Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Historic preservation stories always stir up a conversation: What parts of American architectural history should be preserved? What doesnt need saving? Since our last coverage of 2016s top historic preservation articles,many new buildings have become imperiled or found respite from demolition.As we celebrate America on July 4, heres an updated list that includes a unique Brutalist building in Southern Floridaunder threat, a recently-saved Frank Lloyd Wright home, and

As we celebrate America on July 4, heres an updated list that includes a unique Brutalist building in Southern Floridaunder threat, a recently-saved Frank Lloyd Wright home, and many more.

Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture gifted a new home in Phoenix. (Courtesy Andrew Pielage)

Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architectures latest additionWithout homebuilding entrepreneur Zach Rawlings, this 2,500-square-foot Frank Lloyd Wrightdesigned concrete home would have succumbed to developers who wanted to bulldoze it and replace it with more profitable housing. But Rawlings, along with architect Wallace Cunningham,saved the David and Gladys Wright home. Now its being transferred to theFrank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture; students will have the opportunity to engage with the building and its renovation process in a design studio specifically designed for the site.

Landmarks cites nonexistent permits for iconic Citicorp plaza. Pictured here: Citicorp Center in 1978. St. Peters, left, faces the sunken plaza along Lexington Avenue. (Norman McGrath)

New Yorks landmarked Citicorp Center Plazademolished

Designed by Sasaki Associates in 1973, the Citicorp Centers plaza and fountain werejust recently demolished, despite their landmarked status.The opaque and irregular approvals process deprived the public of the opportunity to weigh in on highly visible changes to the iconic plaza. It was eventually revealed toThe Architects Newspaperthat Boston Properties, the owner proposing the changes, had received permits from the Department of Building (DOB) just four days before the site was landmarked, which technically allowed the changes to be made.

Iconic Kenneth Treisterdesigned modernist Miami tower threatened. (Courtesy The BIG BUBBLE)

Fate of iconic Kenneth Treister-designed Miami towerunclear

A building that heralds back to Miamis Tropical Brutalism era, this Brutalist tower known as Office in the Grove is threatened with demolition if it is not saved and landmarked. Designed by Floridas modernist architect Kenneth Treister in 1973,it is among the first buildings to be constructed of post-tensioned concrete slabs and a completely prefabricated concrete facade. While Brutalism may be hard for the public to appreciate,the concrete style intended to create openness in public buildings while responding architecturally to the climate. According to Docomomo US/Florida, this was Miamis first office building to give the community an eye-level, landscaped grass berm as its facade. The hearing for the buildings landmark status will be held on September 5.

A controversial master plan for a historic site in Alamo, TX, has support from architects, but not the public. (Courtesy Texas General Land Office)

New master plan proposal for The Alamo in San Antonio raises debate

A $450 million plan for The Alamo Mission, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, wants to declutter its plaza, which involves relocating an historic cenotaph. Architects have expressed tentative approval of the plan, but have also voiced concerns that the current proposalwhich includes glass walls separating the Alamo grounds from the rest of the cityinhibits the use of space for the public. The public was also skeptical of the glass walls, raising questions about a modern design in San Antonios historic downtown.

Philip Johnsons New York State Pavilion all set for $14 million revamp. (Courtesy NYC Parks Department)

Philip Johnsons New York State Pavilion revamp

A modernist icon, the New York State Pavilion was originally designed by architect Philip Johnson for the 1964 Worlds Fair. Its listedon the National Register of Historic Places, but years of neglect have left the structure in abandoned, despite a new coat of paint in 2015. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, preservation group People for the Pavilion, and New York City government began soliciting ideas for a bold new take on the structure, ultimately selecting the design Hanging Meadows last August. Meanwhile, a separate $14.25 million renovationis underway to re-open the Pavilion to the public in the fall of 2019.

Often considered the first glass house, the House of Tomorrow was state of the art when it was built in 1933. (Courtesy Indiana Landmarks)

Americas first glass house, a National Treasure, will be restored

Its often referred to as Americas First Glass House. Now, the House of Tomorrow (a remnant from the 1933 Chicago Century of Progress Worlds Fair) by Chicago architect George Fred Keck is set to receive an update from a team of Chicago firms. There was a $2.5 million campaign to restore the house last year led by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Indiana Landmarks. The buildings design features glass curtain walls for passive solar heating (coming well beforePhilip Johnsons1949 Glass House and Mies van der Rohes 1951 Farnsworth House), an iceless refrigerator, and the first-ever General Electric dishwasher. The restoration plan includes removing deteriorated surfaces, replacing the current glass walls with modern glass, and the revealingcantilevered steel girders that give the house its open floor plan.

Gordon Bunshafts 1962 addition to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, New York. (Courtesy Buffalo as an Architectural Museum)

Gordon Bunshaftdesigned addition toAlbright-Knox Art Gallery threatened

While he was at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Buffalo native Gordon Bunshaft created this addition to the original 1905 Albright-Knox museum; it included an auditorium with jet-black windows (seen above), galleries, and a courtyard that extends between the addition and the original building. Now, as part of a plan put forth by OMAs New York office, its courtyard and galleries would be demolished while the auditorium would remain. OMA contends that the courtyard divides the park in which the museum sits; removing it and the galleries will restore circulation to the site while making way for bigger exhibition spaces. The Albright-Knox Art Gallery still needs $20 million for the expansion, though groundbreaking is planned forApril2019.

Architects arent happy about plans to remodel this Manhattan park. (Courtesy Machado Silvetti)

The City of New York wants to razeWagner Park

One of the best places to see Lady Liberty is Wagner Park, a small green slice ofBattery Park Cityon the lower edge of Manhattan. Two decades ago Boston-basedMachado Silvetti, in collaboration with landscape architects atOLIN, unveiled the park, an open space that ushers people towardsthe waters edge with sweeping views of New York Harbor and that famous freedom statue. Now, in response to the specter ofHurricane Sandyand the threat of rising seas, the agency that oversees the area is planning a total park overhaul. The Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) is set to replace the existing landscape that architects and residents love with a park it says will align better with new resiliency measures that are reshaping the Manhattan waterfront.

Illinois Governor ransoms Thompson Center for public school money. Seen here: James R. Thompson Center. (Photo Rainer Viertlboeck Courtesy of JAHN)

Illinois Governor ransoms Thompson Center for public school money

In an act of political wrangling that typifies the relationship between the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner announced that if the city would allow the sale of the Helmut Jahndesigned James R. Thompson Center, he would provide the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) with additional funding. Last week Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said that he would block the sale of the postmodern building out of fear of having to replace the large CTA subway station beneath it.

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Saving our heritage: top historic preservation stories from across the US - The Architect's Newspaper

Last year saw one of the biggest and most publicized mueum openings in recent memory: the SmithsoniansNational Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). While it obviously made the cut on our list of top new museums and monuments, highlighted below are a few other opened or soon-to-be-open buildings and memorial that honor our countrys history and cultural heritage.

Hweler+Yoon debuts memorial for slaves that helped build The University of Virginia. (Courtesy Hweler+Yoon)

Memorial for slaves that helped build the University of Virginia

Amemorial honoring the estimated 5,000 enslaved people who helped build the University of Virginia (UVA) will be built on the universitys grounds. Designed by Boston-based architects Hweler+Yoon, along with Mabel O. Wilson, Gregg Bleam Landscape Architect, and Dr. Frank Dukes, the granite, circular memorial will reference The Rotunda at UVA, which was planned by Thomas Jefferson two centuries ago. The Memorial is a facet of the Universitys commemorative project that involves many people and initiatives, we envision this memorial to embody the ideals of the University which, as Jefferson defined to be, to follow truth wherever it may lead, said Meejin Yoon of Hweler+Yoon in a press release.

View over liberty island. (Courtesy FXFowle)

FXFowle designs new Statue of Liberty Museum

Visitors looking to get up close and personal with the Statue of Liberty will soon get a chance to do so when New Yorkbased FXFowlesnew museum opens in 2019. The 26,000-square-foot building is designed to accommodate the rush of tourists from the ferries, which bring over 4.3 million people a year. Inside, the statues original torch will be displayed and 15,000 square feet of space will be dedicated to showcasing the monuments history, legacy, and construction details. The museums defining gesture is the lifting of the park itself, extending vistas rather than ending them, and creating a new, naturalized habitat in place of a traditional building, said FXFowle on its website.

(Courtesy Darren Bradley)

National Museum of African American History and Culture opens in Washington, D.C.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), which opened recently in September 2016, is the latest addition to the monumental architecture on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The tiered structure, designed by David Adjaye and lead architect Philip Freelon, together with Freelon Adjaye Bond/SmithGroup, is clad in 3,600 bronze-painted aluminum panels and inspired by Yoruban art from West Africa, a region where many slaves were taken into bondage.

Jackie Robinson Museum finally starts construction after a decade-long wait. (Courtesy the Jackie Robinson Foundation)

After a decade, the Jackie Robinson Museum finally begins construction

A museum that has been a long time coming (it was originally slated to open in 2009), the Jackie Robinson Museum by Genslers New York office will open in 2019. Honoring the Brooklyn Dodgers legend, the 18,500-square-foot museum will showcase Robinsons achievements from 1919 to present, including his participation in the civil rights movement. The Jackie Robinson Museum is an opportunity to bring an important cultural landmark to NYCone that challenges visitors to think about the history of social and cultural change and tolerance, according to Joseph Plumeri, chairman of the Jackie Robinson Foundation National Legacy Campaign.

Dallas Holocaust Museum inches toward construction. (Courtesy Omniplan Architects)

Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum one step closer to reality

A proposed new Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum could be made into realityif the final portion of its $61 million budget is fulfilled. Currently, over two-thirds of the funding is secured for the 50,000-square-foot, Omniplan Architectsdesigned building, which will honor the victims of the Holocaust while extending the dialogue of human rights in modern America. We need a place that allows us to have a discussion about what human rights, diversity, and respect for others mean for our city today, said Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings during the announcement of the capital campaign. AIA Dallas awarded the building an Unbuilt Design Award in 2015.

United States Marshals Museum moves closer to construction. (Courtesy Cambridge Seven Associates)

United States Marshal Museum construction faces fundraising challenges

While the proposed United States Marshals Museum in Fort Smith, Arkansas, is still in the funding stage, its set opening date is September 24, 2019, to coincide with the 230th anniversary of the U.S Marshals Service. The star-shaped design is reflective of the badges worn by marshals in earlier years, and the buildings location overlooking the Arkansas River is a nod to history: the river used to serve asthe U.S.s border when the service was founded in 1789. The estimated cost of the project is $35.9 million, but the agencys low profile has been posing problems for the fundraising campaign.

(Courtesy Equal Justice Initiative)

Memorial to Peace and Justice honors victims of lynching

A museum and memorial to victims of lynching is set to open sometime this year in Montgomery, Alabama. Founded by nonprofit Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) and designed by Boston-based MASS Design Group, the Memorial to Peace and Justice resembles a gallows, including hundreds of hanging stone slabs with the names of lynching victims inscribed in them. Between 1877 and 1950, there were more than 4,000 victims of lynching, according to EJI. The accompanying museum will focus on both the history of slavery as well as contemporary issues related to racial inequality.

Originally posted here:
Seven of America's top new museums and monuments - The Architect's Newspaper

As a homeowner, you want your carpet to look, feel, and smell fresh. Sears Clean technicians know how you feel, and they are experts at cleaning dirty, matted carpetleaving them clean, soft, and virtually odor-free. Allergens, dust mites, dirt, and pet dander build up in carpets over time, leaving them grimy and discolored. Our two-step, professionally-recognized carpet cleaning system can extract dirt, remove stains, eliminate odors, and restore color, leaving your carpet looking and feeling fresh. Our process relies on powerful, industry-leading cleaning solutions that release dirt and grime, followed by a fiber rinse that removes leftover cleaning solution and much of the remaining moisture. That way, your carpet will be dry quicker. After the process, your carpet will feel refreshed and look great in a way that your family and guests will appreciate.

A special heated carpet cleaning solution is sprayed deep into the carpet fibers to loosen embedded dirt.

Its followed by a high-powered extraction and pH-balancing fiber rinse to remove the dirt and cleaning solution, leaving your carpet as clean as it can be.

Excerpt from:
Carpet Cleaning by Sears

A great deal on used chairs can quickly turn sour when it's going to cost a lot of money to have them professionally cleaned. But not to worry. Whether you're looking at hundreds of chairs, or the sofas and chairs at home, there's a very effective and inexpensive way to get that job done.

Dear Mary: Lestoil sounds like a great stain remover for laundry. What do you use for stains on upholstered chairs? Our church is fairly, new and when we bought chairs for the sanctuary, we bought what we could afford. They were used. Some of the chairs have some interesting stains. What do you suggest as the best way to clean them?

Dear Lois: This is tricky. Depending on how much general soil has accumulated on the chairs, spot-treating the worst stains could result in an even bigger problem with lots of nice clean spots that stand out and look as bad at the stains. I suggest that you do this right by performing a complete upholstery cleaning on all of those chairs. Don't panic. What I am about to recommend is not difficult. In fact, it's kinda fun.

Find someone in your congregation who owns a good portable upholstery-cleaning machine and is willing to lend it to you for this project. Or, if someone wants to make a donation (you'll be cleaning those chairs more than a few times, I predict), I recommend a good portable machine like the Bissell 3624 SpotClean Pro Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner, which costs about $130. If that's not a possibility, check into renting a portable carpet- and upholstery-cleaning machine.

Once you have a machine, get a few cans of Spot Shot (the best stain treatment for carpet, which I use on upholstery all the time with great results). One person goes up and down the rows of chairs giving the obvious stains a hit of Spot Shot. Someone else follows with the power cleaner to clean the upholstered areas. You want to stay away from soap in the cleaning solution, as that will be a challenge to rinse away and act as a dirt magnet if left behind in the fabric. Because you don't know the nature of the stains and soil, you do need some cleaning power. Here's the recipe I would use:

Into the cleaner reservoir, pour cup unscented liquid Febreze, cup liquid OxiClean laundry stain fighter and cup white vinegar. Add hot tap water to the fill line. Follow the instructions on the machine.

(For a smaller job at home, pour into a 16-ounce spray bottle cup liquid Febreze, cup liquid OxiClean laundry stain fighter and cup white vinegar. Then add hot tap water to fill, apply the sprayer top, and mix well. Lightly spray the stained areas, and then scrub gently with a clean white cloth.)

If you can borrow a machine, this should not be a very costly venture at all. And get ready for some awesome results.

Dear Mary: I saw your review of the Eufy HomeVac Cordless Stick Vacuum and decided to order it. I love the vacuum! It's lightweight and easy for me, a disabled person who uses a cane, to handle. So far, it's doing a wonderful job picking up the litter my kitty drags across the floors and carpet. I actually enjoy using it. Thank you!

Dear Kathy: I'm getting mountains of mail in response to that Eufy. Most stick vacs must be laid down on the floor or returned to their charger when not in use, but not the Eufy. It stands alone. And its powerful lithium-ion battery can hold a charge for months. I keep my Eufy in a convenient place that is far from its charger. When it gets low on charge, I plug it in for a refill. This stick vac is a dream come true for anyone, but especially for those with physical limitations who aren't ready to give up on keeping a tidy home. Thanks for writing!

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Everyday cheapskate: The Cheap and Easy Way to Clean Rows and Rows of Upholstered Chairs - Herald & Review

The first thing I did was invest in a good quality carpet spot cleaner. After doing some research, I settled on the Hoover Spotless Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner.

I was initially very pleased with the cleaner, and very impressed with how easily it took out stains in my carpets, my sofas, my kids mattresses, and even my car upholstery--and quickly used up the included samples of carpet cleaner solution provided with the machine.

Thats when I suffered serious sticker shock and began scouring the internet for a recipe for the best homemade carpet cleaner solution. A replacement gallon bottle of their cleaning solution runs about $13-15, so, roughly $26-30 per gallon, but the recipe below works even better than the expensive branded solution, and makes a gallon of concentrated carpet cleaner solution for only about $1. As with most things in life, you just cant beat homemade.

Ingredients:

Directions: 1. Mix together in a large mixing bowl with spout, laundry detergent, awesome cleaner, oxyclean, and tide. Stir until well combined. 2. Add hot water to gallon container, leaving space at the top. Gently pour in laundry soap mixture. Stir or agitate gently to mix, but avoid making too much foam. 3. Slowly fill container the rest of the way with hot water.

This recipe makes a CONCENTRATED solution, so use in the same ratios as recommended on your cleaning machine. You will definitely want to dilute this before cleaning your carpets, as a little goes a long way.

* LAs Totally Awesome Cleaner is a concentrated non-toxic and biodegradable cleaning product that I use to clean literally EVERYTHING around my home.

Simply dilute it according to the chart on the side of the bottle. It works on floors, stove tops, sinks, fabric, outdoor patio furniture, and more. It is widely available at discount stores; I find it at Dollar Tree near my home for $1 per bottle.

Try this homemade carpet cleaner solution next time you have a mess on your hands, and let us know in the comments below what you think.

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Best Homemade Carpet Cleaner Solution - eMaxHealth

Ewa Beach, Hawaii - Ohana ChemDry, an Ewa Beach-based company that specializes in carpet cleaning Oahu, has garnered an impeccable reputation for itself among local community members. For tourists, the last thing they probably associate with one of Hawaiis hottest tourist spots is carpet cleaning, but for locals, Ohana ChemDry has quickly become a household name.

People often turn to professional carpet cleaning services when they suspect the flooring underneath them may be contributing to their allergies, are selling the home soon, or they might just like a thorough cleaning every now and then. But many carpet cleaning companies result to using harsh chemicals that can actually irritate allergies and pose a threat to children and pets. The carpet gets cleaned, but the side-effects arent worth it for many homeowners.

Thats why Ohana Chem-Dry has cultivated the reputation that it has as the best cleaning service in Oahu for both residential and commercial properties. Part of Chem-Dry, the worlds largest carpet cleaning service, the Ewa Beach location has managed to stand out and make a name for itself. While the companys main service claim is that they remove 98% of allergens from carpets and furniture and 89% of airborne bacteria, thats not what customers love most.

Ohana Chem-Dry is a firm believer in the use of eco-friendly products, so much so that theyve been Certified Green by the FDA. Their non-toxic cleaning solutions are safe for children and pets, and along with the companys fast and professional service, their natural products and environmentally conscious methods have become many customers favorite thing about them.

The companys mission is based on the fact that less water in their clients carpets results in more for the nations reservoirs. Chem-dry is non-toxic and safe for both pets and children, as well as those who suffer from allergies. These factors help Ohana Chem-Dry to helpfurther their mission of creating healthier homes and a better world.

The positive attention that Ohana ChemDry has received for their carpet cleaning in Oahu is uncommon, to say the least, but the company hopes that it can keep up the pace and continue to keep the number of negative reviews from customers at virtually zero. Their environmentally friendly practices have sat particularly well with residents of the island, and so the company hopes to keep expanding on those practices and finding new ways to go green.

Media Contact Company Name: Ohana Chem-Dry Contact Person: Frank Kelso Email: fkelso@ohanachemdry.com City: Ewa Beach State: Hawaii, 96706 Country: United States Website: http://ohanachemdry.com

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Oahu Carpet Cleaners Become Community Favorite - Press ... - Digital Journal (press release)

By Rusty Bradshaw Independent Newsmedia

Being a retirement community or triple digit heat keeps crime down in Sun City.

A community homeowner found this out the hard way last week. At around 7 a.m. June 20 Maricopa County Sheriffs deputies were dispatched to a home in the 10600 block of West Connecticut Avenue for a report of a suspicious male in the area, according to Sgt. Calbert Gillett, Maricopa County Sheriffs Office spokesman. The homeowner then reported to 911 dispatch the man had forcibly entered her home through a patio door and would not leave.

She said that she had never seen the man before and did not know who he was, Mr. Gillett stated in an email.

The homeowner feared for her safety and left the residence to call 911 from the street. The suspicious male had barricaded himself inside her residence, according to Mr. Gillett. Deputies made numerous attempts to contact the barricaded suspect and after approximately one hour, the male, identified as Paul Termini, was taken into custody without injuries and booked into the 4th Avenue Jail on multiple charges.

While some Sun City residents leave for other locales during the hot summer months, others remain in the community. Sun City Posse officials offer a number of tips to help homeowners enhance security at their homes. Toni Ashby, Block Watch co-coordinator, said the first safety measure is to keep all doors and windows locked. She said in the case of patio doors, residents can put a wooden or metal rod in the track for the sliding door to keep the door from being opened if the lock is compromised. There is also a peg lock available by drilling a hole through the frames of both metal doors where they intersect (but not through to the outside of the exterior portion of the frame) and inserting a peg.

Having hinges on the outside of your doors is also to be avoided, Ms. Ashby said. Those can be removed by people trying to get into the home.

Inserting two large screws into the door jam, sticking out about one inch and matching holes in the door when closed, would keep it from being removed even if the hinges were taken off, Ms. Ashby said.

Homeowners can also keep a heavy duty flashlight or a strobe light accessible. Light can scare away an intruder and a strobe will confuse them long enough for the resident to escape, Ms. Ashby said.

Another thing people can do is keep their car fob near them at all times and they can hit the panic button if there is an intruder, she explained. That noise will usually scare them off.

She also suggested keeping some lights on in the home, even when residents are asleep.

Ms. Ashby also suggested residents not open the door to anyone they do not know.

You can always ask for a telephone number so you can verify that person at your door is who they say they are, she said.

Block Watch

Sun City residents can also help improve the safety in their neighborhood by joining the Block Watch, coordinated by the Posse.

The more Block Watch signs we have out there the better, Ms. Ashby said.

Residents in the Dawn Lake area have more than 35 signs in their neighborhood, she added. While Block Watch numbers increased significantly earlier in the year, the rise has slowed to a trickle with winter visitors away during the summer.

Block Watch is a program designed for residents to look out for each other, according to Ms. Ashby.

It is not being nosy neighbors, its being helpful neighbors, she quoted her co-coordinator, Jean Schmidt, as saying during program presentations to residents, clubs and organizations.

Residents or groups that want to have a Block Watch presentation made can call the Posse at 623-972-2555. We want residents to pay attention to what belongs in their neighborhood so they can recognize when something doesnt belong, Ms. Ashby said.

She added residents are encouraged to leave a duplicate key to their home with a trusted neighbor, not just a relative in another state.

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Sun City Posse offers home safety tips after incident - YourWestValley.com

Magic City Brewing Co. the Barberton nanobrewery with a heavy metal bunny with piercing purple eyes as its logo quietly opened last weekend.

Putting money in the bank compared to spending it is excellent, founder and brewer Jay Graham said.

Graham and his wife, Erica, who both grew up in Barberton, launched the brewery in a small storefront at 161 Second St.

They debuted with five solid beers that have received positive reviews so far: Dilligaf IPA, 2nd Street Pale Ale, Mark It Zero American wheat, Dark Empress Imperial Chocolate Stout, and Hive Devil, a saison made with buckwheat honey and black pepper.

Graham, a big tattooed guy who enjoys heavy metal music, hopes to build up the portfolio to eight beers with several rotating brews.

Magic City employs a one-barrel brewing system.

This is just the starting point, Graham said.

Magic City, which carries the tagline Join us further down the rabbit hole, already has plans for a second brewery in the neighborhood dedicated strictly to producing sour beers. Graham also wants to upgrade to a three-barrel system and create an outdoor patio in the adjacent alley.

As for the building itself, the brewery entrance features recessed windows with display areas on both sides of the front door. Right now, those areas are empty but Graham is deciding how to fill the space.

Inside, Magic City features an L-shaped bar with lime-green chairs, plenty of wooden picnic tables and a tin ceiling. The small brewing system is in the back and out of sight from customers.

Its the 12th brewery to open in Summit County, with many more in the planning stages. Its also the first in Barberton, with a second one, Ignite Brewing Co., set to open nearby on West Tuscarawas Avenue.

Magic City will be open from 4 to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday. It also will be open on Sundays at some point. For more details, click here.

Excerpt from:
Magic City Brewing opens doors in Barberton - Akron Beacon Journal (blog)

1721 GRAND CYPRESS BLVD., CLEARCREEK TWP.

Finished lower level, 3-car garage, wine cellar are features

With rich woodwork, grooved hardwood floors, stone walls, wrought iron railings and wagon-wheel coffer ceiling, this two-story home has many hidden treasures within its rustic elegance.

Listed for $949,900 by Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors, the brick home at 1721 Grand Cypress Blvd. has about 7,410 square feet of living space within three levels. The house sits on a 1.21-acre, corner lot with tree-lined back yard, circular driveway, three-car garage, composite deck and water fountain.

Formal entry has stone wall accents, wrought iron railing accenting the open staircase and dark hardwood flooring. The formal dining room off to the right has a wagon-wheel coffer ceiling with chandelier.

On the opposite side of the foyer wall is a two-story stone fireplace with wrought iron railings accenting the second-floor loft. A full wall of windows allows for plenty of natural light.

A coffer ceiling accents the kitchen with granite countertops and breakfast bar. Stonework surrounds the industrial-grade oven with gas cooktop and water faucet. Tucked behind a wall near the stove is a walk-in pantry with two walls of shelves. A buffet counter has a bread-warmer. Two dishwashers flank the larger double-sinks and a vegetable sink is within the center island. Off the kitchen are a breakfast room with access to the rear deck and a hearth room with corner gas fireplace.

A hallway near the kitchen leads to a half bath, garage access and staircase to the finished bonus room above the garage. The room has four dormer window nooks, cathedral ceiling and two walk-in attic accesses.

Back on the main floor, the main bedroom has a private hallway with built-in shelves, closet and access to the bedroom and bathroom. The bedroom has a tray ceiling, a gas fireplace and access to the rear deck. A door opens to a spiral staircase that leads to the lower-level office.

The private bathroom has two separate vanities with single sinks, a make-up desk, whirlpool tub, a walk-in dual-head ceramic shower and a walk-in closet with built-in organizers. A second bedroom suite is on the main floor and has a walk-in closet and private full bathroom.

Two bedrooms, a Jack-and-Jill bath and a loft are located upstairs. Both bedrooms have private single-sink vanities and share access to the tub/shower.

At the bottom of the staircase to the lower level is a slate-flooring room where a wrought iron gate opens to a wine cellar and a door opens to a theater room. A hallway has access to a sauna, an exercise room with rubber floor and cedar walk-in closet, and the office with private spiral staircase, corner gas fireplace and daylight windows.

The center of the lower level has a family room with built-in bookcases surrounding a gas fireplace, patio doors that open to the paver-brick patio and access to a dining room. A kitchenette has a peninsula bar that seats six. There is a staircase that leads up to the three-car garage.

A fifth bedroom has daylight windows and a full private bath.

Directions: Ohio 48 south of Lytle-Five Points, east on Grand Cypress Boulevard

Home highlights: About 7,410 sq. ft., 5 bedrooms, five full baths, 1 half bath, 5 fireplaces, sauna, theater room, hardwood floors, coffer ceilings, first-floor main bedroom, bonus room, walk-out lower level, loft, wet bar, wine cellar, 3 HVAC systems, wood windows, deck, patio, 3-car garage, circular driveway, 1.21 acre lot

Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors

http://www.GreaterDaytonHomes.com

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5-bedroom home has special spaces - Dayton Daily News

09:57 Monday 03 July 2017

Rogue traders will be warned against working in Ryton-on-Dunsmore with numerous signs and stickers handed out to residents.

Warwickshire County Councils Trading Standards, supported by Warwickshire Police, will be launching a no rogue trader zone in hotspots across the village.

Trading Standards officers will issue residents with no rogue trader door/window stickers and information booklets, following the theme of staying safe from cowboy traders.

Street signage will reinforce the message and act as a warning to rogue traders that they will be reported if they attempt to trade in the area.

Portfolio holder for community safety Cllr Howard Roberts said: Rogue traders are a menace, pressurising residents to have work carried out on their homes and gardens that is often unnecessary and always overpriced and poorly carried out.

No rogue trader zones have proved very successful in deterring rogue traders and bogus callers where they have been established across the county.

Im delighted that a no rogue trader zone is now being launched in Ryton-on-Dunsmore to help protect often very vulnerable and elderly residents from doorstep crime.

Trading Standards surveyed residents in the hotspot area. Most of the residents were aged 60 or over and almost three-quarters were at home for most of the day.

Of the residents who responded, 63 per cent said doorstep sellers were a nuisance in the area.

Two-thirds had had people knocking on their doors in the last year asking them to buy something or offering to do work for them.

Many of the residents reported doorstep callers had been persistent, aggressive, dishonest, intimidating, and intrusive.

One resident told the council officers, when she refused to open her front door, the rogue trader broke her gate to try to enter via patio doors.

Another cut down trees in a residents garden, despite being asked not to and stole ladders.

Rogue traders were also reported to have banged loudly on doors and not taken no for an answer.

PCSO Matt Havelock, of the Rugby rural central police safer neighbourhood team, added: Rogue traders call at your door and offer to do work on your home or garden that will be either unnecessary or vastly over-priced.

They have no formal training to carry out the work. Some have links with distraction burglars.

Dont ever go to a bank or cash point with the trader; legitimate traders would never do this and never allow anyone to pressure you into agreeing to have work carried out.

Do not open the door if you do not know the caller.

If you ask them to leave and they dont call 101 or 999 in an emergency.

If you do think your property needs some work, talk to a relative or friend who can help you find a reputable trader.

Never agree to any work or sign anything on the spot and if you are not sure, dont open the door.

Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to Trading Standards rapid response team via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 040506.

Link:
Putting off rogue traders in Ryton - Rugby Advertiser