The Secret Warming Drawer

May 17th, 2022

You know that little drawer that pulls out under your electric oven? It’s not for storing cupcake tins and cookie sheets! As revealed in this article from myrecipes.com, the real purpose of that little space is to serve as a warming drawer.  It’s  meant to keep food at serving temperature. Think of it next time you’re entertaining and need to keep food warm Read More...

Building a Storm-Proof Home

May 10th, 2022

Intense storms are becoming more common, as climate change increases.  Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, high winds and extreme heat and cold seem to be accelerating in both frequency and intensity. In response, resilient design of homes is a developing practice. According to the Resilient Design Institute, this refers to intentionally designing buildings, landscapes, communities and regions to adapt to a wide variety of impacts from climate change Read More...

Choosing a Home Security Camera

April 26th, 2022

Many homeowners are installing home security cameras to add an extra measure of safety and peace of mind. If you’re considering a camera, you may be overwhelmed by the many options. Do you want something wireless or wired? Do you want to record 24/7 or only when motion triggered? What about a built-in alarm or audio capabilities? This USNews guide to features and functionality can help you decide where to put a camera, what features are most important, budget considerations, power sources and more Read More...

Noisy Neighbors?

March 31st, 2022

The current shortage of housing stock is keeping many potential buyers in an apartment or condo.  If that’s you and you have the misfortune of sharing a wall or ceiling with a noisy neighbor, here’s some advice to help you hang in until you find another home. This article from Apartment List offers 5 tips for dealing with musically-inclined, argumentative or party people Read More...

Pandemic Potties?

January 19th, 2022

With people spending so much more time at home due to the pandemic, one room in the house has taken on more significance.  It’s the bathroom!  Two in five homeowners report renovating their bathrooms to create a Zen-like space for rest and relaxation. Terri Akman, writing for the Philadelphia Inquirer, notes that other pandemic potty upgrades include a focus on cleanliness, lack of clutter, dimmable lighting and greenery Read More...

Wood Stove Warmth

November 30th, 2021

Adding a wood stove to your home is a great way to save on energy bills while adding the beautiful glow of flickering flames to your favorite room. Whether you’re adding a stove for heat or beauty, there are a lot of factors to consider about your purchase. Bob Vila offers great advice on woodstove pros and cons, along with options for maximizing heating capabilities Read More...

Magic Cleaning Sponges Can Do That?

November 12th, 2021

Chances are you’ve used those white magic cleaning sponges to get marks off of walls. But there’s a lot more you can do with them! Check out this video from Realtor.com, that shows you some surprising uses for these little miracle workers. For example, you can clean aquarium glass, oven windows and bathtub stains with them Read More...

Snorkel in Your Living Room!

August 10th, 2021

A homeowner in the Florida Keys has created a home that includes a snorkeling aquarium in the living room.  Live here and you could dive into the 25,000-gallon body of water that meanders throughout the home’s family spaces.  Tropical fish and coral create the feeling of snorkeling in an island paradise Read More...

Messy Home? It’s Ok!

June 9th, 2021

To all those who feel “less-than” in the age of uber-organized spaces, and Marie Kondo-like purges, here’s some helpful news:  it’s not a moral failing to have a slightly cluttered home. In fact, as detailed in this article from houselogic, life can be better with slightly more stuff!  Before you panic-clean, or do a guilt-trip-motivated straightening or decluttering, consider these 7 reasons why you should just let it be Read More...

Home Décor Trends Right Now

April 22nd, 2021

Ready for a home freshen up?  This year’s spring décor trends may be right up your ally if you’re ready to tolls out the old dark decorations and replace them with neutral colors, wood and natural accents, textures, and maybe a bit of pottery. Hitchswitch gives you the specifics. According to their design experts, whites, creams and light colors are in, with deep brown favored as a bit of contrast Read More...