Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

The inside of Eltham Palace, built in 1936 for members of the Courtauld family. Photograph: Alamy

In the late 15th century, when it was home to a boy who would become Henry VIII, and again in the 1930s, when it became an art-deco party house for the textile millionaire Stephen Courtauld and his wife, Virginia, Christmas was a hectic time at Eltham Palace, as it filled with holly and ivy, candles and firelight, the kitchens working flat out and the great hall filling with guests.

At first glance the great hall so familiar to Henry, who enjoyed many childhood celebrations at Eltham, looks miraculously unchanged under its great hammerbeam roof, the third largest in England, built for Edward IV in the 1470s. But the historian Andrew Hann stoops and pats the stone flagged floor to reveal one of the innovations introduced by Courtauld when he took on the property in the 30s. On a cold winter evening, the slabs are not as icy as expected: this is a medieval hall with underfloor heating.

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Weve learned a great deal about life in this house from people who visited or worked here, and were trying to put back some of that history, Hann says, of the 1.7m that English Heritage has put forward for a conservation project at Eltham Palace, the first since it took over the property in 1995.

The plan is to open previously unseenparts of what must rank as one of its most eccentric properties: a state-of-the-art 1930s mansion attached to a 15th-century hall, surrounded by a Tudor moat, deep in suburban southeast London.

When Henry VIII became king in 1509 he found his waterfront palace at Greenwich more convenient and Eltham fell into decline. It was used as a barn in the 18th century, and by the early 20th century it was an indoor tennis court. In 1933 Courtauld brother of Samuel, who founded the Courtauld Institute controversially gained permission to build a new house in the grounds provided he restored Elthams medieval hall.

John Seely and Paul Paget were an unusual choice of architects. They had excellent society connections, as heir to a title and son of a bishop respectively, and after the second world war they became known for sensitive restoration work on bombed churches. However, in 1933 their firm was only six years old, and Eltham was their first major project.

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Elthams Tudor-deco party palace reveals bunker bar and long-lost paintings

With the ruling parties' overwhelming victory in the Dec14 lower house election having put wind in its sails, the third Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has started.

Although it seems to be getting under way in a stable manner, a money-and-politics scandal is smoldering in the Cabinet even after the replacement of former Defence Minister Akinori Eto, who was embroiled in a political funds scandal.

The Cabinet also has piles of problems to overcome, including measures to boost the flagging economy and preparing the legal framework to allow the nation to exercise the right of collective self-defence in limited situations.

The change of the defence minister came from Eto's strong intention to resign, according to sources.

"I can't cause trouble with my scandal over political funds while I am assigned to be engaged in the historical security legislation." Visiting Abe in mid-December, Eto opened up his talk with such a phrase. He timed the revelation of his intention for shortly after the latest election.

At the extraordinary Diet session held in September shortly after he assumed the post, Eto was severely questioned by opposition parties about a scandal in which he reportedly revised the political funds reports of his funds management organisation.

It was easy to imagine Eto would be barraged with questions again at an ordinary Diet session to be convened at the beginning of the next year.

The prime minister tried to persuade him to stay in his post, saying, "It should be fine."

Nevertheless, Eto's decision to resign was firm, according to sources.

Some opposition party members claim that Eto's resignation was the third example of a replacement regarding a money-and-politics scandal, following the double resignations of Justice Minister Midori Matsushima and Economy, and Trade and Industry Minister Yuko Obuchi.

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Money-politics scandals smolder in new Japanese Cabinet

Cheryl Freedman, Houzz Contributor

Theyre the simple pieces that stand the test of time. Never in or out of fashion, the items in this bunch are classically chic and tasteful, and eternally look good (so you wont be forking over money to replace them in two years time). Forget passing interior fads and fly-by-night trends; here are the oldies but goodies every living room needs.

Plantation shutters. These elegant window dressings have become the perfect solution for metropolitan homeowners who dont want sheer curtains but arent keen on passersby snooping, either. Here their crisp, clean lines and white color add to the rooms bright, breezy feel. The other plus, of course, is undeniable curb appeal.

How to plan a just-right living room layout

Moroccan pouf. Its that age-old problem: where to prop your feet when youre relaxing on the sofa? The obvious solution is a Moroccan leather pouf. Simple and compact, these versatile little seats work surprisingly well in a variety of settings, not just souk-style rooms. Here a pair of brown leather poufs adds impact next to a plain corner sofa, complementing the sophisticated design scheme brilliantly.

Tripod floor lamp. The architectural lines of the tripod floor lamp have made it a living room staple in recent years, and it looks set to stick around. As well as adding atmospheric pools of light, these cool pieces make a statement in their own right. Place one at either end of a sofa, as here, for oomph. If you dont fancy neutral lampshades like the ones here, swap them for colorful ones to energize your scheme.

Chesterfield sofa. Its an ongoing favorite in fashionable bars and boutique hotels, and no wonder. With their clean lines and comfort, button-backed chesterfield sofas are truly timeless, and look as good in a modern warehouse apartment as in a grand country abode. The classic version comes in tan leather, but for a sumptuous update, I love the raspberry-pink and pewter-colored velvet numbers here.

Retro sideboard. It might not feel as key as a coffee table or sofa, but a stylish vintage sideboard transforms the look of a living room (and keeps clutter at bay, too). Here a midcentury number adds a quirky retro attitude and provides a handy surface for showing off precious ornaments and pictures. For a timeless look, stick to warm woods, such as teak or rosewood.

Leather club armchair. Fancy the private members club look? Then opt for a classic, deep-seated leather armchair like this one; the more battered, the better. Buy secondhand for extra lived-in character, or source a vintage-look piece about town (feather-filled cushions offer an added slouch factor). Prettify it with a floral cushion, then sit back and relax with a cuppa (or glass of port).

Decorative over-the-mantel mirror. Its the oldest interiors trick in the book. A striking over-the-mantel mirror gives even a supersnug living room a sense of space and light. However, dont settle for just any old mirror. For old-school elegance, go for a Shabby Chicstyle French-looking piece with an ornate white plaster or gilt wooden frame. If you can afford to, get an original vintage mirror, complete with authentically aged silvering. If not, consider reproductions they work a similar magic for less cash.

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Living Room Features That Never Go Out Of Style

Although hes best known for his 90s musicwho doesnt remember Ice, Ice, Baby?pop-music icon Vanilla Ice is also a successful real-estate entrepreneur and a remodeling expert with more than 15 years of hands-on home-improvement experience. Rob Van Winkle, Ices given name, first began remodeling with his own 15,000-sq.-ft. mansion in Miami Beach. That led to nearly two decades of real estate investments and renovations to flip houses for profit.

Last fall, a DIY Network reality show called The Vanilla Ice Project followed Van Winkle and his crew of contractors as they renovated a 7,000-sq.-ft. Palm Beach mansion. In each episode, Van Winkle pounded nails, tiled shower walls and called the shots in a room-by-room renovation that featured the latest in modern home features and technology. Sister network HGTV recently aired an encore presentation of the first season, and the second season of The Vanilla Ice Project will debut on the DIY Network in October 2011.

Reality shows may be notoriously low on reality, but during a recent chat with

Tell us about your first home remodeling project. My first renovation was my home of 11 years, a 15,000-sq.-ft., 12-bedroom bachelor pad on Star Island in Miami with purple and green rooms and red walls. I was young and inexperienced in home decoration and renovation when I first moved in. It felt like I was living in a huge nightclub. I hated it. Its true that colors can make you feel uncomfortable, so I completely changed it to earth tones, and made it into a home that felt like a home. After finishing the renovation of this first home, I decided to sell it, which resulted in a very profitable return on my investment. It was at that moment I realized I enjoyed the process of buying low, renovating within a budget by doing the work on my own, and then selling high.

How did you learn about interior design? I started by reading design magazines and books and going to seminars. I learned how not to make the design so personal but to appeal to the demographics of the people who would buy the house. I had so much fun doing it that it consumed me. I like the gratification of it, sitting back, crossing my arms and looking at it, thinking, Wow, I did that! Its a proud moment.

Did you learn the nuts and bolts of remodeling? I can get in there and swing the hammer! I got a lot of hands-on experience by hiring a guy and being over his shoulder the whole time, learning from him and asking him questions.

What was the hardest thing to learn how to do? Plumbing, like sweating lines, was very difficult in the beginning.

What has surprised you about the remodeling business and been difficult to deal with? Not much now! Throughout the past 15 years, I ran into the hurdles I had to, but now I know the processes so nothing can surprise me. I dont really buy homes that are older [and have problems], but I have had a few condos where they hired unlicensed electricians. You see it right away when they open the wallsbut Ive got master electricians to come in and fix that. For TV, we create a bit of drama, but theres really no job thats going to shock me.

What aspect did you find you had a natural talent for? I like the decorative side. I hired many [female designers] and learned from them about designearth-tone colors, travertine tiles, toilets. You would never even think that there are so many toilet designs! You have to have some sort of direction to make the overall picture come together, not just a bunch of sweaty guys. They know how to build and construct but you have to give them a direction, which is what I do.

What are your favorite design elements, especially in kitchens and baths? I like to use new materials and modern, high-tech features in homes. I get a thrill by finding a really different Jacuzzi tub, for example, or even figuring out how to design for small spaces. I get excited about hidden fridges and dishwashers, soft-close, pneumatic cabinet drawers and doors, high-tech lazy susans, and undermount sinks in the bath because they are easy to clean. Little stuff like that, I love it.

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The Ice Man Buildeth

Roofing, Denton, Little Elm, Frisco, Prosper, Sachse, Rock
Turned down by insurance, Bad faith claims.

By: Advantage Roofing Company

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(563) 332-2555 Quad Cities Roofing Supplies- Dumpster Rental
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By: Kelly Landrum

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OK, this was technically 2008 in gaming... but some faces may be mentioned again.

It may be hard to believe, but on January 1, 2015, we will be halfway through the decade known as the 2010s (the '10s? The teens? The twenty-teens? None of these sound right...). The passage of time being what it is, we guess this moment was inevitable. Still, we're finding it hard to get used to the fact that we're about to be in the second half of the second decade of the "new" millennium.

Mid-decade breaks are a good chance for introspection and retrospection, so we've decided to look back at what the decade so far has brought to the world of gaming. To that end, we asked Ars editors to pick up to five games as personal favorites from the past five years.

For this list, we were looking for games that have stuck with us over the years, the games we've spent countless hours immersed inside, the games we recommend to friends without reservation. These are personal picks that reflect the eclectic and wide-ranging tastes of our individual editors, not necessarily the games that will be regarded as the "best" by the critical establishment. We didn't allow more than two editors to pick any one game to ensure a list that wasn't just a bunch of repetitive selections of the same old titles.

The resulting list, below, is an expansive collection of the game's we'll collectively think about when we fondly look back on the games of the early-post-aughts (nope, that phrasing doesn't work either). With another five years ahead before this decade's a wrap, who knows how many more great titles will stand with these classics on the next such list.

Modern pop-culture loves old pop-culture. Other mediums use this freely (see the rumored Ghostbusters movies for just the latest example) but gaming seems somewhat hesitant. Beyond familiar faces in new places (i.e. Smash Bros.) and endless iterations in on-going series, the idea of an homage doesnt really come into... play. (Sorry.)

Create an opportunity, someone will fill it. Abobos Big Adventure avoided the logistical headaches involved with a remake by going free-for-all online, and the result is a glorious bit of nostalgia. Navigate Abobo (yes, the Double Dragon boss) through level after level of loving NES homageContra, Zelda, Mega Man, Punch-Out!!each requiring you to dust off game-specific skills. Abobos filled with in-jokes, what you remember as difficult still remains difficult (looking at you Balloon Fight), and its all topped off by a tremendous end-game sequence with the best and most-over-the-top call back of them all. Itll take awhile, but this is a worthy timesink down memory lane. -Nathan Mattise

Every game in the Arkham series (with the exception of unworthy "Blackgate" DLC) are fantastic experiences, but Arkham City has to be my favorite because of its great story, sheer length, and scopeit keeps going on and on and on... -Jennifer Hahn

Striking graphics, an astonishing variety of guns, a strong story, an abundance of side missions, compelling characters, good jokes, the occasional tear, and a villain we can all take pleasure in hating: our second visit to Pandora delivers a finely crafted action RPG experience. -Peter Bright

But this entry is underrated in my book. Black Ops 2 showed us that the Call of Duty series had the potential to offer so much more than the narrow, linear gameplay for which the series has become known. Black Ops 2 included a seamlessly branching storyline. Actions taken (or not taken) within the game changed the way the story unfolded, and unusually for this class of game, those actions were not all signposted with quick time events. Instead, they're natural, realistic consequences of actions taken within the game.

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Looking back at the best games of the 2010s (so far)

Sherlock is now available to stream on Netflix UK.

The first two series of the Benedict Cumberbatch series - totalling six 90-minute TV films - have been added for members in the UK and Ireland.

Totalling 14 episodes, series six was the second run to feature Matt Smith as the Doctor and also stars Karen Gillan, Arthur Darvill and Alex Kingston.

The streaming service also recently made episodes of Homeland and American Horror Story available to UK members, with the first two seasons of both series now available to stream.

From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series - Why you must watch on Netflix now

Watch a clip from the second series of Sherlock below:

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Sherlock, new Doctor Who added to Netflix UK

Peters Glazing Service is a family owned business with experience in residential and commercial design, installation and glass repairs, Perth-wide.

We've seen it all and know what it takes to deliver everything from glass window repair and replacement services, to new installations with finesse and efficiency. Our small team of highly experienced glaziers is dedicated to offering real glazier expertise at cost effective rates, so you get the custom solution that really fits your home or business premises. No window glass repair job is too big or too small, what's more, we offer something you can only get from an independent local business good old-fashioned customer service.

We invite you to explore our range of services, including glass repair, Perth window replacement, cat and dog doors, table tops, shelving and more. From traditional bay windows to ultra-modern kitchen splashbacks, Peter's Glazing Service has you covered. Rest assured that we only use the highest quality products for each particular application, including shower screens and mirrors, so you get a pristine result that lasts for years to come.

Whether you need urgent window repairs at your Perth property today, or would just like to discuss an upcoming project involving glazier work, we'd love to hear from you. Call us on (08) 9344 2122 or email us using the form above.

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Peters Glazing - Glass Window Repairs & Replacement in ...

As we started writing this Alside Mezzo windows review we were impressed with the newest offering from Alside. This newly designed window addresses many of the shortcomings of the pervious model, the Alside Excalibur.

While the Alside Mezzo windows are new, Alside has been around for quite a while. Theyre a pretty large company that most consumers have never heard of. With 5 window manufacturing plants around the country their products are very widely distributed.

As you can see in the above picture, the Alside Mezzo windows have a slim frame which maximizes the glass area. This is a factor weve repeatedly mentioned in our replacement window reviews. This is an important factor that is often overlooked by consumers.

The Alside Mezzo window is designed to be the workhorse of their replacement window line. It will likely become the most popular window they offer.

Like just about all vinyl replacement windows, the Alside Mezzo window is custom made so the range of available options is pretty substantial.

As you can see there are many colors available on the Alside Mezzo window including interior and exterior color options.

Alside has always offered a very high quality screen standard with their windows and theyve continued that with the Mezzo. As you can see there, the screen is made of heavy duty extruded aluminum and the spline is on the inside to keep it out of the sun.

How about energy efficiency?

The Alside Mezzo window can produce pretty solid ratings for a double hung window. They are in line with other recently designed double pane windows and a solid step above previous generation products. For example the Alside Mezzo window can meet or exceed the 2015 Energy Star guidelines for all regions of the country with double pane glass. Many older windows still require the expense of triple pane glass to hit these numbers.

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Alside Mezzo Windows Review - The Window Dog - Find the ...