Home and Garden

As ultra-contemporary kitchens gain in popularity, interest is soaring in shiny cabinets that contribute a huge modern cachet.

Children’s toys reflect the world of adults, so it is not surprising that sometimes a toy represents the political ideas of the parents and the children just think of it as a toy.

Have you got that itchy feeling? The one that means you’re longing to transform your home in some way, whether large or small? And you’re determined to do it yourself.

In the foothills of the northern Sierra Nevada, one native shrub stands out from all the rest. It is commonly called manzanita, but the name covers many different species of Arctostaphylos that make outstanding drought-resistant landscape plants for dry gardens.

For decades, the color gold was discarded as old-fashioned and blasé. But now, it’s making a bold comeback and has found its way back into fashion, jewelry and home decor.

While it’s true that many folks enjoy the ease of hopping into a shower stall for their morning ablutions, you are still likely to find at least one tub in just about every American home.

A friend recently asked me about plants that he could install in a desert environment. Certainly, a large variety of plants could fill the bill, but he gave me a caveat — whatever plants I suggested would need to rely on naturally occurring water, not irrigation. That makes a world of difference in selecting the proper variety for this region.

If you are renovating any area of your home, it may be time to try something new, such as bringing tile into main living areas in addition to your bathrooms and kitchen. New designs, styles and technologies are making tile the most versatile and accessible flooring material.

It has been said that the kitchen is the heart of the home but this workhorse of a room often serves a much larger purpose than simply being the place where food is stored and meals are prepared.