Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Beauty YouTuber Song Ji-ah, also known as FreeZia, has been facing intense backlash after dozens of luxury designer items she flaunted were exposed as fake. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

A "Dior" tube top Song Ji-ah wore on Netflixs hit dating show Singles Inferno turned out to be a 16,000 won ($13) knock-off from an online mall. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

YouTuber Ham Yon-ji is from the conglomerate family behind Koreas food giant Ottogi. She is known for showing luxury items and shopping sprees. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

YouTuber Cheeu is known for her luxury haul videos. In this video alone, she shows off 80 million won worth of products from designer brand Gucci. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Vice Chairman Chung Yong-jin of conglomerate group Shinsegae has built a following on Instagram with his image of a wealthy yet down-to-earth businessman. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Song lives in a high-end apartment that has a view of the Han River, which flows through the center of Seoul. In Korea, homes that look down on the Han River symbolize wealth. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Song wearing counterfeit "Van Cleef & Arpels" earrings on "Single's Inferno." [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Song's official instagram account is known for showcasing luxury fashion. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

A screen capture from YouTuber Aura M's video on designer bags for men [SCREEN CAPTURE]

BY HALEY YANG [yang.hyunjoo@joongang.co.kr]

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Luxury, lies and life with a 'gold spoon' - The Korea JoongAng Daily

By 2015, designers and architects Gita Ramanan and Shezan Bhojani had realised one thing - they wanted to go beyond merely designing to build a whole home solutions ecosystem, and this led to the birth of Design Cafe, a D2C home solutions brand in the same year.

The startup has so far raised $57 million in total funding, and counts the likes of Fireside Ventures, Westbridge Capital, and Sixth Sense Ventures as its investors.

Design Cafe is over 900 employees strong, has a revenue run rate of Rs 180 crore, and is targeting a run rate of Rs 600 crore in booking value in the next two years. It has helped design and deliver about 150 homes per month in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Thane, Hyderabad, and Chennai.

The startup has over eight experience centres, and a 35,000 sqft factory in Anekal, an industrial area in the outskirts of Bengaluru. By this quarter, the team is expanding to Pune and Mysore as well. They are also looking at new centres in existing cities, as well as expanding to Delhi NCR and some Tier II cities (10 cities in total).

Gita and Shezan, Founders of Design Cafe

The pandemic-led work from has democratised and opened markets for the housing and home solutions sector, thanks to the work-from-home culture catching up.

The startup follows an omnichannel model that helps consumers build the homes that they want, in the style and specifications they feel most comfortable with.

Design Cafe does this by offering end-to-end solutions starting from designing, manufacturing products to installing them.

Technology has helped the startup provide a wholesome experience to their customers, by providing more options in a timely manner within their budgets. Virtual reality (VR) specifically, helps customers visualise the designs in their private spaces.

While Design Cafe is not a first mover in the space, and has competition from players like Livspace and Homelane, what sets them apart is the designer point of view.

He adds they were aware that the skill sets of interior designers and architects werent simply available to everyone. We knew if we were to set up a home ourselves, we wouldnt be able to afford our own services, explains Shezan, adding that hiring a good designer is not only tough but also expensive.

Also, while designers struggle to execute on the clients' needs and requirements, it is equally frustrating for customers to get what exactly they wanted.

This meant a large problem needed to be solved and it rightly matched our ambition, says Shezan.

In retrospect, the whole idea of Design Cafe was created by Gita in 2010 during her Indian School of Business (ISB) scholarship stint. I was laughed out of the room as many believed this to be an unviable idea that they said was unscalable, says Gita. This nevertheless did not stop the duo from starting their architectural firm.

We realised entrepreneurship is something we definitely wanted to explore, recalls Gita. Subsequently, they went on to design over 500 projects across the country in sectors across residential, hospitality, retail, commercial, and institutional design. This continued for the next 10 years, which helped them develop a comprehensive understanding of the market.

The turning point came in end 2014, when a customer came to the couple and requested for a home to be built for Rs 15 lakh. We also started realising that people we had initially worked for were no longer coming to us because by then our work had been published in architecture magazines and journals. We had started doing homes worth Rs 2 crore to Rs 5 crore, and they were giving references, says Gita.

By the time the duo realised that they had skill sets that could create incredible value for people with smaller homes, that client bracket was suddenly elusive.

The couple also realised that the industry was standardising. Builders themselves were looking at ways and means to create properties that were catering to the new evolving and emerging middle class. They also saw that there was rapid digitisation and the number of people in the middle-income group was significantly rising.

We decided to create a standardised module on the backend and bring in our design sensibilities to the forefront. With that idea, we brought in a few tech people to build the module and the prototype, says Gita.

The first product the team had built was a tech solution, where consumers could design their own rooms, kitchens etc. They could pick modules, finishes etc. They could pick a layout of the room they were designing in a minute.

Information as shared by Design Cafe team

It was this prototype that the team took to Kanwaljit Singh, Managing Partner and Founder of Fireside Ventures, in 2015. Speaking of his investment in Design caf, Kanwaljit says,

To be successful in this space, there are many factors in play. The founders needed to have strong design sense, the ability to engage and understand what the customer wants and also understand the life cycle of building a home.

The key factors that played a role here was the ability to execute and build large scalable platforms. And we saw all of this in the founders of Design Cafe.Kanwaljit explains also the pandemic has democratised the market and the industry, making it easier for people to look at brands and options online.

"The consumer wants newer options, better options that suit their needs in every way possible," adds Kanwaljit.

While the team raised their first round of funding based on this prototype, they knew they had to change the product. After close to 300 meetings with customers, they realised that while consumers wanted a solution like this, they also wanted a final approval from a designer or an expert.

We shifted our model such that the designer would meet with the customer to understand what they wanted, and later feeded that into the system, explains Gita.

By 2017, the team realised they needed their own setup. We knew that to scale and grow, we needed to manage end-to-end, adds Shezan.

However, the market has its challenges and there are several moving variables and parts. Shezan explains it was then they realised that to give a complete end-to-end experience and solution, they need to manage the different elements like designers, artisans, workers, plumbers, electricians etc.

This means standardising and training them, making them realise and understand what the customer wants and needs. This meant building standardised modules and ensuring that the people are trained well. It is about providing all kinds of labour with the right job security and decision-making skills, explains Shezan.

A 2020 RedSeer report states that the Indian online furniture segment is pegged at $25 billion, growing at a CAGR of 15-17 percent on the back of increased digitisation, newer business models, and rapid urbanisation. In fact, the online furniture industry in India constitutes only 15 percent of the organised market, growing bullishly at 80-85 percent.

This shift is also because online-first (D2C) brands have gained over 30 percent share of ecommerce, which will grow to 45 percent by 2025.Shezan says,

The pandemic has shown us that we can manage processes, teams and work in an online and hybrid environment. Design Caf was an early entrant in the space of creating designer homes with a touch of exclusiveness and class. Home has now become the centre of work and family life, and this is where every consumer is looking for the best options when it comes to doing up their dream homes, this is the edge that the founders have focused on. We are confident that the need for good homes is here to stay forever and the fact that Design Caf blends all aspects of home design with tech, is why they have grown and built their large client base across India."

The team is now working to expand its base and presence across different parts of the country.

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How Design Cafe is looking to disrupt the $20B home solutions space with design and tech - YourStory

There can't be many people who would be excited by a for sale sign outside an enormous neglected church. Dean Keyworth and his husband Gavin Hilton saw the decommissioned church and decided it would make the perfect renovation project. They were looking for a second home near the coast and the church was situated in a quiet village, almost as far north as you can go without crossing the border into Scotland. That was 14 years ago and unfortunately things didn't go to plan. Their offer was outbid and Dean and Gavin continued their search.

In 2018, the pair discovered the church was back up for sale again and that it had been barely touched in the interim. 'This time I wasn't going to let it get past me,' says Dean and he set about making plans and finding out what was possible given that the former church was a Grade II-listed building, built in 1821.

It turns out that with flare, creativity and bravery in equal measure quite a lot was possible. And the dramatic results of Dean's church renovation project make it one of the world's best homes.

There's plenty here to inspire anyone who's taking on a major renovation project. However, the building's creative transformation is packed with ideas that would transfer just as well to smaller projects, especially for those looking for kitchen ideasbefore embarking on a refit.

Interior designer Dean Keyworth took on this neglected building, which consisted, he says, of just 'one huge main room with seven-metre-high ceilings, and an old bathroom with a tree growing through the wall'. Dean, who set up Armstrong Keyworth and is a past president of the British Institute of Interior Design, has brought the former church back to life in style, He added his signature colorful vistas and quirky talking points, all the while retaining the essence of the original space and period features.

We've picked our favorite corners of this unusual conversion. Here are some of its most inspiring design elements.

(Image credit: Douglas Gibb)

A kitchen in a choir stall - why not? We're definitely singing its praises! Looking for smart kitchen cabinet ideas? These elegant grey-blue cabinets were handmade by 1909 Kitchens, and Dean added the unusual distressed mirrored splashback. An island breakfast bar was also built into the scheme and a door opens to a Juliet balcony to make the most of the room's elevated position bringing great views and extra natural light. A curtain in Balangan fabric by Manuel Canovas provides an additional splash of colour.

(Image credit: Douglas Gibb)

Dean came up with a palette of burnt orange, green and caramel that he uses throughout the project and that works equally well in the old and new parts of the building. Anyone looking for kitchen color ideas, take note: Dean's mezzanine kitchen is a masterclass in color blocking.

The striking tongue and groove paneling is painted in Craig & Roses Russet to contrast with the units, but to echo the downstairs dining space, while the Robert Langford chairs at the breakfast bar are covered in Scottish leather and Armani Casa fabric in green, in keeping with the palette. A glass balcony was added to the existing mezzanine, but the couple were adamant that the central space would stay as one area. 'I hate it when you see gorgeous stained-glass windows cut in half with floors, says Dean. An expert was called in to restore the windows to their original glory.

(Image credit: Douglas Gibb)

Dean kept the full height of the central living space so that its original features, including the stained-glass windows, were not compromised in any way. The framed mural is Marine Au Soleil Couchant from Papiers de Paris.

(Image credit: Douglas Gibb)

Dividing the property's central space into zones has given each area its own identity, and also helps to create a more intimate, cozy look and feel. Of course, if you're looking for living room ideas, you can't go wrong by grouping your sofas around a fireplace, as Dean has done here. The green footstool is bespoke and Dean bought the antique cupboards on either side of the fireplace from a local auction house. Both the rug and fireplace were online auction buys. The dark wood and Gothic styling of the fire surround make it the perfect choice for a former church.

(Image credit: Douglas Gibb)

Although there's room for friends around the smaller dining table in the mezzanine kitchen, a more formal space like this is just perfect for entertaining a crowd. If you're thinking of dining room ideas or of reconfiguring a dining area, your starting point should be how many diners will you be entertaining, and how often?

This mahogany dining table seats 14 people with ease and was a bargain buy from a local auctioneers. The large mural across the back of the space is India Couleur by Ananbo, and the orange tone has been picked out in the woodwork. The couple brought some antiques with them from London but like to mix in mid-century pieces and buy furniture specially, or in the case of the huge antique bookcase borrow from friends.

(Image credit: Douglas Gibb)

A calm scheme of grays and off-whites ensures the main bedroom is a relaxing retreat essential for any bedroom ideas. The bed headboard is covered in Pierre Freys Reglisse. The table lamp is by Justin Van Breda. In the doorway is a a treasured painting by daughter Georgia, along with modern art made of margarine tubs by Hani Najm.

It's a very restful space now, but Dean found out that his plans to build a whole new floor for the master suite and spare bedroom in the loft initially gave his builder nightmares!

Our builder was great, but to strengthen the floor sufficiently, we needed three steels of 12 metres each,' says Dean. 'He admitted to me later that hed had sleepless nights over that one.

(Image credit: Douglas Gibb)

Sometimes when it comes to pattern it's best to go for it in a big way. Daughter Georgias room features Charlotte Gaisfords prints on the walls (The Countess), and headboard fabric (Tsarina). By tying the busy scheme together with a calm, light green shade for the woodwork it becomes a winning combination

(Image credit: Douglas Gibb)

Among the great bathroom ideas worth copying from Dean's new loft suite is a 1930s sideboard upcycled to hold double sinks. A metal grid shower screen divides the large walk-in shower.

(Image credit: Douglas Gibb)

The spectacular wallpaper in the downstairs bathroom is Pierre Freys Alleluia, which is based on a Gothic design from 1830 and so ties in with the age of the former church.

It's easy to talk yourself out of choosing a special wallcovering based on its cost, but a little luxury goes a long way and if you find exactly the right bathroom wallpaper, as Dean did here, then it will make a big impact even in the smallest room in the house.

Feature / Stephanie Smith

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9 beautiful design tips worth borrowing from this converted Georgian church - Homes & Gardens

Houseplants have been keeping a lot of us company during the pandemic, and the good news is theres a plant for any home, big or small, well-lit or not.Theres also a virtual jungle of stylish containers in which to show them off.I love incorporating plants into our interior spaces, says designer Mel Bean of Tulsa, Oklahoma, both for the sense of life that they contribute, and for their help in improving indoor air quality. I prefer significantly sized plants in large containers rather than many small pots. It creates a dramatic impact while feeling sculptural rather than cluttered.Beans go-to shop is Bloomscape, which offers a range of simple pots, in muted hues, made of 80% recycled ocean plastic. There are handy wheeled saucers for larger plants, and bamboo stands that adjust to fit the pot.Other great options in planters and stands:IDEAS FOR SMALL SPACESClever shapes, like a smooth-sided planter that can serve as a bookend on a shelf, can solve limited-space issues.Its unique, interesting, and an especially innovative idea for anyone who lives in an apartment or smaller space, Better Homes & Gardens lifestyle editor Jennifer Aldrich wrote recently in the magazine.A sea-green, hand-glazed finish on Holistic Habitats Pita bookend planters gives them an artisanal look. And Urban Outfitters pair of bookend vessels also serves a dual purpose; the terracotta glaze gives them a nice look on a shelf.Miijmoj Design turns a cantilevered oak board into a bookend, and adds a cylinder vase, which can be filled with an air plant or single stem.Pedestal planters literally and figuratively elevate your greenery.Brooklyn, New York-based Tortuga Living has collaborated with Farrah Sit, founder of Light + Ladder studio, on the Platform Vessel collection. The concrete and stone terrazzo bowls and planters in various sizes were inspired by Bauhaus architectures geometric forms, and can be used indoors or out.Chen-Yen Wei and Hung-Ming Chens Story Planter, a series of rising containers, can be paired with their Story Bookshelf so plants and books are showcased together in a vertical stack with a compact footprint.It was not an easy task, though it appears really simple, Hung-Ming says in a studio mission statement. We hope people see it as a quiet, functional sculpture.Or simply use a small tray table, like Smith & Hawkens black steel-framed one with a removable wooden tray top.

CONVERSATION STARTERSMany planters are art pieces themselves. Jonathan Adlers Muse Dora Maar planter was inspired by the French poet, painter and muse to Picasso. A modernist carved face encircles the cement vessel; filling it with a tumble of feathery ferns, or a tall slim tree, would add another dimension to the profile.Midcentury-modern designer Arthur Umanoffs 1961 r attan and steel planter might be a chic addition to a room with a similar aesthetic. And the warm, wavy texture would look wonderful in a contemporary boho-inspired or maximalist-themed space as well.Textured or fluted ceramics, especially in a matte finish, can elevate even the most basic houseplant. Youll find affordable options in Targets Opalhouse and Project 62 collections.At Lightology, Kenneth Cobonpues faceted, oxidized metal Boulders planters bring a masculine, midcentury vibe to the table.Brittany Farinas, principal at Miamis House of One design firm, has been exploring botanical art, like a preserved-moss wall in one recent project.There are endless possibilities when designing with preserved moss, she says.Not only does it bring life and vibrancy to the home, but it acts as a conversational piece.Farinas worked on the moss feature wall with the team at Miamis Plant the Future. The design studio also runs a shop offering wood forms like burled balls or driftwood troughs that can be filled with moss. The gnarled, weathered specimens with tufts of green peeking out of the crannies are natural objets dart.Wall planters are a fun way to play with houseplants. If you have a motley collection, popping them onto a wall can evoke an indoor jungle or conservatory vibe. If you go with a more curated assemblage - say, cacti, succulents or one type of trailing vine youll create an artsy, architectural look.Holistic Habitats Romy wall planter collection features curvy cylinders of white ceramic, melding sculptural art with the greenery you place in them. Then theres the Geo, with a slim circle of copper cradling the clay pot; its a living sconce.SELF-WATERERSSwedish company Wetpot offers a self-watering pot that makes sure you dont over- or underwater. A terracotta planter, available in two sizes for either a couple of smaller plants or, perhaps, a potted fern, sits inside a reservoir of hand-blown glass; fill the reservoir, and plants will take in what they need.Eli Manekin of Loop Living has designed a thoughtful collection of self-watering planters that hang elegantly from the wall or ceiling on wooden rods, knobs or loops.FLEXIBILITYArhaus Miramar pots conjoin a roomy bowl and a tall cylinder, so plants can be transferred from small first home to roomier digs as they grow.A bar cart makes a clever plant table that can be moved around to catch the sun. Ferm Livings slim, powder-coated steel planter box, a bestseller on 2Moderns site, comes in hues like rose, gray and olive; filled with greenery, it could serve as a pretty room divider.Hanging macrame planters have a 70s vibe. Options available online include Hays cool Phanta hanger, in black, green or blue, and made of recycled material.Or make your own. At http://www.kenarry.com youll find instructions for a simple structure that can be adapted to any size pot. At http://www.hellonest.co theres a slightly fancier one, but it still uses just three knots. A video walks you through the process.

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From the Garden: Pots and perches to show off your houseplants in style - pressherald.com

How should theevaporative air coolerbe maintained in winter?

1. Try to turn on the evaporative air cooler every month. Pay attention to frequently check whether the power plug is in good contact with the socket, whether it is loose or falling off, whether the air duct is blocked, and whether the sound is normal during operation. When not in use, it is best to keep it turned on once a month. The core of Xingkeevaporative air cooleris the compressor. If it is not used for a long time, the lubricating oil in the compressor may condense and affect the next use.

2. Fully clean after the end of the use season. Xingkeevaporative air coolerare recommended to do a thorough cleaning when they are responding to seasonal shutdowns. When cleaning the Xingke evaporative air cooler filter, pull the filter out. It is best to use a vacuum cleaner to suck up the dust on it, or you can rinse it with clean water. After drying, put it into use. For dusty environments, the filter should be cleaned frequently to prevent too much dust from blocking the air outlet and affecting the cooling effect of Xingkeevaporative air coolerAfter cleaning, only turn on the fan of the air cooler and run it for about 2 to 3 hours to dry the inside of the air cooler and remove moisture.

What should one pay attention to when using anevaporative air coolerin the workshop?

1. Check whether the power is on before starting. The outdoor evaporative air cooler prohibits all fire sources from approaching; in the case of thunder, the power switch should be cut off as much as possible.

2. Under no special circumstances (except for places that need to be turned on 24 hours a day), the power should be turned off when no one is using the evaporative air cooler during get off work, so that the air cooler can be stopped and rested after a few hours of operation, so as to increase the operation of the evaporative air cooler Life and operating performance. When shutting down, you should turn off the wall controller switch first, and then cut off the power. Never turn off the power switch directly when the evaporative air cooler is running; if theevaporative air cooleris not cooled or ventilated during use, check the wall The fault information of the controller, and theevaporative air cooler is turned off, waiting for the after-sales personnel to come to service.

3. Use the cleaning function of the machine once every 2-3 days to keep the water quality clean, especially after rainy days, be sure to clean it once, so that the next day when the evaporative air cooler is used, it will not blow out the fishy air.

4. Clean the filter once every 1-2 weeks. If there are more environmental stains, it is recommended to clean it once a week. The specific cleaning times can be judged according to the cleanliness of the filter.

Media ContactCompany Name: GUANGZHOU XIKOO INDUSTRY CO. LTD.Email: Send EmailPhone: 86-15915891751Country: ChinaWebsite: https://www.xikooaircooler.com/

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How should the evaporative air cooler be maintained in winter? - Digital Journal

With many people working from home, the heating might be on more often to help stay warm. This means many might be looking at ways they can cut down their bills as well as help to conserve as much energy as possible.

Many people are starting to give more thought to the cost of heating our homes this winter especially given the latest Ofgem price cap increase, which saw the average customers energy bills rise by 139 from October 2021.

Despite the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, recent research commissioned by the BBC showed that 70 percent of workers dont intend to return to the office full-time, with the Office for National Statistics reporting 85 percent will opt for a hybrid approach going forward.

So, with more people spending more time at home, and energy bills going up, Daikin UK expects this winter to bring some of the highest energy bills of the last decade for many households.

The experts at Daikin UK said: While this might seem like a bleak outlook, there are some simple things you can do to help youre your heating bills at bay and to look after the planet in the process.

Iain Bevan Commercial Manager at eco-heating brand Daikin UK shares his top tips for keeping the home warm for less this winter.

READ MORE:Oven cleaning hacks: The 2-minute trick you probably didn't know

This can lead to inefficient heating and higher bills as this leads Britons to try to make the colder rooms warmer but are overheating other parts of the house in the process.

Balancing radiators is a quick job Britons can do themselves and theres a range of helpful step-by-step guides available online should they need a hand.

If homeowners are interested in a longer-term solution to reducing the cost of heating their home, they could consider switching their oil or gas boiler to a greener alternative, such as a heat pump.

This can significantly reduce energy bills during winter and beyond, as well as lowering the homes carbon footprint.

On average, an efficient heat pump can save a UK household up to 378 on heating bills each year compared to a gas boiler, and up to 476 compared with an oil boiler.

Visit link:
Simple tips to keep your home warm for less this winter using foam and duct tape - Daily Express

MARSHFIELD Christine Clarke has spent decades honing design and maker skills across numerous disciplines,from painting and sculpting to upholstery andlost-wax casting.

Each of her varied skills can be seen throughout Thistledown Nest, herworkshop and showroom on Webster Street, from finished products to those just now getting new love and care.

A Kingston native, Clarke returned to the South Shore with her daughter last year from California's Bay Area, where she was sole proprietor of a decorative painting and design practice.

In a move that she described as very unusual for her, she rented the space she now occupies at 844 Webster St.unseen. Formerly a yoga studio, she quickly got to work transforming the purple, pink and light blue space into the perfect space for furniture restoration.

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"I had a vision and I just went to work," Clarkesaid. "I did it mostly all myself. I didn't bring a whole lot of stuff with me from California, so I just got to work."

No traces of the previous tenant remains. The space has reverted to arustic industrial style, with all attention focused on the intricate pieces dcor Clarke breathes new life into.

Even the structural columns in the space act as part of her portfolio. Previously bright and colorful, Clarke hand painted the vertical beams with a wood grain design indistinguishable from the real thing.

Many peoplewith good quality furniture have had it handed down from previous generations and don't know what to do with the pieces, Clarke said.They can be uncomfortable and out of date, or simply don't match the style of the current owners' space.

"People havepieces that are beautifulbut no one wants them because it isfilled with horse hair, it's not comfortable," Clarke said. "It's all dusty and dirty andit's too dark and heavy for modern homes."

Many of these pieces have sentimental value, she said, and while people don't want to get rid of them, they don't know how to incorporate them into their lives. That'swhere Clarke comes in.

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"What I really like to do is transform vintage things, furniture with good bones," she said."People like things light and bright, with more colors, more brightness. The old furniture that's hand carved and beautifully built just looks so heavy."

Clarke is able to pull from her decades of experience to identify the best ways to refinish or repurpose clients' pieces, from stripping down the finish and applying a new stain or paint color tofull re-upholstery with modern materials, molding and replacing missing trim or design elements. She can also adddecorative painting to match other elements in the room the piece will live in.

"You do have to be careful, because not every piece of furniture is worth that much elbow grease, but a lot are," she said."When you have something that's made of wood that's solid and hand carved, let's keep it out of the landfill, because it's better than the sawdust that you're buying from Wayfair."

Since receiving her BFA from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Clarke has spent years working in the home design space, and her work can be seen across the country and even internationally.

She started out as a decorative painter, a career that ledher toworking in murals, bronze foundry, sculpting, mold making, restoration and decorative furniture work, as well as lost-wax casting,a method ofmetalcasting in which a molten metal is poured into amoldthat has been created by means of awaxmodel.She also restoredand refitted antique picture frames, pieces of art andupholstery.

She said she is particularly attracted to "the old world skill of it all."

Her time as a muralist included work at the Breakers Mansions in Newport, Rhode Island;multiple casinos in Las Vegas; P.F. Chang restaurants; and a hotel casino in Dubai.

Clarke said she has been busy with client work since openingofficially in October 2021, and is ideally working on a two- to three-month lead time. The style people want in their homes here differs from Californians, she said, and she's quickly adapting to this change.

"I'm trying to figure out what the area wants to see and how Ican best serve what people want," she said. "I hope to build into a business that sustains not just me, but a couple of other artisans and provides a service that people appreciate."

To see more examples of Clarke's work, visit thistledownnest.com.

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'Furniture with good bones': Marshfield restoration artist breathes new life into antiques - The Patriot Ledger

For most of us, the idea of remodeling our homes can be very exhilarating. Giving your Arizona home a facelift is an uplifting experience and can completely refresh your living space. But remodeling a house can often be just as taxing as building a new one, so make sure not to rush the renovation.

Every little thing adds up when it comes to home renovation. For instance, you should consider if you plan to rebuild the house all at once or in parts. Not only will doing it all in one session be more expensive, but you will have to stay in a temporary location for an extended period, too.

So, if you want to save money and avoid staying in a rented apartment, we recommend rebuilding and redecorating it in segments. Additionally, you wouldnt be willing to sacrifice thequality by slashing corners on raw materials throughout the reconstruction.

Instead, you can save money without losing quality if you prepare ahead of time and consult with experts about the job. Before you dive head-first into your next renovation project, take a deep breath and take a look at these five tips that will make it go a lot easier.

The budget is the deciding aspect that will determine how expensive the remodeling will be. It is recommended to create a budget before developing a plan. It will allow you to analyze the remodeling process and make an informed conclusion.

Be sure to stick to your budget and get precise repair quotes before starting the remodeling work. Despite all the planning, unforeseen situations can occur, which will unexpectedly increase the budget.

Even though youve done your homework on how much your supplies, labor, and other remodeling components will cost, its safe if you keep some money aside. That way, youre prepared just in case the budget goes overboard.

Its far too easy to get carried away with unrealistic goals while planning for renovations. So, we recommend you to be realistic about what you can afford and avoid making emotional decisions.

Once youve finalized the budget, your next step is to look for contractors who will meet your requirements. The best approach to ensure that your improvements are finished to your satisfaction is to hire a competent contractor.

You should check at a contractors past work before onboarding them. Its always a good idea to start by looking at factors like years of experience, a contractors license, insurance certificates, andtestimonials before hiring.

You must do all necessary to find the best renovation team available; after all, remodeling is a substantial investment. You do not want to put the project in the hands of inexperienced people. Once you find a reliable team, develop a solid strategy that will act as a blueprint for the project.

Taking on a renovation project may lead to additional expenditures, stress, and even legal issues without proper planning. Youll be more confident in your decisions if youve done your research and prepared ahead of time.

Before you begin, make sure you understand the entire renovation process. Analyze each room in your house and decide what requires the most care based on your findings. If you cant decide on your own, you can hire professionals, as remodeling a home is a huge undertaking that should not be handled lightly.

Get a clear picture of what you need to do before you get started, and prioritize repairs instead of replacements, as it will save you some money. Start by creating a checklist of things that you need to address.

After that, use a planner or scheduler programto put the strategy into action. Make use of the tools you have at your disposal, such as a simple planner app. Itll help you stay on track with the project.

Once youve inspected the property and established a reasonable budget, youll need to know how long it will take to accomplish the repair. You and your contractor will have to figure out how long each part of the job will take. Make a plan for how long the project will take and which elements will be worked upon simultaneously.

Without a timetable in place, how can you tell if the refurbishment is progressing as planned? So, make sure to set a realistic timeline for the remodeling process; it will help keep track of things.

Planning a home makeover can certainly be difficult. At times, it may feel like there are too many moving components, but that doesnt mean that completing it is going to be impossible.

Instead, youll want to be fully prepared in the event of a budget shortfall or an unforeseen incident that delays the restoration of your property. Keeping this in mind, be sure to include extra days in your timeframe while planning to give yourself a little breathing room.

Additionally, before you start the project, be prepared to address any underlying electrical issues existing in your home. Unwired wires should not be left lying around, as they are dangerous. Rather, replace the old colored resistors with the new resistor color code labels clearly on them.

A house makeover may initially appear to be a simple operation, but it actually requires a lot of time and effort. Move forward with the project one step at a time and mark off the checklist as you go. This will serve as a motivator and help keep you on track.

Finally, be sure to consult with those in your social and professional circles who have already undergone house renovations, as their insights will be invaluable. And ultimately, we hope we were able to help you in any way with the remodeling endeavors. We hope your project goes well!

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5 things to keep in mind when remodeling your home in Arizona - AZ Big Media

A couple stumbled across an incredible scrapbook from the Second World War, in a home they're restoring, which detailed a tragic love story.

Kevin and Laine Berry have been carefully restoring properties for 20 years, and have six active projects, as well as their own 1909 house, in Conway, Arkansas.

One of them is in Monticello, built in 1896, which the couple bought with plans for a "full rehabilitation" over 18 months.

Despite transforming homes for two decades, Kevin told Newsweek they'd never come across anything as comprehensive as the contents of a trash bag they found in the residence.

A bulging scrapbook detailed the life of Marjorie Mae Ingram, born on February 1, 1921, according to her obituary in the local paper, Arkansasonline.com.

The Berrys found photos, newspaper clippings, telegrams and letters spanning her early years, her education and her relationship with Clifford L. Fluitt, who became her fianc.

But before they got their hands on the keys, Kevin claimed a court battle dragged on for years regarding the house, which was eventually put up for auction and its contents sold.

By the time they owned it, Kevin described what was left, saying: "After the estate sale anything that remained in the home was pushed into a large pile in the dining room which we were told was trash.

"We were told to rent a dumpster and just throw it away, but we've been doing this too long to do that. We picked through each piece of 'trash,' and made TONS of discoveries, one of which was a trash-bag labeled 'Ingram Memories.'

"When we opened it we found the items you see in the TikTokand yes, we had NO idea that there had been a first love in Marjorie's life; we assumed it was a memory book about she and her eventual husband Elza, who we knew had also served very briefly in WW2."

A TikTok video shared to their account, @ourrestorationnation, detailed the incredible find, which included a haul of sentimental jewelry, including Fluitt's pilot's "wings," which Ingram was pictured wearing.

The first clip, posted earlier this month, was seen more than 800,000 times as Laine summarized the contents.

She said: "Inside this abandoned house, in this huge pile of trash, we found this trash bag. Inside the trash bag we found this scrapbook, which belonged to Marjorie Mae Ingram.

"What we discovered is this scrapbook is filled with her memories, of her first sweetheart, and their engagement during World War 2.

"She was engaged to Clifford LaVerne Fluitt, and he was an Avenger pilot, here we have their wedding announcement. You'll note the date is left blank, as no one was quite sure when he was going to get leave to come home and marry his best girl.

"It was later determined they would marry on September 1st." A newspaper clipping indicates they became engaged on August 6, 1944, with the wedding scheduled the following year.

Fluitt was one of five brothers fighting in the war. He was the only pilot, and part of a bombing raid that sank a Japanese ship, the Yamato, which went down in April 7 1945.

But Ingram received word her husband-to-be had gone missing during an "important tactical mission" in the North Pacific, on July 14, 1945, just weeks before their wedding, and the end of the war in the Pacific. He was 24, according to FindaGrave.com.

Laine went on to say the documents revealed Fluitt received the Naval Cross for his "bravery in action."

In a follow-up video, Laine, who also shares the couple's restoration to their YouTube account, Our Restoration Nation, added: "At this time Marjorie Mae spent hours at her piano, playing Clair de Lune over and over in her grief."

It seems Ingram kept all the correspondence relating to her first love, and as the Berrys delved deeper, they also uncovered she had kept his dog tags, his wings, his Anchor and his second lieutenant bars.

"And most surprising of all, her engagement ring, which she kept for 70-plus years," she added.

Laine speculated Ingram and Fluitt began their relationship around her high school senior year. "She waited seven years before marrying Elza Bond, and they were married 62 years," she added.

Ingram passed away in 2011, aged 90, while Bond, later becoming Judge Bond, passed away in 2014, aged 86, according to his obituary in Arkansas Online. The pair didn't have any children.

Kevin, who's been married to his wife for 25 years, told Newsweek: "We were stunned when we found the items.

"Laine spent days going through each scrap of paper and marvelling over the extent of the archive. There isn't time or space to list everything we found: we truly found a full lifetime of memories from someone who kept everything.

"But, in regard to Marjorie and Clifford we found a scrapbook that contained newspaper articles about each battle in which he was involved (most notably the sinking of the Japanese Destroyer the Yamoto), telegraphs from him during his initial training, Christmas and Valentines cards during service, their engagement announcement, their wedding invitation, letters and photos from his family, and then the letters from the war department both telling her about Clifford going missing and the determination that he was lost in action.

"His medals (Purple Heart, Navy Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, WW2 Victory Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, etc) are all with his family.

"However, Clifford had given Marjorie sweethearts wings, his Anchor, his ensigns bars, one of his dog tags, multiple small pieces of jewelry, and her engagement ring.

"Interestingly there are no personal letters from Clifford; only a few telegrams about training or visits he plans to make home to see Marjorie."

Kevin explained the majority of items will eventually go on display in the house once it's restored. An only child, Ingram, had no living relatives when she passed away, while Bond was survived by numerous cousins.

He added: "The items actually extend through Marjorie's life beginning in 1921. However, the items in the war scrapbook begin in 1942 and continue until the 15 Aug 1945."

The trash bag also contained memorabilia from Ingram's younger years, with the accomplished and award-winning music teacher valedictorian at 16.

She was named homecoming queentwiceat high school and college, with her senior year class ring from 1937, and University of Arkansas class ring, which she graduated from in 1941, among the items left behind.

Original post:
Couple Restoring Old House Find WW2 Scrapbook in the Trash Revealing Tragic Love Story - Newsweek

Despite the support the Merediths received, Magnolia Network temporarily pulled the plug on their show, stating they were conducting an investigation into the homeowners claims. A week later Magnolia announced it would put the show back on the air, declaring, We do not believe there was ill or malicious intent. According to a Magnolia Network press release, the network didnt exactly suffer from any of this bad press: More than 3 million viewers tuned in to watch programming on Magnolias premiere night, and the network has continued to thrive, with the second episode of the Gaineses Fixer Upper: Welcome Home drawing 9% more viewers than the first.

Followers, fans, trolls, and allegations aside: Despite the Merediths seeming win with the network, its hard to say there are any real winners in this story. Regardless of the overwhelming abundance of evidence in this argument, everyone appears to have suffered some degree of pain. So what do we do with that? As humans, were wired to thrive off drama and intrigue, but this isnt a soap opera were watching play outthese are real people whose real lives and livelihoods are on the line. With the stakes so high, is schadenfreude an appropriate response? Or is all of thisthe show, the fame, the trust, the destructionconstructed on a faulty foundation?

Just think that there might be two sides to every story.

The premise many of us have bought into is that anyone or anything affiliated with brands and names weve sunk our faith into must, by extension, be worthy of unmitigated confidence. Most of us are guilty of this unconditional loyalty to some degreewhether its the allegiance of wearing a beloved brands logo or the well-intentioned but ultimately disastrous investment in a business model built on manipulation (see: Amazons LuLaRich docuseries). We also now exist in a world in which we all have the ability to wield devastating power through our keyboards and phone screens. What may have, a decade ago, solely served as fodder on Yelp or a niche community message board, now has the potential to level a persons career and social standing. In a culture that has historically silenced so many voices, the opportunity to amplify concerns and critiques is critical, but the flip side is the possible fallout and backfire that can occur when anything goes out into the ether. We may not be able to dismantle an infrastructure that's both elevated influencers on the same platforms we use to praise, question, and condemn them, but we can take a step back and choose how we participate in this ecosystem. And thats a sentiment all parties involved have echoed in one way or another.

I used my platform to tell the truth, Bennion says. I used a platform where so often so many things are untruthful, or are bigger or smaller than they appear. I just wanted to tell the truth after all of the times that I knew that people were trying to silence it.

Two days later Candis told Glamour, It's okay to support people online, [but] when that support means that you're tearing somebody else down, you need to take a moment and pause. Just think that there might be two sides to every story.

Michelle Konstantinovsky is a San Franciscobased freelance journalist who has written for a number of publications including Vanity Fair, Vogue, Shape, Teen Vogue, and O: The Oprah Magazine.

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For Andy and Candis Meredith, a Show on the Magnolia Network Was a Dream Come TrueUntil It Wasnt - Glamour