Home & Style
Are men or women better at assembling Ikea furniture?
Jeff Guo 8:25 AM The putting together of flat-pack furniture is the new battle of the sexes.
Beyond the backyard
![Captivating lifestyle: the new project combines luxury modern convenience with outstanding communal living facilities.](/web/20151218115834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/o/6/v/b/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glo6y1.png/1450164126644.jpg)
Beverley Johanson A new precinct of luxury apartments is about to change Moonee Ponds for the better.
Editor's Choice
![Don't miss Melbourne's three day design market.](/web/20151218115834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/o/0/k/7/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glo0pd.png/1450164081400.jpg)
Veronica Ridge HomeStyle editor Veronica Ridge tracks down creative places and new products that are cool and covetable.
Magic carpet moments
![HS_P19_02](/web/20151218115834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/o/8/q/z/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glo83p.png/1450162082807.jpg)
Susan Redman Kilim carpets, giant pots of plenty and precious metal flatware are some of the Turkish delights coming our way from the ancient cultural crossroads.
Design harmony
!["We just wanted something where we'd use every space": Silvie Paladino.](/web/20151218115834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/o/3/y/z/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glo4rf.png/1450159364674.jpg)
Erin Munro Home for Silvie Paladino is Melbourne’s north-west and nothing will convince her to move elsewhere.
Time traveller
![Smart retreat: the property makes the most of the seasons.](/web/20151218115834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/o/3/x/a/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glo3u7.png/1450157758252.jpg)
Erin Munro Holiday hideaways are no longer designed to dazzle only our long, hot summers.
Festive Finds
![HS_P10_06](/web/20151218115834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/o/2/l/u/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glo2kf.png/1450156868643.jpg)
Erin Munro Deck the halls, and the kitchen and lounge room, with some thoroughly modern Christmas decorations and homewares.
Nordic Noel
![Colour smart: Coco Republic favours a relaxed look by decorating with two or three chosen hues.](/web/20151218115834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/o/1/q/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glo1hx.png/1450184845930.jpg)
Erin Munro Its crisp palette of whites, neutrals and weather-worn timbers makes every day feel like summer.
Blake Lively shutting down her 'ridiculous' website Preserve
![NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 15: Actress Blake Lively attends the Noon By Noor Fall 2012 presentation during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Provocateur on February 15, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Henry S. Dziekan III/WireImage) cr: Getty Images
SL beauty - aug 2](/web/20151218115834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/m/m/u/e/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gjymxs.png/1443658625341.jpg)
Barely a year after it began, Blake Lively is closing down her website, admitting "it's not making a difference in people's lives".
The unglamourous reality behind perfect Instagram photos
![Behind the scenes.](/web/20151218115834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/s/z/4/t/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gjsv0l.png/1442975219397.jpg)
There's a running joke on Instagram that the selfie and the tagged picture tend to be chalk and cheese
The most common furniture stains will make you want to spew
![Red wine stains are less common than urine.](/web/20151218115834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/r/w/3/3/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.girvqn.png/1438741072812.jpg)
You might want to get up from the couch. Those mysterious stains on the sofa have just been named.
Urban farming
How to grow an edible vertical garden this winter
![Vertical gardens are snaking their way in to our consciousness.](/web/20151218115834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/a/9/n/6/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gi26h4.png/1435737142281.jpg)
Loren Smith Horizontally challenged? Grow vertically.
What diseases can you catch from a toilet seat?
![Seat paperer? Talking toilet fear.](/web/20151218115834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/n/r/g/5/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.ghjwcf.png/1433826837167.jpg)
Donald McNeil People really do fear toilet seats. One 1991 British survey of 528 women at an OB/GYN clinic found that 85 per cent said they crouched over public toilets while urinating, and 12 per cent papered the seat. Only 2 per cent sat all the way down.
Winter warmer
In defence of hot showers
![Hot showers are better for your soul than your hair.](/web/20151218115834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/p/d/2/7/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.ghj6oc.png/1435564105084.jpg)
Jennifer Lopez once declared she washes her hair in ice water in a bid to ward off split ends and encourage a smooth mane.
Chilly BBQ
How to barbecue in winter
![To grill or not to grill in winter? That is the question.](/web/20151218115834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/c/1/5/q/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gh8ubi.png/1435564130262.jpg)
Why does summer get all the time in the sun? Let's turn up the heat this winter and get cooking with gas.
Domain
Nine ways to make your bathroom appear bigger
![Handy tips to make your bathroom appear big enough for Behati Prinsloo to take a selfie in.](/web/20151218115834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/g/u/h/m/n/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gh35bp.png/1431302734879.png)
Rachel Clun Storage space is often at a premium in the bathroom, especially if your bathroom is small or it's shared between several people.
Home reno shows may be fuelling ladder falls, prompting calls for helmets to be worn
![Generic DIY](/web/20151218115834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/y/b/n/z/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.ggwd8s.png/1449008689024.jpg)
Julia Medew Home renovation shows including The Block may be fuelling a rise in potentially fatal ladder falls, prompting doctors to recommend bike helmets to people climbing at home.
Ikea's advice for improving your private life
![Shelf-help guru Fille Gute.](/web/20151218115834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/8/8/y/s/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.1m88zx.png/1428007501239.jpg)
Livia Gamble Flat-pack giant Ikea says the key to a happy private life is buying new furniture.
Perfect plan?
Urban myth or April Fools' joke: Playboy Mansion planned 'tunnels' to nearby celebrity homes
![Hugh Hefner and Crystal Hefner.](/web/20151218115834im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/c/f/c/a/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.1mcf44.png/1427846669265.jpg)
Michael Idato Revelations about an alleged network of tunnels between the Playboy Mansion and stars' homes appear too good to be true.