March 2023

Is There a Nutmeg in the House?

THE HEADLINE BELOW comes from the title of a book by Elizabeth David, one of my favorite writers about food. Her insightful essays came to mind when I was scrounging through the disorganized pantry of my brain searching for an editor's letter topic for this, our latest food issue. Food writing, or cookery writing as it is called in the UK, is a genre of books that focuses on the history and cultural context around what We eat, more than merely providing recipes. I love these books and have a list of beloved writers I've turned to over the years. Like garden essayists, food writers who share concepts rather than strict how-to instructions, necessary as those things are, influence my actions the most.

Feeling Groovy

What small rituals help support your sensa of Will-being? These are a few of our favorite feel-good practices.

COZY COOKERY

We're fantasizing about sipping tea in this English kitchen that harkens back to an earlier era without sacrificing modern conveniences.

Flower Parade

With one little tool-- the floral frog-- you can show off spring blooms in the spectacular fashion they deserve.

Floral Frog 411

Floral frogs have their origins in ikebana, the Japanese art of floral arranging, where they're often employed to keep flowers upright and show off stems' sculptural shapes in low vessels. Three reasons to love them:

Irish Showstopper

This charming St. Patrick's Day dessert reimagines irish coffee as sweet layers of crisp coffee-flavored meringue and soft swoops of whiskey-scented whipped cream.

On Trend Ripple Effect

Undulating curves are a welcome contrast in a room full of hard lines and right angles. Think of them like gentle ocean waves reduced to their most basic shape and almost as calming.

Pet Hair Vacuums

Our testing lab assessed 37 models, evaluating their ease of use and effectiveness when faced with dust, debris, and lots and lots of tur. These 4 models were some of the best in show.

The Polished SIDE OF Pastels

Designer Susana Simonpietri of Chango & Co. melds a palette of calm pastel paints with chalky limewash here and floral wallpaper there to create a sophisticated blend of textures and tones. Together they form a harmoniously colorful whole in this Connecticut family home.

Green Space

Packed with plants and plenty of spots to enjoy them a small California backyard pushes the limits of its square footage.

What's hot in the kitchen

We've highlighted a few of the biggest kitchen trends to help you rethink the busiest room in the house.

SEEING BEAUTY BEYOND the RUINS

THE HOUSE WITH A REPUTATION. YOU KNOW THE KIND: SEEING THE LISTING ZIPS AROUND SOCIAL MEDIA LIKE A MEME, BEAUTY AND THE OPEN HOUSE IS PACKED, BUT THERE IT SITS. BEYOND UNTIL THE RIGHT FAMILY-- CREATIVE, INTREPID, AND the RUINS A LITTLE DESPERATE --WALKS THROUGH THE DOOR.

KITCHEN SWEEPSTAKES

Destination: Flavor

America's marquee food cities tend to get ali the attention, but it you're hungry for something new, these four surprising foodie towns plate all the creativity and deliciousness you could ask for. Here's where to go, what to eat, and the best hotels for storing your doggie bag between meals.

Hawa Hassan

Sharing her love of East African cuisine with home cooks through time-honored recipes and authentic sauces.