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Scottish Sun
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I've given my dated house an ‘Architectural Digest' level renovation – but people are baffled by the sellers' request
Scroll down to discover the house renovations to add value to your property HOUSE THAT I've given my dated house an 'Architectural Digest' level renovation – but people are baffled by the sellers' request Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A WOMAN has left the internet baffled after buying a dated house. Jaci Smith, from the US, had purchased the home, but the previous owners begged her not to change a thing. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Jaci gave her new house an update despite the previous owners begging her not to Credit: tiktok/@jacimariesmith 2 People were baffled when they saw what the house looked like when she moved in Credit: tiktok/@jacimariesmith The young woman took to social media after she was told not to transform the property she had just bought. Some might assume the house must be of historical relevance or decorated lavishly to make the previous owners not want it to be changed. But Jaci showed that wasn't the case when she shared a picture of the bathroom. She said: "I post about the fact that the previous owners of the house we bought were begging us not to renovate the house, not to make any changes to it. "Number one, I think people assume it's rage bait. I wish it was number two, I think people also assume that the house that we bought is like a mid-century gem a house with so much historical character and that we are just these heartless people like ripping away this house." But Jaci showed that was definitely not the case. An image of the bathroom when they first moved in showed just how outdated and messy it looked. The loo and sink were covered in white, chunky wooden storage units that made the room outdated. The large storage units only cluttered the space, while a cheap mirror was hung above the sink. The bathtub was a chunky plastic white bath, with a showerhead hanging above. Shoppers urged 'not to blink' and get their hands on Home Bargains garden essential that sold out fast last time and it makes your garden extra cute - TikTok homebargainsofficialuk But now, Jaci showed how they had renovated the space. She ripped out the entire bathroom, swapping the once pink painted walls for an incredible blue tile with a marble effect. The chunky white bathtub had been gutted out and swapped for a luxury pink marble bathtub with gold finishing. She also made a built-in shelf into the wall by the bathtub to add extra storage. Jaci's transformation video went viral on TikTok @jacimariesmith with over 2 million views. People were stunned the previous owners were against the house being renovated, and were in awe of Jaci's new bathroom. One person wrote: "The new bathroom belongs in Architectural Digest." Another commented: 'My immediate assumption: There's something hidden in the walls/floors." "As someone who does real estate settlements for a living. So many people are like this. And it is in fact, wild.," penned a third. Home upgrades that add the most value to a house The best renovation to add value totally depends on your property, the local market and your potential buyers. Zoopla shared a list of upgrades that will instantly add value to your home. Loft conversion - increase of 15% Off-street parking - adds £50,000 to property price New kitchen - increase of 15% Garage conversion - increase of 15% Cellar or basement conversion - increase of 10-15% Open plan living space - increase of 3-5% New bathroom - increase of 3-5% Meanwhile a fourth said: "That's crazy! Those are like 90's style rental bathrooms lol." "My brain went straight to... ooh well it's haunted. They were looking out for you,' claimed a fifth. Someone else added: 'That new bathroom reveal! I thought that was from a magazine GORGEOUS." Fabulous will pay for your exclusive stories. Just email: fabulousdigital@ and pop EXCLUSIVE in the subject line.
The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I've given my dated house an ‘Architectural Digest' level renovation – but people are baffled by the sellers' request
A WOMAN has left the internet baffled after buying a dated house. Jaci Smith, from the US, had purchased the home, but the previous owners begged her not to change a thing. Advertisement 2 Jaci gave her new house an update despite the previous owners begging her not to Credit: tiktok/@jacimariesmith 2 People were baffled when they saw what the house looked like when she moved in Credit: tiktok/@jacimariesmith The young woman took to social media after she was told not to transform the property she had just bought. Some might assume the house must be of historical relevance or decorated lavishly to make the previous owners not want it to be changed. But Jaci showed that wasn't the case when she shared a picture of the She said: "I post about the fact that the previous owners of the house we bought were begging us not to renovate the house, not to make any changes to it. Advertisement READ MORE ON HOMES "Number one, I think people assume it's rage bait. I wish it was number two, I think people also assume that the house that we bought is like a mid-century gem a house with so much historical character and that we are just these heartless people like ripping away this house." But Jaci showed that was definitely not the case. An image of the bathroom when they first moved in showed just how outdated and messy it looked. The loo and sink were covered in white, chunky wooden storage units that made the room outdated. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous The large storage units only cluttered the space, while a cheap mirror was hung above the sink. The bathtub was a chunky plastic white bath, with a showerhead hanging above. Shoppers urged 'not to blink' and get their hands on Home Bargains garden essential that sold out fast last time and it makes your garden extra cute - TikTok homebargainsofficialuk But now, Jaci showed how they had renovated the space. She ripped out the entire bathroom, swapping the once pink painted walls for an incredible blue tile with a marble effect. Advertisement The chunky white bathtub had been gutted out and swapped for a luxury pink marble bathtub with gold finishing. She also made a built-in shelf into the wall by the bathtub to add extra storage. Jaci's transformation video went viral on TikTok @ People were stunned the previous owners were against the house being renovated, and were in awe of Jaci's new bathroom. Advertisement One person wrote: "The new bathroom belongs in Architectural Digest." Another commented: 'My immediate assumption: There's something hidden in the walls/floors." "As someone who does real estate settlements for a living. So many people are like this. And it is in fact, wild.," penned a third. Home upgrades that add the most value to a house The best renovation to add value totally depends on your property, the local market and your potential buyers. Loft conversion - increase of 15% Off-street parking - adds £50,000 to property price New kitchen - increase of 15% Garage conversion - increase of 15% Cellar or basement conversion - increase of 10-15% Open plan living space - increase of 3-5% New bathroom - increase of 3-5% Meanwhile a fourth said: "That's crazy! Those are like 90's style rental bathrooms lol." Advertisement "My brain went straight to... ooh well it's haunted. They were looking out for you,' claimed a fifth. Someone else added: 'That new bathroom reveal! I thought that was from a magazine GORGEOUS." Fabulous will pay for your exclusive stories. Just email: fabulousdigital@ and pop EXCLUSIVE in the subject line .
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Prime and Rare Estate On Approximately Four Acres
Situated in one of the most prestigious locations in Bel Air, this prime and rare estate sits on approximately four acres, surrounded by majestic mature trees that provide exquisite privacy. Built in 1935 and featured in Architectural Digest in 1938, this English country estate has belonged to the same family for decades. Behind a gate and driveway, the expanse of the property is significant. The surrounding manicured gardens lead to a large pool that is positioned perfectly for sun exposure and a lovely pool house. Beyond the pool and gardens sits an enormous lighted tennis court – a perfect spot for a match or entertaining on a large scale. A rarity to find and an opportunity not to be missed. Location: 1021 Stone Canyon Road, Bel Air 90077 Asking Price: $23,850,000 Living Area: 6,326 square feet, 7 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms Features: Rarely does an opportunity come along to acquire one of the last remaining proper Bel Air estates. Pure character, extraordinary bones, approximately 4 acres of expansive grounds, a large tennis court, and in close proximity to the Hotel Bel-Air. Contact: Carolwood Estates Lisa Optican310.351.6646loptican@ 01960751
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Inside Hugh Jackman's Breathtaking Real Estate Portfolio amid Divorce from Deborra-lee Furness
Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness's divorce comes with a bevy of impressive assets that will be divided up among the spouses of nearly three decades. Furness, 69, officially filed for divorce from Jackman, 56, on May 23, nearly two years after they first announced their split in 2023. As of Friday, May 30, the pair are awaiting a judge's signoff to finalize their nearly $400 million settlement. Throughout their marriage, the former couple occupied properties around the world, including in the U.S., U.K. and their native Australia. At present, their high-ticket homes include a two-story apartment in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood, a penthouse overlooking Bondi Beach in Sydney and a waterfront home in the Hamptons. Jackman and Furness purchased their impressive downtown Manhattan abode for about $21 million in 2022, just a year before announcing their split, according to Architectural Digest. The penthouse apartment comes in at nearly 5,000 square feet spread across two floors, plus another 3,700 square feet of outdoor space — the ultimate N.Y.C luxury. It's located near the Hudson River in a starchitect-designed building in an area that is well known for its eye-catching facades and famous tenants. Recently Jackman has been spending much of his time in New York, where he is currently juggling two gigs on stage, starring in an Off-Broadway show, Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes, and a concert series at Radio City Music Hall, called From New York, With Love. Jackman and Furness have bought, sold and rented numerous apartments and homes around Sydney since they first met on the set of an Australian TV series in 1995 and married the following year. Their most recent acquisition appears to be an ultra-modern condo overlooking the city's famous Bondi Beach. They paid a reported $6 million for the three-bedroom, two-bathroom spread in 2016, per AD. Jackman is regularly spotted making the most of the property's stunning seaside setting. In December 2024, he was photographed after having taken a summer dip in the ocean wearing a pair of blue-and-white patterned drawstring board shorts. Long before buying their current house, Jackman, Furness and their two children, son Oscar and daughter Ava, were already regular visitors to the world-famous stretch of sand. The one home the former couple shared with the world is their modernist Hamptons hideaway, which was published in an AD feature in November 2021. Jackman and Furness purchased an empty 2.5-acre waterfront plot for $3.5 million in 2015 and spent the next six years building a custom Long Island retreat with three bedrooms, five bathrooms, a guest house and access to a private beach. Furness called the place her "dream home,' sharing, "It's like, bucket list, tick it off. I've done it, and I loved it.' Jackman also praised his then-wife's decorating prowess. 'Because of Deb's design, it brings us all together," he told the outlet. Still, in 2023, the same year they announced their separation, they chose to list the house for rent for the entire summer, rather than use it themselves. The asking price was $166,000 per month, the New York Post reported at the time. They reportedly picked up an impressive London pied-a-terre in 2021, according to the Post, though at the time the property was not even complete, and it's not known whether they moved in. Another N.Y.C. property's status is also currently unknown: the three-story West Village penthouse the couple purchased for a reported $21 million in 2008. Their primary family home for many years, the 11,000 square foot property had five bedrooms, including a full-floor primary suite at the top. They listed it for sale for $39 million in 2022, but it remains unclear if the property has sold, per AD. Read the original article on People
Entrepreneur
3 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
How a Firefighter's 'Hidden' Side Hustle Led to $22M in Revenue
This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Jeremy Barker, 50, of Ogden, Utah. Barker was working as a firefighter and paramedic when he started his company, Murphy Door, which sells "hidden" home furnishings, including bookcase doors and Murphy beds. Responses have been edited for length and clarity. Image Credit: Courtesy of Murphy Door. Jeremy Barker. Want to read more stories like this? Subscribe to Money Makers, our free newsletter packed with creative side hustle ideas and successful strategies. Sign up here. When did you start your side hustle, and where did you find the inspiration for it? I started Murphy Door in December 2012 while I was still working as a firefighter. The inspiration came from wanting to build a home theater for my kids, which sparked the idea for hidden storage solutions. I believed I could change how the biggest hardware stores approached storage solutions and create a new category in the market. Related: She Started a Creative Side Hustle While Working 'Dead-End' Jobs — Then Grew It From $10,000 to Over $50,000 a Month: '[It] Became Magnetic' What did those early side-hustling days look like? I kept Murphy Door as a side hustle while working in fire services. In 2012, our first year in business, we only made $30,000, but I kept pushing forward. The real breakthrough came when I took the business online in 2013 and got advice from Architectural Digest to think beyond just hidden doors and focus on multifunctional storage solutions, turning wall space into functional storage rather than just secret compartments. Image Credit: Courtesy of Murphy Door Are there any free or paid resources that have been especially helpful for you in starting and running this business? I have some amazing mentors that I've worked with: Don Blohm (operations), John Porter (human capital coach), Brandon Dawson (business systems) and Grant Cardone (sales training). But honestly, the best mentor we could have is our customers. I also believe young entrepreneurs should actively seek out mentors — most successful business people want to help. If you could go back in your business journey and change one process or approach, what would it be, and how do you wish you'd done it differently? I wish I had better banking support early on. Utah needs a better banking system — banks are quick to say no, but don't tell you how to get to yes. I faced bankruptcy twice, once in my early 20s, then the next time in my 30s; better financial guidance could have saved me a lot of headaches. When it comes to this specific business, what is something you've found particularly challenging and/or surprising that people who get into this type of work should be prepared for, but likely aren't? Manufacturing equipment lead times can really slow you down. Our German equipment has 6-12 month lead times, which makes the ability to forecast demand with manufacturing capacity accurately a must; it is also why it makes expansion challenging. Balancing creativity with practicality [is also challenging] — you need to ensure innovations are feasible, cost-effective and meet genuine needs. Can you recall a specific instance when something went very wrong? How did you fix it? In the early days of Murphy Door, my team showcased our hidden doors for panic rooms at a major trade show. We soon realized that although the product was intriguing, it catered to a limited market. This realization led to the broader concept of hidden storage doors, which had mass appeal. The lesson? Embrace feedback, no matter how unexpected, and be prepared to adapt. Related: She Quit Her Job at Trader Joe's After Starting a Side Hustle With $800 — Then She and Her Brother Grew the Business to $20 Million How long did it take you to see consistent monthly revenue? How much did the side hustle earn? It took about four years to see consistent revenue that I could rely on. I started Murphy Door in 2012 while still working as a firefighter, and in our first year, we only made $30,000. I kept it as a side hustle, reinvesting everything back into the business. The real turning point came in 2016 when we hit a $5 million revenue trend: That's when I finally felt confident enough to leave firefighting and take my first paycheck from the company. So it was a four-year journey of building it nights and weekends while maintaining my day job for financial stability. Image Credit: Courtesy of Murphy Door What does growth and revenue look like now? The growth has been incredible, especially since Covid. We entered Covid with $7 million in revenue and then saw explosive growth: $7 million to $14 million to $22 million. We're currently maintaining 70% year-over-year growth, which makes us the fastest-growing mill department in the U.S. We now have 102 employees across multiple manufacturing facilities: our headquarters in Ogden, Utah, a plant in Kentucky, and we're opening a third plant in Plano, Texas, at the end of the year. Our reach has been massive — we've had over one billion organic views on social media and have completed 200,000 unique installations. We've worked on high-profile projects, including for Lionsgate and Only Murders in the Building, done unique build-outs for celebrities and athletes, and collaborated with a Grammy-winning artist. What do you enjoy most about running this business? I love the innovation rush of creating something new and watching it succeed. It's about proving you can build something significant, creating jobs in America and competing with anyone in the world while solving real problems for people. The combination of innovation, impact and building something lasting — that's what gets me up every morning. Related: This 34-Year-Old Was 'Wildly Un-Passionate' About His Day Job, So He Started a 9-Figure Side Hustle: 'Be an Animal' Build fast, break faster, then refine. Too many entrepreneurs wait until something is perfect. That's a death sentence. I believe in rapid prototyping and getting a version out, then fixing it based on real feedback. With Murphy Ladder, we didn't wait for perfection — we built a working prototype , then tested it in the real world. What we learned in the field made the final product strong enough to win awards.
