Miley Cyrus has gone from Disney darling to music industry icon in a matter of two decades, and fans have watched in awe as the 32-year-old fine-tuned her sound in that time. Her anticipated ninth album, Something Beautiful, drops Friday, May 30, and rumor has it that the singer is considering getting back on tour. But where does Cyrus go when she needs to decompress? We’re breaking down her real estate portfolio below.Related StoriesA Starter Home in Studio City Courtesy of Google MapsCyrus bought her first property following the success of her third album, Can’t Be Tamed, in 2011. The five-bedroom, seven-bathroom ranch home was a $3.9 million investment and a strategic move, as the home is located in Studio City, just two miles outside Toluca Lake, where her family resided. Cyrus still owns the gated 4,948 square foot property that boasts modern design details, such as skylights and floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors. There are also relaxation-coded amenities: a saltwater pool, an at-home spa, and a yoga room on-site. A Horse Farm in Hidden HillsCourtsey of Google MapsYou can take the girl out of Tennessee, but you can’t take Tennessee out of the girl. Cyrus grew up on a farm in Nashville, and in 2015, the rising star bought a 5.5-acre horse ranch in Hidden Hills. Was the purchase a nod to her country roots? We like to think so. Cyrus bought the property for about $5.5 million. It boasted 6,000 square feet of living space and a one-acre riding ring. The main house featured five bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, and a 1,000-bottle wine cellar, while its outdoor amenities included a pool, spa, fireplace, built-in barbeque, fruit and vegetable garden, plus a vineyard. A Mid-century Home in MalibuCourtsey of Google MapsCyrus’s hit song Malibu is an ode to the home she and Liam Hemsworth shared in the beachy city. Cyrus bought the 1,385 square-foot two-story humble abode for $2.5 million in 2016 and built a rainbow-colored recording studio on the property. It was surrounded by trees and tropical plants alike, giving it a private feel from the exterior, and an open floor plan for easy socializing indoors. Highlighted features of the home include high ceilings, glass doors leading out to the backyard, and a private balcony off the primary bedroom. Outdoor amenities were modest compared to Cyrus’s other properties and included a jacuzzi, gazebo, and two-car garage. A Farmhouse Ranch in TennesseeCourtsey of Google MapsIn 2017, Cyrus put down roots in her home state of Tennessee. The singer spent $5.8 million on the 33.5-acre property, which featured a 7,000 square-foot ranch-style main house, complete with a wrap-around porch, lofted ceilings, multiple fireplaces, and reclaimed wood flooring.A Mansion in Hidden HillsCourtsey of Team SorrentinoFollowing her split from Hemsworth in January 2020, Cyrus moved into a six-bedroom, six-bathroom mansion in Hidden Hills, paying roughly $5 million for her bachelorette pad. The artist teamed up with her mother and interior designer, Trish Cyrus, as well as designer Mat Sanders, to make the space feel more “Miley.” The finishing touches included a leopard-printed glam room, a psychedelic-themed music studio, and a Gucci tiger-wallpapered powder room. The premises also boast a lagoon-inspired swimming pool and an outdoor kitchen. A Manor in MalibuCourtsey of Google MapsCyrus made her return to Malibu in 2022 with her most expensive real estate purchase to date: a $7.9 million six-bedroom, six-and-a-half-bathroom mansion. The home was originally built in 1999 but has undergone renovations in recent years. The interior is refreshed with white paint and hardwood flooring, stone tile, a formal dining room, and a spacious living room complete with a fireplace and an adjacent billiard room. Outdoor entertainment includes a patio and a heated pool.Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

Submitted by WA Contents Three circular volumes create Villa Noon in Sotogrande designed by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos Spain Architecture News - May 30, 2025 - 12:29   html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd" Valencia-based architecture practice Fran Silvestre Arquitectos has revealed design for a house composed of three circular volumes in Sotogrande, Spain.Named Villa Noon, the house is thoughtfully incorporated into a topographically defined setting, utilizing the slope of the ground to open each volume onto a distinct horizon. In order to achieve visual harmony with the natural environment without leaving an unwelcome footprint on the landscape, the house's layout, which is divided into five circular sections, was designed to seamlessly blend with the surroundings.Every one of these pieces has a rear patio that offers protection from the strongest winds and a front terrace that shields from the sun. In addition to optimizing orientation, this circular geometry reduces the volumetric impact, enabling the building to interact with the landscape in a controlled and deliberate manner. The outside materiality gradually integrates into its surroundings because it was constructed from indigenous Sierra Elvira stone, which has white veins and grey tones. This organic texture will eventually blend in as though it were a natural feature of the relief of the ground.A spacious, open vestibule that serves as a threshold between the outside and the inside of the villa is the entryway. It is surrounded by a curved wall. Visitors are introduced to a series of chambers that adjust to the various terrain levels in this transitional area. While the day area unfolds on a lower platform, open to the landscape and directly connected to the outdoors, the night area is located on a higher level, apart from the other functions.The well-being areas, like the gym, are located on the same floor and provide both practical and visual connections to the separate visitor area. Each zone's privacy is protected by this tiered arrangement, which also keeps the composition's overall spatial continuity flexible. By combining geothermal and aerothermal technologies, the house produces an excess of electricity and becomes energy self-sufficient. A mechanism for atmospheric water condensation is also included, which draws moisture from the air for household usage.Techniques including choosing native plant species based on their water requirements, utilizing natural mulch to prevent evaporation, and installing a drip irrigation system that only turns on when required are used to cut down on water usage in the garden. While infiltration trenches, also known as swales, filter and direct rainfall, green roofs enhance insulation and collect rainfall. This system is completed by permeable surfaces and cisterns, which enable the collected water to be stored and used again.By taking these steps, the house also becomes self-sufficient in water, which is a very reasonable objective in this region of Spain, which is the wettest in the nation due to the Sierra de Grazalema."We have always been fascinated by how the Namib Desert beetle collects water: in an extremely arid environment, this insect tilts its body into the wind to condense fog on its shell, whose surface combines areas that attract water and others that repel it, allowing the droplets to slide directly into its mouth," said Fran Silvestre Arquitectos."A natural lesson in efficiency that inspires and reinforces the logic of this system," the firm added.The idea is reminiscent of architectural works like Kazuyo Sejima's Villa in the Forest and Arne Jacobsen's Leo Henriksen House, whose circular shapes and attention to the environment served as inspiration. In contrast to radiocentric solutions, this proposal chooses what we refer to as "the squaring of the circle": service areas are included into irregularly shaped zones, while residential spaces are resolved through an orthogonal floor plan. In the end, we anticipate that this architecture will blend in with its surroundings over time, appearing to be a component of a karstic relief.SketchRoof level planFirst floor planGround floor planBasement floor planSectionRecently, Fran Silvestre Arquitectos unveiled design for a winery with curvacious form adressing winemaking process in Zayas de Báscones, Soria, Spain. In addition, the firm completed a house featuring irregularly shifted volumes on an irregularly shaped plot within Altos de Valderrama, in Sotogrande, Spain.Project factsProject name: Villa NoonArchitects: Fran Silvestre ArquitectosLocation: Sotogrande, Spain.Developer: Cork Oak MansionAll renderings & drawings courtesy of Fran Silvestre Arquitectos.> via Fran Silvestre Arquitectos

A home on Billy Joel’s longtime Long Island estate just changed hands for $7 million, the New York Post reports. The news of the sale comes days after the Grammy-winning musician canceled all of his scheduled concert dates to undergo physical therapy for normal pressure hydrocephalus, a brain disorder that affects hearing, vision, and balance.Spanning five acres, the parcel was part of Joel’s 26-acre Centre Island compound, dubbed Middlesea, which he began assembling in 2002. The recently sold beachfront dwelling is referred to as Middlesea’s gatehouse—though it is much more impressive than that humble name connotes. The 5,565-square-foot structure comprises a historic gatehouse and a carriage house that were combined to form the five-bedroom, four-bathroom residence that stands there today. Two kitchens, two primary suites, and a heated gunite swimming pool are among the home’s impressive amenities. A spacious pergola-shaded outdoor dining area looks out at the water, as does a screened-in patio equipped with a built-in barbecue area.Billy Joel’s Houses: Inside the Musician’s Impressive Real Estate PortfolioThe “New York State of Mind” singer recently purchased a sprawling Hamptons estateThe “Piano Man” listed his entire Middlesea estate in 2023 with a $49 million price tag. According to the Post, the remainder of the compound will drop in price to $39.9 million following the sale of the gatehouse. The property’s recently renovated main house is a 20,000-square-foot manse complete with a bowling alley, an indoor pool, a wine cellar, a spa, and a salon area. An additional guesthouse, a helipad, a floating dock, and acres of surrounding land round out the impressive compound, which boasts 2,000 feet of Oyster Bay Harbor water frontage. The property is not far from where the singer grew up in the nearby Oyster Bay hamlet of Hicksville.Join NowAD PRO members enjoy exclusive benefits. Get a year of unlimited access for $25 $20 per month.ArrowThe musician, who “hopes to be able to resume performing as his recovery progresses,” as a source told People, also owns properties in East Hampton and South Florida.

In today’s homes, the boundaries between indoors and outdoors are becoming beautifully blurred, and courtyard design plays a key role in that transformation. No longer just decorative pockets of greenery, modern courtyards are fully integrated living spaces that bring natural light, fresh air, and a sense of calm right into the heart of the home. Whether you live in a city apartment or a suburban retreat, a well-designed courtyard can create flow, function, and serenity. It becomes more than an outdoor space, it becomes a natural extension of your daily life. In this guide, we’ll explore practical, creative courtyard design ideas that help you connect your interior with the outdoors. From lush garden rooms to cozy side patios, each idea is crafted to inspire a home that feels open, grounded, and alive. 1. Open-Plan Layouts That Frame the Courtyard Image Source: The Architect Diary An open-plan layout that wraps around a courtyard transforms the entire home experience. By strategically positioning living areas,like the kitchen, living room, or dining space,around an open-air courtyard, the outdoors becomes an organic extension of your indoor life. Floor-to-ceiling windows or sliding doors allow natural light and garden views to flow freely. This setup not only maximizes the courtyard’s visibility but also encourages daily use, blurring the lines between inside and outside. It’s especially effective in warmer climates, where fresh air and sunlight can be enjoyed year-round. This courtyard design creates a social hub and a serene retreat in one integrated space. 2. Use Vertical Space for Planting Image Source: HomesandGardens When square footage is limited, think upward. Using vertical space in your courtyard lets you enjoy lush greenery without compromising walkability or functionality. Wall-mounted planters, trellises, living green walls, and tiered shelves can host herbs, flowers, or trailing vines. This strategy not only maximizes planting room but also adds visual depth and texture. It’s ideal for urban courtyards or narrow side patios, where ground planting space is scarce. Vertical gardening also draws the eye upward, creating a sense of openness and scale. With thoughtful positioning, these green walls can mirror or complement interior design features, further connecting your indoor and outdoor worlds.  3. Water Features to Add Tranquility Image Source: Houzz A water feature, whether a bubbling fountain, koi pond, or minimalist wall cascade,adds peace and movement to your courtyard design. The gentle sound of flowing water soothes the mind and masks urban noise, turning the space into a true sanctuary. Water also reflects light and greenery, adding a dynamic visual layer. Compact courtyards benefit especially from wall-mounted or vertical designs, which save floor space while enhancing ambiance. Water features pair well with lush plants and stone elements for a naturalistic setting. Plus, they bring an added cooling effect in warmer climates. It’s a small feature with big sensory benefits. 4. French-Style Courtyard Image Source: The Spruce A French-style courtyard adds classic romance and timeless charm to your home. These courtyards often feature symmetrical layouts, gravel pathways, wrought iron furniture, climbing vines, and a central focal point like a fountain or statue. Boxwood hedges and potted lavender or citrus trees evoke the ambiance of a Parisian garden café. Ideal for homes with European-inspired architecture, this courtyard design feels elegant yet grounded. French-style courtyards blend effortlessly with interiors that favor neutral palettes, antiques, and organic materials. Even in modern homes, this style offers a sophisticated counterpoint to sleek lines. It’s a refined yet welcoming space that makes every day feel like a getaway. 5. Don’t Overcomplicate Your Space Image Source: HomesandGardens When it comes to courtyard design, simplicity often wins. Trying to incorporate too many features, like oversized furniture, mixed themes, or excessive décor,can make even a spacious courtyard feel cramped or chaotic. Instead, focus on clear, functional zones: a place to sit, a patch of green, perhaps one focal point like a water feature or tree. Neutral tones and natural textures help create a calm, cohesive atmosphere. Minimalism doesn’t mean boring, it means intentional. By keeping the design clean and uncluttered, your courtyard becomes a restful extension of your home, not an overstimulating departure from it. Simplicity creates harmony and usability. 6. Introduce Outdoor Lighting Image Source: HomesandGardens Outdoor lighting is essential for enjoying your courtyard after dark and for enhancing safety, mood, and aesthetics. Use layered lighting: overhead string lights or sconces for ambient glow, path lights for navigation, and accent lights to highlight plants or architectural details. Solar-powered options make installation easy and eco-friendly. Smart lighting systems let you control brightness or color temperature from your phone. Choose fixtures that echo your home’s interior style,modern, rustic, or industrial,for cohesion. Well-designed lighting doesn’t just extend courtyard use into the night,it also turns the space into a visual feature from inside, contributing to a seamless indoor-outdoor design. 7. Use Exaggerated Verticals to Maximize Space Image Source: Living get In courtyards with limited square footage, exaggerating vertical elements can dramatically expand the visual experience. Tall hedges, statement sculptures, narrow water walls, or climbing plants draw the eye upward, giving a sense of height and airiness. This is particularly useful in enclosed or urban settings where lateral space is tight. Pair vertical lines with mirrored surfaces or slim lighting fixtures for added effect. Inside, echo this verticality with tall windows or vertically stacked shelves that overlook the courtyard. These upward design cues establish continuity and give the entire area a modern, architectural flair while making it feel larger and more open. 8. Side Patio Courtyard Image Source: The Spruce A side patio courtyard is a smart solution for homes with narrow or awkwardly shaped outdoor areas. Tucked alongside the house, this type of courtyard can become a cozy, private retreat or a secondary dining and lounge zone. Maximize the space with slim furniture, vertical planting, and clean lines. Use glass doors or large windows to open interior rooms,like a kitchen or hallway,directly onto the courtyard, improving light flow and visibility. Even modest side courtyards can feel spacious when thoughtfully designed. With the right layout and materials, they become stylish outdoor rooms that serve as peaceful escapes or vibrant entertaining spots. 9. Built-In Benches or Daybeds Image Source: BetterHomes&gGardens Built-in benches or daybeds are functional and beautiful additions to any courtyard. These features maximize space and invite relaxation without cluttering the area with bulky furniture. Often integrated into low walls or along garden beds, they offer a clean, minimalist look while providing ample seating. Top them with weather-resistant cushions and fabrics in colors that echo your interior for design harmony. A daybed turns your courtyard into a sunlit lounge, ideal for reading or napping. Built-ins also make cleaning and maintenance easier and can be customized to fit awkward corners. Their permanence gives your courtyard design a polished, intentional finish. 10. Backyard Turned Courtyard Image Source: Living get If your backyard feels underused or too open, consider transforming a portion of it into a courtyard. You can define the space by adding partial walls, fencing, or tall plantings like bamboo or hedges to create a sense of enclosure. Incorporate a central feature such as a tree, water fountain, or fire pit to anchor the space. Add comfortable seating, outdoor rugs, and potted plants to bring warmth and purpose. This approach turns a generic backyard into a functional, intimate zone,perfect for reading, relaxing, or hosting. A backyard courtyard offers structure while preserving openness, giving your outdoor area new life. 11. Bring the Inside Out Image Source: HomesandGardens To achieve true indoor-outdoor harmony, replicate the feel of your interior design in the courtyard. Choose outdoor furnishings that mirror your indoor color palette, materials, and style. For example, use similar wood tones, textiles, and decorative elements like lanterns or throw pillows. Outdoor rugs, weatherproof sofas, and even coffee tables can make your courtyard feel like a living room under the sky. Add art, mirrors, or bookshelves with planters to soften the transition. This strategy helps the courtyard feel like a true continuation of your home rather than a separate zone. It enhances comfort, flow, and everyday livability. 12. Indoor Courtyard Turned Private Garden Image Source: Architectural design An indoor courtyard can become a hidden garden sanctuary with the right design approach. Enclosed or semi-enclosed by glass or open ceilings, these courtyards are perfect for curated greenery, from ferns and moss to small trees or flowering vines. Add gravel paths, benches, or a water feature to create a peaceful retreat visible from multiple rooms. This setup is especially useful in dense urban homes, where privacy is valued. The garden becomes a quiet core for reflection and relaxation, away from the outside world. It not only improves aesthetics but also enhances indoor air quality and emotional wellness. 16. Multipurpose Courtyard Space Image Source: Architectural design Why settle for just one use? Design your courtyard to serve multiple functions,such as a morning coffee nook, a kids’ play zone, or an evening yoga space. Use movable furniture, foldable tables, or modular seating that can be reconfigured as needed. Zone the area with rugs or planters to subtly divide uses without crowding the space. This flexible approach makes the courtyard dynamic and relevant to all members of the household. It’s especially useful in smaller homes where every square meter matters. A multipurpose courtyard adapts with your day, making it not just beautiful, but deeply practical. 17. Courtyard with Kitchen Access Image Source: Decorpad One of the most functional courtyard design ideas is positioning it directly off the kitchen. This setup makes alfresco dining a breeze and encourages more frequent use of the outdoor space. Add a BBQ grill, outdoor sink, or even a full mini kitchen with countertop space. For seamless service, consider installing a pass-through window or fold-up bar. It’s perfect for entertaining or simply enjoying a quiet breakfast outside. This courtyard becomes a social hub and culinary extension, combining practicality with pleasure. With the right setup, your kitchen and courtyard will work in tandem to elevate daily life. 18. Rustic Mediterranean Courtyard Image Source: Houzz Create the warm, welcoming feel of a Mediterranean escape by combining textured walls, clay pots, terracotta tiles, and flowering plants like bougainvillea or rosemary. Wrought-iron furniture, mosaic tables, and rustic wooden beams bring that sun-soaked, timeless atmosphere to life. Use soft, earthy tones, like sand, stone, and rust, to match your interior and make the courtyard feel grounded. This style blends perfectly with both traditional and bohemian interiors. With some soft lighting and olive trees, your courtyard becomes a rustic retreat that feels far away, even when it’s just a step from your living room. 19. Create a Spa-Like Feel With a Bathroom Courtyard Image Source: Living get Transform your daily routine into a wellness ritual by connecting your bathroom to a serene courtyard. A small, private outdoor space just off the bath or shower instantly adds a spa-like vibe. Think smooth stone pathways, tropical plants, soft lighting, and perhaps a water feature to enhance tranquility. Frosted glass doors or large windows maintain privacy while allowing natural light to pour in. Even a compact courtyard can elevate a bathroom into a peaceful retreat that feels worlds away from daily stress. This seamless connection between your indoor sanctuary and outdoor calm fosters relaxation, mindfulness, and luxurious everyday living Wrap Up  Great home design isn’t just about what happens inside four walls, it’s about how your living spaces connect, flow, and breathe together. Whether it’s a peaceful garden retreat, an alfresco dining space, or a flexible zone for work and play, the right courtyard design creates harmony between indoors and out. At Home Designing , we believe the best homes are the ones that reflect how you live, and how you want to feel. These courtyard ideas are just one way to craft spaces that are not only functional, but deeply personal and inspiring.

The Lunar Solo tent is lightweight, spacious, and offers solid protection from the elements.

While most laptop stands disappear into the background, this sculptural wooden MacBook stand instantly catches the eye with its striking form. At first glance, it looks more like a piece of contemporary art than a desk accessory, with flowing lines and smooth curves that play with light and shadow. It’s easy to imagine it as the centerpiece of a thoughtfully arranged workspace, quietly inviting second glances from anyone passing by. For those who appreciate design that blends utility with beauty, this stand offers an experience that feels refreshing and unexpected. Spending hours hunched over a laptop is a recipe for sore shoulders and an aching neck, especially when your screen sits too low. This stand gently lifts your MacBook to a more natural height, guiding you toward a straighter, more comfortable posture. It’s a simple change with noticeable effects; suddenly, working long hours feels a touch less taxing. The open space beneath the stand isn’t just for show, either; it creates a little haven for your daily essentials, freeing up precious desktop real estate. Designer: Yohann There’s a satisfying weight to the stand that sets it apart from the mass-produced world of aluminum and plastic alternatives. Crafted from natural oak or walnut, the wood grain varies with every piece, making each stand quietly unique. The subtle sheen of a well-finished wood surface brings a warmth that’s hard to replicate with synthetic materials, softening the high-tech feel of your MacBook. The careful workmanship is evident in every detail and curve, showing off a blend of Swiss design precision and traditional Italian and German craftsmanship. Tech accessories often feel like afterthoughts, but this stand is designed with both sustainability and longevity in mind. The wood is responsibly sourced, so you can feel good about your purchase without sacrificing style. Over time, the stand develops a character all its own, as the wood responds to your touch and the rhythms of daily use. It’s a quiet nod to craftsmanship and environmental awareness that feels especially welcome in a world of disposable gadgets. The practical benefits go beyond ergonomics and aesthetics. With your MacBook perched confidently above the clutter, your entire workspace feels lighter and more organized. Sliding your keyboard, mouse, or even a sketchbook underneath the stand becomes second nature, helping you reclaim valuable space whether you’re working from a tiny apartment or a spacious studio. It’s the kind of detail that makes everyday routines smoother, all while drawing the occasional compliment from anyone who stops by. Above all, this wooden MacBook stand manages to be both eye-catching and understated, serving as a reminder that functional objects don’t have to be boring. Instead of hiding your desk accessories, you might find yourself showing them off, proof that a workspace can be both inspiring and practical. It’s a subtle celebration of form, function, and the simple pleasure of a well-made object.The post Sculptural Wooden MacBook Stand Blends Art and Ergonomics for Modern Desks first appeared on Yanko Design.

Moving is something that drains you of time, energy, and money, and you probably don't want to do any extra work if you don't have to. But hear me out: You should still use a big move as an opportunity to declutter. Here is your chance to assess every item you own and make decisions about what you really need. Who knows the next time you'll be able to handle every single possession, categorize everything, and make a truly meaningful dent in your clutter? Why you should declutter right before you move First of all, decluttering before a move can actually save you money. "The biggest mistake we see people make time and time again is underestimating how much stuff they have and overestimating how easy it is to move," says Charles Chica, co-owner of CT Best Movers. "It's best to start by decluttering and getting rid of anything you don't use or need. This works wonders, saving time, space, and especially money." Mindy Godding, President of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals, and Shannon Beller, CEO and co-founder of Wall-Russ, agree, pointing out that if you don't pare down what you own before moving, you'll end up paying for the labor and transportation costs associated with moving stuff you don't need or use. It also makes packing and unpacking easier. Adam Hamilton, CEO of REI Hub, says that the last time he moved, decluttering in the weeks leading up to the big day "really helped" because it got him organized, which made it much simpler to pack. Beyond that, with better organization and less stuff to unpack, the process of settling into the new place was more seamless, too. Start the decluttering earlyA few weeks before your move, start to get into a decluttering mindset. Godding suggests scheduling time to declutter your space before you even start to pack. Evan Hock, co-founder of MakeMyMove, says that packing always takes longer than expected, so the earlier you start with the pre-packing, the easier it's all going to go. He recommends paying special attention to seasonal items and things you don't use daily. Obviously, this is a little tricky, especially if you aren't familiar with decluttering. Here is a list of my favorite decluttering methods—any of these would work well as a template to follow. Some of the techniques do work better as you're boxing things up, though. For instance, the "packing party" is a decluttering method that involves putting everything from a room into boxes, then only pulling out what you immediately need as you need it for 21 days. After those three weeks, you're supposed to get rid of everything you didn't reach for. It could be worth it to pack everything up three weeks before your move, use the packing party guidelines until that time, and then donate everything you didn't touch before re-boxing up what you did use and bringing that to the new place. Many decluttering methods also rely on containers more generally. When decluttering and organizing, there are a few rules to keep in mind: Everything you own must have a place and it must be stored with similar items, ideally in containers. Starting this process a few weeks before the move can actually help you when it's time to relocate, as your stuff will already be categorized and in boxes. Declutter as you packHock says he finds it helpful to keep decluttering even after packing has begun. Your first decluttering sweep should take place a few weeks before you pack and leave, yes, but the job isn't fully done then. Before packing, borrow some ideas from organizing guru Peter Walsh: Envision your new home and what you want every room to look and feel like. Set intentions for each room. Do you want the dining room to feel airy and spacious? Do you want the office to be sleek and minimalistic so you can focus? As you're packing the boxes of items that belong in each room, consider each one and ask yourself if that item contributes to the vibe and function you envision for the space. If it doesn't, get rid of it. If you're struggling to decide what stays and what goes, I put together a list of questions to ask yourself when assessing a tricky possession. These focus on how often you use something, the condition it's in, and whether you could conceivably and economically replace it if you found yourself in a position of actually needing it."If you haven't used it or worn it in the last year, you likely don't need it," says Chica. What to do with the unwanted itemsAnother advantage of starting this process early is that you give yourself some wiggle room if you want to try to sell things—which can actually give you a little extra cash for moving expenses. Online marketplaces like Poshmark and Mercari are great for offloading housewares, clothing, decor, and even some furniture, but they do have the potential to make you wait a while. I am an active online reseller and I can tell you that it's rare to make a sale immediately after listing something, so if you want to make some money off your goods, list them weeks before your move. For bigger furniture or, in my experience, faster sales, list on Facebook Marketplace to keep your sales local. Whatever doesn't sell should be donated, says Hamilton. Use the day before move-out day as a hard deadline. Many local thrift shops will pick up heavy items, like furniture, if you coordinate with them and you can bring boxes of smaller goods in yourself. You can also post these things on Craigslist's "free" section or "Buy Nothing" groups on Facebook, then set them on a curb with clear instructions in your post for how to find them. In the event you opt to just throw stuff out, make sure you're prepared to deal with the volume and associated costs. Shanaiqua D'sa, content marketing lead at Attic Self Storage, warns you may need to hire a small skip or dumpster if you have a lot to toss out and you can't forget to budget for trash bags and disposal containers. Ultimately, this is going to improve your move, even if it takes a lot of time first. You don't want to spend money moving junk, nor do you want to fill your new home with useless things. Moving is an opportunity to start fresh in a lot of ways, so carving out time to declutter is going to give you a jump start on your new life.

Skullcandy isn’t a name that usually comes to mind when you think of premium headphones. The Utah-based company has primarily made its name in the budget space, selling more on low prices and loud, sports-heavy marketing than the promise of excellent sound quality. With the new Method 360 ANC, the audio maker is trying to change that by latching onto another brand entirely. Skullcandy proudly boasts that its latest wireless earbuds feature “sound by Bose,” which is to say that Bose has supplied the acoustic tuning, ear tips and overall shape of the device. In fact, the new buds look quite similar to Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds from afar. But that upscale pair retails for $299 and the Method 360 ANC only costs $130 (or as low as $100 at third-party stores of this writing). So has Skullcandy managed to capture the best of Bose at a more affordable price? Kind of. Design and features The Method 360 ANC is indeed roughly as comfortable as the QuietComfort Ultra. Each earpiece is slightly heavier and more plastic-y — and Bose’s pair was already on the bulky side — but the soft ear gels and stability fins help them fit snug without creating too much pressure. I had no issues with them coming loose over several weeks of testing. The earbuds have an IPX4 water-resistance rating — not the best, but enough to survive most people’s workouts. The larger frame creates more space for the side touch panels, and all the controls do work reliably, which isn’t a given in the $100 range. These earbuds also come with most of the features you’d want from a modern pair. There are active noise cancellation (ANC) and ambient sound modes. Battery life is fine at eight to 11-ish hours, depending on ANC usage. They can dependably connect to two devices simultaneously, and they work with Google’s Fast Pair tech on Android devices. They support wear detection, too, and there are three different sets of ear gels and fins in the box. Any settings tweaks I’ve made in Skullcandy’s Skull-iQ app have taken effect quickly, and in general the software is easy to navigate. The only major omissions here are the lack of wireless charging and a short one-year warranty. The Method 360 ANC is almost identical to Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds in terms of design. For this review, we mainly compared the new Skullcandy buds against the QC Ultras and Anker's Soundcore Space A40, the top pick in our budget earbuds buying guide. Jeff Dunn for Engadget Sound quality Once you start listening to the Method 360 ANC, though, you start to see why it’s priced under $150. The default sound signature is extremely V-shaped: The bass is massive, the treble is bright and everything in between is recessed. Bass lovers should appreciate this with hip-hop, dance music and many pop songs. A track like Kendrick Lamar’s “DNA” becomes particularly easy to rock to: The low-end is deep and impactful, while a giant spike around the upper midrange keeps the vocals clear throughout. In general, the Method 360 ANC is a step up from the Anker Soundcore Space A40, the longtime top pick in our guide to the best earbuds under $100. That pair is far more muffled in the treble, whereas the Skullcandy pair’s crisper, more extended highs tend to make songs feel less closed-off. That said, it’s very easy to see how this kind of signature could get fatiguing over time. It’s consistently intense, and the recessed mids cause it to lose details in moderately intricate compositions. An indie rock track like Hop Along’s “The Knock” is a bit of a mess, as the bassline and crunchy rhythm guitar overwhelm the lead guitar riffs and rob the raspy vocals of air. With America’s “Ventura Highway,” the folksy acoustic guitar comes through clearly, but the overemphasized treble makes “ess” sounds a touch too sharp. The QuietComfort Ultra doesn’t exactly sound neutral, but it always comes off as more balanced by comparison. Skullcandy has also omitted support for higher-quality Bluetooth codecs, so it only supports the basic SBC and AAC. All of this is still better-than-average for bassheads shopping in this price range — just don’t expect it to compete very far beyond that. Thankfully, you can rein in some of the default profile’s excesses with a custom EQ in Skullcandy’s app. The charging case is on the larger side, to put it mildly, and uses a sliding mechanism to open and close. Jeff Dunn for Engadget ANC, ambient sound, call quality and one funky case Skullcandy’s ANC is perfectly respectable for $130, and it’s great you can customize the intensity of the noise-canceling effect via the app. But it’s not on the level of the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or even the step-down QuietComfort Earbuds. It cuts out a fair chunk of the bassy rumble of an NYC subway train, but higher-pitched screeches and stop announcements are very much audible with music playing at moderate volumes. The “Stay Aware” (ambient sound) mode, meanwhile, is passable but nothing more; it’s one of those deals where you need to keep the volume somewhat low to ensure you can hear yourself clearly. Call quality isn’t great, either: The mic does well to limit background noise, but it struggles with wind and makes your voice sound noticeably thin and processed. My testing partner said it made me sound like I was in an elevator. My biggest complaint, however, is with the ginormous tube of a case. It’s comically large next to pairs like the QuietComfort Ultra or Space A40, so much so that I have to question just how spacious Skullcandy thinks most people’s pockets are. There is a built-in clip that lets you hook the case to a bag or belt loop, but as a resident of New York City, I will never be comfortable sauntering around with anything of value dangling on my person. Actually snapping the earbuds back into the case is cumbersome as well: You have to slide the case open, then flip the earpieces upside down and insert them on opposite sides. I can understand wanting to make something unique, but this is an instance where boring would’ve been better. The Method 360 ANC's case has a built-in clip for attaching to bags or belt loops. Jeff Dunn for Engadget Wrap-up The Method 360 ANC has its problems, but most of them aren’t too surprising for a relatively affordable pair of wireless earbuds (oversized case aside). Don’t be fooled into thinking the Bose branding means you’re getting a Bose-level product — the real-deal QuietComfort Earbuds are better if you’re willing to pay more. But this is still a tier above most budget pairs we’ve tested. It has nearly all the features we’re looking for (unlike, say, the Beats Solo Buds), it’s comfortable and the sound signature will hit right if you’re hungry for bass. At its normal $130, it’s well worth considering for bassheads who can go one rung above the bargain bin. For $100 or less, it’s a great value. Just make room for that case.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/skullcandy-method-360-anc-review-a-cheaper-version-of-boses-best-earbuds-with-a-few-key-sacrifices-130047025.html?src=rss

MM33 Apartment / bunoSave this picture!Apartments, Apartment Interiors•Khet Khlong Toei, Thailand Architects: buno Area Area of this architecture project Area:  54 m² Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2023 Photographs Photographs:Napat PattrayanondMore SpecsLess Specs Save this picture! Text description provided by the architects. MM33 Apartment rethinks a typical domestic milieu, a commercialized urban housing unit where room sizes are predominantly determined more by the logic of sales and marketing data rather than the dynamics of life. To create more space for flexible usages and for a sense of spaciousness, the rigid sense of room making is challenged, and the assumed standard dimensions are discarded for more meticulously compact scales.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The new design turns a one-bedroom apartment into an open-plan space, in which "rooms" are pushed against the boundaries to make space for an airy, unobstructed "court." These rooms—the sleeping, lounging, dressing, and bathroom areas—are reduced to their optimum sizes; although small, they fit just right, for these dimensions are carefully specified accordingly to the user's scale and requirements.  The court space is functionally for cooking and dining. But it also acts as a borrowed visual space for the rooms besides. So, the space perceived is bigger.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The extension of space is possible due to the use of operable walls that gently divide the court from the others while allowing for a sense of connection, instead of fixed and opaque partitioning. The curtains permit flexibility of use and make a spacious feeling possible while not rejecting privacy where needed. In the absence of walls as room makers/dividers, the functional fixtures play a crucial role in space planning and the aesthetics of the whole. They become architectural elements. These pieces of furniture are conceptualized as individual prefab units, equipped with essential functions for small-scale urban living, potentially applicable to various other sites, while adjustable to specific conditions.Save this picture!Save this picture!The essence of materiality is fully exposed. The floor is light beige linoleum. The fixture units are constructed of structural clear-coated plywood, exposing their layered edges. The distinct coloring aims to break the box-like volume into planes, and allow more flexibility and freedom by making object selection not too restricted, as opposed to having a monotonous ambience.Save this picture! Project gallerySee allShow less Project locationAddress:Ari, Bangkok, ThailandLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officebunoOffice••• Published on May 25, 2025Cite: "MM33 Apartment / buno" 25 May 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1030326/mm33-apartment-buno&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save世界上最受欢迎的建筑网站现已推出你的母语版本!想浏览ArchDaily中国吗?是否 You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

The Double Duo tiny house takes a different approach by using two shipping containers instead of just one. This design choice creates more floorspace, allowing for a spacious interior with a generous living area, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms. Built by Custom Container Living, the Double Duo is made from two 40-foot (12.2-meter) containers, offering a total of 640 square feet (almost 60 square meters) of living space. The exterior can be left with its original container finish for an industrial look or partially clad in wood for added warmth. This setup provides flexibility in both appearance and layout, making it a practical and comfortable home. Designer: Custom Container Living Entering the Double Duo, you step directly into a living room that feels noticeably more open than most container homes. There’s plenty of space for a full-sized sofa, a coffee table, an entertainment center, and even a large TV, making it ideal for relaxing or hosting friends. Adjacent to the living area is a well-appointed kitchen, especially for a tiny house made from shipping containers. It features a double sink, a fridge/freezer, an oven with a four-burner propane stove, and a microwave. Optional upgrades include a dishwasher and a stacked washer/dryer. Generous cabinetry provides ample storage, making the space both practical and comfortable for daily living. The main bathroom in the Double Duo is designed with comfort and functionality in mind. It features a combined bath and shower, a standard flushing toilet, and a vanity sink, offering all the essentials you need in a compact space. One of the highlights of this bathroom is its direct access to the adjacent bedroom, making nighttime routines more convenient. The bedroom itself is equipped with a double bed and built-in storage, providing a cozy and organized place to rest. Thanks to the home’s single-floor layout, there’s generous headroom throughout, allowing you to stand upright and move around with ease—a notable benefit in the world of tiny houses, where lofts and low ceilings are common. This thoughtful design ensures the space feels comfortable and accessible, enhancing the overall living experience. On the other end of the Double Duo, you’ll find a second bedroom that also benefits from ample headroom and features a comfortable double bed along with a spacious walk-in closet. Attached to this bedroom is a private en-suite bathroom, complete with a shower, double sink, and toilet, providing added convenience and privacy. The Double Duo receives its power through a standard RV-style hookup, and interior temperatures are managed by a Mitsubishi mini-split air conditioning system, ensuring year-round comfort. Unlike some tiny homes, it isn’t trailer-mounted, so it must be delivered to your chosen site by truck. Currently, this well-appointed container home is available for purchase at a price of US$139,000. The post This Tiny Home Offers 640 Sq Ft of Luxury Living In Two Shipping Containers first appeared on Yanko Design.