Category: HOME

Ask the Builder: Spending a Lot on Storage Fees? Build Your Own Shed

It seems like every week I get at least one email or a question on my live stream sessions about inflation. I’m by no means an economist, but I’ve seen enough full moons to know that inflation is raging and it’s going to get much worse. I do the grocery shopping in my household, and…


Simple Solutions for 3 Common Laundry Problems

Stinky Towels and Clothes No matter how many times you wash those items, you just cannot get rid of the disgusting sour, mildewy odor. The problem is clear evidence of bacteria that continues to live in those items, despite having been previously laundered and dried. Place the offending items in the washer, and set it…


Rethink Avoiding Your Agent to Sell Directly to a Friend

DEAR MONTY: I am selling my home through an agent, and I verbally agreed to a price from a guy who lowballed by over half the asking price. The guy is nitpicking everything and taking forever, so I have signed no papers. Now I have another offer through a personal friend. I want to know…


Install an LED Night Light

Anyone who stumbles in a dark hallway knows the value of a sensor night light. Sure, you can use a plug-in version, but having one wired into your electrical system is a nice upgrade. We’ve enjoyed the safety of having one that combines an electrical receptacle with an LED (light emitting diode) night light. The…


Real-Life Tarzan: Plant-Lover Spends Over $26,000 Turning Home Into Jungle

A plant-lover has spent 20,000 pounds ($26,000) on turning his home into an indoor jungle complete with 3,000 plants. Jonny Balchandani, 34, has slowly been transforming his home for the last decade after falling in love with nature and plants. His five-bed home in Castlemorton, Malvern, England, has been taken over by indoor plants, with over…


Villa Hale Malia: A Phuket Gem Priced Right at $5 Million

Set on an overlook above the Andaman Sea on Phuket Island’s remarkable west coast, Villa Hale Malia is a contemporary dream vision brought to life. The villa’s concepts, skillfully created by the architects at Original Vision, take full advantage of the landscape overlooking the Patong coastline, the pristine beaches below, and its lush garden surroundings….


Requiem for a Dollhouse: Handmade Replica of a 1950S Ranch House Is Too Big to Donate, Too Precious to Toss

by John Keilman Chicago Tribune BENSENVILLE, Ill. — A lot of people remember their childhoods through photo albums or a cherished toy. Penny Parrish’s keepsake is rather more substantial — and that has become a problem. A few years after her family moved into the Bensenville ranch-style house her father and a friend built with…


Your Deck’s Weakest Link: Collapse Hazard!

Deck collapses happen all the time, and many of them never make the news. Several years ago, I attended an all-day training session put on by a leading manufacturer of metal structural connectors for decks, homes, and other structures. They estimated at the time that over 80 percent of the decks in the United States…


10 Gardening Ideas to Steal From the French

Turn your backyard into a French paradise France is known for its beautiful dichotomy between architectural and natural beauty. Building wise, obvious standouts are the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triumph and the Notre-Dame Cathedral, but the real beauty of France is what surrounds these iconic structures. The Palace of Versailles for example, a beautiful…


Four Top Tips to Help Your Pets Stay Lean and Healthy

Do you love giving your cat or dog an extra treat to nibble on? As much as they seem to enjoy it, it isn’t always the healthiest move. Just like humans, pets can suffer from weight issues. And it’s becoming a growing problem, with more chubby companion animals around than ever before. In a recent survey of veterinarians,…