By necessity, bathrooms are often cold and hard, shiny and sterile. One way to add contrast, character and warmth to this setting is with oriental rugs and kilims. Usually made of wool, they are naturally stain resistant and effective at repelling water. And their rich deep colors look lovely against marble and tiles. More

Name: Leslie Landis + her dog Raincheck
Location: Silver Lake — Los Angeles, California
Size: 300 square feet
Years lived in: 4 — Rent

Interior designer Leslie Landis has converted this 300 square foot studio into a decorative Silver Lake charmer. She and her cute puppy, Raincheck, enjoy a cozy stylish space along with an amazing outdoor dining room. Perfect for entertaining or a quiet night in, her little apartment offers the best of both.

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If you've recently planted your own herbs and vegetables, then there's tasty treasures in your future. If you're looking to make things grow bigger and stronger to get the largest harvest you can, then try following these simple steps.
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Pendant lights can make a kitchen stand out, and they don't have to blow the whole budget to make a statement. More

Tired of white, gray, and steel kitchens? Okay, maybe not — but if you just want to take a visual vacation and walk on the wild side of kitchen design, we've pulled together ten tantalizing kitchens that will brighten your day. From jungle green to burnt orange to piercing teal, these spaces simply resonate with color. More

Could a new kitchen look be as easy as changing your kitchen storage style? If the way you've organized your kitchen's wares was instinctual — you just started with what you know — then it might be time to reevaluate. Something as simple as a storage style upgrade could give your space a surprisingly new and different feel. More

Name: carma358
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Type of space: Front Porch
Tell us about your outdoor project and how you enjoy it: My front-of-house project has been a very slow, but very rewarding one. When we bought the house two years ago, it had awnings a shade of green that even a green-lover like me couldn't live with. More

Our first how-to video of the Spring 2012 series comes from John Gleeson Connolly, and it's called "How to Build a Hammered Light." It's by far our most complex how-to to date (including information on how to wire a light socket from an old extension cord!), but I was so inspired by his creativity that I thought that all of you would be inspired to create something after watching it, and some of you, like me, would try and make one (or a variation on the theme) yourself. More

Ok, so it's not Park Avenue, but it is the cutest top-floor Nolita duplex that a bachelorette could desire. And what better way to amp up the chic quotient than with a few hand-painted stripes? More

How can something called "synthetic polymer" be so sexy when it comes to home decor? Lucite furniture, like this desk and folding chairs, are substantial pieces, yet have minimal visual weight. Clearly. Visit the cities below to find some, and explore what else is out there!

• Chicago: Kartell Ghost Chair - $250
• Raleigh, NC: Mid Century Lucite Desk - $895
• New York City: Castelli Folding Chairs - $220
• Chicago: 1970s Lamp - $695
• Chicago: Biomorphic Lucite Sculpture - $850 More