I have used many of my previous columns to help accountants and other tax professionals alert their clients to perfectly legal, easy-to-understand strategies that save taxes. Im going to devote this column and two subsequent ones to the selection and implementation of strategies that help homeowners.

Long-standing rules authorize valuable tax breaks for owners who itemize their deductions on Form 1040s Schedule A. Theyre able to claim annual write-offs, within limits, for payments of mortgage interest and property taxes.

Owners cant claim current deductions for money spent improvements that add to the value of their homes, prolong their useful lives, or adapt them to new uses. The law requires them to add the money to their homes cost basisthe figure used to determine gains or losses when they sell their homes. Consequently, improvements decrease any taxable gains on eventual sales.

Big breaks for sellers with big profits:The law permits sellers to exclude, meaning they escape, federal and state income taxes on sizable portions of their profits from sales of their principal residences.

The profit exclusions are as much as $500,000 for married couples filing joint returns. They drop to $250,000 for single persons or married couples filing separate returns.

How do things work out when sellers reap gains greater than $500,000 or $250,000? Theyre liable for taxes on the excess.

IRS audits (or examinations, as the agency prefers to call them):In the event the IRS questions how seller Sarah determined her gain, the audit will be less traumatic and less expensive if she has kept meticulous records that track the dwellings basis.

Those records should include what she originally paid for her home, plus certain settlement or closing costs, such as title insurance and legal fees. They should also include what she subsequently shells out for improvements, as opposed to repairs.

Improvements, both big and small, boost basis:Qualifying improvements can be big projects, as when Sarah puts a recreation room in her unfinished basement, adds another bedroom or bathroom, puts up a fence, or paves her driveway. Or they can be small projects, as when she upgrades closets, or installs built-in bookcases, new faucets, towel racks, or medicine cabinets.

Repairs dont boost basis:An adamant IRS insists that Sarah cant count routine repairs or maintenance that add nothing to the places value. They just maintain it. Some examples: Sarah repaints her home inside or outside, fixes her gutters or floors, repairs leaks or plastering, and replaces broken window panes.

Bundle ordinary repairs into bigger jobs:It might pay for Sarah to postpone repair projects until she can do them in connection with an extensive remodeling or restoration project. Adding the smaller job into bigger jobs may allow Sarah to include some items that would otherwise be considered repairs, such as the cost of painting rooms.

In two subsequent columns, Ill discuss more strategies to impart to your home-owning clients.

Additionalarticles.A reminder for accountants who would welcome advice on how to alert clients to tactics that trim taxes for this year and even give a head start for next year: Delve into thearchive of my articles(more than 350 and counting).

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Why It Pays to Keep Track of Home Improvements - Accountingweb.com

Here's why there's a backlog of claims for unemployment and why it's only getting worse. USA TODAY

Joshua Sinko can see the jobless benefits sitting in his online account. But he can't access them.

Joshua Sinko has cooked in high-end restaurants, fished oncommercial boats, sold bicyclesand built houses.

For the past eight years, the 43-year-old established himself in Columbus as a remodeling and restoration expert the guy you call if you need a bathroom overhauled,or a deck rebuilt. He's made a career oflong hours and a versatileskill set.

"I've never asked for anything, because it seems like when times are rough,you just go out and put your nose to the grindstone, and make it happen," Sinko said this week."Youdon't expect handouts."

Once, in 2016, Sinko broke two bones inhis back after falling through a ceiling and was back on the job five days later. But when the first coronavirus cases struck Mississippi in mid-March, he knew he was out of options.The remodeling work "just dried up," and no onewas hiring for other jobs.

For the first time, he would be forced to collect unemployment.

Unemployment claims are soaring as the coronavirus pandemic shuts down businesses.(Photo: USA Today file photo)

But more than two months after applying, Sinkostill hasn't received benefits. He sees the money sitting online in his Mississippi Department of Employment Security account, but can't get his hands on it. Over a recent two weeks, he spent 27 hours on hold with the agency and got fewsolid answers.

The several thousand dollars Sinko saved up "for a rainy day" quickly evaporated. His bank accounts are now totally emptyone overdrafted by 67 cents and remodeling jobs are likely still days or weeks off.

"I'm at my breaking point and on the verge of being homeless here," Sinko wrote to the Clarion Ledger earlier this month.

Sinko is far from alone.

More than two months into the coronavirus crisis, and in every corner of the state, Mississippians are strugglingto apply for and obtain unemploymentbenefits. They face an overwhelmed and glitchy computer and phone system, and an agency with dozens of new employees still learning the nuances of the state's unemployment laws.

State leaders are aware of the problem. MDES Executive Director Jackie Turner has discussed the agency's issues several times publicly, including before state legislators earlier this month.

Turner has said the department brought on hundreds of new staff and volunteers, including from other agencies, to help field calls. It's sought to quickly train them on how to answer questions and resolve problems, she said, and taken other steps to streamline the claims process.

RELATED:'It's madness': They lost their jobs to coronavirus. Now they can't file for unemployment

Gov. Tate Reeves ordered certain requirements relaxed for those seeking assistance during the coronavirus, such as temporarily eliminating the one-week waiting period, and nixing the work-search mandate.

But the agency is sometimes sending mixed messages on these changes. Despite Reeves' order, it hassent letters to recipients stating theystill need to prove they are searching for a job. Online questionnaires that unemployed or furloughed people must fill out weekly to keep receiving assistance include confusing language, with some instructionsunclear.

And the phone line problems persist: Applicants report waiting on hold for hours, or a constant busy signal, or reaching a person only for the line to go dead. Even whenthey are approved, many complain of waiting weeks before the money shows up in their bank accounts or on a state-issued debit card.

Meanwhile, a wave of new unemployment claims continues to arrive each week, even as Reeves slowly reopens the economy. More than 270,000 unemployment claims have been reported by the state since the crisis began in mid-March, according to the Economic Policy Institute.

Last week,another 23,697 Mississippians applied for unemployment, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In a normal week, before the pandemic, the number was below 1,000.

Stories of Mississippians fed up with the state's unemployment systemaren't hard to come by.

In Corinth, Angie Sorrell was forced home from her fast food job in mid-March after feeling sick she's still unsure if it was coronavirus and applied for unemployment shortly after. Her claim was placed under investigation, however, and was only approved about two months lateraftershe said she threatened to call the mayor and media about the delays.

Angie Sorrell was forced home from her fast food job in March due to the coronavirus. She still hasn't received her first unemployment benefit payment.(Photo: Courtesy)

Sorrellsaid the wait was so long she's already returned to work at Wendy's part-time. The 40-year-oldstill hasn't received her first benefit check, and she already missed two rent payments due to the lost income. Her landlord says if she misses another, she has to leave.

Im scared of being kicked out on the streets," said Sorrell, who added her boyfriend has faced similar delays receiving benefits.

RELATED: Does your small businesses qualify for $300M COVID-19 relief money? What you need to know

In Oxford, Sara Hill was recently down to 52 cents in her bank account after losing her server job at Ajax Diner. The 22-year-oldfiled her claim April 5, and there appearedto be money in her unemployment account but she hadn't received it, and could not reach anyone on the phone for help. She enlisted family members to call, too. No one could get through.

Sara Hill lost her restaurant server job in March, and couldn't get through the state unemployment office's overwhelmed phone lines for help.(Photo: Courtesy)

Last week, more than a month after she applied,her first payment "just kind of showed up." She never did talk to anyone at MDES.She's still waiting for Ajax to reopen.

"I'm a 22-year-old from a middle class family, but what about people with children?" Hill said, adding the long wait for funds and leaning on her parents for help took a toll on her mental health.

In Biloxi, James Murphy is caughtin limbo between unemployment agencies in Mississippi and Florida, where he recently lived, and he has yet to receive assistance from either state after being laid off in late March.

Mississippi says it can't help, given his last full-time jobwas in Florida. But Florida hasn't processed his claim, or transferred the necessary funds to Mississippi, and he can't get through to figure out why. He's turned to family and friends for financial help while he waits.

I'm not even sure where were going to go from here, said Murphy, 48, who had recently moved to Mississippi hoping to land a casino job."You're at the mercy of the state, or at the mercy of the federal government, to pass the next rule."

Many reportthey are struggling to pay bills or buy food. One man wrote to the Clarion Ledger that he was no longerable to afford rent, adding he planned to live "in the wild by means I'm not yet sure of."

Sinko sees about $5,000 in benefits in his online account that he still can't access. MDEStexts him frequently saying his claim has been processed butno money comes through.

He first signed up to receive the money through direct deposit. When that didn't work, he called MDES and talked to an employee who said he wasn't allowed to change to the debit card form of paymentthat he must stick with the form of payment he already signed up for.

That's not true, however, and Sinko said another employee later clarified he could switchto the debit card, so he did. But now he's not being paid on the debit card, either, and the debit card vendor MDES told him to speak with didn't have his information on file.

"I'm not getting rich out here," Sinko said of his remodeling job. "I'vehave never asked for anything. The one time you ask for something in life ... it's frustrating."

When he's not calling MDES, Sinko said he's mowed a local preacher's yard, tried his hand at woodturning, and tested new recipes though the cooking is less ambitious now that money is running low.

He also has a few leads on remodeling jobs. But he isn't sure how he'll pay for thematerials upfront when his bank accounts are empty, noting "you have to have money to make money."

"My gas light's on in my truck, I'm 67 cents in the hole, and I'm just frustrated," Sinko said. "I'm gonna call again, and get no answers."

Contact Luke Ramseth at 601-317-7476or lramseth@gannett.com. Follow @lramseth on Twitter.

Read or Share this story: https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2020/05/22/mississippi-unemployment-long-delays-problems-people-struggle/3048504001/

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Mississippians struggling with unemployment claims. Payments on hold after more than two months - Clarion Ledger

Effective and stunning interior design services require the assistance of professionals with a lot of experience. Remodeling and construction project management is a task that involves a wide array of responsibilities. This is why many homeowners and businesses choose to contact professional contractors for this purpose.

Americore Construction Inc. is one such business situated in the WA State. They are among the few constructors who use the aid of 3DRenderings to showcase their ideas. With the assistance of computer aided artists and architects, they are able to bring their clients bathroom remodeling ideas to life.

The businesses innovative way of thinking comes from the owner, Jimia Cain. She is an exceptional business woman whose guidance has made Americore Construction Inc. into what it is today. Under her leadership, Americore Construction Inc. has steadily grown into a premier name for all of ones bathroom and kitchen remodeling needs.

Jimia Cain believes in offering her clientele with a perfected service. This is why her team uses 3D renderings, as these allow them to picture exactly what their clients require. Jimia also ensures that they create the blueprints and assemble the correct team for the job prior to beginning any project. Through this, she is able to make sure that her clients visions can be turned into a reality.

Americore Construction Inc. is a renowned construction management service provider. Covering every aspect of development and renovation, their team looks into every intricacy so that their clients can remain worry-free. With Jimia Cains innovative approaches and customer-focused methodologies, the business has become a renowned name in the WA State.

Moving forward, they plan on delivering on the same high standards their customers expect of them. This means that they will continue to ensure that the cost, strategy, scope and schedule is all up to their customers needs and requirements.

About Americore Construction Inc.:

Americore Construction Inc. is a construction project management and renovation service provider. They focus on providing clients with a personalized and effective approach. This is one of their main focuses on all the projects they work on. By using 3D Renderings, they easily allow the visualizations in their clients minds to come to life. Under the leadership and guidance of Jimia Cain, the business has grown and become one of the most renowned names for construction and renovation. As a result, they cater to a wide array of clients and customers.

For more information: http://www.americoreconstruction.com

Media ContactCompany Name: Americore Construction IncContact Person: Jimia CainEmail: Send EmailCity: Kennewick State: WACountry: United StatesWebsite: http://americoreconstruction.com/

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Americore Construction Inc. Is Becoming One of the Premier Services for Interior Design and Renovation - Virtual-Strategy Magazine

Many of you know Charles Sykes when he worked for the Sweetwater County Health Department and retired due to health issues. On March 20, 2020, a medical-related issue caused him to be taken by life flight to the University of Utah where he is being treated for brain trauma. At this time it is unknown what all areas of the brain have been affected.

Once he is medically stable he will be assessed to return home. In order to return home, the house will be required to have facilities and safety measures that need to be met. To meet requirements, remodeling must take place to provide a bedroom, bathroom and handicapped facilities on the main floor to address safety needs. The requirement of the remodel and medical expenses that fell upon the family cause the family to ask for assistance.

If you would like more information or an update on his medical condition, please feel free to call a family member. An account for donations has been created at Wells Fargo Bank, in Charles Sykes name.

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Family Is Asking the Community for Help - SweetwaterNOW.com

An animal's inability to tell you when they aren't feeling well is one of the hardest parts of pet parenthood. Even when they're showing symptoms, you can't just ask them what's wrong. (Well, you canjust don't expect an answer.) Pretty Litter is a subscription-based litter service that wants to help when it comes to cats.

A litter box is a necessary part of coexisting with a cat, and Pretty Litter claims its crystals change color when your cat might have an illness, making it easy to tell when something might be wrong. The company's founder, Daniel Rotman, lost a beloved cat that showed no obvious signs of sickness. This litter is his solution to help monitor a cat's health at home, to hopefully prevent what happened to him from happening to other pet owners.

Iwith the help of my two cats, Huxley and Eely-Rueput Pretty Litter's crystals to the test for several weeks. I also spoke to veterinarians, cat behaviorists, and Pretty Litter customers to figure out whether the crystals accurately do their job. One thing I need to say before jumping into my experience is that Pretty Litter should be used only in addition to regular vet checkups. It is not a replacement for veterinary care.

Color Coded

Pretty Litter's crystals change color based on the pH level of your cat's urine. Normal pH urine will turn the crystals a yellow or olive green; a high pH, which could mean a urinary tract infection (UTI), makes the crystals turn blue; and low urinary pH turns them dark orange, and it could mean metabolic acidosis and kidney tubular acidosis, which can lead to kidney stones. Blood in the urine shows up as red, as expected, and could mean bladder inflammation, bladder stones, or a UTI.

It can be complicated to determine where on the scale the color falls, as it can look like it's somewhere in the middle. To test for high acidity (low urinary pH), I used vinegar. It turned the crystals a yellowish-orange, which could have been the mark of low urinary pH but could also have been the yellowish color of normal urine pH. After looking through my cats' used litter, I saw a similar color and couldn't quite determine its place between normal and low pH. I made an appointment with my vet to have both my cats looked at, just to be safe, and the doctor said they weren't showing any issues.

In my research, I found several Pretty Litter customers talking about false positives on Reddit. Their cats' litter crystals turned blue, but expensive vet visits concluded there was nothing abnormal. It's not all bad. I spoke to one customer on Twitter who regularly fosters cats and has been using Pretty Litter for around two years. She said when the color changed with a new batch of kittens, she took them to the vet and found they had worms. Another customer said the crystals turned blue, detecting a UTI that was later confirmed by a vet, who was impressed the litter caught it so early.

But there's also the possibility of false negatives. My friend's sister has a cat with a history of frequent UTIs, but the litter never changed color. When she called the company, a customer representative suggested buying more litter and boxes, a solution that didn't really make sense to her. (She noted that customer service really pushed her to buy more litter when she called to cancel her subscription, too.)

It's important to know that stress can also cause a change to a cat's urine pH level. And any number of factors could induce stress, like if you recently moved or if you're remodeling your kitchen, for example. Pretty Litter says you should wait 48 hours after seeing a change in color to see if it goes back to normal on its own. If it doesn't, make an appointment with a vet. If the crystals detect blood, make an appointment immediately.

Dust in the Wind

On top of the confusing color chart, the dust levels alone are enough to make me avoid using this litter going forward. All the veterinarians I spoke to said crystal litters generally create less dust than clay litters (which is what I usually use)and Pretty Litter claims to be low dust toobut I did not find that to be the case.

The crystals emitted clouds of dust so intense that I always waited for them to settle before I continued scooping. Other customers on Reddit also noted this. It's not just about my discomfort, either. My cat Huxley loves to scratch at the box for what seems like hours, so he's potentially inhaling these clouds of dust day in and day out, and that makes me nervous.

Shortly after I switched to Pretty Litter, Huxley started to get watery eyes. The vet and I both assume it's from the dust. For what it's worth, Eely-Rue hasn't had this issue, but I've switched them both back to their clay litter to see if the problem subsides. Dust-free clay litter formulas have come a long way (I typically use Arm and Hammer litter), so it's disappointing to see so much dust with Pretty Litter.

Crystal Clear

In my not-so-scientific survey of several cat owners, clumping clay seems to be among the most popular litter types. It's made of highly absorbent natural bentonite clay granules that clump together when liquid is absorbed. It's easy to scoop because everything is ... clumped. Scoop it daily and change out the whole thing about once a month (or more often, if you have several cats). Plus, it's widely available at a variety of price points.

Crystal litter is made of tiny silica gel beads that are highly absorbent but don't clump. You scoop out feces and mix the urine in so the beads absorb the odor. Pretty Litter recommends scooping and mixing daily, and replacing the box about once a month per cat. Since you aren't scooping away as much, you should be able to use less over time, which means less litter ends up in landfills. But it can get smelly if you aren't diligent.

You might be thinking, as I did, Isnt silica gel toxic? Thats a common misconception. The packs of silica gel you find in packages are labeled Do Not Eat, but Pretty Litter's founder says that's because it's a choking hazard, not because its toxic. If a cat licks its paws after using Pretty Litter, the silica should safely pass through their body. It's only a problem if ingested in large amounts, but that applies to clay litter, too.

Marci L. Koski, a feline behaviorist and training consultant, tells me she recommends Pretty Litter to her clients who have cats with a history of urinary issues. But, in general, she prefers fine-grained unscented clumping clay.

"My experience, and the problem I've run into with people, is they think its a very low-maintenance situation and they tend to forget about it," Koski says. "It leads to a buildup of solids in the litter box. At a certain point, the crystals stop absorbing and get really smelly."

Changing Your Cat's Litter

If you want to change the type of litter you're using, you should introduce it to your cat slowly. Vets recommend mixing old and new litter together first.

Some cats simply don't like the way it feels to walk on crystal litter. If you find your cat's bathroom habits are affected, don't force them. Go back to the litter they were using before. If your cat doesn't like Pretty Litter, or you don't want to be held to a subscription (which starts at $22 per month), you can still be aware of your cat's health at home.

"Usually by the time cats exhibit signs, it's well past the time to get them to the vet," Koski says. "You want to use a box you can scoop once or twice a day. Take note if the volume of urination has changed or if the frequency has changed. The only way you can note that is by scooping your cat's box every day."

Some other signs you can look out for, according to experts I spoke with, are:

I stopped using Pretty Litter due to the dust, but I still think it's worth trying, particularly if your cat has a history of urinary tract infections. (If you have a male cat, they're more prone to urethral blockages.) I suggest mixing it with other litter, as one customer recommended, to try and cut down on dust.

At the end of the day, there is no miracle litter. Pretty Litter could potentially help, but nothing will replace regular checkups with a vet and your own meticulous parenting.

Excerpt from:
Pretty Litter Review: Keeping Tabs on Your Cat's Health | WIRED - WIRED

Universal Pictures/Photo illustration by Mike Falco

Two months into quarantine, all the issues with your home or apartment have likely become abundantly apparent. If you rent instead of buy and youre trying to limit contact with people, this is the time to take charge minimally. There are repairs and upgrades you can execute without going overboard; obviously you need to be careful so you can still get your security deposit back.

To start, you should consult DIY For Renters: Dont Call the Landlord (Creative Homeowner/Fox Chapel Publishing) by DIY expert Charles Byers., the just-released maintenance guide for anyone on a lease who needs some home self-help.

DIY covers everything from drywall repair to painting to electrical and plumbing issues, all with straightforward, step-by-step instructions and plenty of photos. Its a bit more advanced than a For Dummies book, but anyone whos even moderately familiar with tools should be able to follow along with ease.

Byers, a former carpentry instructor at the Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology and a current teacher at the schools residential remodeling department, expanded on the books ideas for us during this time of being stuck at home when we really should be doing something useful with our time.

Five things we learned:

There are two basic repairs that take very little effort to do, and both deal with swinging doors, says Byers. The first is when the door sticks when its closed; there are multiple methods covered in the book, but the simplest involves removing the top-hinge short screw and replacing it with a 2 long screw of the same head diameter using a power screwdriver on low-speed. This will pull the door jamb closer to the framing behind it to secure the door, since during the doors life it shifted due to its weight.

And if you have a door that wont stay open without an object holding it back? Per Byers: First, see if any hinge screws are loose. Next, remove the bottom hinge pin. Lay the pin on a solid surface using a wooden block under the pin, then use a hammer to strike the pin in the center of its length. This will deform the pin slightly so that when it is re-inserted into the hinge, it will create friction. If this helps but does not eliminate the issue, remove the bottom pin and create an additional bend in the pin by repeating the striking method.

I suggest doing any repair that does not involve a lot of expense or time, says Byers, who gave us a list of some of the simplest and less expensive repairs or maintenance items, which include: replacing furnace air filters and inline water filters; checking clearances for weeds and overgrown grass and leaves around the outdoor heat pump or central air compressor units; removing and re-screening window screens; clearing floor registers and cold-air wall registers of cobwebs; changing batteries in smoke/CO2 detectors; power washing the walkways outside; and cleaning the gutters for the spring rains.

My rule is that anything that requires a licensed professional to perform the task or anything beyond your comfort zone, says Byers. Some examples include repairing sewer lines, or anything that involves the live electrical service panel in a building. As well, renters should avoid any repairs that would majorly alter any part of the building,because if you attempt something like this (e.g., replacing the vinyl floor thats over a concrete slab in the bathroom with carpet), you are assuming the entire expense and the possibility of the landlord not liking the type or quality of work you performed. Instead, contact the landlord to get permission for a professional to come in.

With electrical outlets in a building, especially older outlets that may cause issues, I recommend a polarity plug tester, says Byers. It can come in handy when, for example, the toaster doesnt work in the morning. A plug tester in a three-prong outlet will instantly signal if the receptacle is live, in good working order and if theres any other issue (which will be detected and readable by the testers LED light sequences). So if those three things are good, you need a new toaster.

An issue in this writers apartment doesnt have an easy answer. If you have access to the bottom of the floor, Byers says there are solutions (long story short, they involve attaching 2x4 pieces of wood to floor joists). But in a third-level apartment in a larger rental building in Brooklyn, my options appear limited to noise-canceling headphones and realizing were all in this together and hey, I do have a door that wont stay open.

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Dear Renters: These Are the DIY Home Repairs You Can Make Without Getting in Trouble - InsideHook

Before: Gloomy Guest Bath

With dark wood cabinets and dull, colorless tiles, this guest bathroom is anything but inviting.

Soft gray walls, marble flooring and a furniture-style vanity create an elegant spot for guests to freshen up. Heather Scott Home & Design removes the wall-mounted cabinet above the toilet, making the space feel much larger and brighter.

Instead of designing an expensive custom cabinet for the space, Scott attaches a Silestone countertop remnant to a chest furniture piece. The accent tile in the shower storage niche is pricier than the rooms other tile, so its limited to a small space where it still makes a big impact.

The builder-grade cabinets and basic tile floor make this feel more like a generic hotel bathroom than a welcoming guest bath.

Designer Rebecca Zajac prettifies the room by replacing the cabinets with a custom vanity and laying down patterned floor tiles. Black and brass metals complement the gray and give the room a warm sophistication.

Zajac saves money by using a remnant counter from the owners kitchen remodel. The mirror is a bargain find.

The worn almond-colored wall tile, coupled with the maroon paint, make the guest bathroom a dreary corner of this historic Charleston, N.C., home.

Designer Lauren Messina brightens up the room with an elegant chandelier. The pretty floral wallpaper ties the colors in the room together.

Rather than entirely replace the wall and floor tiles, Messina refinishes the tiling and makes it white for a crisp, updated look.

Everything about this small bathroom is in need of a modern makeover, from the busy wallpaper to the curtained pedestal sink. The dull glow cast by the dated brass sconces is unhelpful in a space that already feels dark and confined.

Designer Shelley Rodner brightens and modernizes the bathroom with playful silver wallpaper and a chocolate vanity with much-needed storage. A handsome chandelier replaces the sconces.

Rodner chooses a petite-sized vanity, which costs a third less than similar designs with larger footprints.

Emerald green walls overwhelm this small bathroom, which lacks cohesion and personality.

To give the bathroom more personality, TerraCotta Design swaps out the plain pedestal sink for an Asian-themed vanity and replaces the oval mirror with an expansive frameless mirror that enlarges the room. TerraCotta keeps the wood flooring and repaints the walls to transform the room without going over budget.

Theres hardly any room to move in this outdated bathroom. A wall-to-wall vanity overwhelms the small space.

A floating vanity and spacious glass shower open up this previously cramped bathroom. Rather than splurging on stone slab counters, Brown Design Group cuts costs with a one-piece countertop and sink. A single glass-panel shower helps the room feel larger while saving on extra hardware for a swinging door. Large-format wall tiles make for a quick install.

From the square floor tiles to the dated sink faucets, this bathroom is an unsightly throwback to the 1980s.

TerraCotta Design switches out the faucet, hardware and tile for an instantly dramatic transformation. A pair of bright, bold red stools pulls the look together.

Excerpt from:
Before-and-After Bathroom Remodels on a Budget | HGTV

Ready to give your bathroom a new look? How you decorate the walls, the style of lighting you choose, the size of the vanity, and the shower or tub set up all play a part in a well-designed bathroom remodel. Whether youre looking for decorating ideas for a master bathroom or a small space, these four bathroom decor ideas will help bring new life to your bathroom.

In small bathrooms what you decide to put on the wall can make or break the space. If it's painted a bright or crazy color, cluttered with a towel rack above the toilet, or has giant wall tile from floor to ceiling, your small space will feel half the size. Choose a neutral paint color that will open up the space and make it feel brighter or bigger. If you're looking for a bold pattern or something to make the space stand out, add small tile in intricate patterns or a lively wallpaper as an accent wall behind the sink to make a statement without crowding the space. If you want a special touch, tile the backsplash behind the sink with a contrasting color to the rest of the wall.

If you're looking for decorating ideas on a larger scale, like for a master bath, consider using a bold color that matches the design on your tile floor. Dark colors are trending right now. And if you have plenty of space, lean a ladder against the wall near the shower or sink as a stylish way to display your towels instead of a wall-mounted towel rack. You can add artwork or floating shelving above the toilet for a nice finishing touch.

To maximize the light in a small space without adding yet one more element to the bathroom design, use recessed lights to provide plenty of bright light. Generally, 20- to 25-watt light bulbs will offer sufficient lighting for most bathrooms without being too bright or too dim. Edison light bulbs can give your bathroom a vintage, rustic vibe hanging above the sink, or pair with sculpted glass sconces for a decorative vanity light. If you have a curtain on the window for privacy, consider switching to frosted glass to allow more natural light in to brighten things up.

Working in an open master bath allows for more of a distinctive-statement vanity light above the sink. You can improve the light fixture from standard-issue wall sconces to a unique and modern twist on pendant lighting. If you haven't heard of a planter light, it's a pendant light with a hanging portion below the light bulb for air plants or succulents, which can be a super unique light option. Make a statement by hanging a trio of them where there is a bit of natural light for the perfect nature-spa feel.

Storage space can be an issue in a small space. Instead of squeezing a bulky vanity with a countertop sink into a small space, install a pedestal sink to create a sense of openness. You can store the extra towels in the hall closet and the toiletries behind a large mirror -- which is another great way to make a small bathroom feel big. If you really want to get funky and fun, consider upcycling an antique dresser with a vessel sink on top. Ever seen an old sewing machine table converted into a vanity? It can really make the sink and vanity stand out.

Installing a new mirror or vanity can change the entire bathroom space without requiring a major bathroom remodel. Consider adding an opulent double sink bathroom vanity with a reclaimed wood countertop and open storage underneath filled with matching baskets to keep all your goods organized. Add the finishing touch with a large mirror over the sink and you've accomplished master bath remodeling gold.

A frequent, big question is whether you should have a tub or shower. When working in a small space, a shower is typically ideal. A shower will leave you more room for other fixtures as well. But if you aren't doing a heavy bathroom remodel, you can still make your bath feel bigger. Replace the shower curtain with sliding glass doors. It will make it feel like that area is mostly open space, and if there are windows it will allow ambient natural light to brighten the bathroom.

If you're remodeling a master bathroom, plan for a luxurious walk-in shower with a separate whirlpool bath and a water closet for the toilet. If you arent doing a full bathroom remodel, enhance the bathroom design by removing the shower curtain and opting for a floor-to-ceiling glass wall. Its just enough to keep the water in the shower while giving the master bathroom an upscale look. You could include a claw tub; paint the outside of the tub the same color as the wall for a wow effect.

For any size bathroom, swap the curtain for glass on the shower or tub, opt for a unique sink, and keep fixtures as unobtrusive as possible unless its a statement piece. Set things apart from the norm by using bronze, gold, or black sconces with matching shower or tub fixtures.

A good bathroom design works with the space available. Regardless of size, there are decorating ideas to fit every style, from rustic to glamourous. There is no shortage of small- bathroom ideas or large master bathroom design ideas to get your creative juices flowing and that can fit within your budget.

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4 Bathroom Decor Ideas To Help Your Bathroom Stand Out - Motley Fool

Cody Stashak says the only place hes been since the COVID-19 pandemic canceled spring training is the hardware store.

The Minnesota Twins reliever and 2012 Oakcrest High School graduate built a nursery for he and wife Taylors first child a son due June 24.

He also finished two bedrooms and a half bath in the upstairs of his Atlantic County home on the border of Hammonton and the Sweetwater section of Mullica Township.

Stashak is currently remodeling another bathroom, and a new air conditioning unit is on the way this weekend.

He doesnt mind the work, but he wants to exchange his tool belt for a Twins uniform.

All these house projects are making me want to get back, he said with a laugh. Ive been working since I got home from spring training. Baseball will be a relief.

Stashaks rookie debut and his success in the Twins bullpen made him one of baseballs best feel-good stories last season.

I was never a prospect coming up, he said. I had to earn my way and open up some eyes.

Stashak, 25, played in the outfield and pitched at Oakcrest, a high school not typically regarded as a baseball power. Stashak played two seasons at Cumberland County Community College, where his performance earned him an NCAA Division I scholarship to St. Johns University in New York.

The St. Johns coaches turned him into a full-time pitcher, and the Twins chose Stashak in the 13th round of the 2015 MLB draft. Stashak progressed quickly through the Twins system.

The only thing that kept me moving forward was throwing strikes, he said.

He made his major league debut July 23, throwing two scoreless innings and striking out three against the New York Yankees.

He finished the season with an 0-1 record and a 3.24 ERA in 18 appearances. He struck out 25 and walked just one in 25 innings. Stashak found himself pitching in some high-leverage situations for the Twins, who won 101 games and the American League Central Division title.

Stashak appeared in two postseason games against the Yankees. He allowed a pair of home runs in his first outing but a threw a scoreless 2/3 of an inning in his second appearance. The Yankees swept the three-game division series.

We have a good team with a lot of great guys, Stashak said. They helped me out throughout the season. You had pitchers like (Jake Odorizzi) and (Taylor Rogers). If I had a question, I would just ask.

Stashak showed the benefits of that postseason experience this spring training, throwing seven scoreless innings in five appearances. He struck out nine, walked none and allowed just three hits.

I was hungry to earn my spot out of spring training, he said. Im the type of guy that sets my mind on something, and when (I) want it, (I) go get it.

Stashak throws mostly a fastball and a slider with a changeup occasionally mixed in. His fastball averages 91.7 mph, but Stashak still had an impressive 17.1 swinging strike percentage last season. By comparison, Astros closer Roberto Osuna, who led the American League with 38 saves, had a swinging strike percentage of 16.9 last season.

Its all about changing the (hitters) eye levels, Stashak said, and pretty much putting the ball where you want to put it. Everybody has a weakness.

During the pandemic, Stashak has gone back to his roots to stay in shape. He works out with the modest weights he has and throws bullpens on a portable mound in front of his home. His best friend and 2012 Buena Regional graduate Anthony Lopez catches.

The portable mound came from the South Jersey Sand Sharks travel team that Stashak played for as a youngster. He threw on that mound when he was 10 years old.

If and when baseball returns, theres been plenty of talk lately about what conditions the game would be played under. One of the main discussions is how paternity leave for players such as Stashak would be handled.

Im just taking it day by day, he said. Theres nothing we can do right now until we get word on whats going on with baseball. Well go from there once we figure out whats going on.

The next few weeks are sure to be eventful for Stashak, but he has no doubts about being ready to play again.

Its about time, he said, to get back to baseball.

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Cody Stashak preparing for future as a father and as a major leaguer - Press of Atlantic City

By Camille FurstEditor-in-Chief

As students walked through Armstrong Hall in January when it reopened after a year-long renovation, mixed emotions abounded.

While some students, like junior mechanical engineering major Lauren DeSimone, believe the renovations went really well, others, like senior computer engineering major Paul Brodhead, feel that it was all for nothing.

With the help of an $8 million state bond, the College went into phase three of the STEM complex project and renovated the School of Engineerings Armstrong Hall a building that was constructed in 1961 with few updates since. With the first phase of the project consisting of the construction of the STEM building along with the chemistry and forum additions, and the second consisting of renovations for the existing science buildings, the third and final phase Armstrong Halls remodeling concluded the project in the beginning of the spring 2020 semester.

For as long as Dean of the School of Engineering Steven Schreiner can remember, renovations for Armstrong Hall have always been in mind. Students, faculty and staff feel these alterations were a long time coming with grungy classrooms and overused labs, renovations felt like, for some, too little and too late.

While it was estimated to cost $20 million to do a complete renovation of Armstrong Hall, the College could only request money from the state for asset renewal needs, according to campus architect Lynda Rothermel.

This cut the funding in half for a bond through the states Higher Education Capital Improvement Fund (CIF) and with the state only giving $8 million of that $10-million request, cuts to the budget had to be made once again.

While we were disappointed that the $8.0M budget meant that we could not complete a full renovation, we were appreciative that we would be able to address asset renewal needs, Rothermel said in an email to The Signal.

The increase in students enrolled in STEM-related majors jump-started the cause of the buildings renovations, and, according to the application sent from the College to the state for a $10-million bond, educational opportunities were being adversely impacted by existing space constraints and building system deficiencies.

In 2010, the College conducted a feasibility study that confirmed the existence of deficiencies and the necessity for them to be repaired. This is what led to the application citing needs for asset renewal, which Rothermel describes as renewing an existing asset, not creating a new asset.

In the application sent to the state requesting funds for the remodeling, the College stated that enrollment in the School of Engineering has increased in the past ten years, so there was insufficient space for work to be done and projects to be completed something many students had concerns about previously.

Really the biggest change for me was our lab space, said Hussain Khajanchi, a senior electrical engineering major. Now with this new renovation, all three of them have a combined lab space, so the space is much bigger than it used to be.

This was one of Schreiners biggest hopes for the renovations effects as well, since gaining more faculty-research space in the building was one of his highest priorities.

The glass walls that appeared similar to the recent construction of the STEM complex were apparent, as well as new furnishings for students study space, but most of the renovations took place behind the scenes, and into the walls of the building instead. According to documents obtained by The Signal, remodeling occurred primarily for the mechanical and electrical systems, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning all of which are in line with the Colleges application stating that the funds would be used for asset renewal.

According to Rothermel, 14 labs were renovated in the process, but many of the changes, being under the umbrella of asset renewal, is often unseen and underappreciated.

In the application sent to the state for funding, the College noted eight major aspects of renovation, five of which took place behind the walls, such as reconfiguring the HVAC system. Some students, however, wish they were given more opportunities to add input. But according to the application for funding that was sent to the state, the specific aspects were already stated and authorized by the Colleges Board of Trustees at their Dec. 5, 2015, public meeting.

Schreiner said that discussions involving the buildings specific renovations were already underway before Phase 1 of the project, which consisted of the STEM Complexs construction.

Even back then, we had a basic outline of what Armstrong Renovation was going to look like, Schreiner said.

With most of the $8 million being put toward behind-the-scenes improvements, Schreiner said that the footprint of Armstrong Hall did not change at all during this renovation.

But through a series of emails, Schreiner kept informing the engineering students at the College of the updates involving funds. The renovation of Armstrong Hall essentially lied in the hands of the state and whether or not the College received funds, according to Schreiner. If the College hadnt received a bond, he informed the students in an email from Dec. 8, 2016, renovations would need to take place over a much longer period of time.

Meanwhile, Brodhead feels that there wasnt enough communication from administration on which renovations would be done and when. While he didnt feel misled, he felt uninformed.

I think they did a really bad job at publicizing what they were going to do, Brodhead said.

He also feels that the specific renovations that were completed were nonessential and insignificant a factor that he believes was caused from not including students in the process enough. He equated the new buildings renovations to an unfocused mess.

They took a little over a year to take down some non-loadbearing walls, he said. And when it came to the HVAC system, he didnt feel a difference after the year of renovations. It still feels either way too hot or way too cold.

Brodhead and Khajanchi, along with other students, feel that the specific renovations werent chosen in the best interest of the students. Many wished the bathrooms would get refurbished, but that wasnt high enough on the priority list of the administrators and architects to get completed yet.

Other students, like junior biomedical engineering major Justina Walck, felt that the renovations were an overall success, and that students were well-informed throughout the year-long project. While she feels as though the schematics and drawings that were sent to the engineering students of what the building would look like afterward didnt completely correspond with the buildings actual renovations, she said that thats what happens with any project.

Schreiner, on the other hand, said that the items on the top of the priority list consisted of things you dont see but the students use every day. And, while the bathrooms werent completed yet, its in the plans for future renovations.

It wasnt just a decorating plan, he said. It really was a functional look at what we wanted to have.

But senior computer engineering major Zach Warcola feels that, while there were more aesthetic improvements, the overall functionality of Armstrong stayed the same.

After waiting a while to get into the building again, there was really not much difference, he said.

When Schreiner was informed by The Signal of some negative reactions from students, he felt surprised. He credits some malfunctions with the new HVAC system to the common yet temporary mishaps that occur after a renovation.

Its not quite like buying a computer, opening it, putting it on your desk, and everythings working fine, Schreiner said. Say three four weeks before we left campus, I was unaware of any complaints with temperature. Next fall is where Id like that sort of judgement to come.

But that next fall for Schreiner wouldnt come, as he accepted a position as provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Manhattan College, which he will begin on July 1. William Keep, the interim provost and vice president of academic affairs at the College, announced his job acceptance in an email on April 1.

In a response to the students negative reactions, however, Schreiner said that he feels they will have a different outlook in a year from now. He feels similarly to Rothermel in the fact that the renovations, most of which were behind the walls, can often be left unnoticed.

I think that Armstrong is a beautiful example of that sort of balance (between renovations in front of and behind the walls), Schreiner said. We could have spent all of the $8 million behind the walls, with the important mechanical systems, electrical systems. Maybe thats a bit of an exaggeration but its really not.

And even though the Colleges official news site announced on March 6 that the renovations were officially completed in Armstrong Hall, both Schreiner and Rothermel said differently.

Schreiner said that, while Armstrong Hall opened its doors for students on Jan. 2, spring break was supposed to be a week spent for campus construction to continue work, but the novel coronavirus altered those plans.

Were approaching completion, he said. I dont think its officially closed out.

Rothermel also said that the renovations arent officially finished. According to Rothermel, a plan is underway to renovate the bathrooms and include a gender-neutral bathroom as well, of which the construction is planned to take place in the summer of 2021.

The process is long, involved, collaborative, and often challenging, Rothermel said. There is never enough funding to do everything you want to do and hard decisions need to be made.

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Armstrong Hall's renovations receive mixed reviews from students - The Signal