Fall is just around the corner and we're setting our sights on what home design and hues will be huge. So, we scoured stores and Pinterest and asked industry experts which trends they're loving for next season — and which ones they wish would go away. Of course, remember to choose what you love, regardless of what might be in style. But as the weather shifts from summer to fall, it can be fun (and not to mention easy and cheap) to make a few changes to your house as well. Here's what we predict will be "in" and "out" for fall and winter 2017.

IN: Dark Green

The leaves outside may be changing, but inside, things are going green—especially kitchen cabinets, like in this room designed by Erin Napier on HGTV's Home Town. Combined with rich natural wood and leather and accented with brass and cream, the cozy color is a perfect fit for fall and winter.

IN: Relaxing Retreats

Feeling overwhelmed with your digital devices? This trend is for you. People on Pinterest are carving out cozy, more intimate areas in their homes to serve as tech-free sanctuaries. An obvious place to unplug? The bedroom. Surround your sleeping space with canopies or lace curtains hung from a faux wooden beam, as in this genius project by Love Grows Wild. Pull a comfy chair into a corner for an instant reading nook, or hang a hammock inside and layer with soft blankets.

IN: Velvet

What could be more soothing than velvet? The fabric feels luxurious and welcoming for fall and winter, and when combined with rough natural textures (think reclaimed wood and woven baskets) and smooth metals and ceramics, it adds visual interest and tactile coziness to a room, contributing editor and stylist Heather Bullard tells CountryLiving.com. Don't have the budget to spring for an upholstered chair like the one pictured? Add velvet pillows or a velvet throw instead.

IN: Woven Texture

Don't underestimate the depth woven textiles and accents bring to a room—especially during cold-weather months. Hang baskets for a focal point on the wall, put plants in wicker stands, or swap out your light fixture for a basket pendant light. Again, off-set the rough texture with soft velvet or hand-knit wool throws and smooth metal side tables, mirrors, and ceramic accents, says Bullard.

IN: Blush

So long, millennial pink! Blush is back and better than ever. Decor inspired by Benjamin Moore's "Tissue Pink" paint was all over High Point Market this year. And home accents in a range of shades, like this pretty pink pantry by deVOL, prove rosy hues are here to stay.

"I'm loving anything and everything in the color blush pink," Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy Trend Expert, tells CountryLiving.com. "From vintage glassware, to velvet pillows, to painted planters, everything looks great in blush." 

IN: Faux Finishes

Due for an update but don't have the funds? You don't have to spend a fortune to make some improvements. Increased availability of faux finishes, from removable wallpaper and floor decals (pictured) to stick-on subway tiles, to the faux floralsand wooden beams of Fixer Upper fame, have made it easier and cheaper than ever to make quick home improvements. 

IN: Brass

Brass is the new copper, especially when incorporated into furniture in an overt way, says Anne White, personal styling manager at BHLDN + Home at Anthropologie. Take this sectional with a beautiful brass frame, for example.

IN: Quilts

Not into the chunky knit? Dying to ditch your duvet? This fall, we predict a return to an old classic. "I love quilts of all kinds and I feel they have, in recent years, been replaced by duvets," Selke says. "Quilts offer a handmade, homey element to any bedroom — modern or traditional."

IN: Dark Paint

IN: Dark Paint

Forget farmhouse white and gray! This season, it's all about drama. PPG Paints, Glidden Paints, and Olympic Paints & Stains all announced cozy shades of black as their 2018 Color of the Year — Black Flame (PPG1043-7), Deep Onyx (00NN 07/000), and Black Magic (OL116), respectively.

Not ready to go completely over to the dark side? Another deep color is also making a comeback: "Adding chocolate brown to your decor and is the best way to add some luxe—especially in the fall," Audrey Margarite, the creative director of Bunny Williams Home, tells CountryLiving.com. "Swap out your lighter colored pillows and throws for this rich hue."

IN: Interesting Bedding

Strip off those plain white sheets and try something more exciting this season. "Nowadays we are seeing a lot more pattern being put together and even paired with interesting monograms," Howard says. "I think as time passes this will become more and more prevalent." Some of his favorite sources include Les Indiennes, Leontine Linens, Kerry Cassill, and John Robshaw. Beyond bedding, custom, upholstered headboards as statement pieces are having a major moment.

IN: Terra Cotta Tile

Terra cotta tiles are back—and if you ask us, they never left. Incorporate the classic earthenware to add warmth and character to your home, as in this cozy farmhouse featured in new book New Romance.

IN: Statement Ceilings

Heads up! You've heard of accent walls, but how about an accent ceiling? Whether textured wallpaper, tin or embossed foam ceiling tile, shiplap, wooden beams or a bold paint color, homeowners are adding texture to the oft-overlooked "fifth wall". 

IN: Bone Inlay

Furniture featuring fine, hand-cut, inlaid bone is the statement piece your home needs this fall. This beautiful Anthropologie dresser doubles as a work of art.

IN: Matte Black Home Accessories

In both the bathroom and the kitchen, look for matte black light fixtures and faucets, as in this design by Love Create Celebrate, and appliances (hello, super-cute KitchenAid!)

IN: Extending the Outdoor Season

"People want to stay outdoors longer and they're looking for new ways to do just that as we approach the cooler months," Fishburne says. "Start by investing in a deep seating patio set and complement it with a fire pit or outdoor heaterfor warmth. This is also a good time to update your planters, rugs, and throw pillows by transitioning to warmer fall colors and textures. Another small detail that goes a long way is adding a fall wreath. All of this plays into the theme of creating that cozy, calm, inviting space and home to help combat our crazy-busy lives."

Source: GH

Kyriakos Tsolakis Architects has won planning permission for an astronomical research centre on top of the Troodos mountain range, which will provide NASA with information about celestial phenomena.

The architecture studio, drew inspiration from science-fiction movies for the design of the Troodos Observatory, which will be built 1,200 metres above sea level in Troodos Geopark, a 115-hectare UNESCO-listed park containing mountains covered with forests, fields, orchards and vineyards.

Studio founders Nicodemos K Tsolakis and Elena K Tsolakis describe the building as “a foreign object within a very natural organic setting”, which should “inspire and excite anyone who sees it from afar or from up close”. Tsolakis explained how he was a Star wars fan growing up and they drew inspiration from sci-fi when drawing up plans for the observatory.

The building will feature a slender, wedge-shaped form, with a dome roof at one end, and a cantilevered roof terrace at the other. It will contain two telescopes – one better suited to daytime use, and one for night. Visitors will also be invited to bring their own telescopes up onto the roof terrace, so they can also participate in stargazing. Structurally, the building will be designed to withstand severe temperature fluctuation – from 40 degrees centigrade in summer to below freezing, with snow in winter.

The Troodos Observatory is set to become the first purpose-built observatory in Cyprus and it will collect data to share with NASA, which is currently unable to track celestial phenomena between India and the Mediterranean. In fact,  Cyprus is ideal to set up an observatory that will be interconnected with the Observatory of Crete and then with other European observatories as part of an observatory network.

Source: CyprusBeat

The number and range of companies choosing to locate their regional or global headquarters in Cyprus have risen steadily in recent years. The trend is set to continue because of growing demands from global regulators that companies have a physical presence and substance in the country where they are registered – and both are easily established in Cyprus.

It came as no surprise that Cyprus’ location played a leading part in their decision. In one direction, the island is the eastern gateway into the EU’s market of 500 million people. In the other, it provides an ideal springboard into the evolving markets of the Middle East and Asia and enjoys excellent relations with the oil and gas-rich Gulf states.

Cyprus’ location also means that it enjoys business-friendly time zones. Companies can do business with the East in the morning, Europe throughout the day and with the West in the afternoon.

But as companies told Investment Watch, there was more to their decision to base here than location, location, location. It’s the whole package that Cyprus offers. It has a business-friendly environment that is efficient, transparent and well-regulated. Operational costs are substantially lower than in mainland Europe and the island’s economy is growing at a faster rate than any of its EU partners apart from Ireland.

Cyprus’ corporate tax regime is highly favorable and there are tax breaks for expatriate executives. The island’s human capital is another major attraction. Cyprus has one of the highest per capita number of graduates in the world and most are multi-lingual.

Business executives that have chosen to live here with their families often say the low-crime rates played a part in their decision. Now they have added reassurance that their loved ones will be secure when they are on business trips abroad. Cyprus is the safest country in the world for young people, according to a list published by World Health Organisation in August which ranked 184 countries.
Finally, companies were keen to point out that they see themselves in a mutually beneficial partnership with Cyprus.


VTTI
Cyprus is “the Mediterranean’s new energy hub”, says VTTI, a leading provider of energy storage facilities worldwide. The Rotterdam-headquartered company has ensured that the island lives up to that billing with a landmark €300m terminal in Vasilikos. Situated between Larnaca and Limassol, it opened for business in November 2014 after four years in development. VTTI described the terminal as a “historic development for the economy of Cyprus and Cyprus in general”.

The VTTV terminal currently comprises 28 tanks and has a capacity of 544,000m3, a 1.5 km-long deep water marine jetty and 4 berths that can accommodate vessels from 5,000 to 160,000 DWT, and a fully automated road tankers’ loading facility. A second phase is currently under evaluation which would create 13 more tanks and further capacity of 305,000m3.

Investment Watch spoke to George Papanastasiou, managing director of VTT Vasiliko Ltd.

Why did VTTI choose to locate in Cyprus?
The main reason that VTTI has chosen to invest in Cyprus is the advantageous geographical position. With large refineries operating and more being built in the Middle East, the international market expects more product vessels traffic through the Suez Canal, bound for the European and Mediterranean markets. These cargoes need to be re-sized and/or blended with other products to change specification and meet regional requirements. VTTV’s strategic location makes it the first terminal of its kind in the Eastern Mediterranean offering these services and connecting Europe and the Black Sea with markets in the Middle East and Asia.

Why do you find Cyprus a good place to do business – and are there any areas that you think need improvement?

Geographic location was not the only reason underlying VTTI’s decision to choose Cyprus for this terminal. The following comparative advantages were considered:
• Deep sea water close to shore
• Full membership in the European Union and the Eurozone (relates to Customs status)
• Liberal/modern economy
• Human talent and high academic/professional standard
• Excellent professional services, banking, telecommunications and transport infrastructure
• Entrepreneurial spirit

Acquiring permits and licenses for the construction and then operation of the terminal was a complicated task. Simplification of processes and the introduction of an updated petroleum legislation, were amongst the suggestions we put forward to the Republic of Cyprus.

Would you recommend Cyprus to other major companies as a place to headquarter or to establish a major regional presence?

Certainly, Cyprus is a place we will recommend to other major companies for investment or to place their head office to establish a regional presence.

Other than the advantages considered for the VTTI investment, the tax system, the legal and regulatory framework, the advanced infrastructure and high quality of life, constitute further reasons to consider Cyprus as a place to be.

Source: CyprusMail

Consumers will experience a drop of around 6 per cent on average in their electricity bills as a result of the new tariffs, state power company EAC said on Tuesday.

The new tariffs, effective as of September 1 and until the end of 2017, abolish the staggered charges currently in force, whereby the charge increases with consumption, replacing them with fixed charges per kilowatt-hour.

At a news conference explaining the new billing system, EAC chairman Andreas Marangos said most categories of consumers stand to benefit.

For other categories – storage room heaters, street lighting and water pumping – the cost would go up, but this would be absorbed by the EAC for the next four years or until the full opening up of the electricity market, whichever comes first.

The default bi-monthly bills will carry a charge of 13 cents per KWh.

Alternatively, people can apply to the EAC for the variant, where the price is 13.62 cents per KWh between 9am and 11pm, and 11.72 cents per KWh from 11pm to 9pm.

For vulnerable groups, the EAC will be charging 10.4 cents per KWh.

The rest of the tariffs concern small commercial clients, large commercial clients, small and large commercial clients on seasonal time of day (Stod) low voltage, large commercial clients on Stod medium voltage, very large clients on Stod high voltage, street lighting, water pumping, storage heaters.

The main reason for the change is the reduction to EAC profits for 2017 imposed by the energy regulator. This year would see the EAC earning €30 million less and that money has to be transferred to consumers.

In a related development, energy minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis revealed on Tuesday that by the first quarter of 2018 the government will invite tenders for the importation of natural gas for electricity generation.

He said the Natural Gas Public Company (Defa) was currently at the stage of hiring consultants to prepare the tender documents.

Asked about the ongoing drilling for gas in offshore Block 11, at the well dubbed ‘Onisiforos’, the minister advised patience.

Drilling operations were proceeding on schedule, he added, although the processing of the data could take months.

Source: CyprusMail

The skyscraper you’re about to see will be the tallest, the thinnest, the most luxurious and definitely one of the most impressive buildings in New York’s history. It moves the boundaries in engineering, modern architecture and real estate. It’s 432 Park Avenue!

Here are the facts you need to know about the brand new masterpiece of modern architecture. 432 Park Avenue skyscraper is designed by the famous Uruguayan architect, Rafael Viñoly. It is currently under construction, being built by the Harry Macklowe and CIM Group. Once it’s done, it will be the tallest residential tower in New York City. With 89 floors and 426m (1,397ft), 432 Park Avenue will be taller than 1WTC’s roof, Empire State Building and all other famous landmarks in NYC. It will literally dwarf the whole Midtown, offering one-of-a-kind views. It is real estate heaven, right?

With this impressive unique height comes unique apartment and unique price. On the photos below you will see what will be like to live in the 87th floor, $74,500,000 penthouse, which is currently looking for its owner. Feel like buyin’? Besides this outstanding modern penthouse, there is “cheaper” version available, a $17.4 million, two bed, 3.5-bath apartment on the 42nd floor. Sounds incredible, right?

As I said earlier, 432 Park Avenue skyscraper is currently under construction. By the time you finish reading this post, it will be slightly over 50% of its height, already passing some famous Midtown legends. One of the most impressive things about 432 Park Avenue is its width to height ratio, 19:1, which makes it one of the thinnest skyscrapers in the world. Really impressive engineering.

Source: Architecturebeast

There are numerous ideas how to decorate apartment out there. But sometimes let is more. And black and white interior design can be all you need.

Translating architectural drawings and ideas into a work of reality can be every shade of tricky, but oozes aesthetic beauty at the end. These designs take time to plan and get all parts perfectly fitted together, and the execution could even take longer time and resources. Speaking of resources, the final jaw dropping result we see is as a result of a combination of different materials, with different shapes and sizes, as well as colour. The material colours used in the interior design are chosen to satisfy a particular taste, and give the apartment a certain designed look and feel that is special. And sometimes minimalist atmosphere of black and white interior design is enough to reach perfection.

Apartment with black and white interior design

The “Contemporary Interior Box” apartment created by the outstanding and gifted architects of ID White architectural office in 2016 completely shows the impeccable touch that colours used with woods can give to an apartment’s interior design, especially when there’s nothing more than black and white in interior design.

Black and white living room

The flat covers a 55 square area, and was designed with the aim to separate spaces by contrast, giving a glowing edge. When it comes to the apartment’s living room, the application of black and white interior design makes it very bright. This was the concept adopted by the numerous architects around the world. (see also how interior designer Alexandra Fedorova used black and white in apartment decorating!)

Who says neutral walls can't be bold?

Just because your walls are devoid of color doesn't mean they have to be boring. These well-appointed rooms prove neutral walls can be bold, too. Get our best ideas for decorating anything-but-basic white walls.

WHITE DINING AREA

In a classic Central Park apartment, the stark white walls set the stage for dramatic furniture and decor, like the table by Egg Collective and the light fixture is by Lindsey Adelman. 

WHITE BATHROOM

WHITE ART STUDIO 

WHITE BREAKFAST ROOM

WHITE BEDROOM

WHITE KITCHEN

WHITE MASTER BEDROOM

WHITE BOATHOUSE

WHITE KITCHEN

WHITE LIVING ROOM

 Source: ElleDecor

We know what you’re thinking: “I don’t have the time or money to redecorate my entire house for fall!” Don’t worry: There are plenty of ways to incorporate a cozy autumn theme into your home design without a big budget, or taking until winter to finish. We asked designers to share easy ways to make over your house for fall. It’s all about the accessories and colors—even small changes can make a big difference in your home. Just pack away your sisal rugs and linen pillows for next summer, and introduce chunky knitted throw blankets and candles to give off a warm glow. With a cozy and welcoming home for fall, you won’t mind being cooped up indoors (and your family and friends might invite themselves over!). Take a look at what the experts had to say and try a few out this autumn.

Switch Out Pillows and Throws

This is just about the easiest way to bring something seasonal into a space without spending too much money. “I like to add new pillows and throws around my house, when I can, as the seasons start to change,” says interior designer and Target home style expert Emily Henderson. “I’ll use thicker blankets with more texture on the back of my couch, or style them in a basket next to an accent chair.” Plus, this is the perfect time of year to experiment with sumptuous textiles. Bring in some chunky knits or faux fur for a luxe look.

Style the Mantel

When the days get crisper, nothing sounds nicer than getting cozy by the fireplace. Since you’ll spend a lot of time indoors, update the spots where you and your family will be congregating. “Make your fireplace the focal point of your living room by re-styling the mantel,” says interior designer Karen Vidal of Design Vidal. “Group a different piece of art and some objects from other areas of your home, then enjoy some new scenery by the flames.” It’s also a great opportunity to update your fireplace accessories—purchase a new basket for firewood or a decorative fireplace screen.

Bring In the Greens

Sure, summer brings out the best in nature because of all the gorgeous in-season flowers, but don't count out fall. It’s time to showcase the best of fall foliage, like beautiful autumn leaves and green garlands. “I love layering fresh greenery throughout my house all year long, but especially in the fall,” Henderson says. “Try silver dollar eucalyptus—it will leave your home smelling fresh and it’s very affordable. I like to style branches in vases throughout my house.” Create simple arrangementswith in-season blooms like dahlias and chrysanthemums. Place the flowers or branches in a copper vase (or even a Mason jar!).

Mix In Prints

There’s nothing like curling up by the fire with a cozy Pendleton blanket or tartan throw. “The patterns of your home décor will naturally tell a seasonal story, just like the colors do,” Henderson says. “Floral patterns and bright colors signal spring and summer. So, for fall, try more substantial patterns like plaid or thick stripes, in warmer colors.” It’s also a great way to introduce patterns into your home if your current décor contains a lot of solids and neutrals. Just a blanket, pillow, or rug in these designs will signal “fall.”

Accent With Seasonal Colors

When you think of an autumn color scheme, the first thing that comes to mind is probably a spectrum of oranges and reds. You can never go wrong with adding a few accents in this color scheme. “Fill a vase with orange blooms or fill a bowl with oranges instead of mini-pumpkins,” Vidal says. “You can also showcase books with spines or arrange vases or ceramics in the hues more prominently for autumn.” The best part: You can keep these out well into fall and through the Thanksgiving holiday.

Light It Up

Sometimes when it comes to decorating, we overlook the power of lighting. A soft glow or a bright light can really transform a room. For fall, think of switching out light bulbs or displaying candles to create a cozy feeling. “As the days get shorter throughout the fall, it’s nice to have great lighting options,” Henderson says. “When entertaining I’ll use different hurricanes and votives throughout a room or on a tablescape. For the everyday, Edison bulb lighting is on trend right now.” If you’re looking for a quick fix, hang up some string light bulbs on your wall or drape a scarf over a lampshade for a softer lighting.

Change Your Bedding

In the summertime, it's all about keeping things light and airy, but when the weather turns colder, you’ll want to pile on the blankets and textiles for both warmth and as a decorating move. Get your bed ready for colder mornings by swapping out your summer bedding for a warmer duvet. “Changing your bedcover to a heavier one for the fall season instantly make the bedroom feel more cozy and warm,” interior designer Andrew Suvalsky says. “Tailored quilting will emphasize this feeling even more.” If you don’t want to change out your duvet (or it’s one that’s good year-round), place a throw blanket at the end of your bed for another cozy layer.

Source:RealSimple

In addition to the Melco-Hard Rock consortium, which eventually signed the contract for the Limassol casino resort, Bloombery was particularly interested in the licensing of a casino-resort in Cyprus.

The foreign company had expressed interest in participating in the process of licensing the development and operation of the casino, which is expected to be Europe’s leading and one of the best in the world, although they never submitted a bid to secure the licence. An idea for Bloombery’s proposal for the casino is given by Vakis Associates, who was named as the architect of the brilliant project by Bloomberry Resorts, a major shipping and hospitality company in Manila, which took advantage of the opportunity to explore the prospect of expanding its presence in Europe and the Mediterranean

As a proposed casino construction site, KEO’s existing production facility in Limassol, which is close to Limassol Marina, within walking distance of the city centre. Having studied many locations throughout the island, both Bloombery and the design team chose this area due to the continuous growth and future regeneration of the city.

The masterplan included the construction of a hotel and its facilities on a platform covering the entire area, using the street level for access to the public. At the same time, it provided for the establishment of a shopping center with over 100 retail outlets, a gambling hall with 500 gaming tables, a multipurpose conference center, a 1000-seat meeting room, sports facilities (including four tennis courts).

At the same time, two hotels – towers, a five star and a VIP Tower over 500 rooms overlooking the sea will be erected. The “drawer” shape of the towers creates great protrusions for natural shading and elevated skygardens for luxurious suites.

The resort would expand to the sea with a public artificial island that would house the three-storey aquarium, a maritime educational research and exhibition center, as well as a sheltered safe haven for yacht and sea taxis. 

Source: CyprusBeat

ADD A CHEERY ACCENT COLOR.

In this case, designer Gideon Mendelson added a bright yellow throw and fresh flowers to flip an otherwise tame, blue-and-white color scheme on its head.

TRY A STATEMENT TABLECLOTH.

Before this red and white patterned tablecloth hit the table, this room was quite traditional. But with designer T. Keller Donovan's touch, it becomes an eclectic room with tons of personality. (And fun fact: That tablecloth matches the custom Thibaut furnishings in the adjacent sitting area.)

TURN YOUR FLOORS BLUE.

Can you imagine how simple this bathroom looked before it had a bright blue floor? The quick change by designer Kari McCabe allows the tub to take center stage and makes us want to soak in there all day long.

HANG A COLORFUL CURTAIN.

For the entrance hall of this Pennsylvania farmhouse, designer Jeffrey Bilhuber opted for a curtain instead of a door. The deep yellow fabric pops agains the regal blue wall color and adds rich texture to the space.

TRY A PATCH OF WALLPAPER.

This bathroom is so small that designer Krista Ewartknew it would be too much to cover the entire room — but a small section of Albert Hadley paper makes a statement and is much faster from start to finish

BRIGHTEN UP BUILT-INS.

Just because the back of these shelves are tucked into the walls, doesn't mean they can't make a dramatic difference when painted a bold orange 

SPRUCE UP WINDOW SHADES.

Instead of tossing that random roll of wallpaper, use it to give your window treatments some color. Loy used Pierre Frey's Espalier to wallpaper the vinyl shades in her guest bedroom, but to speed up the project, use stick-on paper.

MIX IN A NEW PATTERN.

SHOW OFF AN ANTIQUE

The guest bath in Fulk's vacation home feels authentic to the period of the house, but also clean and modern. However, a bright blue vintage life ring adds a ton of personality and instantly wakes up the space. 

DRESS UP YOUR HALLWAYS.

Designer Betsy Burnham picked out Turkish runners from Rugs & Art to add instant style to this California home's hallway. The floor coverings also draw eyes to a Moroccan-inspired reading nook. 

MOVE EVERYTHING aWAY FROM THE WALLS.

"Floating furniture away from the walls creates more intimate seating," Burnham says. That means all you have to do is shift your furnishings a few inches to totally transform the vibe in a room — as seen in this California home.

RECOVER THE FURNITURE.

"Everything in this room has a story," designer Podge Bune says of her Hamptons living room. "The easy chair is covered in my old dining room curtains, a Designers Guild fabric they no longer make." An easier way to achieve this: Buy a slipcover! 

HANG ART ON A BOOKSHELF.

PAINT HALF THE WALL.

INCORPORATE SOME MODERN FLAIR.

Source: HouseBeautiful