Navy is the New Black
Let’s start by getting one thing out of the way: this is very painful for me. As a lifelong, tried-and-true, loyal devotee to the cult of Basically Only Accenting With Black, it’s understandably hard for me to accept that another shade could be taking its place. But the design world has spoken, and navy is expected to leave its mark on 2017 in a big way. And wouldn’t you know it, I’ve warmed up to the look.
Dec 21, 2016
Futuristic Footwear: 9 Designs that Prove Shoes are Getting Smarter
As footwear goes, it’s safe to say that Heelys are basically The Flintstones of futuristic shoes (sorry, but roller shoes are so last decade). While we would just as soon continue wearing shoes strictly for coverage, orthopedic comfort and simple style, the tech-heavy trend of futuristic shoes is so intriguing, it’s difficult to ignore. From Marty McFly to ones that warm your toes, here are nine shoes that have paved the path toward the future of footwear.
Dec 2, 2016
Design Editor’s Short List: New World Market Items I’ve Got My Eye On
In the early 2000s, Pier One Imports was the epitome of worldly sophistication for me, what with its exotic wood furniture, beaded throw pillows and Buddha statues galore. When I redecorated my post-collegiate bedroom, I hit up the store for unique international treasures. “Why yes, these ruffled dupioni silk throw pillows are from the foreign land of Kissimmee, Florida.” Fast forward a decade, and I’ve discovered a new local mecca for global goods: World Market.
Nov 16, 2016
How To Add the Look of Brick, Marble & Even Shiplap to Your Home (Without Remodeling)
If you’ve always wished your apartment had a charming exposed brick wall, or a luxe slab of marble, or an entire kitchen of patterned Moroccan tile—your dream just came true. Recently, more and more wallpaper companies are producing designs that imitate these highly-coveted materials, so you can get the look without remodeling. At first glance, no one will guess these aren’t the real deal.
Nov 8, 2016
This Tiny Pottery Is Made On a Mini Potter’s Wheel
Whether you self-identify as a “miniac” or not, there is something so impressive about the work of Jon Almeda of Almeda Pottery. Not only are his pieces gorgeous, but they’re also not much larger than pocket change. A photo posted by JON ALMEDA (@almedapottery) on Oct 31, 2016 at 5:20pm PDT src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.
Nov 5, 2016
How To Still Love What You Bought at the Thrift Store Once You Get it Home
It can be easy to get caught up in the thrill of thrifting. Finding items that make you laugh. That you can’t believe are so cheap! There have been more than a few time that while at the cash register I have looked down at arms full of objects I absolutely do not need. If you’d like to avoid buyer’s remorse the next time you survey your second-hand haul, try out some of these tips, shared by someone who knows a thing or two about thrifting.
Oct 26, 2016
Light Show: 10 Pendant Lamps Under $100
I’ve spent quite a bit of time the last two years shopping for affordable, attractive ceiling lights for two successive houses…and it’s rough out there. However, these 10 pendants, many of them available for well under $100, prove that it’s actually possible to shed light without shedding too many dollars. The marble trend is still going strong, right? I love that this light plays with that classic material, folding it upon itself and making it sheer and lighter than air.
Oct 21, 2016
Ground Control: 10 Area Rugs Under $100
I recently faced the dilemma of finding a pretty rug for my living room that didn’t cost a fortune. As I scoured the web, I found many had way too many shades of brown to count or resembled something thrown over a fence at a roadside sale. But I persevered and have handpicked a selection of pretty and affordable area rugs (all around 5′ x 8′) that won’t break the bank.
Oct 17, 2016
Target’s New Collab with Dwell Is Super Modern & Minimal
Target’s latest collaboration looks like it’s straight from a magazine—because it is. Modern by Dwell Magazine is a 120-piece collection, launching late December. This collection is more minimal and modern than Target’s usual partnerships; they conducted a survey where more than half of respondents expressed a strong interest in integrating modern design into their homes, according to Co.Design.
Oct 10, 2016
From Practical to Just-Plain-Pretty: 10 Mirrors $100 and Under
Mirrors do so much with so little: a flat plane of glass increases light, adds the illusion of more space, and provides intriguing reflections and perspectives. And that’s just a plain mirror—add flowers, wires, starbursts, and lights, and you’ve got something really special. The only problem is, these room heavy hitters can pack both a decorative and budget punch, so to ease the search for a wallet-friendly find, we picked our 10 favorites under $100.
Oct 4, 2016
Create the Look: Eclectic Collector Living Room Shopping Guide
The living room of an eclectic collector is like a treasure trove. Quirky accents mingle with modern seating and a classic Warren Platner coffee table, while throw pillows of all prints and textures play nice on a vintage sofa. The telltale sign of this look is that you can’t quite put your finger on the style of the room, and that’s what makes it so special. 1. Indigo 3 Light Drum Chandelier, $318.64 from Wayfair 2. Infant Ikat Robe VI from Uzbekistan in Lucite Frame, $895 from St.
Sep 26, 2016
Create the Look: Warm Industrial Living Room Shopping Guide
Part of the undeniable charm of warm industrial style is that it seamlessly blends modern and vintage finds—and pieces that are both shiny and a little rough around the edges can feel equally at home. To get the look in your living room, play around with a range of textures, but unify the space with a mostly neutral color palette. We’ve already done the hard part for you and scoured the web for the best industrial-inspired finds—all you need to do is click “Shop.
Sep 10, 2016
The 10 Commandments of Buying Vintage Rugs
Antique and vintage rugs were once reserved just for your grandmother’s house, but the look is one that has gained tremendous steam in the design world. Floorcoverings from past decades (or centuries) really add character and warmth to even the starkest of modern rooms, though it’s not uncommon for it to be the most expensive item in a space.
Sep 7, 2016
Don’t Miss IKEA’s Dark, Moody & Limited-Edition SVARTAN Collection
Talk about texture! What the black, white and shades-of-gray SVARTAN collection—coming to IKEA stores this September—lacks in color, it more than makes up for in pattern and texture. Though masterful designer Martin Bergström calls Sweden home, the SVARTAN collection has roots in India (a trip to the South Asian subcontinent spurred inspiration for the line) and was dreamed up in collaboration with 25 students from the National Institute of Fashion Technology in New Delhi.
Aug 25, 2016
Best Basics: 15 Must-Have Black-&-White Rugs Under $200
Black-and-white floors, whether kitchen linoleum or handmade bathroom tiles, are totally timeless, classic yet bold, and completely irresistible to me. But if you don’t have the time, money, or authority to redo all your floors, you can get the look with any one of these affordable and completely fantastic black-and-white rugs under $200. I’ve seen this rug—or one of a similar pattern—in so many House Tours, and it always looks fabulous.
Aug 23, 2016
6 Reasons We’re Sad Kmart USA Isn’t Kmart Australia
For the most part, gone are the days of blue-light specials, “Attention Kmart Shoppers” as an oft-repeated catch phrase, and stylish partnerships with the likes of Martha Stewart. It’s been bad news after bad news for years now, and stores are closing left and right. So when I saw a recent catalog for Kmart Australia, I did a double take and was surprised by what I saw.
Jul 28, 2016
#7: SUNNERSTA Cart & Mini Kitchen
What do you think? Can the SUNNERSTA cart usurp the seemingly unstoppable and ever-popular RASKOG ? Will it capture the hearts of organizing decorators everywhere? It’s pretty darn cute and seems to tick many of the same boxes, including the price point. Designed by Henrik Preutz. IKEA says: Sometimes installing a large kitchen isn’t necessary, or too expensive and time-consuming. That’s why SUNNERSTA mini-kitchen was developed.
Jul 25, 2016
3D-Printed Home Decor Products You’ll Actually Want to Buy
The idea of 3D-printed products for the home is admittedly a little out there, even Jetsons-esque. The gadgets and gizmos a plenty on sale throughout the internet may run the gamut from completely bizarre to actually interesting (and normal), but no matter where they fall on the spectrum, something that came from a printer (that’s not a sheet of paper with words on it) is certainly a conversation starter. We rounded up a handful of things you might actually want to buy for your own home.
Jul 18, 2016
Trend Alert: Global Decor Finds, No Passport Required
There’s no denying that it’s the time of the maker. Small-batch, hand-made, one-off: all hyphenated descriptors of today’s decor holy grails, but it’s about so much more than just the admirable adjective. Today’s design enthusiast desires what their neighbor doesn’t have. After all, we want our homes to tell a story—our story—to have a soul, and to be a true reflection of who we are as individuals.
Jun 24, 2016
Design Guide: Coloring Book Wallpapers for Your Inner Child
What’s better than a coloring book? How about an entire wall that you can color in? These coloring book wallpapers will make your home into a beautiful, ever-evolving project that you’re sure to enjoy just as much while you’re creating it as you will when it’s done. You may never leave the house again.
Jun 20, 2016
Get on the Grid: 10 Picks that Rethink the Classic Pattern
Gridded designs have been making a comeback for a while now—showing up on pillows, chairs, wrapping paper, and everything in between. But the latest versions play with the traditionally rigid pattern, revealing its fun side. Look for fresh colors and wonky, waving lines that are drawn or hand-painted. These new loosened-up takes on the grid might just make you reconsider the pattern’s potential.
Jun 9, 2016
Eleanor’s Bedroom Light Choose Your Own Design Adventure: The Winner
Last week, I shared with you the sad story about my recent lighting mishap (moral: always double-check the voltage on those bulbs!) and how it left my bedroom light-less. I found some good replacement options which ranged from mere pennies (ok, pounds) to spend-ier, and photoshopped them into my space. Now it’s time to see what I went with… Somewhat surprisingly, it’s IKEA for the win!
Jun 5, 2016
The Best Modern Gold (and Copper!) Flatware
A few years ago the only kind of gold flatware you could find was the fussy, old-fashioned kind you associate with expensive wedding rentals. But since then gold has made a comeback in a big way, and suddenly it’s possible to find beautiful, modern gold flatware in a huge variety of styles and price ranges. For those inclined to be adventurous, there are copper and rose gold options, too. We’ve rounded up some of the best.
May 4, 2016
Living Room Style: One Rug, Two Looks
What I love most about home decor is seeing the different ways that people express their style. Like fashion, there are so many ways to wear one piece of clothing and each look is totally different depending on what you pair it with. I thought it would be fun to do the same thing and pick one rug and use it in two very different looks. See how I took this extremely bold and colorful rug and used it in both a bohemian and glam look.
May 3, 2016
Get the Look: Mix and Matching in the Dining Room
I’m such a big fan of eclectic style—which is really just a nicer way of saying mixing things up. I mean, who can just pick one style anyway? Pulling together an eclectic look comes naturally to some but can be tricky for others. The dining room is a great space to start mixing things up because there are so many different elements layered in one look, and you can really have some fun with the dynamic between the table and the chairs.
Apr 13, 2016
Shopper’s Guide: Where to Buy Really, Really Big Vases
Recently I wrote about a big, beautiful new trend for the home: blooms and branches displayed in big, oversized vases. Many of you loved the look, but wanted to know: where does one find a vase this big? So I’ve rounded up a few options. A few things I was looking for: vases made of clear glass (minimal, works with any decor, shows off flowers well), and that measured 12 inches or more in at least one dimension.
Apr 5, 2016
High & Low: An Eclectic Mid-Century Meets Transitional Living Room
I don’t know about your home, but at my place, even with an open concept kitchen and a dining table, we always seem to end up in the living room with all the snacks and drinks squeezed on the coffee table. Let’s face it: it’s more casual and comfortable than standing around a kitchen or sitting on a stiff dining chair. These days it’s rare to have both a family and living room, so it’s nice to really put a lot of thought and style into the one you have.
Mar 29, 2016
High & Low: Bar Cart Style
Cooler months mean more entertaining indoors, and nights out become nights in with cocktails. There’s something about a bar cart that makes a space feel grown-up, don’t you think? You don’t have to have a bar cart to be a great host, but it sure is convenient, and, let’s be honest, it’s so much fun to style! There are as many bar cart styling options as there are cocktails, and there’s no shortage of inspiration, including this past roundup we pulled for you.
Feb 26, 2016
11 Beautiful Wall Murals That Will Make You Want to Break Up with Paint
Why settle for an oversized piece of art when you could have a piece of art that covers the whole wall? These 11 murals will have a big, big impact—hang one on the wall and your decorating job is pretty much done. A quick note to start: a wall mural differentiates from wallpaper in that it does not repeat. It’s an entire scene stretch across a determined width, while wallpaper matches up and repeats indefinitely.
Feb 17, 2016
Top Ten: Best Modern Chandeliers Under $500
I’ve recently been given the enviable task of picking out a chandelier, and I have to say—chandelier shopping is the next best thing to tiara shopping. Here are my top 10 finds, each of them sparkly, fun, pretty, and far more affordable than most respectable tiaras… I’m not sure why I love chandeliers with adjustable arms so much, but I do.
Jan 18, 2016
High & Low: One Fresh Home Office Look, Two Budgets
Now that the kids are back in school and life is slowly getting back into a regular routine, it’s time to think about getting your own work and routine back in order. For some (like me!) the excitement of getting new school supplies never really fades and this time of year is a great time to rethink, reorganize, refresh your home office or perhaps create one from scratch.
Sep 22, 2015