Yeah, “historically accurate” is basically HOA kryptonite. I did some research on my house’s original trim colors and suddenly the board was all smile...

Honestly, I think the lighter feel is intentional—less material, less waste. The brass ones are tanks, sure, but they’re overkill for most homes. I’ve...

Yeah, I learned that the hard way with my first attempt at “invisible” smart home gear. Tried tucking a WiFi plug behind a plant—looked great until th...

I get the impulse to document everything, but honestly, I’m not convinced that showing the board the process would do much. If anything, it might just...

I’m with you on the silica packs—they’re ugly, but they actually do something. I tried the “scented everything” route and just ended up with musty lav...

I get the appeal of all-in-one smart locks, but honestly, I’m always thinking about redundancy. My biggest fear is getting locked out because of a dea...

I've noticed the same thing—city approvals can feel like a roll of the dice sometimes. Even when you follow every rule to the letter, there's always s...

Exactly why I went with a hybrid setup when I renovated last year. Smart keypad for daily use, but the good old manual keyhole is still there as a bac...

PTFE lubes are actually pretty solid for locks, especially if you're dealing with outdoor or humid environments. Graphite can gum up over time, especi...

Upgrading the opener itself didn't do much insulation-wise for me, honestly. It's quieter, sure, but that's mostly motor and vibration improvements. T...

I haven't personally tried cork, but I did use a thicker foam underlayment (about 3mm) in my kitchen reno last year. Honestly, it made a noticeable di...

I get the appeal of eucalyptus, but personally, I've found dried birch branches to be underrated. When I was renovating my first place (a tiny old cot...