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Modern rooms need to be functional, and, in the best circumstances, they should also be designed for physical and emotional comfort. And the latest decor trends reflect this: There’s a move away from fussy and overly precious looks in favor of overstuffed furniture and more casual, unpretentious designs. One of the most desired styles now is the cozy house. This trend is manifested through warm colors, luxe textures, and a return to ultra-comfortable furnishings that transform your house into a snug sanctuary perfect for recharging....

2 ounce cream cheese, softened 1 tablespoon butter, softened ¾ cup powdered sugar 2 tablespoon milk

5 cup shredded napa cabbage 1 cup yellow sweet pepper strips (1 medium) ½ cup shredded carrot (1 medium) ½ cup fresh snow pea pods sliced lengthwise ¼ cup sliced green onions (2) 3 tablespoon rice vinegar 2 tablespoon canola oil 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, research has shown that the air inside our homes is often even more polluted than the air we breathe outside, which can contribute to allergies, aggravate asthma, and make you more susceptible to illness. The best air purifiers can help minimize these symptoms by trapping airborne particles and removing them from the air you breathe. “Good indoor air quality is important for everyone, especially for those living with asthma and allergies,” says Kenneth Mendez, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)....

I research, test, and report on home products every day, so this Cyber Monday, I’m sharing my favorite deals that I’m adding to my shopping cart. My list includes home upgrades like memory foam pillows, cloud-like duvet covers, and convenient air fryers, but also holiday gift ideas like seasonal scented candles, tumblers, and live Norfolk Island pines. And the discounts are up to 50% off. Editor-Approved Cyber Monday Deals: Le Jolie Muse Fir and Cedarwood Christmas Candle Seasonal candles make the best holiday gifts to hostesses and friends, so I’m buying a few of these cedarwood and fir candles while they’re $13 off....

“Overall, ceramic cookware is great for cooking due to its versatility,” says Brian Jupiter, executive chef of Frontier and Ina Mae Tavern. “You can use it to cook something as heavy as chicken, as delicate as fish, and as convenient and low-maintenance as eggs. You really do save time with the non-stick and heat benefits, which then leads to a more efficient clean up.” Finding the best ceramic cookware for your kitchen can be a challenge....

Carving your own pumpkins is not only a fun Halloween activity that will keep your kids or guests entertained for hours; your jack-o’-lanterns will also double as spooky, seasonal decorations. Win-win! But not all pumpkin carving kits are made equal. While pumpkin carving is so much fun for all, the activity can admittedly get super messy—and potentially dangerous with little kids, so it’s important to have the right tools. Price at time of publish: $10 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $10 Price at time of publish: $11 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $25

The best vacuums can help you stay on top of the debris that will otherwise accumulate on your floors. Instead of buying a model that gets clogged with pet hair or struggles to pick up crumbs from your hardwood floors, buying a vacuum that’s been vetted by an expert ensures you get an effective and long-lasting machine. “Effective vacuuming removes and retains grit, soil, and dust, reduces inhaling potentially harmful airborne particles, and lowers the risk of fire from dust buildup in your electronics and other devices,” says Allen Rathey, director of the Indoor Health Council....

Planter Boxes vs. Raised Garden Beds Planter boxes, which work best for plants with shallow roots, are self-contained with solid sides and a bottom. On the other hand, raised garden beds include sides but no bottom and sit on top of the soil—allowing plants with deeper roots to grow past the depth of the bed. Planning an Organic and Non-Toxic Raised Garden Bed Like other landscape features, not all raised beds are the same....

Smooth (H. arborescens): ‘Annabelle’ is the most popular variety. Smooth hydrangeas flower best in full sun, but southern gardeners should site the plants in part shade. Bigleaf (H. macrophylla): Bigleaf hydrangeas are the classic florist types of hydrangea that everyone loves, but not everyone can grow. Bigleafs grow best with partial shade in moist, well-drained soils. Most are hardy to Zone 5 or to Zone 4 with winter protection. Panicle (H....

The PurSteam Steam Mop Cleaner swiftly cleans all hard floor types, but also carpet, glass and windows, stainless steel, countertops, grout, and even clothing and upholstered furniture. The water in the steam mop’s large reservoir heats up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit in just 30 seconds to effectively remove dirt. It also comes with reusable microfiber mop pads that feature textured fibers to not only grip dirt and grime, but also remove bacteria from floors....

Research from real estate marketplace Zillow suggests that certain paint colors in home decor can increase the amount a buyer is willing to offer on a home by as much as $5,000, depending on the value of the home. Based on this analysis, which involved nearly 1,300 recent or prospective U.S. homebuyers, paint company Behr teamed up with Zillow to unveil paint color recommendations that could boost your home’s value....

Most of this garden’s color faces the street, so it enhances the view for passers-by. To add more color on the back side to enjoy from indoors, simply duplicate some of the plant combinations in front of the cleome (stairstep the plant heights so the cleome isn’t upstaged). If you like, you can place a few stepping-stones or pavers to allow easy access into the bed for planting and deadheading flowers....

The Shark Air Purifier 6 is currently $220 off, and according to reviewers, it’s capable of making a noticeable difference in the air quality of your home. With six different fans to help it distribute clean air across spaces up to 1,200 square feet, the Shark Air Purifier 6 is designed to quickly and quietly remove 99.9% of pollutants from your air. Its built-in anti-allergen HEPA filter can capture and remove particles as small as ....

A collection of antiques, flea market finds, and castoffs complete the cottage look. Discarded closet doors appear as wall art and white glassware brings a smooth texture to the weathered wear on the furniture. A white slipcover on the sofa imbues casual cottage style in the room. Painting an old brown coffee table with cerulean aqua paint brought a splash of bold color to an otherwise mellow living room. Editor’s tip: When shopping for secondhand furniture, look at the silhouette and style....

Use masking tape to secure the three 1x12x36-inch boards together. Attach and tighten clamps to steady the boards to the table while drilling. Then, drill through all three boards at the marked holes using the 1-1/8-inch drill bit drill bit. Remove tape once all holes are drilled. Attach two wheels to each of the boards you just attached. Two rotating casters should be placed on the end where you’ll install the handle, with two stationary casters on the other end of the board....