Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

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hen a couple contacted fashion designer-turned-interiors guru Matthew Williamson on Instagram recently, they hoped hed settle a disagreement about which lampshades to choose for their bedside tables.

They were coming at it from the wrong angle, I said lets talk about the floor first is it concrete? Is it wooden? I cant help you pick lampshades if I dont know what the foundations of the room are, says Williamson.

Fortunately the couple, who certainly got more help than theyd bargained for that day, loved the idea.

Lamp from collaboration with Pooki, lampshades 70, lamps from 180

The floor informs the bed, you work up and over the room, he tells me on a call from his home in the mountains of northern Mallorca, where he has spent most of the past year with his partner, Joseph Velosa, and their five-year-old daughter, Skye.

Williamson describes designing his own homes as well as a traditional stone-walled house in Dei, he also has an apartment in a grand Victorian building in Belsize Park and the homes of clients much in the way youd tackle a painting.

His vast overestimation of the laymans painting skills aside, he speaks of painting the background first: the walls, the floor and the ceiling in a room design, or the shell.

It sounds elementary but people miss that trick, he says. Thats the first step, its madness to buy cushions before you consider the background.

Matthew Williamsons collaboration with Pooki on display in his Deia home

Big-ticket items such as the bed and the dining table, are the middle ground, then the details follow: The petals, the flowers, the eye colour, these are your cushions, your mirrors and your lamps.

And its Williamsons own pivot from fashion to interior design and now shoppable homewares the details that is affirming his brand as a household name. Once the fashion favourite of A-listers and friends including Kate Moss and Sienna Miller, Williamson is bringing all his products to one, curated platform (matthewwilliamson.com).

From 12 notebooks in a Persian design-inspired paisley pattern, to a newly launched decorative furniture collection with Roome London in which bespoke dressing screens and sideboards are priced from 5,500, the products cover eight categories from lighting to rugs and cater for all budgets.

You could always buy wallpaper [I designed] through Osborne & Little, and you could buy stationery, he says. I wanted to put it under one roof rather than it being fractured, a one-stop shop to see my whole universe of design.

Lamps from collaboration with Pooki

And theres plenty more to come, says Williamson, who turns 50 in October. The antique section of the online store is growing and he hopes to create a gallery wall of artwork soon, so well get to see those painting skills in action.

Hes also a guest judge on the new eight-part Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr and Michelle Ogundehin.

Were all at home now, weve all got to the same place that home is not just a place to sleep and wake up in it counts far more than ever before, he says.

Even if youre not interested in design, you probably now need a table thats not just a dining table, it also needs to be a school for children or a place to work.

While fashion was my chosen subject, Ive always been fascinated by interior design, homes and how people live. This is really the icing on the cake.

Interior Design Masters airs on BBC Two on Tuesdays at 8pm

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Matthew Williamson on his new curated interior design platform - Evening Standard

Several homeowners consider home additions as expensive and remain perplexed about their usefulness and ability to add value. However, adding square footage to the home or making a few essential upgrades is an excellent way to fetch a good ROI. But not all home additions are equal. Some are a complete waste of time, money, and effort, while others can recoup more than half of the amount invested.

Well-researched and carefully deliberated add-ons are more likely to pay off in the future. They increase the living area, enhance the look and functionality, and substantially add to the homes value. If your needs have outgrown the current homes space and there is a possibility of putting up the house for sale in the future, it is only smart to add on to the home to increase its resale value.

While contemplating a home renovation, here are a few additions you can make to attract more potential buyers:

Bathroom

Not having enough bathrooms in the house is not only inconvenient but also turns-off the potential buyers. Consider adding a full or a half-bath, depending on the budget, to enhance the functionality and sales appeal. People working on a tight budget can expand the existing one and upgrade to modern designs and features. The cost of bathroom addition depends on the size and the accessories you wish to include. Homeowners are likely to recover more than 50% of the bathroom addition investment.

Deck

For homes lacking an outdoor patio space, adding a deck makes for a useful and wise investment. It offers a fun and enjoyable spot for the family and is appealing to potential buyers. For areas experiencing milder climates, a deck makes the outdoor space usable year-round. People living in regions with cold winters can enclose it to convert it into a sunroom or an extra room to expand the living space. And the best part, it offers 75-80% returns on the investment.

Finish the basement or attic

Unfinished basements or attics in several households serve as an extra storage space. One of the most affordable ways to create an extra living space without adding an extra room is to convert these areas into a bedroom, workout area, or a home office without detailed structural changes. Add a bathroom and closets to increase the functionality. Basement remodeling recoups more than 75% of the investment.

Add Windows

Adding new windows has more benefits than one. They eliminate drafts, and their insulation properties significantly cut the heating and cooling expenses, saving money on energy bills. House with energy-saving features is a big attraction for potential buyers.

Kitchen additions

The kitchen is the center of attraction in every house. If you feel it lacks adequate space and feels cramped, add on to it to increase the homes salability. Kitchen remodels or additions fetch one of the highest returns. Updating the existing appliances and adding new cabinets, counter, center island, or a pantry for additional storage makes the kitchen more enjoyable and functional and pays back a big chunk of the invested money.

Add an extra story

Adding an extra story is an expensive and time-consuming home addition that adds significantly to the square footage. It enhances the homes resale value and makes it appealing to potential homebuyers. An extra floor with a master suite recoups more than half of the investment while selling.

These are a few additions to consider while looking to boost the homes value. Selecting the best one for your needs depends on factors like location, size, and condition of the current house, budget, and when are you willing to put up the market for sale? Home additions and remodels present an incredible way to create a valuable and comfortable living space.

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Additions that Add Value to A Home - - VENTS Magazine

TEWKSBURY The Heath Brook Elementary School on Shawsheen Street was another beneficiary of the Green Committees work to secure grants for energy improvements in the community.

Tewksburys Green Committee was able to secure a 2020 grant to upgrade the lighting at the Heath Brook to LED fixtures and bulbs, a move that will net the town an annual savings of $12,050 and provide a 6.29 year payback.

The project, submitted by Town Planner Anna McGinty, also qualified for National Grid incentives which totaled $26,125. The towns total outlay for the project was $5,000.

McGinty said that projects such as the Heath Brook LED project are attractive to the state because it is looking for opportunities to get the maximum amount of savings for energy improvements for communities. The project, a coordination between the Tewksbury School Department, the town, and Guardian Energy Management Solutions, was started in November of 2020 and completed in December of 2020.

McGinty and the Green Committee are constantly evaluating and prioritizing projects to be funded by grant opportunities and strive to be ready for any incentives that the Commonwealth may offer.

The town expects to see a 67 percent reduction in electricity usage from that building, said McGinty, noting that the improved quality of lighting for the elementary school staff and students is an added bonus.

The new fixtures have a longer life span, reducing maintenance and capital costs. According to project documents, the entire project cost was $99,507. Factoring in the utility incentive and the town contribution, the final cost was $68,382 which will be reimbursed to the town by the state.

McGinty explained that for Green Communities grants, once a project is approved, the Commonwealth provides the first 25 percent of the grant up front, then the town pays for the rest of the project, submitting for a 50 percent reimbursement, and then receiving the last

25 percent reimbursement once the project has been approved as completed.

Proof of completion includes inspections and photographs submitted to the state, along with a project report.

Other town buildings that have benefitted from interior LED lighting retrofits include the police station, the DPW, the North Street fire station, the food pantry, the Ryan school, the high school, and the senior center.

The town has participated in Green Community grant projects since receiving its designation in 2011 and has upgraded indoor and outdoor lighting and heating systems along with weatherization and other energy control measures consistently each year.

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Lighting up the Heath Brook School | News | homenewshere.com - Tewksbury town crier

Valentines Day is typically a lucrative day for restaurants. For diners, theres a last-minute panic to snag a reservation, choosing between expensive prix fixe menus and wine pairings. On the hospitality side, SF restaurants say they get an influx of new customers, many willing to pay the price for a special occasion. Though the city is slowly and cautiously reopening its outdoor patrons, its still a heart wrench to lose indoor wining and dining on this particular holiday especially when the forecast looks like rain.

Some restaurants are reopening just in time for this holiday weekend. Foreign Cinema, that bohemian enclave in the Mission, is a cinematic destination for Valentines Day, serving seafood towers to guests under the twinkling lights. Its a huge day, says chef and co-owner Gayle Pirie. And historically speaking, its been an incredible day Were sold out every year. Its the linens, the candles, the stars, the lights its special.

Foreign Cinema has been hibernating since December 6, when the city went into its second full lockdown. Even though the city allowed outdoor dining again on January 28, the restaurant waited longer. Pirie says reopening a restaurant isnt as simple as flipping a switch after sending staff home and unplugging fridges. Theyve spent the past two weeks cleaning and prepping the restaurant, just to hit this holiday.

Restaurants that rely on indoor experiences are going to face the biggest challenges. Chapeau is a neighborhood bistro of the Inner Richmond, which has been charming regulars with prix fixe filet mignon and escargot for nearly 25 years. For Valentines Day, chef Philippe Gardelle usually spaces out the tables, fills the room with flowers and balloons, and puts out an over-the-top four-course menu.

He says they usually do 120 covers, but this year, hes hoping for 80 covers at best in the restaurants outdoor parklet, and maybe an additional 20 takeout boxes for two. Those are priced down for diminishing returns: The indoor menu is usually $120, the outdoor menu is now $100, and the takeout boxes are $75 per person. People are eating outside, so its less comfortable, says Gardelle, clearly missing his cozy dining room.

Outdoor dining limits restaurants to a fraction of their usual tables. Even Foreign Cinema, with its back patio, is using maybe a fifth of its huge combined space. Chapeau is lucky to have a parklet in the avenues where the streets are wide and quiet, but its down to less than half of its usual tables.

Niku and Omakase, the Japanese-American luxury wagyu and sushi spots in the Design District, have a particularly dramatic reduction. Owner Kash Feng says Niku is only putting five or six very coveted tables out front, which means that maybe 20 people will get to sit down for wagyu this Valentines Day. Ive been getting a lot of texts, says Feng. And of course, some restaurants cant offer outdoor dining whatsoever. Without the full experience of its namesake omakase counter, Omakase is going to straight takeout only.

Timing is another limitation. Laurie Thomas, the executive director of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association (GGRA), points out that a two-hour time limit for diners is in effect, and the citys curfew is still in place at 10 p.m., which means the latest restaurants can seat diners in parklets would be 8 p.m. Niku says its usual wagyu tasting menu took about three and a half hours, and Chapeau says its prix fixe was two and a half hours, so for those kinds of multicourse menus, theres no more lingering over a bottle of wine, and meals are getting cut short at the end of the night.

Chapeau is doing an early seating in the afternoon to try to compensate. Foreign Cinema has abandoned its five-course menu altogether. With curfew and time restrictions and public safety, were just doing a beautiful a la carte menu, says Pirie. Its a Sunday night. Theres a curfew. Were not going to stress.

And if fewer tables and tighter timing werent enough, the prospect of rain is freaking everyone out. Even if parklets are covered, they are required to be open at the sides, leaving thin-skinned Californians susceptible to the elements. Well see how it goes, but were dreading the rain, says Thomas, who is worrying over canceled reservations at her restaurant Terzo. And even Foreign Cinema, protected between buildings at the center of a city block, wont withstand real rain. We have some covering, but if it rains [this weekend], were screwed, says Pirie. She describes an hour-by-hour guessing game that will ensue. Is it sprinkles? Is it the Pineapple Express? If it sprinkles from five to eight, and it pours at 10, well be all right.

In terms of wine sales, Valentines is also an important night for restaurants. Sommelier Chris Gaither previously worked at the French Laundry, Spruce, and Gary Danko, fine dining destinations that roll out even more courses, caviar, and bubbles for the holiday. He says that Valentines is a high-volume night with solidly good wine sales, with couples maybe more likely to splurge on the pairings or a slightly nicer bottle. But there are other nights that would have been better, he says, given how many first-time customers might be sitting down, with a little less comfort chatting through the wine list. There were other days with higher wine sales, and those are just at random.

Now, as the co-owner of Ungrafted wine bar and bottle shop in the Dogpatch, Gaither has seen firsthand how the pandemic has upended wine sales. Last year, he says Ungrafted was balancing its sales at approximately 80 percent dining and 20 percent retail. This Valentines Day, those numbers have completely flipped. Even with charcuterie and steak frites for outdoor dining, theyre expecting 70 to 80 percent of their holiday sales to come from the shop. Ungrafted sold out of Champagne on New Years Eve, and he notes that both Spruce and Gary Danko have opened up their cellars and are attempting to sell a few bottles.

But even if wine shops, butcher shops, chocolate shops, and neighborhood bakeries are potentially seeing a slight uptick this year, the reality is that Ungrafted, like many other food businesses, is struggling to plan and coordinate staffing. It cut back to four employees, two in the front and two in the back. There are more people leaving this industry now than ever before, and we need good people to work in this industry, says Gaither. And I can say this as a Black man this industry is adversely affecting BIPOC people, and its driving a lot of people that would be amazing in this industry away.

So for diners who have their hearts set on just one small piece of normalcy, to sit down to a nice dinner with a nice glass of wine this Valentines Day, unfortunately, this is still not a normal time for restaurants. Outdoor dining reservations are going to get snapped up. Takeout specials will sell out fast. Restaurants are just reawakening from a long, cold winter, and facing so many limitations, and operating with a skeleton crew. We are doing our best; please just be patient, says Thomas from the GGRA.

Gardelle says that going into his 25th year of business, Chapeau has endured downturns before, following the 9/11 attacks and the 2008 stock-market crash, but losing all of the holidays has been terrible. We know how to survive. But its been very, very difficult. The second [surge] was terrible. It was very, very bad. Still, the French chef still has a touch of the hopeless romantic in him. It is what it is. If we all comply, in a year, it will be just a souvenir just a memory.

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SF Restaurants Are Feeling Lonely This Valentines Day - Eater SF

The stormy winter weather isnt over just yet.

Much of Massachusetts should see some light snowfall and freezing rainfall over the weekend as a light winter storm moves in, according to the National Weather Service.

A hazardous weather outlook has been issued for nearly the entire state, excluding the Berkshires. Minor snow accumulations are possible Saturday night into Sunday. Forecasters arent expecting much more than an inch or 2 across interior Massachusetts, with mainly an inch or less predicted elsewhere.

Less than an inch of snow is forecast on the Cape and Islands, and up to 2 inches could fall in Boston, Worcester, Springfield and the Berkshires, the weather service said.

Snowfall is expected to change over to light freezing rainfall or sleet by Sunday, mainly across northern Connecticut, Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, where milder air should develop south of the Massachusetts Turnpike, according to the agency.

Icing, along with sleet and freezing rain, may be a concern late Saturday in Southeastern Massachusetts.

Another storm system may hit southern New England late Monday into Tuesday, bringing several inches of snow as well as mixed precipitation and ice to Massachusetts, though the forecast is subject to change more than 72 hours out.

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Light winter storm to bring 1 to 2 inches of snow, freezing rain and some ice accumulations to Massachusetts - MassLive.com

Nak Armstrong transformable rose earrings

When Nak Armstrong offers up hearts and flowers, they are not just simply hearts and flowers. They resemble miniature captivating mosaics and speak to a creative tapestry of Armstrong's influenceshis travels to Italy, his affinity for Art Deco pieces and his first career in textile design. Although his collection is ever-evolving and he has continually pushed the boundaries into alluring realms of the imagination, honing his craft, I thought it was befitting on Valentines Day to offer a peek into his more delicate designs that have resulted in some of the most profoundly creative medleys of multi-gemstone jewelry.Inspired byRoman tile work, and the characteristically imperfect beauty of ancient ruins mixed together with the precision of the Art Deco style of combining a variety of gem cuts into one piece, he has created three-dimensional garden variety florals, lush tropical botanicals and leaves and most recently, a intricate and intriguing collection of hearts.

Nak Armstrong Strapped Heart Pendant

I began working on this particular collection approximately two years ago, says Armstrong who launched his eponymous label Nak Armstrong in 2011 after closing his prior company Anthony Nak, which he co-owned with a partner and held the position of creative director for 12 years.

Armstrongs textile design background, so prevalent in the Anthony Nak line, which evoked the feeling of flowing fabrics that moved with the body, continues to inform the Nak Armstrong collection but with an eye towards innovating new techniques in gem cutting, motifs and patterns. This first led to what he refers to as Ruffled Hardware a collection of ruched and draped rings, hoop earrings and pendants and his Origami collection which includes pieces that take on the tactile appearance of pleats, ribbons and folds. Within these collections, he creates shapes that combine the movement and fluidity of fabric by working with undulating and tapered baguettes and other propriety cuts so that they also impart mosaic-like patterns. These are designed in either monochromatic total hues or single vivid gemstones of emeralds, rubies, tourmalines and sapphires.

Nak Armstrong ruched Tanzanite ring

Triple ruched ruby ring

Nak Armstrong Ethopian opal fold earrings

While I was designing these textile based styles,I had also wanted to create something suggestive of the magnificent ancient architecture that I saw in Romeparticularly the ruins that were there for centuries. I was awed by the splendor of the facades and ceilings of buildings, and how even when broken down or faded, they still revealed these amazing patterns of different tile work.

He continues, For as long as I can remember, I have also been attracted Art Decofirst in the architecture and then in the jewelry. The mix of different cuts of gems and diamonds which form geometric shapes within other shapes in wide bracelets and other pieces was revolutionary during the time it was designed. I wanted to create something that captured both of these in concept, without ever being exact in my interpretation.I consistently push myself to design pieces that give a nod to aspects I love, yet are unexpected and hopefully always undeniably modern.

Nak Armstrong Peony Ear Cuffs

Armstrong has achieved this sense of surprise and current vibe within all of his collections. He has ingeniously created the flowers to take on more of the mosaic feeling, and the hearts, more Deco and precise in the cuts and how they fit together. To accomplish this, he created a range of new proprietary cuts and construction for both of these collections. Roses, tulips, peonies, irises and a variety of exotic blooms and leaves comprise much of the florals which feature more pixelated color ways while the hearts are more of an explosion of vivid hues and color blocking.

Nak Armstrong Iris Ear Cuffs

Nak Armstrong blue zircon Banana Leaf earrings

All of Armstrong's designs are engineered to take on a three-dimensional effect that is much lighter weight than the pieces appear.

Diamond Strapped Heart

His early designs for Nak Armstrong were originally set in silver and were also based on tile work but in more muted or monochromatic colors, set with his exclusive cuts.Within this collection, he created riviere necklaces, tennis bracelets, cuffs and hoop earrings that also touched on the architecture of the duomos in Italy and the facades of buildings in other European cities. To create an easier shopping experience for his customers and a collection with more accessible price points, he pulled these pieces from the main collection and decided to create a spin-off line which he has named Nakard. In this collection, he has also recently added heart motifs in oxidized silver with enamel trim around the heart shapes.

Nakard labradorite riviere

At first, this heart collection presented a test for me I am continually challenging myself to defy conventional jewelry techniques and come from an intuitive place. The less complex the design, with less moving parts, the harder it is to create something fresh and contemporary. It all came together in cabochon cut hearts contrasted against his signature oxidized background with the addition of enameling, which lends a sense of volume and dimension . I learned that the simplicity of this collection allowed me to play with more colors, add more whimsy andhave a lot of fun. Armstrong says.

Nakard Oxidized Silver, enamel and moonstone heart cabochon earrings

Whats most alluring for Armstrongs customers is that the collections can be worn together intricate Nak Armstrong mosaic floral earrings combines easily with a Nakard scalloped bracelet or cabochon heart necklace. An Art Deco-inspired colored blockedNak Armstrong heart with half-moon and baguette shapes can layer with a Nakard riviere necklace in a muted tone to allow the heart to pop or both can be worn in vivid colors to create more of an eye catching statement.

Nak Armstrong Sakura earrings

Nakard ruby scalloped tennis bracelet

The self-taught Armstrong creates intriguing departures from the traditional by circumventing the constraints of fine jewelry and by continually experimenting and developing pieces that are fast becoming collectors items. These are the type of pieces that inspire the enchantment of seeing something new or unique every time you look at a piece, much like when you are among the legendary mosaics and ruins in Rome, always finding a captivating new aspect of design.

Nak Armstrong Botanica earrings

Nakard Ethopian Heart riviere

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Nak Armstrong: Hearts, Flowers And A Profoundly Original Approach To Jewelry Design - Forbes

Located just across the street from the bay, it not only has all kinds of space to accommodate a variety of pursuits, but a large swimming pool with a waterfall, a spa, a basketball court, and three wood-burning fireplaces!

The homes luxuriant living room is graced by a spiral staircase and a magnificent floor-to-ceiling stone hearth that surrounds one of its three fireplaces.

A cheerful dining area is bathed in natural light from a wall of windows that overlook the pool.

The outdoor basketball court is a perfect place for amateur hoopsters to practice everything from layups to free throws.

The expansive in-ground pool, shielded by juniper trees, has plenty of room around it for sunbathing.

BILL BONVIEFor The Press

If ever a house seemed made to order for the times were living in, its the luxury three-story, five-bedroom, five-bath, recently renovated residence for sale at 7506 Bayshore Drive in Margate at an asking price of $2,450,000. That is to say, its the ideal setup for both working and vacationing at home on a year-round basis.

Not only does this property offer all kinds of interior space for individual family members to engage in their own pursuits without getting in each others way (including recreation rooms and bedroom alcoves), but it includes the kinds of advantages usually found in resort retreats, which have now become more desirable than ever in a home environment. As the current owner puts it, the house is one that lends itself to recreational activities.

The most impressive of these features is a huge, heated in-ground pool, complete with its own waterfall, surrounded by a fenced-in, tiled patio shielded by juniper treesthe ideal place for both daily swims in summer and outdoor pool parties. Another aquatic-therapy amenity is an outdoor whirlpool/hot tub on the rear porch.

Theres also a basketball court, complete with professional measurements and weather-resistant rubber flooring thats a perfect place for hoop-dream hopefuls to compete with each other and practice their layups, jump shots and free throws, as well as for older family members to try and resurrect the slam dunks of their youth or simply stay in shape.

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If youre looking for an ideal place to work and play, this Margate luxury home may be your rainbow's end - Press of Atlantic City

Highland Community News contributor Paul Prado recently gave a presentation to the Highland Area Historical Society on historic locations in Highland that can still be visited by residents today. Following is a timeline of many of the points of interest he mentioned.

The Patton Train Depot on Highland Avenue east of Victoria Avenue was demolished recently in mid-December. It was constructed of wood in 1893 and rebuilt in 1896. The depot was closed in 1938 and sold in 1948. In the 1990s, it was used as a fruit stand. During Halloween, it was a pumpkin patch.

Hunting deer was a common activity in Highland during the time of the Santa Fe East Highlands train depot.

Local hunters like S.K. Bacon and Wally Wattenbarger would bring their harvested deer and pose for pictures along the river rock wall at the depot.

On Boulder Avenue, north of Greenspot Road, you can see two orange tractors. These tractors worked at the Harvest Barn Strawberry Patch. The patch used to be the Yakamura Strawberry Patch.

Baseline Burgers, 25578 E. Base Line, has been a place of friendship and family dining for years. What is unique about the plaza is that the wood that was used to construct the buildings was shipped by train from San Francisco, hence the name San Francisco Plaza.

At Village Lakes on Greenspot Road, there is a small rock monument by one of the ponds. It shows a picture of the Cram House. The monument speaks of the Cram family and its planting of experimental orange trees in 1857.

In East Highlands, a historic neighborhood south of Greenspot Road at Church Street, affectionately called El Ranchito, there used to be a Filipino camp. The workers from the camp helped the local growers harvest their crop along with workers from Cone Camp on Greenspot Road. The camp was north of St. John Bosco Church.

The Beaver Medical Urgent Care, 7000 Boulder Ave., in Highland has a stone monument of El Molino. It is located right when you pull into the drive. El Molino was the Highland Lumber Company. They used shook, scraps of wood cuttings, for the orange boxes in the groves. The plaque features an etching a mule team, a train and the packinghouse.

The Belle, 6917 Palm Ave., in Highlands historic business district, has the original bell from the East Highlands Train Depot and the depot sign. There is also a poem from the time of the lumber days rewritten and framed on the wall.

Remnants of the Highland Train Depot are on the northeast corner of Palm and Pacific Street. There remains a concrete platform that has steps and a partial rail. On the platform sits green tile work, possibly from a washroom.

The Stone House, or Rock House, at 7136 Club View Dr. also stands as a reminder of what life was like before the orange groves disappeared. The East Highlands Ranch was established by James S. Edwards in 1887. The Stone House was constructed in 1926 as a social gathering place for the workers of the ranch.

Aurantia Park, 29624 Greenspot Road, is home of a section of the Plunge Creek Bridge. The bridge sits near the rear of the park. The park is significant because it was created by the generosity and foresight of local citrus grower Elizabeth McLean Kiel to preserve the history of Highlands citrus industry. The park has a playground, hard-packed, low-impact trails and two dog parks.

St. John Bosco Church, 28991 Merris St., has been a refuge for prayer, fellowship and celebrations for generations. The church was built on Aug. 13, 1941. Henrietta Aguilar Chavez has been the matriarch of the church for decades. Families move away from the section of Highland, but they return to enjoy its quiet and serene way of living.

The city of Highland has many hidden gems.

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Hidden historic gems throughout the city of Highland - Highland Community News

Theres no doubt that this two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom bungalow near The Grove makes a statement with its unique exterior look, which combines green trim, red gutters, and tuck-pointedbrick. Built in 1884, the home has been completely refurbished to exude a modern, minimalist touch.The house is located just off of Manchester Road, near The Groves trendy restaurants, nightlife, and murals.

The home has undergone significantrenovations and now boastsa sparkling kitchen with quartz counters and stainless-steel appliances. The bathrooms havecustom tile work; the mainlevels bathroom includes agorgeous marble shower.Theopen shotgun floor plan is cozy. The house's warm hardwood floors and 9-foot-tall barn door are original to the house. Paired with bright white cabinetry and nude walls, the house is minimalist and clean.

The lower level is partially finished and offers additional hangout space such as a den area, which could be utilized as a second bedroom. Underneath the staircase is a chic home office with exposed pipes and a painted brick wall. The basement also has a half-bathroom.

The back of the house hasa large cement patio, making it the ideal spot for hosting get-togethers.

Address:4335 Swan Avenue

Price:$269,900

Realtor:Lisa Tricamo, Real Living Real Estate, 3142939339

Design STL's On the Market posts are editorial. Featured properties are selected by editors.

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Don't need a lot of space? Consider this adorable home in The Grove - St. Louis Magazine

We understand if you're feeling uninspired as we enter another weekend of lockdown. Eleven months into restrictions, it seems there is not much left to renovate, bake, or binge-watch, while the frigid February climate further encourages us to stay inside.

One of the perks to a lengthy lockdown, however, is that we can take inspiration from some fairly amazing former lockdown projects. The best part? They only take one weekend.

Read more: Modern interior design a guide to modern interior styles and design

While we may not be able to admire the exotic beauty of azulejos tiles on your travels, there is no reason why you can't bring a jet-set kiss of glamour into your home. While some mosaics take notably longer than a weekend to complete- you can still get busy with tiles in under two days.

For example, you can entirely revamp a small coffee table or stool with large tile in almost no time- meaning you can savor your Monday morning coffee on a rejuvenated piece of pre-loved furniture.

There are almost no rules when it comes to mosaics- as Rachel Shillander, creator of the widely - admired 'Disco Chair' revealed. The artist hand-stuck 30,000 mirror tiles to her chair as a tribute to the long-lost disco days we are all so nostalgic for over lockdown.

Granted, sticking 30,000 tiles onto a piece of furniture will take longer than one weekend. Though, Rachel's work only emphasizes the freedom we enjoy when it comes to tiles.

(Image credit: Adam Coleman)

'Imagine the solar system is a dance floor, and all the planets are just country-western, two-stepping around the sun,' shared Rachel, in her otherworldly description of her tiled masterpiece.

The artist continued: The chair is a hollow, thin-concrete monocoque shell, formed over an inflatable mold and covered in 30,000 individually handset mirror tiles. When placed in direct sun, either inside or outside, it creates a daylight disco as the sun cycles throughout the day, year, and varying weather conditions. As no two days are exactly the same, each day is a new, constantly changing and unique light show.'.

While your favorite gallery remains closed (unless you can have a virtual tour, in which case, nevermind,), there is a way of filling the art-shaped hole in your heart by bringing it into your home- in the most fashionable way possible. Your pieces can never look better than they do on a statement wall, alongside several other works of art. It's always looked stylish, it always will look stylish, and it only takes a day to create (art collection pending, of course).

Read more: Gallery wall ideas - 37 inspiring ways to turn art into an installation

In December 2019, author and interior stylist, Geneva Vanderzeil, first shared her 'Trash to Terracotta' project, in which she upcycled old vases she had found in a thrift store.

Geneva used liquid terracotta paint to cover the old color or pattern, so she was left with a vase that was shaped and colored exactly the way she would like. Since then, the author has shared a whitewashed version of Trash to Terracotta and a ceramic effect- which is equally as effective.

Let this weekend be the time you rejuvenate an aging vase that has outdated your color scheme. If you like the shape, there is now no reason to part with it.

As surprising as this may be, you may want a token of your daily lockdown walks to reminisce over in the future.

If you wish to preserve a piece of this era in the most elegant way possible, this trick is for you. While pressing flowers is a quick and straightforward process, the results could not be more beautiful, and they look charming in almost every room of the house.

Depending on the size of your frame, this project can consume far less than a day. However, you are left with an individual piece of decor and a sense of accomplishment, that will carry you through the rest of the weekend, and beyond.

Read more about the effects of the pandemic on our homes- 10 Ways Covid-19 is shaping design trends

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The lockdown DIY projects you can start and finish this weekend - LivingEtc