A Clayface movie is on its way. And it couldnt come at a worse time. Variety reports that a Clayface movie will begin production next year, produced by The Batman director Matt Reeves and written by Mike Flanagan, creator of The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass. The news comes just before the release of Kraven the Hunter, the last in Sonys ill-fated attempts to build a shared universe around Spider-Man villains. Which begs the question: why would DC try to follow in Sonys shameful footsteps with its own Batman rogues?The obvious answer is that Reeves and company just finished The Penguin, a very good (no reallyI only gave the first few episodes low reviews) series focused on multiple villains. Second, the Clayface movie will happen under the aegis of James Gunn and Peter Safran, who have already done good villain-centered work with The Suicide Squad and Creature Commandos. Further, Flanagan is one of the most exciting writers working today.But the most important reason is the most simple. Clayface is one of the richer villains in comic book history, one better suited to carry his own movie than Kraven, Madame Web, and Morbius.Molding ClayfaceWhen most people hear the name Clayface, they think of a glob of brown muck who can perfectly take the form of anyone he chooses. But the first Clayface who battled Batman and Robin was no one so fantastic. In 1940s Detective Comics #40, by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson, Batman and Robin investigate a series of murders on a film set where Bruce Waynes fiance Julie Madison is working. The Dynamic Duo reveal the killer as disgruntled B-movie actor Basil Karlo, who masqueraded as Clayface, the monster from a horror picture he was making, to commit the crimes.Finger later reimagined the character in 1961s Detective Comics #298, The Challenge of Clay-Face by Finger, Sheldon Moldoff, and Charles Paris. Befitting the sci-fi tones of the Silver Age, this Clayface was treasure hunter Matt Hagen, who turned into a shape-shifting muck monster after encountering mysterious ooze at the bottom of the ocean. The Hagen Clayface became the primary model for decades, even as different variations popped up.In 1978, Len Wein and Marshall Rogers introduced Preston Payne, a rich man who stole Hagens blood to reshape his physical abnormalities and become Clayface III. Payne eventually met Sondra Fuller aka Lady Clayface, and they had a son named Cassius Clay Payne, the fourth Clayface. In Batman #550 (1998), Peter Malley, a scientist in the Department of Extranormal Operations, experiments on Cassius and becomes Clay Thing. Malley may or may not be the amnesiac shape-changer who eventually settled on the appearance of actor Todd Russell and was rescued by Catwoman in 2002. And then theres firefighter Jonathan Williams, introduced in 2003 as a tragic figure who becomes a Clayface after being doused with chemicals. This Clayface fights with Batman for a bit, but eventually helps the Dark Knight cure Alfred before sacrificing himself.In the current continuity, with its reboots and retcons, Karlo is back as the main and only Clayface, albeit with aspects of the previous Clayfaces integrated into him. Writer James Tynion IV recently reimagined Karlo as a tragic figure, one given a chance at redemption during The Rise and Fall of the Batmen arc from the Rebirth issues of Detective Comics.While its unclear which Clayface will star in the new movie, the point is theres plenty of comic book history to pick from as Flanagan et al craft the ideal version for the big screen.The Man Inside the MonsterLook at them! demands Batman at the end of the brilliant Batman: The Animated Series two-parter Feet of Clay. The Dark Knight has chased the villain into a room filled with screens, each of which displays one of the personas adopted by Clayface. You can play those parts again, Hagen, Batman urges, identifying the villain as Matt Hagen, even though he acts more like Basil Karlo. Let me help you find a cure.Clayface refuses, stumbling back and losing control of his powers, shifting from one form to another. Each transformation blurs into the next, burying Clayfaces true identity under a pile of false selves.Its a classic tragic end for a villain from The Animated Series and perfect for a writer such as Mike Flanagan. Although hes worked entirely within the horror genre, Flanagans always had more than scares on his mind. As demonstrated in feature films such as Doctor Sleep and shows such as Fall of the House of Usher, Flanagan loves to construct tragedies about the nature of faith, the foibles of humanity, and the persistence of trauma. Whether hes writing about a masked killer invading a deaf womans home, a dead woman reliving recent conversations with a caretaker, or a priest who confuses a vampire for an angel, Flanagan always finds humanity and empathy for the monster. The scariest thing in all of his stories is the way people hurt instead of heal one another.That approach works particularly well for Clayface, who has had his share of rich stories over the years. Clayface drives the story of in this years Batman 89 sequel novel Batman: Resurrection, in which hes a discarded actor who gains face changing abilities after being exposed to Jokers Smylex poison. Although he doesnt consider himself a monster, Karlos delusions of grandeur allow him to be manipulated by a larger, more malevolent force.The Animated Series spiritual sequel, Batman: Caped Crusader (which features Flanagan collaborator Hamish Linklater in the lead) takes Karlo back to his roots as a riff on The Phantom of the Opera. There, the classically-trained actor resents the horror roles hes given because of his unusual looks, a deep-seated hurt that drives him to become a real villain and kidnap a starlet.Last years one-shot Clayface: One Bad Day by Colin Kelly, Jackson Lanzig, Xermnico, and Romulo Fajardo Jr. updates Karlos origin for modern day. The story emphasizes the way Karlos looks separate him not just from the acting industry but all of humanity, making his murderous ways an extension of his desire for acceptance.These and other Clayface stories serve as perfect material for a thoughtful and empathetic writer like Flanagan, someone who can create pathos in the most outrageous of genres.And as these stories show, Clayface is not the same type of character as Kraven or Morbius. Sure, those guys are compelling villains and have had great stories told about them, but Sony wanted anti-heroes. So instead of building on the pathos inherent in the character, Sony simply reshaped them into edgy heroes, something they were never meant to be and nobody wanted (except from Venom, who somehow became part of a rom-com couple).Flanagan doesnt need to make monsters into heroes. He lets monsters be cruel, pathetic, and ultimately human, and thats where Clayface works best. Hopefully, the new DCU will stick to what Clayface has long been in comics, books, and television: not just a compelling bad guy but one of the most compelling and human characters in genre fiction.

This Star Trek: Lower Decks article contains spoilers.For a character we almost never see, Curzon Dax had a lot of influence on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The host of the Dax symbiote before Jadzia, Curzon became the stuff of legend. His legacy lived not just in the way he shaped Jadzia, but in the the valor of Captain Sisko, the Blood Oath sworn to Klingons Kang and Koloth and Kor, and in the many tales of his exploits.Yet, outside of a flashback, the closest we came to actually seeing Curzon in action was in the DS9 season three episode Facets, when he took over Odos body and reshaped himself to look, well, just like Ren Auberjonois.For its penultimate episode Fissure Quest, Star Trek: Lower Decks finally lets us see the man himself. Or, at least a variation of that man. Fissure Quest checks in on Boimlers transporter clone William, now working (refreshingly sciencey, not at all dystopian) secret ops for Section 31 on a ship crewed by familiar characters across the multiverse. Weve got Garak and Bashir, actually married with no OBrien (or Rick Berman) to muck it up. Weve got TPol, with a greater understanding of human behavior after a six-decade marriage to Trip Tucker. Weve got Lily Sloane from First Contact, actually getting the respect that she deserves. And weve got so many Harry Kims, all but one is still an ensign.The most vivacious of the bunch is an elderly Curzon Dax, pushing 100 and not ready to give it up. On one hand, this Dax (voiced by Fred Tatasciore, but retaining Auberjonoiss signature growl) spends a lot of time griping about TPols (Jolene Blalock, who makes her Star Trek return, along with Garret Wang, Alexander Siddig, and Andrew Robinson) attempts to correct him. Even a suggestion as small as Eat less sodium sounds like an insult to Curzons ears.Lower Decks being Lower Decks, the ribbing plays as jokes, framing Curzon as a cranky old man who does reckless things to hang onto his youth. Curzons big moment in the episode comes when he grabs a batleth and takes on an army of Khwopians, which plays at first like an elderly delusion. Even the resolution, in which TPol takes the katra of the dying Curzon to carry elsewhere, turns the Trill into the butt of the joke, realizing he was wrong about the Vulcan.Yet, the jokes also add to the rich tapestry of Curzon. Throughout the first seasons of Deep Space Nine, Jadzia felt like she lived in Curzons shadow. In Facets, she even admits that she delayed the zhiantara because of her feelings of inadequacy. That episode concludes with Jadzia gaining confidence after see learns about some of his vulnerabilities, which makes for a satisfying arc.In Fissure Quest, however, Curzons failings are less dramatic, more relatable. The episode knows that the viewers have seen how much Jadzia and Ezri appreciate the experiences he gave them, putting us on Curzons side in squabbles with TPol. But the jokes deflate the importance of these moments, putting them in proper context. Yes, Curzon is creating a record that will go on to enrich the lives of generations of Trills, but hes also a cranky old man who throws a fit at the slightest ribbing.In other words, Fissure Quest lets us see Curzon less as a major figure in Star Trek history and just as a person. Unlike Facets, Curzons foibles arent so grand that they almost create another Tuvix situation when he argues that he and Odo have become a unique individual. Rather, theyre dumb and petty and understandable.In this way, Curzons story mirrors the lesson that Lily tries to teach William Boimler, one that many Trekkies would do well to remember. The purpose of exploration isnt to learn about new life and new civilizations, not really. Its about learning about ourselvesthe people doing the exploring, sure, but also the audience watching Star Trek.The cranky old man Curzon is fundamentally human, just like millions of other elderly grouches across the globe, who take even the slightest concern for their safety as a blow to the ego. Instead of diminishing the old man spoken of with such reverence by Jadzia and Sisko, the touches help us better relate to both Jadzia and Sisko, people who try to honor the memory of those who came before, and to Curzon himself, someone who feels the weight of expectation and still screws up sometimes.The Curzon jokes in Lower Decks help us better understand how to be human, the greatest legacy that any TV show can leave behind.Star Trek: Lower Decks releases new episodes every Thursday on Paramount+.

Breaker/Breaker, fellow truckers!Its time for a new round-up of our latest updates, customization packs and treats. Christmas is upon us after all, so why dont we talk about gifts?A New Customization Pack is Here: Heavy DutyWe know many of you want to show off your trucks true strength for real, so we have the perfect pack for you: A full suite of sturdy truck customization options, available now.A new paint job: Blue Collar Cruise,A new Hood Ornament: Lucky Chunk.Not one but three new Truck Grilles! Comet Pusher, Star Riot and Moon Shot.A new Sensor Manifold: Keystone.A new Exhaust Stack: Keystone.All the Extra Content in One ScreenWe have a good amount of extra content available already, so we thought it was time to make things easier to find. You can now access a downloadable content screen from the menu screen. It will show a notification every time there is a new DLC you have not seen, with a preview; and it will help you keep track of every pack you own.Along with this, weve added the Starter Trucker Theme option: If youve unlocked or purchased a customization pack you can now set it as a starter theme when beginning a new game.For Glory!Last but not least, lets talk about everyones favorite thing: Free stuff!Weve joined forces with none other than SteelSeries to release a totally free promotional pack to unlock an exclusive SteelSeries hood ornament inspired by their mascot Lars, and a new paint job. You will find both with the latest game update, available through the Body Shop and the Paint ShopWe want to take this opportunity to wish you all a fantastic holiday season, whatever you decide to do, and of course to say thank you once more for an incredible year. More to come in 2025 so keep your eyes peeled.Star Trucker Heavy Duty Customisation PackRaw Fury$2.99Get it nowGet ready to showcase your true strength with this full suite of sturdy truck customization options. New Paint Job: Blue Collar Cruise New Hood Ornament: Lucky Chunk Three new Truck Grilles: Comet Pusher, Star Riot and Moon Shot New Sensor Manifold: Keystone New Exhaust Stack: Full Guard Curve

Prepare to bend the elements and battle like never before! From December 17 to December 30, Overwatch 2 is teaming up with Avatar: The Last Airbender in a legendary crossover event that promises to thrill both Overwatch fans and Avatar enthusiasts alike. This limited-time collaboration merges the iconic world of the Four Nations with your favorite Overwatch heroes, creating a lineup of elemental cosmetics and challenges that celebrate unity, resilience, and the unstoppable power of teamwork.Overwatch 2 players will have the chance to channel the essence of Water, Earth, Fire, and Air through stunning character skins inspired by the unforgettable heroes of Avatar. Get ready to fight alongside your team just like Team Avatar, as these skins perfectly capture the spirit of bending.Heres the roster and what they bring to the battlefront:Zenyatta as Aang: The spiritual harmony of the Air Nomads comes alive through Zenyatta, who now embodies Aang, the Avatar himself. With his serene strength and ultimate goal of peace, Zenyatta as Aang is your ultimate ally in bringing balance to every fight.Mei as Katara: The wisdom and fluidity of the Water Tribe are reflected in Meis Katara skin. Unlock this cosmetic by completing special in-game challenges. Whether freezing enemies in their tracks or leading your team to victory, Mei as Katara will always fight with the waterbenders calm determination.Genji as Zuko: Harness the unrelenting fire of the Fire Nation with Genji as Zuko. This fierce skin captures Zukos resilience and undeniable skill. Genjis speed and deadly precision paired with Zukos fiery spirit make this a must-have for your collection.Orisa as Appa: Appa fans, rejoice! Orisa brings the loyal guardian of Team Avatar to life in the most lovable way possible. With her hulking presence and steadfast armor, shes the ultimate protector your team can count on. Dont forget to shout yip yip! as you carry your teammates to victory.Kiriko as Suki: Honoring the unyielding leadership and strength of the Kyoshi Warriors, Kirikos Suki skin is all about loyalty, skill, and teamwork. Lead your team with confidence, just as Suki would.Venture as Toph: Become an unshakable force of nature with Venture sporting Tophs earthbending persona. This cosmetic highlights Tophs raw strength and unflinching determination, showing enemies that you mean business (especially if they dont see it coming). The Overwatch 2 art team had a blast while creating these skins. As big fans, it was tough to choose which characters to create skins for, says art director Dion Rogers. But we immediately knew Orisa would be Appa, Aangs sky bison. This skin helped us blend Overwatchs futuristic elements with Avatars mystical/eastern designs. Though we joked about temporarily increasing her size, we kept her in-game scale unchanged. He goes on to the difficulty is choosing a hero perfect for one of Avatars most famous characters: For Aang, we considered a few other heroes, including Illari due to her ultimate resembling the Avatar State, but ultimately chose Zenyatta as Aang, fitting well with his Transcendence ability.The Overwatch 2 x Avatar collaboration is packed with goodies, from special unlockable rewards to one-of-a-kind cosmetics. This is your opportunity to embody the Avatar universe while dominating the Overwatch battlefields.Unlock and Earn skins, such as Mei as Katara by completing exclusive challenges in-game.Collect Elemental-Themed Cosmetics, capturing the magic of iconic moments and characters from Avatar.Battle Like the Gaang, bringing harmony and strength to every match.Each game is an opportunity to channel your inner bender, master the elements, and prove to your enemies why teamwork matters.Mark your calendars! This crossover event will only be available from December 17 to December 30 in Overwatch 2. Whether youre an avid Avatar fan or simply love collecting skins, this is your chance to celebrate two legendary universes coming together.Are you ready to summon the power of Water, Earth, Fire, and Air? Assemble your team and Fight like Team Avatar and protect the Overwatch world with elemental strength and precision. Its your time to bend the elements and claim victory!Overwatch 2Blizzard Entertainment2036Get it nowXbox One X EnhancedXbox Game PassOverwatch 2 is an always-on and ever-evolving free-to-play, team-based action game set in an optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate 5v5 battlefield brawl featuring new heroes and maps, different ways to play, and unique cosmetics! Lead the charge, ambush your enemies, or aid your allies as one of Overwatchs 40 distinct heroes. Team up with friends, take them into battle across 25+ futuristic maps inspired by real-world locations, and master multiple unique game modes.Overwatch 2 Season 14: HazardGet ready for an explosive season as we introduce Hazard, the new Scottish tank hero, embodying the spirit of anarchy for the greater good. Then test your skills with a unique blend of past and present in the 6v6 Role Queue event, where teamwork and synergy shine within the 2-2-2 setup. Master the elements with an Overwatch 2 x Avatar: The Last Airbender collab event, celebrating unity, resilience, and the power within. Plus, prepare to wield the hammer of Gods as Mythic Thor Reinhardt and earn up to five Legendary skins with the Premium Battle Pass. Packed with nostalgia, customization, and radical gameplay, Season 14 has everything you need to dominate in style!The Overwatch League Token will no longer be purchasable after December 9, 2024. The OWL shop will remain open until at least December 2025, with limited inventory purchasable with players remaining OWL token balances.

Whether its the crackling logs on the fire or the smell of gingerbread wafting from the kitchen, theres nothing like spending the holidays snuggled up in a cozy, classic farmhouse decorated for the occasion. (Even better if youre watching a classic holiday movie such as Miracle on 34th Street or Home Alone.) The best part about creating that magical holiday feeling? You dont have to go over the top. Farmhouse-style Christmas decorations can be as humble and nostalgic as their surroundings. From simple garland swags on a wrap-around porch to a fresh-cut fir tree festooned in nostalgic ornaments, holiday decorating should be as timeless as it is chic. Below, weve gathered up our 20 all-time favorite touches to give your home a festive farmhouse feel just in time for merry Ol Saint Nick. Just dont forget the milk and cookies! Ready to Dive Into Holiday Decorating? Check Out More Farmhouse Christmas Ideas:1Layer Your GarlandAdam Albright for Country LivingSometimes, simple evergreen garland just isnt enough! In this farmhouse living room, antique brass bells, pinecones, and dried orange slices are woven into garland to give it some visual texture. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: How to Dry Citrus for All Your Holiday Decorations2Add Flair With Foraged FineryRikki Snyder for Country LivingIn this New York farmhouse, freshly gathered greenery and berries add a rustic feel to the entry while happy hits of citrus bring a pop of color. Playing up natural elements such as these is an easyand inexpensive!way to make your holiday decor feel luxe. TOUR THIS HOUSEAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Sneak in a SledDylan ChandlerCelebrate the winter seasons activities by propping a sled or two against by an exterior door. These graphic antique pieces add tons of charm for relatively little effort. RELATED: These DIY Wreaths Add Instant Christmas Curb Appeal To Your Front Door4Try a Blanket TableclothAnnie Schlechter for Country LivingYou dont need to invest in pricey tablecloths to give your Christmas gathering a seasonal spin. Take a note from design maven Nora Murphy and rely on your favorite tartan plaid blankets to set the holiday scene. RELATED: Set Your Christmas Dinner Menu with Any of These Fool-Proof Holiday Menu IdeasAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Use Unique GreeneryAnnie Schlechter for Country LivingWhile evergreen garland is a tried-and-true source of Christmas greenery, you dont have to stop here. In this farmhouse bathroom, topiaries and indoor plants also feel festive. (So does the cute red gingham pillow!)RELATED: These Are The 80+ Best Ways to Add Soul to Your Bathroom, According to Designers6Accent Everything With RedDavid Tsay for Country LivingThis white farmhouse plays up holiday cheer by layering on the reds. A bright door beckons visitors inside for hot cocoa, while red bows on both the garland and the wreaths add a classic Christmas punch. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: Heres How To Tie The Perfect Bow, According To Our Craft DirectorAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Go All in on BowsDavid Tsay for Country LivingYes, bows are still on-trend! In textile designer Heather Taylors California cabin, delicate bows were chosen over ornaments to add a sense of whimsy to the otherwise classic cabincore feel.TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: These Are The Top Christmas Decorating Trends of 2024, According To Designers8Pretty it up With Paper ChainBecky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew GleasonA classic paper chain does all the holiday heavy lifting in this Tennessee Christmas cottage. When your decorations are this classic, it doesn't take much to make your home feel holiday-ready. TOUR THIS HOUSEAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Embrace A Colorful ChristmasDavid Tsay for Country LivingRed and green might be the classic color pairing for the holiday season, but this colorful kitchen shows that you can rely on your homes existing palette to make your space merry and bright. Here, a wreath festooned with antique ornaments lends cheer to an equally vibrant Pyrex collection. 10Wrap Your Presents *and* Your PortratiureRikki Snyder for Country LivingPresents arent the only thing getting wrapped in this holiday-ready hallway. Simple festive ribbons tied around artwork is a great way to elevate your everyday decor. RELATED: These Gallery Wall Ideas Are Stylish AND Easy To ReplicateAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Keep it SimpleKim Cornelison for Country LivingWhile we love perfectly placed garlands as much as anyone, we know that sometimes simple is best. On this classic white farmhouse, boughs of unadorned pine garland hang straight down, instead of wrapping, the porch columns. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: The Best Outdoor Christmas Decoration Ideas12Trot Out the TartanAnnie Schlechter for Country LivingTouches of tartan feel right at home in this airy entryway. When in doubt, bring out the tartan for a classic look during the holidays. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13Ready Your Room Year-RoundDavid TsayLovingly named The Christmas Room, this farmhouse living room boasts a built-in holiday look thanks to wall-to-wall red plaid carpeting and evergreen-colored paint. The year-round decor is the ultimate backdrop for vintage collectibles, including 4-H ribbons, Shiny Brite ornaments, red barn paint-by-numbers, and grain sacks repurposed as stockings.Get the LookWall Paint Color: Lafayette Green by Benjamin MooreRELATED: Heres How Much Your Favorite Vintage Christmas Decorations Are Worth Today14Set up a Festive BarJean Allsopp for Country LivingNothing says holiday cheer like a grab-and-go bar set up. This antique chest of drawers plays host to a few bottles of bubbly and snacks, proving that all you need to get a holiday party started is a Christmas cheers!TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: These Christmas Cocktails Are Guaranteed to Give Guests A Warm Welcome This Holiday SeasonAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Merry up Your Mantel With IronstoneErin Little for Country LivingIn this colonial farmhouse, space is at a premium! An oversize fireplace gets a festive flair thanks to antique ironstone filled with blue and white baubles. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: The Complete Collectors Guide to Ironstone16Make It Merry With Mini TreesBurcu AvsarIts the more the merrier when it comes to Christmas trees in a farmhousebut they dont all have to be big. This fireplace scene is the perfect example of just how much oimpact a mini tree can have. RELATED: Bring Big Cheer to Small Spaces with These Mini Christmas Tree IdeasAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below17Bring Out the BaublesDavid Tsay for Country LivingThe lowest effort decorating is often the most effective. In this holiday-ready entry, an oval tray piled up with Shiny Brite ornaments sets a festive, welcoming mood. RELATED: Give Your Entry A Seasonal Refresh with These Stylish Ideas18Bring Out the AntiquesDavid Tsay for Country LivingThis holiday scene proves that vintage decor works in any season. Atop the dresser, a collection of antique art and signage still feels seasonally appropriate next to vintage deer figurines. Below, evergreen garland gets the nostalgic touch thanks to vintage ornaments and small pennant flags. The hutch itself is filled with festive red and white textiles to add another layer of old-fashioned style. RELATED: These Vintage Christmas Decorations Will *Never* Go Out of StyleAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19Go All in on Winter WhitesVictoria PearsonIf red and green are not in your palette, stick to seasonally appropriate winter whites. In this cozy cabin bedroom, bright whites feel welcoming and cozy, not stark, when paired with rustic wood finishes. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: 30+ White Bedroom Ideas for a Totally Serene Sleeping Space20Swap Out Your Shower CurtainBecky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew Gleason for Country LivingSmall touches can have the biggest impact. In this adorable Tennessee cottage, a red-and-white ticking striped shower curtain adds Christmas cheer to the green-and-white bathroom. TOUR THIS HOUSEAnna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she covers design and decorating trends, home features, and gift guides. She also produces home features and styles content for the print magazine. When she isnt working, can often be found digging around antique shops for the perfect find. Follow her adventures on Instagram!

Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE Decor editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.Trust is a key ingredient in any successful interior design project: trusting your gut, your client, and your collaborators. So when New York-based Elle Decor A-List designer Augusta Hoffman was approached by Davina Ogilvie, founder of Wovn Home and her go-to partner for custom window treatments, about launching a textile collection, Hoffman knew she could say yes with full confidence.Tim LenzThe primary bedroom in Hoffmans home features drapery from her collaboration with Wovn Home.The resulting line of seven fabrics includes three hearty yet humble solids in linen and a performance linen blend. Complementary sheers in wool blend solids and a stripe round out the offering. Rich hues like Dune, Umber, Acorn and Moss speak to the collection's understated versatility as much as Hoffman's elevated point-of-view. The rigor and thoughtfulness Augusta brings to each design project has always inspired me, says Ogilvie, who's also worked with the A-List designers Atelier Davis and Nathan Turner, as well as Jenni Kayne.Tim LenzThe Porcelain Sheer linen installed at Hoffmans studio.Available to the trade as well as retail clients, pricing for the collection begins at $900 for Roman shades. Swatches can easily be ordered from the site and the final product ships within five weeks, as production is based in North Carolina. Trusting your gut has never been easieror looked better.Sean SantiagoDeputy EditorSean Santiago is ELLE Decor's Deputy Editor, covering news, trends and talents in interior design, hospitality, travel, and luxury. He writes the So Courant! column for the magazine and elledecor.com.

William AbranowiczFrom the Archive: This Ramshackle House in Connecticut Takes Hands-On to New HeightsFormer model Anne Bannert is eager to strip, sand, and refinish anything for this fixer-upper in Westport.By Nancy Hass and Produced by Robert RufinoPublished: Dec 12, 2024This article originally appeared in the December 2014 issue of ELLE DECOR. For more stories from our archive, subscribe to ELLE DECOR All Access.The woman emerging from the vast basement workshop of her rustic Connecticut home is not what you might expect of a self-proclaimed radical do-it-yourselfer.Willowy and blonde, with perfect features, Anne Bannert seems more suited to walking a fashion runway than operating a belt sander. Which makes sense, since she modeled in the 1990s for the likes of Armani and Bain de Soleil and has recently been featured in ads for Lancme and Elizabeth Arden.William AbranowiczIn the living room, 1960s barrel chairs, bought at the 18th Street flea market in Manhattan, flank a cocktail table by Tucker Robbins made from a slab of 19th-century satinwood; the chestnut beams are original to the barn. The antique rug is Persian, and the walls are painted in Farrow & Balls Joas White.But these days, instead of entertaining in a lavish Manhattan apartment, as she once did, or dallying at benefits, swathed in cashmere, Bannert spends her off time in jeans, combing yard sales and flea markets, throwing unusual and often enormous objects into the back of her trusty 1984 Jeep Wagoneer. She is eager to strip, sand, and refinish them to adorn the former barn in Westport, where she lives with her husband, a Wall Street investment adviser.William AbranowiczA portrait of Bannert and her husband hangs in the dining room, between a pair of 1940s sconces that are original to the house, the table is an 18th-century reproduction of a 16th-century piece, and the pew, which came from a Connecticut church, is upholstered in a mohair by Donghia; the floors are Honduran mahogany, and the walls are painted in Benjamin Moores Bittersweet Chocolate. I just love old things, and it kills me when people throw them away, Bannert says. This place is filled with purchases I made for $40, $50for 50 cents sometimes. I love figuring out how to bring them back to life. This house was created through Google and wandering the aisles of Home Depot. I just love old things, and it kills me when people throw them away.Raised in a tiny rural town in Germany (population: 800), Bannert developed an early appreciation for the patina of age. Her father, a geologist, moved the family to Burma, now Myanmar, for several years, and there they acquired antiques and textiles, many of which remain with Bannert to this day. She blends them boldly and effortlessly with her thrift-shop treasures.William AbranowiczThe Chinese bench and chest in the living room are flea-market finds, and the rug on the sofa was a family gift; the teak sculpture and lacquer-and-gold-leaf Buddhist prayer book on the walls are from Rangoon, where Bannert lived with her family.Her eye is unerring, starting with discovering the 3,000-square-foot house itself. The 19th-century barn, situated on three acres, was converted in 1928 into a weekend home with a three-hole golf course, so it is layered with some idiosyncratic history. Only three owners had ever occupied it when Bannert set eyes on the place (the sellers were a fashionable pair of sisters who added their own layer of whimsy: a candy-pink interior). I made an offer without my husband even seeing it, Bannert says. Which is probably the only way it would have happened. Each weeknight, he travels home from his office in the city to find his wife knee-deep in major reclamation projects on a property that looks as if it belongs in the Vermont countryside rather than tony Fairfield County. Hes patient, and I am a little relentless, she adds.William AbramowiczThe kitchen holds a pair of 1930s chairs, a hand-planed pine table made in Connecticut, and a pine hutch Bannert rescued from a nearby barn; the floor tiles and shades are from Home Depot, and the original pine paneling is painted in Benjamin Moores Grant Beige.To create a canvas for her finds, Bannert oversaw the renovations herself and hand-hewed much of the work, including extricating a set of brass fleurs-de-lis from the dining room floor that couldnt be saved and laying them into the floor tile of a bathroom. She even honed marble (Its work, but its not a big deal). The wood toilet seats? She whipped them up in the elaborate, professional-level shop she seems both proud of and slightly embarrassed byA buddy of my contractors was selling all this serious equipment, and I was an obvious candidate. Its horrifying how it has sprawled. Back in the late 1920s, during the original conversion of the barn, two enormous fireplaces were added to each end, and now that Bannert has stripped the stucco from the massive stones, they form the heart of the houses main room. One mantel is a set piece for her unique journey: The taxidermy head of a deer shot by her 22-year-old son hangs above two Burmese statues. To me those things in this room are such naturals togetherthe old look of the wood and metal and the richness of the fabrics, she says.William AbramowiczBannert made the mahogany top for the kitchens 1950s wood-fired barbecue grill, the copper hood is from the same decade, and the steel chair was found at the local dump.There is something about those round shapes that I cant resist The hip, global vibe is perhaps best captured in the kitchen, where modern conveniences are gracefully set in a handmade environment. Warm, eclectic, and suffused with brilliant light, the room has become a favorite of fashion-photographer friends who rent it for shoots. When Bannert found the 1950s indoor wood-fired barbecue grill that now occupies a central position, she knew immediately that it would give her husband, who is from Argentina, a feeling of home. She made a mahogany top for it, and with the leftover scraps fashioned a pig-shaped carving board. On the wall hangs a collection of cast-iron skillets that she has rescued and restored. There is something about those round shapes that I cant resist, she says. Tour this cozy Connecticut house in WestportIn the dining room, the scene of many a wine-fueled feast with friends, Burmese teak carvings from the 1920s are affixed to the window frame, and Home Depot shades (expertly doctored by her) let in slivers of light. Guests either sit on 17th-century chairs embellished with dragons or on a long pew found in a local church basement. The pew was a gift from her upholsterer. He said, Youre the only person I know who could find a place for this. She had him cover it in a remnant of pink mohair by Donghia that she bought for a dollar. As she boasts about it with a self-mocking laugh, the phone rings. Its a neighbor who needs a haircut. Another of Bannerts unlikely skills, it seems. My mother used to cut the neighbors hair back in our little town in Germany, and she taught me how. So now Im doing it in Connecticut. Why not? This story originally appeared in the December 2014 issue of ELLE DECOR. SUBSCRIBEWatch NextAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowFrom the ArchiveAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below

Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.It may not always seem like it, but the holidays are all about balance: A balance between giving and receiving. A balance between an all-out decorating effort and taking a few shortcuts to make things easier on yourself. Balance on a ladder as you hang lights on your house and balance again when you take them down mere weeks later. Sometimes frustrating, always time-consumingbut this is the way its always been and will always be.Or maybe not. Is there another way to deck your house in Christmas lightswithout fear of falling, electrocution, or losing your mind? Turns out, permanent holiday-style lights are an option being considered by a growing number of people.Related StoriesHow Do Permanent Lights Work?Permanent lights like these popular ones from Govee are meant to stay on your house year round, requiring just one installation for up to 50,000 hours worth of festive lighting. The lights are controlled by Google Assistant or Alexa, and can be changed depending on the season. Users can choose from 75 different scene modes and over 16 million color combinations. So you can have warm white lights for the holidays, an orange and purple light display for Halloween, or a full rainbow set up on your home for Pride monthjust change the lights any time you want through the app. These permanent light kits come in lengths of 100 or 200 feet with black or white cords, and the cost starts around $400 if youre installing them yourself.Courtesy of GoveeA house with permanent decorative lights by Govee.Are Permanent Lights A New Phenomenon?Permanent lights have become more popular in the past decade, with more and more festive light companies offering an array of options. Some Reddit users noted that the cost of these lights have gone up since gaining traction during the Covid-19 lockdown, when some cities started to put up lights many months before the holidays in an effort to bolster pandemic-dampened spirits.Are They Actually Worth It?While some reviews commend these permanent lights for durability, ease of set up, and clear instructions, others remained unconvinced that the lights were as functional as they would have liked. A few houses have them around me, wrote one Reddit user. Instead of the distinct lights, theres just this glow. I think it looks tacky. Reviewers on Amazon complained that the app didnt always connect on their phones, making it difficult to control the different functions on a regular basis.Still, Lifehacker noted that after reviewing several different brands, these permanent lights were mostly a win. You install them once, and leave them up all year. They don't look exactly like normal holiday string lights, but the effect is largely the same: a festive, colorful display. The lights are installed under your eaves or gutters and project light back onto the house. If you like, you can face them out like standard holiday lightson your roof, for instance; they'll work fine that way too. Moreover, the impact made by permanent lights puts most incandescent or LED lights to shame."Any Drawbacks to Permanent Lights?The main downfall to adding permanent lights to your home appears to be the upfront cost. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the initial installation cost is a bit of an investment, especially if you have these lights put in by a professional. This can run you anywhere from $2,500 to $5,500 for a standard home installation.This might sound like a lot, but fortunately it is just a one-time price. And think about the money youll save on hospital bills by not falling off a ladder and breaking your leg. It could well be worth it in the end.Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

When a young couple decided on a gut renovation of their 1920s Mediterranean-style home in Los Angeles, they enlisted interior designer Mandy Cheng to give the property to bring everything up to date without sacrificing its original spirit. But there was a bit of a caveat: The clients taste for furniture and decor leaned much more contemporary, which was a challenge for me to blend seamlessly with the architectural details, says the founder of Mandy Cheng Design.Chengs solution to bridge the styles? Custom built-ins. In the family room, an entertainment center spans a full wall, with arches and integrated windows that warm up the sunny space. The feature pairs nicely with of-the-moment items like a white boucle armchair and globe sconce.Beyond built-ins, Cheng reconfigured the four-bedroom, three-bathroom home into a five bedroom, five bath. Upstairs, the original layout had one oversized bedroom, one smaller room, and a narrow, shared bathroom that was due for an update, Cheng explains. The clients requested separate bathrooms for each childthey have a boy and a girland a refreshed primary suite. By reconfiguring some walls, we were able to add a bathroom, giving each child an en-suite.On the main floor, the couple wanted a more spacious kitchen and a sightline to the family room. So Cheng reoriented the kitchen and removed walls to create an open layout, allowing them to see their kids while they prepare meals. But perhaps the most captivating kitchen addition are the hand-painted tiles sourced from Tabarka, a coastal town in Tunisia. This was a tile-focused project, which was very challenging because they were ordered during the height of the pandemic when everything was stuck at the port, Cheng says.The resulting 3,500-square-foot home is "livable, easy, and fit for play dates and dinner parties alike," Cheng says. While well-suited for modern day living, its original spirit lives on.Family RoomMadeline TolleMadeline Tolle"Figuring out the arches and integrating the windows into the full-wall entertainment center was a process that had such a great payoff," Cheng says. "I love that light comes through that wall, which is uncommon for full-wall built-ins."Sofa: Clad Home. Armchair: Article. Rug: West Elm. Sconce: Arteriors. Millwork: custom, by LA Design Build. Ottoman: custom.Living RoomMadeline TolleA variety of seating, from a blue Maiden Home sofa to a Serena & lily hanging chair, ensures the living room is well equipped for elevated entertaining and for the kids to play games or read.Chandelier: Meadow Blu. Coffee table: One Kings Lane. Rug: Lulu & Georgia. Dining table: CB2. Dining chairs: Crate & Barrel.KitchenMadeline Tolle "By backing the bench upagainst the island, we saved a little space in navigability," Cheng says. "And I love the flexibility and ease that this table offers."Pendants: Visual Comfort. Fixtures: Brizo. Counters: Vadara Quartz. Dining table: RH. Chairs: Hati Home. Bench: Jas Becker.Madeline TolleMadeline Tolle "The arched shroud for the exhaust vent, the tiles with the terracotta-colored grout, the mix of painted and stain-grade cabinets, and the unique corner shelfit all comes together so nicely," Cheng says.Tile: Tabarka Studio. Cabinetry paint: Troubador, Portola Paints. Cabinetry hardware: RH.Dining RoomMadeline Tolle "This is one of the first rooms you see when you enter the house through the front door, and the custom 10-foot table is stunning," Cheng says. "Made for gatherings, I cant imagine a better space to hang out with friends and family."Table: custom, by Estuary Home. Chairs: Design Within Reach. End chairs: Rove Concepts. Rug: Rejuvenation. Light fixture: Park Studio. Wall art: clients own.Primary BathroomMadeline Tolle"The tiles for the primary bath were hand-painted in Mexico," Cheng says.Pool HouseMadeline Tolle "We completely re-imaged the backyard and converted a dusty and somewhat dilapidated garage into a beautiful ADU/pool house, Cheng says, noting the transformation involved "rotating the pitch of the roof, adding a pergola, and opening it up to the newly installed pool."Madeline Tolle While the guest suite includes an efficient kitchen for family and friends who stay over, it also operates as a pool house on sunny days. Cabinetry paint: Hamilton Blue, Benjamin Moore. Cabinetry hardware: Schoolhouse. Tile: Tabarka Studio. Sconces: Illuminate Vintage. Fixtures: Brizo. Sofa: Clad Home. Coffee table: The Vintage Rug Shop.Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

Amsterdam-based startup CarbonX has secured 4mn to industrialise a new anode material that could help Europe reduce its reliance on China for graphite, a substance which makes up half the weight of a typical lithium-ion battery.Netherlands-based VC Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam led the round. Its an extension on CarbonXs 10mn capital injection announced in February, capping off the funding round at a cosy 14mn.Graphite is the go-to material for lithium-ion battery anodes, which is the negative electrode responsible for storing and releasing electrons during the charging and discharging process. Its found in batteries that power everything from EVs to smartphones. The EU imports almost 100% of its graphite from China, which recently imposed restrictions on exports of the carbon-based material amid rising political tensions between Bejing and the West.Watch Back NowA resilient battery supply chain is crucial for global electrification, said CarbonXs co-founder Rutger van Raalten. Yet, we dont see sufficient alternatives for locally sourcing critical raw materials such as graphite.CarbonX wants to offer European and American battery makers a way to source a graphite alternative that is not just locally-made, but greener and better performing.Spun out from Delft University of Technology in 2014, the company has developed an emulsion feedstock technology that takes carbon black a fine, black powder made mostly of pure carbon and processes it into a material with a complex 3D porous structure.Similar to graphite, this hexagonal formation creates spaces where lithium ions can insert themselves during charging. However, CarbonX says that its material has even more little crevices for the lithium ions to hide. That equals faster charging and longer-lasting batteries.CarbonXs unique 3D porous network structure improves electron and lithium-ion transfer, while it is still highly compressible to achieve high energy densities, explained Daniela Sordi, CTO and co-founder of CarbonX.CarbonXs feedstock technology purportedly consumes much less energy compared to synthetic or natural graphite production. This equals lower costs and less carbon emissions, it said.The companys carbon anode material is currently undergoing late-stage qualifications with several top 10 global battery cell manufacturers. It expects to secure its first offtake agreements halfway into 2025.Graphite demand is expected to rise by 20-25 times between 2020 to 2040, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).To cater to this enormous market pull, CarbonX plans to scale up quickly. CarbonX is currently planning its first high-capacity facility at an existing carbon black factory in the Port of Rotterdam. Its tech can plug-in to existing carbon black factories, using their current equipment, so theres no need to build new plants.The company is also undergoing a feasibility study for a 20,000 ton per annum production line in both Europe and US, it said.The founders of CarbonX found an answer to the developing Chinese export ban on graphite, commented Jesse In t Velt, investment manager of Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with