Forget the Open Floor Plan--It's Time to Bring Back Walls

  1. Rushing Things Poor planning and hurrying through the design process are the reasons behind most kitchen renovation disasters. Solution: Slow down.  Take your time when planning and designing your kitchen, and be careful not to leave important decisions to the last minute. Select and order kitchen appliances well in advance and make sure your kitchen designer and manufacturer have all the details and dimensions prior to issuing the final drawings for construction. It usually takes more than one appointment to refine details such as the layout, functionality and finishes of the kitchen. You’ll usually have an initial meeting with the designer to discuss what you want, and the designer will then go off and create the concepts. This will be followed by another meeting to discuss and refine the design, following which the designer will issue the final set of documents. You’ll then have a run-through meeting where any final changes can be made. Be sure you understand 100% of w...

  Inspect patios and walkways Task:  Freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on hardscape surfaces made of loose (unmortared) brick, stone, and concrete paving materials. Check to see if frost heave and erosion have caused pavers to shift, rise, or sink. You’ll want to fix any unevenness for safety as well as aesthetic reasons. Shortcuts:  Repair hardscape surfaces using a wheelbarrow filled with playground sand and a sturdy trowel. Pry up displaced pavers, smooth and even out the bed with fresh sand, and replace the paver. Call in the pros:  This is a good job for a handyman. Expect to pay  $30 to $60 an hour , depending on your location. Feed your lawn Task:  After a wet spring, your lawn might be looking quite rich and lush. Since Mother Nature did the hard work, you can sit back and relax, right? Not so fast. Grass loves nutrients, so now’s the time to add high-nitrogen fertilizer to help suppress weeds and  keep your lawn looking...

You finally found a house that checks all the boxes—well, almost. There’s just one thing that’s bothering you, but you’re not sure how big of a deal it is. Welcome to our take on the internet’s favorite trend: It’s a 10, But. In this column, we’ll explore common issues and ask the experts to weigh in. Today, we tap the pros to find out: Is an old or  damaged roof  a dealbreaker? Whether you’re repairing a roof or replacing it entirely, it’s likely to be a major investment. Just how much you’re looking at depends on the size of your home, the  type of roofing  you want, whether or not you have unique features (like  skylights , chimneys, or dormers), and more. Besides cost, you’ll also want to consider timing: If you need to replace the roof to move in, but it’s winter or a rainy season where you live, you might have a hard time finding a roofer, according to  Ken Sisson , a Realtor® in Studio City, California. And the same may be true in the busy spring and...

  How to Buy What you choose depends on your setting, of course, but there are also some universal rules of thumb when it comes to outfitting your outdoor space.  Invest in a good sofa. Haiman’s best advice? “Function first,” he says, adding: “You can always make it beautiful.” More specifically, Haiman recommends investing in a good sofa before anything else.  Consider artificial wood. Real wood will weather to gray unless you sand and oil it, says Freda. It also won’t last as long as an artificial wood piece. Know your lifestyle.  Do you have kids? Maybe don’t get white cushions or pieces with sharp metal corners. On a rooftop? Be sure to consider the wind’s ability to blow away cushions.  Where to Buy where to buy the best outdoor furniture Freda and Haiman have a handful of go-to brands they turn to again and again for quality pieces.  Both experts name  Restoration Hardware  as a favorite for outdoor furniture sets in a variety of styles and ...

  1. Haphazard towels Corral your towels for a neater appearance. (Getty Images) When used towels are tossed over the shower rail or bathroom door, it creates a less-than-tidy visual. “Towels that are wet and hanging to dry in multiple locations feel damp and disorganized,” observes  Jen Dallas , design expert at her eponymous interiors firm. If you can rehang your towel bars in one area yourself (and then patch the wall), jump right in. Alternatively, swap in hooks or colorful knobs—because linens look neater there than in a messy clump on a longer bar. Dallas’ fix is to group hooks in one spot, so “when you walk into the bathroom, you don’t see towels everywhere.” 2. Dampness and humidity Damp conditions can lead to funky smells. (Getty Images) If you’re always itching to fling open your bathroom windows, you probably have a dampness issue. “Humidity here always communicates ‘unclean,'” says Dallas. You’re striving for freshness in this spot, so address the ever-present fog ...

   How to Pursue Homesteading During Your Retirement   If you have ever dreamed of owning a homestead where you can live out your retirement enjoying hobbies, such as gardening, raising animals, or keeping bees, it's not too late to make your dream a reality. Purchasing a larger property with ample indoor and outdoor space allows you to live the life you want while giving you enough room to host your family whenever they want to visit.   Perhaps your current home is too small or lacks the land or special features required to embark on your homesteading journey, or you might be uncertain about how to find and purchase a property. This article from Clyde Miles Construction Co. can help guide you as you search for your future homestead.   Consider Your Needs Before starting your property search, it helps to know what you should look for in a new home. Dandelion Hill Homestead notes to consider your future goals  and determine how you will...