The Latest: May 2017

Okay, HomeGoods fans, we’re one step closer to shopping at a new home store by the brand. TJX just announced the name of the new store, and when they’ll start opening. Back in February, we reported that TJX, the store’s parent company, had told investors that they were planning to introduce a new home store concept in addition to the ever popular HomeGoods. On Tuesday’s earnings call, TJX CEO Ernie Herrman gave the new store a name: HomeSense.

I have yet to meet a room that couldn’t benefit from a bench. From the foyer to the dining table to the end of the bed, a bench offers more than just a seat. Its simple design lends itself to multi-functionalism. It can be a coffee table, a landing spot or a display oppoortunity. Whether finished with tufted upholstery for a polished appearance or in raw wood to achieve industrial chicness, benches can fit every style.

Since hallways are usually on the small side, they're a great place to experiment with bold design ideas. Here's a little inspiration.

When one thinks of IKEA, the questions of “collectible” and “resale value” aren’t generally ones that come to mind. More like, “Will this last?” But IKEA pieces dating back to catalogs as early as 1944 (yes, our stylist friends were just as shocked as you are RN) all of a sudden are generating major buzz on the auction and estate sale market.

One of my favorite trends in furniture is the comeback of cane. I remember it from my grandparents’ house in the ’80s (sticking your fingers into the weave), but, paired with contemporary materials and worked into modern shapes, it can also feel very fresh and very new. And the good news is that, unlike a lot of other furniture trends, cane is fairly democratic, appearing in a lot of admittedly very expensive pieces, but also a few at the more modest end of the spectrum.

All hail the humble nightstand! As much as a comfy bed and light-blocking curtains are essential to a good night’s sleep, you can’t knock the impact that a nightstand can have on your relaxation time. It allows you to store a good book or crossword puzzle nearby in case you need to force a little drowsiness, keep your phone (which is probably also your alarm clock) close at hand, and find the perfect space to hide a midnight snack. So you definitely need one, but where to begin?

Ban.do, the Insta-popular indie brand based in Los Angeles, has collaborated with Starbucks on a summer ready line of accessories, and it launches today. The limited edition 10-piece collection of drinkware and accessories includes hot and cold reusable drink cups, plus some of the stuff that made ban.do super popular amongst the millennial set, like a tote bag, pencil pouch, luggage tag, passport holder, coasters, and notebooks.

These unusual paint job ideas will add a lot of awesome to an accent wall.

Sales and savings are cyclical, just like the seasons. If you’re looking to make big home purchases, the time could not be any better than right now. Home sales tend to rise with the temperatures: more than 50% of Americans buy or sell a home in the summer months, according to Money.

Rugs can be a royal pain. While they most definitely can pull a room together, deciding on the right one for your space can sometimes tear things apart (i.e. your cleaning routine, your finances, your chill about pets and kids). If you’re on the hunt for a rug that meets all of your indoor needs but doesn’t break the bank, listen up. Using outdoor rugs inside is a great option for a select group of people, and there’s a good chance you might be one of them. You like patterns.

I’m moving this week which has me rethinking all my belongings and decorating choices. Suddenly I can’t stand neutral furniture that feels too safe. I’m gravitating to truly unique finds that pop with color, pattern and texture. I want to surround myself with furnishings that invigorate the mind. This week’s Marketplace roundup is inspired by the items that make you say “Wow!”—these listings come with plenty of flair and fun.

Good news, design fans: Two of our absolute faves are opening their warehouses and letting you shop ’til you drop next week. Both Jonathan Adler and Kelly Wearstler are having big sales on Saturday, May 20 in New York (Adler) and Los Angeles (Wearstler). Here are all the details we have: Saturday is shaping up to be a great day to be in New York or LA if you have some décor shopping to do!

While a pristine white wall can create the perfect blank canvas to complement your home decor style, sometimes you want to mix it up and get creative with your paint. While wallpaper prints and bright colors are always an option, there are some out-of-the-box ways that you can spice up a room. From concentrating color to painting just one shelf to carving out a separate space with the help of a paintbrush, ahead are some unexpected ways to paint walls in your house.

I know I like to feature products or services that can sometimes seem to serve a very niche purpose (measuring pen, anyone?) but today I wanted to do something a little different. For this week’s Fantastic Find I rounded up a few items that are small enough to throw in your bag, cool enough that you’ll be bragging to your friends about how useful they are, and stylish enough that you won’t mind upgrading your other staples. Let’s open up our bag now, shall we?

If the futuristic milk baths in Westworld’s underground lair-bratory really got your tech-powered design dreams going, then you’re going to love what MIT is doing right now for the future of furniture.