Win a Pink Husqvarna 450 Rancher Chainsaw to Support Breast Cancer Awareness

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October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we’re supporting Husqvarna and Living Beyond Breast Cancer in their efforts to raise awareness and support for those affected by the disease. From now until November 15, 2016, you can enter to win a limited-edition pink Husqvarna 450 Rancher chainsaw as well as a matching pink toy chainsaw. … Read more

Lumeria Maui — A Retreat You Won’t Want to Leave

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Nestled above the bohemian surf town of Paia on Maui’s North Shore, Lumeria Maui is a serene boutique retreat offering a restorative island escape. Over the past two years we’ve returned to experience the evolution of this peaceful sanctuary under the stewardship of founder Xorin Balbes. Once a Los Angeles–based interior design standout, Xorin relocated … Read more

Valspar Introduces Smart Paint Color Picker Tool for Homeowners

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We’ve all experienced it — a handful of paint chips in our hands, each shade only slightly different, holding them up to a wall and trying to decide which one is right. The worry that after all the work the color will look wrong, or won’t match the vision, can be enough to stall a … Read more

Keep Gutters Clear Year-Round With Gutter Filler Inserts

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On a rainy Saturday morning last weekend, my husband and I stopped by the hardware store to pick up picture- and art-hanging supplies, a masonry bit, and—best discovery of the day—a solution for our window screen issue. (More on that in a later post.)
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While wandering the aisles in search of what I like to call “treasures,” we found an innovative product called Gutter Filler. Although we live in a loft and don’t have gutters to maintain, I wanted to share the product details for anyone seeking an effective, low-maintenance solution to keep gutters debris-free.
Gutter Filler is a lightweight, wedge-shaped insert with three sides that fits snugly inside a gutter. Once installed, it prevents leaves and other debris from clogging the drainage system around your home.
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Because the pieces form a continuous barrier when placed edge to edge, they also discourage mosquitoes from breeding in standing water inside gutters—an added health benefit for yards and neighborhoods.

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Top Kitchen Design Trends from 2016 You’ll Still Love

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Houzz recently released its 2016 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, a valuable resource for designers, builders, and homeowners planning a kitchen remodel. The report highlights key trends shaping today’s kitchens, including the rise of the “super kitchen”—a multifunctional space that blends cooking with dining, entertaining, and living-area functions, often incorporating design elements and amenities typically … Read more

This Penny Countertop That Saves You Money

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Forgive the pun—I couldn’t resist. One Project Closer invited me to serve as a judge for their Before and After contest, and this week I had the tough job of picking a favorite from many excellent entries. One project in particular caught my eye. From the blog Domestic Imperfection came a truly distinctive and impressive … Read more

XPEL Ceramic Tint Review: Discreet Protection for Classic Mercedes-Benz

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We’ve been very happy with the Xpel window film on our home windows — it’s been invaluable during Las Vegas’s brutal summers. The intense sun and UV exposure that ages a house interior also takes its toll on vehicle interiors and our skin, so we decided to protect our 1983 Mercedes-Benz 300D with automotive window … Read more

Eco-Friendly Renting: Energy-Saving Tips for Tenants

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Renting a home doesn’t mean you have to give up living green. Renters can reduce energy use and embrace a more sustainable lifestyle whether they occupy a compact apartment or a large house. Small, practical changes add up to meaningful savings and a smaller environmental footprint. This guide offers clear, useful tips to help you … Read more

Choosing the Right Chainsaw Protective Trousers: A Buyer’s Guide

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Years spent working with a chainsaw teach most property owners the fundamentals of cutting timber, but they don’t always make clear how much protective gear has changed in the last decade. A close call—or seeing someone take a kickback—quickly focuses attention on protective clothing. The terminology is dense, online advice often conflicts, and the risks … Read more

Create Your Own Relaxing Retreat with a Modern Cabana

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With today’s housing market and economic pressures, many homeowners find it difficult to move even when they’ve outgrown their living space. You can renovate, multi-purpose rooms, and optimize storage, but sometimes what you really need is additional square footage. When our family grew—two babies arriving within a short span—we quickly had to rethink our home’s … Read more