Heat pumps are ready for their day
Heat pumps can keep a home warm and cool, run on electricity and are extremely efficient. As such, they have been embraced by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
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Winterize your house, winterize your mind
Winter is approaching here in the Hudson Valley. You must prepare your wardrobe, your furnace, your insulation – but also your mind. Others can help with the first three areas, but I am an expert on the fourth. Follow these 14 easy steps for mental winter preparation:
Bringing the balance back with beekeeping
“I went from exterminating them to marveling at them,” says Chris Harp of New Paltz. “They taught me.”
Hudson Valley designers show how far wallpaper has come
Disregard old memories of what wallpaper used to be—those shabby chic floral patterns and shades of dusky rose striping. To the delight of interior designers, who have been nudging clients to be more open minded, wallpaper has made a comeback in the design world, and it’s no longer just for historic B&Bs or formal dining rooms. From mural papers that fill an accent wall with a breathtaking vista, to contemporary patterns like palm fronds, modernized toile, or bold-hued illustrations, homeowners are welcoming a change from solid painted rooms.
Dutchess County advises residents to be careful of bats
The Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health is reminding people to be vigilant of bats entering their homes this time of year and offering tips on how to keep bats out as well as how to remove a bat if it does enter a residence.
Ulster leads Hudson Valley counties in Airbnb guests by wide margin
Short-term rental guests can’t get enough of Ulster County. According to Airbnb, the county had significantly more guests using the service this summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day) than other mid- and lower-Hudson Valley counties, despite Ulster’s comparatively modest population.
Explore Wethersfield Estate and Gardens
It could be one of Dutchess County’s best kept secrets. The Wethersfield Estate and Gardens is off the beaten path — well, gravel road — near the village of Amenia. Just the right amount of privacy and bucolic splendor make it the perfect getaway for an early 20th century industrialist, particularly one who enjoyed horse riding and generally communing with glorious nature.
Design Hudson showcases upscale Upstate living
Friday-Sunday, May 24-26: Go at your own pace on a self-guided tour of the Oliver Bronson House and other architecturally significant Hudson homes, each with a room that showcases the work of a local designer.
Hudson Valley program seeks volunteers to help release stink bug-killing wasp
The brown marmorated stink bug has exploded since making its way to New York State in 2007, causing millions of dollars in crop damage and making a nuisance of themselves to homeowners. A new citizen-science program in the Hudson Valley is seeking help in distributing the samurai wasp, the stink bug’s natural predator.
What can animals teach us about making a good home?
Not so long ago, before we mastered wood, stone and iron, we sought refuge in caves, huts of mud and sticks, or slept under the stars. We weren’t so different from the animals. In some ways, we still aren’t.