Product Review: Grout Sensation

We were asked to post an article about Grout Sensation on our blog, so we thought we’d go a step further and test this ourselves and write a review about it for our readers.  The company representative was very accommodating and our samples arrived in the mail in no time at all. Grout Sensation is sold as …

How to refresh home decor and be a budget-savvy trendsetter

Many people use just one word to describe lavish, luxurious homes filled with the latest interior design trends: unattainable. These dream homes that appear on television programs and grace the pages of magazines are seen as projects that can only be executed by affluent homeowners who chase trends and change decor with every season. But, according …

Choosing your Ironmongery

The finish touches to a home make a huge difference, not only in its final appearance but also in its functionality. The door furniture or ironmongery is, at times, overlooked at the design phase which can be a costly mistake from the security point of view or result in a finished product that does not meet …

Improve your landscape and lower your water bills at the same time

You turn the faucet off when brushing your teeth and installed low-flow toilets and showerheads – but your outdated irrigation system could be undermining your efforts to save water. The average American household uses 30 percent or more of its water outdoors in landscaping. Bigger users might be closer to 70 percent in some cases, according …

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 …

Go for the gold: Master suite remodeling tips

(HIB) – If kitchen and bathroom remodels are the gold and silver medalists in the Olympics of home renovation, then a master suite remodel is a very respectable bronze. But while the superstars of the renovation world may reap more in terms of resale value, a master suite remodel can be more rewarding for your soul. …

Backyard upgrades bring the resort lifestyle home

(HIB) – Maybe the economy really is getting better, but if you’re still planning to forego a pricey vacation this summer, you’re likely not alone. Rather than dropping a lot of cash on travel, many Americans are choosing to spend their hard-earned money where they’ll enjoy it more for longer – in their own backyards. Upgrading …