Category: HOME

All in Good Taste: Vera Stewart on Etiquette, Entertaining, and the Life Lessons They Carry

Vera Stewart has a motto: “Whatever you do, do it in good taste.” For the Augusta, Georgia, entrepreneur, caterer, TV host, and cookbook writer, that applies to considerations from the palate to presentation, serving, and behavior. Stewart’s personal life and business model are based upon this rule, one that she began cultivating in herself from…


DIY-Friendly Water Lines in Your Home

I’m blessed to be able to use this column to share my knowledge. It allows me to empower you to do many jobs you might never think of doing yourself. In the past, working with water lines required a decent amount of experience. You had to know how to solder copper tubing. I recorded a…


Use Backer Board Under Bath Tile Walls

Dear James: I pulled off my shower tiles and found moisture had damaged the backer board. When I rebuild the wall, what should I do differently this time?—Mimi H. Dear Mimi: Over time, the grout can begin to break down and allow some moisture to pass through it. The grout may still appear to be…


What Moms and Grandmas Really Want for Mother’s Day

Flowers are nice, so is a fancy brunch, a heartfelt card and a box of chocolates. But ask busy moms what they really want for Mother’s Day, and they will tell you they’d prefer a little time for themselves—sleeping late, time for a leisurely bath or at the gym. “Last Mother’s Day I had a…


A Prestigious Compound

Following the tragic death of President John F. Kennedy, his widow, Jacqueline Kennedy, moved from the White House to an 18th-century Georgetown residence known as the Baker House to serve as home for her and her young children. Known for her oversized sunglasses, unerring sense of style, and unflappable quiet elegance, in addition to her career…


Chronic Valve Disease Common Cause of Heart Murmur

Q: My 7-year-old, 20-pound mixed breed dog has a heart murmur. Her veterinarian thinks it’s due to chronic valve disease. What is this? A: Each time a normal dog’s heart beats, it produces two sounds: lub-dub. A murmur is an extra sound, for example, a “swish,” as in lub-swish-dub. In dogs under 45 pounds, the…


The Art of Companion Planting, Part 2: Vegetables and Herbs

Think of your garden as a family, and plant it similarly to seating guests at a Thanksgiving dinner (which will hopefully feature some of your fall harvest!). You can seat Aunt Samantha anywhere and she’ll liven up the table. You want to put Aunt Olivia near the nieces she never gets to see so they…


How to Clean an Outdoor Rug to Remove Mildew, Dirt and Stains

Outdoor rugs are a low-maintenance, cost-efficient way to beautify any outdoor living space. But if neglected, outdoor rugs can accumulate grimy buildup over time. Most people remember to wipe down tables and chairs when hosting a backyard play date, garden party or barbecue. But chances are your colorful rug gets no love. Outdoor rugs, carpets…


Three Steps to Research Acquiring Adjoining Property

Dear Monty: In the back of my neighborhood is an abandoned school. It was purchased recently, with a section now being used for a cell tower (the tower is outside my line of sight when looking straight from my back door). I wanted to know how to research the possibility and process of purchasing a…


You Really Can Recover From Dumb Money Mistakes

During the 13 years it took for my husband and me to get out the horrible debt mess of my creation, I learned how important it is to deal with mistakes as they happen so they don’t morph into major setbacks. No one is perfect. You’re going to make mistakes, and when you do, you…