Perhaps to alleviate the dreariness of long northern winters, Scandinavian style tends toward folk-art florals, crisp checks, plaids and stripes, and wood furniture left natural or painted in colors that evoke the region's natural beauty.

NEW YORK — With the housing recovery gaining steam, Americans have more incentives to paint up, touch up and otherwise redecorate their homes. But there's no need to spend willy-nilly.

Visiting this spring's décor previews often felt like exploring an art gallery. There was an artistic vibe to everything from dinnerware to drapery, art photographs to textiles.

Intrigued by the drama and inspired by the sophistication of British aristocrats in "Downton Abbey," some fans are plotting to bring the series' style into their own homes, from gilded finishes to opulent upholstery to portrait paintings.

When Renee Pedro bought a house with mid-century décor, she decided to embrace the look.

One trip to Chandler Fashion Center, a call to Ticketmaster, two online transactions and several stops at East Valley mom-and-pop shops in the bag, and my Christmas shopping is complete.

Stars, moons and planets have long been inspiration for designers. For aficionados and anyone who appreciates the artistry to be found in astronomy, there is a galaxy of beautiful items for the home.

The joy of home entertaining at the holidays often comes with a challenge: How do you provide enough seating for a roomful of holiday revelers with just a sofa and a few chairs? Are there creative options besides resorting to folding chairs?

Gift giving feels good, and can feel even better if you know your purchase is helping those less fortunate. Luckily, a number of home décor retailers partner with charitable organizations; many do so year-round, with additional initiatives during the holiday season.

Gift giving feels good, and can feel even better if you know your purchase is helping those less fortunate. Luckily, a number of home décor retailers partner with charitable organizations; many do so year round, with additional initiatives during the holiday season.

There is much about the holiday shopping season that makes no sense to me. Why someone needs to camp out for a week just to get a deal on a TV — I don’t know. Why mothers need to push and shove to get their child that new doll — that’s beyond me. But one thing I really, really don’t understand is why anyone would purchase someone else’s child a toy that makes noise.

I always get excited for the holiday season, it’s my favorite time of year. It inspires me to refresh my home with holiday sparkle. This magical transformation can be done easily, quickly and inexpensively.

All the world's a stage, very literally, in Joe Wright's wildly theatrical adaptation of "Anna Karenina."

Give your home the sophisticated charm of an English manor by decking the halls with the equestrian-themed holiday decor that is captivating hearts. Depending upon your fancy, you can take this timeless look in any direction, from whimsical to classic.

Ken Burns' latest PBS documentary, "The Dust Bowl," comes on the heels of the first presidential-election debates in 28 years not to address climate change. If the candidates won't talk about it, leave it to Burns and frequent collaborator Dayton Duncan to draw historic parallels between present-day environmental concerns and the disaster of the 1930s, which was caused by a combination of drought and environmentally destructive farming methods.

Patti Woods-LaVoie loves Halloween and all things candy, but she has a hard and fast rule when it comes to teens and trick-or-treating.

One of the most enduring of Halloween icons, candy corn is now over 130 years old.