Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

How to Prep for a Home Inspection

The home selling process involves many steps, from finding a real estate agent to negotiating your selling price with potential buyers. When it comes to having your home inspected, you have a few options.

Pre-sale home inspections can be a great start to determine the condition and value of your home. This can be helpful for a seller and agent as the condition of the home can be put into the listing and any immediate issues can be fixed.

Once a home is listed for sale, the seller can still get an inspection done to prepare for any surprise costs or issues the house may have. Some cities and states require sellers to provide potential buyers with a detailed home inspection, but more commonly than not, buyers will opt for their own as well.

Whatever route you choose, it is important to prepare your house - and yourself - for a home inspection. And that starts with a clean house. If your house is a mess, that can be an immediate indication to the inspector that the home hasnt been properly maintained.

As youre cleaning, be sure to make room for workspace around the furnace, water heater, air conditioner and electrical boxes. In order to properly check these areas, about four to five feet of space is required. Remember to clear away snow, leaves and brush from exterior inspection points as well.

Provide your inspector with access to all points of the house, including the attic, basement and garage. Move any large items or boxes a few feet away from the walls and if you happen to find any rodent droppings or cobwebs, remove and clean the area.

Leave all of your utilities connected, even if the house is vacant. The inspector will have to check the lighting, turn on the stove, run the dishwasher and test out the furnace, among other tasks. If the utilities are off, the inspector will not be able to complete the inspection, reschedule and possibly delay the selling process.

Lastly, when it comes time for your inspection appointment, be on time, have all documents ready and stay out of the way. Make plans for your children and pets to be out of the house for at least two to three hours. In the case that a prospective buyer accompanies the inspector, it can get awkward to ask questions with the seller present, so it may be best to plan to be away as well. Before you leave, make sure to provide any and all repair invoices and receipts in regards to remodels or updates.

For more information, contact Mike Kogler today!

Call or textMike at (302) 236-7648

Michael Kogler,REALTOR MIKE KOGLER TEAM: #1 Sales TeamLong & Foster Real Estate | Luxury Portfolio International 37156 Rehoboth Ave., Ext. Rehoboth Beach, DE. 19971 Cell:(302) 236-7648 Email:michaelkogler@outlook.com Web:www.MikeKogler.com Henlopen Sales & Rentals:www.HenlopenRB.com

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How to Prepare for a Home Inspection - CapeGazette.com

By Kathy Henne

Contributing columnist

Whether you are buying or selling a home, you will probably encounter the inspection. This neednt strike fear into the hearts of sellers, and it shouldnt encourage buyers to look for minor issues.

Disclosure and awareness are very important, and a recent survey of the National Association of Home Inspectors sheds some light on the most prevalent problems that they encounter. Of course, sellers may want to have their homes inspected right after listing their homes. If the seller has not had the home inspected, then the buyer will need to have it taken care of as soon as they have an accepted contract.

One of the most common problems the inspectors find is improper drainage around the house. Unsuitable grading can lead to water penetration and even problems with the foundation. Another problem involves big surprise roofing. This can include worn or missing shingles and improper flashing around the chimney.

The survey results also point to a couple of interior problems. In older homes, particular attention should be paid to the electrical system, which might have inadequate overload protection or insufficient power. Buyers are requesting the seller upgrade old fuse type electrical boxes to upgraded circuit breakers because many insurance companies are refusing to insure homes that have the old fuse type electrical boxes. Problems with the heating and air conditioning systems were also at the top of the home inspectors list.

Keep in mind that most homes will not have major problems, but a home inspection is always a good idea. Ask your agent for some reputable home inspectors.

Contact the Kathy Henne Team Re/MAX by calling 937-778-3961

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Be ready for anything! - Miami Valley Today

Welcome to our second installment of How To Use a Home Inspection Report!

Last week, we focused on the five major systems of the house. This week, were moving on to some of the details and the more in-depth areas to look at how you can use a home inspection report to gain knowledge about the house as youre purchasing it, and later as a checklist for future projects and home maintenance.

This homeowner probably should have checked the contractors work at the time Or maybe they were just misremembering? Either way, they havent spent too much time in the attic because there is definitely not any foam insulation up there, or any kind of insulation, for that matter. That would certainly explain the home being drafty.

They did have it in the listing so, its a good thing somebody checked it out. The buyer might want to put insulation on their to-do list or negotiate that into the contract if possible since foam insulation was listed with the property.

This water heater was installed improperly, without ventilation, resulting in a dangerous situation where backdrafting can occur, which means the exhaust fumes can re-enter the house.

The buyer would be well within their rights to request this be fixed before signing off on the contract. In an As Is situation where the seller isnt agreeing to fix anything, the buyer would want to be sure to repair this right away.

When there is an obvious water leak, a home inspector will try to identify the source of the leak and any damage they can find without taking anything apart. They will then recommend the appropriate professionals you may need to consult.

We cannot positively identify mold: youll see unidentified grey substance, on the report. Were not allowed to say mold and have it turn out to be something else. This was an obvious water leak on a re-inspection where the seller was supposed to have fixed the leak, but we returned and found that the spot was still wet and continuing to leak. A mold remediation expert was called and found mold in the walls and attic.

When this is the case, its up to the agents and insurance to negotiate. Hopefully, the sellers home insurance will cover the repair. If not, you have to either negotiate with the seller to cover the repair out of pocket or decide if you want the home enough to cover the cost of repair.

Brand new homes have problems too, and its important to have a home inspection before you move in, so the builder can fix any issues that come up. In this case, we found a dangerous gas leak at the water heater. But we find any number of issues, from switches that dont work, to missing mortar on the bricks, to reversed hot and cold in the plumbing all of which should be covered by the builder.

Now that youre thinking about how you can use a home inspection report, I hope youll dig out your last one and give it a look. I bet there are some items on there that you havent taken care of yet! Whats that? You didnt keep it? You can always have a home maintenance inspection and get an up-to-date idea of the status of all the systems of your home.

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How To Use a Home Inspection Report: Part 2 - CandysDirt.com

It was at Toys Hill in Kent that Britain's largest charity came to being and this home holds those ideals of conservation and preservation close to its heart.

Toys Hill rises some 771ft above sea level in the Brasted Civil Parish, near Sevenoaks in Kent. It was here that, in the late 19th century, Octavia Hill donated a terrace that features an outstanding view of the High Weald, which became one of the National Trusts first properties. Indeed, it was Hills connection to the area, and its landscape, that helped inspire her and her partners to form the charity more than 100 years ago.

For the first time in more than 50 years Toys Hill Farm House is up for sale, for a price of 1.475 million with Hamptons. The Grade II-listed home, which features six bedrooms, sits at the edge of the hamlet of Toys Hill, and is very much in touch with the heritage of the area and the surrounding landscape.

The half-acre of gardens is designed to make the most of the surrounding countryside and scenery.

That commitment to conservation has meant that very little has changed in this part of the Kent Downs AONB, with the National Trust now owning and managing some 200 acres of woodland at Toys Hill and nearby Emmetts Gardens. Naturally, this makes Toys Hill a very sought after location for homebuyers.

The interiors are achingly traditional and are primed for restoration and modernisation.

The property is set over three floors, and dates from the 16th century, incorporating a single-roundel oast house. Per the agents, the property is in need of some modernisation, but the character is there for all to see, with exposed beams, inglenook fireplaces and delightful mullioned windows. All in all, the accommodation extends to some 2,730sq ft.

The property is surrounded by National Trust land, and sits in an AONB.

Outside, the gardens and grounds take advantage of the wonderful outlook, with plenty of views to enjoy. Extending to an acre, the gardens feature lawned areas, mature trees, two ponds, fruit trees and a productive kitchen garden. Two barns are also on sight, offering development potential.

Toys Hill Farm House if for sale with Hamptons for 1.475 million. For more information and pictures, click here.

Exquisite homes in Devon, Yorkshire and Oxfordshire are among the wonders in our round-up of the best homes for sale

Distinctive Nouds Oast magically incorporates its conical oast roundels into flexible, beautiful living spaces that harmonise with the surrounding gardens

Hayle Oast is a highly unique, spectacular oast barn conversion which magically blends glass, exposed oak beams and cathedral-like ceilings

Listen to all the episodes of the Country Life Podcast.

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An oast house within the landscape that gave birth to the National Trust - Country Life

From Comcast SportsNet LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Dustin Brown practically snatched the Stanley Cup away from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, skating directly to center ice and thrusting it skyward.Forgive his haste. The Los Angeles Kings' captain had only been waiting his whole life for this moment. The Kings' long-suffering fans had been waiting nearly 45 years for somebody to lift that 36-pound silver trophy and remove the burden on a franchise that had never won an NHL title.Brown, MVP goalie Jonathan Quick and the late-blooming Kings never flinched under all that weight. After an unbelievable postseason run that ended in a triumphant flurry of blood, sweat and power-play goals in Game 6, they're all champions.Jeff Carter and Trevor Lewis scored two goals apiece, Quick finished his Conn Smythe Trophy-winning performance with 17 saves, and the Kings beat the New Jersey Devils 6-1 Monday night, becoming the first eighth-seeded playoff team to win the Stanley Cup finals.When Lewis scored into Martin Brodeur's empty net with 3:45 to play, the Kings' decades of tension and frustration finally turned into raw anticipation. After 45 years of existence, one tumultuous regular season and two missed chances to clinch the Cup, the Kings knew they were about to be champions for the first time.Even the sober, serious Quick got happy."You get that four-goal lead, you know, it's hard for it not to creep into your head a little bit," he said. "That's when you take a big, deep breath, relax a little bit, and know it's going to happen."The Kings can exhale. They're reigning over the NHL for the first time.Brown had a goal and two assists for Los Angeles, which ended its spectacular 16-4 postseason run in front of a crowd including several dozen Kings faithful who have been at rinkside since the team's birth in the Second Six expansion in 1967."Every single guy worked so hard for us this season," said defenseman Drew Doughty, who began the year as a contract holdout and finished with six points in the finals, including two assists in the clincher. "Everyone deserves this. We got used to each other, we developed a chemistry, and we just went sailing from there."After taking a 3-0 series lead and then losing two potential clinching games last week, the Kings finished ferociously at Staples Center just when the sixth-seeded Devils appeared capable of matching the biggest comeback in finals history.One penalty abruptly changed the tone of the series. Brown, Carter and Lewis scored during a five-minute power play in the first period after Steve Bernier was ejected for boarding Rob Scuderi, leaving the veteran defenseman in a pool of blood. Quick took it from there, finishing a star-making two months by allowing just seven goals in six finals games."You never know. You get to the dance, you never know what's going to happen," Brown said. "We calmed down after losing two. It was the first time we had done that all playoffs, and we finally got off to a good start."Rookie Adam Henrique ended Quick's shutout bid late in the second period after the Kings had built a 4-0 lead, but Lewis and Matt Greene added late goals. Brodeur stopped 19 shots for the Eastern Conference champion Devils, just the third team to force a Game 6 in the finals after falling into an 0-3 hole."It's disappointing, but it's been a great season for the Devils," the 40-year-old Brodeur said. "We came a long way to challenge for the Stanley Cup from not making the playoffs last year. There's only one team that can win. It's not us this time, but we're proud of what we've done."The Kings steamrolled everyone in their path after barely making the playoffs, eliminating the top three seeds in the Western Conference in overwhelming fashion as they matched the second-fastest run to a title in modern NHL history. Although the Devils gave them a little trouble, the Kings boasted a talented, balanced roster that peaked at the absolute perfect time under midseason coaching hire Darryl Sutter.Quick is the third American-born Conn Smythe winner, adding one more dominant game to a run in which he set NHL records for save percentage (.946) and goals-against average (1.41) among goalies who played at least 15 postseason games.Brown, just the second American-born captain to raise the Cup after Dallas' Derian Hatcher, capped his own impressive playoff work by finishing with 20 points, tied for the postseason scoring lead with linemate Anze Kopitar. And don't forget: Brown accomplished what even Wayne Gretzky couldn't do in eight years in Los Angeles by lifting the Cup.Brown handed off the trophy to Willie Mitchell, the 35-year-old defenseman who had never won a title. Mitchell gave it to long-injured and recently returned forward Simon Gagne, who nearly tripped before raising the Cup for the first time.Sutter, the stone-faced Alberta farmer from a family of hockey-playing brothers, smiled like a kid at his first chance to lift the prize. Later, Brown and Justin Williams sat their crying children in the Cup, and Kopitar -- the first Slovenian NHL champion -- raised it while wearing a gold crown on his head.After going on a 12-2 tear to the Western Conference title, the Kings won the first two games of the finals in overtime by identical 2-1 scores in New Jersey. Los Angeles then flattened the Devils 4-0 in Game 3, but missed its first chance to clinch on home ice in New Jersey's 3-1 win in Game 4.The Devils then beat Los Angeles 2-1 in Game 5, earning another cross-country trip after becoming the first team since 1945 to win twice after falling behind 0-3 in the finals.The Kings were the West's bottom seed after failing to clinch a playoff berth until right before their 81st game, but only because they underachieved for much of the season, spending most of it as the NHL's lowest-scoring team. The talent coalesced under Sutter, who replaced the fired Terry Murray shortly before Christmas and turned Los Angeles into a competent offensive club by late February.Five years after the Anaheim Ducks won California's first Stanley Cup, the Golden State's oldest team raised the second. The Kings also are the first team to win the Cup at home since those Ducks, and their fans appreciated the Hollywood touch.Despite coming off their first back-to-back losses of the playoffs, the Kings started with impressive energy in Game 6, getting most of the good early scoring chances -- and then they got the break they needed when Bernier pushed Scuderi headfirst into the boards behind Quick's net. Scuderi stayed motionless for quite a while, eventually heading to the dressing room after leaving plenty of blood from his lacerated nose.Bernier, a 27-year-old journeyman and depth forward with two goals in 24 playoff games this season, went to the locker room. The Devils complained Jarret Stoll received no penalty for checking Stephen Gionta into the boards between the benches a moment earlier."I wish I could take that play back," Bernier said. "I didn't want to hurt my team. I wanted to help them. This is extremely hard. It's been a long playoff run for us. To finish on that note, it's not fun for sure. But there's nothing I can do now."Brown scored 53 seconds into the power play, slickly redirecting Doughty's low pass in front for his first goal since the Western Conference finals opener. Carter then deflected home his seventh goal of the postseason after Brown walked the puck out of the corner and fired a shot at Brodeur's glove side while skating away from the net.With the Los Angeles crowd on its feet, the Kings added another as rookie Dwight King ferociously drove the net and left a rebound for Lewis, who tucked it home for his first goal in 18 games. Staples Center was deafening for the rest of the first period, and Los Angeles went up 4-0 just 90 seconds into the second when Brown found Carter unchecked in the slot for a one-timer."It's pretty awesome," Sutter said. "It's the feeling of seeing them so happy, the work that you go through. The first thing you think about as a coach -- these guys are all young enough, they've got to try it again."NOTES: Linemates Brown and Kopitar finished tied for the NHL postseason scoring lead with 20 points in 20 games, and fellow first-liner Williams had 11 points in the final 14 games, finishing with 15 points. ... New Jersey LW Ilya Kovalchuk, who spurned the Kings' advances two years ago to sign with the Devils, managed just one empty-net goal in six finals games. Captain Zach Parise scored his only finals point on a Game 5 goal off a misplay by Quick. ... My Chemical Romance attended the game. Their song, "Welcome to the Black Parade," has become the black-jerseyed Kings' unofficial anthem after its incorporation into a clever pregame video featuring photos of several Kings as kids.

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Cam Newton sheds light on Justin Fields' late hits with eye-opening, personal anecdote - NBC Sports Chicago

Chinese geologists have unearthed a groundbreaking new mineral in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, boasting a never-before-seen composition of heavy rare-earth elements.

It's the world's first discovery of such a mineral, offering valuable insights into the formation and abundance of these crucial elements in Bayan Obo, a major rare-earth depository.

Professor Li Guowu from the China University of Geosciences Beijing announced the discovery during a recent seminar, noting that the International Mineralogical Association has confirmed its status as a new mineral and approved its naming.

The project, led by Chinese Academy of Sciences academician Li Xianhua, aims to map the extent and formation history of rare-earth element mineral reserves within Bayan Obo.

The newly discovered mineral, a novel flurocarbonate composed of heavy rare-earth elements like yttrium, dysprosium and gadolinium, lies deep within the rock core of the deposit. The team did not disclose the estimated abundance of the mineral.

"This is a groundbreaking discovery," Li Xianhua told the seminar.

"It sheds light on the distribution and abundance of heavy rare-earth elements in Bayan Obo, providing significant clues about the mine's formation and how these elements are concentrated."

Bayan Obo, near Baotou in Inner Mongolia, has been a mining area for decades, primarily known for its iron ore.

However, advancements in technology have led to the continual discovery of new minerals within the deposit. Since 1959, a staggering 18 new minerals have been identified there, constituting roughly 10 percent of all new mineral discoveries in China.

In recent years, growing demand for rare-earth elements in cutting-edge electronics and new materials has spurred renewed interest in Bayan Obo's previously neglected or discarded rare-earth element minerals.

Efforts are underway to curb unsustainable and low-quality exploitation of this strategically vital resource.

The Baotou government reports that Bayan Obo covers 48 square kilometers and boasts proven rare-earth element reserves accounting for 80 percent of China's total and 38 percent of the world's total.

Baotou is also developing industrial zones to process these minerals locally, minimizing transportation and promoting efficient separation and smelting processes.

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Novel mineral sheds light on rare-earth formation - China Daily

Tesla saw its market valuation shed $94 billion over the first two weeks of 2024, marking one of the sharpest share price drops in the electric vehicle companys history.

The number represents 12% of the companys valuation at the start of the month and is only surpassed by a 14% decline seen in January 2016. The surprise shift comes after a relatively successful year, which saw the brand claw back most of its valuation from a pandemic-era collapse, set new sales records, and retain its market share in an increasingly competitive sector. However, 2023 was not without its own controversies and concerns. The EV segment has experienced stagnating demand for the last 12 months due to issues with high car prices, limited driving ranges, and inadequate charging infrastructure. To prevent a sales cooldown, Tesla introduced frequent, previously rare discounts across its entire lineup over the year, causing some vehicles to lose more than 20% of their original value.

These price cuts were so significant that they affected average prices across the entire electrified segment, even as other manufacturers declined to lower MSRPs in response. While this strategy did allow the EV brand to generate impressive sales numbers, its profit margins suffered considerably as a result, shrinking from 27.9% to 16.3% by the third quarter of 2023 in the course of only a year. Faced with declining profitability and a weakening market, it is little surprise investors have started to respond.

Further complicating matters is the companys annual delivery statistics released earlier this month, which revealed it had lost to Chinese EV manufacturer BYD. The overseas automaker produces both battery-powered and hybrid models; excluding the latter, BYD came in a close second to Tesla regarding production and sales. However, 2023 was the second consecutive year the China-based automaker surpassed its American rival in overall sales.

Although their impact is less quantifiable than the companys discounting strategies and difficulties overseas, intensifying negative press focused on Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, has also taken its toll on investor confidence. Late last year, a Reuters investigation alleged the brand ignored evidence of defective components and charged customers thousands of dollars for repairs that should have been covered by warranty, sparking regulator probes in Scandinavia. More recently, a Wall Street Journal piece claimed Tesla and SpaceX leaders have become distraught over Musks alleged drug use, leading to an indignant denial from the tech executive on his social media platform, X. These stories, and many others, have weakened faith in the automaker and its leadership. Tesla does not operate a public relations department, leaving the task of setting the narrative and defending the brand almost entirely up to Musk.

Ultimately, Tesla remains the dominant EV player, not only in the U.S. but across the globe. However, its mounting challenges, both external and internal, have become increasingly apparent, causing many shareholders to dial back expectations. In the coming months, the company will need to answer questions regarding its future in a way that placates investors but sets realistic expectations, something the brand has a history of neglecting.

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Tesla market valuation sheds $94 billion in first weeks of 2024 - CBT Automotive News

Giannis Antetokounmpo was a late scratch for the Milwaukee Bucks ahead of their Central Division showdown against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night. The former back-to-back MVP has been dealing with a shoulder injury of late, which also had him questionable to play on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings.

Giannis played through the injury on Sunday, though, but unfortunately for the Bucks, this wont be the case on Wednesday against Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs.

The official injury diagnosis for Antetokounmpo is a right shoulder contusion. It seemed like he had already gotten over the knock when he played through it on Sunday. He even produced another triple-double in their win over Sacramento and it didnt look like his shoulder was bothering him.

It is worth noting that Giannis was not listed on the initial injury report either, with the Bucks making a sudden decision less than two hours before tip-off on Wednesday night.

Speaking to the press ahead of the Cavs game, Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin explained how the team came to their decision to give Giannis the night off. Apparently, it was Antetokounmpo himself who opted to sit this one out:

Well, from what Ive been told, he went through shootaround and then prior to the game tonight, he just felt that he couldnt go, Griffin said, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic. So, were just being smart. And I dont believe its going to be multiple games. Itll just be day-to-day for now.

Giannis has only missed one game this season and he has been vocal about playing through injuries of late. The fact that Antetokounmpo himself decided not to play on Wednesday night could be a cause for concern.

This doesnt seem like a long-term injury for the seven-time All-Star but its possible that this costs him another game or two.

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Milwaukee Bucks' Adrian Griffin Sheds Light On Giannis Antetokounmpo's Sudden Injury Absence Vs. Cavs - Wisconsin Sports Heroics

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Natasha Lyon, the creative force behind U.K.-based Appreciation Project, meticulously revamped every corner of her kitchen only to be left with a sad view when she looked out her brand-new windows. The long-neglected backyard was barren with the exception of one big tree, a cracked concrete patio, and an unusable flower bed. Suddenly, she realized her reno was not yet complete. She had to tackle the outdoors, too.

When Lyon finally embarked on her quest, it led her to an unexpected treasure: an affordable, off-the-shelf garden shed with whispers of a Victorian orangery. Braving the British winter, Lyon dedicated a season to crafting her dream garden retreat. Nearly a year later, the space has morphed into a treasured hideaway, shielding her from the boundless energy of her children, and has provided solace to her husband when unanticipated rainstorms have rudely interrupted family barbecues. Heres how she brought it to life.

Before the charming retreat could take root, Lyon faced the task of removing an impractical flower bed, thereby extending the garden by an additional 5 feet and creating the much-needed space for the sheds concrete foundation. To stay within her set budget, Lyon creatively repurposed slate tiles from a previous kitchen renovation to cover the concrete base, turning what was once discarded material into a cost-effective and environmentally friendly flooring solution. This ingenious approach not only aligned with Lyons commitment to minimizing waste (a fundamental principle of Appreciation Project, which started as a dried floral bouquet shop) but played a key role in sticking to the projects financial constraints.

In Lyons pursuit of an enchanting escape, she stumbled upon a uniquely designed shed online for roughly $2,200 that had a whimsical pointed roof and arched windows. This particular structure came exclusively in flat packs, requiring every piece to be meticulously assembled. She enlisted her trusted carpenter, who proceeded to tell her he could have easily built it from scratch. But for Lyon, there was no turning back. I love it exactly as it is, she says. I wouldnt have changed a thing, apart from the quality of the wood, perhaps.

When selecting paint colors for the garden house, Lyon carefully considered its visibility from her main home. Despite her husbands initial reservation, she convinced him to embrace a red hue on the exterior, pairing it with powder blue on the inside, a color combination that has become an unintentional signature inside Lyons home. To help her navigate the winter painting process, she chose Little Greenes outdoor paint in the shades Baked Cherry and Sky Blue for its quality and built-in primer (a major time-saver). When it came time to paint the floors, Lyon didnt have to trek all the way to the store: She reused leftover paint (Farrow & Balls De Nimes) from a previous hallway project.

The inspiration for the window film came from a past client project, where Lyon hadnt had the opportunity to utilize it; its available in various colors and sold by the meter. She carefully cut and arranged the film, using soapy water and a squeegee to adhere it and a credit card to smooth out any air bubbles. But she didnt cover every last square. By leaving parts of the glass untouched, Lyon ensured an outside view: Our kids and their friends have named it the Rainbow House.

In case she ever needs to use the shed for storage, Lyon chose to bring in two chairs rather than build out a permanent bench. She initially intended to reupholster the 70s pieces (which she scored on Etsy), but the fabric turned out to be in pristine condition. Preferring a gradual decorating approach, Lyon slowly shopped her own home, eventually pulling a side table she once used for styling shoots. My husband jokes that my side tables have side tables, she says with a laugh, emphasizing the delightful reuse of one in her garden retreat. The cringe Lyon once felt when she looked out her kitchen window has been replaced with a smile.

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At the End of This Once-Barren Yard Is a Shed That's Now a Cozy Hideaway - Domino

Inside the Timing of Kate & Charles' AnnouncementsGetty Images

Yesterday morning (January 17, 20024), Kensington Palace announced that Kate Middleton was in hospital following a "planned abdominal surgery," breaking news that caused immediate public concern despite the palace saying that "the surgery was successful." And less than two hours later, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles would also be undergoing surgery for an enlarged prostate.

The back-to-back announcements stirred a lot of speculationand royal expert Victoria Murphy shed some light on the timing in a truly fascinating piece for Town & Country, which you can read in full here.

According to Murphy, "the royal family understandably generally try to keep details of their health as private as possible, however when they are forced to cancel public engagements or when a senior royal is admitted to hospital the public is generally informed in some form."

She notes that Kate's team "decided in advance" to announce her surgery after it had taken placeand that "both the surgery and the announcement were clearly planned." Meanwhile, when it comes to King Charles, it appears as though the announcement was "hastier and a result of having to postpone meetings at the last minute on the advice of a doctor."

In other words, Charles' announcement coming so quickly on the heels of Kate's "does seem to have been something of a coincidence."

Story continues

And it should be noted that while Charles was open about his surgery, Kate is choosing to keep details of hers private. As Kensington Palace noted in their statement, "The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private. Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness progress when there is significant new information to share."

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A Royal Expert Sheds Light on Why Kate Middleton and King Charles' Surgeries Were Announced on the Same Day - Yahoo Lifestyle Australia