We recently heard a distressing story from a friend who discovered a sudden honeybee infestation in her chimney. She came home to find several bees buzzing through her living room and quickly realized they were entering through the fireplace. Thinking fast, she sealed the fireplace opening first with a large sheet of plastic wrap and … Read more

We recently attended SURFACES in Las Vegas and spent two and a half days immersed in the latest flooring innovations. This year the event ran alongside StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas, creating a combined showcase that highlighted both flooring and stone products. The pairing brought together designers, manufacturers, installers and homeowners exploring materials, tools and finishes across the … Read more

The Dwell on Design tradeshow was enjoyable, but the highlight for us was the Dwell Home Tours. Dwell organized two separate tours—Eastside and Westside—each featuring six modern-style homes. All of the houses showcased contemporary architecture, with interiors designed and furnished to match the modern aesthetic. Some of the homes pushed design boundaries and were decidedly … Read more

Chamberlain has made home automation accessible and practical for everyday use. The Chamberlain WiFi Garage Door Opener with Smartphone Control is a connected device that not only operates your garage door but also lets you manage it from anywhere using your phone. If you’re on the road and worry you may have left the door … Read more

Small rented kitchens often suffer from limited counter space, inadequate storage, and dated finishes, but with thoughtful, non-permanent upgrades they can be transformed into far more functional and attractive cooking areas. Even when bound by lease restrictions, renters can make meaningful, reversible improvements that boost comfort and efficiency without permanent renovation. With deliberate planning and … Read more

Our friends at Front Runner Outfitters have provided this practical Roof Rack Buyer’s Guide, offering professional tips on what to look for when choosing a roof rack. These racks are not lightweight bike carriers but expedition-grade systems built to outlast your vehicle. We’ve been using the Slimline II roof rack from Front Runner and are … Read more

So you’ve moved into a new home. It looks pristine and perfect — the dream house, right? Not always. Six homeowners shared some of the most unsettling discoveries they made after moving in, collected in a “6 Creepiest Things Discovered By New Homeowners” roundup originally reported on Cracked.com. That headline was enough to inspire a … Read more

Keeping your home comfortable involves more than just tasteful decor and a well-stocked pantry; it also requires ensuring your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system operates reliably and efficiently. Your HVAC system is essential for maintaining livable conditions throughout the year, whether you need cooling in summer or heating in winter. Many homeowners delay … Read more

We are deeply saddened by the distressing images and video coming from Joplin, Missouri, after yesterday’s destructive tornado. This spring has produced an unusually active pattern of severe weather affecting states including Alabama, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Arkansas and others. For those who live in tornado-prone regions, having a safety plan is essential. Most families already … Read more

As part of the Ace Hardware blogger program, we were invited to help a neighbor with a practical do-it-yourself need. Our neighbor, who generously watches our house and collects our mail when we’re away, is an avid gardener. We decided to tidy and organize her outdoor workspace and supply a few quality tools to make … Read more