Sheets — How to choose and care for bed sheets
Do you love your bed sheets? Have you ever slept on sheets that you thought were perfect — just the right weight and texture — and wondered what made them …
Taking good care of your stove and oven — How to maintain and clean your range
One holiday, when we were hosting Thanksgiving for the family, I discovered (much too late) that my oven desperately needed cleaning. Just as guests were arriving and I was heating …
Candles — Choosing and caring for them
When we had a mantle (of sorts) in our last home, I’d usher in each season with a swap of candle colors. Spring tapers were the colors of pastel eggs, …
How to store medicines and supplements
Did you know that the bathroom is a terrible place to store your medicines and supplements? So much for medicine cabinets! Heat and moisture in the bathroom can quickly deteriorate …
How to clean grout
Cleaning grout on a tile floor — or backsplash or wall — isn’t something most of us look forward to. But it’s a task that can transform a space! Why …
Buying used furniture — How to decide if you should purchase a piece of used furniture
My favorite pieces of furniture over the years have been those I “discovered” used, with plenty of miles on them before my adoption. A comfy, down-filled chair. An antique cabinet …
Wicker — How to clean and care for wicker items
Have any wicker in your home? Baskets, tables, indoor furniture or out? Maybe yours is a brand-new purchase, or maybe it’s been around since the seventies — wicker is long-lasting …
How to store Christmas decorations
How do you feel when it’s time to put away your holiday décor? Does it make you a little sad, or are you eager to get everything back to “normal?” …
How to clean a lampshade
Some things look fine — better even — with a little patina on them. Lampshades aren’t one of them. Dusty or stained lampshades look dingy and sad. Yet they’re not …
How to take good care of scissors
I love good scissors! Big shiny shears, tiny thread cutters, embroidery snips that look like storks. I like having just-the-right kind handy, so I currently have scissors in my purse, …