#Pink White Checkerboard Design Fabric

[byzerodigital]

Casa fashion is one of the best 100% Bamboo. We have our own manufacturing unit in india for 100% Bamboo manufacturing and we export best quality 100% Organic Bamboo Multicolor Twill Stripe Fabric, Pink White Checkerboard Design Fabric, Blue Waffle Stripe Fabric

[design-emporium]

Pink and White Check Plaid Watercolour Gingham Seamless Pattern Digital Download

This watercolour pink and white checkerboard gingham seamless file repeat pattern can be printed onto fabric for making kids clothing, nursery decor, accessories such as baby muslin cloths, cloth nappies a more. Fun for little girls who love dinos! It is a professionally designed seamless pattern graphic file suitable for printing onto fabric.  Includes a Limited Commercial + Personal Use…

[homeimgs]

How to Match Purple Furniture With Other Decor

How to Match Purple Furniture With Other Decor if you've ever played the Animal Crossing video games, you've probably seen Purple furniture. This vibrant shade of purple is one of the most popular styles in living rooms. In fact, the Animal Crossing games are filled with purple items! Here are some ways you can match purple furniture with another decor. Read on to find out more! Hopefully, this article has been helpful! Hope you've enjoyed learning more about purple furniture! If you'd like to learn more about this colorful shade, keep reading!

Animal Crossing series has purple furniture

The Purple Furniture set can be a great way to customize the house of your favorite critter. This furniture set comes with an array of accessories and is extremely popular with gamers. The purple furniture set is one of the most popular items in the Animal Crossing series, and it can also be purchased for a cheap price. Regardless of the price you pay, you're sure to find the perfect piece for your animal friends.

The Modern Series features checkerboard patterns, which were considered cutting edge in the early 2000s, but look dated in the newer games. In New Leaf and Horizons, popular villagers probably had these items. Apollo, meanwhile, prefers his black and white Diner Sofa. These sets also make excellent gifts for young and old alike. There are other ways to get your favorite animal friends some purple furniture, too.

The Star Set is another purple furniture popular set of housewares, with seven body colors. Unlike the Log Set, this set is heavy and sturdy, but not quite as rough as its counterpart. However, it is definitely the sturdiest set in Animal Crossing. It comes with a Stone Tablet and Stone Table, along with a Stone Lion-Dog. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, you can create your own arch using Stone on your DIY Workbench.

The popularity of purple furniture in living rooms

The popularity of purple furniture in living rooms is gaining momentum with Pantone's recent announcement of the color of the year for 2022. This bold, blue-violet hue is gaining ground as interior designers rediscover its beauty and versatility of the hue. From deep aubergine hues to striking royal purples, to lavender, mauve, and soft lilac, this color has something to offer almost every room in your home.

If you are considering using purple furniture in your living room, consider decorating with varying shades of color. You can start by arranging your big furniture first - your sofa, armchairs, and freestanding bookcases. Then, place the coffee table and ottoman between them. Finally, choose the paint color. Depending on the amount of light in your living room, you can either go for a light purple or a dark purple. Either way, you can make sure the paint color complements your other furniture, including the sofa and ottoman.

Purple is a popular color for living rooms, especially for those with glamorous, modern, or regal interiors. It also works well in other interior styles, provided that you use the right shade and proportions of the color. If you want to use purple in your living room, make sure to choose the right proportions, as purple furniture is very close to violet, which is why you should be sure to choose the right shade of purple to compliment your other home furnishings.

One of the most striking ways to incorporate color into your living room is to add purple accents to your furniture. You can make this happen with a purple footstool or a tufted coffee table. For an extra stylish touch, you can add a splash of purple furniture to the walls by using a Kantha fabric or even wall-to-wall lilac to create a statement.

Despite its rich, deep hue, lilac can also be paired with other shades of pink, red, and yellow. It complements most neutrals and nuances and looks good with deep blues, pinks, and fawns. If you don't feel confident in using purple, you can introduce it to your living room through upholstery in a textured weave or velvet. This color has a calming effect and works well with a warm read or a decorative piece of furniture.

Ways to match purple furniture with another decor

To match purple furniturewith another decor in the living room, use varying shades. You can use lilac as a counterpoint to deep aubergine, for instance. Alternatively, use cool purple shades with neutral undertones. Textures can also add variety to a monochromatic palette, as different types of materials have different effects when they're arranged together. Use decorative pillows to bring color into the room without overpowering the rest of the space.

Purple is often used in modern interior design, but it looks equally beautiful in traditional interior design. For a classic living room, a deep purple furniture sofa can be the main decor piece, complemented by a carved fireplace, ornate chandelier, and a cowhide rug. For an eclectic living room, a deep purple sectional sofa makes an excellent focal point. The velvet texture adds a cozy feel, and a painting highlights the purple sofa.

Aside from using various shades of purple furniture in the living room, purple can be used in bedrooms to invoke a feeling of royalty. Purple is a color that is associated with royalty, honesty, and meditation, so it can be a great accent in a quiet room. For bedrooms, use brighter purple shades, while violet is better suited for the living room. Modern furniture is designed to reflect light and create a calm atmosphere. You can also add accents to purple furniture. These accents can be anything from an area rug to an ottoman. If you already have purple walls, use accents of the opposite color wheel, such as bright red or orange. These colors will add element colors to your room and make it look cohesive. The key is finding a balance between contrasting shades of purple to achieve a harmonious look. The following are some tips to help you choose purple accents in your home.

When selecting accents, consider the color of the walls, floors, and other decor. If you can't decide on a color palette, choose complementary colors, as they balance each other's effects. For a bolder statement, go for a darker wood accent or a piece of furniture made of a different color. You can use a combination of complementary colors. A dark purple furniture on a white or gray background will look great against a lighter shade.

Purple pairs well with many colors. However, it can be overwhelming in smaller spaces. To avoid this, consider using it as an accent color, such as a corner in the living room. Alternatively, you can use it on wall trims to accent architectural details. There are many other ways to match purple furniture with another decor in your home. It all depends on your personal preferences. So, take your time and experiment!

Read the full article

[kernowfurniture000]

Every Season's Soft Furnishings

Throw pillows, blankets, and other soft furnishings are wonderful for perking up a dull environment. They come in a rainbow of colors and materials to choose from. You may make a space feel more like spring, summer, fall, or winter by selecting appropriate textiles.

Curtains, fabric wall panels, cushions, and bedspreads are all considered part of the soft furnishings category. You can go thrifty, splurge on the designer, or even combine the two approaches.

The new life that spring ushers in can best be captured by using bright, cheerful colors. Daffodil yellow, the blue of a cloudless sky or a field of bluebells, and the green of fresh sprouts and young leaves are just some of the colors that will be represented. You can get inspiration for your designs in the natural world, specifically in the form of objects that bring to mind the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new growing season. Silk is a good option that will keep you cool and add a sense of luxury to your attire.

In the summer, you want to wear the airiest, brightest, and most transparent textiles you own. The fabric of choice is chiffon. White is a beautiful color to decorate with, especially white netting for the windows, which, when it flutters in the breeze, conjures up images of relaxing beach vacations. White's reflectivity will also boost the available illumination. Bright poppy red, vibrant purple, scorching fuchsia pink, you get the picture; a summer room can take a lot of colors to match the riot of colors going on in people's gardens. Fabrics with floral patterns or a checkerboard pattern are perfect for the summer, and people will also like these patterns because they will remind them of picnic blankets.

The changing colors of the leaves and the land in late autumn are reflected in the autumnal decor. In general, warm tones like rust, gold, and orange work well. As temperatures drop, fabrics get heavier to better insulate wearers and elevate their perceived level of comfort. We recommend luxuriously thick Shantung silk. Fabric prints could have motifs of ripe leaves or nut pods.

Heavy textiles are recommended for a winter room. As an alternative to leather, velvet is also a great option due to its softness, coziness, and high-end feel. The colors red and green, which are commonly associated with Christmas, are highly received. For the colder months, choose chocolate brown or deep purple. It's also possible to use bare trees or more traditional Christmas motifs like holly and robins.

Keep in mind that soft furnishings aren't permanently installed, so you have some leeway in how often you update a room's look. You could get some light curtains for the spring and summer, and some heavier ones for the fall and winter if you have the funds. You might also consider purchasing a couple of seasonal throw pillows to replace when the season is over. If you decide to do this, make sure to put the fabrics somewhere safe until next year's appropriate season rolls along.

You should also make sure that the room's soft furnishings complement the existing furniture and design scheme. Fabric accents should complement the style of the main furniture in the room, whether that's sleek modern pieces or rustic pine planks.

Learn the Basics of Soft Furnishings Every Man Needs to Know

When I was in my early twenties, the concept of upholstered furniture was foreign to me. If you had asked my opinion on scatter cushions or tailored curtains, I would have probably just stared at you in shock. However, for the modern man, it is necessary to not be intimidated by soft furnishings. These unusual artifacts can soon become essential tools for building a living place that works for you.

Even if you have no interest in the idea of soft furnishings, it is necessary to have an understanding of them. Picture this: you're stuck in a conversation with your significant other, who insists that you buy a round cushion for the living room. The pretending of interest is a possibility but can mean that purchases you don't truly agree with are made. Doing some research before shopping will help ensure that the items you buy are truly a reflection of who you are. The debates about those silly pillows probably won't even happen if you were involved in the selection process.

If you find yourself uninvited in a furniture store, here is a quick rundown of the kind of items you may see. Curtains, circular pillows, scatter pillows, underwear, and table linens are the most common types of furnishings you will see.

There is a wide variety of curtain alternatives, and I'm not just talking about colors. Curtains can be manufactured to order from the fabric of your choice. Taking accurate measurements is the most crucial step when making curtains. Curtain width, length, and track measurement should be taken after the curtain rail has been attached. Curtains should be hung either one meter from the ground in their center or a few centimeters from the bottom of the radiators. Giving the maker this information will allow them to offer a recommendation on how much fabric you should purchase for your personalized curtains.

The next targets will be round cushions and scatter cushions. These cushions have the potential to make a bold design statement all on their own and completely alter the look of their host surface. Pillows are the most common type of soft furniture, and they are also one of the safest options. As a result, you can enhance your home with fine furnishings. A round cushion is a cushion with a circular shape and a decorative button in the middle. When you're ready to give cushions another chance, try ordering some made-to-order in the fabric and with the trimming of your choice.

The concept of tablecloths shouldn't be too foreign to you, and I have no doubt that you will be familiar with them. Only round tables benefit from the elegant final touch that a bump beneath cloth provides when using formal table linens. It's important to remember to take measurements when you go shopping for a tablecloth.

That sums up our brief tour of the world of plush furnishings. With any luck, you've learned something new about the world today. I'm confident you'll do fine with upholstered furniture if you just use your common sense and listen to your own aesthetic judgment.

[newtinaboot]

Pastel Academia

Baby blue sweater vests and white polos with Peter Pan collars

Soft fabric encasing schoolbooks

Sparkly bookbags

Lavender coloured chairs and pastel pink desks

Binders with “cute” designs on them

Those coolly-shaped pens/pencils with the little charms hanging off the end (You know the ones) except instead of plastic, the charms ARE THE ERASERS.

One wall in each room devoted to pastel stickers and pastel stickers ONLY. Any student can walk up and just slam a pastel sticker on that bit-

Lined notebook paper except pastel blue.

A courtyard with a 1 hour lunch period between 2nd and 3 period would be nice.

Pastel-themed pride flags found in the GSA club room.

Pastel pink and blue chess/checkerboards in the chess club room.

Pastel art supplies not just these fucKING BOLD-ASS OUCHIE EYE COLORS GODDAMNIT

Yeah

[hometoursandotherstuff]

Designer Matilda wanted to fill her new London house with surprises to make it different from the typical home. First she used a striped runner on the staircase.

She replaced the kitchen door with a larger one with glass panels, painted in red gloss. 

The kitchen was custom built, and she had the cabinets painted sage green. The walls were given a lime wash.

The scalloped granite backsplash was a late addition and made from the same granite as the worktops. The fluted sink was £60 from eBay.

'In the kitchen we have used a mix of handles, some from an old ship, mixed with antique brass bits. A combination of knobs and door handles looks more personal and less shop fitted,” says Matilda.

In the larder Matilda used red grout between the white tiles.

In the living room, Matilda combined pink linen and ticking for the curtains, with bamboo blinds. The blue sideboard (left) was bought at a sample sale, the red shelving unit was designed by Matilda and built by her husband's company. The lamp, chairs and table are vintage.

The red unit hides a radiator and is flanked by deep drawers on either side.

Matilda sourced most of the furniture in this room second hand, at antique fairs, reclamation yards and eBay.

A large painting by the Australian artist Emma Gale hangs between two vintage toleware lights with cane shades.  

The scullery curtain was made from a ticking fabric.

A painting by Fei Wei Wei hangs on the upstairs landing. The floor is painted in a checkerboard design.

In the bedroom Matilda sourced the bed from eBay, upholstering the headboard herself.

The cane paneled wardrobes were built by her husband’s company and painted in the same color as the walls.

The bathroom mirror is flanked by lights from IKEA. The sink was sourced from a reclamation yard.

https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/gallery/matilda-goads-house-renovation

[spiralhigh]

ranking the sdr2 cast by how much their formal wear hits

this is just my opinion, but my opinions are great and i know what i’m talking about! this will be long so it’s under a cut

S TIER:

s tier is reserved for only the best of them all, the cream of the crop, the fit that i would gladly lay down my life for. s tier is the crown jewel. s tier is what everyone else should strive to be... but only one can take the prize.

#1: AKANE OWARI

the undisputed champion. this look is everything to me. EVERYTHING. the red-trim cape with the fur. the contrast of the airy, gathered blouse with those skin-tight shiny (leather? vinyl??) pants. the pumps. the belt that screams disco style. the necklace accentuating the tasteful titty window. the red white and gold color scheme  are you FUCKING WITH ME miss owari this look could bring ARMIES to their KNEES in an INSTANT. whoever drew this deserves full creative control of the danganronpa franchise and i’m not kidding

A TIER:

a tier is for the fits that frankly own bones. they’re not as jaw-dropping and legendary as owari, but they’re still razor as hell and deserve to be met with riotous applause.

#2: KAZUICHI SOUDA

kazuichi, i didn’t know you had it in you, but this FUCKS. the character of the pins on the lapels, the sneakers, and the mispinned tie. the absolute CLASS of the suspenders, watch, and tiny round glasses. the handsome slick in the hair now that the greasy beanie is gone. the tasteful highwater. he looks like the host of the larry king show if the larry king show was exclusively about ska bands and he has never looked better

#3: HIYOKO SAIONJI

tell me this isn’t the cutest shit. the colors here are EXQUISITE. the bright notes from the blue on top, the way the soft pink is a perfect middle ground of the pink + white flowers on her sleeves, the subtle way the green in her bow matches the green in her collar, the white petals breaking up the sky blue that might otherwise look out of place? remarkable. stunning.

#4: PEKO PEKOYAMA

the ELEGANCE is EVERYTHING here. the monochrome is offset by just a splash of red that ties everything together with her eyes and the flower in her hair, the checkerboard pattern is visually interesting but not distracting, and her hair in that loose ponytail with the little white ribbon? ugh. ADORABLE! but most of all, look at those BOOTS. those CUTE LITTLE HEELS on those SICK LACE-UP BOOTS..... QUEEN shit!!!

#5: CHIAKI NANAMI

rounding out our a tier is chiaki in this adorable little dress just LOOK at her!!! she looks like a little rose, a perfect flouncy skirt with a glittery mesh overlay, a fun and fresh over-the-shoulder collar, a fucking big old bow tied in the back?? i can literally feel the way this dress would feel in my hands. it’s simple and perfect and frankly a GORGEOUS color on her this is flawless

B TIER:

b tier is a perfectly respectable place to be. these fits lack the lustre and flavor of the a tier entries, but they’re still dressed to impress and they still look fine as hell.

#6: TERUTERU HANAMURA

say what you will about teruteru (and i do) but this suit is ADORABLE and it fits in with his theme + talent better than any other mfer on this list. the tasteful white/brown/red palette gives it a flashy chocolate cookie look, which is amplified in the fun pattern on the jacket. the chef’s hat switching out for a little top hat and the way the cumberbund looks a lil bit like a chocolate bar is also VERY cute

#7: THE IMPOSTOR

now on its own, the suit is just alright. a vibrant pinstripe blue three-piece with the classic red tie wouldn’t land the impostor in b tier on its own... but that FUR COAT, LUXURIOUSLY DRAPED OVER THE SHOULDERS does WONDERS to pull this look together. not only is it worn with “yeah, it’s real mink, no, you can’t touch it” confidence, but it also ties the otherwise arbitrary white loafers into the structure of the look. it’s subtle and class as hell.

C TIER

c tier is full of looks that are... fine, but ultimately either are boring, lack cohesion, or have a confusing design choice or two that make it hard to get all that amped about. c tier is a passing grade, but nothing more.

#8: NAGITO KOMAEDA

there’s a lot that’s good about this outfit, but there’s also a lot that doesn’t really work. let’s start with the good: the slutty loose bowtie and collar, the tight-fitting vest that ends before the hipbones so you can see the belt, the cute little ponytail? (chefs kiss) exquisite, all of it. but the suit itself is boring as sing, and who the hell decided to put the t-shirt symbol on the sleeves??? was it to add visual flavor to an otherwise bland suit? this does NOT have the black/white/red elegance that peko had.

#9: FUYUHIKO KUZURYUU

the silver and gold mob-boss look, complete with matching shoes vest and fedora, are a nice nod to fuyuhiko’s talent! the plaid is teetering on the edge between fun and garish to me, but the fact that it’s consistent and the only pattern means it isn’t too offensive. quick question though: why are his pant legs rolled up like that?? this isn’t a cute “cuffed at the ankle” look, dude looks like he had to wade across a pond to get to the venue. what gives

#10: GUNDAM TANAKA

out of everyone here, gundam’s suit might be the most boring of all. the scarf is just his normal scarf. the red tie and trim don’t do anything to tie the look together. the only mild point of interest is the asymmetrical vest, and i can’t even tell if that’s intentional. simply put, this “““fancy”““ outfit isn’t even in the same ZIP CODE as the level of ostentatious chuuni that gundam serves us every single day in his casual wear. maybe even worse than being ugly... it’s disappointing.

#11: IBUKI MIODA

now, look. is this dress buckwild and ugly as hell? yes. but you know what else it is? it is IBUKI MIODA’S DRESS. there might not be a single cohesive thing about this dress aside from its color scheme. the huge poofy ruffles of the skirt and arm things with the spiked bow and corset are baffling. the artist somehow managed to draw the awkward, clumping shape of the skirt to make it look exactly like an emergency cosplay sewn four hours before a convention. frankly, i can’t justify ranking it as a c! but i’m doing it anyway, because the sheer level of craftsmanship demands it, and in this house we respect diy queens that are totally off the shits.

D TIER:

d tier is for outfits that aren’t offensive, exactly... but like, they sure don’t look good! d tier is not a respectable place to be. those in d tier won’t be laughed out of the ceremony in shame, but they should really run their outfit by someone else first next time.

#12: NEKOMARU NIDAI

now don’t get me wrong: i have nothing but respect for the titties-out look. keeping the shirt unbuttoned all the way down to where the lapels of the jacket end? that’s sexy as hell. however, this flawless idea has a confusing execution. why emerald green and orange? what’s with the... long-sleeved printed (hawaiian?) shirt? why the red pocket square? and the jacket itself, while fitted perfectly along the chest and midsection, has a weird, unflattering scallop shape flaring out at the bottom. i want to like this fit, but there are just too many bad choices.

#13: HAJIME HINATA

oh, hajime... literally nothing about this ensemble is it. the creamy manila suit might have had potential if there were literally any color variation in the vest (or potentially shoes) to give it a little more shape, or even if you just went with a white shirt underneath it! i could get behind a light, off-monochrome look! but that leprechaun-green shirt is downright perplexing to me. it looks like a mistake! did you get dressed in the dark? did you spill something on your other shirt? this is a mess.

F TIER:

f tier is inexcusable. f tier should never have happened. how does it get this bad. who did this? who’s responsible for this?

#14: SONIA NEVERMIND

y’know, the colors are pretty! i dig the white and teal! but... girl... what the fuck is this construction. the ruffles are all over the place. the bodice looks like it has less fabric than space it needs to cover. the bottom half of the skirt looks like it was sewn on as an afterthought because the top half was too short for dress code. what’s with the weird choker collar detached from everything else. why is the hairband a slightly different shade of green. so many decisions were made here and none of them are flattering

#15: MAHIRU KOIZUMI

yknow, i like the idea behind this. i can see what you were going for! the dress on its own might have worked, even! but everything else about it is just... so ugly. what the fuck is happening with those shoes??? the sheer black tights aren’t the sexy OL look you think they are. the collar of the dress looks like it’s... braided for some reason??? those earrings are so huge for no payoff, statement jewelry with nothing to say, and worst of all... that headband. GIRL. that headband and that belt...... there’s nothing here. also i love orange but it’s not her color.

and finally... the worst.

#16: MIKAN TSUMIKI

what the fuck. what the fuck is this. this is straight up cheap rubber fetish gear. why is the HAT rubber? that skirt ruffle makes this look like fucking polly pocket clothes. why the fuck is she wearing that. the clothes are so bad that it makes her hair look like rubber too. was she dared to wear this? is this some cruel punishment? i don’t even know what to say. this is the worst possible outfit. there is not even one redeeming quality about it.

[flowerfan2]

A story about a reunion, and everything that happens afterwards.

Chapter 16/20 - Read on A03 here.

Patrick reads the email over again, just to make sure, then he runs out into the living room to tell David.

“I did it.”

David looks up from his spot on the couch, his black-framed glasses perched on his nose.  They’ve had a very sleepy Sunday morning, followed by a big breakfast of bacon and omelets, and David still hasn’t gotten around to putting in his contacts.  Patrick loves him like this.

“What did you do?”  David rises up from the couch, all grace and designer loungewear, and comes over to Patrick.

“I got a job.”  Patrick isn’t sure if what he is feeling is relief, excitement, or equal parts of both, but it feels amazing.

David smiles at him and pecks him on the cheek.  “Of course you did.”  He sits down on the couch and pats the cushion next to him.  “Sit down and tell me about it.”

“It’s just a consulting position, bookkeeping mostly, but for a company that works with start-ups and young entrepreneurs.  And it’s decent pay, more than I was expecting for this kind of thing.”

“That’s great,” David says.  “When do you start?”

“They want me right away.”  Patrick can feel his smile stretching his cheeks.  It’s the first time he’s felt anything but useless in so long, the way the people at this firm seemed to understand what he could bring to the table.  Patrick accepts another kiss from David, and then pops back up off the couch.  “I’m gonna call my parents.”

He goes into the bedroom and talks to his mom, then his dad, and then the conversation somehow gets derailed into a debate on whether buying new furniture for the lanai right now is a good idea or if they should stick with what they have for the time being.  Patrick kind of likes the idea of making David go shopping for patio furniture with him, so he’s voting for the former.  Finally they circle back to his job, his parents congratulate him again, and he gets off the phone.

He’s headed back to the living room, but pauses when he sees David in the guest room.  David has a black leather bag open on the bed and his sweaters folded in careful piles next to it.  Patrick’s stomach drops.

“David?  What – what are you doing?”  

David looks up.  He’s dressed in his favorite armor, glasses discarded in favor of contacts, a fuzzy black sweater over the black jeans with the rips in the knees.  “You said you were starting right away.  You didn’t say where, but I’m assuming Toronto-”

“Toronto?  Why would you assume Toronto?”

David’s face shutters further, and he turns back to his bag.  “I know I said I’d go anywhere with you, but I thought you might at least give me a heads up, discuss it a little bit, especially if it’s not Toronto.  I do have to deal with my apartment there at some point.”  David turns towards him, a hand on his hip.  “Do you even still want me to come with you?”

Patrick doesn’t know how this could have gone so horribly wrong, and he crosses to David, grabbing him by the shoulders.  “Stop packing.”

“You don’t want me to come with you?”  David’s voice is rising, and Patrick shakes his head.

“I’m not going anywhere.  We’re not going anywhere, not until we both decide we want to.”

“What on earth do you mean?”

“David, we’re not going anywhere.  I don’t have to <i>go</i> anywhere.  It’s a remote job.”

David stares at Patrick, and Patrick watches as he mentally replays the conversation they’ve had so far.  “You aren’t leaving?”

“No.”  Patrick sits down on the bed, David frowning at him as he knocks over a pile of sweaters, but sits down next to him anyway.  “It’s remote, part-time.  A consulting gig.  Varied schedule, but they think it’ll be about 20-25 hours a week, depending in part on how much their clients like me, and how well I can add value.  I may need to go to the Toronto office a few times a year, for meetings or something.  But I’m doing the job from home – from here, or wherever.”

David turns away, picking up his off-white hoodie and pretending to refold it, even though Patrick can tell he just needs something to do with his hands.  “You should have told me that,” David says, embarrassed.

“I know.  I’m sorry, I just got so excited.”  Patrick leans into David, rubbing a hand on his back.  “I’m sorry,” he says again, letting it sink in, letting David get his balance.  “I wouldn’t make any plans for us without talking it over with you.  I promise I wouldn’t.  My plans wouldn’t be any good without you.”

David’s eyes flicker to his and away, his hands still wrapped in the halfway folded sweater.  

“It’s true, David.”  Patrick puts his free hand on top of David’s, calming their restless movement.  “I don’t want any plans without you in them.  I haven’t even accepted the offer yet.”

“You haven’t?”  David turns back, searching his face.

“Nope.  I told them I had to talk it over with my boyfriend.”  Patrick’s taking a risk, throwing that word out there.  But David had done it first last time, and he doesn’t think there’s really any question that it applies.  He’s sort of glad that he hasn’t used it yet; there’s more of an impact now, when David clearly needs it.

David’s eyes go wide.  “You did?”

“I did.  So – what do you think?”

David shifts, and his demeanor softens, his walls coming back down.  “I think your <i>boyfriend</i> needs to know more.”  There’s a smile hidden in his cheek, an agreement.  Patrick wants to cheer.  David holds his gaze, and his smile escapes, mirroring Patrick’s own.  “And then you probably need to ask for more money.  There’s nothing wrong with asking for what you deserve.”

“You don’t even know what they offered me.”

“Whatever they offered, you’re worth more.”

******

Patrick gets up earlier than normal a few days later and shaves carefully, examining his face closely in the mirror.  He doesn’t look like someone who hasn’t worked in months.  He just looks like himself.  And when he presents himself to David for approval, David’s smile courses through his lips and into his cheeks, his hands dancing to Patrick’s shoulders, smoothing down the thin fabric of his favorite purple dress shirt.  He’s ready.

They set up an office of sorts for Patrick in the guest bedroom, shifting the bed to one side, moving a dresser out of the room and into the hallway, and arranging a table by the window.  Patrick decides that one of the dining table chairs will work for the time being, and David fusses with the curtains, concerned that the glare will make it hard to see his laptop screen.

Finally Patrick ushers David out of the guest room and logs in to a Zoom meeting for orientation.  It’s boring as hell, but he doesn’t complain.

It’s not as if he thought he was unemployable, it’s just that after his last job imploded so strangely, he wasn’t sure what it would be like to be an employee again.  And didn’t know if anyone would give him a chance to find out.  Turns out, Alexis was not only good at papering over his employment blips, she was awesome at pep talks and interview practice.  He makes a note to himself to call her soon and thank her.

That night they make sandwiches and eat them on the lanai.  It’s a little cool for it, but it still feels nice to be outside.  Patrick had his parents send him down some more clothes, but David scoffed at the idea of wearing a jacket.  Instead he’s got a throw blanket draped around his shoulders, a giant turquoise fleece wrap that clashes terribly with his otherwise neutral palette.

They get a series of texts from Stevie, photos of the house she’s buying in Schitt’s Creek.  It’s a three-bedroom ranch on a decent sized lot.  The interior looks like it hasn’t been updated in decades, with a pink bathroom and horrendous wallpaper in the bedrooms, but Stevie’s had plenty of experience updating décor at this point.

David teases her for a few minutes, riffing on how unbelievable it is that she’s adult enough to be a homeowner, but his heart doesn’t seem in it.  Patrick doesn’t tell him how Stevie has been saving for years, every bonus and raise going into an account for a down-payment.  

After their chat with Stevie, David seems out of sorts, and Patrick isn’t sure what to do about it.  After they’ve cleaned up from dinner, he suggests they play a game.

David gives him a frowny look, and Patrick immediately knows what he’s thinking.  Neither of them are in the mood for sex.  “Not that kind of game.  A card game, or a board game.”

David perks up at this, then deflates.  “We don’t have the right number of people for a board game.”

“I bet we can find something the two of us can play.  My parents have a pile of games in the hall closet.”

They pull down the basket of games from the shelf above the laundry machine, and David peers inside.  “Did they get these from a yard sale or something?”

There’s a worn box that contains a checkerboard, with both checkers and chess inside, a Connect Four game, a few decks of cards, and Uno.

“I think my aunt sent them down.”  Patrick takes out the Uno deck.  “How about this?”

David takes the whole basket into the living room and sets it on the coffee table.  He takes out the Connect Four game and pulls out the plastic frame, dropping a round tile into it.  “I had this game,” he says thoughtfully.

“I think everyone had that game.”

David dumps out the rest of the pieces, and a greeting card falls out.  It’s got a drawing of a bouquet of flowers on the front, with “Get Well Soon” in big letters.  “What’s this?”  David opens it and reads out loud.  “Marcy – hope this brings a little bit of fun to your day.  You’re in our prayers.  Love Susie and Pete.”

Patrick takes the card and reads it, his mind flashing back to last spring, flying down to see his parents.  His dad breaking down in tears on the car ride from the airport.  His mother telling him not to worry.

“Patrick?  Patrick, honey, what’s going on?”

David has his arm around him, and he’s pressed close to him on the couch.  Patrick brushes away the wetness on his cheeks, and David pulls him into a hug.  “Patrick, tell me what’s wrong.”

“It’s nothing.”

David glares at him.

“I mean, it turned out to be nothing.”  Patrick shakes himself and clears his throat.  “My mom had a cancer scare last spring.  They found a tumor in her breast.  But it was benign.”

“<i>This</i> doesn’t sound like it was benign.”  David waves the card at him.  “People don’t say <i>you’re in our prayers</I> when it’s benign.”

“She had a bad reaction to one of the drugs, during the surgery, and took a little while to recover.  She was laid up for a while, and pretty miserable.  But it wasn’t cancer.”

David’s eyes are wet, and he looks like he’s going to cry, too.  “She’s okay now?”

“She’s okay.”  Patrick leans against David, snuggling into his arms, and they both breathe together for a long moment.  “Oh god, I think that’s why I freaked out in the doctor’s office.”

David shifts to look at him.  “What do you mean?”

“As soon as I heard, I flew down here.  I went with my mom and dad to the doctor’s visits before her surgery.  I couldn’t stay long afterwards, I had to get back to work, but…” Patrick’s throat gets tight, remembering.  “It was awful.  We were all so frightened.”

David presses Patrick’s head against his own, his large hand against Patrick’s scalp warm and comforting.  Patrick can feel David’s chest rising and falling.  David’s taking deep breaths, he can tell, trying to stay calm.

“You said this happened last spring?” David says quietly.

“Yeah.”

“When things started to go wrong for you at work.”

Patrick tenses.  “My mom was in the hospital.  I think it’s understandable that I was having trouble focusing.”

“No, honey, of course.  That’s not what I meant.  Of course it is.  It’s just – you didn’t mention that before.  That being worried about your mom is what started to get you down.”

Patrick feels like he’s a cartoon character with a light bulb flashing over his head.  Could it be that simple?  Was worrying about his mom’s health, on top of his general dissatisfaction with where he had ended up in life, what pushed him over the edge into depression?  

David tightens his arm around Patrick’s shoulder.  “I’m so sorry, Patrick.  That that happened to your family.  It must have been a very scary thing to deal with.”

“It really was.”

“I’m so glad she’s okay.”

Patrick turns and buries his face in David’s neck.  “Me too.”

That night, after David falls asleep, Patrick turns to the internet.  He hadn’t wanted to do this before.  He’s not sure why, although he thinks it has a lot to do with denial.  But he can’t stop thinking about his mom, and how hard it had hit him when she was sick.  Gritting his teeth, he starts googling causes of depression.  Upsetting or stressful life events.  Death or illness in the family.  Job-related worries.  Huh.  Maybe he had good reason to feel like things were falling apart.  Maybe that’s why he lost the ability to care about his job.  Maybe he’s not doomed to fail at his new one, too.

Patrick scrolls to the email from the therapist he’s been talking to.  So far, it’s just been a few emails and a brief phone call, an introduction, to see if she seemed like a good fit.  She’s based out of Toronto, but has many patients that she counsels remotely, on Facetime or Zoom, and comes highly recommended.  With shaking hands, he types out a message, suggesting that they schedule a session soon.  “I think it started last spring…”

[be-ready-when-i-say-go]

I think it's illegal not to request this: wildflower with the bodacious calum hood

Thanks for the suggestion! I hope my interpretation isn’t too left field. 18+ Content (Smut) Please do not read if you are under 18, thank you!

Please stay safe during these uncertain times. Drop a sweet message to your favorite blogger. Reblog your favorite fic. Recommend a fic to me if you want! We need to spread some joy. 

If you feel so incline, here’s my Ko-fi. But please, for right now, know that I just want to provide content to help you all through these times. 

Enjoy my masterlist!

__________________________

Favorite Fantasy 

Let me put on a fashion show for you. The text is accompanied by a picture of a couple bags sitting on the edge of their shared bed. 

Calum grins, fingers tapping at the keys. I’ll be home soon. One more meeting. 

There’s no immediate response and Calum doesn’t think too much about it. He knows now that she’s back home from her small shopping adventure, she might be relaxing, or playing with Duke. Though Calum didn’t normally work this late on the weekends, he had to be in the studio for the Skype meeting. They were meeting a couple people about merchandise. The timing didn’t work out too well during the rest of the week and on a Friday evening was the first time it wasn’t a mess trying to get everyone near a computer. 

Regardless, after settling in thanks to letting the buffering sit for a solid five minutes, they are able to begin their meeting. Ashton taking the piss looks to Calum. “I guess we gotta make a bucket hat too.”

“Damn straight,” he returns, readjusting the one on his head. “Leopard print.”

“And a fucking pink vinyl,” Ashton tacks on. 

“We don’t know. Pink’s a hard color to pull off. We might not have enough to put a lot in production.”

The warning falls on defiant ears and as Ashton presses on that they need at least a limited edition run of pink vinyls, Calum feels his phone vibrating. He lets it shake for just a moment before slowly pulling his phone out of his pocket. 

You can say I’m impatient. It’s a series of videos that follow it. He shouldn’t press on the first one. Not just because he’s in a meeting but because if it’s particularly lewd, he’s leaving immediately. Instead, though, this one is tame. She struts in the bedroom, far enough from the camera that Calum can see the purple polish on her toes as he takes in the pastel mint sundress. It’s cute and he grins, biting his lips as he brings his attention back to the screen. 

He thanks the heavens he’s angled off to the side. He nods along to Michael’s comment and then scrolls without looking to bring up the second video. She’s dressed head to thigh in checkerboard print crop top and shorts. The shorts are definitely short he notes as she twirls in front of the camera. At the end, she leans into the lens, tongue sticking out with a peace sign. Her go to pose for photos. 

Underneath that is a photo. White sunglasses rest on the end of her nose and she’s still in the shorts and crop top outfit from the second video. Her lips are painted red. She throws up a peace sign with one hip cocked. Her eyes look over the edge of the glasses into the mirror. Calum does not miss Duke wondering around her feet. 

Calum’s quick to turn his attention back up and the conversation has flowed nicely since his distraction. He gives himself a couple more minutes, even throws out a quick comment. “New ideas for merch? I’ve been burning a lot of candles lately. Think we can put together one of those?”

Everyone nods in agreement and the conversation dials towards what kind of scent they want. But they just spitball some ideas, getting everyone’s input. Calum throws out a couple scent profiles at the beginning and then turns back to his phone. A third and final video and picture duo follow. His eyes see the text beneath it but they don’t focus on it before he taps on the video. She’s in just a simple white skirt and a denim drop top. 

He sees the peak of her thigh in the slit. He wants to witness that skirt in person. And just as he goes to respond to her videos he notices her hand creeping down. She runs the tips of her fingers over the edge of the slit before pulling the fabric away from her body. His breathe catches as the sight of the emerald green panties. Those are new. Definitely new. 

With his veins thumping against his skin and a small prickling of heat rushing his body, he continues to watch, gripping the phone a little harder. She grins, bottom lip tucked between her teeth and lets the skirt fall back into place. As she approaches the phone, she unbuttons the front of the shirt. A lacy and unlined bra stare back at him. Her nipples are erect, dark but still noticeable in the design of he lace. 

The video ends and Calum exhales harshly, snapping his head up again. No one seems to be watching as he gives a quick glance around. His blood thumps in his ears. You’re going to get it, he responds without looking at the keys and praying autocorrect saves his life for once instead of ruining it. If you’re not still in that last outfit when i get home, there will be words. 

The phone shakes in his hand. Of course. 

Calum can’t ignore the immediate bulge forming in his pants and he can’t ignore how hard it’s getting for him to breathe. But he can tell the meeting’s winding down. The bounce in his leg let’s him know that he’s not going to make it too much longer if they don’t call it quits for the day. 

As they inch towards another ten minutes of everyone droning on, Calum swears he’s going to explode. He’s waiting, praying for someone to call it done and soon, Andy chips in. “I think we all have our work cut out for us. Chat again in two weeks?”

With a sigh of relief, Calum finds the door as quick as he can without coming off rude. In the car, he thinks about calling. But no, he wants her to sweat it out. Just like he did. That’ll serve her right. As he rolls down the highway, watching the beach pass by, he curls his fingers around the steering wheel. Fuck, he can’t wait to get home to her. He had no idea lingerie was on the shopping list but if he had, he would’ve found a way out of that meeting. 

Cracking open the door to the house, Calum looks to the couch. Only Duke is on the couch and he gives his little man a kiss on the head after shutting the door and locking it. “Tell me, where’s mama dukes?”

“Over here.”

Perfectly backlight by the glass doors of to the backyard, she sits at the dining room table. There’s just enough light from the lamps that Calum can tell she is wearing the same outfit from the video. The front is still undone. The top of her thigh is exposed as she sits crossed legs thanks to the slit. A glass bottle rests on the table next to her glass. He’s sure what was in it, watching her down the last drops of it. 

“It was one more meeting,” Calum reprimands. The closer he gets the more the resolve breaks. Her breasts rise and fall so gently as she breathes. 

“I was bored,” she returns simply. 

Dropping his keys into the small basket nailed into the wall, one that she insisted on having so they didn’t have to play where are my keys game in the morning, Calum leans into the wall to watch her. Her lips are still painted red. From when she left this morning. The first time she’s properly put on makeup in a few days. “You were looking to get fucked,” Calum quips. 

“And if I was? What about it?”

Calum pulls the hat off his head, running a quick hand over the not quite curls length. He gives it a gentle toss, sliding onto the table in front of her. He’s kidding himself if he tries to say that he doesn’t love this side of her. When she’s coy about what she wants but not too subtle about it. He loves it when she makes a little game out of it. 

She blinks up at him but doesn’t crack. Her face remains neutral, the natural pout on her full lips taking over. God, they feel so good against his skin, wrapped around him. “I would say you know exactly how to get what you want.”

“Doesn’t look like it to me.” She uncrosses her legs, letting them fall open just a little. No panties. Calum groans at the sight and he can’t help but cross the room to her. God, he really does love this. 

When his hands slide around her waist, he pulls up and situates her right on the edge of the dining room table. Their kiss is soft. Almost like forbidden lovers knowing they can only steal a moments peace. He trails his lips down her neck, following the collar bone to the strap of the bra. He then grazes his teeth down her chest and pulls one of the cups down with his teeth. 

“Careful,” she hums as his lips suck at the supple skin. His tongue twirls around the bud. 

“I can afford to ruin this,” he mumbles. But he keeps the warning in mind before kneeling in front of her. His tongue is quick to take a swipe at her core. She tastes heavenly on his tongue. He hikes the ankle length skirt up and she holds it open for him. 

Her fingers are digging into his hair, at the nape of his neck as he continues to lap at her. He hums when she gives it a particularly hard tug in response to him. And they feed each other. His fingers dig into the meat of her thighs and he loves how soft she is against his palm. 

If he could relive this moment, hearing her whine and pant above him, he would. It’s all he dreams about. It’s all he wants. He flicks his tongue over her clit and she knows she can’t hold out for much longer. He’s pressing all her buttons and her body is buzzing. 

Calum doesn’t let up either. Not even as her breathe catches and she shouts above him. His chin and lips are soaked with her release. But he can’t stop. Not with the way she overflows. He could cum just from this. She doesn’t even need to touch him hardly before his body is so lit with need. 

“Now you can’t tell me that I don’t eat enough at the table,” he grins, winking up at her. 

She laughs but motions for him to stand. “That’s not what I meant by that. But I’ll absolutely fucking take it.” As she speaks, her hands are already finding the button on his pants. 

“Huh, could’ve fooled me,” he grins, his cheeks puffing up with the action. The grin disappears when her palm wraps up his length. He drops his head into the crook of her neck. 

“Didn’t you mention something about me and this dining room table when we first bough it?” The purchase wasn’t even a week ago either. He nods, unable to speak as she squeezes him. It’s firm pressure but not too hard. Just enough to make his head spin. “Oh I’m going to need words from you, baby boy.”

“Fuck,” he sighs and sinks his teeth into a small chunk of her flesh. He digs his fingers into her waist. It takes a moment to find his resolve and pull away. “I did mention something about you and this dining room table.”

“Remind me again what it was.”

Calum doesn’t need another warning before he slides her off the table and flips her skirt up. He takes a handful of each cheek before swatting her left one. She falls into the table with a whine. His fingers fall to her core, feeling her drip onto him. “Seems like it was a fantasy of yours too,” he hums.

She laughs, cheek resting into the cool wood. “Maybe.” She wiggles her ass for him just a little. He paints her right cheek with a heft swat. 

“You’re going to be a masterpiece when I’m done.” 

-H

[hometownrockstar]

hold on i wanted to gush about a bunch of my favorite outfit design things... i will put the long list under a cut so it doesnt take up too much space on yr dash :3

armored gauntlets where the palm and underside of the fingers arent armored so it just shows the black gloves

also i like it when the fingers on gauntlets r sharp... <3_<3

zig-zag edges to fabric (very obvious if u look at any of my designs lol)

collars... also high-necked shirts, usually underneath flared collars of a jacket

ARMOR THAT ISNT SILVER... so underrated! gold armor is really cool but also white armor, pink armor, blue armor!!!

capes, ESP when the inside of the cape is a different color from the outside

when a character with a white/light colored outfit gets a black/dark colored version (and vice versa)

thigh/knee-high boots where the edge like folds over the rest of the boot... u know what i mean

when the majority of the body is covered by the outfit except for a lil bit of skin... like when the neck and chest is covered but the collarbones show, or when a character has long gloves that end just a bit below the short sleeves

chaps

tassles, esp on the edge of a coat or cape

puffy sleeves with tight wrist-collar thingies!!!!!!

lil bows or ribbons tied around collars... so cute

smth going across or slightly above the chest, like a harness/belt strap connecting to shoulder armor or smth

see-through fabric... usually as veils but they can be cool as part of a dress or sleeve!

when a single part of the design is slightly glowy, like the underside of the hair or inside of the armor where it only glows through certain seams

"off-balanced" outfits, like where theyre wearing a big long-sleeved coat or smth, but they have on shorts underneath it!

big ass wizard collars >:))))))) bonus points if theyre not apart of the shirt and instead are connected to a cape

over-abundance of laces/belts/buckles that serve no real purpose, esp on the shoes

neck scarf/hankerchief :)

gloves in general, but i really like long gloves as well as short ones with big folded edges around the wrist :)

how do i word this... armor that has like holes in it, either like thin slivers of indentations or mesh armor that looks like fishnet almost! u get me? looks more visually interesting

horns... organic horns are cool but i also really like crowns/helmet bits that poke out like horns!

checkerboard/fishnet patterned fabric!!

tights that arent white colored... for some reason theyre not that common but they look so cool cause of that

asymmetrical outfits with like one sleeve missing or like one leg has a harness on it or smth!!!

[vino-and-doggos]

Duality, chapter 3

Read on AO3

Chapter Length: 3935 words (full length so far: 11,402)

Rated: E

Status: Incomplete (3/?)

Summary: Roy Mustang is a young man, dealing with his burgeoning sexuality, a difficulty alchemy teacher and his hard-set daughter, and a good-looking cadet that also likes quiche.

Shout out to @flourchildwrites for rewording and comma fixes. She’s kind of the best. (And she needs some love. Go read her stuff.)

Chapter 3: Antagony and Alchemy

Roy awoke with a start. Not a nightmare. Not his alarm shrieking. Just in an unfamiliar place.

He took a few deep breaths, trying to slow his racing heart. As soon as he started to calm down, however, he remembered that he had to meet with Master Hawkeye. Fuck. Was he late on his first day?

Roy scrambled out of bed, acutely aware that the taupe curtains on the four-poster were expelling small amounts of dust, as if indignant that they had been disturbed. Stumbling, he frantically pulled off his wrinkled pajama pants and glanced out the tallest of the windows in his room. Roy groaned, one foot still tangled in folds of fabric; the early light of day was just beginning to crack the horizon. Tendrils of pink-orange light had just started to seep through the crack in the curtains that matched the bedspread. In the pale gleam, the walls looked to be a sickly grey color - so unlike the deep, rich red of his room above the bar.

He briefly debated whether or not he should delay starting his day, but Roy’s bladder ached, demanding his full attention.

He re-situated his pants and stumbled into the hallway, wiping the sleep from his eyes. Roy was fairly certain that the bathroom was across the hall and to the left. He hesitantly approached and opened the door, and when he saw the cool blue tile, he was relieved - both physically and emotionally.

The young alchemist decided to make his way downstairs to poke around in the kitchen for some tea. As he descended the steps, he heard noise coming from the kitchen.

Roy attempted to sneak quietly down the hallway, approaching the kitchen with all the stealth of an excited labrador. He stood in the doorway for a moment, watching the mop of blonde hair move effortlessly around the kitchen.

“Was that really you attempting to be sneaky?” she asked, almost cruel humor evident in her voice. Miss Hawkeye hadn’t even turned around to speak to him. She just continued putting away dishes and checked on the kettle on the stove. Roy jumped at the sound of her voice.

“How did you know I was here?” he asked, almost out of reflex. At this question, Miss Hawkeye turned to look at him, a deadpan expression gracing her delicate features.

“Your footsteps are heavy, your clothes swish when you move, and I could hear you breathing.” Miss Hawkeye looked over her shoulder at him standing stunned in the doorway. “You might as well sit down. I’ll be starting breakfast in a few minutes.”

Roy slowly made his way to the small table and sat down, still regarding the back of the blonde’s head with a stupefied expression on his face. “How did you hear all of that?” There was so much noise as she continued cleaning - the clink of dishes against one another, the hiss of the gas at the stove, and the percussive sound of bubbles beginning to form as the water boiled all culminated in the quiet cacophony that was kitchen noise.

Inelegantly, Miss Hawkeye snorted. “Well, City Boy, the better question is how you think we get our meat here. I go hunting. You’d scare away a deer from five miles out with footsteps like those.”

“What’s wrong with a butcher shop?” Roy asked.

“Money,” Miss Hawkeye said shortly. “We’re not in the poorhouse, but why pay for meat when I can hunt it for the price of bullets? I do usually take it to the butcher for them to process it. He keeps the pelts as a fee.”

“Oh,” Roy intoned. He realized at that moment that he had never thought about where the goods he consumed came from. As he looked at the table in front of him, he heard Miss Hawkeye clear her throat.

“A vegetarian breakfast for you, then?” she said, not as unkindly as she had previously spoken to him, as she placed a cup of tea on the table in front of him.

Roy smiled sheepishly. “No, no, I’m sorry. I guess I just never thought about it before. Don’t feel like you have to cater to me! Thank you,” he said, nodding towards the teacup.

Miss Hawkeye raised an eyebrow at him and turned back to her task on the stove, now sizzling brightly with spicy-smelling meat in one pan and eggs in another. Roy sat and sipped his tea, oscillating between watching the girl bounce around the kitchen and taking in the rather spacious backyard through the window. As far as he could tell, the Hawkeye property extended to the tree line, a good fifty yards from the house.

Suddenly, his thoughts turned as he realized what an ungracious guest he was being. Aunt Chris would be ashamed. “Can I help you with anything?” Roy blurted, recognizing only after the words had escaped his mouth that Miss Hawkeye was putting a plate in front of him.

She looked down at his reddened face, a suspicious and questioning look marring her features. “No, not really,” she responded, a hard edge to her voice. “I’ll be right back.” With that, she dashed out of the kitchen carrying a tray with a covered plate, a teacup filled with liquid, and what Roy thought might be a sugar bowl.

He heard her ascend the stairs as he turned back to his breakfast, frowning at the short answer he received. The grimace was short-lived, however; Roy didn’t realize how hungry he was until he saw the food placed in front of him. He started to eat, still looking around and taking in his surroundings.

He hadn’t been in the kitchen last night. And it looked just like what he imagined a kitchen in a normal house would look like, he supposed. The kitchen at the bar was an industrial one, one designed to prepare food for a crowd of people all at once; Madam’s kitchen was cold, hard, and shiny. The Hawkeyes’ kitchen was more cozy, featuring a black cast iron stove along one wall and an intricately carved, coffee-colored buffet and hutch along the opposite wall. A checkerboard pattern adorned the floor.

The black and white pattern of the tile had just started to make Roy’s tired eyes dizzy when he heard Riza re-enter the kitchen.

“Do you ever get to eat breakfast with your father?” Roy casually asked.

“Sometimes,” Riza responded. “He usually sleeps in until the last minute, though. Up doing research,” she added, a hint of disdain tinting her voice.

Roy hummed in response. He chewed thoughtfully for a moment, taking in the flavor of the meat - maybe pork? - before asking another question.

“I don’t mean any offense by this Miss Hawkeye, so please don’t take it as such.” A pregnant pause filled the air as Roy debated on whether or not he should continue. Master Hawkeye’s frail frame wasn’t something he felt he could ignore. “Your father doesn’t look well. Has he been sick recently?”

Miss Hawkeye seemed to deflate slightly as she sat down at the table with a plate of food. She hesitated, as though considering whether or not to even say anything at all.

“Father fell ill about three years ago. It was the same sickness that… took mama… I mean, Mother. But Father got better.” Bitterly and quietly, she said, “At least I thought he got better.” She carefully schooled her face into what might pass as indifference, letting the implication hang in the air.

The boy floundered for a moment. Dead parents he could handle. He’d been handling that on his own behalf for just about as long as he could remember. But a parent dying slowly, life and death hanging in the balance right before the young man’s very eyes? What was he supposed to think or say or do? There was one thing Roy was positive of: there was no way, on any plane of existence, that Miss Riza Hawkeye would accept any form of sympathy from him. So, he went with the optimistic route.

Clearing his throat, Roy said, “I’m sure the heat yesterday didn’t help. He’ll probably fair better as the days get milder. He’ll be able to get some more strength back before the cold sets in.”

Miss Hawkeye nodded as she lifted a bite of food to her mouth; he noticed that she didn’t look convinced.

Roy stood, reflexively taking his breakfast dishes to the sink. He scrubbed his plate and utensils, followed by his teacup. Turning to the stove, he grabbed the cast iron pans. Before the young man had made his way back to the sink, however, Miss Hawkeye maneuvered into in his path.

“Stop cleaning. That’s not something you’re expected to do.” She looked him like an alchemist - comprehending, deconstructing, and reconstructing the bits and pieces of her father’s latest apprentice. However, her gaze held no curiosity. It was uncertainty.

“It might not be expected of me,” started Roy, “ but I live here now, too. I don’t expect you to clean up after me. I’ll be as much help as I can be around the house.”

Roy heard Miss Hawkeye scoff under her breath. “Are you sure you know how?” Her eyes flitted from the pans in his hands to the soapy water in the sink.

“I helped my aunt and sisters clean since I was pretty young. I think I can handle it,” the young alchemist responded frigidly.

He noted, with some pride, that Miss Hawkeye seemed taken aback. “Do you want me to help you finish the dishes?” he inquired, an air of chilliness still permeating his tone, though it had warmed significantly in comparison to his last statement.

“I’ll wash, you dry?” the blonde grudgingly suggested.

“Sounds like a plan,” Roy responded, astonished that she agreed at all.

She looked at the pans again and said, “First thing… cast iron pans don’t go in soap. Ever.”

They worked quickly in companionable, albeit slightly awkward, silence. As Roy finished drying and stacking the last dish, he turned to Miss Hawkeye.

“Look, I’m sorry,” he started. “The last twenty-four hours have just been really overwhelming for me. Me coming here has to really throw a wrench in, well, everything.”

“Apology accepted,” she said efficiently. “I didn’t mean to imply that you weren’t capable. I’ve done everything by myself for so long now that it’s just second nature.”

She didn’t actually apologize for her behavior, though, Roy noted. Not that it really matters, he thought.

“Thank you for breakfast, Miss Hawkeye.”

Eyebrows raised, she regarded the alchemist before her and hesitantly nodded.

She still doesn’t trust me. Although… Maybe this was a step in the right direction.

Just then, he heard the tell-tale sounds of movement in the bedroom above them. Realizing he only had about a half an hour before he was set to meet with Master Hawkeye, Roy excused himself to finish getting ready for the day.

He walked up the stairs contemplating the interesting meal he just shared with the youngest member of the household. Roy reached his room only to see the disheveled mess that he left the bed in as he rushed to get ready “on time” earlier.

The boy strode over to the bed with an air of determination. He straightened the sheets, comforter, and pillows and resolved that Miss Hawkeye would not be taking care of all of these chores by herself anymore. Stepping back and admiring the simple job, Roy smiled.

He approached his suitcase, resigned to unpacking later that day, and grabbed the first set of clothes he laid his hands on, and his toothbrush. He headed back towards the bathroom.

After washing his face, brushing his teeth, and changing into a new set of clothes, Roy felt ready and confident to tackle the day. He returned his belongings to his room and, glancing at the clock, realized he was due in Master Hawkeye’s study in only a few moments.

Stepping lightly, he made his way back down the stairs. My footsteps are not heavy, the apprentice thought. The young man took care to move in such a manner that wouldn’t make nearly as much sound.

Roy stopped in the doorway and found Master Hawkeye sitting at his desk.

“Well, come in. Let’s get started.”

The morning passed by either agonizingly slow or astonishingly fast depending on the mood of Master Hawkeye, and by the end of it, Roy had lost all sense of time. For hours, he remained in the center of the dimly lit study as Berthold paced the perimeter of his office. The young alchemist quickly learned to stand when answering Hawkeye’s questions and to sit and jot down what notes he possibly could when the learned man chose to lecture. Most of his notes were simply terms with “look up later” scrawled in nearly illegible writing beside it.

At times, Roy thought he was drowning; it seemed as though Master Hawkeye would question the propriety of an answer simply for the sake of doing so. Other moments, his teacher fell silent, shaky hands rummaging through the well-stocked bookshelves for a new book that he promptly tossed in Roy’s direction.

By the end of the morning, the aspiring alchemist had three more books to read, a task that would easily consume what was left of the day. Suddenly, he understood that his afternoons were not for rest or recklessness. He was expected to study - and study hard.

Around 2:00 in the afternoon, Roy and Master Hawkeye emerged from the study. The apprentice felt a hand clap him on the shoulder.

“Good work today, boy. I’m impressed with everything you managed to learn from the books alone,” the long-haired man pronounced.

Roy managed a weak smile and nod in his master’s direction. He was exhausted. And hungry. Breakfast with Miss Hawkeye seemed so far away. Master Hawkeye must have read his thoughts.

“I’ll bet there’s lunch prepared for us,” Hawkeye said as he used the hand on Roy’s shoulder to steer him towards the kitchen. Just as he suspected, there was a covered plate of sandwiches on the countertop waiting for them.

“Thank you,” Roy said meekly to the air, hoping that Miss Hawkeye would hear him, wherever she was.

After appetites had been sated, it seemed that Master Hawkeye’s daughter appeared from nowhere, only to disappear again, this time into the study with her father. While the small family converged, Roy returned to his room and unpacked his belongings. He barely managed to finish removing items from his suitcase before he heard the door to the study open and close again.

The apprentice noted that their meeting didn’t take long, but Roy couldn’t help but wonder what it was all about. He collapsed onto his bed with his notebook and pen and set out to write a letter to his aunt. He should probably let the Madam know that he made it safe and sound.

The months continued similarly. Every day, Roy would wake up and have breakfast with Miss Hawkeye. However, the conversation between the two youths remained stilted. No matter what he did, the little lady of the house refused to open up. Aunt Chris's letters counseled patience and persistence, and if there was one thing the Madam understood, it was a woman with a complicated past.

Keep trying, she wrote in her semi-regular correspondence. Her script, much like her advice, was bold and straightforward. Don't let her talk down to you, but never bite back. Little girls who were forced to grow up too fast are always too tough on the outside, Roy. Thankfully, I don't have to worry about you falling for her. William sends his regards.

After breakfast, Roy met with Master Hawkeye, and by 2:00 (but never before noon) they would break for lunch. Then, Miss Hawkeye entered the study for, what the young alchemist discovered, her own tutoring session. Roy scrambled each afternoon to complete the assigned reading. In between books, he attempted to rewrite the hastily-scrawled notes from that day’s lesson, as well as include anything that Master Hawkeye had stressed that he pay attention to during his reading. Evenings were dedicated to more shared meals between the youths of the house and leisure, though Roy would occasionally bring work that Master Hawkeye assigned. Miss Hawkeye preferred to complete her own schoolwork at the breakfast table after the meal had been cleared.

"So you're not studying alchemy with him after all. Just algebra and basic science?" Roy asked one morning over a piece of freshly baked bread. The loaf was dense, almost deflated, but he knew better than to complain. Miss Hawkeye chuckled sarcastically in response.

“I had to leave school when Mother got sick,” she said scornfully as her small fist curled into a ball. “So Father has continued to teach me.” A dark look crossed her face as her eyes traveled towards the door to Master Hawkeye’s study. Roy put another mental note in the “Master Hawkeye’s Daughter” folder: try to never be on the receiving end of that look.

The arrangement made sense when Roy stopped to think about it; if he had thought about it for more than a half a second his first night there, he probably would have made that conclusion on his own. How could Miss Hawkeye play housekeeper so well if she was also expected to attend school Monday through Friday? What he wasn’t expecting was the temper that came along with the answer or the edge to her voice that seethed with thinly-veiled disdain.

One mild November morning, Roy strolled into the kitchen and was shocked to see Master Hawkeye sitting at the kitchen table, sipping a cup of tea. The young alchemist suddenly felt like the air was sucked out of the room. Was he still wearing his pajamas? Fuck. He was definitely still wearing his pajamas. Just because Hawkeye could walk around in his lounge-abouts didn’t mean that his apprentice could.

“Good morning, sir,” Roy said, careful to keep his face nonchalant, thinking poker face, poker face, poker face. Master Hawkeye had just had a talk with him the previous week about how alchemists had to protect their secrets and their research; to do that, Roy needed to learn to not show every emotion that he felt across his face. Roy was still trying to figure out what kind of research his teacher had conducted, but in the meantime, it was all about learning what he could and gaining the trust of his superior.

“Good morning, Mister Mustang,” the master responded with a nod of approval.

Miss Hawkeye, as usual, was flitting about the kitchen, getting breakfast ready. She and Roy had fallen into a pleasant rhythm over the past few months, despite conversations between them still feeling about as warm as Briggs in the middle of January. Roy retrieved plates and utensils from the appropriate cabinets. He set them on the countertop beside the stove, waited for Miss Hawkeye to fill them with food, and then delivered them to the table.

He could feel the older man’s eyes on him as he went about the normal morning routine. Master Hawkeye’s eyes were still glued to the boy as Roy gently put a plate down in front of him. “Thank you,” he grumbled, eyes never leaving Roy.

“I didn’t really do much,” Roy hedged sheepishly. “All the credit should go to Miss Hawkeye.” Roy turned to Riza to see that she had stiffened, her back still to the table. The small smile faded from Roy’s face.

Master Hawkeye cleared his throat. “Thank you, Riza.”

“You’re welcome, Father,” she responded crisply. She turned and made her way to the table, carrying a teapot and other necessary accouterments.

The trio ate awkwardly in silence.

Silence around a meal table wasn’t something Roy was used to, given the bustle of the bar, the rowdiness of his sisters, and the general calamity of attempting to feed so many mouths all at once. Even at the Hawkeye’s house, meals shared between Miss Hawkeye and Roy were never silent, though they were generally less boisterous than the meals the boy grew up with.

The clink of silverware against plates and the occasional ting of a glass being set down slightly too hard seemed to reverberate around the room. The young man would give almost anything to be back at the bar where he never had to worry about silence around a meal. Anything except a quality alchemical education, he supposed.

Master Hawkeye finished his food first, stood from the table, and addressed Roy, breaking the silence. “When you’re done, we’ll get started for the day.” Roy watched him walk around the table and continue down the hallway into his study. The apprentice turned back to the table just in time to see Miss Hawkeye’s demeanor relax significantly.

“Is everything… Are you okay?” Roy asked hesitantly. All he got was a stiff nod in return.

Roy began gathering dishes and moved towards the sink as he usually did when he heard a small sound from behind him.

“I’m sorry, what?” he said.

“Don’t worry about the dishes today. I’ll take care of it,” Miss Hawkeye explained. “Go ahead and start your lesson.”

Roy shot her a confused look but did as she asked. He walked down the hallway and entered Berthold’s study, only to find Master Hawkeye sitting at his desk with steepled fingers, not unlike the first night Roy met the man.

“What are your intentions toward my daughter.” The sentence was phrased like a question, but spoken with the cold clarity of a statement that left Roy shivering.

“Nothing, sir,” he said honestly. “We talk over breakfast, sometimes discuss what we’re studying. Occasionally she’s recommended books to me, as I have done for her. But otherwise, we don’t really interact. And besides, it’s not like I would like her anyway, I have a boy- uh, I mean someone waiting back in Central,” Roy rushed through his quasi-rambling explanation.

This is it, he thought. I’m out. I’m done for.

Even though he managed to keep his face straight throughout his explanation, the beads of sweat rolling down his neck betrayed him. Hawkeye’s lessons in controlling his emotions were working for his facial expressions. Roy’s bodily reactions were harder to dominate.

A raised eyebrow dominated his master’s face for a few silent seconds. Then, to Roy’s shock, a toothy smile split Hawkeye’s face. It looked almost demented in the low light of the morning.

“Thank you for your honesty, boy. I appreciate that you’ve respected me by not attempting to cross any boundaries.”

Roy frowned internally at this. Miss Hawkeye was the one who said she wasn’t interested in being friends. He was respecting her, not Master Hawkeye.

“But you don’t have to isolate yourself. You two can be friends,” the older man continued.

Roy made a sarcastic sort of sound. “Maybe you should tell her that,” he muttered under his breath. He realized at the last second that was said a bit louder than he meant to. Roy looked up, the slight panic in his eyes meeting the calm expression of his master.

He chuckled again, and Roy could have sworn he heard him say, “Maybe I will.”

“Alright, Mister Mustang. Let’s get started for the day. If you remember, I had you read and review Alchemic Transmutations of Water. Mercury is commonly associated with water in alchemy. What is the alchemical symbol that we use to denote water?”

“An upside-down triangle,” Roy answered confidently.

Master Hawkeye’s lips quirked up. “Correct. Now, explain why.”

[myfacesockseu]

Spice Up Your Manhood With Socks

MyFaceSocksEUCustom socks have become a fun and personalized alternative to ordinary socks. Design a stylish pair for yourself, or share a creative pair with a friend! Socks can be used as a means of expression or for therapeutic purposes. For years, face socks have been used for healing and comfort by indigenous tribes of the Amazon rainforest. They are specifically knitted and designed for the unique shape of a person's face. These specialty socks provide an extra layer of warmth and moisture, as well as holding in moisture so that your feet remain cool.

These socks are crafted using 100% pure organic cotton and natural fibers such as cashmere, nylon, and wool. Face socks have taken the fashion world by storm since they were first introduced in 2021. The face sock is made by hand to ensure that each sock is made from the most delicate and natural fibers available.

The face sock is created using short lengths of natural fibers such as cotton, wool, and nylon. It is then finished with hand stitching. Many face socks have asymmetrical shapes, which create an illusion of a wider face, making it appear more attractive. To achieve this effect, the sock is cut a certain way so that the face appears to come together in one smooth plane.

The sock is also carefully sewn to the curves of the face. Unlike regular foot skin, face skin is very thin. Therefore, face socks must be made using the finest and most luxurious fabrics available. Many celebrities have personally worn face socks, including Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Nicole Ritchie, and Paris Hilton. Because they create such a fashion statement, they are now considered the must have accessory for the fall season.

Asymmetrical face shapes can make any man or woman look more attractive. Unfortunately, having to wear foot skin and face blended together can be extremely unattractive. However, by wearing face socks, the face will come together in one smooth plane, uniting the two main areas that most need to look good together - face and feet. These face socks provide a new and unique way to add interest to either the upper or lower halves of one's face. Wearing face socks can add subtle interest to the nose, chin, or the area below the eyes, which can help balance out the face and reduce the appearance of a long, nose pointed towards the floor.

For men, the face sock is a great way to add something unique and interesting to the outfit of the man who is more adventurous in terms of fashion. Pairing your man's adventurous persona with a bold and masculine print on his pants is a fantastic idea. Pairing a colorful and eye-catching scarf with dark washed trousers in a darker hue such as black, brown, or charcoal can give him just the right touch of interest to draw people's attention to his unique features. While traditional loafers or dress shoes are still fashionable for men, they can do a lot more than just make your legs look longer.

Men can also add flair to men's shoes by wearing socks with contrasting colors. Black shoes with navy or black socks can create an impressive effect. For a more casual feel, socks come in all colors, from neon pink to bright red. The classic black-and-white checkerboard pattern is always a great choice, and it never fails to compliment the man's look.

If you want to stand out from the crowd but don't want to wear clothing that will draw too much attention to your body, the face sock is a great alternative. The colorful patterns and unusual designs will speak volumes about you while still keeping people's attention on your face. There are many different types of socks available to choose from, and the key is to find the one that suits your manhood and face. You don't have to spend a lot of money on expensive clothing to impress the woman of your dreams at MyFaceSocksEU. Socks can be stylish without costing a fortune.

[anisanews]

A Tour Through The 2021 Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach

The living room by Kentucky-based Benjamin Deaton is full of color and p[attern

Nickolas Sargent

The fourth annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Palm Beach is all about color, pattern, whimsey, drama and personality. If we follow the lead of the 20 designers whose work is showcased in the 4,400 square foot Mediterranean villa located at 7417 South Flagler Drive, we will reach for saturated color, big patterns, wallpaper and fabrics that are scalloped, fringed and tasseled. Lighting fixtures will be the dramatic jewels to a room’s décor; floors and ceilings will be fifth and sixth walls, to be decorated with as much abandon as the four walls enclosing a room.

The Show House is open to the public April 8- May 9, 2021. Due to the Corona virus, this year’s Show House is a hybrid event, offering both first-hand and virtual experiences. For those visiting in person, the Show House is implementing precautions to protect participating designers and guests, including limiting the number of attendees. Admission tickets will be sold for specific dates and times to ensure that guest count allows for ample social distancing. In addition, all guests and employees of the house will be required to wear masks and health screenings will be conducted for all staff, as well as increased cleaning and sanitation throughout the house. 

Entering by way of Palm Beach-based Fernando Wong’s Hollywood-inspired front motor court and pool terrace, we step into a two-story foyer, staircase and hallway designed to evoke a Colonial hothouse by Casa Gusto of West Palm Beach. Vines wreathe along the walls between ceramics, and colorful mosaics frame antique botanicals.

The living room by Kentucky’s Benjamin Deaton has azure walls, a chocolate lacquered fireplace mantel and an inviting bar. Lorna Gross, a DC-based designer, made the dining room lush with a décor based on a gorgeous silk rug populated by whimsical, colorful critters. A step to the rear courtyard and garden is hardly a step down: SMI Landscape Architecture, a local firm, pays homage to the historic Palm Beach slat house of the Hotel Royal Poinciana with teal vine-patterned lattice, a pebble mosaic koi pond, a limestone and gravel checkerboard floor, potted maho trees and, hung on the walls, masses of yellow orchids.

The primary bedroom nods to the Palm Beach location

Nickolas Sargent

The kitchen designed by Atlanta-based Mark Williams is the only neutral room in the house. With traditional tiled walls, white oak cabinets and marble-hued Consentino countertops, the room has a horizontal orientation that makes for a sense of luxurious calm and ease.

A dramatic, botanicals-inspired bedroom

Nickolas Sargent

Laundry meets luxury in the utility room, reached via a pair of custom walnut and brass barn doors. HW Interiors installed a dramatic onyx floor backlit with LED bulbs, an extravagant counterpoint to the very practical dog shower. Another small space with huge impact is the powder room designed by Atlanta-based Forbes+Masters, where gray marble-like tiles tinged with pink and cream line the walls.

New York City’s Mikel Walsh created a primitive, modern family room furnished with his own Cradle Chairs and crowned with a tasseled chandelier. Next door, the vestibule leading from the public family room to the private bedroom is called “Flock Hall” by designer Harry Heissmann, also of NYC. 

Afro-chic glam in a closet by Nicole White

Nickolas Sargent

The primary bedroom, by Courtney Giles of Atlanta, is all about the Palm Beach location with palm tree wallpaper and a beachy vibe. The primary bathroom was designed by Miami-based Nicole White with dark, moody colors; the adjoining closet showcases Afro-chic glam with dramatic art and lighting. 

A tropical bathroom in blue

Nickolas Sargent

The guest bedroom by local design firm Kemble Interiors is a stunner with larger-than-life hand-painted flora and fauna on the walls and a metal bed that mimics a bougainvillea vine. No less colorful and dramatic, the adjoining guest bath and closet by Ontario-based Alexandra Naranjo is a symphony of blues and tropical vegetation. Another guest room evokes a modern European sensibility as interpreted by Houston designer Nina Magon. A guest suite by Amy Morris of Atlanta has a bed placed in a corner and a pale blue painted floor. Westchester-based Brittany Bromley treated another guest room to hand painted scenic wallpaper and classic French elements. The adjoining bathroom is drama itself, mirrored with Mercury glass.

Mally Skok’s cheerful upstairs sitting room

Nickolas Sargent

A second-floor seating area is lively and sunny, yet serene. Massachusetts designer Mally Skok, who is also a fabric and wallpaper designer, lined the walls with her latest botanically-based wall covering, while the ceiling and trim wear a sunny shade of terra cotta. 

The house is blessed with a number of outdoor spaces, including a loggia off the guest bedrooms designed by Atlanta-based Anna Braund and featuring a custom banquette, as well as an awning-covered balcony designed to evoke Caribbean chickee huts by Ellen Kavanaugh of Palm Beach.

Tickets for the Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach must be purchased on line at www.kipsbaydecoratorshowhouse.org/palmbeach. General admission hours are Monday through Sunday,10a.m.-4p.m. All proceeds will benefit Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club in the Bronx, New York and Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, who together serve 20,000 youth, ages six through 18.

from Anisa News https://ift.tt/3s4mrVU

[architectnews]

Mountain View House, London

Mountain View House, London Building Extension, Residential Architecture Images

Mountain View House in London

5 Mar 2021

Mountain View House

Design: CAN

Location: London, UK

London-based architecture studio CAN has radically transformed an Edwardian semi-detached house into a colourful family home topped with staged mountain scenery.

Taking cues from theatre sets, geography, a fake Disneyland mountain and an Edwardian bread plate, Mountain View was designed by CAN Director Mat Barnes for his young family.

The unusual idea of the mountain roof came to Barnes after coming across images of the Matterhorn Bobsleds ride at Disneyland during its construction; a surreal mountain top aloft a skeletal frame.

“I loved the idea of elevating this heavy mountain on an unfeasibly thin structure”. Mat Barnes, Director, CAN.

From the street, the two-storey building blends neatly amongst the neighbouring red brick houses, with the distinct design details reserved for the interiors and unique rear extension.

The house opens gradually, moving from dark to light like walking from the shadows of the wings onto the theatre stage. Visitors are greeted by a long hallway and monochromatic, striking blue lounge with Soanian-like architectural fragments arranged as sculptures on the walls. The fireplace is the only fixed item left untouched by the deep blue hue, which covers the walls, ceiling, and floors.

A bright hallway progressively widens and steps down into the East-facing, open kitchen and dining area. Two waist-height kitchen benches made of recycled chopping boards and milk bottle tops anchor the room, designed to accentuate the huge 3.4m ceiling height of the open plan space.

“We alternated the colours of the cabinet doors to keep the eye moving up; we didn’t want the kitchen benches to stretch the space horizontally. We kept the bench height uniform because we didn’t want any high level cabinets encroaching on the space. The height of the room brings us such joy. It feels somewhat grand or cavernous, with the variety of materials bringing texture and an unexpected warmth.” – Mat Barnes, Director, CAN.

The space continues to unfold into the rear extension, with a small step leading through the partially demolished brick wall of the old house into a living area of exposed steel, timber and glass. Beside the dining area is a small window seat-cum-hallway that enjoys views to both the side passage courtyard and large rear garden.

The purposely expressed steel beams above the living area nod to high-tech architecture and the lighting rigs of theatres. Mountain View also draws on geographic and topographical themes. Structural columns are painted to mirror red and white ranging poles and a foamed aluminium mountain cut-out sits atop the new extension. The steel beams, ranging poles, and partially ruined brick wall all add to a sense of the surreal, while the floor to ceiling glazing opens the home into the garden.

CAN have cleverly intersected materials, finishes, shapes and colours throughout to create highly textural and tactile spaces.

“We’re surrounded by so many colours and textures in the outside world that to me it feels natural to bring many different patterns and fabrics inside too”. Mat Barnes, Director, CAN.

Upstairs, CAN added an extra bedroom and bathroom to the floorplan, cleverly remodelling the home to be comfortable for a growing family. In contrast to the vibrant ground floor, the clean white walls lining the pastel staircase begin to relax the occupants as they climb up to bathe or sleep. The bedrooms and hall are intentionally neutral to provide a sense of calm and quiet. The ceiling of the hallway has been left open with structural timber beams painted in pastel blue and pink, allowing plenty of light to filter in.

The bathroom is the only upstairs space where pattern reigns. When demolishing the existing house, the owners found a blue checkerboard tiled hearth at one of the old fireplaces. Not wanting to erase the history of the Edwardian semi entirely, CAN used similar tiles in the bathroom, broken only by a large window, black and white fixtures, and a tangerine ceiling.

“Our back garden faces east, and this lovely dappled light comes all the way up the hall in the mornings. It’s a lovely house to live in, for the kids to play in, and for us to enjoy. It is also great to hear our daughter tell everyone she has a mountain on top of her house!” Mat Barnes, Director, CAN.

What was the project’s biggest challenge? Because we were expecting our second child in June 2020 (10 months after purchasing the house) I had to compress the design process and overlap stages (i.e construction detailing before receiving planning permission) where normally the design and ideas would have time to develop. This meant making a lot of design decisions on site without leaving time to mull them over. I think this resulted in more daring decisions (material and colour wise) because there wasn’t the opportunity to talk ourselves out of it. All of this compression turned out to be futile as the pandemic put pay to us moving in before the baby arrived. It delayed the installation of the glass doors by 4 months.

What was your original brief? Were you already living in the house and just decided to expand? We were offered the chance to buy the house through a private sale. A very lucky occurrence where the house had been inherited by a distant relative of the elderly couple that had owned it, who lived abroad and wanted to offload it as quickly as possible. This meant we got the house at a knockdown price, affording us the opportunity to renovate so we moved in after purchasing it in August 2019 and started pre-construction work immediately. It was in an almost derelict state. All of the walls had rising damp, the windows leaked and there was no heating. The ceiling of the hallway actually collapsed whilst we were living there. Although pretty horrendous to live there with a young child, moving in for a time helped us to see what we wanted from the renovation.

The practical brief: – Create an extra bedroom – Bring light into the upstairs landing – Replace the windows – Insulate – New services throughout – Rationalise the myriad of small rooms downstairs – Create an open plan kitchen and dining space – Create a connection to the garden

The emotional brief: – Making the most of the view of the garden and trees – Visually connecting the front and back of the house (GF) – Bringing light into the heart of the house – Creating spaces with different feelings for different uses (dark/historic living room vs light maximalist kitchen/extension) – Use the project to test out materials and ideas – Instead of a ‘stage set for living’ more ‘living under the stage set’

What are the main materials used? Worktop and kitchen fronts: Recycled chopping boards and milk bottle tops – supplier: Smile Plastics – Made by Harry Lawson and I Survey Point Encaustic Tiles: CDJackfield Terrazzo Floor: Inopera Floor tiles in hallway: Grestec Wall tiles to extension: Grestec Bathroom Tiles: Grestec Dining Table top: Vlaze Dining Table legs : custom rubber rock by CAN Mountain Parapet foamed aluminium: Alusion by Cymat Glass sliding doors: Fineline Aluminium Casement windows: Velfac Paint: Dulux Dining Room wall : Roughcast render

Where did the ‘mountain’ idea come from? The Mountain. Whilst researching another project we came across images of the Matterhorn Bobsleds ride at Disneyland during its construction; a surreal mountain top aloft a skeletal frame. This idea fitted perfectly with what we were trying to achieve at Mountain View; a ‘heavy’ roof to emphasise the fragility/slenderness of the exposed structure below. Unlike Disneyland’s Matterhorn, it felt more fitting to emphasise the fakeness of it all and distort the scale resulting in a flat billboard mountain range. The mountain is made from a super lightweight foamed aluminium which was waterjet cut before being mounted on a steel subframe. Once we had the mountain form, themes of landscape (dining table as lake, dining area/concrete wall as cave) and surveying the landscape (ranging pole columns, survey marker tiles) developed from there.

Is it difficult being your own client, as opposed to designing for an external client? Designing for yourself has the benefit of endless possibility and fewer constraints (except budget), and I had lots of big ideas. In a way my wife served the client role, tempering ideas that were too impractical or downright absurd but we still had to make the final decisions together and that was the hardest part. I find it much harder designing for yourself because you have to live in your decisions (and/or mistakes) and be reminded of them everyday! When designing for a client the final decision of whatever it might be (finish/concept/material/cost) lies with them.

What other Design References? The crumbling walls leading to the extension reference the dealers flat in Trainspotting. There is a central wall in the flat; crumbling and held up by steel props to emphasise the dereliction and decay of the flat and the characters addictions. I thought it was a perfect way to retain a bit of the feeling or memory of the state we found the house in and also retain a memory of its construction. The crumbling walls and steel props give the impression that it may not be finished/is falling apart. The steel columns next to the crumbling walls are actually fake and purely used as a compositional device to better frame the view of the garden and give the impression of weight above.

The Waste Not Want Not inscription on the stairs to the kitchen reference a Breadplate designed by A.W Pugin, the gothic architect who designed the Houses of Parliament. It also happened to be my grandma’s favourite phrase and an obvious reminder of the way we should live today.

The name of the project ‘Mountain View’ somewhat obviously references the Mountain but I liked the idea that usually when a house is called ‘Mountain View’ the house has a view onto some mountains whereas in this case the house is in the Mountain.

What role do colour and pattern play in your architecture? My early education and career was centred around the idea that white walls and almost invisible textures were “good taste” and that’s what architects did. Somehow the white walls and concrete floors of the art gallery had leached into people’s ideas of what a ‘good taste’ home should be. Architecture living in the background etc. But by choosing texture, colour or pattern, architectural elements can possess their own character and bring up feelings and memories in just the same way as art and food can. Why choose a white plastered wall when there are endless more interesting material options that can bring feeling and emotional responses/memories, textures and changes to a space.

Mountain View House Extension in London

Design: London

Project size: 150 sqm Site size: 375 sqm Project Budget: $220000 Completion date: 2020 Building levels: 2

Structural Engineer: Hardman Structural Engineers Main Contractor: Catalin London Ltd.

Photography: Jim Stephenson

Mountain View House, London images / information received 050321

Location: London, England, UK

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Buildings / photos for the Mountain View House, London page welcome

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[kentonramsey]

Forget Gingham, Checkerboard Is Our New Favourite Print

Move over spring-ready gingham, there's a new print in town and it's bolder than its saccharine pastel-hued predecessor. Checkerboard has emerged as the coolest pattern on our Instagram feed of late, popping up everywhere from interiors to beauty as well as our wardrobes. Our love affair with the chess-inspired print started in our teens, when any emo and skater worth their salt owned a pair of classic Vans checkerboard slip-ons, but in the later 2010s the pattern lost its shine. Unable to compete with the resurgence of florals, it was relegated to vinyl flooring in kitchens and bathrooms. The print synonymous with punk suddenly became naff. Fast-forward to the catwalks of SS20, though, and checkerboard sprung up at shows from Milan to New York. A seriously dreamy colourway of chocolate and blush was seen on silky skirts at Vivienne Westwood, while Gucci served up an utterly perfect shell-printed orange and cream checkerboard two-piece. Lanvin's sherbet yellow and duck egg blue ankle-grazing dress was a springtime delight, and Marques'Almeida's blue and red circle skirt with matching long-sleeved top proved that head-to-toe checkerboard should absolutely be braved. Over on Instagram, we're spying checkerboard manicures in pastel hues and ceramic vases and bedspreads in the bold pattern, too. Brands like TL 180, Lisa Says Gah and Holiday the Label are leading the charge but you can find the fresh print across the high street and beyond. Our rule of thumb? Clash those prints!

Make a maximalist impact with clashing colourways.

Lazy Oaf Mr. Lazy Check Fitted T-Shirt, $, available at Lazy Oaf

ASOS Marketplace Vintage Patchwork Leather Skirt, $, available at asos marketplace

Out From Under Markie Checkerboard Cami, $, available at Urban Outfitters

Vans Chef Checkered Trousers, $, available at asos marketplace

Baggu Green Checkerboard Standard Reusable Bag, $, available at Atterley

Match your home to your wardrobe with graphic prints on trousers and plant pots.

rflctve Blue Checkered Loose Pants, $, available at asos marketplace

Holiday Kokomo Pants Check Olive Green, $, available at Holiday

Vans Classic Slip-On Green Ash and True White Trainers, $, available at Atterley

MSGM Straight Leg Two Tone Jeans, $, available at Farfetch

Fendi Vintage Y2K Checkerboard Fabric Mini Tote, $, available at asos marketplace

Who said socks were boring? They've become the star of the show in lockdown, so make yours graphic.

MSGM Checkered Print Denim Skirt, $, available at Farfetch

Comme des Garçons Checkered Wallet, $, available at Eraldo

Dreaming London Checkerboard Mesh Top, $, available at asos marketplace

Louis Vuitton 2001 Tiger Mini Bag, $, available at Farfetch

Calvin Klein Checkerboard A-line Mini Skirt, $, available at Calvin Klein

Go for motocross checkerboard on your outerwear.

TL-180 Alice Knitted Damier Sweater, $, available at TL-180

Dreaming London Blue Checkerboard Mini Skirt, $, available at asos marketplace

Solid and Striped Redone Checker One Piece Swimsuit, $, available at LUISAVIAROMA

rflctve Checkboard Long Sleeve Sheer Top, $, available at asos marketplace

Hosiery got interested last year and this pink and white check is top of our list.

Vans Checkerboard Crew II Socks, $, available at Vans

MSGM Checker Joggers, $, available at Tessuti

Saint Laurent Checkerboard Print Denim Skirt, $, available at Matches Fashion

New Girl Order High Neck Crop Top In Checkerboard, $, available at ASOS

Checkerboard pyjamas, matching floors and a face mask is our lockdown mood board.

Off-White Checkerboard Leggings, $, available at Farfetch

Marc Jacobs Black & White Logo Checkered Fleece Jacket, $, available at SSENSE

Miu Miu Checkered Detail Shirt, $, available at MODES

Rosetta Getty Checkerboard Cardigan, $, available at Liberty London

The pattern doesn't have to be straight up like a chess board. Go for something more psychedelic, like this knit.

Stine Goya Leor Checkerboard Long Sleeve T-Shirt, $, available at Moda Operandi

ASOS DESIGN Fluffy Checkerboard Jumper, $, available at ASOS

Miu Miu Checkerboard Mohair-Blend Sweater, $, available at Matches Fashion

Urban Classics Denim Jacket, $, available at Zalando

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

7 Socks & Sandals Pairings For Lockdown Comfort

We've Fallen Back In Love With Leggings

Linen Is Our Unofficial Lockdown Uniform

Forget Gingham, Checkerboard Is Our New Favourite Print published first on https://mariakistler.tumblr.com/