Blog
Our New, Old Kitchen: How We Rose to the Remodeling Challenge
If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then ours was in need of a triple bypass. When we bought a house halfway across the country – without having set foot in it – we knew there would be…
Can Houseplants Really Clean the Air?
Houseplants can improve your life in many ways (more on that later), but if you’re expecting that peace lily on your desk to rid your home of toxins, you’re in for a surprise. A 1989 NASA study attempted to find new…
Design Pros' Secrets for Finding and Using Reclaimed Materia
When you ask Seattle-based house flippers Lora Lindberg and Debbie Cederlind where to find the best home-restoration materials, they quickly reply in unison, “Craigslist.” Lindberg and Cederlind of Urban Squirrel Residential Restoration have been flipping houses and using reclaimed materials…
With This DIY Sporting Goods Catch-all, Game Day Is No Sweat
This project will help you organize your garage and become the LeBron James of DIY projects. With all your gear in the same place, you’ll always be prepared when someone yells, “Where’s my basketball?” (Or volleyball, hockey stick, tennis racket, etc.) See…
Designer Lookbook: Caitlin Murray's Minty Fresh Kitchen Reva
For HGTV’s hit television show “House Hunters,” California designer Caitlin Murray of Black Lacquer Design was tapped to renovate the dated kitchen in a quaint 1940s bungalow, located in the Los Angeles valley. Last renovated in the ’80s, the drab…
3 Reasons Painting Your Wood Floors Is Not as Crazy as You Think
You’ll never see them do it on a TV design show. You won’t hear a contractor propose it. And you sure won’t find an aisle devoted to it at your home improvement store. In fact, it feels a little bit…
These Stylish Floors Will Make You Rethink Your Renovation Plans
Some trends come and go, and others are mainstays. But when it comes to flooring, classic styles with a refreshed twist become instant hits. Below are some of our favorite versatile flooring looks. Herringbone hardwood Looking to update your space…
"Where Should I Keep My…?": Solving the Ultimate
When you’re renting, square footage is something to be savored, not squandered. It’s hard enough finding a home for your everyday must-haves, let alone bulky, infrequently used, or offseason items like snowshoes, pool toys, and holiday decorations. Whatever your hobby or…
3 Design Tricks That Will Make Your Small Space Feel Big
Do you have a small space in your home that you’re unsure what to do with? Or is your cramped apartment forcing you to be creative in your living arrangements? You’re not alone. Make your small room or living area fit…
5 Retro Decorating Trends That Deserve a Comeback
Some home decor looks are just too good to let go. The boldly colored kitchen cabinets of the ’50s are taking on a sophisticated modern look. The late ’80s country kitchen look is enjoying new life – minus the gingham…
3 Steps to Creating an Organized Entryway (Even If You Don't
Drop zones, mudrooms, utility rooms, entryways, “places to leave your stuff.” Whatever you choose to call them, these spaces are invaluable as a spot to kick off your shoes, drop your keys, and keep everything you’ll need for the next…
Designer Lookbook: Jessica Helgerson's Authentic Mid-Century
When Portland interior designer Jessica Helgerson faced the daunting task of renovating a mid-century treasure, her first question was: “What would Saul do?” The residence in question, the Feldman House, was designed by local architect Saul Zaik in 1956. The wood-clad home,…
8 Beautiful Home Projects Using Reclaimed Wood
Reclaimed wood can be recovered from a wide variety of sources, but it most frequently comes from timber framing and decking used in old barns, factories, and warehouses. Some tell-tale signs of reclaimed wood include nail holes, manufacturer stamps, and…
Designer Lookbook: VW Fowlkes' Simple-Meets-Sensual D.C. Hom
In early 2011, VW Fowlkes, principal and founder of Fowlkes Studio in Washington, D.C., was struggling with a conundrum. His clients, a husband and wife in their mid-forties, didn’t see eye to eye on the new design for their two-story,…
This Pool Noodle DIY Puts Summer Refreshment Within Reach
Create your very own swim-up bar in the backyard pool with this floating cooler – perfect for those dog days of summer when you just don’t feel like getting out of the water. Here’s how to make this buoyant bar. 1.…
Designer Lookbook: Summer Thornton's Mediterranean Home Make
Interior designer Summer Thornton turned a newly constructed Mediterranean-style house in sunny Naples, FL into a beautiful vacation home, featuring refined decor and a soothing color palette. “The homeowner wanted it to feel bright, casual, and elegant, so I steered…
9 Pools That Will Make You Wish Every Week Were Shark Week
We’re all bummed that Michael Phelps didn’t race a real shark. Instead of heading to the beach, we’ll console ourselves during the non-viewing hours of Shark Week by splashing around somewhere we know it’s safe to go in the water:…
9 Easy Ways to Cut Your Electric Bill by up to $750
We all want to save energy and money, right? But it’s not always so easy – perhaps you don’t have the time for a home energy audit, or maybe there simply isn’t room in the budget for that energy-saving appliance you…