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Incorporating the right kitchen island ideas into your planned design can not only provide extra seating and storage space, but can also house a sink and key appliances, while creating a focal point for friends and family to gather around. A kitchen island can be an opportunity to introduce color, texture, new materials or, for the very adventurous, be a show-stopper, too. It is important to get crucial things like the size and the positioning of the island right – no one wants to end up with an island that overwhelms the room or is awkward to get around....

Do high ceilings add value? In a word, yes. Our real estate experts were unanimous in agreeing that a high ceiling is generally an attractive feature to buyers. David G. Mitchell, a leading Maryland and Delaware Real Estate Agent and founder of BeachLifeOceanCity.com (opens in new tab) says, ‘higher ceilings are a more custom feature, so buyers are likely to pay more for them. This is particularly true of single story homes....

So if you are starting from scratch, and your main conundrum is how to add character, these styling tips are for you – they are the basis for every successful room, whether you are an avid follower of interior design trends or appreciate a truly timeless scheme. Ottalie Stride, Creative Director at London-based residential interior design and project management studio Albion Nord (opens in new tab), which specializes in European Classicism and British style, offers her expert opinion today....

Of course, when H&G caught up with Garrett, we were determined to uncover his favorite garden quirks – and you can experiment with his unconventional garden idea – whatever the size of your backyard. Following a decade in Manhattan’s urban backyards, Garrett has mastered the art of small space gardening, but his most unique tip epitomizes city gardening – and ensures your plants grow healthier. ‘I do a lot of container gardens in the city and often use large pots and planters that require a lot of soil,’ Garrett shares....

Choose a selection of early and late varieties and you can keep harvesting from late summer right through to early spring. If you leave a few plants to go to seed, they will even produce beautiful allium flowers into the summer. This makes leeks a truly year-round crop, and an essential addition to your kitchen garden ideas. The good news is that leeks are not difficult to grow. ‘Leeks are pretty straightforward; just don’t get soil down between the leaves as it’s the devil to get out,’ says gardening expert Matt James, who recommends varieties Musselburgh and Torledo....

Just days into the new year, Jennifer has made headlines through her starring role in HBO’s The White Lotus before winning Best Supporting Actress at the 80th Golden Globe Awards. The Legally Blonde actor has a distinct style for which she is known around Hollywood (beyond the pinks seen in the aforementioned film) – from the bold prints of her early-00s wardrobe to her recent green gowns exhibited at award ceremonies across the city....

Below are three of Kit’s favourite makers, and the reasons why she loves to work with them. ANNA RAYMOND Anna Raymond creates vivid one off textile print canvases that spark the imagination. We love her zesty, vibrant works and have amassed a large collection, which brighten up our walls in London, New York and Barbados. She is an obsessive collector of familiar images and icons such as offcuts of fabrics, unusual hand-printing paraphernalia, notes of poignant conversations and textures found anywhere and everywhere....

The free exhibit comes at the perfect time, as we begin to experience much shorter days and darker evenings. Having had a sneak peek at a selection of the bold and brilliant lighting on show, we know it will spark lots of modern living room lighting ideas to light up any dark corners. The installation, which throws open its doors in just two days’ time, comprises a series of themed galleries....

We asked mistresses of modern manners, Kay Plunkett-Hogge and Debora Robertson for their field guide to good behavior for pets and their owners. Plus, we share our tips for living with pets and keeping your home fragrant and fur-free. See: Best vacuum for pet hair – top options to rid your home of fur and fluff 1. De-hair sofas and chairs before guests come over You should also warn new visitors if there are animals in the house, in case they have allergies - could pet hair be the reason why your friends hate your house?...

For more home makeover ideas, see our main guide. 10 luxury home design ideas We asked professional interior designers for their take on the best luxury home design upgrades – many of which you can achieve without spending a fortune. 1. Bathroom remodel Benjamin Heginbotham, Director and Head of Design at The Practical Planning Company (opens in new tab), says: ‘Simply put, by remodelling your bathroom you can ensure all fixtures and plumbing are up to date and working efficiently....

Speaking in a video for BritBox, the Gardeners’ World presenter explained that if the leaves of your house plant are starting to brown, and the stem has started to shrivel, these are symptoms of overwatering. Even if you are giving your house plants the correct amount of water you can still overwater them if they are in the wrong plant pot. See: The top 10 house plants – must haves for design lovers ‘If I look at the pot, it’s got no drainage holes of any kind and what’s been happening, I suspect, is they watered it and the water has sat inside what is effectively a jar,’ he explained holding up a shriveled house plant....

See: How to grow potatoes – a step-by-step guide Monty Don’s potato growing tips Monty’s blog is a great place to pick up gardening tips. In his April post (opens in new tab), Monty tells readers the secrets to growing the perfect potato crop, and while he admits there is ‘no rush to plant maincrop potatoes,’ it is a good idea to plant as soon as possible. 1. Plant earlies ‘The sooner you can plant seed for first earlies, the sooner you can enjoy that delicious harvest that always tastes so much better than any that you can buy,’ Monty declares....

Sharing his tips for the best winter house plants via an Instagram video (opens in new tab), Monty explained that the fastest way to kill a houseplant is to overwater it. However, in winter, there is another common factor that affects the health of your houseplants: heating. Just as our eyes and skin may feel dryer in winter, our plants similarly react to heat in the same way. So how can you protect your greenery after turning up the heating in your home?...

See: Bedroom ideas in our inspiring picture gallery. Although the pandemic has put international travel on pause, it hasn’t stopped the couple from tapping into inspiration from their previous trips around the world. Touches of Sweden, Italy, and France are on display in the duo’s spring collaboration with Living Spaces (opens in new tab) which aims to bring timeless beauty to pieces that still serve the needs of a modern family....

Inspired by the luxe of the 1970s, this collection is an elevated take on festive pieces, full of rich jewel tones, plush velvets, and glimmering gold and crystal accents. There’s everything from the best candles to blankets, and something for everyone. Joining Richie are eight members from the Gee’s Bend Quilters – a renowned community of rural, female quilters from Alabama. Most notable for their contributions to American art history, this collection provides shoppers a chance to own a piece of American history....

So what are the design tricks that will swerve the traps an open-plan kitchen layout? UK-based kitchen designer Charlie Smallbone, founder of Smallbone of Devizes and whose latest venture Ledbury Studio sees him harnessing the beauty of original materials while creating kitchens that are practical as well as stylish and elegant, shares with us the strategies for creating a successful open-plan design. Read on for advice on zoning, furniture, lighting, and more for a room you’ll love living in....

As a somewhat underprepared (but very enthusiastic) baker myself, I was certainly intrigued by the promise of the Oster HeatSoft mixer, especially if it could deliver the fluffy results it claims to. Whilst the cordlessness of competing models is convenient, this heating element has the potential to change the final product of your bake, and anything that can make my offerings more appealing seemed worth a try. Beyond its major selling point, this mixer also held promise thanks to the various attachments available and the seven speeds available to steer your way through....

Keep reading to find out how to use this shade. And learn more about the color wheel – and how to use color in your home in our dedicated guide. The Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2021 Aegean Teal 2136-40 as it is officially known was selected for its ability to add balance and calm to spaces, whether used on cabinetry, walls or woodwork. Helen Shaw from Benjamin Moore (opens in new tab) says: ‘As we spend more time at home, it’s important to create a space that feels warm and welcoming....

As the seasons begin to change, thoughts may be moving from winter to spring decor ideas that will revive your home for brighter days ahead. And Rifle Paper Co’s Furniture Collection will allow you to do just that – in their signature style. The collection features 15 different furniture silhouettes, from chairs (opens in new tab), ottomans (opens in new tab), and benches (opens in new tab) for your living room – to headboards (opens in new tab) and beds (opens in new tab) that will bring a hint of the chintz interior design trend to the bedroom....

Using paint can be truly transformative; paint ideas can enrich a space with beautiful color, energy and character, as well as make rooms feel both bigger and brighter or more cocooning and warm. When it comes to refreshing our homes with paint, it takes careful consideration and expertise to choose a palette that is timeless, enduring and reflective of our style. Consulting the latest paint trends and color trends is a great place to start when color scheming your home....