The trees have long since shed their leaves and new buds have begun their irrepressible march to the surface. The gardening tools are already on display along with Valentine’s Day gift ideas and despite an atmosphere of economic uncertainty, homeowners are once again beginning to take a look around and thinking hard about home-improvement projects and decorating ideas that had long been put on hold.
In the world of cabinetmakers and other craftsmen, sometimes fake or “faux” is better than real.
Professional organizing giveaway offered
As many consumers rang in 2010, resolutions were made to start the year off on the right foot — whether to live better or keep on top of household chores. Whirlpool encourages consumers to make a resolution to change the water filter in their refrigerators every six months to ensure clean drinking water.
: I have a three-car garage and I am having different problems with both garage doors. On the single-car door I have lost the remote and the larger door sometimes opens by itself. Any suggestions?
DEAR GAIL: My husband and I have started collecting old luggage. It all started when we were given a piece of my grandmother’s that she used when she moved here from Germany. It is now almost an obsession and our home is becoming overrun by them. We have so much fun looking for them when we travel, but if we don’t stop soon we’re going to need a bigger house. Besides telling us to stop buying, what are some creative ways we can display them throughout our home. — Tammy and Tom
What: A Backyard Retreat. Outdoor living designer Gregary Galgano will partner with Eagle Sentry and Moon Valley Nursery to present ideas for creating a private vacation spot in your own yard. Design elements, outdoor furnishings, outdoor theater and plants will be discussed. Additionally, real estate expert Kiersten Marcos will explain how an outdoor living space enhances the value of a home.
One of the newer collectibles to be found at auctions is Japanese monster toys made in the 1960s and 1970s. A recent auction by Morphy of Denver, Pa., was held on land and online to sell a huge of collection of toys, including about 50 of the Japanese kaiju (“strange beast”) toys.
When you think of the Old West, it often conjures up images of cowboys and dusty stagecoaches, saloon girls and red velvet drapes with golden fringe, rustic wooden furniture, cowhides, patchwork quilts and centrally located fireplaces that were used for cooking, heating, lighting and a stage for late-night storytelling.
Quirky fads or unexpected favorites sometimes appear in the world of collecting. Prices go up based on supply and demand, but what creates the demand can be a mystery. Lunchboxes, plastic purses, plastic radios and Beanie Babies are all recent examples.
DEAR DESIGNER: While shopping for custom draperies and a few throw pillows, I found the fringe incredibly expensive. Will you help me weigh the pros and cons of using trim on my new draperies? — Aileen
They say the dream of the older generation was to pay off a mortgage, while the dream of today’s young families is to get one. In this economy, that’s no joke. That dream is now taking on new dimensions that include managing the ever-rising cost of energy and water.
In recognition of the National Association of Professional Organizer’s observance of Get Organized Month, here are a few tips to get you started.
