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…
Sharpies are such a versatile item. Sure, they’re an ideal office supply (and a must-have when it comes to preparing for a garage sale.) But Sharpies also have nearly unlimited DIY potential. Just ask my husband who, after becoming…
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…
For the last several years, I’ve been keeping a list of features I want in my dream house. They include a library with floor-to-ceiling shelves, a giant kitchen and maybe even a secret passageway. Another thing to add to…
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…
With summer in full swing, your home’s outdoor areas are likely getting a lot of use. We’ve already talked about how to create a year-round outdoor living space, complete with furniture and seasonal elements. When you’re creating such an…
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…
What’s not to love about a sidewalk? You can draw on them with chalk, and they’re a safe haven on which to walk, bike, jog, jump rope, play hopscotch–you get the idea. Yet over time, sidewalks can crack and…
We’ve visited the Craftsman Experience last year to check out their Winter Wonderland and help build the Ultimate Sleigh so we were excited to make a return trip this summer and participate in their first ever DIY Blogger Summit.…
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…
This week I participated in the Bosch Tools Global Leadership Tour at their US headquarters in Mt. Prospect, IL. Bosch is a global organization and their tool division is number one in Europe and with events like these they’re…
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…
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…