What's a GRILL To Do?

Things to Consider When Buying the Perfect Grill

By M. K. Whitteberry

Americans will fire up their grills billions of times over the course of the next year. From burgers to hot dogs to chicken to veggies, self-proclaimed connoisseurs will take to their yards armed with aprons and tongs to prepare the perfect  barbecue. But what type of grill elicits the best barbecue? It depends who you ask. According to the Hearth, Patio, & Barbecue Association (HPBA), gas grills account for approximately 60 percent of the market, charcoal accounts  for 33 percent and electric brings up the rear at a mere 7 percent.

All Hands On Deck - The Importance of Deck Maintenance

By Mindy Kroll

Paint by Numbers

By Elizabeth Quaine

Painting is one of the least expensive ways to freshen up a room — in a matter of hours. However, the finished result will only be as good as the time and effort one puts into the preparation phase prior to applying the paint. That's why we have listed the process below. Not only can it save you time and money, it will help turn that room from boring to extraordinary.

HOME IMPROVEMENT:

Planning Your Next Remodeling Project

From designing a space to interior design, following these planning tips can make remodeling a success

By Terry Hughes

With the incredible popularity of networks like HGTV and the DIY TV, just about anyone can tackle a home improvement project. But, whether you're thinking of replacing kitchen countertops, adding a family room, or simply sprucing up your exterior lighting, there are some planning steps you should follow and some pitfalls you should avoid.

AT HOME IN THE SPA:

Everything You Need to Know to Make the Best Decision for You and Your Family

By Mindy Kroll

The American Society of Interior Designers recently conducted a study that identified the changes Americans planned to make to their homes as they got older. The number-one addition

the Art of Water Shaping

Preparing To Sell

By Lisa Stanczak

Make sure your home looks as good as possible—even before potential buyers step inside.

Thinking about selling? Well, get busy. The first buyers that come through your home are your best prospects, so your house needs to be in tip-top shape before you
put it up for sale. Don't even have any repairs "in progress." You'll get the best price and the quickest sale for a house that is turn-key ready to go. The look and smell of your house is critical. It's amazing how many people don't even make their beds! Put yourself in the buyer's shoes.

Breaking the Color Barrier

By Melinda Kroll

Few choices are more daunting for homeowners than selecting a paint color for a particular room. Should it be light or dark? Warm or cool? Bright or subdued? These are just a few of the questions that people tend to wrestle with, only to

DECORATING

STYLES Defined

By Elizabeth Quaine

Like any accomplished artist, the serious interior designer knows that before rules can be broken, they must be
mastered. There are very specific details that accompany each genre and while trends in colors and innovative materials offer an opportunity to try something new, the designer who wants to avoid a haphazard style has to establish a foundation.

Refresh Your Nest

AFFORDABLE WAY TO LIVEN UP YOUR NEST

As the saying goes, there's no place like home. And these days people are looking for ways to make their home a more enjoyable living space.
"Rather than flipping homes, like people did when the housing market was strong, we're seeing more and more families embracing what they already have," says Bob Maricich, president and CEO of World Market Center Las Vegas. "The idea of refreshing one's environment, even in the smallest ways,

QUALITY SHOWS in Home Furnishings

By Wally Koster

Shopping for quality home furnishings can be as frustrating as searching for that proverbial needle in a haystack. Fortunately, there are a number of visual clues to look for and questions to ask to help you purchase high-quality wood and upholstered home furnishing with confidence.

Solid Wood vs. Engineered Wood vs. Laminate:

THE BATTLE Royale

By Melinda Kroll

In this corner, composed of 100 percent wood, priced at $3 to $10/square foot, and adding as much as $10,000 in value to the value of your home is… hardwood. In another, consisting of fiberboard and a durable wear layer, priced at $3 to $7/square foot, but adding considerably less value to your home is… laminate.

Home at the Office

By Paul Thompson

Working at home — what a life. Lounging around in your pj’s while you bring home the bacon (or at least keep it there). And yes, a home office often does give you more flexibility than commuting, but that flexibility disappears the moment a client calls you.
If you have made the decision to work at home, you've got plenty of company.

See Your Home in a Whole NEW Light

Gone are the days of grandma's house with layers of heavy curtains over the windows (and plastic covers on the furniture!). Today's new homes are bathed in natural light

Faux Finishing, Murals and Decorative Painting

Decorative painting, also known as faux finishing, is the creation of elegant, hand-crafted, and personalized paint finishes. Over the years, it's acquired quite a

Interior Room Arranging

Memorable Rooms Don't "Just Happen"

By Mindy Kroll

Your home is beautiful. You're satisfied with its furnishings. Yet something seems out of place, wrong. We've all been there. Designer television shows and magazines

Coming Soon to a Room Near You:  HOME THEATER

By Paul Thompson

Whether in a custom-built media room, or a remodeled basement, home theaters are becoming extremely popular in American homes. Sophisticated electronic

Home Aquariums are the ULTIMATE Living Decor

Aquariums are quickly becoming the new design element in today's home. These "living works of art" add motion and natural beauty to just about any room in the house. From the simple freestanding unit to the more elaborate custom built systems, they draw the eye and soothe the senses as they display a world of their own. For years, aquariums have hypnotized us with their colorful occupants, bubbling water and soft interior lighting. No longer just a fixture, aquariums are now an integral part of a room's overall design, layout and ambiance as the pictures in this article illustrate.  

 A home aquarium isn't just a piece of furniture – it's an eco-system.

Carpet Myths - Pulling the Rug Out From Under Them

By Barbara Roach

When linoleum covered floors adorned with scatter rugs gave way to wall-to-wall carpeting in the last century, homeowners scrambled to be the first in their crowd to have these luxurious

Keeping Your Edge in the Kitchen