home

Dear Helaine and Joe: The attached pictures show a pair of antique vases that my mother obtained in the late 1930s or early 1940s. There are no markings, and the bottoms of the vases are milky white. Could you tell me about them -- age, origin, maker and value (if any)? -- B.W., Randolph, Mass.

Clutter-busting tips and resources:

-- Think it through. Saving things for a rainy day may seem practical. But it can leave you and your home bogged down with excess baggage. The secret is to kick the habit of compulsive, mindless collecting -- and explore better alternatives.

Rita Stollman-Levin loves old Victorian houses, but not their lack of storage space. And she has a lot to store: a collection of antique silver and linens, her many books and magazines, and years of paperwork generated by her dual career as a self-employed editor and educator.

Ever wonder if you'd enjoy your home more if there were less in it? Rita Stollman-Levin doesn't have to wonder. She knows.

Since clearing her clutter and rethinking her space with the help of a professional organizer, she's loved living in her century-old Victorian home in St. Paul, Minn.

"It's so pleasant to walk in the door, and that wasn't the case before," she said.

Q: I recently read that a new type of electronic "touchless" faucet is now available that has been tested to last at least 30 years without having to change batteries. How is this possible? Also, can I install it in my home? I always wanted an electric faucet but did not want the hassle of changing batteries. -- Herb, Michigan

I have hardwood flooring in nearly every room of my old home, and while I love the charm of wood floors, they can be a bit chilly to the toes during the winter. My freezing feet have given me just the excuse I've needed to invest in area rugs to warm up each room.

Q: My furnace is in my attic, and I recently had insulation blown in. Ever since, the air-combustion vent on my furnace is sweating and causes the ceiling to get wet. How do I stop the condensation? Can I put insulation around the vent to stop the condensation?

A: Luckily, you caught this in time to prevent major damage.

Recycling, recrafting and making your own gift wrap has been around for ages. When I was little, my mom and I would wrap gifts in the funny pages of the newspaper. We would carve potatoes and use them as stamps to create whimsical patterns on paper, and cardboard jewelry boxes were decoupaged with magazine cutouts to create fancy new boxes. We were being "green" and we didn't even know it.

The sentiment behind Valentine's Day is lovely -- to remind the important people in your life that they are cherished. But when you're hurtling through life, slowing down long enough to figure out how to make your loved ones feel truly appreciated on Feb. 14 can be difficult.

If you are remodeling a bathroom, the bathroom sink can be one of the most important purchases you will make. Yes, the faucets, cabinets, paint and wallpaper choices are all significant as well, but a sink is the main attraction of a bathroom.