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For the most bang for your bucks, look for pieces that add function and beauty. For example, a set of linen curtains (shown here) is a protective element that also looks lovely. 

Your family talent show can be as elaborate or as simple as you like. This might mean sets, costumes, an original script, and live music—or none of that at all. If your kids aren’t born performers, encourage those with stage fright to direct, built a set, or choose costumes.

You can build or rent an actual photo booth for your party (the kind where you go in, draw a curtain and say cheese) or create a photo-taking backdrop where they can gather and strike a pose. Either option is exciting, but the backdrop works better for big group photos. Whatever way you do it, remember to add plenty of props to keep the photo booth fun going all night....

Here are 20 low-light indoor plants that will do well, even if your windows don’t provide bright light. Light: Partial shade to full shade Water: Moderate to high moisture Color Varieties: Green stalks and leaves Light: Partial shade Water: Moderate moisture Color Varieties: Green or variegated foliage Light: Partial shade to full shade Water: Moderate moisture Color Varieties: Green or variegated foliage Light: Partial shade Water: Moderate moisture Color Varieties: Deep green foliage with gray-green stripes Light: Full shade Water: Moderate moisture Color Varieties: Green foliage Light: Partial shade to full shade Water: Moderate moisture Color Varieties: Dark green foliage Light: Partial shade to full shade Water: Moderate moisture Color Varieties: Dark green foliage Light: Partial shade to full shade Water: Moderate to high moisture Color Varieties: Dark green foliage, white flowers Light: Partial shade to full shade Water: High moisture Color Varieties: Medium green foliage Light: Partial shade to full shade Water: Moderate moisture Color Varieties: Dark green foliage Light: Partial shade Water: Moderate moisture Color Varieties: Green foliage Light: Partial shade Water: Moderate to high moisture Color Varieties: Red, pink, or white flowers Light: Partial shade to full shade Water: Moderate to high moisture Color Varieties: Dark green to silver foliage Light: Partial shade Water: Moderate moisture Color Varieties: Cream flowers Light: Partial shade to full shade Water: Moderate to high moisture Color Varieties: Deep green leaves with yellow and red markings Light: Partial shade to full shade Water: Moderate moisture Color Varieties: Green and silver leaves Light: Partial shade Water: Moderate moisture Color Varieties: Green foliage Light: Partial shade Water: Moderate to high moisture Color Varieties: Red, pink, or white flowers Light: Partial shade Water: Moderate moisture Color Varieties: Green foliage Light: Partial shade Water: Moderate moisture Color Varieties: Spotted leaves in pink, green, purple, red, white

Considerations Whether you are building a walkway from scratch or redoing an existing one due to worn materials or a poor design, you’ll need to plan, research, and survey the site before forging a new path. Among things to think about: Budget: A path doesn’t have to cost a lot to look good. Sometimes simple and basic is the best solution.Architectural Style: Choose something that goes with the architectural design or period of your house....

While shopping can be fun, filling your child’s walls with amazing, one-of-a-kind art and décor might be harder than you think, especially if you’re working with a tight budget. Struggling to pull your little girl’s room together? Try thinking outside of the box. There’s a whole world of creative ideas beyond the pretty picture frame and standard gallery. Why not buy a vibrant tapestry to mount on the wall, or better yet, make your own textile wall hanging?...

Whether it’s an organic wood finish, a DIY paint job, or a custom design that uses unexpected materials and/or shapes, here are some bathroom cabinet ideas to help you elevate your space.

Although the tree blooms in spring, it’s the palmate leaves with five-, seven-, or nine-toothed finger-like leaves that offer the real appeal. The foliage offers striking color throughout the growing season, becoming even more beautiful with the fall color change. ‘Sango Kaku’ is prized as one of the prettiest Japanese maple trees for its changing foliage but also bright coral bark, which gives this tree its striking contrast all year round....

Whether you’re lucky enough to have a beautiful grand staircase in your home or not, you can easily dress up your staircase to elevate the design in your home. From a few simple touches to ideas on how to use the space underneath your staircase, we share our favorite ideas to help elevate your home’s design.

Deck railings can be made out of a wide variety of materials like wood, metal, or aluminum. Some materials are easier to clean and maintain than others so keep that in mind before you get one installed. An interesting look is to combine different materials to make the railing really stand out. You’ll also want to think about whether you’re looking for a railing that stands out or one that blends in with the scenery....

Since you’re DIYing these projects, you can customize them to go in your bathroom—sizes and colors can all be changed to your liking. You’ll love that your bathroom has some unique features that you can’t get anywhere else. Here are 35 DIY bathroom ideas to inspire your next project. Bathtub Tray from My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia DIY Bathroom Rug from Somewhat Simple Living Reclaimed Wood and Pipe Bathroom Shelves from Remodelaholic Footed Vanity Tray from Homey Oh My Painted Mason Jar Bathroom Organizer from A Cultivated Nest Wash Your Hands Sign from That’s What Che Said Wine Cork Bath Mat from Sustain My Craft Habit Bathroom Mirror Frame from Cherished Bliss Wood Dowel Toilet Paper Holder from The Merrythought Leather and Copper Makeup Organizer from A Beautiful Mess Rustic Wood Valance from Jenna Sue Design Co....

Succulents and Cacti First of all, a common misconception is that cacti and succulents are very different. Technically, cacti fall under the category of succulents. All cacti are succulents but not all succulents are cacti. We spoke with @theplantrescuer Sarah Gerrard-Jones to dispel myths about succulents and get tips for caring for them successfully. Tip 1: They Don’t Thrive in the Dark. They Need Bright Light (or They Can Get Really Stretched Out) “Even the brightest room in our home can be 50% darker than outside so giving succulents the right amount of light can be challenging,” said Gerrard-Jones....

If you realize you need a specific spice in the middle of cooking, rummaging through an unorganized pantry is the last thing you need. Keep your pantry clean and organized so that you can find anything you need in a pinch, using these ideas as a guide as you dive into your pantry organization projects. While you’re at it, label practically everything in your pantry. Labels help you stay organized....

Most of us just want to get housework done in the shortest amount of time possible with the best results for our efforts. To help you get a bit more organized, here are the top five cleaning mistakes that you are probably making. Make some changes to your cleaning routine and you’ll get the job done more quickly and have more time to enjoy your clean home. The same principle applies to almost any cleaning job....

Venting in High-Efficiency Furnaces The main difference between a conventional furnace and a condensing furnace is the heat exchanger technology used to extract heat from the combustion process and exhaust the combustion gases. Visually, you can usually identify a condensing furnace because the exhaust gases will exit your home through a relatively small PVC pipe, rather than the large metal exhaust flue found in conventional furnaces. Often, you will see two PVC pipes extending from the furnace through the sidewall or roof of your home—one is the air intake vent, the other the exhaust vent....

Don’t worry if you don’t think that you like the scent of lavender. The store-bought variety of items with a fake lavender scent don’t hold a candle to the rich, heady scent of real lavender buds. If you didn’t grow lavender in your garden this year, it is readily available at any herb shop and tends to be pretty inexpensive. Only use tightly formed buds, however, as the scent will last longer that way....

Still, for all its benefits, this sometimes-moody shade can be tricky to work with. Done well, a gray space can be sophisticated and serene. But if you’re not careful, your nursery could end up looking flat or dreary. Wondering how to make your gray nursery shine? Polish your design plan with these five simple tips. To keep your nursery space looking bright and cheery, choose a soothing blue-gray in a light to medium shade, or opt for a pale shade of “greige....

Design is a powerful language that allows people to communicate who they are as individuals and tell their story through the unique pieces they have chosen to be a part of their home. For Nana Quagraine, founder of 54kibo, that design is an unspoken language which is understood by everyone. “If we see something beautiful, we all get it,” says Quagraine. “It’s a universal language.” As a way to spark meaningful conversations about African design and the history behind it, Quagraine created 54kibo to share the elaborate craftsmanship of African designers....

Fall decor can be as simple as bringing the outdoors inside by hanging a DIY wreath made of vibrant fall leaves on the inside of a window, decorating the mantel with a seasonal garland, arranging a display of pumpkins in the entryway, or padding your bed, couch, windowseat, or armchairs with extra throw pillows and blankets in rich fabrics and autumnal shades. You can also use the changing of the seasons as inspiration for a bigger interior design project or transformation, whether that means painting a room in a moody shade or incorporating dark florals or plaids in wallpaper or upholstery....

Unlike a raised wood deck, a patio floor is usually covered with poured concrete that might be painted or left unfinished, decorative tiles, or stone. The patio might be covered to provide partial cover from too much sun or rain. Or it might be a large uncovered open space that includes built-in living, dining, lounging, entertainment or kitchen zones. A patio might be made up of a single block of concrete, or stone pavers edged with grass for a contemporary look....