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In a nutshell, chitting potatoes (which is also known by the name green sprouting), is the process of forcing your seed potatoes to start growing indoors early. It encourages those seed potatoes to start putting out sprouts and gives the grower a head-start when it comes to the potato growing season. It is a very traditional task done by vegetable growers around the globe. Knowing how to grow potatoes means not only learning what to do and how to do it, but understanding how your choices can make a difference....

Using ribbons to decorate Christmas trees is nothing new, and has been done since the Victorian era. As many of us yearn for simpler times and dream of Christmases past, some are turning to vintage decorations and reviving old traditions. Plus, in a time when all our thoughts are turning to the environment, decorating with fabric ribbons can make an eco-friendly alternative to investing in new decorations. To help get you inspired we’ve rounded up a host of Christmas tree ideas decorated with ribbons, including pre-made bow decorations and pretty ideas for tying ribbons...

Having a theme for your Christmas tree ideas helps to create a coherent look – and while it’s good to keep up with trends, the most important thing is to make sure it’s one that’s true to your personal style and suited to your home. ‘When it comes to deciding on your theme, consider what space you’re decorating – is it the family room, formal dining room or kitchen?’ says Daisy Coombes, marketing manager at Sass & Belle (opens in new tab)....

Choosing the best couch is one of the most fun parts of planning a space. And while color is very personal, (our dream sofa, beige bouclé, might be entirely impractical for the next person), some tones do carry specific connotations that make them look incongruous in a living room. Others couch colors may also be harder to work with when creating an entire living room scheme that hangs together. Here is what interior designers say are the couch colors to avoid....

The 20th century was not kind to Combermere Abbey and neglect meant parts of the house were demolished or closed up. In 1990, when the owner inherited the property, she set about reviving its fortunes through various enterprises, including a weddings and corporate hospitality business, which has enabled her to restore all of the listed buildings. The final one was the decrepit North Wing, which became habitable again in 2016 after 24 months of work by the owners, and interior designer Nina Campbell....

We’re not saying you should dismiss the latest bathroom trends completely. Nor should you opt for a bland scheme for fear of making a decor-based blunder. If you want to follow your hear and embrace your favorite colorful bathroom ideas, do it. Just bare in mind that some looks stand the test of time better than others. We’re not just talking style here – choosing poor quality or unsuitable fixtures and fittings could also prove your bathroom’s downfall....

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice, but one that has become popular in western interior design over the past several decades, and something we should certainly take note of when choose deciding upon the best Feng Shui decorating ideas for our living space. Knowing which Feng Shui house features to avoid will ensure your home is just right for you. But remember, if you are somewhere with ‘bad’ Feng Shui, don’t worry....

The style of pond you choose will generally be led by the design of the rest of your garden. If you lean towards sleek and contemporary, a modern reflection pool, often accompanied by a water blade or rill, will work well. If informal gardens are more your thing a natural pond will sit in the space well. For courtyard gardens something smaller like a freestanding stone or concrete basin is a good choice....

Choosing a palette for your kitchen ideas is a big decision, but pairing white and grey is one of the soundest selections you can make, whatever your kitchen style. A neutral palette that is right on trend, its tonality means it works well on its own with minimal interruptions, or as an excellent base for additional color choices. Grey and white kitchen ideas From fabulous slabs of veined marble to beautiful tonal schemes, we found some inspiring grey and white kitchen ideas, and asked the experts to share their tips for a neutral cooking space....

Our roundup includes Halloween decorating that’s both spooky and stylish. And, as you would expect, we have outdoor Halloween decor and ideas for indoors, too. Halloween decoration ideas ‘It’s so easy to take your fall decor and repurpose it for Halloween,’ says Lucy Searle, Editor in Chief, Homes & Gardens. ‘I usually go full force for fall, then slowly add Halloween decorations to my existing wreaths, pumpkins, and so on, until my house looks really festive....

If you are into homemade bug spray, you will want to discover how to make this recipe by author Jen Chillingsworth. ‘One of the easiest ways to prevent moths from taking up residence in your closet is to make your own repellent bags,’ says Jen. ‘Moths detest the aromas of strong herbs like lavender, rosemary, bay and thyme. You could gather bunches of these herbs from your garden, hang them in a dark place for some weeks to dry out and then make up these sachets to put in your wardrobe, cupboards and drawers....

Whether you are making do with the space you have in a small dining room, or have slightly more ambitious dining room ideas, adding extra seating around your table can often leave the space looking mismatched or cramped. While you may have factored in space for some guests when you bought your table and chairs, special occasions and holidays almost always put your space under pressure. Here, designers explain how you can add extra seats to a small dining room so that you can make the most of your entertaining space every time....

Whether your fall decor ideas include playful carvings – or you’re looking for an uncarved finish (on your mantelpiece or tablescape) – all pumpkins are sadly subject to natural rotting. And while uncarved pumpkins do last longer than their carved counterparts, it is still necessary to plan to avoid an eroded staple piece before your Halloween festivities. How long does a carved or uncarved pumpkin last? ‘Carved pumpkins have quite a short shelf life, especially if you live in a warmer climate....

Whilst your floors and countertops have an obvious impact on your space, this small window is surprisingly impactful when it comes to your overall scheme. And thankfully, knowing how to clean an oven door streak-free is simple. The process of elevating your kitchen ideas begins with ingredients you may already have in your cupboard – and this method is entirely expert-approved. How to a clean glass oven door – using baking soda for a streak-free finish ‘There is an extremely efficient and easy to clean oven doors that not many people know about....

After all, an island that’s too small will look lost as well as unnecessarily sacrificing countertop and seating space. Opt for an island that’s too big, on the other hand, and the room will be less comfortable to work and spend time in – and the island could even cause a hazard. To realize kitchen island ideas successfully, being in the know about kitchen island size guidelines is a must, and our guide has all the essential measurements to make a remodeled room a success....

It’s important to be aware of what the kitchen sink is made from for optimum care, although there are many products that can be used across different types to freshen them and maintain their appearance. With the right kitchen cleaning tips any kitchen sink can be kept in good shape and this is the lowdown including advice from the experts. How to clean a kitchen sink The hardworking sink should always be part of the routine, and both pantry ingredients and store-bought products can be called into service....

A certain joy can be found in putting everything in order, from sorting seed packets and making shopping lists from catalogs, to lavishing a little attention on your shed organization ideas. As well as a general tidy-up, a few hours spent on maintaining spades, trowels, secateurs, and shears will pay dividends in the next growing season. ‘ Keeping your garden tools sharp will help you to work efficiently in the garden, as well as help them last longer,’ says Rainer Schubert, managing director at garden tool brand, Burgon & Ball (opens in new tab)....

When it comes to cleaning a bathroom, glass shower doors are often the hardest part to get right. Either they take too long or too much elbow grease to consider finishing, or the product you’re using doesn’t seem to lift the marks, no matter how hard you scrub. The good news is that these professional cleaning tricks will make getting glass shower doors streak-free (almost) effortless. How to clean glass shower doors All good cleaning tips require expert-selected products to get started....

For interior designers such as Monique Tollgard, a beautifully decorated door or front porch at Christmas is also a prelude for the style that lies within: ‘The entrance is the first encounter for you, your guests, and your home this season. The materials and colors we use at Christmas allow us to introduce the “red thread” of the house immediately.’ Our front porches, the most practical but often overlooked element of our homes, are undergoing a festive transformation this year....

While most laundry room ideas do tend to favor a dryer, there are other options, you might like to consider. Perhaps you’re washing or cleaning a sensitive garment that should be kept away from heat. Or maybe you want to limit energy costs where possible (the question of how much it costs to run a tumble dryer is increasingly-important). Whatever the reason, learning how to dry clothes quickly has its benefits....