Blog Posts by Martha Stewart Living

Will Taylor has an addiction -- an addiction to color. As the market editor for Sweet Paul and The Simple Things magazines and the voice behind his award-winning blog, Bright Bazaar, Will has been documenting his passion for pinks, purples, puce, and more since 2009 and looks forward to publishing his first interior design book in 2014. Now he's bringing his hooked-on-hue attitude here with his top 20 tips for adding color to your home this summer.

Customize Your Furniture

An otherwise ordinary piece of furniture can be given a new lease on life with a quick lick of paint. You don't have to go all out -- dipped legs and painted drawer fronts are all that's needed to make an impact with this entryway console.

Color-match Your Style

If you find it hard to know how to mix different colors together, then try sticking to a simple palette of two hues. Here a simple blue and yellow scheme creates a fresh and modern look that allows you to add or subtract pieces as you discover

Martha shows you how to organize your laundry room to get the most out of a small space, and shares some of her favorite tips.

More from Martha Stewart Living:
15 Kitchen Shortcuts That Will Change the Way You Cook
19 Tips for Perfect Laundry Every Time
30 Things Everyone Should Know How to Do
10 Clever Ways to Save Space in Your Kitchen

When it comes to pairing modern style with bohemian details, Victoria Smith is the master. As the editor of the popular West Coast design and lifestyle blog sfgirlbybay, Victoria is known for representing her unique take on independent design. And ever since she got her first apartment, Victoria has been turning to Martha Stewart for inspiration.

"My early memories of Martha are of tearing out the 'Good Things' DIY instructions (before DIY was even a thing) from Martha Stewart Living magazine and keeping them in my own scrapbooks for future use. I also remember buying her Good Things and How to Decorate series of books the moment they would hit the shelves - and I'm still referring to these books to this day," Victoria says. "Martha is immensely talented and her taste is completely timeless -- that's why she's one of the women I admire most. She's not simply a trend, she's iconic."

More from Martha Stewart Living:
15 Kitchen Shortcuts That Will Change the Way You Cook
30

After a few seasons on the porch, your furnishings may start to show their age with rust marks, mildew, or stains. These general care tips will ensure that your chairs, tables, and cushions look beautiful for years to come.

Read Care Guidelines
Familiarize yourself with the manufacturer's instructions. Using unsuitable products may damage items and void the warranty.

Start With a Light Cleaning
Sweep surfaces as needed using a soft-bristle brush, and rinse with water.

Use a Gentle Cleanser
Combine 1/4 cup mild dishwashing liquid, such as Ivory, and 1 gallon warm water. Use a sponge or a soft-bristle brush to scrub the furniture's surface thoroughly. Rinse, and then pat dry with a lint-free cloth.

Avoid Harsh Treatments
Do not power- wash or use chlorine bleach, pine oil, or abrasive cleansers unless directed. Test new solutions on a hidden area.

Manage Mold
Scrub or sand lightly to remove mold, depending on the material. Wear gloves, and discard used

1. Store Smarter

Store things where you use them. Pots and pans are best kept near the range or cooktop; mixing bowls near the countertop you use for food preparation; plates, glasses, and flatware near the dishwasher.

2. Sort and Store

Group like items together -- store all bakeware in the same cupboard, all wooden spoons in the same ceramic crock, all spices in the same drawer.

Related: 10 Clever Ways to Save Space in Your Kitchen

3. Easy Access

Store your most frequently used items in the most accessible places. Keep things you use most often at eye level; store heavy items below waist level and infrequently used items on high shelves (keep a step stool within easy reach for such items) or in another area of the house. For example, if you use your oversize turkey platter only once a year, you don't need to store it in the kitchen at all. Instead, stow it on a high shelf in the garage or basement.

4. Out With the Old

Declutter yearly. Take an inventory of

Embrace the Bench

Declutter a small patio by switching out a cluster of chairs for two modern, comfortable benches upholstered in outdoor fabric. Instead of bringing in bouquets for dinner parties, try a potted plant as a permanent centerpiece.

Related: 10 Clever Ways to Save Space in Your Kitchen

Find a Hideaway

A shady green part of the garden seems a world away even though it's really just a few steps from the kitchen and all the hubbub of the backyard play area. Use a colorful low coffee table and sculptural hoop chairs instead of a traditional cafe table and folding chairs to reinforce the feeling of a mod secluded den.

Create a Dream Spot

Place a comfortable daybed on the patio instead of an ordinary and expected chaise longue. (Here, it's right off the master bedroom, so the toughest weekend decision is whether to nap inside or out.) Striped pillows echo the striated leaves of the potted cordyline flanking the door. An outdoor

You might remember Lauren Conrad from the MTV hit series "The Hills," or perhaps you recognize her face from the covers of fashion mags like "Elle," "Glamour," and "Cosmopolitan." At just 27, the L.A. resident has launched four successful fashion lines, as well as written several New York Timesbestsellers. As the current editor-in-chief of the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle site LaurenConrad.com, Lauren cites Martha Stewart as a source of inspiration. "Not only do I share Martha's passion for crafting, cooking, and entertaining, but I also have drawn a lot of inspiration from her career as I work to develop my own lifestyle brand and website."

Seashell Lights

Who better to ask for outdoor party ideas than a California native? We've asked Lauren to round up her favorite alfresco entertaining ideas.

When she entertains outdoors, Lauren likes to make sure that her lighting matches the mood of the event. "Twinkle lights are an easy way to add a summery, romantic feel to an

Out, out! Darned, spot!

You know what they say: The unsoiled life is not worth living. Fine, we made that up, but we can all agree that life is more fun when we aren't panicking over lipstick smears and condiments gone rogue. A stain can be a bummer, but don't let it ruin your day -- or your top. Get our fixes for ketchup splatters, wine dribbles, pen marks, and more.

Chopping Block

A hot stove is a hotbed for cooking-related stains. If grease is the culprit -- think butter, oil, or mayonnaise -- first, treat the area with a dry solvent. Using an eyedropper, rinse with isopropyl alcohol; dry well. Spray a dish-soap solution on any remaining residue and soak the item in an enzyme detergent before washing.

Proteins such as blood and egg require a different fix. Should a runaway yolk or a chopping mishap leave you with damages, spray a dish-soap solution on the stain and let it sit before rinsing in tepid water. If a stain remains, treat the area with an enzyme detergent and wash according to