Aurelia Butler

Good Housekeeping/Edible Arrangements

The floral arts have been around for ages (just look at some of our archival issues), but for anyone who has exhausted their to-do list of tie-dye DIYs and sourdough starters, the prospect of a putting together a tidy bouquet might actually feel like a fresh idea. Whether it’s a star centerpiece or a small touch of everyday style, a charming set of stems can be a beautiful and easy way to channel your creativity and uplift your spirit.
But as anyone who has tried to assemble a thoughtful flower arrangement will know, not every decision is as easy as it looks. Lucky for you, Good Housekeeping editors have worked with their fair share of florals. So we’ve picked the brains (and even taste buds) of our pros for a set of cross-disciplinary tips to help you tap into your inner florist. Read on for the easiest ways to make your next bouquet an arrangement that will inspire you in every way.
Set the tone with color
The star of every bouquet is color and it should be one of the most important considerations of the arrangement you choose. “Most pros suggest sticking to flowers that are in close proximity to each other on the color wheel,” says senior home editor, Monique Valeris. So when in doubt, reach for a mix of tonal options such as classic white assortments or a bright assembly of warmer hues that’ll ensure your arrangement feels cohesive.
That said, pops of unexpected color or contrast can be a wonderful opportunity to add personality to your bouquet. Taking cues from seasonal inspiration or drawing from your individual style is the perfect way to make a bouquet feel personal. “Be sure to have fun with your arrangements,” adds Valeris, “as it’s all about putting your aesthetic on display.”
Focus on the balance
Like many other living things, flowers have the power to radiate energy throughout a space. Balancing your arrangement with its environment is key to ensuring your bouquet lives harmoniously with either you or the recipient. Valeris has been using flowers to spark a bit of joy in her at-home workspace and she notes that, “like paint or lighting, flowers can alter the ambiance of a room. For instance, a tall, multicolored arrangement can add drama to a space, while a compact monochrome bouquet, or even a single stem in a sleek vessel, can lend an air of sophisticated elegance.” For a soft visual statement that can complement any space, go for tightly arranged bouquets that are cut closer to the vase. If you’re aiming for a more spirited mood, select a tall arrangement that, when cut, will take on a freer spirit when it unfolds.
“Your vase choice is just as important as the flowers you choose to put in it,” adds Valeris. So don’t forget to consider what’s beneath your blooms, as well. Our experts recommend allowing the season to dictate the vase. So, for summer, consider mason jars or an oversized jug. In winter, try experimenting with more substantial materials such as marble or wood that will naturally showcase your arrangement.
Consider all the senses
Beyond their aesthetics, a flower’s fragrance can actually influence our sense of taste as well. “If you plan to dress your table with flowers, make sure you take a whiff before just placing them at the center,” says chief food director, Kate Merker. “Flowers are beautiful and many have incredible scents—some are very gentle and others more assertive—which means they could complement or interfere with the aroma and taste of whatever you might be serving.” For decorating a table, Ms. Merker favors the fragrant blossoms of lavender, daisies, carnations, and dahlias, which tend to work well with her dishes and can sometimes add additional dimension to the eating experience.
Complementing food with flowers can be tricky, but when successfully paired (even as a decoration or ingredient), the result is guaranteed to deliver a wow factor every time. For an effortlessly beautiful and expertly composed way to weave together the senses, turn to the new FruitFlowers pairings by Edible arrangements. Not only are all the combinations of florals and delicious chocolate-covered fruit made to play off each other perfectly, but your selection can be completely customized. Whatever the occasion, it’s the ideal arrangement for all the senses.

FruitFlowers

Edible Arrangements

$84.99

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FruitFlowers

Edible Arrangements

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Fresh herbs add depth to recipes when added in the beginning and brightness at the end. They add color to otherwise drab-looking pasta, and can be used as a sauce for everything from grains to meat and veggies – pesto or chimichurri, anyone? As beautiful as herbs are, they don’t last long, but here’s how you can store them and use every last leaf.
What’s the difference between tender and hardy herbs?
Tender herbs include leafy varieties with soft stems, like basil, parsley, cilantro, and dill. (Mint can be classified as a tender herb, too, but we’ve found that it can be stored well like a hardy herb, too!).
Hardy herbs include types with woodier stems, like rosemary, thyme, and oregano. They’re also the ones that require less water to grow. Think: Rosemary growing in the clay-like soil of the Mediterranean and oregano growing on the sandy mountains of Greece.
Where should you store herbs — on the counter or in the fridge?
Tender herbs benefit from being treated like live flowers and stored in water at room temperature – the fridge’s temperature and air can bruise bare, delicate leaves (two exceptions: Parsley and cilantro can stand up to the cold; just loosely cover dry leaves with plastic before stashing in the fridge). To help them last longer, change the water every couple of days and discard wilted stems.
Keep hardy herbs dry in the clamshells they’re sold in, or wrap in a damp paper towel and store in an open baggie in the fridge. If stored in water, hardy herbs can become waterlogged. Check on them every couple of days: They’ll last longer if you occasionally change their wrapping and throw away wilted pieces.
Should you wash your herbs before storing?
You should. Plus, if you wash them before storing, you’ll be likely to use them when you’re cooking. It’s important, however, to dry your herbs well before wrapping and storing, to prevent them from getting wet and moldy.
To wash tender herbs, hold by the stems and plunge the leaves in cold water. Shake to dry. You can be a little less careful about drying when storing on the counter because the herbs will dry naturally in an upright position.
To wash hardy herbs, swirl around in cold water and lay flat on a clean dish towel. When dry, transfer to a damp paper towel and wrap in bundles before placing in an open baggie in the fridge. Both of these cleaning methods allow dirt and debris to fall to the bottom of a bowl without leaves being bruised from running water.

Step One
Swirl woody sprigs in cold water and spread on a clean towel to dry.

Step Two
Wrap the herbs in a slightly damp paper towel.

Step Three
These bundles keep leaves protected and hydrated to stay fresh longer.

Step Four
Store in an open plastic bag in your fridge’s crisper drawer.

How long do fresh herbs last?
Depending on how you store them, some herbs can last up to a couple of weeks while others should should be used right away. A few other factors contribute to their longevity, including the quality of the herbs when you buy them and how dry or unbruised they are before you store them. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
Tender herbs
Basil: Up to 1 week
Cilantro: 1 week to 10 days
Parsley: 1 to 2 weeks
Dill: 1 week
Mint: 3 to 4 days
Chives: Approximately 1 week
Hardy herbs
Rosemary: 2 to 3 weeks
Thyme: 2 weeks
Oregano: 1 to 2 weeks
How to store fresh herbs in the freezer
To store herbs long-term, fresh herbs can be frozen — but don’t just toss them in a baggie! If you do, they’ll likely freeze together and form ice crystals that will drain and muddy their flavor when they defrost. Instead:
Thoroughly dry herbs (water droplets will cause splattering during cooking) and chop them.
Add herbs to an ice cube tray and fill with oil before freezing through.
Use the frozen cubes when you first start cooking the way you would normally heat oil in a pan, or stir in at the very end to finish.
How to dry herbs
Fresh herbs may be dried or dehydrated so they can last for up to six months when stored properly. To dry herbs, wash and dry them completely, then use a dehydrator on a low temperature (95ºF to 105ºF) to draw moisture out of the leaves until they crumble in your hand. The amount of time varies based on the herb: Tender herbs will dehydrate faster than hardy ones. Store dehydrated herbs in a small, airtight container in a cool, dark place.

10 Herbs You Can Grow Indoors Year-Round

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Teaching your little one to sew has never been easier (or more fun!). More

We’ve got apple. We’ve got pumpkin. We’ve got cinnamon. More

Maintaining an organized home just makes life easier. When everything is in its place, you can move through your day with ease. Who wouldn’t want that? That’s why we’re taking you inside some of the most organized — and stylish — spaces crafted by some of our favorite design influencers and tastemakers. Get ready to take inspiration from the Organization Chronicles.
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and when you’re a mom of five, this is even more true. Consider the case of Atlanta-based interior designer Erika Ward, who admits it was imperative for her recent kitchen renovation to be conducive to her active lifestyle, especially now that she and her husband are working more from home.
Ward craved a comfortable yet stylish cooking space that would make it easy to prepare meals but also encourage her kids to assist with the clean-up afterwards (a.k.a. every parent’s dream). “My main concerns were how to control the clutter so the kids can help, how to make the surfaces easy to clean, and how to make it look pretty,” Ward says of her practical design vision.
Ward got her wish, thanks to a timeless design scheme with brilliant storage solutions. Here’s how she created her well-organized kitchen:
Maximize Cabinet Space

Rustic White Interiors

Rather than replacing the kitchen cabinets, Ward took the sustainable route and opted to salvage them. She enlisted a professional to give them a new look with a hard coat finish that complemented the overall design scheme, which Ward says “takes inspiration from the Caribbean” with its watery blue backsplash. Once the aesthetic part of the job was handled, pull-out drawer systems to store large pots and pans were installed in the kitchen’s lower cabinets. Concealing them in drawers was also a simple way to free up visual space in her kitchen.
Make Use of Under-the-Sink Storage
Under Ward’s sink is a drip tray to protect the cabinets from leaks and spills, as well as a pull-out drawer for garbage and recycling. A trash system of this nature is especially great for kids who are beginning to learn the value of self-reliance and accountability. “As you are encouraging your children to take on more responsibility at home and help out with chores, having this organization system helps them to know where things go,” Ward says.
Minimal Floating Shelves

Rustic White Interiors

There’s more than enough cabinetry in Ward’s kitchen, but there are a select number of frequently used items that made sense to keep within reach. The perfect solution? A pair of open shelves on either side of the range hood for a canister of lemons, a few of her favorite cookbooks, and a collection of dishes. But this sleek shelving solution doesn’t just serve a functional purpose—introducing this form of symmetry in the design scheme is visually appealing, too.
A Mounted Spice Rack

Courtesy of Erika Ward

Regardless of your design aesthetic, mounting your spice rack might work well for your kitchen setup. Ward loves nothing more than experimenting with recipes and testing different spices, so she made the decision to mount her assortment right on a cabinet door. “When you don’t take advantage of that interior door space—especially if you are lacking storage—it is a missed opportunity,” she says.
Having a well-organized kitchen can not only help you to make the most of your space—it’s also a great way to include the entire family in maintaining it and find more joy in cooking, even if you consider yourself an amateur chef.
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Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, here’s what you should look for. More

William Hereford

Spare rooms often become catchalls: They might house your WFH setup, your home gym yoga mat and weights, boxes of Halloween decorations that don’t fit anywhere else and, crammed in the middle, a bed for guests. While there’s no shame in getting the most out of your square footage, there’s so much to be said for offering a thoughtful, well-appointed room for overnight (or longer) visitors.
You only need a few pieces of furniture, great bedding, and charming accents, and you can have some fun with it. Think of it even as an opportunity to deploy an aesthetic that differs from the rest of the house, to make it feel like a special destination.
With on-trend decor and furniture in a range of styles, The Home Depot makes it easy to overhaul this room on a budget. For an extra homey feel, channel a stately bed and breakfast with vintage-inspired pieces — here’s how.
Look for furniture that calls to mind the past — you can’t go wrong with rich wood tones.

William Hereford

William Hereford

Bright white walls and low-profile furnishings have enjoyed time in the spotlight recently, with minimalist décor superseding moodier, more intimate settings. But the tide is turning toward a richer palette, with layers of the past and present mingling together.
To cultivate a look that reads vintage but not old, lean into darker tones that add extra character and warmth to a space. Try wood furniture with a heritage vibe: a gracious bed with a carved headboard in a deep ebony finish, a chest of drawers with antique-like bronze hardware and a sturdy side table that could pass for being built by a grandparent. Think sophisticated bungalow or chic country cottage, without any of the ruffles.

Bellmore Ebony Queen Bed
homedepot.com
$699.00

Daytona Regal Walnut Rectangular End Table
homedepot.com
$167.16

Cambridge Brown 3-Drawer Dresser
homedepot.com
$409.45

Cooper Mixed Material Luggage Rack
homedepot.com
$91.60

Layer neutral pillows and blankets over crisp white sheets (the combination never fails).

William Hereford

The easiest way to make a bed feel like it’s from a five-star hotel is to outfit it with crisp, white percale sheets and a matching blanket. Instead of a duvet, opt for a quilt to add texture and heft. Layer on a cashmere blanket for a subtle color contrast, and choose a variety of throw pillows in the same palette.
In order to create a pillowscape that doesn’t overwhelm the bed, limit yourself to four colors or patterns and don’t go overboard with numbers. For example, on top of the standard pillows on a Queen-size bed, layer two larger square Euro-style pillows in a stripe print that mirror the texture of the quilt, and then pop in two accent pillows in a dusty rose. Finish the look, if you’d like to add more, with two one-offs: an extra-long, soft grey lumbar with a leather strap detail and a grey and white stripe.

300 Thread Count Wrinkle Resistant American Cotton Sateen 4-Piece Queen Sheet Set in White
homedepot.com
$39.98

Legends Paloma Cotton Textured Queen Quilt in White
homedepot.com
$429.00

Oversized Faux Cashmere Stone Plaid Acrylic Fireside Throw Blanket
homedepot.com
$27.99

Alternate Blocks Grey and White Geometric Hypoallergenic Polyester 18 in. x 18 in. Throw Pillow
homedepot.com
$30.69

Edinburgh Mid-Century Modern Gray Pillow
homedepot.com
$21.10

Add a lounge chair for wake-ups and wind-downs.

William Hereford

Boulevard Cafe Camel Leather-Like Metal Chair
homedepot.com
$136.92

A place to sit — that is not the bed! — is a must in a guest room. It offers an element of separation between sleeping and daily life, and provides a spot to relax (plus a separate seat keeps “outside clothes” off the bed).For a classic Americana look, choose a leather piece that complements the wood furniture and adds warmth to the room. Avoid chunky club chairs; while comfy, they can take up too much space and crowd the room.
Instead, look for a chair with a slimmer silhouette, like this option with a blackened metal frame and burnt orange cushions. Not only does the plump seat make for the perfect reading nook, but it’s an ideal place to drape a jacket or set your handbag.
Frame up art in a mix of sizes for a collected feel.

Hanging art is the quickest way to make a space feel homey and lived-in. For maximum impact, go for a gallery wall. If the idea of finding and organizing enough pieces for a whole wall may seem intimidating, never fear: the best part of a gallery wall is that it doesn’t have to be perfect. With multiple pieces in varying sizes, you don’t have to fret about perfectly centering every single frame. Choose a starting point, be it the center of the wall or one side, and build from there.

Antiqued Bronze Framed Acrylic Painting
homedepot.com
$89.00

“Simple Fern IV” Framed Giclee Print
homedepot.com
$126.36

“Divided Horizon I” by Jennifer Goldberger
homedepot.com
$48.99

“Aged Paper Vintage Feather Identification Print” by Daphne Polselli
homedepot.com
$32.99

To keep with the old-but-new aesthetic, seek out a variety of portraits and botanical prints that masquerade as if they were salvaged from an old library or estate sale. Use color cues from elsewhere in the room — the bedding, perhaps — to inspire a cohesive art palette, and keep things simple with matless frames.
Dot the space with vintage (or vintage-inspired!) accessories.

William Hereford

In a hotel, it’s the small details that make a room feel special — the custom soap dispenser, the hand-painted light pendant, smart-looking cabinet pulls — so don’t skimp when it comes to the finishing touches. Now is the time to hit the flea markets or dig into your grandma’s attic for fun and quirky additions, like a carved teak tray repurposed as a catchall for jewelry and coins, a ceramic vase filled with fresh-picked wildflowers, or a crate of thrift-store vinyls.

Parker Bluetooth Suitcase Record Player with 3-Speed Turntable
homedepot.com
$52.66

Wooden Record Crate
homedepot.com
$33.07

Brown Square Wood Trays
homedepot.com
$17.47

Oil Rubbed Bronze Counter Balance Desk Lamp
homedepot.com
$44.97

Round Quartz Metal Alarm Clock
homedepot.com
$13.05

If you’re not one for thrifting, or prefer new to old, The Home Depot has a surprisingly deep collection of vintage-inspired decor, like this cute mint green table clock, a bluetooth speaker disguised as a record player, or an industrial elbow desk lamp.
Prop styling by Olga Grigorenko. More