Solar landscape lighting is convenient and beautiful when it works. When the lights don’t work, it can be maddening. Fortunately these systems are fairly simple and generally easy to fix. With a little know-how and some quick tests, you…
Improbable building materials? Building kits to create the one- or two-roomed house of your dreams? Unconventional building materials and kit homes are becoming increasingly popular, especially as homeowners embrace sustainability and, in some cases, downsizing. Thanks to a heads-up…
Once upon a time I wrote a post about countertop paint, made for laminate surfaces like you find in kitchens and bathrooms. I dreamed of someday utilizing it in my kitchen and reporting back, but between bigger projects and…
Not all of us are brave enough to do it, but many people are tackling DIY plumbing jobs in their home. Somewhat complicated and sometimes involving high-pressure situations (like get that leak fixed NOW), plumbing projects are a challenge.…
HGTV’s All American Handyman made three cuts last week and now have their top five competitors, one of which will wear the crown of All-American Handyman. We caught up with the last Handyman voted off the show, Andrew Kowalyshyn.…
Oh, the white kitchen! How it seems to just lift the room and allow a homeowner to take a breathe of calmness when entering it’s calm surround. White is, to date, one of the most popular choices in cabinetry…
We love treehouses at C&H: in fact, the more luxurious or exotic, the better! So when I first spotted these new designs on Casa Sugar about German company Baumraum, I was excited. Craftsmen at the company include architects to…
The big day has finally arrived. You’ve decluttered, sorted and arranged your goods. The alarm goes off at the crack of dawn to awaken you for your final preparations. An “early bird” is waiting in the driveway even though…
The 2010 Remodeling Show is kicking off today in Baltimore and if you can’t be there in person you can follow these exhibitors on Twitter. We’ve also listed a few of our friends who will be there to share…
Black paint isn’t only limited to gothic-inspired decor or teens that need to rebel (though if you do have a rebellious decorative teen, here’s some good advice.) In fact, black walls done right can add high drama and elegance…
Are you looking for a product that’s recycled with a capital “R?” The recycled paper countertops from ShetkaStone will deliver. For the kitchen, bath, laundry room and even in the boardroom, this counter (or tabletop) is impressive. Similar to…
Living in New York City is amazing but unless you’ve got the big bucks you’re typically relegated to less than desirable apartments. But if you win this Urban Oasis from HGTV you can live like a King or Queen.…
The Home Depot Foundation and Habitat for Humanity recently announced the national expansion of Partners in Sustainable Building (PSB), a five-year $30 million green building initiative that will help incorporate sustainable building practices in 5,000 green homes nationwide. More…
Paint can last for years if the top of the can has not been opened. Many times paint will outlast the life of a can if it has been rusted. You also need to be careful if you shake…
After seeing the tragic fire in San Bruno, CA this evening we first prayed for the families and people involved but also hope they have updated their fire insurance policies. Most standard homeowners insurance policies cover losses from fire…
Tomorrow is the final race (Richmond) of the regular NASCAR season before the Chase for the Cup begins. We thought we’d have a little fun and lineup some of the big guy sponsors in the home improvement world and…
Green building has become overwhelmingly popular, as consumers and contractors alike seek out environmentally friendly products and practices in the pursuit of sustainability. But just how pervasive is green building? Franklyn Carter of NPR.org writes that “green building now…
A relaxing and lovely weekend with my family at mid-Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks was nearly cut short on Sunday evening thanks to three horrible words: Full septic tank. Apparently, a botched appraisal led to an incorrect assertion of…
We recently had the good fortune to spend a few hours with Andrew Wagner the new editor-in-chief of ReadyMade magazine (formerly of Dwell and American Craft). He’s actually been on the job for a few months now and we’ve…
If you’re seeking a top-notch cordless drill for a reduced price, check out the Craftsman C3 19.2V cordless drill (model 11910). It’s been replaced this fall by a newer model but can still be found for a ridiculously lower…
Well, I’ve always wanted an underground lair. Luckily, I’ve found one that looks more pastoral than evil and gloomy. Made of concrete and earth, this Swiss estate is a cluster of grass-blanketed houses encircling a pretty little lake. According…
For living in an ancient house with plaster walls, I have an unnatural desire to wallpaper my very uneven vertical spaces. I’ve looked at different ways to make wallpaper happen, yet another solution that keeps popping up through my…
Whole house water filters have become necessary for some homeowners due to tap water that just isn’t on par with what the utility companies promise. Tap water that is clean, doesn’t smell and is drinkable is what we expect…
The Eames House is one of the hidden gems of Los Angeles and located just off the PCH in Pacific Palisades, California. Completed in 1949, some believe the Eames House has yet to be equaled in modern architecture. The…
Tryouts are over and HGTV has selected 20 finalists to be their new show All American Handyman. 20 Americans from across the country have nailed the chance to be crowned the “handiest of them all” in the new HGTV…
If you’re staying home this holiday weekend and tackling some paint projects you’re in luck. A few retailers and paint manufacturers are offering some Labor Day deals and discounts on paint. Behr is offering $5 off 1 gallon and…
In 2008 author and architect Sarah Susanka published The Not So Big House: A Blueprint for the Way We Really Live and this year her follow up Not So Big Remodeling: Tailoring Your Home for the Way You Really…
Now that September has arrived, we’re officially kicking off paint month here at C&H! We’ll be bringing you the latest paint tips, tricks and news, as well as sharing some of our favorite resources to make sure your paint…
There are bound to be some home improvement projects that won’t fit into your skill set. They may not even fit into your best friend or neighbor’s skill set. And that means you’ll need to hire somebody else. This…
I share about 600 square feet and very little storage with my boyfriend. It’s no wonder that I am on a constant quest for squeezing the most out of our small space. This Old House did a great revamp…
What better way to celebrate Labor Day than by laboring on a few of your own DIY projects? Sure, the weekend is typically spent saying a three-day farewell to summer, but with an extra day off, you’ll have time…
While we were in New Orleans participating in the Fifty for Five event, we took an opportunity to explore the Reuse District in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans. Scattered around abandoned shipyards and warehouses you’ll find numerous salvage…
Who knew our President was such a designophile? The Oval Office has undergone an extreme makeover. Some of the updates include new carpeting, wallpaper and sofas. However, the resolute desk and painting of Washington over the fireplace stayed put.…
It’s important to us that we contribute to our time to help homeowners in need. We had a great experience last year volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, so when we received the invitation from Sears to participate in Fifty…
C&H readers, we’re getting to be good friends. And if you haven’t already noticed, I have a thing for shelves. Especially bookshelves. Maybe it’s because I’m still lacking in storage space throughout my loft, or maybe it’s because I’ve…
As you plan your next DIY or renovation project, consider enhancing your space with an architectural detail that adds maximum visual impact without breaking your DIY budget. Better Homes & Gardens has a great round-up of architectural additions, complete…
Calling all kitchen fans! If you’re in New York from Sept. 15, 2010 to March 14, 2011, a stop at the Museum of Modern Art is a must. A new exhibit, “Counter Space: Design And The Modern Kitchen,” “explores…
After any sort of demolition, whether it’s a towering skyscraper or a residential bathroom, recycling previously used materials in a new project is always an ideal method to create a more sustainable structure while decreasing excess waste. Yet in…
We’re here in New Orleans courtesy of Sears. They’ve invited Charles & Hudson to volunteer and participate in the Fifty for Five event (sponsored by Sears) on the 5th anniversary of hurricane Katrina and it’s been an amazing experience.…
If you’re eager to get a head start on next year’s home improvement and decorating projects, you may want to consult Behr Paint’s 2011 Color and Design Trends forecast. According to the company, “The versatility of paint is the…
Cork is cool, no doubt about it. This tree is actually planted not to be cut down, but to be kept healthy for decades, providing a harvest of valuable bark for the building industry. Cork tree farms are found…
Everyone has a passion. For New Yorker Edward Rhett Butler, who opts to go by his middle name, his love of hardware has fueled not only a long-running personal hobby, but also a successful 20-year company. In a New…
Folks that live the trailer lifestyle know all about how to maximize a small space, and the manufacturers of these trailers have got small space design engineering down to a science. To be clear we’re not talking about RV’s…
If the weather is as beautiful where you are as it is in Kansas City (right now, anyway!), then you, like me, may have a hard time thinking about furnaces, heating and winter weather! Yet frigid temperatures will be…
There comes a point where your kitchen will just look tired. Trust me – you’ll know when that is. But the good news is that a full kitchen remodel is not entirely necessary. Look to your kitchen cabinets first.…
Removing paint from brick is tough and as I gaze at my loft’s exposed brick wall, I find it hard to believe that anyone would want to disguise the natural beauty of the material with paint. Yet if you…
This is our biggest Giveaway to date and we’re running it through labor day so you’ve got plenty of time to enter as well as tell all your friends and family (we’ll tell you why later). Crestview Doors is…
VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) are carbon based compounds that readily vaporize into the air and as they enter the air they produce ozone which causes indoor air pollution and can lead to many nasty health issues including nausea, headaches,…
These days, staying up-to-date with technology and new materials can be quite a challenge. Even in the kitchen, builders and homeowners have a wealth of options when selecting countertops, flooring, faucets and appliances. The newest trend to watch? Carbon…
If your home is short on space, a Murphy bed can be a great way to maximize minimal square footage while ensuring you get a good night’s sleep. And as is the case with a variety of DIY tasks,…
One of the most common ways to incorporate green building practices into a project is to adapt or reuse existing materials or entire structures. Although toxicity or structural integrity can sometimes be an issue, experts generally agree that reusing…
USG’s Ultralight Drywall promises to be a revolutionary product for the remodeling/building industry. At 30% lighter than standard 1/2″ drywall, their Sheetrock Ultralight Drywall panels have overnight lessened the burden for contractors and installers around the world. What’s amazing…
Ah, the kitchen sink–such a wonderful vessel. It can double as a miniature bathtub, dish storage and receptacle for all things dirty, grimy and soapy. There’s no doubt about it: the kitchen sink is an important part of any…
Summer is far from over. But as the sun sets a little earlier each day, bonfires are starting to take center stage on the schedule. You don’t need to head for the beach or campground to host a bonfire.…
If you love searching for coupons, deals and discounts then you’ll love Groupon even more. By signing up you could receive coupons for deals from Ace Hardware and many other home improvement retailers. We recently discovered Groupon which has…
DeWALT tools have built a reputation for being tough on the jobsite but they’ve also become very popular among the DIY and remodeling crowd. Easily available at all major retailers, DeWALT has recently expanded their power tool lineup to…
Blog cabin seems to be one of the most popular shows on the DIY Network and we receive a lot of inquiries from our community looking for more information about the show. Here’s the premise of Blog Cabin according…
With the tagline “Art that’s designed to be used,” Danze Fixtures and Faucetsprides itself on creating artful, creative faucet designs that don’t compromise convenience or functionality. According to the company, “Homeowners have come to expect a lot from their…
Do you have a masonry restoration project and are looking for a unique exterior or interior finish for your home that’s naturally beautiful? Put aside that wood siding or hand-cut stone and opt for the smooth finish of Natural…
Boosting your homes value is important to us all and we all know that DIY projects require a fair amount of planning: budget, specifics, tools, decor, etc. Yet it’s also worthwhile to plan farther out and decide when–or if–you…
Last week we spent a day at Delta Faucet headquarters as they shared their latest designs and the innovative technology behind their products. At the end of the day they presented us with a complimentary Delta Raincan Showerhead and…
We’ve been invited to participate in Fifty for Five in New Orleans this year and we literally can’t wait to tie-on our tool belt and start working. Rebuilding Together made a pledge to rehabilitate 1,000 homes in the Gulf…
Although I’m sure many of us dream of having a huge, open, airy kitchen in which we can cook culinary masterpieces and comfortably seat a small army of friends and family, sometimes the practical–and budgetary–realities say otherwise. When DIY…
When you’re installing new windows, Low-Emissivity (or Low-E for short) styles are almost standard. They will cost you somewhere around 10 to 15% more than traditional windows, but you can count on shaving 30 to 50% off your energy…
Basements are such marvelous rooms because they invite a range of mixed reactions. They can be creepy, functional, unfinished, transformed–really, the sky’s the limit when it comes to a basement (well, that and your budget!) If you’re considering a…
Bespoke is a term not generally used in the US but it’s gaining in popularity as Americans are always looking for new ways to infuse a sense of class and exclusiveness into a product.…
Why do people paint over wallpaper? We’d guess they’re just plain lazy because no one in their right mind who cares about the presentation of their wall would ever choose to paint over wallpaper, but we can agree that…
The Home Depot website has all kinds of nooks and crannies to explore while looking for information and helpful hints, including a blog. This post, which I found through “liking” them on Facebook, has OODLES of quick and cheap…
Ipe wood decking came on the scene quickly and it seemed the whole world went wild. Once consumers get a feel for it, the hype didn’t let up and now demand for Ipe wood decking is fierce. A fairly…
Craftsman continues to expand and improve their power tool line-up by offering durable and affordable tools that anyone can use. We’ll continue to update this page with all of our Craftsman power tool reviews so if you’re a Craftsman…
A quick way to change the look of your bathroom is by installing new faucets in your lavatory (or sink.) Faucets, much like any other home product, come in a wide range of styles and prices, from economic varieties…
Bed bugs are becoming more of a nuisance in New York City and elsewhere around the country. You can be your own bed bug exterminator if you’ve already confirmed that you have bed bugs (bites, seeing bugs or droppings).…
Your neighbors are the best source of home security possible and organizing them helps everyone out. Neighborhood Watch programs are the best place to start and they’ve got some great ideas for how to build your own neighborhood watch…
Gracious Home was a New York institution long before Home Depot and Bed, Bath and Beyond arrived. In fact they were established in 1963 originally as a hardware store. Last week they filed for bankruptcy and time will tell…
Fans of Mad Men hollywood interiors can now bid on pieces from the set and its all going for a great cause. This charity auction on eBay benefits the City of Hope cancer hospital. Leading the list of auction…
With almost two kids, five cats, a dog, and a husband, I often forget things, like what day it is, or my name. (It’s Tabatha.) So when we were working on trying to organize our lives before our first…
You know that saying “…everything but the kitchen sink?” I’ve always wondered why the sink had to be left out, seeing as it’s arguably the most important part of a kitchen, and maybe even the entire house! Maybe I’m…
The thing about shelter blogs is that one begets another begets another. I don’t know how I originally stumbled up on Knock-Off Wood, or how long ago, but it’s high time you all knew about it. The blog is…
In continuing a discussion about things I’d like to have in my dream home (including a secret room), an in-ground swimming pool tops the list. I’ve loved to swim and be near the water since I was a kid,…
Although most of the activities and presentations throughout Delta Faucet’s 2010 Media Day revolved around products and installation, the event also included sporadic discussions of current and upcoming trends. Being a fashion- and decor-minded person, I enjoyed hearing about…