Renovation

Renovation

One thing about me: I love a feature that fills a home with character. Wood-paneled ceilings? Yes! Sunken living rooms? Sign me up! Crown molding? Please, please, please! The house my parents moved into after I graduated college is a split-level ranch meets mid-century modern home in Texas that isn't overwhelmed with this level of character but does have some very fun quirks - including a pocket door that leads to one guest bathroom.

No need to get out the card table (though we have to admit the kids' table has a certain nostalgic appeal).

Bergen's former "weird corner" sat within the large, open room in her 1920s Edwardian San Francisco apartment that serves as both her dining and living areas. "What I didn't like was how impractical it felt; it was wasted space," she says. "What I did like was the potential - the corner was tucked, naturally cozy, and I could imagine it becoming a perfect little nook with the right design ... I wanted to honor [my home's] charm while giving it a modern, folk-inspired twist."

And so Kohler's Black Friday sale likewise thinks big, offering discounts on life-changing bathroom and kitchen installations. Enter the promo code BFCM25, and you'll get 5 percent off bath and kitchen orders above $800, and 10 percent off orders bigger than $1,600. Depending on the size of the kitchen or bathroom renovation you're gifting yourself for the holiday season, this can add up to a discount of hundreds of dollars.

A staircase isn't just a way of getting from one floor to another. It's often one of the first things you'll see when you walk through the door, and in many homes, it's an architectural feature. Changing its position can completely alter how a house feels, but as with all major alterations, before you grab the sledgehammer or call in a carpenter, it's worth understanding what's really involved.

Choosing the right tiles is essential in transforming a bathroom. They can enhance a space with style and substance, foster a calming atmosphere, and make a bold design statement. However, it's all about personal taste. What works for one person won't be the perfect choice for someone else. That's why we've selected seven different retailers to broaden your options. Choosing tiles to match your bathroom design ideas will be easier, and you can browse from the comfort of your own home.

Architectural space has long been framed by permanence: rooms for fixed functions, facades that clearly define where exterior ends and interior begins. Yet contemporary life is defined by overlap and transition: between work and living, interior and exterior, privacy and community. Spatial needs evolve continually, demanding architecture that can respond, adapt, and remain relevant over time. In this context, adaptability has emerged not only as a design ambition but as a sustainable necessity.

Mountain House, which is home to the new accommodations, unveils four room categories: Forest King Rooms come with a view of the pines; Mountain King Rooms face tree-framed slopes; and Mountain Studio Suites have loft-style layouts and wide views over Windham Mountain. The Pine Suite links a Forest King and a Mountain King to form a spacious accommodation that works well for families or groups. Guests also have access to a new wood-barrel sauna.

Or at least that's what's supposed to happen, as the end result is not really what was suggested in the early concept image sent to other publications. The impression would be of a simmering, partially translucent screen that would be lit from behind. To show off the church through a veil. In fact, it's a painted fabric hung over scaffolding and lit from the outside by a handful of spotlights at the bottom.

Many UK homeowners are unaware that they could be losing heat through their uPVC windows by not adjusting the settings, causing their energy bills to rise.

If you're wondering what a block print is, it's a pattern with a repeating image usually staggered across a single sheet. Traditionally, these types of papers were printed by hand using hand-carved block prints, but now they're usually digitally printed. In fact, block print was the first wallpaper produced, back in the 17th century, which gives its modern counterpart a historic charm.

Site Context: Lush Mountains and Clear Waters - Anji is a city embraced by verdant hills and meandering clear streams, renowned as China's "Bamboo Hometown" and the birthplace of the "Two Mountains" philosophy. The site is located in the core area of Anji's Liangshan Future Sci-Tech City, built on a former industrial zone at the edge of the existing urban area. This former factory district is being progressively regenerated into the heart of the Liangshan Future Sci-Tech City.

New interior renders released by Studio Sofield - the firm responsible for the interiors of SHoP Architects' ultra-thin tower at 111 West 57th Street - reveal how the triangular icon is being reshaped from office spaces into a collection of homes. While the 1903-built structure is shaped strongly by its site and steel frame, its tapering geometry guides the plan of each unit.

A spacious backyard can be a relaxing sanctuary, but turning it into a functional, beautiful space often feels expensive. With creativity and strategic planning, you can renovate your backyard on a budget, creating an inviting oasis without breaking the bank. Keep reading to explore cost-effective ways to revamp your backyard, blending practicality with charm. Plan with purpose and repurpose Start by envisioning your ideal backyard-whether it's a cozy seating area, a veggie garden, or a play space.

Yes, you should wipe condensation off your windows. In fact, if this happens regularly, it's a good idea to get into the habit of removing it every single day, recommends Stephen Hankinson, Heating Expert at Electric Radiators Direct.

Our 2025 Gift Guides are filled with thoughtfully chosen favorites-some I own and enjoy myself, and others I think would make lovely gifts. We know our readers look forward to these guides each season, so we consider our time putting them together as a time-saving gift to you! Enjoy browsing, and feel free to bookmark or pin this page for later! See ALL of our full Gift Guides 2025 here!

Home heating is notoriously hard to get right. Most of us have that one room that's never quite warm enough, so we reach for a plastic, fan-blasting space heater that's loud, dries the air, kicks up dust, and looks out of place. Central systems often overheat empty rooms and underheat the ones we're in, wasting energy along the way. What's missing is a safe, efficient, affordable way to warm the spaces that need it, right when they need it.

Many homeowners don't realise that their winter garden clearance or renovation projects could be putting protected wildlife at risk. Disturbing hibernating or dormant species such as bats, hedgehogs, dormice, and amphibians is illegal and can carry fines or even prison sentences. Experts recommend practical checks and careful planning to avoid accidental offences while supporting local biodiversity. Which hibernating species are most commonly affected by winter work?

Beal Blanckaert + 20 Category: Cultural Architecture, Educational Architecture, Refurbishment Lead Team: Nathan Gourcerol, Justine Laberenne Design Team: Beal Blanckaert Architectes Engineering & Consulting > Environmental Sustainability: Impact Engineering & Consulting > Acoustic: Vincent Hedont Engineering & Consulting > Structural: MBA Engineering & Consulting > Other: Becquart More SpecsLess Specs Beal Blanckaert Text description provided by the architects. The project involves the redevelopment of a former building that was once part of the industrial site of the Leonard Danel printing house.

As they assessed the 7,000-square-foot property, which spans two combined row houses and includes six bedrooms and bathrooms, one thing was certain: the challenge wasn't starting from scratch, but refining what was already there. Early on, Buxbaum Gordon and the clients agreed that replacing new materials felt wasteful. Instead, the focus became layering in warmth and personality through finishes and furnishings. The guiding principle was to refine, not rebuild.

If you live in an older home, chances are you've heard of a back boiler. These were popular heating systems installed behind fireplaces. They provided hot water and heating by burning gas or solid fuel. But today, back boilers are outdated, inefficient, and even unsafe. So, if you still have one, you might be thinking about replacing it. But how much does it cost to replace a back boiler?