Pay attention to interior design when drafting open-concept plan

IF you watch those design shows on TV, you'll hear people talking a lot about wish lists for a new home. More often than not, one of the items on the list is an open-concept floor plan. An open-concept living area . . .

Posted: 2010-03-13

Retiring boomers have urgent nostalgia for priorities of youth

BOOMERS are acting younger every day. Alert to this, developers, designers and retailers are changing their assumptions about what people older than 50 want at home. This isn't to say the unpleasant aspects of aging are miraculously halted and that, for . . .

Posted: 2010-03-13

CONNIE OLIVER: You can create a stairway to style heaven

Stairs are a unique architectural feature of the home. By their very design, they are dramatic in scale (rising or descending several feet), have an interesting repeating pattern (as in the actual stairs and/or railing and spindles) and offer open . . .

Posted: 2010-03-13

DEBBIE TRAVIS: Don't paint stone fireplace; decorate instead

Dear Debbie: The fireplace wall in our '70s home is stone. The flat-faced natural stones are various shades of gray. My husband loves the stone but I find it very dark. Is there any way to paint the stone so it . . .

Posted: 2010-03-13

Up, up and away!

Upgrade, upscale and upcycle your household goods

IF you thought it was cool how MacGyver could take a Swiss Army knife, door knob, copper wire and crushed Aspirin to jury rig an explosive, wait until you see what Linda Bodo can do with a wine bottle, plywood, . . .

Posted: 2010-03-13

Watch your step: pick the perfect flooring

Beach pebbles, big tiles and carpets made from corn are just some of the hot new flooring trends for homes. But homeowners looking for environmentally friendly products will find some old standbys have made a comeback. Retailers have noticed a higher . . .

Posted: 2010-03-13

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Heat-trace or insulation for a drainpipe?

QUESTION: Can you please advise if my washing machine plastic drainpipe needs to be heat-traced or insulated in my cold crawl space? Some say yes, insulate. Others say no, heat-trace. Still others say as it doesn't contain water, do nothing. . . .

Posted: 2010-03-13

MIKE HOLMES: Haiti needs rebuilding, but the right way

How long ago was the Haiti earthquake? Less than two months -- that's how long the story lasted. After the earthquake, it was all over the news. Rescue efforts and tragic stories, night after night; now, it's all gone. Turn on . . .

Posted: 2010-03-13

SOLUTIONS: Of coarse there is a salt pouring solution!

QUESTION: I bought a brand new salt and pepper shaker set to place in the middle of my brand new dining room table. The set is quite nice but I find that the holes on the salt shaker were . . .

Posted: 2010-03-13

Tips for those attending Parade of Homes

The Spring Parade of Homes has started with a bang. We have been enjoying some of our best March weather in recent memory and, if the first week was any indication, crowds will continue to grow as the Parade progresses. Last . . .

Posted: 2010-03-13