With all of the recent attention brought to conservation and the preservation of our natural resources, many of us have a desire to do our part when building or remodeling. Despite our good intentions, sometimes a tight budget can... Read More »
The Pacific Northwest is known for its abundant forests filled with beautiful tall timber. However, our population is growing by leaps and bounds, and the housing industry must continue; so how can we prevent the depletion of our natural... Read More »
There are a variety of reasons for replacing a front door. One instance could be a well-functioning door that doesn’t make the statement you desire. This upgrade is a sound decision as a quality door, correctly installed, can enhance... Read More »
Suspended fireplaces, now that’s a title that catches your attention! What exactly are they; are they practical, or just a passing fad? A suspended fireplace is just that, a fireplace that ascends gracefully from the ceiling into... Read More »
So you’ve finally decided to build that addition, or maybe a completely new home. You’ve heard all about the new green building products, but is it possible to build a room completely green? The seed has been planted; let’s... Read More »
Feng Shui, wind and water, is the ancient Chinese practice of placement to achieve a harmonious, relaxing environment. "Feng" means "wind" and "shui" means "water" (pronounced fung-shway). In Chinese culture, gentle wind and clear... Read More »
Your family is active, living life to the fullest. This includes spending a lot of time in your home. Do you find yourself stretched thin trying to keep your home from feeling like an over-crowded daycare? Maybe it’s time to remodel... Read More »
Unless you have my grandfather’s philosophy of “company is like fish, after three days they began to stink,” you probably want your guest room to be as comfortable and accommodating as possible. Not only will your guests enjoy... Read More »
There are many things to consider when you are designing a home office. Since more and more people are working from home or telecommute, the home office should not be just another place to “make it through a day’s work.” It... Read More »
The bedroom presents a unique situation for lighting. You want adequate lighting, but nothing overbearing or unattractive. Fortunately, lighting fixtures are one area where there is a very large selection for the consumer to choose... Read More »
If you step into the lighting section of a home improvement store, you’ll realize just how large of a selection there is of indoor lighting. It helps to break it down a bit before you start shopping, and to have a general idea... Read More »
Sconce lighting, lighting mounted on the wall, is historically one of the earliest placements of interior and exterior lighting. Originally, these fixtures were mobile so the homeowner could easily carry a candle or lantern throughout... Read More »
Lighting is an important element in a home. You need adequate natural lighting to capitalize on whatever daylight is available, and attractive, energy efficient light fixtures for the evening.Chandeliers have long been used as a... Read More »
All new parents are initially overwhelmed with the tremendous responsibility of having a child; and we all want to be as well prepared as possible. Ensuring your child has a healthy, safe nursery or playroom helps alleviate some... Read More »
We Americans love our pets to the degree that we make them part of our families. They persuade our choice of hobbies and share our lives and homes. Our domestic favorites, dogs and cats, share most of our common living space and... Read More »
Each home is a testament to its owner’s tastes, preferences and interests, and it’s the details that make it so. Whether you’re building new, adding a room, or pursuing a simple face lift to a kitchen or bath, hardware is... Read More »
The front of your home is the first impression of your house to the outside world. Your entryway should be attractive, inviting, and an asset to your home.Your door style can be an important element in creating an attractive entryway.... Read More »
To keep up with today’s fast-paced world, your life has to run efficiently, and organization is the key to efficiency. If your home is overcrowded, it is impossible to stay organized, and the disarray can subtly affect all aspects... Read More »
Planning a new laundry room addition is very exciting. You spend anywhere from 5 to 8 hours a week in this room, so it is very important to pay attention to details as they will make doing laundry more convenient, save time, and... Read More »
The word “sunroom” alone has a wonderful connotation of warmth and relaxation. If you’re planning to add or renovate one, you want to design it for optimal warmth and light. The following three designs are examples of what... Read More »
If you are among the specific group for whom a wine cellar makes sense, here are a few facts to consider. First of all, installing a wine cellar doesn’t mean you’ll be tunneling down to limestone caves. While this may have been... Read More »
Squeaky floors and heavy footsteps plague sleepers around the world every day and night. Therefore, soundproofing is vital to the lasting enjoyment of any home, especially in shared-wall situations such as apartments, duplexes, and... Read More »
From the time you are a small child you start formulating the dreams of what you hope to accomplish "when I grow up." Those dreams change as you mature and change with the world around you. By the time you enter the workforce and begin... Read More »
There is nothing quite as unsettling as the feeling of subtle rumbling and rolling caused by an earthquake. For those of us who have experienced it, especially if you live on the West Coast, you know that unnerving sensation I'm referring... Read More »
Bright lights, contrast controls on your TV, volume control, language choices at the ATM, closed captioning, wide-handled spoons, deep dishes, and flat-paneled light switches. These are all aspects of Universal Design that most of... Read More »
Basements can either be a great asset to a building or a great detriment. If it is damp, prone to water seepage, and various molds and mildews, it can be more of a problem than it’s worth. However, if properly contained, it can be... Read More »
Before the modern age of artificial products and mass production, homes and furniture were handmade from more natural materials. There were fewer chemical adhesives and stains, and homes were generally healthier. In addition, when... Read More »
In freshman English class you learn about juxtaposition. That is, the placing of two antonymous words side by side. The affordable remodel, it so often seems, falls right into that category. So how do you do it? And do it best? ... Read More »
The end of summer is quickly approaching, and fall is in the air. Children are back in school, and the leaves are beginning to fall. Each season brings its own unique beauty and what better way to enjoy the changes than to incorporate... Read More »
Do you love to entertain, but can never be the host because your house is too small or not in good repair? Life is too short not to be able to fully enjoy your friends and family. Why not take a fresh look at your house and figure... Read More »
There are several dirty words in the English language. In remodeling there are but two: lead and asbestos. Lead is fairly well taken care of, being primarily an extinct ingredient of house paints. Asbestos, however, presents a tougher... Read More »
There is a science behind interior design. Each style is characterized by something, and different periods throughout history embrace different styles. One popular design that held a large influence in the early 20th century was the... Read More »
When you're ready to remodel, or even if you're in the early stages of thinking about remodeling, it's time to start considering materials for the job. The materials you eventually select will define the look and functionality of the... Read More »
One of the most defining architectural characteristics of a home is the staircase. Stairs can be built in many different ways, from many different materials, serving many different functions. In fact, the function of a staircase will... Read More »
Laundry is an ongoing chore, like dishes, and organization is the key to getting it done and done fast. If you are looking for a fall remodeling project, let me suggest looking at that crowded catch-all laundry room. Gone are the days... Read More »
Corner spaces are easy to decorate effectively. It's surprising how many great solutions there are for creating visual appeal, utilitarian functionality, or both. Here's an interesting tidbit from an article about corner spaces... Read More »
Some friends of mine recently decided to get out of town. They wanted to go rural and so decided on buying an old barn and make it their new home. They loved the open space it provided, the freedom from that crowded feeling. After... Read More »
When the Baby Boomer generation started raising families, homes started getting bigger, a sure sign of success in the Boomers' eyes. Houses have continued to get bigger and bigger, with a heftier price tag attached. With the market... Read More »
Often, we look around us and are awed by the sheer wonder of nature. We try to mimic these wonders in many of the ways we use light, color, art, and design. In our search to better serve nature, new technologies have come about. At... Read More »
Large, spacious rooms are growing more and more popular, with open floor plans that combine living, dining, and kitchen areas. In many cases, a vaulted ceiling soars high above the "great room," adding to the feeling of overall spaciousness. It... Read More »
Arches in architecture have been used in building designs for centuries. In modern home construction, their structural strength has been all but eliminated; for sheer beauty, an archway can be stunning. An arch at your front entryway... Read More »
Homeowners used to spend a huge amount of money remodeling their kitchens and baths. They forked out thousands of dollars updating their living rooms and family rooms. Of course, there used to be a higher return for those beautiful... Read More »
Trellises give focus, emphasis, and vertical interest to the overall landscape. They can break up the open space of your yard and make large spaces more intimate. They can accentuate desirable aspects within the yard. They can... Read More »
In a recent article for The Future of Real Estate's blog about home libraries being back in style, June Fletcher writes, "In the library of her 5,800-square-foot house in Glen Cove, NY, Linda Teitelbaum keeps trophies from dog shows,... Read More »
Are you looking to add some life to your home decor? Plants can do the trick for you. "But I haven't really grown any indoor plants and we don't have any space" you say. Or maybe you have tried but the effort wasn't successful.... Read More »
The last frontier, the last space to get decorated, the most forgotten room in the house is usually the hallway. Here's a space where you can really get creative and show off your designer talents. There are many creative ideas... Read More »
Gothic design was the first true ecclesiastical style, symbolic of the Catholic Church's triumph over pagan Europe. The period was influenced by Roman and Medieval architecture. While its initial design was from 1150 to 1550,... Read More »
In many regions of our country, winter is already beginning to set in. If you haven't done so already, now is the time to prepare your home to combat the harsh winter elements. One of the greatest ways to increase the energy efficiency... Read More »
Fireclay is a specific kind of clay used in the manufacture of ceramics, especially fire brick. The fire attribution is given for its refractory characteristics. According to Wikipedia, there are two types of fire clay: flint clay... Read More »
Oftentimes, when a remodel is started, one of the big surprises encountered is the amount of debris and scrap accumulated each day. Big or small, a remodel requires different types of building materials including wood, metal, sheetrock,... Read More »
For an earthy, natural look, adobe and clay can be excellent choices – especially if you are doing a green remodel. Adobe and clay building materials are made of natural substances and have been used in construction for centuries,... Read More »
Colored glass has lifted the spirits of people for many centuries, notably in the rich, stained glass windows in churches, temples, and chapels. Stained glass windows also adorned castles of old, and were used in grand urban train... Read More »
In many cases, changing the bedroom is an important rite of passage that reflects a significant life change. Some of these changes are:Buying a new homeBecoming singleGetting marriedHaving a babyChildhood transition from early to... Read More »
While safety and evacuation should be the first thoughts in the event of a fire in the home, the first line of defense against small fires is the fire extinguisher. Just remember that fire spreads rapidly, so the first move should... Read More »
Your staircase may not be the sweeping display of Tara's in Gone with the Wind, but I am sure it is the centerpiece of the room in which it stands. Being so, you may have reasons to remodel or upgrade it. Redesigning your staircase... Read More »
Here's how the story typically goes: They've bought a house with an attic bedroom, but the ceiling follows the pitch of the trusses and leaves less than two feet of actual walking space down the center of the room. They already... Read More »
If you've made the decision to "go green" on your next remodeling project then chances are you're a devoted fan to conserving our planets resources for generations to come. Going green is not just a product –it's a way of life... Read More »
Textured tile is a category of tile that includes a wide range of tile styles from simple, barely-there textures to outrageous 3-D tiles that mimic sea coral, shag carpeting, and natural sponges.Rough tile is a category that includes... Read More »
Even though living in the desert may sound a bit unappealing to the majority of us, a large number of people in the southern portion of our country do live in desert-like environments. The desert is a hot, dry environment, where... Read More »
I have lived in cold climates my whole life and know that if not properly maintained, your home can take quite a beating. Icy winds, snow drifts, and cold temperatures can wreak havoc on a building, but only if you fail to properly... Read More »
With the refreshing salty air, the cries of the gulls, the distant call of a fog horn, the sea is an awesome body of water that has drawn admirers for ages. Many love to build their dream homes near her soothing waves, but sometimes... Read More »
In a perfect world, home improvement projects are wonderful, enjoyable, and go off without a glitch. Even though I'm confident that is exactly how your project will go, it is wise to be aware of some possible nightmares that may... Read More »
Even though home construction and sales have dropped immensely, kitchen and bath remodeling is still on the homeowner planning board. Are you someone who would like to make improvements to your home, but hesitate because the budget... Read More »
Say you're making a checklist for how to make your house significantly greener. Upon categorizing your energy usage, you'll probably find that lighting, heating and cooling, and appliances eat up a sizable part of the checklist.... Read More »