, fresh basil, geckos and pet bearded dragons.

writer Dawnn Karen referenced the feel-good brain chemical in her book “Dress Your Best Life,” holding that “dopamine dressing” — wearing clothes in your own, individual style — gives you positive feelings.Decorators and influencers say the same thing happens when we throw out old decor rules and step into a space adorned with personal touches. We’re more relaxed. More creative.

People are asking themselves what colors and patterns they really love, “and then bringing those features into their spaces — even if it goes against conventional decorating advice or what they might have seen online 10 years ago,” says Lauren Phillips, associate director of special projects at Better Homes & Gardens.The trend toward making rooms more comfortable, functionalwhen many people were homebound. And it continues to grow, Phillips says.

“Unused guest rooms are home offices. Formal dining rooms become craft spaces. And ‘barkitecture’ is having a moment — installing dog baths and other pet-specific features,” she says.Decor is awash in aesthetic “cores” —

“But I don’t take it to mean we’re bouncing from trend to trend super quickly. To me, it means people are defining their own style, and really getting to the root of the designs they love, even if that’s a little more colorful, kitschy or funky,” says Phillips.

There’s lots of inspiration on the internet. “If, 15 years ago, we all wanted the picture-perfect kitchen we saw online, today it’s all about taking a trend or beautiful interior that you see on TikTok or Instagram and pulling out the details you love,” says Phillips.Rwanda has argued that despite being one of Africa’s most densely populated countries, it has space to help alleviate what many countries in Europe – and the United States – consider to be a

with unwanted migrants.Rwanda’s foreign minister confirmed to The Associated Press on Monday that

about a potential agreement to host deported migrants, after telling state media the talks were in the “early stage.” Olivier Nduhungirehe did not give details but said it was consistent with Rwanda’s long-standing commitment to the pursuit of migration solutions.The U.S. State Department declined to comment on a potential deal, but said engagement with foreign governments is an important part of the U.S. government’s policy to deter illegal migration.