Lifestyle Articles

	Beat Winter Blues with Garden Inspired Décor Even the most dedicated snow-lovers can find themselves suffering winter blues when the sun disappears for days, and that long gap between New Year's and spring stretches out before them.
	Bathroom Accessories Are More Than Just Accents Small spaces call for big attention to detail, and that's especially true in today's baths. In a room where tile and cabinetry may take up more visual real estate, it's the little things, like towel bars, tank levers and shower curtain rods that are adding appeal when consumers are designing or updating a bath.
	Real or Not, Fireplaces Add Warmth, Personality to Rooms Realtors know that fireplaces are one of the most popular amenities buyers look for in a home, whether that fireplace is wood-burning or gas powered. They add a homey touch and are a perfect place to display family photos and holiday decorations. But adding a fireplace can be expensive.
	Tailor Your Home this Fall If you're looking for the latest trend in home design, take a look around the men's department next time you're at the mall. "Menswear trends are making the transition to home styles this year," says Chris Tennyson, director of visual merchandising for Bombay.
	Revamping the Heart of Your Home: Kitchen Remodeling Basics Whether it's the aroma of simmering stew, the easy access to refreshments, or the colorful array of fruits and vegetables, there's something about a kitchen that draws people like a magnet.
	Make a Design Statement with Table Lamps Upgrading lighting is one of the easiest ways to instantly update your home decor. And the most effortless way to change your lighting is by using table lamps. All you need to do is put a plug in an outlet and, voila, instant ambiance.
	"Saddle Chic" Bath Ideas Girls are wearing pink cowboy boots with cocktail dresses and dirndl skirts around Chicago. Both guys and gals alike don cowboy hats in New York City. Pony print hair on hide furniture is showing up on the pages of magazines such as Western Interiors.
	Valentine's Day Flowers to Fit any Relationship It is an unspoken rule that flowers are an essential gift on Valentine's Day to show that special someone how much you care. But for many, the pressure of picking the right flowers can ruin the whole sentiment of the day.
	The Look of Logs Without the Work Who doesn't love the romantic look of a log home perched on a prairie or lake? But no one probably enjoys the work involved in maintaining a log home; caulking, chinking, sanding, sealing, staining, cleaning and battling bugs are never-ending chores. It makes you wonder how old Abe Lincoln ever found the time to leave his log home and run for president.
	How to Choose a Style You Will Love to Live In When you go home at the end of the day, your apartment, condo or house should be your sanctuary; but be honest, is it a place that really feels comfortable and welcomes you? If not, it's time to do something about it.
	Murals Make Lasting Impressions The next time you get the urge to update your home décor, look for items that are meaningful to you personally. Is your passion sailing? Do you love going on nature walks? Or are you interested in animals or wildlife? No matter what your interests, your home should be a reflection of you.
	Paint Color: Can It Really Uncover Your Inner Personality? Do you daydream about a fuchsia family room? Or, maybe you just can't decide what color to paint your bathroom -- green or gray? One of the most important things to remember about decorating with paint is that it really isn't about decorating at all. It's about creating a comfortable home environment that accurately reflects who you truly are, a place where you feel relaxed, nurtured and protected.
	Green-Friendly Replacement Windows: Don't Hate Them Because They're Beautiful If your windows seem more like the "Before" than the "After" on a TV home make-over show, then it's time for a new look. You don't have to sacrifice the appearance of your home to save the environment. Nor must you choose between a home that's beautiful and a home that's warm in winter or cool in summer. This guide to replacement windows will help you find a sustainable style for your windows that's pretty and smart.
	Confused by Contemporary? Mixed 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.
	Let Your Child Have a Sleepover Every Night: New Sesame Street Wall Decor Lets Best Friends Last A Lifetime Sesame Street's Elmo, Zoe, Big Bird and Cookie Monster hold a special place in the hearts of children around the world. Now you can surround your little one with their favorite Sesame Street buddies in the form of wall décor that you both can appreciate in the comfort and safety of your child's own room.
	When You Give a Gift from the Heart -- Protect It! What are you going to get your sweetheart for Valentine's Day this year? For a gift that's truly meaningful, go beyond the expected.
	A Custom Room without the Custom Price Tag Since the first cave dwellers put pigment on the stone walls of their homes, people have used murals to decorate, enhance and make a statement about their living space. Throughout history, muralists have used their talents to tell a story, express religious devotion, beautify their environment and even visualize political protest.
	Make Your Home a Work of Art Your home is an expression of you and it's your haven from the hustle and bustle of today's fast-paced world. That's why it's not a surprise the results of a homeowner survey found 45 percent said they would change the look of a room at least once a year if they could do so simply and affordably.
	Trading Up: Small Details Create Spring Havens It's that time of year again when you might feel the urge to purge - otherwise known as spring cleaning. But think twice before trading in some of your home décor items - instead, trade them up. By adding small details to what you already have, you can achieve a chic and rejuvenated look for spring.
	Let Nature's Renewal Inspire You The days are getting longer, temperatures are warming up and soon there will be leaves on the trees again. You know what that means - time to redecorate. Every change of season serves as inspiration to make what's old new again.
	Everyone Needs a Guardian Angel This time of year, angels are everywhere - kids make snow angels when they play outside, you may have angel ornaments on your tree and you might even be baking angel shaped cookies. But angels aren't just a holiday phenomenon.
	And the Winner is . . . Your Nose! It's awards time again, when every industry looks back on the last year to recognize the best and worst performances. Jennifer Garner, Reese Witherspoon and Kelly Clarkson are just a few of the top celebrities who hope to be recognized by their peers, their fans, and their industry associations for their work in 2005.
	How to Combine Styles After You Say 'I Do' In the days leading up to your wedding, you can pretty much count on complications. The caterer calls you up and says he doesn't think he'll be able to find enough lobster tails to fill your order; or all of a sudden your uncle and his family will be coming after all and the priest just got called out of town on a family emergency.
	Preserving Your Special (and Possibly Strange) Vacation Memories The numbers are in: Americans are no longer cocooning, they're traveling more now than at any time in the past seven years, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. So it's to be expected that a record number of souvenirs - both the mundane and unusual - are entering American homes.
	Celebrate Spring - Easy Tips for Freshening up Your Décor The dark, dreary days of winter are coming to an end, and the promise of spring is in the air. As you look around your home, is it filled with dark, heavy fabrics, dated colors and drab accessories? Spring is the perfect time to update your decorating scheme, and it doesn't have to cost a lot of money. Here are some simple suggestions to spruce up any room.