Football season is back, and with college games already underway and the NFL resuming on Thursday, September 5th with the Broncos and Ravens, it’s the perfect time to host a kickoff party. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, a great viewing party takes a little planning: the right audio and video setup, … Read more

While design trends shift with the seasons, copper has remained a timeless material for kitchens and built environments for thousands of years. Is it still relevant in contemporary spaces? Absolutely—more than ever in many cases. Observers who study how materials age in real-world settings repeatedly point to copper’s lasting value. Its appeal isn’t purely aesthetic—though … Read more

Home security has always been a priority for us, and it became even more important after we became parents. A few months ago, several neighbors were burglarized during the day, which showed how bold thieves can be. After receiving the next-generation Iris home automation and security system from Lowe’s, we were eager to install it … Read more

You go downstairs to grab something from storage and find yourself stepping around boxes left unopened for years. The light is dim and the air is cooler than the rest of the house. Though it counts as square footage you own, it rarely feels like usable living space. Many basements sit in that awkward place: … Read more

If I tried to list every feature I’d want in the ideal off-road vehicle, I still wouldn’t cover what the new GMC Hummer EV brings. It’s an astonishing machine—part luxury SUV, part high-tech trail rig—packed with capabilities that redefine expectations for an electric truck. Table Of Contents 1,000 Horsepower Off-Road Abilities Grand Interior I first … Read more

In a few weeks, HGTV will premiere a new series titled “HGTV’d.” The concept is exciting: HGTV hosts will travel across the country—rolling up in a large, branded 18-wheeler—to surprise homeowners with on-the-spot makeovers. Home makeover programs are a familiar part of television, but this show stands out for its spontaneous approach and for bringing … Read more

Many people link home fires in winter with the holiday season — candles left unattended, Christmas trees tipping over, decorative lights shorting out, and overloaded outlets sparking. But the risk extends beyond holidays: cold months drive increased use of heat sources and keep people indoors, creating conditions that make fires more likely and more dangerous. … Read more

Now that temperatures have dropped, it’s time to weatherproof your windows to keep heat in and cold drafts out. We noticed a draft around one window and, on closer inspection, found that the existing weatherstripping was cracked and pulling away. That’s an easy problem to fix with silicone caulk. Here’s how we handled it. Start … Read more

We had been cable subscribers for years. We experimented with DirecTV for a couple of years but returned to Time Warner for its convenience and reliability. After our recent move, we decided to start fresh: we cut the cord and haven’t looked back. So far, ditching cable has been a smart decision. Here’s what we … Read more