Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Frank Gehry, the legendary starchitect who designed the Walt Disney Concert Hall and myriad other Los Angeles landmarks, is leaving his mark on El Segundos growing creative office landscape.

Construction is underway on an 80,000-square-foot standalone building designed by Gehry at Utah Avenue and Douglas Street, part of a campus that was formerly home to Xerox Corp.

Set to open by the years end, Ascend at Utah Avenue Campus will feature 24-foot clear-height ceilings, towering glass panel walls and a 16,000-square-foot balcony.

Unlike other creative offices taking shape in repurposed warehouses once used by aerospace and defense manufacturers, Gehry is starting from scratch, demolishing existing structures and raising the building onto a podium that will house ground-level parking.

Renderings show a vast open space filled with natural light, skeletal support beams, lights hanging from exposed high ceilings and a mix of hip work stations and lounge areas. The space also can be divided for two 40,000-square-foot tenants.

The $50 million project is being developed by NSB Associates, a Beverly Hills-based commercial real estate firm founded by Gehrys longtime friend, Larry Field.

In a video highlighting the project, Gehry said tenants like creative office space because it offers the freedom of not being locked into a cubicle.

Its not architectural in the sense that youre making an architectural statement, it is really creating an environment that energizes and promotes interactivity in a less formal way, said Gehry, who also designed Facebooks 430,000-square-foot campus in Menlo Park.

Seven years ago, Gehry came close to moving his own offices to El Segundo. He also designed a 43,500-square-foot research and development facility on the Utah Avenue Campus for Kite Pharma.

In the video, his son, Sam Gehry, called the city an up and coming area with a nice, sort of small-town feel in L.A., but theres always been sort of these quirky little warehouse spaces leftover from the aerospace industry kind of moving out.

Utah Avenue Campus promotes its location near Los Angeles International Airport, the 105 and 405 freeways, and the Metro Green Line as selling points, as well as the citys business-friendly reputation.

Several years ago, El Segundo embarked on an ambitious rebranding and marketing effort to draw in tech companies getting priced out of Silicon Beach, highlighting incentives, such as lower business tax rates, a streamlined permitting process and accelerated plan checks.

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More than 100 companies have opened up shop since in the small city of 16,500 residents, where the population swells to more than 70,000 mostly professionals in the daytime.

Sending parking underneath the building breaks the mold of a standard warehouse, Sam Gehry said in the video.

Because we had the freedom to break from a traditional warehouse in the sense that theyre pretty much boxes with no windows, we were able to incorporate all of the windows into the facade at this point in the design of the building as well as a lot of skylights and natural light, he said.

A website marketing the property gives visitors a 360-degree virtual tour of the building and patio.

Anthony OCarroll, vice president of NSB Associates, said the firm originally planned to refurbish a couple existing buildings it acquired on the site.

But when we had the opportunity to work with Frank, he suggested to us building across those two lots, taking them down and solving the parking problem by going up, he said. He thought it would really work here and I think its the first time Im aware of that this sort of ground-up construction is being done in El Segundo.

NSB Associates began acquiring property in El Segundo 12 years ago, OCarroll said, and in that time, the city has transformed from an aerospace hub to a magnet for creative offices. He called the Ascend project a vote of confidence in the city.

Its a kind of pioneering building and it speaks to the way that El Segundo is going to continue to grow and to develop, OCarroll said. Theres a lot of interest from real estate investors and builders down there.

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Frank Gehry designed this hip, creative office building in El Segundo - The Daily Breeze

Kansas City Star

Huge building fire in Overland Park ignites blazes at many homes blocks away Kansas City Star A massive fire Monday at an apartment building under construction at a multimillion-dollar development in Overland Park sparked blazes at numerous homes blocks away. The eight-alarm fire broke out about 3:30 p.m. in a four-story unoccupied apartment ... Flames destroy apartment complex and several homes in Overland Parkfox4kc.com all 91 news articles »

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Huge building fire in Overland Park ignites blazes at many homes blocks away - Kansas City Star

The "for sale" sign outside the 14-acre parcel where White Oak Construction had its office and kept its huge fleet of highway and bridge equipment has gotten the town's attention.

"It's a key piece of downtown property, a cornerstone parcel," Mark DeVoe, the local economic development director and town planner, said Monday of the 1 West Main St. site.

The company, founded by the Toffolon family, ceased operations a decade ago and sold off the heavy equipment that used to fill the complex's 10-bay garage. The parcel is listed for $1.4 million with a commercial real estate agent.

Town Manager Robert Lee said the White Oak property, next to the municipal complex, "is the key parcel in the town center."

Potential buyers have concerns about possible contamination of the soil from years of construction equipment storage, and the town is seeking state grant money to test the soil. The council has given permission for staff to pursue an "access agreement" from the property owner so the land can be accessed and tested.

"We want to take away the unknown about the site," without using town funds, Lee said.

Testing the site is crucial before any decision is made to pursue the property, DeVoe said.

For years, White Oak was one of the biggest bridge and highway construction and repair contractors in the region. The company once had its own tugboat to work on marine bridge projects.

The lobby of the closed main office building is lined with enlarged photographs of highway and bridge projects done by White Oak.

The real estate property listing says the site has 60,000 square feet of space in three buildings on the site, including 12,000 square feet in a two-story office wing built in 1991.

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Plainville Moves Forward With Plan To Test White Oak Construction Site - Hartford Courant

Constructed in 1980 for a builders personal residence, this stately Colonial on two professionally landscaped acres is as well crafted as it is beautiful. Moreover, updates/improvements and maintenance since then reflect only the highest standards.

ADDRESS: 107 High Ridge Road, Boxford

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 2 full; 1 half

LIVING SPACE: 4,648 sq. ft.

PRICE: $957,000

Constructed in 1980 for a builders personal residence, this stately Colonial on two professionally landscaped acres is as well crafted as it is beautiful. Moreover, updates/improvements and maintenance since then reflect only the highest standards.

Come take a look

Paneled wainscoting, three-inch convex-shaped crown molding, detailed bump boards and a sparkling marble tile floor in the roomy foyer are initial clues that this home is special inside, too. There are more many more.

Take the spacious dining room where hardwood flooring (in here and throughout much of the main floor) complements the continuing paneled wainscoting and detailed millwork. Two built-in corner hutches with "shell" arches and 12-over-12 windows are additional classic touches in this room that seats eight-plus comfortably.

Another classic a swinging door leads to a contemporary version of a butlers pantry. Here a granite topped "server" has cabinets below for china, serving pieces, etc.

Like any well-bred center entrance Colonial, the living room is on the other side of the foyer. Solid wood French doors open to a room that is almost the entire depth of the house. In this big and very attractive room, a brick-front wood-burning fireplace has a mantel with dentil trim.

An adjacent office/den/library/music room has a wall of open and closed custom built-in shelving. This room with a view overlooks the lovely landscaped yard.

More French doors (these are from the living room) lead into an inviting family room with a gas fireplace on a brick wall with a raised hearth and wood niche. Horizontal wainscoting is a subtle country accent.

In this room two sets of full glass pane sliders open to a wonderful (heated via a wood stove) four-season sunroom overlooking the grounds. The tile floor and the vaulted paneled ceiling with two skylights add a casual ambiance but its true forte is that with seven sets of full glass sliders yes, seven this is the quintessential indoor/outdoor room. Open the sliders and you are "in" lush landscaped grounds that include a terraced yard.

Aah, the kitchen. Grand-sized and U-shaped the better to maximize counter space this kitchen easily handles a center island plus an already existing eat-in area that seats eight or more. Horizontal wainscoting and a brick-front gas fireplace add character; the glass tile back splash and under cabinet lighting pizzazz.

Definitely the heart of this home (in so many ways), the kitchen also has access to the garage and to the "side" entrance off the farmers porch.

Well-planned and beautiful

Large enough for furniture even a comfy chaise lounge the second-floor landing is the gateway to the bedroom wing.

The master suite at one end of the bedroom "wing" for added privacy is bright and spacious. The king-bed size sleeping chamber has hardwood flooring and two closets; one of which is an exceptionally deep walk-in affair.

In the en suite bathroom, a radiant heated floor and a Runtal towel warmer are very pleasant any time of year. Decorative glass inserts in the tile surround are striking accents in the tub/shower combination that has sliding glass doors.

The remaining bedrooms on this floor are big and bigger. Each room has ample closet space, too. Even the shared bathroom has a separate linen closet. This also has a tub/shower combination and two sinks.

However, the piece de resistance is would you believe off the back staircase. A suite of rooms that is certainly no afterthought has a wide range of uses. Paneled walls are certainly one focal point in a huge office but two skylights in the cove ceiling are also eye-catching.

While this space is very impressive, the next room is positively amazing. Running back-to-front, this grand-sized space is fully paneled. A "smaller" (size is relative) finished room currently used as storage could be a spacious full-size bathroom. Leaving this as a Great Room is a no-brainer but as it has a separate entrance from the garage, creating an au pair/in-law suite is doable. A teen suite is, of course, another option.

Bonuses, bonuses

In addition to the attached, heated three-car garage, this home has another three-car garage. This free-standing perk is great for car and/or boat enthusiasts.

A natural gas generator is one more nice-to-have when Mother Nature decides to demonstrate her power no pun intended. Oh, this home also has an energy-efficient Buderus heating system that was installed about three years ago.

Let us not forget that this residence has an in-ground Mountain Lake shape heated Gunite pool as well as an in-ground hot tub set against a beautifully wooded background.

As long as were talking about unique features, consider location. Not only does this home have easy access to Route 95 (and therefore the rest of the entire North Shore and beyond) but also it is equidistant between Boston and New Hampshire a mere 25 miles north or south.

Seeing is believing, so be sure to check out the website: http://www.107HighRidgeRd.com.

Contact Andrea Anastas at Re/MAX Village Properties at 978-729-2605 or 978-887-7273 or by email: andrea.m.anastas@comcast.net.

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HOME PROFILE: Boxford Colonial is warm and inviting - Wicked Local Georgetown

MERIDEN The city manager is proposing the city buy a $40,000 camera system to broadcast public meetings at City Hall.

We want to enhance what were doing today, said Russ Ford, the citys facilities and technology management director. This will allow us to increase transparency by allowing us to film any meeting.

The city now pays a contractor to record City Council and City Council finance committee meetings. Plans call for three cameras to be mounted on the walls and ceiling of the Council Chambers. No additional staff member would be hired to run the cameras, Ford said. Instead, high school students would be brought in to film the meetings for credit.

From this section: Fire marshal: Meriden apartment fire started after towel caught fire

They would be able to provide essentially free labor, Ford said, adding that without having to pay for a contractor in the long run its money-saving, it pays for itself.

City Manager Guy Scaife did not return an email request for comment.

Its one of the city managers priorities ... to increase transparency, Ford said.

The request is the latest from the newly formed technology department. The City Council approved a $500,000 plan to update the citys phone system and is considering a $342,000 proposal to replace computers and update licensing software at City Hall.

Finance committee Chairman Miguel Castro, a Democrat, said the camera system needs to prioritized, especially in the tight budget proposed by Scaife. The city managers $191 million spending plan for fiscal year 2017-18 calls for a 0.28 percent increase over the current fiscal year.

I wont be in favor of a $40,000 camera investment nor will I be in favor of $30,000 for windows, Castro said, referring to a request to spend $30,000 on window replacement at the public works administrative building. These are high expenditures and being fiscally responsible should be our priority.

Republican Councilor Dan Brunet was on the fence about the camera system, saying that while rather expensive, the cost of camera system would recoup itself after only two years as the city currently pays about $20,000 annually for a contractor to record meetings.

Brunet worried how live broadcasting would impact council discussion and public comment.

Some councilors and individuals act unnatural and play to the camera, which detracts from a lot of productivity, Brunet said.

Council Majority Leader Brian Daniels said he would not be in favor of funding the camera system because he does not believe it will attract a large audience.

I think for $40,000 it doesnt add anywhere near the transparency that is being touted, Daniels said.

ltauss@record-journal.com 203-317-2231 Twitter: @LeighTaussRJ

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Meriden city manager wants new camera system to broadcast meetings - Meriden Record-Journal

A rendering of one of the eight-story office buildings within the Menlo Gateway development.

MENLO PARK, CALIF. Square Mile Capital Management LLC has provided a $145 million construction loan for the development of the first phase of Menlo Gateway, a 16-acre, master-planned project in the Menlo Park area of Silicon Valley.

Located on Independence Drive near the Marsh Road exit of U.S. Route 101, the development will consist of approximately 705,000 square feet of office space across three eight-story buildings. The 16-acre parcel, located roughly two miles from Facebooks headquarters, was previously zoned for industrial use.

The Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel, a 250-room hotel currently under construction, will also reside on the land. The 11-story hotel offers a pool with cabanas and poolside bar, a spa, a lobby restaurant and coffee market, as well as 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. Delivery is slated for late 2017.

The Bohannon Development Co., which is based in northern California, is serving as the project developer. San Francisco-based Heller Manus Architects designed the project.

Phase I of Menlo Gateway will include an eight-story, approximately 210,000-square-foot building located at 100 Independence Drive, as well as a 1,040-space parking deck. Phase I also includes delivery of The Bay Club, a 41,000-square foot fitness center with a sauna and cafe. Completion of all buildings is scheduled for late summer/early fall 2017.

Phase II will deliver two eight-story buildings totaling 500,000 square feet of office space, to be located at 101 and 150 Constitution Drive. Both buildings will feature large collaborative workspaces and offer green initiatives that promote efficient use of air, water and lighting. The developer plans to pursue Gold LEED certification. AS timetable for delivery of Phase II has not yet been established.

John Kerslake and Briana Smith of Northmarq Capital, a Minneapolis-based mortgage banking firm, arranged the financing for this transaction.

The Bohannon Cos. have been at the forefront of real estate development in Silicon Valley for over 80 years, says Michael Mestel, principal of Square Mile Capital Management. We are excited to provide financing for the creation of an iconic building in an irreplaceable location.

Taylor Williams

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Square Mile Capital Provides $145M Construction Loan for Menlo Park Office Development - REBusinessOnline

From the ashes of an imploded 10-story building will rise two new State Farm Class A office towers over the next five years as part of the companys Park Center development adjacent to the Dunwoody MARTA station.

A rendering of the completed State Farm development adjacent to the Dunwoody MARTA station. (Special)

State Farm imploded the 1111 Hammond Exchange building early March 4 using 500 pounds of dynamite. The building, about 250,000 square feet, crashed to the ground in 30 seconds. Two more office towers will be built on the Hammond Exchange property.

The entire State Farm development will be approximately 2.2 million square feet.

Dallas-based KDC is the developer for the project and is working with general contractor Holder Construction. The 21-story office tower up now in Perimeter Center opened in November.

The State Farm building in Dunwoody was imploded on March 4. (Phil Mosier)

KDC received $34 million in tax abatements last year from the citys Development Authority for its second phase so it could start construction of the new office buildings in 2017, rather than the originally proposed 2019.

Construction of the second 22-story office tower is expected to begin this year and be completed by 2019. The third office tower, at 19 stories, is expected to be finished by 2020.

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One building down, two to rise at State Farm's Dunwoody site - Reporter Newspapers

Updating your existing roof allows you to add value to your home and communicate your home's look and feel. While roof framing, preparation and proper installation are always important, the material you choose for your roof can bring the exterior of your home to the next level.

"It's really an opportunity to upgrade your home in terms of look, style and color," says Tom Bollnow, senior director of technical services for the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA).

The answers to those questions will help you determine the best choice for your home. There are lots of options for roofing materials available and here is a rundown of some of the most popular ones.

Photo: Jeff Herbert

Photo courtesy of GAF Roofing

The most common residential roofing material used in the United States, asphalt shingles are popular because they are economical and easy to install. These shingles can be reinforced with fiberglass or organic materials (cellulose) without changing the appearance of the shingle.

Pros: Asphalt comes in a variety of colors, is widely available and is one of the least expensive materials.

Cons: Asphalt has a shorter life span than other roofing materials, doesn't provide the insulation other materials offer, and the quality varies.

House Styles: Asphalt shingles work with many architectural styles, especially traditional suburban styles.

Cost and Life Span: Prices range from $70 to $120 a square and, if maintained properly, shingles will last 20 to 25 years.

Photo Courtesy: Scott Womack

Making a Tuscan house even grander is s faded tile that looks as if a century old. Rounded terra cotta tiles facilitate the drainage of water. Photo By: Scott Womack

Clay and concrete tiles add texture and elegance to a roof. Genuine flat, ribbed or scalloped clay tiles are extremely durable but also very heavy, and must be installed by a professional. Concrete tiles are versatile and are less expensive than genuine clay, but also have a heavy weight.

Pros: Clay and concrete tiles are long-lasting and non-combustible, and concrete tiles are energy efficient.

Cons: Clay and concrete tiles are expensive, heavy and usually require additional framing.

House Styles: Clay and concrete tiles work well with Mediterranean, Mission, Southwestern and Spanish-style homes.

Cost and Life Span: Prices start around $300 to $500 a square and, if maintained properly, tiles will last around 40 to 50 years.

Jason Kisner

Building of HGTV Green Home 2012 construction photos. Metal roofing.

Metal roofs are resistant to extreme weather conditions. Available in two types, panels and shingles, metal roofs come in aluminum, copper, stainless steel and zinc.

"They're sleek, lightweight, long-lasting and recyclable, and something to consider if you're interested in rainwater harvesting," says architect Amy A. Alper.

Pros: Metal roofing is durable, lasts longer than asphalt or wood, and offers high solar reflectance.

Cons: Metal roofing is relatively expensive.

House Styles: Metal looks great on bungalows, cabins, contemporary and cottage-style homes.

Cost and Life Span: Prices usually start around $100 to $300 a square, but some styles can cost $600 to $800 a square. Metal roofing can last 40 to 75 years.

Photo courtesy of DaVinci Roofscapes

Offering lots of beauty and a distinctive elegant appearance, slate colors include shades of black, green, grey, red and purple.

Pros: Slate is very durable, fire-resistant and a sustainable roof that can be recycled.

Cons: Slate is expensive, heavy, and requires extra framing and professional installation. The quality can vary with imported slate.

House Styles: Slate works well with Colonial, European and French chateau homes.

Cost and Life Span: Prices start at about $600 a square and up. Slate can last more than 50 years and sometimes 100 years or more.

Photo courtesy of DaVinci Roofscapes

The go-to roofing choice for hundreds of years, many homeowners love the look of wood shingles and shakes and how they weather to an attractive shade of gray. Wood shakes are handmade and rougher-looking than wood shingles, which are usually cut by machine.

If you live in a fire-prone area, look for Class A fire-rated wood roofing products that include shingles treated with a fire-resistant coating.

Pros: Wood shingles offer a rustic look and are a natural product usually made from cedar, redwood and southern pine.

Cons: Fire codes in some areas prohibit use. Wood shingles can be a concern in wet climates, and can mold, split or rot.

House Styles: Shake's rustic aesthetic pairs well with bungalow, Cape Cod, cottage, Craftsman and Tudor-style homes.

Cost and Life Span: Prices start at around $100 to $150 a square and will last around 25 to 30 years.

There are now synthetic roofing products, including rubber, plastic and polymer roofing, developed to give you the color, look and texture of natural materials like slate and wood. These products are designed to be strong and easy to maintain. Some of these materials are fire-resistant.

Make sure to check with the manufacturer and inquire about warranty information. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) suggests you look at full-size samples of the synthetic product and the manufacturers' brochures.

"Look for installations that have been in place at least 10 years to see what the wear characteristics of that material are in your area," says Bollnow.

Pros: Synthetic roofing is often not as fragile, heavy or expensive as natural products.

Cons: Some of these products can absorb water and the quality varies. Newer products aren't as time-tested as traditional materials.

House Styles: Synthetic roofing products work with different architectural styles.

Cost and Life Span: Prices start at about $300 a square, and are warrantied for up to 50 years.

See why synthetic slate is a great alternative to natural slate.

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Top 6 Roofing Materials | HGTV

2017 NFL Free Agency: Winners & Losers of Week 2

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While it's difficult to be competitive in today's NFL without a front office that knows how to draft and develop its own talent, there's no question that savvy free-agency signings can take a team over the edge into contender territory.

The deals that happen after the first few days of free agency usually look much different than the ones that go down when the new league year begins, largely because teams and players' reps have had two days to negotiate those ones during the "legal-tampering" period.

And while it's true that the most expensive contracts are often announced early, teams can still make an impact in Week 2. Similarly, teams can also make foolish decisions, or do nothing.

We'll take a look at some of those winners and losers from the second week of free agency.

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The New England Patriots are consistently competitive because Bill Belichick knows how to make savvy additions in free agency to supplement a roster built from smart drafting.

Belichicksent New England's No. 32 and No. 103 picks to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for wide receiver Brandin Cooks and the No. 118 pick,per ESPN's Dianna Russini.

That move addresses one of the most anemic positions on New England's roster and gives Tom Brady a dynamic new weapon in an already deadly offense.

But it wasn't all about new faces in New England. The Patriots also managed to retain key defensive piece Dont'a Hightower, re-signing the linebacker to a four-year contract with a maximum value of $43.5 million.

Belichick is one of the best wheelers and dealers out there, so it's no surprise that the defending Super Bowl champions only got better this offseason.

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The Green Bay Packers made an uncharacteristic splash early in free agency when general manager Ted Thompson signed not one, but two free-agent tight ends in Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks.

As usual for Thompson, the deals did little to hurt the Packers' cap health, and there's no question the Packers offense has gotten a new level of dangerous with the improvement in pass-catchers.

However, the significant upgrade at one position didn't do enough to counteract the losses the Packers suffered in Week 2.

On March 12, one of the league's best guards, T.J. Lang, departed Green Bay for NFC North rival Detroit. While opting not to re-sign Lang certainly saved the Packers a hefty cap hit, the gains made at tight end are threatened by a weakened offensive line. There's no feasible replacement for Lang on the roster currently.

It was also a bad look when Thompson let first-round draft selection Datone Jones walk. Jones signed with a division rival: the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers converted Jones from a defensive end to an outside linebacker, elected not to pick up his fifth-year option and then let him leave in free agency. Not a success story for the front office.

Losing running back Eddie Lacy isn't a huge hit for the Packers, who can certainly do better, but right now they only have a converted wide receiver in Ty Montgomery in the backfield.

Green Bay has a lot of pressure riding on a stellar draft class with so many new holes.

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The Minnesota Vikings' grade early in free agency would look quite different to their mark after Week 2, as the team was slow to make moves.

However, Minnesota picked things up in the second week of free agency and made some crucial additions.

The Green Bay Packers' loss was the Vikings' gain as Minnesota acquired pass-rusher Datone Jones, who will now make it his business to get after Aaron Rodgers twice a year.

Jones was converted from a defensive end to an outside linebacker in the Packers' 3-4 system, and now he'll likely see another position change in the Vikings' 4-3 front. But the move gives Minnesota some nice options in the defensive line rotation.

The Vikings also resolved the looming Adrian Peterson question once and for all by bringing in the free-agent running back with arguably the most potential in former Oakland Raider Latavius Murray.

Minnesota removed itself from what would have been an $18 million option on Peterson and picked up a younger replacement on a three-year deal worth up to $15 million.

That's a savvy move for a team hoping to get back into the conversation in the NFC North.

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The Cincinnati Bengals lost a lot of talent in free agency, and they didn't do enough in Week 2 to bolster the roster as a result.

Early in free agency, Cincinnati saw star left tackle Andrew Whitworth depart for the Los Angeles Rams, while guard Kevin Zeitler defected to the rival Cleveland Browns.

The Bengals also lost Domata Peko, Rex Burkhead, Margus Hunt and Karlos Dansby.

In Week 2 of free agency, Cincinnati added tackle Andre Smith and guard T.J. Johnson, so no one can accuse the team of not at least trying to improve its new holes.

However, Smith and Johnson are nowhere near Whitworth and Zeitler in terms of talent, and so Cincinnati remains one of the teams to regress the most so far between 2016 and 2017.

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No one could claim the Detroit Lions have been aggressive in free agency, but their measured approach to improving some of their most glaring weaknesses has paid off so far this offseason.

Detroit let Larry Warford walk in free agency, but it replaced him with the Green Bay Packers' Pro Bowl guard, T.J. Lang, who makes that situation a net gain.

The Lions also went after the best right tackle available in Rick Wagner, a sure upgrade from Riley Reiff. That move is sure to improve the Lions' middling run game.

If the Lions are able to find a way to bring back wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who had 584 yards and eight touchdowns for them in 2016, they'll really be able to chalk this free agency up as a smart and successful victory.

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The Arizona Cardinals lost a lot of talent early in free agency...and haven't signed any outside free agents in Week 2 save for linebacker Jarvis Jones on March 14.

Calais Campbell, Tony Jefferson, Marcus Cooper and D.J. Swearinger all signed with other teams. Those are not players who are easy to replace.

The Cardinals attempted to mollify losing Jefferson by signing 32-year-old veteran Antoine Bethea, but that's not a long-term investment. In fact, Arizona signed three players 30 years old or older, which won't keep this team competitive for long.

If Arizona can't hold onto quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, its window could close as early as next season. The team should be in win-now mode, especially with the NFC West relatively up for grabs, but it's not clear the front office has achieved that in free agency. The draft will be important for this team.

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The Rams made a big improvement to their already dangerous defense when they added pass-rusher Connor Barwin during the second week of free agency.

There's no question Los Angeles started free agency off on a high note, addressing one of their biggest needs at left tackle with the best player available in Andrew Whitworth.

However, the Rams have kept the momentum going into Week 2. Kickers never make for flashy free-agency signings, but Greg Zuerlein had a solid year in 2016 and can make kicks from distances that others can't.

Barwin is a particularly intriguing addition for this team. The Rams had a need to fill after trading defensive end William Hayes, and the team reunites Barwin with former Houston Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. The pass-rusher is also a key addition at outside linebacker as the Rams convert to a 3-4 defense.

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Players come and go, but one of the worst things that could happen to a team during a tumultuous free-agency period is losing a member of its front office.

Washington parted ways with general manager Scot McCloughan in the middle of free agency. Somehow, the team still managed to convince coveted wide receiver Terrelle Pryor to sign, but it's a one-year "prove-it" deal, and it already seems obvious that the wideout will prove himself right onto another team come March 2018.

The Redskins also lost top receivers DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, so even though the Pryor signing helps, the team still experienced a net loss at the position.

The team also didn't even offer defensive tackle Chris Baker a contract, as he explained on SiriusXM NFL Radio(h/t NFL Network), which further seems to hint at the mess that is the front office right now.

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2017 NFL Free Agency: Winners & Losers of Week 2 - Bleacher Report

Dwain Livengood can save money on his home renovation project by doing the work himself. But he also knows that do-it-yourself projects in historical homes like his 100-year-old farmhouse require extra planning and research, and that mistakes can be costly.

"Self-awareness is pretty huge," says Livengood, who grew up in the house in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and is the third generation of his family to own it. "Saving money isn't worth it if in the end it looks like an amateur did it."

He is planning the first major renovations to the property, including a new kitchen, hardwood floor restorations and window repair.

DIY "fails" in historical homes can do more than look bad; they can seriously damage a home's structure and character, says Jody Robinson, historical preservation officer for the city of Bellevue, Kentucky. DIY has a place in historical home renovation, she says, but it needs to be well-researched.

If your home or neighborhood has a historical designation, there probably are restrictions on what you can do, particularly to exteriors. Consult with local authorities before initiating projects or hiring contractors.

"The difference with a historic home is the materials used and how they were constructed," Robinson says.

Slate roofs, wood gutters, weight-and-pulley windows, plaster walls and old building materials require special attention, experts say. Luckily, there are numerous places where owners of historical homes can find information about which projects they should and shouldn't attempt on their own.

Cities, preservations societies, restoration enthusiasts, and even businesses that specialize in historical renovation offer workshops and classes. Window repair, plastering, basic fireplace fixes and tiling are among the most popular subjects.

Understanding your home's construction and appreciating historical renovation methods are the first step, says Benjamin Curran, department head for historical preservation at Savannah Technical College in Georgia. Through its Historic Homeowners Academy, the school teaches classes geared to the do-it-yourselfer.

When homeowners try to apply modern solutions to old homes "a remodel can easily turn into a re-muddle," Curran says. For example, using the wrong mortar can damage old bricks.

He recommends taking a class and consulting with a professional or historical preservationist.

"From there, it's a question of what is achievable. What is the breadth of your skill set? Where might you stretch yourself and learn more?" Curran says.

Jim Wigton, president of the Monrovia (California) Historic Preservation Group, says it was formed nearly 40 years ago by residents who were restoring homes and wanted to share knowledge.

"At the beginning of the organization, we invited craftspeople in to share how to do things," says Wigton, adding that group also offers a home tour and works on citywide preservation projects.

Livengood, who has experience restoring antique carriage and tractors, plans on repairing the 40 wood windows in his foursquare house this spring. Using tips from a professional restoration company, he will replace the rope that holds the cast-iron weights that allow the windows to move up and down, and will paint the windows' interiors. He's hired a professional to tackle the exterior. He anticipates the work he does will reduce the repair costs by $200 per window.

Windows are a good DIY project because the work is more time-consuming than difficult, says Danielle Keperling, who with her parents and husband owns Historic Restorations in Lancaster. Her company is open to teaching the how-tos in order to reduce project costs, she says.

To maintain a home's historical character, repairing old windows rather than installing new ones makes a big difference, says Keperling.

"Windows show the age of the house," she says.

Whenever Doug Heavilin hires a professional to work on his 1902 Queen Anne Victorian in Franklin, Indiana, he shadows the person, soaking up as much information as he can.

"I've learned 90 percent of what I know about plumbing by sitting there and watching a plumber," says Heavilin, who is restoring the 4,700-square-foot house with his wife, Amy. They've finished five of the home's 22 rooms.

During their restoration journey, they've learned to install tile, hang wallpaper and drywall, repair plaster, and match stain and paint. He once engineered a solution to create rounded replacement pieces for their home's turret.

The Heavilins read books and magazines, watch videos, take classes and swap tips with other homeowners before starting a project.

But they also know things might not go as planned, and say it's important to be flexible. "You never know what you're going to find," says Amy Heavilin, recalling the time they discovered that their dining room chandelier was wired to a pipe with a coat hanger.

"We're at the point where I'm pretty comfortable with whatever we find," Doug Heavilin adds. "I'm not always happy, but I'm comfortable."

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DIY work on older houses takes extra know-how, flexibility - Longview News-Journal