Window treatment ideas (link)

Here are some clever and fun ideas for window treatments from HGTV; they include using a golf club and a yardstick to hang curtains from and using breacelets, necklaces, and ties to contain them with: 10 Creative Ways  

Add color with throw pillows (link)

From HGTV: Lots of interesting and colorful pillows, but they clutter up sofas and chairs--and I refuse to do anything that makes making my bed harder, but see for yourself:   Bright Ideas for Arranging Throw Pillows 

Decorating and furnishing ideas

I enjoyed the make over articles in the April 2015 issue of HGTV Magazine; using the wasted space under stairways for bookcases and lockers is cool.  (I like the lockers tucked away against the side wall with the bookcases facing you.)  And the metal storage bench at the end of a bed is different though I'd prefer something softer...  A hanging fireplace is different too, though I miss the hearth.

I aways enjoy the What's the Difference and How Bad Is It columns.  So that's the difference between a loveseat and a settee!  I confess I thought they were the same.   Settees are less cushy and not as wide and may have exposed arms--or no arms.  I learned more about dryer sheets, among other things, also--such as Don't leave them stacked on the dryer.

Browsing in an British kitchen (link)

Fun look at what you might find in an British kitchen.  Well, there's Marmite (I'd like to taste that some day), golden syrup, warm eggs, and a washing machine.  (I knew about washing machines in British--and European--kitchens from watching House Hunters International.  It's one of those things that frightens Americans when they visit foreign countries...  Check them all out at this BBCAmerica website:
9 Things You'll Find in an British Kitchen

Decorating trends (link)

I love the watercolors and pastels--chunky knits not so much.  And usually I like metallics...  Check out more ideas from HGTV.com here: Decorating trends 

Bookshelf decor (link)

In some cases, there's more clutter than books on these bookshelves--or maybe they don't have enough books--but you may pick up a few ideas from this HGTV web page: 10 Shelf Styling Tricks 

Saving energy: the basics (link)

These are the basics, but it's good to be reminded.  I can save energy by using cooler water when I wash clothes--and then there's the computer.  Draft blockers are still useful.  Check them all out and see if you can't do better: 9 Ways to Save 

Decorating and garden ideas

I loved the country home makeover (Bellview, Texas) in the April issue of Country Living, and I learned about buffalo checks and chintz.  I also enjoyed the restored and reproduction early stoves, which are elegant and colorful.  Fun ideas for kitchens and furniture too.  And the roses and gardens in Homegrown Charm are lovely.  And I learned lots in the collectibles column.  (We used to have a house full of trunks that my sister restored, btw.)

Historical houses in Wisconsin

There's a PBS special this week (March 2)--depends on your PBS channel--on historical--and impressive--homes in Wisconsin.  Here's a brief preview link (followed by other videos): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFhsqXb_BUU  and another link: http://wptschedule.org/episodes/45651599/Remarkable-Homes-of-Wisconsin/