21 Mar 2010

Nineteenth-century San Diego merchant Simon Levis memory lives on in two buildings in the downtown ballpark district. A multistory warehouse, now used for offices, and a former Safeway grocery -- both carrying Levis name -- have been restored, the latter for the third time.

14 Feb 2010

In China, young lovers exchange camellias. In ancient Korea, camellias played starring roles in weddings. In the West, they are symbols of beauty in winter, because these evergreen shrubs bloom when many other plants dont.

14 Feb 2010

California West Communities is opening its 31-home Crosby Villas project this weekend in Rancho Santa Fe. Prices start in the mid-$800,000s on floor plans of 3,034 to 3,612 square feet.

25 Oct 2009

Forget wiring your new home for audio, video and data. Pass on the upgraded kitchen cabinets. Say no to thicker carpets. If you want to add lasting value, opt for landscaping.

25 Oct 2009

WASHINGTON -- Could a little-known and potentially controversial practice by mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac kill or stall your next loan application? Absolutely.

25 Oct 2009

DESIGN EVENTS 
AND CLASSES

25 Oct 2009

Robert Mosher may be old (89), but hes still relevant in todays upside-down real estate market, having pioneered San Diegos modern architectural movement and survived numerous booms and busts.

25 Oct 2009

As a benefit of living in a Mediterranean climate region, San Diegans can enjoy fresh produce from their gardens while folks in much of the country put their landscapes to bed for the winter.

25 Oct 2009

Make a big splash with the backsplash design in your home's kitchen or bathroom. Backsplashes have evolved from standard-issue ceramic squares to stellar glass, metal and stone tiles.

18 Oct 2009

Keith York, a mid-century modern architectural historian, will review the work of the late San Diego architect Homer Delawie at the Museum of San Diego History in Balboa Park at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

18 Oct 2009

Use a timer when irrigating plants by hand or with a manual sprinkler. It will minimize the chances of becoming distracted and overwatering.

18 Oct 2009

The headline on the invitation for next Sunday's Valley Center historic home tour reads "The June Allyson-Dick Powell Estate." If you're into Hollywood and these 1940s icons, you can see why Allyson and Powell bought this corner of laid-back Valley Center and built an Old California-style retreat.

18 Oct 2009

Annual home and craft fair returns to the Del Mar Fairgrounds with demonstrations, a kid's zone, drawings, arts and handmade crafts. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

18 Oct 2009

Thought to be the first plant ever cultivated, gourds for centuries have provided man with everything from bowls, bottles and storage containers to musical instruments, food and drink.

18 Oct 2009

Lowering our energy bills would make a huge impact on our budget, but I frankly don't even know where to begin figuring out what to do. My bigger concern first, though, is not what problems my house has, but what do I need to know before I even start figuring it all out.

18 Oct 2009

Beyond conventional backsplashes, there are many more interiors candidates for the decorative use of tile.

18 Oct 2009

If someone approaches you with an offer to buy your house for a price that seems even the least bit out of the ordinary, theres a possibility that the money for the deal is coming from illegal drugs, prostitution or organized crime.

11 Oct 2009

Rubber stamping and altered surfaces:Learn stamping basics including embossing, layers and distressed surfaces. 6 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday or noon to 3:30 p.m. Saturday; Allegra Art and Crafts Studio, 245 Church St., Chula Vista. $24, materials included; bring scissors and adhesive or foam tape. Registration: (619) 559-1212.

11 Oct 2009

However well-intentioned and resourceful they might be, most homeowners are at a disadvantage when it comes to tackling their own remodeling or building projects.

11 Oct 2009

A bedroom should be a sanctuary, but clutter can make it a source of stress. Here are de-cluttering tips from professional organizer Scott Roewer, president of Solutions by Scott in Washington, D.C.: