1 teaspoon baking soda
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 sticks butter, softened
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup quick cooking oats
3/4 cup shredded coconut flakes

For garnish (optional):
8 ounces dark/white chocolate, melted
3/4 cup toasted, shredded coconut flakes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F or 180 Degree Celsius.

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the baking powder, baking soda, flour and salt. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy with a hand held electric mixer. Beat in the egg. Add the dry ingredients and beat until just combined. Fold in the oats, vanilla extract and shredded coconut flakes.

Form walnut-sized balls of the mixture and drop 2 inches apart onto parchment paper-lined sheet pans. Bake in a preheated oven for about 10 minutes until the bottoms of the cookies are golden brown. Remove from oven and cool completely.

When the cookies are cool, dip them halfway into the melted dark/white chocolate and then into the toasted shredded coconut flakes. Set them down onto parchment paper-lined sheet pans to dry completely.

 

 

 

Design the outdoor gathering place you've always wanted.

Multilevel Design

Create separate spaces within your deck to give a multidimensional appearance. Build in stepped stairs and seating areas in various locations to add a layer of architectural interest. For more outdoor room ideas, read Outdoor Rooms to Live in All Summer

Outdoor Rooms to Live in All Summer

Outdoor Retreats

Create an outdoor haven that's just right for your home and yard. Check out the article Patio Retreats for inspiring ideas.

Patio Retreats

Light & Bright

Dreaming of a light, open indoor space? A well-thought-out sunroom can go a long way to make it happen. Check out our tips and ideas in Bring in the Sun.

Bring in the Sun

Materials of Substance

Build your deck to last by choosing materials that are right for your climate and for the amount of time you can spend maintaining it. We've collected the info you need, including cost comparisons, in The Durable Deck.

The Durable Deck

Ride the Rails

Safety and style go hand-in-hand when you select porch railings that enhance both the look and function of your deck or porch. What style is right for you? Take a look at Deck Rail Ideas for inspiration.

Deck Rail Ideas

Sleek, sophisticated, and contemporary describe these baths. Note the minimal use of accessories and the total absence of clutter.

Where Ocean Meets Sand

A large central skylight and wide rectangular windows capture enough sun to fill the room with light. On the walls, marble slabs wrap the room in the color of warm sand. Flooring tiles have an iridescent shimmer that looks a bit like ocean water in sunlight.

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Twist of Lime for a Bath

Bath adornments are kept to a minimum, allowing the natural materials and clean lines to speak for themselves. Limestone tiles cover the ledge wall and floor; a limestone slab tops the vanity. Undermounting the sink and tub keeps the attention on the surface materials.

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From Sun Porch to Master Bath

A porch adjacent to the master bedroom was converted, adding a much-needed second bathroom to the home. A low concrete ledge installed under the windows tops new built-ins. On it sit two tall sinks that started life as Asian bowls, now drilled for a drain by a lamp maker.

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The Spa Treatment

Spacious and minimalist, this master bath is designed to be a sea of tranquility. A glass block window in the oversize shower assures privacy and lots of natural light. Overhead a large "rainfall" showerhead offers a luxurious soaking.

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Simply Shapely Bath

Though the watchword of contemporary style is simplicity, it doesn't have to be stark. This bath space seems to spring up in a gleeful mix of curves and lines, freeform shapes, and warm wood cabinetry, as light fills the room bouncing from skylights to mirrors.

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Sea of Glass

Mosaic tiles in two soft shades of blue-green give this updated 1950s bath the look of ocean water. Underfoot a terrazzo floor shows off specks of aqua. Long horizontal windows on three walls infuse the space with light but allow for total privacy.

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Shower with a View

The bathtub was placed near the windows and is accessible by stepping through the shower area. A half-wall of glass separates the shower from the vanity space to keep water in the "wet" area of the room.

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Clean Living Bath

Wall-hung sinks beside built-in drawers and below a ledge offer separate grooming spaces and leave a sleek profile. The windows near the tub and shower deliver light without privacy concerns.

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By the Fire; In the Tub

The elements of this grand bath each include impressive proportions. From the tall windows to the wall of mirrors, from the granite tub decking to the raised fireplace, this is a space to relax in pampered comfort.

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Mixed Media Bath

This long vanity includes separate sinks as well as a makeup station installed at a lower counter height. The room incorporates a mix of surfaces: concrete sinks, colorful mosaic-tile countertops, bird's-eye maple cabinetry, and a mirrored wall.

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Asian-Influenced Bath

A custom console-style teak vanity supports a wide sink that integrates level surfaces and curved lines. Open shelving keeps towels and accessories close at hand and cleverly avoids the boxy appearance of a traditional vanity.

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From contemporary to traditional, we've search through all of our bedrooms to bring you 25 of our favorites.

Cool and Classic

Cool blue and lavender are natural color choices for a restful bedroom, but by themselves pastels can turn downright chilly. Plenty of brown and white accents keep this room snugly warm.

Why We Love It: Traditional furniture is classic and familiar but it can be stodgy without a nod toward modern style. This bedding is definitely trendy, but its brown color and geometric patterns relate to the bed's paneled headboard.

East Meets West

The geometry and proportion of this bedroom's furnishings spring straight from Asian design, but the rustic wood surfaces and faux suede bed give off a cool cowboy vibe.

Why We Love It: The most inspired spaces usually meld multiple style sources. Whatever its pedigree, this bedroom works because of perfectly scaled symmetry and organic textures. Even with white walls, the coppery palette of the draperies and bedding lends comfort and warmth.

Four-Post Presence

The large poster bed is the attention-grabber in this pale master suite. The easiest way to create drama in a smaller room is to choose one beautiful overscale piece of furniture and let it take charge.

Why We Love It: A nearly neutral palette reinforces the bed's dominance and creates a tranquil mood. The intriguing wall color (lavender? gray? taupe?) is very sophisticated, especially with the counterpoint provided by the russet blanket.

Personal Style

The bed, bench, table, pillows, and headboard combine to give this room a strong horizontal orientation, low and sleek, with a mid-century feel. The items on the bedside table add enough vertical tension to keep things interesting.

Why We Love It: While nothing in this room is precisely coordinated, it all works together fabulously. A casual mix of fabrics and furniture, both vintage and new, creates individual style that you won't find at the mall for any price.

Dressed to the Nines

Perfect design lives where comfort intersects with style. This sumptuous bed is dressed with layer upon layer of beautiful bedding, each softer and loftier than the last. It's hard to imagine tossing and turning in this luxurious retreat.

Why We Love It: The bed offers an assortment of indulgent textures: the nubby linen headboard, the smooth silk of embroidered pillows, the duvet cover in dimpled matelasse, and the bristly hand of the mohair loveseat. Pattern and color are always important in decorating but interesting textures can make a good room great.

Warm and Modern

Fresh white bedding and accessories contrast with the rich brown walls to keep the bedroom from feeling gloomy. Rust-color pillow shams introduce an accent hue and establish a focal point on the bed.

Why We Love It: Great rooms reflect current trends, but straight-up modern design can leave us cold. Here, earthy color, tactile bedding, and handcrafted art create a comfy bedroom that's right for today.

Simple and Chic

Vapor blue walls create a soothing atmosphere in this discreetly feminine master suite. Eclectic furnishings, both vintage and modern, transform the room into a personal haven.

Why We Love It: The dark floors are mirrored by an unexpected and impressive wood ceiling that makes the room more intimate while increasing the chandelier's wow factor.

Understated Luxury

The sophisticated furniture and neutral palette gives this room an undertone of opulence, while the angled bed and large-scale accents add a bit of drama.

Why We Love It: The mix-and-match approach to furnishings and accessories creates a timeless room with a few pleasant little surprises.

Sage Sanctuary

The monochromatic window treatments, headboard, and walls offer a soothing backdrop to the simple white linens and accessories in this restful retreat.

Why We Love It: Monochromatic color schemes are unified and soothing, a perfect choice for bedrooms. The only pattern is found on subtly striped pillows that are showcased against white bedding.

Tucked In

When the shell of a room offers this much drama, furnishings can take a supporting role. This simple bed is beautifully sheltered within the soaring dormer while well-chosen lamps and accessories stretch into the vertical space.

Why We Love It: The simplicity of the wall color, bedding, and accessories allows for the architecture of the room to shine.

Gilt-y Pleasure

This bedroom is fit for a king but it remains quite livable too. An oversize upholstered headboard is paired with cozy a velvet duvet in neutral tones. Adding further elegance, two diminutive chairs sit at the foot of the bed, offering ready perches for removing shoes.

Why We Love It: The sheen of the metallic floral wallpaper adds a layer of richness to the room.

Chic Sleeping Space

Framed by two long mirrors, unique lamps, and contemporary side tables, this modern bedroom gains a formal air from its disciplined symmetry.

Why We Love It: The vast window is dressed in reversible blinds that can close from the top down or the bottom up. This allows light into the room while maintaining privacy.

Pattern Happy

An unlikely duo, red and pink, mingle in the accent pillows, and the blue trellis-patterned wallpaper makes an interesting backdrop for the pink striped headboard.

Why We Love It: Mixing red, white, blue...and pink? Sometimes the reward is worth the risk! Take a chance with color and you might just create a unique space that you'll love.

Warm Palette

With a generously proportioned sleigh bed and high bombe chests, this bedroom becomes a well-appointed gentleman's retreat. A classic rug and vintage photographs add to the masculine appeal. But lush linens and fresh flowers make the room attractive to everyone.

Why We Love It: With just a couple well-chosen pieces of large furniture, this small room makes a big style statement.

Beachy Vibes

Walls in white beaded board and navy paper present a stunning backdrop for a handsome bedroom inspired by the beach. Shell accessories and the simple artwork above the bed reinforce the theme, as does the sand-colored natural rug underfoot.

Why We Love It: Aside from kids' rooms, decorating around a theme can be a dangerous exercise; it's easy to go too far. This room achieves a coastal feel with a well-chosen palette and restrained accessories -- and without a lighthouse lamp in sight!

Femme Chic

A plush tufted headboard, lavender walls, and a dainty chandelier give this room a girly vibe. A nearly random mix of patterns and styles comes together with bohemian charm.

Why We Love It: The unexpected color scheme is surprisingly stylish and chic, infusing the room with a spirit of individuality.

Attic Advantage

Classic Arts and Crafts era houses often feature attic spaces that make showstopping master suites. To keep the classic feel of this attic, the beams were painted white to match the built-ins. Centered under a window, a mission-style bed dressed in warm linens completes the look.

Why We Love It: The dramatic ceiling and custom storage give this bedroom a strong sense of place.

Center Stage

This multilevel master bedroom is stately and refined. The light gray walls are a beautiful complement to the yellow floral textiles, and the towering windows add plenty of light and drama.

Why We Love It: With its multilevel floor of deeply colored wood, this master suite has a flair for the dramatic.

Modern Touch

Keeping the character of a restored warehouse, this bedroom is simple and sophisticated. A modern four-post bed becomes architecture, while tactile bedding and contemporary artwork take the hard edge off.

Why We Love It: The worn patina of the brick walls and wood floors tell of the building's history while contrasting beautifully with the contemporary furnishings.

Pattern with Attitude

Bold floral wallpaper paired with stripes and even more floral patterns gives this room a fearless presence.

Why We Love It: The risky combinations of patterns and colors with a bold complementary color scheme are dicey -- but here it really works! Sometimes it pays to push a little beyond your comfort zone.

Pretty Floral

So pale it's barely a color at all, the lovely lilac with eggshell color scheme sets a refined mood for this posh bedroom. The tonal stripes on the walls add interest while receding to the background, and subtly patterned pillows call just enough attention to anchor the room.

Why We Love It: Sometimes a room is beautiful because of decorating restraint, not decorating bravado.

Mod Rules

This groovy room pairs vintage furniture and modern bedding with a big nod to the past. The Bertoia wire chair? A mid-century masterpiece. The ceramic fish? A piece of kitsch. But they both work, somehow!

Why We Love It: The artwork hanging over the bed makes an individual statement. Troll eBay for a vintage find to add flair to your bedroom.

Curl Up and Read

This room's amazing wall-tall bookcase offers ample storage for the most avid bibliophile. The deeply arched niche makes a comfy nook in which to tuck the bed.

Why We Love It: The bookcases are the main focus of the room. The color palette was kept neutral to draw all attention to the impressive display area.

Flea Market Chic

With mix-and-match (well, mostly mix) flea market treasures, this room exudes a level of sophistication well beyond its pedigree. Simple walls showcase the worn finishes of the vintage furniture and make each item stand out as special.

Why We Love It: Forget shabby, this is flea market style pulled off with sophistication and restraint.

Gallery Touches

A vaulted ceiling gives a room an expansive feeling, but what about those giant walls? Here, a sophisticated take on wainscot brings the walls down to a friendly scale. A large-scale painting takes command of the bedroom and forms a pleasant visual triangle with the floor and furniture.

Why We Love It: Big spaces require bold strokes. The art, mirror, and headboard all have enough heft to fully occupy the high-volume space.

Having trouble explaining exactly what you want in a new home or remodeling? If so, it could be because a typical house rarely expresses a single architectural style. Getting back to basics will help.

Colonial Style

This residential style is considered one of the most popular in the history of the United States. Characteristics:

-- Usually two or three stories with high-pitched roof
-- One or more dormers
-- Massive chimney or chimneys
-- Narrow clapboard siding (sometimes brick)
-- Double-hung, multi-pane windows (usually in pairs) placed symmetrically on both sides of a central front door
-- Decorative crown over front door supported by pilasters or columns

 

If your home's curb appeal makes a great first impression, everyone -- including potential homebuyers -- will want to see what's inside. Check out these simple, low-cost improvements that you can do in a day, a week, or a month.

 

In a Day

Create perfect symmetry

Symmetry is not only pleasing to the eye, it's also the simplest to arrange. Symmetrical compositions of light fixtures and front-door accents create welcoming entryways. This door is flanked by two sidelights. The black lantern-style sconces not only safely guide visitors to the door, but also coordinate with the black door and urns.

Beefing Up Door Components

In a Day

Replace old hardware

House numbers, the entry door lockset, a wall-mounted mailbox, and an overhead light fixture are all elements that can add style and interest to your home's exterior. If they're out of date or dingy, your home may not be conveying the aesthetic you think it is. These elements add the most appeal when they function collectively, rather than as mix-and-match pieces. Oiled-bronze finishes suit traditional homes, while brushed nickel suits more contemporary ones.

3 Houses, 3 Exterior Transformations

In a Day

Dress up the front door

Your home's front entry is the focal point of its curb appeal. Make a statement by giving your front door a blast of color with paint or by installing a custom wood door. Clean off any dirty spots around the knob, and use metal polish on the door fixtures. Your entry should also reflect the home's interior, so choose a swag or a wreath that reflects your personal style.

Steel Door Fix-Up

Friendly Front Entries

In a Day

Do a mailbox makeover

Mailboxes should complement the home and express the homeowner's personality. When choosing a hanging drop box, pick a box that mirrors your home's trimmings. Dress up posted boxes by staining or painting the wooden post to match the house's trim and woodwork. Create structures for your box from materials found throughout the hardscaping. Warning: Consult a professional when designing and building structures.

Mailbox Garden

In a Day

Install outdoor lighting

Low-voltage landscape lighting makes a huge impact on your home's curb appeal while also providing safety and security. Fixtures can add accent lighting to trees or the house or can illuminate a walking path. If you aren't able to use lights that require wiring, install solar fixtures (but understand that their light levels are not as bright or as reliable).

Light the Night with a Low-Voltage System

In a Day

Create an instant garden

Container gardens add a welcoming feel and colorful appeal to any home exterior -- quickly and affordably. You can buy ready-made containers from garden centers or create your own with your favorite plants. For most landscapes, a staggered, asymmetrical arrangement works best to create a dynamic setting.

Great Container Gardens

In a Day

Renew planter beds

Get garden beds into shape by pruning growth, pulling weeds, planting flowers, and adding new mulch to restore color that was taken away by sunlight and harsh weather. If stone or brick borders your bed, consider cleaning and resetting any pieces that are soiled or dislodged. If your border is old or tired-looking, try upgrading to stone or a decorative cast-concrete edging system.

Garden Bed Edging Ideas

In a Day

Install window boxes

Window boxes offer a fast, easy way to bring color and charm to your home exterior. Choose boxes made from copper or iron for a traditional look, or painted wood for a cottage feel. Mix and match flowers and plants to suit your lighting conditions and color scheme.

One Window Box, Three Ways

In a Weekend

Make a grand entry

Even with a small budget, there are ways to draw attention to your front door. Molding acts like an architectural eyeliner when applied to the sides and top of the doorway. Notice how the white door casing makes this door pop.

How to Install Molding

In a Weekend

Add outdoor art

Give your yard a little spunk by adding weather-resistant artwork. Choose pieces that complement your home's natural palette and exterior elements. Birdbaths, metal cutouts, sculptures, and wind chimes are good choices for outdoor art. Water sculptures not only function as yard art, but the burbling sounds soothe and make hot days feel cooler. Place fountains on level ground in optimum hearing and sight vantage points. Avoid spots in leaf-dropping range.

Create a Terra-Cotta Fountain

In a Weekend

Add shutters or accent trim

Shutters and trim add a welcoming layer of beauty to your home's exterior. Shutters also control light and ventilation, and provide additional security. Exterior shutters can be made of wood, aluminum, vinyl, composite, or fiberglass. New composite materials, such as PVC resins or polyurethane, make trim details durable and low maintenance.

Hurricane-Proof Your Home

In a Weekend

Add arbors or fence panels

Arbors, garden gates, and short sections of decorative fence panels will enhance your garden and the value of your home. These amenities can be found in easy-to-build kits or prefab sections you simply connect together. For best results, paint or stain these items with colors already on your house.

12 Stylish Garden Gates

In a Weekend

Create a new planting bed

Add contrast and color to your home exterior with a new planting bed. Prime spots are at the front corners of the yard, along driveways or walkways, and immediately in front of the house. When creating a new bed, choose features that will frame your home rather than obscure it. Opt for stone or precast-concrete blocks to edge the bed. Include a mix of plant size, color, and texture for optimal results.

8 Steps to a New Garden

In a Weekend

Replace gutters and downspouts

If your home has an older gutter system, odds are it's also suffering from peeling paint, rust spots, or other problems that can convey a sense of neglect. Replace old systems with newer, snap-fit vinyl gutter systems that go together with few tools and require no painting. Copper systems, while pricier, convey an unmistakable look of quality.

Cleaning Gutters

In a Month

Tile your doorstep

Create a permanent welcome mat by tiling or painting a design that contrasts with the porch floor or front stoop. Not only will you not have to worry about replacing the mat when it gets ratty, but you can impress your visitors with your creativity.

Choose the Right Tile for Your Project

In a Month

Dress up the driveway

If your driveway is cracked or stained or has vegetation sprouting from it, you can upgrade it without doing a complete redo. First repair the cracks and stains (and kill the weeds), then dress it up by staining the concrete or affixing flagstones. If you need more room to move your car or park, add stone, brick, or pavers to the sides of the drive to widen it with flair.

Two Driveway Redos

In a Month

Build a walkway

Well-designed walkways make your home feel warm and inviting. For a dramatic improvement to a straight concrete path, replace it with a contoured one made of stone or brick. For a less radical upgrade, apply a colored concrete resurfacer to the old walkway, then edge with brick or stone borders. Brick pavers offer traditional, classic beauty to the landscape of any home.

Concrete Paver Walkway

In a Month

Upgrade railings

Porch and stoop railings can deteriorate quickly if not treated properly. If your railings are past their prime, look for quality wood or metal components to replace the existing material. As with other improvements attached directly to the house, make sure the color, scale, design, details, and material are compatible with the home's main features.

Deck Railings

In a Month

Renew paint, siding, and trim

An exterior facelift (new paint, siding, or trim details) automatically transforms the look of a home. Periodic maintenance of that exterior surface is the surest way to keep your house looking its best. Any obvious defects, such as cracked or rotting material, can downgrade the aesthetic and quickly turn away potential homebuyers. Once defects are repaired, look for ways to add personality with color, trim, or shingles.

Exterior Colors and Home Styles

In a Month

Apply stone veneer

Nothing carries pedigree and permanence like stone. It's a great option for dressing up exterior features such as concrete foundations, column footings, and other masonry details. Natural and manufactured stone can be costly options for large expanses, but both are affordable and well suited for use as accent material.

 

Imagination helps stretch the budget when you're updating a kitchen, so put these creative, money-saving ideas to work.

Shades of Green

Color takes the lead in making this kitchen look fresh, through freshly painted cabinets and walls, and contemporary glass pendent lights. The island, once a plain base cabinet, has a new surface -- beaded-board paneling embellished with decorative trim and a butcher-block top.

Supporting Roles

Decorative brackets dress up open shelving edged with molding to keep items from falling. Home centers and online sources sell a variety of similar brackets. Or try brackets made from cast iron, painted to match or accent the shelves.

Let There Be Light

Cutting through the wall to add a window does more than create a view and a focal point above the sink. An exterior window in the adjoining utility room now shares its light with the otherwise windowless kitchen.

Hard to Choose

If variety is the spice of life, then display an assortment of drawer pulls in the kitchen -- just for fun. Combine antique glass knobs, pewter pulls with vegetable motifs, or even ones you've made by painting wooden pulls in different colors. The more kinds, the merrier.

Cooking Hang-Up

Professional chefs hang their favorite cooking utensils within easy reach, but stainless-steel systems are often expensive. Make a copycat rack with a short metal curtain rod, using steel S-hooks to hold spoons and ladles.

New Found Storage

Put that sliver of wall to work with a stack of shallow shelves to showcase a favorite collection. These natural-finish shelves have brushed metal brackets to complement stainless-steel appliances. Or try contemporary "floating" shelves with invisible brackets, available at home centers. If your style is more traditional, choose shelves with wooden supports, finished to match or accent the cabinets.

Great Cover-Up

No matter how dismal outdated cabinets look, there's nothing a little paint won't cure. These formerly blah cabinets have a new finish -- cream-color paint sanded on the edges to give an old-world appearance. Granite tiles, less expensive and easier to handle than thick slabs, create an attractive natural-stone countertop.

Refreshing Change

The quickest way to rev up the style quotient is to roll a fresh coat of paint onto the walls. With so many yummy color choices available in wipe-clean paint, there's no reason to live with drab kitchen walls. Pale gold gives a sunny wake-up call to all-white cabinets, tempered by a darker floor and door pulls.

Window Dressing

A shallow glass shelf runs the width of the window to hold a collection of colored glass and trailing plants. Place supports at each side and also in the middle, if possible. The wider the glass, the thicker it should be for safety, depending on what it will hold.

Architectural Elements

Sleek is the word for this tiny kitchen with a minimum of clutter and a maximum of style. Circa 1950s metal base cabinets have been refurbished for contemporary use. Instead of upper cabinets, the kitchen has a "floating" box, built from medium-density fiberboard covered with plastic laminate. The shallow plate-ledge, built from the same materials, becomes a gallery for art.

Basket Storage

Add variety to boring base cabinets by removing a door and adding roomy baskets atop each shelf. The baskets slide out easily to allow access to contents. Pretty linens are a charming embellishment.

Timeless Stone

Capturing the feeling of a natural-stone hearth is as easy as a trip to the tile or home center. Slate tiles come in a variety of sizes, including 2-inch squares that don't require much sawing. A do-it-yourselfer can install a tile backsplash over a weekend, especially if the design is uncomplicated (shown).

Serving Up Plates

A dedicated plate collector often can't find enough display space -- unless it's overhead. The soffit above the cabinets, often unused, is perfect for a shallow ledge grooved to hold plates securely. Support the shelf with decorative brackets like these, or attach it from the top with metal angles screwed into the wall studs. With plates along the shelves, the angles won't show.

High Interest

A kitchen with windows offers an opportunity to incorporate storage in the window treatments. Install shelves directly over the window trim and paint them the same color for a unified look. This blue-and-white kitchen also has beaded-board wainscoting, simple and inexpensive to apply because it comes in panels that are already cut to the right height.

Style Underfoot

Save the expense of buying new floors by painting what you've got. Add a couple of coats of polyurethane when your paint is dry to help preserve the finish. And keep in mind that scratches can add to the character, particularly if you're aiming for a country look.

 

 

1. Remember the work triangle: The sink, refrigerator, and cooktop should be spaced closely to minimize steps between workstations when preparing a meal. As a general guideline, the sum of all three legs of the triangle should be no more than 26 feet.

2. Planning or computer centers and catchall spaces have increased in importance as open floor plans encourage family members to spend more time in the kitchen. They're easily added by extending a run of cabinetry or leaving room at the end of a built-in. Be sure to incorporate knee space and extra file cabinets and cubbies nearby.

3. Cast lighting, undercabinet lighting, and down lighting are stylish alternatives to fluorescent lighting. Incorporate dimmer controls for mood-setting flexibility.

4. Appliance drawers -- warming drawers, dishwasher drawers, and refrigerator drawers -- allow your kitchen plan to stretch its boundaries. These units are offered by many manufacturers at several price points.

5. If there are children in the household, consider letting them help themselves or even help you. Bring the cabinets down to the countertop, lower the microwave oven, vary countertop heights, and include a pantry cabinet to make the kitchen more accessible.

6. Walls are coming clean! Kitchen decorating is all about color blocking and being bolder with hue. Choose a warm palette to stimulate appetites.

Mix it up

7. Consider segregating your space into distinct areas by using different finishes on cabinetry or incorporating furniture-style pieces.

8. Update over a weekend by switching to decorative hardware or upgrading items that receive daily use, such as an extra-deep sink or handheld spray faucet.

9. For the best resale value, avoid painted cabinetry and choose basic stains in darker finishes that won't typecast your kitchen. Popular decorative finishes emulate an antiqued look.

10. When you consider flooring options, keep in mind the amount of traffic you have in the area and determine how long you expect your flooring to last. Vinyl is reasonably priced, and newer styles add depth and texture. Laminate is growing in popularity, and some types offer do-it-yourself installation. Ceramic tile and hardwood offer long-lasting appeal but can cost more than other options.

11. Create workstations by developing specific areas where you can perform tasks like mixing, cutting, or serving. Organize cabinetry and appliances in these stations so you can work effectively.

What you'll pay

12. For a very basic kitchen remodeling, expect to pay a minimum of $100 per linear foot, measured along the backsplash areas in your kitchen. Be sure to double the measurement where you want both upper and lower cabinetry. High-end projects can cost $1,200 per linear foot or more.

13. If your budget is $5,000 or less, consider surface changes. New countertops and finishes on the walls can create a whole new look for the space.

14. With $10,000, you can add one or two new appliances and address lighting updates in addition to surface changes.

15. A full kitchen remodeling including low-end cabinets, basic lighting, and basic appliances generally costs at least $15,000.

16. Don't underestimate the cost of labor, as many homeowners do in the early planning stages. Anticipate labor to account for 25 to 50 percent of the total cost.

17. Include specialty cabinets in corner areas to take advantage of lost space. Incorporate specialty appliances such as wine coolers and undercounter refrigerators outside the work core so they can be used without disturbing the cook.

Getting Ready to Remodel

18. Investing in kitchen renovations reaps greater rewards than refurbishing any other room in your home. Remodeling magazine reports in its 2003 Cost vs. Value Report that, in a resale, homeowners can recoup 75-80 percent of the costs of a kitchen remodeling project.

19. Because styles and technology change so fast, you might wonder how often you should consider remodeling. According to Leticia Tapia, a Dallas-area certified kitchen designer, "after seven to 10 years, there is usually a need.... After 15 years, most homes could benefit from a full kitchen remodeling."

20. Resource and idea guides are bountiful. A search of one online retailer's offerings, for instance, turns up 957,000 books, planners, catalogs, and articles related to kitchen planning. Check out one of our favorites: The Kitchen Idea Book by Joanne Kellar Bouknight; The Taunton Press; 1999; $29.95.

21. Find a free kitchen-and-bath workbook, a list of working guidelines about kitchen design and safety, or a certified kitchen designer in your area at the National Kitchen & Bath Association's Web site: www.nkba.org.

22. Dirt, dust, and clutter go hand in hand with remodeling. To make the best of things while living with the mess, develop a plan to manage your everyday activities -- and consider a temporary kitchen in another part of the house

23. Consider creating a storage area specifically for today's electronic devices. Phone chargers, personal digital assistants, and cell phones can hide behind tambour cabinetry or nestle in cubbies.

24. Many semicustom and even some stock cabinetmakers offer the flexibility of customized pieces without the hefty price tag. Include bread-box drawers, pullout shelves, and extra-deep drawers for pots and pans.

25. Remember to plan for more electrical outlets than you think you'll need. You will need them.

Debbie Travis' bathroom renovation
Check out these bathroom renovation results; a fresh and luxurious look and a space that's both relaxing and practical for her whole family.
By John Fitzgerald

 

See images of Debbie's bathroom by clicking here Besides producing and hosting Painted House, Debbie is an internationally syndicated columnist and is writing her seventh book, which will be about kitchens and bathrooms (the sixth, on bedrooms, is due out this Christmas). With those kinds of demands on her time, she wanted a refuge, "someplace I could relax at the end of the day," she says. Equally important, the room had to be practical enough to accommodate her husband and two teenage sons. "Our house is a mix of modern and old," says Debbie. "The back, where the kitchen is, is very modern; the front has lots of moulding and high ceilings. For the bathroom, I wanted a luxurious European bath - really, a cross between Europe and Cape Cod, something that wouldn't date. Something timeless." She found inspiration for the style she was after (and some accessories) at a Waterworks store in New York City. The Waterworks line, also available at Ginger's Bath at Elte in Toronto, features stylish remakes of classic bath product designs. "When I first visited the Waterworks store," she sighs, savouring the memory, "I was so excited, I drooled." Her new bathroom has the timeless look that Waterworks is famous for. Adjacent to classic custom-made glass-front cabinetry, the marble-top double-sink vanity has old-fashioned faucets bearing hot and cold porcelain markings. The same marble is used for the curvy backsplash that Debbie designed. The vanity's sink supports double as towel racks. "In the shower, there are lovely glazed brick tiles," she says. "But the family is split. Some love the feel of the shower, others hate it. One of the biggest challenges was the new cast-iron tub," Debbie recalls. "I never thought to check how heavy it was. It took five sweaty men to haul the thing across the lawn, into the house, up the stairs and into the bathroom." To augment the light in the once windowless room, Debbie had a skylight installed. A chalky powder blue paint was used on the upper walls, and glossy soft white wainscotting covers the lower half, including the frame for the tub. Mindful of frosty Montreal winters, Debbie allowed an additional indulgence: a heated marble floor. A sensualist at heart? Sure, but it's her designer's eye that's the final judge. "What I love are the textures," she says. "The mix of the flatness of the tiles, the glossy wood, and the beauty of the marble is fantastic."

We all have one. That spare bedroom where all the junk ends up. The bathroom desperately in need of an update. The chaotic home office. Living with such spaces day after day can become overwhelming. But you don’t have to spend overwhelming amounts of cash to make them vibrant, pleasing living spaces again.
In this slideshow, we look at how professional designers tackled five common problem spaces, using little money but plenty of creative techniques. The price for each project includes costs of materials only, except where noted. See if the transformations inspire you to take on a your own daunting project.

By Lisa Dixon

 

1) Office Clutter...

Before: This room in the lower level of a condo "felt small, cramped and cold," says designer Christine Suzuki. Books and photos spilled out of boxes on the floor. The tall, skinny closet, which was opened infrequently, hogged valuable space.

The owners needed more room for storing books, papers and other items, plus a large writing desk.

...To Appealing Focal Point

Cost of redesign: $100
Design firm: Interior Transformations, Lafayette, La.

After: Notice how the combination of three complementary shades of paint makes the cabinetry a more integral part of this room. Thomas primed and painted the woodwork a light ivory color, which contrasts gently with the walls, now a warm taupe. A coat of dark chocolate-colored paint sets off the back of the bookcases and provides a warm backdrop for the homeowner’s accessories.

5) From So-So...

Before: The owner of this home wanted to make her living room more inviting and more amenable to entertaining. "Her home was loaded with beautiful furnishing and accessories," says designer Lisa Skelley. So the task was to assemble various pieces from around the house into a more cohesive and welcoming space -- without purchasing extra items.

...To a Great Living Room

Cost of the redesign: $0.
Design firms: LJS Interior Redesigns, Avon, Conn. and Encore Decor, New York.

After: That's right -- this redesign cost nothing more than the creativity of the designers. Out went the white leather sectional, replaced by a smaller, more plush sofa, set at an angle. A comfy chair brought in from the guest room helps promote conversation, and a glass side table adds interest. A console table, originally in the upstairs hall, goes behind the sofa. A change of artwork and lamps, plus a large green plant, help pull it all together. (A footnote: This room was redesigned for the HGTV cable channel.)

 

 

Whether you're thinking about a simple face lift or a major makeover, these examples will give you an idea of what can be accomplished – and at what cost.

 

Whether you give your kitchen a new look with a few tasteful upgrades or rip it out and start over, being creative where you cook is the key.
We asked kitchen remodeling and design pros for examples of what can be done, and at what cost. Here are six projects that fall in the $37,000 to $100,000 range. For each kitchen, we show a before and after view, with details of the work done and the materials and appliances used.
The good news: Kitchen remodels are among the most cost-effective home projects, recouping 80 to 85 percent  of their cost when a home is sold, according to Remodeling magazine.

1) From Snug …

BEFORE: This outdated kitchen in Sacramento, Calif., needed more than a face lift. The counter height and lack of space made it nearly impossible for the resident, who uses a wheelchair, to prepare a meal.

... to Spacious Price: $75,000 Designer: Darius Baker, an award-winning California contractor. AFTER: The widened doorways, lower counters and open floor plan make this kitchen highly accessible. There are roll-out shelves, Lazy Susans and a sink that is wheelchair-accessible. The finishing touches: stainless-steel appliances and granite countertops.