Our TeamBrie Dyas

About Me

Brie Dyas is a digital lifestyle journalist who has written for House Beautiful, Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Tasting Table, The Salonniere, Trulia and more. She was the founding editor of HuffPost Home and Stylelist Home.


Latest Stories

An Old-School Design Feature That’s Making a Comeback
Decidedly aspirational, but still highly inspirational.
Feb 14, 2020
10 Paint Colors With Cult Followings
Go-to paint colors we see over and over again.
Feb 6, 2020
Outdoor Look We Love: Herringbone Brick
Like tiles, bricks are subject to the whims and fancies of eras. Think of the white-painted brick of Shabby Chic-obsessed homes in the ’90s and minimalists today, or even the dark red brick ranches of the midcentury. But when bricks are used for paths and patios, it’s easy to stick to predictable, straightforward patterns. That might be why the herringbone layout feels so fresh right now, even though it’s a style that’s been around for hundreds of years.
Jun 26, 2019
Take Another Look at Gravel: Chic Ways to Use It Outdoors
A manicured lawn is a beautiful sight to behold, but it’s a feature that isn’t without its own problems. There’s the cost and time investment for maintenance, plus the staggering amount of water needed to keep a lawn looking fresh in the summer. And really, does anyone truly love mowing the lawn? (Aside from my father, who likely enjoyed the peace of a weedwacker or lawnmower compared to the general chaos produced by me and my brother growing up.
Jun 26, 2019
Take Happy Hour Outdoors In These Backyard Bars
Very few things compare to the simple pleasure of enjoying a nice glass of wine outside on a gorgeous summer evening. While you could head out to any bar with a nice outdoor space, you usually have to time your visits to avoid a throng of like-minded people. (For introverts, this possibility takes all the fun out of this activity.
Jun 26, 2019
7 Plants for Your Garden Inspired by Disney’s New Avatar Park
The highly-anticipated Pandora: World of Avatar opens officially to the public on May 27 at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Park. While most will beeline it to the two new rides, the photos we’ve seen of the incredible landscape make the argument to slow down the pace (just a little bit —wouldn’t want to lose your spot in an up-to-six-hour line).
May 3, 2019
Step-by-Step: A Closet Makeover Fit For an Instagram Star
Kate Rumson is the founder of the The Real Houses of IG Instagram account (1.5 million followers and counting). In between running the account and her business, The Real Houses, Kate’s also been in the process of updating her New Jersey home to fit her simple-yet-luxe aesthetic. The first order of business: Tackling the bedroom. Specifically, the closet. Kate was lucky enough to have a huge closet space, but it didn’t offer much in the way of storage or style.
May 3, 2019
Look We Love: Plank Ceilings
We may have reached peak shiplap for walls, but there’s a new spot where planks feel so much fresher: The ceiling. Though they’re often coupled with high ceilings (like the design above by Dan Scotti Design), planks have a rustic feel that adds a cozy touch to a wide variety of spaces. Plank-style ceilings aren’t unusual to find in an enclosed porch or sunroom like this beautiful space by Looney Ricks Kiss.
May 3, 2019
Before & After: An Awkward Closet Gets a Stylish Makeover
There’s always an awkward space in any home. It could be an odd-sized recess in an otherwise normal wall, or a few weirdly narrow cabinets that can’t hold anything wider than a travel mug (a very real issue in my rental apartment).
May 3, 2019
7 Creative Ideas For Using Beadboard All Around Your Home
Goodbye popcorn ceiling!
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Tudor Goes Modern
Overhauling an old home is a daunting project, especially when you have the twin goals of maximize space and adding a more modern style to the interior and exterior spaces. There’s always the pressure to stay era-appropriate, but also the temptation to completely transform every square inch of the structure (because hey, you’re already remodeling anyway) and ending up with a McMansion-type melange of additions.
May 3, 2019
Getting Ready to Sell? Professional Advice on the Projects that Command Top Dollar
Tracy McLaughlin is a real estate agent who works with some of the nation’s dreamiest of dream homes. (I admit to spending far too much time fantasizing about a certain listing: A multimillion-dollar midcentury with a blue lagoon pool, old-growth trees along with views of San Francisco and Sausalito.) But sometimes, even incredibly luxurious properties need a little extra help in finding a buyer —and that’s where Tracy’s talent for redesigning properties comes in handy.
May 3, 2019
Rooms that Made Us Love Vinyl Flooring (Really!)
For the longest time, vinyl flooring has been as a compromise rather than a design choice made with confidence and enthusiasm. Yes, it’s budget-friendly, durable and easy to clean. But has it been the kind of material that others would devote a Pinterest board to? Not so much. In recent years, big and small brands alike have taken a new approach to vinyl floor products.
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Home Under the Hollywood Sign Goes Beachy
When updating a vintage home with a past, a designer has to carefully carry out a vision without erasing the past. Such was the case for this vintage home, located underneath the Hollywood sign in the Beachwood Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles and redesigned by Justin Krzyston with Stonehurst Construction. The circa-1950s home was happily lived in by the original owners until they had passed away.
May 3, 2019
7 Fire Pits That Are So Hot, They’re Cool
From minimalist concrete designs to portable "tables," these features make a fun (and functional) focal point for your outdoor space.
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Bright & Modern Update for a NYC Apartment
When your work involves promoting an array of new and vintage designer furniture from showrooms, brands and private collections, it’s safe to say that you’re surrounded by decor inspiration every day. That’s precisely the case for Tamara Rosenthal, the Vice President of Marketing for the designer furniture consignment site Viyet, when she set out to renovate the 1,700-square-foot Upper East Side apartment her family calls home.
May 3, 2019
Sliding Barn Doors Aren’t Just for Fans of HGTV’s Fixer Upper
Not all barn doors have to look as if they came straight from a farm. Here are our favorite picks, from rustic to modern.
May 3, 2019
Own a Ranch-Style House? Good News, They’re Ripe with Renovating Potential
When I heard that ranch-style homes were becoming the most popular style for homebuyers across the U.S., I wasn’t exactly surprised. They’re affordable, practical, and especially ideal for those who love friendly floor plans, large windows, and single-story living —not to mention that they often come with a nice-sized backyard to boot. Even better?
May 3, 2019
Renovation Ideas to Steal from Updated Ranch House Exteriors
In today’s real estate market, affordable ranch homes are proving their potential. When they aren’t dismissed, torn down, and then replaced by larger McMansion-style homes, they get snapped up by eager buyers happy for the large lots, large windows and friendly layouts. These exterior renovations show you don’t have to compromise your style, and that there are so many ways to customize and modernize an ‘outdated’ home’s appearance.
May 3, 2019
Sorry, But These Home Improvements Just Don’t Pay Off
If you plan on selling within five months, or even five years, a renovation is usually planned with extra consideration for resale value. Though there are certain updates that will always be a worthy investment with wide appeal (read: hardwood floors), some projects aren’t worth the trouble if your goal is to maximize your home’s value. One of the most common pitfalls for value-focused renovators is going overboard on the extras.
May 3, 2019
Luxe-Looking Pieces You’ll Never Guess Came From Target
Though the latest news of Target’s new Project 62 collection has been getting all the attention, the discount retailer has long been offering furniture, decor and accessories that look way more expensive than they actually are. From a classic desk in a timeless style to fanciful journals that wouldn’t be out of place at Anthropologie, here are just some of what we consider to be their best finds hidden in plain sight.
May 3, 2019
Save or Splurge? The Surprising Way To Make Renovations More Satisfying
When you’re planning a renovation, there’s always push and pull over what you want versus what you can afford. Do you pull the trigger and spend more than intended on some expensive tile you fell in love with, or do you stick to your guns, and your budget? Turns out that this one decision affects your overall happiness with the finished project.
May 3, 2019
IKEA Launches New Line For Your Furry Best Friends
IKEA has long been known as the place where you can get anything from a garlic press to a bicycle, glass cloches to surprisingly comfy sofas. (Oh yeah, and meatballs.) Not usually included in the aisles of the well-stocked retailer? Pet stuff. Thankfully, IKEA is remedying this with a brand-new collection for the dogs and cats in our lives today. Called LURVIG, the products include bowls, beds, toys and more, all in the brand’s signature simple style—and affordable price points.
May 3, 2019
Dual-Sided Fireplaces Double Down On Cozy Winters At Home
What could be better than one fireplace? Two fireplaces in the same space. It’s totally possible with a dual-sided fireplace, a unique feature that’s part practical room divider, part provider of cozy warmth — and the perfect place to gather on a chilly fall or winter night.
May 3, 2019
What We Can Learn From The Japanese About Thriving In Winter
Fall has its beauty, but it can be a little too fleeting. Only too soon are we dealing with winter’s bare trees, slush, and seemingly neverending cold weather. If there’s a season where everyone deserves a little extra self-care, it’s winter. Japanese culture has an age-old way to combat the chill, which we could all learn a lot from.
May 3, 2019
This Is The Mattress ban.do Founder Jen Gotch Can’t Live Without
You can recognize a ban.do product from a mile away—whether it’s an exercise mat emblazoned with words of motivation in a retro font or a cooler bag that looks like a giant watermelon slice. In other words, it’s all stuff that you didn’t know you needed in your life. What started with a few hair accessories in 2008 is now a multimillion-dollar lifestyle empire, and it’s all the work of founder Jen Gotch. Today, Jen leads ban.do as the chief creative officer.
May 3, 2019
9 Things To Buy In January If You Want To Save Big
When the holiday music finally stops playing in stores, it doesn’t necessarily mean an end to the shopping season. (Though it does signal the start of the “returns and exchange” season.) The immediate after-holiday deals can be enticing, but there are a few specific bargains that can be had if you can wait until any day after January 1. See, good things really do come to those who wait.
Jan 5, 2019
The One “Boho” Piece Definitely Worth Adding to Your Home
The beauty of the boho look lies in how easy it is to make it your own. You don’t need to commit to the whole ’70s-California-art-teacher aesthetic to nod to the trend. Instead, an accessory or two is just enough. The trinity of boho decor is comprised of three key pieces: Kilim rugs, macrame wall hangings and rattan ottomans.
Nov 8, 2017
8 Fall-Inspired Fireplaces Sure to Light Your Decorating Fire
The fireplace might have been an ignored home feature during the warm days of summer, but fall gives us a very good excuse to turn our attention to the mantel, and beyond. Though some heartily embrace fun Halloween decor here, there are other ways to say “fall” besides black-and-orange accents. The easiest? Adding a few small pumpkins and a festive wreath to your current mantel accessories, like the fireplace of Chris from Just a Girl.
Oct 27, 2017
Our Favorite Pumpkin Decor Idea Has Nothing to Do With Jack-o-Lanterns
This time of year, pumpkins decorate porches in jack-o-lantern form, or are simply left alone and displayed in groups. (Especially green and white pumpkins, which seem to be the trend of the season.) We’ve found an even better way to use the ubiquitous gourd: as a vase. The lovely front-step pumpkin floral arrangements by Chic Vintage Brides initially caught my eye, for its brilliant use of color.
Oct 24, 2017
20 DIY Halloween Costumes We’re Totally In Love With This Year
Every year, Halloween just gets bigger and bigger. Maybe it’s the subtle pressure of social media that makes everyone want to outdo each other, or maybe it’s just because Halloween offers an endless amount of creativity. Regardless, this October is your time to shine, and we’ve got the most creative costumes to help you live your best life. Above, who wouldn’t want to dress up as a greenhouse like this DIY costume from The House That Lars Built?
Oct 10, 2017
Beautiful Removable Wallpaper Ideas Even Renters Can Love
Whether Beverly Hills Hotel-inspired palm leaves or simple grasscloth, it’s been hard to ignore the reemergence of wallcoverings. Of course, when you rent, you have to simply admire this trend from afar, right? Wrong. These tried-and-true tricks let you enjoy statement-making patterns or textures without sacrificing your security deposit (or your decor tastes).
Oct 10, 2017
Small Details To Make You Really Love Your Rental Bathroom
It’s surprising what a difference a nice bathroom makes. Unfortunately, many renters (like myself), have to work with whatever setup our leased homes offer. Usually this is a very standard, neutral, easy-to-clean but very boring space, with minimal function — certainly nothing special. Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to make a bathroom slightly more useful for your needs, and even slightly more stylish.
Sep 16, 2017
Upgrade Your Shower Style: Dress Up Your Bath with Valances, Cornices & Pelmets
Unless you’re talking about a new fabric, there usually isn’t much to talk about when it comes to shower curtains. (Though we could go on about the pros and cons of curved vs. traditional curtain rods.) However, there’s one decor element that can upgrade any shower curtain into a focal point: A valance, cornice or pelmet.
Jul 12, 2017
8 DIY Ways to Upgrade Ceiling Lights
There's even one trick that gives you a whole new look for free.
Jun 20, 2017
Before & After: The Power of a New Color Palette
Older homes deserve to be celebrated. They usually have a bit more character, were often made with better materials and they just have that sense of history that makes you feel a part of something bigger. These qualities were especially true for The Cardinal House, a home that was renovated by Lanie and Brent, the very talented husband-and-wife team behind the Kansas City-based RootedKC.
Jun 15, 2017