Blog Posts by House Beautiful Magazine

Between making travel plans and shopping for everyone on your Christmas list, you have enough to worry about besides bedecking your house for the holidays. Avoid these common decorating mistakes for a festive - and stress-free - season!

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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

Indulgent? Oh, yes! But when it comes to these designers' dogs, nothing is too good. From an elevator to a console dog house, here's how they indulge their favorite pooches.

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10 Amazing Decorating Secrets Revealed

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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

It's often the center of household activity so why not make it bright, cheerful, and fun? Designers share their design ideas for a happy kitchen.

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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

"Relax. Have fun with it. Don't get stressed out," says the cook, TV host, and author. "With a little planning, entertaining can be an easy pleasure." Try her recipe for potpies - they make perfect hors d'oeuvres.

Makes 12 potpies

Ingredients

½ cup chicken broth, Swanson

2 cans (10 ounces each) chicken breast, drained, Hormel

8 ounces frozen mixed vegetables (corn, peas, carrots)

½ can (10.75-ounce) condensed cream of celery soup, Campbell's

1 tablespoon garlic-herb seasoning blend, McCormick

Ground black pepper

5 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed, Athens Foods

¼ cup (½ stick) butter, melted

Related: Derek Brown's American Whiskey Punch

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange 12 oven-safe espresso (demitasse) cups about two inches apart on baking sheet; set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, heat broth. Add chicken and frozen vegetables. Cook, covered, for

Say "welcome" with a flourish. Here are some of the best welcome mats we found. So stylish, it's easy to forget that they're practical, too.

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101 Easy Home Makeovers

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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

The chef of Aspen's Caribou Club shares his take on a turkey recipe to beat all turkey recipes.

Serves 12 (with leftovers)

Ingredients

For brine

1 gallon vegetable stock

1 cup cider vinegar

1 cup kosher salt

½ cup honey

1 tablespoon black peppercorns

1 cinnamon stick

1 teaspoon anise

6 bay leaves

1 gallon ice water

For turkey

12-14 pound turkey with giblets and neck

4 tablespoons butter, soft

Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Related: Devin Mills's Roasted Beet "Tartare" Recipe

For stuffed legs

½ cup Dijon mustard

3 tablespoons rosemary, chopped

3 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, chopped

3 tablespoons thyme, chopped

¼ cup brioche bread crumbs

¼ cup butter, unsalted and softened

2 teaspoons lemon zest

1 cup chicken stock

5 ounces olive oil

Butcher's string

Wooden skewers

For turkey broth

1 turkey neck

1 large carrot, peeled, chopped

1

Mixologist Derek Brown shares his recipe for American Whiskey Punch, a cocktail recipe sure to make your next party the talk of the town.

Makes one bowl of punch (about 6-8 cups)

Ingredients

1 cup sugar

2 lemons, juiced, peels reserved

16 ounces George Washington Rye Whiskey

4 cups water

Related: Devin Mills's Roasted Beet "Tartare" Recipe

Directions

1. Muddle the sugar and lemon peels.

2. Add the lemon juice and 1 cup water to sugar mixture, stirring until sugar dissolves.

3. Add the whiskey and remaining water.

4. Transfer to a large punch bowl filled with ice.

Plus: Gabrielle Hamilton's Rack of Pork With Baked Fava Beans Recipe

5. Garnish with lemon wheels, if desired.

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Round shapes, pops of color, and layers of embellishments help give these living rooms their fun, cheerful style.

See more from HouseBeautiful.com:

Amazing Designer Kitchens

Biggest Decorating Mistakes

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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.