The Irish hot press is a great way of drying clothes and we should all have one. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

The Irish Hot Press Is the Low-Tech Laundry Trick the World Needs

No Dublin home is complete without these frugal warming closets, which help improve life without a clothes dryer for residents in a drizzly climate.

bloomberg.com

Some news: I’ve joined the Observer as associate editor, looking after Opinion & Ideas and a new People section. Best email for now is alex.oconnell@tortoisemedia.com

While the main decision happened 2 weeks ago, it's worth catching up with Barcelona's fight over the Casa Orsola - which the city is buying to stop displacement - because it echoes so many debates elsewhere, and shows some unintended effects of anti-Airbnb rules. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Why Barcelona Bought the Building That Symbolizes Its Housing Crisis

After months of protests, the city stepped in to buy an apartment block where tenants faced eviction. But anger over high rents and real estate speculation continues.

bloomberg.com

I'd love to be using this site more often, but I've been locked out for weeks because the forgot password button doesn't seem to work. Luckily, I've just remembered the occult thought process behind my password's creation.

"The church’s condition is immaculate and singularly faithful to its pre-fire self, following a huge effort that has harnessed the wealth of its country’s business elite and the uncompromising expertise of France’s craftspeople." @feargusosull.bsky.social: www.bloomberg.com/features/202...

Notre-Dame Reopens ‘More Beautiful Than Before’

One of history’s most remarkable restorations came together almost on schedule, after €846 million in donations and unusual collaborations.

bloomberg.com

I'll be honest, I often don't feel strongly about where the Parthenon Frieze should be displayed (although the answer is Athens) because I am too busy being horrified by the main character syndrome that leads British people to still call them the Elgin Marbles.

Before writing this, I didn't expect to be moved by the story of Notre Dame's reconstruction. In the end, I was blown away by the quality and thought that went into all the craft work. In many ways, this church that has had so many vagaries during its long life has never been treated so sensitively

Notre-Dame Reopens ‘More Beautiful Than Before’

One of history’s most remarkable restorations came together almost on schedule, after €846 million in donations and unusual collaborations.

bloomberg.com

With the news that @annehidalgo.bsky.social is not running for another term, here's a reminder of the next step her greening plans for Paris are taking. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Paris to Replace Parking Spaces With Trees

The city’s new climate plan promises to drop speed limits, repurpose traffic lanes, remove 60,000 parking spots and create urban “oases” to combat extreme heat.

bloomberg.com