Category Archive

Sometimes New Year’s resolutions that revolve around the home sound good on paper. But all that cabinet and closet organization, calling up repair people, filing papers and checking to see what sparks joy can be a real drag. This year I’m going for really easy stuff I know will spark instant joy. I promise…

Is clearing clutter on your to-do list this year? Having trouble getting started? Sometimes finding the proper motivation is what finally gets us to take action on a goal — so to help, here are 10 good reasons to give clutter the boot, once and for all.

Vines fill a niche in the plant world by sending out long branches or runners to find gaps and openings left by surrounding plants. They don’t put a lot of energy into building rigid stems that hold themselves up. Rather, they grab hold of anything nearby — other plants, rocks or structures — to bring…

For a busy professional couple with equally busy grown children, a place to regroup and reconnect with family is vital — and for this particular family, building with intention was far more important than building quickly. With the help of architect Mary Ann Gabriele Schicketanz,…

It’s been said that moving is one of life’s most traumatic events, right up there with switching jobs and losing a loved one. Having experienced all three — and having just recently moved with a toddler in tow — I can honestly confirm that, yep, moving is pretty stressful.

This sculptural seat — originally named the Stacking chair, or S chair — is now known by the name of its Danish designer, Verner Panton. The Panton chair was the first chair to be manufactured completely out of plastic in a single piece. Since its introduction in 1967, four versions…

Island gooseberry is perfect for dry shade under California oak trees. Its deep green foliage and spicy-sweet perfume make a wonderful addition to the shadier spots in drought-tolerant gardens. Planting it in fall or winter gives it a chance to establish in California’s cooler and rainier seasons before…

Want to get more from your small kitchen? Check out these storage, seating and cooking ideas — and find out how to include those extra features you thought would fit only in a large space.

Bathroom remodelers, rejoice: Finally, there’s something different on the shower-door front! Black-framed windows and doors have been gaining favor thanks to their industrial good looks, so it was only…