The Martha Collective: Ideas From Our Team of Experts

Each month, our experts—familiar faces to long-standing Martha fans—share their most inspirational entertaining, food, decorating, and gardening ideas.

Martha Collective: Thomas Joseph — Corinne Mucha

Thomas Joseph is the resident test kitchen expert for the Martha Stewart brand, with a passion for the science and story behind food. He was awarded the 2017 James Beard Award for his digital video series, Kitchen Conundrums.

When tomatoes are really good, they don’t need much to shine—but that’s not to say you shouldn’t add other flavors.

How to Eat Summer Tomatoes—Thomas Joseph Shares His Favorite Ideas

If you wait all year for summer tomatoes and can’t get enough of them while they are in season, you’re probably ready for some new ideas for using them. Even we tomato fans can get stuck in a rut. These are some of my favorite ways to use tomatoes. I hope they inspire you to experiment with different salads, branch out with sauce-making, and even try cooking peak-season tomatoes. That might sound wild, but trust me, I think you’ll love the results.

Read Thomas' Tips

Sarah Carey is the food content director for Martha Stewart Living and a freelance food editor, recipe developer, and food stylist working in NYC. Previously, she was the food director for Martha Stewart Living Magazine, and the editor-in-chief of Everyday Food. You can see her thousands of fun and informative cooking videos on the Everyday Food YouTube channel.

Making your own ice cream creations is much easier than making homemade ice cream, and it’s a delicious way to create new memories.

Sarah Carey’s Favorite Ice Cream Desserts Will Sweeten Your Summer

Ice cream desserts are all about nostalgia. Whether an ice cream sandwich takes you back to greeting the ice cream truck when it turned onto your block or reaching into the chest freezer at the corner store on a Friday after school, you likely have fond memories of frosty ice cream treats on hot summer afternoons. I’m sharing my favorite ice cream desserts; they’re the coolest way to enjoy a sweet ending this summer.

Read Sarah's Tips

Martha Collective: Ryan McCallister — Corinne Mucha

Ryan McCallister has been the head gardener at Martha Stewart’s 150-acre Bedford estate since 2011. He has appeared alongside Martha in numerous television segments, including Martha Gardens and Martha Knows Best, and in the pages of Martha Stewart Living magazine.

You should harvest peppers every few days to once a week (at minimum); that way, you keep the plant producing as late in the season as possible.

Ryan McCallister with peppers — Ryan McCallister

How to Harvest Peppers the Right Way, According to Martha’s Head Gardener

On Martha’s farm, we are currently growing over 100 pepper plants. We try out new varieties each year to see what works well for us and what we like to harvest and eat. While peppers are generally low-maintenance, one of the best ways to ensure you have a longer harvest is by regularly picking them. If you don’t harvest your peppers, the plant will stop producing new flowers and fruit. Here are some of my best tips to keep in mind for picking peppers so you can ensure a delicious, long-lasting harvest.

Read Ryan's Tips

The leading expert in all things celebration, Darcy Miller is the bestselling author of Celebrate Everything and Our Wedding Scrapbook, and the founding editor of Martha Stewart Weddings.

You can personalize almost every aspect of a party—which is what I did when I offered to host Martha Stewart's 70th birthday party.

Two women at a birthday party — Courtest of Darcy Miller

Darcy Miller Threw Martha an Iconic Party—Here Are Her Top Tips for Making Any Birthday Special

One reason I love celebrating everything is that it gives me the opportunity to think about the people I care about and what I love about them. The key to any celebration is to make it personal; the touches that make a party “so them” also make it memorable and meaningful for guests. So when I throw a birthday party, I think about the honoree and how I can fill the party with personal details about them. Here are my tips to help you celebrate an important person in your life.

Read Darcy's Tips

Gabrielle Santiago The Martha Collective — Gabrielle Santiago

Gabrielle Santiago is the owner of the Los Angeles interior design studio Gabrielle Santiago Design. As an interior design expert, she brings a transformative dimension to her work, blending psychology with design principles to evoke specific emotions and behaviors within spaces.

When considering whether to hire an interior designer or decorator, it's essential to assess the scope of your project. Understanding which professional to hire can save you money and streamline the process.

Living room by interior designer — GIEVES ANDERSON

The Difference Between an Interior Designer and Decorator, Plus When to Choose Each

Almost every time someone asks what I do for a living, and I mention that I'm an interior designer, they often misinterpret "interior designer" to mean "interior decorator." They might ask if I enjoy selecting artwork or simply state, "Oh, so you're a decorator!" It's often done by mistake—but there is a difference between the two terms. When renovating or building your home, it's really important to understand the distinctions to make the best use of your budget and to have peace of mind. Here are the differences between an interior designer and an interior decorator, plus tips for when you should be hiring each

Read Gabrielle's Tips