Question for Our Experts: I’ve heard about whole-home, wired smoke detectors.  What are they all about, and why are they so great? Our Experts’ Answer: Short Answer This type of smoke detector is called “wired” because it relies on a hardwired power connection as its primary source of power (with battery as a backup), and…

Q. We are planning on going for “honey on cherry” cabinets and gunstock wood floors in our new home. We would like to go for granite countertops. We have a few options but haven’t been able to decide which one to go for. The reason for the confusion is that I like my kitchen to…

Q.  I have cherry cabinets and granite counter tops that have black, tans, browns, and rust colors. My appliances are stainless steel and black. What do you recommend for a wall color? I’m trying to stay away from whites and beiges. Any ideas? A. You may want to consider a warm color to balance the…

Q.  I am purchasing a home with an open floor plan: living room, dining room, family room merges with open kitchen. I plan to re-do the floors in solid hardwood and paint the walls a neutral color. My question is: with an entertainment center in a bleached oak and white kitchen cabinets, what is the best…

Question for Our Experts: I was under the impression that if I have a water softener installed at my home, I’m helping to protect my appliances and keep my drinking water safe.  But my friend just told me about whole-home water filters and ultraviolet light treatment.  Are these extra layers of protection that I need? …

Q. I just rented my apartment but the wall-to-wall carpeting is burgundy.  They told me that the carpet has just been replaced and they won’t replace it in 100 years. What color of rug could I buy to try to attenuate the much-too-vibrant color of the carpet? What do you think will be a good color…