Since I'm not very good at sitting still, I often take care of small household chores, some of which I might otherwise not find the time for, while I'm on the phone. Mindless tasks get taken care of quickly while I'm otherwise engaged. By the time the call's finished, my home has gotten a little extra TLC. More

Joan Crawford's infamous “no wire hangers!” is seen by some as the ultimate sign of mental and maternal unfitness. For others, like me, it's just sound advice. After all, she's got a point: Dry-cleaner wire hangers are bad for the environment, delicate clothing and a certain organizational aesthetic. Can't we just consider Crawford's cry as a slightly overzealous call to get our homes in order? Is Crawford just Kevin Sharkey with a bad rep and cold cream? More

Brass hardware is making a big comeback. If you have a piece with less than blingy brass, here's a primer on how to polish it to perfection or fake it to fabulous. More

Cleaning your copper kitchen tools naturally is easy. No need for harsh chemicals or special solutions, simply take half a lemon, dip it in kosher salt and give the copper a good rub. Stains lift almost immediately. Afterwards, wash off the salt and lemon mixture with warm water and wipe dry. Follow our step-by-step pictorial instructions above... More

As part of my ongoing effort to streamline my life, I've begun investing in (paying more for) high quality, classic clothing that will look nicer and last longer, reducing my cost-per-wear ratio. This attempt at functional adulthood means more careful upkeep to maintain my investment (splurge), and, for cashmere, that means hand washing. Here's what I do. More

Clean and serene — those are pretty idyllic words for a bathroom. But neat and organized? That might seem a little out of reach for those of us with small spaces shared with roommates and family members. If you're looking for a little inspiration, there's nothing better than taking a cue from some of the best bathrooms from our house tours: More

Coconut oil's been getting a lot of press lately for its amazing health benefits. It's great to cook with, adding a subtle richness to foods and doesn't break down at high temperatures meaning that it's perfect for frying. And, it's also great outside the kitchen! Here are some of the ways you can use it around the house.

More

The short days and cold nights of winter often mean that we burrow in and spend a lot more time in our homes that we normally would. And usually, at around this time every year, the dreaded cabin fever starts to kick in. Perk up, buster! We've got ways of curing cabin fever … and they're all easier than running away to a sunny Mexican beach with Pedro, your pretend lover. More

Maybe you have kids who got a little crazy with their markers while you slept through your alarm one morning, or possibly you picked up a thrift store find that's a bit marked up. No matter what your scribble-stress, if it's painted, it can be cleaned with toothpaste. True story! More

Clutter is a horrible thing no matter what form it takes, but when it comes to our movies and music, sometimes we just let it get out of hand. It's just storage on a hard drive or room on a shelf, right? But it isn't — that clutter will take over if we let it. That's why, if you haven't already, it's time to take charge and get organized with your media. Here's how. More