Decorating

I’ve been living in small spaces for almost a decade so I have my fair share of tricks for dealing with the lack of room. And lately, I’ve been writing about small spaces a lot too, which requires asking different decorators for their ideas. I usually get annoyed when the pros all say the same thing.

Multipurpose seems to be in IKEA’s DNA—the Swedish brand is always churning out collapsible, mobile, and transformable products with handy features. Design chameleons, as I like to call them. You think something’s a table, then all of a sudden, pull the pieces apart and you’ve got a storage basket and a tray. IKEA also seems to understand that small space living is on the rise, and this trend calls for items with dual functionality.

Spoilers ahead for season one of “Forever.” With the Fall 2018 season underway, we are returning to some our favorite TV abodes, and getting invited inside a few new ones. Join us this month as we explore the best homes on the small screen. Show: “Forever”—Season one streaming on Amazon Prime.

Books aren’t just the best things to have in your house—your collection can be as cool as you are. And with National Book Lovers Day (Nov 3) today, why not relook at these tomes as decor items, too? Not only does this make your apartment to look great, but it also gives you ample permission to buy as many books as you want!

I’m constantly trying to predict what’s going to be the new “For Like Ever” poster. I’ve written about a potential typographic contender before, which I loved for its simplicity and reference to a Talking Heads song. And now I think I’ve figured out another heir apparent: Block Shop and their woodblock paper prints. This L.A.- and Jaipur-based studio’s stuff is everywhere, from house tours on AT to Instagram and Pinterest.

There’s no knocking the convenience and cost effectiveness of the bed-in-a-box phenomenon—no days off from work for fussy white glove delivery (or tipping!), an Instagrammable unboxing experience and a price point that’s generally under a thousand dollars for a queen. They’re a great solution for tons of folks and probably have made the entire mattress market better by introducing more competition.

I’m not saying wall art is done with, or one-color painted walls are outdated. But from a spate of stunning recent house tours, it’s clear murals are a wall trend that deserves attention. The homes in this post are utterly one-of-a-kind, due in no small part to the fantastic wall murals seen within. And the best part: Painting a wall mural is affordable and totally DIY-able.

The Trader Joe’s hits just keep coming. I’ve written a lot about their fantastic seasonal pop-up items—most recently wheat stalks—which are my go-to favorite for lazy decorating on the fly, and on the cheap. Their latest offering is dried lavender, which you can find in bundles right inside the front door, and throw in your cart while you do the regular weekly grocery shopping. Buy these while they last at the store, because they’ll last forever at home.

Lighting can totally make or break a room, and it can be easier to change out than you think, even in a rental. Take it from me—I’ve swapped out three fixtures in my space and brought in my own special bulbs for the recessed cans in my living room and the strip above my medicine cabinet. Don’t be that person that lets a crappy builder’s grade fixture bring down your otherwise awesome room. You can find something cool without spending a fortune, I promise.

‘Tis the season for holiday decorating! Year after year, I find myself wanting to spend a small fortune on mini trees, lights, and all things festive. But after the first year of going all out in my apartment, I had to pull back. Because there are only so many places you can add cheer to in 600-square-foot apartment, that is, without stumbling over faux reindeer or worse, blowing a fuse.

We could all learn a lesson in restraint from the tactful ways these tiny house and small space dwellers work farmhouse features into their overall decorating schemes.

When Prince George and Princess Charlotte head over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house, they hang out in some very fun digs. That’s because Carole Middleton, the mother of Kate Middleton, recently revealed some festive fun she likes to bright out for her grandkids during the holidays. Carole, a professional party planner, told The Telegraph that each grandkid gets their own Christmas tree in their bedrooms “so that they can decorate it themselves.

When you want smart space-saving strategies, you can pretty much turn to IKEA. Almost all of their interior images are built sets, so they’re jam packed full of editorial ideas that someone has dreamt up and turned into reality. Inspiration abounds, and yet, these IKEA “homes” still feel like real homes with actionable ideas beyond just buying a table or a sofa or whatever.

Netflix’s latest original movie is already making waves as “Roma” has taken home over three dozen awards so far.

Lighting doesn’t have to be so serious all the time. I mean, don’t get it twisted. Lamps, pendants, sconces—they all still need to be functional, but if you can find something that looks cute and might get a chuckle or two from a houseguest, while still dutifully illuminating an area, I’m sold. And so, I bring you the latest trend to check all of those boxes: Animal lamps.

Fifty-four years since her big-screen debut, Mary Poppins is still practically perfect in every way. The magical nanny reappears in Disney’s highly-anticipated sequel, “Mary Poppins Returns,” starring Emily Blunt in the charming titular role (as Julie Andrews did before her in the 1964 musical movie).

This time of year, there’s really nothing better than channel surfing and landing on a Hallmark holiday movie marathon or spending a whole weekend streaming classic Christmas movies. But as many times as you’ve watched “Home Alone” or “Love Actually,” have you ever really taken notice of the films’ holiday decor? I mean, you can’t have a Hollywood Christmas without lights, a tree, and other festive flourishes, am I right?

The latest victim of the reboot craze is Sabrina Spellman. Our once fun-loving teenage witch has been reborn as a darker, edgier version of herself and I, for one, could not be more thrilled that the ’90s suburban, pastel floral TV sitcom house was laid to rest. The new Spellman Mortuary is granny chic-gone-spooky. It’s chock-full of vintage (well I guess it isn’t vintage if you’re hundreds of years old and you bought it when it was new…) and fabulous treasures.

Mattresses are not like makeup, people! They’re not an impulse buy you make after seeing an ad on Instagram or watching a YouTube video once. They’re pricey and not something you’re constantly adding to your cart, online or IRL. So when you hear about one that’s racking up Kylie Lip Kit or Glossier Boy Brow waitlist numbers—that is, thousands of people deep—home design enthusiasts like myself have no choice but to take notice.

Well, the end of the year is upon us, and it’s time to look forward to what 2019 has to offer in terms of style and design. But I also think it’s fun to reflect on the past and think about what trends might be running their course. What I’m about to say might be a little polarizing, especially if you live in a rental and can’t really do much about your surroundings. But the one trend I hope stays in 2018 is: Bright white painted walls.

A beach house can be so wrong or so right. You either fill it with all the crap you don’t have room for at your full-time residence or you make it a sanctuary with fresh, earthy tones and ocean-inspired artwork and collectibles. I would watch Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin anywhere, but watching them in a well-designed oceanside getaway is incredibly satisfying.

There’s some wacky but true stat that says we spend about one-third of our lives in bed. The bulk of that time is spent sleeping, but there may be a little bit of active awake time in there, streaming Netflix or otherwise hanging out. And no matter the activity, your surroundings are important. With that in mind, make 2019 the year that you actually get your act together—at least in terms of bedroom design.

Remember when we all lost our minds over The Wing’s decor when founders Audrey Gelman and Lauren Kassan opened their first outpost in NYC’s Flatiron district back in 2016? With every subsequent club location, things have just gotten better and better. And it’s not just the broad strokes with furnishings and finishes—the details are on point, too. I mean, I even wrote a story about how pretty (and budget-friendly!) the blush dinnerware they use in their cafes is.

The one place I’ve been seeing a lot of color lately is in bedrooms, and things are getting dark. Navy and midnight blues, charcoal grays, deep teals, and even black, which is the trickiest to pull off if you don’t get a lot of natural light in your space. But it’s doable. The word on the street is that this trend might actually be beneficial for sleep—either it helps you drift off easily and/or stay asleep longer.

Have you looked on Amazon for decor items recently? And I mean really looked. Since launching their private label home goods last year, Amazon’s offerings have really come a long way. Obviously, you can get other brands on the site too. But if you’re looking for something budget friendly that’s a little more under-the-radar, start with the site’s exclusives.

There’s a moment in the upcoming Warner Bros. romantic comedy, “Isn’t It Romantic,” when Rebel Wilson walks into a fancy New York apartment she doesn’t believe belongs to her. “Someone’s broken into my apartment and they’ve taken everything and replaced it with much nicer stuff,” Wilson explains to a 911 operator as she discovers pints of Talenti gelato in the freezer and rows of heels in the walk-in closet.

It seems that everyone is obsessed with “Russian Doll,” Netflix’s newest dark comedy. It’s a visual feast highlighting the dark corners of New York and society in general. And in between think pieces about the various timelines and how they collide, I’d love to deep dive into the bathroom that Nadia keeps reappearing into each time her life resets.

Caution: These stylish spaces may send you running for the nearest paint store.

IKEA isn’t exactly the first place you think of when looking for wedding decor, but I’d argue that that’s actually a good thing for two reasons. First, the price is right, and there’s no “wedding upcharge” there—which is a real phenomenon and exists for everything from cake to candles and beyond with many vendors. Second, much of what IKEA sells doesn’t feel totally specific to a wedding, so you can actually use things again and again.

Styling a coffee table is an opportunity to show your personality to anyone who walks through your doors, either by displaying your prized photos and objects, your favorite books and magazines, or even some fresh flowers and plants. And, of course, you’re going to want a place for things like your TV and speaker remotes here too. Oh, and maybe some space for refreshments? So, it’s easy to go overboard with stuff on this surface. But it’s not inevitable.

Decorating isn’t cheap, especially when it comes to shopping for furnishings and finishes that are stylish, durable, and comfortable. Finding all of those qualities in a single piece for a sensible price is a little bit like finding a diamond in the rough, but it’s doable. And if anyone knows how to stretch a dollar, it’s a designer. I mean, no clients are ever mad when their project comes in under budget, right?

Practically perfect in every way, “Mary Poppins Returns” was nominated for an Academy Award for Production Design. We wrote about the updates John Myhre made from the original 17 Cherry Tree Lane, and it made me want to recreate the kids’ super sweet British bathroom pronto. You thought it was the dolphin being pulled out of the tub that made it whimsical, but you’re wrong. It’s the clawfoot tub.

Fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent was onto something when he famously said, “Fashions fade, style is eternal.” Your personal style is so much more than haphazardly throwing on a T-shirt and pair of jeans; it’s a reflection of who you are. It’s as much a part of your identity as your job or Instagram feed. So why should your home be any different?

Monica Gellar’s apartment is iconic, mainly because over the course of “Friends'” 10 seasons, aside from inhabitants, it didn’t change very much. (Okay, so it looked very different with Chandler and Joey’s Lay-Z-Boys in there.) But just because the show never imagined the apartment differently, doesn’t mean we can’t.

If you like design, there’s a good chance you also like books—especially ones about interiors and art, which tend to be big. No matter the subject, books bring so much joy to a home—whether it’s by providing entertainment, education, or escape. And on a more superficial level, they add color and texture to a space to make it more visually rich and interesting too.

Kitchen design has kind of been the same for a few years now—subway tile backsplash, splashy pendant lights, as big of an island as possible, and maybe some open shelving for good measure. Cabinet color has started to shift a little bit from all white to a little more bold in some instances, but it hasn’t fully taken off yet.

Hulu’s new series, “Shrill,” isn’t afraid to tackle tough topics. In fact—spoiler alert—Aidy Bryant’s character Annie gets an abortion in the first episode. It’s an experience that feminist author Lindy West recalled in detail in her hit 2016 memoir of the same name.

Decorating can be hard, especially when you move into your first apartment. The cards are kind of stacked against you—it’s small, you likely don’t have much furniture of your own, you might have a roommate (or several!), and you’re probably not making bank yet, meaning the budget is tight. So you’re bound to make a mistake or two in setting up your space. We have all been there, and the good news is most of these decorating issues can be solved pretty easily.

As of today, March 15, our internet BFFs are back for season 3 of “Queer Eye” and they are bringing the heat to Kansas City. And by heat, I mean structured neutrals used in bold ways, with pops of color in the plant life, and a heavy dose of mixed metals. Bobby Berk himself designed the Fab Five’s Midwest home base, and the best part is you can recreate it quite easily.

Two is always better than one, and the same rule applies to coffee tables. Over the last year, there has been a spike in styled living rooms that have taken the usual formula of one big coffee table and broken it up into two separate pieces. Nesting coffee tables don’t just apply to big living rooms that have the extra square footage for additional tables.

If it feels like you’ve been seeing life through rose-colored glasses lately, it may be because life is great. But, it also may be because there are more shades of pink used in interiors than ever before. In the past 100 years, the connotation and representation of the color pink has changed.

I’ve heard designers say this, in one way or another, what feels like a million times: Shop your home to change up your decor for free. And you know what—it’s a good idea, in theory. You can’t beat free, right? But, it’s also a little soundbite-y. And by that, I mean, how does one actually go about doing this? I’ve never pressed a designer for actionable tips—that is, until now.

The only thing better than a stylish kitchen utensil is one that didn’t cost you an arm and a leg. Luckily, IKEA is brimming with inexpensive, Scandi-style kitchen essentials that probably cost less than your fancy morning coffee. From wine racks to colanders, here are 13 go-to kitchen wares at IKEA for under 10 bucks.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Having a tiny house doesn’t mean you have to abandon all signs of style and personality in your place. Nay—you can be what I’d like to call a mini-maximalist, and as long as you do this strategically, you can pull it off with flying colors. Don’t believe me? That’s okay. Because I’m ready to state my case with some house tour proof.

“Little” offers a big look on two strikingly different homes: One that belongs to a demanding tech tycoon and the other to an overworked assistant of said tycoon. The Tina Gordon-directed comedy, which hits theaters April 12, sees Jordan (played by Regina Hall) as a founder of a mobile gaming company who bullies a kid magician and wakes up as her 13-year-old self (Marsai Martin) the next day.

I remember what all of my childhood bedrooms looked like because, well, I had a hand in picking most of the big pieces out and looked forward to redecorating every couple of years: Bedding, art for the walls and even paint colors. Let’s put it this way—I used to collect and hoard paint chips from The Home Depot when I was a kid.

Manchester-based Evelyn’s Cafe & Bar is a cozy-looking neighborhood spot for eating and hanging out. Designed by Central Design Studio, it feels less like a restaurant and more like a stylish friend’s home. And there are some design details in this space that inspire. From Ian Haigh, of Central Design Studio: The aim with Evelyn’s Café and Bar was to create a neighbourhood restaurant, which instantly felt like a local favourite.

Q: I bought a sofa and two chairs from [company redacted]. They were delivered within the timeframe agreed on. Two hours later, we couldn’t even go in the living room. The furniture reeked with a kind of chemical/dead animal smell. We opened the windows and doors and hoped it would go away. It’s been two weeks and it still smells awful. A representative came yesterday afternoon, opened one of the cushions, and declared, “There is no smell”.

Q: Hi! My fiance and I recently moved into a Victorian terraced cottage in England. Our living room and and dining room are finally coming together and we’re ready to hang art on the walls. But there is this awkwardly high chair rail (or dado rail as the English call it) around the walls of both rooms. It is 44 inches (102 cm) from the floor [see photo below]. We’ve already hung two prints on one wall in the living room and they are okay (although a little too high in my opinion).

Q: I am wondering if it’s unlawful for a pest control company to take photos of a tenant’s residence while they are spraying the apartment. I was informed recently from my landlord that the exterminator takes photos while he sprays, and reports the photos back to the landlord. Is this even legal? I noticed flashes of light while he walks through my unit, but I’ve never actually caught him taking pics. Thanks for your reply.

Q: Hi! I am hoping you can give me some much needed advice. I am renting my first apartment—it’s a two story townhouse—and I think one wall in the foyer would benefit greatly from a really bold, patterned wallpaper (I have no restrictions on what I can do in the unit). There’s just one problem. I have always been told that paint and wallpaper should only end at a corner or some other break in the wall, and this particular wall has no breaks.

We’ve found the perfect place to watch the Olympic swimming events. Here is an Australian home with a sunken living room that’s right at water level. The pool, designed by Melbourne company OFTB, further blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living—like when being inside is just too far away from the water. An acrylic panel separates the pool from the sunken living room, and is giving us clear glass tub vibes.

What makes a space one where you want to create? Does color have something to do with it? Does art play a role? Everything—from the furniture to the colors used to the accessories—has to blend together to create just the right mix when a space needs to be a work space. Laurel & Wolf reached out to us to share the office of BLND PR, designed by Luca Pepitone. It’s a flirty, casual space that strikes just the right balance of energizing and calming.

A good rule of thumb for home purchases is the following: if you use something regularly (at least weekly, especially if it’s daily!), you should always buy quality. A dirt-cheap blender (or even one that you might have “borrowed” from your parent’s garage) is almost guaranteed to leave you frustrated with leaky pitchers and clumpy drinks. Say “No more!

Q: My husband and I recently moved into a new apartment, and we are trying to figure out window treatments for our living room. We have a sliding door out to our balcony and a window next to it. The sliding door is not centered to the wall which drives me a little crazy. We currently have white wood blinds in the small window, but what should we do about the sliding door?

No one’s probably ever called a toaster a work of art before. But in the case of Dolce & Gabbana’s collaboration with SMEG, it’s actually true. The Italian fashion house enlisted Sicilian artists to give the brand’s retro style kitchen appliances a bold, Old World makeover. The collection, “Sicily My Love,” celebrates the rich decorative tradition of the island.

Name: Nadine Location: Sliema, Malta The apartment is on the first floor, very compact and enjoys a limited amount of light. Our main aim was to maximize usage of space and brighten it up, ideally with natural light. The apartment was in a very run-down state, had moldy walls and plumbing problems. The style inspiration was Scandinavian with vintage elements.

Q: I am moving into a studio apartment. This is my first time living on my own. I’m fairly certain I want a double size bed inside this place (pictured), but I also have access to a single size bed or sofa-bed. There is one main living area between the entrance, kitchen, bath and balcony. There are windows along the wall where the balcony is.

Q: Most of the country doesn’t really have to think about this, but living in California we do. We have a large and beautiful wall behind our bed that is directly where your eyes go when you enter the room. Typically we would splurge on a nice large piece of art, but living with earthquakes that is totally frowned upon. Obviously getting smacked in the face in the middle of the night with a painting or mirror would not be great. What other ideas should we explore beyond wall paper?

Parsons tables, whether in the form of dining room tables, kitchen tables, consoles, coffee tables, or even desks, have been a design staple for about 80 years, yet they still look fresh, modern, and at-home in nearly any decor. Their no-nonsense shape and clean lines allow them to balance out any amount of whimsy and ground whatever onslaught of ornamentation. Read on for more about this true design classic. What exactly is a Parsons table?

Only two years have passed since the world’s first 3D printed apartment building was constructed in China, and since then, the sustainable architectural process has been refined to produce stellar results in time frames that are becoming increasingly faster. The most recent example is this tiny home that was 3D printed in just 24 hours.

One of the most perplexing things about moving into a new place, especially a small place, is where to put the furniture. This apartment, with its curving wall of windows, presented a unique challenge. How do you create both a bedroom and a living space (and maybe a dining room and a study, too) in a place that’s so small, and so unusually shaped? We went to the drawing board to come up with a few ideas. First, an intro: This is an advice column.

Kate Spade’s colorful style has attracted not only millennial shoppers, but also the devotion of another iconic brand. Coach announced today that they have acquired the fellow New York based company in a cash deal of $2.4 billion. “Kate Spade has a truly unique and differentiated brand positioning with a broad lifestyle assortment and strong awareness among consumers, especially millennials,” said Coach CEO Victor Luis in a statement.

Good news, FLW fans: Schumacher has re-released the starchitect’s fabric designs in honor of Wright’s upcoming 150th birthday. Frank Lloyd Wright’s collection with the 19th century fabric brand originally debuted in 1955, after former House Beautiful editor Elizabeth Gordon encouraged the architect to start a line for those who didn’t live in his houses.

It doesn’t take much to convince us to spend time in a sauna. Seriously, who needs an excuse to sit back, sweat it out and let the stress melt away? Well, we’ve found a sauna that’s golden, egg-shaped and sits in the middle of a Swedish city, offering even more alluring reasons to indulge in some heat-assisted restoration. Enter the SOLAR EGG, a dazzling art installation created by designers Bigert & Bergstrom.

Name: Monica Wheeler Location: Bronx, New York Size: 600 square feet – built 1950 Years lived in: Renting 2.5 years Tucked along a grassy and tree-lined East Bronx street is the ground-level home of Monica Wheeler, an interior design enthusiast. This patterned, cozy, and wholly inviting space is subject to cycles of furniture, art, and trinkets coming in and out whenever the mood strikes her.

Some spoilers for “The Good Fight” below.TV show sets are meant to build a world, to add context to a character, and to tell a character backstory visually, all while the actors are performing their dialogue and moving within it. To be able to create these spaces that tell stories is a true talent, and it’s why “The Good Fight” set decorator, Beth Kushnick, is one of the best in the business.

As apartments get smaller, traditional furniture becomes less likely to fit in—literally. As cities trend toward micro apartments in the realm of 300 square feet or under, multifunctional pieces are not just nice, but necessary to create a functional space in such a small footprint. Luckily, the geniuses at MIT Media Lab and Yves Béhar teamed up to create Ori Systems, a freestanding unit that’s essentially an entire apartment in a box.

Do you love bread? Now you can—ahem—prove it, not just with a GIF of Oprah or by obsessively watching and rewatching every Bread Week episode of the Great British Bake Off, but with a lamp that’s actually made from baked goods. This glutinous carbo load of design decadence is the brainchild of Japanese artist Yukiko Morita, a former baker who has turned her love of yeasted dough into a design object.

Confession time: right now, my room is a mess. Like, a serious mess. As in, I would not let anyone but me actually step foot in there. But guess what? I don’t mind it in the least.There’s something undeniably soothing about letting myself just ignore chores like cleaning when I’m not in the mood. Especially when it comes to my bedroom.

In the world of IKEA tropes, “IKEA is a death trap to couples” reigns supreme. But coming in at a close second is “I (a non-Swedish speaking individual) am somewhat flummoxed by the name of this bowl.” IKEA product names have long since been a source of delight, confusion and humor for many IKEA fans. Lucky for us, a brave man has put together the ultimate IKEA dictionary.

Hat queen Diane Keaton recently released an interior decorating book, The House That Pinterest Built, after years of quietly flipping houses (and releasing her own wine). Keaton isn’t alone in her passion for design, and The Cut has rounded up quotes from 25 powerhouse women on their love for interior decorating. It wouldn’t be a female-centric story about design without an appearance from dream home enchantress Nancy Meyers.