- Are you tired of not being able to express yourself through the medium of dick jokes?- Do you like creating something from nothing, especially if itll make someone laugh?- Do you thrive in a high-stress environment filled with political infighting, bureaucracy, and corporate nonsense?If so, then we are the place for you, except you might hate how nice of a company we have - filled with happy, generally competent people that dont put up with jerks. Frankly, it makes me sick how nice everyone is.We are remote full time, have very flexible hours, people are judged by their output, not by how much they suck up to the boss, and turnover is super low because the company believes that happy employees = happy customers = happy bank account. Simply disgusting, if you ask me.--Is this a real job ad?--Yup! Amazingly enough, we actually paid money to post this on a bunch of different job sites. And its not even a pyramid scheme! Plus, get this: the owner just started paying our 60ish employees with money instead of Pizza Hut coupons - were big time, people.Our careers page is actually worth checking out to learn more about how insane we are (sidenote: it won a web design award in 1993 - were a pretty big deal):http://www.jlstradingco.com/careers/--What do you guys do?--We sell a lot of different things but our primary focus now is developing/engineering from scratch very cool products in a variety of niches.A small sampling:- Bad Parking Cards: (http://amzn.com/dp/B01HLGZRCQ)- Shart Survival Kit: (http://amzn.com/dp/B09VTJRGBJ)- Dehydrated Water: (http://amzn.com/dp/B072L38SGT)Our business is growing rapidly every year, and its our intention to continue that for as long as possible, which means we need good people to help us keep up with the growth.--What is your company like?--1. You Can Be Yourself. You dont have to put on a fake, professional face. You can just be yourself. You can talk smack to the CEO (highly encouraged), and no one will think anything of it. You don't have to dress up, or use formal language, or pretend to be something you're not - you can just be you.2. Major Opportunities for Career Growth. We are not trying to just be a small business. We plan to be doing $100 million annually in the next few years. We promote quickly once we identify talent. It doesnt matter what your credentials are it matters what you get done.3. Full Time Remote/Flexible Hours. You will be working from home in your pajamas, on your schedule. And we dont care if you work 10 hour days 4 days a week or 6 hours a day and catch up over the weekend. So long as you get a lot of work done, were happy campers.4. Complete Work/Life Balance. If youre routinely working more than 45ish hours, youre gonna get a friendly talking-to. We want you to be operating at 100% capacity, which means that you need to rest.5. Strongly Anti-BS. Anybody in the company can (and is expected to) tell the CEO when he is wrong. There are no bureaucratic or BS rules getting in the way of getting work done.6. No Micro-Management. Once youre trained and have demonstrated you know your stuff, we are pretty hands-off. In fact, if you need external management to stay on-task and motivated, we probably arent the place for you.7. No Toxic/Incompetent People Allowed. We try very hard to screen out mean or stupid people before they get in, but in case they slip through, we fire them quickly. You will never have to interact with someone who is an obvious idiot or straight up malicious. No toxic or incompetent people at work - could it really be? [Yes]8. Supportive Environment. We dont operate via intense stress or unreasonable top-down deadlines. Everyone wants you to be successful internal politics are at a minimum here.9. Lots of Raises. We do our absolute best to get ahead of things and give raises preemptively, so you don't have to ask for one. It's not unusual at all for someone to receive 2+ raises per year.10. Well Invest in Your Training. We want you and everyone to get better constantly. Youll be learning new things all the time, and are strongly encouraged to invest time every day to learn new things, improve your system/work process, and just generally try to make your life easier.11. 4-6+ Weeks Vacation. We 100% want you to recharge, so having plenty of time off is absolutely worth it.12. Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave. Weve even started letting people skip meetings during labor!13. Self-Funded So We Can Do Whats Right for Us. We dont have to answer to anyone but ourselves, so we can make the right decision for the long-term health of the company vs trying to get big too fast or cut corners to appease some selfish investor.--What are your companys values?--See here: http://www.jlstradingco.com/careers/Yes, those are legitimately our values. The careers page is definitely worth checking out - its not just normal corporate BS. We promise youll learn a lot about us.--OK, so Ive read like 8 dang pages about you guys. Will you tell me what the actual job is?--No.--Wait... What?--OK fine.--So, what will I actually be doing?--Super short version:Getting paid to learn a bunch of skills in and around product development then making a ton of hilarious gag gifts that will delight our customers without getting us put onto any (more) watch lists.Here is a bulleted list of responsibilities:- Develop a concept for a funny gag gift or prank- Do market research to get an idea of its potential- Rough out the concept/design/jokes- Write jokes for the packaging- Communicate with a graphic designer to finalize the product- Work with our sourcing team to find a vendor for actually making it- Manage all the details of getting the product made and into our warehouse (there are A LOT of details)- Provide jokes for the marketing materialsThings like that. Dont worry, we dont expect you to come in and do all these on day 1 (day 2, though, you better be ready mfer). Youll be trained and coached so you can learn this stuff from the ground up.Its fun work, but its not all just jokes - you have to produce, and find ways to automate/delegate so that you can get more efficient. We want to eventually launch hundreds of gag gifts per year, and youre gonna be one of the key people responsible for making that happen.--Do I need experience?--We expect you to have a minimum of 70 years of experience (120+ preferred).Oh, you haven't lived two lifetimes eating and breathing business 24/7/365? Who TF do you think you are, reading this job description? You absolute buffoon.Oh, you haven't been directly involved in at least two (preferably three) World Wars? You're not even qualified to operate our coffee machine, you sentient potato.Oh, you didn't observe the Big Bang as it happened? Get out of here, you pirated copy of Windows 95.I might literally throw up from your insolence. The hubris to think that you, you absolute fool, could apply for an apprentice position - absolutely sickening.Also, no you don't need any experience.We want special people, and dont give AF what their background is. Most of our best people did nothing remotely related to their current roles, so if you've never done anything like this before, don't sweat it. We hire 100x more for potential than existing knowledge.The Big Bang requirement still stands though.--Do I need a college degree?--You just need to be awesome.--Are there any geographic restrictions?--As long as you are in a country that doesnt have active sanctions from the US government, we are interested. Our founder isnt known for respecting the government much, but they have all the guns, so--What are some example products you want to have made?--Well definitely help you with concepts, and youll eventually be doing things that you came up with, but to give you some examples, here are some more things we recently developed:- Extra small condoms (a box filled with rubber thimbles with a bunch of jokes on the packaging)- The Child Chucker- The Human Cone--Does everything have to be a dick joke?--First, you sound like my ex on our wedding day. Second, definitely not. We have a long list of dick-free ideas, and Im sure youll be able to come up with plenty of other things.--How funny do I have to be?--This is kinda tough. Probably no one in the company is capable of being a stand up comedian, but we can probably riff pretty well and recognize funny when we see it. The ability to write funny things vs being funny in conversation are correlated but not 100%. If you arent necessarily the funniest person in the room, but you think you can meme with the best of them, then this might still be the gig for you.Youre basically gonna be a comedy writer and a project manager. If you dont foresee yourself being comfortable writing a lot of jokes regularly, this probably isnt the gig for you.--This sounds pretty good, though Im still skeptical that this isnt a pyramid scheme.--You sound just like our tax auditor!--That doesnt resolve any of my fears, but what do I need to do to apply?--Please submit your information on the following page to apply. We promise to respond within 5-10 business days even if our answer is No.There will be multiple steps in this process, FYI, including a long written application, interviews with potentially a few different people, and paid work test(s). Hiring the right people is really hard and very expensive if we do it poorly, so we have to front-load the process. I'm sorry about that and thank you for sticking with us.Once youre in our pipeline though, I would anticipate giving you a final answer within a few weeks, depending on how it goes. We definitely dont want to string you along, and as long as you do what we ask, we promise to tell you yes or no, and to not just ghost you (like everybody I match with on Tinder).Thank you for your time and interest, and I hope we can work together soon! Related Jobs See more Sales and Marketing jobs

This is today's edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology. Three questions about the future of US climate tech under Trump Donald Trump has officially been in office for just over a week, and the new administration has already issued a blizzard of executive orders and memos. Some of the moves could have major effects for climate change and climate technologiesfor example, one of the first orders Trump signed signaled his intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, the major international climate treaty. The road map for withdrawing from the Paris agreement is clear, but not all the effects of these orders are quite so obvious. Theres a whole lot of speculation about how far these actions reach, which ones might get overturned, and generally what comes next. Here are some of the crucial threads that Im going to be following.Read the full story. Casey Crownhart This article is from The Spark, MIT Technology Reviews weekly climate newsletter. To receive it in your inbox every Wednesday, sign up here. This quantum computer built on server racks paves the way to bigger machines The news: A Canadian startup called Xanadu has built a new quantum computer it says can be easily scaled up to achieve the computational power needed to tackle scientific challenges ranging from drug discovery to more energy-efficient machine learning. Why it matters: Xanadu envisions a quantum computer as a specialized data center, consisting of rows upon rows of these servers. This contrasts with the industrys earlier conception of a specialized chip within a supercomputer, much like a GPU. But this work is just a first step toward that vision. Read the full story. Sophia Chen Vote for the 11th breakthrough Earlier this month, we unveiled our annual list of the 10 Breakthrough Technologies for 2025, encompassing everything from promising stem-cell therapies to robots that learn quickly. Now, were asking you to help us choose the 11th honorary technology we should keep an eye on over the next 12 months.Cast your vote for one of the four extra exciting breakthroughs before 1 April. Readers of The Download will be among the first to know once we announce your pick. The must-reads Ive combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology. 1 Trump advisers were blindsided by Elon Musks teams offer to federal workers Officials werent consulted about plans to induce civil service workers to resign. (WP $)+ The radical sweeping measures are just the beginning. (Vox)+ The email workers received cribs from Musks controversial Twitter memo. (Ars Technica)+ If Musk gets his way, the US government could end up like X. (NY Mag $)2 Meta has agreed to pay Trump $25 million To settle the censorship lawsuit Trump brought against it back in 2021. (CNN)+ Mark Zuckerberg predicts 2025 will be a big year for Metas government relations. (Insider $)+ Facebook is still focused on winning over creators to make it cool again. (The Information $)3 How tech workers are quietly fighting the rise of MAGA While their employers are shifting rightwards, workers are resisting. (NYT $)4 Microsoft and Meta have defended their AI spending DeepSeeks success has raised serious questions about Big Techs AI budgets. (Reuters)+ Zuckerberg claims not to be worried by the Chinese startups rapid rise. (The Verge)+ How a top Chinese AI model overcame US sanctions. (MIT Technology Review)5 Mr Beast is getting serious about buying TikTok The YouTuber is a part of an investor group thats secured more than $20 billion. (Bloomberg $)6 How the US plans to use space lasers to destroy hypersonic missilesIt bears more than a passing resemblance to Ronald Reagans 1983 program. (FT $) + How to fight a war in space (and get away with it) (MIT Technology Review)7 Waymos autonomous taxi service is expanding to new US citiesSan Diego, Las Vegas, and Miami are on the list. (WSJ $) + Self-driving Tesla taxis will hit Austins road in June, apparently. (TechCrunch)+ EV batteries boast an incredibly long lifespan. (IEEE Spectrum)8 The perfect cryptographic machine is possible Its just a bit of a pain to build. (IEEE Spectrum)+ Cryptography may offer a solution to the massive AI-labeling problem. (MIT Technology Review) 9 This mobile game is helping scientists identify new deep-sea speciesVerifying ocean creatures can take decades, but AI and gaming speeds up the process. (Bloomberg $) + Theres an incredible amount of life down in the depths. (Quanta Magazine)10 How the internet fell in love with capybarasThe worlds largest rodent is a social media sensation. (New Yorker $)Quote of the day Hold the line! Dont resign! US federal workers rally together on Reddit to protest the Trump administrations offer for them to take deferred resignation. The big story The race to fix space-weather forecasting before next big solar storm hits April 2024As the number of satellites in space grows, and as we rely on them for increasing numbers of vital tasks on Earth, the need to better predict stormy space weather is becoming more and more urgent. Scientists have long known that solar activity can change the density of the upper atmosphere. But its incredibly difficult to precisely predict the sorts of density changes that a given amount of solar activity would produce.Now, experts are working on a model of the upper atmosphere to help scientists to improve their models of how solar activity affects the environment in low Earth orbit. If they succeed, theyll be able to keep satellites safe even amid turbulent space weather, reducing the risk of potentially catastrophic orbital collisions. Read the full story.Tereza Pultarova We can still have nice things A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet 'em at me.) + Happy birthday to the one and only Phil Collins74 years young today.+ Great news for Britains loneliest bat: he may have found a mate at long last. + After years in the cocktail wilderness, the Black Russian is coming in from the cold.+ Death to members clubs!

The WWE landed on Netflix on Jan. 6, and soon Netflix subscribers will be able to throw their own flying elbows, clotheslines and even the occasional Stone Cold stunner.Netflix announced Thursday that it will be bringing the WWE 2K video games to mobile devices this fall exclusively on Netflix Games.Netflix is virtually synonymous with streaming movies and TV shows, such as Black Mirror and Stranger Things, but your subscription also gives you access to mobile games you can play on your iOS or Android device. If you subscribe to Netflix (which starts at $7 a month), you can play these games and many more without ads or in-app purchases at no additional charge. Watch this: WWE 2K Coming to Netflix Games Later This Year 00:33 Netflix also announced that it's transforming its series Ginny & Georgia and Sweet Magnolias into games in the Netflix Stories series.Netflix Stories games take popular shows on the streaming platform, like Too Hot to Handle, and put you in the middle of the action. These games are based on popular reality series as well as other well-known shows on the platform, like Emily in Paris.The streamer also said it plans to expand some of its other popular Netflix Stories entries. The company said the games for both Love is Blind and Outer Banks will each get new original stories later this year.The addition of the WWE 2K games will bring more major games to mobile through Netflix Games. The company launched Squid Game: Unleashed, based on the popular show of the same name, in December, and it added three entries from the Grand Theft Auto series to its mobile games library in 2023. Here's how you can access the games in Netflix's libraryAccessing Netflix Games on iOS and Android devices is a little different. Here's how to do it on iOS.1. Download the Netflix app onto your iPhone, iPad or Android device.2. Open the Netflix app.3. Tap your profile and sign into your account.4. Tap Home across the bottom of your screen.5. Scroll down your homepage until you see the Mobile Games carousel.6. Tap into a game to learn more about it.7. Tap Get Game to download a game you're interested in.Here's how to access Netflix Games on Android.1. Download the Netflix app onto your iPhone, iPad or Android device.2. Open the Netflix app.3. Tap your profile and sign into your account.4. Tap Games across the bottom of your screen.5. Tap into a game to learn more about it.6. Tap Get Game to download a game you're interested in.You can also search for games in the Netflix app by tapping the magnifying glass in the top right corner of the app and entering the game's name.After tapping Get Game, a pop-up from either Apple's App Store or the Google Play store will open, asking if you want to download the game. After confirming that action, the game will download on your device, like other apps.For more on Netflix Games, here are other games you can play through the service. You can also check out new titles on Game Pass, PlayStation Plus and Apple Arcade.

Our Experts Written by Ry Crist Macy Meyer Chris Wedel Brian Bennett Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement How we test What to consider Overall performance Consider how efficient the robot vacuum is at removing dirt and debris. Type of flooring you have Note the type of flooring you have as some robot vacuums perform better on hardwood floors while others are optimized for carpet. Pets or no pets? Some robot vacuums are more proficient at removing pet hair and some can even detect and avoid pet waste. Size and power Consider the size of your home and individual rooms before choosing a robot vacuum, and pick one with enough power to handle the area. Price Establish how much you have to spend on a robot vacuum since they're available in a wide range of prices. Table of Contents Robot vacuums have come a long way from its early days of mishaps such as picking up pet excrement. Today, robo-vacs are smarter than ever, incorporating AI-based object recognition that allows them to learn new objects over time. Recent developments showcased at CES 2025 have also made them more functional than ever before, with the addition of robotic arms that can move toys and debris and legs that let them scoot up small obstacles and even the ability to untangle themselves. Using our extensive hands-on lab testing, we have narrowed your robot vacuum choices for you. We evaluate mopping and carpet pick-up performance. We also test and score how each vacuum navigates and avoids obstacles such as dog poop, as well as score docking stations, sensors, battery life, reliability and value.Currently, we have a tie for the top spot: the Ecovacs Deebot T30SCombo and the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus. Our Picks Best robot vacuum overall, tied Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo View details $900 at Amazon View details Best robot vacuum overall, tied iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus View details $359 at Best Buy View details Up to a month of hands-free cleaning - Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop View details $650 at SharkClean.com View details Best robot vacuum for pet hair and plush carpets iRobot Roomba S9 Plus View details $1,160 at Best Buy View details Best robot vacuum on a tight budget Eufy RoboVac 25C View details $149 at Walmart View details Best midrange robot vacuum Ultenic MC1 View details $600 at Ultenic View details Best poop-detecting robot vacuum iRobot Roomba J7 Plus View details $359 at Best Buy View details Best robot vacuum splurge Dreame X40 Ultra View details

January 30, 20252 min readWatch a Frog Walk on Water with High-Speed Belly FlopsTiny frogs seem to skim the waters surface, but high-speed video reveals their secretBy Rohini Subrahmanyam edited by Sarah Lewin FrasierGraduate researcher Talia Weiss observes a cricket frog, whose unusual locomotion lets it appear to skip across the water's surface. Jake SochaIf you flick a flat stone toward a pond at just the right angle, it skips across in a series of smooth jumps. Inch-long cricket frogs also seem to skitter over the surface of water with physics-defying grace. But when Talia Weiss, then a bioengineering graduate student at Virginia Tech, filmed the frogs with a high-speed camera, she saw a very different picture.The motion is so fast that if you look at it with the naked eye, you really cant tell the difference, Weiss says.For a new study in the Journal of Experimental Biology, Weiss and her co-authors recorded skittering cricket frogs from above and below the surface at 500 frames per second and then played the videos back much more slowly. The researchers found that instead of hopping with just their feet breaking the surface, as older studies had described anecdotally, the frogs were actually doing a series of belly flopssinking for a fraction of a second and then kicking themselves upward with each jump.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.Slow-motion view of the cricket frog belly flop.Jake SochaRather than actually skittering across water like basilisk lizards do, the frogs were porpoisingleaping from the water as they swim. Weiss says their legs may be too slow for true surface hopping.To jump on the water surface, you have to have your legs retracted and ready to push down again by the time youre approaching the water in every jump, she explains. And these [frogs] dont prepare for their landing at all; they sort of just belly flop. They dont retract their legs fast enough to immediately jump again from the surface itself.Fast animal movements can be really deceiving, and the new camerawork reveals what the frogs are actually doing, says Jasmine Nirody, an organismal biologist at the University of Chicago, who was not involved in the study. By carefully analyzing such motions, we can think about how we might be able to use [the frogs] strategy in various bioinspired robots, she adds. Now we know what to look for.

Dune: Awakening's "early 2025" release date is looser than you might thinkPlenty of wriggle room.Image credit: Funcom News by Robert Purchese Associate Editor Published on Jan. 30, 2025 I went to see Funcom's survival MMO Dune: Awakening last week and one thing I expected while there was a specific release date. The game has an "early 2025" date, currently, which is the time period we're in. So a major press event held within that period of time would be a perfect place to make a release announcement. But no such announcement was made.It raised questions about how near to release Dune: Awakening actually is. I put these questions to the game's executive producer Scott Junior, and his reply feels like a much more accurate estimation of when to expect it. "I guess it depends how you define early," Junior said. "It could be the first half of '25 - that could be 'early'. So I'll leave it there. It could be the first half of 2025."Incidentally, Junior's referring to a PC (Steam) release. Console versions are part of the plan but they're coming later at an unspecified date. Also, in case there's any confusion, that's a full 1.0 release - there's no early access. The game has been in closed beta testing already for about a year.This video is from Gamescom last year so a few things have been altered and tweaked since then, but it's still a solid and very detailed look at the game.Watch on YouTubeAnother question mark surrounds the game's business model, which again, Funcom hasn't announced. Naturally, there are assumptions of free-to-play and battle pass monetisation methods - Funcom having used an in-game shop in Conan Exiles - but I saw no evidence of a shop in the Dune: Awakening build I played at all.Again, I put this to Junior. "We will announce our monetisation strategy a little bit closer to launch," he said. "There will not be any subscription, though - I can say that." He was also happy to clarify, "It will not be free-to-play." Chances are Dune: Awakening will be a premium-priced game.Dune: Awakening is a significant bet for Funcom. It's been in development for five years and more than 400 people have worked on it. It's the studio's biggest ever game, Junior said - bigger than The Secret World and Age of Conan, and an order of magnitude larger than the 30-person team that turned the company's ailing fortunes around with Conan Exiles in 2017. Will it work?I was impressed by what I played. Dune: Awakening is what a lot of MMOs aren't, necessarily, and that's interesting - conceptually interesting. In bringing survival concepts into a persistent, massively-multiplayer space, Funcom has made something that feels subtly but fundamentally new. It's also the closest recreation we'll get of the filmic world of Dune that's so popular right now. Check out my full Dune: Awakening preview to find out more.

Dune: Awakening proves MMOs can still be interesting and try new thingsSpicy.Image credit: Funcom Feature by Robert Purchese Associate Editor Published on Jan. 30, 2025 In making a survival MMO, Funcom has welded two concepts together in a way we rarely see. We've survived on worlds with other people on them, but usually only in small numbers; rarely have we played with this many people on worlds this big. Similarly, while we've played large online worlds with many other people, rarely have they granted the kind of sandbox build-your-own-adventure freedom Dune: Awakening does. It feels quietly, profoundly, new.Dune: Awakening previewDeveloper: FuncomPublisher: FuncomPlatform: Played on PCAvailability: Early 2025 on PC (Steam), which is more likely to mean the first-half of 2025. Console versions to follow at unspecified later dateBut I was concerned before I played it. I'd watched videos from a handful of months ago and seen a game that looked stiff in action and lacking in visual impact - certainly compared to the spectacle of the recent Denis Villeneuve Dune films. An impossible bar, I know, but a comparison I'm sure I won't be the only one making. I was unconvinced. But after spending a day playing it, my mind has changed.The essence of Dune: Awakening - its Spice, perhaps - is found in the middle of what it does, not its constituent parts. It's not in the survival side of the game or the massively multiplayer aspect of it, or even in the relatively cinematic third-person role-playing side of it either. It's where all of these parts come together - in running across the open sand with a friend while knowing the colossal danger that burrows beneath, and sharing in that nervousness. It's in establishing a sustainable existence in one of the most inhospitable environments possible. It's driving friends around on desert bikes or flying them in an ornithopter. It's teaming up for Destiny-like three-player dungeons or joining guilds to go to the Deep Desert and fight other guilds there. It's swaying the Landsraad council to grant laws in favour of whatever storied faction you join - Harkonnen or Atreides. It's all of that mushed together, and where it all meets.This gameplay video is a few months old now but still provides a really detailed and rounded look at the game. There are a lot of good videos showing the game on the Funcom YouTube account, actually. Check them out!Watch on YouTubeIt begins like a single-player role-playing game. I am a prisoner standing before a powerful and intimidating Bene Gesserit - a kind of magic user in the world - and I need to decide who I am. What do I look like (cue character creation), where was I born (a role-playing choice offering dialogue traits and emotes), and who was a mentor to me (a character archetype or class choice)? Then I'm forced forward by unseen magic onto my knees, to thrust my hand inside a box of truth and eventually pledge to perform a mission that will set me free: find the elusive Fremen hiding in the desert of Arrakis. The Dune music blares. It's an atmospheric start.The cinematic introduction continues as my craft is shot down flying too close to the planet's surface, by a Fremen no less. They spare me, and we talk briefly before the Emperor's elite Sardaukar soldiers fly down to attack. I'm saved, but now I'm alone in the desert, and this is where the tutorial begins. Here's how to craft blades and bandages, the game tells me, here's how to climb. Here's my hydration meter - keep an eye on it - and here's how you'll get sunstroke if you're not careful. Avoid it. Finally, combat, and how to strike, dodge, parry and shoot.It's a whistle-stop tour of systems that shows a game with some interesting ideas, and a pleasing amount of responsiveness. Having a dash-dodge on Alt as well as a parry, plus a mixture of attacks, makes combat feel active, and systems like free-climbing greatly open up the game's sense of exploration. Crafting, too, is a doddle - easy to follow, quick to perform. It's a confident start. The opening is impresively cinematic. It feels like the start of a single-player game.Now alone on the surface of Arrakis, the first phase of the game - the survival phase - properly begins. (Briefly, there are four phases roughly linked to an amount of time spent playing the game. The Survive phase is the first 10 hours; the Protect phase takes you up to around 30 hours; the Expand phase stretches to 100 hours; and the Control phase is everything after that.) It's a familiar survival loop: make a basic suite of equipment and a place to call home. Gather easily available resources - here it's scrap metal, plant fibres, rocks and ore - and turn them into weapons and armour and tools and so on. But it isn't long before I notice a difference.Time. It feels much quicker crafting and gathering in Dune: Awakening than in other survival games - perhaps because this is only one aspect of the game rather than the entirety of it. Whatever the reason, there's a generosity in the amount of resources collected and in what's required of you to craft things. What's more, you only need one tool - your Cutter Ray - for every job (which also comes with a nice-enough gesture-matching mini-game when mining things), and you can magically pull building resources from nearby chests, which is a godsend. You can feel the months of closed beta streamlining and years of expertise from making Conan Exiles here. It's a very smooth system, and it isn't long before I have an early set of equipment and a base.Building a base is, in particular, a breeze. You lay down a holographic blueprint of what you want to build, choosing building parts from a menu (you can have Atreides or Harkonnen pieces if you join their factions), and then hold a button to fill it in, (assuming you have the resources, which I'm pleased to say I always seemed to). You can even save the entire blueprint of your base to lay it down wholesale somewhere else, which is clever. In this way, you can up sticks and move to the other side of the desert no problem, or you can prepare disposable structures for the Deep Desert where guild warfare takes place - which is wiped clean by a Coriolis Storm each week.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Your hand is held quite firmly during these opening moments of the game. A journal system directs you step by step in what you need to do next, slowly unlocking the myriad features and systems in the game. Now you've got the capability to harvest enemy blood for water, for example; now you've got a Stillsuit as worn by Paul Atreides and the Fremen in the Dune films. It's all nicely thematic and mechanically appropriate stuff - never do these items feel superfluous, and there's always a proper use for them.Soon, the game will push you away from your comfort zone and point you across the sandy sea, and here, of course, lurks a legendary problem: sandworms. Make too many vibrations on the surface and, like a shark smelling blood in the water, a sandworm will appear. What happens if they do? I decide to goad one and find out.I run to the open sand and jump up and down until there's an almighty roar and, nearby, a sandworm rears from the ground, casting around like an almighty periscope for the source of the disturbance. I am hardly hiding but back down it goes, confusingly, so I redouble my efforts until the telltale eruption reoccurs. This time it's all business. Maw agape, the sandworm dives and surges towards me. I try to run - to use my magical sprint ability and escape - but it's hopeless. It swallows me in an instant and I die. Oh dear. Do you think it's seen me?I respawn feeling wonderfully naughty, only to realise the full consequences of actions: I have lost everything. Everything on my back and in my bag was swallowed by the sandworm and no longer exists, which in a game where stuff is everything - and where you spend a not insignificant amount of time making that stuff - losing it hurts. A lot. Sandworms gain an appropriately fearsome place in the threat-hierarchy of Dune: Awakening as a result, as well they should.It takes underpants-Bertie about half-an-hour to re-equip, but that's only because I have the machinery I need and because I'm using starter-level equipment. It's not that hard to come by. It is a pain in the arse to do, though, and I can only imagine the frustration of losing later-game items made of hard-to-come-by materials. Sandworms are clearly not to be trifled with.But it's only material things I lose. This being a kind of role-playing game means there are character levels and skill trees and abilities to learn which you do not lose if you die, sandworm or otherwise. I chose the Bene Gesserit archetype, so the magical sprint I mentioned comes from that. It lets me dash like the Flash for a short distance, which is both useful and fun. I can also use the storied power of the Voice to compel enemies to run towards me and stand there dumbly, or have them take no notice of me as I wander past. Or if I'm feeling fighty, I can pump points into martial prowess and do things like instantly appear behind enemies for a backstab, wa-bam! There seems to be a pleasing amount of choice here, and I'm told we can respec freely and unlock almost all of it. The strategy comes from choosing which three abilities to actively use.The other class archetypes are Trooper, Mentat, and Swordmaster, and they're all designed in a way to bring something valuable to the rock, paper, scissors principle behind the game's combat. Mentats help survey battlefields and locate what's there; Bene Gesserits help control battlefields; and Troopers and Swordmasters are the ranged and close-up damage dealers. Broadly, there's nuance within that. The governing idea is adaptability - there should never be only one approach to combat.Enemies wearing energy shields, for example, will indefinitely block most fast-moving projectiles - shields don't work here like they do in other games, draining and then recharging - so you'll need to switch to a slow-moving melee weapon and get in close to penetrate the shield and take them down. You can do this alone with a varied loadout - multiple Funcom reps reiterate the game is viable as a solo experience - but the unspoken suggestion is it's easier with friends. I don't think the stairs go there, Bertie.As the day wears on, the rhythm of the early game in Dune: Awakening - and possibly the wider game - reveals itself. It's a slow and steady affair, sparse by design, where occasionally you glimpse other players but are never crowded by them. This is because of the way the game's servers work. It's a bit confusing, but areas of the overall world are replicated across multiple servers - known as sietches - and these clusters of sietches make up the whole. For example, the sietch I'm in, in the Hagga Basin starting area, has a concurrent player limit of 40, and there are many of these sietches - as many as Funcom needs. Players can move around sietches fluidly; you can even control the movement to join sietches your friends are playing on. This is how each area of the game world works, though they vary in concurrent player size - the Deep Desert can support 36x36 guild warfare, for instance.This enforced sparsity feels authentic to the atmosphere of Dune, and while there's a lot of running around early on, it's important for establishing the dangers of the land - the jeopardy of the sandworms, the debilitating effects of the sun, and the searchlights beaming from Emperor ships patrolling at night. Plus a lot of progression is based around improving your traversal speed. You'll unlock grappling hooks that swing you high and Suspensor Belts that float you down again, and when you unlock vehicles, that revolutionises travel all over again. A Funcom rep spawns an ornithopter for me at the end of the day, because I am nowhere near achieving it myself, and it's a marvel. It takes me out of reach of sandworms and makes me able to land atop rocky outcrops rather than climb them. It even serves as a mobile respawn location. These moments feel liberating because of all the dues paid earlier.But before you get there, it's important to feel the desert and what it's like to live there. To run and hide from the great storms that occasionally blow through it. There's an atmospheric moment in an NPC hub where an alarm sounds, signalling an oncoming storm, and then the slab-like doors slowly close to protect us against it. In moments like this, Dune: Awakening feels like the Denis Villeneuve films. In fact, the whole game experience reminds me more of the films than I was expecting. It's no accident - Funcom has been working closely with Legendary Studios for years, sharing design work and assets; this is absolutely intended to be a film-like experience, though the story differs significantly, of course. There's no Paul Atreides here; the timeline diverges before he's born, speculating what would have happened if his mother gave birth to a daughter instead - a daughter trained as a Bene Gesserit who would predict the betrayal of Arrakis and save House Atreides. The Spice Trials are a nice story thread running through the game.There is a sense of a story running through the game, too. The backbone of it involves several Spice trials where you'll huff a load of Spice to undertake - a bit like Paul does to have visions in the second film. I experience one of these and it takes me to an otherworldly place for some stealth platforming challenges, which are a nice break from the norm. Then I'm returned to the world with new Spice-related powers - an intriguing mechanic that deals with concepts of addiction, but which I haven't seen enough of to really understand the long-term consequences of yet. Spice, then, features heavily in the game, both a thematic concept and a mechanical one.Much about Dune: Awakening is interesting. It's familiar yet not at the same time, and I like that. I cling to that difference as I begin to lose interest in combat encounters that lack much imagination or shape, and as I traipse across the sand for the umpteenth time to complete tasks which start to feel like chores. They're just one part of a bigger whole, I tell myself.How Dune: Awakening will come together many hours later, I don't know yet. Likewise for how venturing to city hubs and joining guilds and factions will potentially change that experience further. But I like that there are already beefy later-game concepts there, and after several hours with the game, I'm confident enough to say it will be worth sticking around to find out - Funcom has decades of wisdom accrued in this area, don't forget.Or you can simply survive. You can live out your Dune fantasy in the most faithful recreation of Arrakis we've yet seen in a game, pausing as the ground shudders from a nearby sandworm, ducking for cover as a sandstorm blows in, and searching crevices for the secrets of the world hidden within. Dune: Awakening has promise - keep an eye on this one.This article is based on a trip to a preview event in Norway. Travel and accommodation were paid for by Funcom.

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 here Contents hide Another Fortnite OG Pass is around the corner! Epic Games will release it on Friday, January 31, bringing the iconic Chapter 1 Season 2 back to the game. Not only will the map and items change, but the game developer will bring back several throwback cosmetics. The new pass will have many new cosmetics, including three remixed skins.Thanks to a trailer for the new season, we now know what the skins will look like. These new skins will be unlockable starting Friday, and you may even get the pass without paying for it!The next Fortnite OG Pass will bring more remixed skins. Image by VideoGamerHow much will the next Fortnite OG Pass cost?The next OG Pass will cost 1,000 V-Bucks. While it contains no free V-Bucks and has fewer tiers than the Battle Pass, its still worth it. Remixed versions of Black Knight, Sparkle Specialist, and Cuddle Team Leader will come with it, along with many other cosmetics. However, you will automatically receive the new pass if you are a Fortnite Crew subscriber.At the moment, we dont know the exact release time of the update. Epic Games confirmed that its coming out on Friday, which is why we expect the update to come out around 4 AM Eastern Time. Its important to note that the pass wont be available right away, though. Since the next Fortnite update will be massive, the game developer will take servers down for maintenance. Due to this, the new pass will be available later in the day.The next Fortnite OG Pass will have more than 40 rewards. Image by VideoGamerConsidering that Fortnite became very popular during the original Season 2, we expect it to positively impact the player count. Additionally, there is a good chance that Epic Games will bring back some of the older cosmetics during this season, including the Fresh emote, which has been vaulted since November 21, 2018. Related TopicsFortnite Subscribe 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 here Contents hide The Call of Duty franchise is continuing to double down on the unusual range of cosmetics appearing within Black Ops 6 and Warzone. Following Treyarch reaffirming its position on criticism surrounding the presence of skins that wouldnt necessarily belong on the real-world battlefield.The launch of Season 2 has introduced a wealth of new content for players to get their teeth stuck into. Ranging from new weaponry to a new zombie map with a challenging boss fight, theres something for everyone loading into the action. Alongside this, Treyarch has unveiled a new bundle that transforms you into a virtual streamer.Black Ops 6 adding streaming-inspired blueprintArriving during the second season is the Tracer Pack: Killer Content Mastercraft which features the Stream Team weapon blueprint.Those who wish to purchase the bundle can inspect the Cypher 091 to see a hidden screen displaying a chat that looks almost identical to the ones you see on Twitch broadcasts. Alongside the stream chat, there are also four additional boxes telling players to subscribe to their non-existent channels.Its not just the random stream chat appearing on this particular weapon blueprint. The pink-and-white aesthetic enables players to stand out from the crowd. While those with the blueprint will certainly stand out, the bright colours are much easier to see making them vulnerable to being eliminated more often than normal.Where are the realistic skins?Black Ops 6s Killer Content hasnt arrived to the in-game store just yet but its appearance has already got fans talking. The lack of realistic cosmetics continues to divide players and a blueprint inspired by the world of streaming is only going to increase the divide even further. Must-Listen: Publishing Manor Lords w/ Joe Robinson VideoGamer Podcast Listen Now Costing 2,400 CoD Points, the bundle is going to be one of the more expensive offerings. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference as to whether you want to add it to your collection or give it a miss in favour of other skins and camos.For more CoD intel, take a look at the best mouse and keyboard settings along with the best KSV loadout dominating the action.Call of Duty: Black Ops 6Platform(s):PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/XGenre(s):ShooterSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

The Dallas interior designers, architects, landscape designers in the AD PRO Directory bring Texas-size style to their wide variety of projects. Whether theyre creating homey residential spaces in new construction projects or renovating houses in sought-after neighborhoods like Highland Park, these 24 Dallas firms present some of the best design the Big D has to offer. Common themes among their designs include splashes of bold color in otherwise neutral kitchens and living areas, dark and moody dens and library spaces, and generous entertaining spaces for putting that famed Southern hospitality into practice. If youre looking for an interior designer, architect, or landscape designer in Dallas, we recommend starting here.Interior DesignersSemmelmann InteriorsBathed in light, this Preston Hollow kitchen by Semmelmann Interiors uses dramatic finishes to create an elegant atmosphere.Costa Christ, Strictly Natural LightLuxury meets comfort and warmth in the work of Semmelmann Interiors. Led by founder Susan Semmelmann, the Fort Worthbased firm specializes in an organic glamour aesthetic, combining high-end materials with natural elements. The result is welcoming yet polished spaces that reflect the clients lifestyle and taste.Complete with custom light fixtures, hardware, and reading nooks, this whimsical playroom by Semmelmann Interiors is what dreams are made of.Charles Lauersdorf, Realty Pro ShotsWith a background in architectural design and construction detailing, Semmelmann can guide the entire design process, ensuring every aspect is thoughtfully conceived and executed. The firm, which boasts a team of 30 designers, artists, and seamstresses, offers full-service interior design, working on projects of all types and styles, from sprawling Dallas mansions to rustic lake retreats.Lark InteriorsLark Interiors beautifully blended English cottage and modern style in the architecture and interior design of a 17,000-square-foot home in Westlake, Texas.Stacy Zarin GoldbergLark Interiors brings a sense of lightness and fun to its designs, creating spaces that are beautiful without taking themselves too seriously. Principal designer and owner Janelle Patton blends modern and traditional styles in her work, incorporating bold color, vintage pieces, and cheeky one-of-a-kind elements from secret bookcase doors to a slide.Lark Interiors installed a towering custom bookshelf with a library ladder in a living room, drawing attention to the high ceilings and providing space for the clients to display treasures from their travels.Nathan Schroder PhotographyThe interior and architectural design firm works on projects across the DallasFort Worth area and is known for its life-friendly designs that can stand up to kids and pets. Whether youre building a home from scratch, renovating your current space, or looking for full-service interior decorating, Lark Interiorss comprehensive process keeps projects on track and up to its exacting standards.Traci Connell InteriorsTraci Connell Interiors brought drama to a Dallas living room by painting the wall black and installing a floral print on the ceiling.Stephen KarlischGlamorous touches abound in the work of Traci Connell, who draws inspiration from her explorations around the world, as well as nature, art, and culture. The designer and her eponymous firm are known for their lively spaces, which are filled with rich details, striking materials, and eye-catching art.In a light-filled double-height kitchen, designer Traci Connell opted for clean-lined furnishings and a crisp black-and-white color palette.Michael HunterTraci Connell Interiors works in commercial and residential design, including renovations, new builds, and furnishing projects, and brings its meticulous approach to everything from urbane high-rise apartments to lakeside vacation homes. For smaller or long-distance projects, the firm offers Design Delivered, an online decorating option.Kat Black Interiors used large windows, warm textures, and carefully selected materials to help showcase this Kellar, Texas, new builds spectacular setting.Becca Lea PhotographyKat Black InteriorsThe residential designs created by Kat Black Interiors (KBI) prove that luxury and livability can go hand in hand. Designer Kat Black balances traditional and modern aesthetics in her warm, sophisticated spaces, incorporating natural materials, layered textures, and calming color palettes. The clients passions and personal style take center stage in the design, whether through a showstopping wall of wine or a book-filled reading room.Designer Kat Black added millwork and custom cabinetry to create depth and keep this all-white bathroom warm and welcoming.Becca Lea PhotographyThe designers strong background in space planning shines through in her projects, which are outfitted with thoughtful custom cabinetry and storage. The KBI team guides each client through the firms comprehensive and collaborative design process, providing expert advice and transparent communication every step of the way.Ruthie Staalsen InteriorsIn Ruthie Staalsens own Grapevine, Texas, home, the designer incorporated a global mix reflecting her upbringing in South Africa, her husbands childhood in Australia, and their travels around the world.Aaron DoughertyDesigner Ruthie Staalsen is a master of the mix, incorporating finds from around the world, vivid colors, and plenty of pattern. The South Africaborn, Dallas-based designer focuses on creating spaces that feel collected and has a knack for incorporating a clients existing treasures into the design, giving them a new life.After renovating a midcentury-modern home from the ground up, a client called on designer Ruthie Staalsen to devise joyful yet sophisticated interiors that would showcase vibrant colors and finds collected from around the world.Nathan Schroder PhotographyBoasting over 20 years of experience, Staalsen brings a global perspective to her work, bringing classic and eclectic pieces together with natural elements into one-of-a-kind spaces. Ruthie Staalsen Interiors offers full-service design, as well as budget-friendly options such as virtual walk-throughs, single-day room transformation, and new-build or remodeling consultations.Jen Mauldin DesignThis inviting Dallas space by Jen Mauldin brings together a rich interplay of texture and form. The seamless blend of natural materials and bespoke furnishings captures a refined yet approachable aesthetic.Jen MauldinFrom an art-filled Santa Fe home to a contemporary Dallas high-rise apartment, Jen Mauldin Design is able to beautifully showcase her clients passions and personal styles within expertly planned spaces. Founded in 2012, the full-service firm specializes in high-end residential projects, as well as hospitality, spa, and aging-in-place designs.Earthy minimalism meets refined glamour in this inviting Dallas sitting area by Jen Mauldin, anchored by the sculptural GlammFire suspended fireplace with its striking black-and-gold design. The harmonious blend of textures and tones embodies understated luxury.Jen MauldinJen Mauldin Design takes an individual approach to each project, addressing each client's unique needs through close collaboration and transparent communication. The result? Homes that are luxurious yet livable, distinguished with exquisite materials, distinctive lighting, lush textiles, and plenty of personal touches.Bridges Brown InteriorsBridges Brown Interiors designed this space as an extension of the foyer, creating the feel of a courtyard with a large olive tree and planter by Robert Lawrence Designs. The firm kept the furnishings contemporary, but added a touch of tradition with a vintage rug by Unique Loom.Michael HunterDesigners Cody Brown and Jeremy Bridges combine their talents at their Dallas firm Bridges Brown Interiors. Clients benefit from Browns knowledge of color theory and texture, as well as Bridges space-planning and finishing expertise. The design duo has a lifestyle-oriented process, resulting in spaces that feel like sanctuaries.A primary bathroom was transformed into a spa-like space by Bridges Brown Interiors, who added a large glass window to the dual shower to let in natural light and installed a large soaking tub beside a stone ledge that can be filled with candles.Michael HunterWhether theyre designing a downtown penthouse or a Bishop Arts bungalow, the designers expertly combine classic design elements with an eclectic mix of contemporary finds. Comfortable yet sophisticated, the firms interiors reflect the lives and aesthetics of its occupants while feeling connected to their surroundings.Urbanology DesignsUrbanology Designs emphasized harmony, materiality, and an intuitive connection to the environment in a University Park kitchen, fostering a sense of calm and creativity in one of the homes most dynamic spaces.Matti GreshamFor Urbanology Designs, design is more than furnishing a home; its creating a way of life for a client. Led by owner and principal designer Ginger Curtis, the firm devised highly curated interiors that look to the past with a fresh eye. From a grand East Texas lake house to a casual-cool California residence, Urbanology Designs crafts interiors that feel intimate and inviting.In a modern University Park living room, Urbanology Designs balanced drama, comfort, and contemporary artistry. The firms concept plays with contrastslight and dark, soft and structuredwhile maintaining cohesion through a palette of warm earth tones and sleek black accents.Matti GreshamRestrained palettes, sculptural lighting, and architectural elements are hallmarks of Urbanology Designs spaces. The firm specializes in whole-house transformations, and its services include commercial design, interior construction design for new builds, art curation, and custom furniture. Smaller projects can benefit from the firms three-hour design walk-through, which pairs the client with a design pro to help revive up to three spaces.Doniphan Moore InteriorsDesigner Doniphan Moore put a coastal twist on traditional style in the pool-blue lacquered library of his familys Florida vacation home.Douglas FriedmanGleaming lighting, painterly wall covering, and luxe fabrics are just a few of the fashion-forward elements designer Doniphan Moore uses to create his jewel-box spaces. Moore puts an artful spin on tradition, elevating his interiors with modern touches and opulent accents. Antiques mingle with contemporary art, and ornate architecture feels fresh with the addition of modern, shapely furnishings.In a Vero Beach, Florida, guest bedroom, Doniphan Moore Interiors treated the walls in a Portola lime wash paint that coordinates with the Kelly Wearstler for Lee Jofa drapery fabric.Douglas FriedmanA full-service residential and commercial design firm, Doniphan Moore Interiors guides each project through all stages of design and construction. The firms tailored style has been showcased at the Kips Bay Show House Dallas, where Moore created a lavish primary bathroom and his-and-hers dressing suites outfitted with silver De Gournay wallpaper and geometric marble flooring.Angeline Guido DesignAngeline Guido Design outfitted this ethereal dining space with pastel and brass accents and a bubble-like chandelier.Dallas native Angeline Guido Hall grew up in a family of home builders and designers, so her love of interiors began at a young age. After beginning her career designing for the hospitality industry, she founded Angeline Guido Design in 2014. The full-service firm specializes in high-end residential and hospitality designs, creating warm and welcoming spaceswhether theyre family homes or a hip barbecue restaurant in East Dallas.Natural materials and a statement light fixture bring this open kitchen together by Angeline Guido Design.Courtesy Angeline Guido DesignHall and her team focus on functionality and durability in their sophisticated yet comfortable interiors, designing rooms that will work throughout all stages of life. The firm works closely with clients and manages every aspect of the design process, from construction to furnishings. While Angeline Guido Design has expanded a great deal over the past nine years, Hall remains involved in every project.Kara Adam InteriorsIn this bar area, Kara Adam Interiors went for all-over color, covering walls and trim in a sultry high-gloss shade.Designer Kara Adam doesnt have a signature style: Each of her interiors is one-of-a-kind, reflecting the tastes and lifestyles of her clients. Adam founded her firm, Kara Adam Interiors, in 2004, and over the years she has built a reputation as creative problem solver with a vast network of collaborators, including artisans, architects, builders, and art advisors.Adam sticks the landing, so to speak, with a sumptuous corner sofa and patterned rug.Adam works in a variety of styles, injecting her expressive projects with texture, pattern, and a mix of contemporary and antique pieces. The detail-oriented designer has completed projects across the country, each with unexpected elements and a welcoming air, from moody lacquered bar areas to bright and airy kitchens.Cheri Etchelecu Interior DesignA custom hide-on-hair rug anchors this lake house living room, which was designed by Cheri Etchelecu Interior Design.Cheri Etchelecu Martin cut her teeth at prestigious design firms before founding her eponymous firm more than 30 years ago. The award-winning studio works collaboratively with clients, guiding them through every phase of the project. Etchelecu Martins experience and dedication to cultivating a sense of trust and comfort throughout the design process has earned the firm many repeat clients.Cheri Etchelecu Interior Design doubles up on chic window treatments in this clients bedroom.Cheri Etchelecu Interior Design takes a layered approach to interiors, mixing new pieces with the clients beloved furnishings, art, and decor. From peaceful primary bedrooms to eye-catching baths, the resulting spaces are functional and incredibly personal. The firm takes on a variety of projects, from high-rise apartments to mountain homes, and can assist with even the toughest renovationsall while keeping things fun and inspiring.Twilly and FigTwilly and Fig plays up the pattern in this living room, where florals, geometrics, and animal prints all live in harmony.Michael Hunter PhotographyTwilly and Fig offers something for every client, whether they need paint color consultation, a single-room refresh, or a gut renovation. The full-service firm has studio locations in the Dallas and Austin areas and works in a variety of styles to suit their clients personal tastes. Twilly and Figs team of interior and kitchen and bath designers takes on every aspect of the design or renovation process, from project management to space planning. They also have a wide network of trusted contractors, carpenters, painters and other pros to help get the job done well (and within budget).A patterned purple wall covering defines this elevated dining space by Twilly and Fig.Michael Hunter PhotographyThe firm doesnt shy away from color and is skilled at adding unique details, such as bold murals or custom dog kennels, to create one-of-a-kind spaces for each member of the family.Meredith Ellis DesignForest green covers the paneled walls of this library, which Meredith Ellis Design filled with antique furniture.Read McKendreeWith over 25 years of experience in the luxury interior design industry, a national trade showroom, and a new textile line launching in spring 2023, Meredith Ellis has vast knowledge and resources in the field of design and decorating. She and her well-trained Meredith Ellis Design team of Dallas interior designers take a hands-on approach, working closely with architects, contractors, and craftsmen to ensure a successful end product, all while remaining focused on managing budgets, timelines, and schedules.Meredith Ellis Design added depth to this white kitchen using dark wood for flooring, stools, and the island countertop.Read McKendreeEllis knows what it takes to make a home feel authentic, personal, unique, and welcoming. She is an expert at layering fabrics, incorporating antiques and art, and addressing the clients needs to create a home that is storied, classic, high-functioning, and inviting. Her studio specializes in large-scale renovations, new construction, and whole-house decorating. Meredith Ellis Design is currently working on projects across the US.APPLY NOWGrow your business with the AD PRO DirectoryArrowMary Beth Wagner InteriorsShades of blue add personality to this neutral living space by Mary Beth Wagner Interiors.Emery DavisLed by a lifelong love of interior design, Mary Beth Wagner has dedicated her career to creating homes that are a true reflection of each individual client, expressing their unique personalities while providing a seamless and enjoyable experience. Wagner leverages her skill set and appreciation for impeccable design to create beautiful yet livable spaces that feature a refreshing mix of colors and textures.Brass accents, plaid upholstery, and floral flourishes come together in this open-plan kitchen and living area, completed by Mary Beth Wagner Interiors.Nathan SchroederPrior to launching her eponymous design firm Mary Beth Wagner Interiors in 2020, Wagner cofounded and managed Avrea Wagner Interiors from 2009 to 2019. Her current company specializes in all aspects of interior design, from the initial conceptual phase through the construction process and final installation. Her firm designs homes in Dallas as well as across the United States, and also participated as a featured designer in the 2021 Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas.Lindley Arthur InteriorsTo decorate this new-construction lake house in Long Cove, Texas, Lindley Arthur Interiors used custom lanterns by Urban Electric, a light blue tiled backsplash, and counter stools by Rove Concepts.Emery DavisDallas-based designer Lindley Arthur spent a decade in public relations before she took a leap of faith, turning her love of antiques into a specialty business. In 2008, she set up shop in Antique Row on Dallass Lovers Lane, and before long, her scope naturally expanded into interior design. Today, her firm Lindley Arthur Interiors focuses on residential projects in Texas and beyond.Lindley Arthur Interiors opted for Pierre Frey wallpaper, sconces from Visual Comfort, and custom chartreuse linen shades in this Dallas bathroom.Emery DavisArthurs design philosophy is that homes should be a well-curated collection of old and new, resulting in timeless interiors with a fresh edge. The placement of striking, clean, well-selected antiques remains a priority in all projects. She often gains inspiration for her work through her vast travels. Arthur has been awarded honors for her designs and participated in the 2023 Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach.Layered Dimensions Interior DesignLayered Dimensions Interior Design added a second island to this kitchen in a home northwest of Dallas.Nathan SchroderWith a focus on custom, high-end residential design, Layered Dimensions Interior Design principals Christina Garcia Lysaught and Grayson Knight lead their team of expert designers with a comprehensive range of specializations. The studios meticulous attention to detail ensures their clients interiors go far beyond expectationsand are comfortable too.This dining space by Layered Dimensions features a moody palette, with eye-catching details and luxurious yet livable furnishings.Nathan SchroderBy sensitively layering their interior projects, the studio helps clients create the ultimate feeling of home. From space planning, cabinet drawings, and tile designs to selecting sophisticated yet livable furnishings exclusive to a clients space, each aspect of the project is carefully thought out to achieve the desired design for each home.Yates DesygnYates Desygn sought to create a kitchen that could both host large parties and offer a calm, relaxed vibe for everyday living in this West Highland Park home.Michael WiltbankPracticing with restraint and clarity, Yates Desygn creates interiors that fuse elegance and livable luxury. With vast combined experience and a fervent shared passion for style and design, Bryan and Mike Yates created Yates Desygn in 2015, and established their Dallas-based headquarters the following year.The clients artwork provided a starting point for the design of this entry lounge by Yates Desygn.Michael WiltbankThe full-service design firm connects with clients on a personal level, collaborating with them to ensure their needs are met with the best design for their project. The firms goal is to replace intimidation with inspiration, make the creative process one that a client will enjoy, and ultimately enhance quality of life. Yates Desygn was selected to participate in the Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas in 2021, and launched its first wall covering collection, Ever x Yates, in 2023.Ten Plus ThreeA moody neutral palette and metallic accents pull together this art-filled space in a home designed by Ten Plus Three in San Pedro Garza Garca, Mexico.Stephen KarlischFounded by Gonzalo Bueno and Mauricio Lobeira, Ten Plus Three is an interior design and architecture practice with offices in Dallas and Monterrey, Mexico. The duo has a passion for beautiful things, and that love is evident in their carefully curated interiors, which feature dazzling details and unexpected accents. Their attention to detail has made them go-tos for art collectors looking for stunning settings to best showcase their collections.Ten Plus Three chose modern low-slung seating in this Aspen living area, allowing the view to take center stage.Douglas FriedmanTen Plus Three boasts a portfolio of high-end residences, including mountain homes, beach retreats, and urban dwellings, yet no matter the location, each space exudes warmth and sophistication. The firm also works on commercial and hospitality projects in the US and Mexico.Arveaux InteriorsFor a new construction project in Dallas, Arveaux Interiors married comfort, durability, and style by accenting the gray sectional with playful touches of orange.Arveaux Interiors is a full-service design firm serving clients in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and beyond. The firm partners closely with its clients, taking inspiration from their lifestyles and personalities to create unique and highly individualized spaces, from serene bedroom retreats to lively game rooms.Arveaux Interiors wanted the bar area of a Copper Canyon, Texas, home to make an impact, so they chose bold elements, such as the fluted tile and creative light fixture.Working in a variety of styles, the designers handle every aspect of the design process, from interior architectural detailing to custom furniture design. Arveaux Interiors tackles projects of all sizes, including new construction, renovations, and home expansions. Fans of the firms style can shop a curated selection of design finds at its Dallas boutique or online store.Nicole Arnold InteriorsNicole Arnold Interiors combined transitional, modern, and midcentury styles in this bright open-concept kitchen, which has plenty of room for each family member's hobbies and interests.Photo by Michael Hunter PhotographyFounded by designer Nicole Arnold 15 years ago, Nicole Arnold Interiors is a full-service design firm that works with residential and commercial clients in the Dallas area and nationwide. While the style of each project is tailored to the client's taste, a feeling of comfort and a sense of timelessness serve as a through line in the firms work.To bring their clients love for their native California home into their new Texas residence, Nicole Arnold Interiors incorporated textural elements, a monochromatic color palette, and organic influences.Photo by Holger Obenaus PhotographyNicole Arnold Interiors offers a range of services, from providing a design roadmap for DIYers to complete turn-key renovations. The firm has a deep Rolodex of talented architects, artisans, and other trade professionals to help execute the project with ease and exceptional attention to detail.Lambert HomeFor the bedroom of a family home, Lambert Home created a timeless, relaxing space with comfortable furnishings and classic patterns.Sisters Sarah and Katie Lambert founded Lambert Home, their home furnishings and decor shop in 2015, and the business quickly grew as the design duo added an interior design studio and construction company. The one-stop shop can handle design and construction quickly and seamlessly. Designer Sarah Lambert works with clients to design spaces that reflect them, while Katie Lambert handles pricing and construction management.Lambert Home transformed the great room of a Colleyville, Texas, with modern elements such as black grasscloth wallpaper and a concrete fireplace.The Southlake-based firm serves the Dallas-Fort Worth area and handles projects of all sizes, whether its redesigning one room or gut-renovating the whole house. Authenticity is a core value of Lambert Home, and they pride themselves on sourcing ethically produced furnishings and decor.ArchitectsMaestri StudioMaestri Studio designed this modern home with SoCal and Asian influences to remind the client of their travels.Jenifer McNeil BakerArchitect Eddie Maestris New Orleans upbringing, love of midcentury design, and world travel influence the elegant, inventive homes he devises along with the team at his eponymous firm. Founded in 2008, Maestri Studio is a full-service architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture firm working on residential and commercial projects in the Dallas area and across the country.Maestri Studio transformed a Lakewood single-story home from the ground up, blending modern and midcentury influences and incorporating natural materials, colorful accents, and vintage inspired lighting.Jenifer McNeil BakerMaestri Studio works in a variety of styles, from Tudor to New Formalist, creating homes that fit within their contexts while showcasing the clients personal inspirations and lifestyles. The firm also operates Maestri Gallery, a showcase for a curated selection of art, custom furniture collections, and design collaborations in Dallass Exposition Park.Landscape DesignersMelissa Gerstle DesignFor the Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse in Dallas, Melissa Gerstle Design created the rear landscape, entitled The Magari Garden. Inspired by the Italian gardens of Villa Farnese, each piece and plant were selected to create dramatic tension and visual interest.Stephen KarlischMelissa Gerstle Design is known for dreaming up stylish outdoor spaces that are an extension of a clients home. Led by principal designer Melissa Gerstle, the firm offers full-service landscape design, enhancing properties with elements such as swimming pools, fountains, outdoor kitchens, fire features, and furnishings.Melissa Gerstle Design used a highly edited plant palette for the exterior of a Highland Park home, providing layered textures of green set against a backdrop of mature trees.Stephen KarlischGerstle and her team work closely with clients and their architects, designers, and builders to create outdoor areas that are made to be enjoyed, including spots to gather, dine, play, and relax. From formal gardens to pickleball courts to hidden koi ponds, the firm adds far more than just curb appeal to a property, they create magical spaces for outdoor living.From the Ground Up LandscapeSince 2005, From the Ground Up Landscape has been enlivening exteriors throughout the Dallas area. Owners Dan Houchard and Ryan Burkhart combine their talents at the full-service landscape design firm, which can enhance all aspects of a clients property, from installing pools, pergolas, and fountains to adding functional elements such as irrigation systems, fences, walks, and drives.The company complements the aesthetic of the home, whether its creating an infinity edge pool for a contemporary residence or a gracious tree-lined terrace for a traditional estate. Once the design is complete, From the Ground Up Landscape can keep it looking beautiful with maintenance services, seasonal installations, and accents for special events.Are you looking for an interior decorator or designer to hire for your next project? Wherever you are in the US, visit the AD PRO Directory to browse our list of AD-approved designers and find your match for a design consultation