Know Which Hues are Easier to Work with . . .

Pick-a-Paint Help: How to Quit Procrastinating on Color Choice. Know which hues are easier to work with. If you've had bum luck choosing paint colors in the past, it could be that you were making things harder on yourself than was necessary. Some colors, like pink, are especially difficult to get just right. Neutral hues like gray, beige and soft browns, as well as pale, silvery blues are quite forgiving. 

This room: Coventry Gray

It's OK to Not have Colorful Paint . . .

Pick-a-Paint Help: How to Quit Procrastinating on Color Choice. It's OK to not have colorful paint. Give yourself permission to skip the color deliberations and just go with white. It's fresh, classic and easy, and it goes with everything. If you've been putting off choosing paint colors for years, perhaps it's time to let yourself off the hook.

Ranch House Love 'Scenes III' . . .

Ranch House Love 'Scenes II' . . .

Ranch House Love . . .

Invest in a New Front Door . . .

Tip: Invest in a new front door. This is one of the biggest factors in creating curb appeal and makes a great first impression. Translucent glass panes let in the light while providing privacy here, and the clean, modern lines suit the home's streamlined style inside and out.

Contemporary Entry

Grow Your Own Oregano and Marjoram . . .

Planting and care: Herb Garden Essentials, Grow Your Own Oregano and Marjoram. Choose a spot in full sun once all the danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature is fairly warm. The plants aren’t fussy about soil types but do require good drainage. Amend the soil before planting, then space seedlings about 12 inches apart for sweet marjoram and 12 to 18 inches apart for oregano. You can also grow oregano and sweet marjoram in pots at least 6 inches wide.

To keep the plants from getting woody, cut them back to 4 to 6 inches about a month after planting, then again in midsummer and early fall if growing them as perennials. Cut back completely or divide every few years to rejuvenate the plants and fertilize lightly once a year in the spring. 

Pests and diseases generally don’t bother oregano, though there are occasional problems with rots, spider mites and aphids. Sweet marjoram is similarly trouble free, though whiteflies and rust may sometimes cause problems.

Choose An Extra-large Sink . . .

Kitchen Organizing Ideas for Messy Cooks. Choose an extra-large sink. As cooking progresses, dirty dishes mount. An oversize sink can corral them and keep them below eye level. Apron-front and single-bowl models work especially well.

Traditional Kitchen

Architectural . . .

Architectural. Add a one-of-a-kind architectural detail to your apron front for a custom look without the price tag of a stylized sink. A molding detail, like the one in this photo, works well in a kitchen with tons of architectural detail.

Traditional Kitchen 

Go For Lots Of Natural Light . . .

Go for lots of natural light. Your body relies on light as its cue to snap into gear. The more windows you have near your bed, the better. If you live in a secluded setting such as this, you can leave them bare so as not to block a speck of sun; just be sure that your outdoor surroundings are dark enough not to keep you awake at night.

Contemporary Bedroom by Kirkland Architects & Designers Thielsen Architects, Inc. P.S.

Well, OK, not Really. But it's a Nice thought . . .

Place your alarm clock somewhere pleasant. If I had that view to wake up to, I might look forward to the alarm's going off. (Well, OK, not really. But it's a nice thought.) Place your alarm clock on a windowsill or in front of a favorite piece of art - something that stimulates those half-open eyes.

Modern Bedroom by Boston Architects & Designers ZeroEnergy Design

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The Good News n The Bad News . . .

The good news: You've finally settled on a tile backsplash. The bad news: The selection process has just begun. Cement, subway, mosaic, patterned or laser cut? This guide will give you the pros and cons for each one, along with styling tips.

Eclectic Kitchen by Philadelphia General Contractors Kenny Grono

See the Full Tour . . .

See the full tour: A Family of 4 Unwinds in 540 Square Feet

Mix and match . . .

Mix and match. Combining the contemporary lines of a fountain and koi pond with the relaxed feel of shaded woodland punctuated by wood steps and retaining walls results in the perfect spot to while away the summer days. Just add your beverage of choice.

Moving From the Living Spaces to the Outdoors Now Occurs Via Sliding Glass Doors Set into the Larger Windows . . .

Moving from the living spaces to the outdoors now occurs via sliding glass doors set into the larger windows, rather than by a swinging door. From here we'll step inside the door in the foreground to look at the living room. 

Tile "Rugs" Floors Can Also be Arranged to Create a tile Framework in the Center Of a Room that Mimics the Look Of a Rug . . .

Tile "Rugs" Floors can also be arranged to create a tile framework in the center of a room that mimics the look of a rug. This can be achieved with a mosaic tile border, filled with more field tile.

The Color Helps us Chill Out before Sleep . . .

The study surmises that since blue has long been associated with feelings of calmness - water, blue sky etc. - the color helps us chill out before sleep.

In the New Addition . . .

In the new addition, the cool kitchen has matte white cabinetry and stainless steel set against a backdrop of original brick that's been treated with thinned cement.

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think About the View in your Bathroom and How Big your Bathroom Will be . . .

Personally, I don't like tubs that are oversize. I find a tub longer than 5 feet hard to relax in - I prefer my feet to be able to press against the far side so I don't slide down when sitting. But everyone's different, which again is why it's important to sit in a tub before buying it.

Think about the view in your bathroom and how big your bathroom will be. Try to plan your layout so you can look out a window or into your bathroom, instead of looking at a blank back wall.

Tip: Avoid massive spa tubs if your home has a tiny hot-water tank, unless you're ready to replace the tank. Odds are, a small tank won't be able to handle a gigantic tub. 

Most Spa tubs Come With a Water Pump . . .

This spa tub is a drop-in model. Unlike a freestanding tub, it's "dropped" into a custom surround. Both freestanding and drop-in tubs create unique installation challenges.

Most spa tubs come with a water pump, a heating system or an air system. Before installing any of those systems or the tub, make sure you test them out first. The last thing you'd want is to find out you have leaks or your spa jets won't work after installation.

Tip: Surrounds for drop-in tubs provide space beneath for things like the spa's heater and pump. With a freestanding tub, you need to place these elsewhere, and sometimes this just isn't feasible.

Bring Color Outside With Cut Flowers . . .

Bring color outside with cut flowers. The next time you are cutting blooms from the garden or scooping up a market bouquet, why not take a few extra for the porch? Vases of flowers or even a small posy would be unexpected and totally charming on the porch - you can sit and appreciate the blooms as you sip your morning coffee. 

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think About the Space's Overall Purpose . . .

As you start your living room remodel, think about the space's overall purpose. If it's going to have a more formal feel, adding an elegant fireplace mantel might be a worthy investment, while a built-in TV console would work best in a more low-key setting. Once you determine the overall tone, consider what kind of storage would work best. Built-in bookshelves and cabinets are great additions, regardless of formality, while a desk, table or booth ensure there is plenty of space for family game night or homework help. Finally, be sure to bring some personality to the space by including fun decor, such as rugs, artwork, curtains and lighting.

What should I use my living room for?

If you already have a family room for more low-key activities, your living room can act as a more sophisticated setting for hosting and entertaining. To get the look, buy a bar cart, formal furniture like wingback armchairs and chesterfield sofas, and mahogany wood bookshelves and coffee tables. Use the fireplace as your focal point by opting for an eye-catching, sophisticated mantel. On the other hand, if it's your primary living space, it should be used more like a TV room, complete with sofa sectional, media console and gaming spot. In the end, think about your needs; after all, a family with small children will use a playroom more than a formal sitting room.

What kind of built-ins should I add to my living room?

Because this room serves many purposes, be sure to incorporate plenty of shelves, cabinets and drawers to accommodate all your goodies. While more expensive, built-ins are the best way to do this, since they take up less space and are often customized to meet your needs. A built-in entertainment center is great for housing your TV, movies, video games and small electronics, while bookcases keep your books, picture frames and knickknacks in check. A desk, booth or large table can act as a craft station or homework spot, while a window seat can quickly become your go-to reading or nap station.

How do I decorate my living room?

When decorating your space, don't be afraid of bright colors, but don't go overboard either. Stick with neutral sofas, armchairs and ottomans and go bold with accessories - that way, you can easily swap out the small things when a new color scheme is in order. Picture frames, rugs, throw pillows and curtains are all great for adding color, while mirrors, table lamps and ceiling lights can help light flow throughout the space. Hang colorful contemporary artwork on the walls, and even add an accent wall by choosing a trendy new paint color.

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Contemporary Living Room . . .

Depending on your home layout, your contemporary living room can serve many different functions. If you have a family room, it is often a formal sitting area or parlor used for reading, relaxing and entertaining guests. If it's the only living space you have, it's also used for watching TV, playing games and spending time with family. Regardless of its purpose, any good space has a comfortable sofa or sectional, a coffee table and a focal point, such as a fireplace or entertainment center (maybe even both!)

Desert Willow Fits Well into Smaller Areas, making it a Great Patio tree . . .

How to use it. Desert willow is very versatile in the landscape and can be grown as a large shrub or a small to medium-size tree. It is most popularly grown as a multitrunk tree, where it provides light filtered shade throughout the summer months. Place it where you can view it from a window and watch the hummingbirds visit the nectar-rich flowers. 

Desert willow fits well into smaller areas, making it a great patio tree. For a large, informal hedge, allow it to grow into its natural form.

Pair desert willow with summer-flowering plants such as trailing lantana (Lantana montevidensis), Baja ruellia (Ruellia peninsularis) and angelita daisy (Tetraneuris acaulis) for a stunning summer landscape. 

Custom Walnut Wood Cabinetry Without Visible Hardware . . .

Interior designer Paula Guerra . . . @1WC'sChannel

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i.trade Sony 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD TV . . .

 Ultrahigh-Definition 4K TVs Sharpen Their Sights on the Home

But let’s face it: That’s not a very compelling proposition, especially given that 4K content is so hard to come by. For now only a tiny selection of 4K movies is on the market. YouTube and a few other online streaming video services support 4K. And there are prosumer (producer-consumer) and extreme-sports cameras that capture content at 4K resolutions. But most 4K TV owners are just watching Blu-ray movies upscaled in software to 4K. That's a computer trick that 4K TVs can do that makes HD movies higher quality, although not 4K quality.

New options emerging

The content situation is slowly improving, but the cost of 4K is getting better faster. Just recently new options for 4K have emerged, and they’re a lot more affordable. If you dismissed 4K as an impossible luxury for the very rich, it’s time to take another look. Here’s what’s new.

Sony is at the forefront of bringing down the price of high-quality 4K TV sets. While its flagship 84-inch set cost $25,000 at its introduction, its new 55-inch TV retails for $4,999.

The Sony 55-inch 4K Ultra HD TV has a sleek, minimalist, modern look, with 65-watt speakers built into the chassis on either side of the screen. The set also performs upscaling, which displays ordinary Blu-ray movies at a higher resolution than they appear on HD sets.

It also comes with four pairs of 3-D glasses.

It Would be Lovely Nn a Guest Bedroom . . .

 This fabric from Charlotte Moss' new collection has a gorgeous, feminine silhouette print. And I love this shade of cornflower blue.  Unabashedly feminine, this floral is bursting with beautiful soft blooms. It would be lovely in a guest bedroom.

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