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If you're one of the many getting to put their homes on the market this sales season, you've probably thought about painting your house. Chances are good that your time and cash are both fairly precious commodities, so you want to either do this yourself, or have a professional do it cheaply, the latter option being quite rare to find. With advances in paint technology that eliminate sanding and priming, the DIY route has been proving very popular in recent years.

Chalk paint is one trend that's winning over do-it-yourselfers left, right, and centre. This paint yields a gorgeous flat finish and, as long as the surface you're painting is clean and free of dust, there's no need to sand or prime. Just make sure you seal the surface when you've finished…

We all know that painting a home or stepping up the landscaping can make a big change in a home's curb appeal, but what about those homes with unique interior details that look bland and boring from the outside no matter what kind of superficial changes are made? Homes borne of the tract housing eras of the late '40s, the '70s and the '90s each have their own difficulties to contend with. If your budget can be stretched a little further than average, you may want to consider making an impactful change on your new home.

The late '40s and early '50s brought the boxy houses we have come to know as ranchers. Oftentimes, these little homes can appear abrupt and homely because there is nowhere for the eye to transition from the facade to the lawn. Extending…

A character home is one that has been around for over 50 years. Heritage homes are character homes with significant historical meaning and are recognized by the presiding jurisdiction. Often, cities will contribute funding to the homeowner(s) for the upkeep of the home. The terms "heritage", "historical", and "character" are generally used in the same way by most people, regardless of whether or not the house in question has been recognized.

Character homes are popular because they're attractive and their architecture will never go out of style, but there are many other reasons to invest (or not invest) in a heritage home. Below you'll find some of the positive and negative aspects of these properties.

• Pro: Walkability. The center of a city is…

Slowly but surely, wabi sabi has been creeping into interior design, which is fitting for this go-with-the-flow eastern design philosophy. For several years now, wabi sabi has been gaining traction on and over similar philosophies, most notably the shabby chic esthetic. Wabi sabi emphasizes utilitarian furniture and accessories, elminating, or at least cutting down on, the clutter and unnecessary knick-knacks so prevalent in previous design philosophies. At the core of this esthetic is simplicity, humility and natural materials. Unlike flouncy shabby chic, there are no frills or gimmicks here.

Texture is an important part of wabi sabi. You'll see quite a bit of rough-hewn and wind-worn wood as well as texturized hand-spun ceramics and cast iron in the…

If you're planning on building a new home somewhere in the great state of Texas, chances are pretty good you've considered the effects of weather on the building materials you plan to use. You might have even looked into the many new and innovative materials on the market designed to save on labour costs, time, and/or money. Some of them are eco-friendly, a few save on maintenance, while others are just plain beautiful to look at. If you need some help with finding the newest and best technologies for your house, or time-tested materials that are coming back into vogue, have a look at our list below. You're sure to find something to make your newly-constructed Texas home stand out!

1. Copper roofing has recently experience a rebirth in new homes. It has…

Let's face the facts: there are many ugly homes on the market that seem beyond salvation. You know the ones: Brady Bunch-era split-levels with dark hallways, cramped kitchens, and no curb appeal whatsoever. Some might say the suburban mid-nineties bungalow is even less appealing, with its pastel-coloured stucco siding, hastily (and sometimes carelessly) constructed interior, and complete lack of character. However, as painful as it might be for some to hear this, there are often redeeming qualities deep down in the properties that are oftentimes automatically relegated to the "no" pile because of their exteriors.

Location, of course, is often the major deciding factor in many home purchases. A property that may not be everything a buyer wants, when in…