Cornstarch is a low-cost, readily available, humble miracle found in the baking aisle of just about every supermarket and grocery store in the country, and online. Extracted from corn and then processed into a very soft, white powder, cornstarch is sold in boxes and canisters. Usually, we think of cornstarch as a pantry ingredient used…
Is It Dangerous to Microwave Nothing?
At one point or another, we’ve all put something in the microwave that we shouldn’t have, and it likely didn’t have a dire consequence. Maybe that pizza came out spongy or you melted an old repurposed cottage cheese container. But other things, should they be left to cook for long enough, can have monumental effects on your appliance,…
A Striking Hamptons-Style California Estate
Originally envisioned as a weekend home away from San Francisco, this sumptuous Ross Valley estate tempts its owners and their guests to never leave. At the center of a unique private enclave, the exquisite 6,160 sq. ft. shingle-style home is surrounded by more than two acres of natural wonders. Listed for $12.5 million, the home was…
Weather
Before I get started today, I want you to know there will be a big announcement in this column in two weeks on June 1. It is good news that you won’t want to miss. I believe it was Mark Twain quoting Charles Dudley Warner who said that “everyone talks about the weather, but no…
The Art of the Timeless Home With Alidad
Known internationally by a single name, Alidad is one of the world’s most beloved and recognized home designers. Palaces and mansions around the world, and even historic stately homes in the UK have been breathtakingly brought to life or restored by his careful hand. Raised in Iran, Alidad is now based in Mayfair, London, and…
Ask the Builder: Which Roof Is Best in Life?
My guess is you don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the roof over your head. You simply want it to be free of leaks, and if it can look good at the same time, that’s a big plus. Have you ever wondered why asphalt shingles have been the go-to product for most houses…
Magical Solutions for Challenging Situations
Sometimes it’s the most unusual thing that turns out to be the magical solution for a household problem — things like a hairdryer, tube of toothpaste or simple explanation. Dear Mary: We had a very bad, dark pink, 7-foot stain in our white fiberglass whirlpool bathtub from previous antifreeze winterizing. I’d tried many things to…
Add a Unique Curved Area to a Deck
Dear James: It seems like everyone has the standard rectangular deck. I would like to build a unique one with a circular section surrounded by gardens. How can I do this? — Joshua W. Dear Joshua: Adding a deck yourself, especially a unique one with a curved side, can increase the value of your house…
Many Animals Have White Bellies
Q: I notice that many cats have white bellies and some also have white paws, even when the rest of the coat is another color. Are white bellies as prevalent among cats as they seem? If so, why? A: White bellies are indeed common among cats, dogs and other species. Each of my tuxedo cats…
Like It or Not, You Need a Good Credit Score
In my perfect world, there would be no credit scores. And while I do not believe that credit is necessarily evil, in that perfect world of mine, there would be no need for any of that because it would be, well … perfect! Back to reality. There are myriad reasons we need to have good…
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