Clutter has become a hot topic when it comes to home maintenance. With the proliferation of inexpensive clothing and household goods, many people now have homes that are filled with clutter. This clutter may take the form of piles of stuff everywhere, or may consist of “organized clutter” including knick-knacks on every surface, closets stuffed with unworn clothing and boxes of paperwork and books. Both kinds of clutter can leave homeowners feeling overwhelmed — it’s hard to relax in a space that’s filled with stuff. Under it all there are usually some deep-seated issues that are keeping the homeowner from clearing out objects that aren’t important or are no longer used.

This interesting article called Clear your Clutter on MarthaStewart.com examines the causes of clutter and offers some insights and solutions.

Hive Homes are modular prefabricated houses that are designed with an emphasis on outstanding architectural design. Several basic models are available, with architectural variations to fit the homeowner’s taste. A custom design service is also available.

Hive Homes are based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They will work with a homeowner’s contractor to make sure the proper building permits are obtained and will provide support to the homeowner’s contractor.

For more information, see this HGTV video about Hive Homes on YouTube:

If you’d like to read about a different type of prefabricated house, see this earlier post for information on the prefab GlideHouse.

When a kitchen remodel is considered, the kitchen cabinets are usually at the top of the list of things to change. Installing new cabinets can really drive up the price of a kitchen remodel, especially when custom cabinets are required. One alternative to new cabinets is refacing. The refacing process can be completed in a day or two. It involves removing the existing cabinet doors and drawer fronts, painting them or adding new veneers, and then replacing them. The doors and drawer fronts can also be replaced completely at a much lower cost than installing new cabinets. Once the cabinets have been refaced, they can be further modernized by replacing the hardware.

For more remodeling ideas, see this earlier post for ideas for dining room remodeling.

E. Spencer Toy; James Carrier, Jil Peters

A floor mat made from painted canvas can add a custom design element to any room. You can base the design for the canvas on patterns found on the room’s wallpaper or somewhere else in the room, or you can find a different design that will add punch to the room.  Wallpaper patterns and art books are good places to find designs.

Once you find a design you like, you can get it onto the canvas by using a projector (available at crafts stores). Trace around the projected outline then use acrylic paints to color the design. When the paint dries, apply varnish with a roller to protect the surface of the mat. Turn under the edges and apply glue to keep them in place. If desired, a thin foam mat can be placed under the canvas mat to prevent slipping.