And make it their own they did—despite their lack of DIY experience. “I’ve always been a crafter, and it just kind of grew from scrapbooking to making over small furniture pieces to bigger projects that Travis and I began to tackle,” she says. As the go-to adviser for friends when it came to paint colors and design advice, Anita finally took the leap and made a blog to record her DIY and design advice....

Don’t Overmix Your Batter The culprit behind what makes a cake tough could be overmixing your flour. Flour is the foundation of baked recipes because it provides structure. When combined with liquid and after mixing, flour’s protein (gluten) begins to develop. The elastic substance traps and holds air produced by leavening agents (keep an eye on the expiration dates!), enabling your cake to rise. You know how you have to knead yeast bread to get the best texture?...

Before building a porch swing, ensure the ceiling framing on your porch is strong enough to support a two-person swing. If your joists are adequately supported at both ends for load-bearing applications, you should be fine to attach the swing to a single 2x8 joist, two 2x6 joists, or three 2x4 joists. This swing is designed to attach to the ceiling by a hook. Look for an S-hook suitable for outdoor exposure (look for galvanized or stainless steel) with a working load rating of at least 500 pounds....

For example, a gray paint color that appears neutral on the paint swatch might reveal a green undertone when applied to your walls, or a bold, rich blue could turn out duller than you expected. Depending on the room’s lighting, the color you chose can look significantly different than it did in the store. Natural light is a huge factor, of course, but the type of lightbulbs you choose also influence whether your paint colors appear dimmed-down, intensified, or true to life....

Surprising Hot Spots for Bacteria Office items such as keyboards and desks can be breeding grounds for bacteria, yet these frequently touched surfaces are rarely cleaned, according to a survey by job-search site Joblist. The average respondent reported cleaning their computer mouse and keyboard fewer than two times a month and their desk about three times a month. Nearly a quarter of the 1,000 respondents also admitted to going at least one entire workday without washing their hands in one month....

How to Roast Pork Ribs in the Oven Cooking pork ribs in the oven is an easy way to make them because it’s mostly hands-off. Once the ribs are cut into portions (if desired) and seasoned as you like with a rub, you need to follow just two steps. Here’s how to roast pork ribs (specifically pork loin back ribs) expertly: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place rib portions or rack of ribs, bone sides down, in a shallow roasting pan....

Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr Paint, credits some of this renewed craving for color as a reaction to time spent mostly at home during the pandemic. “When we couldn’t seek adventure through travel and socializing outside the home, we looked to bring a little adventure inside,” she says. Woelfel also notes the influence of popular TV series such as Bridgerton, The Crown, and The Queen’s Gambit, which showcased deep, dramatic colors in their costuming and set designs....

How to Identify Aphids Often the first sign of an aphid infestation is not the visible presence of the insects themselves. Instead, you’ll see the symptoms of their feeding—twisted and curled leaves, yellowing foliage, stunted or dead shoots, and sluggish plant growth. Damage is usually most noticeable on shoot tips and new growth, along with unopened flower buds. When you take a closer look at these damaged plant parts, particularly on the undersides of young leaves and developing stems, you’ll likely find lots of aphids crowded together....

When choosing a light fixture for your dining room, consider the size of the room, the height of the ceiling, the architectural style and features of the space, and the colors and furniture already in the room. Whether your dining room is formal and houses your grandmother’s antique china set or features an eclectic mix of design styles, colors, and textures, beautiful and efficient lighting is essential. From pendant lights and crystal chandeliers to candelabras and even a wagon wheel light, keep reading to gain inspiration from our favorite dining room lighting ideas....

1. Strong, Bright Light is Essential A set of grow lights takes the place of the sun when growing indoor tomatoes. The sunlight available indoors, especially in winter, is rarely strong enough to provide the fuel a tomato plant needs to grow and produce fruit. Even the sunlight streaming in a south-facing window falls short of what a tomato plant needs to thrive. A simple set of grow lights or shop lights, available at garden and home centers, suspended a few inches above the top of the plants will encourage strong growth....

Bonus: Hidden fasteners also make it safe to enjoy your deck while barefoot.

Buy It: Veggetti Pro Table Top Spiralizer ($15, Walmart)

Best for: Gardeners who are true nature lovers. Ponds become their own ecosystems bursting with life. Best for: Gardeners looking for a water feature that adds an artistic, sculptural element to their landscape. Best for: Those who want to enjoy both the tranquil sight and sound of running water. A small waterfall can be surrounded by plants (especially those that grow in constantly wet soil) but need not include water plants....

Pick up an inexpensive Father’s Day gift to go with these activities (and don’t forget the homemade Father’s Day card!) and plan to spend the day celebrating dad. Enjoy the Outdoors Together Find a hiking trail, go for a family bike ride, or head to a local park to enjoy the outdoors. As long as you’re outside and spending time with Dad, he’ll be sure to have a great Father’s Day....

This season, learn how holiday traditions are celebrated around the globe, including the things all of us have in common—like gathering with friends and family for a meaningful meal or decorating our homes with twinkling lights. It’s also an opportunity to appreciate the differences between our holidays across a variety of cultures and continents. As you make plans to gather with your own family, take some time to learn about the traditions of others, and pull inspiration from customs you might not have known about before....

Buy It: Crock-Pot Cook & Carry Slow Cooker ($50, Target) Buy It: Mainstays Roasting Pan ($6, Walmart) Buy It: OXO Good Grips 10x15-Inch Baking Pan ($41, Walmart) Buy It: Natural Cheesecloth ($3, Target)

More Ideas for Boy’s Bedrooms Toy Storage Ideas

Buy It: Drillaud Crème de Cacao ($15, Total Wine)

Test Kitchen Tip: This cake mix recipe tastes even better when chilled overnight. Just wait to frost until serving time. Buy It: Mainstays 12-Cup Nonstick Muffin Pan ($5, Walmart) Buy It: Wilton 9-Inch Nonstick Ultra Bake Professional Round Cake Pan ($8, Target) Buy It: Nordic Ware 70th Anniversary Crown Bundt Pan ($38, Williams Sonoma) Buy It: Sweet Creations 100 Count Reusable Plastic Cake Pop Sticks ($4, Walmart)

Bathrooms are notorious for lacking proper storage no matter their size, but tiny bathrooms can feel the squeeze even more. Without a closet or large vanity, it can be difficult to store extra toilet paper, towels, and toiletries. And without a medicine cabinet, everyday essentials, such as makeup and cotton swabs, also need a place to call home. So where can you find the extra space to hold bathroom items?...