Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Unsolved Mysteries

July 1stWho else but the producers of Stranger Things would dare drag the 1980s cult-classic series Unsolved Mysteries into the 21st century? With most hit podcasts and documentary shows concentrating on cold case true crime stories, its only right that the genre originator, Unsolved Mysteries makes a comeback. The show featured gruesome crime cases, paranormal happenings and unexplained phenomena. From introducing its viewers to the chupacabras and the skunk ape to more serious matters like disappearances and violent crime, its appeal was that of a sensationalist tabloid.

Crimewatch may have kindly advised its viewers not to have nightmares whereas Unsolved Mysteries positively encouraged them. Sleep-deprived children everywhere were regularly haunted by the image of Robert Stack staring down the lens, unblinking and unwilling to offer a solution or resolution to any of these terrifying ordeals. Its no surprise that this latest iteration will be without a host as it takes on a more modern documentary-style format but the intention of the series remains the same, appealing to armchair sleuths to help solve these outstanding sometimes outlandish cases.

July 1st

From the creators of Queer Eye comes this emotionally driven series that sees couples who have yet to walk down the aisle achieve the weddings of their dreams. Eight couples from different backgrounds and sexual orientation are aided by a trio of wedding experts who help with the planning of the proposal to the actual ceremony itself. In the tradition of Queer Eye, the show is as much about this team of professionals as it is the participants. Interior designer Jeremiah Brent, fashion designer Thai Nguyen and chef Gabriele Bertaccini all showcase their particular talents and involve themselves in the couples stories, becoming invested in their passions and regularly tearing up as they pull off these idiosyncratic celebrations in record time.

It may feature surprise weddings that take place within a week but Say I Do is the antithesis of the frankly demented, heteronormative car-crash that is Dont Tell the Bride. There are no football themed nuptial monstrosities, exorbitant stag parties or tasteless trips on vomit-inducing roller coasters for these couples. Say I Do is a lush, romantic affair shot in a warm, gauzy haze that encourages its viewers to get swept up in the fantasy rather than consider the less than perfect reality.

July 2nd

The thoughts of a ninja-esque crew of avenging nuns roaming around may fill any ex-Catholic school-goer with a certain type of dread but the cartoonish Warrior Nun concerns itself with more metaphysical issues than some errant typos in the missalettes. Adapted from a comic book of the same name, the story revolves around Ava (Alba Baptista) a feisty 19-year-old who is haunted by dreams of her own death. When she wakes up in a morgue with an artifact embedded in her back it looks as though these night terrors have become a reality. This religious McGuffin is a calling card for the Order of the Cruciform Sword, a team of young nuns who fight demons on Earth to prevent it from being submerged into hell.

Ava must learn to juggle her new found responsibilities as part of this group of powerful women with her ordinary life of boyfriends and parties. For all its dramatic bluster, Warrior Nun is Buffy in a new cute habit. These young gun-slinging, razor-toting nuns may prove to be a guise too far for Irish audiences but their highly stylised battles and weaponised antics should appeal to film fans and Manga devotees alike.

July 8th

This illuminating documentary charts the life and career of flamboyant Puerto Rican astrologer and sometime actorWalter Mercado. Mercado was no twee wooly jumper Russell Grant type; the Liberace of fortune-telling wore a giant bouffant hairdo to match his elaborate garments and extravagant jewels. A true phenomenon, he wowed his audience, reaching over 120 million Latinx viewers who regularly tuned into his readings. With guest appearances from Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eugenio Derbez, the documentary seeks to understand Mercados unique appeal, how a gender non-conforming, spiritualist became a permanent fixture on daytime television. With his daily affirmations and inspirational messages he evolved into something more important than just an astrologer, with his concentration on love and positivity, he became a symbol of inclusivity and acceptance within Latin America.

July 10th

The Old Guard is the latest Netflix action movie attempting to capture the streaming success of surprise hit Extraction. Starring Charlize Theron, its a superhero yarn that centres on a warrior Andy (Theron) who is the head of a secret mob of immortal mercenaries who have been covertly protecting the mortal world for centuries. When their abilities are accidentally exposed during an emergency mission, Andy must eradicate those who wish to control, replicate or capitalise on their powers.

July 17th

With The Witcher on hiatus and Game of Thrones becoming a distant memory, Cursed is the newest epic desperate to acquire a slice of the lucrative fantasy fandom. A twist on the Arthurian legend adapted from Frank Millers novel, it tells the story of Nimue played by Katherine Langford (13 Reasons Why) a young sorceress who is sent on a quest by her dying mother to deliver an ancient sword to its rightful owner. She teams up with a teenage mercenary named Arthur (Devon Terrell) and together they attempt to locate Merlin and reunite him with Excalibur. In this re-imagining of the myth, it is Nimue who learns to wield this magical sword in the face of invading forces who have destroyed her village and to protect her from the ominous intentions of King Uther Pendragon, Arthurs father.

July 21stBack for a new culinary adventure, this season Street Food is heading to Latin America where it will explore the cuisine of six countries including Mexico, Brazil and Argentina. The vibrancy and traditions of the food culture within places like Oaxaca, Salvador and Buenos Aires are delved into as local market stall holders and small restaurateurs explain the history and heritage behind their best known dishes. Created by the team behind the wildly successful Chefs Table series, Street Food is a passionate, authentic look at how food is the common language that binds communities, the moveable feast that is passed down through generations.

July 22ndNamed after the crudely Xeroxed pamphlets that warned about the dangers of New York which were pushed into tourists hands in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Fear City is a docu-series about the hold that organised crime had over Manhattan at this time. Its a look at how craven and corrupt the city had become during the 1970s that led to abject poverty for most of its citizens and the arduous task the FBI had of dismantling the five mafia empires who were at the height of their powers during the 1980s.

July 24thThis sequel to the hit teen rom-com sees Noah (Jacob Elordi) and Elle (Joey King) trying out a long distance relationship as Noah heads off to Harvard. Its decision time for the couple as Elle grows close to a new classmate and is distracted by her dreams of going to college with her best friend, Lee as Noah quickly adapts to the freedoms of college life including his budding friendship with the seemingly perfect Chloe. With the original film becoming a sleeper success, due to its almost genteel storytelling, the off-screen romance of its leads and its cross generational appeal (John Hughes muse Molly Ringwald appears as Noahs mother) Netflix will be hoping that its audience is ready to pucker up once more.

July 31st

Season one of this comic-book caper was a runaway success with 45 million viewers streaming the story making it second to Stranger Things as Netflix most watched original series. Created by Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance and Gabriel B, The Umbrella Academy is an ambitious dark dramedy that revolves around a dysfunctional family of adopted super-hero misfits who reunite to solve the mystery of their fathers death. Its all star cast, which includes Love/Hates Robert Sheehan and Junos Ellen Page, will return as the Hargreeves siblings endeavour to reunite with each other and figure out the cause of the disruption that gave season one its shocking cliffhanger finale.

Link:
Netflix: 10 of the best new shows and films to watch in July - The Irish Times

If there is one lesson that most legendary entrepreneurs share, it is to "Pursue your dreams, relentlessly." Your success depends on what you do every day, consistently, and not what you do sometimes. Luxury interior decorator, Desiree Busnelli's journey is a close resonation to this lesson.

From being a nurse to a luxury lifestyle, and decor consultant, Desiree's eye for fine luxury and design never left sight. Here's a sneak peek into her journey from traveling around the world for collaborations with renowned designers, and to launching her own company.

Doing what she loves

It certainly was a pursuit of happiness for Desiree Busnelli, as she overcame one challenge after another, but never gave up. Busnelli battled a life-changing stomach surgery in 2007, which left her in a body cast for over four months. Determined to be resilient, she made this a turning point in her life and chose to pursue her dreams of becoming a luxury consultant finally.

As she dived into designing, Desiree already had experience in real estate and knew that this would help her progress. "As children, we were five girls, and I was the oldest daughter. As I grew, I was fascinated with exquisite things. My grandma, Kathleen Leavitt, who also was an interior designer, would take me along to her showroom in Bellevue, Washington. At just ten years old, I was awestruck with the luxury street of dreams, and simple things like elegant, modern bathroom setups. This interest to explore opulence stayed and grew as I traveled more and developed a worldly sense of culture."

Never, say never

If being an entrepreneur is tough, being a woman entrepreneur is double the challenge. Being a 'stay at home mom,' and juggling responsibilities, Desiree made sure to embrace all the roles before her. Working alongside the elite CEO, Emanuele Busnelli, and his team of B&B Italia over the last decade, Desiree was able to nourish her passion for fine aesthetics and charming decor. "After years of persistence, I developed the expertise required for chic and contemporary designing. I strongly believe that nothing happens overnight, and it takes eight to ten years of hard work if you are aiming at becoming the best."

B&B Italia went over to design sophisticated hotels around the world. And soon, Busnelli independently founded the JECHIJO Bespoke Design Company in the suburbs of Milan, Italy.

"If you want to fly, give up everything that weighs you down and march towards your dreams. It is very important that you enjoy and love what you do every day. I'm a realist, and I constantly ask myself if what I'm doing makes me feel good and if I can do it every day. What keeps me going is to try and make people happy by creating a positive space - either by knocking down dormant walls or by building vibrant new walls.

The world could possibly never get enough of inspiring women like Desiree Busnelli, who have followed their dreams. Despite being a high-end lifestyle consultant, Desiree is rooted and does her best for the community. Through her charitable collaborations with organizations like Miracle Babies, Voss World, and similar, she is a constant source of hope and positivity.

See the original post:
How Interior Decorator Desiree Busnelli's association with B&B Italia prepared her to launch JECHIJO Bespoke Design - International Business Times,...

There is a plan before the Planning and Zoning Commission to convert the former Vallin Galleries on Danbury Road to a tile showroom.

There is a plan before the Planning and Zoning Commission to convert the former Vallin Galleries on Danbury Road to a tile showroom.

Photo: Jeannette Ross / Hearst Connecticut Media

There is a plan before the Planning and Zoning Commission to convert the former Vallin Galleries on Danbury Road to a tile showroom.

There is a plan before the Planning and Zoning Commission to convert the former Vallin Galleries on Danbury Road to a tile showroom.

On the move in Wilton: preschool, tile showroom

At its meeting on June 22, the Planning and Zoning Commission opened a public hearing for both the Apple Blossom School and a retail tile store.

The school is seeking to move from its present location at 440 Danbury Road to a building at 416 Danbury Road that it would seek to convert under the adaptive use zoning rules.

Architect Rob Sanders explained that the applicants want an easily accessible location near the current school. At the new site, they would like to establish a one-way loop entrance that makes it easier for parents to drop off their children.

Since the children dont all get dropped off at the same time, because different age groups start at different times, this would not present a traffic issue, he said.

The school offers programs with infants, toddlers, nursery preschool, and mixed-aged kindergarten children. Summer camp at the school will began June 29 and will run until Aug. 21 for children ages 2-7 years old.

As for the building itself, there will be some changes to the exterior that include replacing a window and moving a door.

The applicants are proposing a long-term lease to plant their roots, Sanders said.

There was no public comment and the public hearing will be continued on July 13 to discuss any further details.

A public hearing was also opened for an application submitted by Bruce Darbandi to have a tile retail store at 516 Danbury Road, which is an adaptive reuse of the former antique shop, Vallin Galleries.

The plan is to have a showroom on the main floor and office space on the second level.

One area needing improvement is the lower parking area. The proposal includes a 20-foot-wide paved driveway along with a gravel parking lot to include five parking spaces. There will also be a lamp to provide light to the main building.

As for the design and landscaping for the property, Kate Throckmorton, landscape architect wants to keep it simple and neat.

Before the project can move forward, it will need to be finalized with the Inland Wetlands Commission. The public hearing will be continued on July 13.

New applicants Erskine Associates, LLC at 134 Olmstead Hill Road is seeking to complete a project that will convert an existing free-standing cottage to accessory dwelling unit. There is a scheduled public hearing for this on July 13.

More here:
On the move in Wilton: preschool, tile showroom - The Wilton Bulletin

The sale of the Club West Golf Course has been finalized and the new owners are working on a collaborative plan to revitalize the property.

After initial attempts by The Edge to create a new golf experience at Club West, community members and Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio requested that The Edge consider alternative development plans that reduce the number of single-family detached residential homes required to finance any revitalization plan.

The new plan, tentatively called The Park at Club West, will redevelop the course into a community park with enhanced trails, open spaces, and recreational amenities.

The golf course has been closed since 2016 and reopening it is not a viable option.

A collaborative design process has commenced with eight (8) member Neighborhood Committee established by the Club West HOA and Community Land Solutions (CLS), as representatives of The Edge.

Community Land Solutions is in the process of retaining a landscape architect for the project. The goal is for a maximum amount of new park and open space along with responsible and minimal development.

We are neighbors first. We want to bring new green and open spaces to the shuttered Club West Golf Course. Our plans are community-minded and will raise property values, said Matt Shearer, a principal with CLS, which is leading efforts to build the new park and greenbelt.

CLS and the Neighborhood Committee are meeting on a weekly basis with the goal of distributing an initial Draft Park Plan to the Club West Community for additional input. Shearer said additional meetings and communications with community members are planned and welcomed as revitalization plans move forward.

The process includes significant time for community feedback, presentations to the HOA and homeowners, additional open houses and community events, a homeowners vote, and approvals from the city of Phoenix.

We want open and transparent dialogues with all our neighbors and remain optimistic in uniting the community with sustainable solution that removes uncertainty and enhances property values. There is still a lot of misinformation surrounding the future redevelopment plans for the property. We are confident that the current planning process will allow us to proceed with constructive discussions based on facts, Shearer added.

Shearer is a principal with CLS along with Bill McManus and Mike Hare.

The effort and the Neighborhood Committee are looking at how other communities and former golf courses in Arizona (including in Scottsdale, Phoenix and Oro Valley) and other states (including in Washington state and Ohio) created new parks and open space and executed responsible development solutions to revive their respective communities and property values.

Read more:
Here are the revitalization plans for Club West Golf Course land - AZ Big Media

Coronavirus quarantine had many people rethinking the interiors of their homes this spring. DIY projects were tackled, and rooms reorganized.

Now that summers here, why not give the same mini-makeover to backyards and outdoor spaces?

Youll feel less cooped up if you bring some indoor style outside, even if its just to a tiny balcony or front porch, says New Jersey interior designer Anna Maria Mannarino.

Youre expanding the real estate really by bringing the indoors out, Mannarino says.

Here, she and two other design experts Connecticut landscape architect Janice Parker and Houston interior designer Lauren Rottet share advice on how they create stylish outdoor spaces that can accommodate a range of activities, from cooking and socially distant entertaining to relaxing and working from home.

Even the smallest outdoor space probably has room for one or two comfortable chairs and a bistro table, Mannarino says. If you dont normally keep a table outside, Rottet suggests bringing out a small folding table when you want to dine or work outside. Add a crisp linen tablecloth, she says, and even an inexpensive card table will look special.

Layering the space with pillows and a throw blanket for evenings adds a cozy vibe. Choose pillows and cushions in an outdoor-friendly fabric like Sunbrella, which needs little care to stay looking and feeling good throughout the seasons, Mannarino says.

And I would definitely add an outdoor rug if you have the space to do it, she says.

If you dont want to buy an outdoor rug, Parker says, just bring out a throw rug from inside to use on a sunny day.

The sounds of rippling water or birdsong can be great antidotes to rumbling traffic or barking dogs. Parker suggests buying an inexpensive tabletop fountain, and bird feeders to attract songbirds.

Its a great time to get into bird watching, she says, because they do seem to be more abundant than in the past. (Get a squirrel-proof feeder if you want to make sure the food actually goes to the birds.)

Theres an even simpler, virtual option, Parker points out: When you sit outside, play recordings of chirping birds or rippling water from your phone or other device.

Pleasing scents will also elevate your outdoor space. Buy a potted lavender plant, Parker says, or flowering plants like nicotiana (also called flowering tobacco), which are iridescent in the evening and have a wonderful scent.

Many grocery stores are selling potted plants and you dont have to fuss with re-potting them, Parker says. If they come in plain plastic containers, simply wrap the container in a bit of burlap or other fabric to make it more attractive.

For something more dramatic, Rottet says, potted citrus trees look and smell lovely. Or add a pencil cactus or other succulent in a tall planter; it can withstand summer heat while functioning like a sculpture in your outdoor space. When summer ends, fill the planter with a hardy flower like pansies, which might even last through the winter.

No time or resources to add plants this year? Floral or lavender candles are another option, Parker says.

A gas grill can be an asset if youre cooking outdoors a lot. But Rottet also recommends the Big Green Egg charcoal grill. Its not a huge commitment, she says, because you can roll it into a tight little space.

If you have a grill and would like to create more of a kitchen around it, add an outdoor table or console that can serve as a work surface and perhaps has some storage, Mannarino says, so youre not just walking over to a grill and holding a tray in your hand.

Want to create the feel of an outdoor bar? Add a rolling bar cart, or, even more simply, fill your biggest salad bowl with ice, Parker says, and bring out a selection of cold drinks.

If youre working outside, you need shade to see the screen. Retractable awnings are helpful, as are large outdoor umbrellas that stand alone or fit into an outdoor table. (They also let you spend more time outside, if its raining.)

In the evening, Rottet says, you can expand the feeling of even a small backyard by wrapping strands of small white lights (available in outdoor-safe versions that are battery-powered or solar-powered) around your trees.

Lanterns with lit candles inside are lovely outdoors after the sun goes down, though LED candles can be a more practical choice on a breezy night.

A fire pit will also brighten up your outdoor space, and warm it up this fall and winter.

Rottet created one for her Houston home using a large concrete planter that can withstand heat.

But as Parker points out, you dont have to buy anything to have a fire pit. It might be fun to create one the old-school way: Dig a wide hole in the ground, she says, contain the space safely and build a campfire Boy Scout style.

The changes you make to your outdoor space dont have to be elaborate, she says. Just get out there. Take your chair from the kitchen table if you need to. Take your coffee cup and go.

Originally posted here:
Make the most of your outdoor space | Close To Home - Lewiston Morning Tribune

These are fraught times for Dallas. A demon virus has spread across the land, forcing a beleaguered citizenry indoors and behind masks. There is anger and there is frustration, understandably. There are no, or few, professional sports. Lets face it: The city could use all the help it can get. But heres some good news: Five homegrown superheroes have come to the rescue, and theyre ready to bring healing to the city. Theres just one problem: They need a place to call home, a headquarters where they can plot their acts of derring-do.

Emmy: Im sorry. Your name is...Pegasus?

Peg: Right.

Emmy: Like the horse with wings?"

Peg: Yes. But you can just call me Peg.

Emmy. OK. And how can we help you, Peg?

Peg: Youre real estate brokers. I need something in downtown Dallas. Something big. Something secure.

Emmy: OK. And what is this for, exactly?

Peg: Part headquarters. Part lair. For a team of superheroes.

Emmy: Excuse me?

Peg: Superheroes. You know. Capes. Special powers. Masks. That kind of thing. There are five of us. Me, Big Tex, Trinity, Erykah and Dirk.

Emmy: You know what? I might have just the thing for you.

Peg: Looks pretty cool. What is this thing?

Emmy: The Rolex tower. Its their North American repair and sales center. It opened last year, before the virus shut everything down. Its a proprietary design. Definitely not your typical office building.

Peg: It is distinctive, unlike so many of the boring buildings around here. Tough but not brutish. I like the way it corkscrews up as it rises. A building that shape-shifts seems right for a band of superheroes. And its not too flashy or garish, not covered in LEDs what is it with this town? We dont want a lot of attention.

Emmy: Thats the Rolex brand. A little butch, but also classy. I would say its the most interesting new commercial building the city has seen since, well, for a long time. The best tower since Fountain Place, and that was in 1986. The architect is Japanese. Kengo Kuma. Not a household name, but he should be. He actually designed the stadium for the Tokyo Olympics this summer, but I guess thats not happening, now. It would have made quite a splash, though. Its largely made of wood larch and cedar and modeled on an ancient Japanese temple.

Peg: Interesting. But lets get back to Dallas. Whats with the stone wall at the base? Must have cost a bundle.

Emmy: Yes it did. It is, quite literally, a castle wall, built using traditional Japanese methods by a 15th-generation stonemason named Suminori Awata. Were talking Shogun-era craftsmanship. The different sized stones represent the diversity of life. Kuma believes quite strongly in using traditional materials and techniques. Architecture should go back to fabrication, to using real materials, to using the hand, he has said.

Peg: I like that it has a fortress quality. That will be good for us.

Emmy: Thats why I brought you here. The stone wall gives you extra protection at the rear of the building where it faces Harry Hines. You dont want anyone sneaking up on you.

Peg: Yes, that is good. What are those white bands that wrap around it?

Emmy: Thin metal louvers. Sun shades three rows on each floor. They keep the heat load down, and they give it a nice flair, so its not just another black box. Theyll give you a little privacy, too. Im sure you superheroes dont want villains seeing what youre up to all day.

Peg: No, we dont.

Emmy: Youll also notice that as the building torques around, it creates these little garden ledges. In Japanese, theyre called engawa, in-between spaces. Kuma had a Japanese landscape architect, Sadafumi Uchiyama, come and design them. The idea is to dissolve the distinction between inside and outside. You see this kind of element in his work elsewhere. I think the inspiration is the rice-growing terraces you see in rural Japan.

Peg: Nice. But, there are only five of us. Im not sure we need this much building.

Emmy: Actually, It looks tall but thats deceptive; its really just seven stories. Thats one story each, and then some common space. I know superheroes need room for equipment development and training.

Peg: True. Can we get a look inside?

Emmy: You can see theres a nice entry sequence, with a path across landscaping and fountains. Good for surveillance of anyone approaching. This is the front lobby. Its quite spacious and cool, with black granite floors, blackened walls and horizontal blond wood slats running from the ceiling down along the walls, animating the space and referencing the louvers on the exterior. Its got a broad security desk, where you can put one of your minions.

Peg: That works. It is nice. Corporate, but not too impersonal or cold. Thats rare."

Emmy: Right. Walking back behind it you have a little sitting area. Rolex uses this as a waiting space for repair returns you can see it has a small counter for a clerk. Maybe this could be a room where you screen requests for assistance?

Peg: Yes. What about upstairs?

Emmy: So this is the executive boardroom. You can see we once again have the horizontal wood elements that create a seamless flow between wall and ceiling.

Peg: This will be an excellent place for us to plan operations.

Emmy: And come this way. Here is one of the most exciting features: The entertainment deck here is enclosed by a two-story screen of louvers. If you get up close you can see how sharp they are: aluminum, with a leafy pattern printed on the bottoms, to give them a natural feel and help diffuse light. So when youre out here, youre both outside and inside. You can look out, but its hard to see in. Its perfect for superheroes, like yourselves. Its meant as an event space and for employee dining, but you can train out here and, of course, for those of you who can fly, you can just take right off, and nobody will see.

Peg: "Wow. Perfect.

Emmy: As for the rest of the place, its ideal for your secret laboratory and fabrication needs. The floors have a sophisticated ventilation system that sucks out any particulate matter key for when theyre doing watch repair.

Peg: Excellent.

Emmy: And of course theres a vault where you can store any secret plans, manifestos, genealogies whatever. I know superheroes maintain a lot of proprietary information.

Peg: Yes. Thats all great. But this is Dallas, so you know I have to ask: What about parking?

Emmy: No problem. The garage here is actually below grade, which is nice generally if this city was smart it would mandate that for all new construction and of course it means you can keep your super-mobiles hidden. There are also a couple of short-term spaces on the street, for deliveries. Which is handy.

Peg: And this is all available?

Emmy: Well...for the moment. During the shutdown, anyway.

Peg: I think well take it.

Emmy: "You know what? You guys could call yourselves The Watch Men. Get it?

Peg: Stick to real estate.

Pegasus (aka Peg)

Uniform: Red neon wings

Power: Can transform into a flying horse

Trinity

Uniform: Covered in patchy grass

Power: Sprays jets of toxic water

Big Tex

Uniform: Hokey cowboy

Power: Transforms into giant

Erykah

Uniform: Head wrap

Power: Voice renders enemies helpless

Dirk

Uniform: Mavs warmups, weird haircut

Power: So likable villains just surrender

Read the original:
The new Rolex tower in Dallas is straight out of a superhero movie - The Dallas Morning News

Beny Alagem of Alagem Capital and renderings of the new design (Credit: DBOX for Alagem Capital Group via Los Angeles Times)

Beny Alagems latest plan for One Beverly Hills is ambitious, totally new, and very green.

The developers firm Alagem Capital and partner Cain International unveiled architect Norman Fosters new $2 billion design for the 17.5-acre property next to Alagems Beverly Hilton, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Alagems plan, the latest in a development saga that spans over a decade, would see the construction of two condominium towers at 28 and 32 stories; a 10-story hotel; and eight acres of green space, much of which would be open to the public. The hotel would feature 42 all-suite guest rooms, plus a fine-dining restaurant and 37 residential units; the condo towers would house 303 condos.

Greenery is clearly the theme of the design. Renderings show gardens across just about every surface of the buildings and grounds. Foster said the building architecture is an extension of the greenery.

The protagonist is the landscape, the garden, he said.

Those three main buildings line the west side of the development site. The central gardens separate them from Alagems Beverly Hilton on the northeast side of the One Beverly Hills site. Landscape architect Mark Rios with RIOS designed the gardens and said he was interested in pursuing what a botanical environment is for the 21st century.

Alagem Capital and Cain International filed the plans with the city of Beverly Hills on Monday. They hope to break ground late next year and wrap up construction by 2024, according to the Times.

Alagem, an Israeli-born hotel magnate, has been trying to develop condo towers next to his Beverly Hills hotel since George W. Bush was still president and the Great Recession had not yet struck.

In early 2016, he lost a ballot initiative to build condo towers on the hotel site. But his fortunes turned in 2018, when Alagem Capital and Cain International bought the 750,000-square-foot One Beverly Hills site in 2018 from rival Dalian Wanda Group for $420 million. Alagem tossed out Wandas design for the building approved by the city of Beverly Hills, and by May of 2019 tapped Foster + Partners as architect.

In February, the ultra-luxury Peninsula Beverly Hills hotel sued Alagems Waldorf Astoria hotel for allegedly conspiring with a Peninsula employee to gain access to guests accounts and then steal clients. [LAT] Dennis Lynch

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Beny Alagems new $2B One Beverly Hills design is loaded with gardens - The Real Deal

A tented alfresco reception at the American Swedish Historical Museum is among the Philadelphia-area outdoor wedding venues on our list. Photo by Anthony Page Photography

Summer has us longing for the outdoors, and alfresco weddings (including all those elopements and micro-gatherings) seem to offer a post-pandemic paradise. Thats why weve compiled a list of 12 Philadelphia-area venues that celebrate the beauty of the world around us many of which are working on implementing new COVID-19-related health and safety practices as cities and states introduce updated guidelines. Whether youre dreaming of a sky-high rooftop party, an intimate secret-garden soiree or a ceremony amid historic grounds, these open-air destinations set the scene for your Big Day. (And check out these lake and riverfront wonders or beachfront beauties for more options.) Now thats au naturel!

South Philly

A photo moment amid the arches at the American Swedish Historical Museum. Photo by Laura Caporizzo Photography LLC

Historian Amandus Johnson founded the museum in 1926 as a tribute to Swedish contributions to the United States, which celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence that same year. Case in point: The venue in FDR Park sits on a property that was once part of a 17th century land grant from Queen Christina of Sweden to Swedish colonist Sven Skute. The venue also references famous Scandinavian and American architecture with elements from Swedens centuries-old buildings as well as Mount Vernon, George Washingtons home. Ceremonies and receptions can be held under the natural flora, under one of the venues arches or in front of the main doors. (Guests will also have access to indoor galleries featuring period paintings, regardless of whether the fete is held outside.) The museum is isolated enough to avoid noise restrictions yet close enough that Ubers and Lyfts are a quick trip. As Philly moves into the green phase, the venue hopes to begin hosting weddings in the late summer and fall; it is extending its outdoor tent rentals (the facades have clear, retractable sides) to facilitate social distancing. (COVID-related guest capacity will be introduced as available.) Rental fees from $1,750 for a five-hour event. 1900 Pattison Avenue, South Philly.

Southwest Philly

A couple strolls the grounds at Bartrams Garden. Florals by Fresh Designs Florist; photo by Kelly Giarrocco

Treet your guests to a veritable garden of them at this 45-acre historic landmark that planted roots thanks to early-American botanist John Bartram. Theres a ginkgo believed to be the oldest on the continent and a signature tree dubbed Franklinia. (Well let you figure out its namesake.) The outdoor spaces are alive with flora and fauna (as you can see in this flower-filled celebration), and there are transitional areas for lawn games and cocktail hour, all backed by vistas of the Schuylkill River. Under normal circumstances, the new Eastwick Pavilion (it has a covered porch and granite patio) can accommodate about 300. However, the venue expects to limit head counts as it begins its reopening process in July and enacts social-distancing measures. Catering is handled by Jamie Hollander; Bartrams is offering 25% off for food and bev through 2020. Venue rentals from $2,800. 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard, Southwest Philly.

East Passyunk

The rooftop setting offers 360-degree panoramas of Philly. Photo by Love Me Do Photography

Want to say your vows with a backdrop bearing one of the best views in the city? Head to this eclectic, industrial venue topping off the former vocational school turned creative hub and gathering place. The Center City skyline sets the scene for the Bok Special, a complete 300-person outdoor wedding experience thats available only 10 weeks per year and begins at $9,000. It provides access to both the eighth-floor North and South Terrace. (Other locations throughout the space start at $5,500.) Outdoor ceremonies on the North Terrace are typically available as an upgrade to other Bok nuptials; however, the building cannot currently accommodate ceremony-only bookings. All packages give couples guided access to hidden, lesser-known areas throughout the building perfect for cool first-look photos. The venue is accepting bookings for 2021; some Friday and Saturday dates are still available. 800 Mifflin Street, East Passyunk.

Center City

A ceremony in the private enclave at The College of Physicians. Photo by Brittney Raine Photography

The College of Physicians represents a cornerstone of American medicinal history: Since 1787, the nonprofit has had a mission of championing health and medicine. (It is largely known for its Mtter Museum, a cabinet of veritable medical mysteries skulls, among them, if you want to get brainy on your Big Day.) The Sir John Templeton Veranda is a private enclave with four parterres of medicinal herbs and plants (think flax or evening primrose), slate and pebble pathways, and benches for quiet moments. The blooming season begins in the spring and ends in the fall, ensuring ample greenery for your backdrop. Typical capacity is 195 seated and standing. As Philly moves into the green phase, it expects to offer 75% of that for events; the space has also instituted a plethora of preventative measures including sanitation before, during and after the event; eliminating buffets (Catering by Design will work with you on cuisine); and checking employees temperatures beforehand, among other actions. A Saturday in peak season starts from $4,200. 19 South 22nd Street, Center City.

Wyncote

A couple shares their first dance en plein air. Photo by Jessica Manns Photography

Rolling hills, two ponds and 50 types of trees make up this 45-acre destination in Montgomery County. If thats not enough to paint a pretty picture, consider this: The site was also designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect for Central Park; the mansion and grounds were renovated in 2019. The original wisteria-covered pergola is a romantic space for ceremonies, and the historic gardens provide a verdant backdrop for sipping cocktails post I do. As the region moves into its green phase, the venue aims to open for outdoor July weddings with 160 guests, depending on guidelines. Tours have opened up with required face masks; 2021 rental prices start at $3,000. 1250 West Church Road, Wyncote.

Norristown

A giraffe feeding during a wedding at Elmwood Park Zoo. Photo by Jessica Manns Photography

Giraffe feedings, jaguar exhibits and wild weddings, oh my! Animal-loving duos can get their fauna fix thanks to the more than 100 species here. Weddings support the zoos work to raise awareness about conservation efforts; couples can hold their ceremony in front of the Classic Red Barn or Olivias Eagle Observation Deck, among other outdoor locales. Eagles fans might take flight knowing that Noah, the teams animal ambassador, and his pal Reggie sometimes make an appearance. Want to feed one of the three giraffes? They love to photobomb, which can make for one-of-a-kind portraits. The zoo is available for fall and winter 2020 weddings as well as 2021. It can accommodate 100 seated guests, though it hopes to return to full capacity (150) in the future; the zoo is also offering 50% rental fees for events and bookings through 2020. The various venue prices range from $500 to $2,500. 1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown.

Center City

The cool, brick-lined garden at Fitler Club. Photo by Philip Gabriel Photography

The semi-newish, members-only Fitler Club, which opened in 2019, has it all but its 1,800-square-foot brick-walled garden, with its charming string lighting illuminating the dance floor, is perfect for a sophisticated set of future newlyweds. The clubs garden currently offers micro-weddings of up to 25 people (it typically can accommodate 50 folks for the ceremony, dinner and dancing); larger celebrations are being booked for the future as regulations allow. A perk: Those who celebrate their unions here become honorary, temporary members, receiving access to restaurants, bars, fitness centers and, perhaps, a bit of bowling by way of the Trophy Room. Pricing starts at $200 per person (excluding tax and service charge). 1 South 24th Street, Center City.

Fairmount Park

A reception at the Historic Strawberry Mansion. Photo by Ashley Gerrity Photography

The Historic Strawberry Mansion is for a couple with good taste its sweet, lush and surrounded by fresh berries. Lawyer and abolitionist Judge William Lewis built the iconic white estate more than two centuries ago, and it makes a picturesque backdrop to outdoor celebrations for up to 250 on the charming rear grounds, with its brick terrace looking out over a winding azalea path. It is managed by Open Aire Affairs, while the catering program is run by Birchtree, who will dish out seasonal menus (the signature fruit, picked from the award-winning fields, might just find its way onto your plate). While the mansion has been closed due to COVID-19, the venue is allowing already-booked couples to use the space on their planned wedding dates for pictures or an elopement of 25 people or less, based on health and safety guidelines. (These couples can move their reception to 2021 as well.) The venue is not currently booking otherwise for 2020 until Philly moves into the green phase. Saturday night venue prices start at $2,500. 2450 Strawberry Mansion Drive, Fairmount Park.

Fairmount Park

The greenhouse at the Horticulture Center. Florals by Fabufloras Design; photography by Adrienne Matz

Take your guests on a tropical trip without leaving Philly at this green-thumbs paradise. Recite your vows framed by lush Cherry Alle trees; say I do by the reflecting pool or get indoor-outdoor vibes in the light-filled greenhouse. The ample space can accommodate up to 300; COVID regulations, however, have affected the total capacity, and the venue plans to update its programs as the city moves into green phase and regulations change. (The venues first wedding post-pandemic is hopefully planned for August; read about a few of the couples whose celebrations have been impacted here and here.) Tours are currently not available, though exclusive caterer Constellation has a Pinterest page that might inspire your Big Day plans. Five-hour events from $2,500. 100 N Horticultural Drive, Fairmount Park.

New Hope

A COVID-19-compliant celebration at HollyHedge Estate. Photo by Weddings by Two

This romantic, family-run farm in Bucks County dates back to the 18th century and is cheerily outfitted with bucolic touches. The property spans 21 acres and delights with pristine grounds and postcard-perfect landscaping. HollyHedge can typically accommodate 200 guests and provide 15 on-site rooms for friends and family; right now, couples can hold four-hour micro-weddings in spaces such as the courtyard garden, pastures, ponds and the stone barn. As the green phase progresses, the destination hopes to expand offerings to up to 140 attendees; the spot is also considering introducing full-day progressive receptions (during which various groups come at different stages of the day to mitigate risk) moving forward. Prices from $125 per person. 6987 Upper York Road, New Hope.

Center City

A ceremony at the Rodin Museums reflecting pool. Photo by Asya Photography

Philly Francophiles already adore this venue: It houses the largest collection of the French sculptors work outside of Paris. So theyll certainly fall in love with hosting their wedding here, too. The outdoor environs allow you to say your vows between the serene reflecting pool and The Thinker statue; garden ceremonies typically accommodate up to 100, though the venue is currently limiting capacity. The venue is accepting inquiries and has weddings booked as early as August, pending updates to COVID-19 guidelines. Pricing starts at $3,000 for ceremony only and $7,500 for a full event. 2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Center City.

Southwest Philly

A reception at the Carriage front of the Hamilton Mansion at The Woodlands. Photo by Peach Pear Plum Photography

The historic park, cemetery and mansion sit along the banks of the Schuylkill River and was inherited 180 years ago by William Hamilton. He turned the central mansion into a beacon of British-style architecture and landscaping. The aesthetic carries throughout the 54-acre grounds, and it remains grand yet charming today, beckoning all kinds of couples seeking to say their I dos in a historic setting. Peach Pear Plum Photography has called it one of the most enjoyablenontraditional venues at which to work. While the space accommodates a maximum of 200 (in either the alfresco Carriage or Riverfront spaces at the estate), it is currently offering smaller ceremonies of up to 50 and will work with couples on a flexible budget. Micro-weddings from $660 per hour. 4000 Woodland Avenue, Southwest Philly.

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12 Philly-Area Outdoor Wedding Venues That Bring a Breath of Fresh Air to Your Big Day - Philadelphia magazine

WELCOME TO THE DEBUT of Vintage Pacific NW, a relaxing road trip through our scenic magazine archives and, honestly, an invention of pandemic necessity, because our archives are about the only place we can visit safely these days.

Actually, well be revisiting our magazines richly colorful (if sometimes sepia) history every Sunday for a spell, through some of our favorite magazine stories by some of our favorite magazine writers.

In a time of disorienting uncertainty, its been surprisingly reassuring and grounding to unearth these timeless classics, and especially to enlist suggestions from former magazine contributors such as Nancy Leson (food), Nicole Tsong (fitness), and garden gurus Ciscoe Morris and Valerie Easton. A familiar voice goes a long way in troubling times.

This week, were launching Vintage Pacific NW with a one-home retrospective of NW Living, a beloved fixture in one Seattle Times Sunday magazine or another for decades and decades and decades.

We really arent exaggerating the decades thing: It was 40 years ago that a brand-new Pacific debuted. Pacific became THE Seattle Times Sunday magazine on Sept. 7, 1980, one week after the final issues of the Magazine, which had begun in 1902 (!), and the comparatively youthful Pictorial (started as the catchy Sunday Rotogravure Pictorial Section in 1923), which bequeathed Northwest Living and Northwest Design to the new upstart.

Over the years, NW Living widened its focus on homeowners, architects, designers, craftspeople and artisans our Pacific Northwest neighbors while keeping an unparalleled photographic eye on their homes and work, all atop a foundation reinforced by our distinct and special Northwest style, and place.

Our consistent goal has been to explore how and why we live the way we do, and it is with the deepest gratitude toward all of the people in all of our stories who have shared their spaces and their talent and to all of you who have read about them that we also present this Vintage Pacific NW debut as a heartfelt tribute: This will be our last NW Living feature. More about that in this weeks Backstory.

We are ending on a high note. This striking West Seattle home, built in 1966 and designed by noted Northwest architect Ralph Anderson for his friends Duff and Dorothy Kennedy, originally appeared in the Nov. 11, 1973, Pictorial. We revisited it in person for our June 9, 2019, NW Living feature, following a gentle, respectful, also-striking remodel by current owners Steve Hoedemaker and Tommy Swenson.

As an architect himself, Hoedemaker told us in 2019, [Such a legacy] can feel like an uncomfortable obligation when the house doesnt do its job well. I find myself remodeling some beautiful things [elsewhere] that didnt work well. This one is a study in approaching what works and what you might have done differently. The house is fundamentally the same.

Ah. Theres comfort in consistency, too and legacy.

Heres the original Pacific Northwest Living story, from Nov. 11, 1973:

An artistic home in West SeattleText by Rosella Broyles

The Duff Kennedy residence in West Seattle is an effective blend of all the elements that create a distinctive home.

The architectural details of the contemporary plan, the beauty of a wooded site on a bluff above Puget Sound, the quiet neutrality of the furnishings, the careful linking of indoor to outdoor spaces and the taste of the owners are brought together in a harmonious whole.

That kind of result is best achieved when the design team works together from the beginning to bring its concepts to fruition. Ralph D. Anderson & Partners was the architect, Robert W. Chittock the landscape architect and Roy Strom the interior designer who followed the plan through from the start.

Kennedy and his wife, Dorothy, greatly influenced the design, not only as knowledgeable connoisseurs and collectors of the arts, but in stressing the manner in which they wished to live in the house.

Although informal materials such as brick, cedar and clay tiles were used throughout, the couple wanted the home to be a suitable setting for formal entertaining and a background for their many fine paintings and pieces of sculpture.

Some of the art pieces were commissioned especially for the Kennedy home.

Sandy Deneau Dunham writes about architecture and design for Pacific NW and is associate editor of the magazine. Reach her at sdunham@seattletimes.com.

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The evolution of a classic West Seattle home and a brand-new Pacific NW feature - Seattle Times

Downtown Reidsville has a new look. Because some of the downtown trees were in poor health and causing sidewalk problems, the City Council approved a plan to remove about half of the downtown sidewalk trees and replace them with trees in planter boxes created by Eric Smith.

These planter boxes come with an added twist, though. The large wooden boxes are adorned with the City logo, as well as unique and colorful art panels by local artist Mary ED Ryan.

The artist who created Downtown Reidsvilles newest mural, as well as numerous other art projects across the county, Ryan used wood stain to create 14 abstract panels and 14 panels depicting plants and animals of North Carolina.

We knew that with Mary creating them, the art panels would be great, said Missy Matthews, Market Square/Main Street Manager for the City of Reidsville. But, they are even more amazing than we hoped.

Working with a landscape architect to determine which trees to remove, 18 were replaced earlier this spring. In addition, two large bottle trees, crafted at Amos Welding, will be installed at the entrance to Kellys Way at 120 S. Scales St.

Some pruning will be done to sidewalk trees that remain, and string lights also will be installed on the sidewalk trees.

The Reidsville Downtown Corporation established Project DREAM (Downtown Reidsville Empowering Arts Movement) in 2018, and a number of public art projects downtown have been added. For example, angel wings were painted at the Rockingham County Public Library.

City employees have told me that the uplifting messages in Gina Francos See Good in All Things gives them a boost as they enter and leave the City Hall parking lot, Matthews added. Cities gain value through public art cultural, social and economic value.

Ryan applied her art to the 3/4-inch sanded plywood planters using colored wood stains, not paint. The color is absorbed into the wood and sealed with polycrylic.

This is much more weatherproof than painted panels, and they could last for a long time, Ryan said.

Ryan was thrilled to be a part of the project.

Im a huge fan of public art because its available for the entire community and visitors to enjoy, she said.

Having never created stain art of the size for the panels, Ryan said the project was challenging, but she is happy with the results.

I pushed myself hard, took chances, even experimented a bit, she said. I wanted to give Reidsville something to get excited about, and thats hard because people are really down right now.

Like Matthews, Ryan is a huge supporter of public art and sees her artistic contributions as a way to serve her community.

Its much harder to get public art into rural areas and small towns, yet those places get the biggest boost from it, Ryan said. Public art has a strong track record of helping places to recover, bring hope, energize downtown businesses, bring people back into town, attract new businesses and help the community feel good about where they live.

As weather permits, artist Ruby Blanco will paint a mural at 138 South Scales St. on the back of the building, which faces a public parking lot. A tattoo artist, Blanco recently opened Ravens Claw Studio on Scales Street.

Ruby transformed utility meters in this same parking lot into a charming turtle, and we are excited to see this new mural come to life, Matthews said.

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Planters and artwork added in Downtown Reidsville - Greensboro News & Record