By now, your holiday decorations have been packed away in the attic, garage or basement for another year. Was one of your resolutions to never again have to search through 10 red-and-green plastic storage bins for that "Our First Christmas" ornament? That is exactly the pact two Masillon, Ohio, women said they made early on the morning of Dec. 26, while waiting for Target to open. Linda Wengerd and Tracy Miller decided to buy and ... [full story]

Two new models of Amana washing machines prevent mold, mildew and odor-causing bacteria from forming on laundry, thanks to components treated with antimicrobial protection. BREAK THE MOLD - Two new washers from Amana feature components treated with antimicrobial protection that resists mold, mildew and odor-causing bacteria. CNS Photo courtesy of Whirlpool Corp. WASHER WATCHER - The LG Remote Laundry Monitor uses power line communications technology to `talk' to your washer and dryer and display their status ... [full story]

Q: We are finally in a position to add the master bedroom-bath extension we've been wanting, but we find ourselves overwhelmed by the options. Our home is fairly contemporary. I say "fairly" because we have a mix of antiques and modern furniture; we have a lot of different materials throughout the house. For example, the main room floor is slate, the kitchen is hardwood and the rest has been carpeted in sisal with area rugs. ... [full story]

Consumers Will Have Option to Choose Cleaner Models as the Popularity of This Alternative Home Heating Source Grows Beginning this spring, consumers will be able to select cleaner burning outdoor wood-fired hydronic heaters (OWHHs) to heat their homes, thanks to a new partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the furnace manufacturers. The voluntary program, announced Monday, called the EPA Outdoor Wood-fired Hydronic Heater Program, is expected to reduce OWHH emissions sooner ... [full story]

Waterford Wedgwood USA, Inc. and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. will collaborate to develop a new bridal and tabletop line. The line will be available in early 2008 exclusively at Macy's in the United States, and through macys.com, as part of the Martha Stewart Collection assortment of products, the three companies announced Monday. Martha Stewart design teams will oversee and direct the creation of this upscale tabletop and giftware line, which will include casual and ... [full story]

Q: One side of our great room is all windows. It's one reason we bought this house, but after living here for nearly a year, we find that the winter sun makes afternoons almost unbearable from the glare. Strange, because we didn't have this trouble last summer and fall. I hate the idea of curtains - the view is over the back garden and we love looking out - that is, when we don't have ... [full story]

Lugging heavy logs from the basement to your fireplace can be tiring and messy, but the WoodWaiter from W.B. Fowler Industries of Quebec can lighten the load. The WoodWaiter is essentially a dumbwaiter that lifts a sturdy roll-out basket from a lower level through a trap door in your floor. The device can even be installed inside a hearth, conveying freshly chopped wood next to your fireplace without tracking chips and splinters through the house. ... [full story]

RHIMAX, a new organic product, is paving a path into many markets as the latest of green alternatives available for consumers to choose. If you're looking for a way to make a difference in our world today, this is the answer for you. RHIMAX meets the requirements of all six of the "green" categories. The manufacturing process utilizes 100% post-consumer waste, converts it into pulp and fibers, and then through a chemical-free manufacturing method, it ... [full story]

When heavy rains flooded the East Branch of Nimishillen Creek in July 2003, the Werner family of Louisville, Ohio, ended up with 3 feet of sewage water in their basement. It was the first time the family ever saw the basement flood. Water from a nearby creek came within 5 feet of the house. The family figured the rare flood caused their basement problems. But last summer, a night of heavy rains backed up sewer ... [full story]

Rocking on a porch swing may sound old-fashioned, but the Double Lounger from Outback Chair Co. is new-fashioned. With distinctive curved hardwood armrests, 600 denier UV-protected fabric and two handy cup-holders, the Outback Double Lounger is an updated version of the traditional, rigid porch swing. Set at a restful incline and cushioned with 1 1/2-inch-thick closed-cell foam, the chair feels like a cross between a lounge chair and a hammock. PORCH SWINGERS - The Outback ... [full story]

Q: We are desperate for more storage space. With four children, every closet is crammed. We were thinking of co-opting the attic, but now our oldest (15) is begging to move her room up there to "escape" her kid siblings. Is there a way to combine her room and our storage needs? Right now, it's a terrible mishmash! WORTH CLIMBING THE STEPS FOR - Neatly efficient extra storage space is walled off at the end ... [full story]

Here's something that may make your house a bit more steamy this winter while pulling the plug on those electric scent-making air fresheners. Lopi, the largest wood, gas and pellet stove company in the U.S., is now the first maker of gas fireplaces and cast-iron stoves to offer a built-in aromatherapy feature. That is good news for anyone wanting to experience the fragrance of "Love Potion No. 10" as they and a partner watch the ... [full story]

Want to save money and conserve water? A good place to start is the bathroom. Households use an average of 107,000 gallons of water a year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. But installing water-efficient toilets alone will translate into a savings of 14,000 to17,000 gallons per year for a family of four, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Given the statistics, manufacturers like Kohler Co. are creating high-performance toilets and other products like ... [full story]