By Nancy Moffett Spring is upon us, even if balmy weather is still weeks away. This is a good time to evaluate and plan for projects that will increase your home’s curb appeal. Every improvement you make will add to the enjoyment of your home and make it more appealing, when and if, the time does come to move on. Clean Up Are there still downed branches from 2011’s Hallowe... »
By Nancy Moffett A recent USA Today article ) noted that only 11.6 percent of Americans changed their residence from 2010 to 2011, “the lowest rate since the Census Bureau began collecting the statistics in 1948.” That’s pretty amazing, given a high of 20 percent in the 1980s. Of course, a sluggish economy and continuing housing woes are the cause. With many of us planning... »
By Nancy Moffett Lights, candles, trees…ribbons and bows. That’s what decorating for the holidays brings to mind. But, every year, people are injured; pets are sickened; homes burn and one slip can be a disaster. Let’s resolve to all do our decorating safely this year. Outdoors According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), about 12,500 Americans are trea... »
By Nancy Moffett Exercising at home has its advantages. Pros include the convenience of working out whenever you want, with privacy, and saving the expense and travel time of a gym membership. Another benefit is that you don’t need a lot of equipment to get started and you can tailor what you buy specifically to your needs. Of course, there are many treadmills and elliptic... »
By Nancy Moffett Here we go again…after summer vacations and lazy days at the beach, we’re back to school and work. Sometimes it’s hard to wrap your head around the busy months that lie ahead. Just dealing with paperwork the kids bring home the first few weeks of school can be a hassle, let alone keeping track of household mail, bills, etc. Before the madness begins, take ... »
By Nancy Moffett Even though we’re in the height of summer, it’s not too early to think about the long indoor months ahead. When it’s bleak outdoors, wouldn’t it be nice to have something natural and colorful to focus on indoors? An aquarium can serve as both an aesthetic element and an antidote to winter doldrums. Studies have shown that gazing at a fish aquarium helps Al... »
By Nancy Moffett Adding tropicals to your garden in the Lehigh Valley? It’s easier than you think; and, there are surprising species that, yes, can be perennial. How about banana, bamboo and hibiscus? Two Lehigh Valley garden designers weigh in on how to achieve a tropical look right here in planting Zone 6 using plants that only seem exotic to our region. POTTED Bruce Fri... »
By Nancy Moffett Concrete walkways, porches and patios are common in the yards of Lehigh Valley homes. Whether you want to spruce up existing outdoor areas or add new ones, think about environmental impact before you begin. Two area suppliers and contractors gave us tips on how to add curb and use appeal to your property without using up scarce natural resources or adding ... »
By Nancy Moffett “Feng shui (pronounced fung-shway) is an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics believed to use the laws of both Heaven (astronomy) and Earth (geography) to help one improve life by receiving positive chi. Chi (chee)…refers to ‘energy,’ in the sense of ‘life force,’” according to Wikipedia. How can you incorporate feng shui in your ho... »
By Nancy Moffett As we head into the heart of winter in the Lehigh Valley, thoughts turn to keeping our homes comfortable while the winds howl and the snow falls. At the same time, we’re all trying to maximize the dollars we spend to keep the home fires burning. We know that good windows and insulation play key roles in energy efficiency, but let’s concentrate on the bigge... »
