home inspiration

You Ask, We Answer: Are Solar Panels Right for My Home?With so many of us spending even more (and more!) time inside our homes this year, our utilities are getting quite a workout. From air conditioning to heating and what feels like never ending time spent streaming for work, school or for socializing, the four walls that contain our lives from waking to sleeping seem all the more precious—as do the...

Image courtesy of Denver Urban Renewal Authority You Ask, We Answer: How Do I Winterize My Home? We may be enjoying some unseasonably warm weather in Connecticut this week, but Novem-ber is well underway—and that means it’s only a matter of time before that New England chill settles in, reminding us of its arrival through every drafty door and window. As Connecticut’s leading independent real...

Home Lifestyle Trend: Outdoor Kitchens   Outdoor spaces are enjoying a resurgence—and today’s latest lifestyle trend has Connecticut homeowners rethinking the way they use their decks, patios, and backyards to create outdoor kitchens and living spaces that bring all the comforts of inside out into nature. It seems there’s no better time than now—when we’re having to rethink where and how...

Now Trending: Technology to Help You Work From Home For many of us, the COVID-19 pandemic has required us to get creative about what constitutes our “new normal.” From distance learning to working from home, we’ve had to carve out space and set up shop from our home offices-bedrooms-bathrooms-closets. Even as our communities begin to open up again, many of us are faced with the ongoing challenge...

A Home for Everyone! Native bees are our greatest pollinators of trees and flowers. There are over 4000 different species of native bees in North America such as mason bees. These bee species are what helps to pollinate our food crops. Most of the species of bees live alone and are not threatening to humans or other animals. They do have stingers and are bees, but we tend to categorize all bees as...

Looking for an idea of how to celebrate Earth Day? How about planting some flowers. Planting is a relaxing hobby and can help you unwind from any stress you may be feeling. It also makes for a fun activity to do with children of all ages. Mason jars, plastic bottles, and milk or juice cartons can all be repurposed as planters. MASON JAR If you're using a mason jar, fill the bottom of the jar with...

Clean and Green: How Homeowners Can Live Environmentally Friendly By Ray Flynn, DiyGuys.net American homeowners use up a staggering amount of resources on a daily basis. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American family of four is capable of going through 400 gallons of water a day. Then there’s the tremendously excessive use of fossil fuel-based energy and the...

Preparing Your Home for a Senior: How to Make It Safe, Comfortable, and Inviting By Ray Flynn, DiyGuys.net Preparing your home to receive a senior relative is a big job. Many families open up their homes to parents or grandparents who can’t live alone anymore due to safety or health issues, and while it can be a better alternative to assisted living in a care facility, it can also take work, both...

Click here for more information about 188 Mile Creek Road in Old Lyme.   Is Your Kitchen Top Chef-Worthy? You Could Pocket a Premium When You Sell The heart of the home is the kitchen—and buyers are eager to fork over for a showpiece. According to an analysis conducted recently by Zillow, adding commercial-grade features to the kitchen pays a premium. Evaluating 4.6...

A bold, bright color in your home can feel fresh and inviting. However, large color commitments like paint or wallpaper can create a headache if you outgrow the hue six months into it. If you're itching to add more color to your space, but are nervous about outgrowing the shade, consider one of these easy-to-swap design elements. You can even incorporate new colors seasonally. Flowers and...