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1. Peonies Have Centuries of History Peonies are native to Asia, Europe, and Western North America. Early in Chinese history, the peony was considered the national flower (although it’s now officially the plum blossom). The Tang Dynasty of China began breeding peonies in the imperial courts in the 7th century BCE. Their popularity spread to Japan in the early 11th century and to France and England in the 18th century. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, they began taking off in popularity in the U....

Buy It: Good Cook Muffin Pan ($15, Walmart)

How to Cook Bell Peppers on the Stove There are two ways to cook bell peppers on the stove—boiling or sautéing. Start by washing peppers and removing stems, seeds, and membranes. Cut peppers into rings or strips, then use one of the following methods: To boil bell peppers: Cook peppers, covered, in a small amount of boiling salted water for 6 to 7 minutes or until crisp-tender.To sauté bell peppers: Heat a skillet with 2 to 3 tablespoons of cooking oil over medium-high heat....

1. Mix Old and New French-style interiors are often highly distinctive and eclectic, featuring furniture and decor from a broad range of eras, design styles, and sources. To achieve this look, juxtapose flea market finds with contemporary pieces or European antiques with midcentury modern furnishings. Keep the look cohesive instead of chaotic by repeating a few key colors throughout the space to connect the assorted elements. 2. Celebrate Architectural Details Your home might not have the intricate ceiling moldings and herringbone floors of a penthouse off the Seine, but you can still play up a room’s architectural details....

Editor’s Tip: To keep the ficus compact enough for this tabletop garden, prune it a few times each year in a way that shows off its branch structure. Editor’s Tip: Displaying this dynamic dish garden on a low table or underneath a glass shelf makes it easier to admire the flower garden effect of this arrangement. Editor’s Tip: When using shallow containers, mound the soil a few inches above the rim to give roots more room....

Today’s painted floors suit a range of design tastes and add a sense of rustic charm, traditional elegance, or playful whimsy depending on the style of home. Plus, floor painting can be a wonderful way to add character, especially for those hoping to cut costs. “Painting floorboards can bring in a lovely charm to a room and is great for those with a tighter budget,” says Patrick O’Donnell, Farrow & Ball’s international brand ambassador....

Test Kitchen Tip: To make this a vegan breakfast skillet, simply omit the egg—or replace it with a plant-based substitute. Buy It: Lodge Cast-Iron Skillet ($25, Target) Buy It: Select by Calphalon Nonstick Pan ($50, Target) Test Kitchen Tip: If white potatoes aren’t your favorite, or for a bit more vitamin A, try this same concept with sweet potatoes.

No matter what your holiday traditions are, having a festive centerpiece, creating a beautiful table setting, or featuring unique family traditions can make this season feel more connected. Here are some Thanksgiving decoration ideas to consider for your home this holiday.

With an elegant form traced in gleaming steel, a back and arms that seem to float in space, and its ability to hold somebody on its canvas seat without touching the metal framework, the Wassily Chair looks like something out of the Information Age rather than the Jazz Age. Some people think the Wassily Chair came out of the mid-20th century’s era of Modernism since that’s when it was mass-produced and spread to the American suburbs....

Light up your counters with undercabinet lighting. Learn more here!

Portico Designs: Do Your Homework Identify your home’s style by perusing shelter, remodeling, and architecture publications and websites to find homes similar to yours. Knowing your home’s architectural style will make it easier to determine the type of portico and decorative details that will flatter your residence. Rip or print out images featuring porticos that appeal to your eye and match your home. Whenever possible, porticos should duplicate your home’s roof’s pitch and eave and fascia details and showcase materials, such as brick or stone, that appear on your home’s exterior....

While we prefer making our breading or batter from scratch, you can crisp up frozen fish in the air fryer even if you purchased it already pre-breaded, heat-and-eat style. Simply preheat your air fryer to 360°F to 400°F (see the manual for your appliance), spray the basket with nonstick spray, add the frozen fish, and close the air fryer to begin cooking. Air-fry for about 10 minutes (or until fully cooked), flipping halfway....

Waffles: In a medium bowl combine 2 lightly beaten eggs, 1 3/4 cups water, 1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add 2 cups All-Purpose Baking Mix; stir just until moistened (batter should be slightly lumpy). Using a waffle baker, prepare waffles according to manufacturer’s directions. Store any leftover waffles individually in the freezer up to 1 month; reheat in a toaster or toaster oven. Makes 8 waffles....

Highlights Former assistant digital garden editor for Better Homes & Gardens6+ years experience writing about food for major brands like Food & Wine and Martha Stewart

Check out deer resistant annuals for your yard. Annual Toadflax Care Must-Knows Annual toadflax thrives in full sun and evenly moist, well-drained soil. In areas with hot summers, select a planting site that receives afternoon shade to help the plant continue flowering as hot weather begins. Cut plants back after flowering to encourage a second flush of flowers. In hot regions, remove annual toadflax when flowers begin to fade. Replace it with hot-weather-loving annuals such as marigolds, geraniums, or calibrachoa....

Tips You can also make these with canned pie filling, but first, transfer to a food processor and pulse until the fruit is finely chopped. Tips Reserve the scraps and bake as directed for cookies, if desired.

Ashley is a lifelong learner, always looking to become an expert in all things home design and sustainable living. She has been featured in the largest home and garden magazines, worked with some of the most popular home blogs, and had an episode on a home improvement TV network.