Ideal-Living Magazine Ideal Living explores where to live and how to live happy and healthy

Looking for a way to blow off the winter gloom? Head to the mountains for snowy scenery, first rate skiing and a little bit of romance, too. There’s something decidedly comforting about waking up in an expansive room, its walls, ceiling and floors paneled in soft heart-pine, a little bit of hazy sunlight streaming in the windows. Outside, a long ... Read More »

Green homes hit mainstream–Make sure you know what you’re buying Ten years ago, environmentally and energy conscious home buyers had a tough time finding ‘green’ homes. Even though models were out there, builders and real estate agents had no idea how to market them and sometimes didn’t even know their benefits versus a conventionally-built residence. Things have changed rapidly in ... Read More »

If the idea of having an organic yard sounds expensive, think again. In most instances, it’s cheaper to be earth-friendly than chemical-dependent. Most of us who relish our lawns spend weeks in the fall and early spring preparing for the lush green and vibrant colors of spring as we sow seed, fertilize, water, and plant. When the long, hot, dry ... Read More »

Yes, granite countertops are all the rage, but those who want something different and desire a truly environmentally friendly kitchen or bath countertop are going counter to this trend and choosing sustainable countertops. Granite is a natural stone and therefore, a finite resource. As an alternative, consider a countertop made of recycled glass, recycled plastic, porcelain or even paper. “The ... Read More »

Recent studies suggest that concentrated black raspberry powder may prevent some types of cancer. Should you jump on the berry bandwagon? Talk to your doctor first. You probably already know about the antioxidant power of berries. So it may come as no surprise to learn that ongoing studies into concentrated black raspberry powder are showing pretty significant early impacts when ... Read More »

Perhaps you’ve been considering a second home purchase but hate to make a huge investment for what may amount to only a few weeks of usage per year. You might want to consider fractional ownership. When Steve Dering, founding partner of DCP International, initiated the concept of fractional ownership communities more than a decade ago, he was inspired by seeing so many families ... Read More »

Green homes are finally hitting the mainstream, but make sure you know what you’re buying before you sign the contract. Ten years ago, environmentally- and energy-conscious home buyers had a tough time finding ‘green’ homes. Even though models were out there, builders and real estate agents had no idea how to market them and sometimes didn’t even know their benefits ... Read More »

It is impossible to think of East Tennessee without thinking of the Smoky Mountains. They frame the region’s eastern border in a haze of blue, with the streams and rivers of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Cherokee National Forest feeding the area’s many lakes and reservoirs. These mountains have been the inspiration for the songs of country music ... Read More »

Retirees heading back to the workplace, take note: There are industries that cater to older workers. Many of those, according to Bob Skladany, Vice President of Research at RetirementJobs.com, are business sectors experiencing labor shortages. Those industries include health care, home-aid, temporary staffing companies, retailers, transportation, nonprofits and financial services. Deborah Russell, Director of Workforce Issues for AARP, says the ... Read More »

With the Blue Ridge Parkway curling around it on the east and the blue haze of the Smoky Mountains bordering it on the west, Asheville is the consummate eastern mountain city. Read More »

According to the National Land Trust Census, more than 37 million acres in the United States are protected through land trusts. Increasingly, those trusts are being initiated by home and community developers. As more and more home buyers express interest in living in communities that preserve open space and offer energy-efficient building options, developers are building fewer homes on more land and preserving larger areas of green space Read More »