Archive for January, 2012
“Cosmopolitan craftsman” style in the living room
Homeowner Denise felt stumped on how to update her living room into a space with a more modern feel.
Tax time is here
Around this time of year, tax forms for 2011 are trickling home through the mail. If you have a more complicated return or simply want guidance, enlisting the help of a professional tax preparer can mean the difference between paying more or less to Uncle Sam.
Keep out the winter chill
Elle Decor Fireplaces add aesthetic appeal to the house as well as warmth throughout the winter season. While traditional fireplaces need ventilation, there are new types on the retail market that do not. Smoke-free fuels derived from eco-friendly, plant-based bio-ethanol can be utilized in rooms where ventilation is not available
Winter Gardening
http://youtu.be/446WshBQW-4
Best places to live car-free
For households that choose not to own a personal vehicle, urban centers that provide public transportation systems and amenities like retail stores, schools, and entertainment within close distance can be ideal places to live and work. 24/7 Wall St . compiled a list of the top 10 best places to reside, sans automobile: Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH (#10) Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA Salt Lake City, UT Denver-Aurora, CO San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Honolulu, HI New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA (#1) These cities, out of the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S, ranked highest for the following criteria — percentage of neighborhoods covered by public transit, frequency of service to those areas, the number of jobs reachable within 90 minutes or less by public transit, and the “walk score” (the number that indicates accessibility to amenities by foot).
Bottoms up
If the real estate market has hit bottom on the East coast, then there’s nowhere to go but up. The Wall Street Journal reports that cost-conscious buyers are not just surfacing in and around New York suburbs. They’re “storming” the market
A studio for the future
Seattle Times When architect, painter, and photographer David Hall constructed his work studio in the Samish River flood plain, he drew the curiosity and admiration of others in his craft. The 448-square-foot backyard box, built in the spring of 2010 for $106,000, is all things flexible.
Kitchen remodel tips
Homeowners who want to refresh their kitchen spaces often hire professionals to tackle the job. Before consulting with a remodeler, homeowners can save time and money by doing some initial research of their own. Homestyler.com is one of many web tools that enable the user to design floor plans, insert furniture and appliances, and visualize spaces in 2D. If you can see the end result in your mind’s eye, then you’re on your way to making it happen.
Can you see through this LCD screen?
Samsung showcases its newest in technology — a prototype of the transparent smart window. Imagine accessing travel plans, recipes, television programs, music, and photos in one place.
This Old House wants your DIY photos
If you’re starting a small or large-scale renovation project in your home, why not chronicle the process? With a few photos and an interesting story, you can enter the DIY Reader Remodel Contest 2012 sponsored by This Old House.