Hard to find 'old-world' stucco contractors

QUESTION: Throughout the last two years of renovation and addition to a 1931 River Heights home I purchased and recently moved into, I've enjoyed your column both for items to consider in construction and occupancy. I am in the last . . .

Posted: 2013-10-19

Why owning a home is good for you

A national Canadian magazine recently hit the shelves with a piece citing a variety of reasons why the authors felt home ownership was a bad thing.It even went as far to say home ownership distorted the economy and took a . . .

Posted: 2013-10-19

Far from a rush job

Artista design team took time to maximize stellar setting

It isn't often it takes two years to build a home -- unless you're intent on building a masterpiece."It actually took one year to plan and design the home and then another year to build it, " said Artista Homes' . . .

Posted: 2013-10-19

The ABCs of condo amenities

Spelling out what you need and want

Candy Spelling is having a time with her real-estate choices. Before selling her 56, 000-square-foot Spelling Manor in Holmby Hills, Calif., she bought a condominium. Choosing to downsize, she purchased a 16, 000-square-foot penthouse in a building called The Century . . .

Posted: 2013-10-19

Tranquility by the river

Well-kept home has plenty of room and gorgeous setting

These days, anyone looking for a new home has two options. The first is to build one in one of the excellent new communities around the city. The second is to find a house in a mature area that occupies a . . .

Posted: 2013-10-19

Raking bad

Why do we insist on removing leaves from lawns?

A really big existential question in the religion/philosophy 101 course I failed was "If God exists, why do bad things happen to good people and schmucks prosper?"Even the Coen brothers in their most probing, religion-based movies have failed to answer . . .

Posted: 2013-10-12

Old world charm

Inspiration for unique, personal space came from trip to France

If you enjoy watching old movies as I do, you may have seen at some time a late-night rerun of a 1959 movie called, A Summer Place. In 1960 Percy Faith recorded a popular version of the movie's theme song . . .

Posted: 2013-10-12

Many factors when choosing new front door

A number of homeowners are choosing to upgrade their front entrances by replacing their old doors. This not only improves the look of the home, inside and outside, it also makes it more energy efficient.An entry door does not have . . .

Posted: 2013-10-12

Butter up your cheese for freshness

00ANSWER: Cheese will not harden as quickly if you butter or oil the exposed cut edges before storing in the refrigerator.   QUESTION: What is the difference between green, red, orange and yellow peppers? Mandy (Rosenort) ANSWER: Green peppers are harvested before they . . .

Posted: 2013-10-12

Decorate to match your lifestyle

Treasure hunting at thrift stores just part of the fun

Although daunting, retirement can bring about opportunities and a sense of adventure along with changes in a person's outlook for the next phase of their life. Take homeowner Patti, who recently retired. She wanted to make some changes to her . . .

Posted: 2013-10-12