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Whether you’re on the market to buy or sell, here’s what you can expect during an open house. What Is an Open House? Open houses are held to generate interest, attract potential buyers, and help the agent selling the home, says Hao Li, broker with HouseSigma, an AI-powered online brokerage. “When a seller lists a property for sale, the seller’s agent will often hold an open house where anyone who’s interested can come inside and tour the home at their own leisure,” Li says....

Trees with Spiky Seed Pods If you’ve encountered some round, spiny balls under a tree or maybe still on the plant, and you’re wondering what it could be, it’s likely one of several options: buckeye/horsechestnut (Aesculus), chestnut (Castanea), or sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua). All are common landscape trees and produce spiky pods around their seeds. The spines help protect the seeds from being eaten by critters like birds and squirrels. Here’s what each of the pods looks like....

1. Space-Efficient Cleaning Closet Utility items that are usually relegated to the garage fit neatly inside a cleaning closet if they can be collapsed flat for storage. Arrange items like a collapsible bucket ($13, Target), a folding stool, and a floor sweeper on the inside of your cabinet door, then hang low-profile hooks to hold each item. Store supplies like mop pads and cleaning solutions on nearby shelves to make everything easy to retrieve....

Test Kitchen Tip: Like a smokey flavor in your Christmas roast? Substitute the same amount of smoked paprika for the regular paprika. Test Kitchen Tip: No need for a special popover pan, these puddings bake in a muffin tin. Related Video

To create standout room arrangements, choose an eclectic mix of furnishings and accessories that are noticeably lighter or darker than the deep color on the walls. Place light-hued upholstered furniture, shapely lampshades, and salvaged architectural elements against dark walls to give the room a sense of lightness. In this brown-walled room, look-at-me orange demands consideration. Presented as blocks of solid color, in a wildly patterned artwork, and as a statuesque shelving unit, orange supplies a refreshing counterpoint to the room’s more staid walls....

Moveable Islands Kitchen islands are on the move, with wheels that allow homeowners to push, pull, and play with this once-stationary item. Tucked to the side, an island offers surface area but allows square footage for larger groups to gather. Moved to another room, an island becomes an instant buffet table or dining extension. Unique Storage Containers Storage of even just 10 years ago were reliably plastic and unattractive. But personality-driven decor has infiltrated even the most basic of storage solutions, giving homeowners the freedom to use that which is artful and useful....

Test Kitchen Tip: To ensure your gluten-free cookies are a success, follow our recipe for multipurpose gluten-free flour mix. This blend is how the recipes were developed and is the ideal cup-for-cup substitute for most recipes calling for all-purpose flour. Test Kitchen Tip: Keep a batch of any of our gluten-free cookies in the freezer for late-night sugar cravings. Related Video

Whether you’re a canning master or just starting out, we have plenty of jelly and jam recipes to preserve your produce. Classics like strawberry jam make an appearance, but we imagine our fun jam flavor combinations are going to really entice you. Test Kitchen Tip: Always thoroughly wash fruits and veggies before using them in your recipes. Bonus: chia seeds are a great source of fiber, protein, and healthy omega-3 fatty acids....

Dip-Dyed Projects Done Right Learn Essential Embroidery Stitches Related Video

Editor’s Tip: Displaying your carved pumpkin outside? Get our must-have tips for making your pumpkins last longer. Editor’s Tip: If you’re creating a painted Halloween pumpkin, use long-lasting acrylic paint. Editor’s Tip: When prepping your pumpkin for carving, clean at least 1/2-inch of flesh from the inside of the pumpkin. This allows more light to glow through the etched areas—like this pumpkin’s eyes. Related Video

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Green can be bold or subtle, refined or vibrant. From pistachio green to vibrant chartreuse, the color gives any kitchen a fresh look. And with so many shades, green works with practically every kitchen style, including traditional, modern, rustic, and more. Whether you’re planning a kitchen makeover or you’re just looking to add a pop of color, here are some green kitchen ideas you won’t want to miss. Related How to Install a Barn Door...

As cut flowers, hydrangeas completely steal the show in any vase. Besides their beauty, these blooms have a few unique characteristics that you can use to enjoy your hydrangeas more. Try these simple tricks to change the color of your hydrangea flowers, revive them when they wilt and dry them so you can always have them around, even in winter. 1. Change the Color of Your Hydrangea Flowers If you’ve got a pink-flowered bigleaf hydrangea that you want to turn blue, or perhaps vice versa, then a little chemistry can help you achieve the hue you desire....

According to Brown, a few items you probably already have at home will tackle grime, but the trick is to keep it from coming back. “The secret to keeping your faucets looking nice is cleaning them daily,” says Brown. Remove water spots and buildup with the tips below, then apply regular TLC to keep them looking clean. “Remember to always dry the faucets and knobs after use to prevent water with trace minerals drying on them....

Test Kitchen Tip: Store this make-ahead St. Patrick’s Day dessert in the refrigerator for up to two weeks before serving. Test Kitchen Tip: Make the sauce for this Irish dessert up at least 24 hours before serving! Related Video

Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and evenly moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 2 feet tall Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and evenly moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 2 feet tall Buy It: Spearmint Plant 2-Pack ($13, The Home Depot) Special Note: Test for any allergy first by rubbing the leaves on a quarter-size patch of skin on your inner forearm. If after a day or so there’s no irritated reaction, it’s likely safe for you to rub away....

Even with familiar ways of celebrating—such as roasting a huge turkey or hosting a gathering of extended family and friends—it’s always a perfect time to start a few new Thanksgiving traditions. These family-friendly ideas are good for all ages and family sizes. So whether you’re cooking dinner for two or twenty, consider picking up one (or two) of these sweet ways to make Thanksgiving even more special. Personalize the Table Going all-out on table decorations will make each guest feel welcome and special....

Just snip 4- to 6-inch long stems from any of the following plants, remove any leaves from the bottom half, and place the bare stems in water. Keep the cuttings on a sunny windowsill and change the water every few days. If you intend to plant them, once the roots are a couple of inches long, move your cuttings into containers of potting mix. Related Video

But no need to melt into a puddle of worry—yes, even with prime pie and cookie season just weeks away. Ahead, we’ll explain why a butter shortage might be imminent, plus how to adjust savory and sweet recipes to account for any ingredient swaps required. While nothing can fully replace the flavor of our beloved Irish butter, we do have some very serviceable substitutes if you can’t find butter in the supermarket refrigerator case....

When choosing the best snowblower for you, it’s important to consider how much snow you usually get, the type of snow (heavy and wet or powdery and dry), and the surface area you need to clear. There are two basic types of snowblowers to choose from: single-stage and two-stage models. This refers to the mechanism used to gather up the snow on the ground. A single-stage snowblower uses an auger (a corkscrew-like part) to draw in the snow and channel it into the discharge chute....