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Share ideas and learn about the latest in home improvement and décor from Tom and Leslie.

Money Pit Blogs

10 Million Dollar Prize Winning Light Bulb Ready for Sale

Mon, 08/15/2011 - 16:26 - Tom Kraeutler

With the expected phase out of incandescent bulbs beginning with the 100 watt bulb at the end of this year, competition is hot for a new wave of energy efficient light bulbs that delivers the shine without the ka-ching of high energy bills.  And a competition with a 10 million dollar prize is...

Kitchen Design Trends: What's Now and What's Next?

Sun, 08/14/2011 - 11:04 - Tom Kraeutler

How will today’s social, economic and generational conditions impact kitchen design? That question is the focus of “GenShift 2011: Lifestages Redefining the Kitchen,” a study from Masco Cabinetry based on an online survey of 1,027 U.S. homeowners ages 18-65.

The study identifies changes in...

Add a Skylight to Brighten a Room and Save on Energy

Fri, 08/12/2011 - 19:42 - Leslie Segrete

What can you add to your home to help make it seem more spacious, save you money and possibly help your health? A skylight! Skylights open rooms up to natural light, make small spaces seem larger and create energy efficient possibilities that may help lower your utility bills. Plus, it will take...

Easy to Make Wall Organizer

Fri, 08/12/2011 - 19:29 - Leslie Segrete

Need a new way to get and stay organized? A good place to start might be to get all that clutter off your desk and onto the wall where it’s easy to see and easily accessible. But there’s got to be a method to your madness. If you just start tacking everything up on the wall, then it’s a whole...

7 Simple Ways to Stay Cool

Fri, 07/22/2011 - 11:22 - Tom Kraeutler

With near-record breaking temperatures across the country, smart homeowners can still stay cool and cut costs with these seven simple tips from the Edison Electric Institute:

  • Set the thermostat at 78 degrees or higher when the house is occupied, and at 85 degrees when no one’s home (you’ll...

EPA to Review Chemicals Used in Home Improvement Products: Paint, Adhesives to be Evaluated

Wed, 07/13/2011 - 12:09 - Tom Kraeutler

There's now one more good reason to "go green" when choosing your home improvement products.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing a new rule to protect consumers by requiring companies to report new uses of chemicals known as glymes in consumer products. Glymes are chemicals...

Choosing Paint Color: A Little goes a Long Way

Fri, 07/01/2011 - 17:02 - Tom Kraeutler

If you are like most people, when you think of interior painting, you tend to think of having to paint an entire room. But just a small amount of paint color can inject creative accents into your home decor and spice up your home's interior. You can use paint color to give a room style and...

Rainwater Collection Saves Money

Thu, 05/05/2011 - 18:21 - Leslie Segrete

When it rains, it pours… and when it doesn’t, your lawn and garden can really suffer.  But here’s an idea for saving water for not-so-rainy days: consider using a rainwater collection system. A rainwater collection system is a great way to reduce costs associated with keeping your lawn and...

Tile on a Budget? Low-Cost Tricks for a Luxury Look

Thu, 04/28/2011 - 11:08 - Leslie Segrete

Are you remodeling your kitchen, or redecorating your bathroom?  We know you’re counting every dollar on this project.  The good news is, when you’re low on budget by high on design dreams, there is a sneaky trick to saving money on tile actually has great aesthetic impact. First, choose a...

Get a Whiff of This: Survey Names Ten Worst Odors

Mon, 04/25/2011 - 08:10 - Tom Kraeutler

Call them “America’s Most Unwanted.” They’ve been known to hold entire households hostage, causing shortness of breath, nausea and panic in their victims. At the very least, they keep “home sweet home” from smelling so sweet. The culprits are household odors, and these are the worst of the...