Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

The tours are two hours long and are wheelchair accessible. The starting and ending points vary.

Im very excited to be back talking to people about St. Louis and doing what I do, Clark says. Ive been practicing on friends. I make them stand far away. Im figuring out what jokes are funny from far away with a mask on. Theres definitely going to be an interesting challenge to that, that we will figure out as we go along.

Several themes and subjects are available, including a Whole Lotta (STL) History tour, which helps visitors travel through more than 250 years of local history; Made in the STL, a tour of beer, shoes and other things made in St. Louis; and tours of neighborhoods, architecture and Forest Park.

The tours are meant to be conversational and interactive, with visitors sharing their own memories and stories. Clark keeps notes but not a script.

Just beyond the back door of the museum in Forest Park, Clark offers glimpses into history that go beyond landmarks and vistas. It once took a 40-minute carriage ride to get from downtown to Forest Park, she points out.

On a sample tour given in March, Clark takes a walk to Art Hill, where she tells the story of Charlotte Rumbold, who staged a massive public pageant there in 1914 to honor the citys 150th anniversary. Rumbold, as park commissioner for the city, already had practice with having children at playgrounds put on pageants. If the children will play together, they will work together, she said.

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New Missouri Historical Society tours will have St. Louisans seeing the city a bit differently - STLtoday.com

Bright colors paint the streets and sides of buildings across America, as murals are created as a symbol of solidarity for the black community.

But many of the murals already have scars, vandalized with tar, tire marks, and words of hate.

"No, not surprised. Racism is still prevalent in Santa Barbara, as it is in the entire land, unfortunately," said Roy Paris Green, a musician who lives in Santa Barbara, California.

When a mural paying tribute to George Floyd went up in the downtown area, Green jokes that he thought he was in a different city. Santa Barbara has strict rules on what signs are allowed on buildings. The town has a uniform architecture of red tile roofs and white stucco walls.

"To have a Black man on the side of a wall, which is supposed to be white, is not something a lot of people want to see, especially in Santa Barbara," said Bix Kaufman, owner of EOS Lounge.

After the death of Floyd, Kaufman broke the city's longstanding tradition, inviting an artist to transform the white wall outside his club. The overwhelming white community has a Black population of less than 2 percent.

"This is, I think, one of the strongest statements in Santa Barbara right now, and it feels really good. And there's been so much positive feedback," said Kaufman.

Green visits the mural twice a day now, "I'm very optimistic, yes, because of the young people stepping for the cause."

But the racism the mural was designed to combat resurfaced with a can of yellow paint. The words "All Lives Matter" sprayed over the words "I can't breathe."

Vandalism of the Santa Barbara mural is far from an isolated incident. Similar headlines can be found across the country, from Vermont to Texas, Florida, Ohio, and Oregon.

"It should be a big wake up call for all of America, that there's a lot of problems that need to be fixed and it's not going to happen overnight. But we can start with having justice served," said Kaufman.

But in the face of hate, artists and activists have grown more resilient.

In Santa Barbara, the mural was not only repaired within hours but also granted permission by the city to stay up indefinitely, according to Kaufman.

"We heard the word revolution during the 60s. this is a cultural revolution," said Stan Holder, a poet and activist.

Holder has helped cover the Santa Barbara mural with stories of pain endured by generations.

"How many more innocent Black lives must be sacrificed for us to all realize we are all in this human race together?" Holder reads off the wall.

"People go back to their regular lives and sometimes forget this is still a problem," said Kaufman.

He hopes the mural serves as a constant reminder of the years of work ahead needed to fight systematic racism and achieve equality for all.

Go here to see the original:
BLM supporters resilient in the face of hate, as murals across the country are vandalized - KATC Lafayette News

Tile debonding or kapak may be one of the most common and frustrating problems in construction, but it is also one of the easiest to avoid and solve by simply choosing the right adhesive product for your tiles. Smartbond Lightweight Tile Adhesive is an innovative new product invented by Filipino company Buildrite Construction Chemicals, which aims to provide customers with quality products and, at the same time, educate about new technologies and techniques to help improve construction work.Not only does Smartbond improve tiling results, it also helps contractors reduce their costs for better efficiency. It matters a lot that our product is lightweight as it is more portable and convenient for end-users. By being lighter compared to similar products, we can load twice as many units in one truck or container, which cuts clients freight costs by almost half. Also, on-site workers can finish tiling tasks faster because they dont have to strain themselves carrying the products from one place to another, says Buildrite CEO Derrick Tan.The formal introduction of Smartbond Lightweight Tile Adhesive to the market today could not have come at a better time. Given the products benefits and the companys passion to serve, it could greatly aid the nation in fast-building infrastructure, particularly those related to improving our healthcare systems.We developed Smartbond with the idea of delivering more than just a high-quality product. At the core of our company is customer service and offering solutions for their concerns, hence we thought of making a product that not only serves its purpose but also allows customers to save on costs and time. I think we can be of great help for the country during this time as we can guarantee quick deliveries of our quality products, as well as provide hands-on after sales services, says Tan. Smartbond Lightweight Tile Adhesive was thoroughly researched and developed using sustainable and eco-friendly materials to have superior adhesion properties. It meets the European standards of quality for water retention and flexibility and is also lightweight to address other logistics and productivity concerns of building contractors. This unique innovation earned the product the Second Best Invention - Utility Model Category Award at the annual National Inventors Week 2019, organized by the Filipino Inventors Society (FIS) Inc., in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology - Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI). I hope Filipinos will be proud of this invention and support gawang lokal, adds Tan.As part of Buildrite Construction Chemicals Magtanong Para Sigurado campaign, which offers free consultation services, Smartbond has deployed product experts in their retail spaces to assist customers who are new to using tile adhesives. From recommending the right adhesive and application for your tiles--including a computation for the right amount of adhesive you need for your space--a team of experts can also conduct site visits to guide workers through the proper tile application process.Smartbond Tile Adhesive is currently available in select hardware stores and online via the BuildritePhils Facebook Page and the Buildrite Construction Chemicals official Lazada and Shopee store.

COMMENT DISCLAIMER: Reader comments posted on this Web site are not in any way endorsed by Manila Standard. Comments are views by manilastandard.net readers who exercise their right to free expression and they do not necessarily represent or reflect the position or viewpoint of manilastandard.net. While reserving this publications right to delete comments that are deemed offensive, indecent or inconsistent with Manila Standard editorial standards, Manila Standard may not be held liable for any false information posted by readers in this comments section.

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Filipino invention Smartbond Lightweight Tile Adhesive promotes iwas kapak - manilastandard.net

North Third Street in Downtown Easton was once home to the citys wealthiest families.

In the middle of Millionaires Row once stood the Seville Theater, and later the Boyd.

Now all thats left is a parking lot.

But after a groundbreaking Wednesday, a new apartment building will attempt to bring back the grandeur lost when the former theater was razed.

Called, The Seville, it will have 68 apartments, according to Peron Director of Development John Callahan. The $16 million project at 56 N. Third St. will stand five stories high, although youll only be able to see four stories from the front. There will be retail on the first floor, hopefully a restaurant, Callahan said.

Its faade will hearken back to the days when millionaires lived on Third Street in brownstone and brick mansions.

My goal has been to return Easton to the grandeur before urban renewal, said Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. Hes referring to the development style in the 1970s and 80s of tearing down historic buildings and replacing them with ones youd find in the suburbs.

We destroyed thousands of buildings. We displaced thousands of people. We need to bring them back, Panto said.

To that end, the city demolished the Days Inn at 185 S. Third St. A committee of stakeholders recommended The Confluence, a mixed-use project also being handled by Peron Development of Bethlehem.

Callahan hopes to get started soon on The Confluence. Work will start next week on the Seville and hopefully wrap up in 14 months.

Peron President Michael Perrucci said he is investing in Easton because residents from New York and New Jersey are heading west on Interstate 78 looking to stretch their dollars by moving to Pennsylvania.

This is going to be a great place to live, to work, to play, to eat. We want to be a part of that, Perrucci said.

The Lopatcong Township native once saw movies at the Boyd Theater that stood at the site of the Seville. Panto said hed also been to the theater.

The Boyd Theatre, North Third Street seen on May 14, 1972, which was the last day of its existence. It was previously the Seville Theatre.File photo

The Seville apartments will have Spanish tile and Spanish flair akin to the former theater, Callahan said.

Callahan considered canceling the groundbreaking due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The shovels were placed six feet apart. Attendees were checked for fevers and had to sign off on COVID-19 forms.

We thought a bit about whether it was appropriate to have a groundbreaking given the circumstances, but the reality is life moves on. This project moves on, Callahan said. I think having a groundbreaking is a good sign and a good message to send that Peron is moving forward.

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Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. If theres anything about this story that needs attention, please email him. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.

See original here:
Construction to start on $16M addition to Easton Millionaires Row - lehighvalleylive.com

We have always loved Instagram as a source of kitchen makeover inspiration. While we love flicking through a magazine or scrolling through Pinterest, we always find that Instagram is where the real stuff is. The budget makeovers, the quick revamps, the easy hacks, and that is was we are all about: simple and stylish ideas.

As you can imagine over the last few months our combined screen time has shot right up (and we mean to an embarrassingly high number), so we are justifying our endless scrolling by sharing with you some of the fab accounts we have found. Here, we are going to focus on fab accounts to follow if you are into kitchen makeovers (who isn't really?). So keep scrolling for 10 Instagram accounts that will get you inspired.

Oh, and for loads more kitchen ideas, make sure you check out our gallery you will find plenty more advice and tips for your own project over there.

What a transformation @nest_twenty_eight! Make sure you swipe to see the before but this gorgeous new look was achieved using basically just paint! Lucinda replaced the splashback too for a much more modern, stylish look. Oh and both these jobs are things you could DIY, just check out our guide to how to paint kitchen cabinets and how to tile a splashback.

If you love following renovation projects, you have to go and check out @mytinyestate. Dean and Borja are restoring the most stunning Georgian property and their style is so enviable. We love the colours of this kitchen, the olive green is so perfect for the space, giving the simple, quite contemporary kitchen a more traditional feel. Oh you should also have a look through their Instagram highlights called 'DIY hacks' it shows you how the kitchen came together (and how to make a hedgehog house...).

That tile work alone is worth a follow, but if you are looking for kitchen extension inspiration, Amy over on @thisstyle_rocks has so much gorgeous inspiration. She has a whole kitchen renovations highlight too so you can see how the project went from scratch. There are also some quick updates in here too that you can do even if you aren't totally renovating your kitchen like wallpapering and tiling.

If you want loads more practical advice on how to start your kitchen extension project head to our guide.

Make sure you swipe to see the before of @Homeatvictoriaroad's amazing kitchen transformation! You wouldn't believe it's the same kitchen and all that was used was paint! Natalie replaced the handles too with some gorgeous gold ones and panelled the island with wooden planks.

A fab account to follow, especially if you are a renter is @grillodesigns. She has totally transformed her rented home, making it her own with DIYs and hacks, so loads of inspiration over there. Medina's kitchen was a standard rented kitchen prior to her makeover and now it's a lovely, light, modern space complete with budget-friendly open shelves!

Love minimal, Scandi, neutral interiors? Go and check out @edwardian_love. Esin's kitchen makeover is amazing too, she turned a very dated old kitchen into a practical space that fits the rest of her home perfectly. It's all done with just paint, Esin painted the cabinets, the tiles, and even the window to give it a Crittall effect. The worktops were covered in a marble effect adhesive and the breakfast bar with panelled with cheap timber from Wickes. Amazing!

Oh you just have to see the before of this now gorgeous kitchen. @mishkashoe had such a vision to see beyond those red cabinets! Tile paint and sticky back vinyl sheets are behind this kitchen transformation, plus a load of fab styling with houseplants and open shelving.

More red cabinets! Steve over on @ten_sea_view has totally transformed his... bold dated kitchen into something so beautiful. The kitchen has been extended to add more of an open plan feel and to bring in loads of light, the results are stunning. Dark grey and pale blush pink? Our fave combination.

Ellie of @lifeatstaustell is a kitchen makeover we have been following throughout lockdown and we are just obsessed with how it looks now. Olive green and pink is such an unusual combination but it works so well, and the stars add a nice whimsical touch too. Yet another fab makeover using just paint, even the tiles have been stencilled with paint see how it was all done on Ellie's kitchen highlight.

If you are after tips on how to paint tiles head to our guide.

We love @our_home_in_kingstone style and if you like textured, layered, boho interiors you will too. This kitchen was a beige nightmare before it had its glow up, and it was all done using just paint and a whole load of creativity. For all the details, including the hideous job of removing woodchip wallpaper (WHO INVENTED THIS VILE THING?) check out Vic's kitchen renovation highlights.

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The 10 best Instagram accounts to follow for kitchen makeovers - Real Homes

Developer CEDARst Companies has completed a historic renovation at The Duncan, which served as the YMCA/YWCA regional headquarters from 1907 to 1976. Stretching across two city blocks, the complex now market rate residential units, which began move-ins on July 1st.

The Chicago landmark, located at 1515 W. Monroe Street, will be managed by FLATS, joining the family of properties renowned for robust amenities and community focus. Once complete, the residence will feature 260 units with studios and one-bedroom layouts, ranging from $1,146 to $1,430.

Amenities include a grand lobby with coffee shop and bar, four unique roof decks, basketball court and running track, gym facility with boxing ring and group fitness classes, indoor pool and a lawn with firepits.

The Duncan represents some of our finest work yet, said Mark Heffron, chief development officer and managing partner of CEDARst. The projects scale is deceiving from the outside, nobody can envision all of the unique amenities layered throughout the buildings until they take a tour. The amenity package stands out in comparison to the other high-end building in the West Loop, yet comes with great apartments offered at approachable rents.

Because the YMCA/YWCA placed an emphasis on recreation, there were multiple basketball courts throughout the building, one of which was preserved, another of which had flooring restored and used as a unique feature in the apartments. With so many distinctive details to incorporate, The Duncan features more than 120 unique floor plans. All units include in-unit washer/dryers, brand-new kitchens with subway tile backsplash and custom cabinets and select apartments have dishwashers.

The building will be opened in two phases. Phase One will debut studio and one-bedroom units, along with an exquisite lobby. This grand entrance dazzles with 18-foot ceilings, a sweeping staircase, chandeliers and cozy seating. Desks and a communal table make for a work-friendly daytime space. Other building amenities include a restored basketball court with an elevated running track and a vintage scoreboard; a full fitness center with boxing ring, cardio and strength training equipment, and wet-and-dry sauna. The indoor pools original mosaic-tiling was restored, and now the aquatic motif has been revitalized.

A benefit to the buildings expanse is four separate roof decks so residents can access the one closest to their apartment. Each one features sun loungers and outdoor games, and some with gas grills. During Phase Two, slated for completion later this year, a sprawling open lawn will open for residents and the public to enjoy outdoor movies, fire pits and snacks from a hot-dog cart, called Best in Show.

As do other FLATS buildings, The Duncan will be home to three food and beverage concepts, led by the Heritage Bikes and Coffee Group. Froth will offer breakfast and lunch for patrons in the lobby and in the adjacent patio courtyard. Serving pizzas for dinner service, the buildings bar, Bunker, will be visible from the lobby though set half a floor below. Food and beverage concepts are set for a staggered opening this summer.

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CEDARst Companies wraps up adaptive reuse of YMCA/YWCA building - REjournals.com

Android's long-awaited Nearby Sharing may be just about ready. The feature, which allows you to share files between Android devices quickly, easily, and wirelessly, has been compared to Apple's AirDrop, and Google has confirmed to us that a beta test for Nearby Sharing is actively rolling out via the Play Services beta. We've also managed to snag a quick hands-on to show you how it works.

Left:"Nearby" in the share sheet on a Tweet. Right: 'Nearby Sh..." in the Apps list of the share sheet for a file in the built-in Files app.

Nearby Sharing may appear slightly differently depending on the type of content you try to share. In all cases, it shows up as an app in the apps list on the share sheet, but you may also get a smaller prompt just under the content preview, more like it did in the previous Android 11 video leak. We tested it on a Pixel 4 XL and Pixel 3a running Android 10, but the appearance may also vary on other versions of Android.

Note that Nearby Share works for both files like photos or videos, as well as other shareable content like Tweets and URLs. It probably works with a lot of things.

The prompt you'll receivewhen trying the feature for the first time.

Select Nearby Share in the share sheet as the target, and you're prompted to turn on the feature, if it's the first time you've used it. The quick setup process lets you configure your default device name and device visibility settings, though those can also be changed later.

Left: Nearby Share looking for another device. Center: Nearby Share settings, accessible by tapping your avatar in the top right corner. Right: Nearby Share visibilitysettings.

Once you have it enabled, Nearby Sharing starts looking for other nearby devices. The interface is pretty simple: A big X in the top left corner backs you out, your avatar on the right takes you to a settings pane that lets you configure things like your device name, visibility, and which mechanism to use to make the transfer (i.e., whether to use your internet connection for small files, to stick to Wi-Fi, or to always share offline).

There are three visibility settings: All Contacts, Some Contacts, and Hidden. In any case, it appears you can't blast out an obscene photo to a subway car full of unwilling recipients, like you can on Apple's AirDrop. That said, it sounds like you can still send content to folks outside your contacts, they'll just need to be ready and waiting for it with Nearby Share open. You can easily do that via the quick settings toggle more on that later.

Left: Nearby Share notification if your phone sees a nearby device trying to share a file. Right: The expanded prompt if you tap the notification, which makes your phone visible to other devices.

Nearby phones that meet the criteria for visibility will receive a notification if they have set up Nearby Share as well, asking if you'd like to make your phone visible to receive the shared content. Tap it, and the device that's receiving the content gets a similar prompt to one sending, notifying you that your phone is visible and ready to receive.

Left and Center: prompts to share the file with a specific device. Right: The final prompt to receivethe file.

Following that is a two-stage process with explicit consent between the two devices: hardware sending the content specifically selects a target, and the hardware receiving the content acknowledges and accepts it. The content is then sent between the two devices (pretty quickly, in our experience), and you get an intents prompt to open it, depending on what it is. Tweets, for example, will probably open in your Twitter app, URLs in your browser, photos in whatever you have set to open image files, etc. If the content is a file, it is stored in the Downloads directory, should you need it later.

Nearby Share Quick settings tile on the Z Flip.

There's also a quick settings tile for Nearby Share that appears if you have the feature. Tap it, and you can make your device visible to receive content. With the right sharing settings, that means you can still receive files from folks outside your contacts list, you just need to be aware they're trying to share something with you and ready to receive it.

Google tells us that Nearby Share is currently in limited testing via the Play Services beta:

"Were currently conducting a beta test of a new Nearby Share feature that we plan to share more information on in the future. Our goal is to launch the feature with support for Android 6+ devices as well as other platforms."

While opting-in on the Play Services beta is required, there's also a server-side component for the test right now, so you may not get it right away. (The current test seems verylimited, so most of our readers probably don't have it.) If you feel up to the gamble, you can also download the latest release over at APK Mirror.

Quick settings tile

We've also spotted a quick settings tile for the feature, and our coverage has been updated with that info.

See the original post:
Nearby Sharing Android's AirDrop competitor is rolling out now in beta - Android Police

The custom-built home at 166 Winding River Road has the sophisticated feel of a European manor with its elegant copper-roof hexagonal portico and stucco exterior, lushly landscaped gardens and spectacular location overlooking the Charles River in Wellesley.

The spacious flowing floor plan provides an excellent layout for entertaining and features multiple glass doors to a large terrace and level lawn with water views. Renovated and meticulously maintained, the four-bedroom house has 5,450 square feet of living space and boasts a sought-after first-floor guest suite and serene work-from-home study.

Betsy Kessler of Rutledge Properties is marketing the house on 1.25-acres for $2,785,000.

Located on a sweeping circular driveway in a neighborhood of prominent homes, the house is close to conservation trails and Wellesley Square train, shopping and restaurants.

Hardwood floors, high ceilings, attractive built-ins, wainscot and crown molding are featured throughout the home which also has renovated kitchen, bath and newer windows.

A bluestone walkway with a diamond-pattern center patio leads to the portico and a handsome oversize three-quarters glass front door which opens to a welcoming foyer with multiple doorways to rooms on the main floor.

A stunning front-to-back living room has a vaulted ceiling with cove lighting, windows with transoms to create floor-to-ceiling natural light, a bank of glass doors to a bluestone terrace and a wood-burning fireplace with a marble surround.

Bi-fold doors open to a deep entry with a bar cabinet that leads to the handsome family room which has a gas fireplace set in a paneled wall. Built-in cabinetry flanking the entry to a hallway off the foyer and the room flows into the sun-drenched kitchen.

The chefs kitchen, remodeled by master builder Ken Vona in 2013 has a tile floor, cherry cabinetry, granite counters, a two-tier island with seating, a breakfast area and wonderful natural light from river-facing windows and four skylights. Top-brand appliances include double ovens, an induction cooktop and a wine fridge. There is a laundry room off the kitchen.

A window-lined sunroom has a terra cotta floor, doors to the driveway and garden and entries to both the kitchen and the dining room.

The dining room, located at the end of a hallway off the foyer which also includes a gracious staircase, is a banquet-size room with two lovely china cabinets with open shelves.

A hallway to the right of the foyer features a pocket door to a handsome study with an inviting bay window seat, two walls of built-in cabinetry and a concealed panel that opens to a closet for office supplies. There is also a half-bath and a full bath in the hallway which leads to a flexible first-floor master bedroom with windows on three sides that include a charming picture window.

There are three bedrooms off the large second-floor landing which includes a walk-in cedar closet. The master bedroom has a wall of built-in cabinetry and a sitting room with multiple closets, including two walk-ins, and a marble bath with a Victoria & Albert soaking tub and shower. The two generous family bedrooms have river views and feature one with a balcony and sitting room and another with a wood-burning fireplace with decorative floral and bird tiles on the surround.

The lower level has access to an oversize two-car garage, a bonus room and lots of storage space that includes a workbench and sink.

The house has gas heat, central air and security and the fenced yard has a sprinkler system.

DETAILS

Address: 166 Winding River Road, Wellesley

BR/BA: Four bedrooms, three full and one half-baths

Size: 5,450 square feet of living space on a 1.25-acre lot

Age: 1963

Price: $2,785,000

Tax: $28,021

Features of home: This beautifully renovated colonial is nestled on a spectacular lot overlooking the Charles River. Custom built and meticulously maintained, the house offers sophisticated entertaining spaces and all the comfortable amenities of a well-loved family home. The 10-room house features a flexible layout with multiple doors to an expansive river-facing terrace. There is a gracious foyer, a front-to-back living room with a fireplace, a sun-filled chef's kitchen open to a family room with a fireplace, a window-lined sunroom, banquet dining room, paneled study, laundry and bedroom suite on the first-floor. Three additional bedrooms on the second floor include a master bedroom with sitting area and a gorgeous bath. The lower level has bonus space for play and access to oversized two-car garage. Close to conservation land, town center train and shopping.

Close by: Hunnewell Elementary School

Contact: For more information, call Betsy Kessler of Rutledge Properties at 617-306-6884 direct or bkessler4@gmail.com or 781-235-4663 office. This home may be seen by appointment.

Read more from the original source:
Wellesley Homefront: Custom-built beauty overlooks the Charles - Wicked Local Wellesley

So said former Linden Hills resident Santanu Chatterjea about his nightmarish experience with his sewer line. Chatterjea and his wife, Prachee Mukherjee, who have since moved from the neighborhood, werent expecting to find the floor drain in their utility room overspilling several years ago.

Apparently, older homes such as ourshad the outside sewer line hooked up to the basement drain, Santanu Chatterjea said. Add in the backyard beautiful majestic trees, whose gnarly roots broke into the ancient sewer lines, and sewage reflux ensued.

The couple went through several services as they tried to figure out the problem. One of them even snaked a camera into the line as far as he could and showed me a blurry image of a water trickle that confirmed his suspicion drain tile collapse because of root intrusion, Chatterjea said.

They were given two options: a trench-less sewer line repair that wouldnt disturb the yard but would be very expensive, or an elaborate archaeological dig, which would involve digging up the front yard and ripping out the sidewalk, going all the way up to the citys main sewer line under the street. The cost? $25,000.

Needless to say, I was a bit distraught, he said.

Finally, Chatterjea got connected to Ron the Sewer Rat, whose worker came and, for $300, pushed a cutter with blades from the inside of their homes main water line into the sewer drain.

He said the pine trees roots would probably return in a few years and cause the same issue, but that was normal in this part of the town. Hed have to come back.

The main problem is that the older houses use clay tiles as opposed to PVC pipes, said Peter Kroening, a co-owner of Ron the Sewer Rat. The clay tiles, combined with all the old trees with heavy root systems, can spell disaster for your pipes.

Continued here:
The massive expense of a broken sewer line - Southwest Journal

Although lockdown measures are changing next month, its likely youll still be spending a lot of time in your backyard as life wont return to normality just yet.

And if youre thinking of innovative ways to revamp your space, then one mum-of-three and grandmother-of-two has shown how you can get creative with just paint and tile stencils.

Dawn Burton, 54, decided to totally overhaul her 117-year-old yard when she was furloughed due to coronavirus.

The office administrator spent just 123 on materials and transformed took her yard from a drab space to a stunning Pinterest-worthy feature.

Dawn told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk : "I have always followed various home accounts on Instagram and love nothing more than to look at various images online for decorating ideas and DIY.

"I wanted my garden to look different and I had noticed a few people who were stencilling paths and patios.

"I wanted to take the inside outside and at the same time create a space that anyone would love to sit in.

"Lockdown came and for the first couple of weeks I was just baking nearly everyday to keep myself occupied. The weather became brighter and warmer and I thought 'right, now is the time to transform my 117-year-old yard'.

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For Dawn, being on furlough was the ideal opportunity for an intricate project.

I told my family I wanted to transform my yard, but didn't go into detail as I wanted to surprise them," she said.

"I also told a few close friends and shared my ideas with them, and they inspired me to just go for it - they couldn't have been more supportive throughout the whole process."

Dawn used two five litre tins of smooth masonry paint, one black and one white, from B&Q and The Range, which cost 39.98.

She then bought one 750ml tin of Frenchic Al Fresco Dusky Blush from her local stockist Drab to Fab by Janey Home Interiors for 17.95.

Dawn also used Thompsons Patio & Driveway Sealer from Screwfix for 27.99, one Victorian tile stencil from idealstencils.co.uk for 34.99 plus postage, one stipple brush from B&Q for 1.90, and also various makeup and childrens paintbrushes from around the house.

The total cost of all the materials was 122.81.

Dawn explained: To prep, I jet washed the walls and floor. I painted the walls using the smooth black and white masonry paint and gave the floor two coats of smooth black masonry paint.

I then took the edging stencil and went around the wall and across the middle of the yard, stippling the smooth white masonry paint with a brush.

"Once the edging was in place, I measured across the yard to find the top centre point.

"I always remembered the guy who laid my flooring in my kitchen saying 'you start in the middle and work your way out.

"I then measured across the yard in between the two edging stencilled tiles and immediately under the top stencilled edging tile to find the centre point. I marked this with chalk.

"I then placed the top centre point of the main stencil on the middle marked point on the floor.

"I stencilled that tile using the white masonry paint and the Frenchic Al Fresco Dusky Blush, and again stippled this with the brush.

"After stencilling that tile, I did one either side, all the way down, which left the edges on both sides.

"I then went back up to the top right and stencilled all the way down following the pattern, and the same for the left.

Finally I did the remainder at the bottom. After letting it dry for 24 hours, I then applied the patio sealer with a roller on a long handle and went around the edges with a brush.

Dawn said that her top tip is to plan what you want to do and draw a rough sketch on paper. Then measure and work out what size stencil is best suited for the job.

She added: I couldn't be happier or more proud of what I've achieved, especially being the first time I have attempted stencilling.

I wanted to show and inspire people that anyone can achieve something if they really want to do it. I did!

Read the original:
Mum-of-three on furlough transformed her backyard for just over 100 - Manchester Evening News