Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

In the weeks since the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, hundreds of people have been tasked with cleaning the building, collecting piles of litter, painting over violent graffiti and sweeping up broken glass. So much broken glass.

But far more than windows was shattered during the attempted insurrection for those in the Capitol, who had once felt safe within that sanctum; for the families who saw loved ones injured and killed; and for a country that had never before doubted the orderly transition of power. Scenes of the violence and destruction replayed on Capitol Hill as former president Donald Trump's impeachment trial opened Tuesday. No matter how the trial ends, the United States must live with that damage.

Living with the damage does not need to be a metaphor. The Architect of the Capitol can preserve some physical evidence of the attack to create a permanent reminder for a country too eager to forget how precarious democracy can be. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, has proposed leaving such evidence for future generations.

Communities around the world have made a similar choice in response to wars and political violence. From London to Berlin, battered buildings stand in memory of the horrors of World War II. In Ottawa, there are bullet holes in the Canadian Parliament's Hall of Honor, a memorial to a 2014 assault on the city by an Islamic State sympathizer. In Madrid, the Palacio de las Cortes, where the Spanish Congress of Deputies meets, is still tattooed with the gunfire of an attempted coup in 1981.

And in Prague, the mottled facade of the National Museum is an ever-present reminder of the Soviet invasion of 1968. The occupying force strafed the sandstone building with machine-gun fire. When the Soviets later instructed local laborers to repair it, the Czechs, according to national lore, deliberately chose the wrong materials. Instead of restoring the museum to its pristine former state, the patches permanently marked the building, turning the site of a painful attack into a symbol of national pride.

In the hours after the Capitol riot last month, as members of Congress reentered the ransacked building to continue their constitutionally mandated duty, then-Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., began to try to make sense of the events. "We can now add January 6th, 2021, to that very short list of dates in American history that will live, forever, in infamy," he said, likening the insurrection to the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

In 1962, the United States erected a moving memorial to that national trauma and the more than 2,400 Americans who died under Japanese fire. But another remembrance has stood for much longer: At Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, the buildings some 20,000 active duty Navy and Air Force troops walk by each day are forever pockmarked by the machine-gun fire and shrapnel that fell that Dec. 7.

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Today, veterans, their children, their grandchildren and their great-grandchildren make pilgrimages to the site to see firsthand how the world fractured that day. A retired master sergeant of the Air Force Reserve was given special permission to create castings of the damage as handmade keepsakes. And since 1985, what some have called the base's "birthmarks" were protected by a National Register of Historic Places designation, guaranteeing they would be retained during a recent renovation of the headquarters.

Romney has called for this same type of preservation at the U.S. Capitol. "Architecturally and historically, I think it would be a good thing to preserve some evidence of the destruction of the building," he said in a recent statement. His concern was for visitors centuries in the future: "One hundred and fifty years from now, as people tour the building, they'll say, 'Ah, this was where that insurrection occurred.' "

History will certainly remember the events of Jan. 6. Curators from the Smithsonian Institution began to collect artifacts even before the death toll and the damage were fully understood. The items will be studied, put into context and, eventually, secured behind glass. Some day, the damaged placard emblazoned with Nancy Pelosi's name that once hung above the House speaker's office door may be part of a museum exhibit on election violence.

But what happens before the event takes its place in the history books? How will the country remember the event in the coming weeks, months and election cycles?

Preserving prominent damage of the attempted insurrection a shattered window, a splintered door inside one of the country's most prominent buildings would be an immediate and profound act of remembrance. In a normal year, some 5 million visitors come to marvel at the buildings' beauty and their promise of enduring democracy; the Capitol complex employs thousands more who maintain it. Most importantly, our 535 representatives and senators and their staffs wander its marble halls daily. The very people who came under attack on Jan. 6 should not need a regular reminder that their words have the power to stoke hate and incite violence, but some do.

The seat of government must, of course, be repaired sufficiently to ensure the safety of those who work there, but a complete restoration will smooth over the physical evidence of the deep divides that threaten the nation, and leave the new razor-wire-topped fence around the complex as the only reminder of these events. The insurrection attempt was fueled by misinformation, but transforming the scars that now mar the Capitol into a monument will preserve one incontrovertible and uncomfortable truth, for this generation and for future ones: An attack on democracy happened here, in this place and in our time.

April White is a former editor at Smithsonian magazine. She is writing a book about the history of divorce in the United States. This piece was written for The Washington Post.

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Leave the Capitol damaged to remind us how fragile our democracy is - Newsday

Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are having a big moment during the pandemic, and the drive to cleanliness is a big part of it. Usage of cleaning robots is skyrocketing as automation technologies have been deployed in office and retail environments to sanitize surfaces for a newly germ-conscious public.

How big is the growth? By anecdotal measures, it's massive. A company called Brain Corp, which provides autonomous solutions that enable OEMs and Robotics Startups to turn manually driven products into autonomous machines, recently finalized 2020 usage data showing remarkable growth over the last year, including 4x growth of the number of BrainOS-powered robots and 6x growth in total square footage covered autonomously by BrainOS robots globally.

"During the last year, we've seen shoppers' expectations for enhanced cleanliness continue to rise," Josh Baylin, Senior Director of Strategy for Brain Corp, told me in response to the rise in popularity of AMRs for cleaning. "Stores not only need to be clean, they need to show customers that they are actively cleaning. This "proof of work" has become increasingly important, as has the ability for stores to measure their cleaning performance. If a retailer uses an AMR, they are able to track the robot's operations and get near real-time data that shows the job is getting done."

Some of the increased usage can be attributed to growing customer approval of robots and autonomous cleaning.

"We've also seen retailers increasingly run AMRs during daytime business hours," says Baylin. "Shoppers appreciate that they can see the floors being cleaned in front of them, and it frees staff to work on higher-value tasks. We're seeing our customers embrace automation and use their AMRs to the fullest extent possible. We've seen this through a spike in daytime usage, as well as an increase in general usage across the board. It's not just an increase in the number of deployed robots, it's also how much those robots are being utilized."

Brain Corp, which is boasting new deployments withSam's ClubandSchnucks, is being joined in an increasingly competitive field of cleaning and disinfecting AMRs from companies likeFetch Robotics, which offers flexible autonomous mobile robots traditionally for logistics and inventory applications, andUVD Robots.

"We expect the AMR industry will continue to grow at a rapid pace," Baylin tells me. "Businesses are seeing the benefits of using robotic automation to tackle routine tasks and free up their staff to handle more important things, such as helping shoppers. Businesses have also become more comfortable with BrainOS-powered AMRs and once they see how efficient an AMR can be, many look to expand their fleet and increase their usage. We also work with customers on future feature requests and integrations that will continue to make our technology more and more useful over time. Enhanced levels of cleaning, increased data collection and reporting, the development of new applications for robots -- these innovations will lead to increased deployment and usage, both within retail and grocery as well as in other sectors."

One of the biggest takeaways is just how dispersed the customer base is becoming for AMRs. What was once a narrow target seems to be expanding rapidly during the pandemic, which is excellent news for the automation sector.

"There are still tremendous growth opportunities for AMRs in all public-facing commercial sectors. Brain Corp is helping onboard new customers across retail, grocery, malls, education, healthcare, airports, and warehouses."

Excerpt from:
Autonomous mobile robots doing the dirty work - ZDNet

When one enters a Stock Custom Home, they cant help but notice the highest level of craftsmanship is applied, and remarkably stunning attention to detail is throughout. Only Stock can provide the most enviably appointed, custom-built, and furnished estate homes in the area, which is why they were named the 2020 Builder of the Year by the Collier Building Industry Association. The award-winning custom home building division of Stock Development is now offering an exquisite collection of grand estates in Southwest Floridas most highly regarded communities and neighborhoods.

Bonita Bay

Stock is currently constructing two custom estates in Bonita Bay, featuring Gardenia II and Clairborne II layouts, after their tremendous success in Bay Woods. The residences, which will be completed in the spring, will showcase the divisions highest level of sophistication in one of the most sought after and well-recognized areas of Southwest Florida.

Breathtaking from the entry, the Gardenia II will encompass nearly 4,000 square feet under air of cutting-edge architectural design and interior design by Sheila Corasaniti-Cook of Boutique Interiors. The second custom estate, inspired by Stocks grand 4,369-squarefoot under air Clairborne II floorplan, will feature tasteful interiors by Soco Interiors in its four bedrooms, study, exercise room, great room, and expansive outdoor living area.

Pine Ridge Estates

Stock continues to be a preeminent builder in Pine Ridge Estates, with three residences currently available. One is located at 607 Myrtle Road and is a nearly 5,000-square-foot under-air, designed in collaboration with R.G. Designs Inc. and renowned Wilfredo Emanuel Designs. It boasts four bedrooms plus a bonus room, four and one-half bathrooms and a pool bath, a great room, study, double two-car garages, and Stocks trademark luxurious and expansive outdoor living area.

Inspired by the fresh, airy palette of a Southampton aesthetic, a 4,672-squarefoot under-air residence at 125 Caribbean Road is being designed in collaboration with R.G. Designs and Cardamom Design. To be completed this summer, the property will boast four bedrooms plus a bonus room, four full bathrooms, plus a pool bath, and one powder bath, a great room, study, double two-car garages, and an outdoor living area encompassing more than 1,500 square feet.

Finally, a new estate is being built at 422 West Street. It will offer four bedrooms and four and one-half baths, plus a pool bath, within 4,477 square feet under air. The generous outdoor living space will encompass 1,348 square feet. Clive Daniel Home and South Florida Design are collaborating on the home, which will have an overall aesthetic of comfortable luxury and a color palette of white, cream, and taupe with accents of periwinkle, aqua, and soft blue throughout.

WildBlue

Two exquisite Stock Custom Homes are currently being constructed in Wild- Blue. The first is based on the Alexandria floorplan and will boast 4,672 square feet under air. The design team, including Laurie Walter of Cardamon Design and Richard Guzman of R.G. Designs, will create an overall aesthetic of transitional and timeless elegance.

The second, based on the Winfield floorplan, will encompass 4,720 square feet under air. Soco Interiors and R.G. Designs, Inc. will follow a modern coastal-inspired design with a layered neutral palette of soft taupe, crisp white, and subtle grey with deep aqua and navy-blue accents.

Customize Your Dream Home

Now celebrating 20 years as Floridas preeminent homebuilder, Stock has completed more than 5,000 homes along the Gulf Coast and beyond. Continuing to expand, the award-winning luxury homebuilders custom homes division, Stock Custom Homes, is actively working on custom estates throughout Southwest Florida along with Sarasota, Wellington, and Palm Beach.

Read more from the original source:
Discover Luxury Estates by CBIA's Builder of the Year, Stock Custom Homes - Florida Weekly

Im not going to lie, its tough out there for buyers. Thats no longer a secret at this point. It seems anything with four walls and a roof is selling with multiple offers in a matter of hours, not days. (this actually isnt the reality, but I can talk about that another time).

Buyers right now are masking up, seeing the home for a few minutes and placing offers with waived contingencies and escalation clauses (Ask me more about this if you dont know what these are).

But what if I told you there is a much less hectic process? One where you get to select where your home is built, what amenities it contains, the layout, the finishes, etc. Welcome to the world of new construction.

The fact is that builders are unable to keep up with demand right now and the reason is many buyers are ditching the resale market (non-new homes) and deciding to just build their own house instead. There are pros and cons to this approach, but most of my clients enjoy a pretty smooth process when deciding to build their dream home.

1. No bidding wars. This is a huge one. There are certain buyers who just refuse to engage in them. Either they are averse to the drama of a bidding war (most arent dramatic, by the way, if your agent knows what theyre doing); have a principled objection to paying top dollar; or some other reason.

The fact is that building your home is a pretty calm process and if a buyer is looking for a more controlled environment, its something that can be ideal.

2. Build it to suit you. There are many buyers who buy their dream home and STILL have to make modifications after settlement. This is more out of pocket cost and disruptive once youve moved in. New construction allows for the buyer to select layout, finishes and even the lot in the community and its basically done when you move in. This also allows them to align their homes look and construction with the latest trends in real estate. HGTV anyone?

3. Resale value usually holds. Since it is new(er) for many years to come. Buyers do like new and even if the house is 4-years-old and you have to sell it, it should retain value and appeal to the marketplace. Keep in mind, builders dont typically construct homes in areas that are overly speculative (although they can in certain areas of the country) which means theyre in desirable locations in terms of highways and schools.

1. The waiting. The fact is that new construction has to keep up with demand, so that means you cant visit a site, pick a house, write a check and move in right away. They cant build them fast enough right now. Depending on the builder and the particular house youre looking to build, it can be anywhere from 3 to 12 months before the moving truck pulls up.

2. Builder limitations. These home builders are trying to build houses as fast as they can and so that means their ability to customize every little thing in a house is either not possible or will cost you more cash during the construction process.

Every time a buyer wants to change this or that, the most common refrain is, Sure, we can do that, but there will be a custom charge for that. For some buyers that is OK if their budget allows, but too many custom changes to a house can make that affordable new house a money pit. Thankfully, the builder is usually transparent with these costs.

3. Paying a premium. New construction is much like a new car in that depending on what phase the builder is in (Phases describe whether the builder has just starting building homes or on their last few), you can pay a premium. You can get a discount if the builder has just a lonely sales trailer and nothing built yet because they are trying to get homes sold. Another time is at the end when builders are trying to sell those last few homes so they can move on entirely from the job after several years. But dont forget youre building a house. Everything is new, so be prepared to generally pay a premium for that.

At the time of this writing, I currently have three clients under contract for new construction with Toll Brothers, Rockwell & Deluca. All of them initially thought theyd buy existing homes and were pleasantly surprised by the offering of some of these companies.

Warning: If you choose the route of new construction, BE SURE TO CALL YOUR REALTOR TO MAKE THE INITIAL CONTACT. (This includes not registering on the builders website) Otherwise, the sales representative can claim whats called procuring cause and have a right to represent both you and the builder which is not ideal. It is important that you have your own representative to guide you through the process and be your advocate.

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#ASKSETHANYTHING: Forget the bidding war can we just build a house? [Column] - The Delaware County Daily Times

Commercial additions, alterations

ACCESSORY BUILDING: 324 Haydite Ave., Lafayette; The Family Church, owner; Ziler Architects, applicant; self, contractor; $22,675.

OTHER: 1008 Cameron St., Lafayette: Alfred Broussard, owner; description, splitting building into two tenants; Alfred Broussard, applicant; $30,000.

RENOVATION: 113 Kol Drive, Broussard; Sysco Doerle Facility, applicant; Williams Company Southeast, contractor; $2,359,534.

TENANT BUILD-OUT: 1137 S. Bernard Road, Suite C, Broussard; Beau Soliel Nutrition, applicant; Pride Contractors LLC, contractor; $10,000.

ADDITIONS: 411 Commercial Parkway, Broussard; Siemens, applicant; Flex Construction LLC; addition to office, $222,000; addition to shop, $360,000.

217 Waterhouse Road, Carencro; Brian Martin; $499,500.

301 Espasie Drive, Milton; Prestige Custom Homes LLC; $306,000.

307 Comanche Drive, Lafayette; Walter Arceneaux; $216,000.

214 Gable Crest Drive, Lafayette; Manuel Builders; $202,500.

307 Capstone Crossing, Lafayette; Manuel Builders; $238,500.

141 Gable Crest Drive, Lafayette; Manuel Builders; $193,500.

219 Gable Crest Drive, Lafayette; Manuel Builders; $234,000.

607 Bourdette Drive, Lafayette; Manuel Builders; $193,500.

219 New Trails Lane, Youngsville; D R Horton Inc. Gulf Coast; $270,000.

221 New Trails Lane, Youngsville; D R Horton Inc. Gulf Coast; $342,000.

204 Oak Side Alley, Lafayette; Brent Rochon; $1,039,500.

204 Rue Novembre, Scott; Jonas Melancon; $342,000.

221 Redfern St., Lafayette; Lancaster Construction LLC; $333,000.

210 Starlight Drive, Lafayette; D R Horton Inc. Gulf Coast; $166,500.

313 Adry Lane, Youngsville; Manuel Builders; $193,500.

300 Anza Drive, Youngsville; Manuel Builders; $202,500.

113 Spider Lily Lane, Lafayette; DSLD LLC; $283,500.

307 Sparrowhawk St., Broussard; DSLD LLC; $220,500.

515 Winthorpe Row, Lafayette; Tuan Tran; $526,000.

106 Carnaby Drive, Lafayette; Gen Group Construction LLC; $274,500.

103 Grandmark St., Lafayette; DSLD LLC; $315,000.

113 Harvest Creek Lane, Lafayette; Prestigious Home Builders LLC; $400,500.

204 Rue Viansa, Lafayette; D R Horton Inc. Gulf Coast; $166,500.

207 Keelingwood Lane, Lafayette; Manuel Builders; $193,500.

110 Gable Crest Drive, Lafayette; Shivers Brothers Construction; $229,500.

130 Gable Crest Drive, Lafayette; Shivers Brothers Construction; $198,000.

205 Canary Palm Way, Broussard; Triple D's Homes LLC; $240,511.

609 Easy Rock Landing, Broussard; EJ Rock construction; $262,286.

402 Sandy Bay Drive, Broussard; Blue Wing Builders LLC; $245,000.

404 Sandy Bay Drive, Broussard; Blue Wing Builders LLC; $232,000.

107 Lakes Edge Drive, Broussard; AM Design Inc.; $207,849.

215 Canary Palm Way, Broussard; Leon Clayton Enterprises LLC; $296,185.

508 Sandy Bay, Broussard; Hart Homes LLC; $232,428.

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Who's building where in Acadiana? Here are the building permits Issued Feb. 1-5 - The Advocate

FEBRUARY 12, 2021 - This week, WTHR of Indianapolis brought us a story of a local man, who went the extra light year for a DIY project.

Todd Spann is a huge fan of both Star Trek and Doctor Who, two franchises that have each been around for more than 50 years, telling stories of exploration, loyalty, and mutual respect. So it makes sense that when Spann had the opportunity to build his new basement exactly how he wanted it, he would combine his two passions, creating a stunning tribute to both Star Trek and Doctor Who. And hes also built a YouTube channel where you can watch the whole project come together.

When Spann bought his home in Westfield, Indiana, he was pleased to see it had a completely unfinished basement. I wanted a theater and a computer room and everything, Spann said of his home, adding, I just went a little weird and created this idea because I wanted something different.

Spann began researching photos of the sets he intended to recreate, teaching himself how to build it all from the ground up. When asked about the design process, Spann said it was a lot of trial and error. [I would] set something up and think, 'Well, that's not going to work.' [Id] tear it down and try something else until I got it to where I was happy."

Just stepping into the basement is a wild experience. With fully automated sliding doors, just like on Star Trek, step inside and the first thing youll see is a functional six-person transporter pad, complete with working controls. Head down the hallway of Spanns basement starship and youll find yourself in the home theatre, lovingly crafted to resemble the bridge of a Starfleet vessel. From the captains chair, Spann is able to manipulate the lights, screens and sounds of his starship bridge. Saying the command Computer, red alert! automatically triggers the classic red alert siren, and the call, All hands to battle stations!

But thats not all: Spanns basement also includes a full-sized TARDIS that doubles as his computer room.

Spann started his basement build more than three years ago. While there is more construction to come, he says that once the dangers of COVID-19 have passed, hell be ready to offer tours of his creation. To see the full WTHR report and dozens of videos detailing the construction of this sci-fi inspired basement, head over to Todd Spanns channel on YouTube.

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WATCH: Star Trek and Doctor Who fan documents his process of building custom, working sets in his basement - Daily Star Trek News

COVID-19 has left us with many questions that need to be answered in case of another such pandemic strikes again. Even though the vaccine for the yearlong disease thats jolted the world brings a refreshing change in how we perceive the current future, the threat is still not all gone. There are hotspots around the world that need to be scanned for the virus, and a handy antibody test kit is more than the need of the hour. Yue Zhao, a medical design student at Muthesius Kunsthochschule University, has come up with the Testen?Testen! (name so nice, you gotta say it twice. But this is the name bestowed by the designer) home antibody testing kit that simplifies the process of mass screening in any community.

Compared to the currently available test kits, this design is painless, uses a lot less blood, and safer to use as the blood goes directly inside the tester. According to Yue, she has created theband-aid-like test kitin such a way that it brings a safe and hassle-free means of testing at home for antibody development. According to her, finger prick testing can be painful and difficult for some individuals when performed at home. Thats why this test sticks to the forearm and using high-velocity microneedles and vacuum pressure, only the required amount of blood drop is collected. This ease of makes it possible for one-handed use of the test kit, even for alone individuals.

The operation is simple, just stick it to your forearm, wait for one minute until the blood cells turn red, and then press the sample diluent button. This will trigger the blood and diluent to mix and flow to the absorbent pad. The resulting area will then show the result of the test. Yues design is promising, to say the least, as more and more people are venturing out of their homes to make sure they are not infected and have a good immune response, this test kit is the viable solution.

Designer: Yue Zhao

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This Band-Aid inspired antibody home test kit design is the simple and safe home testing solution we need! - Yanko Design

Norman Foster's lofty dining room and the tactile living space of Faye Toogood are among the home interiors revealed in author Sam Lubell's new book, Life Meets Art.

Life Meets Artwas curated by Lubell to "reveal a new side" to over 200 of the world's best-loved creatives by offering a glimpse inside their private spaces.

The homes of both notable and lesser-known architects, designers, musicians, poets and artists from across six different centuries and more than thirty countries are also shown many for the first time.

"It started with the people, the world's most talented, interesting, original, and in some cases strange artists, architects, writers, musicians, and more," Lubell told Dezeen.

"We knew we wanted to reveal a new side to these creatives, but we also wanted a lot of surprises, people and places that people might not have heard of."

"All the spaces are reflections of their owners"

According to Lubell, one of the most significant discoveries in the book is how "all the spaces are reflections of their owners".

"There's this phenomenal feedback loop between a creative person and their living space," he explained.

"Their experience inspires their art, which inspires their home, which inspires their art, which inspires their experience, and so on," he continued.

"Every square inch is fueled with a creative vision that manifests in entirely different ways. We learn how they've shaped their homes, and how their homes have shaped them. It's almost like peeking inside someone's body."

"The homes of designers have most influence on residential design trends"

Lubell believes Life Meets Art also encapsulates the extent of the influence that architects and designers have had on residential interiors.

According to Lubell, this "trend rolls through history", and is evident in homes ranging all the way from Charles Moore postmodernist dwelling in Texas to the minimalist London residence of John Pawson.

"I think the homes of architects and designers had the most influence on residential design trends," Lubell explained.

"This makes sense because that's their speciality, and in many cases, their homes were opportunities to experiment with and advocate for entirely new design philosophies."

Read on for Dezeen's pick of 10 designer homes in the book:

La Voile, France

One of the most notable contemporary architects to feature in the book is Pritzker Prize-winning architect Foster, with his La Voile residence that he created within a 1950s tower on the French Riviera.

The building was carved out to create an open, futuristic interior, with a series of balconies overlooking a white-walled dining room and a living room at its heart.

Toogood/Gibberd Residence, UK

Toogood's minimalist home, which she shares with Modern House co-founder Matt Gibberd, is located in a 1960s house in London by Swiss architect Walter Segal.

In her living room, pale bricks are used as a tactile backdrop to a number of pared-back furnishings that range from her own pill-shaped coffee table to playful geometric tapestries.

Cabin at Longbranch, USA

American architect Jim Olsen created this stilted woodland house for himself at the age of 18 and remodelled it several times since.

The dwelling is characterised by its exposed-wood framework and large windows, captured here in this seating area, which is designed to retain focus on the home's natural surroundings.

Rainbow Penthouse, UK

The vibrant and colourful home of Zandra Rhodes, aptly named Rainbow Penthouse, is an embodiment of the fashion designer's trademark style.

Located on top of London's Fashion and Textile Museum, which she also owns, the penthouse apartment is filled with colour-blocked surfaces and adorned with her personal art collection.

Finn Juhls Hus, Denmark

Modernist furniture and artwork fill every space of Finn Juhl's former home in Ordrup. This includes the living room, photographed above, within which his Chieftan lounge chair takes centre stage.

In the book, Lubell describes the dwelling as a "perfect example of how Juhl weighed interior design and architecture equally".

Moore/Andersson Compound, USA

The final home of late Charles Moore, which he created for himself was in Texas, perfectly captures the bold postmodernist style for which he is best known.

Life Meets Art spotlights the dwelling's main living area, which is crammed full with decorative pilasters, a collection of toys, colourful ceramics and statues of kachina dolls.

Villa E-1027, France

Furniture is the focus throughout Villa E-1027, the former clifftop home of modernist designer Eileen Gray that is now open to the public in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.

Life Meets Art homes in on its main living room, which features her the iconic Bibendium chair and the glass and steel E-1027 side table.

Rashid Residence, USA

This gallery-like kitchen and dining room forms part of industrial designer Karim Rashid's four-bedroom townhouse in Manhattan.

White walls and floors form a backdrop to bright finishes that range from a luminous lime-hued backsplash to a multi-coloured carpet that echoes Rashid's joyful approach to design.

Juan O'Gorman House-Studio, Mexico

Located just outside Mexico City is the home of the late architect, painter and muralist Juan O'Gorman, which he built for himself in 1933. It is positioned close to La Casa Azul, the dwelling he created for Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo.

Today it is owned by artist Paulina Parlange, who has teamed its bright, light-filled finishes with an eclectic mix of furnishings, murals and patterned textiles.

Neutra VDFL Research House, USA

Large glazed walls that frame views of a neighbouring reservoir line the Neutra VDFL Research House the former home of modernist architect Richard Neutra.

Lubell selected the dwelling for the book in recognition of its innovative, mid-century design, which he describes as "strikingly ahead of its time".

Photography is courtesy of Phaidon.

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Life Meets Art book offers glimpse inside homes of leading creatives - Dezeen

After an anxiety-filled 2020 and during the continuing pandemic, many of us are looking to our homes for nearly everything: a place to work, study, sleep, eat, exercise. And dont forget unwind. Homes these days can offer calm and relaxation, designers say. Whether that means a decor refresh or a few small additions, they suggest some easy ways to create a more restful home space in 2021.

Think both big and small as you assess your rooms, says John Eason, an interior designer in New York.

The feeling of a soothing room comes not only from the overall effect and aesthetic, but from key details, he says.

THE NEW COZYDont be limited by conventional ideas of what makes a space cozy, Eason says: Metal and stone are as comforting for their sturdy dependability as wood is for its flex and give. Deep, rich colors can be as relaxing as cheerful, bright ones.

Sustainably produced textiles and environmentally friendly paints with velvety finishes can lend a healthy and comfortable vibe.

Find apps that play calming music and relaxing stories, or YouTube videos of crackling fireplaces or lapping waters.

Aromatherapy candles and diffusers wafting scents of nature, or baked goodies, are easy additions, as are soft toss pillows where youll be binge-watching.

In recent years, the Danish word hygge came to describe the concept of coziness. The Welsh have their own apt term: cwtch. Pronounced kutch, it loosely references both cozy nooks and extra warm hugs.

FOLLOW YOUR OWN TASTESCreate your easy-living vibe based on your own sense of balance, harmony and good energy, says Leigh Spicher, national design director for Atlanta-based home builder Ashton Woods. Thats especially true now when guests are discouraged because of safety concerns.

The best way to design a restful, relaxing home is to make it about you and the people you live with, she advises.

Choose colors you love, not necessarily whats trendy. Frame travel pictures and personal photos.

UNPLUGGED SPACESWe all need more screens if were working and spending more time at home, but allow yourself to escape them too, Spicher says.

Make sure theres a space in your home without tech, including TV, she says.

Real plants, and a mix of elements like wood, stone, metal perhaps even a water feature, like a table fountain can create a soothing, authentic living space.

DEFINING THE SPACEIt can be stressful when too much is going on in a space. Get creative with delineating spaces and their functions.

For children, I love to create a designated play area by overlapping a fun, patterned area rug with woven poufs and storage ottomans, says Amanda Amato, a designer in Caldwell, New Jersey, and style expert for HomeGoods. She also suggests creating a reading nook in a forgotten corner of a room, and reducing clutter in a small bedroom by multi-purposing a writing desk as a nightstand.

SEE THINGS IN A GOOD LIGHTChip Wade, a designer and architect in Cumming, Georgia, uses light to define different parts of a room and to create a laid-back atmosphere.

Lighting is a key component to personalizing my space. Controlling my entire lighting setup remotely on my phone makes it easy to dim and create scenes, he says.

You can swap out regular bulbs for color-changing ones that offer sunrise, sunset and other mood-enhancing hues.

Eason likes to play with the way light works on various surfaces.

An upholstered wall lends a peaceful air to a room for its sound-absorbing qualities, but also for how it affects the play of light, he says. Creating pools of light in a variety of intensities, rather than an overall brightness, and having that light emit from fixtures that are focal points, can create a sense of focus and calm.

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Resetting for the new year with soothing decor - KeysNews.com

LISTING OF THE DAY

Location: Flinders, Victoria, Australia

Price: A$30 million (US$22.93 million)

Dubbed Horizon, this recently completed five-bedroom mansion is perched on a dramatic cliff edge on Australias Mornington Peninsula near Flinders township, about 45 miles south of Melbourne.

In 2015, the family of legendary Australian rules football coach Jock McHale put the property, which includes a 1920s homestead called Pinnacle Park, up for sale. According to listing agent Rob Curtain of Peninsula Sotheby's International Realty, developer Brooke Starbuck bought it, along with multiple adjoining titles.

Unlike all of the other allotments offered, which have restrictive zoning regulations, the five-acre homestead did not fall into the same zoning, Mr. Curtain said. So he saw an opportunity and subdivided the land into four separate plots while maintaining the original homestead.

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Starbuck enlisted local craftsmen Williams Group and commercial architect Bruce Henderson to build the home. The process took five years. He wanted to do the unique position justice and build a generational home that would withstand the harsh environment of living so close to the ocean, Mr. Curtain said. He also hired interior designer Mim Design for the internal fit-out based on Miriam Fannings renowned coastal work. Its truly a modern-day masterpiece.

The interiors feature St. Croix stone complemented by American oak flooring. The homes elevated first level contains five ocean bedrooms all with en-suite bathrooms and ocean views, as well as a central chefs kitchen, a fully appointed scullery and three living spaces oriented to maximize the views.

The main open-plan living, kitchen, dining area is simply spectacular, Mr. Curtain said. The 13-foot ceilings with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a 180-degree ocean view create the most surreal feeling of being suspended over the water. Its an architectural and engineering triumph set on a truly spectacular landholding with 335 feet of oceanfront and tremendous 270-degree ocean and rural views.

More: Why Australian Buyers Are Turning to the Mornington Peninsula

Stats

The 21,528-square-foot home sits on a 1.25-acre lot and has five bedrooms and six full bathrooms.

Amenities

The home has the latest in technology with world-class kitchen appliances from Wolf and Sub-Zero, integrated audio-visual by Sonos, zoned hydronic floor heating and VRV heating and cooling throughout. A comprehensive security system includes keyless entry and all home technologies are controlled via Elan. The residence is also 6-star energy rated and includes a solar panel system.

An elevator connects the upper level to the lower one, which has a professional gymnasium, sauna, cinema room, wine room and a garage. There is also a second gourmet kitchen servicing an al fresco spa terrace, where a suspended 20-person spa overlooks the ocean.

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Neighborhood Notes

The beauty of this location is the views are all water and rural surroundings as the area is better known for the farming environment, Mr. Curtain said. But this home is only a five-minute walk to the Flinders township, golf courses and the Flinders Bay Beach. Its also only a 60-minute drive to Melbournes central business district.

Listing Agent: Rob Curtain, Peninsula Sotheby's International Realty

View the original listing.

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Brand-New Oceanfront Mansion on Australias Southern Coast Is a Modern-Day Masterpiece - Mansion Global