Cape Ann Blossoms Returns to Cape Ann Museum May 4

Just in time for the beginning of spring, Gloucester's Cape Ann Museum is bringing back its popular Cape Ann Blossoms event on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Floral …
Explore the biophilic design trend by incorporating nature into your interior. Modern

What's New in Home Design for Cape Ann?

Spring is finally starting to be sprung.  Those brave spring bulbs are sticking their skinny green necks out, and so far all I’ve wanted to do is wrap a scarf around them—but they …

It’s all in How You Finish That Counts

Colors are back after a long love affair with cool whites and greys.  And part of that is the opportunity to lean into new finishes in fixtures, like rubbed bronze, brass, and yes, gold.

I   don’t know if you’ve noticed, but it’s the wild west out there when it comes to the finishes we find on hardware, bathroom fixtures, and lighting.   Where we used to …

Some Top Interior Design Trends to Look Out For in 2024

This kitchen embraces several design trends for 2024—creating an outdoor connection inside with lots of plants, embracing eclectic elements, and entering the world of bright colors.

As we delve into the year 2024, there are dozens of notable interior design trends that Cape Ann experts point to, from color schemes to furniture styles, and even building materials.   Here are three great …

Welcome, Cape Ann Gardeners, to an Early Spring!

woman gardening herbs in her backyard garden

Spring is here, bringing an array of colors and a sense of renewal to Cape Ann’s gardens. Right now, it’s the perfect time to highlight the beauty of your surroundings.   Can you …

Hmmm …. What Can't Paint Do?
Recently while driving, I glanced to my left as a well-loved car was passing. I’m pretty sure that car was painted with house paint and a paintbrush.  It makes me pause, and it’s a …
Gray House is Anything But
Behind its simple exterior lives a visual feast By Kris McGinn L ast month, during a particularly lovely and lively holiday lunch at the Cricket , an unexpected visitor stopped by. …
Designing a Great Room? Make it Great
Great rooms.  There are so many of us that have them.  Perhaps you have one because you own a large older home, with its elegant bones, grand rooms and high ceilings.  Or maybe your …
Some holiday decorating tips
Too much stuff?   Reign it in!   No one likes a room that feels cluttered and chaotic.   So, choose some, and save some others for something different in the years to come. Focus …
A Ghost of Christmas Past
W hen I was a kid, my mother loved Christmas.   I see now it was fitting because Carolyn liked sparkly things all year round, and she kind of lived in this world with fairy sprites and earthen …
YOURS & MINE : Holiday Traditions
There are holiday traditions in aspirational books and television shows. Then, there are the real family traditions to celebrate the holiday season. Here are some good ones shared by local familiar faces. From an annual Christmas Eve date with a book to baking countless pies, locals celebrate this season in their own ways.
Here in New England, Jen Coles writes, spaces and sightlines can be “wonky.” But there are some pro tips to make spaces feel great to live in.
Taking the “Cramp” Out of Your “Camp” 
Almost 20 years ago, my then-husband and I went to a real estate open house where I promptly fell in love with a crazy fixer-upper, writes Manchester-based interior designer Jen Coles. Learn pro tips on how to make tough layouts and spaces work.
<p>Fall Planting</p><p><em>(Courtesy Photo)</em></p>
A Beginner’s Guide to Fall Planting and Maintenance
  Spring and summer are perhaps the busiest times of year for gardeners.  However, fall also is a prime time to tend to gardens. The tree and bare root retailer Bower & Branch advises that …
<p><em>Rockport’s Paper House museum, made of more than 100,000 newspapers in the 1920s by a mechanical engineer from Sweden, still stands and is open to the public.</em></p>
All the News That’s Fit to … Build?
Right up the road, in Rockport, an under-the-radar museum is the enduring marvel of engineering, with newspapers. Visitors and residents alike are familiar with the dramatic perimeter drive around …
<p><em>Signs of BLD include puckered, distorted leaves, with dark striping between the veins. (Courtesy images)</em></p>
Beech Trees Under Threat
One of our favorite properties for a beautiful walk in Manchester-by-the-Sea is Coolidge Reservation. We are awed by this property with its scenic marshy pond and the trail that leads to the vast …
Home improvement coverage from around the web

Keep Your Home Safe from Fires and Other Emergencies This Winter

A few simple steps can protect your home and family from fire this holiday season and at anytime.
(NAPSI)—While the holiday season brings many joyful moments, it can also bring increased safety risks—but you can protect yourself, your home and your family.   Who Can Help Volunteer fire …

Making Wintertime Energy Management Easy

Energy saving tips can help people in Massachusetts keep energy bills under control while staying warm this winter.

(NAPSI)—When the weather cools, it’s a good time for Massachusetts residents to prepare their homes for potential power outages. By taking a few simple steps, you can increase your home’s …

Hot ideas for keeping your home more comfortable for less money may surprise you.

Improved Insulation + Heat Pump HVAC Can Mean Big Savings

by Doug Anderson,   ENERGY STAR Certified Products (NAPSI)—Your home’s heating and cooling account for nearly half of your annual energy use—which, for the average American household, …

Winterizing your home: 5 tips to stay warm and save on energy bills

(BPT) - Winter is nearly here, and the almanacs predict it will be snowier and colder than last year for much of the country. Before those flakes fly and the ground freezes hard, get ahead of the …

5 easy kitchen and bath upgrades to wow holiday guests

(BPT) - Ready to host for the holidays? Whether you're planning parties and/or welcoming visitors to your home during this festive season, you probably want to make a great impression. Ahead of this …

Making Wintertime Energy Management Easy

Energy saving tips can help New Yorkers keep energy bills under control while staying warm this winter.

(NAPSI)—When the weather cools, it’s a good time for New Yorkers to prepare their homes for potential power outages. By taking a few simple steps, you can increase your home’s energy efficiency …

How to transform your kitchen into a holiday showstopper

(BPT) - Ready to transform your kitchen and impress your guests this holiday season? Just in time for the family feasts and celebrations, you can give your kitchen a stunning refresh with a simple …

More ideas for your home
Unwrap affordable luxury: Why a bidet seat is the perfect holiday gift
(BPT) - Looking to level up your gift-giving game this year? The secret to inspired holiday gift giving is choosing meaningful things that will uplift, surprise and delight. It's not about how …
Don’t let bad weather throw you; ­use your snow thrower to safely clear your yard.
Snow Thrower Safety Tips: Keep Best Practices in Mind This Winter
(NAPSI)—While clearing snow and ice from driveways, sidewalks and parking lots is no small job, you can rely on outdoor power equipment to do the heavy lifting. Just remember it’s important to …
Why Social Media Influencers Love Composite Decking
(BPT) - In the ever-evolving world of home design, social media influencers play a pivotal role in shaping trends and providing inspiration and guidance for homeowners. One material that has captured …
Believe it or not: Installing a new heat pump can be cheaper than repairing your current system
(BPT) - A properly functioning HVAC system is crucial to ensure a warm, comfortable home this winter. For homeowners with an older heating system, the question of repair or replace is often top of …
Creating a Bathroom Oasis: 5 upgrades that evoke the joy of water
(Family Features) Transform your simple bathroom into a sanctuary filled with features that make it easy to enjoy the many ways water soothes your senses.
More Home Improvement News

Traveling for the holidays? Tips to protect your home while you are away

(BPT) - The holiday season is a time for joy and relaxation, and the last thing you want to worry about is your home while you're away. To ensure a worry-free trip, it’s essential to take …

Do’s And Don’ts of D-I-Y

When it comes to cleaning your house’s duct work yourself, the best  advice is: “don’t.” Have a professional do it right instead.

(NAPSI)—Homeowners often turn to online do-it-yourself tips to help them maintain their house, but some advice can do more harm than good. For example, DIY duct cleaning can lead to serious damage …

5 Essential Winterization Tips to Protect Your Home from the Cold

(BPT) - Winter is coming — are you and your home ready to face the frosty weather? With energy costs on the rise, many Americans have been feeling the pinch and are actively searching for …

Holiday prep and cleaning: How to reduce your stress

(BPT) - If you love everything about the holidays except prepping your home for entertaining, you're not alone. Unfortunately, getting and keeping your house in good shape for festive gatherings, …

Effortless Holiday Hosting: Simple Tips to Keep Your Home Sparkling

Holidays can be happier with the help of easy cleaning products and elegant scents.

(NAPS)—During the holiday season, as homes filled with laughter, joy, and loved ones, hosting a happy gathering can be a great way to catch up with friends and family—and it doesn’t have to …

Why did your homeowners insurance go up?

Policygenius examines the reasons why homeowners insurance went up for many people in the U.S. and shares tips on how to lower it.

A Healthier, More Sustainable Lifestyle

For health-conscious, eco-friendly families, maintaining clean air ducts is a simple but powerful step in creating a healthy home environment.

(NAPSI)—As eco-conscious living continues to grow in popularity, families are embracing greener habits and making sustainable choices in all aspects of life. From minimizing waste and using …

Latino Families Come Together For Hispanic Heritage Month

Family celebrations are even more fun when everyone pitches in during clean up, a long-standing Latino tradition.

(NAPSI)—Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month—Sept 15 to Oct 15—is a good reminder of the strong family ties that are a hallmark of Latino culture. Family traditions are woven into the fabric of …

Caring for your home and family

SunBriteTV Celebrates 20th Anniversary With Remarkable Holiday Savings

(BPT) - SunBriteTV, creators of the world’s first all-weather TV for outdoor use, celebrates its 20th anniversary this November. To commemorate delivering a safe, worry-free entertainment …

How to avoid 'Brown Friday' and other plumbing disasters

(BPT) - In case you've never heard of it, "Brown Friday" is as famous as Black Friday — at least in plumbing circles. The name refers to the brown sludge that builds up in kitchen sinks …
Home ideas

A First-Timer's Guide to Kitchen Remodeling

(Family Features) Kitchen upgrades are among the most common renovation projects homeowners tackle. Even so, it's a big project for a first-time renovation.

Handy Hacks to Take the Stress Out of Holiday Hosting

(Family Features) Hosting is a big responsibility, especially during the holidays when the pressure is on to create a magical and memorable experience. Planning a menu and decorating for the occasion is just the start.
Six Essential Steps to Prepare for Winter Power Outages
Six Essential Steps to Prepare for Winter Power Outages
(NewsUSA) - Cold weather is coming, and homeowners need to prepare now for potential power outages.According to NOAA's 2024-2025 Winter Outlook, a slow-developing La Nina is expected to impact …
You and your family can enjoy a bigger, better more energy-efficient home for less than you may think.
New Resources to Help You Save on Efficient Home Upgrades
(NAPSI)—When you’re struggling to pay bills at home, upgrading to the latest efficient technology can feel out of reach—but it doesn’t have to be. The Problem A typical American household …
How three simple tips can improve paint efficiency
(BPT) - As a professional contractor, you know firsthand how challenging it can be to balance speed and quality when it comes to painting. You want to complete more jobs in less time for the sake of …
3 simple swaps to upgrade your bathroom for holiday guests
(BPT) - The holidays are full of fun, festive get-togethers, magical moments with friends and family — and often, a lengthy holiday home prep list. With celebrations just around the corner, you …
Younger homeowners are more likely to have home insurance dropped
Policygenius reports on the insurance preferences of homeowners aged 18 to 34 versus homeowners aged 55 and older based on the past three years.