When a new year dawns, many of us are thinking about how to do things better, how to manage various aspects of our lives in a more efficient way that brings more pleasure or at least less stress. As many of us think about cleaning up our act a bit in 2019, my thoughts turn […]
lighting
Enjoying outdoor space year-round: 12 tips for getting decked
Designing the ideal deck is a bit more daunting than it seems. Go too understated and it may look like a dock. Go overboard, and it will look like the architectural equivalent of wearing cocktail attire to a backyard barbecue. But we can help. Because we are fortunate in this area to be able to […]
Want a better closet? Here’s how to get started
You might think that efficient, highly functional, and beautiful custom closet design begins with space planning. But you would be wrong. It begins with a purge.
Getting your Garage in Gear
Last month’s column featured 10 spring-cleaning tips for improving your home’s curb appeal. This month I offer 10 tips for improving the appearance and function of what can easily become the most unsightly room in your home: the garage.
Shed light, not tears: Build a better garden shed
If your lifestyle demands a bit more storage outside of your house and garage, you are in need of either a good purge or a good shed. Seriously, many homeowners, especially those who want to actually park their cars in their garages, need an additional workshop space or spot for lawn and garden tools and […]
Putting the ‘room’ in ‘mudrooms’
The term mudroom is a bit of a misnomer nowadays because, while these hardworking entry spaces see a lot of action, mud is seldom part of the picture.
There’s an outdoor shower for every “body” and budget
If you loved running through the sprinkler as a kid, the kid in you is likely to find the same pleasure in an outdoor shower. Or if you longingly associate showering outdoors with watching the sun set over the sound and savoring a book during an afternoon storm from the cocoon of a screened porch—in […]