Latest news with #Rye
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
How Traitors star and interior designer FRANCESCA ROWAN-PLOWDEN renovated her five-bedroom home on a shoestring budget
A mash-up of English countryside meets the 1920s meets Morocco,' is how interior designer Francesca Rowan-Plowden, 46, describes the five-bedroom house near Rye, East Sussex, that she shares with her psychotherapist husband David, her four sons (aged between nine and 19), two dogs, two chickens and a cat. Rowan-Plowden may be more familiar to you as Frankie, a finalist in this year's hit BBC reality TV game The Traitors. She's still recognised from the series. 'A guy showed me pictures of his bathroom renovation on the tube the other day.' A theatre actor before pivoting to a career in interior design, Rowan-Plowden appreciates the parallels between the two: 'Theatre is about taking the audience on a journey and putting on a good show. It's the same with interiors.' Despite the 'lived-in', cottage-core vibe, the house was built at the turn of the millennium: every room was painted white; fixtures and fittings were modern. 'It lacked soul,' says Rowan-Plowden, who 'aged' each room, painting woodwork in heritage colours and adding vintage textiles. Silver lever door handles were replaced with aged brass 'beehive' versions. Rowan-Plowden has an impressive design portfolio that includes Goodnestone Park stately home (which she converted into a wedding venue), Battel Hall on the Leeds Castle estate and Kingshill Farmhouse on the Elmley Nature Reserve, all in Kent. Unlike her prestigious clients, however, she had to keep budgets tight for her own home. All spare cash went towards fundamentals like plumbing and rewiring. The main bathroom, which featured a retro jacuzzi that leaked, is a case in point. 'The pumps didn't work, so it was essentially a tub with holes,' she laughs. 'It was like bathing in an egg timer – a race against the clock to get clean before the space flooded.' With most of the budget sunk into the bathroom restoration, affordable decoration solutions were needed elsewhere. One of Rowan-Plowden's tricks is to buy linen from Ikea and transform it into curtains. ('It worked out at £2 per metre.') Tired chairs are now covered in vintage textiles; an old banister has a new life as a lamp. Desirable odds and ends she has acquired over the years include a velvet kissing chair, an antique side table (which makes the living room look 'posher'), and a green wooden armoire. Bought for £70 at a vintage fair, it has seen several incarnations over the years: as a linen cupboard, a toy cabinet and now a drinks bar. 'It's the Madonna of cabinets,' says Rowan-Plowden. In the main bedroom, the bed has been spruced up with an upholstered headboard. 'I design headboards for all of my clients,' she says. 'You can get a bespoke version for the same price as a mass-produced one, but with personalised trimmings like studs, piping and buttons.' An old chaise longue (once covered in a 'hideous print') was reupholstered in leftover curtain fabric from her mum's house. It stands by the bedroom window, in front of striped curtains from Dunelm. 'I'm all about the high and low,' Rowan-Plowden says. 'Get the balance right and it's impossible to tell the difference.' GET THE LOOK Mix bargain and blowout pieces to create a vintage vibe for less Lynton Wide Sideboard Ensia - tall rattan table lamp £129 Shop Cushion £39 Shop Plant Nicolau £60 Shop GP & J Baker Nympheus Made to Measure Curtains, Stone/Pistachio £159 a metre Shop £75 Shop Chair £749 Shop Habitat Herringbone Khaki Border Jute Rug £35 Shop Stone Fireplace Candlestick £24.99 Shop
The Star
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Gem for bespoke cocktails
Rye has sophisticated vibes with a retro feel for cosy evenings. — Photos: JAROD LIM/The Star Hidden from plain sight on the ground floor of Hilton Petaling Jaya in Selangor is Rye Bar. This stylish hideaway offers an intimate setting for after-work drinks and social gatherings. Not far from the lobby, the bar is tucked away beside a staircase and is easy to overlook because of its discreet signage. Step inside, though, and one is greeted by an interior that speaks of sophistication, with subtle retro elements. Warm lighting sets the tone for a cosy and comfortable evening. A stage in front of the bar plays host to live bands performing soul, jazz and R&B from midweek through the weekend. Hilton Petaling Jaya general manager Andre A. Gomez described Rye as a destination to celebrate good music, great food and exceptional drinks. Blue Hawaii. 'Here at Rye, we want to craft a tasteful experience with our unique selection of single malts, whiskies, bourbons and gins,' he said at the bar's launch. 'While the bar proudly serves classic cocktails, we're excited to introduce new varieties and creative twists in the near future.' In addition to its collection of whiskies and spirits, Rye also has a curated list of cocktails. One of the highlights is the Ryegroni cocktail, a refreshing twist on the classic Negroni. Crafted with bourbon whisky in place of gin, it is paired with Campari and house-made Rosso (red wine) instead of adding in traditional sweet vermouth. The spirit-forward drink is finished off with a thin orange peel strip for aroma and a pop of colour. Citrusy aroma from the orange peel and Campari's slight herbaceous, spice notes layer the drink with depth and flavour. Ryegroni (below). Another standout is the Peachy Blinders cocktail, inspired by British period crime drama Peaky Blinders but reimagined with Malaysian flair. Using aromatic bunga kantan gin as its base, the cocktail is mixed with peach and almond syrups and lychee fruit puree. Whipped aquafaba lends it a silky foam crown. The result is a light, creamy and refreshingly unique drink. Then there's the Resstini, an after-dinner indulgence with its sweet profile coming in to party. It features a blend of fat-washed whisky, espresso, stout reduction, and passionfruit, topped with a hint of Emmental. Its bittersweet profile is a hit with coffee and spirit enthusiasts, making it the perfect nightcap. At Rye's launch, guests also enjoyed timeless classics such as tropical Blue Hawaii and iconic Jungle Bird, both paying tribute to Hilton's rich cocktail heritage. The former's distinctive bluish hue comes from a mix of Blue Curaçao, light rum, vodka and a sweet-and-sour blend – a tropical creation by Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort's head bartender Harry Yee in 1957. Peachy Blinders. The Jungle Bird, on the other hand, is proudly Malaysian. Created in 1973 by Hilton Kuala Lumpur's then-beverage manager Ong Swee Teik, it combines dark rum, Campari, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and pineapple juice. Rye can accommodate up to 50 guests, making it ideal for curated tastings, themed evenings, corporate functions and exclusive celebrations. The bar also hosts live performances and monthly ticketed live music nights, complete with prizes to be won. RYE, Hilton Petaling Jaya, Level 1, Jalan Barat, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. (Tel: 03-7955 9122 or 017-643 4862) Business hours: 4pm to 1am Wednesday to Sunday (except on eve of public holidays and public holidays). This is the writer's personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rye Republicans: Our Rye Public Library, elected representatives, and why it matters!
Many have followed the Rye Public Library - NH Outright event scheduled for May 29th. It was postponed indefinitely by the Trustees because the Library employees scheduling this event were engaging in advocacy for an ideology which our Rye Public Library (RPL) is not supposed to do. Imagine the library advocating for an NRA event, Pro-life event, or even a MAGA event, and you can see why neutrality is the best of town residents and even members of our Rye Republicans group voiced their concerns. Some pointed out that the RPL sponsoring such an event implied Rye citizen agreement with the NH Outright Program while others simply didn't want the RPL NH Outright Mission Statement "Our mission is to serve, support and advocate for LGBTQIA+ youth and allies across New Hampshire", the focus of their advertised program " Practical Allyship 101" and their programs targeting grades K-12 demonstrate a specific ideology and agenda. This implies that the youth have already made a priori alternative lifestyle choice. Rather, it is our view that, under the guise of "support", NH Outright is proselytizing alternative lifestyles to youth who: 1) may be struggling personally and/or socially, and 2) may be very susceptible to the power of suggestion. Indeed, these youth deserve our compassion and support, but their vulnerability should not be exploited by proselytizers offering alternative lifestyles as as a group oppose no lifestyle for any adults, live and let live. Many of us have lesbian and gay friends and family members and love them all. Contrary to the outright slander and vicious attack from some, we are not censors, bigots, or bullies. We simply feel that advocating alternative lifestyles FOR YOUTH is a controversial enough topic that our town's public library should not be taking a position. We call upon our Library Trustees and Director to maintain a position of neutrality on matters that are politically or socially controversial. No citizens of Rye require "Allyship" to feel welcome in our Library. The False Narrative; "Republicans Hate LGBTQIA+ " is ridiculous (but proved to be very effective in this matter). Seriously, do you really believe there are no Republicans in the LGBTQIA+ sphere? The REAL objection to the program, lost on the Trustees and Library staff was having our Library employees act as activists and advocate for an ideology. Think back to NRA, Pro - Life, MAGA, and tell me it's elected officials are voted in, trusting that decisions they make are consistent for all members of the community and not slanted toward one political group or another. In this particular situation, the Library Trustees majority recognized they were straying from the neutral position they were obligated to uphold and voted 4-0 appropriately canceling the NH Outright event. After the Trustees voted to postpone the event, there was significant hue and cry from advocates. Much of this backlash was hateful, objectionable behavior, which ultimately led to the Trustees reversing their vote 4-1 and allowing reschedule of the program. We are deeply disappointed with the Trustees' revocation of the earlier decision, particularly since the neutrality position remains Bean, on behalf of Rye Republicans Executive Committee This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Rye Republicans: Disappointed in library reversal on LGBTQIA+ event
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hundreds of artists come to Paradise City Arts Festival in Northampton
NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – The annual Paradise City Arts Festival was back in Northampton this weekend. Ever since Marlene Rye was a child, she has always introduced herself as an artist. She's known for her bold and contemporary pastels and oils of places she travels to with her family, and her motto is 'seek the joy of being alive.' West Springfield rideout honors man who died in I-91 motorcycle accident 'I want people to feel happy when they see these works,' Rye said. 'They're supposed to be uplifting and bring you a sense of peace.' Rye is one of more than 200 artists showcasing their work this Memorial Day weekend for the 31st Annual Paradise City Arts Festival at the Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton, a festival that took six months to plan. In addition to art, food, and music, there was a silent art auction to benefit the International Language Institute of Massachusetts. This year's special exhibit explores how artists derive inspiration from the animal kingdom. It's called 'Feathers and Fur,' and three chickens from a local farm helped kick off the show on Saturday. 'Artists are always incredibly inspired by the animal kingdom, so this was a great way that artists from all these different mediums could find things to contribute in the exhibit,' said show director Mariah Swanson. 'Whether it's inspired by the texture of feathers, scales, fur.' 'Sometimes I make something that looks like a fish or whatever,' said exhibitor Whitmore Boogaerts. 'Or a lot of times, abstract, because to me, a sculpture is about energy and feeling.' Whether home decor, sculpture, fashion, or jewelry, it was mandatory for all pieces to be homemade. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Playland Park in Rye opens this weekend with free admission, but there's a catch
Playland Park in Rye opens for the 2025 season this weekend, but there's good news and bad news for visitors. Admission, parking and rides are free through Memorial Day, but only a handful of attractions will be operating. Playland Park will open in 2025 after contract dispute Even Zoltar couldn't predict Playland's future just a few weeks ago. The private firm operating Westchester County's amusement park for the last three years walked away, leaving the county scrambling to assemble a team to get it ready for the summer. County Legislator Katherine Parker said the Parks Department rose to the challenge. Eight of the 21 rides in Kiddieland will operate Memorial Day weekend, along with with the Carousel, Dragonator, Kite Flyer, and two other rides in the main park. The historic, wooden Dragon Coaster, Playland's premiere ride on every serious roller coaster fan's bucket list, is likely weeks away from being ready, officials said. "A little bit of Playland is much better than no Playland at all," Parker said. Free admission until more rides open The historic nature of many of the rides at Playland is complicating the opening preparations. "We have historic and much older rides that are wonderful [and] in great shape to operate, but their parts, the companies don't exist anymore. So we have to get the parts fabricated," Deputy Parks Commissioner Peter Tartaglia said. Leading a tour of the park, County Executive Ken Jenkins said admission to Playland will be free until later in the summer. "When we get to a critical mass of rides open, then we'll have the fees that'll be charged. But we haven't decided when that's going to be," Jenkins said. A limited number of food options will be available at Playland over Memorial Day weekend, the county said. All of the games and the arcade will be in "free play mode" through Monday. Click here for Playland Park's hours and more information.
