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Whether you’re looking to freshen up a single room or make your entire house a showstopper for guests, you may find yourself wondering how to get started. You don’t necessarily need an interior designer to help you achieve the right look or feel for a space, as long as you have a vision and feel confident about your decisions.
We’ve asked home renovation, design and decorating experts to weigh in on important details to consider as you prepare for your next home improvement project.
When designing and decorating your home, experts recommend:
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When decorating your home, it’s often best to go room by room. But which room should you take on first? “Most people start in the room they spend the most time in,” says Gena Kirk, vice president of design for homebuilding company KB Home, based in Los Angeles. “In new-construction homes, it’s typically the great room or the living room and then the kitchen.”
For the sake of entertaining visitors, it makes sense to prioritize common areas. Once you’ve tackled the spaces where you spend most of your waking hours, you can work to improve bathrooms and bedrooms, followed by less critical spaces like the laundry room or linen closet.
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While tackling your living room may be the ideal first project, don't neglect your bedroom. “People overlook their master bedroom – especially families. They make sure everyone else is happy,” says Leanne Ford, co-host of the HGTV show “Restored by the Fords” and co-author of “Work in Progress: Unconventional Thoughts on Designing an Extraordinary Life.”
A bedroom doesn’t require the extensive plumbing, electrical work and new appliances that a kitchen or bathroom may require, and you can create a new look simply by adding new paint and light fixtures or lamps. Consider directing your budget for this room toward a comfortable new mattress or a chair to read and relax in. “You can redo your master bedroom for what, $5,000 all in, and you can create a kind of a sanctuary,” Ford says.
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When redesigning a room, decide whether your vision requires simple changes like moving furniture and hanging new drapes, or if you'll be starting a months-long project that requires construction. Taking on a do-it-yourself project, for example, isn’t just about how skilled you are, but “also what your appetite is for making a mess,” says Barbara Kavovit, founder and CEO of Evergreen Construction in New York City and author of “Heels of Steel,” a novel about the construction industry.
If you’re not up for having your living room covered in tarps for weeks to remove a wall and install recessed lighting, or even just a couple of days to paint the walls, you’ll want to stick to simply moving furniture and art around and patching nail holes.
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A tight budget doesn’t mean it’s impossible to accomplish a new look and feel for a room – it just means you have to be strategic about how you spend your money. To redesign a room for less, Ford says: “It’s about swapping out lighting and a fresh coat of paint.”
Painting the walls a new color is a fairly easy project, and you can change the feel of a room with lamps that light upward instead of down or even upgrade your bulbs to LED. Investing in smart lightbulbs will give you dimmer and color-changing options without requiring any electrical work – instead, the lights operate from a remote or an app on your phone.
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There’s no shortage of places you can look to find design inspiration for your home. Interior design magazines often showcase a heavily curated look that can seem intimidating, while design blogs and websites like Pinterest and Houzz can highlight more approachable and achievable aesthetics that will fit your house – and hopefully your budget.
Kirk notes that homeowners can take advantage of online resources, because it's easier to find similar pieces of furniture or decor at a lower price compared to the pieces they see in a photo of a designer's or celebrity's home.
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If you’re looking to take on a DIY project, Kavovit recommends sticking to those that can be accomplished with a limited skill set. Projects like painting walls and changing out fixtures don't require construction knowledge and are less likely to go haywire.
“Change the look of your kitchen by painting cabinets. Put up some hooks; change the under-cabinet lighting,” Kavovit says. “You could even add a backsplash with some tile – even if you’re a novice.” Take advantage of online tutorials and how-to YouTube videos to follow a step-by-step project, even if it’s for something simple like replacing a light fixture.
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A small project is also ideal if you're unsure of just how you should improve a room. Subtle alterations can tell you if cosmetic differences will do the trick or if you ultimately need a bigger renovation. “Replace a faucet if it’s the kitchen or the bathroom. You can replace a shower head; you can replace a doorknob,” Kavovit says.
Consider replacing cabinet pulls, knobs or faucets, which you can find at any home improvement store, and mix and match to try out more modern or traditional accents in a room. A new shower head may be the change you were looking for, or it could make it clear that the size or placement of the shower needs to change.
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If you’re excited about new trends or the changing season and want to embrace new colors and patterns, remember not to over-invest in those details. Kirk recommends keeping your large pieces of furniture like your couch and coffee table more traditional and neutral so they have more versatility and longevity. “Then use your accessories and those other elements to bring out the trends, so when trends change it’s easier to update,” Kirk says.
You may love plaid and deep greens or reds during the fall and winter, but come summer they look out of place. With a gray couch, you can change out green throw pillows and a plaid blanket for a pale pink come springtime.
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While home renovation shows and Pinterest often highlight what styles are popular in the moment, Ford stresses that you shouldn’t follow a trend for the sake of fitting in. In any home she works on, Ford says she focuses on creating a space that an individual can feel emotionally attached to, rather than sticking to current trends. “If you don’t love it, do something different,” Ford says.
While contemporary design trends call for clean lines and neutral colors as the main focus of a room, you can still make a space feel fresh by mixing in pieces you love that aren’t actively trending. A Victorian chandelier can still be used as a focal point over a dining room table – just consider pairing it with some modern chairs or a table to keep the room from looking dated.
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In a common area like your living room or family room, layout is important. You not only want to make it easy to interact with family and friends, but you also want to be able to watch a movie or listen to music. However, you can encourage more conversation and less focus on the television by keeping it from becoming the focal point of the space. In daily life, “TV is becoming less prevalent,” Kirk says. Consider placing your TV off-center so it’s still easy to watch comfortably, but make the focal point of the room the fireplace or a piece of artwork.
If you still want a centered, wall-mounted TV, you can use extended hooks or a sliding rail to cover it with artwork when you’re not watching a show. Samsung even offers a magnetic frame you can attach to your TV, allowing you to set the screen to an image when it's off, making it look like framed art.
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When you’re selecting new furniture for your living room and dining area, keep in mind how that space will most often be used. “Let’s say you have a large family (and) you have young children. You want a piece of furniture that’s going to hold up to that,” Kirk says.
A sturdy sectional makes a lot more sense when you have kids who are going to climb over the back and roll around than an antique sofa, for example. If you rarely entertain guests or host holiday dinners, a dining table that seats 12 is an unnecessary expense. Similarly, if you work in an office and rarely use the computer at your house, there’s no need to devote a room to a home office when it could be a spare bedroom or playroom.
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Don’t limit your decor to furniture and framed photographs. Design principles of today focus on giving a room more life and texture with plants and natural elements. “People are starting to really be open to more sustainable products. They’re bringing the outdoors in,” Kirk says.
If you’re not confident you can keep lots of potted plants alive, incorporate other natural details like pebbles or shells in a bowl or vase, or freshly cut flowers on a tabletop that you can replace weekly. Photos or paintings that show off a landscape also help to bring aspects of the outdoors inside without requiring regular upkeep.
The president of the Design Affiliation of Nova Scotia suggests natural disasters provide options to update making codes and rules, so we can be superior well prepared for the upcoming.
"There's no dilemma about it," Duncan Williams reported. "The local weather adjust that's happening all over us is going to involve a unique set of remedies."
A person phase the province promised last December, as component of a local weather modify system, is to undertake the federal government's 2020 National Setting up Code. It includes advice for vitality performance and better effectiveness demands for heating, air flow and air conditioning.
Heather Fairbairn, a spokesperson for the Nova Scotia fire marshal's business office, explained the province is working to adopt the code.
There is also operate getting done across Canada to make setting up specifications that choose into account the consequences of weather alter, these types of as stronger winds and better-depth storms. Some of the protections becoming examined include things like making basements more resistant to flooding and making sure that properties are developed outdoors of floodplains, Williams mentioned.
"How we take care of people matters are likely to be significant in terms of how we interact with our atmosphere more than the upcoming coming many years," Williams reported.
The 2020 Nationwide Setting up Code states that "a lot of regions of the country have, on normal … been tending towards wetter ailments."
Meanwhile, the Nationwide Research Council's 2021 assistance on wildfire dangers states, "The impacts of local climate modify are envisioned to contribute to … increased wildland hearth chance in places that have not historically experienced sizeable wildland hearth dangers."
Analysis on building codes and disasters
Academics are also doing research on the success of creating codes drawn up with organic disasters in head.
Patrick Baylis is an assistant professor at the University of British Columbia who research the economics of pure disasters. He researched the influence of a California setting up code regulation for homes designed in spots at chance due to wildfires for a paper that was printed in 2021 and is presently being peer-reviewed.
"We come across these rather considerable results, like virtually a 50 per cent reduction in the chance of a offered household burning in between … 1 that's constructed like let us say in the 1970s vs . just one that was crafted in the 2010s," Baylis stated.
He cautions that the results might be tough to generalize to other areas. Still, Baylis said governments can assist homeowners with creating codes and policies.
"It's a ton to check with householders to type of venture forward in time, specially with the predicted effect of climate improve to make … the proper conclusion with regard to how they develop their home primarily based on where they're residing," Baylis said.
Developing code steps for other kinds of disasters should really be evaluated based on their expenses and advantages, he reported.
Eventually, Williams stated it will choose time and cash to adjust the way communities are developed.
"There is urgency all over climate improve," he claimed, "but there's also the actuality of schooling men and women, earning positive that people today are completely ready."
"We tried to keep every single tree that we could keep and to work with the natural curves of the property."
Published Jul 14, 2023 • Last updated Jul 14, 2023 • 4 minute read
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Indoor-outdoor spaces are having a moment lately. But sometimes, the “outdoor” part of the equation is wilder than others.
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For her family’s custom build on a rocky coast in Nanoose Bay, designer and homeowner Lindsay Steele wanted a home with an indoor-outdoor feel, “very much connected to nature” – and disturbing the pristine natural landscape as little as possible.
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“We tried to keep every single tree that we could keep and to work with the natural curves of the property,” she says.
Steele’s family moved from Vancouver in 2018, trading a loft on Granville Island for life on Vancouver Island. At first, they didn’t think a waterfront property was in the cards. But they were pleasantly surprised to discover their dream parcel of land, right at the ocean’s edge. “We found this lot and completely fell in love with it,” says Steele.
She enlisted architect Mark Simone, of Shelter Residential Design, and builder Alair Homes, who were able to design and build the three-bedroom, 2,800-square-foot home with minimal excavation and impact on the rocky, sloped site.
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One potential casualty was a large Garry oak, growing in the middle of a zone destined for a patio. “We assumed it would have to go, but as we built the house, we just said, just leave it and see,” recalls Steele. By carefully pouring concrete around the trunk and leaving an open spot, Alair was able to retain the tree. Today, it’s thriving; lending a leafy frame to the upstairs bedroom window and attracting a steady stream of birds.
The wilderness-surrounded site presented other building challenges, too, including strict rules to protect wildlife. “We were only allowed to excavate between September and February because of the eagle nesting,” says Alair regional partner Chiara Sulyok. “There’s a beautiful regional park right next to the house . . . and a lot of people use that side of the park to get to the ocean to Scuba-dive.” That meant tight timelines for all machine work.
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Inside, the home is clean and contemporary, with touches of fir and oak giving a warm and naturalistic feel. “We definitely wanted an open space for the kitchen, dining room and living room. And something really efficiently designed – there’s no wasted space in our home,” says Steele.
In the living-dining area, ridge skylights brighten vaulted ceilings with timber-frame beams. “It’s not a really big home, but we feel like it’s super, super spacious because of the high ceilings in the living room, and the open kitchen, and all the big windows that open quite wide,” she says.
Said windows surround the living space – floor-to-ceiling on the ocean side and partial-height above a built-in wraparound bench on the opposite. All roll open to expose the space near-fully to the outdoors.
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The bench is one of Steele’s favourite features. “I just love window benches. I knew [this one] would be really handy with the kids,” she says. “We sit there and do puzzles, and have the storage underneath. . . . It just adds so much seating without taking up a lot of space.” Plus, when the windows are open, it becomes indoor-outdoor seating: “We have that open if it’s a nice day, and the kids are jumping up and running around, back and forth through the window, which is kind of fun.”
Steele’s goal for the kitchen was to create a light, bright and clean-lined space laid out to fit as large an island as possible, while also accommodating a dining area where the family could sit together and eat. A hood fan concealed behind millwork, integrated appliances and flush-set cabinetry reduce visual clutter.
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A floating staircase leads to a second storey on the home’s north side. “One of the features that my husband really pushed for was to have our [main] bedroom on the top floor, where I was leaning toward a rancher-style layout,” says Steele. “Now that we have our bedroom up there, with the view, it’s really incredible. It feels like we’re in a tree house.”
Upstairs, all sightlines point toward the view. Bedroom window blinds retract seamlessly into the ceiling to keep views unobstructed. In the ensuite, a dreamy soaker tub perches in front of a window laced with arbutus branches.
Construction of the home wrapped up in 2021, and the family has been happily settled there since. They still have a few projects on the go, like planting a garden and building a guest house on the neighbouring lot, which they also own.
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The location has proven perfect for not only living, but working, adds Steele, who runs a home-based business providing coaching to fellow designers: “Yesterday I had a meeting here, and there were three deer playing in the backyard, just jumping around. And one time I counted 40 eagles on our lot,” she says. “We love being on this piece of land.”
Design: Lindsay Steele, Motto Interior Design
Architecture: Mark Simone, Shelter Residential Design
Construction: Alair Homes
Classic 1970s post-and-beam home revitalized for ultimate indoor-outdoor living
Cool greys, blues and whites key to capturing that coastal vibe
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MONTREAL, July 25, 2023 /CNW/ - Holand Serious Estate Team, a organization headed by Canadian businessmen Gad Bitton and Michael Serruya, owner of numerous Montreal business properties and Previous Port attributes (like the Aldred Making), introduced now the acquisition of a well known residence in the Town of Mount Royal: the Wawanesa Coverage setting up positioned at 8585 Decarie Boulevard.
The residence, initially built in 1953 and expanded by Broccolini in 1997, enjoys a key location on Decarie Boulevard, future to the city's busiest Interchange. Its proximity to the Metro and the anticipated Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) positions it uniquely in the city's transportation network. The area's modern change towards a extra densified, multi-household profile provides to the property's enchantment.
"With this acquisition, we're attaining a stake in an place dealing with considerable adjust," said Gad Bitton, President & CEO. "We see large prospective for progress in TMR, given its central site, affluent demographics, and expanding level of popularity."
The acquisition will come amid appreciable progress in Montreal's housing current market. In unique, the condominium market in the Town of Mount Royal has viewed sustained selling price will increase, marking it as a hotspot for true estate investments. The all round financial development forecasted for Montreal more bolsters the investment's strategic price.
"The immediate economic and household expansion in Montreal, notably in the Mount Royal area, offers an enjoyable opportunity for true estate improvement," included partner Michael Serruya. "This acquisition underscores our self confidence in Montreal's long run and our commitment to be a part of it."
About Holand Genuine Estate Group
Holand Serious Estate Group owns and operates multiple household, rental, retail, industrial, workplace and industrial properties in Montreal. Place is rented at aggressive selling prices, in suitable destinations and with ample good quality services. Remaining part of the Holand Automotive Group – 1 of Canada's top luxurious automotive vendors –the Holand Group provides companies and persons alike a 1-stop location for all their lodging and automotive wants.
No matter whether you’re a new homeowner on the lookout to personalize your room or an present home-owner searching for to revamp your dwelling quarters, prioritizing your renovation jobs is critical. With many strategies and improvements to contemplate, it is easy to come to feel overwhelmed. That’s why we’re here to manual you by the procedure and assistance you focus on the appropriate parts 1st. In this report, we’ll wander you by means of six essential places that are worthy of your focus from the get-go. By the conclude, you will have a very clear roadmap to rework your household into the haven you have generally dreamed of. Let us get commenced!
Roofing and Structural Integrity
Ensuring a sturdy basis for your home renovation, the very first place of emphasis should be on roofing and structural integrity. Start off with a thorough inspection of the roof to recognize any leaks, damages, or signs of wear. Swiftly deal with any troubles to protect against more damage and safeguard your house from possible water infiltration.
On top of that, prioritize satisfactory insulation and air flow to strengthen strength performance and manage a comfortable indoor ecosystem. Just before proceeding with other renovations, thoroughly assess and rectify any underlying structural challenges to deliver a secure and safe foundation for your total property advancement project.
Heating and Cooling Methods
Economical heating and cooling devices perform a important role in building a comfortable and strength-productive living ecosystem through your house renovation. Begin by analyzing your latest HVAC set up to discover any outdated or inefficient parts. You can do so by doing work with pros in your area. For occasion, qualified HVAC expert services in Jacksonville can conduct a thorough assessment of your existing heating and cooling procedure to pinpoint locations of improvement and suggest ideal updates. They will also repair service destroyed elements.
Consider upgrading to contemporary, eco-helpful programs that not only present far better temperature management but also reduce electricity use. Furthermore, make sure right maintenance and normal servicing of the units to lengthen their lifespan and retain ideal overall performance. Investing in reliable heating and cooling remedies will increase your home’s all round ease and comfort and minimize its environmental effect.
The Windows and Doorways
Choosing energy-productive windows and doors is important for a thriving dwelling renovation. Upgrading to contemporary, nicely-insulated home windows and doors can drastically boost your home’s convenience whilst decreasing vitality intake. Search for home windows with small-emissivity (Low-E) coatings and multi-pane glass, as they limit heat transfer and block hazardous UV rays. Superior-excellent weather-stripping and adequately sealed doorways will protect against drafts and air leaks, retaining your indoor temperature steady.
Additionally, look at setting up home windows with good orientation to improve all-natural light-weight and ventilation, minimizing the will need for synthetic lighting and air conditioning. Prioritizing strength-productive home windows and doors will end result in a more sustainable and comfy living environment.
The Kitchen
Revamp your kitchen all through your household renovation to produce a fashionable, practical, and vitality-effective house. Decide for electrical power-saving appliances with the Energy STAR label, which consume considerably less electricity and water. Update previous lighting fixtures with LED solutions to cut down strength utilization when introducing a modern-day touch. Take into account eco-pleasant resources for cabinets and counter tops, like bamboo or recycled glass, to boost sustainability.
Include productive taps and reduced-circulation h2o fixtures to conserve h2o. Effectively insulate walls and home windows to preserve a relaxed temperature when cooking. A properly-made and vitality-conscious kitchen area will not only elevate your home’s attractiveness but also lead to a greener life style.
The Lavatory
Transform your toilet into a elegant and functional oasis with considerate renovations. Start by modernizing fixtures and fittings to elevate the all round aesthetic. Look at putting in h2o-saving faucets and showerheads to market sustainability. Up grade to a spacious and lavish shower or a enjoyable soaking tub, relying on your preferences and out there space. Boost storage with very well-built cupboards and shelving, retaining litter at bay.
Make sure to boost lighting for a shiny and inviting environment. Really do not overlook to deal with any plumbing difficulties and guarantee correct ventilation to avoid mold and mildew progress. A effectively-prepared rest room renovation will not only incorporate price to your household but also elevate your daily self-care knowledge.
Flooring
Picking the proper flooring can tremendously impression the seem and feel of your residence. Begin by thinking of the operate of just about every room to ascertain the most appropriate material. Hardwood flooring provides timeless class and benefit, even though laminate or vinyl provides price range-pleasant choices with exceptional sturdiness. For superior-moisture parts like kitchens and bathrooms, choose for drinking water-resistant tiles or luxury vinyl planks.
Carpeting can include heat and consolation to bedrooms and residing spots. Guarantee expert installation to keep away from upcoming concerns and make certain a seamless end. With a vast selection of elements and styles offered, choosing the perfect flooring will not only enrich your home’s aesthetics but also elevate its total performance.
A productive house renovation demands very careful consideration of many parts. Focusing on roofing and structural integrity sets a sturdy basis, although electrical power-effective heating and cooling units assure ease and comfort and sustainability. Revamping bathrooms and flooring elevates aesthetics and operation, enhancing every day residing experiences. By addressing these vital areas, your home can be remodeled into a fashionable, classy, and snug house that displays your individual preferences and satisfies the requirements of your life style. With appropriate planning and execution, a perfectly-rounded renovation will not only improve the benefit of your property but also convey you joy for a long time to arrive.
Designers which include Bethan Laura Wood and Maarten Baas have contributed a vary of "at times jarring" chairs and lighting to an exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern-day Artwork.
Termed Conversation Pieces: Modern day Home furnishings in Dialogue, the exposition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Artwork (SFMOMA) functions 45 pieces of home furnishings and decor "that prioritise indicating and material decision above operate and practicality".
"The operates on view are often jarring, frequently bold and always discussion starters," mentioned the museum.
Drawn totally from the SFMOMA selection, some of the items were decided on purely for their alternate overall look, these types of as an otherworldly leather-based and plastic armchair by South Korean designer Jay Sae Jung Oh.
Other parts of home furniture were picked for their commentary on social challenges. For example, a piece by American architect Germane Barnes is a porch chair topped with an outsized backrest formed like a milled wood comb.
Referred to as Uneasy Lies the Head that Wears the Crown, the piece was described by Barnes as a representation of Black hair, intended to highlight how Black hair "is typically policed and frowned upon instead of celebrated as it ought to [be]".
Dutch designer Baas and Italian architect Gaetano Pesce have been also provided in the exhibition.
Baas produced a vibrant blue chair protected with clay although Pesce contributed an natural-hunting material and resin chair identified as Seaweed, which resembles clumps of tangled algae.
A collection of lights layouts accompanied the home furniture. British designer Bethan Laura Wood established a spindly glass and metallic chandelier called Criss Cross Kite.
"A chandelier is usually a incredibly extravagant-pantsy centre light," claimed Wood, reflecting on her perform.
"I undoubtedly want to engage in with this plan of fantasy within just the detail."
American designer Katie Stout's ceramic lamp Special Woman was also on screen. The lights piece is characterised by an summary figure that the designer reported is intended as a commentary on domesticity and femininity.
All of the furnishings in the exhibition was arranged across a deep crimson carpet interspersed with amorphously shaped plots of flooring house to form a meandering pathway.
Guides by the exhibited designers as nicely as texts that advise their get the job done were positioned in piles on the flooring following to their respective furniture parts.
"For the designers who did not still have a book on their practice, we wrapped a massive guide in black paper to sign [the idea of a] 'missing guide or scholarship," said SFMOMA curator Jennifer Dunlop Fletcher.
"We uncovered that most of the lacking books were for women designers," she included.
"Sparking dialogue all over the gallery, Discussion Pieces provides chairs and lamps that surprise and garner awareness unapologetically," reported SFMOMA.
Last yr, the San Francisco museum showcased an exhibition of get the job done by architect Neri Oxman, whilst it not long ago became the initial museum to purchase a module from the Japanese Nakagin Capsule Tower.
Discussion Pieces: Present-day Household furniture in Dialogue was on display at the SFMOMA from 20 August 2022 to 25 June 2023.See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date checklist of architecture and layout situations getting put close to the world.
Trevor Ciona and Curtis Elmy of Atmosphere Interior Design reveal the inspiration behind their stylishly designed home at Saskatoon's most coveted address: No. 1 River Landing
Published Jul 13, 2023 • Last updated Jul 15, 2023 • 4 minute read
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Atmosphere Interior Design’s Trevor Ciona and Curtis Elmy have had their work featured in magazines such as Western Living, Style at Home and House Beautiful from Australia. Their contribution to the Canadian design conversation continues to grow with each passing year.
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Recently Ciona and Elmy debuted the final reveal of a very special project — their penthouse suite at No. 1 River Landing. Located along the riverbank next to the Remai Modern and Persephone Theatre, the glass-clad residential tower is right in the thick of downtown Saskatoon.
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Given the coveted address, the palatial space, and their reputation, the pressure was on to create something truly special. However, Elmy notes they tried to keep focused on what really mattered instead of creating a showpiece. “Ultimately, what do Trevor and Curtis love?” says Elmy.
To begin designing such an amazing space the pair found two design elements they loved — a unique blond herringbone flooring and stunning black cabinetry with a white oak wood grain. Everything else would be built around these building blocks.
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The contrast between the elements could become harsh or boring, but Elmy notes they incorporated shades of charcoal and warm brushed brass and careful use of textures and patterns to keep either from overwhelming any room.
Something they considered was how to keep the ebony cabinetry from becoming heavy and dark. As a solution, the cabinetry was finished with a wash of white paint which settled into the wood grain, giving it a little texture and keeping the black colour from becoming overwhelming.
“I think it’s the most powerful design element in the whole kitchen. It’s strong and bold without being dark and heavy,” says Elmy.
Ciona and Elmy incorporated natural stone as much as possible. For anyone looking for a distinctive look, natural stone can’t be duplicated, so homeowners will know they have a one-of-a-kind piece.
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Loft spaces, such as No. 1 River Landing, are often very dramatic with high ceilings. For the penthouse, the original 12-foot ceilings were lowered to hide the industrial features such as venting and wiring. The lower ceiling and hidden hardware keep the space sophisticated yet inviting.
“I think the sweet spot is in that nine to 10-foot range. Because it gives you lots of room to have art or do other things on your walls, but it does give a warm cozy feeling to the space,” says Elmy.
Atmosphere Interior Design is known for adding texture to a space and this home is no exception.
Elmy notes there isn’t one painted wall in the entire penthouse. The couple incorporated various wallpapers or tiles to give each room its own personality. There are bold choices, such as the hand-painted wallpaper design in the bedroom, but also a softer linen weave paper in the main living space.
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“We didn’t want it to feel formal. That wallpaper actually helped tone down some of the flashier items that we’ve used,” says Elmy.
He adds, that people often get scared of pattern play, but it’s a powerful tool in design to create ‘wow’ moments. “Sometimes I have to remind people, in a larger scale and in real life, patterns become quieter for the most part.”
Perhaps one of the biggest lessons for the pair in designing their own home was persistence and patience. Sometimes it takes a while to find the perfect piece. Such was the case with the sumptuous shearling tub chairs in the living room. The fabric invites a tactile experience with Elmy reporting visitors often end up petting the chair as they sit and visit. The upholstery is also extremely durable which fits with their desire to have things be pretty and functional.
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The conversation pieces were “absolutely the perfect choice” according to Elmy, despite the long wait.
One of the suite’s most notable features still gives Elmy pinch-me-I-can’t-believe-I-live-here moments. The floor-to-ceiling windows give spectacular river views from almost every room. Those views become expansive when you step out onto the 1,300-square-foot terrace.
The bird’s eye view of the pretty river valley and stunning Saskatchewan sunsets set the location apart. It’s also given Elmy a new appreciation for the city and how much it’s changed.
No matter what they’re designing, Elmy says it needs to feel like home for someone. And that will look and feel different for everyone depending on their lifestyle, their stage of life and their personality. It’s clear wherever design work takes the design duo, they have a stunningly stylish space to call home in the city they love.
New food and wine festival comes to River Landing
Gary Marvin: River Landing site still best for new Saskatoon arena
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An in depth renovation task is section and parcel of remaining a home-owner. Though there is a large amount of aim on interior decor, exterior house renovation and repair often just take a backseat. However, an exterior household advancement venture is essential to keep your home’s control attractiveness and actual estate benefit. That staying stated, exterior residence improvement is quite a broad phrase. So it is important to to start with define the components of an exterior renovation.
What is the which means of “exterior renovation”?
In a nutshell, any renovation exactly where an current and noticeable exterior materials on a home or residence is fixed or changed with one more product can be identified as an exterior renovation. For occasion, introducing a new coat of paint to the facade is a component of the exterior renovation, a variety of fix. Even so, it could also include setting up or getting rid of elements, just like an inside revamp. For case in point, all through inside renovation, if you want a up to date kitchen area design and style, then common cabinets and appliances can be changed by shaker-design cabinets and built-in appliances for a sleek, contemporary end. Drawing parallels for exterior renovation, the major door and home windows can be changed by new, modern variants.
With a clearer photograph of exterior renovation, right here are 6 recommendations you can implement to efficiently strategy your bold project.
1. Choose the suitable installer
Possibly the most vital criterion is to select the correct installer for your exterior home improvement job. In reality, it is even much more essential than procuring good quality products for the occupation, as it would be the staff and the contractor who will execute your vision. Hence, inadequate workmanship can wreck the good quality and aesthetics of even the very best components, and you are still left with a sub-standard renovation that expenditures a fortune.
To avoid this, normally search for reputed contractors who have a established monitor record of earlier tasks. Speak to them obviously pertaining to your spending plan and expectations. If you discover a contractor promising a good deal at a very low funds, odds are that they will most likely not supply on their promises. Hidden charges and shoddy function are the trademarks of undesirable contractors who may not have your very best pursuits at heart. Even so, with the suitable spending plan and a high-quality planner and contractor, the exterior renovation job is confirmed success.
2. Be Thorough Though Selecting Fencing Product
For suburban homes, fencing is exceptionally important. Other than presenting a perception of privacy and safety from the outdoors environment, it also provides to the aesthetic benefit of a house. As a result, if needed, fencing really should also be immediately replaced for the duration of an exterior renovation undertaking. However, you may know the appropriate materials for fencing. With some first rate exploration, you will locate that aluminum mesh or vinyl fences are the finest product for this function.
Both equally elements are acknowledged for their particularly resilient properties. They can resist some first rate put on and tear and have amazing corrosion resistance homes. In humid areas or spots inclined to a large amount of rain or snow, they also demonstrate great resilience, where normal metal fencing could eventually rot. Even with minimal to no upkeep, a strong fence built of these materials can simply final for 50-furthermore a long time, if not more. Lastly, both of those aluminum and vinyl mesh are recognised to be rather lightweight. Therefore, it is pretty uncomplicated to set up and manage them.
3. Prepare Your Timing With Climate In Thoughts
Any property owner who has undertaken at the very least one renovation challenge is aware the great importance of weather conditions. The right conditions can make sure a clean revamp system. Conversely, adverse situations can hinder or even spoil the total procedure. Hence, it is critical to strategy the renovation to get the utmost return on your expense. Summertime, particularly all around April, is typically viewed as the most effective time to carry out exterior home improvement jobs. On the other hand, if you have skipped this window or just cannot wait till April, then spring and autumn are also a good time to get any important revamp completed.
The primary season to watch out for is winter. Owing to the presence of fog or snow, the all round moisture material in the air is greater. This can bring about a variety of rot on sure sections of the property, this sort of as windows and siding. Consequently, make guaranteed to substitute these features and winter season-evidence them effectively in advance of time.
4. Take into consideration a Job Manager to Keep on Time and Spending budget
Possibly you have the cash to undertake an intensive home renovation venture. You have also employed the very best contractor for the activity, ensuring your house is in fantastic hands. However, there are a lot of other factors of the venture which are equally cumbersome and require meticulous organizing. Immediately after all, it is vital to ensure that various tasks like introducing new siding or setting up a new roof are carried out on time. But you may possibly just not have the time to oversee and micromanage each individual factor of the renovation.
To reduce such hassles, it is finest to seek the services of a job manager. This particular person will take care of the logistical aspect of the operation, such as completion time, applying top quality products, adhering to the specified funds and so on. By just investing a minimal much more, you can give the duty of even using the services of a dependable contractor and personnel to the manager. Hence, if you are not an qualified in residence renovation, consider opting for a job supervisor.
5. If You’re Likely Massive, Do it in Phases
With time, any home calls for in depth repairs and renovations. Probably your fence demands to be changed, but your windows also call for a makeover. Most importantly, you will need to re-tile the roof to defend your property in the coming months. Or it's possible, the exterior paint of your residence is looking lacklustre and calls for a do-around. Carrying out all these renovations at once can be a important expense and can consider a lot of time, dollars and energy. Therefore, if you looking to preserve some funds, it is most effective to do a main renovation in phases. For occasion, concentrate on the roof first, and get the job done on the home windows and paint in the upcoming season and so on. Alternatively, system a renovation for the front of the home first as curb appeal is vital, and save up to revamp the back again of the property future yr. Over-all, this incremental technique is fantastic for those who are not hunting to splurge.
6. If You’re Going Tiny, Changing Your Entry Doors is a Fantastic Location to Get started
If you have a ton of financial constraints and are hunting for a modest makeover at best, then start with the entrance door of the property. It is a widespread consensus among the renovation contractors that the entrance doorway of the property is often inefficient in sealing the entrance correctly and can let in a massive volume of air more than time. This can be particularly disastrous in the winter months, as the chilly will push up your heating/power prices. Consequently, simply changing this door will go a lengthy way to help save you funds in the course of the colder months.
The best section is, along with utility, you can also increase the aesthetic worth of a house by heading for a new door. For occasion, opting for deep, heat hues like crimson or green will seriously boost the property’s curb enchantment. So, with a small renovation, you can make a important influence on the looks and efficiency of your household.
Summary
By following these 6 suggestions, you can strategy an outstanding exterior renovation that will not split the financial institution and give you the desired consequence. Of training course, these tips are not exhaustive by any usually means, and there could be various elements to contemplate. Even so, these basic recommendations are nonetheless quite effective in creating the renovation process smooth and inconvenience-cost-free.
If you like luxurious and the great outdoors, a mansion for sale in Purple Deer County would undoubtedly be for you, with plenty of inexperienced area together with the bells and whistles of fancy dwelling.
Stated for a great $5.3 million, the five-bed, 6-bathtub, 4,400-square-foot mansion sits alongside the Crimson Deer River and is created on in excess of $1 million truly worth of metal piling to give the home wonderful views.
When you stroll into the home, you will be dazzled by the government chef’s kitchen area with its substantial quartz island, customized seating for 6, stainless appliances, and a significant walk-in pantry.
RE/MAX serious estate central Alberta – Lacombe
RE/MAX real estate central Alberta – Lacombe
RE/MAX authentic estate central Alberta – Lacombe
The eating spot is a host’s dream with seating for 14 (!!) persons and the living place has a hearth and massive windows for attractive views.
In excess of at the bar be wowed by the tailor made brick wall with a sink and 3 fridges, ideal for storing all your drinks and snacks for a party!
The four-year sunroom is spectacular, and the business has a custom made constructed-in desk that could also be made use of as an supplemental bedroom if essential.
RE/MAX real estate central Alberta – Lacombe
RE/MAX genuine estate central Alberta – Lacombe
RE/MAX authentic estate central Alberta – Lacombe
The most important bed room has its own lined deck, a lavish ensuite with quartz countertops, a stone tile shower, and a big soaker tub.
Custom birch stairs will transport you to the stroll-out basement with a massive household area entire with a projector and a display for these sporting situations and motion picture evenings.
RE/MAX genuine estate central Alberta – Lacombe
RE/MAX genuine estate central Alberta – Lacombe
The north end of the basement is completed but “roughed in” for a possible long run suite or kitchen, per its Zoocasa listing.
The house has a triple hooked up garage with sunshine doorways, a storage room, and of system, a automobile wash.
RE/MAX genuine estate central Alberta – Lacombe
RE/MAX serious estate central Alberta – Lacombe
Two substantial shops also sit on the house, with 1 of the stores measuring a whopping 10,000 square feet and outfitted with a hanger door that presents entry to the helipad, which is Transport Canada-approved.
The second store is ideal for storing tons of tools, like RVs and boats.
RE/MAX real estate central Alberta – Lacombe
For all the avid fishing supporters out there, the property also has a 30-foot-deep spring-fed fishpond, and there are also 7 km of groomed trails to take a look at, also.
Is your home facing structural problems that require an urgent renovation? But are you fiscally all set for these surprising charges? Very good point there are quite a few strategies you can get funds and begin your property renovation undertaking. If you never know exactly where to get money for your urgent renovation undertaking, below are 5 strategies on how to get extra cash speedy.
Get A Bank loan
The very first really encouraged option is to get a mortgage. Even so, you should bear in mind that though numerous loan selections are accessible on the current market, not all suit your demands. That’s why when resorting to a personal loan, you must familiarize the ones that can provide you with what you need to have.
For instance, some loans require a lot more processing time, even though others can be concluded speedily. Some loans will only approve a modest loan total, whilst many others can offer you a big sum. So, if you are looking to receive dollars for your unexpected renovation, you ought to go for fast loans:
Payday Mortgage
A payday progress personal loan is a rapid money loan that is immediate but quick-phrase. Payday financial loans are typically owing on your following payday, which can be amongst two to four months.
Having said that, a payday mortgage only offers a modest personal loan volume. It normally approves a personal loan of $500 or significantly less. But if you only require a compact volume to bounce-begin your renovation, or if your house only requires tiny repairs, finding a payday bank loan is the quickest route to begin your residence renovation.
Own Loan
A private bank loan is yet another personal loan that you can get for your dwelling renovation challenge. It can be a ideal loan if you need cash earlier mentioned $500, earning it perfect for a massive renovation task necessitating a lot of revenue.
On the other hand, the processing time for attaining a individual mortgage depends on the financial institution. If you want fast approval and launch of money, making use of for a own mortgage from an on the internet loan provider can be useful.
In contrast to conventional loan companies and financial institutions, on line loan companies only demand negligible demands and supply their assistance 24 several hours day-to-day. It signifies that you can utilize for a loan any time of the day and the acceptance in a few hrs, particularly if you have now complied with the couple of necessities they need to have. After accredited, you will only have to hold out a several minutes to an hour before the funds is credited to your lender account.
Pawn Your Valuables
If implementing for a financial loan isn’t your best choice or if you continue to will need far more hard cash, you can pawn your valuables. It can be a piece of jewelry, antiques, collectible products, watches, electronics, and musical instruments.
What is good about this solution is that it’s brief, but you even now own the products you pawned. You can often get them back when you have the income to pay back for the principal amount of money in addition the curiosity rate you pawned.
Organize A Garage Sale
You are going to be astonished how a great deal revenue you can earn from a garage sale, specifically if you have very important goods to promote. With a little bit of good setting up and perseverance, you can pull it off.
It will also aid raise your earnings from a garage sale if you do it for a several times in its place of one. You can also talk to your household and friends if they have some factors that they want to get rid of.
Use Your HELOC
A HELOC or a household fairness line of credit is also a fantastic choice to receive added funds for your home renovation task. It’s an open-finish line of credit made available to house owners, allowing you to borrow cash from your home’s fairness.
The loan provider will concur to lend you a maximum volume of dollars for a specific period of time to fork out for your renovation demands. But you have to have to observe that this is a form of secured financial loan where the collateral of your borrowed money is your household.
If you have one more property, it is suggested that you implement for a HELOC using that and not the just one the place you are at this time living. This way, you can protected your dwelling, and in scenario of default, you will not stop up homeless.
Market Other House
This tip is additional applicable if you need a significant sum of money for a renovation. It’s appropriate for a big renovation venture wherever a modest amount of money will not get the job done. If you have yet another house, you can provide it to fund your home’s renovation.
While this idea is far more of a previous resort if you cannot do the very first 4 selections, it could be the most important. You’d alternatively sacrifice a assets that’s been idle for decades than check out your existing dwelling wherever your spouse and children is dwelling get destroyed.
On the other hand, you have to have to consider that even nevertheless land or property selling can give you sizeable money, it could possibly choose some time. Weigh the pros and drawbacks of this idea and go for it if it is your past choice.
Final Text
Sustaining a house can be too pricey at present. Troubles arrive with no warning, so it is continue to better to be often prepared. But if you aren’t organized still or if your preparing is not adequate, there are ways you can do to fulfill your obligation to your dwelling. Abide by the guidelines over, and you can take care of your house in no time.
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From outdoor patio sets to warm tubs, there is certainly more than enough below to make a yard oasis. With summertime here it is time to expend as considerably time as achievable outside, and getting your patio up to snuff with these patio home furnishings sets is a wonderful way to make sure your outside residing house is as comfy and practical as possible. Right here are the greatest Prime Working day patio home furnishings discounts.
Anyone wants at minimum a person great back garden hose. This one particular is 75 toes lengthy, abrasion and crush resistant and coils very easily but, in accordance to the manufacturer, "will not likely kink underneath force." It truly is also a little bit lighter than regular backyard garden hoses producing it easier to lug all over the lawn when you need to have to. It also statements to be "drinking water protected," but we even now recommend sticking to your indoor sinks for that.
Lounging outdoors in the warmth is terrific, but lounging outside the house with the sun's dangerous UV rays beating down on to your skin can be terrible. A good outdated fashioned umbrella is a wonderful alternative to this problem and this one is as excellent as any. It really is bought a 9 foot diameter and is built of 100% polyester which implies it truly is water-proof, uncomplicated to clear and of system it's UV resistant. It makes use of a crank opening system and also capabilities a thrust button for tilting. Require a foundation for it too? Examine this 1 out.
This is a good selection for a hammock that isn't really heading to transfer all-around really a great deal. If you are wanting for a little something a very little additional cell, we have that just below, but even though you are sacrificing some mobility with this option, you are getting balance and consolation. The Vivere hammock is designed of cotton, created for 2, is very easily adjustable and even will come with its very own quality carry bag.
If you would rather cling from trees than a steel stand, then this is the hammock you must go for. You can expect to even help you save some serious cash in excess of the stationary variation. This tenting hammock is produced of nylon which signifies it really is super light-weight, coming in at only 24 oz. It's 9 feet long by 4.5 ft vast and making use of its two 9 foot long tree straps and carabiners can maintain up to 400 lbs.
A vintage 4-piece home furnishings established that would look at property on any patio, this deal arrives with 2 solitary chairs, 1 double couch, 3 cushions and a tempered glass best coffee table. The parts are manufactured of strong but light-weight wicker with a metallic frame and the cushions "use a higher-density rebound sponge" for excess ease and comfort.
AI programs can help visualize your home in different decor styles — some even connect with where specific items are sold.
Published Jul 07, 2023 • 4 minute read
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
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Artificial intelligence has been disrupting interior design for several years now but the recent launch of ChatGPT has pushed generative AI into the mainstream and it is powering easy-to-follow online design tools. A quick look at the benefits of these tools show how AI is revolutionizing interior design and why it matters to homeowners.
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First, interior design applications using artificial intelligence instantly turn anyone into an amateur designer. The tools change the way images are conceptualized and produced.
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A basic function of these design tools shows the utility of AI as most programs allow users to upload a photo of any room in their house, select a designer theme (modern, traditional, minimalist) and the program will generate different images of how that room would look with each theme. Some allow you to instantly purchase the furniture in your generated images.
“One of our priorities is to make the designing as easy and accessible as possible. AI can be named among the best technologies for it, taking over complicated tasks or helping in generating more ideas,” says Matt Kryvashein, chief marketing officer at Planner 5D, a global e-design platform.
Easy and accessible is where this mashup of art and technology gets interesting. Learning how the technology works explains why it is so useful in design. AI uses software to simulate human intelligence processes, including learning (collecting information and rules for using information), reasoning (using rules to create conclusions) and self-correction.
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Most of interior design AI is based on machine learning, a subgroup of AI that learns patterns from large amounts of data using these patterns to make predictions and decision. Collov, one of the leaders in online provision of design tools, recently launched an updated version of its product CollovGPT. The GPT stands for Generative Pre-Trained Transformer, which is a type of language model that conducts natural languages processing tasks, like question-answering, and text generation.
Using a generative AI tool like CollovGPT enables users to experiment with different design styles by using humanlike conversations. It can respond to questions and compose visual content like design themes, floor plans, and full-blown renderings.
Prompts are used to “speak” with AI software to communicate what responses you are looking for. The best way to understand is to try it. Visit gpt.collov.com/chat, upload a photo of a room in your house and experiment.
Examples of prompts on this website include:
Ask AI for a specific interior design style rendering. “Please generate a modern style interior design rendering for my living room.”
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Customize the room layout or furniture based on preferences. “Can you move the sofa to the other side of the room?” or “Can you change the colour of the curtains to blue?”
Using the language prompts, the design tool then generates a new rendering of your room with an updated layout or furniture. Adjustments can be made with more prompts until you are satisfied with the design.
Other benefits of using AI-powered design tools are reducing time and increasing efficiency. Inputting specific parameters can save designers significant time as the software generates images quickly for optional use. It saves money on professional interior design by using AI to design spaces. It can provide designers, professional or amateur, with exact dimensions and structures of rooms to create multiple images before finalising a design.
An essential activity of interior design is selecting colours and materials, and AI can present customers with the ability to view interiors in the exact colour they want and see how they complement accessories in their homes. Experimentation is unlimited as designer and homeowner can create images quickly with different layouts, themes or colours.
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Being able to virtually tour, a designed space in 3-D before making any decision provides a powerful visualization tool to back up human intelligence, much like the adage “measure twice cut once.” Like Netflix or Spotify, these tools analyse individual tastes and behaviours to make informed recommendations. Driven by user input, the more detailed the input, the more personal the results. The more interaction with the tools, the more sophisticated the recommendations are.
Efficiencies are important, but there are some drawbacks. Designs based on algorithms do not always reflect the intuition and creativity of a human designer. In addition, misinterpretations of personal tastes happen as AI tools are not always accurate. Limitations may also be contingent on the options pre-programmed into the AI software.
While many of these tools are accessible and easy-to-use by amateur designers, the tools significantly improve the abilities of professional designers to lower costs. It is a good idea if selecting an interior designer to ask if they are currently using AI in their designs.
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How much one wants to use AI for interior design is up to the individual. A deep dive and full 2-D and 3-D renderings and floor plans with measurements, costs and building codes are possible, but for many, the basic (and free) feature of quickly visualizing possibilities will be enough to inspire them to try AI design.
Samples of interior design tools and platforms that use artificial intelligence.
1. Planner 5D: an advanced and easy-to-use 2-D/3-D, AI-powered, home design platform that allows anyone to create floor plans and interior designs in minutes.
2. CollovGPT: enables users and designers to remodel spaces by uploading images and generating stylized versions. The furniture in its versions also come priced and ready to purchase.
3. Homestyler: popular with professionals, this tool also provides augmented reality to overlay virtual furniture and decorations onto real-world surroundings.
4. Havenly: An online platform that uses AI to match users with certified professional designers who suit their style preferences.
5. RoOomy: uses AI and virtual staging technology to help real estate agents and interior designers virtually furnish an interior space.
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Staying energy-productive, owning inherent fire resistance, and with an potential to sequester carbon dioxide, mass timber has revolutionized Canada’s construction marketplace. Mass timber will aid condition the long term of reduced-carbon development although helping to build and reinforce Canada’s bioeconomy by using revolutionary products and solutions and types to make a far more sustainable developing sector.
On July 5, Taleeb Noormohamed, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville, on behalf of Minister of Pure Assets Jonathan Wilkinson, announced a $3.5-million contribution to the development of 2150 Keith Generate, an modern hybrid mass timber professional office environment developing in Vancouver’s Untrue Creek Flats neighbourhood. The contribution will be manufactured by way of the Environmentally friendly Development Through Wood (GCWood) Program that supports tasks and activities that enhance the use of wooden as a very low-carbon design material in infrastructure projects.
“To attain our local weather goals, Canada should lessen emissions in our making sector. By utilizing mass timber, we can improve efficiency and weather resilience in our communities though also decreasing emissions. Supporting projects like 2150 Keith Push demonstrates Canada’s determination to building and deploying impressive procedures and supplies in our building and structures sector. This will aid careers and financial option throughout the state and support to battle climate transform,” Wilkinson stated.
That includes a distinctive honeycomb-shaped exterior, 2150 Keith Generate will be 10 storeys tall and around 15,000 m2. It will be produced with sophisticated mass timber programs using prefabricated cross-laminated timber panels and glue-laminated timber columns, braces and beams. Because of to its wood braced-body process on the exterior, the design and style gets rid of the want for an inside concrete main, thereby minimizing its environmental affect. The replicable shape of its exoskeleton style also would make it perfect for much more sustainable, charge-economical and inexperienced development. The developing is the tallest braced-frame mass timber job or developing in North America and will employ an impressive seismic resistance method. Furthermore, the setting up is focusing on a bare minimum LEED Gold certification with construction predicted to be total in 2025.
The challenge is also supported by the province of British Columbia by the NetZero Power Ready System and a $500,000 contribution from the Mass Timber Demonstration Program (MDTP). The MTDP offers funding for incremental prices in the design and development of buildings that reveal emerging or new mass timber or mass timber hybrid setting up techniques and building processes.
The Federal government of Canada carries on to aid innovation and developments in mass timber design in Canada. With the greater availability of new developing elements on the market place, mass timber has the opportunity to aid a substantially additional sustainable building throughout the state. This implies lessen emissions and a lot more resilient communities, all although furnishing jobs and financial option throughout the forest solutions and building benefit chains.
“The DIALOG design crew is grateful for the economical aid from Organic Methods Canada that has pushed the development of progressive layout and development methods that are inexpensive, replicable and an important element of a sustainable upcoming,” said Justin Tompson, senior architectural technologist, associate, DIALOG.
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Note: The next write-up consists of disturbing articles. You should study at your possess discretion.
The FBI uncovered stolen human continues to be, which include skulls, spinal cords and organs, inside of the residence of a Kentucky male who was utilizing some of the system pieces as home furnishings.
Federal authorities raided the condominium of 39-12 months-old James William Nott in Mount Washington, Ky., on Tuesday morning.
WAVE Information, which to start with broke the tale, noted that when FBI agents arrived at Nott’s residence, they requested if any person else was inside of the property. Nott replied, “Only my lifeless close friends,” according to an FBI grievance.
The FBI reportedly seized as several as 40 human skulls in their raid of Nott’s household. One cranium was adorned with a headband, even though a different was uncovered on Nott’s bed.
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A number of hip bones and spinal cords were being allegedly currently being employed as decor through the apartment.
The FBI claimed Nott is portion of an illegal ring obtaining and providing stolen human stays throughout the U.S. and past.
Lots of of the human remains ended up allegedly stolen from the morgue at Harvard Professional medical School in Tiny Rock, Ark. The morgue’s supervisor was billed in June with obtaining and marketing human remains online, including heads, brains, pores and skin and bones from donated cadavers. A Harvard health-related bag was reportedly observed within Nott’s household.
The FBI claimed Nott said he acquired the human stays from abroad to provide in the U.S.
Nott reportedly employed Fb to list the human stays for sale. Making use of the pseudonym William Burke — the identical name of an notorious Irish serial killer who bought his victim’s bodies to be dissected — Nott allegedly described and priced the human stays on his social media web site. The FBI said some of the postings are from as not long ago as June 2023.
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The FBI was 1st notified of Nott’s alleged smuggling of human remains when police in East Pennsboro Township, Penn., have been alerted to the presence of physique areas within the dwelling of Enola resident Jeremy Pauley.
Pauley and Nott allegedly exchanged many messages, shots and films of human remains before they were being ordered by Pauley. The correct sort of human continues to be bought by Nott to Pauley, and their value, has not been publicly disclosed.
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Like Nott, Pauley was also reportedly in speak to with an employee at the Harvard morgue.
Nott was arrested on Tuesday. So much, he’s been billed with possession of a firearm as a prohibited individual. The FBI reportedly identified loaded guns (such as an AK-47), inert grenades and two plates for entire body armour in Nott’s property.
He is becoming held devoid of bail in the Oldham County Jail in La Grange, Ky.
The investigation is ongoing.
&duplicate 2023 World wide News, a division of Corus Amusement Inc.
When Hurricane Ida battered Louisiana, solid winds ripped the roofs off tens of countless numbers of houses. But nowadays, the Biden administration is hoping a simple fix could help save homes in that point out — and other individuals across the nation — from a equivalent fate.
In a bid to make properties a lot more energy-successful and resilient to intense weather conditions, the administration on Wednesday will award $90 million in grants to aid metropolitan areas, states, tribes and organizations implement stronger codes for new and renovated construction, in accordance to aspects shared first with The Washington Post.
The funding, which stems from the bipartisan infrastructure law of 2021, will come as the nation reels from a string of temperature disasters fueled by local weather adjust. In the Northeast, critical storms have dumped far more than two months’ truly worth of rain on Vermont, triggering catastrophic flooding, when in the southern United States, 54 million persons are slated to see triple-digit temperatures this 7 days amid a punishing heat dome.
The Power Section will distribute the grants to 27 initiatives in 26 states and the District of Columbia. Strength Secretary Jennifer Granholm will announce the funding on Wednesday during a take a look at to Louisiana, the place Hurricane Katrina in 2005 destroyed or destroyed extra than 800,000 properties and caused an believed $125 billion in hurt general.
Katrina — and Ida following it — has spurred point out officers to act. Last year, the Louisiana State Uniform Design Code Council adopted some of the strongest setting up codes in the southeastern United States, according to environmental advocates. The Southeast Vitality Efficiency Alliance, a team that encourages vitality efficiency in the location, will receive a few grants totaling $4.7 million to enable put into practice these codes.
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“If the developing codes are not appropriate, then the way people today make — and what they construct — truly makes a poor consequence when a lousy issue comes about,” Mitch Landrieu, President Biden’s infrastructure implementation adviser, stated in an interview Tuesday at the White Dwelling.
“That can be drinking water, it can be floods, it can be fireplace, it can be regardless of what,” reported Landrieu, who served as mayor of New Orleans from 2010 to 2018, serving to to soar-begin the city’s recovery from Katrina. “And this is the president’s endeavor to fundamentally say, ‘We’re not building back like we did before. We’re going to construct back better.’”
According to the White Residence, modernized power codes can preserve households an average of $751 on utility payments. But almost 2 out of 3 U.S. communities have not adopted the hottest product codes from the Global Code Council, a private consortium of nearby governments and business teams. Idaho, for occasion, has not up to date its codes in nearly two many years.
The announcement Tuesday demonstrates the plan restrictions that Biden faces. Making codes are adopted at the condition and nearby degrees, so the federal federal government is restricted in what it can call for. And with Republicans in manage of the Household of Representatives, Congress is unlikely to impose any new countrywide specifications.
These constraints have prompted Biden to embrace carrots fairly than sticks when it arrives to developing codes and weather action more broadly. By dangling billions of dollars by way of the infrastructure regulation and the Inflation Reduction Act, the administration is hoping to encourage far more states and municipalities to act.
“We’re not going to mandate it. But by obtaining the info out there, getting the tools out there [and] by remaining a lover at the federal amount, then you have all of these condition and community actors slide in the right course,” Ali Zaidi, the White Property national local climate adviser, mentioned in the joint interview with Landrieu.
The local weather effect could be sizeable. The United States’ 130 million commercial and household buildings are responsible for around 35 p.c of the nation’s carbon emissions, according to the Vitality Division. From 2010 through 2040, up to date building power codes are established to lower carbon emissions by 900 million metric tons — roughly equivalent to the once-a-year emissions of 108 million residences, the division assignments.
The premier grant of $9.6 million will go to the American Council for an Power-Economical Financial state, a D.C.-primarily based nonprofit group that designs to get the job done with states and municipalities on up-to-date electricity codes. In Pennsylvania, the condition Division of Environmental Security will acquire $3 million to train learners at complex superior educational facilities and neighborhood colleges in strength codes and developing sciences.
And in Louisiana, the Southeast Electricity Efficiency Alliance will use the funding to practice and educate household builders, contractors and making code officers on applying the state’s new codes “as quickly as we can,” explained Maggie Kelley Riggins, the group’s designed atmosphere task manager.
Following Katrina, Louisiana’s legislature mandated that the point out adopt updated developing codes at minimum just about every 5 several years. The new codes, which took effect on Jan. 1, call for roofs in higher-wind regions to be sealed to stop shingle losses during storms.
The Countrywide Association of Home Builders, one of the largest lobbying teams in Washington, has voiced problems about the Biden administration’s force for updated electrical power codes, expressing it could raise expenses for builders and householders.
“[T]right here is no need for a state to update its strength codes in most conditions,” the association wrote in a blog publish in March. “Adopting new making codes is high-priced, as developing departments want to update their techniques, assets and coaching, which is why federal income was appropriated to aid, and can be confusing for each builders and developing officials. And amplified energy conservation needs, which normally value more upfront, do not provide house proprietors the paybacks they are promised.”
But the Louisiana Property Builders Association has emerged as a vocal supporter of the state’s new codes, declaring they will assist entice insurance plan corporations again to the state. At minimum nine insurance policies businesses that wrote home owner guidelines in Louisiana have been declared insolvent given that three important storms pummeled the condition in 2020. At minimum a dozen other insurers have pulled back again from the state, possibly by canceling current guidelines or asserting they would no longer renew them.
Left with little selection, about 120,000 homes have been compelled to invest in insurance policies from the state-operate insurance provider of final vacation resort, Louisiana Citizens House Insurance. But these households have viewed a 63 p.c boost in rates, leading the state legislature to convene a distinctive session early this calendar year to tackle the burgeoning insurance disaster.
Climate adjust is fueling an coverage crisis. There's no easy resolve.
Randy Noel, a earlier president of the Louisiana Property Builders Association, said he thinks insurers “will appear back again now that we have got this code in area.”
“But we’re in determined need to have now of acquiring everybody properly trained on the new code,” explained Noel, also a previous chairman of the National Association of Dwelling Builders board. “So we could use all the assist we can get.”
In authentic estate, distinct marketplaces offer diverse prospects and threats — there’s no these types of factor as a very good or lousy town. Extended-neglected and neglected metros can be incredibly hot prospective buyers if they present the prospect to buy at the bottom in a town on the rise.
“It is very important to identify that investment prospective can improve around time, and towns could undertake initiatives to prevail over their difficulties and create new alternatives for real estate traders,” stated Mike Qiu, owner of Superior as Bought Homebuyers. “Real estate financial commitment needs meticulous evaluation of quite a few things, which includes financial developments, inhabitants dynamics and community sector problems.”
Numerous experts described Cleveland, Ohio, as an particularly hard genuine estate marketplace for even seasoned traders to navigate.
“The town has seasoned a decrease in inhabitants, financial struggles and persistently significant poverty costs,” stated Qiu. “Vacant properties have turn out to be a widespread sight, top to declining home values and a stagnant genuine estate current market.”
Your Financial investment Hard cash Should really Stick to Men and women Into a Metropolis, Not Out
Battling metropolitan areas poised for a rebound can offer you excellent expenditure chances, but they’re characterized by persons and businesses returning — in Cleveland, the tide is moving in the other path.
In accordance to Cleveland.com, Cuyahoga County shed 11,767 people today among 2021 and 2022 — much more than Ohio general. The 12 months prior to, the county missing 14,715 persons. The Greater Cleveland counties of Lake, Summit and Geauga are also dealing with inhabitants declines.
That is not to say it’s all bad information in Cleveland.
“There have been revitalization initiatives in sure neighborhoods,” claimed Denis Smykalov of Wolsen Real Estate.
The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy chronicled a series of daring, ground breaking and effective campaigns to restore the metropolis just after many years of decrease. But even so, Cleveland stays a patchwork of locales whose fortunes can shift unpredictably.
“As with any financial investment final decision, extensive investigate and consultation with nearby industry experts are essential to make educated possibilities,” mentioned Qiu.
It may be tempting to invest in into one particular of the country’s biggest tourism and bash cities — but Las Vegas has proven to be an unpredictable sector.
“While the town has all of the characteristics of an thrilling and appealing desired destination, it can also be pretty unstable for actual estate investments,” explained Carmelo Carrasco, realtor, interior designer and co-founder of Axel Home Administration. “Las Vegas’ overall economy is highly reliant on tourism, which helps make it vulnerable to downturns when the range of guests decreases. This can lead to lowered property values and problems in advertising houses, making it tough for buyers to flip a gain.”
Fittingly, Thrilling Highs and Scary Lows Determine the Marketplace
The pandemic set the city’s overreliance on hospitality on full show. According to UNLV, the unemployment charge in March 2020 peaked at 30% in Las Vegas, additional than double the countrywide price of 14% as the city put up the “closed” signal to the 42 million website visitors it welcomed the calendar year prior to.
But the marketplace quickly overheated publish-pandemic, generating wild swings not seen considering that “Las Vegas was the poster kid of the housing crash of 2008,” in accordance to UNLV.
“The housing sector in Las Vegas has been experiencing a growth, with costs rising by around 20% in the previous yr and over 40% since 2011,” said Ari Chazanas, president and CEO of Lotus West Attributes. “However, this growth is unsustainable and will likely direct to a crash in the coming many years.”
According to Heidi Rice, composing for Rice Genuine Estate in Las Vegas, “Increased home formations, institutional buyers, iBuyers, pandemic migration, minimal fascination rates and governing administration policy aided generate a 24-month ideal storm to inflate true estate values in Las Vegas through 2021 and 2022.”
Ryan Fitzgerald, proprietor of Raleigh Realty, summed it up with local parlance.
“Las Vegas is a gamble appropriate now,” he mentioned. “The housing stock is abundant, but the marketplace ailments are as unpredictable as a roll of the dice on the Strip.”
In accordance to Zillow, house values in Stockton have improved steadily for the much better section of a 10 years, from $200,406 in 2015 to $419,631 currently.
Whilst doubling your cash within 10 decades may well audio desirable, you could be creating an expense in California housing inflation in a metropolis that does not have the means to help it.
Stockton Is However Recovering From 2008
A lot of metropolitan areas are nonetheless reverberating from COVID, but Stockton is however hoping to shake off the Great Economic downturn 15 years later on. According to the Stockton Record, the town was “Ground Zero for foreclosures,” a fact that compelled Stockton to declare individual bankruptcy. Then, political scandal engulfed significantly of the 2010s prior to COVID arrived. The end result is a market that a community ABC affiliate describes as one of climbing charges, significant demand, greater design and a level of unaffordability that has despatched household gross sales falling by 30%.
“Stockton, California, has confronted important hurdles in the aftermath of the 2008 economic downturn, specifically in the housing sector,” explained Qiu. “The metropolis endured a intense housing crisis, leaving a sizeable quantity of foreclosed attributes in its wake. Significant unemployment premiums and crime ranges have also hindered the city’s financial restoration. Although endeavours have been manufactured to revitalize Stockton, its latest economic difficulties and unstable actual estate market may perhaps dissuade buyers from seeking safe and promising financial investment possibilities.”
I asked an interior designer how I could style my outdoor space, a large empty deck.
She suggested dividing it into sections: one for dining, one for lounging, and one for grilling.
The designer also said we should incorporate lanterns and plants to create an intimate space.
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My husband and I recently bought our first house in Washington. So far, one of our biggest challenges has been making the most of our outdoor space.
We have a fairly large deck but we haven't filled it with much yet. Ultimately, we'd love for this area to be a cute hangout spot, but right now the space's overwhelming size and emptiness have kept us both from doing any work on it. We're also struggling to find the right aesthetic for an outdoor area.
To learn how to best utilize and design our empty deck, I consulted with interior designer Kathy Kuo, founder and CEO of Kathy Kuo Home.
After showing her many photos and a video tour of the space, she shared advice on how to make it feel cool and trendy.
She said I should start by staining the railings with a neutral brown tone to give the space a more sophisticated feel
Kuo suggested we update the structure of the deck with a fresh coat of paint or stain before we do anything else.
She recommended I use a water-resistant stain in a neutral brown color with gray undertones to give the space a rustic feel that's still very sophisticated. She also suggested I paint the support beams for an updated look.
"You could paint the support beams a really beautiful and rich dark-charcoal gray for a clean modern-farmhouse-inspired look," she said.
We can cut out some clutter by concealing it in chic furniture pieces
Another issue we've faced is figuring out where to put some of the clutter that's accumulated on our deck over time. There are tons of shoes and a few random items for outdoor use lined up just outside our door.
To solve this problem, Kuo recommended we get a storage cabinet or a shoe bench that can live on the deck to conceal the clutter.
She said we should make sure to find a piece that's made for outdoor use and that matches the rest of the furniture that will eventually live on the deck.
Kuo also recommended we move the ping-pong table off of the deck and place it in the garage. That way, we can start designing our space "with a clutter-free floor plan."
Because I have a fairly large deck, I can divide the space into sections to create a highly multi-functional area
The size of our deck has made it challenging when it comes to decorating because there's so much empty space to fill. To help with this, Kuo advised creating multiple areas rather than trying to style the whole expanse as one big outdoor living room.
"As long as you go in with a detail-oriented eye and add visual throughways from each zone, you'll end up with a beautiful and highly multi-functional space," Kuo said.
I want to use this space to dine outdoors and entertain guests, so she suggested I divide it into three sections by placing a round table in the middle, a lounge area on one side, and a grill area on the other.
I can also use an outdoor rug to help define and "anchor" the spaces. Kuo suggested I take inspiration from my indoor designs when choosing a rug for the deck.
We should bring our indoor aesthetic outside to create a seamless transition using a similar color palette and design style
Kuo said I could start by using my home's interior decor as inspiration for decorating my outside space.
"If you have an indoor aesthetic that you love, there's no reason not to bring that outside by using a similar color palette and furniture design style as is featured inside your home to ensure a seamless transition from the indoors to the outdoors," Kuo said.
She also said outdoor pillows are a great way to show personality and create a connection with my indoor decor. As for the furniture, Kuo said we should mix different textures, materials, and wood tones to create visual interest.
"You may also want to consider picking out pieces with materials contrasting and complementing the wooden railing and floors," Kuo said.
We can also create an intimate and experiential space by adding plants and lights
Kuo recommended we add lots of plants and lights to bring the outdoor space to the next level. This will create a sort of intimate and experiential space while adding depth and softness, she explained.
Real plants could work if gardening is within our wheelhouse, but she also suggested UV-resistant faux plants that are easy to upkeep and won't quickly fade over time.
As for lighting, Kuo suggested we hang pretty string lights or layer outdoor lanterns of varying sizes in the dining area and/or lounge area.
Overall, I learned that dividing my space is key to making it super functional and easier to decorate
My biggest takeaway from Kuo's advice is that I should divide the space into sections and then decorate each part.
Kuo really sold me on the idea of dividing the deck into thirds — each with a different purpose — to create a beautiful and multi-functional space instead of having just one giant "room."
With her advice, the design process feels way more doable and I feel less overwhelmed about how to start decorating such a large space.
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