Here’s our guide to improving, maintaining, and enjoying your house. With information on everything from home technology and reducing energy costs to outdoor living and working from home, these articles will help you care for your house and get the most out of living there.
Pumpkins can add a warm and homey touch to your decor throughout the fall, not just at Halloween. Consider these creative ideas for decorating with pumpkins. All kinds of pumpkins Today’s pumpkins come in a dazzling range of colors, from traditional bright orange to more muted orange tones, white, green and gray. Sizes vary, too:… Read more »
You may have been puzzled by acronyms on the label when buying sheets or towels. OEKO-TEX®? GOTS? What do these terms mean? And what do they tell you about the product you are buying? Here’s our primer on textile certifications. OEKO-TEX® Home textiles such as mattresses, towels, sheets, curtains, kitchen linens and rugs marked with… Read more »
Older homes have a charm and character that’s hard to find in brand-new construction. If you’ve bought one, you may want something different than today’s modern decor. Fortunately, you can freshen an older home’s look while remaining true to its original style. Check out these tips for decorating an older home. Begin at the beginning… Read more »
Switching to smart light bulbs is a great way to add smart technology to your home. What can smart bulbs do that traditional bulbs can’t? Here’s a primer on smart light bulbs. What are smart light bulbs? Smart light bulbs look much like regular LED bulbs, but with Wi-Fi, you can remotely control them through… Read more »
Area rugs can add coziness, color, and texture to a room. They can also ground a room and define specific areas. However, choosing the proper size area rug can be challenging. Here’s our guide to area rug sizes. Better too big than too small Area rugs generally come in standard sizes of 6 x 9… Read more »
Workstation sinks are an increasingly popular option in kitchen design. These sinks can improve workflow and efficiency but typically take up more space than standard sinks. Is a workstation sink right for your kitchen? What is a workstation sink? A workstation sink combines the functions of a sink and a work area into one space…. Read more »
All gardens are beautiful, but a meadow garden provides additional benefits. These gardens help support wildlife and are easier to maintain than lawns or other gardens. Here’s what you need to know about converting all or part of your yard to a meadow garden. Meadow garden basics Meadow gardens feature native plants. That means they… Read more »
A cozy mattress and the perfect pillow are vital to a good night’s sleep but don’t overlook the importance of comfortable sheets. Sleeping on the wrong ones can have you tossing and turning. Here’s what you need to know about buying sheets. What are you looking for? Before buying sheets, decide what you are looking… Read more »
Weeds invade every part of your landscape. Gardens require constant vigilance because weeds can interfere with your flowers or vegetables. Here are some tips for whacking those weeds. Weeds and their seeds are everywhere Weed seeds are constantly on the move. They travel in the wind and in bird droppings. They can even hitch a… Read more »
Maintaining consistent soil moisture is vital to keeping the foundation of your home stable. You may need to water your foundation with persistent high temperatures and drought. At other times you may need to take steps to keep water away from it. Here’s what to know about protecting and maintaining your home’s foundation. Soil responses… Read more »
You can’t afford shoddy work when high winds or hail damage your roof. Unfortunately, bad actors roofers often exploit besieged homeowners after storms strike. Here’s how to protect yourself and find a quality roofing contractor. Predatory practices When damaging storms rake a neighborhood with hail or high winds, signs advertising roofing contractors pop up like… Read more »
Vinyl record albums peaked in the 1970s. But their sales plunged in the following decades as magnetic tape, CDs and streaming music advanced. Now, technological enhancements have breathed new life into nostalgia for vinyl albums and turntables. Back to the future Fans of classic vinyl albums and turntables can now enjoy the best of both… Read more »
In neighborhoods with a homeowners association (HOA), you may have to get approval for remodeling or landscape projects from the association’s architectural control committee (ACC). What is this committee’s purpose? How do you get approval for your plan? Here’s what you need to know. What does the architectural control committee do? The architectural control committee,… Read more »
Ductless mini-split heating and air-conditioning units bring climate-controlled air to spaces where traditional ducted systems aren’t feasible. A do-it-yourselfer can usually handle the regular maintenance. Here’s what you need to know. Ductless mini-split monthly maintenance Your mini-split unit inside the house has a return air intake with two filters shielding thin evaporator coils from airborne… Read more »
Sometimes you need air conditioning or heat in a home without attic or basement space to run ducts. A ductless mini-split unit may be your best answer in those situations. What is a ductless mini-split, and is it the right solution for you? HVAC without ducts A ductless mini-split is a heating and air-conditioning (HVAC)… Read more »
Blinds and shades do double duty when it comes to your windows. These treatments are a great way to add attractive accents to a room’s decor, but they also allow you to control your privacy and the amount of light that enters the space. Here’s our primer on buying blinds and shades. Before you buy… Read more »
You’ve painted the walls, moved in the furniture and hung the pictures, but your new room is still missing something. It’s probably texture, the finishing touch that adds life to home decor. Here’s why texture is essential to good design and how to add it to any room. What is texture? Texture is anything that… Read more »
Want to beautify your garden and save time and money on maintenance while giving Mother Nature a hand? Add native plants to your yard, a relatively simple task that pays off big. Here’s a primer on gardening with native plants. What are native plants? Native plants are those naturally found in your area, as opposed… Read more »
If you’re a bird lover, it takes just a few steps to turn your backyard into a haven filled with brilliant colors and cheerful songs. Here’s how to attract birds to your backyard. Birds want the basics Much like humans, birds want food, water, shelter and a place to nest. The more of those you… Read more »
A piano brings beautiful music into your home but can also present a decorating challenge. Pianos often don’t fit well into your space or design style. Here are some tips for decorating with a piano. Focal point or background music? The first thing you should do if you decorate with a piano is decide whether… Read more »
