Fall is one of my favorite times of year. The temperatures start dropping, the leaves begin changing, and suddenly I have a very strong desire to drink something warm while wearing an oversized sweater. Unfortunately, fall is also the time of year when our houses start reminding us that they have needs. Before winter arrives with freezing temperatures, ice, wind, and whatever else it has planned, there are a few fall maintenance tasks you really shouldn’t ignore. I’m not talking about turning your home into a weekend-long construction project. A little preventive maintenance now can help you avoid some very…
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There is something about September that makes me want to reset everything. Maybe it’s the cooler mornings. Maybe it’s the fact that summer finally starts loosening its grip. Or maybe it’s simply that September feels like a fresh start without the pressure of January. Whatever the reason, I love using September as an opportunity to give my home a little reset before fall really gets going. I’m not talking about scrubbing every baseboard in the house while simultaneously reorganizing the garage and alphabetizing the spice cabinet. I have neither the time nor the emotional fortitude for that. A September home…
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There’s something about a modern home that just feels fresh. Clean lines, uncluttered spaces, simple colors, natural textures, and a room that somehow looks put together without looking like you spent six hours arranging a coffee table. That last part is particularly appealing to me. The good news is that learning how to make your home look modern doesn’t mean you need to knock down walls, replace every piece of furniture, or take out a second mortgage at the home improvement store. A few thoughtful changes can make a surprisingly big difference. Modern design is often associated with clean lines,…
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I love fall decorating. I love the pumpkins, the cozy blankets, the warm colors, the candles, the wreaths, and pretty much anything that makes my house feel like it belongs in a fall magazine. What I don’t love quite as much is the price tag that can come with making a house look like fall has officially moved in. Fortunately, you don’t need a cart full of expensive seasonal decorations to make your home feel cozy and autumnal. In fact, some of my favorite fall decorating ideas cost very little—or absolutely nothing. If you’re decorating for fall on an extreme…
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There are some rooms in the house that are actually kind of fun to clean. The kitchen can feel satisfying when you finally get all the counters cleared off. The living room looks completely different after you straighten the pillows and vacuum the floor. Even a messy bedroom can feel peaceful once everything is back where it belongs. The bathroom? Well, the bathroom is the bathroom. There’s something about cleaning a toilet that makes you question every decision you’ve ever made. And somehow, no matter how clean you get it, someone will take a shower five minutes later and leave the mirror…



