Loft studio with brick walls, large windows, ceramic plates on wall, and pottery equipment.
Bold Design Idea: Paint Your Window Frames to Create Instant Appeal
Color (via paint) can be a very powerful design tool, especially when used in unexpected places. While most people don’t necessarily think to paint the inside of their window frames, it can be the difference between a run-of-the-mill room and a spectacular, and memorable interior. A few “pros” to painting your window frames: It’s not as big a time/money commitment as painting your walls.
Tess Wilson
Apr 7, 2017
Can a Sofa Be Forever in Style? We’re Betting the English Roll Arm Sofa Can
English roll-arm sofas gained popularity in the 19th century, and their sinuous profile, deep, accommodating seats, and signature low arms—perfect for resting one’s head—are elements that have kept them ingrained in popular design culture even today. Now available in a wide range of sizes, colors, and fabrics—and even sleeper options—this comfy, classic style is equally at home in formal, vintage-inspired houses and modern, eclectic apartments.
Tess Wilson
Mar 23, 2017
This HGTV Star Completely Transformed Her Garage Into an Effervescent Home Design Studio
Project by: Sabrina Soto Location: Studio City, California Designer Sabrina Soto (of HGTV fame) converted her garage into a bright, breezy workspace that boasts air conditioning, a wall-sized pinboard, a to-die-for pegboard, acres of cabinet space, and a garage door that allows her to let in fresh air and natural light—perfect for photoshoots!
Tess Wilson
Feb 11, 2017
Eyesore No More: Our 10 Favorite Kitchen Transformations of 2016
Sure, we might all want to freshen our living room or bedroom, but no room can get dated, dingy, and even dangerous as quickly as a kitchen can. These 10 amazing makeovers, ranging from $200 DIYs to splashy professional jobs, show the power of paint, paring down, and—for crying out loud—new cabinets.
Tess Wilson
Dec 29, 2016
Same Space, Whole New Look: Our Favorite Room Transformations of the Year
Warning: If winter has you stuck inside, growing increasingly sick of your same four walls (while grateful to have walls, of course), these 10 incredible redesigns might push you into a repainting, redecorating, cabin-fevered frenzy. Whether you’re considering slapping on a coat of paint or are ready to gut the place, there’s at least one project here that’s sure to inspire.
Tess Wilson
Dec 28, 2016
Get Inspired to DIY: Our Favorite Before & After Furniture Transformations of the Year
Who among us hasn’t dragged home a $5 garage sale chair or a battered bookshelf left on the curb, convinced that we could make something out of it? Whether by painstakingly restoring it to its former glory or by giving it a major makeover, we just know something special is lurking beneath the cobwebs, scratches, or worse.
Tess Wilson
Dec 26, 2016
The Year’s Most Impressive Bathroom Transformations: Best of Before & Afters
A dreary bathroom seems dirty no matter how clean it actually is, so giving it a fresh coat of white paint, additional lighting, and sparkling tiles can completely transform the look and feel of the room, all while making the weekly cleaning feel less Sisyphean.
Tess Wilson
Dec 24, 2016
10 New Traditions to Try Out This Thanksgiving
We’re all familiar with Say What You’re Thankful For, Break The Wishbone, and Eat Way Too Much Pie, but these 10 new traditions might lively up your annual family feast—for many years to come. Encourage your guests to bring canned/boxed goods to donate to a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. For every item they bring, they get one ticket for a raffle.
Tess Wilson
Nov 20, 2016
10 Things You Should Always Keep in a Fireproof File Cabinet or Safe
Get these 10 things out of your car, wallet and drawers and into a safe place—literally. A fireproof safe will make sure all the documents protecting you, your assets, and your loved ones are secured in case of almost any catastrophic event, as well as allow you to keep all your important info in one convenient, private, burglar-proof location. And if you’re not currently in a position to acquire a heavy, high-quality safe, I’ve got you covered!
Tess Wilson
Sep 26, 2016
10 Double-Duty Must-Haves for a Super Organized (and Efficient) Entryway
The foyer is possibly the highest traffic area of your house (that is, if you’re lucky enough to have an actual entryway.) It’s the landing strip for your jacket, bag, shoes, keys, mail, and where you stash anything else you’ll need out in the world. All of this is happening in probably one of the smallest spaces in your home, so you’ll need components that perform double—or even triple and quadruple—duty, like these 10 do to take control of this drop zone.
Tess Wilson
Aug 16, 2016
Smart Upgrades That Make Loft Beds Much More Livable
If you’re short on space, lofting your bed is one of the best ways to magically gain square footage. However, sleeping in the sky is not without its challenges—I’m looking at you, late-night ladder navigation. Here are 14 ways to make your loft bed dreamy. The built-in cubby smartly stores extra pillows and blankets—and books, if you’re me. The addition of a bedside outlet is so helpful, allowing for a phone charger, radio, fan, and more.
Tess Wilson
Aug 3, 2016
This Is How Much Time I Actually Spend On Housework in a Week
Since moving out to the prairie a few years ago, I’ve had a hard time finding full-time employment. I have, however, taken over our family’s housework almost completely (I do not mow). It seems to take forever because housework is boring, but truthfully, I have no idea how much actual time I contribute to the household each week. So, I decided to find out once and for all how much time I actually spend cooking and cleaning.
Tess Wilson
Aug 2, 2016
Sneaky Ways To Stash All Your Craft Supplies
I love having a well-stocked craft cupboard (or room, tote, or closet), but find myself locked in a never-ending battle with my craft supplies. A box from IKEA holds all my embroidery supplies except my oversized hoops, my twines are all in a tangle, and there are pompoms everywhere. Here are a baker’s dozen ways to keep your stash organized, accessible, and even aesthetically pleasing.
Tess Wilson
Jul 30, 2016
Smart Ways to Keep Sand at the Beach (and Out of Your House!)
Despite all the love we have for beach hair, beachy cocktails, and creating a beach house vibe at home—even in the middle of Denver—the beach needs to stay at the beach. Frolic on the sand all you want, but then try these nine tips for keeping sand out of your home and at the beach where it belongs. The number one thing I came across whilst Googling “how to get sand off feet” was “baby powder.
Tess Wilson
Jul 28, 2016
Summery Style: 9 DIY Rope Rug Projects to Try
While winter brings to mind ornate wool rugs and sturdy but plain salt- and snow-soaked doormats, summer rugs can be lighter and more playful. Buy and dye some dollar store clotheslines or recycle your old climbing ropes and get to knitting, crocheting, coiling, or just good old-fashioned gluing. This tutorial requires $16 worth of clothesline rope and some hardcore crochet skills, and the result is totally spa-worthy.
Tess Wilson
Jun 17, 2016
How Can I Non-Awkwardly Introduce Myself to My New Neighbors?
Q: I’m about to move into a new apartment building and I wanted to know whether leaving letters for my new neighbors would be a nice gesture or come off as weird/forward. In the past I’ve always fully intended to do a nice introduction with my neighbors, including giving them my contact info, but the first few times we’d bump into each other they or I would be hurrying off to something and we’d only really exchange names.
Tess Wilson
Jan 28, 2016
How Much Did This Room Cost? Sarah’s Stylish Dining Room
Sarah of Salt House somehow manages to live and work and host cooking classes, workshops, and other food-centered events in her modestly-sized apartment—and do it all with enviable style. Want to make her fabulous and flexible dining room your own? Here’s (approximately!) how much it would cost… Extendable dining table: Z Gallerie via Salt House $1,500 Chairs: Overstock.com via Salt House $143 x 10 = $1,430 Custom neon sign: Lite Brite Neon $?
Tess Wilson
Jan 28, 2016
How Much Did This Room Cost? Cate’s Living Room
Design writer Cate St. Hill lives in a London flat that boasts a beautiful aesthetic she describes as “a light and relaxed style that’s one part Scandi and one part French, with a blend of old and new.” Let’s explore how much (approximately!) it would cost to recreate her lovely living room in our very own homes. Stool: Alvar Aalto Stool 60 from artek $285.00 Vintage armchair: eBay $? Linen curtains: IKEA Aina $59.99 Light: Eileen Gray Tube Light from Aram $588.
Tess Wilson
Jan 25, 2016
Advice For An Oven-Free But Otherwise Perfect Apartment?
Q: After two months of apartment hunting, I finally saw an apartment today that I absolutely loved. It’s in one of my favorite neighborhoods for a very affordable price (all utilities included, and central heat/AC to boot!). It’s 1,000 square feet and has modern finishes, gorgeous hardwood floors, and in-unit laundry.
Tess Wilson
Sep 14, 2015
6 Ways To Unclog A Toilet Without A Plunger
Don't let a bathroom flood happen on your watch.
Tess Wilson
Sep 12, 2015
How to Hang Things on “Popcorn” Walls?
Q: Hey peeps! So, I have very old, textured walls, as if sand was mixed in the wall paint… like a “popcorn” ceiling-like texture. I had put up a large (expensive) mural with double-sided tape, THEN velco-tabs, and even screws and they all failed to keep it up there! I imagine those Command wall strips would react the same way… I am considering using black electrical tape, hanging posters with that tape to resemble a black frame.
Tess Wilson
Aug 22, 2015
Should You Buy for the House or the Neighborhood?
Q: Hi! So, my partner and I live in the Cleveland area and are running into a few problems as first-time home buyers. We currently rent in an area that has tons of cute neighborhoods and we can walk and bike to our favorite restaurants, coffee shops, and record stores. However, when we look at homes on the high end of our price range to buy, they are shabby, on the outskirts, or would cost quite a bit to fix up.
Tess Wilson
Aug 12, 2015
Are Clawfoot Tubs Impractical?
Q: My husband and I are planning our guest bathroom renovation and we are at an impasse as to what type of bathtub to choose. I’m all-in on a clawfoot tub. He is not. My argument is based mainly on aesthetics, his on functionality.
Tess Wilson
Jul 10, 2015
Do You (Can You?) Sleep In A Twin Bed?
While we were discussing mattresses the other day, my partner offhandedly remarked (not about us, just in general), “Since when are adults incapable of sleeping in twin beds?” My ineloquent response included the words “starfish,” “too short” and “fall out!
Tess Wilson
May 16, 2015
Real Room Inspiration: Wall Hangings
If you aren’t allowed to paint your walls or you simply don’t want to commit, and if the though of hanging even removable wallpaper gives you hives, we should be friends. Also, you should consider brightening up your standard-issue walls with a lovely wall hanging. A few tiny tacks is all it takes.. TOP ROW: Jesse & Lucas’ Simply Stylish Home + Studio: A vintage Egyptian tapestry livens up the white walls in their son’s room.
Tess Wilson
Mar 28, 2014
The Ultimate Casual Gathering: Slumber Party For Grown-Ups
A party can be equally intimidating to guests (wear the right outfit, provide sparkling conversation, know somebody beyond the host) as it is for the host (play the right music, serve the right food/drinks, invite the right mix of people), but nothing says “come as you are” like an invitation to a sleepover party! Why should you host a slumber party immediately, and why should you accept an invitation to a slumber party immediately? Let’s count the ways.
Tess Wilson
Mar 21, 2014
Stylish Storage: 10 Smart Ways to Organize Your Pantry
For years I’ve coveted pantries, and now that I have one… it’s kind of a mess. Keeping a well-stocked pantry user-friendly is definitely a challenge, but the wisest minds online are here to help… From across the web, here are some of the best ideas for keeping your pantry organized. You’ll never spend 15 minutes digging around for the sugar ever again. Open + Industrial Perhaps the best way to keep your pantry looking its best? Make it public.
Tess Wilson
Feb 7, 2014
Holiday Inspiration: Book Christmas Trees
The talented ladies at my local public library created a few charming book trees out of a seldom-used set of reference books, a string of lights, and an old, unreadable book. Perhaps you have similar supplies around the house? Your collection of Babysitters’ Club book would make a perky, pastel tree, while the complete works of James Patterson would create a huge and darkly dramatic tree, full of ominous titles such as 1st To Die and Cross Fire.
Tess Wilson
Dec 10, 2013
Indoor Camping Party: Decor, Menu, + Music
The weather’s getting colder, the days are getting shorter, and cabin fever is imminent. A weekend in the wild would cure what ails you… but the weather’s getting colder, your schedule is jam-packed, and none of the buses or trains go past any decent campsites. Time to invite your similarly-fevered friends over for an indoor camping party, s’mores and a (inevitable) sleepover! The Decor: Sleeping Like A Log Pillows, Think Geek, 16.
Tess Wilson
Nov 13, 2013