Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Nak Armstrong transformable rose earrings

When Nak Armstrong offers up hearts and flowers, they are not just simply hearts and flowers. They resemble miniature captivating mosaics and speak to a creative tapestry of Armstrong's influenceshis travels to Italy, his affinity for Art Deco pieces and his first career in textile design. Although his collection is ever-evolving and he has continually pushed the boundaries into alluring realms of the imagination, honing his craft, I thought it was befitting on Valentines Day to offer a peek into his more delicate designs that have resulted in some of the most profoundly creative medleys of multi-gemstone jewelry.Inspired byRoman tile work, and the characteristically imperfect beauty of ancient ruins mixed together with the precision of the Art Deco style of combining a variety of gem cuts into one piece, he has created three-dimensional garden variety florals, lush tropical botanicals and leaves and most recently, a intricate and intriguing collection of hearts.

Nak Armstrong Strapped Heart Pendant

I began working on this particular collection approximately two years ago, says Armstrong who launched his eponymous label Nak Armstrong in 2011 after closing his prior company Anthony Nak, which he co-owned with a partner and held the position of creative director for 12 years.

Armstrongs textile design background, so prevalent in the Anthony Nak line, which evoked the feeling of flowing fabrics that moved with the body, continues to inform the Nak Armstrong collection but with an eye towards innovating new techniques in gem cutting, motifs and patterns. This first led to what he refers to as Ruffled Hardware a collection of ruched and draped rings, hoop earrings and pendants and his Origami collection which includes pieces that take on the tactile appearance of pleats, ribbons and folds. Within these collections, he creates shapes that combine the movement and fluidity of fabric by working with undulating and tapered baguettes and other propriety cuts so that they also impart mosaic-like patterns. These are designed in either monochromatic total hues or single vivid gemstones of emeralds, rubies, tourmalines and sapphires.

Nak Armstrong ruched Tanzanite ring

Triple ruched ruby ring

Nak Armstrong Ethopian opal fold earrings

While I was designing these textile based styles,I had also wanted to create something suggestive of the magnificent ancient architecture that I saw in Romeparticularly the ruins that were there for centuries. I was awed by the splendor of the facades and ceilings of buildings, and how even when broken down or faded, they still revealed these amazing patterns of different tile work.

He continues, For as long as I can remember, I have also been attracted Art Decofirst in the architecture and then in the jewelry. The mix of different cuts of gems and diamonds which form geometric shapes within other shapes in wide bracelets and other pieces was revolutionary during the time it was designed. I wanted to create something that captured both of these in concept, without ever being exact in my interpretation.I consistently push myself to design pieces that give a nod to aspects I love, yet are unexpected and hopefully always undeniably modern.

Nak Armstrong Peony Ear Cuffs

Armstrong has achieved this sense of surprise and current vibe within all of his collections. He has ingeniously created the flowers to take on more of the mosaic feeling, and the hearts, more Deco and precise in the cuts and how they fit together. To accomplish this, he created a range of new proprietary cuts and construction for both of these collections. Roses, tulips, peonies, irises and a variety of exotic blooms and leaves comprise much of the florals which feature more pixelated color ways while the hearts are more of an explosion of vivid hues and color blocking.

Nak Armstrong Iris Ear Cuffs

Nak Armstrong blue zircon Banana Leaf earrings

All of Armstrong's designs are engineered to take on a three-dimensional effect that is much lighter weight than the pieces appear.

Diamond Strapped Heart

His early designs for Nak Armstrong were originally set in silver and were also based on tile work but in more muted or monochromatic colors, set with his exclusive cuts.Within this collection, he created riviere necklaces, tennis bracelets, cuffs and hoop earrings that also touched on the architecture of the duomos in Italy and the facades of buildings in other European cities. To create an easier shopping experience for his customers and a collection with more accessible price points, he pulled these pieces from the main collection and decided to create a spin-off line which he has named Nakard. In this collection, he has also recently added heart motifs in oxidized silver with enamel trim around the heart shapes.

Nakard labradorite riviere

At first, this heart collection presented a test for me I am continually challenging myself to defy conventional jewelry techniques and come from an intuitive place. The less complex the design, with less moving parts, the harder it is to create something fresh and contemporary. It all came together in cabochon cut hearts contrasted against his signature oxidized background with the addition of enameling, which lends a sense of volume and dimension . I learned that the simplicity of this collection allowed me to play with more colors, add more whimsy andhave a lot of fun. Armstrong says.

Nakard Oxidized Silver, enamel and moonstone heart cabochon earrings

Whats most alluring for Armstrongs customers is that the collections can be worn together intricate Nak Armstrong mosaic floral earrings combines easily with a Nakard scalloped bracelet or cabochon heart necklace. An Art Deco-inspired colored blockedNak Armstrong heart with half-moon and baguette shapes can layer with a Nakard riviere necklace in a muted tone to allow the heart to pop or both can be worn in vivid colors to create more of an eye catching statement.

Nak Armstrong Sakura earrings

Nakard ruby scalloped tennis bracelet

The self-taught Armstrong creates intriguing departures from the traditional by circumventing the constraints of fine jewelry and by continually experimenting and developing pieces that are fast becoming collectors items. These are the type of pieces that inspire the enchantment of seeing something new or unique every time you look at a piece, much like when you are among the legendary mosaics and ruins in Rome, always finding a captivating new aspect of design.

Nak Armstrong Botanica earrings

Nakard Ethopian Heart riviere

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Nak Armstrong: Hearts, Flowers And A Profoundly Original Approach To Jewelry Design - Forbes

Located just across the street from the bay, it not only has all kinds of space to accommodate a variety of pursuits, but a large swimming pool with a waterfall, a spa, a basketball court, and three wood-burning fireplaces!

The homes luxuriant living room is graced by a spiral staircase and a magnificent floor-to-ceiling stone hearth that surrounds one of its three fireplaces.

A cheerful dining area is bathed in natural light from a wall of windows that overlook the pool.

The outdoor basketball court is a perfect place for amateur hoopsters to practice everything from layups to free throws.

The expansive in-ground pool, shielded by juniper trees, has plenty of room around it for sunbathing.

BILL BONVIEFor The Press

If ever a house seemed made to order for the times were living in, its the luxury three-story, five-bedroom, five-bath, recently renovated residence for sale at 7506 Bayshore Drive in Margate at an asking price of $2,450,000. That is to say, its the ideal setup for both working and vacationing at home on a year-round basis.

Not only does this property offer all kinds of interior space for individual family members to engage in their own pursuits without getting in each others way (including recreation rooms and bedroom alcoves), but it includes the kinds of advantages usually found in resort retreats, which have now become more desirable than ever in a home environment. As the current owner puts it, the house is one that lends itself to recreational activities.

The most impressive of these features is a huge, heated in-ground pool, complete with its own waterfall, surrounded by a fenced-in, tiled patio shielded by juniper treesthe ideal place for both daily swims in summer and outdoor pool parties. Another aquatic-therapy amenity is an outdoor whirlpool/hot tub on the rear porch.

Theres also a basketball court, complete with professional measurements and weather-resistant rubber flooring thats a perfect place for hoop-dream hopefuls to compete with each other and practice their layups, jump shots and free throws, as well as for older family members to try and resurrect the slam dunks of their youth or simply stay in shape.

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If youre looking for an ideal place to work and play, this Margate luxury home may be your rainbow's end - Press of Atlantic City

Highland Community News contributor Paul Prado recently gave a presentation to the Highland Area Historical Society on historic locations in Highland that can still be visited by residents today. Following is a timeline of many of the points of interest he mentioned.

The Patton Train Depot on Highland Avenue east of Victoria Avenue was demolished recently in mid-December. It was constructed of wood in 1893 and rebuilt in 1896. The depot was closed in 1938 and sold in 1948. In the 1990s, it was used as a fruit stand. During Halloween, it was a pumpkin patch.

Hunting deer was a common activity in Highland during the time of the Santa Fe East Highlands train depot.

Local hunters like S.K. Bacon and Wally Wattenbarger would bring their harvested deer and pose for pictures along the river rock wall at the depot.

On Boulder Avenue, north of Greenspot Road, you can see two orange tractors. These tractors worked at the Harvest Barn Strawberry Patch. The patch used to be the Yakamura Strawberry Patch.

Baseline Burgers, 25578 E. Base Line, has been a place of friendship and family dining for years. What is unique about the plaza is that the wood that was used to construct the buildings was shipped by train from San Francisco, hence the name San Francisco Plaza.

At Village Lakes on Greenspot Road, there is a small rock monument by one of the ponds. It shows a picture of the Cram House. The monument speaks of the Cram family and its planting of experimental orange trees in 1857.

In East Highlands, a historic neighborhood south of Greenspot Road at Church Street, affectionately called El Ranchito, there used to be a Filipino camp. The workers from the camp helped the local growers harvest their crop along with workers from Cone Camp on Greenspot Road. The camp was north of St. John Bosco Church.

The Beaver Medical Urgent Care, 7000 Boulder Ave., in Highland has a stone monument of El Molino. It is located right when you pull into the drive. El Molino was the Highland Lumber Company. They used shook, scraps of wood cuttings, for the orange boxes in the groves. The plaque features an etching a mule team, a train and the packinghouse.

The Belle, 6917 Palm Ave., in Highlands historic business district, has the original bell from the East Highlands Train Depot and the depot sign. There is also a poem from the time of the lumber days rewritten and framed on the wall.

Remnants of the Highland Train Depot are on the northeast corner of Palm and Pacific Street. There remains a concrete platform that has steps and a partial rail. On the platform sits green tile work, possibly from a washroom.

The Stone House, or Rock House, at 7136 Club View Dr. also stands as a reminder of what life was like before the orange groves disappeared. The East Highlands Ranch was established by James S. Edwards in 1887. The Stone House was constructed in 1926 as a social gathering place for the workers of the ranch.

Aurantia Park, 29624 Greenspot Road, is home of a section of the Plunge Creek Bridge. The bridge sits near the rear of the park. The park is significant because it was created by the generosity and foresight of local citrus grower Elizabeth McLean Kiel to preserve the history of Highlands citrus industry. The park has a playground, hard-packed, low-impact trails and two dog parks.

St. John Bosco Church, 28991 Merris St., has been a refuge for prayer, fellowship and celebrations for generations. The church was built on Aug. 13, 1941. Henrietta Aguilar Chavez has been the matriarch of the church for decades. Families move away from the section of Highland, but they return to enjoy its quiet and serene way of living.

The city of Highland has many hidden gems.

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Hidden historic gems throughout the city of Highland - Highland Community News

Theres no doubt that this two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom bungalow near The Grove makes a statement with its unique exterior look, which combines green trim, red gutters, and tuck-pointedbrick. Built in 1884, the home has been completely refurbished to exude a modern, minimalist touch.The house is located just off of Manchester Road, near The Groves trendy restaurants, nightlife, and murals.

The home has undergone significantrenovations and now boastsa sparkling kitchen with quartz counters and stainless-steel appliances. The bathrooms havecustom tile work; the mainlevels bathroom includes agorgeous marble shower.Theopen shotgun floor plan is cozy. The house's warm hardwood floors and 9-foot-tall barn door are original to the house. Paired with bright white cabinetry and nude walls, the house is minimalist and clean.

The lower level is partially finished and offers additional hangout space such as a den area, which could be utilized as a second bedroom. Underneath the staircase is a chic home office with exposed pipes and a painted brick wall. The basement also has a half-bathroom.

The back of the house hasa large cement patio, making it the ideal spot for hosting get-togethers.

Address:4335 Swan Avenue

Price:$269,900

Realtor:Lisa Tricamo, Real Living Real Estate, 3142939339

Design STL's On the Market posts are editorial. Featured properties are selected by editors.

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Don't need a lot of space? Consider this adorable home in The Grove - St. Louis Magazine

We understand if you're feeling uninspired as we enter another weekend of lockdown. Eleven months into restrictions, it seems there is not much left to renovate, bake, or binge-watch, while the frigid February climate further encourages us to stay inside.

One of the perks to a lengthy lockdown, however, is that we can take inspiration from some fairly amazing former lockdown projects. The best part? They only take one weekend.

Read more: Modern interior design a guide to modern interior styles and design

While we may not be able to admire the exotic beauty of azulejos tiles on your travels, there is no reason why you can't bring a jet-set kiss of glamour into your home. While some mosaics take notably longer than a weekend to complete- you can still get busy with tiles in under two days.

For example, you can entirely revamp a small coffee table or stool with large tile in almost no time- meaning you can savor your Monday morning coffee on a rejuvenated piece of pre-loved furniture.

There are almost no rules when it comes to mosaics- as Rachel Shillander, creator of the widely - admired 'Disco Chair' revealed. The artist hand-stuck 30,000 mirror tiles to her chair as a tribute to the long-lost disco days we are all so nostalgic for over lockdown.

Granted, sticking 30,000 tiles onto a piece of furniture will take longer than one weekend. Though, Rachel's work only emphasizes the freedom we enjoy when it comes to tiles.

(Image credit: Adam Coleman)

'Imagine the solar system is a dance floor, and all the planets are just country-western, two-stepping around the sun,' shared Rachel, in her otherworldly description of her tiled masterpiece.

The artist continued: The chair is a hollow, thin-concrete monocoque shell, formed over an inflatable mold and covered in 30,000 individually handset mirror tiles. When placed in direct sun, either inside or outside, it creates a daylight disco as the sun cycles throughout the day, year, and varying weather conditions. As no two days are exactly the same, each day is a new, constantly changing and unique light show.'.

While your favorite gallery remains closed (unless you can have a virtual tour, in which case, nevermind,), there is a way of filling the art-shaped hole in your heart by bringing it into your home- in the most fashionable way possible. Your pieces can never look better than they do on a statement wall, alongside several other works of art. It's always looked stylish, it always will look stylish, and it only takes a day to create (art collection pending, of course).

Read more: Gallery wall ideas - 37 inspiring ways to turn art into an installation

In December 2019, author and interior stylist, Geneva Vanderzeil, first shared her 'Trash to Terracotta' project, in which she upcycled old vases she had found in a thrift store.

Geneva used liquid terracotta paint to cover the old color or pattern, so she was left with a vase that was shaped and colored exactly the way she would like. Since then, the author has shared a whitewashed version of Trash to Terracotta and a ceramic effect- which is equally as effective.

Let this weekend be the time you rejuvenate an aging vase that has outdated your color scheme. If you like the shape, there is now no reason to part with it.

As surprising as this may be, you may want a token of your daily lockdown walks to reminisce over in the future.

If you wish to preserve a piece of this era in the most elegant way possible, this trick is for you. While pressing flowers is a quick and straightforward process, the results could not be more beautiful, and they look charming in almost every room of the house.

Depending on the size of your frame, this project can consume far less than a day. However, you are left with an individual piece of decor and a sense of accomplishment, that will carry you through the rest of the weekend, and beyond.

Read more about the effects of the pandemic on our homes- 10 Ways Covid-19 is shaping design trends

Read more from the original source:
The lockdown DIY projects you can start and finish this weekend - LivingEtc

Windows 10 is a handy tool, but its not optimized for your needs right out of the box. This software comes with many useful tools, but it also comes pre-loaded with bloatware and annoying features that can get in the way of productivity.

The good news is you arent stuck using Windows 10 in its stock format. There are ways to clean up and customize the Start menu in Windows 10 to make it work better for your needs. Want more Windows help? Tap or click here for the Windows 10 secret everyone needs to know.

Whether its getting rid of annoying app suggestions or removing unwanted bloatware, youre going to want to clean up Windows 10. Luckily, its pretty easy to do. If youre ready to get rid of all that junk lurking in your Start menu, heres how.

You may have noticed a few suggested links popping up when you open the Start menu. Thats because Windows 10 Start menu has a feature that automatically shows recommended app links it thinks you may find useful. When you click the link, the Windows Store page will open for the app to buy and download.

While these suggestions can be useful in some situations, they can also be annoying. If youre tired of seeing these suggestions, you can turn them off, so they arent cluttering up your Start menu anymore.

Privacy, security, the latest trends and the info you need to live your best digital life.

To get rid of suggestions in Start:

The app list that pulls up in the Start menu can be a nuisance, especially if it came filled with pre-installed bloatware. Its pretty standard for computers to come loaded with bloatware, likeunnecessary apps and software, which can create a mess and make it difficult to find what youre looking for.

Even a simple install of Windows 10 can come with useless apps like Candy Crush Friends Saga or Cooking Fever. You can clear out this type of bloatware from your Start menu pretty quickly. Or, if you dont need the app list to pull up in the Start menu, you can disable the Show app list in Start menu instead.

To hide the apps list in the Start menu:

To remove programs you dont need or use:

RELATED: If youre having issues with the Microsoft update, click here for tips to debug

The Windows 10 Start menu is set to show you things like recently added or your most-used apps. Seeing new apps youve added in recent weeks can be helpful initially, but you may not find that feature to be as useful over time. Or, you may not want to be inundated with a list of regularly used or recently added apps.

If thats the case, you can disable those other options to clean up your Start menu. To disable the other options in Windows 10:

One of the unique features of Windows 10 is the Start tiles, which are large, bright boxes that give you quick access to certain apps. Some people may find those large Start tiles built into Windows 10 to be useful.

Not everyone likes being greeted by a load of square tiles with quick access to the Microsoft Store or the calendar when logging in, though. If you prefer to go without the tiles built into Windows 10, you can turn them off. Its pretty easy to do, too.

To turn off Show more tiles on Start:

Note: You must be signed in as anadministratorto enable or disable the Show more tiles on Start setting.

To rearrange or organize the tiles on Start:

RELATED: Windows 10 pro tips

Three folders populate the Start Menu as a default setting in Windows 10. They includeDocuments,PicturesandSettings, which may not be the most useful folders for your needs.

If you want to add different options to the Start menu, you can add additional folders to themix alongside the default ones. Maybe you want to add File Explorer, Settings, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, Videos, Network or even a personal folder. You can add one or all of these folders or as many that will fit to the Start menu.

Youll have to work within the Start menu screens height constraints, but you can customize what folders appear as often as you like.

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To add, edit or remove folders from theStart Menu:

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How to get rid of all the junk in your Windows 10 Start menu - Komando

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Its a busy weekend for Front Range galleries, fueled by social justice dialogues, pandemic fallout, Valentines Day, the Lunar New Year and other themes or plain old good art, which is why these spaces exist in the first place.

Trudy Chiddix, Hope Hands.

Trudy Chiddix, Plinth Gallery

Trudy Chiddix: Flaming Fingers Plinth Gallery, 3520 Brighton BoulevardThrough March 27Plinth Gallery hosts a beautiful show of new work by ceramic artist Trudy Chiddix, who embellishes her folk-art-inspired hand series with metal flames and words of encouragement to pandemic first responders and hospital workers. Alongside the hands, Chiddix adds elaborately decorated vases in kimono forms with added fused-glass elements, as well as whirl-winding figures, standing disks and lamp-like works lit from within.

Jill Mustoffa, Blue Year of the Ox, hand cut and sewn vinyl fabric on wood panel.

Jill Mustoffa

Parad'ox: Chinese New Year InvitationalValkarie Gallery, 445 South Saulsbury Street, Belmar, LakewoodThrough March 7Opening Reception: February 12, 5 to 9:30 p.m.; RSVP in advance at Eventbrite for timed-entry slotValkaries annual Chinese New Year exhibition is back, this year celebrating the Ox a sign of the Chinese zodiac known for reliability, persistence and honesty with renditions in a wide variety of styles and mediums, from paint and mixed media to scratchboard and hand-stitched leather. Each artwork is eight inches square, and available to view and buy both in person and through an online store at Valkaries website.

Autumn T. Thomas, Necessary Beings (detail), 2020, padauk wood, resin.

Courtesy of the artist.

From This Day ForwardBoulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th Street, BoulderFebruary 11 through May 31Opening Reception: Thursday, February 11, 4 to 8 p.m.Denver artist Tya Alisa Anthony, who herself works in a mixed-media mashup of photography, collage and sculpture, was tapped by BMoCA to curate From This Day Forward, an exhibition of artists working at the intersection of the Black Lives Matter discussion and the collective effects of living through a pandemic. The show, a varied body of work designed to get viewers thinking and talking, also brings forward underappreciated Colorado artists (and artists with ties to Colorado). Its an exhibition for the times that you wont want to miss.

Gabrielle Shannon and Jean Smith share D'art Gallery for From the Earth.

Courtesy of the artists

Gabrielle Shannon and Jean Smith, From the EarthVirginia Wood and Darlene Kuhne, Shared Spaces, in Gallery EastDart Gallery, 900 Santa Fe DriveFebruary 11 through March 7Valentine Celebration: Friday, February 12, noon to 7 p.m., and Saturday, February 13, noon to 5 p.m.Dart member artists Gabrielle Shannon and Jean Smith share the Main Gallery with a complementary exhibition of abstract paintings inspired by nature, and wall arrangements and columns of clay shapes reminiscent of stone cairns. Shared Spaces, in the East Gallery, doubles as a benefit for the Virginia Wood Fund for Artists in Need and Darlene Kuhne Charity.

A detail from Amy Hoagland and Jenny Cole's Scope of the Natural.

Courtesy of the artists

Amy Hoagland and Jenny Cole, Scope of the Natural, Main GalleryShelby McAuliffe and Molly Ott, Indoor Emergencies, South GalleryFirehouse Art Center, 667 4th Avenue, LongmontSecond Friday Exhibit Opening: Friday, February 12, 6 to 9 p.m.; RSVP online in advance for timed-entry slot at Eventbrite Longmonts Firehouse lets you attend this months Second Friday reception just the way you like it: in person, by timed entry, or virtually, with a live-streaming gallery tour and artist visit you can enjoy from home a useful opportunity, considering this weekends cold weather, not to mention COVID. Either way, youll want to see the site-specific art installation devised during the NEST winter residency by CU Boulder grad students Amy Hoagland and Jenny Cole, who melded art and science in an artificial natural environment. In the South Gallery, CU MFA candidates Shelby McAuliffe and Molly Ott address new routines developed under quarantine in the last year with a three-part video presentation.

Justin Beard Member ShowHart Krypilo, Strong Female LeadPirate Contemporary Art, 7130 West 16th Avenue, LakewoodFebruary 12 through February 28DIY forager and outdoor guy Justin Beard, whos mum on what hes creating for his member slot at Pirate, and Hart Krypilo, whos not, open shows on Friday that last through the end of the month. In Strong Female Lead, goth-connected Krypilo will present cut-tin sculptures paying homage to the female protagonists of sci-fi and horror stories. All in all, you cant go wrong.

It's lights out at Edge Gallery for Lighting Our Way: A Collaboration in Illumination.

Gayla Lemke, Wynne Reynolds, Stephen Shugart and Faith Williams

Gayla Lemke, Wynne Reynolds, Stephen Shugart and Faith Williams, Lighting Our Way: A Collaboration in Illumination Edge Gallery, Art Hub, 6851 West Colfax Avenue, LakewoodFebruary 12 through February 28Four Edge members Gayla Lemke, Wynne Reynolds, Stephen Shugart and Faith Williams put their heads and chosen art mediums together for a four-way sculptural installation dealing with the convergence of light and art, for a show one might enjoy viewing in the dark.

Michelle Lamb, Mrs. Fish's Bait Shop, mixed-media assemblage.

Michelle Lamb

Loveor Something Like ItCore New Art Space, Art Hub, 6851 West Colfax Avenue, LakewoodFebruary 12 through February 28Artist reception: Friday, February 12, 6 to 9 p.m.Core mounts one of two Valentine-inspired shows opening this weekend at the Art Hub in Lakewood, with a hearty display juried by Denver art maven and event promoter Dana Cain, who says she was literally crying a little about having to narrow 216 entries down to the sixty pieces youll see in the gallery. The things we do in the name of love.

Dark Heart 2021Kanon Collective, Art Hub, 6851 West Colfax Avenue, LakewoodFebruary 12 through February 27Opening reception: Friday, February 12, 6 to 9 p.m.Also at the Art Hub, Kanons Valentines Day entry covers the darker and funnier side of love with a varied show juried by Denver power couple and horror-flick fans Merhia Weise and Andrew Novick.

Jono Wright, "Leaves."

Jono Wright, Bleue Tile Gallery

Show Number OneBleue Tile Gallery, 3940 South Broadway, EnglewoodThrough February 26Red Mask Soire/Opening: Friday, February 12, 5 to 9 p.m.To visit the gallery, RSVP online in advance for a timed-entry slotBleue Tile Gallery in Englewood, the studio space of artists Helene Strebel and Courtney Cotton, announces its debut with Show Number One, presenting an eclectic group show including work by some local luminaries and national artists. This weekends opening wont just be reception; Bleue Tile is instead throwing a Red Mask Soire, and we suppose that means your COVID face gear ought to be red.

Raafi Rivero, Custom Jersey for Sean Bell, 2021, armature, yarn.

Raafi Rivero

Unarmed Artist PanelSaturday, February 13, 2 to 3:30 p.m., via ZoomRegister online in advance for Zoom linkIn conjunction with Raafi Riveros Unarmed, currently turning heads and starting conversations at Leon with its social justice themes and sports jerseys memorializing Black victims of police violence, a panel moderatedby Donna Bryson with artists Rivero, Tya Alisa Anthony, Narkita Gold and Edgar L. Page will shed more light on the discussion that starts in the gallery. Its free, but youll need to register in advance. Before or after, see the exhibition for yourself through February 27.

Brian Rattiner, Snow Day, 2021,high-flow acrylic, fluid acrylic and salt on muslin.

Brian Rattiner, David B. Smith Gallery

Brian Rattiner, HummingbirdChristine Nguyen, Lightness Within the Cosmic Universe David B. Smith Gallery, 1543A Wazee StreetFebruary 13 through March 12Brian Rattiner brings liquid-looking abstracts in rainbow colors to David B. Smiths main gallery from his Brooklyn studio, while Christine Nguyen helps celebrate Month of Photography 2021 with mixed-media cyanotypes and photo-based paintings in the project room.

Interested in having your event appear in this calendar? Send the details to editorial@westword.com.

Keep Westword Free... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we would like to keep it that way. Offering our readers free access to incisive coverage of local news, food and culture. Producing stories on everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with gutsy reporting, stylish writing, and staffers who've won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi feature-writing award to the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism. But with local journalism's existence under siege and advertising revenue setbacks having a larger impact, it is important now more than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" membership program, allowing us to keep covering Denver with no paywalls.

Susan Froyd started writing for Westword as the "Thrills" editor in 1992 and never quite left the fold. These days she still freelances for the paper in addition to walking her dogs, enjoying cheap ethnic food and reading voraciously. Sometimes she writes poetry.

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Things to Do Denver: Art Gallery Openings and Exhibits February 11 to 18, 2021 - Westword

The kitchen; looking down to the kitchen from the recording studio doorway, with the bathroom on the right; the stairs at the back, left, lead to the main level living area.The bathroom table was built by the wife from wood that came from one of the walls; the vintage wooden beads can be found at places like Rhode Island Antiques Mall, Pawtucket. Photography by Andrea Pietrangeli.

Star TurnIn the scene-stealing world of color and design, black is the new white. Black isnt going anywhere. It looks fantastic, especially in a small space, says designer Janelle Blakely, founder of Blakely Interior Design. It creates contrast, your eye is drawn to it. Case in point: its use in the renovated kitchen and bath of this Wakefield project, where it kicks up the look several notches, enhancing the homes cool, retro vibe. Black creates a wow factor, she says.As a former Masonic lodge, the unassuming building, dating to 1890, was never intended as a residence. The kitchen, stuck in the back on a lower level, had been used as a mess hall in its early life. The goal for the new homeowners, a punk rock star and his artist wife, was a better organized, functioning space for their getaway home, but created on a decidedly non-rock star budget. We wanted to make the house work better, Blakely says of her clients. The couple, who love vintage, also wanted to move the kitchen, redo the bathroom, and add a recording studio and art studio on the same floor, all while minimizing wasted space.

The window covering is custom made in Blakelys workroom, blakelyinteriordesign.com; the faucet is Grohe; the walls are Sherwin Williams Iron Ore. Photography by Andrea Pietrangeli.

Full ExposureFirst order of business was the demo, which the homeowners tackled themselves, gutting the whole bottom floor to save money, as well as managing the construction. They took on a lot, Blakely says. The bathroom got a facelift; the shower was retiled and the open brick was preserved. The sink, a perfect size for the small space, is original to the house.

Whats gone, however, are the small boxy rooms that were once the kitchen. Gone, too, is its ceiling; the couple liked the look of the exposed beams, part of the original structure. With that approach, theres always the possibility of uncovering unpleasant surprises. We were fortunate. There was just some piping, Blakely says of what became a design feature.

What had been the kitchen space is now a sweet breakfast nook with a view of the back patio, and it also faces the new kitchen. Vintage black pane factory windows that the wife found separate the two spaces, preserving an open look and creating a focal point.

The kitchen and bathroom floor tiles and black penny round back splash are from Best Tile, Warwick. The kitchen cabinets are Ikea; the gas range is Miele; the chandelier is from Pop Emporium. Photography by Andrea Pietrangeli

History LessonThe kitchen is well thought out, again with a nod to the couples respect for the past. The undercounter stools are an antique find and the sinks and faucet were in the house when the clients bought it. The owners multi-bulb hanging light fixture and the under-counter stools are also vintage.

Blakely gets design inspiration from the use of color, working with clients to find out what theyre drawn to. Her job is to help them embrace colors intensity in different degrees.

In this case, the creative through line is the choice of black and white in the kitchen and the bathroom, from the geometric floor tiles in both rooms to the black cabinets and white quartz counters, warmed up by the wooden rafters, in the kitchen.

During the several weeks of renovation, the resourceful couple set up a mock kitchen upstairs where they cooked out of a microwave and, temporarily shower-less, took baths in a copper tub. Living through a home renovation isnt for the faint of heart, as anyone whos survived it can tell you.

How do you make their budget work with their aesthetic, ending in a result that will rock their world? Blakely asks.

In the case of the Wakefield project, the successful answer rocks on.

Link:
This Bold Artists' Abode was Once a Frumpy Masonic Lodge - Rhode Island Monthly

With the release of Home+ 5 by Matthias Hochgatterer, there are more reasons for HomeKit power-users to try the app than ever before. One of the apps strengths has always been creating automations based on device attributes that arent available in Apples Home app. Thats why I was already using Home+. However, now, the app has added a new design, folders to organize automations, Smart Groups for accessories, a Favorites view, and backups, which make the app more compelling than ever.

Although its not new to this version of Home+, it bears repeating that the app supports HomeKit API functionality that isnt exposed by Apples Home app. Thats how Home+ is able to support automations that arent possible in Home or by using Shortcuts Home Automation feature.

A simple example is one that Ive been using all winter. Were in the midst of single-digit temperatures in the Chicago area, which means my heat has been running almost nonstop for days. As a result, the air in our house has been incredibly dry.

To assist our furnaces humidifier, I broke out a standalone humidifier and plugged it into an iHome Smart Plug. I have a Netatmo Personal Weather Station and figured that I could set the humidifier to turn on automatically when humidity levels dropped beneath a threshold value. Thats not possible with Apples Home app, but fortunately, its an easy automation to build in Home+ 5, which supports sensor triggers as well as multi-condition automations.

Its that sort of extended automation support that has made Home+ a central part of my HomeKit setup for quite a while now. With the latest update, though, I expect Home+ will appeal to an even broader audience.

If you have used Home+ in the past, the first thing youll notice is that the app has been redesigned from top to bottom. Many of those changes are similar to the tile-centric UI found in Apples Home app. Thats a UI that Im not a big fan of in the Home app, and Im torn about it in Home+.

On the iPhone and Apple Watch, I think the tile UI takes up too much space. However, Home+ does a little bit better job with the space available on the iPhone than Home does, and despite taking up more room, I think Home+ 5s tile UI looks better than previous versions. I also appreciate that users coming from Home to Home+ will be more familiar with this UI. So, although I would personally prefer a more compact UI, I expect the new UI will appeal to a broader audience than before.

Other Home+ UI updates include updated icons that fit better with the design of iOS 14. There are now 99 icons, which provide a wider variety of choices than Apples Home app. Automations can also be stored in folders, a nice touch that makes large collections more manageable.

Another nice touch is Smart Groups, which collect similar devices into groups within each room. For example, Ive got seven lights in my studio, and none of them are grouped in the Home app, allowing me to control them individually. Home+s Smart Group of those lights doesnt change that but lets me control all seven as though they were one light. Home added a similar feature in iOS 14.

Home+ has added a Favorites view similar to Homes too, which can be synced with Home+ 5s Apple Watch app from the iPhone version of Home+. There are a handful of devices that I access manually nearly every day and having them along with data from a couple of sensors in one place is a big plus. Its worth noting, too, that the Apple Watch app has been updated, and in my testing, devices respond within a couple of seconds when scenes or devices are controlled.

Last but not least, Home+ 5 adds backup functionality, a feature for which I have a newfound appreciation. As I explained on AppStories a few weeks ago, I had my entire HomeKit setup wiped out over the winter holidays due to what appeared to be an iCloud bug. I took the opportunity to rethink my HomeKit setup, which was a positive, but with the number of devices I have, it took quite a bit of work. I know Home+ isnt the first app to offer this feature, but its the app I prefer for the vast majority of my advanced HomeKit automation, so Im glad to see that the feature was added. Now, Ive got a backup of my setup neatly tucked away in iCloud Drive in case disaster strikes again.

Home+ 5 is the perfect next-step app for anyone with a growing collection of HomeKit devices or who wants to do more with automation. With the latest update, Home+ 5 has further cemented its place among the HomeKit apps I regularly use, which is why I highly recommend checking it out.

Home+ 5is available on the App Store for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch for $14.99.

Go here to read the rest:
Power-User HomeKit App Home+ 5 Adds Automation Folders, Backups, and a Fresh Design - MacStories

The dull concrete median with six light poles in front of Richey Elementary School probably dont draw much attention.

But a color-filled project involving students from six local schools will soon guarantee that the concrete barrier draws plenty of notice.

Sometime this spring, the median will be graced by nearly 300 set of handprints of students from Richey, Kruse and Morales elementary schools, De Zavala Middle School, Jackson Intermediate School and Pasadena High School.

When engineers involved in the city of Pasadenas Richey Street renovation project reached out to city education liaison Trish Eubanks to seek participation by Pasadena ISD in beautification work related to the effort, she jumped at the opportunity to incorporate youths from the community.

Lets make it look good, she said.

The Richey Street project is part of an ongoing effort by the city to make improvements to the north side of the city between Texas 225 and Southmore Avenue.

Since 2018, the $12 million project, with funding divided between the city and Harris County Precinct 2, has updated the street with improved or added storm sewers and lights and new traffic signals.

The project also has provided upgrades to the four-lane road and installed wheelchair-accessible lanes on sidewalks. The goal is to mitigate flooding in nearby homes and ease traffic at a main entry point into Pasadena.

Add in the Hands Across Pasadena project, in which the handprints will be set in square mosaic-style tiles, colored and glazed and then incorporated into the median.

I thought it was a great way to bring focus to area schools near Richey and wanted to showcase the children of that area, Eubanks said.

Eubanks is familiar with the I-cant-wait-to-get-out-of-here attitude young people sometimes have about their hometown as they contemplate their future. She wants to change that.

I want them to have a sense of sense of pride in where they come from, she said. If they can have some ownership in this project, they can feel they have some ownership of their community, that this is where they come from, where they grew up.

Eubanks said she and the citys engineers put careful thought into the actual tiles and what size, colors, type of materials were used.

They decided they would use 6-by-6-inch tiles, place them in three rows with six tiles to each section. Students at Pasadena High School will glaze and fire the tiles to prepare them for installation.

Eubanks spent 30 years in education, including 15 years as assistant principal at Pasadena Memorial High School. She had retired when Mayor Jeff Wagner called on her to join the city as an education liaison.

He wanted more of a partnership between the city and school district, she said. There has always been a kind of disconnect with kids and their city, and if young people dont feel like they have a stake in the game, they dont have that sense of pride in where they come from.

Alongside each set of prints will be a students initials and projected graduation date.

By identifying those kids and the year they graduate, I wanted them to be able to come back and say, Thats me, Eubanks said.

At De Zavala, 41 students placed hands onto tiles. For Principal Melissa Garza, the prints are more than decorative. The project is like motivational art, she said.

It gives them hope and it gives them something to look forward to, Garza said.

Parents were not able to attend the schools recent handprint event due to COVID restrictions but have expressed as much enthusiasm as students, Garza said.

Parents are already talking about having their kids take a picture next to their tile with their cap and gown, Garza said. They can drive down Richey, and its like a daily reminder this is their high school graduation date. We talk about school, we talk about graduation, we talk about college, but now its in concrete. Thats a big deal.

Eubanks shared one anecdote about a middle-schooler whose handprints, initials and graduation date are waiting to be set in concrete.

He told me he was going to be the first member of his family to graduate from high school. So, I told him, Now you have you have to live up to that date he has a definitive goal to shoot for now, she said.

yorozco@hcnonline.com

Go here to read the rest:
Pasadena abuzz over project involving hundreds of kids handprints - Houston Chronicle