Category: Hamptons

  • All About Heating Oil Tanks

    All About Heating Oil Tanks

    Bare with me, this may seem a bit off topic for Decorology, but if you are thinking of buying/selling a home, or live out in the country – the issue of an oil tank WILL come up.  We live in the ‘burbs of DC and it ended up being a little issue when we were in settlement.  If you think you may need to know about this stuff, read on, if not, enjoy the eye candy!

    white interiors

    If you’re thinking about switching to home heating oil, or you’ve recently moved into a house that’s off the gas grid and already has an oil-fired heating system, then you’ll want to know more about that all-important tank that sits (or will soon be sitting) in your garden.

    white interiors

    Here’s what you need to know

    Your oil tank will be made from wither fabricated steel or durable plastic and it’ll usually be situated outside – some tanks are in an outhouse or even underground, but this is rarer. Your tank will also be either single-layered or double-layered, or it may be integrally bunded, which means it has an in-built protective layer. If you can afford a bunded tank, then go for one, as it’s essentially one tank inside another, with the outer tank accommodating the inner tank’s pipes, vents and other fittings. Bunded tanks offer a lot more protection from cracks, leaks and spills, as the external tank can hold 110% of the inner tank’s full capacity. This is ideal when you’ve just scored the cheapest oil from supersaveroil!

    white interiors

    The legal lowdown

    If you’re about to install a new tank, whether it’s your first tank ever or a replacement, then you need to make sure it’s manufactured to meet all the relevant safety codes. You can talk to an OFTEC-registered technician to help you to choose the right tank for your home and your needs, and to find out where the best place for the tank is. Safety regulations vary slightly across the UK, so you need to know your local requirements before you start.

    You should also have your tank inspected at least once a year by an OFTEC engineer to make sure it’s in a safe and good condition.

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    Moving into a property with an existing tank

    If your new home already has a tank and you’re feeling a bit intimidated by it, then you should arrange an inspection. Steel tanks in particular need looking at one a year or so because they have a special oil-resistant coating to extend their working lives. You can also have a chat with the inspector to find out what maintenance needs to be done by you alongside the annual service.

    Hamptons

    4 images above via http://www.cottages-gardens.com/

    The different sizes and prices of oil tanks

    Tanks vary in size from 1,000 litres to 3,500 litres, although the 3,500-litre types are more for commercial premises. You can expect to pay £500 to £600 for a smaller, single-layered tank and around £2,000 for a large bunded one.

    In addition to the off-the-peg tanks, you could also have a custom-designed tank for your specific needs. However, you should always have a gauge to tell you how much oil is left – this can be either outside the tank or remote. If your tank doesn’t already have one you can buy one – either a basic one or a digital one, which will cost a bit more.

    It’s vital to keep a close eye on your oil levels to avoid your tank getting too low, as this can lead to sludge or air being drawn into the boiler, which can be very expensive.

    *disclosure: this post syndicated by Super Saver Oil

  • Out East: Houses and Gardens of the Hamptons

    Out East: Houses and Gardens of the Hamptons

    Book Review: Out East Houses and Gardens of the Hamptons

    I have the pleasure today of reviewing Out East Houses and Gardens of the Hamptons by Jennifer Ash Rudick and photographs by Tria Giovan.  Though I lived in NYC for many years I never made it out to the Hamptons.  Obviously I’d heard of it and knew it as a summer retreat for many New Yorkers.  Aside from being personally invited to the over 30 distinctive houses and gardens featured in this book, I can’t imagine a more comprehensive and beautiful way to really get to know the Hamptons than this robust, beautifully printed book.

    Here’s a great summary from the publisher, Vendome:

    “Cool breezes, miles of pristine beaches, and vast, open farmland have long attracted visitors to Long Island’s South Fork, known worldwide as “The Hamptons.” Residents in picturesque seaside communities from Southampton to Montauk are calling upon world-class designers to fine-tune their visions, giving rise to a fresh design vernacular: homes that are testaments to what can be achieved when inspired by the natural beauty of a unique locale—and when imagination is one’s only limitation.

    Out East captures the enduring appeal of shingled houses, modernist oceanfront designs, artists’ compounds, and Montauk surf shacks. Jennifer Ash Rudick, a long-time Southampton resident, leads an insider’s tour of more than 25 houses, cottages, and pool houses. Tria Giovan, a Sag Harbor–based photographer, captures extraordinary gardens, verandas, lakeside pavilions, farmhouses, and converted barns.” via

    Below are some of my favorite photos from the book.

    Hamptons houses

    Hamptons houses

    “Despite the bold-faced names who have made their mark, a surprising thread of rusticity and relaxation runs through many of the Hamptons’ most appealing properties—which is precisely what makes the collection presented in the book so intriguing.”

    VOGUE.com

    Hamptons house

    The room above is the family home of one of my favorite designers, Tom Scheerer.

    Hamptons house Hamptons house

    If you are looking to treat yourself or a friend, this book is a no-brainer.  For me it’s an escape on a warm afternoon after putting my son down for a nap!  It can be purchased anywhere books are sold.

     

    *disclosure: I received this book as a sample.

  • Elegant, clean design embodied in this Hampton home

    Elegant, clean design embodied in this Hampton home

    I have a really pretty house tour here for you. It’s the home of NYC decorator Timothy Whealon and is chic without being fussy. What do you think?

    I like ottomans as tables

    I like all the white with the plant prints

    A clear piece of furniture, like this table, is a great option for a small room because it doesn’t take up so much “visual” space.

    The checked floor is actually painted wood!



    I really like the wall treatment going on at the staircase, which is Phillip Jeffries raffia, the two stools are nice too…

    via Elle Decor