Month: February 2014
(BPT) - It’s easy to dream of perfectly pristine outdoor spaces when looking at the decks in magazines and online, but too often what we want and what we have don’t align. If your deck suffers from weathered wood, loose railings or dated ba...
(BPT) - Small lawns have many of the same needs and issues as larger lawns, but they don’t always require the same bulky tools to get the job done. A smart arsenal for small lawn care includes some sturdy hand tools and a few small, but powerful,...
(BPT) - Some home improvements are simply worth a larger investment to achieve outstanding results. The extra investment ensures optimum returns in value, beauty and livability. Indoors, kitchens and baths rate that extra attention. Outdoors, decks are the pinnacle of great home improvements. Kitchen or bath improvements must mesh with the quality and decor of the …
(BPT) - When selling a house, the mantra for most is neutral, neutral, neutral. To help potential new owners envision themselves moving in, real estate experts remind sellers to de-personalize their homes. That means removing family photos and mementos...
(BPT) - Nearly everyone has a home improvement 'impossible dream' - an inground pool in a postage-stamp-sized backyard or a professional-grade kitchen on a $5,000 budget. Some homeowners might say their can't-do renovation is adding a bathroom in an im...
(BPT) - From genteel porches in the East to sleek, seaside balconies in the West, the popularity of outdoor living spaces is poised for significant growth from coast to coast with industry analysts predicting it will be a $5.7 billion market by 2016. Reinforcing these projections, 63 percent of architects cite an outdoor living space as …
(BPT) - As spring rolls around, it’s time to start thinking about yard maintenance. If your budget is tight, you might be tempted to let the lawn care slide, but maintaining a great lawn doesn’t need to be expensive – and the reward f...
A lot of people ask me about bathrooms, which isn’t as strange as it sounds as I’ve been designing them for nearly 20 years now. With so many different styles available nowadays it’s always an adventure designing a bathroom for someone. It’s honestly a lot more fun and creative than it sounds. Obviously there are staples …
(BPT) - The bedroom is an oasis. It’s the place where you wake up, energized and ready to start the day, as well as where you slip away and unwind from the day’s activities. This is the one room that is truly yours, so make sure it’s a reflection of your personality. Looking for a place …
(BPT) - Soon, winter will be winding down and homeowners will start planning – and prepping for – a variety of outdoor projects for spring. From cleaning, repairing or replacing decks, to creating raised beds for veggies and flowers, now is...
(BPT) - Remodeling a home’s decor leaves the space feeling fresh and new – something which all family members will enjoy for years to come. However, a home remodel can do more than just improve the looks of rooms in the house. It can also i...
(BPT) - No matter if you live on a coast or in the Upper Midwest, you can use your outdoor spaces to the fullest in any season by adding a few enhancements. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, it's easy to add features like a seat wall a...
As we move ever deeper into the benthic pools of winter, we see the nights grow darker and the mercury shrink further down the thermometer. Less poetically, I suppose we could sum up January thus: it’s freezing! Yep, we huddle down in our homes, swaddled in big jumpers, with our hero the central heating system keeping …