Emma Atkinson

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House Digest

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Not A Chandelier: The Light Fixture That Adds Personality To Your Kitchen - House Digest

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Turning off the "big light" is perhaps one of Millennials' greatest contributions to interior design and styling. Bright overhead lights, particularly those with cool-toned bulbs, can emit blue light, which can negatively affect our sleep and overall health, researchers say. Not to mention, overhead lights aren't usually the most attractive features of a room. We think the Millennials are right: The big...
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Forget Paint: There's A Faster, Easier Way To Upgrade Your All-White Kitchen - House Digest

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All-white kitchens are great in theory, right? We're imagining a gleaming marble countertop, creamy white walls, and sleek white cabinets. While that's all well and good, all-white kitchens often lack that "je ne sais quoi" factor. They often come across as cold and uninspiring, evoking an atmosphere that's closer to a hospital waiting room than a stylish kitchen. If you're ready to say goodbye to your a...
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The Best Way To Insulate Hydrangeas During Cold Winter Weather - House Digest

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When temperatures drop, we humans bundle up, breaking out our best down coats and wool socks. But did you know that some perennial plants, like your beautiful hydrangeas, like a little winter coziness, too? Properly protecting these woody perennials during the winter can lead to bigger blooms and better growth in the spring and summer. This is especially true for bigleaf hydrangeas, which grow new blooms...
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The Stunning Native Shrub You Can Grow That Will Feed Wildlife All Winter Long - House Digest

Before getting too excited about a shrub that grows fruit during the winter months, you should know that the little red berries found on the American strawberry bush (Euonymus americanus) are actually poisonous to humans. However, that doesn't mean it doesn't make a beautiful addition to your garden — and those berries will feed the wildlife that visits your yard all winter long. When it comes to growing and caring for a strawberry plant, you should know that the American strawberry bush natural...
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The Secret To Achieving The Nancy Meyers Aesthetic Is All In The Details - House Digest

If you're looking to emulate Meyers' cozy sets in your own home, think about the details of what makes you, you. Part of what makes Meyers' movie houses look so attractive is that they're lived-in; Meyers told Vulture that when designing the home of leading lady Meryl Streep in "It's Complicated," she thought about how the character is a chef and baker, so they decided to add water damage to the kitchen ceiling as part of the set. Of course, we don't suggest staining your walls or damaging your...
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The Design Trend Of 2026 That's Perfect For Open-Floor Kitchen Plans - House Digest

When it comes to open floor plans, it can be difficult to establish designated areas. Beverage zones are a great way to section off part of your kitchen and enhance the social aspect of your space at the same time. They serve as a natural gathering space for guests — who doesn't want to stand close to the drinks? The combination of a big, airy floor plan with a designated space for beverages means your guests know exactly where to have a chat while they refill their glasses. On a daily basis, it...
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Turn Leggy Hydrangeas Back Into The Garden Stunner They Are With These Tips - House Digest

There's nothing like a big, beautiful bush of hydrangeas. The woody shrub comes in many different varieties and cultivars, producing endless color combinations and plant sizes, from small bushes to large trees. But some hydrangea plants face a common problem; they can become sparse and spindly — all stems, no substance. So, what is the best way to head off leggy hydrangeas and ensure full, lush blooms? Pruning, of course! But how and when to prune is often dictated by which species of hydrangea...
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The Mistake Everyone Makes When Painting Fabric Chairs (& How To Avoid It) - House Digest

So you've decided to paint your fabric chairs. Maybe the upholstery is in good condition, but you want a fresh pattern or a different color; maybe you're not super handy with a nail gun. Whatever the reason, painting your chairs rather than reupholstering them is an easy way to DIY a new-to-you look. Without the right tools and techniques, though, painting your fabric furniture can be a recipe for disaster. If you're dead-set on sprucing up your fabric chairs with a coat of paint, the number one...
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Is One Of Your Bathroom Design Essentials Outdated And Tired? - House Digest

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Mirror, mirror, on the wall: Who's the fairest of them all? Well, no matter what your mirror says back to you when you're gazing upon your own reflection, that very same mirror may be making your bathroom seem dated and drab. Mirrors can be expensive, and you — or the person who previously inhabited your home — may have cut a couple corners in the bathroom by installing a smaller one. Swapping a small mi...
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No More Flat Paint — This Is The Wall Treatment Trend That's Taking Over In 2026 - House Digest

If you're looking to refresh your space, it's not too hard to slap a couple coats of paint on your walls and call it a day. But if you're seeking something a little different, more unique, with a pop of je ne sais quoi, you might try introducing some texture. No, we're not talking about popcorn finishes — shudder. If you are thinking about removing your popcorn ceiling, here's what it'll cost you. For a fresh new look on your walls, consider using a plaster finish instead of flat paint — it's ba...
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How To Keep Plants Protected During A Thunderstorm - House Digest

As for any smaller trees or shrubs, be sure to stake them down to protect against high winds. If you're expecting a particularly nasty thunderstorm, cover any plants that are located closer to the ground. You can always invest in hail netting, but if you're looking for more budget-friendly protection, burlap sacks, old blankets, and tarps work just as well. And bring potted plants and hanging baskets inside — they can easily be damaged in a storm. Not to mention, they can become dangerous projec...
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You've Been Spacing The Plants In Your House All Wrong And They're Suffering - House Digest

Just imagine: You come home after a long day, unlock your door, and step into a lush green jungle. Your space is teeming with houseplants, and it's wonderful — maybe even good for your health. But while your close-knit indoor forest is beautiful, your houseplants may indeed be too close together — negatively affecting their growth and long-term health. Sure, it's easier — and sometimes beneficial — to keep your indoor plants all in one spot, but if their leaves are touching or even intertwining,...
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What To Do Before The Paradise Tree In Your Yard Becomes A Hazard - House Digest

A common feature in Florida landscaping, the paradise tree (Simarouba glauca) boasts shiny leaves and interesting-looking purple fruit — but gardeners beware, as this tree can be more trouble than it's worth. The tree can grow up to about 50 feet and has some beneficial characteristics, among them that it discourages soil erosion and supports nearby underground microbial life. While it is native to Florida and the Keys — it's not invasive — the paradise tree does pose some potentially troublesom...
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Why A Windowsill Expander May Come In Handy For Your Houseplants - House Digest

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Houseplants are a great addition to any home. They can improve your mental health, and are a beautiful way to bring nature indoors. But here's the thing: Plants need sunlight. In some cases, a lot of it. And you only have so many spots in your home that provide the type and amount of sunlight that your plants so desperately need to stay happy and healthy. Sometimes you can stick a shelf near a window, su...
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What Happens To Pumpkin Plants When You Add Banana Peels - House Digest

Growing your own pumpkins for spooky season is fun and all, but without proper fertilization, you won't have enough room to carve a silly — or scary — face into your homegrown orange squash. A key component of many fertilizers is potassium. Stunted growth is a telltale sign that your plants are desperate for potassium, so if your pumpkins are smaller than they are scary, you may be lacking the nutrient. If you're looking for a more natural way to feed your pumpkins, you might consider alternativ...
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The One Downside To Keep In Mind Before You Try Woodscaping - House Digest

Everyone wants a nice-looking yard, but hardly anyone truly wants to spend the time and effort it takes to keep it up. One solution to this quandary is to replace some of your harder-to-maintain landscaping with "woodscaping," a popular term for incorporating wooden elements into your yard and garden. Woodscaping can be anything from decks to wooden paths to pergolas; if you can dream it up, chances are, there's a woodscaping element for it — try one of these ideas for building the perfect cover...
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Why A Stark White Kitchen Might Look Out Of Place In Your Home - House Digest

Using the color white in your home is a popular way to bring a fresh, clean feeling to your space. There's a reason why you'll see a lot of white walls in hospitals — it's traditionally a color that represents cleanliness and simplicity. This is why, as you might imagine, white is a common color for kitchens. Many people see it as a blank slate, a neutral background against which to build a color palette. But, as with all trends, it can be taken just a touch too far. Stark, all-white kitchens ca...
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The Outdated Bedding Trend That's Making A Big Comeback - House Digest

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Imagine what your mother's childhood bedroom looked like. It's possible that you're thinking of bedding full of ruffles. They could be patterned ruffles, big ruffles, small ruffles, lace ruffles. Everywhere ruffles. While they were all the rage in the past, the feminine texture is making a comeback, especially in the bedroom. For better or for worse, designers have identified ruffles as an interior trend...
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The Counterintuitive Task That Actually Helps Your Dishwasher Last Longer - House Digest

Your poor dishwasher, you think. It must be so overworked from cleaning all the crud from your delicious meals off of your plates and silverware, returning them to their shiny and sparkly glory. You might as well give it the night off, right? Wrong. While you may think that turning away from the automatic time-saver that is your dishwasher and resorting to hand-washing your dishes is a good way to give your dishwasher a break, it's actually better to regularly run your machine to extend its life...
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How To Care For Your Raised Garden Bed After Heavy Rain - House Digest

With changing seasons comes unpredictable weather — and that can include a deluge of precipitation. While it can be worrisome to look outside and see your raised garden beds swimming in a pool of rainwater, potential problems will actually most likely occur after the rainwater has drained away. An influx of water causes soil to compact, leaving little room for the air bubbles that provide oxygen for the roots of your plants. 
One of the advantages of raised garden beds is that they provide a mor...
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What To Avoid When Choosing Soil For Raised Garden Beds - House Digest

So, you've built your raised garden beds and selected the plants you'd like to grow — if you haven't chosen your veggies yet, cucumbers and radishes are a couple of plants that are perfect for a raised garden bed. Maybe you even followed the ultimate guide to starting a raised bed garden. The next step is to choose the soil that will fill them. While it may be tempting to head to your local garden or hardware store and grab whatever bag of soil you see first, choosing the right soil — and knowin...
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All You Need To Declutter Any Room In Your Home Is Your Phone's Camera - House Digest

Clutter. It's every minimalist's worst nightmare and can really ruin the look of an otherwise beautifully curated space. An easy first step to decluttering is to go through your kitchen utensils and food storage containers, just two of several common items you can declutter for a cleaner, tidier home. But maybe you've tried decluttering methods before and are still ending up with crowded rooms, and you just don't know where to start. What you may be experiencing is a psychological phenomenon cal...
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