By Katie Laughridge From Tribune News Service While many things in life change and evolve, the steps to creating a beautiful bedroom do not. Once upon a time Mary Carol Garrity laid out a road map to creating a stunning space in which to relax and regenerate, and this advice still gets me through my…

By Ed Del Grande From Tribune News Service Q: Ed: We’re first-time new home builders in the planning stages. I made it through my bathroom fixture choices, but now I’m getting stressed out over my kitchen sink choices. Can you please simplify basic kitchen sink choices for me? — Tina, Michigan A: If you made…

By Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson From Tribune News Service Dear Helaine and Joe: We have two alabaster lamps on alabaster columns. They were purchased by our grandmother in Chicago in the 1940s. The question is: What might they be worth? Thank you, D. D., Austin, Texas Dear D. D.: Wow! Your grandmother bought one…

The Boomerang Alliance, an environmental group that represents over 50 environmental and government organisations have criticised Coles new reusable bags made from plastic marine waste as a “not genuinely reusable.” “Coles have missed a golden opportunity to reduce the use of wasteful plastic bags by continuing to sell disposable shopping bags,” said Toby Hutcheon, Campaign…

By Katie Laughridge From Tribune News Service For the last year my husband and I have been working toward giving our new house a face-lift (OK, two years – it is quite the process). It has been a slow and occasionally painful journey only made bearable by my love of finding new decorations and design…

By Hunter Boyce From Atlanta Journal-Constitution From biophilic design to reclaimed materials, here are the top trends that will make your home an earthy delight. Nothing gets a house looking fresh and stylish like a new look. It can improve your mood, your creativity and your dinner parties. This year, designers are going green, keeping…

By Cathy Hobbs From Tribune News Service Want to create a timeless color story, but don’t know where to start? A neutral color palette will not only create a foundation from which you can build any color palette, but it’s timeless as well. Neutral colors come in all shapes and sizes from tints, tones and…

By Katie Laughridge From Tribune News Service As I was lounging around my home the other day (I use the word lounging very loosely as I am on maternity leave and completely at the beck and call of my new little family member), I found my mind wandering. A wandering mind is not out of…

When it comes to home design, farmhouse style represents a total intersection of beauty and practicality, making it no surprise that many are embracing this traditional look today. Whatever architectural style your home is, adding key design elements can help you get in on best aspects of the farmhouse trend. Here are a few renovations…

Bathrooms aren’t just utilitarian spaces anymore: They’re becoming personalized, spa-like retreats. If you’re ready to hit refresh on your bathroom, these eight ideas will inspire you to turn this everyday space into a calming sanctuary. Accent Walls Homeowners and designers are increasingly using accent walls to amp up interest in the bathroom. These can be…