“The wood stain color in the kitchen space defines the style and mood of the space,” says Sue Kim, director of color marketing at Minwax. Especially when working with an open floor plan, the stain choices need to work with the wall colors by calling on similar accent colors and undertones. “You can explore the transparency of stain color to either hide or highlight the wood grade, depending on the overall style of the space,” Kim says....

In interiors, these natural and nature-inspired elements replicate the tranquility of the outdoors, helping you feel calm and grounded without even having to step outside. Look for wood pieces with exposed grains, knots, and live edges, or incorporate organic texture through furniture with woven rattan and caned details. Marble and other natural stone accents with green, brown, or taupe tones can also add depth and sophistication. Decorate with these nature-inspired accessories to bring the feel-good qualities of the natural world into your home....

How Long Mums Last Even though mums are available for purchase well before fall actually begins, these plants prefer cooler temperatures. If you set out your mums when the temperature is still warm, the flowers will fade in a couple of weeks. Waiting to buy your mums until temperatures are cooler will help them last longer so you can enjoy their beautiful blooms for up to eight weeks before frost....

1. Roux A roux (ROO) is a mixture of flour and fat—such as cooking oil, butter, or chicken fat—that is cooked, then used to thicken soup, sauce, or gravy. A common roux recipe calls for equal amounts of butter and flour cooked in a saucepan over medium heat until the flour is absorbed by the melted butter. A roux may be cooked longer to develop a darker color (as is used in Cajun gumbos) and a nuttier flavor....

However, decluttering can do more harm than good for the environment if not done carefully. Recyclable items often end up in landfills and plastic containers contribute to the ever-growing global warming crisis. The good news is that now more than ever it’s possible to practice eco-friendly organization while also reducing waste. If sustainable home organizing is important to you, take comfort in knowing that it’s relatively easy to achieve. With a little forethought, you can conveniently organize your home while simultaneously doing your part to preserve the environment....

Choose Light or Dark Gray Cabinets The perfect hue for your gray kitchen cabinets depends on personal preference, but it also has a bit to do with your kitchen’s characteristics. If the space is small or has limited natural light, dark gray cabinets could make it feel smaller and darker. Deep, saturated hues absorb light, whereas light shades bounce light back into the room, amplifying the brightness in the space. Opt for light gray kitchen cabinets in small spaces, and use dark gray shades to ground a larger room....

1. Personalized Mudroom Storage Mudrooms will continue to be in high demand in the coming year, according to Lee Crowder, national director of design & model experience at Taylor Morrison. More than just a drop zone, mudrooms are evolving to include dedicated storage for each member of the household. “Rather than having everyone’s shoes end up in a giant basket where you can’t find anything, give every family member their own hook and basket to store their items,” says Crowder....

Reduce Stress with Plants Just one small plant at your desk can help alleviate stress and even encourage you to keep your surface clutter-free. If that’s not reason enough to make room for a botanical buddy or three, studies also suggest plants improve productivity in an office setting. Decorate your home office with houseplants for fresh texture and color. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, today’s faux plants provide the convincing look of your favorite varieties without the upkeep....

Vintage Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes Serve a vintage Thanksgiving dinner with these seven Thanksgiving recipes: Side Dish: Homemade Green Bean Casserole Side Dish: Overnight Refrigerator Rolls Main Dish: Simple Roast Turkey Side Dish: Cornbread Dressing Side Dish: Maple-Bourbon Mashed Sweet Potatoes Dessert: Pecan Pie Drink: Old-Fashioned Cocktail See photos and learn more about each of these vintage recipes, below. Vegetable Side Dish: Homemade Green Bean Casserole No other Thanksgiving dinner recipe is quite as iconic as homemade green bean casserole....

1. Meaning Behind the Name Believe it or not, you can tell a lot about hydrangea plant care by its name. Hydrangea is from Greek descent: “Hydro” means water and “angos” means jar or vessel. And in fact, hydrangeas need lots of water to thrive. 2. Hydrangea Symbolism The symbolism behind the hydrangea flower differs with culture and time period. In Japan, hydrangeas are said to be a sign of gratitude because ancient emperors would give them to their maidens as a sign of thanks....

1. Deck the halls with fresh greenery. Nothing says Christmas quite like boughs of fresh-cut greenery. Incorporate fragrant foliage into your holiday decor to add organic texture and straight-from-the-forest fragrance. Layer a cedar garland atop your mantel, embellish gift packages with sprigs of spruce, or arrange evergreen boughs down the center of your dining table for an easy winter centerpiece. 2. Light a candle. One of the easiest ways to add Christmas smells is to light a scented candle....

11 More Disgusting Home Objects You’re Forgetting to Clean 1. Remotes When you think about it, few things get as dirty as your TV remote. Multiple people touch it every day, and it’s not an item normally in your cleaning routine. Before sanitizing, be sure to remove the batteries from the back. Then you’re free to wipe down the surface with a cloth slightly damp with rubbing alcohol. Let dry and replace batteries....

Using the observational skills Julia developed as a social worker, they created wish lists for the house, checking items off slowly as budget and time allowed. But with a Minnesota winter looming, one decidedly unflashy project on the list couldn’t wait: replacing the drafty old windows, flaking lead paint and all. The job put a big dent in their budget, but it also started the ball rolling on picking paint colors....

How to Make 2-Ingredient Bagels Technically this recipe requires more than two ingredients, considering you use an egg wash and the seasonings of your choise. We love everything bagel seasoning for its salty, garlicky crunch. But you could definitely go plain or create your own flavor. Adding some cinnamon and raisins to the dough can be lovely. For the Bagels 1 cup self-rising flour—or make your own blend by mixing 1 cup flour, 1½ tsp....

After: Vintage Renewal Considering form, function, and floor space, the homeowner swapped out a pedestal sink in her primary bath for a homemade storage-rich vanity that wraps around a vintage sink found curbside. The outside bottom of the vintage sink is painted with the same navy paint used on the walls to bring the color scheme full circle. Get Inspired: More Farmhouse Baths Make it Mine The DIY vanity is made from pine boards stained a shade of dark walnut and includes an ample countertop, shelves, and cubbies....

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