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Stories tagged: home

Decor that brings the luxe outside

Innovations in design, materials and manufacturing have had a big impact on home decor – outdoors as well as in.

Assessed value and your tax bill: Government spending has greatest impact on how much you pay

Property taxes and the tortured terminology surrounding them leave many homeowners confused. In the end, though, it’s pretty simple.

UPDATED: Mon., April 30, 2018, 4:23 p.m.

Realtors say Zillow, other websites are inaccurate and confusing but lead buyers to those in the know

Zillow is a useful, if imperfect, tool for home hunters. But real estate agents aren’t really happy about its dominance, even if they recognize the role Zillow and other online …

Ask The Builder: Rock retaining walls pit friction against gravity

Tim Carter answers questions about retaining walls, grout.

Design Recipes: How to lighten, brighten your home this spring

If you are looking for some ways to brighten and lighten your home this spring, here are some of our top tips.

‘Genuine leather?’ ‘Real wood?’ How to read furniture labels

Terms such as “genuine leather” and “real wood,” which seem straightforward enough, can be industry code-words for composite materials.

Spokane area home prices continue ascent

Average home prices in the Spokane area continue to rise, reflecting demand for homes and a declining inventory.

What’s old is new again: Home decor rethinks its materials

“We’re potentially on the brink of a materials revolution that could help rebalance our relationship with our planet and reshape society for the better. Consumers are looking for brands and …

In the Garden: Learn about orchids at annual show and sale

Next weekend, the Spokane Orchid Society will put on their annual Orchid Show & Sale at the Spokane Community College Lair and it’s a sure thing attendees will swoon over …

In the garden: Pruning correctly helps keep trees and shrubs healthy

“It’s something of a myth that pruning needs to be done every year,” said Tim Kohlhauff of the WSU/Spokane County Extension. “It should only be done if it accomplishes a …

The latest apps for home layouts, inside and out

Planning out how to arrange furniture in your home – or plants in your garden – used to involve a pencil, graph paper, a measuring tape and a lot of …

Ask the Builder: Workmanship errors can cost thousands of dollars down the road

This column was inspired by two expensive mistakes, one by a home builder and one by a home service installer. In both instances, an hour or two of extra time …

Tom Kelly: Be honest about remodel needs for aging in place

Before deciding on and executing the typical major renovations – roof, bathroom and kitchen – plus other applications that are often needed to age in place, remember that any renovation …

Ask The Builder: Doing due diligence is part of hiring a contractor

You should never ever hope that everything in your new home is going to be done the best possible way or to the highest level you can afford.

Dramatic bedtime story: Comforters, duvets get bolder

Colored, textured and patterned comforters and duvets are telling a dramatic bedtime story these days.

10 ways to use more color in your space

Color can both attract and repel. It can also serve as a creative way to add energy and interest into your home. Afraid to use color? Well, you are not …

Ask the Builder: Getting help with flood-damaged floors and other home-improvement headaches

Each day, through the “Ask Tim” page at my website, I get questions from readers like you and folks that find me on the Internet.

UPDATED: Mon., Feb. 19, 2018, 7:46 p.m.

Future smart homes will have roll-up TVs, a brain-wave bath

Technology may come and go, but some things never change. In the not-so-distant future, cars will drive themselves and other things may become obsolete, but home will always be home. …

Artistry on the floor: Rugs and tile bring design impact

There was a time when designers and decorators considered floor coverings to be background elements in a room. Rugs and tile were meant to be practical, not attention-getting. That’s changed.

Design Recipes: All that glitters is gold (accents)

Gold has long been associated with luxury and glamour. And it’s currently one of the hottest and most utilized finishes in home decor. Gold or brass accents remain more popular …

Suzani style: Persian quilt design is having a moment in the U.S. – and not just on beds

In recent months, several decorating books have been published that examine the interiors of some of the world’s most enviable stylemakers. Many of the featured projects, particularly the more bohemian …

Spokane workshops spotlight historic barn, schoolhouse remodels

Spokane Preservation Advocates offer three adaptive reuse workshops in February.

Ask The Builder: Advice for architects to be, and for those who hire them

The gentleman wanted to know the best books I’d recommend about building and construction for young architecture students. You might think my first reaction would be to provide a few …

Design Recipes: How to use pillows to boost your home’s look

Instead of being an afterthought, toss pillows can and should complete a color story, serve as an opportunity to bring in graphics and texture as well as serve as a …

Right at home: Nurseries worthy of a Bohemian lullaby

Many parents and designers are looking to inject nurseries with a quirkier style sense, creating spaces that encourage creativity and individuality.

Ask the builder: Who’s to blame for major construction mistakes?

My builder really goofed up my new home. A room at the corner of the house next to the front door had its roof installed too low. The mistake is …

Growing citrus indoors takes patience, pays off handsomely

Interest in growing edibles and diverse plants has helped make citrus trees more popular and available. Would-be growers can find a variety of lemon, lime and orange trees from which …

Ask the Builder: Good ventilation is key to keeping attic free from mold

I’m so confused. I’ve spent hours online reading all sorts of stuff about attic ventilation. There’s all sorts of conflicting information out there.

Ask the Builder: Translucent window film adds to privacy in bathroom

I grew up in an older home that had unique pressed glass in the bathroom windows. It allowed lots of light in the room, and you didn’t have to put …

A naval architect adapts boatbuilding techniques to create an otherworldly lunar lander

Houston, we have a project. Technically, it is not a starship, but it certainly has proved quite the enterprise.