View GalleryThe Block's foreman Keith tells us what he really thinks about this season’s blockheads!

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IMMOKALEE — FL Star Construction reports sales progressing at a steady pace with 26 new homes sold at Arrowhead Reserve, a community of single-family homes off Lake Trafford Road in Immokalee.

"We have a number of first-time homebuyers, who are taking advantage of the programs available to them, but we also have families moving into the neighborhood who appreciate the quality, space and amenities included in our homes for such a reasonable price," said Elvira Nodal, associate with David C. Brown Realty, sales representative for Arrowhead Reserve.

New home designs available within Arrowhead Reserve range from 1,297 air-conditioned square feet and 1,711 total square feet to 1,765 air-conditioned square feet and 2,505 total square feet. Three-bedroom and four-bedroom designs are available. Built by FL Star Construction, home prices begin at $168,900.

"We will have additional new homes available for move in this fall," said Gary Hains, vice president of FL Star Construction. "The homes now under construction represent our newest design, a four-bedroom home created especially for Arrowhead Reserve, and two versions of our most popular three-bedroom home. These offer buyers a selection to fit their personal lifestyle.”

For more information about these homes and others available at Arrowhead Reserve, contact Elvira Nodal at David C. Brown Realty in Immokalee or  Gary Hains at FL Star Development.

FL Star Construction LLC is an affiliate of FL Star, a conglomerate of real estate entities lead by Gary Hains and David E. Torres. Other current projects include Milano Lakes, a new 296-unit apartment community, and Sapphire Cove, a new residential community, both being developed off Collier Boulevard in South Naples.

FL Star also provides management services for commercial and industrial buildings for real estate owners and condominium associations including maintenance, collection of rents and financial reporting.

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Fall is just around the corner—or, at least, I’m hoping it is. Seeing fall décor in stores and mums at garden centers just gets me in the mood for fall. I’m ready to throw some pumpkins around the house.

This glittery fall garland is a craft the kids will love to make as well. (Photo: Jenna LaFevor)

Here are a few fall crafts that might get you in the fall spirit, if you aren’t already there.

Glittery fall garland
This is an easy fall craft that the kids will enjoy as well. Find some fall-themed wood or foam cutouts, then glitter them up. Here’s how I made mine.

Ampersand pumpkin
Instead of just regular ol’ pumpkins, why not add a bit of embellishment to those faux ones you can find at craft stores? I made an ampersand pumpkin a couple of years back, and it’s one of my favorite fall decorations to date. The tutorial is here.

Make a statement with your pumpkins. (Photo: Jenna LaFevor)

Go colorful
Instead of just decorating with orange and white pumpkins this fall, why not paint some in colors that reflect your taste and décor? I love painting pumpkins in kelly green or pink and then glittering the stems.

Get more ideas for fall decorating from my fall home tours here and here.

Jenna LaFevor rants on at Rain on a Tin Roof about DIY projects, junk décor, thrifty finds, crafty creations and other decorating dilemmas. She went to UTC, where she got a teaching degree that now collects dust. When she isn’t trying to keep her kid from climbing out of the circus ring or making sure her husband’s shirts are taken to the dry cleaners so she gets out of ironing, she can be found with a paintbrush in one hand and a cheap beer in the other. But if you’re buying, she’ll have a cosmopolitan. You can email her at [email protected] or you can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter @raintinroofblog or at her blog. The opinions expressed in this column belong solely to the author, not Nooga.com or its employees.

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McDonald Jones Homes' Tulloch 31 gives families what they need on a narrow block  dailytelegraph.com.au Full coverage

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7 decorating ideas that only worked in the 90s  Ideal Home Full coverage

Personalization is non-negotiable these days, especially when it comes to our living spaces. Now more than ever, they’re made to reflect what the people who live in them love and are better suited to their lifestyle. 

Filipino homes, particularly in urban areas, are no exception, having come a long way from their traditional design and function to adapt to the hustle and bustle of city living.

This year, Shangri-La Plaza’s Urban Filipino Home exhibit showcased the vibrant character and creativity of personalities from different fields as they styled living spaces inspired by their passions and pursuits. 

From Aug. 15 to 23 at the mall’s Grand Atrium in the Main Wing, mall guests saw the display and were inspired by the aesthetics of fashion icons Rajo Laurel and Jappy Gonzales, interior designer Jie Pambid, musicians Karylle Yuzon and Jed Madela, lifestyle columnist Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi, TV personalities Tintin and Julius Babao, PBA courtside reporter Apple David, and Xandra Ramos-Padilla of National Bookstore and Anvil Publishing House.

Each designer’s space was curated to embody the individual interests of the celebritiies using selections from the Shang’s very own lifestyle brands.

“Here at the Shang, we’re all about helping you live out your dream lifestyle,” says Shangri-La Plaza executive vice president and general manager Lala Fojas. “After the first home exhibit we held two years ago, we wanted to continue inspiring our guests to create spaces that they feel are truly theirs.”

The featured stylists selected items to furnish their spaces from brands Bo Concept, Luxe Room, Sheridan, Rustan’s Department Store, Steltz Lighting, Restoration, Tempur, Design Pod, Sealy, La-Z Boy, Shelter, Ego Italiano, La Sedia, Ariston, GE Monogram, Hacker, True Value, Ashley Furniture, Simmons Gallery, Blims, Slumberland, and Shell Canvas.

For inquiries, call 370-2500 loc. 597 or visit www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficialfanpage. Follow the Shang on Instagram @shangrilaplazaofficial.

COMMENT DISCLAIMER: Reader comments posted on this Web site are not in any way endorsed by Manila Standard. Comments are views by manilastandard.net readers who exercise their right to free expression and they do not necessarily represent or reflect the position or viewpoint of manilastandard.net. While reserving this publication’s right to delete comments that are deemed offensive, indecent or inconsistent with Manila Standard editorial standards, Manila Standard may not be held liable for any false information posted by readers in this comments section.

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DM Design took the award for Best Bedroom Company for the second time in two consecutive years at the Home Improvement Awards 2017. 

Known for their hard work in the industry and their charitable duties, the Scottish company has showrooms in Cumbernauld, Aberdeen, Livingston, East Kilbride Shopping Centre, and Dobbies Breahead, delivering exceptional design and great service to a large proportion of the Scottish population.

Opened by Donald Macleod in 1984, DM Design’s collection of bespoke bathrooms, kitchens,  and bathrooms currently includes over 100,000 designs – a great achievement for any company. 

When the Home Improvement Awards announced that they would make a return for 2017, they received over 1,000 entrants from all over Scotland. Each company was competing to be nominated in specific categories, so the competition was high. Customers voted for the companies that would be finally shortlisted, and DM Design were proud to make the cut.

All of the finalists for the awards arrived at the Marriott Hotel for an evening of glitz and glamour.

“DM Design is delighted to be awarded the Best Bedroom Company award for the second year running at the Home Improvement Awards 2017.” Donald Macleod commented. 

“Our team are constantly looking at ways to innovate and move forward into the future of bedroom design. By staying ahead of our competition, and making sure our customers always come first, this is what makes awards like this possible. I’d like to thank all of the hard working staff at DM Design, the Home Improvement Awards, the sponsors, and most importantly of all – our customers! I’m already looking forward to next year’s awards ceremony.”

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Let a small space gleam by incorporating buckets and buckets of white paint. Here, white walls, rafters, cabinetry, backsplash, and countertops come together in an airy kitchen that belies its small square-footage. A few wooden and wicker elements, such as the pendant lights, cutting board, and oak floating, keep the look from going sterile.

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Interior designers</a> have long been trying to convince everybody that a neutral room is simply a wonderful base for more exotic and piquant design nuances that offer a glimpse into your tastes, without you needing to go hell for leather in terms of displaying them everywhere.&nbsp;" data-reactid="26">Don't you go thinking that neutral decorating schemes are the same thing as boring décor as that really isn't the case! Interior designers have long been trying to convince everybody that a neutral room is simply a wonderful base for more exotic and piquant design nuances that offer a glimpse into your tastes, without you needing to go hell for leather in terms of displaying them everywhere. 

bedroom</a> is a fantastic candidate for a neutral makeover, as you need the space to be beautiful but also restful and relaxing, but we don't want you dozing off because of décor boredom. Take a look at our top additions for a stunning boudoir and then try to tell us that you aren't a neutrals convert!" data-reactid="27">Your master bedroom is a fantastic candidate for a neutral makeover, as you need the space to be beautiful but also restful and relaxing, but we don't want you dozing off because of décor boredom. Take a look at our top additions for a stunning boudoir and then try to tell us that you aren't a neutrals convert!

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Posted: Aug. 19, 2017 12:01 am Updated: Aug. 19, 2017 11:10 pm

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More households in America are headed by renters now than at any other time in the last 50 years, and Milano Lakes, a new apartment community off Collier Boulevard, is in prime position to take advantage of that trend.

“A recent article in RISMedia, the online real estate magazine, reports what we’ve anticipated,” said Gary Hains, partner with FL Star, developer for Milano Lakes Apartments. “The demand for rental residences is growing, fueled by lifestyle preferences as well as the rising cost of homeownership.”

According to a recent analysis of Census Bureau data by the Pew Research Center, renter households expanded from 34.6 million to 43.3 million in the last 10 years, while owner households decreased, RISMedia reported.

“It is not only groups that are traditionally renters, such as young adults, but also middle-age adults, retirees downsizing, and professionals who are contributing to the growth in the rental market,” Hains said. “Many are attracted to the fact that they can have an apartment that provides the space of a home without the care of on-going maintenance.”

At Milano Lakes, floor plans are designed to meet the needs of a range of renters. Occupants will be able to choose from four floor plans, ranging from a one-bedroom design with 808 air-conditioned square feet and 889 total square feet to a three-bedroom apartment home with 1,439 air-conditioned square feet and a total of 1,545 square feet. Each unit will include laundry facilities, a master suite with a generous walk-in closet and dual sinks in the master bath, an island kitchen with a dining area, and a lanai.

In Collier County, the rising cost of homeownership is also a likely factor boosting the local rental market. According to a recent report by real estate database company Zillow, the median listing price for homes in Collier County was $439,000. While half of the homes available for sale fall below that figure, many new homebuyers say it’s difficult to find quality at an affordable price. Although a National Association of Realtors survey shows most renters envision owning a home in the future, they intend to wait until they can afford the home of their choice.

“While many renters may be anticipating owning a home in the future, they are presently able to enjoy a lifestyle with numerous recreational amenities and a well appointed, upscale home by renting at Milano Lakes,” Hains said.

The community clubhouse at Milano Lakes is a 5,488-square-foot clubhouse with a resort-style swimming pool and a fitness center. With interior designed by Design Group West, the building reflects the influence of Mediterranean architecture and will be the centerpiece of social gatherings in the community. A children’s playground is planned to round out the amenities. All of the amenities will be complete when the first occupants move in the fourth quarter of this year.

Located on a 23-acre site, Milano Lakes is off Collier Boulevard at The Lords Way in South Naples. Milano Lakes will include 296 apartment homes in eight buildings, offering one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans. Within the community, 96 detached garages are planned.

Milano Lakes is being developed by an affiliate of FL Star, a conglomerate of real estate entities led by Gary Hains and David E. Torres. For information, contact Gary Hains by email gary@fl-star.com.

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There’s something about an austere grey-toned room that fills you up with a sense of absolute boredom; but today all your perceptions about the colour will be challenged. Perhaps the most eloquent way of describing this colour is calling it a chameleon. Much like the animal, the colour adapts to its surroundings if used with the right hues. Grey can be used to create a spectrum of new themes, from gracefully sophisticated to glamorous and contemporary to terrific traditional and funky playful, grey has it all. This compilation of bedroom design ideas by us will let you explore a side of grey that you have never noticed before and perhaps make you fall in love with the severely underappreciated colour.

Choosing what’s right
All greys may look the same but there are actually too many shades of grey that vary in depth and intensity. The first step to creating the perfect grey room is choosing the grey that is right for your design needs. It is a helpful practice to swatch many samples on your walls and to observe them in different lighting to pick the one that matches your requirements. A soft grey can create a bright, graceful room and a dark intense grey with depth to it will give you plenty of shadows filling your room up with character.

Wow without much colour
It doesn’t take a lot of colours to make a good room; it just takes the right ones. If you are someone with a sophisticated sense of style and don’t appreciate too many colours, then grey lies just inside your comfort zone. Incorporate grey with other earthy tones to create a soothing but chic look for your bedroom.

Artistic grey
It turns out that grey is the perfect canvas to showcase your unique, artistic and colourful side as well. An artsy grey room will consist of vibrant artworks or some bold furniture choices against the backdrop of your favourite shade of grey. Play around with a lot of colour and balance it with grey to give your room a very cosmopolitan look.

Rustic grey
So far we have been talking about using grey to provide a modern, suave look for your room, but grey can also be used in a charming rustic theme for a room full of character. Reminiscent of dark stone walls of an ancient castle you can take your grey in a direction that is historical for a room that looks like it has a story to tell. Light greys with distressed furniture will create an exquisite shabby chic vibe.

Accessorize with grey
If painting your walls grey is too much commitment for you to handle, grey can also be used to accessorize. Luxurious grey accessories go well against many a backdrop of colours especially all-white. You can also add in grey metallic to take your room in a whole other direction.

Hotel-room glam
Picturing hotel rooms may bring a very contemporary glamorous interior into mind, and you can replicate all this glam in your bedroom just by using the right shades of grey. Use sleek metallic fixtures and perhaps go all out with a grey monochrome scheme by using varying shades of grey throughout the room.

Hopefully these design ideas have showed you a side of grey that a very few people get to explore. So, gear up with some grey and a lot of imagination to create a fabulous theme of your own and have fun doing it!

Shruthi Madhuri
Interior Designer
Rever Design Studio
Ph.92460 89903
dream@reverdesigns.in

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Stow-Away secures funding for Birmingham and London aparthotels  The Caterer.com Full coverage

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Summer gatherings can be the most memorable of the year, especially if they’re spontaneous, relaxed and filled with special touches and decorating ideas that your friends and family won’t forget.

[Read more: 11 quick tricks for improving the look of your home in 5 minutes]

“When it comes to decorating for a party, it’s not about playing super hostess or laying out the best china or the most expensive crystal,” says Holly Becker, who with Leslie Shewring has put together a brilliant guide to decor for all occasions, Decorate For A Party.

“It’s about creating a little magic and hosting joyful celebrations in your own home, where you can do as you please and really be imaginative about your look.

“Most important is adding character and love with creative, thoughtful and fun decor, as guests feel important, cherished and welcome.”

Summer soiree

“We love a soft tactile look, which is a warm mix of organic materials and textures, handmade details and a touch of vintage glass,” says Holly.

“This  elegant style would be perfect for an indoor or outdoor evening,  maybe to celebrate a forthcoming wedding or simply just to mark  summer and all its pleasures.

“Aim for a calm palette of chalky, bleached colours,  plenty of flowers in clear glass vases and plain white or strikingly patterned cloths for tables. For a more rustic feel,  leave wooden tables plain and allow glassware to star.”

TIP: Tie single blooms to individual napkins with ribbon and harmonise by laying more lengths of ribbon down the centre of a table to create a focal point.  Wrap party cutlery in beautiful pieces of fabric (use off-cuts) that could double as napkins.

Nature’s table

“We love the challenge of creating something special and memorable out of very little and keeping an overall look inexpensive and relatively simple to prep,”  says Holly.

“Being inspired by nature and using foliage, leaves and plants is a lovely way to bring flair to a summer dinner party. This can conjure a country garden atmosphere, or for a more exotic look, use tropical foliage. Add gold details by using a metallic pen to write guests names or messages on large, glossy leaves.”

TIP: Make a striking centrepiece by placing a single large tropical leaf in a clear glass cylinder vase filled with water. A group of three vases will look effective. Use plain brown wrapping paper to make a wall poster menu; write details of the courses in black and pin to the wall with a tiny posy on each corner.

After dark

“Nothing says party more than the disco ball,” says Clare Harris, managing director at Talking Tables. “A celebratory classic since the Seventies, the disco ball has come of age, featuring on paper plates as well as disco ball-shaped cups.

“Glittering foil curtains (gold or silver, £8.49) are another party classic that have made a comeback, creating the perfect Instagram-worthy backdrop for your party pics.

“Frankly, cocktail parties are not the time to be a minimalist – layer up your bar and table with gold foil straws, party poppers and photo booth props, then bring the look up-to-date with a plug-in neon light or light box to show guests exactly what to expect from their evening.”

TIP: Don’t forget to organise games – they’re a great way to break the ice. Talking Tables has Prosecco Pong, £14.99, where players attempt to throw or hit ping pong balls into glasses of Prosecco, and opponents must drink the contents of any glass in which a ball lands.

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Summer gatherings can be the most memorable of the year, especially if they’re spontaneous, relaxed and filled with special touches and decorating ideas that your friends and family won’t forget.

“When it comes to decorating for a party, it’s not about playing super hostess or laying out the best china or the most expensive crystal,” says Holly Becker, who with Leslie Shewring has put together a brilliant guide to decor for all occasions, Decorate For A Party.

“It’s about creating a little magic and hosting joyful celebrations in your own home, where you can do as you please and really be imaginative about your look.

“Most important is adding character and love with creative, thoughtful and fun decor, as guests feel important, cherished and welcome.”

Summer soiree

“We love a soft tactile look, which is a warm mix of organic materials and textures, handmade details and a touch of vintage glass,” says Holly.

“This  elegant style would be perfect for an indoor or outdoor evening,  maybe to celebrate a forthcoming wedding or simply just to mark  summer and all its pleasures.

“Aim for a calm palette of chalky, bleached colours,  plenty of flowers in clear glass vases and plain white or strikingly patterned cloths for tables. For a more rustic feel,  leave wooden tables plain and allow glassware to star.”

TIP: Tie single blooms to individual napkins with ribbon and harmonise by laying more lengths of ribbon down the centre of a table to create a focal point.  Wrap party cutlery in beautiful pieces of fabric (use off-cuts) that could double as napkins.

Nature’s table

“We love the challenge of creating something special and memorable out of very little and keeping an overall look inexpensive and relatively simple to prep,”  says Holly.

“Being inspired by nature and using foliage, leaves and plants is a lovely way to bring flair to a summer dinner party. This can conjure a country garden atmosphere, or for a more exotic look, use tropical foliage. Add gold details by using a metallic pen to write guests names or messages on large, glossy leaves.”

TIP: Make a striking centrepiece by placing a single large tropical leaf in a clear glass cylinder vase filled with water. A group of three vases will look effective. Use plain brown wrapping paper to make a wall poster menu; write details of the courses in black and pin to the wall with a tiny posy on each corner.

After dark

“Nothing says party more than the disco ball,” says Clare Harris, managing director at Talking Tables. “A celebratory classic since the Seventies, the disco ball has come of age, featuring on paper plates as well as disco ball-shaped cups.

“Glittering foil curtains (gold or silver, £8.49) are another party classic that have made a comeback, creating the perfect Instagram-worthy backdrop for your party pics.

“Frankly, cocktail parties are not the time to be a minimalist – layer up your bar and table with gold foil straws, party poppers and photo booth props, then bring the look up-to-date with a plug-in neon light or light box to show guests exactly what to expect from their evening.”

TIP: Don’t forget to organise games – they’re a great way to break the ice. Talking Tables has Prosecco Pong, £14.99, where players attempt to throw or hit ping pong balls into glasses of Prosecco, and opponents must drink the contents of any glass in which a ball lands.

Decorate for a Party: Stylish and Simple Ideas for Meaningful Gatherings by Holly Becker & Leslie Shewring is published by Jacqui Small, £20

© Press Association 2017

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Making its 32nd appearance, the metro area welcomes back the Denver Parade of Homes, a local tradition that brings family and community together for four summer weekends filled with events, activities and inspiration.

Though this hallmark event for homebuilders has seen tens of thousands of visitors each year, many still consider it — or at least some of its perks — a bit of a secret.

“It’s something not everyone knows about,” said Jason August, a sales and marketing representative for Piccirrillo Signature Homes, which is featuring a luxury home in this year’s tour. “People might not know there are parade homes near their home … that it’s open to the public and of no cost to the public.”

The parade, which features dozens of model homes constructed by area builders, made its Denver debut through the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver in 1985 and has undergone a number of small changes throughout the years with upgrades including free admission, an online version of the annual magazine and a transition from a single-site event to featured homes across the metro area. The parade is open Thursdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Labor Day, Sept. 4.

The switch from a single venue to a variety of sites allows the tour to showcase more builders and more communities and provide a closer look at the new neighborhoods that interest shoppers, said Sara Dieringer, 2017 co-chair of the parade and vice president of sales and marketing for Cardel Homes, a featured builder for the last nine years.

The 2017 parade features 20 residential-area builders and 66 model homes, including eight “dream homes” — custom houses ranging in price from $760,000 to nearly $3 million — dotted throughout a number of master-planned communities from Aurora to Arvada, Windsor to Castle Rock.

“(The parade homes) are easy to find with the detailed maps in the parade book,” said Deb Blessing, a resident of the Denver metro area for more than 30 years and an experienced guest, having attended at least 10 parades.

Using an easy-to-read map, photos and detailed descriptions of each home online — including square-footage, price, builder details and neighborhood features — anyone interested in seeing the homes can create a digital “tour list,” which the website will use to generate a geographically-sensible route via Google Maps, directing visitors to stops at each designated house.

“It’s really just being able to see the best of Denver,” August said. “It’s a good way to understand the market in a quick span of time.”

Piccirillo, which recently moved to Colorado from upstate New York, is making its first appearance in the Denver parade. Company leaders conducted an economic analysis that led them to believe “Denver was the strongest choice for the foreseeable future,” August said. “We are taking design that isn’t typically found in the Denver marketplace and bringing it here,” he said.

Even people who aren’t interested in buying a new home can benefit from touring the parade homes, its promoters said.

“You can get your 10,000 steps in and get great decorating ideas,” Blessing said. “I take away from the Parade of Homes knowledge about energy-saving features, outdoor living spaces and current trends.”

Several of the builders and communities host workshops throughout the event, and feature drawings, raffles and refreshments.

“People come back year after year,” Dieringer said. “Everyone loves it.”