Jessica Yonker is a writer for HGTV.com and a professional glitter handler in training. She loves decorating her friends' homes without their permission and practicing for her inevitable appearance on Chopped. Like her mother, she's obsessed with lamps, mirrors and microfiber throws. Unlike her mother, she has an unexplained aversion to chalkboard paint.
ShareI don’t know about you, but this gloomy weather has many of our editors ready to go into hibernation (the rest are still bright and cheery from their encounter with Color Splash superstar David Bromstad).
January may leave your home feeling a little cold and empty, so what better way to add warmth to your home than by lighting a beautiful fire?
If your fireplace has gone untouched this season, never fear. As long as you’re prepared, starting your own fire is just one flick of a match away.
ShareWelcome back everyone! I hope everyone had a fun-filled, restful holiday season. Now that your guests are gone, the decorations are packed away, and you’re not out battling all those crazy holiday shoppers, I bet you have a lot of time on your hands and empty space to fill – or perhaps you’re having the opposite problem and have no place to put your stacks of presents!
If 2013 has you itching to complete a project in your home, look no further: we have plenty of beautiful designs to get you inspired no matter what room or budget you have in mind.
Kitchens
For many families, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Take this year to treat your kitchen to a makeover, whether it’s a small project like repainting your cabinets or doing a complete remodel job. Don’t forget to give your dining room some love in 2013, too!
ShareWe’ve finally arrived at the most wonderful time of the year, ladies and gentlemen – Christmas is only one week away!
When you’re busy running from store to store trying to get the perfect gift for friends and family, it’s easy to forget the little things you need Christmas Day, like mountains of tape and batteries. In honor of all the chaos, we’ve compiled a list of all the essentials you may have forgotten so you can spend more time with your family and less time racing to stores come Christmas Eve. After all, no one likes a last-minute Scrooge.
Share‘Tis the season for holiday mishaps – burnt desserts, toppled trees, wrapping paper getting just a little bit too close to the fire – especially if you’re accident prone like me (loose extension cords from all those strings of light will be my eventual demise).
Taking extra precautions throughout the month can be the difference between having a very, merry Christmas and sending a Season’s Greetings from the hospital. Save yourself the trouble by viewing the top holiday safety tips right here: 16 Tips to Avoid a Holiday Decorating Disaster This Season.
Tell us about one of your (or a friend or family member’s) Christmastime blunders in the comments and visit the links below for more on keeping safe throughout the holidays:
Choose and Upkeep Your Christmas Tree
Holiday Energy-Efficiency Tips
Fireplace Maintenance and Safety
DIY Network: Outdoor Holiday Lighting Safety
ShareChristmas lights are one of my favorite things about the holiday season. This year especially, I’ve been known to frantically scream out “Christmas!” every time I see a holiday light display – I’m certain everyone I know is asking Santa for an early present in the form of earplugs.
Light displays may be a warm and cozy staple of the holiday season, but there’s no getting around the fact that they cost a lot to run. If it’s been a couple of years since you replaced your light set you might be wasting energy – and therefore money.
ShareThe holidays are finally here. That’s right folks — no more singing Christmas carols in secret or lying about tearing up at the end of an early Home Alone showing — you are now free to spread the cheer.
Several of our HGTV editors spent Thanksgiving weekend putting up their Christmas trees, so imagine our delight to return from break and see that headquarters was already in the spirit, too:
The lobby at HGTV Headquarters is now home to a massive Christmas tree and festive holiday decorations. Keep up with what goes on behind the scenes by following HGTV on Instagram.
So while we’re all geared up for the holidays, I bet many of you haven’t put your Christmas tree up yet. Perhaps you’re waiting until this weekend (December 1st is Saturday!) to sort through the decorations; it might be your first Christmas in a new home; or maybe you’re just looking for something new. Whatever your situation is, we’ve created a guide to help you pick out the perfect Christmas tree to light up your home this season.
ShareIt’s crunch time, everyone! Many of you might have Thanksgiving guests starting to trickle in (I, for one, have already made myself quite cozy at my parents’ house), but I’m willing to bet a large percentage of you are doing one last mad cleaning-dash through your home before your loved ones arrive.
Being a host isn’t easy, but it’s rewarding to see the smiles on the faces of your friends and family. Before the hungry cavalry arrives, take some time to prepare your home for your guests. A lot of organization and a little bit of thoughtfulness can go a long way.
ShareEven though we’ve been getting ready for Thanksgiving here at HGTV headquarters since the middle of summer (putting together those classy Thanksgiving centerpieces and testing out holiday cocktails takes up a lot of time, folks), the holiday has still managed to sneak up on us.
Thanksgiving is only a little over a week away! If you’re looking to try something new this year, this lemon and sage turkey will add some zesty goodness to your menu.
If you haven’t gotten your grocery list together yet, you better hurry; there’s nothing more frustrating than a last-minute hunt through a ransacked supermarket. Overwhelmed? Still scrambling for ideas? We’ve got you covered.
ShareHappy November, everyone! We’re only a few weeks away from Thanksgiving, so you know what that means – time to clean the house from top to bottom before the guests arrive. And you better start now rather than later, especially before that extra hour feeling wears off.
With fall in full swing and winter approaching, you may notice your floors may need a little TLC.
You’ll never regret having a good vacuum around. Sucking up all that dirt and grime not only keeps your home spotless and clean, but also clears away harmful allergens built-up in your floors. But with so many brands, options, filter-types, and other factors, choosing the right vacuum can be a daunting task. To make the decision easier, we’ve narrowed down some of the most important factors to keep in mind while picking out a vacuum.
ShareHalloween is finally here. It’s only a short time before trick-or-treaters will fill the streets on a never-ending candy quest. Well, at least until bedtime.
Whether you’re planning on passing out candy or not, you should take some precautions to make sure any kids wandering your neighborhood have a safe Halloween. No one wants to be the house on the block responsible for mini-Effie Trinket’s tears when your over-friendly dog gets loose or baby-Incredible Hulk’s scraped knee (you won’t like him when he’s angry).
Clear a path. The morning or afternoon of Halloween, take a walk around the outside of your home. Put away hoses, bikes and garden equipment and clear away rocks, sticks and debris to prevent tripping. Make sure Halloween decor on the ground is either brightly lit or out of the way.
Watch out for your pumpkins. Keep lit jack-o’-lanterns in a high place or consider getting a battery-powered candle instead of the real thing. Loose-fitting or flowing Halloween costumes can easily catch fire.
Put away your animals. Yes, you did a lot of work getting Spot into that Batman costume, but all the excitement Halloween brings can rile up your pet for better or worse. Hours of shrieking children can stress out even the best-behaved dog. Do your four-legged friends a favor and keep them in a quiet place until the party’s over.
Leave the lights on (or off). Whether to leave the lights on or off if you’re not handing out treats is a common question. If you live in a high-traffic area where your neighbors are all expecting trick-or-treaters, it’s a good idea to leave a porch light on. Kids running between houses might trip or fall in front of your dark home. Try putting up a sign that says “No candy here, sorry!”
Think carefully about candy. Individually-wrapped candies are best. If you are thinking about passing out homemade treats, consider adding a tag with your name and phone number on it to give parents some reassurance.
If you’re taking the kids out, remember to let them eat a big meal so they don’t get hungry before the night is over. This will also prevent hungry children from tearing into their treats right before bedtime. Don’t forget to inspect all sweets – be on the lookout for unwrapped items and candy your child might be allergic to.
Make sure to travel in groups. Parents usually don’t mind people joining their group – parents will feel safer with a big group and trick-or-treaters will enjoy the company of other children.
Have a safe and happy Halloween everyone! Check out the links below for last-minute Halloween ideas:
Our Favorite Costume Ideas From HGTV Fans
Halloween Party Favor and Treat Bag Ideas
Last-Minute Halloween Costume Ideas for the Entire Family
13 To-Die-For Halloween Cocktails
Spooky Halloween Table Settings and Decorations
FREE DOWNLOAD: Easy Pumpkin Carving Templates
More Halloween Inspiration From Design Happens
Highlights From LEGENDS 2013 at HGTV's Design Happens Blog
Baby #Burgers for #Memorial Day From HGTV's Design Happens
Aluminum Foil #Craft for the Kiddos From HGTV's Design
Love this wool rug in a pretty lavender and white design
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