Michael Franco

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A creative director with Reader's Digest for ten years, also formerly serving as site editor for a division of About.com, Michael Franco has spent over a decade covering science, technology, hospitality and home improvement. His writing credits include Angie's List, Good Housekeeping, Consumer Reports, and National Geographic. A graduate of Ithaca College and Manhattanville College, with a BA in English and an MA in Creative Writing, Mr. Franco once owned and operated a bed and breakfast in Amish country. Today, he lives and works in Asheville, NC. Michael Franco on LinkedIn | Google +

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SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 | MONDAY
Guy Stuff: 10 Must-Haves for the Ultimate Garage Makeover

No man's home within the home should be without these big-boy toys.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2013 | WEDNESDAY
Step Up Your Home's Comfort with These Simple DIY Projects

While it might be true that a home’s primary purpose is to keep us safe from the elements, equally desirable is that it keep us comfortable. From sinking into the perfect sofa at the end ...

SEPTEMBER 24, 2013 | TUESDAY
Man, Oh Man! 7 Unbelievable Guy Spaces

So you want a man cave? Check out these over-the-top lairs from around the country.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 | WEDNESDAY
5 Ways to Retrofit an Old Home to Make It Warmer

Older homes certainly have their charm, but they’re not usually the most energy efficient or the easiest to keep warm. About one-third of our nation's energy consumption comes from the re...

SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 | TUESDAY
How To: Close a Pool for the Winter

Of all homeowner responsibilities, few so clearly indicate the end of summer as closing the swimming pool. Properly done, pool closing ensures that when you head back outdoors next summer...

AUGUST 28, 2013 | WEDNESDAY
6 Things You Didn't Know About Radiant Floor Heating

It’s 7 o'clock on a winter morning. Your alarm clock goes off. You muster the strength to rise up out of the warmth of your down comforter, swing your legs over the edge of the bed, and a...

AUGUST 27, 2013 | TUESDAY
How to Install a Thermostat

According to the U. S. Department of Energy, using a programmable thermostat can help you save about 10 percent on your monthly heating and cooling bills. The thermostat installation take...

AUGUST 26, 2013 | MONDAY
Window Films 101

Window films are like sunglasses for your house, inexpensively improving the energy efficiency of your home, even as they add privacy and decorative flair. Installed indoors, either by pr...

AUGUST 22, 2013 | THURSDAY
7 Easy and Affordable Home Improvement Ideas

When it comes to improving your home, not everything has to be costly demolitions and additions. There are plenty of small steps you can take that will breathe new life into nearly every ...

AUGUST 21, 2013 | WEDNESDAY
Planning Guide: Building a Backyard Greenhouse

Shorter days, colder temperatures, and frozen earth: For most, the advent of winter marks the year's end of planting, pruning, and picking. Greenhouses—backyard structures of varying soph...