As you tackle your chore list, slow down and consider whether your strategies could be improved for better results. Avoid these cleaning mistakes that could make your home dirtier, and follow these fixes instead for a safer, more effective routine. 1. Using Dirty Cleaning Tools Your cleaning routine is only as good as the supplies you use. Before you begin, ensure your cleaning tools themselves are in good order to avoid spreading bacteria, dirt, and dust all over the house....

Instead of hanging Christmas stockings from your holiday mantel, showcase them cascading down your staircase instead— just be sure to use sticky hooks or stocking hangers so you don’t damage the bannister. Keep the look understated with a voluminous, simple Christmas garland on your staircase railing, or decorate simple greenery with lights, ornaments, and bows for gorgeous display. We’ve rounded up our favorite Christmas staircase decorations to help inspire your own holiday decorating this season....

How to Decorate a Bathroom for Fall Many of the same fall decorating concepts that apply to other areas of the home also work in a bathroom. Bring in seasonal elements like pumpkins and gourds, incorporate nature-inspired accents and materials, and add spots of fall color. Do-it-yourself fall decor and crafts also add a personalized touch. Since bathrooms are typically small and lack as much display space as a living room or dining room, keep fall bathroom decorating ideas focused and impactful....

Manufactured in 1954 at a converted aircraft factory in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the trailer typifies the mobile-home boom of the post-war period. Companies such as Spartan and Airstream marketed these trailers as affordable, fully furnished homes that offered a modern version of the American Dream. When Julia purchased hers a few years ago for $13,000, she took care to keep or restore as much of its original character as possible. Step inside the 24x8-foot trailer and you’ll find original elements, including birch wood paneling alongside a variety of retro-style furnishings Julia either collected or built herself....

John sets up distinct gathering areas in the garden so guests mingle away from the kitchen. Encouraging people to kick back is as simple as pulling furniture into a group and putting out snacks and games. A vibrant bar scene doesn’t need to involve a vine-covered arbor. Set up a folding table in any nook, cover it with printed fabric, and add tall flowers or branches in a big copper bucket....

Then: Strawberry Floating Island A Strawberry Floating Island, according to the BHG recipe, consists of poached meringues and strawberries floating in custard. Alexis starts by beating egg whites, sugar, and a pinch of salt, until stiff peaks form. The salt acts as a binding agent here. “Hang them over your head, and if they don’t drop, you’re good,” she says while demonstrating. She then cooks the meringue by poaching it in milk—a method she deems “fascinating....

1 cup shortening 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla ½ teaspoon almond extract 4 cup powdered sugar 3 tablespoon milk Chocolate Butter Frosting ¾ cup softened butter ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2 cup powdered sugar ½ cup milk 2 teaspoon vanilla 6 cup powdered sugar Milk

Total cost (excluding labor): $2,555 Total cost (excluding labor): $2,940 Total cost (excluding labor): $4,991 Total cost (excluding labor): $2,160 Total cost (excluding labor): $3,528 Total cost (excluding labor): $4,328

KitchenAid stand mixers have been beloved for generations, and the Artisan Mini Plus 3.5-Quart mixer is no exception. Don’t be fooled by the word “mini” from this smaller version of the original mixer—it can still make up to five dozen cookies in one go without taking up as much counter space. And with a $110 price difference, you won’t miss the additional 1.5-quart. The mixer has 10 speeds to achieve a perfect consistency, whether you’re making pizza dough or whipping meringue....

**Ice cream options Black Walnut Ice CreamCherry-Vanilla Ice CreamCaramel Ice Cream

Linzer Thumbprints Prepare dough, bake, and let cool as directed. Once cool, place 2/3 cup powdered sugar in a large plastic bag. Add cookies, a few at a time, shaking to coat. Fill each with 1/2 teaspoon raspberry preserves. Top with toasted sliced almonds. Almond-Cherry Thumbprints Prepare dough as directed, except add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract with the egg yolks. Roll balls in 2 lightly beaten egg whites then in 1 cup finely chopped slivered almonds....

3 cup grape tomatoes ¼ cup finely chopped onion 1 tablespoon cider vinegar 2 teaspoon packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger Teaching Notes: Roasting the tomatoes brings out their natural sweetness in this homemade ketchup, which is lower in sodium and sugar than purchased ketchup. If you don’t have a food processor, you can mash the tomatoes using the back of a wooden spoon. The mixture will be chunkier....