TheOldfather Group of Ocean Atlantic Sothebys International Realtyis pleased to announce a pair of coastal open house events this weekend, located in both Sussex and Kent Counties.

These homes are both located near area waterways, with one being so close that the front yard is literally blue and salty.

So if you have a little free time on either Saturday or Sunday, stop by and say hello. We've love to see you!

Hosted by the Oldfather GroupsGrace Nelson, the first home that's open this weekend is nestled in theRefuge at Dirickson Creeknear Fenwick Island and features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open floor plan over nearly 2,400-square-feet of living space.

In addition to the front porch and the oversized screened-in deck in the back yard, other features of this home at37017 Serenity Driveinclude a light-filled sunroom, a chefs kitchen with double wall oven and updated cabinets, a central vacuum and a vaulted great room with gas fireplace, as well as a two-car garage.

The Refuge at Dirickson Creek community is rich in amenities, including a swimming pool, tennis courts, a fitness center, a fishing pier and a community boat ramp thats perfect for accessing all of the nearby waterways.

This coastal property will be open on Sunday, March 26, from 12 to 2 p.m., so be sure to stop by and have a look.

The second home being showcased this weekend by southern Delaware's top real estate firm for buyer represented sales is located at327 Sandpiper Drivein Kent County, on the shores of the Delaware Bay.

This four bedroom, two bathroom home is only 10 years old and sits literally on Pickering Beach. Featuring an elevated main floor, an open concept floor plan and panoramic water views, the home boasts more than 2,500-square-feet of living space.

The property spans more than five acres and includes 1,000 feet of beach, and is just a short drive from the state capital region of the nations first state.

Other features of the home include an expansive deck, a great room with cathedral ceiling, a gas fireplace, a large kitchen and a nice sized loft area.

This stunning coastal home will be open on Saturday, March 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Your host is the Oldfather Group'sDiana Harbert.

If you'd like to these homes but aren't available this weekend, just click below to easily schedule an appointment with a member of our staff. Or give us a ring at 302-260-2000.

We'd love to take you on a private tour ofthese homes, or any of our featured properties.

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Pair of Coastal Homes Featured This Weekend by the Oldfather Group - CapeGazette.com

Constructed in 1980 for a builders personal residence, this stately Colonial on two professionally landscaped acres is as well crafted as it is beautiful. Moreover, updates/improvements and maintenance since then reflect only the highest standards.

ADDRESS: 107 High Ridge Road, Boxford

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 2 full; 1 half

LIVING SPACE: 4,648 sq. ft.

PRICE: $957,000

Constructed in 1980 for a builders personal residence, this stately Colonial on two professionally landscaped acres is as well crafted as it is beautiful. Moreover, updates/improvements and maintenance since then reflect only the highest standards.

Come take a look

Paneled wainscoting, three-inch convex-shaped crown molding, detailed bump boards and a sparkling marble tile floor in the roomy foyer are initial clues that this home is special inside, too. There are more many more.

Take the spacious dining room where hardwood flooring (in here and throughout much of the main floor) complements the continuing paneled wainscoting and detailed millwork. Two built-in corner hutches with "shell" arches and 12-over-12 windows are additional classic touches in this room that seats eight-plus comfortably.

Another classic a swinging door leads to a contemporary version of a butlers pantry. Here a granite topped "server" has cabinets below for china, serving pieces, etc.

Like any well-bred center entrance Colonial, the living room is on the other side of the foyer. Solid wood French doors open to a room that is almost the entire depth of the house. In this big and very attractive room, a brick-front wood-burning fireplace has a mantel with dentil trim.

An adjacent office/den/library/music room has a wall of open and closed custom built-in shelving. This room with a view overlooks the lovely landscaped yard.

More French doors (these are from the living room) lead into an inviting family room with a gas fireplace on a brick wall with a raised hearth and wood niche. Horizontal wainscoting is a subtle country accent.

In this room two sets of full glass pane sliders open to a wonderful (heated via a wood stove) four-season sunroom overlooking the grounds. The tile floor and the vaulted paneled ceiling with two skylights add a casual ambiance but its true forte is that with seven sets of full glass sliders yes, seven this is the quintessential indoor/outdoor room. Open the sliders and you are "in" lush landscaped grounds that include a terraced yard.

Aah, the kitchen. Grand-sized and U-shaped the better to maximize counter space this kitchen easily handles a center island plus an already existing eat-in area that seats eight or more. Horizontal wainscoting and a brick-front gas fireplace add character; the glass tile back splash and under cabinet lighting pizzazz.

Definitely the heart of this home (in so many ways), the kitchen also has access to the garage and to the "side" entrance off the farmers porch.

Well-planned and beautiful

Large enough for furniture even a comfy chaise lounge the second-floor landing is the gateway to the bedroom wing.

The master suite at one end of the bedroom "wing" for added privacy is bright and spacious. The king-bed size sleeping chamber has hardwood flooring and two closets; one of which is an exceptionally deep walk-in affair.

In the en suite bathroom, a radiant heated floor and a Runtal towel warmer are very pleasant any time of year. Decorative glass inserts in the tile surround are striking accents in the tub/shower combination that has sliding glass doors.

The remaining bedrooms on this floor are big and bigger. Each room has ample closet space, too. Even the shared bathroom has a separate linen closet. This also has a tub/shower combination and two sinks.

However, the piece de resistance is would you believe off the back staircase. A suite of rooms that is certainly no afterthought has a wide range of uses. Paneled walls are certainly one focal point in a huge office but two skylights in the cove ceiling are also eye-catching.

While this space is very impressive, the next room is positively amazing. Running back-to-front, this grand-sized space is fully paneled. A "smaller" (size is relative) finished room currently used as storage could be a spacious full-size bathroom. Leaving this as a Great Room is a no-brainer but as it has a separate entrance from the garage, creating an au pair/in-law suite is doable. A teen suite is, of course, another option.

Bonuses, bonuses

In addition to the attached, heated three-car garage, this home has another three-car garage. This free-standing perk is great for car and/or boat enthusiasts.

A natural gas generator is one more nice-to-have when Mother Nature decides to demonstrate her power no pun intended. Oh, this home also has an energy-efficient Buderus heating system that was installed about three years ago.

Let us not forget that this residence has an in-ground Mountain Lake shape heated Gunite pool as well as an in-ground hot tub set against a beautifully wooded background.

As long as were talking about unique features, consider location. Not only does this home have easy access to Route 95 (and therefore the rest of the entire North Shore and beyond) but also it is equidistant between Boston and New Hampshire a mere 25 miles north or south.

Seeing is believing, so be sure to check out the website: http://www.107HighRidgeRd.com.

Contact Andrea Anastas at Re/MAX Village Properties at 978-729-2605 or 978-887-7273 or by email: andrea.m.anastas@comcast.net.

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HOME PROFILE: Boxford Colonial is warm and inviting - Wicked Local Danvers

Constructed in 1980 for a builders personal residence, this stately Colonial on two professionally landscaped acres is as well crafted as it is beautiful. Moreover, updates/improvements and maintenance since then reflect only the highest standards.

ADDRESS: 107 High Ridge Road, Boxford

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 2 full; 1 half

LIVING SPACE: 4,648 sq. ft.

PRICE: $957,000

Constructed in 1980 for a builders personal residence, this stately Colonial on two professionally landscaped acres is as well crafted as it is beautiful. Moreover, updates/improvements and maintenance since then reflect only the highest standards.

Come take a look

Paneled wainscoting, three-inch convex-shaped crown molding, detailed bump boards and a sparkling marble tile floor in the roomy foyer are initial clues that this home is special inside, too. There are more many more.

Take the spacious dining room where hardwood flooring (in here and throughout much of the main floor) complements the continuing paneled wainscoting and detailed millwork. Two built-in corner hutches with "shell" arches and 12-over-12 windows are additional classic touches in this room that seats eight-plus comfortably.

Another classic a swinging door leads to a contemporary version of a butlers pantry. Here a granite topped "server" has cabinets below for china, serving pieces, etc.

Like any well-bred center entrance Colonial, the living room is on the other side of the foyer. Solid wood French doors open to a room that is almost the entire depth of the house. In this big and very attractive room, a brick-front wood-burning fireplace has a mantel with dentil trim.

An adjacent office/den/library/music room has a wall of open and closed custom built-in shelving. This room with a view overlooks the lovely landscaped yard.

More French doors (these are from the living room) lead into an inviting family room with a gas fireplace on a brick wall with a raised hearth and wood niche. Horizontal wainscoting is a subtle country accent.

In this room two sets of full glass pane sliders open to a wonderful (heated via a wood stove) four-season sunroom overlooking the grounds. The tile floor and the vaulted paneled ceiling with two skylights add a casual ambiance but its true forte is that with seven sets of full glass sliders yes, seven this is the quintessential indoor/outdoor room. Open the sliders and you are "in" lush landscaped grounds that include a terraced yard.

Aah, the kitchen. Grand-sized and U-shaped the better to maximize counter space this kitchen easily handles a center island plus an already existing eat-in area that seats eight or more. Horizontal wainscoting and a brick-front gas fireplace add character; the glass tile back splash and under cabinet lighting pizzazz.

Definitely the heart of this home (in so many ways), the kitchen also has access to the garage and to the "side" entrance off the farmers porch.

Well-planned and beautiful

Large enough for furniture even a comfy chaise lounge the second-floor landing is the gateway to the bedroom wing.

The master suite at one end of the bedroom "wing" for added privacy is bright and spacious. The king-bed size sleeping chamber has hardwood flooring and two closets; one of which is an exceptionally deep walk-in affair.

In the en suite bathroom, a radiant heated floor and a Runtal towel warmer are very pleasant any time of year. Decorative glass inserts in the tile surround are striking accents in the tub/shower combination that has sliding glass doors.

The remaining bedrooms on this floor are big and bigger. Each room has ample closet space, too. Even the shared bathroom has a separate linen closet. This also has a tub/shower combination and two sinks.

However, the piece de resistance is would you believe off the back staircase. A suite of rooms that is certainly no afterthought has a wide range of uses. Paneled walls are certainly one focal point in a huge office but two skylights in the cove ceiling are also eye-catching.

While this space is very impressive, the next room is positively amazing. Running back-to-front, this grand-sized space is fully paneled. A "smaller" (size is relative) finished room currently used as storage could be a spacious full-size bathroom. Leaving this as a Great Room is a no-brainer but as it has a separate entrance from the garage, creating an au pair/in-law suite is doable. A teen suite is, of course, another option.

Bonuses, bonuses

In addition to the attached, heated three-car garage, this home has another three-car garage. This free-standing perk is great for car and/or boat enthusiasts.

A natural gas generator is one more nice-to-have when Mother Nature decides to demonstrate her power no pun intended. Oh, this home also has an energy-efficient Buderus heating system that was installed about three years ago.

Let us not forget that this residence has an in-ground Mountain Lake shape heated Gunite pool as well as an in-ground hot tub set against a beautifully wooded background.

As long as were talking about unique features, consider location. Not only does this home have easy access to Route 95 (and therefore the rest of the entire North Shore and beyond) but also it is equidistant between Boston and New Hampshire a mere 25 miles north or south.

Seeing is believing, so be sure to check out the website: http://www.107HighRidgeRd.com.

Contact Andrea Anastas at Re/MAX Village Properties at 978-729-2605 or 978-887-7273 or by email: andrea.m.anastas@comcast.net.

Read this article:
HOME PROFILE: Boxford Colonial is warm and inviting - Wicked Local Georgetown

Lexington Herald Leader

Homeowners consistently went the extra mile for quality, efficiency and beauty in Beaumont Reserve home Lexington Herald Leader The sun room addition is a good example. Nick's design called for floor-to-ceiling UV protected windows and an innovative ductless HVAC system that was little-known at the time. I had read about the mini split systems they were using in Japan and how ...

Read this article:
Homeowners consistently went the extra mile for quality, efficiency and beauty in Beaumont Reserve home - Lexington Herald Leader

Wood houses rock, say Sally and Brooks Ricca.

The two houses where we raised our children? Both are wooden, and I found them, Brooks says. We have an affinity for wood homes.

One of those houses is at 267 Dunbar Road, which the Riccas have owned for 29 years. Before that, they lived in a wood-frame home in West Palm Beach.

When they were looking for a home in Palm Beach home, Brooks put his oldest daughter, Copley, on the back of his bike and cycled around.

I came upon Dr. Adil Sokmensuers Monterrey-style home. I loved it its all cypress, but at the time, it had eight coats of paint on it. That was a drawback, Brooks says, noting that the flaking paint job wasnt very attractive.

My daughter said, Are we going to live in this chip house?

His wife picks up the story: And the name stuck. We actually use Chip House as a logo.

Built in the late 1920s by architect Bruce Kitchell, their house was a stop on home tour sponsored by the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach a few years ago, Sally says, and they told us that Kitchell designed other houses on the island and had (earned) great respect.

As it turned out, both Copley, who is married with a family of her own now, and her younger sister, Chessy, today at college, both loved growing up in the Chip House and they still adore it, which endears the house to us even more, Sally says.

But its time to move, Im ready for change, she says.

So their four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom house with 5,236 square feet of living space, inside and out is for sale. Agent Chris Deitz of The Fite Group has it listed for $6.725 million.

Over the years, the Riccas have carried out a lot of renovations, and theyve expanded the house, adding a sunroom downstairs and a master bedroom upstairs.

As older homes tend to do, this one required a certain amount of concentrated attention, Brooks says.

On the outside, for example, its all three-quarter-inch cypress shingles. They only make one-half inch now, so for some replacements, we had to get two and press them together, he explains.

A dozen years ago, we had the house scraped and painted. My goal was always to have the entire house stripped, to take it back to its natural cypress. It literally had to be done by hand and took three months to do, but it was worth it.

Inside, the floors throughout are oak and Dade County Pine, but cypress can be found just about everywhere else.

East of the foyer and stair hall are the living room and sunroom. The living room walls and ceiling are covered in cypress, as is the mantelpiece. For the sunroom, the Riccas had the living room ceiling copied.

Where it was needed, they replaced missing paneling and moldings with custom cypress woodwork and paneling from Blumer & Stanton. The cypress frames of all the original double-hung windows were stripped and the glass was reglazed, then the windows were reassembled and put back in place.

Straight off the stair hall are a wet bar and the library, which has a cypress-beamed ceiling as well as built-in bookcases. The kitchen, dining room and two-car garage are to the west.

The dining room is completely paneled in cypress thanks to the Riccas. Previous owners had covered up the cypress tray ceiling in plaster, which the Riccas painstakingly removed.

In the kitchen, floors are covered in Dade County Pine unearthed under three other floors during the renovation, Sally says. The cabinets are cypress, the appliances are stainless steel, the countertops are black granite and the backsplash is glass tile. At a peninsula is pull-up seating.

Upstairs, the master suite takes up the east side of the house, with their master bedroom addition opening to a large sundeck that overlooks the back yard. When they built the new master bedroom, they reconfigured the original to become closets, a dressing room and a marble-appointed bathroom. French doors from the dressing room open to the front balcony.

A study is off the stairway to the north, and to the west are two guest bedroom suites, with one paneled in you guessed it cypress.

The bedroom in the northwest part of the house was once two bedrooms.

We gutted (them), raised the roof and made it one big bedroom, Brooks says.

Other highlights: A second staircase rises from the kitchen. And from a guest bedroom, another staircase leads one to a widows walk on the roof, where a seating area offers views of the Intracoastal Waterway and neighborhood rooftops.

Thats one of the charms of this house, Sally says. I served Brooks a Valentines dinner up there one year, and he complains that I only did that once.

Outside are a pool, patio, covered loggias and porches.

Weve had great parties and big crowds on the patio around the pool,

Sally says. Its a great house for entertaining.

Brooks also likes the outdoor spaces. There are two big fans on the loggia, and we have a big TV out there, where we love to sit and watch football games and movies, he says.

Awnings over the sundeck and off the kitchen door shelter the spaces below. The awnings frames were recently repainted and the fabric replaced.

And no only do they like their wood house, but the Riccas are smitten with Dunbar Road on the near North End.

We believe its one of the best streets in Palm Beach because of its location and amenities, Brooks says. We have great access to the Lake Trail, the ocean, and town. And theres no traffic.

Here is the original post:
'It was worth it' couple says of renovation of wood house in Palm Beach - Palm Beach Daily News

March 17, 2017Carly Cooper

Photo by Michael Mussman

Muss & Turners is almost ready for its East Cobb debut. Located in the space formerly home to Common Quarter, at 1205 Johnson Ferry Road, this is the first time the Muss & Turners concept is being duplicated since its inception 12 years ago. Founders Todd Mussman and Ryan Turner decided to abandon Common Quarter after partner Chris Talley left the restaurant, saying it was his brainchild. Now, theyre excited to bring an adapted version of their original Smyrna restaurant to a new audience.

Photo by Michael Mussman

Expect a similar menu to what folks in Smyrna would call our lunch menu, with the addition of some new items, Turner says. Led by chef de cuisine Dirk Wessley from Muss & TurnersSmyrna, the sandwich-heavy menu will be served all day. New items include:

Papa Max House-kippered Skuna Bay salmon, cream cheese, boiled egg, red onion, capers, pickled green tomato, baby greens, and red wine vinaigrette on a toasted onion bagel

Baja Trout Buttermilk fried trout filet with pickled jalapeno remoulade, cabbage, cilantro, and red onion dressed in fresh lime juice on a bun

Wild Caught Shrimp Salad Domestic shrimp tossed in remoulade, with lemon-dressed arugula on ahoagie

Tasty China Roasted Cox Farm pork loin shaved thin, tossed in Szechuan garlic mud, cabbage, and cilantro on ciabatta

Bubby Muss Matzo Ball Soup Homemade chicken stock, celery, carrots, and schmaltzy matzo balls

Photo by Michael Mussman

The drink menu will be full of classics, called M&T Go-Tos. Think Manhattans, negronis, margaritas, martinis, and something called Mamas Milk made with vodka or gin, elderflower liquor, tonic or soda water, and lime. There will be three seasonal cocktails, six local drafts, and twenty bottled or canned beers, as well as 23 wines.

Were going back to our roots when I first opened and ran the wine program and tried to find wines guests dont know about that were great deals, Turner says. We want to be the place people go to find their next favorite wine to drink at home.

Since the East Cobb audience is full of families, Muss & Turners will also offer kiddie cocktails (mocktails) like the Tirley Semple (pomegranate, grenadine, and Mexican Sprite).

Photo by Michael Mussman

Like the menu, the East Cobb space will have a personality of its own. A giant chalkboard displays the entire menu (with pictures!) Theres a black and white mural of a tattooed, apron-wearing cow and a funky chicken on the wall, an open kitchen, and glassed-in sunroom. And for the first time, Muss & Turners is allowing TVs in the restaurant. The ten TVs will show music videos dating back to 1976-1996, designed to stoke your nostalgia, Turner says.

Looking for something ITP? Turner hinted that the team has something unique in the works near Local Three.

Tags: Cobb County, Common Quarter, East Cobb, Muss & Turners, Ryan Turner, Smyrna, Todd Mussman

Original post:
Soft-open planned for Monday at Muss & Turner's in East Cobb ... - Atlanta Magazine

By Nick Mordowanec

Posted March 15, 2017

click to enlarge

(Sutterstock image)

(Sutterstock image)

CLINTON TOWNSHIP A battle against rodents and vermin is still being waged by Clinton Township officials.

Following the arrival of new trash containers that were doled out to residents in 2016 in an effort to remove blight and reduce animal impact, ordinances are still being updated.

Clinton Township Building Department Superintendent Barry Miller outlined the amended change to Ordinance No. 426 in relation to rodents, vermin harborage, rat walls and slab specifications. The revision would provide changes to the 2015 Michigan Residential Code.

It was introduced at the Clinton Township Board of Trustees Feb. 27 meeting.

The current ordinance states that all structures and the exteriors of all property shall be kept from rodent and vermin infestation. Wherever rodents and vermin are found, it is the property owners responsibility to promptly exterminate the creatures through a lawful process that does not endanger human health.

Following extermination, measures must be taken to prevent re-infestation. Detached garages, sheds or other similar structures must be erected on a minimum 4-inch-wide by 24-inch-deep concrete rat wall with a 4-inch concrete slab.

The newly proposed ordinance states that any addition constructed on a pier foundation and located less than 18 inches above the grade adjacent to the proposed structure, must provide a 4-inch concrete slab and 4-inch-wide-by-24-inch-deep concrete wall or an equivalent structure permitted by a building department official.

Miller said the changes are geared more toward detached structures where, for example, a sunroom edition may be built on a slab, or older home additions, like decks, made prior to 2015 code, when owners werent required to build them on piers.

The problem is if (homeowners) build these things close to the ground, rodents can get under and nest, Miller said. Its not as likely if you have a slab underneath it. (Rodents and vermin) wont build nests on top of concrete. Its usually in rubble or rocks.

Township Attorney Jack Dolan clarified that the rat wall is part of the ordinance so patios or decks go down 24 inches, rather than a full foundation of 48 inches. Homeowners would get the permit first, making sure they are deep enough in their calculations.

As for proper extermination, Dolan simply said, You have to get rid of your vermin.

He used an example of a homeowner piling wood on grass or pavement, and rats returning back and forth from such piles. It should be a wake-up call to residents about why rodents and vermin come and stay.

If there are a bunch of rats seen, we have to verify that (the homeowner) took the measure to have the rats exterminated, that they contracted with an exterminator, Dolan said. We want to make sure that if a population is discovered, steps are taken to eliminate it.

Miller said 18 inches is required by Michigan code, allowing for the depth of a crawl space in case maintenance has to occur. There has always been a provision for property owners to be responsible for properly getting rid of animals, he added.

As was the case last year, the Clinton Township Building Department will hire two part-time employees from April 1 to Oct. 1. The employees will alternate days and work about 20 hours per week, adding an extra person on the ground to enforce ordinances before neighborhoods get out of hand.

The department has always been a reactive department, and this kind of helps get into the community, Miller said. Last year, we did double the amount of complaints, and weve been proactive. Wed see the violations and then go handle them.

At press time, the amended ordinance was scheduled to be voted on by the Board of Trustees at its March 13 meeting. If approved, the amendment immediately goes into effect.

About the author

Nick Mordowanec covers Fraser, Clinton Township, Fraser Public Schools, Clintondale Community Schools and Baker College for the Fraser-Clinton Chronicle. Nick, a graduate of Michigan State University, has worked for C & G Newspapers since 2013 and has won awards from the Society of Professional Journalists Detroit Chapter and the Michigan Press Association. He has slight obsessions with Seinfeld and Led Zeppelin.

Full bio and more articles by this reporter

For more local news coverage, see the following newspaper:

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Township continues to monitor rodents, vermin in neighborhoods - C&G Newspapers

Arriving back on Grounds following spring break, University of Virginia students have discovered a grand surprise waiting for them at 1515 University Ave. The three-story building, which has served in numerous capacities in its 120-year history including housing UVA students at one point and most recently operating as a bookstore and gift shop will officially be unveiled as a new student center on St. Patricks Day.

Located in the heart of the UVA Corner district, the building bears the simple name 1515.

Transforming the building into a student center has unfolded over the past two years, with students involved in every step of the process. From structural changes to paint colors to furniture styles, student voices have been central to discussions and decision-making.

One of the great things about 1515 is that it offers such a variety of spaces and opportunities depending on what you are looking for, says fourth-year student John Bond, who has devoted hundreds of hours to the project. Whether youre looking for a place to watch the big game with your friends, or you need a venue for your a capella group to practice or perform, or you want a convenient place to meet for your group project, or you want career advice, or you just want to grab a snack on your way home from the library, 1515 has you covered.

[Read the 1515 fact sheet.]

Each of the buildings three floors exhibits a distinctive personality, a feature that was evident from the beginning of the project. Allowing the building itself to speak to those personalities, say those involved in the planning, helped to shape the use and design of each floor.

Personally, Ive developed a deeper appreciation for great design, says fourth-year student Yae Ji Cha, who has served on the 1515 planning committee with Bond and several other students. Every decision weve made for physical aesthetics came out of a mindful discussion over the purpose and emotion those details should reflect about the space.

Student priorities for the building revolved around meeting and rehearsal space, areas to relax and unwind, and a venue for weekend and late-night events. The space is also alcohol-free, answering the need for a large space easily accessible to students for socializing into the early morning hours without the presence of alcohol. 1515 will be open most days from 9 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. (Students already in the building when the doors lock at 1:30 may stay until 2 a.m.) Several security measures are in place, including cameras and the requirement to swipe in with a UVA ID after 7 p.m.

The ground floor, opening onto University Avenue, includes a corner stage for performances and a large open area where tables and open seating are available for meetings, studying or simply taking a break. A display of student artwork lines one wall. Overhead, tin-embossed ceilings preserved from an earlier time add additional character to the space, along with ceiling fans running from front to back. Dark hardwood flooring adds a touch of hominess and suggests a mid-20th-century commercial space. Crumbs on the Corner, a caf featuring gourmet desserts and snacks, is located in a far back corner and will be open in the evenings. The caf, operated by ARAMARK, will offer products with ties to alumni and the local area, such as Lumi Juice and Commonwealth Joe coffee.

Quickly drawing attention on the main floor is a spiral staircase a feature that initially posed a design challenge, especially in terms of placement. Alumnus Robert Nalls, project architect and a key individual in the transformation of 1515, led the committee in solving this challenge along with numerous others. The staircase is now a focal point, creating a sense of movement among the three floors and pulling in a stream of natural light from a third-floor skylight. Nalls and members of his architectural firm provided design expertise throughout the project, sparking and then implementing many of the ideas generated by students.

High energy characterizes the Basement, where games ranging from foosball and air hockey to Dance Dance Revolution and pinball are available free to students. A glass-walled space, accented by a wall painted heartthrob red, is where a cappella or other performing groups can rehearse. Four high-mounted televisions can be tuned to UVA sports or other crowd-drawing events. Red and black accents, interspersed with silver corrugated metal wall panels, add to the high-energy, clubby feel of the space. Like the other floors, elements of the past have been incorporated into the design, including rough-sawn floor joists from the first floor, repurposed as wall paneling.

The second floor bears a homelike atmosphere. Student apartments lined the hallway at one time, and this layout remained in place even when usage of the building became commercially oriented. Although some walls were removed in the 1515 renovation, the long corridor with rooms flowing off it remains.

Thanks to student ingenuity, each room carries a theme and name that suggests its use or personality. The Garage is an open space with a chalkboard wall opposite a wall painted a vivid shade of violet. In The Sunroom, three walls are painted bright yellow while every inch of the fourth wall is filled with faux boxwood. The Reflection Room, painted a soothing blue-gray shade, offers a space for mindfulness practices. The largest room on this floor, The Studio, sits at the front of the building and, with its tall windows, offers a bright spot for rehearsals, dance, yoga, meetings or student receptions. Also located on this floor is space for the UVA Career Center to conduct advising sessions during the day with students. In the evening, the space is available for studying or small-group meetings.

In addition to students imprint throughout the space, the building also reflects the craftsmanship of UVA employees. The Project Services team, a unit within Facilities Management, served as contractor for the renovation and completed the bulk of the work.

Long before the naming of rooms or the selection of paint colors, students enrolled in the inaugural class of the UVA Meriwether Lewis Institute for Citizen Leadership took on the study of 1515 as a group project in the summer of 2014, seeking to help the University determine how the space could be used for the maximum benefit of students.

Bond was among the inaugural class members. In addition to being a Lewis Fellow, he co-chairs the University Programs Council, which is now responsible for evening programming within the building.

Working on 1515 has given me real insight into the biggest needs and wants of students around Grounds, Bond said. Every aspect of the building was designed in order to address a specific desire we identified from the student body, like the need for more convenient meeting spaces, or more rehearsal space for performance groups, or a place for people who don't feel like drinking on any given night to go and just hang out. I loved being able to help address those concerns.

Fourth-years Sam Baughan and Dakota Lipscombe, also Lewis Fellows and planning committee members, cited similar benefits of 1515 in solving space and programming issues for students. Lipscombe said he gained a greater understanding of University operations and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to work alongside a group of dedicated administrators who are eager for student input.

Other students involved with the planning agreed. Weve been given a rare opportunity to work with administrators and contractors and architects to create a new student center, fourth-year student and planning committee member Brittany Hsieh said. Its been quite the learning experience working with such a variety of people and understanding what is needed to make this project successful.

Hsieh said she is especially excited about highlighting student art at 1515, as well as incorporating sustainable practices into the space by using repurposed materials.

Cha, who works closely with the Career Center as chair of the Career Peer Educators, believes 1515 will be special because of a focus on student culture. I see 1515 as a signal of commitment to not only student self-governance, but to the well-being of all students, she said. I believe 1515 can and should be an integral piece of student culture, and one that is versatile to change with each new student body. 1515 is conceptually a space open to interpretation and Im excited to see how current and future Hoos make meaning of it.

Student groups are being introduced to 1515 with tours and receptions this week. To officially usher in the new space, the grand opening will take place on Friday evening. The night will include performances by student groups, games, crafts, March Madness-watching, and a variety of activities throughout the 15,000-square-foot space.

Once into a normal routine, University Programs Council members will collaborate with student groups across the University to schedule after-hours programming. Student employees will staff the building, with administrative oversight provided by the Newcomb Centers & Services unit within the Office of the Dean of Students.

Faculty and staff are invited to visit 1515 for a community-wide Open House on March 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Reflecting on his own use of 1515, Bond said, Personally Im most excited about hanging out on a couch by the front window and listening to up-and-coming student artists perform on the stage, but I hope that people will quickly find their own favorite spot in the building.

More than anything I want 1515 to be a comfortable space and a welcoming space, one that truly feels like a second home for students.

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New Student Space on the Corner, '1515,' Set to Open Friday - UVA Today (press release) (registration)

MARSHFIELD, MA, >> Dream Additions & Sunrooms, the premier installer of custom sunrooms in Massachusetts, is pleased to announce the addition of LifeRoom by Four Seasons to its extensive product line.

Custom-built to fit any home or budget, the indoor-outdoor room solution offers both standard and luxe patio cover models, featuring a slim, flexible and modular design to accommodate a wide range of home and architectural styles. It also offers motorized one button screens and provides a refuge from bugs, allergens and harmful UV rays.

Enhancements such as radiant heaters, solar sensors, projection capability, recessed and ambient LED lighting are also available with LifeRoom. The motorized screen walls can be opened to ease access into the yard or closed to provide privacy and comfort. With the screen walls closed the outdoor view is visible, but they provide privacy from the outside. They are also available with skylights.

Technology upgrades include a CoolMist Climate system, soft breeze technology or radiant heaters. LifeRooms screens can be used to watch movies, TV shows and sporting events right in the backyard.

The LifeRoom is a new alternative to the extremely popular sunroom. The New England climate has made the sunroom a popular choice for enjoying the sunlight and feel of the outdoors within the comfort of home.

Were excited to add LifeRoom to our roster of offerings, said Paul R. Townsend, President and CEO of Dream Additions & Sunrooms. We have every confidence that this outstanding product, which allows families to enjoy the outdoors and their favorite activities year-round from the comfort of their indoor outdoor room, will be popular among our present and future clients.

SNE Products, Inc. d/b/a Dream Additions & Sunrooms specializes in home additions with a combined 20+ years of experience. Based in Marshfield, Massachusetts they provide quality and affordable sunroom extensions in the region. They are staffed by dedicated professionals who work to provide turn-key solutions based on the unique needs, budget and style preferences of their clients. A second company, Mod-Tech Homes LLC is also located at 600 Plain Street, Route 139, Marshfield, MA 02050. That company specializes in new homes on either a raw land or a teardown/rebuild. Their team executes the entire project from feasibility to design, permitting, financing and complete construction. Mod-Tech Homes works with several modular home factories to provide their customers with the largest and most diverse choice of homes. Owner Francine Townsend has been building since 1981 and manages day to day operations.

For more information please visit their websites http://www.dreamadditons.com at http://www.mod-techhomes.com or call 800-696-1234.

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LifeRoom by Four Seasons brings new family outdoor living to New England - West Hartford News

NorthcentralPa.com

Obit: Beverly A. "Bev" Scott NorthcentralPa.com She also enjoyed hooking rugs, playing the accordion, bird watching from her sunroom and was an avid walker. Surviving in addition to her husband are her brothers, Donald Roupp (Maryanne), of Marietta, Ga., James Roupp (Judy), of Ocala, Fla., Rick ...

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Obit: Beverly A. "Bev" Scott - NorthcentralPa.com