How a Hollywood Manager Turned a Spec Home to Special

The article details an innovative approach to nursing home design, specifically for individuals with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, pioneered by Jean Makesh, CEO of Lantern assisted living facilities. Traditional nursing homes often present challenges for dementia patients due to their unnatural environments and rigid schedules, leading to confusion and distress, as exemplified by a 92-year-old resident named Norma who consistently attempted to return home to care for her deceased mother, and Walter, another resident who would demand breakfast nightly. Makesh recognized that common behaviors in dementia patients, such as these instances of confusion, could potentially be minimized through a thoughtfully designed environment. Makesh's philosophy centers on the idea that our surroundings significantly impact well-being. This led him to conceptualize a facility that simulates an outdoor environment indoors. His vision included a digital sky panel that mimics sunrise and sunset patterns, aiding residents in maintaining their biological clocks. He also integrated nature sounds and aromatherapy, using scents like peppermint and citrus, to enhance the residents' cognitive functioning, drawing inspiration from studies suggesting the benefits of aromatherapy for Alzheimer's patients. Furthermore, the facility features carpet designed to resemble grass, and each resident is provided with a "home" along an indoor street, designed to evoke the familiar neighborhood settings of their youth. The initiative aims to challenge conventional thinking about managing severe dementia, which often relies on antipsychotic and anti-anxiety medications to address behavioral issues arising from environmental conflicts and unnatural routines. Makesh believes that by strategically altering the environment and focusing on re-teaching essential self-care and hygiene skills, significant improvements are possible. He has tested this concept successfully at Lantern's Madison, Ohio, facility and plans to open two more locations. While acknowledging the ambitious nature of his goals, Makesh expresses confidence that within five years, residents could achieve independence within their environment, with a longer-term aspiration of enabling them to return home within a decade. This innovative model offers a rare sense of hope for individuals living with severe dementia, emphasizing rehabilitation and a supportive environment over mere management of symptoms. #DementiaCare #Alzheimers #NursingHomeDesign #AssistedLiving #MemoryCare #EnvironmentalDesign #Aromatherapy #CognitiveFunctioning

The article details the transformation of a “dark” Craftsman bungalow parlor into a brighter, more inviting space by stager Sarah Reed. The original parlor, typical of Craftsman-style homes, suffered from a lack of natural light due to its architectural design and placement. Reed's primary objective was to counteract this inherent dimness by strategically using color, furniture arrangement, and textiles to enhance the room's luminosity and perceived spaciousness. The initial state of the parlor presented challenges common to older homes, including limited light and potentially outdated decor that contributed to a heavy, dark atmosphere. Reed began the transformation by implementing a thoughtful color palette. Instead of relying on stark white, she chose soft, light neutral tones for the walls, which effectively reflected available light and created a sense of openness without making the room feel sterile. This choice was crucial in setting the foundation for a brighter environment. Furniture selection and placement played a significant role in the parlor's metamorphosis. Reed opted for pieces that were not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional in enhancing the room's brightness. The sofa was chosen in a light gray hue, contributing to the overall airy feel. Complementing the sofa, two accent chairs in white were introduced, further brightening the seating area. The arrangement of these pieces was carefully considered to maximize open floor space and light flow, avoiding clutter that could absorb light and make the room feel smaller. Textiles were another key element in Reed's staging strategy. A cozy rug, featuring a blend of white and gray, was selected. Reed emphasized the importance of rug size, noting that an 8’x10’ rug was appropriate for the room's dimensions, allowing both the sofa and accent chairs to rest comfortably with their front legs on it. This thoughtful detail helps to anchor the seating arrangement and prevent the space from feeling disjointed. Additionally, chunky light neutral textiles, such as throw pillows and blankets, were incorporated to add texture and warmth while maintaining the bright aesthetic. The combination of these design choices—light wall colors, carefully selected light-colored furniture, and coordinating textiles—resulted in a parlor that feels significantly lighter and more spacious than its original state. The transformation successfully addressed the challenge of inherent dimness in the Craftsman home, creating an appealing and comfortable living area. The article concludes by noting the effectiveness of Reed's staging, as the house went under contract shortly after being listed, indicating the positive impact of her design work on potential buyers. #HomeStaging #InteriorDesign #CraftsmanBungalow #RoomTransformation #BrighteningSpaces #NeutralDecor #HomeRenovation #RealEstateStaging

The Designer Show House, a biennial event sponsored by the Village Improvement Association in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, showcases diverse interior and exterior design inspirations across its 6,000 square feet of space and nearly an acre of outdoor areas. This event serves as a platform for regional designers to present their expertise and offers visitors a wealth of ideas for their own homes. One featured space is a sunken living room, designed by Kate FitzGerald-Wilks of Timeless Design in Landenberg, Pennsylvania. This room embodies a West Indies aesthetic, characterized by bold lines, soft sandy hues, and rich textures. Key elements include vintage stick bamboo chairs painted black, adorned with Kuba cloth and Ralph Lauren zebra-stripe pillows on a slipcovered camel-backed sofa. A mid-century hutch is repurposed as a cocktail bar, complemented by sculptural metal and glass console tables flanking the fireplace. Wood mirrors with faux tortoise shell lean against textured wallpaper, while modern sculptures and art blend with antique books and global treasures. FitzGerald-Wilks also designed the dining room, aiming for a dramatic effect with a backdrop of 200 wine bottles and a striking Dolcetti chandelier crafted from shells and crystals, evoking sea glass. An 8-foot-long reclaimed wine rack sits atop a buffet. The room's color palette consists of soft creams and tans, punctuated by emerald green accents in the chandelier and wine bottles. Windows are framed with woven ikat print panels. An airy sunroom, conceived by Alfred Wolf Home (a new venture from Design Center of Rehoboth or DCOR), was designed to create a light-filled, contemporary transition between the house and garden. This involved removing existing French doors and window grills, painting the room in various shades of white and French gray-green, and incorporating textural elements of white canvas, iron, and marble. The family room, also by DCOR, maintained the warmth of its original paneling and fireplace stone, setting the foundation for a soft khaki and cream palette. The room is furnished with herringbone, tweed, and leather fabrics, offset by tortoise shell wood finishes and local tidal scene artwork. Mary Stewart of M. Stewart Interiors in Bear designed the upstairs hobby room, named "Just Us," intended as a shared family space for various pastimes like painting, photography, reading, chess, and Lego building. The room features updated cherished family heirlooms and is painted simply white to highlight paintings by Nadia Zychal. Nile Johnson of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, designed the second-floor paneled library, drawing inspiration from Rehoboth's laid-back yet cosmopolitan atmosphere. This space offers an updated interpretation of a classic library, decorated in layers of sandy tans. Cyndi and Ron Oronzio and Cathie Sheetz of Dreamweaver Interiors of Rehoboth Beach decorated a bedroom and bath, inspired by vibrantly patterned fabrics. They utilized Robert Allen fabrics as wallpaper for an accent wall, building the room's design around this print. The team selected fabrics for their depth, crisp patterns, contrasting textures, and detailed embroidery, incorporating a bright coral pink accent color and rhinestone embellishments for a feminine touch. Brenda Carder of blcINTERIORS of Rehoboth Beach designed a small guest bedroom, combining natural cotton and linen fabrics with metal and reclaimed wood. Crown moldings add formality. To compensate for limited sunlight, the room was kept light and bright, with a deep navy blue accent wall and touches of bright yellow for warmth. The second floor features art by Libby Zando of Zando Designs and Art Affects in Milton, alongside works by award-winning regional artists. Boardwalk Builders of Rehoboth transformed a hallway into a gallery space by adding wainscot paneling, creating an updated cottage aesthetic that visually broadened the hallway. Mark A. Polo of The Urban Dweller in Boonton, New Jersey, designed the master suite, aiming for comfort with soft textural colors ranging from taupe to blue. The furniture is upholstered to enhance the room's softness, featuring taupe draperies of embroidered sheer linen and silk edged in leather and freshwater pearls. Blonde floors are softened by a long-fiber rug. Outdoors, Erin Walls and Justin Bartels of Bella Terra Landscaping in Lincoln repurposed existing flagstone patios and walkways, adding new stones to create a Celtic-inspired design. The layout divides the space into a grand area for social gatherings and secluded nooks for quiet retreats. Creative Concepts Furniture of Lewes and Ocean View furnished the patios as outdoor rooms with bright coastal colors, including a sectional, loveseat, dining area for six, and lounge chairs, inviting visitors to envision themselves in the setting. #DesignerShowHouse #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #RehobothBeach #DelawareDesign #LuxuryInteriors #OutdoorLiving #DesignInspiration

The reality television show 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,' which aired on ABC from 2004 to 2012, transformed the lives of many deserving families through drastic home renovations and turned its cast members into household names. This article provides an update on what these stars have been doing since the show concluded over a decade ago. The original cast included Ty Pennington, Paul DiMeo, Michael Moloney, Tracy Hutson, Paige Hemmis, Ed Sanders, Preston Sharp, and Eduardo Xol. These individuals were instrumental in the show's premise of selecting families who had faced significant hardships and providing them with life-changing home improvements. Since the show's conclusion in 2012, the career paths of the cast members have diverged. Some have continued to appear in various television projects, leveraging their fame from 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' to secure new opportunities in the entertainment industry. Their public presence remains notable, with regular appearances in different shows and media. In contrast, several other cast members have largely stepped out of the public spotlight. While they continue their work in design and related fields, their activities are conducted in a much less public setting, with some even maintaining a limited social media presence, making it challenging for the public to track their current endeavors. A notable and tragic development among the cast is the death of one of the stars in September 2024, due to an incident that is currently under investigation. The article invites readers to explore a gallery showcasing what the stars of 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' look like today and provides further details on their current activities. This retrospective aims to inform fans about the post-show lives of their favorite cast members, highlighting both continued public careers and more private pursuits, while also acknowledging significant personal events such as the aforementioned loss. #ExtremeMakeoverHomeEdition #RealityTV #HomeRenovation #CastUpdates #CelebrityLifestyle #TelevisionStars #ThenAndNow #EntertainmentNews