ArcaMax

Our office has a wide sliding glass door, and instead of using draperies or vertical blinds we chose panel track shades as an attractive alternative. This window treatment, also called panel track blinds, is versatile and works nicely with most any decor.

The individual 27-inch-wide panels glide on a wheeled carrier in a track concealed by a ...Read more

You're sure to be the envy of your neighborhood with this charming log reindeer on the front porch to welcome guests. Or position him in your garden or on a deck looking inside. Wherever the reindeer resides, he’ll be a popular addition to your holiday tradition. We’ve been reusing our Rudolph for years by dismantling and carefully storing ...Read more

Good lighting in a bathroom is essential, and a light/fan combination is even better. A fan with a sensor that detects a rise in humidity and helps prevent the growth of mildew makes the bathroom more usable, and safe for everyone who uses it. Add a motion sensor so the light turns on when someone enters and leaves, and you’ve got a nice smart...Read more

The vanity is the main focus of many bathrooms and sets the style for the room. Shopping for one in a home center or bathroom showroom, you’ll find a staggering variety of vanity styles, often sold as a vanity cabinet set, which usually include the cabinet, sink and countertop, and is ready to install. The cost of the faucet is additional. A ...Read more

If you have an indoor cat (or cats) who can’t use a tree to relieve their anxiety with a good scratch, consider making or buying a scratching post to prevent them from ruining your upholstered furniture, draperies or carpeting. It’s more than a good investment, plus it’s fun to watch a cat release their inner turmoil by scratching and ...Read more

No matter what the temperature is outside, a garden window creates a year-round growing season. It’s especially handy and attractive for growing fresh herbs or special flowering plants. A basic garden window is a bump-out unit with a shelf and features insulated glass on top and on the sides, and allows light, air and sunshine inside. The unit...Read more

Painting is one of the biggest bangs for your buck, but preparing and painting cabinets is a time-consuming job. It can be a dramatic facelift, especially when you give a fresh new look to cabinets with a dark finish. After the cabinet and drawer fronts and hardware are removed, the real work begins with sanding, deglossing and priming the ...Read more

If your home has inadequate heating or a poor heat distribution system, consider installing a built-in, vent-free natural gas space heater. That will give a room a constant source of heat providing a warm, safe environment.

Connected to a permanent gas line, these mini-units work just like a home's full-size gas furnace. They are energy-...Read more

To call attention to a collection of colorful ceramics or pottery, consider installing glass shelves that appear to float on a wall. The clear surface of tempered glass makes it an attractive display to showcase what it’s holding without being a distraction. And for a more utilitarian use, glass shelves provide storage that’s clearly visible...Read more

A metal railing provides a sturdy barrier and firm gripping surface that assures safe footing on the exterior entry stairs to a home. Over time the effects of weather can chip and corrode the railing, especially in high-use areas, so a fresh coat of primer and paint is needed to restore its appearance. A thorough scraping, priming and fresh ...Read more

A fireplace adds character and ambiance to any room, making it an undeniable improvement. And on a cold night the appeal of a crackling fire goes a long way as an upgrade that can add value to the home. A prefabricated metal zero-clearance fireplace is a popular choice, because it takes a minimum amount of space and can be safely placed near ...Read more

The ceiling, which some designers say is the fifth wall of a room, can be the center of attention. When the ceiling is made of laminate wood planks, also called panels, it can be a striking addition and transform an ordinary room to extraordinary. A wood plank ceiling can add a charming contrast in a stark contemporary setting, or complete the ...Read more

To give a neat and manicured look to your lawn use an edge trimmer to outline flower beds, trees, clusters of shrubs and walkways. It’s a finishing touch that defines the landscape with a tidy and manicured appearance. Every time the lawn is mowed the edging emphasizes the perimeter and line separating grass and the other elements of the ...Read more