May 20, 2013

Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets

Refinishing your existing kitchen cabinets at a fraction of the cost can achieve a stunning transformation. Read more »

Posted on Monday, May 20, 2013 in Ask the Experts | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 13, 2013

Sustainability + Design—Not a Compromise

There is no need to sacrifice elegant design in order to implement sustainable landscaping practices. Read more »

Posted on Monday, May 13, 2013 in Ask the Experts | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 6, 2013

Smart-Sizing

The size of a home should not matter; it is how the space is used within the home. Read more »

Posted on Monday, May 6, 2013 in Ask the Experts | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 29, 2013

Pros of a Professional Designer

Design isn’t only about buying things. Find an educated eye to assess needs, solve problems, and possibly reuse items you didn’t realize you could. Read more »

Posted on Monday, April 29, 2013 in Ask the Experts | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 22, 2013

Backyard Spas – The Stainless Steel Advantage

Dear Expert: What are the advantages of choosing a stainless steel spa over an acrylic one for my backyard?

Answer: A stainless steel spa lends itself to more customization than an off-the-shelf acrylic model. You can choose size and shape, as well as a variety of beautiful finishes, from all-stainless to glass mosaic, ceramic tiles or stone. Unlike acrylic models, your seating arrangement is not pre-determined by molded seats with tiny bubbler jets. In a Bradford Spa you can sit anywhere you want and enjoy the benefits of high output,... Read more »

Posted on Monday, April 22, 2013 in Ask the Experts | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 15, 2013

Home Heat Distribution

Dear Expert: My house is 20 years old and for as long as I can remember, the spare bedroom has always seemed colder than the rest of the house. Why is that and how can it be fixed?

Answer: This is a question we get asked frequently, and there are a number of reasons one room in your house may seem colder than the rest.

The most common explanation has to do with the ductwork in your house. Generally the ductwork that carries heated air from the furnace to the spare bedroom (or any room) has many joints and connections. If those joints are not sealed properly, up to... Read more »

Posted on Monday, April 15, 2013 in Ask the Experts | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 29, 2013

Choosing Your Contractor

It's much like choosing a good partner—make sure there are no warning bells. Read more »

Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 in Ask the Experts | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 12, 2012

Livability Explained

Q. What does it mean when people talk about the ‘livability’ of a space?

A. People want their homes to be beautiful, but they have to live in their rooms. My clients sit on their sofas, so a sofa full of pillows that get thrown on the floor every day just doesn’t work. We want to create an environment that is not only livable, but aesthetically pleasing as well. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. It’s about taking them both and creating something that is both livable and beautiful.

—Brandi Hagen,
... Read more »

Posted on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 in Ask the Experts | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 30, 2012

Making the Old New

Dear Expert: I just bought a new home and need new furniture, but I have a few pieces I would like to keep. I’m nervous that an interior designer is going to tell me I have to throw everything out and start over. Is this true?

A. This isn’t true! You don’t need to throw everything out when starting a new design project. In fact, I love it when a client has a treasured piece of art, a unique collection, or an heirloom chair that holds family history and sentimental value. Oftentimes these items become the inspiration for the new interior design. An... Read more »

Posted on Friday, November 30, 2012 in Ask the Experts | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 31, 2012

Streaming 101

Dear expert: What does it mean to “stream” audio and video?

A. It means you don’t need a disc anymore! Today you can buy an Internet-enabled device, like a networked Blu-ray disc player, Apple TV (access all of your PC-based media—music, podcasts, audiobooks, photos, movies, and TV shows through iTunes), or even some newer televisions, and you have the advantages of speed, protection against copyright infringement, and better control.

It’s easy to operate: You just hook up the device to your home network, and you’re connected to a... Read more »

Posted on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 in Ask the Experts | Permalink | Comments (0)