Rethinking the kitchen work triangle

The work triangle, created to save money on building materials and to make cooks more efficient, has inspired kitchen design since the 1940s. It standardized kitchens by placing the sink, stove and refrigerator at opposite points, allowing cooks to move with a simple step-and-turn. But Lee Stahl, a New York designer and owner of The Renovated Home, declares that the concept of the work triangle has become “as outdated as a stove with a pilot light.”
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Home sales better than expected

WASHINGTON — Demand for big-ticket manufactured goods and new home sales both were better than expected in March, raising hopes that the long slides in manufacturing and housing are slowly coming to an end.
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Foreclosure crisis massive

MESA, Ariz. — In one neighborhood here, every block has at least two for-sale signs out front. Many homes have broken porch lights and crispy brown lawns. One house has graffiti on the door.
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Appraisal notices delayed; lawmakers consider property tax measures

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Building permits reflect slower growth of higher-priced homes

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Man finds flair for woodworking

PARTRIDGE — Seated at an old-time shaving bench where cedar limbs are converted to chair tenons, a wide smile crosses Jay Yoder’s face at the thought he might have been born too late.
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It’s time to conquer your clutter

Is your life a stressed-out mess? Are your closets overflowing? Paper piles in the living room?
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Pair these colors with stainless-steel appliances

What are the hottest colors to pair with stainless-steel appliances?
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Before…and after

When newlyweds Jeff and Tamara purchased their home a year ago, they started a massive renovation project. But their work stopped abruptly when life presented them with some unexpected ups and downs. Although they got the great news that they were expecting their first child, two months later they also found out that Tamara had cancer. Needless to say, they quickly shelved plans to finish the house and began what seemed like an endless stream of medical appointments.
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Refinancing? Know break-even point

The most fundamental consideration in whether a homeowner should refinance an existing mortgage is the break-even point that represents how soon the cost of the refinance will be recaptured through lower monthly payments. But while the break-even point is easy enough to calculate, other factors also may influence your decision and, if it’s a go, the type of loan you’ll select.
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Senate OKs plan to help homebuyers

WASHINGTON — The Senate voted Wednesday night to give a tax break of up to $15,000 to homebuyers in hopes of revitalizing the housing industry, a victory for Republicans eager to leave their mark on a mammoth economic stimulus bill at the heart of President Barack Obama’s recovery plan.
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