Living in Chicago, mineral deposits from my water are just a way of life. It sucks for my shower head and for watering plants, but I never really thought about it altering the way my toilet flushed… until now! More

Halloween is nearly here, so what could be more fitting than to celebrate the color of the season, orange? It's lovely on a pumpkin, and just as cheerful and fun in the kitchen. Whether it's bright and bold or muted, an accent or a full-scale commitment, orange will definitely energize mealtime. More

Using tile to add interest to a space is nothing new, but at this years Cersaie, I noted many examples of tiles that had a decorative bent based less on color or strong visual pattern, but rather on high texture and a certain rough-hewn chic. More

As anyone who's ever spent hours painting coat after coat will tell you, when it comes to paint, you definitely get what you pay for. But just what is it that makes the good stuff so much better and why should you splurge? More

Like sugar and spice and everything nice, the color pink is often traditionally associated with little girls. The hue instantly conjures up images of femininity and sweetness. At its best pink can be warm, fresh, and soft. But choose the wrong shade and your space can quickly swing into the less-than-pleasing realm of bubblegum and Pepto Bismol. Here are a few spaces and paint swatches that get this tricky color just right. More

For years, it has seemed that for something to be considered very modern or contemporary, it should be hard-edged. Crisp, sharp angles and straight lines were the norm. This year at Cersaie, while there is still plenty of beautiful, more angular sinks, toilets, bidets and mirrors for the bath to be found, the truly fashion-forward form factor is round, curvy, smooth and circular. More

A bathroom with the palest of blue walls takes on a cool, clean feeling that you don't even realize is coming from the color. These shades are subtle and atmospheric, and I find that such light blues (almost whites, even) work well both in naturally-lit spaces and in windowless bathrooms. An accent in a strong, warm color like golden yellow or tomato red can add a jolt of color if these wispy blues aren't enough: More

Using tile can be a great way to add pattern in unexpected places in your home - especially when it is gorgeous, narrative-inspired handmade tile that evokes a cool summer day in Cuba or Morocco. Today's One Minute Tip comes from Katie Deedy of Grow House Grow. More

Dark, moody teal. While it might not be your first thought for a kitchen, it sure does work. Pair it with some warm wood accents and you have yourself a cozy room. More

At the recent Cersaie tile show in Bologna, I saw beautiful tiles all day long. High quality, thoughtful design, being shown in booths designed to highlight best features, described by knowledgeable representatives. But, no matter how fantastic the overall show, personal favorites are bound to emerge. For me, at Cersaie, Mutina's new collections, Azulej (shown here) and Tex (post to follow), were two of the standouts. More