Listening to the Past :: How Architectural Details Inform Our Work
If you have an old house to work on, do some homework before you start your project. It can be as simple as looking the house over for details that give the...
Tag Archives: Design
The Skinny on Energy Star Certified Homes :: A Guide for Home Improvements?
The federal government's Energy Star program offers certification to green home builders, giving homeowners the reassurance that they are purchasing a home designed to conform to strict energy-efficiency guidelines. Energy Star-certified homes...
Building for the Fungus Among Us :: Mold Prevention Tips
Prevention of mold outbreaks begins by starting home improvement projects or additions with a mold prevention planning adequately in place. Here I provide mold prevention tips, ways to plan projects and, in...
Project: A 1978 Contemporary Gets New Pella Windows and Sliding Doors! Part 2
When I left you, I was extolling the virtues of the Pella sliding doors and replacement windows I had just had installed. Pella sliders are a no-brainer. They open and close nicely;...
The Four P’s of Refinishing Furniture with Paint :: How to Paint a Table
The most important things to remember when you’re refinishing furniture with paint is that several things need to work together to ensure your success—a stain-blocking primer, a paint with a durable finish,...
Four Things to Consider When Buying Kitchen Cabinets
When designing a kitchen, choosing cabinetry is a pivotal decision. Much of the style and feel of the kitchen is dependent on the cabinets. Color, wood type, detail and finish of the...
Selecting Roof Colors to Complement Brick or Stone Exteriors :: The Top Down Approach
Understanding the different color pigments of brick and stone features are paramount to selecting the right roofing colors. According to color expert Kate Smith, a “top down” approach is needed to select...
Choosing the Best Interior Paint Finish for a Job
Your choice of finishes (aka sheen) is incredibly important. It will determine things like whether the color stands out or fades into the background, and if you have to repaint every time...
Six Little Known Window Treatments For Sliding Glass Doors
Choosing a window treatment for a sliding glass or a patio doors can be a bit more involved than picking one for your bathroom window. In bathrooms, usually the main concerns are...
Benefits of a Home Generator :: Benefits vs. Costs
. . . Fortunately, my family during those times had the benefit of a backup home generator that kept our house operating at a normal capacity for the duration of the power...
Easy Tips to Protect Your Home from Burglars
Everyone wants to fix up their home to make it as comfortable, appealing and as valuable as possible. After spending numerous hours and your hard-earned money on home improvement, of course you...
DIY Paint Project Ideas: 5 Things To Do with 1 Can of Paint
It’s always good to have a little paint left over from a recent paint project for just-in-case touch-ups. But when you have a bulk of leftover paint to spare, why not put...