To do this on your own, buy switch and receptacle boxes that meet local codes and are large enough for the wires they hold. It’s easy to underestimate, so buy extra supplies. At the same time you install boxes, attach fans, lights, or other fixtures that need to be hardwired. Local codes specify where cable should run and at what height to place receptacles and switch boxes. Check codes before you begin....

Wanek started his career in newspaper journalism and photography but after working with magazine publications, his passion for home design evolved into his current profession as a prop stylist. His love of gardening, plants, and all things outdoor living has been featured in newspapers, magazines, and digital publications.

What You’ll Need ScissorsTissue paperPaper towelPlastic wrapRibbon[button-pdf id=“546244” title=“Downloadable bouquet tags” /] How to Make It Cut 2-3 sheets of tissue paper into a large square. Wrap the bottom of the bouquet with a damp paper towel and wrap the damp stems with plastic wrap – make sure they’re completely covered, or the water will ruin the tissue paper! Fold your tissue paper into a triangle. Then place the wrapped bouquet in the center of the folded triangle....

These tips and projects are for indoor use, but you can easily transform them into outdoor projects with a topcoat of weather-resistant sealer. Here’s the nitty-gritty on materials, tools, and tips to get started. How to Make a Mosaic Supplies Needed Mosaic tileTile nippersSandpaperAdhesive fiberglass meshAdhesiveNotched spreaderGroutDisposable glovesSponge Step-by-Step Directions Use these easy instructions to create a mosaic pattern on any surface you choose. Most mosaic projects can be completed in a few hours, and will need to dry for 24 hours before use....

We love seeded eucalyptus because it has pretty, full leaves as well as a natural color variation in the seeds and stems, but if you prefer the look of standard eucalyptus, feel free to swap it out. Our simple wreath is built on an embroidery hoop base. Embroidery hoops are often sold in sets of graduated sizes, so consider making a family of these eucalyptus wreaths to display as a group....

You can find pieces like patio conversation sets, storage benches, Adirondack chairs, and canopies. For instance, this $200 four-piece conversation set creates a comfortable poolside seating area that’s ideal for outdoor entertaining, while this rocking Adirondack chair is great for enjoying your morning coffee or reading a book. There’s also smaller accent furniture available, like $90 side tables that double as coolers, patio umbrellas in an array of colors for $51, and even zero gravity chairs that are portable for impromptu picnics (a set of two costs $103)....

A glass-and-metal lantern offers a beam of light for the entry and porch. If a porch floor is wood, it can be stained or painted; either way, it will require periodic retouching or refinishing. Oversize cushions provide casual, flexible seating. An eclectic mix of furnishings maintains visual consistency by relying on similar colors, including rich browns and greens. Learn how to use a path to connect your porch to your yard....

Mistake No. 1: Planting too early By the time spring finally rolls around, most people are eager to get back into the garden. But if you live where temperatures can still dip below freezing, avoid setting out tender crops, such as tomato, cucumber, melon, eggplant, and pepper. These vegetables should stay under cover until nightly temperatures remain at least 55°F. If you want to give them a little head start, plant them under a grow cloth, cloche, milk jug, or other type of protection....

Buy It: Hamilton Beach Hand Mixer ($17, Target) Buy It: Mainstays Baking Pan ($5, Walmart)

Buy It: What’s Gaby Cooking Everything Seasoning, $13, Williams Sonoma

Test Kitchen Tip: Like a smokey flavor in your Christmas roast? Substitute the same amount of smoked paprika for the regular paprika. Test Kitchen Tip: No need for a special popover pan, these puddings bake in a muffin tin.

To create standout room arrangements, choose an eclectic mix of furnishings and accessories that are noticeably lighter or darker than the deep color on the walls. Place light-hued upholstered furniture, shapely lampshades, and salvaged architectural elements against dark walls to give the room a sense of lightness. In this brown-walled room, look-at-me orange demands consideration. Presented as blocks of solid color, in a wildly patterned artwork, and as a statuesque shelving unit, orange supplies a refreshing counterpoint to the room’s more staid walls....

Important safety tip: This treatment is not appropriate for kids’ beds or other rooms where children sleep. Important safety tip: Use a low-wattage bulb in your finished creation for safety.

1. Make Your Room Seem Larger Smith painted the built-ins blue-black. “Dark colors are counterintuitive,” she says. “A lot of people think they make a space feel smaller, but they really make the ceiling feel higher and the room appear larger.” Black window casings also draw eyes out, making a space seem larger. White shades trimmed in black retain the effect, even when closed. 2. Go Big on Seating A low-back sectional actually takes up less space than a sofa and chair would and accommodates her tall husband, Nick Herman....

Buy It: KitchenAid Ladle ($7, Target) Buy It: KitchenAid Ladle ($7, Target) Buy It: Roshco Fondue Forks ($7, Bed Bath & Beyond)

Editor’s tip: Trim your DIY artwork with a thin frame to hide drips along the canvas edge and provide a finished look.

These modern Christmas decor ideas include everything from white Christmas trees and whimsical rainbow mantel decorations to monochrome tablescapes and nontraditional Advent calendars. Mix the old with the new to give your usual Christmas decor a refreshing update. This season, prepare to deck the halls with these fresh decor ideas.