Photo via GOOP How does one become a 'lifestyle guru?' Used to be, the process required years of meditation on Mt. Shelter Mag, but with GOOP, her weekly lifestyle newsletter, Gwyneth Paltrow has pioneered a new path to enlightenment: opening up rooms in your lavish estates to brand-heavy rejiggering efforts and self-publishing the results. Earlier this month, we were caught unawares by GOOP's redo of an unidentified "expansive but frill-free space above the garage," which turned out to be a guesthouse in Paltrow's LA home. With her latest remodeling project, Paltrow laid the cards out on the Karl Springer console table right up front, enlisting Room in a Box, the e-decorating service of designer Windsor Smithto whom GOOP ascribes an "understanding for how a living, breathing and modern family (with rambunctious kids) will actually use a space supersedes that of any mere mortal," possibly referencing her fine work in chez Paltrow West Coastto take on the living room in her Amagansett, NY abode. Eager, young disciple, to beat your own path to a higher plane of Paltroesque design savvy? Come, let us learn at the resplendently pedicured feet of a true celebriguru.

Photos via GOOP Here, we spy Paltrow's "troubled" living room, whose true potential had eluded two previous overhauls at Paltrow's own hand. Why, oh why, had this remained "a dead zone in the home, where nobody seemed to spend time?" Could it have been the visual violence wrought by that couch? A chakra imbalance brought on by a slight misalignment of the picture clump beside the piano? All Paltrow knew, aside from the fact that those "adorable" one-seaters deserved a second chance, was that she had to bring in a professional.

Photo via GOOP First off, the piano was moved to the center of the room, as Windsor Smith tells it, to "draw energy into the space." In its place, a Roche Bobois sectional sofa was added, along with a Carol Egan coffee table, chosen to grace this nook with a "contemporary twist," "a subtle sense of weightlessness," and "a lightness to it that reinforces the room's airiness." It's worth noting here that we're dealing with light, air, and weight, the -nesses that form the very foundation of our universe, and all of its interiors great and small.

Photo via GOOP At the other end of the room, more pieces of Bubois sectional were brought in atop a freshly-laid carpet to create a "tempered palette of soft neutrals" that serves as a "low-key backdrop" for Donald Kaufman's Color Field painting, and there you have it, a "modern-day take on the traditional 'salon,'" a shrine to all that is GOOP-worthy under the sun. Regrettably, that loud couch in the space's previous incarnation is now wreaking havoc in the family room, but concerning this one, perhaps GOOP said it best in a one-word caption to a photo of Paltrow enjoying her now space: "Thrilled."

Room In A Box [Goop] How Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP GOOPs Up a Studio Apartment [Curbed National] All previous Paltrow coverage. [Curbed National]

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Adventures in Interior Design: Come, Let's GOOP Around in Gwyneth Paltrow's Living Room

Posted on: 9:40 pm, January 30, 2014, by Heidi Hemmat, updated on: 12:49pm, January 31, 2014

DENVER Dreams of a new kitchen turned into a nightmare for many Colorado homeowners who collectively paid a local contractor hundreds of thousands of dollars, only to see him take the money and run.

The company is called Kitchens 4 Less and Herman Hinojosa, the owner, is suspected of stealing from homeowners who paid large deposits for work that was never completed.

In November, Hinojosa filed for bankruptcy leaving his customers high and dry. He claims hes broke and has no way to finish the jobs he started, but our investigation found Hinojosa is still receiving money from unsuspecting customers.

Arvada resident Christine Wilson lives in the middle of a disaster area. The single moms living room is packed full of what used to be in her kitchen leaving a 5 by 10 space to live in.

This is where we are living. Its awful. We do homework here, we cook here. Wilson said.

She hired Hinojosa last summer to remodel her kitchen and bathroom to make it more accessible for her disabled mother.

According to her invoice, Wilson paid Hinojosa the required $9,000 up front. But days turned into months with no work.

We have an open sewer line in the bathroom. Its been that way for 5 months. I was very much ripped off. Wilson said.

She learned about the bankruptcy when she received a notice saying Hinojosa had filed for Chapter 7. The notice listed dozens of people who told us they collectively paid Hinojosa hundreds of thousands of dollars for remodeling work they never received.

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Contractor accused of taking deposits for remodeling, didnt complete work

How to Build a Post-to-Post Staircase System

Many design options are available for finishing an interior staircase system, but the most basic approach and perhaps the most versatile is the post-to-post, which incorporates a handrail suspended between two newel posts. A number of elaborate trim and finishing options make it possible to use this straightforward approach and exhibit impressive dcor and an architectural elegance without much deviation from the basic design.

How to Make a Closet Pants Rack

Pants can be a pain to hang. They're heavy, bulky and don't always fit the hangers. If you have numerous pairs, you can't just stuff them in a drawer unless it's gigantic. And even if you do cram them into a dresser, they next time you pull them out they're crumpled. There's a better way to store pants using a sturdy dowel rod assembly that holds up to 12 pairs.

Trim Carpentry on Stairs

Staircases are made up of different components. Treads or steps, risers and stringers are common to most of them. The design and placement of all of the above can make stair trim carpentry varied. There are options for creativity and function. Anyone with a miter saw can trim stairs successfully with a few tips.

How to Build a Wall of Shelves With Doors Like a Wardrobe

Wardrobe cabinets typically have tall, or full-length doors from top to bottom. If the height of the wardrobe is more than about 60 inches, the doors can be divided into two sections, one at the top and one at the bottom. Build a solid wall of shelves with the characteristics of a wardrobe using different types of plywood.

How to Create a Tree Stump Table

Okay, you finally got that tree stump pulled. Don't haul it to the landfill or burn it, make an end table instead. If you know you want to make a table but don't have any stumps to pull, scope out the brush piles at new construction sites and get permission to haul one away. Once you have a stump, making a table takes just a few hours of power tool work and a couple of creative decisions.

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Interior Remodeling | Building & Remodeling | eHow

Council approves $1.7 million for City Hall

City Council has approved $1.7 million to for City Hall renovations.

More than $1.1 million will be used to repurpose space to create more room for additional council members called for by the citys new 10-1 representation.

The rest will be used to remodel Council Chambers and the Executive Session Conference Room.

The new 10-1 city council will take office this December.

$1.1 million approved for flood-damaged bridge

A bridge that was knocked out by the Halloween floods should soon be repaired.

Floodwaters washed out supports for the bridge over Onion Creek on River Plantation Drive.

City leaders say detours are adding at least 45 seconds to emergency calls, but neighbors say the delays may be even longer.

Families south of the bridge say they have to make a five-mile detour through construction areas and use roads not designed to handle the extra traffic.

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Council Wrap: Money approved for City Hall remodeling, flood-damaged bridge

WATERLOO | Hawkeye Community Colleges Board of Trustees Tuesday awarded contracts for two projects that came in well under estimates after multiple bids were submitted.

A $1.69 million contract was awarded to Peters Construction Corp. of Waterloo for Buchanan Hall remodeling. A $171,282 contract was awarded to Voltmer Inc. of Decorah for exterior campus site lighting.

Estimates presented to trustees last month for total project budgets were $2.63 million for the remodeling and $230,000 for the lighting. Those estimates accounted for more than the contractors bids, including such costs as contingency and architects fees. Nonetheless, both came in below the estimates.

There was a lot of interest in this project, Dan Channer of Stuxture Architects said of the Buchanan remodeling. I think the bidding climate right now is pretty active. Channer designed both projects.

The bids of all five companies that sought the Buchanan remodeling contract were within $77,000. The six companies bidding on the lighting were all within about $63,500.

Buchanan Halls work will include the replacement of the heating, ventilating and cooling system, upgrading the electrical system and fire panel, adding a sprinkler system, remodeling a break room area and some ancillary retrofits such as ceiling tile and lighting. The project will be done in three phases with a completion date of August 2015.

It follows earlier remodeling and upgrades in another part of the building called the Advanced Technology and Business Center. Trustees approved a certificate of substantial completion on that earlier project Tuesday, which starts the warranty period for the work done.

The other contract awarded Tuesday includes installing lamp pole lighting around Hawkeyes interior courtyard walkway. The improvement is intended to make the campus more inviting for evening classes and events as well as provide added security. Installation is expected to be done by July 25.

Funds for both projects will come from the facilities maintenance levy.

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Hawkeye Community College work bids come in under estimate

RHINELANDER - Courtrooms in the Oneida County Courthouse will soon have a new look.

Renovations at the courthouse started a few weeks ago.

The biggest renovation was the new hearing room for family court.

The changes are part of new courtroom guidelines from the Supreme Court.

LuAnn Brunette, the Oneida County Courthouse facilities director says the renovations will benefit everyone.

"These are things that have been identified by members of the Supreme Court, as items that are necessary to keep us safe, efficient and functional hearing rooms, going in today's world," said Brunette. "We are trying to meet all of their requirements. And in order to use the room, we have to meet the requirements."

The Supreme Court guidelines also require there be more space between the judge, attorneys and witnesses.

The new hearing room will also get more cases seen that there wasn't room for the remodeling.

"The overall benefit for the taxpayers of Oneida County is that [were] trying to do these renovations as cost-effectively as we can, using as many walls and floor blueprints as we can," said Brunette. "But while still trying to keep in mind the efficiency, security and confidentiality concerns of the offices involved."

Besides the new hearing room for family court, there will be a larger waiting area for social services, client-attorney meeting rooms and chambers for visiting judges.

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Oneida County courtrooms getting a makeover

By Vincent Andrunas, Special to the U-T 6 a.m.Jan. 26, 2014

(From left) Jim and Andie Kidrick (hes San Diego Air & Space Museum president and CEO), George and Hlne Gould (honorees and event chairs), Joan and Irwin Jacobs

The Symphony had returned, and it was time for a celebration. The San Diego Symphony completed a wildly successful tour as 2013 drew to a close. After first playing New Yorks Carnegie Hall, they embarked on their China Friendship Tour, with performances in Yentai, Shanghai and Beijing. They played to sold-out houses and were very warmly received. Accommodations and dining were said to be excellent, and members fondly recalled such tour highlights as their first dinner in China (a fabulous 17-course affair).

Meanwhile, back home at the Jacobs Music Center (the building that surrounds and contains Copley Symphony Hall), there was plenty of work going on. Extensive remodeling and facility improvement projects have now been completed, beautifying and enhancing the lobby, the backstage area and even the restrooms.

The latest accomplishment debuted Jan. 11 at the Symphonys Tour Return Celebration. The festive occasion began with cocktails in the Centers upper lobby. A large room there had long been utilized for board meetings and similar gatherings, and as a place for donors and supporters to meet during concert intermissions. But its entry was narrow and inconvenient, and the dated room hadnt been redecorated for three decades. Something had to be done.

Hlne and George Gould gave $1 million to the symphonys Centennial Campaign (chaired by Warren Kessler, with honorary chairs Joan and Irwin Jacobs), and Hlne also helped with the new design and dcor for the donor room. A double-door entry not requiring stairs was added, the recessed ceiling was redesigned and beautified, and innovative new window coverings were installed. There are now new chandeliers, carpeting and updated paint colors, and the latest video screens and audio equipment. A bar and adjacent kitchen have been added. A brass plaque identifies the new state-of-the-art space as the Hlne and George Gould Room.

During the reception, CEO Edward Gill welcomed guests and spoke of the great support and patronage San Diegans have been giving the Symphony, and the wonderful improvements that have been accomplished throughout the Music Center. The Goulds each spoke briefly before Hlne, wielding giant scissors, and cut the big red ribbon, officially opening the new room. Guests streamed in, abuzz with raves and compliments.

About 50 guests were seated for the intimate inaugural event. Dinner featured walnut butternut salad with burrata, Brandt beef short ribs with Zinfandel demi-glace, and a Valrhona extra noir chocolate tart. The rooms giant video panel continuously presented spectacular photographs from the Carnegie trip (including Irwin Jacobs 80th birthday party) and the China tour.

Maestro Jahja Ling, Symphony music director, conducted the evenings concert. Works by Respighi and Hindemith made up the first half, after which event guests revisited the new room during intermission for sweets and libations. The second half offered Beethovens familiar Violin Concerto in D Minor, played by one of the worlds most talented and celebrated violinists, Itzhak Perlman.

Now 68, the Israeli-born Perlman contracted polio at the age of 4. He struggled onto the stage on crutches, receiving his Stradivarius from Symphony Concertmaster Jeff Thayer and an immediate standing ovation from the packed house. His virtuoso performance absolutely enthralled the audience.

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Symphony hailed back home

WEST HARTFORD On Wednesday afternoon, Linda, 66, seemed cheerful and composed as she welcomed guests into her one-room apartment in the Frances Warde Towers at St. Mary Home.

But when she arrived there nearly six years ago, she had hit rock-bottom, she said, after struggling all her life with long-undiagnosed bipolar disorder. Linda asked that her last name not be used to protect her privacy.

She said she had gotten divorced, filed for bankruptcy and ended up crawling from her back door into traffic in a suicide attempt, which landed her in the psychiatric ward at the UConn Health Center for about a month. After that, her daughter and a social worker told her it would be best for her to live at the Frances Warde Towers.

The facility and its staff "saved my life," she said.

A $75,000 grant from Catholic Health East's Heritage Fund will be used to begin extensive remodeling of the apartments in Frances Warde Towers, a residential care facility with 97 residents. The towers, built in 1880, are the original building of St. Mary Home on Albany Avenue.

The apartments haven't been updated since the late 1980s, officials said. They expect to spend about $92,000 to remodel eight to 12 apartments this year.

Catholic Health East is a network of Catholic health care institutions, and its Heritage Fund helps with programs and projects at health care institutions that serve underserved and disadvantaged people.

The Frances Warde Towers also provides housing for up to 16 homeless people who are transitioning to independent living through a partnership with the Mercy Housing and Shelter Corp. in Hartford.

Maryann Loveland, director of Frances Warde Towers, said all the residents there need services, whether for physical, mental, financial or other problems.

"Usually the families realize they need a little extra care," she said.

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Remodeling Planned At Frances Warde Towers

Washington, DC (PRWEB) January 23, 2014

The Hanley Wood Media Network announced today the launch of its newly redesigned REMODELING magazine website, at http://www.remodelingmag.com. The site is now optimized for viewing on computers and tablets, and renders as a mobile site on smartphones. Additionally, the redesign provides more streamlined navigation, improved search capability, and is structured as a visual destination for high quality video and images.

Hanley Wood is investing in the resources our audiences need to succeed in the residential and commercial construction and design industry, said Peter Goldstone, CEO of Hanley Wood. This re-launch of our REMODELING website provides them with an enhanced user experience and expanded content offerings, along with access on any screen.

The new site creates new opportunities for marketers in the building products industry, including:

In addition to the redesigned REMODELING website, Hanley Wood has released its 27th annual Cost vs. Value Report, comparing construction costs with resale value for 35 of the most popular home improvement projects. The 2014 report provides increased coverage to 101 U.S. markets with an addition of 19 cities. The entire report including interactive infographics is available at http://www.costvsvalue.com and at the newly redesigned REMODELING website.

For the first time in four years, improved resale value of residential housing had more of an influence in the cost-value ratio than did construction costs, said Sal Alfano, Editorial Director of REMODELING.

In 2014, the top recouping projects were:

Under $5,000:Entry Door Replacement (96.6%); Garage Door Replacement (83.7%); Garage Door Replacement (82.9%) and Fiberglass Entry Door Replacement (70.8%)

$5,000 - $25,000:Wood Deck Addition (87.4%); Fiber-cement Siding Replacement (87.0%); Minor Kitchen Remodel (82.7%); Wood Window Replacement (79.3%); Vinyl Window Replacement (78.7%)

$25,000 - $100,000:Attic Bedroom (84.3%); Basement Remodel (77.6%); Major Kitchen Remodel (74.2%); Garage Addition (69.3%); Family Room (68.8%)

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Hanley Wood Launches Redesigned REMODELING Magazine Website

You want to spice up your room? Dont worry, we all do!

I recently took room redecorating to a whole new level by adding a new room in the basement. Its a great way to entertain friends and keep the noise level out of the main part of the house. Drywall or wood is recommended when creating new rooms in the cellar.

My family hired Kevin A. Finnerty, owner/operator of Crosscut Mills, a home remodeling and repair company in Buffalo.

Drywall keeps the moisture out if you get the moisture-resistant drywall, the same product used in bathrooms, Finnerty said. This is cheaper than wood. Wood on the other hand, although more durable, is more expensive. Drywall helps make the room look like a room.

For those of you who are looking to make a change in your room without actually building a new room, you can change things up with wall decor from any fabric store or add some flair with an area rug or a Flokati rug. A Flokati rug is a shag-style rug that comes in many shapes and colors. I picked a teal one for my room. These rugs are not large and a faux version can cost as low as $10.

If you are looking for a bigger change, head to the paint aisle at a local home improvement store. There are many colors and styles to choose from. A very popular technique called accent wall painting is a process that adds style to any room. You simply pick one wall and paint it a different color from the rest. It can be within the same color family or be an opposite color. Its your room, do whatever you want.

There is a wide variety of texture paints as well. They include sandstone, which is a very heavy paint with a sandlike texture. Brushed suede is more of a brushstroke-like texture. If you dont like any of those choices, Martha Stewart Living offers a line of textured paints, including precious metals, potters clay and light strokes.

Before you paint, no matter what you choose, its best to bring a color swatch home to check if thats the right color. You most likely will change your color choice more than once. Many stores offer a small sample of paint to buy. This is a great way to tell if the color will work before buying an entire gallon. Deep colors are popular right now, even in small rooms. I chose a very dark green coupled with a light blue sandstone.

If you love to follow the trends, Emerald Green was the most popular paint color for 2013. Pantone Universes color of the year for 2014 is Radiant Orchid.

Another way to make your room look like new is to reposition your furniture. You can also add a desk or a bookshelf or even a TV. For a slightly whimsical feel, hang some wind chimes. Again, its your room, make it say YOU.

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Time for a change: tips for redecorating a teen’s room