Dear Julie: Building a mantel is not a difficult do-it-yourself task. If you think adding a complete wood surround is beyond your skill level, try just cleaning the bricks first. With a good cleaning, ...

Whenever we finish a big project - in this case, a privacy fence in our backyard made out of doors - I think, we need to chill out for a while before we start something new. But then I read blogs or ...

Spring is in the air, and now is the time to ditch darker colors, along with heavy materials and textures to welcome all things that embody the renewal that comes with the season. While a fireplace ...

The fireplace mantel is the jewelry box of the house. Like the latter, it holds prized possessions and coveted family ...

Arranging an attractive, eye-catching fireplace mantel isn’t as easy as it may look. In fact, if my own personal experience is any indication, achieving the right mix of balance and beauty requires ...

The holidays have come and gone. Yet winter lingers, and we in the Pacific Northwest are left with several more months of cold rain, early sunsets and gray days. To lift your spirits and escape the ...