October 2024

I Scare Myself

WHY DO WE GET SUCH A THRILL out of being spooked? When I was a little kid, I loved anything that was frightening. Shows and movies like Dark Shadows, Night Gallery (yes, I'm dating myself), and even the relatively tame Disney version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow got me looking under my bed for the Headless Horseman before tucking in.

Fall Pruning

SHED Storage

Follow Us

Sweepstakes $50,000 Dream Home

Historical FLAVOR

We're captivated by this cozy Nantucket kitchen that embraces its early 20th century roots without being stuck in the past.

The Dark Side

Where moody hues and collections of curiosities make unexpectedly chic Halloween and party decor. For Gwen Hefner (@themakerista on Instagram), Halloween is a celebration of the season she's loved ever since she first read Mary Shelley's classic, Frankenstein. Her Halloween decor style is an homage to that sort of mad science but with a side of "dark academic"-- the trending social media aesthetic that puts a Gothic spin on traditional collegiate style. The look is built around idealized details associated with higher education, literature, and classical art. Dimly lit library shelves stuffed with vintage books, old paintings and collections of oddities, ornate candlesticks, and dark wood all create a sense of richness and mystery. "I want things to feel spooky and creepy but beautiful," Gwen says.

Circus STRIPES

Bold, dramatic, and unapologetically audacious, this iconic motif is stealing the show. Eye-catching stripes in flashy colors and chunky widths are the dynamic-- and slightly nostalgic--way to light up your space.

Branch out with OLIVE

Try a new vein of the green spectrum with olive tones this fall. For interior designer Kylee Shintaffer, they bring "a sense of warmth and richness," especially to rooms with moody, diffused light. From muted manzanilla to more vibrant Castelvetrano hues, "there's an earthiness that feels really grounded," she says of the verdant color she carried throughout a home in Bigfork, Montana, opposite.

62 WAYS TO STAGE YOUR HOUSE

These strategies and design tips are so good, you'll want to use them whether you're selling or not.

TREND REPORT Why we DIY-- and What Holds Us Back

Do you DIY for the endorphin boost you get from a job well done? Or to bring a project in under budget?

PUMPKIN palooza

Silly or spooky? Creative or minimalist? Which pumpkin personality will you choose? We scoured our archives to round up our favorite pumpkin decorating ideas.

I Did It!

A homeowner ups the function of her mudroom while keeping style as the star of the project. Her stenciled floor adds major impact with minimal cost.

Pet Parent Checklist

Fall is a great time to get your animal house in order. Add these tasks and appointment reminders to your to-do list. Your furry friends will thank you.

Turning on the CHARM

Designer Summer Thornton harnesses the power of ruffles; scallop edging, and mismatched patterns to create a grandparents' dream home bursting with whimsy and welcome for visiting family.

HAPPY LITTLE CAMPER

A 1930S FISH CAMP CABIN GETS A SECOND LIFE, REPRISING ITS LOVABLE CHARACTERISTICS-- THIS TIME WITH MODERN UPDATES BUILT TO LAST.

The Dark Side

1. Thoroughly wash, clean out, and dry pumpkin. Spray-paint the stem and rubber spiders gold; let dry completely. Tape off stem and spray-paint pumpkin black; let dry.

Pumpkin Palooza

Thoroughly wash, clean out, and dry all pumpkins. For foam pumpkins, remove stems if desired and hot-glue real stems in place-- they make faux pumpkins look more realistic.

Kitchen Staples Nutritionists Always Have on Hand

Poll a dozen dietitians and they'll agree that having healthy food in the house is a recipe for eating better. Staying stocked with good-for-you basics means you're more likely to cook in than get takeout. Read on for some of the key foods nutritionists rely on.

The New Rules of Breast Cancer Detection

What you need to know about risk factors, screenings, and more.

In the Know

Scientists found that women who did gentle yoga twice a week for a month lessened their back pain and improved their spine flexibility.

Eva Longoria

Inspired by her childhood and her recent role hosting CNN's Searching for Mexico, the actress and home cook shares her passion for Mexican cuisine.