The owner of a Kansas City remodeling company, often seen and heard in popular commercials in Kansas City, died after a shooting Sunday morning, his sister and two other sources told KMBC 9 Investigates.Officers say they were called to the area of 63rd Street and Prospect Avenue just after midnight Sunday for a medical emergency. When they arrived, they found 46-year-old John Bartrom lying on the ground.EMS took Bartrom to the hospital, where he died. Police later determined he had been shot."We are heartbroken over the loss of our brother," Bartroms sister Nora Schwartz said. "John was loved by those around him. He lived a big life and had so much more to give. Our family will never be whole again."Bartrom founded Jericho Home Improvements and prided his company on the absolute highest standards for craftsmanship and professional service.While everything is under investigation, we have no comment, said a woman who answered the phone at Jericho Home Improvements Monday morning.Detectives are working to learn what led to the 46-year-old's death. KMBC asked for more details surrounding Bartroms death, but, a spokesman said the details are part of the investigation.KCPD says that a person of interest has been taken into custody in connection with the investigation.Anyone who has information that could help investigators is asked to call the Crimestoppers TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

The owner of a Kansas City remodeling company, often seen and heard in popular commercials in Kansas City, died after a shooting Sunday morning, his sister and two other sources told KMBC 9 Investigates.

Officers say they were called to the area of 63rd Street and Prospect Avenue just after midnight Sunday for a medical emergency. When they arrived, they found 46-year-old John Bartrom lying on the ground.

EMS took Bartrom to the hospital, where he died. Police later determined he had been shot.

"We are heartbroken over the loss of our brother," Bartroms sister Nora Schwartz said. "John was loved by those around him. He lived a big life and had so much more to give. Our family will never be whole again."

Bartrom founded Jericho Home Improvements and prided his company on the absolute highest standards for craftsmanship and professional service.

While everything is under investigation, we have no comment, said a woman who answered the phone at Jericho Home Improvements Monday morning.

Detectives are working to learn what led to the 46-year-old's death. KMBC asked for more details surrounding Bartroms death, but, a spokesman said the details are part of the investigation.

KCPD says that a person of interest has been taken into custody in connection with the investigation.

Anyone who has information that could help investigators is asked to call the Crimestoppers TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

Read more:
Founder and owner of Jericho Home Improvements killed in shooting - KMBC Kansas City

Lisa Petrole

Ashley Maddox (left) and Hilary Walker.

A "turnkey home" may be realtor catnip, but true design lovers go for the neither-new-nor-improved originals. When Ashley Maddox moved to Waco, Texas, to work as Magnolias director of styling, she set her sights on finding an unrenovated midcentury home for herself, her husband, Austin, and their two boys. Waco is seeing a lot of growth now, but its been a sleepy town, so there are homes sitting there virtually untouched, she says. She received a tip about one such uncut gem from a friend who noticed a neighbor piling up flooring outside and raced over to investigate. When he told her he was fixing up his home to sell, the pal connected him to Maddox, who begged him to not touch a thing. She did a walk-through with her boss, Joanna Gaines, who agreed it was perfect. Once Jo said it was good, Maddox recalls, it was like, OK, lets do this.

Maddox enlisted the help of interior designer Hilary Walker, her friend and coworker, to transform the outdated layout while preserving its 1950s charm. The pair opened up a wall in the kitchen, replacing it with airy built-in shelving to store what Maddox calls sit-abouts, explaining, Were not minimalists over here; I like to have pretty things to look at. Though other walls were removed, original hidden storage stayed, and built-ins off the den serve as a toy cache for the boys on the bottom and display for more tchotchkes up top. Initially, Maddox wanted to carve an office/guest bedroom out of the kitchen. But it would have been, like, a closet, so I said, Well have grandma and grandpa stay at a hotel, which works out better for everyone, she recalls. The now-spacious kitchen has walnut cabinets and a paneled refrigerator in keeping with the midcentury palette, plus dark stone counters that pair well with the glossy terrazzo tile floors. The kitchen feels like a gentlemans crisp suit to meits the perfect base for the rest of the home, Walker says.

Throughout, bold hues run rampant: rust in the bedroom, green in the boys room, and blue in the bathroom. Furniture from Round Top and Facebook Marketplace was reupholstered using automotive fabric. Its our weirdest budget hackit looks like great nubby tweeds from midcentury offices, but its so inexpensive, Walker says. Nothing in the home is too precious or too bland. After all, Who has time for safe design choices? Walker asks. We want to have fun.

Pictured above.

The homes 1957 architecture shines throughout its central spaces. Sofa: vintage Nicoletti Salotti. Chaise and chairs: vintage. Large painting: Janet Little. Pendant: Etsy. Side table: Good Vintage.

Avocado green walls are in keeping with the midcentury spirit and create a chill mood for movie nights.

Sofa and coffee table: Magnolia. Rug: Loloi. Paint: Savannah Shade, Benjamin Moore. Side tables and chair: vintage. Pillows: Etsy.

Rich walnut cabinetry sets the tone for a classic kitchen. Walnut paneling conceals the fridge. Barstools: CB2. Range: Zline. Faucet: Brizo.

Pendants: Amazon. Sconces: Lulu and Georgia. Counters: Topzstone.

The original kitchen was awkwardly segmented. By removing a wall and cabinets, Walker and Maddox carved out a welcoming corner. Table and pendant: CB2. Banquette: custom. Chairs: vintage.

A pared-down palette keeps the focus on the cantilevered soffit and clerestory windows. Dining table and chairs: vintage. Pendant: Hay. Credenza: IKEA.

Rich earth shades create an immersive sanctuary with a touch of drama, Walker says. Paint: Deep Reddish Brown, Farrow & Ball. Rug: Loloi. Headboard: Anthropologie. Bedding: Target. Pillows: Marion Collection, Etsy.

Painted brick in the boys room provides the perfect backdrop for their artwork. Paint: Castleton Mist, Benjamin Moore. Bed: Crate & Kids. Side table and trunk: vintage. Beanbag: Spaces by Hollie Velten.

Because its a small space for children, this felt like the right moment to have fun, Walker says. Paint: Sydney Harbour, Behr. Fixtures: Delta Faucet. Tile: Wayfair. Shower curtain: Quiet Town.

Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

Read the original post:
Magnolia's Director of Styling Reveals Waco Home Renovation - House Beautiful

Chilling Discovery in Home Renovation Captivates Millions

When a British couple embarked on renovating their newly acquired home, little did they know they would stumble upon an eerie discovery that would send shivers down their spine and captivate millions around the globe. Their abode, a charming edifice erected in 1966, held a secret that lay dormant for decades, hidden behind the mundane faade of an upstairs bedroom wardrobe.

As they sifted through the remnants and relics of the past, they stumbled upon a secret crawl space. Nestled within it was a locked cupboard, its contents veiled behind an unassuming exterior. Mustering courage, they prised open the cupboard, revealing a suspicious silver suitcase. The absence of any foul smell or pesky flies quickly dispelled their dread of finding a cadaver. Instead, what they found inside was equally perplexing a smaller suitcase containing a doll.

The doll, strapped securely within the suitcase, sent a chill down their spine. The homeowner mused it might be a collectible item, yet its presence felt oddly unsettling. The doll, seemingly harmless, became the protagonist of their own real-life horror narrative.

The couple took to TikTok to share their peculiar discovery, a decision that soon echoed around the world. The video swiftly amassed over 2 million views, with viewers expressing their horror and fascination in equal measure. Theories ranged from the doll being cursed to the incident marking the beginning of a horror movie.

Since the chilling discovery, the couple has reported strange occurrences within their home. Flickering electrics, noises emanating from the thermostat, and an unsettling air of unease have become common, further fueling speculations. Whether these incidents are tied to the dolls apparition remains uncertain. The couple, torn between fear and intrigue, is now contemplating their next course of action.

The incident, akin to a plot straight out of a horror movie, continues to intrigue audiences, with many eagerly awaiting updates. As the homeowner grapples with the eerie discovery, one thing is clear the story of the secret suitcase and the strange doll has struck a chord, turning an ordinary home renovation into an extraordinary tale that transcends borders and resonates with a global audience.

The rest is here:
Eerie Discovery During Home Renovation Goes Viral - BNN Breaking

Most homeowners would jump at any opportunity to save thousands of dollars on home energy bills. And for anyone with an aging furnace near the end of its lifespan, you might be in luck.

You can cash in on savings by installing a heat pump system, a cost-effective way to heat and cool your home.

Because a heat pump system is so absurdly efficient, around two to four times more than traditional furnaces, youll lower your heating costs by about 50%, according to the Department of Energy.

Now, of course, the actual amount youd save on your energy bills depends on the size of your house, how well-insulated it is, your local climate, and the type of home heating system you already have.

But no matter how old your system is, youre likely to save serious cash. For example, if you have a propane furnace, you could expect savings of close to $855 a year. If you have a natural gas boiler, the annual savings would be closer to $200. And if you have an electric furnace, you could save close to $815 every year.

So, while its clear that youd save thousands of dollars in electricity bills over the life of your heat pump system, it doesnt come without a cost.

Buying and installing a heat pump in a 2,000-square-foot house may cost roughly $14,000, which is no small chunk of change.

However, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, you could get up to $8,000 back if you install a heat pump system in your home. But the savings may not stop there.

Homeowners upgrading to a heat pump system may be able to double dip, receiving both an $8,000 rebate, as well as a 30% tax credit on the remaining amount of the system.

So if a new heat pump system costs you $14,000, you could get up to an $8,000 rebate and a 30% tax credit on the remaining $6,000, equaling $1,800. So now, the price has dropped from $14,000 all the way down to $4,200.

Pair that with a potential savings of $1,000 a year, and the system would pay for itself in just over four years.

Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet.

More here:
This home renovation could save you thousands of dollars and its easier to install than you might think - Yahoo! Voices

HALLOWELL If it wasnt for Bridget Barrow going door-to-door with a local electrician, businesses in Hallowell might still be without power.

Like other places in central Maine, Hallowells Water Street sustained substantial flood and wind damage from this weeks massive rainstorm, which pushed the Kennebec River to unprecedented levels. The local businesses on the citys main strip were unable to get electricity restored until each building was cleared by an electrician.

It was a fact Barrow, who manages several properties on Water Street through Tenant Solutions, did not know until Thursday night when Hallowell City Manager Gary Lamb posted the notice on the door of one of her properties.

Then, she got to work.

I went home and made 20 copies of the notice because I thought, No one down the hall probably knows this, and I got my clipboard, my flashlight and my headlamp and informed everyone I could, she said.

She called Nicholas Electrical Company, which volunteered staff time on Friday and went door to door with her. Barrow was worried that if the street went another day without power, the pipes would freeze.

Because of the flooding, each building on Water Street from the colorful chairs to Lucky Garden had to be individually checked to make sure the power could be safely turned back on. To prevent a fire or a transformer from blowing when the power was restored, Barrow and the electrician had to check the breaker panels and the electric meters to make sure they did not sustain water damage.

The process of going door-to-door took the entire day, but they were able to reach every building and business owner.

With every building clear and a few had to have their meters switched off because of the flood damage, like Maine Local Market Barrow and the electrician from Nicholas Electrical could tell Central Maine Power the news: they did it.

If she did not get to everyone, or clearing each building relied upon unorganized individual efforts, the strip along the water on Water Street still could be without power.

It was 5 a.m., (on Saturday) and I was praying that since every building was cleared and by 7 a.m. Central Maine Power confirmed we got our power back, Barrow said. I called my tenants and they can be home for Christmas and be warm and not have to worry about their pipes freezing.

Previous

Next

The rest is here:
A local property manager organized power restoration in Hallowell after this week's flooding - Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel

Move over Larry Ellison, theres a new mogul cutting into your longtime Malibu turf. On exclusive Carbon Beach, where Ellison owns no fewer than 13 houses, two eye-catching contemporary homes recently sold. Back in August, a 5,600-square-foot 1990s build went for $26.7 million, and now a 4,000-square-foot stunner about 12 doors away just closed for $28.5 million.

Records reveal both lavish beach houses were bought by the same man: Gary Friedman, the billionaire chief executive of the high-end furnishings juggernaut formerly known as Restoration Hardware.

More from Robb Report

Its not clear why Friedman wants or needs two spacious and vaguely similar-looking houses on the same stretch of sand, but its entirely possible that one will serve as his temporary crash pad while the other is undergoing renovations, or perhaps one is intended to be guesthouse for friends and family.

Whatever the case, Friedmans latest acquisition has a bit of a interesting ownership history. From 2018 until 2021, the house was owned by billionaire Robert F. Smith, who used the place as a high-end income property, frequently renting the place out to short-term tenants. In late 2021, Smith sold the house for $21.8 million to noted property developer Saffron Case and her husband Timothy. The Cases held onto the place for two years, giving it a thorough remodel, before flipping it to Friedman for the aforementioned $28.5 million.

Guarded by an electronic driveway gate, the redwood-sided structure includes an expansive great room adorned with custom rift cabinetry and plaster walls, plus a separate bar area. Fully remodeled, the kitchen includes stone countertops and white oak cabinetry. Three of the homes bedrooms are located on the main floor, while the lavish primary suite rungs the full length of the house and includes a private office, a spa-style bathroom and boutique-style closet.

Story continues

Out back, a 60-foot wooden deck fronts the beach. Ideal for entertaining, the backyard area also includes a built-in barbecue center, a fire-pit and an outdoor shower for hosing off the sand.

With just one brief interruption, Friedman has been CEO of RH, the company formerly known as Restoration Hardware since 2001, and has overseen multiple reinventions of the luxury home furnishings retailer. Today, the San Francisco native sports a net worth that tops $1.6 billion,per Forbes. In addition to his two new Carbon Beach retreats, he also maintains a Beverly Hills mansion, that recently popped up for sale with a $44 million asking price. Last year, the San Francisco native sold a half-builtLos Angelesestate for $24 million to an anonymous buyer.

Best of Robb Report

Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.

See the rest here:
Restoration Hardwares CEO Pays $28 Million for His Second Malibu Beach House - Yahoo Singapore News

FIXER UPPERS From left, Lachlan Murdoch, David Zaslav and Bob Iger. (Photo illustration by Dawn Camner; see below for credits)

Share

From Disney to Amazon, who had the worst and best year?

Sorry folks. If you think 2023 was bad, wait until you see what 2024 has in store. The big media home renovation project is moving into yet another phase with Warner Brothers Discovery positioning itself as a potential acquirer of Paramount Global. If that happens or other combinations involving Comcasts NBCUniversal or even the Dolan familys AMC Networks expect legions of foot soldiers headed to the unemployment office, as the chase to keep up with the tech giants increasingly winning for time and money from the TV pie gets harder and harder.(Are you in the business of selling dayparts or demos? Your days are numbered.)

There are more walls to be knocked down, archaic practices to be tossed in the giant post-linear dumpster.Everybody even the big tech giants is redoing their 2024 budgets with an eye on caution after a more disappointing year than expected.

We all had six months to stare at our numbers. The part that scares me about it? Were the kind of business when you hack off too much, theres nothing left to create with.

- a top studio boss

Social media viewership is growing up from 33 minutes a day in 2019 to one hour and a minute this year a 17 percent jump while pay-TV households are expected to drop from 66 million to 54 million over the next five years, according to research from Activate CEO Michael J. Wolf.

Efficiency is the buzzword of next year and every smart media executive will be looking for ways to bring AI into the mix. AI is already radically altering how we search for and create content, inevitably reducing labor costs.

As one studio boss pointed out, you can only cut so far before you destroy the potential for creativity. We all had six months to stare at our numbers, this person says, explaining that the pandemic plus the Hollywood strikes turned everyones eyes on the vast sums being spent. The part that scares me about it? Were the kind of business when you hack off too much, theres nothing left to create with.

Today I will:

Tell you about the big macro business trends already underway for 2024.

Examine the strengths, weaknesses and assign a letter grade to the eight big studios and streamers for this year.

Lay out expectations for the next year for each major player.

Originally posted here:
Big Media's Home Renovation Isn't Over - by Claire Atkinson - The Ankler.

COLORADO SPRINGS There's not much Brian Zimkas will say that is positive about Statewide Restoration but he says he made "some" headway after we started asking the company why the repairs to his Colorado Springs home that burned more than year and a half earlier still were not complete. In 2020, his home caught fire as he and his family were sleeping.

"Their intentions on day one when they showed up here on June 10, 2020 was to make me a victim their operation and yet they make me feel 100% at ease," said Zimkas. "They had guys out here boarding up the side of my house, asking if we needed anything, volunteering to take the cars to have them cleaned to get the smoke damage out of it, just these little details that you kind of really think that would be good to be happening when youre in a state like that. It's a faade."

"They did the winterization of the home and they boarded up everything," said Statewide Restoration customer Brian Wynne.

Wynne claims he's one of Statewide's victims, too. He says his home caught fire in 2020 as he was taking a nap. He says as soon as his insurance adjuster showed up to the scene, so did a representative from Statewide.

"(The insurance adjuster) started giving me a list of the contractors I would have to call to clear out the house, and to remove and clean what textiles could be salvaged, and to do the demolition on the home and he walks over, the salesman, Ian, he's like, 'Excuse me but if you hire us you won't have to do any of that.we handle everything.' I thought, 'Well this guy must've been sent from heaven.'"

Heaven...or hell?

"After they got everything cleared out on the home we noticed like for a week or two no one showed up doing anything," said Wynne. "So we called them they said, 'Oh we're sorry it's because of the pandemic, people are afraid to work.'"

Wynne says the excuses just kept on coming for 18 months.

"Then once I got the cold water going they said, 'Okay we're not paying for your living expenses anymore because your home is now habitable.' (I said), Oh really? There's no hot water, there's no heat.' They said, 'Well, it is still summer time you don't really need heat right now.'"

Then in September of 2022 both men claim Statewide Restoration abruptly shut down. Customers told me they were sent an email that said, "We regret to inform you that, due to competitive market dynamics, Statewide Restoration and all affiliated entities have ceased operations. We encourage you to seek out a third-party vendor to complete all ongoing projects. If you have any further inquiries, please contact us directly at this email address: statewiderestoration@gostatewide.com, or reply to this email."

Zimkas and Wynne were not the only alleged victims. Daniel Hesselius and Becky Navarro say they hired Statewide Restoration to rebuild their homes in Boulder county after the devastating Marshall fire in December of 2021

"We've got to go back, not to square one because we have the design of the house, but we need to go find a builder and go through that whole process again," said Hesselius.

"I felt like I went right back into the emotions right after my house burnt down," said Navarro.

So how can all of these potential victims fight back? Call law enforcement to file a fraud complaint? It's not that easy, say Zimkas and Wynne.

Colorado Springs police told me Zimkas' situation was civil "because work was done, noting the DAO (District Attorney's Office) will not file charges when some level of work has been done."

The El Paso County Sheriff's office said Wynne's case is under investigation and cannot comment.

So I reached out to both the 4th Judicial District Attorney's office and the Colorado Attorney General. Both cancelled interviews with me, the District Attorney's office twice. Instead, they scheduled a news conference to discuss contractor fraud.

Dianne Derby: I hear from a lot of viewers that when they call CSPD, when they call the sheriff's office, they are told specifically because 'some work' was done, the DAO will not investigate that as a criminal complaint. Why is that?

District Attorney Michael Allen: I would have to say one thing is that the investigation actually occurs with the law enforcement agency and then that case is referred to us for potential prosecution. The reason why, if some work is already done but not completed, we have to be able to show evidence that it was intent to permanently deprive somebody of their money or their property.... So if somebody does some of the work but doesn't complete it, that's not necessarily evidence of intent to permanently deprive. That often is a bar to criminal prosecution, which is why it was important to bring in Attorney General Phil Weiser to talk about consumer protection and the avenues that they have available to them that has a slightly lower bar than what the criminal law requires.

Dianne Derby: I think what's difficult is our station has been reaching out to (the Attorney General's) office since March, at least, about a company called Statewide Restoration, which apparently has opened up then shut down, taking money from victims, including the Marshall fire victims, skipping town, and they're left with no option. Yes, they can file a civil complaint, but that takes so much money. Yes, if they win that case, what's the likelihood of them actually getting their money from that contractor? So that's the frustrating part for them. When they go to your office, you say you'll investigate, but they don't know where that's going.

Attorney General Phil Weiser: We do have a constraint as we have investigations proceeding how much we can say. I'll make sure that we are looking at that specific one.

"There are complaints about them everywhere, everywhere," said attorney Heather Marx.

Marx says victims also can sue for both theft and fraud, even if the company claims it shut down because it's out of money.

"So you still sue them," Marx said. "Then if that party doesn't respond to it, you get a default judgment and then you can collect either against that company, you can collect against the people who own the company, the individuals, you can either collect against their home, you can get a judgment against the individuals take anything they have."

What about a class action?

"I think a class action lawsuit is a difficult one, because first of all, you have to certify the class so you have to get a certain number of people together, go to the court and the court has to approve it as being a class that's able to proceed together," Marx said. "Unfortunately, with those kind of cases, the only people that usually end up winning are the attorneys."

In the meantime, both homeowners hired other contractors to finish their projects, leaving them out money and patience for work they say simply was not complete.

"You owe a lot of people money for the crooked operation that you run," said Zimkas.

"The main thing I want really though is to make sure they can't do to anyone else what they did to us," Wynne said.

So who owns Statewide Restoration? Private equity firm RF Investment Partners Home | RF Investment Partners once included Statewide Restoration in its portfolio on it's website but that's been removed. Calls and emails I have sent to the firm have not been returned.

If you believe you are a victim of Statewide Restoration file a complaint directly with your state attorney general's office. In Colorado, you can file a complaint on the office's website.

We will be sure to follow up with Attorney General Weiser to find out if any civil charges could be pending in the case.

Have a story you'd like News5 Investigates to look into? Send an email to News5Investigates@KOAA.com.

Read the original:
Colorado AG says he will look into Statewide Restoration complaints as fire victims say they were abandoned - KOAA News 5

Gisele Bndchen may be a supermodel, yoga master, nature lover, and jiu jitsu purple belt, but she's only human when it comes to a very common aggravation home renovations.

When asked about her upcoming projects during an intimate, IWC Schaffhausen event for Art Basel Miami on Friday, Bndchen revealed one in particular is testing her a little.

"Im doing construction! Its incredible doing construction in Miami takes a lot of patience," she said.

When the group erupted in laughter, Bndchen added, "Im guessing by the reaction, Im not the only one."

The supermodel, who'd just detailed her 20-year meditation practice, then explained how she's handling the current challenge.

"Im exercising all those years of meditation its very useful, Im not going to lie," she said.

Bndchen owns multiple Miami homes, including a new one on a horse farm and a Miami Beach property with her ex, Tom Brady.

Jason Koerner/Getty

Luckily, her meditative approach seems to be working. "I have to tell you, having a moment to free yourself, to breathe, to really just nourish yourself first, I think it goes a long way. For me, when I dont do it, I feel a huge difference," she revealed.

Relishing life's moments is a top priority for the mother of two, a brand ambassador for the legendary Swiss watchmaker.

"Managing time is the most important thing because time is the most valuable thing we have the most valuable currency we have," she tells PEOPLE.

Jason Koerner/Getty

And when it comes to managing her homes, children, self-care and more, the supermodel reveals she uses one particular method to keep track of it all.

"I actually have a color-coordinated calendar," she says.

"Each of my children has a color, work has a color, my personal activities have a color. Because this way I can see if I have all the colors every day, it means Im spending the time doing all the things that are important to me.

Never miss a story sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Even with the frustration of construction, Bundchen remains overjoyed with life in the Sunshine State. After all, she says her key to staying, "cool as a cucumber," is, "moving around, doing yoga, walking your dog, getting fresh air."

The supermodel also shared that shehas some competition for her IWC Schaffhausen watches, and it comes from her daughter, Vivian, 11, who Bndchen explains has her eye on the Ingenieur Automatic 40 model, which costs $11,700.

"It's beautiful, its kind of sporty, and Im very sporty. But, its versatile, she explained of the timepiece, adding that while Vivian is "not yet" allowed to borrow the accessory, "believe me, shes taking an eye on my watches, like, 'Mom, I like that, are you going to give that to me, are you saving that for me?'

See more here:
Gisele Bndchen Reveals the Tool She Uses to Manage 'Incredible' Home Renovation Project - PEOPLE

A Tulsa couple has a huge following on social media for their hacks on do-it-yourself projects and home remodeling. Now, they are using their platform to give back to people and changing lives with acts of kindness along the way.

Thursday, December 7th 2023, 8:24 pm

A Tulsa couple has a huge following on social media for their hacks on do-it-yourself projects and home remodeling. Now, they are using their platform to give back to people and changing lives with acts of kindness along the way.

Its hard to miss the bright blue and green home in a Tulsa neighborhood near Apache and MLK. There are giant yellow sunflowers and vibrant fuchsia flowers in the garden.

Those bright colors match Latrice Iilands colorful personality.

I was getting a haircut, Nik Stophel said.

Stophel sat down in Iilands salon chair a few months ago. Small talk led to a deeper conversation about her home and her recent misfortune.

She said your house is on fire, Iiland told Stophel. I mean, you dont want to hear your house is on fire or somebody died.

Iiland arrived home earlier this year to find her house destroyed.

It consumed the whole back of this house right up into the second floor, she said.

She soon found out insurance wouldn't help much. And then, she said, a roofing company scammed her. So she had no choice but to try to remodel herself.

Iiland began chipping away at the home and lived in a tiny section in the back while trying to do other projects upstairs.

I lived in here, she said. I put the floor in, the walls, the ceiling. It took me three weeks, and I lived in this room.

This is a closet I turned into a bathroom, a shower, she showed News On 6.

For months, that is how Latrice survived.Until I met Nik and it changed everything, she said.

Nik and Alivia Stophel are the first to say they were no experts on home remodeling. The Tulsans began documenting their own home DIY journey on TikTok during the pandemic. A few videos went viral, and suddenly, a lot more eyes were on their content.

And it just took off, no idea why. We were just posting videos of scraping popcorn and demoing walls, Nik said.

The two continued posting their progress, and brands began to sponsor their videos. While learning along the way, they were honest about the hard moments, too.

We made a lot of mistakes, but we learned a lot too, Alivia said.

Now, they have about two million TikTok followers and hundreds of thousands on Facebook and Instagram.

All the success had Nik and Liv eager to give back to their community. Nik began knocking on Tulsa doors to ask people how he could help with small things like yardwork in what became known as Good Work Wednesday.

Those small gestures turned into bigger projects.After hearing her story, Nik and Alivia told Iiland they wanted to take on her entire burnt home, top to bottom, for free.

It feels like I won the lottery. That's not something you hear every day, Iiland said.

The whole roof missing, exposed. It rained on her house for weeks before it could be replaced, Nik said.

They have been hard at work, installing foam insulation and putting in the drywall.

Even before the house caught on fire, you couldnt stay here because it was too hot, Iiland said.

The couple also painted the front of the house a vibrant blue color inspired by the Florida Keys.

People on social media have helped fund the remodel, raising more than $30,000.And with it nearing completion, Iiland said the generosity is an answered prayer.

"Thank you for being God's hand, Iiland told Nik.

She says this home is her Phoenix.It is a phoenix, Iiland said. It rises from the ashes.

Once all the hard work is finished, she hopes to give this same level of generosity to others. While Nik and Liv continue pouring into the town they love, and the people they serve.

If you feel good helping me, I want to feel good helping someone else, Nik said.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Nik and Liv.

See the rest here:
TikTok Famous Tulsa Couple Transforming Lives With Free Home Remodeling Projects - News On 6