Tag: kitchen tips

(BPT) - The holiday season makes for a memorable time of year, providing the chance to visit with old friends and relatives you might not see often. Equipping yourself with the right tools early on can be the key to enjoying a stress-free hosting exper...

(BPT) - Nearly everyone (96 percent) wastes up to an hour each week pre-washing their dishes, according to a recent survey. But the reality is that the outdated ritual of pre-washing can actually result in dirtier dishes and waste a valuable resource &...

(BPT) - Kitchens are the heart of the home. It’s where you prepare meals, help your kids with homework and entertain guests. It’s the room in the house where everyone gathers, where memories are made, and, with solid investment, can single-...

(BPT) - Homeowners have spent more on kitchen remodeling than any other home improvement category in the last 10 years, according to Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies – and there’s good reason. An updated kitchen does more th...

(BPT) - Fall’s cooler temperatures are on their way, if you haven’t felt them already. And when you feel that first chill, your natural response is to reach for the thermostat. Many people do the same thing, sacrificing energy efficiency in...

(BPT) - Outdoor kitchens are one of the hottest trends for exterior home improvements in 2014, a survey by the American Society of Landscape Architects reveals. If you’re considering creating a backyard kitchen this year, you may be wondering how...

(BPT) - As the weather cools down, people are preparing for cozy nights indoors. Perhaps nowhere is the desire for warm, comfortable living spaces more important than the bedroom. Fortunately, it only takes a few simple tricks to warm up any bedroom in...

(BPT) - With Americans working longer hours than ever before, most homeowners yearn for a luxurious place to relax and unwind at the end of a hectic day. This is likely why the bathroom is the most requested home renovation project, according to the Na...

(BPT) - Hand-planed, reclaimed hardwood floors? Beautiful but pricey. Custom drapery? The cost can be blinding. When it comes to home decorating, it’s easy to blow your budget on one or two upgrades – and maybe that would be OK if those imp...

(BPT) - Clutter can disrupt the flow of any home, bringing unwanted stress and frustration, especially in the kitchen. As one of the most prominently used rooms, maintaining a clutter-free environment will create a happier and healthier space for your ...

(BPT) - The autumn leaves bursting into vibrant reds, lively oranges, and brilliant yellows  signal a new season for home entertaining. If you need a little inspiration, look no further than your favorite outdoor spot to update your table setting ...

(BPT) - Americans are renovating again, and instead of letting resale value alone drive their renovation choices, in 2014 homeowners are weighing many more factors. They are seeking renovations that are beautiful, luxurious and eco-friendly, and that b...

(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) - 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) - 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) - The quilt handed down through generations, the turn-of-the-century wooden rocking chair made by a long-gone relative, hand-stitched samplers that have graced every home your family has lived in – handcrafted items simply speak to the soul...

(BPT) - Don’t sweat it if your home doesn’t have central air-conditioning. Whether you live in an older house that can’t accommodate ductwork, or you don’t want to sacrifice your interior aesthetics with an unattractive air cond...

(BPT) - More than 40 percent of homeowners plan to update their homes in the next two years, according to the latest Houzz & Home Study. Of those who plan to remodel, 78 percent cite their motivation as improving the look and feel of the space.“With an increasing amount of home remodeling projects in the works, …

(BPT) - From disappearing acts to mind games and sensory illusions, the art of magic is all about making your audience believe what they are seeing, taking a seemingly impossible task and making it possible. This timeless art can inspire you to perform...