Design

By Seve Kale You know those cold, gray winter days where the thought of leaving the sanctuary of your warm bed is almost unbearable (we know, it’s warming up, but now’s the time to think about how to heat your home, promise!)? Imagine if, instead of touching down on an ice-cold floor, your toes instead …

From the Ground Up: Radiant FlooringRead More

By Drew Knight When you buy a new home, you might spend a lot of the time picking out appliances, furniture, décor and more for the interior that you may be so worn out that you don’t even want to begin thinking about the exterior. However, improving curb appeal and landscaping can add tremendous value …

Tips For Approaching Your Front-Yard DesignRead More

By Patricia L. Garcia 2015 will be all about focusing on the mind, body and spirit — at least that’s what you’d think based on the color that will rule next year. Marsala, revealed as the Pantone Color of the Year for 2015, is an earthy wine red that evokes a mindfulness that’s complex, rich …

8 Easy Ways to Bring the Pantone Color of the Year for 2015 Into Your HomeRead More

By Patricia L. Garcia Ever see those cool hideaway doors that tuck into the wall and think, “I’d love a door like that!”? The good news is that you can — commonly known as pocket doors, these doors are functional, save space and look great. But, is a pocket door the right type of door …

Pocket Full of Doors: What to Know About Pocket DoorsRead More

By Patricia L. Garcia As an owner of four dogs, I am challenged daily with battling dog hair and keeping those pups clean and smelling like something other than, um, dogs. Regular trips to the groomer are out of the question because of the price, so I bathe them in our tub. Bath time is …

Five Pet Washing Stations That Will Make Bath Time DelightfulRead More

By Camilla McLaughlin In today’s well edited spaces, every feature counts — even the kitchen sink. It’s no surprise that in recent years the lowly sink has been elevated to a status equal to a stove or an oven. Increasingly, it’s being called a “water appliance.” From a place to scrub pots and pans to …

Everything and the Kitchen Sink: How to Pick a Kitchen SinkRead More

This is a special guest post from Jamie Gold, a San Diego, Calif.-based kitchen and bath designer. There are so many bathroom-related decisions to make when you’re building a new home. Chances are, you have more than one bath — likely, two or more — and each one has different needs and different users. While …

How to Choose Bathroom UpgradesRead More

By Judy L. Marchman Recently, I had the good fortune to visit Paris, France. While there, I began to reflect on the sheer amount of design inspiration that can be found in that city — through the beauty of the architecture, gardens, museums and statuary. While I was sad to leave, I took with me …

Parisian Inspiration: Add a French Touch to Your HomeRead More

By Judy L. Marchman The main thrill in building a new home is the opportunity to make it totally yours. You get to pick the colors, finishes and fixtures, so it’s not hard to get starry-eyed after touring a model home and envisioning all of the possibilities. But, once you find out how much all …

Choosing Design Center Upgrades Without Busting Your Budget? It Can Be Done!Read More

By Joe Provey Basements are important to Italian Americans. Every time I mention the word “basement” to someone of Italian ancestry, they regale me with stories about how their parents or grandparents kept the upstairs kitchen for show (and perhaps light breakfasts), while the heavy cooking took place in the basement. These basement kitchens were …

How a Good Basement Adds Value to Your HomeRead More

By Andrea Kinnison Most kids have pretty wild ideas when it comes to decor. In fact, when I was 8 years old, my dad painted an entire woodland scene on my wall at my request. (It didn’t quite complement my Little Mermaid comforter.) But while parents may allow their children to put up some quirky …

Secret Passageways, Arcades and Harry Potter: When Kids Design Their Own RoomsRead More