Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Windows 10 October 2020 Update, which is only a service pack fashion improve, was launched in October. This replace is a minor launch, however it comes with two new options theme-aware Start Menu and new Alt-Tab expertise.

As you could know already, Alt+Tab is a well-liked multitasking keyboard shortcut that has been in Windows since Windows 2.0 and it was final up to date in model 20H2 with a brand new function.

Windows 10 20H2 modifies the best way Alt-Tabbing works in relation to Microsoft Edge by permitting browser tabs to look as a separate app window within the Alt-Tab display screen.

Alt+Tab enables you to swap between open home windows on Windows 10 and you may also navigate between apps utilizing the arrow keys. With Windows 10 October 2020 Update, Microsoft stated it has improved the multitasking expertise by together with Microsoft Edge tabs within the Alt-Tab interface.

Microsoft believes that commonplace Alt+Tab is fairly fundamental and Edge tabs inclusion may help you navigate by your operating duties extra simply.

Unfortunately, Alt+Tab interface is now damaged for some customers after they utilized the Windows 10 October 2020 Update. According to reviews and our personal testing, a bug within the replace may lead to your Alt+Tab order altering unexpectedly and itll open the mistaken window if you attempt to swap between apps.

For instance, when you have three app home windows open (A, B, C) and also youre making an attempt to change to the primary window A, Alt-Tab interface will as a substitute give attention to the window after the meant one.When this occurs, it may be noticed that the choice on the Alt + Tab menu just isnt on the entry A, appropriately, however on the second entry B.

Several customers confirmed the difficulty within the Feedback Hub and it seems like Microsoft is conscious of the reviews.

Alt-Tab has started acting very inconsistent. For example, if I am quickly switching between windows A and B using Alt-Tab, it will be fine 9 out of 10 times. Then on the 10th time Im using Alt-Tab, it will randomly switch to window C which I havent opened in a while, one person noted within the Feedback Hub.

In one Feedback Hub publish, Microsoft stated that theyre investigating the reviews they usuallyve already mounted the difficulty in preview builds.

Its seemingly that Microsoft will repair the Alt-Tab issues in a future replace to Windows 10 October 2020 Update, however it could not arrive this 12 months because the tech big plans to launch fewer updates till January.

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Microsoft admits Windows 10 multitasking function damaged by replace - Enter21st

The Historic District Commission met on Nov. 17, with another meeting set for Nov. 19, to clear an agenda that dates back six months.

On Nov. 17, the HDC denied in a 4-3 vote the petition of Kevin Rinaldi-Young, 5 Russo Court, to elevate his house off the foundation and onto a new foundation to provide a garage at grade and a variety of changes to the structure.

Several neighborhood residents opposed the house being elevated above the rooflines of other historic houses along the street. However, there were several letters of support, including resident Erin Mulry, who spoke of the applicants regard for historic districts in the plan.

The HDC approved the following petitions:

. George Oliver, 29 Greenough Place, to demolish a garage and rebuild with new foundation walls and footings, to remove an exterior stairway to the third floor, a shed dormer and a kitchen addition, and to repair and replace rotted wood trim where necessary;

. Jeffrey Lipshires, 45 Kay St., to make various changes to the secondary structure;

. Elijah Duckworth-Schachter, 6 Greenough Place, to add a firstfloor deck;

. Earl and Nancy Powell, 1 Highland Place, to construct a two-story accessory structure;

. Zalo One LLC, 16 Barney St., to replace the siding, roof and chimney, to remove rear decks, to repair the stone foundation and to reconfigure the rear elevation;

. John and Jeanie Shufelt, 1 Cliff Ave., to construct an exterior elevator shaft and remove an historic window;

. Helen Hadley Johnstone, 13 Mount Vernon St., to replace wooden stairs and a handrail with stone stairs and an iron handrail;

. William and Kathleen S. Wallace, 86 Beacon Hill Road, to extend a dormer east to accommodate an elevator;

. Deborah Cloaniger, 11 Harrison Ave., to install a dryer vent in an exterior masonry wall;

. Eoin Howlett, 16 Poplar St., to replace aluminum windows with double hung insert windows, to restore two original wood windows on the front elevation, and other repairs.

A dozen petitions were continued to Nov. 19 and to December.

Read more from the original source:
HDC Holds Two Meetings to Hear Petitions - Newport This Week

Microsoft is creating a new security chip thats designed to protect future Windows PCs. Microsoft Pluton is a security processor that is built directly into future CPUs and will replace the existing Trusted Platform Module (TPM), a chip thats currently used to secure hardware and cryptographic keys. Pluton is based on the same security technologies used to protect Xbox consoles, and Microsoft is working with Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm to combine it into future CPUs.

This new chip is designed to block new and emerging attack vectors that are being used to compromise PCs, including CPU security flaws like Spectre and Meltdown. Intel revealed back in 2018 that it was redesigning its processors to protect against future attacks, and Pluton is an even bigger step in securing CPUs and Windows PCs in general.

Existing TPMs are separated from CPUs, and attackers have also been developing methods to steal the data and information that flows between a TPM and CPU when they have physical access to a device. Just like you cant easily hack into an Xbox One to run pirated games, the hope is that it will be a lot more difficult to physically hack into a Windows PC in the future by integrating Pluton into the CPU.

We shipped the Xbox which has this physical attack protection, so people cant just hack it for games etc, explains David Weston, director of enterprise and OS security at Microsoft. We learned principles of effective engineering strategies from that, and so were taking those learnings and partnering with Intel to build something for the PC that will stand up to that emerging attack vector.

A number of firms sell kits, or 0-day vulnerabilities, that let attackers gain access to machines and literally crack open PCs to steal critical data that can unlock other ways to get into company systems or access personal information. Our dream for the future is thats just not possible on the PC platform, says Weston.

Pluton is essentially the evolution of the TPM, baked directly into a CPU. This is a better, stronger, faster, more consistent TPM, explains Weston. We provide the same APIs as TPM today, so the idea is that anything that can use a TPM could use this. That means features like BitLocker encryption or Windows Hello authentication will transition over to using Pluton in the future.

Microsofts work with Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm also means that Pluton will be updated from the cloud. Updates will be issued monthly on the same Patch Tuesday that regular Windows fixes arrive. The hope is that this should improve system firmware updates for both consumers and businesses that run Windows PCs.

Its not clear when PCs with Pluton chips will start shipping, but Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm are all committing to build this functionality into their future CPUs. Youll still be able to build custom PCs with Pluton chips embedded inside, and there should even be support for Linux in the future, too.

This is a future thing were going to build in, says Mike Nordquist, director of strategic planning and architecture at Intel. The idea is that you dont have to look for a motherboard with a TPM chip... so you just get it. Nordquist says Intel also supports choice for operating systems, and that it doesnt want to start doing different things for a bunch of different OS vendors. There are no firm details on Linux support just yet, but Microsoft already uses Linux with Pluton in its Azure Sphere devices, so its likely to be available whenever these chips ship.

New chips and security do mean new fears about DRM, and the fact that processors will now call back to Microsofts cloud infrastructure for updates. This is about security, its not about DRM, explains Weston. The reality is well create an API where people can leverage it, its definitely possible for folks to use that for protection of content, but this is really about mainstream security and protecting identify and encryption keys.

Microsoft, Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm all clearly believe that processors that are continually updated with security built into them is the future for Windows PCs. Spectre and Meltdown were a wake up call for the entire industry, and Pluton is a significant response to the complex security threats that modern PCs now face.

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Microsoft Pluton is a new processor with Xbox-like security for Windows PCs - The Verge

"What's one thing that most everyone is most thankful for? It's their family," Colleen O'Connell said.Pictures through windows will be the memories O'Connell and her sisters make with their dad, Danny, this Thanksgiving."They will have two assistants with my dad on the other side of the window. We'll do the wave thing," O'Connell said.Next week, O'Connell and her son will drive from their Northern Kentucky home to Iowa. They'll enjoy a holiday meal with her two sisters. But everyone's heart will be heavy, knowing Danny O'Connell will spend his 87th Thanksgiving battling dementia and diabetes in a room by himself in a Cedar Rapids nursing home."You can't celebrate what could very well potentially be the last Thanksgiving that he will be here on earth," O'Connell said."It really is a difficult time," Steve Slayton said.Slayton is executive director of The Kenwood by Senior Star, a retirement community in Madisonville. He plans to do all he can to help families stay connected during fall's biggest holiday."Zoom calls, FaceTime. We have, probably, 15 iPads at the community that my staff is really well-versed in using," Slayton said. "They'll go up to the resident's apartment and, you know, Zoom in with the family when they're doing dinner or something like that so they can feel engaged."Slayton knows technology can't replace human interaction, but he said the fear of spreading the coronavirus requires caution.That's something O'Connell, who WLWT investigator Todd Dykes talked to when her dad survived a case of COVID-19 in April, has come to appreciate, just as she's learned to appreciate senior care workers more than ever."Every year my sisters and I have given the people that are closest to my father a Christmas gift," she said. "This year we're giving them a Thanksgiving gift because we are thankful for them."Families who want to connect with loved ones living in nursing homes need to start crafting a plan now, because the last thing senior care facilities need is for people to simply show up on Thanksgiving Day without knowing the latest COVID-19 protocols.Also, people who have loved ones in a nursing home can stay connected by sending a card. Slayton said he watches the faces of residents light up when they get mail. Plus, he said a card makes a great keepsake.

"What's one thing that most everyone is most thankful for? It's their family," Colleen O'Connell said.

Pictures through windows will be the memories O'Connell and her sisters make with their dad, Danny, this Thanksgiving.

"They will have two assistants with my dad on the other side of the window. We'll do the wave thing," O'Connell said.

Next week, O'Connell and her son will drive from their Northern Kentucky home to Iowa. They'll enjoy a holiday meal with her two sisters. But everyone's heart will be heavy, knowing Danny O'Connell will spend his 87th Thanksgiving battling dementia and diabetes in a room by himself in a Cedar Rapids nursing home.

"You can't celebrate what could very well potentially be the last Thanksgiving that he will be here on earth," O'Connell said.

"It really is a difficult time," Steve Slayton said.

Slayton is executive director of The Kenwood by Senior Star, a retirement community in Madisonville. He plans to do all he can to help families stay connected during fall's biggest holiday.

"Zoom calls, FaceTime. We have, probably, 15 iPads at the community that my staff is really well-versed in using," Slayton said. "They'll go up to the resident's apartment and, you know, Zoom in with the family when they're doing dinner or something like that so they can feel engaged."

Slayton knows technology can't replace human interaction, but he said the fear of spreading the coronavirus requires caution.

That's something O'Connell, who WLWT investigator Todd Dykes talked to when her dad survived a case of COVID-19 in April, has come to appreciate, just as she's learned to appreciate senior care workers more than ever.

"Every year my sisters and I have given the people that are closest to my father a Christmas gift," she said. "This year we're giving them a Thanksgiving gift because we are thankful for them."

Families who want to connect with loved ones living in nursing homes need to start crafting a plan now, because the last thing senior care facilities need is for people to simply show up on Thanksgiving Day without knowing the latest COVID-19 protocols.

Also, people who have loved ones in a nursing home can stay connected by sending a card. Slayton said he watches the faces of residents light up when they get mail. Plus, he said a card makes a great keepsake.

Read more:
Cincinnati families worry about loved ones in nursing homes during Thanksgiving holiday - WLWT Cincinnati

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has vowed to come back stronger than ever after being ruled out for a significant chunk of the season.

Gomez was forced to undergo knee surgery after rupturing his patella tendon during England training earlier this week.

Getty Images - Getty

With Virgil van Dijk also out for months with a knee problem, the Reds were counting on Gomez and his injury could not have come at a worse time.

However, it is not the first time the 23-year-old has suffered a serious setback, and Gomez insists he knows what it takes to come back better.

The road to recovery has already begun, Gomez wrote onTwitter. Ive been here before, I know what it takes and Ill be back better and stronger than ever.

Im obviously gutted, but this is a part of Gods plan and I believe everything happens for a reason.

Id like to thank everyone for their well wishes and messages of support.

Im focussed on my recovery and supporting my team mates in every way I can. See you soon.

Meanwhile, Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson told talkSPORT he expects the Reds to sign a new centre-back in the January transfer window.

Joe is a very, very important player, he told talkSPORT 2. Obviously with Virgil van Dijk out, it would be Joe Gomez and another.

AFP or Licensors

The thing with Joe Gomez is hes had his operation straight away and theyre already saying hell miss most of the season, but that sounds to me really that he might just make it back towards the end.

And Matip is a decent player but hes like a willow tree; he occasionally gets blown over and hes not fit for two or three weeks, so hes another worry.

Some of the younger players have come in and theyve done absolutely fine, but I think youre looking at Matip, if fit, with the likes of Fabinho or maybe even Henderson [playing in defence] at some stage.

But I would think it will force the managers hand in the January transfer window.

Hes going to have to go out and buy somebody, and it wont be a difficult conversation with the owners. Theyll realise whats going on; the great thing about them is theyve got this sporting franchise in America and they know people lose form and get injured, so its case of who hes going to bring in.

Were all going to play the game now going into January who are Liverpool going to sign?

Read more from the original source:
Liverpool defender Joe Gomez breaks silence on knee injury as Reds urged to buy replacement in January - talkSPORT.com

Macys and ournew reality

To me, the recent boarding up of Macys 34th Street, in anticipation of possible post-election violence, symbolizes our countrys new reality.

As a young Jewish girl, I longed for a Christmas tree. No amount of cajoling or arguing could persuade my parents to allow me to have one. But I vividly remember being entranced by the famous Christmas-themed windows at Macys, and what it meant to me. Viewing those windows were part of my familys annual ritual of visiting the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center and attending the annual Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall.

Those glorious windows were special to me; there were simply so many of them, and they ignited the imagination (or at least my imagination). They literally sparkled, beckoning to all sightseers, no matter what their religion. And for a brief moment, I could fully participate in a holiday that I could only otherwise observe as an outsider.

Those sweet days are long gone but were replaced, years later, with another ritual: cutting through that same Macys on my way to and from Penn Station, as I commuted to my office, one block away from the store. It provided brief shelter and respite from rain and snow, chilling cold and sweltering heat. It was always bustling and welcoming. Tourists, speaking many languages and bearing large shopping bags, were a large presence. It gave the store a rather festive, international air. I liked that.

A high point of spring, for me, was always the Macys flower show, with its windows bedecked with multicolored blossoms. In the weeks before the flower show officially opened, despite the harsh March winds, I knew that spring was coming. I followed the progress as the windows and street floor began to be decorated with elaborate floral arrangements.

Macys also taught me a lesson about human nature.

During those dark days after 9/11, immediately after New York opened up again, I took one of the first DeCamp express buses out of Montclair. It was about half full. Usually, passengers were buried in their newspapers and electrical devices. But in that bus, at that time, we all had the need to talk and connect. We spoke of shock, confusion and fear. None of us felt comfortable going into Manhattan, but we each for our own reasons felt we had no choice. My story was that Im a psychotherapist; I had patients. End of story.

When I arrived in the city, I did not cut through Macys as I usually did. I was sure it would be the next target. While the Empire State building, on the other end of the block where my office was located, had become a virtual fortress, there was no visible security presence at any of the stores entrances.

Suddenly those interesting tourists with large shopping bags now seemed potentially menacing. And the landmark status of the building seemed downright dangerous.

But then, later that afternoon, I got a very noticeable run in my stockings (in those days I cared about such things). Feeling I had no choice, I nervously dashed into Macys for a replacement. It was virtually empty, but I still vividly remember all the salespeople standing behind counters in an empty store, determinedly smiling.

I hurriedly grabbed a pair of stockings and, as I checked out, I asked the salesperson if she was frightened being there. Of course she said yes, then hurriedly added, But this is my job. To me, those sales clerks at Macys symbolized the quiet courage and determination of New Yorkers during that terrible time a time that seemed to bring out the best in so many of us.

Now, suddenly, in a very different time, the Macys that had always been so welcoming to so many of us was boarded up. Has there ever been an American election thats brought forth such fear?

Happily, at this point in time, instead of violence there is dancing in the streets and the joyous honking of car horns. Soon, the boards covering Macys windows will undoubtedly be removed.

Will that be a harbinger of renewed hope for our divided country?

Janice Cohn

Montclair

Montclair Local is providing true public service through its in-depth reporting on Lackawanna. The issues are significant and many, and should concern all citizens. To clarify one crucial point: The members of A Better Lackawanna LLC should not be painted with one brush as being preservationists our 200+ members joined for any number of reasons, which align with the points in our lawsuit.

In one survey we did of members motivations, 80 percent said they were greatly concerned about the 400-car parking shortage and the traffic impact at what is perhaps the busiest intersection in all of Montclair. Only 20 percent said historic preservation was important to them.

At its heart, our appeal is about good government and the publics protected right to question and comment. All residents should be outraged at the taking of the public easement on Grove Street, without disclosure or input by the public. This project needs to return to the drawing board a full remand, in legalese a drawing board based on the survey map that was missing throughout the original approval process.

Priscilla Eshelman

A Better Lackawanna

See more here:
Letters to the editor: Nov. 12 - Montclair Local

A mum was left distraught after her car windows were smashed and her purse stolen overnight.

Eleanor Walters, 21, had left her flat in Newport city centre with her one-year-old daughter when she noticed the passenger window of her Citroen C3 had been smashed and her purse taken.

Eleanor said: "My daughter and I left the flat at around 8.45am in the rain to find the window smashed, the car soaked and her car seat destroyed.

"The damage to the car itself is complete loss of the passenger window and, due to the type of seats, the glass is hard to shift and will either need replacing or professional cleaning."

Eleanor said: "It's become very stressful and draining. Multiple phone calls to cancel and re-start cards and accounts moved, and when the new bank account is sorted it's a matter of moving all bills over to new accounts which proves very difficult for someone like me, who struggles with phone calls and socialising with unknown people."

Eleanor said she and her family are now considering moving home as they do not feel safe in the area.

"The reason car insurance is so high here is because of people doing stuff like this and how common it is.

"I could have claimed on my insurance, making me lose my no claims bonus and possibly making the insurance for next year just too much to justify paying, or put ourselves out of pocket now to get it fixed," she said.

"For someone like myself with severe mental health problems my car is my safety blanket. Knowing I can get away or find my way to someone for help if I need it."

Eleanor said: "The car seat will need replacing and that is not cheap either. I now also have to replace the purse and all of the contents. The beautiful picture of my baby in the purse window will be wasting away somewhere. It hurts that it's had no effect to them but a huge one for me and my family."

A spokesperson for Gwent Police said: "We were called at approximately 9.15am on November 18, reporting that a Citreon C3 parked on Rodney Road in Newport had been broken into sometime between midnight and 9am.

"Cash, bank and store cards were stolen. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting 2000419646."

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Car covered in glass after windows smashed overnight in Newport - Wales Online

Remodeling your home is the perfect way to maximize the space in your home and to make every room more comfortable. There is so much extra space that can be utilized when you do remodeling, and you can create the ideal home to suit your familys life. Furthermore, a well thought out remodeling can also significantly increase the value of your home. It is always worth researching which home improvements are most attractive to potential buyers as these will be the remodeling jobs that will add the most value. A great remodeling can add far more value to your house than the original cost of the work.

To help everyone who is considering giving their home a new lease of life, here are the key things you need to know before home remodeling.

The first remodeling job you should consider is an upgrade on the exterior of your home. This will give your home instant curb appeal, which will not only make the neighbors jealous, it will also significantly increase your homes value. Potential buyers first impression of a property is usually its front exterior, so if you are looking to remodel in order to sell your house, this is definitely an area which you shouldnt overlook. There are various materials and finishes that can make your home look totally different such as cladding and stone veneers. A little landscaping or a newly laid driveway can also make a huge difference when it comes to the look of your homes exterior.

In most homes, the kitchen is at the very heart of family life and so maximizing the use of your kitchens space and creating a beautifully designed room is always worthwhile. In any home, an updated kitchen can easily be achieved by adding some top of the line appliances, changing the countertops, cabinets, and drawers, and adding a splash of color with contemporary styles. The kitchen is also a major factor in a homes value as many potential buyers want a home where the kitchen doesnt need any work, as this is considered to be a big job. If you are trying to decide which rooms in your home should be allotted the most amount of your budget, it is always worth starting with the kitchen.

Whilst being far from the most glamorous remodeling jobs, it is really important that every home has quality, up to date plumbing and wiring. It is vital that you have both of these regularly checked so that any potential issues can be nipped in the bud long before they escalate into more major problems. If you are remodeling your home to sell it, it is also worth noting that prospective buyers will usually check the condition of your plumbing and wiring in the survey. If you have certificates that show you recently had them replaced, the potential asking price of your home can be significantly higher. Plumbing can be difficult to access, so consider getting your pipes replaced or fixed whilst you are remodeling the floors in your homes.

As well as upgrading the exterior of the front of your house, it is always a great idea to landscape your backyard. This will enable you to create the perfect space for whatever it is your family likes to do in the garden. You can add some beautiful flower beds if you like gardening or create an area for your kids to play sports. If you are a family who loves entertaining, building a firepit or a big outside grill will really take your garden parties to another level. Other potential backyard ideas are adding a pool, creating a secret garden behind tall hedges, or adding a fish pond.

We spend significant amounts of time in the bathroom, so it is important that this is a room which you like. The total bathroom can be a little expensive, but as with the kitchen, even small changes can make a big difference. Replacing old tiles and having a professional restoration company clean up your old bathtub and sink can give the whole room a completely new lease of life. These are improvements that only cost a few hundred dollars but could add thousands to the value of your home.

A well-considered home remodeling can transform your familys life and also add serious value to your house. Whilst the best remodeling choices vary from home to home, there are some which are always the most sought after. Consider the suggestions in this article, and your home will soon be the envy of the whole street.

Read the rest here:
Key Things You Need to Know Before Home Remodeling - Blog - The Island Now

In August of this year, it was announced that Disneys Polynesian Village Resort would be closing until Summer 2021 due to ongoing renovations.

Although fans of this Disney World Deluxe Resort hotel were sad to hear about its lengthy closure although the Polynesian Resort Villas and Bungalows are still available to Disney Vacation Club Members many were simultaneously thrilled about what is to come.

One of the most exciting parts of Disneys Polynesian Resort refurbishment announcement was the fact that numerous rooms at the hotel will be re-themed using inspiration from the hit movie Moana!

This morning, while an ITM team member was riding the Resort Monorail, we were able to confirm that all of the rooms on the lower floor of one of the Polynesian Village Resorts guest room buildings have been completely emptied of furnishings ahead of the Moana remodeling project.

While we were riding the monorail, we saw workers were walking in and out of the rooms and it appeared that all carpeting had been removed concrete floors were visible in the empty guest rooms.

Construction on the Great Ceremonial House is also ongoing. Disney World construction workers were actively installing beams this morning.

When the original announcement about the Moana hotel rooms was made, Disney stated:

As we continue to reopen additional Disney Resort hotels to Guests, we are modifying the reopening date for Disneys Polynesian Village Resort which will reopen next summer. This schedule adjustment also allows us to complete some refurbishment work at the Resort hotel, including enhancements to the Great Ceremonial House and Guest rooms. We expect work to begin in early October and look forward to sharing more about these changes in the future. The Villas and Bungalows at Disneys Polynesian Village Resort will remain open during this refurbishment.

Disney has also previously noted that the new re-themed Polynesian Resort guest rooms will feature:

a move to a Pacific Ocean-inspired color palette as well as details, patterns and textures from Disneys Moana, an animated film that takes place on the Polynesian island of Motunui.

Are you excited to see Disneys Polynesian Village Resorts Moana re-theme get fully underway?

Let the experts at Academy Travel help you plan your next magical vacation to any of Walt Disney Worlds four theme parks Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disneys Animal Kingdom, and Disneys Hollywood Studios are waiting for you!

Go here to read the rest:
Photos: Polynesian Rooms Emptied Ahead of 'Moana' Re-Theme - Inside the Magic

Take your time. That's the adage social worker-turned-interior designer Julia Miller took to heart during the six years she and her husband, Keith, spent renovating their 1932 Minneapolis Colonial. "I always recommend living in your home before remodeling it," Julia says. "That way you get to know its story. There's something about what's existing that tells you what needs to be there."

Kim Cornelison

Using the observational skills Julia developed as a social worker, they created wish lists for the house, checking items off slowly as budget and time allowed. But with a Minnesota winter looming, one decidedly unflashy project on the list couldn't wait: replacing the drafty old windows, flaking lead paint and all. The job put a big dent in their budget, but it also started the ball rolling on picking paint colors. Julia landed on a dramatic, nearly black exterior with white window frames and details. (They used a Sherwin Williams custom blend to approximate Farrow & Ball's Off-Black.) "We wanted a clean-lined look," she says. "But going this dark was probably the biggest risk we took."

Kim Cornelison

Inside, the palette reverses. Black details like the painted window frames, modern light fixtures, and matte charcoal tiles play off creamy alabaster walls and pale wool and linen fabrics. Julia used color to highlight details like the original carved fireplace surround (Mediterranean Olive; Benjamin Moore). A stuffed green leather chair and a curvy velvet lounger keep the living room soft and comfortable. Julia rotates pieces of her vintage and handmade collections, varying shapes and heights on the mantel.

The rest of the remodel took shape in phases between the births of their two boys, spaced two years apart. As they grew, Julia saw the appeal of maintaining some separate spaces, like Keith's office off the living room. But she also felt the need to connect some closed-off spaces like the kitchen and dining room. The wall dividing them came down, creating enough room for a big island that caters to their needs. On one side there's a slide-out dog food dish for Elsie the Lab; on the other is a built-in chopping block where Julia can work while she watches the boys play in the new screen porch. That 400-square-foot cedar-framed addition supplies much of the renovation's wow factor, but it accommodates an item on their non-negotiable list: A Shaker-style woodburning stove. "Living in a long-winter climate, we wanted that stove and designed the porch and breakfast room around it," she says.

Story continues

A wall of parchment-color glazed tiles brings texture to the off-white cabinets in the kitchen. With small kids in mind, Julia opted for rounded corners on the soapstone counters, and to keep the finish leathery, she skipped oiling them.

Kim Cornelison

Stacking sliding glass doors by Marvin are left open during warm weather and lead to the vaulted screen porch, where Keith and the boys often camp out. They whitewashed the cedar frame ceiling and stained the sides Benjamin Moore's Arborcoat Black. Once the porch was complete, they expanded their living space with a sandstone paver patio.

The Millers keep a running maybe-someday list. An en suite bathroom would be nice. (The couple shares the upstairs bath with their sons.) But today, six years, two kids, a career change, and multiple renovations later, they feel like their patience has paid off, Julia says. "It's about knowing where you want to be, even if you don't get there for a while."

Kim Cornelison

To update her 1932 home, Julia focused on incorporating simple pieces like these Shaker-style built-ins and wood pendant. But she countered their stripped-down styling and embraced the home's Colonial architecture with a plaster ceiling medallion and an antiqued mirror backsplash.

Kim Cornelison

Keith and Julia's mornings begin in their new breakfast room where they hang out with August, 2, and Gray, 5. The blackened terra-cotta floors flow into the screen porch. The tile's indoor-outdoor suitability was one reason Julia chose it, along with the striking star and cross layout. "I wanted a bigger pattern in that space because there's not a lot going on in there," she says.

Windows above the built-in bench mimic those in the dining room on the other side of the kitchen. The firewood storage stack, stove, and armed pendant contrast with the tongue-and-groove paneled walls and ceiling.

Kim Cornelison

"We are home all the time. Even our vacations are short, so we wanted this house to have all of the elements we enjoy as parents but also be great for kids and visiting family," Julia says. So for their bedroom, "I wanted to create a cozy spot for us to relax by ourselves." Fabric pieces like the shaggy rug, wool shades, and linen-upholstered bed provide the soft foundation that she was after.

Kim Cornelison

In outfitting her oldest son's bedroom, Julia says she invested in pieces that would grow with him, such as the handmade bed and Abigail Edwards Seascape wallpaper. The quilt made by Julia's mother is another keepsake.

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A 6-Year-Long Renovation Turned This 1932 Colonial into a Cozy Family Haven - Yahoo Lifestyle