Thoughtful window treatments are a simple and effective way to bring style and polish to any room. A valance placed at the top of the window can coordinate with existing fabrics and the room’s color palette, giving a finished look—especially when the underlying treatment is a plain element like shades or blinds. A well-designed valance … Read more

Home builders are constantly looking for creative ways to attract buyers, and one effective tactic is tapping into current cultural trends—like the Justin Bieber craze. KB Home used that exact idea to draw visitors to its Las Vegas-area communities by offering a chance to win four tickets to see Justin Bieber at the Palms. The … Read more

Our intern this year, Lauren, is a design student at Iowa State University who has done a tremendous job helping Charles & Hudson improve and grow in many areas. Lauren lives in student housing like thousands of other college students. We asked her to share practical small-space tips for dorm living—advice every freshman should read, … Read more

While visiting Maui, we had the pleasure of touring designer Xorin Balbes’ latest project, Ke-Ao Lanihuli, a name that translates as “The light from the heavens to overturn old conditions bringing enlightenment.” The name feels deeply appropriate for this property, which aims to inspire transformation and renewal. You may recognize Xorin from his many design … Read more

I was honored to be invited to the second annual Craftsman Makecation, held this year in Brooklyn, New York. The two-day event was a hands-on celebration of making and craftsmanship, packed with practical workshops and creative projects. Participants moved between sessions learning new techniques and building useful items they could take home. Workshops included traditional … Read more

Creating a home gym is a smart investment in your health and well-being, but the cost of gear and a dedicated workout area can be intimidating. The good news is you can build an effective, budget-friendly DIY home gym with thoughtful planning and a few strategic purchases. This guide walks you through the process so … Read more

The concept of building a bridge between two homes is gaining renewed interest. Once a common architectural feature in many cities, these sky bridges are now reappearing in residential projects as homeowners look for creative ways to connect separate living spaces while preserving privacy and functionality. People often value private, well-defined spaces: a cozy reading … Read more

I’m thrilled to announce that I was featured on the homepage of BobVila.com. It’s an honor to have been selected as a Bob Vila Blogstar this year. The article highlights my work and my workshop, and it also showcases pieces on Charles & Hudson and Built by Kids. A big thank you to Bob Vila … Read more

Routine fire inspections in Orange County are often more complex than property managers anticipate. Many fire protection teams that look strong on paper struggle to stay current with California’s local fire code amendments and evolving NFPA standards. Remaining inspection-ready frequently exposes training shortfalls, strains budgets, and narrows the margin between compliant and non-compliant. After evaluating … Read more

I love my F-150, but the appeal of a mid-size truck keeps growing. For fuel economy and finding parking in tight urban areas, mid-size pickups clearly outperform full-size trucks. For many DIYers, they offer nearly the same cargo capacity and towing ability while being easier to live with day to day. Living in the city, … Read more