Life

We call it the year of Kondomania.

Find out how Kondo keeps things in order after she gets to the hotel room.

As the Australian bushfires rage on, the local design community is helping out the best way they know how.

We talked to some personal trainers and at-home workout aficionados to find the best workout equipment that still fits in a small living room.

Are these soooo last decade?

I love the symmetry of a New Year’s resolution, but it's hard for me to make it work. So over the last few years, I’ve started a different New Year tradition: I share my goals and intentions for the year ahead, along with what I'm most excited for in the year ahead.

I woke up every morning with my phone near my head—until this charger came into my life.

It’s a slow and steady start to the new decade. And the self-guided speed at which we choose to travel will define the very quality of the ride.

Say hello to the Barbet and the Dogo Argentino.

And they don't even need to be bribed with treats to do it.

“A living room workout might not have been your first choice, but look at the positives: You get to play your own music and have the ‘gym’ all to yourself!”

One Twitter user describes the aesthetic as "cursed by a Disney witch."

These changes might seem small, but little decisions add up—especially when they become routines.

By this point, you’re probably really ready to stop seeing “new year, new you” articles. January is a month that many industries thrive off of when it comes to marketing, and can you blame them? The start of the new year means a fresh start for everyone, and many people look at this as a way to revamp their personal or professional life. But sometimes the biggest mistake anyone can make going into a brand spankin’ new year is to think too big.

With factors like cost of living, co-working spaces, and even WiFi speed, not all states are created equal.

One can only tolerate so many dating profile photos of guys holding giant fish before throwing your phone in a lake.

It includes 2,688 Waterford crystals and more than 32,000 LED lights.

"We can bring our own bags."

It offers improved comfort, and more privacy, too.

It's a healthy way of looking at stress.

Including Amazon devices and a treat-dispensing dog camera.

It's okay to return or regift. It's not okay to be a jerk.

Including later expiration dates, and more.

There's nothing uglier than pollution.

What's cuter than a dachshund in a Christmas sweater?

Elf on the Shelf is way cuter with dogs involved.

Cue Mariah Carey's Christmas album.

There are currently 6 reported incidents of the glass jars shattering, causing fire damage to nearby items.

Ugly sweaters and Christmas dinner included.

They've heard everything.

Free books, classes, and more.

Good news for those who feel like they can never get the folds right!

You'll sleep sounder—and be way more comfortable—with these tips.

Cats climbing in Christmas trees takes the idea of a “cat tree” to a whole new level (perhaps literally).

Looking to turn up the sexy this Valentine’s Day? Last week, I was invited to learn how to make nipple pasties by Rogue Burlesque, and I’m here to tell you, it’s just as fun (and not as hard) as you might think. You’ll be shaking your sparkly bits in no time. Brandy Wine is the de facto pasty artist for Rogue’s burlesque dancers, and she also makes bedazzled bowties for those who’d prefer their sparkle north of their nipples.

Do you have an over abundance of fabric scraps that you are holding on to, “just in case”? Cintia from My Poppet was doing just that, and then she came up with the clever idea of turning her scraps into pretty twine. You can find the simple tutorial below. Scrap fabric strips in assorted lengths (max 1″ wide) Something to wind your twine on to Scissors For more pictures and the full tutorial, head over to My Poppet.

Name: Lorenzo Diggins Jr/The Essential Man Location: The Unique Space | Downtown Los Angeles (Arts District) Size: 180 square feet Years lived in: A little over a month — Rented Last week I took a visit to the new Unique Space in downtown LA, where I met Lorenzo Diggins, creator of The Essential Man and got a tour of his new workspace.

Name: Evelyn LeeLocation: Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NYSize: 1,185 square feetYears lived in: 2 years; OwnedMeet Evelyn and her cat, Sam. Evelyn’s Williamsburg apartment was her first project directly out of Parsons’ Interior Design program (yes, she’s LEED accredited); and where she was able, she used sustainable materials to create a relaxing haven she calls home.

Name: Nancy and Robert SalzLocation: Berkeley, CaliforniaYears lived in: 25 Nancy Salz says her home is devoid of architectural interest. But over the past 25 years, she and her husband Robert have embellished their three-bedroom family lair with lovingly crafted DIY projects and intriguing collections, making it one of the most colorful and creative homes in Berkeley, California. The first floor flows easily from room to room showcasing vibrant surprises around every corner.

Name: Megan & BJLocation: Chatham County, NCSize: 1,800 square feetYears lived in: Renting for over 2 years Traveling homestead? you ask. Isn’t that an oxymoron? Well, in the case of BJ and Megan’s 1917 farmhouse, that’s exactly what it is. After contentedly nestling itself into the soil of Burlington, NC for the better part of a century, the owner had it relocated 30 miles away to save it from demolition in 2002.

Name: Holly, Ryan and their son AugustLocation: Portland, OregonSize: 1200 sq ftYears lived in: 5 Holly is one of Portland’s most celebrated fashion designers. After photographing the sweet shop she co-owns, I had a hunch that the qualities I found in her clothing line—romance, inspiration from past eras and subtle palette—would be echoed in her home. I hunched right! Join me for a tour of a mellow, beautiful home. Holly and Ryan have a great touch in their home.

Name: Penelope, Nathan and Bell MillerLocation: Portland, OregonYears lived in: 2 Penelope and Nathan turned a broken down house in North East Portland into a handmade palace full of personality and joy — the perfect spot to raise their 20 month old daughter, Bell, and even have leftover room for guests and grandparents. When Penelope needed a bit of peace and contemplation, they built an outdoor lounge room completely from reclaimed, tossed–aside materials.

Image: Bob Coscarelli for CS Interiors magazineName: Tereasa Surratt and David HernandezLocation: Wandawega Lake Resort, Elkhorn, WisconsinYears lived in: 8 Author Tereasa Surratt (A Very Modest Cottage) and her husband David Hernandez know about reusing and recycling with style. In Tereasa’s new book, Found, Free & Flea: Creating Collections from Vintage Treasures, she shares her style advice, using the couple’s idyllic lakeside getaway as a setting.

Name: Andrew CorrieLocation: Shelter Island, New YorkSize: 2,400 sq. ft.Years lived in: 6 Andrew’s Shelter Island home has just weathered two storms – first, Hurricane Irene, and second, the constant motion of three children under the age of four. Yet between the casually simple style and the sweeping water views, the home feels tranquil, “part beach shack, part Scandinavian cottage.

Name: Lyndsay Caleo and Fitzhugh KarolLocation: Brooklyn, New YorkSize: 1,350 sq/ftYears lived in: 4 years, owned Lyndsay and Fitzhugh have always loved designing interiors. When the artistic couple graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design, they tackled their first joint project: their own home. Flooded with light and studded with rich woods and soft stone, the airy apartment feels like a summer cottage in the city.

Name: David Florimbi and Nancy SimonLocation: Santa BarbaraYears lived in: 6 Nancy and David moved into a single story ranch style home in the hills of Santa Barbara, California six years ago. They preserved the bones, but opened up many of the rooms and gave the whole thing a coat of fresh white paint. The open floor plan, combined with large windows and a vibrant color palette, give this home an air of exotic getaway.

Name: Ros Wyatt (of Green Plum Design) and James VernonLocation: Kensington, CaliforniaSize: 2,100 sq/ftYears lived in: 9, OwnedWho else lives here: Jack, Mischa and Alfie In classic English style, interior decorator Ros Wyatt’s San Francisco Bay home features a multitude of pretty prints. A plaid throw drapes over a wing chair, gingham rambles across a coverlet, mod poppies blossom beside a bed, and cabbage roses bloom in the medicine cabinet.

Name: Kimberly Lewis of Kimberly Lewis HomeLocation: Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, NYYears lived in: 1 Kimberly’s line of wallpapers are absolutely stunning—their colors, repeats and scale are so fresh and inspiring—so when she agreed to a green tour, I was thrilled!

Name: Kirsten and Kyle NiemanLocation: NE Portland, Oregon Years lived in: almost 4Kristen is a home decor maven with an eye for upcycling and reclaiming cast away items from Craigslist, garage sales and friends. Her home is relaxed and beautiful with a predominate palette of grayish tones, whites, neutrals and pops of yellow. Join us for tea and a tour of this 1925 Portland, Oregon bungalow.Kristen’s interest in decor and styling is apparent in every room of her home.

Name: Joan and Jim TannerLocation: Santa Barbara, CaliforniaSize: ampleYears lived in: 45 Joan and Jim live in one of the most artful, layered homes I’ve ever come across. It is at once cozy, enchanting, exuberant, chic and family-centered. Their space is truly a reflection of what full, vibrant lives Joan and Jim have led as an artist and a doctor. Join me in the hills of Santa Barbara for a unique glimpse into a remarkable home.

Name: Johnelle Mancha (Founder of Mignonne Décor)Location: Oakland, CaliforniaSize: 980 sq/ftYears lived in: 5 months, rented Stepping into artist and designer Johnelle Mancha’s Oakland cottage is like entering one of the great salons of 1920s Paris. Welcoming rooms, outfitted in exquisite vintage decor whisper of European aristocracy, Middle Eastern adventures, and the joys of classic American recreation.

Name: Toni and Rick SturtzLocation: Neillsville, WisconsinYears lived in: 8 years, owned Toni and Rick Sturtz live in a cozy stone farmhouse nestled between a restored prairie and miles of towering fir and birch trees. They see themselves as stewards of the farmstead—caretakers of their 120-year-old home and the natural resources that surround it. As they carefully adapt their home to modern living, they make changes with sustainability in mind.

Name: Alison Feldmann of TeenAngster and Jeff Bergstrom, as well as cats Bug and DagmarLocation: Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New YorkYears lived in: 1 year Perched on the top floor of a Williamsburg walkup, Alison and Jeff’s eclectic railroad was filled with warm afternoon light the day I visited. Streaming in with unobstructed access, it lit surfaces and highlighted textures, softening the space this couple has made their own.

Name: Ira Rakatansky & Lenore GrayLocation: East Side — Providence, Rhode IslandSize: 4 bedroomsYears lived in: 52 — owned This tour is a rare treat — a peek into the home of modernist architect Ira Rakatanksy, who designed and built the house in 1958 and still lives there, more than half a century later. Incredibly, the space seems almost as modern now, both in structure and décor, as it must have over 50 years ago.

Name: Matthew and Emma McGregor-MentoLocation: New York, NYSize: 650 sq/ftYears lived in: 6 months When Matthew and Emma bought their 6th floor apartment in the East Village, they knew they wanted it to be filled with natural living things and to convey the sense that “nature was taking the apartment back, like a small plant growing from a crack in the sidewalk.

Name: BJ and Mae, and their family of rescued animalsLocation: Highland Square — Akron, OhioSize: 1,800 square feetYears lived in: 5 years — owned Mae and BJ’s dedication to living life to its fullest has resulted in a home that is welcoming to all and party-ready at a moment’s notice. Their ability to ballance their brood of rescued animals with a pleasing aesthetic has developed through years of trial and error.

Name: Lauren Yarmuth Location: New York CitySize: 400 sq/ftYears lived in: 2.5, owned Lauren’s 400-square-foot apartment was classic New York real estate: a sliver of space in an old brick building, with little light and even less charm. But in just three weeks, she gave it a clean and natural makeover, putting every inch of space to use with clever storage solutions. When she bought it, Lauren explained, the building “was a dump.

Name: Robin Luciano BeatyLocation: Byfield, MassachusettsSize: 800 square feetYears worked in: 1½ years It was love at first site when I parked my car across the street from Robin’s art studio in Byfield. Her barn — set on an angle 50 feet from the road — is loosely landscaped with natural rock and wild flowers. A vintage blue Vespa sits out front adding to the warm, countryside feel.

Name: Jennifer White Location: McGregor, IowaSize: 800 square feetYears lived in: 13, rented Jennifer White’s friends refer to her colorful, antique-filled loft as “the flamenco palace.” We’re pretty sure the “flamenco” has to do with the prodigious amounts of ball fringe, and the “palace” with the richness of retro-ocity in every corner.

Name: Chris & Hannah GarrisonLocation: Woonsocket, Rhode IslandSize: 1,900 square feetYears lived in: 9 months The entrance to Chris and Hannah Garrison’s loft is inauspiciously located between a wiener shop and a karate studio in downtown Woonsocket, Rhode Island — a former mill town about 20 minutes north of Providence that has seen its ups and downs. But inside and up the stairs is a breathtaking space, restored using reclaimed materials, many of which came from local sources.

Name: Aubin Crowell of Rebuilt Inc., Florice Houde, and Monkey, Shy Girl, Lil’ Pi, and Ninja Location: Silver Lake – Los Angeles, California Size: 2,200 square feet Years lived in: 4 1/2 years Aubin and Florice’s modern loft is an interesting study of mixing elements to create a successful interior design.

Take a real long, careful look around your home. Does it look like “you”? Does it reflect your personality? If it doesn’t — if friends are often surprised when they visit your home — you might consider some of the advice from this week’s gorgeous house tours. “I always tell people to make sure their room has personality and reflects themselves. I’ve seen many homes where you get no sense of the people who live there.

The days of having to track down a printer or packing tape are over, just in time for the holidays.

The bluebird—a symbol of joy and happiness in various cultures—was Pat’s favorite.

Thanks again, Amazon Prime.

Staying at this villa can be the kind of vacation you want it to be.

...even after you spend them.

There are some proactive steps you can take to protect your packages.

Corgis not included.

You'll appreciate all the beautiful design details Disney has included in each of these resorts.

The interior designer painted a picture that brought us right onto his couch with his favorite TV shows to watch.

Is a corgi-themed Instagram account out of the question?