Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

A coffee table has always been seen as an essential piece of living room furniture. The question of whether you need one seems like a straightforward yes, right? Well, before it joins all the other pieces on a list of living room ideas, its worth considering whether your living room actually needs a coffee table, or are there other options that could prove equally good, or even suit some living rooms better.

When space is tight is filling that only visible space with a bulky piece of furniture really the right choice? And even in larger living rooms does a coffee table work hard enough to warrant being included in the layout or should you look to bring in more end tables or foot stools or something more multifunctional and flexible? Is the coffee table becoming redundant?

We asked designers to weigh in on when a coffee table can work and when you are best forgoing one.

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

A coffee table definitely isnt a requirement for the living room, according to design professionals.

You do not need a coffee table in your living room, says Taylor Ross, CEO and Founder of heirloom furniture designers Chronicle Home. Living rooms are just the ideas of the people living there. And people are different.

In fact, a coffee table is just one option when youre exploring living room furniture ideas, and alternatives may suit the room and your lifestyle better. Here, we give the expert view on the coffee table, and the other furniture designs to consider instead.

(Image credit: Amy Bartlam)

The professionals verdict is that a living room doesnt need a coffee table. However, theres no denying that it can be a great choice.

A coffee table isnt just functional furniture, its an added design element that can tie a room together, says Lubo Todorov, head of visual merchandising at Raft Furniture. Think about it, the styling decisions that elevate and add life to a living room are fresh flowers and coffee table books. This is indication enough that a coffee table is a centerpiece that will draw the eye in.

When styling Raft showrooms and photoshoots, I love incorporating coffee tables into a living room to play around with shape, Lubo adds. For example, a room with a square-armed sofa, square rug and square mirror can gain a real sense of flow and depth by adding a round coffee table.

(Image credit: McGee & Co.)

But while a coffee table can be a fabulous centerpiece, if your room is not generously sized, it might not need this piece of furniture. If your living room is on the smaller side, a coffee table may make the space feel cramped, warns interior decorator Vivianne Chow of Viv and Tim Home.

To replace its functionality? You can consider using alternatives like nesting tables which can be stacked when not in use or side tables that are placed at the end of the couch, says Vivianne.

(Image credit: Paul Massey)

There may be no necessity for a coffee table when an ottoman fits the bill: one of these can provide the functions of a table while offering other benefits you might appreciate.

An ottoman provides a soft surface where a coffee table is a hard one, says editor of Homes & Gardens online Jennifer Ebert. That makes it more forgiving when you have young kids running around but whatever age a homes inhabitants, it adds coziness to the room, making it all the more welcoming.

As an upholstered piece, an ottoman can also add a hit of pattern and wonderful tactility, she adds.

Be mindful that if an ottoman does take the place of a coffee table, a tray can be put on top to provide a surface on which to set down drinks securely or to be used in the same way you would in coffee table styling ideas.

(Image credit: Future PLC)

Like a small room, an open-concept room may not need a coffee table. If youre working with an open-plan space that already has a kitchen island and dining table, you dont want your room to feel overwhelmed by surfaces, explains Lubo Todorov.

Lubo suggests alternatives such as a teak armrest that slots onto the arm of a couch, or a neat sofa table with a base that slides under the furniture to bring its top surface comfortably near without taking up much floor space.

Equally, you might want to try a footstool. You can get a matching footstool for your sofa that can double up as a coffee table, says Lubo. This will also help you to maintain warmth with texture in an open-plan living room.

(Image credit: Jonathan Gooch/Future PLC)

If there isnt a lot of space to stash all you want to keep to hand in the living room, then a trunk might be what you need rather than a coffee table. It will still make an attractive feature, and if you enjoy decorating with vintageordecorating with antiques, sourcing a piece thats had a previous life is a great way to give the living room individual style.

Capacious inside, a trunk is one of my favorite living room storage ideas, says Jennifer Ebert. It can hold pillows and throws out of season to make a decor swap a quick process when the time comes.

Black marbled resin coffee table

If you are after a marble look-a-like, it doesn't get closer than this. Hand-poured and casted of matte black resin with swirls that resemble marble veining, this coffee table adds luxurious textures and a slightly organic shape to a living room.

Round wooden coffee table

Simple and yet statement, this round coffee table would suit any style. Low to the ground, it brings a relaxed feeling to a living room, and look at all that surface space for styling.

The tapered legs and curved corners make this coffee table the perfect piece of furniture to bring a touch of retro to any style living room. It's also got a small footprint so ideal if you are after a stylish coffee table for a smaller space.

A couch is often combined with a coffee table in front. In this scenario, the coffee table is typically centered in front of a couch, or between two facing couches. If the coffee table is a focal point for a group of seating, position it in the center of the group instead to create a cohesive group. However, a couch doesnt have to be teamed with a coffee table at all. Coffee table alternatives include side tables and upholstered designs such as an ottoman or footstool.

Coffee table decor ideas can make it the star of the show in a living room, but it may not prove to be the right piece for a room. A living room end table can be beautifully styled as part of the rooms aesthetic as well as being functional. Whichever tables you select, follow the rules on arranging living room furniture for a space thats comfortable to occupy as well as pleasing to the eye.

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Does a living room need a coffee table? Experts weigh in | - Homes & Gardens

Wondering whether a particular window in your home needs curtains? If theyre not essential, after all, then going without can seem like a great idea for a host of reasons.

Yet curtain ideas are not only functional, they can also be an important element of the design of a room, making going without seem like a risky choice that might leave the room feeling as if its not fully dressed even if you have other window treatment ideas in mind.

To answer the question of whether curtains are always a must or its possible to go without we called on the expertise of interior designers, and this is what they shared with us.

There are some very good arguments for curtains being essential. They create privacy, of course, but they can also make the lines of a room softer with their gentle pleats. They can also add the color and pattern that make the room in which theyre hung cohesive. Whats more, they can pull off the clever trick of making a ceiling feel higher and a window taller and wider than it really is.

Yet, there are occasions on which you can go without curtains successfully and these are the guidelines from designers on choosing between with and without.

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

There are some circumstances in which you dont need curtains, according to design experts.

Vivianne Chow, interior decorator and founder ofViv and Tim Home, makes an exception to the rule of using curtains depending on window size and shape. The instance in which I wouldnt recommend using curtains would be when the window is really small and narrow, she says. For small windows, Id recommend using roller shades or Roman shades for privacy instead.

Owner of a gloomy room? Interior designerArtem Kropovinsky suggests you might not need curtains here. Where light is the most treasured guest, like in a dimly lit dining room or a north-facing studio, leaving windows undressed invites luminosity to dine or dance across the walls unhindered, he says.

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

Curtains arent the right choice in some rooms because of their functions. In kitchens or baths, practicality trumps plushness, omitting curtains dodges issues of moisture and maintenance, preferring ease over opulence, says Artem. Choose an alternative here, agrees Alexander Havkin, project manager at Ecoline Windows. In high-humidity areas like kitchens or bathrooms, it's more practical to opt for blinds or shutters as they handle moisture better and are easier to clean.

You might want to avoid curtains in some family homes, too. For homes with small children or pets, going without curtains can eliminate the risk of accidents or damage, says Alexander.

Perhaps you have a fabulous outlook from a room? In that case, you dont need curtains. Embrace the view when nature grants a panoramic backdrop. Windows unadorned become frames to the ever-evolving artwork of the outdoors, says Artem.

If you want your budget to go further, be aware that this can also be a good reason to go without curtains. Curtains can be a significant investment, says experienced remodeler Ben Gold, founder of Recommended Home Buyers. In situations where homeowners are on a tight budget, opting for alternative window treatments like blinds or shades can be a practical choice.

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Based in New York, Artem Kropovinsky boasts extensive global design experience spanning a decade. With a commitment to sustainability and authenticity, Artem, alongside his dedicated team, undertakes projects both in the US and internationally, earning recognition through prestigious design awards. Artem is the founder of Arsight, an esteemed global design firm known for its expertise in residential and commercial interior design.

(Image credit: James Merrell)

While curtains arent necessary in some rooms, there are situations in which they are a must.

When it comes to aesthetics, curtains frame out a window which adds formalityto a room, says Luis Carmona, owner and lead designer at VERDE Interior Design.

They also pull off a visual trick, Luis notes. They can be installed floor to ceiling which will give the illusion of a taller ceiling making the room look bigger than it may be, he says. Vivianne Chow agrees. My personal preference is to always use curtains to dress up windows, she says. Curtains are instantly able to elevate your whole space by drawing the eyes up and making the ceiling feel taller.

Curtains can also be needed to dampen sound. Curtains, like other items with fabric in a space, can help absorb sound waves making a space less echoey, advises Luis. This really makes a difference in bedrooms where you want it to be as quiet as possible (especially at night) and living or dining rooms where there may be more noise.

For bedrooms, curtains are also worthwhile. Curtains play a crucial role in bedrooms, providing privacy and blocking light for a better sleep environment, says Alexander Havkin.

(Image credit: Future)

They have a practical as well as an aesthetic role in living spaces, too. Theyre important in living areas for controlling glare on screens and improving energy efficiency by adding insulation against heat loss or gain, says Alexander.

And in both bedrooms and living rooms curtains do, of course, create privacy. They provide a sense of security and seclusion, allowing individuals to relax without the worry of prying eyes, says Ben Gold.

Think curtains for home movie spaces as well. Blackout curtains in a media room arent just about darkness, theyre an investment in ambiance, enhancing the cinematic journey by eclipsing the external world, says Artem Kropovinsky.

Minimalists do use curtains. Equally, however, they might opt for Roman shades, or those made from materials such as woven wood. And it is true that sometimes they may not use a window treatment. Just as with other pieces in a minimalist home, any window dressing used serves a clear purpose; it controls light and creates privacy.

Be mindful that minimalist interiors should be light and spacious, so its vital the window treatment doesnt impede the flow of daylight. And if a minimalist interior does use curtains, these will often be neutral in color and have a simple pleat style rather than a more ornate or dressy design.

Modern curtain ideas are desirable for many rooms but they can be a considerable investment, so be mindful to care for them correctly so they stay beautiful. Knowing how to clean curtains will ensure they remain free of dust and marks. And its also crucial to be savvy about how to wash and care for curtains as their fabrics can be fragile.

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Do you need curtains? Designers explain when you can go without ... - Homes & Gardens

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The history of the folding screen unfolds in a Milan exhibition - Financial Times

The Big Picture

A volatile seventh season has left viewers of Netflix series Selling Sunset uncertain of where the real estate agents at the Oppenheim group will go from here, and who from the cast will even be returning for a yet-to-be-confirmed season eight. The future looks especially uncertain with agents Breana Tiesi (who seemingly quit on camera in the final episode), and Heather Rae El Moussa (whose absence from the season seven poster has caused internet buzz), and also with the arguable star of the series, Chrishell Stause (who has repeatedly made clear since her break-up with boss Jason Oppenheim at the end of season five that she will be drawing firm boundaries between her professional and personal life going forward). The upcoming reunion should be especially revealing regarding what the future holds for the O-group crew.

Chrishell came on to the series as a soap opera actress who had recently passed her real estate exam, whose marriage to actor Justin Hartley would gradually unravel off-camera throughout the first two seasons. But it was not her interesting personal life alone that kept viewers binge-streaming. When brothers Jason and Brett Oppenheim first introduced Chrishell to the more seasoned LA real-estate agents in his office - all of whom dress like A-list celebrities for property showings, and many of whom consistently sell mansions in the "double-digit" millions - she had an increasingly difficult time earning the respect of mean-girl extraordinaire Christine Quinn. Their epic back-and-forth over the first five seasons made for amazing reality TV.

Despite Chrishell's seeming girl-next-store persona, she has proven to be surprisingly sharp-tongued in her many battles with Christine and others who have chosen to take issue with her. In season seven alone, Chrishell continued her feud from season six with long-term real estate agent Nicole Young, sparred with interior decorator and O-group agent Amanza Smith, and introduced Jason's new girlfriend/model Marie Lou Nurk to the art of war in LA. This is where the series differs from other southern California real estate shows, such as Million Dollar Listing. While both shows highlight the many gorgeous properties of wealthy individuals buying and selling homes in the city of angels, Selling Sunset is certainly unique in its office structure and the levels of extreme drama it provokes each season.

Amanza and other cast have mentioned several times throughout the years that the group of friends and co-workers at The Oppenheim Group are expected to treat one another as "family." However, this is a strange premise for viewers familiar with the intra-office dating that has occurred in the series. This is especially true with company owner Jason, who is currently ex-boyfriend/now boss to three different women on the show: Nicole (one of the first agents he hired), Mary Fitzgerald (long-term O-group agent), and most recently, to Chrishell. Trying to evoke a family atmosphere in a workplace setting is a questionable practice on its own, but to do so when you insist on dating your staff and continuing to employ one ex-girlfriend after another, makes for an exceptionally bizarre "family" dynamic for the office. Of course, it is entirely possible that the Oppenheim brothers truly just want everyone to get along and sell mansions. There is also, however, the possibility that Jason insists on throwing his recent ex-girlfriend/employee into confrontations with his current romantic partner because, as a personality on a reality series, he knows such conflict produces great TV.

Perhaps Chrishell's best and most dramatic confrontation of the season came when Marie Lou requests a meeting to clear up what she feels has been the coldness between them. Whoever the location scout is that found Velverie Caf, a restaurant with a neon-sign spelling out "je ne regrette rien" and then suggested it as the space for an epic confrontation between past and present romantic rivals, they deserve a bonus. The French phrase, popularized by the songstress Edith Piaf, translates to mean "I regret nothing." It is a deliciously appropriate expression considering Chrishell's attitude in her meeting to clear up differences with Marie Lou.

Chrishell makes clear in this meeting that despite her attempts to keep things complimentary and genial, a surface-level niceness is all that Marie Lou should expect from her in their relationship. As the new partner of Chrishell's recent ex-boyfriend, a deep and meaningful friendship is simply not on the table. Poor Marie Lou is new to the dramatic confrontations of reality TV, and it seems she truly thought she was going to have a simple conversation resulting in an apology from Chrishell for what she calls her "mean-girl" behavior. Unfortunately for her, Chrishell is all woman, and she has her counter-arguments locked and loaded. It's clear that Marie Lou is out of her depth in the disagreement about whether the two women need to be close for Jason's sake or not. When she struggles to get her point accepted that Chrishell's superficial warmth is somehow a problem, Marie Lou recommends that they involve Jason in the conversation. Chrishell's face emits obvious glee, as she knows this will only serve to annoy the business-focused boyfriend. She eggs Marie Lou on, encouraging her to "call him." This is a moment where the mean-girl moniker might actually be earned by the otherwise endearing Chrishell.

With Chrishell's confrontational season, getting into on-camera disagreements not only with Marie Lou, but also with O-group agents Nicole and Amanza, and also her insistence on drawing clear boundaries when it comes to her private life with partner G Flip, it seems that her future role on the series could be in question. However, whether Chrishell remains or not, long-term O-group alum Mary provides a way forward if Netflix does confirm an eighth season.

Season after season, amid all the drama among the real-estate divas in the office, Mary has steadily proven herself to be the heart of the series. And if there is one thing we can rely on every other employee of the O-group to do, it's bring the drama. So a refreshing change would be to feature more of the level-headed sweetheart going forward. Season seven was an emotional one for Mary and hunky husband Romain Bonnet, featuring the adorable couple on their journey to start their family together. The audience experiences their heart-break as Mary learns that she has had a miscarriage, and the resulting conversation that the women at the office have about the kind of care that is required after such a jarring experience proves once more that reality TV is often the place where such conversations about women's issues are normalized and openly discussed. It speaks to Mary's central role in the series that such a tragic moment would unite the often divided women in the office.

The love and support Romain shows Mary during their difficult times this season proves that their relationship has much to offer the audience as a counter-point to the sometimes unrelenting drama of their co-stars. Mary's consistent role as middle-man and devil's advocate in so many of the disagreements between her co-workers also speaks to her centrality to the show. Her ability to cut through other people's barriers to create truly heart-warming moments is another reason why a season focused on Mary would be rewarding. This trait is clearly demonstrated in her conversation this season in episode nine, when Chrishell is venting frustrations about the office and Mary interrupts to tell her friend: "I love you." It would seem the impulsive declaration comes from Mary's sense that Chrishell is hurt and struggling. The moment feels genuinely touching, as a clearly affected Chrishell chokes up and Mary offers her a comforting hug. Whether Chrishell decides to take a break next season or not, or if she does film but with the intention of protecting her personal life and reducing the focus on workplace drama, Netflix could choose to center a season around Mary as a clear path forward.

The Selling Sunset season seven reunion airs on Netflix on November 15. Past seasons are streaming on Netflix.

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Mary Fitzgerald Is the Heart of 'Selling Sunset' Season 7 - Collider

The Crowns

It was hot gossip, this adventure that the princess took abroad after having finalized her divorce from then Prince Charles less than a year beforesomething that was hinted at at the end of season 5 of The Crown as Queen Elizabeth is pressed to endorse a vacation a-sea with Fayed and her grandchildren, Prince Harry and Prince William. Diana was famously photographed sitting on the passerelle of this boat. Years later, in real life, Harry described the trip in his memoir, Spare, with fond recollection. Everything about that trip to St. Tropez was heaven, he wrote.

While the series was filmed on a lookalike super yacht in Mallorca, the real boat was equally lavish. The 208-foot ship was commissioned by Dodis father, former Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed, who brought on naval architect Vincenzo Ruggiero to design it in the late 1980s. It was built by Italian shipyard Codecasa and launched in 1990. The steel and aluminum super yacht boasted nine staterooms that altogether accommodate up to 18 people, in addition to a crew of 26. Amenities included a Jacuzzi, swim platform, sun deck, formal dining room, a bar, and office space. Mohamed had named the yacht Jonikal (it has subsequently been called Sokar and is currently called Bash).

Diana atop the superyacht in 1997.

Shortly after Dianas and Dodis deaths, Mohamed gave the interior a redesign by H2 Yacht Design and a refit that included extending the hull. He attempted to sell the yacht on a number of occasions, ultimately parting with it in 2014 to an anonymous buyer. The new owner carried out further work, including machinery upgrades, a repaint, and fresh teak decks. In 2021, the yacht came into the hands of Bassim Haidar, the founder of Intercomm and GMT, who gave it a further $9.7 million refit after a reported bridge deck fireand its current name Bash. Its now back to turn-key condition after an 18-month remodel completed in April 2023 by marine engineering and management company Capax and boat interior company Bobic Yacht Interiors. It features a beauty salon, massage area, high-tech gym, and a spacious main salon.

Diana aboard the Jonikal.

In May, Robb Report reported that Bash is available for charter in the Mediterranean starting at $278,000 per week, plus expenses. In June, Haidar listed Bash for $16.8 million, according to Boat International.

There was a second motor yacht named Cujo, which Diana and Fayed also took earlier that summer. It was built in Italy in 1972 for John von Neumann, who commissioned the Italian Baglietto shipyard to build the world's fastest motor yacht. She was given two 18-cylinder engines that allowed it to go as fast as 42 knots. Fayed had bought the boat from his cousin, Saudi businessman and arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi. In August, the Mediterranean Sea reclaimed Cujo, as the 62-foot artifact of Dianas life hit an unidentified object off Beaulieu-sur-Mer on July 29 and sprang a leak, Vanity Fair reported. The seven people on board were rescued by teams from Antibes and safely returned to shore.

Diana during her St. Tropez yacht vacation.

An imitation of Jonikal will feature in The Crown season 6, a set that was intended to visually illuminate the tension between Diana and the royal family. Dianas south of France adventure was bright and lovely pastel colors, and her world even in Kensington Palace is optimistic and warm, compared to the queens residence at Balmoral, which is very static, with gloomy light and drab colors, set decorator Alison Harvey tells ELLE DECOR.

Filming on the yacht off the island of Mallorca (a St. Tropez stand-in) required many moving parts with few do-overs. We brought in the drapes, the artwork, many furnishings, Harvey explains. Everything was set in the early 90s, so we thought hard about the colors and textures that we brought in. Harveys team had just half a day to dress the yacht, and then it was off to sea. There was no getting on or off after that, Harvey says, adding that they were subsumed by the logistics of what we had to achieve and the time we had to do it.

Netflixs The Crown depicts a reenactment of the iconic yacht shot, taken one week before Dianas, Princess of Wales, death.

However painstaking the process, the yacht scenes will offer an intriguing contextthough largely fictitiousfor the iconic photographs that exist of those final weeks leading up to Dianas death.

Assistant Digital Editor

Rachel Silva, the Assistant Digital Editor at ELLE DECOR, covers design, architecture, trends, and anything to do with haute couture. She has previously written for Time, The Wall Street Journal, and Citywire.

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Inside the Superyacht Princess Diana Vacationed on With Dodi Fayed - ELLE Decor

With housing affordability in sharp focus, owners wishing to either sell or expand their current living spaces will draw inspiration from not two, but three home renovation shows on free-to-air television next year.

Nines The Block will celebrate its 20th anniversary season mid-year, Seven is launching Dream Home with Dr Chris Brown at the wheel, while the ABC is about to deliver Grand Designs Transformations in January.

So much choice for consumers of reality lifestyle television.

Home Beautiful magazine points out that theres something about good home improvement television that turns all of us into expert interior renovators and designers.

Watching the best home renovation shows can easily make us think that a gut kitchen renovation is an easy weekend job, it wrote in its August issue.

No matter the reason you watch, we love spending time seeing a home go from dated disaster to Pinterest-worthy in a mere 30 to 45 minutes.

Plus, its much less stressful than managing your own renovation.

Agreed.

Anthony Burke and Yasmine Ghoniem. Photo: ABC

Heavyweight hosts

These three shows are set to deliver very different formats from execution to finished product, and its looking like the ABCs new lifestyle series may well be the classiest home reno show yet.

Were all familiar with The Blocks chippy Scott Cam and Byron-Bay real estate agent, Shelley Craft, and celebrity vet and Im A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! former host Dr Brown.

But who is hosting the ABC series?

Some serious house heavyweights.

Restoration Australias Anthony Burke, a University of Technology Sydney architecture professor, will join founder of one of the countrys trailblazing interior design studios, YSG, Yasmine Ghoniem.

Things are moving so fast in design and architecture at the moment. It is fantastic to see the way issues like sustainability, multi-generational living, tiny homes, recycled homes and more are being explored by Australian homeowners, stepping outside the expected and into the provocative at all scales of building, says Burke.

People are rolling up their sleeves and transforming our ideas of living in Australia, one project at a time.

Ghoneim, who was recently described by the Australian Financial Review as the reigning It girl of interior design, said she was blown away witnessing extraordinary achievements by ordinary people.

Shes lived all around the world, designed bars on barges in Shanghai and celebrity houses in California, fronted rockbands in Sydney and done aid work in Kenya and Vietnam, she revealed in a 2021 Design Files podcast.

She grabs life by the horns, and brings the same fearlessness to her interiors, it wrote.

Ghoniem says she reckons young homeowners watching this ABC series will be inspired to take risks and give it a red hot go when it comes to realising their own renovation dreams.

Theres nothing better than seeing others understand the benefits of good design, listen to their gut and go for it, she says.

Tumbled marble, Gaillo Sienna and Toledo Marble, European Linen, Kimono silk and honed travertine were some of the materials used in Ghoniems Palm Beach, Sydney interior design job. Photo: YSG Studio

Whats different about ABC show version of The Block?

Having endured three-months of The Block resulting in childhood sweethearts Steph and Gian taking home $1.7 million in prize money we know the tried and true format.

Screen-tested couples are curated from thousands of applications Australia-wide to turn up for three months and transform a rundown dwelling into a state-of-the-art living space.

Manufactured dramas and tensions on building sites, heavily sponsored content from car companies and fast-food outlets dominate, and dozens of tradies in utes turn up to lay foundations, water-proof bathrooms and carry in marble slabs for kitchen benches.

Carpets, furniture, cushions and throws and artwork are often already curated from The Block Shop, Schots Home Emporium, Freedom Furniture and Beacon Lighting (to name a few).

Not so on the ABC version.

Yes, there will still be ordinary Australians wanting to live the dream of home ownership or already own their homes (or businesses) and need inspiration for their DIY jobs and improvements.

The new co-hosts will also provide insight, expert advice, and the odd shoulder to cry on, just like the others do (and will do in Browns case).

Burke and Ghoniem may well be going next level though, in renovation and design influence.

Theyll be tasked with overseeing a Moroccan oasis in the Blue Mountains, a pink palace on Queenslands Gold Coast, a French-inspired convict cottage in Tasmania and a low cost eco retreat on Victorias Mornington Peninsula.

Each episode will showcase two unique stories and two stunning home reveals be it interior design, renovation, or a landscaping makeover.

Sunset Onyx, Calacatta viola, Lapis blue granite, Isernia stone and American white ash were materials used for Ghoniems Darlinghurst project. PhotoYSG Studio

Ghoniem will deliver a masterclass

If her body of work is anything to go by, these home renovators are in for an absolute treat.

In an opinion piece for realestate.com.au, Ghoniem, whose formative years were spent in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia before studying interior design at the Savannah College of Art and Design in America, said that she was often asked at dinner parties what she did for a living.

Oh, well, Im an interior designer.

Oh cool, really? So, you pick pillows and stuff right?

Yep, exactly. I pick pillows and stuff, she wrote, sarcastically.

Industry labels like interior designer and interior decorator have been used interchangeably for years and they shouldnt.

Im here to set it straight and clear confusion surrounding an industry which so many Australians are obsessed with but, understandably, know so little about.

She said, at its heart, interior design is the art and science of understanding peoples behavioural patterns in order to create functional spaces for them.

Designers apply their technical skills, including drafting documentation for computer-aided design (CAD) programs, to provide a response to a persons life, home culture, dwelling and local surroundings.

Dr Chris Brown will help.

Browns reno show

Meanwhile, at the Seven networks recent Upfront showcase for 2024, Brown will be hosting Dream Home.

These will be the greatest home transformations Australia has ever seen, he told a converted audience, addingthat contestants will help each other renovate each others homes, turning their own somewhat basic house into their very own dream home.

They battle it out room by room, and someone wins a big prize.

James Warburton, Seven West Media managing director and chief executive, told The West Australian the series will be a very emotional one for viewers.

It really goes towards what the name suggests: peoples ability to completely renovate their home into their absolute dream outcome, he said.

He said it will be a very different to The Block.

Its not a reality show based on renovating something to go to auction to win every single couple in the show wins, in terms of the fact they will actually end up with their very own dream home.

But, it may well be Grand Designs Transformations that win the design prize.

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ABC home renovation show set to outclass The Block and Dream ... - The New Daily

It should come as no surprise that after months, if not years, of rumours and leaks, that Grand Theft Auto 6 really is happening. A decade after GTA V first released on console, Rockstar Games has finally confirmed it will be premiering the trailer for its highly anticipated sequel in December, just in time for the companys 25th anniversary.

Given the accolades awarded to GTA V, having sold more than 185 million copies across three console generations, a new GTA is a big deal. Not just for the game itself and the countless hours were all likely to lose to it, but because Rockstar has such a high bar of quality that it sets a new standard for the industry.

We dont know how much of GTA 6 well get to see next month, though its hardly surprising that itll continue the series cycle of climbing your way up the criminal underworld while stealing cars and fleeing from the cops. But where else could it go from there? Heres six things wed like to see the series do next.

Sure, the appeal of GTA is the freedom to explore a huge open world made up with diverse terrain and neighbourhoods. On that, Vs Los Santos is probably Rockstars largest and greatest accomplishment. But rather than trying to top that, what if GTA 6 reined in the overall square feet in favour of something with more depth?

Theres an opportunity for a denser and more detailed environment, something a little more like the Yakuza / Like A Dragon series. You can grow familiar with the environments and denizens populating it. There could be a lot more interior locations as well, rather than just a lot of buildings that are little more than set dressing to drive past.

This may be unlikely, given the demands for any sequel to be bigger than the one before it. And to be fair, a game reliant on car chases and air travel works best with more space to play in. Still, we wouldnt rule this possibility out if reports are true that GTA 6 will be returning to Vice City, which is one of the smallest maps in the series.

Critics had already called out some of GTA Vs juvenile tone back when it first released. A decade later, its clear a lot of it hasnt aged too well. You might argue that bleak, nihilistic no-holds-barred satire of America has been an integral part of the series identity (with the exception of a 60s era mission pack set in London released for the very first game). But unless youve been in an underground bunker all this time, a lot has changed. How do you satirise the world, and America especially, when the real world itself is beyond satire?

Rockstar is definitely capable of more thoughtful and mature narratives when going by the Red Dead Redemption series. Even Michaels arc in GTA V had depth as a retired thief going through a mid-life crisis. But we can surely all agree the series misogynistic undercurrent has no place today. Thats not to say the next game shouldnt have strip clubs, because this is after all an adult game dealing with the murky criminal underworld. But can it find something interesting to say about sex work that isnt just crude titilation?

If GTA 6 follows its predecessor and gives us multiple protagonists, it should surely be a given that one of these should be a woman. But even if it goes back to one protagonist for a more focused narrative, why not be a woman?

Just looking at television in recent years, weve had excellent portrayals of powerful, dangerous, complicated, compelling female characters caught on both sides of the law, such as Killing Eve, Orange is the New Black and Yellowjackets. Theres no reason why GTA 6 couldnt also raise this bar in games, instead of continuing to fall back on tropes from films from decades past.

Not only would it add a new perspective and feel to a usually testosterone environment, but it might also open up new ways of thinking about how we interact with GTA 6 that isnt just macho shooting and blowing things up.

GTA V gets a lot of praise for how reactive its non-player characters (NPCs) are, sometimes giving the impression they have their own lives even if you werent there. Theres definitely room to expand on this. Instead of just one button where youd basically just shout at or harass passersby, it would be great if GTA 6 adopted Red Dead Redemption 2s system where you have different interactions to choose from that arent just misanthropic by default.

We dont expect this to suddenly be a wholesome game. But look, lifes hard, even for gangsters. If youve already got problems with the law, it doesnt mean the whole city has to be insufferable. Imagine playing in a city that you actually want to spend time in and not just turn into a dumpster fire for kicks. That said, we dont want to rule out some mischief, just like how GTA 4 let you shove pedestrians, wed still like the choice to be nice, and nasty.

A reason why GTA V has continued to keep selling so many copies years later is arguably down to GTA Online, and as such pretty much all updates have been geared towards this side as players continue coming back to Los Santos to build their own criminal empires and just let loose in the city as the ultimate digital playground.

Of course, its easy to forget that the online mode had many teething issues when it first launched and despite its success, its actually far from a user-friendly online game to get into, and we just mean the messy structure and systems rather than other players trying to mow or gun you down. We wont be surprised if an online mode is prioritised to be part of GTA 6s package from the get-go.

But while it might be sensible to have both solo and online integrated as one, we think its best to keep the two separate. Given Rockstars penchant for authored narratives, we cant imagine anything worse than having a memorabnle story beat interrupted by notifications of online events or other players getting in the way. Also, is it too radical to suggest not every game has to be always online?

Past GTAs have already had customisable vehicles, and the choice to customise character clothes and haircuts, but what about properties? Whether you start out in a squalid flea-bitten studio apartment or a penthouse by the beach, why not have the freedom to deck it out in a way to make it your own and not just a few prescribed themes?

Were not saying it has to be The Sims, but if youre going to have to shell out millions on a house, then heck, wed like the freedom to be our very own interior decorator. And no, we dont mean just decorating the walls with the blood and guts of our enemies.

Read more:
6 things we want to see in Grand Theft Auto 6 - Stuff

On October 11, 360 Painting, a Chelsea business specializing in a range of painting services, celebrated a significant milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Ugly Dog Distillery.

Phil DeWester, the owner of 360 Painting along with his wife Debbie, took the opportunity to share the scope and philosophy of his company. "We are a local painting company providing interior and exterior painting, including cabinet refinishing and deck staining to residential and commercial customers," he stated.

The celebration also served as an acknowledgment of the company's expansion and one-year presence in the Dexter and Chelsea communities. Phil and Debbie acquired 360 Painting of Ann Arbor in 2017 and have since broadened its reach, which now extends from Chelsea to Canton and as far north as Novi.

DeWester shared insights into their decision-making process, emphasizing the personal drive that led to their involvement in the home services sector. When evaluating different business opportunities, Debbie and I found that we had a lot of passion for home services," he recalled. The duo's experience with home renovations underscored the need for dependable contractors, which drives their company's commitment to exceptional customer servicea commitment that has earned them numerous five-star Google reviews and the confidence to offer a top-tier 2-year warranty.

The ceremony was supported by the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Ugly Dog Distillery.

Photos courtesy of CACC

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360 Painting Marks Expansion with Ribbon-Cutting at Ugly Dog ... - thesuntimesnews.com

AUGUSTA, Ga. Workers with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, at J. Strom Thurmond Project have begun work to inspect and re-paint approximately 50 miles of the existing boundary line trees with bright orange paint, normally a 4-inch band around half of each tree. The work will continue through the autumn and winter and wrap up before spring arrives.

R&D Maintenance Services, a contractor with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, uses bright orange paint to make boundary line witness trees more visible and easier to identify, as well as trimming heavy brush to clear the boundary line between witness trees. This routine boundary maintenance does not move present property lines. The work makes existing property lines more visible. Workers scrape old paint off the trees and apply fresh paint on witness trees to mark the boundary line. If in-ground boundary survey pins are not visible, workers will dig where pins were placed to expose them.

This year, crews will start work in Lincoln County near Double Branches Road, by the Knox Boy Scout Camp and end north of Highway 378, near Dunaway. The work will encompass boundary line in Pleasant View Estates, Maxim Village, Maxim, Wells Creek, Lakeview, Long Leaf, Joy Acres, Whitstone, Parton, Azalea and Dunaway Estates Subdivisions and Soap Creek Marina.

Painted trees are a guide to locating the physical boundary pins installed in the ground, Heather Killips, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Thurmond Lake shoreline chief ranger, said. When buying property or planning to build on your land adjacent to public property, a professional survey is a good investment. Monument pins should never be disturbed from their permanent locations. If you dont see a pin, please call our office so we can help you and correct the situation.

Contractors will complete the work on foot with hand tools. In most cases, workers will avoid crossing onto private property. In the event the contractor cannot access public land without first crossing over private property, all efforts will be made to contact the owner for permission, and to avoid impacts to private property. To make the boundary line less obtrusive in adjacent subdivisions, the witness tree blaze width is reduced to 2 inches and painted on one quarter of the tree. The marked trees do not delineate the exact boundary; instead, they witness the approximate boundary line. The exact line can only be located by surveying the monuments and pins.

Its important to know the location of the boundary line when removing trees or vegetation from private property, Killips said. Its illegal to remove trees from public land without a permit. Its like going on your neighbors property and removing their trees. If trees are removed without permission, the penalty can be a combination of fines and a requirement to replace trees.

Adjacent property owners should remove any personal property items which may have wandered across the government line, and pets should not be unattended on public land, especially when workers are present. For questions or concerns call the Thurmond Lake office at 800-533-3478, ext. 1140.

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Boundary Line Maintenance at J. Strom Thurmond Project - sas.usace.army.mil

Starting Jan. 1, Worcester County landfills will increase the tipping fee for dumped refuse from $70 per ton to $80, and add a $20 removal charge for each paint or petroleum-product can.

At the commissioners meeting on Nov. 7, members voted 6-1 to approve a request from the public works department to amend the new fees into the Worcester County Solid Waste Enterprise Funds Fiscal Year 2024 operating budget. Commissioner Joe Mitrecic voted against the change because of the can-dumping fee.

Director of Public Works Dallas Baker said at the meeting that local hauling companies asked for the change in the refuse tipping fee because it would streamline the process.

Right now, when people come up (and) dump their waste, we charge different rates for refuse, for construction demolition, for some various other things, Baker said. The $80 will make it consistent with pretty much 90 percent of the material thats dumped.

As the system is now, after a truck dumps a load that is half refuse and half construction demolition, landfill workers must verify the cost based on the different rates associated with different dumped materials, Baker said. Haulers then have to return to the landfill to pay.

The haulers are interested in trying to get in and out of the landfill as quick as possible, Baker said.

Baker said that the $20 fee for paint and petroleum-product cans comes in response to an increased number of the cans getting dumped at county landfills, while the cans are not allowed to be disposed there.

The fee is an attempt to discourage illegal dumping and also helps pay for the extra labor that landfill workers contribute when theyre forced to remove the cans, Baker said.

Baker said public works would have a proper place to unload the cans without charging the $20 fee.

Mitrecic said that while he agrees with the tipping fee increase, he thinks that the fee would instead motivate contractors to dump cans in municipal trash receptacles instead.

No disrespect to those guys up there on the hill because they do a great job, but I dont really see them jumping out and picking up paint cans as opposed to picking up tires, Mitrecic said.

Tires are not allowed to be dumped in landfills and must be removed as well.

Mitrecic said he would not support the motion because he thinks the paint can problem could be solved another way.

Baker said hauling companies have told him that they try to tell contractors not to put illegal material in dumpsters, but some contractors hide the items under landfill-allowed refuse anyway.

Weve been having commercial haulers bringing in 20 and 40 yard bins half filled with paint cans and dumping them large scale, Baker said.

The Maryland Department of the Environment could fine the landfill if it found that these kinds of cans were being dumped there, he said.

Baker said that if haulers tell landfill personnel they have paint cans, the workers will direct them to another area to drop off the cans, and in that case the haulers would not be charged a fee.

I understand what youre up against but I also understand that if you ever put a 40-yard dumpster out in front of a job site, you could end up with grills, lawn chairs, paint cans and whatever else anybody in the neighborhood happens to have that they want to get rid of, Mitrecic said.

Mitrecic said that educating haulers and contractors would be a better option.

Baker said that public works could send educational letters to haulers, as well as post information on the county website and social media. However, Baker said that recently public works warned a company to stop dumping illegal items, and the company dumped more the next day.

Id much rather take that approach. The message just isnt getting through, Baker said.

Baker said that since the changes goes into effect Jan. 1, contractors and haulers have a two-month buffer to learn about the incoming fee changes, and dumpsters that are currently on construction sites likely wouldnt be affected.

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Worcester County commissioners approve new landfill fees starting ... - Ocean City Today