Armstrong’s Salon Center and Chef Center have a similar design to provide storage solutions for the bathroom and kitchen, respectively.

Read the rest of this entry »

Will Barack Obama’s presidency see a return to economic boom times the way Bill Clinton’s did? No one knows for sure, including—as they admitted themselves—the economists who provided a housing and economic outlook at the 2009 International Builders Show. Still, in these volatile times, it’s good to be as informed as possible, so here is our Average Jane overview.

Good news first:

• Housing affordability is at its highest levels since at least 1970, said David W. Berson, chief economist of mortgage insurer PMI Group.

Read the rest of this entry »

Red remains one of the most popular color choices in kitchens, but maybe you’re like us and the thought of covering your walls with crimson makes you blanch.

Fortunately, Jackie Jordan, the Director of Color Marketing at Sherwin-Williams, was on hand on the IBS show floor and shared a few good tips for introducing red into the kitchen without inundating its design.

For a great punch of red, try painting the walls behind glass-insert cabinet doors your favorite shade of red. This abbreviated punch of color gives just a peak of the hue, making a big impression without overwhelming your kitchen’s design.

Another option Jordan recommended comes in handy with kitchen island cabinetry. Instead of swathing all your wall cabinets in red, try painting just the kitchen island. This change is both easy and makes a great focal point and conversation piece.

Read the rest of this entry »

Can a fridge read your personality? With the colorful new line of designs from Amana, a fridge can do that and more.

Read the rest of this entry »