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Can J. Lo’s ‘Fixer-Upper’ Be Saved by Chip and Joanna Gaines?
John Shearer/Getty Images; Roy Rochlin/FilmMagic
You know what they say: When one distressed barn door closes, another one opens. At least, that’s what fans of the now defunct hit series “Fixer Upper” are hoping now that rumors are swirling that Chip and Joanna Gaines have been hired to renovate the recently purchased Malibu home of Jennifer Lopez and boyfriend Alex Rodriguez.
That’s because Joanna herself was seen touring the home this past Sunday. Naturally, this got people conjecturing whether Joanna might work on J. Lo’s home. Because the place could use a bit of the ol’ Magnolia magic!
J. Lo herself broke the news of her beachfront digs during a recent interview on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” The three-story, $6.6 million home has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a wraparound deck, and dreamy beachfront. But according to J. Lo—tony ZIP code notwithstanding—the house needs help. Enter Chip and Joanna.
J. Lo, a self-described “Fixer Upper” superfan, apparently loves this designing duo so much that her anniversary gift from A-Rod was a FaceTime call with Joanna. So, now faced with her own fixer-upper, it would make total sense for J. Lo to get back in touch to see if Joanna’s up for the job.
“We got a little fixer-upper next to the water, and we were, like, ‘Oh, we gotta fix this up. It’s really a house that needs work,’” Lopez told DeGeneres. “I was, like, wouldn’t it be amazing to have [Joanna Gaines] do it for us? But she doesn’t do anything outside of Waco—like nothing.”
J. Lo and A-Rod’s new Malibu beach house is a fixer-upper.
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Maybe that’s all about to change. Cameras have been spotted filming J. Lo and Joanna just outside of this Malibu mansion—plus, the Gaineses are set to launch their own network with Discovery. Is this star-studded remodeling job going to be turned into yet another megahit series on reality TV?
Since so many signs seem to be pointing to yes, we got to wondering exactly how Chip and Joanna might infuse their signature style on J. Lo and A-Rod’s new house. At first glance, mixing farmhouse and beach house styles seems like a stretch, but designers point out that the Gaineses may be ready to leave that full-on farmhouse look behind.
“Joanna’s aesthetic has grown from rural farmhouse to a more sophisticated, bohemian look,” says Linda Kitson of MarketPlace Designs, in Summit, NJ. If they take on the superstar couple’s reno job, “Joanna and Chip will likely plan for a family-focused, breezy beach casita, suitable for teens and friends. The end result will be an approachable, real-life home for a celebrity family.”
To get more specifics on how that’ll happen, here are some listing photos inside J. Lo and A-Rod’s Malibu mansion—and what designers anticipate the Gaineses will do to these spaces if they do decide to work their magic here.
The kitchen Will there soon be word signage hanging here?
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“My opinion of what Joanna would do in the existing kitchen is to remove the peninsula and add an island with seating,” says Ria Gulian of Interior Designs by Ria, in Oceanside, NJ. Gulian, a member of the American Society of Interior Designers, further predicts that the Gaineses will change the cabinets to Shaker style with a fun glass backsplash tile and lighten the floors.
As for the countertop? “It could be quartz, in sand color and texture,” says Gulian. For a final touch, the Gaineses might change the lighting to pendants over the island.
The living room This will be the perfect place for J. Lo and Joanna Gaines to kick back.
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“The appeal of the Gaineses and their modern farmhouse look they have perfected is creating a down-home welcome in the most American way,” says Miriam Silver Verga, a designer at Mimi & Hill, in Westfield, NJ. “Their sensibility sends a clear message of ‘come gather here, you are most welcome.'”
While J. Lo and A-Rod don’t seem like the type to embrace modern farmhouse, especially in a beach house, there are other ways to add the vibe. Verga expects to see “warm materials such as light drifted oak and, yes, even some white shiplap! Natural touches will be the overall feel while keeping the ocean at the forefront of their design.”
Master bedroom Pacific Ocean views for miles
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The master bedroom already sports a Joanna go-to: white-on-white accents. But it’s missing her signature wood and upcycled antiques. To further personalize the space for these megastars, “there may be touches of gold to speak to J. Lo’s glamorous sensuality,” predicts Verga. “And steel, such as steel doors, that speaks to A-Rod’s strength and masculinity.”
Lower floor Where the home meets the sand
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The Gaineses’ children are the center of their lives, so designers predict that they will go to great lengths to please J. Lo and A-Rod’s blended family of four kids.
“Expect to see the children’s likes well-represented in the lower area,” says Verga. “There will be a playfulness mixed into the sophisticated design.”
Joanna’s signature move when it comes to kid-friendly spaces is to start with a neutral palette and let the children themselves add personal touches.
Outside area We’re not in Waco, TX, anymore.
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“The Gaineses perfected a new Mediterranean look as a part of their aesthetic as seen in Season 5 of ‘Fixer Upper,'” says Kitson, an Allied member of ASID, who predicts they’ll add more Mediterranean flare to J. Lo and A-Rod’s outdoor space as well.
“We can expect to see some arches and soft Mediterranean tiles,” says Verga. “Finally, we are fairly certain a stainless-steel tub will be the perfect addition to the outside area.”
Who knows? If this renovation comes to pass, perhaps farmhouse chic will fade in favor of beach house chic instead.
The post Can J. Lo’s ‘Fixer-Upper’ Be Saved by Chip and Joanna Gaines? appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
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Enrique Iglesias and Anna Kournikova Selling Miami Mansion for $4.85M
getty images/ Gustavo Caballero ; realtor.com
Singer Enrique Iglesias and retired tennis pro Anna Kournikova are taking a shot at the real estate market. They have listed a Miami home they had built for relatives for $4.85 million, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The couple purchased the property in 2015 for $1.8 million and then embarked on a major renovation, expanding the home and remodeling it for Kournikova’s grandparents.
But the finished product was too large for the older folks, so the celeb couple decided to flip it. While we’re sure the home’s face-lift wasn’t cheap—thanks to custom cabinetry and high-end finishes—the asking price might leave the duo with a little profit. The furnishings are also available for purchase, according to the Journal.
The listing notes that the six-bedroom, 6.5-bath house is “perfect for a larger family,” and has 5,331 square feet of living space. Located in a gated community, it’s one of two homes the couple own in the neighborhood.
Enrique Iglesias and Anna Kournikova listed a Miami mansion.
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Great room and bar
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Eat-in kitchen
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Family room
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Master suite with outdoor access
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Grassy yard and pool
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The space features a light-filled great room with a custom bar that overlooks a wraparound terrace with a summer kitchen. The chef’s kitchen is equipped with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, the master suite has outdoor access, and a family room and additional bedrooms are on the upper level.
Outside there’s a grassy yard, landscaping, new pool and spa, as well as a two-car garage.
Known as the “King of Latin Pop,” the Spanish-born Iglesias has sold more than 170 million records, and has a reported net worth of $45 million. The 43-year-old started dating the tennis star in 2001. Now married, the couple welcomed twins in 2017. The glamorous Russian gained fame playing doubles, at times becoming the No. 1 player in the world.
The post Enrique Iglesias and Anna Kournikova Selling Miami Mansion for $4.85M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
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(PHOTOS) Miami DJ lists home on island for sale
DJ Khaled has listed his waterfront mansion in Aventura, featuring designs with his signature style, for sale at $7.99 million. The superstar DJ, record producer and record executive, whose real name is Khaled M. Khaled, listed the 6,321-square-foot home at 3914 Island Estate Drive for sale with Janet Ben Zvi of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty. It’s on a small island in Maule Lake that’s shared with a few dozen homes. DJ Khaled spent over $2.5 million remodeling the five-bedroom, six-bathroom…
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Target to replace Kmart in Prince George's
Two weeks after Sears Holdings Corp. announced it would shutter the Kmart in Oxon Hill, the 85,000-square-foot space already has a new tenant on the way: Target. Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT) announced Wednesday plans to open in Wharton Realty Group Inc.’s Rivertowne Commons Shopping Center, in what will soon be the former Kmart space, while the Minneapolis, Minnesota-based retail giant completes work on remodeling nine of its Greater Washington locations. Rivertowne Commons is located less than two…
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JoJo Fletcher and Jordan Rodgers Reveal the 'Blowout Fight' that Almost Broke Them Up
Life isn’t always as perfect as it appears on TV.
The Bachelorette‘s JoJo Fletcher and Jordan Rodgers are opening up about their relationship difficulties in their new Kin web series, Engaged with JoJo and Jordan, revealing the fight that almost broke them up.
“I don’t think the real difficulties began until after the final rose,” recalled Fletcher, 27. “That’s when things really blew up for us, and we didn’t know how to prepare for that.”
The couple admitted that their relationship was challenged after an onslaught of infidelity rumors began circulating shortly after their engagement. When one tabloid claimed Rodgers, 30, still had an active online dating profile as the two were moving into a new home together, the two found themselves in a “blowout fight.”
“I don’t know if I always shared with you how it made me feel because I think there was a part of me that was scared that he would get mad at me,” Fletcher said.
“It ended up being a fight,” Rodgers said, with Fletcher adding, “A huge fight, a blowout fight.”
The two credit their difficulties to a lack of communication.
“We didn’t know how to communicate with each other, and our feelings are both getting hurt. There are tabloids about me, so I’m getting defensive and hurt,” said Rodgers. “And then I’m like, ‘Why are you believing that?’ We’re just getting to know each other, so a lot of times, unfortunately, I think we kind of held in those feelings. And that was terrible.��
Fletcher became emotional as she recalled feeling isolated after not being able to talk to her friends and family about her struggles out of fear that they would judge her relationship with Rodgers.
“Not having your family and not having your friends, and feeling like you don’t have each other, you feel so alone,” she said.
RELATED VIDEO: JoJo Fletcher on Taking Things Slow with Fiancé Jordan Rogers: ‘I Still Make Him Court Me’
The pair finally came together when Fletcher reached her breaking point.
“I just said, ‘Listen, I feel alone right now. And I need you, and I need us,’” Fletcher said, breaking into tears. “And I guess not having anyone led me to back to you, and got us to talk again and communicate.”
RELATED: JoJo Fletcher ‘Open’ to Filming a Home Renovation Show with Fiancé Jordan Rogers
Fletcher and Rodgers agreed that the fight ultimately made them stronger.
“I’m so glad that we were able to get through it, but it was hard. It was really hard,” she said.
Engaged with JoJo and Jordan is a combination of reality TV and DIY home decor, giving viewers an inside look at the ups and downs of Fletcher and Rodgers’ relationship, plus the tasks that come with building a home together and appearances from her parents, who made an impression on viewers after Fletcher visited them on The Bachelorette in 2016.
New episodes of Engaged with JoJo and Jordan are available to watch every week on Kin across YouTube, Facebook Watch, Instagram, Twitter and Amazon.
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Jonathan Van Ness Says Co-Star Bobby Berk 'Queer-Eye'd' His Apartment
The Fab Five typically give other people tips on how to improve their lives, but sometimes they find themselves getting made over by one another.
Jonathan Van Ness, Queer Eye‘s resident grooming expert says that before he met the show’s interior designer, Bobby Berk, he was not the tidiest homemaker.
“Prior to Bobby being in my life I was a messy person,” Van Ness tells PEOPLE at an event promoting Smirnoff’s switch to non-GMO vodka in their signature No. 21 flavor. “I always had a chair in my bedroom just for me to throw a bunch of crap on. I don’t have that chair in my room anymore.”
“Bobby has definitely Queer Eye’d my apartment,” he added. “I’m much more organized. Bobby really taught me how, if your car and your apartment are messy, it’s actually bad for your nervous system.”
RELATED: Bobby Berk On Remodeling Homes in a Week — And Which Queer Eye Guy Actually Has the Hardest Job
Van Ness admitted that prior to his appearance on the show, he was often “disorganized” while getting ready and he felt frantic in the mornings.
“I used to be like 20 minutes late like everywhere I went,” he said. “Now I’m only like four minutes late everywhere I go, which is a marked improvement.”
However, Berk’s helpful tips don’t go unreciprocated. Van Ness also says he gives his costars grooming advice.
WATCH THIS: ‘Queer Eye’s’ Karamo Brown Talks Setting Up Jonathan Van Ness: ‘It Went Really Horrible!’
“I singlehandedly saved hair,” he said. “He would tell you the same thing.”
And although the hairdresser admits he sometimes gets on Berk’s nerves because he’s a self-proclaimed “morning person” (“I have problems controlling the volume of my singing before 8 a.m.”), he feels lucky to have such a close friendship with his fellow Queer Eye cast members.
RELATED: Queer Eye‘s Bobby Berk Reveals Which Home Design Trend He Thinks We’ll Regret in 10 Years
“We really are blessed that we like each other so much,” Van Ness said. “It’s cute. It really is nice.”
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Nas Denies Kelis Abuse Allegations While Pleading 'We Should Be Better Examples' for Son Knight
Some five months after his ex wife Kelis accused him of mental and physical abuse in an in-depth interview with Hollywood Unlocked, Nas is telling his side of the story.
On Thursday, the rapper, 44, shared a series of seven plain black Instagram posts with lengthy captions that explain his relationship with the “Milkshake” singer, 39 — especially in relation to the child they share, a boy named Knight Jones, born in July 2009.
“PART 1. The Price I Pay To See My Son,” he began before explaining that “a call from Essence about wife doing another sad fictitious story” prompted him to speak out.
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PART 1. The Price i Pay To See My Son. And apologies in advance for the typos as I am speaking from the heart as a man who has had enough. Today i got a call from essence about my ex wife doing another sad fictitious story. Nothing surprises me anymore, including this. This is what your life has come to sis? Exploiting some people’s Real struggle and pain…just to get at me….to get attention ? Fame? Another fight against men? We are a human family and we should be better examples for our son. Why is there even a issue for me to have time with my son. A son needs his father. So many absentee fathers out here and here i am being attacked by your accusations simply because i got us in court to help fix this the custody matter? Why did i have to take you to court to see our son? Why when i win the joint custody ( which is a win for both of us and our son, it helps us with both our schedules) why do you feel thats an attack on you? Is it control ? Why do you need to have control over my life? because we’re not together? Then why? Is this being rewarded and praised by people who are being taken advantage of by you and your lies? To all separated couples out there who are cordial and co parent nicely GOOD FOR YOU. I wish that was me. I’m the most chill cool parent there is. Who has time to argue ? About what? It’s about our little guy. You haven’t had to deal with what I’ve been dealing with. Trust me. I’m a mild mannered god fearing very fair human being who tries his hardest to please everyone. It’s my nature. I’ve seen this too many times before And there was times i thought Kelis my ex wife was not this type. This is the type of antics that deceive people and people mistakenly call it strong. Seems I always had more belief in you than you do for yourself. I instilled strength in my daughter who you were already so jealous of and treated poorly. Being jealous & verbally abusive to a Little girl.
A post shared by Nasir Jones (@nas) on Sep 6, 2018 at 4:54pm PDT
//www.instagram.com/embed.js
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PART 2. In life you have to work hard to be successful, not try to tear someone down for that’s the most coward way. Women are the essence of life. I cherish them. My strength is given to me from my mother. I am everything she taught me to be. I was raised in a single home by a single woman. I am a very proud black man. I shouldn’t have ignored the signs from your your first song and video I HATE YOU SO MUCH RIGHT NOW. But I thought you was beautiful. You came into my life at a time i was grieving from my moms passing. You was a friend. Because of that i wanted to marry you. And i did. And we had a big lavish wedding. Overall there was too many good times. I have to say i wasn’t the most faithful husband. I was immature. I’m sorry about that. But you bumped your own head sis. Why do i have to live thru a constant divorce? It didn’t work out. Life goes on. I’m not coming back to you. Your married and im happy for you and I’m a extremely happy black brother out here trying to make a difference for my kids and the next generation of young people who see me as huge inspiration in music, art,business, education and so on. After 10 years of keeping my silence during a decade of dealing with very hostile behavior and verbal abuse and even your stepfather holding you back from one of your physical violent Attacks on me right outside your house THIS YEAR while trying to pick up our son while he watched from the window, it was my weekend and you denied me that because your parents were in town. I just went home. This has been my life for my son’s entire life. Even our son wonders why you treat me the way you do?
A post shared by Nasir Jones (@nas) on Sep 6, 2018 at 4:55pm PDT
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He continues, “Nothing surprises me anymore, including this … We are a human family and we should be better examples for our son. Why is there even a issue for me to have time with my son. A son needs his father.”
View this post on Instagram
PART 3. There’s some seriously crazy things i won’t i disclose for our son’s sake. Because you keep my son from me ive been going thru lawyers to stop you from this bullshit I’m tired of it. I’m tired of you painting a bad picture of me. I’ve been tired of it but you never seem to get tired. I even had to be in a relationship with you AGAIN after we separated just so i could see my son & I AM JUST TIRED. Back then you asked me why didn’t i stop the divorce from happening. I tried! We are too different. Some things aren’t meant to be. We were meant to be so that we could have our son. Nothing more. You didn’t like that. I prayed for your peace of mind for years because of your uneasy soul. I still do. I guess some things take time. You definitely don’t know me now and probably never knew me. You make up this image of me that’s not true but it’s funny because it’s really you describing yourself. You made up stories about me and claimed i did things that YOU DID. I hate all this, but you were a very jealous wife, and i had to deal with that and that’s the worst feeling. How much heat i had to take from producers, writers, music attorneys and record execs etc who felt your mean spirited wrath and dropped you from labels, from startrack to them all. I stopped talking to jungle & steve stoute because of you & almost lost Anthony because of you.
A post shared by Nasir Jones (@nas) on Sep 6, 2018 at 4:58pm PDT
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PART 4. You used to turn my phone off so my professionals couldn’t reach me and take the battery. You insulted any and everyone whoever was around me. Not a single person in my life loved or could even stand you. Luckily for you our assistants all signed NDA’s or you would have a list of men and women who would happily talk about how verbally abusive and evil you are. Your self saboteur ways has caused you your grief your dealing with. Not me. The altercations you speak of are no more different from what most normal couples go thru, but your exaggerated version is UNJUST. Whenever one is constantly attacked the instinct is to restrain that person or defend yourself to prevent escalation. In hindsight now my advice to young men out there in a situation like that is to RUN at the very first sign of verbal abuse or physical. I herd you said terrible things about me. It makes me feel sad how heartless you can be. You play with strong women’s struggles like they mean nothing. You’re taking advantage of a moment in time where women who are fighting for their lives to get justice and be treated fairly & you just looked at it as an opportunity to get ahead. Like abuse is a game? Like tearing down your son’s father is a game. You have a son! Why are you still competing with me by telling him bad things about me. Guess what sis, he has eyes and ears and smart as ever. i don’t have to say anything. I think he knows what’s really good. You will NOT stop me from fighting for my son. You tell him GOD doesn’t love his dad because his dad doesn’t goto church.
A post shared by Nasir Jones (@nas) on Sep 6, 2018 at 4:59pm PDT
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In the next installment, Nas discussed his view of women and the beginning of his relationship with Kelis, writing, “I was raised in a single home by a single woman. I am a very proud black man. I shouldn’t have ignored the signs from your first song and video I HATE YOU SO MUCH RIGHT NOW. But I thought you was beautiful. You came into my life at a time i was grieving from my moms passing. You was a friend. Because of that i wanted to marry you. And i did.”
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PART 5. Didn’t want to bring up money but since that’s the fuel behind all of this Let me say that I gave you the tools to be successful after you was dropped from your label. I paid for your cooking school cordon blue. The expensive yellow stove we had flown in from Europe. I helped pay for the remodeling of your house. Your assistant stole thousands from my cc according to Amex. Out of all people you should be completely understanding of my my grind. But you just can’t win with you. My schedule is CRAZY but you never help me see my son. I’m hardly allowed to talk to him on the phone. Ever. My lawyer told me bring the cops to your house and show my court orders when you don’t let me get him or answer your phone but who besides you wants to show their kids that his parents are that out of control? I’ve been going thru lawyers to stop you from this bullshit for years. I finally got our custody together to work with both our schedule thru court, while leaving court you tell me your gonna get me back for fighting to see my son and 3 weeks later you’re on camera doing an interview about “your truth”. Interesting timing. Do what you want just don’t violate another court order sis because the judge won’t like that at all. The judge already ordered you to pay my legal fees because he was tired of you wasting everyone’s time in court. No lawyer wants to represent you after what you put them thru. That’s why you texted me today asking me for more child support money-and you want to keep it out court. You will NOT stop me from fighting for my son. Remember GOD sees all. And I’m no longer allowing you to take advantage of the fact that I did not want to respond in a manner that could affect my kids , friends or family publicly. THAT ENDS TODAY.
A post shared by Nasir Jones (@nas) on Sep 6, 2018 at 5:06pm PDT
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PART 6. Everything with her is a plot and a scheme. Has no merit. No foundation I didn’t Wana speak up because i have real respect for our women. And definitely my son. I do not beat women. I did not beat up my ex wife. Stop. You got beat up in court. How much money do you want? Do you want me to relinquish my rights to see my son is that what you want? Just tell me. After all the tweets and posts you made thru the years disrespecting me and my family I still have love for you as the mother of my child BUT I am done with this. This game ends now and GOD will be the judger of all this. And although you tell everyone GOD hates me (some Christian you are) I will survive and thrive from this moment because I know who I am & you have not a clue who you are.
A post shared by Nasir Jones (@nas) on Sep 6, 2018 at 5:07pm PDT
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Nas continued, taking shots at Kelis’ character: “You insulted any and everyone whoever was around me. Not a single person in my life loved or could even stand you. Luckily for you our assistants all signed NDA’s or you would have a list of men and women who would happily talk about how verbally abusive and evil you are.”
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PART 7. And to all the fans that knew my silence was due to the fact that I don’t openly do this kind of petty shit… I appreciate you riding. And to those that were lead down a wrong path… I get it… very sensitive times and all things must be taken seriously. This is MY TRUTH. And I don’t care what else she has left to say unless it concerns our son. This is the first and last time I’m addressing this. Despite all of this I still hope for the best for her because whats best for her is what’s best for Knight. Love, NASIR BIN OLU DARA JONES
A post shared by Nasir Jones (@nas) on Sep 6, 2018 at 5:10pm PDT
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Then, the “I Can” hitmaker addressed the custody arrangement he and Kelis reached in March and the Hollywood Unlocked interview: “I finally got our custody together to work with both our schedule thru court, while leaving court you tell me your gonna get me back for fighting to see my son and 3 weeks later you’re on camera doing an interview about ‘your truth’. Interesting timing.” He also urged her not to “violate another court order.”
RELATED: Victoria Beckham Slams Divorce Rumors as She Poses with Husband David: ‘We’re Stronger Together’
In part six of seven, Nas explicitly denied the abuse allegations: “I do not beat women. I did not beat up my ex wife. Stop. You got beat up in court. How much money do you want? Do you want me to relinquish my rights to see my son is that what you want? Just tell me.”
And to conclude, the rapper explained that he had stayed silent for so long because he doesn’t “do this kind of petty s—” adding, “This is MY TRUTH. And I don’t care what else she has left to say unless it concerns our son. This is the first and last time I’m addressing this. Despite all of this I still hope for the best for her because whats best for her is what’s best for Knight.”
RELATED: Kelis Lists $1.9 Million L.A. Home and Announces ‘We’re Buying a Farm’
Nas and Kelis divorced in 2010 but did not reach a custody agreement regarding Knight until March of this year. According to TMZ, they have also been battling over the amount of child support Nas should pay. Kelis is also mother to Shepherd Mora, born in November 2015. She is married to Mike Mora.
This past April marks the first time Kelis spoke out about her relationship with Nas, calling it a “really dark” time in her life. “There was a lot of drinking. There was a lot of mental and physical abuse,” she recalled. “I probably would have stayed longer had I not been pregnant because I really did love him and because we were married. We weren’t dating, we were married. Like, this was my person.”
RELATED: Kelis Accuses Ex Nas of ‘Mental and Physical Abuse’ During 5-Year Marriage: ‘It Was Really Dark’
She continued, “I’ve waited nine years to say anything. I have never talked about this man, ever. The amount of airing out that I could do, and I’ve chosen not to … Our kids will find out. They’re finding out now. I’ve never painted myself as a saint. Did he hit me? Mmhm. Did I hit him back? Mmhm.”
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Mortgage Rates Tick Down, But Can Borrowers Seize the Opportunity?
Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Rates for home loans ticked down as the bond market moved sideways and the housing market made little headway.
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.52% during the July 19 week, down one basis point, according to the weekly data from mortgage provider Freddie Mac. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.00%, down from 4.02%. The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage averaged 3.87%, up one basis point.
Those rates don’t include fees associated with obtaining mortgage loans.
Mortgage rates follow the trajectory of the 10-year U.S. Treasury note. Bond yields have been subdued in recent weeks as Washington rachets up a trade war, nudging investors to seek safe haven assets. Bond yields fall as prices rise.
Bond strategists have mixed views on whether the recent rebound is temporary or likely to persist. Some think underlying fundamentals, like rising inflation, will re-assert themselves as trade war rhetoric cools down. But others viewed testimony from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell Tuesday as a signal that the central bank sees an end to interest-rate increases coming sooner than markets may expect.
In the housing market, meanwhile, there’s little momentum up or down. Lower rates are a boon to borrowers, but no help if there’s still not enough inventory to satisfy years of pent-up demand. Data from the Commerce Department Wednesday showed home builders are in no hurry to ratchet up their pace of construction.
Many economists and housing-watchers think the current cycle has run its course, but there’s less agreement on exactly what that means.
Also on Thursday, the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University released a report showing that homeowner remodeling expenses will rise more than 7% this year. That’s thanks to surging levels of home equity and a rosier economy – but it’s also a reflection of the lack of homes available.
Buyers who want to move up to a nicer home or downgrade to a smaller one may be forced to remodel and make do with what they’ve got instead. That means annual spending on residential improvements and repairs by homeowners could reach nearly $350 billion by the middle of next year, the Harvard group said.
The post Mortgage Rates Tick Down, But Can Borrowers Seize the Opportunity? appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
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How to Replace a Ceiling Fan
Some people love ceiling fans - others don’t care for them. But we can probably all agree that they’re incredibly functional, especially in the heat of summer.
If you don’t love the look of your ceiling fan, try updating to a more modern, sleek option. That way you get both function and fashion in your space, which is a win-win in our playbook!
There’s no need to call an electrician for this project - installing a new ceiling fan is something you can do in less than an hour.
Supplies
New fan
Screwdrivers (flat and Phillips)
Voltage tester
Ladder
Wire cutters
Wire caps
A buddy
1. Turn the power off
This is by far the most important step for this project. To stay safe when working with the electrical wires, turn off the power to the ceiling fan.
Turn the switch on and off, and use a voltage tester to confirm that there’s zero power running to the ceiling fan before you proceed.
2. Remove the old fan
You’ll need your screwdriver for this one - and a buddy to hold up the fan while you work. It’s an arm workout, so make sure your helper is ready to hold it as you quickly remove it.
The process will depend on your fan’s model, but you’ll most likely start by removing the light fixture, the fan blades and then the base.
Basically, start unscrewing pieces of the light and fan until you get it all off - just remember to snap a picture of how the wires were connected. Are they red to red? Black to black? Take a photo to help you translate those same wire connections to the new fan.
3. Install the ceiling bracket
Now it’s time to install pieces of the new fan. First up is the ceiling bracket. Use the screws that come with the new fan, and secure it into the holes on the electrical box.
Bring the wires from the ceiling through the center hole. In our case, that was one white wire and one yellow wire (plus the green one on the ceiling bracket).
4. Prep the fan
This next step will depend on the make and model of your particular fan, so follow the directions to assemble it correctly.
For ours, we installed the canopy and download assembly, making sure to bring the wires all the way through. You may also need to grab your wire cutters and cut the wires a bit shorter at this point.
5. Attach canopy and wires
Bring your assembled fan base up to the ceiling, and hook it into the ceiling bracket. Most new fans have a feature that allows you to rest the fan on the bracket so you don’t have to hold the weight while connecting the wires. This will save you some serious arm pain!
Once the fan is secure, connect your wires. We had three sets of wires to account for: wires from the ceiling, wires from the fan, and wires from the receiver inside the fan (which lets us use a remote control).
First, we connected the ground wires from the ceiling, fan and ceiling bracket. Next, we connected the wires for the remote control - yellow to black, blue to blue. Finally, we connected the neutral wires (white to white) and hot wires (black to yellow).
Note: The wire colors may be different depending on your fan model and the wires in your ceiling.
Use the wire caps to create secure connections. You don’t want any wires slipping out when you push it all up into the ceiling, so it's important to really twist on those wire caps.
We then tucked the wires neatly into the ceiling and screwed the canopy’s base into place.
6. Attach blades
Time to make it look like an actual fan! Take your fan blades, and screw them into the canopy, following the directions for your particular model. We suggest placing a towel beneath the setup in case you drop any screws.
7. Add the switch housing
You’ll most likely put your switch housing into place using screws. There will be a wire plug that goes from the upper to the lower switch housing. Make sure this connection is secure, because it’s what turns the fan on.
8. Add cover plate and turn on the power
We’re in the home stretch at this point. Simply put the glass cover over the housing kit until it clicks into place. Now it’s time to turn on the power and test the fan to make sure your hard work paid off.
Removing the old fan left us with a bit of damage on the ceiling. A simple patch and paint will make your ceiling look like new, and your updated fan will fit in seamlessly with your home decor.
If you can change a light fixture, you can easily change a ceiling fan. All it takes is a free afternoon and a patient helper to get the job done!
Related:
7 Perfect Kitchen Upgrades for a New Look Without Remodeling
9 Updates Your Home Needs Every 10 Years
A DIY for the Books: How to Get Custom Built-In Shelves on a Budget
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Tech dominates Glassdoor’s top CEO rankings with strong showings by DocuSign, LinkedIn and Salesforce leaders
DocuSign CEO Daniel Springer. (DocuSign Photo).
The technology industry makes another strong showing among the 100 top CEOs of 2018 in the new Employees’ Choice Awards from Glassdoor, the jobs and recruiting website.
With 26 CEOs on the list, tech was well represented, and four CEOS in the top 10 are the heads of tech companies, including No. 1, Zoom Video Communications’ Eric S. Yuan (99 percent CEO approval rating); No. 3, DocuSign’s Daniel Springer (99 percent approval); No. 8, LinkedIn’s Jeff Weiner (97 percent approval); and No. 10, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff (97 percent approval).
DocuSign CEO Springer’s story is especially remarkable, having gone from a stay-at-home dad to the CEO of a newly public company in a little more than a year. Springer joined DocuSign in January 2017 after a long search by the digital signature giant to find a replacement for previous CEO Keith Krach. DocuSign was founded in Seattle and later moved its headquarters to San Francisco but still has a large presence in its original hometown.
Among Seattle-area CEOs, Microsoft’s Satya Nadella ranked the highest at No. 20, with a 96 percent approval rating. Of the 15 CEOs who are recognized by employees in multiple countries, Nadella was the only one to show up on five lists — U.S. large companies, Canada, U.K., France and Germany.
Glassdoor’s rankings were calculated and provided to the media prior to the current controversy over Microsoft’s contract with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Some employees are urging Nadella to cancel the contract amid the uproar over ICE’s practice of separating families and children at the border. In a message to employees Tuesday evening, Nadella called the policy “cruel and abhorrent” but didn’t directly address the calls to cancel the contract, instead saying that Microsoft technology isn’t aiding ICE in the practice.
The other Seattle-area CEOs recognized are: T-Mobile’s John Legere, No. 36, (94 percent approval); Slalom’s Brad Jackson, No. 39, (94 percent approval); Costco Wholesale’s Craig Jelinek, No. 83, (92 percent approval); Nordstrom’s Blake W. Nordstrom, No. 89, (91 percent approval).
Glassdoor’s Employees’ Choice Awards are based on the input of employees who voluntarily provide anonymous feedback by completing a company review about their CEO’s leadership, along with insight into their job, work environment and employer over the past year.
Here’s the top 10 (at U.S. companies with 1,000 or more employees):
Zoom Video Communications’ Eric S. Yuan (99 percent approval)
Boston Scientific’s Michael F. Mahoney (99 percent approval)
DocuSign’s Daniel Springer (99 percent approval)
In-N-Out Burger’s Lynsi Snyder (99 percent approval)
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s James Downing (98 percent approval)
Power Home Remodeling’s Corey Schiller and Asher Raphael (98 percent approval)
H E B’s Charles C. Butt (98 percent approval)
LinkedIn’s Jeff Weiner (97 percent approval)
Wegmans Food Markets’ Colleen Wegman (97 percent approval)
Salesforce’s Marc Benioff (97 percent approval)
Glassdoor said Apple’s Tim Cook had the distinction of being the tech CEO with the biggest decrease in rankings, as he fell 43 spots from No. 53 in 2017 to No. 96 overall in 2018.
Click here for more on Glassdoor’s methodology.
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‘Upside-Down House’ Replica Wows Mid-Century Modern Fans in Wisconsin
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Immaculately restored Mid-Century Modern homes always manage to attract buyers. But a Mid-Century classic that mirrors an actual masterpiece? Priceless.
Well, we’ve found a replica of the famed Upside-Down House built by John M. Johansen in 1950 in New Canaan, CT. The copy of the Connecticut classic is now on the market for $410,000 in Bayside, WI. Johansen’s concept was to invert the standard American two-story style and put the bedrooms all on the bottom floor and the living spaces on the top floor.
Built in 1955, this three-bedroom, 1.5-bath home sits proudly in this northern Milwaukee suburb and is listed by Lori Foulke with Keller Williams Realty.
Located in a quiet cul-de-sac, the home even has a screened-in porch where the lucky buyers can keep an eye on local wildlife. “All kinds of birds, deer, and even a rafter of wild turkeys frequently wander through the backyard,” says Foulke.
The natural touch was key to Johansen’s original design.The intention—putting the living room upstairs and three bedrooms downstairs—was to create the feeling of suspension, as if the home’s owners are living among the treetops.
Bedroom
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Bathroom
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Dining room
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The home has had only two owners over its many decades. In the beginning of the story, it was a case of love at first sight. After spotting the Upside-Down House in McCall’s Magazine in 1952, a local family commissioned Milwaukee-area modernist architect Donald L. Grieb to replicate the design. They then lived in the home for over six decades before selling.
However, due to family circumstances, the current owners—who moved in just two years ago—are selling because they need an additional bedroom. “They are really heartbroken about having to leave this home,” says Foulke. Among their renovations were—with help from an interior designer—developing “a (mostly blue and yellow) color palette that remains true to the 1950s,” says Foulke.
Kitchen
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“Working from the Grieb blueprints and a copy of the article that appeared in McCall’s, they carefully worked to update the house in a way that blends the original, vintage, and new materials together harmoniously,” says the agent.
The former black-and-white kitchen was replaced with 1950s-era Geneva cabinets painted turquoise, a formica-style countertop, and period-appropriate yellow and blue tile. “They purchased the tile from a Michigan company that sells the same tiles that were available in the 1950s,” says Foulke. “This particular yellow is an authentic Mid-Century color that can’t be found anywhere else.”
Staircase
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Throughout the home, the flooring was updated while still keeping true to the original ’50s-era designs. Carpeting was stripped from the staircase in favor of grasscloth-style wallpaper. Throughout the rest of the home, DuraCeramic tile replaced carpeting and rolled vinyl.
The living and dining space now features cork flooring, and a new wall separates a bedroom from the den. The hallway’s new sliding-glass panels create privacy.
Den
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And there’s great news for buyers in love with the listing photos, because there’s wiggle room about what could be included with an accepted offer. “The sellers have not included any of their furnishings in the sale price, but are open to the idea of selling items,” says Foulke. “They actually had asked for the dining set when they were buying the house, so they totally understand the desire to keep pieces that work well within the home.”
Whoever snaps up this home will likely be surrounded by neighbors with a mutual love of modernist architecture. “The majority of the (Milwaukee area) atomic ranches and architect-designed Mid-Century Modern homes are located in Fox Point, Bayside, and Glendale,” says Foulke.
According to the agent, only a handful change hands every year. “On average, about 40 of the 450 homes sold in those communities per year fall into this category.” Plus, for Mid-Century fans priced out of coastal regions, they are more affordable. They usually sell in the $325,000 to $450,000 price range—though sometimes as low as $250,000 to $275,000.
However, prices for listings tied to an architectural heavyweight will soar. Last year, this home in Fox Point designed by Russell Barr Williamson sold for $1.525 million.
As for who will buy this ravishing replica, Foulke hopes it’s someone with the sense to pretty much leave it be. “I would love to see it go to an owner who doesn’t want to turn this special home into something it wasn’t meant to be. Mid-Century Modern homes in particular tend to suffer more than their fair share of ‘remuddling’—remodeling that destroys, dilutes, or doesn’t mesh with the original architectural design.”
The post ‘Upside-Down House’ Replica Wows Mid-Century Modern Fans in Wisconsin appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
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Peek inside this Aspen luxury estate priced at $12.9 million (PHOTOS)
A luxury estate minutes from downtown Aspen has just hit the market for $12.9 million. Listed by Coldwell Banker Mason Morse Real Estate, the property encompasses six acres of backcountry with stunning views. While the 6,786-square-foot home was originally built in 1994, it has just undergone a massive "down-to-the-studs" remodeling by broker-developer Bob Bowden, who represents the seller. “This exceptional property has been reimagined to reflect the modern Aspen lifestyle with grand designs,”…
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Get ready: home remodeling is set to surge at the fastest pace in more than a decade
Home remodeling is projected to grow at the fastest pace in more than a decade this year, according to a report out Thursday.
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This 32-year-old leveraged 3.7 million Pinterest followers to remodel and furnish her tiny house
Blogger Joanna Hawley, who has 3.7 million followers on Pinterest, is remodeling her first house with hard work and sponsorships.
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Bright and Bold Inside a Classic Craftsman - House of the Week
For someone who grew up in a city dominated by gray skies, Hayley Francis sure knows how to live in color.
From the blue exterior of her historic Craftsman to the emerald green palm frond wallpaper of her bedroom, the professional designer consciously chose vivid colors to brighten up the often monochrome days of the Pacific Northwest.
“The goal with the whole house was to make me feel happy, especially in Seattle. Anyone who says they don't get down in the winter season is lying,” Francis said. “I wanted to keep the house colorful but feeling like it still belonged in Seattle.”
The result is a modern, elevated twist on a classic home using curated colors and hand-selected furniture. After purchasing the 92-year-old house a few years ago, Francis didn't have a massive budget to make major renovations. She went about transforming the 3-bedroom, 1.75-bath home using paint and decor instead.
For a kitchen with classic black-and-white checkered floors, the Seattle native looked thousands of miles away for inspiration, choosing a color she dubbed “Caribbean green.” She wanted to complement the signature, vintage floors with a bright shade that didn’t stand out too much.
“My favorite color is green. Everyone has a favorite color, right?” she said.
In addition to the paint, Francis was drawn toward mint-colored, vintage pieces including refrigerators, toasters and mixers.
“Some would say that painting your kitchen that color is loud, but it's really not that loud,” she added.
The master bedroom got a splash of the tropics, too, with palm wallpaper. Francis saw the print years ago and knew she'd incorporate it into her home someday.
"It's actually in the Beverly Hills Hotel, or was. I saw that and fell in love with it," she said. "Then I saw it online, and then in a restaurant in Seattle. Then I knew."
"The thing with wallpaper is you have to stare at it for a long time," she continued. "I wanted to make sure it was something I could stare at for at least 10 years. I feel good about it. I love it."
Francis transformed an adjacent bedroom into what she dubs her "office closet" - a space for her to work from home while having clothing and accessories on display, instead of hidden behind closed doors.
"It had been a dream of mine to have my own changing room and I tend to be a little bit messy, so it contains my mess," she joked. "It serves a dual function. With this room, I did an e-design first, which is what I do at [home furnishings website] The Mine. That was fun. It brought what I do at work into my home."
The copper-pipe clothing racks were custom made in Europe. Francis found the vintage rug on Etsy.
Other rooms are designed around carefully chosen furniture and accent pieces. Francis painted her living room off-white and arranged it around a Louis-style couch, which she fell in love with. (Bonus: it was well within her budget and offers a cozy spot to work on her blog.)
The dining room is a mix of old and new. It features a chair handed down from Francis’ grandmother and a large wooden bar that belonged to her mother before she passed away.
Francis also pulled fabric from one of her mom's chairs to use as wall art.
"It's been very cool to see people's reactions [to the home], to be honest," she said. "People feel happy when they enter the space, especially because we live in Seattle. It's warm and welcoming and bright, without being tropical. I love it."
Custom photography by Yuriy Manchik.
Related:
How to Actually Afford to Buy a Home in America
Our New, Old Kitchen: How We Rose to the Remodeling Challenge
Vote for Your Favorite Homes of 2017 (So Far)
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Home rebuilding will be painfully slow -- and costly - CBS News
Stephen McNiel of Creative Property Restoration, a remodeling firm in Houston, received calls from seven flood victims on the day he visited longtime client whose recently restored home had been ruined by Harvey. One came from a woman who had phoned ...
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Advice for Houston builders shifting to remodeling work after Harvey
"Many builders view this as an opportunity to give back and expand their client base.”
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