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Author Archives: Donna Boyle Schwartz

About Donna Boyle Schwartz

Donna Boyle Schwartz is a well-known home furnishings writer and editor, working with leading magazines and newspapers for more than 30 years. Donna is vice president/creative director of DDS Enterprises, a consulting firm concentrating on editorial projects and original research; the company also operates a full-service recording studio specializing in archival audio restoration. An enthusiastic DIYer, she has a shed full of tools and a house full of projects. Check her out on Google+!

Breathe Easier at Home with Indoor Plants

by , March 5th, 2013
Plants to Improve Indoor Air Quality - Bamboo Palm

Bamboo Palm. Photo: houstoninteriorplants.com

As winter draws to a close, things are getting a bit stuffy in our house. Like many energy-conscious consumers, we’ve done a great job of insulating and sealing our home to keep the heat in and drafts out. An unintended consequence of our cocooning? Lessened air exchange throughout the house, which has compromised indoor air quality to an extent.

While it’s still far too cold in the Northeast to open the windows and enjoy fresh air, there is an easy air purifying solution for every one of us with houseplants.

Related: 5 (Nearly) Kill-Proof Houseplants

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Posted in Lawn & Garden | 0 Comments »

How To: Clean Vinyl Flooring

by , February 28th, 2013
How to Clean Vinyl Flooring

Photo: Armstrong

Vinyl tile and laminate flooring is attractive, durable, and long-lasting, even under a home’s highest-traffic conditions, but the product is certainly not indestructible. Fortunately, cleaning vinyl flooring is a fairly straightforward and inexpensive process, and with proper care, it’s easy to maintain the material’s eye-catching appearance.

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Posted in Flooring & Stairs | 1 Comment »

How To: Choose an Exhaust Fan

by , February 25th, 2013
Exhaust Fan with light

Harbor Breeze bathroom fan in brushed nickel with light from Lowes.

Indoor air quality can be problematic at any time of year, but it is especially a concern during the winter months when all of the windows are sealed up tight…and nowhere is this more evident than in the bathroom. Stale air, humidity, mold, mildew and—to put it delicately—foul odors can wreak havoc with your indoor environment. The solution: install a bathroom exhaust fan.

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Posted in Bathroom | 0 Comments »

Enhance Your Entryway with Storm Doors

by , February 22nd, 2013
storm door

Photo: Paragon

Interested in adding another layer of insulation and security to your home? Look no further than the storm door, an old-fashioned favorite that offers both aesthetic and functional appeal.

While it’s true that energy-insulating advances in conventional entry doors have made storm doors unnecessary in most new homes, there are still many older homes that can benefit from the extra layer of protection that a storm door provides.

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Posted in Doors & Windows | 0 Comments »

Open Up Your Closets with Bi-Fold Doors

by , February 20th, 2013
Bifold Closet Doors - Entryway

Photo: ClosetMaid

Sliding closet doors are a common installation in American homes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best option. If you’re looking for a space-saving alternative, one that will enhance the look of your closets and provide easier access to their interior space, then consider installing bi-fold closet doors.

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Posted in Doors & Windows | 0 Comments »

Affordable Indoor Window Inserts Promote Energy Efficiency

by , February 15th, 2013
Interior Storm Windows - Installed

Interior Storm Windows, Installed. Photo: Indow Windows

Homeowners seeking ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce heating and cooling costs now have an interesting alternative to costly replacement windows—interior storm windows.

In 2010, Portland, OR-based Indow Windows began manufacturing its acrylic window inserts as an alternative to conventional double-hung replacement windows. Founder and CEO Sam Pardue developed the product in direct response to a personal need: “I wanted to find a better window insulation solution for my own home,” he explains, noting that even expensive wood replacement windows didn’t look as good as the windows he already had.

Related: Know Your Window Styles

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Posted in Doors & Windows | 1 Comment »

Is It Time to Replace Your Furnace?

by , February 14th, 2013
Furnace Replacement - Leaky Unit

Photo: hankeyandbrown.com

Baby, its cold outside—and the last thing you want to do is return home to a frosty house. The smart time to examine and evaluate your furnace is before the unit fails, not when a problem arises and the mercury outside and even indoors is dipping down to sub-zero levels!

Start Here. So how do you know when furnace replacement is in order? Since your furnace was probably in place when you moved in, the first thing to do is find out the age of your unit. This may be as simple as looking at the original owner’s manual or calling the manufacturer with the unit’s model number, but with individual cases, some additional sleuthing may be required.

Have a picture of your furnace? Ask the Bob Vila Forum for help identifying the unit’s age!

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Posted in Major Systems | 0 Comments »

Top Tips for Cleaning Grout Lines

by , February 6th, 2013
Cleaning Grout - Shower Stall

Photo: whatishomeimprovement.com

Tile is beautiful, durable, and generally easy to clean, but cleaning grout? That’s a different story.

Because of its (typically) light coloring and porous composition, grout is prone to staining. In a tiled entry or mudroom, dirt and grime are the usual culprits, while in the kitchen, spills are more likely to blame. Soap, mold, and mildew meanwhile make it difficult to maintain clean grout in bathrooms. Fortunately, cleaning grout effectively is possible using only common household products and a bit of elbow grease.

With any cleaning project, it’s always best to start off with the mildest cleaning solution. When in doubt about a cleanser, test it in a hidden spot—behind or under an appliance, for example.

The following suggestions for cleaning grout are ranked from the mildest to the strongest:

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Posted in Flooring & Stairs | 1 Comment »

Contemporary Cachet: Exhibition Celebrates Michael Graves

by , January 31st, 2013
Michael Graves Architect - St Coletta School

Michael Graves' St. Coletta School of Greater Washington

Iconic contemporary architect and designer Michael Graves is in the spotlight once again: The Virginia Center for Architecture in Richmond is showcasing a broad selection of Graves’ work in a special exhibition called “From Towers to Teakettles: Michael Graves Architecture and Design,” now through March 31.

Graves and his two firms—Michael Graves & Associates and Michael Graves Design Group—have been in the forefront of contemporary architecture and design since Graves founded his practice in 1964. He is perhaps best known for bringing modern design to the masses through a longstanding partnership with Target.

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Posted in Historic Homes & More | 0 Comments »

Gas vs. Oil: Which Furnace Is Better?

by , January 28th, 2013
Gas or Oil Furnace - Which Is Better?

Photo: earth911.com

With temperatures dipping into the single digits here in the Northeast—and below 0° F in many other places—shivering homeowners are discussing the efficiency and cost of heating a home, with the debate inevitably centering around the question of which is better, gas or oil?

Some people swear by oil heat. Others are equally enthusiastic about natural gas. I have experience with both types of furnaces: Our home uses gas, while my in-laws have an oil furnace. For those who are considering a new furnace, here are some pros and cons about your options.

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Posted in Major Systems | 6 Comments »


 
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