Commune Design: The Art of Collaborative Living Spaces

Table Of Content

• Ace Hotel Kyoto reveals interiors designed by Kengo Kuma and Commune
• Examples of Communal Living Spaces
• Eight home interiors where mezzanines maximise usable space
• What are some key elements of Commune Design's approach to the California look?
• Commune incorporates resort-style amenities into Hollywood apartment complex El Centro
• Design Collabs We’re Loving Right Now—From Philippe Starck, Commune Design, and More

The artwork on the walls buoys the site-specific mood, with pieces by Lena Wolff, Kelly Ording, Ruth Charlotte Kneass, and other artists based in and around the Bay Area. Altogether, it’s a celebration of the best of the Golden State, past and present. I gave him a collection of fabrics I’d acquired over many years and asked him to design something that feels like stained glass. Back in the 1960s, communes emerged as a countercultural movement in response to the capitalist and consumerist lifestyle that dominated American society. The idea was to create a new kind of living space where people could share resources, ideas, and even emotions.

Ace Hotel Kyoto reveals interiors designed by Kengo Kuma and Commune

Meanwhile, the Sylvan design draws on the shifting patterns of light to abstractly accentuate a snowy forest scene. As a calming pandemic-era endeavor, Steven Johanknecht, cofounder and principal of Commune Design, took to painting. Now, those colorful momentos—namely, four small-scale abstract paintings with repeating shapes—have been recast as the Abstrakt collection, a series of 8-inch-square concrete tiles by Commune for Exquisite Surfaces. The limestone tub in the master bath has unlacquered-brass fittings by Waterworks. The armchair is by George Smith, the custom sconces are by Paul Ferrante, the 1960s Austrian ceiling lights are from Orange Los Angeles, and the sheepskin rug is from Grand Splendid. The custom tiles are by Malibu Ceramic Works, and the photograph is by John Michael Riva, Jr.

Examples of Communal Living Spaces

The Formations bench is in a Fortuny wool flannel, the BDDW side tables support lamps by Hollywood at Home, the curtains are of a C&C Milano fabric, and the wool rug is from Patterson Flynn Martin. A longtime friend of Johanknecht’s, she became one of his first clients after he founded Commune Design in 2004 with Roman Alonso and Pamela and Ramin Shamshiri (the siblings have since left to found their own firm, Studio Shamshiri). The stand was a great opportunity to bring these artisans into the project early on.

Kengo Kuma & Associates and Commune Design Transform a Landmarked Building for the Ace Hotel Kyoto - Interior ... - Interior Design

Kengo Kuma & Associates and Commune Design Transform a Landmarked Building for the Ace Hotel Kyoto - Interior ....

Posted: Mon, 01 Mar 2021 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Eight home interiors where mezzanines maximise usable space

The true virtuosity of their work comes from their collaborations with their clients as well as with other members of the community. Since its inception, Commune has worked with countless artists, artisans and craftsmen around the globe. Their environmental sympathies are expressed in their conscientious selection of materials, and echoed in their appreciation for original architecture and its elements. Tanzania’s dusty, serene savanna was the springboard for Serengeti, Philippe Starck’s new and inaugural range of outdoor dining and lounge furniture for Janus et Cie. Melding sanded teak and powder-coated aluminum frames with a durable canvas mesh, the eight pieces span an ottoman; arm and lounge chairs; cocktail, side, and dining tables; plus a pair of two-seat sofas—one of which is outfitted with an integrated sun-protective canopy. No matter your outdoor setting, the svelte, subtropical-inspired collection transports.

Commune Design collaborates with Valerie Confections - Wallpaper*

Commune Design collaborates with Valerie Confections.

Posted: Thu, 25 May 2017 12:10:18 GMT [source]

What are some key elements of Commune Design's approach to the California look?

Once we were ready to start work on the Santa Monica location, they were already fully part of the Breadblok team. We also used the stand as an opportunity to fine-tune the proportions of the shelves and pastry cases. When we were finally ready to design the millwork for the store, we were already very familiar with Chloé’s range of products and how best to display them.

Commune incorporates resort-style amenities into Hollywood apartment complex El Centro

“One of the great things about California homes is that indoor/outdoor experience,” he says. “It was really important to me that everything feel connected.” The home’s palette, which ranges from vibrant hues of pink and green to more dramatic shades, such as the dining room’s earthy red, was a balancing act. The wife is “a very happy person who loves color,” Johanknecht says. For this house, Johanknecht did extensive research into the Spanish Colonial Revival tradition in L.A., working with a tile company in Malibu to create authentic-looking octagonal terra-cotta pavers with decorative insets painted in custom motifs of white and blue. The new tilework begins in the entrance courtyard and continues through the kitchen and dining room and out to the patio in the back of the house.

The projects featured in Design Commune display many common threads, such as the influence of handcrafted materials, mid-century modern architecture and vintage designs, but each project remains deeply personal and unique. The Lighthouse is a co-housing community in Seattle that focuses on community building and environmental sustainability. The Lighthouse is designed as an intergenerational community, where residents of all ages and backgrounds can share resources and support each other.

Commune is a Los Angeles-based design studio with a reputation for holistic work across the fields of architecture, interior, graphic and product design. The firm has designed residential, commercial and hospitality projects worldwide, a wide array of home and lifestyle products, as well as graphic and branding concepts for the fashion, arts and entertainment industries. The riot of color and pattern coalesces with particular charm in two snug bedrooms positioned along the central corridor that leads from the front door through the house and out to a spectacular view of the West Marin landscape, highlighted by a majestic bishop pine. The rooms are wrapped in joyous Frank wallpapers, but whereas most designers would let the patterns suffice for ecstatic decor, Commune chose a different approach—too much is never enough. Alonso paired the wallpapers with upholstered patchwork headboards by textile artist Adam Pogue, custom polychromatic bedding, and color-blocked Swedish carpets.

Design Collabs We’re Loving Right Now—From Philippe Starck, Commune Design, and More

Trendy sunset hues enliven a ski chalet’s principal bedroom in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The headboard and bedside tables are by legendary firm George Nakashima Woodworkers. The vintage Danish settee is upholstered in shearling for extra comfort.

“They wanted to lean into the West Marin vibe, but they also wanted surprises in color, pattern, and decorative layers,” he adds. Throughout his myriad residential interiors, LA designer Jake Arnold often opts for muted yet impactful rugs that express a relaxed California sensibility. His limited-edition, seven-piece collection for Lulu & Georgia is just as hushed, drawing from 18th-century tapestries and modernist forms alike.

After gaining fans at local farmers markets by selling from her Commune-designed stand, she wanted her new location on Montana Avenue to evoke a California style with Provençal influences. The AD100 firm responded to the task by creating a comfortable neighborhood café with a light, airy feel that reflects the organic texture of Breadblok’s baked goods. While the bakery is currently only offering takeout due to COVID-19, the café is looking forward to reopening fully after the restrictions are lifted.

Common spaces should be comfortable, inviting, and designed to encourage socializing and sharing. Private spaces should be cozy, tranquil, and designed to promote rest and relaxation. Communal living offers numerous benefits, both on an individual and communal level. Living in a community can reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, enhance social support networks, and increase feelings of belonging and connection.

Don't Ever Ignore These 6 Signs of Carpenter Ants in the House Here's Why

Should be blown with a bulb duster behind electrical switch plates and into wall voids. Silica gel combined with the natural pesticide, pyrethrin, is available in aerosol cans and should be sprayed into the same areas as D.E. These ants are omnivores and eat insects, honeydew from aphids, fruits, and plant juices, but they’ll also forage indoors for water and sugary foods.

Inject Boric Acid Into Nests

Wood cabinets are more expensive than those made from plywood or medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and finished with a laminate. Laminate-finished cabinets cost $35 to $75 per linear foot, on average. Some actually look for specific insects, such as pileated woodpeckers, which eat carpenter ants. A home-made borax all-purpose cleaner is effective for getting rid of stubborn stains including pencil and crayon markings on walls. To make the cleaner, simply mix 2 tablespoons of borax with 2 cups of hot water.

What is the fastest way to get rid of carpenter ants?

To get rid of carpenter ants, mix equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar in a shallow bowl and place it wherever you've seen the ants. The powdered sugar will attract the ants, and the baking soda will kill them. Spray any ants you encounter with soapy water to kill them and get rid of their scent trail. Try to find the ants’ nest by following them to where they take food back to. Or, check for damaged wood in and around your home, since carpenter ants chew through wood to make their nests. When you find the nest, spray it with a non-toxic insecticide, or pour boiling water into it if it’s located outdoors.

How to get rid of carpenter ants – expert advice to deter and eliminate them efficiently

In the same fashion as ant bait, the boric acid acts as a stomach poison. Have you noticed a few big black ants crawling through your kitchen? Then you may be dealing with carpenter ants invading your home.

How To Prevent Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ant infestations are not directly harmful to humans or pets, but they can cause harm to your home's structure. Carpenter ants can become a nuisance when you don't get rid of them early. Unlike the typical kitchen-raiding type of ant, carpenter ants may actively be destroying your house, so they definitely need to be addressed as soon as you suspect an invasion. There are two types of bait – protein-based baits, and sugar-based baits.

For this reason, it’s a better choice than Termidor if you believe you have a sizeable nest in your home. Its active ingredient, indoxacarb, is a unique chemical that spreads more easily between insects because it has been scientifically proven to spread to both secondary and tertiary targets. This means that if an ant picks up a bit of Advion bait, it will spread the toxin to its neighbors, and those ants will in turn spread it to their neighbors. This makes it much more efficient in killing a whole colony than other baits. First is baiting, which is the process of using toxic bait to attract the ants, who collect the bait and share it with the rest of the colony.

You won’t really know how bad it is until you locate the nest or nests in your home. Carpenter ants are attracted to old, rotting wood, so their primary nest is often outside the home in an old stump, a pile of firewood, or other debris. If you believe you may have carpenter ants, check any old stumps or wood around your home first. If you don’t find the colony there, you may have an unaddressed structural problem in your home (e.g. a leak) that could be creating moisture and wet wood that attracts these ants.

Signs of Carpenter Ants Infestation

While these insects may be small and harmless to humans, they can cause significant damage around your home. In fact, carpenter ants are one of the most structurally damaging pests in the US – they can hollow out wooden beams and erode the structural integrity of your home. Unfortunately, because carpenter ants can nest deep within the structure of your home, they’re difficult to remove on your own. If you haven’t had success with DIY methods, it’s better to call a professional exterminator sooner rather than later. The studs and other framing members in your home are natural targets, especially if they become wet and decay starts to set in. It's also possible to treat carpenter ants with a refined and concentrated form of borax, known as boric acid, which can be injected directly into the colonies as a fine dust or spray.

'New' Ant Species Require Vigilance - PCT Online

'New' Ant Species Require Vigilance.

Posted: Tue, 26 Apr 2022 21:30:21 GMT [source]

Bed Bug Pest Guide

In addition, fill any gaps or cracks on the outside of the home with silicone caulk. Firewood and other wood building materials should be stored at least 20 feet from your home, and at least five inches off of the ground. For one, carpenter ants need a constant water source to survive, so eliminating moisture or standing water on your property can help to deter them. Consider using a dehumidifier in crawl spaces, basements and attics that are prone to dampness.

If you need them removed quickly, it’s best to call an exterminator who is familiar with their behavior. If you’ve located an actual nest in your home, you can treat the wall void or other area by drilling ⅛-inch holes along the nest and puffing boric acid inside. Drill holes and puff boric acid at regular intervals at least three feet on either side of where you suspect the nest to be for best results. There’s some differing opinion about this, but I’d be inclined to say no. Mulch doesn’t really have a lot to offer a carpenter ant since they like wet, rotting wood and they use it to make their nest. A pile of old, rotting mulch may attract carpenter ants, but they aren’t likely to get a lot of joy out of digging into your freshly mulched flowerbeds.

Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring thoroughly to mix the ingredients. Replace used baits until you see a noticeable decrease in number. Carpenter ants feed on proteins and sugars, such as meats, sweets (syrup, honey, jelly, etc.), and honeydew produced by aphids. The ants may forage in the home for food, but this will occur primarily at night in the spring and summer.

Carpenter ants may not eat the wood they chew, but they can still cause a lot of damage to your home. Carpenters are skilled craftsmen who build things out of wood. Depending on what the carpenter builds, they may be referred to by various names. A trim or finish carpenter installs the finishing touches of prefabricated or custom trim and detail work once a house has been built and the walls are up. A furniture maker or woodworker builds furniture — such as tables, beds and dressers — out of wood.

When termites swarm, they have two sets of wings which are the same size and length. Aptly named ‘carpenter’, these ants (which are commonly black in color) build their nests in wood. If they are left to roam, they have the capability to threaten the structure of your home as their nests can fracture and ruin wood. As we have explored, there are many ways you can get rid of carpenter ants. Wood that has been harmed by water, leaky pipes, and high humidity levels can all provide favorable conditions for carpenter ants,' warns pest exterminator Georgios Liakopoulos. 'They might be more drawn to wood that has been weakened or discolored by moisture.

Carpenter ants build their nests in various wood sources, including tree stumps, fence posts, firewood or landscaping. They prefer to attack wood that has been wet or damaged as a result of leaks. Indoors, this means they are often found in damaged window and doorframes, crawlspaces under roofs, chimneys, sinks and bathtubs. I’m here to give you our best DIY advice on how to get rid of carpenter ants.

Not all woodpeckers like the same habitat and some prefer one menu over another, but they all are characterized by their quick and busy movement in their quest for food. Watch them in these videos contributed by Renee Martel in York County of the pileated and Emily Burnham of Bangor of the hairy. In steel and iron welding, borax is mixed with ammonium chloride and used as a flux. Borax may also be mixed with water and used as a flux when soldering jewelry materials such as silver and gold. The self-contained housing also means less mess and unsightly containers all around the house when using these baits. Today’s Homeowner exists to help you maintain or improve your home safely and effectively.

The 20 best haunted house films of all time, ranked

Table Of Content

• Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (
• The Evil Dead (
• Lake Mungo (
• The 25 Best Haunted House Movies of All Time
• Paranormal Activity (
• The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (
• The 20 best haunted house films of all time, ranked

It isn't long before the couple realizes the house is alive — and it is hungry for a blood sacrifice. While there have been many fine adaptations of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Alastair Sim's performance as the miserly, penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge elevates this version to must-see status. With Christmas soon approaching, Ebenezer's old friend, Jacob Marley (Michael Hordern), returns from the grave to offer Scrooge a chance at redemption through the haunting of three spirits.

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (

The film follows a group of experts as they head into the title house with the goal of finding proof of the supernatural. It quickly devolves into terror as the group encounters dark image after dark image, all building toward a terrifying conclusion that’s still one of the more fascinating haunted house resolutions in the cinematic canon. More than 25 years after its original release, the film inspired the creation of the MTV horror reality series Fear. The haunted house is one of horror’s most time-honored tropes, a dark twisting of the place we call home into a maelstrom of terror and things that go bump in the night. There’s something eternal about the idea, so it’s no wonder that hundreds upon hundreds of filmmakers have channeled it for dark visions of their own. There are, of course, dozens of classics in the genre on the big-screen, but if you’re looking for the very best to dive into this Halloween season, these are the ones you definitely won’t want to miss.

'Livescreamers' Review - Virtual Haunted House Movie Tackles the Perils of Online Content Creation - Bloody Disgusting

'Livescreamers' Review - Virtual Haunted House Movie Tackles the Perils of Online Content Creation.

Posted: Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The Evil Dead (

Don’t look up the plot, don’t watch trailers, just watch the movie and hold on for dear life. It’s been nearly 50 years since Obayashi’s film was released, and there’s still nothing else in the horror genre—or in any other genre—quite like it. It’s a dark dream full of imagery that will live in your head forever, and a singular achievement in haunted house storytelling. While House was an immediate hit in its native Japan, American audiences didn’t get a chance to witness it until more than 30 years later, when it began screening at festivals in 2009 and very quickly gained a cult following.

Lake Mungo (

Two African refugees settle into government-provided housing in the United Kingdom, and quickly discover they’re not alone. Like so many horror films on this list, His House begins with something very straightforward, easily graspable by any audience, then evolves into something else entirely. James Wan’s franchise-launching film is among the most successful, and most frightening, horror movies of the 2010s, and still looms large in a horror landscape that’s since moved through many sequels and spinoffs. Wan’s ability to wring maximum screams out of a good jump scare is, of course, legendary at this point. And while there’s no shortage of that kind of terror in The Conjuring, it’s the human struggle at its core that will keep you hooked.

In fact, the serenade Rick writes and plays for his love, "Stella by Starlight," was composed specifically for the movie. However, it became a sensation when lyrics were later added, and it was even performed by Frank Sinatra. Lake Mungo is chilling from start to finish, employing a mockumentary and found-footage style of filmmaking to exude an atmosphere of realism and tension that is supremely frightening to the senses. The fun of Lake Mungo, without spoiling the film's well-executed jump scare, is its use of modern technology to frighten audiences when they least expect it. One hundred and twenty years of haunting and horror isn't going to stop Anne Sacchetti (Barbara Crampton) and her husband, Paul (Andrew Sensenig), from buying a rural home, but perhaps they're blinded by the death of their son, Bobby.

Drew Barrymore auditioned for Spielberg for the role of Carol Anne, but, despite not landing the part, it was her Poltergeist tryout that led to her being cast in E.T. On April 8, 2013, it was confirmed that Wayans, Open Road, and IM Global Octane will produce a sequel due to the financial success of the first film. The sequel had begun shooting in late August 2013.[13] On April 18, 2014, a sequel titled A Haunted House 2 was released. Five teens trapped in a hospital on Halloween night must figure out who is alive and who is dead as spirits take them over. As if chronic sleep deprivation isn't scary enough, this 1999 film follows three insomniacs who agree to sleep in a haunted mansion as part of a sleep study. Hausu's over-the-top subject matter isn't for everyone, but horror fans — particularly of Evil Dead II (1987) and Army of Darkness (1992) — will find the movie resonating with them.

In this classic '60s-era horror film, a group confronts supernatural forces in a 90-year-old New England haunted house. The film's twist is one of those watercooler moments that rivals any horror movie ending. Without spoiling the climax, A Tale of Two Sisters uses the haunted house motif almost as a window dressing to obscure the psychological aspects at play in this immensely enthralling, supernatural flick. Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House is one of the all-time great haunted house stories, and it has given us more than one great adaptation along the way.

In it, a family moving into their new house hits, uh, a few snags while unpacking their things. The character of John Russell is a music composer, but Scott wasn't musically inclined. Even so, the actor practiced the piano pieces Russell plays so that he could actually tickle the ivories on screen. Also, the actress who portrays historical society agent Claire (Trish Van Devere) was Scott's wife in real life, and they made five feature films while they were married, as well as a made-for-TV movie and a play. Rick (Ray Milland) and his sister Pamela (Ruth Hussey) make the spur-of-the-moment decision to buy a lovely seaside home, and, as a result, Rick meets and becomes quite taken with young Stella (Gail Russell).

The actor suggested Handley be cast in the role in order to strengthen the bond seen between father and son in the film. While it’s firmly rooted in dark, zany comedy and not horror, Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice remains one of the great haunted house movies thanks to its focus on the expected tropes and how they twist when the perspectives get flipped. Reportedly, Burton’s first choice for the role of Beetlejuice was Sammy Davis Jr. While some horror movies derive thrills and chills from ghosts, goblins, witches, vampires or other kinds of mad killers, others make the setting itself the centerpiece of the plot. The best haunted house movies don't just have to be about houses either — sometimes the genre sets the scene in haunted hotels, hospitals, farmhouses or other buildings where strange secrets lurk in dark corners, attics or basements. If you’ve never seen House, Nobuhiko Obayashi’s 1977 haunted house film, do yourself a favor and just go watch it.

In 2021, the Rhode Island home that inspired the film hit the market for $1.2 million. Kim Jee-woon’s A Tale of Two Sisters is an unforgettable exercise in psychological terror for a number of reasons, but among the most striking is the way the filmmaker convinces you more than once that he’s switching genres. For a huge chunk of the runtime, the film might just be a gripping psychological drama with a few haunted house flourishes for the sake of symbolism.

In this creepy, found-footage-style flick, five friends hit the road in an RV for an adventure in search of the scariest haunted houses. Filmmaker Kim Jee-woon's heartbreaking horror film gives audiences valid reasons to avoid adultery. Su-mi (Im Soo-jung) returns home from a mental facility after her mother dies, but there's a strange family dynamic between her father and stepmother, Eun-joo (Yum Jung-ah).

The next day, Malcolm's friend Steve and his girlfriend Jenny bring over a ouija board to communicate with the ghost. When it misspells ghost as "gost", they all laugh at it, and it throws the ouija board across the room, scaring Jenny and Steve out of the house. When Malcolm finds out, he calls his cousin Ray Ray, who immediately flees when he sees the ghost's powers. Helen Mirren stars as the widow who occupies a possessed mansion in this chilling story, inspired by real events. While Martin Scorsese called it one of the scariest movies of all time, The Uninvited kindles a wonderful romance between Rick and Stella.

Not even Fixer Upper's Chip and Joanna Gaines can salvage your house when its walls start bleeding. George Lutz (James Brolin) and his wife, Kathy (Margot Kidder), get the deal of a lifetime when they buy a home in the quaint, seaside town of Amityville, N.Y. — but their new digs come with a sordid history and house full of haunting horrors. On another night, Kisha urges Malcolm to investigate a noise, but it turns out to be Rosa, his Hispanic housekeeper. Rosa quits, and Malcolm and Kisha smoke marijuana with the ghost to relieve their pain.

If you want a haunted house story that’s not scary, and might in fact leave you buoyant with joy, look no further than this classic starring Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison in the title roles. Bernard Herrmann, the legendary composer behind such diverse titles as Citizen Kane, Psycho, and Taxi Driver, scored The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, and considered it his best work. The Uninvited, a ghost story from Hollywood’s Golden Age, has pretty much everything you’d want out of a classic black-and-white horror-drama. It’s got a spooky old house, a cast of beloved character actors led by Ray Milland, a slow-burn supernatural narrative that moves at its own leisurely pace, and of course old-school ghosts. It might move a little slowly for modern audiences, but if you’re patient with it, it’s the kind of film that will wrap you up in its own creepy comforts. In 2019, Martin Scorsese named The Uninvited one of the scariest movies of all time; “the tone is very delicate, and the sense of fear is woven into the setting [and] the gentility of the characters,“ he wrote for The Daily Beast.

And if you like found footage, the home movie segments are still chilling, even if you’ve seen them 100 times. Robert Cargill told Complex how the idea for Sinister came to him from a nightmare he had after watching The Ring. A family reeling from the loss of their daughter agrees to be interviewed for a documentary exploring the possibility that their house is haunted. What happens next is one of the most remarkable horror narratives of the last 25 years.

Commune Design Gives Breadblok Bakery a Permanent Home in Santa Monica

Table Of Content

• Art and design exhibitions
• Commune incorporates resort-style amenities into Hollywood apartment complex El Centro
• Barn-like house
• The Emergence of Communes and Collaborative Living Spaces
• Uchronia founder designs own home as "love letter to French craft"

Crafted in earthy hues of moss, mauve, copper, and chocolate brown, the floor covering range includes the fringed Wilcox and Harper, characterized by its subtly raised and two-toned grid pattern. Colonial Williamsburg, in Virginia, transports visitors back to 18th-century America, and the living history museum’s Williamsburg branded products serve as an extended history lesson. Schumacher & Co. produced Williamsburg licensed fabrics, and a dozen years later the design house is back at it with Homecoming, an expansive assemblage of fabrics, wallcoverings, trims, and pillows that pay homage to the past. The updated florals, stripes, checks, and scallops include the pineapple-emblazoned Lafayette Botanical, derived from an 18th-century French chintz, as well as the Dandridge Damask, developed from the fragment of a gown once worn by Martha Washington.

Art and design exhibitions

Sustainability is a key principle of communal living, and communal living spaces should reflect this by using environmentally friendly materials, renewable energy sources, and sustainable practices. Communal living spaces should also promote sustainable behaviors among community members, such as composting, recycling, and reducing waste. Communal living spaces should be designed to accommodate people with diverse physical abilities. However, accessibility should also extend to cognitive, sensory, and emotional needs, such as noise reduction, natural light, and spaces for contemplation or meditation. Commune design is about creating environments that facilitate human connections, foster creativity, and promote sustainable living.

How to mix traditional and modern design, according to Studio Shamshiri - Homes & Gardens

How to mix traditional and modern design, according to Studio Shamshiri .

Posted: Tue, 27 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Commune incorporates resort-style amenities into Hollywood apartment complex El Centro

The ReGen Village also promotes community involvement and social cohesion by providing shared spaces for recreation, learning, and cultural activities. His cowboy motifs influenced numerous details throughout the house, from the family room’s hand-stenciled cabinetry and ceiling beams to the whipstitching on the sconce shades and the moccasin-like embroidery on a pair of armchairs. The master bed has a headboard in a Clarence House mohair and is topped with pillows in fabrics from Schumacher and Pierre Frey.

Barn-like house

The walls are in Navajo White and the ceiling is in Bridgewater Tan, both by Benjamin Moore; the F. Grayson Sayre landscape over the mantel is in a frame by Arts and Crafts ceramics. The studio values the strength of the collective mind, believing that authentic creativity and innovation come from collaboration.

Commune Design’s New Book Is A Love Letter To California Style

It’s tempting to imagine a Lucy-and-Ethel-style sitcom scenario, with the two designers screaming at each other across the courtyard from their high perches in the twin towers while hanging laundry on a clothesline. The principals’ personal and professional lives have crisscrossed in intricate ways for decades, from the time the two initially met while working at Barneys New York, during the glory days of the luxury retail emporium, in the late 1980s and early ’90s. Their apartments tell the story of their remarkably fertile relationship through artifacts of their past and current projects, design details lifted from the Commune lexicon, and an array of artworks and curiosities with backstories specific to one designer or the other. Communal living spaces should be designed with the community in mind. This means that spaces are configured to maximize interaction and collaboration, while also respecting the need for privacy and personal space.

AD PRO caught up with Commune’s Roman Alonso to hear about the project’s backstory and inspiration. The decorative party, however, is not reserved exclusively for denizens of California. “We wanted to explore the connection between West Marin and Scandinavian summer homes, another one of our obsessions,” Alonso says. A select number of pieces that fall outside the Scandi/Cali range—bulbous light fixtures by Gino Sarfatti, an antique Tiffany Studios pendant lamp, wallpaper by British designer Marthe Armitage—pepper the playful mix.

Renovation of a ten acre vacation compound in Northern California, including a main house, originally built in the 1930s, two tents and two cabins. The goal was to enhance the interiors with handcrafted millwork and furniture pieces by local artisans, as well as a large selection of objects and furnishings, ultimately creating an elevated camping experience for a family of six. If the market’s latest debuts have any lesson to tell, it’s that the design community indeed works better together. From Philippe Starck’s subtropical-inspired outdoor furnishings for Janus et Cie to Supergroup’s rotund tableware for Hem, industry brands across categories are coming together to bring thoughtful new offerings to designers’ tool kits. “We designed the brass boxes on the ceiling with lighting designer Sean O’Connor,” says Roman and Steven.

Communal living emphasized cooperation, creativity, and collaboration. But as the decades passed, communes became less popular, and many of them dissolved due to internal conflicts or external pressures. However, the ethos of communal living never disappeared entirely, and today we witness a resurgence of interest in collaborative living spaces. The California look is a design style that is characterized by a mix of rustic and modern elements, natural materials, warm colors, and light-filled spaces that create a relaxed, indoor-outdoor feel.

Uchronia founder designs own home as "love letter to French craft"

At the time designers Roman Alonso and Steven Johanknecht arrived in Los Angeles—in 1998 and 2002, respectively—the city was still a relatively sleepy industry town, however high-profile its industry. This was before a host of major New York and European art galleries rushed to open L.A. Outposts; before elite fashion brands started cooking up reasons to head west for splashy parties in hip warehouses; and before a cavalcade of international starchitects on the order of Renzo Piano, Peter Zumthor, and Herzog & de Meuron rolled into town. The Roam Co-Living is a network of co-living spaces situated in cities around the world.

Alonso and Johanknecht, through their work at the multidisciplinary AD100 firm Commune Design, have been prime agitators in this metamorphosis, ambassadors for the new Los Angeles, championing local talent and evangelizing a widely influential vision of California cool. The ReGen Village is a future-oriented eco-village that aims to be fully self-sufficient in energy, food, and waste. The ReGen Village is designed as a living laboratory for regenerative technologies, such as vertical farming, aquaponics, and renewable energy.

Commune Design: Meet the AD100 2023 - Architectural Digest

Commune Design: Meet the AD100 2023.

Posted: Tue, 29 Nov 2022 08:00:00 GMT [source]

On the natural and timeless forms of the Swiss designer’s handmade furniture. Sure to make that concept even more clear is new tome Design Commune (Abrams), which chronicles the studio’s creative endeavors spanning the past 15 years. SOURCEBOOK FOR CONSIDERED LIVINGThe definitive guide to stylish outdoor spaces, with garden tours, hardscape help, plant primers, and daily design news. A community of like-minded architects, interior designers, graphic designers, consultants, artisans, and builders led by principals Roman Alonso and Steven Johanknecht.

Our clients are so engaged and part of the process, they’re able to grow into the design seamlessly. Commune Design, founded by partners Roman Alonso and Steven Johanknecht have devised its own definition of California cool. The two, who first met in the early ’90s while working at Barneys New York, ventured out on their own—and out West—in 2004, and bohemian chic has been the name of the game ever since. From interiors to product design, each of their projects reflects an unfussy, rustic charm that remains timeless.

Shops, hotels, restaurants and points of interest for the home and garden obsessed on the go. When you register as a free Member of the Remodelista family of websites (Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home), you gain access to all current posts plus 10 archived posts per month, our internal bookmarking tool, and the community bulletin board. SOURCEBOOK FOR THE CONSIDERED HOMEThe one-stop sourcebook for the considered home, guiding readers artfully through the remodeling and design process.

How to Kill Ants with Borax Easy DIY Guide 2024

Table Of Content

• What’s the Difference? Identifying Termite vs. Carpenter Ant Damage
• How to Identify and Get Rid of Carpenter Ants
• PEST PRO
• Damp and dark places
• Replace Wet, Decaying Wood
• Do carpenters build houses?

Here are some steps to help you find and destroy a carpenter ant nest indoors and out. As this habit can cause serious damage to structures, it is extremely important to begin removing carpenter ants as soon as they are identified. Carpenter ants prefer moist and humid environments, and forage mostly late in the day or at night.

What’s the Difference? Identifying Termite vs. Carpenter Ant Damage

Once a colony is well established, you usually need to locate and treat the actual nest site for permanent or long-term control. In the case of a satellite colony, the parent colony should be located and destroyed for most effective control. They dig tunnels (called galleries) much longer than those created by termites.

How to Identify and Get Rid of Carpenter Ants

Remember to keep the ant baits away from children and pets including homemade and store-bought baits. An ant infestation can be frustrating to exterminate but borax is one of the best and safest products to use indoors to control ants. Rest assured that they are not structural house pests like carpenter ants.

The 10 Best Ant Killers of 2024 for Inside and Outside the Home - Real Simple

The 10 Best Ant Killers of 2024 for Inside and Outside the Home.

Posted: Fri, 12 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

PEST PRO

You may initially see even more ants, but be patient — it may take up to two weeks or longer to achieve control. They play a crucial role in breaking down organic matter and nutrient cycling. Workers gather honeydew excretions from mealybugs, aphids, scale insects, and plant hoppers, feed on nectar from plants, and consume both living and dead insects. Dealing with ants can be horrifying, but with these four tricks, you can permanently bid farewell to those pesky little pests.

The first appearance of winged males in a home often causes homeowners great concern, as it signifies that ants are living inside the house. The presence of a carpenter ant nest is sometimes indicated by a rustling sound that will come from wall voids or from wood where the nest is located when the winged forms are disturbed. If you see one ant, it likely signals you may have an infestation.

Got ants? Safer ways to prevent and eliminate this common home pest - Metro newsfeed

Got ants? Safer ways to prevent and eliminate this common home pest.

Posted: Tue, 29 Mar 2016 07:00:00 GMT [source]

For serious infestations, consider calling a pest-control agency. To prevent carpenter ants from coming back, mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle, and spray your baseboards, windowsills, and countertops with it. You should also keep your kitchen as clean as possible since carpenter ants are attracted to crumbs and food spills. Finally, make sure to seal entrances, like doors and windows, and cut back brushes or trees that carpenter ants could nest in. To learn how to tell the differences between carpenter ants and termites, keep reading.

Lola is a graduate student, who completed her degree in Psychology at the University of Sussex. While you may not want to go around drawing all over your walls and furniture, chalk lines can be a great way to disrupt the scent trail of ants due to their calcium carbonate content. “Carpenter ants are a fairly avoidable problem if people are doing regular maintenance with their house and noticing if there is a problem with the wood,” he says.

Replace Wet, Decaying Wood

You may need to examine an ant closely under a magnifying glass to verify its identity. Borax is also used as an ingredient in enamel glazes, as a fire retardant, as a component in ceramics, glass and pottery, and for making indelible ink among other commercial applications. Borax is often used for water-softening including removing both temporary and permanent types of hardness.

Do carpenters build houses?

These perimeter applications may use residual pesticides that will kill any stray ants that attempt to enter your home in the following weeks and months, thereby preventing reinfestation. Carpenter ants are often confused with termites since both insects can cause substantial damage to the wood in a home's walls. Carpenter ants do not actually eat the wood, but instead, hollow it out with an extensive network of tunnels in which to establish colonies. This tunneling gradually opens up the wood to more moisture, more rot, and more weakening.

In fact, it is advisable that you substitute borax for boric acid if you notice that the ants are not attracted to the borax bait. Studies show that some ant species are more likely to reject borax baits than boric acid baits and vice-versa. "A strong scent of cinnamon makes these tasks difficult for ants, so they need to leave this space and find another one," she says. But, it does help to deter them due to that aroma that we humans enjoy so immensely. "The scent of cinnamon itself doesn’t kill ants. However, it makes the life of ants much more difficult."

These tiny creatures, often referred to as “sugar ants,” are more formally known as odorous house ants (Tapinoma sessile). Carpenter ants are sometimes confused with termites, but it is easy to tell the difference between them. The termite has straight antennae and a thick waist, and the carpenter ant has a very narrow waist and "elbowed" (bent) antennae.

“If you discover carpenter ants in your home, it’s probably an indication you have a moisture problem. They look for soft, water-damaged wood, then use your house as a satellite nest and incubator for their brood,” says Benson. Once homeowners have identified the warning signs of carpenter ants living in a home, there are a few carpenter ant treatment measures to help mitigate the issue. “The best method of controlling an indoor colony of carpenter ants is to locate the nest and treat it directly with a persistent insecticide labeled for indoor use,” says Russell. The best carpenter ant killers can be purchased at a hardware or garden store.

This variation in wing size helps to distinguish carpenter ants from winged termites, which have two sets of wings that are roughly equal in size. Carpenter ants usually gain access to buildings through cracks around doors and windows, holes for wires, or straight through wet, damaged wood. They will also crawl along overhead wires, shrubs, or tree limbs that touch the building far above the ground. Although carpenter ants first invade wet, decayed wood, they may eventually build paths through dry, undamaged wood, too. Once you have identified where the carpenter ants are coming from, it is important to eliminate any sources of moisture or food sources that may be attracting them and seal off entry points.

Where you live does matter—for example, the black carpenter ant that lives in the Northern U.S. is more likely to make its home indoors than southern species. Fortunately, carpenter ants don’t pose a significant threat to your health, as they don’t spread disease, and while their bites can be painful, they’re not dangerous and they don’t bite often. There are multiple carpenter ant species, and they vary by color and size. However, the most common carpenter ants in North America are relatively large, from 1/4 inch up to 5/8 inch in length. These wings assist the ants in swarming to find a new location for a colony, which happens in the spring—May through August in the Eastern U.S. and February through June in the West.

Can you live on a cruise ship? Yes, and here's how much it costs

Table Of Content

• Ryan Gutridge budgeted and lived on a cruise ship for 300 days while working remotely
• Cruise Season Underway for Scotland’s Largest Port
• Table comparing the cost of living on cruise ships for 10 years
• Read Next: Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America

These cruises are often expensive too, so the cost of booking world cruises as frequently as possible may not be something you can afford to do. If you wanted the same cabin on every cruise, it’s wise to make sure that you’re first in line when bookings open. That’s the only way to make sure you can secure the same room for the long term. Otherwise, someone could book your room and essentially kick you out. The financial aspects, particularly when it comes to health insurance, are likely to be tricky, requiring careful planning with expert advice.

Ryan Gutridge budgeted and lived on a cruise ship for 300 days while working remotely

Some people live on the ship full-time while others come and go, using it as a vacation home or an alternative to owning a yacht. Technically you could live on any cruise ship, but it might not be possible. Cruises don’t always sell out, but the most popular staterooms and cabins book up far in advance. You would have to constantly look at booking cruises to make sure you have somewhere to stay.

Cruise Season Underway for Scotland’s Largest Port

Just be careful, though because you may also be paying other benefits at home that you could miss out on if living on a ship. For example, in the UK, if you don’t make National Insurance payments, you won’t get the full state pension later in life. The second tax consideration is if you decide to work while you cruise. Even if you cruise on a ship permanently, you’ll still need to have a home country of residence, and you’ll need to obey the tax laws for that country.

Table comparing the cost of living on cruise ships for 10 years

Man is suffering the consequences after living on a cruise ship for 23 years - LADbible

Man is suffering the consequences after living on a cruise ship for 23 years.

Posted: Sat, 30 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

If you’re planning to live on a cruise full-time, creating a schedule can help you fit into the cruising lifestyle. You can also make new friends by attending the same activities and socializing with the same group of people. If you’re planning to stay full-time onboard a cruise ship, make sure to take the time out of your day to socialize with other passengers. Partner up with someone at a card game event or invite a guest to join you for a shore excursion. No matter how you choose to do it, make sure to stay social while onboard.

How to Live on a Cruise Ship

Villa Vie Residences is another new live-on-board world cruise option that has an interesting offering. You can choose to own a cabin, or you can just craft your own world cruise by paying for a cabin like you normally would on a ship, for your chosen segment of the cruise. The ship isn’t particularly family-friendly – kids are welcome, but there isn’t much for them to do. Understandably, the ship is primarily aimed at a mature audience as it’s likely to be retirees who wish to live on a cruise ship.

Could Punton foresee someone living on the ship for the rest of their life? "People can actually [own] in perpetuity … so it can actually be gifted into their estates and passed down through the generations … and their family can continue to live on the next ship as well." That said, in general newer ships like the Horizon are more expensive to sail aboard. If you look for older ships, you should be able to cut the price down.

And it’ll continue running this cruise in perpetuity, so once it completes the first navigation, it all begins again. The ship will offer plenty of onboard facilities to keep guests entertained, and WiFi access means that you could work remotely from the ship if you’re able to. You own your residence and so you’re able to welcome guests onto the ship if you wish. Cruises are available to book around 18 to 24 months in advance, so you’ll need to plan ahead. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear.

"It's amazing to have the opportunity to travel and get paid for it as well," Nolan said. "Our drummer already knew the process of how to get a cruise ship gig, so he led the way." That’s a lot of information, but considering how we’re talking about as big a decision as living your life on a cruise ship, there’s always going to be a ton of information you need. A minor consideration, but if you sail on a cruise ship, receiving mail isn’t as easy as it would be at home. It is possible for someone to write to you at a cruise port via the port agency, but this requires you to reach an agreement for them to hold your mail.

Read Next: Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America

I spent 6 years living on The World, a cruise ship for millionaires. It was like the Four Seasons on steroids — readjusting ... - Yahoo News Canada

I spent 6 years living on The World, a cruise ship for millionaires. It was like the Four Seasons on steroids — readjusting ....

Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 09:39:51 GMT [source]

Before you commit to living on a cruise line, try going on cruises with a few different cruise lines. Setting sail with various cruise lines will not only help you figure out whether you actually like this lifestyle, but it will also help you compare which cruise lines you like best. To make life on a cruise ship a reality, there are several options available to you. Knowing these options is the first step to giving up your life on land and setting sail for the foreseeable future.

Many of the steps you would take in planning for a world cruise would be the same things you would do to pave the way for a full cruise ship retirement. Once you're convinced you're cut out to cruise year-round for years on end, you can begin to make the arrangements to dismantle your old life on land and build a new one at sea. Plus, the cabin you book might not be designed for senior living, the way apartments at a retirement home or senior living community would be. You'll also have fewer options for cable TV plans and phone calls and Wi-Fi costs will be pricier than on land. If you want cheaper options, however, you might find them by being more flexible with changing ships and/or cruise lines when you find a deal.

The MV Narrative is now under construction in Split, Croatia, from where it will set sail in 2025. His room is on a mega cruise ship named the MV Narrative, made up of more than 500 private rooms and apartments, which will be home to around 1,000 residents who will live on board more or less permanently. While you can't pinpoint exactly what you'll spend, you can get a good estimate. As a public company, Carnival Corporation (the parent of Carnival Cruise Line) publishes detailed numbers about their business. For instance, in 2022 the company took in $7 billion in ticket revenue and $5.1 billion in onboard spending. If you want to take more of a DIY approach to living on a cruise, you can follow in the footsteps of Mario Salcedo and simply book back-to-back cruises.

Be sure to clear it with your doctor before signing up to live or retire on a cruise ship. Doing so can prevent you from getting sick on a cruise and being stuck at sea without access to the help you need. Living on a cruise ship might sound like a dream to some of us, but the reality is that there’s a lot more to retiring on a cruise ship than just packing your bags and setting sail. Here are the pros and cons of living on a cruise ship that you should know about.

With this plan, you’ll need to be prepared to fly from port to port every now and then. On a cruise, all your food and entertainment are included in the cost of the cruise. While you pay a lot upfront, you can actually end up saving money by doing away with monthly car payments and gas bills, utility costs, and grocery bills. What’s more, once you’re in port you’ll have the opportunity to participate in numerous shore excursions. Long-term cruises often offer shore excursions at lower prices or even completely free, making the change to participate in unique excursions far more possible.

You can also borrow from the 10,000 books in the library, or enjoy a drink brewed in the ship’s own microbrewery. The cruise is all-inclusive with beer and wine served at meals, complimentary healthcare, free high-speed WiFi, selected free excursions, and free laundry. Utopia is a planned luxury residential ocean liner project costing $1.1 billion that was originally ordered all the way back in 2009 by Utopia Residences. But that doesn’t mean your family won’t want to visit every now and then, and they will be permitted onto the ship to say hello, although you may be charged if they use some of the facilities, including the restaurants.

In theory, you could get a work-from-home job and work on a cruise ship, and potentially save yourself tax money by not being permanently based in your home country! And if you’re a high earner, it could even be more cost-effective to work at sea since the cost of the cruise fare may be less than the tax you save. Lee Wachtstetter was an American author who began living on cruise ships back in 2005, choosing Holland America Line’s MS Prinsendam as her ship of choice. She moved in 2008 to Crystal Serenity, and I love the reason why – it’s because Holland America stopped providing dancing partners. It is usually cheaper to live on a cruise ship than in a nursing home. The UK average cost for living in a care home is £3,550 per month ($4,250), while the US average is much higher at $7,900 per month.

The Best Cruise Luggage Tags Reviews, Ratings, Comparisons

Table Of Content

• How To Attach Cruise Luggage Tags – 2 Options?
• What Are The Dimensions Of The Carnival Cruise Luggage Tags?
• How To Attach Royal Caribbean Luggage Tags?
• Prescription Medication
• Do Luggage Tags Matter for Cruise Carry-On Bags?

Click on the “Luggage Tags” link and follow the instructions on the screen. Holland America Line is pleased to introduce new Holland America Line’s Express Docs cruise documents, along with new luggage tags. You will need to print out as many luggage tags as you have bags, plus you might want to print off extra just in case. You can check your bags (even oversized luggage) at your Brightline station. Guests traveling from Orlando or West Palm Beach may enjoy bag delivery service and have your bags delivered to your cruise port.

How To Attach Cruise Luggage Tags – 2 Options?

Prohibited items will not be allowed or stored on board the vessel with no exceptions. Guests are fully responsible for either storing these items ashore or disposing of them prior to embarkation. There are over 7,000 Passport Application Acceptance locations in the U.S. You may locate the one closest to you by going to the U.S.

What Are The Dimensions Of The Carnival Cruise Luggage Tags?

Due to unpredictable weather, don't forget a hat or visor and a collapsible umbrella. Please be sure to bring proper clothing for visits to religious sites. You'll also want low-heeled, rubbersoled shoes for strolling on deck, as well as comfortable walking shoes or sandals to wear. Your mobility device must be securely stored in your stateroom when not in use.

How To Attach Royal Caribbean Luggage Tags?

These Luggage Straps Are Travel Writer-approved - Travel + Leisure

These Luggage Straps Are Travel Writer-approved.

Posted: Sun, 16 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Ordering luggage tags from the Princess Cruise website offers the advantage of convenience and peace of mind. You can be confident that the tags provided will meet the cruise line’s requirements and provide the necessary information for smooth luggage handling throughout your journey. If so, you’ll need to print your luggage tags before you leave home.

Clothing Recommendations

We strongly recommend you check your bank’s pre-authorization process if you have any concerns about this system. To avoid your bank or credit card company blocking onboard transactions, please alert them of your travel plans ahead of time. We cannot guarantee that all members of your party will be allowed to disembark with just a WHTI-compliant document or birth certificate.

How To Fold Carnival Cruise Luggage Tags?

Choosing the best option for you guarantees a seamless boarding experience and ensures your luggage safely arrives at your cabin. 👆 Instructions for how to place the luggage tag were on the printable cruise luggage tag. If guests choose to print the electronic tags, we recommend reinforcing them with a plastic or leather tag holder. So you can carry your own luggage onto the cruise ship if you want, or you can do a luggage drop-off before you go to check-in for your cruise. Princess is thrilled to team up with Brightline express rail for an exclusive partnership you’ll love.

When requested for an Alaska Cruisetour, TTY kits will also be provided for your stay at our Alaska Wilderness Lodges. Access-friendly design across our fleet makes it easy to enjoy each vessel's restaurants, theaters, spas, lounges, and open deck space. Elevators have 36- to 42-inch doorways, and wheelchair seating is available in show lounges and other public spaces.

We recommend these clear plastic luggage tag holders designed for NCL luggage tags. If you must print your cruise luggage tags before your cruise, you may want to invest in luggage tag holders. The idea of stapling a piece of paper to your suitcase handle may make you uneasy as it is not the most solid way to attach your cruise luggage tags.

Do Luggage Tags Matter for Cruise Carry-On Bags?

For more information on Norovirus, visit the CDC’s website. Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting diarrhea. There are several measures which have been placed to prevent and contain illnesses on our ships that meet or exceed standards set by the U.S. Here are some important things to know about travelling with your service animal. With advance request to our Access team, we provide “all-in-one kits” with TTY that can be used in guest staterooms.

All sales of tours booked while on your land tour are considered final at the time of purchase and are 100% non-refundable except in the case of an operator approved cancellation. Guests with disabilities should email the Access Office for assistance with accessible shore excursions. The Access Office works in partnership with our Shore Excursion department who will assist and advise you directly of your options. Please be advised that accessible shore excursions may not be available in some international ports.

You can also put a tag on your luggage that has your name and address on it. This way, if your luggage is lost, it will be easier for the authorities to find it. Another thing that you can do if you forget your luggage tags is to use a piece of tape to attach your contact information to your luggage. If your cruise line does offer luggage tags, they’ll likely be made of durable material like plastic or metal. They’ll also usually include the cruise line’s logo, your name, and your cabin number. These tags can be a great way to make your luggage stand out from the rest – especially if you’re traveling with a group.

Each option has its own advantages and considerations, ensuring that you can find the most suitable method for your needs. You can get luggage tags at the port, which may or may not add to your check-in process. The lines for luggage check-in and tags can sometimes be long, depending on the cruise port/terminal. The best way is to find a porter, tip them, and they’ll provide you with a luggage tag.

Private in-cabin babysitting is not available on any Princess ship. All children participating in the Youth Program must be potty-trained. Children who are not potty-trained are not permitted in hot tub or pool facilities. Guests are expected to make all arrangements regarding dialysis, whether self-administered on board or at a shoreside facility. It is recommended that a guest requiring dialysis consults with his or her nephrologist prior to making travel arrangements.