Do-it-yourselfers give new life to old dinnerware

Vintage dishware doesn't have to gather dust in the china cabinet.

Just like 'Downton' : Historical patterns for interior design enjoying a resurgence courtesy of popular PBS series

The British period drama TV series, created by Julian Fellowes, is set in the fictional Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey, depicts the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the post-Edwardian era around 1912.

Painting interior doors adds 'wow' to rooms

If you've got your decor looking just about right but want that extra "wow" factor, consider painting interior doors.

Doelling Decorating Center overcomes fire

The Doelling Decorating Center was extensively damaged after a lightning strike started the warehouse roof on fire Aug. 4. Damage is estimated to be nearly $500,000 with the building needing to be completely rebuilt.

Doelling Decorating Center overcomes fire

Paul Doelling, owner of Doelling Decorating Center, stands inside his warehouse that burnt after a lightning strike Aug. 4. He estimates the damage at nearly $500,000. "It was so overwhelming that I seriously, seriously considered quitting," Paul said of the choice to rebuild the long-time store.

Doelling Decorating Center overcomes fire

Paul Doelling, owner of Doelling Decorating Center, looks at a large hole in the ceiling of his burnt-out store in Valparaiso. The business was struck by lighting on Aug. 4 causing extensive damage to the long-time store.

Doelling Decorating Center overcomes fire

Paul Doelling, owner of Doelling Decorating Center in Valparaiso, looks at soot on his hand while standing Tuesday in a salvaged portion of his business that burned from a lightning strike earlier this year.

Doelling Decorating Center overcomes fire

Malissa Doelling talks to a customer on the phone in the temporary location of the Doelling Decorating Center after their long-time storefront was hit by lightning and burned Aug 4.

Doelling Decorating Center overcomes fire

Paul Doelling, owner of Deolling Decorating Center in Valparaiso, walks inside the burned-out warehouse of his business. The store was struck by lighting on Aug. 4 causing extensive damage to the long-time store.

Doelling Decorating Center overcomes fire

The Doelling Decorating Center has relocated to Marsh Street after the long-time business burned from a lightning strike on Aug. 4.

Mom-and-pop decor companies carve out niches

For small, mom-and-pop shops that produce goods for the home but don't have big advertising budgets, the Internet helps level the playing field, bringing customers who are looking for something different.

Day of Caring volunteers paint for a cause

VALPARAISO | The University of Phoenix volunteer team helped PCACS get ready for a new tenant as part of the 2012 United Way Day of Caring.

Stencils an easy way to decorate a home

With a decorative stencil and some paint, you can decorate not just walls but just about any surface of your home.

Library offers artistic event for kids

Crete Public Library's popular "Paint the Parking Lot" event attracted scores of kids and parents.

Crete Public Library's annual Paint the Parking Lot

CRETE | Crete resident Curtiss Croslley II assists his son Curtiss Crossley III at the Crete Public Library's annual Paint the Parking Lot event Tuesday, June 26, 2012.

Crete Public Library's annual Paint the Parking Lot

CRETE | Crete resident Chris Dignan wipes paint off his two-year-old daughter Ava at the Crete Public Library's annual Paint the Parking Lot event Tuesday, June 26, 2012.

Crete Public Library's annual Paint the Parking Lot

CRETE | Eight-year-old Abbi Charon of Crete works on her artful creation at the Crete Public Library's annual Paint the Parking Lot event Tuesday, June 26, 2012.

Scenes of summer

Rachael Pilarski, 11, of Valparaiso, gives her canvas a blue wash of paint Wednesday while Chesterton Middle School art teacher Jody Nix holds the canvas still during the Valparaiso University All About Art summer art camp at Rogers-Lakewood Park in Valparaiso.

Scenes of summer

Addison Keiser, 12, of Chesterton, paints an abstract landscape Wednesday during the Valparaiso University All About Art summer art camp at Rogers-Lakewood Park in Valparaiso.

Scenes of summer

Chesterton Middle School art teacher Jody Nix shows Colby Bullock, 9, of Chesterton, painting techniques during a Valparaiso University All About Art summer art camp Wednesday at Rogers-Lakewood Park in Valparaiso.