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The first step in the process is deciding how much pool you can afford. Setting a realistic budget upfront will govern important decisions around the size, materials, and pool features. Is your yard suited for a pool? Certain conditions, including steep slopes, or an awkwardly shaped space, can make construction or installation more difficult and expensive. This guide will cover your key swimming pool planning considerations before embarking on this project....

Then: Pineapple Cake Roll When she turns to the Pineapple Cake Roll recipe, Alexis finds it to be “kind of a wild ride.” To make the batter, egg yolks are beaten until thick and lemon-colored before gradually adding sugar and vanilla. She then beats egg whites until soft peaks form, slowly incorporating sugar, and folds in the egg yolk mixture. “Whenever a recipe calls for you to fold, you want to be really gentle to make sure everything becomes incorporated without deflating it,” Alexis advises....

Whether your space is large or small, figuring out how to arrange bedroom furniture to accommodate all of these roles can feel like a tricky puzzle with too many factors to consider. But with the help of home experts and smart design strategies, we’ve come up with 12 layouts for primary, guest, and children’s bedrooms that maximize space and promote comfort. 1. Feng Shui Bedroom Although feng shui is achieved through furniture arrangement, it’s mostly something you feel....

How to Plant a Succulent Arrangement The key to a successful mini succulent garden is good drainage. Most succulents can go at least a few weeks without water, but they won’t tolerate overwatering or wet soil for long. If it’s possible, find a shallow dish with a drainage hole for your plants, or drill one; that way, any extra water can run out of the container. Add a layer of pebbles at the bottom of the dish to help excess moisture drain away from the plants’ roots, then fill the dish with a fast-draining potting mix (look for a potting soil made especially for succulents and cacti)....

To do this, choose a small section (3 x 3 inches) of wall between studs where you want your shelf to go. Use a drywall saw to cut out a square while holding the saw at a 45-degree angle. (This will prevent the piece from falling into the wall.) Place a pocket-size mirror into the hole and use a flashlight to look for any obstructions in the way of where you want your recessed shelf to sit....

In addition to guarding these floors from damage, you can help keep them in top condition by cleaning them properly. Here’s how. How to Clean Vinyl Floors Clean vinyl floors by removing dust and dirt with a broom, dust mop, or vacuum cleaner. Controlling grit and soil is crucial to prolonging a vinyl floor’s attractive appearance. A quick wipe with a damp mop works well for vinyl floors between deep cleanings....

The 8-inch-wide pink flowers of ‘Candy Crush’ are impossible to miss, grabbing the attention of passersby thanks to their sheer size and bright color. They’re also attractive to all kinds of pollinators, like hummingbirds and bumblebees, and are deer-resistant. Unlike the smaller, less flashy flowers of plain old rose mallows, this vibrant hybrid hibiscus will produce a ton of mid-summer flowers along the length of the stem—it looks like the whole plant is covered in blossoms....

Learn how to pot a fruit tree here.

Decorating a front porch doesn’t have to entail a big investment. Turn to thrift stores, flea markets, and estate sales for vintage finds to add to your outdoor room. Here are 12 fabulous front porch ideas featuring flea market finds that will leave your friends and family eager for an invite this summer. Even if you have no front porch, these bold and creative ideas can be applied to any outdoor space....

Buy It: Calphalon ActiveSense Blender ($200, Bed Bath & Beyond)

Editor’s tip: To see items clearly and impart a quick style upgrade, line the backs of dark cupboards or open shelves with light-color, subtly patterned wallpaper. If you’re afraid of the commitment, try mounting scrapbook paper with removable adhesive strips.

Halloween candle holders can have a spine-chilling appearance, however, you’ll love them because many of them actually safeguard candles from tipping over or blowing out. They also provide a safe place for wax to melt and drip. Additionally, some holders add dimension and height to candles, making them a standout Halloween decor piece that trick-or-treaters and ghastly guests will marvel at. The wonderful thing about Halloween candle holders is they come in all shapes and sizes from pumpkin lanterns to gothic candelabras to ghost tealight sets....

Walmart has discounts on so many big-ticket cleaning items, including a Shark robot vacuum cleaner with more than 1,300 five-star ratings that’s 50% off. You can also shop popular Bissell cleaning items like the Little Green carpet cleaner and a heavy-duty upright pet vacuum for up to $50 off. If it’s a kitchen appliance you need, it doesn’t get better than an Instant Pot pressure cooker and air fryer combo for 46% off....

Tip: Replenish water as it evaporates, keeping the pump submerged to ensure it works properly. All pumps and fountains in these projects are available at home improvement centers. Note: These decorative steppers are a pretty garden accent but will get slippery when wet.

Buy It: Made By Design Bakeware Set ($30, Target) Test Kitchen Tip: If desired, any extra coconut water can be used as a replacement for part of the milk. Buy It: King Arthur Cake Flour ($4, Target)

Light: Full sun or part shade Water: Plant in wet soil, or water frequently Size: Up to 4 feet tall Zones: 3-9 Buy It: Cardinal Flower ($9, Etsy) Light: Full sun or part shade Water: Plant in moist soil, or water frequently Size: Up to 4 feet tall Zones: 4-9 Light: Full sun Water: Plant in wet soil (ideally on the edge of a pond), in 3 to 5 inches of standing water Size: Up to 4 feet tall Zones: 3-10 Light: Full sun or part shade Water: Plant in consistently moist soil, or water frequently Size: Up to 12 inches tall Zones: 3-7 Buy It: Marsh Marigold Native Wildflower Seeds ($3, Walmart) Light: Sun or part shade Water: Plant in wet soil, or water frequently Size: Up to 12 inches tall Zones: 5-11 Light: Full sun or part sun Water: Plant in wet soil, or water frequently Size: Up to 2 feet tall Zones: 3-9 Light: Full sun Water: Plant in wet soil, or water frequently Size: Up to 5 feet tall Zones: 3-6 Buy It: Swamp Milkweed ($24, Etsy) Light: Full sun or part shade Water: Plant in wet soil, or water frequently Size: Up to 2 inches tall Zones: 3-9 Light: Full sun Water: Plant in consistently moist soil, or water frequently Size: Up to 8 feet tall Zones: 6-9 Light: Full sun, part shade, or shade Water: Plant in wet soil or standing water Size: Up to 3 feet tall Zones: 4-9 Buy It: Horsetail Reed ($9, The Home Depot) Light: Full sun or part shade Water: Plant in consistently moist soil, or water frequently Size: Up to 6 feet tall Zones: 10-11 Light: Full sun Water: Plant in moist soil or shallow water Size: Up to 5 feet tall Zones: 9-10 Buy It: Egyptian Papyrus ($15, The Home Depot) Light: Full sun or part shade Water: Plant in moist or wet soil Size: Up to 8 feet tall Zones: 3-10 Light: Full sun Water: Plant in consistently moist soil, or water frequently Size: Up to 6 feet tall Zones: 4-9 Buy It: Exotic Hibiscus Collection ($25, Breck’s)

Test Kitchen Tip: Cut your prep time way down by using purchased, cubed squash pieces. Buy It: Pumpkin Seeds Roasted & Salted ($4, Target) Buy It: OXO Tabletop Spiralizer ($48, Bed Bath & Beyond) Buy It: Blue Diamond Ceramic Skillet with Cover ($35, Target)

Buy It: Wilton Baking Sheet Set ($13, Walmart) Buy It: Crock-Pot Manual Slow Cooker ($40, Target) Buy It: Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker ($29, Walmart) Buy It: Otto’s Naturals Cassava Flour ($12, Walmart)

Editor’s Tip: Use a neutral table runner for this holiday centerpiece—so the poinsettia takes center stage! Editor’s Tip: Can’t find a plaid planter? Wrap a plain red or green planter with a plaid ribbon.