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…
We’ve been asked by IKEA and The Family Handyman to help spread the word on a great contest that will benefit the hardworking men and women of your local firehouse. This summer we had the pleasure of visiting our…
So you’ve moved into a new home. It’s pristine, it’s perfect — it’s the home of your dreams, right? Not exactly–at least, not for the six homeowners featured in a “6 Creepiest Things Discovered By New Homeowners” round-up published…
Your eyes do not deceive you — in fact, they should be wide and sparkly right about now. Pantone, infamous for their color swatches and identification, has come out with their own line of paints matchable to any Pantone…
There is a new bad-ass line of power tools on the way from Milwaukee Tool. The M18 FUEL line is an extreme-performance cordless power tool line that we had a chance to test this summer at the Milwaukee symposium.…
If you’re seeking artisan cabinet hardware you need look no further than The Home Depot where Liberty Hardware will be debuting their special line created by a glass artist from Michigan and a blacksmith from North Carolina. Tomorrow November…
You’ve assembled your tools and materials and are ready to get started on your latest DIY project. Here’s the catch — do you need a permit? Having one not only ensures you’ve gone through the proper channels–it also provides…
Restaurants are great places in which to get bursts of inspiration for your own kitchen. You may not necessarily replicate the inventive idea, but maybe it sparks another project that adds a similar functionality or aesthetic to your own…
When we moved into our first house a month before the holidays, we were overjoyed to later receive gracious amounts of basic (and not-so-basic) tools and accessories from our famliy to help with our renovation plans. And while those…
This weekend we turn our clocks back an hour in observance of daylight saving time (unless you live in Arizona). It’s also a great reminder to check your smoke detector battery. Every smoke detector has a test button. Simply…
Falling trees are frightening — and worse, they pose a safety risk not only to your property, but to you and your family, too. Although you can’t predict storm damage, you can examine the trees on your property and…
Anyone who’s caught the first season of The Walking Dead on AMC knows that the CDC played a vital role in handling the zombie pandemic of which the heroes of the story are trying to survive. The show is…
It’s finally happened. The green building movement now has a retailer to call its own, Treehouse. Treehouse opened last week in Austin, TX and is the country’s first home improvement center that will sell only sustainable and healthy-living products.…
We’re always on the lookout for new products — and when they’re eco-friendly, we consider that a bonus. So when we stumbled across Green Planet Paints, we were intrigued by the claim on their website. Green Planet Paints are…
Protective gloves are one of the best investments for a do-it-yourselfer. They not only protect you from cuts and scrapes but also from damage due to chemicals as well as simply keep your hands clean so at the end…
If you haven’t already stored your lawnmower for the season, you’re likely preparing to say farewell to this weekly chore until warmer temperatures return. Before you stash your mower, there are several things you can do to help keep…
As we head into the weekend for Halloween, now’s the time to make sure your house is fully decked out for any spooky festivities. And for those of you on the East Coast, you’ll likely want to find some…
Colder months typically bring increased concerns about energy costs, which can vary widely depending on your heating source. The good news? There are two small things you can do to help prevent energy leaks, meaning you’ll rack up noticeable…
Built by Kids is running a pumpkin decorating contest and the top prize is a $100 gift card to Lowe’s and a $25 gift card to the runner-up. All you have to do is post your decorated pumpkin to…
During colder months, and especially throughout the holidays, your kitchen will likely see much more traffic and activity as you prepare meals and host guests. If your kitchen is in need of a little pre-holiday update, don’t worry —…
WD-40 – it really is a magical substance, isn’t it? Sure, you probably reach for the familiar blue and yellow can when you need to quiet a squeaky hinge or add a little extra grease to a sticky situation.…
When we say a $6,500 toilet, we’re talking specifically about Kohler’s Numi toilet. And you’re probably shaking your head in disbelief as you read the title of this post, right? But stay with us. We’re not necessarily advocating a…
While enjoying the sojourn into Amish country, we were introduced to the completely redesigned line of Genie products, and to be completely honest, I could not be more impressed with the attention to detail paid to these new garage…
October is Fire Prevention Month, and organizations like the American Red Cross are distributing information to help people lessen the fire risks within their homes. As the temperatures start to drop, many turn to space heaters to provide additional…
Say it isn’t so! One of our favorite retailers, Lowe’s, is closing 20 of its U.S. locations and cutting about 2,000 jobs. This is a move to improve profitability and we hope it doesn’t get any worse for them.…
Believe it or not, the holidays ARE right around the corner, which means so are many a gathering of friends, family, food, and events that call for gifting. Whether you’re hosting a major fete in the upcoming months or…
You’re probably scowling at me because I mentioned the holidays, but the truth is that they’ll be here before we know it. And if you’re expecting family and friends to drop by, now is the time to tackle DIY…
Today I’ll be heading out to Berlin, Ohio to The Genie Company headquarters for their Genie Blogger Summit, and there are hashtags and Twitter handles galore for you to follow along on this adventure into Amish country. If you’ve…
If you live in an older home, it’s likely that you have wood trim in at least one (or all) rooms of your house. We’ve talked before about the pros and cons of painting wood. For purists, painting older…
We here at Charles & Hudson are always looking for ways to be as green as possible in our everyday choices, as well as be as economical as possible too. So when it was time to replace our old…
It’s confession time, C&H readers. When I was younger, I used to unabashedly decorate my bedroom walls using posters pulled from magazines and Scotch tape. Lots and lots of tape. I may or may not have drawn a few…
Due to the housing market of recent years, many people are finding themselves in a pickle when trying to move — either they can’t sell their house, owe more on it than it’s worth, have out-priced themselves with renovations,…
It’s sad, but true — the days are quickly growing shorter. In mere weeks, we’ll fall back during Daylight Saving Time and lose a few hours of evening light. Now is a great time to make your home cozier…