Home Ideas

When the sniffles, the stomach bug, or any other cold or virus sneaks into your home, it’s only natural to want to minimize the spread. And good news: By taking the right precautions — including isolating the affected individual and ramping up your cleaning habits — it’s quite possible to stop the illness in its tracks.

3M TB Quat Disinfectant Ready to Use Cleaner
homedepot.com
$5.88

When someone in your household is sick, clean surfaces and surroundings daily using a product, like 3M’s EPA-approved TB Quat Disinfectant Ready-to-Use Cleaner, that is clearly labeled as a disinfectant that kills 99.9% of germs and household bacteria — this will most effectively eradicate germs, says Carolyn Forte, Cleaning Lab Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute. And don’t forget to read the label, which will tell you how long hard, non-porous surfaces must stay wet for the most effective germ killing: For example, when cleaning a surface with 3M TB Quat Disinfectant, a hard non-porous surface needs to remain wet with the cleaning solution and untouched for one minute in order to kill the virus that causes Covid-19*. Other products may require surfaces to stay wet for longer, and you may need to reapply the product or give it another wipe so it stays wet for the required time on the label.
It’s also good practice to wear rubber gloves (disposable ones are ideal, so you can be sure to keep gloves used for sanitizing and doing dishes separate) to protect your hands from both germs and drying chemicals, says Forte. And keep a plentiful stack of cleaning wipes or microfiber clothes on hand, so as not to transfer germs from surface to surface. Finally, don’t forget a simple step that tends to get overlooked in the comfort of your own home: washing your hands per the recommended CDC method.
Ready to give your house a deeper, more thorough clean? Here’s what you need to get the job done.
High-touch surfaces

Natalie Abraham

When cleaning up after someone has been sick, frequently-touched household surfaces like doorknobs and faucet handles should be top of mind. But don’t forget other oft-touched and forgotten areas, like appliance handles (particularly the microwave handle and touchpad, refrigerator, dishwasher, oven door handles, the coffeemaker, and stove knobs) and light switches, says Forte.
To clean, use soapy water to wipe away any grease or grime from handles first, then wipe down and dry. To bust bacteria and virus germs, finish with a disinfectant spray, letting it sit for the recommended time before wiping dry. When tackling anything with crevices, like light switches, exercise a bit more caution. Use a damp cloth to clean off dust and grime, being careful not to let any liquid seep inside. Then, use a disinfecting wipe or a cotton ball dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol to swab all sides and let air dry.
Electronics

Natalie Abraham

Shared electronics — like remote controls — are considered one of the germiest items in a hotel room, says Forte, so don’t think your own household remote is any different. (It does, after all, get passed from person to person regularly.)
After a sick person has been cozying up on the couch binge-watching their sniffles away, make sure to give the device a thorough wipe down. Remove the batteries and replace the cover, and then dampen a cloth with 70% isopropyl alcohol or grab a disinfecting wipe. Go over the remote, paying close attention to the spaces between the buttons. Next, dip a cotton swab in alcohol, squeeze out the excess, and use it to clean the narrow areas and grooves. Remove any nitty-gritty grime from button crevices with a toothpick, then dry the remote with a lint-free cloth and reinstall the batteries.
The Bathroom

Natalie Abraham

Of course, your toilet needs a thorough clean, but this is one room you definitely don’t want to skimp on. After all, toilet plume can shoot upwards of 15 feet when you flush.
Hit the sink, plus faucet handles and countertop, with a disinfectant bathroom cleaner and wipe with a cloth or sponge once the solution sits for the amount of time recommended on the bottle.
And after you’re done scrubbing the toilet bowl, the toilet brush needs cleaning, too. After use, let the toilet brush dry out of the caddy and spray with disinfectant. You can wedge the handle between the toilet and its seat, so any water drips right back into the bowl.
While you’re in the bathroom, toss and replace any toothbrushes after someone has recovered from the cold in your house (or every three months)— and clean the area around your toothbrush too. To clean the holder, remove the top — if your holder has one — and wash both pieces in warm soapy water, then rinse and dry. (You can also wash it in the top rack of your dishwasher, for convenience.) If your toothbrush holder is wall-mounted, use a disinfecting wipe on all sides, keeping the surface wet for the recommended time.
Linens and Towels

Natalie Abraham

When the road to recovery consists of plenty of rest, there will be an abundance of soft surfaces to clean, too. Launder bed sheets, pillowcases, and towels in hot water, drying them using the sanitize cycle or the hottest temperature your dryer offers. Add blankets, throws, and bathrobes to your list, too. These items should all be washed according to label directions. For any non-washable items — like throw pillows and mattresses — use a fabric-safe spray to kill bacteria.
When you’re done, give your cleaning tools a once-over, so you don’t risk transferring germs to anything that’s been freshly laundered. Wash your hands and run an empty hot wash cycle through the washing machine with a dose of bleach, says Forte.
Wastebaskets

Natalie Abraham

When the trash is brimming with dirty tissues and other remnants from a sick person, it becomes a breeding ground for germs, says Forte. Once you’ve emptied the contents — do so frequently! — be sure to give the basket itself a douse of disinfectant.
First, clean the can and any removable plastic liner with warm soapy water, and rinse and dry it with a paper towel. Once it’s dry, spray all sides of the can with a disinfecting spray, allowing it to dry for the required time. If they fit, you can even put smaller bathroom and bedroom receptacles in the dishwasher. After everything’s nice and clean, keep odors at bay by tossing in a deodorizer before putting in a clean liner.
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Few things are as aggravating as pulling items out of the dishwasher and finding remnants of what it was supposed to take care of: a smidge of stuck-on tomato sauce, a faint splotch of coffee, a crusty bit of burnt cheese on the rim. (Annoying!)But you don’t have to settle for stained or spotty tableware, and you don’t have to be a cleaning expert to make all those pieces sparkle either. The key is to arm yourself with a few smart strategies—sharp utensils should always be loaded facing down, people!—and some heavy-duty grime fighters like Cascade Platinum + Oxi, a powerful solution that contains stain-lifting ingredients that break down stuck-on food and leaves your dishes with a hygienic clean that you can see and feel.
Want a foolproof fix for all your tableware essentials? Check out our quick cleaning guide below.
Ceramic bowls and plates
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Theoretically, one dishwasher cycle is all it should take to get these everyday pieces fully clean, but a lot depends on your approach. First, scrape off any food scraps but don’t do any pre-washing—most detergents actually work better when the enzymes can attach to some food particles. Choose a strong, stain-busting formula that will remove visible grime as well as residue you might not be able to see but can feel (like a rough texture when sliding your hand over a supposedly “clean” dish).
Then, load strategically: bowls up top, facing down—to avoid pooling water—and dishes on the bottom, where the spray is strongest, facing the center. And no nesting! Anything the spray can’t reach won’t get cleaned.
Stainless steel flatware
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Your everyday forks, knives and spoons get their own little home—the cutlery bin—and with that, a few “house rules” to follow. Don’t ever use a detergent with lemon because that acidity can damage the flatware’s finish. Make sure the dishwasher’s rinse agent dispenser is full—this will help prevent spotting. In dishwashers that have a cutlery bin, place knives with handles up for safety, and alternate forks and spoons; otherwise, they’ll nestle together and the water won’t be able to hit all the surfaces. In dishwashers that have a flatware tray, there are usually notches to help utensils stay propped the way they should.
And if you do see spots from a previous wash, and want to handle them quickly? Polish them with a paste of baking soda and water, then rinse and buff dry.
Steak knives
It’s tempting to toss these in the cutlery bin with your other knives, but these sharper ones require handwashing instead (in hot, soapy water), according to Good Housekeeping’s The Complete Household Handbook. That’s because the blades can be damaged in the dishwasher, and high heat can warp the handles and crack them if they’re wooden. Towel-dry the steak knives immediately to prevent rust, and store them in a wood block or other slotted device that keeps the blades from touching, so they stay scratch-free. If you do get rust marks, don’t stress; just stab a large onion a few times (really!). The onion’s acid will get rid of the rust.
Drinking glasses and wine glasses
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A grease-fighting dishwasher detergent should leave your glassware clear after one wash. If you have hard water, though, those minerals can occasionally leave a cloudy film, so make sure your rinse aid is full when you run your dishwasher. Think your glasses get placed over those dishwasher-rack prongs? Nope. They’re supposed to go next to them because the prong tips can leave water spots.
Ceramic mugs
This how-to is as straightforward as it gets: Load on the top rack, in between the rungs, and use a hard-working detergent that’s formulated specifically as a stain-fighter. If your stained mugs are delicate porcelain that are not dishwasher-safe, just scrub them off using a little baking soda–and–dish soap paste, then rinse and wash as usual.
Wood bowls and salad servers
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Wood will warp or crack if you put it in the dishwasher due to the humidity and high heat, so your best bet is to always hand-wash wood pieces with mild dish soap and water. Dry them thoroughly and right away using a soft cloth (no air-drying!). To keep the finish looking good, you may want to coat the surface with mineral oil once in awhile. Let it stand overnight and then wipe with paper towels.
Oven-to-table pots and pans
Most oven-to-table cookware is dishwasher-friendly; for best results, use a detergent that’s formulated to remove burnt-on food.
But if you have a pot or pan that isn’t dishwasher-safe, it can be helpful to pre-treat it before handwashing. Use a plastic spatula to remove as much stuck-on food as you can, rinse the dish, and then scrub the stubborn spots with a bristle brush and a mix of baking soda and liquid dish soap. Once you’ve gotten rid of the grime, run it through the dishwasher as usual.
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Good Housekeeping’s Associate Lifestyle Editor Amanda Garrity loves color and has an eye for smart design when it comes to storage. This is no more clear than in her apartment on New York’s Upper East Side, where she harmonizes her organizational needs with the delight of display. It’s a colorful, relaxing space with plentiful but meticulously curated nooks for comfort items like seasonal candles and holiday decorations (even more important now that she’s working from home every day).
Amanda recently shared with writer Audrey Wachs how the stories of two beloved items — one new, and one she’s been toting around for years — reflect her space’s style, and why personal items can routinely inspire you to decorate in new ways.
AW: How have you turned your apartment into a place that really feels like home, especially at this time?
AG: Now that I’m working from home, it is so important to have a space that isn’t cluttered. You have to find a way to work with however much space you have, and most people in New York have so little space! I live in a flexible-bedroom setting so I’ve had to be very creative with, for example, using [see-through shelving] as room dividers without losing natural light.
It’s also important to have a space that really reflects your personality. I really love very feminine styles, pink, white — I love that light and bright clean look.
How intentional is the arrangement of your book collection?

Amanda Garrity

I love to use aesthetically pleasing books like this to decorate. In New York, I think people stay away from books because it can just look cluttered, but I want to infuse color into my space and books can be a cost-effective way to do that. They’re also something you can use — cookbooks have gorgeous colors, but then inside, you have all these great recipes. I have a pretty expansive collection, but I’m also selective about the books I bring into my home—fiction books I can read on a Kindle, and I’m fine with that. It’s worth it to have books that look really beautiful or hold some kind of personal meaning.
I see you have a brand-new book on your desk with a tropical cover. Can you tell me about it?

Garrity had her Lilly Pulitzer tome inscribed by an artist at the brand’s store on the Upper East Side.
Amanda Garrity

LILLY PULITZER
lillypulitzer.com
$85.00

I got this book at an event at the (now shuttered) Lilly Pulitzer store on the Upper East Side. It’s a really beautiful coffee table book, put together by Lilly’s daughter, and it walks through Lilly’s whole history of creating the brand in Palm Beach, Florida. It includes images of the stores and shift dresses in different prints from years ago.
They had an artist [at the event] who painted the Lilly print on the inside of the book. Regardless of whether you’re the biggest Lilly fan or not, it’s one of those brands that just has a very specific look. There are a lot of bright pinks and neons, whites, and big florals — and it really encapsulates Palm Beach style. It’s also a really cool history of a brand that’s just iconic, especially in America.
Tell me about this vintage-looking wicker basket. Where is it from?

Amanda Garrity

Amanda Garrity

The Piccadilly Hamper
fortnumandmason.com
£100.00

It was a housewarming gift, so to speak. I had studied abroad in London, and one of my good friends from school was studying abroad there when I first moved to New York. Fortnum & Mason is a huge luxury grocery store founded in the 1700s, and it is loved by the Royals. When I was in London, I bought a tea that they served for Kate and William’s wedding.
Anyway, my friend sent this to me — they’re called hampers, and they arrive full of things like jam, tea, cookies, and crackers. On the top it has F&M painted in black, short for Fortnum & Mason. It’s a basic, glossy wicker basket, but there’s a handle so you could carry it like a picnic basket if you wanted, and there are also two leather straps and buckles so, when closed, it looks sleek and polished. It’s the perfect size for storage.
It makes me think always of my friend and the time I studied in London. I’ve had it now for years, and it’s traveled with me from apartment to apartment.
What lives in it right now?

Amanda Garrity

I have quite a candle collection, so it’s where I store my candles that are not being used. Growing up, my mom was never a fan of us having candles in the house, because we had pets. But I have become a crazy candle person; they just bring such a sense of peace. In my job, I work with a lot of brands and do a lot of gift guides, so I just have an influx of candles that come in from work, which is always wonderful.
In the past I’ve used it as my memento basket — storing cards, photos, throw blankets, things like that. I love it because it is beautiful enough to leave out, but it’s functional; I keep things in it that I can reach easily. You would never know what’s tucked inside.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
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There’s nothing better than sliding into a bed covered in freshly washed sheets, but getting to that end-of-day treat certainly takes effort. Carolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, shared her advice for how to wash this bedding essential and help extend their lifetime. The first step: Making sure you have these cleaners on hand.
What You’ll Need
Shout Advanced Ultra Gel
Gain Liquid Detergent
Now it’s time to get to work.
How to Wash Sheets
Sheets don’t wear like your gym shorts or jeans, but you do spend a lot of time in them — and night after night, germs, sweat, and body oils accumulate quickly.
“If there are no stains, there’s no need pretreat the sheets,” says Forte. “But it’s always a good idea to check pillowcases for makeup residue. A prewash stain remover like Shout Advanced Ultra Gel can help get any spots out.” Then add detergent, like Good Housekeeping Seal holder Gain Liquid Detergent.

The Best Sheets for Every Kind of Sleeper

Some new washers have dedicated cycles just for washing sheets. But if yours doesn’t, select the “normal” or “casual” cycle instead of “heavy duty.” “Sheets don’t need excessive agitation to get clean, and the heavy-duty cycle can cause tangling and wrinkling,” says Forte.
To boost cleaning (which helps if you suffer from allergies), increase the water temperature. Choose a cleaning cycle that uses the hottest water safe for the sheets’ fabric (check the care tag). “The hotter the water, the more germs you kill,” says Forte. Once done, fold and store your sheets until you’re ready to put them on your bed.
How Often Should You Wash Sheets
Bed sheets can accumulate so many things you can’t see, like dead skin cells, dust mites, germs — even fecal matter — and they should be washed regularly. “The longest you should wait before changing out your sheets is two weeks,” says Forte. “Weekly is even better.”
If you or anyone in your household has dust or pollen allergies, sweats excessively, or has an infectious illness (or if the family pet sleeps in the bed), you’ll want to consider laundering the sheets more often than once per week.
Now, avoid these common missteps to ensure you get a great night’s sleep on laundry day.
4 Common Sheet Washing Mistakes

Getty

1. Overloading your washer
It can be tempting to dump all of your family’s bedding in one load, but you’ll need to do a couple to get the job done right. “Sheets needs to circulate to get clean,” says Forte. “Today’s enormous washers can probably hold several sets, but you should never cram them in. And if your washer has an agitator in the middle, don’t wrap the sheets around it. This can cause them to wrinkle or tear. Instead, lay them in separately without wrapping them.”
2. Using the wrong setting
Choosing a heavy-duty cycle isn’t necessary (unless your sheets are a serious mess). “It’s fine to wash sheets on the normal, regular, or colors cycle; they’ll still get clean,” says Forte. “These options are gentler and shorter than heavy duty and (depending on the machine) will cool water gradually for less wrinkling.”
3. Drying them for too long
Bedding might take a little longer to dry than a regular load of clothes, but leaving sheets in the dryer longer “just in case” is what can cause them to shrink. “Over-drying is definitely a problem,” says Forte. “It’s best to tumble dry sheets on low heat for the shortest time possible (and yes, this could take some trial and error to get right). This minimizes shrinkage and helps reduce wrinkling too.”
4. Drying sheets with towels
Not all linens are created equally, so it’s best to keep very different loads separate to avoid over-drying issues. “Sheets dry faster than towels, so when the sheets are dry the towels will likely still be wet,” says Forte. If you’re aiming to combine loads, Forte says it’s probably okay to put some light cotton fabrics in with sheets, but towels are problematic.

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Gone are the days you have to scrub and scrub… and scrub to get your oven to shine like new. The self-clean feature, first introduced by Thermador in 1963, was added to both gas ranges and electric ovens solely to make cleaning easier. And, though once regulated to high-end models, it’s now a near-universal setting on household ovens.
So whether you dropped an entire pie in your oven while trying to remove it, the cheese on your pizza bubbled over, or you’ve just let too many crumbs accumulate over time, it’s time to let that self-cleaning button on your oven work some magic for you.
What type of self-cleaning oven is best?
There are two different types of self-cleaning ovens: Those that clean with steam and those that clean with high heat, or “pyrolytic” cleaning. Both save you from heavy-duty elbow grease — they just function a bit differently:
With high-heat cleaning, the oven cranks to extremely high temperatures (usually between 800º to 875ºF) to burn off residue and turn it to ash. Most consumers find that high heat performs better with less elbow grease.
Steam cleaning works with heat and water to loosen soils, but a manual clean will still be needed afterwards — especially for heavy soils. Steam offers the advantage of no burn off, lower temperatures, and no odors.
How often should you self-clean your oven?
For most, a thorough self-clean every four to six months is plenty to keep your oven sparkling, says Carolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Appliances & Cleaning Products Lab. Ultimately though, how frequently you need to self-clean your oven depends on how often you use your oven — and how diligently you manually clean it between uses.
“Some consumers use self-clean monthly, whereas others use it only once or twice a year,” said a brand rep from Thermador in an interview with Good Housekeeping. Frequency also depends on the consumer’s cooking habits. “For example, Thermador consumers who utilize the Sabbath Mode feature on their ovens sometimes use self-clean more often to make their ovens suitable between cooking meat or dairy products (ideal for those keeping Kosher).”
How long does self-cleaning take?
Though exact timing varies depending on the brand and type of oven you own, it’s safe to bank on a couple hours. You can always stop the self-cleaning feature mid-cycle if you need to: For specifics, consult the manufacturer’s instructions.
Is it safe to self-clean your oven when home?
Though you may have heard otherwise and that burning plastic smell may spook you, it’s perfectly safe to run the self-clean feature whether you and your family (yes, babies included) are home or not, says Thermador.
In general, self-cleaning ovens do not pose a threat to typical household pets like cats and dogs, either. According to Molly Maids, the fumes self-cleaning ovens produce are harmful only to tropical birds. If you have this type of pet, arrange for them to be out of the house before proceeding with a self-clean.
That said, odors are common, particularly with ovens that clean using heat. For this reason, many consumers opt to ventilate (opening windows or running the hood) concurrently. And, if the smell is overpowering, you can always go into another room while the oven works its magic.
How to use your oven’s self-clean feature
No matter which method your oven’s self-clean feature works on, here are the general steps you’ll need to follow:
Prep the oven: Prior to using the self-cleaning feature, make sure the surface of the oven is free from any major spills. And, unless they are documented as self-cleanable, remove the racks to prevent discoloration and potential warping.
Lock the door: Though many models will lock automatically before the cleaning cycle begins, double check, and lock the door if need be.
Turn on the vent: Ensure there is good ventilation in the home — a ventilation fan or hood is ideal to help remove heat and any odors caused by everything burning off, according to Thermador.
Let run: Hit that button, and let your oven do its thing.
Wipe down: When completely cool, wipe down with a damp towel to clean up any lingering residue.
Note: Never use any household cleaners along with the self-cleaning feature.
How to maintain a clean oven between self-cleanings
Though self-cleaning is undoubtedly convenient, your best bet to keep your oven in good, working condition is to give it a little TLC in between more major cleaning sessions. If you really want to stay on top of things, wipe it down once a month or when it begins to look dirty, says Forte. Here’s how:
Wipe up spills immediately: Use a damp sponge or brush to nab loose bits of food. To avoid burns and inadvertently shattering any untempered glass, always wait until the oven is completely cool to wipe down glass, walls, and racks.
Clean racks: Remove the racks from your oven for more effective and comfortable cleaning. Then, wash each rack one at a time in warm, sudsy water or a quality oven cleaner. Rinse, let dry, and slide back into place.
Clean the door: Clean the outside of your oven the same way you would the interior — with warm, sudsy water and a sponge. For streak and spot-free glass, use a glass or grease-cutting multi-purpose cleaner like Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, then scrub with a scrubbing pad, rinse with a clean cloth or sponge, and let dry.
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Monique Valeris, Good Housekeeping’s senior home editor, loves a one-of-a-kind find. On her travels to places like Greece and India, she likes to pick up colorful, patterned items for her home that express the spirit of the places she visits.
This philosophy extends to her writing: In her monthly column What’s In My Cart, Valeris scours stores to help readers find everything from bookends to shibori-dyed leather vases that are both affordable and beautiful. Writer Audrey Wachs spoke with her to learn more about two beloved items — one new, one old — in her New York City residence and how they reflect her approach to home decor.
AW: Can you tell me about your personal approach to decorating your home?

Decor Our Senior Home Editor Loves Now

MV: I’m inspired by interior designers like Rita Konig and Nate Berkus. Both of them believe that your home should feel like it’s been arranged over time. I don’t like when you walk into a space and feels like it’s straight out of a catalog. I love mixing it up — if you find a great piece of seating at West Elm, I want to complement that with some throw pillows that I found on a trip abroad.
I love patterns, colors, and prints, but I like to keep big pieces like a sofa more neutral and then elevate it with accessories. It should really just be a reflection of your lifestyle.
How does this elegant—and very sturdy-looking—white column fit into your overall approach to interiors?

Monique Valeris

I think every home should have that one special statement piece. Years ago, I went to the Brimfield Antique Show for the first time. It’s a huge outdoor venue where tons of sellers have all types of home decor items. You can honestly take days to shop. It’s kind of overwhelming, but I love the thrill of the hunt. I spotted this column and I thought it would be perfect for my home, though I didn’t exactly know what I would do with it. I believe it’s made of alabaster or something similar. It has a really great weight to it.

Being indoors much more, I’ve focused on having more greenery in my space.

The piece has male figures at the bottom, and as you go up, it has a leaf motif. It’s so intricately carved. That’s what I love about pieces like this; the attention to detail is just brilliant. You know, I try to carry that attention to detail when I’m shopping for anything really in my home.
I have two young kids, so it has to be out of the way so they don’t attempt to climb up on it. It’s currently in my home office, and I use it to display a plant that I have in a woven basket. Being indoors much more, I’ve focused on having more greenery in my space. Before, it was tucked away in my living room — I’ve moved it from room to room over the years, but it’s something that people always notice when they come to my home.
Can you tell me about the environment you try to create in your home office?
I’m drawn to color, that’s number one. My walls are a melon color. Having that color around me helps to boost my creativity and helps me stay focused and get me going throughout the day.
I also like to have little accessories around that reflect my style. For instance, I have this gold pineapple — pineapples symbolize hospitality, so it reminds me of the beat that I cover. I like to have art around me, and just really special items that you can’t really find anywhere else.
Let’s talk about this beachy print you have. Who gave it to you?

La Fontelina Beach Club, Capri II
graymalin.com

[Photographer] Gray Malin’s team gifted it to me earlier this year. He’s known for these beautiful aerial shots of beaches and beautiful outdoor spaces. The print is of a beach in Capri, and it’s part of La Dolce Vita, a month-long series where Malin travelled along Italy’s coastline to capture these beautiful shots.
I love to travel and often find inspiration from all types of countries. His print just makes me so happy. It’s both calming and uplifting to see the water. I love that the umbrellas have this retro feel to them. When it comes to patterns, I’ve always been drawn to stripes and seeing them in this classic blue and white palette is right up my alley. I have this piece on my bookshelf in my office and it adds the perfect pop of color. When I’m busy and stressed, looking at it really brightens my day.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
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Makers (and wannabe makers) unite — we are excited to invite you to join us in our new Stitch Club!
Good Housekeeping has partnered with the crew at Yarnspirations to create knitting and crocheting kits just for you. From 30-minute cowls to luxurious sweaters, easy baskets and cozy throws, our style editors and craft experts have curated six chic, pretty, fun patterns for all levels, both chunky and fine, that will let you while away the winter hours or finish in a weekend. (They also make great gifts!)
To start a project, head to the GH x Yarnspirations Stitch Club landing page, where you’ll find free patterns and shoppable Stitch Club kits that include yarn in your favorite shades and tools to get the job done easily. Our editor-tested and created patterns will also come with step-by-step instructions with links to video tutorials.

PICK YOUR PATTERN

Garter Knit Scarf
yarnspirations.com

Jiffy Cowl
yarnspirations.com

Chunky Crochet Beanie
yarnspirations.com

Twisted Crochet Headband
yarnspirations.com

Check out the video above to learn more about the club and get a full tutorial for creating our cozy bobble cowl.
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Monica Wang; Design: Martha Mulholland

If you follow Jacey Duprie, the creative force behind the popular lifestyle blog, Damsel in Dior, you’re already familiar with her love of classic clothing rooted in a neutral palette, and her knack for making the most casual outfits look uber-polished. Whether she’s wearing a head-to-toe designer look or an ensemble that she proudly scored on Amazon, Jacey never fails to keep her audience, including 520,000 Instagram followers, coming back for more. Jacey’s followers not only crave content revolving around her approach to fashion — they’re also interested in her experience as a busy mother and wife living in Los Angeles.
On any given day, scroll through her Instagram and you’ll find everything from videos of her and her husband, real estate developer Grant Leavitt, dancing with their two-year-old daughter, June, to a snapshot of her morning routine, which, as of late, includes meditating. But there’s another part of her lifestyle brand that people have gravitated towards: interior design.
Jacey recently invited her Instagram followers to weigh in on every step of her kitchen renovation process, executed by designer Martha Mulholland, who also helped to revamp the rest of her 100-year-old Arts & Crafts property. “I like to push boundaries a little bit more with my home than I do with my personal style,” Jacey says. “I like to have a little more fun with it.”

Interior designer Martha Mulholland preserved the kitchen’s unique original details, including the patterned flooring, while introducing modern touches such as cabinets painted in Farrow & Ball’s Lichen.
Monica Wang; Design: Martha Mulholland

And the fun Jacey had with the design process shows, but not without its own set of challenges. Considering that the historic Los Angeles residence is protected by the Mills Act (a state law that requires preservation of the property), there were design limitations to solve for, like accepting that an island didn’t suit the layout and needing to keep the kitchen’s quirky original black-and-white patterned flooring. “We had to work with what we had, and respect and enhance the architectural details from the early 1900s,” Jacey says. “We wanted to lean into those details as well as bring our own personality to the space.”
Martha encouraged Jacey to complement the kitchen’s hexagon mosaic floor tiles by painting the cabinets in Farrow & Ball’s Lichen, a striking muted green that takes on a different tone depending on the natural light that pours into the space at any given moment. “In the morning, it feels much brighter, and the green pops and is much moodier in the evening,” Jacey says.

“We chose to invest in pieces that make us happy,” Jacey says of her newly renovated kitchen.
Monica Wang; Design: Martha Mulholland

From there, the duo focused on small touches to add warmth to the cooking space. A small Lulu & Georgia table lamp set on top of a wooden counter stool, a sconce positioned directly above a piece of floral wall art, fixtures and appliances boasting mixed metals—the attention to detail is evident throughout every inch of the design scheme.
Now that the kitchen is complete, it’s proven to be the heart of Jacey’s family home. “When you are living and breathing in a room all day, every day, it should be a reflection of who you are and the person that you want to be,” Jacey says.
It’s safe to say that Jacey’s newly renovated kitchen is just that. It’s the perfect representation of her relaxed yet sophisticated style.

“I grew up on a farm in South Texas, so I wanted my kitchen to feel very warm and family friendly,” Jacey says.
Monica Wang; Design: Martha Mulholland

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