Latest news with #HouseDigest
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
Retro kitchen trend from the 70s making a comeback – they're 'adorable'
It's not just the ingredients in your kitchen that are making a statement. After all, your utensils and storage can be just as important. And one throwback trend is making a serious comeback The kitchen has gone kitsch with a vintage revival, bringing back the warm and earthy palette of terracotta, mustard, alongside natural stone and wood - but it's the "Merry Mushroom" collection that's stealing the limelight. These quirky 70s icons are making a comeback in a subtle way that speaks louder than bold wallpapers or vibrant tiles. It's all about "groovy maximalism," complete with organic curves and throwback shades, at the forefront of a wider 70s resurgence adored by designers and decor devotees. Own a slice of yesteryear thrills with "Merry Mushroom" knick-knacks; a charming tribute to the evergreen charity shop finds sporting that unmistakable 70s kitsch. House Digest raves about these nostalgic treasures, labelling them as "sweet" pops of colour that capture the essence of the woods with their adorable mushroom motif. One piece alone is enough to sprinkle some retro magic on your home scene, says the publication: "Even if you only snag one, it will certainly add to the vibe that is taking over the interior design world." Long live the "Merry Mushroom" jars, a legacy from Sears, dominating from the 70s to the 80s with a catalogue of 250 choices for eager homemakers. Now, it's less about utility and more about those one-of-a-kind flourishes of style – though cookie and flour storage were once part of the groovy array, reports the Express. The iconic Merry Mushroom collection was a staple in the US, and while it's less recognised in the UK, you can still spot these pieces in vintage and antique shops. These retro treasures are perfect for cottage-core or 70s-inspired kitchens, but they can also add a touch of nostalgia elsewhere. To offset the vibrant mustard and orange shades typical of Merry Mushroom designs, pair them with natural, earthy finishes. House Digest suggests that a wooden tray on a side table, adorned with a mushroom jar and a beige or taupe frame, would look intentional. "This will play up the colour and also complement the natural elements of the mushroom", the magazine pointed out. For a simpler kitchen display, place the jars on wooden or copper surfaces, perhaps on open shelves, to tone down the bold yellow and brown hues. Any mustard accents or matching colours will evoke the 70s vibe and give your kitchen an autumnal edge. How to spot genuine Merry Mushroom kitchenware One way to verify if you've got the real deal is to inspect the base of the ceramic items for date stamps. You should find years within the 1970s and 1980s range, along with a Sears mark. This is one of the easiest ways to identify your pieces, according to House Digest. The magazine cautioned: "Some of the lids may be mismatched and the sizing varies depending on the year each was for the stamp and the tell-tale colours that make these jars so unique."
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
The Valuable Vintage Glass Jar You'll Want To Be On The Lookout For At Thrift Stores
With so many crafts and alternative uses for Mason jars, this simple piece of glassware has nearly unlimited value. From storing your dried goods to beautifying your home, there are seemingly endless clever ways to reuse old glass jars around the house. But when it comes to actual dollar amounts, some jars are more valuable than others. The valuable vintage glass jar you'll want to be on the lookout for at thrift stores is the Atlas Mason jar. While most Atlas jars sell for around $15 and under, the Strong-Shoulder Mason jar in amber or cornflower blue can go for a whopping $130. Another type of Mason jar you'll regret leaving at the thrift store if you spot it is the Atlas Mason's Patent in green or purple, as well as the Strong-Shoulder in aqua or olive green. Although none of these styles are worth as much as the cornflower blue and amber combo, they still come with a typical price tag of around $65 a piece. Before you drive straight to the local thrift shop to search for blue jars, it's important to know how to identify authentic Atlas jars. One of the easiest identifiers is the embossed label on the bottom of the jar. Authentic finds will feature the "Hazel-Atlas" glass mark on the bottom -- a large H with a capital A tucked underneath, but there are other things to look for as well. Read more: The Decades-Old Kitchen Item That's Making An Adorable Comeback In Homes Today In addition to the HA symbol on the bottom of jars, you can look to the side of the jar for an Atlas or Hazel Atlas glass mark. Be careful, though, because modern jars, like those used for Classico brand sauces, boast the Atlas logo but are not authentic. Color is another good way to identify vintage Atlas jars. Originally, these colored jars, especially the amber ones, were thought to keep food safe from spoiling, but that was later proved a misconception. Still, an old jar with a colorful hue is a rare and exciting find, but just be careful as there are some fake colored jars out there. When it comes to styling these vintage jars around your home, there is a long list of possible options. Common uses include candle holders, DIY lanterns, flower vases (you can create a gorgeous personalized flower vase with a creative Mason jar DIY), food storage, craft room storage, and plant propagation stations. While many Mason jar crafts will suggest painting or altering the jar, it's best to avoid doing this as it will devalue your jar. With the gorgeous blue and amber colors, these jars look great as-is, lined on a shelf, or in front of a window. Enjoyed this article? Get expert home tips, DIY guides, and design inspiration by signing up to the House Digest newsletter! Read the original article on House Digest.
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
Everyday item from 'grandma's kitchen' making huge comeback in homes today
From chequered floors to paisley patterns, interior design has evolved significantly over the years, with the kitchen often being the focal point of these trends. The choice of decor for a kitchen, from wood to granite to marble to vinyl, can be daunting given the variety of fixtures, fittings and fridges that make each kitchen unique. While recent years have seen a dominance of magnolia walls and Scandinavian furniture, there was a time when vibrant floral prints and quirky ornaments were all the rage in our homes. Like all trends, they tend to cycle, and one unexpected item from the 1970s has taken the internet by storm - but don't rush to dust off your psychedelic flower power tablecloth just yet. The online frenzy is all about vintage cookie jars or biscuit tins. What may seem like an odd item to regain popularity, these granny-style biscuit tins have become incredibly trendy - particularly those shaped like a goose or hen, it seems. These avian-themed jars are brimming with nostalgia, reminding people of their childhood days when they would stealthily snatch a custard cream or a bourbon, then scamper away as if nothing had happened. Goose novelty jars were among the more whimsical adornments crafted in the 1970s - a range of quirky containers shaped like animals and cartoon characters graced many a kitchen, becoming particularly beloved by grandparents, reports the Express. Their popularity soared during the '80s as vibrant animal and floral motifs (including geese and hens) dominated the dinnerware in many homes, contrasting with today's preference for muted beige and cream tones. Despite changing trends, these jars have remarkably weathered the years, with many people forming emotional bonds to these items, making it increasingly hard to part with them. Nowadays, it seems nostalgia has woven its way into contemporary minimalist interiors, perhaps driven by finances. Redecorating can be a costly affair, prompting younger generations to frequent charity shops, car boot sales, and flea markets for home embellishments. Opting for second-hand decor is not only thriftier but also echoes eco-conscious values, a sentiment that Dianna Wilson from House Digest recognises. She says: "Their resurgence in popularity may have something to do with sustainability and the rise of thrifting culture. Or maybe they remind us of a time when life was slower and simpler. Then again, maybe they're just adorable!" For those on the hunt for their own retro goose, she recommends having a thorough look in charity shops and second-hand stores. If that doesn't yield results, using the #goosecookiejar on social media could attract potential sellers to you.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The Time Management Tip That Makes Cleaning Quicker And Easier
When your home feels unmanageable, don't let frustration keep you from getting started with getting it into good shape again. Try cleaning your space in 15-minute bursts. Set a timer on your phone or with an egg timer. Pick an area or task, and work on it for 15 minutes without stopping. There may be endless simple cleaning hacks to keep your home tidy, but this method distills the process down to the bare essentials. You can write out a list of tasks you'd like to accomplish, or simply start the timer and tackle the first mess you see. Doing timed sessions will help you develop a lasting habit of keeping your home clean and make the entire tidying process more manageable. Just remember: no distractions. Don't sit down and get caught on your phone or anything else. After the 15 minutes are up, look at what you've accomplished so far. You can either stop for the day or repeat the session, followed by a 5-minute break, if desired. Using this approach aligns with the Pomodoro technique, a proven time management method pioneered by Francisco Cirillo. While his method uses 25 minutes of intense work, the principle remains the same: Short, focused intervals help you establish momentum and progress as you concentrate on just one spot rather than trying to tackle your whole home in one day. It's more than a trendy productivity hack -- it works. Applying it can help make cleaning quicker and easier. Here's why. Read more: 14 Items You Can Toss To Declutter Your Living Room On The Spot Do you really want to clean for 75 minutes? Chances are, the answer is no. Yet if you do a short, 15-minute cleaning session every weekday, you've cleaned for 75 minutes, which is no easy feat. Shorter increments make cleaning feel like less of a chore, even if your home is nothing short of a disaster. Plus, you'll stay on top of smaller messes during the week, such as the sink of dirty dishes you neglected after work, or the pile of clothes your kids dropped in the hallway after practice. Focused sessions let you look at the parts instead of the whole. To kick everything into gear, the timer creates a sense of urgency: You race the clock to see what you can accomplish. This intense burst of activity also helps if you have ADHD or trouble staying on task because it isolates the problem to one specific area. It helps reduce the chance of burnout while trying to clean every room in your house. It's also a form of single-tasking. Studies show that multitasking can reduce efficiency since your brain needs time to refocus once you switch to a new task. If you've ever tried to clean your living room, for example, and found yourself traveling all over the house putting things away, you know how that goes. Next time, put on some music, set a timer, and get to work. You'll be surprised at how much this little effort can add up to big results. Enjoyed this article? Get expert home tips, DIY guides, and design inspiration by signing up to the House Digest newsletter! Read the original article on House Digest.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Are Grub Worms Ruining Your Yard? There's A Simple Solution (But You Might Not Love It)
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Grub worms can wreak absolute havoc on your lawn or outdoor plants--which means that keeping their population to a minimum is a must for most gardeners and homeowners. There are several natural predators of grub worms, such as birds, raccoons, and moles, that will happily target these critters for you. However, one alternative organic pest control solution is more dependable and just as natural: diatomaceous earth may be worth taking a glance at during your next garden store visit. Diatomaceous earth is essentially fossilized algae but in a microscopic form. When unprocessed, it favors white sediment rocks, but it typically comes in a powdered form, resembling everyday baking powder. This naturally-occurring substance is fairly harmless upon skin contact with humans but can be deadly to many soft-bodied insects, including grub worms. It's often ground into a powder for easy distribution, and upon contact, diatomaceous earth's super sharp, jagged particles scrape the outer shell of soft-bodied insects, making them physically vulnerable. These outer shells are composed of oil and moisture, and once they're compromised by the silica-laden diatomaceous earth, the insects suffer from dehydration and quickly die. Read more: 12 Reasons You Should Put A Bar Of Soap In Your Garden The physical makeup of diatomaceous earth makes it a more ideal solution for dry areas, as moisture can lessen its abrasion and cause clumps. Another downside of using this solution is its potentially negative effect on ecological helpers such as bees, earthworms, and ladybugs. Unfortunately, it may have the same dehydrating and deterring effect on these garden-friendly bugs. In short, diatomaceous earth's indiscriminate nature can potentially pose a threat to your garden's ecosystem if used heavily or improperly. For example, it may be hazardous to earthworms if used too often. Earthworms are soft-bodied and play a crucial role in gardens, as they help to aerate soil, improve drainage, and distribute nutrients. Diatomaceous earth can also be harmful to another prized creature in your garden's ecological structure: the ladybug--and it's often recommended as a natural insect repellent for deterring ladybug colony invasions. However, ladybugs play a vital role in outdoor gardens, as they help to control common plant pests such as aphids. So, what's another option for those wanting a natural solution to getting rid of grub worms? One product that specifically targets grub worms is St. Gabriel Organics Milky Spore Granular Grub Control, which uses the active ingredient "Bacillus popilliae" and can be applied right in the soil. Other natural solutions you can consider include releasing beneficial nematodes into your garden and using neem oil to banish pesky grubs. Enjoyed this article? Get expert home tips, DIY guides, and design inspiration by signing up to the House Digest newsletter! Read the original article on House Digest.
