5 Ways to Make a Better Entrance
Houzz.com
“The entryway is the first visible part of a home’s interior, so it’s important to keep it neat and stylish. But it also has the inevitable tendency to become a catch-all for everyone’s junk collected throughout the day. The key is to keep both functions in mind when setting up your entry. This is one space guaranteed to be used every day, so treat it as a room and not just an awkward transitional area. These 5 tips should help you create a functional and tidy and welcome to your home.”

Plugwise Eliminates Excess Energy Use
Jetson Green
“California-based kWh Power is tackling phantom energy loss by introducing the Plugwise system in the United States. Developed by Dutch company Plugwise in 2006, this system allows you to monitor, track, and control unnecessary energy use throughout your home or office. The system consists of ‘Circles’ which are plugged into standard wall outlets to measure load on that outlet, and a ‘Stick’ that wirelessly relays data from the circles to your computer, where Plugwise Source, the monitoring and management software, allows you see and control usage. Data can also be uploaded to the web for remote access via laptops and smartphones.”

Small Kitchen Layouts to Inspire Your Remodel
CalFinder Blog
“The kitchen seems a straightforward thing. It’s a place to cook. Entertain. You have a refrigerator, a stove. Often a dishwasher. Food comes in, food gets served. But it’s not as simple as that, of course. Especially if you’re looking at your existing kitchen that your home may have come with, and reconsidering how you can create the exact kitchen you want. Perhaps you’re doing a full kitchen remodel, and have no idea what kind of kitchen will benefit you the most. Well. We are here to serve and help you.”

Thinking about redesigning or just sprucing up an existing space?
Home Renovation Guide
“Unlike the homes in the magazines, most of us will never own a Schonbek crystal chandelier to tower over a twelve-seater dining table. In fact, these days we’re lucky if there’s enough floor space in our homes for a dining room at all! Multi-functional, small scale and affordable is the way many of us live. And as more people move into and vie for premium spaces in the cities, large spaces will continue to be an expensive option. We all want our homes to look good. But money, time and resources often limit what we can accomplish in our homes.”

Design-Savvy Kitchen Remodeling On the Rise
CalFinder Blog
“We’ve noticed a huge trend among homeowners lately—that design-savvy kitchen remodeling is on the rise. Whether they’re taking to the web for self-taught strategy, or consulting with budget-smart designers and kitchen contractors before construction begins, homeowners are increasingly involved in the design process. … Some of the trends that we have seen—and loved—include these three design styles.”

15 Posts on Decluttering and Organizing Your Home
Re-Nest
“What’s a better way to start off a new year than to to organize, declutter and simplify your home? Whether you’re looking to live with less or are simply rethinking your space, check out these tips to kick off an organized and clutter-free new year!”

Best of 2011: Before & After
Centsational Girl
Whether it’s decorating or painting or organizing or anything else related to making a house look like an elegant, comfortable home, this woman knows what she’s doing. Get some ideas from her round-up of some favorite projects from the past year.

20 Green Building Innovations of 2011
Jetson Green
“Our team had the great opportunity to report on hundreds of green building innovations in the form of new technologies and advanced materials. We see these innovations as contributors to a world where it’s important to reduce waste and resource consumption. I hope you enjoy this unordered review gathered from our archives of the last year.”

Why Window Replacement is Cheaper Than You Think
CalFinder Blog
“If your home’s heating isn’t running as efficiently as you’d like it to this winter, then you might consider window replacement. Inefficient windows can leak a huge percentage of heat from your home—as much as 30%—and cost you a lot of money every month. … But the idea of window replacement may seem daunting, complicated and expensive. The good news is that you can avoid all of those words by going through the window replacement process intelligently.”

Holiday Guide: 8 Table Setting and Tablescape Ideas
Casa Sugar
“After spending hours cooking the perfect Christmas dinner, you’ll want your table to look the best it possibly can. Luckily a few simple tricks, like lining the table with candles or making festive paper Christmas trees, will bring that extra touch. In this holiday guide, we’ve gathered 10 inspiring table settings that will get you thinking about your own designs. Whether you like bold metallics or understated displays, we made sure there’s something for everyone.”

Surprise Surprise Light
Design Sponge
“This “Surprise Surprise” light at Gretel Home is a fun little spin on a present-topping tradition. Made of Mylar with a white textile cord, it would be a fun piece to mount in a child’s room — or an adult’s room — next to the bed as a more playful nightlight. That corner of your room will always feel festive.”

5 Tips for Cutting Your Own Christmas Tree
Charles & Hudson
Safety first! Charles & Hudson shows you how to safely and effectively cut your own Christmas tree.

How To: Impress Everyone with Perfect Gift Wrapping
Curbly
“Because I became an expert sheet-tucker, I inadvertently became pretty darn good at wrapping presents too- the technique is one in the same.”

Holiday Ornaments: Classic
Apartment Therapy
“The holidays are the perfect time to show off your love of tradition. Even staunch modernists have been known to throw away their minimalist rules for something that reflect fond childhood memories or traditional, cultural designs.”

Can green updates increase the value of my home?
New York Times Home & Garden
“If you do just one thing, it’s probably not going to add value,” said Jeffrey Schleider, managing director of Miron Properties, a real estate company specializing in green properties, in New York. But when a number of environmentally friendly updates are implemented all together, they can help your home stand out from the crowd. “If you do five or six things as a package,” he said, “it really makes your property more appealing.”

Choose Art With a Third Dimension
Houzz.com
“If you are looking for a fresh way to add art and interest to a big blank wall, think beyond the typical framed art and picture rails (not that there’s anything wrong with those!) and add some dimension, texture, and interest with a sculptural composition. Here’s a look at how savvy designers have done this.”

Design Blogger Wish List: Cambria Bold, Managing Editor of Apartment Therapy’s Re-Nest
Curbly.com
“This holiday season, Curbly asked our friends, peers, and favorite design bloggers to stop by, have some hot cocoa, and tell us what gifts they’d like to receive this year. Today, we’re excited to welcome Cambria Bold, the managing editor of our favorite green and sustainable design blog, Apartment Therapy’s Re-Nest.”

Decorating For Christmas In The Kitchen!
The Kitchen Designer
“I’ve been thinking quite a bit about decorating the kitchen for Christmas, and that does not mean that it has to be this big, ambitious, undertaking. Chances are you already have nearly all the “ornaments” that you need on hand to do the job.”

Decorative ceiling tiles — How can I do that?
Kathy’s Remodeling Blog
“When I walk into a house with decorative ceiling tiles — the kind that look like tin or leather or some painted effect — my first is response is: Wow! And I’m not sure why. There’s just something about that look that I resonate with. But here’s the issue: Whenever I resonate with something so strongly, I tend to put that thing on a pedestal, as if it’s out of reach for the average person, like me.”

In and out: 5 up-and-coming design trends
HousingZone.com
“The industry is seeing a shift from aspirational (formal living rooms, grand foyers, soaker tubs) to the practical (open family rooms, ‘drop zones,’ steam showers), according to the Wall Street Journal. Here are five design trends to look for in the future.”

Hiring an Architect? Read This First
WSJ.com Developments blog
“There are several questions to ask an architect before design work begins. Some examples: How will the architect establish priorities and make decisions? What is the architect’s design philosophy? What services does the architect provide during construction? Can the architect provide a list of client references?”

3 Easy Ways to Cut Bathroom Remodeling Costs
CalFinder
“A new bathroom will instantly make life at home more comfortable and convenient. Over the long term, bathroom remodeling is well worth the investment, returning upwards of 70 percent of the cost of the renovation when a home is sold. Modern bathrooms are a strong selling point for homebuyers. Yet the costs for a bathroom remodel can add up quickly if homeowners aren’t cautious. Here are three easy ways to ensure that your new bathroom enhances the value of your home, both now and later.”

4 Tricks to Slim Your Heating Bill This Winter
CalFinder
“Winter is quickly approaching—and so are those rising heating bills. While it’s nearly impossible to quit central heat (especially in frigidly cold states), you may be interested to know that you can take action and reduce your heating bill by as much as 30% this winter. How? Read on to find out.”

20 Ways to Bring New Light to Your Old Jack-o’-Lantern
Casa Sugar
Check out these creative pumpkin ideas…MLuxe especially likes to glitter pumpkins!

Last-Minute Halloween Ideas
MarthaStewart.com
Who else but Martha would have creative ideas for Halloween parties?

Pumpkin Carving with Power Tools
Charles & Hudson
“Pumpkin carving can be less of a chore by tackling it with your power tools. Nothing can replace the finesse needed to carve pumpkins but for some of the tougher jobs or larger pumpkins, a little 12 or 18 volt power can make the job go much faster.”

13 Easy Halloween Party Recipes
Real Simple
“There’s no trick to concocting these tasty recipes. Just prepare for screams of delight.”

Winter Is Coming: How To Weatherize Your Home
Re-Nest
“Now is the time to weatherize your home before the heat is blasting in (and probably escaping out of) your home. Did you know that the amount of heat escaping through cracks in the average house is equivalent to having an open window year round? Inadequate insulation and air leakage are the leading causes of energy waste in homes. Cut down on the chilly drafts, reduce your heating bills, and slash your overall home energy use this winter with the following tips.”

Game Over: LED Lightblubs Win
Old House Web
“An LED is so energy efficient that it will use only $33 in energy over it’s life. The incandescent wastes so much energy in the form of heat that it does not deserve to be called a light bulb, but rather a heater that comes with an incidental light source. It will cost $176 dollars on your energy bill – and that is at current energy rates.”

15 Cool Childrens Room Decor Ideas From Vertbaudet
Digs Digs
“French company Vertbaudet produces awesome products for kids and their rooms. … These rooms feature company’s furniture and elements of decor but you can use their ideas and products of other companies if you want to. Enjoy these 15 children’s room and make your child proud of his or her room.”

3D Wall Art for your Home
Houzz.com
“Walls come alive with 3-D art. Turn a wall into a show; make a statement. Whether it is made of plastic, plaster, clay, wood, metal, or any medium including paper, I am seeing more and more interesting wall art. Take a look at these and get inspired to turn a wall into an expression of your personal style!”

Display Inspiration: Art in the Bathroom
Apartment Therapy
Prettify your potty with these ideas from Apartment Therapy.

5 Things To Consider When Buying A New Mattress
Charles and Hudson
“Here’s a few tips we picked up during the shopping and purchase process, and I thought I’d share them with you so that you, too, can enjoy a blissful night’s sleep and wake up with the energy to tackle your list of DIY projects.”

Engine Table 
Design Milk
“Currently on display at Decoratum Gallery in London, the Cylinder Radial Engine Table is made from a US Army Boeing-Stearman PT-13 engine acquired from the Canadian Museum of Flight, Langley, British Columbia. Constructed between 1936 and 1938, the innovative piece features a simple clear glass top so you can see through to the complex engine workings below.”

Two Ways to Reinvent a Serving Tray
Shelter Pop
Watch this video about reinventing or creating a serving tray!

DIY: Gemstone Cabinet Knobs
Casa Sugar
“Two decorating secrets in updating a kitchen on a dime are to change the color of the walls with a fresh coat of paint, and swap out dated cabinet knobs with new ones. In my kitchen, you don’t have to do the tedious task of unscrewing each knob to give them a fresh look. Upcycle your old knobs with a colorful collection of geodes, sea glass, or minerals and ultrapowerful glue.”

Hire a remodeling consultant? It’s something to consider
Kathy’s Remodeling Blog
“You’ve got your builders and general contractors and remodeling contractors and architects and designers and engineers and plumbers and roofers and tile setters and butchers and bakers and candlestick makers. Oh wait. Well, anyway, it can be very confusing. And that’s why consultants were invented.”

Kitchen Design: A Picture Frame for Your Backsplash
Houzz.com
“If you are looking for ideas for a traditional kitchen backsplash, consider creating a picture-frame feature above your range or cooktop. These are square or rectangular tile designs bordered by molding, much like a picture frame. Think of it as wall art for your backsplash. Here are some great examples of picture-frame backsplashes and some tips for doing this yourself.”

Your End Of Summer Home Maintenance Checklist
Charles and Hudson
“Moving into a new season typically means that there are some home maintenance tasks you can check off your to-do list. That’s especially true as we head into fall, as much of the country will begin to experience cooler temperatures before winter’s frigid grip takes hold. To make sure your home is in tip-top shape, consider tackling some of these checklist items.”

5 Little-Known Ways to Save on Your Kitchen Remodel
CalFinder Blog
“Once you’ve made the decision to remodel your kitchen, the next challenge may be to find the right balance between getting all the features you want and making costs manageable. Keeping in mind the five P’s – planning, priorities, proportion, placement, and professional – can help you accomplish your goals.”

When it comes to energy waste, tech is hero and villain
CNN.com
“In this day and age, we’ve come to expect that technology will help us save electricity, not waste it. But when it comes to electronics, there are glaring exceptions to the rule that more technology makes our lives more efficient.
It seems technology has become simultaneously the hero and villain of the energy-efficiency movement.”

5 Outstanding Billiard Room Designs
DigsDigs
“Your main concern is to make it comfortable so the game was enjoyable for you and your guests. If home billiard room is laid out poorly the process of playing may become uncomfortable or people won’t be able to socialize well. Socialization is one of the main purposes of this game so make it possible in your billiard room.”

20 Great Examples of Transitions in Flooring
Houzz.com
“One problem my clients ask me about is how to decide where to start and stop flooring when you want to change the material. Especially in open plan homes this can be a real puzzler. Challenges can also arise when you want to replace flooring in part of the home, but aren’t ready to put new flooring throughout the entire home. Handle it wrong and your home looks like a patchwork quilt — and not in a good way!”

10 Home Projects You Should Never DIY
DIY Life
“Obviously, we love all things DIY! But some home projects are just not worth doing on your own: Whether for time, cost or safety reasons. I asked Jeff Kaliner, co-founder of the Power Home Remodeling Group (the fourth largest home remodeling company in the nation) for his opinion on what should be left to the pros.”

Home Improvements that Stand the Test of Time
CalFinder Blog
“The benefits of home improvement, especially in this uncertain economy, really can’t be stressed enough. In addition to yielding a return on investment with plentiful energy savings (and an increase in your home’s net worth), there are more practical benefits. Use these guidelines to learn what your home stands to gain the most from.”

Before and After: The Kitchen
The Bee Hive Blog
A stunning set of before-and-after photos of a gorgeous kitchen remodel. You’ll hardly believe your eyes.