Expert Advice for your Lawn & Garden TV Host of Today's Homeowner^® and home expert for The Weather Channel

Sometimes homeowners want more than just a plain, painted wall. Adding texture or a decorative finish to your walls is an excellent way to add interest and personality to a room. In the past, many people thought that these designer looks could only be created by a professional. Here are several very DIY friendly approaches that can achieve the same results.

While nothing brightens up a room like a fresh coat of paint, you may occasionally feel a little adventurous and wish to try something different. There is an almost endless list of alternatives for plain, solid painted walls, and Danny has a few suggestions on how you can breathe life into your home, make a statement or simply add a touch of elegance to a room with a few simple techniques.

A good interior decorator will save you months of hunting down product samples and other research, and prevent some potentially messy missteps. What’s more, the decorator can do everything from simply acting as a sounding board for your ideas to undertaking more involved work, like buying paint and fabric, scheduling an installation and even supervising the job.

Shutters have been around for hundreds of years. Originally used on the inside of windows before glass, shutters provided protection for homeowners from pests and the elements. In the nineteenth century, shutters slowly made their way to the exterior of homes. People chose to use shutters not only for protection but also for decoration. Since then, shutters have come a long way and are now available in a variety of sizes, styles and finishes.

Lighting is a must-have in any home. Not only is lighting functional, but it also creates a mood and atmosphere in any room. By using different lighting combinations, the same room can take on a whole new look.

One of the most common questions homeowners ask remodeling contractors is, “Should we hire an architect or a designer for our project?” For most small projects, such as enlarging a window opening or removing a nonbearing wall, the answer is no. The contractor and homeowner can handle both the design and construction end. But for large additions, whole-house renovations and new kitchens, consider working with a design professional. A pro can make sure the esthetic considerations meld with the structural requirements of the project and, quite simply, that the space lives as well as it looks. Here’s what architects, designers, kitchen specialists and interior designers do and don’t do, what they charge and how you can pick the right one for your project.

Jim and Peggy had waited for years to be able to do a kitchen renovation, and their patience certainly paid off. The kitchen was over thirty years old and had started to show its age. Without making any structural changes, we’re updating an outdated galley-style kitchen to be more modern and efficient.