Home Ideas

A perfectly made cocktail requires artistry, so why shouldn’t your home bar cart be an aesthetic canvas for cocktail hour? Even if the rest of your home is minimal, a compact cart can be the perfect pop of color and shape to bring any corner to life. Just think of how chic you’ll feel pouring yourself a Scotch from a sturdy, stylish decanter, or inviting your guests to help themselves to a drink like you’re the protagonist of a classic mid-century movie. A perfectly appointed cart is also an ideal home project, one you can tackle in a day with no special skills required (except maybe shaking up a martini). To make it that much faster, we’ve pulled together style suggestions and a curated shopping list available exclusively online at homedepot.com/decor to match. It won’t be long before you’ll be raising a glass to your home’s new favorite pic-worthy spot. Start with a Statement Cart The foundation of your bar itself, of course, sets the tone — think of it as the frame for your creativity. A metal-and-glass option will look at home in a variety of decor styles, from Palm Springs modern to traditional Craftsman. Curved shapes are currently having a moment, and make more of a style statement than traditional square or rectangular silhouettes. Southern Enterprises Dagney Wine TableSafavieh Sienna 2-Tier Chrome Bar CartLitton Lane 2-Tiered Bar CartGarnish with Bright ColorsHanging a bold print or painting above your cart is an easy win. But don’t neglect opportunities to add colorful panache to the cart itself. Fold a stack of colorful statement napkins (bonus points for a painterly print), mix and match coasters in complementary shades, and station a brightly hued vase to hold lush bouquets. Or for year-round, low-touch foliage, add a few sprigs of pampas grass or faux reeds in an unexpected shade of blush. The Company Store Bird Table NapkinsMascot Hardware Ceramic CoastersSullivans Faux Dried Purple Reed StemGo for the Gold (or Silver)Double down on metallic accents with light-reflecting accessories. Elevating essentials like ice buckets and bar tools are a stylishly practical way to go visually above and beyond, especially in a timeless gold finish. Emphasize the Art Deco angle with a set of slim silver trays, which also create clean lines and control clutter. Add a dramatic touch like a sculptural vase, to really drive home the gallery feel. Trina Turk Square Serving TraysKraftware Brass Mylar Ice BucketZulay Kitchen Silver Cocktail ShakerFind Decanters That Double as Decor Not every bottle has a beautiful label, but no worries: A centerpiece decanter is the perfect solution. Consider combining a few different shapes, like a twisted, chunky glass one for darker spirits like whiskey, and thinner, more ethereal options for red wine or batched cocktails. The former offers another opportunity to put your creativity front and center, too — line the vessel with sliced fruit and fresh herbs for an impressive botanical presentation. JoyJolt Carina Crystal Whiskey DecanterRiedel Crystal Wine DecanterOenophilia Valencia Wine CarafeAlways Accessorize David TsayMixing surprising details into your bar milieu will help it feel more like an art installation than an extension of your kitchen. Additions like low-maintenance air plants, a bold Grecian vase in graphic black, and patterned trays can be the cherry on top of an otherwise function-focused setup. When in doubt, look to the high-low principles of Pop Art: Filling a bowl with candy in an iconic wrapper and seeking out glass bottles of your favorite mixers are great ways to bring interactive fun to weekend cocktail hour. A & B Home Effra Rectangular TraysStoried Home Matte Black Aluminum VaseAltman Plants Easy Care Live SucculentsShape Up Take a risk and stir in whimsical or wonderfully off-kilter shapes for a groovy twist. A circular cart, a rectangular pitcher, and curvaceous glassware all make great conversation starters. Filling the space out with fresh takes on even the most classic pieces, like white-wine glasses, will telegraph confidence — even if your Manhattan-mixing skills could use some work. JoyJolt Atlas Crystal Whiskey Decanter and GlassesJoyJolt JoyJolt Rectangular Glass Drink PitcherLitton Lane Gold Metal Contemporary Bar CartAdd Natural-Stone Textures Earthy marble, malachite-patterned stone and glimmering amethyst would look just as at home in a sculpture garden as they do on your bar. These materials are highly functional when it comes to serving, but also lend a bit of gravitas and ground your design in simple luxury. When hosting, take a cue from Dutch still lifes and lay out an array of colorful garnishes on a marble board. Gauri Kohli Taraz White Marble Wine ChillerFox Run Polished Marble Coasters with HolderCreative Home Marble Cheese Serving BoardPhotographer: David Tsay; Art Direction and Production: Armine Altiparmakian and Sabrina Contratti; Prop Stylist: Olga Grigorenko; Merch Team: Two Coast Productions; Local Production: Right Arm Productions More

As any pet parent knows, maintaining a clean, fur-free home can seem like a futile battle. Hairballs continue to waft and collect in every crevice despite your best efforts, making your home feel more dustbowl than dwelling. But when you have a stellar vacuum cleaner at the ready, as well as some key techniques up your sleeve, you can reclaim your space. Here’s what to look for in a model and how to use it like a pro. Choose the Right Device When it comes to pet hair, no ordinary vac will do — particularly if you have a shedder who gifts you enough fur to knit a winter wardrobe with. An effective choice is one that lets you configure the device to a specific task or area, such as the Miele Triflex HX2 Cat & Dog, which has a flexible three-in-one design. It’s got other innovative features that make it a pet owner’s dream, too: A built-in HEPA lifetime filter cleans the air, minimizing exposure to dust and allergens in the home; automatic floor detection adapts speed and power as you move from room to room; an LED headlight helps ensure you don’t miss a hair, and every charge gives you up to 60 minutes* of cleaning time. For more reasons why Good Housekeeping experts are impressed with the Triflex HX2 Cat & Dog, watch the video above. *Dependent on cleaning mode.Choose the Proper ModeConquering a fur trail is as much about knowing how to use a powerful device as it is about selecting it in the first place; the settings you use can make a big difference. For example, Miele Triflex HX2 Cat & Dog’s Reach Mode makes it a cinch to suction under-bed and -couch fur. Its Compact Mode, in combination with the included Handheld Turbo Brush, is perfect for quickie furniture or car refreshes. And the ergonomic Comfort Mode evenly distributes the weight of the vacuum so you can effortlessly clean large spaces.And regardless of what device you have, Carolyn Forté, executive director of the Home Care & Cleaning Lab at Good Housekeeping, recommends “choosing the highest (max) suction level your vacuum offers to more easily pull pet hair from fabrics.” Use the Correct Attachments Vacuuming up fur in hard-to-reach or -maneuver areas isn’t so difficult when you’re utilizing the proper tools for each task. The Triflex HX2 Cat & Dog “comes with a mini rotating brush attachment for nabbing pet hair on stairs and in upholstery creases, and a crevice tool for getting the clumps that lurk in corners and along walls,” Forté notes. Treat Fabrics FirstYour vacuum may have enough horsepower to easily suction up pet hair off the floor, but if you’re trying to remove it from a fabric that’s prone to static (like synthetics or wool), you may be met with some resistance. Forté suggests spraying pet hair-covered fabrics with a static-eliminating spray before vacuuming. “It helps break the charge that bonds the pet hair to the fabric, making it easier to suck up,” she explains. Know Your Grooming BasicsThe more you brush your pet, the less they may shed. A good scrub in the bath can also help remove dead hair before it can get to your floor or furniture — just check with your vet on how often to do it, to avoid over-bathing (which can dry out their skin and coat). Overall, in fact, “the more fur you actively remove from your pet, the less you’ll have to remove from your furniture,” Forté says. More

The dining table is the heart of your home, especially if you love to entertain. And we all have a sepia-toned image in our heads of those old-fashioned everything-in-its-place, perfectly matching wood table and chairs. But this is the 21st century, and whether you use a formal dining area for special occasions or host your holiday feasts at your everyday table, there’s room for variety, and no longer any need for strictly coordinated everything. Which is not to say there are no rules to mixing things up a little. First off, if you aren’t using a full matching set in the first place, embrace the collage. “Don’t go for matchy-matchy and attempt to perfectly mirror the seat legs to the table legs, or the base to the tabletop,” says interior designer Lauren Meichtry of Elsie Home + Design. “It’s an exercise in futility. It not only will leave you frustrated and constantly second-guessing yourself, but also will always look a little bit off.” Instead, she suggests creating contrast by combining different yet complementary chair styles to push your dining room decor into more modern territory. Of course, it can be a fine line between elegantly bohemian and just plain messy, so to help nail down the aspirational end of the decor spectrum, we tapped Meichtry, as well as Lisa Schwert of Connecticut-based Innate Studio, for tips. We also handpicked some of the many options available at exclusively online at homedepot.com/decor to bring those tips to life. Use Different Silhouettes in the Same Finish Family One easy way to get visual intrigue without eight individual styles is to pick a matching or similar profile and buy it in a few different colors or patterns. Schwert finds this strategy especially effective when it comes to fabric coverings. “If you’re mixing upholstered chairs, for example, you could combine a pattern with a solid in a complementary color” — think similar shades of velvet, presented in two distinct shapes. Another option would be finding a print that comes in multiple colorways and buying a few of each. Boyel Living Green Velvet Dining ChairURTR Olive Velvet Upholstered ChairHomefun Navy Blue Velvet Dining Chair Allow Plenty of Breathing Room It’s important to space out your dining set a little, both for the overall look and so guests can slide their chairs out — especially with a particularly busy mix. Don’t be afraid to break out a measuring tape, advises Schwert: “Make sure you allow enough room for people to sit comfortably. Typically you want 24 inches for each person, and make sure there’s at least three feet of clear space all around the table.” This also means, of course, that the size of your table and any surrounding sideboards are essential to the right spatial balance. Meichtry also emphasizes the right scale. “You may fall in love with a wide side chair, but if you need six and your table only comfortably fits four, then you need to pick a new chair,” she says. “Do not sacrifice comfort for looks on this one.” Fortunately, there are plenty of options out there to choose from, no matter the dimensions of your dining area. Noble House Beige Fabric Dining ChairsModern Dining Accent Rattan Dining ChairsPoly and Bark Enzo Dining Chair in BlackConsider the Placement David Tsay“If you are mixing new chairs, incorporating larger ‘host’-style chairs at the head of the table, and smaller chairs along the sides, is a simple way to establish visual impact and anchor the ends of the room,” says Schwert. Meichtry agrees: “I love a pair of caramel leather armchairs on the ends, with a surprising pop of color in my velvet side chairs, or a fully upholstered set of captain chairs in a traditional white-and-blue stripe with deep cane side chairs. But the possibilities are endless.” Francie Charcoal and Walnut Dining ChairsHomy Casa Yellow Fabric Dining ChairsMerra Oak Wishbone Dining ChairsMatch Wood Finishes to Tie Together Vintage and NewYou may want to build your set around a few beloved chairs you already own, either antiques or vintage pieces you’ve gathered over time. But there are some things to keep in mind. “If you’re mixing vintage wooden chairs, make sure the wood tones or shapes are similar,” advises Schwert. Likewise, if you want to add new chairs to your existing ones, seek out base woods or veneers that provide visual cohesion. StyleWell Natural Pine Windsor Wood Dining ChairsInternational Concepts Alexa X-Back ChairInternational Concepts Double X-Back ChairTry a BenchIf you’re feeling stuck, take a tip from the world of restaurant design. “We love a sophisticated take on a bench,” says Meichtry. “Instead of a proper farmhouse-style one on one side and side chairs on the other, try an upholstered bench with a back.” If your table needs to be anchored along one wall, it can also help space-wise to put a long bench on the wall side with individual chairs facing it, to reduce the amount of space you need to pull the chairs out. It’s also a great way to make a bold, non-traditional statement that still feels timeless. Powell Company Natural Bench with Padded SeatWelwick Designs Black Scandinavian Bench Best Quality Furniture Beige Upholstered Dining BenchPhotographer: David Tsay; Art Direction and Production: Armine Altiparmakian and Sabrina Contratti; Prop Stylist: Olga Grigorenko; Merch Team: Two Coast Productions; Local Production: Right Arm Productions More

Before the garden, there was my father. And then, all of a sudden, there wasn’t: He was alive, and then he was dying and then he was dead, the cancer spreading quickly over the course of 18 months. The year after my father died, I decided to dig a garden because I thought novelty might open the tight fist of grief. Since we’d moved in, I’d wandered the rooms of my new house with my daughter crying at my chest. My husband and I had bought it even after I saw how it faced north, how the shadows clung in the corners. In a different year, I would have asked my father for advice before purchasing this house. He knew everything about everything, but especially about houses. He’d helped me move from place to place since I went to college, ready with his toolbox and his jokes, to turn an empty apartment into a home. But this time, my dad wasn’t there. I discovered I was just the same grieving body in a new place. So I turned to the backyard and the small, raised bed there I envisaged becoming a huge, sprawling garden. I hoped the land could give me some life back. I called in my college-aged cousins, whose limbs were light and energized, whose minds did not go limp in the afternoon swelter. I brought in my 87-year-old Ama, my father’s mother, who had taught flower-arranging on TV back in Taiwan. “Dig,” I told the cousins. “Dig it all up.” We excavated scrolls of grass, poured in compost and wood chips, pushing tomato and pepper seedlings into the soil while Ama observed from underneath her parasol. I spent the following summer nurturing the plot as tenderly as one would a grave. I imagined a bounty. Jami’s dad on a family vacation.Jami Nakamura LinLike death, gardening is unpredictable But my father was dead, and that first year, my vegetables were mostly hard as hooves, my single bell pepper as small and shrunken as my mouth. I plucked the only four sweet cherry tomatoes, feeding them one by one to my new baby, who sucked the flesh and spat out the skin, the juice sopping into her clothes. This was our harvest. By fall, there was creeping Charlie in all the corners and weeds popping through the earth like zits. “Your garden is so big now,” Ama told me when she came to visit. An inveterate green thumb, we would give her our brown, wilted potted plants we thought beyond help, and she would return them, weeks later, vibrant and strong. But she couldn’t do the same for her own son, despite her daily visits, her offerings of vegetables and suggestions of homeopathic medicine. None of us could. He was dying, and then he was dead, in the bed my parents had shared for the last three decades. “It’s so big,” she repeated, scanning the large expanse of dirt and weeds. “Are you capable?”I asked myself that question every day. I did not feel capable; I felt lost. As a child, and as a young adult, I had always begun enormous projects, only to falter halfway through. “Your eyes are this big,” my father would tell me, holding his hands wide apart, “and your stomach is this big.” He would shrink his hands until the fingers were touching. It was true for food, for projects, for any dream. My father was the one who always helped tether the space between my ambitions and my capability. That year my garden, like my sadness, was large and sprawling. I did not know how I — if I— could tend either. I kept looking for my father everywhere, startled each time I visited my parents’ house, to see my mother alone. Growing up, I had thought he would be like a tree: changing with the seasons, but always there. Grief, too, comes in seasonsWhen my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, I had tried to imagine my future grief. But there was no way to be prepared. My mother, my sisters, my father’s mother and siblings: the shapes of each of our grieving was different and personal. And it transformed day to day, season to season, but the transformation was never linear. An easier month would be followed by a harder one. In the wake of his death, my family—the ones who been closest to my father—had the most difficult time being together, each of us a fresh and open wound. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this feeling of separation. Stuck at home, I doubled down on the garden. The year after my poor harvest, my husband and I stocked up on seeds. We set up grow lights in our house. With nothing else to do, I spent hours caring for my hundreds of seedlings. And everything grew: the Ping Tung eggplant, the daikon (not as big as the calf-sized ones my Japanese American great-grandmother had grown in California, but big enough to pickle into takuan), all kinds of heirloom tomatoes. By night I dreamed of my father, and by day I wrote about my amorphous feelings and pruned my vegetables. The garden has sometimes become a family affair Jami Nakamura LinThat summer, the garden that had failed me a year ago overflowed. I pickled. I canned. I jammed. I was so proud, posting Technicolor photos of my harvest. And still things went to waste: I did not know how to give away everything before it spoiled. I thought I was on a linear trajectory. This year I had learned how to grow vegetables, the next year I would learn how to properly manage the bounty. And yet the next year, the weather was strange: too hot, too early. Rabbits took all the eggplant. Some of our plants grew violently, and other plants grew sick. At home, my mother and sisters and I quarreled as old family dynamics rose to the surface. We entered family therapy. I wondered, how can we be a family without my father? I wondered, why is grief so circuitous? For days I might not think of him, and then later, the sight of a screwdriver could wreck me.The garden helps me feel connected Before the garden, there was my father. And before my father, there was the garden—not mine, but my mother’s, and his mother’s, and our ancestors’ before us. When I garden now, I think of my ancestors and the tending they did with their hands. I think of my father, who is not in the earth, but instead sits in tiny teal urns on many of our mantles. He wanted to be cremated; he didn’t want to be eaten by mice. (“After I trapped so many of their brothers, it would be their revenge,” he said.) The Night Parade: A Speculative MemoirThe Night Parade: A Speculative MemoirThe garden had never been my father’s space. But the land reminds me of him through the act of tending, and the act of returning. My father cared over so many people, and he rarely gave up on a task—sometimes to his own detriment, when the rest of us had thrown up our hands. When I struggled, he came back. We hurt each other over and over, and we came back. And so too, another year of therapy and of learning to speak and listen to each other has helped my mother and sisters and me to enter into another stage of our relationship, one still emerging, still changing, still learning to grow. I think of how grief never came to me in distinct stages, but in seasons, some fallow, some rich, some mixed. A season that is poor for one vegetable can be bountiful for another. And I think of how loss is never a thing that happened but a thing that is happening, and how with grief, too, can come abundance—not in opposition, but together. Jami Nakamura Lin ‘s new book, The Night Parade, is now available from your favorite bookseller. This essay is part of a series highlighting the Good Housekeeping Book Club — join the conversation and check out more of our favorite book recommendations.Jami Nakamura Lin is the Japanese Taiwanese Okinawan American author of The Night Parade, illustrated by her sister Cori. A former Catapult columnist, she’s been published in The New York Times, Electric Literature, Passages North, and other publications. She has received fellowships and support from the National Endowment of the Arts and the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission, Yaddo, Sewanee Writers Conference, We Need Diverse Books, and more. She received her MFA in nonfiction from Pennsylvania State University and lives in the Chicago area. More

It’s not often that an interior designer enjoys the chance to revamp a 1970s property on a prime street in East Hampton. Luckily, Ryann Swan of Ryann Swan Design did. To her delight, the homeowners, who have two young children, took pride in wanting to preserve the character of the 3,500-square-foot abode rather than start from scratch. “Part of my philosophy as a designer is to listen first,” says Swan, noting that it was key to keep the homeowners’ active lifestyle and love of entertaining in mind. The renovation entailed arranging functional living spaces, from a moody den with striking built-ins to an outdoor area complete with covered dining. She also introduced elements of awe — the marble-clad kitchen, for one. “It was such an honor to design a home for a family to enjoy and create good memories in.” Starting from the entry to the primary bath, tour this charming home room by room — picking up style tips and loads of inspiration along the way. Try dark shades on shiplap.In the mudroom, navy paneling plays up the home’s seaside location. Hooks and spots for shoes, beach towels and outdoor gear add function. Decorative wicker bins conveniently conceal clutter while tying back to the coastal style. Read McKendreeMake a statement with your countertop.”We wanted something that felt fresh,” says Swan of the kitchen’s cabinet color, Farrow & Ball’s Pigeon. It’s the perfect match for the layout’s design-forward marble: “The stone has lovely, almost purple, veining that offsets the cabinets, and with the brass and nickel accents, it just came together beautifully.” Read McKendreeRead McKendreeGo asymmetric with lighting.The dining room chandelier, from Gabriel Scott, was a “had-to-have,” says Swan. “It has a subtle floral vibe” that plays off the home’s outdoor garden. Go tone on tone… on tone.Navy built-ins, walls and trim lend a cozy ambience in the den, where the family spends evenings together. Ceramic vases, small sculptures and books line the shelves to elevate the space. Read McKendreeRead McKendreeBring texture into the primary bedroom. “There’s a touch of whimsy that really transports you to a place so far from the city — you really do unwind and feel calm in the space,” Swan says of the primary bedroom, which features natural wood and rattan accents. Include a transitional room for children. The little boy’s room — from the playful Bien Fait animal-print wallpaper to the full-size Restoration Hardware bunk beds — is designed to grow with him over time and “spark imagination,” says Swan. It’s also fit for sleepovers! Read McKendreeDesign a sweet escape.A crib wasn’t enough for the little girl’s room — Swan added a daybed too. “When parents are enjoying a room with their kids, it’s nice to have a place to sit or cuddle at the end of the day,” she says. Read McKendreeLayer in a pop of pattern. A window treatment in a botanical Schumacher fabric adds visual appeal to the guest room. It also helps brighten the interior, which does not get an abundance of natural light. Read McKendreeRead McKendreeAdd an element of surprise.The Japanese-inspired bathroom is a “departure from the rest of the house,” says Swan. Off-center wood paneling frames the tub, increasing its zen feel. A version of this feature appeared in the September 2023 issue of Good Housekeeping.Home Design DirectorMonique 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

Former NFL player Eric Reid, and his wife, Jaid, an accomplished ceramics artist, always dreamed of building their forever home. The opportunity eventually arose in 2020 when the couple, who have three children, purchased an outdated, single-story ranch teardown near New Orleans’ City Park neighborhood. It was the perfect property to accommodate their multi-generational family. But the home marked another significant life goal for Jaid — as a Hurricane Katrina evacuee, it meant that she could finally return to New Orleans, where she grew up. To bring their dream abode to life, the family enlisted interior designer Robin Wilson, who worked closely with New Orleans-based architecture firm, Brian Gille Architects. The challenge? They wanted to craft a serene, family-friendly space that blends modern with vintage. “This house looks as if it’s been in New Orleans for ages, but everything is brand new — from the foundation to the furnishings,” says Wilson. “When I say ‘new,’ I mean new to them. Many items have been reclaimed, repurposed and sourced from antique shops or Facebook Marketplace.”Throughout, the home showcases a relaxing neutral color palette — leaving the accessories to act as the focal points. Not only did Wilson source eco-conscious materials, but she considered accessible design elements (adding an elevator, laundry jets and first-floor bedroom, for instance) to ensure the home’s longevity. Below, step inside and admire the beauty of each room:The Conservatorysara essex bradleyThe charming conservatory — located off the foyer as you enter the front door — looks out to the street. Neighbors and trolley cars pass by, adding to the allure of city living. “Jade loves classic New Orleans architecture and was hoping to find a place to build a conservatory,” says Wilson, who points out the modern checkerboard floors, surge of greenery and chic chandelier from Progress Lighting overhead. Kitchen sara essex bradleyWith a young family and playful dog, the family wanted the kitchen to be an inviting gathering space — one that could withstand the children’s spills, work for running around with the dog and live comfortably without feeling any stress. As for the relaxing design style, marble runs seamlessly from the backsplash to the countertop, white oak cabinets are outfitted with black hardware and two industrial-inspired pendants hang over the spacious kitchen island. You’ll also notice recessed lighting along the base of the cabinets, used to gently illuminate the floor at night.Living Spaces sara essex bradleysara essex bradley”With a multi-generational family, we wanted the design to feel classic with a modern touch,” says Wilson. The homeowner, Jaid, spent her early years in South Africa, and her connection to the culture inspires her home style. The living room features a scattering of textiles and art that represent New Orleans and South Africa. Notice the patterned throws and pillows and an antique drum in the living room, as well as abstract art in the dining room. According to Wilson, many items were salvaged from an antique store — and, the pounded stainless steel table was found on the street. Primary Bedroomsara essex bradleysara essex bradleyThe walls of the primary bedroom are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Sequoia, a warm red with violet undertones. “The shade reflects light, so it might look darker in the afternoon and brighter in the morning,” says Wilson. The white bedding is from Clean Design Home, which happens to be Wilson’s lifestyle brand, and the dresser is actually a TV lift cabinet. The bedroom suite includes a small coffee station, complete with a prep sink — which comes in handy for preparing and cleaning bottles for the newborn.Primary Bathroomsara essex bradleyStepping into the stunning primary bathroom, you’re greeted by warm marble tiles, light wood cabinetry and gold hardware. Near the soaking tub, the marble tiles extend up the wall on one side, while the other features ceramic tiles that replicate the look of wood paneling. Girls’ Bedroomssara essex bradleysara essex bradleyWorking closely with Jade and her two daughters, Wilson designed beautiful bedrooms that feel mature yet playful. After painting the walls a neutral hue, Wilson added decals — “they’re like a Post-it note, so they can remove the decals once they outgrow them, without needing a paint job.” As a designer, Wilson isn’t afraid of reusing items the family already owns. One example is the headboard in the younger daughter’s bedroom, which was previously used for a toddler bed. Finally, to combat the New Orleans summer heat, ceiling fans were a must. Playroomsara essex bradleysara essex bradleyTo save space, you’ll enter the playroom through a pocket door. Open shelving and a Murphy bed make this an incredibly versatile room, allowing for overnight guests. Meanwhile, the zebra mask and Kruger National Park poster tie back to the family’s South African roots.Theatersara essex bradleyLocated on the top floor is the theater room, fully equipped with a snack bar and popcorn machine. The walls are painted Benjamin Moore’s Iron Mountain, a soft black. “I really love the theater room,” says Wilson. “It’s a gathering place for the family — a place the kids can have a party with friends or the family can watch television.” Associate Lifestyle EditorAlyssa 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

Inspired by the allure of outer space, Benjamin Moore just announced Blue Nova as its 2024 Color of the Year. The mid-tone shade feels bright and energetic, intended to spark adventure, expand horizons and drive creativity. With a nod to the night sky, the dreamy blue is eye-catching and full of personality — yet still versatile enough to elevate any room.Today in a live-streamed event, Benjamin Moore announced this year’s galactic-inspired color at an orbital launch site in Cape Canaveral, Florida, for Blue Origin, an American aerospace manufacturer founded by Jeff Bezos. Before settling on the space-inspired hue, the popular paint brand considered a number of color options, but the team kept coming back to Blue Nova. “Blue Nova 825 is an alluring mid-tone that balances depth and intrigue with classic appeal and reassurance,” said Andrea Magno, color marketing and development director at Benjamin Moore. More From Good Housekeeping Courtesy of Benjamin Moore Not only did Benjamin Moore reveal Blue Nova as a trending hue for 2024, it introduced its Color Trends Palette for 2024 — a total of 10 shades that blend traditional and modern design styles. There are soothing neutrals like Pristine, an off-white with dusty pink undertones; Honeybee, a soft yellow; and White Dove, a clean, classic white. For a surge of warmth, there’s Teacup Rose, a vibrant mixture of pink and coral, and Topaz, a deep orange with brown and red undertones. Regent Green, a dark green hue, feels calm yet moody in this modern kitchen.Courtesy of Benjamin MooreRich orange walls, painted Topaz, radiate in this light-filled living room.Courtesy of Benjamin MooreTo complement Blue Nova, there are a number of other cool tones — Regent Green, a deep pine green that’s nearly black; Antique Pewter, a green-gray hue; Polar Sky, a pale, crisp blue; and Hazy Lilac, a moody violet with gray undertones.”The Color Trends 2024 palette tells a story of duality – juxtaposing light against dark, warm and cool, showcasing complementary and contrasting color pairings,” says Magno. “These contrasts invite us to break away from the ordinary to explore new places and collect color memories that shape the hues used in our homes.” That’s your cue to experiment with Benjamin Moore’s Blue Nova or any of the top paint colors for 2023. Associate Lifestyle EditorAlyssa 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

One of nature’s most unique plants, the monkey puzzle tree (also known as araucaria araucana) is a bit of a mystery. Due to their unusual, thorny branches, it’s a great option for plant lovers looking to add a dose of flair to their space. “There isn’t a tree out there like the monkey puzzle, especially compared to native choices within the United States,” says Tamara Hogan, resident plant expert at Fast Growing Trees, an online nursery. “Its blade-like leaves and branch structure are unlike any other conifer trees. It’s also an evergreen that can handle some cooler, humid environments since the southern areas of Chile is where this tree comes from.”Another benefit of growing one? You can live with a monkey puzzle tree for a long time. It can grow up to 90 feet tall and survive for thousands of years if it isn’t cut down. However, since a monkey puzzle tree is so rare, many people aren’t sure how to make one thrive indoors or outdoors. To help you out, we’ve consulted with experts at Fast Growing Trees to share everything you need to know about caring for a monkey puzzle tree. How to Care for a Monkey Puzzle Tree OutdoorsGive it plenty of sunlight. Ideally, you’ll want to plant your tree so that it’ll receive full or partial sunlight to keep it happy. Fast Growing Trees recommends three to six hours of light every day. If you live in a climate with scorching summers, plant it in a spot where it’ll get extra shade.Now 11% OffWater your tree well. Find an area with well-drained soil and water your tree every one to two weeks. Adding a two- to three-inch layer of mulch at the base will help protect it as well.Fertilize once a month. Aim to fertilize your monkey puzzle tree once a month during the early spring and summer. If it’s overfertilized, its roots can become damaged. Prune it every spring. Remove any low-growing, dead or broken branches in the early spring to keep your tree happy.Fast Growing TreesHow to Care for a Monkey Puzzle Tree IndoorsGive it plenty of sunlight. One of the biggest challenges to growing a monkey puzzle tree indoors is the lack of light it’ll receive if you live in a place with cold winters. And if you live in an urban area, you’ll likely need full spectrum lights to give it proper care.Allow the soil to drain. Your indoor plant will do best if you water it about every two days and allow the soil to throughly drain, according to Hogan. If the air in your apartment is dry, Hogan also suggests using a basic humidifier. Keep an eye on its growth. Eventually, your monkey puzzle will grow very tall, so although you’re naturally slowing down its growth by planting it in a pot, it’s important to note that these trees are not made to live indoors permanently.Common Problems to ConsiderSince monkey puzzle trees can grow up to 90 feet tall, they can be a very messy plant for a backyard. If you plant one in the wrong spot, the roots can cause damage to everything from sidewalks to driveways. Keep in mind that they should be kept away from power lines, too. It’s recommended to leave about 24 feet of space around it when planting. And once the tree fully matures, it’ll litter the yard with cones that can hurt your feet if you happen to step on them. Piero M. Bianchi//Getty ImagesCommon Pests and Diseases While this tree is hardy and has good protection against pests, mealy bugs, spider mites, thrips and scale might creep up on them. These issues can be easily fixed with horticultural oil. Root rot, leaf spots and sooty mold are also rare diseases for this tree but they do happen, and can be easily treated with fungicide. Ensuring that the soil is well-drained will prevent root rot from killing your tree.More From Good Housekeeping Where does the monkey puzzle tree get its name? The name came about in the mid-1800s, when barrister Charles Austin commented that it’d be “puzzling” for monkeys to climb this tree because of its sharp needles and branches. What is the ideal environment for a monkey puzzle tree?Monkey puzzle trees do best in temperate climates with cool and moist conditions. They will thrive in regions with mild summers and cool, wet winters. While these trees can tolerate some cold temperatures, longtime exposure to below-freezing temperatures can harm them. Feel free to check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — zones 7 – 10 in the U.S. are ideal for monkey puzzle trees. Are monkey puzzle trees known to resist deer? Deer tend to leave this particular tree alone, but don’t be surprised if they happen to be curious out of extreme hunger. Are monkey puzzle trees an endangered species?Monkey puzzle trees are very rare and currently only grow in the Andes Mountains in Argentina and Chile. While they once grew across Africa, India, South America and Australia, their numbers have dwindled because of human interference and they are now protected. Commerce Editor, Gifts & LIfestyleCailey 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.  More