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From Drab to Fab: 19 Examples of the Wood Accent Wall Phenomenon

This is not about the now cheesy wood-paneled walls circa 1970s.  There’s a whole new approach to wood accent walls in homes, especially living rooms and bedrooms.  I’m talking about some very cool, modern designs using wood. But that’s not all; wood accent walls are also going vintage with the farmhouse look. In some cases, …

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From Hula Hoop to Stunning Free-Standing Floral Wreath for Only a Few Dollars

There are plenty of creative and unusual “hacks” out there, but this particular video posted by YouTube creator Bargain Bethany is a must-see. In fact, it already has over 2.2 million views! If you’re planning a wedding, or a big party, or if you just want to add a gorgeous spring centerpiece to your dining …

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This is Why the “Rule of 3” is So Important to Interior Decor

Popular YouTuber and interior designer Nick Lewis definitely has an eye for good design, and this short video explains one of the basic rules of home design that everyone can use. The trick is called “the rule of 3,” and it’s often used in designing homes to create layers and better visual balance. Nick explains …

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Homeowner Creates Beautiful Pebble Wall Fast and Cheap with Self-Adhesive Tile Product

The feature wall is something that will likely never go out of style, but it will certainly evolve and change as time goes on. Remember when just painting one wall a different color was considered bold and stylish? And now, while shiplap used to be the favorite choice during the farmhouse phase, it looks like …

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DIY’r Creates a Beautiful Wood Cabinet Table from Distressed Vintage Library Card Catalog

Library card catalogs are a thing of the past, but they’re actually making a comeback when it comes to eclectic home décor. One YouTube creator, Refresh Living, found an old card catalog in a garage at an estate sale. Instead of passing it by, she decided to give it a brand-new life. The transformation is …

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5 Top Home Decor Trends for 2023 (Dozens of Examples)

TikTok account laylagraceofficial created a quick-shot video filled with what they expect to be some of the most popular home design and décor trends for 2023. And while the video is really fast-paced, it’s also chock-full of some gorgeous, visually appealing designs. You can check out all of the trends for yourself by watching the …

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DIY’r Creates a $198 Vase Look-a-Like with a $9 Spray Bottle and Some Paint

You’ve probably seen the trend of weirdly shaped vases and candleholders sweeping the Internet these days. This arguably millennial style is definitely interesting, but most of the products available for purchase are pretty expensive. And most millennials probably don’t have a few hundred dollars to spend on a simple vase. Well, you’re in luck, because …

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Woman Creates a Stunning “Plant Gallery” Wall that Brings Her Room to Life

We’ve all been there before: dealing with the hair-pulling frustration of trying to create the perfect gallery wall. Fortunately, now thanks to this creative TikTok video, an easy solution is here. This clever DIYer posted a video showing you exactly how to design a gorgeous plant gallery wall, but you can also use this technique …

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Before and After Room: It’s Amazing What Bookshelves and a New Chair Can Do To a Room

You know when you watch someone create something and the idea is seemingly so simple, so you say to yourself, “why didn’t I think of that?” Well, this is exactly how I feel about so many of these DIY TikTok videos. I’ve always been a DIY’er myself, and I used to repurpose vintage furniture, and …

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Hottest Trends in Kitchen Design for 2023 (By an Interior Designer)

This is a joint article with contributions by both Keely Smith and Michelle Fair for a multiple projections and ideas. Another year, another set of kitchen design trends. Trends don’t pop up overnight; they percolate or materialize over time.  The key to spotting trends, whether kitchen design, bathroom design and even fashion is being able …

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Does Bare Plywood Work for Interior Walls, Ever?

Is plywood the new shiplap? Maybe it should be. Can you install plywood in place of drywall for the interior walls? Yes, but there might be more cons than pros. Maybe that is the reason that I rarely witness contractors installing plywood in place of drywall during my site visits. While plywood gets a bad rap …

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How to Make Paint Dry Faster

Life moves fast, and, sometimes, you just don’t have time to sit around waiting for paint to dry! Although I definitely recommend planning your painting projects ahead of schedule, and always allowing plenty of drying and curing time, I understand that sometimes it’s not possible, and you need to speed up the paint drying process …

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Why Wallpaper is Making a Big Comeback

It’s official, the wallpaper is back in style and no one seems mad about it. Homeowners are starting to get more daring with interior design these days, and wallpaper seems to be playing a big role in their design decisions. It can be a relatively cost-effective way to bring a lot of style and flair into …

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I Was So Proud of Our Wall-Mounted TV Until I Saw These Next-Level TV Mounting Systems

When we moved into our new house in May 2022 we bought a TV wall mounting kit and got to work. I had a buddy help out. Within an hour we had our 65″ TV mounted, in what I thought to be a perfect place and method. Wow, was I ever wrong. I dropped the …

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The 10 Best Curtain Brands (Experts Weigh In)

Introducing the Very Best Curtain Brands  There is something very special about drapery. Many people may think that curtains serve mainly to provide privacy and to allow you to control the amount of sunlight that enters a room, but they can be so much more than that. Curtains add texture to a space, they add …

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The 10 Best Blinds Brands (According to the Experts)

Introducing the Very Best Blinds Brands  There really is so much that goes into the creation of an ergonomic, well functioning, yet still beautiful house. You may think it’s just a comfy bed, a quiet fridge, and nice wood floors, but it goes so far beyond that once you really start to pay attention. I …

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How Much Weight Can Floating Shelves Hold?

Related: How Much Weight Can Glass Shelves Hold? | How High to Hang Floating Shelves | Do Floating Shelves Need Studs | How Far Apart Should Floating Shelves Be? Brief Answer: Floating brackets with a diameter of 12 mm can hold a shelf that is at least 22 mm thick and loaded with 20 kg, while …

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25 Over-the-Top Christmas Light Displays from Across America

Our previous and current house We’ll kick off our over-the-top Christmas light displays featuring our previous house and current house. Yeah, we go a bit nuts but it’s fun. Courtesy of Florida’s Historic Coast 25 more over-the-top Christmas displays from across America As soon as the final slice of Thanksgiving turkey is carved, it seems …

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How Much Weight Can Glass Shelves Hold?

The amount of weight a glass shelf can hold depends on the type of glass used. Typical glass breaks at around 6,000 psi (lbs per square inch), tempered glass may sustain up to 24,000 pounds of pressure before shattering.  So, if you find yourself hesitant, don’t be, because a lot goes into ensuring that glass …

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How to Make a Traditional Christmas Wreath (DIY) in 7 Steps

A beautiful wreath on your front door is a great idea for the festive season. The shops are filled with beautiful decorations, and just about every door has a Christmas wreath hanging to show that the holiday season is here. This year you will be different, and instead of buying a Christmas wreath, you will …

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Can You Paint Cabinet Hinges? If So, How?

Do you have cabinets with hinges that look worn or rusted? Perhaps you simply want a more aesthetic look when you open the cabinets, or you want to prevent rust from developing on the hinges. Painting the hinges on cabinet doors is one way to update your kitchen or other rooms that have cabinets.  Some …

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How to Hang Pictures on Plaster Walls (2 Methods)

Hanging pictures and other heavy objects on a plaster wall can lead to nails and bolts being pulled out of the wall or whole chunks of the plaster being pulled off the wall. These are difficult and costly to repair. Heavy objects can be hung on a plaster wall with the right tools and methods. …

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How Long Does It Take Spray Paint To Dry?

Depending on the type of service and spray paint, it could begin drying within five minutes. However, the full drying process takes about an hour to three hours. Not so long ago, spray painting was only associated with graffiti. Now, we use spray paint for everything from our vehicles to appliances, furniture, and more. However, …

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How High to Hang Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are a beautiful addition to any room and look amazing when you’re trying to go for a minimalist appearance. Floating shelves give you lots of storage and decorative space without being too clunky. Although floating shelves are awesome, it can be tricky to determine exactly how high to hang these shelves. I have …

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How Far Apart Should Shelves Be?

There are two types of shelving – floating and supported on brackets. Spacing between the shelves depends on what you’re putting on them. Most people place their shelves 12 inches apart unless they’re putting tall books or other tall things on the shelves. In that case, people go to 15 or 18 inches apart. Several …

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Interior Design

What is interior design? Interior design is “the art or process of designing the interior decoration of a room or building“. An interior designer is someone who coordinates and manages such projects. Interior design is a multifaceted profession that includes conceptual development, communicating with the stakeholders of a project and the management and execution of …

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How Do Floating Shelves Work?

Shelving is more than merely functional when you add floating shelves to your décor. Adding shelving to any room in your home will give you extra space and fill the bare walls. Floating shelves, however, can add a touch of elegance or a rustic flair to your interior decorations. Related: Kitchens With Floating Shelves | …

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AI Interior Design Software – Watch Me Design a Room in 10 Seconds

When I learned about Interior AI software, I had to give it a shot.  I toyed with the free version. Quickly upgraded to Pro.  Watch it in action: What is this AI Interior Design Software? You upload a photo of a room. It can be empty or have furniture. Choose your design style. Wait a …

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Do Brick Wall Hooks Actually Work? If So, Which Ones Are the Best?

We recently moved into a house with a brick exterior. The brick looks great. We love it. The problem we encountered recently when putting up Halloween decorations was hanging stuff on the exterior brick wall.  We didn’t want to put screws into the brick.  Decorations aren’t worth that despite what our sons might think. What …

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Can You Mount a TV Above an Electric Fireplace?

There is no better time to plan for winter than ahead of time. With rising costs during extreme temperature seasons, it’s also a good opportunity to consider cost-efficient ways to heat your home. Electric heaters are a good way to do just that. Imagine not having to run the HVAC all day. What a game-changer!  As …

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How Many Pillows Should You Put On a Couch?

When I walk into the living room, I see a couch buried somewhere below a pile of pillows, stuffed animals, blankets, and other squishables. My partner has a deep and abiding love for comfort, and I have accepted that I will stare into the eyes of Squishmallows everywhere that I go. The sea of softness …

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What is Mingei? Who invented it?

Mingei, a traditional Japanese folk art, is rooted in an appreciation of the handcrafted utilitarian object, and a recognition of its innate beauty. In part a reaction to Japan’s rapid modernization at the turn of the century, Mingei is a practice and a philosophy that instills value in the everyday.    The word mingei, meaning …

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Are Wood Shutters Good for Insulation?

Yes, they are very good insulation. My great-grandparents lived in the extreme southeastern portion of Alabama. It was steamy and humid, making naps a torturous thing. However, when Ma shut the wooden shutters, it suddenly got cool in her bedroom. Naps then became, well, not a treat to a small child, but a bit easier …

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How Do You Measure Curtains?

Why Measure Curtains? Many people don’t realize the importance of measuring curtains. There are a few good reasons to measure your curtains before you buy them. Here they are:  1. To get the right fit. Measuring ensures that you get the perfect fit. Curtains come in a variety of widths and lengths, so it’s essential …

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Are Curtains Out of Style?

If you are embarking on an interior decorating adventure, you have probably pondered this question already and talked with others about their opinions. So, are curtains outdated? Well, it really just depends. Your grandma’s French countryside printed draperies complete with golden tassels, yes, are probably outdated. But, curtains encompass such a vast array of different …

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14 Different Types of Paint Finishes for Interior and Exterior Surfaces

Quicklist: Interior/Exterior Paint Oil-based Water-based Latex-based Primer Flat Matte Eggshell Satin Semi-Gloss Gloss Spray Enamel Chalkboard Specialty Kits While cave dwellers used crude paint to decorate the ancient rock walls about 30,000 years ago, paint only entered the American market during the Industrial Revolution. It’s now a multi-billion dollar industry with over 1.57 billion gallons …

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Who was Elsie de Wolfe and what impact did she have on interior design?

Known and revered as America’s first decorator, Elsie de Wolfe’s impact on interior design has been enormous. Even after her death, her legacy continues, as the casual feminine and airy style she introduced remains relevant today. Join me in discovering her story, her legacy, and some of her most important designs.  Also known as Lady …

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