Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Editor:

The recently enacted Bethany Town Council ordinance regarding new driveway material requirements (permeable paving products) is flawed in its intent and legislative process.

I put the word enacted into quotes because the council in its own words, tabled the ordinance and, somehow, finalized it at the same time. Tabling legislation as defined in Roberts Rules of Order and every other parliamentary procedure and law, is a means to suspend consideration of legislation for further consideration, not enact it. Apparently, thats not what happens in Bethany Beach, Del.

Furthermore, the promulgation of the ordinance was woefully insufficient. As required by law, the public hearing for proposed law was printed in the newspaper of record and the hearing was open to the public. So unless you were at the hearing or happened to read the newspaper legal notices, you had no way of knowing the ordinance was enacted.

Last fall, I began the long and tedious process of finding a contractor to replace a 40-year-old stone driveway with a concrete one. During those months, I dutifully consulted with the town building inspector, who was very helpful with my design. Finally, this last May, I finalized a deal with a concrete contractor who has done a lot of private work in Bethany Beach.

Earlier this month, my contractor submitted a request for a building permit to the building inspector. To his and my surprise (and disbelief), the permit was denied. The new ordinance was in now in effect. The contractor, who has done many concrete projects for the town, had no idea that the driveway requirements had changed nor the availability and cost of permeable products.

I immediately called the building inspector, who understood my concern but was powerless to provide any remedy. I then checked the Town website to research the ordinance. Incredibly, the newly enacted ordinance was not listed in the list of council hearing minutes or the list of recently enacted ordinances, so, I tried to call and email the mayor or any council member. None of them have phone numbers and, unbelievably, the email links did not work, not even to the town manager.

Other than the building inspector, the only person to answer the phone was the towns office receptionist. She actually had to separately contact the assistant town manager to ask her to call me. And the assistant manager did call, offering her apology for what had happened to my permit, and tried to assure me that the ordinance was somehow properly enacted and promulgated. I strongly disagreed.

After talking to the assistant town manager, I researched permeable paving products. Ironically, I learned that both permeable concrete and pavers will eventually clog up, and require regular maintenance to remain permeable. And, not surprising, both are a lot more expensive.

Faced with this new ordinance, I suspect that most people will now stay with cheaper stone driveways, even though the use of herbicides will increase enormously. Just another unintended consequence of ill-conceived legislation. Too bad.

Harold Smith

Bethany Beach

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Reader takes issue with ordinance | Letters to the editor | coastalpoint.com - Coastal Point

LARCHMONT, NY The price of the benefits of fresh asphalt and a smooth tarmac on Larchmont streets will be a little extra planning on commuters' and homeowners' parts for a few days.

The Village of Larchmont announced that road paving will be taking place from Monday, July 25 - Friday July 29.

The affected roads will be:

Residents of these streets will not have access to their driveways between the hours of 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., from Monday, July 25 to Friday, July 29. Affected residents are encouraged to find alternative locations for storage of vehicles during road work hours if they need use of their cars.

Residents of Ervilla Drive will be affected by similar closure conditions due to paving on Monroe.

Larchmont Public Works will distribute notices to all affected residents in the next few days.

The Larchmont Police Department will assist with traffic control.

For more information, you can contact the Public Works Department at 914-834-6965.

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Larchmont Road Paving Work Will Add Some Excitement To The Workweek - Patch

Sentara Obici Hospitals parking lots and access roads are in the midst of a $1 million repaving this summer.

Its the first time since the hospital opened in 2000 that they have been repaved. Blair Brothers Paving of Suffolk is doing the work, which involves milling two inches off the old surface and laying down more than 7,800 tons of new and recycled asphalt on 71,000-square-yards of parking lots, according to Sentara Healthcare spokesman Dale Gauding.

There will also be fresh, new striping to clearly mark parking spaces, crosswalks and wayfinding aids for safety. Some of the decorative pavers that have shifted out of place over the years due to repeated freezing and thawing, and that have created a trip hazard, will be removed.

Temporary signs are in place to direct patients and visitors to areas open for parking during the project.

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Obici hospital is repaving parking lots this summer - The Suffolk News-Herald - Suffolk News-Herald

Market Overview

Some of the factors that are driving the global market for block paving are its ease of installation and durability with minimum maintenance. It also improves the appearance of any property, making it a popular alternative to concrete and asphalt surfacing. The industry has been boosted by the rising demand for concrete and clay building bricks. The residential sector is the most common application of this type of paving since it provides the user with a great atmosphere and comfort. During the projected period, the worldwide block paving industry is expected to rise at a breakneck pace. Block paving, which is built of diverse materials such as clay and concrete, is one of the most durable and popular surfacing solutions. Blocks are cut to a specific shape, which is usually square or rectangular and can be set out in straight lines or twisted patterns, according to the users desire.

Smart city initiatives are driving demand for Block Paving Market, thanks to increased government spending on high-quality roads and highways for quick movement of goods and passengers even from remote locations to all major cities around the world to improve the quality and stretch of roads and highways. The rising need for road traffic will necessitate continuing road construction and development in both urban and rural areas, as well as driving demand in the global market.

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Market Segmentation

Based on the Product, the market has been segmented into Pavers, Glazed Clay Bricks, and Wall Block.

Based on the Material, the market has been segmented into Clay, Building Bricks, and Concrete.

Based on the End-use, the market has been segmented into Structural, Hardscaping, Sliding, Fireplace, and others.

Based on the market Region, the market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World.

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Regional Classification

The largest market for block paving is North America. The demand for brick and block products in the United States is expected to rise as a result of increased housing construction. Europe and the Asia Pacific come in second and third, respectively. APAC, on the other hand, is the fastest developing area. The region is seeing greater infrastructure investment as well as government backing for economic development. End-user preferences are evolving, which supports this. Concrete pavers will be the fastest increasing product, followed by common, glazed, and other clay bricks. In addition, other growing economies, such as those in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, are seeing a surge in demand for infrastructure development. Rapid urbanization in these areas necessitates the construction of structures and amenities at a faster and lower cost without sacrificing quality. The Block Paving Market in these nations has the potential to grow due to increased government investments in infrastructure.

Industry News

The major key players in the market are McBride Construction, Palmetto Corp, Superior Asphalt Inc., Premier Pavers & Stone, Tobermore, Kilsaran International, Marshalls PLC, Brett Landscaping & Building Products, and Paving Superstore. To meet the needs of the Block Paving Market, these companies used diverse methods such as new product introductions, expansion and divestment, and mergers and acquisitions.

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Block Paving Market Size, Share 2022 Analysis by Demand Status, Growth Outlook by Regional Segments, Top Companies and Dynamics Forecast to 2030 -...

Asphalt Additives Market: Introduction

Transparency Market Research delivers key insights on the globalasphalt additives market. In terms of revenue, the global asphalt additives market is estimated to expand at a CAGR of6%during the forecast period, owing to numerous factors regarding which TMR offers thorough insights and forecasts in its report on the global asphalt additives market.

The global asphalt additives market is broadly affected by several factors, including rise in usage of asphalt additives in Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP). Thus, increase in applications of asphalt additives in RAP is propelling the global asphalt additives market.

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Asphalt Additives Market: Dynamics

Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) is a mixture of approximately95%of stones with sand or gravel bound together by asphalt binder. The asphalt binder is heated to more than 150C. It is then mixed and combined in an HMA facility. The hot mix asphalt is a widely used type of asphalt across the world, due to its flexibility and resistance to weather conditions and water.

Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) is manufactured at temperatures more than 90C, but below HMA temperatures. This involves the use of additional binding materials and additives, including emulsions and zeolites, for easier pouring and spreading at low temperatures. WMA is more eco-friendly and less costly than HMA.

Cold Mix Asphalt (CMA) is produced by emulsifying the asphalt in water with surfactants, prior to mixing it with the aggregate. The emulsified asphalt mixture is easy to work and compact in nature due to its lower viscosity. The asphalt sets as soon as enough water evaporates and the emulsion breaks.

Asphalt is the most extensively used road construction & paving material, followed by concrete. Asphalt roads and pavements are known for their durability and resilience. Asphalt road construction projects can be completed in a shorter time as compared to projects with other materials.

Bricks, pavers, cobblestone, concrete, permeable paving, gravel and cement are some substitutes that are being increasingly employed in place of bitumen. Concrete is the highest consumed product for construction and maintenance of roads.

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Asphalt Additives Market: Prominent Regions

Asia Pacific was a leading region of the global asphalt additives market in2020. The region is estimated to continue to dominate the global asphalt additives market during the forecast period. Rise in investments in road construction due to the growth in population and increase in road traffic in developing countries such as China and India is likely to drive the asphalt additives market in the region.

In terms of consumption, Asia Pacific is followed by Europe and North America. Europe accounted for moderate share of the global asphalt additives market in2020. The road building industry in Europe is expected to expand due to the strengthening economy of countries in the region. This is leading to an increase in construction activities and investments and jobs in Europe. Thus, Europe accounts for key share of the global asphalt additives market. Increase in demand for export of products containing asphalt additives, especially for making pulp and paper, is propelling the asphalt additives market in the region.

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Asphalt Additives Market: Key Players

The global asphalt additives market is fragmented with the presence of a large number of players. Key players operating in the global asphalt additives market are Nouryon, Arkema, BASF SE, Arrmaz, Grupo Dynasol, Ingevity, Iterchimica, MCASPHALT, China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation, ATDM Co., Cargill, Inc., Birkshire Engineering Supplies, Engineered Additive LLC, Kao Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., Petrochem Specialties, Huntsman International LLC, Evonik Industries AG, Sasol Ltd., Dupont De Nemours, Inc., Dow, and Kraton Corporation.

Global Asphalt Additives Market: Segmentation

Asphalt Additives Market, by Technology

Asphalt Additives Market, by Type

Asphalt Additives Market, by Application

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Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insights for thousands of decision-makers, made possible by experienced teams of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants. The proprietary data sources and various tools & techniques we use always reflect the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in all of its business reports.

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Asphalt Additives Market Secret Factors Behind the Growth in New Research On Top Players 2021-2031 Travel Adventure Cinema - Travel Adventure Cinema

According to the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) analysis of the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data,nonresidential construction input prices for materials and services increased 1.1% between May 2022 and June 2022. In total, prices have increased 16.8% since June 2021.

Changes in material prices include:

Contractor bids, the AGC said, are not able to keep pace with increases. And it appears that material prices will continue their upward march.

During a July 14 Roundtable entitled Inflation Crisis Impacts on Infrastructure" held bythe Republicans on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the witnesses who testified agreed with this sentiment.

Representative Sam Graves (R-MO), who chaired the Roundtable said: its possible and even likely that the bad economic news is going to get worse, and that (t)he Biden administration has left inflation completely unchecked.

While State DOTs are accustomed to doing more work with less money, the stress they are feeling due to price increases and the supply chain are forcing companies to lose business. What's more, the dollars from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) are not even coming close to making an impact due to inflation.

Inflation is hitting the pocketbook of every American, and its hitting the transportation and construction industries particularly hard, Graves said. As a result, inflation is eroding the value of the infrastructure laws funding and causing states to delay or cancel projects."

The challenges contractors face as inflation remains at historic levels, as infrastructure dollars decline in value and as projects become more and more difficult to carry out, are far reaching.

George Palko, president of Great Lakes Construction Company and current AGC Highway Transportation Division Chairman, told the panel that in recent months inflation-related cost overruns led to his firm having three bids rejected by Ohio DOT.

"Being a contractor, we are experiencing construction inflation and the impacts of not getting jobs awarded," Palko said. "We are seeing vendors and subcontractors walking away because of what costs really are by the time a job gets awarded."

One of the jobs Great Lakes bid on was a project in Cincinnati that they estimated would cost $270 million. The Ohio DOT had estimated it at $180 million, making it clear that project estimates are not keeping up with inflation.

"Those estimated numbers constitute the states budgets for the year for their transportation programs," Palko said. "If we are going to continue to exceed budgets and estimates by 15, 20 even 50 percent, how are we going to show the public that we are putting additional work into place? That's a major concern of ours."

With prices rising, contractors are facing extreme challenges in bidding out work for the longterm projects the IIJA calls for and the problem is twofold. Projects that are happening right now are experiencing financial hardships due to the supply chain and projects that have three to four year timelines are being bid with prices as they stand today - making them much more expensive.

"Prior contracts, in terms of contractors, are not being impacted by construction inflation if they were sold prior to six months ago," Palko said. "It's the supply chain that is dictating more of a problem on prior contracts. For projects that have been sold within the last six months through today, the problem is definitely construction inflation. With vendors and subcontractors changing terms from quoting us a firm price at the time of delivery, to quoting us a price at the time of bidding to time of actual delivery. So if we aren't going to put in a steel pipe in place until two years from now, we are guessing what the price will be and building it into our price that we submit to the DOT."

And the demand to lock prices and contracts in place is extreme.

"There is a pressure to commit to a job sooner rather than later especially as there is a 40-50% price increase on the top items we use on these projects," Dr. Shawn Wilson,secretary of the LouisianaDepartment of Transportation said. "If there is a multi-year project, you will see instability in pricing and in material availability. The answer isn't necessarily to pay more, but maybe to extend the time or to allow alternative materials to get through this."

Right now, suppliers are also only guaranteeing prices for shorter windows of time.

"We need to get projects moving faster because of this," Wilson says. "We need to give reassurance and give advancenotification for contractors to be able to proceed with these commitments."

Witnesses of the Roundtable included representatives from the National Stone Sand and Gravel Association, American Trucking Associations, Associated General Contractors of America, National Association of Manufacturers, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Virginia Department of Emergency Management and City of Wilmington, NC.

The Roundtable witnesses and the AGC have called on public officials to take measures to curb rising prices, particularly since they are impacting the affordability of public infrastructure projects. Government agencies, the AGC said, should address supply chain issues, and the Biden administration should remove construction material tariffs that are contributing to rising prices."

"The more materials prices increase, the harder it will be for public officials to build new schools, roads and other infrastructure," said Stephen Sandherr, the AGC's CEO. "Taking steps to address rising materials prices will help construction employers and taxpayers alike."

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Graves: Expect Infrastructure Costs & Inflation to Get Worse - For Construction Pros

Pallet furniture may not be the best decor choice.Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Insider asked interior designers which decor trends rarely look as good in real life.

Even though they may appear clean in photos, all-white rooms call for a lot of upkeep.

Painted kitchen appliances and cabinets hardly hold up to common wear and tear.

All-white aesthetics never look as clean as they do on social media.

All-white rooms require a lot of upkeep.adpePhoto/Shutterstock

An all-white aesthetic may look polished in pictures, but Stacy Lewis, interior designer at Eternity Modern, told Insider that they don't show the whole story.

"When everything is brand new the paint, the couch covers, pillows, curtains, etc. the space truly looks, smells, and feels peaceful and heavenly," Lewis explained. "Give it a few weeks, and the vibe changes a lot."

The designer added that this style choice takes a lot of work to keep clean, especially if you have pets or kids.

Contact-paper countertops reveal imperfections.

Contact paper is commonly used on kitchen backsplashes and countertops.MaxkyTH/Shutterstock

Adding contact paper to countertops is a DIY trend, but interior designer Hilda Carroll said it's a choice worth reconsidering.

"In reality, it will take a great deal of time and precision to apply the contact paper perfectly," she explained. "The most likely result is a finish that has bubbles and maybe even creases."

Though she added that these flaws are less noticeable with the marble design than with the butcher-block pattern.

Pallet furniture may not be very comfortable.

Pallet furniture can also sometimes have splinters.bodiaphvideo/Shutterstock

Pallet furniture minimalist pieces mainly made of wood may look creative and relaxing, but Andra DelMonico, lead interior designer at Trendey, said to approach the trend with caution.

"On social media and in pictures, pallet-wood furniture looks creative and comfortable with its large seating areas and plush pillows thrown on top," DelMonico said. "However, in real life, these sofas and chairs aren't that comfortable."

These pieces don't include springs like traditional furniture and lack support since many people buy pillows instead of seat cushions with a firm interior.

Don't skimp and paint your kitchen appliances.

Story continues

If you can afford it, you're better off buying a colored appliance.Olena Gaidarzhy/Shutterstock

Instead of painting refrigerators and turning them into creative canvases, DelMonico recommended splurging on a colored appliance.

"If you want a colored, large kitchen appliance, just commit and buy one. Don't try to paint your current appliances," she told Insider.

You'd need to prepare and prime the surface before adding any paint, and even then, a brush or sponge can leave a streaky finish. Plus the coat likely won't hold up against scrubbing and cleaning in the long term.

Dark spaces can have noticeable flaws.

Dark bathrooms are a popular design choice.HamsterMan/Shutterstock

Dark, moody bathrooms are trendy, but photos don't always reveal how difficult the upkeep can be, according to Hillary Stamm at HMS Interiors.

If you are going to opt for the trend, be mindful about where you include it.

"In children's bathrooms or any spaces that get heavy traffic, this can be a poor choice, as any nick or dent will show quickly," she explained. "A month after installation, we have a dented and banged-up, albeit new bathroom."

Accent walls are not always a good fit.

Accent walls can make a room feel unfinished.KUPRYNENKO ANDRII/Shutterstock

Julie Brayton, lead designer of Brayton Interiors, told Insider that no matter how trendy and fun an accent wall might seem, it may not be a good fit from a design perspective.

"While these can photograph nicely, oftentimes it really throws off the balance in a room when you're actually in it and can make the room feel unfinished and unconsidered," Brayton said.

You can still make a statement with other forms of art or unique decor.

Shabby-chic sofas require a lot of maintenance.

The cushions often slide off of shabby-chic furniture.Enrika Samulionyte/Shutterstock

Pieces that look lived-in, shabby-chic sofas can be challenging to take care of, according to Morgan Blinn, interior designer at Rumor Designs.

"Shabby chic sofas are all over TikTok right now. The worn-in look is great in photos, as they are staged for the moment, but in real life, this style sofa takes a lot of upkeep for something that is marketed to be 'effortlessly' chic," Blinn explained.

The cushions on these pieces often slip, so you'll likely need to consistently readjust them. Though some higher-end products include straps to keep them in place.

Mismatched dining chairs tend to look more confusing than chic.

This trend may make your dining room look messy.KatarzynaBialasiewicz/Getty Images

It might seem like mismatched dining chairs add variety and personality to a room, but interior designer Leah Atkins of Leah Atkins Design said this choice can look unintentional.

"Mismatched dining chairs are a cool idea in theory and can look fun and eclectic in pictures, but they tend to look messy in real life," Atkins said. "It just looks like you are living in a shared college living space where everyone brought their own chair."

Instead, opt for a matching set that fits the aesthetic of your space.

Painted kitchen cabinets usually look "too good to be true" in pictures.

The paint may not look great over time.David Papazian/Shutterstock

Many folks paint their kitchen cabinets when they need an upgrade, but Devin Shaffer, lead interior designer at Decorilla, advised thinking twice about this DIY project.

He said usually the trend looks "too good to be true."

"Oftentimes photos of people's DIY projects are taken right after they finish their project," Shaffer explained. "In the case of painted cabinets, they'll quickly start to peel, the dry paint will show bumps and drip lines, and will eventually lose their shine as grime and dirt start to collect on the improperly finished surface."

Reupholstering furniture might not be worth the hassle.

It may be worth hiring someone to reupholster it for you.LOOK Photography/Getty Images

Shaffer told Insider that reupholstering furniture rarely ends up being as easy and seamless as it looks on social media.

"Shoving cushion filling into a vintage seating piece will turn into a mess, and I can guarantee you that about five minutes into the project, you'll get frustrated and end up discarding the entire piece and fabric," Shaffer said.

Even though he said reupholstered pieces "definitely look fabulous," he instead recommended buying a new sofa or chair, or hiring a professional to do the job, if your budget allows.

Read the original article on Insider

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Interior designers share 10 popular trends that never look as good in real life - Yahoo! Voices

The 50 States Project is a series of candid conversations with interior designers across the country about how theyve built their businesses. This week, Bozeman, Montanabased designer Susie Hoffmann of Envi Interior Design Studio tells us how working for Clodagh influenced her career trajectory, how Hurricane Katrina forced her to pivot her business plans and her vision for finding a sustainable life-work balance.

Did you always know you wanted to be a designer?I look back on it now and its such a perfect fit, but the path that led me to Parsons feels somewhat arbitrary. I have always been a creative person, and I studied fine arts and English at Stanford, which is kind of an unusual choice, because Stanford is known as a technical school or for science. I majored in painting, but I really didnt know where that would leadI just knew that was my passion. After college, I went into advertising on the suggestion of people who said, Oh, thats a creative industry, maybe thats what you might be interested in. But I wasnt at all interested in it, and I found it sort of shallow.

Its also not that creative, depending on what youre working on.I know. The thing I liked about it was the people I worked with, who were amazing. It was 1998 in San Francisco, just when the whole dot-com industry was bursting on the scene, and the company I worked for was in tech. It was fun, but we worked hard and we worked late hoursand at the end of the day, it was an ad. I just didnt find any gratification in that.

That ad agency was [located along] this long road of furniture showrooms, and thats how I realized I just wanted to look at furniture. I thought, I love this. This is whats drawing my attention when Im not at work. So I looked into the Parsons program and made the leap in 2000, and once I was there, I knew it was the perfect fit. I loved everything about it, from materials to space planning to lightingeverything. And I still do.

What happened after Parsons?I was in my 20s when I was at Parsons, so I was ready to be working, and I started an internship at Bogdanow Partners, an architectural firm that focused mainly on hospitalityrestaurants and hotels. That internship led to a great full-time job that set my career path. After a couple years there, I became interested in the more meaningful aspects of designhow design might lead to wellness and a better life experience.

You were early to that. I feel like everyone wants to talk about wellness now.What happened was, I had a really serious health issue that just stopped me in my tracks. It was the kind of thing that makes you reevaluate your life. At first I was like, Wait, why am I doing design? How can I help other people? Then it became, Wait, design can help other people.

Ottomans in a bright berry hue add a playful element to a sophisticated neutral interior.Audrey Hall

How did you fold those wellness principles into your work?I went to work for Clodagh, who has always been at the forefront of that. I wanted to learn from her, so I applied for a job and was there for the next few years of my career. That was incredibly formative for meshe introduced these concepts that I hadnt learned at Parsons, and that I hadnt really learned in the hospitality world, either. Where before I had been using color to create fun short-term experiences, now I was looking at, How does your home affect your health? How does everything around you affect your well-being? Her firm was really an amazing place to work for that. She was teaching us about feng shui and chromotherapyand also things that I dont continue to employ in my work, like energy workers to rid a space of spirits. But a lot of that is still with me, because I do have a very intuitive sense of space and energy and how things work.

Meanwhile, my whole family had moved to Montana, and I just fell in love with it out here. I had been working in Clodaghs offices in New York, and there was a spa project in New Mexico, and I was like, I really want to be on the New Mexico project. I was just so drawn to the West. But the experience of coming to Montana wasnt quite as intentional. While I was in New York, I fell in love with a guy who moved to New Orleans to start a business there. I had always known I wanted to start my own business, so I moved to New Orleans to do itbut I moved three weeks before Hurricane Katrina. It was a nightmare. I came to Montana because thats where my family wasthis is where I evacuated to. I was here for six weeks, then went back to New Orleans, and it was a disaster. I realized I wasnt up for starting a business there. There was the prospect of being a part of the rebuild, but it was too much for me. I had only half moved in, so many of my things were still in boxes. So I came back out to Montana, briefly worked for a firm, and then started the business here in 2006.

How did you get those first clients after launching your firm?When I first moved out here, I was like, Gosh, is this career suicide? I mean, I had just come from working in New York for one of the top designers in the world. Meanwhile, it was all about rustic timber-log construction here in Montana, which was not my jam. But its actually been an amazing place to start a businessand I was oddly ahead of the curve, right? Montanas booming now, and it has been for a while, but it was not quite there in 2006, and what I was really trying to do was introduce a new concept and style of design altogether.

One of the first projects that launched the business came through Clodagh. It was a project she was working on out here, and she asked me if I could finish it for her. That was my breakthrough project in Montana, and it kind of started the business, which was amazing, because everyone needs one of those.

A plush gingham mount and the live-edge drawer of the nightstand nod to the West in a daughters bedroom in Yellowstone ClubAudrey Hall

Two local artists in Big Sky, Montana, combined hair-on-hide leather and vintage skis for an installation inspired by the nearby slopes.Audrey Hall

Left: A plush gingham mount and the live-edge drawer of the nightstand nod to the West in a daughters bedroom in Yellowstone Club Audrey Hall | Right: Two local artists in Big Sky, Montana, combined hair-on-hide leather and vintage skis for an installation inspired by the nearby slopes. Audrey Hall

Who were those early clients who said, We want something differentwe dont want the fancy log cabin?My first project like that is still on my websiteits the Whitefish Pool House. I met the clients through word of mouth, and they were building this Japanese-inspired pool house that was intended to be a wellness center and art gallery all in one. That concept was perfectly aligned with my philosophy and education about wellness and spa design, and there was no one else out here doing remotely the same thing. I was so youngI was 30, but I feel like I was really young thenand they trusted me with that project and were still in touch. I feel like they took a chance on me, and it was an amazing thing to be able to launch my business with a project that was and continues to be very highly regarded.

Was residential always your main focus once you launched your firm?Its been a mix. Weve done a number of restaurant-lodge projects in the Big Sky area, a golf clubhouse and lodge, and were working on a dining lodge, but the majority of work has turned to residential. I still have a passion for spa design, so if anything ever comes across my desk, Im like, Yes! Remarkably, there hasnt been much, but I imagine that will changethe fact that theres not really a destination spa in this area is crazy. But for the most part, Ive learned to take the ideas from spa and wellness spaces and apply them to the home.

When I moved here from New York, I was really blown away by all of the buildings in downtown Bozeman that were not being used to their full potential. In New York, you have all these amazing lofts and buildings that are repurposed for living, but no one was doing that here. Youd see these cool buildings on Main Street with the upstairs just sitting there dilapidated, and no one wanted to do anything with it. So I started doing loft designs, both here in Bozeman and also Billings. Those were early clients as well. After some of those clients, it was a natural progression toward high-end residential. Weve done a lot of work up in the Yellowstone Club, and now were starting to work outside of Montana quite a bitin Cabo, Mexico, and in Pacific Heights in San Francisco.

Are these mostly vacation homes?In Montana, most of these homes are not primary homesthough its changed, because so many people are moving here. Right now, my projects are about 50/50.

Was the pandemic the turning point?People flocked out here during the pandemic for obvious reasons. But Im also thinking of a client who has two homes in Montana; they had a home in California, they sold it, and now we were building them another home in Montana thats going to be their primary residence. Thats crazy, right? Some people come out here to their secondary home, realize how much they love it, and say, When I retireor when Im done raising my kidsIm going to move to Montana as my primary residence. Were also doing a home in San Francisco that is a primary residence, but I did their second home here in Montana first.

Is there a difference in your approach when designing a vacation home?Its a different mentality. In a vacation home, you have a license to have a little more fun and maybe be a little less practical. For the home youre going to be living in, you have to consider how youre living day to day and you cant do something that youre going to get sick of. It cant be too on-trend. Theres a timelessness to the primary home that you may not get into as much with a secondary home. If you think about it, its the same mentality as hospitality, right? Its short-term. A restaurant can be super colorfulits flashy, you enjoy it for two hours, and then you leave. Its the same kind of thing. You dont put something like that in the home youre living in every day because it might drive you crazy, but you can do something like that for a home youre in two weeks out of the year. I think people are often looking for something that has a little more edge or more fun.

Hoffman says the shades of blue on the kitchen cabinetry and backsplash tile in this mountain home draw from the azure skies and sense of fun of a bluebird powder day, where the sun comes out after a storm.Audrey Hall

How did the aesthetic you wanted to bring to Montana catch on?It started by just firmly rejecting anything Western. Im more apt to embrace the Mountain West a little bit now, but at first I think I was just trying to make a statement. I designed a Montana home for the Bernhardts of Bernhardt Furniture and Bernhardt Design, which was a huge honor. But I remember Anne Bernhardt called me and said, The older I get, I just get more and more contemporary. And there werent any designers out here that were doing that.

Now, I think its so important to have the context of Montanawere here, so lets embrace the palette and the materials. But you can do that without going too far in the Western direction and in a way that is still forward-thinking and contemporary. We can draw inspiration from Scandinavia, and it can still be Montanait can still be a mountain house, but it doesnt have to be the American Mountain West. Why not look to whats been happening in Switzerland for centuries?

Where does the firm name come from?When I started the firm, I had put the words interior and environments together in one string of letters in gray. The E-N-V-I kind of stood out, so I made that black. And then I was like, OK, Envi. That was my concept: its not just design, its the environment. Its everything.

White blankets of fresh snow inspired this primary bedroom's palette and layers of textures.Audrey Hall

When did you start hiring, and how did the firm grow and evolve?I had an assistant helping me almost from the beginning. Then when I had my first baby in 2014, we started to grow. I had a designer working for me, and then I brought on an architect and a business manager. As the business has grown, its been a delicate balanceIm still trying to work out, Whats the right size? I prefer smaller to larger. I feel like the larger you are, the more youre managing people and the less youre focusing on design.

Staffing has always been hard in Montana, and the pandemic only made it harder. I had almost 100 percent turnovertheres been a global shift, and it seems like were making life decisions differently, whether its, Im going to go out on my own, or, I dont want to work this much anymore, or, Im going to move back to Indiana.

Montana also draws a lot of people who are psyched about coming to the outdoors, but I dont think people understand the kind of design happening here, too, which is really high-level and actually quite incredible. I think if designers in New York knew that they could come to Montana and still have a great career, Id have better luck finding designer staff. Id love to get the word out: Design is here, and yes, were hiring. We have eight people now, but itd be better if there were 11 of us. We need senior designers.

What are you outsourcing and what are you hiring for to make sure you can keep designing and stay small?Well, I just hired this incredible new studio director. We have very similar backgroundswe were at Parsons at the same time, but we didnt know each otherand he came out here for another job but quickly recognized that the design world here was on fire. I brought him in to help rebuild my team, because I had all these incredible projects and no one to help me. Were now looking at this as a great opportunity to restructure and find the perfect balance. Is that two design teams that we have working under me, or is it just one? How many projects do we really need so that were not going crazy? Its been a challenging time to do design worktheres not only a ton of work, but also supply chain shortages, contractors have staffing issues, everythings taking forever, and everythings twice as expensive. Its been an interesting period of trying to reflect and understand what the balance should be. To be honest, I dont think I know what it is yet but Im working on it.

Beams overhead nod to the raw beauty of an expansive view.Audrey Hall

Do you see yourself moving toward fewer projects?Absolutely. I find that the projects that I really love are the ones where you can just dive inbringing this long-term project to life over a couple of yearsso I think the idea is to stay small and be a boutique firm. But its hard as a business owner to say no. I have colleagues who are like, I just cant say no, and theyre driving themselves crazyits maddening when youre dealing with staffing and working all the time. I have four children and I live on a ranch, and I cant be working all the time if I want to enjoy that. I feel lucky to be able to do this and to support my family and to have this life, but I also need that balance. Somehow, there is a ratio out there of projects to staff to life balance, and were working through it.

How many projects do you have in the works right now?We have four really big ones, and then a small, scattered group that were just trying to finish up.

Do you think you would have been asking yourself these same questions without the pandemic? Ive always been asking those questions, but I had a much better balance before the pandemic. I only worked four days a week, but now I work every day.

Just because of the volume of work?Just because I dont have the help, really. And the volume, the size of the projects. I mean, theres going to be crazy success that comes from it, because the projects that Im finishing up at the end of this year are, for me, next level. Theyre bonkers amazing. So as hard as its been, I hope theres some reward at the end. And then whatever the next steps are will have the significance of having gone through these couple of years.

Just like the fresh snow, this dining space is designed to sparkle. A kid-friendly table remains stylish with lightweight, low-maintenance Poliform chairs in leather, which are easily moved when the space transforms for cocktail hour.Audrey Hall

When the world sees the stuff youre working on right now, what do you want to happen next?Im really excited for the breadth of work were doing. Its not just to Montana, and its not just contemporary style in Montanait is contemporary Envi Design style in Mexico. Its so exciting to be able to live here and appreciate the lifestyle and the beauty of Montana, but also explore different styles and types of architecture. Working in Mexico is a whole new world, really. I mean, youre building for hurricanes, so everything is concrete. Right now, Im looking at this incredible encaustic tile for that project. We dont have that here, and I dont know that I could use it hereit doesnt really make sense in Montanabut its fun to be able to use different tools, materials and ideas there. Hopefully, it leads to other interesting projects that take us elsewhere.

How have the resources available in Montana shaped the kind of work you do?We dont have many resourcesthere are more and more coming, but we still have to travel quite a bit to understand whats happening in the design world. We use the design center in San Francisco quite a bit, and I just took the whole team to Salone [del Mobile] in Italy to see whats new. And then in terms of materials that are specific to here, like stone thats quarried nearby, I think its really exciting. Look, there are some materials that I think are way overused, like corral board, which is just reclaimed wood from a corral. And, you know, its beautiful in its own way, but Im just like, We dont need to see that again.

How have you approached billing for your work?We bill hourly and then mark up our furniture. I dont know if thats the best system, and I wish it were simpler. The thing with construction and design is its so fluid, so I feel like fixed fees dont make sense because you just dont know where youre going to end up. But at the same time, I honestly wonder if there is an easier way. I think it would be so much easier for the designer and for the client to just say, Heres the size of your project, heres how long its going to take. Itll cost you $30,000 a month. A monthly retainer, and then you dont have to track your time, and theyre not asking you what you were doing. You just say, This is what its going to cost per month. I dont know if anybody works that way, but that, to me, would make the most sense. It would just be amazing.

What does success look like for you?Honestly, right now success looks like more time at home with my family and being able to just relax and enjoy what Ive built. One interesting aspect to my life is that I run this high-end fashion-focused design firm, yet I live on a ranch with donkeys, chickens and horses. My husbands, like, a cowboy, and we are raising four children. So its a pretty big balancecountry mouse and city mousebut its awesome, and I love it.

Do you feel that opportunity to relax coming your way?Im starting to feel it now. You know, I have a whole theory about manifestation and creating what it is you want, and its coming together. I think Im getting there.

To learn more about Susie Hoffmann, visit her website or find her on Instagram.

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How a focus on wellness helped this Montana designer build her business - Business of Home

The interior design industry has a whole range of specialized fields and niches that go beyond simple design tasks of enhancing the quality and functionality of interior spaces.As the industry keeps evolving and growing at an unprecedented pace, interior designers are redefining their roles in the profession

While most people think that the interior design industry is just limited to renovating houses, offices, or even public places, it has emerged way above those and has transformed itself into our lives like never before.However, there is an ocean of career opportunities in the industry, and a designer can become a specialist in a specific field and provide professional interior advice in any of these fields

Let's look at the different interior design fields

Commercial interior designing

Commercial interior designers provide advice and services for clients seeking tasks like space planning and design of offices, restaurants, hotels, entertainment centres, community centres, studios, shops, boutiques, museums, banks, schools, and libraries. As a commercial interior designer, you may work closely with architects, builders, and engineers to ensure the overall design meets functional goals and is within a stipulated budget.

Sustainable interior designing

This is one of the fastest-growing areas of interior design specialization in the 21st century. Sustainable interior design services incorporate healthy living and a "green" or sustainable lifestyle with conventional interior design. A sustainable design specialist must ensure the efficient use of space, a reduction in energy consumption orenergy-efficient lighting.

Interior decorator

As an Interior design consultant, you can work for an architectural or design consulting firm. Reals estate firms also employ the services of interior design consultants to help 'up' the property's appealto potential buyers. You can also work with furniture firms, be self-employed, or work independently.

Lighting designing

Lighting design is important for all interior spaces, and many interior designers work solely in this niche. In modular homes, this aspect has become of utmost importance. Lighting changes and enhances the look and feel of the place; hence, this field is in demand now. Lighting design services may also include creative illuminations of exterior structures like fountains, parks, monuments, and other outdoor landmarks. As a lighting designer, you must decide and choose the types, styles, arrangements, and amount of lighting that's best for the interior space

Residential interior designing services

Residential interior designers can provide services for homeowners, home improvement stores, architects, and real estate companies. They can also work as freelancers in small interior design firms, architectural firms, or interior design consultants. Residential interior designers will also help clients choose furniture items, furnishings, textures, general interior dcor, and lighting and its effective use, space allocations, and colour schemes.

(The author is the founder and CEO, Saraf Furniture)

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A career as an interior designer - The Hans India

If theres one thing we love in the good ol U.S. of A. its watching strangers go through the trials, triumphs, and contractor-induced headaches involved with spending loads of cash to renovate their homes. We have whole networks devoted to shows about such pursuits, but if youve tired of watching the open-plan kitchen/living room combos and spacious, luxury home offices come to fruition, there might be a recently released show on the 2022 Netflix TV schedule thats made for you: How To Build A Sex Room. Never let it be said that this years TV premieres were incapable of surprising us.

How To Build A Sex Room (which has gotten a lot of attention from the internet) follows interior designer Melanie Rose as she helps eight couples and one singleton create the pleasure palaces of their dreams. Well, when I say palace I really mean bedroom/master suite/lounging area/dungeon, but whos quibbling over semantics when we can dig into all the intriguing thoughts I had while watching How To Build A Sex Room? Lets go!

I know, I know! This is a show about sexy stuff and here I am thinking about shoes. But, I can honestly say that from the first time sex room doyenne Melanie Rose appeared on screen I wanted to know where she got those shoes! Im a woman who believes comfort and style can go together, and our friend Melanie has a wonderful collection of completely practical tennis shoes (or sneakers, whichever you prefer) that are also perfectly gorgeous and coordinate well with her many Im a fancy lady outfits. Whats not to love?

One thing that baffled me is how several of the people having sex rooms made seemed to think that those private spaces would be secret, which would lead to them being even more titillated prior to sex room usage.

Ive got news for everyone. While we arent told anyones last name, and the show makes an effort to hide addresses/details that will give locations away, we do know first names, what the outside and inside of the homes look like, what everyone does for a living and, most importantly, what everyone looks like. Sorry to be a boner killer, yall, but your friends, family, and neighbors are going to know that you have a sex room and exactly where its located if they watch How To Build A Sex Room. I mean, youre on TV.

If youre someone who has watched a lot of Netflix reality shows, whether they be of the Im pulling your wig off in this fight or the hey, lets get your home organized variety, you will recognize a lot of the ingredients that make How To Build A Sex Room what it is. And, I was surprised to find that it wasnt nearly as wild as I thought it was going to be, especially considering that one of the reasons its rated as being for mature audiences is because of nudity.

And, we are now off to the races, my friends! Kudos to the producers for easing us into this sex room thing, because it takes a full 24 minutes into the first episode for us to get to the nakedness referred to in the shows rating. Truthfully, its not what I expected. I was about 80% sure that we were going to end up watching the couplesenjoy their new sex rooms after they were completed, but that turns out not to be the case. Our first hit of butt and boob (With pasties!) action comes courtesy of kink coach Iszi, whom we watch be flogged. (Take a flogging? I dont know guys, and Im reluctant to Google it.)

You know what you dont get to see on HGTV or Magnolia Network? Someone finding out that $20,000 of their design budget is going to be eaten up by an unforeseen issue (which happens all the time), and them dropping to their knees to yell at the sky, Why, you mutha fuckas?! Whhhyyyyy?!?! But, we really should, because that would be most peoples response, and How To Build A Sex Room can give us that, as well as all the random, recreational cursing we could ever want.

Most of the couples on the show seem very happy and well-suited for one another, and like folks who simply want a beautiful, private place to explore their sexuality. However, there is at least one couple that seems to have become really disconnected, likely because of the difficulties of everyday life (based on what I heard from them in the show, anyway). Im hoping that having a brand new master suite so that they can get busy in style will do the trick for them, but my money is on them needing a bit of couples therapy to seal the deal on getting their mojo back.

The sexytimes/nakedness on How To Build A Sex room is few and far between, and nothing that we were shown -- from expert demonstrations to a sex room couple Ill get to next -- bugged me at all. But, something that did make me uncomfortable is how Melanie Rose and her contractor, Mike, simulated sex acts or sorta flirted with each other.

The first time this happens, Melanie lays down on a spanking bench so that Mike can flog her with his adult son, Jeremiah, right there watching. Aside from feeling second-hand embarrassment from Jeremiah having to watch the scene play out, he notes that his mom might not like what just happened, so, yeah CRINGE.

See those two bespectacled people up there? Because we have so many preconceived notions about what kinky folks might look like, one could easily put their faces beside the phrase dont judge a book by its cover and then direct people to their episodes of How To Build A Sex Room.

Not only do frisky farmers Tricia and Gary disrobe for some dominatrix lessons, but we also see Tricia riding an ATV topless, and the couple really going for it when Melanie sets up an erotic photo shoot for them, with their activities coming close-ish to sexually explicit movies on Netflix-territory. I truly hope theyre loving their new bondage bed. They were so excited by it!

By and large, Id say the best part about How To Build A Sex Room (besides Melanies shoes) is the fact that she does design some amazing spaces that would appeal to pretty much anyone who enjoys watching home renovation shows.

Even the rooms filled with the most serious kink/BDSM gear are lovingly crafted and beautifully appointed, meaning that if you take away the kinky stuff, you just have cool rooms that many of us would be pleased to call our own and also show off to guests. Of course, my bet is on several of the people we saw here doing just that with all of their sex equipment on full display, and more power to em!

If you havent checked out How To Build A Sex Room yet, all of Season 1 is now available to stream on Netflix (opens in new tab).

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How To Build A Sex Room: 9 Thoughts I Had While Watching The Netflix Design Show - CinemaBlend