Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Vari, a Texas-based workspace innovation company, and Adolfson & Peterson Construction (AP), a top national construction management firm and general contractor, recently broke ground on VariSpace Coppell in Coppell, Texas. The180,000-SF office building, located at 450 North Freeport Parkway, will serve as Varis new global headquarters as well as a multi-tenant campus.

VariSpaceis a space-as-a-service offering from Vari, and VariSpace Coppell is the companys third location in DFW, following the success ofVariSpace Las Colinas and VariSpace Southlake.All VariSpace locations offer first-class amenities, flexible space solutions in Class A buildings and are outfitted with Vari workspace products.

With the state of traditional office space in limbo, more and more North Texas companies are realizing the value of flexible workspace concepts like VariSpace Coppell, said Granger Hassmann, Vice President of Preconstruction and Estimating for AP. Varis bold vision is just the type of innovative spirit AP embraces, and were excited to partner with BOKA Powell and Corgan to help Vari execute on its mission in DFW.

With this groundbreaking, were moving forward with the development of our new global headquarters, said Jason McCann, Co-Founder and CEO of Vari. VariSpace Coppell will be one of the most innovative buildings in North Texas and will showcase our flexible workspace design and the future of workspace. Coppell has been our home since Vari first started in 2012, and it is the perfect location for our future growth.

The tilt-wall building will sit on a 10-acre site with surface parking and feature 120,000 rentable square feet of flexible office space with large exterior balconies that will allow companies and tenants to tailor areas to meet their specific needs. The building will also incorporate an open lobby concept with large, open staircases and touch-free building applications. Building amenities include a fitness facility and grab-and-go food services.

BOKA Powell designed the core, shell and site. Corgan designed the buildings interiors.

As part of a four-year journey with Vari to create a proof of concept for the idea of building-as-service, BOKA Powell is honored to be the architect for the new VariSpace Coppell project, said Andrew Bennett, Design Principal at BOKA Powell. The architecture of the new building represents that disruptor attitude by taking a simple efficient building box and stretching in two directions. Simple moves, yet identifiable as a brand a purpose-built building for a company with a purpose.

VariSpace Coppell continues the evolution of the workplace as a service, said Lindsay Wilson, President of Corgan. This project turns the physical space into an amenity itself, arriving precisely at a moment where the adaptability of the workplace is being redefined. Its hard to describe the environment the Vari team creates for collaboration and curiosity on their projects. It is a true partnership with everyone involved.

Notable projects by AP Gulf States include PGA of Americas new headquarters in Frisco; the Arlington ISD Arts and Athletics Complex in Arlington; several education facilities for the University of Texas and Fort Worth ISD; and Park Cities Presbyterian Church in Dallas. In addition, APs Midland-based West Texas office is currently working on Texas Techs Health Science Center project and Potter Countys District Courts Building in Amarillo, while the Central Texas office is working with Northside ISD on several projects.

Excerpt from:
Construction begins on Vari's new global HQ in Dallas-Fort Worth area - REjournals.com

Community members, gathered for a vigil in response to a noose found on campus, sing Amazing Grace led by Rochelle Ellis, lecturer in music.

Carlett Spike

Lead us from darkness to light, said Vineet Chander, coordinator of Hindu Life

A hangmans noose was found on a construction site on Princetons campus, according to messages sent from administrators to students in June. In response, Princeton leaders and community members gathered at Firestone Plaza on June 27 to denounce hate and spread love.

Those of us assembled here today understand that the manifestation of fear is hate, said Leslie Summiel, president of the NAACP of Trenton. History has shown us explicit symbols are often used to instill fear, he added.

In a joint message from Counseling and Psychological Services and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion sent to Princeton students, they offered support and explained what a noose symbolizes. The symbol of the noose is a deplorable and intolerable insignia of white supremacy, they wrote. Nooses have a long history of being used as a prevailing symbol to primarily target, terrorize, and traumatize Black people in America. This recent incident is racialized and violent.

An intimate crowd of about 40 community members were spread across the plaza, many in pockets of shade to take cover from the hot afternoon sun. The hum of cicadas droned on in the background as each speaker presented an item. Vineet Chander, coordinator of Hindu Life and Hindu chaplain for the University, presented an oil lamp. It symbolizes illuminating darkness, Chander said. He encouraged the crowd to act as a source of light and love. Lead us from darkness to light, he said. Again, and again the message from each speaker was clear: Hate will not be tolerated.

Vineet Chander, coordinator of Hindu Life and Hindu chaplain for the University, addressed the crowd at a rally on Sunday.

Celine Pham 24 shared examples of systemic racism that she learned about during her past year working with Princeton Mutual Aid while on a gap year from the University due to the pandemic. She said shes attended a series of protests and vigils this year, including the protest held in solidarity with MOVE police bombing victims, that speak to the larger issues of racism that are a persistent problem.

Pham said she hopes the University is working to rectify the larger issue. I hope the magnitude of what the Black community has endured in Princeton is not lost on administrators and when there is time for proposals to be made and actions, its not just about the minimum, she said. It should be about everything they can do to make this right. Rochelle Ellis, lecturer in music, closed the program by leading the crowd in singing Amazing Grace and We Shall Overcome.

Read the original:
Campus, Community Denounce Hate After Noose Found at Construction Site - Princeton Alumni Weekly

NEW PARIS Karl Andrew Klein, 61, of New Paris, Ohio, died unexpectedly June 26, 2021, of a natural cause. He was a man of faithfulness, committed to walking humbly with his God and serving his family devotedly. True to his character, he died at the end of a day spent with his children and working on a home renovation. Karl was born Aug. 7, 1959, in Cleveland, Ohio, to William Edward Klein and Polly Virginia (Lazarus) Klein.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Karl graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelors degree in animal science and a masters degree in swine production. He married his beloved Julie on March 20, 1982, and moved his family to Indonesia to serve as missionaries in 1984. He moved his wife and children back to Ohio in 1988, where he started a small hog and sheep farm and worked in purchasing. He went on to work in a variety of industries, including construction, hearing aid sales and manufacturing, while farming on the side.

Karl was a diligent worker, always busy with do-it-yourself home projects and farm work. He enjoyed working with his hands, taking care of farm animals, studying the Bible, participating in Bible Study Fellowship for decades and taking care of his large family. He was a committed member of the First Baptist Church of New Paris.

Karl will be remembered for being a tender husband, father, grandfather and son. He often said his children were his proudest accomplishment and he was happiest when all nine of them were together with him. He was also a sweet grandpa who was an expert at snuggling babies.

He loved to tell funny stories that made him laugh until he cried and thoroughly enjoyed dancing The Chicken Dance at weddings.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Julie (Schumm) Klein; his nine children, Andrew (Anna) Klein, Kate (Jeremy) Tucker, Nathan (Allie) Klein, Martin (Kaitlyn) Klein, Lydia (Timothy) Petry, Joseph (Heidi) Klein, Isaac Klein, Heidi Klein and Geoffrey Klein; and 10 grandchildren. He is also survived by his mother, Polly Klein; his sister, Kendra (Phil) Beran; and his brother, Kurt Klein.

Visitation will be held Friday, July 2, 2021, from 5 to 8 p.m., at First Baptist Church, 6751 State Route 320, New Paris, Ohio.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, July 3, 2021, at 10 a.m., at First Baptist Church, 6751 State Route 320, New Paris, Ohio with Rev. Reggie Osborne I officiating. Interment will be held in Spring Lawn Cemetery in New Paris, Ohio. Arrangements entrusted to Barnes Funeral Home in New Paris. Condolences via http://www.barnesfuneralhome.com.

Read more:
July 1, 2021 KARL ANDREW KLEIN - Early Bird Newspaper

The stateDepartment of Transportation will be replacing two bridges running over Cherokee Creek and Corner Creek in Anderson County beginning next summer.

SCDOT gave more details about the projects during a public information meeting at Belton-Honea Path High School.

The replacements are part of SCDOTs 10-year plan (started in 2017) to replace and update the states roads and bridges.

Handouts for the two projects said both bridges, located in Belton and Honea Path, are currently load restricted and are approaching the end of their usable lives and that replacements are needed to correct structural and functional deficiencies in the existing bridges.

Both bridges will be closed during construction but detours will be provided.

The Mayfield Heights Road Bridge is located about six minutes from the Belton Library right off of Belton Highway in Belton.

Along with replacing the bridge, the project will relocate the tributary stream about 20 feet north of the bridge to keep it from eroding the roadway in the future. If needed, a buffer zone will be created to let the stream run its course without harming the road.

The detour route will be about 2.6 miles long. Drivers will have to get around the construction by going from Pine Top Road (S-80) to Belton Highway (US 76) to Highway 413 (SC 413) to Horton Road to Tripe Lane and then to Jim Garrett Road (S-438), depending on which direction they are coming from.

Right-of-way acquisition and construction will begin in the summer of 2022 and will take about one year to complete.

The Samuel Road bridge running over Corner Creek is about three minutes off of Church Street and the same distance away from Honea Path Middle School.

The detour during the construction of the Samuel Road bridge over Corner Creek will be about 1.14 miles. Drivers will have to go from Brooke Street (S-297) to West Greer Street (SC 252) to McKay Road (S-671) and then to Francis Street (S-771).

Right-of-way acquisition and construction will begin in the summer of 2022 and will be completed in nine months.

According to SCDOT's website, the South Carolina House of Representatives voted in favor of a bill in 2017 that would raise taxes on gas to provide funds to improve the states roads and bridges after a 30-year backlog in maintenance.

The 10 year plan includes repaving and resurfacing roads, making rural roads safer, repairing or replacing aging bridges and improving key portions of our interstates. The SCDOT is in year four of the 10 year plan and says they are currently ahead of schedule.

Justine Lookenott covers breaking news for the Independent Mail. Reach out to her at jlookenott@gannett.com, on Twitter at @justalookenott or through Facebook.

Read more from the original source:
SCDOT to replace two bridges in Belton and Honea Path next summer - Independent Mail

In addition to this promotion, Church has been named to the Board of Mobility 21. She will be filling out the term of former Executive Director, John Hakel effective immediately. Mobility 21 is a coalition that brings together public, business and community stakeholders to pursue regional solutions to the transportation challenges facing Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties.

Church was instrumental in helping to get SB 1 (The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017) passed. This legislationinvests more than $5 billion annually directly for maintenance, repair, and safety improvements on state highways, local streets and roads, bridges, tunnels, and overpasses. This act has been crucial in funding repairs for Southern California's infrastructure.

"Carol has been instrumental in building and growing the reputation and success of the Partnership," saidRSCP Executive Director, Jon Switalski. "The timing was perfect to promote Carol for all she has achieved during her time here."

ABOUT REBUILD SOCAL PARTNERSHIPEstablished in 2016, the Rebuild SoCal Partnership, (RSCP) is an organization that represents 2,750 construction firms and more than 90,000 union workers in all 12 Southern California counties. Based in Anaheim, California RSCP is dedicated to working with elected officials and educating the public on the continued need for essential infrastructure funding, including airports, bridges, ports, rail, roads, and water.

Rebuild SoCal Partnership has recently launched the Rebuild SoCal Zone Podcast, which is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms where podcasts are available.

To learn more about the RebuildSoCal Partnership, please visit http://www.RebuildSoCal.org

SOURCE Rebuild SoCal Partnership

https://www.socalworks.org

View post:
Carol Church Promoted to Deputy Executive Director of Rebuild SoCal Partnership - PRNewswire

From VDOT:

I-95 Northbound

Exit 98 (Doswell) to I-95 Northbound Safety Rest Area

Sunday Thursday, 9 p.m. 5 a.m. Mobile operation with single to double lane closures for milling and paving the travel lanes north of Exit 98/Doswell at mile marker 101 to mile marker 108, which is near the I-95 Northbound Safety Rest Area and Welcome Center. Crews will also close the off-ramp periodically when necessary between these hours at exit 104 (Route 207/Rogers Clark Boulevard). Northbound travelers seeking Route 207 are advised to use exit 110 (Route 639/Ladysmith Road) to I-95 southbound then use the southbound ramps to access Route 207 as the recommended detour. Drivers should use the most convenient alternate route to Route 207 depending on their destination.

Exit 126 (Spotsylvania)

Monday, 9 p.m. midnight. Single northbound lane closure for construction activities related to the Route 17 overpass replacement project.

Exit 148 (Quantico)

Monday Friday, 9 p.m. 4:30 a.m. Single northbound lane closure for construction activities for Improve95 projects.

I-95 Southbound

Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway) to Exit 133 (Route 17)

Monday Thursday, 9 p.m. 10 a.m. and Thursday 9 p.m. 4:30 a.m. Friday. Single southbound lane closure for construction activities for Improve95 projects.

Exit 133 (Route 17) to Exit 130 (Route 3)

Monday Friday, 9 p.m. 4:30 a.m. and Thursday Friday, 9 p.m. 6 a.m. Single southbound lane closure at 9 p.m. followed by double lane closures at 10 p.m. for construction activities for Improve95 projects. Double lane closures will end at 4:30 a.m. A single southbound lane will remain closed until 10 a.m. except on Friday, when all lanes will reopen by 6 a.m.

Exit 126 (Spotsylvania) to Exit 118 (Mudd Tavern Road)

Sunday Wednesday, 9 p.m. 5 a.m. Mobile operation with single to double lane closures for milling and paving the travel lanes south of Exit 126 at mile marker 121 to mile marker 117, which is near the Exit 118 interchange.

Stafford County

Route 1 Northbound

Monday Friday, 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Single northbound lane closure for Potomac Creek bridge replacement, between Potomac Creek Lane and Centreport Parkway intersection.

Route 1 Southbound

Tuesday. Route 1 southbound traffic at Potomac Creek will be shifted slightly left to use the future northbound lanes on the new bridge, under construction. This shift allows crews to build the southbound lanes of the new bridge. Two southbound lanes will remain open.

Route 3 Westbound

24-hour-lane closure. Right westbound lane on Route 3 between Route 607 and Route 218 at the bridge over CSX for work under the bridge.

Hospital Center Boulevard

Monday Thursday, 9:30 a.m. 3 p.m. and Friday, 9:30 a.m. 2 p.m. Single lane closures on Hospital Center Boulevard between Route 1 and Austin Ridge Drive for Improve95 projects construction.

Spotsylvania County

Route 17 (Mills Drive)

Sunday Friday, 7 p.m. 6 a.m. Alternating single lane closures on Route 17 at the bridge over CSX railroad tracks located between Route 608 and Route 609 for bridge work.

Route 608 (Benchmark Road)

Wednesday Thursday, 9 a.m. 5 p.m. Alternating single lane closure on Route 608 between Route 17 and Route 17/2 Business for paving and placing shoulder stone.

Route 620 (Harrison Road)

Monday Friday, 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Single lane closures on Harrison Road with one-way, alternating traffic between the I-95 overpass and Salem Station Boulevard for tree clearing associated with water line placement. Construction for development under permit.

Route 639 (Leavells Road/Salem Church Road)

Sunday Tuesday, 7 p.m. 6 a.m. Milling and paving. Mobile single lane closures for road resurfacing work between Route 3 and Route 208. Motorists can expect a temporary rough surface in milled areas.

Caroline County

Route 207

Sunday Friday, 8 p.m. 5 a.m. Alternating single lane closure on Route 207 from Route 3 to Route 208 for pavement work. Flaggers will direct drivers through the work zone.

Route 601 (Golansville Road)

Wednesday Thursday, 5 a.m. 5 p.m. Friday, 5 a.m. noon. Alternating single lane closure on Route 601 at the bridge over Stevens Mill for repairs. Flaggers will direct drivers through the work zone.

Route 625 (Passing Road/Supply Road)

Thursday Friday, 7 a.m. 7 p.m. Alternating single lane closure on Route 625 between the Essex County line and the King & Queen County line for surface treatment.Drivers will direct traffic through the work zone.

Surface Treatment

Drivers should expect alternating single lane closures on the following routes for surface treatment. Flaggers will direct drivers through each work zone.

Monday Friday, 7 a.m. 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 26 Sunday, June 27, 7 a.m. 7 p.m.

Essex County

Route 360

Sunday Thursday, 7 a.m. 7 p.m. and 7 p.m. 7 a.m. Drivers should be prepared for alternating single lane closures on Route 360 between the King and Queen County line to just east of Route 730 (Aviation Road) for milling and paving.

Route 629 (Battery Road)

Monday Thursday, 8 a.m. 5 p.m. Drivers should expect delays on Route 629 at the intersection with Route 624 (Essex Church Road) and Route 628 (Femlea Road) for the installation and removal of highway signs.Flaggers will direct drivers through the work zone.

Route 716 (Waring Mill Road)

Monday Friday, 8 a.m. 5 p.m. Drivers should expect delays on Route 716 at the intersection with Route 17 (Tidewater Trail) and Route 627 (Mt. Landing Road) for the installation and removal of highway signs.Flaggers will direct drivers through the work zone.

Gloucester County

Bridge Washing Operation

Sunday Friday, 7 p.m. 6 a.m. Bridge washing will take place at the following locations. Drivers should be alert to mobile single lane closures or flagging operations in the work zone:

King George County

Route 301 Northbound

Tuesday Thursday, 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Single lane closure on Route 301 northbound at the approach to the Nice Bridge for utility relocation as part of Marylands new Nice-Middleton Bridge project. A flagging crew will direct drivers in the work zone.

Route 605 (Bloomsbury Road)

Monday Thursday, 7 a.m. 7 p.m. Alternating one-way traffic on Bloomsbury Road between Route 3 and Route 218 for paving. Flaggers will direct drivers in the work zone.

Route 609 (Comorn Road)

Wednesday Thursday, 7 a.m. 7 p.m. Alternating one-way traffic on Comorn Road between Route 677 and Route 218 for paving. Flaggers will direct drivers in the work zone.

Route 623 (Jersey Road)

Road closure. Jersey Road is closed to through traffic near the Rt. 301 intersection for an emergency pipe replacement project. Road is anticipated to remain closed until Aug. 2021. Detour route is posted along Route 301 and Route 3.

Excerpt from:
Area road work this week - Fredericksburg Today

For Shelby Cooper, the day marked her last after 18 years in the cake decorating department. She came in as a cake decorator having known the job from a previous position at SuperValu. She recalls her first training prior to coming to Mason Brothers was one hour long. She picked up a thing or two since then and exits as the cake decorator supervisor.

Shelby Cooper readies another cake for delivery in the cake decorating room at Mason Brothers, Wednesday, June 30, 2021. It was her last day on the job. She's moving on to the next big journey of operating Over the Rainbow Floral in Wadena.Michael Johnson/Pioneer Journal

She left Wednesday still cranking out cakes with ease and finesse. A recent busy day had her decorating 110 cakes with care. She's likely completed hundreds of thousands over her career. And she not only can still look at the cakes, she said she still likes the frosting. That says a lot as there's about 700 pounds of the sweet stuff passing through the decorator work stations each day.

Cooper, a Wadena resident, saw the change from a small decorating room to a large expansion with room for a whole team of cake decorators. She's even gone outside those four walls and helped set up food shows and food sets at stores. While they used to be able to come in at 5 a.m. to complete orders, it's now more like 2-3 a.m. to make the truck delivery times.

"My role has changed a lot in these 18 years," Cooper said.

While it might be easy to give up the 2 a.m. schedule starts, leaving behind her family of coworkers was a tough change for Cooper.

"They are a great family," Cooper said. "It's an amazing company to work for. It's like a big family. I mean you've got people who have worked here for 60 years."

Cooper is not near retirement yet. Her leaving Mason Brothers is only to allow her take over her new position as owner/operator of Over the Rainbow Floral in Wadena. In fact, she transitioned from Mason Brothers on Wednesday, straight into the floral business on Thursday. She said she's excited about the opportunities to grow in that business alongside her daughter, who plans to help.

Also leaving on Wednesday was Karlene Snyder, who's been in cost accounting for nine years at Mason Brothers. She's been in accounting most of her life, some 50 years and said it just seemed like the right time to retire. She added that she's enjoyed the family of people she's been able to work with while there.

Karlene Snyder, cost accountant for Mason Brothers, works her final day on the job, Wednesday, June 30, 2021.

Her future plans involve a move to Little Falls to be closer to her grandchildren. She also hopes to travel, see more of her family and just relax.

Another staff member who has left her position but has remained on until her replacement can be found is graphic designer Jessi Hubbard. Hubbard has been the brains behind many of the signs that show off the Mason Brothers products throughout their assortment of locations in the Midwest. She's also been with Mason Brothers for nine years, leaving on the same date she was hired, May 21.

Hubbard is not yet reaching retirement, rather she is reaching a point where her own business, TJ Designs, is growing to the point where she needs to start putting more energy into it. In that business based in Miltona, Hubbard and her husband Terrance create custom items of all kinds (from bean hole boards to interior signage) using a laser engraver and printer that shows off her amazing graphic design skills.

Graphic designer Jessi Hubbard cuts out a banner for Abby's Bakery on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at Mason Brothers.Michael Johnson/Pioneer Journal

With three people in the graphics department, and no replacement yet found, Hubbard continues to do contract work for Mason Brothers then head home and continue her entrepreneurial endeavors. She cares about the work so much she doesn't want them to be without the quality work they need.

"There's a lot of potential and I haven't had a ton of time to dedicate to it," Hubbard said. She looks forward to that home business being her main focus in the near future.

While the three ladies all work on opposite sides of the Mason Brothers complex in Wadena, all shared a common feeling of genuine love and pride in the work that they have done for the company. They also all recognized that they were one big family in the end, looking to each other for help at times and looking to leave the company better than they found it.

Link:
Mason Brothers trio leave their mark on the business - Wadena Pioneer Journal

For House Beautifuls 125th anniversary this year, we're digging into some of our favorite spaces from our archiveincluding, so far, decorator Sister Parishs New York Apartment and the West Hollywood home and studio of designer extraordinaire Tony Duquette, dubbed "the house of a magician." Here, we revisit a piece about the Clinton-era White House, from 1994, which was first published in our March issue that year.

27 years ago, then-First Lady Hillary Clinton gave House Beautiful an exclusive look at the newly redecorated White House, just over a year after her husband, then-President Bill Clinton, took office. To further explore this historic undertaking, we spoke to Matthew Costello, PhDthe Senior Historian of the White House Historical Association and the Vice President of the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House Historywho provided some background information about the redecoration of the Peoples House during the Clinton administration.

In addition to working with Little Rock, Arkansas-based interior designer Kaki Hockersmith on the redecoration of what is arguably the most famous historic house in all of the United States, Hillary Clinton also collaborated with Richard Nylander,who was the Chief Curator and Director of Collections for the Preservation of New England Antiquities in Boston, Massachusetts. Nylander helped to oversee the project as a member of the Committee for the Preservation of the White House," explains Costello.

Of course, the Clintons knew that changing the decor of the Peoples House from administration to administration has gotten more and more difficult and more and more expensive, as Hillary Clinton told House Beautiful in 1994. We have to try to find a style to stand the test of time. Mrs. Reagan and Mrs. Kennedys renovations were built on by us, not discarded, the First Lady continued. Thats the way the house should be treated and dealt with from year to yearchanged but in a way that reflects the continuity. Its not necessary to be historically accurateits more the creation of a mood, an atmosphere.

To see the Clinton-era White House for yourselfand to read more of Hillary Clintons insight about this remarkable venturetake a trip back to 1994 through our latest archive dive.

Read the original story below:

When the Clintons were ready to show their refurbished private quarters to the public, they invited House Beautiful to take the pictures and tell the story

By Marian Burros

Photography by Oberto Gili

Produced by Margaret Kennedy

The initial photographic glimpse Americas armchair decorators had of the first familys refurbished White House led them to describe the Clintons as fanciers of Victorian style at its most Baroqueintensely vibrant colors, swags and festoons, tassels and gilding.

But a personal peek at the Clintons private quarters provides a different view, one far more reflective of the people who live thereunpretentious and comfortable. Theres hardly a tassel in sight.

We wanted to create an atmosphere that was warm and welcoming and suited to how a particular family lives and spends its time, said Hillary Rodham Clinton in an exclusive interview for House Beautiful. The challenge and the obligation is to sustain the historic significance and integrity of the house because it is a living museum, so you start with some givens.

The White House was not always treated as a living museum. Until the beginning of the 20th century, first families had generally redecorated in whatever style was currently fashionable. The simple furniture of the early 19th century was later replaced by curlicues, elaborate frescoes, Turkish curtains, even fringe hanging from one of the fireplaces. In 1882 an enormous screen of Tiffany glass was installed in the Cross Hall on the first floor. At one time, Mrs. Clinton pointed out, part of the long center hall on the second floor was used like a conservatory with rattan furniture, swings and big plants.

Efforts to give a period look to the house, which was first occupied by John and Abigail Adams in 1800, began in the early 1900s, but reproduction furniture was used. It wasnt until Jacqueline Kennedy lived there that museum-quality pieces became the focal point of the public rooms. It was then that the White House Historical Association was formed, along with a Curators Office and Residence Staff. Some of the furniture and fine arts used in Mrs. Kennedys redecoration had been moldering for years in storage; much else had been sold off because it was considered outmoded.

The Clintons, both history buffs, are anxious to carry on tradition. We need to have either a timeless or a historical sense of the White House, Mrs. Clinton said, because changing it from administration to administration has gotten more and more difficult and more and more expensive. We have to try to find a style to stand the test of time. Mrs. Reagan and Mrs. Kennedys renovations were built on by us, not discarded. Thats the way the house should be treated and dealt with from year to yearchanged but in a way that reflects the continuity. Its not necessary to be historically accurateits more the creation of a mood, an atmosphere.

What is historically appropriate for the public and quasi-private rooms that the Clintons have redonethe Oval Office, the Treaty Room and the Lincoln Sitting Room off the Lincoln Bedroomis not necessarily what the family wants to live with in the part of the mansion that is called the private quarters. In fact there is a striking difference between the decorating schemes of the two areas.

Referring to the intensity of the colors and the richness of pattern in the Lincoln Sitting Room and the Treaty Room, which the President uses as an office on the second floor, Mrs. Clinton said, We like color but we dont always like to have as much vibrancy. We like colors that are strong pastels.

Fortunately those are some of the colors Nancy Reagan used when she redecorated the private quarters on the second and third floors, because Mrs. Clinton was determined to keep whatever was salvageable from past schemes. For example, the curtains in the West Sitting Hall were retained, but the carpet in the East and West Sitting Halls and the Center Sitting Hall was worn though usable. It was moved to the third floor, where it brightens a smaller space that had been covered in an even more worn carpet of drab brown.

There was one exception to the make-do rule: the hand-painted wallpaper in the master bedroom that was covered with little birds. President Clinton told Kaki Hockersmith, the Little Rock decorator who is responsible for the White House refurbishing, to get rid of the birds. They reminded him of an Alfred Hitchcock movie.

While the Treaty Room, the Lincoln Sitting Room and the Oval Office are done in deep reds and golds with blues or greens, the private quarters are pastel tones of yellow, peach, pink, green and blue. The color scheme of the redecorated West Sitting Hall takes its cue from the old yellow draperies that frame the double-arched window. This is where the Clintons frequently gather and entertain guests, and it contains many of the familys personal mementos.

In Arkansas the kitchen in the Governors Mansion was the gathering place for family and friends. In Washington the small pantry, once Margaret Trumans bedroom, has been turned into an eat-in kitchen.

We love the second floor of the White House, Mrs. Clinton said. We are left totally alone. We dont have the Secret Service people following us and we can tell the staff we will take care of ourselves, so its like being in your own house when you are up there. I wanted a kitchen because I knew we needed a private place to have our meals. Even though the dining room is lovely, its a big formal space. We use the kitchen for breakfast every day and for lots of dinners when we are not entertaining. We heat up lots of leftovers. My husband might come home from a golf game and I throw something together for him. And Chelsea eats there every night.

The private quarters have florals, chintzes, linens and silks that create what Hockersmith calls an English country feeling. Chelsea, her mother said, wanted a much less fancy room, so we took down the crystal chandeliers and put up brass things to tone it down and make it more of a teenagers room.

In addition to having a strong opinion about the master bedroom wallpaper, the President was involved in the plans for the Oval Office and for the Treaty Room. Its very important that each president make his own space, and make a statement that reflects his personality, said Hockersmith, who had many conversations with the President about his preferences. The President wanted a lot more energy, something patriotic.

The Presidents two offices reflect the youth and vigor of his administration: strong colors and dark, rich words that are in sharp contrast to the subdued feeling that his predecessor preferred. In the Oval Office, pale blue and cream have been replaced by Prussian blue, crimson and gold. There are a number of John F. Kennedy photos and mementos as well as a Benjamin Franklin bust by Houdon and a bronze by Frederic Remington. Mrs. Clinton said the President was particularly anxious to have the famous Childe Hassam The Avenue in the Rain, with its many American flags, in the Oval Office.

The President was equally engaged by the plans for the Treaty Room, which was the Cabinet Room in the last half of the 19th century. The pale green walls are now red; the chintz draperies have been replaced by a deep red linen patterned with trompe loeil swags and tassels.

My husband wanted an office in the residence, Mrs. Clinton said, and a library for his books. Just after the election the Clintons were in the kitchen of the Governors Mansion and Mrs. Clinton was talking to Kaki Hockersmith about the redecoration. I actually got my husbands attention for fifteen minutes to talk about what he wanted, she said and laughed. His answer: a masculine, comfortable, historical room.

To find the appropriate period pieces for the White House was a matter of rooting around in the basement and traveling out to the storage facilities in a nearby Maryland suburb. Mrs. Clinton said she poked around in the basement, but her decorator spent a lot of time out in Maryland. Thats what I love about the White House, Mrs. Clinton said. There are all these things that go back in time.

Furniture, fine arts, lamps, even chandeliers were moved from other rooms and, according to Kaki Hockersmith, Mrs. Clinton did some of the rearranging herself. She loves to move furniture, Hockersmith said. The First Lady also enjoyed filling the shelves in second-floor Center Hall bookcases with interesting historic pieces that came out of storage: the only likeness on display in the White House of President Buchanan; a bronze sculpture of Calvin Coolidges chow, Tiny Tim; a gilt bronze mantel clock with a figure of George Washington. Mrs. Clinton is also planning to bring part of the White Houses new collection of crafts pieces up here. The Clintons brought most of their furniture with them and some of it appears in the third-floor Central Hall, which functions like a double drawing room.

The Lincoln Sitting Room, one of Richard Nixons favorite places, was redone in high Victorian style to make it a more fitting companion to the Lincoln Bedroom, which contains a suit of furniture bought by Mary Todd Lincoln. The small room is filled with sunlight that is filtered through silk curtains, giving the room a magical golden glow.

We took a lot of wonderful pieces out of storage and put them back into play again, said Hockersmith. The Clintons love history and wanted to make a comfortable sitting room that relates to the Lincoln bedroom.

The Sitting Room draperies were donated by Hockersmith, who had used them in a decorator showhouse in Arkansas earlier in the year. The room is filled with objects and paintings from the period: several Lincoln prints, two of Grant, an 1864 print of Lincolns New Years reception at the White House, a program from the Lincoln inaugural ball.

People weve entertained have been so excited to see what could, within reason, be called a historically correct room, Mrs. Clinton said, and if you have an invitation to a Lincoln party on the wall that just makes peoples eyes bug out.

Mrs. Clinton said that other rooms will be refurbished as they need it. And she continues to search for items that are historically appropriate. She would like, for example, to see more maps in the Map Room on the ground floor where she and the President conduct many of their interviews. This is the presidents house, she said, and we have an obligation to care for it and make sure it reflects well, not just on this president but on this presidency and the country.

The cost of the refurbishing was $396,429.46, and it came entirely from private donations to the White House Historical Association. The $50,0000 appropriated by Congress was returned to the Treasury.

Both the President and Mrs. Clinton have read extensively on the White House but she said her husbands level of awareness and historical sense are much deeper than hers. He has educated himself about this house and the objects of this house. He gives a great tour and never gets tired of it, a fact confirmed by several people who have been escorted after one of the Clintons small dinners.

He just adores the whole sense of what this house is and represents, so for him its a labor of love.

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TikTok in tears as a mom goes viral for making people feel "seen and valid" at Pride. Posted by her daughter, Amber Taylor (@hey_atay), this emotional footage has now been viewed over 3.5M times. the comment section has been flooded with over 12K heartfelt responses. In the video, Amber's mom holds a sign that reads, "If your parents aren't accepting of your identity, I'm your Mom now... ...Drink some water. Wear your seatbelt. Make sure you eat. I love you!". And judging by the reactions to Mom's sign, it's clear this is a message many people needed to receive. After reading her sign, complete strangers pull Amber's mom in for a tight embrace, often with eyes full of tears. TikTokers, deeply moved by Amber's video, jumped in the comments to praise her loving mom. "There is so much emotion behind each one of those hugs. They needed that hug. So happy youre doing this," one user wrote. If there's one thing our world needs more of, it's love, kindness, and acceptance!. We should all be thankful for people like Amber and her mom working hard to spread love to their fellow human

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In this July 1, 2013, file photo, protesters raise Hong Kong colonial flags during a march in a downtown street at an annual pro-democracy protest in Hong Kong. A national security law enacted in 2020 and COVID-19 restrictions have stifled major protests in Hong Kong including an annual march on July 1. (AP/Vincent Yu)In this July 1, 2011, file photo, a protester shouts slogans as thousands of people march in Hong Kongs downtown street. A national security law enacted in 2020 and COVID-19 restrictions have stifled major protests in Hong Kong including an annual march on July 1. (AP/Vincent Yu)In this July 1, 2018, file photo, thousands of protesters march along a downtown street during an annual pro-democracy protest in Hong Kong. A national security law enacted in 2020 and COVID-19 restrictions have stifled major protests in Hong Kong including an annual march on July 1. (AP/Vincent Yu)In this July 1, 2018, file photo, a poster of Chinese President Xi Jinping with his eyes blocked by words Not my president is seen as thousands of protesters march along a downtown street during an annual pro-democracy protest in Hong Kong. A national security law enacted in 2020 and COVID-19 restrictions have stifled major protests in Hong Kong including an annual march on July 1. (AP/Vincent Yu)In this July 1, 2019, file photo, protesters flood the streets as they take part in a annual rally in Hong Kong. A national security law enacted in 2020 and COVID-19 restrictions have stifled major protests in Hong Kong including an annual march on July 1. (AP/Kin Cheung)In this July 1, 2020, file photo, police display a public announcement banner showing the warning to protesters in Causeway Bay before the annual handover march in Hong Kong. A national security law enacted in 2020 and COVID-19 restrictions have stifled major protests in Hong Kong including an annual march on July 1. (AP/Vincent Yu)In this July 1, 2019, file photo, a protester holds placards during a rally on the 22nd anniversary of the former British colonys return to China. A national security law enacted in 2020 and COVID-19 restrictions have stifled major protests in Hong Kong including an annual march on July 1. Placards read: Carrie Lam step down, revoke evil law, investigate police. (AP/Kin Cheung)In this July 1, 2019, file photo, a protester breaks a glass wall as they try to enter the Legislative Council in Hong Kong. A national security law enacted in 2020 and COVID-19 restrictions have stifled major protests in Hong Kong including an annual march on July 1. (AP/Kin Cheung)In this July. 1, 2020, file photo, protesters against the new national security law march and gesture with five fingers, signifying the Five demands not one less on the anniversary of Hong Kongs handover to China from Britain in Hong Kong, A national security law enacted in 2020 and COVID-19 restrictions have stifled major protests in Hong Kong including an annual march on July 1. (AP/Vincent Yu)In this July. 1, 2020, file photo, Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, right, stands next to democratic lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting, during a fund-raising event before the annual July 1 handover march in Hong Kong. A national security law enacted in 2020 and COVID-19 restrictions have stifled major protests in Hong Kong including an annual march on July 1. (AP/Vincent Yu)In this July 1, 2020, file photo, pro-democracy lawmaker Andrew Wan, center, is detained by police officers after being sprayed with pepper spray during the annual handover march in Hong Kong, A national security law enacted in 2020 and COVID-19 restrictions have stifled major protests in Hong Kong including an annual march on July 1. (AP/Vincent Yu)In this July. 1, 2020, file photo, police officers detain protesters during the annual handover march in Hong Kong, A national security law enacted in 2020 and COVID-19 restrictions have stifled major protests in Hong Kong including an annual march on July 1. (AP/Vincent Yu)In this July 1, 2020, file photo, police officers detain protesters against the new security law during a march marking the anniversary of the Hong Kong handover from Britain to China in Hong Kong. (AP/Vincent Yu)In this July. 1, 2020, file photo, a reporter falls after being sprayed with pepper spray by police during a protest in Causeway Bay during the annual handover march in Hong Kong. A national security law enacted in 2020 and COVID-19 restrictions have stifled major protests in Hong Kong including an annual march on July 1. (AP/Vincent Yu)In this Dec. 12, 2020, file photo, Jimmy Lai who founded the Apple Daily, is escorted by Correctional Services officers to get on a prison van before appearing in a court in Hong Kong. A national security law enacted in 2020 and COVID-19 restrictions have stifled major protests in Hong Kong including an annual march on July 1. (AP/Kin Cheung)In this March 4, 2021, file photo, Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong, one of the 47 pro-democracy activists is escorted by Correctional Services officers to a prison van in Hong Kong, A national security law enacted in 2020 and COVID-19 restrictions have stifled major protests in Hong Kong including an annual march on July 1. (AP/Kin Cheung)In this May 28, 2021, file photo, pro-democracy activists Leung Kwok-hung, known as Long Hair, left, and Lee Cheuk-yan raise their hands as they are escorted by Correctional Services officers to a prison van for a court in Hong Kong. A national security law enacted in 2020 and COVID-19 restrictions have stifled major protests in Hong Kong including an annual march on July 1. (AP/Kin Cheung)In this March 2, 2021, file photo, some of the 47 democracy activists are escorted by Correctional Services officers in Hong Kong. A national security law enacted in 2020 and COVID-19 restrictions have stifled major protests in Hong Kong including an annual march on July 1. (AP/Kin Cheung)In this July 1, 2019, file photo, protesters flood the streets as they take part in a annual rally in Hong Kong. A national security law enacted in 2020 and COVID-19 restrictions have stifled major protests in Hong Kong including an annual march on July 1. (AP/Kin Cheung)In this July 1, 2003, file photo, tens of thousands of people pack a Hong Kong street while marching to Hong Kong government headquarters to protest the Hong Kong governments plans to enact an anti-subversion bill that critics fear will curtail civil liberties. A national security law enacted in 2020 and COVID-19 restrictions have stifled major protests in Hong Kong including an annual march on July 1. (AP/Vincent Yu)

HONG KONG In 2003, public opposition to a proposed national security law for Hong Kong swelled an annual protest held on July 1 to hundreds of thousands of marchers.

A few months later, the Hong Kong government dropped the legislation, and the idea remained largely dormant for more than 15 years. Then last year, the central government in Beijing unveiled a surprise: a national security law it had drafted and quickly imposed on the semi-autonomous city. It took effect on the eve of July 1.

Since then, Hong Kong authorities have used the law and COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings to stifle major protests. The organizer of the annual march said it wouldnt try to hold one this year; three smaller groups have applied for police permission to do so, but it seems unlikely that will be granted.

July 1 is a glorious day in the eyes of Chinas long-ruling Communist Party, marking the date that Britain returned Hong Kong to China in 1997. Protests on that day have varied in size over the years, as public grievances against the government waxed and waned.

The 2019 protest was a large one. Hundreds of thousands of people marched against a proposal that would have allowed the extradition of criminal suspects to mainland China for trial. That same day, a group of hard-line protesters broke into and vandalized the legislature.

Thousands took to the streets last year, despite police having refused permission for a march and the security law having taken effect just hours earlier. Some set fires and ripped paving stones from sidewalks and scattered them in the streets. Police arrested hundreds, including the first 10 under the new security law.

Image courtesy of AP/Kin Cheung

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