Mixing Wood Tones

Hi Claudia, 

I would love your professional advice. I’m in the process of decorating my dining room. We just purchased new chairs and will be repainting our dining room table a bit darker to give it a fresh look. I just can’t decide on the sideboard. Should I get one that matches the table or a different color? – Suzy, Monroe, NY  Read more

Question on Flooring

Hi Claudia,

I enjoy reading your home articles in The Times Herald Record. Thank you for the many helpful tips you provide to inspire people to love their homes. I have laminate flooring in my home that is about 10 years old, in great condition and I still love it. The problem is I have an open floor plan. The kitchen is a stone type of pattern and the main hall and dining room is a red oak butterscotch. The living room is carpeted which is worn out. I wish it was laminate. I have been told that it is too difficult to match old laminate, so I have to find another carpet. I am wondering if you know of another choice for me. I am attaching 5 photos for you to see what I described. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. – Mary M., Highland

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Making Room to Zoom

Video conferencing is the new normal for staying connected for work, school or socializing with friends and family. We get a glimpse of the personal homes of so many people from kitchens to living rooms to bedrooms to closets. Most interesting is the peek into a famous person’s private home and where they decide to be interviewed. Read more

Peeling Back the Layers of Your House

Think of the onion. By pulling back the onion skin and first layer, a fresh onion is revealed, ready to prep in your favorite dishes. Same for garlic. When cooked slowly, both sweeten and enhance the flavor of the dish. Read more

The Thrill of the Hunt for your Home

As I write this, I am on my laptop looking out the window at the Hudson River waiting for a tropical storm/tornado/hurricane. Thanks to the news and weather apps, the warnings have been constant for the last few days. This has me thinking of the months to come and preparing for the unpredictable. Read more

Outdoor Living Spaces from Wish List to Reality

Comfort levels about socializing indoors vary during our current state of pandemic life. New York has proven that wearing a mask and safety protocols work. Not everyone is on board which has affected our traveling locally, nationally and internationally.

Define your space based on purpose. With some creativity for simple projects or remodeling, here are some ideas to create a staycation.

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Social Distancing Socializing at Home

After months of shelter in place, we are slowly starting to get back to seeing our friends and loved ones. There are still health risk concerns, especially for those with compromised immune systems. More people are entertaining at home in a controlled environment.  Read more

My Quarantine Project

Shelter in place has many people improving their homes. After cleaning out closets, I decided to fix one of the many areas of my house which was not done properly by a contractor. Read more