Archives for 2015

Small Steps for Keeping Your Housekeeping Resolutions

Screen Shot 2015-01-05 at 7.37.30 AMTake a different approach this year, making simple, positive changes that add up before you know it

It’s January. Oh, the humanity. Perhaps you live in the Southern Hemisphere or some other warm and sunny place where those two words don’t bring a sense of doom so profound it propels one back into bed with a plate of cookies.

Maybe you are Naturally Organized and, now that all the holiday decor is put away, you just can’t wait to get the place cleaned up! You’ve dusted the lightbulbs and — honestly, I don’t have the strength to try to imagine what else you’re doing.

For some of us, the mere thought of the new year opens up a 55-gallon drum of worry and stress. How can it even be January again? Last year we were going to simplify and declutter. We were going to lose a bunch of weight and become profoundly spiritual or flat-out profound. We were going to meditate and plant an organic garden and read a ton of books, become more grateful and get super in shape — which is not the same thing as losing weight, let me tell you — and we were going to give up gluten, or was it sugar? We were going to go paleo! That’s it, except we couldn’t figure out how to make noodles out of squash. Were we going to give up meat? Dairy?

I know we were going to entertain more, practice hospitality and open our homes, make deeper connections and all that — you know, build community; but before we could have anyone over, we absolutely had to clean the place up and get totally organized! It was going to be the best, most productive, spiritually aware year ever, and here it is January again and we’re having a spot of trouble getting out of bed with or without the cookies.

Do you feel me?

The Life Expectancy of a Home

the-life-expectancy-of-a-home

Smart Ways to Make the Most of a Compact Kitchen

Screen Shot 2014-12-29 at 8.29.59 AMMinimal square footage is no barrier to fulfilling your culinary dreams. These tips will help you squeeze the most out of your space

We might all dream of a huge family kitchen, but most of us have to make do with something smaller. That said, whatever the size of our kitchen, the demands we place on it tend to be the same. We want it to function well for preparing and cooking meals. We might also like to be able to sit and eat in there, even if just perched at a breakfast bar. And we need space for a lot of different objects, from chunky appliances to silverware, dishes and food. The good news is, with some clever planning and great design, it is possible to have all these functions in one tiny space, as these inspiring spaces demonstrate.

What’s the Right Wood Floor Installation for You?

Screen Shot 2014-12-29 at 8.28.29 AMStraight, diagonal, chevron, parquet and more. See which floor design is best for your space

Installing a wood floor? Whether you’re using hardwood, laminate or even plank tiles, once you’ve picked that beautiful product, you’ll have to make another important decision: which way to install it. While straight and horizontal patterns are the most popular, there are many more options, and one might be better for your project. Here are the pros and cons of some of the most popular installation methods for wood flooring to help you make the best choice for your home, budget and style.

Bathroom Countertops 101: The Top Surface Materials

Screen Shot 2014-12-29 at 8.26.29 AMExplore the pros and cons of 7 popular bathroom countertop materials

Choosing the perfect material for one’s bathroom countertops can be a bit of a brain teaser, thanks to the abundant — and quite attractive — options available at nearly every price level. But because bathroom surfaces typically don’t face the same abuse as those in the kitchen (think hot frying pans, sharp carving knives and spilled Bordeaux), the decisions most buyers wrestle with are usually more about style and cost than Herculean strength. Fortunately, the top bathroom countertop materials on the market combine beauty and brawn in equal measure. Here’s a closer look at some of the most sought-after bathroom surfaces among today’s buyers.