Moving into a new (or new-to-you) house can be exciting. But it can also mean needing some basic DIY skills that you may not have ever learned. We asked some experienced new homeowners and renters about what DIY and home maintenance tips they think are most important. What do new homeowners or young people living their first house need to know? We asked Twitter and...

It’s summer and that means it’s time to start some home improvement projects. Lucky for you, there are abundant resources available for doable DIY projects. Avoid a DIY disaster with tips we found that help you choose your projects wisely and plan carefully. Step one: Do your research! Interior designers suggest searching the Internet for step-by-step...

We know you enjoy DIY – building, crafting, repairing – and sometimes finding interesting, useful and inspirational things online can be very time consuming. Since we’ve been reading and sharing a variety of projects, innovative ideas and just cool stuff on Twitter, we thought compiling them for you here would be fun, too.  You can join us anytime on...

Hurricane season is approaching and weather agencies anticipate several named hurricanes in 2009. Many areas of the country are still rebuilding and repairing damaged buildings and properties from the recent ruthless hurricane seasons. Preparation, however, can make a tremendous difference in protecting your home. Rooftops Prepare your roof for hurricane-force winds,...

Choosing a good contractor is a topic we’ve discussed before. With a majority of Internet users searching for information online to help make decisions about everything from shoes to medical care to home improvement products and professionals, referral websites can substitute or complement personal referrals. You’ll find two types of referral Web sites:...

In Eugene, Oregon (where Eclectic Products Inc. is based), we’re enjoying one of the first beautiful weekends of the year. The weather is absolutely stunning. With the gorgeous blue skies and cherry blossoms in bloom, we come to the stark realization that our patio spaces aren’t as ready for spring to arrive as we are. However, with a little attention,...