Sooner or later, you’ll need to repaint that room – the one that has become outdated, must be converted to a new use or needs to be redecorated.Doing so is an opportunity to realize your dream décor, whether it’s a complete makeover or simply creating a certain feeling you want through new colors, says Lou […]

A product that has been in development for nearly 10 years made its market debut at the International Housewares Show in January, 2003. The LifeStyle Ironing Center was designed to make the ironing center relevant to the needs of today’s consumer, in terms of speed and ease of use, use of space, quality of design […]

Cleaner kitchens (with a twist!)RealKitchen cures with ReaLemon If crust and crud are corroding your kitchen – take action! Cleaning with ReaLemon lemon juice will not only restore your kitchen’s original sparkle, it will bring a lemony breeze to the entire area!Following are simple, all-natural ReaLemon tips to cleaning your kitchen with ease! Fridge Cleaner […]

Earthen white and sandbar expand Kohler’s neutrals What colors are hot now? The trend is toward organic neutrals and soft neutrals that offer just the suggestion of color.“There’s a new design aesthetic that’s sweeping the culture and the marketplace,” says Theresa Millard, lead designer – Decorative Products, Kohler Co. “Colors, materials and textures are softening, […]

It’s here already; that means shorter days, less sunlight, gloomy shadows.Most homes lack adequate sunlight, and most provide very little natural light. This can lead to light deprivation in the winter months, and in some cases, leads to SAD (see side bar). Daylight is essential to how we feel. Our sense of time and direction […]

Waverly introduces “French Accent,” a wallpaper and fabric collection inspired by toiles and florals from grand country homes to provincial cottages, adding dashes of humor and plenty of Spice, peppered with Cranberry, as well as other typical colorways inspired by the French countryside.Limoges Border and Limoges Vine wallpapers are inspired by Limoges, a graceful vine […]

Painting your house when you’re thinking of moving may seem counterproductive. After all, you’ll soon be in a new house, and someone else will be enjoying the benefits of that new paint job rather than you, right?Wrong.Actually cleaning and painting before putting your home on the market can yield a higher purchase price and expedite […]

Yearning to spend cold winter nights in front of the fire? Today, technology and innovation have created new direct-vent and vent-free gas fireplaces that provide all the beauty, warmth and pleasures of an open fire without the expense or space requirements of building a chimney.Manufacturers are quick to point out that adding a clean-burning gas […]

BY GENE AUSTINKnight Ridder NewspapersQ My wood deck is 25 years old and has been painted many times. It has deteriorated so much that I want to replace it. Should I replace it with a good grade of treated wood or the new plastic materials?For the decking or floor of the deck and the railings, […]

(KRT) If you’re planning to build a deck, planter, fence or picnic table with pressure-treated lumber, you may want to consider some alternatives.This popular form of lumber – known as CCA-treated wood – will not be sold for home use after December 2003.In 2002, the Environmental Protection Agency and the wood-preservative industry voluntarily agreed to […]