Author Archives: Christopher Shea

Pandemic home remodeling is booming: Here’s what your neighbors are doing

There is a lot of activity in Justin Sullivan’s backyard, as workers hammer out his new deck, and jackhammers pound through the basement. Concrete for the new pool has already been poured. The Sullivans had planned a renovation before the pandemic hit, but then suddenly it became a much bigger project. “The pool, the home […]

Construction on New Homes Slows as Supply-Chain Woes Hit the Housing Market

The numbers: New construction slows down U.S. home builders started construction on homes at a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 1.56 million in September, representing a 1.6% decrease from the previous month, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Tuesday. Compared with September 2020, housing starts were up 7.4%. The pace of permitting for new housing units also […]

Don’t Sweat Sweater Weather! 6 Must-Do Home Maintenance Tasks for Fall

“Sweater weather” takes on a whole new meaning when you’re a homeowner. From lawn maintenance to winterizing the pool, the change of the season ushers in a slew of extra items for your to-do list. There’s plenty to keep you busy this fall if you’re feeling ambitious and ready to try your hand at some […]

Home Remodeling Index Pushes to Record Levels of Positive Sentiment

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Positive sentiment among residential contractors across the U.S. pushed to even higher levels in Q2 2021, according to the latest U.S. Remodeler Index (USRI), which surveys design and construction pros in three industry segments: design-build, full-service as well as specialty home improvement. It registered a confidence level of 75.3, up from a very strong […]

Home Remodeling Spending Expected to Increase into 2022

There’s more good news for integrators in terms of potential projects coming from existing homes. According to the latest Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) released by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, annual gains in home remodeling and maintenance spending are set to accelerate in the second half […]

We Asked Home Shoppers What They Want to Know About Homeowners Insurance—Here Are the Answers

Home is where the heart is … as well as a lot of other possessions. That’s why getting quality, reliable homeowners insurance is about so much more than checking an item off the to-do list when you’re buying a home. So we asked home shoppers what they want to know about homeowners insurance, and they […]

5 Decor Trends to Steal from the 2021 Real Simple Home—Including the ‘It’ Color of the Year

When we work with professional interior designers to decorate each room in the Real Simple Home, they’re given free rein to select any colors, patterns, decor, and furniture they like. So long as the space is beautiful, functional, and helps solve any design challenges within the room, the rest is up to their creative whims. This […]

‘Friluftsliv’ is trending: Here’s what to know about the latest interior design craze

CNN —   We’re all familiar with hygge, the concept of heightening our cozy and comfy experience at home, which became omnipresent just as Covid-19 — and all its stay-at-home mandates — came to fruition. And now, as the pandemic is allowing room for more socialization, comes “friluftsliv,” the al fresco Norwegian sister concept that entails embracing […]

2021 Autumn Interior Design Trends and How to Recreate them

‘Tis the season for cool weather, dark colors and falling leaves. Autumn is here! Your pumpkin spice latte, oversized sweaters and caramel-scented candle deserve a comfy space to occupy—and so do you! Ready to get your home in the seasonal mood? UK-based company Online Mortgage Advisor recently took a survey of Pinterest design trends, filtering the inspiration […]