Developer CEDARst Companies has completed a historic renovation at The Duncan, which served as the YMCA/YWCA regional headquarters from 1907 to 1976. Stretching across two city blocks, the complex now market rate residential units, which began move-ins on July 1st.

The Chicago landmark, located at 1515 W. Monroe Street, will be managed by FLATS, joining the family of properties renowned for robust amenities and community focus. Once complete, the residence will feature 260 units with studios and one-bedroom layouts, ranging from $1,146 to $1,430.

Amenities include a grand lobby with coffee shop and bar, four unique roof decks, basketball court and running track, gym facility with boxing ring and group fitness classes, indoor pool and a lawn with firepits.

The Duncan represents some of our finest work yet, said Mark Heffron, chief development officer and managing partner of CEDARst. The projects scale is deceiving from the outside, nobody can envision all of the unique amenities layered throughout the buildings until they take a tour. The amenity package stands out in comparison to the other high-end building in the West Loop, yet comes with great apartments offered at approachable rents.

Because the YMCA/YWCA placed an emphasis on recreation, there were multiple basketball courts throughout the building, one of which was preserved, another of which had flooring restored and used as a unique feature in the apartments. With so many distinctive details to incorporate, The Duncan features more than 120 unique floor plans. All units include in-unit washer/dryers, brand-new kitchens with subway tile backsplash and custom cabinets and select apartments have dishwashers.

The building will be opened in two phases. Phase One will debut studio and one-bedroom units, along with an exquisite lobby. This grand entrance dazzles with 18-foot ceilings, a sweeping staircase, chandeliers and cozy seating. Desks and a communal table make for a work-friendly daytime space. Other building amenities include a restored basketball court with an elevated running track and a vintage scoreboard; a full fitness center with boxing ring, cardio and strength training equipment, and wet-and-dry sauna. The indoor pools original mosaic-tiling was restored, and now the aquatic motif has been revitalized.

A benefit to the buildings expanse is four separate roof decks so residents can access the one closest to their apartment. Each one features sun loungers and outdoor games, and some with gas grills. During Phase Two, slated for completion later this year, a sprawling open lawn will open for residents and the public to enjoy outdoor movies, fire pits and snacks from a hot-dog cart, called Best in Show.

As do other FLATS buildings, The Duncan will be home to three food and beverage concepts, led by the Heritage Bikes and Coffee Group. Froth will offer breakfast and lunch for patrons in the lobby and in the adjacent patio courtyard. Serving pizzas for dinner service, the buildings bar, Bunker, will be visible from the lobby though set half a floor below. Food and beverage concepts are set for a staggered opening this summer.

See the original post:
CEDARst Companies wraps up adaptive reuse of YMCA/YWCA building - REjournals.com

Android's long-awaited Nearby Sharing may be just about ready. The feature, which allows you to share files between Android devices quickly, easily, and wirelessly, has been compared to Apple's AirDrop, and Google has confirmed to us that a beta test for Nearby Sharing is actively rolling out via the Play Services beta. We've also managed to snag a quick hands-on to show you how it works.

Left:"Nearby" in the share sheet on a Tweet. Right: 'Nearby Sh..." in the Apps list of the share sheet for a file in the built-in Files app.

Nearby Sharing may appear slightly differently depending on the type of content you try to share. In all cases, it shows up as an app in the apps list on the share sheet, but you may also get a smaller prompt just under the content preview, more like it did in the previous Android 11 video leak. We tested it on a Pixel 4 XL and Pixel 3a running Android 10, but the appearance may also vary on other versions of Android.

Note that Nearby Share works for both files like photos or videos, as well as other shareable content like Tweets and URLs. It probably works with a lot of things.

The prompt you'll receivewhen trying the feature for the first time.

Select Nearby Share in the share sheet as the target, and you're prompted to turn on the feature, if it's the first time you've used it. The quick setup process lets you configure your default device name and device visibility settings, though those can also be changed later.

Left: Nearby Share looking for another device. Center: Nearby Share settings, accessible by tapping your avatar in the top right corner. Right: Nearby Share visibilitysettings.

Once you have it enabled, Nearby Sharing starts looking for other nearby devices. The interface is pretty simple: A big X in the top left corner backs you out, your avatar on the right takes you to a settings pane that lets you configure things like your device name, visibility, and which mechanism to use to make the transfer (i.e., whether to use your internet connection for small files, to stick to Wi-Fi, or to always share offline).

There are three visibility settings: All Contacts, Some Contacts, and Hidden. In any case, it appears you can't blast out an obscene photo to a subway car full of unwilling recipients, like you can on Apple's AirDrop. That said, it sounds like you can still send content to folks outside your contacts, they'll just need to be ready and waiting for it with Nearby Share open. You can easily do that via the quick settings toggle more on that later.

Left: Nearby Share notification if your phone sees a nearby device trying to share a file. Right: The expanded prompt if you tap the notification, which makes your phone visible to other devices.

Nearby phones that meet the criteria for visibility will receive a notification if they have set up Nearby Share as well, asking if you'd like to make your phone visible to receive the shared content. Tap it, and the device that's receiving the content gets a similar prompt to one sending, notifying you that your phone is visible and ready to receive.

Left and Center: prompts to share the file with a specific device. Right: The final prompt to receivethe file.

Following that is a two-stage process with explicit consent between the two devices: hardware sending the content specifically selects a target, and the hardware receiving the content acknowledges and accepts it. The content is then sent between the two devices (pretty quickly, in our experience), and you get an intents prompt to open it, depending on what it is. Tweets, for example, will probably open in your Twitter app, URLs in your browser, photos in whatever you have set to open image files, etc. If the content is a file, it is stored in the Downloads directory, should you need it later.

Nearby Share Quick settings tile on the Z Flip.

There's also a quick settings tile for Nearby Share that appears if you have the feature. Tap it, and you can make your device visible to receive content. With the right sharing settings, that means you can still receive files from folks outside your contacts list, you just need to be aware they're trying to share something with you and ready to receive it.

Google tells us that Nearby Share is currently in limited testing via the Play Services beta:

"Were currently conducting a beta test of a new Nearby Share feature that we plan to share more information on in the future. Our goal is to launch the feature with support for Android 6+ devices as well as other platforms."

While opting-in on the Play Services beta is required, there's also a server-side component for the test right now, so you may not get it right away. (The current test seems verylimited, so most of our readers probably don't have it.) If you feel up to the gamble, you can also download the latest release over at APK Mirror.

Quick settings tile

We've also spotted a quick settings tile for the feature, and our coverage has been updated with that info.

See the original post:
Nearby Sharing Android's AirDrop competitor is rolling out now in beta - Android Police

The custom-built home at 166 Winding River Road has the sophisticated feel of a European manor with its elegant copper-roof hexagonal portico and stucco exterior, lushly landscaped gardens and spectacular location overlooking the Charles River in Wellesley.

The spacious flowing floor plan provides an excellent layout for entertaining and features multiple glass doors to a large terrace and level lawn with water views. Renovated and meticulously maintained, the four-bedroom house has 5,450 square feet of living space and boasts a sought-after first-floor guest suite and serene work-from-home study.

Betsy Kessler of Rutledge Properties is marketing the house on 1.25-acres for $2,785,000.

Located on a sweeping circular driveway in a neighborhood of prominent homes, the house is close to conservation trails and Wellesley Square train, shopping and restaurants.

Hardwood floors, high ceilings, attractive built-ins, wainscot and crown molding are featured throughout the home which also has renovated kitchen, bath and newer windows.

A bluestone walkway with a diamond-pattern center patio leads to the portico and a handsome oversize three-quarters glass front door which opens to a welcoming foyer with multiple doorways to rooms on the main floor.

A stunning front-to-back living room has a vaulted ceiling with cove lighting, windows with transoms to create floor-to-ceiling natural light, a bank of glass doors to a bluestone terrace and a wood-burning fireplace with a marble surround.

Bi-fold doors open to a deep entry with a bar cabinet that leads to the handsome family room which has a gas fireplace set in a paneled wall. Built-in cabinetry flanking the entry to a hallway off the foyer and the room flows into the sun-drenched kitchen.

The chefs kitchen, remodeled by master builder Ken Vona in 2013 has a tile floor, cherry cabinetry, granite counters, a two-tier island with seating, a breakfast area and wonderful natural light from river-facing windows and four skylights. Top-brand appliances include double ovens, an induction cooktop and a wine fridge. There is a laundry room off the kitchen.

A window-lined sunroom has a terra cotta floor, doors to the driveway and garden and entries to both the kitchen and the dining room.

The dining room, located at the end of a hallway off the foyer which also includes a gracious staircase, is a banquet-size room with two lovely china cabinets with open shelves.

A hallway to the right of the foyer features a pocket door to a handsome study with an inviting bay window seat, two walls of built-in cabinetry and a concealed panel that opens to a closet for office supplies. There is also a half-bath and a full bath in the hallway which leads to a flexible first-floor master bedroom with windows on three sides that include a charming picture window.

There are three bedrooms off the large second-floor landing which includes a walk-in cedar closet. The master bedroom has a wall of built-in cabinetry and a sitting room with multiple closets, including two walk-ins, and a marble bath with a Victoria & Albert soaking tub and shower. The two generous family bedrooms have river views and feature one with a balcony and sitting room and another with a wood-burning fireplace with decorative floral and bird tiles on the surround.

The lower level has access to an oversize two-car garage, a bonus room and lots of storage space that includes a workbench and sink.

The house has gas heat, central air and security and the fenced yard has a sprinkler system.

DETAILS

Address: 166 Winding River Road, Wellesley

BR/BA: Four bedrooms, three full and one half-baths

Size: 5,450 square feet of living space on a 1.25-acre lot

Age: 1963

Price: $2,785,000

Tax: $28,021

Features of home: This beautifully renovated colonial is nestled on a spectacular lot overlooking the Charles River. Custom built and meticulously maintained, the house offers sophisticated entertaining spaces and all the comfortable amenities of a well-loved family home. The 10-room house features a flexible layout with multiple doors to an expansive river-facing terrace. There is a gracious foyer, a front-to-back living room with a fireplace, a sun-filled chef's kitchen open to a family room with a fireplace, a window-lined sunroom, banquet dining room, paneled study, laundry and bedroom suite on the first-floor. Three additional bedrooms on the second floor include a master bedroom with sitting area and a gorgeous bath. The lower level has bonus space for play and access to oversized two-car garage. Close to conservation land, town center train and shopping.

Close by: Hunnewell Elementary School

Contact: For more information, call Betsy Kessler of Rutledge Properties at 617-306-6884 direct or bkessler4@gmail.com or 781-235-4663 office. This home may be seen by appointment.

Read more from the original source:
Wellesley Homefront: Custom-built beauty overlooks the Charles - Wicked Local Wellesley

So said former Linden Hills resident Santanu Chatterjea about his nightmarish experience with his sewer line. Chatterjea and his wife, Prachee Mukherjee, who have since moved from the neighborhood, werent expecting to find the floor drain in their utility room overspilling several years ago.

Apparently, older homes such as ourshad the outside sewer line hooked up to the basement drain, Santanu Chatterjea said. Add in the backyard beautiful majestic trees, whose gnarly roots broke into the ancient sewer lines, and sewage reflux ensued.

The couple went through several services as they tried to figure out the problem. One of them even snaked a camera into the line as far as he could and showed me a blurry image of a water trickle that confirmed his suspicion drain tile collapse because of root intrusion, Chatterjea said.

They were given two options: a trench-less sewer line repair that wouldnt disturb the yard but would be very expensive, or an elaborate archaeological dig, which would involve digging up the front yard and ripping out the sidewalk, going all the way up to the citys main sewer line under the street. The cost? $25,000.

Needless to say, I was a bit distraught, he said.

Finally, Chatterjea got connected to Ron the Sewer Rat, whose worker came and, for $300, pushed a cutter with blades from the inside of their homes main water line into the sewer drain.

He said the pine trees roots would probably return in a few years and cause the same issue, but that was normal in this part of the town. Hed have to come back.

The main problem is that the older houses use clay tiles as opposed to PVC pipes, said Peter Kroening, a co-owner of Ron the Sewer Rat. The clay tiles, combined with all the old trees with heavy root systems, can spell disaster for your pipes.

Continued here:
The massive expense of a broken sewer line - Southwest Journal

Although lockdown measures are changing next month, its likely youll still be spending a lot of time in your backyard as life wont return to normality just yet.

And if youre thinking of innovative ways to revamp your space, then one mum-of-three and grandmother-of-two has shown how you can get creative with just paint and tile stencils.

Dawn Burton, 54, decided to totally overhaul her 117-year-old yard when she was furloughed due to coronavirus.

The office administrator spent just 123 on materials and transformed took her yard from a drab space to a stunning Pinterest-worthy feature.

Dawn told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk : "I have always followed various home accounts on Instagram and love nothing more than to look at various images online for decorating ideas and DIY.

"I wanted my garden to look different and I had noticed a few people who were stencilling paths and patios.

"I wanted to take the inside outside and at the same time create a space that anyone would love to sit in.

"Lockdown came and for the first couple of weeks I was just baking nearly everyday to keep myself occupied. The weather became brighter and warmer and I thought 'right, now is the time to transform my 117-year-old yard'.

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For Dawn, being on furlough was the ideal opportunity for an intricate project.

I told my family I wanted to transform my yard, but didn't go into detail as I wanted to surprise them," she said.

"I also told a few close friends and shared my ideas with them, and they inspired me to just go for it - they couldn't have been more supportive throughout the whole process."

Dawn used two five litre tins of smooth masonry paint, one black and one white, from B&Q and The Range, which cost 39.98.

She then bought one 750ml tin of Frenchic Al Fresco Dusky Blush from her local stockist Drab to Fab by Janey Home Interiors for 17.95.

Dawn also used Thompsons Patio & Driveway Sealer from Screwfix for 27.99, one Victorian tile stencil from idealstencils.co.uk for 34.99 plus postage, one stipple brush from B&Q for 1.90, and also various makeup and childrens paintbrushes from around the house.

The total cost of all the materials was 122.81.

Dawn explained: To prep, I jet washed the walls and floor. I painted the walls using the smooth black and white masonry paint and gave the floor two coats of smooth black masonry paint.

I then took the edging stencil and went around the wall and across the middle of the yard, stippling the smooth white masonry paint with a brush.

"Once the edging was in place, I measured across the yard to find the top centre point.

"I always remembered the guy who laid my flooring in my kitchen saying 'you start in the middle and work your way out.

"I then measured across the yard in between the two edging stencilled tiles and immediately under the top stencilled edging tile to find the centre point. I marked this with chalk.

"I then placed the top centre point of the main stencil on the middle marked point on the floor.

"I stencilled that tile using the white masonry paint and the Frenchic Al Fresco Dusky Blush, and again stippled this with the brush.

"After stencilling that tile, I did one either side, all the way down, which left the edges on both sides.

"I then went back up to the top right and stencilled all the way down following the pattern, and the same for the left.

Finally I did the remainder at the bottom. After letting it dry for 24 hours, I then applied the patio sealer with a roller on a long handle and went around the edges with a brush.

Dawn said that her top tip is to plan what you want to do and draw a rough sketch on paper. Then measure and work out what size stencil is best suited for the job.

She added: I couldn't be happier or more proud of what I've achieved, especially being the first time I have attempted stencilling.

I wanted to show and inspire people that anyone can achieve something if they really want to do it. I did!

Read the original:
Mum-of-three on furlough transformed her backyard for just over 100 - Manchester Evening News

We are all about the easy bathroom ideas, and we are talking reeeeally easy. So we of course had to share we you our top ways to update your bathroom quickly and easily. It just so happens all these bathroom hacks are really cheap too and you can DIY them in just a weekend.

Keep reading for loads more super easy and super cheap bathroom makeover tips and make sure you check our our bathroom ideas feature too.

(Image credit: Fiona Walker-Arnott)

We think paint is by far the cheapest and easiest way to update any room you can do it yourself in just a weekend and the results are fabulous. You could just freshen up your bathroom with a coat of white paint or you could be bold and try a new colour. For advice on how to paint a room head to our guide.

We love plaster pinks at the moment, they are a nice grown-up take on millennial pink that everyone still seems to love. It's also still quite neutral so is a nice backdrop for prints, house plants and patterned tiles. Our favourite dusty pink is Farrow and Balls Pink Ground.

Take a tour of the rest of this amazing home for plenty more ideas to copy.

(Image credit: Chris Snook)

And don't just think about painting the walls, paint your furniture too! If you have a basin unit that's looking a bit tired, give it a fresh coat of paint. It could be a great way to start a new colour scheme in your bathroom. You can paint your bath too whether it's the bath panel or your whole roll top bath.

If you are after a guide to how to paint furniture, we have a really easy to follow step by step and find the best paint for furniture in our guide too.

(Image credit: Design: Chango & Co)

How cool is this bathroom? We love wallpaper in a bathroom and it works even if you have a small bathroom too because it will blur the edges of the room. Don't just wallpaper the walls either, create a really statement space by wallpapering the ceiling too.

You be aware that wallpaper works best in a bathroom that's well ventilated, and you might want to seal your wallpaper to stop any moisture damage too. If you love the look of this wallpaper, check out Etsy, they have loads of budget-friendly options.

(Image credit: Katie Lee)

We have ranted on about tile stickers many a time, but they seriously are such a quick, cheap and easy way to cover up old bathroom floor tiles. You install them yourself and all the instructions come with the pack so you know exactly what you are doing. B&Q actually make a vinyl tile sticker that looks exactly like the floor tiles above and they are only 16.90 for a pack that covers 1.3m. Bargain.

Etsy also sell loads of tile stickers that would be great for updating splashbacks as well as flooring.

Love this bathroom? Take a browse around the rest of this stunning home for loads more inspiration.

(Image credit: Ikea/Nato Welton)

Maybe all your bathroom need to feel new is a good declutter and the best way to do this is invest in practical but stylish storage. Ikea stock fab bathroom storage that's designed for smaller spaces and is really affordable too. But you don't need to buy pieces of furniture, even just picking out some small storage piece can make such a difference. We are so in love with the Kungsfors net bags! They look fab in any room but are ideal for storing toiletries you need to keep accessible.

For more small bathroom storage ideas, head over to our feature.

(Image credit: George Home)

We LOVE these cow print towels, and guess where they are from? ASDA! Yep, they are super stylish and super cheap prices start from just 4 and a massive bathsheet is only 9.

In fact George at Asda are smashing the affordable bathroom accessories right now, they have loads of cool towels and this textured bath mat looks way more expensive that just 9! Make sure you have a good browse over there for cheap ways to update your space.

(Image credit: Kasia Fiszer)

Bathrooms do tend to be the smallest room in the house, so we are all about expanding the space and creating the illusion of a bigger room. Of course, the easiest way to do this is with mirrors. You might already have a mirror above your sink, but look to the other walls to see if hanging a large mirror would work to bounce more light around the room.

Or if you don't have room for a second mirror, switch out your current one for something larger. We love how this simple HUGE mirror works to stretch the space in this gorgeous, but diddy bathroom.

Our fave place to shop affordable mirrors is Argos plus it's great because you can click and collect on the same day so you don't have to wait to start your bathroom update.

If you love monochrome, make sure you take a tour of the rest of this amazing 1940's home.

(Image credit: Ikea )

Yes, just a stool. You must have seen the Ikea Bekvam stool on Instagram? If you look closely, it's always creeping somewhere in the corner of seemingly every Instagrammer's room. It's not surprising, really, as it's a super versatile piece, looks stylish and is only 20 quid. You can use it as a stool, a step ladder or, as seen here, bathroom storage. It just adds a handy bit of extra surface space for storing toiletries or keeping folded towels. Plus you can soo easily paint it to match your room.

Link:
8 quick and easy bathroom ideas to makeover your space this weekend - Real Homes

We've all been spending a lot more time in our gardens and backyards during lockdown - and one mum has revealed how to transform them without it costing the earth.

Dawn Burton, 54, got creative when she was furloughed from her job as an office administrator, turning the space from drab to fab.

The mum-of-three and grandmother-of-two gave the yard at the back of her house an overhaul using just paint and tile stencils, the Manchester Evening News reports.

Dawn told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk : "I have always followed various home accounts on Instagram and love nothing more than to look at various images online for decorating ideas and DIY.

"I wanted my garden to look different and I had noticed a few people who were stencilling paths and patios.

"I wanted to take the inside outside and at the same time create a space that anyone would love to sit in.

"Lockdown came and for the first couple of weeks I was just baking nearly everyday to keep myself occupied. The weather became brighter and warmer and I thought 'right, now is the time to transform my 117-year-old yard'.

For Dawn, furlough was the ideal opportunity for a home project.

She said: "I told my family I wanted to transform my yard, but didn't go into detail as I wanted to surprise them," she said.

"I also told a few close friends and shared my ideas with them, and they inspired me to just go for it - they couldn't have been more supportive throughout the whole process."

Dawn used two five litre tins of smooth masonry paint, one black and one white, from B&Q and The Range, which cost 39.98.

She then bought one 750ml tin of Frenchic Al Fresco Dusky Blush from her local stockist Drab to Fab by Janey Home Interiors for 17.95.

Dawn also used Thompsons Patio & Driveway Sealer from Screwfix for 27.99, one Victorian tile stencil from idealstencils.co.uk for 34.99 plus postage, one stipple brush from B&Q for 1.90, and also various makeup and childrens paintbrushes from around the house.

The total cost of all the materials was 122.81.

Dawn explained: To prep, I jet washed the walls and floor. I painted the walls using the smooth black and white masonry paint and gave the floor two coats of smooth black masonry paint.

I then took the edging stencil and went around the wall and across the middle of the yard, stippling the smooth white masonry paint with a brush.

"Once the edging was in place, I measured across the yard to find the top centre point.

"I always remembered the guy who laid my flooring in my kitchen saying 'you start in the middle and work your way out.

"I then measured across the yard in between the two edging stencilled tiles and immediately under the top stencilled edging tile to find the centre point. I marked this with chalk.

"I then placed the top centre point of the main stencil on the middle marked point on the floor."

Dawn stencilled this tile using the white masonry paint and the Frenchic Al Fresco Dusky Blush, and again stippled this with the brush.

She said: "After stencilling that tile, I did one either side, all the way down, which left the edges on both sides.

"I then went back up to the top right and stencilled all the way down following the pattern, and the same for the left.

Finally I did the remainder at the bottom. After letting it dry for 24 hours, I then applied the patio sealer with a roller on a long handle and went around the edges with a brush.

If you're inspired by Dawn's project, she advises you to plan what you want to do and draw a rough sketch on paper.

Then you can measure and work out what size stencil is best suited for the job.

She said: I couldn't be happier or more proud of what I've achieved, especially being the first time I have attempted stencilling.

I wanted to show and inspire people that anyone can achieve something if they really want to do it. I did!

Link:
Mum on furlough shows off incredible backyard transformation that cost just 100 - Belfast Live

Another new set this time around is the office of the TBD Group, the investment firm known in season one at the Jammer Group. Last time, Mo Monroe (played by Don Cheadle) was at the helm, but now his former partner Dawn Towner (Regina Hall) has taken over, along with Blair Pfaff (Andrew Rannells) and a team of women. We wanted to lighten it up and make it much more inviting, says Contestabile, who looked to a book called Office Book: Ideas and Designs for Contemporary Work Space by Judy Graf Klein for this set. That meant removing the pencils stuck in the ceiling, cigarettes, and beer cans, first and foremost.

All of the chairs in the TBD Group were from this one place going out of business, says Contestabile.

Colorwise, it was grays and browns and dark greens for season one. For season two we went with pastel pinks, mauves, and light grays, he says. I actually found a swatch book of vintage mini blinds that had a bunch of colors in there, and I went through and picked out the colors of the new TBD Group based on that. It was a funny way to pull colors. They added a pink carpet throughout, a sofa from Galerie Sommerlath in the lounge area, Vintage on Point boomerang sofas in the lobby, repurposed green chairs around a marbleized conference table, some pieces from Casa Victoria Vintage Furniture, and, of course, plants, says Contestabile. They did not exist outside of Dawns office in season one.

Though the show mainly takes place in New York, there's a brief trip to Miami this season, where Dawn (Regina Hall, right) visits Mo (Don Cheadle) at his pink-and-orange hotel room.

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The ultimate resource for design industry professionals, brought to you by the editors of Architectural Digest

Blairs office was another favorite space for Contestabile. Within the pink and feminine TBD Group, his workspace is outfitted in a palette of red, black, and gray. We had fun thinking Blair would probably make his office aggressively male. You knowjust to compensate.

Blairs office was Mos office in season onewe really redesigned it and rearranged it to make it feel like a new space, says Contestabile.

Each setlike each characteris a colorful representation of both the best and worst aspects of the decade. There's excess to a fault, sure, but as Wilson says, it is a world full of over-the-top, lush, colorful textures, which wouldnt be the worst thing in the world to make a comeback.

Excerpt from:
Black Monday Season Two Takes the 80s Aesthetic to Another Level - Architectural Digest

Last year we had the statement chair, a sleek designer number set apart from our comfy sofas as an expression of our taste in design, and quite incomplete without the essential accompaniment of a footstool.

For 2020, statement-making in interiors has expanded to just about anything we like as long as it draws the eye towards it in the way a fireplace or television dominating a room would typically have done in the past.

Fashion designer Ted Baker's Pearl Grey rug (from 479 at Rugs.ie)

It doesnt necessarily have to be a piece of furniture, nor even something outsize that draws the eye by scale alone. It could be something as simple as an accessory, a lamp, soft furnishings or some occasional furniture; even a cheeky little object picked up on holiday or while rummaging through a second-hand shop.

A little virtual shopping expedition threw up a few in vogue suggestions from the pricey to purse-friendly, but if youre worried about something not working, remember the words of the legendary American interior decorator Bunny Williams: If you love something it will work, that is the only real rule.

Once confined to crusty Scottish baronial piles, tartan is having a moment in interiors, although its hard to envisage translating it into a suitable look for the more modern and sometimes compact home without turning it into the set of Outlander.

Someone who does it with style, however, is Ralph Lauren. Famed for his chic coastal-inspired interiors, his navy blue tartan wool pocket square blanket is a sophisticated take on tartan -99 at http://www.ralphlauren.ie- but if you want drama, Jean Paul Gaultier might just be your man.

Not only does he reference tartan in his couture collections and loves to gad about in a kilt, his furniture collection for Roche Bobois includes sofas and ottomans bedecked in the print (price according to size and fabric).

Floor art Nothing pulls a room together quite like a rug which these days goes beyond traditional pattern to take on an arty finish.

Ted Baker is another example of fashion designer-turned-interior designer, producing a rug collection including the Pearl Grey (from 479 at Rugs.ie). Its an outsize floral with a contemporary painterly quality with just enough plain grey in one corner to site a table off centre.

Speaking of tables, our favourite place to site drinks and newspapers in the living room, and even to raise tired feet, tends to be the coffee table, and hasnt it come a long way from the rectangular shape which has always made it look like a mini-version of the dining table?

Eclectic yet functional design alternatives come in the shape of the covetable Bonaldo Pebble by Mattias Demacker (583 at http://www.lomi.ie) with red and white or white and black finishes combining curvaceous futuristic design with handy storage.

The ongoing love of shady tones sitting between the extremes of black and white means grey is now considered a neutral, so not much scope for making a statement with it. Or so I thought.

Spotting Made.coms Herman three-seater sofa in finch grey cotton, it comes with the surprise of an eye-catching shadowy tonal blot of dark grey on a lighter-hued back cushion (700).This chic black cane and velvet seated chair is from Interiosity (495).

But just as I thought the overexposed statement chair wasnt worth considering here, up pops a beauty made of black cane on a matching wooden frame with grey velvet seat which wouldnt go amiss in a modern home.

So, if youve ever thought cane to be outdated, this one from Interiosity (495) might change your mind.

Cushion soft Adding finishing touches to a room calls for the arrival of soft furnishings, in particular ever-useful cushions. The Foliage design from M&S (30) blends several on-trend colours - yellow, orange and pink but in muted form so they work together and make the necessary statement to draw the eye without being in your face.

IKEA has the large Nabbfly cushion cover (4) offering some tropical fun to brighten up a plain sofa or even a dated one for the summer season.

For a little fun Ikea has this eye-catching banana-shaped ornament (10).

The Scandinavian retailer, noted for its pared-back and streamlined designs, is injecting some fun into accessorising with the vivid yellow Kuperad ornament (10).

Shaped like a bunch of reclining bananas and looking particularly authentic at that, it serves no function other than to attract attention and elicit a comment, if not a laugh.

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How just one item can create a focal point in a room and even spark a conversation - Irish Examiner

When house hunting, in particular among uninhabited homes, it can be challenging for potential buyers to imagine what living in the space would look like. Savvy real estate agents long ago began advising homeowners how to scale down their tchotchkes and personal belongings in order to make a better impression on buyers. And then, in a stroke of genius, they started staging empty homes.

A few paintings here, a sofa and area rug there. It began minimally with just enough furnishings and accessories to stimulate a bit of intrigue. Then came full-blown staging. With todays multi-million-dollar spec homes on the market, the trend has quickly become furnishing to the hilt, including pricey artwork. And now, with the COVID-19 pandemic, home tours are going virtual, which makes staging all the more important to home seekers.

That is the niche that Walker Wright of Walker Wright Abodes hopes to conquer with its recent move to Houston from its home base in Los Angeles, where his firm continues with interior design, staging, and photographic styling. The expansion to Houston was partly motivated by business and partly by the fact that Wrights partner is a native Houstonian.

My portfolio and background from living and working in Los Angeles kept me busy in high-end, high-fashion prop and photo styling, which led me into taking on personal interior design clients, Wright tells PaperCity. I then took those skills and applied them to my advantage in the home-staging world because of the countless hours spent photo styling and working with interiors-photographers in L.A.

I learned and understand the best angles and spacing and proportions etc I know what will look in print and how to portray a homes unique and beautiful features or hide them.

Wrights plan for the Lone Star State is marrying the glam from Los Angeles with the timeless look that Houston shows so well showing beautiful spec houses with high-end design.

While working on a massive project for Cisco Home in Round Top, Wright landed the staging task for 38 Carolane Trail in Bunker Hill. Brookstone Homes built the 6,266-square-foot dwelling thats listed for $3,395,000 with Compass agent Caroline Bean.

In furnishing the public areas of the five-bedroom house, Wright collaborated with his partners mother, decorator Cindy Witmer, whose design store provided accessories and some furnishings. Among the notable brands included in the staging were Cisco Home, Kuhl-Linscomb, Noir, Kelly Wearstler, CWD Studio + Home, and many others, as well as art from Laura Rathe Fine Art.

The natural, casual California theme of the design can be seen in the study, mudroom, game room, upstairs and downstairs utility rooms, climate-controlled wine room, and home office. While theres neither staging nor fancy cars in the garage, we have to mention that there is ample space for three cars.

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The Secrets of Luxury House Staging Specialists Expand From Los Angeles to Houston - PaperCity Magazine