At Home: 10 steps to the perfect sofa

I still remember my shock and dismay when I realized that sofas had to be bought. Somehow I thought sofas just happened. They always simply showed up in homes, hotels, and offices without explanation or fanfare, like feral kittens or bills.

At Home: Fixin' to Sell

Maybe it’s because I was the youngest in my family. Maybe it’s because I’m five-foot-three and have a voice like snow white, but I lash out like a cornered rattlesnake when someone doesn’t take me seriously.

At Home: If you can dress, you can decorate

I know, I know, to many of you the idea of decorating an empty room feels as horrifying as one of those dreams where you're suddenly in public naked. But I'm going to fix that.

At Home: Turn Your Closet into a Boutique Just for You

Quick: Which room in your house needs attention the most? Kitchen? Bathroom? Garage?

At Home: How to sell what where

The author of "Garage Sale Millionaire" had come to Orlando to visit theme parks with his wife and 3-year-old son. I took it as a sign. Divine deliverance.

At Home: Parents’ possessions put past in perspective

Like my mother, the Roman God Janus — for whom January is named — had eyes in the back of his head. In fact, he had an entire face on the back of his head, so he could look backward and forward at once. This feature earned him the distinction of “god of doors.” He ruled comings and goings.

Plot spoilers pose 'Downton Abbey' challenge

There are many delicious reasons to watch the returning "Downton Abbey" and an exasperating one to skip it: The cover's been blown on major plot twists.

At Home: Resolving to repurpose

This time of year I always feel a little sick to my stomach, and not just because of those midnight romps at the dessert buffet with the bottomless glass of Prosecco. (Do they make a combo antacid headache tablet?)

At Home: A Look Back at Lessons Learned 2012, Part 2

A look back at the lessons the year served up reveals I once again had my share of jams, upheavals and awakenings. I faithfully reported these with what I hope some would call humor served with a dollop of advice on the side.

Pet food labels decoded

With hundreds of pet food products available, how do you decide what's best for your pet? It's smart to start with the label - but labels can be confusing if you don't know what to look for.

Interview with Diana of the Dunes

Sitting on a grassy sand dune one evening last summer, I was gazing over Lake Michigan at a sunset that brought to mind a 19th century religious painting: fat pink-and-gray rays shooting out from a small, tight, fiery hot-pink, ball of sun. The kind of sun that absorbs someone’s soul up to, …

Interview with Diana of the Dunes

Sitting on a grassy sand dune one evening last summer, I was gazing over Lake Michigan at a sunset that brought to mind a 19th century religious painting: fat pink-and-gray rays shooting out from a small, tight, fiery hot-pink, ball of sun. The kind of sun that absorbs someone’s soul up to, …

Shaw Thoughts: 'Angels' in search of a better government

This is a true story but the names have been changed to protect the benevolent.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Unintended consequences put consumers at risk

Congress passed financial overhaul legislation last year that brought much needed reforms to America's financial system. The new law provides more financial safeguards, although consumers are learning that an unintended consequence of the reforms will be harmful to their pocketbooks.