Latest news with #ParliamentBuildings
Ottawa Citizen
25-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Ottawa Citizen
The world is changing, and so is home decor
Article content Wondering where interior design and décor may be headed in the next few years? A new study from Cosentino offers some intriguing theories. Article content The Spanish-based manufacturer of engineered stone surfaces recently released Shaping Tomorrow, a report on architecture and design trends. Based in part on a survey of 184 architects, interior designers and industrial designers from around the world, the report groups trends into five themes: Origin, Solace, Nature, Urban and Wonder. Article content Article content 'Origin' predicts increasing interest in local materials and approaches, as opposed to a universal esthetic that makes it hard to distinguish an Osaka penthouse from an Ottawa century home. The study's authors trace this interest in hyperlocal design back to the pandemic, when it was suddenly expensive or impossible to buy materials and fixtures from afar. Article content Apply it: Sandstone, limestone and copper are used in many of Ottawa's landmark buildings, including the Parliament Buildings and the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. And pine was the source of many a local lumber baron's wealth in the city's early years. Incorporating these materials into your home is one way to make your design hyperlocal. Article content Article content Solace Article content 'Solace' refers to designing spaces to meet emotional needs, not just practical or esthetic ones. That might mean creating a contemporary bathroom that's also soothing or a compact home office that also makes you feel inspired. Article content That approach resonates with Toronto interior designer Olivia Bailey. 'I don't design spaces just for the look and function. I'm trying to create a home,' she says. Article content Mood-boosting colours and textured materials play a role in this theme, but the Cosentino study's authors note that not everyone will have the same response to the same hues and fabrics. As one designer interviewed for the study observed, 'A lot of people say too much colour makes them nervous.'
Boston Globe
10-07-2025
- Boston Globe
Night sky lessons from a leading astronomer, and a floating spa on Vancouver Island
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Havn Saunas, located in a renovated World War II barge (pictured here), offers an unplugged, pampering experience in the heart of Victoria, B.C., with cedar saunas, cold plunges, Jacuzzis, a salt scrub room, and a cozy relaxation room. (Kari Bodnarchuk) Advertisement THERE Visit this floating spa on Vancouver Island Step off a wharf in downtown Victoria, B.C., and onto a historic barge that's been transformed into a Scandinavian-inspired floating wellness sanctuary. Havn Saunas, located in a renovated World War II barge, offers an unplugged (no phones allowed) pampering experience in the heart of the city with cedar saunas, cold plunges, Jacuzzis, a salt scrub room, and a cozy relaxation room. The two-story ship, built in Tacoma in 1943, was renovated in part using old-growth cedar collected along beaches on Vancouver Island. Relax in the rooftop mineral pools and watch water taxis as they crisscross the harbor, small float planes resting at a nearby dock, and views of the city's grandiose Parliament Buildings and Fairmont Empress Hotel. Then order a rejuvenating elixir and healthy snack at the first-floor café and recline on oversize loungers. Anyone 19 and older can enjoy Havn's hot-and-cold therapy experience. One of the many highlights: The salt scrub room, where you can scoop fine-grained salt from a barrel and use it for an exfoliating body scrub. Guests book a two- or three-hour time slot, which helps prevent the facility from getting overcrowded. Rates: approximately $67 for a three-hour entry during the day and $60 for a two-hour pass at night (times vary). Open year-round. , Advertisement Sonos has released its first-ever headphones, the Sonos Ace (pictured here). Sonos EVERYWHERE Enjoy superb sound with these headphones Whether traveling by train, plane, or automobile, consider the Sonos Ace headphones, which deliver outstanding high-fidelity sound and one of the best experiences I've had with Active Noise Cancellation technology. The over-the-ear Bluetooth headphones — Sonos' first foray into the headphone market — incorporate spatial audio with head tracking, meaning super realistic three-dimensional sound (you'll feel like you're in the middle of a theater) and top-notch ANC features that tamps down the sound of engines and unwanted ambient noise; set it for Aware mode if you need to maintain awareness of your surroundings. Music sounds well-balanced and crisp with robust bass that's not overly punchy. The headphones have a smooth and easy-to-use switch that lets you adjust volume, pause sound, skip forward or backward for songs, and answer, decline, or end calls. They also have built-in sensors that pause playback when you take them off and resume when you put the headphones back on. The Sonos Ace hug your head and offer enough spaciousness on the ear cups so they're comfortable on long-haul flights (those ear cups are magnetically attached and can easily be replaced if needed — a handy feature). The headphones weigh about 11 ounces, have swivel ear cups so you can easily pack them for travel (in the included hard case or in your bag), and come with a USB-C-to-3.5mm cable that lets you plug the Ace into the headphone port on your smartphone or computer for a wired option. Their internal battery lasts up to 30 hours so you can enjoy them while crossing the globe. $449. Advertisement KARI BODNARCHUK Kari Bodnarchuk can be reached at
Rhyl Journal
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
VE Day marked with events across Northern Ireland
Secretary of State Hilary Benn described an opportunity to remember the 'huge sacrifice made by that great generation' at the end of the Second World War in Europe. On Wednesday night, some landmark buildings in Belfast were lit up to mark VE Day, including Belfast City Hall in red, as well as Parliament Buildings in blue. The City Hall hosted a tea party for celebrations on Thursday afternoon, as well as the Ulster Aviation Society's replica spitfire in its grounds. Annie Cherry, 83, from the Shankill Road was among those taking part in the festivities. '(Those that fought) gave us a better life and maybe a bit more happiness,' she said. 'One of my brother-in-laws was taken captive during the war, he was in a concentration camp, when he came home there was hardly any flesh on him, it must have been hard.' Later on Thursday, beacons will be lit across a number of locations including Bangor, Newtownards, Lisburn, Armagh, Enniskillen, Coleraine, Londonderry and Coleraine to symbolise the light and hope that emerged from the darkness of war. Today we honour the courage and sacrifice of all those who served in World War Two. And to veterans from Northern Ireland and beyond, we thank you for your service, your bravery and the part you played in securing peace and freedom. — Hilary Benn (@hilarybennmp) May 8, 2025 Mr Benn took part in a number of visits across the region. He officially opened a special Second World War exhibition at Antrim Castle Gardens, before travelling to the Ulster Aviation Society, where he met veteran Fred Jennings. He also visited the NI War Memorial Museum, which focuses on Northern Ireland's role in the Second World War and the impact that the war had on its people, and attended a Service of Remembrance at St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh. Mr Benn said the cost of peace must never be forgotten. 'VE Day 80 is our opportunity to remember and to honour the extraordinary courage of that great generation of World War Two veterans,' he said. — Emma Little-Pengelly BL (@little_pengelly) May 8, 2025 'Today should remind us all that the cost of peace must never be forgotten. 'As we hear the stories of those who served and express our profound gratitude to them, let us remember that it was their sacrifice that enabled us to live in peace and freedom.' Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly attended VE Day events in Lisburn, Co Antrim.
Leader Live
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
VE Day marked with events across Northern Ireland
Secretary of State Hilary Benn described an opportunity to remember the 'huge sacrifice made by that great generation' at the end of the Second World War in Europe. On Wednesday night, some landmark buildings in Belfast were lit up to mark VE Day, including Belfast City Hall in red, as well as Parliament Buildings in blue. The City Hall hosted a tea party for celebrations on Thursday afternoon, as well as the Ulster Aviation Society's replica spitfire in its grounds. Annie Cherry, 83, from the Shankill Road was among those taking part in the festivities. '(Those that fought) gave us a better life and maybe a bit more happiness,' she said. 'One of my brother-in-laws was taken captive during the war, he was in a concentration camp, when he came home there was hardly any flesh on him, it must have been hard.' Later on Thursday, beacons will be lit across a number of locations including Bangor, Newtownards, Lisburn, Armagh, Enniskillen, Coleraine, Londonderry and Coleraine to symbolise the light and hope that emerged from the darkness of war. Today we honour the courage and sacrifice of all those who served in World War Two. And to veterans from Northern Ireland and beyond, we thank you for your service, your bravery and the part you played in securing peace and freedom. — Hilary Benn (@hilarybennmp) May 8, 2025 Mr Benn took part in a number of visits across the region. He officially opened a special Second World War exhibition at Antrim Castle Gardens, before travelling to the Ulster Aviation Society, where he met veteran Fred Jennings. He also visited the NI War Memorial Museum, which focuses on Northern Ireland's role in the Second World War and the impact that the war had on its people, and attended a Service of Remembrance at St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh. Mr Benn said the cost of peace must never be forgotten. 'VE Day 80 is our opportunity to remember and to honour the extraordinary courage of that great generation of World War Two veterans,' he said. — Emma Little-Pengelly BL (@little_pengelly) May 8, 2025 'Today should remind us all that the cost of peace must never be forgotten. 'As we hear the stories of those who served and express our profound gratitude to them, let us remember that it was their sacrifice that enabled us to live in peace and freedom.' Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly attended VE Day events in Lisburn, Co Antrim.
Glasgow Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
VE Day marked with events across Northern Ireland
Secretary of State Hilary Benn described an opportunity to remember the 'huge sacrifice made by that great generation' at the end of the Second World War in Europe. On Wednesday night, some landmark buildings in Belfast were lit up to mark VE Day, including Belfast City Hall in red, as well as Parliament Buildings in blue. Belfast City Hall lit up in red on Wednesday night for the 80th Anniversary of VE Day (Rebecca Black/PA) The City Hall hosted a tea party for celebrations on Thursday afternoon, as well as the Ulster Aviation Society's replica spitfire in its grounds. Annie Cherry, 83, from the Shankill Road was among those taking part in the festivities. '(Those that fought) gave us a better life and maybe a bit more happiness,' she said. 'One of my brother-in-laws was taken captive during the war, he was in a concentration camp, when he came home there was hardly any flesh on him, it must have been hard.' Later on Thursday, beacons will be lit across a number of locations including Bangor, Newtownards, Lisburn, Armagh, Enniskillen, Coleraine, Londonderry and Coleraine to symbolise the light and hope that emerged from the darkness of war. Today we honour the courage and sacrifice of all those who served in World War Two. And to veterans from Northern Ireland and beyond, we thank you for your service, your bravery and the part you played in securing peace and freedom. — Hilary Benn (@hilarybennmp) May 8, 2025 Mr Benn took part in a number of visits across the region. He officially opened a special Second World War exhibition at Antrim Castle Gardens, before travelling to the Ulster Aviation Society, where he met veteran Fred Jennings. He also visited the NI War Memorial Museum, which focuses on Northern Ireland's role in the Second World War and the impact that the war had on its people, and attended a Service of Remembrance at St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh. Mr Benn said the cost of peace must never be forgotten. 'VE Day 80 is our opportunity to remember and to honour the extraordinary courage of that great generation of World War Two veterans,' he said. 'Today should remind us all that the cost of peace must never be forgotten. 'As we hear the stories of those who served and express our profound gratitude to them, let us remember that it was their sacrifice that enabled us to live in peace and freedom.' Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly attended VE Day events in Lisburn, Co Antrim.
