You can spend loads of time and a fortune on updating your home, but if you select a poor contractor to do the work, the results will not be satisfactory. I know, because I got to watch my $3500 fence begin leaning precariously after only 13 months.

I confess that I was a bit nervous when the fence was going up. I asked the contractor about the hollow vinyl poles and noted that my mother’s fence had 4 x 4 wood poles inside the vinyl. I even offered to pay extra for wooden poles if the fence would be sturdier. The contractor assured me that those were not needed and the fence was designed to be put up without those wooden poles inside the vinyl. In fact, he suggested that wood inside would rot and reduce the life of the fence.

The contractor lied. When the fence started to lean badly, I had someone take a look at the problem fence. The vinyl poles were clearly marked vinyl sleeves with a notation still on the sticker buried under the ground that they were made to go over wooden 4 x 4s. I guess he hoped the fence would stand up long enough for the stickers to disintegrate and to go over warranty.

We all have areas in our homes where we need to maximize our use of the space. Perhaps you are lacking a coat closet or need to create a welcoming entryway. These are a few tips and tricks making the most out of a small space.

Are you stuck in a rut when it comes to decorating? Every once in a while we all need a change, but most of us don’t even know where to begin. Little changes can make a big difference and most of the time you don’t need to spend a dime. Here are a few quick and easy decorating tips and tricks.

Are you tired of looking at those same old dull walls? Are you ready to spruce up your home in 2011, but don’t quite know where to begin? Paint is an inexpensive way to give any room in your house a clean, fresh and updated look.

The process of choosing the perfect paint color is not always as easy as one would hope. Let’s say you want to paint your bedroom white. Well, that’s actually a no brainer, right? Not so fast! Will you choose Decorators White, Navajo White, China White, Simply White, Cotton Balls, Cloud White or one of the dozens of other white color choices?

I thought I had my mudroom perfectly organized for winter.  Each child had their own wicker basket tucked neatly under the bench.  Inside, they kept their fleece jackets, snow pants, hats, gloves and scarves.  Sometimes, I would even stuff their winter coats in the basket to make extra room on the hooks for backpacks and such.

Then, about 6 weeks ago, we brought home a new Labradoodle puppy, Fern.  When Fern isn’t being crate trained, she has the run of the kitchen and mudroom area.  This is perfect for quick exits into the backyard when she needs to do her business. 

Tis the season for evenings spent sitting by a crackling fire!  I love everything about a real woodburning fire!  I love the smell of the smoke, the  sound of the crackling wood and the sight of the dancing flames.  If you have a woodburning fireplace, count yourself lucky!  However, along with the joy and pleasure that a fireplace brings also comes some serious safety concerns.  Here’s how you can keep yourself and your family safe while you all curl up next to the fire.

Let’s face it – Christmas Eve and Christmas day are really busy!  There’s so much going on and so much to do!  Children are unwrapping toys that need to be assembled or require batteries.  You are cooking, setting tables, clearing dishes and hauling out the garbage, boxes and wrapping paper.  You want to make sure that you are completely prepared for these two days so that it is as stress free as possible.  After all, it’s your holiday too and you should be able to enjoy yourself.

Your house is decorated to the hilt, the tree is lit, you have made your cookies, eggnog is in the punch bowl and Christmas music is playing.  Is anything missing?  How about the smell of Christmas in the air? 

There is something about the smell of cinnamon and cloves wafting through your home that makes everyone feel cozier.  Our sense of smell is very powerful.  Subconsciously, it evokes and creates memories.  I like to keep a sauce pan of spices and such simmering on my stove during the holiday season.  Here is a great recipe for stovetop potpourri that will make your home smell delightful.

Ding Dong!  That’s the sounds of your doorbell during the holiday season when friends and neighbors stop by to share holiday cheer.  This is one thing that I love about the holidays – last minute and impromptu entertaining.  But, in order to host friends and family spur of the moment, it’s important to have a well stocked pantry.  Here are just a few of my go-to foods that I keep around during the holidays.

Decorating your Christmas tree is one family tradition that brings back memories.  With every ornament that’s pulled so delicately from the box and unwrapped from its protective tissue paper comes a story; a memory.  Each ornament has its own tale to tell.  A tale of a newborn baby, a family vacation, a kindergarten class project from someone’s childhood.  Ornaments are treasures – treasures that, when assembled together on the tree, represent a family’s history.