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.