Original Article – https://www.larchmontbuzz.com/featured-stories-larchmont-village/neighbors-started-summer-with-free-jenis-ice-cream/

Lots of neighbors celebrated the first official day of summer with free ice cream from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams on Larchmont. Well, to be totally accurate, it wasn’t completely free, but it didn’t cost any money. The free scoops were a promotion for Jeni’s Splendid Rewards loyalty program. If you were willing to join the program, you got free ice cream last night. But it was easy to join and staffers were happy to scan a code at checkout. Buzz contributor Jade Ikeda also told us that Jeni’s staff announced the requirement well in advance, so everyone seemed to have the “scoop,” as it were.

There was a time when Jeni’s summer celebration scoops were completely free, but times have changed. Still it’s not a bad deal. For every dollar you spend, you get a point and you get a $5 reward for every 100 points. And if you’re like me and my family, that adds up fairly quickly. So you do get something for sharing your information and the money you already spent. (I also joined the loyalty program at La Brea Bakery and love getting a free loaf of bread every now and then!)

Jade said customers got to select up to two flavors in a waffle cone or cup with a waffle wafer.  She chose a cone of Wildberry Lavender and Pineapple Upside Down Cake, and her husband enjoyed a cone of  Sweet Cream Biscuits & Peach Jam and Powdered Jelly Donut. Sounds like a delicious way to start the summer!

The secret to a happy home? You heard it here first…

Original Article – https://www.loveproperty.com/gallerylist/134962/design-secrets-and-decorating-tricks-to-create-a-happy-home

Oliver BonasPost-pandemic, our happiness at home has become more important, whether it’s because we’re continuing to spend more time indoors, or simply because we’re looking to create a sense of calm. Either way, self-care and mindfulness have shot to the top of the agenda, and we’re enveloping ourselves in spaces that bust our stress and boost our mood. Here, Nicky Rampley-Clarke looks at the clever ways we’re incorporating joy into our interiors, from colour to décor and everything in between…

Be loud (and proud) with dopamine décor

Dulux

In their latest influential trend report, Pinterest Predicts declared that dopamine dressing would be makings strides this year with vibrant outfits and colourful palettes. It’s not hard to see how feel-good colours might extend into our homes, as suggested by Dulux in its round-up of interiors trends for 2022. Think electric blues, peacock purples and fuchsia pinks – used as cheery statements by themselves or combined to kaleidoscopic effect. 

Pick a pet project

Casa.Curated

It’s been proven that people with pets are generally happier and healthier. That’s because interacting with animals is thought to decrease stress levels and reduce blood pressure. So why not repay your four-legged friend by making their sleeping (or eating) area a stylish part of your home? Dedicated boot rooms for mucky hounds are on the rise here in the UK, but even small zoned areas such as this by interiors influencer Casa.Curated can make our furry companions feel right at home. 

Power-up with plants

Patch Plants

Biophilic design – an approach that prioritises our human need to connect with nature – is big news. Not only do plants soften a space, bringing texture and colour, but they offer health benefits: absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Patch Plants has been making it easy with gorgeous greenery delivered to your door. Its ‘plant doctor’, Richard Cheshire, explains: “Studies have shown that being around nature makes us feel more relaxed. Our brain finds green soothing, so bringing plants into a room can make it a nicer place to be.”

Make space for ‘you-time’

Snug Sofa

From working up a sweat to chilling out with mediation, ‘you-time’ is different for everyone. Luckily, you don’t need a dedicated home gym or yoga studio to practise self-care at home. Simply zone your space with paint: a designated spot for crunches and weights next to your desk; a marked-out area for stretches and mindfulness beside your bed; or a colourful corner for simply curling up with a good book. 

Nip the niggles in the bud

Task Rabbit

There’s always something that will annoy you about your house. A creaky step or a dripping tap, perhaps? Separately, these are insignificant, but collectively they contribute to stress. So, if you’re not happy with the niggles, change them – or pay someone to sort them for you. Begüm Zarmann, managing director at TaskRabbit Europe, says: “One in 10 couples has broken up due to a DIY-related dispute, so outsource to a skilled handy person to maintain a happy home!”

Style up a ‘spa-throom’

Soho Home

A spa experience massages away all the stresses and strains of everyday life. So why not recreate the style and splendour of a five-star facility from the comfort of your own bathroom? Spa bathrooms (‘spa-throoms’) are a hot bathroom trend this year, equipped with everything from hot tubs to saunas and power-showers – plus scented candles and mood lighting to boot. It’s the ultimate escapism for destressing more regularly without leaving home. 

Tap into textures

Cult Furniture

Enjoy the feeling of clean sheets as you slip into bed or a freshly-vacuumed carpet underfoot? You’re not alone. Harnessing the same principles of ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response – a tingling sensation triggered by placid sights, sounds and sensations), textures can offer a simple yet undeniable pleasure. Create spaces brimming with tactility for sensory enjoyment in everyday living: soft furnishings in boucle, velvet and brushed cotton; textured surfaces in marble, granite and sandstone. It’s a small way to add joy to every day…

Optimise your bedroom for sleep

DFS

Make your bedroom a place conducive to quality slumber: decorating the space in colours such as relaxed lavenders, soothing blues and serene greens is a good start, while investing in a brilliant bed topped with the right mattress and decent sheets will certainly help. Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of lighting to set the scene: curtains and blinds with blackout lining and dimmers, table lights and sconces. 

Declutter your décor

Furniture and Choice

Unless you’ve been living under a pile of clutter, you’ll know that tidying has become a major trend (Marie Kondo, The Home Edit). Interiors stylist Sam Griggs explains: “Everything in your home should be there because you love it or it is useful! To declutter, think about your style and colours: if you’re drawn to muted shades, don’t hold onto the bright orange cushion you bought years ago! Our tastes evolve as we get older, so we shouldn’t be held hostage by anything that no longer suits.”

Personalise your space

Oliver Bonas

Sure, a stylish home makes for good Instagram fodder, but perfect pictures aren’t getting traction. That’s because people tend to resonate more with real homes that are full of personality. Add photos of loved ones to celebrate relationships; and personal treasures collected from travels to recall memories. Sam Griggs, interiors stylist, says: “Don’t be distracted by trends. See yourself as a collector when filling your home. [Create] a space that feels personal to you and reflects your tastes. It’s your nest, after all!”

Lean into ‘broken-plan’ living

www.johnlewis.com

While open-plan living was big in the 90s and 00s, 2022 sees us moving towards ‘broken-plan’ living. The concept is a kind of halfway-house, separating out spaces more while keeping a sense of flow, as using our homes for both work and play during Covid has us seeking a compromise. Try zoning with colour, adding dividing screens, experimenting with different levels, transitioning through flooring and positioning furniture cleverly. 

Create a space that soothes

DuluxEvery home should have a space to fully relax and shut out the rest of the world. Using calm colours like lavender or a powdery blue, make it soft and comfortable with fluffy rugs, cushions and soft drapes and try to keep it clutter-free. Bring in home scents that calm like lavender and geranium, and use it for doing things that bring you joy whether that’s reading, crosswords, crafting, watching your favourite shows or just taking a nap.

Understand colour psychology

Wren Kitchens

Colour is one of the simplest ways to lift your mood at home. Whether it’s a piece of furniture you’ve upcycled with a pop of leftover paint, or a corner you’ve got creative with using colour saturation, bright and beautiful shades can raise your spirits. Dulux Heritage advises mellow yellow in the breakfast room for putting a spring in your step; natural green in a living room to invigorate; and deep blue in a bedroom for lulling you to sleep. Makes sense, right?

Consider slick storage solutions

Orthex Group

From larder units that hide away mismatched jars and tins (see Khloe Kardashian’s take on the trend), to laundry cupboards that conceal baskets of dirty clothing, clever organisation systems don’t only look chic, but also make finding things quicker and easier – resulting in an efficient and happy household. There are lots of clever tricks to help you get organised, but creating a place for everything is the only real way to declutter your home for good.

Look to ambient lighting

Pooky

Soft, warm lighting isn’t just flattering, but it’s calming, too. Create a mood at home with adjustable dimmer switches and lots of lamps to control the level of lighting in different rooms. Jo Plant, head of design at Pooky, adds: “Incorporate localised lamps and accent wall lighting. It’s the perfect way to introduce a layered lighting scheme into your home that can create ambient and atmospheric levels of light to suit the occasion.”

Create a statement loo

Divine Savages

The downstairs bathroom provides a blank canvas for creativity, so why not go a little wild? First, choose a busy or colourful wall covering. Jamie Watkins, co-founder of Divine Savages, says: “Guests will usually see your loo, so it’s your chance to have a bit of fun!” Next, layer with an eclectic gallery wall of artworks. Finally, finish with a cheeky touch, such as a novelty loo-roll holder or anything that makes you smile when you see it.

Let there be (natural) light

247 Blinds

Like plants, we need natural light to grow and flourish, so ensure it’s maximised everywhere at home to banish the blues. Lots of homes lack natural light – blame the weather, or simply the way they’re built – so position furniture near windows (or beneath skylights), hang mirrors opposite them and choose dressings that don’t conceal essential rays by day. Small changes, big impact. If you have old fashioned leaded windows, replacing them with clear glass will make a huge difference.

Style up an outdoor sanctuary

Dobbies Garden Centres

From the vibrancy of a Moroccan souk to the calm of a Caribbean beach, it’s not hard to see how recreating your favourite holiday destination at home can cheer you up. This year, we’re not only going big on décor inspired by far-flung places – think rattan and wicker; tropical prints and palm motifs – but we’re also turning our gardens into resort-style oases complete with garden bars and hot tubs. It’s all the happiness of a holiday, but no passport required… 

Spring-clean your space

Walton and Co

Arguably, it was Mrs Hinch – with 4.3-million followers – who sparked our obsession with cleaning. Her best-selling book sings its praises for the positive impact it can have on your mental health. For many, it’s nigh-on impossible to relax knowing there’s a sink full of dishes, or a pile of laundry stacking up. Tackling these daily tasks not only feels satisfying, but it creates a real sense of achievement, especially when they’re things you’ve been putting off for a while. But also make the most of a new season with a spring clean to give your home a reset. Clean the windows, change winter bedding for summer, swap up cosy throws for lighter soft furnishings. Clean yourself cheery!

Make sustainable choices

Dunelm

Sustainable choices can start at home, whether it’s eco-friendly paint or ethical furniture brands. When it comes to materials, think along the lines of wood, stone or wicker, both natural and trendy. And come up with a stylish system that easily separates out rubbish from recycling. While these solutions are small in the grand scheme of things, surrounding yourself with sustainable style certainly helps you sleep at night, and creates a chic home with a conscience. 

Original Article – https://ktla.com/news/california/what-1m-gets-in-5-california-real-estate-markets/

California is known for many things: the beaches, theme parks and famous landmarks. And, one less popular aspect: the price.

House hunters may find properties in the $1 million range in Bakersfield, Fresno and even San Diego. But in San Francisco or Los Angeles, you may find less than what you bargained for.

Here’s a look at what you might get for $1 million in Bakersfield, Fresno, San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles.

Bakersfield 

Bakersfield is considered one of the most affordable of the bunch. One million dollars encompasses many of the city’s top-tier homes. There are only a few houses on the market in the $1 million price range. 

Generally, you can get over 3,000 square feet with four bedrooms. As of early June, there were only about four homes listed in that price range.

For example, there is a 3,587-square-foot house with four bedrooms and three bathrooms located in the gated community Masterpiece Estates, according to the Zillow website. 

Aside from the few $1 million houses, there are also empty lots available to build new homes on.

Fresno 

Fresno is very much the same. Generally, that price tag can get you over 3,000 square feet with four bedrooms as well as empty lots for new construction.

For example, there is a 3,695-square-foot house with four bedrooms and four bathrooms near the Golden State Highway, according to Zillow. 

Bonus: This house features six attached garage spaces, according to Zillow. 

San Diego 

In San Diego, buyers can generally find homes in the 2,000-square-foot range for $1 million.

For example, there is a 2,121-square-foot house with five bedrooms and three bathrooms located near the San Carlos area, according to Zillow. 

This home features a fireplace and stainless steel appliances, according to the Zillow website.

In San Diego, the lots go for around $1.1 million and are mainly marketed for multi-family construction, according to the Zillow website.

Los Angeles

In the busy City of Angels, house hunters can find slightly smaller houses and condos in the $1 million price range. 

From an 868-square-foot home with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a one-car garage deep in the Hollywood Hills to a 1,144-square-foot condo with two bedrooms and two bathrooms near South Park, buyers will find the square footage in Los Angeles a bit pricier than the Central Valley, according to Zillow.

The condo also features a view of the city and has shared building amenities including a hot tub, pool, movie room and a fitness center, according to Zillow. 

Similar to San Diego, the empty lots range from $1 to $1.2 million and are marketed for multi-family construction, according to the Zillow website.

San Francisco 

San Francisco is considered one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S. There, buyers can generally find homes and condos in the 1,000-square-foot range and below depending on location.

Starting with a 876-square-foot condo in the East Cut part of San Francisco, featuring one bedroom and one bathroom. The condo also comes with an in-unit washer, dryer and dishwasher, according to Zillow. 

Buyers can find a house near Bernal Heights for slightly above $1 million. For example, a 1,221-square-foot house with two bedrooms and one bathroom near a BART station and San Francisco Muni is listed or $1.1 million, but it is “a fixer in need of major repair,” according to the Zillow listing. 

So, the real question is: What would you rather spend $1 million on, space or location?

Original Article – https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2022/06/08/tips-choosing-raised-beds-gardening/

One of the first lessons I learned as a gardener is that if you don’t have high-quality soil, the greenest thumb in the world isn’t going to save your plants. When we moved into our home half a dozen years ago, I soon realized that the dirt in our backyard was not viable for growing. Thick with clay, it was intersected by so many roots that it was impossible to push the shovel into the earth without hitting one.

I needed raised beds to fill with garden-level soil before I could sow my first season’s plantings. I purchased a few kits made with untreated wood — they were cheap and easy to assemble — and packed them with a combination of bagged soil and composted kitchen scraps.

It only took me a couple of years to regret my choice. The side planks buckled, and those resting on the ground rotted away. The rich loam inside began spilling out onto the white pebble pathways around the beds, an eyesore and a waste. This spring, I ripped them out and replaced them with a trio of new raised beds and an herb garden on wheels, but first I spoke with three gardening experts and spent a lot of time researching my options.

Here are the five factors they say you should consider when choosing raised-bed kits.

Materials. Kevin Espiritu, founder of Epic Gardening, generally recommends buying metal raised beds over those made of wood. “When you do the calculation on longevity of metal versus wood, metal beats out wood,” he says. “And during the pandemic, the cost for wood has skyrocketed, so sometimes wood is even more expensive than metal.” He notes that good metal beds will last more than a decade with proper care, which includes ensuring the bed doesn’t flood often or consistently sit in moisture. And line it with geotextile fabric or landscape fabric if you’re growing crops requiring acidic soil, which will corrode the metal.

Size. Beds should be at least a foot tall, says Josh Singer, a community garden specialist with the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation. “Bigger crops, such as tomatoes and squash, need at least that much room for their roots to grow,” he says, adding that you can even dig up another foot of ground below the bed to give plants space to expand. To ensure that you can easily reach across the entire bed — and that it won’t be so long that the sides bow out — he advises keeping beds two to four feet wide and four to eight feet long.

Beauty. “In urban and suburban areas, you probably only have a patio or small yard, so you’re probably going to want to like what you’re looking at out there,” says Tim Williams, operations manager of Greenstreet Gardens, a landscaping and design company. “But if pretty isn’t a factor for you, don’t worry about it. No one is going to judge you.”

Assembly. “It’s smart to have gloves on hand,” Espiritu says. “I always assemble kits using a drill with a screwdriver bit on it — set to a low torque, so you’re not over-screwing the bolt or stripping it out — because it’s faster. And have someone with you to help with the build. It’ll just be easier.” Don’t forget to ensure that your bed is on even ground, because a raised bed on a slope will get unbalanced moisture distribution and may leak soil. (Have a level handy if you don’t feel comfortable eyeballing it.)

Cost. Last, but never least, consider your budget. A metal raised-bed kit can cost several hundred dollars, plus shipping fees if it’s not available locally. The good news, though, is that by this time of year, many kits will be on sale or on clearance in the D.C. area. “But don’t wait too long, because they will become unavailable, and it will be too late to plant most things,” Williams says.

Here are four raised-bed kits the experts recommend.

Vego Garden’s 17-inch six-in-one modular metal raised bed. If you’ve been browsing raised-bed options on Instagram, you’ve probably seen these eye-catching beds with rounded corners. Williams is a fan. “It’s fantastic how much surface area you can get and the large soil volume for deep root systems,” he says. The 10-piece kit with 17-inch-tall sides can be built into six configurations, both square and rectangular, including 2 by 2 feet and 5 by 3½ feet. It takes about 35 minutes to put together. When attaching the panels in this kit and the others, check that the tops and bottoms are aligned; simply flip the panel if not.

Birdies’ tall modular raised bed. The OG of corrugated raised beds, Australia-based Birdies has been producing them for more than 13 years. Made of galvanized steel with an Aluzinc coating, the bed can be built into nine setups, rectangular and square, such as 40 by 24 inches and 66 by 40 inches. It’s 29 inches tall, so you don’t have to bend over to reach your plants, Espiritu says, “which is great for gardeners who are elderly or who have accessibility issues.” Set aside about 45 minutes to build and install it.

Olle’s 17-inch 12-in-1 galvanized raised bed. The panels are made of galvanized steel and coated with Aluzinc, designed to reflect the sun and maintain a consistent soil temperature. The 12-piece kit of 17-inch-tall panels can be transformed into a dozen configurations, both rectangular and square, including 80 by 40 inches and 44 by 24 inches; it should take about 35 minutes to assemble. Singer likes this kit because of its durability and height. When it comes to filling it, he recommends a blend of 90 percent topsoil and 10 percent compost; the latter will decompose over the year. “Dump a couple of bags of compost into the bed at the start of each year to refresh the organic matter,” he says. “And since the soil compacts, you really have to till it well every year.”

Forever raised beds. “If you want a bed that isn’t wood but will last a long time and looks like wood, this is the way to go,” Espiritu says. Designed to look like they’re built with cedar planks, these beds are made from a composite of recycled wood and plastic. They are available in configurations of 3 by 3 feet or 3 by 6 feet, making them great for smaller backyard gardens. Expect it to take about 15 to 20 minutes to assemble.

Martell is a writer based in Silver Spring, Md. His website is nevinmartell.com. Find him on Twitter and Instagram: @nevinmartell.

Original Article – https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/la-animal-services-issues-plea-for-dog-and-cat-adoptions-from-crowded-shelters/2904315/

L.A. Animal Services is asking Angelenos to open their hearts, and their homes, to dogs and cats in need of adoption — offering reduced fees at the agency’s six locations Saturday and Sunday. 

“Our shelters are full and need YOU to help dogs find homes,” according to an agency statement issued Friday. 

As National Pet Month comes to a close, L.A. Animal Services officials said adoption fees for all dogs will be $51, not including license, and $75 for puppies on Saturday and Sunday. 

Adoption fees for cats and kittens will be waived entirely thanks to a grant from the ASPCA. 

L.A. Animal Services also urged people who might not be able to adopt to consider fostering a pet “to give them a temporary break from kennel life.”

A list of adoptable pets can be found at laanimalservices.com/adopt/.

Dogs and cats adopted from the agency join their new families already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, licensed and microchipped, according to the agency.

Local

Original Article – https://www.bankrate.com/homeownership/hidden-home-remodeling-costs/

If you’re thinking about remodeling your home, you’re not alone. Annual homeowner spending on improvements and renovations has clocked double-digit growth since the pandemic, and could reach $430 billion by the second half of 2022, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. Even as the coronavirus crisis eases, part-time and hybrid work schedules are keeping many closer to home — making them decide to spruce up their residences.

Whatever project you have in mind, be advised: Its price tag isn’t limited to the materials you’ll need or the contractors you’ll hire. Home remodeling jobs tend to carry hidden costs. As you look ahead to cooking in that new state-of-the-art kitchen or turning that spare bedroom into an office, be sure to budget for these six often-overlooked expenses.

1. Securing permits

Many remodeling projects require a work permit from city or county authorities before the job commences. According to Angie Hicks, co-founder of Angi, these generally range from $424 to $2,291, with the national average being $1,330. It depends on the municipality and the nature of the work.

“Most renovations call for permits, especially if you’re updating electrical or plumbing [systems],” Hicks says. “In big cities, permits can cost up to $7,500, while in small towns they may be as low as $100.”

It may seem at times like the permitting process is an unnecessary impediment to your progress but don’t even consider skipping this step — or letting your contractor skip it (contractors are generally in charge of obtaining permits). Additional costs and fees in the form of penalties and fines will be imposed and you risk a work stoppage and invalidating insurance coverage if you don’t obtain the necessary permissions from your municipality.

Speaking of sign-offs: Many construction jobs also require post-project inspections by a municipal authority, and there could be a fee for that too, in addition to the original permit’s.

2. Installing appliances

A lot of major home appliances aren’t simply plug-in-and-go. You have to get them up and running — and that often costs money. This particularly pertains to “appliances that require complex wiring or plumbing labor, such as dishwashers” or washing machines, Hicks says. Even if you’re an advanced DIY-er, it’s often advisable to have a licensed electrician or plumber do the work. If the retailer you’re buying from offers an installation package, springing for it is not the worst idea in the world; just be sure to factor it into your final bill.

Bear in mind that the store installation only applies to the appliance. So before the appliance arrives, make sure your current HVAC, power and plumbing systems can handle it; if not, you’ll have to call in your own pro to upgrade them in advance.

“Switching a gas stove over to electric, or vice versa, bumps up appliance installation cost. Running a new gas line, adding a new circuit and breaker and refrigerators with ice makers, which need a water hookup, can all raise the cost of your renovation,” Hicks says.

3. Being dispossessed

Consider how the work might impact your routine, and for how long. If your home is enveloped in a cloud of dust during the demo or construction phases of the project, for instance, you’re not going to be able to prepare meals there, or potentially even be able to sleep there. A few weeks of eating at restaurants, or renting a space to live in, can add up quickly.

4. Encountering complications

Tearing up your home can also reveal some issues you didn’t know existed, Hicks notes, which will undoubtedly increase your costs as you pay to remedy them.

“Damage to areas not visible until the project begins; plumbing or wiring that needs to be updated to meet current building codes; termites, lead, mold, radon and other circumstances can easily move a home remodeling project beyond budget,” Hicks says. “Many contractors recommend adding an additional 10 percent to 20 percent buffer to your project’s overall cost to be prepared to deal with these types of issues.”

There may be ways to protect yourself from covering all of these “surprise” costs yourself. Construction contingency clauses  in contracts can be negotiated to hold the contractor at least partially responsible for the added expense to remedy a complication, especially if it’s one that could have been avoided or anticipated.

5. Cleaning up

“Construction leaves a lot of dust and debris, so you’ll want the job to be thorough,” Hicks says. “It includes everything from ridding the walls of scuff marks and smudges to waxing floors and scrubbing windows.”

Some of these costs can also be anticipated upfront and you should make the effort to have your contractor provide a fixed price for initial demolition and debris removal costs — or at least, a price estimate for these services; you can also request a later adjustment if actual costs are less.

Finally, consider spending a bit more to have the impacted area of your home swept, vacuumed, washed and polished by a professional after all work is completed, to make it “broom clean” and fully habitable. A good housekeeping or maid service can do the job quicker and more thoroughly than you can, probably, and their price will typically not exceed a few hundred dollars — between $275 and $650., according to Hicks.

6. Expanding your homeowners insurance coverage

Your dream remodel is finished, but now, it’s time to make sure it’s protected. Since a renovation can increase the worth of your home, you might find you need to pay more in premiums to bring your coverage up to an appropriate level. Some common home improvements that can affect your homeowners insurance, both in terms of replacement values and liability, include room additions and swimming pools.

Final word on hidden costs of home remodels

It’s easy to overlook certain costs when renovating a home. And since some prices can still surprise you, even after you plan ahead, it’s always best to budget a bit extra for any home improvement project. That way, the final bill won’t destroy any joy you have in your remodeled room or spiffy new space.

Now is the time of year when lawns come out of dormancy – a time many gardeners eagerly await. This is also the time of year that we trade large heating bills for sometimes equally large water bills. As you consider your gardening plan this spring, why not resolve to use less water? 

We use a lot of water
The US Environmental Protection Agency claims that, across the country, watering our landscaping accounts for nearly one-third of all residential water use, totaling nearly 9 billion gallons per day. In addition, some experts estimate that as much as 50 percent of water used for irrigation is wasted due to evaporation, wind, or runoff caused by inefficient irrigation methods and systems. 

Start with the lawn
Sure, a lush, green lawn can increase a home’s curb appeal, but if you plan to stay put for a while, you can consider reducing your lawn’s size by replacing some areas with mulch or hardscaping. To maintain size, but reduce water usage, you can replant with a less thirsty variety of turfgrass and/or not cut your grass so short. Longer grass promotes deeper root growth, resulting in a more drought-resistant lawn, reduced evaporation, and fewer weeds. 

Water more efficiently
Water your lawn before 10 a.m. for max efficiency. ThisOldHouse.comrecommends watering between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. “At this cool time of day, it’s less likely the moisture will evaporate before your grassroots can absorb it from the soil,” they explain. 

Plant early
Planting new plants in spring (vs. summer) gives them numerous advantages. Milder conditions are less harsh on the young leaves and buds, and lower temperatures require less water for the plants to get established. 

Go native
Choosing plants native to your area is another way to save effort and water. Native, drought-resistant plants require less maintenance and less water once established and have the added benefit of providing habitats to beneficial pollinators and soil organisms. 

Conserving water doesn’t mean you have to convert your yard into a rock quarry. Making some minor changes can reduce landscape water use but still leave your property looking beautiful and alive.

Amazon is significantly expanding its white-collar presence in Southern California, announcing office leases to accommodate 2,500 new corporate and technology jobs in Santa Monica, Irvine and San Diego.

The e-commerce giant said it has signed three leases, for a combined 439,000 square feet, for what it described as “tech hubs” in the three cities. The leases bring Amazon’s office footprint in Southern California to more than 1.5 million square feet, representing an increase of more than 40%, according to real estate brokerage data.

The Seattle company said it plans to recruit locally for jobs in various areas, including retail, operations, gaming and web services. Specific roles include software development engineers, game designers and user experience designers.

The three offices are the latest in a flurry of sites Amazon has opened over the last two years to handle the surge in demand from homebound consumers during the pandemic. Last week, the company acknowledged that the hiring spree has left it with too many workers and too much warehouse space as it reported a $3.8-billion quarterly loss.

For Original Article – https://www.vogue.com/article/why-1970s-interior-design-is-trending-again

For a recent project in Montauk, Robert McKinley painted the kitchen floor an unusual color: avocado green. In an age of all-white eateries and greige living rooms, this may sound like an aesthetic crime against humanity. Avocado green? Like my grandmother’s house? But McKinley’s kitchen evokes an earthy, Laurel Canyon meets Wes Anderson ambiance, a delicate balance of earth tones with playful color that doesn’t tread into the kitsch. It’s cool, it’s calming, and it’s, well, a little bit ’70s.

Oh, yes. Among the avant-garde, 1970s interior design trends are making a definitive comeback. “Earth tones and fun multi-color concepts are current trends now, as well as low slung soft furniture,” McKinley says. A similar sentiment was echoed back in February by a host of interior designers embracing that much-maligned color, brown. “The 1970s are definitively on trend in design,” Giampiero Tagliaferri, principal of Studio Tagliaferri and former creative director of Oliver Peoples, says. “The design of the time was fun and sexy but still sophisticated—I think that heavily resonates with modern audiences.”

An avocado-green kitchen—a staple of the 1970s—gets a modern twist thanks to Robert McKinley of Studio Robert McKinley.Photo: Read McKendree

Don’t take their word for it? Here are some statistics for you. In a 2022 survey of 600 decorators by 1stDibs, 26 percent of respondents said they’ve witnessed a resurgence of the distinctive decade’s decor hallmarks. The luxury antique site has also seen a massive spike in sales of iconic designs from the period, including Mario Bellini’s “Camaleonda” sofa from 1970 (yes, that bulbous couch you’ve seen all over Instagram), Michel Ducaroy’s “Togo” and Vico Magistretti’s “Maralunga” sofa from 1973, and Tobia & Afra Scarpa “Artona” dining series. Meanwhile, demand for pieces by Giancarlo Piretti are up 125 percent. And here’s the smoking gun: On the cover of his new album cover, Harry Styles—an aesthetic arbiter if there ever was one—stands in a very ’70s room with a low-slung lounge chair that resembles the work of Italian maker Giandomenico Belott.

At first, it may seem like an unwelcome blast from the past. The 1970s have long been lampooned for their more questionable choices, like plastic-covered furniture, traffic-cone orange palettes, and musty-dusty shag carpets. But the 2020s take is more restrained, more curated, cherry-picking ’70s-inspired highlights while ditching the dated aspects. 

Mischa Couvrette, lead designer at Hollis and Morris, assures us that “the orange hue as well as the overuse of plastic decor” are staying in the past, while Daniel Rauchwerger, of BoND, argues that the decade, design-wise at least, is oft misunderstood in the first place. “I think that today, we easily confuse 1970s design with general nostalgia,” he says. “The ’70s were, in a way, quite restrained in palette and material usage, in comparison with the decades before and after them. Lots of browns and warm tones, natural and raw materials like wood and exposed concrete, paired with bold geometry and patterns.” (Think less Austin Powers bachelor pad, and more Yves Saint Laurent’s Paris library, Calvin Klein’s Fire Island Pines home, or any room by famed interior designer David Hicks or Tony Duquette.)  Clive Lonstein is also a champion of the period: “There is a stripped-back, brutalist sense about it presented through the simplicity of materials and more geometric shapes,” he explains. “Texture is prioritized over form, so we see a lot of simpler shapes covered in softer, colored materials.” 

The design elements and motifs that top interior designers today are borrowing from the ’70s tend to fall within a specific set of parameters. “We are seeing more textured fabrics, geometric shapes and patterns, and multi-use/free-flowing spaces like sunken living rooms, room dividers, and upholstered seating,” says Corvette. “Hallmarks of 1970s design include bringing nature indoors, materials like velvet and rattan, and patterned wallpaper. I’ve seen all of them make a comeback, adds Enis Karavil of SANAYI313. (Fittingly, Danish furniture brand Gubi recently announced they were re-launching “Bohemian 72,” a rare rattan furniture collection by cult Milanese designer Gabriella Crespi originally produced in 1972.)

Perhaps most predominant is the return of the earthy color schemes, biophilic accents such as leafy plants and mushroom-shaped lamps, and low-slung furniture. For a recent project in Aspen, Lonstein adorned the living room with forest-green curtains, wood coffee tables, and brown furry accent chairs. McKinley currently is designing two residential projects with rich earth tone color schemes, deep low-slung furniture, open floor plans and sunken living room. Meanwhile Tagliaferri is busy sourcing seventies homages in a restaurant he’s working on in Milan, where Lonstein is incorporating many of these elements into the renovation of his Manhattan apartment.

But why the seventies surge now?

The editorial director of 1stDibs, Anthony Barzilay Freund, believes COVID has something to do with it. Overnight, many made a literal move to working and living in one place. “People felt a need for a relaxed environment—so, nothing hard on the eyes, and a place that has an immediate comfortable feel,” he says. The ’70s, with their warm color schemes (brown, in particular, is known for its mentally grounding effect), wide-open rooms, and sit-and-sink-into furniture, was the perfect period to take cues from.

lAnother factor? Fashion. Society, as a whole, has adapted a more casual way of dress in the past decade or so—jeans can be worn to an office, sneakers are considered fashionable, and tie sales continue to drop. It appears this stylistic aversion to stuffiness has seeped into our homes too. “The revival of 1970s design fits well with the more relaxed modes of dress: baggy, oversized, unstructured, soft and sloughy,” says Freund. “Not far off from the prevailing and evolving variants of normcore fashion.”

Perhaps McKinley sums it up best: “The open floor plans make so much sense for entertaining and human connection. Earth tones are calming, sophisticated and help people feel grounded,” he says. “I think in many ways it is how people want to live.”