Blowing in the Wind: Flags for the Garden
Sean Conway

In the dog days of summer, nothing is quite so welcome as an afternoon breeze. Gardeners appreciate the wind not just as a respite from the heat but also for the way it moves their plants, adding a whole other aesthetic dimension to their handiwork. If your garden doesn't have room for more plants, fly a colorful flag instead

Better H2O at Home
Kathryn Weber

If you're interested in doing your part to conserve this resource, there are ways you can reduce the amount of water your household uses -- while making your water taste better and keeping your home cleaner, too

6 Ways You're Wasting Water Right Now
Luke Mullins

Efficient water use helps maintain reservoir and groundwater supplies at levels that support a healthy public and a thriving environment. Meanwhile, smarter water use reduces the amount of energy needed to treat and transport the supply. What's more, conserving water saves money. Here's six ways that consumers might be unintentionally wasting water today and what they can do to prevent it

Take Steps to Fight a House Fire Before It Starts
Tim Carter

What you can do to minimize fires, fire damage and help prevent the spread of the fire while protecting your life and valuables

Banish Toxic Dust From Your Home
Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer

Household dust may seem relatively harmless to most people, but toxins can be trapped in dust, posing real health risks. Various studies have identified dozens of harmful chemicals in household dust. Banishing toxic household dust is all about staying on top of cleaning -- and using the right tools. Here's how

 

Decorating Small Rooms

With Small Rooms Resist the Urge to Be Minimalist
Kathryn Weber

The common impulse when decorating a small space is to paint everything white. The theory is that lighter colors will make the room seem larger. But rather than try to make a small room seem like something it's not, why not play to the benefits of small size?

Kitchen Backsplashes

Installing a New Kitchen Backsplash
Kathryn Weber

If you're itching to do a renovation around the house but don't want to blow a month of weekends or thousands of dollars, then a new kitchen backsplash just might be the project for. Besides adding some personality to your kitchen, adding a new backsplash will give you some instant DIY gratification

Feng Shui for Your Home
Ella Brooks

The ancient Chinese art of feng shui aims to channel nature's positive energy (known as chi) to improve your life. How? By positioning furniture, mirrors, plants and other home-decor items to balance the yin and yang while allowing chi to move freely through your house. These easy fixes will help you balance the energies in three important rooms, to create a healthier home

Turn a Clean Home Into a Healthy Home
Wendy Manwarren

You've worked tirelessly to make your home a haven for the whole family. But did you know that even the tidiest of homes can play host to troublesome germs and allergens, which can lead to endless sniffles or the common cold? But not to worry: You can get rid of germs by staying on top of them. Here's your master cleaning schedule for keeping germs at bay to ensure your family's health

Coconut Lights Add an Exotic Touch to Summer Nights
Sean Conway

If you're interested in craft projects, coconuts offer a range of interesting possibilities. Floral designer and set decorator Aaron Caramanas showed me two innovative projects using coconuts: string lights and candles. Both of these projects would be perfect for a tropical themed party, or for everyday use all summer

Peaches: Cultivating Backyard Mini-Orchard Not That Hard
Sean Conway

Fresh peaches are one of the true joys of summer, and in my opinion this fruit never tastes better than when it is picked ripe and juicy from the tree. If you dream of growing a peach tree or two in your own backyard, take heart: They're not difficult to cultivate, and they grow surprisingly quickly. Here's how

 

Outdoor Grills

Are You Neglecting Your Barbecue?
Kathryn Weber

One of the greatest pleasures of summertime living is cooking outdoors. The barbecue is a hallowed tradition in America -- it may be the only kind of cooking that never seems like drudgery. Yet when it comes to basic maintenance, the family grill is perhaps the most neglected and abused household item there is

Aromatic Lavender: Not as Hard to Grow as You Might Think
Sean Conway

Lavender's pretty flowers and graceful, bushy shape make it a favorite plant for gardeners. Native to Mediterranean climates, lavender requires full sun and well-drained soil to thrive, and given the proper growing conditions can become a large semi-woody shrub. Lavender plants can tolerate below-freezing temperatures common in many parts of the United States

 

Vintage Bathtubs

Installing a Vintage Bathtub
Tim Carter

If you decide to install a vintage bathtub, I've got good news. There are no extraordinary plumbing requirements for the tub. The biggest things you have to take into consideration are the rough-in locations for the gorgeous exposed drain piping and the decorative water supply lines.

 

Master Bedroom Design

Master Bedroom Design: Making His and Hers Theirs
Kathryn Weber

When it comes to decorating a master bedroom, the design should reflect the taste of the couple. Unfortunately, many master bedrooms only reflect one taste: the woman's. Mostly that's because style is typically left up to the woman in the relationship. Regardless, a happy medium can be reached

White: The Hot Cool New Color of Interior Design
Kathryn Weber

In the context of interior decorating, few colors provoke the extremes of reaction that white does. Some regard white as unimaginative, boring or sterile. Others love the open palette it creates and all the design flexibility it affords.

 

Angel's Trumpet

Night-Blooming Plants to Impart Scents of Summer
Sean Conway

For many who work inside all day, some of the best opportunities to savor summer are warm evenings outdoors unwinding on the patio or deck. If this describes your lifestyle, why not consider growing some night-blooming plants to liven up that setting?

Closet Organization Made Easy
Catherine Ryan

With a mile-long to-do list, closet organization probably isn't your top priority. But avoidance won't work forever, and closet chaos can take a toll worse than any wardrobe malfunction. Fortunately, creating and maintaining an organized closet is easier than you might think. These tips will help you find peace -- both in the closet and out

Summertime Swaps: Quick Changes to Lighten Up Your Home Decor
Kathryn Weber

After the long months of winter, it's nice to lighten up around the house and bring the freshness of summer indoors. Summer is the time to refresh your decor and make the house lighter and brighter with pops of vibrant color and summery touches. Try these ideas to give your home a cooling summer lift

 

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas Offer Impressive Palette to Gardener
Sean Conway

If you love blue flowers in your garden, few plants offer as many shades of this elusive color as hydrangeas. These reliable midsummer blooming shrubs for the most part require no care, and if a few simple cultural requirements are met they will bloom reliably in the garden for years.

 

Keys to Good Paint Job

Best Tools and Materials Are Key to Good Paint Job
Tim Carter

Professional painters typically purchase the best brushes, roller frames, roller covers and so forth. Why? Because these tools produce better results faster. Plus, not all paint is created equal. You get what you pay for

Hot New Trend Is Cool Asian Design
Kathryn Weber

These days we seem caught up in a fast, digitized lifestyle which may explain the recent resurgence of traditional Asian design motifs. The Asian style is an uncluttered aesthetic of clean lines and natural touches. It's suggestive of a certain timelessness, like the Asian cultures that stretch back for thousands of years, and yet the style also manages to be contemporary and fresh

 

Growing Potatoes

Growing Potatoes in the Garden Easier than You Think
Sean Conway

Potatoes have taken a back seat in home gardens to vegetables such as tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, cucumbers and beans. What most gardeners don't realize is that potatoes are one of the easiest vegetables to grow. They thrive in a variety of soils and can be grown as easily. Here's how

 

Eco-Friendly Driveways

Banish Tar: Get a Greener Driveway
Cara Smusiak

Asphalt is complex, petroleum-based mix of chemicals, the exact composition of which varies by manufacturer. It contains aliphatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) mixtures, and a variety of other toxic and carcinogenic compounds. The good news is there are alternatives for homeowners who want or need to resurface their driveway in an environmentally responsible way.

Asphalt vs. Concrete Driveways
Tim Carter

I grew up with an asphalt driveway, but my husband had a concrete drive. We're debating what type to install, as our current drive is in horrible shape. I contend that asphalt will cost less than concrete, but my husband doesn't want to mess with asphalt driveway sealer every year or so. What would you install at your home? What are the pros and cons of a new asphalt driveway?

 

How to Stain a Deck

Staining a Deck
Tim Carter

I just bought my first home, and I have to discover how to stain a deck. I have so many questions. For example, how do you clean a deck before you start? Is there a difference between deck stains? Should I just paint my deck instead? Are there decks that don't have to be stained?

Modern Homesteading: How to Live Better on Less
Katy Marquardt

A growing number of people are embracing elements of old-fashioned homesteading. Of course, living off the land is nothing new; People have been growing their own food and raising livestock for eons. But in recent years, such practices have taken hold in cities and suburban areas, and they've particularly caught on with younger generations.

 

Bedroom Design

Better Sleep Begins with Good Bedroom Design
Kathryn Weber

A good night's sleep has been shown to be good for health and well-being and to offer many other benefits besides. The question is: what can we do to sleep better? One important first step is to treat your bedroom as an environment for sleep, and decorate it accordingly. Here's how

 

Kitchen Cabinets that Conceal Appliances
Kathryn Weber

Surveys show that homeowners are more in love with their kitchens than they've ever been, and they're buying more expensive and commercial-grade appliances. While some homeowners love to place their appliances on center stage, others try to cleverly disguise it and make the kitchen more room-like

Antidote for a Dull Planter: Chocolaty Goodness
Sean Conway

Consider livening up your garden with a little chocolate. Chocolate in the gardening world refers to foliage color, of course, but for those of you who are passionate about actual chocolate, believe it or not there are a few plants whose flowers exude the fragrance of roasted coco beans.

10 Ways to Reuse and Save
Kate Meyers

Recycling helps the planet -- that’s a given. But reusing things you might otherwise toss offers other benefits: It can save you money and get your 'junk' organized and clean. Here are 10 reuse ideas for everyday items

Hosting a Successful Yard Sale
Renae Chiovaro

Hosting a yard sale or garage sale is a quick and easy way to decrease household clutter and get a little extra income. When planning, consider location, time, pricing and advertising. Here are a few easy tips to make your yard sale or garage sale successful

What to Do With Spring Cleaning Purges
Renae Chiovaro

It's amazing how many things we accumulate over the years that sit in our closets unused. Reducing clutter will give you renewed energy, allow for organization and maybe earn you a few dollars too! Before sending your purged items to the dumpster, think about ways they can be reused, recycled or swapped. Here's how

15 Fresh Ways to Use Wallpaper
Kathryn Weber

Having been out of fashion so long, it's not a surprise that wallpaper seems fresh again. A big part of its new appeal, is that it's being used in a number of imaginative ways. Certainly, you can paper an entire room, but if that idea doesn't appeal to you -- yet you still yearn to use some of the fabulous new wallpaper patterns -- consider these 15 ideas.

10 Ways to Reduce Your Summer Utility Bills
Maura Judkis and Kimberly Palmer

Before the summer heat -- and summertime utility bill -- starts to make you sweat, you might want to consider making a few changes to cut your energy consumption. You can shave dollars off your monthly bills without sacrificing comfort as long as you plan ahead and get creative. Here's a room-by-room guide to saving money this summer -- and benefiting the Earth at the same time

A Beeswax Balm You Can Make Yourself
Sean Conway

There are some things our technologically advanced society just can't improve on. The honeybee is one of them. Since ancient times honeybees have been kept and appreciated not just for their honey but also for the waxy multi-cell comb they produce to store it in.

Keep Your House Spring-clean
Gail Belsky

Spring ushers in a houseful of dirt as kids and pets track everything from mud to grass cuttings throughout the house. But with some strategic planning, you can keep the mess at bay. Organization is key, according to Donna Smallin, author of A to Z Storage Solutions and The One-Minute Cleaner. Smallin shares her tips on keeping the house free from mess

Banish Toxic Dust From Your Home
Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer

Household dust may seem relatively harmless to most people, but toxins can be trapped in dust, posing real health risks. Banishing toxic household dust is all about staying on top of cleaning -- and using the right tools. Here's how

Make Cleaning Fun and Get the Kids to Help Too
Julie Smart

Here are my top four tips on getting -- and keeping -- your house super-clean without much effort.

Home Cleanup Shortcuts
Ella Brooks

It's the parent trap: so much to do, so little time. It takes a supermom to get everything done, from caring for the kids and conquering clutter to keeping the kitchen clean and putting dinner on the table. Cleaning and de-cluttering experts offer their simple, inexpensive strategies to help you multitask and take shortcuts on tedious chores

 

Exterior Lighting

Exterior Lighting Makes Home More Appealing and Safer
Kathryn Weber

A home that's welcoming and warm usually has one design element working for it that other homes do not: good lighting. This is one of designers' secret weapons. Good lighting sets a mood, creates a special feeling and turns a home into a haven. This is especially true of exterior lighting

 

Kitchen Hoods Take Center Stage
Kathryn Weber

The kitchen is the heart of every home, but these days it's also becoming the center stage for homeowners to make a style statement. It's the hot new spot in the house for keeping up with the Joneses. Objects in the kitchen that used to be merely functional have been transformed into design elements, often with striking effect. Nowhere is that more evident than with the range hood

No Room for a Vegetable Garden? Think Again
Sean Conway

If the only thing keeping you from raising your own vegetables this season is enough space to grow them in, then have I got a project for you! Did you know that in a space as small as 4 feet by 4 feet you can have a productive vegetable garden? Well, it's true

Food Scraps That Help Your Garden Thrive
Cara Smusiak

Gardens offer plenty of environmental and aesthetic benefits. But managing your garden can be tough on the planet if you're using chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Choosing to grow your plants organically is the first step to a healthier, greener garden, and environment. Here's how

 

Vivid Nursery

Designing a Nursery Around Color
Kathryn Weber

Few rooms are as exciting to decorate as a baby's nursery. Though parents are full of anticipation for the arrival of their little bundle of joy, trying to find just the right color and design for the nursery can be overwhelming. Rather than heading toward cartoon characters or baby motifs, soon-to-be-parents can start their decorating decisions using vivid colors

 

Candleholders and napkin rings made of birch

Birch Beautiful on the Table As Well As in Nature
Sean Conway

Birch wood is very dense, and has many uses. It is used in flooring, plywood, cabinets and for veneer. Recently, we used this versatile and iconic tree to make two projects that will bring a little natural style to your table. Our woodworking expert, Tom Tamborello, shows me how to make candleholders and napkin rings out of paper birch branches.

5 Money-saving Gardening Tips
Nancy Kalish

If you’re looking to save money on gardening this season, you’re not alone. The good news is, a beautiful garden doesn’t have to cost big bucks. Here, tips for creating a gorgeous garden that only looks expensive.

Straighten Up in an Instant
Nancy Kalish

It's easy to let clutter build to the point where the problem seems too mountainous and time-consuming to tackle. And who has the cash for lots of expensive organizing paraphernalia? However, you don't have to spend a lot of time or money to get organized. Here's how

Deck Patio Rooftop Garden Ideas
Sean Conway

A patio, deck or rooftop can be a challenging environment to garden in, but it can also yield excellent results. Planting vegetables in wooden boxes is a practical way to bring life to a rooftop deck while also providing food for the table. Moreover, keeping your garden contained makes it easier to care for, not to mention to set up. Here's a set of helpful hint

Growing a Family Garden
Your Family Today

Gardening may be good for the soul, but it's also a fun and healthy way to bond with your kids. Helping plan and plant a garden gives kids a sense of accomplishment. It also motivates them to eat their veggies. But the best part of family gardening is that you all get to play in the dirt together! Here's how to get started

12 Hidden Costs of Homeownership
Luke Mullins

Many buyers -- particularly first-time buyers -- may be surprised by the amount of cash they'll need to set aside for housing-related expenses that they hadn't previously considered. To give would-be home buyers a better sense of the budget they'll need to buy and maintain a home, we compiled the following list of 12 hidden costs of homeownership

Nine Ways to Make Your Home More Appealing to Buyers
Kathryn Weber - Design Line

When you're ready to sell your house, it pays to assess your home and make improvements before the for-sale sign goes up. By doing so, you'll help buyers see the beauty of your home. Especially in today's tough market for home sellers, attention to details and a willingness to go the extra mile can make all the difference. Here is tips to make your home stand out from the rest

5 Cheap and Easy Decorating Ideas
Nancy Kalish

Want to spruce up your home but think it’s bound to cost a fortune? Not so, there are many inexpensive ways to give a room a whole new look with just a bit of effort. Here are five

Concrete Ideas on Turning Construction Leftovers into Garden Fixtures
Sean Conway

Concrete is the world's most commonly used building material, but most of us aren't aware that it is highly recyclable. Instead of ending up in the landfills, most concrete today is reused, ground into gravel or remade into cement mix. Even better than recycling concrete is repurposing it. With a little creativity, you can turn these leftovers into something special for your yard

Attractive and Durable DIY Garden Vine Trellis
Sean Conway

Furniture maker Sylven Medyesy recently taught me how to build this trellis that provides a useful climbing structure for twining vines. This particular trellis combines an Arts and Crafts design with a rustic look and is best made with mahogany or red cedar because these woods are rot resistant and age beautifully.

How to Green Your Baby's Nursery
Cara Smusiak

When parents think about safety in the nursery, they tend to think about falls from changing tables, baby getting sandwiched between the rails and mattress, or an infant getting caught up in cords. But the materials used in a nursery can carry a lot of chemicals that are harmful to a child's health. Here's what to look out for and avoid

6 Simple Home Repair Jobs You Can Do Yourself
Kate Meyers - Ideas That Spark

Its impossible to live in a house and not have a fix-it list. But small home repairs quickly add up, particularly if you hire someone to do them for you. The solution: DIY. The following under-an-hour fixes will save you money and enhance your home repair skills.

How to Create a Crafty Home
Your Family Today

Instead of waiting until a rainy day or the playdate that's run out of steam, stock up ahead of time and keep an art box full of cool materials for making masterpieces. Here is a list of the new essential art and crafts supplies

Better Spring Cleaning

Better Spring Cleaning with Less Effort & More Fun
Kathryn Weber

After a long, gray winter, nothing feels better than throwing open the curtains and letting in the warm sunshine again. But as ready as you may be for spring, your house may need a good cleaning after the long winter.

Energy-Efficient Updates Help Homeowners Save Cash
Maura Judkis

By making energy-efficient improvements to your house, you can lower your monthly bill and also do something for the environment. Any house is a good candidate for some tweaks, whether it's a total retrofit or an afternoon with a can of spray foam. Here's the guide to making your home more energy efficient

Don't Just Let that Rainwater Go Down the Drain
Sean Conway

One of the best ways to conserve water is to capture rainfall from the roofs of buildings. Large amounts of water can be collected this way. In more arid areas, this water is stored in underground cisterns. For the savvy homeowner, collecting rainwater for garden use is as simple as connecting a downspout to a rain barrel with a spigot.

Mixed Metals in Bathroom: How to Work with Different Finishes
Kathryn Weber

The rule for bathroom decorating has always been to coordinate finishes. But sometimes breaking the rules creates something unique and much more interesting. That's certainly the case with bathroom fixture finishes. Today's homeowner has a wide array of finishes to choose from when searching for faucets, cabinet hardware and towel bars. But can they be mixed effectively?

Spiff up Your Space
Girl World Daily

Is your bedroom a disaster area? Or just a tad cluttered? Either way, you'll feel tons better once it's tidied up. Here's a guide to Spiff up Your Space

Be a Clean Freak for Less
Sarah Mahoney - Ideas That Spark

It took a bout of unemployment to jolt Joyce Wilden of Melbourne, Fla., out of the cleaning products aisle. So she went online, searched for a recipe for a homemade version and has never looked back. 'I discovered it works exactly the same!' she says. Here's a guide to homemade cleaning formulas that actually work

The 10-minute Speed Clean
Nancy Kalish - Ideas That Spark

What’s the key to getting your house spick-and-span in a jiffy? Know the difference between those tasks you must do and those you can skip. So if you’re really tight on time, concentrate your efforts on truly noticeable areas. Here’s how to make quick work of your dirty work and get your house guest-ready in 10 minutes flat

Consider the Humble Rocker
Rita St. Clair

The chair may be the most designed and redesigned piece in the entire lexicon of furniture. Although historically not all cultures used chairs as seating, today they are virtually universal. Yet the most interesting thing about seating is that seldom do two people agree on the comfort of a specific chair.

Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Garden
Sean Conway

One of the many joys of spring is the return of hummingbirds. These small birds migrate across the Gulf of Mexico and travel as far north as Canada. Dining on flower nectar and small insects, they follow the progression of blooming plants as spring progresses. If your garden lacks the floral enticements hummingbirds crave, a feeder will also do the trick.

The House Cleaning Cheat Sheet
Nancy Kalish - Ideas That Spark

Feel like you never stop cleaning? A University of Michigan survey found that Americans scrub their houses an astonishing average of 17 hours a week. The good news: 'Such drudgery is totally unnecessary,' says Jeff Bredenberg. Follow his tips to make short work of your housework.

Filling the Memory Bank
Catherine R. Kelly - Ideas That Spark

Many people have pictures of their most precious memories -- vacations or birthday parties -- shoved into a junk drawer or lying around on a computer, waiting for someone, anyone, to look at them. These photos tell the story of your family, and yet there they sit. But creating a fun and unusual display that puts your photos front and center is totally worth your while.

Here Comes the Sun and a Multitude of Interesting Ways to Harness It
Sean Conway

Solar energy is harnessed in a multitude of ways, and new technologies are making it much more efficient and practical. Thanks to solar batteries that store the sun's energy, today we can buy path lights and lanterns, flashlights, pool pumps, radios, fans, showers and fountains that need no external power supply. One of my favorite products in this category is the solar water pump

Take Your Parties Outside
Patricia Berry - Ideas That Spark

Maximizing your outdoor space -- using items you already have on hand -- can make throwing warm-weather parties much less work than indoor entertaining. Tidy up the lawn, throw a few twinkly lights from the holiday bin and voila. No vacuuming, no dusting necessary. Here’s how to turn your outdoor space into a party palace.

The Stress-free, Low-cost Party Planner
Victoria Scanlan Stefanakos - Ideas That Spark

The weather outside may be frightful, but hosting a great party shouldn’t be. If you’re game to entertain friends and family, you can make it festive and simple. How?

Easy Home-value Boosters
Sarah Mahoney - Ideas That Spark

Even if you have no intention of selling, it's hard not to get a little jealous of all those prettied-up houses on the block. But you don't need to spend thousands to make your home more marketable and attractive. Experts say some of the best ways to boost your home's appeal are practically free. Here, inexpensive ways to increase your home's value and appeal.

Microgreens

Grow Salads All Through Winter with Microgreens
Sean Conway

Growing fresh greens outside in the middle of winter is not an option in most of the country. But growing fresh greens in your kitchen can be -- if you grow microgreens. Microgreens are simply sprouted seeds that have grown on a bit. They're becoming more popular due to their vibrant colors and textures, and the ease with which you can grow them

In Praise of Good Old Garden Tools and a Few New Ones
Sean Conway

After gardening for decades, I have learned that what separates efficient work from drudgery is having the right gardening tools for the job. The problem with today's tools is that they weren't designed with specific tasks in mind. Their design suggests that more attention was paid to how well they nest together in a shipping container than to how well they perform a task.

Bats: Our Fanged, Furry, Flying Friends
Sean Conway

In the dead of winter, it's not likely you're thinking about bats. And they're not thinking about you; they're hibernating. But now is a good time to be thinking about how you can attract this much-misunderstood flying mammal to your neck of the woods. Here's why you would want to invite bats to your backyard

Jumpstarting the Garden
Sean Conway

In February the sun starts to climb in the sky and almost everyone begins to notice the longer days. It may seem a bit early, but February is the time of year I start thinking about my vegetable garden. Early in the month I complete my seed orders, and toward the end of the month I begin drawing a plan for the garden on paper.

Grow Salads All Through Winter with Microgreens
Sean Conway

Growing fresh greens outside in the middle of winter is not an option in most of the country. But growing fresh greens in your kitchen can be -- if you grow microgreens. Microgreens are simply sprouted seeds that have grown on a bit. They're becoming more popular due to their vibrant colors and textures, and the ease with which you can grow them

10 Great 'Green' Home Improvements for 2010
Luke Mullins

Energy-efficient features are a key attraction for today's home buyers. Nearly 90 percent of buyers consider heating and cooling bills important, and more than 70 percent wanted high-efficiency appliances. To assist consumers considering making these upgrades, a number of experts compiled this list of 10 Great Green Home Improvements for 2010.

Cleaning Naturally Improves Indoor Air Quality
Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer

From bleach to grease-busters to deodorizers, there are plenty of chemical cleaners out there to tackle your dirtiest, grimiest, bacteria-laden situations. However, many of those cleaning products contribute to indoor air pollution and poor health. Fortunately, there are plenty of natural cleaning solutions that will keep you and your family healthy and squeaky-clean ...

Doing More with Lighting
Rita St. Clair

Lighting may be the most important element in creating functional as well as pleasant interior spaces. Various lighting technologies and techniques available make it easier to create the effects we want. Much depends on tapping the right professional expertise.

Paralyzed in Search for 'Art'? Just Go with 'Decoration'
Rita St. Clair

I've seen plenty of strange collections in the course of my career. Some were more attractive than others, but in every case they expressed the personality and passions of the collector. And because of the commitment that went into assembling them, many of these unusual collections were more interesting than the pieces of art someone acquired

Best and Worst Home Improvement Projects for Your Money
Luke Mullins

Before you get started on that family room addition, take a moment to consider its potential return. Remodeling magazine's Cost vs. Value Report provides a look at the percentage of a home improvement project's costs that are likely to be recouped at resale. We used the 2009-2010 report to compile a list of the 5 best and 5 worst home improvement projects for your money

 

Kitchen Design

Arts & Crafts Style Adapted to a Modern Kitchen Design
Rita St. Clair

American Arts and Crafts interior design and furniture style comes into vogue every decade or so. With so little new in design today, many of today's enthusiasts of Arts and Crafts and its many adaptations are those looking for sustainable design and construction. In fact, the Arts and Crafts style can be applied to kitchen designs as well.

Time to Plan Your Vegetable Garden

Now is the Time to Plan Your Vegetable Garden
Cara Smusiak

A vegetable garden provides plenty of benefits. Not only will your food be nutritious and as close to chemical-free as possible, you'll also get great exercise from planting, weeding, and harvesting. Planning is important for all gardens, but it's essential for vegetable gardens. Here's a guide and tips to get you started on your own vegetable garden

Green Thumb 101: Propagating Houseplants with Clippings
Sean Conway

One of the great joys of gardening is sharing plants with friends. And many plants can be reproduced without the long process of cross pollination and seed production, simply by taking a part of the existing plant and tending it until new roots or shoots form. Here's a simple guide and how-to for propagating plants with Clippings

 

Spa-Like Bathroom

Spa-Like Setting for Your Bath Room
Rita St. Clair

What does it mean that, these days, even the most staid homeowners are eager for the pleasures of a spa? Is it a sign we are becoming more cultured -- or more hedonistic? The bath historically has been associated with both good health and good fun. So it's entirely fitting the concept of the spa is influencing the design of baths in the home.

 

Begonias

Old School Stalwart Houseplant: The Begonia
Sean Conway

Among the many domestic touches that have been handed down to us from the Victorians is the houseplant. True, keeping plants in the house has a long history, but only in the latter half of the 19th century did it become a popular mania. A well appointed home meant having not only fine furnishings but also fine plants. Today, climate-controlled houses allow a much wider range

 

Terrariums

Indoor Botanical Exoticism: Wardian Case Terrarium
Sean Conway

Growing plants under the protection of glass has been practiced for centuries in large outdoor greenhouses, but during the Victorian era in England the practice was taken a step further and brought indoors. Growing plants in glass enclosures is still popular, and they are a wonderful way to observe small tropical plants. And making your own terrarium is easy ...

 

Great Views

Shades, Raised Platform May Improve View in Awkward High-Rise Rooms
Rita St. Clair

We have moved to a new high-rise building with spectacular views of the city. Unfortunately, the windows, even though they are room width, are 33 inches off the floor. This produces two problems that we would like to solve: First, when seated, we can barely see the skyline. Second, the afternoon sun produces an uncomfortable amount of heat and glare

Working with Available Light
Rita St. Clair

In Scandinavia, where winter light is much shorter than in the United States, architects and interior designers strive to capture every ray of sun while covering surfaces with cheerful colors. Recognizing that nothing improves appearance and mood better than daylight, we can all profit from techniques perfected by the Scandinavians.

 

Indoor Citrus Trees

You Don't Need to Be Royalty to Have Your Own Orangerie
Sean Conway

Being able to pick an orange, lemon or lime from your own indoor tree is impressive. Aside from the novelty factor, containerized citrus trees have a beauty all their own. Their lush, dark green leaves are attractive, and many varieties have intoxicatingly fragrant flowers. Unlike other fruit trees, citrus have the unique ability to produce flowers and fruit at the same time.

 

Cymbidium Orchid

How to Keep Your Orchids Happy and Healthy
Sean Conway

Orchids are thought of as elegant and sophisticated yet difficult to grow. The truth is they are quite easy to grow, provided you meet a few key requirements. When happy, orchids will often bloom for months at a time.

 

When Is a Foreign Architectural Style a No-No
Rita St. Clair

Thematic designs are fine for restaurants and entertainment venues, but they seldom look appropriate in residential interiors. An obvious exception would be a home done in a style that reflects the region where it is located. A Tuscan-themed interior would look quite OK in Tuscany, for example. But it would be a bit of a reach in, say, Connecticut.

Ceilings Do Not Always Have to be White
Rita St. Clair

During the last decades of the 20th century, for reasons of cost control as well as style, the average ceiling seldom achieved a height of over 8 feet. The popular color for such a low ceiling was and still is white because of the incorrect assumption that no matter what the color of the walls, white on the ceiling will make it look higher. However, there are alternatives to white and paint

Enliven Your Wreath with Elements from Your Yard and Garden
Sean Conway

Personalizing a wreath is easy. You'll need only a few simple tools: a pair of pruners, some florist's wire and some wired floral picks. And you'll need a plain wreath to start with. This makes for a great project to do with the family right before Christmas

Custom Cabinetry Can Solve Difficulties
Rita St. Clair

Cabinetry, whether a movable piece of storage or a built in, should be designed first for its function and then for style. So, it takes a lot of thinking before you put pencil to paper or select a piece of available standard cabinetry for any room in the house

 

Baby's Room

Designing a Room for Baby, Keeping Future Adaptations in Mind
Rita St. Clair

We're going to convert a guest room into a place for our baby, who's due in a couple of months. The plan is to decorate the space not as a nursery but as a room that can be adapted relatively easily as our child grows up. What sort of design would you suggest?

 

As Winter Looms, Time to Think Porches, Patios and Terraces
Rita St. Clair

Even though winter is just beginning, it's not too soon to make plans for inside/outside spaces such as terraces, porches and patios. In fact, it's smart to start planning now because designing such a versatile space often takes longer than furnishing a living room. Besides, more deals will be available in the winter than in the spring.

Kitchen Table

Clever Way to Maximize Space in a Small Kitchen
Rita St. Clair

I'm trying to figure out how much space will be needed for a table and chairs in a small kitchen that's about to be renovated. Kitchen and furniture stores give all sorts of answers to my questions about these measurements, so I'm hoping there's some general formula I can follow. And can you offer some suggestions for making the space look larger?

 

Caring for Christmas Trees

Caring for Freshly Cut Christmas Trees
Sean Conway

There is nothing more exciting for my children than the day we bring our Christmas tree home. After I string the lights, they decorate it and it is ready to preside over our holiday festivities. There is nothing, however, less exciting than a newly decorated tree that showers needles. So before you head out to choose that tree, here are a few things you should know.

After popping all those corks why not put them to good use
Sean Conway

I am not sure why we first started saving corks. It seemed a shame to just toss the corks in the garbage; in fact, they can be recycled and put to good use around the house.

Stitch in Time Can Save Your Cracked Terra Cotta Pots
Sean Conway

Small cracks in terra cotta can lead to big problems and, if left uncorrected, will lead to the demise of an otherwise good pot. Repairing a crack while the pot is still intact can keep the problem from getting worse.

 

Paperwhite narcissus

With a Little Planning, Bulbs Can Bloom All Winter Long
Sean Conway

Hard-core gardeners and real plant lovers know that the end of fall means it's time to start planning ahead. Now is a great time to plant bulbs. With a little effort and some planning you can have bulbs blooming all winter long. Here's how ...

Hang Your Hat on This Winter Trophy
Sean Conway

Nothing beats antlers for adding a rustic feel to home decor. Think of them as a renewable resource for any number of craft projects -- making lamp finials, drawer pulls, door handles and even buttons. If you find an antler big enough, you can make a version of the coat hook like this one ...

Repurpose Small Spaces with Custom Built-ins
Rita St. Clair

Built-in furniture can do wonders with small spaces. Here, built-in seating fills a space the size of an unused closet

How to Block Glaring Sun but Not the View? That's a Tall Order
Rita St. Clair

I'm often amazed at our obsession with covering windows. No sooner do we move into homes with good views and good natural light than we're wondering how to dress the windows.

Lotus Container Adds Touch of the Sacred to Your Backyard
Sean Conway

One need not travel to India to glimpse this perennial aquatic known for its magnificent, spice-scented flowers. The sacred lotus of Asia has a North American cousin that is hardy as far north as Canada.

 

National Building Museum

The World's Top Architecture Museums
Jonathan Lerner

Spending so much of our lives inside them, and surrounded by them, we often take buildings for granted. But architecture can help us understand history and grapple with the future. The following fascinating museums are dedicated to buildings, cities and landscapes

Wood Is Suitable for the Bathroom, but Sparingly and with Proper Care
Rita St. Clair

I empathize with your desire to use wood in a bathroom. I've done so myself, though sparingly. Bathrooms these days typically have a crisp look, but they should never have a cold appearance. Properly placed and treated for moisture resistance, wood can supply much needed warmth in a bathroom

 

Richard Neutra House

What to Do With a Wall of Windows
Rita St. Clair

'Duette' honeycomb shades from Hunter Douglas are used here to solve the problems of privacy and light control and to ensure that the exterior remains on view at the pull of a cord. The individual shades can be raised and lowered from the top or bottom.

Japanese Solution for Storage
Rita St. Clair

No one's more imaginative and successful than the Japanese in making the most of limited living space -- and making the result look orderly and effortless. For example, Japanese designers long ago devised an efficient storage system for that generally unused space beneath a staircase. It's a set of cabinets and drawers known as stair tansu

 

Living Room Redo

Home Makeover Requires Careful Thought to Succeed
Rita St. Clair

Why is it that redo sounds somehow less expensive than makeover? Just because it's a shorter word? Or because it implies a touch-up rather than an overhaul? As in, I think I'll redo the living room, rather than, The living room sure could use a makeover. And both terms in turn cause less price anxiety than does the very serious-sounding renovation. In fact, all are pretty much synonymous, so don't mislead yourself into underestimating costs

Time to Rediscover the Vine
Sean Conway

In the gardening world there are trends and fads just as there are in retail, fashion or the auto industry. The 'latest' plants or types of plant, such as grasses or flashy tropical annuals, come in and out of favor, but there is one group that has somehow missed the spotlight: vines. Gardeners often overlook vines in part because they are not always readily available

Beautify Your Garden with Concrete? Not as Crazy as It Sounds
Sean Conway

The rising cost of conventional building materials and the expense of transporting them has brought a renewed focus to alternative methods of construction. One of the more interesting examples is the home of artisan builder and master craftsman Matt Rogers built almost entirely out of concrete

Trees Whose Bark Is Better Than Their Bite
Sean Conway

When choosing a new tree for their property, most homeowners think about showy foliage, colorful flowers or ability to produce abundant fruit. Experienced gardeners, however, know there is another, often overlooked, attribute that can make some trees stand out in the crowd: bark

 

Stair alcove perfect for a desk

What to Do With Nooks and Crannies
Rita St. Clair

'Making Room,' written by Wendy Jordan, focuses on using or creating nooks in unlikely parts of the home. In this case, a desk wide enough to be functional has been placed under the highest point of the staircase. The recess is tall enough to allow for a light to be installed above the desk. I suspect that your own storage area meets these specs.

 

Painted cabinet great focal point

Focal Point Does Wonders for Entrance Hall
Rita St. Clair

When positioned at the end of hallway or at the top of a stairway, a colorful painting or a piece of decorative furniture can foreshorten a space, making its proportions more pleasing to the eye. Success in this case depends on balanced scale, which is why I describe it as a more sophisticated type of design. And whatever the purpose of a focal point, it's got to be properly lit.

 

Historic & Eclectic Design

Historic and Eclectic Not Necessarily Opposites in Home Design
Rita St. Clair

A visit to an historic home, or at least a look through a book on traditional American and European interiors, may well upset the assumption that the only appropriate design in these circumstances is a conservative design. Our ancestors often devised eclectic looks for their homes rather than following strict formulas. That's partly because they seldom had easy access to the type of furnishings they were expected to use. They had to improvise -- and the results were never dull

 

Breakfast Room Design

Making Dark and Cramped Seem Bright and Spacious
Rita St. Clair

Small spaces often present challenges for designers. Placement of furniture usually isn't much of an issue because a small room offers only a few options. It's color and lighting that can be difficult to get right -- and it's essential to choose well because these elements can ensure that a small space will look cheerful and feel comfortable.

 

Retro Style Room

Retro Style Need Not Follow a Formula
Rita St. Clair

In many design settings, a variety of styles are mixed and meshed to produce what's known as an eclectic design. And don't assume it's got to be one or the other. A room can be given a single stylistic direction that's tweaked with look-alikes or new adaptations. An example of such an approach is described below.

 

Avoid Poisons & Toxins: Use Natural Cleaning Products
Randy Boyer and Andrea Donsky

Avoiding unsafe cleaning products is just as important as identifying safe ones. About 100,000 chemicals are used commercially, and the production of chemicals doubles every seven years. Cleaning products are among the most toxic substances that can be found in the average home. Most household cleaners are hazardous to health and the environment

 

Banquette Seating

Banquette Seating Maximizes Efficiency and Comfort
By Rita St. Clair

Don't assume that an attractive design featured in a magazine can be applied only in a space of similar dimensions. Good ideas can often be adapted to rooms much larger or smaller than the original. Functional issues may have to be addressed of course, trickier -- and crucial -- is the question of scale

 

Opaque Glass Panels

Sliding Opaque-Glass Panels Are Attractive and Functional for Modern Interior
By Rita St. Clair

The designs associated with the Arts and Crafts movement and with architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright have powerfully influenced the look of the modern American interior. So it's important to realize that Wright's work and the Arts and Crafts style in California were themselves shaped by Japanese design.

 

Winebar

Turn Antique Furniture into Unique Fixtures
By Rita St. Clair

Design schools never include "investment" in the lexicon they teach their students, but they should. Good interior design not only produces visual pleasure, it also enhances the value of a home by adding structural improvements and high-quality fixtures. And for homeowners seeking a return on the money they put into their homes, the art and antiques they buy will do better these days than the equity of the real estate itself.

 

Unmistakable Hallmark of Contemporary Home Design: Fun
By Rita St. Clair

In distinguishing contemporary from traditional styles, designers often point to differences in how spaces are configured, with 21st century interiors typically having a sleeker and sparser look. Even more obvious, however, are differences in the types of elements used in these respective settings. Designers must therefore stay current with advances in technology and changes in product lines. That's not easy to do in a rapidly evolving marketplace, but can be fun and exciting to try.

 

Sometimes the Best Window Treatment is None at All
By Rita St. Clair

Window coverings are among the elements people think of first when decorating a home. And rightly so, because they play many roles: provider of privacy, shield from both heat and cold, and frame for views. Window treatments can also singlehandedly spruce up the look of a dull room. And, sometimes the best window treatment is none at all ...

Traditional and High Tech Can Coexist in Kitchen
By Rita St. Clair

We're planning to redo the large kitchen of a home in a rural area with an informal interior design. My wife and I both enjoy preparing food with our "armada" of kitchen appliances, but we're wondering how all those digital widgets will look in a rustic setting.

Do-It-Yourself Plumbing Has Its Challenges
By Tim Carter, Ask the Builder

While much about plumbing is somewhat easy, you need to have a crisp understanding of the physics of water movement as well as some specialized tools to get professional results. There are many great resources available, and they may turn you into a fine home plumber in your own right

Good Home Design Is About More Than Good Looks
By Rita St. Clair - Design Line

Even though we live in an interconnected global community, cultural differences are still evident in home designs. European interiors, for example, generally mix styles more freely and are much more colorful than American interiors. They're also less orderly.

Make Over a Room With a Small Budget, Use Color to Your Advantage
By Rita St. Clair - Design Line

Furniture alone -- whether modern or traditional in style -- can't ensure the success of the design of an interior. A room's overall appearance depends on many elements, with color and scale always counting for a lot.

Tired of Small, Bland Room? Use Simplicity to Your Advantage
By Rita St. Clair - Design Line

Small, bland rooms can be helped by simplicity. In this case, a continuous band of flat wooden trim, which creates an interesting geometric design reminiscent of Japanese interiors.

There's a Window Covering Out There for Every Taste
By Rita St. Clair - Design Line

This particular shade system, available from Hunter Douglas, permits easy and effective light control while adding an attractive touch to the room. I can't guarantee that the price will be right for you, but some options may prove surprisingly affordable.

Don't Equate Scandinavian Design with Midcentury Minimalism
By Rita St. Clair - Design Line

When I tell people I'm partial to Scandinavian design, many of them ask what's so attractive about teak or leather chairs and those cabinets that look like dormitory furniture. However, they're mistaking the Danish Modern look, common in this country ...

Making Country Kitchens Contemporary
By Rita St. Clair - Design Line

Wondering how to proceed with a kitchen renovation? Here are a few suggestions you might not get at your local kitchen supply store.

5 Simple Ways to Make Your Home Feel Bigger

Instead of expanding the size of the property, Susanka, an architect and author of the best-selling book The Not So Big House, believes homeowners should make better use of interior space. Susan Susanka shares five simple ways that homeowners can make their houses feel bigger without expanding the size of the structure.

 

Green Building & Eco-Friendly Design

Green Building Options from the Ground Up
Going Green Environment Friendly Home Renovation Tips

More and more homes are being built and remodeled with the environment in mind. This green building movement is gaining momentum and options for homeowners continue to increase, making creating a green home easier than ever. Here are some tips to make your home greener, from the ground up.

Put the 'Eco' in Decorating
Eco-Friendly Home Decorating Tips & Trends

Just because you're going green doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style. There are many ways to easily incorporate eco-friendly ideas into your home decor without living the stereotypical "granola-and-Birkenstocks" lifestyle.

 

Gardening & Outdoor Living

Leafy Plants & poolside landscaping

Poolside Landscaping Should Emphasize Ease and Beauty
By Sean Conway

A backyard pool is a great place to relax in the summer heat, but it can present landscaping challenges. Planting trees and shrubs too close to the pool should be avoided since they will block sunlight, not to mention deposit leaves and other debris in the pool. A similar caveat applies to planting grass close to the edge of a pool. It may look pleasing, but every time the grass is mowed the clippings invariably end up in the water.

 

Log Planter that Salutes America's Rustic Vernacular
By Sean Conway

The 'Adirondack style,' known for its rough-hewn logs, often with their bark left on, twig detailing, and massive fireplaces made from local stone, remains the architectural touchstone for cabins, lodges and national park buildings throughout the United States. Among its other merits, the Adirondack style lends itself to do-it-yourself projects using wood, stone and other materials you can gather locally or even on your own property.

Home Gardening: Sand and Fertility: A Delicate Balance
By Sean Conway

When most of us think of sand, two images come to mind: the beach and the desert -- neither of which we associate with lush fertility. Thus it may surprise a lot of people that sand is an important part of the soil in our gardens and our farm fields

Home Gardening: Confessions of a Tool Geek
By Sean Conway

Most people consider the essentials of gardening tools to be a shovel, a rake, a trowel and perhaps some sort of pruners. The newer and shiner their tools, the better they feel about them. My passion however, is for old gardening tools. Many of the tools I use in my garden are over 50 years old. Their smooth, worn handles feel good when held, but the primary reason I have come to like them so much is that they are so much more efficient to use.

Home Gardening: Before You Build a Garden Storage Shed, a Little Practice Helps
By Tim Carter, Ask the Builder

If you can enlist the help of a friend for a few days, and the garden shed you decide to build is not too large or complicated, you can do this job start to finish in two weeks. The weather will need to cooperate, and you will need to be on top of your game each day.

Gardening - Not Too Late to Plant Vegetables
Cultivating Life by Sean Conway

If you're just realizing that summer is here and you never got around to planting a vegetable garden, don't despair. While it may be too late to plant cool season crops such as peas, lettuce and broccoli, it is still not too late to plant heat-loving vegetables.

Gardening - Clay, the Unsung Mineral Beneath Your Feet
Cultivating Life by Sean Conway

The amount of clay in our soil has a lot to do with how well the soil drains, and how well plants will grow in it. Most soils are composed of sand, silt, clay and organic matter. Good garden soil contains a balance of these components, but when there is an overabundance of one or the other, many plants simply will not grow -- or grow well -- in it.

Create an Inviting Outdoor Space, Follow these Principles
Cultivating Life by Sean Conway

Although all the spaces I have worked on for the project are different, there is a common set of principles for creating an inviting outdoor environment, whether you're revitalizing an abandoned lot filled with trash or just doing something more interesting with your back yard.

Gardening for the Birds
Cultivating Life by Sean Conway

If you're interested in attracting different species of birds to your yard, be ready to offer a buffet of enticing foods and shelters. One size (and a bag of birdseed) definitely does not fit all.

Composting: From Garden to Kitchen to Garden

The key to a good garden is good compost, and every gardener worth his salt should be making his own. Compost is a wonderful thing, plants are happy when grown in this sweet black soil amendment. Making your own is easy. Anything that once was living will eventually become compost. The trick is how fast you can harvest it.

 

Do-It-Yourself - Ask the Builder

When Installing Backer Board for Tile, Always Be Thinking of Moisture
Ask the Builder - Tim Carter

Recently I've been experimenting with some of the alternative backer boards. The most recent one I've worked with has a water-resistant gypsum core with a fiberglass mat backing and a handsome blue waterproof coating on the side that the tile adheres to. This material is code approved and recommended.

The Bathroom Mirror Conundrum
Ask the Builder - Tim Carter

A bathroom vanity mirror is a conundrum when building or remodeling. The problems you're having can be traced to poor planning, poor construction and/or poor supervision. You can see why it's so important to select all fixtures for a job long before you start.

Outdoor Porch Rooms Look Sumptuous, but Elements May Take Their Toll
Ask the Builder - Tim Carter

Contemporary outdoor porches I've seen in magazines and at home shows would never survive the weather and interlopers prevalent in many areas I'm familiar with. Driving rains, dust, birds, animals and thieves would ruin or rip off many of the things found in these spaces when the homeowner is not around to watch or protect them.

Why Paint When You Can Give the House a Good Wash
Ask the Builder - Tim Carter

Painting the exterior of a home can be very expensive, and sometimes it's not necessary. I'll gladly share my exterior cleaning house tips. It might save you thousands of dollars.

Installing Kitchen Cabinets a Tall Order for Do-It-Yourselfer
Ask the Builder by Tim Carter

Do-it-yourself cabinet installations can range from simple to extremely difficult.

Limestone Kitchen Countertops Stand Test of Time
Ask the Builder by Tim Carter

Limestone countertops rank right at the top of my take-your-breath-away countertop contest. I love granite tops because of the deep color and some of the magnificent crystals, but the buff shades of limestone mixed with the fossils create a classic look that will generate unending compliments from all who see the stone in your new kitchen.

Window Seats Make Great Addition to a Room & Not That Difficult to Build
Ask the Builder by Tim Carter

A window seat with storage is really the thing to have, as you'll get not only the function of the seat but the space beneath it as well. You can have hidden or open storage, but hidden storage -- which uses doors or a flip-top seat -- adds significantly to the cost and complexity of the project.

Replacing Old Windows Doesn't Always Save You Money
Ask the Builder by Tim Carter

To make an informed decision about investing in new windows, you need to put a pencil to paper. Among the many things you need to consider are current heating and cooling costs, projected maintenance of the existing windows, and future increases in the cost of fuel.

Planning A Screened-In Porch: What to Consider
Home Renovation Tip & Advice from Ask the Builder by Tim Carter

DEAR TIM: The next project at my home is a screened porch. I have looked at many plans, but none of them really excite me. After looking at some pictures, I have some really good ideas about what I want in my design. What should I take into consideration in this planning phase so that I end up with the perfect screened-in porch?

Two Main Forces Working Against Your Retaining Wall: Gravity and Frost
Home Renovation Tip & Advice from Ask the Builder by Tim Carter

DEAR TIM: Can you tell me how to build a retaining wall? Are retaining wall blocks a good choice? What critical things do I need to know so that I don't have a collapse or other failure in the years to come? I have access to lots of large stones. Can I just stack them to make a retaining wall from stone?

When Installing a Patio, Build It to Last
Home Renovation Tip & Advice from Ask the Builder by Tim Carter

DEAR TIM: I have decided to use patio pavers to build a nice outdoor space. Installing patio pavers seems easy enough. I don't want to make a mistake, so can you tell me how to install patio pavers? What method would you use? What should I be concerned about if I want a patio that looks good and is as maintenance free as possible?

Power-Wash the Deck or Do a Green Clean? The Pros and Cons
Home Care Tip & Advice from Ask the Builder by Tim Carter

DEAR TIM: I am having a spirited debate with my husband about how to clean a deck. The job doesn't seem that hard, but my husband wants to use a pressure washer, as he thinks it will save time. I want to use a green cleaner that is non-toxic and environmentally safe. What is the proper way to clean a deck and keep it looking nice? --Lisa T., Burlington, N.C.

 

Architectural Detail to a Home's Interior

HOME DECOR

From Common to Customized ' Add Value With Architectural Details
Architectural Details Increase your Home's 'Wow' Value & Selling Value

Architectural elements are the unique details that form the architectural style of houses and buildings.

Customizing your kitchen, baths, master bedroom or any other room with architectural details is a simple way set your home apart and increase the "wow factor" of those particular rooms and in turn the selling value of your home.

Interior Decorating Trend: Wallpaper Makes a Comeback
Home Decorating Trends & Tips

Since Oprah announced on her TV show that "wallpaper is back" and Time Magazine called wallpaper "hip" and the "latest passion" of interior designers, the plain painted wall seems a bit boring.

HOME DECORATING & INTERIOR DESIGN

Interior Design for the Sports Lover
Interior Home Decorating Trend

With the trend of sports decor becoming a mainstream choice throughout homes, decorating options are endless. Sports themes can range from fun and over-the-top to subtle and tasteful integrations depending on what the homeowner likes. Here are some ideas about where to start.

Island Innovations: Make the Most of Your Kitchen Space
Home Innovation Tip & Kitchen Islands

"The kitchen island has become the icon of the modern kitchen ' the 21st century equivalent of the old-fashioned hearth," says architect Duo Dickinson for This Old House Magazine. "It's easy to understand why - kitchen islands work."

Add Warmth and Value with Easy Weekend Projects
Easy Home Decorating Tips that can be accomplished over a weekend

You've got a weekend to work with and the inspiration to do something to dress up your home. You don't need to spend like a diva or wield a hammer like a home improvement show host to achieve a high-impact do-it-yourself project. Many value-enhancing, elegance-adding improvements can be accomplished in a weekend with minimal effort and expense.

A Good Excuse to Upgrade Your Home Entertainment System
Home Theater & Home Entertainment Systems

Television has come a long way since its introduction to the world in 1925, when Scottish inventor John Logie Baird successfully transmitted the first recognizable image -- the head of a ventriloquist's dummy.

Hot Home Decorating Tips - Freshen Up Your Home and Brighten Your Mood
Home Decorating Tips & Advice

Could your home be putting you in a bad mood? If so, you're not alone. A recent study shows that having a clean home in the winter makes 92 percent of adults feel happier. You don't have to undertake a major cleaning overhaul; just a little polishing here and there can boost your mood as much as a sunny day.

Hot Home Decorating Tips - Walls Get In Step With Fashion
Home Decorating Tips & Advice

Fashion and home decor trends are so closely aligned now that we can add a favorite new look or color scheme to both our wardrobes and our homes at the same time. One day you're shopping for handbags in the hottest color and the next day you find yourself reaching for pillows in a matching shade.

Hot Home Decorating Tips - Copy an Inspiration Room on a Budget
Home Decorating Tips & Advice

With a few easy tips, you can achieve a similar Inspiration Room look without the hefty price tag. The trick, experts say, is to draw "inspiration" from these examples and emulate the look and style with more affordable furnishings and decorations.

Hot Home Decorating, Color Trends and Tips - Interior Design and Decorating
Home Decorating Tips & Advice

Are you ready to get a jump start on discovering 2008's hottest decorating and paint color trends?   Winter is an ideal time to start planning your interior decorating spruce ups. And one of the easiest, least expensive ways to give a room a new look and feel is with paint.

Top 10 Home Decor Trends for 2008 - Interior Design and Architecture
Home Decorating Tips & Trends

Much like we can expect from the American people in next year's election, the votes among the nation's top interior designers and manufacturers are split when it comes to forecasting what will be "hot" in home decor in 2008.

Kitchen Color Trends and Tips - Interior Design and Decorating
Kitchen Decorating Tips & Advice

Every homeowner knows that the kitchen is the perfect place to please the palate. But it can also be the perfect place to add character with the color palette. When remodeling the hub of your home, choosing the right colors is an important part of the decision making process. But how do you choose colors that are compatible with your space and your taste?

The Art of Accent Colors: How to Use Color to Brighten a Room
Home Decorating Tips & Advice

Certain colors innately evoke different memories, thoughts or moods, according to a study conducted by Miami University. If your home is laced with walls that are too white or overbearingly dark, details in your d'cor can change everything. By recognizing this, it is easy to brighten up or give any room a little extra personality with accent colors.

Architectural Digest's The New AD 100 Top Interior Designers and Architects
Top 100 List from AD (Architectural Digest)