Increase Your Home’s Value With Hardwood Floors

A survey by the National Wood Flooring Association asked real estate agents about the impact of hardwood floors on homebuyers. Of the realtors interviewed, 82 percent said that homes with hardwood…

The New (Smaller) Great Room

Subtle partitions can add intimacy to the classic open floor plan...  traditional kitchen design by san francisco architect Gast Architects Homeowners are embracing a new sort of great room — one…

Cost to build a garage

Inspired by Denis Chamberland's original article in French, translated by Deb Villeneuve Of the questions which I am most frequently asked, I would have to say " how much does it cost to build a…

Fresh Paint is an Inexpensive and Effective Staging Technique

Experts recommend paint as a low-cost but effective way to stage your home for sale. When choosing colours for staging, it is time to set aside your own personal tastes. Showcase the characteristics…

How to Take Classic Wedgewood Blue in a New Decor Direction

contemporary bathroom design by vancouver furniture and accessories Fluff Poor Wedgwood blue. It fell in with the wrong crowd in the 1980s, and it's still trying to distance itself from its peach-…

Refresh the Look of Your Kitchen with Sink and Faucet Replacement

Kitchens tend to be the hub of the home and realtors agree that kitchen improvements are well worth the investment. Thankfully, there are a few kitchen updates that are neither expensive nor…

DIY Custom-Hued Chalk Paint For Decorating Fun

We are seeing more and more use of chalk paint used in decor to create space for notes or a blank canvas for young (and young-at-heart) artists. We have yet to test this DIY project but it comes from…

Guide to Incandescent Bulb Replacement

There is a good chance that you still have a few 60 watt incandescent light bulbs in your home. Even in the flurry to replace bulbs with CFL's, they are most likely lurking in your table and floor…

Bathrooms Can Brim With Style, Even on a Budget

Get a high-end look for your bathroom even if you are on a low-end budget with some helpful design tips.   contemporary powder room design by san francisco design-build Urrutia Design Even if you're…

As We Prepare to “Spring Forward”, Reflect on the Benefits of Daylight

With Daylight Savings time approaching on March 11, it is a good time to reflect on light in the home. Realtors will attest to the value of a bright and welcoming home. Do you have any idea why the…

Cleaning Outdoor Furniture

Are you wondering how to freshen up your outdoor furniture? Chances are, you have all the ingredients you have right in your home to do so. The DIY Network shares the following advice: Basic Recipe…

What is the Future of Kitchen Technology?

The role of the kitchen in our homes has changed dramatically over the years. What used to be a space simply used for food preparation has now become the hub of the home. Today, cooking is…

2012 Trends: What’s New in Bathroom Cabinetry

contemporary bathroom design by vancouver interior designer Tracey Lamoureux Cabinetry can make a major statement in a bathroom — especially a large master bath. Many of the newest, strongest…

House Plan of the Week: “Your Own Personal Spa Retreat!”

  www.DrummondHousePlans.com - Plan # 2625 http://www.drummondhouseplans.com/house-plan-detail/info/1001458.html The casual façade of this comfortable country home only subtly hints at the joys…

Reasons to Design With Houseplants

Live plants are important home accessories and — sometimes they can even become key design elements on their own. Next time you see an unused corner or empty shelf in your home, consider bringing in…

Energy Efficiency Series: Induction Cooktops for Energy Savings (and Safety)

I recently attended a homeshow where a manufacturer was doing a demo of induction cooktops. A pot of water was at a rolling boil and a twenty dollar bill was tucked between it and the cooking…

Is Your Relationship Getting Lost in Your King-Sized Bed?

With Valentine's Day mere days away, thoughts of romance are in the air. As home designers, we frequently have requests for the master bedroom to be able to accommodate a king-sized bed. When…

The Perfect Home for the Single Woman

Recent statistics show that you don’t have to be a “Mrs.” in order to buy your dream house. In fact, single women dominate the homeowner’s market as of late—in 2010 alone, single women accounted for…

Whimsical Wednesday Idea – DIY Lightbulb Budvase

With everyone jumping on the bandwagon to ban incandescent bulbs, this DIY project may just result in a rare keepsake. This visually appealing budvase makes use of a spent clear incandescent bulb.…

Cool Things to do with Chalkboard Paint

You can turn virtually any surface in your home into a blackboard with chalkboard paint. You apply it just like any other paint. Then invest in a box of chalk and an eraser and you have your very own…