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Treasures: Can Elgin National coffee grinder brew up profits?

Dear Helaine and Joe:I have a coffee grinder -- it is an Elgin National and is 25 inches tall. It will not grind coffee -- it just falls through. I have had it for 70 years and my father-in-law had it...

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Interiors: Kitchen-remodeling suggestions

Well, we are into a new year and many of us are looking for something new for our lives. How about a new kitchen? And why not, since the kitchen is where the family gets nourished, at least...

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Through the Front Door: A winter wake-up call after the Christmas bling

This article is dedicated to adding some punch back into rooms now void of holiday happiness.

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Treasures: Silver demitasse spoons stir up different valuations

Dear Helaine and Joe:These pictures are of demitasse spoons that have been passed down in my family. A set of five spoons is heavily engraved with a floral pattern and belonged to my great-grandmother,...

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101 Ideas: A guide to choosing kitchen cabinets

Cabinets can devour the bulk of a budget during a kitchen remodel. Because they are a major investment, sort through the available options and make choices with confidence.If existing cabinets are of...

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Dear Monty: ‘For sale’ sign installed without permission

Reader question: Can my neighbor put up a 4 x 12 “for sale” sign on my property without my permission? What do you suggest I do about it? MonteMonty’s answer: Hello, Monte, thanks for your question. No...

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Through the Front Door: Look to nature for inspiring interiors

Nature—especially birds and their amazing plumage—is one of the most delicious places to find a color palette for your home.

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What have you done for me lately? Looking at my first full year at The Signal

I set ambitious goals for the newspaper last year.

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Through the Front Door: Lace is making strong return to home interiors

Lacing a room with lace

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Treasures: Is this piece an example of ‘Chinese Lowestoft’?

Dear Helaine and Joe:I have a porcelain plate and have been unable to identify the markings on the back. I wonder if the piece is Japanese Imari or Chinese Lowestoft.Thank you,L.D., ChicagoDear...

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Treasures: Wake table served the needs of dearly departed

Dear Helaine and Joe:I was told this table was made in England from burr-walnut. The legs are a puzzle to me because they look like horse hooves. The table is 94 inches long and 66 inches wide when...

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Plumber: New bathtub technology is not ‘cool’

Q: My husband and I are planning to remodel our bathroom by changing all the fixtures, but basically we’re leaving the existing floor plan the same. My question is about choosing the new bathtub. Do...

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Treasures: Satsuma pottery fell in quality over the years

Dear Helaine and Joe:These two vases are each 18-1/2 inches tall. I inherited them from my mother, who got them from a sale in 1946. I understand that they were quite old then. As you can see, the...

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Homefix: Upgrade wiring in a house built in 1900

Q: The house we bought in 2005 was built in 1900. We have done our best to update the electricity by removing knob and tube wiring in the basement and all that is accessible in the attic. Our...

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Gardener: Firming up garden plans for the new season

For many gardening enthusiasts, this time around late winter and early spring requires a lot of self-control. We’ve been cooped up for months, unable to get our hands in the dirt, while attempting to...

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101 Ideas: Take care of your sink stopper

Sink stoppers are those nifty little gadgets in your sinks that shut down or rise up, allowing water to fill or empty from the sink. You raise and lower the stopper using the lift knob. The knob is...

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Plumber: New kitchen sparks ‘Battle of the Bowls’

Q: We’re going to remodel our outdated kitchen and plan to install a cast-iron kitchen sink. I want a single-bowl sink that will be open and large for me to work in. My husband wants a double-bowl...

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101 Ideas: Spring chores

Prepare your house and garden for spring:n Unplug your electronics and use an electrostatic cloth to wipe all surfaces, front, back, underneath and especially the vents. Once a month, spray compressed...

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Cake set features Japanese designs

Dear Helaine and Joe:This is a cake set that was given to my grandparents for their wedding in 1917. I wonder if you can tell me anything about the maker and any value it might have. It is too precious...

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Keep dust down

You can’t avoid having to dust -- two of the biggest components are skin cells and fabric bits -- but you can reduce the amount you have to do. Donna Smallin, author of “The One-Minute Cleaner Plain...

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