“We want to deliver a special and elevated experience,” Denise says of the dinners that she and Scott carefully craft. “It’s important at this special time of the year.” “There’s something special about making the living room like a grand hall,” Denise says. “There’s more space, and we want our guests to feel comfortable, like they can stay all night.” Holiday DashersLobster Tartlets with Harissa and WatercressRoasted Celery and Fennel SoupWild Mushroom-Stuffed Beef WellingtonCrispy Brussels Sprouts with Toasted WalnutsOven-Roasted Baby CarrotsWhite Chocolate Layer Cake with Orange Curd...

While traditional colors like reds and yellows can be found, vinyl siding is mostly offered in lighter shades. Some darker, more saturated colors are also available, as deep, rich neutrals trend for home exteriors. Exterior color schemes also incorporate one or more accent colors, which can be used to highlight (or hide) other elements of the home’s architecture, such as eaves, shutters, gables, window trim, gutters, and roofing. Can You Paint Vinyl Siding?...

The need for live-in housekeepers dropped as the middle class grew. Homeowners (mainly women) prepared meals for both the everyday and special events, driving the desire for informality, convenience, and efficiency. Not wanting to spend hours sequestered from families and guests, homeowners’ changing lifestyles caused a shift in architecture. Enter: Open concept living. Open Floor Plans and the First Kitchen Island Frank Lloyd Wright is generally credited with the first design that integrated a kitchen with the rest of a home’s living spaces....

A dormer is also a practical source of ventilation that enables airflow and natural light to pass through your home. In older homes, these can be found in walk-in attics or low-clearance top floors. Newer homes can be designed with a false dormer—a purely ornamental feature with no interior space—or strategically placed on a full-size top floor. Which Kinds of Houses Have Dormers? Dormers have been a part of western architecture for centuries....

The day commemorates the anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille, which on July 14, 1789, eliminated the French monarchy during the French Revolution. And while the holiday is obviously a huge cause for celebration in France, it’s celebrated in countries around the world as well. Places that have a strong French history or large French population (like Canada, New York City, and New Orleans) hold parties and parades on July 14 as well....

Laminate Counter Styles and Performance An eased (squared) or bullnose (rounded) edge are common edge finishes for laminate surfaces, but fancier treatments, such as beveling, ogee, and waterfall edges, let you match your countertop style to your kitchen. If you don’t like the color change that occurs at points where laminate pieces are joined, there is a solid-core alternative available. It’s more expensive, but it also allows you to layer colors for contrast and shape the edges for a decorative effect....

10 ounce jar seedless raspberry preserves 1 cup fresh red raspberries or frozen red raspberries 1 tablespoon raspberry liqueur

For interior walls (tiled with plastic tile, for example, or finished with other plastic products), apply a high-adhesion latex stain-blocking primer. For bathroom and kitchen walls not subject to constant exposure to water, use a top-of-the line-interior latex paint. Shower walls and similar surfaces do not make suitable candidates for paint. For extra insurance against peeling and cracking, ask your paint dealer about primers and paints made specifically for plastic surfaces....

Wine-Red Paint Colors Dark red wine colors make large rooms seem cozy and can also be dramatic in small spaces such as powder rooms. Rich ruby, burgundy, and garnet make a space feel sumptuous. The rich, full-bodied hues are often used in formal settings and paired with dark neutrals but can be teamed with bright colors to loosen it up. Perfectly Pink-Red Paint Colors Pucker-up pinks look fresh and sophisticated with spring greens and white—even navy!...

Step 1: Fill and Camouflage Screw Holes First, hold the old hardware in place while loosening the screws on the back of the door. Find a shade of wood-filling putty that best matches your cabinet. To cover holes on wood grain, plan to buy three shades of putty—one that matches the lightest and darkest grains, as well as one halfway between them. Mix a pinch of each of the three shades together until you have a hue that’s as close as possible to your original cabinet....

How to Reupholster a Dining Chair What You Need Dining chair with upholstered seatScrewdriverNeedle-nose pliersScissorsFabricPencilPaintPaintbrushStaple gunScrews or corner braces To re-cushion (optional): Thick cardboardPlywoodFoam paddingBattingScissors Step 1: Remove chair seat and fabric. Unscrew the seat and remove it from the chair. Use a screwdriver and needle-nose pliers to remove staples from the old fabric. Pull off old fabric and do not discard. Cut a covering from the new fabric, using the old fabric as a guide....

Learn how to build floating shelves. What You Need LevelPencilStud finderDrill with drill bitTape measureShelf with shelf bracketScrews Step 1: Mark Placement Look at your wall and plan where you want your shelves to go. Once you have an idea, use a level and pencil to mark a straight line across your wall. If you’re hanging multiple floating shelves, measure an equal distance between each desired shelf placement, accounting for the width of your shelf, and repeat the process....