If you’re thinking about adding some upgrades to your home or farm this year and you’ve decided to add a black pole barn to your property, then you should be aware that there are many choices. With so many choices available, choosing the perfect black pole barn can be difficult, though it doesn’t have to …

Looking for something that can be a real show-stopper in your home? Consider adding mahogany flooring. While mahogany is undoubtedly an exotic hardwood, some options don’t cost nearly as much as you may think. With the right combination of material choice and structure, installing a floor that looks like a million bucks on a moderate …

For new homeowners, there are many aspects of a house that are uncharted territory. Venting, for instance, is often something people don’t know much about despite how important it is. To be honest, an uneducated choice has the potential to make or break your house. As a general rule, crawl-space vents should be open in …

Lights and electric wiring can be a real pain, can’t they? For an electrician, everything makes sense. For the rest of us, it’s all just a tangle of wires and currents. That’s why I’ve done the research to help both of us out! So, what exactly does it mean when the lights in your home …

Do you find it strange when a house does or doesn’t have a basement? As someone living in the United States’ Tornado Alley, I have come to expect a basement in every house I visit or move into. The fact that there are some places where basements aren’t common was surprising! Where are they? Where …

Shiplap seems to be everywhere in home design magazines and on renovation shows. It’s one of those things you either love or hate, but this is a design staple that’s clearly loved by many. If you’re not sure which side you’re on, you probably want to know one thing; why is shiplap so popular? As …

One of the most sought-after countertops available on the market is quartz. Along with its elegant appearance, one of quartz’s main selling points is that it stands up well against scratches and stains. But does quartz live up to the hype?  As a general rule, quartz countertops are resistant to most stains because of their …

Countertops are a visual focal point of the kitchen. In addition to being a food prep area, they are also a design element. If your countertops keep you from loving your kitchen, you are in the right place. We have put together a great guide to walk you through all the options to change your …

The surge in farmhouse-style interior design over the last few years has made shiplap a design staple. Homeowners now want to use it in nearly every room of the house, including the bathroom. But is shiplap ok to use in the bathroom? As a general rule, wood shiplap can be installed in a bathroom if …

Fences are practical and functional, helping us to define a space around our homes. Fences add protection, security and can help keep our pets and children safe. Adding lighting to your fencing can not only create a beautiful yard but can also increase safety throughout your exterior. Fence lighting doesn’t have to be stark and …

Vinyl fences happen to be solid and weather-resistant, so the same worries about vines growing on wooden fences do not apply to them. But because the surface area is nonporous, like many other fence materials, you may be winding if ivy will climb a vinyl fence? Due to their durability, vinyl fences are ideal for …

The thing about brightly colored front doors is that they make a statement no matter the size of the house. The great thing is that front doors will come in all shapes and sizes. There’s nothing that I love more than a door that offers me a great deal of variety. While it’s uncommon for …

When I first announced that I was intending to paint our house black, I received one of two reactions: “Wow!” That’s going to be fantastic!” or else they’d look at me as if I’d gone insane. Regardless, we painted our black brick house, and let me tell you, it looks fantastic. Actually, it appears to …

If you have a basement or cellar, you are probably thinking about basement doors and windows. Your basement is a part of your living space, and there are a number of factors you should consider when looking for basement doors. Even though aesthetics and security should be at the top of your priority list, you …

Are you looking for a quality countertop for your kitchen? If so, you may have thought about going with a bluestone slab. Lots of people love a bluestone countertop because it matches with a lot of decorating styles, is incredibly durable, and can be customized to meet your needs. At the same time, if you …

Perfect for your living room, a light wood coffee table brings an elegant appeal to your home decor. Light wood coffee tables are often made from oak, pine, cherry, or mahogany and are typically found with a finish that compliments the natural grain (sometimes left on one side) of the wood used. It’s a coffee …

If you’ve ever experienced an unpleasant odor in your bathroom, you know how horrible and embarrassing it can be, especially when you have guests over. Even worse is when your bathroom smells like sewer.  But what makes a bathroom smell like sewer in the first place? In general, bathrooms smell like a sewer from clogged …

If you’re house hunting and looking to narrow down your options, you may want to know why backyards are important and how they affect your life as a homeowner or rentee.  In general, backyards offer lifelong benefits that increase the overall quality of life for homeowners, children, and pets, while also increasing the value of …

Are you wondering why Texas housing is considerably cheaper than the rest of the United States? You’ve come to the right place! In this article, I will cover why Texas has such low housing costs, if Texas is an affordable state to live in, the state’s safety, if it is worth living in Texas, and …

Small appliances are a dream come true for homeowners with smaller kitchens. Homeowners that are looking to create a space saving design have lots of options for small appliances that can help them get the most out of their kitchen. Of all kitchen appliances, perhaps none is more important than the kitchen oven! The oven …