In October 2023, Nick Volkov stumbled upon a unique real estate listing for a rundown house in Vancouver, British Columbia, and felt compelled to share it with his girlfriend, Jenna Phipps. Despite the listing only showcasing the exterior and labeling the house as a “tear-down,” Volkov was captivated by the property’s undervaluation, its water view, and its departure from modern architectural norms. Intrigued, Phipps immediately fell in love with the Continue reading “This Couple Bought a Rundown Abandoned House for $1.5 Million and Plan to Make It Their Forever Home: Take a Look Inside” »
The small town of Saint-Amand-Montrond in France has launched a unique initiative to sell a house for just 1 euro, approximately USD 1.07. This move is part of a broader effort seen in various parts of Europe to revitalize shrinking communities by attracting new residents willing to invest in neglected properties. The house on offer, an 828-square-foot two-level residence with two bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms, a courtyard, and a garage, is centrally located in the town. However, the catch is that the house has been uninhabited for 12 years and requires substantial renovations, estimated to cost around USD 136,180. Prospective buyers must also commit to relocating to Saint-Amand-Montrond and integrating into the local community.
Applications for this opportunity opened on April 1 and will close on June 15. Interested individuals must submit detailed renovation plans and proof of financing, along with a suggested cover letter outlining their long-term vision for the property and their commitment to the town. The town aims to find a buyer who will not only restore the property but also contribute to the community for at least ten years. The chosen applicant will be announced by September, with the legal transfer expected in January 2025. Renovations must begin within five months of signing and be completed by July 2028, using local craftsmen. This is the second time Saint-Amand-Montrond has offered such a deal, having first done so in 2021, which saw over 90 applicants. The town hopes this initiative will reduce the number of vacant homes and breathe new life into the city center.
Nkenge, a 30-year-old content creator from Harlem, achieved a dream she never thought possible: securing a luxury one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan’s Flatiron District through New York City’s housing lottery. Growing up in the Bronx and Harlem, Nkenge always viewed neighborhoods like Flatiron, where the median rent is an astronomical $5,394, as unattainable. After submitting over 120 applications in three years, her perseverance paid off in 2023 when she was selected for a rent-stabilized apartment. Now, she enjoys the benefits of a spacious unit with amenities like a gym, game room, and rooftop access, all for just $1,000 a month.
The affordable housing program has transformed Nkenge’s life, reducing her rent from $1,900 in Harlem to $997 a month in her new luxury apartment. This drastic cut in living expenses has allowed her to focus on her long-term financial goals, such as saving for homeownership and securing her future with investments in life insurance and retirement plans. The stability and affordability of her new home have provided her with a newfound sense of security and opportunity, enabling her to plan for a future where she can achieve even greater financial independence. As Nkenge looks ahead, she remains committed to advocating for broader access to affordable housing, recognizing its critical role in improving the quality of life for many New Yorkers like herself.
Kristina Knighten and her husband, Paul Cordier, were determined to invest in their future by buying their first home in Chicago. With their combined savings of nearly $40,000 from working as TEFL-certified teachers in the UAE, they explored the possibility of purchasing a multi-family home in the North Lawndale neighborhood. However, the rising property prices and the difficulty of securing a traditional mortgage due to their overseas income made the process challenging. The couple’s dream shifted dramatically when, during a 2019 trip to Lago d’Iseo, Italy, they stumbled upon a charming two-bedroom house listed for 25,000 euros. They realized they could buy it outright with the money they had saved for a down payment in Chicago.
The Italian house, though in need of significant repairs, enchanted Knighten and Cordier. Despite the initial setback of another buyer’s offer, fate intervened, and they eventually secured the property for 23,000 euros. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed their plans, but in July 2021, they finally saw their new home, filled with the previous owner’s belongings. Embracing the property’s history, the couple began extensive renovations, facing increased costs and a timeline that extended beyond their initial hopes. Despite these hurdles, they remained optimistic and committed to creating their dream home, viewing the endeavor as a worthwhile risk that promised long-term happiness and fulfillment.
The Field Museum in Chicago is currently exhibiting one of the most significant paleontological finds: a rare and remarkably well-preserved skeleton of the Archaeopteryx, a bird-like dinosaur. The discovery of the first Archaeopteryx fossil in 1861 played a crucial role in supporting Darwin’s theory of evolution by illustrating the connection between dinosaurs and birds. This fossil, often hailed as the most important ever discovered, provided concrete evidence that birds are the closest living relatives to dinosaurs. The presence of this specimen at the Field Museum offers a unique opportunity for science enthusiasts in the Western hemisphere, as no other major museum in this region holds an Archaeopteryx fossil. This fascinating creature, which once roamed what is now Europe, bridges the evolutionary gap, showing characteristics that link small, modern birds to their colossal, reptilian ancestors like T. Rex.
Field Museum CEO and President Dr. Julian Siggers has emphasized the significance of this acquisition, equating it to the museum’s renowned SUE the T. rex. Despite its small size—comparable to a pigeon—this Archaeopteryx fossil, found in Germany’s Solnhofen limestone deposit, offers invaluable insights. Its features, such as a snout with sharp teeth, clawed wings, a long bony tail, hollow bones, and asymmetrical feathers, exhibit both reptilian and avian traits, making it a vital piece of the evolutionary puzzle. Initially discovered by private collectors in 1990 and acquired by the Field Museum in 2022, the fossil arrived encased in rock. The museum’s preparators meticulously preserved its fine details, enhancing its scientific value. Visitors can marvel at this extraordinary specimen in a temporary exhibit until June 7, 2024, before it becomes a permanent part of the Field Museum’s collection in September.
The potential of cannabidiol (CBD) in treating various ailments in pets has generated considerable interest among scientists and pet owners alike. Case reports and early studies suggest that CBD, a non-psychoactive component of cannabis, may offer relief for conditions like arthritis, allergies, and anxiety in dogs. For instance, anecdotal evidence from pet owners highlights instances of dogs experiencing significant improvements in mobility and reduction in seizure frequency after CBD administration. Chie Mogi, the lead veterinarian at the Animal CBD Research Society in Japan, has documented cases where dogs benefited from CBD, showing improvements where traditional treatments had failed. Such reports are bolstered by more controlled trials that indicate CBD’s potential efficacy. Veterinary neurologist Stephanie McGrath from Colorado State University, who coauthored a review on CBD for pets, points out that while the evidence remains mixed, the positive outcomes in these trials provide a hopeful outlook for incorporating CBD into veterinary medicine.
The increasing interest in CBD for pets follows the loosening of cannabis regulations, notably the 2018 US Farm Bill, which legalized hemp products with low THC content. This regulatory change spurred a surge in CBD products for pets, aiming to address issues such as pain, anxiety, and seizures. Despite the burgeoning market, there are challenges related to inconsistent product quality and varying legal restrictions on veterinary recommendations. Research has shown mixed results; for example, some studies reported significant improvements in seizure frequency and reduction of itchy behaviors in dogs, while others showed no significant effects. Joseph Wakshlag from Cornell University emphasizes that the efficacy of CBD can vary depending on dosage and product composition. He advocates for purchasing CBD products from reputable sources participating in voluntary quality assurance programs. Overall, while CBD shows promise, more rigorous and large-scale studies are needed to clarify its benefits and ensure consistent product quality for treating pet ailments effectively.
IKEA has introduced its first-ever pet product range, Utsådd, in collaboration with Woodgreen Pets Charity, catering specifically to the needs of cats and dogs. This innovative collection, comprising 29 thoughtfully designed items, focuses on the primary activities that pets engage in within the home: eating, sleeping, playing, and hiding. According to IKEA’s commercial manager Michaela Quinlan, the goal of Utsådd is to create products that both pets and their owners will appreciate, ensuring comfort and style seamlessly integrate into the home environment. The collection features an array of items such as rattan beds, scratching posts, and patterned toys, all aimed at enhancing the daily lives of furry companions.
The partnership with Woodgreen Pets Charity highlights IKEA’s commitment to animal welfare, especially in light of the 62 percent increase in abandoned pets reported by the charity in 2023. By donating all the furniture from the Utsådd collection’s catalogs—dubbed the “Cat-alogue” and “Dog-alogue“—IKEA is not only raising awareness about pet adoption but also providing tangible support to the charity’s mission. The catalogs feature products like a pitched-roof cat bed, a raised rattan cat house, and various soft toys for dogs, all photographed with animals from the rehoming center. Fiona Cooke, Woodgreen’s head of specialist services, emphasized the importance of creating safe and enjoyable spaces for pets, both at the rehoming center and in their future homes. This initiative by IKEA underscores its broader design ethos of inclusivity and innovation, as seen in their other recent collections unveiled at international design events.
Sixty years after being selected as a candidate to become the first African-American astronaut, Edward Dwight finally realized his dream by blasting off with Blue Origin on Sunday. At 91 years old, Dwight made history as the oldest person to ever travel to space, surpassing Star Trek actor William Shatner’s previous record. Riding aboard the New Shepherd rocket, Dwight experienced a 10-minute flight above the Kármán Line, the boundary separating Earth’s atmosphere from outer space. Overwhelmed by the experience, he told NPR, “Fantastic! A life-changing experience. Everyone needs to do this! I didn’t know I needed this in my life, but now I need it in my life.”
Dwight’s journey to space has been a long and inspiring one. During the Kennedy Administration, he was selected as a promising candidate for NASA’s Astronaut Group 3, receiving thousands of letters addressed to ‘Astronaut Dwight, Kansas City.‘ Despite accumulating over 9,000 flight hours and holding an aeronautics degree from Arizona State University, Dwight was not ultimately chosen to go to space. Instead, he pursued a successful career as an artist and sculptor. His long-awaited journey to space was made possible by a group of benefactors who honored his contributions and legacy. Now, Dwight’s ambition extends even further: “I want to go into orbit. I want to go around the Earth and see the whole Earth. That’s what I want to do now,” he shared with NPR.
Designed by Portugal’s Madeiguincho, the Brava tiny house is a masterful blend of timber craftsmanship and efficient space utilization, perfect for a cozy dwelling for two. Measuring just 12 square meters, this compact abode is a testament to Madeiguincho’s deep-rooted expertise in woodworking, honed over years by a family of carpenters. Situated on a picturesque farm in the Portuguese countryside, the Brava serves as a tranquil retreat for an artist and her daughter. Despite its small footprint, the Brava is thoughtfully designed with a space-saving layout that maximizes functionality without compromising comfort. The exterior boasts a charming wooden finish and a small porch area, extending the living space and providing a delightful spot for outdoor dining and relaxation.
Inside, the Brava continues to impress with its rustic yet elegant decor. The interior features a combination of plywood finishes and distressed furniture, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that complements its rural setting. Entered through double glass doors, the ground floor includes a multi-functional raised double bed that doubles as a day bed, equipped with integrated storage to optimize space. The compact kitchen, adjacent to the bed, is efficiently designed with a sink, cabinetry, and basic cooking facilities, seamlessly connected to a bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower. Additionally, a storage-integrated staircase leads to a loft-style bedroom with a low ceiling and a double bed, typical of tiny home designs. While the Brava’s pricing remains undisclosed, its meticulous design and craftsmanship make it an ideal small-scale home.
