Articles by Laura Gaskill

Short on the time (or motivation) to do a traditional spring cleaning? Try a spring home refresh instead. By focusing your cleaning energies on just a few key areas, and making a few simple and easy decor tweaks as well, your home will feel renewed an…

When the excitement of the holidays has passed and there are still months of short, dark days ahead, it can be tempting to climb under the covers and hibernate until spring. But here’s a better plan: Tweak your space to make the most of winter light, …

Having a room of one’s own is an appealing idea — a space just for you, where you can read, journal, craft, do yoga or simply relax, away from the bustle of a busy house. But even if you don’t have an entire room to spare, carving out a special corner…

What with the new teachers, shifting schedules and sudden onslaught of paper, the back-to-school transition can be challenging for parents and kids alike. Manage the chaos by putting an action plan in place to handle some of your home’s hot spots — in…

So often we look forward to the weekend, but once it arrives, it gets swallowed up by errands and chores — and before we know it, it’s over. That hardly seems fair! If you’re ready to reclaim your weekend, begin by shifting your thinking and consider …

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…

Think back to the last time you remember feeling unhurried: nothing particular to do, just a stretch of time to catch your breath. If it’s difficult to recall, you’re not alone. With the pinging of messages and social media notifications creating a co…

The sun is shining, you’ve got hours of free time stretching out before you, and the backyard is beckoning. From supersize Scrabble to yard Yahtzee and disc golf, make the most of your summer weekends (or staycation)…

When preparing to adopt our kitty, I learned from the folks at the rescue organization that a few of our houseplants were toxic to cats and dogs — and since this particular furry friend enjoys chomping on plants, it was vital we remove these from our …

Whether you enjoy slow-cooked barbecue on a Sunday afternoon or firing up the grill for quick weeknight dinners, having a properly equipped space and well-maintained grill makes backyard cooking more of a joy. These tools, cleaning tasks and tips will…