Audubon Will Combine the Insectarium and the Aquarium on Canal Street

 The Audubon Aquarium is currently closed for at least six months but the good news is that it is getting a facelift along with Woldenberg Park. The $41 million renovation will be a great perk once it is finished. The Audubon project will link the insectarium and the aquarium on Canal Street.

The Aquarium has been renovated before, but this is the biggest renovation since 1990. The new attraction called the Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium links the aquarium to the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium. The Entergy Giant Screen Theater will be removed and replaced with the insectarium exhibits. The plan is to have the new renovation opened by summer 2023.

The renovation will add over 17,000 feet of exhibit space. The new entrance and lobby will be an enclosed 60-foot tall glass lobby. The glass pyramid will shoot out from the building facing the Mississippi River.

The Insectarium space will have a special event space on the first floor and the second floor will include the insectarium galleries and butterfly pavilion. The new butterfly exhibit will have lower ceilings so visitors can get a better look at the butterflies.

The aquarium will get upgrades including the Mississippi River Gallery, the Amazon Rainforest Gallery and the Top of the Gulf Experience. Woldenberg Park will also get $7 million in upgrades on the entrances, landscaping and electrical system.

Click Here For the Source of the Information.

Is Selling Your Home Still a Smart Idea in the Current Market?

 A seller’s market means it is a great time for sellers but then once you sell you turn into a buyer. Buyers are having a hard time buying in the current market. If you are a seller and worry about becoming a buyer you shouldn’t. According to NerdWallet’s 2022 Home Buyer Report, 89% of current homeowners say that finding a new house and paying too much in the current market is prohibiting them from listing on the spot.

Current homeowners do still have an edge if they do decide to sell right now. If they make the most on the selling side, then they will have more money for purchasing a home. Remember inventory is low and there will more than likely be multiple offers on one home. According to the report close to 26 million Americans are planning on buying a home this year. Typically only 5 to 6 million homes are sold a year!

Today homes are not only being listed at much higher prices but also selling at or above the higher asking price. The report reveals that buyers paid 100% of the list price in 2021. The typical listing price went from an average of $270,000 in 2019 to $344,000 in 2021 according to the National Association of Realtors.

As a seller, you are also giving up less than before. In 2021 a typical seller did not offer any incentives for a buyer. You should list if you are willing to move to an area that is more affordable, will go back to renting for a time being, or you have what it takes to be a competitive buyer.

Click Here For the Source of the Information.

Smart and Stylish Appliances for Yor Kitchen

 Finding appliances for your kitchen is as much a personal choice as a practical one. Professionals in the industry say that your appliances can define your entire at-home experience. So how do you choose which one is right for you? Here are some great things to consider.

1. Elevate Your Aesthetic

Remember that your kitchen appliances should enhance your home's style but still be functional. A nice new look is a handless appliance. These are sleek and uniformly smooth and do not have ugly handles that stand out. If you want a modern yet timeless look, choose an appliance that has uses bold lines and contrasting materials that catch your eye.

2. Add Flexibility to Your Home’s Layout (and Your Life)

You always think of the microwave placed above the kitchen stove, but it doesn't always have to be this way. There are some appliances out there that are in the same size family but different appliances that can stack or go in a small space. Many companies have different appliances that can be formed in a t-shaped, stacked or cubed.

3. Reach New Culinary Heights

You want your appliances to look good, but also they need to help you cook, prepare and store food. There are so many options now, such as a combination steam ovens. This kind of oven convection cook, steam or use a combination of both to cook food. You can reheat food from the day before with steam and it will have the same quality as if it just was prepared.

4. Work Smarter Than Ever

Nowadays we can purchase an appliance that can be used with a smartphone. Appliances can now be equipped with Wi-Fi and motion sensors. This means that you can start and stop your appliance from your phone. A coffee maker can have motion sensors so that it will start your coffee when it senses you coming into the kitchen.

5. Be a Multitasking Marvel

This is especially true during the holidays. Less hands-on is the key. Convection oven with a FoodView features can send you updates on your smart device. This means you can be straightening the house while adjusting the temp and monitoring the oven remotely. Another great option is a speed oven which can reduce your total cook time using both conventional heat and microwave energy.

If you want to update your kitchen, make sure that you design it as a truly efficient kitchen. Study how you move through your kitchen and make sure you do not put too much space between appliances and storage. Follow these suggestions for a kitchen renovation that is right for you.

Click Here For the Source of the Information.

Transforming A Small Space with Tile

 Professionals in the industry reveal a secret; when updating a small space use tile to create texture and dimension. Tile can add color either bold or a hint. Tile comes in tons of color options and patterns. Using tile can refresh a small area without having a full renovation.

1. Bring attention to a wall niche

Adding tile to a decorative wall is a perfect focal point. Tiling the area will highlight the architectural feature while adding definition and drama. A great idea is to add a ribbed glass tile that will reflect light back.

2. Add flair to a fireplace

The fireplace is already a focal point in a room, and adding tile to the surround really makes it pop. A tile can add interest and depth to the fireplace and can also mask an outdated surround.

3. Define a space within a space

Designers say tile can accent a space just like a rug can. M.S. Vicas Interiors used a geometric patterned tile on the floor of a nice wine vault. The tiled floor of this glass-framed wine “cellar” provides a structural footprint for the walls. A striking geometric pattern from the Gem collection by Kelly Wearstler is an arresting counterpoint to the warm wood floors of the rest of the room, letting the wine walk-in shine.

4. Think outside the shower

When you think of tile in the bathroom, you think of the floor or the shower surround. Tile helps keep water from damaging the space. Many designers are currently doing floor-to-ceiling tile accent walls in bathrooms. It gives the space impact and personality. This can also be done in the kitchen. If you have a wall in the kitchen that does not have any cabinets, tile the wall from floor to ceiling giving it a roomier look to the kitchen.

There are many colors, shapes, and patterns of tile. Remember to think outside the box, and think of using tiles in places that you might not think about when it comes to tile.

Click Here For the Source of the Information.