 | Painting is one of the most popular home improvement projects you can undertake, but it can be more difficult than you might think. Whether you're planning an interior or exterior painting project, hiring a painting contractor will save a lot of time and energy in the long run. More |  | A tired, outdated kitchen can be a heart-breaker for the homeowner - and a deal-breaker for prospective buyers. Even just a minor kitchen remodel returns nearly 100 percent of your investment, industry statistics show. A major remodel returns over 90 percent of your investment at resale. The kitchen is not just where the heart is, it's also where smart homeowners invest their money. More |  | Choosing to build your dream house is a major financial investment. Your home should be your haven, providing both the functionality you need and the atmosphere you want at a price you can afford. To achieve the house of your dreams take the time to plan and evaluate your specific wants and needs before you rush into choosing the final design for your new home. More |  | The one thing better than buying a brand new home for you and your family is having a brand new home custom built. A custom built home gives you the satisfaction of knowing that your new home has been tailor-made to meet your needs, desires and lifestyle. In short, building a new home means that you get to create your dream home. More |  | Not only is it hip to be green but environmentally responsible building practices can save you money in a number of ways, including your energy and water utility bills. Contrary to popular belief, many green building techniques will not significantly increase the cost of your home improvement project. More |  | Whether it's extra bedroom space, a new den, a playroom or just a quiet spot to call your own, finishing the basement is one of the greatest ways to improve cramped living. However, a basement has a few unique characteristics that must be considered to ensure that the space functions well for your needs. More |  | Looking for bathroom bliss? You're not alone. Bathroom renovations consistently score as one of the most-desired home improvements. Improving your bathroom will not only add to your own enjoyment of your home, but it can increase its value and make it more attractive to potential buyers if you choose to sell your home. More |  | When you hear someone say the words "basement renovation," it often evokes images of enjoying a game of pool or darts, the family watching the television together, or even regular gatherings of friends. That's because a renovated basement is almost always intended to be a place of leisure. Basement remodeling contractors can show you how to turn your cold and uninteresting basement into a warm gathering place. More |  | If high heating bills and mystery drafts are causing a chill in your love affair with your home, it may be time to consider replacing your windows. But window installation is a major project, and not within the abilities of your average do-it-yourselfer. When it comes to window replacement, it makes sense to have the work done by a professional. More |  | A custom kitchen requires careful planning of many details in several different areas. Finding the right contractor for your project and communicating your plans ensures the contractor understands your needs, style, and desires before the project starts. More |
 | The Forecast is Bright: Infuse Your Home with Color Every year when summer rolls around people look to brighten and refresh their homes with the bold, fun colors that represent summer flowers, sunny days and the outdoors.
|  | The New Trend in Slipcover Furniture Originally designed to protect heirloom furniture and expensive upholstery from everyday wear and tear , slipcovers have reached new heights to meet the needs of contemporary modern living. Now you can buy furniture that comes with its own tailor-made slipcovers, blending the look and fit of custom upholstery with the quick cleaning and redesign ease of slipcovers.
|  | Choosing Paint Color Like a Pro Summer is the ideal time to catch up on your home improvement projects, including interior painting. But if you're having trouble picking the perfect paint color for your summer home decorating project, don't feel bad - even professional decorators may need help from time to time.
|  | Create an Art Gallery in Your Home Summer parties mean more people viewing your décor and less time for you to spend on decorating your house. Creating an art gallery in your home is a great way to achieve high impact with modest effort. Your art selections will tell your guests a lot about your personal style. Plus, a home art gallery is easily changeable to suit the season, a special occasion or your mood.
|  | History Never Smelled this Good Candles have provided light in the darkness and been treasured companions throughout history. Candles have had historic significance as part of religious ceremonies and celebrations, and some would argue have played an integral role in setting the right mood for pro-creation over the years.
|  | The Safe, Easy Way to Hang Things on Your Vinyl Siding Homeowners love to decorate their houses - inside and out. But hanging pictures on the wall in your living room is a lot easier than hanging a planter on your siding.
|  | The Art of Decorating Your Child's Room Decorating a bedroom together can be a great experience for both parent and child. While many young children aren't able to appreciate high design, most kids do know what they like in terms of color and shape. Allowing children to participate in designing their own room helps them express their individuality and experience the creative process.
|  | Baby Bedding Basics The nursery at bedtime: Few battlegrounds have hosted more hard-fought wars. Few victories are as sweet as the sight of a sleeping infant. All parents know that getting baby to sleep - so you can sleep too - can be one of the most frustrating trials of parenthood.
|  | The Look of Logs Without the Work Who doesn't love the romantic look of a log home perched on a prairie or lake? But no one probably enjoys the work involved in maintaining a log home; caulking, chinking, sanding, sealing, staining, cleaning and battling bugs are never-ending chores. It makes you wonder how old Abe Lincoln ever found the time to leave his log home and run for president.
|  | Instant Storage Solutions Feel like you're trapped in your own house? Unable to navigate through a constantly growing sea of stuff? Whether it's clothes, paperwork, tech toys, sports gear, hobby tools - or all of the above and more - our possessions need a place of their own, so our homes and our lives are easier to manage.
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<SCRIPT src="http://www.adfusion.com/adfusion.partnersite/08564df0-fec7-4410-bff3-0251395b7d8c.aspx" language="JavaScript"></SCRIPT> | In the past there weren't many siding options to choose from, but today there are a wide variety of options available. The trick to choosing siding is to consider what would be attractive and compatible with the architecture of your home. You should also pay close attention to the quality of the material and how easily it can be maintained. Failure to maintain even the best, most architecturally pleasing siding can lead to sore looks and structural problems. More |  | Home remodeling is an investment in the value and enjoyment of your home. Whatever area of the house you plan to remodel, the home remodeling contractor you choose must be qualified for the job. So how do you choose a contractor that's right for you? More | | Painting is one of the most popular home improvement projects you can undertake, but it can be more difficult than you might think. Whether you're planning an interior or exterior painting project, hiring a painting contractor will save a lot of time and energy in the long run. More |  | When it comes time to hire a remodeling contractor. It's often quicker and easier to work with a local professional. More |  | Homeowners will shop around for appliances, furniture and other necessities to get the best price for the best product. But one necessity that often goes overlooked is home insurance. Home insurance is a necessary investment, but many people are paying hundreds of dollars more than needed because they haven't shopped around. More |  | Now that spring has arrived, a lot of people are itching to get started on their home improvement projects. But where can you turn to find a good contractor? More | | Choosing to build your dream house is a major financial investment. Your home should be your haven, providing both the functionality you need and the atmosphere you want at a price you can afford. To achieve the house of your dreams take the time to plan and evaluate your specific wants and needs before you rush into choosing the final design for your new home. More | | When you hear someone say the words "basement renovation," it often evokes images of enjoying a game of pool or darts, the family watching the television together, or even regular gatherings of friends. That's because a renovated basement is almost always intended to be a place of leisure. Basement remodeling contractors can show you how to turn your cold and uninteresting basement into a warm gathering place. More | | A tired, outdated kitchen can be a heart-breaker for the homeowner - and a deal-breaker for prospective buyers. Even just a minor kitchen remodel returns nearly 100 percent of your investment, industry statistics show. A major remodel returns over 90 percent of your investment at resale. The kitchen is not just where the heart is, it's also where smart homeowners invest their money. More | | Not only is it hip to be green but environmentally responsible building practices can save you money in a number of ways, including your energy and water utility bills. Contrary to popular belief, many green building techniques will not significantly increase the cost of your home improvement project. More |
 | What's Hot in Home Decor for 2006 For months, industry experts have kept a close barometer on the fashion world, trade shows and other key indicators to help forecast home decor trends for the coming year. And the weather report is in. Within a prevailing climate of personalization, the outlook is both spirited and sassy, serene and stylish.
|  | Home Maintenance Checklist for Spring Most homeowners know seasonal maintenance is a must. Spring is the perfect time for routine maintenance checks on many areas of your home. But how do you decide what needs to be done, and in what priority?
|  | The Glamour of Gutters Unless you built your home in the desert, chances are you need to think about your rain gutters. Ignore them for long, and you'll get a reminder of why water is considered the most powerful element on Earth.
|  | Home Fire Escape Ladders Save Lives Each year, house fires claim the lives of more than 4,000 adults and children across the country. Another 20,000 suffer life-altering injuries. Sadly, many of these victims (about 57 percent) had functioning smoke alarms in their homes.
| | The Safe, Easy Way to Hang Things on Your Vinyl Siding Homeowners love to decorate their houses - inside and out. But hanging pictures on the wall in your living room is a lot easier than hanging a planter on your siding.
|  | Treat Your Deck Right Chances are you'd rather sit on your deck and drink an iced tea instead of spending a weekend refinishing it. But the fact is that regular maintenance of your deck will help it last longer and look better. To get the best results, make sure you choose the right products.
|  | Appliance on the Fritz? Fix it Yourself and Save Money The next time your oven overheats or your washing machine wilts, don't call the repairman. Think about what happened last time you did that.
|  | Building an In-Ground Pool is Easier than You Might Think In-ground backyard pools are a great addition to any home. They not only add a focal point to your yard, and increase your resale value, they also keep the entire family entertained. What better way to spend a leisurely weekend afternoon than lounging by the pool with the kids?
|  | Shift in Consumer Spending Blamed on High Gas Prices The rising cost of fuel is going to hit a lot of Americans hard this summer. According to the motor club AAA, gas prices are 18 percent higher now than they were this time last year -- and recent reports indicate we can expect them to go up another 25 cents per gallon by the end of the summer.
|  | Tips to Make Painting Easier Summer is the season of the "do-it-yourselfer." Handy homeowners come into their own as the weather warms and they can embark on all those home improvement and maintenance tasks that languished all winter. Painting tops the list for many homeowners; it not only protects your interiors, painting is a great way to liven things up. |
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