Latest news with #Renovation
The Sun
06-08-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I ditched renting & bought a 17-room Medieval mansion in Sicily for less than the price of a Honda – I save a fortune
HOME BARGAINS I ditched renting & bought a 17-room Medieval mansion in Sicily for less than the price of a Honda – I save a fortune BUYING a house may seem like an expensive goal - but one 28-year-old shared how she bought a 17-room Medieval mansion in Sicily for less than the price of a Honda. Adventurous Kiki Leigh snapped up the Italian home for just £22,800, (€27,000) – a fraction of the estimated £367,000 ($500,000) one closer to home would have cost. 7 Kiki Leigh has opened up about buying a house in Italy for £22,800 Credit: 7 She is now renovating the 17-room Medieval mansion in Sicily Credit: 7 Kiki moved across the world to snap up the bargain house Credit: Jam Press/@ In a clip on her @ account, she shared how she has been renovating it ever since buying it last summer. Of course, for that price, the historic building needs a lot of work doing to it, and Kiki shared how she has had to gut some rooms so they can be used as bedrooms, a kitchen, library and a bathroom. She shared: '17 rooms. €27K. 4 months in. Not finished. Not even close. But the dream's starting to look like something real. 'First I was intrigued by the prices here. But I very quickly realised I was getting a whole lot more than a house. 'The people I've met are friends for life, the food I eat is healthier, the lifestyle is more relaxed and peaceful, the weather is amazing. 'When I came here for the first time I got a feeling like I was always meant to find this place, a lot of my foreign born neighbors felt the same, this place is special to so many. 'You do not need citizenship. Almost anyone can purchase property in Italy, you don't need to be Italian or even a citizen of the EU. 'There's many homes in mussomeli for this price and even way cheaper.' Depending on the region, a number of towns and villages across Italy have offered cheap properties to encourage people to move to the area. The conditions for buying each property also vary, but the majority of them need large renovation works. Kiki added: "I have an architect who is handling all the paperwork for me. I met him first and he only works with one construction company in town, so I didn't really have a choice but even if I had I wouldn't have chosen any differently. I'm so happy with their work. I've moved to hidden historic town where houses are the price of handbags & pints are cheaper than Tesco sandwiches 'I'm still working remotely in fashion pr, as I have on and off for about 8 years. 'Once my house is done and I'm settled here I will be looking to transition out of that career and take on something new. 'Not sure exactly what that will be yet but I have a few ideas.' 7 Kiki says that buying this home was the only way she was going to get on the property ladder Credit: Jam Press/@ Despite involving a move across the world to a place she doesn't know a soul, Kiki is embracing the challenge full-heartedly, throwing herself into renovations. Kiki, originally from Canada, who had been living in LA, shared how she had been fed up with how expensive life was, and then stumbled upon the tiny Italian town that was selling homes for bargain prices. Kiki says: 'I'd been living in LA for over a decade and the real estate market there is laughable. 'Even in Canada, prices have skyrocketed. You do not need citizenship. Almost anyone can purchase property in Italy, you don't need to be Italian or even a citizen of the EU Kiki Leigh 'I was working hard, doing well, but owning a home, let alone a dream home, always felt just out of reach. 'I couldn't justify spending half a million dollars on something that didn't feel special. 'Then I realised that for a fraction of that I could own a literal piece of history. 'The math just started to make sense in a way that North America never did.' 7 The house will need a lot of work but it will still cost her far less than buying in the US Credit: Jam Press/@ At some points she was paying £1,830, ($2,500), a month for a one-bedroom apartment. She explains: 'That didn't include parking or peace of mind. 'Nor with castle views and cobblestone charm. 'Rent felt like a monthly punishment for staying somewhere I wasn't thriving. 'It wasn't sustainable long-term, financially or emotionally.' The people I've met are friends for life, the food I eat is healthier, the lifestyle is more relaxed and peaceful, the weather is amazing Kiki Leigh So far she has spent £42,185 (€50,000) on renovations to the 600-year-old pad. She says: 'This is a historic home, the kind of place that reveals new surprises behind every wall. 'To me, this isn't just a house, it's an experience, an art project, a home base for my future, and a way to live life a little differently. 'So I'm more than happy with the investment. 'I'm building a spa with a jacuzzi and sauna, and full bar, because if you're going to bring a home back to life, why not make it a little magical?' 7 Her property boasts incredible views over the town Credit: Jam Press/@ Kiki estimates that the total will land somewhere around £101,250 – £118,140, (€120,000 – €140,000). She adds: 'I want it to feel like the ultimate home for peace and tranquillity. 'A place where I can bring all my loved ones together and experience something special and rare. 'It is the kind of place that feeds your soul and makes you feel at home the second you walk inside. 'I'm also building a library as an homage to the home's previous owner, a Sicilian scholar and professor. 'It felt only right to preserve that legacy and create a space where books, ideas, and conversation are front and centre.' Kiki now splits her time between Sicily, LA and Canada while renovations continue, but she is almost ready to move in full-time. She estimates it'll save her around £2,200, ($3,000 a month) once renovations are finished. She says: 'Rent alone is already eliminated. 'Groceries, utilities, dining out, everything is more affordable here.' 7 She has never felt more happy and healthy since making the big move Credit: Jam Press/@ And she's not wrong, according to local prices you can expect to pay around £3.40 for a pint, less than most supermarket sandwiches. She got the keys to her new home in January, started renovating in March and is moving in next month to do the finishing touches. Kiki, originally from Winnipeg, Canada, says: 'You don't need a five-year plan, a perfect timeline, or anyone's permission to build a life that feels good. 'I bought an old, crumbling house in a tiny Sicilian town with no real plan beyond: this feels right. 'And it's led to more freedom, joy, and community than I could have imagined. 'The life I've built here feels amazing.'
Malay Mail
26-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Interea Announces New Office Space to Support Growing Operations
Cozy modern living room Designed by Interea Pte Ltd Favourite ID of June 2025 Excellence in Interior Design and Renovation SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 26 July 2025 – Interea has announced its relocation to a new office and showroom located at 37 Jalan Pemimpin, Mapex #02-10. The move supports the interior design and renovation company's operational expansion and offers improved facilities for both employees and new space is approximately 2.5 times larger than the previous office and includes a showroom that allows homeowners to better visualise design concepts. Its proximity to public transport also makes it more accessible for client visits and relocation aligns with Interea's growing team size and project volume. The enhanced space is intended to support day-to-day design processes and operations while also providing an environment for staff to collaborate and recharge.'As our team continues to grow, it is important to move into a space that supports both our operations and our design process,' said Cris Cen, Manager from Interea. 'The new showroom also gives clients a clearer sense of what their future space could look like, making discussions more productive and grounded.'An opening event is scheduled for 21 July 2025, with refreshments provided. The company has communicated the move via social media and direct outreach. All existing phone numbers and email addresses remain the relocation, Interea was recently recognised by home renovation platform Sixides with two awards:Sixides is known for its vetting of interior design firms, aims to help homeowners make informed decisions by highlighting firms that meet certain service and quality benchmarks. One firm is selected each month based on a combination of voting by homeowners and internal criteria set by Sixides.'Being recognised by a platform like Sixides is meaningful, especially because the selection is based on both homeowner feedback and clear quality standards,' said Cris Cen, Manager from Interea. 'It reflects how we consistently weave in design processes that prioritise functionality, aesthetics, and client needs.' As of June, Interea was selected from a pool of over 140 listed recognition reflects ongoing efforts to deliver proper design processes and respond to client needs. While Interea is a relatively new entrant, its inclusion in the monthly selection is considered a notable development given the competitive nature of the platform.A feature about the award will be published on Sixides' official social media channels. Interea will also provide updates through its own platforms to inform clients and #IntereaPteLtd #InteriorDesign #ShowroomOpening #OfficeExpansion #SixidesAward The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Interea Pte Ltd Interea specialises in bespoke interior design in Singapore. Established in 2021, it offers renovation and design services across a range of commercial and residential projects. It emphasises structured design processes to ensure both creativity and functionality in every space.
Irish Times
08-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Irish Times
Modernised Edwardian four-bed across from the park in Harold's Cross for €950,000
Address : 76 Harold's Cross Road, Harold's Cross, Dublin 6W Price : €950,000 Agent : Mullery O'Gara View this property on The owners of this handsome, modernised Edwardian home had been renting in the area before they got the opportunity to buy number 76 on Harold's Cross Road. Moving in straight away, the couple enlisted the help of an architect to update it for family life. The owner laughs, saying she felt like one of the homeowners featured on Grand Designs as she became pregnant during the renovation process – a common trope on the TV show – and her and her husband had to spend some nights in a hotel when they had no water. The sacrifices they made to accommodate those initial works have paid dividends, resulting in a spacious period home in turnkey condition. As well as its convenient location on the south side of the city, the home comes with a big back garden with mature trees to the rear, providing a sense of bucolic peace while being walking distance from amenities. Extending to 190sq m (2,045sq ft) with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, 76 Harold's Cross Road is on the market through Mullery O'Gara, seeking €950,000. It has a D1 Ber. Past the front yard, bordered by low railings, the redbrick terraced property is accessed up two stone steps. Inside, the high ceilings are immediately impressive, as are the ornate archway and ceiling roses in the hallway. The spacious livingroom sits to the front of the ground floor, benefiting from the box-bay window space; it features the original marble fireplace and wooden floors. A second reception room sits behind that with a window to the rear of the property. It is set up as a TV room but could potentially be a study or playroom. The kitchen/living/diningroom is down a short flight of stairs to the rear, in an extension that was added before the owners moved in. They had bespoke white handleless units installed in the kitchen, as well as an island. There is also underfloor heating beneath non-slip tiles. The bright dining area features a pitched roof with Velux windows, and a built-in bench for seating and storage. There is also a utility room and a WC off the kitchen. READ MORE Front livingroom Kitchen Dining area Garden The room opens up to the 33m-long (107ft) west-facing back garden through glazed sliding doors. A raised patio sits directly outside the doors and leads down to the substantial lawn, with mature trees providing privacy. [ I have noticed blistering on my interior walls. What should I do? Opens in new window ] Back inside, a double bedroom and a modern bathroom as well as a shower room are located on the first-floor return, to the rear of the property. The shower room is painted a clean grey with white wall tiles and grey Moroccan-style patterned tiles underfoot, while the bathroom has a full-size bath – handy for young children – and built-in storage and shelving. Up another half-flight of stairs, the main bedroom suite sits to the front of the property; the owners connected a double room to a single room to create an adjoining dressingroom with floor-to-ceiling built-in wardrobes. There is another double bedroom to the rear and an attic room converted into a double bedroom. The owners have decided to move to be closer to work, but say they will miss the community in the area. When they first lived there, around 2013, there was far less going on in the area, the owner says, but they now have summer and Christmas festivals in Harold's Cross Park, which is just across the road. Parents from the local school often meet for coffee at the cafe in the park, the owners say, and assure me it's nothing like the hilarious sitcom Motherland . With young children, they are also able to walk to several activities in the area, including tennis, football and gym classes. There are also plenty of bus routes to the city centre, with journeys taking about 30 minutes.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Is Recovery in Big-Ticket Demand the Key to HD's Next Growth Leg?
Although The Home Depot Inc. HD has seen continued strength in its smaller-scale DIY and maintenance projects like appliances, building materials and lumber, the missing catalyst for sustained top-line acceleration lies in the revival of big-ticket remodel and renovation spend. Home Depot continues to see soft engagement for big-ticket discretionary categories (those exceeding $1,000 in ticket value), such as kitchen and bath remodels, as higher interest rates discouraged financing-dependent projects. A revival in these big-ticket home improvement projects is widely seen as the next inflection point for Home Depot's sales, often a barometer of remodeling demand, grew just 0.3% in first-quarter fiscal 2025. Backed by this slowdown, the company's overall comparable sales (comps) declined 0.3%, with U.S. comps up just 0.2%. Given that big-ticket categories like kitchen, bath and major exterior remodels can represent 10-15% of total ticket sales, even a modest rebound can translate into hundreds of millions in incremental no major improvement expected in interest rates or housing turnover in 2025, the company anticipates continued pressure on big-ticket renovations, such as kitchen and bath remodels. While Pro sales have been strong, the shift in consumer spending toward smaller-scale repairs and maintenance projects suggests that larger project demand may not rebound meaningfully in the near term, limiting growth potential in high-margin Home Depot has been hard at work, positioning itself to capture this spending surge. Through its SRS acquisition and trade-credit rollout, the company offers financing options to thousands of pros, while streamlined digital and in-store lending tools make qualifying for consumer project loans easier. With in-stock rates for building materials and fixtures at record highs, Home Depot is ensuring that when rates soften, it can fulfill large orders without the degree to which big-ticket demand recovers will set the pace for Home Depot's next growth leg. Investors should monitor interest-rate trends, especially any drop below the current 7% mortgage norms, and early signs of increased financed project activity. Sustained acceleration in large-scale remodels can unlock a significant multiplier effect, driving both comp transactions and average ticket size well above the recent levels. D's primary competitors, Lowe's Companies Inc. LOW and Walmart Inc. WMT, are also grappling with headwinds from muted demand in big-ticket categories. Like Home Depot, both retailers are seeing cautious consumer behavior, particularly in discretionary, high-value purchases such as appliances and home big-ticket sales, those above $500, also remained soft in first-quarter fiscal 2025, particularly in appliances and outdoor living, reflecting continued consumer caution on large discretionary purchases. These high-value transactions are significant drivers of Lowe's overall revenues, especially in project-based categories like kitchens, flooring and bathroom remodels. Like Home Depot, Lowe's big-ticket business is closely tied to broader housing trends and interest rate movements. Both retailers rely on a mix of DIY and Pro customers, and are positioned to benefit from a rebound in financed renovation activity. A recovery in big-ticket demand would be a critical tailwind for Lowe's, potentially reigniting comps and supporting its Total Home big-ticket discretionary sales have been soft, particularly in electronics, appliances and home goods, as inflation-sensitive consumers prioritize essentials over discretionary spending. Unlike Home Depot, Walmart's overall business is less dependent on big-ticket items, with a larger portion of its revenues driven by groceries and everyday essentials. However, both companies face similar challenges in the big-ticket space, including cautious consumer sentiment and deferred purchases due to high interest rates. Walmart has responded by sharpening price points and emphasizing value, a strategy that mirrors Home Depot's efforts to maintain competitiveness in large-scale project categories. While big-ticket items make up a smaller share of Walmart's total sales, a rebound in this segment can still provide meaningful upside, particularly for its general merchandise division. HD shares have lost 10.8% year to date compared with the industry's decline of 13.9%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research From a valuation standpoint, Home Depot trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 22.31X, significantly higher than the industry's 19.68X. It has a VGM Score of B. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HD's fiscal 2025 earnings implies a year-over-year decline of 1.3%, whereas its fiscal 2026 earnings estimates indicate year-over-year growth of 9.2%. The estimate for fiscal 2025 has been northbound in the past 30 days, while that for fiscal 2026 EPS has moved south in the same period. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Home Depot currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Walmart Inc. (WMT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Lowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW) : Free Stock Analysis Report The Home Depot, Inc. (HD) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
In ‘Renovation,' a Young Woman Feels the Pressure to Settle and Be Successful (Exclusive KVIFF Trailer)
Lithuanian filmmaker and editor Gabrielė Urbonaitė explores the pressures on young women in her feature directorial debut Renovation, which will world premiere in the Proxima Competition lineup of the 59th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. The movie stars Žygimante Elena Jakštaitė (European Shooting Star 2021), Šarūnas Zenkevičius (European Shooting Star 2025) and up-and-coming Ukrainian talent Roman Lutskyi (Under the Volcano by Damian Kocur, 2024). The film's cinematographer Vytautas Katkus will also be in Karlovy Vary, premiering his directorial debut feature The Visitor in the festival's main competition. More from The Hollywood Reporter Jim Sheridan's 'Re-creation' Puts One of Ireland's Most Troubling Murder Cases Back on Trial Regina Hall, Ice Spice Join New 'SpongeBob' Movie ITV Studios Names Tim Carter Managing Director, Unscripted, U.K. Now, THR can exclusively reveal the first trailer for the movie about a young woman feeling the pressure to be settled and successful by the time she turns 30. Ilona, a perfectionist 29-year-old, lives in present-day Vilnius, Lithuania. 'At this turning point in her life, she begins to question how she truly wants to live. She moves into a seemingly perfect apartment with her boyfriend Matas, with whom things are getting serious,' reads a synopsis. 'But as the building's renovation begins, it's not just cracks in the walls that are revealed — Ilona's inner doubts also start to surface. She strikes up an unexpected friendship with Oleg, a Ukrainian construction worker. After spontaneously telling him she's a poet, she actually begins to write poetry.' But things threaten to get more dicey from there. 'Their connection deepens her uncertainty,' highlights the synopsis. 'Does she really want to settle down and start a family?' Urbonaitė is familiar with such creeping doubts. 'Renovation was born out of a personal sense of disorientation as I approached 30 — that feeling of being far from where you thought you'd be in life,' she explains. 'I wanted to explore the tension between freedom and pressure at this age: the openness to change and the growing realization that time and choices are limited. For my generation, this experience is shaped not only by global uncertainty but also by the lingering weight of Soviet-era traumas and the war unfolding on our doorstep. It's about navigating everyday life while constantly being reminded of its fragility.' Renovation was produced by Uljana Kim for Lithuania's Studio Uljana Kim, winner of the Eurimages International Co-production Award 2023 at the European Film Academy, Latvia's Mima Films and Belgium's Harald House. It is supported by the Lithuanian Film Center, the National Film Centre of Latvia, and LRT. Kim founded her production outlet in 1997 and has since produced and co-produced 37 fiction and documentary features. Its latest titles include Two Prosecutors by Sergei Loznitsa, which recently premiered in the Cannes Film Festival competition), Five and a Half Love Stories in an Apartment in Vilnius, Lithuania by Tomas Vengris, and Mariupolis 2 by Mantas Kvedaravičius. The trailer for Renovation shows a bit of home life, the start of a renovation, and some awkward social situations, including Ilona brainstorming a poem at – well, let's say an inopportune time, as you will see. Watch the trailer below. KVIFF 2025 takes place July 4-12 in the picturesque Czech spa town of Karlovy Vary. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 13 of Tom Cruise's Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts Hollywood Stars Who Are One Award Away From an EGOT 'The Goonies' Cast, Then and Now
