While wall colors, cabinet finishes and window treatments might be some of the more well-known ways to style a room and the most visible, since all are at eye level the surface beneath your feet is just as important. And today, there are several versatile selections to choose from.

As people of the 21st century, we can benefit from the beauty of different flooring styles and new advancements in the industry, with innovative features that make them suitable for nearly every area of your home.

"Luxury vinyl plank is selling like hotcakes, because it is waterproof, says Kari Muse, who owns C. Dalton Flooring, 2405 Main St., Ste. 6, with her husband, Anthony Muse.

"Because it looks like wood (or tile), you can put it everywhere instead of having it cookie-cutter around the house, she adds.

Christine Prater, owner of The Carpet Lady, 1174 Main St., Ste. C, agrees, and says there are some considerations as to where it should be placed.

"I highly recommend thinking about whether you want to put it on your stairs, she says. "People get used to putting carpet there, and it is a different feel (that affects) how you walk up and down on it.

There are two different types of luxury vinyl plank WPC and SPC.

WPC wood plastic composite has the benefit of being waterproof. For heavily trafficked areas or households with children and pets, SPC stone plastic composite offers greater durability and has the same waterproof features of WPC.

"You can put it in laundry rooms and bathrooms, says Muse. "There are all different wood looks and colors.

And, she says, there is a smooth finish, and a beveled finish. The beveled finish gives the "hardwood styles a more pronounced and authentic look.

"It looks like real wood I have it in my own house, says Prater, adding that it is reasonably priced, beautiful and easy to maintain.

With so many colors and styles to choose from, this versatile flooring option can help elevate a room and give it an all-new feel.

Whether paired with additional architectural elements or installed on its own, luxury vinyl plank could be the design key youve been waiting to discover.

Continued here:
Versatility and Style - Ramona Journal

Wilmington-based JSL Home Repairs started about five years ago and since then has been gradually growing and learning first-hand the wants and needs of area homeowners.

At the same time, residents began learning at first hand what they could expect from JSL Home Repairs.

We deliver quality work. If there is an issue we deal with it head-on. We dont dance around it, said Jake Lambert, owner and CEO who runs the production end of the business and makes the projects happen.

Lambert is originally from Clarksville and his life partner and JSL Office Manager Nita Lambcke is from Wilmington, and they wanted their company to focus on Wilmington and surrounding communities.

Business has been good and the customers have been great, said Lambert.

Early on, the work was basically roofing, siding and gutters as well as a lot of storm claims Nita has a background in catastrophic storm services.

As a general contractor, they now pretty much do anything, said Lambert.

In addition to roofing, siding and gutters, JSL Home Repairs does bathroom and kitchen remodels, flooring, insulation, windows, concrete work, decks, doors and more.

We get calls on anything from installing a toilet seat, to building a pole barn, to a roof, he said.

Along with homes, JSL Home Repairs has roofed churches (Wilmington Baptist Temple) and barns and a three-story building in downtown Wilmington (a metal roof on Rose & Dobyns).

They also did gutters and rubber repair at the Wilmington Public Library, and an extensive redo of the Cowan Lake State Parks Nature Center and bird sanctuary.

The Nature Center project was a full remodel, involving concrete work, a gravel driveway pad, 130 feet of sidewalk, two decks with ramps, two metal roofs, an interior and flooring.

JSL also does work for New Housing Ohio, Inc. in the region.

The range of work they offer is wide, and includes house additions and interior work like complete bathroom remodels, Lambcke said.

JSL has the ability and manpower and experience to be that one-stop shop, she added.

Its been her experience that Wilmington-area residents are looking for a contractor that will do everything, rather than going to five different contractors.

So its nice to provide them an estimate of everything they need. If they need to break it down and do one project and then go to the next, they know they have a little company that can fulfill that for them, said Lambcke.

Take note veterans: JSL offers a 10 percent discount for military, either veterans or active military.

They have a 15-year warranty for a roof replacement.

It has two roofing crews, a couple siding crews and a gutter crew.

JSL has its own gutter machines which can be taken on-site and then perform continuous roll-off gutters at the house, making for seamless gutters instead of sections.

And JSL offers free estimates and free roof inspections.

Soon, there will be a show room at the 712 South South Street offices and base of operations for JSL Home Repairs. There will be display samples of siding and roofing, windows, and maybe some bath items for interior projects.

There are two different forms of financing at JSL. One is through Synchrony which gives you different options including interest-free promotional financing.

Then there is Hearth for which your credit score can be less than perfect. Lambcke called Hearth a good product for those who need it.

Its nice to have different options to give them, she said regarding financing.

Speaking of options, JSL can do roofs of the following types: asphalt shingles, metal, clay or concrete tile, wood shingles or wood shakes, and slate; and for commercial projects or factories there is EPDM synthetic rubber and there is the TPO alternative to rubber.

Both Jake and Nita emphasize the importance of customer service.

Jake said they try to treat customers equally, even if one job is $350 and another project $10,000.

Nita said that at the end of every job each customer no matter how big or small gets a thank you letter and receives a packet that lets them know they can give JSL a review and say how it did. Your feedback is going to make us better in the future, she said.

The company has provided a lot of donated work, said Nita, such as to shelters and the like.

We believe in helping the community, she said.

The past year or so has been a bit challenging due to the pandemic, said Lambert. Workers started wearing masks and JSL paid for staff to get tested for COVID-19.

To fit the company to the changed circumstances, they transitioned a good deal to online for example, for contracts they started using DocuSign as a way to handle electronic agreements. DocuSign offers eSignature, a way to electronically sign upon different devices.

We just adapted to the times. Tried to keep everybody safe, Lambert said.

As a roofer, JSL offers a tarp service. People can call at any hour when water is bursting through a ruptured roof, and if the call is made in the middle of the night, somebody should be there at the break of dawn to cover the area.

This is usually a situation where a tree has come down on a house. JSL has a service where you can get the top of the house waterproofed as an emergency stopgap solution and get the tree off the roof, too, said Lambert.

When weather damages roofing shingles, did you know Ohio is one of a comparatively few states to have a matching law? Thus if your house has, say, older roofing and that type of shingle has been discontinued and is no longer available, then your insurance company must pay for a full replacement because they cant use a shingle-type that doesnt match the rest of the roof in a patch repair job.

Looking ahead to the future, Lambert anticipates they probably will add an excavating service, having obtained Bobcat machinery a while back. He said they would grow into the service, similar to the organic growth that JSL Home Repairs as a whole has seen.

JSL is a Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited business. It is a member of the Wilmington-Clinton County Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business. Jake holds a contractor license with the City of Cincinnati.

The company phone number is 937-382-3350. The email address for Office Manager Nita Lambcke is nita@jslhomerepair.com .

Jake and Nita

Jake

Nita

JSL Home Repairs team

Jake and Nita emphasize customer service

More here:
JSL Home Repairs in Wilmington has the ability, manpower & experience - Wilmington News Journal, OH

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When City Hall was undergoing its recently completed $38 million renovation, architects Ford, Powell & Carson uncovered 18 shallow niches in walls that formerly held indoor windows, a common source of interior ventilation in buildings built before the advent of air conditioning.

Architect Allison Chambers suggested using the niches for artwork, and the staff of the citys Department of Arts & Culture saw an opportunity. It commissioned six artists to fill those niches, which are situated in groups of three abutting hallways in the main lobbies of floors two, three, and four in City Hall.

The resulting works are by contemporary San Antonio artists Ruth Leonela Buentello, Ana Fernandez, Emily Fleisher, Raul Rene Gonzalez, Megan Harrison, and Mari Hernandez. All reflect aspects of the city they call home. The artists were tasked to consider the theme creative geographies, which could include notions of mapmaking, local culture, and the history of the areas residents.

Gonzalez chose genres of local music as his subject for a set of three paintings. Hernandez created photographic portraits of members of the Tap Pilam Nation. Fernandez depicted three San Antonio streets, while Harrison elegantly framed three views of acequias and local waterways. Buentello highlighted migrants role in the city.

By focusing on the very niches that would hold her artwork, sculptor Emily Fleisher said she tried to pick apart the truth of the site that City Hall is, and always has been, an office building since its construction in 1889.

In her three-part work titled Foundational Elements, Fleisher pays homage to the original City Hall while bringing to light other generally unseen aspects of City operations.

A miniature rendering in concrete of the pre-renovation City Hall is set atop a miniature desk, with a slew of stacked papers and file folders, also cast in concrete, between the building and desk surface.

I thought it would be a fun nod to all of the people who have worked in the building over the years and all the mundane office tasks they must perform, she said.

Behind the more glamorous and public roles of mayor, city manager, and City Council are the many staff members who make City Hall what Councilwoman Melissa Cabello-Havrda (D6) called the house of the people work.

They are the backbone of the city, they are making the city run, she said. Without them, Im not here. Without them, all of the work I try to do to get your streets fixed doesnt happen.

Joining City Hall are miniature renderings of the Bexar County Courthouse and Mission Espada. Above each are glass lamps that echo the three tiny Espada mission bells in the center niche.

Fleishers sculptures sparked a joyful reaction when Cabello-Havrda first saw them, both because Fleisher is a resident of District 6 and her work represents the talent there, and for what she chose to represent.

Those are very important buildings to me as a native San Antonian, the councilwoman said, in that they represent law, government, and the citys deep and complex cultural identity.

While Fleisher highlights the work most constituents of local government rarely see, most members of the public wont be able to see any of the new artworks for some time. Due to standard security precautions, only people with official City Hall business are permitted access inside the buildings newly renovated floors.

An open house is in the works, however, to give San Antonians a chance to see not only the new building, but the artworks that now adorn its many niches and walls, said Department of Arts and Culture Executive Director Debbie Racca-Sittre.

In addition to the six commissioned installations, Stephanie Torres, a senior management analyst with the department, curated a selection of the Citys art collection to fill the walls of the basement level and other floors with framed artworks by a selection of the citys artists.

Included are works on paper by Jose Villalobos, who has lately received national recognition, small portraits in pencil by Csar Martnez, who has been collected by the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and a distinctly Trumpian visage by Richard Armendariz titled Time Will Tell.

The basement features an oil painting honoring the Tuskegee airmen by Howard Roeder Jr., portraits by Anthony Francis, and drawings by Joe de la Cruz, one of which features a Black Lives Matter hoodie.

Racca-Sittre said final approval of the artworks rested with the city managers office, which had no issues with the installation.

In a media statement issued by the city, Mayor Ron Nirenberg praised the inclusion of local art: These artworks bring much more than interior dcor for this space. They intrinsically set the tone for the important issues tackled here, rooting us in the fabric of San Antonio.

Cabello-Havrda emphasized that including art in the seat of local government is a point of distinction for the city.

It warms my heart to go into City Hall and know that Im in San Antonio City Hall, she said. This isnt just any city hall across the country. It is San Antonios City Hall. And you see that everywhere you look in that building. I love this city, this city is my whole heart. Seeing [the art] just inspires me.

Excerpt from:
City Hall renovation includes hallways filled with San Antonio art - San Antonio Report

LIFESTYLEBest events this summer, 2021

Jane Farrell

July 1, 2021 - 7:36

Summer is finally here and weve never been in more need of sun and fun. While it might be tempting to loll about with buckets of ice and savour the sweet salvation of the air con, there are far too many cool happenings to miss out on.

The dramatic Forte di Belvedere is a historic site for some of the citys most interesting exhibitions ever. Under the umbrella title of Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: Italys Self-Portrait in the Mirror, two large photographic exhibitions are set up on the three floors of the Buontalenti building. Italiae: From Alinari to the Masters of Contemporary Photography, curated by Rita Scartoni and Luca Criscenti, dives into the archives of the best photography with Italy as its focus, while Pienovuoto, curated by Sergio Risaliti, is dedicated to Como-born Massimo Vitalis contemporary masterpieces. The project by Museo Novecento will be on display from June 25 until October 10, with free entrance. Guided tours and workshops for young photographers can be booked by calling 055 2768224 or emailing [emailprotected]

via di San Leonardo 1, Florence

The 33rd edition of the chamber music festival opens at the Teatro Verdi in Florence with a concert featuring the Orchestra della Toscana, conductor Andrew Litton and a line-up of stellar soloists. Audiences will be treated to Mendelssohns Violin Concerto in E minor with soloist Francesca Dego, with renowned trumpet player Sergei Nakariakov playing his fathers transcription of Tchaikovskys Rococo Variations on the flugelhorn. Alessio Bax is the artistic director for the fifth time and plays Tchaikovskys Piano Concerto No. 1. Following the performance in Florence, events return to the place of the festivals origins at La Foce in the mesmerizing Val dOrcia setting.

via Ghibellina 99, Florence

and La Foce, Val dOrcia

Born in Garessio and living in Turin, Giuseppe Penones sculptural tree in piazza della Signoria has heightened curiosity ahead of the contemporary exhibition to be installed in the Uffizi Gallery this July. Set up in the Detti and Camino rooms, drawings, photographs, sculptures and installations form the series thats scheduled as part of the Dante 700 celebrations. Allusions to the Divine Comedy are peppered throughout the works, as anticipated by the 22-metre tree in front of Palazzo Vecchio that has raised many an eyebrow.

piazzale degli Uffizi 6, Florence

Rifle through the Pimp My Vintage rails to seek out some unique and sustainable garments. One-off items and innovative creations inject some cool into your summer wardrobe, with street art, artists stalls and vinyls mean youll bring home much more than style. See the Facebook event page @PimpMyVintage for info. Free admission.

viale Spartaco Lavagnini 70-72, Florence

The Tuscan capital will host the first edition of the four-day festivities celebrating kindness. The events mark the signing of the Manifesto delle Citt Gentili, a project by the national Italia Gentile movement and the non-profit My Life Design. The days signify the start of serious efforts to bring about a kinder society and a deepening of values such as optimism, gratitude, joy and forgiveness across diverse fields. The idea was formed during the first lockdown, inspired by the book Biology of Kindness, co-written by Daniel Lumera and Immaculata De Vivo (both will be present during the festival). MUS.E, the City of Florence and TuttoVita ONLUS Association are involved in the events that will take place across the Palazzo Vecchio, Museo Novecento and Santa Maria Novella complex.

Michelangelo Buonarroti the Younger (Florence 1568 - 1647) The Cult of Memory is curated by Alessandro Cecchi, Elena Lombardi and Riccardo Spinelli, and explores the cultural legacy of Leonardo di Buonarrota, Michelangelos great-nephew. Born in 1568, four years after the death of his renowned relative, Michelangelo the Younger became a notable figure in his own right in the 17th century, becoming a favourite of the Grand Duchess Cristina di Lorena and a personal friend of the Grand Duke, Cosimo II de Medici. The exhibition explores Michelangelo the Youngers work as a curator, man of letters, poet and his various other endeavours, which led to this collection of first editions, preparatory drawings and paintings. Tickets cost 5-8 euro.

Museo della Casa Buonarroti,

via Ghibellina 70, Florence

Curated by Lucia Mannini with Eva Francioli and Stefania Rispoli, the rooms on the second floor of the museum fill with a solo cycle dedicated to the major 20th-century artist. A participant in many noted exhibitions and prized among private collectors, the show looks at the links between the artist and Tuscany, with intriguing works such as a bronze Ulysses from 1935 and the exceptional Woman Swimming Underwater made from Carrara marble on display.

piazza di Santa Maria Novella 10, Florence

Launching Manifattura Tabacchis latest installation is a three-day programme from June 18 to 20, prompting reflections on humankinds links with nature through a series of talks, workshops, film screenings, and a flower and plant market. A giant installation aimed at encouraging flora and wild fauna fills the loggia that separates piazza dellOrologio from Giardino della Ciminiera. Curated by architect Antonio Perazzi, it acts as an experiential laboratory and is home to 1,555 plants and more than 50 botanical species, installed until September 18. Make sure to check out the open-air cinema in piazza dellOrologio until August 31, set to screen an eclectic mix of genres curated by Fondazione Stensen.

via delle Cascine 33/35, Florence

The Sala Bianca of Palazzo Pitti fills with soaring strings as musicians from the Cherubini Conservatory of Florence feature in six evenings through to the end of July. The performances take place at 3.30pm on June 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, with music by the likes of Chopin, Bach and Beethoven bound to delight audiences in the awe-inspiring setting. Tickets cost 16 euro.

piazza de Pitti 1, Florence

Original post:
Best events this summer, 2021 Our top picks for the months of July and August - The Florentine

Joanna Wilsonbeamedwhen she lookedat her hot pink shipping container with black and white checkered flooring and a mini chandelier.

When she received it, it was a plain-old, dusty, drab, big, nondescript metal box made to carry stuff transatlantic and transcontinental.

"There was nothing, just the container," Wilson said."No floor, no nothing."

But like many of Joanna Wilsons neighbors in the Artisan Marketplace at 16 Tech food hall, she had a vision for and a dream of the business she wanted and how it should look.

Punkins Pies Sweet Treats took months of work and years of dreaming.

It began with her love for baking pies and a day in the kitchen with her daughter experimenting with chocolate covered strawberries. It grew into a dessert catering business named after the childhoodnickname she never grew out of: Punkin. When it came time to expand, AMP food hall seemed to show up at the perfect time, and Punkins was their ideal tenant as a startup with potential.

There were long nights. There were moments when Wilsons imposter syndrome and fear of failure threatened to swallow the project whole.

And then there were moments of joy as the ribbon was cut and Wilson introduced herself and her husband as the official owners of Punkins.

BBQ, arepas, poke and more: You need to try these 19 dishes at AMP food hall at 16 Tech

In the food hall, Punkins stands testament to what can be done when a woman has a vision, family comes together, risks are taken, and a little sparkle is thrown in for good measure.

At Punkins, chocolate covered strawberries and pineapples coated with everything from sparkles to Oreo crumbs fill one case, while caramel apples, truffles and cheesecake fruit bowls fill another. People peer through the glass, carefully making their decisions.

She always hung around the kitchen, cooking or baking, said Jaunice Lee, Wilsons mother and inspiration.

Growing up, Wilsons mom would make at least 20 sweet potato pies at Thanksgiving to feed her large family. Wilson quickly learned to make them as her mother aged and started selling them to other families at the holidays.

She liked making people smile with her pies. When she began making decorated strawberries, she felt the same satisfaction. Wilson had no formal training and mostly taught herself.

People started sending me, Can you do this? Can you make these? Can you make this? she said, gesturing to the case of sweets behind her on a recent morning at AMP. I didnt come up with all these flavors.

Every time someone would request a new flavor or coating, she found a way to make it. She taught herself through YouTube tutorials and spread the word of her home business on social media and word of mouth. She spent long nights in the kitchen preparing orders for weddings and parties. She once went to bed as her husband was waking for work. And there was the challenge of working out of her own home.

Ready to eat out again?: You might find changes at your favorite Indianapolis restaurants

"It was hard with the family, trying to stay sanitized, trying to stay clean," she said."And I'd need my scissors, and myscissors are missing out of my cabinet."

It was worth it though. Someday, Wilson wanted to get a shop where she could sell her desserts, but she wasnt sure where or how or when it would happen, until she learned about AMP.

AMP food hallwas developed by Craig Baker to bean incubatorfor businesses wanting to take the leap of having a retail location without the risk and high rent of having a standalone storefront. Each business is given a shipping container or booth and the freedom to make it their own.

When Wilson decided to move Punkins from her kitchen to AMP, it was all hands on deck.

With handiwork from her husband, Mark Wilson, and help from friends and family, she installed a sink, counters, display cases, signs anddecals. Joanna Wilson received one $5,000 grant, but they spent much more on preparations. Even though she and her husband paid mostly out of their own pocket, she wanted it to look just as good as everyone elses shipping container turned restaurant shop inside AMP.

Meanwhile, friends and family members asked if they could be Joanna Wilson's employees. Michelle Sanders, wife to Joanna Wilsons nephew, told Wilsonshe wanted to work for her before Wilsoneven heard about AMP. Sanders said Wilson'sdrive and vision made it obvious that someday shed have a store.

We always believe that everything happens in Gods timing, Sanders said. So I knew it was bound to happen.I just didnt know when.

Even with all the support, a bit of self-doubt ate at Joanna Wilsonwhen she saw other business owners in AMP who already had owned businesses and restaurants before coming to the food hall. She admittedly was intimidated.

What are Black chefs cooking up?: 50+ Black-owned restaurants to try around Indianapolis

Im scared, she told Mark Wilsonin the weeks leading up to opening. I dont want to do this anymore.

Youre doing this, he told her.

So she did.

On June 3, Joanna Wilson filled AMP hall with nearly 200 family members, friends, customers and Facebook followers she had never met.

Everything matched Punkins colors: She wore a black-and-white stripped dress and pink necklace. She made milk and white chocolate dipped strawberries to go along with pink fizzy drinks. She cut a black-and-white ribbon with a giant pink bowon it to celebrate the opening of Punkins.

Even though she hasnt started officially selling her pies at AMP yet, she sold them on her opening night and dedicated the first slice of sweet potato pie to her 83-year-old mom. Leetook the piece, lifted it over her head and smiled proudly.

A pastor prayed over Punkins and the rest of AMPs businesses and read Psalm 65, a prayer of prosperity.

We want everyone here to prosper, all of us, Joanna Wilson said.

Now acquainted with several of the other business owners in the hall, Joanna Wilson doesnt feel intimidated anymore. Andre Louissaint, owner of Andres BBQ and Seafood, told her that she can use his oven to bake pies. Cindy Hawkins, owner of Circle City Sweets, catered macarons for her sons wedding reception.

I love it, Joanna Wilson said. Im hardly ever home anymore. Im here from morning to night every day.

A lover of all things bling, Joannais an admirer of Gwendolyn Rogers, owner of the Cake Bake Shop. They both love beautiful sweets, edible sparkles, the color pink.

Someday, Joanna Wilsonwants to have a place that has the same magical allure as Cake Bake and more room.

For now, shell bump hips with her employees in her little pink shipping container and laugh about it. For now, she will sigh with relief as she thinks about everything that got her to this point. For now, this is hard work paying off.

Contact IndyStar Pulliam Fellow Lilly St. Angelo atLStAngelo@gannett.com.

Read the original:
Strawberries, a shipping container and some sparkle: The sweet story of Punkin's Pies - IndyStar

For Sale/Rent

This double-unit condo in Lynn is almost too hot to handle.

Photos by Noel Poage

88 Franklin St Unit 103-104, LynnPrice: $499,900Size: 2,114 square feetBedrooms: 2Bathrooms: 2

Converting old businesses into housing is en vogue right now, and hardly surprising, given the age of all the buildings around New England. Check the real estate scene in Boston and youll find it chock full of converted churches. But head north to find a fun variation on the concept: a converted 1890s fire house turned condos. Formerly home to the Ladder 3 Company of the Lynn Fire Department, Ladder 3 Lofts are rumored to have been originally wired by Thomas Edison. The buildings undergone a complete makeover since thenwhich unfortunately means no firemans pole for quick getawaysbut the exterior still sports some gorgeous architectural traits from its original design, including large arched windows and a brick faade.

This bright and spacious double unit currently on the market offers over 2,000 square feet of living space along with the aesthetic of an industrial design lovers dreams. Were talking exposed brick, high ceilings, hardwood floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows. And while there may be no firemans pole, there is an antique ladder to help you get to the top shelf of this homes floor-to-ceiling bookcase.

While the home may have vintage elements, its modern where it matters. The recently updated kitchen has custom cabinetry, granite countertops, high-end stainless steel appliances, a garbage disposal, and a built-in wine fridge that can hold up to 56 bottles. Central air conditioning, ceiling fans, and insulated windows help with climate control throughout the two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit, while a brick patio provides a private place to enjoy the outdoors when the weather is good.

In addition to having an array of contemporary amenities, this firehouse was built near the citys hub. While firefighters may have used this to get to emergencies more quickly, you can take advantage of the location to enjoy all Lynn has to offer. Take a stroll down the block to enjoy some public art in the form of a mosaic mural, installed there during The Beyond Walls Mural Festival in 2019. Walk a little further out to spend some time on the Lynn Common or enjoy a concert at the Lynn Auditorium. Need to commute into the city? The unit comes with two deeded parking spots so you can venture near or far whenever youd like.

For more information, contact Alexis Lograsso, Redfin Corp., redfin.com.

Photos by Noel Poage

Photos by Noel Poage

Photos by Noel Poage

Photos by Noel Poage

Photos by Noel Poage

Photos by Noel Poage

Photos by Noel Poage

Photos by Noel Poage

The Boston Home team has curated a list of the best home design and home remodeling professionals in Boston, including architects, builders, kitchen and bath experts, lighting designers, and more. Get the help you need with FindIt/Boston's guide to home renovation pros.

See the original post here:
On the Market: An Industrial-Style Loft in a Converted Fire House - Boston magazine

Accord, N.Y. | $950,000A 1994 wood-sided house with three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms, on a 3.6-acre lot

This home is privately situated, about five miles northwest of the hamlet of Accord in Ulster County, a wooded, mountainous area with many acres of preserved land. Some of the larger nearby communities are Kingston, about 20 miles northeast, and New Paltz, about 16 miles southeast. The drive to New York City is about two hours in light traffic.

Size: 1,452 square feet

Price per square foot: $654

Indoors: The seller is an interior designer who made extensive improvements inside and out, including the addition of a large, screened porch. He also painted the house black.

Turning left from a small entrance hallway, you enter a living-and-dining room with pine floorboards, oiled-cedar ceiling planks and a wood-burning fireplace with a blackened-steel surround. The separate kitchen contains black cabinets and black honeycomb-shaped wall tile. The countertop material, Dekton, is a composite of quartz, porcelain and glass. The appliances include a Fisher & Paykel wall oven and cooktop, a Liebherr refrigerator and a Faber hood.

A bedroom wing to the right of the entrance includes a powder room with grasscloth-covered walls and a floating sink. Two guest rooms lie beyond, one with double closets and overhead storage, and the other with a tall, black-painted wainscot and an en suite bathroom with a walk-in shower faced in black-stone tile.

The second floor is taken up by the primary suite, beginning with a study area that overlooks the living room. The bedroom contains a pair of closets built under the slanted wood ceiling. The bathroom has a walk-in, black-tile shower and a vessel sink set on a slatted-wood pedestal.

Outdoor space: One set of sliding-glass doors opens from the living room to the screened porch. Another leads to a terraced side deck that steps down to a lawn. A stone retaining wall in front of the house surrounds a garden.

Taxes: $8,244 (2020, based on a tax assessment of $347,800, without an exemption for use as a primary property)

Contact: Jeff Serouya, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Hudson Valley Properties, 845-626-5000; jeffserouya.bhhshudsonvalley.com

This property consists of a small house and garden tucked behind a former commercial building with a gable. It is set among the historic houses and antiques shops of this quaint Delaware River city, steps from popular restaurants like Antons at the Swan, and a block from the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail. East Bridge Street, which connects Lambertville to New Hope, Pa., across the river, is two blocks north. The area flooded during Hurricanes Irene and Sandy, and the home requires flood insurance for a mortgage.

Size: 2,559 square feet (total for both buildings)

Price per square foot: $371

Indoors: The current owners added a second bathroom to the main house and a whole-house generator that covers both buildings. The main house interior is freshly painted.

A brick path in a sheltered garden leads to the houses entrance porch, under a pergola. Inside is a foyer with hardwood floors. The room to the right has a fireplace with a sculptural chimney that rises to the angular ceiling. Light enters from large garden-facing windows.

The open kitchen is arranged along the rear wall of this room and includes contrasting wood-toned cabinetry and a tiled floor and backsplashes. A built-in glass-fronted cupboard is next to the low partition that separates the kitchen from the dining area. Open bookshelves occupy a niche on another wall.

A main-floor bedroom has wood floors and a canted ceiling with a skylight. The accompanying bathroom includes penny-round floor tiles, a glass-walled shower and a console sink.

A staircase curves from the foyer to the second floor, where there is a lofted area over the living room with a wall of custom cabinets that could be used as a second bedroom. A dressing area connects this space to the recently installed bathroom, which has a soaking tub and more custom storage built to fill its idiosyncratically shaped space.

Whereas the house is all nooks and crannies, the street-facing studio building is a single, open room with a concrete floor, cathedral ceiling with skylights and exposed metal posts and beams. Square sash windows line a mirrored wall (the building was formerly a dance studio). The open kitchen has white cabinets with granite countertops.

Outdoor space: The garden between the buildings includes perennials, specimen trees, brick paving and a fountain. Off-street parking is behind the mahogany wall next to the studio.

Taxes: $12,955 (2020, based on a tax assessment of $583,300)

Contact: Stefan Dahlmark or Thomas Hora, Kurfiss Sothebys International Realty, 267-474-0204; new.sothebysrealty.com

A couple renovated the wifes midcentury childhood home in the San Gabriel Valley to create an energy-efficient house that filters pollutants (including smoke and ash from local fires) and maintains power through rolling blackouts. The house consumes no fossil fuel (the owners disconnected their gas line) and produces enough electricity through its rooftop solar array to sell the power back to the grid.

Temple City is a community with about 36,000 residents, highly respected schools and a reputation for safety. This property is about 12 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, eight miles southeast of Pasadena and a couple of blocks west of Rosemead Boulevard, a north-south road lined with businesses.

Size: 1,400 square feet

Price per square foot: $671

Indoors: Ten inches of insulation were added to the ceiling and four inches to the walls to improve energy efficiency. (The windows are also now double-paned, and the fireplace has been removed.) Heating and cooling are provided (when needed, which isnt often) by a mini-split system that replaced the gas furnace.

The entrance takes you into a living-and-dining room with hardwood floors and a vaulted ceiling made from reclaimed wood. Sliding-glass doors on two walls bring in light and give access to the backyard. A ladder rises to a little play loft built over the foyer. The kitchen, which flows into the living room, includes Shaker-style cabinets with quartz counters, Marmoleum flooring and stainless-steel appliances, including an induction stove.

The bedroom wing is to the right of the front door. It includes a primary suite whose bathroom contains a closet and a walk-in shower, and two childrens or guest rooms that share a second bathroom with a combined tub and shower. All toilets, shower heads and faucets are designed to save water.

Outdoor space: There is no lawn. The landscaping, including a vegetable garden, is drought tolerant. The two-car garage includes an electric washer and dryer and an electric vehicle charger.

Taxes: $11,045 (estimated)

Contact: Izumi Tanaka, eXp Realty, 310-749-9091; 5508harkeravenue.com

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What $950,000 Buys You in New York, New Jersey and California - The New York Times

By: Sebastian Morris 7:00 am on February 20, 2021

The Landmarks Preservation Commission has approved proposals to renovate and redevelop a portion of the McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Building. Located in the Garment District at 330 West 42nd Street, the property was originally constructed in 1931 and is considered a landmarked example of Art Deco design in the built environment.

From MDeaS Architects, the scope of work includes the replacement of ground-floor signage, a ground-floor infill, and eventual conversion of upper floors from commercial office space to condominium residences.

Keeping with the buildings Art Deco motif, the project team will install oversized, bronze signage with red accents along 42nd Street.

Along 41st Street, a ground-floor infill will replace existing garage space. The garage doors will be replaced with floor-to-ceiling glass windows with dark aluminum mullions similar to commonly observed designs in manufacturing buildings. A new tenant entry with bronze polished doors will be constructed at the corner of the property.

Rendering of existing conditions (top) and planned redevelopment (bottom) at 330 West 42nd Street MdeAS Architects

Rendering of existing conditions (top) and planned signage (bottom) along 42nd street at 330 West 42nd Street MdeAS Architects

No word yet from the design team or developer Deco Tower Associate on when work might begin or what the forthcoming residences might look like.

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LPC Approves Redevelopment of McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Building at 330 West 42nd Street - New York YIMBY

KenWiedemann / Getty Images/iStockphoto

J. Pickens is no stranger to home remodeling. The designer and host of HGTVs The Work Around has tackled plenty of home renovations throughout his career, and hes learned that homeowners are concerned primarily about two things: cost and style.

Related: 26 Home Makeover Ideas That Will Each Last Less Than $500

Both are important factors in home improvement projects. But you shouldnt overlook another essential element when youre renovating your house: longevity. If youre going to spend the money to improve the look of your home, you want to make sure that youre paying for renovations that will stand the test of time. Luckily, Pickens had some suggestions for long-lasting home upgrades that are worth the money.

Last updated: Feb. 18, 2021

Ceiling moldings in the interior, a detail of intricate corner.

Average cost: $900 per room

A relatively easy and affordable way to upgrade your home is to install crown molding. You get a lot of bang for your buck with moldings, Pickens said. They increase the style of your room, and they last forever.

The cost to install crown molding will vary depending on the type of material you use and whether you hire a professional or do it yourself. On average, though, it costs about $900 to install crown molding in a 16- foot by 20-foot living room, according to Fixr, a website that provides cost guides and comparisons for remodeling projects. Given that the average duration of homeownership is about 13 years, the cost of adding molding to a room would break down to about $69 a year.

See: 10 Home Renovations To Make Before You Retire

Contemporary upscale home kitchen interior with cherry wood cabinets, quartz countertops, sustainable recycled linoleum floors.

Average cost: $18,600

Pickens said that an HGTV survey found one of the most popular home renovations people plan to make this year is kitchen remodels. If youre going to spend the money to update your kitchen, he recommends installing custom-made, solid-wood cabinetry. Prefabricated cabinets made of inexpensive material will last only seven or eight years before showing wear, while solid wood cabinets will remain in good condition for at least 30 years, Pickens said.

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The average cost of installing custom cabinetry in a standard-sized kitchen is about $18,600, according to Fixr. Over the course of 30 years, that breaks down to about $620 a year for this home improvement.

Dont Miss: Key Signs You Should Sell Your Home When You Retire

retro metal cabinet knobs in the kitchen.

Average cost: $375 to $500

You can easily update the look of the cabinets and doors in your home by installing new hardware. It will add a visual appeal and make your house look unique, Pickens said. If you buy quality hardware, it should last 20 years or longer. In fact, Pickens said he has found vintage metal doorknobs and cabinet pulls that are 100 years old.

High-end cabinet handles cost about $15 to $20 a piece, and an average kitchen requires 25 handles for drawers and cabinets, according to home maintenance and repair company Mr. Handyman. So the cost of installing new, quality hardware could range from approximately $375 to $500.

Kitchen with honeycomb wall tiles and wooden worktop.

Average cost: $950

Replacing a worn or dated backsplash with one made of tile is an affordable way to improve the look of your kitchen and to better protect the space between your cabinets and countertop from water, Pickens said. And it will last at least 20 years. That will certainly stand the test of time, he said.

On average, the cost of installing a porcelain tile backsplash in a 10-foot by 10-foot kitchen is about $950 for labor and materials, according to Fixr. Over the 20 years or more it will last, its a cost of approximately $47.50 a year.

Close-up of blurred leaves with a sink, green cupboard and mirror in the background in the bathroom interior.

Average cost: $5 to $20 per square foot

The average cost to remodel a bathroom with a new tub, shower, flooring, vanity, and accessories is approximately $18,000, according to Fixr. To protect your investment from moisture, Pickens recommends installing tile throughout a bathroom or at least halfway up the walls. It will help boost the resale value of your home, and its an upgrade that will stand the test of time. Literally, it can last forever with very little maintenance, Pickens said.

On average, porcelain tile costs about $5 to $20 per square foot, according to Fixr. If you just limit tile to a shower rather than the entire bathroom, the average cost to install a 3-foot by 3-foot porcelain tile shower with three walls and an 8-foot high ceiling is approximately $1,875.

A modern contemporary classic bathroom design, furnished with a classic painted cabinet, sepia toned picture on the wall, exposed brick wall and a window, a claw foot bath tub and black and white tile pattern on the floor.

Average cost: $500 to $3,000

If you want a bathtub separate from your shower, Pickens recommends avoiding jet tubs. They are more expensive to install and dont stand the test of time because they can clog and require repairs. Instead, go traditional, he said.

A standalone soaking tub costs, on average, between approximately $500 and $3,000, according to Fixr. Pickens said you might get a better deal by purchasing a second-hand clawfoot tub and having the enamel refinished for about $150. If youre looking to make a renovation and make it last, an old classic tub is your best option, Pickens said.

tankless water heater

Average cost: $1,921

If youre renovating your home, Pickens recommends replacing your hot water heater with a tankless heater. These systems can save you money because they heat water on demand rather than keep an entire tank of water constantly heated. Plus, gas-powered tankless water heaters can last 20 years, Pickens said.

The average cost to install a tankless water heater is approximately $1,921, according to HomeAdvisor. Over the 20 years it should last, that breaks down to a cost of about $96 a year.

Watch Out: 20 Home Renovations That Will Hurt Your Homes Value

Turn off the lights.

Average cost: $144 to install

Switching light switches to dimmers are a cost-efficient home improvement because they can save energy and should last 15 years or more, Pickens said. Dimmer switches cost about $5 to $15 and an average of $144 to install, according to HomeAdvisor. If a switch lasts at least 15 years, the cost is only $9.60 a year.

Modern room with mansard windows.

Average cost: $450 to $1,500

If youre looking for home remodeling ideas that dont cost a lot but add a lot of value, consider installing a skylight to brighten up a room. No one has ever walked into a house and said there is too much light in here, said Pickens. The skylight in his house provides enough natural light throughout the day, which helps reduce the usage of lights during the day.

A skylight will last as long as the house does if you maintain it, Pickens said. On average, the cost of installing a skylight ranges from approximately $450 to $1,500 depending on the style that is installed, according to Fixr.

Three new replacement windows with green trim on front of house.

Average cost: $19,000 for average-sized house

Replacing windows with energy-efficient ones can be one of the more expensive home-improvement projects, but its money well spent, Pickens said. They can increase the value of your home and lower your electricity costs.

The average cost of installing energy-efficient windows throughout a 2,450-square foot house is approximately $19,000, according to the National Association of Realtors Remodeling Impact Report. However, over the 30-plus years, these windows should last and the annual cost would be about $633.

Save on Floor Remodels

Average cost: $4,000

Youd be much better off installing wood flooring rather than carpet when remodeling a home because carpet doesnt stand the test of time, Pickens said. One glass of spilled grape juice could ruin your carpet 10 minutes after installing it. Your hardwood floors could last 100 years, Pickens said. You dont get better value than that.

The average cost of installing 200 square feet of hardwood flooring is about $4,000, according to Fixr. Engineered wood flooring that is made with plywood and a hardwood veneer cost about the same to install and can last as long. Over 100 years, the cost of installing hardwood flooring is only $40 a year. For an even more affordable option, Pickens recommends vinyl composite core flooring that replicates the look of hardwood flooring.

white plastic window on the wall lined with yellow siding.

Average cost: $6,000 to $13,000

To spruce up the look of the exterior of your home, consider installing siding. Vinyl siding is a low-cost and low-maintenance option. There also are a variety of new materials in the same price range as vinyl that will last as long at least 30 years, Pickens said.

The cost to install vinyl siding on an average two-story house ranges from approximately $6,000 to $13,000, according to DIY Network. Over the course of the 30 years, the siding will last, the $13,000 installing cost breaks down to about $433 a year.

"Construction Worker, Building Activity, Built Structure, Construction Site, Copy Space, Fiberglass Insulation", Fibreglass, HOUSE, Home Improvement, Home Interior, Horizontal, Industry, Installing, Insulation, Ladder, Manual Worker, Men, Pollution Mask, Protective Glove, Protective Workwear, Stud, Wall, batt, construction, jeans, protection, working

Average cost: $3,500 to $4,500

Insulating your house is something people try to skimp on, Pickens said. But this home upgrade can pay off because it will help cut energy costs over time. And it should last as long as your house does. On average, it costs $3,500 to $4,500 to install blown-in insulation into a 2,500 square-foot house, according to Fixr.

Backyard deck with deck chairs and a pergola on a sunny summer day.

Average cost: $7,229

Adding a deck to your home can increase its value because it can increase your living space, Pickens said. If you want a deck to stand the test of time, he recommends using composite decking materials. A well-made deck of composite materials will last you 30 years without having it restained or repainted, he said.

On average, it costs about $7,229 to install a 200- to 500-square foot deck in wood or composite materials, according to HomeAdvisor. That breaks down to about $241 a year over the course of 30 years.

An American flag flies from the open porch and gardens surround a small single family home on a Spring afternoon on Cape Cod on the Massachusetts coast.

Average cost: $13,200

If you want to create a good first impression when guests or potential buyers come to your home, invest in landscaping. Always with landscaping, its money well spent, Pickens said. And it will last forever if you maintain it well.

The cost of landscaping can vary greatly depending on the plants you choose and the size of the project. However, the average cost for landscape design and installation in an average-sized yard of 1,200 square feet is approximately $13,200, according to Fixr.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Home Upgrades That Will Stand the Test of Time

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Home Upgrades That Will Stand the Test of Time - Yahoo Finance

AFTER: Open shelving was built into the wall of the kitchen to maximize space and functionality.

Megan developed a plan, working closely with Claire and Hayden, to cultivate a property where needs and wants existed in harmony. They partnered with Green Solar Designs to build a new double-story extension that included a kitchen, dining, and sitting room on the ground floor and a primary suite upstairs. A large sliding door opens to the original structure, which has the same widened door frames and even flooring as the rest of the home. The wallpaper, palmets, and light fixtures in the front room that first drew the couples attention were salvagedthanks, in part, to Macasar Buildingand fit right in with the rest of their belongings.

AFTER: Handmade terra-cotta tiles were sourced from New Zealand for the flooring through the kitchen, dining, and living spaces, and the herringbone pattern makes it easier for Owens wheelchair to glide. The furnishings are from the owners collection.

Claire and Hayden had a collection of vintage kitsch, midcentury, and industrial objects that had been stored in anticipation of their forever house, Megan says. Claire worked in fashion for many years, so she has a keen eye for color and form, and Hayden had amassed industrial relics of his own.

Megan created an earth-tone palettewarm paprika in the entryway, sage in the kitchen, sky blue in the bathroomto complement their style and connect each space to the leaves and light outside. The colors also allow accessible and sustainable elements to blend in more effortlessly. The curves of the ground-floor bathroom, which was the most vital and challenging part of the renovation, let Owen transfer from the tub to his wheelchair more easily, while the height of the vanity allows his wheels to slide underneath. Those same curves and rectangular tiles can be seen in the kitchens open shelving and dining areas fireplace, and everything can be accessed through wider door frames inside and hardwood ramps outside. As for eco-friendly solutions, a 5-kilowatt solar panel and solar hot water system were installed on the roof, and the new exterior consists of recycled brick.

BEFORE: When the family first moved in, the outdoor area was in total disarray.

AFTER: Double-glazed timber windows were installed throughout the home, and an angled hardwood front door was made custom for this frame. The original brick faade and sandstone paving were restored, and match new wide ramps that were made to blend in.

Everything works so well, Claire says. The lovely big ramp out the front is the first thing everyone notices, and strangers often stop by and tell us how much they love it. Because its made so well, it actually adds a rather grand flavor to the front of our houseas if someone really important must live there! But the things people may not notice, like the smooth doorways and mixer taps, are what makes this home truly functional.

BEFORE: The original home only had one bathroom, and its midcentury build was not accessible.

AFTER: Megan was inspired by a 1960s pool for the bathrooms renovation, and sourced tiles from Artedomus and Academy Tiles for the walls and tub enclosure. Many of this projects features, such as the curved vanity, were functionally important and became some of the most beautiful aspects of the design, she says.

AFTER: Megan reused the original bathrooms pink sink in the primary suite upstairs. Along with the primary bedroom and bathroom, theres a studyMegan calls it the parents zone.

Its been three years since the family moved into this flexible and functional hub, and so far, it has been just that. Everyone has a spot to work, play, and gather, and Claire notes how the colors bring the interior alive. While the project's aim was for Owen to live well, the rest of the family certainly does too. And that, Claire notes, is its beauty. Accessible homes are the best because they make everyones life more comfortable, she says.

AFTER: The lovely, wide entryway is painted in a paprika shade from Dulux, and complements the Australian hardwood staircase.

See the rest here:
This Melbourne Home Doesn't Exactly Look Accessible, And That's the Best Part - Architectural Digest