Month: July 2011

Style and function: key elements of today’s kitchen

When your family comes home at the end of the day – from school, work, a play date or extracurricular activities – it’s very likely the first thing they do is dump whatever they’re carrying on the kitchen table or counter and grab a glass for a drink. The kitchen is also where you prepare meals, …

Tips to green your kitchen every day

The mantra of the green earth movement – reduce, reuse, recycle – can easily be adapted in your kitchen. No need to redo your entire kitchen with bamboo floors, the newest energy efficient appliances, counters made of recycled paper and yogurt containers, and locally made antique cabinetry. In fact, the greenest option is to keep the …

Home Restoration & Finishing Tip

Maintaining outdoor fencing and decking can be quite the challenge, particularly for those of us living in areas where there’s seasonal snowfall. Similarly, decks overlooking pools can be difficult to keep up because of the constant chlorine damage. It can become quite habitual to seasonally stain and re-stain a deck the same color it was previously, …

Designer tricks for the do-it-yourselfer

(HIB) – Ever watch those TV design shows and wonder how to replicate the look in your own home? It’s easy to incorporate designer tricks into your space, no matter the style or existing decor. Focus on adding layers of color and texture, and notice how hues flow from room to room to create a cohesive …

Federally-Backed Loans for Major Energy Efficiency Upgrades? Believe It

Many homeowners looking to lower their utility bills may try to seek a cheaper electricity supplier, if they live in a state that has deregulated its energy market.  Others may be looking into home improvement projects that will improve the energy efficiency of their homes.  For folks looking into more ambitious home improvement projects, the federal …