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The trend for growing your own has always been an important addition to many of our gardens, but during the months of lockdown it has taken a definite upsurge. More time spent at home and in our gardens means more time to tend to our crops. EAT FRESH Studies have shown that the longer that veg is left once it’s been picked, the more nutritional value is lost. With a range of greenhouse ideas, growing your own has never been simpler and it means that you can eat veg the very same day it’s picked, guaranteeing the maximum possible nutrients and taste....

We asked the designer about the kitchen ideas she focussed on for this project – and she reveals how to recreate them in your own home. ‘The clients wanted a unique and beautiful kitchen that would work for them as a family; a kitchen that would be hardy, and would work for both grown-up and family time. This is the client’s forever home, so we had to think about the kids growing up, and the family evolving,’ says Alice Hood, Senior Designer at Roundhouse (opens in new tab)....

While your windows aren’t likely to be central to your Christmas decor ideas, creating small areas of festive cheer around the home can be fun and immersive, especially if you get the children involved with the decorating, which is why when we saw this delightful, simple and cost-effective TikTok window chalk hack had gone viral – we knew we had to share it with you. This viral DIY window Christmas hack will turn heads Christmas window decor, much like Christmas fireplace ideas, truly comes into its own at this time of year....

The project was spearheaded by Hana Mattingly, of Innen Studio, a design firm based in San Francisco. ‘Prior to the renovation, the kitchen was dark and filled with red oak cabinetry and 4x4 ceramic tiles used on both the countertops and backsplash,’ explains Hana, who embraced designing the kitchen with enthusiasm. ‘It was lacking in both function and appeal. There was a low-hanging upper cabinet over the peninsula obstructing the view to the backyard and an awkward empty space meant for a dining nook of sorts – but all I could see was unused potential....

These days, the stucco-fronted house, one of the world’s best homes, which backs on to London’s Regent’s Canal, is a fully fledged family home but it has evolved in an unhurried and piecemeal manner. Initially Guy Hills, founder of fabric specialist Dashing Tweeds (opens in new tab) and his wife, corporate lawyer Natasha Good, bought two apartments within the building. Over time, and as their family expanded, they acquired the top floor and recently reconfigured the whole space with the help of Guy’s brother Adam and sister-in-law Maria Speake, founders of architectural salvage firm Retrouvius (opens in new tab)....

The property’s striking architecture and history alone would make this one of the world’s best homes, but factor in its recent top-to-toe renovation, basement excavation and interior design updates and we’re talking next level. The new homeowners called in professionals to ensure they did justice to every inch of their special property, inside and out. Overmyer Achitects (opens in new tab), Goldsborough Design Build (opens in new tab)and DCA Landscape Architects (opens in new tab), worked on the floorplan, construction and landscape design of this major project that took almost three years from planning to completion....

While long-term solutions (such as upgrading your air conditioning or investing in the best mattress for the heat) are consistently effective, they are not as easily accessible – especially if you only have several hours to forge a response. However, knowing how to sleep better in the heat doesn’t need to be time-consuming. Instead, you can achieve a comfortable slumber with one time-honored essential: a hot water bottle. Despite its juxtaposition, a hot water bottle is one of the most effective ways to keep a home cool in a heatwave – and it’s also one of the easiest (and quickest) methods to follow....

It is entirely personal, but a typical approach, just as with other wall decor ideas, would be to match the style of the paneling to the period of a house. Georgian houses, with their high ceilings, typically suit full-height paneling featuring simple rectangular shapes. Houses dating from the 16th and 17th centuries will tend to favor paneling made up of smaller squares. A cottage, meanwhile, might suit plank and muntin walls, a technique that uses large oak beams as a frame with oak paneling in between....

An air conditioning system should take care of indoor humidity and create a comfortable environment. However, investing in one of the best dehumidifiers allows you to monitor moisture levels easily, plus it will improve the quality of the air, preventing certain health issues. Cooking, leaks, long showers, and even breathing all contribute to making our homes more humid, potentially causing a whole host of headaches, from peeling paint and damaged furniture to dust mites....

With such a wide variety of seating designs available, from formal, upholstered chairs to relaxed wooden designs and benches, finding the right seating for your dining room ideas can be daunting. Choosing dining chairs is hugely subjective, and which design is best for you will ultimately depend on personal taste and what you find comfortable, however, there are plenty of other factors to take into account that may have an impact....

With its long, warm days, and extra sunlight hours, June is a busy time at this midpoint of the gardening year. Now is the time to plant out flowers and crops you sowed indoors in spring as part of your garden ideas, as well as harvest and repeat-sow earlier vegetable plantings to prolong the period of harvest into fall. You can also have fun creating colorful displays with hanging baskets and containers....

When learning how to plant bulbs, you will discover that there are two main flowering periods for bulbs – spring and summer – and that different varieties need planting at different times of year. Whether choosing the best summer bulbs or the best spring bulbs for your garden, a little consideration to planting at the correct time will make all the difference. Bear in mind that some bulb flowers, such as snowdrops, will break through the ground in winter, while others will extend their flowering season into the fall....

Having lush, green grass is integral to most people’s garden ideas, but whether you are after how to plant grass seed from scratch, or trying to fill in patchy areas to make a lawn green and thick, you need to time it just right. ‘With the rise in prices of grass seed over recent years, it is critical to maximize your success when timing planting,’ says Adam Gore, horticulture agent for Clemson University Cooperative Extension (opens in new tab)....

Rich in vitamin B6, zucchini – or courgettes – are a staple vegetable for the summer months. This super versatile vegetable can be roasted, steamed, spiralled and even baked in a chocolate cake. Learning how to grow zucchini is really easy, so find out when to plant zucchini so you can enjoy an abundance of fresh courgettes throughout the summer months as part of your vegetable garden ideas. When to plant zucchini ‘Zucchini loves heat, and plants thrive in the summertime....

The meaning of Feng Shui goes beyond just your main furniture pieces. For example, did you know how much of an impact the placement of your TV may have on the Feng Shui of your home? Here, we look at the best places to put your TV and what Feng Shui effects it may have. Which wall should a TV be on? ‘The living room is one of the most important places in the home,’ says Jennifer Ebert, digital editor at Homes & Gardens....

Evoking purity and cleanliness alongside confidence and sophistication, white is a wonderfully versatile color for the main room in your home. Our white living room ideas (opens in new tab) will give you all the inspiration and advice you could need when decorating with white. White living room ideas This versatile neutral is one of the most popular living room paint ideas (opens in new tab) for interiors, and it is easy to see why....

The good news is that most musty smells are not a sign of serious issue, and are often quick to rectify. However, some musty smells could be signs of something more sinister, like damp and mold, and the causes will need treating as soon as possible. Here, experts explain six reasons why your house might smell musty and offer some potential solutions to make your home smell nice once again....

While you may already know when to plant pumpkins (and the pros behind this winter squash), the benefits of gourds are less well-known. Despite being used decoratively over Halloween, this plant is, in some ways, less synonymous with the season than its pumpkin counterpart. But its benefits stretch far beyond its aesthetic value. From their forgiving nature to their impressive resilience, gourds are much more than an easy no-carve pumpkin idea....

Knowing how to make your house stand out to potential buyers can often feel overwhelming – especially in such an ever-changing, competitive market – but the process doesn’t need to be complex. If you steer away from the home improvements that won’t add value – and focus on the renovation ideas that will sell your home (for the right price) fast. The home improvements that can add value – according to experts Designing your dream home doesn’t come cheap, and when it comes to renovating a house, it’s imperative to ensure you’re spending your money wisely....

From skinny, tall trees to multicolored trees, trees with taller trunks to stop the dog and cat knocking them over, to flat-backed trees that sit against the wall neatly… we’ve seen them all. John Lewis & Partners Christmas Buyer Dan Cooper says that as well as trends, the evolution of Christmas trees has changed considerably over the years, too. ‘Our trees are always getting taller and bigger. The normal height up until the noughties was 4 to 6ft....