 Demystifying contemporary home decor and designMixed up by modern? Confused by what's considered contemporary? With more emphasis on home design today, it can be difficult for homeowners to distinguish between the array of design styles. Here are hints for creating a modern look in your home.
 The 5 items you really need to buy for your new kitchenWith so many different forms of culinary cutlery available, it's easy for a new cooking enthusiast to become overwhelmed with options. Here are the five basics that no kitchen should be without.
 Simple, eye-catching ways to 'in-grain' wood in home decorFrom Colonial to Craftsman to contemporary, wood is a fundamental feature in home design for its ability to complement all types of architectural styles. Its beauty, versatility and durability allow homeowners to easily incorporate wood materials throughout a home, bringing warmth, texture and a touch of nature to any room.
 Get more bang for your renovation buck in the bedroomWhether you're renovating to attract potential buyers, or to improve your enjoyment of your house, sprucing up the master bedroom has multiple benefits. You can make the most of your money by adding high-quality, high-impact touches like these.
 How to cut home heating costs this winterSome savvy homeowners are having their cake and eating it too when it comes to energy-efficient home heating. Imagine cutting your heating bills, while boosting your home's comfort. Sound too good to be true? Not for the thousands of homeowners who are using radiant floor heating, one of the oldest and most efficient means of heating a home.
 Turn a gourmet kitchen into a chef's studioDoes your kitchen feel more like Julie's than Julia's? No need to be concerned ... if Julie could learn to master the art of cooking in less than a year, you can design your own chef's studio in a fraction of that time. Follow Julie's footsteps and take your lead from those who know kitchens best - professional chefs.
 Inexpensive ways to turn your kitchen from drab to fabChanging a dingy kitchen into a sparkling, showroom-quality food prep and dining area doesn't have to cost a lot of money. You don't even need to go as far as buying new appliances or changing the layout of your kitchen, if you don't need to. It might be as simple as updating your paint and lighting.
 An expert's guide to hardwood flooringAs you plan your home and office improvements, think long-term by making choices that are informed, responsible and financially sound. The American Hardwood Information Center suggests hardwood flooring -- one of the best long-term investments to be made. It is environmentally friendly, forever fashionable, and will last for generations.
 Four fast, fashionable and fabulous home fixes anyone can doWhen it comes to home improvement, you don't have to be a professional to get professional-looking results. Many simple projects can dramatically update your home and are easy enough for even the novice do-it-yourselfer.
 Make your home appliance updates a local investmentSummer is the biggest moving time for Americans, according to Moving.com. With low housing prices continuing and the recent first-time homebuyers credit that ended in June, plenty of Americans will be unpacking boxes in new homes this summer and fall.
 Fall: The ideal season to give your guest bath a makeoverFor most people, overnight house guests go hand-in-hand with the holidays. Rather than waiting until the last minute when stress levels are already high, fall is the ideal time to begin preparing for company and refresh the guest bath. In fact, updating a tired bathroom can be an easy goal to achieve on any budget.
 Ten tips for the perfect bathroom remodelGiving an old, tired bathroom a makeover is one of the best things you can do to increase your home's resale value. And while it can take some planning, remodeling your bathroom is easily within the capability of most homeowners.
 Choosing the best water heater for your lifestyleWhen ranking household appliances that consume the most energy, no one is surprised to see heating and air conditioning units at the top of the list. On the other hand, many people are surprised to learn that their water heater ranks at No. 2.
 How to design an eye-catching and comfortable kitchenTaking a tired kitchen from drab to fab is an easy goal to achieve on any budget. All you need is a little paint, a few decorating elements and some creativity.
 Help for modern families: inexpensive bathroom additionsTwo important housing trends are both emerging and merging today: Older adults increasingly want to "age in place," while a record number of households have united across multiple generations. The second trend is in response to both the flagging economy and to support elder parents' desire to stay at home.
 Home decorating: the cool, clean whites of summerThere's nothing like white to add a cool, clean look to your home. From linens and pillows to china and cabinetry, a splash of white not only adds light to your interiors, but can lighten your mood as well. The kitchen is one of the best spaces to go wild with white.
 Practical upgrades pay off in kitchens and bathroomsPractical pays off when it comes to kitchen and bath renovations. Gone are the days when virtually every kitchen or bathroom remodel involved top-of-the-line luxury upgrades and a budget big enough to fund an Ivy League education. Today's homeowners want more value for their remodeling dollars, and that means turning to improvements that make both functional and fiscal sense.
 Simple accessory switches can lighten your decor for summer daysReplacing dark accessories with brighter, lighter ones is a fast, easy way to lighten the mood in your home. Re-accessorize the right way - spend your redecorating dollars on items that will give you the most impact for the lowest monetary investment. Here are a few ideas from some home decor experts to get you started.
 The master material: Unexpected uses for ceramic tile in the master suiteCeramic tile has held a hallowed place in bathroom renovations for generations. Durable, easy to clean, and available in a wide range of color, format and design, tile just makes sense in a bath. But some enterprising designers and homeowners are finding a new spot in the home where tile not only works well, but can take center stage - the master bedroom.
 Bathroom remodeling today means less water and money down the drainYou're ready for a new bathroom, something with style and comfort. You want the room to refresh you in the mornings, and provide you with the opportunity to relax and unwind in the evenings.
 A strategic approach to remodeling: refreshing rooms with small projectsIn today's challenging economy, you're taking a look at how you spend your hard-earned dollars. And while you may not have the necessary budget to tackle a major home improvement project, there are many homeowners who are choosing a more strategic approach to remodeling - by refreshing rooms and undertaking small projects one at a time.
 Kitchen, bath renovations remain tops, but go lean and greenWhen it comes to adding value and enjoyment to your home, kitchen and bath remodels still remain tops, remodeling and real estate experts say. But how people remodel is changing. High-end renovations, costing tens of thousands of dollars, are dwindling, replaced by upgrades that provide homeowners with the most return for the least investment.
 Rounded, organic shapes soften a bathroom's styleA major concept unveiled this year in bath design was "soft geometry" - using rounded, organic shapes in room structures and products to soften a bathroom's style. Learn how you can use this top trend, as well as others, in your next remodeling project.
 Luxe looks for lessWhen summer's over it means back to spending more time indoors. But don't let the dropping temperatures take you down with them. Instead, spruce up your space with easy projects. With a little time - and even less money - you can transform your home with simple and luxurious looks ... for less.
 Five fabulous finds that won't put your kitchen budget on the chopping blockNo matter if your cooking style is elaborate like Julia Child or quick and simple like Rachael Ray, there are few items in your kitchen that you shouldn't live without. Add these five affordable finds to your kitchen and you'll be cooking with class in no time.
 Luxury bathroom upgrades that are worth the investmentFew room renovations return as much on your investment - in terms of resale value and enhanced enjoyment - as refurbishing a bathroom. Maybe that's why many Americans, who have tightened their belts when it comes to other areas of home improvement, still seem to be willing to spend more for luxury bathroom upgrades. Here are a handful of upgrades that can help elevate a common bathroom to a luxurious home resort.
 Help kids get back into the swing of school with simple room updatesThere's no avoiding the return to school. But parents can help kids ease the transition by creating an environment that's comforting -- and conducive to learning at the same time. If your child is struggling to adjust to going back to school, some simple changes in her bedroom might help make the move less difficult.
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