Blog Posts by Country Living

Country Living's editor-in-chief, Sarah Gray Miller, shows how she transformed a former eyesore bathroom into a fabulously frugal retreat.

Tip 1: Color-in every sense of the word-comes from one-of-a-kind finds. The real room-changers: a funky $200 neon liquor-store sign and a horse rug, nabbed for $10 at Lincoln Auctions in Coxsackie, New York. The other vintage treasures, from stools to artwork, set me back no more than $50 a pop at local.


Tip 2: A chandelier lends delightfully unnecessary opulence. Sure, a standard light would serve the required purpose, but this over-the-top Brocade Home pendant positively sparkles.

Plus: 11 white bathrooms you'll love »






Tip 3: Splurge on the Small Stuff. This tub cost only $200 at Kingston, New York's old-fixture emporium Zaborski's. To upgrade it, I forked over around $300 for new chrome supply lines and a European-style hand shower. Worth every cent, these details function like a stunning pair of shoes, elevating the whole outfit.









Tip 4: Warm

Read More »from 7 Budget-Savvy Bathroom Makeover Tips

An interior stylist lifts the curtain on her trade secrets, revealing how to revitalize a room, lickety-split.




What You Can Do in a Day

Ever notice how houses in magazines look like real life, only, you know, better? That's because there are people whose very job it is to come in and fluff things up before a photo shoot. Among them, Country Living contributing editor Gena Sigala, who took this living room from "before" to "after" in a matter of hours. "I zero in on details that often get neglected," Sigala says. "They're the kind of finishing touches most people never quite get around to or aren't really sure how to do." Like a few artfully arranged objects on a shelf, an erudite stack of books, and - the dilemma that stumps everybody - throw pillows!

Plus: 70+ Living Rooms You'll Love »

Before: The living room was bland and washed out in white.






















A Stylist's Secrets

1. Play loose with objects to create effortlessly chic displays.
Nothing's worse than Read More »from Interior Designer's Secrets! How to Decorate a Room in a Day

Display your stars-and-stripes style with these 12 patriotic decorating ideas.

american flag1. American Flag Gate

A red-white-and-blue gate, one of two the homeowner had made to replicate one she admired in the American Folk Art Museum in New York City, welcomes visitors to her newly renovated Victorian-era house.

2. The Spirit of America

Country Living contributing editor Gena Sigala gave this living room patriotic flair with a few super-speedy makeover tips. Hint number one: Arrange throw pillows from the outside in. Everyone knows colorful pillows are the quickest change agents around - but how do you choose the right ones? And where should they sit? "I start with a large, matched pair at the ends of a sofa," Sigala says, "then work inward with smaller options in similar shades and motifs

Plus: More stylist's secrets to decorate a room in a day »










3. Subtly Patriotic

Designer Sarah Richardson decorated this master bedroom from her summer cottage in red and Read More »from 12 All-American Decorating Ideas

Inspired by turn-of-the-century celebrations, these seven joyful tributes to red, white, and blue harken to a time when impromptu hats were folded from leftover newspapers, and marching bands, firecrackers, and lawn games marked the day.

happy fourth of july sign1. Rosette Banner

Make this banner in five easy steps. You can adapt the rosettes to any size of your choosing.

Get the step-by-step instructions »

















4th of july craft hats2. Festive Paper Hat Place Cards

Fold these charming paper-hat place cards, then add colorful bands, rosettes, and toppers. Make a sparkling hat topper by coiling a metallic pipe cleaner around a pencil, then carefully inserting the pipe cleaner into the top of the hat. Print or hand-stamp a name banner and trim with pinking shears. Fold hats using newspaper or red, white, and blue crepe paper. Look for striped and dotted paper, too.

Get the step-by-step instructions »










napkin holder3. Napkin Holder

Newspaper's faded tones lend these projects vintage appeal. We used the same folding technique as the hat place cards, then

Read More »from 7 Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Crafts

Take the guesswork out of summertime grilling and serve up the tastiest, juiciest dishes every time. Plus: Our best summer grilling recipes and tips!



1. Flavor It
When it comes to backyard grilling, there are several ways to add extra flavor to your food. The quickest way is with glazes, which are syrupy coatings often made with honey, maple syrup, or molasses that are brushed on during the last few minutes of grilling. Similarly, wet and dry rubs require little preparation time. Apply these blends of herbs and spices (wet rubs incorporate moist ingredients, such as oil, mustard, and yogurt) up to a few hours before cooking to create a savory crust. To more deeply infuse foods with flavor - and tenderize them, too - immerse them in marinades that are made with acidic liquids, such as lemon juice, vinegar, and wine.

Plus: Taste test! The best BBQ sauces in the country »

Read More »from 10 Grilling Tips for Your Best Cookout Ever!

The floral designers at Manhattan's Flower School New York reveal their top 10 floral arranging tricks. (You won't believe what they do with tulips!)




1. Use Branches
Why bother with floral foam or marbles when the best arranging tool is right in your backyard? "You can use tree branches to form a backbone that will support more delicate stems," says florist Felipe Sastre. Here, Sastre crisscrossed six pear boughs and weaved in hydrangea and lisianthus, as well as lady's mantle. If your branches are alive and leafy like these, scrape the bottoms, then split them up the center a couple of inches to aid water absorption.











2. Transform Tulips
To make these common bulbs more exotic, just put your thumb under each petal and fold it back with your forefinger. "Afterward, they almost resemble camellias," says Sastre.












3. Arrange from Every Angle
"It's so much easier to arrange a bouquet on a lazy Susan," says florist Meredith Perez, "because you can turn the vase and see your display from

Read More »from How to Arrange Flowers like a Pro

No matter what kind of father you have-a dapper dad or a preppy pop; a baseball lover or a wanna-be bartender-get him a Father's Day gift he'll actually like.

See all 21 of our Father's Day gift ideas »



1. For the Dapper Dad

Dad will "talk the talk and walk the walk" with freshly buffed shoes, thanks to Izola's cleverly packaged Shoe Brush, made of lotus wood and boars' hair bristles. ($25, izola.com)

2. For the Prep

This Swiss-made quartz Royal Sussex Regiment Watch and Watchstrap easily transition between his fancy and causal duds. Gift him one strap, and he can choose from 60 different styles when he needs something new. ($210 for watch, $29 for watchstrap, smartturnout.com)

Plus: He can show his hometown pride with 7 state-shaped gift ideas »

3. For the Outdoorsman
Whether he's out on a hike or at a ball game, Dad'll appreciate a handy-and eco-friendly Ello Pure Glass Water Bottle. The non-toxic and BPA-free vessels come in Read More »from 9 Great Father's Day Gift Ideas

Country Living's resident vet, Dr. Robert Sharp, answers important health and behavior questions about your favorite dogs. (Have your own questions? Drop Dr. Sharp a line at countryliving@hearst.com)

Q: I just took in an abandoned cocker spaniel, and I'm concerned she may have heartworms. What should I be looking for?

A: Unfortunately, by the time a dog exhibits noticeable signs - a swollen abdomen, chronic cough, and lack of energy - he or she may have had heartworms for years, and the disease is probably advanced. So don't wait: The simplest way to catch the problem early involves a basic blood test your veterinarian can perform.

Plus: 70 More Pet Questions, Answered! »

Dog

Q: My goldendoodle puppy, Ranger, seems confused by the concept of fetching. How can I get him to play?

A: Most dogs love to chase stuff: squirrels, the neighbor's cat, and, of course, balls, sticks, and Frisbees. So, the first part of any game of fetch - bounding after a given

Read More »from Your Top Dog Questions, Answered!