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When considering a home remodel, it can be overwhelming to choose a design style for your home. The following tips can help you narrow down your options and make an informed decision about which home design style will best suit your needs and preferences.

Consider the Architecture of Your Home

The style of your home should complement the architecture of the building. For example, a traditional-style home may not look good with a modern design. Understanding the existing architecture can help you identify design elements that will complement your home’s overall style.

> Remodeling For Comfort or to Sell? Start with the Kitchen

Identify Your Personal Style

Before deciding on a home design style, it’s important to consider your personal preferences. Do you prefer clean lines and minimalism, or do you like cozy and warm design elements? Understanding your personal style will help you select a design style that reflects your personality.

Consider the Functionality of the Space

Your home’s design should not only look great but also serve its purpose. Consider how you will use the space and what design elements will best support those needs. For example, a coastal design style may work well for a home near the water but may not be the best choice for a home in the city.

> Pros and Cons of Remodeling in Phases or All at Once

Research Design Styles

Researching different design styles can help you identify which styles appeal to you the most. Look at design magazines, online resources, and home decor stores for inspiration. You can also talk to a designer who can provide expert advice on selecting a design style that works for your space.

Keep it Timeless

It’s important to remember that design styles can come and go, so it’s essential to choose a style that will stand the test of time. Consider selecting classic design elements that will remain stylish for years to come.

In conclusion, selecting a home design style for your remodel can be an exciting and daunting process. By considering the architecture of your home, identifying your personal style, considering the functionality of the space, researching different design styles, and keeping it timeless, you can choose a design style that will reflect your personality and stand the test of time.

More From the Cabex Team

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Vibrant designs and bold colors will play an important role in home designing in 2023. According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), home designs will be bolder, bigger, and overall better for the homeowner. You’ll see words like “sustainability,” “wellness,” and “expanding” when you’re deciding how to remodel your own home with the latest 2023 home remodeling trends. Take a look at what to expect in 2023.

Combining Design Elements

When it comes to vibrant design, the bold colors and accents in materials and themes will play a big role in homes. Homeowners want to combine multiple design elements and materials along with bold accents, splashes of color, and texture. A lot of these design elements will be sustainable and utilized in an expanded space. Breaking down walls to expand spaces will help add function or conceal clutter.

For kitchens, this means adding larger or double islands and walk-in pantries. For baths, this means adding a closet, dressing area, or two-person shower. Any decision regarding these is made with wellness in mind that will help create a sort of retreat for the mind and body.

Transitional is the big home design style this year. Just like transitional is a mix of modern and traditional, homeowners want to combine other design styles to create an updated look. For example, NKBA is noticing Modern Farmhouse, Classic Contemporary, Organic Modern, and Simple Transition.

Vote Cabex Construction for Best of SRQ 2023!

Color plays a big role in these combinations. Homeowners are mixing warmer natural earthy tones, less gray and white, and more medium wood tones. Proving that homes are becoming more vibrant, we’re seeing richer colors overall such as coastal blues, greens, and organic neutrals in both the kitchen and bathroom.

Sustainability is Big

Homeowners pay close attention to what products and materials are sustainable. Some sustainable ideas include 100% LED lighting, energy-efficient appliances, VOC-free paints, increased natural light from low E windows, and energy-efficient faucets. Going hand in hand with sustainability is wellness.

Homeowners are looking for sanctuary, especially in the bathroom with spa-like experiences using earthy, muted colors and light wood tones to create natural, calming elements. Some popular spa-like features include large two-person showers, custom seats, multiple showerheads, steam showers, easy-to-clean surfaces like quartz and quartzite, and large windows to connect with the outdoors and maximize the use of natural light.

2023 Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Trends

Expanding Spaces

Homeowners also want to open up their kitchen and bath spaces while also expanding the functionality of each to accommodate the changing nature of the home. Removing walls open these rooms up to adjoining areas. Larger islands have flexible functionality for food prep, dining, and work. Kitchens will love a walk-in, built-in or butler’s pantry for food and small appliance storage while bathrooms will love walk-in closets and sitting or dressing rooms.

Thriving Tech

Finally, technology continues to thrive in the home. Homeowners continue to adopt technology at a faster pace, specifically when it enables more individualized customization in the kitchen and bath. Technology will be used to create a personalized environment, using voice controls for lighting, water, and floor temperatures, as well as humidity monitoring. Smart appliances include touchless faucets, app-controlled appliances, whole house systems, and water conservation technology.

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It’s ideal to collaborate with a design-build company who reflects your vision, style, and personality when you take on an exciting remodel. Cabex Construction masters the art of renovation by designing fully custom, breathtaking homes you truly must see to believe (one such home increased the value of the west side of the Country Club, but more about that in a minute).

Raising home values since 2007, Cabex Construction is your remodeling specialist capable of handling every aspect of your project from the luxurious design to the actual craftsmanship. The result? An extravagant living space designed for even the most eclectic homeowner.

A Question for Cabex: What Can I Expect a Designer to Ask Me?

There are some common questions we like to ask our clients. How do you want to use your space? What is the overall goal with the remodel? Do you want low maintenance or high-end materials for the finished product? These questions make sure we’re steering the design conversation in the right direction.

One-Stop-Shop

As a licensed contractor (CBC1263965) and design-build firm, Cabex Construction is there for you every step of the way. Cabex is a one-stop remodel company from the design work, architectural work, engineering, all the way to the custom build-out.

A Question for Cabex: What is the Most Important Advice a Designer Can Give?

The best advice we can give through the design process is to really be open to suggestions and ideas that pull you outside the box. That’s really going to add an extra level of design and service to your space and to your design. In short, have fun!

At the beginning of the design process, the designers at Cabex Construction like to tell their clients to bring inspiration photos. They start there and customize those images into the design for the client’s space. Those designs are brought into programs and built into 3D models and floor plans to make it even easier for the client to visualize their space, make changes, and nail down all the details.

A Question for Cabex: What Remodel Adds the Most Value?

If we had to choose one area to upgrade to add the most value, we would say start with the kitchen. If you think about it, the kitchen is where you spend a lot of your time, right? Why not invest in an area you’re going to be entertaining in and spending time with family?

Standing Out in the Sarasota Crowd

Owner and CEO Joe Menna explains how Cabex Construction stands out from other remodeling companies in Sarasota and Bradenton.

“When you come to us and we give you a price, we’re hard pricing it,” Menna says, “so the difference is we’re not giving you allowances. We’re working with you to make all the selections so that when we come to the table and give you a price, it’s from everything we picked out for your space. We’re also doing all the drawings and then we’re putting it all into the contract so that everyone knows what’s happening up front. Because of this, we’re able to eliminate as many questions as possible.”

The Best Flooring Options

A Question for Cabex: What is Your Favorite Design Trend This Year?

So many Florida homeowners are looking for a unique fireplace element. The only difference with these fireplaces is that they’re purely for ambience and have no heat. These water vapor fireplaces run on electricity and water and use LED lights to deliver the effect of fire.

Pretty Close to Perfect

Eliminating questions during design helps the entire project, even during construction, run smoothly. The result is a near-perfection remodel, much like the Country Club home mentioned earlier (pictured below). When Cabex completed this home in 2018 prior to the current market boom, the entire west side of the Country Club increased in value.

That’s the kind of quality you can expect from Cabex Construction, and that high-end quality comes with the right investment in your home. To that point, Menna says, “Don’t be scared of a larger investment if that means your project will be done right in the end. Invest in a reputable company to really give yourself the good quality that will make your home shine for years to come.”

A Question for Cabex: What are You Most Excited About in Your Showroom?

We just added a new collection of natural quartz in our showroom. Natural quartz is a favorite for homeowners because of its high-glamour styles, eclectic color choices, and life-long durability.

Looking for inspiration for your own upgrade? Visit our 3,000-square foot showroom at 5682 Fruitville Road or give us a call at (941) 780-7800 to book a complimentary design session with one of our designers. We’re excited to collaborate with you on what’s sure to be a beautiful reflection of your personality and style!

More From the Cabex Team

Create a Home That Reflects YOU

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Homeowners decide to remodel their homes for a lot of reasons. There are almost as many reasons to remodel your home as there are projects to choose from. It’s exciting to think that any home can be reimagined, reworked, and remodeled, essentially becoming something new and better than what it was before. Here are some of the top reasons why homeowners like you choose to remodel their homes.

Comfort

Even though there are a lot of great reasons to remodel your home, homeowners shouldn’t overlook your own comfort and enjoyment as good reasons. If you remodel mainly based on how it will impact the future sales price of the house down the line, you may end up living in a showplace that doesn’t really feel like much of a home. Your comfort and enjoyment are always more important than what improvements will make the most money when you eventually sell.

Your Existing Floor Plan Doesn’t Have to Define Your Space

Safety

Also, some home remodeling projects should never be ignored. Electrical problems, roof leaks, or a crack in the foundation are some of the issues that need to be taken care of sooner than later to keep your family safe and prevent catastrophic or total loss of the home.

Home’s Value

If you plan to sell your home, especially within the next few years, you may want to remodel some or all of it with the hopes of getting the most you can when you put it on the market. Some projects that have the best immediate return are opening up kitchen into the main living area, replacing the front door, and updating the kitchen or bathroom.

How to Make Up Your Mind Between Different Design Styles

Function

Maybe you need some more space. Alternatively, maybe a second bathroom would make things a lot easier during those busy mornings. Maybe you want a deck or a patio for outdoor entertaining. Remodeling so that the home functions better for the residents is a great idea, as long as the upgrades don’t hurt the home’s value or decrease usable space.

Efficiency

New windows, a heat pump, and added insulation are examples of improvements that can lower energy costs and pay for themselves over time. More efficient homes are also more attractive to buyers if you want to sell since they know costs will be lower.

Update the Style

Generally, an older home can have a dated look that makes it less attractive. Homeowners updating their home’s style can be a whim based on new trends or a way to prepare a house for sale. The best bet is to use timeless styles that send the message of sophistication and even luxury.

Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club Full Home Remodel

Prep the House for Sale

Lastly, when the main objective of remodel is to sell the home, choices should reflect what is most likely to help get the house sold. For example, neutral colors, upgrades that add value, and fixing any cosmetic or functional problems will help get the house in great shape for resale.

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Whatever the Reason, We Can Help

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October means it’s time to turn those thoughts of remodeling into action. It is officially National Kitchen and Bath Month, which basically is a great time to take the first step toward that remodel you’ve been putting off or thinking about all year long. So what makes October a good time to start remodeling, so much so that the entire month is dedicated to it?

> Kitchen Design Trends

National Kitchen and Bath Month was created by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) in 1982. Generally, with the holidays just around the corner, this is usually the busiest season for home remodeling projects. As a result, there’s no better place to celebrate the fall season than in your own home, so why not give your home an upgrade? Whether you want to work with a contractor or designer, October is the perfect month to give your home (the kitchen and bathrooms in particular) some much-needed attention.

> 10 Advantages to Remodel Now

Throughout history, October has been one of the most popular months to remodel your home, particularly the kitchen. We feel a sense of accomplishment by creating an updated space, one that encourages finding comfort and relaxation inside.

From minor upgrades to complete remodels, there are several ways you can participate in National Kitchen & Bath Month. The type of home project you choose depends on a lot of factors including your investment, schedule, and goals. Also, here are a few design trends homeowners are loving that could look amazing in your home:

• Natural quartz
• Electric water vapor fireplaces
• Glass backsplashes
• Enhanced outdoor living
• LED lighting
• Nature-inspired designs
• Textured wallpaper

> Color Design Trends

Here at Cabex, we welcome this month. To emphasize, we’re excited to meet with homeowners and learn about their thoughts and dreams for the new year regarding their home. Additionally, we’d love to meet with you in our 3,000-square foot showroom and help you find the inspiration you’re looking for for your new kitchen or bathroom.

More From the Cabex Team

Start Planning Your Home Upgrade

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Nestled in the middle of Sarasota’s Oyster Bay on almost ¾ acres of land is a home waiting for a makeover. Built in 1957, this home was actually updated in 2012 to include an open floor plan, a dining and entertaining area with hardwood floors, and a lot of opportunity for natural light.

Ten years and new homeowners later, it was time for yet another extensive upgrade, this time with waterfall peninsulas, modern wallpaper, a new exterior color, and an outdoor kitchen beneath a stunning pavilion. With so much to be done, this project was split into two phases, with the first phase focusing on the kitchen and bathrooms.

The Guest Bath

Four bedrooms downstairs share two bathrooms, which we’ll call the guest bath and the Jack and Jill bath. In the guest bath, we’re basically updating in place with minor adjustments such as moving sinks, creating more space by replacing the built-in pantry with a pantry with shallower cabinets, and updating the tub into a shower complete with corner niche.

The cabinetry here will be Elmwood Custom Cabinetry with a Bleached Elm Faux Wood finish. The countertop is a classic and elegant Pure White. The walls will be white Titan Edge ceramic tiles, and the floor will be a dark tile called Azuma. The same Azuma tiles will make up the shower floor in a mosaic pattern. A fun tropical banana leaf wallpaper will surround everything.

The Jack and Jill Bath

The Jack and Jill bath will also be another example of updating in place. A double vanity with Elmwood cabinetry in a White Satin finish will sit on one wall between the two doors. The shower is extremely small, so it was important to make that larger.

To enlarge the shower enclosure, we’ll be rotating the toilet and moving it to a different wall. The newly expanded shower will have glass barn door sliders, white Alaska Polished Porcelain on the walls, and a Tasmania Rain Hexagon mosaic on the shower floor and accent stripe.

Adding More Wood

Most of the downstairs bedrooms in this Oyster Bay home had carpeting. We managed to find the existing engineered wood flooring found throughout the rest of the home. This is actually pretty rare to find the same flooring after all these years. This engineered wood flooring is called Silverado Tobacco. With this same wood flooring in the bedrooms as out in the hall and living area, the downstairs will now have a nicer and more cohesive finished look.

The Kitchen

The last room of this phase in our Oyster Bay project is the kitchen. The kitchen that was done in the 2012 update already looks nice, but with the other updates and different styles now being added throughout the home, it just won’t fit in any longer.

The lower and pantry cabinets will be Elmwood with a Haze Veiled finish, and the uppers and tall cabinets will be Elmwood with a Dove White finish. The countertops will be Vena Oro, a white quartz with striking gold veining. We plan to run this quartz down the side of the kitchen peninsula to create a waterfall to the floor. As we will be updating in place here too, the only other update will be the white Titan Touch backsplash.

Yellow to Blue

Lastly, this phase also required an exterior makeover. The exterior color of the home was a sort of canary yellow. The new color will be Newburyport Blue, which is a very dark, almost gray-looking blue.

The rest of the outside of this Oyster Bay home, including the new outdoor kitchen and pavilion, will come in the next phase.

A Pearl in Oyster Bay Part 2: Pavilion & Outdoor Kitchen

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Living in Florida, we don’t really have a burning need for the traditional fireplace. That’s not stopping Florida homeowners from desiring a fireplace element inside their homes. The only difference with the fireplaces that homeowners are requesting is that they’re purely decorative, purely for ambience and atmosphere.

It’s a growing trend we’re seeing this year. More and more homeowners love to have a shimmering fire at home, but without the heat. These specific fireplaces don’t look or act like your traditional fireplace either. These water vapor fireplaces are high-end design elements with all the modern touches.

Water Vapor Technology

The technology that powers water vapor fireplaces generates a realistic flame without the threats of a real fire. These designer-friendly fireplaces run on electricity and water and use LED lights to deliver the effect of fire.

They plug into a standard outlet, and once you add water to the tank, you can spend time enjoying your fireplace. They are great alternatives for anyone living in or around a high fire-threat area or those concerned about fire risks from a traditional hearth.

Environmentally Friendly

The electric water vapor fireplace is the answer to the problems of environmental friendliness and fire safety. With its high-tech design and the use of cold water and LED lights, water vapor fireplaces create a realistic flame.

They’re an environmentally friendly fireplace with vapor fireplace inserts that don’t release toxic gases. The flames are cold, and you can have the options to change the speed, height, and color of the flames.

> What is the Most Important Advice a Professional Designer Can Give?

Adding Beauty to Your Home

For public places where hot flames can be problematic, electric fireplaces with real cold flames offer new opportunities for designers. This is the ideal contemporary fireplace to put in a bedroom, restaurant, a trendy bar, or in a fashionable club.

They catch your eye, giving life to spaces, creating a sensation of well-being. The modern fireplace is the perfect way to add beauty to the home.

More From the Cabex Team

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Lakewood Ranch homes are always exciting to work in. They reside in a more luxurious part of Sarasota and Bradenton, so it’s thrilling to take these outdated interiors and upgrade them into a luxurious design to match the aura of the area. This home in particular sits in the middle of Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club just a few streets down from a home we remodeled that’s a prime example of what an upgrade into modern luxury can look like (and it’s currently featured in Home & Design). The design for this Lakewood Ranch remodel wasn’t quite as extensive, but it still shows you what can happen with the right design-build team. In this 5,590-square foot home built in 2006, we updated the kitchen, master bath, foyer, and laundry room.

Opening Up the Open Floor Plan

This home already had an open floor plan (as seen in the before photo above), but we opened it up even more. For example, when you first walked into the home, you passed two concrete columns that reflected the existing Mediterranean and Spanish style of the home and entered the dining room (we ended up boxing out and enclosing these round columns). Also, the dining room sat in a corner beside a wall that separated you from the kitchen. What we did was remove this wall to not only open the area but enlarge the kitchen as well.

Glossy Kitchen Design

Solid wood cabinets in a triangular kitchen layout became Cabico Custom Cabinetry in an open kitchen layout. The kitchen lowers, hood, coffee bar shelves have a hollow white finish. The kitchen tall cabinets, uppers, and pantry have a walnut grove textured faux wood finish as shown below.

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The countertop is quartz with Statuario, a flow of veins across a white snow background. The backsplash is a glossy ceramic tile. The new range remained roughly in the same location.

Now the dining room area was completely reconfigured, especially when it came to the ceiling. With the removal of the wall separating the dining room from the kitchen, that meant we had to create a new ceiling line that would transition between the two spaces. We built a new border wall in the dining room and for the back of the new pantry that ended up being a wall for the new laundry room too. The final touch to the new dining room was the new illuminated drop ceiling feature.

> Why Should You Invest in New Windows?

Hexagons in the Laundry Room

As we just mentioned, the laundry room was located behind the kitchen. This is a brand-new location for the laundry room, which also serves as the entrance from the garage. To transform this space into the laundry room, we raised the concrete floor, build an alcove for a refrigerator, and added a hanging clothes rod.

The dark blue cabinets here are Medallion Cabinets with a natural woodgrain interior finish. The countertops are a luxurious white marble-look quartz. The really cool feature here are the metal blue and white hexagon mosaic tiles.

> Why Remodel Now?

Feeling Blue in the Master Bath

The dark blue also carries over into the master bathroom. We removed the solid wood cabinets, tub, glass block shower wall, and massive mirrors in favor of a contemporary design. The change resulted in Cabico cabinets with Greenwich textured faux wood, squaring off the arched ceilings above the vanities, the same luxurious white marble-look quartz as in the laundry room, and a completely revamped shower.

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The skinny, dark shower became a new steam shower with his and her showerheads, a new dropped ceiling, a custom shower bench, and three-level niche. The walls and floor are an oversized subway tile colored ecru, which is a sort of grayish yellow like old ivory, and the ceiling and shower bench are beige wood-like porcelain tiles.

Bringing the luxury upgrade together is the new Naturally Aged Wood Flooring that replaced an outdated tile that might have worked back in 2006, but not today. With these upgrades, we completed another successful remodel in Lakewood Ranch.

More From the Cabex Team

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A Ritz condo surrounded by the best that Sarasota has to offer from boardwalks to marinas to restaurants to Sarasota Bay should have nothing but the best when it comes to its interior. The new Ritz-Carlton Residences in Downtown Sarasota exemplifies luxury living, and each of the 73 condominium residences deserve every chance they can get to show off the luxurious lifestyle they have to offer.

One such condo resides on the eighth floor. With developer-built kitchens and bathrooms, it already had the essentials, but the wow factor wasn’t just yet. The homeowners still had plenty of blank walls that needed an extra touch of grandeur. With the help of a high-end design-build firm like us, we added that wow factor with newly designed fireplace built-ins, closets, textured wallpaper, live edge wood, and 3D tile.

Custom Bathroom Island

The custom bathroom island is the first touch of luxury we designed and built in this unit. As the homeowner said, it’s “so much better than just empty space.” One of the main reasons homeowners gravitate toward these bathroom islands is to have a focal point for an otherwise empty space.

In this otherwise large master bathroom with an open his and her shower, your eye immediately goes to the island. This island is Elmwood Custom Cabinetry with a Silver Plum High Gloss finish. The island top is crafted with recycled leather.

Illuminated Master Bedroom

The same high gloss finish and leather tops continue into the master bedroom, making up what the homeowners like to call their craft wall. The glossy cabinets seem to disappear into the wall from the reflections from the bay outside the window. The Elmwood shelves also reflect the water with their white high gloss finish.

The really magnificent feature in the master bedroom is the drop ceiling. We designed this new drop ceiling, which is fully illuminated and has a diamond-pattern design that flows from the ceiling and down the wall, disappearing behind to where the bed would be. With a coffee bar along the inside wall for easy access to refreshing drinks and snacks, do you really need a reason to leave the bedroom?

Quartzite Fireplace Surround

Now you might want to step out of the bedroom if not just to relax in front of the fireplace and lounge in the fiery glow. Custom-made entertainment panels and shelves surround this electric fireplace. This system uses revolutionary ultrasonic technology to create the flame and smoke effect. As the mist rises, the light reflects against the water molecules creating a convincing illusion of flames and smoke. The result is an appearance so authentic it could be mistaken for a traditional wood-burning fireplace.

As if melting from the fire, a chocolate-look panel in Creamy Mocha Horz grain backs the TV, while a snaking shelf system painted in High Gloss White floats above. The custom fireplace is surrounded with a silvery Ijan Blue quartzite. Completing the wall are two columns in concrete Venetian plaster.

More Touches of Luxury

Ijan Blue quartzite wraps around the Elmwood Custom Cabinetry in the den in this Ritz condo. This floating unit has a Natural Diamond Gloss finish. A quartzite piece also acts as a desk near the window that overlooks Downtown Sarasota.

Sprinkled throughout the unit are walls clad with luxury wallpaper. Run your hands over this textured, handmade wallpaper to feel a jagged, leathery finish. The entire foyer is covered with this textured wallpaper and is even covering a couple of hidden doors. This wallpaper is the ultimate accent piece to make your home really stand out from the ordinary. It helps make everything blend in and sort of melt together.

3D Tile & Live Edge Wood

While we didn’t touch the developer-built bathrooms in this Ritz condo, we did redesign the powder bathroom that’s right off of the main entrance. A small floating cabinet hovers above the ground with again a top of Ijan Blue quartzite. These custom floating cabinets are illuminated by a custom decorative mirror that sits on a wall of 3D marble mosaic tile, or as the homeowner calls it, a wall of “bling-bling.”

Our finishing touch for the best wow factor yet in this Ritz unit is the custom live edge wood. The bedroom at the end of the hall has new live edge wood shelves and countertops, and a beautifully crafted almost 400-pound custom barn door serves as the closet entrance.

A live edge slab is a piece of wood that still has the natural edges of the tree. The width of a trunk determines the width of the live edge slabs. With these live edge wood pieces, this Ritz-Carlton residence is truly displaying its luxurious lifestyle to its fullest potential.

> See more photos on Houzz!

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