The Dean of Home Renovation & Repair Advice

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Memorial Day Salute!

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While this is the weekend that generally kicks off the summer season with family get-togethers, cookouts, and three-day get-aways, let’s not forget the true reason why the holiday exists.

Memorial Dayoriginally known as Decoration Day—was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. It has been celebrated ever since then as a day to honor veterans of foreign wars and all the men and women currently serving in the armed forces. Take some time this weekend to recognize the true meaning of the holiday and share the history with your children.

Memorial Day Weekend has also become known for mega retail sales, and this year is no exception. Here is a sampling of just some of what you might want to check out on sale, whether you’re shopping in stores or online.

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3 Designers Go Head-to-Head for a Good Cause

New York was buzzing last week with Design Week and ICFF taking place, but there were also a few other cool events happening around the city. Lowe’s was in town kicking off their Designer Challenge, which asked three designers to create an 11′ x 11′ space using elements from the retailer’s 2012 Outdoor Spring Collection.

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Bob Vila Radio: Maintenance Checklist

Bob Vila Radio is a newly launched daily radio spot carried on more than 60 stations around the country (and growing). You can get your daily dose here, by listening—or reading—to Bob’s 60-second home improvement radio tip of the day. Today, it’s all about the Maintenance Checklist.

Maintenance Checklist

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Top Tips: Choosing Kitchen Cabinets

JNoonan-Choosing-Kitchen-Cabinets

The first things we chose during our eight-hour selections appointment for our new construction home were our kitchen cabinets. Cabinets are chosen first during these meetings, because they are the biggest investment in the kitchen. And the kitchen is one of the biggest investments in the house.

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Coolest Kids Products at ICFF

The International Contemporary Furniture Fair is filled with amazing designs for the modern home, and not to be forgotten are the kids who also deserve beautifully designed furniture.

There were at least a few pieces on display at ICFF that speak to a child’s sense of wonder and playfulness without being juvenile.

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Bob Vila Radio: Home Journal

I got a question from Jim in Toledo, wondering what’s the best way to stay on top of home maintenance every season without forgetting something. Sounds like you need a home journal, Jim!

Photo: adulau via flickr.com

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5 Seating Picks from ICFF

Hours before the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) closed its four-day run on Tuesday, the winners of this year’s ICFF Editors Awards were named. The top exhibitors in a range of categories are recognized annually, but while innovation and world-class design are always hallmarks of the Fair, the style and ingenuity rampant in the Seating category this year must have made for stiff competition.

Danish powerhouse Fritz Hansen ultimately took the top honor. The miniscule™ Chair joins practicality and stylishness in a compact, lightweight, and cozy creation. As the designer Cecilie Manz attests, “The chair has no secrets. You have the shell and you have the leg frame, and that’s about it. It is what you see.”

miniscule chair

miniscule™ Chair by Cecilie Manz for Fritz Hansen

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Garage Door Openers 101

For decades, homeowners interested in automating their garage doors had three choices: chain-, belt- or screw-driven openers. That has changed with the introduction of residential jackshaft and direct-drive models. Some of the conventional wisdom about the three standard options has changed, too.

Standard Garage Door Openers

Craftsman Chain Driven Garage Door Opener

Craftsman Chain Driven Garage Door Opener

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Bob Vila Radio: Curb Appeal

Curb Appeal

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Wandering Through “Wood-Land” at ICFF

The International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) is one of my favorite trade shows.  It is the one show in the country where, over a period of four days, designers from around the world reveal some of the most inspirational, innovative and ingenious modern furnishings, seating, wall and floor coverings, lighting, outdoor furniture, accessories, kitchen and bath, and residential home/office.

This year’s show, featuring 535 exhibitors (171 of them first-timers) from 34 different countries, was no exception.  And, while there were many discoveries and trends worth reporting, I couln’t help but see this year’s show as a Wood-Land of sorts–with wood making a statement in every conceivable design category.  Here’s a sampling of what was on display:

Sliced Beam Table by Wisnowski Design

Sliced Beam Table by Wisnowski Design

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