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We spend so much time in our homes that it’s important that they bring us joy. Follow these inspiring ideas to spread a little happiness in your home. Granite State Cabinetry 1. Let In the Sunshine Nothing will lift your mood like sunlight beaming in through your...

While expecting their first child, these two busy physicians found a house exactly where they wanted to live in Ripon, California. The house had the right amount of space for their growing family, but they needed professional help to make it suit their needs and...

Many people give their outdoor furniture, pillows, pads and rugs a good cleaning in spring, but late summer and early fall also are opportune times for sprucing things up. They’ll have a sparkle that you can enjoy the rest of the season. And if the end of spending...

Firescaping incorporates the design of the landscape and property surrounding a home to lessen its susceptibility to fire. This can be achieved through a well-thought-out landscape design plan that specifies less combustible plants, incorporates fire-resistant...

Are you looking for a place to get away from it all? That place might be right in your backyard. See how landscape pros used nooks, crannies and even open areas to create cozy, inviting spots for relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. Whether you’re looking for a...

Finding dependable home professionals to team up with isn’t always easy. It’s important to find like-minded pros who are trustworthy, skilled and a pleasure to work with. And when you find them, fostering a lasting business partnership can help you deliver stellar...

Rarely does a kitchen comprise a single material or color. Mixing finishes creates balance and visual interest, and it makes practical sense when choosing a surface for messy prep work versus one that’s more decorative like a wall finish. Here, design and remodeling...

As we work — and spend — to make the places we live in beautiful and functional, we sometimes make decor mistakes we come to regret. Unhappy choices nearly always stem from poor planning, rushed decisions, self-doubt or bad advice. Here I’ll show you how to take sound...

For millions of Americans, a pet makes a house a home. Now, a new study shows that when remodeling their homes, pet owners keep their furry — and hairy, feathery and scaly — friends in mind. Houzz surveyed more than 1,000 pet owners and found that nearly half (48%)...

When you are on vacation, it seems natural to end up outdoors in the evening and even into the night, simply enjoying being outdoors. On camping trips it’s all about stargazing and marshmallow roasting; at a beach house, you might sneak down to see the waves crashing...

Is your yard a restful spot where you can chill out and relax, or is it lacking that oh-so-important tranquil vibe? If you’re looking to feel completely at peace in your outdoor space, take a look at these ideas to help you turn your outdoor space into an uplifting...

A well-designed outdoor kitchen can elevate your cooking and entertaining experience. Read on to learn more about the grills, layouts, materials and other features they think nearly all well-appointed outdoor kitchens could use. With summer drawing to a close, now’s...

Decades ago, iconic American interior designer Dorothy Draper said: “The Drab Age is over. Color is coming into its own again.” The declaration is as timely now as it was then, especially for this homeowner. She, her husband and their two kids share one full bathroom...

While many homeowners are attracted to bright colors, I often find my clients are most concerned with making sure the palette in their home feels “livable.” After all, a color you love in a stunning photo may not be a color you will love to see on your walls every...

When the mercury rises, houses without air conditioning can get stuffy and uncomfortable, making it difficult to relax, eat or sleep. Even if you have air conditioning, you may want to save energy and use it sparingly. Try these tricks to cool down your rooms during...

This yard in west London had always been cherished by its owners. “They really loved it,” landscape designer Peter Reader says. “It’s a strange triangular shape and quite quirky. It has areas of woodland too — unexpected in London — and they loved the atmosphere in...

“How much storage space do I need?” The trick is to assess what you own and decide how you will store it for convenient access. Carefully consider this challenge because poorly organized spaces often become daily irritations, impeding the pleasure of being at...

One of the ways you as a home professional can attract new clients is to showcase your work with appealing photography. David Duncan Livingston, a top interiors and architectural photographer based in the San Francisco Bay Area, has years of experience photographing...

Designers love powder rooms. That’s because these small, intimate spaces offer an opportunity to incorporate a surprising color or pattern that might not work for the rest of the home. Here, designers share the adventurous details they included in six new powder...

Built-in bookshelves, saturated color schemes and plump armchairs create cozy spaces made for enjoying books. Searches for “book nook” are up 69% this year, while searches for “reading corner” increased 45%. Whether you have so many books you need a rolling library...