The INSIDER Summary:

• We asked interior designers about this year's hottest décor trends.
• Sophisticated pastels like sage and dusty blue, blush pink, and black are trendy colors this year.
• People are using locally sourced materials to give back to the economy.
• Rounded furniture is in.

The interior design industry is like the fashion industry — colors, fabrics, prints, and accessories go in and out of style.

Here are eight of this year's emerging home design trends, according to interior designers.

Sophisticated pastels

"It's not the mint green we were seeing before, it's more like a sage-y color, and it's not a baby blue, it's a bit of a dusty blue," said Caitlin Murray, founder and CEO of Black Lacquer Design. "You're seeing it with pinks and oranges and things like that, as well."

Rounded furniture

"The furniture is a lot more substantial and rounded off where it was feeling very squared," Murray said.

Local materials

"We designers have every resource under the sun available to us with the click of a mouse button, but my clients have been requesting putting their [money] back into the local economy, which for me means shopping at retail stores for furnishings in whatever town my client’s live in," said interior designer Max Humphrey. "I’ve done full remodels using all local stuff, including furniture, lighting, tile, hardware, and even lumber."

In Token's world, you'll never need to carry your wallet. You won't need house keys, or a transit pass, or even to remember your computer password. 

All you'll need is a ring. 

Token is a fledgling hardware company that just launched its first product: The Token ring, an identity ring that stores your credentials and secures your privacy with a fingerprint sensor. 

The Token ring starts at $249 and is available for presale beginning now. The first Token rings will start shipping in December. 

Here's how it works. 

SEE ALSO: Brooklinen's new line of bedding completely solved one of my biggest sleep issues

Token was founded by husband-and-wife duo Melanie and Steve Shapiro. They met at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York, which is where the ring is being manufactured.

Token comes in three finishes: Brushed stainless steel, which costs $249...

...Black rhodium, which costs $299...

SEE ALSO: How much money you need to be happy varies wildly depending on where in America you live

DON'T MISS: One chart shows how many millionaires and billionaires graduated from Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and 17 other top colleges

30 (TIE). Shanghai, China

UHNW population (2016): 960

Year over year change: +9.1%

30 (TIE). Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Arizona

UHNW population (2016): 960

Year over year change: +7.9%

30 (TIE). Moscow, Russia

UHNW population (2016): 960

Year over year change: -4%

A major theme at the 2017 Strategic Investment Conference was the shift in economic power from developed markets to emerging markets (EMs).

For example, in 1960, the combined GDP of China and India made up only 5% of global GDP; today, it’s 30%.

In 1970, the G7 bloc made up half of global trade; now it makes up just 30%. It’s no wonder emerging markets are growing at almost three times the rate as the G7.

The Rise of China and India

This chart from JP Morgan shows the re-emergence of China and India over the last four decades.

With major economic changes now underway in both nations, they are likely to play an increasingly larger role in the world going forward.

Here’s a look at some of the biggest developments in EMs and their wide-ranging implications for investors.

One Belt, One Road

Dubbed “the new Silk Road,” One Belt, One Road aims to create the world’s largest platform for economic cooperation between China and the rest of the world.

It's an infrastructure project unlike anything we have ever seen.

As founder and CIO of Morgan Creek Capital Management Mark Yusko quipped at SIC 2017, “One Belt, One Road, Multiple Bull Markets.”

China’s Growing Middle Class

The American consumer still drives the global economy, but that baton will likely be passed to China’s middle class sometime this century.

According to McKinsey, just 4% of China’s urban population was considered middle class in 2000. By 2020, 76% will be—a 19-fold increase. And with more spending power comes greater consumption.

Boston Consulting Group projects China’s total consumption will increase by 55% to $6.5 trillion by 2020.

That’s more than the UK, Germany, and France combined.

Switzerland's Institut Le Rosey is the most expensive school in the world.

Boasting two beautiful campuses in two locations — the spring/summer campus in the 14th-century Château du Rosey estate in Rolle, and in the winter, chalets in the ski resort of Gstaad — it costs CHF 108,900 (£87,279) a year in tuition fees.

Institut Le Rosey's famous alumni reportedly include King Albert II of Belgium, the Shah of Iran, Prince Rainier of Monaco, and King Farouk of Egypt.

The school claims that 30% of its students join universities ranked in the top 25 in the world — including the Ivy League, MIT, and Oxbridge — after graduating.

So what's all the fuss about?

"Evidently, we are Switzerland’s oldest international boarding school, we have a certain weight that goes through the name because of families that have been here before," Felipe Laurent, alumnus and Le Rosey spokesman told Business Insider. Both Laurent and his older sister graduated from Le Rosey — he spent five years at the school, while she studied for three.

"I think that some families are looking for that," he added. "In that, they might have studied here and so they want their children to continue that sort of legacy."

We spoke to Laurent to find out what really goes on behind its doors — and were offered an exclusive look inside. Scroll on to see inside the most expensive school in the world.

Note: The Instagram images below were published by third party accounts not managed by Le Rosey.

This is the main campus of Institut Le Rosey, the most expensive school in the world. It is located in Rolle, half way between Geneva and Lausanne, on a 28-hectare estate.

Tuition is CHF 108,900 (£87,279), though just about everything — excluding school trips, but including pocket money administered by the staff — is included in this price.

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"There’s different levels of pocket money according to the age of the student," Laurent told Business Insider. "Evidently a 10-year-old will not receive the same amount as a 17-year-old."

The Château du Rosey was built in the 14th Century and the school was founded in 1880. Below, you can see it at the turn of the century...

When you apply for a job, there's a good chance other people are going for it too. However, you can increase your chances of success depending on where in the UK you're actually sending your applications.

According to new research by the UK employment website Adzuna, if you apply to jobs in some areas of the UK you'll be up against a lot less competition.

On the other side of things, some places in are incredibly competitive. Sunderland, for example, is one of the toughest cities to find work, according to Adzuna's latest job report. In the city, there are nearly three jobseekers for every advertised vacancy.

Here are the 10 best places to search for a job in the UK according to Adzuna, ranked in ascending order.

10. Exeter.

In Exeter, there are five jobs for every person looking, meaning there are 0.2 job seekers per vacancy.

9. Manchester.

There are 0.18 jobseekers for every job in Manchester, which works out as just fewer than five jobs for every person on the hunt.

8. Southampton.

In Southampton, there are only 0.17 jobseekers for every vacancy you apply for.

Google is looking to expand its UK workforce from around 4,000 people today to 7,000 people by 2020.

The search giant currently has three main offices in London with one in King's Cross, one on Tottenham Court Road, and another in Victoria. It also has a smaller startup space near Old Street known as Campus.

Over the next few years, Google is planning to make King's Cross its main base in the city, opening a number of new buildings in the area.

Earlier this month, photos emerged of what will be Google's only wholly owned building outside the US. It's a huge "landscraper" with a basketball court and a rooftop walking trail. 

Here's a look at some of the properties that Google is planning in King's Cross and some that it already has in the area and across the rest of London.

The area behind King's Cross has been significantly redeveloped over the last few years and Google is moving into a number of new properties in the area.

Google announced plans to build a new £1 billion HQ on the 300m green plot of land in 2013.

Architects AHMM drew up these plans for Google's UK in September 2013.

At the time, The Guardian wrote: "On a long, thin sliver of land between the railway tracks in King’s Cross, where rusting gasometers and soot-caked sheds once stood, a multi-storey pleasure palace will soon rise out of the ground. Complete with climbing wall, indoor football pitch and a rooftop swimming pool, this is not a new leisure centre for the people of Camden, but Google’s spanking new £1bn London headquarters – designed to make going to work feel like an exciting day out." 

Europe is incredibly diverse, and it can be hard to know where to go — or where to live, if you're considering a move.

Savills Investment Management (Savills IM) has released a list of the 40 most dynamic cities in Europe based on a number of factors that contribute to long-term wealth, economic growth, and positive population trends.

130 cities were chosen for the complete survey, which included all European capitals, as well as all cities with a minimum metropolitan area of 250,000 inhabitants, and positive forecasted population growth.

The cities were then measured on innovation, inspiration, inclusion, interconnection, investment, and infrastructure.

Scroll down to see a list of the 17 most innovative, inspiring, and inclusive cities in Europe, ranked in ascending order.

17. Barcelona, Spain. The capital of Catalonia and home to La Rambla, one of Europe's most famous streets. The Spanish city is famous for its beautiful Gaudí architecture.

2. Lausanne, Switzerland. Located in the heart of Europe, Lausanne ranks number one for foreign-born population and number three for number of foreign university students.

15. Basel, Switzerland. Located on the Rhine River in northwest Switzerland, close to the borders with France and Germany, Basel is the country's third most populous city.

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Since 2009, Amazon has sold a variety of products through AmazonBasics.

Its generic brand covers everything from tech and fitness to dining supplies. The goal is to give you the most bang for your buck, and while their products might not be as flashy as their competitors', they get the job done.

They're also significantly cheaper, and if you can get a solid product in a major category for less, it's definitely worth it.

I've used some AmazonBasics products before, and in some cases, check if they have something before looking at the rest of the market.

So I've sorted through the handful of AmazonBasics gadgets you can feel comfortable buying for less. None of them will ever be flashy, but, like an imitative box of cereal, they’ll get the job done. You might save some cash along the way, too.

Having trouble figuring out what to get people for the holidays? You can check out all of Insider Picks' 2016 gift guides here.

DON'T MISS: 50 must-have tech accessories under $50

SEE ALSO: 5 great tech brands you’ve probably never heard of

Bluetooth speakers

While it hasn’t made our list of the best budget Bluetooth speakers, the AmazonBasics Portable Bluetooth Speaker is a more exciting value than its bland name suggests. It’s no UE Roll in the design department, but it’s not ugly, and while it doesn’t have the fullest sound around, its bright, mostly clean profile is decidedly solid for a $40 speaker.

Also, it’s $40. That’s very affordable for something this respectable. For only a little more you can get Anker's SoundCore Sport XL, which is the best portable bluetooth speaker we've tested recently. But if budget is your main concern, Amazon's speaker will be fine.

AmazonBasics Portable Bluetooth Speaker, $37.99

Cables

It’s never a bad idea to stock up on spare cables — they have a habit of being misplaced, you see — and much of AmazonBasics’ selection are among the best deals around.

Its sturdy HDMI cables are particularly affordable, as you can grab, among other things, a pair of 10-footers for $6.49. You shouldn’t pay more than a few bucks for these as a rule — just be sure to check out similar offers from other trustworthy cheap cable sellers like Monoprice to ensure you get the best deal for you at a given time.

It’s the same idea with microUSB and Lightning cables. We’ve extolled the virtues of having a lengthier charging cable before, and there’s virtually no reason to splurge $20 or $30 on "name brand" options from Apple and the like.

There are differences in speed and durability among cheap cables, but generally speaking, Amazon’s USB 3.0 to microUSB Cable and (MFi-certified) Lightning to USB Cableare reliable. They might not be the fastest or tightest — we like Anker’sselection, too — but they’re backed by great user reviews, and again, they’re super affordable. If you ever see them marked down, they’re worth jumping on.

AmazonBasics HDMI Cable 2-Pack (9.8 Feet), $7.99
AmazonBasics USB to USB-C Cable (3 Feet), $6.99              AmazonBasics Apple Certified Lightning to USB Cable (6 Feet), $7.99

Portable batteries

Seeing your phone’s battery icon flash red when you know you won’t be home for another few hours is a strange kind of anxiety, but one you can avoid entirely by investing in a portable battery. Thankfully, as is the recurring theme here, you don’t need to pay a ton to get a dependable one.

We’ve previously commended smaller packs from RavPowerand larger ones from Anker and Monoprice, but you can toss the AmazonBasics Portable Power Bank right alongside them. Again, we can’t say it’s the absolute fastest around, but any differences won’t be significant to most people, and the whole thing is well-made. It’s about as affordable as our other recommendations, too.

Really it comes down to how you want your battery to look. If you think a flatter, more phone-shaped pack would play nicer with your pockets, by all means, give this a go. We’ve linked to the 16,500mAh model below, which we find to be the best deal of the bunch, but there are other, more compact options.

AmazonBasics Portable Power Bank (10,000mAh), $29.99

**NOTE: currently unavailable but should be back soon**

Google is on top yet again.

The company is famous for its appealing perks, great pay, and an exceptional workplace culture— so it's no surprise that undergraduate business students find the search giant to be the most desirable employer.

Universum, a global research and advisory firm, surveyed 145,437 undergraduates studying business in the 12 countries with the world's largest GDPs — Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, US, China, Japan, Brazil, India, Canada, and South Korea.

The business students were asked to choose the companies and organizations they'd most like to work for.

Universum then put together a ranking of the most desirable employers, based on the number of undergraduate business students who chose a company as one of their dream employers.

Google, which specializes in online advertising technologies, cloud computing, software, and, of course, search, landed at the top of the list for a third consecutive year.

Goldman Sachs, Apple, EY, and PwC rounded out the top five.

Here are the top 50:

SEE ALSO: The 50 best companies to work for in America

50. 3M

The 3M Company is a multinational, Minnesota-based corporation specializing in products like adhesives and laminates.

49. Samsung

This electronics conglomerate is based in South Korea.

48. Dell

Based in Round Rock, Texas, Dell develops, sells, and supports personal computers.

Packed with high-quality releases from some of the biggest names in the industry, the first half of 2017 has been a prolific period for new music.

From the songs of Kendrick Lamar's instant-classic album "DAMN.," to a few stellar singles from the R&B artist Frank Ocean, to numerous indie gems, the list of our favorite songs of the year turned out to be an eclectic one.

Check out the 25 best songs of 2017 so far:

SEE ALSO: How DJ Khaled revived his career and captured the pop charts on the strength of his marketing

25. Drake — "Passionfruit"

The hit single from his "playlist" album, "More Life," Drake's "Passionfruit" finds the Toronto rapper in the familiar confines of the catchy melancholia he's exhibited on previous hits like "Take Care" and "Hold On, We're Going Home."

24. The xx - "Say Something Loving"

On "Say Something Loving," the English indie-rock trio The xx adds a newfound, welcomed vibrancy to their minimalist production for a compelling song about the "thrill of affection."

23. Lorde - "Green Light" (Chromeo Remix)

Stripping away the bulk of the melodramatic baggage from Lorde's "Melodrama" single "Green Light," the Canadian duo Chromeo builds a fresh, electro-funk track around Lorde's cryptic lyrics about love and nightlife.

Investing is all about having an edge over the competition.

To gain that edge, Bank of America Merrill Lynch hired a team of research analysts, like a lot of investment banks do. These analysts scrub through earnings reports, keep up on the news, talk to company executives and more to try and predict which stocks are going up, and which are not worth your time.

Unless you are a hedge fund or investment bank, you probably don't have the money required to hire a big team of analysts to do research for you. Luckily, BAML's team is here to help.

The investment bank keeps a list of stocks called the US 1 list. The list is made up of the best investment ideas BAML has right now, all aimed at generating returns over the long run. 

The US 1 list was updated Tuesday to include one new stock while kicking out an old stock. The 23 stocks that follow represent what can only be hundreds of hours of work by the bank's analysts.

The most recent addition to the US 1 list is at the bottom, along with the stock BAML had to kick off the list. Other than that, the list is in no particular order.

Read below to find out which stocks made the cut ...

Facebook (FB)

Sector: Information Technology

Date added: 02/08/2017

Percent change since added: +14.45%

Click here to watch this stock live ...

Hess (HES)

Sector: Energy

Date added: 04/11/2017

Percent change since added: -18.19%

Click here to watch this stock live ...

Broadcom (AVGO)

Sector: Information Technology

Date added: 04/18/2017

Percent change since added: +14.40% 

Click here to watch this stock live ...

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

I'm always looking for ways to streamline how I pack for a trip. Despite thinking I'm already a pretty good packer, I still think I can be better. Maybe you feel the same way.

Some of the best tips I've adopted into my travel routine are recommendations from friends and coworkers. So to help inspire you, I asked my Business Insider colleagues to share the things they always bring when they travel, and I got some interesting responses.

Some are seemingly random (an audio splitter), some are convenient (a pair of noise-cancelling headphones), and some you probably didn't realize you needed (a bottle of melatonin).

Check out our favorite travel picks below.

SEE ALSO: 22 awesome and weird things we bought using Amazon Prime

DON'T MISS: The 11 gadgets and tech accessories I used the most while traveling abroad

An audio splitter

Audio splitters are key for watching movies on iPad with significant other or friend. — Antonio Villas-Boas 

Belkin Speaker and Headphone Splitter, $4.35

An extra-long charging cable

An extra-long charging cable comes in handy when you're too far from the nearest power outlet. — Jay Freshwater 

Anker PowerLine+ 10ft. Lightning Cable, $17.99

A portable battery

The sense of security a big portable battery gives you is invaluable. If I forget to charge my phone/tablet before leaving the hotel — and I always do — it's nice to know I'll still be safe to watch a movie on the flight, or have enough juice to call an Uber once I get off the bus. — Jeff Dunn

Anker PowerCore 20100 Ultra High Capacity Power Bank, $41.99

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.   

I didn't really think about it before writing this article, but I spend the majority of my time at a desk.

I have one at work and one at home, and both of them are arranged just so. I have specific tools that I use in both places to keep me more productive and organized.

If you're looking to up your desk game, these 12 accessories can help.

DON'T MISS: 10 must-have tech accessories under $10

SEE ALSO: I’ve written about a lot of great tech, but these are the gadgets I use every day

A Bluetooth keyboard

If you care about your desk being a productive place and looking neat and tidy, buying a Bluetooth keyboard is an easy way to do that. I've used Anker's Bluetooth keyboard for years, and it works really well. Once you go wireless, there's no going back — being free of the keyboard cable feels great.

Anker Bluetooth Ultra-Slim Keyboard, $17.99, available at Amazon

A Bluetooth mouse

If you're going to invest in a Bluetooth keyboard, you might as well pick up a Bluetooth mouse, too. The reason I'm suggesting you go Bluetooth instead of using another type of wireless mouse is because this one doesn't require a USB dongle to work. This becomes important if you do a lot of work on a laptop, where USB ports are at a premium.

I use this mouse every day and like it so much I bought two — one for the office and one for use at home.

Logitech Bluetooth Mouse, $19.95, available at Amazon

Computer speakers

If you're serious about listening to music in your home office, you should invest in a good pair of speakers. I've used Audioengine speakers before and they sound really good. Why I'm recommending these over the A5's that I used is because they're smaller, making them a little more desk-friendly. You should expect excellent sound from them regardless of their size, though.

Audioengine A2+, $249, available at Amazon 

In May, after several years on the market, a unique house situated in the affluent town of Hillsborough, California, finally found a buyer.

We now know, thanks to Curbed SF, exactly how much the new owner ended up paying for it: $2.8 million.

Known by Bay Area locals as the "Flintstones House" for its kooky attributes, the house was originally listed for $4.2 million in 2015. It underwent several price chops and was most recently listed for $3.19 million.

Many neighbors call the home an eyesore, especially after it was painted orange and purple, according to Business Insider. But others in this wealthy suburb of San Francisco consider it a landmark that's beloved for its quirkiness. 

Take a look around the home that has divided a community. Judy Meuschke of Alain Pinel Realtors had the listing.

SEE ALSO: Nobody wants to buy the most infamous house in the Hamptons, but American Express is renting it for the summer

Even from far away, it's easy to see that the Flintstones House isn't a normal property.

It's made from concrete that's been painted orange and purple, though it was first finished in an off-white color when it was built in 1976.

The odd shape of the house was created by applying shotcrete to both a steel rebar structure and a series of mesh frames held up by inflated balloons typically used for aeronautical research.

It's been a while since we last got to see our favorite (and least favorite) characters in Westeros. The upcoming seventh season of "Game of Thrones" is probably the most anticipated season yet, due to its later-than-usual premiere date in July and the explosive season six finale preceding it.

With every season of "Game of Thrones," the stakes get higher and higher as we inch closer to finding out the fate of the coveted Iron Throne. Among fans, a Rotten Tomatoes survey conducted for Business Insider said that season six is the fan favorite, but it's also the least-loved season among critics.

The show got better when it wasn't confined to being a strict adaptation of the lengthy book series. And while some storylines in season six were adapted from the books, the story had more focus — it brought characters together instead of drifting them apart, and it had some of the best action sequences that television has ever seen, rivaling even big action films. 

Here's why season six of "Game of Thrones" is the best season so far:

SEE ALSO: Here's everyone on Arya Stark's kill list and why

The story is more accelerated than other seasons

Things moved a bit slowly in early seasons, mostly for Daenerys and Bran and his friends — leaving Bran out of season five was one of the best moves the writers have made. Things also moved incredibly slow for the ever-impending Winter, which took six whole seasons to actually arrive.

Remember how Daenerys spent most of season two hanging out in Qarth? Remember how much time we spent watching Daenerys figure out what to do about Meereen? Three seasons. Of course, Daenerys needed her time in Slaver’s Bay to prepare for ruling Westeros, but her time there got a little dull and irrelevant to the series as a whole until Varys and Tyrion arrived to speed things up.

In the first few seasons of the series, there was a lot of traveling. We did get to know these characters along the way, and some characters got to know each other through their adventures on the road (Brienne and Jaime, Jorah and Tyrion, for example), but now we don't need to see the journey — just the destination. 

Season six also has a narrowed focus

This is only natural for a show in its final two seasons, and it's the best time for it to happen. TV shows that add unnecessary story arcs and too many new characters in their final hours usually don't end well.

As the characters in this world get closer to each other and the show nears its endgame, the story has more focus. No more side stories that ultimately lead nowhere, no more time for romance: Ygritte is dead, Shae is dead, and Daenerys said goodbye to Daario Naharis for political reasons, which also translate to story reasons.

To narrow the focus, the show has also done what it does best: kill people. With Ramsay Bolton gone, Cersei is the primary villain, and Euron Greyjoy a close second. 

At this point in the show, the only side story that really exists is Sam and Gilly at the Citadel. But Sam has stuck around all this time for a reason, and his presence at the Citadel will definitely pay off in some way.

Thematically, season six works better as a larger, more cohesive story

Season five also follows a similar pattern. Though earlier seasons were well-written, episodes lacked an overall arc, which can cause them to feel more like a series of scenes stitched together. There was rarely a common thread, especially with Daenerys so far away from what was happening in Westeros. 

In season six, the episodes (and season as a whole) are more thematic and bleed into each other more naturally. 

When it comes to "Harry Potter," everybody knows the film's leading trifecta: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson. 

But what about the dozens of other witches, wizards, and muggles who graced the screen throughout the series? While you were watching Harry and his friends fight dragons and hunt horcruxes, these performances from veteran actors and youngsters just beginning their careers might have totally passed you by.

From cameo appearances from the cast of "Dancing with the Stars" to a member of the band Radiohead, here are 16 actors you might have missed in "Harry Potter":

Alfred Enoch has come a long way since his days playing Dean Thomas in "Harry Potter." Today, you can spot him as law student Wes Gibbins on "How to Get Away with Murder."

Scarlett Byrne kept company with fellow Slytherin Draco Malfoy as the sour Pansy Parkinson. Since then, she's starred in a different magical world as Nora Hildegard on "The Vampire Diaries," and can now be seen playing Lacey on "Mary + Jane."

Verne Troyer was the first of two actors to play Griphook the goblin in "Harry Potter," but you probably recognize him from his most famous role as Mini-Me in "Austin Powers."

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

The Insider Pick:

• There's nothing like a glass of wine after a long day, but getting into the bottle can be a hassle without a good wine opener or corkscrew. To get that cork out as easily as possible, you should get the best one around — the Pulltap’s Double-Hinged Waiters Corkscrew.

A few years ago, I went on a girls camping weekend in the Catskills. On Friday evening, three of us hiked out to the wooded site, set up two tents, somehow managed to get a good (alright, sputtering) fire going in a somewhat soggy pit, and finally settled down to enjoy a glass of wine. If memory serves correctly, I believe it was a nicely chilled bottle of Chardonnay. Then we realized we forgot a bottle opener. Okay, it wasn’t a tragedy, but that evening it sure felt like one.

For many people around the world, enjoying a glass of wine is one of life’s greatest pleasures. But first, you have to get the bottle open. If you’re like me, chances are you take owning a wine opener or corkscrew for granted. It’s something that lives in your cutlery drawer, even if you have no idea how it got there. When I was a child, I used to pretend that my parents’ winged corkscrew was a person. I remember my mother’s distress when she couldn’t find the corkscrew and her ultimate relief when it was found it in my dollhouse after a lengthy search. I’m a mom now — I get it.

While I have always owned a winged corkscrew (it’s family tradition after all), there are many different types of wine openers to choose from.

• Corkscrews: The first corkscrew was patented in Oxford, England, in 1795 by Reverend Samuel Henshall. This basic twist corkscrew was so effective that it was widely used for more than 100 years. While the basic corkscrew is still available for purchase, there are now dozens of other corkscrew varieties to choose from. These are today’s most popular varieties:
• Waiter’s Corkscrew: Also known as a wine key, it has many variations, but frequently it relies on a double hinge that provides extra leverage to make it easier to remove the cork. With its folded body, it resembles a pocket knife. A tiny knife blade, for cutting the foil wrapping on the bottle’s neck, can be found in the handle, which can be crafted in a variety of different materials, including wood and metal. Quick, efficient—and lightweight —no wonder top waiters and sommeliers have been using it for decades.
• Winged Corkscrews: This popular piece first showed up in the US in the 1930s. As the screw is twisted into the cork, the two levers (the “arms”) are raised; pushing down the levers pulls the cork from the bottle. Oenophiles should ensure they select a variety with a thin screw. Otherwise, it may shred the cork.
• Lever Corkscrews: Because it is so simple to operate, this is the type of corkscrew most often recommended to beginners. Also known as the bunny ears — the two long levers clearly resemble rabbit ears — it has two handles that hold the bottle in place. After the screw is inserted, the levers are squeezed together and the cork should pop right out.
• Electric Wine Openers: Mostly battery-powered, these simple-to-use openers require no physical strength at all, making them ideal for the elderly or anyone who happens to have limited arm mobility. Simply push a button and a corkscrew will insert itself into the cork. Many of them also have a foil removal process, too.
• Ah So Wine Openers: This wine opener is more difficult to use than the other options, but it is ideal for opening vintage bottles of wine or any other bottles which may be sealed with corks that have become brittle. That’s because it is specifically designed to avoid damaging the cork. How does it work? Two thin metal prongs attached to a handle are slid in between the cork and the bottle. Simply twist the handle, pull up, and the cork should come out. Nicknamed the “Butler’s Friend,” because any servant could easily use it to remove the cork, take a quick swig, and then replace it without anyone noticing the bottle had been tampered with. The Ah So has even been known to come to the rescue when a broken cork is stuck in the bottleneck.  
• Air Pressure Wine Openers: This opener uses a needle in place of a screw. Once the hollow needle is inserted all the way through the cork, the simple press of a button sends a small amount of CO2 into the bottle, which immediately pushes the cork out of the bottleneck. Some air pressure openers use pumps instead of automated buttons. It’s fast and requires no exertion, making it the ideal option for a reception when you need to open multiple bottles at the same time. That said, an opener usually only lasts for about 80 to 100 uses, although some come with refillable CO2 packs.

We've researched across the web to find the very best wine openers you can buy for any situation and on any budget. We've included electric wine openers, high-end handmade ones, your average corkscrew, and more to suit any tastes. 

For the best of everything in your kitchen, you can also check out our other buying guides for the best juicers, the best toasters, the best strainers and colanders, the best spice racks, the best measuring cups, the best immersion blenders, the best knife sharpeners, and more on Insider Picks.

Although the Pulltap’s Double-Hinged Waiters Corkscrew is our top pick, for various reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the Laguiole En Aubrac Olivewood Waiters Corkscrew, the Oster Cordless Electric Wine Bottle Opener with Foil Cutter, the Wing Corkscrew Wine Opener by HiCoup with Bonus Wine Stopper, and the Rabbit Vertical Corkscrew with Foil Cutter and Extra Spiral.

The best wine opener overall

Why you'll love it: The the Pulltap’s Double-Hinged Waiter's Corkscrew is the gold standard for waiters and wine lovers worldwide.

Year after year, the Pulltap’s Double-Hinged Waiter's Corkscrew appears on list after list of the world’s best wine openers. Made by Barcelona-based Pulltex, one of the world’s preeminent wine accessories companies, this double-hinged corkscrew does the job and does it well.

For starters, the Teflon-coated screw and the solid stainless steel arms give the opener a sturdy feeling. The serrated knife that serves as a foil cutter is sharp and there is also an easy-to-use bottle opener. The standard handle is black metal but you can opt for other colors or minor upgrades like a chrome finish.

What does double-hinged mean anyway? It means that you have much more leverage to easily remove a cork without breaking it. It actually refers to the fold-out lever that will be placed at two points against the mouth of the bottle. There are single-lever openers out there, but it’s well worth shelling out a few more bucks to lessen the number of crumbling corks you encounter. 

This wine opener comes with a one-year warranty. User reviews on Amazon are mostly positive, despite an ongoing debate about whether or not customers received the real-deal or a look-alike knockoff. As one reviewer wrote in August 2016: “Forget all the fancy ones, this one works best.”

Around the web professional reviewers, including those at Food & Wine and The Sweethome, pay tribute to this basic, but best-in-class opener.

Pros: Affordable, easy to use, sturdy, bragging rights, travels well, won’t chip wine or beer bottles

Cons: Knife is sometimes difficult to open

Buy the Pulltap’s Double-Hinged Waiters Corkscrew, Black and Stainless Steel, on Amazon for $9.98

The best expensive corkscrew

Why you'll love it: Impress your friends with the sturdy, exotic, and hand-crafted Laguiole En Aubrac Horn Waiter's Corkscrew.

If money is no object and you’re regularly shelling out big bucks for a bottle of wine, then you may opt to go with a luxury wine opener. Laguiole has long been considered the Lamborgini of the wine accessories industry. Made in France, these waiter-style corkscrews have unique handles crafted with amazing materials like ancient trees found in the garden at Versailles, stag’s horn and even fossilized mammoth tusks.

There is a lot of confusion surrounding Laguiole corkscrews. That’s mostly because Laguiole is not actually a brand, but the name of a small town in the south of France. Laguiole became associated with a specific shape of a traditional knife — and later high-quality corkscrews — that were hand-made in Laguiole and the nearby town of Thiers. Unfortunately, the name was never copyrighted, so anyone can claim to make a Laguiole corkscrew and knock-offs abound on the Internet. The three most reputable brand names you should be looking for are Aurac, Chateau, and Forge; in addition, make sure to buy your corkscrew from a well-known dealer.

This genuine corkscrew is expertly assembled by a single master craftsman from start to finish, ensuring that your end product is unique. The screw and built-in serrated foil cutter are forged from ultra-strong brushed stainless steel. Your corkscrew also comes with a beautiful wooden storage box and a certificate of authenticity.

The corkscrew comes with a lifetime warranty. Around the web, expert reviewers from places like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal tout the extraordinary craftsmanship of Laguiole corkscrews. User reviews on Amazon are limited, as there are few Laguiole corkscrews sold at the commerce site. But those select reviews are mostly positive. “Amazingly practical and a beautiful thing,” wrote one verified buyer in August 2016.

We've included a link to buy the corkscrew from Williams & Sonoma, so you know it's the real deal.

Pros: Extraordinary craftsmanship, easy to use, durable, lifetime warranty, bragging rights.

Cons: Expensive

Buy the Laguiole En Aubrac Horn Waiter's Corkscrew from Williams & Sonoma for $160.00

The best electric wine opener

Why you'll love it: Give your arms a break while the sleek-looking Oster Cordless Electric Wine Bottle Opener with Foil Cutter effortlessly opens bottle after bottle. 

Designed to fit all traditional wine bottles, the Oster Cordless Electric Wine Bottle Opener with Foil Cutter comes in three colors, including silver, Merlot, or Champagne, and it can open a bottle in a matter of seconds. The unit comes with a separate foil opener that can be conveniently stored in the base so that it not easily lost. 

Use the ergonomically designed soft-grip handle to place the opener on top of the bottle. Then, a simple push of a button activates the unit’s corkscrew spiral, and voila — the cork is rapidly removed from the bottle. Simply press the upper part of the switch and the spiral turns in the opposite direction to release the cork from the wine opener.

Fully charging the unit takes six to eight hours. After that, it is good to go for approximately 30 bottles without having to return it to the small base, which includes a power indicator light. The opener also has a blue LED charging light on it, so you will never be caught unprepared.

This wine opener comes with a one-year warranty. User reviews on Amazon are mostly positive with many customers noting they didn’t think that they wanted or needed an electric wine opener, but are thrilled that they took the plunge. As one reviewer wrote in March 2017: “This is effortless … no wonder other reviewers say that they only need one hand.”

Around the web professional reviewers, including those at Food & Wine, The Sweethome, and Your Best Digs, continually name the Oster Cordless Electric Wine Bottle Opener with Foil Cutter as the top choice in electric wine openers.

Pros: Easy-to-use, quick, affordable, sleek design, long-lasting

Cons: Bulky, not good for travel

Buy the Oster Cordless Electric Wine Bottle Opener with Foil Cutter, FFP at Amazon for $17.00

When Phil Jackson was hired as president of basketball operations of the New York Knicks in 2014, they were a moribund franchise with no direction.

Jackson, one of the most revered coaches in NBA history, who had played on the Knicks during their only two championships, was seen as a savior of the franchise, a leader to instill a culture and end the team's constant dysfunction.

Instead, over three years, the Knicks struggled mightily, going 80-166 during Jackson's three full seasons in charge.

Jackson's Knicks tenure will be known for a franchise-worst regular-season record, squabbles with star players, a steadfast belief in an outdated offense, and near constant roster turnover.

Here's how it all went downhill.

One of Jackson's first moves with the Knicks was overhauling the coaching staff, letting go of Mike Woodson, who struggled through a disappointing 37-45 season during the 2013-14 season.

Jackson began a coaching search that mostly involved players he coached — from Steve Kerr to Derek Fisher to Brian Shaw.

Jackson was reportedly close to landing Kerr, but at the last moment, Kerr took the Golden State Warriors job.

We've seen how that worked out for Kerr.

Jackson instead hired Fisher, a first-time coach fresh out of the league. Fisher, who won five championships with the Lakers under Jackson, promised a culture change and stability to the team.

Jackson made several questionable moves as president of the Knicks, including trading star defensive center Tyson Chandler before the 2014-15 season.

The Knicks traded Chandler and Raymond Felton to the Dallas Mavericks for a package that included Jose Calderon, Samuel Dalembert, Shane Larkin, Wayne Ellington, and second-round pick that became Cleanthony Early and Thanasis Antetokounmpo. None of those players are on the Knicks anymore and four of them are no longer in the NBA.

If you work in an office, there's a good chance you've heard of Slack. Even if you don't use it yourself, you've surely heard from a friend how great the business-chat platform is. By offering companies an alternative to endless email chains and tine-consuming meetings, Slack helped usher in an era of casual workplace interaction.

As great as Slack may be, though, there's probably a good chance that you aren't making the most of everything the platform has to offer. From handy keyboard shortcuts to useful software integrations, there's a lot Slack can do that you probably aren't taking advantage of. 

Here's what you need to know in order to use Slack like a pro. 

SEE ALSO: Slack is reportedly raising another $500 million — and Amazon, Google, and Microsoft might try to buy it

Change the way your Slack window looks

Most Slack users will likely tell you the site looks purple (or aubergine, if they really know their colors).

What they might not know is that Slack actually provides users a number of color options should they want to change the look of their chat. 

To change the color of your sidebar, go to [Preferences] and then select [Sidebar Theme]. From there, you can slect from six preset options, ranging from Slack's traditional aubergine to an all-white "Hoth" theme. If you're feeling creative, the platform also gives you the option to create your own custom theme, which you can share with your colleagues. 

Learn your keyboard shortcuts

Like any computer program worth its salt, Slack rewards those who have a drive to increase their efficiency. There are a lot of shortcuts available, so take the time to figure out which ones you will be using the most. 

To view all the available shortcuts hit [⌘ /] on Mac or [Ctrl /] on Windows. 

Save space in your chatroom with this handy command

A lively Slack channel can be an exciting, colorful place. Sometimes, though, there are only so many times you can watch the same GIF loop over and over before you go crazy. Luckily, Slack has an easy-to-use command built right in. 

When GIFs, pictures, and YouTube videos start getting overwhelming, simply type "/collapse" into your text box to make them all disappear. This won't eliminate the messages, but it will hide the media that is taking up precious screen real estate. 

To bring back the media, simply enter the command "/expand."