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A refrigerator is often the largest appliance to install and make room for in the kitchen, so to help you refine your kitchen layout ideas, we examine the question: where should a refrigerator be placed? Of course, there are some obvious factors to follow, such as placing the refrigerator near an electrical outlet and buying a refrigerator that’s the right size for your kitchen to allow it to be perfectly positioned....

There are a few reasons why there might be drops of water on your best indoor plants, from simple condensation to more mysterious guttation. While they are rarely harmful to the plants themselves, these dewy drops could damage your furniture and floors. Here, an expert explains what may be causing these increased water droplets and how you can prevent them. Why are there drops of water on my plant leaves?...

So if you shop for table settings as well as other items when decorating a house for Hanukkah, they will be distinct in store in blue and white. But why blue for Hanukkah? This is what the experts say. Why is the color blue significant to Hanukkah? Blue has become a traditional color for Hanukkah, but it is a relatively recent tradition – and one that’s typically used in the US rather than for Hanukkah celebrations in other countries....

Modern farmhouse perfectly blends contemporary finishes with cozy elements for a refined rustic aesthetic. The key is to always remember the importance of the word ‘modern’ in your decor. You want to keep the look fresh as well as inviting by celebrating imperfections and mixing natural elements, like wood and linen, with contemporary touches, like brushed metals and neutral color palettes. See: Modern farmhouse ideas – creative ways to perfect this style in your home The modern farmhouse style takes the charm and warmth of country elements and ensures they’re given an updated look that fits with modern life; it’s fuss-free and functional....

The top garden trends 2022 These are the top garden ideas and garden trends for 2022 to steer you in the right direction. From the best small garden ideas and sustainable gardens to garden color schemes and garden decorating ideas, we have you covered. 1. Introduce a Mediterranean flavor to your backyard Kristina Clode believes that all gardens, present and future, need to be designed to cope with increasingly wet winters and hot, dry summers....

The upwardly sloping plot stretches out from Kate and Hitesh Patel’s 18th-century home on the English/Welsh border, and creates a beautiful vista that blends with woodlands, meadows and views of the Wye Valley towards Avonmouth. So how did the couple create a long season of interest with garden ideas? The answer is prairie-style planting. This style of planting, popularised by the Dutch designer Piet Oudolf, uses combinations of ornamental grasses and flowering perennials that gradually build throughout the year to produce dazzling displays by midsummer....

From urban projects to cottage interiors, his studio covers a wide range of disciplines, all achieved with the utmost charm and wit. Now, the interior designer to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge is letting us into how his mind works, and what gets those creative juices flowing. Here’s what he had to say… 1. My design hero David Nightingale Hicks was a modern legend in interior design, most prominent in the 1960s....

To help you decide which exercise bike to buy we’ve rounded up a few worth considering. Our list includes budget exercise bikes, folding bikes and bikes that work with your smartphone and even your Apple Watch to help you track your fitness goals. See: How to create a home gym – everything you need to start exercising in the comfort of your own space You don’t have to spend a fortune to own a gym-quality exercise bike - the Reebok GSB Electronic bike fits the bill at under £600....

Plants can bring so many benefits to a garden, from a range of colors and textures to an organic, natural element to contrast a modern look. Greenery can come in forms either large or small, and allow for decoration vertically too if you don’t want to spread plants out across your garden. By placing planters strategically in your garden, you can also create different zones in order to landscape, including more leisurely patio areas cordoned off by plants....

These traditions are what make the holidays sacred and keep them running like a well-oiled machine. And, this method rings true when shopping for Thanksgiving decorations. They are the backdrop to the holiday, setting the scene and creating a warm and inviting environment. A necessity year-after-year, Thanksgiving decorating ideas need to be timeless – essentials like classic Thanksgiving centerpieces, the best candles or faux-leaf wreaths will always get the job done – and will become yearly staples....

Here, the Homes & Gardens team has rounded up the best rain boots for women, men and children. From sought-after Hunter wellies to the classic short Barbour wellies, we’ve found plenty of picks. So, if you wouldn’t mind looking as glamorous as Kate Middleton in her preferred Le Chameau Wellingtons as you step out into the countryside, stay with us. All of the Wellington boots featured get five stars from us for style, longevity and comfort....

What’s more, the Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo makes it virtually impossible to get the pizza cooking process wrong. Unlike an outdoor pizza oven, where you have to turn your pizza to ensure that it’s evenly cooked, the Smart Oven Pizzaiolo creates a consistent internal temperature and even times the cooking of your pizza to make sure it won’t burn. I put the Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo to the test for two pizza nights with my family, taking into account the quality of the pizza it produced, as well as how easy it is to set up and use....

Need convincing? This example within the iconic, Grade II-listed Trellick Tower block should do the trick. See: Kitchen ideas – decor and decorating ideas for all kitchens This British Standard by Plain English (opens in new tab) kitchen pays homage to the influences that inspired architect Ernö Goldfinger, including the optimistic mid-century modernism of Le Corbusier. British Standard cupboards were chosen for their craftsmanship, simplicity and compatibility with the austere structure of the building and British Standard’s modular steel screen doors were used between the lobby and the kitchen to maximise space without compromising the flow of movement and light....

Now no longer a place just to relax and unwind, paint ideas for every room need to adapt to become multitasking spaces in the ‘new normal’, incorporating areas where we can work, rest and play. As a result, our decor needs to reflect this new flexibility, while also embracing a look that we won’t tire of too quickly. Color combinations for rooms We’ve asked a panel of industry experts for their views on what color combinations work well together for them – using a color wheel will help you get it right....

Decorating with dark florals is a brilliant way to make a unique statement in interior design and is becoming increasingly popular. ‘Recently we’ve seen a real shift from greys and minimal uses of color to the desire for dark grounds and multicolored pattern – the perfect tonic for lifting the spirits and creating a more individual style,’ says Rebecca Craig, head of design at Sanderson. Dark floral prints are often associated with grand, romantic schemes, conjuring images of ornate 17th-century floral paintings by Dutch masters, however there are many contemporary dark floral prints available to keep interiors looking fresh and contemporary and for rural properties you could try a folksy print....

See: Kitchen ideas – decor and decorating ideas for all kitchens The renowned floral stylist and author of three lifestyle books is well-known for her ability to create floral works of art that showcase the crop of the current season. However, it is not only her floricultural extravaganzas that combine pattern, color, and texture, as Willow (opens in new tab) shows in her kitchen, which encompasses a strikingly similar design method....

As with many improvement projects, the mistakes we tend to make in designing a garden aren’t novel, but rather regular traps for the unwary. But the fact that they are familiar errors also makes them easy to avoid once equipped with a list of what to do and what to avoid from the experts, who’ve seen it all before. So, however ambitious or otherwise your garden ideas are, these garden design dos and don’ts will ensure your best laid plans won’t go awry....

So, when we heard they had partnered up with the McCormick Flavor Maker App to create a gingerbread brownie recipe – plus organize all the holiday spices in their pantries – we were curious. Here, we bring you their gorgeous, colorful, tried and tested recipe – it’s sure to become a new Christmas must-have for everyone. Plus, read on to find out more about who does the cooking in their homes, their favorite Christmas traditions and foods, how they organize their spices – and more about the app....

So, what’s the key to mastering early mornings? The best coffee maker, of course. ‘What inspires me to wake up every morning is a fresh pot of coffee,’ says the 32-year-old. A strong cup of ‘black coffee, no sugar, no cream, just black, deliciousness, good energy,’ Parrish explains, is responsible for getting her through those early call times. And, seemingly, that cup of joe seems to be working. Her latest film, To All The Boys: Always and Forever, aired on Netflix last month and has since received positive reviews....

It’s inevitable that the front door will accumulate dust and dirt over time, as well as sills and ledges, while hardware, as well as glazing, can start to look less than pristine. These are the steps to follow to clean a front door, plus top cleaning tips from the experts to ensure the best results so that your front door ideas look fabulous from the front yard. How to clean a front door Cleaning a front door can generally be achieved with the supplies you already have in your home....