More than a place to cook, eat, and do the dishes, today’s kitchens have evolved into the top hangout room in the house. Creating a kitchen community fell out of fashion in grand homes built in the 1800s. Even middle-class homes, constructed after World War II, eschewed family gathering in favor of narrow kitchens with no seating area, save for a formal dining room. While each passing decade has increased the emphasis on creating a functional, family-friendly kitchen, it wasn’t until the surge... more

Despite the return of metal and chrome, primary red and lustrous ebony, the kitchen power tools of this millennium are high-tech wonders that share a retro look but nothing more with their vintage counterparts. That’s because Cuisinart has married a blender to a food processor, LG Electronics has connected a super-sized toaster to a microwave, and the Oster rice cooker steams vegetables and makes chocolate fondue. Oster’s... more

Today’s gardening trend suggests turning the outback into an outdoor den — a gracious extension complete with living areas, covered seating, and a choice of water features that range from a hot tub in a gazebo to creating a wetland haven for frogs and fish. Conquer the Fear Factor A recent survey shows that the most prevalent emotion people feel when going to a nursery is fear. “I was shocked to learn that,” says Sean Hogan,... more

If your home, office, or commercial facility was constructed after 1970, it came equipped with ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacles. These GFCIs are located in your kitchen, bathroom, garage, or any place where water and electricity are in close proximity. GFCIs are designed to protect people from electrical shock. They are probably the most significant life-saving devices ever invented. GFCIs work ... more

A year ago when I started a consulting business, I was happy to work out of the corner of our home’s attic bedroom. Armed with a borrowed fax machine, a free desk chair I found on a neighborhood cleanup day, and an ad-hoc desk made from a hollow-core door atop two sawhorses, I had all I needed to start on my new career path. A year later, with a few successful projects under my belt and a growing list of clients to... more

Spring is here! So while planning and planting your garden, you may want to update your lawn furniture. Today’s gardens and patios are more than just a place to eat at the picnic table for the occasional barbeque. Gardens are outdoor rooms. Here in the Pacific Northwest the evenings are long and what a better way to enjoy those long evenings than sitting in a comfortable chair. One of the most comfortable and timeless chairs for your outdoor room is the Adirondack. From the chair’s origins in... more