John Edwards, Technology Journalist & AuthorDecember 31, 20245 Min ReadBrain light via Alamy Stock PhotoBudget planning tools help IT leaders build an accurate estimate of future income and expenses in a detailed enough way to make sound operational decisions. That sounds simple enough, yet in actual practice creating a realistic budget is a time-consuming task that many IT leaders dread.AI has the ability to analyze historical finance data, usage patterns, project expenditures, and related inputs to better forecast the future, says Tyler Higgins, managing director of management and technology consulting firm AArete, via email.When teamed with automated data collection, AI has the potential to enhance many budget modeling processes, says Anurag Sahay, managing director and global lead of AI and data sciences at digital engineering firm Nagarro. In an online interview, he notes that AI can also improve extrapolation and forecasting to assess resource needs, extract key insights from unstructured feedback, and optimize decision-making models for the best planning outcome and what-if scenarios.Multiple BenefitsAI-supported budget planning offers both direct and indirect benefits. "The direct benefits are streamlining and shortening the budgeting process," Higgins says. "The ideal outcome is a predictive budgeting process that contains powerful scenario planning tools and improved accuracy."Related:The most exciting part about using AI in IT budget planning is how it can shift the entire mindset from cost-cutting to value-building, says Jeff Mains, founder of Champion Leadership Group, a business training and coaching provider. Traditionally, budgets were seen as waysto manage resources and avoid overspending, but with AI were talking about a tool that identifies opportunities for innovation, he explains via email. "It doesnt just keep you within budget -- it shows you where strategic investments in IT can drive growth." Mains says he uses AI to not only forecast expenses, but to create dynamic budget models that adjust in real-time based on shifting business needs and external factors. "Its about creating a budget that grows with you, rather than just containing costs."AI-driven predictive analytics and benchmarking tools are already available for parts of the overall IT budget process, says Steven Hall, chief AI officer at technology research and advisory firm ISG. In an email interview, he notes that several technology business management tools, such as Apptio, provide deep insights and scenario planning to analyze current spending patterns and run savings and growth scenarios. "These platforms are integrating GenAI capabilities to provide even deeper insights and look for savings by integrating usage, external benchmark, and demand data to plan better IT spending."Related:First StepsHiggins says the best way to begin using AI budget planning is to pick a specific use case and explore its potential. "We're still in the infancy of AI, yet use cases keep growing," he notes. "Instead of biting off everything at once, pick a few use cases and ensure that your baseline operational, financial, and usage data is sufficient, clean, and well structured." Higgins suggests establishing an objective for each use case, then deploying a pilot AI project to determine if it's delivering the anticipated output.When embedded into IT financial platforms, AI budgeting will provide deeper insight into opportunities as well as create the ability to model various scenarios for growth, Hall says. "These evolving capabilities will also provide leaders with actionable insights and identify specific actions to address budget challenges."The best approach is to take the long view, Mains says. "AI can deliver immediate insights, but its real power comes when its integrated into long-term strategic planning." He suggests selecting a single area of volatile IT spending, such as cloud services or software licenses, and allowing AI to analyze usage patterns in order to offer smarter budget recommendations. "From there, you can gradually scale AIs role, aligning its outputs with broader business goals."Related:Risks and BenefitsAI's biggest benefit is predictive accuracy. It's not just about saving time -- it's about knowing where your IT investments will have the highest impact six months from now, or even a year down the road, Mains says. The biggest risk is treating AI as a silver bullet. "The human element is still critical," he warns. "Without context and strategic insight, even the most advanced AI models can miss the mark."Hall notes that AI models are only as good as the data they're fed, and poor-quality or incomplete data can easily result in inaccurate budget forecasts. "Implementing AI tools also requires an upfront investment in technology and talent, which can be a barrier for smaller organizations."Looking ForwardThe hardest part of most AI-driven projects, including budgeting, is getting started, Higgins observes. "These tools are never going to be perfect at first, but they will get better, and the results will be tangible for every organization."About the AuthorJohn EdwardsTechnology Journalist & AuthorJohn Edwards is a veteran business technology journalist. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and numerous business and technology publications, including Computerworld, CFO Magazine, IBM Data Management Magazine, RFID Journal, and Electronic Design. He has also written columns for The Economist's Business Intelligence Unit and PricewaterhouseCoopers' Communications Direct. John has authored several books on business technology topics. His work began appearing online as early as 1983. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, he wrote daily news and feature articles for both the CompuServe and Prodigy online services. His "Behind the Screens" commentaries made him the world's first known professional blogger.See more from John EdwardsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also LikeWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore Reports

Separating AI reality from hyped-up fiction isnt always easy. Thats why weve created the AI Hype Indexa simple, at-a-glance summary of everything you need to know about the state of the industry. More than 70 countries went to the polls in 2024. The good news is that this year of global elections turned out to be largely free from any major deepfake campaigns or AI manipulation. Instead we saw lots of AI slop: buff Trump, Elon as ultra-Chad, California as catastrophic wasteland. While some worry that development of large language models is slowing down, you wouldnt know it from the steady drumbeat of new products, features, and services rolling out from itty-bitty startups and massive incumbents alike. So whats for real and whats just a lot of hallucinatory nonsense?

Everyone loves an air fryer. It's become the go-to kitchen gadget in recent years, thanks to its ease of use, energy-saving capabilities as well as quick turnaround when it comes to cooking food. If you've been curious about one but don't want to spend that much then this Bella Pro model for only $45 is a great excuse to do so. Available at this low price for today only -- as part of a limited-time deal at Best Buy -- the model is down by a sizable $65 from its usual $110 price point.See at Best BuyAvailable in a modern matte black finish with stainless steel handles, the Bella Pro air fryer comes with 8-quartz, a digital touch screen and a divided basket for cooking two foods simultaneously. Its "extra-large capacity" is suited for feeding up to 8 people while its removable ceramic nonstick basket and crisping tray can be slotted into a dishwasher without worry, meaning you spend more time with friends and family instead of cleaning.Read more: 39 Unique Gifts for People Who Have EverythingThe 1700-watt heating system provides insanely fast heat-up and cool-down times with an adjustable cooking temperature of up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, much quicker than using a cooker or oven. On top of this, it sports 8 8 built-in cooking functions: Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Reheat, Keep Warm, Pizza and Dehydrate.Why this deal mattersBest Buy operates flash deals that only last for 24 hours with only a handful of products being severely reduced. The Bella Pro air fryer is one of those products today with a massive 59% discount attached. It's one of the cheapest prices we've ever seen for this particular model and likely won't return to this price point for quite some time. It's also worth considering stock issues as when they're gone -- they're gone.Looking to upgrade your whole kitchen? Make sure to read up on the best microwaves you can find on the market today with Toshiba, Panasonic and more big-name brands appearing. CNET is always covering a wide array of deals on tech products and much more. Start with the hottest sales and discounts on theCNET Deals page, and sign up for theCNET Deals Textto get daily deals sent straight to your phone. Add the freeCNET Shopping extensionto your browser for real-time price comparisons and cash-back offers. And peruse ourgift guide, which includes a full range of ideas for birthdays, anniversaries and more. See at CNET

Refinance rates were mixed, but one key rate fell. Keep an eye out for lower rates.

Money Mortgages Article updated on Dec 31, 2024 Mortgage Rates Inch Up Since Last Week: Mortgage Interest Rates Today, Dec. 31, 2024 A handful of notable mortgage rates are moving up. But where they go next will depend on the incoming economic data and the Fed's plans for future interest rate cuts. Our Experts Written by Edited by

December 31, 20244 min readSome of These Whales May Live to 150Double the Age Previously ThoughtBowhead whales were known to live up to 200 years, and a new study finds that southern right whales may live up to age 150 if they arent being huntedSouthern right whale (Eubalaena australis) and her calf in the waters of the Nuevo Gulf, Argentina. Blue Planet Archive/Alamy Stock PhotoThe following essay is reprinted with permission from The Conversation, an online publication covering the latest research.Southern right whales have lifespans that reach well past 100 years, and 10% may live past 130 years, according to our new research published in the journal Science Advances. Some of these whales may live to 150. This lifespan is almost double the 70-80 years they are conventionally believed to live.North Atlantic right whales were also thought to have a maximum lifespan of about 70 years. We found, however, that this critically endangered species current average lifespan is only 22 years, and they rarely live past 50.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.These two species are very closely related only 25 years ago they were considered to be one species so wed expect them to have similarly long lifespans. We attribute the stark difference in longevity in North Atlantic right whales to human-caused mortality, mostly from entanglements in fishing gear and ship strikes.We made these new age estimates using photo identification of individual female whales over several decades. Individual whales can be recognized year after year from photographs. When they die, they stop being photographically resighted and disappear. Using these photos, we developed what scientists call survivorship curves by estimating the probability whales would disappear from the photographic record as they aged. From these survivorship curves, we could estimate maximum potential lifespans.Twenty-five years ago, scientists working with Indigenous whale hunters in the Arctic showed that bowhead whales could live up to and even over 200 years. Their evidence included finding stone harpoon points that hadnt been used since the mid-1800s embedded in the blubber of whales recently killed by traditional whalers. Analysis of proteins from the eyes of hunted whales provided further evidence of their long lifespan. Like right whales, before that analysis, researchers thought bowhead whales lived to about 80 years, and that humans were the mammals that lived the longest.In the years following that report, scientists tried to figure out what was unique about bowhead whales that allowed them to live so long. But our new analysis of the longevity of two close relatives of bowheads shows that other whale species also have potentially extremely long lives.Why it mattersUnderstanding how long wild animals live has major implications for how to best protect them. Animals that have very long lifespans usually reproduce extremely slowly and can go many years between births. Baleen whales life history particularly the age when females start breeding and the interval between calves is strongly influenced by their potential lifespan. Conservation and management strategies that do not plan accordingly will have a higher chance of failure. This is especially important given the expected impacts of climate disruption.What still isnt knownThere are many other large whales, including blue, fin, sei, humpback, gray and sperm whales. Like bowhead and right whales, these were also almost wiped out by whaling. Scientists currently assume they live about 80 or 90 years, but thats what we believed about bowhead and right whales until data proved they can live much longer.How long can these other whale species live? Industrial whaling, which ended only in the 1960s, removed old whales from the worlds whale populations. Though many whale populations are recovering in number, there hasnt been enough time for whales born after the end of industrial whaling to become old.Its possible, even likely, that many other whale species will also prove to have long lifespans.What other research is being doneOther research finds the loss of older individuals from populations is a phenomenon occurring across most large animal species. It diminishes the reproductive potential of many species. Researchers also argue this represents a real loss of culture and wisdom in animals that degrades their potential for survival in the face of changing conditions.Whats nextWe want to better understand how whaling affected the number of old individuals in current whale populations and predict when the number of old individuals will recover to prewhaling levels. Preliminary results suggest it may be another 100 years before whale populations truly recover, even for species whose populations now number as many as there were before whaling.For North Atlantic right whales, our research shows that even when the population was increasing, the management actions taken were insufficient to prevent these whales from dying far too young.The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work.This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

December 31, 20245 min readMeet Pearl Young, Who Raised Hell at NASAs PredecessorPearl Young joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics in 1922, working across departments before becoming a technical editorBy Caitlin Milera & The Conversation US Pearl I. Young. NASAThe following essay is reprinted with permission from The Conversation, an online publication covering the latest research.Thirteen years before any other woman joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics or the NACA, NASAs predecessor in a technical role, a young lab assistant named Pearl Young was making waves in the agency. Her legacy as an outspoken and persistent advocate for herself and her team would pave the way for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics for decades to come.My interest in Youngs story is grounded in my own identity as a woman in a STEM field. I find strength in sharing the stories of women who made lasting impacts in STEM. I am the director of the NASA-fundedNorth Dakota Space Grant Consortium, where we aim to foster an open and welcoming environment in STEM. Youngs story is one of persistence through setbacks, advocacy for herself and others, and building a community of support.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.Facing challenges from the beginningYoung was a scientist, an educator, a technical editor and a researcher. Born in 1895, she was no stranger to the barriers that women faced at the time.In the early 20th century, college degrees in STEM fields were considered less suited for women, and graduates with these degrees were considered unconventional women. Professors who agreed to mentor women in advanced STEM fields in the 1940s and 1950s were often accused of communism.In 1956, the National Science Foundation even published an article with the title: Women are NOT for Engineering.Despite societys sexist standards, Young earned a bachelors degree in 1919 with a triple major in physics, mathematics and chemistry, with honors, from the University of North Dakota. She then began her decades-long career in STEM.Becoming a technical editorDespite the hostile culture for women, Young successfully navigated multiple technical roles at the NACA. With her varied expertise, she worked in several divisions physics, instrumentation and aerodynamics and soon noticed a trend across the agency. Many of the reports her colleagues wrote werent well written enough to be useful.In a 1959 interview, Young spoke of her start at the NACA: Those were fruitful years. I was interested in good writing and suggested the need for a technical editor. The engineers lacked the time to make readable reports.Three years after voicing her suggestion, Young was reassigned to the newly created role of assistant technical editor in the publications section in 1935. After six years in that role, Young earned the title of associate technical editor in 1941.In 1941, the NACA established the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory, now known as NASA Glenn Research Center, in Cleveland. This new field center needed experienced employees, so two years later, NACA leadership invited Young to lead a new technical editing section there.It was at the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory that Young published her most notable technical work, the Style Manual for Engineering Authors, in 1943. NASAs History Office even referred to Young as the architect of the NACA technical reports system.Youngs style manual allowed the agency to communicate technological progress around the globe. This manual included specific formatting rules for technical writing, which would increase consistency for engineers and researchers reporting their data and experimental results. It was essential for efficient World War II operations and was translated into multiple languages.But it wasnt until after this publication that Young finally received the promotion to full technical editor, 11 years after she voiced the need for the role at the agency. She was the first person to hold this role, but she had to start at the assistant level, then move up to associate before receiving the full technical editor designation.Pearl Young raising hellPerhaps the most noteworthy piece of Youngs story is her character. While advocating for herself and her colleagues, Young often had to challenge authority.She stood up for her editing section when male supervisors wrongfully accused them of making mistakes. She wrote official proposals to properly classify her office in the research division at the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory. She regularly acknowledged the contributions of her entire team for the achievements they shared.She also secured extra personnel to lessen unbearable workloads and wrote official memorandums to ensure that her colleagues earned rightful promotions. Young often referred to these actions as raising hell.The archival documents Ive analyzed indicate that Youngs performance at the NACA was exemplary throughout her career. In 1967, she was awarded the University of North Dakotas prestigious Sioux Award in recognition of her professional achievements and service to the university.In 1995, and again in 2014, NASA Langley Research Center dedicated a theater in her name. The new theater is located in NASAs Integrated Engineering Services Building.In 2015, Young was inducted into the inaugural NASA/NACA Langley Hall of Honor. But throughout her career, not all of her colleagues shared this complimentary view of Young and her work.One of Youngs supervisors in 1930 thought it necessary to assess her attitude and fitness as an employee in her progress report and justified his position by typing these additional words into the document himself.Later that year, Young requested time off likely for the holiday season prompting a different supervisor to draft an official memorandum to the engineer in charge, a position akin to todays NASA center director. He referred to Youngs attitude in requesting to use her vacation days.Women not welcome in STEMWhile sexism in STEM has shifted its forms over time, gender-based inequities still exist. Women in STEM frequently confront microaggressions, marginalization and hostile work environments, including unequal pay, lack of recognition and additional service expectations.Women often lack supportive social networks and encounter other systemic barriers to career advancement, such as not being recognized as an authority figure, or the double standard of being perceived as too aggressive instead of as a leader.Women of color, women who belong to LGBTQ+ communities and women who have one or more disabilities face even more barriers rooted in these intersectional identities.One of the ways to combat these inequities is to call attention to systemic barriers by sharing stories of women who persisted in STEM women like Pearl Young.This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereNetEase Games Marvel Rivals has launched with a massive slew of playable heroes and villains and a bunch of maps to play on. Of course, as a free-to-play live-service game, the hero shooter is set to evolve with new characters, maps and, obviously, game modes.Following leaks of upcoming playable characters, a new Marvel Rivals leak claims that a classic multiplayer game mode is coming to the game in the near future.Marvel Rivals Capture the FlagVia Twitter user X0XLeak, game files for Marvel Rivals hint at the titles own take on the classic Capture the Flag game type. Seen in everything from Unreal Tournament to Halo to Call of Duty, CTF is a staple of multiplayer gaming.According to the leaker, Marvel Rivals take on this iconic multiplayer offering is called Infinity Crisis. This mode appears to task players with carrying Dragon Eggs across the map while avoiding an enemy Kraken.Its not known if this new take on Capture the Flag will become a permenant mode for the new hero shooter or if it will be something more limited. With the Kraken theme, this could be an interesting event for Namor players, or it could be something for every hero.However, with the massive gulf in movement tech available for some heroes and villains, could a true Capture the Flag mode be balanced? For example, with Doctor Strange able to open portals across the entire map, a team with Strange has a massive advantage over one without him.Its also not known how players will hold the flag stand-in within matches or if heroes will still be able to use their standard moves while holding. With this in mind, it does seem that any form of CTF in Rivals is more likely to be a limited-time event than a constant mode in the game. For more Marvel Rivals coverage, read about the devs plans to fix the games horrid aiming issues or read about the new pay-to-win scheme discovered by fans.Marvel RivalsPlatform(s):macOS, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series XGenre(s):Fighting, ShooterSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereAs a constantly evolving game, Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead Game Studios is always working on new ideas. With weapon attachment systems, wildlife systems and much more in the works, the studio has said that the game will evolve so much it might as well become a sequel.In a moment of solidarity with the community, Arrowhead COO Johan Pilestedt worked with fans on a potential new backpack weapon that could eventually release in the future.Helldivers 2 backpack gunSince release, Helldivers 2 players have wished for a backpack-fed machine gun to be added into the game. In the past, Arrowhead shut down this idea due to a number of issues, but Pilestedt and the community may have figured out a way.Speaking on Reddit, the Arrowhead COO and a community member weighed up what the catch could be for a backpack-fed weapon to make sure it doesnt become an overpowered stratagem.The community came up with the idea of intense stamina drain that would also impact the overall speed of a diver. This meant that Helldivers 2 players equipped with the powerful machine gun would be unable to quickly retreat, giving them more of a support role.Stamina drain is a great idea! Pilestedt said. And when youre too low, you cant resist the recoil.Man thinking about this more, he continued later. This is in general a great system. I gotta meditate on this. Theres something awesome here in regards to recoil control and stamina.Since release, the developers behind Helldivers 2 have proven that they care deeply about the community. Following the review bombs in response to the games rapid difficulty spike, Arrowhead has continued to improve its game for the community, although some mistakes continue to be made such as the new Killzone crossover.Helldivers 2 is available right now on PC and PS5.Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

As one famous fictional columnist and fashionista said, Anything is possible. This is New York. And if Francis ToumbakarisGreek immigrant, former ballet dancer, handyman, general contractor, and now founder and lead interior designer of his own firm, Francis Interiorsproves anything with his latest project, a five-story West Village town house, its that Carrie Bradshaw was right.For a dream West Village town house, Toumbakaris introduced a narrative that began in the early 1900s and advanced a few decades on each of its five floors. Really, every floor tells a different part of my story, each is a unique vignette, says the owner. Its a very special, magical house.The total makeover he gave the 1861 forever home of his client, a tech companys chief marketing officer, is a fantasy composed of abundant, sumptuous de Gournay and Phillip Jeffries wall coverings, Murano fixtures, Scalamandr velvets, and marble mantles. Its also one of the speediest renovations imaginable for Manhattan, having taken place in a mere 11 months, including a down-to-the-studs rejiggering of the house and custom everything. I practically slept there, says Toumbakaris, the AD PRO Directory member.The interior designer was thrilled to do that for a beloved client with whom this is his fifth collaboration in close to as many years. For their first project together in 2018, Toumbakaris says, everything came straight off the shelf. This time it was the exact opposite: She handed him a signed checkbook. I always say for this particular client I speak her soul. The synergy between us is something really magical. It took them two vintage shopping trips and fewer than 10 design meetings, thanks in part to the homeowner being an ultradecisive, type A maximalist who trusts Toumbakaris implicitly. Not much is decided without my input, she says, but we speak the same design language.For the fifth floor living room, the clients partner asked for the space to be inspired by a luxury yacht interior. Along with an exposed brick soffit, Toumbakaris designed custom millwork and a fireplace mantle that pair with a Vanguard sectional, hemp Phillip Jeffries walls, a linen Holly Hunt ceiling, Arteriors coffee table, and Ralph Lauren for Visual Comfort chandelier.A sanctuary is what the owner was after in the 2,800-square-foot home, with warm, inviting spaces tailor-made to her lifestyle. Yet she had a less straightforward request too. Toumbakaris recalls the message he received during her first viewing of the house: The minute I walked in I envisioned every floor as a completely different thing, she texted. And by the way, on the second floor I want a 1930s speakeasy bar. When thats the first text for a new project, your brain goes crazy, he says.The Francis Interiors designers approach was, Lets get this done, lets go go go go go! I thrive on drama, he says. Our general contractor [EVGC Corp] got permits and started hammering, and we were designing as they were hammering. For Toumbakaris, a theater person who has also performed on Broadway, Being on the job site is how I designits almost like meditation and enlightenment, all of a sudden things come into my head.For his client, Toumbakaris devised something of a time machine through disparate eras as one moves up in the home, all the while adding a sense of modernity. There were plenty of challenges, but also clever solutions. They retained original floors, doors, windows, and a staircase, the latter winding upward like a ribbon, its walls now covered in custom riveted Phillip Jeffries ivory manila hemp. Imagine you are having a five-course meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant and the stairwell is serving as a palate cleanser, says Toumbakaris.Shop out the look of the house here The kitchen-dining rooms bold, whimsical de Gournay wrapping reflects in the custom high-sheen Lucas Leibman dining table. The dramatic Apparatus hanging light fixture brings a touch of modern elegance to the room, blending with the historical elements, says the owner. There is Calacatta Vagli marble in the brass inlay kitchen, and a Toumbakaris-designed metal and glass shelving unit above the island that added storage for the clients finer things yet didnt obstruct the line of sight.Most PopularCulture + LifestyleThe 47 Most Beautiful Beaches in the WorldBy Katherine McLaughlinArchitecture + DesignAn Interior Designer Transforms Her Familys 19th-Century Vienna ApartmentBy Linne HalpernAD-it-YourselfThese 17 Midcentury Modern Bathrooms Will Sell You on a Retro-Chic MakeoverBy Rachel DaviesThe ground floor kitchen and dining room draws from 1900s Art Nouveau, with golden, hand-painted de Gournay birds flying around it. At first, this all-encompassing artwork was a stretch for the homeowner, who didnt want to feel like she was living inside a gilded cage. But upon installation she sang a different tune.With distressed Phillip Jeffries velvetclad walls and gilded ceiling, the lusciously moody 1930s-style speakeasy features a wraparound custom banquette designed by Toumbakaris, upholstered in discontinued Scalamandr Regale cut velvet fabric that the designer was able to get the brand to make again. A jacquard Gucci armchair and ottoman, Vittoria Frigerio settee and swivel chair, Nourison rug, and Material fireplace complete the inviting furnishings that Toumbakaris insists are not too fancy to put your feet up on. We went to an amazing vintage lighting store in NYC, [High Style Deco], where I got a Murano chandelier from the 1920s for the speakeasywhat a statement, says the owner.The interior designer is proudest of the second floor 1930s-style speakeasy, something new for Toumbakaris. It features his custom designs for a flapper dressinspired bar and a banquette upholstered in a revived Scalamandr cut velvet that snakes around the oddly shaped room. Plush, moody, and one of a kind, its as good if not better than any NYC bar, the client says. Everything in the room is a conversation piece.Art Deco nods include the vintage Murano chandelier they found at High Style Deco and the ceiling coated in a gilded wall covering. (We had an artist gild the molding, says Toumbakaris, its jaw-dropping when you walk in.) The pair are also obsessed with the accompanying powder rooms walls tiled in a mosaic of genuine USA copper pennies the designer says almost feels like a disco ball but its very Alexander Hamilton.Most PopularCulture + LifestyleThe 47 Most Beautiful Beaches in the WorldBy Katherine McLaughlinArchitecture + DesignAn Interior Designer Transforms Her Familys 19th-Century Vienna ApartmentBy Linne HalpernAD-it-YourselfThese 17 Midcentury Modern Bathrooms Will Sell You on a Retro-Chic MakeoverBy Rachel DaviesI work a lot and I love this space, says the owner of the graceful, arch-filled office. Its me. Toumbakaris designed the desk with an internal cord management system, extensive millwork, and a coffee station with refrigerator so she doesnt have to schlep downstairs. The personal touches are plentiful and include window treatments by the Shade Store in a Kravet fabric embroidered with bees (because the owner loves bees), a custom Nourison rug designed with tigers crouching on pink banana leaves, and a niche to showcase the fashion fans favorite handbags. Additionally, the office features a Murano ceiling light, Alberto Murillo paintings, and a Brickfield Furniture Co. desk chair upholstered in Kravet Clarke & Clarke collection.The pair chose an adorable pink Gucci heron wall covering for my office bathroom, says the owner. Every pattern fits the mood of the room. Completing the full bath are a 19th-century mirror, a modern earring light by Visual Comfort, and a Lacava vanity.Most PopularCulture + LifestyleThe 47 Most Beautiful Beaches in the WorldBy Katherine McLaughlinArchitecture + DesignAn Interior Designer Transforms Her Familys 19th-Century Vienna ApartmentBy Linne HalpernAD-it-YourselfThese 17 Midcentury Modern Bathrooms Will Sell You on a Retro-Chic MakeoverBy Rachel DaviesAbove that, the clients midcentury-ish office perfectly encapsulates her. Its fun, playful, pink, feminine, and yet sophisticated at the same time, she says. On the fourth floor, the primary bedroom suites grounded beige palette and retro-glam wall covering evokes late 70s California. Level five is another living space and bar where the clients partner challenged an excited Toumbakaris to fashion after a luxury yacht, while the lush rooftop is a serene escape with stunning views of the city.The owners primary suite occupies the fourth floor, the town houses most serene level. We went for everything thats cream and beige until I presented as a contrast this wall covering [Phillip Jeffries The Grove Luscious Grey], which has these palm trees, says Toumbakaris, Its California meets the 1970s and 1980s. The Room & Board bed is upholstered in Holly Hunt fabric and paired with Vanguard nightstands, Visual Comfort lamps, Materials The Narcissist marble fireplace mantle, and a Hudson Valley Lighting ceiling light.In the small primary bath, Toumbakaris was able to squeeze a double sink into a custom vanity with Water Street Brass hardware. Studium wall tile, Complete Tile floor tile, and an Artistic Tile mosaic envelop the space, with Ralph Lauren for Visual Comfort sconces and Robern medicine cabinets.Most PopularCulture + LifestyleThe 47 Most Beautiful Beaches in the WorldBy Katherine McLaughlinArchitecture + DesignAn Interior Designer Transforms Her Familys 19th-Century Vienna ApartmentBy Linne HalpernAD-it-YourselfThese 17 Midcentury Modern Bathrooms Will Sell You on a Retro-Chic MakeoverBy Rachel DaviesThe home is by no means the culmination of the dynamic duos collaborationsthey plan to do more places together, most likely with unrealistic timelines realized. But its an evolution still, a recognition of their aesthetic growth over six years, from playful to playfully polished. I was always very conscious that this could not look like a TV or Broadway set, that it still needed to feel like a home and it still needed to be on the Earth, feet on the ground, despite its flamboyance, says Toumbakaris. And we achieved it.Shes a real neighborhood gal; she loves to entertain, says Toumbakaris of the homeowner. People are always gathering around the bar. The Broadway performer turned interior designer drew inspiration from flapper dresses when designing the speakeasys bar, which features Rocky Mountain Hardware, Kalandula NY stone countertops, and customized fluted bar stools from Artistic Frame upholstered in Scalamandr fabric with Samuel & Sons tassels. The Shade Store custom made the Kravet window treatments with valences upholstered in Scalamandr fabric.The powder rooms authentic USA copper penny tile walls by Indy Penny Tile make Toumbakaris swoon, alongside 1930s sconces from Carlos Antiques and mirrored tile and sink by Country Floors atop an apothecary cabinet from Etsy.Most PopularCulture + LifestyleThe 47 Most Beautiful Beaches in the WorldBy Katherine McLaughlinArchitecture + DesignAn Interior Designer Transforms Her Familys 19th-Century Vienna ApartmentBy Linne HalpernAD-it-YourselfThese 17 Midcentury Modern Bathrooms Will Sell You on a Retro-Chic MakeoverBy Rachel DaviesWith a beyond lightning-fast timeline, contractor EVGC Corp got it all done in 11 months, including a nice, beautiful little roof for [the owner] with a Crate & Barrel sofa, West Elm chairs and planters, and landscaping by Viewpoints Design.Shop it out:De Gournay Namban Polished Copper Gilded PaperHomArt Kingston Metal TrayRed Ocean Jasper Altar BowlCB2 Fitz Swivel ChairBella Drink TableGlass Top Coffee Table by Maitland-SmithMid-Century Modern ChandelierTarga Swivel Barrel Chair By InterludeMade Goods Gwenora Table Lamp