IndyStar.com: Home & Garden
Indiana's leading news source for all the top stories, local news, sports and weather.
Geothermal savings negate upfront costs
I would have to totally diagree. No doubt that...
Highlights from High Point
The venerable furniture mart offers traditional with a twist HIGH POINT, N.C. — New furniture introduced at the recent High Point Furniture Market reflected this year’s queasy economy, with tried-and-true traditional furnishings emerging...
Pillow will bolster your home's stylish decor
Custom pillows can accentuate your design style like a pair of extraordinary earrings can complement a little black dress. Square and rectangular pillows are plentiful, inexpensive and generic. If you can’t make them, you can undoubtedly find...
Use detergent to erase marks from sidewalk
Dear Heloise: I usually let my young children draw on the sidewalk outside our house with chalk. The other day, without me knowing, they grabbed permanent markers instead of chalk and drew on the sidewalk! Can you help? The homeowners association is...
Fine lamps' price tags are no laughing matter
hooo!!! and haaa!!! fixtures are worth thousands with a little assist from baccarat So you want to impress your neighbors? How about a lamp worth as much as a house? Introducing perhaps the most spectacular lamps on the planet — the whimsically...
Simply put, it's living without any regrets
Indianapolis family takes steps to keep footprint small What they do “Live simply so that others may simply live.” — Mahatma Gandhi Living simply has varying definitions for various people and does not deprive people of their needs...
What's new
Watch out. Black is back From picture frames to side tables, black is back, bigger than ever. “The old decorating standard of classic black has returned to the scene,” said Karl Lohnes, interior designer and TV host. In the 1980s, black...
Use versatile dill for your garden fill
Dill, one of the most versatile plants in the garden and one that ranks high for attracting pollinating insects, has earned Herb of the Year for 2010. The honor was given by the Herb Society of America (www.herb society.org). Dill ( Anethum...
Home + Garden calendar
Christmas at Lilly House 11 a.m. today, noon Sunday Oldfields-Lilly House and Gardens, 4000 Michigan Road. Hundreds of flickering luminaria in the gardens, live seasonal music and hot beverages. Free. (317) 923-1331.
Is your home ready for winter?
The first day of winter is Dec. 21, but Indiana never fails to surprise residents with an early cold spell. So, now is the time to get your home ready for snow, ice and below-zero temperatures. “It makes sense to winterize your home because...
Community centerpiece
When Tom and Jenny Godby bought their home in October 2005, they made a commitment to use their special place to benefit others. Since then, the home has been the setting for fundraising events, including a recent wine tasting to benefit...
Designer will ensure your remodel is what you want
Q: How do I hire an interior designer for my remodeling project? A: Finally! The decision has been made: You’re going to remodel your home. Now what? If you’re like most people, it took all you had to bite the bullet and decide to move...
Downstairs master suites add convenience, luxury
Master-down floorplans, in which the master bedroom is on the main floor, have been around for some time. But according to Dick Young, president and CEO of Baywater Homes, the layout’s popularity is rising. “It used to be that only older...
4 easy steps to reduce insurance premiums
Recession or recovery, there never is a bad time to save money. With the potential to save thousands of dollars over the course of a 20- or 30-year mortgage and beyond, the time to start saving is now. With that in mind, here are four things you can...
What's new
These boots are made for sloshin’ Are you tired of having the hem of your pants dragging in rain puddles? Chooka rain boots are not just protection for your feet; they’re stylish to fit your personality. From bold plaids to buckles,...
Family relies heavily on discarded materials to restore their Victorian home
Kurt and Greta Meyer’s 140-year-old Noblesville home is testimony to the adage, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. The renovated Victorian-style home beckons visitors with its expansive front porch and warm exterior colors....
Project lets you create a masterpiece
The art department at Michael’s was abuzz this weekend with amateur artists excited to try their hand at painting a canvas for their home. Undoubtedly, some were probably going to go home and paint a magnificent and realistic scene. But for...
Keep ducts from becoming dustbins
Cleaning out system might help you breathe easier Don Gorney recently had to replace the furnace in his Indianapolis home and subsequently had its air ducts cleaned for the first time in his 11 years living there. “We decided that this would be...
Family's health conditions helped point way to eco-friendly lifestyle
The process of our family becoming green has evolved from pastel green to a bright Kelly green and many shades in between. The eco-friendly movement is countered by microwavable plastic containers, disposable cell phones and the new Dallas Cowboys...
When theology meets ecology
“When you talk to church members, they look at it...
Pavers don't need sealing
I do not agree with this response. Sealers are...
Paint it green
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air. In fact, it’s considered one of the top five hazards to human health in the U.S. The best way to combat this danger is to cover your...
Family gathers inside or out with loads of activity space
In the process of relocating to Indianapolis in 2001, Steve and Jody Rose toured beautiful homes in Carmel and Fishers, but they never felt that these communities were a perfect fit. Driving home in rush-hour traffic one evening, Steve decided to...
Be careful when hiring a contractor to repair fire damage
Q: If my home has fire damage, what steps should I take? A: The first thing to do is take a deep breath and realize that everything can be repaired. Then call your insurance agent or the claim-reporting number for your insurance company. A claims...
Simple steps make fires burn stronger, safer
If you love to curl up near a fire on cold winter nights, don’t forget to schedule regular fireplace maintenance. Take these steps to bask in worry-free warmth this winter. Make friends with a sweep The Chimney Safety Institute of America...
Storm warnings
Be picky about hiring cleanup help Janna Shisler is all too familiar with the destructive damage Central Indiana storms can cause. In a period of three years, the Warren Township resident had damage to her roof and lost several trees because of...
Family takes steps to be kind to Mother Earth
Home leaves smaller footprint while providing a teaching tool My husband, Michael Greven, and I moved to a rural area near Columbus in 1992 to live closer to the earth and to teach our children about respecting nature. Since then, our lifestyle has...
Cork trivet is a hot idea
Today, I’m upcycling a bag of wine corks (compliments of my crafty sister-in-law) into an eco-hip crisscross cork trivet to use on the Thanksgiving table. Since Thanksgiving has become my family’s official favorite holiday, I really enjoy...
What's new
Decorate it yourself Whether you’re planning to stage your house for sale, or planning for holiday guests, Speed Decorating (Taunton Press, $21.95) will help you make your house look great fast. Professional stager Jill Vegas offers decorating...
Dig it in black
Create your own garden of ghoul with Vampire Orchids, Devil’s Tongue and more Black accessories have always been in vogue, and black accents are ageless in any style of home decor. Now, a West Coast native is re-introducing black into the...
