Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Our homes have taken on new significance over the last year and as such, its been necessary to find ways to brighten up and refresh the space. Enter, plants an easy, low cost and aesthetically pleasing way to bring some natural lightness into your home.

The benefits of plants go far beyond their looks, with indoor greenery known to boost our mood, reduce anxiety and increase productivity. This in turn means theyre great for bedrooms helping you to relax before your head hits the pillow.

Green is a colour our brain finds naturally soothing, so bringing a few plants into the bedroom can immediately make it a nicer place to relax and wind down, Richard Hull from Patch Plants tells The Independent.

Even better? Plants also boast air purifying properties that help remove toxic agents from the air. The unlikely research group behind these findings was the space agency NASA, who teamed up with the US government in the 1980s to determine the most effective indoor plants for cleaning the air.

The toxins that NASA found were effectively removed by plants included benzene, ammonia, formaldehyde and xylene with the agency recommending placing at least one plant per 100 square feet of your home.

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Try putting small, low-maintenance plants on your bedside table, so you wake up to a calming view, Hull recommends. And certain plants are better than others. Most houseplants will release oxygen during the day whereas snake plants, peace lilies, spider plants and aloe veras are great for the bedroom as they oxygenate the room at night, says Hull.

Here, weve rounded up some of the best plants that are beneficial to have in your bedroom, from the calming and low maintenance to the air purifying and pretty.

You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.

These are the best bedroom plants for 2021:

Best: Overall

One of the small number of plants found to oxygenate at night by NASA were peace lilies. Known also to increase room humidity by up to five percent great for our breathing while asleep the plant also helps to purify the air from toxins, including formaldehyde, toluene and carbon monoxide. Good for newbie plant owners, too, peace lilies only need indirect light and will droop and let you know when they require watering, with their leaves perking up again within hours. An attractive option, their glossy leaves produce white, long-stemmed flowers that make for a pretty focal point in your bedroom.

Best: For shelves and bookcases

Also known as golden pothos and devils ivy, this plant can grow up to eight feet long and is a great way to revamp tired looking surfaces or shelves. The greenery is also considered one of the most effective indoor air purifiers, helping to eliminate common toxins including carbon monoxide, benzene and more. Preferring a warm environment, a quick mist will keep it in good condition and it doesnt require too much sunlight. A note that devils ivy is potentially toxic to some animals, so keep out of reach from pets.

Best: Striking plant

Large, shiny and thickly textured leaves award the ficus elastica its more colloquial rubber plant name. Beyond the foliages unique look, the plant produces plenty of oxygen helping to eliminate air toxins while removing mold spores and bacteria by up to 60 per cent, meaning its a great option for purifying the air in your bedroom. Great for those wanting something low maintenance, the rubber plant can tolerate lower light conditions and requires watering once a week.

Best: Beginner-friendly plant

Requiring little maintenance and adapting well to most environments, yuccas are a great beginner-friendly option that look the part, too, with their tree-like appearance and speared leaves livening up any surface top or corner of the bedroom. A bonus? Theyre also one of the most powerful air cleaners found by NASA, helping to filter out nasty chemicals including benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene, so you can breathe easy in your bedroom.

Best: For uniqueness

Originating from Australia, if you hadnt guessed, the otherwise known castano grows out of chestnuts, contributing to its unique look. In its natural habitat, it can grow as tall as 100 ft and thrives best in bright light. Known to help remove nasty toxins from your room, its a great option for your bedroom windowsill or bedside table, as long as its got plenty of sunlight. The Australian chestnut requires regular pruning and watering once a week and look out in the summer for small, orange clusters of blooming flowers.

Best: For a tropical feel

Awarding your bedroom the feel of warmer climates and holidays, the areca palm brings a touch of the tropical into your home. Often likened to a mini palm tree, the plant is native to the Madagascan tropics and is a natural cooler that helps remove xylene and toluene from the atmosphere. Not just filtering the air, the areca palm transpires water into it, too helping create a fresh and clean environment.

Best: For small spaces

The Chinese monkey plant boasts a distinctive look with their round, flat and leathery leaves lending it the other nicknames of a UFO plant and a pancake plant. Small in size, theyre perfect for a bedside table and require little maintenance. Only water when the soil is dry and keep it in a bright spot. Making a great gift for someone, the Chinese monkey plant comes already planted in a ceramic blue pot and in Bloom & Wilds lovely packaging.

Best: Low-maintenance plant

Perfect for the accidentally neglectful plant parent, aloe veras are one of the most low-maintenance plants you can own and like their soil very, very dry. Used for its healing and medicinal capabilities since 16th century BC, aloe vera juice boasts anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that are used to treat wounds and skin conditions. A popular house plant for good reason, its striking, stemmed look is perfect for lightening up a side table or cabinet.

Best: Fast growing plant

The philodendron xanadu and its large, deep leaves were also found by NASA to effectively remove indoor air pollution in particular, the toxin formaldehyde. A good looking plant with its shiny green and leathery leaves, the philodendron grows wider rather than taller. Low maintenance, the plant requires moderate to bright light and when watering you should allow the top half of the soil to dry out before re-watering. Make sure to keep away from children and pets as the plant can be toxic.

Best: Focal point

Effective at removing toxins including formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene, the weeping fig isnt just practical but also a lovely aesthetic addition to your bedroom. The mass of hanging, pointed and glossy green leaves make for a nice focal point and after watering and regular misting, we noticed it growing after just one week. The fig has good tolerance for low lighting and requires regular misting to prevent the leaves turning yellow.

Best: Air purifier

Another plant that oxygenates at night, you can rest easy with a snake plant in your bedroom. Low-maintenance and known for surviving droughts, they thrive when left alone requiring infrequent watering, a sunny spot and the occasional wipe down to remove dust. Bloom & Wilds snake plant comes pre-planted in a lovely ceramic pot and would make the perfect gift for a newbie plant parent. Theyre also great at purifying the air filtering out toxins including benzene, formaldehyde, xylene and toluene.

Creating a focal point in your room with its elegant glossy green leaves and contrasting white spathe flowers, the peace lily from Patch Plants also boasts air purifying properties and oxygenates at night making it a great option for your bedroom.

If allergies to flowering plants are a concern, Bloom & Wilds snake plant doesnt just look striking but is almost unkillable and also helps to purify the air where you sleep. We also love the weeping fig from The Stem for its cascading appearance and low-maintenance upkeep that makes it perfect for a shady corner of your bedroom.

For the latest discounts and other homeware offers, try the links below:

Keep your greenery in one of the best indoor house plant pots

IndyBest product reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing.

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11 best bedroom plants that help to purify the air - The Independent

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If the past weekend hasnt given us a taste for indoor-outdoor living then we dont know what will.

And were all rushing to put the final touches on getting those alfresco sitting and dining spaces ready for those long summer days.

The pizza oven company that has launched over 20 million pizzas worldwide, Ooni aims to make cooking pizzeria-quality pizza possible for every home cook.

Portable and pretty, its pizza ovens heat up fast to the exact same temperatures as professional ovens for cooking authentic pizza with bubbling, well-cooked toppings, a nicely charred base and a puffy crust.

It recently released a new wood pellet-powered pizza oven: Ooni Fyra, which streamlines wood-fired cooking with energy-efficient hardwood pellets for a no-nonsense cooking experience and maximum flavour.

Perfect for pizza lovers and those ready to take on wood-fired cooking with ease, Ooni Fyra is portable and easy to use. Simply set it up in your back garden or terrace, top it up with wood pellets and fire out delicious, authentic pizzas with a true wood-fired flavour!

With a two-part chimney plus a pellet burner and hopper that can be detached and stored inside the oven, Ooni Fyra is a cinch to pack away.

The outdoor oven brand has also unveiled a gas-powered oven to transform the way people cook pizza at home, Ooni Koda, which has been thoughtfully designed for those excited to create incredible pizza at home, without the fuss of maintaining a wood-burning fire.

The award-winning and sleek Koda reaches temperatures exceeding 500C, making delicious Neapolitan-style pizza in just 60 seconds.

See http://www.uk.ooni.com

FIRE UP THE BARBECUE

If a barbecue is on your radar, check out Aldis Mini Kamado Barbecue, 99.99, available as one of its special buys on Thursday, June 10.

This gunmetal and ceramic mini outdoor unit comes complete with temperature gauge and double-walled insulation.

The barbecue is powder-coated steel hinge, bands, handle, chimney top, fire grate and steel stand. Includes a cooking grill and is ready to start cooking in 15 minutes Youll also find a pizza maker, 32.99, in the middle aisle from the same date, ideal for cooking fresh, frozen or homemade pizzas up to 12 inches.

It includes top and bottom heating elements as well as auto temperature control. Each plate has its own on/off switch enabling the plates to be used at the same time or independently. It opens to 180C grill, has a built-in timer from 0-30 minutes, cool-touch handles and 35mm deep bottom plate.

And when the night falls: Check out Aldis solar hanging bug lights, 5.99 for four copper LEDs which create a stunning firefly lighting effect. Perfect for hanging from trees, shrubs or pergolas. Automatically illuminates at night. Available in pink, orange, green or blue.

Available from June 10, as is the Balloon Cloud, 12.99, which will help you create the perfect balloon display at your event, rattan detail jug and glasses, 8.99 each or per four-pack, garden scatter cushions, 7.99 each, and pest bamboo torches, 6.99 per two-pack.

See the rest here:
Add pizzazz to the room outside with pizza ovens and barbecues - Irish Examiner

If there are anything Millennials and Gen Z love more than their phones, it's their houseplants.

Houseplant Resource Center claims Millennials and Gen Zers are waiting longer to start families and are filling their need to nurture with houseplants.

Now that spring has sprung, how are Millennials and Gen Z keeping their plants alive and healthy this growing season?

It's a simple formula: provide plants with water and light, and they should thrive, but as expressed by OCCs Horticulture lab coordinator Joe Stead, all healthy and thriving plants need four things.

They need water, light, good air movement, to be fed, Stead said.

Here are a few essential tips to think about when caring for houseplants:

Watering plants the right way

Overwatering is a common mistake made by new plant parents, causing yellow and brown limp leaves to form instead of vibrant green crispy leaves. According to Bloomscape.com:

Water the plants soil and not their leaves to prevent infections and other health issues.

For a lush and full plant, water thoroughly and evenly until water flows out from the bottom of the pot.

The plants pot matters; healthy plants need the correct size pot and drainage holes to help the soil to dry out after watering.

Dump out any excess water to avoid soggy soil and the plants root from rotting.

Plants have different watering needs, and understanding their needs is critical before you start watering them.

Consider the seasons; plants require less water during winter than they would during summertime.

Most houseplants don't need to be watered every week, Stead said. It depends on the size of the pot. The larger the pot, the less you have to water.

Why is lighting important?

When growing houseplants, light is crucial because plants require light to photosynthesize and transform light energy into chemical energy. Light energy converts water, carbon dioxide and minerals into oxygen and energy-rich organic compounds.

According to GardeningKnowHow.org, plants that are not receiving the best light conditions may show the following symptoms:

The stems on the plant are long, elongated, or spindly.

The variegated or multi-colored leaves will begin to lose some of their colors.

The plants leaves are yellowing and small.

The leaves have brown tips or edges.

If you grow stuff in pots, then you want to rotate them to get good light all the way through, Stead said. Because they're just going to grow on one side.

Why should plants have good air movement?

Whether the plants are indoors or outdoors, the relationship between plants and air movement is critical because plants need air to photosynthesize and breathe.

It is really important to have good airflow in the soil, Stead said. Good air movement in your house is a ticket to healthy plants.

To improve air quality for houseplants BalconyGardenWeb.com considers;

Keeping plants near windows can expose them to fresh air, in addition to adequate light.

For indoor plants, a fan can help with air circulation and prevent dampness or condensation on plants.

Position the fan near the plants and not directly on them.

To enhance the air quality and remove air pollutants from plants, maintain proper ventilation.

Provide houseplants with room and avoid placing them in corners, close to walls, tight areas, and damp spots.

Open the front or the back screen door, get some airflow through the house, Stead said.

Feeding plants with fertilizers

Just like humans need nutrients, so do plants. Fertilizers provide the essential nutrients required for optimal plant growth, like nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Fertilizer restores missing nutrients, allowing the plant to thrive.

The spring through their growing season is the best time to fertilize, Stead said. Most plants are most active in the spring.

TheSill.com recommends:

If using organic fertilizer, be sure it has the right ingredients to provide the right amount of nutrients a plant needs.

Use chemical fertilizers due to the proper amount of macro and micronutrients in its ingredients.

Prevent over-fertilizing plants by diluting fertilizers with water.

Fertilizing fruit and flower plants more often to restore the nutrients lost when harvested.

According to Stead, plant parents should always make sure to water their houseplants before fertilizing.

Never fertilize a dry plant. Fertilizers are salts, he said. If the roots are dry, and then all of a sudden you put those salts on them, it could burn the roots.

It doesnt matter if the plant is a monstera deliciosa or a fiddle leaf tree, and if its indoors or outdoors, the formula remains the same, so dont overthink it.

Make sure to give it those four main things: give it air, water, a little fertilizer, good light, Stead said. And just enjoy them and let your plants chill out.

See the original post here:
How to grow healthy houseplants this blooming season - Coast Report

Linda Leuzzi

In 2017, New York State announced a $75 million septic system fund to assist homeowners with the costs to replace aging septic systems allotted over five years; Suffolk County got $10 million of the award. Deputy County Executive Peter Scully gave those statistics and other details at a recent Sayville Rotary Club meeting about the countys program to clean up coastal waters by replacing cesspools with approved wastewater treatment systems.

On March 17, 2020, Suffolk County legislators approved a $4 billion Wastewater Plan that included individual wastewater treatment systems.

The Septic Replacement Grant Program has been rocking and rolling since COVID, said Scully. Weve had 320 residents apply, and we received another $10 million from the state.

Eligible property owners can be reimbursed 50 percent of eligible costs. The code requires three years of maintenance by the manufacturer; then the homeowner takes over, about $200 to $400 a year, he said.

Costs to install a system in the front yard for easy access vary at between $15,000 to $20,000. Electrical costs to run the system range from $5 to $20 a month. Once selected, residents are notified by the Department of Economic Development and Planning. The homeowner then enters into an agreement with the supplier.

The Fuji Clean USA system seems to be the best in value and performance, he said. (The Fuji Clean USA website cites their system as being Suffolk Countys No. 1 innovative and alternative wastewater system.)

Hydro Action also appears to be the most popular participants in the program.

Suffolk County will also require wastewater systems be installed in new construction as of July 1.

This is a new industry, he said. The active components installed and maintained require training for liquid waste and the manufacturing companies who make the components are creating jobs in Suffolk County, he said.

But tens of thousands need to be swapped out, he said, and the grant program is the first phase of a long-range plan. About 74 percent of Suffolk Countys 1.5 million residents utilize cesspools. The wastewater systems will restore clean waters to the Great South Bay and reduce recurring nitrogen blooms, which kills marine wildlife.

The IRS ruled last year that septic grants are taxable income after Suffolk County comptroller John Kennedy petitioned the IRS.

Scully said the county is in the process of straightening out the dilemma of the grants being taxed as income. We have the petition pending, he said.

Nassau congressman Tom Suozzi and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand introduced legislation to ensure Long Islanders arent taxed on grants received to upgrade their septic systems last month.

Sewers are still part of the planning. But they are very expensive and the countys argument is that part of coastal resiliency money can be used for sewers, Scully said.

Scully mentioned Patchogues sewer expansion stall; Gov. Andrew Cuomo made an $18 million commitment for additional sewersnow costs jumped up to more than $75 million from bidders. We hope to attract smaller companies as bidders, he said.

Congressman Lee Zeldin recently included Patchogues expansion $9,400,000, in a Community Project Request.

(Other sewer systems dead-ended include the Mastic-Shirley sewer project because of escalating costs.)

Since 2014, the county executive said, Lets set up a multi-layer certification project where we get six months worth of data from a company that makes wastewater treatment systems and then, after assessing the data, give procedural approval, said Scully.

The thinking was, We have 360,000 homes with cesspools. Would you donate one of these systems and prove that it works? It also had to be easy and affordable.

Four different systems were used with Fuji selected as No. 1.

Read the original post:
A discussion about Suffolk's wastewater treatment systems - Long Island Advance

Bend

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Here is the city of Bend's road and traffic report for the week of May 31-June 6.

Youve noticed by now that construction season has started. As you navigate your way through the City streets and neighborhoods, please remember to slow down, read the signs and stay on the designated detour routes. Check-in weekly with the City on upcoming closures through the website:bendoregon.gov/traffic.Construction season will not last forever, please be patient and remember to drive like youre in your own neighborhood.

Future Road Closures:

Work schedules are dependent on weather conditions and other factors. Always exercise increased caution within construction zones. Drivers should use designated detour routes. Nearby residential streets are for local traffic only.

Contact: Kyle Thomas, Construction Manager

541-323-8519, kthomas@bendoregon.gov

For Street Preservation related questions: Paul Neiswonger, Streets Supervisor

541-317-3035, pneiswonger@bendoregon.gov

Closures and detours in Bend are updated weekly at:bendoregon.gov/traffic

Find more information about street operations at:bendoregon.gov/streetpreservation

Weekly reports can be received via email by subscribing to Weekly Road and Traffic Reports at:bendoregon.gov/enews

Community / Community Billboard

Continued here:
City of Bend road and traffic report: Week of May 31-June 6 - KTVZ

Last summer, the demand for home additions surged by more than 50 percent, according to data collected by Houzz. It's no surprise after millions of Americans pivoted to spending more time inside the house.

Despite the promise of reemergence, interest in home additions is still going strong. This comes as families continue to allocate space for home offices, adult children who have returned home, and dining rooms ready to host long-awaited dinner parties. Whether you want to add on a second floor or transform a garage into a playroom, these genius home addition ideas cover every need and budget.

Photo by We Are Free Bird; design/build by Rebel Builders

(Image credit: We Are Free Bird for Rebel Builders)

The kitchen may have once been a place reserved for preparing meals, but today it serves as the family HQ. Think Zoom conferences, dinners, and neighborhood happy hours. Adding/expanding a kitchen is one of the pricier home additions (between $25,00 and $45,000, according to Home Guide), but kitchen remodels typically have good ROI when it comes to resale value of your home.

The lower end of the spectrum refers to entry-level appliances and a standard 10-by-10 kitchen. Prices increase and can go as high as $100,000 or more) depending on the luxury of appliances and square footage.

To save money, expand outward from an existing footprint. Keeping water and electric hookups where they are can save big. For this Massachusetts home addition, Rebel Builders transformed a small kitchen into the heart of the home by digging out and extending the basement.

Porch renovation by Cathy Angelini, Flamingo Interior Design

(Image credit: Cathy Angelini, Flamingo Interior Design)

Have a screened-in porch you'd like to transform into a sunroom? This home addition type is popular thanks to its ease and affordability. It can cost as little as $8,000 (and up to $80,000 according to Home Guide), depending on the climate. Three-season sunrooms in mild climates will be much more affordable than a four-season room in a colder region.

If your existing structure has a solid foundation and roof, you can expect to pay much less, since you won't need a slab foundation and roofing materials. Handy homeowners can do some of the work themselves, like flooring and paint.

(Image credit: Amber Interiors)

If you have the yardage, don't count out an outdoor room! An outdoor kitchen is a great way to extend the footprint of your home and encourage alfresco entertaining. According to Landscaping Network, the cost of your project will range from about $2,000 for a cooking area with a patio, grill, and countertop to $50,000 and as much as $100,000 for a luxury design with top-of-the-line appliances.

You'll also want to think about coverage from the elements, so add on the cost of a pergola or overhang.

Screened-in porch by Stratton Exteriors.

(Image credit: Stratton Exteriors)

Though it isn't cheap to add a screened-in porch (it will cost between $18,000 and $24,000), its enhanced curb appeal can bolster the value of your home. According to Home Guide, that can add up to as much as 60% ROI.

This home addition by Stratton Exteriors makes a screened-in porch feel luxurious, thanks to a gable roof, skylights, and a grilling station with metal roof.

Bathroom addition by O'Rourke Homes.

(Image credit: O'Rourke Homes )

Bathroom additions also offer a handsome return on investment, recouping 50 percent of your costs on average according to the National Association of Realtors. Of course, it is also one of the more expensive additions, since you'll need to think about plumbing. To save money, opt for stock vanities and cabinets as opposed to custom, and talk to your builder about the ideal location for water lines.

Second story addition by Hammer & Hand.

(Image credit: Hammer & Hand)

Adding on a second story can essentially double the footprint of your home. All that space does come for a pretty penny as much as $350,000 depending on the size and material selection. That's because, as Home Guide explains, you need to build an entire new house on top of your house.

Think plumbing, electrical wiring, framing, and drywall. But, since you're drastically growing the size of your home, you can expect a good return on investment nearing 60 percent.

Door and photo by 1925 Workbench; pantry designed by Signify Design.

(Image credit: 1925 Workbench)

Home organization has never been more popular. Just take popular Netflix shows Tidying Up With Marie Kondo and Get Organized With The Home Edit. But if your spices and baking ingredients are trapped in cluttered cabinets, it can be difficult to streamline things.

Enter: a pantry addition. Talk to a builder about the best way to utilize your space. You can transform a coat closet into your dream pantry with a few ideal built-ins. Or, carve out space to build a butler's pantry off of your kitchen. This relatively affordable remodel will pay dividends in getting organized.

(Image credit: Smart D2 Playrooms)

Garage conversions are a great way to turn cluttered storage areas into usable space outside of your home. If your garage already has a strong foundation and electricity, you only need to think about adding insulation, heat, and flooring.

Close off half of a two-car garage to build a home office. Add a rug, sofa, and bar for the ultimate hangout space. Or, install a climbing wall and jungle gym for the ultimate "smart" playroom.

You can also build a new garage or add a second floor to your existing footprint. Note that if your garage doesn't have a strong enough foundation to add a second floor, it will be more costly.

Mudroom addition by Hammer & Hand.

(Image credit: Hammer & Hand)

Mudrooms became the real workhorse of the home this past year. They are responsible for containing clutter as well as preventing dirt and germs from entering the rest of the house. Thankfully, adding a mudroom is one of the more affordable home additions. According to Home Guide, it will run you about $7,500 for a 50-square-foot mudroom.

Family room addition by Brian Neeper with Jessica Neeper interiors.

(Image credit: Brian Neeper)

Family rooms are one of the pricier kinds of home additions, since you'll need to build out from your existing footprint. That means a new foundation, roofing, and outside walls with insulation and siding. (Plus electrical and plumbing work.)

The result can cost anywhere from $34,000 to $83,000, depending on size and materials. This farmhouse-inspired addition boasts soaring ceilings with exposed beams.

(Image credit: Gibson Taylor Thompson)

You'll need to front the most cash for the addition of an in-law suite, complete with a bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette, living room, and laundry. Most spend an average of $90,000 on this home addition, but for good reason.

In-law suites are great for housing out-of-town guests, college students home for the summer, and extended family members (as its name suggests). The space can also be rented out on sites like Airbnb when not in use. Aside from the convenience to you, in-law suites are a great investment. They add so much value to your home that you'll recoup your costs 100%.

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11 home addition ideas for budgets of all sizes - Real Homes

What happens if you love the home youre in but theres just not enough space? When you want to keep your roots planted without sacrificing on those dream additions, you have several choices to add square footage: building up, digging down, adding on or building out.Today, we want to share a few tips for building out. Here are 5 ideas to help you build your dream guesthouse on time and on budget.1. Codes & Permits With the construction of a new guest house, or even conversion, youll likely need to get some permitting done before you proceed otherwise, you risk stalling the project later when youre not up to code. A quality contractor will be able to help you understand and expedite this process.2. Views When choosing the location of your guest house especially if you have a large and scenic property consider the view. What will guests gaze at from the kitchen window? What does their porch overlook? How might the guest house alter the views from the main house?3. Scale Now its time to determine the scale of your project. Will the guest house be fully functional, with a full bathroom and kitchen? Or will it offer lodging and some comforts, but still require guests to be dependent on the main house for certain things? Consider which features like central air or a second story are a priority, and build from there.4. Floor Plan To maximize the space inside a guesthouse, try to keep the floor plan open. Think about traffic flow, and consider how your guests will move through the space. Consult your contractor if you want more advice to maximize the use of your new addition.5. Yard Give your guesthouse more of a personal, secluded feel by adding a small patio or a walled-off garden. Want to get extra fancy? Add some outdoor kitchen features like a built-in grill, or turn it into a romantic getaway with outdoor bathing options, such as a rain shower or spa-tub.Now that youve got the dream, call Randal G. Winter Construction Inc. at 661-799-8089 to make it a reality. For more information, visit http://www.rgwinter.com.

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Five Steps to Planning the Perfect Guest House Build - Magazine of Santa Clarita

"Having a location in the city of St. Louis just steps from Busch Stadium is a dream come true"

ST. LOUIS Ballpark Village has added two new concepts to its lineup a restaurant and a retail store both of which opened this month after the recent completion of its $260 million, 700,000-square-foot second phase that also included the Pennant Building, the PwC-anchored office tower and the One Cardinal Way apartment tower.

Arch Apparel, a local clothing brand known for its St. Louis-inspired apparel and accessories, opened its doors earlier this month at 771 Clark Ave. adjacent to Busch Stadium. The retail store will be open seven days a week and will offer a mix of baseball-centric gear, game day specials and all of its classic apparel. An elevated DJ booth for weekend home games also will be available inside the store.

"Having a location in the city of St. Louis just steps from Busch Stadium is a dream come true," Aaron Park, owner and CEO, said in a statement.

Park founded Arch Apparel in 2016, which began as a home-based business that has since expanded to include three store locations in St. Louis, Brentwood and St. Charles.

"Having unique St. Louis businesses like Arch Apparel as part of the dynamic mix of amenities in Ballpark Village has been part of our plan since Day One, and we are thrilled to see the vision continue to come to life,"Mike LaMartina, COO for Ballpark Village, said in a statement.

In addition to Arch Apparel, Ballpark Village on Monday also added barbecue restaurant Salt + Smoke to its lineup. This is the fifth location for Salt + Smoke in the St. Louis region, and will be located at the corner of Clark and Broadway, on the ground and second floors of One Cardinal Way, a new, 29-story apartment tower.

"It took us a little longer to open this location because of the pandemic, but our team was determined to get it done," Tom Schmidt, owner of Salt + Smoke, said in a statement. "We can't wait to open our doors to the best fans in baseball and to become a part of the 365-day atmosphere that Ballpark Village offers."

Click here for the full story and to view more photos.

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Take a peek inside at the two latest additions to Ballpark Village's lineup - KSDK.com

In July of 2001, the christening of the Chicagoland Speedway ended with a young Kevin Harvick winning the first NASCAR Cup Series race at the brand new track in Illinois. Alongside Kansas Speedway, Chicagoland was one of two brand new tracks on the 2001 NASCAR schedule.

But before long, they gradually became the last of their kind.

After a boom period of building new racetracks in major markets, NASCAR's schedule became an immovable object for many years, with only one major addition to the schedule - Kentucky Speedway in 2011 - interrupting what became an otherwise gradual settling of worn-out faces into worn-out places. As NASCAR went through lean years in terms of relevance, the schedule became a major sore point.

Even, Harvick -- 14 years after that win at Chicagoland -- called the Cup Series schedule the "most stagnant thing" in NASCAR. But now, that's all changed.

As part of the realignment of the 2021 schedule, NASCAR will visit a brand new track for the first time in a decade on Friday when it travels to Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. Opened in 2012, this weekend will mark COTA's first NASCAR races after previously having hosted Formula 1's United States Grand Prix, as well as other road racing and sportscar events.

And it also marks a refreshing challenge for Harvick, who has mastered all other tracks as a Cup veteran of two decades.

"I think for me, it's actually been a lot of fun," Harvick told CBS Sports of preparing for COTA. "I think as I look at our road race stuff in the past, and really just going to Sonoma and Watkins Glen for a number of years, you kind of just took that for granted and just prepared on what you did last year in the simulator one time and know the racetracks like the back of my hand."

The 2021 schedule has brought with it an unprecedented emphasis on road racing in NASCAR, as a total of seven road courses were placed on the Cup Series schedule. Circuit of the Americas joined Road America in Wisconsin, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Daytona International Speedway road courses as outright new additions to a schedule that also included Sonoma Raceway, Watkins Glen International and the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval.

Those changes, as well as other additions to the schedule, have made for new -- and in Harvick's mind, overdue -- challenges to be embraced by competitors.

"I think as you look at the schedule, we could have been way ahead if (NASCAR) would have just listened five or six years ago, right?" Harvick said. "I think it's very refreshing to see the change in the schedule. I think as you look at today's world from my perspective, everybody likes something different, something new, something fresh.

"We're going to a new market, we're going to a great racetrack that's obviously already building its own racing legacy. And however the race turns out this weekend -- It matters, but it doesn't. I think the event is the story this weekend because of the fact that we're going to a great facility in a huge market. And we're gonna go there and compete."

When Harvick was a Cup Series rookie in 2001, the culture surrounding road course racing with stock cars was distinctly different than what it is now. While a select few drivers made a point to be good road racers, others simply tried to survive the weekends, and some even stepped out of their cars to allow road racing specialists -- "Ringers" like Boris Said, Ron Fellows, and more -- to give their teams a better chance of competing for wins.

But over time, road racing became more popular with fans and other stakeholders. As Harvick explained it, Sonoma Raceway in California's wine country became a "destination point" for sponsors, while Watkins Glen in upstate New York became a "fan hit" with sellout crowds.

Meanwhile, drivers began to put more time and effort into road racing as it took on greater importance towards determining the Cup Series Playoff grid and Championship. And with seven road races now on the schedule -- and perhaps more to come as NASCAR grows and expands -- road racing has become more important than ever.

"... I think road racing in general has become a part of what we do," Harvick said. "In order to expand, you're gonna have to be able to go to road races, especially if you want to go back to Canada or back to Mexico City (both markets where the NASCAR Busch Series raced in the mid-2000s) and do all the things that we need to be doing that we've done in the past, and really opens up a whole new outlet of racetracks for us to be able to go to."

Sunday's race at Circuit of the Americas has added importance for Harvick and his team: it will mark the first race of the Mobil 1 Thousand promotion, which will award $1,000 or more to a fan if a driver using Mobil 1 wins a Cup race this season. The jackpot begins at $7,000, with Harvick running a gold, dollar bill-laden paint scheme aboard his No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford this weekend.

"Obviously Mobil is very involved from the performance side of what we do with the racecar, a huge part of the development process with the engine shop at Roush Yates and trying to always create something more durable, something that creates more power, whether it's in the engine or the transmission or the rear end," Harvick said. "Whatever that lubricant is, Mobil wants it to be the best ... those people at Mobil that are developing those products to make our cars run faster are very much a part of what we do."

Through 13 races, Harvick currently sits eighth in points with four Top 5 and 10 Top 10 finishes, His best finish was coming in second at Kansas. However, Harvick's season to date has been framed more around the idea of shock that he's yet to visit Victory Lane -- a surprise given that Harvick won a career-high nine races in 2020.

Harvick acknowledged that he has a tough act to follow, but he is nonetheless pleased with what he and his team have done so far as they work to re-capture their dominant speed from last season.

"I think our team has done a great job of dotting the Is and crossing the Ts and really making sure that we're getting the most out of our cars on a weekend," Harvick said. "... Every year there's changes to the cars. I think comparing last year to any year in my career, it'd look like a real bummer, right? Because of the fact that last year was so successful.

"There's always gonna be critics whether it's good or bad. You're never good enough, and that's why we just kind of keep our head down and pay attention to the things that we can control and keep grinding away."

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Kevin Harvick is embracing the 'refreshing' challenge of NASCAR's first trip to Circuit of the Americas - CBS Sports