Orson Klender's (oklender) Blog

Experience the thrill of the hunt without ignorance ruining the spoils, with this guide to antiquing for novice buyers. The world of antiques has so much to offer, and it is more accessible than you might think. If you’ve been considering adding an antique piece or two to your home but are not s...

Take the ecofriendly high road with a low-cost outdoor chair you make yourself! Summertime is just around the corner, and the days of old iron patio furniture are behind us. We’re all about going green and reclaiming materials for new purposes! Today the possibilities with pallets are endless, a...

QUOTE OF THE WEEK… ”In April the sweet showers fall…” –Geoffrey Chaucer, Prologue to ‘The Canterbury Tales’ INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE… A shower of home purchases sure sweetened the real estate market in April, as Existing Home Sales gained 0.6% for the month, hitting an annual rate of 4.97 ...

Not a natural tidying and organizing whiz? Take hope in one short phrase that can change your life forever. Ask anyone who knows me well: For years and years, a passion of mine was cleaning and organizing. This might lead you to believe that our home was a bastion of tidiness and order, but the t...

Most people don’t think that when they’re renting a house or even an apartment that they could easily be paying a mortgage which can be cheaper than paying rent. If you plan on staying in a home or neighborhood long-term, you should consider buying instead of renting because you will be able to b...

Use a post to add architectural interest, create a focal point or just give your open kitchen some structure. Before you tear down a wall to open your kitchen to the dining or living room, you must determine if it is holding up part of your ceiling. If it is, you will need to install a header bea...

Don't dismiss cars, bars and the kegerator — a man space of some kind is important for emotional well-being at home. Calm down, ladies. When a man wants his own space in the house — be it a cave, garage, bar, media room, billiards hall, woodshop or bowling alley — it’s not a red flag indicating t...

Want a picture-perfect lawn? Maybe artificial grass is the answer. It solves watering, weeding, and fertilizing woes. But is it perfect?   If you live in a low-water area, or if you’re just tired of constant lawn maintenance, you’re in good company. More home owners are saving time, water — and t...

QUOTE OF THE WEEK... "Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress." --Nicholas Murray Butler, American diplomat and educatorSaratoga Springs, NY - INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE... It definitely takes guts to remain optimistic in the face of so...

Soaring stonework and nifty custom storage take a spacious living room in Washington from bland to beautiful. When Houzzer Lana Carlene became fed up with her house, which she called a "big, bland, beige box," she decided to do something about its lack of character — one room at a time. She began...