Blog

You don’t always need to tackle a massive renovation to get a yard that suits your needs and pleases the eye. Sometimes making over a few key features will do the trick. See how creative design moves involving plantings, pavers and patios took these yards from tired...

What are some of the luxury design elements that make a room look expensive? It’s not always the most prominent or obvious item. We gathered 10 luxe rooms that exemplify the look with thoughtful attention to details that go a long way.  Limewash Walls In this living...

Designer Michelle Hurley always wanted a spacious backyard where the kids could kick a ball without it bouncing into traffic and where she could host a large garden party. In 2014, she and her husband bought a midcentury home in Toronto’s west end. Not only was the...

When you put your house on the market, you want to sell it quickly and for the best price possible; that’s generally the goal. But too many sellers are shooting too high right now. They don’t realize the market has shifted as inventory has grown. The side effect?...

This one-story Spanish Revival home in the Studio City neighborhood of Los Angeles was ripe for a down-to-the-studs remodel. The plumbing and electrical systems were old, and the finishes were crumbling. Oro Coast Builders completed a full-house remodel, and in the...

After you’ve put your coat hooks, shoe storage and a surface for keys and coins in your hallway, you probably think there isn’t much room for anything else. But one useful item you might well have forgotten is a seat — useful for putting on outerwear or just taking a...

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/roots-of-style-where-did-your-house-get-its-look-stsetivw-vs~10734164

Have you seen where mortgage rates have been lately? One day they go down a little. The next day, they go back up again. It can feel confusing and even frustrating if you’re trying to decide whether now’s a good time to buy a home. Take a look at the graph below. It...

Some Highlights Did you know the equity you have in your current house can help make your move possible? Once you sell, you can use it for a larger down payment on your next home, so you’re borrowing less. Or, you may even have enough to be an all-cash buyer. The...

According to Realtor.com, the best week to list your house this year was April 13–19. And since that week has come and gone, you might be wondering: did I miss my chance? Not at all – and here’s why. That’s just one source’s take, based on their own research. Other...

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/the-polite-house-how-to-set-up-an-extra-special-guest-room-stsetivw-vs~77813786

Social Security has become a saving grace for Americans, especially for retirees. The social insurance program was established back in 1935 and is funded by taxpayers through the Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax. Around 53 million retirees and their families...

If buying a home is on your radar – even if it’s more of a someday plan than a right now plan – getting pre-approved early is still one of the smartest moves you can make. Why? Because, like anything in life, the right prep work makes things clearer. The best time to...

Having a calm and relaxing bedroom that doesn’t skimp on style is the goal of many homeowners. But that can be interpreted in many ways. Here, designers share the details they used to create calming bedrooms in looks that range from subtle to sophisticated. 1. Old...

Lately, it feels like a lot of people have been asking the same question: “Is the housing market about to crash?” If you’ve been scrolling through social media or watching the news, you might have seen some pretty scary headlines yourself. That’s why it’s no surprise...

Whether a bathroom is spacious or snug, the success of its design comes down to smart space planning and thoughtful material choices. To find ideas for layouts, color schemes, tile patterns and more, explore this countdown of the 10 most popular new bathrooms. 10....

Some Highlights Unfortunately, a lot of sellers today are setting their asking price too high. That’s leading to an uptick in price cuts.​ Some of the most common reasons this is happening are that they’re not paying attention to current market conditions or they’re...

Cabinets often take up most of the visual weight in a kitchen. A lot of homeowners paint their cabinets white to make them visually recede, then focus on injecting a little color and personality through smaller surface areas such as the backsplash or countertop...

This coffee-break escape offers dozens of cleverly placed decks that are worth a peek. 5 & 8 are my favorites - what are yours?... Do you long for a deck to stretch out on but have only a postage-stamp patch of an outdoor area? Never fear, this collection of...