What could be better than whipping up a first-class meal on a state-of-the-art gas range? How about if the proceeds from the appliance’s auction benefit breast cancer research? Chef Marcus Samuelsson (the winner of Top Chef Masters season 2…
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Design
Last Tuesday marked a monumental day around our humble abode — the long-awaited arrival of our new bed. The glorious piece of furniture (including mattress and box springs) was a wedding gift from my dad and stepmom, and it…
For tool geeks it was cool to see the ubiquitous Milwaukee Sawzall make an appearance in the latest video from Jay-Z and Kanye West, Otis. The opener is ominous with both rappers walking towards a new Maybach, Kanye with…
About a year ago the blogosphere was all abuzz about FrogTape, a new painters’ tape product with paint-blocking technology purported to stop paint from bleeding under the tape. With that in mind, the point of the tape was to…
This past weekend we had the chance to check out our city’s monthly summer Really Really Free Market — as in, yes, everything really, really is free — and we’re digging this latest urban trend. Really Really Free Markets…
File this one under the “What will they think of next?” category. And yes, you read the post title right: today we’re talking about edible spray paint. Thanks to the team at Shelterrific for alerting us to this fascinating…
Building something or finishing a project is all about creating a solution. So when we stumbled across Down East Doormats, which use the basic design of a doormat to solve an ongoing problem, we didn’t hesitate to share this…
Today felt like a holiday when we received our mail — the new IKEA 2012 catalog sat innocently in our mailbox, its near pristine pages just crying out to be thumbed through. While we are pretty avid IKEA shoppers,…
Whether you’re considering selling your house or simply want to freshen up your home’s exterior, you can’t go wrong with installing a new garage door. In fact, this project consistently ranks high on Remodeling magazine’s Cost v. Value report.…
Maybe dogs wouldn’t be so aggressive or bark so much if they could see what was beyond their fence? Well the pet peek could be the perfect solution. It looks easy to install and if you’ve got a curious…
The Barbie dream house — such a splendid creation, isn’t it? I know I confessed my extreme tomboy tendencies yesterday, but I also had a Barbie dream house. Mansion is a more accurate description, and I spent hours concocting…
Growing up, I was quite the tomboy. And looking back at my preferred toys, it’s no surprise that I now write about home improvement and DIY. Lincoln Logs, Tinker Toys, blocks and a pint-sized tool kit topped my list…
During the sweltering days of summer, painting your roof white seems like a fantastic idea. The idea is to make your roof more reflective so that it doesn’t absorb as much heat, which will keep your house cooler–and likely…
Our friend Nick has a passion for music and wanted to incorporate this into the design of his new home. You can take his same concept and create your own wall mural using a design of your choice and…
My daughter will be turning one here at the end of August, and as a child always in the 95th percentile of growth with no sign of slowing down, I know her babyhood is quickly ending while her toddlerhood…
I’m about to make a strong statement: I hate summer. Don’t get me wrong – I love spending time outside, swimming, dining al fresco, going to the lake. But Kansas City (and much of the country) is in the…
When it comes to home security, you can easily invest a lot of money in a high-budget alarm and monitoring system. Yet there are also several budget-friendly things you can do to boost your home’s protection. One of your…
We love finding creative uses for common household items. Take coffee, for example. It’s delicious, and for many of us, it’s the fuel that keeps us going throughout a hectic day. And better yet? You can use it to…
One of the reasons that paint is so great is because it can instantly change the look of anything. And you don’t need to go crazy on your entire house to make a big visual impact. Take your front…
“The rug really pulled the room together…man”, and with that the adventure began. One of our favorite films of all time, The Big Lebowski, begins in the Dude’s house, his bathroom to be exact and ends with his rug…
We’re big time coffee fans and need at least one cup (usually two) to help us get going in the morning. Nothing beats coffee from a French press of just grounded fresh roasted beans but sometimes we just don’t…
This has been an amazing summer for us. We’ve been putting in the miles with media trips across the country and mixing in a jaunt to Paris…for a babymoon. Yes, Laura and I are expecting a boy in September!…
If you want to lower your energy costs and make your home more energy-efficient, there are a lot of little steps you can take: switching to CFLs, installing a programmable thermostat and switching to low-flow faucets, for example. Yet…
Yesterday we had the pleasure of joining Milwaukee Tool at their media day in Milwaukee, WI. We joined a group of trade writers and tool bloggers that represented all of North America and Latin America. Milwaukee Tool definitely recognizes…
We’ve got a Poulan Pro chainsaw that works great and we’ve only used it for the occasional de-limbing job, so when I got my hands on the biggest and baddest chainsaw from Husqvarna last week I was stoked! This…
We’ve talked before about pressure washers on C&H — they can help tackle a variety of jobs and can breathe new life into a variety of products. Take decks, for example. It’s likely that your deck takes quite a…
The pinnacle for any DIYer? Building a house! If you’re intimidated by the process, we’ve got a simpler version for you to try. The Tata Group has created a $720 flatpack home that can be built in a week…
Living in an urban environment sometimes means sacrificing some personal space. Houses are closer together, square footage is minimal, and neighbors don’t have to work very hard to be nosy with their windows practically lining up with yours. Privacy…
The refrigerator is truly a modern wonder, isn’t it? It keeps our food and drinks cold, and also serves as an artwork and message display center. We came across a great Kitchens.com post on refrigeration trends and it made…
If you’re eager to make your home more energy-efficient, one of the best things you can do is install a programmable thermostat, which will help keep the temperature in your home more consistent, and is more reliable than an…
We’re wrapping up our Window Wisdom series with a short video presented by Steve Donovan from Taylor Brothers Architectural Products here in Los Angeles. They carry a wide selection of windows and doors, but it’s obvious that Steve really…
For a long time at our house, we’ve been discussing how to handle our basement floor. Despite being freshly (albeit poorly and incorrectly) painted before we moved in, a combination of bad workmanship, poor color choice, and the wear…
It’s here! The weekend that Angelenos have been dreading for months. CARMAGEDDON!!! Simply put, the 405 freeway will be closed for two days at 10-mile stretch between I-10 and the 101 to repair a damaged bridge. The run up…
Just so you know? I love my job. I had the honor of representing Charles & Hudson at Shaw Floor’s media event to unveil the company’s new flooring partnership with HGTV. We learned about the new products (and they’re…
While some people prefer a very in-your-face style of home security presence, there are others who lean more towards a subtle, multi-purpose approach to ensuring their home’s safety. One way to accomplish a more low-key, yet attractive level of…
While working on our epic antique claw foot tub project, we came across a suggestion to help us with our oil paint for her exterior — moreover, to help ensure the paint application went on as smoothly and evenly…
This week we’re covering two great events that we didn’t want to miss this week. I’m spending two days at the Husqvarna Research and Development facility in Charlotte, NC, learning about their latest products and testing chainsaws, trimmers, blowers…
A little known secret in the home security world is that the appearance of security is about 90% of the actual benefit of having a home security system. Meaning, if it looks like you have a system, potential intruders…
We often talk about small spaces here at C&H: how to make a small space feel larger, how to maximize limited square footage and other similar topics. But how small is too small? We stumbled across pictures of the…
The kitchen is often the center of a home. It’s where we prepare food, eat, gather and relax. It comes as no surprise, then, that kitchen remodels top the list of most popular home projects. And they’re typically where…
There are so many things I love about blogging for C&H, and one of them includes browsing shelter magazines and websites for the latest and greatest products. Some of them are definitely splurge-worthy, but we can dream, can’t we?…
I have rather strong feelings about wood paneling. As in, I hate it. I don’t mean to offend you if you’re a wood paneling fan, but I think it darkens and dates a room. So what can you do…
Coming home with a large bag of groceries and fumbling with keys to open a back door can be a frustrating experience, so can having your kids forget the keys but need to be let inside. These small frustrations…
One of the disadvantages to living in a loft, apartment or condo is the lack of outdoor space. As a Kansas City loft dweller, I find myself lamenting my lack of balcony or patio on a daily basis, especially…
A confession? I love seeing where people live and work. As I stroll my downtown neighborhood’s streets at dusk, I peek upward to get a glimpse into the surrounding lofts, hoping for a burst of inspiration (sometimes, I get…
I have a secret dream of buying a house with a great yard, and then getting one of those one-room home kits to build my very own home office. It sounds like a great scenario, right? The office, while…
Who doesn’t love a good top 10 list? David Letterman, I’m looking at you! Product lists are especially helpful if you’re looking to branch out from your usual favorites. You probably have your eco-friendly mainstays like programmable thermostats, CFLs,…
After enduring five stifling, A/C-free days earlier this month, I have a newfound respect for those who choose to brave the summer months without A/C. It can certainly be done, however, especially if you have a few fans, some…
I don’t remember how old I was when I first found out that the bright, sunny dandelions I loved so much were weeds. How could something so cheerful be classified in such a pesky, frustrating group of plants? But…
This month we’ve taken an in depth look at windows and have covered three main steps that will help you ensure their best function. Evaluating your current windows, shopping for new windows and how to care for your new…
As other trade shows have contracted, Dwell on Design continues to grow. It’s not a large show but the vendors are well curated and you can picture any of them in the pages of Dwell magazine and many of…
Harsh weather conditions, wear and tear — it’s likely that your deck will need to be refinished every few years to keep it in prime condition. This is generally a project you can tackle over the weekend, provided you’ve…
Oh Vegas…We love you. From the Pyramids to Paris you never cease to amaze us so it’s fitting that you’re pushing the boundaries once again on what a theme park can be by serving as the home of Dig…
One of the biggest challenges many small space dwellers face is storage. Whether your abode has a bevy of closets and cabinets or is as bare as a bone, when every square inch counts, you need storage solutions that…
Sometimes in life, a good thing comes with an unfortunate side effect. Such is the case with compact fluorescent lightbulbs. When it comes to choosing a more energy-efficient source of light, CFLs are at the top of their game.…
With the prevalence of touchscreen, app-based products continuing to dominate the market, it was only a matter of time before an enterprising mind applied this technology to appliances. Samsung has introduced a refrigerator complete with an 8-inch WiFi-supported LCD…
A little while back, we read an article detailing a list of things an expert thought should not be bought at Ikea — leaving pretty much decorative accessories as the only “purchasable” items recommended. As we’re sure you know,…
Tomorrow marks the official arrival of summer, although if it’s been as hot where you are as it’s been in Kansas City, your air conditioner has already received quite the workout! With air conditioners, fans and appliances working overtime…
While perusing our new favorite obsession, Pinterest, we’ve come across some pretty awesome ideas to get the most bang for your DIY buck. One of the most genius is a findable time capsule — inside of a lightswitch cover.…
There’s no denying that the turbulent economy has wreaked havoc on publishing, especially for shelter magazines. It’s been hard to see good friends like Domino, Blueprint and Cottage Living close and sadly, we now have another to add to…
Thanks to a record number of people who are turning 65 in the coming years, Universal Design is becoming the hot topic when it comes to home building and renovating. Simply put, Universal Design means enhancing the accessibility and…
Attic fans are one of those brilliant inventions that you don’t really notice until you don’t have one. Growing up, my dad’s house had an attic fan and it made all the difference when it came to keeping the…
We cover a lot of tradeshows and events throughout the year and one product that keeps popping up is the Bagster. We covered this a couple of years back but think it’s worth mentioning again as onsite storage and…
Grilling, dining al fresco, relaxing in a hammock with a good book–it’s no wonder that spending time outdoors is one of the top activities during the summer. And if your home has a leisure-inducing outdoor space, then you know…
The great thing about paint is that it can be applied to almost any surface or object and is one of the easiest ways to launch a full-fledged makeover within your home. When you’re preparing to paint, you probably…
One of our favorite types of project is the weekend project. In just a couple of days, you can feel that rush of productivity and accomplishment after surveying a completed project that improves your home–and maybe even your lifestyle.…
Security doors used to have a pretty bad rap. They’d decrease your property value, make your neighborhood seem sketchy, and worst of all, were ugly. Screen doors, however, were praised far and wide for creating welcoming entryways, adding style…
When it comes to painting your home, the walls don’t have to hog all of the attention. Painting a room’s trim can easily make just as big of an impact, especially if you use a dark hue instead of…
There are few things more frustrating than your beautiful, carefully planned and tended landscaping being destroyed by an inquisitive visitor of the animal variety. If you find yourself in this situation, we suggest installing some protective fencing to help…
Last week, I had the pleasure of traveling to Baltimore for DeWALT’s new product launch. I had a basic familiarity of the brand, but it was fascinating to dive more into the company’s history, methodology and what they’re doing…
If you’re looking for a unique way to liven up a boring cement slab, decorate a retaining wall, or just leave your mark without leaving a chemical footprint, then we have the solution for you — moss graffiti! Sounds…
Today we are continuing our Window Wisdom series, sponsored by Marvin Windows and Doors, by sharing our window buying guide. Last week we showed you how to evaluate the current state of your windows by performing a window audit,…
A few days ago, I spent some time touring a model condominium in downtown Kansas City while on assignment. Not only is the building a towering historic landmark (the tallest residential building in the Midwest, outside of Chicago) but…
Out kitchens can easily become cluttered with junk that we don’t really need. Specialty tools and gadgets that might work great for one particular task but take up precious space in your kitchen cabinets and on shelves. Our friend…
This post is brought to you from the miserable land of no A/C. Yep — after arriving home last night from the DeWALT tool launch (more on that soon), my husband confronted me with the bad news: our A/C…
Are you THAT type of landscaper? You know … the one who’s not just satisfied with a tidy, mowed yard, but who takes landscaping to the next level? With a new feature on John Deere’s Facebook page, you now…
Now that your home’s landscaping is likely receiving adequate doses of sunlight and water, you may soon find yourself with some overgrown plants on your hands. And if you prefer that your yard not resemble a jungle, we’ve compiled…
We’ve been invited again this year to the DeWALT tools media event, and like last year when we were the first to see the DeWALT 12V MAX cordless tool system, we’ve been told they are introducing another new cordless…
This week we’re introducing a 3-part series called Window Wisdom, sponsored by Marvin Windows and Doors, where we will take an in depth look at the world of windows. In our modern day, windows are often taken for granted…
We’ve talked on the site before about using natural hydraulic lime to refresh your home’s masonry. If you’re thinking about a paint project within your home’s interior, consider lime wash paint, which evokes a plaster-like feel and is an…