LET INGA TELL YOU:

Is it just my imagination, or do I spend an inordinate amount of time getting stuff fixed? Something is always broken, whether its a computer problem, a funny noise the car is making, a cracked sprinkler head, or an ice-maker that isnt making ice. Even our security cameras decided to fog up for no known reason.

Of course, I couldnt help but notice that a lot of the stuff Im getting fixed wouldnt have needed fixing in my youth because it didnt yet exist (like computers). Or didnt exist at my house (like ice-makers, sprinkler heads and security cameras). There was a lot to be said for the era of manual typewriters, hand-washed dishes, ice cube trays, and a climate where it actually rains.

But the true insanity-making problem to fix is the intermittent one. Just as intermittent reinforcement is the quickest way to strengthen a desired behavior, an intermittent technical problem that absolutely refuses to manifest itself in the presence of an entity actually qualified to fix it is the fastest way to make people bats*!#t crazy.

Cars, of course, are notorious for this. Im sure if you are in the auto repair biz, there is nothing you hate more than a person like me bringing in a vehicle that is making a funny noise.

What kind of funny noise? they ask patiently. Is it more like a knocking, or a squeaking, or a clunking?

OK, clunking.

They take the car out for a test drive. Does it clunk? Not a chance. Cars are designed to never clunk on command. They only clunk again on your way home.

Our heating system has developed a whine. It is annoying beyond belief. But the alternative is being cold. The heating guy has been out twice and the system purrs like a happy kitten when he is on the premises.

So that brings us to the problem of the pictures on both of our TVs tiling (also known as pixelating.) The picture will suddenly break up and get totally fuzzy and unwatchable, always, maliciously, at some critically important point in a program or sports event. The fact that it happens on both our TVs, which have two different cable boxes, suggests that its not the TVs or the cable boxes, but something to do with the cable itself. We allowed it could always be transmission issues from the channels themselves. But surely our cable company could troubleshoot this for us?

Our cable provider sent out a gentleman named George, who had the social skills of a sock. Unfortunately, the technical skills of one, too.

Let me just say we have actually had some very good people come out over the years to deal with the various cable problems at our house. We have also had a fair share of the ones who wish to get out of your home with the greatest possible expedience and least possible service. I really wish you could give Yelp ratings to cable guys. Theres a bunch Id like to see re-employed in trash pickup.

George showed up during our early afternoon appointment window and turned on the TV sets. No pixelating or tiling was occurring. He tested the signal on our cable box and pronounced it fine. But, of course, as we noted, the problem was intermittent. Olof mentioned that our cable installation had been done some years ago so we wondered aloud if the wiring was getting a little corroded at this point, especially being so close to the ocean.

George, however, insisted that he cant send a maintenance technician out to look at a problem that he cant see on the TV. He suggests and we were a tad incredulous that we reschedule for a service call for an evening time when this problem was occurring.

Olof, who is a far nicer person than I, reiterated that we notice this problem in the evenings because that is the only time that either of us ever watches TV. Could very well be happening at other times, too.

I, a far less nice person than Olof, queried if the technician would be joining us on the couch for the evening hoping the screen would break up. (I offered to make popcorn.)

But George just shrugged. He left. And our TVs continue to sporadically pixelate.

I couldnt help but reflect that in my youth, TV picture problems were solved by adjusting the rabbit ears on top of the set. It helped, or it didnt help. But it was vastly less aggravating.

So now Ill take the route I should have taken in the first place: crowdsourcing. Anybody out there having this problem, too? Were you able to fix it? Olof is hoping to find out before our TV screen disintegrates during the last five minutes of the Super Bowl.

Ingas lighthearted looks at life appear regularly in La Jolla Light. Reach her at inga47@san.rr.com

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Let Inga Tell You: Curse of the intermittent technical problem - La Jolla Light

By the time this article is published, AS/NZS 3000 (known as the Wiring Rules) may have been amended. If it hasnt been, the people in the know say to expect it shortly. This means that the existing reference in section 7.3 (which calls out the standard to follow when installing batteries) will change to AS/NZS 5139, the new battery standard.

Most regulators are waiting for the amendment to the Wiring Rules before mandating AS/NZS 5139 but some regulators, such as those in Tasmania and Victoria, have already called it up. Either way, it is time to get on board and familiarise yourself with the standard.

The standard AS/NZS 5139 is like three standards in one, with the section that you follow depending on the battery you are installing. Sections 1, 2, 3 and 7 in the standard must be followed for all battery installations, and:

There are many rules that are unique to the specific battery you are installing. However, there are some blanket rules that need to be followed regardless of the type of battery. One of these blanket rules is the requirement to complete a risk assessment.

Most good businesses are accustomed to completing a safe work method statement or job safety analysis before they start work. This typically involves assessing the high-risk activities on the job site and planning a safer way to complete them.

For example, on many battery installations you will need to park your vehicle on a road to unload the battery. Working on or near roads can be a high-risk activity because there is the potential for workers to be struck by vehicles traveling at speed. Therefore, before starting work you need to consider the inherent risks of this part of the job by describing the hazard, which is the first step of the risk assessment process.

I know it may seem a bit macabre, but it is necessary to assess the inherent risks by making a judgement on the consequence of what would happen if you got hit by a car and the likelihood of this actually happening at the site you are working at. The multiplication of likelihood and consequence give you an inherent risk rating, which is the second step of the risk assessment process.

The third step is assessing the way to minimise this risk. In many instances, you cannot reduce the consequence level, but you can reduce the likelihood. In the example where a car could hit a worker, several controls could be implemented to minimise the likelihood of this happening, including wearing high visibility clothing, implementing traffic management and using spotters.

Once you implement these controls, you can carry out the fourth step by re-assessing the original inherent risk to get a residual risk, which is lower and thus makes it safe to do your job. You then complete this process for every high-risk activity.

This is just one stage of the risk assessment required by AS/NZS 5139. The other stage requires you to consider the risks associated with the battery system itself. The CEC is calling this stage of the risk assessment the site-specific battery system component, and this is the part that relates to AS/NZS 5139.

When reading AS/NZS 5139, it helps to have a solid understanding of the risk assessment process, so it might be worth paying a bit more attention to the mechanics of the process next time you are completing a safe work method statement or job safety analysis. There is also an explainer of this in appendix G of AS/NZS 5139, and the CEC has produced a diagram to help you understand how the risk assessment process is integrated into the standard.

The process of completing the risk assessment is the same as for a safe work method statement or job safety analysis, but the subject matter is slightly different to what most tradesmen will be used to. The first step of describing the hazard is systematically presented in AS/NZS 5139 Section 3. Table 3.1 lists the common hazards in batteries that can be seen in the diagram included on this page.

The second step of assessing the inherent risk is to be completed by the installer. You need to ask yourself, what is the consequence of the hazard? This depends on the battery chemistry and product characteristics being installed, so getting this from your battery manufacturer is essential. You also need to exercise a bit of judgement to determine the likelihood of something going wrong with the battery in the location you have chosen to install it.

The third step in the risk assessment process is nominating the controls for each hazard. I mentioned earlier that AS/NZS 5139 is like three standards in one, depending on the battery you are installing. Each one of these standards gives you the controls to follow for that battery type and they are written to correspond to the hazards in Section 3.

The fourth step is to assess the residual risk. Like step two, the installer needs to re-assess the risk based on the installation with the control measures in place.

The CEC has released a sample risk assessment template for installers to use when installing CEC approved batteries. Please go to the installer section of our website for a copy.

For a list of CEC approved batteries, jump onto the products section of the CEC website. If you want more clarification on this, I would encourage you to log into the installer section of the CEC website and watch the Toolbox Talk called AS/NZS 5139: An overview.

More here:
Risk assessments and the new battery standard - EcoGeneration

Most everyone has had an experience with deja vu, the feeling that whats happening at that moment has happened before, in the very same fashion.

If you find that sort of thing enjoyable, consider a career in troubleshooting irrigation systems. Youll see the same issues coming up again and again but without any quasi-mystical underpinnings.

We asked some pros with decades of troubleshooting under their belts about their deja vu experiences. Here are their top five.

1. Faulty wiring or connectors

Of all the things that can go wrong with an irrigation system, electrical problems rank first. Wiring connections cause roughly 70% of all the failures we have in the field, says Craig S. Borland, CIC, CID, CIT, CLIA, CLWM, senior customer resource specialist at The Toro Companys irrigation and lighting division in Riverside, California.

Borland says its common to see connections made using standard wire nuts not intended for irrigation use. These nuts are made of two different metals. When wet, these metals react with each other and corrosion results. This happens frequently, even though every manufacturer specifies that only waterproof PBY wire connectors should be used.

Faulty wiring is one of the most common causes of problems with irrigation systems. Wiring equipment not intended for irrigation is used and ends up corroding, or a poor splice can lead to a bad connection. Photo: Shady Tree Landscaping

Theres a big difference between connectors that are merely water-resistant and connectors that are truly waterproof, and the two types shouldnt be confused, says Brent Mecham, CAIS, CIC, CID, CLIA, CLWM, industry development director for the Irrigation Association, Fairfax, Virginia. Water-resistant connectors are fine in places like California, where valve boxes are above ground, but not when valve boxes will be submerged in water, he says. Theyll corrode and cause an intermittent connection, so that the system will sometimes work and sometimes not work, making a diagnosis even more difficult.

The wires themselves can also be the source of a problem. Say a wire wasnt long enough to go from valve box to valve box, so the installer made a splice connection in the middle, says Peter Roberto, irrigation division and human resources manager at Shady Tree Landscaping, Norwood, Massachusetts, and president of the Irrigation Association of New England. Then that bad connection is often buried and can only be found with a ground fault detector.

When moisture penetrates that connection, you can get an open circuit, says Santos. The water and moisture will start to wick between the conductor and the insulation of the wire, which leads to corrosion and can even impact the solenoids.

Electrical problems get even hairier in the two-wire world, according to Santos. Conventional irrigation systems are very forgiving to poor installation and can work fine for many years, but issues with a poorly installed two-wire system show up right away, he says. Whenever anyone takes over the maintenance of a two-wire system, I recommend inspecting it with a fine-toothed comb.

Every two-wire manufacturer has different specifications as to the type of connectors, wire and grounding rods or plates youre supposed to use. A brand-new two-wire system can work perfectly fine one day, but if the grounding specs werent followed, one day youll find that 30 decoders are no longer working due to an electrical surge, Santos says.

2. Inadequate water pressure

Service calls about sprinkler heads that arent working properly are often caused by low water pressure. Bryan Wynen, CIC, CLIA, CLWM, owner and president of both Wissco Irrigation and Springwise Irrigation, South Bend, Indiana, says he sees this a lot. When a sprinkler or well system is first installed, it will usually have plenty of pressure. But a lot of our city water mains are metal, from the 50s and 60s and earlier. Mineral deposits build up inside, and the pressure starts to drop.

Reduced pressure can also be caused by worn-out pumps or additional development in the area since the irrigation system was installed. Sometimes low pressure can be compensated for by changing the heads or nozzle sizes or switching to high-efficiency nozzles. If that doesnt work, a pump may need to be added.

3. Poor workmanship

Sometimes a system is rife with problems because it wasnt installed correctly in the first place. Todd Magatagan, CAIS, CGIA, CIC, CID, CLIA, CLWM, owner of Around the Grounds, Longview, Texas, and his techs have run into everything from poor basic pipefitting and wire splicing to what Magatagan calls horrific hydraulic piping done with incorrect knowledge of proper irrigation design or the hydraulics involved.

We regularly have to fix basic plumbing issues because someone didnt put pipe into a fitting squarely, he says, and offers an example. For instance, well have a 90-degree elbow, but the pipe coming into it is at 60 degrees so hardly any of the pipe is glued in. That pipe will have constant outward pressure on it to pull out the entire time its left like that.

4. Hardscape barriers

Wynen says he and his crews are often called out to both residential and commercial sites where an addition has just been built, and suddenly the sprinklers dont work. Too often, new construction creates hard barriers because whoever built the addition completely disregarded the sprinkler system, often cutting pipes or blocking them.

Weve seen hundreds of buildings that had really nice, well-installed irrigation systems that are no longer functional or are only partially functional due to expansion of the property, says Wynen.

A poorly executed electrical connection, showing both the wrong type of wire being used along with too much electrical tape. Photo: The Toro Company

If that broken pipe still has water flow, a sinkhole will be created, Wynen says. Typically, the pipe will be leaking, and that necessitates going back to the last point of water pressure and capping it. Doing that risks turning off the irrigation to the islands that are still there, placing them at risk of not getting watered.

We have many retail clients whove added onto their properties, but the irrigation wasnt properly extended, Wynen says. Sometimes the system becomes impossible to operate again and has to be replaced. Replacement is the cheaper option versus spending thousands to snake pipes under walkways or around new buildings.

5. Poor coverage and incorrect scheduling

Service calls often happen because of dead, wet or brown spots in a lawn or landscape, the result of poor coverage. A lawnmower may have broken a sprinkler head or lateral, or even main lines could be leaking. Things like broken, clogged or out-of-adjustment sprinkler heads and nozzles should be detected and corrected as a part of routine sprinkler maintenance.

A property owner may think theres a broken sprinkler head or a wiring problem when there is none. John Newlin, CIC, CIT, CLIA, owner of Quality Services, North Ridgeville, Ohio, says the real reason for poor coverage is landscape plantings that have matured. The system was fine when it was first installed but the funny thing about plants is, they tend to grow, and if sprinkler heads havent been moved or added in a long time, vegetation can block them or shade once-sunny areas. Or, a property owner may have added new plants but failed to have the irrigation system adjusted accordingly.

Bad coverage can also result from a poor initial system design, such as mixing sprays and rotors. Water pressure may also be too high or too low; this can be compensated for by using pressure-regulated valves or heads.

An audit may be called for, says Newlin. It will reveal that some heads should be moved, raised or straightened. Entire zones may need redesigning.

Many service calls happen when a property owner notices runoff. This is usually the result of incorrect, inefficient scheduling or the lack of a rain sensor, which Newlin says is a must. The soil type may respond better to a cycle-and-soak schedule, watering for shorter periods of time more frequently so water can seep into the ground.

Underwatering is usually due to a controller needing adjustment for the warmer season. When the problem is either under- or overwatering, Newlin says that gives you a good opening to talk to the client about adding a smart controller, which would provide a solution to both problems and prevent others.

The author is senior editor of Irrigation & Green Industry and can be reached at maryvillano@igin.com.

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The irrigation troubleshooter's top 5 - Irrigation & Green Industry magazine

5 Tips for Improving the Value of Your Home

Whether youre looking to eventually sell, or you just want to increase the value of your property, there are many things you can do to essentially improve its reassessment value. While some changes are less extreme, they often dont bring the price increase that youd want to see when adding the house to the market. Making these improvements can even make the residence more comfortable for you and your loved ones. Some of these upgrades can be done yourself in an attempt to save money or by working with experts who do the job for you.

Improving Curb Appeal

The outside of the house is what most people see when first pulling up in front of the property or walking passed. If there is overgrown grass, dying trees or dead, flat flowerbeds, it leaves a lot to be desired. Improving the curb appeal can be as simple as getting on a routine mowing schedule or as detailed as hiring a landscaping company to do the work for you. Get rid of old, dying trees and consider adding rock walls and pathways that improve aesthetic appeal. Faux lawns are all the rage, since they dont need to be watered or mowed and look great no matter the time of year.

Adding an Elevator

Who wouldnt want to come into a home and see a fully functioning elevator ready to be used? Elevators add thousands of dollars worth of value to homes. They are ideal for getting from one floor to another and are an absolute must for individuals who are disabled or mobile-impaired. By working with a residential elevator company, you can have the addition of your dreams and the daily living convenience that you need.

Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels

The bathroom and kitchen of the house are the two most-used rooms for the family. If theyre outdated and lacking in available features, this not only devalues the property, but it makes living there more inconvenient and uncomfortable. Remodeling a bathroom can mean pulling up and replacing old tubs and sinks as well as adding heated flooring and toilets. Your kitchen can be remodeled in a way that includes more counter space and refines the cooking experience.

Improving Energy Efficiency

Potential buyers and current homeowners need a house that is as energy efficient as possible. This could be as simple as adding smart faucets to sinks and showers that turn off after a specified amount of time or installing solar panels on the roof. The key is to properly lower utility costs and enhance the living experience for those who are staying there.

Finishing Up the Basement

That cement floor and leaking wall in the basement isnt necessarily what potential buyers want to see when taking a tour of the home. Nowadays, most people use their basements for entertainment purposes or even use as a home office. It might serve as a great place to game online, watch movies or as an area for the kids to play. Finishing up the basement entails adding walls and flooring, as well as ensuring there is sufficient heating and cooling available.

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5 Tips for Improving the Value of Your Home - The Realtime Report

ASHLAND -- Riley's Nightclub will soon sport a whole new look with a new, revamped front entrance.

Ohl and Son's Garage Doors in Mansfield will be installing a garage door on Main Street right next to Riley's front entryway this Sunday, January 19.

On commendably weathered evenings, the nightclub will now have the option to open their new garage door and allow fresh air inside.

"We would love to have an outdoor patio, but I don't really think that is possible at that location, so this is the next best thing," said Joy Cline, owner and CEO of Riley's Nightclub. "There is such a hustle and bustle to Main Street, and we just want to share that energy with the community."

Riley's is located at 155 West Main Street in Ashland and is open everyday from 8 p.m. until 2:30 a.m.

Cline believes that this new garage door will also highlight the nightclub's music scene.

"We also want to share our love of music with passerby's on the street," said Cline. "We plan on having local artists playing in the window pretty frequently and hopefully draw in people with the music and fresh air."

The door also helps if any larger equipment needs transported inside the building.

Cline also mentioned that she would like to add some daytime hours and sell food at the bar in the future.

Our content is free and always will be - but we rely on your support to sustain it.

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Riley's Nightclub will install garage door on their Main Street entrance this Sunday - Ashland Source

ADDRESS: 321 Ocean Ave., Marblehead

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 4 full; 2 half

LIVING SPACE: 4,331 sq. ft.

PRICE: $2,995,000

In this seaside villa, the focus in almost every room including bathrooms is the incredible ocean views. Built in 1920 on over an acre of oceanfront property, this timeless beauty is a private oasis amidst sprawling manicured grounds with handsome masonry walkways and brick terraces. In addition to state-of-the-art systems, this magnificently restored home retains its original architectural detail throughout.

Approaching the house is, well, delightful. Enjoy coastline rose gardens on the way to the front entrance with an extra-wide arched door (and a wooden storm door). A floor-to-ceiling wardrobe-like closet is easily overlooked given the extra-wide staircase in the foyer leading down to the main living level this has another entrance and a split staircase up to an open gallery and the bedrooms. But thats getting ahead of the story.

On the main level

Arched French doors from a massive side terrace open to a gigantic eat-in chefs kitchen where radiant heated porcelain tile flooring is one of many, many highlights. In this cookery the emphasis is on function and beauty: an abundance of cabinetry (including a walk-in pantry) accented with a tumbled tile backsplash, a six-burner gas Viking stove (with a griddle), SubZero refrigerator with integrated panels, and a massive center island with a round hammered copper sink. Granite countertops showcase the honed granite farmers sink.

The breakfast nook is unforgettable. This large bump out is surrounded by almost floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides. Wherever your gaze falls the huge brick paver patio, lush grounds that lead directly to lounging rocks and the beach via a private gate or the ocean itself the views are compelling and especially so when Mother Nature decides to show off.

A laundry room with a sink and cupboards is on the way to a spacious family room. In addition to views of the beautifully landscaped front yard, this room has amazing ocean vistas and arched door access to the terrace. By the way, 12-pane windows in this room, of which there are six, are positively gorgeous. So is a striking arched window with leaded stained-glass panes. In fact, this is one of several stained-glass windows that add dashes of color in unexpected places.

A half bathroom and access to the oversized two-car garage are bonuses.

And then

The more formal spaces (living, dining and sitting rooms) are astounding.

In the grand-sized dining room, double crown molding accents exposed and detailed ceiling beams. Lighted china cabinets are nods to the past along with the huge limestone fireplace with a gas insert. Still an atrium-like and fully open space is captivating.

This indoor space lives like an outdoor haven albeit, a sophisticated one. In addition to three sets of multi-glass pane arched windows the better to enjoy the views the sunroom has tumbled tile flooring and French doors to the terraces.

The massive living room also has a beamed ceiling plus two multi-glass paned doors to the patio/terrace. An extraordinarily wide bay (with a matching ledge) ensures up-close-and-personal views all year long. Detailed casings on the windows and doorways arched or not add character and charm but an inglenook fireplace is the scene stealer.

Also known as a chimney corner, this fireplace with a decorative tile surround is tucked into its own nook and has built-in seating (with storage) on both sides. The nook has a beamed ceiling just like the one in the living room.

Two arched entrances lead to a fabulous sunroom with tumbled tile flooring and more arched windows overlooking the water.

A nearby half bath has wide bead board wainscoting, fir flooring, deep bump boards, and another colorful stained-glass window. This one is round.

Second story treasures

The master suite/wing at one end of this level is memorable. In the huge sleeping chamber, a fireplace with a wood stove insert and a marble mantel has bookcases on both sides. His n hers lighted, cedar lined walk-in closets have custom inserts.

The views are exceptional. With two exposures that include four sets of multi-pane casement windows that are practically floor-to-ceiling, this space feels like a ship on the ocean. It isnt, but the effect is magical.

Two linen closets are on the way to the en suite bathroom that has similar views from the jetted tub and the step-in steam shower in a glass enclosure. For privacy and personal space, the commode has its own room and the L-shaped vanity has a sink in each leg.

Views are only one highlight in another bedroom suite with three exposures and a wood-burning fireplace with beautiful figurines and delicate mantel carvings. Built-ins along the window wall include a credenza-like piece with eight drawers, three cupboards and corner bookcases. Decorative crown molding and gleaming hardwood flooring are additional features.

Wide bead board wainscoting anchored by a chair rail with decorative trim and a built-in cupboard add character in the en suite bathroom with a tub/shower ensemble.

While the third bedroom suite is as charming as the other two, the office it also makes excellent guest quarters might easily become the favorite room. First, this massive space has cork flooring, a built-in desk surrounded by open shelving and, wait for it, a built-in, step-up day bed with 12 drawers underneath. This ship-shape space no pun intended has a huge en suite bathroom with a step-in shower with a frameless glass door and wide bead board wainscoting.

One final note. The attic has spray foam insulation but is unfinished. Aah, the potential

Contact Steven White of William Raveis Real Estate at 781-690-6433 or 781-631-1199 or by email: steven.White1@comcast.net.

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HOME PROFILE: A beautiful home for watching the sea - Wicked Local Beverly

Built in the late 1850s for Leander A. Plummer, the founder of a cordage company that made ropes for whaling ships, the house was originally called Morelands and faced east. At some point in the 19th century, it was rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise, leaving the original front stoop at the side of the building. It is about a mile southwest of the heart of New Bedford and two blocks north of St. Lukes Hospital. A ferry terminal with boats to Marthas Vineyard, Nantucket and Cape Cod is within walking distance. The closest beach is about a five-minute drive, and Boston is 60 miles north.

Size: 5,130 square feet

Price per square foot: $77

Indoors: The entry hall is anchored by the original curving staircase and a recently added period light fixture with milk-glass shades.

Solid wood doors open to large, elegant rooms, including a library with arched windows with spiderweb muntins and louvered shutters. The fireplace is surrounded by Delft tiles believed to have been added in the late 19th century. The mantel landscape painting was done by the owners son, Leander A. Plummer II, a Paris-trained artist who also painted the wildlife scene on the door of a receiving room to the right of the front entrance. Double doors open to a windowed bay that holds a tiled solarium.

In the living room, the fireplace surround is simple black marble, topped by a large gilt-framed mirror. Delft tiles reappear around the firebox of the dining room, where they represent biblical themes, including David and Goliath. In this room, the floorboards are chestnut, the ceiling is coffered and Gothic arches carved in relief run along the walls, below the crown molding.

Ascending the stairs, which are illuminated by a restored decorative skylight, you reach the second floor. This level has five large bedrooms, two small rooms, two bathrooms and a space renovated as a possible laundry area. A front bedroom has a pair of tall arched windows with louvered shutters that overlook Hawthorn Street. Another bedroom includes fireplace tiles with animal pictures (a dodo, kangaroo and flamingo among them).

The third floor has been insulated and covered in Sheetrock, but is otherwise unfinished; it has an additional four rooms and a bathroom. The kitchen, which is on the main floor, is described by the owners as very basic and requires renovation.

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$400,000 Homes in Indiana, Massachusetts and Arkansas - The New York Times

If you don't have time to view a potential new home and have a wash and blow dry at the hairdressers, then this super stylish home in Newport might be the answer.

From the outside it certainly looks like a lovely but standard three-bedroom semi in a suburban street in the city but inside it is a different story.

Start the property tour in the hall and it immediately becomes apparent that the current owner has a talent for stylish interior design.

The space is a combination of restored original features such as the staircase mixed with modern, eye-catching additions such as the pretty tiles decorating the stairs.

A colour palette of light walls and floors creates a perfect backdrop for statement furniture, accessories and personal items.

Into the lounge and the tasteful decor continues with arguably the star of the space the refurbished period fireplace.

The neutral colours continue into the room but are joined by an accent colour of on-trend shades of primrose and orche.

Take a look inside the home that has its own hairdressers in the dining room:

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Further interest is created by the introduction of patterns and tactile fabrics via the soft furnishings, including the rug.

The room is flooded with light via the large bay window and statement chandelier, with the flooring from the hall continuing into the space to create visual flow and connect the two rooms.

The giant scissor ornament gives a giant hint as to what awaits a visitor in the room next door.

Further down the hall is the rather surprising addition, a hairdresser's salon in what would normally be a dining room.

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Of course, the room can easily be reinstated to its former function but if you have ever fancied taking up hairdressing or becoming a barber, maybe the back-wash sink and cutting and styling area could stay?

The room has bags of character apart from all the hair-based paraphernalia.

There's an attractive marble fireplace housing a log burner, so the clients having their barnet attended to certainly don't get cold.

For over-heating blow dries in the summer, there's a set of patio doors that open out into the garden and will provide cooling breezes under the hairdryer.

Original internal, panel doors provide period charm, as do the picture rails and deep skirtings.

Once your roots have been done or your perm has set, then there's still a lot of lovely house to discover.

At the end of the hall there is a stylish country-style kitchen complete with Belfast sink, cream units with rustic handles and wooden work tops.

This light and bright room also provides access to the garden through a set of French doors at the end.

The new owner could combine the kitchen and dining room to create an open-plan space if that's what they are hankering after.

It would need a structural engineer, qualified builder, steel beam and a large sledgehammer, but it is now a very common and not very major room alteration.

Upstairs, the contemporary and engaging decor continues into the three bedrooms.

The sanded doors are complemented by the stripped floorboards in the smallest bedroom, which also has a pale and tactile interiors scheme to optimise the space, greatly assisted by the use of a huge wall mirror.

The bathroom does not disappoint on the decor either, with a roll-top bath, feature basin unit and characterful floor tiles all jostling for position as the most eye-catching feature.

They all work together to create a stylish space to relax, as well as a place to wash your hair if the salon downstairs is busy.

Outside the home offers ample off-road parking space on a large drive at the front.

At the back of the abode there's a split-level garden with a patio al fresco dining area accessed from the dining room and kitchen.

This outdoor area is a versatile space, with enough room for an extension should a new owner fancy a building project, or a large garage / storage space that could easily be a workshop or the site of a summer house.

If knocked down, there may even be space for a small swimming pool or patio with hot tub on the footprint of this structure.

Of course, any changes or additions should be checked with the local planning officer before any work commences.

This stylish and tasteful home offers potential to run a business, add space inside and outside or actually do nothing at all except move in and enjoy the charming spaces the current owner has created.

The home is on the market for a guide price of 230,000 - 240,000, to find out more contact the estate agent Pinkmove on 01633 746088.

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The three-bedroom Newport house that comes with its own hairdressers in the dining room - Wales Online

Welcome back to another installment of openings and closings. We have a lot of goodbyes this week, from Polish diners to party brunch spots. Dont despair, though, since there are lots of good things coming to the borough as well. We welcome several new Mexican spots, a boardgames cafe, and an ice cream parlor with swings inside.

Bedford Stuyvesant

480 Madison Street, between Throop Avenue and Marcus Garvey Boulevard.

This Bed-Stuy restaurant opened last month. Before finally opening their brick and mortar, Boca Santa was in residence as a pop-up at Doris, also in the neighborhood. Now, you can visit them on their own and enjoy their authentic Mexican dishes tacos, aguas frescas, guacamole, and quesadillas are all on the menu.

417 Throop Avenue, between Quincy Street and Lexington Avenue.

This new Bed-Stuy bar opened up in November. The spot has leather couches, lots of wood detailing, and even some old-school pinball and arcade games. Some nights, they have DJs playing until late, with happy hour specials every day from 5:00pm-9:00pm.

Brooklyn Heights

20 Columbia Place, between Joralemon and State streets.

Clover Hill in Brooklyn Heights opened mid-December, and is the neighborhoods latest spot for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. The restaurant closes at 3:00pm every day, but before that serves a large variety of creative dishes. These include buckwheat crepes with eggs and sweet potato, fried pickled fennel, and a pistachio scone with satsuma marmalade.

Flatbush

1214 Cortelyou Road, between Argyle and Westminster roads.

Neighbors have reported that this new Cortelyou ice cream spot has finally opened to the public. Word on the street is that theyre serving up Blue Marble ice cream, and that the inside is complete with swings to sit on while you enjoy your scoops.

Fort Greene

154 Carlton Avenue, between Myrtle and Willoughby avenues.

This new Fort Greene taqueria opened up in December. You can enjoy all the classics here, like burrito bowls, quesadillas, chimichangas, tortas, and churros.

Greenpoint

146 Nassau Avenue, between McGuinness Boulevard and Newel Street.

At OHHO Coffee you can get classic coffee, or try one of their creations, like a sweet potato latte or shaken espresso. This new coffee shop opened up mid-December, and in addition to hot beverages, you can enjoy Korean favorites like bibimbap, kimchi, and barbecue. Have a seat at one of their marble cafe tables and eat up.

233 Eagle Street, between McGuinness Boulevard and Provost Street.

Time Out reports that St. Agrestis has opened a new taproom in collaboration with Greenhook Ginsmiths in Greenpoint. The taproom will allow guests to taste the amari on-tap negronis and spiked hot chocolates all at an Italian-style communal table.

Park Slope

471 5th Avenue, between 11th and 12th streets.

This new South Slope coffee shop comes with a twist. On site, you can play one of over 200 board games they have while enjoying your drinks and pastries. The spot is brand new, and opened only at the beginning of January.

Prospect Lefferts Gardens

1184 Nostrand Avenue, between Fenimore and Hawthorne streets.

This new Prospect Lefferts Gardens Beer House opened five weeks ago. Currently, theyre just serving up drinks, but according to their Instagram this biergarten will also be a cafe come Spring. Enjoy your brew outside on the patio, or at one of their cozy wooden tables indoors.

Sheepshead Bay

1724 Sheepshead Bay Road, between Voorhies Avenue and Shore Parkway.

The latest branch of this seafood chain set up shop in Sheepshead Bay mid-November. Red Crab serves up po-boys, fish and shellfish by the pound, and raw oysters. They have specials almost every day on their various dishes, so be sure to check out their page before a visit.

Brooklyn Heights

80 Montague Street, between Pierrepont Place and Hicks Street.

This Brooklyn Heights Polish diner has closed for good. A tipster reported that the spot closed early this month, after reports earlier last year about owners wanting to put the restaurant up for rent.

Cobble Hill

248 Court Street, between Kane and Baltic streets.

Pardon Me For Asking reports that Cobble Hills Watty and Meg has closed its doors after 12 years, as of the first of this month. The restaurant also announced its closure through a sign on the door, writing that the news was delivered with a heavy heart.

Park Slope

242 5th Avenue, between President and Carroll Streets.

Seed announced its closure to Park Slope neighbors with a sign on their door in December. We cant thank our customers and this wonderful community enough for the support over the past four years, the sign read, calling the goodbye bittersweet.

242 Flatbush Avenue, between St. Marks Avenue and Bergen Street.

After a long fight, protests, and many SLA hearings, Woodland has finally closed its doors for good, Eater reports. Owner Akiva Ofshtein had previously told Bklyner that he felt the complaints against his restaurant were due to his primarily African-American and Caribbean-American clientele, and received assistance from the Black Institute prior to closing. Despite this, the brunch spot eventually lost the fight for their liquor license and could not survive without it.

Red Hook

275 Van Brunt Street, between Visitation Place and Pioneer Street.

Grindhaus announced to their Instagram followers that their last day of business would be this Valentines Day. In the meantime, theyre hosting a Michelin-starred chef at the restaurant from the 24th-27th of January, and are encouraging guests to make reservations for both those special nights and their final bow.

Continued here:
Openings and Closings: Breakfast, Boardgames, and Beer - BKLYNER

There is a chestnut tree in the garden which a friend gave us as a wedding gift. It was a sapling back then, but has grown tall. Last year the friend died in his sleep and during the summer I could sense his presence near the tree. As if he were sitting there, as he often did, smoking loose tobacco and gazing at the lake.

Not that he would sit outside in winter. But I still remember him with great affection, even now. And last week, I used a clippers to prune some beech shrubs near the chestnut, which I hope will grow stronger in the spring.

Doing garden work in winter is never a good omen for my mental health; it usually indicates adverse changes in the interior weather.

And recently I start clinging to the beloved.

Its not just that I miss her when I go to places far away, like Warsaw or Kilmallock; but I get so obsessed that I dont even like going out to my studio for half an hour without her.

The beloved is like wine. And I want to be drunk all the time.

The sisters from the convent in Minsk drink some wine now and again. They arrived before Christmas with a beautiful icon, which now hangs in the studio with all the other icons. In fact there are so many holy images on the walls now, that the General refuses to cross the threshold.

I was expecting that the icons would be my refuge during Christmas. If the parties got too hectic, or if I got too bloated with puddings, or even if gazing at the Christmas card with the kangaroos began to depress me, then I could fly away to my studio and be alone with the holy images and all might be well; or so I thought.

In fact I hardly darkened the door of the studio for a month. Which is to say that I had a great Christmas. I relished all the visitors, the long conversations into the night, the arguments over politics, and the trash on Netflix.

The only time I ventured out to that shed with double-glazed patio doors at the end of the yard which I call the studio, was when we couldnt find the bottle opener and I knew there was another one out there. To be honest, I dont do much talking to God if there is even the slightest prospect of alternative company.

As I stepped inside the studio door I was aware of the icon; the calm face of Jesus, the Christ of Sinai, gazing down at me from the wall.

I avoided switching on the light. I could see my path with the help of an iPhone but I didnt want to be judged by that radiant face. I didnt want to feel guilty, just because I was going to open another bottle of wine.

As I pulled out the drawer to get the bottle opener, he spoke; a whisper audible only in my head.

You shouldnt be drinking so much after having a heart attack, he said.

I looked up at him. His two big eyes beneath the golden halo observing me with a mixture of judgment and compassion.

It might be time you went back in your box, I suggested.

Because sometimes I hide the icons from myself. I strip the room bare, place them in their boxes and stack them all in the bookcase.

After all Im a writer not a monk.

I live with the beloved. My cloister is the bedroom, my hymns are little cries of intimacy.

And icons are useful only up to a point. They are comforting on dark nights; a buttress against depression, a consolation in every grief. And my refuge in times of trouble is a monastery of the heart, where silence is the only language and the icons awaken the mythic core of being.

Last week the decorations were finally put away. I went to the studio and lit the stove and reclaimed the icons from the bookcase and hung them once more on the walls. I sat listening to monks chanting on Spotify as the eco-logs in the stove belched with mysterious gases.

I even went into the garden with Rachmaninovs Vespers in my headphones, to examine the bare chestnut tree for any damage caused by winter storms.

The tree is surrounded by woodland, but in that moment it seemed utterly alone, as if it were still waiting for its beloved to return again with new primroses.

More here:
Michael Harding: The beloved is like wine. And I want to be drunk all the time - The Irish Times