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The Bathroom Lighting Mistake I Made (And How to Fix Yours)
I renovated our bathroom and somehow ended up with worse lighting than before. Here's what I missed — and the fix that actually worked.
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30 articles on lighting, kitchens, bathrooms & more
Design Tips
How to Choose a Pendant Light for Your Kitchen Island
Kitchen pendant lights look simple until you're standing in front of one that's the wrong size or hanging at the wrong height.
Design Tips
Wall Sconces vs Ceiling Lights: Which Does More for a Bedroom?
The question isn't which one is better. It's which one to prioritize when you can only change one thing.
DIY
The Bathroom Faucet Guide I Wish I'd Had Before Renovating
I returned two faucets before installing my third. Here's the buying guide that would have saved me the trips.
Rooms
Our Outdoor Lighting Makeover: What We Changed and Why
The house looked fine from the inside. From the street at night, it looked unfinished. Here's what we changed.
Design Tips
The 5-Minute Nightstand Rule That Makes Any Bedroom Look Designed
I spent years with a cluttered nightstand and thought the problem was storage. It wasn't.
DIY
Why I Switched to a Matte Black Kitchen Faucet (14-Month Review)
Everyone warned me about water spots. Here's the reality after 14 months of daily use.
Rooms
Bathroom Storage That Actually Looks Good: My Current Setup
The bathroom had too much stuff and nowhere to put it. Here's the system that finally worked.
Design Tips
Biophilic Design 101: Bringing Nature Into Your Home
I wanted more plants and natural materials in my home. What I got was a design philosophy I hadn't known I was missing.
Design Tips
The Scandinavian Lighting Trick That Makes Any Room Feel Bigger
Nordic designers have small apartments and enormous interiors skill. I borrowed their lighting approach.
Rooms
Open Shelving in the Kitchen: What They Don't Tell You
I've had open shelves in my kitchen for two years. Here's what nobody told me before I ripped out the upper cabinets.
DIY
Medicine Cabinet vs Open Shelves: Which Actually Works?
I've had both in the same bathroom. The answer surprised me.
Design Tips
Bar Stool Height Guide: The Measurement That Saves You a Return
I bought the wrong bar stool height twice. Here's the measurement that fixes it every time.
Rooms
Coffee Table Storage: The Rule That Fixed My Living Room
My living room looked cluttered no matter what I did. The problem was the coffee table.
Rooms
How to Light a Bathroom Like a Designer
Designer bathrooms aren't better because of expensive tiles. They're better because of the lighting.
DIY
Honest Review: Battery-Operated Wall Sconces After 8 Months
I installed battery sconces to avoid an electrician. Eight months later, here's the real story.
Design Tips
The Bauhaus Furniture Trend Explained (Without the Cold)
Bauhaus is everywhere and somehow also nowhere. Here's what it actually means for your rooms.
Rooms
Kids' Room Lighting That Works at Every Age
The lighting choices in my daughter's room that she'll still love at 12.
DIY
Brass vs. Black Outdoor Lighting: Which Weathers Better?
I have brass on the front porch and black on the back. Here's the honest two-year comparison.
Design Tips
The 10-Item Home: What I Learned From a Minimal Month
I tried to live with ten decorative items for a month. Some things went back. Most didn't.
Rooms
Bedside Lamp vs. Wall Sconce: 10-Month Comparison
I switched from table lamps to wall sconces at my bedside. Ten months later, the honest verdict.
DIY
Bathroom Vanity Cabinet Mistakes (And How to Avoid Every One)
I've made three of these five mistakes personally. Here's how to skip all of them.
Design Tips
How to Buy Art for Your Home (Even if You Know Nothing About Art)
The art on my walls cost between $12 and $800. Here's how I learned to shop for it.
Rooms
The Bedding Formula That Finally Made My Bedroom Look Like a Hotel
I spent years thinking the secret to a hotel bed was expensive linens. It wasn't.
Rooms
The Entryway Lighting Formula That Works for Every House
The entryway is the first impression of your whole home. Here's how to light it properly.
Design Tips
Scandinavian Design on a Budget: Where to Spend, Where to Save
You don't need a $3,000 sofa to achieve Scandinavian-style interiors. Here's where the money actually matters.
Design Tips
Wall Sconce Placement Rules Every Room Gets Wrong
Most wall sconces are hung about 6 inches too high. Here's the placement formula that actually works.
Rooms
Black and White Kitchen: How to Avoid the Diner Look
Black and white kitchens are either sophisticated or diner-ish. Here's how to land on the right side.
Rooms
Laundry Room Glow-Up: From Utility Closet to Room I Actually Like
I used to hold my breath every time I opened the laundry room door. Now it's one of my favorite rooms.
DIY
What I Wish I'd Known Before My Bathroom Renovation
Our bathroom renovation took six weeks and cost twice what we budgeted. Here's everything I'd do differently.