Dear Jean and Richard, I’m struggling with whether to upgrade my home to totally suit myself or with an eye toward resale. Should I play it safe with neutral color choices and more conventional surfaces to be sure it’s more marketable? Karin, Atlanta… more »

Dear Jean and Richard, Is it my imagination or are we going through a styling time-warp? Recently I’ve seen shag carpet (now called frieze,) bowls used for sinks (now called vessels,) and light fixtures that look as though they were salvaged from an old… more »

Dear Jean and Richard, We’re thinking about remodeling our kitchen, but there are so many options we’re not sure where to begin. Do you have any tips on balancing style with efficiency? Harry and Susan, Lake Toxaway Richard: Hi Harry and Susan. T… more »

Dear Jean and Richard, I’ve seen homes with flea market trinkets mixed in with expensive furniture and it all seems to work, but I lack the confidence to be so casual with my choices. Do you have any guidelines for mixing “high and low” effectively? --B… more »