Designing a kitchen is always a struggle, but it becomes much more difficult when you have to design the whole thing from over 3,000 miles apart. Houzz consumer Karen Heffernan was residing in California while the construction on her soon-to-be-home…
On the AphroChic site I love to feature spaces that blend modern design ideas with cultural expression. Nowadays, warm wooden pieces from around the globe are an excellent way to bring international style home. Each month on Houzz I’m sharing…
On the lookout for and affordable and easy way to decorate your walls? Consider maps. Whether it is a topographical map from USGS, a nautical chart, a collection of National Parks maps, a subway map, a map of the whole…
I’m a city girl at heart, but there is something about farmhouse decor that appeals to me. I’m not sure if it’s the intrigue of time-worn items, or the relaxation in decor symbolizing a pure and simple way of life….
Designer Jason Urrutia was finishing a job in Marin County, Calif., when a realtor told him she had something he’d like in a neighboring city. He was not searching for something fresh however, but he moved along in the spirit…
About 80 different species of Magnolia exist, a lot of which thrive outside in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 5 through 9. Magnolias might be shrubs or trees and, with respect to the species, might be ever-green, semi- deciduous…
Most folks use hard-wood staples or nails to to install hard-wood flooring but this is only an alternative in the event the subfloor is constructed of plywood. Keep from nails for those who have particle board as underlayment or your…
Modern home cooling and heating systems are made from pretty reliable materials, and yet like all the other systems in your home, they require routine maintenance to keep them in good condition. An HVAC system specifically requires inspection by a…
Mildew is a kind of mould that grows in moist, shady places. Along with its ugly look and musty odor, mildew can pose a security risk when you must walk across its area that is slippery. Besides trimming any mild…
Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa), also called Chinese, Japanese or Korean dogwood, is well-suited to the home landscape. Reaching a height of 20 to 30-feet with the equal spread, kousa dogwood grows under various conditions. This little tree thrives in well-drained…