By Sarah Wolfe For The Associated Press Ceilings are the Rodney Dangerfield of homes. They get no respect. But there are plenty of easy ways to make over this oft-overlooked area, from the quirky charm of Victorian-era, pressed-tin tiles and beadboard to a simple splash of ...
NEW YORK (AP) — You might have heard of lights that turn off with an app or voice command. Or window shades that magically rise every morning. Technology companies are pushing the “smart home” hard, selling appliances and gadgets that offer internet-connected conveniences you didn’t ...
By Melissa Rayworth Associated Press It’s gotten easier to have a house full of pets without sacrificing the home decor you want. Interior designer Vern Yip, a judge on HGTV’s “Design Star” and a dog person, says new technology has led to a variety of stylish AND pet-friendly ...
DETROIT — As cooler temperatures signal the start of another heating season, DTE Energy suggests customers prepare their homes and their budgets for winter. Steps taken now can pay big dividends. DTE Energy offers the following tips to help manage winter energy costs and save money on ...
By Tracee M. Herbaugh Associated Press There are plenty of reasons to fix or replace windows, but wintry temperatures push many homeowners to get the job done. Besides the discomfort they cause, drafty windows can add hundreds of dollars to your energy bill over the course of a ...
By Melissa Kossler Dutton Associated Press Storage pieces are not what they used to be. Changes in home design and technology mean that boxy, old-fashioned armoires, dressers and china hutches are being repurposed or are making room for cabinets, shelving and sideboards in a wide variety of ...
By Dean Fosdick Associated Press Consider a hedge if you’re in need of a fence. When managed properly, hedges cost less, outlast wooden fences, are more attractive than most walls, and produce wildlife- and pollinator-pleasing berries and blooms. But decide just what it is that you want ...
By Katherine Roth Associated Press One driveway at a time, many green-minded homeowners and communities are opting for permeable paving options instead of traditional asphalt. “It’s much better for the environment because it helps cut down on storm runoff, which picks up motor oil and ...
NEW YORK (AP) — As temperatures drop and winter looms, homeowners and property managers are sweeping chimneys, insulating pipes and swapping screens for storm windows. They’re also going beyond traditional winterizing by installing smart thermostats and home energy monitors aiming to ...
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. home sales rose in October, breaking a six-month losing streak. But sales are still down from a year ago, hurt by rising interest rates. The National Association of Realtors said sales of existing homes climbed 1.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.22 ...
By Kim Cook Associated Press Kitchens tend to be designed as star players on the residential stage. Their role is often aspirational — pro chef’s lair, for example, or the country kitchen from that Italian movie you loved. But there’s a different story being played out by some ...
By Kim Cook Associated Press Amid a seasonal sea of red and green or silver and blue, there’s a sweet, alternative palette in holiday decor. Think of fresh fruits and delectable candies, and you’re on the right track — it’s an enticing, enchanting array of sugarplum hues that home ...
By Melissa Rayworth Associated Press Basements can be cold and dark, and often get much less decorating attention than the rest of the house. But you can gain new, useful and stylish living space by upgrading that subterranean space. Step one is addressing any risk of flooding or water ...
By Melissa Kossler Dutton Associated Press Teresa Keller used to joke that she was pantry-challenged. She often relied on a flashlight to search the deep, dark cupboard that held her canned goods and other food items. When she and her husband, Dave, decided to build a home in Sunbury, ...
By Katherine Roth Associated Press For empty nesters, seniors and others who find themselves moving into a smaller space, downsizing can feel emotionally and physically overwhelming. But careful planning and perspective can make it easier. It helps to keep your eyes on the prize, experts ...
By Melissa Rayworth Associated Press We decorate our homes in order to enjoy them. For book lovers, adding a cozy and well-lit space dedicated to reading can be the perfect finishing touch. Most homes, of course, don’t have a spare room for use as a library. But interior designers often ...
WASHINGTON (AP) — Spending on U.S. construction projects ticked up 0.1 percent in July, led by an increase in homebuilding and the publicly funded building of schools and highways. The Commerce Department said the slight July increase brought total construction spending to a ...
By Kim Cook Associated Press Lighting a room seems simple: Plug in a lamp or flip a switch. Not so fast. “Nothing enhances a space more than a thoughtful lighting plan,” says interior designer Michael Wood of New York City. Many buildings in the city don’t allow channeling into ...
By Kim Cook Associated Press Unfettered from dated conventions that urged us to pick a decor style and stick to it, more and more designers and retailers this fall are blending decorative elements and playing more loosely with the color wheel. In some cases, the result is a polished, ...
By Kim Cook Associated Press Kitchens tend to be designed as star players on the residential stage. Their role is often aspirational — pro chef’s lair, for example, or the country kitchen from that Italian movie you loved. But there’s a different story being played out by some ...