Blog

Get ideas for upscale shower features, finishes and layouts to create a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere at home. Few things create a spa-like feel at home like an upscale shower. Multiple shower heads and body sprays, steam functions, integrated bathtubs and elegant...

Finishing an attic yields a TV lounge, bar and full bathroom in a warm industrial style.  Distinctive Remodeling, LLC Photos by New View PhotographyAttic at a GlanceWhat happens here: Lounging, TV watching, entertaining, mixing drinks, working on...

Want to up your kitchen’s color game without going over the top? Bring in blue to round out a white-and-wood lineup. Especially in a limited range of shades, as in the four kitchens below, blue can add personality and splashes of interest while still feeling calm and...

A landscape architect adds privacy, a flexible patio, edible plants and pollinator attractors to a charming Chicago home. “This was a quintessential Chicago city project for us, and it was a fun project,” landscape architect Benjamin Himschoot says. His clients,...

Prepare for the mechanical rough-in stage, and don't worry if things don’t look like they’re progressing on the surface. We recently covered the ins and outs of what I refer to as the Honeymoon Phase of construction. Next up is a stage similar to a concept most...

From framing the view to unifying the flooring, there are lots of beautiful ways to connect your landscape and interiors. Having a room that connects to the landscape is a winner at any time of year, making great use of space in the summer and allowing spirit-lifting...

Keep your home fresh and organized this month while you plan for warmer days ahead. February is a time of year to indulge in home comforts like cooking big-batch meals, reading in the afternoon and watching movies with the family. Here are a dozen ideas to add to your...

If retirement is on the horizon, now’s the time to start thinking about your next chapter. And you probably want to make sure you’re set up to feel comfortable financially to live the life you want in retirement. What you may not realize is you likely have a hidden...

Have you been wondering whether you should keep renting or finally make the leap into homeownership? It’s a big decision, and let’s be real — renting can feel like the easier option, especially if buying a home feels out of reach. But here’s the thing: a recent report...

Some Highlights A study shows that 70% of prospective buyers fear the long-term consequences of renting. And here’s why.​ Rent usually rises over time and that can make it harder to save up to buy a home. But when you buy, you can stabilize your housing expenses and...

Some homeowners hesitate to sell because they’ve got unanswered questions that hold them back. But a lot of times their concerns are based on misconceptions, not facts. And if they’d just talk to an agent about it, they’d see these doubts aren’t necessarily a hurdle...

Over the past few years, you’ve probably seen a whole lot of headlines about how home prices keep going up. But have you ever stopped to think about what that actually means for your home? Home prices have risen dramatically over the past five years — far more than...

Are you having a hard time finding the right home in your budget? Or maybe you already own a home but could use some extra income or a designated space for aging loved ones. Either way, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) could be the smart solution you’ve been looking...

Are you trying to buy a home but you feel like you’re up against deep-pocketed Wall Street investors snatching up everything in sight? Many people believe mega investors are driving up prices and buying up all the homes for sale, and that’s making it hard for regular...

We spend roughly a third of our lives in our bedrooms, yet they tend to get short shrift when it comes to remodeling budgets. Fortunately, whether your bedroom is big or small, these 10 relatively easy, inexpensive changes can make a big difference in how it looks and...

Some Highlights With more homes for sale and buyers being more selective, it’s smart to make strategic updates.​ But how do you decide what’s worth doing? ​You lean on an agent. An agent will be able to tell you what buyers want, quick wins that’ll have a big impact,...

A spacious, spa-like shower is at the top of many people’s bathroom wish lists. But getting the design of your shower right isn’t always easy. For help designing your ideal space, here are 10 tips to create an efficient layout and bring in stylish details. 1. Start...

This year’s Surface Design Show, put a spotlight on the latest innovations in interior and exterior surface materials. Here are trends influencing surface brands at the show. 1. Surfaces That Stand the Test of Time The theme of this year’s show was Creative...

A mostly retired couple loved their longtime home north of Minneapolis, but they wanted to be closer to their grown kids and grandchildren. So they pulled up stakes and moved to a suburb west of the city, where they built this custom ranch-style home alongside a golf...

We spend roughly a third of our lives in our bedrooms, yet they tend to get short shrift when it comes to remodeling budgets. Fortunately, whether your bedroom is big or small, these 10 relatively easy, inexpensive changes can make a big difference in how it looks and...