Articles by Laura Gaskill

The feel of flannel sheets, the sound of stories told aloud, the scent of something delicious baking in the oven — as the Thanksgiving weekend stretches out ahead, plan on nestling with family and friends in the warm embrace of your home. Whether you…

What with cleaning, shopping, table setting and all those dishes to cook, pulling off Thanksgiving dinner is a major accomplishment. If you’re planning to host the big meal this year, whether it’s your first time or your 20th, chances are you’d love t…

Fall and winter offer ample opportunities to entertain, not only on holidays (of which there are plenty) but also with more casual gatherings. And whether you entertain a lot or a little, having a well-stocked home can take a lot of the stress out of …

Hosting Thanksgiving at your house this year? With so many details to coordinate, guests to host and dishes to cook, having a plan will save headaches and pave the way for a beautiful feast you can really feel grateful for. This breakdown of just what…

As the air turns crisp and the leaves change from green to amber, red and gold, you may find yourself wanting to linger a little longer on the porch and savor that glowing autumn light. From clusters of candles to cozy wool blankets, here are eight wa…

Being a good host is something of a lost art. Balancing the roles of tour guide, innkeeper, cook and friend (while still managing to have fun yourself) can be challenging, to say the least. Make visiting friends and family feel at home, and ease the b…

The scent of dinner sizzling on the grill and the joy of eating in the open air — cooking and dining outdoors are simple summer pleasures that deserve to be enjoyed more often. Here are 10 reasons to bring your crew outside for dinner (or breakfast or…

With art projects, fort building, tea parties and bedtime stories, kids are busy all day, every day — and their rooms usually have the clutter to prove it! In this series, we’re approaching each room in the house from the perspective of identifying wh…

Architect, contractor, interior designer, landscape designer — who’s the right home professional for your project? Whether you’re remodeling, building, decorating or landscaping, this guide is a good place to start to find out. Browse this list of hom…

As the space that offers visitors their first (hopefully positive!) impression of your home and acts as a way station for all sorts of gear — from small (keys, phone) to bulky (coats, bags, boots) — the entry is easily one of the most visible yet clut…