Here’s a simple fix to spice-up the look of your kitchen cabinets. By adding glass to selected cabinet doors you can correct that look-alike uniformity of most kitchens. Solid wood doors on cabinets regardless of how beautiful they are can give a monotonous feel to the room. Glass doors on the other hand offer depth and can keep cabinets from closing the space. With clear glass you can showcase collectibles or fine china. Skill Level One hammer: Novice Five hammers: Experienced Glass... more

You’re in a hurry. You need to make coffee and defrost a bagel and your breaker pops. Chances are there are more outlets and lights hooked up to a breaker that can’t handle the load. So how do you know what goes where? WARNING: Do not attempt to fix any problem yourself. Hire a licensed electrical contractor to do the work. Safety first should be your highest priority. All you need to do is locate the switches and outlets to the breaker box. Figure 1 Figure 2 KEY: Light... more

The first wave of women entered the building trades briefly during World War II under the emblem of Rosie the Riveter; they were laid off after the “boys” returned home. Women weren’t allowed entry into the trades again until the 1970s. Today women account for less than 3% of the construction workforce. It’s still unusual to find a woman running her own construction company, but here are five women-owned businesses that prove women’s strength in the field. Charlene... more

I’m a journeyman-level carpenter, a mason, and I’ve written about construction for a few years now. I was once very scared of the permit process. After years in the construction business, I cannot remember anyone ever complain about how hard it is to build a foundation the right way. But permits, bureaucracy, inspectors – these are the stuff of legendary frustration. I cannot remember any contractor I’ve worked for, any architect I’ve interviewed, nearly anyone at all... more

Fed up with that old beat-up kitchen? Tired of cooking on the only two working burners? No storage or room to maneuver? Or do you just want a kitchen that fits your lifestyle? You know what you want, but you are asking yourself, “Where do I start?” Hopefully, these few tips will help. Getting Started… The minute remodeling your kitchen crosses your mind make a file and start to gather information. Look in magazines, old and new, and if you can, tear out the pages or make a note... more

If lighting is music to the eyes, then lighting fixtures are the instruments playing the tune. Choosing the right ones can go a long way toward creating harmony — and avoiding “off” notes. Just like rock-n-roll calls for drums and guitars while a sonata may be played on a single violin, interiors require fixtures that accurately reflect the composer’s intentions. And you are the composer. Regardless of lighting type – ambient, task, accent, or decorative — all will be... more

In some respects lighting for the home is much like listening to music. What good is a sophisticated music system with poor speakers? Music to your eyes is light. The secret is to have exactly the right light where and when needed. Light bulbs are to lighting what speakers are to music. The light bulb or “lamp” not only has to be in the right place, but so must be the correct brightness and color. Light has all the complexity of music and is an absolute necessity in everyday living. To... more

No longer will consumers have to stand in front of an open refrigerator door letting cool air out, trying to decide what to eat. Sub-Zero Freezer Company, unveiled its Model 601RG, a custom refrigerator with a commercial-looking glass door that lets owners see inside. The Sub-Zero glass door offers a variety of interior lighting options to complement the kitchen. The subdued interior light can be set to glow softly with the door shut, adding a warm effect to a kitchen. When the door is opened, the... more