Friday, December 2, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
CKD is Makeover of the Month!
http://issuu.com/dallashomeimprovement/docs/dec2011?mode=window&viewMode=doublePage
We made the December issue!
CKD Interiors is proud to be a part of Dallas Home Improvement Magazine!
We made the December issue!
CKD Interiors is proud to be a part of Dallas Home Improvement Magazine!
Friday, April 29, 2011
24 Hour Data Rocks
I just want to thank Pete and his team at 24 Hour Data for recovering my computer and allowing for business to run as usual. You guys are the best! Unlike some I do promote everyone that impresses me with their services.
Monday, April 18, 2011
We made it to Groupon!
$150 for Two Hours of Interior
Design Consultation and Sketches from CKD Interiors ($300 Value)
http://www.groupon.com/deals/ckd-interiors
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Larger Demand for Green Materials
CKD Interiors has increasingly become more involved in the green movement as homeowners are catching on to a longtime trend of saving energy and our environment. One of the greatest gifts we've had lately is an interest in our green knowledge. Cathy and I have both studied LEED and have both worked on LEED projects. We take pride in trying to implement simple materials that can put a greener home on the map.
Take for instance this article.
What Are Rapidly Renewable Materials?
Rapidly renewable materials have a regeneration rate of 10 years or less. Bamboo and cork are the two most widely known rapidly renewable materials, though building materials made from agricultural-waste byproducts, including wheat straw and sugarcane bagasse, or fiber crops, like kenaf and hemp, are becoming more common. As sunlight is generally the primary energy input, these products may be less energy-intensive to produce. However, energy used in processing and transportation from areas in which some of these products are grown, such as China and the Mediterranean, also must be considered.Rapidly renewable materials are recognized within the Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system in the Materials and Resources Credit. Within the LEED framework, use of rapidly renewable materials is intended to “ … reduce the use and depletion of finite raw materials and long-cycle renewable material.” It is, however, important to acknowledge that because many products made from rapidly renewable materials are relatively new, their long-term performance characteristics may be less known.
Life-Cycle Effects and the Move to Bio-Based
There is a widely held assumption that rapidly renewable materials are beneficial and should be preferentially used in green buildings. USGBC’s Materials and Resources Technical Advisory Group, or MR-TAG, contracted with Burlington, Vt.-based BuildingGreen, publishers of green-building information, and North Bermick, Maine-based Sylvatica, an environmental- and social-impact consulting firm, to determine whether there is environmental justification for a credit that rewards the use of rapidly renewable materials instead of longer-rotation bio-based materials, such as wood. The study found that rapidly renewable bio-based materials may not be any greener than long-rotation bio-based material. An information sheet titled “Dealing with Wood and Biobased Materials in the LEED Rating System” summarizes the research effort and is available on USGBC’s Web site at www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=1423.
The study notes products derived from corn, soybeans, cotton and certain other products often carry significant environmental burdens across their life cycles from fertilizers, pesticides, energy use in farming and processing, and soil runoff. According to Michelle Moore, USGBC’s senior vice president for Policy and Public Affairs, any changes to the rapidly renewable credit will be influenced by how USGBC incorporates life-cycle analysis into LEED. A proposed LCA approach is expected to be released for public comment sometime in summer 2008.
Rapily Renewable Products
The range of rapidly renewable products is limited only by one’s imagination and the cost effectiveness of commercial production. Some rapidly renewable materials may capture multiple points in LEED; products made from agricultural waste may be produced within 500 miles (805 km) of a project and contain no added urea formaldehyde, which would earn credits MRc6, MRc5.1 and MRc5.2, and Indoor Environmental Quality credit 4.4, respectively. The following are some rapidly renewable materials you may be considering for your next green-building project.
Cork
Cork is considered a rapidly renewable material because bark from the cork oak tree can be harvested every nine years. Because of its cellular structure, cork works well for flooring; it provides acoustic and thermal insulation and is a resilient building material that is less affected by impact and friction.
Grown principally in the Mediterranean, a cork oak tree must be at least 25 years old before the bark is harvested for the first time. Cork must continue to develop until the third harvest to achieve wine-stopper quality. Cork building materials typically are made from wine-stopper scraps. On average, each cork oak tree is harvested 15 to 18 times in its lifetime with the largest trees yielding up to 1 ton (0.9 metric ton) of cork per harvest.According to the Gland, Switzerland-based World Wildlife Fund International, cork production provides a vital source of income for thousands of people and supports one of the world’s highest levels of biodiversity among forest habitats with plant diversity reaching as high as 135 species per square meter. In an ironic twist, the increased market share for alternative wine stoppers could reduce the value of cork oak, leading the areas in which cork is grown to be converted or abandoned. It also may contribute to the end of the cork ecosystem.
WWF International and the Bonn, Germany-based Forest Stewardship Council have established programs to promote and encourage responsible cork use to save this natural resource. For more information, visit www.panda.org and www.fsc.org.
Agricultural Byproducts
Waste byproducts of several agricultural commodities, such as wheat, sugarcane and sorghum, have great potential for rapidly renewable building products.
Life-cycle analysis of wheat board by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Md., demonstrated new wheat-board products actually have a positive impact on the environment. Carbon sequestered during the raw-materials stage of wheat board’s life cycle far outweighs the carbon released during manufacture and transportation of the product combined. Wheat board rated the best for overall environmental impact across 230 products evaluated by NIST.
Worldwide, more than 1 billion tons (907 million metric tons) of sugarcane was grown in 2005 with the U.S. producing 25 million tons (23 million metric tons). Bagasse, the crushed cane fibers resulting from milling, can be used for agri-fiber board. In the late 1990s, Seminole, Fla.-based Acadia Board Co. tried and failed to produce commercially viable bagasse board under the tradename Duracane. A study conducted in 2003 by Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, demonstrated anefficient way of transforming bagasse into high-quality industrial panel products but concluded that successful commercialization depended on cost-effective manufacturing.Kirei is an engineered panel product made from sorghum stalks, an edible grass grown around the world. After harvesting the grain for food, the stalks are compressed, washed and woven into sheets. These sheets are then stacked and heat-pressed with a formaldehyde-free adhesive to create blocks, which are cut to the desired size. Kirei has been used for wall coverings, cabinetry, flooring and other architectural and interior-design uses since 1995.
Kenaf and Hemp
Kenaf is a warm-season annual fiber crop harvested for its stalks. It has adapted to most of the southern U.S. and parts of southwest California. Although known for its use in paper products, kenaf fiber also is used for engineered wood, insulation and clothing-grade cloth. Through its Biokenaf Project, the European Union is conducting extensive studies, including life-cycle impacts, of kenaf as a non-food crop.
Industrial hemp also is proving to be a practical, inexpensive, fire-resistant construction material. It is made by heating and compressing plant fibers to create strong construction paneling. Research conducted by Washington State University, Pullman, demonstrated the superior strength, flexibility and economy of hemp composite building materials compared to wood fiber.
The Suffolk Housing Society, Bury St Edmunds, England, undertook a unique project in early 2000, exploring the building potential of hemp. Four identical houses were built in Haverhill, Suffolk. Two houses used hemp mixed with hydraulic lime, a variety of slaked lime that makes mortar, as the principal material. The others were constructed of brick and block. Watford, England-based Building Research Establishment, a building consultancy, prepared a detailed evaluation of the hemp homes, examining structure and durability, thermal and acoustical performance, permeability, waste minimization and construction costs. The hemp homes were found to be as durable as those of traditional construction. The study concluded that while the hemp homes have less impact on the environment because the material is less energy intensive to produce and creates less waste, the homes cost about 10 percent more to build than brick-and-block houses. A full copy of the report can be found on BRE’s Web site at www.bre.co.uk/pdf/hemphomes.pdf.
MOVING FORWARD
Rapidly renewable and bio-based materials hold the opportunity to grow the next generation of building products. To ensure the best possible products move into mainstream production and use, building-product specifiers must understand these raw materials and their embodied energy, as well as how quickly the resources can be renewed. The BEES program established by NIST will help determine the best rapidly renewable products for the next generation of green-building projects.
Jeff Stephens is principal of Oakland, Calif.-based Planet Relations, a public-relations consultancy for Earth-minded businesses. He can be reached atjeff@planetrelations.comor (510) 663-4462.
RESOURCES
BEES, Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Washington, D.C., www.bfrl.nist.gov/oae/software/bees/bees_USDA.html
CORK
Take for instance this article.
Growing Demand
The Green-Building Industry Seeks Rapidly Renewable Materials
Green-building practices are transforming the built environment. New materials with recycled content or low-VOC levels are helping to incrementally reduce environmental impacts. But in this era of climate change, larger and more sustained change is needed. Product manufacturers must look beyond petroleum-based feedstocks to rapidly renewable or bio-based materials. Building products manufactured from rapidly renewable materials, such as bamboo, cork, wheat straw, hemp and others, have tremendous potential to meet the industry’s demand for greener products—though it’s important to understand the full picture. Kirei is an engineered panel product made from sorghum stalks that has been used for wall coverings, cabinetry, flooring and other architectural and interiordesign uses since 1995.
Credit: Photo Courtesy of Kirei USA
Rapidly renewable materials have a regeneration rate of 10 years or less. Bamboo and cork are the two most widely known rapidly renewable materials, though building materials made from agricultural-waste byproducts, including wheat straw and sugarcane bagasse, or fiber crops, like kenaf and hemp, are becoming more common. As sunlight is generally the primary energy input, these products may be less energy-intensive to produce. However, energy used in processing and transportation from areas in which some of these products are grown, such as China and the Mediterranean, also must be considered.Rapidly renewable materials are recognized within the Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system in the Materials and Resources Credit. Within the LEED framework, use of rapidly renewable materials is intended to “ … reduce the use and depletion of finite raw materials and long-cycle renewable material.” It is, however, important to acknowledge that because many products made from rapidly renewable materials are relatively new, their long-term performance characteristics may be less known.
Life-Cycle Effects and the Move to Bio-Based
There is a widely held assumption that rapidly renewable materials are beneficial and should be preferentially used in green buildings. USGBC’s Materials and Resources Technical Advisory Group, or MR-TAG, contracted with Burlington, Vt.-based BuildingGreen, publishers of green-building information, and North Bermick, Maine-based Sylvatica, an environmental- and social-impact consulting firm, to determine whether there is environmental justification for a credit that rewards the use of rapidly renewable materials instead of longer-rotation bio-based materials, such as wood. The study found that rapidly renewable bio-based materials may not be any greener than long-rotation bio-based material. An information sheet titled “Dealing with Wood and Biobased Materials in the LEED Rating System” summarizes the research effort and is available on USGBC’s Web site at www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=1423.
The study notes products derived from corn, soybeans, cotton and certain other products often carry significant environmental burdens across their life cycles from fertilizers, pesticides, energy use in farming and processing, and soil runoff. According to Michelle Moore, USGBC’s senior vice president for Policy and Public Affairs, any changes to the rapidly renewable credit will be influenced by how USGBC incorporates life-cycle analysis into LEED. A proposed LCA approach is expected to be released for public comment sometime in summer 2008.
Rapily Renewable Products
The range of rapidly renewable products is limited only by one’s imagination and the cost effectiveness of commercial production. Some rapidly renewable materials may capture multiple points in LEED; products made from agricultural waste may be produced within 500 miles (805 km) of a project and contain no added urea formaldehyde, which would earn credits MRc6, MRc5.1 and MRc5.2, and Indoor Environmental Quality credit 4.4, respectively. The following are some rapidly renewable materials you may be considering for your next green-building project.
Cork
Cork is considered a rapidly renewable material because bark from the cork oak tree can be harvested every nine years. Because of its cellular structure, cork works well for flooring; it provides acoustic and thermal insulation and is a resilient building material that is less affected by impact and friction.
Kirei is an engineered panel product made from sorghum stalks that has been used for wall coverings, cabinetry, flooring and other architectural and interiordesign uses since 1995.
Credit: Photo Courtesy of Kirei USA
WWF International and the Bonn, Germany-based Forest Stewardship Council have established programs to promote and encourage responsible cork use to save this natural resource. For more information, visit www.panda.org and www.fsc.org.
Agricultural Byproducts
Waste byproducts of several agricultural commodities, such as wheat, sugarcane and sorghum, have great potential for rapidly renewable building products.
Life-cycle analysis of wheat board by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Md., demonstrated new wheat-board products actually have a positive impact on the environment. Carbon sequestered during the raw-materials stage of wheat board’s life cycle far outweighs the carbon released during manufacture and transportation of the product combined. Wheat board rated the best for overall environmental impact across 230 products evaluated by NIST.
Because of its cellular structure, cork works well for flooring because it provides acoustic and thermal insulation, and is a resilient building material that is less affected by impact and friction.
Credit: Photo Courtesy of Ceres & Toli International
Kenaf and Hemp
Kenaf is a warm-season annual fiber crop harvested for its stalks. It has adapted to most of the southern U.S. and parts of southwest California. Although known for its use in paper products, kenaf fiber also is used for engineered wood, insulation and clothing-grade cloth. Through its Biokenaf Project, the European Union is conducting extensive studies, including life-cycle impacts, of kenaf as a non-food crop.
Industrial hemp also is proving to be a practical, inexpensive, fire-resistant construction material. It is made by heating and compressing plant fibers to create strong construction paneling. Research conducted by Washington State University, Pullman, demonstrated the superior strength, flexibility and economy of hemp composite building materials compared to wood fiber.
The Suffolk Housing Society, Bury St Edmunds, England, undertook a unique project in early 2000, exploring the building potential of hemp. Four identical houses were built in Haverhill, Suffolk. Two houses used hemp mixed with hydraulic lime, a variety of slaked lime that makes mortar, as the principal material. The others were constructed of brick and block. Watford, England-based Building Research Establishment, a building consultancy, prepared a detailed evaluation of the hemp homes, examining structure and durability, thermal and acoustical performance, permeability, waste minimization and construction costs. The hemp homes were found to be as durable as those of traditional construction. The study concluded that while the hemp homes have less impact on the environment because the material is less energy intensive to produce and creates less waste, the homes cost about 10 percent more to build than brick-and-block houses. A full copy of the report can be found on BRE’s Web site at www.bre.co.uk/pdf/hemphomes.pdf.
MOVING FORWARD
Rapidly renewable and bio-based materials hold the opportunity to grow the next generation of building products. To ensure the best possible products move into mainstream production and use, building-product specifiers must understand these raw materials and their embodied energy, as well as how quickly the resources can be renewed. The BEES program established by NIST will help determine the best rapidly renewable products for the next generation of green-building projects.
Jeff Stephens is principal of Oakland, Calif.-based Planet Relations, a public-relations consultancy for Earth-minded businesses. He can be reached atjeff@planetrelations.comor (510) 663-4462.
RESOURCES
BEES, Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Washington, D.C., www.bfrl.nist.gov/oae/software/bees/bees_USDA.html
CORK
- American Cork Products Co., Houston, www.amcork.com
- Amorim Flooring North America, Hanover, Md., www.wicanders.com
- Cork Direct, Lithonia, Ga., www.corkdirect.com
- Expanko Inc., Coatesville, Pa., www.expanko.com
- Globus Cork, Bronx, N.Y., www.corkfloor.com
- Jelinek Cork Group, Oakville, Ontario, Canada, www.jelinek.com
- Portuguese Cork Association, Santa Maria de Lamas, Portugal, www.realcork.org
- Solida Cork, Mississauga, Ontario, www.solidacork.com
- Agriboard Industries, Wichita, Kan., www.agriboard.com
- Environ Biocomposites, Mankato, Minn., www.environbiocomposites.com (To read about wheat board’s positive rating as a building material by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Washington, D.C., visit www.environbiocomposites.com/nistLetter.pdf.)
- Kirei USA, San Diego, www.kireiusa.com
- BioKenaf, www.cres.gr/biokenaf
- Hemp Lime Construction Products Association, Aldershot, England, www.hemplime.org.uk
- Kenaf Eco Fibers Italy, Guastalla, www.kenaf-fiber.com
- Kenaf Green Industries, www.kenafibers.com
- Suffolk Housing Society, Bury St Edmunds, England, www.suffolkhousing.org
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Tis the Season?
Well it's February again, the season of love and black history month. It's also that time that the weather turns ugly and decides to beat our homes into submission. While we are picking up and recovering from the christmas season we tend to notice the things that need finished around the house. Some of these small repairs are necessary to keep your home energy efficient. At least once every 2 years you should do a blower test on your home to catch any air leaks that are occurring around your doors and windows. This is the leading cost of high energy bills. The other side effect is utilizing more of our precious resources. Simple fixes such as replacing window seals and resealing your door surround can make a huge difference.
Another quick way to check for leaks is to use soapy water on the window seals and door thresholds. The bubbles show where silicone seals have come loose. Just caulking around the edges can be a temporary fix until the weather is willing. In northern areas of the U.S. and North America caution should be taken in the warmer months because the cold weather can be harsh enough to prevent any repairs at that time. For more tips visit your favorite search site and type in home energy conservation.
Another quick way to check for leaks is to use soapy water on the window seals and door thresholds. The bubbles show where silicone seals have come loose. Just caulking around the edges can be a temporary fix until the weather is willing. In northern areas of the U.S. and North America caution should be taken in the warmer months because the cold weather can be harsh enough to prevent any repairs at that time. For more tips visit your favorite search site and type in home energy conservation.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Bathrooms: Planning for the Future
Do you enjoy an elaborate bathroom with a spa tub and walk-in steam shower? Have you thought about how these might accommodate you in your later years? Assuming you are staying in your current home and won't be moving for a long time, your bathroom might need adjustments before you reach that age. I personally love ergonomics. Ergonomics are the studies of human interaction with the world around them and how we can adjust to fit our world to the people in it. For instance, one of my favorite ways to make a spa tub more accessible is to find a tub with a step and raise the tub on a platform ever so slightly as to accommodate a comfortable entry without slipping.
Another up and coming favorite of mine is the walk-in tub. Long to be thought of as geriatric and boring, you can really spice it up with a custom teak surround or stone work. Also you can switch out the plumbing fixtures for a truly unique feel.
Yet another item that is necessary is a grab bar. Not to name names but Moen does have an attractive grab bar that is almost pretty enough to be a decorative element. It serves a function but not everyone is ready for a grab bar. What? In my home? Never! You won't be saying this when you are in your 70's. For now placing the proper wall bracing and blocking inside your wall can prepare your bathroom for this vital step without installing the bar.
Other ways you can make your bathroom more comfortable would be varying height countertops to accommodate sitting and standing positions. I like to make one counter at least 36" in height if there is a couple in the home. Most of the time men enjoy a countertop that meets them on their level. Strategizing your cabinetry for varying levels of organization also helps keep the back aches away. A product I am longing for at the moment is the hot tool under-cabinet organizer. If you have not seen this product please Google it. The drawer consists of a hot tool pull out shelf that pulls out from the bottom cabinet and rises to meet the counter height. The container keeps all of the hot tools organized and is tough enough to take the heat if you know what I'm saying. Last but not least I'll give you one more tip. Make sure your tile work is 6x6 or smaller if you don't have a non-slip surface. The small tile will give you a better grip and better chances of staying out of the ER.
Another up and coming favorite of mine is the walk-in tub. Long to be thought of as geriatric and boring, you can really spice it up with a custom teak surround or stone work. Also you can switch out the plumbing fixtures for a truly unique feel.
Yet another item that is necessary is a grab bar. Not to name names but Moen does have an attractive grab bar that is almost pretty enough to be a decorative element. It serves a function but not everyone is ready for a grab bar. What? In my home? Never! You won't be saying this when you are in your 70's. For now placing the proper wall bracing and blocking inside your wall can prepare your bathroom for this vital step without installing the bar.
Other ways you can make your bathroom more comfortable would be varying height countertops to accommodate sitting and standing positions. I like to make one counter at least 36" in height if there is a couple in the home. Most of the time men enjoy a countertop that meets them on their level. Strategizing your cabinetry for varying levels of organization also helps keep the back aches away. A product I am longing for at the moment is the hot tool under-cabinet organizer. If you have not seen this product please Google it. The drawer consists of a hot tool pull out shelf that pulls out from the bottom cabinet and rises to meet the counter height. The container keeps all of the hot tools organized and is tough enough to take the heat if you know what I'm saying. Last but not least I'll give you one more tip. Make sure your tile work is 6x6 or smaller if you don't have a non-slip surface. The small tile will give you a better grip and better chances of staying out of the ER.
WBENC Parade of Stars
Recently we attended the WBENC Parade of Stars Awards Banquet (cocktail hours). Cathy and I spent an hour hobbing and knobbing with some of the best Dallas leadership whom also happened to be women. The event was held in the hall of the Ritz Carlton here in Dallas last Thursday. We met many interesting people outside of our field and had some great food to boot. We'd like to give a shout out to those we met and we look forward to seeing them in our upcoming meetings.
Now that said, the WBENC has already sent us a lead for a project on the DFW airport. Granted this opportunity is outside of our expertise we are excited that the WBE has been so engaging. Please visit their site for more information on upcoming and events and how you can becoming a sustaining member as a business in our community.
http://www.wbenc.org/Opportunities/
Now that said, the WBENC has already sent us a lead for a project on the DFW airport. Granted this opportunity is outside of our expertise we are excited that the WBE has been so engaging. Please visit their site for more information on upcoming and events and how you can becoming a sustaining member as a business in our community.
http://www.wbenc.org/Opportunities/
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Fun Fun for Fridays Food
There’s nothing like an escape to T.G.I. Friday’s® for delicious food and fun to warm you up, so here’s a great offer you can come in and enjoy today … 20% OFF YOUR TABLE’S ENTIRE PURCHASE. Post it, tweet it or forward it! Offer ends January 27, 2011.
WBE Certified
We are on our way! The meeting was great and went without any bumps. CKD is moving forward and seeking 8a qualifications to further our business interests in government and commercial work. We hope to improve our services to other firms as well by having these qualifications. If you don't know already, look up Women's Business Enterprise for more information. It's a great organization to belong to for networking.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Today is the Day!
CKD is being interviewed to be a certified Woman Owned Business! We are super excited to be on this track and hope to share more news with you later.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Trading Week Outlook: January 17 - 21, 2011
Important information regarding the up and coming housing market. Unemployment, selling and buying are all connected so please read on for important information by Ilian Yotov.
In the week ahead, the U.S. housing reports coupled with inflation and economic growth data from China, will shed light on whether there is a recovery in the U.S. housing market and could confirm the expectations that the fastest-growing economy in the world may be slowing down.
In preparation for the new trading week, here is the outlook for the Top 10 spotlight economic events that will move the markets around the globe.
1. GBP- U.K. CPI- Consumer Price Index, the main measure of inflation preferred by the Bank of England, Tues., Jan. 18, 4:30 am, ET.
The U.K. inflationary pressures could remain stubbornly above the Bank of England’s 3.0% ceiling for another month with the consumer inflation gauge forecast to rise by 3.3% y/y in December from 3.3% y/y in November.
2. EUR- Germany ZEW Economic Sentiment Index, a leading indicator of economic conditions and business expectations in the Euro-zone’s largest economy, Tues., Jan. 18, 5:00 am, ET.
The consensus forecasts are pointing to an increase in the ZEW index with a reading of 6.0 compared with 4.3 in the previous month.
3. CAD- Bank of Canada Interest Rate Announcement, Tues., Jan. 18, 9:00 am, ET.
Although the Bank of Canada is expected to keep rates on hold at this meeting, with the economy improving and commodity prices and inflationary pressures on the rise, it would be important to find out if policy makers feel that it might be prudent to soon resume the campaign of interest rate hikes, which started in 2010.
4. GBP- U.K. Jobless Claims and Unemployment Rate, the main gauges of employment trends and labor market conditions, Wed., Jan. 19, 4:30 am, ET.
The U.K. labor market could see a month of rising claims for unemployment benefits by up to 2,000 in December from -1,200 in November, while the unemployment rate stays unchanged at 7.9%.
5. USD- U.S. Housing Starts, a leading indicator of housing market activity measuring construction of new residential properties, Wed., Jan. 19, 8:30 am, ET.
Throughout last year, the U.S. housing data has been either weak or mixed, at best, and this report could have a similar outcome with the housing starts registering a slight decline to 554K in December from 555K in November.
6. NZD- New Zealand CPI- Consumer Price Index, the main measure of inflation, Wed., Jan. 19, 4:45 pm, ET.
New Zealand’s biggest trading partner, Australia, is dealing with terrible floods which could slow economic growth this quarter and may also have a negative impact on the economy of New Zealand. However, the Kiwi dollar could attract some bids on expectations for further RBNZ rate hikes to curb rising inflationary pressures, as the inflation gauge is forecast to double in Q4 2010 to 2.3% q/q from 1.1% in the previous quarter.
7. CNY- China CPI- Consumer Price Index, the main measure of inflation, and GDP- Gross Domestic Product, the main gauge of economic activity and growth, Wed., Jan. 19, 9:00 pm, ET.
The Chinese government’s attempts to cool things off in the world’s fastest-growing economy may have succeeded with inflationary pressures forecast to pull back to 4.7% in December from 5.1% in November and economic growth slowing to 9.4% q/y from a previous reading of 9.6% q/y.
8. USD- U.S. Jobless Claims, an important gauge of employment trends and labor market conditions, Thurs., Jan. 20, 8:30 am, ET.
After last week’s unexpected spike in the number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits, the jobless claims could resume their trend of improvement from the last couple of months with a reading of 423K from 445K in the previous week. To indicate a significant decline in unemployment, economists estimate that jobless applications would need to fall to 375K or below.
9. USD- U.S. Existing Home Sales, the main gauge of the condition of the U.S. housing market measuring the number of closed sales of previously constructed homes, condominiums and co-ops, Thurs., Jan. 20, 10:00 am, ET.
This report could instill some optimism for future improvement in the U.S. housing market with sales of existing homes expected to increase to 4.83M in December from 4.63M in November.
10. EUR- Germany IFO Institute Business Climate and Expectations Index, a leading indicator of economic conditions and business expectations in the Euro-zone’s largest economy, Fri., Jan. 21, 4:00 am, ET.
Following a stronger ZEW sentiment survey, the German IFO index could confirm the positive outlook with a reading of 110.0 in December, compared with 109.9 in the previous month.
In the week ahead, the U.S. housing reports coupled with inflation and economic growth data from China, will shed light on whether there is a recovery in the U.S. housing market and could confirm the expectations that the fastest-growing economy in the world may be slowing down.
In preparation for the new trading week, here is the outlook for the Top 10 spotlight economic events that will move the markets around the globe.
1. GBP- U.K. CPI- Consumer Price Index, the main measure of inflation preferred by the Bank of England, Tues., Jan. 18, 4:30 am, ET.
The U.K. inflationary pressures could remain stubbornly above the Bank of England’s 3.0% ceiling for another month with the consumer inflation gauge forecast to rise by 3.3% y/y in December from 3.3% y/y in November.
2. EUR- Germany ZEW Economic Sentiment Index, a leading indicator of economic conditions and business expectations in the Euro-zone’s largest economy, Tues., Jan. 18, 5:00 am, ET.
The consensus forecasts are pointing to an increase in the ZEW index with a reading of 6.0 compared with 4.3 in the previous month.
3. CAD- Bank of Canada Interest Rate Announcement, Tues., Jan. 18, 9:00 am, ET.
Although the Bank of Canada is expected to keep rates on hold at this meeting, with the economy improving and commodity prices and inflationary pressures on the rise, it would be important to find out if policy makers feel that it might be prudent to soon resume the campaign of interest rate hikes, which started in 2010.
4. GBP- U.K. Jobless Claims and Unemployment Rate, the main gauges of employment trends and labor market conditions, Wed., Jan. 19, 4:30 am, ET.
The U.K. labor market could see a month of rising claims for unemployment benefits by up to 2,000 in December from -1,200 in November, while the unemployment rate stays unchanged at 7.9%.
5. USD- U.S. Housing Starts, a leading indicator of housing market activity measuring construction of new residential properties, Wed., Jan. 19, 8:30 am, ET.
Throughout last year, the U.S. housing data has been either weak or mixed, at best, and this report could have a similar outcome with the housing starts registering a slight decline to 554K in December from 555K in November.
6. NZD- New Zealand CPI- Consumer Price Index, the main measure of inflation, Wed., Jan. 19, 4:45 pm, ET.
New Zealand’s biggest trading partner, Australia, is dealing with terrible floods which could slow economic growth this quarter and may also have a negative impact on the economy of New Zealand. However, the Kiwi dollar could attract some bids on expectations for further RBNZ rate hikes to curb rising inflationary pressures, as the inflation gauge is forecast to double in Q4 2010 to 2.3% q/q from 1.1% in the previous quarter.
7. CNY- China CPI- Consumer Price Index, the main measure of inflation, and GDP- Gross Domestic Product, the main gauge of economic activity and growth, Wed., Jan. 19, 9:00 pm, ET.
The Chinese government’s attempts to cool things off in the world’s fastest-growing economy may have succeeded with inflationary pressures forecast to pull back to 4.7% in December from 5.1% in November and economic growth slowing to 9.4% q/y from a previous reading of 9.6% q/y.
8. USD- U.S. Jobless Claims, an important gauge of employment trends and labor market conditions, Thurs., Jan. 20, 8:30 am, ET.
After last week’s unexpected spike in the number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits, the jobless claims could resume their trend of improvement from the last couple of months with a reading of 423K from 445K in the previous week. To indicate a significant decline in unemployment, economists estimate that jobless applications would need to fall to 375K or below.
9. USD- U.S. Existing Home Sales, the main gauge of the condition of the U.S. housing market measuring the number of closed sales of previously constructed homes, condominiums and co-ops, Thurs., Jan. 20, 10:00 am, ET.
This report could instill some optimism for future improvement in the U.S. housing market with sales of existing homes expected to increase to 4.83M in December from 4.63M in November.
10. EUR- Germany IFO Institute Business Climate and Expectations Index, a leading indicator of economic conditions and business expectations in the Euro-zone’s largest economy, Fri., Jan. 21, 4:00 am, ET.
Following a stronger ZEW sentiment survey, the German IFO index could confirm the positive outlook with a reading of 110.0 in December, compared with 109.9 in the previous month.
About the author: All Things Forex
Ilian Yotov is the creator of The Quarters Theory, FX Strategist and internationally published author of "The Quarters Theory: The Revolutionary New Foreign Currencies Trading Method". Ilian is one of the leading Forex educators in the world and has trained thousands of Forex traders... More
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Website Rebuild
Rebuilding a website is tough. I give all the kudos to my brother for the first one. CKD Interiors is trying to update the site in a flash format to make our portfolio a bit more accessible to people. Bare with us as we are under construction. (Funny if you think about it.) Stay tuned!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Back from the Holidays
We enter a new year with positive attitudes and good wishes for all! We wish you well and will update you on a few things about CKD Interiors.
We are updating our website so please stay tuned! Also we are offering specials for all referrals and new clients so please don't hestitate to contact us and we will give you all the latest information.
Remember to be safe while taking down your holiday decorations. The number one reason for accidents is the step ladder! Please take the time to utilize it correctly and follow all instructions.
That's all for now.
We are updating our website so please stay tuned! Also we are offering specials for all referrals and new clients so please don't hestitate to contact us and we will give you all the latest information.
Remember to be safe while taking down your holiday decorations. The number one reason for accidents is the step ladder! Please take the time to utilize it correctly and follow all instructions.
That's all for now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)