Home Improvement
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Prefab housing turns focus on small homesOct 01, 2016 5:00 am - Author Sheri Koones believes that prefab houses (or "prefabulous," as she calls them) are the homes of the future. She's written five books about them. In the new "Prefa...
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Smell from deceased critter creates issue in rental homeSep 18, 2016 6:00 am - Q. I own a rental house here in town. Apparently, there is a bad odor on the second floor, which is probably due to a dead animal. I remember hearing an animal in the wa...
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A grown-up's guide to creating a kid's study spaceSep 11, 2016 7:00 am - When it's time for kids to go back to school, smart parents know that in addition to buying school supplies and lunch ingredients, they need to prepare a dedicated study...
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Homeowners dealing with a bubbling, splashing toiletSep 11, 2016 5:00 am - Q. I really your enjoy your weekly column on home repair; it is very interesting and even more informative. I've had an ongoing issue with my toilet and I was hoping you...
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Fortified mudrooms are more than the place to stash your bootsSep 10, 2016 6:00 am - Mudrooms are the ugly ducklings of the home. Purely functional, the dirt and sloppiness are so integrated and expected in this room that “mud” is a part of its very name...
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'Painted ladies' featured on 35th annual Historic Elgin House TourSep 07, 2016 11:00 pm - John and Sara Boline's east side home came with so impressive a pedigree that when the Gifford Park Association held its first Historic Elgin House Tour in 1982, that ho...
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Counter top cooking appliances versus range and ovenSep 04, 2016 5:00 am - Q. I cook a lot at home, usually just for my husband and myself now that the kids are older. I was wondering if it is more efficient to use smaller countertop appliances...
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Cleaning solution, elbow grease needed for outdoor projectAug 28, 2016 5:00 am - Q. I saw a column of yours in the paper a few months ago and I can't remember what you told the person. I have been in my home for 11 years and the previous owner put o...
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Repeat winners in Des Plaines Curb Appeal contestAug 18, 2016 1:00 am - Michael Fedirko and Sam Cook's Des Plaines home has such great curb appeal, they're repeat winners in an annual citywide home improvement competition. The residents of 1...
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Garage makeover winner enjoys his own inner sanctumAug 14, 2016 6:00 am - Rob Ruisz is a garage guy. His Schaumburg garage is his man cave. He works on his motorcycle, cars and pickup truck there. This is also where he completes house maintena...