The key to finding happiness in your decluttering efforts is answering this question: Once you decide to ditch your stuff, what do you do with it? Unless your soon-to-be-former possessions truly qualify as trash, you won’t want to set them out at the curb on pickup day to clog up your local landfill. Instead, the…
Simple Organization and Storage Tips
“Sorry my place is such a mess!” If you have to pull out that one every time you welcome friends or family into your house, it might be time to get organized. Marla Cilley, also known as the FlyLady, calls that CHAOS: Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome! Organization is an important aspect of any home….
5 Things to Spring-Clean Right Now—and a Few That Can Wait Until Fall
When it’s time to spring-clean, we may think we have to tackle every single item on the to-do list right away. But actually, there are some home maintenance tasks that it’s better to wait until fall to complete. To help you sort out which things to spring-clean ASAP and which can be safely put off…
Saving Liberty One Child at a Time
Aesop long ago told the story of the wolf and the dog. The wolf is starving, thin as a rail, when he meets a well-fed, strong dog. When the dog learns the wolf is barely surviving, he invites him to come and live with him on the farm. “You’ll get plenty of food and treats…
5 Steps to Allergy-Proof Your Home
Plagued at home by sneezing, an incessant runny nose, and watery eyes? You may be 1 of 40 million people who suffer from indoor allergies, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Luckily, there are ways to get relief. With a bit of planning and a little extra work, your house can…
Oil Finishes Are Easy to Apply to Wood
Dear James: We just bought an older house with lots of natural woodwork. Can we sand it down and refinish it with another natural oil finish? What are some tips to apply the finish? —Tammy V. Dear Tammy: Staying with a natural oil finish is a good idea both for its original attractiveness and the…
Curb Appeal Ideas for Your Small House
There’s a lot to love about small houses: less upkeep, lower utility costs, manageable floor plans. If you already live in a small house or are thinking of buying one, you’ll probably spend lots of time on the interior. But key exterior design and landscaping tips can do much to play up all that’s wonderful…
How to Hang Curtains and Window Coverings
Wondering what kind of window coverings work best in your space? Or maybe you’ve spent hours figuring out how to hang curtains or shades, only to realize that they don’t measure up. To save yourself save time and money, learn how to hang curtains (and curtain rods) using a few expert tips. How to Hang…
Instead of Replacing a Damaged Laminate Countertop, Repair It With Inlaid Tile
Dear James: Our kitchen laminate countertop is fairly new. Our kids put a hot pot on it and burned a big spot. Is there any attractive, inexpensive method to repair it ourselves? —Emily T. Dear Emily: For the most part, laminate countertops are virtually indestructible. It is basically a very durable sheet of plastic with…
Grace and Sensibility in a Southern Home
When designer Caroline Gidiere renovated three often-used spaces in the home of an entertaining maven and grandmother of 14 young children, she knew beauty had to remain front and center and yet share the stage with practicality and comfort. Beauty and Balance Gidiere’s client keeps a busy social calendar that includes large fundraisers at her…
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