It’s Outside Time

It’s early June and it’s one of my favorite times of year. We’re in the middle of this summer’s Big Reveal, and it is presenting with a giant “Ta-dah!” …

The Creatures' Return

Conservationists use the term “rewilding” to describe the phenomenon where habitat is restored and native flora and fauna return (or are reintroduced) to their former range. Naturalist …

Cape Ann Blossoms Returns to Cape Ann Museum May 4

Cape Ann Blossoms (2023) image of Augustus W. Buhler (1853-1920), Shoving Off. C. 1907. Oil on canvas, Gift of Dr. Bernard S. Cohen, 1979. [Accession # 2199]. Floral Arrangement by Joni Pesola of Danvers Garden Club.

Just in time for the beginning of spring, Gloucester's Cape Ann Museum is bringing back its popular Cape Ann Blossoms event on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Floral …

What's New in Home Design for Cape Ann?

Lean into a non-neutral this year. Jen Coles like jewel tones, like this.

Spring is finally starting to be sprung. Those brave spring bulbs are sticking their skinny green necks out, and so far all I’ve wanted to do is wrap a scarf around them—but they …

It’s all in How You Finish That Counts

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but it’s the wild west out there when it comes to the finishes we find on hardware, bathroom fixtures, and lighting. Where we used to …

Doug Cook, owner of Gloucester-based Landesign, designed and implemented this interior garden project in Beverly.

Some Top Interior Design Trends to Look Out For in 2024

As we delve into the year 2024, there are dozens of notable interior design trends that Cape Ann experts point to, from color schemes to furniture styles, and even building materials. Here are three great …

Welcome, Cape Ann Gardeners, to an Early Spring!

Spring is here, bringing an array of colors and a sense of renewal to Cape Ann’s gardens. Right now, it’s the perfect time to highlight the beauty of your surroundings. Can you …

Hmmm …. What Can't Paint Do?

Recently while driving, I glanced to my left as a well-loved car was passing. I’m pretty sure that car was painted with house paint and a paintbrush. It makes me pause, and it’s a …

Gray House is Anything But

Behind its simple exterior lives a visual feast By Kris McGinn L ast month, during a particularly lovely and lively holiday lunch at the Cricket , an unexpected visitor stopped by. …

Designing a Great Room? Make it Great

Great rooms. There are so many of us that have them. Perhaps you have one because you own a large older home, with its elegant bones, grand rooms and high ceilings. Or maybe your …

Some holiday decorating tips

Too much stuff? Reign it in! No one likes a room that feels cluttered and chaotic. So, choose some, and save some others for something different in the years to come. Focus …

A Ghost of Christmas Past

W hen I was a kid, my mother loved Christmas. I see now it was fitting because Carolyn liked sparkly things all year round, and she kind of lived in this world with fairy sprites and earthen …

YOURS & MINE : Holiday Traditions

There are holiday traditions in aspirational books and television shows. Then, there are the real family traditions to celebrate the holiday season. Here are some good ones shared by local familiar faces. From an annual Christmas Eve date with a book to baking countless pies, locals celebrate this season in their own ways.

Here in New England, Jen Coles writes, spaces and sightlines can be “wonky.” But there are some pro tips to make spaces feel great to live in.

Taking the “Cramp” Out of Your “Camp”

Almost 20 years ago, my then-husband and I went to a real estate open house where I promptly fell in love with a crazy fixer-upper, writes Manchester-based interior designer Jen Coles. Learn pro tips on how to make tough layouts and spaces work.

<p>Fall Planting</p><p><em>(Courtesy Photo)</em></p>

A Beginner’s Guide to Fall Planting and Maintenance

Spring and summer are perhaps the busiest times of year for gardeners. However, fall also is a prime time to tend to gardens. The tree and bare root retailer Bower & Branch advises that …

<p><em>Rockport’s Paper House museum, made of more than 100,000 newspapers in the 1920s by a mechanical engineer from Sweden, still stands and is open to the public.</em></p>

All the News That’s Fit to … Build?

Right up the road, in Rockport, an under-the-radar museum is the enduring marvel of engineering, with newspapers. Visitors and residents alike are familiar with the dramatic perimeter drive around …

<p><em>Signs of BLD include puckered, distorted leaves, with dark striping between the veins. (Courtesy images)</em></p>

Beech Trees Under Threat

One of our favorite properties for a beautiful walk in Manchester-by-the-Sea is Coolidge Reservation. We are awed by this property with its scenic marshy pond and the trail that leads to the vast …

Local Gardens: Turning Your Lawn into a Flower Garden

Last Spring (2022) we agreed the grass in our backyard needed to go. The mowing, raking, weeding, no longer were of interest! The lawnmower was left at the end of our driveway and was …

<p><em>Joseph Solman, Ruth Wintner - Summer Reading, oil on board, 1937, 22x20</em></p>

Joseph Solman: Overlooked Paintings at Mercury Gallery in Rockport

Joseph Solman (1909-2008) was a seminal figure in the modernist art movement that flourished in 20th century Manhattan. He drew critical praise for his expressionist paintings of people, street …

7 ways to ensure your structure stands up to the elements

(BPT) - Did you know that last year alone, the U.S. saw 28 weather-related disasters exceeding $1 billion in damages, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration? While no one …

Planning to improve your home can be easier when you know you can cover the costs.

Tips for Homeowners to Make Summer Home Projects More Affordable

(NAPSI)—If you’re like most American homeowners, you are eager to enhance and update your living space. According to a 2024 U.S. Houzz & Home study, the median planned budget for most …

Former firefighter builds home with new fire sprinkler system

(BPT) - Jesse Faust originally became a firefighter and an EMT to help people. Then, in the summer of 2022, the unthinkable happened.Faust was involved in a severe car accident that left him …

Extreme heat, wildfires and weather events: Prepare for the unexpected this summer, inside and outside the home

(BPT) - Wildfires and extreme weather conditions have brought greater attention to poor air quality, and while some areas may be more affected than others, air quality and pollution are still a major …

Workin' 5-9: Make the most of your morning hours for more productive days

(Family Features) How you spend your hours from 5-9 each day can ensure you're well prepared to tackle whatever your 9-5 throws your way. Get a jumpstart on your day with these tips to make the most of your morning routine.

You can save cold cash and still keep your home cool.

Navigating the Heat to Keep Power Bills Cool

(NAPSI)—The heat of summer doesn’t just mean it’s time to drink more water or eat ice cream to keep cool. It also means an increase in air conditioning and energy to cool your home. The U.S. …

The EPA Can Help You Save Big On Energy Efficient Upgrades For The Home

(NAPSI)—If you’re like most homeowners, there’s probably a laundry list of major upgrades you’d like to make to improve the efficiency, performance, and functionality of your house. However, …

Cutting Summer Cooling Costs

(NAPSI)—When monthly utility bills arrive, many Americans are getting hot under the collar. In fact according to the National Energy Directors Association, this summer’s residential …

How To Update Your Deck For The Perfect Summer Outside

(BPT) - Summer is here, and that means it’s time for a home maintenance refresh. With record-high temperatures hitting across the country, it’s important to pay attention to your …

7 home security to-dos before your summer vacation

(BPT) - As temperatures have risen and summer has arrived, the anticipation of vacation has filled the air. Whether you’re planning a local getaway or an international adventure this summer, …

Six Perfect Pieces: American Hardwood Furniture for Today’s Home

(NewsUSA) - Solid wood has always been the gold standard when it comes to high-quality home furniture. “Whether it’s something major like a dining table and chairs or a smaller item like a …

How to DIY A Deck Drainage System

(NewsUSA) - If you plan to add an elevated deck to your home, there’s one element that will greatly increase its value and function: an under-deck drainage system. These systems, which divert …

With a little forethought and the proper equipment, you and your home or business can stand up to just about any natural disaster.

Outdoor Power Equipment Helps Weather A Storm or Power Outage

(NAPSI)—Storms are growing more powerful and frequent, so having the right outdoor power equipment on hand and using it safely is important, says the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI). Home …

Building an ADU? Save space and energy by going tankless

(BPT) - Over the past few years, more and more American families have opted for multigenerational living arrangements. A survey by Generations United found that 26% of American adults live in …

5 Home Updates to Provide Peace of Mind for Your Family

(Family Features) Home improvement projects often focus on updating the aesthetic of your house, but upgrades that make your living space more secure and comfortable are sometimes even more important.

From Kitchen to Curb: Simple Ways to Refresh Your Home

(BPT) - Following historical trends, spring and summer months represent an active time of year for the housing market. For sellers in 2023, homes listed in the first two weeks of June sold for 2.3% …

3 Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality This Spring

(BPT) - As temperatures rise and flowers begin to bloom, it's more important than ever to make your home a sanctuary — safe from pollen and other allergens. This spring, upgrading your home air …

Moving Resources For Military Families

(NAPSI)—Military families and veterans know that relocating loved ones when PCS orders arrive can be stressful—but there are steps you can take to make things easier. Keeping Military …

Tips to “Yard Your Way” This Spring

(NAPSI)—Homeowners can put their own spin on their personal outdoor space this spring by adopting a “yard your way” attitude, advises the TurfMutt Foundation, which is celebrating 15 years of …

Caring for your home and family

Focus on these 4 areas to protect your home's exterior

(BPT) - While you probably know your deck needs waterproofing, did you know many other materials outside your home like concrete, masonry and fabrics also need protection? To help keep exterior parts …

The future of home water heating: How heat pump technology is changing the game

(BPT) - The Department of Energy (DOE) recently released higher energy-efficiency standards for water heaters that will go into effect in 2029. Focusing on decarbonization, the new standards …

Home ideas

10 Tips to Make Your Air Conditioner More Energy Efficient and Sustainable

(Family Features) Updating your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system to cool your home in a smart and sustainable way involves several steps that not only improve energy efficiency but also reduce environmental impact.

Residential Refresh: Personalized touches for your home

(Family Features) Your home is an expression of you, your personality and your lifestyle. When it comes to personalizing your home's aesthetic, try leaning into your senses to inspire change within your space.

Update your window coverings to increase your safety, style and savings

(BPT) - It's time to welcome the freshness of the warmer months into our homes and embrace the new season. For many of us, this time of year is a chance to renew and re-organize. Spring and summer …

5 Easy, Space-Saving Room Ideas

(BPT) - Looking to update a room that is short on space during this home improvement season? Converting traditional swinging doors into pocket doors is a simple, practical way to increase the amount …

Bring balance and imperfection to the kitchen through Japandi style

(BPT) - Balance and harmony. These are two important principles of design to consider during the initial phases of conceptualizing a space. This is especially true in the kitchen, the heart and soul …

Elevate your outdoor retreat with 4 innovative hardscaping designs

(BPT) - As spring and summer approach, it's time to consider how you'll use your outdoor spaces this year. Your backyard, patio, front lawn and garden aren't just for outdoor activities. They are …

7 tips for electrical safety in and around your home

(BPT) - May is Electrical Safety Month! It's a great time to remind yourself of the potential dangers associated with electricity and be proactive about electrical safety in and around your home, …