Remove everything. It’s the best way to get a clear view of what you have. Divide items into piles: keep, donate, toss. If you haven’t worn it in a year, pass it on. Visit locator.goodwill.org for nearby drop-off locations. Polish and shine. Take the time to give your closet a deep cleaning: Dust the shelves, wipe surfaces, and vacuum or [...]

Get recommendations from friends, family, or other respected sources for a trusted contractor. The National Guild of Professional Paperhangers, Inc. at ngpp.org is a great place to start your research. Scope out the competition. Make sure you’re paying a fair price by getting a few written estimates from a few wallpaper hangers. An estimate is best done on site so [...]

Pack your party beads! This year’s Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans, Louisiana, promises to be epic (cocktails, king cake, craziness)  especially if you’ve scored tickets to the 3rd annual Krewe of Rocckus music experience hosted by the alternative rock band Better than Ezra (lead singer Kevin Griffin and guitar player Tom Drummond are Louisiana natives and call the Big Easy [...]

Packing for a coastal road trip? Don’t forget the tunes! We’ve created free playlists on Spotify to suit each of the five coastal drives featured in our February 2013 issue. Which playlist suits you best?

1. Determine whether the piece needs to be stripped before sanding. Older furniture that has been covered in several coats of paint may need the work of a chemical-based stripper to loosen paint, which can be scraped away with a putty knife. 2. Sand all varnished and sealed wood pieces with 120-grit sand paper. For larger items, consider an orbital [...]

Walking into Gum Tree, a cafe and gift shop just blocks from the ocean in Hermosa Beach, California, is a feast for the senses. Founded by husband-and-wife team Will and Lor