Last month we had an opportunity to check out a Chevy Volt for few days. This was my first experience with an electric car and the only other hybrid I have driven was a rented Prius for a few…
The smart home market is booming and technology companies are jumping at the chance to help you control and monitor your home’s systems which include temperature, security and energy use. For the first time a national retailer is entering…
I’ve been on the lookout for an overnight bag that can handle a change of clothes, a couple of books and my laptop. Sounds like a simple task but most duffel bags leave the impression that I just left…
John Deere is known for creating workhorse machinery that suits commercial and hobby farmers, but they are spreading their wings into the off-road enthusiast market an have introduced a high-performance version of their recreational utility vehicle – the Gator…
One of our most popular articles this year was our laundry room makeover. We are fortunate enough to have a separate laundry room area but it was in bad shape and we needed to give it a fresh look…
The 4th of July is the most popular day for outdoor cooking and for years we always grilled burgers and dogs but recently we acquired a Brinkmann smoke and grill and wanted to smoke a pork butt for the…
In April I had the overwhelming pleasure of being included on the VIP Press Tour of the Coverings Tile show, an international trade show for all facets of the tile and stone industry, held in Orlando, Florida. For three…
We don’t cover recipes but a friend sent over this amazing recipe for smoked pork shoulder (pork butt) and brisket. It seems appropriate to share this as the 4th of July is next week and many of you will…
If you are looking for inspiration in home design, Houzz is a great place to start. They have more than 500,000 photos from designers that you can clip and save in your “ideabook” for easy reference. Houzz also has…
Peak backyard grilling season is coming up and in honor of the great American tradition of celebrating the 4th of July while cooking outdoors, Char-Broil surveyed 3,000 Americans from across the country to see what they were eating and…
Everyday the ocean reveals a bit of itself as the tide recedes and in areas of shallow shoreline the trapped water becomes a tide pool that can contain an amazing variety of marine life including seaweeds, coral, mussels, crabs,…
STIHL makes professional grade cordless outdoor power equipment which means these tools are sturdy, have great runtime and can be a bit heavy. They are built primarily for commercial use for landscapers who work in areas that have noise…
It’s hard to go wrong with power tools as a gift for dad and Father’s Day is a great time to set him up with some new gear. Don’t think you need to spend an arm and a leg…
There are a lot of plans available for building backyard BBQ grills but this is this is the first do-it-yourself smoker we’ve seen and it’s courtesy of Popular Mechanics. They’ve provided a great step-by-step tutorial that requires a few…
We get swept up in the drama of reality shows which are anything but real and for many of us we take the skepticism of what might not be “real” and tuck it away so we can revel in…
Everyone has a father but clearly not everyone is a dad. We’ve rounded up some projects that non-dads will enjoy that are best achieved sans kids. Weed Burning – Break out the torch! Moving Appliances – Heavy and awkward…
We’ve got some info that all of our pro readers will appreciate and that includes: contractors, house-flippers and serious DIYers. While only four percent of The Home Depot’s customers are Pros, more than 30 percent of the company’s sales…
Helipads are firmly entrenched in the luxury sector as we are in awe when we see them on yachts, top of hotels and even in home’s, but more often helipads are used to transport patients and organs quickly from…
The E3 Expo has nothing to do with home improvement but but everything to do with in-home entertainment and since it’s here in LA I needed to take a look. For three days the Los Angeles Convention Center becomes…
I’ve been on the lookout for a small axe to use on camping trips as well as for longer expeditions out into the backcountry. Typical wood handled axes seem always seemed bit heavy and one-dimensional but the multi-purpose SOG…
Up from the hippy surf town of Paia on the North Shore of Maui sits the tranquil boutique resort called Lumeria Maui. We’ve had the pleasure of visiting the last two years as the founder, Xorin Balbes, has made…
We just read a study that said basement media rooms are on the decline. It seems that just a few years ago the media room was all the rage and every new home had to have a “man cave”…
Last week we were invited back to New York to attend a sneak preview of Lowe’s Designer Challenge. Last year’s Lowe’s event with Nate Berkus was such a huge hit we knew they would hit the mark again and…
For years developers have been scraping the topsoil (8-12 inches) from properties and selling it to sod farms. It’s another way that land can be monetized and topsoil is a valuable commodity that contains minerals and nutrients from years…
This was the first time we’ve attended the International Contemporary Furniture Fair and we found it fascinating. It’s held at the Jacob Javits center in New York which is a huge tradeshow complex on the Westside. The beautiful furniture…
I’m back in New York this week and have had the pleasure to attend a couple of events and visit with some old friends and colleagues. It’s also the first time we’ve traveled with our 8-month old son and…
Last year we teamed up with United Mayflower to help them spread the word about their container storage service. We’re doing another Giveaway this year offering a free month of container storage as well as a $50 Gift Card…
We were invited to preview a collection called HomeMint curated by Estee Stanely and Justin Timberlake. Ms. Stanley is a well-known interior designer but this is new territory for Mr. Timberlake who is better known as an entertainer/musician. It…
A couple months ago I checked out the NexGen grass seed lab and the Pennington Seed factory in Oregon and received some valuable information on lawn care as well as a hands-on look at their 1 Step Complete combo…
After you’ve finished prepping your yard and patio for Spring, consider setting up an outdoor bar area to take full advantage of the warm weather. There’s nothing more enjoyable than hosting happy hour from the comfort of your own…
Since I’ve converted to using an iPhone case I’ve had an opportunity to review a few of the more durable cases available. One of the strongest, if not strangest, iPhone cases is the TANK from Case-Mate. The protection is…
Brushless motors are coming on strong and this year DeWALT introduced a brushless version of their popular 20V MAX impact driver. DeWALT claims that the brushless motor has 57% more runtime than a DeWALT brushed motor and because of…
Last year Kohler brought us the ultimate toilet with the NUMI and at this years Kitchen and Bath Show they are introducing VibrAcoustic technology on their Underscore bath line. What is “VibrAcoustic”? It is what it sounds like. “Enhanced…
I’ve been an iPhone user from the beginning but I’ve never been a fan of cases or covers. I just like the feel of a naked iPhone and the way it slides easily into my pocket. I take great…
Drain clogs are the absolute worst! We had our sink clog up at the worst possible time last year in the middle of Thanksgiving dinner. We didn’t have any Liquid-Plumr on hand so we just kept at it with…
The raddest grill we’ve seen all year is also the most simple. This industrial barrel is painted blue and brass and has two-tiers for cooking and an easy access side tray. The top has a mahogany handle and temperature…
If you are going car camping you either have the option of using a tent or towing a camper but the Campa USA gives you the best of both worlds with their Campa ATT and Campa Cub. These camping…
Our thirst for coffee knows no bounds. We’ve accumulated all types of coffee makers from Bodum vacuum, French Press, Aero Press, Bosch Tassimo, and Keurig Platinum K-Cup. They all offer distinct pros and cons but lately we’ve been using…
Spring is here which means it’s time to get your yard back in shape. Instead of fixing up your old gas trimmer or or dull hedger, enter to Win a new Black & Decker cordless 36V trimmer or hedge…
After testing the impressive STIHL cordless leaf blower we had high hopes for the STIHL MSA 160 cordless chainsaw and it didn’t disappoint. STIHL has been manufacturing chainsaws for more than 80 years so they have the engineering dialed…
I’ve been a fan of Top Chef on Bravo since the beginning and season 10 in Seattle is no different. I’m pulling for Sheldon Simeon of Maui who is the top chef at our favorite island restaurant, Star Noodle…
Cordless power tools continue to advance in performance and it finally looks like outdoor power equipment which has long been dominated by gas is finally catching up. Black & Decker invited us out to Tempe, AZ to check out…
Our friend Janis was recently blessed with the birth of a baby boy who is only one month older than our son which means we’ve already got the perfect playmate. She lives down the street from us in a…
My truck has handled transporting surfboards with just a simple tailgate pad, but when I picked up an 11′ Laird standup paddle board I knew my bed was too short and I need to get a truck rack. The…
After starting my career at This Old House I’ve come full-circle as I’m now a featured columnist on Bob Vila’s blog. I’ll be covering a variety of topics and I’ve already reviewed Husqvarna’s hovering mower and the latest tools…
We’ve explored the financial advantages for upgrading your garage door as well the abundance of new designs and materials available, so now it’s time to start shopping for a garage door. Your local Home Depot can be an easy…
We lived in Seattle 14 years ago and loved it! It was our first year of marriage and we chose Seattle as a fresh start. We knew no one and wanted to live in a place completely different from…
We use a staple gun more often than we realize and we have a vintage steel stapler that still works to this day. But it’s limited in what size staples it can use and doesn’t quite have the punch…
The dangers of lead poisoning are real, especially in older homes. If your home was built before 1978 there is a good chance that lead paint or pipes/solder was used. Lead paint is generally not dangerous in its normal…
Last year after a lengthy search we acquired a 1983 Mercedes-Benz 300D turbo diesel. We found the color combination we wanted with low miles and great interior. Even though the car is a bold red, Laura felt it needed…
We are always looking for ways to bump up the curb appeal of our home and when Clopay approached us about sharing some interesting new products that do just that, we had to take a look. But first we…
Today DeWALT tools has introduced an expanded lineup of tools including a revolutionary new technology for power tools, brushless motors. The brushless motor will be introduced with DeWALT’s new cordless impact driver and will ship in April. There are…
We were all puzzled when Domino magazine closed three years ago. They kept the online archives available through Brides.com but that was just awkward and we were stuck with the loss of another beloved shelter title. We just got…
We’re starting February with an awesome giveaway from The Hectic Gourmet which is an epicurean cooking supply store that carries your favorite brands such as Le Creuset, Calphalon, Cuisinart, Wusthof and more. This week The Hectic Gourmet is offering…
Smart home security systems are awesome but they usually cost a ton of money for the equipment as well as the labor to install them. VueZone has created a system that you can monitor from your smart phone and…
With a new baby in the house and a need to have our home thoroughly clean, we started from the ground up. We’ve got hardwood floors and use carpets throughout our home. We’ve rented the Rug-Doctor cleaners which worked…
Installing new countertops is an ambitious do-it-yourself project no matter what type of material you choose. These homeowners shared their journey to install stainless steel countertops which look great and are a huge upgrade to their previous formica. They…
A couple months ago we shared the news on a new contest sponsored by IKEA called Rescue Remodel. You can nominate your favorite fire house and the winner gets a $25,000 kitchen remodel from IKEA. Well the nominations are…
We’ve got the perfect woodworking project that you can build in time for your Super Bowl parties. A reader submitted this project and you know he arrives at BYOB parties in style with this DIY beer case he made.…
We are big time fans of Wood & Faulk (we’re really partial with anyone who uses an ampersand in their name) and his camping stool is still one of our all-time favorites. His latest masterpiece is a basic woodworking…
Gyms are expensive and if you’ve got the space at home, why not invest a bit in building and setting up a home workout space. Not just a home gym with some weights and a Soloflex but a real…
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock you have heard the news that this is the year that the government has mandated we begin changing over to the new energy efficient lightbulbs such as CFL’s and LED’s. The cost…
Here’s an innovation in kitchen appliances we haven’t seen before. The new Kenmore Grab-N-Go fridge has a door within a door feature that lets you open a smaller area of the refrigerator to access items used more often such…
For basic woodworking projects around the home a jigsaw is indispensable. It takes up little space and is fairly safe and easy to work with. We’ve been using a Black & Decker model for years and it’s held up…
…anything we want it to be! Seriously. It’s just after midnight and I’ve been reflecting on how incredible 2011 was for me and my family. I really have so much to be grateful for. I want to give thanks…
With all of the recent talk of the government regulating the sale of incandescent bulbs, we got to thinking, why not make our own light bulbs. A friend of ours makes it sound like it’s not too difficult but…
One of our highlights this year was attending a media event sponsored by Lowe’s and Valspar and hosted by Nate Berkus. It was a very intimate setting and only about fifteen of us were invited and Nate spent the…
If you are still dreading sending out Christmas cards because you hate doing labels, then check out the LabelWriter 450 Turbo from Dymo. It’s super easy to use and it will even print out postage which will save you…
You’ve heard the term “casing the joint” which is slang for checking out a building, bank, home before robbing it. Criminals and petty thieves will do this to mitigate their risk, junkies and kids who are up to no…
How can you not love everything that Liberty Tool Co. of Maine represents. Thanks Etsy! There’s No Place Like Here: Liberty Tool from Etsy on Vimeo.…
Creating a perfectly functional workspace can take some time. It all starts with the desk, which provides the surface and space you need to be productive and/or creative. If you’re like me, you might keep a notepad nearby to…
Mike Rowe should be applauded for shining a spotlight on blue collar jobs. Cat Footwear has taken notice of this and they recently collaborated on a signature series of work boots under the name “Mike Rowe Works by Cat…
Earlier this year we visited Husqvarna and they were working on some top secret battery powered chainsaws. Well it looks like Stihl has beat them to the punch and launched the first real entry into the battery powered chainsaw…
We recently received this reader question and hope some of our readers can help. Any direction you can send me to make heads or tails of quotes for new natural gas boiler installation? Munchkin or Buderus? 95% efficiency vs.…
Rockwell is offering some Black Friday deals on some of their most popular products and you can shop them from the comfort of your home with these online discounts. Black Friday deals include: Rockwell BladeRunner, $159.00, plus free shipping…
Home Depot hasn’t released all of their Black Friday deals yet but through Nov. 28 they will have deals available on select appliances. We will update this page with all of the Home Depot Black Friday sales once they…
Lowe’s motto is “never stop improving”, which we think is a great choice of words as it doesn’t necessarily mention the home or remodeling. We’ve found that what Lowe’s really wants to do is help you improve your quality…
It happens to the best of us — we go to hang our holiday lights only to find that they no longer work. Trying to find the burned-out bulb or shorted fuse is time consuming and frustrating, and often…
Last year I spoke on the design blog panel at the Kitchen and Bath Show in Las Vegas. I joined a couple of my good friends including Chris Phillips of Apartment Therapy, Susan Serra and Megan Arquette. KBIS is…
Turkey Day is almost upon us (hurray!) And with so much activity in the kitchen, now is a great time to review some safety tips to make sure you have an injury- and crisis-free holiday. After all, you have…