last episode of home improvement

America’s home improvement boom appears to be over
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America’s home improvement boom appears to be over


New York
CNN
—

Americans turned into DIY fanatics during the pandemic, beautifying their apartments, homes and condos while they were stuck inside and tired of looking at the same drab interior every day.

But the Covid emergency is over, prices are (much) higher, consumers are growing fearful of a recession and people are spending less at Lowe’s and Home Depot.

Lowe’s on Tuesday lowered its profit and sales outlook for the year, saying consumers were spending less on home improvement. It comes on the heels of rival Home Depot also posting disappointing sales and a somber forecast last week.

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Home improvement issues were the 2nd biggest source of complaints in 2022
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Home improvement issues were the 2nd biggest source of complaints in 2022

Home Improvement

Here’s how to file one in Massachusetts — and how to avoid getting into that mess in the first place.

Gavel And Soundboard On Consumer Protection Law Book Over Wooden Table for a story on consumer complaints

The Globe’s Ask the Remodeler writer offers tips for vetting contractors. Adobe Stock

For the seventh year in a row, auto sales and repair complaints ranked first in the 2022 consumer complaint survey report, conducted by the Consumer Federation of America.

Home improvement/contractor issues and consumer debt/credit rank second and third, respectively.

Here’s what to know if you want to file a complaint in Massachusetts.

Start at the Attorney General’s Office. There, you can file a consumer complaint

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Beautiful Vintage Wine Glasses – French Country Cottage
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Beautiful Vintage Wine Glasses – French Country Cottage

Have I mentioned I have an affinity for vintage place setting elements? Or maybe you already noticed that. From dainty detailed plates to vintage linens and lovely etched glassware- I am always on the lookout for a beautiful piece to bring home.

Vintage Wine Glasses & Other Glassware

The other day, we went out thrifting and stopped by several different thrift stores to find some treasures. I walked in and made a beeline to the kitchen and home area and stopped in my tracks when I saw stacks of beautiful vintage dishes, bowls, glasses and more. My daughter looked at

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getting grand with flowers – MY FRENCH COUNTRY HOME
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getting grand with flowers – MY FRENCH COUNTRY HOME

I was recently lucky enough to spend 24 hours in the Loire Valley. We have a tour there at the end of August, and I need to check some addresses – never a hardship!

I had heard about the amazing flowers at the Chateau de Chenonceaux, and was determined to see what all the fuss was about.

I was not disappointed. They know a lot about getting grand with flowers!

Chenonceaux itself is a truly stunning chateaux that spans the Cher river from bank to bank. The history of the place dates back to the 16th century, and each age

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Tips on hiring contractors for home improvement projects
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Tips on hiring contractors for home improvement projects

Before reaching out to any contractor for an estimate, the Better Business Bureau of Washington recommends you do a few things first.

SEATTLE — With warm temperatures in the forecast, homeowners may be ready to start home improvement projects. Some larger projects may require hiring a contractor to get the job done. The Better Business Bureau of Washington is sharing reminders for consumers to avoid falling for contractor scams.

Before reaching out to any contractor for an estimate, it’s recommended you do a few things first.

“You should look to plan your project from start to finish,” said Logan Hickle,

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