Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

With lots of Thanksgiving cooking about to take over kitchens, it is a very good time to take another look at gas stoves. This is both for health reasons and the environment. Scientists and health providers have long known about risks associated with fumes given off when the burners are on, and in some cases, even when they are off. In addition, natural gas and propane have a big influence on climate change. In the short term, individuals should be sure to have adequate ventilation in kitchens. Longer-term, switching from gas stoves to electric appears essential. The risks of not doing so are serious.

Research that looked at harmful nitrogen dioxide levels from cooking found it within three parts per billion of the United States Environmental Protection Agencys safety limit for sensitive people. Indoor food preparation using gas is thought to contribute to about 13 percent of childhood asthma cases about equivalent to the rate from secondhand smoke.

Gas stoves also release benzene, a known carcinogen; a recent study of the amount produced during cooking revealed that it moves throughout homes, in some cases elevating bedroom concentrations above chronic health benchmarks for hours after the stove was turned off. Benzene exposure causes both cancer and noncancerous health effects. Shorter-term benzene exposure suppresses blood cell production, and chronic benzene exposure increases the risk of leukemia and lymphoma. Air pollution from tiny particles also from cooking can aggravate heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, and diabetes. Alarmingly, as the United States population gets older, more people will age into the ranks of the vulnerable, increasing the danger.

By far the largest proportion of greenhouse gas effects comes from carbon dioxide, followed by methane, then NO2 all of which come from, or are associated with, producing and using gas. Policymakers know that more Americans should be switching to electric cooking appliances, especially those that use induction as a safe and clean heat source. Induction stoves are expensive, then again, so is natural gas and propane. However, when the societal costs associated with treating illnesses are factored in, government subsidies for conversion make a lot of sense.

New York State was the first state to pass a law banning gas stoves and other gas-powered appliances in new buildings, including houses and apartment buildings. Upstream, though, the benefit will depend greatly on the rate at which electrical generation moves away from fossil fuels. Funding will be key. Later this year, federal rebates of up to $840 for electric stoves, cooktops, and ovens, are expected to bring the cost of conversion from gas or propane within the reach of many more people. The rebates will cover up to $500 for installation; up to $1,600 for insulation, air sealing, and ventilation, up to $2,500 for wiring upgrades, and up to $4,000 for new smart circuit breaker panels.

The money is part of a $4.5 billion package for electric appliances set aside in landmark clean-energy provisions in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Though many details have yet to be released, the rebates should be available to households making up to 150 percent of their local median income, a number calculated every year by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This is promising, but the experts advise waiting to buy until the terms of the rebates become clear.

The point is to consider switching to electric if you can, but not right away, and, in the meantime, keep those vent fans on full or open a window or two whenever the stove is on. Good ventilation to the outdoors is important especially when the Thanksgiving turkey is roasting for hours on end in the oven.

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Pies in the Oven, Problems in the Air - East Hampton Star

In recent years, we've had to deal with a multitude of different smart home hubs to run all our different devices. Thankfully, though, the Matter protocol is quickly allowing us to fold all of our smart-home tech under one central control hub. Those hubs can be an app in your phone, like Google Home, HomeKit, or Alexa, but physical hubs make it easier for everyone in your home to control things. The Brilliant Home Control, a physical hub that can stand alone or replace a wall switch, gives us a sense of whats comingand although theres still room for growth, its pretty awe-inspiring.

Brilliant is a beauty queen. It splits the hub into two parts: a digital touchscreen on the left, and touch sliders on the right. You can choose how many sliders you have, depending on what kind of switch youre replacing. In the wired version, you can choose from one to four switches, and in the plug-in version, you have two sliders. (Since these are not directly wired, youll get to choose what these control). When theres no activity around it, the screen goes to sleep, then uses motion sensors to wake up as people approach, displaying photos of your choice as the screen background. Its so aware that I didnt even realize it slept until I read it in the specs and tested it. Most of the time, youll interact with the sliders to control lights nearby.

While the plug-in Home Control mounts wherever you want it, the wired version takes a little more work. Evenstill, I was impressed with the innovations. As with most smart devices, installation requires a neutral line (the white wire, usually). While the instructional videos didnt match the current version of the wiring panel, it turned out to be much simpler than these installations usually are. That's because Brilliant actually senses which is the load wire and which is the line wire, and it doesnt matter which order you wire them up. This solves the issue with the vast majority of self-installed switches. Even though I live in an old house with terrible wiring, setting this up was easy, and the hub itself snapped right into place.

Once you tap the touchscreen, you can access the first of many interface screens. While theres a lot of functionality packed into this sleek panel, the UI is clean and well-designed, and I was never overwhelmed. The controls offered won't bog you down like other hubs, and youre never more than two swipes from home. From here, you can set up shortcuts to whatever actions you want, whether those are whole routines or simple one-off functions. Along the bottom is a row of icons that allow you to jump to other screens, including scenes, which lets you set up presets similar to Google Home and HomeKit. Perhaps you want a series of actions for first thing in the morning or before bed, or "party mode" for when guests are over. From here, you can jump to "rooms," which separates your devices by room, music, cameras, intercom, or alarms.

Almost immediately after I set up my Home Control, it started finding integrations, alerting me that Sonos was nearby. Moments later, I had limited access to my Sonos devices. (In almost all cases, hubs dont offer all the functions that native apps do.) I could control all my Sonos, and for music, pull from recently used queues. While I couldn't really search for new music, Brilliant did offer a link to open the native Sonos app to complete actions it didnt have in its own hub. It then found my SmartThings devices without me having to do anything, and guided me through integrating those devices. It found my Ring doorbell, and it blew me away by bringing the video from the doorbell to the Home Control.What's more, Brilliant has both a camera and intercom on board. If you have multiple Home Controls installed, you can access video feeds between them, or, alternatively, use them as an intercom system.

You can use the app to control many things the Home Control allows you to, including arranging rooms, adding devices or integrations,and also adding photos to your screensaver on the Brilliant's display.

When you like a device as much as I like the Brilliant, it hurts when you hit a wall. That wall here is integrations. For a hub to work as the only main smart system, it has to integrate with all the things. While Brilliant does support Matter, the standard thatll make that possible, their current integration list is woefully short. Sure, the major players are there: Philips, August, Schlage, Sonos, Ring, and Nest, as well as hubs like Google, HomeKit, and Alexa. But many of us have a circus of devices in our homes, like Meross, Sylvania, SmartLife, Rachio, Midea, LG, and Samsung. Without a way to bring those devices in, those shortcuts, scenes, and rooms don't live up to their potential.

Speaking of Alexa brings up my second issue: Brilliant only works with Google Home and HomeKit in a limited way, and it clearly favors Alexa. In fact, Alexa gets a spot in the bottom row of icons, with no way to delete or edit it. If you have Alexa, great. But if you have Google or HomeKit, all youre getting from the integration is the ability to control the wired-in lights operated by the sliders via Google Assistant or HomeKit. We need triggers and automations, so being able to bring those in from Google and HomeKit are essential. Although its by no means my favorite long-term solution, Id have expected at least an IFTTT integration to get around part of that problem, and you should be able to choose the voice assistant of your liking to replace that icon.

Are those integrations coming? Yes, and even without them, Matter is being deployed to more platforms every year. But if your home is built on a foundation of Meross smart plugs or Levoit switches, this might not be the time to grab a Brilliant yet.

Even with these faults, the Brilliant Home Control is a feature-filled, aesthetically pleasing piece of tech. Over time, I have confidence Brilliant will integrate more products and lines. Again, Matter is coming. Brilliant has committed on paper to the standard. But with prices starting at $399 for the plug-in or one-switch wired version, its an expensive option. If the majority of smart tech in your home isnt on their integration list, wait until next year. Otherwise, this is a worthy hub that will integrate into your home in a way no tablet has yet.

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Control (Almost) All of Your Smart-Home Tech With the Brilliant ... - Lifehacker

Pete Armstrong, CEO of Mixergy, says that, as we move towards net-zero, it is crucial that the newest renewables-connected water storage systems remain fast, convenient, and cost-effective for end-users.

The way we heat water in our homes is changing at an increasing pace, and with looming net-zero targets, a fabric-first approach to designing heating systems is growing in importance. However, even though our hot water energy consumption is likely to increase, householders still need fast and convenient hot water that does not become a greater burden on their already volatile energy bills.

As we make the move from heating our homes with gas to electricity, whether we are installing a heat pump, solar panels, or electric storage heaters, the only way of achieving quick-filling baths or running a typical power shower within the capacity of the electrical grid is through storing hot water.

A typical gas supply can easily deliver 30kW of instantaneous power to a combi boiler for the production of on-demand hot water. A typical electricity supply, by comparison, can only deliver a maximum of 18kW, meaning it struggles to deliver the instant power needed for a high flow rate shower, alongside all the other competing demands in the home.

Consider that the future demands on our mains connections also include EV chargers (7.5kW). For this reason, we need to produce hot water more gradually in hot water tanks whichever way we go about it (direct electric or heat pump).

So, when replacing a system or heat-only boiler, where theres already a cylinder in place, its important to engage in a conversation with the homeowner about futureproofing their heating system. For example, the Mixergy smart cylinder has received validation from the Energy Saving Trust for being up to 21% more efficient than traditional cylinders when operating with a standard gas system boiler, while at the same time being heat pump and solar-ready.

This proactive approach allows homeowners to make choices that can contribute to significant cost savings today, while being prepared for either a heat pump or solar panel installation in the future, thanks to easily installed retrofit solutions.

Flexible tariffs

Flexible electricity tariffs are becoming more available as the rollout of the latest generation of smart meters is completed. Second generation smart meters allow energy suppliers to operate real-time dynamic pricing, which means that whenever the wind blows, lower cost electricity can be passed through to the householder.

Were all familiar with Economy 7 tariffs where the cost plummets for seven hours at night, however we are now entering into a world of Economy 24/7, which means the energy supplier can turn on your hot water whenever excess electricity is being generated.

Traditional Economy 7 cylinders would have two heating elements; a bottom heating element connected to the off-peak supply, and a top element connected to a permanently live feed to allow for a quick boost. Tariffs will become much more flexible and this flexibility is core to what Mixergy is about.

Thermal stratification

Exploiting thermal stratification is one way we can make our hot water storage more energy efficient. Simply put, thermal stratification is the result of heat rising; hot air rises above cooler air and hot water floats on top of cooler water.

Most hot water cylinders work by heating the water using coils or a thermostat at the bottom of the cylinder, and then heating all the water in it, like a big kettle, irrespective of how much hot water is actually needed.

The Mixergy cylinder starts by heating a small volume of water at the top of the cylinder and then growing that volume downwards. The Mixergy cylinder therefore behaves a bit like a traditional Economy 7 tariff, but one with an infinite number of heating elements, meaning the user as much control as they like on how much or how little to heat.

Using thermal stratification and smart technology, the tank only heats the water needed, reducing heat losses. And the water gets to a useful temperature quicker. In addition to saving energy, only heating the water needed leaves more space to accommodate surplus solar energy for properties equipped with solar panels, or exploit low cost energy for those on a flexible electricity tariff.

The value of heating engineers

Good heating engineering, refurbishment, and building demands a high level of technical skill. This is true whether were talking system specification from heat loss calculations, making good after upgrading pipework, or making sure that controls operate together seamlessly.

In the UK, we should really consider our tradespeople as craftspeople, as they do in other parts of Europe.

I think we need to break down the delineation between the trades, particularly electrical and plumbing. The idea you need a plumber for pipework and an electrician for wires is prohibitive when installing new technologies.

The first thing I would recommend is that heating engineers get their Part P and 18th Edition Wiring qualifications. Without these, it becomes very difficult to do a heat pump installation with multi-room TRVs, thermostats, and smart technology. For a qualified gas engineer, it isnt a big step to qualify to do electrics.

Having additional skills alongside the core plumbing and heating tickets around MCS, Unvented G3, Gas Safe, and so on, will give heating engineers much more flexibility to deal with a wide range of projects.

Theres a shortage of heating engineers in general and a growing need for renewable installers. We need to find a way to encourage more into the sector. Keeping people warm while helping bring the transition to net-zero is a highly rewarding, appreciated, and sought-after skillset.

In conclusion, I hope that if you are a heating engineer who is reading this, you fully appreciate the value of your skills at this crucial time and that you might consider talking to your customers about the role that smart cylinders can play in getting the best from your gas boiler while being renewable ready, whether thats with a PV installation, a heat pump, or simply flexible tariffs.

See the article here:
Water heating for net-zero: what installers need to know - Heating, Ventilating & Plumbing

My frustrating, yet fruitful journey of ICE'ing up my Ford Figo with the Pioneer DMH-Z6350BT

The purpose of this thread is to take you through my journey of ICEing my Figo and to also serve as a guide for the Figo and the Aspire owners who want to upgrade their infotainment system(non-Android).

Prologue-

The itch to upgrade the ICE started back in 2019 with all the new cars coming with huge screens with support for Android Auto and Carplay. Even the Aspire and the Freestyle had got the updated Sync3 systems. I remember coming across various Android systems during this time but I was concerned with their long-term performance and cheap-looking UI.

And then COVID hit us all and the thoughts of an upgrade quickly left my mind. Of course, the extended warranty also made me wary of such an upgrade.

June 2023-

I came across these 'Woodman' Android systems and started to search more about them and Android stereos in general. While the cheap looking UI was still an issue, there were a lot of positives. However, the deeper I went into this, the more I realised why Androids weren't the way forward for me. My reasons for not going for Android are as follows-

1. Cheap-looking UI. No offense to the Android users but I really hate the generic Android HU UIs. I tried to come up with a different word to substitute the word 'cheap' but none could quite deliver the message more appropriately.

2. Long-term reliability and performance- Most of us are Android users and even with 6, 8, or 12 gigs of RAM, more often than not, in a matter of 2-3 years, our phones do slow down and after 5-6 years, they start to become unusable. Most of these Androids have 2 gigs or 4 gigs of RAM. There are 8GB options available as well but they cost more than 30-35k and even then, with 8 gigs of RAM, the long-term reliability is still a question mark.

3. Updating the apps- Since an Android HU is nothing but an Android tablet adapted to function like an HU, it needs to be updated just like an Android phone. In contrast, the HUs from Sony and Pioneer rarely require updates and when it comes to AA and CP, it is your phone that does all the heavy lifting, and all the apps are updated as long as you update these apps on your phone.

4. Size of the HU- Unless you go for an ancient Android HU, you only get 9'' and 10'' Android HUs. 9'' and 10'' have become the standard size for Android HUs now but the centre console of the Figo is clearly not suited for these sizes. This is how a 9-inch Android HU looks in the Figo-

As you can see, a 9-inch HU looks quite out of place in a Figo or an Aspire. Also, the hazard button switch does not fit properly in the frame.

July 2023-

I got the RCD 360 Pro for my Father's Jetta which comes with wired AA and CP.

This made the itch to upgrade even harder not to scratch.

August 2023-

The itch to upgrade was ever-growing, but a few things kept holding me back.

1. Extended warranty-

My car was and is still under extended warranty. Ford has in fact introduced EW for the 8th year as well. So I can, if I want, have EW until August 2025. Currently, my car is covered until August 2024. And while coupler-to-coupler fitting does not generally void warranty, but you never know. There is always a chance.

2. Stage 2 Remap-

At a lesser cost than an ICE upgrade, I could get my car remapped to Stage 2 from the current Stage 1. However, since my car is under EW, I was hesitant to take this route. And thus, I was caught in this never-ending cycle.

Itch to upgrade ICE- Warranty concerns- Thinking of spending the money for a stage 2 remap- Warranty concerns- Back to square one.

To be very honest, the trigger for me was the introduction of the 8th year EW by Ford. Yes, instead of being a deterrent, it acted as a catalyst since I was quite sure that I didn't wanna wait that long for an upgrade. And thus, started a rather painful journey of ICEing my Figo.

The first step towards getting an ICE was to get a frame suitable for a 7 inch HU. I had posted about it here on my ownership thread-

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-...ml#post5604700 (Conquering the heart & mind with my Ford Figo 1.5L TDCi Titanium! Now Code6'd)

BHPian SaiSW responded and suggested me to approach Wavehertz, Delhi for the frame. I did message him for the same but was put off by the high quoted price of 4k. They only had 1 frame in stock. So at the end of August, I ordered, a 7 inch Frame suitable for my car from these links on Amazon-

https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B07...ustomerReviews

https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B0B...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

However, the final product which came was actually a 9-inch frame. This is what it looked like-

I reached out again to Wavehertz and by the time I was ready to order, the frame had gone out of stock. Throughout the next couple of days, I contacted at least 15 car accessory vendors throughout India for a 7-inch frame without any success. I was left perplexed and frustrated that my ICE upgrade may not proceed ahead due to the lack of availability of the 7-inch frame. These are the perks of owning a non-popular car from a non-popular brand that has shut shop in India. Call it my luck or whatever, but an accessory shop very close to me in Vashi(Navi Mumbai) had 1 frame in stock and offered the same for 150 bucks. However, this frame was in very poor condition. Pretty sure that this was at least 3-4 years old. This is how it looked-

And with this, I thought that my troubles were over. Oh, how wrong was I?

September 2023-

I was contemplating the HU to go for and had almost finalised the Sony XAV-AX6000. It comes with wireless AA and CP and wired AA. It also comes with HDMI and a single camera input. But then, I saw this post by BHPian Yesterdaysnews-

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/car-e...a-etios-5.html (ICE upgrade : Toyota Etios)

The above post made me contemplate between the Pioneer DMH-Z6350BT and the Sony XAV-AX6000 but the price at which the Pioneer was being offered made me go for it. I got in touch with BHPian Yesterdaysnews and we agreed on a price of 26k for the HU. I did though also procure an amp and sub from him and paid 31k in total. Meanwhile, I had got the frame Hydro dipped at H20 Graphix in Dadar. Paid 1800 for the same. This is how the frame looked after-

I had also ordered the required accessories to go with the HU, namely, the micro HDMI to HDMI male cable, the USB C cable(male to female, USB OTG cable, the HDMI male to USB C adapter, the aux cable and the front and rear cameras. I have provided the links to all the accessories that I ordered in a later post.

After getting the HU and the frame, I was all excited and went to get the HU fitted on 16th September(Saturday) at Paras Car Decor in Vashi. As soon as the existing HU was opened up, I was told that wire cutting would be required to enable the steering controls. This was not acceptable to me. I asked the fitter as to how we can avoid wire cutting and I was suggested to order a suitable coupler from Delhi. Post this, I was running from pillar to post and going to various other installers and also contacting some others over Whatsapp to get a solution to this. Out of desperation, I went to an installer who wasn't very good and he ended up damaging my HDMI cable. Lesson learned- never make a major decision when you are either very happy or very desperate.

I got in touch with BHPian VWALLstar and he suggested me to get in touch with a different installer in Vashi.

After going to this installer, I got to know that there is a separate wiring harness that is required to get steering controls working in a Pioneer. This is what that harness looks like-

This was missing from the package which was sent to me. The owner at Paras Car Decor had 1 such harness with him but even he wasn't sure if this was the right one. Anyway, I went back to him straight away and got the harness for 500 bucks as a failsafe.

I contacted Wavehertz again and ordered the coupler along with the radio coupler. However, I was told even by Wavehertz that wire cutting shall be needed for Pioneer. Post this, I waited for the harness to arrive patiently.

October 2023-

As they say, An idle mind is the devil's workshop , during my wait for the harness to arrive, I started to think of my upgrade more holistically. I was concerned about the wiring and its positioning. Putting them in the glovebox was the safe route. However, 2 factors made me reconsider this-

1. Putting wires in the glovebox is as good as not having wires in the first place. They never get used.

2. As per the feedback from BHPian SaiSW, the wires in the glovebox get squished when the glovebox is closed.

These factors made me think of an alternate positioning for the wires and this trim in my car caught my attention-

I was initially thinking of ordering this trim which used to come with the Titanium+ trim-

But since I also needed to have an outlet for the HDMI cable, I quickly realised that this shall not work. Finally, I decided to make use of the current trim itself. I ordered this rectangular grommet-

https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B08...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The idea was to make a cut in the existing trim and fit the grommet inside that opening from which the wires shall be routed out-

However, this turned out to be a size too big for the trim. I then ordered this circular grommet(19mm open grommet is out of stock)-

https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B0C...1?ie=UTF8&th=1

I got the trim laser cut and fit this grommet inside the hole(the hole was 21mm in Diameter)-

What I also discovered during this time was that the USB C cable that I had ordered had gone bad, the male part of the cable had gone loose and wouldn't stay put inside any female slot. So I ordered another cable of UGREEN make.

In the meantime, the coupler from Wavehertz had also arrived-

Finally, armed with all the accessories, I headed to the accessory shop to get the fitment done.

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My frustrating, yet fruitful journey of ICE'ing up my Ford Figo with the ... - Team-BHP

Published 11-15-23

Submitted by Pepco

WASHINGTON,November 15, 2023 /CSRwire/- As winter approaches, Pepco is readying the local energy grid by performing essential work to help meet increased customer demand and keep homes and businesses warm and bright all season long.

The company is working to harden the system and increase reliability and performing maintenance and inspections ahead of potential severe winter storms. On the electric grid, this work includes inspecting nearly 850 miles of overhead power lines and 200 underground manholes, upgrading equipment, trimming trees, installing new underground equipment, and installing stronger, tree-resistant aerial cable. Pepco also continues to install smart technologies to improve system reliability, such as specialized equipment that can automatically restore service faster or isolate damage.

Our customers count on us every day for dependable energy that can power a safe, comfortable environment for their homes and businesses, said Tamla Olivier, chief operating officer for Pepco Holdings, which includes Pepco. Our teams are working diligently to prepare and strengthen the local energy grid, making it more resilient against harsh weather conditions, so that we can meet that need throughout the colder winter season. We also urge our customers to take proactive measures to prepare for potential winter storms and have a plan should adverse weather impact our region."

Just as Pepco prepares, the company encourages customers to also be ready for severe weather and offers the following tips:

In addition, customers can visit pepco.com/alerts before winter weather grips the region and sign up to receive updates on their energy usage and information regarding power outages via text, email, or phone, including when power is out, when service is expected to be restored, or when power is restored. Customers can also text ADD OUTAGE to 48710 to enroll in the companys two-way texting program to report outages and check the status of their outage. More tips and storm preparedness information is available at pepco.com/StormPrep.

To learn more about Pepco, visit The Source, Pepcos online newsroom. Find additional information by visiting pepco.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/PepcoConnect on Twitter at twitter.com/PepcoConnect. Pepcos mobile app is available at pepco.com/MobileApp.

# # #

Pepco is a unit of Exelon (Nasdaq: EXC), a Fortune 250 company and the nations largest utility company, serving more than 10 million customers. Pepco provides safe and reliable energy service to approximately 919,000 customers in the District of Columbia and Maryland.

Contact: Rod Wilson Pepco Communications 202-872-2680 (media hotline)

Pepco is a unit of Exelon (Nasdaq: EXC), a Fortune 250 company and the nations largest utility company, serving more than 10 million customers. Pepco provides safe and reliable energy service to approximately 919,000 customers in the District of Columbia and Maryland.

More from Pepco

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Pepco Prepares Energy Grid for Winter Weather and Encourage - CSRwire.com

I've reviewed a number of Arlo's smart home cameras in the past, and have found them to be one of the best security camera brands. We also know from experience at Digital Camera World that, around Black Friday, a lot of attention is put on smart security cameras especially from Ring and Blink that, dare we suggest it, have the advantage of being Amazon-owned brands.

We don't know if that's why Arlo discounts have started even before Black Friday Week (which starts tomorrow), but I am happy to say that the deals are very attractive, and even better at other retailers, especially on the Arlo Essential Spotlight camera, which has dropped by a good amount half on its own and in a 3-pack.

We gave this camera a 5-star review, combining as it does a battery (so you don't need to drill through walls to install it) and a spotlight so it can provide color images of visitors welcome or otherwise even at night.

For those looking for a serious high-res alternative, then the bundles extend there too, with savings of over $300 for a full-site pack which still doesn't need any wiring. Again the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight did well in my own review 4 and a half stars and I use it to protect my own home.

We also keep a guide to the best indoor security cameras which is well worth looking at, and Arlo do have spots on our best HomeKit cameras guide too.

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Some Arlo security cameras more than 50% off an early start on ... - Digital Camera World

Sometimes you see luxurious homes that boast beautiful landscapes, waterfrontage, spectacular views, large parcel of land, a pool, or maybe even a tennis court. This home in Islesboro, Maine, comes with all of those amenities, and is currently on the market.

No close by neighbors here. This home is situated on Keller Point in the town of Islesboro, which is essentially an island along with several smaller islands. According to the Census Reporter, Islesboro has a population of about 600 people. Wikipedia states that it can be accessed by the state ferry service departing from Lincolnville beach, which is about a three-mile ferry ride.

Welcome to 399 Hermit's Point Rd in Islesboro, listed by Joseph Sortwell of LandVest Inc. The specific features of this 9,000-square-foot home include eight bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, and it sits on just under nine acres of land. It also comes with 3,570feet of owned waterfrontage, and sits at the end of a private peninsula. The home also comes with a stone guest housethat's in need of renovation,but could be a perfect project for the new owner to remodel with their own ideas.

Welcome to 399 Hermit's Point Rd in the town of Islesboro, Maine, which is essentially an island along with several smaller islands, accessible by ferry, boat or water taxi. According to the Census Reporter, Islesboro has a population of about 600 people.

Gallery Credit: Rob Riccitelli

If you're looking for a peaceful compound away from the hustle and bustle of reality, this property could be yours for the current list price of $9,775,000.

Gallery Credit: Rob Riccitelli

Here is a list of Maine's single-family home buyers from the pandemic. It's a closer look at what state they came from.

This does not include sales from Maine buyers or those from Puerto Rico, military bases, and other territories.

Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka

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Breathtaking Waterfront Maine Estate is Like Living in Italy - wcyy.com

After he closed Cyrus, the Healdsburg, Calif., restaurant for which hed earned two Michelin stars, in 2012, it took the chef Douglas Keane a decade to scout the dream locale for his new restaurant.

Mr. Keane finally landed last year at a former prune-packing plant overlooking vineyards where the Russian River snakes through the Alexander Valley. Those vineyards are not in Healdsburg, Sonoma Countys unofficial gastronomic headquarters, but eight miles north in blink-and-youll-miss-it Geyserville.

Geyserville is real, rural wine country: Farmers are out at 5 a.m., said the 52-year-old chef on what drew him to the town. Everyone knows each others name; there is a yearly tractor parade. The new version of Cyrus is putting Geyserville on the itineraries of more travelers, who are enjoying the towns buzzy bar and stylish eateries, the home goods shop that feels like a beefed-up flea market, and intimate, tucked-into-the-landscape wineries.

The whole town may be just two blocks of Wild West-looking storefronts, but its charms take an entire weekend to uncover. Here, some of the highlights.

In Japan, there is no culinary experience held in higher regard than kaiseki, the formal, multicourse meal that showcases seasonality with dishes served elegantly but without pretense. At Cyrus, Mr. Keane, who has visited Japan many times, presents his version of kaiseki through a California lens, a paean to local agriculture (though a few ingredients come from far-flung spots). The presentation wows with a whisper.

The meal unfolds in various locations throughout Cyruss 8,000 square feet. It kicks off with champagne and snacks that play on different aspects of taste: sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami. Guests (there are four seatings of 12 diners four evenings a week) gather in the leather-accented lounge or outside among the olive trees, where the Mayacamas Mountains and surrounding vineyards shimmer on the surface of the reflecting pool.

For the next courses, the group proceeds to a moodily lit area adjacent to the open kitchen, where diners are invited to roam the kitchen as courses like sake-steamed abalone with shio koji corn consomm are being prepped. While diners ogling chefs in a gastronomic kitchen is not new, a midservice invitation to interact with them is.

More substantial savory dishes are served in the dining room, where floor-to-ceiling windows give the landscape center stage. Among the dishes: a seared scallop bathed in matsutake-mushroom-spiked dashi; a fillet of beef, cooked sous-vide and then plancha-seared; honey-glazed goats milk shokupan bread alongside custard blooming with puffed barley and nasturtium and mustard flowers. The meal culminates in a cocoon-like room with a bite of black-sesame-and-dark-chocolate pav and a parting gift: boxed chocolates that hit the five tastes again.

Fifteen courses is a lot. But Mr. Keanes umami- and acid-forward approach (meaning he uses less dairy and carbohydrates) translates into a lighter-feeling meal. (Cost: $295 without pairings; an additional $280 for wine pairings or $140 for nonalcoholic pairings.)

You get a sense of Geyserville as soon as you take the exit ramp off Highway 101 and encounter a field of large sculptures by various artists a 25-foot-tall steel horse mid-gallop, a towering man made of wine barrels and a galvanized-steel trout with blue-cereal-bowl eyes in a formerly derelict lot, thanks to a collaboration between Geyserville Community Foundation and the landowner, Bryce Jones. The sculpture garden is ever changing and sometimes includes installations of local students artwork; most pieces are for sale.

Though Geyserville proper extends between two exits on Highway 101, the actual town is tiny: Its one main drag with a handful of family-run businesses operating from buildings that look straight out of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

There is Gingillis Vintage Home, a 1930s Ford dealership turned flea market emporium with 45 vendors selling everything from old tools and kitchen gadgets to classic toys and cool tote bags made of Pendleton blankets. (A stall with patched and studded vintage Levis provides some fashion forwardness.)

Bosworth & Son has occupied its building since 1904, first as a mortuary, then a wagon-painting shop and, finally, a general store that sold feed and, later, hardware. Now, its a cowboy hat and Western wear shop that doubles as a museum. In 2018, the current owner, Gretchen Crebs Bosworth, 51, combined four generations worth of family photos and memorabilia with relics donated by the community to tell the story of the towns evolution. On display: dozens of 19th-century photographs featuring the towns early settlers in covered wagons and log cabins and timeworn kitchen tools like a pitter splitter from the days when the crops were primarily apricots and prunes instead of grapes.

Geyservilles restaurants are supremely 21st-century on the design and flavor fronts. Corner Project, which inhabits the former parts department of the Lampson Ford Dealership, serves up craft beer and a simple menu of dishes like tacos and sandwiches made using locally sourced meats and produce ($12.50 to $20). On tap are dark and light beers, ales, pilsners and lagers, along with ciders and hard seltzers with whimsical names like Surly Temple.

Inside the largest of the towns buildings, the husband-and-wife team of Sonja and Dino Bugica, both 47, run Diavola, a trattoria-style pizzeria with Neapolitan sass. Pizzas with toppings like pork belly and Sicilian meatballs ($22) are the calling card of the restaurant, but there are also housemade pasta ($25 to $26) and dishes like brick-roasted chicken with seasonal beans and greens ($32) that nod to the decade that Mr. Bugica spent cooking in places like Forte dei Marmi and Pisa, in Tuscany. The sass unfolds on the plant-draped patio where laundry (including naughty lingerie) dangles from a clothesline la the alleys of Naples.

The couple also own the bar and live music space next door, the Geyserville Gun Club, named for the buildings former life as a shooting range. Cocktails like the mezcal-based She-Devil ($13) are good, but the ambience is what wows. A mash-up of taxidermy, blown-glass-antler lighting and salvaged claro walnut tables with kicky metalwork gives the place the edge of a Brooklyn lounge.

Along the same promenade, Catellis, an Italian mainstay for decades, offers classics like cheese ravioli ($23.50) and chicken Parmesan ($26). And nearby Fermata, which opened in 2022, has raised the towns coffee game. The owners, Ellen Lin, 40, and Jefferson Drudge, 47, not only offer barista-made beverages and pastries, but also showcase the wares of local makers and open their space for live music.

Most of these businesses have exuberant floral bouquets on their countertops. Their origin? A pollinator garden created by Mr. Jones of the public sculpture garden. He hand delivers them, at no charge.

The wines from the tasting rooms in Geyserville probably wont be available in your corner wine store. Small, family-run operations mean bottles are sold mainly through wine clubs and local distribution. In contrast to larger wineries, tastings at these vineyards are conducted by oenology-obsessed managers who tend to get so engaged with storytelling that they often forget the sales pitch. Which, of course, is part of the charm.

The Pedroncelli winery, which describes itself as on the big end of small, began supplying grapes to households in 1927. Post-Prohibition, it evolved into a premium brand with 14 varietals. Tastings include an appreciation of the winerys history, which includes the Pedroncelli familys role in placing the Sonoma County appellation on labels, and the appointment of Montse Reece as its first female winemaker in 2015. The tasting rooms are lined with family photos and feature redwood from the vineyards original 1940s tanks on the walls and ceiling. Tastings start at $20.

The Mazzoni family has been involved in grape growing and winemaking in Geyserville since 1897, when Giuseppe Mazzoni, along with scores of other Italians, immigrated to Sonoma to work for the Italian Swiss Colony. The Zialena winery is run by two of his great-grandchildren, the siblings Lisa and Mark Mazzoni. The sleek metal-and-wood-sided tasting room where visitors sample cabernet and zinfandel reflects the modernity that they bring to the 120-acre vineyard. Tastings start at $30.

As a collective, Locals Tasting Room offers an expansive experience where visitors can do varietal tastings from eight small-batch wineries. Opened in 2002 as the first independent collective tasting room in California, it is now owned by Dick Handal, 82, and his daughter, Doralice Handal, 51, who imbue the vintage-barware-filled tasting room inside the Bosworth building downtown with a welcome-to-our-family vibe. We encourage visitors to discover lesser-known varietals not normally associated with California, such as verdelho, grenache blanc and graciano, said Ms. Handal. Highlight: Winemakers are routinely on hand to pour and hang out with visitors. Tastings are complimentary.

If the weather is warm enough this is California, after all head over to Lake Sonoma, in the coastal foothills. Fringed with live oaks and rugged terrain, this recreation area, an outgrowth of the construction of Warm Springs Dam in 1983, offers hiking and a lake with 50 miles of shoreline and a marina where sport boats, pontoons, stand-up paddle boards, jet skis and kayaks can be rented by the hour.

There is one frill-free 41-room hotel in town, the Geyserville Inn (rates start at $335). An alternative is the just reopened Madrona Hotel in Healdsburg (about an eight-minute drive), whose co-owner is Jay Jeffers, a noted San Francisco interior designer. Mr. Jeffers deftly transformed the Victorian mansion into a 24-room inn brimming with patterned wallpaper, statement lighting, sumptuous textiles and a dynamic mix of artwork. A wraparound veranda and pool area are ideal perches to take in the spectacular scenery (rates start at $650).

To truly interact with what locals call Geyserville grit, you could book a stylish barn turned one-bedroom cottage on a private farm within walking distance of Geyservilles shops. The farm and rental are part of a nonprofit owned by the animal rescue advocate Danae Blythe Unti who uses all proceeds to shelter the goats, wild mustangs and cows that youll see roaming the property ($325 per night).

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This California Wine Country Town Is a Prime Destination for Food ... - The New York Times

Sprawling across more than 12 acres, this awe-inspiring home comes with a guest cottage, heated pool, and fenced horse paddock.

Photograph by Halsey Fulton/FishHawk Films

401 Sandy Valley Road, Westwood Price: $13,500,000 Size: 12,012 square feet Bedrooms: 7 Bathrooms: 5 full, 3 partial

When you think about luxurious estatesyou know the ones featured in the movieswhat do you picture? Spacious grounds, lavish amenities, and the sort of long, winding driveway that makes you stop in awe as you finally reach the top? Then a breathtaking property with lush, manicured grounds comes into full view right before your eyes? Thats what we imagine too. This majestic residence at 401 Sandy Valley Road in Westwood definitely fits the billand then some. Sprawling across more than 12 acres, this estate provides its owners with a secluded and serene residential experience thats bound to impress every guest lucky enough to score an invite there.

Photograph by Halsey Fulton/FishHawk Films

Photograph by Halsey Fulton/FishHawk Films

This single-family residenceoriginally constructed in 1936was rebuilt in 2018 by Rob Lawrence and caters to intimate gatherings as well as formal entertaining while simultaneously providing family living at its best. With more than 12,000 square feet of space, seven bedrooms, and eight bathrooms (five full, three partial), making oneself at home comes easy herejust as long as you can determine which room each family member desires most (save for the spectacular primary suite, of course). But of course, thats just the beginning. Once youve gone past the inviting entrance hall, youll discover a welcoming living room complete with attached library; a vast formal dining room that includes an adjoining butlers pantry; and a chefs kitchen featuring an informal dining area overlooking the family room with a cozy fireplace plus a covered patio. In addition, the abode has an exercise space, two offices, and a playroom. And no matter where you are within the house, windows that showcase broad views of the gorgeous grounds are a plenty.

Photograph by Greg Premru

Photograph by Greg Premru

So what about guest rooms, you ask? Dont fret. You wont have to give up any accommodations for that (unless you want to). Instead, opt to set up your visitors in the splendid, two-bedroom guest cottage outside. Also found within the exteriors is everything you need to make the most of your leisure time including a sports court with a clubhouse, a heated pool and pool house, a tranquil stream-fed pond, a barn garage with a beautiful greenhouse and two horse stalls.

Conveniently abutting beautiful Lowell Woods and its landscape of 100-plus acres, which includes miles of equestrian and hiking trails, 401 Sandy Valley Road also offers accessibility to exceptional schools (both private and public) as well as Legacy Place, Norwood Airport, the train, and Boston/Logan via Routes 95/128.

For more information, contact Jay Boyle of LandVest | Christies International Real Estate,www.landvest.com.

Photograph by Halsey Fulton/FishHawk Films

Photograph by Halsey Fulton/FishHawk Films

Photograph by Greg Premru

Photograph by Greg Premru

Photograph by Greg Premru

Photograph by Greg Premru

Photograph by Greg Premru

Photograph by Greg Premru

Photograph by Greg Premru

The guest house. / Photograph by Greg Premru

Photograph by Greg Premru

Photograph by Halsey Fulton/FishHawk Films

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The Invisible Houses heated indoor pool offers stunning desert views

Its eco-friendly construction shows a solid commitment to sustainability, resulting in an astonishingly minimal carbon footprint. With a 30-metre (100-ft) heated indoor pool and direct access to the Desert View Conservation Area of Joshua Tree National Park, the Invisible House offers a wealthy and wondrous experience indeed.

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Nestled within the exclusive Four Seasons Punta de Mita community in Mexico, Casa Kalika seamlessly integrates with nature, offering uninterrupted views throughout the house. The 10,000 sq ft private villa boasts a saltwater infinity pool overlooking the golf fairways and Pacific Ocean, an ocean view roof terrace, and a dedicated staff of four catering to your every need. From culinary delights prepared by your personal cook to attentive estate management and concierge services, youre ensured a luxurious and worry-free stay.

Palazzo della Storia stands as a testament to the charm of history and the allure of luxury. This remarkable 17th-century villa has been in the same family for nearly four centuries, and their passion for the property is palpable.

Spanning over 3,230 sq ft, the villa features two terraces that capture breathtaking sea views. Whether youre sipping morning espresso, dining alfresco or lounging on the sea-view terraces, the sights are mesmerising. Inside, the Palazzo dazzles with high, vaulted ceilings and a distinctive Amalfi coast style, offering four en suite bedrooms, each with its signature character.

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Your journey begins with a seamless airport transfer to the villa, where a warm welcome awaits, complete with fresh fruit and flowers. Daily continental breakfast is included, as are the services of a skilled Thai chef, a villa manager and a dedicated housekeeper to help you embrace the tranquillity of this tropical haven.

Just a 15-minute drive from St Andrews and an hour from Edinburgh, Dairsie Castle is a gateway to exploring Scotlands rich history and picturesque landscapes, perfectly blending its original medieval character with the modern comforts of a family home.

The 2.5 hectares (six acres) of grounds include a forest walk to the river Eden, and each room offers its own distinct character, from a dungeon bedroom to The Gallery on the top floor with remarkable artwork and panoramic countryside views, making Dairsie Castle is an unforgettable Scottish escape.

Offering an unrivalled Bali experience, Princess House is nestled amid lush bamboo and the enchanting sounds of the jungle, inviting you to immerse yourself in untouched beauty, panoramic views of rice terraces, Mount Agung and the mesmerising sunrises and sunsets that grace this tropical paradise.

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Princess House accommodates up to four guests and displays a unique design, with spacious pavilions set around the swimming pool, all facing the sea, open-sided living and dining areas that provide a shaded oasis, and glass walls enclosing a dining room and fully equipped kitchen.

This luxurious Costa Rica holiday rental offers the ultimate private retreat nestled within the dense forest, yet conveniently located on the grounds of the Los Sueos Resort, where you can access amenities such as a golf course, beach club, marina and more, all just a short golf-cart ride away.

This secluded villa features an expansive terrace with sun-drenched loungers, a pool and a hot tub, all surrounded by the jungles natural beauty. It spans nearly 9,000 sq ft of custom-designed living space with marble floors, plush leather sofas, wrought-iron chandeliers and a tasteful mix of wood and wicker furniture. With five bedrooms, each featuring an en suite bathroom, Casa Vista Paraiso is an ideal retreat for families or groups of friends.

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7 unique luxury Airbnbs to book for your next holiday, from Bali to Italy - Style