Wow Home Idea

Tucked under lush vines and peach trees is the most romantic wedding gift we've ever seen. Janis Nicolay Quaint Greenhouse As a wedding gift, Heather Cameron's husband, Kevin, took apart a neglected potting shed on their property and rebuilt it into a greenhouse with a tempered-glass roof. "I watched the whole process, but loved that I didn't have to do a thing," says Heather. "Kevin built exactly what I had envisioned." Peach trees and Concord grapevines shade the 10- by 12-foot greenhouse, and raised beds of carrots, corn, beets, and dill line the path to the door. Janis Nicolay Lush Florals Heather's husband, Kevin, transformed the retreat from an old shed on their property. Kevin rebuilt the shed around the 11 windows he found at a salvage yard, adding panes of tempered glass on the roof to create a greenhouse.Then Heather set about furnishing her newly fashioned getaway with vintage-floral pillows, white-painted furniture, and collections of ...

A cooler cooking space is hiding in your home — you just have to know where to look. Eric Piasecki/OTTO. Designer: Dunn & Tighe You Overlook the Ceiling "People always overlook the ceiling," says designer Malcolm James Kutner, "and it's a great place to put wallpaper, do a texture, or do a different color." In this kitchen, the homeowners have clearly said "hello, pumpkin!" Alexander James/The Interior Archive You Lose the Counter In this case, you want to decorate a space by a process of omission. Coffee maker, toaster oven, microwave — all your small appliances can quickly overwhelm your workspace. Designer Lauren Levant Bland suggests turning a couple cabinets into an appliance pantry by adjusting the shelving and adding electrical outlets. "The appliances stay plugged in and operate right there, but then you can shut the door." All that's left to see is that beautiful counter you spent so much time picking out. LG Studio You I...

Every year, a holiday ad inevitably comes along that figuratively punches us right in the gut, making us, for lack of a better term, "feel all the feels." This year's John Lewis Christmas ad is the latest Christmas commercial to reduce us to a blubbering puddle of tears. (No really, though—it wasn't pretty.) The British department store is widely known for its Christmas ads that strike an emotional chord with viewers year after year—and this one is no exception. For maximum impact, we give you no introduction here, other than a warning you to grab a box of tissues before pressing play.  According to a press release, the retailer partnered with charity Age UK "to drive awareness and support for some of the millions of older people who can go for a month without speaking to anyone. " "We hope the ad inspires people to find really special gifts for their loved ones," said customer director...

Getty According to Yahoo Finance, the cost of providing healthy meals for a family of four ranges from $$$ a week for the thriftiest folks to $$$ for liberal spenders. Budget-conscious shoppers use coupons to save, but studies have shown that, in many cases, couponers end up spending more because they buy things they don't need. A strategy to save money might be to skip buying some items altogether and finding alternatives for others. 1. Salad dressing Bottled dressing often has more than a dozen ingredients and some have 120 calories per serving. A better idea is to skip the dressing and make a light vinaigrette at home. Many use just three or four ingredients and taste fresher. Another plus: You aren't left with bottles of half-used salad dressing filling up your refrigerator. 2. Gift credit cards They are easy last-minute gifts, but some purchased at supermarkets come with hefty activation fees. A gift card from the grocery store itself maybe a better option. It doesn...

Getty Westend61/Getty Images There's just something about a special scent — you're not always totally aware it's there, but when you walk into a room that has a certain smell, you're immediately hit with a memory of a time or place. (Remember how distinctive your grandma's house used to smell?). Create that effect in your home — or simply kick a room's stink — with these tricks. 1. Make a stove simmer. "I learned this from my crafty and cleaning obsessed mother," says interior designer Rhobin DelaCruz. "Simmer water in a small saucepan and add citrus slices and herbs, like lavender or mint." The heat permeates the sweet scent throughout your house — an easy trick that is as lovely for a party as it is for any ol' Tuesday. 2. Clean your garbage disposal. Notice a lingering stink? Might want to check the sink. "First try spritzing a dollop of lemon-scented dish soap down into the disposal, run the water, then turn it on," says...

Michelle Arnold You know that scene from Beauty and the Beast where Belle discovers the library for the first time? We experienced that same giddy emotion when we spotted the winding iron staircases in the Iowa State Capitol Law Library. It started with a serious jaw drop and ended with a sigh of contentment as we decided to add this Des Moines-based building to our dreamy-design-places-to-visit bucket list. The two staircases (one on the north end and another on the south) were built back between 1882 and 1883 by Haugh, Ketchum and Company of Indianapolis for just $,107. And (fun fact) even though cast iron might seem like a common material choice, at the time they were built it was relatively new to architectural design. Now, the staircases provide a means for people to travel up and down the four ornate balconies that help make this one of the biggest libraries in the United States and home to more than 100,000 volumes (no big deal). Take a closer look: MICHELLE ARNOLD MICHELLE ...

Classic Cape Cod style doesn't have to work hard to charm us. Symmetrical windows with painted shutters, shaker shingles under lofty pitched roofs, and interior design that relies on coastal inspiration and natural hues are enough to make us fall in love. But this one, which is actually on Cape Cod itself and on the market for $$$,000 (a relative bargain for the locale), has an extra endearing element in its back pocket: It comes with a one-room schoolhouse! The tiny restored schoolhouse is as cute as shingled garden shed (or "she shed"), but has a much more storied past. In fast, it was recently awarded a Preservation and Restoration Award from the Yarmouth Historical Commision Bigger than even many trendy tiny homes, we'd happily take it without the main house (any chance there's a discount?). But, of course, the duo are package deal, and we wouldn't turn down this Cape's wide pine floors, quaint toile wallpaper, and impressive rug collection if some...