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Dear James: I want to reduce the noise from my children's playroom. I'm thinking of installing acous... Read More

Oui, Toile de Jouy May. 02, 2026

At least the past five generations, perhaps more, have been exposed to toile, painted cloth. Toile i... Read More

Regrout Walls in Tile Shower Apr. 30, 2026

Dear James: The grout in our master bathroom shower stall is looking pretty bad and some pieces are ... Read More

Architectural Embellishments Apr. 25, 2026

Any room is just but four walls with a ceiling and a floor. What makes a room remarkable are the det... Read More

Durable Stainless Steel Can't Be Beat Apr. 23, 2026

Dear James: To match my other stainless steel appliances, I should install a stainless steel sink. I... Read More

Are Home Prices Going Down? The Answer May Surprise Apr. 21, 2026

Q: Our home is about $500K more or less. We are in the Midwest and enjoyed a nice run-up two to thre... Read More

Making a Family Room Apr. 18, 2026

What goes into the makings of a family room? Historically, the first family rooms emerged from the h... Read More

Gain Storage Space With More Shelving Apr. 16, 2026

Dear James: We could use more storage space, so we plan to install shelving on the utility room wall... Read More

Every Home Affordability Article is Missing Something Apr. 14, 2026

Q. My husband and I are ready to buy our first home. We have read numerous articles about how much h... Read More

Cocktail Tables Apr. 11, 2026

Cocktail parties! Who doesn't love one? Have you ever been invited to a cocktail party? And so you s... Read More

Easy-To-Build Barbecue Grill Apr. 09, 2026

Dear James: I want to add a brick barbecue grill on our concrete patio. What are some basic tips for... Read More

First-Time Homebuyers Seek Guidance Apr. 07, 2026

Q: How Much House Can I Afford? My wife and I are ready to buy our first home. We've been reading ar... Read More

Client and Designer Dynamics Apr. 04, 2026

Like any relationship, problems sometimes arise between clients and designers. Clients expect design... Read More

Replace Worn Carpet With Laminate Apr. 02, 2026

Dear James: With my active family, the living room carpeting is badly worn. I want to replace it wit... Read More

Retired and Overwhelmed by Home Repairs -- Should I Sell or Stay? Mar. 31, 2026

Dear Monty: I just bought a home out of state and moved in October 2025 after saving almost $200,000... Read More

Outdoor Space Mar. 28, 2026

Nearly every home has some sort of an outdoor space, from a generous terrace and backyard area to a ... Read More

Refurbish Deteriorating Deck Lumber Mar. 26, 2026

Dear James: The surface and some of the support lumber is deteriorating on my raised deck. How can I... Read More

When the Listing Agent and Seller are Friends Mar. 24, 2026

Reader Question: We just put an offer on a house and are under contract. The listing agent and selle... Read More

Is Your Decorating Depressing You? Mar. 21, 2026

From time to time, at a cocktail party or when visiting a friend, someone will corner me and confess... Read More

Add a Kitchen Island for Convenience Mar. 19, 2026