Articles by Laura Gaskill

Whether you work from home part time (or full time), or use your home office for keeping track of household accounts, this space is likely to be a magnet for paper clutter. In this series, we’re approaching each room in the house from the perspective …

January may be cold and dark, but it can also be a time for bold beginnings. Make the most of your month by clearing space in your home, boosting warmth and dreaming up plans for the year ahead. Here are 13 to-dos to give your home a little midwinter …

When you are on vacation, it seems natural to end up outdoors in the evening and even into the night, simply enjoying being outdoors. On camping trips it’s all about stargazing and marshmallow roasting; at a beach house, you might sneak down to see th…

When you hear the word “retreat,” what comes to mind — writing in a cabin by a lonesome lake, engaging in spiritual study or practicing yoga on the beach? How about doing a retreat in your own home? It may at first seem like an improbable idea (althou…

You don’t have to have a full-size tree to make your house feel like a winter wonderland. Take your pick from these 20 ideas — including a hot drinks bar and bookcase wreaths — and get your home in the holiday mood, no giant tree required.

It’s easy to love weekend mornings (who doesn’t love a leisurely start to the day?), but weekday mornings don’t need to be rushed through. In fact, by reclaiming a bit of time for yourself in the morning, your workdays can begin on a note of inspirati…

Whether you’re looking to splurge on a loved one or need a small but thoughtful gift for that cozy-loving friend or co-worker, this guide is a good place to start your search. With 10 crowd-pleasing ideas to choose from, you’ll have all of the hygge-o…

When you’re planning a remodel, there is plenty to think about. But one thing that might not be on your radar is your level of interaction with the process and, by extension, with the pros involved. How this plays out can impact everything…

There is a certain squirrel-like pleasure in stocking up for cold weather — and potential power outages — from the regular essentials, like flashlights and warm socks, to the fun essentials, like bottles of wine and new board games. Knowing you have a…

Whether you’re setting up your kitchen for the first time, downsizing or just aiming to simplify your life with a more minimalist kitchen setup, this guide is a good place to begin. If you own only the 22 items on this list (we’ll assume you’re…