That line hits home. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been called in to “save” original cabinets that were barely hanging on by a thread—sometim...

Matching trim and hardware is one of those things that seems minor until you see it done wrong. I’ve worked on a handful of attic conversions, and hon...

That’s a fair point, especially in coastal areas where maintenance just never ends. I’ve seen plenty of folks pour money into “real wood” decks or tri...

Maple seeds are relentless, aren’t they? Gutter guards help with the big stuff, but those little “helicopters” find a way in no matter what. I’ve seen...

Tile Still Wins for Looks, But PVC Has Its Place You nailed it—PVC panels have come a long way, especially for utility spaces or rentals. I’ve used...

Couldn’t agree more—if it’s working and you’re keeping up with maintenance, there’s no reason to toss it just because of the calendar. I’ve seen 30-ye...

Layering hardwax oil over an oil stain sounds tempting for durability, but in my experience, it’s a bit of a gamble—especially outdoors. The main issu...

I hear you on that—there’s a world of difference between shimming a door and trusting your life to a shelter. I’ve been called out more than once to “...

Good points about historical societies, they've helped me out a few times too. Another route is requesting a formal variance hearing—sometimes present...

Plants can help a bit, but honestly, in my experience they're not enough if your humidity issue is serious. Improving ventilation or investing in a sm...

Chamomile can be nice, but from experience, it doesn't handle heavy foot traffic nearly as well as creeping thyme. If you're set on trying it, maybe k...