By Staci Dennis
Correspondent

NORFOLK
Sue Gaines and Jerry Foley had a dream to live in a small cottage on the beach.
They wanted plenty of windows to see the ocean year-round and enough room to house their brood of animals.
"We weren't looking for one of those mega houses on the water," Gaines said. "We just wanted something simple."

By Chuck Martin Correspondent

JAMESVILLE, N.C.

Jeff Cooper knew Friday was going to be special as soon as he heard someone shouting outside, telling him and his family to get out of their house in northeastern North Carolina.

By Stacey Enesey Klemenc
Special to The Virginian-Pilot
 
Show stopper
A new doorstop makes those pesky rubber bumpers - a common choking hazard for children and pets - a thing of the past.

NORFOLK
A guard dog patrols the yard, scrap metal sprawls where grass should grow and a gaping hole in the garage makes you wonder, "What exploded here?"
But curb appeal is in the eye of the beholder. And Patti Robertson, buyer and renovator of distressed homes, believes her recent acquisition at 2305 Eustis Ave. in Norfolk is a treasure worthy of national recognition.

AN INTRIGUING TREND has emerged from the wreckage of the real estate market: The brave souls taking the plunge into homeownership are increasingly turning to studio apartments and smaller homes.
Their logic is rooted in efficiency.
They really want to own a home - and afford one at the same time - and are willing to sacrifice space to accomplish that goal.

The people at Lenox provided this advice: Stack the dishes in a box with protection between them. A couple of newspaper pages, folded to fit, should be enough padding if you're not shipping them.

As summer transitions to fall, the mind turns to crackling blazes in the fireplace on crisp autumn evenings. But be safe while enjoying the coziness. Here are 10 fire-safety tips:   -Stack woodpiles at least 30 feet from any structure. -Locate LPG tanks at least 30 feet from any structure; maintain 10 feet of clear space around tanks.

A new type of plug-in product uses light instead of fragrances to counteract odors in the air. The Germ Guardian UV-C Pluggable Air Sanitizer uses ultraviolet-C light to kill germs, odors and other airborne nasties, such as mold spores and other allergens. A fan circulates air through the unit, where the UV-C light kills 99 percent of the bad stuff, according to the company.

Window and door screens take a lot of abuse, from children and pets pushing them to squirrels chewing them. But lack of regular maintenance can take its toll, too. Here's a primer on care and repair:

WORKING FROM home never looked so stylish or productive. Gone are the days of flimsy plywood desks and no-character chairs with wheels. Home offices now incorporate a house's style and seamlessly transform from workspace to television room, guest room or study.