Fresh paint, new home offices and hardwood floors bring homeowners joy
by Judy Stringer Americans spent $420 billion in 2020 on home remodeling ventures, according to a new study released by the National Association of Realtors and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. The NAR/NARI report aimed to calculate consumers’ viewpoints toward their remodeling projects upon completion. Projects that made the renovators want to remain […]
Personalization at heart of room makeover success
by Melissa Martin Let’s face it. Redecorating the living spaces in your home always sounds like an exciting undertaking, but with so many decisions to make – from selecting the perfect paint shade to picking out the right upholstery – the process has the potential to become overwhelming before you even settle on a color […]
Thrift expert shares successful secondhand shopping strategy
by Judy Stringer Whether you’re on a budget or trying to live more sustainably by reusing or repurposing items, finding the right pieces of secondhand furnishing can take more time and patience than running to the nearest store or logging onto a mega home goods site. “But it’s also totally worth the extra effort,” said […]
Add color to the kitchen through cabinets and islands
by Laura Bednar While white remains a classic neutral for kitchen cabinets, other colors are beginning to set the scene for the entire room. Darlene Justice, designer and marketer for Architectural Justice Design Center in Medina, said she has seen many muted blues and greens as choices for cabinet color this year. And while warmer […]
Plan ahead for a safe DIY demo
by Judy Stringer “Demo day” has been popularized on home renovation programs as a seemingly easy – even fun – project homeowners can do on their own. When else do you get to wield a sledgehammer or kick down drywall and save money in the process? While labor costs vary by region, contractor referral service […]
Make the most of limited linen closet space
by Erica Peterson While linen closets offer welcome storage, keeping items organized is essential for making them functional. “Most linen closets tend to be a catch-all for everything,” said Ann Faber, a professional organizer with FAB Simple Spaces in Bath. In addition to towels and sheets, they often contain medicine and first aid kits, extra cleaning supplies and […]
Multiple patterns help create smart, styled living spaces
by Judy Stringer People tend to fear printed home décor and patterns in much the same way they fear bold colors, said Julie Pawlowski, owner of Hudson-based MOD: Matter of Design. In an attempt to avoid misusing patterns, many homeowners opt to use them sparing or not at all. That, the designer said, is a mistake. “Patterns add […]
Neutral palettes still favored for interior paint refresh
by Laura Straub A fresh coat of paint is an inexpensive, simple way to refresh a room and set a new tone for your space. With countless colors and techniques to choose from, current trends are a great starting point when it comes to selecting a new style. According to Bob Manashian, administrator at Advanced Painting Ohio in Broadview Heights, gray palettes have been red hot for the past few […]
Kitchen remodel must-haves offer both style and practicality
by Jacqueline Mitchell Remodeling the kitchen involves striking a balance between function and design to create both an optimal cooking space and a beautiful setting to gather and entertain. Some of the latest, most-coveted updates, such as quartz countertops, drawer cabinets and beverage stations, fulfill both of those needs with their functionality and style. Local […]