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Showing posts from July, 2017

A 1890 Victorian Manor Gets an Industrial Renovation

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realestate.com.au Back in 2008, this120-year-old workman's cottage was the definition of rundown: The kitchen was in disrepair, the layout was the opposite of open and inviting, and there was a two-story barn in the back that was crumbling from the inside out. But Cherie Barber (Australia's "renovation queen," who will soon launch a show called "Five Day Flip" on HGTV in the U.S.) saw the potential and was up for a challenge. So she bought this home for nearly $ million: Courtesy of Cherie Barber Courtesy of Cherie Barber Courtesy of Cherie Barber Courtesy of Cherie Barber It took a bit longer to complete than five days (more like seven years), but any doubters are eating their words right now. She took the Victorian bones of this structure and combined them with an industrial warehouse style to turn it into a luxurious mammoth. Now the home features an open floor plan that seamlessly transitions the kitchen to the backyard and has high-end finishes like 

9 Perfect Spots to Display Antique American Flags

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These classic pieces deserve a place of honor in any home. Paul Costello Covering a Wall In 1912, President Taft issued an executive order that set guidelines for the American flag. Before then, makers were free to interpret the configuration of white stars in a blue field as they saw fit. The resulting variety makes these vintage flags prized collectibles. This 45-star stunner from 1986 fills a wall with American pride. Max Kim-Bee In an Entryway The 1915 flag in this home's entryway is afind from the Brimfield Antique Show. A vintage mercury-glass lamp and hunting trophies add to eclectic look. Studio EMP Above a Sofa A neutral color scheme and rustic pallet backdrop make this flag the room's true focal point. Keith Scott Morton Behind a Bed "I call the guest bedroom my Stars and Stripes room," says the owner of this New York cottage. Instead of a headboard, an antique flag anchors this room. Courtesy of Bellacor Propped in a Frame This largeAmerican flag adds

11 Tricks for Saving Major Money Shopping on Amazon

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Getty Hunting for books, paper towels, speakers, and everything in between? Amazon is probably the first place you go to. After all, how many other places can you get everything in one quick online transaction? Even better than the convenience: There are a quite a few easy ways to save money during check out. 1. It pays to have patience. Not in a rush to receive your package? Good — you will be rewarded. Prime members can select free, no-rush shipping to receive a complimentary promotional credit that can be used towards a future purchase on the site. If you're in a rush and the two-day deadline isn't met, you can get a one-month extension of your Prime membership (up to 12 separate times).  Not a Prime member? Keep adding items to your cart and once the total hits $$, you'll get free 5- to 8-day shipping. Hint: This total includes pre-order items, so you can even add a book that isn't coming out until the following month and the price will go toward your total. 2.

A Terminally-Ill Woman's Horse Surprised Her With a Touching Farewell

The bond that can form between pets and their owners is undeniable. And thanks to the video above, we're getting an intimate peek into the connection between one animal lover and the horse she rescued 16 years ago. Doctors recently told 49-year-old Lisa Beech, who has been battling cancer since she was a teenager, that she doesn't have much longer to live. Several weeks ago, she was placed in hospice care in Lexington, Kentucky, according to The DoDo.  While family and friends have been saying their goodbyes, Lisa's daughter Amanda Sturgill knew there was someone else who would want to see Lisa one more time — her beloved horse Jake. Working with the McConathy Farm Rescue team, Amanda arranged the surprise visit with her mother's caretakers. Jake was shuttled to the hospital, where he met Lisa out front for a farewell that will absolutely break your heart.  "We had told her there was a big surprise for her,"Amanda told The DoDo. "When we walked across

This Mobile Home Is on the Market for $1.2 Million

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Courtesy of Douglas Elliman Realty The Hamptons have long been synonymous with the ultimate in luxurious living, so it's no wonder that most Hamptons homes come with luxury price tags to match. But now, a modest, 700-square-foot mobile home in the area is looking to rake in more than a million dollars, according to 6sqft.com. The one-bedroom, one-bathroom modular home sits on just over a third of an acre of land near Indian Wells Beach, and is just a quarter of a mile away from Jerry Seinfeld's Hamptons home. So it's the 48-year-old mobile home's location, and not its size or amenities, that is responsible for the $.2 million asking price. As co-listing agent Ray Lord of Douglas Elliman Real Estate told Newsday: "Everything's about the land here, the asking price is all because of the location." Take a closer look at the home in the photos below. TELL US: Do you think this house is worth it? More from ElleDecor.com: • Alec Baldwin Just Listed One of Hi

The Top 6 Holiday Food Commercials of All Time

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While Black Friday marks the official start of the holiday season, if you're anything like us, you know it really starts when holiday-themed commercials start playing on a continuous loop. However, there are a few that we somehow don't ever get tired of watching and unsuprisingly they have to do with food. We rounded up our favorites in case you can't resist watching these babies just one more time. Campbell's Soup This commercial has been airing since I was the same age as that kid, and it still gets me every time. Grainy film be damned, this adorable commercial solidifies that there is nothing better than a warm bowl of soup after coming in from the cold outdoors. Coca-Cola When a commercial inspires a complete line of stuffed animals and other decorations, you know it's an icon for a reason. The Coca-Cola polar bears are a staple of the season. Plus, you can learn a lot from this commercial: An ice cold Coke brought together the penguins and the polar bears, so

A Dog Really Steals the Spotlight in These Hilarious Engagement Photos

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DnK Photography Megan Determan always knew her dog, Louie, had a jealous streak.  "Anytime I go to touch [fiancĂ©] Chris, he's like, no, I want to be pet," Determan told CBS Minnesota. It makes sense: The 6-year-old dachshund was in her life before her fiancĂ©. But just how far their beloved dog would go to affirm his alpha status didn't become apparent until the Minnesota couple's recent engagement photo shoot. Since Louie is very much part of the family, Megan and Chris naturally wanted him there.  While the pair may have anticipated the pooch to sit quietly on their laps or by their side, the canine had other ideas. As the couple settled on a crunchy pile of autumn leaves, photographers Dan and Karin Berdal of DnK Photography had a "vision of Louie diving in the pile while Megan and Chris smiled at him in the background," says Dan.  But Louie couldn't resist jumping between between his humans and the camera, again and again. The shots resulted

[UPDATED] The White House Renovations Are Complete

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Getty Updated, 8/23: After two weeks, the White House renovations are nearly complete — and we just got a peek of the big reveal. As you can see, the new-and-improved Oval Office, Roosevelt Room and West Wing still feature a traditional-style of decor and only subtle changes were made throughout the historic building. Original story, 8/14: President Donald Trump's Oval Office makeover was only the beginning of interior design changes to hit the White House this year. The President is staying at his Bedminster, New Jersey Golf Club for the month of August while an extensive two-week renovation takes place all over the historic home. The repairs and improvements were approved during President Barack Obama's administration and will cost $.4 million. This includes replacing the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, upgrading the building's IT system, renovating the Navy mess kitchen and West Wing lower lobby as well as a series of other repairs — take a look at

The 20 Best Songs to Help You Wake Up in the Morning

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Getty You might use music to help you fall asleep, but sometimes getting out bed in the morning is just as hard (if not harder!) than dozing off in the first place. To help make your mornings a little peppier and brighter, the experts at the streaming service Spotify teamed up with music psychologist David M. Greenberg to compile a list of the best "wake up" songs. All of tunes have strong beats and positive lyrics, which Spotify determined to be important for getting energized in the morning. They also start off gently and then build, rather than being loud and abrasive from the start — a boon when you're the type that really needs some coaxing to get out of from under the sheets. Check out the playlist below and consider setting your alarm clock to play one of these tunes tomorrow: [via Life Hacker By Anna Zambelli

The Oldest Home in Washington D.C. Boasts a Remarkable French Mural

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Courtesy of Washington Fine Properties While this Georgian-style home is famous in our country's capital for being the oldest standing house (it was built in 1754!) it's not native to Washington D.C. In fact, it's only stood there for 80 of it's 261 years. It was originally built in Danvers, Massachusetts and in 1935 was purchased by a prominent District couple who had it dismantled and shipped by train over the course of three (!) years.  This, we can tell you, was no easy feat: The home is 8,820-square-feet and four stories tall with six bedrooms, two kitchens, and 11 fireplaces (that's a lot of bricks!). We almost feel bad for the workers tasked with moving this beast. But the silver lining is their hard work is still appreciated, as this historic home is well-known in the the area as The Lindens – a nickname that comes from the linden trees that line the driveway — and has an asking price to match it's reputation at $$.5 million. Since being moved, the h