Check out this mural on an awkwardly shaped ceiling, which Kitty Bartholomew of HGTV fame had painted in her bedroom. Typically a tray ceiling is a real boost to a home’s architecture. But in this 1930s Cape Cod home, it was out of place. The room had apparently been added on and the modern style…
Are you a fan of Consumer Reports? I am. Totally. The nonprofit company’s integrity and independence remind me of the good old days of journalism. In the May issue of the magazine, CR named the Best and Worst in home fix-it-up products. The winners and losers include: Cordless tool kits Porter-Cable PCL418C-2 and Skil 2887-16 cordless-tool kits Porter-Cable PCL418C-2 and Skil…
Own an older home? Beginning April 22, only contractors who have been trained in safe handling of lead-contaminated paint dust can legally work on your home. And that’s a good thing for you. If you’ve been keeping up with contractor-type news, you know that contractors are not happy at all with a soon-to-be enforced EPA…
I'll tell a word that really annoys me: Neutral. Could there be anything more boring? Yet you'll see people walking through a boring house and remarking: "Love the neutral colors." And I'm like: "What's to love?" I guess I'm a little more radical than some. I like COLORS! This green kitchen rocks my world. And…
A collection of painted chairs set to music. For inspirational purposes. 3 minutes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 22, 2009 WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is marking National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week by announcing several actions the agency proposes to take to prevent lead poisoning. Lead poisoning may cause a variety of adverse health effects, including brain and nervous system disorders, high blood pressure, and hypertension. Children…
This stucco building on Esplanade Avenue in the French Quarter is so extremely attractive. Strange as it sounds, this home has elements of a fairly typical Victorian color scheme. I could almost eat it. Here are the colors involved: • Stucco: Coral • Shutters: Periwinkle blue • Columns, window frames, door frames: Ecru • Column bases: Terra…
Do you have a room that stinks? If so, I suggest you do the following: Step 1 — Identify what stinks Step 2 — Get rid of it The stinky thing could be dirty socks. A mold problem. A dirty ashtray. A cat box. A dirty dog. (Well, don't get rid of the dog. But…
It's time to get thrifty, people. This patio furniture was bought by Felix Neals and Arleen Flores-Neals, a young couple I met in L.A. Arleen found these pieces at a big-box store and she noticed they were faded and scratched from hanging around the store too long. So she haggled with the manager and got…
Question: I have hated my brick fireplace since day one of living in my otherwise-fabulous home. I have considered removing the brick altogether and creating a brand-new one by placing stucco over it with a mantle, or painting the brick white and adding a rich, dark wooden mantle on top. Actually, a Williams-Sonoma home store…