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This guide will walk you through our best stain-removal tips for some of the usual Christmastime culprits, including candle wax, chocolate, wine, and tree sap. A small spill or smudge doesn’t have to ruin your upholstery, flooring, or favorite holiday sweater. With these simple techniques, you’ll be able to clean Christmas stains in a snap and get back to the good times as quickly as possible. How to Remove Common Christmas Stains As you gear up for holiday gatherings, familiarize yourself with these stain-removal strategies, and consider putting together a cleaning kit to use in case of emergency....

“Any furniture or decor that’s going to be on display outdoors demands more durable materials that can hold up to the elements, but there are so many more sophisticated and stylish options for outdoor storage pieces than simply plastic,” says Heather Goerzen, design editor for Havenly. With so many different storage styles, sizes, and materials out there, it can be difficult to decide on the best outdoor storage solution for your space....

To achieve it all, you want something that’s both the right size and style for your space. To find the best floor mirrors we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind the type, dimensions, material, and weight. We also consulted Amie Freling, designer and owner of Meme Hill, and Dee Fontenot, a style expert at Wayfair, for additional insight. Overall, the best floor mirror is the Ivy Bronx Oakleaf Rectangle LED Metal Mirror because it’s well-lit and versatile....

If a kitchen renovation is in your future, or you’re preparing to sell your home, here are some of the upgrades that reliably add value and provide a return on your investment. 1. Add a Kitchen Island Real estate investor and home flipper Donald Olhausen, owner of WeBuyHousesInSanDiego, says adding a kitchen island is one of the best ways to increase the value of your kitchen when embarking on renovations....

Although these Black Friday bargains are available to everyone, there are several exclusive deals for Prime members if you’d like to really take advantage of your membership. And if you’re not a Prime member, you can always sign up for a free 30-day trial. With the holiday weekend on the horizon, here’s your chance to save on everything you want or need, from an essential baking set that’s key to your holiday dinners and desserts to a portable speaker that’s perfect for gifting....

“The dishwasher is perhaps the most important appliance we have in the kitchen,” says Harry Daniels, a restaurateur with over 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry. “It saves time, and it has actually been proven that it saves water [over washing dishes by hand], too.” To come up with this list of the best dishwashers, we researched the price, noise level, number of wash cycles, style, and energy efficiency of the top dishwashers on the market....

“Maintaining even heat, allowing sufficient airflow, and (having) multiple uses all factor into looking at the right pan to purchase,” says Matt Gillett, owner of Saddleback Barbecue and The Slice. To find the best roasting pans, we researched a variety of top picks, keeping in mind their dimensions, materials, and specific features. In addition to Gillett, we also consulted Art Jackson, co-founder of Pleasant House Pub, and Jason Qureshi, executive sous chef at River Roast, for additional insight....

Some home improvements can be expensive, such as adding central air conditioning or remodeling an entire room of your house. But some lower-cost projects can add value for less money. Here are some simple, affordable home improvement projects to try this summer that won’t break the bank. 1. Pressure-wash outdoor areas. Winter weather can leave all sorts of dirt and grime on your home’s exterior and other outdoor areas. Take advantage of the warmer weather to give your home a high-powered cleaning....

“The correct temperature for wine (especially red) is not the same as your fridge or your room, so having a designated fridge for wine makes sure you can enjoy the proper flavors,” says Julie Sanfilippo of Cedar House Design Collective. “I also love that wine fridges mean the space in my regular fridge isn’t being taken up, leaving room for plenty of food.” To find the best wine fridges, we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind each wine fridge’s size, capacity, temperature range, and price point....

What’s the size of your doorway? Which colors and materials look aesthetically pleasing with the existing structure of the house? Can you find something that’s already on the market, or will you need something that’s custom-made? Experts say to start with these answers to identify the right patio door for your home. Should I repair or replace my existing patio door? The decision to repair or entirely replace a patio door is driven by many factors....

Monthly Home Improvement Checklist Inspecting your home and completing monthly home improvement projects will keep your maintenance schedule on track and easier to manage. Follow this comprehensive home maintenance checklist each month to help save time and money: Clean the furnace filter to remove dust build-ups, make it easier to regulate your home’s temperature, and ultimately decrease energy bills. Check the water softener and replenish salt if necessary. Clean faucet aerators and showerheads to remove mineral deposits....

We chatted with a historian to find out why we associate these colors with Easter, and to learn about the significance behind each one. As you decorate your Easter tree and put up your outdoor Easter decor, consider these powerful meanings. Why Do We Decorate Colorful Eggs? “Painted eggs are documented by the 13th century, when King Edward I ordered several hundred eggs to be painted and gilded in gold to be gifted to his household, but the practice of painting eggs traces back much earlier,” explains Beth Forrest, Ph....

Fun Welcome Mat Plain-Jane welcome mats are so yesterday. Put some extra pep in your step with a pretty design that also gets the job done. Scoop up a new welcome mat on your next outing, or create your own with this easy DIY tutorial. Coiled Beauties Master this rope-wrapped flower pot project with just a few simple craft supplies. Wind rope or sisal twine around a terra-cotta or plastic pot, secure with hot glue, then add a pop of color by painting several rows of rope with latex paint....

Plants for Creating the Annual Garden for Full Sun 16 Sweet alyssum (Lobelaria maritima ‘Pastel Carpet’) 16 Globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa ‘Bicolor Rose’) 16 Sage (Salvia splendens ‘Blue Wonder’) 16 Dwarf marigold (Tagetes patula ‘Jane’ or ‘Lemondrop’) 16 Vinca (Catharanthus roseus ‘Cooler Deep Orchid’ Periwinkle) 16 Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus ‘Orlando Deep Bronze’) 16 Petunia (Petunia x hybrida ‘Double Madness Lavender’) 4 Morning glory (Ipomoea tricolor ‘Heavenly Blue’) If you aren’t able to find the exact cultivars listed above, substitute with others that have similar colors, shapes, and sizes....

First as newlyweds, later as new parents, the couple often skied by a rustic home right on the slopes. “‘Wouldn’t it be great to live here?’ I’d say. He’d tell me, ‘You’re dreaming,’” Kristin says. “But one day that dream came true.” After buying the house, though, Kristin and Mike did want one more thing: a design team that could open up the space to accommodate gatherings of family and friends and add a layer of sophistication to the woodsy interiors....

Honoring the land was indeed architect Ken Pursley’s almost-sacred mission. The home’s footprint steps confidently along on a steep ridgeline, always just one room deep to usher lake and mountain views into every space. “Nothing blocks the sightlines,” he says. Those sightlines unfurl as unhurriedly as sweet Southern molasses, pouring across a floor plan that amplifies the drama of the steep site. The perspective changes with each step, from the bird’s-eye view framed by reclaimed timbers in the platform-like entry, down three stairs to a soaring great room, and descending even farther to a cantilevered deck nearly hidden among the leaves....

The Miracle-Gro Small Composter produces ready-to-use compost in just four to six weeks, unlike DIY cold compost bins that can take up to one year to decompose waste. It’s equipped with an internal aeration system, mixing bars to speed up decomposition, and a tight seal that keeps pests from slipping into your precious pile. It also traps heat and moisture to ensure proper decomposition, and you only have to spin the tumbler about once a week to mix the material....