Stephanie Anderson Witmer

When you think about art for your home, you probably imagine paintings on the walls and sculptures on console tables. But the definition of art is expanding. “More people are investing in artisanal furniture, serving pieces, and textiles, instead of just paintings,” says interior designer Stephen Czeck, partner at Jen Going Interiors and co-founder of Going Home. That means the chair you sit on and the plates you eat from can be art, too.

You may not buy the farm, but you’re probably sold on farmhouse décor. That fusion of vintage warmth (did someone say, shiplap?) and modern, industrial elements makes it a trendy, sought-after look. Part of its popularity is because it’s so versatile. “It can bend toward more farm-y, more modern, or more industrial, and it blends well with other styles, such as coastal, bohemian, or glam,” says Max Humphrey, an interior designer based in Portland, Oregon. Use his design tricks to hook up farm charm three ways in your home.

Adding designer-inspired touches doesn’t have to break the bank or take a lot of time. Some of the best decorating ideas involve making small, simple changes. Consider these options to amp up your home’s fab factor at a price you can afford.

Valentine’s Day is supposed to be the most romantic day of the year, but with all that pressure for things to be just right, sometimes things can go a little, well, wrong.

It doesn’t matter if it’s due to a lack of planning or just an unfortunate V-Day surprise: When disaster strikes, you have a very limited amount of time to fix it before Cupid labels your evening a failure. Here’s how you can overcome six of the most common Valentine’s Day disasters and get the biggest date night of the year back on track.

Brunch is all about perfect combinations — breakfast and lunch, sweet and savory, a little relaxed and a little fancy. The leisurely, late-morning affairs are best when they’re laidback and loungy, with tasty food and a comfortable vibe that encourages guests to kick off their shoes and hang out.

Many elementary, middle and secondary schools are integrating some form of farming or gardening into their classrooms and cafeterias. The chance to connect kids more closely with science, technology, engineering and mathematics — disciplines known as STEM — and other educational concepts as well as to the food they eat is among the reasons why.

It's not just you: More people are suffering from allergies than ever before. The advise these doctors give their closest pals can help you get relief and enjoy spring again.

A web excerpt of the full article, found in USA Today's Pet Guide 2016 magazine: https://issuu.com/studiogannett/docs/pet_guide/52

Originally published by Civil Eats