Trumps thoughts now must turn to a Plan B. Plan B is to protect himself from juries even if he loses office. Plan B points to a self-pardon, and the huge crisis that must ensue.

President-elect Biden has already signaled his high preference not to take legal action against his predecessor. A President Biden could not protect a former President Trump from state criminal actions or civil liability, but he could signal to the Department of Justice that prosecuting a former president for federal crimes would be divisive and distracting, and therefore is to be avoided if at all possible.

But if Trump is unwilling to trust Bidens forbearance, and chooses to attempt to pardon himself, it would be a direct attack on the whole structure of the rule of law. Nobody knows whether presidential self-pardons are valid. Scholars disagree; courts have never ruled on them, because no past president ever tried such a thing. But a president desperate enough to try to steal an election on a recorded line is desperate enough to try a self-pardon.

If a president can pardon himself as well as his or her subordinates, a president can order any crime, or commit it himself, with absolute impunity. The very notion of a self-pardon is radically inconsistent with democratic accountability. If Trump tries to pardon himself, his successors must fight his attempt all the way to the Supreme Court. And given the Raffensperger recording, who doubts that Trump will try it?

The sensible American majority surely wants an end to Trump controversies after Inauguration Day, a return to normal governance and the crucial work ahead: overcoming the pandemic, restoring the economy, and renewing U.S. leadership of the world. But Trump gets a say, too, as he got a say in the impeachment crisis. Trump is abusing the power of the presidency until his last hour in office. And his nonstop abuse seems likely to force a reckoning even by those most eager to move on. Trump will not be ignored; he will not let the chapter quietly close. Show him a red line, and he will cross it. And if the countrys red lines are to be reestablished, Trump will have to face the law he violated and violated and violated again.

Read the rest here:
Trump Crosses a Bright Red Line - The Atlantic

OKLAHOMA CITY Construction crews are putting finishing touches on several public-facing areas of the state Capitol ahead of the start of Februarys legislative session.

When visitors enter the Capitol in February, much of the rotunda space is slated to be open again.

A crown jewel of the area will be the 14-foot bronze state seal being crafted in Norman. It will be added to the floor and assembled in pieces because it weighs thousands of pounds, said Trait Thompson, who is overseeing the eight-year, $275 million project.

Arts officials will spend $1 million on new commissioned art that will hang in public spaces. The historic artwork also will be reinstalled later in 2021.

Weve got lots of brand-new wall space, he said.

The rotunda renovations also include new interior lighting on the dome and a new paint scheme that highlights the contours of the ceiling.

Thompson said a new multi-purpose meeting room will be available for visiting groups and dignitaries to lease for their legislative days. The room can house up to 200 people in non-COVID times and has buffet space for food and other materials, he said.

The rotundas are very pretty, but theyre not very functional for meetings, he said.

Crews are also finishing the Capitols so-called Blue Room, typically used by the governor for ceremonial purposes and press conferences. The room features new audio, HVAC, LED lighting and a sprinkler system.

An artist hand-painted the ceiling, using a technique much like Michelangelo did when painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

We went for a little more of a sophisticated look in here, Thompson said.

Crews also renovated several legislative committee rooms. They knocked out a wall to create more space in the old 432A House meeting room. That increased capacity from about 67 to 99. The room now includes new audio and video packages with the capability to live-stream meetings for those who cant attend.

When this project was first envisioned, no one knew about pandemics, said Paul Haley, who soon will take over renovation oversight when Thompson leaves for a new job. The timing was very fortunate.

All renovated committee rooms will feature long conference tables with the required 3-foot clearance around to allow those with disabilities to access the space.

Two other committee rooms located off the rotunda both feature a switch that can turn the glass walls opaque.

Thompson said crews also were wrapping up the first stage of renovations to the state House and Senate legislative chambers.

In the House chamber, crews restored the stained glass ceilings, repaired all plaster and repainted the ceiling. In both chambers, the glass press galleries were removed.

In 2021, construction crews will renovate the old Lieutenant Governors Office on the second floor by converting it back to a historic corridor. That corridor will house the Hall of Governors, which features busts of previous Oklahoma governors.

The Betty Price Art Gallery will be relocated from the first floor to the second. It will reopen in the location that currently houses the gubernatorial busts, Thompson said.

A museum also will be completed on the ground floor and will provide information about the century-old building and an explanation about the states three branches of government.

Construction crews will complete final renovations on the two legislative chambers.

Thompson said the overhaul aims to preserve the building in a historically appropriate yet functional manner. It is slated to be completed by the start of session in 2022. Thats several months ahead of the initial December 2022 target, he said.

We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story.

More here:
Part of Capitol renovation wrapping up; more work slated for 2021 - Enid News & Eagle

How will you upgrade your home in 2021?

The relationship we all have with our living spaces has changed significantly this year. Thinking ahead to 2021, its time to re-evaluate how we live in our homes. But if 2020 has taught us anything, its that the future is impossible to predict. However, the one thing we can be sure of is that the impact of the pandemic will last for years to come.

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There are two factors to consider when it comes to renovations right now what needs to be done to make your home as comfortable as possible for the immediate future and what investments make the most sense for re-sale value. Not sure where to begin? Here are the renovations that experts and interior designers suggest seriously considering.

At the given moment, most people are working remotely without an exact end date in sight, so a home office or designated working space may ultimately become just as indispensable as a kitchen or bathroom. According to Justina Blakeney, founder ofJungalow, home offices are essential. Even as business and offices reopen, many companies have made a conscious shift to a work-from-home hybrid model that only requires employees to come into the office a few days a week.

Make a home office wherever you can

However, if your home simply doesnt have enough square footage or the right floorplan to build out a home office, Blakeney suggests getting creative with what you have. For example, if renovations are out of reach, people may take off sliding closet doors and turn a guest bedroom closet into an office.

If there are no plans to stay in your current home for more than five years, interior designerCaitlin Scanlonrecommends a fresh coat of paint to upgrade the space. After all, paint is temporary, so this project is an opportunity to give your home a truly personal feel without impacting resale value. Its a low-cost way to make a huge impact, she says. British paint brands likeFarrow & Ballstarted the trend of deep saturated, highly pigmented colors, and Los Angeles based brandPortolaPaints has brought it to the next level!

A little paint can make a big difference.

Not sure what colors you want to use? Ask yourself how you want to feel in the room youre painting.Apartment Therapy'sHome Projects Editor, Megan Baker says, Generally, lighter colors will help brighten a room and make it feel a little bigger and more light-filled, while darker colors can help you lean into the small footprint by making a space feel a little cozier.

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Kitchens have always sold homes and apartments, but the pandemic has placed new emphasis on this rooms importance. This means that having a kitchen that is both functional and beautiful is an increasing priority, agentAllison Chiaramonteof Warburg Realty tells me. More and more, I see potential buyers even in city apartments looking at the kitchen not just for its appearance, but functionality for cooking multiple meals a day and storing excess supplies and food.

If youre planning to renovate your kitchen, Chiaramonte recommends adding a pantry if possible. Kitchen storage [is] at a premium since everyone is conscious of the ability to store extra food and pantry items these days.

A beautiful marble kitchen

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In terms of aesthetics, Samantha Gallacher, co-founder ofIG Workshopand founder ofArt+Loomrecommends using the same marble for the backsplash and countertop, as well as boxing out the kitchen hood, if possible. It gives the kitchen a clean and streamlined modern look.

But keep in mind that while Carrera marble is beautiful and timeless its not always the most practical stone because of its natural porousness. If you need something more durable, Scanlon says it is best to periodically re-seal the marble or opt for an alternative like quartzite.

No matter where you live, outdoor space has become much more valuable due to COVID. It used to be that sometimes peoples terraces/balconies and backyards paled in comparison to their homes, says Chiaramonte.

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However, times have changed. Looking forward, outdoor space is increasingly valuable and therefore maximizing its usability and appearance are great ways to add value for a future sale.

Outdoor space is more important than ever right now.

If you plan on selling your home in the next few years, the real estate agent emphasizes that adding shade/rain covers, as well as heating and outdoor kitchens are smart investments. She explains, More future buyers will be valuing outdoor space than in prior years due to the recent focus and the freedom outdoor living affords now.

As for what to do while were still in the middle of the pandemic, Deborah Fribourg, founder of DMF Interiors says, Focus on creating your personal jungle and hire a landscaper early on to make your oasis dreams come true.

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Her advice for both the short and long term? Consider adding extra seating such as built-in benches with colorful cushions for all your socially-distanced hangs.

With more people being home on a day-to-day basis, adding soundproofing to rooms and floors can make a big difference, along with closing off open floorplans. While there is something undeniably attractive about a big open loft-like space, I am seeing more buyers talk about how to add an office or Peloton room into the same square footage, says Chiaramonte.

The real estate agent recommends doing whatever is possible to create an extra private room. Whether it be a big walk in closet, finishing a basement, attic or making one giant room into two can, add value as room count matters more than ever with people needing privacy and quiet space.

One of the major impacts of the pandemic is a greater concern about the transmission of illness and germs. This has already and will continue to influence home design. Wayfair has noticed an increase in demand for hands-free and touchless features, as well as air purifiers, Pat Cullerot, home improvement expert withWayfairtells me. Given the pandemic and an increased awareness around sanitization, hands-free options in homes provide peace of mind for those who are hyper-conscious of keeping high-touch areas, and the air in their homes clean and germ-free.

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For example, even the seemingly minor act of choosing a touchless faucet or smart lighting in a powder room or mudroom with a handwashing station can make a difference now as well as in the future.

Want to add luxury? Baker recommends updating your bathroom to make it more spa-like. For big renovations, that could mean freestanding soaking tubs and big rain showers, she says.

Turn your bathtub into a spa

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She also suggests installing a bidet. After 2020s toilet paper shortage, its easy to understand why this makes sense. Ive also seen a lot more interest in bidets this year, from low-tech options with no heat to high-tech toilet seats. This was certainly tied to the run on toilet paper back in March, but I think its also part of an overall trend toward accessible luxe bathroom upgrades.

These bathroom upgrades make life better in the short term as well as boost future resale value.

Many homeowners have space that they either dont use or under utilize. Because many activities that used to take place outside are currently taking place inside the home and will continue to be this way in the future, interior designerLiz Caansuggests rethinking how you use your current space.

While many people are converting formal dining rooms into home offices, there are other ways to use these spaces, especially if there is already have a home office. If you never use your formal dining room, turn it into something that adds value to your family like a game room, or envelop it into the kitchen and have one large area where you can all eat together, she says.

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Caan also advises if you have an unfinished basement and need more square footage, consider finishing it off and making it a space for health and fitness like a massage, yoga, or weight room. Another idea is a home salon where your manicurist and hairstylist can come and service you and your family now that so many services have been put on the road.

Attic and garage spaces can also be worth renovating. The garage could turn into an office or studio space, allowing you to work in a space separate from the main home, she says.

Read more:
Interior Designers Share The Best Home Renovation Ideas For 2021 - Forbes

Lindus Construction, a general contracting company in Baldwin, Wisconson, noted hiring a contractor in the colder months could be beneficial.

With fewer full schedules due to lack of exterior work, youll reap the benefits with virtually no wait time for an estimate and project installation. The same cant be said for the summer months thats when contractors are booked with renovations.

Sales galore

Since the wintertime is a slow period, materials may be more inexpensive, according to Angies List. Home upgrade resource website Modernize reported that many contractors will offer discounts and specials to entice homeowners to take them up for business, too.

Take advantage of timing

Usually, people enjoy traveling for the holidays. If you decide to have a getaway, it may be an ideal time to make changes around the house.

If youre traveling or have a busy social schedule during the holidays, you may be able to do without a kitchen for a few weeks, Katherine Jones, director of general contractors at contractor search service Sweeten told House Method.

Link:
Why the winter could be the best time for your home renovation project - Atlanta Journal Constitution

Sponsored content: As the continent renovates its buildings and homes, changing light bulbs can make a big difference to energy efficiency

The role of lighting, Signify argues, may be crucial in the success of a recently published continent-wide initiative by the European Commission.

Buildings account for about 40% of the EUs total energy consumption while only 1% are renovated to increase their energy efficiency each year.

But last month, the Commission released its Renovation Wave Strategy, which aims to double the rate of these renovations within the next ten years as part of its green economic recovery.

Through the initiative, around 35 million buildings could be renovated, seeing an addition of 160,000 jobs in the sector and helping to accelerate the goal of a climate-neutral continent.

We want everyone in Europe to have a home they can light, heat, or cool without breaking the bank or breaking the planet, said Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, adding that the strategy would improve the places where we work, live and study.

Signify, formerly Philips Lighting, has welcomed the initiative and argues that lighting is a quick, easy, and non-intrusive way to immediately improve the energy efficiency of all types of buildings.

This year, the company achieved 100% carbon neutrality and this was, in part, realised by renovating its own buildings, switching to LEDs, and using electricity powered by renewable energy.

We welcome the Renovation Wave as the best kick-start of economic recovery in Europe, said Harry Verhaar, Head of Global Public and Government Affairs at Signify.

Increasing the renovation rate of our buildings is the biggest job machine at our disposal, and these are good local jobs that replace expensive energy imports, he added, echoing IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol who, in June, similarly described energy efficiency as a job machine.

The company has also joined the Net Zero Carbon Buildings (NZCB) programme, which calls on organisations to commit to taking urgent action in decarbonising the built environment.

Lighting, Signify says, presents a remarkable opportunity within the Commissions strategy and as a form of renovation can be as easy as changing a light bulb.

The Philips DimTone, for example, is 90% more energy efficient than a standard halogen bulb, while its LED streetlight technology can reduce consumption by up to 50% in a city, or 80% when paired with smart remote management.

When Deloitte Digital, renovated three floors in its Milan office, it had in mind reducing its emissions and giving employees greater control of their workspace in an open plan environment. The renovation included 250 connected Philips LED luminairesplus integrated sensors to collect, share and distribute data throughout the office environment all managed by Interact Office software.

The facilities managers not only saved massively on electricity costs but gained gain valuable data insights into how their office space was used resulting in improved office efficiency and reduced costs.

However, the company argues that, although these upgrades are simple, straightforward and would create early results for the EU, theyre just not happening fast enough.

A large part of the Renovation Wave and the Commissions recovery plan as a whole is to integrate digitalisation, which Signify says is crucial in fostering new forms of growth and strengthening the EUs resilience.

It argues it is lighting that, through renovations, can create a platform for other energy efficient technologies and improve the digital infrastructure of where we live, work, shop and play, bringing about real change in the coming months and years ahead.

This post was sponsored bySignify.See oureditorial guidelines for what this means.

Read more here:
Lighting and the EU Renovation Wave - Climate Home

Blagdon told her, Come here. Youve got to see these videos, she said.

Both looked at the newspapers video from inside the White Horse space, where Mitchell had set up six barstools found in the Pawnee around where the bar used to be.

I said, Oh, my gosh, thats one of the stools from the White Horse, Shepherd said.

Soon afterward, Mitchell who was in California at the time was meeting with his North Platte team via FaceTime when they suddenly heard someone knocking on the hotels east door.

It was Shepherd with Blagdon and house manager Bryan Solko, bearing the barstool hidden under a white cloth and tied with a red ribbon.

I screamed (through the glass), Hello! Were your neighbors from the Fox Theatre. We have a surprise for you! Shepherd said.

Mitchell watched online as his colleagues unwrapped the barstool, leaving them missing only one of the White Horses eight originals.

I was pretty shocked to see a seventh White Horse Bar original stool, he said Monday. That was a great, great find.

As he toured the Fox with Shepherd Friday, Mitchell got his first look at the oak Mandel Bros. octagonal table that long has borne a tiny memorial plaque noting its hotel heritage.

Read more:
Two Pawnee items find their way home in time for the holidays and an open house - North Platte Telegraph

Megan O'Brien

Boston.com Contributor

December 16, 2020 5:00 am

Located by the Bluefish River, this 18th-century property has entered the market with contemporary updates.

Allison Cayzer of Coldwell Banker Realty-Back Bay listed the mansion at 47 St. George St. in Duxbury also known as Riverlea for $4,650,000 on Dec. 9. The Colonial has six bedrooms, five full bathrooms, and one half bathroom in 4,600 square feet of living space.

Riverlea was originally constructed in the 1700s by shipping mogul Samuel Frazer, according to the listing. A recent full renovation has introduced modern features, including central air and heating, gas fireplaces, and smart-home technology.

The main event on the first floor is an open living, dining, and kitchen space with oak flooring and numerous windows overlooking the water. The adjoining porch also offers views of the river. This side of the home includes a mudroom and an office with exposed wood beams. On the other end is a suite with a bedroom, bath, eat-in kitchen, and a family room with a stone fireplace.

Upstairs, the owner suite is a private oasis with its own deck, a walk-in closet, and an adjoining bath with a dual vanity, soaking tub, cove ceiling, and standalone shower. This floor also features more bedrooms, two laundry rooms, and a second family room.

Outside, the listing includes gardens, a koi pond, decks, a brick patio, and an outdoor shower not to mention a two-car garage and a barn with three vehicle bays. In addition to river access, the property boasts an in-ground swimming pool on its 1.28 acres.

See more photos of the home below:

Subscribe to the Globes free real estate newsletter our weekly digest on buying, selling, and design atpages.email.bostonglobe.com/AddressSignUp. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter@globehomes.

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Luxury Home of Week: For $4.65M, a riverside Colonial in Duxbury - Boston.com

The Irish country house is a space where order and beauty meet, or so WB Yeats is said to have said. But if you happen to own one, you might find life a little more chaotic. Perhaps thats the nature of the beast: those remarkable faades standing for stability, telling of centuries of minding the land; while inside owners are all too aware of dry rot, harsh drafts, rattling roof tiles and damp patches. Persevere though and you can still achieve your own little corner of tranquility and, as Geralyn and Kieran White of Ballysallagh in Co Kilkenny demonstrate, you dont have to be landed or titled, to claim title to a very nice patch of land.

Ballysallagh has just won the inaugural OFlynn Group Heritage Prize. Devised by architectural historian, Robert OByrne, the annual prize of 5,000 acknowledges the owners commitment to the preservation of buildings. Its a timely boost, as while such houses may inspire envy, keeping them going nowadays is a headache raised to migraine-levels by Covid-19. Think about all that income evaporating overnight from weddings and sleepovers, garden visits and house tours, and the festivals that take over the likes of Stradbally (Electric Picnic) and Ballinlough (Body & Soul).

The OFlynn award is open to members of Historic Houses of Ireland (HHI). Set up in 2008 to support owners of these properties, there are currently 140 member houses. HHI have also recently collaborated with Creative Ireland on a report exploring how these houses can be more widely used: as exhibition and concert venues, film locations, forest schools, centres for biodiversity and more. As OByrne puts it, nobody hugs these houses to themselves. These days the owners are thrilled if its giving them income.

I recall the late Desmond Guinness, who co-founded the Irish Georgian Society, telling me about wearing coats to bed, and murky tepid water when his turn for a bath came at the end of a succession of family members. When Kilkenny pharmacists, the Whites bought Ballysallagh in 1987, it would have answered to a similar description.

We bought it from a love of the architecture, and what we could do with it, recalls Geralyn. It was in the height of the first recession, the windows were all falling out, there was no heating, no sense of comfort. But, Georgian houses come up rarely enough in Kilkenny, maybe once in a generation, the weather was glorious, and we looked at it through rose coloured glasses

Full of energy and optimism, the Whites applied for a Government bathroom and window grant, and with 35 windows to restore, they were cautiously optimistic. But the Government fell overnight, and the grants were removed. We were devastated, says Kieran.

Then I contacted the Irish Georgian Society, says Geralyn, taking up the story... Nothing daunts her, says Kieran... And they said they had no grants, but could we have some people to dinner?

For those not in the know, tours of Ireland for wealthy (usually) Americans are big business, and its a business that Filte Ireland is planning to grow, announcing last month that they are exploring the ultra-high net worth luxury travel side of things.

If youre wondering if you might fill the bill, ultra-high net worth means you have liquid assets of at least $5million. If Covid-19 is going to hit mass tourism for the foreseeable future, it makes sense, but these are visitors that dont tend to hop on a bus, or even stay in hotels, unless youre talking the Merrion, Ashford Castle, Adare Manor or Ballyfin end of the scale. Instead, they like to rent castles and go to authentic spots for lunch and dinner. Looked at this way, houses like Ballysallagh are good for the country and the economy.

The Whites first dinner was for The Dallas Garden Club (which sounds like a euphemism, but isnt), and Geralyn received IR40 a head (apparently people with footmen could request more), borrowing glassware from nearby Jerpoint to set the scene.

Wed do it once or twice a year, and it set us up, she says, wonderingly. A Heritage Council grant also helped with the roof but, apart from that, the 30 year project to restore Ballysallagh was funded by passion, ingenuity and sheer grit.

When the first groups came, it was raw, says Geralyn. I practiced the menus on the children, but the Americans loved it. They realised we were a young couple, making it work. As the years went on, weve fine tuned it. With just four bedrooms, Ballysallagh never got into the country house hotel business, but each of those rooms, plus the drawing and dining room on the main floor, and kitchen and study at garden level have been restored with a loving and fastidious eye.

We got heavily into period detail, agrees Kieran. But its finished, he pauses. To a point. It IS finished, declares Geralyn determinedly. We built up a collection of friends and acquaintances who are knowledgeable about these things, says Kieran. Craftspeople who can do lime plastering, stone masons, an upholsterer, a carpenter. The couple agree that these skills are becoming harder to find as fewer younger people want to take on the time commitment of an apprenticeship.

Slaves to symmetry, the Georgians couldnt abide a house that didnt balance, and things had to also look perfect from the outside. Ballysallagh is built on what is known as the tripartite plan, which, Kieran explains, means that if you want a grand entrance hall, youre going to have to suck up a massive gallery above. This solves a mystery I had always pondered: how come large houses of that era seem to waste so much potential bedroom space with vast landings. I had initially (getting my dates utterly muddled) put it down to stiff crinolines.

Geralyn talks passionately about the childhood their now-grown children had in the countryside, exploring with ponies. Kieran is equally passionate about finials and screwfixings. Does he find it hard to relax when things are out of context, I wonder? Yes, says Geralyn immediately, describing his reaction to contemporary light switches popping up in Period dramas, while Kieran contributes a childhood memory of spotting a lorry in the background of a Robin Hood film.

Before Lockdown, the Whites spent a lot of time in the kitchen. Its big and airy, we like cooking, and the Aga gives heat. The study on the same floor is also a very snug room.

In the kitchen, the table and chairs were made by Kieran Costello of Freshford, from 14ft lengths of Irish elm, which themselves had come from the Brabazon family at Kilruddery Estate. The cupboards and window shutters were salvaged from Long Orchard House in Tipperary, and this, says Geralyn, was long before we had access to Google and eBay to source things.

Covid shifted the couples way of living however. We used the drawing room a lot during the lockdown. Wed go up and sit and look at the cattle crossing inthe evenings. Its something we never had time for before. We had used it of course for entertaining, but through lockdown we have a whole new affection for it. It became a new friend to us. Like so many of us, Covid also led the Whites to a decluttering project, and it is a relief to hear that even big houses can have too much stuff.

A house is a pathway to understanding the past. Not just the people who lived in it, but the artefacts and the crafts, and the people who made them, says Geralyn. She tells of coming across a pair of 18th century portraits, unframed at Adams Auctioneers, and realising that they were of Dr John Doyle and his wife, Frances Savage, former owners of the house. They werent the Right Honourable anyone, but I knew them from the history of this house. Now the Doyles are framed and back home, gracing the walls of Ballysallagh once more.

If Ballysallagh really is finished, do the Whites have new plans for the future? Geralyn talks about occasionally loving the idea of a glass contemporary house, you know, the kind with underfloor heating and one sofa. Youd be bored, says Kieran. Weve put so much into this house, says Geralyn, Theres so much of us in it. I couldnt see us parting with it.

Find Ballysallagh and more at ihh.ie, and also at Robert OByrnes online trove theirishaesthete.com. Download the IHH / Creative Ireland report at creativeireland.gov.ie.

With a number of bodies, but little cohesion, its hard to know where to start when tackling an historic house project. From the Irish Georgian Society to the Heritage Council, the Irish Historic Trust, the Landmark Trust and Historic Houses of Ireland, theres still surprisingly little support. Now open for applications for 2021, the Historic Structures Fund could be a good bet. Run by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, it awards grants of between 15,000 and 50,000, and 50,000 to 200,000 depending on the size of the property and it doesnt just cover places with parapets, turrets and ha-has. Theres also a strand for vernacular heritage. Find out more from your own Local Authority, but hurry, the closing date is January 29th.

See the original post:
Restoring country home glory takes blood, sweat and tears - The Irish Times

Global property investment company Hines and APG are seeking planning permission for the next phase of its redevelopment of the Player Wills site in Dublin, with 732 new homes and two new parks proposed.

The strategic housing application will also include the restoration of the former Player Wills building in Dublin 8, turning the former factory into a new mixed-use space with 287 new residential units, including 240 shared living industrial-style loft units.

Hines Ireland managing director Gary Corrigan said the planned development would deliver much-needed residential accommodation and extensive new amenity, community and outdoor recreational space to benefit all residents in the area.

The development will also include the full restoration of the original building and an extension to the rear, with residential units, new community, artistic and cultural spaces, along with separate commercial space for activities such as small business and co-working facilities.

Our extensive engagement with local residents over the past 18 months was a turning point in determining our approach with the much-loved Player Wills building, he said. Our aim here is to make the Player Wills building once again the beating heart of a new and vibrant community in Dublin 8.

The application includes four new pedestrian access points into the Players Will site from South Circular Road, St Catherines Avenue and Donore Avenue; a low-speed internal road network that prioritises bicycle-users and pedestrians; and more than 1,000 dedicated bicycle spaces, 903 of which will be long-stay and located underground or in secure on-surface bike rooms.

Planning permission was granted in September for 404 new apartments, two duplex, three triplex apartments and four houses on the former Bailey Gibson lands. However, construction has been delayed until the outcome of a judicial review process is concluded.

If the second phase is approved, the combined Player Will and Bailey Gibson sites will deliver 1,552 new homes.

It may again face opposition from local residents, however, with the Dublin 8 Residents Association saying on Wednesday that it would be reviewing the new application very closely, particularly in relation to height and the proposed co-living element which has been clearly signalled by government as undesirable.

Visit link:
Hines seeks permission for 732 homes at Player Wills site in Dublin 8 - The Irish Times

This is the reason why several homeowners now transform a part of their home into a home office to support their needs work-wise. In line with this, below are some extravagant renovation ideas that will allow you to have a home office space that greatly supports productiveness.

One of the primary parts of your house that can be transformed into a great home office space is your loft. In searching online for ideas that can inspire you, you may come across the link loftera.co.uk/blog/loft-conversion-cost/that provides you with a good insight into how much a loft conversion may cost. According to this article, the budget that you have to allocate depends on the type of loft that you wish to have, whether you intend to go for a roof light, a dormer, a hip to gable, or a mansard. Just keep in mind to employ the proper insulation on your loft to ensure that you are comfortable while working.

Another space in your home that you can convert into an office is your attic. However, since most attics are oddly shaped, you need to plan the perfect layout of your office to fit in it accordingly. In this case, you should go for a minimalist vibe and implement a solid color palette. Nevertheless, you can still place accents of color throughout your space to expand the space of your attic. There is also the option for you to go for a drop-front desk to save space.

More and more people are considering the transformation of their basement into a home office space that they can use for a long time. Just keep in mind to improve the lighting in your basement by using the proper fixtures. In parallel to this, you can also apply a fresh coat of paint in light colors to add more brightness to your space. There is also the option for you to go all white to generate a fresh and clean look.

Some people convert their garage into a home office space that makes them comfortable to work. However, to transform your garage into a fully functional home office space, your garage needs to have electricity, heat, water, and communication peripherals. In this case, you can add pops of color for a more inviting and aesthetically pleasing design. Perhaps the only drawback of having to convert your garage into a home office area is that you need to park your car outside.

In case you dont have a room in your home to spare or transform into an office space, then altering a space corner will prove to be sufficient. In this case, you need to leverage a desk that is customized to fit the corner of the room that you will be using. If you can go for a corner of your home that is close to a window, then make sure to take advantage of the natural light coming in. Aside from using light drapes, explore window treatments that will allow you to bring the outdoors in. On the other hand, if the space corner is bounded purely by walls, consider using energizing colors that will make the space feel less cramped.

Another extravagant renovation idea is to extend your home to cater to an office space, which will cost you anywhere from $30000 to $50000. With a new addition, you will have the freedom to design the interior of the additional space depending on how you deem fit. Just keep in mind that since this is additional space in your home, you need to ensure that you comply with building codes and zoning regulations during its construction.

Apart from an extension, you can also convert an outside structure into a great home office. For instance, there is the option for you to transform an enclosed cabana or a tool shed to cater to your office needs.

While working from home can be quite convenient, it can also prove to be challenging, particularly if you dont have a dedicated space where you can comfortably work on your tasks. This is the reason why you should consider home renovation possibilities to cater to a home office space. In this case, take some inspiration from the ideas listed above and for sure, you will have a workspace conducive to being productive in no time.

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Extravagant renovation ideas that will make your home office a lot better - Business MattersBusiness Matters