Author: Kim Cook

The yin and yang of spring make it such an interesting season. After the brutal bite of winter, even a gloomy spring day can lift our spirits with warmer breezes and an emerging palette of delicate hues – those first tinges of new greens, a fuzzy gray bud, a brushstroke of crocus blue. Then, as…

Earthy hues that blend into the landscape tend to dominate the outdoor furniture market. Understated woods, metals and cushions are easy-to-incorporate neutral elements. But outdoor spaces also offer the chance to be more adventurous than we are inclined to be indoors. Maybe bolder balconies and peppier patios on your redecorating radar? “Vibrant color has dominated…

With the advent of tablets, cellphones and e-readers, could the book-lined home library go the way of the formal dining room? Not a chance, designers and retailers say. Digital and print books can co-exist, says House Beautiful’s editor-in-chief Newell Turner. “When there’s an endless river of (digital) content, the words, text and images we choose…

Do your young ones balk at bedtime? Get gnarly at naptime? There are plenty of products aimed at parents looking to create the right mood in the nursery to send little ones off to sleep. Parents of wakeful or colicky babies should talk with their pediatrician. And the first rule is not to put anything…

It’s one thing to have a beautiful, comfy bed. But what if it also included a TV screen, game console and dimmable, color-changing lights? Or say you’ve got just enough room in your apartment for a credenza or speakers, but not both. How about one piece that includes both – and a whole media system?…

Home beer and spirit-making have become popular hobbies. Bars and beverage stores feature a growing range of artisanal spirits and craft brews. Cocktail parties are back in vogue. And retailers are responding to all this imbibing by offering furniture, barware and accessories with cosmopolitan flair. “Nowadays, entertaining does not have to mean having a glitzy…

For baby boomers, noise matters. “Decreased tolerance for loud sounds is a fairly common symptom of age-related hearing loss, as the range of comfortable listening levels seems to shrink,” says Ted Madison, an audiologist in St. Paul, Minn., and a representative of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Beyond creating stress and annoyance, loud noises can cause…

More personal, more inventive. Those are the dominant trends in wedding receptions, experts say, in an era when brides have all the online resources to plan, share and often produce their own affairs. Many are drawn to something beyond the traditional banquet/speeches/garter throw-and-go reception. Pins and plans Sites such as Project Wedding, The Knot, Wedding…

he neon brights that peppered the 1980s are back, in fashion and d?or. Highlighter hues and glow-in-the-dark tints provide a shot of adrenaline after a few seasons of mellow, mushroom-y color palettes. Of course, these colors aren’t for everyone. But if you’re ready to play, here are some options and expert advice on how to…