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Consumer Reports has released its Top Picks for 2024, featuring the best products in various categories such as cooking essentials, home care, healthy living, tech, outdoor living, and autos. These products have been rigorously tested and are recommended by experts. Some standout items include the Vitamix blender for its power and performance, the Breville Handy Mix Scraper for its versatility, and the GE French-Door Refrigerators for their value. The article also highlights innovative products like the Duxtop Portable Induction Cooktop Burner and the Oxo Steel Salad Spinner. Overall, these Top Picks offer consumers great performance, reliability, and value. [Extracted from the article]

For years Leslie Powell held her love of Early Americana at bay. 'We were living in a Victorian house, and I always like to decorate according to the architecture,' she [...]

SAVING TRADITIONAL American crafts from extinction was not what Dennis Belanger, April 2003 Country Living Guild Member, had in mind when he and his wife, Sheila, bought their Colonial-style New [...]

Making a new house look and feel timeless is no small achievement, but that's builder David Steele's specialty--and why Country Living turned to him to collaborate on the 2008 House [...]

There are certain places that hold a special magic for each of us. Janet and Churchill Franklin found theirs in the Green Mountains of Vermont, at Middlebury College, where they [...]

seeing is believing What we see is a reflection of how we see. And so, this month, we pay tribute to restoration, renovation, and reinvention. Join us as we explore [...]

This Lancaster County, Pa., farmhouse had been sitting empty for several years before it was brought up to date. Too close to the road, dilapidated, uninsulated, and heated only by [...]

Creativity Counts By rearranging and painting the 'solid but ugly' cabinets, replacing tired surfaces, and installing new appliances, the owners of this Connecticut kitchen created a bright, efficient space--on a [...]

Sometimes, when you fall for a house it's really the location that tugs at your heart--you might call it 'love at first site.' Such was the case when Diana and [...]

MAGICAL A black-tie dinner served at a table reachable only by a canoe trip across a pond? It sounds the stuff of romance novels, but such was the setting of [...]

'The magic moment of owning an old house,' says homeowner Keith Keegan, 'comes when you let in the light and see what the wood floors look like for the first [...]

The article evaluates various commercial products including the LG LRFVC2406S French-Door refrigerator, Tramontina 80131/066DS coated cast-iron pan, and the Sole F80 treadmill.

make a wrapping station Pretty papers and ribbons make holiday gift-giving festive and heighten everyone's anticipation--but only if you can find them. So why not spend a few hours creating [...]

Unable to find anything in a garage overflowing with nine years' accumulation of tools, sports equipment, crafts supplies, and out-grown toys, this family decided finally to take action. One garage [...]

The article offers information on design and construction of kitchen, houses and bathrooms and offers suggestions on getting inspirations from the same. Topics discussed include bathroom in Portland, Oregon which brightened up with combination of palette and tiles, garage storage space transformed by homeowner Sherry and John Petersik and handling plumbing and electrical issues.

When the busy pace of work and school slows down, the Koeblers like to stay home and cook. A respectful renovation gave them a kitchen that is at once up-to-date [...]

The article presents tips to upgrade kitchen. It mentions the kitchen surfaces such as those of concrete, marble and tile, that are easy to clean using vacuum cleaners. It adds flooring with bamboo, wood and tile. It suggests to use acrylic grout or epoxy grout in kitchen and kitchen cabinets that are easy to clean.

The article offers suggestions on different types of paints, painting products and their uses. Topics discussed include use of different paints like latex paint, waterborne alkyd, and spray paint; step-by-step instructions for using rollers for painting and usage of prep and primer; and a five-quart red plastic bucket from Leaktite.

The article focuses on the kitchen renovation of a 1907 Craftsman home, discussing the works made by designer David Heide.

The article offers suggestions on choosing a refrigerator matching perfectly with family. Topics discussed include the classic single-door fridge with freezer above as the most affordable, the bottom-freezer fridge but with two narrow doors makes it clunky to use as it needs to open both doors to stash a big casserole and needs bending to open the freezer drawer for reaching frozen foods and features not available but are worth considering such as barista service and double-door action.

The article offers suggestions for picking the right bulb for improving home's mood and safety along with reviews of bulbs. Topics discussed include dimmable soft white bulbs for nighttime or in the morning, need of high-quality light in the kitchen such as dimmable bulb, and review of Hue 65W BR30 connected bulb from Philips.

The article focuses on how to choose rug and and taking care of it. The best rugs are handmade by skilled designers and weavers using top-grade natural fibers, like wool and silk. Every six months to a year, one can turn rug 180 degrees so it will wear and fade evenly. If the room is very sunny, one can apply window film to reduce damaging ultra violet rays.

The article looks at installing an outdoor kitchen. The differences between movable, prefabricated, and custom kitchen options are considered. Topics include reasons to build an outdoor kitchen close to the house, how much counter space to allocate around a grill, and how to prevent fires. The advantages of different layouts are noted. Building a roof is discussed.

The article offers step-by-step instructions for creating outdoor rooms.

The article offers advice on washing machines and latest technology in washing machines along with positive and negative points. Topics discussed include conventional top loaders that account for about 40 percent of new washer sales across the world, high efficiency top loaders that that account for 35 percent of total washer sale and lack central agitator and high efficiency front loaders.

The article presents information on how New Hampshire-based couples Dennis Belanger and Sheila Belanger got the floorcloths of their Colonial-style New Hampshire house, reproduced. Many artisans used stencils to create a regular repeat over a large area. Dennis Belanger cuts his own stencils, also using them on the walls like famous 19th-century stencil artist Moses Eaton. Dennis Belanger follows historic methods when making his floorcloths.

The article offers several tips for making human beings environment-friendly. It is suggested that to save water, one should turn off the tap while shaving and brushing the teeth, and use a bucket of soapy water to wash cars. It is stated that one should use hybrid cars, because they are more fuel efficient and produce less emissions. It is suggested that one should use a reusable bag instead of single-use plastic bags.

The article provides information about Janet and Churchill Franklin's vacation home in Green Mountains, Vermont. The couple bought a 200-year-old barn in the area and had it removed to form their new family gathering center. One long renovation later, the Franklins now spend the winter time skating and skiing, and the summer time, swimming and hiking. The Franklins designed the dining room in a party-theme setting where walls are clad with reclaimed barn boards and floors are maple milled.

The article features the latest log home model of Golden Eagle Log Homes in Wisconsin. The design of the house which was built at the edge of Wisconsin's Lake Patenwell, was based on its location. After the house was built, a series of tours and fundraiser was planned to be hosted by the company, for the University of Wisconsin's Children's Hospital. Information about the house' design is discussed. Several photographs depicting various sections of the house are presented.

Presents information on ideal locations for a house.

Describes the interior design of a waterfront house built for a couple and their teenage children in Massachusetts. Well-placed porches and stone patios; Design of the kitchen; House furnishings.

Describes the makeover of a Shingle-style cottage in the Hamptons on the easternmost tip of New York's Long Island; Use of linen-white paint on the walls and soft blue-and-yellow print from Brunschwig & Fills on the sofas; Interior design created by Peter Falk of Falk & Gordon Interiors in Bridgehampton, New York.

The article provides answers to questions on common household problems including creaking stairs, windows rattling and whistling, and banging or knocking sounds inside the walls.

The article profiles the renovation of homeowners Michelle and Paul Hobbs' 1904 cottage's kitchen designed by contractor Steven Offenhartz, in which the family opened the passage between the dining room and kitchen in order to create a more open layout and usable workspace.

Several photographs of the remodeled kitchen in the home of Tom Prescott and Kim Prescott of Naperville, Illinois, with updated details including reproduction schoolhouse lights, a rebuilt 1930s Magic Chef stove, and Shaker-style cabinetry, are presented.

The article discusses how house design partners Nina Marinkovich and Ken Kirsch remodeled the kitchen of California resident Jim Alford so that it opened up to his television room, creating an expansive space. It is stated that the partners removed the old cabinetry to connect the living areas and the kitchen, and created a 9-foot drum-shaped soffit over the tiny dining area and a 14-foot vaulted ceiling in the television room. Several relevant photographs are also provided.

The article presents suggestions related to designing of the pantry of a kitchen. Careful organization and a few personal touches would make this storage area one of the favorite features of one's house. One should show off his or her new pantry by fitting it with an eye-catching exterior door. A chalkboard in the pantry makes it easy to keep notes visible. One should place frequently used items on the front of the shelf at eye level.

Discusses efficient storage systems and tips for organizing garage doors.

The article focuses on swimming pools in home. There are so many great new looks in pools today that the industry can't concur which trend is the hottest. Freeform, lagoon-style pools are popular, but so are modern curvilinear designs, as well as the more traditional angular look. The only thing everyone can agree on is that, overall, pools are getting smaller. Whether you plan to use your pool area to entertain others or just for relaxing with your family, you'll want lo include a casual dining area. Shop for furnishings that are comfortable, stylish, and easy to maintain.

The article describes the renovation of the master bathroom in an 1887 Stick-style home in Chicago, Illinois, belonging to Marc and Sarah Chodera which used cherry cabinets, penny-round tiles and a clawfoot tub, with a layout placing the toilet in a separate room.

The article provides several tips and scenarios on craftsmanship. It relates the strategy applied by Tom Lawson of Enfield, Connecticut in seeking the assistance of an experienced handyman in helping him upgrade the exterior part of his house with a $30 fee per hour. Moreover, it mentions the use of books and Internet in gathering free advice on house improvement.

The article presents information on the renovation of a master bath of a Shingle-style home in Westchester County, New York. The owners of the bath were embarking on some change to the home they'd lived in for two years. Architect Carol Kurth suggested they plan a modest bump out to allow for twin vanities and a vaulted, windowed bay for a freestanding tub, positioned to maximize Hudson River views from the master bath.

The article explores the redesign and remodeling of three kitchens in the U.S. The homeowners have remodeling budgets ranging from less than $20,000 to more than $100,0000. The remodeling projects demonstrate the importance of planning over money. Careful prioritizing and bargaining can add up to satisfying results.

Presents an article on remodeling an apartment. Replacement of the carpet; Planned changes in the kitchen; Qualities preferred for the flooring.