Decorating

Living a more minimal life isn't easy in a world with so many things. Particularly if you love design. And you know, things.

Few things are more personal than art preference. Minimalists may be drawn to clean lines and graphic prints, while traditionalists will turn oil paintings into ornately framed masterpieces. But one thing that most people can probably agree on: no one wants to turn their walls into a cookie-cutter copycat of someone else’s. That’s where vintage art comes in!

Giving back gets a boost today. Amazon announced that all Amazon Smile purchases will give a full 5% (that’s ten times more than average) to the charity of your choice. The online retailer is continuing its celebration of its top ranking score as calculated by the American Consumer Satisfaction Index. Last month, Amazon gave $8.63 discounts (their ACSI score is 86.27) on purchases over $50.

You may know the Shakers—a Christian sect founded in England in the 1700s that later settled in colonial America—for their timeless, minimalist cabinets, but it turns out their simple style is full of trend-proof decorating ideas. To help us settle on some design choices that won’t look dated in a few years, we’re following the guiding principles of Shaker style, right down to the brass tacks.

True to their name, Good Eye Gallery certainly has a discerning taste in vintage. The Los Angeles-based Marketplace seller stocks their corner with a variety of furnishings from a newly listed club chair in a burnt sienna plush mohair fabric to artwork including pop culture-themed silkscreens, Mid-Century lithographs and mix media paintings. Last month the gallery opened an exhibit featuring the works of female artists in an effort to raise funds for Planned Parenthood.

Name & Location: Kenzie — Boston, Massachusetts My Favorite Room: Bedroom/Living Room Specs: 250 square feet, rented When it came to renting my own place after college, style always came first, budget second. So I took to the endless links of Craigslist to furnish most-to all-of my new place. In studying theatrical set design, and to me, spacial challenges have always have been my strong suit. In one room I wanted a entertaining area, a work area, and a bed.

There’s something to be said about a solo artist: a lot of notable designers have left their mark under one name or larger brand. But when two visionaries get together on the same team? That’s when you’re dealing with a force to be reckoned with. Eames may be a company that’s synonymous with mid-century design, but it’s the husband and wife duo behind it that gave the brand staying power well into the modern era.

If you’re in the part of the country currently getting hammered by winter weather, allow us to offer a sunny respite from the snow and sleet. West Elm gave us a sneak peek inside their summer collection and we are sharing some of our faves with you. It’ll be here before you know it (the collection and the warm weather).

On a recent trip to the Netherlands, I couldn’t help but notice that at each adorable home store I stopped into, I was greeted by an equally adorable espresso bar. Being the shameless caffeine-fiend that I am, I happily ordered a coffee at every single one before beginning my stroll around the store. With a warm drink in hand, shopping felt leisurely—I was no longer on a mission, I was lingering.

It’s Monday. The weekend flew by, five workdays loom ahead…and you deserve a little treat. What’s better than finding something one-of-a-kind for a great price? No need to dig around; these five finds from Apartment Therapy Marketplace are easy on the eyes and your budget: everything is under $100 and guaranteed to get some attention. Are your walls itching for an update? This reclaimed wood art piece was handmade from salvaged materials, while maintaining a cool, modern edge.

Dear Readers, We’ve been working on a secret project, and today’s finally the day I get to share it with you. The big project is Apartment Therapy Marketplace, the largest home-design-only marketplace in the country! In keeping with our core mission, nearly a quarter of a million buyers and sellers will be able to seamlessly connect with one another, making their homes better through both adding and purging — and making some cash in the process.

Are you feeling productive today? Well, this 5th grader is here to show you up. Ten year old Callie Hilton built an off the grid, solar powered tiny house as shelter for the homeless for a school project. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, the materials only cost 10 bucks. Callie’s project, which has the amazingly alliterative name Callie’s Coop, may be on the small side, but it definitely gets the job done.

Nothing makes a room quite like a mirror. They’re oh-so-shiny, reflect any available light beautifully, and somehow always end up drawing the eye. If you’re contemplating adding something lovely to your home this spring, why not make it a mirror? We’ve rounded up 20 excellent choices, to suit every style and every budget. Gleaming Primrose Mirror at Antrhopologie, Starting at $398 A traditionally-styled mirror that would also work well as an unexpected accent in a modern room.

Have you been thinking about refreshing your lighting? Designers are always referring to chandeliers and pendants as the jewelry in any space, and they are right. Fresh fixtures are the perfect way to ramp up ( and vamp up!) any room. We’ve taken the liberty of pulling together some really great looks for a variety of tastes. From classical crystal chandeliers to blown-glass pendants, traditional fixtures offer a touch of glam without being too overt.

Minimalism has been trending lately, but it’s hardly anything new. Case in point: Sara Berman’s closet, currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which has been recreated at the museum by her daughter and grandson.

Is it asking too much for a seating option to be comfortable, stylish and space-saving? Well, that treasured chair that you use as a nightstand might find it challenging to meet those expectations, but this shape-shifting Ollie chair easily hits the mark and does it with some added flair. Whether you’re trying to make the most of a micro apartment or simply enjoy multi-functional furniture, this unique chair is a small space lover’s dream.

Stop what you’re doing, we have a really big deal alert! Target has a huge sale going on right now—up to 40% off on furniture. If you’re looking to do a little redecorating at a discount, you’ll have to move quickly—the sale is only good before midnight PST.

Name: Emily Location: Lincoln Park — Chicago, Illinois My apartment is a 400 square foot studio located in a lively Chicago neighborhood. I would describe my style as very eclectic. I have elements of my apartment that are mid-century, Scandinavian, traditional and vintage. When decorating my apartment, my inspiration was to choose items that I simply just liked rather than trying to stick to a specific design style.

New on the scene at Apartment Therapy Marketplace is seller Girl Pickers. This small-town seller hails from the Midwest — Fairbury, Illinois to be exact. She scours barn sales, estate sales, flea markets and the occasional dumpster to bring together a curated selection of vintage wares ranging in price and style. See three storage options available for sale on her corner—each one of a kind and each under $75.

“They don’t make them like they used to” is a phrase you’ll hear just about everywhere, regarding just about anything. In the age of planned obsolescence, it can be a struggle to find anything that’s actually built to last. So while it may be weird to wax poetic about an appliance, a century-old company’s American-made washers have amassed quite a cult following.

The average person spends about a third of their life in bed, but in discussions of history we seldom ever mention sleeping (unless, perhaps, someone had the misfortune to be murdered while doing it) and even more infrequently mention the place where the sleeping happens.

Have you got a spare room, a bit of hallway, the loft above a stairway—any particularly small sliver of space in your home that’s searching for its purpose? Narrow rooms can pose a special challenge, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t make the most of that space. Here’s a little inspiration for getting the most out of a (really, really) narrow room. Even the narrowest of rooms can make a great workspace, as evidenced by this interior from David Boyle.

Name: Clients of Marie Flanigan Location: River Oaks — Houston, Texas So often spaces specifically designed for guests can feel cold and unwelcoming. Not so with this warm and relaxing space! It manages to feel special and serene while still having personality and function. With a strong focus on the natural light available and smart lighting choices, the whole space feels ready for a visitor!

The gap between “finding the perfect design inspiration” and “making it a reality” can sometimes feel like the Grand Canyon. Speaking as someone who loves interior design but puts more thought into finding the best deal on a kitchen table than most people put into college applications, I’m no stranger to a good bargain hunt. And yes, that means finding affordable substitutions for any and all costlier buys (looking at you, kitchen table).

Things can get awkward quick when your partner — excited to share their plans for a living room redo — shows you a neon purple paint swatch (…or weird shaped chair…or clown painting). What do you if you don’t love their decor choice? How do you tell your partner I REALLY don’t like this, without, you know, saying I REALLY REALLY DON’T LIKE THIS? These couples share how they let their partner down gently.

Okay, Fixer Upper fans—we have some great news. It’s time to cut a rug (or pillow) because Joanna Gaines’ latest Magnolia Home collection just arrived this week at Pier 1 Imports. The collection, which features textured throw pillows and area rugs, is available for purchase online right now, and will be popping up in Pier 1 stores starting April 17 (40 styles and assortments will be in store, with 110 options on the website).

Everybody loves a visionary: when you’re surrounded by a sea of similar designs, it’s always refreshing to be attracted to something that really breaks the mold. So when the world was loving everything mid-century modern and wood, one Italian designer crossed the globe to shake things up. Our latest essential designer you should know is the modern master himself, Harry Bertoia.

Amazon is like an adult playground. It’s a magical land where anything is possible—or at least where (most) anything can be delivered to your doorstep in two days. But, it can sometimes feel like you’re searching for a needle in a haystack sandbox with the vast variety of sellers and products. Stylish home decor can easily get lost in the sea of, well, not stylish home decor.

Name & Location: Faith in Asheville, North Carolina My Favorite Room: Art Studio Specs: 10 square feet, owned We live in a one-room home, so instead of showing you my favorite room, I’m showing you my favorite spot: my teeny tiny art studio. A little background: I used to work on large canvases like the one over the adjacent sofa.

Spring Break is synonymous with palm trees and poolside cabanas—but you don’t have to jet off somewhere tropical to get the look. PBteen’s newest collection—from fashion stylists Emily and Meritt—is vacation goals, without ever leaving home. The collection is inspired by iconic hotel decor and poolside playfulness, featuring lots of classic black and white, as well as blush hues and botanicals.

It’s about time: After nine months of teasing the collaboration, IKEA is finally giving us a full look at DELAKTIG, the hackable, open source sofa Tom Dixon has designed for the Swedish retailer.

In an energetic student town one and a half hours outside Amsterdam, where old factories have been converted into artists’ studios, galleries, shops, restaurants and lofts, a fresh generation of designers is envisioning the future of Dutch design. With graduates from both the Design Academy and the University of Technology creating a synergy between design and tech, the focus is forward-thinking, with an eye for reinvention.

Like the old saying says, March is showing its lion-like tendencies. On the Apartment Therapy Marketplace, we’re welcoming the ferocious temperament as local sellers everywhere are listing some of their best items for sale. See what brightly-colored finds are new on the market. From setting to rugs to this one-of-a-kind bohemian Indian rocking horse—they are all up for the taking.

One of the biggest downsides to studio living is feeling like you live — and entertain — in your bedroom. But even though that might physically/technically be true, it doesn’t mean you can’t use design to make it feel like it’s more than just a studio. These smart and stylish studios — all under 500 square feet — employ three of the most successful ways to make a studio apartment feel bigger than it is.

We interrupt your regularly scheduled Apartment Therapy reading with a very important public service announcement: Thursday, March 9 is National Meatball Day and of course, IKEA is celebrating. Sure, novelty holidays are a little silly, but we’re never mad at a reason to scarf down a meatball or twenty. Smaklig måltid (that’s bon appetit in Swedish)! On Thursday, IKEA is celebrating with special restaurant offers, in-store activities and more. When you visit ikea-usa.

As a lover of mid-century design, I’ve long been familiar with the work of designers like Charles and Ray Eames, Hans Wegner, and Eero Sarinen. But I confess that it was only recently—thanks, Pinterest!—that I became acquainted with the works of another mid-century great, the Italian designer Gio Ponti. Like a lot of furniture designers of that era, Gio Ponti was also an architect.

More new IKEA is coming your way this month. The Swedish retailer’s summer collections include everything you’ll need for outdoor living, and will start popping up in US stores in March. It may still be chilly in your neck of the woods, but it’s starting to look like summer at IKEA, and the new collections are perfect for outdoor adventures and entertaining.

One of the little joys in life is coming across a really good deal. This week I’m feeling pretty good about these three Apartment Therapy Marketplace listings, each worth every penny of their low price points. If you think you don’t need a Mid-Century wine rack or bohemian style rocking chairs, well think again. You definitely do. Take it from me, these finds are worth more than what they are listed for on the Marketplace.

New York City has always been at the forefront of style, so it’s typical that the kitchens in the city are beautiful, sophisticated and unconventional. Here are some of our favorite kitchens from our New York City tours—the ones that make great design look effortless and unique solutions seem feasible. Amelia’s New York rental kitchen is small, but functional in so many ways.

Have a craving for wallpaper but don't have the money, time or confidence to paper an entire room? Entryways are the perfect spot to dip your toe in the wallpaper pool.

Feel like you live on the subway? It could soon be a reality for some. Washington, D.C., architect Arthur Cotton Moore has an idea to help house the city’s homeless: convert decommissioned Metro cars into small apartments.

It’s that time again, New Yorkers. Jonathan Adler is opening up their Bronx warehouse and slashing the prices—for one day only! On Friday, March 3, you can head on up to the warehouse and snag up to 75% off furniture, lighting, accessories, and more. The folks at Jonathan Adler sent along a selection of products on sale. The prices are quite the steal—and some of them are even available online! We’ve linked to where applicable.

I am so excited to announce the official debut of Ms. Chesterfield, a modern, feminine version of the chunky old Chesterfield. It’s also the newest piece in a continued collaboration between Apartment Therapy and Interior Define. I got to see it in Chicago two weeks ago, and it is truly beautiful.

Although it’s fun to jump right in and make rash decisions about decorating your home, it’s definitely not always the smartest approach. While home shopping on a whim can be beneficial for accumulating accent pieces and small appliances, when it comes to making major interior changes, it’s usually best to step back and pump your brakes.

Wishing you were lounging about in Bali or browsing fabrics at Central Market in Kuala Lumpur? Well, we’ve got the next best thing for you right here. IKEA has launched JASSA, a limited edition collection inspired by the color and craft of Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The first thing we noticed about the collection are those boldly patterned textiles. “The way the JASSA patterns are built up visually, is very much like batik or ikat.

What makes a brand stand the test of time? Some designers can be divisive, or even just forgotten, and certain styles might not work outside of the era of their inception (looking at you, inflatable armchair of my youth). Just like the iconic designers and brands we’ve been working our way through, this company has maintained popularity for a reason: Lane Furniture and their clean, high-quality designs.

Anastassia Nelson may still be in her twenties, but she owns her own stylish house and is excellent at navigating the intricacies of estate sales. Because estate sales aren’t like yard and garage sales, they can be a bit intimidating to those not in the know. That’s why I asked Ana to share some insider tips and unspoken rules to help guide someone who’s never been to an estate sale before. Estate sales can be kind of weird to a newcomer.

We are so excited to share some of our favorite picks from West Elm’s new catalog. This season’s collection is especially tuned to small space living, with scaled down pieces, more rounded corners, and multifunctional items. If you need a bit of inspiration, check out our favorites from the new living room, bedroom, and dining room offerings. Living Room The new Glamour Velvet Sofa from Roar + Rabbit perfectly blends modern style with whimsical details.

Shopping can be fun or it can be a chore. Either way, leaving a happy customer is important. This new survey ranks retailers on a scale of 0 to 100 in terms of consumer satisfaction. Check out which stores made the grade. The American Consumer Satisfaction Index rates consumers’ satisfaction across six retail industries, from supermarkets to internet retailers to department stores. Overall, confidence in the retail sector was up 4.7% in 2016 to a score of 78.

If you’re someone who’s just as into statement sofas as statement pillows, then you’re really going to love Joy Cho’s latest collection for Target. And it’s a first: Joy’s love of color and pattern explodes into a new category—furniture! The new Oh Joy!

Want to know the fastest and most sure-fire way to upgrade the style in your home? You may have guessed it from the title, but it’s rugs, my design-loving friends, rugs. These decor powerhouses pack a ton of personality into compact packages, but frankly, they rarely come cheap, especially if they are vintage or antique (a majorly on-trend look). We rounded up 10 of our favorites available online in roughly 5’x8′, all under $100.

Funny lady Ellen DeGeneres wants you to pull up a seat—preferably one of hers. The comedian’s lifestyle brand just debuted a multi-room collection of furniture with Thomasville. Thomasville began in 1904 in North Carolina, and continues to be a bastion of classic American furniture design. That, blended with Ellen’s personal aesthetic, resulted in the ED Ellen DeGeneres collection, which has two main styles: relaxed mid-century, and rustic modern.

Lately, they’re everywhere: huge, darkly dramatic floral wallpapers that draw you in with their lusciousness and sheer scale. If you love the look, and have been wanting to re-create it in your own homes, you’re in luck, because we’ve rounded up a definitive list of sources, in patterns and price ranges to suit every home. Anthropologie, always a great source for unusual and innovative wallpapers, sells this five-panel wall mural bursting with oversize florals.

Name & Location: Nicola in Leeds, United Kingdom My Favorite Room: Living Room Specs: 215 square feet, owned Nicola’s living room if full of deep, dark colors, funky textures and the sort of textiles and fabrics you just want to snuggle up and get cozy. With a fun mix of thrifted and new purchases, the space has a ton of personality that complements the Victorian architecture of the home. All of the elements work together to make a perfectly welcoming family living room.

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to personal style, and lighting is no exception. For every design preference, we have your pendant light counterpart: are you bohemian and all-natural? Industrial and hard-edged? Just thrifty and know how to grab a good deal when you see it? With the huge selection available, there’s no wrong answer (only many, many great options). Have your ideal vision in mind?

Teeny tiny bedroom got you down? Fear not. We're here to help.

Sometime a few decades back, it seems that designers cottoned onto the fact that mirrors are (er, make that can be) fantastic for interiors. They reflect light, thus making a space look brighter and larger. There’s also a certain shiny-glam factor to them, owing to the fact that traditionally, glass is an expensive finish to splash about. That all being said, there can definitely be too much of a good thing, especially when mirrors are concerned.

It’s up for debate for sure but I think for many, the living room—especially for apartment or condo dwellers—is the most used space in their home. It’s where you relax, entertain, get some work done and maybe even have a bite in front of the T.V. Having a small space doesn’t mean you can’t do all that and still have a stylish and functional living room.

Design by: Veronica Koltuniak of Verokolt Architect: Ben May Design Home Builder: Bryer Construction and Installation, LLC Location: Austin, Texas Scratch-n-sniff wallpaper isn’t usually the first jumping off point in a design plan, but when Veronica Koltuniak of Verokolt lucked out with such a cool client—a self-confirmed bachelor who prefers a home filled with friends, music and late night jam sessions—requesting such rarities, she couldn’t believe her luck.

It’s a funny thing what happens when you move into a new home. All of a sudden, the furniture pieces that worked so well for you in your previous abode just don’t feel…right anymore. Sure, some things transition seamlessly, but others end up feeling too small or too basic in the new space. Vijay Nathan—Apartment Therapy Media’s Product Manager—and his wife Anita would certainly agree. If you’ve been following along with the couple’s rental loft 2.

As a close watcher of trends in the design world, I will say that there’s a lot out there that is very beautiful, but few things that feel really new. There are always exceptions, though, like these iridescent homewares (and accessories). They feel different and futuristic and maybe even a little bit magical, the perfect thing for taking your home, and your style, to the next level. Above: Definitely a bit pricey, but watch for sales.

Here’s a sneak peek of the one, the only Ms. Chesterfield. I’ve been sitting on another secret for WAY too long. I’m thrilled that I can FINALLY share our newest collaboration with Interior Define with all of you. Ready for 2017, here’s my interpretation of the iconic Chesterfield sofa: a sleeker, sexier and more modern version, and she’s called Ms. Chesterfield.

Cat lovers, you have to check this out right meow. This new design show in Singapore is totally devoted to furniture that’s exclusively for felines. Aptly named 9 Lives, the show includes practical and aesthetically pleasing furniture exclusively for our feline friends. The show features nine designers (one for each of the lives) who “express their take on furniture design for cats for urban, compact living spaces.

Want to save over $800? Ok, I’m getting ahead of myself. This isn’t the first time I’ve sung the praises of Milo Baughman and his impressive body of work. His long term collaboration with Thayer Coggin produced some hugely popular modern designs, many of which are still hunted down and coveted to this day. And even while surrounded by it’s fellow sleek, chrome counterparts, the 1188 dining chair definitely still stands out.

I’ve been on a quest for the perfect pillow for years. My mattress game is on point, but the same cannot be said about my pillows. I’ve tried memory foam, contoured memory foam, down varieties (not for me…too much fluffing), down-alternative, gel-fiber, polyester fluff—you name it, I’ve slept on it.

I love gadgets, but not usually in the kitchen. Kitchen gadgets are often fads that come and go. Everything I find, however, comes with a good recommendation and this one came from a friend in LA, who emailed me with this crazy happy recommendation: “Maxwell! This thing is so exciting to use and it makes chopping so fun. I use mine almost every day.” Was she being paid to tell me this? Turns out, no — she genuinely loves this thing. So I got one and checked it out.

West Elm’s Peggy sofa has been the source of much controversy this week. Here’s how the affordable mid-century style option went from popular pick to discontinued in just about six days. It all started when Anna Hezel’s piece, Why Does This One Couch From West Elm Suck So Much?, was published on The Awl last Thursday. In it, she details how she and her partner bought the Peggy after moving in together.

Back when I made the coveted transition from dorm to first college apartment, my living room consisted of a Walmart futon, curbside coffee table, and my roommate’s gigantic, cheetah print shoe chair lovingly transported from Long Island. And even though I’m well into early adulthood, I’m still slowly but surely building up to having a fully furnished, grown up apartment.

Moving into a new place can be a fun adventure. It can also be a little daunting when you realize a hefty amount of the furniture you had in your previous home just doesn’t work anymore and you aren’t sure where to start the refresh process. Such was the case for one of Apartment Therapy’s Product Managers, Vijay Nathan and his wife Anita.

Room & Board’s new catalog is here and we’ve just pored through its pages to find all of the treasures. With a modern spin put on classic mid-century and arts and crafts designs, the catalog shows off how the brand makes it possible for a broad array of different design tastes to be satisfied with their collections, making it easy to find something you love for every room of your house.

If spending so much time inside this season has you feeling like your home could use refresh, look no further. When opening the windows is out of the question, treating your space to a little something new can offset the winter blahs like nothing else. Here are eleven things we’re loving right now, that just happen to also be on sale for under $50.

Have a few things hanging out in your cart at Amazon? Need to pick up some gifts, goodies or possibly even some groceries? Well, Amazon is celebrating their #1 position in a reputation ranking poll, with a record high score of 86.27, by offering shoppers $8.63 off their $50 or more purchases today. Just use the code “BIGTHANKS” at checkout to have the discount applied to your order.