Use care if giving your home to children
A house is typically one of the most valuable assets someone owns, both financially and sentimentally. It makes sense, then, that out of love and generosity, many parents want to give their houses to their children during their lives or pass them down as an inheritance. It’s difficult to imagine that giving your child your family home could backfire, but it might — especially if you... READ MORE
Away during the winter? Prep your house
As the temperature drops and months of cold weather loom ahead, snowbirds pack up for warmer climates, anticipating sunny days free of freezing ice, snow shoveling and other winter worries. But if you’re not careful to prepare your home before you travel thousands of miles to your warmer destination, that escape won’t be so carefree. “You just don’t know what can happen when... READ MORE
Devices let you grow vegetables indoors
You don’t need a green thumb to grow vegetables indoors. On the contrary, there are plenty of indoor greenhouses that take the work out of growing plants — from the amount of water they get to the right dosage of light. One of these indoor greenhouses (referred to as “automated growing systems”) was created by six engineering students at Rice University. Aside from planting the... READ MORE
Educational options around Baltimore
If you miss school — but not the homework or exams — look into the many continuing education programs offered around the Baltimore area. From aerobics to zoology, there is sure to be something to pique your interest. Below we describe a few. Contact those of interest to find out costs and other details. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Towson University The Osher Foundation... READ MORE
Many benefit from living near colleges
Ruth and Jack Casper, who live in Owings Mills, have been taking courses for several years at the Senior Institute program offered at the Owings Mills and Hunt Valley “extension centers” of the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC). “We especially enjoy the art history courses,” said Ruth, adding that all the classes are non-credit and are reasonably priced. (Students 60+... READ MORE
Decluttering frees space, lifts the soul
You don’t need to be facing retirement or a move to decide it’s time to create more breathing room in your life. The practice is liberating at any age, according to Virginia Onufer, 52, of Chevy Chase, Md., a writer who works from home. Recently, Onufer, with the help of a professional organizer, cleared her 1,800-square-foot house of 30 tall kitchen bags stuffed with kitchen... READ MORE
Making moving less stressful
When Joanne and Martin Neff moved from their large, multi-level home in New York to their new three-bedroom apartment in Pikesville’s North Oaks Senior Living Community, the move could have been daunting, to say the least. “Nobody likes chaos,” said Joanne. But after a friend suggested that a move manager could ease the transition, the Neffs turned to Charna Kinneberg, owner of... READ MORE
D.C. exhibit focuses on adaptable homes
Most housing is designed for nuclear families (one couple with dependent children), but today, most U.S. households don’t meet that description. That’s why flexible floor plans — and innovations including moveable walls, smart technology, multifunctional furniture and space-saving features — are the future, according to a new exhibit, “Making Room: Housing for a Changing... READ MORE
Make the most of small outdoor spaces
As herb and vegetable gardens, composting and other aspects of green living become more popular, many people with limited outdoor space are looking for ways to squeeze the most out of it. “A client in a modern high-rise in downtown Chicago did not have a typical garden per se, but did have a large outdoor balcony with a beautiful view,” said interior designer Edyta Czajkowska,... READ MORE
The latest design apps for home layouts
Planning out how to arrange furniture in your home — or plants in your garden — used to involve a pencil, graph paper, a measuring tape and a lot of imagination. The process has gotten easier — and way more streamlined — thanks to a burgeoning selection of home and garden apps. Furniture companies, interior design firms and even landscapers have been rolling out a new... READ MORE
