Oftentimes the word secondhand has the implication that an item is not as good or damaged, but many times secondhand goods are in excellent condition and can make for a unique addition to any space in your home. Consignment is the most convenient way to sell used furniture and the smartest way to buy. Buying through consignment is a terrific alternative to purchasing new.

This winter, cuddle up with warmth and comfort under a stylish throw. Offered in a variety of colors and patterns, throw blankets are great to stash in a basket in the living room or drape over a chair for easy access. When the temperatures drop, reach for a soft throw and embrace the chill of the season.

1. Bunny throw, available at Marketplace at the Abbey.

2. Kate Spade navy throw, available at Rusted Chandelier.

Changing your kitchen hardware is a small way to make a big impact on your space. There’s no better way to freshen your look than with a touch of brass in your knobs and pulls. 

SLHL:  What selections do you make first in doing a kitchen remodel?
Chris: An appliance wish list is essential to determine the overall layout of a kitchen. Cabinetry typically comes next.  As the most dominant feature of the room, it can drive the design.

When he was six years old, Nate Bonner ate every meal using a replica Imperial Swiss Army Knife that was a gift from his grandfather, Phil. Twenty eight years later, the beautiful hand-made kitchen knives that Bonner designs, machines and sells in his Maplewood store, KnifeWorks, reflect his passion for a household item that many of us mistakenly take for granted. “If you want to learn about people, study their tools,” Bonner says. “The most basic tool is the knife. It’s the one tool that binds all of humanity.”

Fried chicken—the omnipresent American bird of choice—may well be the most difficult simple food to prepare. Many a restaurateur has tried and failed, but it’s Chef Rick Lewis whose Southern chicken restaurant is causing the latest flap.