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A strategic approach to remodeling: refreshing rooms with small projects |
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In today's challenging economy, you're taking a look at how you spend your hard-earned dollars. And while you may not have the necessary budget to tackle a major home improvement project, there are many homeowners who are choosing a more strategic approach to remodeling - by refreshing rooms and undertaking small projects one at a time. |
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Right-sizing your rugs to fit your room and decor |
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We've all seen decorating debacles, and even perpetrated a few ourselves. A wrong-sized rug is among the worst. Learning to right-size your decor can help in choosing the right rug for your interior design. |
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Simple accessory switches can lighten your decor for summer days |
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Replacing dark accessories with brighter, lighter ones is a fast, easy way to lighten the mood in your home. Re-accessorize the right way - spend your redecorating dollars on items that will give you the most impact for the lowest monetary investment. Here are a few ideas from some home decor experts to get you started. |
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Summer: the perfect season to design an eye-catching and comfortable kitchen |
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In the summer, most activity moves to the great outdoors. Porches, patios and decks are the official "heart center" of most homes during the warm weather months, especially at mealtimes. Instead of congregating in the kitchen as they do in the colder season, families tend to gather on the patio to enjoy dinner and recap the day's events. |
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Help kids get back into the swing of school with simple room updates |
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There's no avoiding the return to school. But parents can help kids ease the transition by creating an environment that's comforting -- and conducive to learning at the same time. If your child is struggling to adjust to going back to school, some simple changes in her bedroom might help make the move less difficult. |
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Give your kitchen a 'make under' |
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Think your kitchen needs a makeover? Why not try a "make under"? "Less is more" is the new mantra for homeowners who want to take control of their home decor - eliminating clutter, streamlining products and taking a simplified, minimalistic approach to their home-improvement projects. The perfect room to begin this organized overhaul is the kitchen, as it's a spot that tends to clutter quickly. Learn how you can make under this space and uncover its true beauty. |
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Choosing the best water heater for your lifestyle |
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When ranking household appliances that consume the most energy, no one is surprised to see heating and air conditioning units at the top of the list. On the other hand, many people are surprised to learn that their water heater ranks at No. 2.
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Conquer closet creep with these time-saving tips |
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Closet creep is real. No, your possessions aren't multiplying in the middle of the night, though it may seem that way. But it does take resolve to tame the tendency to keep more than is discarded so your home stays organized and clutter free. |
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Simple, eye-catching ways to 'in-grain' wood in home decor |
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From Colonial to Craftsman to contemporary, wood is a fundamental feature in home design for its ability to complement all types of architectural styles. Its beauty, versatility and durability allow homeowners to easily incorporate wood materials throughout a home, bringing warmth, texture and a touch of nature to any room. |
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Rounded, organic shapes soften a bathroom's style |
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A major concept unveiled this year in bath design was "soft geometry" - using rounded, organic shapes in room structures and products to soften a bathroom's style. Learn how you can use this top trend, as well as others, in your next remodeling project. |
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Make your home appliance updates a local investment |
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Summer is the biggest moving time for Americans, according to Moving.com. With low housing prices continuing and the recent first-time homebuyers credit that ended in June, plenty of Americans will be unpacking boxes in new homes this summer and fall. |
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Practical upgrades pay off in kitchens and bathrooms |
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Practical pays off when it comes to kitchen and bath renovations. Gone are the days when virtually every kitchen or bathroom remodel involved top-of-the-line luxury upgrades and a budget big enough to fund an Ivy League education. Today's homeowners want more value for their remodeling dollars, and that means turning to improvements that make both functional and fiscal sense. |
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The master material: Unexpected uses for ceramic tile in the master suite |
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Ceramic tile has held a hallowed place in bathroom renovations for generations. Durable, easy to clean, and available in a wide range of color, format and design, tile just makes sense in a bath. But some enterprising designers and homeowners are finding a new spot in the home where tile not only works well, but can take center stage - the master bedroom. |
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Summertime, and the cooking is easy |
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When the weather heats up, you're looking for ways to keep your cool. Incorporating new dishes that don't require a lot of heat to prepare and leave you feeling cool is a great way to survive the summer heat. |
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Get more bang for your renovation buck in the bedroom |
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Whether you're renovating to attract potential buyers, or to improve your enjoyment of your house, sprucing up the master bedroom has multiple benefits. You can make the most of your money by adding high-quality, high-impact touches like these. |
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Ten tips for the perfect bathroom remodel |
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Giving an old, tired bathroom a makeover is one of the best things you can do to increase your home's resale value. And while it can take some planning, remodeling your bathroom is easily within the capability of most homeowners. |
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Turn a gourmet kitchen into a chef's studio |
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Does your kitchen feel more like Julie's than Julia's? No need to be concerned ... if Julie could learn to master the art of cooking in less than a year, you can design your own chef's studio in a fraction of that time. Follow Julie's footsteps and take your lead from those who know kitchens best - professional chefs. |
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Home decorating: the cool, clean whites of summer |
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There's nothing like white to add a cool, clean look to your home. From linens and pillows to china and cabinetry, a splash of white not only adds light to your interiors, but can lighten your mood as well. The kitchen is one of the best spaces to go wild with white. |
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Remodel 411: help for the remodeling-challenged |
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Thinking of remodeling but don't know where to start? Let your mouse do the heavy lifting and transform your current space into your dream home. These days everyone turns to the Web to get inspired. Start your renovation by concentrating on the rooms you use the most and offer the best return on investment (ROI): your kitchen and your bathroom. |
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Kitchen, bath renovations remain tops, but go lean and green |
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When it comes to adding value and enjoyment to your home, kitchen and bath remodels still remain tops, remodeling and real estate experts say. But how people remodel is changing. High-end renovations, costing tens of thousands of dollars, are dwindling, replaced by upgrades that provide homeowners with the most return for the least investment. |
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Spring cleaning to find hidden villains |
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Nearly everyone can appreciate polished surfaces and tidy rooms, but spring cleaning has other benefits. Spring cleaning can also help deal with allergens and pests in your home. Many people are aware of allergens like dust, pollen, mold, mildew and animal dander, especially in the spring, but some sources of these are often less obvious. Just a few simple steps added to your spring cleaning every year can help you to enjoy your home. |
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Demystifying contemporary home décor and design |
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Mixed up by modern? Confused by what's considered contemporary? With more emphasis on home design today, it can be difficult for homeowners to distinguish between the array of design styles. Here are hints for creating a modern look in your home. |
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