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.
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Latest Post · DIY
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.
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30 articles on lighting, kitchens, bathrooms & more
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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DIY
Medicine Cabinet vs Open Shelves: Which Actually Works?
I've had both in the same bathroom. The answer surprised me.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Rooms
Kids' Room Lighting That Works at Every Age
The lighting choices in my daughter's room that she'll still love at 12.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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