Must-see spring color trends
Spring is the perfect time to give your home a fresh look. From serene shades to vivid hues, here are eight color schemes to consider this season.1. Liven up traditional design with the hottest spring...
View ArticleTub-surround project may surround you with options
Q: I want to change the look of my bathroom by putting in a new tub surround. I want to avoid ripping out the ceramic tile if possible. Are there special panels that I can glue or attach to my...
View ArticleTreasures: 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...
View ArticleInteriors: 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...
View ArticleInsulating ductwork
Q: I had a home-energy analysis. The report said my ductwork needs to be repaired upstairs and in the crawlspace because that is where a good deal of leakage is and also is bringing bad air pollutants...
View ArticleTreasures: Carnival bowls value varies by color, rarity
Dear Helaine and Joe:I would like your opinion on the rarity and value of this carnival glass bowl. It is marked with an underlined N in a circle and is in mint condition. It is 8 1/2 inches in...
View ArticleThrough the Front Door: A well-dressed table for the holidays
Make a meal to remember with a well-dressed table or buffet this Christmas. Apply the same creativity and panache you dedicate to your tree to the table for an impressive start to any meal. Imagine a...
View ArticleThrough the Front Door: Happy New Year and Goodby to Christmas 2012!
Christmas brings so much joy and excitement to our lives that letting go is difficult
View ArticleTreasures: 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...
View ArticleA hall tree thought to have seen some Oregon history
Enclosed are photographs of a hall tree that was left in a house that my grandparents bought in 1955 in Grants Pass, Ore. It was said that the two-story house was over 100 years old at the time, and...
View ArticleFire-safety tips
Be prepared with these tips for preventing and controlling fires in the home.1. Before buying a fire extinguisher, check its intended purpose. Some extinguishers effectively treat a few or all of the...
View ArticleSoap dispenser can clean up the look of your kitchen
Q: I never thought I would enjoy articles about plumbing until I became a regular reader of your column. I would like to add a soap dispenser to my stainless-steel kitchen sink, but my husband says...
View ArticleThrough the Front Door: Happy New Year and Goodby to Christmas 2012!
Christmas brings so much joy and excitement to our lives that letting go is difficult
View ArticleA Taft connection for this tea set?
Dear Helaine and Joe:I would like for you to tell me about this sterling-silver coffee-and-tea set. I am a retired jeweler who carried most American silver manufacturers -- such as Kirk, Gorham and...
View ArticleTips for a sparkling refrigerator
Think that cleaning your refrigerator (and keeping it clean) takes a lot of effort? Well, chill! Just follow these tips:1. Create a homemade all-purpose cleaner by combining the following in a gallon...
View ArticlePermits, inspections are there for a reason: safety
Q: I have planned all winter for a bathroom addition to my home. I watched DIY shows and checked information on the Internet. Once I started my addition, a state inspector showed up and told me I had...
View ArticleCould wrought-iron furniture be linked to THE Rose Garden?
Dear Helaine and Joe:I have an old set of wrought-iron garden furniture (a magnet sticks to it, so it must be iron). The set consists of a four-footed heavy pedestal table and four chairs, all with a...
View ArticleFruit and floral centerpieces
Do you need a spring centerpiece in less than an hour? Well, fruit and floral centerpieces are a snap to put together -- as long as you have the materials on hand. Even if you have to make a quick stop...
View ArticleTreasures: 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...
View ArticleNew fence gives an edge to raised beds
Since gardens are never really finished, Im happy to report that I finally have my new, large raised-bed vegetable garden prepared to the point of being able to add plants. The final step was...
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