The decade in home decor

"Over the past 10 years, the formal living room in most homes has been reinvented � it's now a library, workspace, perhaps a music or game room. Many are now willing to buy a new home without a living room at all, according to a survey this spring by the American Institute of Architects. What we want is some combination of kitchen and great room where the family can interact. Homes are more laid-back and user-friendly.

After a long fallow period, gardening took off in the past few years. From containers to victory gardens, we've got our hands back in the dirt. We're concerned about the provenance of produce, and about our carbon footprint � how many thousands of miles did that tomato travel? Renewed interest in environmental stewardship starts literally in the backyard. We're digging up the lawn and planting native greenery that requires little maintenance or water. We're putting down less pesticide. More of us are composting."

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