Local practice Child Studio has designed a house in a mews courtyard in London that mixes mid-century modern furniture with custom-made pieces in a nod to fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent’s home.
Child Studio designed the home, which was created for a hotelier and restauranteur, as a space for dining, entertaining and hosting parties.
A white curved fireplace sits at the centre of the lounge
It centres around a spacious lounge that was informed by the grand salon in fashion designer Saint Laurent’s Paris home.
Informed by the way Saint Laurent’s residence displayed his collection of artworks, the Mayfair home is a cornucopia of furniture pieces by iconic mid-century modern designers.
Sculptures and vintage furniture decorates the space
“We worked closely with the client to create a space that reflected his personality and interests, encompassing art, design, literature and travel,” Child Studio founders Che Huang and Alexy Kos told Dezeen.
“This approach made us think of Saint Laurent’s salon – an eclectic interior where design objects and art pieces from different eras and parts of the world are assembled together, forming a highly personal environment.”
Wooden shelving divides the room
A large open space in the residence, with narrow full-length skylights on each side, was given a vintage feel through the addition of wooden library walls.
These divide it into a lounge area as well as spaces for dining and studying.
“We were interested in finding an authentic design language for this project, balancing the art deco references with the 1960s and 70s modernism,” the studio added.
Child Studio designed a wooden table for the room
Among the furniture and lighting used for the residence are Japanese paper lamps by industrial designer Ingo Maurer and the “Pernilla” lounge chair by Swedish designer Bruno Mathsson, which have been juxtaposed with furniture designed by the designers themselves.
“We paired vintage Scandinavian furniture by Bruno Mathsson and Kristian Vedel with playful lights by Ingo Maurer and Alfred Cochrane,” Huang and Kos said.
“The cabinetry and tables were designed by Child Studio to unify the interior and accommodate all functional requirements.”
The dining area has a glass-brick wall
The lounge also contains a fully functional, half-moon-shaped fireplace created by the studio, with a decorative shape that matches two ornate urns and a pair of art-deco-style floor lamps.
“We designed the adulating fireplace to bring a sense of scale and permanence to the space,” the designers said.
“The plaster finish seamlessly blends in with the surroundings,” they added.
“The fireplace is placed below the skylight, and the soft shifts of sunlight throughout the day contribute to the tranquil atmosphere.”
Armchairs by Charlotte Perriand sit around the dining table
In the dining area, dark-wood shelving holding glassware, books and vases surrounds a circular wooden table with dining chairs by French architect Charlotte Perriand.
“The material palette of this room draws inspiration from the modernist Villa Muller by Adolf Loos,” the designers said.
“The combination of dark mahogany wood, patterned marble and green upholstery feels so chic, yet warm and unpretentious.”
The study also features natural materials
A kitchenette next to the dining area was separated from the space by a glass-brick partition designed to filter the daylight.
Behind the library shelves, Child Studio created a wood-panneled study for the homeowner. The studio aimed to use natural materials throughout the project.
“We enjoy working with natural materials, such as solid wood, stone and plaster,” Huang and Kos said.
“Child Studio often designs custom furniture pieces for projects, and we find that these simple and timeless materials are incredibly versatile and ideal for creating bespoke hand-crafted objects.”
The reisdence is located in a historic mews in Mayfair
Child Studio used an “understated” colour palette for the residence to create a warm, relaxing environment that it hopes will continue to evolve.
“Our goal was to design an interior that will continue evolving over time as the owners add new art pieces and bring heirlooms from their travels,” the studio said.
Whether it’s a meetup at a dimly lit bar, an awkward blind date, a speed-dating event, or even an answer to a classified ad in the newspaper, American dating has long been an experiment of throwing strangers together and hoping for the best. In many cases, there was little to connect people except a shared geography or, perhaps, a mutual acquaintance.
For the most part, this dating formula worked. American marriages are full of people who started dating when they were complete strangers. A survey conducted by the Survey Center on American Life, where I’m the director, found that 46% of married Americans reported not knowing their spouse before they started dating.
But that’s changing: Today’s young adults, especially young women, are increasingly finding romance in their friend groups. In our survey, 43% of people between the ages of 18 and 29 said they were in a relationship with someone who was first a friend, including an astonishing 50% of women in that cohort. This is double the 21% of people over 65 who reported having been friends with their partner or spouse before they started dating. Among older couples, 52% said their significant other was a complete stranger to them before they got together, while only 35% of young people said the same. In other words, a lot more older Americans created a relationship out of thin air.
While the results of our survey were shocking, there’s a growing body of research showing the importance of the friend-to-partner pipeline. A 2021 survey of college students by researchers at the University of Victoria in Canada found that a whopping 68% of people were friends with their partner before starting a romantic relationship, which suggests that the pipeline may be even stronger among the youngest set of Gen Zers.
This is a monumental shift in how Americans meet their partners. It also represents the most serious repudiation to online-dating culture to date, challenging the idea that young people ignore prospective partners who are stuck in the “friend zone.” And for many women, it makes a lot of sense. In new research and interviews my team and I conducted with nearly two dozen young people, we found three big reasons Gen Z was drawn to friends more than strangers when it came to dating.
It’s more fun
There is no doubt that more Americans are using dating apps, but whatever their benefits, many of the young people we talked to said that constant swiping had sucked much of the fun and excitement out of the process. In a 2023 survey from the Pew Research Center, 46% of Americans said their overall experience with online dating had been negative, up from 42% in Pew’s 2019 survey on the subject, while just over half of women reported a negative experience. In interviews conducted for our survey, young people told us that they found online dating too transactional. Having nearly endless options can result in decision fatigue and greater doubt about the person they eventually select.
“People think that they just have a million options,” one 26-year-old woman told us. “It’s like when you want to watch a show, and you put on Netflix, and you literally find yourself not being able to decide for an hour, and then you wind up not watching anything.”
Dating can induce feelings of anxiety, and this is especially true when we know little about the person, their background, and their intentions. In The Atlantic, Joe Pinsker wrote that dating a friend erased feelings of uncertainty and discomfort that often accompany the early stages of dating: “Relationships that emerge from friendships start from a place of care and warmth — which can mean avoiding the exhausting game-playing that can arise between two dating-weary strangers conditioned to look out for themselves.”
This was a common refrain among interviewees. It’s certainly easier to meet someone with dating apps, but they don’t necessarily increase the odds of making a meaningful connection. “It’s a lot easier to meet people, but finding someone that fits with you is not necessarily easier,” one woman in her late 20s told us. “So it can be easy to fall into a habit of just kind of making these shallow connections and maybe not looking for something deeper.”
Knowing something about a person may increase the odds of compatibility as well. Chemistry is not easy to quantify, but most of us know when we enjoy spending time with someone — and dating a friend increases the odds that the partner will have similar interests or values.
Trusting friends is easier than being sure of strangers
In no area of social life is trust more important than in intimate relationships. The process of building a relationship — which is the purpose of dating — requires us to let our guard down. But being vulnerable is so much more difficult if we are primed to mistrust the person sitting across from us.
Dating a friend may reduce concerns about trust, which is a major issue for young people. As I’ve previously written, today’s young adults are uniquely mistrusting. They express lower levels of confidence in just about everything: government, corporations, the media, and even other people. A 2019 Pew Research Center survey found that 60% of young adults believed “most people can’t be trusted,” more than double the rate of that notion among older people.
Trust is at even more of a premium when it comes to dating online. In a Pew survey conducted last year, 52% of Americans reported encountering what they believed to be a scammer on an online dating platform. And even when people are trying to be honest in their dating profiles, young people we interviewed told us, they may unintentionally misrepresent or mislead.
“It’s just hard to know how the person truly is through the internet,” one college student said. “You don’t see their reactions. You don’t see the way that they react to situations because you start talking online and you see the pictures online, and you’re like, ‘Oh, she’s really pretty.’ But that could be, like, a filtered photo.”
There is no surefire way to prevent someone from betraying your trust, but dating someone who is already part of your life reduces the likelihood of it.
Mutual friends provide greater accountability
For a young woman, dating someone who shares a connection to the people or places in her life can simply be safer. In dating, especially online dating, women are bombarded with negative attention, harassment, or worse. The new Pew poll found that roughly four in 10 women under 50 reported having been called an offensive name while using dating sites. More than one in 10 had been threatened with physical violence, and 56% reported having been sent a sexually explicit image they did not request. This type of harassment is even more prevalent for young people: In a 2021 study by researchers at the University of Toronto, 84% of college-aged women reported receiving sexually inappropriate messages from a stranger online.
Much of the negative behavior women are subjected to in the process of dating is the result of a lack of accountability. While there are no guarantees, dating someone who is part of your social or professional circle provides more assurance that they won’t act like a jerk, for fear of the social consequences that come from morally questionable behavior. And if they do act poorly, they are far more likely to face repercussions. Strangers may feel less compunction about mistreating people because the consequences of doing so are often minimal. As I’ve written previously, “The strength of shared social bonds encourages people to be on their best behavior.”
The Washington Post columnist Christine Emba makes a similar argument in her book “Rethinking Sex”: “In the past, meeting someone through friends and community gave something of an incentive for good, or at least socially acceptable, behavior.”
Dating a friend is not without its risks, though. We often prioritize different qualities in a romantic partner than a friend does, which makes the transition from friend to romantic interest difficult. A romantic miscalculation could result in hurt feelings or ruin the friendship. In certain settings, dating someone you know can have professional repercussions, too. Dating in the office is often frowned upon, but a recent Washington Post story said younger workers were increasingly accepting of office romances.
The comforting news is that there is no perfect method of finding the right partner. People who married strangers are no less satisfied in their relationships than those who married a close friend, our survey found. We don’t know if these relationships are more likely to endure, but given the confluence of factors that influence the quality and longevity of relationships, it’s a good bet that how you meet is not much more than an interesting story.
Daniel Cox is director of the Survey Center on American Life and research fellow in polling and public opinion at the American Enterprise Institute.
The most famous of all canine pests is the flea. Fleas are tiny insects that live on the blood of mammal hosts. The dog flea and the cat flea are the two most commonly seen on dogs, with the cat flea being much more prevalent.
Fleas cause harm to dogs in a number of ways:
Their bites often cause a strong reaction on the dog’s skin, resulting in irritation and itching.
Fleas can spread diseases like tapeworm, typhus and even the plague. Transmission occurs by either their bite or by being ingested.
Fleas can cause anemia, in severe cases, especially in very young, old or unhealthy dogs.
Fleas like warm, moist weather, so they are most abundant in climates where they can breed year-round, such as parts of the southern United States. Harsh winters don’t kill them off though. Their breeding slows down in freezing weather, but once the temperature warms up in the spring, they begin reproducing with vigor.
“All stages of fleas can survive long periods of time without food, and some species of adult fleas can even survive freezing temperatures,” says Dr. Heidi Watkins, with Wagly Animal Hospital in California. “These abilities allow any stage of fleas to survive indoors in deep carpet or crevices, and outdoors in deep leaf litter or other organic material. Adult fleas can live on pets, feral animals and wildlife all winter long.”
How to repel fleas on dogs
The most effective way to control fleas is to prevent them from living and reproducing on your dog. There are two different types: topical and oral. Consult your veterinarian to determine the best preventive to use for your dog.
Topical flea repellents are ones you apply to your pet’s fur regularly (like a spray, shampoo or collar) to discourage fleas from landing and staying on your pet’s fur. You can opt for a once-a-month application of a medication that is absorbed by your dog’s skin and kills fleas on contact. These are available by prescription from veterinarians or over the counter at pet supply retailers.
Or, your veterinarian may recommend a once-a-month oral medication that kills fleas that land on your dog and prevents them from reproducing. They come in chews or pills.
Because fleas use your dog’s environment for part of their life cycle, treat these areas as well. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the following actions can help control fleas in your home:
Vacuum carpets, cushioned furniture, and floor cracks and crevices daily.
Steam clean your carpets.
Wash all bedding in hot, soapy water every two to three weeks.
Use a flea comb to remove adult fleas from your dog. Deposit the fleas in hot, soapy water to kill them.
Keep your dog indoors as much as possible to reduce chances of flea bites.
Tick 101
No one likes finding a tick on a dog. The blood-sucking insects latch onto the dog’s skin with their mouthparts and can be difficult to remove.
Ticks can be found in a number of species, but the ones most likely to latch onto your dog are the brown dog tick and the American dog tick. (For more information on common ticks, go to the Companion Animal Parasite Council tick list here.) According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), ticks can spread a number of diseases, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis. Tick bites are most common in the Northeastern United States in the mid-summer months.
Ticks find their way onto dogs by clinging to plants and grass, where they wait for a potential host to brush up against them. Once they make contact with a dog, the crawl into the dog’s fur and latch onto the skin. They consume the dog’s blood until they drop off to molt or lay eggs, depending on where the tick is in its life cycle. Ticks prefer warm, moist weather and are most prevalent in the summer, although they are found in every part of the United States year-round.
Tick prevention means stopping ticks before they latch onto your dog. Topical dog tick repellent is a first line of defense. It can be applied in spray or shampoo form. These products can be made from chemicals that deter ticks, or natural ingredients the repel them. Monthly spot-on treatments and oral medications are also effective. These can be prescribed by your veterinarian. Again, consult your veterinarian to know which preventive is best for your dog.
“Later generation synthetic flea and tick medications have had the best success with killing adult fleas and ticks, preventing reproduction, and ensuring the best environmental decontamination,” says Dr. Watkins.
For dog owners who prefer natural products, options are available in topical products, according to Dr. Watkins.
“Most topical products applied on the dog’s fur use a combination of essential oils,” she says. “Getting rid of ticks in the environment can be done with diatomaceous earth or borax powder.”
She adds that natural products may not have the same efficiency as some of the synthetic medications that are available directly from veterinarians, and that some of these natural products should be used with caution in cats, as their labels indicate.
Even if your dog receives regular tick prevention, check him periodically for ticks. You can find ticks burrowing:
in and around the ears
around the tail
near the eyelids
between the toes
between the front legs
between the back legs
under the collar
If you find a tick, use tweezers to remove it by grasping it as close as you can to where it has attached itself to the dog’s skin. Pull straight backward, do not twist. Once you remove it, drop it in a glass of rubbing alcohol to kill it.
Mosquito 101
A pest that bothers humans, dogs, cats, and other animals is the mosquito. Mosquitos are flying insects, and the females feed on the blood of mammals, amphibians, reptiles and others. They are notorious for carrying diseases that can affect both humans and animals. Their biggest threat to dogs is their ability to spread heartworm, a potentially fatal illness that can damage a dog’s major organs as the heartworm goes through its life cycle in the dog’s body.
“Once heartworm larval reach the L4 stage, they migrate from the subcutaneous tissue through deeper tissue, including muscle on their way to the chest,” says Dr. Watkins. “At the L5 stage, they enter the venous circulation and can enter the heart. Microfilaria can also sometimes reach unintended locations in the body including eyes and neuronal tissue. Their primary target is the vasculature of the lungs and heart.”
If untreated, heartworm can eventually kill a dog. Sometimes even treatment can’t help if the damage is too great. This is why it is crucial to protect your dog from this mosquito-borne parasite.
Mosquitos live and reproduce in permanent water bodies that are rich in plant life, riparian woodlands, swampy lowland forests, ponds, ditches, tree holes, and artificial containers where water gathers, like tires, birdbaths, rain barrels and gutters. In the United States, the Southeast has the greatest prevalence of mosquitoes, although they are found everywhere, even in the driest deserts. In areas where climate change has caused greater rainfall over the past several decades, mosquitoes have become even more of an issue.
According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), a leading source of information on parasitic diseases that threaten the health of pets and people, the risk of heartworm infection in dogs is highest in:
Texas
Oklahoma
Arkansas
Louisiana
Mississippi
Alabama
Georgia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Tennessee
While heartworm is found in every state in the United States, these states have the highest incidents.
To protect your dog from contracting heartworm through the bite of an infected mosquito, put him on a monthly heartworm preventive. Your veterinarian will prescribe this medication, which may also work to keep fleas and ticks at bay, depending on the product.
You can also do a lot to keep mosquitoes from reproducing near your home. Take these precautions on your property, according to the EPA:
Eliminate standing waterin rain gutters, old tires, buckets, plastic covers, toys or any other container where mosquitoes can breed.
Empty and change the water in birdbaths, fountains, wading pools, rain barrels and potted plant trays at least once a week to destroy potential mosquito habitats.
Drain or fill temporary pools of water with dirt.
Keep swimming pool water treated and circulating.
Parasites like fleas, ticks and mosquitos have evolved over the centuries to feed on our dogs, and diseases like spotted fever and heartworm have acclimated to use these parasites as vectors. By providing consistent prevention, you make great strides in keeping your dog safe from these bloodsuckers. Talk to you veterinarian to work out the best prevention plan for your dog.
With many kitchen appliance brands on the market, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. It’s worth reviewing a kitchen appliance brand’s design, innovation, and quality before purchasing.
Your kitchen appliance also needs to be reliable and durable. Whether it’s a refrigerator, dishwasher, or oven, the kitchen appliance brand should meet your budget and needs.
15 Top Kitchen Appliance Brands of 2023
The best kitchen appliance brands vary in pricing, reputation, advanced technology, and more.
1. KitchenAid
KitchenAid is a leading brand for top-quality, durable kitchen appliances, especially stand mixers. Its product range now includes food processors, toasters, dishwashers, refrigerators, coffee makers, and more.
The brand manufactures models with advanced technologies. The Pro-Line ® Series Blender features an asymmetrical blade that blends ingredients more efficiently. It has a thermal control jar for keeping the ingredients at the optimal temperature.
Its Espresso Maker includes a dual boiler system to maintain the right temperature when brewing coffee. Besides the Pro Line Series, KitchenAid has a range of appliances to suit various preferences. For instance, KitchenAid’s Artisan Stand Mixer is a go-to model for chefs and bakers.
KitchenAid’s Top-Rated Appliances:
Where to Shop for KitchenAid Appliances:
2. Bosch
Bosch was founded in Germany in 1886 and has a solid reputation in the kitchen appliance industry. It offers a range of kitchen appliances, including ovens, refrigerators, cooktops, and dishwashers.
The Bosch Benchmark Series is one of its cutting-edge range of products. The Benchmark Series Built-in Refrigerator features a dual compressor system to keep food fresh. Its air purification system eliminates odor and bacteria.
Bosch’s 800 Series Dishwasher has CrystalDry technology for a higher-up drying performance. The dishwasher’s RackMatic adjustable upper rack makes it easy to fit tall items. Using the Home Connect app, you can also control the dishwasher from your phone.
Bosch products are eco–friendly and Energy Star certified. The brand uses advanced engineering and high-quality materials to make its kitchen appliances durable.
Bosch’s Top-Rated Kitchen Appliances:
Where to Shop for Bosch Kitchen Appliances:
3. Samsung
Samsung’s reputation for quality and innovation makes it a popular choice worldwide. The company began as a small trading company but has expanded into various industries. They include electronics, software, home appliances, and more.
Samsung’s kitchen appliances have advanced features and innovative designs. One of Samsung’s best innovations is the SmartThings technology.
It allows homeowners to control their appliances remotely through a mobile app. The feature is available in their refrigerators, dishwashers, and gas ranges.
Samsung’s Top-Rated Kitchen Appliances:
Where to Shop for Samsung Kitchen Appliances:
4. Bertazzoni
Bertazzoni is an Italian kitchen appliance brand with all kitchen units. The company provides refrigeration, cooking, dishwashers, and ventilation appliances. Its product line splits into four categories: Professional, Heritage, Modern, and Master Series.
Bertazzoni appliances are popular for their unique finishes, including metal and textured matte. The company also sells accessories like duct covers, griddles, backsplash, and more. All Bertazzoni products come with a two-year warranty.
Bertazzoni’s Top-Rated Kitchen Appliances:
Bertazzoni 36-inch Professional Series Ventilation Hood: The ventilation hood has a powerful motor that delivers up to 600 CFM of ventilation power. Its baffle filters are dishwasher-safe for easy maintenance. It also has a sleek and durable stainless steel construction, and the touch controls make it easy to use.
Bertazzoni 24-inch Professional Series Dishwasher: It has a capacity of up to 16 place settings and fully integrated controls. The dishwasher includes three racks, a built-in water softener, and a low noise level of only 45 decibels.
Bertazzoni 36-inch Master Series Range with 5 Burners: A Dual Diagonal Convection System provides even heat distribution and perfect cooking results. The range’s temperature probe shows the oven’s heating progress for precise baking and cooking.
Where to Shop for Bertazzoni Kitchen Appliances:
5. JennAir
JennAir produces high-end kitchen appliances for home kitchens and professional use. The brand’s True Control and Smart Integration enable voice command and appliance monitoring.
JennAir app provides digital timers and recipes to enhance the cooking experience. The app is compatible with JennAir refrigerators, wall ovens, cooktops, ranges, and dishwashers.
JennAir’s Top-Rated Kitchen Appliances:
Where to Shop for JennAir Kitchen Appliances:
6. Blomberg
Blomberg is a German kitchen appliance brand committed to producing energy-efficient and eco-friendly appliances. Their refrigerators’ blue light technology continues photosynthesis in fresh produce, which enhances longevity.
The brand includes self-cleaning ovens, fully integrated dishwashers, and energy-efficient gas burners. They offer a three-year parts and labor guarantee and an extra two years for in-built appliances.
Blomberg’s Top-Rated Kitchen Appliances:
Where to Shop for Blomberg Kitchen Appliances:
7. Thermador
Thermador has been a premium kitchen appliance brand for over 100 years. The brand uses innovative technologies such as its patented Star Burner and ExtraLow simmer technology.
The technology enables precise cooking control and efficient energy use. Its Masterpiece Collection is suitable for home use. The Professional Collection meets the needs of professional chefs.
Thermador’s Top-Rated Kitchen Appliances:
Where to Shop for Thermador Kitchen Appliances:
8. Sub-Zero
Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove are luxury kitchen appliance brands. Sub-Zero’s product line includes refrigerators, freezers, wine storage units, and other appliances.
With over 75 years of experience, the brand installs custom-fit refrigerators for all kitchen sizes. Sub-Zero provides replacements and installation parts with a one-year replacement warranty. They also offer product maintenance and repair.
Sub-Zero’s Top-Rated Kitchen Appliances:
Where to Shop for Sub-Zero Kitchen Appliances:
9. SMEG
SMEG is an Italian brand that produces a range of high-end kitchen appliances. The brand is known for its unique designs and advanced technology. SMEG’s main headquarters are in Guastalla, near Reggio Emilia, Italy.
The brand also distributes its products to most states in the U.S and worldwide. SMEG manufactures various appliances, from refrigerators, to ovens, coffee grinders, and more. Their appliances feature diverse finishes, including classic, retro, and professional.
SMEG’s Top-Rated Kitchen Appliances:
Where to Shop for SMEG Kitchen Appliances:
10. Frigidaire
Frigidaire offers a range of products at different price points. Their appliances are made in the U.S by their parent company, Electrolux. The brand manufactures two refrigerator lines: The Frigidaire Gallery and Frigidaire Professional. Its products are easy to maintain and repair, which helps to reduce long-term costs.
Frigidaire’s Top-Rated Kitchen Appliances:
Where to Shop for Frigidaire Kitchen Appliances:
11. LG
LG appliances are a household staple due to their reliability and durability. The brand uses advanced manufacturing processes to ensure that its appliances last. More than 80% of LG products have the ENERGY STAR certification.
Their smart refrigerators allow homeowners to control key features using the LG ThinQ® app. Other kitchen appliances they produce include dishwashers, wall ovens, cooktops, hoods, and more.
LG’s Top-Rated Kitchen Appliances:
Where to Shop for LG Kitchen Appliances:
12. GE
GE Appliances produces various products, including refrigerators, wall ovens, ranges, dishwashers, and microwaves. Its products are innovative, durable, and easy to use. Most GE appliances have built-in WiFi powered by the SmartHQ app.
One outstanding product is the GE Profile Series Slide-In Double Oven Electric Range. It has a spacious oven and two independent heating elements. The heating elements allow you to cook two dishes at different temperatures simultaneously.
GE’s Top-Rated Kitchen Appliances:
Where to Shop for GE Kitchen Appliances:
13. Whirlpool
Whirlpool has over 50 years of manufacturing high-quality and durable products. Whirlpool owns Maytag, Amana, and KitchenAid. They offer appliances at different prices, making them accessible to buyers with varying budgets.
Whirlpool appliances are ENERGY STAR certified, so they consume less energy. Their kitchen product line includes refrigerators, wall ovens, dishwashers, microwaves, cooktops, and vent hoods.
Whirlpool’s Top-Rated Kitchen Appliances:
Whirlpool WRF535SWHZ 36-inch French Door Refrigerator: The fingerprint-resistant stainless steel refrigerator uses an Accu-Chill™ Temperature Management System. It senses the amount and type of food and adjusts the temperatures to optimum conditions. It’s adaptive defrost system only defrosts when it’s necessary.
Whirlpool WEE750H0HZ 30-inch Smart Slide-In Electric Range: It has a capacity of 6.4 cubic feet, five burners, and a built-in air fryer to cook crispy meals with little to no oil. The range is also Wi-Fi enabled. Users can control it through a mobile app or voice commands like Alexa or Google Assistant.
Whirlpool WDTA50SAHZ Built-In Fully Integrated Dishwasher: It features a soil sensor that adjusts the wash cycle based on the dirt on the dishes. The dishwasher has a third rack providing extra space for utensils and small items.
Where to Shop for Whirlpool Kitchen Appliances:
14. Haier
Haier is renowned for stylish, functional, and budget-friendly home appliances. Haier sells various kitchen appliances, including refrigerators, ovens, cooktops, range hoods, and more.
Haier’s smart appliances help users save energy and reduce waste. Users can remotely control their refrigerators and keep track of the items inside. The hOn app suggests the optimal temperature for storing food and recommends recipes.
Haier’s range hoods are energy-efficient, quiet, and effective at removing cooking fumes and smoke. The company’s cooktops come in various sizes with gas, electric, or induction functions. The brand offers dishwashers with adjustable racks to accommodate different dish sizes.
Haier’s Top-Rated Kitchen Appliances:
Where to Shop for Haier Kitchen Appliances:
15. Maytag
Maytag manufactures high-quality refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, cooktops, washers, and dryers. Their product lineup comprises stainless steel appliances, large-capacity dryers, and cleaners. Maytag backs their products’ reliability with a 10-year limited parts warranty.
The brand also devotes itself to innovation. For instance, the Maytag® Pet Pro System traps and filters out pet hair and lint from laundry. They also offer appliance parts and accessories, including water filters and washer pedestals.
Maytag’s Top-Rated Kitchen Appliances:
Where to Shop for Maytag Kitchen Appliances:
Top Considerations When Choosing a Kitchen Appliance Brand
Performance and Reliability
Choose appliances that can perform the functions you need reliably over time. Reliable appliances save you money and time on repairs or replacements in the long run.
Energy Efficiency
When shopping for appliances, look for the Energy Star label. Energy Star appliances use less energy than standard models. The more stars on the Energy Rating Label, the more energy-efficient the appliance.
Design and Aesthetics
Choose a brand with a style that fits your kitchen aesthetic and offers a range of color and finish options. Modern kitchen appliances include countertop gas burners, colorful ovens, column refrigerators, and more.
Features and Functions
Consider essential features such as noise dampening, interior LED lighting, and smart technology. Some appliances have specific cooking functions, self-cleaning features, and touch controls.
Price and Value for Money
Choose a brand that offers appliances within your price range without sacrificing quality or features. Retailers offer significant rebates on kitchen appliance bundles.
Brand Reputation and Customer Reviews
Choose a brand with a reputation for high-quality and durable equipment. Good quality appliances have high star ratings and positive customer reviews.
Warranty and After-Sales Service
Research the brand’s customer service policies and reviews to ensure they offer support and assistance if any issues arise. Most brands provide warranties between one to three years.
Compatibility With Existing Kitchen Appliances and Cabinetry
If you’re renovating a kitchen, consider appliances from the same brand to ensure compatibility and a cohesive look. When replacing a built-in appliance, check the dimensions to ensure the new one fits.
Smart Technology and Connectivity
Smart appliances allow users to control features like temperature and power on/off remotely. The appliances are usually WiFi and Bluetooth compatible. You can also use voice commands like Alexa and Google Assistant.
Environmental Friendliness and Sustainability
When choosing a brand, research its environmental policies. Check for certifications such as Energy Star or Cradle to Cradle. Such brands prioritize sustainability in their manufacturing and operations.
Good morning, readers. I’m senior reporter Phil Rosen.
One of my favorite parts of this job is having conversations with folks in and around Wall Street.
People have varying views on the economy, politics, and pop culture, but as far as reading recommendations are concerned, a consistent pattern emerges.
Just about everyone advises going through Warren Buffett’s annual letters to shareholders.
They date back more than 50 years, and taken together, the writing leaves you with a good grasp of Buffett’s business philosophy.
But the famed investor does much more than write letters, of course.
Over the past three years, Buffett’s empire has been putting cash to work at a particularly fast clip.
If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Insider’s app here.
Warren Buffett
REUTERS/Rick Wilking
1. Berkshire Hathaway’s latest annual report illustrates that the company has deployed nearly $90 billion in investments since 2020.
Buffett’s firm spent close to $107 billion on stocks — that’s just about the market value of Intel — in three years, but sold about $88 billion of that, leaving a net outlay of $18 billion.
Add that to the acquisition of insurance firm Alleghany for about $12 billion, and that puts the total right around $89.5 billion.
This spending spree is notable not just for its enormous scale but because of the context it happened in.
Stocks had soared during the pandemic, as SPACs and private equity firms bid up the cost of acquisitions. That’s frustrating for a bargain hunter like Buffett, who’s complained about the lack of compelling buys in that period.
So his team widened their net. They built up stakes in other companies and ramped up repurchases, and the moves have been working.
Buffett’s pandemic decisions reflect those from the 2008 financial crisis, when funding dried up and he was one of the few lenders that hadn’t gone under.
It was actually during those down years he made some of his most lucrative bets.
Let’s close with one of Buffett’s most quotable quips:
“We simply attempt to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful.”
What are your thoughts on Buffett’s massive spending spree of the last three years? Tweet me (@philrosenn) or email me (prosen@insider.com) to let me know.
In other news:
Traders work on the floor of the NYSE in New York
Brendan McDermid/Reuters
2. US stock futures were tipping lower early Monday, after China gave a lowball GDP growth outlook and investors readied themselves for Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s testimony to Congress this week. Here are the latest market moves.
3. Earnings on deck: Ciena, Nutanix, and more, all reporting.
4. Capitalize on the $900 billion AI boom with these stock picks, according to Bank of America. Investors impressed with ChatGPT may want to gain exposure to the artificial intelligence sector before it becomes too popular in the near future. Here are 20 stocks to buy now.
7. Avoiding a recession would actually be bad news for the stock market. That’s according to TS Lombard. In their view, that scenario would likely mean the Fed keeps interest rates high in a “no landing” environment, which would put downward more pressure on equities. Get the full details.
8. A freelancer who makes six-figures said anyone has the ability to turn writing into a side hustle. He shared the “funny and unconventional” cover letter that landed him his first major gig despite not having a background in writing.
9. Meet Dave Allred, a real-estate investor who owns over 1,000 units. He broke down the most impactful investing, personal development, and leadership books that helped him find financial freedom by age 36. See his list of 21 titles.
Markets Insider
10. AI software company C3.ai skyrocketed after an upbeat earnings report. In a Friday note, strategist Dan Ives said the company is “walking the walk” now that it’s gaining momentum in the burgeoning AI space.
Resource guarding is when dogs become defensive to keep others away from something of value. It’s perfectly normal for dogs to want to protect their supply of food, their toys or stake claim to where they sleep. Some dogs even guard their humans. After all, they’re all valuable resources they want and need. But if dogs think access to those resources is threatened, they could become overprotective.
Some contributing factors to resource guarding may include:
issues with early socialization
deprivation of resources at any stage (especially early in life)
breed and genetics
fear and anxiety
territoriality
frustration.
Signs of resource guarding in dogs
A recent study found dog parents were keen on obvious signs of guarding like growling or snapping, but less likely to pick up on the more subtle signs, such as: avoidance (maneuvering their bodies to assert control over an object or taking off with it), tightening/stiffening posture and rapidly ingesting edibles.
Some common signs of resource guarding objects include:
Gulping food/eating quickly
Head turning or whale eye
Hovering
Running away with a resource
Stiffening, and/or staring at the perceived threat (person or another animal)
Lunging
Snarling
Snapping
Biting
Many dogs who resource guard are generally more fearful. When a dog feels a resource is threatened, he is more likely to try to protect it. A lot of times this means absconding with the valued resource or even resorting to aggression to prevent it from being taken away.
Resource guarding between dogs
Resource guarding behaviors can also be directed at other animals, especially those within the household. Watch for signs and signals to prevent problems in multi-pet homes.
Pets shouldn’t have to compete amongst each other for resources, so eliminate that stress. Lean into these tips to prevent resource guarding between dogs:
Be on the lookout for resource-guarding signs
Always feed pets separately from one another and don’t free-feed
Make sure there are ample toys and sleeping spaces available for each pet and each pet has his own space he can go to.
Encourage and train pets to interact appropriately and positively with each other in the sharing of resources.
Prevent access between pets while consuming or engaging with high-value items.
If you suspect your dog is resource guarding, seek help from a professional, rewards-based trainer or behaviorist sooner rather than later.
Dog resource guarding owner
Believe it or not you’re also a resource. You provide love, attention, yummy stuff, fun, joy and the list goes on. You’re your dog’s world!
Watch for your dog:
Attempting to block other dogs or even people from approaching you
Showing signs of stress such as panting, lip licking, pacing, whale eye, etc. when someone else or another dog approaches you
Piloerection, growling or snapping when someone is near you
Tips:
Work on building confidence in your dog to be independent and comfortable around others
Spend time away from your dog
If you have multiple pets, spread the wealth and spend quality time with each pet
Don’t constantly carry or hold your dog, which can cause anxiety, separation issues and guarding
Although less common than object guarding, guarding humans does happen. Escalation to aggression can be a real safety issue, so always seek professional, rewards-based help as soon as possible if you suspect your dog is guarding you.
Your first line of defense is a good offense: don’t create an environment or situation where your dog feels he must guard resources in the first place.
A lot of resource guarding behaviors can be avoided at the outset by simply giving our dogs space! Make sure your dog has space, time, and privacy to eat, engage with bones and chews and to sleep or rest.
Back in the day people used to brag about being able to reach down and take their dog’s food away in the middle of him eating. Some believe they should be able to take a dog’s bone away in some sort of display of domination or nonsense about “showing the dog who’s boss” or “being the alpha.”
Advances in modern training, coupled with numerous studies and shifting attitudes about our relationships with our pet dogs, render these authoritative displays outdated if not downright silly. And dangerous! In fact, studies show taking valuable things away from dogs can make resource guarding worse.
The best way to avoid a dog resource guarding their food? Leave him alone while he eats. In fact, make sure he has a space out of household noise and traffic and can eat in peace. Free-feeding can exacerbate and even cause resource guarding. If you free-feed, stop! Free-feeding isn’t recommended for a variety of other reasons as well.
If you suspect your dog is already resource guarding, management is a good first step. So, for example, don’t allow children near dogs who are eating, engaged with toys or bones or at rest. In a nutshell, give your dog space!
More how to stop resource guarding tips:
Do be mindful of your dog’s body language and efforts to protect or defend things whether it’s toys or food or space, etc. Pay close attention to how your dog acts.
Do keep your distance from your dog when he’s engaged with toys, bones or food or resting in a favorite spot.
Don’t confront your dog in an angry, frustrated or aggressive way or try to take the object from your dog or force him to move out of a favorite space.
Don’t try to grab or pry an object out of your dog’s mouth; doing so will likely cause your dog to become more intent on keeping the object and he may escalate very quickly to outright aggression.
Our dogs determine what’s of value, not us, so be mindful of what your dog wants and loves. If someone tried to take your purse or wallet, phone or car, you’d be very upset. It’s no fun to feel like you must be on guard all the time. Your dog is the same. Actively supporting a secure and comforting environment for your dog keeps everyone safe, relaxed and happy.
Teach your dog a solid Drop cue
Helping your dog understand that giving up the goods doesn’t always mean giving them up forever is a valuable skill for both preventing resource guarding and supporting emotional stability. So, teach your dog (or dogs!) how to Drop so he’s OK with releasing resources. He needs to know there’s no reason to fear temporarily losing or even giving things up. Something better is on the horizon. It’s also a great cue if your dog does occasionally pick up something you’d rather he not have, or even something potentially dangerous.
Train it:
Get your dog engaged in a game of tug with a toy starting with a lower-value toy first. This might take a little time, so be patient!
Put a treat near your dog’s nose that’s higher value than the toy.
When he drops the toy immediately give him the treat.
As soon as he releases the object, mark with a verbal marker(Drop it!) or click with a clicker; give the treat while simultaneously and safely removing the object from his reach.
Once he finishes the treat, return the object to him.
After a few exchanges like this add the verbal “drop” cue when he drops the toy.
Repeat several times until your dog is dropping on verbal cue only.
Generalize what’s been learned by slowly graduating to higher value toys and in different environments (different rooms, outside, etc.).
If you just can’t get your dog to engage in tug, or he’s just way too into his toy, try luring him in other ways to drop so you can mark and treat, such as:
Be more exciting! Many of us expect dogs to just play with toys on their own. Grab a different toy and make it squeak, talk, or manipulate/animate it.
Go to your treat drawer or food storage and make a fuss about it pretending you’re getting something yummy.
Act like you’ve found something super awesome: point at it, ooh and ahh over it, even pretend you’ve picked it up and are eating it.
Other Drop it cue tips:
Don’t forget to give your dog time to respond. He’s learning something new and needs time to process the information. It may take several training sessions.
Use a toy that is a bit larger so when your dog tries to grab the toy he doesn’t grab your hand (if he does, it’s “game over” and try again later: all dogs should be taught the “no teeth on people” rule).
Your dog needs to be invested in the toy and excited about having it but not so excited that he’s over threshold. If he’s too excited, tone down the toy selection or try again later when he’s less aroused.
If he’s not excited enough, you need a better toy or a better treat; you can also try using a chew stick or bully stick instead.
Generalize the behavior to other toys and items you need your dog to drop (like a toddler’s toy or something questionable outside).
If you’re really struggling with getting your dog to engage with toys, use a chew stick or other edible. Teaching a “Take it” cue may also be helpful.
For our latest lookbook, we’ve gathered eight bathrooms where the sanitary ware adds a splash of colour, ranging from a green Portuguese “shower tower” to a bathroom with pink marble washbasins.
Although white toilets and basins are still the default choice, increasingly interior designers are experimenting with adding colourful sanitary ware to bathrooms.
Among the designs in this lookbook are stylish black toilets that add a graphic touch to the bathroom, as well as basins in a range of pastel hues including pale blue and avocado green.
British designer Luke Edward Hall’s design for this Parisian hotel features plenty of patterns, bright colours and printed furnishings.
This can also be seen in the bathroom, where a green toilet and matching green sink stand out against the mustard-yellow wall and zigzag floor tiles. Above the sink, a mirror in a darker green hue complements the interior.
The bathroom at London members’ club Annabel’s is an explosion of pink, from the pink marble sinks to the pale-pink flowers that line the ceiling.
“It’s really about fantasy – this is a club, you don’t come here for reality, you come to be transported somewhere else,” studio founder Martin Brudnizki told Dezeen.
House Recast, a refurbished Victorian terraced home in north London, was finished with coloured concrete throughout.
In the bright green bathroom, the colour is contrasted with brass details, which were used for the tap and temperature controls by the small, circular sink.
A black toilet almost blends into the veiny green marble backdrop in the bathroom of VS House in India, which was designed to focus on “the nature of the materials used to finish the insides”.
Grey Kota stone, a variety of limestone that is quarried in Rajasthan in the north of India, was used on the floor and walls.
Design studio Rainville Sangaré’s design for an apartment in architect Moshe Safdie‘s brutalist Habitat 67 building mostly features discrete colours, but in the bathroom, colourful sinks and a matching mirror break up the monochrome surroundings.
The washbasins have black Corian tops and the smaller of the two is used to wash calligraphy brushes.
Our experts answer readers’ home-buying questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess mortgages). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own.
Homebuying demand experienced a brief uptick as mortgage rates dropped in January. But now that rates have been steadily increasing this month, that demand has once again started to evaporate. Applications for purchase mortgages are currently at a 28-year low, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
“Lower mortgage rates back in January brought buyers back into the market,” Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, said in a press release. “Now that rates are moving up, affordability is hindered and making it difficult for potential buyers to act, particularly for repeat buyers with existing mortgages at less than half of current rates.”
Mortgage Rates Today
Mortgage type
Average rate today
This information has been provided by
Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow
Mortgage Refinance Rates Today
Mortgage type
Average rate today
This information has been provided by
Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow
Mortgage Calculator
Use our free mortgage calculator to see how today’s interest rates will affect your monthly payments.
Mortgage Calculator
$1,161 Your estimated monthly payment
Paying a 25% higher down payment would save you $8,916.08 on interest charges
Lowering the interest rate by 1% would save you $51,562.03
Paying an additional $500 each month would reduce the loan length by 146 months
By clicking on “More details,” you’ll also see how much you’ll pay over the entire length of your mortgage, including how much goes toward the principal vs. interest.
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is the most common type of home loan. With this type of mortgage, you’ll pay back what you borrowed over 30 years, and your interest rate won’t change for the life of the loan.
The lengthy 30-year term allows you to spread out your payments over a long period of time, meaning you can keep your monthly payments lower and more manageable. The trade-off is that you’ll have a higher rate than you would with shorter terms or adjustable rates.
15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates
The average 15-year fixed mortgage rate is 5.59%, an increase from the prior week, according to Freddie Mac data.
If you want the predictability that comes with a fixed rate but are looking to spend less on interest over the life of your loan, a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage might be a good fit for you. Because these terms are shorter and have lower rates than 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, you could potentially save tens of thousands of dollars in interest. However, you’ll have a higher monthly payment than you would with a longer term.
How Do Fed Rate Hikes Affect Mortgages?
The Federal Reserve has been increasing the federal funds rate to try to slow economic growth and get inflation under control. So far, inflation has slowed somewhat, but it’s still well above the Fed’s 2% target rate.
Mortgage rates aren’t directly impacted by changes to the federal funds rate, but they often trend up or down ahead of Fed policy moves. This is because mortgage rates change based on investor demand for mortgage-backed securities, and this demand is often impacted by how investors expect Fed hikes to affect the broader economy.
As inflation starts to come down, mortgage rates should, too. But the Fed has indicated that it’s watching for sustained signs of slowing inflation, and it’s not going to stop hiking rates until it sees sustained signs of slowing inflation.
When Will Mortgage Rates Go Down?
Mortgage rates increased dramatically in 2022, but they’re expected to trend down later this year.
In January 2023, the Consumer Price Index rose 6.4% year-over-year, a slight slowdown compared to the previous month. This is good news for mortgage borrowers and the broader economy.
As inflation comes down, mortgage rates likely will, too. But the Fed is looking for sustained signs of slowing inflation, which means it’s not likely to stop hiking rates any time soon, though officials have said they expect to start slowing the pace of hikes. This should help ease the upward pressure on mortgage rates.
Are HELOCs a Good Idea Right Now?
Many homeowners gained a lot of equity over the past few years as home prices increased at an unprecedented rate. But because rates are so high now, tapping into that equity can be expensive.
A HELOC is a line of credit that lets you borrow against the equity in your home. It works similarly to a credit card in that you borrow what you need rather than getting the full amount you’re borrowing in a lump sum.
Depending on your finances and the type of HELOC you get, you may be able to get a better rate with a HELOC than you would with a home equity loan or a cash-out refinance. Just keep in mind that HELOC rates are variable, so if rates start to trend up further, yours will likely increase, as well.
Although we could swear our dogs have a good belly laugh while at tug-o-war, actual dog laughs have not been specifically identified by animal behaviorists as other vocalizations like growls and whines have, according to vet behaviorist Dr. Sally J. Foote. Dogs can make short panting “huh, huh” sounds and grunting as they play with toys or with other dogs while enjoying themselves.
“They are having fun. So, you could think of this as a laugh in this situation. Otherwise, it may be that they need to pant and have something in their mouth making the grunt noise,” Dr. Foote says.
Austrian zoologist and founder of modern ethology, Dr. Konrad Lorenz, believed dogs express smiles and laughter-like behavior in play. In the book Man Meets Dog, he describes how dogs laugh based on his observations: a mouth stretched from ear to ear followed by excited panting.
Do dogs have a sense of humor?
Could laughter-like sounds mean our fur friends have a sense of humor?
“Our dogs know what gets them attention and will mix play with mischief,” says Dr. Foote. They also will play tricks on each other to get dogs or cats to play. “There is no proof, but I do think dogs have a sense of humor.”
How do dogs smile?
Smiling is easier to see in some breeds like the Golden Retriever. Dr. Foote describes a smile as:
the lips are drawn back with a relaxed face
the upper teeth are covered
Many dog breeds will “smile” as their head is massaged or during petting. Be careful it’s not a snarl, she cautions, where the upper teeth are showing and the forehead wrinkled.
While pinpointing laughter in dogs is problematic, there’s little doubt they have fun and can find things funny and just might flash a grin.
Burry’s Scion Asset Management purchased 750,000 shares of the homewares retailer in the third quarter of 2019, securing a stake worth $8 million on September 30 that year. BBBY was its sixth-largest position out of eight total holdings, and made up 13% of its $60 million US stock portfolio at the time.
Scion exited the wager during the next quarter, only to reinvest a few months later, filings show. It owned 1 million BBBY shares worth almost $11 million on June 30, 2020. Excluding options, the retailer was its number-two position after a nearly $12 million stake in GameStop, making BBBY a key piece of its $91 million portfolio.
However, Burry once again closed the bet over the next three months, meaning he got out before the meme-stock boom in January 2021. A buying frenzy drove BBBY shares as high as $43 during that period; if Burry had kept his million shares, they would have briefly quadrupled in value to $43 million.
Burry may have missed out on a big windfall by selling his stock, but he also avoided a dramatic decline. BBBY has plummeted by more than 95% from its 2021 peak to below $2 a share today, reflecting the retailer’s onerous debts, inventory woes, and warnings of potential bankruptcy.
The company staved off disaster by signing a $1 billion deal with Hudson Bay Capital and other institutional investors in February. Yet Burry tweeted an apparent warning that the agreement could end badly.
“It’s time memesters look up what a death spiral convertible is,” he said. Burry was referring to a situation where a shareholder keeps converting preferred stock into common stock at a discount to the market price, then sells the resulting shares, driving the stock price ever lower.
Burry isn’t the only notable investor to show interest in BBBY. Meme-stock specialist and GameStop chairman Ryan Cohen built a nearly 10% stake in the first quarter of last year, fueling hopes he might engineer a comeback for the retailer. However, he sold up in August, bagging an estimated $68 million profit.
Similarly, a college student named Jake Freeman revealed a 6.2% stake in late July. He cashed out all of his BBBY shares by mid-August, making roughly $110 million.
Burry, a value investor, presumably bought into BBBY because he determined it was oversold and undervalued. He likely had no inkling that retail investors, eager to make some fast money and punish hedge funds, would pile into the stock and send it skyward.
Once that happened, Burry warned buyers of meme stocks they were signing up for the “mother of all crashes.” At least in BBBY’s case, he was right on the money.
