Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

A higher demand for ceramic tiles as well as the growing adoption of hardwood flooring will supplement the U.S. home remodeling market trends. The popularity of luxurious bathroom fittings including wall mounted toilets, rounded rectangle vanity mirrors, floating vanities, and console sink vanities will also offer lucrative opportunities for professionals in the remodeling industry.

Rapidly evolving technology and constant upgrades in roofing technology has gathered a lot of consumer attention. Masses are increasingly becoming aware of environmental protection and energy conservation in households through utilization of green materials. This is prompting more consumers to indulge in home remodeling activities.

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The U.S. home remodeling market size will record annual revenues of over USD 500 billion by 2026.

Competition in the U.S. home remodeling market is fragmented due to densely populated areas in different regions. A vital role is being played by the wholesalers for distribution of home improvement products at cost-effective prices. For instance, one of the leading wholesale distributors of home improvement products in the U.S., ABC Supply, introduced a new location in Massachusetts to provide products and solutions and cater to the evolving customer needs in the state.

U.S. home remodeling market is likely to be driven by growing consumer knowledge regarding green buildings and shifting trends towards smart homes. Remodeling of houses generally refers to upgradation of the existing exteriors, interiors, or other improvements to the property such as incorporation of energy saving technology, safety checks and maintenance & repair.

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As per the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, around 39% of the nuclear family homes accounted for the overall U.S. rental homes. Spending on home improvements across the U.S. is gradually escalating due to the rising cost of building material and labor. This has prompted homeowners to spend mostly on the existing houses. Prevalent house renting trends will substantially foster home improvement initiatives across the region.

Rising per capita incomes, increasing preference for energy efficient and luxurious living spaces, thriving real estate sector and easy availability of remodeling businesses are factors impacting the regional growth. Moreover, rising cost of land and low lending rates will further fuel the demand for refurbishment across the country.

Different programs implemented by the regional governments including residential weatherization, residential retrofit, appliance recycling and direct install programs are encouraging masses to remodel their houses. Growing popularity of mid-century & farmhouse designs has resulted in major changes in American kitchens. Kitchen improvement & additions segment is likely to grow at a significant rate on account of shifting consumer preferences toward streamlined textures, materials and designs.

Browse complete table of content (TOC) of this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/toc/detail/us-home-remodeling-market

The company has an expanded product portfolio encompassing a range of roofing, doors, windows, siding, railing and decking products. Other prominent providers of U.S. home remodeling market are Andersen Corporation, Kohler Co., Pella Corporation, Ferguson Enterprises, The Sherwin-Williams Company, ABC Supply, HD supply, US LBM, Beacon roofing supply, and Watsco Inc., among others.

In general, a large number of homeowners from states such as Texas, Florida and California possess heavy spending capacities for home renovation projects. According to the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders), the spending per improvement in California had increased to over USD 9,565 in 2018, which was up by 20% when compared to the spending in 2017.

Related Reports: -

Remodeling Market: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/remodeling-market-is-projected-to-expand-at-3-9-cagr-through-2026-global-market-insights-inc-301159174.html

Home Improvement Market: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/04/23/1807665/0/en/Home-Improvement-Market-demand-to-cross-1-120bn-by-2025-Global-Market-Insights-Inc.html

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U.S. Home Remodeling Market to 2026 - Developments Strategies and Regional insights - Technology Magazine

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) An East Tampa grandmother received a special Valentines Day show of love from WWE wrestler and philanthropist Titus ONeil, whose real name is Thaddeus Bullard.

Bullard met 75-year-old Yvonne McCoy and her granddaughter Jayda at his Joy of Giving event over the holidays.

After getting to know the family, he decided to give McCoy a special gift a home makeover.

McCoy is raising 10-year-old Jayda in a 1,200 square-foot home on East Diana Street. A son and a grandson also live there.

During the Bullard Family Foundations Thanksgiving Food Distribution back in November, Bullard delivered food to the house. He had met McCoy and Jayda at a previous foundation event and knew their story and McCoys love for her family and care for Jayda.

After his most recent visit, he wanted to give Jayda a more inviting space to do her e-learning.

Im in this position because people invested in me when they had nothing to gain in return, Bullard said.

On Tuesday, the work began on the house with the help of community partners, contractors, and volunteers.

While the work began on the home, McKibbon Hospitality provided the family a place to stay and a spot for Jayda to do her e-learning for the week.

It was McCoys very first time staying in a hotel, although she worked for one for nearly two decades.

There were several partners that helped re-do her home including, Ashley HomeStore, McKibbon Hospitality, Rescom Air Corp., Somerfield Construction, Borrell Electric, Trio Plus Painting, Skanska, Revealing Truth Ministries, Paragon Recycling & Demolition, Riverhills Church, Titan Construction, Watertight Roofing Services, Mont Krest, MyLawnCut.com, One Green Filter, Scott Fischer (the CEO of Dippin Dots), Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister and Nikki DeBartolo.

McCoy said words escaped her, especially after another surprise a new car to replace her unreliable van.

Im dumbfounded right now, McCoy said.

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Titus ONeil helps remodel East Tampa grandmothers home, surprises her with new car - WFLA

Researchers at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University (JCHS) say spending on owner-occupied-home improvements is expected to grow in 2021 in most of the country's large metro areas, based on data from the center's Remodeling Futures Program.

The report shows that, following a pandemic-related slowdown, annual home improvement spending should increase from 1-13% in 42 major metropolitan areas.

For four of the areas tracked, researchers expect it to decline by 1.5% or less.

"Collectively, large metro areas are expected to see stronger remodeling gains in 2021 with an average growth of almost 5% compared to an estimated gain of 2% in 2020. Fully 14 metros are projected to see robust growth above 6% this year, while an additional 17 metros are set for moderate gains between 3 and 6%," noted research assistant Sophia Wedeen.

Broad strength in house price appreciation, existing home sales, and residential construction suggest that many metros will see greater renovation activity this year, said Abbe Will, Associate Project Director in the Remodeling Futures Program at the Center. The largest remodeling spending gains are projected to occur in relatively more affordable metros in the Sunbelt, with over 9% growth expected in Oklahoma City, Tucson, Charlotte, Phoenix, and San Antonio.

Although home remodeling is a bright spot in the economy overall, owner improvement spending is projected to contract slightly in a few high-cost metropolitan areas including New York, Denver, Boston, and San Jose, Weeden added. While other higher-cost metrosWashington, DC, Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattleare expected to have only modest levels of spending growth between 1 and 3% this year.

TheRemodeling Futures Program, initiated by the JCHS in 1995, is a comprehensive study of the factors influencing the growth and changing characteristics of housing renovation and repair activity in the United States.

"The program seeks to produce a better understanding of the home improvement industry and its relationship to the broader residential construction industry," according to the center.

See the full report at JHCS.org.

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Home Improvement Spending is Projected to Grow in 2021 - The MReport

The national median price of homes sold by Realtors spiked 12.9% from December 2019 to December 2020. Housing inventory fell to a record low, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Segal, for his part, loves the house he shares with his wife and their three daughters, but the quarters were getting cramped. He found a contractor to add a master bedroom and other living space to the house.

Paying for home improvements can pose a challenge, however. A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is one tried-and-true source of renovation funds. But HELOCs work only for homeowners with significant equity. If you owe $300,000 on your $400,000 property, a bank is unlikely to lend $100,000 through a HELOC. To keep your loan-to-equity level at 80%, or $320,000, youd be able to borrow just $20,000.

RenoFi offers a different approach: Homeowners can borrow up to 90% of their homes after-renovation value.

The company has partnered with credit unions throughout the country to offer the loans, says Justin Goldman, founder and chief executive of RenoFi. Goldman launched the company after experiencing firsthand the challenges of paying for renovations on an older home.

He created RenoFi to fill what he sees as a gap in the market. Goldman found most lenders didnt offer after-renovation loans, so he began persuading credit unions to add RenoFi home equity loans to their offerings.

How RenoFi loans work: RenoFi loans are second mortgages. In one example, Ardent Credit Union offers 20-year loans at a fixed rate of 4.25%, Goldman says. Thats higher than the rate on a primary mortgage, but it includes the flexibility of allowing homeowners to borrow against yet-to-be-created value.

Borrowers pay for an appraisal that establishes the homes value after renovation. The appraiser looks at the proposed construction plan and determines by how much the work will boost the propertys market value.

(Story continued below...)

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So, the pandemic has you looking to improve your home. How do you pay for it? - Oklahoman.com

Following the graduation of Drew Lisk and transfer of Jake Bentley, Utah's offseason at the quarterback position wasn't looking very promising.

Add in the injury and subsequent surgery to season-opening starter Cam Rising, who won't be ready until summer/fall camp, and the quarterback room was looking extremely dismal at best. Only freshman walk-on Cooper Justice remained healthy and on the roster a week after the season ended.

But then came good news as Utah signed four-star quarterback Peter Costelli, who's already on campus, as the one of the best signees in program history.

Courtesy of Peter Costelli Twitter account

Following Costelli's signing came the addition of transfers Charlie Brewer (Baylor) and Ja'Quinden Jackson (Texas), two players who instantly make Utah's quarterback room among the most talented in the conference. It's something head coach Kyle Whittingham not only acknowledges, but embraces.

Really, the quarterback room is almost a complete rebuild, Whittingham said. Cam will be ready, hopefully, by July. That should make for some interesting competition in the fall.

Ironically of the five quarterbacks including Rising only one of them has played more than one quarter since the 2019 season; and that's Brewer.

Rising has played just one full quarter of football since he was in high school in 2017. Jackson redshirted at Texas this past fall after suffering an ACL injury during his 2019 high school season in Texas. Costelli missed the 2020 high school season in California due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Justice last played as a senior in high school in 2019.

Courtesy of Ja'Quinden Jackson Twitter

That's what makes the addition of Brewer all that more important as he comes with invaluable game experience.

Were elated that we do have him. He went into the portal and we jumped on him right away. We told him what we had to offer here as far as an opportunity, Whittingham said of Brewer. Bottom line, Charlie felt good about what our plans were and the opportunity he had here. He felt like it was a good fit. Were ecstatic that hes here. Hell be the guy in spring ball that will get the majority of the reps. Well see what happens.

Brewer's career at Baylor was up-and-down, but the ups far outweighed the downs. Under former coach Matt Rhule, his junior season was something special when he threw for 3,161 yards and 21 touchdowns to just interceptions. He also added 344 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.

He led Baylor in a resurgent season to an 11-3 record before suffering losses to Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game and Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

Unfortunately, this past season didn't go as planned for Brewer. With Rhule now off to the NFL, Brewer struggled under new head coach Dave Aranda in leading the Bears to a 2-7 record. He threw for just 1,958 yards and 14 touchdowns (with eight interceptions), while adding 154 yards rushing and four scores.

As a four-year starter for Baylor, Brewer threw for 9,700 yards, 65 touchdowns and 28 interceptions in 44 games played. He also added 1,039 yards and 22 touchdowns as one of college football's most dynamic talents.

Nov 7, 2020; Ames, Iowa, USA; Baylor quarterback Charlie Brewer (5) walks off the field after their football game at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa State would go on to win 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Brian Powers-USA TODAY Sports

Whittingham isn't the only person high on Brewer and the Utes. With Rising attempting to recover from shoulder surgery on his throwing arm, it's unknown if he will be the same player he was prior to the injury.

That's whycollege football analyst R.J. Young of FOX Sports has listed Brewer among his top five transfers who will make an immediate impact for this upcoming season.

He knows what it means to compete in a conference championship game against one of the better teams in the country, Young said. I think Utah can really start thinking of themselves as being a favorite to win the Pac-12 South, I think its going to be them and or USC. Charlie Brewer gives you a capable winner, a capable leader, a grad transfer, so you dont have to worry about whether or not hes gonna be eligible to play. Charlie Brewer is an absolutely outstanding passer of the football and hes been on an 11-win Baylor team, thats where Utah wants to go next year.

Yet according to Young, Brewer isn't the only transfer heading to Utah who could've made the list. The Utes also picked up Jackson and running backs T.J. Pleder (Oklahoma) and Chris Curry (LSU) all of whom could have an immediate impact.

With Whittingham already proclaiming that Brewer will receive a majority of the reps this spring, it can be determined that he will be offered every opportunity to seize the starting role and lead the Utes back to Pac-12 success.

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Utah's Whittingham Ready For The "Complete Rebuild" In Quarterback Room - Sports Illustrated

Work is progressing on the residential conversion and retail addition on the 90-year-old One Wall Streetin theFinancial District. Designed bySLCE Architectsand developed byMacklowe Properties, the projected $1.5 billion undertaking is poised to be the largest office-to-condominium conversion in New York City history. When complete, the 654-foot-tall property will yield a total of 566 residential units with sales handled and marketed by Compass, as well as a 44,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market and a Life Time fitness center on the lower levels.

The multi-story reinforced concrete addition atop the mid-century annex of One Wall Street has been topped out for a while and more of the faade has been steadily enclosing the outer edges of the expansion. The new panels feature sculpted Art Deco surfaces, and some of the narrow panels between the large windows are etched withthin vertical lines, emulating the look of the original fenestration.

One Wall Street. Photo by Michael Young

One Wall Street. Photo by Michael Young

One Wall Street. Photo by Michael Young

Meanwhile, the mechanical hoist remains attached to the eastern elevation of the main tower. Crews enter by the intersection of Wall and New Streets, which is still covered in sidewalk scaffolding.

One Wall Street. Photo by Michael Young

One Wall Street. Photo by Michael Young

Interior scaffolding inside the White Room can be seen directly behind the tall pointed glass window. Its likely that the original mother of pearl Philippine shells that line the high ceilings are in the midst of being restored and refurbished. This upper unit is planned as a massive 13,000-square-foot triplex penthouse that would also feature rooftop access. Work should also be well underway on the restoration of the historic Red Room on the ground floor. Click here to see a previous YIMBY article showing photos of this space.

One Wall Street. Photo by Michael Young

The glass and steel structure thats been added to the lower floors of the annex appears to be largely complete and the protective blue film has been removed since our last update back in late September. The green colored sidewalk scaffolding maintains its hold over the sidewalks along Broadway and east along Exchange Place.

One Wall Street. Photo by Michael Young

One Wall Street. Photo by Michael Young

YIMBY last reported that One Wall Streets residences and the Whole Foods Market are both scheduled to open in 2021, possibly toward the end of the year.

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One Wall Street's Residential Conversion and Addition Continues in the Financial District - New York YIMBY

Josh Lytle, president of Family Care Ministries, shows off work in the basement of the Freedom Home in Chester. Contractors are filling in an indoor pool with rock and pouring a concrete floor. The room eventually will serve as housing for in-patient residents and up to 10 children at the Chester-based facility. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

EAST LIVEROOL The past year has been tough for the majority of non-profit organizations and charities, which found the majority of their fundraising events cancelled due to the pandemic. However, Family Care Ministries Josh Lytle said that slowly but surely things are still coming together as they continue to grow.

During a visit to the non-profits Freedom Home this past weekend, Lytle provided an update on the organizations efforts.

Not only is the documentary, Gateway To Hope: Overcoming Heroin, still reaching an audience through Amazon Prime, the pandemic has brought continued growth within the organization.

After graduating his first class of women from the Freedom Home, the five-acre, in-patient facility in Chester, Lytle said that he has started chapel services there at 6 p.m. Sundays to a standing room crowd.

Currently, the facility is hosting around 50 people in the living room area; however, the indoor pool area in the basement is being converted over to a room that eventually will host the Family Care Chapel temporarily until being moved to a freestanding building on the Freedom Homes campus.

The plan is to build a multi-purpose room on the property and then we will transform that (former pool area) to a housing area that can house women with up to 10 children, he continued. Our goal is to restore the family unit and keep children out of Children Protective Services. They also would be schooled here by a legitimate teacher.

In addition, a classroom space is being finished in a ground floor room that was a former sun porch, where Lytle said that the finishing touches (including hanging drywall and some painting) need to be completed.

Family Care Ministries also is looking at adding a mens center and community event center in East Liverpool and are looking at a variety of potential locations.

Lytle explained, We actually grew more in the last year under COVID. People are seeing the results of our approach and are backing it. I have very high standards, and I want people to know if they are entrusting me with their loved ones that they will be well taken care of.

Unlike many high dollar facilities, Family Care Ministries doesnt charge for any of its services nor is it funded through insurance companies or grants.

The only thing impacted by COVID negatively has been the organizations jail ministry, which has been brought to a virtual standstill by the pandemic. We have been in the jail ministry for 12 years, but COVID shut that down; however, our one-on-one ministry has continued to grow.

Family Care Ministries doesnt just deal with addictions but all around mental health.

Lytle hopes to teach that life is worth fighting for.

Everyone not just addicts has mental health issues. People are anxious, because they dont know what is going on due to the pandemic especially teenagers, he added.

Family Care Ministries is a 501(c)3, meaning all donations either monetary or in-kind are tax deductible. Those wishing to help out can visit http://www.seeinglivestransformed.com, where they can give an one-time or monthly gift to the non-profit.

The faith-based approach is just different, Lytle concluded. I believe that the success is that faith in Christ, as everyone wants to be loved and not rejected.

For more information, call (330) 368-0725 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays for information.

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EL-based non-profit sees growth through pandemic - The Review

Last month, West Concord High School now home to the West Concord Historical Society Museum & Community Center was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Built in 1902, the school's architect, Fremont D. Orff, designed several other Minnesota buildings on the National Register including courthouses in Waseca and Renville counties, and the Carnegie Library in Little Falls.

RELATED: Court records show troubling past of Wabasha County administrator applicant

"We were told both sides of your building were designed by noted architects, so that helps a little in the favor of us being eligible," said Colleen Hayne, president of the West Concord Historical Society.

Hayne said she attended school in the building. A room that is now a replica of the Flame Room, which was the dining room at the local hotel, was her first-grade classroom.

A room is devoted to high-school memorabilia in the West Concord Museum. The West Concord School building built in 1902 has been listed on the National Registry of historic places. February 15, 2021. (Ken Klotzbach / kklotzbach@postbulletin.com)

The building was added onto twice. The first time was in 1914 when the state insisted the school offer industrial arts and home economics in order to be certified as a high school, Hayne said. That addition was built on the south side of the original building. Then, in 1935 the Works Progress Administration offered a grant to add to the building's north side.

The WPA addition, completed in 1936, included a library, a gymnasium with a theater stage, and a gathering room for the high school students. The WPA addition came with skylights that helped light the rooms during the day.

Hayne said the historical society, which was formed in 1994 shortly after buying the old building for $1 when it was being abandoned as a school, hired Blue Planet Museum Consultants of Rochester in 2018 to conduct an assessment as to whether the building would be eligible to be on the register. After a six-month study, the answer was yes. The historical society used a second grant to have Blue Planet complete an application for the National Register.

While the famous architect was one positive step, Blue Planet told the historical society that the clincher was that the school had been the lone edifice for education in the city for 56 years.

Large skylights are featured in an activity room in the 1936 addition to the West Concord school. The West Concord Historical Society was recently able to get the West Concord School building listed on the National Registry of historic places. February 15, 2021. (Ken Klotzbach / kklotzbach@postbulletin.com)

"From 1902 to 1958, this complex was the only school for West Concord kids," Hayne said. "It was everything to the community the way schools used to be. It was grade school, high school -- the whole ball of wax."

Since 1992, West Concord students are part of the Triton Schools, a combination district with Claremont, Dodge Center and West Concord, and attend school in Dodge Center.

The West Concord Historical Society has put new life in the old building, keeping several displays in old classrooms. In addition to the Flame Room, there is a dedicated Veterans Room, the Heritage Room with items from life in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Fashion Room with ladies clothing from the early 1900s, the groovy '50s and '60s room, and a Classroom that features old desks and the implements of learning through the years.

The West Concord School building built in 1902, left, and it's addition built in 1936 have recently been added to the National Registry of historic places. February 15, 2021. (Ken Klotzbach / kklotzbach@postbulletin.com)

From a more practical standpoint, getting on the register allows the historical society to apply for large renovation grants through the Minnesota State Historical Society funding program.

"If we need $100,000, it's the only way we can accomplish that," she said.

And the museum does need funding. Hayne said they'd like to replace the roof, there are walls where the plaster and paint are peeling, there are outer walls that need tuckpointing, and the plumbing could stand to be replaced.

Old class photos line the hallways of the West Concord Museum February 15, 2021. The school building that houses the museum was added to the National Registry of historic places. (Ken Klotzbach / kklotzbach@postbulletin.com)

When the museum was first started in the 1990s, "there were a lot of volunteers," Hayne said, "who transformed the school into a museum."

Today, she said, the museum needs volunteers as well as funding to help renovate the building. Fortunately, working at the museum is a job she can highly recommend.

"Everybody who works here loves it, so that's a good thing," Hayne said.

Dodge County entries in the National Register

Dodge County has 11 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Five are in Kasson, two each in Mantorville and West Concord, one in Wasioja, and one in Canisteo Township.

Ole Carlson House: Located 8 miles south of Kasson in Canisteo Township. The historic farmhouse was finished in 1882.

Eureka Hotel: 101 Third Ave. SW, Kasson. The hotel was built along the tracks of the railroad that runs through Kasson in 1894.

Kasson Municipal Building: 12 W. Main St., Kasson. Built in 1917 and designed by Purcell & Elmslie in the Prairie School design.

Kasson Water Tower: Located in the 100 block of Fourth Avenue Northwest. The water tower has a limestone base and has been unaltered since its early days.

Kasson Public School: 101 Third Ave. NW, Kasson. Served as Kasson's only school, kindergarten through grade 12, from 1918 to 1954.

Jacob Leuthold Jr. House: 108 Second Ave. NW. Designed by Minnesota architects Frederick G. Kees and Serenus Colburn in 1905.

Mantorville and Red Wing Stage Road-Mantorville Section: Located near Fifth Street Northeast in Mantorville. Running for about 600 feet northeast from Fifth Street, the stagecoach road was built in 1855.

Mantorville Historic District: Located in downtown Mantorville. Including 24 properties, the historic district was built from 1854 to 1918 and includes the 1857 Hubbell House hotel, the Dodge County Courthouse, the Mantorville Opera House and more.

Wasioja Historic District: Located throughout Wasioja. The district's historic buildings include the Wasioja Baptist Church, Minnesota Seminary, Wasioja Township School, the Civil War recruiting station, and the Andrew Doig House.

Perry Nelson House: Located about 6 miles east of West Concord on Dodge County Road 22/560th Street. The Italianate farmhouse dates to 1870.

West Concord High School: 600 W. First St., West Concord. The town's only school from 1902-1958, the building was designed by Fremont D. Orff with a WPA addition completed in 1936.

Colleen Hayne looks for her class photo in the West Concord Museum February 15, 2021. The West Concord School building built in 1902 has been added to the National Registry of historic places. (Ken Klotzbach / kklotzbach@postbulletin.com)

Colleen Hayne, president of the West Concord Historical Society, climbs down the one of the stairways in the West Concord Museum February 15, 2021. The West Concord School building built in 1902 has been added to the National Registry of historic places. February 15, 2021. (Ken Klotzbach / kklotzbach@postbulletin.com)

A police cap is a small piece if the historic memorabilia in the West Concord Museum. The West Concord School building that houses the museum has been added to the National Registry of historic places. February 15, 2021. (Ken Klotzbach / kklotzbach@postbulletin.com)

Colleen Hayne, president of the West Concord Historical Society, looks at one of the rooms in need of repair in the West Concord Museum, February 15, 2021. The West Concord School building built in 1902 has been added to the National Registry of historic places. February 15, 2021. (Ken Klotzbach / kklotzbach@postbulletin.com)

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West Concord makes the grade in history - PostBulletin.com

Home Design

Spearheaded by Lisa Tharp Design, the clever makeover plays on the owner's love for literature.

A product of designer Lisa Tharps collaboration with the Rug Company, the cushy wool-and-silk rug with an oversize fern pattern adds to the nature vibe of the subterranean reading space. / Photo by Read McKendree/JBSA

Seeing how Concord was once the stomping ground for such celebrated writers as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Louisa May Alcott, it only makes sense that Lisa Tharp Designs multi-room rehab of a 5,000-square-foot Arts and Craftsstyle house there began in the library.

The homeowners three children were getting older, and while she wished for a more adult, refined look for her residence, she didnt want to sacrifice comfort. This home was to be a sanctuary for the family, principal Lisa Tharp says, a place where they could relax and unwind and enjoy good books and cozy fires and shared meals. Maximizing natural light was also important to the client throughout the project, which was completed in phases over a few years.

Decorative painter Pauline Curtiss, of Lincoln-based Patina, added texture to the librarys ceiling by hand-stenciling it with a leaf motif reminiscent of William Morriss Arts and Crafts textile designs. / Photo by Michael J. Lee

With that in mind, Tharp and her team kicked off the revamp by replacing the slatted wood blinds in the combined library and living room with Roman shades to let in sunshine and reveal views of the propertys pretty gardensbest seen from the new 12-foot-long window seat. A cool marble fireplace surround sourced from Vermont and handsome midcentury accents such as the floor lamp and the travertine coffee table balance out the rooms dominant pink tones, which the client adores. The idea of going pink in a library was a little bit unusualbut I thought that would be the perfect counterpoint to all of the dark, heavy wood, Tharp says.

Down the hall, the kitchen facelift also focused on capturing natural lightout went the brooding tiled range wall and in came tall windows. A custom Edwardian-style hood now extends down from the ceiling, echoing the curves of the Urban Electric Co. light illuminating the existing island. Because the homeowner wanted three counter stools to nest under the island, Tharp and her team designed padded leatherette seats with a narrow profile to fit the space constraints. Theres more seating in the adjoining playroom cum breakfast room. With the addition of a Jean Prouv table and a banquette, plus a desk built by craftsman Norton DeAmorim, it has become a multifunctional space for both meals and study sessions.

To brighten the kitchen, the team painted all of the existing wood cabinetry and hid the refrigerator and the freezer in a paneled armoire. / Photo by Read McKendree/JBSA

Midcentury furniture offsets the soft, spring-green palette and classic floral prints in the new breakfast room. / Photo by Read McKendree/JBSA

But while the breakfast room is decidedly in the familys domain, the transformation of the primary suites floor plan created a sanctuary just for Mom. Tharp replaced the small windows facing the bed with a wall of French doors that open onto the balcony with views of the grounds. The rooms French feelalso exemplified by the Renoir etching hung above the tufted headboardis intentional, Tharp says. We were taking inspiration from a beautiful suite somewhere in Paris, she explains. Theres a bit of escapism, taking your mind away to a place thats beautiful and inspiring. (The City of Lights is another iconic literary hubcoincidence?)

The reconfiguration of the suite opened up the space, while the installation of an interior window helped brighten the formerly cave-like primary bathroom and the new dressing room. And, oh the luxe details: custom cabinetry, Moroccan-esque glass and gilt wall tile from Ann Sacks, and shadowbox mirrors lined with pink lacquer over the vanity. This is a client who just wanted her house to feel happy, Tharp says. There are these little fun moments throughout where its like, Lets not be so seriousthat is a testament to who she is.

A lounging spot in the owners bedroom features a folding chinoiserie screen by Gracie. / Photo by Read McKendree/JBSA

Six circa-1800s sketches of Concord landmarksincluding Walden Pond and Louisa May Alcotts Orchard Housecomprise a gallery wall in the primary bedroom. / Photo by Read McKendree/JBSA

Mirrored tile and custom cabinetry lighten the formerly cave-like primary bath. / Photo by Read McKendree/JBSA

The dressing room boasts a collage by Henry Botkin and a charcoal drawing by Tharps daughter, Fia. / Photo by Read McKendree/JBSA

It was a big leap from imagination to reality, Tharp says of the meditation room and the bookshelf that Carpenter & MacNeille built to enclose it. / Photo by Read McKendree/JBSA

Luxe silk covers the walls, the ceiling, and the bookshelves in the reading nook, outfitted with a queen-size bed. / Photo by Read McKendree/JBSA

Its no wonder, then, that the primary bath is now one of the homeowners most-loved places in the house, competing for the top spot with Tharps masterstroke: a cushy hideaway for reading and meditation in the basement, occupying a windowless space that once stored a drum set. Inspired by mossy forests, Tharp worked with contractors at Carpenter & MacNeille to fashion a daybed nook entered via an oval cutout in one wall. When you are in there, you feel utterly cocooned and protected in this total quiet, Tharp says. Especially during the current pandemic, We are craving a connection to what really matters: people we love, nature, rest, peace, she adds. Spaces that not only bring people close and rejuvenate them, but even inspire meditative thoughts. Those spaces nourish our souls.

Truly soul-nourishing is a cloistered inner sanctum next to the daybed nook offering velvet poufs and a mirrored ceiling and walls, creating the illusion that the glow from the 12 flameless candles suspended from the ceiling goes on forever (a nod to Japanese artist Yayoi Kusamas Infinity Mirror Roomsand to the floating tapers of the Great Hall in the Harry Potter series).

And how exactly do you access this secret retreat? Pull on the spine of the homeowners favorite bookPride and Prejudice by Jane Austenand the bookcase door swings open, of course. Its an engineering feat ripped from the pages of a Sherlock Holmes mysteryand a fitting metaphor for the renovation as a whole. This was creative freedom you dont get on every project, Tharp says, also noting that designing an all-pink room was a first for her firm. We were very grateful to have that trust from the client.

Thanks to the mirrored walls reflecting hanging candles and the moss-green floor pillows, the 25-square-foot secret room feels like a magical woodland forest, Tharp says. / Photo by Read McKendree/JBSA

Contractor/MillworkerCarpenter & MacNeille

Interior Architecture/DesignLisa Tharp Design

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Check Out the Secret Room in This Renovated Concord Home - Boston magazine

I started the Cut em or Keep em & Prediction series earlier this week, having already taken a look at whether or not the Green Bay Packers should cut or keep Devin Funchess, Dean Lowry, and Christian Kirksey.

Well, on Friday, Green Bay made some actual cuts by moving on from Kirksey and Rick Wagner. This created over $10 million in cap space and leaves the Packers still about $11.4 million over the projected salary capwhich at this point is still an estimate.

But in addition to getting under the cap, the Packers also need room for any free-agent additions, in-season spending, the practice squad, as well as the draft class. Meaning there are likely more cuts to follow.

So before GM Brian Gutekunst makes any other moves, Ill try to finish this series. Up next is Preston Smith.

2021 Cap Hit: $16,000,000

Admittedly, this is difficult to justify given Preston Smiths performance in 2020, and the monster cap hit the comes with him being on the roster this season. However, if the Green Bay Packers were to hang on to him, it would be with the hope that he would regain some of his 2019 form.

That season, Smith tallied 12 sacks, good for the eighth-most in the NFL, along with 62 pressures, which were tied for the 15th most among edge rushers. That type of production paired with ZaDarius Smith, who was named a second-team All-Pro and is coming off a 12.5 sack season, along with Rashan Gary, who was the 15th most efficient edge rusher in the NFL in terms of pressuring the quarterback, would create a dominant force upfront.

And, of course, we cant forget Pro Bowler Kenny Clark, who has developed into one of the better interior defensive linemen in the game. In 2019 we saw The Smiths wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks, and last season it was ZaDarius and Gary, but we havent seen all three firing on all cylinders at the same time yet.

After the season Smith had, this is certainly a risky move given his cap situation, but if it paid off, Green Bays pass rush would benefit greatly.

2021 Cap Savings: $8,000,000

As I mentioned above, Smiths production fell off a cliff last season. He recorded just four sacks and 29 pressuresa far cry from his 2019 season. On top of that, in the pass-rushing efficiency metric referenced above from Pro Football Focus ($), Smith ranked 99th out of 121 eligible edge rushers.

There were flashes here and there, but his overall impact was greatly decreased. And it wasnt just as a pass rusher either; in the run game, he struggled to set the edge, and opposing offenses often ran directly at him because of this.

Even in an offseason where the salary cap wasnt shrinking, a $16 million cap hit for Smiths 2020 production would be a tough pill to swallow. So this year, it hurts even more. With the emergence of Rashan Gary, the Packers could move on from Smith and still have a potent one-two punch at the edge position.

With Smith, the Green Bay Packers could look to restructure his deal, creating more cap space in 2021. But the issue with doing that is with only one additional year left on Smiths deal after this season, his cap hit in 2022 would increase, as would his dead cap hit. Meaning, if Smith struggles again, moving on from him a year from now becomes even more difficult as hes owed even more money than what he currently is.

This is certainly an option, but its a risky one, given his recent performance. A $16 million cap hit is just way too much to take on, especially with ZaDarius Smith and Rashan Gary already as options on the roster. Green Bay will cut Preston Smith in lieu of the $8 million in cap savings.

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Green Bay Packers Cut em or Keep em & Prediction: Preston Smith - Dairyland Express