updated the 11 kitchen trends of 2025 that you’ll want in your home forever (yes, they’re that good)

Home Decor

UPDATED: The 11 Kitchen Trends Of 2025 That You’ll Want In Your Home Forever (Yes, They’re That Good)

Drescription

Welcome to our biggest post of the year! That’s right, nearly every year our annual kitchen trend post is the most popular which equally feels like a huge honor and responsibility as the gal that’s been writing them for the last 6 years. As we always say, when it comes to “trends” and more permanent applications in spaces such as a kitchen, we like to caution people because unless you know you’ll love it for 20 years maybe don’t… However, I like to choose and highlight our predictions very thoughtfully. While I’m not saying every person will love every “trend,” we think each one of them has longevity, can spark inspiration, or show a special detail you hadn’t thought of. Some of these trends would likely require a remodel while others are easy swaps if you’re looking for a little kitchen spruce up. So without further ado let’s see what this year is about to have in store for the world of kitchens.

Rounded Cabinets

I feel probably the most passionate about this one. Actually, I already talked about it in this post last August so you know I mean business. It looks fresh but isn’t too “right now” and I feel has total longevity when done well. Oh, and the style versatility is amazing. Let me show you.

Now, if someone had told me that rounded cabinetry is trending without showing me a picture, I would have likely pictured a more modern design like this stunning one by Stefania Reynolds of Studio Johnston. This is actually Stefania’s family home! It’s modern, soft, playful, and just cool. The way those rounded corners bring an effortless contrast to the harder angles is perfection. Another contrast that I love is the glossy sheen of the cabinetry with all the natural wood grain and natural limewash accent walls. It creates such a nice balance stylistically.

Also, I know this isn’t about lighting but that oversized sconce in that nook is SO GOOD.

This beautiful kitchen by White Studio & Co Interior Design leans much more modern traditional but is softened by the curved corners of the lower cabinetry and island. Doesn’t this just scream “I’m a very special kitchen”? My god is it elegant. This is a perfect detail if you want a very neutral kitchen but also want it to feel like it’s got a little something extra special going on:)

I believe this incredible kitchen by Bidgood was the first one last year where I really took note of this trend (or the initial murmurs of a trend). The cabinetry in the range surround is just so special. In this space, the rounded detail feels both modern and retro! Then paired with the sweet light dusty blue and butter yellow paint colors, this kitchen is dripping with charm.

Don’t worry, you’ll a few more examples as we get continue through the post:)

Integrated “Stand Alone” Cupboards

Integrated refrigerators are not new, obviously, but what I’ve been seeing more and more of are cupboard/hutch-like pieces being integrated with the more traditional floor-to-ceiling cabinetry. The majority of these “cupboards” are in fact where a lot of refrigerators are hiding but in that extremely special kitchen above by Nina Farmer Interiors (I just bought her book and have no idea why it took me so long), the fridge looks like it’s in the wood cabinetry on the far left and which leads me to believe the green cupboard is just that, a beautiful integrated Dutch larder cupboard. It’s a standout piece but feels like it belongs.

Ugh, I also just noticed that incredible double wood trim around the doorway. Aside from seeing how awesome this kitchen is in general, that sort of detail is why you hire a designer. So so good.

This beautiful cupboard-looking piece is most definitely a refrigerator but at first glance, you might assume it’s simply a regular cupboard. I love the sweetness this design brings to a kitchen and for this kitchen by Vaughan Design & Development especially! All the textures, perfectly aged materials, and color palette are amazing. Putting a naked fridge in there (especially a modern one) would have really changed the whole feel of it and I’m so glad they went with this design.

It’s not a real kitchen trend post if Sarah Sherman Samuel isn’t included, am I right? Well, here she is with a “cupboard fridge” as well as her DIY beaded cabinet fronts from her Semihandmade collaboration!

There are a million things to love about this kitchen (I mean look at those counter edges!!) but this fridge cupboard is a very special feature that really gives added charm to an already very charming kitchen!

There were a couple of examples I found with triangle tops instead of the bell shape that I loved too. I just didn’t hear back from the designers in time to get them in this post:)

Pop Of “Permanent” Color

Ok, so yes. At the beginning of the post, I said we usually caution people from making potentially very bold or super colorful choices with permanent features. On the other hand, if you are a person who loves a bold moment and loves color then this is for you!

I am very much in love with this kitchen design by Monika Michałowska. Those soft minty green cabinets (a trend we called last year that I continue to love), the veining stone with a short backsplash, those herringbone wood floors, all soft and stunning. Then boom! That pop of bright red is so exciting. The kitchen would have clearly been so pretty without it but with it, the whole space is taken to another level.

This pop of baby blue is a little less bold than the red but just as special and puts a little extra electricity in this wonderful kitchen by a. NABER DESIGN. Baby blue is on fire right now but it’s also a timeless color when done right. I really love this so much.

In that August trend post I also talked about zelliege tiles and the cool ways they are being used. Well, a pop of color is a very cool way. I love that instead of this kitchen peninsula being made out of the same wood the cabinetry is, Curio Interior Design decided to go for a rich brick red zellige tile. It’s eye-catching but doesn’t overpower the space and adds an incredible amount of texture.

Then with this kitchen by the amazing Rebecca Zajac (the cabinet designer of Bowser’s kitchen), she chose that beautiful green zellige tile as the perfect color pop. It really makes this kitchen look so inviting and extra special. Plus, greens and blues (depending on the tone) are a great choice if you want color but not have it overpower the room. They are neutrals after all;)

Reeding Accents

Not a brand-new trend but it feels extra on fire right now so let’s dig in!

Reeding is another one of those features that can be used for almost any style. Take this wonderful modern luxe kitchen by Charlotte Lucas Design. It adds a refined organic texture that beautifully contrasts the painted modern cabinetry and luxe lighting.

In this unreal kitchen by POCO Designs, she not only used reeding on the island but also on the cabinet fronts. It’s simple, elegant, and then with that incredible burgundy marble, it’s a texture design dream!

Of course, Sarah is on this list again! I love love how she used wood reeding not only on the body of the island but also on the support post. I don’t have much more to say aside from that it’s beautiful, the texture (like all the others) makes my eyes extremely happy, and the wood tone is perfect.

In a bit of a twist for the last example, I’m looking at this tile! I’ve had my eye on this style of tile for a minute so I’m really hoping this is the year it’ll so more mainstream. I mean it’s so good and it has that reeded look!

Colorful Window Trim

If you are thinking, “Hey Jess, wasn’t this a trend you called in 2020?” Well yes, yes I did. So while we all know what that year was, it was also 5 years ago and baby the window trims are getting a fresh coat of colorful paint.

This wildly beautiful kitchen by Bright Designlab perfectly shows the organic modern MCM style and those painted window trims and beams bring the whole space together. It’s a small detail that makes a huge, wonderful difference.

The painted green trim on these kitchen windows by Anna Haines Designs is equally as wonderful as the first! The personality it adds is so wonderful. I also really love that they chose the warmer color on the lower cabinetry and then went for a lighter, cooler shade for the windows which makes the room feel a little more open and taller if that makes sense.

Now this pop of bright blue is so fun and adds just the right amount of whimsy to this beautiful kitchen by Sophie Rowell (also look at those knobs!). I wholeheartedly stand by this trend because it’s a beautiful and fairly simple way to make a huge visual impact.

Want Juicier Strawberries? How to Harvest Them Without Wrecking Your Plant

There’s nothing more delicious than intensely sweet, sun-warmed, home-grown strawberries harvested from your yard—especially when they cost a fraction of the price of store-bought varieties. Selecting the right type of strawberry, providing top-class care, and harvesting at the right time and with the right techniques means you can enjoy the freshest of fruit throughout the summer. Learn when and how to harvest strawberries to make the most of your patch's pickings. When to Harvest Strawberries Harvest your strawberries when the fruits are uniformly red (regardless of what size they are), without any visible white patches. Most strawberry varieties' fruits fully ripen about 28 to 30 days after the plants bloom. However, the timing of strawberry harvest depends on the variety you’re growing, the planting date, and local conditions. During the peak harvest period, you'll need to pick strawberries every other day when the weather is warm and every three to four days when conditions are cooler. June-Bearing Strawberries June-bearing strawberries produce one fruit crop per year. The year after planting, you should be able to harvest from your plants for around three to six weeks at some point starting in late spring or early summer. Harvest timings vary depending on your local climate and whether the strawberries are rated as early, midseason, or late varieties. Everbearing Strawberries You’ll be able to harvest from your everbearing strawberries twice a year—once in early summer and again in late summer. However, be aware that they don’t tend to be as productive as June-bearing or day-neutral varieties, so your harvest will probably be smaller. Day-Neutral Strawberries Providing temperatures remain between 40ºF and 90ºF, you should be able to harvest day-neutral strawberries throughout the growing season. This can start as early as May for some cultivars and climates and go all the way through to the first hard frost around October. Avoid Overripe Strawberries Leaving strawberries on the vine too long encourages mold, which can spread to other plants. The fruits also lose their intensely sweet flavour and can turn mushy. How to Harvest Strawberries Perfecting your strawberry picking practices means the fruits will better retain their firmness and flavor. Carefully inspect your vines and fruits: Those red, ripe berries can be hiding amongst the tangle of runners produced by these low-growing vining perennials. Leave some stem attached: Use your fingers or small, sterile pruning shears to pinch off around 1/4 inch of the stem below the fruit rather than pulling them off by the little green cap. This minimizes the chance of damaging the fruit, keeping your berries fresh for longer. Eat while they’re fresh: Garden-grown strawberries taste better than store-bought, but they don’t last as long. They taste delicious when freshly picked, or you can store them in the fridge for a few days to a week. Repeat the process every two to four days: This reduces the risk of diseases spreading and improves harvestable yields. If you spot any wounded or moldy berries in your vines, it’s best to remove them immediately. Strawberry Care Tips Providing optimal care and conditions means your strawberry harvest will be healthier and heftier. Keep these tips in mind to make the most of your crop. Select a sunny site: Strawberries need a full sun position to produce the best harvest. Ten or more hours is ideal. Don’t forget to feed: Your strawberry plants will appreciate a loamy soil rich in organic matter such as leaf compost or manure. When and what you fertilize your strawberries with depends on the variety you’re growing and your soil composition. Tidy your plants: Pruning strawberries by removing runners and thinning out these fast-growing vines directs energy to the mother plant and promotes good air circulation. Watch out for weeds: These can quickly outcompete your sensitive, shallow-rooted strawberry plants. Hand weeding is the safest option if you see them sprouting up between your strawberry plant rows. Protect your plants from frost damage: If temperatures drop below 15°F in your region, winterize your strawberry plants. Cover these perennials with a generous layer of insulating straw mulch or row covers that you can remove when it gets warmer in the spring.

Emily Buys The Team Her 3 Of Her All-Time Favorite Products To Try… And They Give Their Honest Reviews

Itry to not actually force other people to choose the products that I swear by – but every now and again, as we brainstorm posts based on our own grievances certain things come up. Once again we were discussing the frustration around comfortable and affordable underwear, beauty products, and tanning and I was like “CAN YOU NOT HEAR ME?? I HAVE THE SOLUTION THAT I’VE TOLD YOU ABOUT A MILLION TIMES!!!”. Now there are many things that I don’t have the answers for (best non-stick pan, really comfortable underwire bra for larger boobs, or good concealer). But when it comes to underwear, face masks, and tanning lotions I have tried so many, so I KNOW THE BEST. I think the hesitancy of my team to actually use these products was 1. maybe it’s just for you (me) and not for everyone’s body or skin and sure, that is definitely a good argument, and 2. they aren’t the cheapest on the market. So I begged them to let me buy them for them, put it on mommy’s card – virtually no risk!! So that’s today – my team honestly reviewing the products that I swear by. Jockey Underwear Em Explains Why They Are The Best: I DESPISE a bad pair of underwear – one that cuts in, feels super uncomfortable, and frankly makes me feel bad and sad with the line it creates. So when I found this pair (totally randomly) I want to never go back. I get so bummed when I can’t find one pair and will often hand wash one rather than wearing a backup. Where do I start – this fabric is stretchy enough so they stay in place, but they do NOT cut in – like even if I’m bloated or gain some fun “summer/beer” lbs, they are still so comfortable (it’s nice to not feel shamed by your panties). There isn’t a “band” or seam at the top or bottom in which to cut in. They are SO THIN and soft, but so far (after 5 months) are still in great shape and have held their shape. I can NOT feel they are there, at all – both the thong and the normal underwear. They don’t ride up, they stay put, and they are so soft that I’d even say they make me feel sexy – despite being so simple. Jess This actually might be the lightest and softest fabric I have put on my body. I completely get Emily’s obsession. I love that the tank top doesn’t scoop too low but I still feel kinda sexy in it. Then the hipster underwear truly doesn’t cut in at all, is a fuller coverage (my preference…especially for sleeping), but I feel really cute too! It really is such a “cute/secretly sexy in a not trying kinda way” set that I would happily (and will happily) wear to bed. I have already ordered more. O and I really really like the thong which is a pretty big deal for me. Historically, I hate thongs. But these are thin, seamless, and have just the right amount of fabric between the buns;) I think they sit a little higher than in the model photo but that might just be because of my body type. Rating: 10/10 Caitlin Rating: TMI time: I’m wearing underwear like…25% of the time, maybe? I have a butt that eats fabric like NOBODY’S business, I’m not super crazy about thongs, and I got really tired of being like “hey can you block me while I fix my wedgie in the middle of this store/park/public place?” so I just kinda stopped wearing it. All that said, HECK YEAH – these will 100% be my new period week underwear. I got the XL-2XL and kind of wish I had sized down because I had a bit of an issue with the waist band slipping down (though I can’t imagine myself wearing underwear that would also fit Mallory, hah), but I can imagine that I’ll LOVE that stretch/flexibility when I’m dying of cramps and just want my underwear to be pulled up to my boobs. (Anyone else just want to feel totally swaddled when they’re on their period?) I also really do love the fabric – it’s different from all the other silky/stretchy underwear I had – and after reading Jess’ note, I have to say that I totally agree that the top + bottom combo ARE very cute in the “I’m not trying, I’m just naturally put together” way. I paid $45 for 5 pairs + 2 tanks and think that was a super fair price – would recommend. AD Rating: 7/10 (but am I really qualified to judge? Unclear. I’m curious what you’d think about these!!) Mallory Everyone on the team keeps raving about these, and after trying them out I have A LOT to say. First let me start with this: Emily has never steered me wrong on a product recommendation, but Jockey is the one thing I just can’t get behind and for weirdly specific reasons a lot of people just won’t relate to. 1. I have a problem with seams. Always have, always will. Let me tell you what I mean by this…when I was a young girl (like 3 years old young) I would FREAK out if my socks were on the wrong way or if I was wearing 2 different unmatching socks where the seams felt different and didn’t perfectly align with the top of my foot. It’s a weird flaw, but everyone’s got their thing and this one’s mine. So when I tried on these “magical” jockey panties (we all hate that word btw) I noticed an unseeming seam riding horizontally across the butt (but like low on the butt, like where the crotch line meets the underwear in the back if that makes sense) and it just drove me insane. I also exclusively wear thongs because wearing regular underwear feels like a diaper to me – especially in pants (I KNOW ALL MY WEIRD QUIRKS ARE COMING OUT IN THIS POST AND IM SORRY YOU ALL HAVE TO WITNESS THIS). So, I tried the jockey thong also, and it’s nice, but I didn’t think it was anything super special (my team so disagrees with all of this btw). The fabric is really soft and nice, so they got a point in that department, but all in all, I didn’t freak out over it like everyone else did (and continues to do) when they first put them on. Also, the tank top is very soft, but if you have broad shoulders and a long torso (like me) the straps might feel a little short (Jess and Emily said they both didn’t have that issue at all). Rating: To Jockey, Emily, & the team: I’m sorry but this is a 2/10 (1 point for the soft fabric, 1 point for the stretchiness of the fabric) Em Explains Why It’s The Best: Like any mom/lady trying stupidly to chase youth, I’ve tried a lot of face masks. Almost all of them make me feel good, like I’m taking care of myself but very few do enough to make a visual change. I’ve been using this one, one or twice a month for probably 6 years. They call it the Hollywood’s 2-minute facial. It’s green and you can FEEL IT working (yes it kinda burns and buzzes). It is indeed intensive and not for all skin types – but listen, people say these types of intensive exfoliators aren’t for my skin type and yet every time I use it I glow, have far less visible fine lines and my skin is just tight and shiny for at least a day. I have thin skin so I need to be careful, but I also have dry skin so I have a lot to shlub off. There are many times where I’ve left it on for 15-20 minutes (NOT recommended) and it just WORKS. My kids, however, are very scared by it because it is bright green … Jess In fear of being disowned, I wasn’t as taken with this treatment as I thought I would be. Look, it felt totally good. I felt very clean and it smells so great. But I guess I thought I was going to be transformed in some way. A “new Jess” if you will which is my fault for thinking any product could do that. Perhaps though because I already have a pretty involved regiment and do a chemical exfoliation about once a week, that’s also why it didn’t feel like a “new face”. Had this been Jess in 2019 maybe it would have been a different experience since that girl did not have any kind of routine. Regardless, I loved trying it and will for sure keep using the bottle I have. AD Rating: 8/10 Caitlin Oh my, this threw me for a loop. I have super sensitive skin and maybe didn’t read the description – you’re only supposed to leave it on for a minute if you’re tender, like me – and was like “AM I DYING???” about 90 seconds in…but yeah, this thing works. I have super dry skin (and a nice little flaky patch on my right cheek! Cool!) so I usually use more abrasive cleansers to get everything all smoothed out and ready for moisturizer. This was my first-ever chemical exfoliant, so I was SHOCKED that this sloughed off all my dead skin and left a super-smooth canvas without me having to do any rubbing and scrubbing. My real test for exfoliating products is when I put on my tinted moisturizer afterwards – dry friends know the struggle of seeing little flakes start to pop up as soon as foundation goes on! – and this just left a nice, hydrated, baby-soft surface for me to work with. Good call, boss!!! Rating: 10/10 Mallory I’m not a skin guru, in fact, I find it difficult to wash my face every morning because I just forget about it (gross I know, I do my best). Because of that, I was reluctant to try another “holy grail” beauty product that sat in my medicine cabinet and MAYBE got used once a year. So, I apprehensively tried the ExfoliKate, which the bottle says is “Hollywood’s 2-minute facial” and I kinda liked that branding, so I tried to be a little more open-minded because I do live in Hollywood after all and I rarely spend the time or money on real facials, so this seemed more approachable to me. Immediate reaction was: Woah this stuff is GREEN, then I rubbed it on my freshly washed face (see I wash sometimes) and then started to rub it around in circles on my cheeks, chin, forehead & nose. Then something unexpected happened…IS THIS SUPPOSED TO BURN? I’m panicked and grab the back of the bottle to see if I should immediately rub this off my face and then I read “might cause skin tickling and light flushness” and I was like PHEW. Then it kinda turned into a good burn, dare I say, a light skin tickle. I waited the 2 minutes so I could get the full results out of my 2-minute Hollywood facial and then WOW. My skin felt like a baby’s butt. I was shook. I’m still shook. This thing actually works!! I will be using this more than once a year unlike my other face products (it recommends 1-2 times a week which seems manageable to me). Rating: 10/10 St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse Em Explains Why It’s The Best: I was called an albino in high school. I was asked if I was related to Powder. My level of pale is far beyond what you think it is, and while nothing is wrong with it, I’m really self-conscious about it. So I’ve been dabbling in the self-tanner front since the industry was first discovered in the ’90s. We joke that I’d rather be orange than pale, which is not something I’m proud of, but I think from years of being made fun of it’s just my thing. I also get sun rash if I’m in the sun and have zero melanin in which to tan, so there is no way of me doing this naturally. I know how beautiful naturally fair skin can be, but I prefer some tone and I think I look healthier with some help. That’s all to say, again, I’ve tried them all and every time I try something new I’m like “nope”, this is better. A bunch of you recommended the one Goop recommended because it doesn’t get on sheets and ladies. I tried it and sure it’s fine but maybe if you already have a tone to start with. I also like Coco and Eve but it can go way too orange on my skin. Very few products can take you from stark white to California tan in 8 hours. You HAVE to use the mitt to make it even and you have to rub evenly and a lot over your entire body to ensure an even color. And yes it will get on your sheets and while technically it washes off, after like 10 sessions on your sheets (even washing in between) you’ll see some staining. So if you want to avoid it just sleep in PJs or a nightgown. While I used to get a weekly spray tan, Covid and living in the mountains took that option away from me and I fell back in love with what I think is the best self-tanner on the market. It instantly makes me feel better, healthier, and yes even in the winter (especially in the winter, but I just don’t use as much). Listen, do I wish that the world and myself were not conditioned to loved tan skin more, YES, but if you are like me and are self-conscious about how see-through your skin is then at least there is a very easy solution. Jess I am now VERY into this self-tanner and despite Emily recommending it…forever, I was just too nervous that it would look bad or I would do it wrong (and actually my feet were ummm, not good in the morning but a shower and a little scrubbing fixed them right up). It was super easy to apply, comes out very even AND now my pale legs match my tan arms. I actually only applied it to my legs because I just needed to even out my body tone. My skin (especially my arms) typically tans pretty easily without “trying”. But my legs are another story. First off, I only just the past couple of months really started to wear shorts outside regularly so that’s strike one against my legs getting sun exposure. Strike two (and a healthy strike at that) is that I don’t want to lay out anymore. I want to go to the beach, I want to be in a pool, and I want to just generally be outside, but gone are the days I want to just sit and bake. So with this tanning mousse, my arms and legs can look like they belong to the same body without playing fire with skin cancer. THANK YOU EM!! Rating: 10/10!! Caitlin Like Em, I am VERY VERY pale. Unlike Em, I have a crippling addiction to the spray tan from Sugared & Bronzed (see if they have a chain near you – it’s SO good, once you get over the whole “standing naked in a freezing room in front of stranger” thing) because their color is beet-based, so it runs a little more “human skin” and a little less “tangerine.” I tell you this because I am a HARD CUSTOMER to please when it comes to self-tanner – like, once you’ve had the spray tan of your dreams, can anything compare?! And thankfully, the answer is YES (but only if you use the mitt, TBH). I live alone and lack coordination so I just apply this in the area that the sun actually hits (arms, legs, shoulders, chest, etc.) and my favorite thing about this foam in particular is that it blends super naturally – like, I tan the parts of my upper thighs that see the light of day, but skip going any higher (no need to tan my butt if nobody’s looking, ya know?) and there’s never a crazy line of demarcation, thanks to the mitt. Just be careful around your wrists and ankles and you’ll be glowin’ in no time, guys. It’s the gold standard for a reason! Rating: 9/10 (would be a 10/10 if I hadn’t been spoiled by the in-person spray tan wizards though) Mallory Emily turned me onto self-tanning pretty much immediately upon joining the company. I was a little reluctant at first because I didn’t know how to tan and I didn’t want to walk around like a streaky little carrot, but then this thing called the pandemic happened and I was no longer afraid of people making fun of me for how bad my first self-tan would look (because we were seeing nobody!!) We used the entire bottle between 2 people the first time we tanned (would not recommend) but now I’ve gotten the hang of applying it and I LOVE me a self-tan especially in the summer since I sunburn instead of tanning naturally. Oh, also I’ve tried the St. Tropez express tan as well (because I’m bad at planning when I want to be tan and I always wish I could tan immediately) and it works GREAT. 1 hour is a light glow, 2 hours is a decent tan, and 3 hours you’re BRONZED. I love this product. Rating: 10/10!

My So-Called Hair – The Brian Henderson At-Home Haircut Story

On August 25th 1994, something happened that changed the course of my carefree fifteen-year-old life. A certain show aired that night on the American Broadcasting Network and a certain unsuspecting about-to-be sophomore was caught in a gut-wrenching tornado of feelings. It was an emotionally wrought show, starring an emotionally wrought Claire Danes, who was navigating the emotionally wrought landscape of being a fifteen year old in high school. That show of course was My So-Called Life, and this so-called masculine-teen-dude was crushed like a can by it. From the first glimpse of the misunderstood Angela, defiantly dying her hair red, to the mysterious hunk eating bologna in her kitchen, I couldn’t get enough of this new bizarre feeling tugging at my insides. It was like I had discovered a new wistful color and I wanted to dip myself in it. Although if you were to ask any of my dude-bro friends at the time, they would never have known. I mean, what kind of meathead-brawny-boy admits that he counts the seconds until he can get lost in the next episode of a tempestuous, unrequited love story? What kind of jocky-gridiron-guy lets himself roil in the anguish of Angela’s mistaken glance from Jordan Catalano? This guy. I mean. It was a soap opera for my age range, and I was sooooo there for it. I couldn’t wait for the weekly whisper of, “Go. Now… Go!” in the opening theme song, because it meant I was about to feel so many new feels. The way they explored teenage angst felt so real to me, even if it wasn’t my own circumstances, it still captured the ‘why-do-I-feel-sad’ -ness that had come with turning fifteen and starting high school. For an emotionally out-of-touch fifteen-year-old boy (i.e. every fifteen-year-old boy?) this was the first time that I felt like I was allowed to privately explore any sort of real emotional depth. How sad is that? That teenage boys are so closed off sometimes that it takes a melodramatic TV show to let them know it’s ok to feel emotions. But that’s what the show did for me. I couldn’t put it into words at the time, but looking back, it allowed me to admit that I had some melancholy or some kind of angsty sadness in my life that wasn’t an abnormality or a red flag, it was just part of being fifteen. And guess what? It feels really good to revel in that for an hour a week. And boy did I revel. I mean, I wanted to liiiiive in that show. The only problem was, I didn’t know who I wanted to be more – I mean, Angela had all that turmoil and anguish, which I could somehow relate to, even if I didn’t know why. But then there was Jordan Catalano. I think I may have talked about Jordan Catalano on here before, but let me just re-iterate – Jordan Catalano was the most beautifully brooding character I had ever seen, and hence, I wanted to be him. Like, no joke, I created my whole high school look based on him. I got a suede sherpa jacket, I wore jeans with holes, flannels with open sleeves dangling past my wrists, and most importantly, and why I’m writing this overly-verbose intro here… I grew my hair long. Starting sophomore year, my hair was full-Catalano. It was down to my shoulders, parted in the middle, thick and full and brown. It became a defining characteristic for me. I loved it. I kept it despite all the maintenance and the not-so-coded insults my football coaches hurled at me for four years. Even when the long-hair thing was kinda over by ‘97, I still didn’t cut it. I didn’t want to let go of the notion that I was deeper than I was. If that makes sense. I associated the long hair with an idea of like, uniqueness sure, but also an indicator of an emotional life that I had learned to nurture. Also, being the quarterback with hair down to your shoulders was pretty damn cool. I’m just as vain as anyone, guys. I ended up cutting it all off when I got cast in my first play at U of O, and at that point I was ready to join the crowd of normies. I never had long hair ever again. Until the pandemic hit. At first, I just let my hair grow because there was a stay at home order and all of the barbers had shut down. Then it was because I was just too lazy to cut it myself. Then sometime around August, it became an active growing. My hair had gotten to a length that was stepping out of ‘shaggy’ and into ‘long’ again, and that got me excited. So I told Emily that I was going to grow my hair until there was a vaccine. It was my little way to answer any questions about it, while secretly waiting for it to get back to it’s Catalano glory. But there was a problem – in the twenty-five years since I first grew my hair long, a few things had happened physically. Namely, the little part down the middle that was so cute back then had become kind of a gaping chasm of scalp. The old hairline has been slowly rising like a modest woman in the 1800s lifting her skirt to reveal her ankles. But these ankles were desperate wisps of hair surrounded by creepy white scalp. In other words, no matter how much Finasteride and Rogaine I’ve tried using over the past few years, the hair on my forehead has thinned out so much that it really put a damper on my desperate attempt to re-live my long-haired glory days. Having long hair with a receding hairline, I mean, if you can pull it off, I tip my cover-it-up cap to you. But for me, it really didn’t work. Instead of stepping back into my cocky high school persona, I had sludged into like the guy who still has a garage band, years after it stopped being cute. But there was one little glimmer of hope – a baseball hat. Having the long hair pour out the back of a hat actually did look good! So like Ron Howard, I started wearing a hat everywhere. And Emily even admitted that it was a good look – long hair, waving down to my shoulders, a nice, manly beard sprouting on my face. I definitely felt like I was matching the terrain up here. I would drive to the post office in my hat and scruff, looking all burly mountain-man. I started noticing people would give a little more deference as they saw me pull up. Little did they know that this mountain man was blasting ‘Mirrorball’ by Taylor Swift (can we talk about ‘Folklore’ and ‘Evermore’ please?) or his favorite Dick Pick (no, not that kind you perv, this kind) on the stereo. It was all a facade. I wasn’t really a mountain man. But as long as I kept my hat on, I could pass for one, and it felt really good. So the baseball hat became glued to my flimsy-haired head. Like, no joke, I never took it off. Things got so bad that I started putting on a hat just to drink coffee in the mornings, or brush my teeth next to Emily at night. It came to a head last week when Emily and I had to shoot a thing for a sponsor, and I was supposed to be dressed nice for a Christmas cocktail. I had on a fancy cable knit sweater and slacks, and came downstairs, rocking my old garage band hair, and Emily said, “Hmmm…Maybe you can wear a hat?” We laughed, but I was crying on the inside. Not really. But we decided it was time. To be fair, Emily would have let me grow it to my butt-cheeks if I had insisted it was important to me, or if I actually thought it looked good. But I didn’t, for two reasons: 1. I didn’t have the patience to actually try to style it or put product in it, so it was all puffed out frizz and wispy wires all day. It looked like a really enthusiastic, middle-aged Phish fan had left a concert and wandered into our house. And 2. I have a thing about trying to capture the glory days of my youth. It has led me to some pretty dark realizations about myself. In fact, I’m so interested in why men try to hang on to their youths, that I’ve actually begun writing a silly novel about it (more on that when it gets closer to being finished). So, once I came to terms with the notion that I was just growing my hair to feel like teen-Brian, it was adios muchachos. Em and I watched the first two minutes of a tutorial on youtube, got bored, and decided to just let ’r rip. The good news was that we were in quarantine for the foreseeable future so it didn’t really matter if it didn’t turn out well, I could always shave it and look like an enthusiastic, middle-aged Hoobastank fan had wandered in. So Emily got the scissors, I got the cocktails, and the kids got the spray bottle to shoot me with ice-cold water every twenty seconds. Aaaaaaaannd… It turned out really well! For her first time ever cutting a guy’s hair, Emily crushed it. I mean, yeah, she gave me bangs. And one side of those bangs is much longer than the other. But all in all, she did a much better job than I thought she was going to. I will definitely make an appointment at her salon again. This is such a better look, and I’m not putting on a baseball hat just to read in bed anymore. Also, you gotta check out this pretty hilarious video of the process (just wait for the ad to play): Do I miss being Jordan Catalano? You bet your So-Called ass I do. But trying to recapture your youth can a dangerous thing, no matter how beautifully brooding it can be. I think it’s best to look back on our glory days like a boxed set of DVDs that we can take out and watch every once in a while. I don’t need to like dress up in cosplay and throw them a convention, I can just watch them and appreciate them for what they are. So now I can let myself get obsessed with a new series, one that’s a little more age-appropriate. I hear the Queen’s Gambit is good. But I’ll always stay in love with Angela and Jordan.

How to Revive Near-Dead Hydrangeas and Save Your Garden in the Process

The keys to healthy, showy hydrangeas are well-draining soil, the correct amount of light, water, and nutrients, and providing protection from extreme temperatures. The majority of plant problems are not caused by a disease or an insect but by poor growing conditions, incorrect care, weather extremes, and soggy soil. However, no matter how much you try, some pests, diseases, and growing conditions can cause hydrangeas to die. With quick intervention, you may be able to reverse the damage to your near-dead hydrangea, revive it, and bring it back to a healthy state. Here's how. Check the Soil Moisture Level Hydrangeas like lots of water, but it is possible to overwater, especially in heavy clay, slow-draining soil. Leaf drop and brown leaf edges are signs that the roots are sitting in water and you are overwatering. Always check the soil moisture before watering. If the soil is dry about an inch or more deep, it's safe to add more water. A lack of water can also cause hydrangeas to die. If the leaves are droopy, the plant needs to be watered. Drip irrigation that adds moisture slowly so it is absorbed properly at the root level is a good choice to keep hydrangeas healthy. Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more! Provide Afternoon Shade Whether your hydrangeas are planted in the garden or in containers, they will grow much better if they receive morning sun and some afternoon shade from the hot sun. Crispy, browning leaves are a sure indication that the plants are getting too much direct sunlight. Container-grown plants can be moved easily or shaded by an umbrella or covered trellis. Garden plants may need to be transplanted to a better location in the fall when temperatures cool. Get Rid of Slugs and Snails Disappearing leaves and leaves with large holes indicate a slug or snail problem in the garden. The pests are particularly fond of new tender hydrangea leaves. Fortunately, slug control is usually simple: hand-remove the pests, kill them with salt, or drown them in a pan of beer. Improve Air Circulation Fungal diseases like powdery mildew leave irregular brown patches on hydrangea leaves and flower heads that if left uncorrected can kill the entire plant. Fungal disease damage can often be eliminated by pruning plants to improving the air circulation in and around the shrub. Always remove the diseased parts of the plant and dispose of them in a plastic bag. Apply a copper fungicide if the problem is widespread. Flush Away Excess Fertilizer Hydrangeas thrive in nutrient-rich soil amended by compost or other organic matter. If you choose to use a commercial fertilizer and add too much, you risk burning the root system, which can cause the plant's blooms and leaves to turn brown, droop, and eventually die. If you've been overzealous with a water-soluble fertilizer, it is possible to still save the plant if you flush the fertilizer out of the soil. When you begin to notice the signs of damage, use a hose to slowly water the plant, giving it more water than normal. The excess water will help move the fertilizer through the soil and away from the root system of your hydrangea. Reverse Transplant Shock Whether you are planting a new hydrangea from the garden center or transplanting an established plant to a new location in the garden, it should be done during spring or fall when temperatures are cooler. This gives the plant time to recover without having to suffer through the scorching temperatures of summer. Whenever a hydrangea is planted or transplanted, expect some leaf wilt. Water the plant deeply at least once a day. Mulch around the plant to preserve soil moisture and continue this watering routine until the wilting stops. Do not fertilize the plant or prune away the wilted stems because both cause even more stress to the plant.