Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

With the holiday season going in full swing and many parts of the world still stuck in quarantine, its safe to say youll probably be spending most of your time indoors this time of year. Instead of spending your holidays scrolling through social media or bingewatching another new TV show, why not spice up your home with a little renovation instead?

As were spending more time than ever in the comfort of our own homes, its all the more reason to dive into some DIY home renovation projects to make it look & feel more like the home of your dreams. Weve got you covered with a list of some awesome DIY tips to spruce up your living space and make it more comfortable, practical, and beautiful.

While the mirror propped up in your room is always there to make sure you look good, why not also help make it look great as well? There are plenty of simple ways to beautify your mirror, either through lining up mosaic tiles on the sides for a glamorous look, doing wood paneling for a more earthy vibe, or simply painting the frames a different color. This project can easily be done within an hour.

This is a fairly simple DIY home renovation project for adding a little bit of life into your boring furniture. You can either paint your furniture a brand new color or add some creativity by using a stencil & some chalk paint to create cute designs onto anything needing a little extra beauty in the house such as drawers, cabinets, bedside tables, and more.

This is an option that is fairly simple, quick, and cheap to do. Simply add some floating shelves to any wall that looks a little too blank & bland and store anything from books & family pictures to small knick-knacks. Itll not only be convenient as a storage space for smaller items, but it will also bring some more life to your home by showcasing your interests, favorite memories, or hobbies.

Whats a more perfect DIY home renovation project for the cold winter weather other than building your own fire pit for the family in the backyard? Austin Alvarez of Building Our Rez explained Go to your local hardware store and grab 30 pewter concrete retaining wall blocks, a bag of pea pebbles, and a bag of paver base. Two hours later youll be roasting all the marshmallows with the closest of friends and family.

Lining your walls with crown molding is a subtle detail that makes all the difference in making your home look sophisticated. There are numerous materials to choose from depending on what look youre going for, such as wood or plaster. However, if youre looking for something cheaper & simpler, you can always try peel & stick crown molding.

Lets not forget about the outside of your house when it comes to home renovations. A few ways you can spruce up your houses exterior is through either painting your front door or switching it up altogether, installing shelves on the outside of your windows to place potted plants if youve got a green thumb, or build some fencing around the house if youre in the need of more privacy. The options are endless!

If your basement or attic acts only as storage space and has just been left unattended gathering dust for years, make your house feel bigger by turning it into an extra room. Find a weekend to clean it up, buy some furniture, and turn it into an extra guest room or something fun for parties such as an awesome game room.

Will you be trying out some of the DIY home renovation projects listed here? Do you have any other ideas? Let us know in the comments.

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Is home renovation on your 2021 to-do list? All the best DIY tips - Film Daily

HGTV's Home Town is our happy place: a show that combines incredible home renovations with emotional journeys that leave us grabbing for the tissue box. What more could you want? Hosts Ben and Erin Napier's southern charm runs through every aspect of the show, enveloping the viewer as we watch them work their magic on historic houses in their hometown of Laurel, Mississippi. Erin, with her amazing eye for all things decor and renovation strategy, plus Ben's craftsmanship and skill, make for stunning restorations that deserve their own Pinterest board. Before the popular show's season five premiere on Jan. 3, POPSUGAR spoke to Ben and Erin about their whirlwind journey to where they are now, their goals in highlighting small town living, and what fans can expect from the new season, plus the forthcoming releases of both Home Town Takeover and Home Town: Ben's Workshop.

Ben and Erin's path to becoming some of HGTV's most successful and recognizable showrunners and home renovators stems from their mutual love for rebuilding homes, helping others, and showcasing the beauty of small towns. "We really hope that no matter where people live and watch our show, that they see the value in the place they're from . . . that they see what's special about [that place] and why it's different from any place in the world," Erin told POPSUGAR. With that mission, the couple has captivated the hearts of a wide-spanning audience, keen on discovering what they'll do next with properties in need of some serious TLC. Ahead, find out more about Ben and Erin's journey, their favorite parts about renovating, and even a couple of decor tips too.

The rest is here:
Home Town's Ben and Erin Napier on What to Except From "Emotional" Season Five: "It's Very Personal" - POPSUGAR

Until youve done it yourself, its hard to overestimate just how much time, energy and love goes into a renovation project and how good it feels when its finished. Whether youre redecorating or embarking on a sizable extension project, there will be stress and tears, but there will also be laughter (once youve got over the aforementioned stress) and excitement. Thats why its called a labour of love: you put a lot of yourself in it.

That was certainly true for Niamh and her husband Brian, who took on their Victorian terrace and soon discovered the extent of the work they had to do. Its not their forever home Niamh says that herself but its a project they took on during an important time in their life, when Niamh had stepped away from her job as a law firm partner to pursue a career in writing and styling. Doing up this house was her first creative project, and shes rightly proud of the stylish, cosy and quirky home shes created.

If you are keen to tackle a home makeover, just like Niamh and Brian have, there are lots of ideas and helpful advice on what to do and where to start in our feature on house renovation. For more real home transformations, head to our hub page.

We treat this space in the kitchen as the breakfast room. The bench seating doubles up as storage and fits five people around the table when Cocos not snoozing there! Table, Habitat. Dining bench, Harvey Jones. Pendant light, Made

(Image credit: Future James Balston)

The owners Niamh Dennehy-Mayer (@homeontherye), a consultant lawyer, her husband Brian, also a lawyer, and their cockapoo, CocoThe property A three-bed Victorian end-of-terrace in East DulwichProject cost 85,000

'Its been such a great project and a lovely house to work on. From our first viewing it had such a nice feel to it. The previous owners had a similar colour scheme with the dark wood accents, and it was styled quite nicely, but it needed a bit of work. We only realised the full extent of that work when we moved in. The kitchen was in need of a facelift it was dark and the cabinetry wasnt in the best condition and they hadnt done anything with the garden. The bathroom had lovely proportions and a layout that worked. The whole house had the potential to be improved and modernised, but we knew wed keep key features, like some of the exposed brick walls.'

Kitchen, Harvey Jones. Flooring, Topps Tiles. Chairs, vintage

(Image credit: Future James Balston)

This is the room thats changed the most, says Niamh. Harvey Jones added so much storage to the kitchen layout and the design creates the illusion of more space. We ummed and ahhed over whether to get patterned flooring, but in the end we decided on plain flooring and some brightly coloured splashback tiles

'The splashback tiles were a collaboration with Tile Giant and the V&A; they add interest without overhelming the room, and work well with the vintage tap.' Splashback tiles, Tile Giant

(Image credit: Future James Balston)

'I fell in love with the dining room when we viewed the house. We did think about knocking it through to make it open plan with the kitchen, but when we spoke to builders about it, it quickly became apparent that wed need to move out during the works and the thought of doing that so soon after moving in wasnt appealing! If we were planning to stay here for the next 20 or 30 years, we might have decided differently, but we knew it wouldnt be a wasted room so we kept it as it is. The kitchen is more of a breakfast room, whereas we eat in the dining room at weekends, which feels special, and host friends in there for dinner parties.'

When we have people over, this is where we sit together the table stretches to seat eight, says Niamh. We make a point of eating here when its just the two of us at weekends it feels a little more special. The storage units were left by the last owners. We repainted them and added fun shell handles. Table and bench, Loaf. Chairs, Cult Furniture. Rug, Made. Storage units painted in Dove Tail, Farrow & Ball. Vintage light, The Light Keeper of Margate. Bar trolley, Swoon. Cupboard handles, Anthropologie

(Image credit: Future James Balston)

'We didnt do anything for the first year because we were so busy with our jobs and, to be honest, we were a little overwhelmed with it all. We were also getting to know this part of south-east London, and had just welcomed a very energetic Coco into the fold it was a busy time. Once wed moved in and the previous owners had taken all their nicely styled bits away, we realised just how much there was to do.'

'The exposed brick came about as result of lucky accident though it didnt feel lucky at the time, says Niamh. Wed had the living room painted and wanted to put in this wood-burning stove. But when we removed the fireplace, all the plaster on the chimney breast came with it! After we got over the initial shock, we realised it could look really good if we touched it up and repainted it. Its turned out to be my favourite feature. Sofa, Made. Mirror, Anthropologie. Coffee table and rug, West Elm. Pendant lights, Heals

(Image credit: Future James Balston)

'The first thing we tackled was the storage, or the lack of it. Weve tried to use local suppliers as much as we can, and we found an excellent carpenter who built storage in the bedrooms and the loft. After that, we replaced and updated our bathroom, which gave us our colour scheme for the rest of the house.

'Just under a year later, we took on the kitchen, which was the biggest job of the lot. We replaced everything the cabinets, appliances, flooring, tiles, lighting. We didnt venture out into the garden for two years because we werent sure whether we were going to extend, but eventually we tackled the front and back and updated the exterior, smoothing the pebbledash finish at the front of the house and landscaping the gardens.'

Original flooring sanded and polished by Lordship Flooring. Door painted in Railings, Farrow & Ball

(Image credit: Future James Balston)

'I'd describe my style as modern vintage, I think. Im drawn to older things since I moved to London 13 years ago, Ive always lived in lovely period properties, and I love vintage clothes and accessories. My idea of a fun day out is scouring flea markets! I like keeping the character of older houses, but enjoy bringing in modern elements to update them. Brian and I also love to travel, so weve picked up a few things from different places that have a home here now, too.'

We persuaded the previous owners to sell us the freestanding wardrobes in our bedroom, says Niamh. Theyre hard spaces to fill and the wardrobes are so unique. Weve tried to keep the room fairly traditional, but the bed is a little more modern and industrial. On the walls we have images of California. We spent some time living in the US after we got married and we were drawn to California and LA the beachy scenes are nice to have up when you live in a mostly rainy England. Walls painted in Pink Ground, Farrow & Ball. Bed, Loaf. Pendant light, rug and bedside lamp, Made. Pink throw, Avoca. Mirror, Decorum of Shoreditch

(Image credit: Future James Balston)

'My favourite room in the house is the bathroom, and we put a lot of thought into it because its our only one, so it needed to be special. Only having one bathroom does bring challenges, though. When we were doing up the kitchen, the builder mentioned a space under the staircase that could fit a WC, but with everything going on, we decided against it. We realised afterwards that it would have been handy, but doing more work would have meant undoing pipework and ripping up new flooring. We just did it the wrong way round. It wouldve been a useful thing to have so weve learned a lesson there!'

This is my favourite room, says Niamh. I love having a bath and Id always wanted a freestanding roll-top design like this. The pattern on the floor tiles is a lovely soft colour that picks up the darker tone of the bath. The overall effect is airy and spacious. Metro tiles and flooring, Fired Earth. Walls painted in Elephants Breath and Strong White, Farrow & Ball. Sink and bath, Cast Iron Bath Company. Jute basket, Design Vintage

(Image credit: Future James Balston)

'This house has been a very personal project Id even say its been transformative. Most of the work we undertook was done at a time when Id stopped working as a partner in a law firm because it was proving difficult to juggle it with the fertility treatment Id been undergoing. Overnight, I had all this extra time on my hands, and the house project gave me exactly the creative outlet I needed.

'Ultimately, the treatment didnt work out for us, but our home became a labour of love unto itself, and kick-started a whole new chapter of my life. Ill always be grateful for that, so even if were not here forever, this house has a special place in my heart.

'Its been wonderful to work on and weve learned so much along the way. Eventually we may move on maybe to take on a bigger project, or somewhere with that second bathroom but we plan to enjoy the fruits of our labour for a while first, so were not in any rush at all.'

We used the spare room as a home office while we figured out what to do with the loft. It had already been converted and we had it down as the guest bedroom, but it didnt feel right. It gets the most light in the house, so why wouldnt we use it more? It works best as a home office and creative space. Its lovely to sit and work in. Desk, Ikea. Chair, Cult Furniture. Desk lamp and rug, West Elm

(Image credit: Future James Balston)

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Real home: a simply stylish terrace renovation that's full of inspiring ideas - Real Homes

While fans anxiously await the return of Fixer Upper alums Chip and Joanna Gaines on the upcoming Magnolia Network, they can bide their time by watching another husband-wife duo take on home renovations: Syd and Shea McGee.

The Studio McGee owners first began showcasing their rustic designs on Instagram, and they're now the stars of Netflix's Dream Home Makeover. Their business feed has over two million followers, and the couple also has a line at Target.

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Plus, Shea and Syd wrote a bestselling memoir-and-design-tips book, Make Life Beautiful, which debuted in October of 2020.

On each episode of Dream Home Makeover, Shea and Syd tackle all different kinds of projects with varying budgets and aesthetics. Aside from sharing their tasteful renovation inspirations on the show, the spouses have let the cameras in to their personal lives as well.

Find out more about Syd and Shea McGee's adorable two kids below!

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When Shea and Syd McGee started showing their own home designs on Instagram, they were based in California. They were also new parents to their eldest daughter, Wren, who was born in 2013.

Once their Instagram posts began getting a lot of attention online, Syd and Shea were met with many requests to help others design their homes. The two then decided to sell their California residence, and they used their home profits to create Studio McGee.

The McGees moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, which is where they are currently based. Following their big move, the couple welcomed their second daughter, Ivy, in 2016. On the show, the family is in the process of building their dream home from the ground up.

Both girls have become scene-stealers on their parents' renovation series, and they appear on the official Studio McGee Instagram page from time to time.

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While reality TV programs are meant to be unscripted, producers often manage to mold the storylines that are featured. When it comes to home renovation series,' fans often have wondered if certain staging items are only provided for the sake of the cameras, or if unfinished work is disguised and left behind.

On their Studio McGee blog, Syd and Shea shared that Dream Home Makeover is "completely unscripted," and that the show offers a realistic portrayal of their design business.

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"We were really lucky that our [series] represent[s] what our real process is actually like," the two wrote ahead of the Season 1 release in October of 2020. "What you'll see in this show is true to how we communicate with our clients, work with contractors, and collaborate with our team."

For Season 2, the couple and their staff took realistic to another level. The show was filmed in the midst of the pandemic, meaning that a lot of calls and consultations were done on Zoom, and there was a skeleton crew to shoot it.

You can see how the process works out by tuning in to the show.

Dream Home Makeover Seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on Netflix now.

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Syd and Shea McGee From 'Dream Home Makeover' Are the Parents of Two Kids - Distractify

Ty Pennington left the megaphone at home for his HGTV competition series Ty Breaker. But fear not as the original Extreme Makeover: Home Edition host still packed that signature enthusiasm. The new show follows Pennington as he helps homeowners decide whether to overhaul their current residence or renovate a different property to fit their needs.

The carpenter and designer presents plans to convince them to stay in their existing space. Alison Victoria, Grace Mitchell and Sabrina Soto counter pitch that a customized new place is the way to go. Here Pennington, the man of many hats, talks about why now is the right time for a Ty Breaker.

Its hard to believe youve never had your own show on HGTV. Why did it take so long?

Ty Pennington: Extreme Makeover was such a big show. We did over 224 homes for 10 years, so there really wasnt a day off. I had to step away from TV for a little bit and focus on just being Ty. I built my own house, looked after my mom, and spent time with the family...I just wanted to wait for the right project that made sense. The other thing is with the new Extreme, they wanted to go with an all new cast. It was somewhat shocking, but all good.

It is amazing what can happen in a year. It does seem strange that this is the first time Ive gotten a show on HGTV. But whats really fun about Ty Breaker is its a pretty authentic show in a sense that were helping people make real decisions. What I wanted to do is help people out and have fun with a co host that has experience and is a little sassy and spicy. I didnt realize it would be as fun as it was and the quality work we were able to do.

HGTV

Its almost like two shows in one. First, youre competing in each episode against these designers. Then if your plan gets passed over, you have to change gears and help support their vision.

Even on Trading Spaces, we were all so competitive with each other. Thats what pulled me in. I grew up with an older brother. We act like were not competing, but everyone is trying to dazzle everybody with their creativity. What I love about this show is you have to choose which side to go with, but we do find a way to team up and add a little bit of my ideas and her ideas. You get a mixture.

Id be lying if I tell you Im happy when they choose the other persons plan. Its fun though because its life. You may not win, but you have to find a way to work with the person. Same with a client. You find a way...I do always try to slide in my own thing. I use reverse psychology. It has worked in the past and still does well.

There are similarities to Love It or List It. What do you think makes Ty Breaker different?

I was never one to be thought of as just another thing. The idea that people have to decide if they are going to stay in the place they have or move into another place. Everyone goes through that. Its the reality of life. I just try to make it more entertaining. I live with the family a little bit and really get to know them and why they have certain issues with their house. Whether thats brushing my teeth with the entire family or camping in their backyard or taking a shower in their private shower.

Lets just say I get up close and personal with the families we are helping. Just because I think thats the best way to understand what needs to change but also you get to understand who they are. They understand you too. It adds fun to the show. Lets just say there is no private area I wont go to really dive deep into what their situation is.

HGTV

Youre rolling up the sleeves and returning to your roots here. That had to be fun.

You can tell its really great for my conditioning as well. To try and demo a kitchen in 30 seconds is amazing. I love doing it. These guys are going to have to edit out so much of my craziness because usually Im way over-the-top. I just enjoy making a bunch of noise. I always have. There is natural comedy that comes with that as well.

Do you feel the pandemic really brought this boom for the home renovation business?

Ive seen more people doing renovation projects on social media than ever before because were all looking at the same walls at home. When youre stuck in a room that looks the same, we all want to make changes just to make it feel like a fresh new room.

There is a joy that comes to finishing a project that makes you feel like you accomplished something. That elevation of emotion you feel is happiness. The opposite of what weve experienced with COVID. It really is design therapy.

Ty Breaker premieres, January 11, 9/8c, HGTV

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'Ty Breaker's Ty Pennington on Design Therapy, Being Dazzled and More - TV Insider

Episode Also Available to Stream on discovery+ Beginning Jan. 4

New York -- Emmy Award nominated and Screen Actors Guild Awards winning actor, writer and producer Rainn Wilson, with help from HGTV real estate and renovation experts Drew and Jonathan Scott, will surprise his son's former nanny, Leslie, with a life-changing home makeover in a new episode of HGTV's hit series Celebrity IOU on Monday, Jan. 4, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. In addition to airing on HGTV, this episode, as well as episodes starring Zooey Deschanel, Allison Janney and Justin Hartley, will be available on discovery+, Discovery Inc.'s new subscription streaming service, on Jan. 4.

Rainn says he credits Leslie with being an integral teacher and friend to his son and a blessing to his entire family. Leslie now has three children of her own and the two families are still close. On demo day, Rainn will stun Drew and Jonathan when he arrives both shirtless and wielding a two-sided axe and other medieval weapons-a nod to his character Dwight Schrute from The Office. He will work with HGTV's famous twins to completely update Leslie's home, including the addition of an open floor plan with a stunning updated kitchen, collapsible glass doors that open to a large deck and a custom kids' playhouse.

"We are so grateful that Leslie has been in our lives and helped raise our son," said Rainn as he choked back tears. "And we're so happy to be able to offer her this home renovation, thanks to the Property Brothers. I hope her family loves it and enjoys it. She has made our lives so much richer."

The first season of Celebrity IOU captivated more than 36 million viewers and smashed records as the highest-rated first-year series in HGTV history. The series features Hollywood A-listers who express their deep gratitude to the individuals who have had a major impact on their lives by gifting them with heartwarming home renovations that bring everyone to tears. The star-studded, uplifting series features Drew and Jonathan as they help each award-winning star with the surprise home overhauls. Celebrity IOU is produced by Scott Brothers Entertainment, with Drew and Jonathan as executive producers.

"Leslie gave so much love to our son, Walter," added Rainn. "To watch him be nourished and flourish-there's no more priceless gift than that."

Fans are invited to connect with the new season of Celebrity IOU on HGTV's digital platforms. Viewers can watch the episodes on HGTV GO the same day and time as the TV premieres-Mondays at 9 p.m. At HGTV.com/Celebrity-IOU, fans can find articles, before and after photo galleries and more details about the celebrities. Social media users can follow @HGTV and #CelebIOU on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for extra show content and updates. Drew and Jonathan also will share more from the new episodes on their social channels at @mrdrewscott (Instagram, Twitter) and @jonathanscott (Instagram, Twitter).

ABOUT HGTV

HGTV delivers families with relatable stories, superstar real estate and renovation experts and amazing home transformations that inspire a passionate audience. For anyone seeking entertaining and aspirational home and lifestyle content, HGTV is the place to be. HGTV offers: a top 10 cable network that is distributed to more than 86 million U.S. households; a website, HGTV.com, that attracts an average of 10.2 million people each month; a social footprint of 21.2 million; HGTV Magazine, a monthly publication that reaches more than one million readers and exclusive collections of home-oriented products through the HGTV HOME(TM) consumer products line. Viewers can become fans of HGTV and interact with other home improvement enthusiasts through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. HGTV is owned by Discovery, Inc., a global leader in real life entertainment spanning 220 countries and territories, whose portfolio also includes Discovery Channel, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, and the forthcoming multi-platform JV with Chip and Joanna Gaines, Magnolia, as well as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.

ABOUT DISCOVERY+

discovery+ is the definitive non-fiction, real life subscription streaming service. The new service will launch with a landmark partnership with Verizon that gives their customers with select plans 12 months of discovery+ on Verizon. At launch in the U.S., discovery+ will have the largest-ever content offering of any new streaming service, featuring a wide range of exclusive, original series across popular, passion verticals in which Discovery brands have a leadership position, including lifestyle and relationships; home and food; true crime; paranormal; adventure and natural history; as well as science, tech and the environment, and a slate of high-quality documentaries. discovery+ will offer more than 55,000 episodes all in one place, with over 2,500 current and classic shows from Discovery's iconic portfolio of networks, including HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, OWN, Travel Channel, Discovery Channel and Animal Planet.

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Discovery : AWARD-WINNING ACTOR RAINN WILSON GIVES SON'S FORMER NANNY A SURPRISE HOME RENOVATION IN JAN. 4 EPISODE OF HGTV HIT 'CELEBRITY IOU' -...

Trumps thoughts now must turn to a Plan B. Plan B is to protect himself from juries even if he loses office. Plan B points to a self-pardon, and the huge crisis that must ensue.

President-elect Biden has already signaled his high preference not to take legal action against his predecessor. A President Biden could not protect a former President Trump from state criminal actions or civil liability, but he could signal to the Department of Justice that prosecuting a former president for federal crimes would be divisive and distracting, and therefore is to be avoided if at all possible.

But if Trump is unwilling to trust Bidens forbearance, and chooses to attempt to pardon himself, it would be a direct attack on the whole structure of the rule of law. Nobody knows whether presidential self-pardons are valid. Scholars disagree; courts have never ruled on them, because no past president ever tried such a thing. But a president desperate enough to try to steal an election on a recorded line is desperate enough to try a self-pardon.

If a president can pardon himself as well as his or her subordinates, a president can order any crime, or commit it himself, with absolute impunity. The very notion of a self-pardon is radically inconsistent with democratic accountability. If Trump tries to pardon himself, his successors must fight his attempt all the way to the Supreme Court. And given the Raffensperger recording, who doubts that Trump will try it?

The sensible American majority surely wants an end to Trump controversies after Inauguration Day, a return to normal governance and the crucial work ahead: overcoming the pandemic, restoring the economy, and renewing U.S. leadership of the world. But Trump gets a say, too, as he got a say in the impeachment crisis. Trump is abusing the power of the presidency until his last hour in office. And his nonstop abuse seems likely to force a reckoning even by those most eager to move on. Trump will not be ignored; he will not let the chapter quietly close. Show him a red line, and he will cross it. And if the countrys red lines are to be reestablished, Trump will have to face the law he violated and violated and violated again.

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Trump Crosses a Bright Red Line - The Atlantic

OKLAHOMA CITY Construction crews are putting finishing touches on several public-facing areas of the state Capitol ahead of the start of Februarys legislative session.

When visitors enter the Capitol in February, much of the rotunda space is slated to be open again.

A crown jewel of the area will be the 14-foot bronze state seal being crafted in Norman. It will be added to the floor and assembled in pieces because it weighs thousands of pounds, said Trait Thompson, who is overseeing the eight-year, $275 million project.

Arts officials will spend $1 million on new commissioned art that will hang in public spaces. The historic artwork also will be reinstalled later in 2021.

Weve got lots of brand-new wall space, he said.

The rotunda renovations also include new interior lighting on the dome and a new paint scheme that highlights the contours of the ceiling.

Thompson said a new multi-purpose meeting room will be available for visiting groups and dignitaries to lease for their legislative days. The room can house up to 200 people in non-COVID times and has buffet space for food and other materials, he said.

The rotundas are very pretty, but theyre not very functional for meetings, he said.

Crews are also finishing the Capitols so-called Blue Room, typically used by the governor for ceremonial purposes and press conferences. The room features new audio, HVAC, LED lighting and a sprinkler system.

An artist hand-painted the ceiling, using a technique much like Michelangelo did when painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

We went for a little more of a sophisticated look in here, Thompson said.

Crews also renovated several legislative committee rooms. They knocked out a wall to create more space in the old 432A House meeting room. That increased capacity from about 67 to 99. The room now includes new audio and video packages with the capability to live-stream meetings for those who cant attend.

When this project was first envisioned, no one knew about pandemics, said Paul Haley, who soon will take over renovation oversight when Thompson leaves for a new job. The timing was very fortunate.

All renovated committee rooms will feature long conference tables with the required 3-foot clearance around to allow those with disabilities to access the space.

Two other committee rooms located off the rotunda both feature a switch that can turn the glass walls opaque.

Thompson said crews also were wrapping up the first stage of renovations to the state House and Senate legislative chambers.

In the House chamber, crews restored the stained glass ceilings, repaired all plaster and repainted the ceiling. In both chambers, the glass press galleries were removed.

In 2021, construction crews will renovate the old Lieutenant Governors Office on the second floor by converting it back to a historic corridor. That corridor will house the Hall of Governors, which features busts of previous Oklahoma governors.

The Betty Price Art Gallery will be relocated from the first floor to the second. It will reopen in the location that currently houses the gubernatorial busts, Thompson said.

A museum also will be completed on the ground floor and will provide information about the century-old building and an explanation about the states three branches of government.

Construction crews will complete final renovations on the two legislative chambers.

Thompson said the overhaul aims to preserve the building in a historically appropriate yet functional manner. It is slated to be completed by the start of session in 2022. Thats several months ahead of the initial December 2022 target, he said.

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Part of Capitol renovation wrapping up; more work slated for 2021 - Enid News & Eagle

Houses associated with noted architect Henry Hobson Richardson and landscape architect John Charles Olmsted got a temporary reprieve from the wrecking ball Tuesday, when the preservation board of Brookline, Massachusetts, voted to postpone demolition for 18 months.

In a virtual hearing that lasted nearly three hours and drew international attention, the Brookline Preservation Commission voted 8-to-0 to support the staffs finding of significance for the two houses, an action that gives the panel the authority to delay demolition.

The hearing was triggered when a developer asked the preservation panel to approve full demolition of three contiguous properties in a section of Brookline within the Green Hill historic district on the National Register of Historic Places, including the former Richardson house at 25 Cottage Street and the former Olmsted property at 222 Warren Street.

The commission also voted 8-to-0 to temporarily block the demolition of the third property, a 1971 prefabricated deck house at 39 Cottage Street, built on land carved out of the parcel owned by Richardson.

The panel voted on the three properties separately but arrived at the same unanimous decision each time. The action is intended to allow time for Brooklines preservation staff and others to meet with the property owner, Jeff Birnbaum of Pioneer Construction andWarren Cottage Ventures LLC, and explore possible alternatives to razing the three houses.

The birthplace and hometown of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, Brookline is an incorporated town of about 60,000 in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. Its part of the Greater Boston area but has its own system of government. The commissions votes do not prevent changes to the landscape during the 18-month demolition delay period.

The panel drew praise for its action from preservationists and architectural historians in New England and beyond who said Richardson (1838 to 1886), was one of the most influential architects in America and that his former house deserves to be preserved, perhaps as the anchor for a new local historic district in Brookline.

This is ridiculous that were thinking of tearing these houses down, said Bruce Shaw, a neighboring property owner. It makes no sense whatsoever.

This is H. H. Richardsons home, said Harry Friedman, president of the Friends of the Brookline Preservation Commission, referring to 25 Cottage Street. If any building in Brookline satisfies the requirements for a demolition delay, this is it.

But speakers at Tuesdays meeting also warned that advocates for saving the three properties shouldntlet down their guard just because the commission temporarily blocked demolition.

They stressed that the panels action in itself wont protect the houses for more than 18 months and that the preservation staff has more work to do if it wants to save the houses.

I have no doubt that all three of these properties will end up with an 18-month demolition delay, which is an infinity compared to the city of Boston, said speaker Henry Moss, before the vote was taken on the Richardson house.

But we should draw no false comfort from that. I urge the commission and Brookline the town to look for ways to maximize your leverage. You dont know when the property might change hands again and you dont know when it will be put forth on the market as a blank slate 18 months from now.

Our area as a whole is suffering from a housing crisis and we understand that, said Nick Armata, senior planner for the Boston Landmarks Commission, who noted that he is speaking for himself and not his employer. But that should not come at the cost of our culture, and these two buildings are our culture, he said, referring to the houses with ties to Richardson and Olmsted.

The developer did not address the panel during the hearing. His attorney, Jennifer Dopazo Gilbert, noted that he has cooperated with the towns preservation planners so far and will continue to do so. As a sign of good faith, she said, he recently allowed the staff to visit the three houses in preparation for this weeks hearing.

The owner seeks to work collaboratively with the staff and the commission, she said. Certainly, if they had some ulterior motive, they wouldnt have allowed access to the staff and they wouldnt have been in continuous communication.

Asked if the developer has any intention of listening to the preservationists, Gilbert said he does.

We are absolutely listening, she said. Weve been in lengthy, lengthy discussions already with preservation staff. Weve brought the staff out to all three properties. We are here to listen this evening.

The hearing drew comments from a wide range of groups, companies, and individuals who work to preserve significant examples of architecture and landscape architecture.

Correspondences came from the National Trust for Historic Preservation; the American Society of Landscape Architects; the Society of Architectural Historians; Preservation Massachusetts; the Boston Preservation Alliance; Historic New England; the New York Landmarks Conservancy; Harvard University; the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; the University of Delaware; the University of Pennsylvania; the Victorian Society in America, several Olmsted-related groups and numerous Olmsted and Richardson scholars. Many noted the close relationship between the Olmsteds and Richardson.

Elton Elperin, chair of the Brookline commission, said the three properties on the agenda drew more than 300 letters and emails, more than any other issue the board has considered that he can remember. He said virtually all, if not all of the writers expressed support for saving the houses.

The outpouring of support for saving the houses came from people based locally, nationally and even internationally, Elperin told the panel. Theyve written us asking us to do whatever we can to prevent demolition and preserve them.

Elperin read excerpts from a message sent by the National Association of Olmsted Parks, which noted that Brooklines Green Hill historic district reflected an extraordinary confluence of design talent and that Frederick Law Olmsted, John Charles Olmsted, and H. H. Richardson worked within yards of one another, shaping Nineteenth and early Twentieth-Century architecture and landscape design in ways that continue to reverberate today.

Two representatives from Docomomo also spoke in favor of saving the deck house.

The deck house is increasingly an endangered species, said New England chapter president emeritus David Fixler. We should be increasingly vigilant about trying to save those good examples of this very innovative and interesting and commodious housing type where we can. This is an excellent opportunity.

As with many preservation boards faced with a demolition permit application, the Brookline panel focused its hearing on determining the historical and architectural significance of the existing structures and did not permit testimony about possible future uses for the properties.

Dopazo Gilbert, the developers attorney, said several times that Birnbaum does not have any specific plans for the property and wanted to see what action the panel takes at its hearing.

Others said they thought the fact that the application called for full demolition is a sign that the developer isnt inclined to save the buildings. Dopazo Gilbert said the developer did that to leave his options open and provide a starting point for discussion. She said the fact that he allowed the preservation staff to tour the buildings this month and take photos is a sign that he wants to work with the town.

I want to be really clear, that there is no plan on the table to demolish these properties, she said. No one knows what the plans are. In fact, demolition can be triggered by simply adding an addition, changing a roofline, tinkering with any significant feature on the building at all. So this application does not mean that these buildings are coming down. Were trying to work with the town, and to say otherwise is simply unfair.

All three houses are currently vacant. There was testimony that the Richardson house has been empty for more than a decade, is in poor condition, and that valuable John La Farge stained glass windows and other distinctive features were removed long ago. Shaw, one of the neighbors, said he believes it has been vacant for nearly 20 years.

Of the three houses Birnbaum controls, preservationists said, the Richardson house is considered the most important. In 2004, the house was placed on Preservation Massachusetts list of the states most endangered historic resources. In 2007, the National Trust for Historic Preservation put it on its annual list of 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in the country.

Born in Louisiana and educated at Harvard College, Tulane University, and the cole des Beaux-Arts, Richardson ranks as one of the most respected American architects born in the 1800s and is remembered for working in a style known as Richardsonian Romanesque.

His buildings include Trinity Church in Boston; Marshall Fields Wholesale Store in Chicago (no longer standing); the Allegheny County Courthouse in Pittsburgh; the John J. Glessner House in Chicago; Stonehurst, the Robert Treat Paine Estate in Waltham, Massachusetts, and several dozen public libraries.

According to staff preservation planner Tina McCarthy, the house was constructed as a summer home for a merchant and avid horticulturist in 1804 and modified over the years by various owners. She said Richardson originally moved there as a tenant in 1874, the home was deeded to the Richardson family after the owner died, Richardson lived there until his death in 1886, and it stayed with the Richardson family until 1899.

Because the architect used its first-floor north parlor as a design studio, she said, it was the workplace for others who became principals at Shepley Bulfinch, including George Foster Shepley, Charles Allerton Coolidge, and Charles Hercules Rutan.

McCarthy noted that the house was constructed by builders from the West Indies, a fact that speaker Donald Carleton said potentially gives it another layer of significance in the Black Lives Matter era. McCarthy also said the house retains certain features from the years Richardson lived there, including cork walls and a series of hooks in the bedroom ceiling that the architect, who was bedridden in his later years and died at 47, used with a series of ropes and pulleys to get in and out of bed.

Several speakers made the point that New England is known for saving other architects houses, such as the Walter Gropius House, now a museum in Lincoln, Massachusetts, and said they believed the Richardson house is worth saving too.

The most famous resident of 222 Warren Street, John Charles Olmsted (1852 to 1920), was the nephew and adopted son of noted landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. After Frederick Law Olmsted retired, John Charles Olmsted and his younger half-brother, Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., continued his landscape architecture practice, doing business as Olmsted Brothers. John Charles Olmsted also served as the first president of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

The house at 222 Warren Street is known as Cliffside and the earliest parts of it date from before 1850. According to McCarthy, John Charles Olmsted lived there for two years, from 1918 to 1920, but was associated with it and the town for much longer than that because his wife, Sophia, grew up there and he previously lived nearby.

McCarthy showed photos of a large skylight over the central stairway, a sleeping-porch with accordion doors, and other distinctive features. According to one speaker, Kate Poverman, the house contains a mural that represents work from the Hudson River School of Art but she didnt know the exact artist.

It was no accident that John Charles Olmsted chose the house next door to 25 Cottage Street, then the home and studio of H. H. Richardson, for his residence, McCarthy said. The location, just down the street from Frederick Law Olmsteds own home and studio, was at the center of a vibrant neighborhood of architects actively engaged in reshaping the city landscape in Boston and across the country. It was H. H. Richardson, a friend and colleague of Frederick Law Olmsted from their days living in Staten Island, who introduced his father to the idea of living in Brookline.

While the third house wasnt the home of a famous architect or landscape architect, McCarthy said it was a good example of a prefabricated deck house that was constructed in the mid-century for residents who were moving to Brookline. She presented photos showing how it rises above a ravine and forms an ensemble with the other two houses. As a simple shell with a highly flexible interior, its Corbusier without all the modernist rhetoric, said speaker Dennis De Witt.

Now that theres a demolition delay, several attendees suggested that the three houses could be the nucleus for a new local historic district in Brookline. They noted that the houses already tell the story of Brooklines growth over time, as reflected by three very different architectural styles.

McCarthy acknowledged that creating a local historic district is an idea worth exploring. But, she said, Brookline generally wants the impetus for creating a local historic district to come from property owners themselves, rather than the preservation commission.

It is really quite challenging to think of any neighborhood with a comparable pedigree, said Anne Neal Petri, president and CEO of the National Association for Olmsted Parks.

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HH Richardson and John Charles Olmsted homes get temporary reprieve from the wrecking ball - The Architect's Newspaper

L+M Development Partners, Type A Projects, BronxWorks, and the City of New York have closed on $349 million financing package to complete phase one of Bronx Point, a new mixed-use affordable housing complex in the South Bronx. As a public-private partnership, the financing entities include the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the New York City Housing Development Corporation, Empire State Development, Wells Fargo, and additional private funding sources.

The overall funding includes $323.5 million for the building, along with $25.5 million from the NYC Economic Development Corporation for the construction of a waterfront esplanade along the Harlem River.

A critical component to making our city fairer is strengthening neighborhoods for all New Yorkers, said James Patchett, president and CEO of New York City Economic Development Corporation. Today marks a major step toward advancing the administrations key investments in the South Bronx. By bringing affordable housing, waterfront access, and a range of cultural facilities, we are creating a more equitable New York.

Phase one of the development includes 542 units of permanently affordable housing. Qualifying households include those in incomes at 30 percent to 120 percent of the area median income. A portion of the units will also be reserved for the formerly homeless.

The mix of apartment layouts will include 135 studios, 192 one-bedrooms, 122 two-bedrooms, and 93 three-bedrooms. Occupants will have access to a private outdoor terrace, laundry facilities, a childrens room, a community lounge, a bike storage room, and a fitness center.

Additional components of phase one include 2.8 acres of public outdoor space, a permanent home for the Universal Hip Hop Museum, and an early childhood space run by BronxWorks. The development will also support a vibrant mix of cultural and community-focused programs and outdoor science programming facilitated by the Billion Oyster Project.

For years, weve wanted a permanent home in The Bronxthe birthplace of hip hopand we are proud to be a part of Bronx Point, which will be one of the great new destinations of the borough, said Kurtis Blow, an award-winning hip-hop artist and chairman emeritus of the Universal Hip Hop Museum. Hip hop grew from a seed that was planted at a house party on Sedgwick Avenue into a global movement, and our museum will celebrate that journey and the Bronxs place in its history. For all those who rose with us and followed in our footsteps: this museum will be for you, forever.

Rendering of Bronx Point S9 Architecture

Rendering of Bronx Point S9 Architecture

Designed by S9 Architecture & Engineering, Bronx Point comprises four interlocking volumes that gradually step up and top out at 22 stories. The volumes take rise from a large retail podium and surround a large rooftop courtyard above the podium levels.

The grounds and open spaces are designed by Marvel Architects with landscape architect Abel Bainnson Butz. Areas open to the public will include a playground and landscaped area adjacent to the existing Mill Pond Park and the Bronx Childrens Museum, a landscaped esplanade along the Harlem River with walkways, seating areas, an extended BBQ area, fitness zones for adults, and publicly accessible bathrooms. Collectively, these open space improvements will advance the city and communitys long-standing goal of providing access to the Harlem River waterfront and increasing public open space in the South Bronx.

Being born and raised in the South Bronx, its particularly meaningful, said Josue Sanchez, senior director at L+M Development Partners. At a moment when New Yorkers continue to struggle through the impacts of the pandemic, its even more critical for us to begin work on a project that will serve so many in a way thats true to the borough, from high-quality affordable housing and community programming, to much-needed open space along the Harlem River, to a permanent home for the Universal Hip Hop Museum.

Rendering of Bronx Point esplanade S9 Architecture

Overall, Bronx Point will include up to 1,045 apartment units. Construction on phase one is expected to break ground in the coming weeks and be completed by late 2023.

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Developers Secure $349M for Bronx Point Affordable Housing Complex, in the South Bronx - New York YIMBY