My Way Home

10 Great (Online) Home Design Magazines

11 May

08 May

03 May

27 Apr

Navigating Antique Fairs & Flea Markets

Gorgonzola, Artichoke and Sun-dried Tomato Flatbread

2 Comments

23 Apr

Small Splurges—Big Style

17 Apr

16 Apr

10 Apr

02 Apr

29 Mar

23 Mar

20 Mar

Shine It On With Metallics

15 Mar

13 Mar

08 Mar

A Green For Every Scheme

A Soft Place to Rest Your Head

6 Comments

06 Mar

Is it Kitchen Season?

29 Feb

22 Feb

20 Feb

16 Feb

Style Your Room Romantic

14 Feb

09 Feb

03 Feb

Meet: Katie Rosenfeld

18 Jan

16 Jan

Old-Fashioned Winter Nights

3 Comments

13 Jan

A Superbowl of Guacamole

10 Jan

09 Jan

Simple Winter Sundays

The Ellen Dream House: Before and After

15 May

Get a Stylishly Organized Desk Drawer

10 May

07 May

02 May

26 Apr

24 Apr

Creating Serene Outdoor Spaces

Kate Karam

How to Hide a Boring Sofa Back

20 Apr

18 Apr

13 Apr

Lighting Is The Cherry On Top

11 Apr

06 Apr

04 Apr

28 Mar

Mint Green Is Fresh Again

27 Mar

21 Mar

The Kitchen Backsplash

Recreating Rooms on Pinterest

8 Comments

19 Mar

14 Mar

12 Mar

A Mad Men Dinner Party

Blankets, Baskets, & Babies

07 Mar

02 Mar

28 Feb

Decorating a Child’s Bedroom

Design Blogger Conference 2012

24 Feb

21 Feb

18 Feb

13 Feb

07 Feb

02 Feb

23 Jan

Rooms That Make You Smile

Throw Pillows Pack a Punch

3 Comments

17 Jan

What’s Trending in Kitchens?

9 Comments

14 Jan

Declutter for a Fresh Start

10 Jan

Ellen House: Behind the Scenes

08 Jan

Soaring to New Heights

04 Jan

14 May

09 May

06 May

Scene and Heard: Editor Event

High Points of High Point

04 May

01 May

30 Apr

25 Apr

Honey Yogurt Semifreddo

19 Apr

12 Apr

09 Apr

05 Apr

No Longer Mellow Yellow

03 Apr

30 Mar

Mussels with White Wine Sauce

Arugula Pesto & Prosciutto Pasta

26 Mar

Nursery Organizing Tips

22 Mar

16 Mar

09 Mar

05 Mar

Design Bloggers Conference

2 Comments

01 Mar

Benches in the Bedroom

27 Feb

23 Feb

Pork Tenderloin Roast

Furniture For The Kitchen

3 Comments

15 Feb

Meet: Kristine Kennedy

10 Feb

08 Feb

06 Feb

01 Feb

15 Jan

12 Jan

11 Jan

Irresistible Apple Blossoms

09 Jan

Achieving Your Resolutions

4 Comments

02 Jan

16 May

The road to paradise isn't always paved. In fact, it's often covered with weeds and overgrowth! Maintaining your outdoor living space is a must to keep it looking its best. Here are a few tips and some great product picks to get you going!

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15 May

The Ellen Dream House: Before and After

Ellen House: Behind the Scenes

Yesterday I introduced you to our latest design challenge—The Ellen Dream House—and the process leading up to presenting the inspiring Lisa Jarmon with her newly furnished spaces. Today I want to share some before and after pictures illustrating the decorating strategies we used on the Houston, Texas house. Here are our five top design ideas you can steal for your own home … 1. Be bold with color. In Lisa’s house we made color the star with...

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14 May

10 Great (Online) Home Design Magazines

How would I define “whirlwind”? Designing a house for Ellen DeGeneres’ super-fan (and frequent Ellen Show guest) Lisa Jarmon—in six weeks. Lisa and her four kids, ages 4 to 17, had their dreams come true when they were chosen by Ellen to receive a new home. What Lisa didn’t know was that it would be completely furnished (down to the clothespins in the laundry room) by Wayfair. See the entire Ellen Dream Home HERE! Sounds simple,...

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11 May

Get a Stylishly Organized Desk Drawer

I've lost count of how many of my favorite home decorating newstand magazines have been shuttered in the past few years. But, are magazines disappearing or simply being reinvented online? As we watched one magazine after another close due to the high costs of production and postage, the internet was becoming much stronger, and all of a sudden bloggers, who had previously been considered rambling amateurs, were creating amazing blogs and websites. Bloggers weren't taking the place of magazines—instead they were delivering information in a more...

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10 May

My desk drawers can quickly evolve into junk drawers if I don't have a system in place for handling the clutter. But, the good news is that organizing a desk drawer is actually quite easy—in fact, whether organizing a drawer that holds odds and ends, cosmetics or office supplies, the process is pretty much the same. Here are some simple tricks I use to organize a desk drawer: 1. Purge: First, take all the contents out of the...

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09 May

Mother’s Day

If there is one thing I know about Mother's Day, it's that this is one of the most important days of the year (ask any florist or restaurant host). I've been gifting items for this holiday for over 30 years and am the on-speed-dial advisor to my children, father, and siblings with ideas for honoring the Mom in their lives. As the act of giving is truly about thought and effort I try to hone in on Mom's...

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08 May

Swedish Style

In a play on Henry Ford's famous quote, "Any color as long as it's black" it is often said that Swedes like "any color as long as its blue." But there is so much more to the colors of Sweden than just a single hue. The colors and airy style of Swedish decorating have been strongly influenced by two styles: 18th-century neoclassical decor known as the Gustavian style and Swedish Country Style, which was strongly influenced by Carl...

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07 May

Built for Speed

Scene and Heard: Editor Event

So, you need a microwave. Believe it or not, siting this everyday appliance can be one of the biggest challenges in the kitchen design process. Finding easy and ergonomic access for a microwave AND an aesthetically pleasing location are sometimes at war with one another! When you want to heat up food quickly, it's likely you also want efficiency as part of the process. Conventional wisdom says that placing the microwave close to the refrigerator allows you to...

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06 May

High Points of High Point

We recently headed to NYC to host an event for top editors from women’s, family, and shelter magazines—Elle, Instyle, and Food Network Magazine to name a few. We recreated a ‘house’ whose rooms were filled with a wonderful selection of Wayfair’s zillion things home. While we had these style-setters in hand, we asked them where they glean their inspirations to fill those glossy pages of their magazines. These delightful answers might surprise you (and...

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04 May

Kate Karam

I am suffering from Stendahl Syndrome. That rarest of maladies afflicting those who are simply overwhelmed by beauty. What has caused this condition? Could it be the four days of wandering three- square miles of glamorous showrooms in High Point, N.C., filled with the newest and most jaw-dropping home furnishings? The sensory overload of stroking (literally, I think) miles of luxurious fabrics? The eco-chic offerings that filled me with a sense of wonder at such...

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03 May

A Well-Rounded Room

Our houses are essentially boxes in boxes, so every room needs a few well-rounded curves to add softness and grace. Shapely furniture creates a visual break from the harsh geometric lines of walls and the sofas, beds, buffets, and chests that dominate your rooms. Curvilinear pieces can be problem solvers in tricky spots like corners or between a sofa and chair. In tight spaces (like a hallway) a demilune or half circle table saves space and...

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02 May

Way to Play

Our goal for the next twelve months is to create a play space for Will. He's gotta help build it of course. He's two, now; learn to swing a hammer already, kid. One of the main reasons we bought a house with land is that we want our kids playing in the backyard, getting dirty, and realizing that there is more to life than the Disney Channel. Living out here in the country makes it...

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01 May

Design Crush

My first middle school crush began with a note. “Do you like me? Circle YES or NO.” I still have the note and came far too close to scanning it for your entertainment. When I saw my very cute crush in the halls, my heart raced to the tempo of my favorite 90s pop song and my cheeks flushed to a painfully obvious magenta. Sound familiar? As I grew older, I fine-tuned the art of...

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30 Apr

In The Middle Of It

Navigating Antique Fairs & Flea Markets

Tucked between sofas and chairs, coffee tables help balance out a room. Although known as a staple in living or family rooms, coffee tables are also found in other areas of the home such as bedrooms, offices and sunrooms. Regardless of the location, styling a coffee table is an essential element in completing the room’s overall look. It may seem simple, but artfully styling a coffee table takes careful consideration. It’s easy to plop down some...

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27 Apr

'Tis the season to put on your sneakers and head out to the antique fairs of your choice. There are hundreds of them all over the country where you can step back in time looking for treasures. One of the best things I love about these fairs and flea markets is the dealers—they are a certain breed who buy and sell the past and live their lives that way, too. It shouldn’t surprise you...

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26 Apr

Game On

Let the games begin! I can’t think of a better way to spend time outdoors with your family and friends than enjoying a little friendly competition. It doesn’t matter whether your yard is large or small; there is a game out there for you. Take a look at a few of my favorites, and you'll be sure to find the perfect set for your crew! Good luck and have fun! - Justin

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25 Apr

Honey Yogurt Semifreddo

Creating Serene Outdoor Spaces

The first time I heard the word 'semifreddo', it was from the honeyed tongue of English food writer and television personality, Nigella Lawson. Hearing her mesmerizing description of a dessert that sounded much like a simplified ice cream, without the hassle of a churner, was as enticing as the idea itself. I naturally had to try it for myself and so started a love affair with semifreddo. If you are a lover of ice cream...

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24 Apr

Kate Karam

If you were to pass by my desk and observe me staring off into space you might think I am mentally running errands, plotting strategy for an online flash sale of designer shoes, or ruminating on today’s news. The truth is that glazed look means I’ve teleported to some serene garden where woulda, coulda, shoulda don’t have a seat at the picnic table, and where the sheer beauty of nature doing her thing is...

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23 Apr

Small Splurges—Big Style

How to Hide a Boring Sofa Back

Once you step foot into the Alice In Wonderland world of kitchen renovation, there are seemingly a million pieces to the project AND a million things that you have to buy! No worries—follow these insider tips to make a small splurge or two that will make your kitchen look like a designer kitchen. You don’t need to buy “the best of everything”. Design your kitchen to include both high and low budget items and...

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20 Apr

There is no getting around it--the position of a sofa in the living room defines the space. Up against the wall is usually the first option, but in some instances (creating symmetry, allowing for traffic patterns or maximizing functionality in the space) a sofa is best positioned in the middle of the room. If your sofa is destined to live in the middle of the room, you may be struggling with what to do with...

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19 Apr

Channeling Cape Cod

From spring through fall, Andrew and I spend most weekends at my future mother-in-law’s home on Cape Cod. She even lets us bring our cats. How lucky are we? I love many things about her home. Andrew’s parents designed and built it facing a beautiful pond. Andrew and his brother were both born and raised there, and I love hearing stories of mischief while sipping wine on the raised deck. I adore eating freshly picked tomatoes...

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18 Apr

The Right Cut

I don't know about you, but I am always losing scissors. I could blame it on the kids, but the truth is, I take them from room to room and never put them back where they belong. I remember my mother wearing her embroidery scissors on a string around her neck so she wouldn't loose them. Instead of resorting to that, I went on a quest to find the solution to this dilemma, because quite frankly,...

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17 Apr

Modern Mexican

As I watched chef and tv personality Gordan Ramsey in a Mexican restaurant (his current challenge on the show Kitchen Nightmares) ranting about cliché décor as the camera panned striped blankets and sombreros on brightly colored walls, I was immediately sucked in. The only thing I dislike more than just-plain poor design, is a room that overuses a theme in decorating. Ramsey's team went on to work their magic and when the new interior design...

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16 Apr

Pull Up A Chair

Lighting Is The Cherry On Top

My home office is currently under construction but, hiding in a corner amidst the rubble and chaos, is a glimmer of hope. You think I'm kidding but no, it's right there next to the dust bunny farm and the photography props. Here she blows about a month ago: Sometimes that hope says to me "HELP, I'm DYING!" (as it often does whenever we are in the middle of any room renovation) and once in a while it shows...

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13 Apr

Taniya Nayak

When designing a space, like so many other areas of our life, sometimes it can be hard to find the starting point. Here's a hint for those times when you find yourself asking, “where do I begin!?” Start with what you don't love about that room. This is a pretty simple concept, but in my experience, it is a great way to get the ball rolling. Ask yourself, “What do I want to change...

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12 Apr

Grilling Well Done

Fire up the grill! Nothing is better than having the smell of barbeque waft under nose! Grilling can be an adventure all on its own. From parties to cookouts, even a romantic dinner for two, you can bet that everything tastes better when you cook it yourself.

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11 Apr

Easter Terrarium

Gorgonzola, Artichoke and Sun-dried Tomato Flatbread

The Easter Bunny gets burned out delivering those big, candy-laden baskets. The candy is heavy. It’s too much sugar for the kids. So this year The Bunny decided to give out small baskets accompanied by all the supplies a kid would need to make a DIY terrarium. For that, he needed my help. But I’ve never made a terrarium before. To make something that looks decent and won’t die, I needed help. So I turned...

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10 Apr

Pizza or flatbread? To-may-to. To-mah-to? Or is it all in the tomato? There seems to be an ongoing debate as to what constitutes a pizza and what differentiates it from a flatbread. And as I sit here, flying home from one of the pizza capitals of the world, I will admit to feeling just as confused as everyone else. I spent the weekend in New York, immersing myself in all things culinary at the esteemed International...

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09 Apr

Slam Dunk

The kitchen sink, that otherwise simply shaped vessel that sits in the countertop in every kitchen no matter how small or large, conceals an encyclopedic number of functions in our everyday lives. When it’s time to think about replacing the kitchen sink, it’s important to remember all those little ways the sink makes your family’s life in the kitchen efficient OR inefficient! There are so many ways that the kitchen sink serves as your family’s...

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06 Apr

The High Life

If you watch Mad Men, you may also feel particularly captivated by Don Draper’s beautiful in-office bar cabinet. Can’t every space be that cool? A well-stocked (and beautifully styled) bar in the home is an entertaining must. Bar carts can be wheeled between rooms at the arrival of surprise guests. They can also be styled as part of an entryway or dining room. While intended for spirits, these carts display vintage glasses, books and framed...

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05 Apr

No Longer Mellow Yellow

Everywhere I look I see a sure sign of spring—bright, sunshine-yellow forsythia. I enjoy seeing sprays of yellow blossoms gently swaying in the April breeze, knowing that winter is behind us, and the sun-drenched days are on their way. Yellow is such a happy hue at any time of year, and in your home even a little yellow can bring out that joyful feeling. Taking my cues from spring, sunshine, and forsythia, here are a few idea for how...

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04 Apr

White Now

White ceramics hold a very special part of my heart. It doesn't matter what in what form, I just love them. I think it all began when I was registering for my wedding. I was immediately drawn to white dishes. It may have something to do with a tidbit of info I once heard on a cooking show--that food actually looks and tastes better when presented on white dishes. (I'm guessing this is why so many of the world's top...

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03 Apr

Easter Brunch

Entertaining needn't unfold in a harried manner. This year plan a slower, more leisurely brunch that allows guests to breeze in and out from late morning to early afternoon with easy-to-prepare foods that mix homemade with specialty store bought items. Give yourself time to have fun with the details and really enjoy your guests. I love brunch because it can be a mix of breakfast and lunch foods both savory and sweet. Many can be...

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02 Apr

Glamorama

Mussels with White Wine Sauce

In my mind, something shiny and sparkly has a place in every room of the house. This is especially true in a space filled with upholstered pieces or pieces made from wood, metal, and other hard materials. Adding a glass or mirrored piece can instantly give a room a Hollywood Regency vibe, and add a much-welcome lightness and reflective quality. Yes, this can be accomplished by simply hanging a mirror on the wall. This is a great idea, but what...

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30 Mar

I've never enjoyed eating alone in a restaurant. To me, food is meant to be enjoyed in the company of others, following a leisurely rhythm, orchestrated by the platters of dishes being passed from hand to hand. It is meant to be savored with good conversation and laughter. So the idea of eating by myself, especially in public, is as unsavory as spending the morning at the DMV. Thankfully, this does not happen often. Call...

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29 Mar

Birds Of A Feather

Mint Green Is Fresh Again

Watching birds in your own yard can provide hours of fun and relaxation. All you have to do is look. You can even landscape your own backyard to invite these furry, feathered friends to your home!

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28 Mar

A few years ago Stephen Drucker, former Editor-In-Chief at House Beautiful said to me, “The only time we comfortably use the word 'pastels' to describe colors is when weʼre talking about the 1950s”. At the time he was absolutely right, but not any more. Light, dreamy, feminine colors are back and on trend for spring 2012. So get comfortable describing colors as pastels. These tender tints are cropping up just about everywhere. But, of all of the pastels, mint green...

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27 Mar

Take it Outside

In Boston, spring is in the air and with the new season comes a slew of warm-weather traditions that make me giddy with anticipation. My fiancé, friends, and I love to plan picnic dinners at the beach, patio dining in the city, and sun porch dinner parties at home. Dining alfresco is one of our most treasured spring pastimes. And this spring, I’m on the search for the perfectly bright pieces to juxtapose our elegantly rustic,...

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26 Mar

Nursery Organizing Tips

As a designer with a focus on function and organization, I am often asked how first-time expectant parents can organize their baby's nursery. This is a hard question to answer briefly. I kept most of my answers high-level, but of course each involves layers of planning, organization, and design: 1. Plan the nursery room’s design, take room measurements (twice) and then determine what larger furnishings will need to be purchased (i.e. crib, nursing chair, and dresser). 2. Prepare...

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23 Mar

Our Home Gym

I have classic hoarder tendencies. I have a very, VERY hard time throwing anything out, including, but not limited to: tissue paper that comes in gift bags; disposable plastic packaging for food products; old school papers; and, of course, anything that could be transformed with paper, glue, duct tape, paint, or fabric. So when we got new carpet in our foreclosure last year, it pretty much broke my heart to think about throwing out...

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22 Mar

Get Your Garden On

Now is the time to start planning your summer vegetable garden. In warmer climates (zones 5-9) you can dig right in and get planting, but in colder regions (zones 1-4) it will be best to wait for the last frost (usually late May). Here are a few tips for getting started, including my favorite tip---plant what you love to eat! A backyard vegetable garden connects you to nature, helps you to eat healthy, and allows you to be creative with...

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21 Mar

The Kitchen Backsplash

Shine It On With Metallics

After all the designing is done, and cabinetry, countertops, and appliances selected and ordered, the next piece of the kitchen puzzle to put into place is the backsplash. The backsplash is the wall area between the countertop and start of wall cabinets, and it’s one of the best places to show off your personality and creativity. Conventional wisdom is that the backsplash needs to be super-duper durable because all sorts of food stuff will constantly...

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20 Mar

Recreating Rooms on Pinterest

Any room can seem just a bit more glamorous with the addition of just a little gliz. Adding a touch of shimmer, shine, gleam, and glow to your home has never been easier nor more affordable. Above, a simple wall takes on a glamorous new look with a coat of metallic paint in a rich golden hue. Adding in other metallic touches like the candlesticks and the silver mint julip cup just serves to gild the lily. Even...

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19 Mar

Arugula Pesto & Prosciutto Pasta

You asked, and we heard you! Since we launched My Way Home, several people have said to me, “Where are the products that go with the pictures? I’d buy everything in that room!” I’ll begin answering that question with my fun little experiment on Pinterest. You may know I spent many years as an editor at Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Photos from several of my stories are now living on BHG.com. I pulled some...

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16 Mar

One look outside my window, and my eyes are greeted by a sea of rolling green. The hills are vibrant with fresh, lush grass, and in the coming weeks, the wildflowers will begin to carpet them in shades of lilac and yellow. Spring is particularly lovely in the Bay Area, and in my twelve years here, I have yet to tire of it. I wish the rich spring green could stay all year round, but come summer,...

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15 Mar

Louis, Louis

Many of you may be familiar with Louis XV style furnishings; they have always been and continue to be popular, and they look great with many other styles to create an eclectic feel. Sometimes referred to as Rococo style these pieces are distinguished by light materials and gentle but graceful curves with a distinctly grand and French-court feel. Here are some examples that you may recognize: The wonderful thing about injecting a bit of Rococo style into your...

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14 Mar

Pops of Neon

I’ve always loved neon. When I was four, my very favorite romper had a bright neon yellow pattern, which I wore every day. Twenty-five years later, neon is still one of my favorite ways to dress up an outfit. But neon for interiors? I’ve always loved color, but have never experimented with electric hues in our home. Now, my craving for bright shades has spilled into our home décor. Our home is spread with neutral palettes...

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13 Mar

Deliver Me

I don't know about you, but I would be more inclined to throw a party if I didn't have to worry about producing everything from soup to nuts. My solution? Let your favorite Chinese restaurant deliver the food while you focus on the fun part--delivering the mood. That's right! Try a fun gathering where you use delicious take out Chinese food from your favorite restaurant and focus on the presentation details that make a party fun, creative, and memorable. First, I...

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12 Mar

A Mad Men Dinner Party

Whenever I think about throwing a dinner party I always feel as though it might be too much work, I should save it for the holidays, or I am being too old fashioned. Well, actually, none of those are correct. My mom was a 1960's Mad Men housewife. She belonged to a gourmet club where five couples would rotate as hosts, the wives would pull out their best recipes, and each would contribute something to their elegant at-home...

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09 Mar

The Kitchen Pantry

Kitchen pantries come in all shapes and sizes. I dream of one day having a large walk-in pantry, but for now I am making due with a simple cabinet. No matter the size (or lack of it), every kitchen needs a designated pantry space and, because of its high frequency of use, why not make it organized, functional, and pretty? Here are some simple solutions to help you organize your pantry in an orderly,...

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08 Mar

A Green For Every Scheme

Blankets, Baskets, & Babies

If March was a color, it would be green. As winter comes to a close, verdant shades of green--fresh, alive, and natural-- are everywhere this month, signaling rebirth, growth, and a sense of renewal. The tender green shoots peeking out of the ground reminds us that sun-soaked days are not far away. Green is the pervasive color in the natural world. It is an ideal foil in interior design because we are so used to seeing...

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07 Mar

When I was huge and pregnant with Will, it never occured to me to hire a photographer before he was born so that I could have beautiful photos of him as a curled up newborn. I guess I was thinking about the fact that I had turned into one giant cankle. I was also thinking about my shoes...and how three quarters of my foot was actually pouring out the sides of them. Then, as I...

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06 Mar

Is it Kitchen Season?

Design Bloggers Conference

It seems like many of us wake up in mid-winter and say, “Let's start this kitchen renovation that we’ve been dreaming about!” It's one of the busiest times for kitchen design firms, cabinet manufacturers, contractors, and other purveyors of products and services. But, is it the right time for you? Kitchen renovations fall into two basic categories: new construction and remodeling. New construction, a multi-phased, complex project often takes on a life of its own...

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05 Mar

As promised, I have some follow up info about the 2nd annual Design Bloggers Conference that took place in LA last week. This conference is a melding of the minds among bloggers who write about home design and interior designers who blog. My Way Home was well-represented by myself, Katie Rosenfeld, Cindy Bogart, Kate Smith, and Susan Serra. I had been on photo shoots with Katie and Cindy in the past but had never met...

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02 Mar

Black Bean Soup

I’ve always been mesmerized by beans. No, not the can-opener-required-goopy-cylinder-shaped mass that plops out of a can. I’m talking about raw, smooth in the hand, jewel-like beans. They are, simply put, lovely. Sadly, I find myself opting for the canned variety more often than not. Convenience, you know. I will concede, however, that there are excellent quality canned beans out there, and it is definitely a time-saver. It’s just not as romantic as dried beans. And now...

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01 Mar

Benches in the Bedroom

One thing I almost always add to my bedroom design schemes is a bench at the end of a bed. Why? Because it softens the lines of the largest piece in the room. A bench somehow breaks up the transition between the rest of the empty space and the bed, and provides a pleasing silhouette when looking at the bed from any angle. Plus, a bench is really practical. You can sit on it while putting...

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29 Feb

Office Space

Decorating a Child’s Bedroom

My fiancé and I are two entrepreneurial spirits dwelling in an office-less home. Our neighbors must scratch their heads as he paces along the white picket fence on a conference call while I video-conference from our dining table. Some days, the guest room serves as his office while I spread my files across the glassed-in patio. Although my favorite days are those that I field emails from our cozy bed, it’s time for an...

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28 Feb

There’s nothing more precious than a young child’s imagination. To nurture young minds, their rooms should reflect a sense of playfulness and optimism. As a mother, I also believe in creating spaces that both children and parents can enjoy. Ideally it should satisfy an adult aesthetic. Like any design project, the process of designing a child’s room can get a bit overwhelming. Having a plan will save you time and money. Here are some design tips...

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27 Feb

Container Gardening

Design Blogger Conference 2012

Here are a few tips I'm offering on different containers to choose for your plants, how to make them your own, and how to choose the right plant for your container. I hope you find these useful in your container gardening!

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24 Feb

We’re finally off to L.A. for the 2nd Annual 2012 Design Bloggers Conference! We couldn’t be more excited to spend two days with such a talented group of interior designers, home bloggers, and industry professionals. Can't make the event? Follow our live tweets: @Wayfair We'll be tweeting throughout the conference using #DBC2012 and #DBCgrove We promise to tweet and share inspiration and tips along the way. Our Monday night cocktail party is sure to impress, so all you attendees,...

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23 Feb

Pork Tenderloin Roast

A Soft Place to Rest Your Head

Every woman knows she needs a little black dress. You know, that closet staple you can reach to, time and again. It can be dressed up and it can be dressed down—whether you rock it with boots and a bright scarf or a pair of heels and dainty pearls, that trusty little black dress is ready for any occasion. So, here’s a little secret. I believe every cook should have a little black dress in...

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22 Feb

Lately I have had many clients ask me if upholstered headboards or beds are trendy. The answer to this is an emphatic, "No!" Classic, timeless, and simple, they are an affordable and still luxurious solution for any bedroom environment. My grandmothers both had them, so what does that say? Transitional in design, headbaords look great in many different design genres or styles—so, how do you know what kind of headboard is right for you? Tufted, square, curvy, ethnic, or...

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21 Feb

Blooms For Rooms

Flowers for entertaining should be easy and fuss free. Grab a bouquet or blooming plant of hydrangeas from the grocery store and create a special arrangement for any occasion. When I think about adding floral interest to my house I first think about what I might use for containers. In most cases we all have wonderful and engaging objects all over the house that can be recycled into an eye-catching display for just the right...

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20 Feb

The Breakfast Room

Who doesn't love to play with and dream about all the beautiful finishes that are needed to create a cohesive kitchen design? Part of the creative process when planning a kitchen renovation is to continually envision the finished kitchen, which keeps you on track design-wise. So many products, materials, and finishes need to be coordinated in your kitchen design. When it comes to working with wood finishes, you need a clear roadmap to help guide...

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18 Feb

A Good Rug

There are some very important things I have learned from having a kid. First important thing is that toy cars are not as fun when driven on your face. Secondly - a rug can make or break your life. I'm not even kidding. This is earth shattering stuff. And I can hear the mom's & dad's out there agreeing wholeheartedly complete with clapping. Let me start at the beginning. Our old house had carpeting - wonderful soft-on-bare-knees carpeting....

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16 Feb

Style Your Room Romantic

Sometimes a girl just needs to be a girl. But how do you give a room that feel without making it look like it was designed for your 10-year-old niece or your 90-year-old grandmother? You can have a room that is right for your style but still says “all girl” by using delicate colors, materials, finishes, and patterns. Here are a few tips for creating that romantic room you want—without the fuss: Color is a key...

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15 Feb

Meet: Kristine Kennedy

“You must miss your closet,” my husband astutely said to me this morning as I was getting ready for work. In our last house, I had a great closet. Though our 1903 plain Victorian in New York lacked for closets overall, one bedroom had a sweet and smallish walk-in with a window and extra space under the attic stairs. It was my pretty retreat. My best friend helped me wallpaper in an exuberant orange-and-metallic gold floral....

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14 Feb

Meet: Katie Bower

Hi y'all. My name is Katie Bower and I am pretty much peeing my pants with excitement about meeting you, My Way Home readers. My Way Home is not only a great source of inspiration - but to me, it's a great way of connecting with people, changing your space for the better, treasure-hunting, and general good, clean FUN. That is something you should know about me...I dig having fun! I'm a big believer that life...

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13 Feb

Meet: Cristin Priest

Hi, I’m Cristin Priest and I am thrilled to be a new contributor on Wayfair’s new, My Way Home blog! Today I wanted to share a little about me and Simplified Bee®. I’ve always loved decorating, and keeping things orderly comes natural to me. Growing up I spent hours designing rooms for my dollhouse and drawing floor plans of dream homes. As a young adult, I put my organizational skills to work planning corporate events...

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10 Feb

Meet: Justin Cave

I am so excited to share my love for the outdoors with you all and be a part of the new Wayfair blog! I look forward to answering all your questions and giving you the tips and tricks to try new projects in and around your home. I've recently started to do more producing, writing and blogging so I'd like to try something a little different than the other Wayfair Homemakers. I'll be video...

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09 Feb

Meet: Liren Baker

Taste. Inspiration. To me, the two go hand in hand. And are meant to be shared. As a freelance writer and photographer, I share my memorable tastes and inspiration through my food blog, Kitchen Confidante. What started as a way to preserve my heritage and family history has evolved into what I consider the ultimate archive—precious family recipes and photography that can be passed from generation to generation. Along the way, sharing my stories and...

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08 Feb

Meet: Kate Smith

One of the things I love about choosing colors is that you have millions to choose from. It is one of the same things I love about shopping at Wayfair and why I was so happy to be invited to be a Wayfair Homemaker. They literally have zillions of items to choose from in every color. Making color choices and design decisions is something I do every day. As the President and Chief Color Maven...

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07 Feb

Meet: Matthew Mead

Sometimes it is hard to introduce myself by saying exactly what it is that I do. I am a self-professed lifestyle guru, producer, stylist, and photographer who conceptualizes and designs ideas for magazines and advertising. I have a small team of helpers, and together we produce and execute every part of a photo shoot. I focus primarily in the areas of food, flowers, decorating, collecting, and entertaining. My work is very seasonal oriented. We help our...

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06 Feb

Meet: Cynthia Bogart

My 20-year-old daughter looked at me square in the face when I started my website, 2 years ago and said, “Mom, you are going to fail at this.” I said, “Gee honey, thanks, but why?” “M..o...m,” she said, condescendingly I might add. “Women over 35 can barely read their email. How do you think they are going to figure out how to find your website? The internet is for young people.” On that note, I started my...

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03 Feb

Meet: Katie Rosenfeld

For those of you whom I’ve never met, nice to meet you; I’m Katie. I am a Boston-based interior designer and also the author of the daily blog, Bogle Street. When I was approached by Wayfair to contribute to their innovative new blog initiative, I was flattered and even a bit confused.What on earth did little old me have to say to readers who peruse this enormous, product-full website each day? How could I enrich your experience on their...

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02 Feb

Meet: Erika Johnson

Hello! My name is Erika Johnson and I write a lifestyle blog called Radiant Republic. I’ve lived in cities all over the country (including Dallas, Seattle and Nashville), but have settled right back where I was born—Boston. Actually, I live in an historic captain’s house in a charming New England town on the city’s outskirt. Since closing the door to my beloved city apartment just more than one year ago, I’ve fallen head over heels...

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01 Feb

Meet: Susan Serra

Rooms That Make You Smile

Hello to all you kitchen lovers! Are you like me—do you love being in your kitchen? Do you dream of design, products, tools, and methods that can make your kitchen more beautiful and functional? The kitchen is the core, the nerve center of our homes. It's where we experience all five senses. It's, simply, a soulful place, even if it is no one's "dream kitchen" but yours. It is my pleasure to share my thoughts...

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23 Jan

Did the illustrations of Dr. Seuss always draw your attention? Maybe you love to watch Lady Gaga’s imaginative style? You don’t need to limit your free-flowing creativity to decorating a kid’s space. Bring the whimsy of childhood to your own life with a decorating plan that embraces color. Bright colors used in multi-color combinations are the calling card of a joyful space. Start by selecting two to four hues that are of similar intensity. Choose...

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18 Jan

My Little Cupcake

Throw Pillows Pack a Punch

Our little Will didn't stand a chance. I mean, with two parents that have serious sweet tooths, our offspring was sure to have a thing for all things sugar. Did you know that my darling boyfriend (I just like to call him that) Jeremy actually sneaks icing out of the pantry? Yeah. He eats spoonful-by-buttercream-spoonful every hour until the entire thing is gone. Then he carefully wraps the foil back over the edge and pops...

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17 Jan

Old-Fashioned Winter Nights

One of my blog readers asked me to do this post, and I am much obliged! It is actually a greatly underrated topic: Decorating with Pillows. One sure way to totally transform a boring or muted room is by employing creative use of textiles—pillows and throws on sofas and chairs. A lot of them! The more the merrier, the bolder the better, and mix big and small patterns and textures. As far as color, that’s your call. Mix...

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16 Jan

It’s winter here in coastal Rhode Island where the days are shorter, the cold weather biting, and the winter doldrums are creeping in. We find ourselves staying home at night, and when our three college kids are home on weekends we try and find something appealing enough for them to stay in with us. Sure, we love our take-out/veg-out nights in front the TV, but it is way more fun to plan a cozy...

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15 Jan

Mirror, Mirror

What’s Trending in Kitchens?

In an effort to make our home feel like ours, I turn to design for inspiration. In this house, the process of rearranging walls is a constant work in progress. When new art is acquired, older pieces spill onto hallway and guest room walls. As our home evolves, the one design element that remains consistent is our mirror collection. If walls are a blank canvas, then mirrors are my favorite medium. Over the years, my...

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14 Jan

The words “kitchen trends” are a sort of oxymoron. Unlike decorative pillows or shoes, we do not change out our kitchen design elements once a season or even annually! Kitchen trends often translate more toward behavioral trends from one year to the next, as we subtly change the way we work and socialize in the kitchen. The one exception is technological advances in our kitchen products which never cease to amaze and delight. So,...

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13 Jan

A Superbowl of Guacamole

I have a confession. I don’t like football. Every January, when the country is electrified over prepping for game parties and the much anticipated Super Bowl, my television is the only one on the block not tuned to the big game. There was a time when I would watch the Super Bowl, but honestly, you really can’t call peeking in every 15 minutes to watch the commercials “watching.” Does anyone else feel this way? I...

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12 Jan

High-Spirit Hues

Furniture For The Kitchen

Spirited. Spunky. Inspiring. Maybe someone has used these words to describe you. Perhaps you just secretly wish someone would. The fact is, when it comes to interior design, traditional color schemes might not create the vibe you want from your décor. You need color with energy and adventure. While you can inject energy into any room of the house, an adventurous scheme is ideal for rooms where you want a “wow” response. This spirited mood...

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11 Jan

Declutter for a Fresh Start

We don’t often think of needing furniture in the kitchen except for our dining table, but there truly is a whole world of possibilities in which a furniture piece can transform the kitchen. It’s been a secret mission of mine over the years, when I attend interior design shows, to seek out furniture that is actually not meant to be used in the kitchen—but which certainly can be, adding an exciting dose of creativity and...

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10 Jan

We all have sentimental items that we cherish and want to store away, but when is it too much? And when is it clutter? Clutter is basically anything that takes up space and isn’t improving or making your life better. If you have clothing in your closet that you haven’t worn in years, piles of mail on the counter, toys in every corner or trouble finding important documents, it is time for you to think...

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10 Jan

Composting: 101

Irresistible Apple Blossoms

Watch my video post for some tips on composting at home!

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09 Jan

Easy as pie. That’s how the saying goes. Pie may be easy to eat - oh so very easy - but they can certainly be more than challenging to make. Chances are, you remember quite clearly the very first pie you baked. Perhaps it came easy to you, maybe you are one of the lucky ones who were born with deft crimping skills racing through your blood. Or maybe you are more like me, requiring more...

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09 Jan

Simple Winter Sundays

I like to have parties... but not necessarily at typical times. The holiday and new year are filled with so many planned gatherings by others that I try to keep myself clear of the craziness. The weeks following the arrival of January 1 are often filled with such a let down. The practice of removing the traces of holiday and settling into some cold, stormy days can be less than exciting. Sunday afternoons offer the perfect...

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08 Jan

Soaring to New Heights

From ski trips out west to an upcoming European excursion, the new year brings a calendar filled with travel. I welcome it all with open arms and hope to cross more faraway destinations off this year’s bucket list. I have mastered the art of sleeping at mile-high altitudes and have perfected my list of go-to travel necessities. When away from home for an extended period, I travel with a few items in tow that make...

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04 Jan

Sitting Pretty

Achieving Your Resolutions

True story: the first time I ever heard of Wayfair (then CSN) I Googled Herman Miller desk chair and many sites came up. I researched, and the best price, best options, and best shipping was offered by a site I had never heard of at the time (4 yrs ago) called CSN. I clicked "purchase," and the rest is history. I thought it would be apt for me to start blogging for Wayfair at the...

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02 Jan