Wow Home Idea

In a way, having an old house is like having a child — you don't know what you're in for until you're deep in the trenches, and you'll spend years vacillating between feeling completely overwhelmed and head-over-heels in love. (I can say this with confidence, having purchased an old house within two months of giving birth to my first child.) Beyond the very obvious questions (e.g. is the foundation stable?), there are several critical questions that any potential old-house buyer should ask themselves. And believe it or not, they have more to do with personality than anything else. 1 Do you like working with your hands? Hero Images Before moving into my old house, I would have considered myself more of a thinker than a doer. I've always loved to decorate, but have never been especially handy — then again, 17 years of hopping between New York City rentals hadn't allowed much opportunity for tinkering. But just as no one can prepare you for what it's like to ...

Hivehoney 1980s homes can present a design challenge, since cramped kitchens (with lots of honey-stained wood) were in vogue during that era. But when the Boulder, Colorado homeowners behind the blog Hivehoney looked at their 1984 kitchen, they were able to see beyond the rows of light-blocking cabinets, worn laminated finishes, and, frankly, a distinct lack of any style at all. Hivehoney The first step was to let the space breathe by removing the wall separating the dining room and the kitchen; this airy concept would be key to the new look. Ditching the upper cabinets allowed for lighter floating shelves instead, and ample closed storage would exist below the counters. White tiles set in a herringbone pattern and a Carrera marble countertop also make the room seem bigger and (of course) so much more modern. Creamy pantry cabinets pair stylishly with slate gray lower cabinetry, and glimpses of wood add an element of warmth to the sleek space. Overall, we can't imagine a more im...

It's not just about rustic finishes and classic antiques.  Miki Duisterhof Hang Lights Low Your dining room table and chandelier should be closer than you may think. Hang fixtures 32 to 38 inches from top of table. If your light source takes up less than 1/4 the width of the table, opt for two identical fixtures splitting the center of the table. David Tsay Keep Centerpieces At Arm's Length Place your elbow on a table. A centerpiece should be no taller than the distance from your elbow to your wrist so that guests can look one another in the eye. Brian Woodcock Get Rug Scale Right There should be 6 to 8 inches between the back of the chair legs and an area rug's edge. (For the record, an 8' x 10' rug is usually right on scale for a six-person rectangular dining table.) Bjorn Wallander Choose Longer Curtains When it comes to draperies, you're better off erring on the side of too much puddle than "high-water" hangings. The sweet spot: Curtains that ...

Hometalk/Unskinny Boppy It just wouldn't be a southern welcome without a gorgeous front porch, so when this 100-year-old Alabama charmer got a long-overdue makeover, the outdoor sitting area quickly became the star of the show. Before, the traditional-style home needed some serious love, not to mention a few buckets of paint. Luckily, Esther de Wolde, the CEO of Phantom Screens, was ready to roll up her sleeves and get to work on her new property. Here's what she had to start with: Hometalk/Unskinny Boppy While the good bones were definitely there (those railings!), the deck still needed lots of  attention. The addition of antique light fixtures, a porch swing, and cozy wicker seating did the trick. The best change, however, was a coat of  "haint blue" paint on the ceiling, as per southern tradition. Restless spirits aside, the relaxing pastel hue definitely brings the sky indoors. See it for yourself: Hometalk/Unskinny Boppy While ...

Getty Certainly, some of the sounds you hear in your house are totally normal (your fridge intermittently running, the occasional creak of the house settling) but there are others that are cause for concern — indicators of what might need to be fixed, replaced, or even exterminated. We asked professionals which thuds, clanks, or hisses could mean that something is amiss. Once you've identified the source of a troubling sound (or even if you can't), we absolutely recommend you call in a pro to fix the issue. 1. You hear water running — but nobody is using it. "First, check the house quickly to see if any toilets are running, or flappers are sticking," says Alfonso Jimenez, master plumber and president ofMr. Rooter Northern Colorado. "Next, check if your sprinkler system, dishwasher, or washing machine is running. If you're still stumped, I would turn off the house's water and check for visible water damage throughout the home, and look for water poolin...

Getty Robert Daly Industry veteran, Jack Doody — former co-owner of Blue Chip Moving & Storage — reveals some red flags to watch out for. 1. Beware of a low estimate. A disreputable mover will give you a lowball estimate. On the day of the move, he'll walk around your house and say, "Oh, some of these things need to be packed." Then he'll charge you an exorbitant amount to do it. Or he might say, "Gee, we're going to have to take that bed apart." And then he'll tack on another ridiculous charge. To avoid this from happening, make sure you're as detailed and upfront about every box and piece of furniture. If you have time, ask the moving company to come to your house for an estimate. They might want to do the walk-through over the phone, but you might get screwed if you go that route. If you have furniture that needs to be disassembled and reassembled, they should be part of your written estimate — and the crew is responsible for bringing ...

Getty Contractor Stephen Fanuka shares what he wishes his clients knew before hiring him — and after he's taken on the job. 1. Don't expect perfection — expect quality. The most unrealistic expectation a client can have is that the job will be perfect. There's no such thing. Painting and tiling and brickwork aren't done by machine. They're done by craftsmen — who, yes, are human. 2. Your contractor is making judgments from the moment he steps in your home. This is like a first date — the first time a contractor meets a client, we size up who they are, how they conduct themselves. What's their personality like? Are they hot-tempered? Dismissive of your suggestions? If they deal with you this way right off the bat, there probably won't be a second date. 3. ... but they know you're making judgments, too. Clients want to be sure you are responsible and fully involved. They want us to be attentive, direct, honest, courteous. In other words: We should be som...

David A. Land Libby Langdon, designer and host of the TV show Daykeover, shares her easy makeover tips for outdoor rooms — all it takes is applying the same decorating tactics you use inside. 1. Lay the foundation. It doesn't matter how big or small your space is — just use every inch of it. Start with a large area rug, as big as you can fit. There are lots of great options that don't cost a ton, and a rug serves as a good base for your furniture plan. 2. Think like you're inside. Approach the furniture layout as you would for your living room or family room. Incorporate sofas, side tables, chairs, and ottomans, and give yourself license to play with colors in ways you might not in a permanent indoor room. 3. Accessorize. Add decorative items to personalize the space. Comfy outdoor cushions and throw pillows say, 'Come stay awhile.' And mix things up! All the pieces you use don't need to be part of the same set. Let the space announce your personal style. 4. ...

The kitchen is your home's hot spot — and everyone wants a part of it. Key ingredients for a smart space? A functional workflow, durable materials, and a palette you can style around. Paul Costello When You've Got... A Baby With an infant in the house, dedicated work zones are especially crucial. Flank a lawn-themed bottle-drying rack next to the sink for both function and fun pop of color. Boon grass bottle rack, booninc.com; Munchkin pacifier, munchkin.com Paul Costello When You've Got... A Baby A high chair has limited use, of course. But to get more bang for your buck, choose a height-adjustable model like this one, which converts to a booster seat for 3- to 5-year-olds. Look for a sturdy style that won't clash with your décor, plus removable or easy-to-clean parts. Sprout high chair, oxo.com; Munchkin trainer cup, toysrus.com Paul Costello When You've Got... A Toddler You've already childproofed your space by moving all hazardous items out of reach o...