Renovation

Renovation

LAUFEN, a Swiss bathroom manufacturer since 1892, has ceramics at its core. Product development is the result of cutting-edge technological research, notably with the introduction of Saphirkeramik. This new high-performance ceramic material is characterized by exceptional resistance and incredibly thin profiles. The use of this material has enabled the creation of collections with lighter shapes and curved profiles, revolutionizing bathroom design with a balance of lightness and strength. Color adds the final touch to ensure these products lift our sanctuary experiences.

The glow of a log burner is irresistible as the evenings turn colder, but it's the hearth that truly anchors the space. More than a safety feature, it acts as the canvas that frames your fire - which is why it pays to get your log burner hearth ideas spot on. The beauty of a hearth is how versatile it can be. Some homeowners love the timeless appeal of slate or granite, others prefer the decorative lift of patterned tiles.

But, even though I hate the cold, when it comes to switching my heating on, rising energy bills mean I'm loathe to flick the switch until it's absolutely necessary. Add into the mix the fact I work from home and live in a Grade II listed apartment with single glazed windows, and it becomes a battle of extra layers and jumpers vs paying more to be warm, as soon as the temperature drops outside.

Tucked in the Loire-et-Cher in France, Repère Sauvage sits on the grounds of Fort Girard, once the stronghold of César de Vendôme, son of Henri IV and Gabrielle d'Estrées. From 1851 to 1940, the property was bought and sold, the fort was demolished leaving only its entry gate in tact, and the site was later converted into a training center for young cabinetmakers.

Britain faces a deepening energy crisis with household debt to suppliers hitting a record £4.4 billion. As another winter energy price rise takes effect, campaigners warn millions risk falling behind on bills once again. Experts say the only long-term solution lies in upgrading millions of draughty, inefficient homes, as a new generation of "zero-energy-bill" houses shows what's possible.

You might use one in a damp basement, another in a condensation-prone bedroom, or a utility room where you use a dehumidifier to dry clothes,

If you've taken all the other measures, then a strong scent adds that extra layer of deterrent, but it doesn't address the cause,

Glitzy renovated kitchens make everyone ooh and ahh - the new appliances, the fancy flooring, the latest cabinets. Behind those renovations, though, is a hefty price tag. According to Realtor, the kitchen is the most expensive room of the house to remodel, averaging around $27,000 in the United States. For some homeowners, this kind of price tag is either completely unattainable or altogether not worth it, so they're choosing to embrace their old-fashioned kitchens instead.

Steel and wrought iron are typically used for gates, railings, garden furniture, and radiators, and are usually sanded to remove any rust and peeling paint before repainting. Similarly, aluminium items like car parts and bodywork, cookware, and certain tools and machinery, will benefit from sanding to restore shine and improve the adhesion of any finishes. Sanding aluminium can smooth over any scratches and prepare these items for paint and polish.

The RTÉ show makes a welcome return as empathetic Baz Ashmawy and a team of culchie builders aim to help a cheeky nine-year-old in a wheelchair We are all helpless in the mucky hands of DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland. We know about the happy ending. We know about the stress and the glitches which routinely appear in part two.

Her mom, Hollywood legend Goldie Hawn, bought the place when Hudson was young. "My very, very foundational memories were in that house, with my grandma, my grandpa, all of my mom's aunts and uncles, Kurt [Russell]-my pa's-parents," the actor tells AD, ruminating on poolside hangouts and sunny days spent lying on the bricks of the backyard as a little girl. "When I walked back into that house, I just had this overwhelming wave of nostalgia."

Whether you're moving into a fixer-upper in or a newer home in Nashville , a new home can come with quite the to-do list. Calling contractors and specialists might save you time and stress, but it'll leave a dent in your budget. You'd be surprised how many DIY home repairs you can do yourself with just a few tools. Here are 13 simple repairs you can tackle yourself as you settle into your new home.

The resplendence of the Boston Public Library's McKim Building unfolds with each step up the grand staircase. Past the imposing stone lions, the golden-hued stairwell gives way to an airy gallery of murals, a millennium-spanning celebration of the muses. Nearby, a narrower stairway leads to the hushed third floor, where people wander the opulent gallery to untangle John Singer Sargent's "Triumph of Religion," a monumental cycle of murals the artist left unfinished despite nearly three decades of work.

You can paint onto varnished wood, but, like all paint projects, you will need to do some preparation to ensure a good finish, explains Paul Kerr, Building specialist at Beatsons. "Technically, yes, you can paint directly onto varnished wood. However, it is difficult to keep paint adhering to the glossy surface as varnish seals off the wood underneath." He adds, "The key to painting on varnish is to prepare the surface for adhesion, making sure the paint can stick and hold to it."

Labour used its party conference this week to unveil plans for 12 new towns and a broader package of housing initiatives across England. Ministers framed the proposals as a long-term solution to the housing crisis, promising 1.5 million new homes in the current Parliament, including a significant proportion designated as affordable. Industry experts, however, warned that without clear plans for land release, funding, and planning reform, the projects risk remaining unbuilt promises.

Denim insulation is a soft thermo-acoustic material comprised of 85% cotton and velvet fibres,

Heritage conservation forms its own biotope of project stories stories that carry urgent relevance for today's architectural debates and initiatives.

If you painted a room in your home with a bold, statement color, then you might know all too well that stark white outlets can really ruin the look. Sure, you can paint the outlet cover, but likely, those white ghost faces will always haunt you. That is, unless you opt for paintable outlet covers, which are available on Amazon. They don't require any rewiring and can be screwed over your existing outlets - genius!

After Napoleon's 1798-1801 Egyptian campaign, his publications of its scholarly findings, including engravings of Egyptian styles, were widely disseminated. A fashion for Egyptian styles and military camp furnishings swept Europe and inspired Friedrich's architect, Nikolaus Friedrich von Thouret. "This is probably the only palace in Europe to have a drapery room remaining to this extent of completeness, including fabric, trimmings, and furnishings to match," says Anu-Susanna Ventelä, a textile conservator at the State Palaces and Gardens (SPG) of Baden-Württemberg. Exposed to years of soil, dust, sunlight, pollution and even insect retardants, the silks, originally turquoise and now a faded blue-green, needed cleaning, she says.

Disneyland will close eight attractions for seasonal refurbishments as the Anaheim theme park resort enters the heart of the Halloween season that has become one of the most popular times of the year. It's a Small World, King Arthur Carrousel, Goofy's Sky School, Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes, Sailing Ship Columbia, Mickey's PhilharMagic, Pixie Hollow and Fantasmic will temporarily close in October as part of the standard refurbishment schedule at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. ALSO SEE: Disneyland delays reopening of Napa Rose until early 2026

BCMT Gallery is an artist-forward gallery championing craft and the processes and people behind it. Based out of Kingston, New York, the gallery was founded by artist and furniture maker Joshua Vogel and Blackcreek Mercantile & Trading Co. co-founder Kelly Zaneto. BCMT Gallery has sought out a growing collective of artists who share in the investigation of the elemental-offering both functional and collectible works.

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. More people are stepping away from the minimalist, open-concept kitchens that seemed to dominate design decisions for the past two decades. We want to personalize our kitchens, considering how much time we spend in them. Plus, many of us are seeking cozy comforts in today's world. This has revived past trends like choosing charming 1990s kitchen color schemes over monotonous monotone and collecting secondhand cookware and serveware to mix modern and vintage kitchen items.