Aurelia Butler

You spend a huge amount of time in your bathroom every day — so it really ought to be a space that suits your style and makes you happy. And yet many of us, daunted by the hassle and high cost of remodeling, live with outdated tile or a tub that’s seen better days. But you can sidestep all the inconvenience with the fast, professional installation provided by Bath Planet, a recipient of the Good Housekeeping Seal; some projects can even be completed in a single day. And the company’s proprietary technology and industry-leading collection of colors and design options mean you can have the luxurious oasis you’ve always wanted without getting soaked.Elevated design, down-to-earth priceCourtesy of Bath PlanetBath Planet products are constructed of a scratch-resistant, ultra-durable polymer — the same tough material bowling balls and football helmets are made of — that’s available in a virtually unlimited array of colors and patterns. You love the look of travertine or marble? It’s yours — and for a fraction of the usual cost. You like the mental image of bathing au naturel in a crystal-clear stream? Opt for a river-rock pattern to make your mornings feel revitalizing without a deal-breaker price tag. Plus, the Bath Planet polymer is both nonporous, keeping mold and mildew at bay, and engineered to resist the scratching, staining and yellowing that can develop on other bath materials, so you’ll never have to spring for costly repairs or upkeep.Another way Bath Planet stands out from its competitors is with its patented Reveal series, in which a decorative tile design is intricately engraved on the product surface. The laser-etched grouting patterns can replicate the look of classic subway tile, grand 12-by-24-inch Roman blocks, diamond and hexagonal tiles — there are nine patterns in all. And since the surfaces contain no porous traditional grout, they are more cost-effective to install and more resistant to mold and mildew.Affordable accessories and accentsCourtesy of Bath PlanetBath Planet also offers sophisticated add-ons that can take your bath-and-shower remodel to the next level while keeping costs in check. The company partners with design-conscious manufacturers for stylish fixtures such as rain shower heads and faucet sets in your pick of finishes, and also has a full complement of available accessories to put the finishing touch on your new favorite place to start (and end) the day: Shower seats in several styles — there’s a bench in the same finish as your walls, a mod silhouette seat that folds up when not in use and the folding teak option shown above — invite you to soak as long as you wish. Bars and footrests in a variety of finishes (like the matte black above) add stylish stability. Sleek rectangular or corner shelves provide plenty of toiletry storage. And since Bath Planet’s product line has a variety of price points, it’s easy to incorporate the details that suit your aesthetic and your bank account alike. “The bathroom is one of the trickiest rooms to renovate, given all the moving parts,” says Dan DiClerico, director of home improvement & outdoor at the Good Housekeeping Institute. “Bath Planet’s one-stop service, combined with its expert-vetted products and materials, make it a smooth, seamless process.” More

Remodeling portions of your home can be disruptive. There’s the dust. And the noise. But the biggest downside might be losing the use of that space for weeks, maybe months — especially when the space in question is your bathroom. But your new dream bath doesn’t have to involve all that downtime. With Good Housekeeping Seal holder Bath Planet, you can come home to a fully finished shower-and-bath area ( “wet area,” in designer parlance) in mere days. Often in just one day, in fact. Here’s how.A highly professional crewYou’ll first work with a Bath Planet designer to choose the right style for your bathroom from a wide range of options (more on those below). Next, the company’s experts take detailed measurements of your existing bath or shower and surrounding walls and create a customized remodeling plan, retrofitted precisely to your existing space to facilitate seamless installation.Finally, the installation team arrives to execute the project. Bath Planet’s technicians are factory-trained and certified as well as fully insured. This is a company that stands behind the quality of its work, offering a limited lifetime warranty that lasts as long as you own your home — and can even be transferred to a new owner if you sell it within two years. Bath Planet also prides itself on respecting homeowners’ time, so your bathroom remodel is completed exactly when you expect it to be—frequently, within a day.High-tech, easy-upkeep materialsCourtesy of Bath PlanetYour new wet area will be constructed of an innovative, ultra-durable polymer. Unlike porcelain, fiberglass or enamel surfaces, Bath Planet’s high-quality tubs and shower surrounds are nonporous, which keeps mold and mildew at bay, and also resistant to the scratching, staining, and yellowing that can be an issue with other materials. “Engineered specifically with bathrooms in mind, the tough materials should stand up to everyday wear and tear over the long haul, based on our extensive lab tests,” says Dan DiClerico, director of home improvement & outdoor at the Good Housekeeping Institute. In addition, the grout-free designs not only facilitate fast installation, they also make your new bathroom gratifyingly easy to clean.A superior selection of stylesCourtesy of Bath PlanetBath Planet offers an industry-leading array of finishes, colors, and styles, all made in the U.S. There are 25 wall-color options, available in a matte or glossy finish, and the surfaces can echo the sophisticated look of quartz, granite, and even marble.But the real game-changer is the company’s patented laser-etched Reveal series, which delivers the look of designer tile, elevating Bath Planet’s products beyond the rest of the market. Your new bath can be finished with a clean, classic subway-tile pattern, the sophisticated symmetry of 12-by-12-inch squares, the fine detail of a 6-inch hexagonal design, or one of six other stylish patterns, each laser-engraved to replicate the look of grout—without any of the maintenance headaches traditional grout entails.Bath Planet can turn the look you’re envisioning into reality in a matter of days. In fact, the most time-consuming part is likely to be deciding which of the hundreds of available design variations will make this the bathroom of your dreams. More

There’s good news if you’ve been eager to fill your home with pattern and color: Designer and artist Justina Blakeney just released a collection of machine washable rugs and doormats with Ruggable. They’re perfect for living with pets and small kids!Justina’s bold assortment showcases her original artwork, which she says is an instant “mood enhancer” and is intended to bring people joy. The line includes 15 lively indoor rugs, along with two doormats and two outdoor rugs, starting at $129. Justina, who is also the founder of Jungalow, a bohemian-inspired home decor brand, told Good Housekeeping: “For design enthusiasts who glean joy from color and pattern, for folks who like to embrace natural motifs, geometric shapes and design that’s a touch on the wild side – this collection is for you.”Shop Justina Blakeney’s New Ruggable CollectionEvery pick has a story, too. A few of her designs, like Sonia and Billie, were inspired by Justina’s paintings. Josephine and Eartha, which are based on her illustrative work, were inspired by Justina’s child who loves wildcats. Then there’s Alice and Georgia, which boast daring botanical motifs. “They were inspired by ancient Egyptian wall art with my own trippy, modern, kaleidoscopic spin,” Justina shares. Courtesy of RuggableAn appreciation for nature is a common theme throughout the collection as well. It’s long been a starting point for Justina’s design aesthetic and work as an artist. “In some designs, it’s more literal – like in the case of Tarsila – which celebrates palm fronds – and others are more abstract, like Hilma, which is an abstract interpretation of crystals. In my work, you’ll find lots of hints to Mama Nature and her magic,” Justina says. So, go ahead and shop the collection on Ruggable.com while there’s still time. You can start small with a rug at the side of your bed or go big with a graphic pick for your living room or bedroom. The choice is all yours!Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand’s home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, “What’s in My Cart.” More

Home to a crafty family of four, this Manhattan Beach property is full of coastal-inspired colors and natural textures that define the sought-after “California cool” style. From room to room, interior designer Lauren Meichtry, founder of Elsie Home, hunted for creative ways to reflect the couple and their two young daughters — without straying too far from the expectation of a beach house.Aside from the fact that the clients loved every lighting, fabric and furniture choice, this project marked Meichtry’s first time designing an entire house. The goal was to curate a space that feels casual, yet playful. “I knew the family would be willing to see a mix of color, pattern and texture,” says Meichtry, who dreamed up a color palette based on the surroundings. Think muted greens and cool blues, plus warm beige and bright white. Enter a sunny, open-concept space. The homeowners hired Thomas James Homes to build the property. While the hard finishes were already decided and the walls were painted white, Meichtry took the opportunity to introduce character. “I tried to add flair through lighting, artwork and decor,” she says.Public 311 DesignStay a while in the living room.Star patterned ceramic tiles, selected by the homeowners, installed around the fireplace act as a focal point in the airy living space. “The tiles were a great jumping off point for creating playfulness and personality,” says Meichtry, who weaves in striped drapery for warmth and natural elements (like a woven lamp) for a subtle coastal feel. “Little modifications, like textures and artwork, can make a room feel customized,” especially when your starting point looks builder-grade.Public 311 DesignPublic 311 DesignEntertain in the dining room.Where mid-century modern meets coastal style, the dining room is defined by a striking chandelier, mismatched seating and a dramatic sideboard from Lulu and Georgia. “When designing for an active family, I want every space to be a room they will actually use,” says Meichtry, who prioritizes comfortable and casual dining chairs. Public 311 DesignTake a repose on the deck.Exit the living room through cantina doors onto a covered deck that feels like an extension of the home. The modern patio set encourages the family (including their two dogs) to spend time outdoors, while the outdoor rug, round coffee tables and oversized rattan pendant maintain the casual style found inside. Public 311 DesignMake the most of bonus spaces.Instead of a guest bedroom, Meichtry creates a playful space for the young girls to hang out with friends, watch movies and play video games. When guests are in town, the custom-designed sofa transforms into a queen-size bed. Meanwhile, another spare room is turned into a pattern-filled craft room, from the dash wallpaper to the round mirrors from Jamie Young. “To spark creativity, you need to be in a space that makes you feel creative,” says Meichtry.Public 311 DesignPublic 311 DesignTake in every detail of the primary bedroom.Focused on their two young girls, the clients weren’t prioritizing the primary bedroom — but Meichtry was determined to create a cozy haven for the couple. Layers of texture add a surge of warmth, from plush Parachute Home bedding and decorative throws from Elsie Home to a woven leather bed frame and fluted dresser. Public 311 DesignEmbrace whimsy in a girl’s bedroom.For a third grader whose girly, silly and loves color, starburst peel-and-stick wallpaper, rainbow decor and a hanging egg chair are the perfect bedroom accents. Playing on the rainbow theme, Meichtry sticks to arch shapes — notice the arched bed frame, bookshelf and rounded chair. The best part? This spirited space can grow with her — just swap out small accents like throw blankets and wall art.Public 311 DesignEnd your tour in this tween’s boho bedroom.Last but not least, the tween daughter’s bedroom — adorned with a palm fronds wallpaper and decorated with natural textures — has a bohemian flair. Despite the bedroom being small, Meichtry wanted this bold print plastered on all four walls for a real wow factor. “I promised my clients that it wasn’t going to make the room feel smaller, and it strangely makes the room feel bigger.”Public 311 Design Bring a “California Cool” Style Into Your HomeAlyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries. More

Whether you’re partial to pepperoni or enjoy a freshly made Margherita, there’s nothing quite like a warm slice of pizza. While grabbing a pie at your local pizzeria is always fun, there’s something so satisfying about making your own at home. That’s where a good pizza stone comes in. The right pizza stone will distribute heat evenly and keep the dough moist while the pie bakes to perfection. Keep in mind that pizza stones are very different from regular pizza sheets, though, and require special care to perform well. Unlike metal pizza sheets, dish soap is a no-go with pizza stones and it’s best to avoid soaking them in water at all costs. To keep your pizza stone in top-notch condition, we checked in with Carolyn Forté, the executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, for her top tips to keep pesky stains at bay and ensure that every pizza you make tastes delicious. How to clean a pizza stone, step by stepWhether you use a pizza stone weekly or monthly, this unique kitchen accessory requires special care to keep it in tip-top shape. Your pizza stone might look clean on the surface, but because it’s porous, ingredients like sauce, oil and cheese can seep in and get stuck over time. Depending on how long you wait between cleanings, this can affect the taste of your pizzas. To maintain the quality of your pizza stone, we recommend repeating this process every time it’s used, and when in doubt, consult the instruction manual. What you’ll need:Nylon cleaning brushDishcloths Silicone pan scraperBaking sodaDrying rack Instructions: Before cleaning the pizza stone, wait two to three hours for it to cool down.Do an initial scrub with a nylon brush to remove food particles. Remove any cheese or cooked-on residue with the silicone scraper. Wipe away any remaining residue with a damp microfiber cloth. Air-dry the pizza stone on a drying rack and wipe off any remaining crumbs. How to remove stains from a pizza stone While you’ll never be able to completely remove all the stains your pizza stone accumulates with regular use, it’s still important to keep it as clean as possible. The best approach? Baking soda, which will quickly become your new best friend. When you combine water and baking soda into a paste, it can help remove those dreaded tomato stains. And no matter how stubborn the stain, always hand-wash your pizza stone and allow it to cool before applying the paste. Instructions: Mix baking soda and water in a separate bowl until it turns into a paste.Put the paste onto the stone and let it sit for 10 minutes, then wipe with a damp cloth and let it air dry. Related Stories Cailey Lindberg (she/her) is a writer and editor with over a decade of experience covering products, lifestyle, entertainment and food. Before joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, she was a staff writer at USA Today’s shopping network, Reviewed.com. Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York. More

Much like a swimming pool, a jetted tub needs extra care to keep it running properly. Regular use can result in a build-up of hair, dirt, shampoo and much more. Curious about how to clean a jetted tub quickly and efficiently? We checked in with Carolyn Forté, the executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, for her top tips.Before you get started, it’s important to check all the cleaning labels to make sure the products are safe to use on your tub. How often you clean your tub is also key. It’s best to clear any debris first. If your tub is used frequently, step up your cleaning schedule. To keep the pump running smoothly, many manufacturers suggest avoiding oil-based bath soaps or additives such as bubble baths, because the whirlpool action will intensify the foaming properties of these products, and the residue could stick to the plumbing. Instead, use a small amount of low-foaming bath salts. To clean the tub’s surface, you can opt for any non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth to ensure you don’t scratch it. While we’d recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions on how to clean your tub (especially the jets), this at-home hack will work in a pinch:What you’ll needStep-by-Step Instructions for Cleaning a Jetted Tub: Remove bath residue once a month by filling the bath with hot water and ¼ cup powdered dishwasher detergent. Run the water jets for 10-15 minutes and then drain the bath and refill with cold water. Run the water jets for another 10-15 minutes and drain again. If you have hard water, you can add vinegar to the water and repeat the process. Just be sure to never mix it with bleach or other household cleaners.OppdowngalonHow to remove stains from a jetted tub Jetted tubs can easily be stained from soap scum, bath oils, bubble bath and even rusty plumbing. To get stubborn stains out, mix a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide together and let it work its magic for 10 minutes. Once you’ve let the paste sit, simply wipe away the stains with a microfiber cloth. Cailey Lindberg (she/her) is a writer and editor with over a decade of experience covering products, lifestyle, entertainment and food. Before joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, she was a staff writer at USA Today’s shopping network, Reviewed.com. Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York. More

No matter if you’re a stay-at-home mom or have a demanding nine-to-five, chances are coffee is part of your morning routine. Thankfully, Nespresso is here to save the day with its simple coffee pod system that eliminates the hassle of grinding beans. That’s why it’s important to learn how to clean and descale your Nespresso machine to keep your coffee tasting fresh. Without regular cleaning and maintenance, your single-serve coffee maker can grow mold and bacteria. It might even stop working completely. To keep your machine running smoothly, we recommend cleaning and descaling your Nespresso regularly. Follow this step-by-step guide, including tips from Carolyn Forté, executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab.How to clean a Nespresso machine Cleaning (versus descaling) the machine is relatively simple, but knowing how often to clean it is also key. We recommend keeping the outside of the machine, pod chamber and drip tray clean by wiping or washing it regularly. The water reservoir should be washed with soap and water once a month and the drip tray should be washed once a week. You can even wipe down the Nespresso machine daily to keep it squeaky clean. Just take care not to leave soap behind, as it will make your coffee taste less than desirable. What you’ll need: Dish soap A container for catching waterA dishcloth How to descale a Nespresso machine To properly descale your Nespresso machine, it’s essential to purchase the descaling solution directly from the company. Keep in mind that it notes home remedies like vinegar or store-bought solutions might damage your machine. Nespresso also recommends descaling your coffee maker every three months (or 300 capsules). Jose A. Bernat BaceteInstructions: Plug the machine in, then empty the capsule container and drip tray before placing them back into the machine. Pour in some water and mix with 17 ounces of the descaling solution. With the head closed, unlock the lever and press and hold the button until the light turns off. After seven seconds, the light will start blinking orange. Once the light begins blinking, unlock and lock the lever. Press and hold the button again until the light turns off. When the light starts blinking again, the descaling of your machine has started. Use a large container underneath the spout, then press and rerelease the button as the light continues blinking. The machine will be silent once it’s finished descaling. After emptying the capsule and drip tray, rinse the water tank and refill with water. Then press and rerelease the button to rinse the machine, removing the water from the container. Once it’s finished rinsing, refill the water tank again and insert it into the machine. Clean the machine with a damp cloth and let it stand for 10 minutes.Cailey Lindberg (she/her) is a writer and editor with over a decade of experience covering products, lifestyle, entertainment and food. Before joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, she was a staff writer at USA Today’s shopping network, Reviewed.com. Expert consulted:Carolyn FortéHome Care & Cleaning Lab Executive DirectorCarolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York. More