Jerry Wendt, Realtor

Many homeowners are cautious about going too bold in their kitchen design for things like cabinet color, countertop material and backsplash design. Which makes sense. A kitchen renovation is a big investment, and many people don’t want to regret a big design decision that’s difficult to change later.... read more

The preliminary space-planning and schematic design phase is the most important part of any kitchen remodel. A kitchen can be filled with beautiful materials and finishes, but... read more

Home improvements always pay off come selling time, right? Turns out it's all relative. read more

The classic kitchen work triangle organizes foot traffic from the fridge to the sink to the stove, in an attempt to make cooking and preparing meals flow more smoothly. But what about the other major, although sometimes smaller, appliances that many of us use every day? Take the microwave, for example.... read more

Consider how beneficial planting a tree can be. Trees shade and cool our homes and streets, helping to mitigate the heat island effect and reduce reliance on air conditioning and other energy consumers. Trees also provide food and habitat to wildlife, capture carbon dioxide from the air, provide natural... read more

A family’s move to the ocean side of the freeway inspires a coastal-inspired color palette. read more

In addition to creating inspiring outdoor spaces and dreamworthy gardens, landscape designers and architects also make our yards more sustainable and earth-friendly. We spoke with several landscape designers on Houzz who described how installing rain gardens, converting lawns to native meadows, planting... read more

The nation's homebuilders are feeling better about the state of their industry as lower interest rates boost consumer confidence. read more

A recent survey of buyers in their 50s found that downsizing isn’t on their agenda. Instead, they’re seeking more space and tranquility. read more

Natural wood is a lovely choice for adding warmth and texture to garden structures like raised beds, fences, decks and trellises. Much lumber is chemically treated to prevent it from rotting. However, some woods have superior rot resistance naturally and can be used outdoors without chemical treatment.... read more

Gardens on a grand scale can be gorgeous, to be sure, but they are not without their drawbacks. They can be pricey to install and labor-intensive to maintain, and they need huge amounts of water to stay green. A small garden, however, can be just as charming and rewarding to spend time in, but with far... read more

Submitted by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) 1. Declutter & Clean The first step to sprucing up the outdoor living room is to clear dirt and clutter from the space. Store lawn equipment, children’s toys, and pet play things in a shed or garage. Give the entire area a good scrub down, sweeping away dust […] read more

Publicly and privately funded construction put in place in March had an estimated value of $1.282 trillion on a seasonally adjusted annual basis. This is up 0.9 percent from the February total of $1.293 trillion but is down 0.8 percent from March 2018. On a non-adjusted basis there was $98.355 billion spent during the month compared to $90.445 billion in February. On a year-to-date (YTD) basis spending totals $277.667 billion, down 0.2 percent compared to the first three months of 2018. Privately funded construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $961.5 billion, 0.7 percent less than the rate ($968.584 billion) in February. The February number was down 3.6 percent from spending in March of last year. YTD spending is also down from last year, a deficit of 2.6 percent. Spending in...(read more)Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it. read more

This series looks back at iconic designs from each decade, starting in 1900. This installment covers works by such midcentury luminaries as George Nelson, Isamu Noguchi,... read more

Feeling tired and overcommitted? It’s possible that a few new habits and changes around your house can help you fix that. Here are eight ideas to try. read more

“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” — Frank Lloyd WrightHomeowners and designers continue to be inspired to design houses that are more “earth-friendly.” Our approach often focuses on energy efficiency, as we use enhanced insulating materials and... read more

After their kids moved out, this couple felt that the timing was right to fully renovate their two small bathrooms for themselves. She took over the 40-square-foot master bathroom, and he took over the 30-square-foot hall bathroom. Interior designer Carolyn Elleman of Case... read more