How To Make Your Bath Hold More Water for Deeper Soak
After a really hectic week, we always look forward to taking the stress off with a long soak in the tub. Our bathtub is clawfoot and charming, but here’s the challenge. The overflow valve is placed so low that the water starts to drain out before the bathtub is anywhere near full. We scoured the web for solutions to this that we’ll share, as well as our own happy solution. Hint: you can make your tub “deeper” without renovating.
Oct 13, 2022
Before & After: Closet Pantry Makeover
Mai’s pantry redo is a treat for the eyes — how many of us can relate to her “before” image? Standard wire shelving, jumbled up goods… essentially a dark hole in the wall that just gets the “keep the door closed” treatment. Come see this simple, refreshing makeover that will inspire you to tackle even the scariest of pantries!
Oct 13, 2022
Here's An Unexpected, Practical Way to Hang Curtains
Curtains have never looked so chic.
Oct 13, 2022
Look We Love: Traditional Table + Modern Chairs
One of our favorite ways to add a little excitement to an interior is by mixing old and new pieces. Nowhere is this more true than in the dining room, where an old-fashioned table and modern chairs make an especially attractive pair. Here are eight of our favorite examples. Above: An antique table and modern shell chairs mix in the dining room of a Madrid home spotted on Planete Deco. Warning/workspace/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/atmedia-cloudinary-image-block/atmedia-cloudinary-image-block.
Oct 13, 2022
This Anti-Aging Sofa Will Make Living Room Magic for Years to Come
Get your money's worth out of your sofa with this designer-approved style.
Oct 13, 2022
10 Things We Wish We Had in Our Kitchens for this Thanksgiving
Warning/workspace/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/atmedia-cloudinary-image-block/atmedia-cloudinary-image-block.php82 While we may love our kitchens 364 days out of the year (and we don’t mean to sound un-thankful), there’s nothing like the biggest feast of 2016 to suddenly make them seem utterly inadequate.
Oct 13, 2022
The Look For Less: Jonah & Jodie’s Enchanted Kitchen On A Budget
You might ooh and aah over Jonah & Jodie’s “Enchanted Cottage” In Laurel Canyon, but then despair at phrases like “custom leathered finish” and “hand-chiseled limestone floors”. While I can’t find you a cheap “poured concrete bathtub that opens out to the koi pond”, there are ways to get the look… Akurum Kitchen Cabinets in Lidi White, IKEA, $28-$391 Stockholm Candelabra, IKEA, $29.
Oct 13, 2022
Why Black Marble is Giving White Marble the Boot in the Kitchen
It might be time for white marble to step down from its throne.
Oct 13, 2022
The Secret to Kitchens & Bathrooms That Will Never Go Out of Style
As Nancy pointed out recently, there are some kitchen design choices that never go out of style — retro SMEG fridges and farmhouse sinks fall firmly in this category. If they’ve been considered stylish and practical for decades, chances are they’ll still be popular a couple decades from now.
Oct 13, 2022
Black and White and Gold in the Bathroom
Warning/workspace/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/atmedia-cloudinary-image-block/atmedia-cloudinary-image-block.php82 Black and white and gold is a striking color combination, and nowhere is that more true than in the bathroom. Gold fixtures in the bathroom is a look we’re seeing more and more of, and paired with a black and white color scheme, they add a pleasing bit of drama to a humble space.
Oct 12, 2022
B&A: An '80s Kitchen's Overhaul Gives It a Retro-Meets-Scandi Vibe
HOME PROJECTS
This homeowner calls her kitchen reno's style "modern eclectic." Her tile, color, counter, and floor choices work great together.
Oct 12, 2022
Great DIY Desks with IKEA Countertops and Legs
This is a pearl of wisdom that I received years ago and wanted to bring back right now. When in need of a really simple, nice, natural material desk, use IKEA butcherblock countertop (which is cuttable, sandable, stainable and paintable) and some cool legs (like the Vika Inge style seen here, which has been replaced with Vika Runtorp).
Oct 12, 2022
8 Tips for Making a Dual-Purpose Bedroom Work
Home Projects
Make a space that can do it all!
Oct 12, 2022
Trick of the Trade: Sectional Sofas in Small Spaces
It’s a common misconception that small spaces can’t handle large furnishings. One large piece can do a lot to make a small room inviting, anchored, and even feel bigger! Take the sofa, for instance. Arranging a small sofa in a tight space with a couple of other chairs can make a space feel over-full, with little spots of furniture all over the place (not to mention all of those legs!).
Oct 12, 2022
How To Make the Most of a Bathroom with a Pedestal Sink
Does your bathroom have a pedestal sink? I definitely feel your short-on-storage pain. Here’s how to make the most of your small bathroom, with examples from our House Tours: 1. Add furniture. If your bathroom has a layout that allows for a freestanding piece of furniture, count your lucky stars and get to shopping. 2. Utilize the top of your toilet. If your tank has a flat top, use it for some practical and pretty open storage. 3. Any flat surface is fair game.
Oct 12, 2022
The Story Behind the (Slightly) NSFW Trend That’s Suddenly Everywhere
Hope you’re reading this one at home because it’s about to get a little risqué up in here. But for good reason. Lately, designers have been featuring the body—female breasts and butts to be specific—on housewares, art prints, embroidery, and clothing, and it’s not simply in appreciation of those killer curves. But we’ll get to that later.
Oct 12, 2022
Before and After: A Wood-Everywhere 1950s Home Gets a Bright New Life
When Laura Wilson of Velvet Sweatpants Interior Design and her fiancé purchased their 1959 home from the original owner, they knew the home needed a lot of love. They also knew they had their work cut out for them.
Oct 12, 2022
Setting Up a Glamorous Home Bar: Ideas from Real Life Homes
The popularity of cocktails is on the rise, and the home bar is making a comeback in the American home. But even if you’re not lucky enough to have a wet bar, you can still set up a dedicated space for mixing drinks, no matter the size of your home. Read on for plenty of ideas from our tours. Above: Marina has a fairly impressive collection of liquor that lives on the kitchen countertop in her New York apartment.
Oct 12, 2022
The 7 Most Potent Stylist Skills to Master For Stand-Out Rooms
After you’ve picked out the architecture (or are working with what you’ve been stuck with) and after you’ve chosen the major furnishings and the paint colors, there’s the other thing that can make a room sing: skillful styling. This year, make each room pop like never before with these potent styling tricks for stand-out spaces! Add visual height to your spaces — all of them.
Oct 12, 2022
The Peel-and-Stick Makeover: Wallpapered Fridge
Light fixtures can be changed. Colors can be painted over. Ugly floors can be covered. They’re not all easy projects for renters who’ve found themselves in apartments cramping their style. But they’re all do-able, and importantly, reversible. Just like this solution for covering ugly appliances with removable peel-and-stick wallpaper.To be clear, Peaches of DIY and Lifestyle Blog Aunt Peaches didn’t have an ugly fridge.
Oct 11, 2022
Small Bedroom Decorating Ideas: Desks Doing Double Duty as Nightstands
Most conventional advice recommends keeping work outside of the bedroom to boost calm and serenity within a sleeping space. But apparently most conventional advice givers have never had to make it all work with just 550 square feet. The bedroom-plus-office combo has always been a solid solution for tight quarters, and here’s one more tip to keep a dual duty bedroom comfortable. With space at a minimum, corners have to be cut — four of them to be exact.
Oct 11, 2022
B&A: 2 Big Design Risks Turn a Dark Former Motel Room into a Bright, Airy Condo
HOME PROJECTS
Revamping the exposed brick and the fireplace rescued this living room from its dark motel room roots.
Oct 10, 2022
These Ultra-Soft Bamboo Flannel Sheets Keep Me So Warm and Cozy, I (Almost!) Don’t Need My Heat On
Shopping
I couldn't even tell I was sleeping in a 58-degree apartment, thanks to these sheets.
Oct 10, 2022
5 Places to Buy Home Office Supplies for Less than $5 (!)
Refreshed school supplies aren't just for students.
Oct 10, 2022
B&A: A $50 Whole-Room Mural Rescues a Bland Brown Spare Room from the '90s
HOME PROJECTS
Painting a large-scale indoor mural doesn't have to be so daunting. After all, it's only paint!
Oct 9, 2022
Before & After: This Grandparents' Kitchen Staple Upgrades a DIY Cabinet
A little fabric can conceal a lot.
Oct 9, 2022
The 6 Best Small Kitchen Gadgets I've Found for My 500-Square-Foot Studio
This foldable electric tea kettle tucks away when I'm not using it.
Oct 8, 2022
5 Items a Chef Would Remove from Your Fridge, Every Time
You might not need those berry bins after all.
Oct 7, 2022
Dimensions to Follow: Proper Furniture Spacing Basics
Have you ever been in a home that just feels right? One where chairs pull out easily from the dining table and conversation can be made without shouting across the living room? Well there are reasons for that, and they probably have a lot to do with the spacing and placement of furniture. Following a few simple guidelines on furniture placement will make a world of difference in the functionality of your home’s layout.
Oct 6, 2022
5 Ways to Arrange Furniture in a Small Bedroom (& 4 Bonus Tips for Making the Most of It!)
Plus four bonus tips for making the most of what you've got.
Oct 6, 2022
I Have Only Two (Tiny) Kitchen Cabinets — Here's How I Make It Work
With stylish storage solutions!
Oct 6, 2022
I Test Pillows For a Living — These Are the 5 I Always Have on My Bed
My expectations were sky high, but these pillows met them.
Oct 4, 2022
B&A: Fresh Paint Takes This Kitchen from Cookie-Cutter to Custom in a $500 Redo
HOME PROJECTS
The builder-grade espresso-shade is long gone from this now-cheery and cozy kitchen.
Oct 3, 2022
Before and After: HGTV’s “Farmhouse Fixer” Updates a Historic Home’s Bedroom with Dark Paint
The house, which has a connection to the Salem witch trials, gets an update that preserves history but increases livability.
Oct 3, 2022
B&A: A Useless Entryway Spot Gets a Practical, Storage-Packed Redo for $300
HOME PROJECTS
"I love the classic look and the added closed storage," this DIYer says of her innovative railing swap.
Oct 2, 2022
Before and After: An Old Kitchen Learns New Tricks With a Window-Filled Addition
Style
And a Santa Monica meets Sussex vibe with the founder of Sweet Laurel Bakery!
Oct 2, 2022
B&A: A $600 DIY Revamp Fills This Plain Bedroom with Color and Whimsy
HOME PROJECTS
The "after" is perfect for an imaginative, color-loving kid — but adults will find inspo here, too.
Oct 1, 2022
B&A: A Cluttered Rental Laundry Room Gets an Efficient and Stylish Redo for $220
HOME PROJECTS
The after is cute and clutter-free thanks to a few DIYS. "In terms of design, think about two or three small changes that will make such a difference," this DIYer advises.
Sep 30, 2022
This Ingenious Amazon Find Will Extend the Life of Your Herbs (It’s on Sale!)
Say goodbye to slimy cilantro!
Sep 30, 2022
These Buttery-Soft, Wrinkle-Resistant Sheets Have More Than 152,000 5-Star Amazon Reviews and Only Cost $24
"The softest sheets I’ve ever slept on, and I’ll definitely be buying more.”
Sep 29, 2022
B&A: A Bare Bedroom's DIY Overhaul Includes a Must-See Vintage-Style Headboard
HOME PROJECTS
From chair rail moulding to a custom headboard, this dreamy bedroom redo has tons of DIY projects to copy.
Sep 28, 2022
Here's Why You Should Put a Mini Cake Stand in Your Living Room
It looks so luxe and everyone asks me about it.
Sep 28, 2022
Reese Witherspoon’s Renovated Powder Room Would Surely Be Elle Woods-Approved
Whoever said orange is the new pink was seriously disturbed.
Sep 28, 2022
B&A: A Secondhand Dresser Gets a New Life as a Functional Kitchen Feature
HOME PROJECTS
A dresser in the kitchen?! This DIYer proves it's absolutely a good idea.
Sep 27, 2022
This Editor-Favorite Brand Just Dropped the Coziest Flannel Sheets
We're big fans of this high-quality, wallet-friendly brand.
Sep 27, 2022
Before and After: A Sad WFH Situation Goes From Bleak to Chic
If I do say so myself!
Sep 27, 2022
The One Duvet Cover I’ll Continue Buying for as Long as I Live
If you're looking for a duvet cover that's soft, cozy, and cloud-like, look no further.
Sep 27, 2022
How To Make Homemade Bubble Bath
Soaking in a nice hot tub of bubbles at the end of the day is a small luxury that can make a big difference. If you make your own, you can choose what scents you want to soak in, and you have the advantage of knowing exactly what’s going on your skin. Also, it can a lot cheaper and just as luxurious as the fancy kinds. The key to a successful homemade bubble bath is to get a good mix of essential oils and the right amount of bubbles.
Sep 27, 2022
My Fridge Isn’t Magnetic, So I Decorated My Dishwasher
And I love it.
Sep 27, 2022
B&A: A “Junk Room” Home Office Gets a Jaw-Dropping Transformation for $1,000
HOME PROJECTS
Space-defining DIYs and savvy secondhand shopping went a long way in this redo.
Sep 24, 2022
Before & After: A Dusty Bedroom Transforms into a Bright, Cheery Nursery
Style
I used to hate this room, but now I absolutely love it.
Sep 24, 2022
The $12 Amazon Find Every Air Fryer Owner Needs
It'll save you even more time!
Sep 23, 2022
This Ceramic Nonstick Skillet Is the Only Pan I Ever Use (It’s on Sale!)
Shopping
Get ready for no-mess eggs!
Sep 22, 2022
5 Stylish, Teeny-Tiny Ways to Transform Your Bedroom, Starting at $15
From small space-friendly mirrors to luxe-looking nightstand decor.
Sep 22, 2022
B&A: 3 Statement-Making DIYs Totaling $1,800 Rescue a Tired Powder Room
HOME PROJECTS
This bathroom went from bright red to more serene and Mediterranean-inspired.
Sep 21, 2022
How To Make a Bed at Home Like a 5-Star Hotel
Hotel bed sleep is the greatest sleep, and it's not just because you can crank the AC without worrying about your electric bill. But what's the secret formula to a 5-star bed?
Sep 21, 2022
This Cozy, Oprah-Approved Blanket Brand Just Dropped a New Style You Need for Fall
Snuggle up in ultra-soft comfort.
Sep 21, 2022
11 Halloween Doormats That’ll Spook Up Your Entryway
These picks are scary good.
Sep 20, 2022
Wondering What to Do with Old Towels and Sheets? Here Are 10 Smart Ideas
We recently took stock of our linen closet and realized that half of the storage space was taken up by sheet sets and towels that we simply don’t use. Some are very old and worn out, and some just never seem to make it into our weekly linen rotation. Of course, we didn’t want to throw them out, so it got us thinking about recycling options.Use old sheets and blankets to make new ironing board pads and covers, like those featured on A Beautiful Mess.
Sep 20, 2022
8 Universal Design Products to Help You and Your Loved Ones Age in Place
With these, you can make any home more accessible regardless of physical ability.
Sep 20, 2022
What Is "Aging in Place" — And Why Does It Matter?
Here’s expert advice on why aging in place is essential and how to do it successfully. 
Sep 20, 2022
B&A: A 1910s Bedroom with Cool Historic Details Gets a Lively Color-Infused Redo
HOME PROJECTS
"I love how a couple cans of paint transformed a stark, cold bedroom into a welcoming and joyful oasis," this homeowner says.
Sep 19, 2022
Want a Stylish Alternative to Cubbies for Kids' Storage? Try a Faux Mantel
Putting your kid's toys away just got a lot easier — and a lot more stylish.
Sep 19, 2022
This The Most Unique, Small-Space Friendly Way to Use the IKEA BILLY Bookcase
You've never seen a home library quite like this!
Sep 19, 2022
11 of the Coziest Living Room Ideas to Steal from IKEA
We all want our living rooms to reflect the very best version of ourselves, but we also want them to be a haven to relax in at the end of the day. These rooms do just that.
Sep 19, 2022
Before and After: A "Cave-Like" Kitchen and Dining Room Receive a Major Revamp
Light and bright — without adding any windows!
Sep 18, 2022