Prices of houses and flats further accelerated in the first quarter of 2017, figures released by the RICS’ Cyprus Property Price Index published yesterday. 

Throughout Cyprus, residential prices for both houses and flats increased on a quarterly basis by 2.3% and 1.3% respectively, with the biggest increase recorded in Larnaca, 4.6% for flats and 2.8% for houses. 

Prices for holiday homes on a quarterly basis across Cyprus increased by 1.7% for flats and 1.3% for houses.

Limassol showed the highest quarterly increases for holiday apartments with an increase of 2.9% and Paralimni for holiday homes with an increase of 2.1%. 

Across Cyprus, on a quarterly basis rental values increased by 2.5% for apartments, 2.6% for houses, 1.6% for retail, 4.6% for offices while for warehouses they remained stable. 

Compared to Q1 2016, rents increased by 5.5% for flats, 9.6% for houses, 6.3% for retail, 3.1% for offices and for warehouses 11%. 

All asset classes have shown a consecutive quarterly growth.

Source: Stockwatch

 Most people will never be lucky enough to live in a house that is as inspired, unique, and luxurious as the one featured in this post. But looking inside this stunning space, located right on the Pacific on Highway 1, is an inspiration nonetheless. Designed by Wallace Cunningham at Wallace Cunningham, Inc. for creator Joan Murray, this architectural achievement is breathtaking. From the curved facade to the unparalleled views of the ocean, from glass walls to perfectly perched outdoor space, this home is a true retreat from reality. Let's step inside and get the full view.

The 2667 square foot (247 square meter) home sits atop a cliff in Carmel, in central California

The unique exterior takes inspiration for its curves from the aerodynamic beauty of a butterfly.

Although the home itself is breathaking, its design is built around an appreciation for the surrounding natural beauty, including the tempestuous ocean, cypress trees, and sunsets.

Of course, the interior is certainly not an afterthought. Carefully chosen elements like this Wassily Chair, designed by Marcel Breuer, and other modern classic chairs add another layer of luxury to the home.

It is no surprise that the name of this particular home is “Serenity.” Ocean views as well tiny succulents tucked into concrete planters and even an architecturally unique coffee table make for a calming and nearly zen experience.

The use of glass, from floor to ceiling and wall to wall, indicates a total obsession with and appreciation of the Carmel coastline, which is known worldwide for its beauty.

In the simple bedroom, an Eames Lounge Chair acts as a comfortable reading chair while a unique floor lamp casts a warm glow on the reading nook.

Even the bathroom, with its beautiful soaking tub, gives the bather a spectacular view.

The three-bedroom house has three bathrooms and one half bath, making it ideal for a small family or a couple who wants to entertain (and show off their spectacular investment)

The home took more than a decade to plan and complete, but the finished product was most certainly worth the wait for the architect and for Ms. Murray.

The curved steel that looks so elegant on the exterior also has a unique effect on the interior spaces, making for interesting corridors and seating areas.

Simple landscaping does not detract from the surrounding nature, which again is the main draw of the home.

Source:HomeDesign

Everything is going according to plan, as far as drilling in Onisiforos plot, Energy Minister Yiorgos Lakkotrypis said here today, adding that ExxonMobil is expected to begin work in the second half of 2018. 

Speaking after Cabinet meeting, at the holiday retreat in Troodos, he said ENI has already invited bids for license for three different targets and intends to decide where it will drill once the results from Onisiforos have been evaluated. 

He explained that ENI has asked for a license in plots 3, 6 and 8 of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone. 

“Drilling in Onisiforos is proceeding as planned, within the set timeframe. Perhaps we are a bit ahead of schedule without any particular technical problems and we expect to have the results, as anticipated, at the beginning or mid September,” he added. 

Replying to questions, he said the government will confer with ENI to decide when these results will be made public. 

Asked if there are any indications about the results of the drilling, he said there are no results until the drill reaches the reservoir to see if there is natural gas and in what quantities. 

On plans by ExxonMobil, he said the company plans to begin drilling in the second half of 2018, however more details may be revealed at a later stage.

Source:Stockwatch

The world’s smallest house is finally here. For real. Compared to the One-Sqm-House by Van Bo Le-Metnzel of Hartz IV Möbel, all of the other teeny weeny little dwellings we have featured over the years are enormous. And now they’re going to take over the world. Le-Metnzel, a Laos native who fled his home country as a refugee has spent his entire life exploring the concept of home, has teamed up with Corinne Rose from Berlin’s BMW Guggenheim Lab to grow a global village of these tiny mobile homes.

 As the name implies, the One-Sqm-House house only occupies one square meter. But it is remarkably adaptable. It can be laid down flat for sleeping or propped upright to act as a miniature mobile shop or meeting place. And since it has wheels, it’s possible to roll it away to some other place. Le-Metnzel’s design emerged amid an overarching desire to have at least one square meters of space in the world that was his, and his alone.

Soon the home will go on a six year tour around the world. Rose and Le-Mentzel want Mumbai and New York residents in particular to take up their cause. They want whole communities of these things. Either localized or global. And they want stories, documentation. In short, tired of no longer being able to afford space, tired of being pushed to the margins of society because real estate is just too darned expensive, they are calling for a One-Sqm-House revolution. Will you join the cause?

If you have a garden but you don’t want to spend a lot money to decorate it, rocks and stones may be a good idea for you. Rocks and stones are natural, so you can spend no money getting them. They are everywhere and you can spend no effort to find them. But then can add a few beautiful elements to your garden but require little or no maintenance. All you should do is to collect them and make them beauty your garden according to our ideas provided following.

The ideas here have given the fullest tutorial or most details, so can completely do it yourself. Don’t be late, take action now!

Source:WooHome

We have a love-hate relationship with school, but a couple clicks through these jaw-dropping campuses and we're packing our bags and stocking up on XL twin sheets. Read on to learn which universities and college campuses across the globe 

FLAGLER COLLEGE, FLORIDA

At Flager College, you can study where some get to vacation (literally).  This coastal campus is located in  St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest city in the United States.

TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN

Modeled after the grand collegiate universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Trinity College was founded in 1592 and is one of the seven ancient universities of Britain and Ireland. The college features 25 different schools, so it makes sense that The Library of Trinity College holds more than 6.2 million printed volumes of manuscripts, maps and music.

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH, TENNESSEE

This private, residential liberal arts college is owned by 28 southern dioceses of the Episcopal Church, hence the grandiose All Saints' Chapel. The university sits on atop sweeping 13,000 acres on the scenic Cumberland Plateau.

QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY, IRELAND

This university looks more like a palace fit for Irish royalty than a school for young 20-somethings. The Lanyon Building is noted as one of the most recognizable landmarks at Queen's University; however, the campus houses more than 250 buildings that resemble this gorgeous Gothic and Medieval style. 

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY, NEW JERSEY

Do colleges get better with age? It seems like that's the case with Princeton. The prestigious Ivy League university was founded in 1746 and is the fourth oldest higher-education institution in the U.S. The main campus sits on approximately 500 acres and incorporates a variety of architectural styles, ranging from High Victorian Gothic to Romanesque Revival. 

UNIVERSITY OF SALAMANCA, SPAIN

Founded in 1134, the school is the oldest university in Spain and the third oldest university in the world. The historic town is located west of Spain, between Castilla and León. Although modern renovations have occurred since, the majority of structures still mirror the 2,000-year-old style of Salmantica.

CORNELL UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT BOULDER

ROYAL ROADS UNIVERSITY, BRITISH COLUMBIA

UNIVERSITY OF LONDON, ENGLAND

FURMAN UNIVERSITY, SOUTH CAROLINA

UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND

HARVARD UNIVERSITY, MASSACHUSETTS

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD, ENGLAND

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Even though people say it's what's on the inside that matters, this abandoned WWI-era cement factory started out as a serious eyesore all around. The outside was harsh and worn, while the inside looked like, well, a factory. But one architect with a goal to transform "the most ugly thing" into something beautiful was up for the challenge. The results? A place we'd gladly call "home."

Ricardo Bofill bought the stone silos that make up this meta-Brutalist building near Barcelona, Spain back in 1973 when it was about to be shut down and moved. The following two years included Bofill demolishing 70% of the 53, 819-square-foot structure and updating the outside landscape with lush grass and olive trees (we approve!).

Inside, Bofill went with an open concept that features some of the structure's original industrial details. But he softens it up with luxury elements that create a romantic vibe, such as long (!) white drapes covering the larger-than-life windows and modern furniture. Seriously, it would be impossible not to feel like a queen waking up in this home, which Bofill dubbed La fábrica.

Take a look:

Bofill says his home is still a work in progress and always evolving. We can't wait to see where he takes it next.

Source:Home Beautiful 

If pink immediately makes you think of a little girl's room, we've got news for you:

There are tons of colors you can pair with this hue to create a grown-up and

sophisticated design — including these picks from some of our go-to designers.

RED

"Red and pink create warmth, vibration and excitement," says architect Barbara Bestor. When the two are showcased in an ombre rug, they create a colorful statement that'll serve as a vibrant focal point.

BLACK

"Black and pink create a stark, dramatic, smart and crisp look," says designer Todd Oldham. Since the combination is so bold, you might want to keep the rest of the room relatively neutral.

TAUPE

"Pink can have a fierce energy that pierces through like a fog light," says interior designer Richard McGeehan. "I'm drawn to hot pink, and I like it paired with taupe, for balance."

METALLICS

"Metallics give pink an edge," says architect Mishi Hosono. "I learned about this combination from a fashion designer friend and am thinking of how to use pinks and oranges in architecture now."

GREY

"Any shade of grey is always best to blend in with pink," says designer Francesco Bilotto. "It's a 'new neutral' and offers a stylish throw back to contemporary decor of the 80s."

YELLOW

"Yellow plays well with pink, especially when flirting with patterns like plaids or herringbone," says Bilotto. "It's almost impossible not to be happy in a room filled with this combination."

BROWN

"Dark brown paired with pink offers a decadent and bold approach," says Bilotto. "It's the push pull of masculine and feminine that speaks to me!"

GREEN

"The grayed-down pinks and the calm green are visually stimulating without being aggressive," says designer Campion Platt. "They almost melt together."

BLUE

There's a reason interior designers Maxwell Macdonald and Andrew Corrie picked out this palette for their Shelter Island, New York living room design: "A pink-and-blue living room with washed wood walls creates a beachy feel."

PURPLE

"I'm drawn to the boldness of purple and pink together — or to be exact, plum and magenta," says designer Lee Kleinhelter. The purple walls in this bathroom helps the pink pop even more.

Source: House Beautiful

Larnaca International Airport has remained third among the European airports with passenger traffic of 5 to 10 million per year, that presented the largest increase in passenger traffic since last March. 

European airport trade body, ACI EUROPE released on Friday its air traffic report for June. The report reveals that during the first half of this year, passenger traffic at Europe’s airports grew by an average +9.0%. 

“In the first half of the year, Larnaca International Airport managed to maintain its third place on the passenger traffic increase chart since last March, among all international airports in Europe, in the category of 5 to 10 million passengers per year” said Hermes airports, a consortium that manages the two international airports in Cyprus. 

Larnaca International Airport ranked third, with an increase of 22.7% or 571.926 additional passengers, preceded by Keflavik International Airport (Iceland), with 39.7% and Kiev International Airport (Ukraine) which occupies the second place with an increase in passenger traffic of 29.4%. 

In a press release, Hermes airports noted that in the group of airports with 5 to 10 million passengers per year, Larnaca International Airport continued to be the first among all the international airports of the European Union member states that have achieved the biggest increase in passenger traffic. 

ACI EUROPE said in its report that the EU and non-EU markets ended up posting similar growth levels in passenger traffic – respectively at +8.7% and +9.9%. 

In the EU, the Benelux along with Cyprus, Malta and Portugal in the South as well as Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia to the East all achieved double digit growth. In the non-EU market, Albania, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro and Ukraine each grew by well above +20%. 

Europe’s Top 5 busiest airports recorded a passenger traffic increase of +4.3% in the first half of the year – a notable improvement over their 2016 performance (+1.6%). Amsterdam-Schiphol topped the league in terms of growth (+8.7%), followed by Paris-CDG (+5.2%), Frankfurt (+4.5%). Capacity-constrained London-Heathrow still managed to grow (+3.9%), while Istanbul-Ataturk kept regaining lost ground (-1.1%), said the Brussels – based organisation.

Source: Stockwatch

BRING FURNITURE OUTDOORS

An outdoor set-up like this shady spot by Stephen Shubel can function as a breakfast room, reading nook or dinner table when the weather's nice.

ADD POPS OF COLOR

Swap in graphic paintings, fresh flowers or vibrant dishes for the fastest possible makeover. "I like all colors — soft, light, shimmery, deep," designer Ruthie Sommers says of her California beachy kitchen. "If you're ever stuck, lighten your lights and darken your darks to create contrast."

AMP UP THE BAR

Fresh and fruity summer cocktails deserve a dedicated station. Whip up a mojito or mai tai at a well-stocked table, like the console in designer Amanda Lindroth's Bahamas house. "Every island house needs a fantastic, spilling-over bar," she says.

FILL YOUR FIREPLACE

You won't be stoking the flames for another few months. For now, stack leftover wood or position candles in your fireplace. Fans of coastal style can frame a hunk of coral like Gregory Shano's Long Island retreat.

RESTYLE YOUR TABLESCAPES

Pepper your coffee tables and bedside nooks with natural decor, like a bouquet of garden roses or beach-combing treasures. In a nautical Nantucket Harbor home, a sea fan sits on the sleeping loft's tiny table.

TRY THE BOHEMIAN LOOK

Vibrant colors, a mix of patterns and flowers everywhere — real, painted and printed — make the living room "cheerful, bright and playful," says designer Krista Ewart of this California beach bungalow.

RECOVER THE HEADBOARD

If flower power isn't your thing, add greenery with a statement piece. The botanical headboard delivers this bedroom's knockout punch.

HANG FLOWY CURTAINS

This Florida home has certainly perfected the idea of outdoor living. Gauzy panels by the pool add privacy, shield the sun and keep mosquitoes at bay.

TREAT YOUR WINDOWS

PAINT THE FURNITURE

Unifying a ragtag patio set is as easy as grabbing a bucket of paint. For a Florida home's oceanfront porch, decorator Tammy Connor coated the antique sofa and assorted chairs in a matching cloudy blue.

FRAME A MAP

Nod to your hometown — or a favorite summer vacation spot — with a personalized chart, like this New York home's Shelter Island print.

MAKE THE TRIM MATTER

Fresh cushions or pillows can change up an entire room, especially if you consider the details. "There's a nautical feeling to things like the trim on the curtains and the piping on the upholstery," T. Keller Donovan says of his Nantucket living room. "I was inspired by the look of lounge chairs on an old yacht and that great old 1930s pool furniture, both of which had contrast piping."

SET UP A COUNTER

If you can't splurge on an outdoor kitchen, an extra-wide window might do the trick instead. Designer Erin Martin extended the marble counter from a beach house kitchen to make al fresco dining easier.

PILE ON PILLOWS

FRAME YOUR FLORALS

Impress guests by hanging your garden, like this chandelier of potted plants in an outdoor dining room. Plus, you'll have extra tabletop space for place-settings and party food.

ARRANGE BACKYARD FLOWERS

HANG A MIRROR

SET UP A PICNIC TABLE

INSTALL AN OUTDOOR SHOWER

Source: HouseBeautiful