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“When shopping for a ceiling fan, it’s important to consider the size, location, mounting type, and features, such as style and control of the product,” says Christy Edwards, merchant of ceiling fans at Home Depot. To help you decide which is the best ceiling fan for your home, we researched the best picks, keeping in mind the number of blades, air flow, motor speed, and safety certifications. We also consulted Christy Edwards; Sierra Fallon, lead designer at Rumor Designs; and Erin Shelton, senior brand marketing manager at Hunter Fan Company....

“When it comes to installing freestanding bathtubs, there are two major details that need to be addressed: weight of the tub and the precise stubbing for the rough plumbing,” says Chris Conoan of CJC Construction. “Most tubs come with instructions that need to be meticulously followed. Center drain freestanding tubs receive a blind plumbing connection when the tub is dropped in place, so that alignment needs to be just about perfect....

We tested 34 of the best comforters and duvet inserts in our lab in Des Moines, Iowa, to determine which ones are worth the money. Our testers spent a day evaluating the comforters by using them to make a bed, measuring the temperature underneath the covers to ensure it’s not uncomfortably hot, and spilling coffee on them to see how easy it was to remove stains. We measured the dimensions of each comforter before and after washing to make sure they didn’t shrink or lose softness over time....

To find out what to look for when shopping for the best hot tub for home use, we spoke to Eddie Karr, the CEO at Bellareed Luxury Pools, and Karen Larson, the Co-Founder of Soake Pools. “When choosing a hot tub, one should consider the experience they prefer,” says Larson. “Some hot tubs have lots of jets and bubbles and offer a ‘sit down’ experience.” According to Karr, the size of the hot tub is one of the main factors to consider, as well as the number and type of jets and their placement....

“While ‘drip coffee’ and ‘brewed coffee’ are often used synonymously, it is a half-truth,” says Bob Fish, co-founder and co-CEO at Biggby Coffee. “In short, any coffee beverage is ‘brewed coffee,’ but there are many different brewing methods like French press, pour over, and even espresso—but the drip brew method is a standard in most households.” We researched and tested dozens of drip coffee makers to determine the best of the best, evaluating each on design, performance, features, and ease of use....

One of the over 17,600 users that gave the personal heater a five-star rating lives in Iowa and left a review remarking on the state’s “freezing cold winters.” Needing a little extra heat at night, the reviewer uses the heater to heat their whole room. The process takes about an hour, but once it’s warm, the heater has no problem “maintaining the warmth all night, even when temperatures get below zero....

“As they planned this house, every holiday was thought of,” designer Carolyn Kendall of Alcott Interiors says. “Family is very important to them. Their dream house had to be a cozy place to gather.” To set the stage, Kendall and architect Ron Farris shaped rooms with timeless bones: coffered ceilings, fine millwork, mullioned windows. “The Rechters like a traditional look, so we gave them a very classic house,” Kendall says....

A brushed brass and white globe chandelier provides a clean and contemporary counterpoint to the dining room’s colorful wallpaper. Hans Wegner Wishbone chairs are a Scandinavian classic. A red pair provides jolts of color amid the wood ones. From there, Sklar simplified and modernized the 1914 traditional Colonial house interior by incorporating the tenets of Scandinavian style: embracing bright whites, maximizing natural light, and honoring clean-lined, functional forms. The style shies away from clutter but happily welcomes moments of color, like the Keatleys’ modern art, a yellow front door, and one very green bathroom....

Our Favorite Alternative to Toothpicks If you’re in the middle of making, say, your best-ever chocolate cake and you don’t have a toothpick to check cake doneness, a thin, sharp knife is our Test Kitchen’s favorite workaround. Look at your knife set and find the one with the thinnest blade. Then insert the blade into the center of the cake. If the knife comes out clean, the cake is done. If batter or crumbs stick to the blade, let your cake bake a few minutes more and retest with a clean knife....

What Is Labneh Cheese? Labneh, frequently used in Mediterranean cuisine, is made from fermented milk (plain yogurt) strained for several hours to remove all the moisture. Its consistency is similar to whipped cream cheese. Labneh can be consumed raw or cooked into dishes. It’s also packed with protein and gut-healthy probiotics. How to Make Labneh Many grocery stores now carry labneh in the dairy section, but it’s simple to make at home....

1. Moderate Weather Warm, not hot, days coupled with cool nights are the perfect forecast for establishing new plants. Spring can suddenly turn hot and dry, which often spells doom for fragile new plants. Fall weather, on the other hand, is generally more settled and more likely to stay on the cool, rainy side. 2. Fewer Pests From hungry insects to plant diseases, fall is usually quiet on the pest-patrol front....

When it comes to your wardrobe, handbags are often one of the largest investments. By keeping them tidy, you’ll avoid potential rips, tears, and stains, which is especially important if you decide to resell your items in the future. Additionally, having a dedicated storage solution for your purses means you’ll be able to view all of your bags easily and be prompted to use them more often. These beauties are meant to be seen, after all....

For a delightfully scary look, hang a wreath covered in creepy crawly faux bugs, or opt for a pretty farmhouse-style wreath decorated with orange flowers and a seasonal phrase. Whether your holiday decorating style is scary or sophisticated, we have plenty of Halloween door decoration ideas that will easily make your home the most festive on the block. Related Video

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Buy It: Nordic Ware Springform Pan ($28, Williams Sonoma) Buy It: Nordic Ware Muffin Pan with Lid ($23, Target) Related Video

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Editor’s Tip: Store the fresh evergreen in the refrigerator before use. Editor’s Tip: Use a classic gray-striped tea towel as an oversize napkin. Related Video

Editor’s Tip: Whole spices stay fresh for up to two years while ground spices have a six month shelf life. Related Video

Test Kitchen Tip: For even doneness and browning, as you grill asparagus, line up the stalks along the grill rack and roll the spears often. Buy It: OXO Prep Y-Peeler ($10, Bed Bath & Beyond) Related Video

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