children: ReactNode | ReactChild | ReactElementobject | {[key:string]:unknown} | MyModelprimitives string | number | boolean where T can be any of formernever | null | undefined ( null and undefined doesn't make much sense though )9. Use type inference for defining Component State or DefaultPropsDon’t: Good: Better: By making freezing initialState/defaultProps, type system will infer correct readonly types (when someone would accidentally set some value, he would get compile error). Also marking both static defaultProps and state as readonly within the class, is a nice touch, to prevent us from making any runtime errors when incorrectly setting state via this.state = {...} Why: Type information is always synced with implementation as source of truth is only one thing 👉 THE IMPLEMENTATION! 💙Less type boilerplateMore readable codeby adding readonly modifier and freezing the object, any mutation within your component will immediately end with compile error, which will prevent any runtime error = happy consumers of your app!What if I wanna use more complicated type within state or default props?Use as operator to cast your properties within the constant. Example: How to infer state type if I wanna use derived state from props?Easy 😎… We will use pattern introduced in tip no. 5 with power of conditional types (in particular, standard lib.d.ts ReturnTypemapped type, which infers return type of any function ✌️)

[udemy-gift-coupon-blog]

Game Development (Android + IOS): Build 12 Apps & Games ##FutureLearn ##UdemyFreeDiscountCoupons #Android #Apps #Build #Development #Game #Games #iOS Game Development (Android + IOS): Build 12 Apps & Games Welcome to Python Programming world: most popular language skill to have in 2018. You are going to learn every bit of python language in this course so that you can apply your knowledge in real world apps. You will learn: 1. Android game and app development with Kivy+Python 2. Python basics and advance 3. Important pygame module Questions that most beginners ask me :  Is Python A Good First Programming Language To Learn? Even though it has not yet been adopted as a first language by many computer science programs, Python is widely seen by industry experts as a great first programming language when learning to code and its extensive use in SpaceX  to automate and handle technologies to launch rockets, Instagram, Google to support their backends and Many companies to support and execute ML and Deep Learning Algorithms; Its undoubtedly No.1 Programming Language to learn. For starters, the syntax of Python is simpler than that of most other major programming languages, with fewer exceptions and special cases. It also tends to use plain English keywords in place of the system of punctuation that has to be memorized in other languages, making it easier to learn to code. Given these conventions, Python code tends to appear as less of a "jumble" to newcomers than it does in comparable languages. Another great feature of Python is the ubiquity of its use. While Python is optimized for development on Linux and Unix systems, interpreters are available for just about every major operating system. All implementations of Python are supported by an excellent standard library, which means that new students can very quickly move on to creating actual functional programs that are useful. Additionally, the standard implementation of Python, CPython, is free and open source. What Type Of Jobs Are Available To Python Programmers?  In the job market, if you observe the trends; Python is often looked as a strong language to support some  primary language that is more broadly used like C or Java. But Lately, with the evolution of ML and Deep Learning Algorithms; it is highly demanded skill to have in 2018 and later. There are a variety of jobs that one can get focusing exclusively on Python development, however. Many of these jobs will be in building and improving the internal tools that a company uses to create its finished marketable products, rather than working on the finished product itself. One specific economic sector where the presence of Python programming is particularly strong is the geospatial industry. This is a critical industry that deals in navigational tools such as GPS, radar and light measurements. If you're interested in web applications, Python is a better choice for development (working with the back-end or server side) rather than design (creating the actual finished front-end that site visitors interact with). As mentioned previously, Google employed Python for many components of its search engine, and it is quite widely used in the data mining industry. Finally, Python can also be used for game development. Some famous examples of games developed either entirely or in large part with Python include EVE Online, Civilization IV, the Battlefield game series and the Mount & Blade games. The popular development environment Blender is written in Python. TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN THIS COURSE: Installing Python Running Python Code Strings Lists  Dictionaries Tuples Sets Number Data Types Print Formatting Functions Scope args/kwargs Built-in Functions Debugging and Error Handling Modules External Modules Object Oriented Programming Inheritance Polymorphism Encapsulation Advanced Methods Copy Module Decorators Iterators Android development with Kivy Closures and much more! PROJECTS   Minor Projects (Basic to advance): Password generator Domain Formatting Star Pattern Stop timer Tic Tac Toe Simple word count Scientific calculator Rock Paper Scissors Credit card Validator Punctuation removal Major Projects: Flappy Bird 2048 game Who this course is for: Anyone who wants to learn coding through game development Anyone who wants to learn coding for their academics Anyone who wants to learn Python to excel their carrer in Machine Learning and Data Science 👉 Activate Udemy Coupon 👈 Free Tutorials Udemy Review Real Discount Udemy Free Courses Udemy Coupon Udemy Francais Coupon Udemy gratuit Coursera and Edx ELearningFree Course Free Online Training Udemy Udemy Free Coupons Udemy Free Discount Coupons Udemy Online Course Udemy Online Training 100% FREE Udemy Discount Coupons https://www.couponudemy.com/blog/game-development-android-ios-build-12-apps-games-2/

[nikolinaboldero]

Liberty’s London Independent Study Visit.

16/11/18

Liberty’s London is known for its luxury goods, covering everything from fashion to cosmetics and then to interior design. It is particularly recognised for its graphic and floral prints. Liberty has played a major role in the development of new artistic styles, such as the arts and craft movement, art noveau. His father gave him a loan of 2,000 pounds in order for Arthur Lasneby Liberty to open up the shop on Regent Street, it officially opened in 1875 and had three employees. Naming the store as the ‘East India house’ his collection of fabrics, ornaments and objects from the Far East proved irresistible to a society who at the time was intoxicated by the East (orientalist fervour).

 The Grade II-listed iconic mock-Tudor store known today was built in 1924, seven years after Liberty died and was constructed with the timbers of two ships- HMS Hindustan and HMS Impreganble. Arthur died in 1917, seven years before his successors at Liberty realised his dream of docking a ship in the streets of London. The store on Great Marlborough Street was constructed from the timbers of two decommissioned Royal Navy Ships. HMS Impregnable was built from more than 3,000 100-year-old New Forest oaks. The second was the HMS Hindustan, a huge ship which is said to have matched the store it contributed to building in height and length. Also in the department store, there is an old staircase which pays tribute to the Liberty staff who lost their lives fighting in the Second World War for different kind of liberty- freedom from the regimes of the Axis powers. Liberty’s nautical theme continues in the weathervane, a gold coloured ship which sits above the entrance on Great Marlborough Street. The weathervane is a replica of The Mayflower, which transported Pilgrims to the New World in 1620. All of these features link the building to its profound history. Whenever I walk into Liberty’s I am so amazed by the decoration and the beautiful structure of the department store. I don’t go in there to shop instead I just gather visual inspiration. Liberty’s carries an experience, tells a story, this is what makes it so different to other department stores. Straight away you can picture the cultural collaborations, such as print designs taken from Java or India. (Liberty’s was also the first department store where women could visit and shop independently, away from their husbands).

 Liberty London is widely regarded as one of the best and most luxurious shopping experiences in the capital. Oscar Wilde called it ‘the chosen resort of the artistic shopper’. The reason why Liberty’s is so well known is because of its cultural relationships/connections with other countries across the globe, its rich heritage has made Liberty’s a beautiful and interesting destination to discover. Liberty’s is very true to itself, it is unique and not trying to accommodate for the growing consumer demand, it has managed to be so extremely successful without involving high street brands in their fashion departments. It does have sections dedicated to brands like Erdem and Ganni, but each section still blends in with the Liberty’s surroundings/environment. In contrast, there is Selfridges another department store in London which is very popular. This store has become lost in high street fashion.

 ‘The Arts and Craft Movement of the late 19th century was one of the most influential artistic movements in modern British history’. A major social reform, rejecting modernity in favour of a romantic revival of medieval and folk aesthetics and traditional techniques’. Art Critic John Ruskin did not believe modernity in terms of globalization, new international division of labour and mass production was having a positive impact on fashion and textiles. He praised gothic architecture, whose roughness was evidence of the craftsman’s personality and freedom. Ruskin’s ideas were hugely influential to the social activist William Morris. By the 1880s Morris was a well-known figure, ‘his designs the height of fashion, and the wider Arts and Craft Movement was born. Liberty London dealt in goods favoured by his style.

 Simple elements from the heart of the brand’s heritage are constantly looked at, reviewed, for example they created a new and more vivid Liberty purple; the famous crest redrawn and the identity was refreshed to express the core elements of the brand more powerfully. This is how they continue to build heritage into the brand name. Liberty is famous for its range of signature fabrics. The brand looks at their huge archive of prints, to carry on unleashing powerful, instantly recognisable clothes for marketing and communications campaigns. The ‘Liberty London’ name was applied across both the store and product brands for added consistency, creating a brand architecture and naming certain conventions than work with partner brands like Hermes or Target.

Liberty Fabrics and Print- collection

The ‘East India House’ (1875) sold Oriental imports- namely rugs, decorative objects and fabrics. After several years the East India House grew and demand for their beautiful fabrics increased. It was at this time that Liberty’s decided to import undyed fabrics and have them hand printed in England in the style of Oriental prints. At this moment in time, Liberty’s started marketing their own fabrics as ‘Made in England’.

1920s- Liberty’s designed prints with miniature floral and paisley designs.

Tana Lawn cotton is the most popular of all the fabric selection in liberty’s, the material is very lightweight therefore it is suitable to be used for dresses, blouses, shirts and skirts.

 I personally think that you can get quite a variety of people shopping in Liberty’s because it has a collection of items, ranging from for example fashion to interiors. It sells a lot of luxury goods therefore it does exclude some of the population who cannot afford to shop here. Those who like high street fashion/high street shopping are not likely to shop in Liberty’s London, they will shop in the more modern department stores like Selfridges. Liberty’s does not just attract the shoppers, people also visit the department store because of its rich history and store heritage. Oscar wild- ‘the chosen resort of the artistic shopper’- I go to the store to study the fashion garments, their beautiful pieces sourced from their archive, I look at the interior design and textiles all for inspiration.

Fashion raincoat by Ganni. Modern representation of textiles in Libertys. ‘GANNI has developed exponentially over recent years with its Scandi 2.0 sense of style full of personality and contrasts. Based in Copenhagen and owned and run since 2009 by husband and wife team Ditte Reffstrup and Nicolaj Reffstrup.

 ‘We sought after a more playful and effortless approach to design, that represents how I want to dress and look. Without strict dogmas or rules, but with room for personality, contrasts and experimentations’.

 The company is based in Copenhagen and I believe that a lot of the designing and production happens here. They have mentioned in one of their interviews online that they get inspiration from the area and the cool Copenhagen girls. The material of this coat is very similar to PVC fabric, although it is a lot softer and more flexible. The material is loose and adjusts to the female figure. On top of the material there are some flowers which have been printed on. The flowers have been made to look quite graphic, like a picture, they have a similar appearance to a water coloured painting of a flower. I really like this fashion garment because it stands out from the other designs in the fashion department. It was an example of a piece which you wouldn’t find in high street department stores, like Selfridges, therefore making it original to liberty’s. It is beautiful, I love the reflective appearance on the coat and the quality of the material. It shows a clear example of how improvements in technology (innovation) have allowed for more creative approaches to producing garments. In the store, the piece was just hung up on a rail. I think that fashion designers are more likely to buy this piece of clothing, it is a statement piece as opposed to being used for everyday use. It is also 240 pounds therefore it is not for anyone to wear. The raincoat reminded me of my final collection at the end of the 2 years of A level. I made a raincoat, enmeshing petals in between two layers of PVC fabric. Here are some images below of the garment.

 In the warehouse in Hayford there is a selection of Liberty prints and sketches. The warehouse is packed with oversized books, labelled boxes and preserved paintings, the rooms are all guarded by the archive department who have the important task of ensuring every design, ranging from the Tana Lawn to the silk satin, is documented with information and stored in the database. The 1880s was when Liberty started producing their own pattern books. There are around 40, 000 prints held in the archive. In the archive, the textile materials are kept away from any form of dust and light in acid-free boxes as much as possible. The artwork is stored in these things called melanex sleeves. Libertys has a good relationship with the paper conservation course at Camberwell College of Arts. ‘Tana Lawn’ is one of Liberty's most well known and loved fabrics, with the name originating from Lake Tana in East Africa, where the original cotton grew. This classic print is made from ultra-fine long staple cotton and without the use of crease-resisting chemicals or irritating allergens. With fabric technology at the forefront, the end result offers an iconic look and soft touch’.

Images of my own design- fashion garment from 2018 winter collection.