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“Touchless faucets are designed to be easy to use, maintain, and reliable,” says Lonnie Thomas, founder of Mr. Kitchen Faucets. To find the best touchless faucets, we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind flow rate, spout height, finishes, and certifications. We also consulted Thomas for additional insight. Our pick for the very best touchless faucet is the Moen Arbor Smart Faucet Touchless Pull Down Sprayer Kitchen Faucet, due to this model’s responsive sensor, helpful voice-activated feature, and elegant finishes....

“There’s a good reason why the toaster still lives on so many countertops: It’s a simple appliance that does a great job at making comfort food even better,” says Christine Pittman, cookbook author and blogger at Cook the Story. When shopping for the best toasters, you’ll want to consider not just the size and number of slots on the appliance, but also the number of shade settings it offers. This allows you to choose how dark you’d like your toast to be and change the settings if you’re using a bagel, an English muffin, or a different type of bread....

“I think this handheld vacuum gets used more frequently than any other cleaning tool in my household—between myself and my partner, we use it at least once a day,” said Brittney Morgan, Associate Editorial Director. “It’s the perfect vacuum for cleaning up crumbs, rogue cat litter, and other small messes, and it doesn’t feel like a hassle to bring it out for every little cleaning task like my stick vacuum would....

In recent years, interior design has become her muse and a natural segue for more creative expressions. “I see design as a storytelling opportunity,” Claire says. “When you have a story line for a space, it’s so much easier to stay on track and not muddy the narrative. It keeps you focused. It’s like a gut check: This is what we’re doing; this is the mandate.” With that in mind for one of her recent projects—a new home for the young family of a custom builder—she developed this scenario to drive the design: “Old-world Europe lands in Westside Los Angeles....

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Types of Wood-Burning Fireplaces You might find a wood-burning fireplace already built into the structure of a historic or Colonial home. However, many custom-built homes are also enhanced by a traditional fireplace in a great room or family dining space. Wood-burning fireplaces offer warmth and ambiance. They are a natural focal point and a favorite gathering spot during harsh winters. These are some types of wood-burning fireplaces: Open-Hearth Fireplace: These traditional fireplaces have a wide opening, without a glass cover, and frequently feature a stone or brick facade....

Create a unique water garden and enjoy a host of backyard benefits. All water features beckon wildlife—from songbirds to foxes—to your landscape and provide a valuable water source for the creatures. Add a fountain to your garden, and you’ll enjoy the music of moving water. A pond will quickly become home to frogs, dragonflies, and other creatures. Stock it with fish and enjoy their graceful movements. Ready to get started?...

“I save around $100 a month,” says Ja-ne de Abreu, author of Sassy Food, on growing veggies at home. “Sometimes more depending on the season and trades. Regardless of the money, it is fun and brings me and my family peace.” Of course, your individual bottom line will depend on factors like how many vegetables you’re growing, the space, and the type of materials. An Investopedia report on gardening costs notes that some of the expenses to expect when starting your own vegetable garden are the cost of the plants or seeds, nutrient-rich soil additives such as compost, specialized tools, and utilities such as water for your crops....

You pronounce “chiffonade” like shif-uh-nahd or shif-uh-neyd; both are acceptable. Cutting an herb or leafy greens into a chiffonade is not only attractive but helps release flavor. The technique also makes quick work of chopping. You’ll most commonly see chiffonade called for when using basil, but you can also use it for salads and other dishes. How to Chiffonade The only tools you’ll need to chiffonade basil or any other leafy green ingredients are a chef’s knife and a cutting board....

So what’s the difference between a sofa table and a console? While today, the two items are often interchangeable, their original purpose differs slightly. A sofa table was traditionally only placed behind a large seating piece, such as a sofa, in a formal room. The table was narrow and rectangular in shape, but slightly lower than a console because its height needed to correspond with the back of a sofa....

Planning Your Appetizer Party Menu To guarantee a diverse appetizer spread, serve a combination of easy appetizers that satisfy several of the following food categories: Garden: Typically healthy appetizers made with fruit or vegetables (raw, cooked, or stuffed). Starch: Hearty, starchy appetizer recipes, such as finger sandwiches, pizza, and dumplings, are all part of this family. Bruschetta, breadsticks, crackers, and rolls are also mainstays. Protein: Serve meat or fish dishes, such as meatballs, chicken wings, or sushi, to give your guests protein....

Many of these clever cleaning hacks use everyday household items, such as cooking spray, vinegar, and nail polish, so you can clean and sanitize your space with things you already have on hand. So the next time you’re on scrub duty, try these clean bathroom hacks to get a sparkling space in less time. 1. Clean Your Toilet with Vodka Not the good stuff, of course! Instead, look to that cheap bottle of vodka that’s been occupying your bar cart for far too long and use it to make your toilet shine....

Editor’s tip: Make these ornaments without hanging loops (as shown) to use as package decorations. Draw a mitten shape onto a piece of paper; cut out. Use the pattern to cut the top mitten layer from wool felt. Related Video

Growing Conditions: Shade, part sun, or full sun in well-drained, consistently moist soil Size: Up to 6 feet tall Growing Conditions: Full to part shade in well-drained, evenly moist soil Size: Up to 3 feet tall Growing Conditions: Full shade to full sun in well-drained, moist soil Size: Up to 3 feet tall Growing Conditions: Full to part shade in well-drained, consistently moist soil Size: Up to 12 inches Growing Conditions: Full shade to full sun in dry, well-drained soil Size: Up to 12 inches tall Growing Conditions: Full to part shade in consistently moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 3 feet tall Growing Conditions: Full shade to full sun (depending on variety) in well-drained, consistently moist soil Size: Most varieties will stay between 18 and 30 inches tall, but some can reach up to 3 feet Growing Conditions: Full to part shade in well-drained, consistently moist soil Size: Up to 3 feet tall Growing Conditions: Full to part shade in well-drained, consistently moist soil Size: Up to 3 feet tall Growing Conditions: Full shade to full sun in well-drained soil Size: Up to 6 inches tall Test Garden Tip: Violas may be short-lived perennials in some areas, though they’re often grown as annuals....

Ask any Mexican cook, “how do you make mole?” You’ll realize that mole can be made in countless different ways. For this recipe that uses a lot of tomato paste, we feature that ingredient, plus chile peppers, diced tomatoes, toasted almonds, onion, garlic, coriander, salt, cinnamon, and bittersweet chocolate. (Trust the process!) Those final two warming and sweet elements really accentuate the umami tomatoes and chicken. Once you’ve tried the chicken mole tostada-style, give it a go in tacos, enchiladas, burrito bowls, and tortas....

Test Kitchen Tip: We call for a splash of rosé in the granita recipe, but when you’re seeking an alcohol-free option, perk it up with sparkling cider instead. Buy It: Sara Lee Pound Cake ($6, Target) Buy It:Mother’s Circus Animal Cookies ($5, Target) Buy It: Wood Popsicle Sticks ($7, Walmart) Related Video

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Buy It: Crock-Pot 5-Quart Cast-Iron Dutch Oven with Lid ($70, Target) Buy It: Calphalon Roaster with Rack ($70, Bed Bath & Beyond) Related Video

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