Looking to brighten up your walls? Create an unusual headboard or a frame for a favorite poster? The possibilities are endless with WallPops wall art. "I always try to emphasize that people should be as free and creative as they want because WallPops is really all about having fun and having the freedom to change things around as many times as you want," said Paula Berberian, creative services manager for Brewster Wallcovering, manufacturers of WallPops. ... [full story]

If you’re tired of the old popcorn tecture on a ceiling, you can remove it and smooth out the ceiling. It’s messy project but there is no difficulty to it, and the homeowner can do this without the help of a contractor. [full story]

Q: We have moved into a city loft apartment that is basically contemporary - high ceilings, cement floors (painted), and industrial-size windows. Our furniture is pretty traditional - mostly heirlooms from my husband's family, who were collectors. We're having trouble visualizing the integration. Can you make any suggestions? A: Think eclectic, that wonderful concept that lets you have your contemporary and your traditional, too, coexisting peacefully in the same space. The word eclectic actually translates ... [full story]

Q: I get a few garden catalogs in the mail, but I don't know if they are reputable companies. Can you help me know which companies I should order from? A: Probably the safest companies to order gardening products from are ones that have a local store that you can purchase from. The second safest group are the companies that are members of the Mailorder Gardening Association. It is a nonprofit organization that helps the ... [full story]

Crab apples are hot. So is sage. Chocolates, mulberries, and lattes are trendy. We're talking color, and the palette for 2007 is rich. "There is just a variety of popular colors this year," said Joan Snyder, designer at Harrison Paint and Decorating in Jackson Township, Ohio. "Spring greens, lots of browns like soft chocolate, reds, berries, there is just so much to choose from this year." HOT NEW COLORS - Winter is an ideal time to decorate ... [full story]

Cancel the electrician: You won't need a professional to transform your recessed lighting to pendants if you use a new kit from Worth Home Products. The company promises that the process is as easy as changing a light bulb, and requires no tools or electrical skills. Worth just introduced its patent-pending Portfolio Recessed Light Conversion Kit with a choice of three models: a traditional alabaster bell, an amber cone and an industrial-style "shop light" with ... [full story]

Replacing badly damaged window screens yourself can save you money. Most screens are easy to remove and replace. Screen material is typically aluminum or fiberglass. [full story]

Q: We are trying to fit a new master bathroom into what was our son's long, narrow bedroom. Our designer/contractor is suggesting that we have dual lavatories, not on the same wall. His design calls for a long counter that angles around a corner with my husband's sink on one end, mine on the other. Two questions: Is this a good idea? How will that long countertop look? A: Two answers: Yes, and terrific. It's ... [full story]

Q: Our area recently received a lot of ice and snow. Some of our trees were bent over during the storm, but seem to be recovering after most of it melted off. My problem lies with some larger trees that have broken or cracked limbs. They are in the backyard and have provided us with a lot of shade so I don't want to lose them. How soon should I have them pruned? Can they ... [full story]

In a whirlwind, life-changing year, Marianne Cusato has gone from an anonymous young designer to a key figure in the effort to resolve the regional housing crisis caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Cusato's "Katrina Cottage," a back-to-basics design for replacing homes destroyed by Gulf Coast storms, captured the Smithsonian Institution's first People's Design Award in October. In December, Cusato was named by Builder magazine as one of the nation's 50 most influential people in ... [full story]

Norm Jensen easily tells a visitor how to make a great wilted-lettuce salad. Jensen's recipe calls for fried bacon, sugar, vinegar, eggs, green onions and fresh leaf lettuce, which grows in his small indoor garden. ”We had wilted lettuce for Christmas," said Jensen, who lives in Springfield, Ill.  The lettuce grows with the help of a Styrofoam base that floats in water that's fortified with three different kinds of liquid nutrients and circulated by an air bubbler. ... [full story]

The place where chopping, washing and drinking are done daily is arguably the cornerstone of every kitchen. Your sink needs to be as functional and durable as it can be. The designers at Swanstone Corp. of St. Louis recently introduced two styles of sinks that not only make working a little easier, they also last long while looking great. TAKE IT FOR GRANITE - The Ascend sink from Swanstone Corp. is made from 80 percent ... [full story]

Condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls or pipes can be a sign of high humidity. Bathing, cooking, washing and other similar activities adds lots of moisture to the air. The most important step in solving moisture problems is to limit moisture sources. [full story]