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(ARA) - Trompe l'oeil, or "deceive the eye," is a time-honored decorative effect for adding architectural details, textures and even furnishings or whole scenes where they do not really exist. Today, thanks to sophisticated printing techniques, trompe l'oeil images once achieved only by ...

(ARA) - Homeowners are finding that adhesives are indispensable when it comes to do-it-yourself projects around the home. Adhesives add stability and strength to most projects and offer an easy way to make projects "stick." In fact, professional contractors say using the right adhesive ...

(ARA) - Because of recent tragedies, Americans are looking more to home and family this year and want to create a safe and comforting haven in their homes. We are seeing a resurgence of national pride, as the flag is being flown everywhere. For many, money allotted for travel and enterta ...

Americans want better drinking water -- and are doing something about it (ARA) - Did you know nearly 90 percent of Americans have a serious drinking problem The problem Significant concern about the quality and taste of their drinking water. That's according to the results of a new 200 ...

(ARA) - As the cooler seasons draw closer, thoughts and activities drift slowly from the outdoors to the inside, and the annual human version of hibernation begins. We re-acclimate to shorter days and longer, colder nights. There is a sense that the house must be buttoned-up for the wint ...

Flower bulbs need a good, long, winters sleep. Like some people we know, if they wake up before they are fully rested, they get kind of cranky, and then they dont bloom well at all. Actually what happens is during a mild winter, the soil stays too warm, and the bulbs begin to come out o ...

Do-it-yourself tips for summer remodeling projects (ARA) - Ah, summer. Between neighborhood softball games and trips to the community pool, it's the biggest time of the year for moving and home remodeling. While many of us turn our thoughts to upgrading our homes, our budgets may ...

(ARA) - True decorating distinction lies in details -- little finishing touches and unusual twists that make a room entirely unique. To put your personal mark of creativity in your home, do what many professional interior designers do: Head for the border. Wallpaper borders are among th ...

(ARA) - Choosing the right roofing material for your home can be a mystery for many homeowners. With the number of options available, it has become increasingly difficult to choose. Over the last few years, residential metal roofing has grown significantly in popularity as many homeown ...

Today there are alternatives to metallic systems (ARA) - Building a new home means having choices and making decisions. So if you're planning to build a new home, be prepared to spend an endless number of hours looking at options and making final selections. When it comes to cabinets, ...

New luxury and convenience items provide for the perfect home retreat (ARA) - If there is one room in the house that has been completely redefined in recent years it is the bathroom. Kitchens are still for cooking, living rooms are still for living and rec rooms are still for recreatio ...

(ARA) - It's not surprising that vaulted ceilings are a growing trend in today's new homes. Ceilings that rise two or more stories in one continuous expanse certainly give rooms a feeling of spaciousness. They also add a sense of drama, even grandeur. But they also present decorating dil ...

(ARA) - Although it's impossible to put a dollar value on a human life -- especially the life of a loved one -- the reality is that the decision to purchase many life-saving products often comes down to cost. For the amount of money it would cost to upgrade your choice of carpeting in ...

(ARA) - Technology can do wonderful things. If you surf the Internet, you can find the right wallpaper pattern for your decorating project -- fast. You may want to browse through floral patterns or you may have a pattern in your imagination and want to know if it exists and if so, wher ...

(ARA) - Looking for a room with a view when there is none Can't afford to move, or renovate Check out the latest in affordable decorating trends, including wall mural graphics, accent pillows, throws and rugs and greenery. It's easy to change accent elements in a room to make the trans ...

The topic of eastern influences on western interiors is a very broad subject. Many countries, such as China, Japan, Tibet, etc., have had an influence. Therefore, I have chosen to focus on one country for this article, Japan. Characteristics of Japanese Interiors 1.. COLOR: Japanese in ...

Did you get sticker shock when you opened your last utility bill If you did, you're not alone. People have reported huge increases in their energy bills. My gas bill went up about 40%, so I decided to make my home more energy efficient. You would be surprised just how much you can lower ...

If you're anything like me and the scent of something pleasant can instantly lift your mood, then a house that is pleasant smelling will be a constant lift-booster. Here are some ways to do it. 1. As far as possible, keep unpleasant smells away from the house or at least away from the m ...

I have a love for funky, fun and unique garden plants. Here's one to try. It's called Sea Holly, and it's actually in the thistle family. Sea Holly is a perennial garden plant, which means you plant it once and it comes up year after year, somewhat depending on your climate. This plant ...