Best of all, you don’t have to be an artist to create a gorgeous painted accent wall. Abstract shapes and thick geometric lines are especially trendy right now, which means you don’t need Picasso-level art skills to paint your own wall mural. This home decorating trend is low-commitment too—if you don’t love how your mural turns out, you can simply paint over it and start again. Before You Start Painting We do recommend refreshing your wall with a fresh base coat before you start your mural, but most of our favorite ideas can be completed with just a few quarts of paint....

1. Turn a Closet into a Desk Turn a small closet into an inviting workspace with just a few add-ons. This closet-desk hybrid has bright blue barn doors that can be pulled shut so you don’t have to stare at work once your duties for the day are over. Inside, a floating workstation and shelves provide storage and a writing surface, while two sconces provide task lighting. Funky wallpaper adds personality and turns the “cloffice” into a fun focal point....

It also seems we have been given new permission to be homebodies and a little antisocial, blissfully so. There’s an undeniable pleasure to domesticity: curling up with a book, watching your favorite streaming show, or puttering around with projects. During the reopening, I’ve discovered how much I love coming back home after an event or a day at work. Now that I’m not in it as much, I realize how much I love and value my home as a sanctuary from the hubbub, the commuting, and the traffic....

Our sample yard starts out with little more than a few trees and shrubs. There is only the inkling of an entry landscape, and the rear patio is minimal. There is also no privacy in the backyard, few shady areas for relaxation, and no amenities to tempt you or your guests into the yard. Let’s follow these homeowners as they address these, and other, shortcomings. Related Feature: Assessing Your Landscape Needs...

For Soft-Boiled Eggs Bring water to boiling. Using a slotted spoon, gently lower eggs into water. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle boil. Boil 6 minutes for soft boiled or 8 minutes for a jammy but not set yolk. Drain; place in ice water until cool enough to handle. Peel eggs. If using soft-boiled eggs, use a gentle hand when enclosing them in the meat mixture.

Aloe vera can be grown outdoors as a landscape plant in frost-free climates. Like all succulents, it grows best in well-drained soil and bright, sunny conditions. Indoor-grown plants can transition outside for the summer, even in cold climates—as long as nighttime temperatures don’t dip consistently below 50 degrees F. Place plants in a spot that receives direct morning sun and afternoon shade and is protected from rain. Plant aloe transplants or offsets in quality, well-drained potting mix....

Houseplants for Bright Light

1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoon sugar ½ cup cut up butter 2 tablespoon whipping cream 1 lightly beaten egg yolk

1 ⅓ cup all-purpose flour ⅓ cup ground hazelnuts 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar ¼ teaspoon salt ½ cup butter-flavored shortening 3 tablespoon cold water Hazelnut-Pine Nut Streusel ½ cup all-purpose flour ⅓ cup packed brown sugar 3 tablespoon butter ½ cup coarsely chopped hazelnuts ¼ cup pine nuts

1. Take Advantage of Empty Walls The attic is a perfect place to store seasonal belongings no longer in use. Tucking away beach totes and outdoor sports equipment in the winter will help minimize clutter in high-traffic areas, such as the garage or mudroom. These stacked storage bins store summertime supplies and tools in a tidy fashion. The entire system mounts to the wall to clear up floor space for furnishings or additional storage....