When I saw the photos of Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi's Santa Monica ranch last week, I instantly wanted to move in. I'm in a no-color phase right now and the neutral hues, especially in the Art Barn here, made me feel right at home. Like the look? Here are similar finds you can pick up even if you don't have the celebrity budget.

Nothing adds character to a space like art. But if you're on a tight budget, your options might be a little limited. You could make like a college student and thumbtack a poster of The Starry Night to your wall — or you could make like a savvy DIYer and take some blah thrift store art to the next level. 

Last Saturday morning started like any other. I woke first while my husband snoozed away in bed, set up camp in my favorite wing back chair with a cup of coffee and my laptop and then started browsing around the internet. A couple of hours later, I had bought a big old mantel and I had to figure out how to get it home. You know, just a normal ol' Saturday. 

Patios are so ugly first thing in spring. Wet winter leaves are still caked in the corners, and everything is totally devoid of color until the plants turn green. So it feels really good to finally get your deck or patio to where it's usable and enjoyable. 

What's black and white and fun all over? Your next home office re-design! The classic combo is sophisticated, luxurious, and professional, yet still can offer a welcoming personality. Plus, this contrasting clean slate lets your work and your gear—like a larger-than-life iMac screen—take center stage.

I once had a round rug in my living room and while I eventually grew tired of the color and pattern, I loved the visual interest the circular shape added. It made the room feel open and fresh and pulled together. Designers often suggest using a round rug to trick the eye into making a room appear larger - which makes them ideal for kids bedrooms. Here are ten real kids rooms with round rugs as well as ten round rugs we think would look terrific in a kid's space.

I love the warmth and texture that a quilt adds to the bedroom but traditional versions tend to feel a bit to granny chic for my taste. These modern picks make it easy to find one that will suit any style. 

Growing up, if my mother's nose wasn't buried in a book, she could be found with a needle and thread in hand quilting up something fabulous. I always thought it a shame to keep such things folded up on the couch, only to be viewed on chilly nights. A recent trip to my local Room & Board where I saw something similar inspired me to try a new method of display. 

In December, I switched out the art by my front door to include a very wintery photograph (of mistletoe, how fitting) taken by a friend. Now that the weather's warmer, I'm considering swapping the black-and-white for a colorful print.