Arizona was among thefirst states to be approved to issue the new $300 per week in federal unemployment benefits established by President Trump's August 8 memorandum. The state, which pays a maximum of $240 in benefits per week (one of the lowest in the nation, just above Mississippi and Puerto Rico), began administering the boosted aid last week.

But for many residents, the arrival of the supplemental benefit isn't without headaches and confusion.

The Trump memorandum, which cut enhanced unemployment from the CARES Act's $600 benefit down to $300 in federal aid each week, applies retroactively to August 1. Many Arizonans aren't seeing the back payments hit their accounts like they were told to expect.

Emma Locarnini, 42, tells CNBC Make It she saw just one $300 payment, minus taxes, hit her prepaid debit card account last week, rather than a lump sum of three weeks of boosted pay retroactive to August 1. The same thing happened again for her payment this week, which she receives on Mondays.

The Tuscon, Arizona, resident has been out of work since the resort where she works shut down in late March. She applied for unemployment benefits as soon as she was eligible and received payments after five weeks of waiting.

With the previous $600 federal boost, along with her maximum $240 benefit from Arizona, Locarnini says she earned just about as much on unemployment as her previous job as a conference services manager.Unlike critics who said the $600 enhancement discouraged people from going back to work, Locarnini found the opposite to be true.

"It's frustratingso much of losing my job is totally out of my control, and I don't like not knowing when I might be able to go back to work," she says. "I'm certainly looking for work elsewhere, but I am competing with so many people. I want to work. I want to be back in the office. I don't want to keep relying on unemployment."

With roughly 100% replacement of her lost earnings, Locarnini and her husband, who was furloughed in March but went back to work full-time in late May, have stretched their income by trimming their food, entertainment and travel spending. Locarnini says she's thankful they do not have the stress of caring for children, and their main expense is a monthly $1,600 rent payment.

"It's a day-by-day thing," Locarnini says. "We don't know what will happen three or six months down the road, but it might be more worrisome later."

Others who rely more heavily on the federal unemployment enhancement are feeling the stress of its absence now. According to reporting from AZCentral, Arizona's Department of Economic Security (DES) said last week it was "working to provide retroactive payments ... and anticipates beginning those payments later this week."

On Monday, DES spokesperson Brett Bezio wrote in a statement to CNBC Make Itthat the state "will finish distributing all retroactive payments within the next couple of days. Due to the number of payments to be issued, we issued retroactive payments in batches over several days. DES anticipates receiving funding on a week-by-week basis, and will make payments until federal funding is exhausted."

The federal program, known as Lost Wages Assistance, is being funded by $44 billion set aside by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). States must apply to FEMA for a grant to fund an initial three weeks worth of benefits. Subsequent weeks of aid are approved on a week-to-week basis so long as funding is still available.

That means, for many Arizona residents, boosted payments this month may be gone just as soon as they arrive.

Of course, that's if unemployment benefits ever make it out to them.

Nearly six months into the pandemic and its ensuing unemployment crisis, thousands of Arizonans have yet to see a cent of jobless aid as the state unemployment office works through a crushing backlog of applications. Last week, the DES releasedroughly 90,000 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) applicationsthat had been previously approved but then flagged for potential fraud andput on hold for payment for up to 10 weeks.

The department said it paid more than $730 million in delayed PUA benefits to self-employed, contract and gig workers last week, with some deposits likely exceeding $8,400. With these applications finally processed, an estimated 500,000 Arizonans are currently receiving unemployment benefits.

But as of Sunday, more than 26,000 Arizona unemployment claims sat in a backlogwaiting to be reviewed by an adjudicator for payment.

Colin Smith, 34, first filed for unemployment when he lost his job with a cannabis company in February, which shut down as a precautionary measure to the coronavirus outbreak before widespread closuresdue to the pandemic. Every time he's filed a claim since, he's notified that his application has been disqualified and he must fax in additional paperwork to verify his employment history.

"It's a broken system," the Gilbert, Arizona, resident says. "I keep continuing to file assuming they'll eventually pay me. This is money I already paid into the system this is my money, and I need it now. Why is this process so hard?"

Adding to the frustration is that Smith recently qualified forSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which he says required many of the same documents to verify his employment history. He says he was approved for SNAP benefits the same day he applied. He estimates he's spent roughly 300 hours trying to get through the unemployment process.

In addition to accessing food stamps, Smith says he deferred his $700 monthly payments on his private student loans, cut down his utilities usage, stopped driving his car and borrowed money from his mother. He lives with his fiancee, who is still working full-time for a custom home builder.

Earlier this month, President Trump signed a memorandum to defer federal student loan paymentsand set the federal student loan interest rate to 0% through the end of the year but approximately 9 million borrowers who have private student loans will not get total relief under the new rule.

"I've had to change everything," Smith says about making ends meet with no income or jobless benefits. "It's been so long, my deferment period is coming to an end. I have a student loan payment due next week, and I won't have unemployment benefits before then."

Smith is grateful to have help from family during this time.

"I never thought at 34 I'd be relying on my mom to pay my cellphone bill," he says. "I went through two economic crashes in my lifetime, and my story's not unique. So many people have the same story and struggle that we've got to do better. We have to fix some of these broken systems like unemployment."

Other workers may never see the $300 weekly boost, as the new enhancement applies only to workers who receive at least $100 in regular unemployment. The requirement, which the Trump administration is an effort to curb fraud, will exclude an estimated 1 million of the lowest-paid workers nationwide.

As of Monday, the majority of states were approved for the federal unemployment supplement. Only Kentucky and Montana have agreed to kick in an additional $100 in state funds for a total boost of $400 per week to unemployed residents. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has said the state will not pay the extra unemployment benefit at all.

According to the president's order, the federal lost wages program will run until December 6; until the $44 billion FEMA aid runs out; until the national Disaster Relief Fund, which normally funds emergency weather-related aid but will now also fund boosted unemployment, depletes to $25 billion; or until Congress passes new legislation regarding federal unemployment benefits whichever occurs first.

Around 28 million Americans are currently collecting jobless benefits.

Weeks of heated negotiations among the Congress and White House officials over the next round of pandemic relief aidcame to an abrupt halt in mid-August when the Senate adjourned for a recess until Labor Day.

"I don't think every single [member of Congress] understands the struggles people are really going through," Locarnini says of the recent legislative stalemate. "When I work, I can't go home until I get my job done, so it's frustrating to see them say, 'Well, it's our vacation time, so it's time to go home.'"

Smith echoes the feeling of frustration.

"It's so disheartening to see my senators spend millions on campaign ads on TV, just bashing each other but not doing a damn thing about anything," he says. "The fact that they walked away tells you everything you need to know about their priorities."

Check out:Americans spend over $5,000 a year on groceriessave hundreds at supermarkets with these cards

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More than half of states are now approved for the extra $300 per week in unemployment insurance

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New $300 boosted unemployment arrives in Arizona, but not without headaches and confusion - CNBC

While the first impression you get upon approaching the elegantly landscaped, 13-room, two-story Gold Coast home at 153 E. Glenside Ave. in Linwood is apt to be a pleasing one, what really sets this five-bedroom, 3-bath residence apart from so many others in its price range is the treasure trove of hidden architectural assets it was endowed with by its builder three decades ago.

The exterior, in fact, has one feature that tends to makes first-time visitors do a double takethe striking contrast between the grey-brick exterior of the front and the moss green, wood-surfaced side of the house, where its two-car-garage, chimney and upper- and lower-level decks are situated, which makes it appear to be part of a completely different structure (although on closer inspection, the brick front also includes some of that same wood).

That effect, according to its current owner, Atlantic County Freeholder Director Frank Formica, former owner /operator of Formicas Bakery and Caf in Atlantic City, was the creation of the homes builder and original owner, George Thomas, whose firm, Thomas Company, Inc., of Egg Harbor Township, has long done specialty work for the construction industry. And no, thats not vinyl siding, Formica notes, but top-grade California redwood cedar. Its the real McCoy, he says.

But then, so is everything else that has gone into the construction and interior design of this house, which Formica characterizes as the last word in authenticity. All the casing and all the trim work, as well as the interior staircase and the cabinets, are made of No. 1 solid natural oak, and all the hallways, including the 22-foot-high atrium, have solid birch floors. Thats one reason he considers it such a great buy at $449,000 You couldnt replace it today for twice the price with that quality of materials.

Nor, for that matter, could you easily find a home on the market that offers such a unique combination of amenities, such as its two distinctively different wood-burning fireplaces, a traditional-looking type in the sunken family room and a less conventional, semicircular one with an elaborate red brick hearth that adorns the finished basement, and the natural-gas barbecue unit thats built into the lower deck from bricks identical to those used in the living-room hearth.

Then theres what Formica refers to as the all-season room located right off that deck, a huge, totally enclosed sun porch thats both heated and air conditioned. Ive spent more time relaxing in that room than I have in the rest of the house, he says. For a potential buyer who also needs a good place to work remotelyas more and more people are doing these daysthis house also has a first-rate home office, complete with built-in bookshelves (as well as a bedroom that can be converted into a second one if needed).

As for that 1,300-square foot basement, in addition to the aforementioned fireplace, it also has a bar thats suitable for hosting any type of entertainment (as soon as large gatherings become permissible again), an extra bedroom and a full bath, making it an ideal vacation suite for family members of friends.

The list of hidden surprises this home offers also include some cutting-edge energy-efficiency features, such as a wet hot-air heating system controlled by a boiler thats custom designed to send heat to six separate zones via more than 200 feet of cast-iron radiators --one which the owner says has allowed him to keep his biggest heating bills within the $200 range. And thats in addition to what he describes as two ecologically friendly central air systems that separately cool the upper and lower levels.

Another highly economical featureone Formica credits with having saved him thousands of dollars in water bills is a sunken irrigation well and pump installed by Thomas to provide water to a six-zone sprinkler system with 10-12 heads each. Using municipal water for the same purpose, he estimates, would have cost him another $150-$200 a month. (Another significant savings, he adds, can be realized from the fact that the site is not subject to flooding, and thus requires no federal flood insurance.)

The house, according to its owner, also contains numerous other testaments to the ingenuity of the builder. They include a stainless steel baseboard around the walls of the garage, along with a giant matching workbench; two 200-amp electric mains (although the appliances, heating and hot water are all powered by natural gas) with a hook-up that can easily accommodate a generator; a built-in mahogany sideboard in the formal dining room; a lighting system in the foyer that can be programmed to match the occupants mood; a wall of shower nozzles in the master bathroom, and a leak-proof tile tub in the upstairs laundry room in which both the washer and drier have been placed as a safety measure.

Among the homes other amenities are an eat-in kitchen that has both a comfortably traditional feel and a full complement of top-of-the-line, stainless steel Electrolux appliances (in addition to those 100 percent-oak cabinets); a huge storage attic accessible via a stepladder from the laundry room, and no fewer than three walk-in closets (two of which are in the master suite). Finally, theres whats standing on the front lawnan authentic antique gas lamp from Philadelphias Broad Street (a wedding gift to the builders father), which has been electrified, but retains its original charm.

Adding to this homes appeal is its location in one of the Mainlands most desirable neighborhoods, just a short walk from the Linwood athletic fields, the meadows and bucolic Offs Pond, a popular spot with local nature lovers.

If all those hidden attributes, as well as an outwardly lovely home are the kind sof things youd like your lifestyle to include, the person to contact is Kevin Corcoran from Kevin Corcoran Real Estate in Atlantic City, at (609) 348-0077 or his cell phone (609-432-9226), or email him at 3480077@gmail.com to arrange for a private showing. But dont hesitatea property with so much going for it may soon no longer be on the market.

Originally posted here:
Adding to this Linwood homes value is a treasure trove of hidden features - Press of Atlantic City

NASHVILLE, Tenn., (WKRN) If you are in need of lumber, then it is likely you are on a long waiting list with others.

Demand is high and supply is low for lumber. Meaning, prices will continue to soar. If you are planning to build a deck, fence or house this fall, you may want to think twice.

Theyre basically at historic levels across the bar, Chris Lewis said, Vice President of Sales at Rogers Manufacturing Corporation. Its all through the roof.

Lewis said due to COVID-19 production at lumber mills has slowed down. Their production now sits around 60% to 70% of what it should be in relation to the demand.

Theyre all saying were trying, we just cant,' Lewis said in addition to high prices they are also struggling with availability issues.

Amid the onset of coronavirus lumber production slowed, and experts thought demand would drop. But instead, it soared.

[People] are at home bored. Theyre going to build an addition; fix something on their house; build a dec; redo this; or redo that, Lewis said.

According to Random Lengths weekly report on North American forest products markets, the price of framing lumber topped $800 p/bdft last week. Thats a 130% increase since mid-April.

The price last year was just $350 p/dbft.

According to my suppliers, weve seen a two almost two and a half times of cost increase, Jeff Checko said, broker with The Ashton Real Estate Group. Youre going to see impact in the delivered asking prices from builders and quoted pricing for custom homes and home renovation projects.

The recent spike is causing the price of an average new single-family home to increase by $16,000 since late April, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

These builders that have these houses for $350,000-$550,000 now instead of paying $30,000-$40,000 for their framing package theyre spending $75,000-$90,000 for their framing package. So, when does that kill the deal? Lewis asked.

Unfortunately, Lewis doesnt see anything changing anytime soon. Unless, demand drops and supply grows. If prices continue to rise, Lewis said it may be hard for customers to find lumber on store shelves.

We have problems pricing something because we dont know where our cost will be next week, Lewis said. When does it stop, where is the top.

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The price of lumber soars to unprecedented level - WKRN News 2

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By Darrick Guthmiller, Home Builders Association of F-M President Darrick Guthmiller is a partner in Kochmann Brothers Homes, Inc., specializing in new custom homes, remodeling and lake homes.

Homes have taken on a new meaning to us as they became our new offices, playgrounds, sporting fields, entertainment venues and safe refuges during this challenging time. Lets pause and really think about what a home means as we welcome June as Homeownership Month.

The quote by Laura Ingalls Wilder in the headline (home is the nicest word there is) introduces not only the obvious reasons to own one (its a good investment and shelter for your family) but also the intangible reasons to own one (theres no place like home and the feeling of security it provides).

Id like to remind homeowners who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 be aware of mortgage payment options available. If a loan is owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, borrowers may be eligible to delay making their monthly mortgage payments for a temporary period during in which late fees wont be incurred and foreclosure and other legal proceedings will be suspended.

You can check online to see if your loan is owned by either of these entities:

If you are in the market to buy a home, here are the HBAs top three tips to help pave your way:

Of course, there are many small communities surrounding the F-M metro area to explore as well. Contact your local jurisdiction for more details on specific incentives they may offer.

Happy Homeownership Month! Buying a home is a great long-term investment. The HBA of F-M has many members who can help you on your path! From lenders, to Realtors to builders, you can find them all at http://www.hbafm.com/FindAMember.

Home Builders Association of Fargo Moorhead:Nurture a thriving, innovative and diverse housing industry in our community

For more information, contact:hbafm.cominfo@hbafm.comfacebook.com/HBAFargoMoorheadtwitter.com/hbafm

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HBA of FM: Home is the Nicest Word There Is - Design & Living Magazine

Channahon, IL As COVID-19 changes how and where people do their jobs, giving many the freedom to work remotely, some for the very first time, so too has COVID-19 changed the way people are thinking about their homes. The rise in remote work is already changing people's preferences in single-family homes and affording them greater freedom in choosing where and how to live.

The potential threat of those leaving expensive urban centers is real. Why live with congestion when you could have half an acre and a custom house in Copper Leaf for a fraction of the price compared to some urban centers close to and in Chicago.

"The importance of home offices has almost begun to rival the attention that buyers give to kitchens," said Judi Gardner, CEO of Channahon based Gardner Luxury Homes. "Where they will work is on nearly every buyer's mind along with having dedicated space in the home for children to do their homework."

While some buyers just want a comfortable space to plop down with their laptops, more and more of Gardner's customers want a dedicated room where they can shut the door and take calls without interruption. "We've always done what the customer wants but we are taking the proactive step of updating of floor plans to include home offices."

Covid-19 has also changed Gardner's overall approach to marketing. "Before, our target demographic would be those in and around Channahon, Minooka, Shorewood and Plainfield. Covid-19 has forced us to think differently why not live where you love? If you love the woods, hiking, boating, fishing why not come move to Channahon and truly begin to love life?", says Gardner.

If you're looking to find a place with a true sense of community, perhaps Channahon may be a remote workers dream.

Gardner Luxury Homes is a semi-custom and custom home builder with developments in Channahon, Illinois as well as Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. For more information, please visit http://www.glhhomes.com

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Covid-19 Has Changed Home Building in the Age of Telecommuting - Patch.com

The Chesapeake at Sawgrass North Exterior

Tidewater Landing Clubhouse Interior

Rehoboth Beach, DE, May 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Friday, May 15th, members of the Schell Brothers team logged on to their personal laptops and gathered for an unconventional congregation of home builders at the 28th Annual Regal Awards Ceremony. This ceremony, hosted by the Home Builders Association of Delaware, honored builders across the state of Delaware with accolades for their achievements in the home building industry. Submissions are analyzed and scored by experts in categories such as sales, craftmanship and design.

Despite the lack of in-person socializing, the Schell team made the best of this years Virtual Regal Awards. At the end of the night, they logged off of Zoom with an impressive list of well-deserved honors from another year of hard work and dedication.

From their in-house produced magazine, At Home, to their award-winning floor plan, The Chesapeake, the Schell Brothers team snagged a wide array of awards.

The Schell Sales team did a phenomenal job at this years Awards, bringing in 28 individual Community Sales awards for outstanding sales performance in the new home building industry. The sales teams hard work has contributed to the success of the many Schell communities.

Schell won the following awards at this years Regals:

Schell Brothers won the following Home Building awards:

Best Interior Merchandising of a Clubhouse 75+ Homes: Tidewater Landing Clubhouse

Best Exterior Merchandising of a Clubhouse 75+ Homes: Tidewater Landing Clubhouse

Best Kitchen Design of Custom Home: Echelon Homes, The Farmhouse

Best Luxury Home 75+ Homes: The Chesapeake at Sawgrass North

Best Active Adult Community Home: The Newport at Independence

Schell Brothers won the following Marketing awards:

Best Print Ad for a Builder 75+ Homes: Home Reimagined

Best Post Card or Direct Mail Piece: At Home Magazine

Best Social Campaign: Project Kudos

Best Email Blast 75+ Homes: Home Reimagined

Best Commercial or Video 75+ Homes: Home Reimagined

Best Event or Promotion 75+ Homes: Kindness Rocks

Best Image Campaign 75+ Homes: Home Reimagined

Best Overall Marketing

Schell Brothers won the following individual awards:

Project Manager of the Year: Joe Yurisic

Marketing Director of the Year: Alyssa Titus

Sales Person of the Year: Joe Wobeter

Members of the Schell Brothers team won the following Sales awards:

Diamond

Adam Pettengell

Joe Wobeter

Tyler Brock

Josh Hay

Grace Reardon

Jeff Crocket

Platinum

Josh Stone

Natalie Sweeney

Vicki Wilkins

Kathryn Hanlon

Frank Ryan

Gold

Amanda Ritter

Mollie Stevenson

Austin Oswinkle

Melissa ONeill

Tiffany Raebuer

Nikki Southard

Jay Hauck

Tyler Teed

Josh Hoinowski

Silver

Alli Perry

Rosemary Wehberg

Carole Britain

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Home Builders Association of Delaware Honors Schell Brothers with Numerous Regal Awards - GlobeNewswire

Summerhill Prestige Real Estate Ltd.

5123 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, Ont.

Asking price: $3.1-million

Selling price: $2.7-million

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Previous selling price: $2,030,493 (2013)

Taxes: $18,920 (2019)

Days on the market: 27

Listing agents: Dina Maglietta and David Knox, Summerhill Prestige Real Estate Ltd.

The home's great room has a 20-foot ceiling, Palladian windows and a gas fireplace.

Summerhill Prestige Real Estate Ltd.

A couple of agents tried and failed to sell this custom home on a 100-by-143-foot lot before a new team took it on in mid-January. Judging that previous agents had priced the home too low, they set a more ambitious asking price.

A Facebook search shows the home was listed with an asking price of $2,998,000 in March, 2019. Later in the year, it was reduced to $2,888,000.

Sometimes you can be priced too low and you get the wrong buyers, agent David Knox said.

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Or its misrepresented by being priced too low because someone might assume its smaller or not as attractive. So we priced it to where we felt true market value was in representing the home, co-listing agent Dina Maglietta said

A chandelier hangs in the great room.

Summerhill Prestige Real Estate Ltd.

This two-storey house was built less than 10 years ago with a French chteau-inspired exterior, a triple garage and multiple entrances, including one from the backyard to the eat-in kitchen.

The main foyer separating the living and dining rooms features a 26-foot ceiling and a Scarlett OHara-style staircase to the four bedrooms upstairs.

The great room toward the rear of the house has a 20-foot ceiling, Palladian windows and a gas fireplace.

There is also a main floor den and a guest room containing one of five bathrooms.

The basement is unfinished with nine-foot ceilings and roughed-in heating.

Story continues below advertisement

It was a builders personal home that he custom built, so he went above and beyond with the use of quality materials, Ms. Maglietta said.

[For instance], the master bedroom was huge with coffered ceilings, a limestone gas fireplace, a walk-in closet, a 10-piece ensuite spa-like bathroom and a double door entry.

Your house is your most valuable asset. We have a weekly Real Estate newsletter to help you stay on top of news on the housing market, mortgages, the latest closings and more. Sign up today.

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Price hike leads to sale of builders Burlington home - The Globe and Mail

A home office for children has become a common request for architects, builders, and interior designers as children practice distance learning during the coronavirus. Here, a sunlit space, designed by Wadia Associates in New Canaan, features two desks and chairs, plenty of storage, bookshelves, and a gorgeous stained glass window, creating the perfect environment in which to work.

A home office for children has become a common request for architects, builders, and interior designers as children practice distance learning during the coronavirus. Here, a sunlit space, designed by

A home office for children has become a common request for architects, builders, and interior designers as children practice distance learning during the coronavirus. Here, a sunlit space, designed by Wadia Associates in New Canaan, features two desks and chairs, plenty of storage, bookshelves, and a gorgeous stained glass window, creating the perfect environment in which to work.

A home office for children has become a common request for architects, builders, and interior designers as children practice distance learning during the coronavirus. Here, a sunlit space, designed by

Theres no place like home: Design and build during the age of the coronavirus

Members of the interior design and home building industry have found it necessary to adapt to changing, evolving economies over the years. From bull markets and bear markets to recessions and post-9/11, this group of professionals has had to think creatively in order to persevere.

Now, the virulent novel coronavirus, dubbed Covid-19, has brought the entire world to a screeching halt and has radically affected the way we live, work, play, and learn, and will continue to do so for a long time to come. As various parts of the country begin to reopen, the virus is influencing the creative process. It can no longer be business as usual in this environment. Architects, interior designers, home builders, and contractors are having to think outside the box when interacting with clients, meeting with subcontractors, and presenting and installing projects.

Our vendors have offered to show their fabric lines to us virtually. They show us all the new fabrics over the computer, and then we order samples, says Jan Hiltz, an interior designer with more than 25 years experience and the owner of Westport-based Jan Hiltz Interiors. It works for me; Ive been doing this (type of work) for so long, Ive found that where theres a will, theres a way.

Were in the midst of preparing for our first Zoom presentation, adds Christine Hiltz, Jan Hiltzs daughter-in-law and an interior designer in the firm.

For some firms, virtual presentations will be the preferred procedure, at least for a few weeks or months, or longer. The virus is going to be guiding the way we do business until we get a vaccine. Things will evolve slowly, says Dinyar Wadia, principal of Wadia Associates, an award-winning architectural and interior design firm based in New Canaan. I dont think this thing is going to go away for a while. We just have to adapt.

Programs such as Zoom have been a blessing to some, like Wadia, who has noticed an unintended benefit to using the online platform: It is easier to gauge a clients or prospective clients immediate reaction to sour proposals, whereas during in-person meetings, it is rude to stare so you might miss subtle physiological responses or cues, he explains.

While some designers are choosing the practice of designing at a distance, others are bravely plunging into the fray. Wadia and Jan and Christine Hiltz are doing both, depending on the level of each clients comfort. Designers conducting in-person consultations and presentations, however, have had to arm themselves, in addition to the usual tools of color wheel, fabric swatches, and measuring tape, with masks, gloves, protective booties, and disinfectant.

Wadia notes that he is also foregoing handshakes. Although he has tested negative for Covid-19, he takes precautions to avoid exposure and prevent him from bringing the virus home to his wife, he says.

Marsha Matto, principal and head designer of Point of View Interiors in Sandy Hook, says she still conducts some in-person meetings, although they are anything but ordinary. For a recent meeting at a plumbing supply store, for example, Matto says she was required to arrive after regular business hours, wear a mask and gloves, have her temperature taken, and sign a waiver disavowing the company of any responsibility if she contracted the virus there. Business just cant happen the same way anymore, at least not for now, Matto says.

She admits, Its been difficult. And not just because some clients have put projects on hold and because of social distancing guidelines, but also because of disruptions in the supply chain. Upholsterers might still be working with a crew, albeit smaller, but theyre not able to get the cushion fillings or frames, all requisite pieces and parts that go into creating custom furniture, says Matto, who has more than 20 years of experience in high-end residential and commercial design, and who also serves as chair of the Interior Design Department at the University of Bridgeport.

The New York company she hired to pick up and deliver a furniture order in New Jersey for one of her commercial clients in Connecticut had to decline when that business was deemed nonessential, leaving Matto scrambling to arrange transport herself at a higher cost. Instead of a simple delivery and installation, it turned into a nightmare, she recalls. Frustration sets in from time to time but most people are understanding.

Robert Berger, a Westport-based architect and builder, notes that many of his clients want renovations that relate directly to the coronavirus. Homeowners are requesting that we install hands-free sinks, operated by foot pedals or a motion sensor, or a second desk or office space, ideally enclosed, as parents are working from home, and their children are distance learning, he states. Everyone is thinking about how they will be living in their homes during the age of the coronavirus, and beyond.

Washers and dryers located inside the homes point of first contact (such as in a mudroom), so residents can remove and wash their clothes as soon as they come in, are also on the wish lists of todays homeowners. Eventually, I predict well be installing exterior entry doorway panels in front of which people can wave a key and the door will open, eliminating any need to touch a doorknob, Berger explains.

Hard surfaces tend to be easier to keep clean, and design professionals are specifying materials such as stainless steel, which can be cleaned with ammonia- and alcohol-based products (brass and other metals with lacquer finishes cannot), and countertops made from quartz or other hard materials, according to Berger. Some cabinet manufacturers already carry cabinets that can be opened and closed with either wave in front of the door or a single finger push opening, he says, and I think more clients will be requesting options like these now and in the future.

Some people may think redecorating a house in the midst of a global medical pandemic is frivolous but Jan Hiltz says her work has not decreased. In fact, she has a five-month waiting list, perhaps because people are spending even more time at home than usual and who knows for how long and they want their living environments to be beautiful, and to feel safe. Now, home has become a real sanctuary, Jan Hiltz states.

She reports that her company has already received several requests for outdoor projects. Many of her clients want to install in-ground swimming pools because they dont want to go to public facilities anymore, and they also want more backyard amenities that will allow them to invite friends over while still safely socially distancing.

Life goes on, and it brings joy to people even to just consider the promise of decorating, bringing new ideas into their home, and bringing sunshine and brightness to their home, she says.

One of her clients sums it up this way: We really need this.

See more here:
There's no place like home: Design and build during the age of the coronavirus - Trumbull Times

Reality star Kameron Westcott is making moves. The Real Housewives of Dallas cast member recently put her Highland Park mansion on the market for $5,125,000.

While the price is steep, the property is massive. The 7,409-square-foot home sits on a quarter-acre of land. Designed by D Best-winning home builder George Lewis, the homes faade includes an arched front door, double balcony, and Mediterranean details, complemented by impeccably pruned landscaping.

When designing their home, the Westcotts were inspired by Kamerons Santa Barbara upbringing. [Theres a] fresh, airy, and seamless flow from indoor to outdoor living in the residence, says listing agent Kelli Macatee. Even the palm trees and cypress trees bring in a little hint of the beauty of California. Her husband Court grew up going to Santa Barbara, so they share that love and its expressed in every detail of the home.

Kamerons infamous penchant for pink is incorporated as well, though more subtly than I had expected. The kitchen is stark white, from the Carrara marble to the custom cabinetry. Her signature hue makes an appearance in the adjoining breakfast nooks abstract artwork and upholstered chairs. The dining room features neutral furniture and dark-toned still lifes, though a neon pink sign bathes the space in rosy light. The home theater has a black and red palette, but when the lights are flipped on, the room is illuminated by glittering pink sconces.

The study, on the other hand, is brazenly feminine. From the bubblegum walls to the pink zebra print chairs and gold starburst chandelier, its clear that this room is Kamerons personal retreat.

The home is full of surprises, like an elevator, a wine cellar, a game room, and a hidden room attached to the study. The backyard was made for entertaining, with multiple seating arrangements for dining al fresco, overhead fans, and an invisible screen. The pool is shaded by trees and decorated with natural stone, and the adjacent yard boasts a playhouse and slide.

Take a full tour of the Westcott home with our photo gallery below.

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Hot Property: Kameron Westcott's Glamorous Home in Highland Park - D Magazine

Nearly 100 years ago, local builder and artisan Frederick (Fritz) Ruppel tapped into his master craftsmanship to design a dream home for a very special clienthis mother, Gertrude. Nestled on a spacious, manicured lot in Pasadena, California, the 1925 Spanish Colonial Revival known today as The Ruppel House was recently put up for sale.

Frederick Ruppel was a local builder and artisan who helped restore the historic landmark Mission San Juan Capistrano. Ruppel originally built this one-level residence for his mother and later moved into the dwelling with his wife.

The 1,825-square-foot home is located close to the famous Arroyo Rose Bowl. Past trimmed hedges in the front yard, an expansive outdoor seating area offers a private corner to gather.

The 1,825-square-foot dwelling remains in pristine condition, blending original features with sensitive updates throughout the years. The heart of the home is a large living room that boasts beamed cathedral ceilings and opens to a courtyard and fountain. Arched doorways connect the interior spaces, while custom built-ins enhance the historic charm.

Upon arrival, an entryway leads into the home's main living room where a breathtaking beamed ceiling takes center stage.

In total, the house includes three bedrooms and two baths. The remodeled kitchen offers light blue cabinetry, adding a pop of color to the otherwise wood and terracotta tones. A private side patio is idyllic for a future herb garden. Scroll ahead to see more of the property, currently listed for $1,495,000.

A wood-burning fireplace anchors the living area, while French doors open to a courtyard.

Light blue cabinetry in the kitchen infuse a fresh aesthetic while providing an abundance of storage. All new appliances were also installed, including a double Viking range.

Another view of the kitchen. Additional cabinetry along the rear wall sit adjacent to a door leading outside.

Steps away from the kitchen is the formal dining room which includes original hardwood floors and beamed ceilings.

French doors in the master bedroom open to an additional private patio.

Custom cabinetry lines one of the walls in the master bath. Original tiles line the floors.

A closer look at the original tiled shower/tub in the master bath.

A peek at another one of the three bedrooms.

The other bathrooms also features original tile-work.

Thick landscaping surrounds the home, ensuring ample privacy while creating a city oasis.

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An Artist Handcrafted This Abode as a Thank You to His Mom Nearly One Hundred Years Ago - Dwell