Blog Posts by House Beautiful Magazine

Updating your kitchen? We asked designer Mick De Giulio - who designed his first kitchen when he was 19 and has 3,000 projects under his belt - to give us a list of what he thinks are the essentials. Kitchen by Mick De Giulio.
1. Natural Light

Look for ways to maximize light, from eliminating cabinets next to windows to using transparent or reflective materials like glass and stainless steel.

Related: Beautiful Designer Bedrooms

2. Comfort
I like to incorporate soft seating, a TV, and - when I can - a fireplace, to make the kitchen the coziest place in the house.

Kitchen by Mick De Giulio.

3. Visual Texture
It's the mix of woods, countertop materials, and finishes that creates warmth, personality, and mood.

See More: Kitchen of the Year 2011

4. Stainless Steel
The consummate neutral, it looks great with everything and will never go out of style. I love its organic quality - it develops a well-worn patina over time.

Related: 10 Easy Closet Cleaning Tips

5. An Island
If space allows,

Read More »from 11 Things Every Kitchen Should Have

A boho jewelry box, a modern alarm clock, charitable mugs and more fun, affordable finds to give this year.

House Beautiful1. Beautiful Candle

This natural wax candle burns cleanly for 60 hours, leaving behind nothing but the wonderful Woodfire scent. Once the candle is finished, the painted container doubles as a pencil or makeup brush holder.

Holloway Ceramic candle in Woodfire. $20. Illume.


Related: Colorful Kitchens

House Beautiful2. Charitable Mugs

These mugs have a hand-painted feel and are generously sized for your morning joe or afternoon tea. A whopping 50 percent of each design benefits a different charitable organization (ASPCA, Teach for America, Boys & Girls Club of America, St. Jude Children Research Hospital, and more) so you can feel good about giving.
Mugs. $10 each. West Elm.

3. Personalized Wine
Who doesn't need a few extra bottles of wine around the holidays? (For last-minute giving, of course.) Millbrook Winery, located in the picturesque Hudson Valley, creates great Read More »from The Best Holiday Gifts for Under $25

The newest tech gifts for everyone on your list, from a digital coloring book for your young artist to a portable DJ station for your music-obsessed teen.


House Beautiful1. Fisheye, Macro, Wide Angle and Telephoto Phone Lenses

Even the best camera phones have limited abilities when it comes to snapping digital images. This set of three stick-on lenses provides fisheye (for warping effect), macro (for small details), wide angle (for panoramic nature) and 2x telephoto (for distance) capabilities. Just affix the removable magnetic ring over your camera, and the interchangeable glass lenses snap on and off. Even has a cutout for the flash on your new iPhone 4S.
Three for $49. photojojo.com.

See More: 20 Fun Finds from the Hardware Store

House Beautiful2. Griffin Crayola ColorStudio HD

Kids love to color, paint, draw, and scribble, but the detritus can be a handful. This app, the Crayola ColorStudio HD from Griffin, turns your iPad into a coloring book/sketch pad, complete with Crayola crayons, paints, pencils,Read More »from 5 Cool Gadget Gift Ideas Under $100

She was known for captivating an audience with her sultry screen persona, violet eyes, and tumultuous relationships, but how did legendary actress Liz Taylor live when the cameras weren't rolling? Here's a glimpse inside the places she called home throughout the years.



1. Childhood Home in the 1930s
Heathwood, her Georgian-style childhood house in Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, boasted 5,082 square-feet including six bedrooms, servant's quarters, and a tennis court. Designed by architect Matthew Dawson in 1926, it was previously home to artist Augustus John. When Elizabeth Taylor's family moved in, John's paintings remained up on the walls.

Related: Living Rooms You'll Love

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2. Her Family Home in Beverly Hills, 1940s
Holding her chipmunk, Nibbles, the 13-year-old child star poses in her childhood bedroom. Two riding saddles and tack add Equestrian stye, while sheer, ruffled curtains hang in the windows.
Related: 20 Decorating Secrets



3. Dressing Table, 1940s
In the corner of her

Read More »from A Look Inside the Homes of Elizabeth Taylor

From a sailor swearer to a stockpot, we've found 15 unique adornments for your tree, window, or mantel.

ornament1. Double Glass Sphere
Inside each clear glass globe is a pretty, unexpected pop of color.
In green, $12. West Elm.

Related: Tour An Open, Casual California Home










ornament2. Silent Night

A macabre twist on the holiday, this limited-edition silver glass bulb features a noir photograph by artist Barbara Sullivan.
Four-piece set, $60. Artware Editions

Related: Quick and Easy Makeover Ideas




ornament3. Silver Wishbone

Simple and elegant, this ornament is a graceful take on the good-luck tradition.
$15. VivaTerra.

Related: Expert Kitchen Tips and Ideas








ornament4. Owl
What a hoot. A hand-painted glass bird seems both whimsical and wise.
Set of two. $24. Jayson Home.

Related: 101 Pretty Plates










ornament5. Mistletoe Globe

In glittering gold, this design is an eye-catching addition when hanging on a tree or window.
$49. Michael Aram.

Related: 12 Cozy Fall Decorating Ideas








ornament6. Vintage Octagon

The unusual shape of this

Read More »from Dazzling Christmas Ornaments to Deck Your Tree

Designers, chefs, and entertainers extraordinaire share tips on making guests feel welcome over the holiday season.

House Beautiful1. Light Candles or Spices
"A good smell in the air is an unconscious cue to everyone that they're expected, that something good is in store for them, that they're going to be taken care of. Sometimes I burn rosemary in the fireplace, or put it in a cast-iron pan, light it on fire, and walk around the house with the pan, letting the smoke and scent go all over the house." -Alice Waters

Related: 20 Decorating Secrets

Read More »from 5 Expert Tips to Wow Holiday Guests at the Door

Contributing Editor Frances Schultz redid her dining room - and shares tips on how she did it - for an unbelievable transformation.


BEFORE: The dining room had yellow paint and nice architectural details.

Related: 12 Romantic Bedrooms


AFTER: The finished space works as both a dining room and a sort of library room. "Even if dinning rooms are seldom used, they're so lovely to have. Yet the single-purpose, formal dining room doesn't suit the way so many of us actually live," says Schultz.

See More: Best Designer Kitchens


TIPS:

1. Add Wainscoting
Wainscoting gives a small room presence. Different treatments above and below a chair rail add another layer of interest and texture to the room.

See more: See France's Bedroom Makeover

2. Play with Scale
Don't be afraid of using big pieces in small rooms; they enhance the sense of spaciousness and scale. Big mirrors are especially effective.

3. Use Multiples
Hang art (like my botanical prints) floor to ceiling, whether wall space is limited

Read More »from Amazing Before & After: A Dining Room Transformation

Little tricks - from hand-written place cards to using unexpected color - can help make for a memorable meal.

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1. Try Untraditional Colors

The classic color combo of blue and white adds a fresh feel for fall. "Autumnal colors just pop against a blue and white tablecloth. For the flowers, I took the oranges, yellows, and reds of the fruit for inspiration," says Carolyne Roehm. Tableware from Carolyne's personal collection.

Related: 12 Romantic Bedrooms

2. Use Bud Vases

Break up a large bouquet and place each flower stem in a separate vase. "I do lots of single-bud bouquets, placed so you see the person sitting opposite you - so important," says Janice Feldman, the founder of Janus et Cie. Sambonet flatware. Henry Dean tumblers. Venetian glassware is Feldman's own.


See More: Best Designer Kitchens

3. Highlight a Unique Centerpiece

Centerpieces don't have to be a floral arrangement. "I select artifacts my children or I have collected. These pieces have a richness of Read More »from 5 Ways to Make Your Thanksgiving Table More Special