Displaying items by tag: roof leak

It was in the 2010s when, as SW puts it, “the graying of America” began in full force. Gray knocked the long-reigning beige out of its position as the default wall color, complemented by some white, black, and off-black shades. Homeowners embraced gray as a more modern, upscale, and elegant neutral option that paired well with other neutrals as well as bolder shades.

Your home isn’t just a source of pride or a place where you can relax after a long day — it’s also an investment in your family’s future. And while it’s natural to want to make improvements to increase your home’s resale value, some renovations will actually cost you money in the long run. Just because you see something as an improvement doesn’t mean a potential buyer will feel the same way.

For companies around the world, business has been dawdling since the outbreak of COVID-19. It has affected service sectors (hair and nail salons), social assistance (home care), and food services, which are some of the top industries for female entrepreneurs (along with law and sciences). Small businesses face enough barriers as it is — here's how you can help the women entrepreneurs in your life.

Trends can be fashionable, innovative, or practical, and sometimes all the above. This is certainly true of what we see in windows. With 2020 being the “at home” year, it makes perfect sense that homeowners have been thinking about ways to transform their homes. 2021 may be the time to act on those thoughts and dreams. Here are a few ideas to watch in 2021.

The basement at my mamaw's house in Virginia has that smell. Immediately after cracking open the door, you’re hit with a whiff of pure, unadulterated basement. It’s a specific scent a lot of basements seem to share, along with (in my mind, at least) scenes of cement, plywood, and exposed pipes. This aesthetic many of us associate with basements isn’t exactly flattering, but the potential is beautiful!

Our experts have curated a tone of basement images over the years. Here, we gaze upon the sort of things that give me flashbacks to my mamaw's basement: electric meters, bricks, cement, various cylinders and machines I can’t identify. Ahead, our designers share 4 reasons to love the subterranean house feature, musty stench and all!

When it comes to winter roof leaks, sometimes it isn't what you think!

We are 100% guilty of finding ourselves drowning in so many kitchen gadgets that we think we may use someday - but only a fraction of them actually get used. From the surplus of baking dishes for every kind of treat you can imagine to odd appliances and just way too many things taking up space....UHG!

In the name of a fresh year, we are decluttering! We made a list of all the things we got rid of in hopes it may help you ditch some of the clutter as well!

From working out paint colors for various rooms and lighting options to where to place furniture – there are so many design elements to consider when customizing your home's look. That’s where our interior designer’s tips become invaluable.

Whether you’re renovating an entire house or just sprucing up a space, these helpful pointers are not to be missed. Our designers share tips and secrets for transforming homes like a professional.

With all the beautiful interiors seen on TV shows, featured in home design magazines and posted across Pinterest, it’s no wonder home remodeling is such a hot topic among today’s homeowners. Honestly, who wouldn’t want their house to look like Chip and Joanna’s?!


Odds are, if you’re really committed to the idea of remodeling your home, you’ve probably already looked into the process and maybe have even met with a few contractors for estimates. While it can be tempting to go all-in with the first contractor that offers you an affordable quote, the old cliché “you get what you pay for” is important to keep in mind. It’s a sad reality that many clients come to us after being ripped-off or left high-and-dry by another contractor who made them an offer they couldn’t refuse. Prices might vary somewhat between remodeling contractors, but if someone quotes you a price that is thousands of dollars less than the others, it’s likely too good to be true! 

Here are the red flags to be aware of when it comes to “affordable” remodeling...

Looks can be deceiving. For instance, there are few things as lovely as icicles hanging from roof eaves and gutters. In some regions, they dangle for months, like crystal jewels, sparkling in the sunshine. And yet, in many cases, they signal that the roof may have a problem with ice dams that needs attention before water seeps into the house.

Ice dams — literal dams made of ice — usually form at eaves and gutters and prevent snow- and ice-melt from leaving the roof. They’re often caused by a temperature imbalance in the attic. As heat rises in the house and makes its way into the attic, the upper portion of the roof may warm faster than the lower portion at the eaves. If the upper portion becomes warm enough to melt snow (above 32°F) while the lower portion remains below 32°F, snow will melt, flow down the roof, and refreeze before it can flow off the edge. This can also be compounded by naturally rising ambient temperatures during the day and falling temperatures at night. What results is a dam, which will hold the remaining water, snow, and ice on the roof.