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1. Houseplants with Colorful Foliage Plants with pink leaves have been a recent trend, and we’ve seen that even tried-and-true favorites like snake plants and pothos that have splashes of white on their usually green leaves (known as variegation) are also very popular. Next year, we’re sure that houseplants with interesting colors and patterns on their leaves will attract even more fans—multicolored foliage like crotons, Chinese evergreens, and stromanthe will become especially trendy....

The swirls and knots of burl wood are the result of a tree deformity, usually caused by stress from an injury or an infection. Burls are knobby-looking outgrowths that can be harvested and turned into slabs or veneers for furniture. “I think that is part of its allure—a disfigurement or unattractive element on a tree trunk hides such beauty and uniqueness beneath the surface,” says Los Angeles-based designer Stefani Stein....

1. Stunning Stair Runners With options as varied as sophisticated tweeds, playful polka dots, saturated hues, and natural fibers, stair runners have won the hearts of homeowners, including more than 56,000 tags on Instagram. And it’s not just because staircases are prime spots to add a little personality. “Aside from an exciting design aesthetic, stair and hall runners add an extra layer of safety on those slippery hardwoods,” says Matt Lovetere, co-founder and CEO of The Carpet Workroom....

1. Go meat-free a few days a week. Research has found that vegetarians can save at least $750 per year. Only one or two vegetarian meals per week make a difference, cost- and healthwise, says Mary M. Flynn, Ph.D., R.D., a research dietitian at The Miriam Hospital and associate professor of medicine at Brown University in Providence, RI. For example, subbing beans for chicken in a vegetable stir-fry once a week could save roughly $400 annually and meet your protein quota....

Tip: To cut fresh herbs, place leaves in a measuring cup or bowl and snip them with kitchen scissors. For herbs with tough stems (like rosemary), strip the leaves from the stem first. Tip: For easy handling, halve sweet peppers lengthwise—then remove stems, seeds, and membranes. Tip: Stir onions continuously as they are caramelizing to prevent sticking and burning. Tip: Add more Mediterranean flavors to your meal by serving our mouthwatering Peanut Baklava (see recipe below)....

But with small spaces can come some tricky interior design choices. Balancing functionality with aesthetics is more an art than a science, especially when it comes to tiny bedrooms. Finding the right furniture that can fit through small halls and doorways is just the beginning. Here, interior design experts share their best tips and tricks for incorporating furniture into a tiny bedroom. 1. Focus on Windows and Walls Nikki Klugh, principal designer of the eponymous all-women design group, believes that everyone should have a sanctuary in which to rest, recharge, and revitalize....

With the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic in early spring, many people pivoted to working, playing, exercising, and socializing from home, making the way we furnish and decorate our living spaces more important than ever. “On the upside, it has forced homeowners to reflect, dissect, and evaluate how they live in their homes, how it makes them feel, and how, ultimately, they want to change and improve upon their relationship with home,” says Louisiana interior designer Lance Thomas of Thomas Guy Interiors....

1. Organize pots and pans above the stove. Keep your most commonly used pots and pans above the stove so they’re only an arm’s reach away while you’re cooking. Mount a simple pot rack ($22, Target) on the wall behind the range or on the underside of the upper cabinetry, making sure it’s sturdy enough to support the weight of your cookware. Use hooks to hang pots, pans, and utensils right where you’ll need them....

Forcing bulbs inside is a super easy technique that’s simply a sleight of hand—a trickster’s way to get blooms by faking out your flowers about what season it really is. It involves very little effort and few materials. The biggest exertion? Scheduling their arrival. Chilling Bulbs Here’s the deal: Bulbs that grow indoors sometimes need a reminder that they’ve been through winter—however fake it is. In fact, all bulbs except amaryllis and paperwhites need a cold snap....

“We went back and forth on the black,” she says. “But in the end, the homeowner loved the drama— and how the richness of black meshes with the rest of the house.” So, in came black on two walls of cabinetry, plus an extra splash in a back pantry. Cabinet panels painted in Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black disguise Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer units on each side of the range. The deep, saturated tones blend with dark-stained wood floors....

Olive oil or nonstick cooking spray 2 cup all-purpose flour 1 package active dry yeast 1 teaspoon sugar ½ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon olive oil ⅔ cup warm water (105°F to 115°F) *Make-Ahead Directions: At this point, the dough portions can be placed in a storage container that has been lightly coated with nonstick cooking spray or brushed with olive oil. Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours....

To Store: Cover tightly in foil to preserve for leftovers.

Beet-Apple Hot Sauce Prepare as directed, except add 1 pound red beets, finely chopped, to the mixture in Step 1.Per teaspoon: same as above, except 70 mg sodium * Chile peppers contain oils that can irritate your skin and eyes. Wear plastic or rubber gloves when working with them.