Old or New? Which Way Does Your House Lean?

Reconciling an historic home with modern living can be tricky. These properties are beautiful house with solid bones, but it's important when you tackle this type of design renovation to proceed with a healthy dose of caution ...

Old or New? Which Way Does Your House Lean?

Reconciling an historic home with modern living can be tricky. These properties are beautiful house with solid bones, but it's important when you tackle this type of design renovation to proceed with a healthy dose of caution ...

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 …

Lean into a non-neutral this year.  Jen Coles like jewel tones, like this.
What's New in Home Design for Cape Ann?
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 …
Colors are back after a long love affair with cool whites and greys.  And part of that is the opportunity to lean into new finishes in fixtures, like rubbed bronze, brass, and yes, gold.
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 …
This kitchen embraces several design trends for 2024—creating an outdoor connection inside with lots of plants, embracing eclectic elements, and entering the world of bright colors.
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 …
woman gardening herbs in her backyard garden
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.
Home improvement coverage from around the web

Anchor Your Home for the Big Game

(BPT) - The Big Game is almost here and families all across America are getting their homes ready to watch and cheer along. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) wants to remind everyone …

Want a luxury bathroom? Opt for modular designs

(BPT) - Bathrooms are more than just a necessity of modern living. It's true that they're practical spaces, but practicality doesn't mean you have to sacrifice luxury.Creating a bathroom that …

Stick to your 2025 goals while relieving yourself of financial stress by switching to phone service provider TextNow.

Financial Wellness in 2025: Start with These Simple Steps

(NAPSI)—Now that 2025 is here, it’s time to tackle resolutions for a financially healthier year. The self-improvement journey can be expensive so go for goals that will help keep you on track, …

Defend Your Home from Harsh Winter Conditions: 7 pro tips to avoid long-term damage

(Family Features) Harsh winter elements like snow, ice and wind can wreak havoc on your home - if it's not properly prepared and maintained.

Reclaim your kitchen space: New refrigerator design reduces clearance constraints

(BPT) - If you live in a home or apartment with minimal kitchen space due to its wall and cabinet configurations, you probably know how challenging it is to replace major appliances. For example, …

Need a winter DIY project? Time to level up your uneven basement flooring

(BPT) - Stuck indoors? Winter is the perfect time to address indoor issues that affect the functionality, safety, appearance and value of your home. One great example: A basement or other room with …

2025 interior design predictions: Cool tones, organic textures and soft geometries

(BPT) - Style is an expression of one's individuality, rooted in the confidence to trust personal instincts and create a world of beauty, rather than pursuing fleeting trends. It's about celebrating …

More ideas for your home
A few simple steps can protect your home and family from fire this holiday season and at anytime.
Keep Your Home Safe from Fires and Other Emergencies This Winter
(NAPSI)—While the winter season brings many joyful moments, it can also bring increased safety risks—but you can protect yourself, your home and your family.   Who Can Help Volunteer fire …
You can act now to keep your concrete surfaces looking great all year
(BPT) - With the weather turning colder, you may think there's not much more you can do to protect your outdoor surfaces from damage caused by the elements. The good news is, it's not too late to …
How to transform your kitchen in 2025 with 4 top trends
(BPT) - The kitchen is the heart of the home. It's where you gather with loved ones for meals and conversations and make memories and traditions. To achieve these connections (while still making …
Winterize Your Home with Expert Tips to Save Energy and Avoid Costly Repairs
(BPT) - Cold weather is coming — is your home ready? HVAC expert Jon Ryan from Genz-Ryan Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical shares essential tips for winterizing your home. From …
Window replacement 101: 7 things homeowners should look for
(BPT) - Is your home drafty? Are your windows sticking or hard to open and close? Do you get fogging between the windowpanes? Energy bills creeping higher and higher? These are all signs your windows …
More Home Improvement News

Believe it or not: Installing a new heat pump can be cheaper than repairing your current system

(BPT) - A properly functioning HVAC system is crucial to ensure a warm, comfortable home this winter. For homeowners with an older heating system, the question of repair or replace is often top of …

Six Essential Steps to Prepare for Winter Power Outages

Six Essential Steps to Prepare for Winter Power Outages

(NewsUSA) - Cold weather is coming, and homeowners need to prepare now for potential power outages.According to NOAA's 2024-2025 Winter Outlook, a slow-developing La Nina is expected to impact …

New Resources to Help You Save on Efficient Home Upgrades

You and your family can enjoy a bigger, better more energy-efficient home for less than you may think.

(NAPSI)—When you’re struggling to pay bills at home, upgrading to the latest efficient technology can feel out of reach—but it doesn’t have to be. The Problem A typical American household …

How to avoid 'Brown Friday' and other plumbing disasters

(BPT) - In case you've never heard of it, "Brown Friday" is as famous as Black Friday — at least in plumbing circles. The name refers to the brown sludge that builds up in kitchen sinks …

Caring for your home and family

Winterizing your home: 5 tips to stay warm and save on energy bills

(BPT) - Winter is nearly here, and the almanacs predict it will be snowier and colder than last year for much of the country. Before those flakes fly and the ground freezes hard, get ahead of the …

5 easy kitchen and bath upgrades to wow holiday guests

(BPT) - Ready to host for the holidays? Whether you're planning parties and/or welcoming visitors to your home during this festive season, you probably want to make a great impression. Ahead of this …
Home ideas

Creating a Bathroom Oasis: 5 upgrades that evoke the joy of water

(Family Features) Transform your simple bathroom into a sanctuary filled with features that make it easy to enjoy the many ways water soothes your senses.
Hot ideas for keeping your home more comfortable for less money may surprise you.
Improved Insulation + Heat Pump HVAC Can Mean Big Savings
by Doug Anderson,   ENERGY STAR Certified Products (NAPSI)—Your home’s heating and cooling account for nearly half of your annual energy use—which, for the average American household, …
Energy saving tips can help New Yorkers keep energy bills under control while staying warm this winter.
Making Wintertime Energy Management Easy
(NAPSI)—When the weather cools, it’s a good time for New Yorkers to prepare their homes for potential power outages. By taking a few simple steps, you can increase your home’s energy efficiency …
How to Use Thermally Modified American Hardwood in Your Home
(NewsUSA) - Thermally modified Real American Hardwood® is a durable, sustainable product gaining traction in U.S. home design. Developed in Finland in the 1990s, the process involves heating wood …
Don’t let bad weather throw you; ­use your snow thrower to safely clear your yard.
Snow Thrower Safety Tips: Keep Best Practices in Mind This Winter
(NAPSI)—While clearing snow and ice from driveways, sidewalks and parking lots is no small job, you can rely on outdoor power equipment to do the heavy lifting. Just remember it’s important to …
Why Social Media Influencers Love Composite Decking
(BPT) - In the ever-evolving world of home design, social media influencers play a pivotal role in shaping trends and providing inspiration and guidance for homeowners. One material that has captured …