We didnt want a house that was too seriouswe wanted it to be fun, to feel like it had been lived in from the get-go, says chef Chris Willis of the vacation home he and his wife, Pam, recently completed on Marthas Vineyard. We really pushed back on having details that felt too new.As the proprietors of Pammys, the much-loved restaurant in Cambridge, Massachusettswhere theyre basedthe Willises know a thing or two about assembling a team, and they did so seamlessly for this four-year endeavor. Theyre very collaborative and open to a lot of different things, interior designer Karie Reinertson, who worked on the project alongside her Mother Studio cofounder, Laura Evans, says of the clients. But they also have a lot to say, a lot of opinions, and it was really fun to have them trust us. That circle of creative confidence extended to include architect Maryann Thompson of firm MTA, who dreamed up the homes distinctive pinwheel layout, maximizing its views and openness, as well as project manager Doug Jack of Nidify Studio and celebrated landscape designer Michael Van Valkenburgh.Entertaining friends and family was a key consideration for homeowners Chris and Pam Willis, restaurateurs from Cambridge, Massachusetts, when planning their vacation home on Marthas Vineyard. In the dining room, which features ample seating below windows, and surrounding a Nickey Kehoe table, Pinch pendant lights were designed to raise up, should the hosts want to stash the table for a larger party. The bench cushions are covered in a Schumacher fabric while those on the vintage Dutch dining chairs wear Brook Perdigon Textiles Framework pattern. Chriss brother [next door] owns and operates a distillery. We own a restaurant. Were food beverage people, Pam explains. Entertaining is what we do, so the piano in the dining room is just a supercool luxury to have.We wanted to create a house that heightened the experience of the beautiful landscape and the phenomenological qualities of the site in multiple ways, explains Thompson, who had worked with the homeowners on two prior projects. The pinwheel plan, she adds, created exterior spaces between its armsoutdoor rooms held by the buildings form.Tucked away on a leafy plot between the ocean and Summertime, the preexisting family home of Chriss brother, the new house and its guest cottage were playfully dubbed Suppertime, underscoring its owners love of entertaining. A giant Nickey Kehoe table grounds the dining room, which can accommodate 20 guests, under pendant lights that were designed to lift out of the way, should the couple want to open up the expanse for a larger party. Because they love hosting, they wanted this space to be really flexible and alive, explains Reinertson of the glass-walled room, which features a piano that the Willises two teenage daughters often play for company. The idea is that people could bleed out into the landscape if theyre having a large party, says Evans of the enchanting grounds masterminded by Van Valkenburgh. It becomes this very permeable space.Shop out the look of the house hereThe main house and guest cottagenamed Suppertime as a nod to Chriss brothers preexisting property next door, Summertimeis situated on several ocean-adjacent acres and was designed by Maryann Thompson Architects, who had previously collaborated with the Willises on their main residence and restaurant, Pammys, in Cambridge. For this endeavor, Thompson and her project manager, Doug Jack of Nidify Studio, worked hand-in-glove with interior designers Karie Reinertson and Laura Evans from Mother Studio, as well as the acclaimed landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates. We were able to think of both properties in tandem and create a somewhat seamless flow of paths connecting the two, explains Jack of Suppertimes physical relationship to Summertime.The living room, with exposures on either side, highlights the homes pinwheel layout, in which rooms radiate out from the center like spokes on a wheel. Pam and Chris are both extremely artistic and are architectural dreamers, notes architect Thompson of the homeowners. They are wonderful clients because they like to dream and envision big things right alongside us. In the vaulted living room, with a Mors wood stove that the family plans to christen this winter, a sofa designed by Mother Studio in collaboration with Atelier Takagi is intended to wink at Marthas Vineyards 1980s preppy-maritime aesthetic, as is the vintage boat coffee table. The ottomans and throw pillows are covered in Pierre Frey fabrics, while a Gubi lounge chair and Fern NYC side chair provide additional seating for guests.With restaurateurs in residence, it should come as little surprise that the kitchen, generously lit by commodious skylights, pendants by In Common With, and Allied Maker flush mounts, was another area of thoughtful planning. Its a very working-chefs kitchen, notes Chris of the culinary HQ, lined with reclaimed hemlock (as are the homes other rooms) and zellige tiles. I dont think theres any of that kitchen thats for show, which was fun but also challenging for Karie and Laura.In the case of Suppertime, the kitchen truly is the heart of the home, particularly for homeowner Chris, a professional chef. There was a ton of talk about use and space: What does it feel like when Chris is cooking? Does he want somebody sitting at that island with him talking, or does he need complete focus? What does it feel like when all the doors are closed in the kitchen? recalls Reinertson of discussions around the plan. A custom white-oak island fabricated by Stauffer Woodworking is the primary workspace in the room, which includes custom cabinets designed by Mother Studio and crafted by Holmes Hole Builders.Most PopularArchitecture + DesignThese 24 Beautiful Places of Worship Are Built Into NatureBy Katherine McLaughlinBathroom13 Farmhouse Bathroom Ideas That Will Inspire You to Embrace Rustic CharmBy Morgan GoldbergArchitecture + DesignThe 11 Most Beautiful Art Deco Buildings Around the WorldBy Maya Chawla Designed to be a serious chefs kitchen, the space is outfitted with a BlueStar range, Waterworks plumbing fixtures, and plenty of light from In Common With orb pendants, Allied Maker orb flush mounts, and, for more precise culinary efforts, a Jield retractable sconce. The zellige backsplash tiles are from Cl.They were heavily involved in the design of their own restaurant, so they were really particular about the seat height and depth and how close to the table people should be, says Evans of the breakfast nook. Among the couples favorite spots on the property, it includes a bench cushion covered in a Soane Britain fabric, a Sawkille dining chair, Nickey Kehoe table, Helene Blanche window shades, a Noguchi pendant, and custom stenciling on the walls.Though Suppertime was the first official undertaking for Reinertson and Evans working together as Mother Studio, which is based in Asheville, North Carolina, the duo have quicklythanks to this and a series of subsequent projects around the USgarnered attention for their handcrafted interiors. With backgrounds spanning landscape architecture, studio art, craft, and bespoke furniture design, the designers took a holistic approach here, overseeing everything from the design of quilts on all the beds to custom-painted tiles in the powder room and decorative stencils in the breakfast nook to built-in seating throughout. This is the epitome of a favorite project for us because we not only get to compose from other peoples beautiful belongings or things theyve made, but we have a hand in it too, Reinertson says, so it feels custom, special, and personal.Most PopularArchitecture + DesignThese 24 Beautiful Places of Worship Are Built Into NatureBy Katherine McLaughlinBathroom13 Farmhouse Bathroom Ideas That Will Inspire You to Embrace Rustic CharmBy Morgan GoldbergArchitecture + DesignThe 11 Most Beautiful Art Deco Buildings Around the WorldBy Maya Chawla The guest house, which looks onto the pool, is built with a trellis armature on one face of the building, where hydrangea vines are expected to grow over the coming years. Bluestone creates meandering paths throughout the property.We wanted to present a more traditional front to the street, as the neighborhood the house is in is a wonderful old New England community, Thompson explains, pointing to the guest cottage, where Pam and Chris often host their respective parents. We opened up the house and guest house in the back with large modern windows that address the site. Abundant natural light in the interiors was important to all parties involved, as evidenced by large vertical windows and skylights throughout.This high-touch approach might help explain why Chris and Pam have difficulty selecting their favorite spots on the property. Theres the guest house overlooking the pool, where, when the couples respective parents are visiting, the entire family ends up chatting for hours after meals. Though they also spend much of their time in the beloved kitchen, the couple is particularly fond of the porch, where almost every day ends; and the breakfast nook, where they happily begin. Walking into the girls bedroom, with its striking window above the beds, is architecturally amazing, Chris says before Pam reminds him of the soaring living room, with its wood-burning stove that they look forward to christening this winter. Yeah, there are a lot, Chris laughs of the choice locales at their vacation hideaway. I think we might move there.Most PopularArchitecture + DesignThese 24 Beautiful Places of Worship Are Built Into NatureBy Katherine McLaughlinBathroom13 Farmhouse Bathroom Ideas That Will Inspire You to Embrace Rustic CharmBy Morgan GoldbergArchitecture + DesignThe 11 Most Beautiful Art Deco Buildings Around the WorldBy Maya Chawla Reflecting on the project, Pam, whos quick to point out how special it is to work with an ego-free architect of Thompsons caliber, says she cant identify a single low point. Theyre wonderfully patient and communicative, she adds of the Mother Studio pair with a big smile. I mean, theyre mothers, so its expected.The primary bedroom is the only space in the home that features a painted-wood floor. It also includes a Nickey Kehoe spindle chair with a Chelsea Textiles fabric, a vintage floor lamp, an Another Country stool, a Room & Board dresser, and, for an extra-tailored look, a sisal ceiling with reclaimed hemlock battens. It felt exciting to have a lot of color in such a woodsy space and such large, bright volumes, Reinertson says. So it felt like we could get wild with color and pattern.The primary bath is a study in wood and tile. Its custom vanity, with a Danby marble top, was fabricated by Stauffer Woodworking. Allied Maker sconces illuminate Anne Black ceramic knobs that contrast the lighter Cl tiles.The main house mudroom was designed to take a beating with a custom soapstone sink and hemlock pegrail. Walter G. fabric curtains hide appliances and sundry cleaning items. The ceiling light is from Commune.We definitely didnt prioritize the bedroomsif you want to spend time in your bedroom, get the hell out of the bedroom, jokes Pam of the intentionally snug sleeping accommodations. To be clear, theyre beautiful, but to Pams point, theyre not conducive to all-day lounging, Chris adds. This guest room features a custom headboard and quilt designed by Mother Studio and fabricated by Kye and Hardy, Bennet Schlesinger table lamps, and Pinch side tables.[Pam and Chris] kept calling them the [James] Turrell skylights because there are a couple situations where theres a skylight at the top of a shower, Reinertson notes. Its very beautifulfeels like youre showering outdoors. In the guest house bathroom, Zia tiles, an RBW sconce above a Form and Refine mirror, and Watermark fixtures adorn the space.Tiles designed and painted by Mother Studio take center stage in the powder room, where Forbes & Lomax light switches, a Workstead sconce, Alfred Newall mirror, and Waterworks faucet complete the half-baths understated yet refined appeal.In the daughters bedroom, which features an epic triangle window above the beds, custom quilts designed by Mother Studio, which were hand-dyed and fabricated by Kye and Hardy, adorn Amber Interiors beds. The stenciling on the walls was also designed by Mother Studio; the firm, based in Asheville, North Carolina, prides itself on a holistic approach to interior design. We were really happy with how much Chris and Pam wanted to explore color and pattern in this project, Reinertson notes. I think thats one benefit of it being a summer homeit didnt feel as precious or everyday as their primary residence.Most PopularArchitecture + DesignThese 24 Beautiful Places of Worship Are Built Into NatureBy Katherine McLaughlinBathroom13 Farmhouse Bathroom Ideas That Will Inspire You to Embrace Rustic CharmBy Morgan GoldbergArchitecture + DesignThe 11 Most Beautiful Art Deco Buildings Around the WorldBy Maya Chawla The sun-drenched living area in the guest cottage showcases the beauty of reclaimed hemlock. Occupants take in views of the propertys pool and grounds from plush Kalon lounge chairs flanking a Studio Volk floor lamp beside vintage Herman Miller summer picnic posters.We had some earlier concepts that were more rich and lavish, but then we ended up pulling back, Evans says of the guest cottage interior. It felt right to have a couple of touches of more decorative detail, like that [Cl] shell tile backsplash, but let the architecture stand and speak for itself. There, Skagerak chairs surround a Forma dining table that holds an East Fork Pottery bowl.The guest house sleeping area features a Pinch sconce, Coyuchi bedspread, and Another Country stool.In the guest bath, RBW sconces illuminate DXV pedestal sinks and wainscotting painted in Farrow & Balls Churlish. The shower curtain wears a Schumacher block-printed fabric, while the interiors of the home are lined in reclaimed hemlock, selected for its knotty quality and warmth.Shop it out:Another Country Stool One by House & HoldPium Wall Light by PINCHFritz Hansen Selandia Dining ChairEast Fork Pottery Dinnerware (Set of 4)Parachute Mosaic Towels"On Flowers: Lessons from an Accidental Florist" by Amy MerrickGrace Chair by Tove Kindt-Larsen for GubiSeneca Lamp by Danny Kaplan Studio

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League of Legends season 15 is here, and with it plenty of in-game changes that drastically alter the way the good ol' fashioned push and pull of Summoner's Rift goes down. However, alongside a fresh coat of paint, a new champion, and some significant changes to the map courtesy of feats of strength and a new map boss, there are a few bugs that are rubbing folks the wrong way.These include a bug with the nexus towers, which act as a final line of defence before a team can take out their opponent's base and win the game. These towers, as shown in the clip below, don't appear to be working correctly in some cases. Whereas usually you'd not be able to hit the nexus until both are down, here we see Midbeast (long time League streamer) attack an open nexus despite one tower remaining to pepper shots at him and his team. To see this content please enable targeting cookies.In addition, more minute bugs have been spotted by folks using the new and improved training tool. European streamer Nayil posted a video that shows that a well-timed (or poorly timed, I suppose) teleport on a Jhin trap will cancel the teleport. Ths not only doesn't take you to the trap's location, but puts the teleport summoner spell on cooldown, which is a big deal! To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Now obviously, bugs happen. But given that these two can genuinely win or lose games in certain circumstances, it has some of the game's most dedicated players a tad frustrated. It's worth noting that, while the new additions like Feats of Strength and the new map boss are also a source of controversy, with some popular streamers coming away from initial game with poor first impressions.This season is a new approach from Riot, choosing to dive deeper into the seasonal structure with drastic changes to the game both aesthetically and gameplay-wise. As such, it's safe to assume tweaks and changes will come in response to community feedback. This wouldn't be the first time such a thing has happened. Back in 2018, Riot replaced the normal dragon boss with variable elemental dragons, which provided permanent effects if four were killed by a single team. Later, the Chemtech drake was removed and later re-introduced with drastic changes following complaints that the visibility shift on the map it caused was more frustrating than exciting for most players. Also, it made Talon players happy, which I'd argue is horrible.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. So if you're truly invested in climbing the ranked ladder and winning matches, it may be worth holding off for now until some of the rougher edges caused by bugs in Season 15 are fixed. As for the more permanent changes, it's a mystery whether or not Riot will tone them down. After all, it's not even been a week since the season started. Perhaps in time, players will adapt and a new meta will form around the game. Whether or not it'll be be for the better is something you - as well as the entirety of the LoL player base - will have to decide in the coming months.

Pavel Durov: @elonmusk Im sure you can relate. Youve been taking a big risk to support free speech long before it became cool!Thu Jan 09 2025 02:53:17 GMT+0800 (China Standard Time)

Pavel Durov:Im proud that Telegram has supported freedom of speech long before it became politically safe to do so. Our values dont depend on US electoral cycles.Today, other platforms are announcing theyll now have less censorship. But the real test of their newly discovered values will come once the political winds change again. Its easy to say you support something when you risk nothing.Wed Jan 08 2025 23:40:37 GMT+0800 (China Standard Time)

Pavel Durov:Humans are hardwired to copy others by evolution for a good reason. Mimicking those around us has been the most efficient survival strategy for millions of years. However, the world is different today. We now live in an age of rapid change what used to be efficient becomes a recipe for mediocrity and decay. Let 2025 be the year we rely on our own opinions not imposed stereotypes and outdated thought patterns. Only by trusting our instincts and following our own unique paths can we fulfill our potential and make great contributions to the world.Have a happy and productive 2025, everyone! Thu Jan 02 2025 02:17:44 GMT+0800 (China Standard Time)

Image: Gavin Lane / Nintendo Life2025 brought three new Animal Crossing sets to LEGO's line of cute critters from Nintendo's slow-life-sim series, including the cheapest set in the main range so far.Stargazer Celeste is one of our favourite characters, so we've been itching to get our hands on this affordable set since it was first announced. Let's see if it twinkles.On this page: Review: LEGO Animal Crossing - Stargazing With Celeste - A Cute Little Set, Though Not Quite StellarLEGO Animal Crossing - Stargazing with Celeste (77053)Price: $9.99 / 8.99 / 9.99Pieces:Ages:Minifig(s) included:What's in the bag?Images: Gavin Lane / Nintendo LifeAs with all the Animal Crossing Lego sets, you get a lot of 1x1 pieces (and a lot of leftovers).The headliner here is Celeste herself, obviously. Her head mould is as good as any of the other minifigs, although we were a little disappointed from the neck down.The printed details on the torso and arms and feet get the job done, but Celeste's owl form isn't well suited to a minifig's dimensions. The short, static leg piece doesn't capture her legs and talons well, with yellow printing only on the front edge of the feet. And while the printed arms suggest feathers, a new pair of 'wing' elements would have looked so much better.Naturally, brand new Lego elements would have pushed up the price and the head here is already new. Still, you'd imagine wing-style arm elements would be useful for bird characters across all Lego sets in the future. Without a tail or wings, you'd be hard-pressed to recognise Celeste as a bird without her head.Elsewhere, you get a cute constellation book, a telescope, a moon statue, a picnic-style tea set, some flowers, and what we first thought was a lantern with yellow-orange spikes representing light in the darkness but then realised is a star fragment. Oh, and an underwhelming little fir tree.Images: Gavin Lane / Nintendo LifeAnd except for over a dozen extra pieces for your spares pot, that's your lot. Build-wise, it'll take you 10 minutes if you're relaxed about it, or if you drop some pieces. We enjoyed the mise en scene of the details combined, and while her body could have been rendered more accurately, Celeste is still a no-brainer addition to your AC minifig collection.In fact, the moon and the star fragments make this set one of the few ways to bring a night-time feel to your collection. This could have been pushed further, with darker green, blue, or even purple base tiles to emulate twilight and nighttime hours (which they show on the box). Nighttime activities are a huge part of the game itself and not leaning into that here is a missed opportunity.Stargazing with Celeste costYou get 78 pieces for $9.99 / 8.99 / 9,99, including an exclusive minifig.Despite our disappointment with the figure (perhaps influenced by the fact that Celeste is in our top five characters from the game!), you can't argue with the price. No stickers, the printed detail on the constellation tile is great, and the star fragment on the blue tile adds variety that some of the other sets lack.Images: Gavin Lane / Nintendo LifeConclusionWhat you've got here is a nice supplementary set with a fan-favourite character and a decent price point. We would have liked to see Celeste's Lego body rendered more accurately. Likewise, the bright green base tiles feel like a missed opportunity - a darker colour for a character linked to the nighttime would have been more thematically appropriate and made for a unique 'after-hours' set.Still, as an ensemble, the details are great and we love Celeste. So grumbles aside, it's a thumbs up.The details ('scope, flowers, fragment, book, big moon thing) are greatGotta love CelesteNot going to break the bankDifficult to tell she's an owl from her body aloneBase tiles with darker, nighttime hues would have been more fittingStill not a fan of that firGood 7/10Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.

Popular Los Angeles-based cannabis brand Stiiizy has confirmed that hackers accessed reams of sensitive customer data, including government-issued documents and medical cannabis cards, during a November cyberattack.In a data breach notice filed with Californias attorney general this week, Stiiizy said it was notified by its point-of-sale processing vendor that an organized cybercrime group had compromised the data from some of its retail locations.In a letter sent to affected customers, Stiiizy confirmed that the hackers acquired customer data processed from the unnamed vendor between October 10 and November 10, 2024.Stiiizy said the stolen information included information on customers drivers licenses, passports, and medical cannabis cards. Hackers also accessed customer names, addresses, dates of birth, transaction data, and other unspecified personal information.Stiiizy, which operates 39 stores across the United States, has not yet said how many of its customers were affected but said the incident affected four of its retail locations in California. Stiiizy did not respond to TechCrunchs questions.Stiiizy hasnt confirmed or described the nature of the incident, but Texas-based cybersecurity startup Halcyon AI said in a November blog post that the cannabis operator had been the target of a ransomware attack.The Everest ransomware group claimed credit for the cyberattack, according to Halcyon, which said the gang had stolen the personal information, including identification documents, of more than 420,000 Stiiizy customers.In a post on its dark web leak site, which TechCrunch has seen, Everest claims to have published the data stolen from Stiiizy after the company ignored its ransom demands.Topics

Developers Max Brodeur-Urbas and Rahul Behal think that AI has the potential to automate lots of business-relevant tasks, but that many of the AI-powered automation tools on the market today are unreliable and costly. Part of the problem is that users expect too much of AI, Brodeur-Urbas told TechCrunch for instance, they assume that it can handle highly specialized, niche workloads where precision matters.If users ever want to use AI for enterprise purposes, the technology really has to have no margin for error, Brodeur-Urbas said. Leaving specific workflows completely up to AI is not realistic. Users would be paying for [an AI] to spin its wheels performing the same Google search over and over again.Still, Brodeur-Urbas, an ex-Microsoft software engineer, and Behal, previously a software developer at Amazon Web Services, thought todays AI had promising narrower applications. So they started thinking about ways they could squeeze what Brodeur-Urbas called real value out of AI tech. These ideas became a wrapper for the open source app Auto-GPT, then a proof-of-concept, and eventually a startup: Gumloop. Gumloop automates repetitive workflows with AI, aiming to streamline basic tasks.We started the company in a bedroom in Vancouver as a side project, Brodeur-Urbas said. We were trying to solve a very simple problem for a group of nontechnical people in a Discord server, and it spiralled into something larger than we could have ever imagined.Gumloop provides a workflow builder that integrates with third-party apps and tools including GitHub, Gmail, Outlook, and X. Users can drag modular components onto a canvas to build automations, or choose from prebuilt pipelines for tasks like generating daily stock reports and summarizing documents.Gumloops workflow builder, visualized. Image Credits:GumloopBrodeur-Urbas claims that teams at Instacart and Rippling are using Gumloop for various use cases.Today, thousands of users rely on Gumloop as a core tool for their business, he said. Giving nontechnical people the tools to solve their own problems without relying on engineers is where we found market pull.Theres no shortage of workflow automation tools out there. Parabola, Tines, Induced AI, and Nanonets come to mind. And on the horizon are agentic tools from OpenAI and others, which promise to automate more complex tasks end-to-end.To remain nimble, Gumloop plans to keep its team quite small. The company is hiring, but Brodeur-Urbas said that the plan is to cap headcount at 10 people. Using AI to code letus have the throughput of a 20-person team and outpace competitors, he claimed. Our plan is to be a 10-person, billion-dollar company.As it prepares to relocate from Vancouver to San Francisco, Gumloop has closed a $17 million Series A round led by Nexus Venture Partners with participation from First Round Capital, Y Combinator, and angel investors including Instacart co-founder Max Mullen and Databricks co-founder and chief architect Reynold Xin. To date, Gumloop has raised $20 million in capital.We didnt need the money at all, Brodeur-Urbas said. Raising money isnt the goal building a product people love is. This new venture capital will help us build and scale that product even faster.

Breakdown & ShowreelsBambi, lhistoire dune vie dans les bois: VFX Breakdown by AutrechoseBy Vincent Frei - 10/01/2025 The invisible visual effects work by Autrechose in Bambi, lhistoire dune vie dans les bois blends seamlessly with the films world, adding layers of realism to the forest scenes and character movements without overshadowing the narrative! Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2025