Month: July 2014
One of the biggest obstacles to revamping your home (besides motivation) is the cost. Out with the old and in with the new can be an expensive philosophy. Why not try working with what you have, slashing your budget and possibly making some money out of it? Here’s a few ideas to get the ball rolling: …
(BPT) - Summer is often a great time to tackle your do-it-yourself and “making” projects. But between summertime travel, social commitments and long hours at the office, carving out time to “make” can be challenging.This Labor D...
(BPT) - Warm weather, continued care and robust plants have yielded a bounty of beautiful, fresh vegetables – and personal satisfaction – from your garden this season. As the weather cools and fall approaches, it is not time to hang up your...
(BPT) - Deck season is in full swing, but before you mix that pitcher of lemonade or fire up the grill, you may want to give your deck a much-needed makeover. “If you’ve never cleaned and stained your deck before, you probably have lo...
(BPT) - Think home technology begins with your wireless, programmable thermostat and ends with the high-definition, 3-D, web-enabled flat-screen TV with surround sound? Think again – whole home technology means using leading-edge devices to impro...
(BPT) - Remember when brass fixtures and mauve countertops were all the rage in kitchen design? How about the days of shag carpet (yes, in the bathroom) and avocado tile? Fortunately, those particular trends have come and gone. And, whether you embrace...
(BPT) - With the arrival of warm summer temperatures, it’s time to brighten the home with sensational summer shades. And it’s easy to add a pop of vibrant color with the help from the experts at Krylon spray paint.“Painting is a proje...
(BPT) - Beautifying your bathroom sounds exciting but oftentimes renovation plans begin with good intentions and end up a long, costly nightmare. The national average cost for a bathroom remodel is $10,142, according to the Cost Guide from HomeAdvisor....
(BPT) - You’ve spent the summer tending and nurturing vegetables that have flourished, and now you have such an abundance of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and leafy greens, your home is starting to resemble the produce section of a grocery store.S...
(BPT) - Summer is here and this is the time when you want to be outside as much as possible, soak up the sun, eat amazing food and enjoy the company of family and friends. You’ll also see more of your home’s exterior on days like this than ...
(BPT) - Beautiful weather begs to be enjoyed, but a drab deck, dated patio and dull lighting can drive homeowners indoors fast. A few home improvements can ensure seasons full of outdoor comfort, all while enhancing your house’s value and exterio...
(BPT) - Mom rules the media room, Johnny loves the basement workshop and the kitchen is Dad’s domain. Gender roles notwithstanding, each family member has one room where he or she enjoys spending more time. One room, however, is equally used and ...
(BPT) - If this year’s summer vacation plans involve more hardware than beachwear, don’t fret. Just apply tried-and-true trip-planning principles to your “staycation” renovation plans and you can ensure both your time and money are well spent.Set a budgetYou would rarely take a vacation without setting a limit on the amount of money you can spend. …
(BPT) - There are regular backyard projects and then there are those special backyard projects that bring families closer together, both during the construction and while enjoying the finished piece.If you want to improve your backyard with a special project for your family this year but you’re not sure what to build, here are a few …
(BPT) - Summer is the ideal time to host events at home with family and friends. But is your home ready for summer soirees? The kitchen is the heart of the home and where people naturally congregate, so it’s important it showcases your signature ...
(BPT) - Cheeseburgers, chicken thighs and hot dogs are common fare at summer barbeques, but what about guests who are looking to reduce their meat intake? In addition to traditional meat dishes, there are many ways to prepare meals on the grill that ev...
(BPT) - Moving up – vacating your current, smallish home for a larger, roomier abode – was the American way before the Great Recession. Now that the economy is humming again, at least some of the people who stayed put during those lean year...