You may be seen a barren and empty yard when you get home and crave for a more beautiful and comforting space at home. You will suddenly visualize of having wall fountains or even an outdoor furniture to soothe your crave for a decoration. It may be easy to think of having such beautiful yard, materializing it is not as easy as it seems. Remember, there are professionals who mastered this craft, so it is enough reason that there are a lot of considerations before you attain your perfect outdoor landscape and decoration.

Others made it a hobby when they are landscaping their yard. They may consult styles and designs from their designer friends but all other works are up to their creative hands.

Talking about landscaping as outdoor decoration, it does not only mean having wall fountains and outdoor furniture there but definitely the entire work and materials you will need. This means that you will be considering the design, plants and fixtures including water features such of that wall fountains inside your home.

Choosing what plant you will place in your landscape is an important matter. Depending on the design and theme of your landscape, your plants should complement. The essential thing is that your plants must give the atmosphere you want to have in your landscape. You cannot consider some plants that grow taller if it could cover the centerpiece of your landscape.

Landscape fixtures will also add beauty to your yard. Some use stones or even tiles to enhance a pathway leading to your beautiful and artistic landscape. It is also nice to add outdoor furniture. But, weigh your decisions in choosing for the perfect outdoor furniture. Are you intending to put it in the middle of your garden? Is it firm enough to avoid wearing out easily under any climate?

Nowadays, many chose to have metal or cemented structure rather than wooden outdoor furniture. Depending on your choice and where you planned to place it, always remember that it should complement the theme of your landscape.

Water structures are also those that are given emphasis when it comes to landscaping. Many called it as centerpiece and the cream of the yard. Since it is the catchiest part of the landscape, choosing for a perfect water structure is not an easy decision. To begin with, building a fountain vary in terms of price and expense. Depending on the size of the fountain you want to have, price will differ. Let us say, a huge fountain to complement the Victorian theme of your back yard. You will definitely need to bring out as large an amount of money as possible more than what you have spent for your wall fountains.

You may also think of a canopy designed lavishly to fit for your theme. Be sure to have planned everything to see all these expenses coming. The important thing is that, you have spent and at the same time you are secured that these effort, money and time will bring the comfort and relaxation you need afterwards.

By: Karissa Dupree

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Like most colonials, our home has a family room and a living room. And like most homeowners, we spend a lot more time in our family room than our living room. In fact, my 7 year old still gets confused when I use the term “living” room. It’s now just known as the “red” room in our house.

With some minor changes and a lot of inspiration, you can turn your living room into something you’d actually live in! Here are some possible uses and design tips to help you get started:

Home office – Home Office means different things to different people. It could be a place to pay bills and file paperwork, or a place for kids to do homework, or you may run a business out of your home. Whatever your definition, focus your design around the function of the room.

Provide a clear surface on which to work. It’s easy for a desk or table to become overrun with “stuff” resulting in no place to actually work. Tight for space? How about a table that drops down from the wall when needed (like a Murphy bed)? Add a comfortable desk chair that is adjustable and doesn’t squeak (trust me on this one!). If your room has carpet, consider a plastic floor protector to help you wheel around easier. Add lots of hidden storage, but be sure to clearly label your storage units so you know where to find things. Lighting is key! You will need overhead as well as good task lighting. If there is no overhead light, add some up-lighting. Select functional accessories that add personality by do not cutter the space. But be careful not to make it too institutional – it’s still your home, after all! Keep the palate light and bright to inspire energy. Minimize and secure cords as much as possible. Go wireless wherever possible.
Library – Love to read? Have a great book collection? Turn your living room into a cozy place to curl up with a good book! It’s like having your own coffee house.

Add lots of shelving. Rather than just adding bookcases, consider customized bookshelves built around a window to create a window box seat. Not only will you get additional storage, you’ll add a wonderful focal point to the room. Instead of a traditional sofa or loveseat, opt for two or three comfy club chairs (depending on space). Gather those chairs around a round glass-top coffee table with a wood shelf underneath to show off some of your favorite coffee table books. Provide task lighting for each reading chair. Pharmacy lamps are great for this. Make sure you also have enough lighting to see the books on the shelves. As a library, you can comfortably use darker paint to create warmth. Accessories – add a warm toned rug, soft throw blankets, and pepper the walls with black and white photography to create a coffee house feel.
Toy room – A toy room can be a great compromise between parents and kids in the eternal battle of toy clutter!

Opt for shelving with attractive bins that can hide the clutter inside them, and allow for pick-up in less than 5 minutes. Open storage looks messy, even when the room is picked up. Avoid a collection of mis-matched toy organizers – they look tacky! Make sure the room is comfortable for grown ups as well as kids -add a comfortable chair or loveseat. Add a kid-sized table and chairs. Tip: put a machine washable rug underneath to survive craft time! Keep the room bright with cheerful colors, but avoid “cutesy” – save that for their bedrooms. If your kids enjoy movies, add a TV and DVD player. Set clear rules for cleanup, and stick to them!
Media room – Do you enjoy watching movies? Create your own movie theater in the comfort of your own home!

Add French or pocket doors and light-blocking shades to create a dark, quiet environment on demand. Add a large screen TV with surround sound. Add a dimmer switch to better control the lighting. Add task lighting to allow for discreet multi-tasking while watching a movie. Depending on how many people will be watching the movies, add enough comfortable seating. Tip: use two loveseats angled at the corners of the room opposite the TV, and toss a couple bean bag chairs behind them for extra seating when necessary. For decor, just frame a few of your favorite movie posters and hang them on the walls. Don’t forget the DVD organizer and a handy remote control holder!
Mud Room -Depending on the layout of your house, you could convert your living room into an oversized “holding cell” to accommodate coats, back packs, shoes, calendars, cleaning supplies, dog bed, pet food and much more. You get the idea!

Assign a “locker” to each family member (don’t forget the family pet). Lockers provide vertical storage that makes good use of the space while hiding its cluttered contents. It’s a great storage solution for jackets, purses, backpacks, and more. Lockers can be wood or metal, whichever you prefer. Add wall hooks for guest coats, umbrellas, etc. Add a shoe rack for wet or dirty shoes. Place vinyl placemats underneath to protect your floor. Create a mail box for each member of the family to control mail flow. Add a credenza or file cabinet to file all that mysterious paperwork that wanders into the house. Create a message center by painting a wall (or part of a wall) with magnetic and/or chalkboard paint. Make it “pop” by adding a large empty gold leaf frame! Add a colorful rug. Rather than get one large rug, opt for a couple smaller rugs that are machine washable. How about a small drop-leaf table and a couple chairs for small projects, or for putting boots on?
Stag room – What can I say? If you must have one, here are some ideas:

Add a pool table, and a dart board (if room). Include a bar and some bar stools. Opt for a darker paint color that won’t show wear and tear. Display your favorite neon bar sign, deer head, or other prized possession. Add a juke box in the corner if you like. Don’t forget the traditional “dogs playing poker” print!
Overwhelmed? Call an Interior Re-designer in your area. They specialize in making rooms work using what you already have. It’s a very cost-effective way to bring new life to your old room.

It’s time to start actually living in your “living” room!

By: Susan J Smith

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Do you want to join your neighbors in this ongoing kitchen remodeling craze? Yet you’re worried that you don’t really have the artistic talent to put your beautiful kitchen design in paper? Plus, you don’t have extra funds to pay a designer to work on it, nor do you have the time to sketch it out. Definitely you’re looking for a fast, cheap, and convenient help. Thanks to technology, there are thousands of kitchen remodeling software out in the market today. Just choose which one is most useful in your kitchen renovation; these kitchen remodeling software kits are actually equipped with various programs that are beneficial to your kitchen remodeling.

With the different companies, manufacturers, and brands, you’ll surely drown with the different software products they offer. One thing you must bear in mind is that, you have to read the labels and features of that software package before you buy it. There are several kitchen remodeling software that are helpful and useful only to contractors or remodeling services, there are also some that are programmed for designer’s use and projects, and there are also some packages that are designed for the homeowners’ convenience and benefit. Just make sure you get the one that’s most useful to you, to get your money’s worth.

Most of the kitchen remodeling software are user-friendly, the steps are as easy as 1-2-3 or A-B-C. What’s even more fun is that, you’ll feel like you’re just playing with your ideas and getting a real visual as well. You may have so many kitchen designs in mind, with various colors, styles, materials, appliances, and fixtures, but you really don’t have a clear and vivid image of these designs — would the colors clash or would it look out of place. By using a kitchen remodeling software, you can finally put it in place and can even mix and match your designs to have the best picture you want in 2D and 3D images.

If you’re also not good in numbers and accounting, there are software with additional programs that will help you in handling estimates, costs, budgets, schedules, material quantity, and other project management needs you may have. In this way, you get a picture of what you’ll spend and buy, at least you won’t be wasting so much money, effort, time, and materials because you’ll know how many tiles to buy, how much paint you need, etc.

With the availability of the kitchen remodeling software, one can surely become more innovative, creative, and artistic in planning and designing.

By: Milos Pesic

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We live in a new world. The time for paying attention to our natural resources is now. We have woken to the realization that our world is not the inexhaustible support system we believed it to be.

Thankfully “going green” does not require extreme and costly changes. Making a significant difference in the worlds natural resources, only takes small decisions made one step at a time. We can decide to:

Recycle Reuse Restore Reduce

With these 4 words in mind we have a few of the most wonderful ideas, tips and secrets to present. Simple and affordable going green ideas. And, if you choose to implement any or all of these suggestions you can be assured you are contributing to the over all health of the earth now and toward a more sustainable living environment for our future generations.

1. Going Green by Changing Your Lights. If every household in the U.S. replaced just one light bulb from the standard incandescent to the highly energy efficient luminescent bulbs being promoted today we would

Save A national average of $600,000,000. a year in energy costs.

Save Enough energy to light more than 3,000,000 homes for one year.

Save Green house gases equivalent to the emissions given off from over 800,000 cars.

Save Significant amounts on your energy bill. My husband spent one day replacing all the bulbs in our home. Not totally convinced it would make that much of a difference on our bill I supported his efforts more for the conservation aspects (and because he had turned off the TV) rather than the money saving pitch.

Boy was I surprised when the next electric bill came,

it dropped approximately 20%! or about 10 cents per

hour!

This change in bulb has one characteristic that may take some time getting used to. When you first turn on the lights – they appear dingy due to the fact they need to warm up a bit before they are at peak – light up the room – performance. They also initially cost a bit more but the standard life span far outlasts the basic bulb – from months to years.

Another energy saving tip is to install dimmer switches. Years ago these dimmers did not provide any benefit other than creating ambient light in a room. Today they are designed to minimize your electric consumption as well.

2. Going Green by Choosing an Eco Friendly Floor. If you are planning to replace your floor with hard wood there are two options that are delightfully green, look beautiful, perform well, and cost less than most hard woods. Cork – Cork has come a long way from its original purpose of wine stopping.

It comes from the bark of a tree that can be harvested once every 10 years and does no damage to the tree at all. Like sheering a sheep! It’s typically sold in tile or sheet form and is easy to install. Because cork contains millions of air bubbles – it is comfortable to walk on and easier on the feet when standing for long periods of time in the kitchen. It is also hypoallergenic, absorbs sounds, and acts as a thermal insulator which means warmth on the feet.

There are fabulous color and grain options available today so be sure to shop around!

There are a few drawbacks to consider. Cork does need to be sealed to moisture protect and is not very resistant to fading or punctures however, it does bounce back well when a heavy blunt object is dropped on it.

The other floor covering option is Bamboo – bamboo is definitely more competitive if you need a harder wood floor. Harder than oak yet it is made from a fast growing Asian grass that matures in about 6 years. It can be refinished numerous times with dye-based stains. Very eco-friendly.

Bamboo also offers a wonderful variety of color, grain and style. Have fun looking for the color and grain of this beautiful hard wood option. Did I mention it’s priced lower than most oak options?

3. Going Green by Recycling or Restoring Your Furniture. Must you buy new furniture or can you refinish, restore, repaint or recycle?

Wonderful design projects can result from painting, restaining or reupholstering that piece that is dated or worn. The most exciting aspect of recycling furniture is the money saved.

Sandpaper, paint and associated supplies are relatively inexpensive. Door knobs, drawer pulls can really change up the look of that tired piece of furniture also with minimum expense. A picture says a thousand words especially in this case. Visit the web site listed below to see some fantastic examples of these furniture restoring options.

Design applications usually last about 10 years. The neutral – earthy colors we have been seeing so often has been around since the late 90′s so it’s on its way out. This year you will start seeing bold, bright colors being applied to accent walls, furniture and textures. So, don’t be afraid to experiment with color, fabric textures and brush techniques. This is the year for bold, bright and beautiful! Go for it.

Another idea you may want to entertain is a fantastic option to buy “slightly used” from your local Good Will or Salvation Army. With a bit of frugal redesign “know how” you can create remarkable results.

4. Going Green by Buying Energy Star Appliances. Energy Star is the U.S. Governments Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy Seal of approval system to confirm a products ability to avoid/limit greenhouse gases without sacrificing quality.

When you purchase an Energy Star item you can be assured you have a product that will reduce energy consumption and save you money when used in your home, guaranteed through the entire life span of the appliance.

2007 stats from energystar.gov reports that consumers “saved enough energy in 2007 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 27 million cars – all while saving $16,000,000,000. (16 Billion) on their utility bills.

Wow – Good Job! Let’s keep up the good work!

By: Sue E Krippner

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home design

Your living room does double duty. It invites and entertains guests. It is a place for watching television, reading the morning newspaper, or just lounging around after a hard day’s work. This room is the most important room in the house.

Many times people feel overwhelmed when decorating this room. Accessorizing this room does not have to be a hassle or a burden. With just a few key elements, your room can be beautiful. Try using items like rugs, greenery, and priceless family photos.

Rugs add a sense of elegance to any room. They add accent coloring to an area that is void of color. They have the ability to tie a room together. Place rugs under your coffee table, in front of the fireplace, or in the entry way of your living room.

Greenery is a must have in any living room. Whether it’s real or fake, greenery brings a room to life and breathes in nature to a stuffy room. Any greenery will do: small Fichus trees or bamboo, silk flowers, or fresh-cut floral arrangements. If using flowers, select blossoms that accent your color theme.

Use family photos to add warmth and a sense of family to your living room. Our families are dear to us, so surrounding ourselves with their photos can transform a room from drab to fab in an instant. Photo frame collages are an excellent way to cover a bare wall. You can also place photos on coffee tables, side tables, and on your fireplace mantle. This will keep your loved ones near and help you have a truly fabulous living room.

Accessorizing your living room does not have to be a burden. Using rugs, greenery, and priceless family photos is a great way to add style and warmth to the room.

By: Aaron McLain

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Do you remember when a porch was simply a structure on the outside of your home that was there to protect those coming into your house from the weather? How about the time when it was a simple wood or cement foundation, maybe with a few columns or railings, on which you set a rocking chair and watched the world go by? Well, say bye-bye to that. Porches have reached a new frontier.

There are some many porch ideas available today that no matter what look, feel, or use you want or need, you can design to your hearts content!

The most common outdoor porch ideas – especially front porch ideas – center on furniture and decor. Homeowners are thinking twice about just plopping down an old chair or sofa with a rickety table. Their horizon of porch ideas reaches far into the realms of stores and design houses, filled with specialty fabrics, eclectic or retro furniture styles, and unique decorative accents. People are even putting up curtains (and who ever saw that coming?).

If the open, exposed porch was not getting enough attention, let’s talk about enclosures and all the screened porch ideas that abound in this environment. You will find homeowners including better furniture, pricier décor, higher grade window treatments, and even top-notch lighting. It us almost has if they built a full-fledged addition onto their home (and in some ways, they have).

If you happen to have a wrap around porch, your outdoor porch ideas can probably move into the category of a “multi-room, multi-functional” space. There can be a living and socializing area, a casual eating nook, a formal dining room, and even an activity center. You can decorate each area with its own theme including a color scheme of complimentary paint, flooring, fabrics, and décor. Or, get a little more playful and bring a unique style to each area to fit the mood you’ll be in when utilizing this space.

Probably one of the most interesting outdoor porch ideas is adding a fireplace. Depending on the size of your area, ventilation, materials, etc., you may be able to add this popular addition and further enhance the ambiance! (But be sure to hire a professional for this one, folks! Safety first.)

Maybe it’s time you wandered about the outside of your home, took a good look, and thought about the outdoor porch ideas that would give your exterior that little “something” it needs. (Oh…and try to ignore the neighbors as they turn green with envy!)

By: Mary Morris

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We all want to decorate our home in the best possible way. You must have heard a lot about outdoor rugs. They have become quite famous all over the world. If you talk about their affordability and style statement then they are apt for you. I must tell you that if you take proper care of these outdoor rugs then you can surely keep your house clean. In this article, we are going to talk about outdoor rugs in detail.

By purchasing these outdoor rugs you can not only keep your house clean but you can also enhance the beauty of your home. But make sure you opt for some unique and innovative options. As soon as your guests enter the house, they would come across beautiful rugs. We all know that first impression is the last impression. So, if you want to leave a lasting impression on your friends then you got to acquire a nice outdoor rug.

Cleaning these rugs can be quite difficult. However, if you follow the right steps then you can surely move further in the right direction. Most of the time good quality pads are used under these rugs. It would protect them against all types of dirt. If you want you can even make use of a vacuum cleaner. It is a great device that will make your work easy. You must keep regular care of your rug so that it is absolutely clean all the time.

Hand washing is necessary in this regard. It would allow you to clean the outdoor rug in the easiest possible way. According to me, you need to use a branded stain remover. Only it could help you out in this process. You can even go through the user manual. It would help you in cleaning the rug. Before cleaning the rug you can take it outdoor. Cleaning it inside your house is not at all a feasible option. All the dirt and mud would get accumulate your home.

Warm water and soap mixture should be used for cleaning purposes. If you don’t do it properly then you might end up on the losing side. Once you are done with cleaning you need to dry it out in the best possible way. The price range of such home decor items starts from around 40 dollars. It is certainly quite economical. Some people even keep these rugs in garages and gardens. This is a great option for you to consider. If you want you can even suggest this item to your friends. I am sure they are going to love it.

A lot of brands are manufacturing such items and you can consider purchasing them from the market. Internet shopping is also a nice option for. You must choose it wisely as you can avail a lot of discounts on the net. Make sure you read this article carefully for further information. It could be of great help to you. Have fun while cleaning your outdoor rug. I am sure it would be a nice experience for you.

By: Albert K Smith

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Nowadays, home design software come a dime a dozen. A lot of folks have taken the cheaper route when remodeling their homes by creating the designs themselves. Because of this, the demand for virtual home design software has risen and the response from the software developers has been equally swift. In fact, Even Google themselves have come up with their own home design program in the form of the Google SketchUp program. Here’s a quick look at this particular program as well as some of its best benefits and features.

Getting Started

It wouldn’t be too surprising if people, especially those in the architecture and interior design industries, would meet this program with some skepticism on the onset. One might ask what kind of experience Google has in this field and whether or not they will be able to produce an effective program. However, being the computing giants that they are, users will be pleasantly surprised that this program is actually quite impressive home design software.

There’s actually a free version of this application and users may want to give it a spin first before actually purchasing the Pro edition.

What’s great is that the demo version – which will last for up to 8 hours of use – is only 33 Megabytes in size. This means that downloading, as well as installing should be a breeze. Nonetheless, Google was able to pack in a whole lot of useful features in such a considerably small program, which makes Google SketchUp a commendable piece of designing software.

User-friendly

Perhaps the most impressive feature of Google SketchUp is that it is very user-friendly. It comes with a straightforward interface, as well as features and functions that are not difficult to learn. Should there be any problems in this regard, the program comes with integrated tutorials. There’s a dedicated training tab that works wonders. This is definitely a great application especially for those with very little to no experience in home design software.

Added Features

Aside from the multitude of built-in features on the program, users also have the option to download even more bonus packs on the application’s website. Other than new objects and samples, the download section also offers a rendering program, called iRender, that will help produce wonderfully rendered outputs. The built in rendering application is not that impressive, but with the addition of the iRender feature, users should be able to come up with results that are of the professional level.

Users who enjoy the trial version will need to cough up $495 for the Google SketchUp Pro Edition.

By: Robert Diarioti

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The key to getting in optimal shape does not depend on whether or not you have a gym membership. As a matter of fact I would save my money and invest more time and energy into valuable information that will get you results like this particular article. If you have read my articles you know how I believe in being efficient when it comes to working out. You are better to hit a more intense workout that is short rather than dragging it out leisurely over an hour! Take a look at the following body weight workout that you can do right in the comfort of your living room.

1. Prone Hip Thrusts: Now this is a bodyweight exercise routine that is a sure thing to eliminate your midsection. To promote fat-loss and weight-loss you must intensify your current regimen. This is the perfect exercise to perform in order to do just that. To begin, get into a normal upright push-up position (prone to the ground). Make your body firm and rigid. Your hands should be right at about shoulder width distance apart. Next you will want to thrust both of your knees up to your chest while keeping your hands firm to the ground. Once you thrust your knees up to your chest then immediately extend them (or thrust them) back into the extended position. Continue to fluently and rapidly thrust your knees back and forth for the desired number of reps. You will quickly see what kind of intensity I am talking about after you do 15 or 20 of these in a row!

2. Push-Ups With Alternating Knee Thrusts: This body strength fitness drill begins just like the prone hip thrust. Get into the same exact starting position. From here you will want to execute a normal push-up. Once you go to the ground and come back up you will thrust one leg up to your chest and immediately extend it back to where you are in the upright push-up position. Immediately execute a subsequent push-up and do the same thing with the opposite leg. Your core and upper-body will be under constant tension when performing this dynamic push-up. Attempt 5 to 10 on each side!

By: Brandon Richey

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While it may surprise you, orange is a color that is being used more and more in decorating, no matter what style of decor you prefer. From bright, vibrant and energetic to warm and relaxing, orange hues can transform your home from dull and lackluster to exciting and beautiful!

Orange is for more than small accents!

Placing even a small bit of orange in a room can brighten it up. Think of placing a few oranges in a teal green or bright blue bowl in the middle of your dining room table – instant energy! While this is a good idea, you can use orange in a much broader spectrum about your home, from walls and accent rugs to decorations and furnishings.

Blend colors for a dramatic effect that isn’t overpowering

When you decide that orange shades are what you want to use in your home, you need to break it up a bit with other colors to prevent a look that is over-powering. Consider neutral tones such as cream or gold hues; for a chic, modern look consider colors such as vibrant blue or even bright yellow.

For a warm, inviting look, pale orange shades such as peach or melon are great on the walls; paint the baseboards and other trim a calm shade of sand or cream, and you create a look that is extremely appealing. Combine shades of forest green and cream in furnishings, accent pillows, wall art and throw rugs for a look that brings the freshness of nature to mind.

Like a bold, exciting look?

Orange is the perfect color for those who aren’t afraid to go bold and dramatic. Layered tones of yellow-orange, red and even pink create a look that is daring yet totally modern. An apricot color for the sofa when combined with burnt orange walls and pink chairs is energetic and completely unique!

For those who prefer a coastal chic look, be sure to include lots of texture and colors such as turquoise. Citrus orange furniture blended with pale blue walls and turquoise accents creates a look that is relaxing yet oh-so appealing. Lots of ceramic, glass and patterned throw pillows add texture and interest that complete the look. Think of natural elements such as stone as well.

Perfect for entertaining areas

Orange evokes energy, so it is the perfect color for decorating the areas of your home where you entertain, such as a covered deck or patio. Combine lots of greenery with outdoor furnishings in shades of cantaloupe and rust and you have an area that invites your guests to feel right at home. Finally, if you add splashes of white to liven up the area further you will inject a “light” airy atmosphere.

Years ago, no homeowner would have dreamed of decorating their home with orange; now, various shades of orange are effective for adding bright, energetic undertones or creating an atmosphere that is totally warm and relaxing. Need a beautiful change of pace for your decor? Think orange!

By: Leon Tuberman

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