Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, security should be one of your chief priorities. After all, features for monitoring and securing your environment help not only protect yourself and your loved ones but also safeguard your valued possessions—and they may even slash your insurance premiums.
Thankfully, smart home devices make such protection more advanced and accessible than ever. From sensor lights that flick on automatically to doorbell cameras that instantly record activity, you can now put total security control at your fingertips. Then again, setting up such a system can sometimes feel complex, leaving you uncertain of which nifty gadgets to collect and how to install them correctly. Check out this user-friendly guide to help you select quality equipment and piece together a more secure abode.
Smart technology is only intelligent if it has some form of internet access, so you’ll first need to confirm that you have a good Wi-Fi connection. Place your router in a central location of your home (or ask your service provider to relocate it for you) to ensure that your signal can reach all your forthcoming security devices with minimal walls interrupting communication. If necessary, you can invest in Wi-Fi extenders to increase its range.
Once that’s set up, you’ll need to protect your connection—while the internet adds convenience to your system, it also creates another potential point of entry for criminals. The Federal Trade Commission has created step-by-step instructions for enhancing Wi-Fi safety, or you can ask your provider to assist you in this effort.
Although not entirely necessary, you may want to install a smart hub to serve as a nucleus for all your security tech, allowing you to control every item from one device. “A dedicated smart hub can help reduce congestion, offer more stability, and make connected devices more responsive,” writes Simon Hill for tech publication Wired. It will also enable voice commands like “lock all doors” and connect to your smartphone, granting on-the-go access to security data and helping you stay informed.
Some of the most popular options include those from Google Nest, which offer peak compatibility with Android devices, and Amazon Echo, which feature the Alexa smart assistant. Whichever hub you select, be sure to follow its provided installation instructions and plug it directly into your router via an Ethernet cable for an optimal signal.
Now that you have the basic framework for an advanced security system, you can begin selecting the ideal devices for securing your home. As you shop, confirm that each product works with your chosen hub, looking for a label such as “Works with Apple HomeKit” or “Google Assistant Compatible.” Here are some of the primary components you’ll want to consider.
Doorbells
A smart piece stationed on your front doorway can sense and record activity, alerting you when someone appears and displaying what they’re up to. Ring’s offerings are well regarded for their motion detection and compatibility with an easy-to-use smartphone app. However, they typically only communicate with Echo hubs, not Google or Apple ones.
Cameras
Installing cameras of any type near your doors and windows may in itself deter criminal activity, and intelligent versions enable you to monitor them from your personal devices. Arlo security cameras can notify you when they sense activity and stream the feed to you in real time, even in the dark.
Lights
Sensor lights can flood your yard, front porch, garage, and other potentially vulnerable areas with bright beams for enhanced visibility. Opt for Ustellar products to easily toggle them on and off via your Google Nest or Echo hub.
Alarm system
This classic essential has achieved more powerful capabilities thanks to options like the Ring Alarm Security Kits, which contain a keypad, multiple sensors, and other threat protection. All then link to the Ring app to offer immediate notifications.
Before you install any equipment, verify that it’s in a spot located near a power source and with good visibility and access to your Wi-Fi signal and hub. This will eliminate the hassle of relocating devices later.
After gathering accessories for your smart home system, it’s time to get them communicating. First, be sure that your smartphone, hub, and security devices are all connected to the same Wi-Fi network. To help prevent hackers from gaining access to any of them or your apps, set up multifactor authentication on each when prompted.
Every product should be packaged with detailed instructions for pairing them with your hub or other smart equipment, so follow those closely to ensure a seamless setup. Also consider utilizing your phone or hub’s smart “ecosystem” app, such as Apple Home, which will allow you to link and control devices with a few simple taps.
As an alternative to curating a selection of smart devices individually, you could instead invest in a comprehensive home security system, a suite of gadgets that are packaged together for instant compatibility with one another. The tech reviewers at PCMag recommend one from SimpliSafe as an affordable solution or the Abode Iota All-in-One Security Kit for its straightforward installation. Though the latter isn’t the cheapest option, it requires no monthly fees, unlike some common monitoring services.
To take even more sweat out of your home security, you could hire a support team from a tech store like Best Buy to set up the products for you. (This approach may be ideal for technophobic homeowners or those living with certain limitations that could make independent shopping, installation, and start-up prohibitive.) And once everything’s in place, instant tutorials from a support expert can aid you in navigating relevant apps and utilizing vocal commands to interact with your system so you can always stay plugged in to its alerts.
However you decide to smarten up your home, investing in these solutions can ultimately boost your peace of mind and help protect your abode from crimes like theft and vandalism. For added perks, consider reaching out to a home insurance professional to seek security recommendations based on your zip code—as well as potential discounts on your coverage. With their help, you might even be able to recoup your investments in smart equipment, making these upgrades a no-brainer.
If you’ve ever carefully planned and styled a room but felt underwhelmed by the final result, then you know how difficult pulling together a design can be. Oftentimes, the problem is a small yet impactful error—the key is determining what, exactly, that is. Here are just a few of the most common ones to look out for along with some proven techniques, straight from top professionals, to try instead.
When decorating a space, you may think your first step should be to focus on the bones of a room, but that can be a mistake. “Many people choose a favorite color and start painting before finalizing their furnishings and accessories,” says Taniya Nayak of HGTV’s Battle on the Beach. “Although it might seem counterintuitive, it’s much easier to find the perfect paint color after everything else is in place.” She notes that by deciding on core elements like your furniture, curtains, and rugs before your wall color, you’ll have the opportunity to take your fabric and other swatches to the store so you can find the hue that best complements your overall design. And if your room doesn’t look perfect after everything is put together, you can easily repaint it.
Another tip from Daniela Gottschalk, owner of the interior design firm Tinzeltown: “If you’d like to create an accent wall, don’t bore everyone by selecting a modest paint color or wallpaper. The latter works well as an accent—but only if you make it loud.”
As showcased on her blog Cuckoo 4 Design, skilled DIYer Julia Konya has a home that looks like it’s straight out of a high-end magazine. Her secret lies in her attention to detail, ensuring that every piece she chooses enhances a room’s aesthetic and harmonizes with the surrounding elements. “My biggest pet peeve is being too matchy-matchy with accessories or, even worse, buying full furniture sets,” she says. “Instead, collect a mixture of styles, design periods, fabrics, patterns, and finishes you love to create interest and make it look like your space was carefully curated over time.”
While adding wall decor like paintings can make a space look more coordinated, it requires a careful touch. In fact, hanging such items too high is a top blunder, according to Lyndsay Lamb, cohost of HGTV’s Unsellable Houses and co-owner of Lamb & Co. She explains, “This is especially noticeable when there’s furniture below artwork, such as a sideboard or console table. You want to avoid leaving an awkward, oversized gap between the two.” It’s not difficult to find the best placement, though. Lamb notes that the best rule of thumb is to hang decor so its middle is directly at your eye level.
Paulina Perrault, a California-based expert in practical luxury, says that the way you frame your art can also be problematic. “Always go bigger than your first instinct might tell you regarding the scale of the matting and the frame,” she suggests. “An impactful frame and a wide mat can make a piece feel more consequential in the space and draw more attention to it.”
Using correct scale and proportion is crucial for creating a harmonious look. When elements are too large or too small for their surroundings, they can make a room feel imbalanced. “As designers, we start on scale in some of the first classes in our training,” says full-service Dallas designer Janice Burkhart. “Countless hours are spent sketching interiors and getting the spacing right.”
For instance, a rug can do more than simply add ambience—it can define an area, anchor furniture, and add visual interest by introducing color, texture, or pattern. Leslie Lamb, twin sister to Lyndsay as well as her cohost and co-owner, advises that when getting one for your space, make sure it complements your room’s dimensions without being overly small. “A good guideline is that the front feet of your couch should fit comfortably on the rug to create a more cohesive look,” she explains.
It’s especially important to consider scale when furnishing a bedroom. “I’ve arrived at numerous client consultations only to find a king-sized bed paired with tiny nightstands—almost like something out of Alice in Wonderland,” shares Perrault. “Such stark contrast in size is not only visually jarring but can also hinder the functionality of the space, preventing you from fully optimizing the room’s usefulness.”
Many people overlook the value of incorporating additional light sources beyond the traditional lamp or chandelier. Says Bilal Rehman, a designer and content creator who excels at the unconventional, “Scrimping on lighting is one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make, yet it’s one of the simplest and most affordable ways to elevate a space. With an optimal temperature (my go-to is 2700K for a warm, welcoming glow), layering lights adds depth and dimension instantly. I use this trick both in my personal space and in every project I complete for my clients. The difference is drastic and so easy to achieve!”
A good example of how to apply this tactic is in the kitchen. Instead of relying on just a few recessed ceiling lights, also affix rope lights to the bottoms of your upper cabinets and install pendant lights over your island. You’ll be rewarded with a well-lit and inviting space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Now that you know what mistakes to avoid, you’re ready to get to designing! With these suggestions and a little creativity, you can transform your home into something that’s truly special and beautifully yours.
The upcoming summer months deliver an ideal atmosphere for gatherings—so why not try out a trio of crowd-pleasing dishes that bring the flavor and the fun? These recipes from the Northern Soul cookbook offer a memorable mix of creamy, savory, and sweet plates, all with a southern twist. Get ready to serve up a spread that’s sure to entice your guests right over to the table, mouths watering and stomachs rumbling.
Throw together a pasta masterpiece that features Velveeta, sour cream, and a layer of crushed Hot Cheetos on top for the perfect balance of richness and spice.
With a touch of cheddar, chives, and crispy bacon, these aren’t just biscuits—they’re a culinary experience.
The layers of creamy peanut butter, smooth vanilla pudding, and sweet banana slices will have everyone coming back for seconds—or thirds!
Recipes from Northern Soul by Justin Sutherland. © 2022 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc. Text © 2022 JSutherland LLC. Photography: Asha Belk.
There is probably no more polarizing a dish in traditional soul food culture than mac and cheese. Historically, it has been the cause of innumerable fistfights, insults, snubs, irreparable family rifts, and divorces. I offer my rendition as a way to heal all of the aforementioned: a delicious sort of peace treaty with crushed Hot Cheetos on top. If this recipe doesn’t heal old wounds—or, worse yet, opens them up and causes new ones—just remember: You didn’t get it from me.
Serves 8–10
Biscuits can be the meal, or they can round out the meal. They can begin or end your hardworking day. Biscuits are one of the first things I learned to make when I was young. They are a great meal prep to share with the little ones in your family because they are hands-on, require some gentleness, get better with lots of practice, and are the right amount of messy—like all of the best things in life.
Makes 8–10 biscuits
These puddings, served individually in glasses or jars, are a champion choice for the kind of gathering you know is going to last into the wee hours. They are so easy to make and store, chilled, ahead of time, and to simply unwrap and set out on the table with a pile of spoons and paper napkins.
Makes 6 individual puddings
World-renowned hyperrealistic cake artist and YouTube celebrity Natalie Sideserf reveals how she got started, the work behind her craft, and what keeps her grounded even with over ten million social media followers.
How did you discover cake art?
I was a fine arts major in college, focusing on hyperrealism. After I graduated, a friend asked for a sculpted cake because, having seen it done on TV, she thought I could pull it off. So even though the medium was brand-new to me, I made her a pretty decent cow skull one. I was instantly hooked, thinking there was unlimited potential. However, at that time, these cakes—including mine—were kind of cartoony. That inspired me to try to create ones that were so lifelike, people might think they’re the real thing. And I’ve been doing it ever since.
What do you enjoy most about making such cakes?
It’s appealing to work with something so temporary and see people’s reactions when they find out it’s actually cake. One of the best examples was when I redid that cow skull cake for a fiftieth wedding anniversary and hung it on a wall. Nobody knew what it was until we had the big reveal.
People eating them is truly my favorite part, though; once I’m done with a cake, I’ll give it to family members, neighbors, or friends. I put a lot of effort into constructing them, so I want them to be enjoyed.
Would you discuss how your work went viral?
It was wild. In early 2012, I decided to make a bust cake of Willie Nelson as a kind of nod to my college sculpting classes. After I completed it, my brother put it on Reddit—and it went to number one on the front page. Suddenly, everybody was contacting me. I heard from friends, my future father-in-law in Scotland, and even the international media. That’s when I realized the reach this could have.
What’s your husband Dave’s role in your business?
He’s a big reason that this all worked out. From the beginning, Dave saw potential in me to produce the cakes and gave me the confidence to take the leap, including going on TV—something that was a bit scary the first time. He also bakes the cakes and does a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff like filming and editing my YouTube videos, which he adds his personality to.
Do your YouTube videos require as much work as your cakes?
Definitely. When I first started making them, I used a phone with horrible sound quality and practically no lighting; I was simply trying to get content out. I then started watching other YouTube videos, trying to learn not only the technical aspects but also how to infuse character. Honestly, I was shy in the beginning, but I gradually started coming out of my shell and getting more comfortable with how to explain things in my videos.
There are also so many jobs that Dave and I do that the public doesn’t see: making the cakes, scripting the process, and doing all the production, filming, and editing. It’s fun but a lot of work.
You call your company a studio, as an artist would. What are your artistic tools?
I’ve always considered my cakes to be sculptures, so I primarily use traditional clay-sculpting tools with different tips to make various textures and details. I also created my own edible clay, which I worked on for a long time before releasing it last year. It’s similar to real clay but is more malleable and blends really nicely, making it easier than fondant to add intricate features to cakes. On top of that, it’s temperature sensitive—being mostly chocolate, it’ll soften quickly if you work with it for too long—and has a delicious vanilla taste.
I love using wafer paper as well since there’s so much you can do with it. For example, you can wet and shape it, and when it dries, it becomes a shell like an onion skin. Gelatin is another fun product; I use it to create eyeballs, water droplets, and even edible plastic.
In general, how long does it take you to make one of your creations?
It depends on the size and difficulty. Regular plate-sized ones can range anywhere between twenty-five and thirty-five hours on average. Bust cakes take around forty hours, but they have to be done quickly, so I’ll cram it all into a few days. Most of my time on any cake is spent doing research, building the support structure, planning everything out, and prepping. The cake itself is made closer to construction so it stays fresh.
You’ve made cakes for so many brands. Which were some of your favorites?
One of my first sponsorship-focused cakes was for ASOS, a UK clothing brand. They wanted me to duplicate one of their bags with crazy print on it, which was a blast. Another was a ten-tiered cake I made with my cake artist friend Sonny to help celebrate Candy Crush Saga’s ten-year anniversary. The whole experience was fun, lighthearted, and a bit of a step back from hyperrealism with superbright colors everywhere.
Your videos frequently show your struggles. Why is that important to you?
I have challenges with pretty much every cake, mostly because I’m always trying to create something new or get better. I document them on my YouTube channel because I want viewers to feel like they can likewise overcome their struggles through effort. That’s also why I created my edible clay: it’s what I use on almost all my cakes, and it allows people to easily practice and experiment on theirs. Helping them reach their creative potential is so satisfying.
You seem remarkably humble, considering your influence. How have you managed to stay grounded?
A lot of it is mindset. I’ve experienced tons of failures and letdowns—things haven’t always worked out as planned, and I’ve even had embarrassing moments on television that I wish I could take back. But if something goes wrong, I learn from it and move on. I remember my successes as well: I’ve experienced some amazing things and appreciate those times instead of getting down.
I’ve also always put my true self out there and worked really hard. If I keep doing that and maintain a positive outlook, whether it’s with my cakes, my husband, or our new baby, I’ll be content for the rest of my life.
For more info, visit sideserfcakes.com and follow Natalie on YouTube @SideserfCakes
