Wow Home Idea

Getty I used to dread when it was time to clean the house with my kids at the end of a long day. Overwhelmed, my children would look at the toys scattered all across the floor, and they just refused to do it. Tantrums ensued. But we had a dilemma: The floors needed to be clean. For the sake of my sanity, I wanted the toys back where they belonged if only for a few hours every day, after the kids went to bed. And there was also a point to be made about teaching children to clean up after themselves. I refused to do it for them, and besides, as a mother who works from home, didn't I have enough to do? Mostly, though, my problem was that I am lazy when it comes to cleaning. I can work for hours and invest a lot of time in things that interest me. My brain is always a whirling with activity. But there is one thing I detest, and that is cleaning. As a mother, I spend a lot of time doing just that, and it feels like such a waste of time. Cleaning provokes a rage in me that I didn'...

Humble Heart Farms If you often find yourself daydreaming about leaving your day job behind to embrace a simpler life, then boy, do we have the perfect opportunity for you. Paul and Leslie Spell are leaving their goat farm and creamery, Humble Heart Farms in Elkmont, Alabama, to start over — but first they need to find a new owner to succeed them. Lucky for all you goat lovers out there, instead of selling the farm, they've decided to host an essay contest to give it away to one deserving new owner. According to the contest website, there are two things keeping folks from owning a goat farm — opportunity and finances. It takes a lot of time and effort to establish a business with loyal customers, and that's why Paul and Leslie say they've decided to host the contest. In addition to a $$$ entry fee, all you have to do is explain why you are the perfect person to keep the farmstead going in 200 words or less, and you may be on your way to Alabama. The winner will receive ...

JULIEN CAPMEIL When accent walls started trending a few years ago, it seemed like a passing fad. But the trend has proven it has staying power — not everyone is happy about it. ELLEDecor.com asked two experts for their take. Here's what interior designer and stylist Mariella Cruzado, and Jute interior designer Alison Davin say are the biggest pros and cons of punctuating a room with one stand-out wall. PROS: They can make small spaces feel bigger.  Accent walls are a clever way to fake space in cramped quarters, especially when you use deep hue, like black. "One wall painted with a rich, dark color creates visual depth in a room, making it feel larger," Cruzado says. The limited scale allows for endless styling options.  There are so many ways you can approach this trend, including "painting and papering," according to Davin. But different tex...

When you're stuck with what you've got, these fixes make that dingy beige a lot more bearable. Style By Emily Henderson Cover It Up This solution seems obvious, and yet eludes many — a rug on top of a rug? You betcha. It's the fastest (and cushiest way) to add a new color and cover the carpeting you don't love. Life On Virginia Street Change Your Wall Color Though it covers the entire floor, your carpet isn't actually the dominant color in the room. Brightening your walls, like this blogger did, can temper a too-tan rug (or at least help you see your carpet in a new light). A Thoughtful Place Paint Your Ceiling Pink A pink ceiling bathes you (and everything in the room, dated rug included) in a flattering warm hue — just like literally peering through rose-colored glasses. Style Within Reach Add Lots of Texture A metallic pouf, a jute rug, a wire side table, an angular gallery wall — one peek at all this fun stuff (in complementary neutral hues), and you ba...

Getty If that home-brewed morning cup isn't quite as satisfying as the one can buy at the coffee shop down the street, chances are you're not using your coffeemaker properly. But, by avoiding the following blunders, you can say farewell to stale, bitter cups of coffee. 1. Using warm water and old grounds Make sure it's cold and they're fresh. Anything else will make your coffee taste stale. 2. Not using enough coffee  According to the coffee experts at the SpecialtyCoffee Association of America, you should be using 2 tablespoons of coffee grinds for every 6 ounces of water. 3. Ignoring your dirty coffeemaker Be sure to clean all parts of your coffeemaker, especially the ones that come in contact with the grinds.This will eliminate the oily residue that is often left behind and can affect the flavor of your coffee. 4. Never descaling your coffeemaker Just like in other appliances, mineral deposits build up and clog the insides. This slows brewi...

ALEX WANG SERENO GROUP As Town & Country recently reported, Atherton, CA is now the priciest zip code in America. So it makes sense that real estate in nearby Palo Alto would be costly, too. But a literal shack that's listed there for nearly $ million gives new meaning to the term "sticker shock." The listing from Alex Wang Sereno Group, originally reported by MarketWatch , calls it an "exciting opportunity to build your dream home in charming Barron Park neighborhood." The 6,886 square-foot lot can accommodate a home of up to 2,816 square feet, but that only refers to the above-ground opportunity and "does not include possible basement," according to the listing (although the buyer needs to "verify with city"). The existing structure, at 829 La Para Avenue, is a tiny 180 square feet and can't even be certified for occupation since it lacks a sewer connection. Tearing it down seems inevitable, so a cool $M gets you basically noth...

Getty As I was cleaning my cleaning products, it first dawned on me that I might have a problem. Yes, I was actually wiping down the Lysol can and dusting the vacuum off (it gets dirty, you know?). This was, of course, after a marathon organizing session in my apartment, whereby I'd put away, tossed, folded, or filed everything I owned. I've been like that for as long as I can remember — meticulous about order, diligent about arranging — and it never occurred to me that it might be an issue. Until I started cleaning the cleaning products. I know what you're thinking: I need help. If I'm being honest, I think my dad played a large part in my obsessive organizing. The product of a military school upbringing, he is only slightly less rigid than I am about tidiness. I remember him shining his shoes when I was growing up. He'd lay out the polish, rags, brushes, and rubber gloves (I told you, anal-retentive is inherited) and line up each pair to be shined. Methodicall...

Getty We've spent weeks — okay, months — counting down the days until we can start celebrating Christmas. And now the time has arrived! Make the most of your December with our list of can't-miss holiday activities. 1 Mail a letter to Santa. Getty Because kids aren't the only ones wishing for some Christmas magic. Learn more at USPS's Letters to Santa program. 2 Hang mistletoe in every doorway. Getty Forget the fact that it looks pretty! We'll take any excuse we can to cover our loved ones in kisses — even if it embarasses the kids. 3 Video chat with an out-of-town friend or relative. Getty Take a few minutes to wish a faraway friend or family member a very merry Christmas. 4 Find a fun way to display your holiday cards. Burcu Avsar Say goodbye to holiday paper clutter by displaying the season's greetings in a creative way. 5 Make your own holiday tree trimmings. Victoria Pearson Put your family's own touch on your Christmas tree by crafting decorations...