Interior Design & Remodeling

by Judy Stringer The past few years have seen a renewed emphasis on viewing our homes as sanctuaries, places of respite and retreat from the chaotic and stressful outside world. While there are many ways a home can be optimized to help us function, feel and perform at our best, three local professionals shared their […]

by Laura Bednar As people age, the home they bought decades ago may no longer be accessible. According to a survey by AARP, nearly 90% of people over age 65 want to stay in their home for as long as possible. Practical home improvements may be the solution for those who want to stay in […]

by Melissa Martin When it comes to kitchen makeovers, it’s no secret that countertops play a vital role in defining the aesthetics of the space, but they are often the one element in a renovation capable of transforming the ordinary into extraordinary. For decades now, natural stone surfaces, which offer a combination of timeless beauty […]

EPA’s Home Energy Yardstick provides a simple assessment of a home’s annual energy use compared to similar houses. By answering a few basic questions, homeowners can get: The Home Energy Yardstick score (on a scale of 0 to 10); Insights into how much of the energy use is related to heating and cooling versus other […]

by Emily Canning-Dean Wall-to-wall plush carpet was the desirable choice for flooring in Northeast Ohio once upon a time, but now homeowners in the region seem to be gravitating toward different options. “One of the biggest trends we are seeing is people moving away from carpet and toward vinyl plank and vinyl tile,” said Larry […]

by Judy Stringer It’s been 10 years since celebrity designer Joanna Gaines of HGTV’s “Fixer Upper” brought the modern farmhouse aesthetic into vogue, yet this design style is far from dated. In May, in fact, wallpaper designer Hovia labeled modern farmhouse as the most popular home décor style in the U.S., after analyzing Google Trends data across […]

by Laura Bednar There are many characteristics in an older house that make it a charming and unique space, but there are others that are outdated and can lead to a variety of issues. Done right, renovations to a century home don’t have to detract from its character and can enhance the foundation already in […]

by Melissa Martin When it comes to cleaning, there’s nothing quite like having it done for you. But if you can’t afford a cleaning service, often the next best thing is using a device to simplify the process. That’s where robotic vacuums have made their mark in recent years. Though they can’t make floor cleaning […]