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…
Now that the weather finally has begun to cooperate, we're back at our February project of refinishing our cast-iron and porcelain clawfoot tub. …
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…
As temperatures heat up, now is the perfect time to think about your yard’s irrigation. If you don’t already have a sprinkler system, you may want to consider one, especially if you plan on traveling. By having an automatic…
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…
So you’re considering taking the plunge (har, har!) and installing an at-home swimming pool. When it comes to the water, you have two choices: salt water or chlorine. We’ve rounded up a few tips to help you decide what’s…
One of the best ways to spend a long weekend is around a barbecue grill. Sure, we could spend time on the gas v. charcoal debate (*cough* charcoal *cough*), but let’s skip all that and get right to the…
We’re heading into a long weekend, and you know what that means–it’s a perfect time to tackle what’s on your DIY to-do list. Plus, you may find some specials at your area hardware store, which means you’ll save a…
While watching an episode of “Friday Night Lights” last night, I was struck by a scene in which football star Tim Riggins selflessly donates his time to clean and repair his (hot female) neighbor’s rain gutters. OK, so they…
In a couple of weeks, HGTV will premiere a new series: “HGTV’d.” And we love the premise. HGTV hosts will travel around the country (accompanied by a massive HGTV’d 18-wheeler) to surprise unsuspecting viewers with home makeovers! Home makeover…
When it comes to paint, color is the biggest deciding factor on what you’ll get. And with so many hues available, it can be a daunting selection process! Now, thanks to House Beautiful’s new 500+ Favorite Paint Colors app,…
From foliage to roughage, a well-tended garden can boost your home’s curb appeal, cut your grocery bill, and help you be more environmentally friendly all in one swoop. But if you’re like us, finding the time to garden between…
We’re so unbelievably saddened by the horrific photos and video coming out of Joplin, Mo., in the aftermath of yesterday’s damaging tornado. This spring has seemed to produce an especially volatile trend of severe weather, as witnessed by many…
If you have a lot of artwork or framed photos to display, creating an in-home gallery wall is a striking way to exhibit your prized mementos. It’s a relatively easy project, too, and can be budget-friendly depending on the…
One of the cool things about living in a small space is that it tests the bounds of your creativity. You’ll need clever storage solutions, thoughtful furniture arrangements and pieces that can do double-duty to help you maximize every…
When it comes to protecting your home and your family, the exterior is just as important as any interior security features you may have. The best thing about most of these suggestions is that they’re relatively budget-friendly, too, and…
Isn’t everything more enjoyable if you can make it a party? You may have attended (or hosted) a clothing or housewares swap party, but what about planning one with a DIY focus? Gather up anything DIY-related you’re no longer…
Have you ever noticed that talking about gas stoves vs. their electric counterparts can get a little, er, heated? (No pun intended!) It seems people have some pretty adamant opinions as to which is best when it comes to…
You’ve probably heard of the term universal design, especially as it’s applied to helping people age within their homes. Yet universal design isn’t an age-specific term; at its core, universal design is about enhancing accessibility, function and performance within…
We’re quickly approaching hard core wedding/baby shower/graduation/housewarming season, and we have a creative solution to all your gift-giving dilemmas — give the gift of DIY! There are plenty of ways to spread the DIY love, and we have a…
C&H readers, you’re probably starting to think I’m obsessed with bookshelves. And you’d be right. After dealing with the odyssey of our salvaged Borders bookcase, I look at all shelving with a newfound appreciation. This latest find? Pure genius.…
There have been some interesting developments going on in our neck of the quasi-gentrified neighborhood. Over the last couple of months, our elderly neighbor on one side has had several various family members stay for extended periods with him…
Kwikset has taken notice of our home security blog and have asked us to join their Kwikset SmartSquad to help educate homeowners about effective and proactive steps to help maintain the safety of their home and family. We thought…
Last week we attended an amazing event by Lowes and Valspar Paint in New York City. They invited a small group of media to participate in a painting and design demonstration all hosted by celebrity designer and TV personality…
Container or pod storage has become a popular choice for temporary storage. You no longer have to rent a moving van and make multiple stops to a storage unit. You can now contact a service such as United Mayflower…
For those of us with the ultimate DIY projects running around (that’d be kids), sometimes it’s hard to figure out the best way to make your home safe while encouraging curiosity and healthy boundaries for your littles. While there…
We’d like to give a big shout-out to Hometalk! They’ve been a great partner of Charles & Hudson this year and we wanted to share with you a bit more about what they offer . Hometalk is a place…
Mowing season is upon us! Sure, sometimes yard work is labor-intensive, but there’s nothing like the smell of fresh cut grass. If you haven’t already taken your lawnmower for its first spin of 2011, you just might encounter a…
Whether you’re needing a new backsplash, wall or floor, tiling is often consider a DIY project. And with some experience, tiling can be relatively easy to get the hang of. But if you’re just starting out, there are some…
Painting the outside of your home can be as much fun as trying a new color in your home’s interior. Yet because the weather is such a huge factor when you’re painting outside, you may only have a limited…
We recently heard a horrifying account from a friend about a sudden honeybee infestation in a chimney. She came home to several bees buzzing around her living room, and then realized they were coming in through the chimney! We…
Imagine the scenario: you’re out running errands up the street, or taking a family walk, or driving through the neighborhood on trash day and suddenly you see an amazing piece of furniture discarded. It has great lines or bones,…
Being able to remotely control your home’s security system is one of the perks of continually evolving technology. But if you need something more comprehensive, consider ADT Pulse, a whole-home automation system that’s customizable to your needs. ADT Pulse…
A sudden heat wave has descended over Kansas City, which means many of us are firing up the air conditioners–for a couple of days, anyway. Before your A/C usage peaks during the summer months, there are a few things…
If you can’t afford a kitchen remodel but want to change the look of it, you have a few options in updating your space. The best part about these projects? Not only are they affordable, but they’re quick, so…
We’ve talked before about the “man cave” as the ultimate dude space for guys and their buddies to do man things together. But we’d like to propose the flip side to that coin — specifically, the mom cave. In…
One our favorite events on the home design and remodeling tradeshow circuit is the National Hardware Show. Next week it kicks off in Vegas and organizers say this should be one of the biggest shows to date. They describe…
If you live or work in a large, open space like a loft, one of the biggest obstacles is creating walls and different areas (trust me–I speak from firsthand experience!) And if you’re renting the space, the issue becomes…
The great thing about paint is that it not only adds a fresh look and burst of color to the inside of your home, but it’s ideal for your home’s exterior, too. If you’re interested in changing the look…
If you’re a true Matthew Gray Gubler fan you’ll know one of his favorite movies is Home Alone. Do you think he should buy this house and create his own house of horrors? We’re sure he could top what…
At this year’s Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, Daltile unveiled several new products, including SlimLite Slate and Quartzite, “a line of innovative, thin and lightweight surfacing products,” according to the company. Available later this spring, SlimLite is designed to…
Now that spring has (hypothetically in some areas) sprung, you might find yourself looking about your abode wanting to spruce things up a bit. The same old decor can feel boring and depressing after a long winter for sure,…
We’re the first to admit that we have a small obsession with wallpapered ceilings. From the seemingly impossible task of hanging the paper, to the cool effects you can create, to the quick-fix change it can add to a…
As a Housing major and a Design Studies minor, I was intimidated by the job market. I knew that Interior Design majors would have more to offer than I would. My job search started in November and I realized…
When you’re creating colors for kitchen surfaces, what better inspiration is there than food? DuPont’s new color collections in Zodiaq quartz surfaces and Corian solid surfaces are inspired by spices and ingredients, respectively. Think of a kitchen infused with…
We go through a lot of doormats at our house. Between the weather, outside animals, and the occassional vandal, doormats seem to be something we are always putting on the supplies list. This means we often settle for the…
Porter-Cable is now offering a small angle metal grinder that also functions as a metal cutter. Other applications include cleaning and finishing surfaces and tuckpointing. Features The grinder has a powerful 6 amp motor that specs at 11,000 RPM.…
It’s been an interesting weekend at our household. A few weeks back, we had purchased a large, double-sided bookcase from one of the Borders close-out sales. After we quickly realized our current loft configuration wouldn’t accommodate the shelving behemoth,…
If you’re a fan of the DeWALT brand of power tools, we’ve got big news for you. DeWALT hand tools are now available and they haven’t just released a tape measure and wrench but they’ve identified more than 100…
Meal prep, storage, display area–in a kitchen, the counters are where the action happens. And that’s why picking a solid, durable countertop material is so important. Changing the look of your counters can not only alter their performance, but…
As the popularity of impact drivers grows, so does the demand for products that fit a need and help solve a problem. Welcome the DeWALT Impact Clutch accessory holder. This DeWALT exclusive product is the first of its kind…
The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) was great this year! Beyond seeing some unique products from the top manufacturers in the country, we spoke to a lot of designers and bloggers who provided us with some real insight…
My grandma, an avid gardener, has plant beds all around her home. Yet one of my favorite memories is of her window boxes, which were perched on her home’s front windows and spilled over with brightly colored flowers, usually…
Unless you’ve been hiding out in a bomb shelter in fear of Cold War nuclear attacks, you’d know the biggest possibly-irrational fear in the post-modern world is the zombie apocalypse. From TV shows to survival guides to the actual…
For look, finish and durability, hardwoods are hard to beat. But what about using hardwoods in rooms that are more suited to other types of materials, such as the bathroom? Thanks to an increasing availability of wood-look tile, you…
The biggest three days in the kitchen and bath universe have started at the convention center in Las Vegas with the kickoff of the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show which is known as KBIS. All the big brands are…
Research shows that homeowners are spending more time in the kitchen, opting for open floor plans that blend living and kitchen space to create a hybrid room that’s ideal for both relaxation and meal preparation. If you’re spending more…
If you have carpeting in your home, you’re probably no stranger to spot treating when faced with unexpected spills and messes. At least once a year, however, it’s a good idea to steam clean your carpets, which will help…
For a multitude of reasons, not everyone can plant a traditional garden. Maybe you live in an apartment or condo where green space is sparse and not really yours to dig up. Perhaps your soil is inhospitable to anything…
We’re headed to Las Vegas for the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (K/BIS) which is the largest kitchen and bath trade show in the country. There are enough sinks, cabinets and appliances to make your head spin. You can…
This year our intern, Lauren Chorpening of Iowa State University, had a unique opportunity to visit the Meredith office of ReadyMade in Des Moines, Iowa which isn’t far from her campus in Ames. She received a guide behind-the-scenes tour…
Although carpet still makes up the majority of flooring sales, you can’t deny the popularity–and prevalence–of hardwood floors. The durable material makes it great for a variety of rooms, and with woods available in a wide range of colors…
When it comes to kitchens, storage is one of the most important factors. And because good storage is so important, it’s often one of the primary considerations during a kitchen renovation. In regard to kitchen cabinets and shelving, you…
Happy Earth Day! Although when I was younger, we had a saying — “Every day is Earth day.” Kinda true, right? We talk a lot about going green here at C&H — materials, best practices, energy efficiency — but…
The seated mowers you see at your home center with two handles facing each other are zero-turn lawn mowers. The popularity of zero-turn mowers continues to rise as homeowners become more educated to how they function and how to…
One of our favorite things about spring is how everything suddenly becomes green. Have you noticed that? It seems like one day you’ll notice small buds on the trees, and then a few days later, BAM – green everywhere!…
Feeling a sudden urge to redecorate your bathroom? With the new Toobi Bath Faucet from Kohler, your faucet can get in the redecorating spirit, too, thanks to interchangeable colored liners that “allow the owner to personalize their space in…
We stumbled upon this little interesting little tidbit stemming from this year’s CES and thought we’d share with you: how’d you like a pet robot dinosaur as your home security? Back in 2002, Japanese robotics company TMSUK developed the…
The FBI has cataloged the areas of entry that burglars will target into a home. Take these statistics and protect your home accordingly. 81 percent of residential intrusions occur through the first floor. 34 percent of burglars entered through…
It’s the season to start thinking about your lawn and getting it back into shape for summer. It’s possible that weeds have taken root and infiltrated much of your yard. If you’re not high on chemicals and toxic weed…
As you very well may already know, April 22nd is Earth Day, and this year more companies than ever are joining in the effort to help green our planet. One of the most interesting concepts we’ve seen is the…
It’s great to see new ventures in shelter publishing and when established print publisher Meredith announced they were joining up with digital magazine Lonny to create Trad Home, the design world took notice. After two splashy launch parties in…