Latest news with #Parada
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
9 Wood Finishes That Are Dating Your Home, And How To Update The Look
Wood is one of the most enduring and beloved materials in home design, but just like paint colors and tile choices, certain wood finishes can quickly fall out of fashion. In this House Digest exclusive, top designers reveal which wood finishes are dating your home and how to update the look. Whether it's overly glossy floors or orange oak cabinets, the wrong finish can make your home feel stuck in another decade, even if the bones are beautiful. It's not just about color, either — the sheen of a finish can influence how current (or outdated!) a space can feel. Today's most inviting interiors have texture and finishes that feel warm and natural, not overly processed or polished. The good news is you don't have to start from scratch. With the right updates, like some light sanding or a simple stain change, you can breathe new life into dated wood surfaces and create a more modern feel throughout your home. Whether you're planning a full renovation or just want to refresh a few key pieces, our experts' advice will help you make confident choices that keep your home feeling fresh and timeless. Read more: 12 Once-Popular Kitchen Trends That Won't Be Coming Back Anytime Soon Both high gloss finishes and lighter woods like maple were once quite popular in the 1990s and early aughts. "High-gloss maple was once a go-to for sleek, modern interiors — especially in kitchens and open-plan spaces," Lisbeth Parada, color & design lead at Minwax, shares exclusively with House Digest about the favorites of this time. However, having them in your home today doesn't quite work, as Parada explains that modern design prefers a warmer, deeper feel. "The yellow undertones and ultra-shiny finish can feel cold and out of step with current design trends," she explains. If you have high-gloss light maple cabinets or panels in your home, you don't need to rip them all out to successfully modernize the space. To correct the wood's color, she suggests an easy DIY staining project to deepen the wood's tone instead. Using Minwax Wood Finish in Espresso or Dark Walnut can completely refresh its appearance, lending it a contemporary, luxurious feel. "For those who still love a glossy finish, the right polyurethane topcoat can deliver that luxe shine — just in a much more contemporary context." She continues, "Think sleek walnut cabinetry or high-gloss espresso floors that feel tailored and architectural, not dated." The Minwax Helmsman Water Based Spar Urethane is a great place to start for just the right amount of gloss. If you live in modern suburbia, it's likely that you have a touch of orangey oak finish somewhere in your house. "This orange-toned, 'builder-grade' favorite of the late '90s and early 2000s was often found in kitchens and on staircases," Parada shares. Oak has a natural, honey-like tone to it, but during this period of design, many builders likely also exaggerated this warm tone with orange-tinted finishes to create a cozier space — or so they thought. Yet, its appeal hasn't held up. "Today, it can make interiors feel dated and overly traditional," she continues. Thankfully, to bring your home into the modern era, it doesn't take much. "Refinish with a modern and more neutral shade such as Minwax Wood Finish in Weathered Oak for a soft, contemporary feel," she says. This creates a similar coziness, without the overwhelmingly cheap look that too much orange on natural wood can sometimes create. "If replacement isn't in the budget, balance it with muted tones like soft sage, charcoal, or creamy white to reduce the visual impact," award-winning interior designer Kathleen Jennison, founder and principal of KTJ Design Co., adds. Sherwin-Williams Soft Sage, Westchester Gray, and Creamy White all work as great starting options. You can also incorporate these colors into textiles as well, like curtains, hand towels, or even throw pillows. If you don't want your home to look more like an old-fashioned Olive Garden, or straight out of a design show from the 1990s, it's time to move on from heavy, distressed faux-antique finishes. "This finish was trendy during the farmhouse and Tuscan design booms, but now can feel overly busy or inauthentic, especially when factory-applied," Parada says. "In addition, white-washed or gray-washed wood finishes, which were also trendy with the farmhouse aesthetic, can be seen as lacking warmth." Yet, fans of the modern farmhouse style don't need to worry — you can simply implement a few modern updates. Luckily, many of these upgrades are DIY-friendly, and it won't take you more than a weekend to make the swap. "Sand down some of the artificial distressing and opt for a cleaner, hand-applied finish using a subtle stain shade like Minwax Wood Finish in Driftwood," she continues. The SKIL 5" Random Orbital Sander is an easy pick to remove the old veneer. If you don't want to purchase one, a sander is also one of the tools you can rent from stores like Lowe's. By sanding, Parada shares that you can highlight the wood's natural grain, giving it a more polished, updated appearance. She also recommends using a matte polyurethane finish, like Minwax Polycrylic Protective Wood Finish, to complete the look. You couldn't go anywhere 20 years ago without seeing this wood finish. "Often found in oversized dining sets and 'executive' home offices, high-gloss red mahogany exudes a sense of formality that feels out of step with today's more relaxed, layered sensibility," Rachel Blindauer, interior & product designer at Rachel Blindauer, shares in a House Digest exclusive. "It tends to absorb light and feel heavy — even when surrounded by more modern elements." Think bulky desks, large vanities, or even massive, multi-level entertainment cabinets — this furniture takes up a lot of room and the deep wooden color makes it unmissable. So, how do you fix it? First, try refinishing it. "Tone down the gloss. Consider a professional matte recoat or a tinted wax finish to reduce the red and soften the glare," she says. The Minwax Natural Paste Finishing Wax can be good for this. Next, "surround the piece with textural upholstery (bouclé, washed linen) and abstract art to introduce contrast and lightness," she says. You can DIY a bouclé chair for your office, for example. If neither option works for you, you can always "paint it out in off-black or deep charcoal for a chic, transitional vibe," Jennison adds. For this, Sherwin-Williams Black Magic is a good place to start. If you bought a new home about 20 years ago, it's very likely you have espresso-stained cabinets. "Espresso wood cabinetry had its moment in mid-2000s kitchens and bathrooms, but the deep, nearly black stain can now feel overly slick and one-note — especially in spaces that lack natural light," Blindauer warns House Digest readers. What once felt sophisticated, can now come across as dated and heavy-handed. Instead, today's homeowners are favoring lighter, more natural finishes that open up the space and showcase the wood's grain. Luckily, if you're a fan of the darker stain, or you don't want to refinish all of your cabinets, there is another way to refresh the look into something a touch more modern. "Swap out harsh chrome hardware for aged brass, add a creamy zellige tile backsplash, or incorporate warm metals and soft textiles nearby," she continues. The COTYKILEY Antique Brass Kitchen Cabinet Handles will do the trick, as will the Franklin Brass Solid Bar Cabinet Handles. After the swap, if you want something more substantial, handmade zellige tile is becoming more and more popular due to its inherent individuality and patina. It has an old-world look, which ironically fits perfectly with more modern tastes. "If refinishing is on the table, opt for natural walnut tones — still rich, but more nuanced and current," Blindauer continues. For this, Minwax Polyshades in Antique Walnut might fit the bill. There's retro charm, and then there's design that feels stuck in the past, and knotty pine often falls into the latter. "Knotty pine paneling screams 'vintage ski lodge,' but not in the chic, Instagrammable way," Blindauer says. "The color and busy grain often overwhelm a space and make it feel cramped or nostalgic for the wrong reasons." Even in houses where classic old-fashioned touches might work, knotty pine can still make the room look less appealing. Its strong wood pattern and old-fashioned color often take over the space instead of working nicely with other decor. This makes it difficult to create rooms that feel both warm and modern at the same time. To update the finish, Blindauer recommends making it markedly less orange as a great first step. "Whitewashing or limewashing can preserve the texture while neutralizing the orange," she says. Interior whitewashing to lighten up your home is becoming increasingly popular. Minwax Color Wash in White Wash is an easy-to-use option. However, if you don't like the whitewashed look and would prefer to cover things up completely, painting is also an option. "In some cases, painting the walls a creamy neutral and keeping the ceiling pine can create a Scandinavian-meets-Americana warmth," she continues. "Let it breathe, don't let it dominate." For some designers, cabinets that match the banisters that match the wall panels might sound like a dream. But this is quickly becoming a major indicator that your space is out of date. "When the floors match the cabinets match the furniture, the room begins to feel more like a showroom than a home," Blindauer says of the trend. Unlike the Japandi style, which still has warmth in its tone and plenty of different textures, these matching sets feel bland and flat. "This was popular in the early 2000s, but today's interiors thrive on intentional contrast and visual layers," she continues. If your home is stuck in the past, the best thing to make it modern is to introduce variety. "Break it up," Blindauer suggests. "Keep the flooring, but paint or refinish cabinetry in a complementary tone." Just make sure that when you're choosing a new wood tone, it's not another one on this same list of outdated options. Next, Blindauer suggests introducing other textures to the space to keep the eye moving. "Leather, cane, painted finishes, or upholstery — to shift the room from coordinated to curated," she says. With just a few updates, even the most dated spaces can feel refreshed and intentional. If you're really feeling stuck, often throwing a few treasured antique items in the mix can give a room real character. Millennials love grey, but like many trends that were once everywhere, it's now quickly falling out of fashion. "Grey wood finishes had a major moment in the 2010s, but now give off 'quick flip' energy," Courtney Batten, founder and lead interior designer at Paige Studio, warns House Digest readers exclusively. "Grey is often a choice homeowners made when they want something that feels 'modern,' but it usually comes off as lacking in depth and feeling very synthetic." Much like chevron patterns or even subway tile, the ashy tone of gray that was once everywhere is now too tied to a specific era. So, it's time to move on. Yet, many still do love the overall vibe that the subtlety of gray brings to a space. If you're someone who wants to stay away from lighter finishes, Batten still has suggestions for a few alternates. "If you're looking for something darker and moodier, I suggest going with a deep, cool toned brown for a more timeless look," she says. For the best chance at getting these colors naturally, try ash, maple, or even pine. "If you're after that light and modern feel, opt for a natural or clear coat white oak instead, it will feel fresh, organic, and the minimal staining means it will wear beautifully over time," Batten continues. Look for wood tones that show off natural grain. This will bring warmth to the space, rather than trying to force a "modern" look with gray stain. Overly glossy finishes might seem like the easiest way to keep things looking polished, but they can actually have the opposite effect. "High shine wood, especially on floors, can quickly date a space. It can feel very stuffy and traditional at a time when home trends are leaning into a more effortless feel," Batten says. Plus, high-gloss finishes also tend to show every scratch and speck of dust, especially in high-traffic areas. If you have a busy home, it might not be the best fit for you anyway, regardless of whether or not it's in style. If you're updating flooring or cabinetry, consider dialing back the shine. Satin or matte finishes offer a softer, more modern look without sacrificing practicality. "I prefer satin finishes for cleanability that gives you just enough shine that you can wipe it down but not so much that it feels high maintenance," she continues. These sheens are also a touch more forgiving and easier to maintain. If you're working with existing wood that feels too shiny, consider using a light sanding and applying a new topcoat in a lower sheen to tone it down. Enjoyed this article? Get expert home tips, DIY guides, and design inspiration by signing up to the House Digest newsletter! Read the original article on House Digest.
Hans India
18 hours ago
- Hans India
Google's Gemini AI Now Powers Robots Without Internet Access
New Delhi: In a major leap for edge robotics, Google DeepMind has introduced Gemini Robotics On-Device, a new AI model that enables robots to function without needing an internet connection. This development brings greater autonomy, speed, and data privacy to real-world robotics, especially in locations where connectivity is limited or restricted. Carolina Parada, head of robotics at Google DeepMind, described the release as a practical shift toward making robots more independent. 'It's small and efficient enough to run directly on a robot,' she told The Verge. 'I would think about it as a starter model or as a model for applications that just have poor connectivity.' Despite being a more compact version of its cloud-based predecessor, the on-device variant is surprisingly robust. 'We're actually quite surprised at how strong this on-device model is,' Parada added, pointing to its effectiveness even with minimal training. The model can perform tasks almost immediately after deployment and requires only 50 to 100 demonstrations to learn new ones. Initially developed using Google's ALOHA robot, it has since been adapted to other robotic systems including Apptronik's Apollo humanoid and the dual-armed Franka FR3. Tasks such as folding laundry or unzipping bags can now be executed entirely on-device, without latency caused by cloud interaction. This is a key differentiator compared to other advanced systems like Tesla's Optimus, which still rely on cloud connectivity for processing. The local processing aspect is a highlight for sectors that prioritize data security, such as healthcare or sensitive industrial settings. 'When we play with the robots, we see that they're surprisingly capable of understanding a new situation,' Parada noted, emphasizing the model's flexibility and adaptability. However, Google acknowledges some trade-offs. Unlike the cloud-based Gemini Robotics suite, the on-device model lacks built-in semantic safety tools. Developers are encouraged to implement safety mechanisms independently, using APIs like Gemini Live and integrating with low-level robotic safety systems. 'With the full Gemini Robotics, you are connecting to a model that is reasoning about what is safe to do, period,' said Parada. This announcement follows Google's recent launch of the AI Edge Gallery, an Android-based app that lets users run generative AI models offline using the compact Gemma 3 1B model. Much like Gemini Robotics On-Device, this app focuses on privacy-first, low-latency experiences using frameworks like TensorFlow Lite and open-source models from Hugging Face. Together, these launches signal Google's broader move to decentralize AI, bringing high-performance intelligence directly to user devices—be it phones or robots.
India Today
19 hours ago
- India Today
Google's new Gemini AI can power robots and make them work without internet
Google DeepMind has launched a new version of its Gemini Robotics AI model that allows robots to operate entirely without internet access. Called Gemini Robotics On-Device, the system is designed to power robots in real-world settings where speed, autonomy, and privacy are crucial. This update marks a significant shift from earlier models that relied on cloud connectivity. By enabling robots to process information and make decisions on the device itself, Google hopes to make robotics more practical in offline environments such as remote areas, secure facilities, and latency-sensitive small and efficient enough to run directly on a robot,' said Carolina Parada, head of robotics at Google DeepMind, in a statement to The Verge. 'I would think about it as a starter model or as a model for applications that just have poor connectivity.'Despite being a smaller variant, the on-device version holds its own. 'We're actually quite surprised at how strong this on-device model is,' Parada Robotics On-Device brings several new features to the table. The model can carry out tasks straight out of the box and learn new ones from as few as 50 to 100 demonstrations. The model was initially trained using Google's ALOHA robot, but it has since been successfully adapted for use with other robotic systems, such as Apptronik's Apollo humanoid and the dual-armed Franka Google says that it can perform detailed actions such as folding clothes or unzipping bags, all while running low-latency inference perspective, Tesla's humanoid robot, Optimus, can also do all those things – folding a t-shirt, boiling an egg, dancing, etc – but it needs an internet connection to send data to cloud servers. However, in the case of Gemini Robotics On-Device, a standout feature is that all data is processed locally. That makes it particularly useful for privacy-sensitive applications, such as healthcare and industrial automation, where data security is a concern.'When we play with the robots, we see that they're surprisingly capable of understanding a new situation,' said Parada, highlighting the model's flexibility and the system does not rely on the cloud, it also keeps functioning in places with weak or no connectivity, making it highly reliable. 'It's drawing from Gemini's multimodal world understanding in order to do a completely new task,' Parada unlike the cloud-based hybrid version, the on-device model does not include built-in semantic safety tools. Google recommends that developers implement their own safety systems, including using Gemini Live APIs and connecting to low-level safety the full Gemini Robotics, you are connecting to a model that is reasoning about what is safe to do, period,' said launch comes shortly after Google introduced the AI Edge Gallery, an Android app that lets users run AI models offline on their smartphones. Powered by the compact Gemma 3 1B model, the app allows users to generate images, write text, and interact with AI tools directly on their devices – no internet like Gemini Robotics On-Device, AI Edge Gallery focuses on privacy and low-latency performance. It uses open-source models from platforms like Hugging Face and technologies like TensorFlow Lite to ensure smooth experiences across a range of devices.- Ends
Scoop
2 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Latest Trawl Bycatch Numbers "A Grim Wake-Up Call"
The latest fisheries bycatch data paints a grim picture, with trawlers hauling up thousands of kilograms of coral and killing hundreds of fur seals and seabirds over a 12 month period. The bycatch deaths include 108 Salvin's albatross, which are at high risk of extinction. The figures from the Ministry for Primary Industries reveal that from April 2024 to March 2025, the New Zealand bottom trawling fleet dragged up over 8,300kg of protected coral, which is crucial to deep sea habitats and supports a huge range of ocean the same one-year period, 1092 seabirds, including 395 albatross, were killed by trawlers. Of those, 108 were Salvin's albatross, a middle-sized mollyhawk which are listed as "nationally critical," meaning they face an immediate high risk of extinction. The primary threat to Salvin's is industrial fishing. Just over 270 mammals also died in trawl nets. This included 25 dolphins and 239 fur seals, which are already dying in unusual numbers due to starvation, as climate change and industrial fishing put pressure on their food these figures are self-reported interactions with protected species made by fishers to MPI. Greenpeace oceans campaigner Juan Parada calls these figures "an urgent wake-up call". "The New Zealand bottom trawling industry is one of the greatest threats to ocean health. Year after year, the trawling fleet bulldozes ocean ecosystems, threatens already endangered species and smashes vital coral habitats which take centuries to form", says Parada"And while the seafood industry keeps insisting that such destruction is rare, the data shows otherwise. From the corals of the deep to the dolphins, fur seals and albatross that die as collateral damage in trawl nets every year, the cost of bottom trawling is too high. "The government can no longer be complicit in the devastation this industry is inflicting on the oceans. We need an immediate ban on bottom trawling on seamounts and vulnerable areas, as well as a commitment to establish marine sanctuaries on the high seas before it's too late." "New Zealanders care deeply about the ocean and want to see it thrive. Bottom trawling is a major threat to healthy oceans, and it is time New Zealand finally abandoned this indefensible, archaic practice." Bottom trawling is a destructive and indiscriminate fishing method that involves dragging large, heavy nets along the seafloor and over seamounts to catch fish.
Scoop
21-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Greenpeace Analysis Reveals Almost Half A Million Blue Sharks Caught As ‘bycatch' In Central And Western Pacific In 2023
Press Release – Greenpeace The international waters between New Zealand and Australia are globally renowned precisely because of the range and variety of ocean life that lives there, from deep sea corals growing on seamounts to sharks, seabirds and migrating whales. A new analysis of the latest fisheries data by Greenpeace Australia Pacific has revealed widespread slaughter of sharks in the Pacific Ocean by industrial longline fishers. The analysis estimates that almost half a million blue sharks were caught as bycatch in the region in 2023, the highest number in recorded history since 1991. Greenpeace estimates that around 438,500 near-threatened blue sharks, almost 50 million kilograms, were caught as bycatch in the region in 2023 from Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WFCPFC) data. The figure is double the 2015 numbers. The analysis of shark bycatch data also revealed that the Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea areas between New Zealand and Australia had some of the highest rates of birds caught on fishing lines – 13% of bycatch from longliners were seabirds like albatross. Greenpeace Aotearoa oceans campaigner Juan Parada says, 'This rampant destruction of critical ocean life in the high seas between New Zealand and Australia highlights the urgent need for international cooperation to protect the oceans.' 'The Tasman Sea faces multiple threats from industrial fishing. We've recently seen firsthand the destruction caused by bottom trawlers in a similar area of the high seas, where we witnessed graveyards of destroyed coral. Now we see that almost half a million blue sharks were unnecessarily killed in the West and Central Pacific in 2023. That's so many sharks that if stacked nose to tail, they would reach the International Space Station and back. 'The international waters between New Zealand and Australia are globally renowned precisely because of the range and variety of ocean life that lives there, from deep sea corals growing on seamounts to sharks, seabirds and migrating whales. 'It's such a significant place that Greenpeace and allies are calling for it to be one of the world's first global ocean sanctuaries and it must be protected from longlining and bottom trawling so ocean life can thrive,' says Parada. In October last year a New Zealand bottom trawler, t he Tasman Viking, pulled up several types of deep-sea coral while trawling in international waters of the Tasman Sea. The incident happened on Lord Howe Rise, a region renowned for diverse marine life including corals, sponges, whales and seabirds. Parada says, 'While some countries are working constructively towards protecting the high seas, New Zealand is actively blocking meaningful ocean protection. Shockingly New Zealand is the only country still bottom trawling these waters. 'To protect the Tasman Sea, New Zealand must stop bottom trawling and get on with helping to create global ocean sanctuaries so all the life that lives there can thrive.' Scientists agree that to help stave off the worst of the climate crisis at least 30% of the world's oceans must be protected from industrial harm by 2030. Creating global ocean sanctuaries in international waters like the Tasman Sea, those areas outside of any one country's jurisdiction, will play a crucial role in achieving this goal. In 2023 the world won the Global Ocean Treaty, which provides the legal framework for these sanctuaries, but first it must be passed into law. Parada says, 'Now is the time for cooperation in ocean protection. Every day that passes without the Global Oceans Treaty in force, marine species are being pushed closer to the brink of extinction by the industrial fishing fleet in the high seas.' Greenpeace Australia Pacific spokesperson Georgia Whitaker says of the shark bycatch data, 'The data is deeply disturbing – it's a devastating record and a testament to the destructive nature of the industrial fishing industry. Sharks and other animals dying by the hundreds of thousands a year in this one patch of ocean, brutally killed by a legal and indiscriminate fishing practice like longlining. This is an appalling legacy our global leaders are leaving while the blue lungs of our planet are already facing chronic decline. Industrial fishing is sucking our ocean dry, fuelling the biodiversity crisis, and pushing prehistoric animals like sharks to the brink of extinction. Healthy shark populations are central to a healthy ocean – this is a loss we can't afford.' Ahead of the United Nations Oceans Conference in Nice, France, in June, Greenpeace is calling on governments to ratify the Global Ocean Treaty. Both New Zealand and Australia have signed the treaty but have yet to bring it into force.
