I’ll be honest here and admit that I’m not a big fan of accent walls. To be fair, I used to be, but over time, I’ve grown to go by the philosophy: Go big or go home. Why do an accent when you can do a whole room? Why paint one wall black when you could paint all four? The same could be said for wallpaper, but I’m about to break my own rule. In fact, we just completed a wallpaper accent wall in our sleeping loft. Here she is (and we absolutely love it!):

Let me explain. While a whole wallpapered room would be a dramatic visual impact, I think that small nooks and unique architectural details (such as the pitched ceiling in our loft), can lend to a cozy and intimate feel [...]

Fifteen years ago, it wasn’t common to see keyless entries, home surveillance, surround sound, or apps that controlled appliances. Today, however, “smart homes” are becoming more common. In fact, homeowners can now lock their front door, set the temperature, turn on the oven, and watch a live-stream of their home…all from their cell phones. These smart homes as they are called are designed to integrate technology to make things more accessible and easy for the homeowner. If you think smart homes might be a little too “Jetsons,” you might be surprised to learn that experts are predicting the global automation market will be worth a staggering $121 billion [...]

What happens when too much of a good thing becomes something bad? If you are a buyer or a seller in the San Francisco Bay area, you are experiencing the price of super success. For buyers, these markets are the most expensive in the nation. A recent California Association of Realtors study found that fewer than one in five Bay Area residents can afford to buy a home where they live.

Sellers have enjoyed extraordinary conditions. In Oakland, prices have risen 132 percent since 2011. Low inventories pushed prices to record levels last year, and listings were selling in 20 days by the end of the summer. Bidding was so competitive that San Francisco sales prices were 15 percent [...]

Moving into a new home comes with a list of a million things to do… but before you overwhelm yourself with the abundance of boxes to unpack, take a step back and create a game plan with the five things you need to prioritize once you get into your new home.

Painting is one of the least expensive ways to add your own personal touch to your home. Before I begin unpacking my decor, painting is my number one priority, as it’s easier without furniture or decor to maneuver around. If you are renting, ask your landlord permission to paint, even if it’s only an accent wall. The rentals we have lived in have been painted in bright vibrant colors, so [...]

Completing a spring cleaning checklist gets your house in order before the rush of warm-weather activities. All homes have a short list of must-complete projects that can make your home a little more comfortable, but sometimes important tasks don’t make the list. These six projects are forgotten more often than not, but you’d be leaving money on the table if you left them out.

The dark spaces behind your refrigerator, freezer, washer, and dryer can get neglected for years, but they’re just as important as any other nook in your home. All large appliances provide a safe haven for dust, pests, and hidden leaks, and you can’t be sure your kitchen [...]

Now that spring has sprung, many homeowners are taking advantage of the warmer weather with some outdoor projects. If you own a patio or deck, you may be preparing it for parties and other fun, outdoor gatherings.

The truth with an outdoor space refresh is that it can be very costly. This is especially true if you are looking to remodel or repair some damage. However, if your home already has an outdoor patio, there are some cost-effective ways that you can “make it new.” Here are a few tips on how to refresh a patio without breaking the bank.

One of the easiest ways to refresh a patio or “make it new” is to thoroughly clean it. It’s easy for a patio [...]

Most parents want their kids to grow up to be self-sufficient, helpful and responsible. I’ve yet to hear a mom say “Well, I hope when Sammy is 42, he lives up to two percent of his potential!” But, teaching kids to do chores is sometimes a daunting, overwhelming and, well…HUGE task. It’s a task that takes patience, consistency and so much creativity…..but I’m here to help! Using Little Tikes toys, I’m sharing tips for teaching kids to help around the house, and how us parents can help cultivate an attitude of JOY when it comes to chores.

One of the best tips for your kids, regardless of age, is to make a list. A [...]