Bill Primavera's (williamprimavera) Blog

Some years ago I wrote about a freak accident I experienced at my pool that was really dramatic, and it led to my being more aware of taking precautions to avoid getting hurt when working or playing outside the home. Just this week, another incident prompts me to remind myself and readers of safe...

Have you ever had the experience when someone recalls something you’ve said quite clearly, while you’ve totally forgotten it? I was amused at a recent showing of a new condo when my client was disappointed to find that all three bathrooms featured round toilet bowls, rather than those that are el...

For those of us who are not lucky enough to have a home on a lake or pond, or one with a river view, there are other ways to enjoy the soothing effects of water, even if we’re landlocked.It could be as simple as a classic fountain which I’ve enjoyed for many years on my back patio, spewing water ...

Almost 30 years ago, my wife and I decided to install carpeting in the central hallway, staircase and second floor landing of our home. We must have been feeling particularly flush at the time because we chose the best quality, deep-pile nylon carpeting we could find. Why nylon instead of wool? B...

When the opportunity comes to choose the “skin” of a house, the siding, whether for new construction or re-surfacing, you might think that the main factor would be personal preference for its look. But, there are other important matters to consider, namely its cost, energy efficiency, ease of mai...

Have you ever heard of a dust fetish? I reluctantly admit to at least a keen interest in the subject, having alluded to it a couple of times in my column musings. For instance, once I learned that the major component of household dust is our own flaking skin, it gave me license to project that if...

When my wife and owned an antiques shop early in our marriage, there was a revival of interest in the Victorian style of décor, and I can’t say that we were an enthusiastic part of it. This style from the second half of the 19th century was known for plush, heavily upholstered furniture on rounde...

When it comes to technology, I may not be cutting edge, but I try my very best to adapt to what’s new as quickly as I can. What choice does one have in today’s business world, or social whirl, for that matter? From the first cube-like Macintosh in my home office to my current social-media presenc...

According to a survey just released by ServiceMaster, it is reported that a whopping 92 percent of homeowners feel unprepared to address home maintenance needs. How could that be, I wondered? With all the DIY resources we have on television and online, and especially if we’re young homeowners, su...

If you find that you have mold in your home and want it removed, you may be in for a surprise by the set of procedures now required to comply with a new law enacted in January by New York State to regulate its remediation. According to two suppliers in the field interviewed for this report, some ...