 | More brides choosing heirloom china Brides are choosing heirloom china to keep family traditions alive. But what do they do when a cherished set is incomplete? They turn to experts to help find out-of-production patterns. |
 | A getaway for every day Who doesn't need a break from the hectic day-to-day routine once in awhile? A recent study by the American Psychological Association found that we are more stressed than ever, with nearly 75 percent of Americans experiencing moderate to high stress levels. With time and money as major obstacles, it's difficult for many people to take regular vacations to escape their busy, everyday lives. But with a little time, budget and creativity, an ordinary bathroom can be transformed into a luxurious, relaxing escape for an everyday getaway. |
 | The changing face of interior design Home decorating and interior design trends change in tandem with fashion trends. Staying on top of these allows you to update your home the same way you update your closet. You don't have to make drastic or expensive changes to keep your home in style. It's easy to incorporate new interior design trends into your existing decor in creative and affordable ways. |
 | Roofs now can take on an artistic look Some things get better with age - wine, cheese, cars. Building supplies don't usually fall into that category. So, if your house is looking a little shabby, try giving it a facelift by updating one of the largest exterior surfaces - your roof. |
 | The curse of carpet: Alternative flooring options While many homeowners like the warmth and comfort of carpeted floors, they are often hit with the harsh reality that carpet comes with a host of problems. Besides being very difficult to clean, carpeted floors can also be a health concern. Bacteria, dust, dirt and odors can easily become imbedded in carpeting and beyond the reach of vacuuming. What's more, homeowners with carpet could also run into problems when trying to sell their home; many new homebuyers prefer the more modern look of hardwood flooring or other comparable options. |
 | Luxury updates on a frugal budget We all want the finer things in life, but while many of us have expensive tastes, we don't always have lavish budgets. And, when it comes to updating the kitchen, many items can have large price tags that - in today's market - we won't be able to recoup. Luckily, with a little creativity you can achieve a cost-conscious kitchen remodel that gives you maximum enjoyment on a minimal budget. |
 | Give your home a fresh look for spring Spring cleaning has become a ritual in homes across America. But as families focus on decluttering closets and revitalizing their indoor spaces, many overlook simple, inexpensive outdoor projects that can give a home a real "facelift" and make it look and feel like new. |
 | How to get the most out of your high definition TV If you recently bought a TV, chances are, it's an HDTV. Whether you know a lot about this technology or nothing at all, you have likely heard people raving about the lifelike detail of an HD picture. It's true: the future of television is high definition. The only problem is that many people who currently own HDTVs are not actually seeing shows in high definition. Are you one of them? |
 | When it comes to good lighting, the future is now Imagine not having to change a light bulb for years. There are LED products available in 2010 that will make frequent light bulb changes so 20th-century. |
 | 2010 color decor and design trends: influenced by life's richness As the economy stabilizes, homeowners are expected to begin investing more money into their homes. Colors that provide hope and affirmation are at the forefront of decor for 2010. |
 | Slim tile: Eco-friendly solutions for updating your kitchen and bath The bathroom and the kitchen - are there any other rooms that see more traffic? Whether it's battling family members for mirror space on busy mornings or milling around the stove as dinner cooks, they are the two rooms that are guaranteed to get the most use. Naturally they should be functional and good-looking, but more and more, people are demanding that these high-traffic spaces also be environmentally friendly. |
 | Easy organization: lifesavers for busy lifestyles Car keys. Mobile phones. Sunglasses. Not to mention backpacks, tote bags and the afternoon mail. Stuff. We all have it and most of us struggle with a convenient place to hide it. With our busy, come-and-go lifestyles, the kitchen tends to be the catch-all for everything that passes through and our countertops tend to absorb the brunt of it. But there are many organizational lifesavers that can help you literally get a grip on things in your kitchen, entry area or any other room. |
 | Inexpensive ways to bring spring into your home Spring is a time of new beginnings. Flowers and plants are blooming, the sun is shining and the weather is finally getting warmer after winter's chill. So why not bring some of spring's beauty into your home so you can enjoy it day after day? |
 | Color connotations: how they shape a room The color of a room impacts how you feel when you spend time in it, so interior designers spend a great deal of time matching colors to their clients' specific needs for each room. However, the color combinations in individual rooms must also come together to create a comprehensive color scheme for the entire home or business. |
 | Rock your walls with some creativity Walls are, arguably, the largest decorator element in your home. Many of us, however, rarely venture beyond using them as background for our furniture and accessories. With a little courage and creativity, walls can be turned into a bold design statement in your home. |
 | How to make today's smaller bathrooms live larger and work better This is the decade of right-sizing. How much space does it really take to house the average American family of 2.61 people? Our definition of "enough space" is changing, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. The year 2008 saw the first annual decrease in average new-home size since 1994. |
 | A new spin on decorating with sports memorabilia Sports fans have grown to represent roughly 219 million Americans aged 12 and older, according to a recent ESPN research and analytics study. For these sports enthusiasts, the home is an ideal place to display their spirit and team pride. |
 | Accessories: What every well-dressed skylight is wearing this year In the world of fashion, accessories can make an average outfit look sophisticated and stylish. The same can be said in the world of home fashion, where smart accessories can turn an already great idea - installing a skylight - into an energy-efficient, eco-conscious home run. |
 | Spring decorating: five savvy home decorating tips eco-style As spring rounds the corner, so does the desire to lighten the mood in life and home. Whether you choose to de-clutter or add a splash of spring color, simple eco-friendly changes to home decor set the tone for a much lighter, and brighter, season. |
 | Green your spring cleaning routine Do you feel like Mother Nature set up camp in your home over the winter? Cold winter months spent indoors often translate to dirt and clutter buildup around the house. And, if you're like television personality Hannah Keeley, with those first few warm spring days comes the irrepressible urge to throw open the windows and get down and dirty with some serious spring cleaning. |
 | Tips for growing easy care orchids Think orchids are just for those with green thumbs and garden aprons filled with gadgets and secret instructions? Think again. Now there are no-fear orchids for everyone that will reward you with fabulous blooms for months on end. |
 | Make your outdoor living spaces more beautiful and functional with proper lighting As winter's cold winds fade into memory, we're all eager to get outside and enjoy warmer weather. But if poor lighting means your outdoor activities end when the sun goes down, it may be time to brighten up. |
 | How to add touches of glamorous green to your home decor Going glam and being green don't need to be mutually exclusive, especially when it comes to decorating your home. Makers of furniture and home decor items have started incorporating environmentally friendly practices and materials into their products, allowing consumers to have greener households without compromising their personal style. |
 | Authentic cedar beauty enhances home value, lasts a lifetime For all the time-saving benefits that a durable home exterior can bring, homeowners never want to sacrifice curb appeal. Beyond that first requirement of a great-looking home, a growing number are focusing on features that give them back more time with maintenance-free living. |
 | The land of make-believe: Creating playful kids' rooms on a budget Most parents can relate: Redecorating your child's room often turns out to be far more challenging than freshening up the decor in other areas of your home. After all, kids have their own personalities and tastes - and what you like might not mesh with their ideas of the world's coolest bedrooms. With a little planning and a lot of imagination, it's easy to create a playful space for kids that pops with color. |
 | Bring garden cheer into your home with color Even in the throes of winter, when most gardens are hibernating under a cold-weather blanket, it's easy to bring the warm, vibrant feelings of spring into the home with colors, textures and patterns. |
 | Easy ways to stage your home for sale You've made the decision to sell your home. But before you put the "for sale" sign in the yard, make sure it's ready to make a good impression on prospective buyers and clearly stands out among the many other homes on the market. |
 | Top 10 kitchen and bath trends for 2010 Does your kitchen or bathroom look like it's stuck in a time warp? Then it might be time to update the most-used rooms in your home. For inspiration, look no further than the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), which recently shared its top 2010 kitchen and bath trends. |
 | Hot HDTV trends for 2010 As we enter the second decade of the millennium, screen technology, Internet connectivity and 3D capability are transforming the experience of watching television, experts say. |