ASK A DESIGNER: Options abound in flooring

January 21, 2021

By Melissa Rayworth Associated Press A stunning sofa or a beautiful wall color might catch your eye when you enter someone’s home. But flooring is the key to any room, says interior designer Elina Cardet. As the visual base for every other design choice, “flooring is the most important decision,” says Cardet, interior design director at Perkins and Will’s Miami office. Beauty matters, as does durability and also comfort: “You’re going to be barefoot on this floor,” she points out. Recent technological innovations have created a wide variety of flooring options ...

RIGHT AT HOME: Pro-style kitchens for the home cook

January 21, 2021

By Kim Cook Associated Press Avid home cooks often want to outfit their kitchens with the kind of high-end appliances and gear used by professional chefs. There’s that aspirational notion that somehow having the right equipment will lead to better food. So what’s in a pro kitchen that works well in a home kitchen? Chicago-based kitchen designer Mick De Giulio is a firm believer in buying high-quality gear. “Appliances sustain a lot of hard use,” he says. “They’re expensive at any level and people expect them to last.” From an aesthetic standpoint, De Giulio says, ...

Buying homeowners insurance? Ask these questions

January 14, 2021

By Sarah Schlichter of NerdWallet Purchasing insurance may not be as fun as choosing new furniture and paint colors, but it’s a critical part of the homebuying process. Your homeowners insurance policy is a financial safety net in case of a disaster, so you’ll want to ask a few important questions to make sure you have the coverage you need at a price you can afford. WHAT’S THE DWELLING COVERAGE PER SQUARE FOOT? Imagine that a fire burned your house to the ground and your policy didn’t pay out enough to rebuild it. That could happen if your dwelling coverage — the part ...

ASK A DESIGNER: Rethinking the basement

January 7, 2021

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 leakage. Bring in a professional to assess the risk and recommend safety measures. If the air in your basement is damp, add a dehumidifier to dry it out. After that, the options for renovating and redecorating a basement are endless. We’ve asked three interior designers — New York-based Jenny ...

Ways parents can help grown kids own a home

January 7, 2021

By Marilyn Lewis NerdWallet When responsible first-time homebuyers need help buying a home, the family bank sometimes can lend a hand. Younger homebuyers face a mountain of obstacles, including rising home prices and interest rates, too few homes for sale and unpaid college debt. Student debt is a major source of trouble. When the National Association of Realtors surveyed recent homebuyers who had problems saving up a down payment, 53 percent of those in the youngest group (37 and younger) blamed student loan debt for their difficulty. Families appear to be pitching in to help, ...

Bringing it home: Find inspiration in public spaces’ decor

December 31, 2020

By Melissa Rayworth Associated Press Sometimes, sitting in a public place like a hotel lobby, you notice a mix of colors youíd never considered using in your own home — and you realize you absolutely love it. Or you see furniture that’s much more modern than you thought you liked, but itís just what your living room needs. Interior designers say clients often tell them about public places with style they want at home. This can function as a useful shorthand, says Lauren Buxbaum Gordon, design director and partner at Nate Berkus Associates, who designs commercial and ...