Holidays mean coming home and reconnecting with our loved ones. For the children of aging parents, sometimes returning home — especially after some time has passed — can be shocking: When did Dad get so old? Has anyone cleaned the house in the last month? How come there is no food in the refrigerator? As […]
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10 Tips for Creating Christmas Fun with Kids
For children all ages, there’s no more magical time of year than Christmas. There are twinkling trees, glistening snowflakes (maybe), flying reindeer, tree decorating, favorite Christmas music and baked cookies that make the whole house smell like a childhood memory. And don’t forget pretty presents wrapped in bows! But what can we do with the […]
Five Tips To Make Your Holiday Season More Sustainable and More Peaceful
These days, it seems like the holiday spirit travels in a plane from far away and comes wrapped in an enormous amount of unnecessary plastic. In the middle of finding the perfect gift and trying to hunt down deals, it can be hard to keep our environmental impact in mind. Here are five tips to […]
What You Need to Know About Using the Internet for ‘Due Diligence’
You often hear people refer to completing their “due diligence” when hiring a contractor for any type of construction project. Officially, due diligence (also known as due care) is the effort made by an ordinarily prudent or reasonable party to avoid harm to another party or own self. Failure to make this effort is considered […]
Why a ‘Long Winter’s Nap’ is Good for Your Health
“Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” That’s a favorite holiday story — but what is the holiday scene in your home? No one stirring and everyone getting a good-night sleep? Or are you and other members of your family burning the midnight […]
Starter Home Gets Major Redesign After Homeowners’ Hiatus
Imagine building a new home, then moving overseas for nearly two decades, and returning to that home that had quietly aged. That’s what one Port Orchard couple did — and when they returned, they knew the old home needed some updates and changes to meet the aesthetics of modern design and both their refined tastes […]
Design Basics, Part 2: Walls and Ceilings
Navigating interior design options is challenging. Where do you start when so many options are available? Here are some basic tips for your walls and ceilings. Read part 1 of this article to learn about floors. Walls: Paint Most manufacturers have reformulated their paints, claiming to have reduced the toxic ingredients. That is probably true. […]
Make Shopping Fun and Support Local Artists, Artisans with Holiday Festivals
Holiday shopping can be an exhausting and daunting task. Traffic, crowds and mass-produced goods at high prices all add to the frustration, sucking the joy out of gift giving and decorating. For nearly three decades, the Associated Student Body (ASB) organizations at Peninsula and Gig Harbor high schools have provided an alternative to the usual […]
Design Basics, Part 1: Floors
Interior design choices can be overwhelming, especially with so many choices on the market. To help you along in the process, here are some basic tips for your floors. Read part 2 of this article on Friday for more tips for the walls and the ceilings. Carpet The most forgiving material for a floor is […]
