Slow furniture is different. It’s the kind of solid furniture your mom or grandma had, that dining room table you ate dinner on, that sofa that felt like a hug and is still there for your kids, and that bedroom set handed down through generations of your family.

There’s no argument that slow furniture typically costs more, but it’s an investment that will last a lifetime, and something that will reflect the whole of your values. Consider these benefits before organizing your Allen wrenches and ordering furniture in a flat box.

Take Your Time

You don’t really need a home full of new furniture tomorrow, do you? Gather a few hand-me-downs from family and friends while you shop for something with character that will probably last longer than you do. It’s like building a wardrobe or stocking a pantry: one item at a time. And be picky! Look at all the styles that have come and gone over the past few decades and find a few that tickle your fancy. Remember that mixing and matching styles from different eras is chic.

Consider the Value

A $60 coffee table designed and mass-produced in Sweden will lose at least half its value in six months or less, which is about the same amount of time it’ll take you to get sick of its angles and boring color. On the other hand, if you buy a vintage table made from real wood for $120, it will only ever increase in value as long as you take care of it. Better yet, you won’t see the same table in all your friends’ homes.

It’s Not Used, It’s Vintage

Just like pictures, every piece of pre-owned furniture tells a story. If the previous owner of your slow furniture piece doesn’t have one, make one up based on its condition, dents and nicks, label, and where it came from (i.e., an estate sale, a second-hand store, your uncle, etc). Nothing beats furniture with character.

Choose Multi-Use Pieces

A chest of drawers can be used in any room, not just a bedroom. It can be added cabinet space in a kitchen, a storage unit with a top shelf to display pictures and knickknacks in the living room, or a place to stow fresh linens and personal grooming products in the bathroom. Best of all, it can fulfill all those needs at different points in your life.

Shop Local, Artisan, and Fair Trade

If you choose to buy a new piece of slow furniture, you should at least make sure you’re supporting your local woodworkers and boosting your neighborhood economy. Be sure to check the sustainability of the wood, too, so you’re not accidentally devastating a forest somewhere on the other side of the globe.

Finally, Be Careful

While wood furniture is usually a safe bet, beware of upholstered furniture that may be infested with bedbugs or other pests. Even if you plan to reupholster it, you still need to know what’s lurking under the stuffing or padding.

The post Slow Furniture: 6 Reasons It’s Better For You And Your Future first appeared on Dornob.

The Elite Perspective

Oddly enough, chairs are king in the world of opulent home furnishings. Famous architects and designers from every era have created individual chairs that sold for millions of dollars, and many of those have actually increased in value over time. Stories abound of inspiration, political statements, romance, and historical significance regarding chair designs. In many cases, a single chair can even be the focal point of a room.

AI Gets Involved

With both these perceptions in mind, designers Philipp Schmitt and Steffen Weiss contemplated what effect AI could have on chair design. More specifically, they wondered if robotic chair design could compete with human creations. Their experiment sought to determine if neural networks could produce a so-called “design classic:” a chair that successfully combined function, innovation, and artistry as successfully as a human-made model.

The Groundwork

Schmitt and Weiss, residents of New York and Berlin respectively, called their experiment the chAIr Project. It began with months of working side by side to produce two “neural networks” (algorithms) for the AI to run on. One was programmed to see likenesses between different chairs and create comparable ones. The second network established whether or not the image actually represented what a particular chair looked like and made adjustments as necessary to make the design comply with general standards.

The Details

The resulting algorithms pumped out hundreds of variations, many of which were mishmashes of abstract forms that had to be deconstructed and pieced back together to even resemble chairs. The basic elements were all there, including a gracefully arched wooden back reminiscent of a Hans Wegner design, bowed tubular steel evocative of Mies van der Rohe chairs, and narrowed legs that harked back to popular mid-century designs. The combination of these styles was both intriguing and bizarre. Schmitt noted: “Based on these two variables, the algorithm created hundreds of resulting forms that are more abstract, sculptural collage than functional designs: the sketches appear as purely associative objects that mash up familiar components. This creates a lot of potential for our human imaginations to fill in the details.” He ultimately transformed the results into 3D sketches, applying real-world factors to produce miniature mock-ups made from brass tubing, balsawood, and aluminum mesh.

The Results

In the end, the four miniatures proved a little overwhelming. Much like the awe-inspiring works of M.C. Escher, the properties of chairs were all there, just not in the traditional places, resulting in models with too many armrests, missing pieces, or no place for a person to actually sit.

Schmitt and Weiss plan to move forward and produce full-size models of the designs with the help of a conventional Danish woodworker, reiterating that AI is just one of many paths in the design network. Schmitt added: “Many famous designers have designed chairs, and one could argue that there have been enough chair designs in the world for quite a while. Yet, designers still design chairs. They are an expression of a person, a philosophy, or state of mind, a time and place in history — like a painting. In my opinion, chair designs will remain expressions of human ingenuity, but some of the iconic designs of our current century might very well be designed with, or even entirely by, machines.”

The post AI Adds Chair Design to Its Resume first appeared on Dornob.

Fictional Map Wall Art

Green-screen Zoom backdrops are so passé, so why not add a personalized touch to your meetings with a poster or map from your favorite movie or book in the background? Many come in various pre-cut sizes, are available custom-cut, and include materials and tools for easy framing.

Logitech C270 Webcam

For the most professional presentations anywhere, you’ll find that this reasonably-priced webcam from Logitech is ideal. The high-definition 30-fps camera self-adjusts to lighting conditions and boasts a noise-reducing mic that cuts out background sounds.

Logitech H390 USB Computer Headset

This comfortable headset not only enhances sound and speaking quality, but it also lets you easily mute the mic or adjust the volume with a handy in-line audio control button. No outside noises are audible with this bad boy on, even if you’re munching on snacks during your meeting.

Logitech C920 Pro HD Webcam

Avid Zoomers love this webcam model, which includes a 78-degree field of view and a 1080p HD picture, so your images are always crisp and clear. Combine that with mics on either side and a frame rate of 60fps, and you’ve practically got yourself a professional camera.

Memory-Foam Lumbar Support Pillow

Sitting for hours at a time can have devastating effects on your body. Zoom in comfort by lining your work chair with a memory-foam lumbar support pillow. Ergonomically constructed, it improves your posture and decreases pressure on your tailbone. For extra comfort, add an extra seat cushion to your chair, too.

Saicoo LED Lamp

If want to look your best for your Zoom meetings every time, it’s important to understand that lighting is everything. This LED lamp makes you look great in a flash: simply adjust its touch-receptive panel to control brightness and color temperature. No need to worry about a low laptop battery, either, since this lamp features a built-in charging port.

Shure MVS Digital Condenser Mic

This digital condenser microphone guarantees flawless sound, and its versatile USB and iOS connectivity let you link it to all kinds of electronic devices. Best of all, an accompanying app makes sharing, recording, and editing a total breeze.

TIJN Blue Light Glasses

Hours of Zooming will inevitably take its toll on your eyes before long. These blue light glasses keep them looking fresh and reduce stress, redness, and irritation by blocking 100 percent of harmful UV rays. Plus, the lightweight frames ensure hours of comfort.

UBeesize Phone Tripod

Nothing works better to keep your Zoom presentation focused like a sturdy tripod with rubber-coated bendable legs and non-stick feet. Even better, this stand comes with a handy remote control for your phone that works as far away as 30 feet.

UBeesize Ring Light With Tripod Stand

If you really feel like optimizing your images, consider splurging on the UBeesize combination ring light and tripod. It includes warm light, daylight, and cool light rings, each of which includes a whopping 11 levels of brightness. An added perk is a remote control that lets you turn on your camera from a distance with your smartphone.

Classic Travel Posters

Add a touch of esteem and cultural savvy to your Zoom profile with vintage travel posters. Choose a favorite vacation spot, a great shot of your hometown, or a dream destination from your bucket list. Keep people wondering by changing them every few months.

The post 11 Items Sure to Make Your Zoom Meetings Better first appeared on Dornob.

Bissell BarkBath

A clean dog isn’t just a happy dog — they’re also welcome in almost anyone’s home. This compact cleaning system lets you bathe your dog on the go and doubles as a portable carpet and upholstered furniture cleaner. Its one-of-a-kind spray nozzle gently reaches deep down to the dog’s skin and deposits the dirty water into a separate tank. For $200, you can easily keep your dog and home clean without bulky equipment or frequent trips to the groomer’s.

Fi Smart Dog Collar

No more fretting over where your dog is when they decide to explore the world explore outside your yard. The lustrous Fi Smart Dog Collar tracks their location with a real-time GPS and reports the data back to you on your smartphone. It also tracks how many steps they take and their total exercise time to monitor their fitness. The collar is $149, and the additional $99 annual subscription fee is a small price to pay for the serenity of knowing your pooch’s whereabouts.

Mighty Paw Smart Bell 2.0

With a minimal amount of training, the Mighty Paw Smart Bell 2.0 lets your dog alert you to their need to go outside and take care of business. Priced between $30 and $40, the system is wireless and needs no batteries, with a customizable ringtone that’s activated by the simple touch of your pet’s paw.

PetChatz Interactive Pet Camera

You don’t have to be Dr. Dolittle to talk to your pet. Thanks to this nifty invention, you can now have two-way calls anytime you’re away from home, and even toss them “treats” or calm them with light bursts and therapeutic scents. The basic system costs around $350, but for a bit more, you can add on “PawCall” buttons that let your pet reach out to you from afar.

Petcube Bites 2 Smart Pet Camera

If you just want to keep tabs on your pet’s secret life when you’re not home, Petcube Bites 2 Smart Pet Camera is the perfect gadget for you. You can reward good behavior with a virtual treat or talk to them with the two-way audio feature. Even better, this system is a little cheaper than others at just $249.

PetSafe Smart Feeder

With the PetSafe Smart Feeder, you’ll never have to feel guilty about not being home to feed your dog on time. Instead, a simple phone app lets you set up an automatic feeding schedule. Set it to dispense an eighth to four full cups of food, or use the “Slow Feed” option to dispense a preset amount of chow over a 15-minute span.

SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder

No more food pilfering between your dog and cat thanks to the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder. Using microchips, the food inside is only accessible to the right pet when they approach their respective dish. No worries if your pet isn’t microchipped, either: you can also use ID tags on their collars to activate access. At a price of around $150, you can make sure each and every pet gets the proper nutrition every day of the week.

SureFlap Microchip Pet Door

Instead of making repeated trips to the door to let your pet in an out, simplify life for a meager investment of $85. The SureFlap Microchip Pet Door reads a microchip or programmable collar to let the pet in and out without concerns about strays or wildlife getting inside. You can also set up pre-selected times for the doggy door to automatically be locked or unlocked from the outside.

VARRAM Pet Fitness Robot

No more lazy pets that sleep all day while you’re away. The VARRAM Pet Fitness Robot plays with your pet using 16 preset frolicking moves that carefully avoid obstacles throughout your home. The $100 price tag includes a program that monitors your pup’s activity and advises on changes you can make to further improve their health.

Whistle FIT Pet Health Tracker

Finally, this Fitbit-like gadget tells you if your dog is getting the proper amount of exercise based on its breed, weight, and age. Set incremental goals and adjust food amounts to match their activity patterns and keep them at the peak of good health. The tracker costs $80, plus an annual subscription fee of $35.

The post 10 Cool Trinkets and Toys That Will Make Your Dog’s Day first appeared on Dornob.

Cows roaming pastures wearing VR headsets may sound like an offbeat idea for a children’s TV show, but in present-day Russia, it’s very much a reality. Scientists recently began fitting herds with them as part of an experiment sponsored by the Moscow region’s Ministry of Agriculture.

The Reasoning Behind the Research

With research around the world indicating that calm, happy cows yield better milk and beef than those who are stressed out and treated like nothing more than factory products, the RusMoloko farm in Moscow’s Ramensky district took it upon themselves to conduct their own experiments on the matter. Based on reports that some Wagyu farmers who surrounded their cattle with mood lighting reported a higher-quality beef yield, as well as one of a Missouri farmer who insisted his cows produced higher-quality milk when he played music for them, the Ministry issued a public statement explaining the logic behind their decision: “Examples of dairy farms from different countries show that in a calm atmosphere, the quantity, and sometimes the quality, of milk increases markedly.”

The Implementation Process

VR designers and veterinarians joined forces with Russian farmers in Krasnogorsk, a city located just northwest of the Russian capital. There, they brainstormed ways to create an environment they envisioned cows would find soothing and positive. That turned out to be a seemingly endless idyllic summer field covered with a variety of untouched grasses, swaddled in sunshine under a faultless sky of blue. The team modified VR headsets to fit the cows’ heads and accommodate their vision so the image was as clear and steady as possible and then loaded a simulation of the aforementioned scene.

The cows’ attitudes seemed to improve almost immediately, with the researchers emphasizing “reduced anxiety” and “improved moods” among the group. No longer were they subjected to the depressing weather or scant grass that made them grumpy. Instead, the VR images seemed to relax them, which in turn increased their intake of grass, silage, and hay, and perhaps due to better digestion, their production of more — and higher-quality — milk.

A Totally New Concept?

Back in 1908, E.A. Stuart purchased 360 acres of farmland in Washington state to found Carnation Farms. He began a selective breeding program of Holstein cows to increase milk production, which was eventually used worldwide. He also believed happy cows were just as important as healthy ones, making a point to treat all his cows with gentleness and compassion, with no stress or mistreatment. Stuart also maintained that this made them produce more and better milk than their counterparts.

Two years earlier, in a 1906 marketing meeting, Stuart was explaining how his pampered cows were so productive. A woman at the firm casually mentioned that “they must be very contented cows.” In 1907, that comment inspired what would become one of the most iconic taglines in food history: “Carnation Condensed Milk, the milk from contented cows.”

The jury’s still out on whether the VR masks significantly increase milk production and/or quality. If you see herds of milk cows wearing headsets on your next drive through the countryside, you’ll know the experiment was a success.

The post Russian Cows Fitted with VR Headsets to Reduce Anxiety and Produce More Milk first appeared on Dornob.

If you’re an avid gamer, you’ve no doubt discussed with your friends exactly what the new Xbox Series X will offer. And after much speculation on everything from its speed and size to its expanded gameplay capabilities, it’s looking like the console’s going be above and beyond what most fans expected.

Speed

With a console that has four times the power of the old Xbox One, it appears the new Xbox Series X will be uber-fast, to say the least. Microsoft also revealed the Series X will include 16GB of RAM, AMD‘s Zen 2 CPU, and a custom-built AMD Navi-based 12 teraflop GPU. The new console also includes a specially commissioned 1TB NVMe SSD, with anticipated read speeds as soaring as 2GB per second.

Versatility

An expansion slot located in the back of the Series X offers additional storage capabilities, plugging directly into the motherboard to ensure the same incredible speeds consistently. The aim is to minimize loading times and grant super-speedy environment depiction.

Another great internal feature is a Blu-ray disk reader for playing movies and games using 4K, HDR10, and Dolby Vision technologies.

Game On

Xbox games have never been as impressive to play as they are on Xbox Series X. The futuristic console pledges support for up to 120 frames per second and 8K resolution, though don’t count on having both simultaneously. The aim is to provide a steady 60 fps at 4K, which neither the current Xbox One X nor the PlayStation 4 Pro can achieve at even 1080p.

Lighting

Stepped-up ray tracing on the 2020 Xbox will enhance real-time depiction of light and shadows. Ray tracing on most PCs is restricted to expensive GPUs like the Nvidia RTX 2080 series, which easily cost more than a whole console. Of course, to take full advantage of this improvement, you have to have a TV or a monitor with both high resolution and a high refresh rate.

Bigger and Better

At first glance, the Series X bears a striking resemblance to a small PC tower. Standing about 18 inches tall on a roughly six-inch by six-inch base, it might be a little bigger than expected, but the increased size was necessary to hold all the new hardware. A strong but relatively quiet fan is tucked inside the tower’s perforated top so players can be fully engulfed in long games without worrying about their consoles overheating.

Cloud Streaming

Very close to confirmation on the new Xbox series console is Microsoft’s innovative cloud streaming platform Project xCloud. When you get your new Xbox Series X, the angst of waiting for everything to download, install, and update can be quite painful. With Project xCloud, comparable to and Google Stadia or Geforce Now, you cannot only stream games from the cloud onto your console, PC, or smartphone, but you can also bypass all those time-consuming steps of the past and jump right into a game of your choosing. Project xCloud is scheduled to get underway in September and will be included in the $15 monthly subscription price for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

The post Unpacking the High-Tech Xbox Series X first appeared on Dornob.

Now, a select few will get to relive the past at least for one night in the last Blockbuster in the world, VHS tapes and all.

And Then There Was One

Everything good must come to an end, and when DVDs and streaming services hit the market, Blockbuster was mortally wounded. Slowly the iconic rental company died, along with all its independent competitors. But one store in Bend, Oregon never succumbed. To celebrate its 20th year still standing, this store is offering $4-a-night overnight stays to AirBNB guests on September 18th, 19th, and 20th.

Creating the Perfect Ambiance

Sandi Harding, current manager of the store and an employee of Bend Blockbuster for 16 years, says that “with everybody being stuck at home and re-experiencing family time together, we thought it would be fun to enjoy some family time in a throwback 90s environment.”

The Airbnb experience includes bean bag chairs, a pull-out couch, and free-for-all access to the store’s extensive film assortment. Moreover, there will be a complete living room setup within the store, with similarly 90s-tinged pieces, a gigantic era-appropriate (fat) television, and a top-notch VCR. The lucky winners will enjoy pizza, popcorn, Gobstoppers, Nerds, Raisinets, and Laffy Taffy. While the store has a bathroom, it doesn’t have a shower, which is a minor concern when you’re in a throwback paradise. As Harding pointed out, the Bend Blockbuster is depicted as “an ode to movie magic, simpler times, and the sense of community that could once be found in Blockbuster locations around the world.”

Rules and Restrictions

Unfortunately, not everyone can book a sleepover at the Bend Blockbuster, which started accepting reservations on August 17th. The rules stipulate that you must be a resident of Deschutes County, Oregon and that all guests must come from the same household. Apparently alcohol is allowed, but parties, friends, drugs, smoking, and pets are all prohibited, so it’s not exactly like being at home.

Safety Precautions

Of course, the store will be cleaned and prepared in accordance with CDC guidelines and consistent with Airbnb’s advanced cleaning procedures. The Bend Blockbuster will also be doing curbside pickup of guests on the date of their visits, which are all scheduled well after the store has closed for regular business. One final rule Harding pointed out is, “Be kind, rewind!”

Finally, Harding clarified how the world’s last operating Blockbuster ended up being an Airbnb listing. “It’s our 20th year as a Blockbuster,” she said. “We were hoping to celebrate that this year, but with COVID throwing a wrench into everybody’s plans, we were really excited to be able to pull this off.”

The post World’s Last Blockbuster Video Hosts $4 Airbnb Sleepovers first appeared on Dornob.

Fairey’s original works cover the exterior of the Art of Elysium site, creating an innovative socially distant public art display for all to view and be reminded that “injustice anywhere threatens justice everywhere,” one of many messages on the installation’s panels. More specifically, the works are on display at Live Nation’s Hollywood Palladium at 6215 Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles.

The Founder Explains

Jennifer Howell, who founded Art of Elysium back in 1997, explains that the programs and mission of the organization are “…all centered around bringing the healing power of art to those who need it the most. At this moment in time, the world is in great need, and in celebrating our anniversary we wanted to create a moment to honor exactly where we are.” She believes that art can change society for the better and much quicker than any politician or policies have been able to. She adds that “art unites. Art inspires. Art calls to action the people. Art allows us to transcend.”

Fairey Expresses Gratitude

Fairey expressed heartfelt thanks for the opportunity to work with the non-profit, one of numerous he’s been involved with for many years “to help encourage healing through art” in all forms. He told The Hollywood Reporter that he appreciates the Palladium’s generosity in donating their venue for the installation, which since the onset of the pandemic has been restricted from presenting its traditional offerings of large-scale concerts and gatherings.

He added that “the main way COVID-19 figures into what I’m making is that I think the universal anxiety and vulnerability to the virus might open people up to empathizing with their fellow humans in key areas of justice. I see the pandemic as an opportunity to ask people to be compassionate and summon the better angels of their nature…I’m creating a lot of art to encourage people to vote and use their voices, creativity, and other powers to shape the world in an ideal way. My creative response to the world is therapeutic, and I know creating helps everyone feel less powerless and hopeless. I try to demonstrate that principle in my processes and ultimate creations.”

Industry Supporters Lend a Hand

Many industry supporters of both The Art of Elysium and Fairey have also lent a hand in launching the #artheals campaign. Their goal is to motivate everyone to create their own art at home and post it on social media to showcase the wide variety of creative beauty that exists in the global community.

Who the Project Helps

For over 22 years, The Art of Elysium has raised crucial money to support veterans, hospitalized youth, elders, and members of the homeless community, as well as inner-city and special needs schools. In 2019 alone, 32,660 individuals of need were served, 1268 workshops were provided, 2,145 artists volunteered, and 48 facilities participated in programs.

With the pandemic and subsequent rise in suicides, domestic abuse, and depression still very much a part of our reality, the organization hopes that their #artheals campaign will reach more people now than ever before. A spokesperson stresses that the company is “launching this campaign to encourage everybody at home to create and transcend this together.”

You can help by donating $23, and you’ll even receive a downloadable artwork courtesy of Fairey and Obey Giant in exchange.

The post Shepard Fairey Celebrates Art of Elysium Anniversary With Hollywood Palladium Installation first appeared on Dornob.

Voxan Wattman was initially aiming to try to set a new land speed record in July 2020, but as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, their attempt was delayed. For now, the event has been tentatively postponed until 2021. Regardless of the delays, Max Biaggi, who’s been the motorcycle racing world champion a whopping six times now, is still set to be the one who rides the new electric motorcycle at the Salar de Uyuni salt flat in Bolivia. The team’s goal is to reach a top speed of 205 miles per hour and break the earlier record of 203.1 mph, set in 2019 on the Motibec electric motorcycle by Japanese rider Ryuji Tsuruta.

While the attempt may been delayed, the company was too excited to keep from showing off their new bike and detailing the things that make it unique. For starters, the motorcycle’s front suspension has a double wishbone design instead of the traditional front fork. There’s also no parachute or front break to slow it down or stop it. Instead, it’s brought to a halt with a rear brake that slowly brings the bike to a full stop. Aerodynamics are improved and instability is reduced by using a this kind of brake, whereas a front brake increases the chance of crashing when engaged at exceptionally high speeds.

The Voxan Wattman has a 15.9kWh battery nearly identical to those in competing electric motorcycles, such as the Harley-Davidson LiveWire, which itself uses a 15.5kWh battery. The major distinction is that the Voxan Wattman’s battery is configured to unload most of its power in only a few minutes. By contrast, the majority of electric street bikes can be operated for a few hours on each trip. On top of that, the Voxan Wattman battery pack’s weight of 309 pounds is nearly half of the whole bike’s 661-pound weight.

The Dry Ice Factor

Needless to say, generating such a tremendous amount of power in a matter of minutes generates an unimaginable amount of intense heat. Since a conventional radiator would adversely affect the bike’s aerodynamic performance, the e-moto’s design team decided on a highly original approach to cooling with dry ice. More specifically, the frozen CO2 is seized in a reservoir inside the frame and assists in attracting the heat away from the motor and batteries.

Other Records to Consider

“Official World Record” sounds very lofty and finite, but Richard Hatfield, CEO of Lightning Motorcycles, is quick to point out the stats on his company’s renowned Lightning Motorcycles LS-218. In 2013, the LS-218 hit a top speed of 218 miles per heour at the Bonneville Salt Flats, setting the FIM and AMA records. He even produced the proof in the form of the time slip from the team’s 2011 Bonneville run, as well as a variety of other awards for attaining speeds higher than either the Voxan Wattman or Motibec.

The post Voxan Wattman: The Dry Ice-Cooled Electric Motorcycle Racing Toward a World Record first appeared on Dornob.

Because it’s so perfect when it’s new, the master bedroom often gets overlooked during remodeling discussions. But no matter how ideal it was when you spent your first night there, it’s going to need a makeover every few years to stay fresh and fulfilling.

Use these ideas as starting points and let your creative juices flow. Just remember to create a space that makes you happy!

Start With a Budget

Be realistic from the get-go so you don’t get hooked on a vision that’s financially unrealistic. If the sky’s the limit, go for it.

Research

Outside inspiration for transforming your master bedroom is literally everywhere: TV remodeling shows, decorating websites and podcasts, magazines, books, friends’ homes: you name it. Remember that you’re looking for stimulation, not to exactly copy someone else’s creation.

Explore Creative Options

Anyone can jazz up a master bedroom with a new headboard or rug. To make your upgrade exciting and personalized, shake off those old ideas from the 20th century and get bold. Visualize a deck outside your bedroom with elaborate French doors leading in from the outside. Add a sink or two to the mix, convert the old vanities to built-in models, and consider a walk-in shower encased in etched glass, with a water system that engulfs your body with fine spray from all directions. Add a bidet or two. Transform two or three closets into a walk-in large enough to comfortably accommodate two people’s clothes and shoes, complete with full-length mirrors to make sure you always leave the house impeccably dressed.

If you’re thinking really far ahead, you may also want to make all the fixtures in your home ADA-compliant for your later years, or just to increase the value of the home should you decide to sell.

Establish a Game Plan

Create separate lists for what want to replace, what needs upgrades, and what you want to keep. If major construction is involved, outline your vision in writing and let a contractor give you options on how it can be done. Check your calendar so the renovations don’t interfere with planned vacations, holiday family gatherings, etc.

Decide Who’s Going to Do the Work

Some people are very handy, but others of us are not blessed with the skills and know-how to plan and implement a remodel of anything beyond a closet. Know your limitations, and don’t overestimate your proficiency just to save money (which usually costs even more cash to correct). Talented friends can help with some things, but for the more complicated upgrades, it’s best to hire a professional with impeccable references.

Create a Mock-Up of Your Vision

There are many places where you can create your vision online for free or a nominal cost. Although the revamp you have in mind may be perfect, it’s always best to see how it looks in the actual context before you begin the project.

The post 6 Tips to Revamp Your Master Bedroom Design first appeared on Dornob.

If you’ve watched the news at all lately, you’ve probably heard of social distancing. The phrase was first used back in 2003 during the SARS epidemic, made brief appearances in the years following, and had its most famous comeback just a few months ago when the coronavirus pandemic first struck. Now, in one of the most creative ways imaginable, four art shows in Austin, Texas are zeroing in on the meaning of the phrase.

With little to no good news recently on the pandemic, Austin artists decided to spin the misery into something positive. They unveiled four different projects in parks throughout the city, including Roy Guerrero Colorado River Park, Pease Park, Republic Square, and Zilker Park.

How the Project Materialized

Austin was determined to bring some joy and happiness to the lives of its people. The Austin Foundation for Architecture, Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department, the Pease Park Conservancy, and the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation all got together to brainstorm ideas that would incorporate bright cheerful colors and stress the importance of following the CDC guidelines. Sticking to those procedures in wide open spaces such as parks has been difficult for many, and the new Austin installations greatly simplify the concept.

The Installations

In each of the parks, oversized, colorful boxes were painted onto the grass, each exactly 64 square feet in size and six feet away from the boxes around it. Even better, the paint used to make the boxes was an environmentally friendly water-based type designed specifically to paint turf. Each color palette in the separate parks was motivated by the hues of Texas Hill Country wildflowers, with an overall goal of increasing the safety of outdoor areas in an artistically pleasing way.

Gerardo Gandy, a designer at Gensler, introduced the idea when he saw similar art projects being implemented in other cities. His inspiration to integrate the colors of assorted Texas wildflowers was partly due to a memorable quote by former first lady and dedicated conservationist Lady Bird Johnson: “Where flowers bloom, so does hope.”

City Leaders’ Praise

Not only are the residents of Austin thankful for the uplifting art spaces, but many of Austin’s leaders also voiced their appreciation for the project.

Ingrid Spencer, executive director for the Austin Foundation for Architecture and AIA Austin, issued a press release stating: “We could not be more excited to be part of this important, timely, relevant, and necessary project. P A R K S P A C E boldly weaves the elements of an architectural landscaping intervention and a social distancing awareness campaign into one exciting public outdoor experience.”

Kimberly McNeeley, Parks and Recreation Department director, echoed those sentiments in her own press release, which explains that “as we navigate the current situation, the Parks and Recreation Department encourages utilization of our parks and green spaces to create community safety. We’re delighted to be partnering with the Austin Foundation for Architecture to facilitate their creative vision of P A R K S P A C E that will help Austinites continue to maintain physical distancing while the park goers nurture their mental, physical, and spiritual health.”

Even Austin Mayor Steve Adler told the media that “Creative placemaking is a communal experience, and P A R K S P A C E is an installation for our times; a new way to be together, apart.”

The entire four-park pilot project was completed prior to the Fourth of July weekend, even though all Austin and Travis County parks were closed over the holiday as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the state of Texas. More local parks are currently under consideration for P A R K S P A C E installations.

The post PARKSPACE: Austin Art Project Focuses on Creative Social Distancing first appeared on Dornob.

In 2017, the United Arab Emirates announced its ambition to colonize Mars within the next 100 years. The country seems so eager to get on the planet, in fact, that they’ve already hired architects to start visualizing what a Martian city might look like, and they’re even making plans to recreate it in the Arabian desert outside Dubai. Their initial maps for Mars Science City designated over 176,000 square meters of desert, an area larger than 30 football fields, with a price tag of around $135 million.

The Major Challenges

When the Bjarke Ingels Group was hired to design a prototype of a city appropriate for sustaining life on Mars, they had the additional challenge of adjusting the project’s finer points to thrive in the Emirati desert. Still, their most formidable quandary was conquering the hostile environment of the red planet.

Destructive radiation on Mars is prevalent due to its lack of a global magnetic field and thin atmosphere. On top of that, the temperature on the planet, an average -81 degrees Fahrenheit, is far from habitable for humans and most other life forms. These problems are further exacerbated by the lack of air pressure caused by the spare atmosphere, which in turn causes liquids to quickly evaporate into gas, and despite freezing temperatures, undefended human blood to reach its boiling point.

Jonathan Eastwood, Director of the Space Lab at Imperial College London (and who has no affiliation with the Mars Science City project), points out another big challenge with no scientific connections. He explains that “the biggest challenge in terms of a sustained presence on Mars is not the engineering [or scientific] challenge, but the human [and] personal one. So not just to answer the question about how do you survive, but how do you thrive?”

Proposed Solutions

Jakob Lange, a partner at the Bjarke Ingels Group, was quick to expound on how he and his associates plan to overcome these obstacles. He essentially explained that pressurized biodomes encased in a transparent polyethylene membrane would sustain a moderate temperature and livable air pressure. Oxygen for each biodome would be generated by electricity applied to underground ice. Solar energy would provide power and heat, with the thin atmosphere keeping the temperatures in check. Using Martian dirt, 3D printed buildings would then be created under the domes. Rooms would expand 20 feet underground, shielding them from damaging meteors and radiation.

Mars Madness

The Mars Science City project is a natural progression for the bold space program overseen by Dubai’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre. In 2019, the center sent its first astronaut into space. In summer 2020, they plan to launch a probe to Mars. DMBRSC will also embark on its premiere analog mission in Russia in November 2020, which will last eight months. The international squad of six assigned to this mission will include one Emirati crewmember and will concentrate on how confinement and isolation affect the physical and mental health of humans.

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As a result of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC20) was turned into a totally online experience this year, allowing millions of fans and developers around the world to sneak a peek at the company’s latest innovations unlike ever before. News on macOS Big Sur’s monumental design advance since the beginning of Mac OS X, the new App Library in iOS 14, and improved handwriting competence with Apple Pencil in iPadOS 14 were among the most popular topics. —

macOS Big Sur

Already the fastest desktop browser on earth, Safari just got even better with its most dramatic update since its inception. It’s not only faster than ever and brimming with innovative new features, it also helps protects the privacy of users better than ever. On top of that, users can now modify the start page with iCloud Tabs, background images, and reading lists. An improved and expanded Mac App Store makes it easy for users to find and download vast numbers of Safari extensions in a new group of options that includes top charts and editorial spotlights.

macOS Big Sur’s Mac Catalyst, part of the new macOS Catalina debuted in 2019, has made it effortless for developers to add their iPad apps to Macs. Mac Catalyst apps automatically accede to the new look while concurrently giving developers total control of new APIs, as well as the appearance and performance of their apps.

iOS 14

No more scrolling through apps to find what you need. The new App Library of iOS 14 organizes user apps into one simple-to-navigate view, and wisely displays apps that may be useful in providing additional options for the subject at hand.

App Clips, also part of iOS14, reduces the time it takes to find what users need without their having to search key words. It automatically pops up to help with solutions by loading an app that will assist users with things like finding a parking spot in public, renting recreational equipment, and locating specific restaurants depending on the neighborhood you’re in.

iPadOS 14

Scribble with Apple Pencil eliminates the need to type quick searches in Safari or immediately comment on an iMessage. Simply use the Apple Pencil and your words will magically be converted to typed text in seconds. Searching has also been streamlined to allow you to look something up from anywhere on the iPadOS 14 without abandoning the app you’re using.

tvOS 14

Apple TV fans can now use Siri or Control Center to enjoy HomeKit-enabled video cameras and accessories. Once it’s all configured, you’ll receive doorbell notices on your TV screen, with an optional live feed that shows you who’s at the door.

One of the best multi-user features on tvOS 14 is Apple Arcade, which allows all the players in the house to pick up precisely where they left off in all their beloved games. Control Center players can effortlessly switch between users, monitor their game progress, check out Game Center achievements and leaderboards, and contact friends.

The post 4 Big Tech Takeaways from Apple’s 2020 Worldwide Developers Conference first appeared on Dornob.

Designers, writers, and in fact, all types of artists often have a hard time showcasing their talents to the right people. Unlike many standard professions, a plain old resume just doesn’t work in these fields, and getting the proper introduction to prospective clients to share your portfolio with is a long shot at best.

When you’re Black, that struggle is even more difficult.

The Network Goal of BIDN

To do their part in furthering the careers of Black designers, the Black Interior Designers Network was founded to help black artists connect with the right people and resources. Not only do they help these designers link up with businesses and homeowners, but they also serve as a conduit through which they can access manufacturers, suppliers, and the industry in general.

The organization’s main goal is to shine a light on the influence, imagination, and professionalism of Black interior designers. They pledge to maintain the highest principles of distinction in their support of competent interior designers who carry out design projects of various magnitudes and styles.

The Founder

In 2002, Kimberly Ward kicked off her design career working for members of the then newly-formed Houston Texans NFL franchise. That affiliation ended up blossoming into her working for clients from other NFL teams, including the New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Tennessee Titans, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Most impressively, Ward eventually ended up designing homes for more than 90 percent of her clients.

From 2004 to 2008, Ward wrote monthly interior design columns for the lifestyle publication Gospel Today. She later left that job to take the position of editor-in-chief of the Pink Eggshell interior design blog. Despite being her first-ever foray into digital publishing, she quickly appeared to have found her niche, gathering awards and even making informational presentations at interior design and blogging events starting in 2011.

After repeatedly being asked where all the Black designers were at these venues, Ward published a list of the Top 20 African American Interior Designers. This list was so successful that it eventually spawned The Black Interior Designers Network.

Unfortunately, Kimberly Ward succumbed to cancer in 2017 after igniting the spark that gave the Black design community this much-needed exposure.

The President

Working with Ward in 2014, Keia McSwain began her own professional design career. She received her bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in writing and initially worked in kitchen and bath showrooms after graduation, though it wasn’t until joining the Black Interior Designers Network that she feels she found her true calling. In 2017, Ward appointed McSwain President of the network.

McSwain taught herself the art of interior design and currently resides in Denver, Colorado. Of course, the projects she deals with lay all over the country. Her specialty is designing spaces that are original, practical, and relaxed, and she finds that this penchant for personalized service allows her to help new designers expand their careers. She’s also great at staying within client budgets by finding extravagantly priced decor at significant discounts.

Helping Black designers tap into information vital to their success is McSwain’s biggest passion. She teaches them the finer points of business practices, the latest trade and industry protocols, and the complex points of contract labor. It only makes sense that she would also be instrumental in establishing BIDN as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

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When American film producer Ken Kao and his wife, Japanese fashion model Jessica Michibata, purchased one of the most stunning estates in Los Angeles, it was initially kept a secret. Only after several months of sleuthing did the sale of the mansion, designed by architect Noah Walker and built on speculation by Nathan Frank, a concert violinist and scrap metal industry giant, go public.

The two-structure manor sits on a three-and-a-half-acre parcel in the mountains that overlook Beverly Hills. It’s further complemented by the natural countryside of the area, including 130 native oak trees scattered throughout the property. Upon completion in 2015, one of China’s most renowned film producers and investors, James Wang, bought the property for $19.9 million. Four years later, he sold it to Michibata and Kao for an all-cash payment of $22.5 million.

The 8,000-square-foot main house has an uncharacteristic floor plan. All the communal rooms are positioned above the bedrooms, which themselves are partially sunken into the hillside under a live roof of edible herbs. The two-story 2,000-square-foot guesthouse is a renovated barn topped with a wood-clad upper floor. Like the main house, it also merges seamlessly with the surrounding nature. Glass walls and open-concept common areas give both structures an open, airy feeling.

Two of the most fantastic features of the Michibata-Kao home are the triangle-shaped courtyard sunken into the main house and the 75-foot swimming pool, which itself is infinity-edged on three sides and situated directly under one of the largest oak trees on the site. The courtyard’s stark focal point is a fire pit while the rest is kept open and simple, with concrete walls that reach the sky to round out its calming, isolated feel.

Kao, who previously teamed up with Ryan Gosling to create the Arcana production company, is the lone son of multibillionaire Min Kao, a Kansas-based tech magnate who co-founded GPS colossus Garmin (whose reported net worth is over $4 billion). Besides modeling, Michibata’s brief marriage to Formula One megastar Jensen Button — and the apology she received from Richard Branson for touching her face and making her uncomfortable many years ago when he was drunk — are among her other news-making experiences.

The Kao family is used to making real estate news headlines. In 2019, Kao’s older sister Jen Kao paid Jodie Foster $15 million cash for a sprawling house in the Coldwater Canyon area. Kao’s parents also own one of the most massive estates in the Beverly Hills Flats (once owned by Kirk Douglas), which they purchased for $15.4 million in 2013. And nine years ago, Min Kao paid $40 million for a penthouse at 15 CPW, one of Manhattan’s most prominent residential structures.

The post Son of Billionaire GPS Titan Scores Sleek $22.5 Million Beverly Hills Mansion first appeared on Dornob.

While people have been aware of the dirty doorknob dilemma for decades now, the pandemic has motivated professionals from all kinds of fields to develop creative solutions that could revolutionize the ways we enter and exit rooms and buildings.

The CleanKey

Ziad Salah from Edmonton, Alberta was motivated by his personal situation. His wife is pregnant with their first child, and their older parents are at high risk for contracting the virus. He was following all the protective protocols, of course, but he still felt it wasn’t enough. He says that “it’s not enough to socially distance from being around people. You have to socially distance from things that are publicly shared, too.”

Working with his friends Abed and Ammar Shawar, Salah brainstormed possible solutions. They ultimately came up with a small key-shaped tool with a hook on the end that fits into any pocket and opens doors weighing up to 70 pounds without the hands ever making contact with a knob or handle. The CleanKey can also help you avoid hand contact with keypads and touch screens.

Although CleanKey is among an assortment of portable door-openers currently on the market, Salah and the Shawar brothers believe their curved hood design is more stable than those of their competitors — not to mention more competitively priced at $7. Salah explains that “we’re getting orders for five to six of them at a time, one for every member of a family, so we don’t want the total cost running to $100.”

Free for All

Instead of carrying a tool to open doors, engineers at Materialise (one of Europe’s largest 3D-printing operations) came up with a device that can be easily installed on existing door handles. Perhaps most impressively, it took them only three days to devise, produce, improve, and make public online printing blueprints for it.

Just to clarify, Materialise’s primary focus is the design and 3D-printing of medical equipment, so their aim was never to mass-produce the handles. Instead, they made the blueprints available free online so any individual or company with a 3D printer could use them to create their own. To date, over 100,000 blueprints have been downloaded, equal to around one-tenth of all 3D-printer owners in the world.

The “Less is More” Solution

Arjun Kaicker, head of workplace analytics and insights at London-based Zaha Hadid Architects, thinks voice-activated doors will someday be common. Until then, he suggests a much simpler answer to avoiding germy doorknobs.

“Meeting room doors are going to be propped open, and only if you have a meeting requiring absolute privacy will a person close that door with a handkerchief. And when people move into the offices straightaway, they might just take doors off meetings rooms and offices and put them into storage until things change.”

The post COVID-19 Sparks New Innovations in Door Design first appeared on Dornob.