As we move into a new year, it's a great time to think back not only on the last year but also on all those years and decades and centuries that preceded it. A huge part of how we think about and use our homes comes from the past, so here's a compendium of some of our favorite history-related posts from 2012, selected to commemorate the designers we love, the time periods that inspire us, and some of the legacies that we probably take for granted. More

We know, the holidays have just passed and buying another toy is not exactly high on your list (or Santa's, for that matter). But perhaps you'd like to bookmark this for later in the year when you're searching for that perfect gift. We've rounded up our toy roundups: 5, 10, sometimes 20 terrific toys in a similar vein to help save you the research legwork.

• Pull & Go: Best Pull Toys
• Everyday's a Birthday: Pretend Play Cakes
• Is There a Doctor in the House?: Doctor Play Kits
• Ready for Summer: Play Grills & Grub
• Modern Classics: Bath Toys
• Wooden Marble Runs
• 20 Coloring Books Off the Beaten Path
• Broaden Kids' Palates with Play Food
• Sort It Out: Wooden Shape Sorters
• 10 Gender-Neutral Dollhouses More

As much as we report about the post-cable and cord lifestyle, the truth is there are still plenty of devices which require plugging in to connect and charge. But that doesn't mean all is hopeless. A life sans cable and cord clutter is possible with a little planning and the right tools. Here are several resources and inspiring examples where the life plugged in doesn't have users all tangled up...

• Clever USB Connection Solutions and Tips
• Make Organizing Fun: Home Office Solutions for Cords, Cables and Devices
• How To Create a Cord and Cable Free Home Entertainment TV Setup
• Unlace Ties Up Cord and Cable Clutter
• How To Make Any Lamp Cordless
• Before & After: Kim and Scott Wrangle In Their Cables
• Color Code Your White Apple Cords with Perler Beads
• Crafty Cable Management Using Everyday Household Items
• Our Favorite Cord Control Gutters & Trays
• Cord Wars: How I Won the Fight Against Nasty Cords More

In November, as we neared the end of our year long editorial calendar, our focus shifted toward the ways we share our homes with others, during the holidays and beyond. Hosting parties, dinners and gatherings is enjoyable on many levels, not least of which (for design lovers like us) is the opportunity to dress up a table beautifully. Check out what our wonderful writers came up with as ideas for well-styled settings circa 2012...

• Entertaining Elements: Setting a Simple Chic Table
• Entertaining Elements: Setting an Organic Black & White Table
• Entertaining Elements: Setting a Happy Modern Table
• Entertaining Elements: Setting a Warm Industrial Table
• Entertaining Elements: Setting An Eclectic Collector Table
• Entertaining Elements: Setting an Elegant Yet Quirky Table in Black and White
• Entertaining Elements: Setting a Cocktail Party Table
• Entertaining Elements: Setting a New Traditional Table
• Entertaining Elements: Setting a Green & Gold Table
• Entertaining Elements: Setting a Monochromatic Table in Red/a> More

You're probably not thinking of venturing outside today — even the South is feeling the grip of a bit of a winter chill. But what you can do is stay inside and peruse these beautiful outdoor spaces from some of our best Apartment Therapy House Tours of 2012. More

Yesterday we highlighted terrific nurseries from our home tours which you may have missed during the year. Well, those kids eventually grow up and so do their rooms. Here are some of our favorite bedrooms belonging to kids whose homes we've profiled. Their rooms mostly share the vibe of the whole home with a bit of their own personal style added to the mix.

• Daughter's room in Guy & Karen's Modern Family Home
• Daughter's room in Alexandra & Eliot's 1890's Farmhouse
• Mateo's room in Charmaine & Mark's Lovely, Lively Family Home
• Capucine's room in Nicolas & Fabienne's Quirky and Colorful London Home
• Daughter's room in Shiva's Eclectic, Romantic Modern Ranch
• Stan's room in Steph & Phil's Reimagined Victorian
• Audrie's room in The Roeders' Modern Life is Beautiful
• Goldie's room in Robert & Hannah's 'Casa Eclectic'
• Hanna's room in Hope's Relaxed & Easy Modern Home
• Son's room in Lisa & Piero's English Inspired Los Feliz Home

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Each day our Tech channel concludes with an image or video, a Final Frame, all with the intention to inspire, inform, or simply amuse. Think of it as our version of the little surprise prize at the bottom of a Cracker Jacks box: illustrations, concept designs, infographics, snapshots from our House Tours...the odds and ends we stumble upon throughout the day.

• Address Unknown: Choose Your Address Carefully
• A Desk With a View
• Where and How We Connect: 2011 vs 2012
• When You Need to Take a Nap At Your Desk
• Swings As Musical Instruments
• Amazing Shape Shifting Walls of Animated Pixel Blocks
• Hate Typing on the iPad? Try the iTypewriter
• Like This Post
• What's the Best Color For the Home Office?
• The Instagram Socialmatic Camera More

You don't necessarily have to drop a ton of dough to make your home look like a million bucks. Outfitting a stylish home on a budget may a little more challenging but it can be done — as we proved in post after bargain happy post this year.

• Set the Table: 10 Budget Dinnerware Sets
• High & Low: Bar Cart Accessories
• 10 Colorful Accessories Under $5
• The Etsy Challenge: Anthropologie Looks for Less
• Showers & Flowers: Floral Shower Curtains Under $50
• 5 Non-Designer Objects for the Design Set
• Etsy Vintage Finds for the Home: Under $25
• From Grab & Go To Wow for Under $10: Affordable Vase Upgrades
• 15 Stylish Planters Under $50
• Dorm Style: Two Rooms for Under $100 More

Are you seriously telling me winter only officially began 9 days ago? I know much of the country has been shivering in their boots for months, so I guess now's the time for the serious hunkering down to begin. Here are some of our favorite winter living discussions, sure to keep us healthy and happy 'till spring — though it would all be a lot easier if this was a Winter Olympics year… More

From scavenging for found objects to scouting the nearest art supply shop, arts and crafts with kids are activities a lot of parents and caregivers enjoy doing with children. Not only are they great indoor activities, but they foster creativity and imagination in both kids and parents alike. Exercise the right part of your child's brain with our favorite arts and crafts posts from 2012:

• How to Make Sun Prints
• DIY Photo Painting
• Simple Finger Painting For Kids
• What To Do This Weekend: Make Toilet Paper Roll Cars
• Budget Minded: 10 Fun Toys You Can Make
• What To Do This Weekend: Snap Painting
• Make Your Own DrawBot
• Kid-Created Bubble Art
• A DIY Cardboard Construction Set
• Stuck Inside? Make Water Color Pages

More