Wow Home Idea

Courtesy of the New York Public Library We're big fans of double-duty tricks and surprising uses for household items around here. But it turns out that being extra clever with household staples isn't a new trend at all. In 1910, Gallaher's Cigarettes began slipping life hacks into their boxes (the extra cardboard sturdied the pack), and today, the New York Library has preserved the handy ideas in its digital archive. The cards are certainly an example of how the more things change, the more they stay the same — but we'd give a few of these hacks (dozens more of which can be found here) a modern-day update. Take a look: Boil a cracked egg. Courtesy of the New York Public Library VINTAGE ADVICE: "To boil cracked eggs as satisfactorily as though they were undamaged, a little vinegar should be added to the water. If this is done, it will be found that none of the contents will boil out." MODERN TAKE: Vinegar does help the egg white coagulate, so this trick is...

Courtesy of Hall and Hall Just like the 1961 song Carole King wrote for The Drifters, her Robinson Bar Ranch is "Some Kind of Wonderful." The singer-songwriter spent decades transforming this Stanley, Idaho retreat that's nestled in the Boulder-White Cloud Mountain Range, but after 32 years of living there, she's listed the 128-acre property on the market for a cool $.9 million — cue "Take Good Care of My Baby," because we're sure this wasn't an easy decision. For starters, the 7,337-square-feet main lodge is the definition of rustic, and the surrounding mountain and creek views are nothing if not inspiring. Exposed log walls and ceilings line the home, along with handmade wooden furniture and wood-burning stone fireplaces that feel ultra cozy. But it's not just decorated with nature — it's environmentally friendly too. Geothermal springs produce energy-saving radiant ...

Lindsay Funston Whether you're in a grilling rut or on a continual hunt for a new excuse to fire up the flames, we rounded up some delicious options for your next barbecue that will definitely surprise some guests. For all of these, make sure your grates are well-oiled and, when it feels right, season with salt and pepper. Watermelon Of course watermelon will always be a people-pleaser when you slice it raw, but grilling it is a delicious twist. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Pound Cake When thrown on the grill, a slice gets a crumbly texture similar to cornbread. Top with strawberries and whipped cream for grilled strawberry shortcake. Kiwi Keep the skins on, thickly slice, brush with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Use it as a topping for vanilla ice cream. Banana These get deliciously caramelized over the fire. Keep the peel on and halve lengthwise. Sprinkle with sugar. Eat with a spoon or — bonus — drizzle with dulce de leche. Che...

Getty When we say Tiffany Turquoise or Barbie Pink, you probably know exactly what colors we're talking about. But what about Jay Z Blue and Sherry Chris Pink? These two lucky individuals also have their own signature Pantone colors that were created just for them — but it didn't come cheap. While the exact price for a custom color wasn't disclosed, Pantone did reveal that the process typically costs tens of thousands of dollars and is usually only sought out by brands and companies. But Laurie Pressman, the Pantone Color Institute VP, told the NY Post she wasn't surprised when the hip-hop mogul approached the company in 2007: "Blue Ivy. 'The Blueprint' albums. Obviously, it's a color that's close to his heart." Sherry Chris, the CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate based in Madison, New Jersey, is a different story. Though her personal affinity for pink was well-known among those who have worked with...

In 1947, Miracle on 34th Street made the world believe in Santa Claus (we bet even skeptics' warmed to the holiday magic a little more that year). But hiding behind the actors' stunning performances, the beautiful screenplay and all those iconic Christmas scenes are some interesting things you probably didn't know. 1 The co-stars were super tight. In her autobiography, Maureen O'Hara (Doris) revealed that even after the long days of filming, Edmund Gwenn (Santa), John Payne (Fred) and her would hang out together on their nights off, strolling 5th Avenue. 2 The Thanksgiving Day Parade scene was actually completely real. It's true — Gwenn made thousands of people happy when he appeared as Santa in the actual 1946 Macy's parade. Cameras were set up along the route to film the entire thing. 3 Gwenn's cousin almost played the role of Kris Kringle instead. Cecil Kellaway was originally asked to play Santa, but declined. Funny enough, though, he did play Santa on ...

Getty Now that you know the mistakes that can decrease your home's value, it's time to turn your attention to the things that can actually make your abode worth more money in the long run. According to Trulia, you don't have to spend a fortune on upgrades to see the value of your home increase. In fact, some of the most effective changes come in under a thousand bucks. The real estate site recently shared its list of 10 Upgrades Under $,000 That Increase Home Values, and while all 10 are worth consideration, these five stand out to us as the easiest to tackle (and the most aesthetically pleasing). Just don't try to DIY it all yourself though, you just may end up regretting it. Spiff Up Your Walkway Getty Or add one, if your home doesn't already have a path leading to the front door. Walkways make guests and home buyers feel more welcome, and potential buyers are especially attracted to paths that match the style of the home, according to Trulia. Upgrade The Fro...

The best-selling MALM is virtually unrecognizable in these impressive DIY ideas. If you already own this discontinued dresser, don't forget to anchor it to the wall after your makeover. The heavy chest poses a dangerous tip-over risk, causing IKEA to recall it. IKEA The Original The MALM dresser is one of IKEA's most popular items because it's simple, costs very little, and comes in a variety of finishes. But if you're tired of owning the same dresser as, well, almost everyone you know, try one of these DIYs to give it a brand new look. IKEA, $$ Courtesy of Amanda Carol Interiors Classical Chic Stick-on overlays in a gold Greek key pattern give this white dresser a glamorous update without requiring a hammer and nails (meaning way less pressure if you don't like the final outcome). [link href="http://amandacarolinteriors.com/2011/09/ikea-malm-dresser-goes-glam" target="_blank" link_updater_label="external"] Get the tutorial at Ama...