Treasures: Silver demitasse spoons stir up different valuations
Dear Helaine and Joe:These pictures are of demitasse spoons that have been passed down in my family. A set of five spoons is heavily engraved with a floral pattern and belonged to my great-grandmother,...
View Article101 Ideas: A guide to choosing kitchen cabinets
Cabinets can devour the bulk of a budget during a kitchen remodel. Because they are a major investment, sort through the available options and make choices with confidence.If existing cabinets are of...
View ArticleDear Monty: For sale sign installed without permission
Reader question: Can my neighbor put up a 4 x 12 for sale sign on my property without my permission? What do you suggest I do about it? MonteMontys answer: Hello, Monte, thanks for your question. No...
View ArticleTreasures: Is this piece an example of Chinese Lowestoft?
Dear Helaine and Joe:I have a porcelain plate and have been unable to identify the markings on the back. I wonder if the piece is Japanese Imari or Chinese Lowestoft.Thank you,L.D., ChicagoDear...
View ArticleA Taft connection for this tea set?
Dear Helaine and Joe:I would like for you to tell me about this sterling-silver coffee-and-tea set. I am a retired jeweler who carried most American silver manufacturers -- such as Kirk, Gorham and...
View ArticleTips for a sparkling refrigerator
Think that cleaning your refrigerator (and keeping it clean) takes a lot of effort? Well, chill! Just follow these tips:1. Create a homemade all-purpose cleaner by combining the following in a gallon...
View ArticlePermits, inspections are there for a reason: safety
Q: I have planned all winter for a bathroom addition to my home. I watched DIY shows and checked information on the Internet. Once I started my addition, a state inspector showed up and told me I had...
View ArticleCould wrought-iron furniture be linked to THE Rose Garden?
Dear Helaine and Joe:I have an old set of wrought-iron garden furniture (a magnet sticks to it, so it must be iron). The set consists of a four-footed heavy pedestal table and four chairs, all with a...
View ArticleFruit and floral centerpieces
Do you need a spring centerpiece in less than an hour? Well, fruit and floral centerpieces are a snap to put together -- as long as you have the materials on hand. Even if you have to make a quick stop...
View ArticleNew fence gives an edge to raised beds
Since gardens are never really finished, Im happy to report that I finally have my new, large raised-bed vegetable garden prepared to the point of being able to add plants. The final step was...
View ArticleBarbedienne foundry made neoclassical tazza
Dear Helaine and Joe: I wonder if you can help me evaluate the bronze presentation seen in this dish. The piece, dated 1879, was sculpted by F. Levillain. It was cast in the Barbedienne foundry (in...
View ArticleWill Barrymore prints bring fame, fortune?
Dear Helaine and Joe: I would appreciate your opinion on the enclosed pictures. Could they possibly be by THE Lionel Barrymore? They are brass (I guess) etchings that I purchased many years ago at a...
View ArticleIf impatiens mildew lingers, here are some possible substitutions
NewsdayAs gardeners, we have many decisions to make during spring: Should we expand the garden and shrink the lawn? Start vegetables from seeds or buy starter plants? Without fail, the one decision I...
View ArticleHow to take care of oak trees
Although oaks are relatively easy to care for, a few tips will help keep them happy and healthyOaks live so long and have such appeal in the landscape that planting one becomes a good investment -- one...
View ArticleTreasures: A Shakespeare statue
Dear Helaine and Joe:This statue of Shakespeare was a wedding gift to my husbands great-grandmother in the 1800s in England and has no flaws or visible markings. We would appreciate anything you could...
View ArticleGardener: The dirt on soil products
Every time I go to the garden center, Im amazed at the number of soil products available. There are types just for specifically starting seeds, mixtures for potting and containers, transplanting...
View ArticleHobbies: Summertime, and the photographys easy
With kids out of school for the summer, they are likely to be the subjects in many of our summer photos. It got me wondering about tips for taking better shots of children, so I spoke with two...
View ArticleTreasures: Is this family Bible dated 1913 worth much beyond any sentimental...
Dear Helaine and Joe:I am sending you photographs of my grandmothers Bible that is dated Nov. 12, 1913. Is there a market for this?Thank you,J. LaF., Vero Beach, Fla.Dear J. LaF.:This is a charming...
View ArticleTreasures: An odd little spoon-shaped device
Dear Helaine and Joe:I found this piece while going through old stuff in a deceased relatives house. It caught my eye because it looked to be silver. I have no idea what it might be. My best guess is...
View ArticleGreen Space: A tea party will protect summer worn plants
Gardening has miracle-amazing items that wind up costing true believers a lot of money. Hence the $45 gallon of compost tea concentrate. Just leave that puppy right there on the store shelf.This is...
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