Renovation

Renovation

While Jennelle Mendes' most recent home is a little larger than the Upper East Side 350-square-foot apartment she last rented, at 450 square feet, it's still a small-space problem that needed tackling. "It's New York, so space is always a puzzle, but I love a good challenge," she writes. The rental space in Brooklyn's Bed-Stuy neighborhood had been newly renovated with sleek finishes and offers big windows that Jennelle says drenches the small space with sunlight. But one thing the space didn't come with? Closets!

Pull out floor vents and inspect the thickness of the layers to identify solid hardwood flooring. Utilize crawl spaces or unfinished basements to potentially spot hardwood flooring peeking through old holes. Check transitions between different flooring materials like tiles or linoleum for unexpected hardwood flooring. Listen for distinctive squeaks that hardwood floors produce compared to subfloors to confirm their presence. Consider the home's history to gauge the likelihood of finding salvageable hardwood flooring under the carpet.

Compressive strength, measured in N/mm², gauges how much load a brick can bear before crushing. In the UK, BS EN 771-1 requires manufacturers to declare this measurement, with engineering bricks referenced in the National Annex. Typical clay facing bricks range from 9 to 20 N/mm², while engineering bricks can reach up to ≥75 N/mm² (Class B) or ≥125 N/mm² (Class A). The NHBC suggests that you have a minimum of 9 N/mm² for one- or two-story buildings and 13 N/mm² for three-storey buildings.

Although I'm an architect with a care for historic fabric, the function just didn't work for us. We're tall people, and the sink was so low and had a small leaking issue. The toilet, while amazing in its pink glory, used so much water. And the shower head was at about shoulder height on my husband - not a desirable shower experience.

"We've never seen a more beautiful building entrance - and we saw many apartments," Alja writes. "The apartment had everything we'd been dreaming of: beautifully preserved original windows, original herringbone flooring, original doors, high ceilings, and even a balcony, three original and functioning ceramic fireplaces, and a parking space. That's incredibly rare here. As most old apartments have been 'renovated' over the years, that often means plastic windows, vinyl floors, and lowered ceilings," Alja describes.

Electric Bowery's renovation of a historic Pasadena, California residence began not with demolition or dramatic gestures, but with careful attention to what already existed. The challenge was determining how to respect its American Craftsman roots while shaping spaces that could coexist with contemporary life. The solution emerged through a dialogue between eras, where new additions spoke to original structures without mimicking their accent.

Later this November, PAM will link its original building with the Masonic Temple expansion by way of the Mark Rothko Pavilion. The new structure will extend across SW Madison and add approximately 10,000 square feet of space to Portland's flagship art museum, finally connecting the two buildings. The Rothko solves a major problem for PAM. Previously, the original part of the museum and the Mark Building were linked via an underground passageway that a lot of guests completely missed during their visits.

A few weeks ago, it might have been hard to imagine the amount of uproar that could be generated by a restaurant chain choosing to update its logo. But here we are, with Cracker Barrel embroiled in a nationwide controversy so great that the commander-in-chief himself felt the need to weigh in. Now, after the new logo was canceled, nationwide renovation plans are also being thrown under the rocking chair.

To combat the design decisions made by previous owners, the couple decided to paint all the walls in the home a soft white - something Mary Martha says has made the whole place feel airy and bright. "The ceilings in several of the rooms are quite tall, and it feels light and sweet but still cozy," she writes. "I have incorporated soft pops of color, floral patterns, pretty linen textures, handmade ceramics, and flowers from our garden."

"It really looked in despair with the whole house clad in a fake, pinkish wood," she recalls. "But the massing was incredible-it reminded me of the 1960s houses of Sea Ranch." Drawn to its potential, she purchased the property with the goal of giving it a new life, envisioning it as both a vacation retreat and a production location. A former director, Beatrice orchestrated the full renovation, preserving the exterior walls while remodeling nearly everything inside.

For the especially glamorous-like RuPaul in his Martyn Lawrence Bullard-designed home -a walk-in closet can't possibly be complete without a dressing mirror. Whether you're prepping for a gala or just fine-tuning the details of your office outfits, a trifold mirror is a handy addition. Bring in a vintage vibe As she approached her home reno with Reath Design, the walk-in closet was a top priority for homeowner Brynn Jones Saban, given her work as a vintage clothing dealer.

The British antique dealer, interior designer, and furniture maker is renowned on both sides of the Atlantic for his knack for creating rooms that are "joyful and elegant, effortlessly layered with color, texture, and history." His approach? Mixing "a masterful knowledge of antiques with decades of hands-on furniture-making experience and an impeccable eye for detail, resulting in interiors that are both timeless and uniquely personalized." Above all, it's an effect that feels thoroughly warm, lived-in, and welcoming.

The truth is, saying there's a set date is actually a myth. Dates aren't that important. When it comes to when to turn your heating on, other factors are more influential, and we're here to explain what these are. After all, getting it right isn't just for our own benefit - even though it's easy to think it is. The stark truth is that turning your heating on too late isn't just risky for your own well-being, but also the health of your home.

Wired home security systems are generally considered the most stable, ultra-secure choice for protecting your home. But, when picking the best home security systems, it's worth remembering that wired systems tend to cost more to install, and usually require a professional. That said, the upsides of a wired connection are considerable, and make them a great choice for a lot of properties where Wi-Fi based systems might struggle - such as homes with long driveways or Victorian and Georgian properties with thick walls.

With quartz countertops brightening up the space, you'll already have a compass to help choose colors for your cabinets. Unless you have a bold idea in mind, opting for complementary colors can keep decisions simple and aesthetics timeless. While a wild color paired with an equally strong cabinetry design can test boundaries of design, neutral color pairings can reliably offer a pleasing environment that complements your home's design.

Several small rugs need securing, and safety rails need to be installed in two of the showers. Two bathtubs are no longer being used because of the inability to egress without some type of assistance. There is also no handrail on the basement steps. My husband says it is no big deal to fix these issues, while I say it is a big deal that is crucial to aging in place and must be addressed immediately.

Let's get real: your apartment deserves designer vibes, but your bank account is giving more 'I-just-ordered-ramen' energy. Lucky for us, there's a wild world of shockingly affordable upgrades that'll turn your space into a Pinterest mood board-without the soul-crushing price tags. Whether you're low-key obsessed with mood lighting, dream of secret storage, or just want your entryway to scream 'I have my life together,' this list is stacked.

Drilling into concrete creates a lot of dust and noise, so it's important to wear an FFP2 respirator dust mask, some flexible safety goggles (like these Mustbau Clear Safety Glasses from Amazon) and ear defenders or plugs like these 3M E-A-R Classic Earplugs from Amazon," says Thomas.

You may be wondering what constitutes modern lighting ideas and the truth is, there isn't one specific answer as all design, including lighting design, works best when it suits you, your home and your aesthetic preferences. But, if the definition of modern is something that relates to the present moment, or recent times, rather than times past, then it's fair to say that modern lighting ideas are generally those that are available now and suit current design trends.

In the pursuit of connecting with the architectural traditions of cities and integrating their natural environments into design projects, the contemporary reinterpretation of colonial homes in Mexico faces the challenge of enhancing the contrast between the old and the new. Through the conservation of historical elements, the reuse of materials, and the fusion with contemporary design, the architecture of Mérida recognizes in its original colonial configuration new opportunities to create spaces in line with today's demands.

Wide kitchen drawers are all the rage these days, but you have to think about not just their aesthetic, but their functionality, too, which isn't necessarily the best. There's nothing more annoying than cooking with a guest in the kitchen and asking them to take six steps back so you can open that gigantic drawer, only to smash their hip with the corner of the drawer anyway because you miscalculated just how big it was.

We'd been renting this place for three years - great location, decent light, and juuust mediocre-enough finishes to remind us daily that it was definitely not ours,

As the days grow shorter and cooler, our homes begin to take on new significance. Fall and winter are seasons that draw us inward. They become our shelter in the storms - a true sanctuary. But how do you design a home that will feel like a sanctuary? It's not the same as designing a showplace or a styled photoshoot that appears perfect on Instagram but leaves the people in it overwhelmed or exhausted behind the scenes.

A radiator shelf is a simple way to give an unloved panel purpose, add a spot for styling, and make a space feel more finished, all without much effort or expense. Whether it's a slim hallway ledge for post and keys, a painted timber top that complements wall panelling, or a bespoke addition beneath a bay window, a radiator shelf brings charm and function in equal measure.