If you have honeycomb shades, such as Duettes by Hunter Douglas, in some of your windows, try to catch a malfunction before it becomes a major problem. Sometimes one or more of the cords in the pull-tassel will come undone. Stop using that shade until the cords are put back in place. You could call […]
At Home
Read about interior design tips, remodeling advice, real estate trends, fresh décor ideas, new products and more.
Choosing the Best Time of Year for a Remodel
On Jan. 2, the phones start to ring at our office. People are done with the holidays and feeling the pinch of needing more space — so they want to remodel. When do they want to start? Oh yes, what we jokingly refer to as “opening day” – April 1. Let’s face it. Spring is […]
When Is a Towel Warmer Not Just a Luxury Item?
With the onset of fall and chilly mornings, our motivation to pop out of bed each workday and dash to the shower wanes. Many of would prefer to stay snuggled under the warmth of our bed covers. However, there is a way to extend the snuggly, warm feeling in your bathroom while simultaneously providing a […]
Kitchen Counter Corners — To Use or Not To Use?
I recently read a great WestSound Home and Garden Magazine article by Molly Erin McCabe, “Much Ado About Countertops.” The topic of countertops has fascinated me for some time — a level, utilitarian surface that ends unobstructed or with a wall. How does one design or decide what items to place on kitchen counter corners? […]
How to Select the Proper Seat Height for Best Comfort
At a restaurant in Seattle recently, we opted for the privacy and comfort of booth seating. When our dinners arrived, however, we ended up eating with high elbows. As it happens frequently in restaurants, the banquette/booth seat cushions were simply too low in relation to the height of the table. The magic number for the […]
How to Clean Patina off Your Sofa or Chair
If the arms of your fabric-covered chair or sofa look darker and feel colder than the rest of the chair fabric, it is patina from your hands. Highly admired on old wood but not on fabric. Most of it can be removed with a simple cleaner. Put two or three drops of a clear dishwashing […]
Delicious Results with Leftover Wild King Salmon
Fall is here. Golden and red leaves are dominating the airway and transforming the Earth with a new, patterned blanket. The once-prevailing basil is bowing now, as if to say, good performance, curtain going down. A few weeks back that basil bush was so full of life, plump and boasting. But looking closely, one could […]
Get Inspired at This Weekend’s Home Expo
As you migrate indoors and into your home’s cozy spaces, this is a good time to turn attention to those deferred home décor or home improvement projects — before the holidays take the best out of you. Just in time to take advantage of the downtime in the garden, Peninsula Home & Remodel Expo brings […]
How a Real Remodeling Project Differs from HGTV
I like to watch those remodeling projects on HGTV and DIY networks. It’s fun to see the changes, and they make it look really effortless and easy. How are those shows different from the reality of a real remodel — your house, let’s say? One of my favorite scenarios is the “one room at a […]
