ome. Few words make you feel such an instant sense of security… comfort… belonging. A home is all ours, a place that is always waiting, always welcoming, a happy haven for us and an inviting retreat for our family and friends.

I recently rented an apartment in New York and faced a new challenge – how to make somebody else’s house my home. After almost 20 years in California, New York was a change and fitting everything into a cozy high-rise apartment was an even bigger one. But what didn’t change was me – the outdoorsy colors I like, the light and airiness I crave, the personal things that bring me comfort and joy. These things make up a home that can travel from house to house.

This new Semi-Homemade® Home issue offers a wealth of budget-friendly ideas for giving any space your own personality, whether you rent, own or share. Elevate the everyday to the special with Sandra’s Seven: 7 Things Every Home Should Have. We all adore a bargain. Savvy Sense shows you my top places to find them, plus savvy ways to add Semi-Homemade® touches that make them all yours. Patio Perfect blends the best of house and garden, turning an unpretentious patio, deck or courtyard into the ultimate room with a view.

Decorating is all about personal style, so get Creative with Color and watch your rooms come alive with your own true hue. Conquering clutter only seems daunting – I’ll help you find Spaces for Everything, with my time-tested tips for organizing your everyday life. Instead of buying new, redo! My Furniture Facelift is a smart choice, giving tables, chairs and everything old a new lease on life in just a few hours… or less. Living Rooms expand your space with three rooms you’ll love to live in – and they’re all outdoors. It’s easy, with carefree furnishings that are equally at home inside and out.

A house is shelter; a home, so much more. Surround yourself with things that have meaning to you, things that make you feel happy and content. Love where you live and it’ll be a pleasure to come home, wherever that might be.

Cheers to a happy, healthy life!