Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

The Chicago Tribune Tower is the fruit of an epic international architecture competition held in 1922 that attracted design luminaries such as Walter Gropius, Eliel Saarinen, and Adolf Loos. But Raymond Hood and John Mead Howellss neo-Gothic skyscraper scheme, with its iconic flying buttress crown, won the day. It was completed in 1925 and has been a proud addition to the Chicago skyline ever since.

Today the Chicago Tribune newspaper is but a ghost of its former self, relegated to nondescript space elsewhere in the Windy City. But its namesake tower is as beautiful and prominent as evernow fully converted to 162 residences ranging in size from 1,100 to 4,400 square feet and priced from $900,000 to $7 million.

The Tribune Tower is a designated Chicago Landmark, meaning all alterations had to be approved by the Chicago Department of Planning and Development. To attract affluent residents, developers added approximately 55,000 square feet of amenity space, according to Steve Hubbard, associate principal in the Chicago office of Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB), the architecture firm that handled the conversion.

Floors 2, 3, 7, and 25 were substantially altered into a series of practical and social spaces, Hubbard says. Level 2 is a fitness center; level 3 is a series of social spacesincluding a bar and a link to an outdoor garden; level 7 has an indoor pool; and finally, level 25 is a spectacular porch in the sky on which occupants can socialize under the buildings signature flying buttresses.

More from Metropolis

Hubbard points out that only the main tower of the Tribune complex was landmarkedin theory the 1920s printing plant, 1930s radio building, and 1950s television complex, all parts of the Tribune media empire, could have been razed. But the decision was made to keep the entire character of the building, he says. Even the original Chicago Tribune logo has been renovated and preserved on the buildings facade.

Similar care was brought to interior spaces: The interior design honors the history of the building, says Ryan Schommer, director of Gettys Interiors, a Chicago design firm. Nowhere is this clearer than in the two lobbies. The original off North Michigan Avenue remains largely as it was during the buildings Tribune years, while another, more private entrance is located to the north along Illinois Street.

The historic and private lobbies are connected, he explains. Gettys Group is known for hospitality design, so we took a luxury approach akin to a great hotel. The private lobby features, for example, a Holly Hunt leather sofa and Christopher Guy chairs, alongside a working fireplace.

Upstairs, 55 different layouts were conceived for the towers 162 units. Details like crown moldings and baseboards were custom designs, while bathrooms feature specially ordered fixtures from Waterworks and kitchens were designed in collaboration with The Galley. We spent a lot of time studying neo-Gothic architecture. Everything is custom and curvilinear, right down to the ornaments on the door handles, says Schommer.

The conversion was a joint venture between two real estate development companies: CIM Group and Golub & Company. Planning started in 2016 and the conversion/renovation was completed in mid-2022. Hubbard feels fortunate to have been involved with such a historic property: This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an architect, he says.

More here:
The Tribune Tower Begins Its Second Chapter as a Luxury Residence - Metropolis Magazine

With a rising share of U.S. crops grown in greenhouses and indoor farms, policymakers can encourage energy and water efficiency efforts in those facilities to support sustainable agriculture, according to new research. Two reports from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the Resource Innovation Institute (RII) recommend policy measures to encourage efficiency, cut costs, and reduce climate pollution while accommodating growth in the controlled environment agriculture sector.

It is the early days of controlled environment agriculture, and with substantial growth ahead in the sector, we see a foundational opportunity to advance efficient and sustainable farming, said Jennifer Amann, senior fellow in ACEEEs buildings program and a co-author of the reports. Policymakers can work with producers to craft energy and water efficiency incentives that can lower production costs and consumer prices while reducing pollution from the agriculture industry.

CEA facilities often have unique energy needs, but few jurisdictions have CEA-specific utility rates. According to the CEA efficiency brief, utilities and regulators could design CEA rate structuresparticularly for greenhousesthat consider factors like the frequency with which a facility operates at peak demand. Allowing CEA facilities to qualify for lower rates during times of lower demand could improve energy affordability by encouraging CEA operators to shift electricity consumption to periods of lower demand or to institute efficiency measures to reduce electricity use during peaks in demand.

Controlled environment agriculture enhances food security and nutrition. Growing facilities can be located in urban areas and other places not suitable for traditional agriculture, eliminating food deserts and creating economic development opportunities in communities while protecting against supply chain disruptions, said Derek Smith, executive director of the Resource Innovation Institute and a co-author of the briefs. It is critical to establish energy and water efficiency policies to support controlled environment agriculture, which will require deep engagement between the sector and policymakers.

Many water efficiency measures for CEA, such as water recirculation technologies, have high capital costs. Allowing CEA facilities to be eligible for state water quality financing programs and enacting federal or state investment tax credits to offset the capital costs of CEA water efficiency technologies could help CEA operators reduce water use.

The energy needs of CEA facilities differ significantly from most commercial buildings because of factors like electric loads from lighting used for plant growth, dehumidification requirements, and unique HVAC needs. The research found that some energy codes address the unique needs of the CEA sector, with initial steps focused on cannabis growing facilities but more recently expanding to cover other CEA facilities as well. With crops like lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, and flowers increasingly grown in CEA facilities, building energy codes should consider energy needs that may vary across a wide range of crops. As the sector grows, adding CEA-specific provisions to model energy codes that are adopted by states and localities could provide clarity and avoid a patchwork of provisions across the country.

The codes and standards brief also recommends more engagement between the CEA sector, other building code stakeholders, and policymakers to help advance building codes that accommodate the unique needs of the CEA sector.

CEA facilities often lack resources to collect benchmarking data on energy and water use, which they need to be able to implement energy and water efficiency measures. The efficiency policy brief recommends that policymakers identify additional resources to enable stakeholders to better understand how to improve efficiency in CEA operations.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded a grant to ACEEE and RII to explore how to improve energy and water efficiency in the CEA sector.To inform the two reports, ACEEE and RII convened a series of workshops with CEA growers as well as state energy and agriculture officials to identify CEA resource challenges and to formulate policy solutions.

Source: aceee.org

Read this article:
US: States can boost sustainable indoor agriculture with energy ... - hortidaily.com

Incorporating different textures into your bedroom is a great way to create accents or visual weight. If your bedroom is crying out for some depth or personality, then layering texture is the way to go just keep it subtle.

Catharina suggests: 'Natural materials like wood, rattan and wicker, seagrass, leather, bamboo, stone, and steel, iron or copper are ideal for adding texture and intrigue to a room. In terms of soft furnishings opt for a mix of cotton, wool and linens.

'Its not just physical texture that's important, but visual texture too. Recreate the feeling of natural light by incorporating a range of feature lighting options such as picture lights, under cabinet lighting, and pendants, and add lamps, fairy lights and candles to light different areas of your home. Dimmer switches for ceiling lights are a must!'

Image: @my_hygge_my_home Japandi bedroom, Dekoria

Read more from the original source:
Japandi Bedroom: 8 Steps To Transform Your Sleep Space - House Beautiful

There are between 70 and 80 nights a year when 50,000 or so people pass through the doors that divide the walkway between the Allegiant Stadium and Mandalay Bay Casino. Sean Christie, the CEO of Carver Road Hospitality, says that on the one or two days a week that the stadium hosts a Raiders football game or Taylor Swift concert, or even the Super Bowl in 2024, scores of people will walk past Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar and those people will need to eat.

The new bar and restaurant is positioning itself to be one of the best and most visited sports bars in town, when it opens on June 10. With a walk-up window, boozy shakes, massive TVs, fun lighting, and a speakeasy-style suite, Christie intends to lean into the leading event of the night. Allegiant will have a 12 percent uptick in events compared to 56 last year, says Christie. Thats a lot of people moving through this area. That means when Beyonc headlines the stadium this August, the cinema-style signage that wraps around the front of the bar, facing the escalators that lead up to the Shoppes at Mandalay Place, will read something like, Welcome Bey-hive. The outward-facing speakers will blast music from her albums, the bar may offer a special Beyonc cocktail, and the TVs well, some of them will still show the nights sporting events but many of them will display Beyonc music videos.

Its surprising that more bars and restaurants near the stadium decline to lean into the nights programming. The exodus of fans that fled Allegiant following Taylor Swifts Eras Tour show in March meandered through Mandalay Bay, Excalibur, the Luxor, and New York-New York to get back to their hotel rooms or ride shares and nary a Swift song beckoned Swifties into surrounding the bars and restaurants. And Christie is banking on that missed opportunity.

At more than 8,000 square feet, Flanker will have a bar that stretches across one wall and a trio of private dining suites opposite the bar. Like Carversteak, another venue by Carver Road Hospitality, Flanker will have adjustable partitions that can customize the sizes and shapes of the private rooms, which can be used for dining, meetings for conventioneers, and private watch parties. When it opens next month, Flanker will boast a dynamic ceiling lighting design inspired by the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix track at night. Strips of light will guide guests through the main dining room and toward the bars massive 30-foot-long and 9-foot-tall LED viewing screen.

Las Vegas is booming into a real sports town in recent years with the F1 Grand Prix hitting the Strip this November, the NFL Draft taking over the city last year, and the Super Bowl on its way. And Christie says that all necessitates a new era of sports bars. Sure, the walk-up window will sell sandwiches, hotdogs, and drinks for sports fans to take en route to the stadium, but the bar will also offer loads of screens, a sound system, and themed programming for watch parties. With room for 375 people, including a 24-seat indoor patio, the bar also has a back wall of lockers. Opening the right locker will give way to a hidden private room that can be used for karaoke or gameday viewing.

Chef Daniel Ontiveros, Carver Road Hospitalitys corporate executive chef, describes the food as elevated bar fare, with bites like a puff pastry pretzel dog, fried chicken, fish and chips, and nachos. The burger menu will have selections like a truffle burger with truffle aioli and raclette cheese, a wagyu burger with bacon onion jam, and Ontiveross favorite, a Western burger with barbecue sauce, crispy onion rings, and roasted jalapeno aioli. For boozy shakes, both the bar and walk-up window will have a smores shake with rocky road ice cream and chocolate rum and an Elvis shake with banana bourbon and crispy bacon peanut butter ice cream. Also on the menu are steak and fries, a Nashville hot chicken sandwich, crispy wings, salads, fried mac and cheese, and a kids menu.

The bar will offer a robust selection of beer, canned beverages, frozen concoctions, and cocktails on draft. Christie, who got his start working at the House of Blues just across the casino floor from Flanker, says that the restaurant fills a gap in the resorts offerings, providing something more casual than Retro by Voltaggio and S Bar but more cozy than the Mandalay Bays quick-service offerings like those at Citizens. We want it to be a place families can take their kids after going to Shark Reef that day, but also good for convention groups who want something more low-key than the Foundation Room. Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar will be open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. It opens on June 10, just in time to christen the bar with a watch party for the UFC 289 fight.

View original post here:
A New Sports Bar Celebrates Afterparties for Raiders Games and ... - Eater Vegas

When selecting a houseplant, there's a lot to consider. Can you keep it alive? Is it toxic to your pet? Does it go with you're home's aesthetic? But if you're also looking to attract luck into your home, you'll want to think about which plants can help balance your living space's energy (or chi). While it's believed in feng shui that most healthy, well-maintained plants can enhance positivity, there are certain houseplants that are especially lucky, says Diana Hathaway, an interior and feng shui designer and founder of Gorgeous Color. Keep reading to see which are the luckiest.

READ THIS NEXT: 5 Unlucky Things You Should Never Keep in Your Home, Feng Shui Experts Say.

The money tree (also known as a Pachira plant) is probably one of the most famous houseplants in feng shui. It's believed to attract prosperity, wealth, good luck, and positive energynot only to the space around it but also to its owner, explains Angela Higgins, principal designer and owner of Nourished Home and member of the International Feng Shui Guild.

According to Chinese legend, it's believed a Pachira plant once brought great fortune to a desperate farmer, Hathaway reveals.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

But don't let the money tree's reputation pressure you into putting this plant in your home if it isn't your style: Higgins says this is a common feng shui mistake. "Feng shui is about surrounding yourself with things you love that resonate with you, so make sure when choosing plants, you choose ones you like, can care for, and fit into your lifestyle and home."

The jade plant is sometimes referred to as a money plant due to its coin-shaped leaves. In fact, it's believed these very leaves are what symbolize good luck and fortune.

Higgins explains that, according to feng shui, any plant with soft, rounded leaves will bring luck by promoting gentle and nourishing energy in the home.

On the other hand, sharp plants like cacti are believed to be unlucky because they "drain energy" from your environment, says interior designer Audrey Scheck.

Jade plants tend to be common housewarming and new business gifts because of the belief that they'll bring wealth and good luck, Hathaway notes.

READ THIS NEXT: The 6 Luckiest Gemstones You Can Wear, According to Experts.

Lucky bamboo, not to be confused with traditional bamboo (which grows outside and is not a houseplant) is believed to symbolize good fortune in the home, according to feng shui. It's also believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and wealth to your workspace.

"It encourages personal growth and positive energy," Higgins explains. Hathaway adds that lucky bamboo's gracefully curving shape "encourages the seamless flow of good feng shui chi energy."

Another reason this plant is traditionally used in feng shui is that its tall, thin stalks complement wood decor nicelyand wood elements are one of the five main elements of feng shui, believed to bring vitality, growth, kindness, and flexibility into your home, Higgins says.

Whether you call it a snake plant or its nickname "mother-in-law's tongue," this houseplant does not sound lucky. But its vertical leaves symbolize the upward growth of positive energy and prosperity in your home, Scheck explains.

In addition, the snake plant purifies the air in your home, which "promotes good oxygen levels, clean healthy air, and energy, which is the basis of positive feng shui for well-being," Higgins explains.

This is why you want to make sure any plant you bring into your home is "vibrant, lush, and healthy [as] dead or dying plants are bad for feng shui," Higgins adds.

For more home advice delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

This beautiful and hardy houseplant is known for how easy it is to care for and how long it lives, two qualities that promote good feng shui energy.

Moreso, though, philodendrons are lucky because of how their leaves resemble flames and are associated with the fire element of feng shui. Fire elements in the home are believed to symbolize fame as they help increase your visibility in the world, Higgins explains.

The leaves can also "fire up the chi energy in dark spaces of your home," Hathaway notes.

Read more:
The Best Houseplants to Attract Luck, According to Feng Shui Experts - Best Life

On a leafy hillside facing the sea, the remote rural settlement of Lai Chi Wo in the north-eastern New Territories of Hong Kong is sheltered by a crescent-shaped cluster of soaring evergreen trees that experts believe could hold the key to Chinas green future.

For the dense groves of broadleaf trees that surround the walled villages white-washed cottages and temples form a fengshuilin, or feng shui forest, that has protected this farming community from the elements ever since it was first settled by the Hakka, descendants of Chinas ancient Han people, around 400 years ago.

This fengshuilin is one of tens of thousands of preserved, pristine woods dotted around Chinas southern and central provinces. The clumps of old-growth trees are regarded by their custodians as sacred and are believed to bring prosperity and health to the communities that have been nurturing them for more than 1,000 years.

Now ecologists believe these species-packed woodlands and the villages they protect could play an important role in Beijings drive to make the country carbon-neutral by 2060. Currently the worlds biggest emitter of carbon dioxide, China is planning to increase its forest coverage to 26 per cent by 2035.

Its ambitions include planting two new forests covering an area the size of Ireland. While fengshuilin are modest in size the lush forest around Lai Chi Wo measures only seven hectares they are rich in biodiversity. The broadleaf evergreens they harbour are renowned for being huge carbon sinks and resistant to pollution.

The feng shui forest behind the village was preserved for the cooling effect in the summer and protection from the monsoon in the winter. It is a kind of natural air conditioner, Dr Billy Hau, a forest ecologist at the University of Hong Kong who has worked with the villagers of Lai Chi Wo, tells i.

Dr Chris Coggins, professor of geography and Asian studies at Bard College at Simons Rock in the US, has been fascinated by feng shui forests since he first encountered a luxuriant patch of large trees on a small mountain above a temple at a village called Guizhuping in the Meihuashan Nature Reserve of south-west Fujian province on a research trip 30 years ago.

He tells i that these community-protected forests have survived as villagers believe they improve local feng shui the ancient Chinese system for determining the most auspicious locations and designs for towns, villages, houses and other buildings based on the flow and quality of life-sustaining energy known as chi.

Dr Coggins adds that each fengshuilin also has a practical purpose, as they help villagers to manage resources, protect against soil erosion and flooding and improve water conservation for crops.

While Dr Coggins says that many Chinese people had been unaware of the forests, as feng shui was viewed as feudal superstition and a forbidden topic during Mao Zedongs regime, now urban planners are looking at these forests as models for modern sustainable city growth, with communities surrounded by biodiverse pockets of greenery better able to withstand the harmful effects of pollution.

A decade ago, a project was launched to encourage urban dwellers to move to Lai Chi Wo to help its few remaining indigenous inhabitants revitalise their village. At the same time, its fengshuilin was used for seed collection to reforest other areas of Hong Kong.

Ecologists taught villagers how to use bio charcoal, created from farm waste, in the soil to protect the carbon sink as they grew crops. In turn, the Hakka villagers shared recipes, craftwork and dialect lessons with the newcomers. At weekends, they now offer guided tours to visitors around the 200 houses, temples and ancestral halls.

It is a remarkable turnaround for what had been a moribund village. Once home to more than 1,000 residents, its population declined sharply in the 60s when local farmers were undercut by produce from mainland China.

Agriculture stopped being a viable way to earn a living, so many residents left, says Tsang Wai Yip, the current head of the village.

The villages pioneering recent work was acknowledged when it received the Special Recognition for Sustainable Development in the Unesco Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

And now, elsewhere in rural China, there is official recognition of the role fengshuilin can play.

China wants to move towards a greener economy, says Dr Coggins. And I think theres a broad appreciation of feng shui forests among the people as well as government officials.

See the rest here:
Ancient feng shui forests to be expanded in bid to soak up China's ... - inews

Sleep, a universal necessity for human beings, has fascinated us for centuries. It is an integral part of our health and well-being, yet it is often misunderstood or neglected.

Our sleep positions, in particular, have a significant impact on the quality of our sleep and, by extension, our overall health.

This comprehensive guide will delve into the ancient understanding, cultural aspects, religious views, and the latest scientific research on sleep positions, providing a unique perspective on this fundamental aspect of human life.

Throughout history, sleep positions have been connected to various beliefs, superstitions, and health theories. The interpretations of sleep positions across different cultures offer a fascinating glimpse into our ancestors understanding of sleep.

These ancient and cultural beliefs demonstrate how our ancestors integrated their observations of the natural world, their spiritual beliefs, and their understanding of the human body into their sleep habits. While modern science may not support all these practices, they reflect the universal human quest for restful sleep and overall well-being.

Religions, with their comprehensive lifestyle guidelines, often provide specific advice about the seemingly mundane, including sleep positions. Here is an expanded exploration of how different religions view sleep and the best positions for it:

These religious perspectives on sleep positions underscore the importance of sleep not just as a physical necessity but as a spiritual practice. They suggest that the way we position ourselves during sleep can influence not only our physical health but also our mental and spiritual well-being.

In modern times, sleep positions have been extensively researched for their impact on health. Contemporary science has a more pragmatic approach to sleep positions, focusing primarily on health implications.

Given the variety of positions and their potential effects on health, what is the best way to sleep? Here are some recommendations based on recent scientific findings:

While sleep positions can be a matter of personal comfort, they also have cultural, religious, and health implications. Understanding these can provide insights into our sleep habits and help us make more informed decisions about our sleep hygiene.

As we continue to explore the science of sleep, its clear that there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

No single sleep position works best for everyone. It often depends on the individuals health concerns, comfort, and sometimes, their unconscious preferences. Whats clear from scientific research is that the position one sleeps in can significantly impact health and well-being.

Its important to listen to our bodies and ensure we are comfortable, aligned, and supported during sleep. The cultural and historical perspectives on sleep positions add another layer of intrigue to our understanding of sleep, showing how our ancestors navigated these same questions.

Finally, if you consistently wake up feeling tired or experience pain and discomfort during sleep, it may be time to consider a change in your sleep position or seek advice from a healthcare professional. In the quest for better sleep, even a small adjustment can make a significant difference.

Remember, sleep is not just a necessityits an art and a science that, when optimized, can lead to improved health, increased productivity, and a better quality of life. Understanding the role of sleep positions in this equation is a step towards more restful nights and more energetic days.

Read the rest here:
Sleepology: Exploring the World of Sleep Positions - Mirage News

Chinese astrology attests a lot of significance to the power of numbers or numerology and your luck is determined by them, going by their ancient philosophy. Wish to know more about Chinese lucky numbers? Keep scrolling.

Have you ever noticed any particular number that keeps making an appearance in peoples email, home addresses or car plate numbers often? And, is there anything numerically significant in your life based on your observation or experience? If yes, then probably you are ruled by that particular number.

Even though numerology techniques followed by Western astrology reign supreme owing to its popularity, the Chinese belief in lucky and unlucky is ancient, diverse and a tad bit obtuse, especially for beginners. There are a set of numbers and certainly, good and bad omens are associated with them. Here is a guide to finding out your lucky number and understanding what impact it has on your love, professional and family life.

Chinese astrology believes that everything in nature has a particular numerical sequence and it hence makes sense to give importance to the pattern created by these numbers. Feng shui also follows the principles of Chinese numerology based on the Luo shu square philosophy. For the uninitiated, this practice came into being around 4,000 years ago after a turtle was spotted with an exact three multiplied by three pattern of symmetrical nine squares. This formed the basis of a Lou shu square which categorises lucky and unlucky numbers according to traditional Chinese culture.

[Hero and featured image credit: Anne Nygrd/Unsplash]

Calculating your number according to the Chinese method is completely different from the Western numerology technique. Here, your birth year comes to play and depending on your gender certain numbers are added or subtracted.

For example, if your birth year is 1989, you need to add the last two digits, in this case, 8+9 = 17. Further, one needs to reduce this number to a single digit, that is 1+7 = 8. Now, a male has to subtract this digit from 10 which is 10-8 = 2. A female has to add 5 to the number. In this case, 8+5 = 13, to be further reduced to a single digit 1+3 = 4.

Every number has a certain significance in Chinese culture.

A symbol of strength, positivity and drive, the number one is definitely a lucky number in Chinese numerology. It represents the yang principle which stands for masculine energy. Passionate and independent, the people whose lucky number is one usually get professional and monetary success in life.

This is one of the luckiest numbers in Chinese numerology and represents the yin principle of harmony and balance. This works really well for partnerships and relationships of any kind and is preferred by those who are striving for a good relationship with their partners. If there is a word to describe the number two in Chinese numerology, it would be harmony.

Growth, abundance and regeneration the number three is about all this and more. In Mandarin, this number sounds like the word birth. Hence, it is often associated with new beginnings. Other than that, a Chinese mythical creature called a moon frog has three legs and is a symbol of prosperity.

There is a reason why number four is such a dreaded number in Chinese culture. It sounds like the Chinese word for death and is believed to bring doom and destruction upon a person. Number four is an unlucky number according to Chinese numerology.

The number five is all about balance and equilibrium. According to the feng shui principles which rely heavily on the balance of five elements wood, fire, water, air and metal, number five is considered lucky.

Number six might be the luckiest number in Chinese culture as it denotes the sixth sense which symbolises the flow of the mind. Intelligent and highly perceptive, people with the number six are generally successful at everything they do.

The number six has a lot of positive meanings for Chinese people and is used on gifting envelopes for a happy marriage.

Number seven is usually associated with the dead in this culture. The seventh month of the year is the ghost month as per the Chinese calendar, but the meaning associated with it does not have to be negative as death also signifies the end of something to mark an auspicious new beginning, leading it to be treated as neutral sometimes.

A very lucky number in Chinese numerology, the number eight signifies wealth and prosperity. A double eight is considered extremely lucky for those who aim to acquire wealth in life. The number is phonetically similar to the word prosperity in Mandarin.

The last number on the Chinese numerology chart, number nine, is all about good luck, fame and fortune. It phonetically sounds like the word everlasting in Mandarin and is also associated with an ancient Chinese emperor who chose to wear royal robes with nine dragons on them.

Go here to read the rest:
Guide to finding your lucky number with Chinese numerology - Lifestyle Asia Bangkok

#AskALibrarian (on Twitter)

Thursday, May 11, at 12:00 p.m.

Join librarians from Syosset Library and around the world on Twitter for #AskALibrarian to receive reading suggestions based on your requests. Must have a Twitter account to participate. Read a great book? Need a read-alike? Looking for your next book club choice? Use #AskALibrarian in your tweet.

Thursday, May 11, from 1:30 -3:30 p.m.

Learn about social work support, community health nursing, and assistance with transportation to medical appointments and a shopping bus, as well as other activities and services, offered to Syosset residents through the Naturally Occurring Retirement Community program funded by the NYS Office for the Aging. These services are only available to residents of Syosset proper, age 60 and over. For those living in the surrounding area, staff can provide referrals to other resources that may address your needs.

Thursday, May 11, at 2:00 p.m.

Jack Nicholson is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century, with twelve Academy Award nominations, making him the most nominated male actor in the Academys history. He won Best Actor twice. In this lecture we will look at his career and his iconic roles in some of his most famous films. No registration needed for in-person or Zoom. For Zoom link, go to syossetlibrary.org. Presenter, Greg Blank, film maker and film historian.

Thursday, May 11, at 7:30 p.m.

Grab your favorite beverage and zoom in to meet Nick Medina, author of Sisters of the Lost Nation.

Friday, May 12, at 11:00 a.m.

Feng Shui explores how your home and surroundings can affect your mindset, emotions, behavior and overall health. Learn how to combine the principles of Feng Shui and intuitive thinking to create powerful practical solutions to cultivate peace and harmony in your home. No registration needed. Presenter, Laura Cerrano, Feng Shui Manhattan.

Friday, May 12, at 2:00 p.m.

Join us for an afternoon movie at the library. Check our website for the movie that will be shown. Go to syossetlibrary.org.

Tuesday, May 16, from 5:00 8:00 p.m.

Sponsored by Nassau County Legislator, Arnold Drucker and made possible by the Nassau County Police Department, 2nd Precinct. Safely dispose of unwanted and expired medication. This will help keep potentially dangerous pharmaceuticals out of the hands of children and protect our groundwater and waterways. Accepted items are: prescription patches, prescription medications, prescription ointments, over the counter medications, vitamins, sample medications and medications for pets.

Non-accepted items are: needles, sharps, aerosol cans, thermometers, ointments (liquid or lotion), hydrogen peroxide, inhalers, biohazardous waste and medication from businesses

#AskALibrarian (on Twitter)

Thursday, May 18, at 12:00 p.m.

Join librarians from Syosset Library and around the world on Twitter for #AskALibrarian to receive reading suggestions based on your requests. Must have a Twitter account to participate. Read a great book? Need a read-alike? Looking for your next book club choice? Use #AskALibrarian in your tweet.

Name that Opera Part 2 (Hybrid)

Thursday, May 18, at 2:00 p.m.

Explore opera in unexpected ways. In this opera talk we will discuss how opera is used in popular culture, specifically movies and commercials. We will see opera clips from featured movies. No registration needed for in-person or Zoom. For Zoom link, go to syossetlibrary.org. Presenter, Tanisha Mitchell, MET Opera Singer, Librarian at Freeport Library and MET

Friday Movie at the Library: Barbra Streisand Month (In Person)

Friday, May 19, at 1:30 p.m.

Join us for an afternoon movie at the library. Check our website for the movie that will be shown. Go to syossetlibrary.org.

More:
This Week at the Syosset Library - The Jericho Syosset News Journal

A sofa is often the largest piece of furniture in a living room, with its placement having a big impact on the overall design, layout and feel of the space.

When exploring where to put a sofa, many of us only have a handful of options to choose from, but should we be avoiding placing a sofa in front of a door for successful feng shui furniture placement? We speak to the designers in the know.

In short, yes, a sofa can face the door, sometimes that may be the only viable option for your living room layout ideas for example, preventing a sofa from facing the door in a small living room with limited space may lead to an awkward layout that makes no sense.

The perfect sofa placement can vary depending on the size of your living room and the overall layout and design you are trying to create. So, to help you make the right design decision for the sofa in your living room (door-facing or not) we have spoken with a collection of interior designers who share their top tips for finding the perfect placement.

(Image credit: Knight Varga Interiors)

'Many sofas are placed in front of the longest wall in the room,' says Paul Fleming from Fleming and Howland (opens in new tab). As one of the most common areas to place a sofa, this positioning usually results in a door being at the side or in front of the sofa but usually not direct facing. Paul continues, 'while a door might be in your eyeline from the sofa in this spot, few actually choose to place their sofa directly opposite a door with nothing else in between.'

Furniture designer and founder of MENO Home, Jerri Hobdy (opens in new tab), also adds, 'generally if a sofa is a lower back and more contemporary, it may work well being floated in the space, and if it is a more traditional, upright and high-backed sofa, you may consider placing it along a wall to make sure you are not creating awkward levels within the room.'

If you're placing your sofa against the longest wall in the room, or by the wall where there are no architectural interruptions from windows or fireplaces, aim to position it so the door is at the side of your eye-line, rather than directly across.

Social Links Navigation

Paul Fleming is the 7th Generation owner of Fleming & Howland, a centuries old furniture manufacturer based in the UK renowned for their beautiful sofa designs.

Social Links Navigation

Denver-based furniture designer Jerri Hobdy is the founder of furniture label, MENO. Jerri previously worked as a product designer for Anthropologie, and has designed a large portion of the renowned brands unique furnishings.

(Image credit: Kimberley Harrison Interiors)

'Sofas should never be placed facing the door, but rather be placed in a central location facing the focal point of the room. The focal point does not need to be a TV, it could be a fireplace, a beautiful window with a view, or a stunning piece of artwork. Having the sofa flow with your focal point will create a more visually appealing and functional space,' advises Alyssa Hall, lead designer at Donna Mondi (opens in new tab) Interior Design.

This placement can work well in both small and large living rooms, one sofa can be placed directly in front of a focal point, such as a TV or fireplace, as shown in this gray living room designed by Kimberley Harrison Interiors (opens in new tab), or multiple sofas and seats can face one another surrounding the focal point; establishing an intimate and engaging seat space.

Social Links Navigation

Alyssa Hall is a lead interior designer at Donna Mondi Interiors, an award-winning design firm with locations in Chicago and Denver.

(Image credit: Julie Soefer)

'The only instance a sofa should face the door is in a small room. This is a simple way to effectively space plan the layout to ensure there is good flow within a small space,' says interior designer, Alyssa Hall.

If you're working with a small living room layout, London-based interior designer, Benjamin Ibanez (opens in new tab) advises, 'small room layouts often mean that your sofa will have to face the door, but this doesn't have to detract from the space. It simply means you have to pick the right size and type of sofa and be very specific about its positioning. A good option if you have the space is an L-shaped sofa, as this means you can make use of two walls and create an area within the room. You can then enhance this design with an area rug pushed up against the sofa to clearly divide the living room.'

In a larger living room, to help the space feel more snug, it is often advised to move your furniture away from the walls, and establish a seating zone in the center of the larger room (or around a focal point). This well help create a cozy seat space, and can divide the larger area into smaller, more inviting sections.

Social Links Navigation

Benjamin Ibanez is a senior interior designer at FCI Interior Design, an award-winning design firm based in London. Originally hailing from Spain, Ben manages design projects around the globe, including the US, UAE, India and Africa.

(Image credit: Margaret Ash Design)

NYC-based interior designer, Isfira Jensen (opens in new tab) says, 'when it comes to determining the layout of furnishings, specifically a sofa, the main consideration should be how the sofa (and the room) is intended to be used.

'If the space will be used primarily for entertaining guests, facing the sofa towards the door will create an inviting and welcoming atmosphere. However, if the intent is to use the room for relaxation or watching TV, facing it away from the door and towards the TV, can help create a more private and comfortable environment.'

We all use our homes differently, and thinking carefully about the room in which your sofa will be used day in and day out, as well as what other furniture will be placed in the space, will help you decide on the best spot and most functional layout.

Social Links Navigation

Interior Designer Isfira Jensen is the CEO and principal designer of NYC-based design firm, Nufacet Interiors.

(Image credit: Jaqui Seerman)

When creating a successful design, their are many design principles that interior designers follow to establish a harmonious and well-thought out scheme, such as balance, rhythm, repetition and symmetry.

Balance refers to distributing the right visual weight around the room, this can be everything from furniture to paint ideas, lighting and accessories, and is a principle used to help to guide the eye around the room, ensuring there is a good sense of flow.

As interior designer, Alyssa Hall says, 'the sofa should be placed in a way that balances the room and creates a good flow of traffic. Avoid placing it in a way that blocks any natural paths or creates awkward angles.'

When deciding on your sofa position, it is important to bear these principles in mind, and assess how the sofa works with the other design elements in the room.

Interior designer, Isfira Jensen also supports this and says, 'special consideration should always be given to traffic flow in a room when space planning. If the sofa faces the door yet blocks the flow of traffic, making it difficult for people to move around the room comfortably, it's likely better to place the sofa against a wall.'

It is often perceived that placing a sofa in front of a window is a design faux-pas, as the view from the window should be appreciated rather than ignored. However, as we have discussed, every space is different, and as Benjamin Ibanez explains, a sofa under a window can actually make for a successful room layout.

'If possible, the ideal placement of a sofa is with its back against the window. Not only do you negate any glare from the window while sitting on the sofa, but your sofa can really shine in the natural light. And don't worry about the light affecting the color or lifespan of your sofa, if you're investing in one of the best couches, is will be built to look fantastic throughout its lifetime.

If your living room opens up to a window at the back for example, placing your sofa underneath the window while facing the door makes the most sense, as this will draw the eye to the natural light source and the central seat space. To avoid blocking light from a low-set window, choose a low-profile sofa design.'

Feng shui in interior design refers to the ancient Chinese practice that roots itself in the philosophy of how arranged objects and certain colors can affect the overall harmony and balance of a room, with good feng shui establishing an overall positive and inviting energy in a space, also know as, Chi.

In terms of the right couch placement for successful feng shui, your sofa should be placed in a position that enhances the overall flow of the room, rather than acting as an obstacle.

It is also advised for harmonious feng shui that a couch is to be placed against a wall, helping to establish a more grounding, stable and supporting atmosphere.

Paul Flemming from Fleming and Howland concludes, 'it can be tricky to decide where the best placement for a sofa is in a room with many debating whether a sofa can face the door. But overall, yes, a sofa can face the door, and it can actually offer a warm welcome, especially in small rooms.'

Whether you opt to have your sofa away from the door in a larger living room, or embrace a door-facing placement in a smaller space, as long as the placement works in harmony with the overall design and size of your space, that is all that matters.

Read more:
Should a sofa face the door? Expert advice from designers | - Homes & Gardens