Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

LAS VEGAS (KTNV)On any given night, over 5,000 people are living on the streets in Southern Nevada.

More than 10,000 will experience homelessness at some point each year.

13 Investigates continues with more on how a solution that's helped thousands of people in dozens of other cities has been rejected here in our valley.

PART ONE: Officials in Nevada demolish tiny homes built for homeless in Las Vegas

"I can put my belongings down. I'm safe," says Angela who's been homeless for several years. "I don't have to be around pimps. I don't have to be with dope pushers."

A roof over your head, a door you can lock, and a sense of safety is what advocates say is fundamental to breaking out of homelessness.

"Well, being homeless is a struggle," says Angela.

Many exist in constant survival mode.

"Homelessness itself is a full time job," says Erik de Buhr, co-founder of Community Supported Shelters in Eugene, Oregon.

"You have to think about where you're going to eat that day," de Buhr explains. "How are you going to clean your clothes? How are you going to move around your stuff? How are you going to protect your stuff? Where are you going to sleep? How are you going to rest?"

"And it's tough, you know, because you're treated like nothing in the streets," says Angela.

The idea of providing tiny shelters to the homeless isn't new. They've been doing it in Eugene, Oregon for nearly a decade.

"By providing for people a place--to have a locking, safe place where they can have some stuff and sleep," says de Buhr. "That eliminates a lot of the work of being homeless and people can start to get their head on straight and thinking about, 'Okay, What next steps can I take to improve my situation?'"

Eugene's first tiny home community was established in 2013.

And now from coast to coast, dozens of cities are embracing a variety of tiny home solutions.

There are numerous sites in the Los Angleles area. Denver has them too.

They're in Kansas City, Detroit and Nashville. Tampa, Florida and Syracuse, New York.

Pallet Shelter, one of several companies producing small modular homes, tells 13 Investigates they provided structures to 76 sites in over 40 cities.

There's even one in Reno but here in Clark County, on April 12th, the city of North Las Vegas bulldozed a group of tiny homes built on private property owned by Joseph Lankowski and his group, New Leaf. It's where Angela, Savage and Allen were beginning to rebuild their lives.

"It was a blessing. It was a blessing," says Angela.Darcy Spears: "What did it mean to you to have this opportunity? What did it represent for you looking forward in your life?"

Angela: "For one, achievement. Being human. And loved."

The destruction cost them the key things they need to get out of homelessness.

"Social Security card, birth certificate. It took me forever to get these things," says Savage.

There was no complaint filed by nearby residents or businesses. Code enforcement took action after a city employee saw a fence made from recycled pallets and reported it.

North Las Vegas code enforcement officials got a warrant that gave them the go-ahead to, "remove, demolish and dispose of all non-permitted or deteriorated structures" according to a warrant signed by a judge.

North Las Vegas declined multiple requests for an on-camera interview, providing a statement instead

"We had first aid kits. We had water," Angela says. "They were going to install showers."

Lankowski says he tried to find the process for zoning and permits.

"And we ran into a dead end because there is no zoning," Lankowski says. "There is no zoning for what we're trying to do."

With donated materials, he and his group of volunteers decided to build first, ask forgiveness later.

"The need is just too great out here," says Lankowksi.

He was hit with several code violations in April of this year, saying his group was fixing some and appealing others. The group was expecting due process but getting demolition instead.

"I'm angry! I'm hurt! Mad. It's sad," says Angela. "The whole damn thing is just sad. You take us from something and put us back. It's just sad."

Having consulted with Community Supported Shelters in Eugene, Lankowski thought North Las Vegas would see he could make something similar work for the homeless here.

"Walls, roof, carpeting," says Allen. "Everything was right. It was right."

13 Investigates talked with the Mayor of Eugene, Lucy Vinis. She says tiny home sites there haven't blown up into shanty towns or became a major safety problem.

"The opposite has been the result because we've made a commitment as a city to invest in the facilities that we need in order to enable these to be safe places," says Mayor Vinis.

An investment mayor vinis says actually saves tax dollars.

"Just health cost alone, just visits to the emergency room alone," says Mayor Vinis. "When you consider the costs of public safety."

And there is cost for public works to clean up encampments.

"We have to make those investments now because the costs just keep building," Mayor Vinis explains. "It doesn't go away."

Mayor Vinis says it's also a huge relief for law enforcement.

"This is absolutely what our police department wants," says Mayor Vinis. "These sites, once they're established, they're clean, they're safe, they're well managed. There is no negative impact on the community at all."

It's important to note, officials here tell us the city's homeless outreach team has connected with Angela, Savage and Allen.

"All they give you is bullsh*t. Excuse my language," says Angela.

Angela is beyond frustrated with the seemingly endless wait for real help and approval for housing.

"We're going to put you on this list and we're going to go and check on you. But it's always pending," Angela explains. "They give you a granola bar and a bottle of water and just, 'Have a nice day,' you know."

Advocates say that points to the overall problem of how homelessness is approached in the valley.

Darcy Spears: "They need a leg up to be more productive citizens. And it sounds like the city cut that leg off at the knee."

Lankowski: "Absolutely. You know, they need a....not a handout, but a hand up. And that's what we're trying to do is help lift them up. And what the local government's approach is, unfortunately, is kicking people while they're down, you know, by criminalizing homelessness, making it illegal to be homeless."

No one expects tiny homes to be the solution for everyone who is homeless. It's just one piece in a mosaic.

"It's not just a hope and a prayer," says Mayor Vinis. "It is confidence in human beings, that if you give them an opportunity and you support them, they can begin to build a better life for themselves."

A message the folks who briefly lived here hope our city will take to heart.

"We had so many dreams and opportunities and plans," says Angela. "And they just took it like, you know, we are trash. And that's how I feel they they they're treating us... like we're trash and we don't deserve to have a place to live."

For more information about New Leaf and their efforts to address the homeless crisis, click here.

In addition to North Las Vegas, we reached out to the City of Las Vegas and NDOT. Both were involved with destruction of shelters near I-15.

NDOT provided the following statement:

The decision to pursue this abatement was intended to ensure the safety and welfare of both the homeless and surrounding community due to significant biohazard concerns, including bodily waste, debris and intravenous drug paraphernalia accumulating inside drainage channels that feed into the Las Vegas Wash.

Other concerns included potential pedestrian-vehicle hazards from crossing the interstate, walking alongside the shoulder and/or encamping within the Union Pacific Railroad corridor, as well as obstructed driver sightlines.

We will continue to work with government and community partners to ensure that any necessary clean-up efforts are conducted responsibly.

City of Las Vegas provided this statement:

We also reached out to elected officials who say this is an opportunity to find a process to make this work in Clark County.

Read more:
Dozens of cities embrace tiny homes for the homeless; officials in Southern Nevada bulldoze them - KTNV 13 Action News Las Vegas

Jessica Anuroff'sgreentarp tent still stands on East Hastings Streeta week after the City of Vancouver ordered the cleanup of sidewalks along several city blocks of the Downtown Eastside.

But home feels different.She says most of her belongings were taken by city staff and she faces increasing uncertainty about where to go next.

"Where else do they want us to go?" said Anuroff."I'm just mainly tired and exhausted from everything."

In July, Vancouver's fire department ordered the immediate removal of tents and structures along East Hastings due to "numerous urgent safety concerns."

Last week, city staff began the process of removing tents and other structures, forcing dozens of people living in the area to move without other housingand shelter options.

Anuroff says she has little choice but to stay put, while othersin the homeless community say those who were displaced are returning because they havenowhere to go.

While the city saidthe cleanup was needed for the safety of residents, advocates say they disagree with its approach because it isbreaking apart the community anddriving people into isolation and more alternative housing optionsare needed.

Since the start of the tent removal,at least one or two people are showing up every day at the Bloom Group Community Services Society, which offers housing support for residents in the Downtown Eastside

But there is no space for them,executive director Elizabeth Barnett says.

"We are doing our best to support folks, but if the programs are full there's not really anywhere people can go," saidBarnett, adding that she feels disappointed and angry with how the city has dealt with the encampment.

"I've noticed more people in the alleys, in darker corners, people on their own, more than I've seen before," she said.

Advocates worrythe displacement means more people will use potentially toxic drugs alone.

"They have nowhere to go. So they're going to be in alleyways using alone and increasing exponentially the chance of death," said Vince Tao, a community organizer with theVancouver Area Network of Drug Users support group.

Tao said without sufficienthousing, "they're just going to move right back right to the same place the next day, or just down the block."

He said the only solution to the issue is more housing options.

According to the city's website, since 2019more than 550 social and supportive homes have opened in Vancouver which provideaffordable housing and connections to off-site services such ashealth care, mental health, or substance use services.

The city says its also working with B.C. Housing to createapproximately 350 new permanent supportive homes.

Permanent shelters and temporary modular homesalso exist to provide relief to hundreds of people living without a home, according to the website.

But there'snot enough space to help the people who have just been displaced from East Hastings, Barnett said.

"Right now, you sort of have three choices: you couch surf until you can't anymore;you live in subsidized housing if you can get in; or you live on the street. There's not enough choices there," she said.

The condition of some housing options like single-room occupancy hotels (SROs) and shelters makes it preferable for some to sleep on the streets, saysLorissa Thordarson, who lives rough in the East Hastings area.

"The buildings are disgusting.They're riddled with bugs, or rats I don't want to live in something like that," she said.

When CBC News asked the City of Vancouver where it expects displaced people to go, a spokesperson saidstaff are in daily conversations with B.C.Housing to advocate for housing and shelter needs.

"City staff have been encouraging and supporting voluntary removal of tents and belongings, and regularly sharing information in person with those sheltering outdoors," an email statement said.

It said the city's outreach team is also working with B.C. Housing to bring forward people to be considered for housing.

In a previous statement to CBC News, B.C. Housing said it does not have the spaces necessary to provide shelter for people who are being displaced in the Downtown Eastside.

"We have been clear with the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Fire Rescue Services that, on short notice, we do not have access to large numbers of new spaces in Vancouver to accommodate the timing of the emergency order," it said.

Barnettsays she'd like the city to embrace a wider range of housing alternatives such as a campground andmore harm reduction facilities, as well as subsidies for landlords to support people.

In the short term, she says she'd like to see police team up with mental health and social workers when officers are sent into the community.

And in the meantime, she emphasizes the need for compassion.

"You can't deprive people of this community they built with no other option. It's just illogical," she said.

The city did not specify if it plans to remove tents that have remained or reappeared on East Hastings.

Read more:
'Where else do they want us to go?' Downtown Eastside residents face uncertain future in wake of tent removals - CBC.ca

Once youve successfully transitioned from an apartment to a house, you may find that all your belongings fit into one room. In most cases, moving to a house will bring more space and more rooms to furnish. Theres also home maintenance and yard work to consider.

Alleviate stress later by planning and budgeting for some essential items now. From furnishings and decorative accessories to outdoor dcor and maintenance, this list will help you to start off on the right foot.

You wont regret creating a thoughtful organization plan from the start. From cabinets and pantries to bedroom and linen closets, storage bins and baskets can help you stay organized. Get started with these plastic containers from Amazon, rated the best overall in our guide to the best storage bins for getting organized. Available in seven different sizes to accommodate a range of storage needs, these bins are both stackable and versatile.

When your square footage increases, so does your floor space. Covering floors and even plain carpeting with accent rugs is a simple way to make your home more attractive and comfortable. Not sure where to find the best area rugs for your home? Try one of our reviewed and recommended selections, such as the Flourish Rug from West Elm, which we love for its sustainable construction and attractive design.

Whether its to increase privacy or to block out sunlight, youll likely need some blinds and curtains for your new home. An effective set of blinds or shades will filter out light and provide soundproofing, thermal insulation, and style. These cordless, darkening blinds from Home Decorators Collection topped our list of the best blinds of 2022 due to their faux wood design and versatility, with sizes available to suit any room.

Gaining outdoor space is a significant perk of moving into a house. Youll want to make the most of it with some outdoor furniture for alfresco dining and lounging. The Devoko 9-Piece Outdoor Patio Set will have you covered with a dining table, four chairs, storage ottomans, and included zippered cushions. Dubbed the best overall in our patio furniture guide, this set gets good reviews for its modular design with seat backs that fold down and ottomans that easily tuck under the table for storage.

The fun part of moving into a new house is making it your own. One easy way to do that is by creating a color scheme that reflects your personality. Whether your walls need a refresh or you just want to add some color to your space, a new coat of paint can make a big difference. Soothing blues and greens are popular this year. Try Behrs color of the year, Breezeway, for your next project. The sage green color is both cheerful and relaxing.

Apartment living rarely requires cutting the grass. Youll likely need to invest in a lawn mower for a new home, so you can keep your yard in good shape. Greenworks Self-Propelled Lawn Mower will make the job simple. It tops our list of the best push mowers for its cutting deck size, self-propulsion, battery power, oversized wheels, push-button start, storage, and adjustable height.

Unlike an apartment, a house wont come with a landlord to make repairs. A good tool kit will go a long way in keeping things running smoothly. Be sure your set includes a hammer, screwdriver, Allen wrench, level, utility knife, and drill. At the top of our list of recommended tool kits, the Black + Decker 8V Drill and Home Tool Kit includes all these items and more to make assembly and repairs a cinch.

A smart thermostat will not only add convenience to your home, it can also save you money on heating and cooling. Dubbed a top pick for 2022 by our experts, the Google Nest Thermostat is about as advanced as it gets. It memorizes and repeats temperature adjustments throughout the day and uses geofencing to reduce energy waste. An easy-to-read display screen and compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant make it simple to adjust.

Avoid solicitors and other unwanted visitors by installing a smart doorbell. Adding one to your home will add both convenience and security. Most options allow real-time video and two-way audio, so you can even talk to visitors when youre not home. Chosen by our editors as the best smart doorbell, the Ring Video Doorbell 3 includes versatile installation options, a broad range of security features, and a high-definition camera.

Gone are the days of fire escape herb boxes. Its time to think bigger. A house offers the opportunity to plant your favorite flowers or try your hand at fruit and vegetable gardening. Unsure if youve got a green thumb? You can start gardening without making a considerable investment. Try our best budget pick gardening set from Abco, which includes all the necessary tools for planting and maintenance, including a transplanting tool, a weeder, a trowel, a fork, a rake, a cutter, a 25-ounce sprayer, and a pair of glovesall packed into a sweet floral gardening bag.

Keep your lawn looking green and your vegetables ripening with a good sprinkler. Dubbed as one of our favorite sprinklers, the 9-Pattern Turret Sprinkler from Gardeners Supply Company features nine optional spray patterns for the utmost control over where youre watering. Reviewers report that it is easy to adjust with ample coverage and solid construction. Bonus: The kids get to enjoy it on hot days.

Trust us, you wont regret this one. Purchasing a new shower head is a simple way to add comfort to your homeand you dont have to spend a lot either. We tried the most popular showerheads and found the Couradric Handheld Shower Head to be a keeper. During our testing, we found it to have the perfect amount of pressure and loved the six optional spray settings. The handheld sprayer makes it especially useful for families with kids and pets.

More square footage means more rooms to clean. Investing in some cleaning tools from the outset will start you off on the right foot. If theres one tool that is sure to make your life easier, its the Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum. In fact, I described it as the most useful cleaning tool I own, in this review. If you generally hate vacuuming, the V8 is a must-have. The cordless lightweight option is small enough to tuck away in a closet, but powerful enough to clean your whole house. We think its a worthwhile investment, especially for homes where food crumbs and pet hair make a regular appearance.

Continued here:
13 Things You Need When Moving From an Apartment to a House - Bob Vila

While most house hunters start with how many bedrooms they want, and what the kitchen and living room are like, the owner of this 18th-century home in an Oxfordshire village, in the UK, took an unconventional approach. Ailsa Richards is a garden designer and was far more concerned about the type of trees in the garden and whether there was scope to encourage everything from pollinators to hedgehogs into the outside space. She sees things from the outside in and so it was a 300-year-old yew tree and some gnarled old apple trees that sealed the deal on this house. No matter that the tiny two-bedroom cottage didn't have space for the growing family and that the main rooms had no view of the garden all those things could be put right over time.

Fourteen years later the house has more than doubled its footprint, with additions to the side and back. The interiors of the house, now one of the world's best homes, were inspired by its part-walled garden and the green space beyond it. The result is a harmonious and relaxing home, totally at one with its setting as the indoor and outdoor worlds merge in a soft palette of natural shades. Here's how it all came together.

(Image credit: Polly Eltes)

One of the key things in redesigning the interiors was to open up the house to the views of the garden. All the main living areas are now at the back. The new kitchen includes a beautiful bay window dining space with a custom-built banquette, perfect for admiring the garden and observing the changing seasons. From the new window seat you can see apple blossom in springtime, then swathes of hostas, hydrangeas, sedums and then seedheads and bronzed hornbeam in winter.

Kitchen ideas include a large island workspace, painted in Farrow & Ball's Stone Blue. Simple Shaker-style cabinets are topped with marble and customised with antique-style handles.

(Image credit: Polly Eltes)

A stainless steel range cooker has been fitted under a false chimney hood that conceals an extractor. Lustrous gray-blue tiles are arranged in an eye-catching herringbone pattern that echoes the herringbone flooring.

(Image credit: Polly Eltes)

This high-ceilinged family dining and living room space was part of the most recent phase of alterations to the house. Big picture windows were never part of the plan here, instead, steel framed doors frame the garden views, and add to the charm rather than revealing everything all at once. Dining room ideas for this busy family space include simple bench seats with a heavier, statement dark wood table.

At the far end of the room, living room ideas are focused on the new stone fireplace with a pair of striking orange sofas positioned to enjoy the fire, and bring out the natural tones of the wooden furniture and the flooring. A gallery display of botanical prints behind one of the sofas leaves no doubt as to the plant passion of this home's owner.

(Image credit: Polly Eltes)

If you're looking for home library ideas, there's plenty to inspire in this bright reading nook. The daybed window seat is set into a deep alcove, the perfect place to read a book, and enjoy the sounds and sights of the garden.

(Image credit: Polly Eltes)

Incorporated into the new kitchen extension, this handy space for muddy boots and outdoor gear was a must-have for its garden designer owner. Boot room ideas include smart bespoke cabinetry with pegs for coats and a bench seat and cupboard below for shoes and other outdoor clothing.

(Image credit: Polly Eltes)

Hallway ideas were about creating another room in this transitional space. Treasured family antiques the lampbase and settle seat give a homey look and have been updated with a new cushion and lampshade.

(Image credit: Polly Eltes)

At the other side of the hall, making the most of every inch, a small partners desk is the perfect fit under the stairs, and is paired with a characterful antique chair.

Staircase ideas worth borrowing from this calm space include the botanical-inspired wallpaper, Beech, from Lewis & Wood, and the neutral runner which complements the natural choices elsewhere in the home.

(Image credit: Polly Eltes)

Even the bedroom ideas in this house are inspired by nature. The calm scheme for this room under the eaves has a countryside flavor. The bedside chests and lamps were vintage finds, the dark wood furniture providing a deeper tone of brown that picks up on the earthy highlights of other accessories in the room.

(Image credit: Polly Eltes)

A garden designer's own garden is always going to be something special, and Ailsa's certainly is that. The wide plot is divided into separate 'rooms', so that you don't take in the whole vista in one glance. Tucked into one corner is a delightful shepherd's hut, built by Ailsa's husband Ben from scrap wood. The boundaries of the garden merge with the woodland beyond.

(Image credit: Polly Eltes)

For homeowner Ailsa, the interiors of the home relate to the garden, rather than the other way round. The garden always comes first.

All the changes to the house have been designed to make the garden the main focus. Originally a small cottage, built in the 1700s with just two bedrooms, the house is now more workable as a family home. Two phases of building work added three extra bedrooms and a lounge diner, and opened up the main living spaces to the garden at the back of the house.

Such was the importance of the old apple trees and that 300-year-old yew, that Ailsa surrounded them with protective frames to shield them from the worst of the building work. The trees live on, watching over the latest additions to this special home's story.

Feature: Karen DarlowPhotographs: Polly EltesGarden design: Ailsa Richards (opens in new tab)

Read more from the original source:
This garden designer's home focuses on the outdoor space | Country | - Homes & Gardens

Fashion designer Giorgio Armani and dozens of others were forced to flee from their vacation villas overnight as firefighters worked to extinguish the remnants of two wildfires on the Sicilian island of Pantelleria on Thursday.

A photo shows flames that appear to encroach on Armanis villa, but his press office said they stopped short of the property. Armani and guests evacuated to a boat in the harbor overnight.

The head of the regions civil protection agency, Salvatore Cocina, said arson is suspected in two wildfires that forced around 30 people to seek refuge in boats or on safer parts of the island. Firefighters used Canadair planes to douse the flames, along with ground teams to protect homes. Authorities said no structures appeared to have been lost.

The islands mayor, Vincenzo Campo, told the ANSA news agency two Canadairs were working on putting out the last flames on difficult terrain and that the wind had dropped off.

After the great fear of last evening and the night spent at work, Pantelleria is returning to normal, Campo said. It seems the worst is over.

Local officials appealed for any information that would help identify the cause of the blaze, which started in two points a quarter-mile apart.

Pantelleria, located between Sicily and the Tunisia, is a popular beach and trekking destination that includes ancient archaeological sites and natural geographic formations.

Read more here:
Armani, others flee wildfire on Sicilian island retreat - New York Post

SAN ANTONIO, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lennar, one of the nation's leading homebuilders, has announced the start of sales at Morgans Meadows, offering five new home collections and premier amenities at a competitive price. The new Lennar homes will sit within the 250-acre Morgans Meadows masterplanned community, located in the western suburbs of metro San Antonio.

"Our new homes at Morgans Meadows offer all the benefits buyers look for, including beautiful floorplans with designer touches, the latest technology features, and premier community amenities. Students will attend great schools, and families will have access to close-by conveniences that make life extra enjoyable," said Lennar Division President Brian Barron. "It will be a wonderful place to make a lifetime of memories."

Homes at Morgans Meadows range from 1,016 to 3,036 square feet, with two to five-bedroom plan options. The home exteriors are designed with a selection of siding, brick, or a combination. The one- and two-story designs are from Lennar's popular Cottage, Watermill, Barrington, Brookstone, and Westfield collections. Each features generous living and kitchen spaces and resort-style master suites.

All homes are ENERGY STAR certified and come with Lennar's signature Everything's Included program, where the homebuilder's most popular options and upgrades are built into the base price of the home. At Morgans Meadows, this includes granite countertops, designer cabinetry, GE stainless steel appliances, and a host of other carefully curated interior touches.

Pricing begins in the $200,000s.

Residents of Morgans Meadows will have exclusive access to the community's future pool, park, and playground.

Morgans Meadows is minutes from neighborhood shopping centers, dining, and a short drive to attractions such as Sea World theme park, Medina Lake, and Government Canyon State Natural Area. It is also less than 20 miles from Lackland Air Force Base.

The award-winning Northside ISD School District will serve children living at Morgans Meadows.

The Morgans Meadows Welcome Home Center and sales office is scheduled to open this fall at 14233 Penny Run, San Antonio, Texas. For more information, call (210) 393-8095 or visit theMorgans Meadows Community Website orwww.lennar.com.

About Lennar Corporation

Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation's leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar's Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title and closing services primarily for buyers of Lennar's homes and, through LMF Commercial, originates mortgage loans secured primarily by commercial real estate properties throughoutthe United States. Lennar's Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. LENXdrives Lennar's technology, innovation and strategic investments. For more information about Lennar, please visit lennar.com.

Contact: Danielle ToccoVice President CommunicationsLennar Corporation[emailprotected]Direct Line: 949.789.1633

SOURCE Lennar

More here:
LENNAR INTRODUCES FIVE NEW HOME COLLECTIONS AT MORGANS MEADOWS IN SAN ANTONIO, OFFERING MASTERPLANNED AMENITIES AT COMPETITIVE PRICE - PR Newswire

Judging when to say no to a potential client requires confidence, diplomacy and tact. We asked five designersTodd Raymond, Kaitlyn Loos, Katie Davis, Kara Adam and Melinda Jameshow they gauge whether a client is (or isnt) the right fit.

Todd RaymondCourtesy of Studio Todd Raymond

Real Talk

We only turn down a client for a couple of reasons. One, they have an unrealistic schedule or time frame for us to complete the scope of work; or two, our aesthetics dont entirely align. Weve had some clients come to us with a very strong idea of what they already want, and [we] feel we wont be able to add our stamp to the project. Todd Raymond, Studio Todd Raymond, New York

Kaitlyn LoosCourtesy of Kaitlyn Loos

Pop Quiz

As a sensitive person and business owner, I am constantly thinking about what feels right for the client and myself. So when more internet strangers began inquiring about my services, I decided to set up a service match quiz to properly connect these prospective clients to the services that would work best for them. Its less about giving a no and more about finding a solution that works for both sides. Most people [that I encounter] today, regardless of property value, are not really needing full-service design. Im actually in a season of saying yes to a lot of one-day consulting or virtual projects, which see me helping volumes of people make key design decisions for their home but in a short amount of time. Kaitlyn Loos, Kaitlyn Loos Design, Ocala, Florida

Katie DavisMelissa Fitzgerald West

Fit First

We typically find out a prospective clients needs and wants. Our firm focuses on full-scale homes and spaces, and sometimes that doesnt work for a person or familys needs. We explain ourselves and, [if its not a fit, we] refer the client to another local designer who might offer a different scope or better suit their needs. Katie Davis, Katie Davis Designs, Houston

Kara AdamMichael Hunter

Hear Them Out

We are a more turnkey operationsoup to nutsso oftentimes people come to us to design just one room, and we have to turn them down. The vast majority of the work we do is a whole home. We explain our process and tell them we dont have the bandwidth or that its not the right fit. Even though everything is done over the phone, a personal touch is extremely important to me. For someone who is not a right fit as a client, we always hear them out and find out exactly what theyre looking for. Kara Adam, Kara Adam Interiors, Dallas

Melinda JamesJhane Huang

Honesty Hour

I rarely turn down a client unless I feel that it really wouldnt be a good fit for the firm, and that would be because there was a personality difference or the project was not compatible with the direction the firm is going in. When that rare occasion does occur, I believe honesty and integrity are always the best policies. Melinda James, M. James Design Group, Houston

Homepage image: A living room designed by Todd Raymond | Adrian Gaut

See the original post here:
How do you know when a client isn't the right fit? - Business of Home

Are future design movements rooted in the past? Sherwin-Williams would certainly suggest so. The Vintage Homestead Color Collection, HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams' 2023 Color Collection of the Year has been unveiled and includes shades that draw from the romantic beauty and balance of a time gone by.

While the 'paint trend' label suggests these colors are exclusively modern and forward-thinking, the emerging collection is, in fact, influenced by heritage creating an aesthetic that is familiar in an individualistic way.

Darkroom (opens in new tab)(above) is the 2023 Color of the Year, and is described as 'an alluring and classic shade for an eclectic yet modern look'. It's a tone that epitomizes Vintage Homestead's ethos and we expect it will dominate paint ideas in the seasons ahead.

Natural Linen by HGTV Home and Sherwin-Williams

(Image credit: HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams)

'The Vintage Homestead Color Collection offers an effortless look that reveals the importance of being hopeful to find stability and balance,' says Ashley Banbury, the Senior Color Designer at HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams. 'Our 2023 Color Collection of the Year revives elements from the past that are perfectly paired with vintage, comfortable and classic colors.'

The shades encourage you to find contentment in your home, regardless of your style. Whether you're looking to trial new neutral living room paint ideas in a rural home or you want to add some retro color to your small urban kitchen. 'Sherwin-Williams offers a collection for homes that embodies hope, romanticism, tradition, nostalgia, and comfort,' the label adds.

Hot Cocoa by HGTV Home and Sherwin-Williams

(Image credit: HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams)

The palette features 10 reviving and comfortable colors, including Darkroom, which is the stand-out tone. While the spectrum of shades varies, the meaning behind each one unites them as a palette and creates the same sense of 'belonging' in your home. The collection also encourages us to rediscover the meaning of home, which translates into our wider decorating ideas.

'The combination of familiar tones has been thoughtfully curated by design experts who mix and match color and design from the past for a hopeful future,' they say.

Glamour by HGTV Home and Sherwin-Williams

(Image credit: HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams)

Other notable shades include Austere Gray (opens in new tab), which is 2023's solution to decorating with grey with an ever-fashionable green tint. We also love the vintage beauty of Glamour (opens in new tab), a shade that works seamlessly in the bathroom (as seen above).

The colors within the Vintage Homestead Color Collection are available exclusively at Lowe's store and on Lowes.com (opens in new tab). You can also find out more via HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams (opens in new tab).

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HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams' Color of the Year 2023 announced and it's all about nostalgia - Homes & Gardens

Of the thousands of considerations that go into designing a home, environmental impact is not often the biggest. But for design/build firm CarbonShack, sustainability is top of mind during the entire design processand now, with the debut of a new product line and showroom space, the company is hoping to bring that message into other firms projects as well.

Six years ago, Steve Pallrand founded CarbonShack to get serious about environmentally conscious design and construction. An entrepreneur and founder of Los Angelesbased design firm Home Front Build, which specializes in historic restoration, he had deep experience in the home-building arena. With the new entity, which shares overlapping services and team members, he was able to get even more specific and turn his focus to applying green design principles to projects from the ground up. Instead of returning old homes to their former glory, CarbonShack caters to clients with a more contemporary sensibility and an interest in addressing climate-related challenges in their own builds.

In practice, that meant addressing everything from embodied carbonthe emissions used during the manufacturing, transport, construction and end-of-life usage of construction materials, and how that relates to the wood used in a homes frame or the concrete in its foundationto applying passive concepts to maximize efficiency in energy, waste and water systems, such as tankless water heaters and energy-efficient windows, and interior design choices that incorporate sustainably sourced, healthy materials as well as aesthetics drawn from the natural world.

James Chou Photography

When finding sustainable and ethically made furnishings and decor proved challenging, CarbonShack came up with creative alternatives to typical procurement methods. Pallrands team has spent years researching and stockpiling sustainable materials, which are turned into bespoke pieces fabricated and produced by either the CarbonShack team or local artisans. That includes salvaged lumber collected from trees grown in Los Angeles that had to be cut down to make room for developmentor, in one particularly unique case, a redwood bridge built in Northern Californias Marin County in the 1920s that was recently decommissioned, allowing the firm to swoop in and find new life for the otherwise dump-bound materials.

The pursuit of sustainable materials inherently requires trade-offs. In sourcing materials for its products, the firm has sometimes compromised on its goal of keeping operations local to the Los Angeles area in order to curb energy expended in transport. For textiles, CarbonShack is primarily using hemp or hemp blends, which require a very low amount of water in fabrication and production compared to other commercially available fibers. To apply eco-friendly printing processes, however, the group must outsource to a company based in San Francisco. Similarly, the firm sources red clay for decorative tiles from the Sacramento area; the material is then shipped to Los Angeles and fired in electric kilns in order to avoid employing gas and other nonrenewable resources in the production process.

On a practical level, the products are designed to be healthy in the homeincluding furniture made with non-VOC finishes and entirely biodegradable fabrics. Taking that ethos into the aesthetic realm, many of them also feature organic physical properties. CarbonShacks 3D-printed lighting fixtures, for example, draw inspiration from the natural world by mimicking the features and patterns of microscopic organisms and plant-based systems such as mycelium, the rootlike structure of fungus and mushrooms. As the firms senior interior designer Greg Roth explains, the decision to bring nature-inspired elements into CarbonShacks home and product design is rooted in a desire to visually remind homeowners of their impact on the environment.

Even if we live near or in nature, we dont always understand our relationship to it, says Roth. As the climate warms and things get a little bit more fragile between people and the environment, we feel like underscoring that connection can help people keep in mind that we have a responsibility to be as green in the practice of constructing our homes as we can be.

The Medusa ChandelierNolasco Studios

The Mycelium Mod ConsoleNolasco Studios

Left: The Medusa Chandelier Nolasco Studios | Right: The Mycelium Mod Console Nolasco Studios

Beyond product design, the firm is constantly grappling with how to best bring sustainable design to the forefront of clients minds. CarbonShack made its first foray into expanding eco-consciousness in buildings and homes through the creation of open-source educational materials, including a free online carbon calculator for homeowners. Available on CarbonShacks offshoot site, SustainableBuild, the feature allows homeowners or professionals to input data to determine how many pounds of carbon a space produces each year. From there, users can also find out how much carbon they can conserve by switching to alternative energy systems or appliances.

Roth says he is beginning to see the tide turn when it comes to carbon-friendly home preferences in recent years. For example, many homeowners have shifted toward induction cooking and electric kitchens, while previously they tended to prefer (and romanticize, he says) the carbon-heavy process of cooking with gas. More than ever, homeowners and designers alike want to make greener choices, says Roth. The problem is that many just are not aware of which choices in the design and construction are the most sustainable.

If the firms own exploration of that same issue can serve to lay groundwork for future sustainable design seekers, then the company is eager to guide others down the path it has forged so far. To that end, CarbonShack is making its materials available to fellow design professionals with a new showroom set to debut in Los Angeles on October 6. There, the offerings will include a variety of home productsincluding lighting, textiles, decorative tiles, cabinetry, furniture, accessories, woodwork and metalworkall made locally or within an environmentally conscious distance of 400 miles through energy- and waste-efficient manufacturing processes.

We are offering these products as an entry into becoming greener and more conscious of what we can do, says Roth. If you buy a lamp from us, and it costs a hundred dollars or even several hundred dollars, thats not committing to changing all of your windows to high-efficiency windows, right? But its one thing that you can do, putting in this beautiful LED fixture that reminds you of the environment, that sets you on a path that were hoping can inspire people.

Homepage image: Mycelium fabric from CarbonShack | Nolasco Studios

Originally posted here:
How this firm is helping clients cut carbon emissions - Business of Home

EVEN if you spend a fortune on rugs, furniture, and accents, the wrong styling choices can make your home look cheap.

According to interior design experts, the solution is an easy fix follow a few simple rules to elevate your home's interior fast.

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Decor experts at Homes and Gardens shared five mistakes that can ruin the look of thoughtful home decor.

Luckily, the solutions don't require a lot of money to fix.

"Even if you are decorating on a budget, there is no reason for your space to look cheap," the experts wrote. "In many cases, the things that lead to a house looking cheap aren't even a reflection of wealth."

Take a look to see if you're guilty of these design sins in your home and learn how to fix them.

For example, the size of your furniture matters a lot more to the price, especially if the room is noticeably smaller or larger than others in your house.

"Disproportionate furniture will make a house look cheap, almost like you threw whatever you had together and hoped it would work," designer Amy Youngblood told the outlet.

Tiny furniture in a gigantic room will make it look empty, as though you can't afford enough furniture to fill it up.

Meanwhile, furniture that's too large will crowd your space, making the room look small. A mixture of disproportionate furniture is visually confusing.

"Figure out a good balance of positive and negative space to help the flow of the room," Youngblood recommended.

Use the same principle to clean up your walls, too. "This can also include artwork if it is disproportionate on the walls of the space," she said.

Your furniture isn't the only home decor area where size matters. Choosing the wrong-size rug can also be detrimental to your interior design.

A rug that's too small could be what's "off" in your living room, the experts warned.

You can trust their genius guidelines to make sure you buy the right rug for every room.

"For large living rooms, it's best to leave at least 12 to 18 inches of visible floor space between your large rug and wall," said Therese Germain, director of core product at Ruggable.

"To unify the area, try to ensure that the front legs of your sofa and lounge chairs sit on the rug and overlap it by a minimum of 8 to 12 inches," she added.

For open-floor spaces, pick a sharply-contrasting rug that will be distinct from the floor.

This will draw focus, which creates a visually-designed space and makes even an open floor plan feel intimate, she said.

IKEA is a great budget buy, but don't go overboard securing every piece in the MALM or EKTORP series.

In fact, matchy-matchy pre-made furniture will leave your home looking cheap and outdated more "dorm room" than "designer."

The experts at Home and Gardens recommend sourcing inexpensive secondhand furniture instead of going to the big-box stores for flatpack furniture.

Your unique pieces are often more affordable than brand-new furniture from a discount store.

"They will also be sturdier and will inject personality into your space," the experts explained.

"Plus, you can rest safe in the knowledge that the piece you buy has already survived decades in the home and is likely to continue for many more to come," they added.

But IKEA furniture still has a purpose, so don't throw out your drawers and shelves.

The inexpensive brand can "prove invaluable in hidden spaces, such as garages, to provide plentiful storage," the experts wrote.

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If you've lived in your home for a while, you might have completed piecemeal renovations that have left inconsistent flooring around your home.

That can be a big aesthetic eyesore, warned designer Jennifer Walter.

"Inconsistent hard surface flooring like LVT and laminate in different rooms will make a house look cheap," she told the outlet.

Mixing laminate flooring and real wood is also a cringe-worthy mistake. Follow Walter's one simple rule to avoid it.

"Pick one color, and use it throughout," she recommended.

Walter also reminded homeowners to be cautious when picking a color scheme for their floors.

"Grays in wood alternatives tend to make a house look sterile and staged," she said. "It can make a house look cold and unnatural."

Stick with warm, bright, natural colors for real and faux wood and above all, be consistent.

If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then your windows are where the soul of your home resides that's why it's important to showcase them.

But the wrong curtains can leave a bad impression to visitors, whether they enter your home or not.

Interior designer Christian Ladd warned that unlined curtains look flimsy and unkempt.

"We always line drapery four times so that they are finished and visually appealing even from the exterior of the home and always do so in a soft ecru or bone rather than white," Ladd explained.

This might be an often-overlooked area, but it's the best place to start if your house needs an instant upgrade.

"Above all else, draperies are the single most effective way to elevate a home," Ladd said. "When finished impeccably and include details such as hand-sewn passementerie, they instantly create a more custom, elevated feel."

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Im an interior designer 5 things that make your home look cheap & why IKEA furniture should NEVER mat... - The US Sun