Cake set features Japanese designs
Dear Helaine and Joe:This is a cake set that was given to my grandparents for their wedding in 1917. I wonder if you can tell me anything about the maker and any value it might have. It is too precious...
View ArticleKeep dust down
You cant avoid having to dust -- two of the biggest components are skin cells and fabric bits -- but you can reduce the amount you have to do. Donna Smallin, author of The One-Minute Cleaner Plain...
View ArticleMust-see spring color trends
Spring is the perfect time to give your home a fresh look. From serene shades to vivid hues, here are eight color schemes to consider this season.1. Liven up traditional design with the hottest spring...
View ArticleTub-surround project may surround you with options
Q: I want to change the look of my bathroom by putting in a new tub surround. I want to avoid ripping out the ceramic tile if possible. Are there special panels that I can glue or attach to my...
View ArticleTreasures: Silver demitasse spoons stir up different valuations
Dear Helaine and Joe:These pictures are of demitasse spoons that have been passed down in my family. A set of five spoons is heavily engraved with a floral pattern and belonged to my great-grandmother,...
View Article101 Ideas: A guide to choosing kitchen cabinets
Cabinets can devour the bulk of a budget during a kitchen remodel. Because they are a major investment, sort through the available options and make choices with confidence.If existing cabinets are of...
View ArticleInsulating ductwork
Q: I had a home-energy analysis. The report said my ductwork needs to be repaired upstairs and in the crawlspace because that is where a good deal of leakage is and also is bringing bad air pollutants...
View ArticleCity looks to extend housing incentives
Hoiseth: Modified package likely in the pipeline to better reflect current, future needs.
View ArticleTreasures: Can Elgin National coffee grinder brew up profits?
Dear Helaine and Joe:I have a coffee grinder -- it is an Elgin National and is 25 inches tall. It will not grind coffee -- it just falls through. I have had it for 70 years and my father-in-law had it...
View ArticleInteriors: Kitchen-remodeling suggestions
Well, we are into a new year and many of us are looking for something new for our lives. How about a new kitchen? And why not, since the kitchen is where the family gets nourished, at least...
View ArticleTreasures: Silver demitasse spoons stir up different valuations
Dear Helaine and Joe:These pictures are of demitasse spoons that have been passed down in my family. A set of five spoons is heavily engraved with a floral pattern and belonged to my great-grandmother,...
View ArticleA hall tree thought to have seen some Oregon history
Enclosed are photographs of a hall tree that was left in a house that my grandparents bought in 1955 in Grants Pass, Ore. It was said that the two-story house was over 100 years old at the time, and...
View ArticleFire-safety tips
Be prepared with these tips for preventing and controlling fires in the home.1. Before buying a fire extinguisher, check its intended purpose. Some extinguishers effectively treat a few or all of the...
View ArticleSoap dispenser can clean up the look of your kitchen
Q: I never thought I would enjoy articles about plumbing until I became a regular reader of your column. I would like to add a soap dispenser to my stainless-steel kitchen sink, but my husband says...
View ArticleA Taft connection for this tea set?
Dear Helaine and Joe:I would like for you to tell me about this sterling-silver coffee-and-tea set. I am a retired jeweler who carried most American silver manufacturers -- such as Kirk, Gorham and...
View ArticleTips for a sparkling refrigerator
Think that cleaning your refrigerator (and keeping it clean) takes a lot of effort? Well, chill! Just follow these tips:1. Create a homemade all-purpose cleaner by combining the following in a gallon...
View ArticlePermits, inspections are there for a reason: safety
Q: I have planned all winter for a bathroom addition to my home. I watched DIY shows and checked information on the Internet. Once I started my addition, a state inspector showed up and told me I had...
View ArticleCould wrought-iron furniture be linked to THE Rose Garden?
Dear Helaine and Joe:I have an old set of wrought-iron garden furniture (a magnet sticks to it, so it must be iron). The set consists of a four-footed heavy pedestal table and four chairs, all with a...
View ArticleFruit and floral centerpieces
Do you need a spring centerpiece in less than an hour? Well, fruit and floral centerpieces are a snap to put together -- as long as you have the materials on hand. Even if you have to make a quick stop...
View ArticleCheck cold-hardiness before buying plants for MN
The law requires that nursery stock be labeled "nonhardy" if it can't be expected to survive a Minnesota winter or reliably produce flowers and fruit here.
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