Decade-young modern farmhouse aesthetic shows no sign of fading
by Judy Stringer It’s been 10 years since celebrity designer Joanna Gaines of HGTV’s “Fixer Upper” brought the modern farmhouse aesthetic into vogue, yet this design style is far from dated. In May, in fact, wallpaper designer Hovia labeled modern farmhouse as the most popular home décor style in the U.S., after analyzing Google Trends data across […]
Updating a century home without sacrificing its charm
by Laura Bednar There are many characteristics in an older house that make it a charming and unique space, but there are others that are outdated and can lead to a variety of issues. Done right, renovations to a century home don’t have to detract from its character and can enhance the foundation already in […]
You don’t have to break the bank for an effective robotic vacuum
by Melissa Martin When it comes to cleaning, there’s nothing quite like having it done for you. But if you can’t afford a cleaning service, often the next best thing is using a device to simplify the process. That’s where robotic vacuums have made their mark in recent years. Though they can’t make floor cleaning […]
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 […]