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    Martha Stewart Living

    Martha Stewart Living

  • How to Make Fabric and Leather Organizer Baskets

    This workwear-inspired catchall is the perfect organizing accessory for your keys and phone when you get home from work or to organize the top of your dresser. Create your own using your favorite fabric and leather. More from Martha Stewart: 10 Ways to Save Energy at Home Dishwasher Dos and Don'ts 19 Tips for Perfect Laundry Every Time Martha Stewart's Ultimate Organizing Solutions

  • How (and When) to Clean an Area or Shag Rug

    Safavieh, exclusive rug partner of Martha Stewart Living, has been in the business for an incredible 100 years. Who better than the company's owner, Arash Yaraghi, to give us the bottom line on maintaining area rugs -- even the notoriously fussy shag?

  • Crystal-Clear Answers to Three Window-Washing Myths

    Come spring, I'm obsessed with cleaning -- I want to do it and do it well. Sparkling windows and mirrors are at the top of my list, and I'm always looking for ways to get the job done better and faster.

  • Floods of Inspiration: Rainy-Day Decor and Style Ideas

    Transform an inexpensive flower bucket into a nice-looking umbrella stand by painting the bottom of the bucket with glossy oil-based enamel paint. Mark the bottom third of a tall galvanized bucket (available at garden centers) with painters' tape; Swapping standard coat hooks for drawer knobs of varied shapes and sizes creates a whimsical look that will have you praying for jacket weather. Hanger bolts are threaded at both ends, and you'll need them to connect the knob to the wall.

  • 12 Spots You (Almost) Forgot to Clean

    Out of sight, out of mind -- that seems to be most folks' credo when it comes to the interiors of small appliances. For a coffeemaker, fill the carafe with equal parts water and white vinegar. You've wiped down the counters and appliances and mopped the floor, but before you pat yourself on the back for a cleaning job well done, take a look at the ventilation hood over your stove. A buildup of dust around refrigerator coils (usually found under the unit) means they're less efficient at releasing heat from the unit -- which means higher energy costs for you! Keep them dust-free and save money.

  • Brass Entryway-Organizer: That's One Good-Looking Life Hack

    The school permission slip. The envelope that needs to be posted. This back-door bulletin board organizes all of that -- and saves you precious time in the last-minute scramble as you head out the door. Ours is a basic store-bought corkboard that's been painted and outfitted with a ledge and rod (to hold larger mail), plus cup hooks (for keys). Keep the family's monthly calendar here, too, for at-a-glance reminders of doctor appointments and meetings.

  • 5 (Totally Avoidable) Mistakes You're Making when Buying Linens

    That's why she founded Leontine Linens, a couture fine-linens company that goes the extra mile to make sure clients come away with products they love -- even conducting in-home consultations. Leontine Linens designs custom items for bedrooms, bathrooms, dining rooms, and more. Each made-to-order piece -- from bath towels and bed sheets to napkins and nightshirts -- is crafted individually and meant to add a bit of luxury to everyday life. How did Leontine Linens start?

  • 3 Last-Minute (But Still Amazing) Mother's Day Gifts

    If Mother's Day snuck up on you this year (doesn't it always?), never fear! Read on for ideas to help pull together a meaningful tribute to Mom in minutes . Using scallop scissors, trim along all sides.

  • 3 Things Your Mom Actually Wants for Mother's Day

    Your mom gave you the world growing up -- and while you may not be able to repay her gift in kind, you can make her day with something more tactile. This year, skip the drugstore card and craft a symbolic gesture to show her what her many gifts meant to you.

  • How to Custom Gift Wrap a Bottle of Wine (Because You're Classy like That)

    Surprise your hostess during Passover with a bottle of kosher wine in custom gift wrap.

  • Three Julep Cup Decorating Ideas for Derby Day (or Any Day)

    I've always had a thing for julep cups. In honor of the Kentucky Derby (the mint julep's unofficial holiday), here are three of my favorite ways to use these bright and shiny vessels around the home. A julep cup makes a charming vase or centerpiece -- it looks polished, but not overthought. I love filling julep cups with candy canes in December, but they make a sweet serving vessel any time of year.

  • Are Your Emotions Turning You into a Hoarder? 3 Rational Tips to Get Organized

    Or is there another reason you're holding on to it?" asks Gail Steketee, dean of social work at Boston University. Donating objects can also serve as an emotional cushion -- giving that volume of art books to a school library is less wasteful and traumatic than leaving them at the curb.

  • Hide & Chic: The Best DIY Leather Bracelets We've Seen

    Leather bracelets work well with almost any personal style: A thin single strand looks sleek and modern, while a loose grouping of bracelets conveys a bohemian vibe. Make them yourself with little more than some basic, inexpensive cord and clasps. Soon you'll have plenty of choices to wear -- and plenty to give away as gifts.

  • Indoor Gardening Projects that Even the Blackest Thumb Can Handle

    Terrariums are the perfect year-round project. Whether you're a green thumb living in the big city, or you want to teach your kids the value of homegrown, create a one-of-a-kind craft that's guaranteed to grow your inspiration.

  • A Crystal-Clear Guide to Washing Your Windows

    Tip: For mullioned windows, use a mini hacksaw to cut a squeegee to a size slightly narrower than that of the panes. Wet a scrub brush in a mixture of warm water and mild dishwashing liquid, and run it over the mesh and frame. Wipe each slat individually with a cloth dampened in a mixture of warm water and a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid. Remove a few slats at a time, lay them flat, and wipe with a cloth dampened in a mixture of warm water and a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid.

  • Power Down: 5 Tips to Trim Your Electric Bill

    You have Energy Star appliances. What else can you do to trim your electricity bill? Choose devices that mind your energy consumption for you. Investing in a programmable thermostat that adjusts the temperature according to your daily schedule can translate into big savings, since you won't waste money on climate control when you're out.

  • 4 Egg-cellent Easter Ideas the Whole Family Will Love

    "Bunnies are, without a doubt, my favorite Easter symbol," says Kevin Sharkey, our holiday and home-design aficionado. "What's cuter than a bunny butt? That little cottontail just gets me." Get hopping on your Easter plans with this adorable napkin homage, plus more unforgettable ideas from Living's archives.

  • Egg Blowing Tips for Mess-Free, Spoil-Free Decorating

    "I don't want to say it's an obsession, but I could never have enough eggs," says Gail Lambka of Shelby Township, MI. She started by buying turkey eggs, which are stronger and larger than commercial chicken eggs, from backyard farmers and sharing them with other local pysanka artists.

  • The Bright Touch: 7 Colorful Easter Centerpieces

    Pastels may win points with traditionalists, but when it comes to Easter decor, we don't discriminate. "You don't have to forgo a happy color palette to avoid looking juvenile," says Kevin Sharkey, executive director of decorating. "It comes down to attitude. If you've created a thoughtful display, that intention will come through."

  • We Can't Believe We Never Thought of Painting Eggs This Way

    You don't need an artist's steady hand to paint these graphic stripes on Easter eggs. The trick to uniform bands is a notched cardboard box, which helps control the egg and paintbrush.