As part of Valor Roofing’s Raise the Roof program, US Army Veteran, SGT George Welch received a free roof on his home in Edgewater, MD. SGT Welch is 73 years old and was an Army Military Policeman (31B), as well as a Gunner on a Helicopter Gunship. His platoon was involved in the Battle of Saigon in which they were trapped in an alleyway. Unfortunately, a few of his platoon members did not survive. “When we consider a Veteran for the Raise the Roof Program, it is important to not only establish a need, but to ensure we recognize the Veteran for their dedication to our country,” said Al Kincaid, Founder of Raise the Roof.“ SGT Welch exemplifies the bravery and heroism we have come to expect from our servicemen and women. Furthermore, SGT Welch deserves a roof that is sturdy and safe. His current home desperately needs something that we can provide. It is our duty as grateful Americans to do our part.” Living in Edgewater, Maryland for the last 41 years has been a blessing for SGT Welch, but more importantly, for the community that surrounds him. SGT Welch is a cancer survivor, but that doesn’t limit his ability to walk his beloved dogs and get his daily exercise in. This is wonderful news for the neighboring K-9’s, as they all have grown accustom to sneaking a dog treat from his pockets — purposefully — full of delicious snacks. “SGT Welch was flabbergasted when we arrived. Most Veterans are very humble and do not believe they deserve recognition for their service,” said Will Fisher, Program and Brand Manager at Valor, “After we saw his reaction, we took a moment to show respect. The last thing we wanted was to overwhelm him even more. That is just the type of guy he is; humble and prideful.” The Raise the Roof program was created by Valor Roofing to give back to service disabled veterans in need, especially Veterans of Foreign Wars such as WW2, Korean War and Vietnam War. Veteran recipients are nominated by their community through Valor Roofing’s radio partners 93.1 WPOC, 98.7 WMZQ, 105.7 The Fan, and 100.7 The Bay. With hundreds of applications to choose from, Valor Roofing selects four veterans a year, one per quarter, to receive a new roof. In less than three years, the program has donated 11 roofs, a value of $132,000. Through their partnership with Operation Second Chance and Flags of Valor (FOV), each recipient also receives a custom wooden flag, hand-built by veterans.

The Malta Lounge set has redefined contemporary wicker furniture. The complete package consists of a four piece outdoor sectional, coffee table, and matching club chair. The Malta patio set features clean lines on the armrests and seatbacks, with deep seating and comfortable cushions. The Malta’s incredible design, high quality all weather wicker, and tremendous value makes it a great option for those with a lot of space to fill.

Regardless of the length of your trip abroad, you should know that packing is an essential step of your stay. This goes doubly so when it comes to students, so you must always keep a few things in mind when you’re getting ready, such as what you need to take. The following list from https://mcessay.com/write-my-essay/ will provide you with some useful tips on what you must do to have a trouble-free packing experience: You should never be extra picky about your toiletries and personal hygiene products, but you should have a small supply of it if you have a favorite product. Face wash, shampoos and conditioners as well as other products may not be available as the same brands in the new place, so have a spare at least. Always make sure you have your liquids sealed in a plastic bag to avoid issues with airport security. Make sure you pack some weather-appropriate clothing as part of your luggage. The last thing you’ll want to do is look for clothes in the new location if the climate is extreme, compared to your point of origin. You should look into the weather ahead of time so you can pack accordingly to avoid issues with it. Use a backpack or a duffel bag that suits the airline requirements so you can haul your luggage with greater ease once you’re off the airport. This will help you be more mobile, while at the same time allowing you a choice between walking on foot without dragging luggage and using a cab or public transport. Prepare a few international adapters, so you won’t have any issues powering your electronics at the new location. Different countries use different types of plugs, so you must make sure you have what you need. The last thing you’ll want to do is getting stuck in a foreign country without a chance to use your tech. Prepare a list of things you must do during the semester so you won’t have to deal with the organizational aspects of it. You can start with a checklist, keeping it in a place where you’ll be able to see on a regular basis. You will need the preparation to ensure you do things right and on time. Take at least two pairs of good walking shoes along, as well as your normal shoes. This will help you greatly if you need to walk around different towns or cities. Not all places have the same policy when it comes to sidewalks and public areas, so having a few pairs of good, comfortable shoes will go a long way. Taking a cross-shoulder bag alongside your luggage will be a very comfortable option when it comes to urban exploration, travel and study. Its hard to rip off of you, easy to carry and also easy to use. Make sure you keep an eye on it from time to time though, as there’s always the possibility of meeting would-be thieves.

ARTR152M4: adorne® Tamper-Resistant Outlet - 15A - 125V - Magnesium ADPD703HM4: adorne® Paddle Dimmer - 700W - Incandescent/Halogen - Magnesium ADTP703TUM4: - 700W - True-Universal - Magnesium adorne® Tamper-Resistant Outlet - All adorne outlets include a tamper-resistant design featuring a patented shutter system, keeping children safe by preventing them from pushing small objects into the outlet. The shutters are molded a dark color that they fade into the backgorund while keeping users safe. Patented shutter system helps prevent improper insertion of foreign objects. Configuration easily supports two plugs and offers the capacity of a standard outlet. Easy "1-for-1" installation lets you simply replace your existing outlet in just minutes. Fits in your existing electrical box and does not require new wires for typical installation. Innovative assembly and snap-in system make it fast and simple to install. adorne® Paddle Dimmer - Dual-engineered with a rocking motion for seamless on/off lighting control, as well as a slider for dimming in one beautifully inventive package. To determine what option is right for you, make sure the wattage of your bulbs matches the wattage of the dimmer switch by multiplying the number of bulbs by their respective wattage. For example, if you have a chandelier with 11 bulbs at 100 watts each, you would need the 1100 watt dimmer switch. Supports incandescent and halogen bulbs and single-pole/3-way operation. Easy "1-for-1" installation lets you simply replace your existing switch in just minutes. Fits in your existing electrical box and does not require new wires for typical installation. Innovative assembly and snap-in system make it fast and simple to install. adorne® sofTap Dimmer - The sofTap design features an innovative micro-movement that turns lights on an doff with just a soft "tap" of the finger. 2015 Light for Tomorrow Winner. To determine what option is right for you, make sure the wattage of your bulbs matches the wattage of the dimmer switch by multiplying the number of bulbs by their respective wattage. For example, if you have a chandelier with 11 bulbs at 100 watts each, you would need the 1100 watt dimmer switch. Switch supports single-pole and three-way operation. Easy "1-for-1" installation lets you simply replace your existing switch in just minutes. Fits in your existing electrical box and does not require new wires for typical installation. Innovative assembly and snap-in system make it fast and simple to install. Tru-Universal technology enables the dimmer to support all load types, including incandescent/halogen, Magnetic Low Voltage (MLV), Electronic Low Voltage (ELV) in forward or reverse Phase, CFL/LED, etc.

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Beautiful peonies- a perennial garden favorite.
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Saucer Magnolia / Magnolia x soulangiana Photo by Holly@StickleyCreative.com

Our daily routine begins and ends in the closet, so we believe it should be a place of peace, organization and beauty. When it comes to the custom design of one of the most personal rooms in your home, we want to transform your closet and make space for everything. With an inspired closet design you are able to easily find what you need, take charge of your morning routine, and discover a feeling of harmony to carry you throughout your day.

Modern luxury meets warm farmhouse in this Southampton home! Scandinavian inspired furnishings and light fixtures create a clean and tailored look, while the natural materials found in accent walls, casegoods, the staircase, and home decor hone in on a homey feel. An open-concept interior that proves less can be more is how we’d explain this interior. By accentuating the “negative space,” we’ve allowed the carefully chosen furnishings and artwork to steal the show, while the crisp whites and abundance of natural light create a rejuvenated and refreshed interior. This sprawling 5,000 square foot home includes a salon, ballet room, two media rooms, a conference room, multifunctional study, and, lastly, a guest house (which is a mini version of the main house).

Paul Hester
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Originally, the exterior of the Napa ranch residence was a standard knocked down stucco finish. We covered over the entire exterior of the house with a natural plaster product that has been made in Italy for centuries, known as Rialto or Vero. This product is a combination of slaked lime mixed with 60% reconstituted crushed marble dust. Quarried from the legendary Carrara marble mines. The finish itself is a vertically combed striated texture embedded into the plaster. While it cures, a transparent group of patinas are applied to the stone-like plaster substance to create a look of an aged villa.

Venetian plaster, sample board in preparation for a project.

PRIMARY COLORS The Noakeses are not afraid of color, which found an outlet in the brilliant red, orange and blue of the Tufenkian Borealis Pacific Fire rug anchoring the living room. On the following spread, the homeowners’ art hangs on a dining room wall and is the soulmate to the living room rug’s deeply saturated colors as well as to the bright oranges in the wool and silk rug under the dining table. Glamour is a driving force in the house, but it never overwhelms. As a backdrop in the dining room, golden Lori Weitzner wallpaper lines the display shelf where Perry and Suzy Noakes display treasures from their travels. In the kitchen, a grouping of seeded blown glass cylinder pendants illuminates Bright Group stools and a generously proportioned island that’s big enough to seat eight guests. The entry’s bright-red lacquered console is a place for the homeowners’ Buddha collection to get attention. Pieces from Laura Britt’s sustainable furniture line Vervano populate the bedroom, including the Noakeses use for media storage. Pieces from Laura Britt’s sustainable furniture line Vervano populate the bedroom, including the chair underneath the windows The gray theme continues in the master bath, where vein-cut travertine slabs on the floor set off the sculptural flair of the bathtub. “Homes didn’t mean anything to us,” says Perry Noakes, “except as a place to put our keys and get ready for the next journey.” The retired high-tech company executive and his wife, Suzy, are avid globe-trotters. The couple had also lived in Asia for 15 years as part of Perry’s work. Finding a place to live was a well-rehearsed exercise that figured into their system for settling in to a foreign country. But all that changed when Perry and Suzy decided to downsize to a new house in Austin. A friend told them about a spec house under construction, the project of a dream team of Austin-based design professionals that included builder Keith Husbands, architect Bob Wetmore of Cornerstone Architects, and interior designer Laura Britt and her staff. “We went to see it,” says Perry, “and loved it.” The couple quickly bought the framed-out 5,800-square-foot building. The fact that the two-story dwelling was near a golf course was a bonus for the two golfers, but the low-slung four-bedroom, four-bath house also backs up onto a nature preserve. “The land offered us great opportunity to nestle the house into the topography, giving us both privacy and stunning views,” says Wetmore, who had to negotiate his design for the native stone, stucco and metal house to fit onto the steeply sloping and oddly elongated lot. The Hill Country contemporary house stretches out just below the rim of the slope, comfortably settled into the topography courtesy of terraced landscaping that defines the front approach to the house. “We turned a negative into a positive,” says Wetmore about the difficult site. The rough-and-ready landscape accounts for the building’s quiet dynamics, which Wetmore chronicled with the roofline, a series of horizontal areas that correspond to transitional spaces inside, interrupted by a clerestory that caps the entry and living room. The process of taking a house from the framing stage to completion was a new experience for the couple. “We had never participated in the building process,” says Suzy. They threw themselves into it as if it were just another one of their adventures. “I think of it as my first project after I retired,” says Perry. The budding design enthusiast so endeared himself to Britt that she and her staff awarded him with a beret to wear to design meetings, in honor of his artistic verve. “We were able to redesign a lot of the house since we came into the process so early,” says Suzy. “The house started as a spec house,” says Britt, “but it quickly became a custom home with the Noakeses’ involvement.” Britt started the process by helping the couple select materials and lighting, opting for an earthy glamour that became the touchstone of the house. For pure wow factor, the living room’s stone and steel fireplace—sliced horizontally by three massive wood beams—is a tour de force of drama. In the kitchen, an oversize island (big enough to seat eight) is topped with a slab of dramatically veined marble; the countertops are a quieter quartzite. In the master bath, bold vein-cut travertine pavers on the floor are a counterpoint to the linear-cut mosaic tiles that back the vanity and reach all the way to the skylit ceiling. The pièce de résistance is the shimmering white pebble wall behind the free-standing tub that creates the effect of water frozen in free fall. Britt used contrast as a backdrop to all the drama, opting for a forged metal chandelier in the shape of a lotus leaf in the entry—a worthy match to the darkened-steel front door. She designed a dining room table (through Vervano, her furniture design company) topped with patinaed steel; overhead, a massive steel-framed drum pendant with mica panels casts a delicate glow over the room. The designer was careful to leave wall space for the homeowners’ art collection, as well as to add space wherever possible. The dining room’s asymmetrical built-in is a place to display Buddhas and other pieces the couple has collected in their travels. “We wanted this house to be about us and who we are,” says Suzy. That’s understandable since, after 16 previous homes that were really just places to live, the freedom of expression is obviously a thrill. Maybe even too much of a thrill—although this house is the couple’s dream home, they were completely enthralled with the design process. Could house No. 17 be the best and last? Maybe not. But if there is another house in the Noakeses’ future, one thing is certain, says Perry: “We won’t make a move without consulting Laura first.” https://modernluxury.com/interiors-texas/story/smooth-move

Designer: Susan Thiel Coon Photo: Gina Gold
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