Exterior & Interior
Bonus Appliances to Add Kitchen Appeal
Homeowners remodeling their kitchen can look beyond traditional appliances and add specialty tools that may save on space and upgrade room efficiency.» Read More
No More Scary Basements: Finish Them Off
Remember the basements of your youth? Many were dark, damp places used for storage, with exposed pipes and structural steel support beams. Sometimes you had to walk down rickety steps with a single exposed light bulb overhead to get to laundry machines or your dad's workbench area.» Read More
Magnolia Plantation photo contest begins Friday
The 2011 Magnolia Plantation and Gardens Photography Contest opens Friday, March 4. The competition is open to professional and amateur photographers.» Read More
Spruce Up Your Outdoor Living Space
The covered porch has come a long, long way. Over the last 10 years one of the biggest changes we've seen is this: clients crave outdoor living spaces that reflect their personal taste and support their social lives.» Read More
Plantasia is Coming Next Month
Plantasia, Charleston Horticultural Society's Green Market for Plant Lovers, is coming next month. On April 29, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and April 30, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can treat yourself to a smorgasbord of incredible plants ready to flourish in your garden.» Read More
Tile: All Laid Out
Tile has truly transformed over the past few years, according to Sonya Buckhannon, owner and design consultant for Buckhannon Brothers Tile.» Read More
Produce Drop Site
The Palms of Mount Pleasant has partnered with Rosebank Farms on John's Island to be a drop site for the farm's Spring Charleston Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program. (CSA programs produce organic food for pick-up or delivery.)» Read More
Livable basements
What would you do with an extra floor of living space in your home? Create a fitness area or home theatre for your family? Go ahead and dream a little. "Found space" in your next home can easily be obtained by having your basement made from a pre-cast insulated foundation system.» Read More
Five tips for choosing exterior paint color
Choosing new exterior paint colors is a decision that some homeowners agonize over. But it doesn’t have to be that way, says Debbie Zimmer, color expert at the Paint Quality Institute.» Read More
Amarr introduces garage doors with impact windows
Amarr Garage Doors, one of the world’s leading designers, manufacturers and distributors of garage doors and door access systems, now offers its Stratford 1000 and 2000 models, Oak Summit 1000 and 2000 models and Heritage 1000 and 2000 models, with and without windows, with impact load protection. Amarr impact doors are available for wind speeds ranging from 130 mph to 169 mph.» Read More
Grill Charms
In order to avoid mix-ups on the grill, local entrepreneur Leslie Haywood came up with the idea of Grill Charms, dime-sized solid stainless steel charms that are placed in food before grilling.
» Read More
Either works for tabletop decor.
What’s Your Lighting Style?
Are you a fuzzy slippers, footy pajamas and knitted blanket lighting style, or are you a hopeless romantic, jazzy ambience, silk robe lighting style? The lighting in your home, whether it’s the color of paint on the wall or the brightness of your lights, is essential to adding warmth and personality to your home. The brightness and color you choose can completely change the mood and use of a room.» Read More
Dutch furniture tradition continues through teak
The Dutch made a profit off of teak wood in Indonesia 300 years ago. The tradition has continued in Mount Pleasant for over 15 years.» Read More
Interior painting the best bet for frugal customers
The worst of the recession may be over, but that doesn’t mean consumers will soon return to the rampant spending of years past. Recent research, such as the AP Economy Survey, shows that tightfisted spending habits will be here for a while.» Read More
Painting siding is smart option for thrifty homeowners
In the current weak economy, few homeowners will be running out to replace their vinyl or aluminum siding. But that’s not to say they can’t improve its appearance, or even change the color.» Read More
Deciding when to replace windows
Are your old wooden frames so swollen that your windows won’t open? Are your heating and cooling bills growing every year? Sounds like you need a self-test to determine if it’s time to replace your windows.» Read More
Gettin' artsy in the front yard
As summer is over, the yard that a month ago was bursting with verdure may be starting to look somber and empty. To fill that void and to bring out the rich colors that come with decay, homeowners can turn to yard art.» Read More
Space-Saving Hardwood Storage Stunners
"There probably isn't a room in the house where we don't store something," writes Mervyn Kaufman in his new book, Store It!, from Filipacchi Publishing. "Lack of space is certainly a challenge, but it is superseded in every instance by how best to use that space."
Before adding or rearranging storage in any room, Kaufman suggests you examine and evaluate. Keep what's needed. Then, begin your space-saving journey. Consider the following creative tips for practical yet beautiful ways to increase storage potential throughout your home.
» Read More
Great Time to Upgrade or Build Your Pool
Believe it or not, there is an upside to the lingering down economy. Homes and cars are more affordable. Restaurants are less crowded. And many products and services once considered luxuries are now within reach for consumers who have patiently waited to make their move. For anyone who has dreamed of owning their own pool or spa, or upgrading the amenities in the one they have, there may never be a better time to buy than now.
» Read More
Choosing the Right Decking Material
Billed as low-maintenance and attractive solutions for the yard, vinyl or composite decks have become the materials of choice for more homeowners in recent years. They're supposed to last longer and require less maintenance than wood counterparts -- perfect for homeowners who would rather enjoy their outdoor spaces, rather than spend hours each season maintaining them.
» Read More
Playing Peacemaker
Acrylic block walls and partitions can fill a very important role in a family home -- that of peacemaker.
At the Lukert home in Douglasville, Georgia, homeowners Phil and Lindy Lukert were tasked with how to divide up their 2,900 square-foot basement into a multi-purpose area.
» Read More
Moving Daylight
Windows are a great way to bring light into the home, but unfortunately walls and doors often stop that light from moving throughout the house. To continue daylight's natural flow in the home, designer Sherry Mitchell, IIDA, recommends incorporating acrylic block panels, door inserts and partition walls throughout rooms in the house.
» Read More
Are Termites Eating You Out of House and Home?
Termite season is on the horizon. These insects cause billions of dollars in damage every year, according to the University of Kentucky Entomology Department. Because termites generally do damage while inside of walls or other out-of-sight areas, homeowners often do not know they have an infestation until it's too late. Identifying signs of termites and getting situations under control early can save you money and structural damage.
» Read More
Welcome Spring with a Real Backyard!
As temperatures begin to climb, thoughts turn to the backyard: is it ready for spring? If your outdoor living space needs some serious TLC before the flowers bloom, here are some great ideas for creating a natural, authentic backyard oasis.
» Read More