Adding loose-fill insulation to an unfinished attic is a gotta-do-it project for even the unhandiest homeowner. Blow-in insulation will create a sound barrier and add insulating power to your home, and installing it an ideal job for a wannabe DIYer. The job requires no-brainer skills, with a nice payback in a quieter and better insulated…

Timeless, colorful, and alive: such is a room designed by James T. Farmer III, interior designer, gardener, and all-around Southern gentleman. Farmer embraces the warmth of spirit and classically beautiful, seasonal lifestyle of the South, from generations of his close-knit family and his hometown of Perry, Georgia, and he brings it into his clients’ homes…

By Katie Laughridge From Tribune News Service We believe the bed is the centerpiece of a beautiful sanctuary. Today, we bring you three exquisite beds, each a reflection of the unique styles and visions of their respective designers, from classic elegance to modern chic. Join us as we delve into the stories behind the designs,…

By Lance Reynolds From Boston Herald A couple grads from Boston University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology may have finally solved the long-lived bathroom dispute between men and women on how they should leave toilet seats after they’re done using them. The group of five graduates teamed up to form Cleana, a Boston-based technology startup that’s all…

By Paul F. P. Pogue From Ask Angi With the heat dome over much of the nation and plenty of summer remaining, you’re probably seeing some eye-popping energy bills this season. But you can limit energy costs year-round with some alterations to your home. Even a well-maintained home eventually starts to lose energy, so an…

By Cathy Hobbs From Tribune News Service In theory, art and mirrors should be displayed in relationship to the furniture or object below it. Most people hang artwork and mirrors too high for what tends to work best in creating an aesthetically pleasing look for the eye. In many cases, hanging them so the center…

Few things are as satisfying as a job well done, and most of us are handier than we think. Many projects—such as fixing a misaligned cabinet door—may not seem DIY-friendly at first, but are actually quite simple. While it’s best to leave hanging cabinets to the pros or a pro-level do-it-yourselfer, fixing sagging doors, loose…

If you read my column on a regular basis, you may recall that about two months ago I touched on the perils of using paving brick made from concrete. These pavers fade in color over time as the thin cement paste that gives them their color succumbs to Mother Nature and high-pressure streams of water…

Dear James: My perennial garden has grown up and I need to make some access pathways through it. What is the best method to lay an attractive stone pathway?—Kim H. Dear Kim: It is not difficult to build an attractive, natural-looking garden pathway yourself. Many pathway materials are available, such as bricks and special pavers,…

If you’ve ever stopped by the store to pick up milk and walked out with a week’s worth of snacks to go with it, you know something about the power of temptation. Experts say the typical adult is exposed to 3,500 commercial ads in any given day. These hidden persuaders are designed to manipulate our…