Online Features
Home Improvement
Concrete challenges of converting basements or garages to living space
For homeowners looking to improve the value of their homes - and cope with the needs of multiple generations living under one roof - basement and garage renovations make sense. Before you dive into one of these worthwhile renovation projects, you should consider an often-overlooked logistic of working in a basement or ga...
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Tips for adjusting to busy family schedules
The kids are back in school, fall activities are starting up again and the house is empty at different times of the day, making it difficult to keep up with hectic schedules - including yours. Yet there are easy things you can to do adjust to changing family routines, while ensuring your home remains comfortable and safe...
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Easy carpet cleaning tips and tricks from the experts
As the weather cools and daylight hours shorten, families tend to spend more time inside. After a long summer of open windows, sticky treats and constant activity in and out the door, you might notice that your carpets are looking a bit drab. Keeping carpets clean might seem like a daunting task, but with some tips from ...
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Open your house parties up to the beautiful outdoors
Having guests over to your house doesn't necessarily mean you have to keep everyone contained inside. Open the doors of your home to your backyard to provide a relaxed ambiance for your guests. And with good lighting and comfortable seating, they'll enjoy socializing and hanging around until well after the sun sets.
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Tips for a thorough fall house cleaning
With the changing of the season right around the corner, most Americans are beginning to clean up the exterior of their homes by raking leaves and cleaning out the gutters, but what about the interior? Fall can be the perfect time to revisit that spring cleaning list that you never completed and give the interior of your...
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Improving the health of your lawn
Let's face it: When you live in the suburbs, a healthy, well-kept lawn is a must. Before anyone even steps into your house, it's your front lawn that makes the first impression of your home. So what's something that can help keep your lawn healthy? Many people seem to forget about aeration.
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How to create the perfect outdoor space
Comfortable spaces don't need to be constrained by four walls, and an outdoor entertaining area can quickly become the most important "room" of your home. You aren't alone if your porch or patio looks outdated and drab. Weather conditions can be tough on outdoor areas, but with a few simple updates, you can create a perf...
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Transform your interior decor to create a cozy atmosphere
The change of seasons, the change of family schedules, or even a change in furniture - there are many reasons to take the time to transform the interior of your home and revitalize your decor. Why not take the opportunity this fall and winter to refresh your interior with the bold colors trending this year?
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Quick fixes for a swift home sale
First impressions are everything when it comes to selling a home. Fortunately, you can take simple and inexpensive steps to prep your home for a quick, top-dollar sale.
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What to do about pesky squeaks and creaks in your floor
Do you ever feel like you're trying to avoid tripping off an alarm as you're carefully tiptoe through your living room? Except instead of an alarm, you're hoping not to trigger that familiar creak or groan of the floorboards. It's happened to everybody, and at times it wakes up the newborn (or anyone else who is asleep),...
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GROZNY, Russia (Reuters) - The father of a Chechen immigrant killed during questioning over his links with one of the Boston Marathon bombings suspects said on Thursday he plans to travel to the United States where he suspects his son was tortured and killed. Ibragim Todashev, 27, was killed by a federal agent in his apartment complex when he became violent during questioning over his ties to Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the older of two brothers suspected of planting two bombs at the marathon on April 15. ...
By Marice Richter GRAPEVINE, Texas (Reuters) - The Boy Scouts of America will vote on Thursday on a proposal to remove its ban on openly gay scouts that has been in place throughout the organization's 103-year history. The vote by more than 1,400 delegates comes amid intense lobbying by gay-rights activists and members of conservative organizations. The proposal would not remove the organization's ban on gay adult leaders. Representatives from both sides have rallied in Grapevine, Texas, near Dallas, where the scouting organization is hosting its national annual meeting. ...