home improvement stores near me Archives

finding my garden inspiration – MY FRENCH COUNTRY HOME

29/10/2025 Kartika

I’m always looking for garden inspiration. Like most gardeners, I never sit back and say ‘This is finished’, the creation is fun!

You may remember at the end of last year, I had the visit of garden designer Philippe Dubreuil. I love his garden in the Perche, it is a true garden inspiration for me. He came to lunch and kindly took a moment to wander around my garden, analyzing what we had going on, and giving me suggestions for improvement.

“You have to be more BOLD”, he said several times. I nodded vaguely, trying to envisage how this would play out… When you already think you’re doing your maximum, it’s hard to see what needs to be done to be BOLD. But like a tiny seed dropped into a flower pot, his words germinated in my head, and when he generously sent me a plan for the garden design,

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Fewer Americans are making home improvements after covid

08/10/2025 Kartika

Home Improvement

America’s obsession with renovating homes is finally coming to an end.

the trend that took over during the pandemic-triggered lockdown is now fading away, thanks in part to volatile economic conditions. The shift has started to impact companies such as Home Depot, one of the largest retailers in the US, which reaped the benefits of the trend over the past few years.

Quartz Smart Investing: Anna Han

Americans’ love for improving homes helped Home Depot’s revenue climb to a record $160 billion for the quarter ended on Jan. 31, 2023—up from $70 billion for the same period in 2008-2009.

But things are shaping up differently now. For the first time since 2009, Home Depot’s executives suspect a drop in its annual sales as they did observed that people are spending less on renovations and power tools.

“We saw more pressure across the business

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Home Depot misses estimates as home improvement demand softens

21/09/2025 Kartika

Home Improvement

Home Depot (HD) reported its fiscal first quarter 2023 earnings results on Tuesday, falling short of estimates as consumer spending on home improvement slowed compared to the pandemic-induced surge.

While Home Depot beat earnings expectations, its revenue for the first quarter declined by 4.2% compared to the same period last year. Same-store sales growth also disappointed, with a 4.5% decrease, significantly lower than the estimated 1.42% decline.

The company’s shares dropped over 4% in pre-market trading following the announcement.

CEO Ted Decker acknowledged the moderation in the home improvement market.

“After a three-year period of unprecedented growth for our sector, during which we grew sales by over $47 billion, we expected that fiscal 2023 would be a year of moderation for the home improvement market,” Decker said in a statement.

Factors such as lumber deflation and adverse weather conditions, particularly in the Western division due to extreme weather in California,

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soaking up spring and our may/june magazine

12/09/2025 Kartika

Home Improvement

MFCH MAGAZINE MAY/JUNE — Cover photo by Frederic Ducout

May is one of the busiest moments in my year. The garden needs attention, our MFCH Tours pick up speed and social life here gets busy again after the quieter winter.

My favorite time of the day is when I can finally sit and relax and flip through the MFCH Magazine. The May/June issue is a particular favorite of mine because it is full of beautiful homes and gardens around France in the springtime. Putting our magazine together every two months is rather like making a large, colorful cocktail. We always try to include the right blend of interiors, gardens, recipes and in-depth portraits. It is a privilege for me to have this place to showcase so much of what I love about France.

I’m particularly excited about the home featured on the cover. A mini chateau, renovated by designer Arthur van der Straeten, and

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Home Depot Cuts Outlook as Softening Demand Hits Sales

10/09/2025 Kartika

Home Improvement

(Bloomberg) — Home Depot Inc. cut its outlook for the year after first-quarter sales dropped more than expected, a sign that economic uncertainty is leading to a pullback in home-improvement spending.

Here’s how to earn up to $14K for home improvements

06/02/2024 Kartika

Home Improvement

If you’re looking to upgrade your home, you may be able to save thousands of dollars by taking advantage of the Reduced Inflation Act, which includes tax credits and cash rebates on certain energy-efficient purchases.

When Paul Hope renovated his house, he tried to make eco-friendly choices. That includes switching from a gas stove to an electric stove.

“I’ve always preferred gas cooking, but I know electric and induction cooktops have gotten a lot better over the years and a lot better for the environment,” says Hope.

With funding from Congress, the Reduced Inflation Act means homeowners can take advantage of up to $14,000 in rebates and tax credits to make energy efficiency improvements.

How much you can earn depends on how much you earn, where you live, and what upgrades you make.

If you’re looking to upgrade to a more eco-friendly hob, like Hope does, a discount of up

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Spin-off of HGTV home improvement show is set to start production in Wilmington

22/07/2023 Kartika

Home Improvement

Karen E. Laine and her daughter, Mina Starsiak-Hawk, are the team behind HGTV's — Karen E. Laine and her daughter, Mina Starsiak-Hawk, are the team behind HGTV’s “Good Bones.” A spin-off version of the show is shooting in Wilmington.

A spin-off of HGTV show “Good Bones” is set to begin production in Wilmington.

According to a film permit filed with the city of Wilmington, the show is set to shoot next week at a house at 807 Russell Alley, near Queen and Eighth streets.

“Good Bones” has been running on HGTV since 2016. In the show, typically rundown homes are remodeled, often with stunning results.

How the spin-off might differ from “Good Bones,” which is hosted by Karen E. Laine and her daughter, Mina Starsiak-Hawk, wasn’t immediately apparent. Representatives of High Noon Entertainment of Aurora, Colorado, which filed the permit, did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

This home at 807 Russell Alley in Wilmington is slated to be part of an HGTV home improvement show, according to a film permit filed with the city of Wilmington. — This home at 807 Russell Alley in Wilmington is slated to be part of an HGTV home

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Final Touch Home Improvements Is A Top-Rated Home Improvement Contractor In Philadelphia, PA

19/07/2023 Kartika

Home Improvement

PRESS RELEASE

Published July 18, 2023

Final Touch Home Improvements is committed to providing clients with innovative and creative designs and solutions. In an update, the licensed contractor noted the top quality of an excellent home improvement contractor.

(Philadelphia, PA, July 2023) In the latest website post, Final Touch Home Improvements shared the attributes of Philadelphia’s most outstanding Kitchen Remodeling Contractor. The crew further noted that they take their relationships with clients seriously, as a family-owned business. They are responsible for producing outstanding customer service with uncompromising integrity.

One of the key attributes that make Final Touch Home Improvements the most prioritized Kitchen Remodeling Company in Philadelphia is that they have all the skills and expertise to deliver the results clients need. The expertise, attention to detail, and strive to deliver quality workmanship. Additionally, Final Touch Home Improvements consistently maintains a positive experience for customers with quality finished products they

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Financeit buys biggest rival to expand monthly lending to Canadian home improvement market

16/07/2023 Kartika

Home Improvement

Michael Garrity wants to change the way Canadians pay for home improvement.

The chief executive officer of Financeit Canada Inc. figures less than 5 per cent of those costly projects are financed the way other big purchases are bought – with monthly installation loans. Homeowners mostly use credit cards, home-equity credit lines or cash to pay for their pools, HVAC systems, additions and roofs. Mr. Garrity wants to see 95 per cent use the kinds of loans Finance it provides, similar to levels in homes and cars. His company makes more loans such as home improvement than any specialty financier in Canada.

Now, Toronto-based Financeit is extending that lead with

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Taniya Nayak Spills Behind-the-Scenes Details From ‘Battle on the Beach’ to ‘Build It Forward’

07/07/2023 Kartika

Home Improvement

Taniya Nayak is everywhere these days.

Maybe you’ve seen her coaching her team in Season 3 of the design competition “Battle on the Beach” or working alongside co-host Shane Duffy to treat deserving homeowners to makeovers in Season 2 of “Build It Forward.”

Given she’s been around the block on the HGTV circuit, we wanted to hear her perspective on what really happens behind the scenes of a reality TV show. So we asked, and she answered! She shares some surprising details (including the “Battle on the Beach” alliance few know exists), plus some smart design tips she’s learned along the way that she thinks every home owner should keep in mind.

‘Battle on the Beach’ just wrapped Season 3! It looks like you guys have so much fun while filming. Do you have any funny behind-the-scenes stories from this season?

It’s so much fun. It’s just as much fun

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