Let’s talk
www.designtalk.homevisions.com/
At DesignTalk, style gurus impart knowledge to those of us who are domestically challenged (or simply in need of a few good ideas). Besides offering well-organized articles on everything from décor tips to step-by-step DIY instructions, the site lets visitors post their own questions, which are then answered by DesignTalk’s interior decorating professions. Check the archive first for commonly asked questions, such as “How do I make a small bedroom look larger?” or “How do I install vinyl tiles in a bathroom?” If you have a more unique question about home decorating that hasn’t been addressed yet, submit it directly to the site. All you need to provide is your name, e-mail address, and your domestic dilemma. However, be warned. All of the merchandise suggested by DesignTalk is from their online store, www.HomeVisions.com. Smart shoppers may want to run with DesignTalk’s advice, while comparison-shopping similar products before making a purchase.—Stephanie Woods
Lend me a hand
www.hsh.com
Sometimes you need hot chocolate with whipped cream, and sometimes you need black coffee. You could say the HSH Lender Directory, an online database of mortgage rates and lenders, is of the latter category. With a straightforward Web layout and readily accessible facts, HSH is an efficient way to search for mortgage and home equity loans without the frills and gimmicks of other sites. HSH makes it easy to find current mortgage rates for your area and compare lenders side by side. Unsure about your credit? The site’s online mortgage calculators allow you to compute your credit score and determine how much income you’d need to afford a certain monthly payment. Although the text’n’link overload on the homepage might be intimidating at first, visitors to the site will find that HSH provides simple answers for many a nagging question and concern that comes with home ownership.—S.W.
The directory of kitsch
www.wists.com
Think of this site as a cocktail party—with all the good décor ideas, but without the red wine hangover and gossip about the neighbors. The website, which professes to be a “social shopping network,” allows members to share unique home-decor and fashion finds from other online stores. It has the feel of a salon, where members demonstrate their superior taste in decorating by selecting notable accent pieces—a non-stick wok to cook your stir-fry and a Hello Kitty apron to look cute while doing it. Those who prefer to do their online shopping in a more organized fashion may find the site’s haphazard layout frustrating; because it relies on members to post products, some links are inaccurate or faulty. And if you plan on buying several basic items at once, you may want to shop elsewhere to reduce shipping costs. Still, with featured items such as Alice in Wonderland stemware and twisted chairs that resemble Beetlejuice props, Wists has earned a reputation as the Mecca of offbeat nesting finds.—S.W.
Oldies but goodies
www.rockymountainquilts.com
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In the market for the perfect wall hanging for that gaping space over your couch? Check out Betsey Telford’s online collection of antique quilts. At Rocky Mountain Quilts, which is rather a misnomer considering Telford’s store is based in Maine, customers can browse from scores of antique quilts dating from 1780 to the 1940s. Quilt styles range from the Victorian-Era Crazy quilts, which are highly embellished and romantic, to the African-American Gee’s Bend style, which was inspired by the bold, asymmetrical graphic designs of African textiles. These aren’t budget finds: Most quilts are priced at over $2,000, with some edging toward $8,500. But don’t be too discouraged: More affordable quilt fragments, an offbeat home-décor idea, are also available. If you’re more interested in preserving your grandmother’s handmade quilt than buying an antique, Rocky Mountain Quilts can restore the original color and quality of the fabric without destroying Nana’s handiwork.—S.W.
