Articles By:

Randy Boerstler

I started as a home-stalker... visiting brand new homes under construction in the neighborhoods near my house. That inspired me to write about home building and home renovation projects -- chronicling homes during different phases of construction from a consumer's point-of-view. Basically, the tips you'll find in my articles are a collection of checklists for what I think should (and should not) go into building or remodeling a quality home.

How To Choose An Interior Paint Finish

Choosing the correct paint finish for your interior paint project is a breeze when your armed with the proper knowledge of each type and where best to use it.

Try Your Hand At Rag Rolling Painting

Rag rolling painting can be a fun and adventurous project that will give your room a dramatic effect. Materials and instructions are included in this article for DIY'ers.

Creative Ideas For An Oversized Garage

What could have possessed a builder to construct this over-sized garage that is attached to the front facade of such an attractive house? What's your best guess? I have my own ideas.

Classic and Creative Open Staircase Designs

Open staircase designs are one way to improve the floor plan of a home. It's a great way to make an architectural statement rather than keeping it behind closed doors.

Build An Outdoor Privacy Screen

It's good to have neighbors you can chat it up with but sometimes you need your privacy. If your backyard is in dire need of a privacy screen it's time you made plans to correct that issue and begin enjoying your own little slice of heaven right outside your back door.

Vern Yip’s Dining Room Design at The Willcox

Vern Yip's dining room design includes an intricately designed wall covering consisting of wood veneer paneling with a scroll inlay pattern. From a distance you'd think the wall was covered in silk material. It's creative yet simple.

The Lobby of The Willcox Sets The Mood

Curly pine wood paneling, twin fireplaces made of fieldstone, hand-hewn solid oak timber joists. Those are just a few of the extraordinary building materials in use in The Willcox lobby. Old world craftsmanship and attention to detail are two outstanding characteristics of this historic building.

The Willcox Roosevelt Suite – The Lap of Luxury

The Willcox is an historic hotel located in the heart of thoroughbred country in Aiken, South Carolina. Character abounds in this freshly restored and renovated high-end hotel and resort/spa.

The i-House Is Breaking New Ground

The Clayton Homes i-House is one of the latest prefab homes for consumers to choose from in an already crowded housing market. The difference here is all of the great green features that the i-house has to offer the buyer.

Everything You Need To Know About ENERGY STAR Labeled Homes (for now)

Buying a home that is ENERGY STAR labeled is a wise choice. It's a win-win-win situation for homeowners, builders and the environment. Here is what it takes to qualify a home for the Energy Star label.

This Stone Sunburst Fireplace “Shines”

The stacked stone sunburst surround design of this fireplace is a marvelous piece of stonework. The keeping room, with it's cathedral ceiling and open web wooden beam ceiling makes for a wonderful place to gather with friends and family around the fireplace.

It’s Not A Victorian Home Without A Turret (Tower)

This brand new Victorian style house looks like it could have been built decades ago with all of it's features that remain true to Victorian architecture. See how it was built -- start to finish.

Damaged Windshields See A New Life As Unique Green Home Building Products

Damaged and junk windshields come to life once more through a unique process combining both art and science to create beautiful building products. Seeing is believing.

Top 10 Home Remodeling Projects: Cost vs. Value

Now's the time to tackle that long overdue remodeling project. Why? Take a look around. The housing inventory is bloated and might take a while to recover. So make the most of it by making your family happy with a much needed renovation while at the same time making it a wise investment with this very informative Cost vs. Value report.

Making Sense of WaterSense Labeled Toilets (HET’s)

Lots of information on WaterSense labeled high-efficient toilets (HET's). Performance is much improved over the early HET's. There are also many more brands, styles and models of HET's to choose from than ever before. Get out the checkbook! It's time to save some water...and eventually recoup the expense and labor of the new toilet over the old one.