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¼ cup olive oil 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard 1 clove garlic, minced ½ teaspoon salt ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

Situated between the dining room and kitchen, this fireplace includes an understated yet pretty fireplace surround, which complements the traditional feel created through the furnishings and decorative elements in both rooms.

Dishwasher covers are large magnets or stickers that apply to the exterior of your appliance and give it a brand new look in seconds. There are a handful of finishes and patterns available, including versions that look like wood panels ($55, Etsy) and others that are solid colors ($50, Etsy) to complement your kitchen’s color scheme. But the options that resemble stainless steel are especially attractive. They have a sleek look that resembles the real deal at a more affordable price point....

With two gray chairs and a matching side table, the trio has everything you need to enjoy the summer comfortably while elevating your backyard aesthetic. The chairs are made from a durable steel material and designed with a woven backing to promote ventilation, which is perfect for particularly warm days. The chairs also come with weatherproof cushions, which reviewers say are built to last and incredibly cozy. The side table features a strong, impact-absorbing tempered glass top....

In some places, curbless showers, which lack a bumper between the shower floor and the rest of the bathroom, are the norm. Curbless showers can be humble, while others are sleek with luxury features. The subtle difference often lies in the flooring type, the slope of water drainage, and shower wall finishes. If your existing bathroom is in need of a remodel or if your tub is underused, consider installing a curbless shower....

“Today, there is an even greater need for affordable housing in America due to low inventory and high demand nationally,” says Ramsey Cohen, director of community and industry affairs for Clayton, a manufactured home company. Studies show that the prefab housing market in the United States has increased about 28 percent from 2012 to 2022. Chances are good that you’ll see more and more of these structures on the market in coming years....

What is hard kombucha? Before we get into the hard stuff, here’s a little background on how kombucha is made. Found in the refrigerated section (usually close to specialty juices), kombucha is a fermented sweetened tea that uses a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast). The SCOBY starts as a residue on the surface of the tea, then grows to fill the diameter of the jar while getting thicker. Kombucha has become more popular in recent years due to its gut-healthy probiotics and immune-boosting benefits....

Which Seeds Need Cold Stratification? The seeds of most annual garden flowers and vegetables require no stratification. However, many trees, shrubs, perennials, and wildflowers will only germinate after their seeds are stratified. Over several weeks’ time, exposure to cold temperatures and moisture helps break down the hard seed coats so the seeds are able to sprout. If you sow these seeds outdoors in the fall, their dormancy needs will be supplied naturally during the winter months....

Editor’s Note: Wisteria can be invasive. Check with your local Extension Service to be sure it is not an invasive plant in your region. Wisteria Care Must-Knows Wisteria is slow to flower. Vines grown from seed require 10 years or more to produce flowers; commercially grown cuttings or grafted plants typically require about eight years before producing flowers. Wisteria requires annual pruning to promote flowering and keep the vigorous plant in bounds....

“The mid-century modern aesthetic is super hot today, and people are using wood paneling again to achieve the look,” says Raymond Jimenez, founder and creative director of RAYMOND NICOLAS. Add in the revival of 1970s style and the rapid rise of biophilic design, and it’s no surprise that wood paneling is back in a very big way. But if the words “wood,” “wall,” and “paneling” give you nightmares, don’t worry—today’s wood panels are warmer, brighter, and more selectively placed than the basements of yore....

The Northeast If you live in the northeastern part of the United States, you’ve probably been cranking the air conditioning to find relief from the multiple heatwaves going on in the past week. Fortunately, you’ll find relief from the extreme heat, but it might mess with your plans. AccuWeather reports that there could be some spotty thunderstorms from New England to the mid-Atlantic states. “This could certainly disrupt some holiday weekend plans with rainfall, but hopefully Sunday will see enough improvement to get through most of the events for the day,” says AccuWeather senior meteorologist Matt Rinde....

¾ cup butter, softened ¾ cup sour cream 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla 8 cup powdered sugar Buttermilk or milk

Popular Winter Squash Varieties Pumpkins People may wonder what the difference is between pumpkins and squash. You might be surprised to learn there is no difference. Pumpkins are squash, but they are divided into two groups based on their look. Pumpkins usually have a spikier stem and their seeds are edible. Butternut The name says it all—you don’t need to add butter. One of the most popular squashes, the butternut squash, is yellow on the outside and extra sweet on the inside....

“Men often think that osteoporosis is a disease that only impacts women, but a male over the age of 50 is just as likely to suffer an osteoporotic-related fracture as he is to develop prostate cancer,” says Shirin Hooshmand, PhD, RD, and Professor at San Diego State University, whose team recently finished a study examining the role of prunes and bone health in men. The outcome is very promising and shows a mainstream food, like prunes, can be such a simple way to help improve your bone health....

Expect to spend roughly an hour on this project, and make sure you’re comfortable using basic DIY tools like a drill, screwdriver, and level. We installed our guides in a kitchen, but they also work well in a bathroom, bedroom, or home office. What You Need Soft-close side-mount drawer glidesMounting clipsDrillScrewdriverTape measurePencilLevel Step 1: Remove Drawer and Hardware Empty the desired drawer and remove it from the cabinet. Unscrew the existing drawer glide hardware from both the drawer and the cabinet....

We’ve all seen backyards where the garden shed sticks out like a sore thumb. Maybe it’s the wrong color or style, or perhaps the shed is in need of repair. Help your garden shed stand out in a good way with these clever tricks, like adding exterior lights and repurposing rustic materials. Create Camouflage The easiest way to integrate a garden shed into your landscape is to work with the yard’s existing features....

Create a cozy reading nook with an arrangement that wraps around a corner or flank a fireplace with DIY architectural character. Follow the steps below to learn how to make bookcases look built-in. How to Make Bookcases Look Built-In For a seamless look, purchase tall bookcases that reach nearly to your ceiling so you can easily fill in the gap with trim. What You Need Desired number of full-sized bookcasesOne narrow shelving unit for the corner (optional)1 gallon of paint or stainPaintbrushScrews and a screwdriver (or drill)Anchoring hardwareTape measureTrim pieces (enough to line the top edge of full unit)SawSandpaperHammer and nails (or nail gun)LevelWood filler...

Get the recipe for the above Double Chocolate Cake here. Ingredients for Chocolate Cake 3/4 cup butter3 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder1 teaspoon baking soda3/4 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon salt2 cups sugar2 teaspoons vanilla1-1/2 cups milk1 recipe for frosting (see below)Chopped chocolate sandwich cookies or chocolate candy (optional) Dark Cocoa Buttermilk Cake with Cocoa Mascarpone Frosting (pictured) Step 1: Prep Let butter and eggs stand at room temperature for 30 minutes....