House Design

GRAND RAPIDS — The official start of spring is two days away, even though weve enjoyed spring-like weather for several weeks.

Robins are back, crocuses are blooming and restless gardeners are out turning the soil under sunny skies and early March temperatures that reached all the way into the mid-70s.

Harbingers of spring include brightly colored pansies, spikes of purple lavender and lush carpets of rosemary.

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Every fashionista’s address book contains the name of a great tailor and a reliable cobbler. After all, some alterations and repairs are best left to the pros. But there are loads of inexpensive, easy-to-use and invaluable tools that can be kept on hand for minor wardrobe emergencies, touch-ups and maintenance.

At-home helpers

Test an interior patch first to make sure the oils won’t drastically alter your shoe’s color, then gently rub the sponge across any worn areas. Shoes that have been thoroughly damaged by water, salt or dryness won’t be saved, but those with minor scuffs and fading will be restored instantly.

For $30 or less, you’ll get a portable device that works wonders on wrinkled garments.

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I was thinking that it would be fun to share 8 Great Living Rooms and detail why because it may inspire some of your own decorating ideas over the weekend. Please note that in each of the photos below I’ve actually listed what about each of these looks I love since in some cases, the entire room itself isn’t one I would copy piece-by-piece but there are certain elements about it that I like. Okay let’s go! Ready? Here is the first…

I’m cravin’ me some: Crushed velvet old-fashioned grandmother sofa action. This is such a dreamy couch. I love the pillows but I also hate them which sounds funny but it’s true – they are bad but oh so good! The wall color

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I built this workbench about two years ago. It has three sheets of 3/4 MDF on top and four full extension drawers full of this and that. The workbench probably weights close to 250 pounds. I gave up long ago trying to move it. I saw this caster set advertised in the latest Rockler circular and thought I would give it a try.

Everything was super easy to install with all screws, nuts and lock washers provided.

This allows you to maneuver your heavy work bench with ease.

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The past few weeks have brought unprecedented rainfall to parts of Michigan.

Precipitation totals for May are all over the board.

Grand Rapids logged 3.8 inches for the month, yet more than 4 inches of rain fell on Memorial Day in the Belmont and Rockford areas.

Detroit recorded 5.31 inches in May, while Traverse City had below normal rainfall, slightly more than two inches, according to monthly climate reports from the National Weather Service.

No matter where you live, chances are good that ample rain and intermittent days of cool temperatures will play havoc with plants.

Fungal foes

Wet, overcast days and cool temperatures are a breeding ground for plant diseases.

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