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Companion planting – which essentially means planting onions with other crops, herbs or flowers that will be beneficial to their healthy growth – can help you to get the most out of your garden by deterring pests and increasing your harvests. Onion companion planting is an important element in how to grow onions, and while you might think it sounds complicated, it is actually very easy. You simply plant two or more different plants next to them that are known to be mutually beneficial, whether that’s in terms of harvest, improving flavor and quality, or deterring pests, so you enjoy better results from your vegetable garden ideas....

See: Interior design tips – decorating secrets for the world’s top experts Alongside fashion design, Paul has climbed to the top of the interiors world, selling artwork and accessories from his gallery, his flagship store, and on his website (opens in new tab). Wherever Paul goes – from the sun-glazed West Coast to rainy cobbles of London Town – he collects the inspirations that have contributed to making him the designer he is today....

Rightmove’s Director of Property Data Tim Bannister said: ‘Travelling abroad has been restricted for quite some time now, but these measures haven’t stopped the public from scrolling to discover their favorite European villas and American mansions. ‘There remains a huge appetite to view stunning overseas homes and this round-up includes a bulletproof New York fortress and a wonderful home on the southwest coast of Mallorca.’ Dive in… See: World’s best homes – inside the globes most covetable houses 1....

Much of the range features items that would make the perfect gift for Christmas (yourself included) with a focus on great design, as well as excellent functionality a common thread across the collection. See: The new Michel Roux Jr kitchen range has just launched at Homebase Need a new coffee maker? Gen up on what to look for with our brilliant best coffee makers buying guide Aldi Tri-Ply copper cookware A huge hit each year and only available for a short period in the run up to Christmas, Aldi’s range of tri-ply copper cookware is priced from £19....

Staging a house is always important to make sure you sell quickly, but it is doubly so if you have a Christmas deadline in mind. Here are the top tips to make it happen – fast. 1. Create curb appeal Unsurprisingly, curb appeal ideas come first when it comes to selling during the fall and winter. Kristina Morales (opens in new tab), a realtor with over 20 years of professional experience, told us that ‘updated landscaping is one of the most cost effective ways to boost your home’s appeal....

See: Interior design trends – top looks for the year ahead But what do we need to know before making the switch? We spoke to the people at the top of the tile industry to find out. Why are triangular tiles trending? Damla Turgut, Founder, Otto Tiles & Design (opens in new tab), has this to say about the growing trend for triangular tiles. ‘Geometric, triangular patterned tiles are enduringly popular adding visual impact to an interior space,’ Damla shares....

‘With over half of Brits admitting to struggling with their sleep during lockdown, it’s no surprise many are turning to Google to find solutions,’ says Phil Lawlor, sleep expert at Dormeo. ‘Specifically, we’ve seen a big jump in searches for natural sleep aids and for people querying which plants are best for bedrooms.’ See: Bedroom design tips – to help you sleep better at night 5 best plants to help you sleep better Dormeo (opens in new tab) have put together five of the best plants to help sleep....

What’s more, steam cleaning can clean many surfaces effectively with the smallest effort on your part. And, just as with floors, good hygiene doesn’t require the use of additional products, making the process of using steam cleaners and steam mops to clean straightforward. To expand your fund of cleaning tips, we’ve put together a list of the things you can clean with a steamer, and why it’ll do a good job, and asked the experts to weigh in, too....

From choosing your favorite backyard fit pit ideas to the adding ventilation and drainage, it is important that you consider all the practicalities to ensure success. Once your fireplace is in situ, pair it with comfortable seating, outdoor lighting, and a basket of blankets to really elevate your backyard ideas. 8 things you need to know about fire pit design When considering backyard landscaping ideas, fire pits prove an invaluable addition....

Additional bedrooms always prove a boon, and locating them in the basement can have benefits on top of simply boosting their number, providing privacy that guests or older kids who still live at home some or all of the time will appreciate. We’ve put together our favorite basement bedroom ideas here, and they’re accompanied by expert advice to inspire your own rooms whether you’re working with a designer or compiling your own basement ideas list....

Adding color, character and style, choosing to display artwork for your bedroom wall decor ideas can add beautiful visual interest to the space, as well as make the room feel more inviting, personal and creative. When planning your bedroom ideas, elements such as artwork can bring your whole scheme together, whether that’s through mirroring the color palette used throughout the rest of the room, or creating a unique element of contrast, decorating with art can be a truly versatile visual tool in interior design....

If you are lucky, you will have a spacious, dedicated room in which to stash away everything from wet coats and shoes to dog shampoo and towels for that inevitable chore when you return from a muddy walk. But even if you are combining your boot room storage ideas with hallway ideas – in fact, especially if you are – there are many clever design tricks you may not have considered....

A mattress protector is the first line of defense against allergies caused by dead skin cells, pet dander, and other irritants reaching your best mattress. It’s important to keep your mattress clean, which is why you should be aware of the best way to wash a mattress protector to keep it looking its absolute best. We have all the answers about whether you can wash a mattress in a washing machine, below....

Dating back to New England during the 17th century, this classic style proves that keeping it simple is anything but boring. In fact, it’s not too hard to see how Cape Cod homes have deftly surpassed the test of time. Want to get acquainted with the beloved architecture style? Keep reading for an in-depth look at Cape Cod homes. See more: House Styles - the complete guide to architectural styles and eras...

Known for their unconventional lifestyle, Bloomsbury members, including artists Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant, and famous literary figures such as Vanessa’s sister Virginia Woolf, EM Forster, and Maynard Keynes, shared certain beliefs and ideas, and supported each other in their creative activities. At Charleston House, art and experimental thinking were at the center of their everyday lives. Set in the beautiful landscape of the South Downs National Park in England, the farmhouse tells the story of the radical decorative style, ideas and relationships of the group, and is among one of the worlds best homes....

When (or, I should say, if) you tire of eating them by the handful, then remove the stones – one of those comfortingly repetitive culinary tasks – and discover the myriad ways of using the succulent flesh. Toss it into clafoutis batter or berry smoothies, mix with whipped cream to fill a Victoria sandwich or bubble down with sugar to make jam. And don’t stop at sweet ideas; cherries make a wonderful foil for meat and cheese when added to a fresh salsa or spiced chutney....

While deer are shy animals, when hungry they will often stray into gardens and eat prized plants – putting a huge dent in your backyard ideas. ‘One thing to keep in mind is that if the deer are hungry, they will eat just about anything. So even though a plant may be considered deer resistant, it may still be targeted,’ says Jo Ellen Meyers-Sharp, gardening coach and creator of Hoosiergardener (opens in new tab), and a member of the National Garden Bureau (opens in new tab)....

Launching his eponymous design firm in 2001, Scot quickly became one of Northern California’s most sought-after interior designers, rapidly developing an impressive portfolio of projects across the United States. An early recognizer of the benefits of technology, Scot quickly rose as one of the industry’s most vivid influencers, becoming a popular speaker and frequent face among the pages of interiors magazines. With the opening of his lifestyle boutique Scot Meacham Wood Home (opens in new tab) in 2014, this former concert pianist partnered with the world’s most historic mills in creating a bespoke collection of custom textiles, bringing old-world elegance and luxury to the San Francisco Design Center....

But if you’re wondering if front door colors mean anything, you are not alone. Naturally, you’ll want to ensure your front door sets the right tone for the rest of your home. Whatever your style or budget, there are many color ideas – with different meanings – to make a difference to your own humble front door. Here, we’ve asked color psychologists, decorators, and interior designers for their take on front door color meanings, both classic and contemporary in their effect for inspiration and asked the experts to share their advice as well....

This time-honored placement is a traditional dining room lighting room idea, but should you consider breaking from tradition with another setup? We asked experts for their opinions on lighting a dining room – and their conclusions differ. This advice should help you decide what’s best for your home. Do you need a light over a dining table? ‘Putting a light over a dining table is not necessary; I look at it a couple of ways depending on where the table is and then the use,’ says Joe Human, a designer from Designs by Human (opens in new tab), who, amongst other experts, offers his advice below....