Want to “wow” guests with your culinary skills and the beauty of your kitchen? You’re not alone. Enhanced kitchen designs aimed at allowing homeowners to show off their advanced cooking techniques are one of the hottest kitchen trends.
As the leaves start to change color, you may find yourself reminiscing about the hours of enjoyment spent outside on your deck. While warm weather gatherings and summer barbecues are a favorite pastime of the season, the combination of foot traffic, food spills and weather can take its toll on any deck.
A kitchen remodel occupies first place on many homeowners’ wish lists, especially at a time when families are spending less time dining out and more time at home. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most expensive and time-consuming home improvement projects a family will undertake, ranging from $17,000 to $20,000 for a basic kitchen remodel. Here’s how can get your own kitchen transformation on a budget.
Summer entertaining season is here and it’s time to take advantage of the warm weather by getting together with family and friends. Simplicity is key, so toss the complicated menus and decor out the window in favor of cold platters, fresh fruits and vegetables and sunny skies so you can spend more time out of the kitchen and with your guests.
Are you tired of your table? Is your dresser looking drab? Don’t worry – it’s easy to update your current furniture with a coat of paint and have it looking fabulous in no time.
Not everyone can live on the water, but with a little creativity and the right tools you can create your own backyard oasis. Many folks have turned to backyard water gardens as a way to bring nature closer to home, complete with fish and aquatic plants. Whatever approach you take with your pond, here are a few things to consider as you build your aquatic haven.
When it comes to home improvements that add value and enjoyment to your home, it’s hard to top the power of a great deck. If this is your year to add a deck – or spruce up an existing one – here are some helpful tips.
When summer really heats up, there is nothing more refreshing than drinking a tall glass of ice water, taking a quick dip in the pool, or running through the backyard sprinkler with the kids. But what many people do not realize is clean, fresh water is as important to birds and other wildlife as it is for humans.
It may not feel like winter yet, but cold weather is around the corner. Take advantage of the good weather now by following these tips to prepare the outside and inside of your home to survive the winter months ahead.
Americans are all too familiar with the headaches caused by daily life, but nearly 30 million Americans experience more than “just a bad headache.” Migraines are different from the everyday headache and are characterized by throbbing head pain, usually located on one side of the head, often accompanied by nausea or vomiting and sensitivity to light or sound. Typically, migraine sufferers work with a doctor to treat their condition, and discussions during these office visits play an important role in developing a patient’s migraine management plan.
The sun is shining, flowers are blooming, and your grill is calling to you. It’s that time of year when you can’t wait to entertain outdoors. If you’re stuck in a rut, though, or aren’t sure how to up the wow factor for your backyard soiree, here are some tips.
Technology has changed so much, so quickly, that it might be difficult to remember how you lived life prior to carrying around a cell phone, having a tablet computer or, for that matter, multiple remotes to turn on all the electronic devices at home. But many homeowners, who have integrated technology into other aspects of their lives, still ignore one everyday object that is very likely completely out of date – their toilets.
College habitats are almost universally small, and how you furnish yours will have a big impact on how well you enjoy and perform in college. As you’re getting ready to furnish your college habitat, keep these pointers in mind.
Is your bathroom looking a little outdated? Do you have a free weekend? If you answered yes to these two questions, you’re in luck. Two days is just the right amount of time to transform your bathroom from “so-so” to “sensational.”
New furniture is rarely on the list for most college kids. Yard sales, hand-me-downs and second-hand stores are the primary furniture sources for many college dorms and apartments. Inexpensive and affordable is good, but the pests that can ride along are not. Life in the dorm, or that first apartment, is not always what parents dream of for their kids – but with a few simple tips, college kids can avoid bugs and rodents with enough time to study and enjoy college life.
Thinking about baking? A few key pantry ingredients will prepare anyone to bake at the drop of a hat. Bakers and dessert enthusiasts alike know that baking requires no special season – from springtime to the holidays there’s always room for a sweet indulgence – and it’s important to be prepared to bake up a special treat. Every baker, novice or experienced, should keep a few ingredients on hand.
Longing to update your home, but short on time and money? You’re not alone. Remodeling experts report that whole-house remodels have declined in recent years – but don’t throw in the towel just yet. Instead of focusing on every room – focus on smaller areas where you spend a lot of time, like the bathroom.
Do you tend to lean toward traditional designs, but like the convenience of modern technology? If you do, you’re not alone. Keep your kitchen pretty and polished with these items that pack a modern punch … but only on the inside.
Redecorating a room is an exciting way to freshen up your home, but might also seem like a daunting task if you don’t identify with just one conventional style category. Traditional design, for instance, is classic, inviting and elegant, while contemporary design includes more clean lines modern accents and natural hues. But what if you like a little from each category? With the right tools and a proper balance, you can blur the lines between traditional, transitional and contemporary design to create a room that represents your own unique style.
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. Because the kitchen is the hub of the home, homeowners are always looking for ways to do more in this vital space, all while keeping it stylish.
Natural light should play an important role in your home decorating efforts. Not only does light from outside affect how certain colors look in your decor, it can influence a home’s mood, style and even the health of the people who live there.
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 kitchen you already have and adopt some new practices.
You’ve heard it many times before: “Don’t forget to wear sunscreen!” But, is there an easier way to keep skin cancer prevention top of mind all year round?
Selecting the perfect flooring for any room in your home isn’t easy. Chances are a visit to your local flooring retailer might leave you wandering through a sea of samples, evaluating them for different materials, designs and overall durability and function. How do you choose from all of the options to find the right flooring that not only will provide comfort and durability but also complement your home’s style – all within your budget?
You’ve sent out the invitations. The grill is primed and ready. The decorations are perfect. Everything is set for your big end-of-summer party, except for one thing: the drinks. Why should you settle for boring drinks, when you’ve put a bit of yourself into every other aspect of this party? It’s time to put down the diet soda and the other standard choices and embrace flavor instead.
As your family heads back to school, take some time to complete a few simple home repairs. Doing your “home”-work projects now will allow you to spend more time with your family and less time fixing, cleaning and repairing things this fall.
Cancer patients often fear the treatment as much as the disease. Many lesser-known side effects such as nerve damage, infections, constipation and inflammation of the mouth and throat can also seriously impact quality of life.
We often make our decisions based on the people who influence us every day. These influencers could be parents, friends, professionals and advertisements in the media or on the Internet. Unfortunately, what was once the best product to meet our needs a few years ago or even a month ago, may not be what we need in our lives today. This is particularly true when you consider car products such as motor oil.
For most homes, heating and cooling consumes more energy dollars than any other system. Unfortunately, regardless of costs, air conditioning systems often serve as the best refuge from the high summer heat and humidity. Take these steps to ensure a longer life for your heating and cooling equipment.
From soccer practice to dance lessons, busy family schedules often make it difficult for parents and children to spend quality time together. Yet, an electronic that was once seen as a barrier to family time is now bringing people of all ages together: The video game console.