Sandy Baker
School
Baldwin-Wallace College, Cleveland State University
Expertise
Mortgage And Finance, Exterior Design And Landscaping, Real Estate Sales And Staging
- Sandy has worked in the real estate and personal finance industry for over 21 years.
- Passionate about new and trendy styles in interior designing, Sandy is always updating and modernizing her home, but tends to love vintage Victorian design and Art Deco fun!
- Sandy spends a lot of time antiquing, often with the goal of refinishing, updating, and painting old treasures to give them new life (she loved Flea Market Flip for its inspiration).
Experience
Sandy has worked as a freelance writer for more than 20 years, working for organizations including the New York Times, TransUnion, Realtor.com, and This Old House. She's also worked with local publications in her hometown of Brunswick, located just outside of Cleveland, Ohio. Sandy spends her free time shopping for vintage treasures, gardening and exterior home design, and endlessly following YouTube how-to videos on how to update, refinish, and repair her home. She strives to live an organic, holistic lifestyle surrounded by nature and history.
Education
Sandy earned a B.S. in business administration from Baldwin Wallace University.
House Digest uses a knowledgeable team of editors, writers, and experts to create all our content. We dive deep into the always-evolving conversations surrounding design and home trends, striving to deliver the most current and helpful tips, strengthened by expert takes and tutorials from our talented team.
As we cover many fields of expertise, we make it a priority to ensure every beat remains fresh and comprehensive. Additional information on our editorial process available here.
Stories By Sandy Baker
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Growing azaleas? If you're hoping to get these beautiful bell-shaped flowers to do well, you'll want to avoid making these crucial mistakes.
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Spring cleaning is a great way to prepare your home for warmer months ahead. Ina Garten explains why spring cleaning your pantry is a must and shares some tips.
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Whether you are filling in bare patches or aiming for a fuller lawn, overseeding is a necessary lawn care step. Here's the best method for zoysia grass.
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Hostas are a favorite of many, but they won't stand a chance if you make this mistake while growing them. Our gardening expert will help you avoid it.
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Spruce budworms may be hard to spot, but they can do a lot of damage to your spruce trees, especially during outbreaks. Here's what you can do to control them.
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Choosing a flooring option for your home will make your head spin. Our flooring expert makes the choice between luxury vinyl plank and engineered hardwood easy.
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The snake plant is a beautiful houseplant that is easy to divide. Here's what you should make sure to do when you do divide it, according to Martha Stewart.
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Lowering your home's energy bill doesn't need to be difficult. Drew Scott shares what to do during a home improvement project to lower your energy bills.
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If you're planning on cleaning your basement, there are a couple of big mistakes to be aware of before you get started. Here's what they are.
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An epoxy garage floor might seem like the kind of thing you can DIY, but you might cause yourself more trouble than you think by tackling it yourself.
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Birds can gobble up newly-scattered grass seeds, ruining your lawn before it starts to even grow. Here's an easy and humane way to shoo them away.
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Companion planting offers many benefits for your yard. Find out why your should plant perennial daylilies and hostas together in your garden.
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It's understandable that the countertops are the most exciting part of a kitchen remodel, but hold off - there's a reason that you should do them last.
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If you live where winter temperatures drop below freezing, you may have learned what happens to your house when you lose heat the hard way. Find out more here.
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If you need a new roof, the time of year and the urgency of your situation are both worth seriously considering before going ahead with a roof overhaul.
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Some people tell you to only go to fancy estate sales. Others say the best deal is right next door. Here are some tips to help you sort out this complex topic.
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You may need to prune your Douglas fir tree, but when is the best time to do it? We share the ideal time of year to get out your pruning shears.
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It's true that stink bugs aren't likely to cause harm to you or your pets, but they're not welcome guests in your home, and definitely shouldn't be in gardens.
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Consider moving to faux wood shutters instead of traditional blinds: between energy efficiency and fade resistance, you'll like them more than you think.
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Perhaps your grandmother used to swear that salt was the go-to cleaning agent from back in the day, but maybe this wasn't her best advice.
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Estate sales might have decent prices from Day 1, but with a little foresight and this helpful tip, you'll be able to score some amazing deals.
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There's certainly a lot of innovation happening with cars and appliances, but what about outdoor power tools? In fact, 2024 is going to be a big year.
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African violets are a delightful houseplant and they add a pop of color to any room. Make sure you aren't making these mistakes with your plant.
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Leaky toilet? Sounds like you need a flange replacement. Here's how much it will cost you to fix this, whether you DIY it or call a plumber.
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Is your beloved snake plant developing brown spots, tips, or edges? If you think there's a problem, there could be a fix to bring this houseplant back to life.
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If you already have gardenia or are planning to plant it soon, include this shrub alongside. Find out why these plants work well together in your garden.
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Nitrogen, at the right level, supports the growth and development of your garden. Too much is a problem, though. Here's a potential solution.