Have you ever watched a movie where they introduce you to someone's house or apartment and it's filled with a specific, overwhelming theme? The boyfriend is mortified when he sees hundreds of glass unicorns or stuffed teddy bears perfectly placed in every nook and cranny. When we were kids, we all … [Read more...]
This Little House: Moving to a Larger Home
May 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I grew up in the same house for 18 years and always dreamed of moving to a new place. When I finally made it out on my own, I never stayed anywhere for very long. A couple of years, and I would get tired of the same scenery and want something different. When we decided to raise a family, I realized … [Read more...]
Garden Project: Homemade Hummingbird Feeder
May 20, 2011 By 2 Comments
Hummingbirds are beautiful birds and more than a little quirky. When I was a kid, my parents had a hummingbird feeder outside their window and, every once in a while, these fascinating little birds would come and drink from it. They hover above the feeder like an avian helicopter and have the precision … [Read more...]
The Doorbell: Yes or No to the Ringing Sensation?
March 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I grew up in a home that never had a doorbell. Well, let me rephrase that. I grew up in a home that never had a working doorbell. The button was there and the wiring was there, but sometime before I was born, it stopped working. We lived 10 miles from town, and the dogs alerted us to the presence … [Read more...]
Home Safety: Security Systems
March 22, 2011 By 2 Comments
When I was younger, I never thought about getting a home security system. I just didn’t think I had anything worth stealing, so I simply locked my doors every night. It wasn’t until I started to have children that I realized I did have something worth protecting. When it comes to security systems, … [Read more...]
Home on the Rage: Country Versus City Living
March 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I grew up in the sticks. I don’t mean the hillbilly mountains where I ran moonshine for Mom and Dad, but out in the country away from the cities, towns and anything else that resembled human life. Once I left for college, I vowed never to live in such a small community, but now that I am older, I am … [Read more...]
Mental Perception: How a Home Changes With Your Mood
December 7, 2010 By 1 Comment
I will admit that I am having a rough morning today. It’s one of those days where the world seems stacked against you and you’re firmly planted behind the 8-ball. As I sit here and think about what to write concerning the vast field of home and garden, my thoughts turn to perception. Einstein’s … [Read more...]
Blow-Up Decorations: Shame on You
October 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Remember when Halloween decorations for the outside consisted of a witch or two nailed to a tree and a few jack-o’-lanterns on your porch? Believe it or not, I have always believed that less is more then it comes to outside decorations, regardless of the holiday. But, for the last five years or … [Read more...]
Cool Chairs from the Wilsonart Design Competition
May 26, 2010 By 3 Comments
Wilsonart, a decorative laminate manufacturer, sponsors a design competition every year. This year, they told contestants at the Pratt Institute, one of the leading design schools in the world, to design chairs that featured their product. The finalists and winning entries are below, along with my … [Read more...]
Spring Design Tips: Flower and Vase Combinations
April 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment
So it's spring. Birds are in the air, the first green leaves are popping out, pollen is giving you lots of allergies, but your house/apartment/dorm is decidedly... boring. Make your house feel like spring with a rustically romantic makeover. Flowers are an easy and timeless way to freshen up a … [Read more...]
