A long time ago, in Europe, furniture was not like our furniture is today. Most pieces were stuffed with straw or horsehair, and then covered with finely woven textiles. These magnificent textiles were covered with flour sacks and other pieces of woven cloth when they were not in use to keep them looking new. Furniture ...

There is a basic, but fundamental question that always comes up when I’m designing an item for someone or giving them some decorating tips. Very often, the answer is, “I really don’t know.” What is the question? It’s, “What style(s) of decorating do you like?” Do YOU know the answer to that question? If you ...

COLOR, COMPOSITION AND CUSTOMIZATION The integration of these three key concepts can ‘make or break’ the way that a home is perceived by visitors, upon entering from the outdoors to inside the home. Whether preparing an existing home for sale or anticipating the purchase of a home in the near future, explore the advantages that ...

Structured wiring is a generic term used to describe many different types of residential wiring products that distribute a variety of data signals throughout a home. Signal types such as cable television, telephones, and Ethernet computer networks are common examples. Wiring Options The wires included in a structured wiring bundle vary by manufacturer, but look ...

While many home entertainment systems are confined to one room, some of the latest technologies in the world of audio/video home entertainment can expand these systems from the central viewing room to everywhere in the home, turning entertainment into a whole-home experience. Viewing Angle Tuning in at home has gone big time. Aiming to replace ...

Cork has been used for flooring for over a century. Finished cork floor can have the look of textured hardwood, the soft give of carpet, and the easy maintenance of vinyl. Throw in natural insulating and sound attenuation properties, and cork is an environmentally friendly flooring option worthy of attention. Beneficial by Nature A cross-section ...

Only a few years ago, a “home theater ” was only for the ultra-wealthy—the lucky few who could spare an extra room and tens of thousands of dollars on furnishings, equipment and accessories. But today, as high-definition has become mainstream and more people integrate widescreen televisions and souped-up audio systems into their homes, a true ...

With all that is happening in the world today – the aftermath of war, falling stock prices, a recession (in spite of what economists say) – more and more of us are nesting. That is, we are spending more time at home. While it is hard to control what happens in the outside world, home ...