Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Houzz Inc., the platform for home remodeling and design, recently released the Q1 2020 Houzz Renovation Barometer, which tracks residential renovation market expectations, project backlogs and recent activity among businesses in the construction sector and the architectural and design services sector in the U.S. The Barometer points to strong expectations for home renovation market activity in the first quarter of the year.

Small businesses in the construction sector and architectural and design sector are heading into 2020 on a positive note, with expectations in line with last year and project backlogs already a few days longer than three months ago, said Nino Sitchinava, Houzz principal economist. Given the significant delays in 2019 due to weather, among other factors, businesses are optimistic about projects spilling over into the first half of 2020. Economic and political uncertainty, high product and material costs, and shortages of skilled labor continue to be the top cited concerns for 2020.

Construction Sector

Architectural and Design Services Sector

The Houzz Renovation Barometer is based on a quarterly online survey sent to a national panel of businesses with an online profile on Houzz. The Barometer keeps a pulse on home renovation market conditions via three distinct indices that track expected, current, and recent business activity in two related industry sectors, the construction sector and the architectural and design services sector.

The Expected Business Activity Indicator is based on survey questions that ask businesses to report whether they expect the number of project inquiries and new committed projects to increase, decrease or stay unchanged in the upcoming quarter relative to the prior quarter. Scores for each component are then computed as a seasonally adjusted diffusion indices on a scale of 0 to 100, with index values over 50 indicating that a greater proportion of firms reported quarter-over-quarter increases than those reporting decreases.

The Recent Business Activity Indicator is based on survey questions that ask businesses to report whether they observed the actual number of project inquiries and new committed projects increasing, decreasing or staying unchanged in the most recent quarter relative to the prior quarter. Scores for each component are then computed as a seasonally adjusted diffusion indices similar to the Expected Business Activity Indicator. Recent Business Activity Indicator scores can be compared to the Expected Business Activity Indicator scores for any given quarter to see whether actual activity met, exceeded, or fell short of expectations.

Finally, the Backlog Indicator is based on survey questions that ask businesses to report wait times in weeks before a company can start work on a new midsize project. Scores are computed as average wait times without a seasonal adjustment.

All three indices are computed individually for two subsectors in the construction sector (build only remodelers and design and build remodelers) and for two subsectors in the architectural and design services sector (architects and interior designers), as well as for nine regions that follow U.S. Census Bureau Divisions. The aggregated national indices are computed using industry subsector weights and regional weights derived from the 2016 U.S. Census County Business Patterns survey. Detailed methodology and underlying quarterly indices for the construction sector and the architectural and design services sector, and other information on market conditions can be found on houzz.com/research.

The Q1 2020 Barometer was fielded December 29th, 2019 through January 10th, 2020 and garnered responses from nearly 1,500 small businesses on Houzz. n=1,484.

The Q2 2020 Houzz Renovation Barometer release date is April 9, 2020.

Furniture Industry News and in depth magazine articles for the furniture retail, furniture manufacturers, and furniture distributors. Read other articles by Nic Ledoux

See more here:
2020 Kicks Off with Confidence in Q1 Home Renovation Market, Houzz Barometer Finds - Furniture World Magazine

Whether you want to vacation with three or four generations of your family, take care of your elderly parents or nurture a relationship among members of your extended family, you may want to consider having a home designed specifically for multiple generations to live together.

One of the essential elements to a successful melding of generations in one home, ironically, is creating space for everyone to be occasionally apart.

For Diane and Roger Feeley, retired grandparents, this meant hiring Michael Winn, founder of Winn Design + Build in Falls Church, Virginia, to design a separate house connected to their daughter and son-in-laws home outside Washington, D.C. The motivation for the couple, both in their mid-60s, is to live close to their two grandsons, who are 2 and 4.

I didnt know any of my grandparents and I wanted my grandchildren to have the experience that I didnt have, she said.

More: The Best Smart Home Tech from CES 2020

Like many families, the Feeleys prize togetherness with their grandchildren but also appreciate their privacy. Their three-level house includes a porch that overlooks the swimming pool, a loft level home office and a 1,300-square-foot woodworking shop in the basement for Mr. Feeley.

I watch the boys during the week, but most evenings and weekends we hardly see each other, Mrs. Feeley said.

The Feeleys living situation is not so unique. Approximately 20% of Americans live in a household with three or more generations, according to the Pew Research Center.

More: Future Returns: There Are Reasons for Optimismand Cautionin 2020

Embracing Multiple Generations Takes Architectural Creativity

Just as each family is different, so are their design preferences.

When we meet with buyers, they often fall in love with the site and tell us how many bedrooms they need, but we dig deeper to get to know them and understand their family dynamics, said Ricardo Santa Cruz, chief business development officer for Mandarina, a resort with private residences north of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. For example, for a family with college students who want to bring their friends to visit, we can design the house so that the entertainment space is far from the grandparents and parents suites. But families with young children often want the kids rooms close to their parents but farther from the grandparents.

One buyer built an eight-bedroom house with first-floor bedrooms for grandparents and two swimming pools an infinity-edge pool for adults and a waist-deep pool for the children that was placed at the back of the house, Mr. Santa Cruz said.

More: High-Tech Gadgets to Help You Stay Warm This Winter

Some families want to entertain with everyone cooking and talking in the open kitchen, but others prefer a more closed-off kitchen for staff to cook while the family and friends gather in another space, he said.

Other residences at Mandarina, where homes are marketed to international buyers, prices range from US$4.95 million to US$10 million, have been designed with a separate bungalow for grandparents or a suite with an elevator for accessibility.

In every case, we build outdoor space around the house and work around the trees and topography of the land, Mr. Santa Cruz said. We create small destination points with private terraces facing the ocean, the jungle or the trees where people can walk a short distance from the house to escape into their own nook.

Sometimes, a multigenerational home is designed for caretaking rather than relaxation. In the Chicago area, Fred Wilson, a founding partner with Morgante-Wilson Architects in Evanston, Illinois, designed a US$1.5 million renovation on a home that had been in one family for generations.

We created a suite for the owners mother on the first floor that includes a big open bedroom and living area with French doors to a private terrace, Mr. Wilson said. She can walk down the hall to be with the rest of the family in the kitchen and family room whenever she wants.

Meanwhile, several multigenerational homes have been built on Crane Island, a custom home community adjacent to Amelia Island in Florida. One recently retired couple built a US$1.5 million property to accommodate three children and their partners as well as extended visits from the wifes parents from Poland, said John Hillman, vice president of sales and marketing at Crane Island.

More: The Year Ahead in Luxury Real Estate

That house includes double-front porches and a screened porch in the back so theres plenty of space to be outside in separate areas if they want privacy, he said.

The family also built an apartment with a separate staircase above the garage with a living room, a kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom so that the visiting parents have complete privacy when they want it, he said.

Another property on Crane Island, a US$3 million custom home, includes a garage apartment connected by an air-conditioned breezeway to the main house designed for the owners father, who is in his 90s. A third multigenerational property on the island has two wings to the house with a common entrance, so that the daughter and her family are on one side of the house and her father lives on the opposite side, Mr. Hillman said.

More: Cutting-Edge Amenities That Will Define 2020

As for the Feeleys, they planned to build a separate house on their daughters property but were prevented by zoning issues, Mr. Winn said.

The breezeway that connects the houses was built so they could be considered attached, but its practical, too, so the families can go back and forth under protection in inclement weather, Mr. Winn said. Otherwise, its a completely autonomous structure with almost 1,000 square feet on the main level that includes their living and dining area, kitchen, laundry, bedroom and bathroom.

Designing for the Future

While most families who build or remodel a home to accommodate multiple generations plan to live in it for many years, that doesnt mean many homeowners want visible aging-in-place features. Adding a first-floor bedroom and reducing the need to climb stairs are among the many elements that can make it easier for elderly people to stay in their home rather than move to senior housing.

More: Hidden Tech That Will Add a Futuristic Feel to Your Home

Its important to design spaces, especially the bathroom, that avoid that nursing home look, even if you need to include a bathtub with a door and a no-threshold shower, Mr. Wilson said.

The Feeleys home has aging-in-place features such as lever door handles, wide doorways, a front-loading washer-and-dryer and a walk-in shower with slip-resistant flooring and a seat, Mr. Winn said.

We designed the space around a spiral staircase to the upper and lower levels so an elevator can easily be added in the future if they want one, Mr. Winn said. A basic residential elevator costs about US$35,000 to install if the space is already configured for one, he said.

Since the Feeleys daughters home is an 1860s farmhouse, Mr. Winn was careful to design the new home to complement the historic home and to work as a pool house or future guest house if the family ever sells the property.

If you design a multigenerational house appropriately and not as if its an afterthought, the additional space is an asset for resale value, Mr. Wilson said. The space can be repurposed for guests, for an au pair, for an office or just another hangout space in your home.

More: The Wonderfuland Sometimes WeirdTech of 2019

Legal, Financial and Psychological Preparation

Every adult member of the multigenerational household should be part of deep discussions well before an architect is hired, Mr. Winn said, to clarify who will finance and own the property and who will make the design decisions. The Feeleys spent about US$600,000 to US$700,000 to build their house on their daughters land.

We had numerous conversations with our attorney and financial planner about how to address every financial and legal issue with building on our daughters property, Mr. Feeley said. The gift tax would have been crazy if we gave them the money to build the house. Instead, were the mortgage holders and our daughter and son-in-law have an interest-free loan with us that we forgive each year since theyre going to inherit our money one day anyway. We also have paperwork in place thats essentially an escape clause that dials down any potential apprehension about the future.

The agreement spells out what will happen if the Feeleys or their daughter want to move and sell.

More: For Luxury Home Buyers, Guest Suites Hit a Sweet Spot

My biggest recommendation is to do a trial run before you move in together, Mrs. Feeley said. We visited a few times for four-to-six weeks to see if we were going to get on each others nerves.

In addition, the Feeleys and their daughter planned upfront how they would split costs such as property taxes and utility bills, which Mrs. Feeley said is important for family harmony.

Designing From the Ground Up

Creating a comprehensive checklist of why youre buying or remodeling a home and including a list of all the habits and ways each family member will use the space makes it easier for an architect to develop a design that meets your priorities, said Mr. Santa Cruz. A custom architect should be willing to come up with creative solutions for your property that works now and in the future.

Youre only as happy as the least happy member of your family when youre living or vacationing together, said Mr. Santa Cruz. You want to design the home so that every generations needs are met. You want the kids to be able to play even while grandpa is taking a nap and mom is working.

More: A Smart Home Guide to Self-Care

Visit link:
The Luxury Way to Live with Multiple Generations - Mansion Global

Welcome to the weekend, Michigan!

Each week our Michigans Best team (thats us, Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez) come up with a list of great things to do for our Michigans Best Weekend Show, and share them with you here.

You can view our show by going to Facebook.com/MLiveMIBest.

This weeks show is brought to you by the Grand Rapids Remodeling & New Homes Show, happening Jan. 17-19 at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. You can find more information on this event below, as well as at buildremodelgr.com.

Here are the events that we covered on this weeks show, plus a few Michigans Best picks that weve been craving lately.

Have an event that we missed? Feel free to add it to the comments.

You can always email us your events, or your suggestions for Michigan's Best.

gonzo@mlive.com

asherma2@mlive.com

We hope you make it a Michigan's Best weekend!

Michigans Best Weekend Show - Jan. 16-19, 2020

Grand Rapids Remodeling & New Homes Show

Jan. 17-19, DeVos Place

This annual event features 200 local exhibitors, including kitchen design seminars by Sarah Reep, as wel as hands-on training at the DIY Homeowner Series. Hours are:

Fri, Jan 17: 12pm-9pm

Sat, Jan 18: 10am-9pm

Sun, Jan 19: 11am-5pm

Tickets: Single-Day Tickets: Adult $10 Online / $12 At the Door | Child (6-14) $4 | 5 & Under Free; Multi-Day Tickets:Adult $18 Online Only (Good for any 2 or all 3 days). Tickets available online now or at the DeVos Place Box Office during all hours of the show. More details at buildremodelgr.com.

Mackinaw City Winter Festival

Jan. 18-19

Downtown Mackinaw City

https://www.facebook.com/events/499593787348028/

Its a big weekend in Mackinaw City! Festivities begin with a DJ & Dancing at the Dixie Saloon at 10 p.m. Friday. Then on Saturday:

Winterfest Ice Fishing Tournament: (Weather permitting) From 8am until 2pm at the Carp Lake Marina, only seven miles from downtown Mackinaw City. Anglers can preregister at Carp Lake General Store, Clydes Bar or Paradise Lake Marina. All entry fees include a chance ticket valued at $5. The three categories to be judged are: Heaviest Pike, Heaviest Walleye and Heaviest Pan Fish with cash prizes for each category. Anglers may also preregister from 3-6pm on Friday in the headquarters located at Paradise Lake Marina. Registration on the day of the tournament is from 6:30-8am at the headquarters.

Chili Cook Off Competition: Begins at Mama Mias Pizzeria located at 231 East Central Avenue from 11am until 1pm. Come early to taste and vote for your favorite recipe.

Mackinaw Pepsi International Outhouse Races: Begins at at 2pm at the Sheplers Lot located on Huron Ave and Central Ave. This novelty event starts with the parade of outhouses which proves to be creative, colorful and entertaining a must see! The races are open to Adult & Junior Teams. The Outhouse must be 4x4x6 on skis. Must have a 5-person team {1-must ride & 4-push or pull}. The Outhouse must have a Toilet Seat and have Material to Wipe with. Entry must have a Name. CASH PRIZES: 1st Place: $500 | 2nd Place: $300 | 3rd Place: $200 | Best in Show: $100. Entrants under 18 must have a parents signature and ALL teams and participants must sign a waiver. http://www.mackinawouthouserace.com.

Other events include: Poker Walk from 10:15am to 1:15pm at B.C. Pizza; Sleigh/Wagon Rides from 11:30am until 2pm sponsored by Marshalls Fudge & Mackinaw Clothing Store.

For lodging reservations visit MackinawCity.com/stay/.

Pronto Pup Winter Weekend

Pronto Pup in Grand Haven has announced the dates for this years Winter Weekend - the only time during the off-season when its famed corn dogs are for sale. The food stand will be open on January 17, 18, and 19, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Owners Carl and Nancy Nelson run the 63-square-foot stand off Snug Harbor throughout the summer months, and customers sometimes line up down the block to buy their Pronto Pups - a Koegel hot dog, dipped in batter and fried, and served on a stick with ketchup or mustard.

Carls father, Charles Chuck Nelson, opened the stand in 1947.

Spicy Saturday at the Downtown Market

January 18, the Grand Rapids Downtown Market

9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Guests can experience blazin bites and strong sips during the fourth annual Spicy Saturday event throughout the Market Hall. This one-day-only event features hot items and other sizzling specials from various Market vendors and restaurants. Additionally, the second annual So Cluckin Hot spicy wing challenge takes place at noon on Spicy Saturday, hosted by Juju Bird. Participants will have 10 minutes to eat 12 of Juju Birds famous So Cluckin Hot wings. The winner will receive a $50 gift card to Juju Bird, a $50 gift card to the Downtown Market and $100 cash. All participants receive a $10 Juju Bird gift card.

So Cluckin Hot wing eating challenge - noon

http://downtownmarketgr.com/classes-events/spicy-saturday-2

Spicy Saturday specials include:

Tip Up Town

January 16,17,18,19 and January 24-25

1625 W Houghton Lake Dr

Houghton Lake, Michigan 48629

989-366-5644

Its the 70th anniversary for Tip Up Town, and the theme is Groovy 70s. The festival is held at the southern DNR boat launch, off of M-55 near the Pines theater and Pineview Golf Course. Free parking is available at the High School and library with free shuttle service to and from Tip Up Town.

This is the largest ice fishing festival in north central Michigan, and runs the last two weekends in January.

Activities include:

Tip Up Queen is crowned at noon on Saturday, a 5k run on Saturday, Grand Parade at 10, and fireworks at dusk.

Indian River Winterfest

Friday January 17 and Saturday January 18

Throughout downtown Indian River

This family friendly festival take place in beautiful Indian River. There are events throughout the weekend, including a cornhole tournament, live music, poker run, ice fishing tournament, and much more.

Head to Cooperation Park for family activities on Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., including build your own cardboard sleds (with cardboard provided), ice skating and cross country skiing. Free cookies and cocoa!

Cornhole is at 11 a.m. Saturday, Live music from Mike Ridley both nights, and a very rare Jelly Roll Blues Band sighting on Friday at 8 p.m.

Look up Indian River Winterfest 2020 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/441772370110478/?event_time_id=441772373443811

Johns Michigans Best Pick

This is the Tortellini Alfredo pizza at Tiffany Foods and Spirits in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Tiffany's was a finalist in the search for Michigan's Best Pizza in 2013.Jeff Schrier

Tiffany's Food and Spirits

656 S. Main, Frankenmuth

989-652-6881

Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m daily (bar open until midnight)

Facebook

On our search for Michigans Best Pizza in 2013, Tiffanys was known for maybe the most unique pizza -- the signature PastaPitza. The pizza is topped with homemade pasta on a thin homemade crust and sauce and topped with cheeses before its baked into a rich, filling dish. You can get 8 different pastas from Chicken Marsala to Seafood Alfredo. The menu also includes traditional and Sicilian pizzas, as well as sandwiches, burgers, great appetizer (try the escargot) and homemade pasta dishes, of course. Built in the 1900s, youll love the old house feel of the restaurant and the large display of Tiffany Lamps.

Photos: Our MLive visit in 2013

23 great pizza places not to miss (2013)

Amys Michigans Best Pick

Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez of MLive search for Michigan's Best Bloody Mary. Here they visit the Hunt Club in Jackson (April 17, 2016).John Gonzalez

The Hunt Club, Jackson

1514 Daniel Road, Jackson

http://thehuntclubmichiganjh.com/

One of our top picks from one of our first searches together, The Hunt Club in Jackson has not only a top notch bloody mary, but also just great drinks altogether. The search for Michigans Best Bloody Mary was an epic adventure that took us across the state, as we traveled more than 1,500 miles and visited 47 places. We tried spicy ones, beefy ones, ones that were slightly sweet, and some that were very savory. We had a few that burned our tongues with lovely heat and some that werent hot at all. Several were loaded with full meals balanced on the top, and some came with a simple pickle and olive. The most amazing thing? Not one of them tasted the same. One of our top ten picks was The Hunt Club.

The Bloody Mary Breakdown: The Bacon Bloody Mary starts with a vegetable juice base, enhanced with fresh citrus and spices. Ugly Dog bacon infused vodka is used.

Garnish: Housemade beer-candied bacon, blue cheese-stuffed olive, regular olives, pickle, celery, lime wedge

Why try it: They spent a lot of time creating this drink, working on a sweet vs. salty vs. spicy balance. This is very refreshing, with lots of citrus flavor. The bacon vodka gives the drink depth without being overly bacony. Bright, twangy, light, this drink is all-around delicious. And that candied bacon is incredible.

When The Hunt Club switched to using the Ugly Dog bacon vodka, they saw their Bloody Mary sales quadruple. They have something for everyone, with a full restaurant, several bars, banquet rooms for rent and a game room.

LOOKING AHEAD

Amy Sherman of MLive interviews Angielena Muellenberg, co-owner of Snowbelt Brewery in Gaylord, Michigan. This was part of Michigan's Best Day in Gaylord.John Gonzalez

We are celebrating another Michigans Best Day! Amy and Gonzo just finished filming another best day video, this time in Gaylord. The video will debut at Snowbelt Brewing Co. in Gaylord at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21. The brewery is located at 132 W Main St, Gaylord, MI 49735.

We appreciate you following our Michigans Best adventures.

Follow Michigans Best on social media:

@mlivemibest on Twitter

@mlivemibest on Instagram

Also, be sure to follow our MI Best Facebook Page, which you can check out here.

Join in by using the hashtags #mibest and #ItriedMiBest

In addition:

Amy Sherman is on Twitter @amyonthetrail, as well as Facebook and Instagram @amyonthetrail.

John Gonzalez is on Twitter @michigangonzo, as well as Facebook and Instagram @MichiganGonzo.

More:
Michigans Best Weekend Show - Things to Do, Jan. 16-19, 2020 - mlive.com

An old weatherboard-clad farmhouse rests on a hillside overlooking the James River in Nelson County, where it has stood since 1840.

Rock Cliff is an interesting home: short doors connect the 1840 section of the house with the new construction of 1882, and its front stoop is made of stones from an old canal lock.

Its most unique feature, however, has nothing to do with design or construction. It has to do with its inhabitants.

Rock Cliff has been continuously owned by the Cabell family and its descendants for almost 300 years.

It currently is owned by Andrew and Digna Gantt, who have been working diligently to restore and maintain the property, which now is on the National Register of Historic Landmarks.

It just feels like home, Andrew said.

Rock Cliff started as a land grant of about 6,000 acres along the James River to Dr. William Cabell in 1734. By the time John Cabell, the last of William Cabells children, died, the property had grown to 60,000 acres on both sides of the James River, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior registration form for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.

Before the Cabells, the land long had been inhabited by the Monacan Indian tribe.

The multiple-branched Cabell familys three-century tenure in the area is an enduring testimony to William Cabells skill and foresight in selecting this area for permanent settlement, the historic register documentation reads.

Cabell deeded the land to his son, Col. William Cabell, who gave it to his son, Mayo Cabell. Mayo Cabell sold the property, then 640 acres, to the great-great grandson of Dr. William Cabell, Dr. William Andrew Horsley, who descended from Cabells daughter Mary Cabell Horsley.

William Andrew Horsley, Andrew Gantts great grandfather, practiced medicine from an office still standing on the property.

When the 1882 addition to the 1840 house was constructed, the two halves didnt connect, forcing residents to walk out one side and back in the other,

In Dr. Horsleys daughter Anna Maria Perkins Horsleys diary, she described her father cutting a door on the second floor from the old house into the new addition, calling it not pretty but convenient, the historic register documentation reads.

Anna Maria Horsley diary indicates her father was a general practice doctor who set bones and delivered babies. Dr. Horsleys lower income patients would pay doctors fees with goods rather than money.

Family tradition holds that during the Civil War, Union General Philip H. Sheridan and his troops arrived at the area near Rock Cliff in March of 1865 on their way to sever Confederate supply lines by destroying the Virginia Central Railroad and the James River and Kanawha Canal.

Andrew said his grandmothers diary described Sheridans troops arrival at Rock Cliffs back porch. She was about 7 years old when that happened.

They were scuffling and fighting over a glass of wine. One of them told me, Get out of the way, you damn little rebel. I had expected monsters but they were just ordinary men, Andrew quoted.

Horsleys modest income as a doctor was just enough to keep Rock Cliff in the family when many of his ancestors lost their homes, Andrew said.

After William Andrew Horsleys death in 1887, the 637-acre property was divided among his five children and then subdivided among their heirs, and so on.

It was Andrews father, Dr. William Andrew Horsley Gantt, who set out to reassemble the homestead. Dr. Gantt had a storied history of his own. He worked as Chief of the Petrograd Unit of the American Relief Administration, helping with famine relief in Russia starting in 1922.

There he met Dr. Ivan Pavlov and became interested in his conditional reflex studies using a bell and a salivating dog. He stayed until the end of the program in 1923, and then returned from 1925 to 1929 to continue work with Pavlov. He later established a Pavlovian laboratory at Johns Hopkins University.

He formed the theories of schizogenesis and autokinesis which became the foundation of our modern understanding of the link between stress and psychological suffering and physical illness, the form states.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Gantt published seven books and authored 700 articles; he was nominated but did not receive the Nobel Prize in 1970.

Andrews father is the one who first installed plumbing in the house.

He knew nothing about plumbing but he got books from Montgomery Ward, Andrew said. Montgomery Ward, in those days, this was 1940 or so, would loan out tools and instruction books if you bought the materials from them. So thats what my father did and he knew absolutely nothing about plumbing. He was a doctor and a psychiatrist but he did all this himself. He read up on it the night before and the next day he would do what he read up on.

Beginning in 1930, Andrews father started trying to buy back all the fragmented pieces of his old homestead, finishing in the 1970s. The current Rock Cliff is a 692-acre property.

I remember when he finally bought the last piece from a cousin who had 1/84th of the farm, Andrew said. She did not want to sell it. ... I remember the day she finally did. He had great big hands, my father, and he was sitting there rubbing them together.

Andrews father died in 1980.

At one point in its history, the Rock Cliff house was leaning perilously, about to collapse under the forces of time. But Andrews father saved it.

My father rescued it and then we did more rescuing, Andrew said. We will do what we can to maintain it and if we cant, we wont. But we will still keep it. Whether my children will have that attitude, who knows?

The tan weatherboard-clad house stands among ancient oak trees. The original house features three banks of windows and a screened-in, columned front porch. The later addition sticks out on the left hand side, with its tin-clad roof sitting a little lower than the original.

A 1965 addition gave the back of the house a two-story porch. A bay window was added in 2000 and the house was extended out the back to accommodate a kitchen renovation.

In 2009, one chimney on the 1882 addition was removed and rebuilt and a carport added.

Much of the houses historic character has been maintained, and subsequent renovations have been respectful to the houses original look.

The windows are framed by the louvered shutters and some original windows remain, which the couple clad with plexiglass to cut down on drafts without altering its historic look.

The floors still are the original heart pine, and each room has 10-foot ceilings with dimensions Andrew calls just about perfect. The original construction consists of four large rooms, with four more added in the newer construction.

The staircase in the oldest portion of the house is open, featuring square newel posts and balusters but curves gracefully at the top.

I used to slide down the banister all the time, Andrew said with a chuckle.

The fireplaces feature a simple carved wood mantle with a triangular center panel and wood mantel shelves.

The upstairs rooms in the original house both were bedrooms and one has doors cut small enough that an average-sized adult must duck to get through to allow access to the newer addition.

A back staircase between the kitchen and den leads to the second floor in the 1882 side, which contains a modern bathroom and a small office where one can see the original weatherboarding on the 1840 construction preserved.

The older part of the house, Andrew said, has some ghosts. He recalled once seeing three female forms float across the original parlor, and Digna noted other guests have refused to stay there.

The house is decorated with all kinds of art, from impressionistic paintings to hand-drawn maps and even a bust of Andrews father.

The plaster has been reworked to eliminate the cracking common in a home that is more than a century old.

Digna said the man who repaired the walls told the couple if any of Andrews ancestors were to return, they would feel right at home, since all the alterations kept with the original character of the house.

My goal during the remodeling is if you didnt know it before, you wouldve never realized anything had been changed, Andrew said.

The estate now is about 673 aces of timber with 19 acres of open land. Several creeks cut through the property, the largest of which is Haw Creek that passes through the canal towpath before emptying into the James River.

As a kid, I loved it down there, Andrew said. I would wander around all over the place and nobody restricted me. Id get lost in the woods. My father told me if you ever get lost in the woods, just follow the creeks and youll get back home.

Behind the house sits a circa-1854 smokehouse, a circa-1825 office, circa 1854-summer kitchen, the circa-1860 cemetery and a circa-2008 garage.

The property was entered into the historic register in 2015 and the community itself now is part of the Norwood-Wingina Rural Historic District, encompassing a number of historic homes and buildings.

Andrew once wanted to farm the land but after running the numbers, he learned it wouldnt be profitable. Instead some 450,000 trees have been planted there, making it a modest timber farm with just enough income to maintain the property.

It was a terrible eye-opener, Andrew said. A small dairy farm is all it could support so I changed professions and went into economics [at Cornell] got a Ph.D. in economics but I have always loved the place so now I can do it as a hobby rather than as a living.

While Rock Cliff endured over the centuries, the modern world at times has threatened its character most recently when a natural gas pipeline was proposed that would cut through the property.

Now the land has a measure of protection being on both the state and national historic registers.

It has remained a beloved homestead for the Cabell-Horsley-Gantt family through the generations. Andrew and Digna hope it will remain in the hands of Cabell descendants.

I trust our children will do what is right for them, Andrew said. If I had the money, I would put the whole thing in a historic trust but I dont have the money and I dont wish to control what my children do.

PHOTOS: Generations of Cabell family found home in 1840 estate

Rock Cliff is an interesting home: short doors connect the 1840 section of the house with the new construction of 1882, and its front stoop is made of stones from an old canal lock.

Its most unique feature, however, has nothing to do with design or construction. It has to do with its inhabitants.

A living room at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

A bust of Andrew Gantt's father at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

A living room at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

A dining room at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

The original exterior of the house is seen at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

A nook at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

Stairs at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

A bedroom at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

A bedroom at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt. The upstairs rooms in the original house both were bedrooms.

The original exterior of the house is seen behind a book shelf at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

A map at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

Andrew and Digna Gantt at their home in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

A graveyard at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

A gravestone at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

A graveyard at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

The home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

The home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

The home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

Sidener is the special publications editor for The News & Advance. Reach her at (434) 385-5539.

Go here to read the rest:
Generations of Cabell family found home in 1840 estate - Lynchburg News and Advance

Before answering my questions about Fruits, Vegetables; Fruit and Vegetable Salad his new exhibition opening at the Whitney Museum of American Art New York-based artist Darren Bader says that he has a specific (read: irreverent) style and he hopes its not too much of an annoyance. I tell him its not an annoyance at all and start with an easy one: Where do you get your ideas? Oh, you know, the magical world of ideas, he replies.

His exhibition, which takes place on the eighth floor of the Whitney, comprises a previously untitled work that the museum acquired in 2015 but has never displayed until now. When viewers emerge from the lift on the eighth floor, they will discover a cornucopia of fresh fruit and vegetables, each variety presented as a sculpture on its own wooden plinth. Four times a week, museum staff will collect the ripened fruit and vegetables and according to Baders instructions make a salad. The slicing and dicing will be captured on film and projected in the empty gallery, after which the salad will be served to viewers. Staff will then replenish the plinths with fresh produce, and so the process will continue.

Nature has long had a role in Baders playful, provocative work. In 2011 he let loose two goats in a gallery. He intended to feature a couple of cats, too, but realised that wouldnt do because as he wrote in an accompanying announcement cat predator, goat prey. Instead, he encouraged viewers to adopt a cat from an animal shelter in the East Village and, in that way, own a Bader artwork of their own. The following year, he created Lasagna on Heroin, which is exactly what it says on the tin: a serving of lasagne injected with heroin.

His works are a puckish update of Marcel Duchamps readymades, which present objects from daily life (a urinal, a shovel) as high art. Although, as Bader points out, Were 107 years post-premiere of the storied readymade, so notions of high art and daily life are not what they were. The installation at the Whitney also nods to other works across art history that have engaged with food. I mention Make a Salad by Alison Knowles, a founding member of the Fluxus group, which also included Yoko Ono. This 1962 performance piece, in the past few years revived at Tate Modern in London and on the High Line in New York, involved Knowles chopping vegetables in time to live music, then serving the mix to the audience.

Theres also that hovering green apple revisited again and again by Rene Magritte; Giuseppe Arcimboldos whimsical Vertumnus, which depicts Roman emperor Rudolf II as a Roman god made out of fruit and veg; and even Maurizio Cattelans banana, which was duct-taped to a wall and sold for $120,000, before being eaten by another artist at Art Basel in Miami last month. Bader comes back at me with his own equally appetising affinities: early Gabriel Orozco, a Mexican artist who makes use of myriad found objects; Urs Fischers Untitled, which features the screwed-together halves of an apple and a pear suspended from a ceiling; and Hollis Framptons voluptuous Lemon, a video work in which the titular object is lasciviously perused in light and shadow. In the past, Bader has described food as natures impeccable sculpture. I ask him to expand on that and he replies, Human optics being human optics

To Christie Mitchell, the curator behind this exhibition, Baders work is about appreciating natural produce. Its a luscious thing, she says, but theres also a hint of decomposition. The salad-making is presumably, in part, a practical way around the works natural shelf life. Yes and no, says Bader. With no, Id guess I thought the mere display of fruits and vegetables wasnt rigorous enough of an art proposition; the salad element added extra texture.

And extra pairs of hands. The fact that the work involves not only Bader but also museum staff and viewers makes it highly collaborative. Its a labour of love. Well, yes, shopping for produce several times a week and then keeping an eye on it is not something thats in our normal schedule, says Mitchell. She adds, however, that the Whitney receives a number of requests from artists that are out of the ordinary. Also, its been great to see the excitement of the staff in the Studio Caf, for instance, who are always surrounded by art but not necessarily part of it.

Baders edible artwork calls into question not only what art is, but also the way in which museums collect and display it. It stimulates thoughts about the relationship between art and consumer, as well as the consumption of food and entertainment. Plus, its funny. When I ask him whether sticking fruit and veg on plinths in a museum makes it art, he tells me he wouldnt know. Either way, lets hope it tastes as good as it looks. Speaking of which, what does it mean to eat a work of art? Beyond my ken, says Bader.

Go here to see the original:
How do you follow heroin lasagne? The artist who wants you to dice his veg - The Guardian

CES is the biggest consumer tech event of the year and gives us a glimpse of the latest and best technology that will be launch throughout the year. So what are some of the highlights of this years show?

Time will tell how good the Suunto 7 is, but this is the first multi-sports watch in a long time to use WearOS. It could be one last hail mary to compete with Garmins' increasingly feature-rich range of sports watches, but it is a risky bet with the questionable battery life that WearOS brings. One thing is for sure, this looks like one of the best WearOS devices of the year.

Unlike the Suunto 7, or other fitness watches, the Withings ScanWatch is more of a health watch. It is fitted with a medical-grade electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor which monitors your heartbeat constantly and can detect irregular heartbeats which are a symptom of arrhythmia. There is also an Sp02 sensor which contentiously tracks blood oxygen levels and can identify sleep apnea risks in advance.

The Yale Linus Smart Lock solves the concerns many people have with smart locks, you can still use your normal keys so you don't have to worry about the battery dying on your or some other sort of failure. It is not the first product to do it, I have reviewed the Nuki 2.0 Smart Lock which does the same, but this looks sleeker with a superior build.

The Netatmo Smart Door Lock is arguably more impressive than the Yale Linus, they claim to be ultra-secure, you get 2 years battery life and the design can accommodate any thickness of door. However, you are still reliant on electronic keys and until the product hits the market and is thoroughly tested, people (including myself) will be concerned about the potential of locking or unlocking issues.

The LG OLED48CX brings OLED technology to smaller screen TVs, with this 48-inch model it is apparently able to reproduce a sharp picture quality, with the density of the 8 million-plus pixels comparable to a 96-inch 8K TV. Furthermore, this model has support for Nvidia's G-Sync tech, which means the TV can sync with compatible PCs and support 4K 120fps gaming.

While rollable and 8K TVs maybe more headline-worthy most people won't be buying one this year, The Panasonic HZ2000 takes a great OLED TV and makes it better by introducing the next generation of Panasonics custom-made Master HDR OLED Professional Edition panel, as well as an improved version of its HCX Pro Intelligent processor.

The LG is a 7.1.4-channel system with forwarding- and up-firing units in the soundbar plus two wireless rear speakers. The soundbar is compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, HDMI eARC, 4K HDR passthrough, and Google Assistant.

For people that prefer speakers and amp, the Focal Chora 826-D incorporates a Dolby Atmos into the speaker itself with a speaker driver installed above the loudspeaker that directs the sound towards the ceiling at a carefully calculated angle, so that the audio signal is reflected around the entire room. The result has the listener wrapped in the sound and immersed in a highly realistic 3D world.

I have been very impressed with 1More earphones in the past, and they have finally entered the True Wireless market. However, the 1More True Wireless ANC also incorporate active noise cancelling pitting themselves against the popular Sony WF-1000XM3 earphones and one of the few brands that are both true wirelesses with ANC. Furthermore, these are priced below both the Sony WF-1000XM3 and the Apple Airpods Pro

Sennheiser hopes to make noise-cancelling headphones more affordable with the HD 450BT Headphones, while there are plenty of cheap ANC headphones out there, I doubt many will be able to compete with the audio quality typically associated with Sennheiser

Microsoft announced the 8.3-inch Microsoft Surface Duo which gave us the first glimpse of foldable laptops but won't launch until the end of this year. Lenovo will pip them to the post with the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 which is a 13.3-inch OLED (2048 x 1536) foldable laptop. Unlike the Surface Duo, this is a single foldable OLED similar to the Samsung Fold and Huawei Mate X. It will launch with Windows 10 as its operating system but a Windows 10X will be available at a later date.

The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook is the thinnest Chromebook, at 0.4 inches, it features Intels new 10th Gen processors with a fanless design and a 13.3-inch 4K AMOLED panel.

I will admit, high refresh rate monitors are a little wasted on me but there is a big demand for them and Asus are consistently pushing the boundaries of performance with their products The ROG Swift 360 is the first monitor of its kind, hence being the best monitor at CES, but this comes with a caveat, this is just a 24.5-inch which is considerably smaller than the common 27-inch models gamers love.

Another piece of technology that featured in many new products at CES is mini-LED. Mini LED is a transitional technology between traditional LED and Micro LED, which is used on the Samsung The Wall TV. The Acer Predator X32 is one of the new products featuring this and is based on a 10-bit IPS panel with a 38402160.

It is similar to the Acer 27 Predator X27 but ramps up the spec, with the smaller monitoring using 384-Zone Mini LED-based Full Array Local Dimming (FALD) backlighting whereas this uses 1,152 zones which then allows Acer to crank up the brightness to 1400 nits in HDR mode.

This is a G-Sync Ultimate monitor with a refresh rate of 144 Hz which ticks the boxes for most gamers. The downside of this product is the price, which is an insane 3,299 in Europe and $3,599 in the USA.

I am already deaf in one ear, and singling out peoples voice is bad enough as it is. For people that require hearing aids, this problem is even more pronounced, but the OrCam Hear helps solve this. OrCam Hear works by identifying and isolating someone's voice from a crowd and then beaming their speech to Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids. It uses lip reading and body gestures to figure out which voice you most need to hear in a given moment and intuitively switches when there's someone else you want to listen to.

Last Updated on 12th January 2020

Read this article:
The Best of CES 2020 Including Smart homes, Fitness, Laptops, Audio and More - Mighty Gadget

After months of being out of operation, the Mossmorran Fife Ethylene Plant is to be started up again soon, with joint operators Exxon Mobil revealing what residents nearby can expect to see.

Mossmorran has been flaring for months to burn off gas which can't be processed while two boilers are being repaired.

There have been a growing number of complaints over excessive flaring at the Fife Ethylene Plant (FEP), which some residents say even causes vibrations throughout their homes and results in sleepless nights.

The plant will be restarted soon, with a date yet to be confirmed, but here's how Exxon Mobil - who run the plant jointly with Shell - say it will happen.

STEP 1: ETHANE GAS ARRIVES

The ethane is needed to begin sequence of generating steam and starting major machines.

There will be a 3-4 day journey for natural gas from the North Sea via St Fergus near Peterhead.

The ethane gas will be separated at the Shell plant next door and sent to FEP,

As major process machinery not yet started, some gas is diverted to flare.

STEP 3: BOILER AND FURNACE OUTPUT INCREASED

Both combine to generate the steam needed to start major machines

Steam and water vapour will be visible from the plant

STEP 2: FLARE SIZE MANAGED

Some of ethane gas sent to furnaces and some to ground flare

Remainder sent to elevated flare

These steps combine to reduce elevated flare size

Steam will be added to ensure the flare burns clean

STEP 4: MAJOR PROCESS MACHINERY STARTED

Three major compressors started

Each started individually in sequence

Visible steam will start to reduce as it is consumed by the machines

STEP 5: DISTILLING TOWERS STARTED

Final stage of start up

Three distilling towers brought online

Elevated flare will fluctuate but will not increase

STEP 6: SAFE RE-START COMPLETE

Ethane gas now being turned into on-spec ethylene

No longer in elevated flare

On-spec ethylene piped to Braefoot Bay terminal

Total time for safe re-start around 6 days

More here:
Mossmorran is going to restart soon: Here's what's going to happen - Fife Today

Hunting and Recreational Land for sale in Lamar County, Texas. This acreage features a variety of topography, wooded acreage, creek, ponds, game trails, wildlife, open pasture, and hunting and country farmhouse located in Powderly, Texas. Great potential for hunting, recreation, open pasture, equine, livestock, fishing, and more.

The 76 wooded acres are available for your enjoyment just miles from Pat Mayes Lake in Northeast, Texas. This expansive property would be great for hunting with its many game trails throughout and a creek running through the middle of it for access to water. Wildlife on the land features deer, wild hogs, coyotes and bobcat can all be found on this wonderful place for hunting and/or recreational use.

A rustic farmhouse sits on high ground overlooking much of the acreage with 2 rooms used as bedrooms, a full kitchen and bathroom with shower. This would make a great hunting camp or a place to stay while building your dream home.

This property provides privacy at the end of a dead-end road with 2 different access points and is fully fenced and cross fenced if you would like to run a few heads of livestock. There are several large open pastures for livestock or game.

There is a decent change in elevation for the area with the entire property being rolling. With high spots and a deep creek in the middle of the acreage, a small lake could easily be put in for fishing and duck hunting.This wonderful property your get-away from it all. Schedule a showing today! 570 CR 45060, Powderly TX 75473

$269,900

Click here to view the full listing.

See the rest here:
Country home and hunting property for sale in Powderly || $269900 - eParisExtra.com

Black and White Marble are durable and stylish with a sophisticated look, these panels are highly popular due to their alluring qualities and low maintenance characteristics.

LAS VEGAS (PRWEB) January 17, 2020

Fibo Group, a global leader in waterproof wall panel systems for residential and commercial building and remodeling applications, will be introducing its 100% waterproof wall panel system for the kitchen and bath at the 2020 International Builders Show Jan. 21-23. Featuring new designs and styles for the U.S. market, Fibo will be hosting product installation demonstrations for builders and remodelers.

Were thrilled to showcase our Fibo waterproof wall panel system applications to the U.S. market at the 2020 International Builders Show, said Anders Carlson, CEO Fibo Group. The Fibo waterproof wall paneling system is a durable, low maintenance alternative to kitchen backsplashes, shower enclosures and wet room wall coverings for both residential and commercial buildings. Since 1952, weve led the European market with our innovative designs, and now were expanding distribution in the U.S. where demand for cost-effective and durable wet room wall panel applications is increasing.

Manufactured in its newly expanded, state-of-art plant in Norway, Fibo waterproof wall paneling system offers an eco-friendly, durable and cost-effective alternative to wall systems that guard against water, mildew and other moisture-related problems. The product features a unique Aqualock click system that simplifies the installation process and minimizes joints lines for a seamless look.

Standard wall panels are sized 23.62 x 15.74 inches and can be mounted directly onto wood or steel studs, existing walls or over ceramic tiles. The Fibo waterproof wall panel system does not require a water vapor barrier or waterproof membrane behind the panels, helping builders and remodelers save on labor and material costs. The strong laminate surface can withstand direct water exposure and large temperature fluctuations and features a 15 year warranty when installed and maintained correctly.

Fibo waterproof wall panel systems typically install five times faster than traditional ceramic tiles, said Carlson. Offering a valuable proposition to builders looking to decrease labor costs.

The new introductions to be showcased at the International Builders Show are complemented by an expanded range of Fibo products.

The Classics: Black and White Marble

Durable and stylish with a sophisticated look, these panels are highly popular due to their alluring qualities and low maintenance characteristics. Part of the Marcato wall panel collection the largest and most varied and the Kitchen Board collection, these versatile options are available for bathroom and kitchen applications in a silk finish. The Marcato applications come in a variety of tile patterns, and are also offered without grout lines.

Bring Out the Best in Your Kitchen

Fibo Kitchen Boards are a stylish option for kitchen backsplashes. The easy-care and maintenance-free panels are water resistant, providing a safe and durable solution for any residential kitchen design. The Kitchen Boards are supplied in packs of two panels that are 23.6 x 22.8 and can be mounted directly onto studs, existing screw-fixed walls or over ceramic tile.

A Contemporary Take: Grey Sand

The Adagio Collection, with its smooth surface and no grout lines, introduces Grey Sand, a distinctive, matte grey tone that is a little more sophisticated, yet still delicate and soft. Grey Sand complements other designs in this collection, which have been used in thousands of bathrooms and wet rooms over Northern Europe for decades. These panels create a sleek and modern feel throughout the room.

A Touch of Color: Dusty Blue

With its matte finish, Dusty Blue is part of the Color Collection. A sophisticated shade of blue, this wall panel pairs well with other colors, and can liven up any bathroom without going overboard on color. Dusty blue is available with 0.07 white grout lines or without.

Return to Natural Roots: Olive Green

Also new this year to the Color collection is Olive Green, a subdued, arboreal shade that evokes nature. This panel has undeniable appeal that can both tone down or jazz up a space. Olive green is available in an extra matte finish with 0.07 white grout lines or without.

About Fibo GroupFibo Group is a leading global manufacturer of high-quality waterproof wall panel systems. Established in 1952 and based in Lyngdal, Norway, the company serves residential and commercial customers across the new construction, repair and remodel, and manufactured housing market throughout Scandinavia, Europe, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. Its 100% waterproof wall panel system for kitchen, bath and other wet room applications has been lauded for its eco-friendly, durable and easy to install features and can be seen in numerous high profile buildings. The product was introduced to the U.S. market in 2018 and is sold through distributors. For more information about Fibo and its products in North America, please visit: https://fibosystemusa.com/.

Share article on social media or email:

See more here:
Fibo Systems to Introduce New Decorative Waterproof Wall Panel System to the North American Market at the 2020 International Builders Show - PR Web

Shorewood

Built in 1988, this four-bedroom, four-bath house has 3,872 square feet and features a two-story foyer, vaulted ceilings, built-in bookcases, eat-in kitchen, three-season porch, full finished walkout basement, deck and three-car attached garage. Listed by Dwight Erickson, EXP Realty, 612-270-8614.

Minneapolis

Built in 1958, this three-bedroom, three-bath house located in the Bryn Mawr neighborhood has 1,810 square feet and features two bedrooms on the upper level, formal dining room, hardwood floors, balcony, full walkout basement and deck. Listed by Chris Ames, Re/Max Results, 651-552-2301.

Afton

Built in 1988, three-bedroom, this three-bath house has 2,516 square feet and features a bedroom on each level, fireplace, hardwood floors, full finished walkout basement with a second kitchen, four-season porch, deck, patio, greenhouse, gazebo and two-car detached garage on a 10-acre lot. Listed by Cheryl Schopf, Re/Max Results, 651-324-8910.

Note: Listings active as of Jan. 15.

Photos provided by Dwight Erickson/ Chris Ames/ Nine Nelson, In View Fotos

Read the original:
Home listings: What $549900 buys in the Twin Cities area - Minneapolis Star Tribune