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Building more equitable futures begins with community. For international practice Woods Bagot, the firm's three US studios are now each run by women, and their combined leadership is creating more inclusive and dynamic designs that rethink past traditions. Each Director has taken the reins before the global pandemic was underway, and now the trio is working to rethink how the practice can address diverse challenges in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

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Vivian Lee, FAIA, the New York studio Executive Director, joined the firm in February, a week before the city closed down. Maureen Boyer, AIA, was appointed to the same position in San Francisco in July, while Christiana Kyrillou, AIA, the Woods Bagot veteran, has risen through the ranks and opened the LA studio at the beginning of the year. In an exclusive interview with ArchDaily, the three architects discuss their design inspirations and challenges, as well as what it's like to practice today.

Why did you each choose to study architecture?

Christiana: I grew up in a small village in Cyprus with traditional homes, some of which were made of mud bricks. As a kid I would go around the neighborhood looking at buildings with my scale and my pencil, and try to capture them on a piece of paper. Growing up, I saw the traditional homes disappear as my village became a tourist resort and they became service apartments or hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The character of the streets I had walked to school disappeared, and the experience of the town square and village center vanished. I became interested in capturing the cultural evolution of architecture through different stages, and in creating new experiences that endure and reflect a sense of place.

Thats what made me want to become an architect! I studied both Architecture and Historic Preservation with the intention of going back to Cyprus and joining the preservation movement. Instead, I joined SOM, where I discovered mixed use tall towers which transformed my career and took me along a different journey. I still appreciate older buildings preservation, renovation, repurposing. You have to respect and cherish the old, learn from it, and then find a way to have it coexist with the new.

When you were in high school Christiana, did you want to study architecture?

Yes, it was clear in mind when discussing my career options with my counsellor thats what I wanted to be. I grew up in a traditional family, where women are not meant to aspire to careers but rather focus on home and family. With the support of my sisters, and seeing how focused I was and how hard I was studying, my dad helped make my dream a reality.

Vivian:I lived in Paraguay during my elementary school years. In third grade, I found my calling when I handed in my homework assignment about the sun's orientation. I had drawn with a floor plan showing room layouts that captured the sun and natural light. My teacher said, "Wow, this is really great. You might want to think about becoming an architect." When you are a kid, and a grown-up tells you something, it sticks. I have always been fascinated by how humans inhabit buildings.

Back then, my family lived in a primitive house with one single faucet. We drew water from a well, gravity-fed it from a tank with a hose through a hole in the wall. Every day, my dad went with a bucket to a nearby creek to get fresh water. We had no other plumbing and used an outhouse. That experience made me aware that people can live sustainably, with very few resources, and use creative solutions to design a built environment.

I consider myself very fortunate because I always knew what I wanted to do. Coming to the United States, I charted my path to architecture. To date, I have peers who are asking themselves if they are going to continue practicing. Still, I never doubted my decision despite all the challenges this profession encountered over the years.

Maureen: Your stories are so different from mine. I was born and raised in Southern California to a pretty affluent family. As was pretty typical for that time, I was the first person in my family to go to college. I was always artistic, dreaming, painting and sketching but never thought about architecture as a career. A lot of very modern houses were being built in my neighborhood. As kids, wed go into the houses under construction. We weren't supposed to, but the builders turned a blind eye. Even as a kid, I knew which houses made me feel better, understood how deeply impacted I was by space.

I took an architecture class in college and absolutely loved it. I had found my calling. As you both have said, I knew it was absolutely the right choice. There was a point where I said to myself, this will be really fun but I'll probably never be an architect, will I? Will I? But you get your first couple of jobs and then you realize, oh my gosh, I'm qualified to take the exams. I've been through tough times in my career, but it's always sustained me.

Vivian:Over 15 years ago, I worked on a new performing arts high school for gifted kids in Queens. During the design phase, the students invited our team to the end of the year show at their old school. After the performance, they all got up on the stage and thanked the architects for designing their new home. Even now I get emotional when I think about how these students recognized the positive contributions we were making in their lives.

Maureen:I'm extremely aware of, and profoundly affected, by places where I feel something new and important. When I walk into Grand Central Station, for example, my life is being enriched. A meaningful space can be a home, a room, a courtyard. Scale doesn't matter. But it's nothing to do with our gender. We want to be recognized as architects first, and women second. While we're proud of being women leaders, we're wary of tokenism.

Vivian:I completely agree. What do we bring to the table is not contingent on being female.

What are some recent projects you've each been working on at Woods Bagot?

Vivian: The New York studio just completed a pair of residential buildings in Newport, New Jersey called Park and Shore. The amenities and views are out of this world! It's actually the first condo building in Newport since the financial crisis of 2008. Tribeca Rogue is compact but muscular apartment building in Tribeca that's been winning awards, and was covered in ArchDaily! One of our specialties is adaptive reuse. We are putting the finishing touches on Gramercy Park, the complicated conversion of a former hospital to a four-building apartment building in a historic Manhattan neighborhood.

Maureen: On the west coast, we have a new residential building at 2177 Third St., in the Dogpatch area of San Francisco. We designed it to maximize light, air, and nature. From the street, you can see right through the building to the bay. It also has a huge living wall that's already a neighborhood landmark. We were the lead interior designer of the Harvey Milk Terminal at SFO, a 25-gate concourse designed to elevate the passenger experience with high ceilings, abundant natural light, intuitive wayfinding, art galleries, integrated technology, comfortable furnishings and food halls. Woods Bagot collaborated with HKS on this design-build project, led by Austin Commercial & Webcor Builders Joint Venture.

Woods Bagot is a global studio, so designers can work on projects anywhere in the world. We share expertise, so every client has access to the firm's cumulative knowledge.

Nearly half of all architecture students are women, but they make up about 20 percent of licensed architects and 17 percent of partners or principals in architecture firms. What accounts for the disparity?

Maureen:It's a long and arduous program of study. There are other professions where you make more money. Construction is still a male dominated industry and let's face it, construction is a really important part of what we do. When you get to that part where you're actually building your building, some women may fall off. I had a call today with a contractor - a real hard boiled, blustery construction dude. But you have to find common ground with somebody like that. We've all come across that kind of crusty old guy who tries to intimidate you. You either get used to it and rise to that challenge, or you say, there's probably other things I could do where I wouldn't have to deal with those types of men. What do you think?

Vivian: I think this is where mentorship and being a role model is so important for the future generation of women architects. I'm really proud to say, being the Co-Chair of the AIA New York Chapter Women in Architecture Committee for the last 2 1/2 years has been meaningful. It's something I truly believe in. I see the difference that I'm making in mentorship, panels, and discussions that bring people together and build a support system. And you know, Christiana, you're going to do the same in your new role on the Board of Directors at the AIA Los Angeles. It's a great organization.

Sexism is still prevalent in architecture, but less and less. It's about building alliances between men and women. We need to let young women know we are here to support them when they take a stand.

One of the main reasons women used to drop out of the profession was inflexible work hours. But COVID is changing that. We can now work from home, manage our schedule, and stay connected with the team, clients, and consultants remotely. There is a silver lining to the pandemic: we are finding more flexible ways to collaborate. This paradigm shift will have a profound impact on the pipeline of women architects. Once, unfortunately, women had to choose between picking up their kids and staying in the office to work. Of course, the family would come first, and their team members or clients might not understand when you have to leave. I hear this from women constantly. But now, everyone is working from home.

Maureen:Its really important to tell our stories about being a professional. I don't want to hear a man talk about how he met a challenge on a construction site to the same extent Im interested in how a woman deals with situations. It's incredibly valuable for young women in our profession to hear our experiences as well as those of our male colleagues.

I was working in Singapore on a big construction project and we were having a really hard time with another one of these hard boiled project manager types. I was in my early 30s, and he was on the late side of 50. I scheduled weekly meetings with the guy. I was sick to my stomach before each meeting because I knew hed chew me up and spit me out. Talk about meeting your fear! But this was my job. I had to advocate for my team and for our vision. I bet you both have had similar experiences -- those moments when you really had to confront your deepest fear and all your feelings of inadequacy. Those stories are really important to be able to share.

What aresome concrete changes we can make, as an industry and as a society, to achieve gender equality?

Mentorship Building alliances with men Telling, and listening to, women's storiesEnsuring flexible work schedule

Christiana:We still have a long way to go, because by nature women are caregivers. We choose to give birth to children: that's a natural instinct for most women. We should recognize that care-giving also is becoming more important to men, and at other levels beyond children.

How do we help women get there? By making sure that they can speak up rather than shy away; by supporting them in seizing a seat at the table. We all want permission at times, but it's recognizing that you don't need that permission to do whatever will take you to the next level. You don't need an invitation to the table. You don't need permission to express yourself and find your voice and contribute in the firms vision, decisions and future direction. Maureen and I were talking earlier about how quiet some of the architects were about as simple a thing as a holiday celebration. Speaking up and being vocal might not propel you to principal or to a partner, but it increases your confidence, your engagement, your visibility. It makes you more confident to get more engaged, to get you speaking more with your colleagues and participating and contributing in the firm. Participation is important if you want to get to that next level.

Vivian:I want to emphasize we are not just women leaders; we are leaders, period. We lead our entire studio -- not just the women. We are leaders because of our empathy, our experience, our grit.

Maureen:Exactly! And we don't want to just be leaders, we want to be great leaders. We are all three passionate and driven. I don't think there's anybody better suited than we are because we're thoughtful. We give a damn. We're lucky to work for an organization that places empathy as one of its core values. Notwithstanding the terrible business climate we're going to do it together, because we care.

Christiana:COVID brought us together to leverage each others strengths, and our staffs strengths. We cant do this alone. By understanding the stress our staff is under, that our business is under we can support and learn from each other and stay positive and forward thinking. By having transparent conversations, leaning on each other and having each others back we will drive the business out of the recession.

As you look to the future, are there any ideas you think should be front and center in the minds of architects and designers?

Maureen:The other really important challenge that we need to talk about is climate change. The COVID crisis will end but global warming will not unless we as architects take action. Our industry accounts for so much of the waste. We have a fundamental responsibility.

Vivian: The culture is so important in moving forward during tough times. At Woods Bagot, it is about empathy, sustainability, design, equity, diversity. We agree it is hard to build and sustain a positive culture with all that's happening. We need to cultivate mutual respect. As leaders, we need to set an example and remain strong. We need to support our staff, and we would like them to support us!

Christiana: That's very, very well said, Maureen and Vivian. Our shared belief that we can grow our studios and our staff based on these values is what Woods Bagot is all about.

Read the rest here:
The Women of Woods Bagot: Architects Building New Futures - ArchDaily

Theres a maxim on Wall Street: When all the good news is out there, its time to take profits. So when RH delivered its third-quarter earnings last week, announcing that sales in that period had risen by nearly 25 percent to $844 million and that its adjusted net income had jumped to $166 million, traders thought about it overnight and sold heavily the next morning. Their selling shaved nearly 10 percent off of RHs share price in the days that followed.

RH shares have been on a tear since bottoming in March, rallying nearly 500 percent from their lows of the year. The companys market capitalization is now just shy of $9 billion dollars, so perhaps a pause in the run-up was due.

Company chairman and CEO Gary Friedman seemed to have a feeling that traders in his companys shares might be getting restless: On his quarterly call with analysts after the earnings were announced, he admonished them not to buy his stock. Its going to get overvalued and undervalued and you are going to not sleep a lot at night, he said of the companys shares. But if you are an investor taking a long-term view, he went on to say, its one of the best places to put capital.

He then proceeded to outline his own long-term view and RHs plans for the post-COVID utopia he refers to as The World of RH.

In this world, its all about elevating peoples perception of the brand. He pointed to RH3, the companys luxury yachtavailable to charter in the Caribbean or Mediterraneanas a perfect example. Its not about how many people are going to be on the yacht, he began. Its about how many people are going to appreciate the design, the creativity, the taste and style of the yacht, and how many people are going to be aware of it and talk about it.Generating conversation is the ultimate goal: Others are spending money for their online marketing campaigns ... that no one will ever talk about, whereas we mention weve got a yacht and lots of people are talking about it. Its a brand elevator.

Elevating RHs brand means continuing to bring on design partners that once only produced products sold to interior designers. He touted his latest partnership with the lighting designer Alison Bergerand noted that she used to sell exclusively through Holly Hunt. (Holly Hunt had been known as the best high-end interior design showroom in the United States, he added in a manner that suggested his hope to be its rival.)

Rain Round chandelier from Alison Berger for RHCourtesy of RH

Bergers Fulcrum pendant for RHCourtesy of RH

Left: Rain Round chandelier from Alison Berger for RH Courtesy of RH | Right: Bergers Fulcrum pendant for RH Courtesy of RH

Friedman then moved on to his plans for a dramatic expansion of the RH outdoor furniture collection. Discouraged by the dearth of high-end, consumer-facing outdoor furniture stores, he seems to have decided to lean heavily into becoming one himself. (All those rooftop restaurantswith more on the wayare just calling out for inspiring teak furniture among the olive trees and illuminated fountains.) It is a category that has seen rapid sales growth in 2020, and Friedman said that a vast new RH Outdoor collection will be coming in the spring to meet the surge in demand. No doubt David Sutherland, another go-to RH partner from the trade-only world, will have a hand.

Friedmans frustrations are not limited to the meager outdoor furniture offerings out there; they extend to what he perceives to be a lack of good architecture, landscaping and interior design, as well. He mused for a moment about buying up one of the big home builders out there and infusing them with great taste. Perhaps realizing he had said the words out loud to a group of analysts, he quickly walked it back: Im not saying we are going to do that.

But it spoke to one of the foundations that is being built at RHarchitecture, landscape architecture, and interior design services all under one RH roof. Sure enough, unable to stop himself, Friedman blurted out his plan for the first stand-alone office offering all of those services, right in the heart of the San Francisco Design District. Exactly when we start, Im not sure yetbut now that I have said it, its like we are committed to it, right? he said. We have been talking about it, but now we are committed. So it will happen.

For Friedman, the stores are already a way of demonstrating the prowess of RHs internal architecture and design teams. I think today we must be the biggest residential interior design firm in North America, he said. If all of a sudden we become the architect for peoples homes, you are just going to sell them a lot more furniture and lighting and accessories and bath hardwareall the things we sell.

A World of RH, it would seem, has few limits and lots of momentum. Traders might be catching their breath from the recent run-up, but the Wall Street analyst community got off that call with a newfound ebullience. Several of them raised their price targets for RH shares the next morning; one went so far as to call the company one of the most compelling stories in all of retail. And so far, not even COVID can dampen the enthusiasm for its giant galleries, its rooftop restaurants and its tightly formulated product mix, which continue to be the greatest competition for design centersand for designers.

Homepage photo: RH Marin, which opened in July 2020 | Courtesy of RH

____________

Dennis Scully is the host of the weekly BOH podcast, where he explores the changes and challenges facing the interior design community through interviews with industry thought leaders, entrepreneurs and creatives. Scully was previously a business development consultant for major trade brands, and has held sales and marketing roles at Domino, Waterworks and Twill Textiles. In his Market Watch columns, Scully calls upon his background as an analyst and longtime securities trader as he explores the ins and outs of the home industrys publicly traded businesses.

The rest is here:
Gary Friedman wants to design the world - Business of Home

By Diana C. Kirby| Special to the American-Statesman

Caring for houseplants might seem daunting, but with a few simple tips, you can master the art of houseplant parenting.

As with most things, the best defense is a good offense. Healthy, well-cared-for plants are less likely to succumb to pest and disease.Stressed plants are easy targets.

Research the unique needs of your plant before you buy. Remember, indoor winter air is drier, and plants wont have as much light as they enjoy outdoors. Know how much water and light are necessary for your plant to thrive.

Before you buy your plant, check it carefully, even looking under the leaves for signs of distress or disease. Once you bring your baby home, always start with clean pots and fresh potting soil, not garden soil.Fertilize regularly, as nutrients wash out quickly from potted plants.

To enjoy the health benefits of plants, choose varieties that are easy to grow and dont require frequent, fussy maintenance.

Some of the easiest houseplants to grow include:

Aloe

Dracaena

English ivy

Heartleaf philodendron

Monstera

Peace lily

Peperomia

Ponytail palm

Pothos ivy

Sansevieria snake plant

Spider plant

ZZ plant

If you have small children or pets, make sure to choose plants that are safe. Whether they should chew on plants isnt the issue anyone with kids, dogs or cats knows their behavior often defies logic.My dogDakota routinely ate lantana outside the back door and threw up minutes later.I removed the lantana, and she promptly started eating the next (albeit safer) plant as well. Many house plants like poinsettias, commonly brought into homes during the holidays, can be dangerous.Be sure they are placed in a secure area, out of the reach of little ones and fur babies.

Once your new plant has settled in, if you begin to suspect pest or disease problems, the first step is to move it far away from other plants and begin troubleshooting.Dont "wait and see."If you think theres an issue, there probably is one.Its important to act quickly to prevent infestation or spread.

Common issues include:

Leggy plants: When your plant begins to send out leggy stems and grows too tall without filling in, its letting you know it needs more light.You can rotate your plant, allowing the sun to hit the opposite side so it will grow more evenly, or you can find a sunnier spot if that doesnt help.

Yellow leaves: If your plant develops yellow leaves, its probably a sign of either over- or under-watering. Each plant is different, but you dont want your plants to stay wet all the time, as that leads to root rot. Most plants want to be on a wet to dry cycle.Stick your finger in the pot about 1/2inch and rewater when the soil is dry.Succulents dont need much water at all; you will want to treat them differently and allow them to dry out fully.Plants have different needs and preferences; you will need to learn what works best for each plant.

You might also have a low-light problem. Revisit your watering schedule, and if that doesnt work, try moving the plant into a brighter location.

Spotted leaves:Fungal, bacterial and viral plant diseases often cause spots on leaves.First, isolate the plant and cut off and throw away any damaged leaves.Prune the plant to increase airflow or put it in a place that gets more air movement.Make sure to water at the base of the plant without getting water on the leaves.Once youve removed all damaged foliage, apply an organic bactericide or fungicide.

Powdery mildew:This fungus is differentand appears as a white, chalky film on plants.It is often caused by humid conditions.Pruning the plant to allow increased airflow might help.You can make a treatment at home with 1 tablespoonbaking soda, 1/2teaspoon liquid dish soap and 1 gallon of water. Place into sprayer and spray generously.Commercial organic fungicides are also available.

Aphids:The most common houseplant pest, aphids are tiny, pear-shaped insects that suck the sap from new plant growth.They attach themselves to the ends of soft stems and cause foliage to wrinkle and leaves to drop. They also secrete a sticky honeydew substance that can attract other insects or cause sooty mold or fungus.

To eliminate aphids, you can wash them away with a strong spray of water with a hand-held sprayer indoors or a hose outside.You also canturn the plant upside down and hold it while you dip all the foliage in a bucket of water. If those treatments dont work, look for safe, pesticide-free insecticidal soap to spray on the plants. Make sure you spray the undersides of the leaves because these pests are smart and will try to get away by hiding underneath.

Whiteflies:If you notice little specks of white almost like dust flying around when you water or touch your plants, its a whitefly infestation.They are prolific and rest on the undersides of leaves.Treat them at the first sign or they will spread. They secrete honeydew like aphids and can be treated with the same methods.They are also attracted to the color yellow. Yellow sticky traps mightwork as well.Be sure to keep the trapsin or on the plant and away from any children or pets.

Red spider mites:If infested, your plant leaves will get spots, wilt, turn brown and fall off.You might not even be able to see red spider mites, they are so small.They might appear as a reddish film in the bottom of leaves, or you may notice faint webbing or red/brown dots on the leaves. Mites prefer dry conditions; indoor heat in winter can contribute to this problem.

They are also attracted to dusty plant leaves; keep your plants wiped clean. Treat with miticides made from natural ingredients like neem oil or pyrethrins. You also can use insecticidal soap.

Scales and mealy bugs:Armored and soft scales are flat and look like fish scales, with no visible legs.Mealybugs are covered with a white, cottonlike material.They all suck on plant sap.Soft scales excrete honeydew and increase plant susceptibility to sooty mold and fungi.If you only have a few, you can scrape away scale with a fingernail or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Or, for bigger infestations, spray with insecticidal soap, neem oilor natural pyrethrin products.

The key to thriving houseplants is a watchful eye.Give them the right light, water regularlyand keep a lookout for any emerging pesky problems.

Landscape designer Diana Kirby helps garden lovers by educating anddesigning and installing successful gardens. Follow her at dianasdesignsaustin.com, Dianas Designs on Facebook or dianasdesignsaustin on IG.

Go here to read the rest:
Know best indoor plants to buy, how to keep them healthy - austin360

The Queer Eye star shared easy tips with NowThis on how you can make working from home bearable and modify traditions this year to safely enjoy the holiday season. By Ashleigh Carter

Published on 12/10/2020 at 10:38 AM

"Queer Eye" star Bobby Berk shares his ideas for keeping a sense of normalcy this year with simple and affordable working from home tips. | PayPal

"Queer Eye" star Bobby Berk shares his ideas for keeping a sense of normalcy this year with simple and affordable working from home tips. | PayPal

Superstar interior designer Bobby Berk knows that working from home has been tough for a lot of people. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many to adapt to remote working or learning, which has led to feelings of stress and being overworked.

Berk told NowThis that some simple alterations to your home or work area can make a difference in keeping you focused during your work or school day.

When I'm surrounded by chaos, my mind is chaotic too, Berk said in an interview.

Berk is best known for his impressive (and quick) home makeovers on the hit Netflix show Queer Eye. As part of the Fab Five, Berk transforms the homes of the heroes, turning them into spaces that are both functional and customized to the persons needs.

The COVID-19 pandemic completely upended everyones daily lives, and Berk was no exception; the Fab Five had to pause filming earlier this year for the upcoming sixth season set in Austin, TX.

I think two months into [the pandemic] was the longest I've been home for 10 years, with my design firm before and then Queer Eye, Berk said. So it's been kind of nice. I've enjoyed it.

Because we're all working from home, we're all on a budget right now, Berk continued. So I've come up with some really cute and easy ways to make your work from home spaces or your school from home spaces easier and doing it without breaking the bank.

As Berk got used to a new sense of normalcy, so did the rest of the world. He came up with his own Berking From Home strategies to help people focus while staying in one place.

So one of my main, main recommendations, and this was not just for work from home, but back in the day when I traveled constantly, was noise-cancelling headphones. Especially right now, when working from home, if you have roommates, if you have kids, dogs, or just daydream a lot, noise-cancelling headphones will really help you stay focused and tune the rest of the world out.

Another thing that always frustrated me when I was working from home at first is all the things I needed to have charged, Berk said. I would have them in random plugs, and cords would knock my coffee over, Id trip on them. So I made sure I went out and got one of those big power strips. So that way all my cords are in one place. They're not coming from all different directions. You have less chaos around you, less chaos in your mind.

[Make] sure that you've got a good chair. A lot of people are like, 'Oh, I should get an office-y chair If I'm working from home.' No, get something that looks good because you're going to have to look at that chair even when you're not working. So make sure you get a chair that's comfortable and it looks good, but supports your back as well.

I recommend getting like a nice big tray, like a big wood or plastic or metal tray that when that tray is out, sitting on the bed or sitting on the coffee table or the sofa, and your laptops on it, your coffee's on it, your lights on it: it's work time, Berk continued. But when you put that tray away, work is done. Do not look at your phone for work, do not open up that laptop, do not answer emails. So [tray] out, work time, tray not out, not work time, because it's really important to not only visually separate that space, but also to make sure that, you know, some people that have home offices, you can shut the door. But for those of us who don't, you just put that tray away, and no more work.

I do always recommend making your bed, Berk said. You need to start out with a task to make yourself feel accomplished especially if your bed is in the space that you're working in as well. It has such a huge effect on your mental health and wellness to make that bed and make sure that you are mentally fit and ready to start working.

With the holidays approaching, many people are staying at home instead of traveling to see loved ones. As COVID-19 cases continue to surge to record-breaking numbers, the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention issued an advisory ahead of Thanksgiving urging people against traveling or hosting large gatherings.

The CDCsuggested taking similar precautions for the upcoming holidays as well and recommends hosting virtual events instead. And while it might be strange for most people to spend the holidays apart from loved ones, Berk suggested people keep up those holiday traditions from when you were a kid on their own.

When we were little, we used to always bake cookies, and when friends and family would come over, we'd send them home with a plate of cookies, Berk said. Well, obviously we can't have all those people over this year, so I went out and I bought a big stand mixer, so that way I can make cookies in big batches and I'm going to ship all the cookies.

Berk continued: The holidays always make us feel warm even though, you know, the holidays are going to look a little different this year. It doesn't mean they still can't be merry.

Berk said keeping a sense of normalcy is especially important this year.

We as species like normalcy, we like pattern, he continued. And so making sure that you're doing some of the same things that you would normally do, even if they're a little different, is going to keep us happy and safe this year.

While everyone continues to grapple with seemingly endless months of living through a pandemic, Berk encouraged people to maintain hope and persevere something hes been known for on Queer Eye.

That's always kind of the attitude I've had to have is things will get better, Berk said. We'll get through this. It'll be fine Make sure that you're taking care of yourselves, get those work from home things, get the things that you need for holidays.

Originally posted here:
Bobby Berk Knows Working From Home Is Hard. Hes Got Some Advice - NowThis

MAUREEN MCCORMICK OF "THE BRADY BUNCH" AND INTERIOR DESIGNER DAN VICKERY TO STAR IN NEW HOME RENOVATION SERIES "FROZEN IN TIME"

- Series Streaming on discovery+ Beginning Monday, Jan. 4 -

(New York, N.Y.) - Fans nostalgic for decades past can travel back in time with the new home renovation series Frozen in Time, streaming on discovery+, Discovery Inc.'s new subscription streaming service, beginning Monday, Jan. 4. Starring Maureen McCormick of The Brady Bunch fame, a collector and nostalgia enthusiast, along with interior designer Dan Vickery, the series will follow the duo as they overhaul Southern California homes that are stuck in a design time warp. Dan will bring the structures up-to-date, while Maureen will source beautiful decade-specific pieces that give the tired homes a refreshed look. Each stunning design will preserve the best of the past with a wink to the original era, providing families with the stylish, functional spaces they need.

"It's fun to reminisce about the past," said Maureen. "The 50s were cool, the 60s were hip and the 70s were groovy. But some homes are just stuck there, and, when you step inside, you feel like you're in a time warp."

"We're renovating houses that have been trapped in the past," said Dan. "And we're going to take them from frozen in time to beautifully timeless."

During the series, Dan and Maureen will take on a 1961 property in Laguna Beach that acts as a time capsule with its period furnishings, decades old appliances and original shag carpet. Inspired by the home's hilltop location, the duo will rearrange the main floor's layout to capitalize on the gorgeous ocean views. Modern elements with vintage flair, including retro-look appliances, a funky tile backsplash and iconic period light fixtures, round out the breathtaking design. Throughout the season, Maureen and Dan will tackle pastel tiled bathrooms, wood paneled walls and laminate countertops to help families bring their homes into this century.

Fans are invited to connect with the series across the discovery+ digital platforms at discoveryplus.com and via @discoveryplus and #FrozeninTime on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Fans also can connect with Dan and Maureen on Instagram at @dan_vickery and @momccormick7.

About discovery+

discovery+ is the definitive non-fiction, real life subscription streaming service. The new service will launch with a landmark partnership with Verizon that gives their customers with select plans 12 months of discovery+ on Verizon. At launch in the U.S., discovery+ will have the largest-ever content offering of any new streaming service, featuring a wide range of exclusive, original series across popular, passion verticals in which Discovery brands have a leadership position, including lifestyle and relationships; home and food; true crime; paranormal; adventure and natural history; as well as science, tech and the environment, and a slate of high-quality documentaries. discovery+ will offer more than 55,000 episodes all in one place, with over 2,500 current and classic shows from Discovery's iconic portfolio of networks, including HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, OWN, Travel Channel, Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. For more about discovery+, click here.

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Breaking News - Maureen McCormick of "The Brady Bunch" and Interior Designer Dan Vickery to Star in New Home Renovation Series "Frozen...

A unique housing project launched early this year by leading Australian owned property investment company, DPN is taking the concept of Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) in Australia to new heights of transformation.

Aptly named DPN Casa Capace (Casa means home and Capace, to be able in Italian), the project represents a social impact business incubated by DPN to build architecturally designed, automated and resident-centric homes for people with disabilities across Australia. Completely integrated with home automation systems, these houses would provide residents control and independence in their daily lives.

When Australias National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) sought to provide SDA housing for 28,000 differently-abled Australians, the government invited the commercial property sector to conceive SDA-standard designs that would raise the quality of the dwellings.

DPN, described by managing director Sam Khalil as being fanatical about design excellence, was up for the challenge.

We wanted to create a designer home that anybody would walk into and say, I would love to have this as my home, and not be able to tell that its been built as a disabled-care home in any way, says Khalil.

The pilot homes that opened early this year drew a tremendous response from prospective residents and NDIS care providers. Institutional investors have joined with the original social impact investors to help DPN realise the next stage of the Casa Capace vision.

Speaking about his partners who took the leap to join the project, Khalil said, We collaborated on our strengths to deliver something thats going to benefit Australians and set the benchmark globally. Within three months, we had $200 million of EOIs, weve already bought more land and theres a pipeline of housing with a plan to build 1500 homes in the next five years, most in NSW but with Queensland and Victoria soon, too.

Aware that DPNs choice of partners would be critical for the success of Casa Capace, Khalil reached out to building technologies distributor and reputed provider of OEM-agnostic solutions, Ivory Egg to meet their requirements for an advanced home automation solution that was secure, robust and intuitive to operate.

According to Simon Harvey, national sales manager for Ivory Egg, DPN Casa Capace wanted automation that would effect change in peoples lives.

We knew we needed a solid partner with a wealth of products that could do what DPN Casa Capace required, and is big enough to do it at a roll-out scale. We have a great relationship with ABB, so we looked no further than them they have the expertise and the product, Harvey said.

ABBs i-bus KNX was chosen for Casa Capaces automation vision.

In the Casa Capace homes, KNX controls the electrical doors, the lighting, blinds, TVs and the HVAC, and even the height of the benches, says Christian Schiemann, market development manager for ABB Building Automation Australia & New Zealand.

It can also implement scenes, such as raising the blinds and switching on the lights in the morning, or turning on the TV and dimming the lights, he added.

The open-protocol ABB i-bus KNX also met the protocol compliance requirements of both Standard Australias Technical Specification for Building Automation (SA/SNZ TS ISO/IEC14543.1.1:2018) and the International Standards for Building Automation (ISO/IEC145).

Commenting on the first two SDA-standard homes that opened in Sydneys Oran Park in February this year, Harvey said, Casa Capace now has a future-proof design and system that can accommodate ongoing development of technologies and products. Its designed to enhance the longevity of the homes. ABB is synonymous with KNX, and this open-protocol standard is part of the allure for DPN theyre not locked into any one technology.

Watch ABBs technology at work in the Casa Capace home.

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Designer smart homes transforming lives of the differently-abled - Architecture and Design

The Krewe of Red Beans have announced their plans to launch the Hire a Mardi Gras Artist initiative. The project is endorsed by Krewe du Vieux and the Krewe of Chewbacchus as well as Rouses Markets, NOLA Craft Culture, and Merchant House.

The goal is to create jobs, especially for the recently laid-off float builders and artisans. Because the City of New Orleans has cancelled all parades, these artists, carpenters and other artisans find themselves out of work or under-employed.

The idea came from former Krewe of Red Beans member, artist Caroline Thomas, who works as a float builder. Caroline understands the ins and outs of the float-building process and the people who make Mardi Gras what it is. Mardi Gras float artists have spent years tirelessly working behind the scenes to bring Carnival to the streets. Now its time to return the favor and help keep these workers employed during a very different type of Mardi Gras. And hopefully bring some joy and magic to the public while we are at it,says Caroline.

There has been recent local media attention given to the concept of house floats a private home being transformed to look like a float. This idea, now organized by neighborhoods with themes, complements the Krewe of Red Beans project. This house float idea inspired Caroline to think of ways jobs could be created and donations raised. The Krewe of Red Beans will ask the community to crowd-fund the creation of amazing, professionally made constructions that will transform a house to delight the public.

Our goal of raising $10,000 per house will create jobs and pay artisans. For each house, we estimate eight jobs will be created for artisans, carpenters, installation teams and project managers, says Krewe of Red Beans founder Devin DeWulf.

The Krewe ofRedBeans is managing the project, collecting donations, and making payment to artists they hire. Krewe founder, Devin De Wulf will lead this effort.

Caroline Thomaswill serve as the Artistic Director for the House Float Project, which was her idea. She has over ten years experience working on all things Mardi Gras, including making headdresses and as a painter and designer for Royal Artists. She currently designs the floats for the Rex and Proteus parades, among the oldest in the city. She is a proud member of Krewe du Vieux, in the sub-krewe of C.R.U.D.E.

Dana Beuhler, who will serve as the Project Manager for the House Float Project, holds a BFA from Maryland Institute College of Art. Since returning home to Louisiana, she has worked as a painter, sculptor and multi-media artist in the float building industry as well as in the film industry. Her portfolio includes everything from detailed murals to large-scale sculptures for Mardi Gras parades and films. In 2015 she began creating custom-made Carnival flowers and costume designs from her home studio, which eventually became Mardi Gras Customs, LLC.

Houses and businesses will be chosen at random from donors. Companies and individuals can also commission a house. The goal is 40 Professional Mardi Gras Homes to be created in New Orleans. To commission a home or business, visit http://www.hireamardigrasartist.com

Originally posted here:
Krewe of Red Beans Announces Its Hire a Mardi Gras Artist Initiative - OffBeat Magazine

Borelli Construction, a leading local custom homebuilder celebrating more than 40 years in Naples, has broken ground on its newest luxury model in The Moorings waterfront community.

Located at 510 Starboard Drive, this soft contemporary southern coastal style residence will feature a total of four bedrooms, five and one-half baths, and a study, offering 4,285 square feet of air-conditioned living space and 6,003 total square feet all conveniently on one floor. Construction began in October and completion and availability are anticipated by August 2021.

Designed by Unique Hite Designs, LLC, this luxury home will boast a great room floor plan with a large open area in the center that will serve as the ideal setting for entertaining friends and family. The spacious great room will be conveniently located just steps from the main entry foyer and will include a built-in wet bar with one oversized and suitably placed wine chiller.

The great room will flow seamlessly into the kitchen, which will feature an oversized island bar, elegant quartzite countertops, upgraded European-style cabinets, and top of the line Sub Zero and Wolf appliances. Just off the kitchen will be a dining room with a temperature controlled wine wall, plus a large walk-in pantry with ample shelving for food items and other storage.

The owners suite will emphasize enhanced privacy as it will be tucked away on one side toward the rear of the home, providing direct access to a private spa area. Design features of the owners suite will include vaulted ceilings and oversized dual walk-in closets with custom storage systems.

The owners bath will showcase a large freestanding tub, a spacious walk-in shower, and separate sinks with European-style cabinets, marble countertops and designer bath fixtures throughout.

The remaining bedrooms and bathrooms will be interspersed throughout the home. One of the bedrooms will be a VIP Suite and will have its own dedicated bathroom and private outdoor access, making it perfect for hosting in-laws or other extended overnight guests. The other bedrooms also will have their own bathrooms in a split floor plan around the great room.

The interior design of this new home will exhibit the cool transitional style for which Borelli has become well-regarded. All floors in the main areas and bedrooms will be completed with Legno Bastone wide plank French white oak flooring and extra-large crown moldings will be provided in every room.

An expansive covered lanai will be easily accessible from the great room via floor-to-ceiling glass sliders and be protected by retractable screens and storm shutters. The outdoor area will feature a fully equipped outdoor kitchen with a hooded gas grill, dining area and fireplace. There also will be a large custom swimming pool and spa with an adjacent deck area for seating around a firepit. The homes placement on a southern exposure lot provides the best natural light inside and out.

The entire home will be fully equipped with Creston automation technology that will let owners control entire environments with the push of a button, including audio/visual, lighting, shading, AC and security. An extensive video camera system also will be on the exterior for optimum security.

In addition, the property will feature lush tropical landscaping and landscape lighting, creating an oasis of privacy. Other exterior design features of this new home will include a concrete tile roof, 12-foot mahogany front doors, Andersen impact glass windows and doors, designer light fixtures, shellstone paved walkways; and grey blended brick paver entry walks and circular driveway.

Owners of residential property within the platted Moorings subdivision are eligible for annual membership in The Moorings Property Owners Association, which grants exclusive access to The Moorings Beach Park. This private, members-only beach park located just off Gulf Shore Boulevard provides a large parking area, covered pavilions for picnics and childrens play area.

Based in Naples, Borelli Construction has been building custom homes locally for more than four decades. This new home is the latest of several residences being built by Borelli in The Moorings and surrounding neighborhoods of Naples. The model home is currently priced from $4,000,000.

For information on this home or to view the inventory of other homes built to the highest standards of luxury, contact Kendall Borelli at 239-250-2043 or visit http://www.borelliconstructionofnaples.com.

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Borelli Construction breaks ground on luxury model in The Moorings - Florida Weekly

High street retailer Home Bargains is known for, well, exactly that.

For years shoppers have gone to stores with the hopes of finding some bargains for their homes, and more often than not end up leaving with something they hadn't gone in to buy (you know who you are).

And now Home Bargains has come up trumps with shoppers once again, after revealing its new furniture product to hit stores.

Posting on Facebook, the retailer shared details of its 19.99 drinks trolley - which features a gold art deco design and some handy wheels for pushing it around after you've had one too many Babychams.

Sharing a photo on the social media platform, Home Bargains wrote: "COMING SOON. Have everything you need for a night in... right next to you! This Home Collections 2 Tier Drinks Trolley has an Art Deco feel about it and is sure to suit any decor."

The post has already racked up a substantial amount of likes and comments, and the trolley is already a clear favourite with shoppers.

"Very retro, love it," said one person.

Another wrote: "Love it so 70s."

"Im having this," commented a third social media user.

A fourth wrote: "I badly want this."

Similar drinks trolleys cost 100s in other retailers - with Sweetpea and Willow selling a similar design for 1,370.00.

The trolley is not yet available to buy on the Home Bargains website, but the retailer is urging shoppers to keep their eyes peeled.

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Home Bargains shoppers obsessed with new 19.99 furniture that 'looks designer' - Manchester Evening News

Not all houses for sale on the stunning Gower peninsula are cute coastal cottages or period properties with a past, there are also pockets of contemporary homes hiding amongst the rural landscape.

One road in particular is a popular place to put down roots in Gower if you have a large buying budget. The location appears regularly on lists of Wales' most expensive streets.

Lady Housty Avenue is found on the edge of Newton and includes, at the very end of the cul-de-sac, a small lane that leads to a private enclave of five luxury and individually-designed detached designer homes.

This contemporary family home for sale is private but perfectly placed to enjoy the award-winning Gower beaches, visit the villages of Newton, Langland and Mumbles and even commute to Swansea.

Nestled amongst the countryside, the first aspect of this substantial modern mansion that will take your breath away is the sweeping views of the Gower countryside from the front garden and through front windows.

The panoramic view combines distant roof-tops, hill-tops and tree-tops to enthral you for hours, watching the changing weather and the wildlife world go by.

But turn around on the driveway and a contemporary home is beckoning you to have a nose around inside. It'd be rude not to really.

So step inside and the impressive view is temporarily forgotten.

A luxury millionaire's pad needs an impressive hallway and this central space, opening up to the first floor, certainly delivers.

Allocating a substantial amount of the floorplan to the entrance hall ensures that the first impression for any visitor to the house is of a grand modern home that commands attention.

The central staircase sweeps down to greet you from the galleried landing above and numerous doors leading off the space tempt you to explore further; where to wander first?

To the right and into the main lounge, which is a peaceful and super stylish space to relax by the fire and enjoy the views out of the bay window.

This space feels very much like an adult, quiet zone.

Although it is connected to the adjoining 'family' zone, it is rather more 'broken-plan' than open-plan, as the connecting glass doors can be used to close off the room from the rest of the house and make this space separate.

Through the glass doors and into a vast space that leaves the entrance hall as a distant memory when it comes to first impressions.

Being a modern home the design of this property has fully and utterly embraced the broken-plan connected family space concept.

This flow between family spaces is coupled with the joy of a seamless connection to the garden via a set of huge bi-fold doors and two sets of French doors across the back of the property.

The first space to marvel at is the formal dining room, an inviting room with a wall of glass at the end ensuring that views of the garden are ever-present as one of the invited dinner guests.

Instead of a cavernous and echoing chamber of open-plan space, this cleverly designed home has connected the whole of the rear section of the property through large open archways in partition walls, rather than lose the walls altogether.

This balance of connection and sociable spaces yet retaining an element of privacy and distinct atmosphere in each room is the genius of the 'broken-plan' design.

Through the archway and into the incredible kitchen diner, which showcases an island unit almost as big as some complete kitchen spaces in small flats across the country.

Within this beast of an island unit there hides an integrated dishwasher, Miele wine cooler and double Belfast sink.

The triple lanterns hanging above the island initially grab the attention but there's plenty to enthral you more in this designer kitchen.

Along the back wall the expanse of elegant cream units includes all the integrated appliances you would expect from a home in this price bracket but also an integrated pantry, five ring cooker hob and warming drawer.

This room is clearly the heart of the home, and not just because of its position at the centre of the house.

The diner area of the space is a special spot for a huge family-sized table and chairs should the next owner be bringing a large clan to live in the property.

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Situated under the impressive lantern roof window and connected to the garden via a whole wall of bi-folds doors, it's not hard to imagine family members rushing about in this space, the air filled with noise as well as the smell of cooking.

The kitchen diner then flows into the family lounge, again via a large, open archway.

This comfortable and relaxed room is clearly the television and games room, a social space still connected to the kitchen and the garden but separate enough to house all the chatter family and friends can produce.

The downstairs can also boast a sizable study and home office at the front of the property.

The office overlooks the mesmerising views, so it might be advisable to position the desk away from the window if you want to hit your work deadlines.

Up that grand staircase to the grand galleried landing, and there are two ensuite bedrooms to discover on one side of the property and a substantial master suite on the other.

This master suite occupies a whole wing of the house on this floor, with the sleeping accommodation at the front section, ensuring the stars can lull you to sleep at night and the sunrise over the views can wake you.

The bedroom has a door to the master ensuite positioned in the centre of the space, boasting a spacious and very inviting statement bath in the centre of the room.

At the rear of the master suite is a sizable walk-in wardrobe, perfect for anyone who likes regular retail therapy.

Up to the top floor and this area that spans the whole of the property is potentially a very versatile accommodation space.

Currently this second floor is set up with two ensuite bedrooms at one end of the floor, one with a gorgeous bath in the corner.

There is a sitting area in the middle of the space and a further bedroom and utility room at the other end.

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With all the plumbing available on this level plus the space on offer, it would be easy to allocate this top floor as a virtually separate apartment, perfect for teenagers or intergenerational living.

The interior design throughout the home is elegant and tasteful, calm and neutral with accents of luxurious touches, so there's nothing at all for a new owner to do here unless they want to bring their own personal taste to the property.

Outside the rear garden has ample space for alfresco dining on any spot on the wraparound patio but arguably the spot that is the most special and likely to entice an owner is the front garden.

There's a brick paved mini patio that wraps around the front facade of the home; the perfect place to position a bench or even little bistro garden table and chairs and totally immerse yourself in the beautiful rural world of green-toned waves that expand out in front of you.

This modern mansion in the heart of the Gower countryside is on the market for 1.25m with estate agent Fine & Country Swansea, give them a call on 01792 367301 to find out more.

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The 1.2m modern mansion with sweeping views of Gower - Wales Online