Fall 2009
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Fly Away Home
Unwelcome nocturnal visitors can drive anyone batty
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Watch Your Waste
Saving money on energy bills is more important than ever. First, the economy has us all looking for ways to save money. And second, we want to be good ecological citizens. Fortunately, it’s possible to cut your heating bills this winter by 36 percent without ever feeling a chill. The answer lies in this simple […]
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Staying Current
When you plug in a new appliance, dial up the air, or switch on a reading lamp, you likely don’t give much thought to the wires carrying the electricity. Few people do — and that can be at your own risk. It’s important to pay attention to your home’s wiring, whenever it was built, but […]
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Autumn Sips
Irish Coffee 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 jigger Irish whiskey (1-1/2 ounces or 3 tablespoons) Heavy cream, slightly whipped Fill a footed (or standard) mug with hot water to preheat it, then empty. Pour piping-hot coffee into warmed glass until it’s about 3/4 full. Add brown sugar and […]
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The Sounds of Sondheim
Stephen Sondheim’s musicals are like Chekhov’s plays: Sometimes, you don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Infused with irony, longing, and dark comedy, his musicals have an unequivocal autumnal quality. But the mood never gets too dark; even the bloody Sweeney Todd has its light moments. Add a shot of sophisticated Sondheim to the musical […]
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Comfort in a Bowl
Take the chill out of a brisk autumn day with a piping-hot serving of butternut squash soup. Gourds are not only in season, they’re high in nutrients, too.
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Suburban Refuge
Just beyond their driveway, cars speed along one of Birmingham’s busiest streets. But pull inside the front gate of Eric Jirgens’ and Allan Gilmour’s home, and the bustle seems miles away. Deer, fox, and the occasional falcon are regular visitors to the four-acre property. Koi swim in a shallow pond not far from a gurgling […]
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A Call to Order
The juxtaposition of dissimilar objects in Robert Wilbert’s art encourages the imagination to take flight. In this oil painting, for instance, one wonders about the significance of a goat and a plaster monk behind a female mannequin. The goat often represents Satan. Are the religious figure and the animal vying for the girl’s soul? But […]
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Parks for Pooches
Winter is just around the corner. Soon, walks with our best (furry) friends will be reduced to a quick, mandatory backyard dash. It’s time to savor waning daylight hours and ebbing warmth with a leash-free romp or two at a nearby dog park. Following is a partial list. (Check with individual communities for rules and […]
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When to Pull the Plug
We’ve all heard the stories of faithful appliances that have served their masters well past their predicted obsolescence. Certainly proper use and regular maintenance matter. But we also know that, on any given day, a favorite kitchen or laundry-room servant might bite the dust. Following is the estimated average longevity of common household appliances. (Consider […]
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Intermission with David DiChiera
Michigan Opera Theatre General Director David DiChiera calls his spacious Palmer Park-area home “a big old house with lots of old stuff.” In reality, his “old house” is a charming 5,000-square-foot English country cottage built in 1922, and the “old stuff” refers to treasured mementos that reflect his remarkable life and career. The four-bedroom home […]
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Character Study
Some houses are an attractive sum of all the “important” elements: trend, pedigree, and return on investment. Others are lovely because they reflect the owners’ personalities and evolving sophistication. The home of Sally and Don Kutil emerged in layers, like the rings of a tree, as their children grew and then returned with their own […]
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Hot Seat
This custom dining chair goes through fire to get its edgy elegance.
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Self-contained
Decorative boxes manage to lend beauty while organizing the et cetera of life.
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Rooms for Improvement
The kitchen and bath are the most important spaces in the house, and an updated look employing clean design and natural materials is the ideal. Two Realtors also weigh in with what potential home-buyers are looking for in these rooms.
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Keeping It Fresh
Air fragrance, shower fountain, hand towels, honey soap …
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What’s Cooking
Cuisinart 7-speed hand mixer in buttercup. $49.95, at Sur La Table, The Mall at Partridge Creek, Clinton Township; 586-226-1452. Towels, $19.50, and table linens, $18, at Chapman House Classic Home, Rochester; 248-651-7630. Turbo Chef 30-inch Double Wall Speedcook is so fast, it can roast a Thanksgiving turkey in 42 minutes. $9,995, at Specialties Showroom, Berkley; […]
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Italian Style
Berloni America, DeGiulio Kitchen & Bath, Roma Sposa, and Luigi Bruni Salon hosted Italian Style on Nov. 12 in downtown Birmingham.
