From Emily: We know that the news cycle is very much all-consuming right now. We hope this makeover post of Mal’s parents’ living room can be a break if you need one. It’s wild times, it’s important to stay informed, and we are glad to still be here.

My parents have hated their living room since they moved into their empty-nester house 9 years ago. They live in a builder-grade townhome that’s in an amazing location – it’s close to the beach, 5 minutes away from my amazing grandma (who’s 94!), and it’s crazy convenient to everything and anything you’d need. If you read my recent bathroom makeover post, then you heard about how many times we’ve moved as a family throughout the years (spoiler: it’s A LOT). My mom and dad have always been super adaptable, and honestly, I think they really enjoy moving around to shake things up. So they definitely didn’t think they would be in this house for as long as they have been, and they’re not moving anytime soon (especially because I’m going to be moving in really close to them…like REALLY close…my boyfriend, Austin, who I’m moving in with, owns the house 9 doors down). So luckily in the 9 years that they’ve hated their living room, I’ve become an interior decorator and content creator, which calls for…A ROOM MAKEOVER!

Let me brag about my parents for a sec so you can get a sense of who they are and how I’m going to tailor this room to feel like them. First off, my parents are the most incredible people ever. My mom, Melissa, is smart, fun, and beautiful (which is pretty unfair to have all 3). She used to be Snow White and Mary Poppins at Disneyland before becoming the ambassador of Disneyland during their 30th anniversary. Which basically entailed traveling around the world with Mickey Mouse (literally…there are photos of her and Mickey on the Great Wall of China). Then she worked for corporate Disney in special events…BUT WAIT, she’s also an incredibly talented pianist, so she now teaches music and vocals to children at Disneyland and at my high school, Orange County School of the Arts.

My dad, Bob, is (you guessed it) equally as awesome. He comes from an insanely musical family (all of his brothers are professional drummers), and he is the most incredible bass player ever (nope, I’m not even biased). He’s also a music producer and owns his own company called Audio by the Bay. They produce music for shows and parades at theme parks like Universal Studios and Disney all over the world (he also just produced the music for Paramount’s Christmas tree lighting, and it was epic). He loves cars, boats, jet skis, etc. (my parents have a house by Lake Mead because they both love to waterski, and we grew up wakeboarding). So when we were doing a shoot-up at Em’s Mountain House, Emily told us we could take their boat out, but we needed a driver (so we could celebrate after a long week responsibly, haha). I called up my parents, and they generously boated us around to the nearest country bar where we all danced our hearts out and had such a blast.

So I got none of my parents’ musical genes (but boy did they try when I was growing up with the piano, voice, and bass lessons), but there’s one thing I can do: design a bangin’ room and fast. So when AllModern reached out toward the end of December for us to do a quick January living room makeover, I knew just the space that needed some love. Ladies and gents, let me present to you the “50 Shades of Gray Living Room” (literally)…

WELCOME TO THE 50 SHADES OF GRAY LIVING ROOM

So here’s the situation. 9 years ago, when they moved in, gray was IN. So everything in here was gray. The hard finishes in the house are all gray – gray vinyl flooring, gray cabinetry, gray tile – literally everything. So to “match the house,” my parents added in even more gray – gray accent walls, a gray couch, and a gray chair (which is a super common mistake). Hence why we all called it the “50 Shades of Gray Living Room”. Oh, and there also used to be a gray rug in there at one point, but our family dogs (Coco and Murphy) kinda trashed it. So in these photos, you’re seeing the first time they brought in some color to the space, only to realize the rug was way too dark and showed SO much dog hair.

The thing is, my parents always say “they suck at design” (their words, not mine), but really, they just do what a lot of people do: they never create an overall design plan for the space and instead they would just buy and replace one item at a time with no style, color palette, or goal in mind. So, for example, if their rug was starting to look dirty and old from the dogs, they would just go out shopping and would pick up the first thing that was fine, fast, and affordable, and replace it (that’s how they ended up with this rug they ended up hating). Then for some larger purchases they would get design paralysis and would just live with what was already there because they didn’t know what would look better (see the coffee table that used to have storage under it but the dogs ate the fabric so they just tossed the storage pieces and said “it looks fine enough and we don’t know what to get instead”). Well, that’s how they ended up hating their living room – every piece was just fine to them. They had no real attachment to anything in there. None of the furniture in the room made their hearts sing, and the gray color palette quickly became cold and depressing.

So here’s where I stepped in. I perused the AllModern website looking for timeless, high-quality pieces that would warm up the space and that would last a long, long time (even with two pups). I also wanted to bring in more storage because their house really doesn’t have a ton. AND BOY DID I FIND WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR!

THE DESIGN PLAN

Desk | Desk Chair | Accent Chair | Drink Table | Floor Lamp | Grid Rug | Sofa | White and Brown Pillow | Light Brown Rug | Coffee Table | Credenzas | Round Pillow | Black and White Pillow | Charcoal Pillow | Cream Pillow | Side Table | Red Lamp

So here’s what I pulled together for the design plan. Last year, my parents had purchased a new sofa, and I installed some simple, cream pinch pleat curtains as a surprise gift for them when they were out of town one weekend. Those two elements really helped the space, but it still didn’t feel cohesive or warm. So I wanted to bring in lots of rich, warm wood tones, both in walnut and oak, to bring out some of the brown hues that are within the gray vinyl flooring. I mixed in some gray-toned elements like the desk chair (that’s actually a dining chair on casters, which glides SO perfectly, and is so comfy), the sofa, and a few of the pillows to make the space feel cohesive with the rest of the house.

I placed this order right before we closed our office for our 2-week holiday break, and then it was (literally) Christmas morning with furniture arriving left and right. My parents were SO STOKED.

When we were back in the office in January, I started to really pull everything together, and I did a few fun DIYs to really make the space feel custom and personal for my parents. Then the week after that, it was finished, and we shot the room!! It was hands-down my fastest makeover to date, but it’s easily one of my favorites now. Here’s how it turned out!

THE REVEAL

Accent Chair | Drink Table | Floor Lamp | Grid Rug | Sofa | Coffee Table | Credenzas | Charcoal Pillow | Red Lamp | Bowl | White and Brown Pillow | White Throw Pillow | Red Lamp

HERE IT IS! I’m smiling so big just looking at this photo again. First – let’s chat about the incredible credenzas (yes, plural!!) I put two of these incredible walnut sideboards next to each other, and they did SO much to elevate the space. First off, the quality is actually unreal (it’s solid wood and those babies are THIIICK). We were so grateful they came with white-glove delivery because they’re heavy and substantial. A tip if you’re putting two credenzas side-by-side: go with something without legs because it will make them fit together more seamlessly – the design of this credenza is perfect for this because you can hardly tell where one starts and the other stops, so it really looks custom! My parents were also blown away by how much storage they gained by spanning the cabinetry wall-to-wall.

I found the big art piece on the right from a vintage boating supply store (so random) for $100, and the couple in it looks identical to my Grandma and Grandpa on my mom’s side. My grandpa wore a captain’s hat everywhere he went and made everyone call him “Captain Vern” (even though he would get seasick and would rarely go on boats). So this piece is super special. We painted the random gray accent wall (that used to be to the right of the chair) and just made the whole room the same white paint color, but then once we got everything in, I knew we needed to add more visual interest and height to the room. All of the furniture is on the lower side (and most of it doesn’t have legs because our sweet pup Murphy is blind and deaf, and he just bumps around and gets trapped under furniture). So we kept everything low to the ground and as little of a Murph-trap as possible. He’s gonna make his blog debut below, don’t worry. So all this is to say, there just wasn’t enough drawing your eye upward. So, literally the weekend before we shot this space, I decided we absolutely needed to try out a DIY shelf idea that randomly popped into my head. I absolutely love Austin and my parents because they were immediately down to head to not 1, but 2 different Home Depots to collect the supplies and help install these shelves 3 days before the shoot.

So this is what it looked like before the shelving…

PROGRESS

Needs some more pizzazz, am I right?? I found the perfect-sized floating shelves (we couldn’t order online because they wouldn’t arrive in time), so they were (of course) gray…which was the exact color we were trying to minimize, haha. So we decided to paint them the same white as the wall (which honestly ended up looking much better than if we had just bought sterile, white shelves online…this looked much more custom). Make sure that if you’re painting laminate to use a shellac primer before! It makes a huge difference in durability.

My dad and I installed the shelves as evenly as we could without a laser level (we immediately bought a laser level after this, though, because it would’ve been helpful). And then I bought4 basic, unfinished wood closet rods (that had free delivery, which was awesome) that my mom stained with natural oak stain. Then Austin cut each piece to size with his jigsaw, and we really had an assembly line going…it was crazy. Because many hands make light work (as Em says), we were able to get this done in 2 days (and it only took that long because we had to let the paint dry…it probably was a total of 6 hours of work between two days).

Accent Chair | Drink Table | Floor Lamp | Grid Rug | Sofa | Coffee Table | Credenzas | Black Footed Bowl | Black Vase | Fluted Bowl | Floor Lamp | Charcoal Pillow | Large White Bowl | Large White Vase | Large Black Vase | Ribbon Candelabra | Leather Catchall | Red Lamp

Then came the fun part – styling!! I think my parents were pretty surprised by how long it takes to style a space and how much you end up just moving things around over and over again. They said, “It’s so crazy because as musicians we have auditory patience and can listen to a song or practice an instrument over and over again until it’s right, but we have no visual patience.” That made me laugh because that’s exactly the skill you need to style – visual patience!!

Large Cream Bowl | Black Vase | Fluted Bowl | Terracotta Vase | Floor Lamp | Charcoal Pillow | White and Brown Striped Pillow | White Throw Pillow | Large White Vase | Large Black Vase | Red Lamp

I incorporated as many of my parents’ objects as I could – the trumpet was originally my Grandpa’s (he was a band director for 60 years!), and then my dad played this same trumpet in high school. The image above the trumpet was a gift from a famous photographer who shot Woodstock – my mom helped him sell his house (oh yeah, she’s also a real estate agent…this woman does it all). On the left is the vintage metronome my sister and I used when we practiced piano as kids, and the photo under that is my mom’s certificate from the Great Wall of China. The giant bowl on the bottom right is one of my favorite AllModern finds, and I juxtaposed it with tiny vintage composer busts that I found at the Sherman Oaks Antique Mall.

There are the pups! Murphy (our blind and deaf rescue) is on the left, and Coco (our boujee King Charles Cavalier) is on the right. These dogs crack me up because they’re very different vibes, but they love each other so much. I love this photo – we’re just missing my amazing older sister, Madi (who works at the Disney Studios in Burbank and understandably couldn’t drive an hour on a random Thursday morning to hop in one photo…but she is here in spirit!) She’s the best person ever, and in case you couldn’t tell, I just love my fam so much.

Storage Coffee Table | Rug | Sofa | Floor Lamp

Remember how we wanted to add more storage?? Well, this incredible coffee table has a GIANT DRAWER!! Perfect for storing bulky, fuzzy blankets. Plus, the quality of this table is really off the charts; it’s just so well made.

Chrome Bowl | Hi-Fi Book | AD Book | Storage Coffee Table | Rug

Crazy – you would never know that that’s a drawer!! It’s so seamless. Also, you might’ve noticed in the moodboard earlier that I had planned to layer this awesome light brown rug on top of this grid-patterned rug. That was because I initially thought it would be too much “grid” with this notched coffee table sitting on this rug. But when we laid it down, I actually thought it looked amazing, and it was visually more dynamic, so we just kept the bottom rug! Both rugs are super well priced for the quality and size – I could not recommend them enough.

Floor Lamp | Rug

This grid rug is also super forgiving with the dogs, and my parents are very impressed with how it’s holding up. Also, how cute is this floor lamp?

Desk | Desk Chair | Grid Rug | Sofa | Coffee Table | Round Pillow | Black and White Pillow | Charcoal Pillow | Side Table | Metal Dome Lamp 

OKAY, onto this really fun family photo DIY I created! You may relate to this – my parents have books on books and boxes on boxes of old family photos that just sit in the credenza and never see the light of day. Well, I wanted to bring some of those old photos out and create a large piece of wall art for them. I had seen this photobooth art by Amanda Jane Jones that’s all over Pinterest (it’s so chic and genius) and knew I wanted to create something similar. So I went into the physical photo archive, took pictures of the pictures on my iPhone, and then uploaded them to Photoshop and started arranging them into a loose grid.

This is where the “grid” theme really started popping off, but I’m pretty into it, honestly. (Also side note: check out that blanket that I found at a vintage store in Arizona for $34!! The loose grid motif is everywhere, and I love it.)

 Metal Dome Lamp 

The key is to vary the color in the photos – if they’re all black and white or all sepia, it starts to lose visual interest. So I colorized the photos in photoshop so some were brown, some were black and white (you could also do this to each photo individually on your iPhone; it was just faster in Photoshop). There are over 250 photos in here, so it took me about 2-3 hours to arrange them and get the colors how I wanted them to look. Then I sent it to the framing store and had them print and frame it HUGE. It’s 48×48, which is awesome. It’s full of baby photos of my sister and me, pictures of my parents when they were first dating, photos of all my grandparents from years ago, etc. We’re all very obsessed with it, and it really made the room feel personal.

Desk | Desk Chair

My parents both do a lot of work from home, so desks are valuable in this house. I love that this one has a drawer (for more storage!) and the leg joinery detail is so pretty. It also came in 2 days, which was pretty amazing. I mentioned it before, but this dining chair on casters is actually the greatest desk chair hack. It’s so comfortable, and it glides around SO easily. I highly recommend this chair – it comes in a ton of colors too 🙂 Also side note – that plant was a Christmas gift from my sister and me when my parents moved in…we truly can’t believe my mom has kept it alive all these years!

This might be one of my longest posts ever, so if you made it this far, THANK YOU!! We had the best time doing this “50 Shades of Gray” living room makeover, and I’m just so happy that my parents finally have a living room they truly love and one that will last a long, long time. HUGE thank you to AllModern for sponsoring this makeover – we couldn’t have found a better partner for this project! I’ll chat with you all in the comments – hope you love it as much as we do!

*Design by Mallory Wackerman
**Photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

This is the last installment of our official 2026 trend posts. We’ve covered kitchens, bathrooms, colors, and now…decor. I know this “business as usual” content can feel like whiplash to what is going on in the real world. But if you are in need of something light, just for a moment, I have been pouring over the design side of the internet to find the most fun and best decor trends for 2026. Now, this doesn’t mean what was “on trend” last year or years before is out, but instead, additional fun things to consider and be on the lookout for. Let’s get to it!

Thick (& Sometimes Matted) Frames

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For a minute, the design world has heavily favored thin, delicate frames. Lots of float mounting in there, too! And if I’m honest, a thin frame is still my personal preference in my home. BUT, given that the elevated English cottage style is still going very strong, it only makes sense that a thicker, vintage frames are coming back in a big way.

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I do also think that with wallpaper that’s busier and more colorful, a thick frame helps a piece of art to stand out and not get lost in the overall pattern.

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They are very good at adding instant vintage charm and soul to a room. Had all the frames in this wonderful space been newer and thinner, it still would have been a lovely design, but the feel wouldn’t have had that same visual depth.

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Surprise, surprise, this example is one of my favorites and shows that this trend isn’t just for one style. No wallpaper. No floral patterns. Just clean, modern, simple lines, and soft tones. Plus, that beautiful frame configuration…I couldn’t love it more.

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This room by Heidi is definitely what I mean by “elevated English cottage style,” and she is one of the best at it. This style may not always be “the #1 trend,” but it will never be “out”. Now, we are also here to talk thick frames, so take a peek at the two stacked above the bed. The gilded gold warms up the room, adds soul, and the dark paintings really ground the space.

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These frames aren’t quite as thick as most of the others, but they aren’t thin either, and show how they work with yet another, far more modern style.

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I believe this is a styled product shot from the design firm Omerozturk Interiors, but look how beautiful the contrast of the modern furniture and color palette is with the thick vintage frame on the wall. They work perfectly together, creating just enough tension. 10/10.

Tin

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When I brought up to the team that I thought tin was going to be big this year, I was waiting for them to tilt their heads and raise one or both eyebrows. But before any of that could happen, Caitlin shrieked an overwhelming “YES!” I just don’t think you can put a price on that kind of design validation:) Apparently, Caitlin had been pinning all kinds of tin decor, so we just might be onto something…

However, I don’t think all of these examples are 100% tin and may lean more towards tarnished silver (?), so we can think of it more as a “tin aesthetic” too.

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This bathroom and custom metal shower screen stopped me in my tracks the moment I first laid my eyes on it. The whole space is filled with incredibly intentional and beautiful design choices, but the metal (tin-like) screen is one for the books.

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While different in that it’s the whole back wall, this tin/silver wall paneling is quite the showstopper, too.

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Ah, my FAVORITE category…lighting. This incredibly cool lamp is a collaboration between Katharina Marie Herold and Alana Burns. It has that thin, wonderful metal work with such a beautiful patina. Would I be a happier person if I owned one of these beauties? I mean, probably:)

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This one is an American antique tin chandelier from the late 18th to early 19th century. What a piece! I bet we’ll be seeing more of these types of pieces on our feeds. The thing I love so much about tin or thin metals in general is how delicate and malleable they are. I love the little shapes, how charming the indented patterns are, and when they are curled like in the circle art piece below…

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It feels dark, delicate, unique, has movement, and grounds the space without taking it over.

Chik Bamboo Blinds

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Originally from Northern India, this style of woven, patterned blinds is anything but new. However, I feel like I’ve been seeing this lighter-toned version more than ever. The light-colored bamboo and white fabric trim add a textured softness to a room. I mean, that’s exactly what they did in this wonderful space. Had they chosen a dark fabric shade, the room would still be lovely, but far more moody and rich. Both options are great, but evoke very different energies.

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This one has a gilas pattern, adding another layer of visual texture. It’s playful but leans traditional in a really lovely way.

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There are other trim and pattern colorways too, if white and tan isn’t what you’re looking for. It’s a small switch that makes a massive difference in impact.

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These sweet blinds don’t just belong in colorful, pattern-filled homes. I really love that pop of pattern rolled up in the window. It’s quiet, but you feel it.

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And finally, if THE Jake Arnold is putting them in his projects, you know it’s a great choice.

Drapes + Relaxed Roman Shade Combo

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Staying in the window treatment world. I’ve been noticing more of the drapes + relaxed roman shade combo in the same (or very similar) fabric. When done right, it’s sooooo romantic, no?? This first example is from a trip to Paris that designer Michelle Gage took, and those window treatments have likely been there for many years, but they are such a beautiful example. And is a reminder that this is, of course, not new;)

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If you scroll to the second photo, you’ll get a better view of that breathtaking window treatment combo. I can only assume that being in this room feels like sleeping in a cloud.

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You don’t need to have a valance, but it’s a fun addition if you love the look of it. And because each piece is the same color, it doesn’t look too busy.

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The Roman shades in this example are the least “relaxed” but still very romantic and so beautiful. The butter yellow of the window treatments and the walls simply feels like a hug for your eyes.

Wall Plates

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This was definietly of trend of 2025, but it seems to be growing and with full force. Almost every room on my feed has wall plates. Kitchens (of course), dining rooms (duh), but also living rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms. This decor trend completely transcends almost every style. It’s a fairly easy way to make a room feel uniquely decorated because no two plated walls are the same. This one above kept strictly to the space’s color palette, but went slightly more traditional than the overall style of the room. They are also placed very uniformly, which is a great option or…

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…just choose a few you love that are different styles and sizes.

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There are about 10 insanely cool things about this dining room (the stump CABINET being one of them), but this collection of plates makes me so happy. They are playful, whimsical, but deeply chic. I also love that they extended the display to the window wall as well, instead of just using the one main wall. It’s just a little unexpected in the best way.

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Oh, looking for adorable food-themed plates to hang on your wall? Well, they may all be in this lovely room! The amount makes such a statment but it’s also deeply fun. Decor can and should be at least a little eccentric.

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But maybe you want plates that are a little quieter in color and pattern. Enter these beautiful metal plates over this fireplace. These plates are still fun, add a 3-dimensional element, but let’s the other colorful art be the main color attraction.

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This home is the alpine retreat of the late Rosita Missoni and is said to be filled with wonderful found treasures. I think that’s why I love wall plates so much in general. They can be easily collected over time and tell stories from your life. Of course, by the looks of it, these beautiful plates are a set, so likely not individually collected, but wow, are they vibrant and so fun!

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See! Bedrooms too. This is such a sweet collection, and I love that while they are all blue and white/cream, the shapes and sizes are different. How great is the shell one!? If I ever design and photograph my kitchen, you can be sure I’ve already started my plate collection:)

Western/Cowboy Themed Art

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I’ve been seeing a lot of this style of art for sale on my feeds. I even considered this piece for my living room last year. I love the tones and the vintage but fresh feel they tend to give. The western “aesthetic” is huge in fashion too (I’ve been wearing boots and my mom’s old black leather and turquoise stone belt all over the place, who am I!?). So it’s no real surprise to me that it would also be very popular in home decor, too.

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The styles of art vary, but overall, it’s a really versatile look. I love this little cowboy in Sophie Rowell’s cottage bedroom.

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You can even combine this and the last plate trend in one:) It’s a perfect wall plate.

Square Knobs

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This one was a last minute additon that I noticed as I was finalizing the list… square wooden knobs. Now, I did say in the kitchen trends post that wood on wood knobs to cabinet fronts was on trend. But this is about the shape of knobs on furniture. This is a vintage piece (WOW), but we all know that new trends pull heavily from vintage. It’s the ultimate source of inspiration.

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If anyone is ahead of what is cool (because they say so), it’s YSG Studio. This is a sneak peek of a piece that will be in a project reveal this year. The knobs are technically little rectangles that, when everything is closed, make a square. Like all of their projects, I can’t wait to see this one.

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This is a gorgeous new piece with incredibly cool square knobs.

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And these knobs are a bit of a departure from a simple square, but it still feels in the same world to me. I love all of these so much.

Laqured Pieces

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Laquared furniture and laquared walls are coming for us this year in a big way. The whole team feels it. Choosing a shiny lacquered piece (especially a deeply colored one like this burgundy coffee table above) will instantly make your space feel fresh and alive. A heavy sheen will do that. It feels like a modern throwback to a vintage mod style.

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Here’s another great coffee table example. This deep, shiny green is totally unexpected but makes this room feel even cooler than it already is. Plus, any spills are an easy cleanup 😉

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It’s not all about coffee tables. Dining chairs, lamps, trays, and side tables. The options are nearly endless.

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But a larger statement piece, like this desk, is so fun. But notice the pendant too. Both pieces are in the red color family but different tones, so it’s not too matchy.

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I had to include these lacquered burgundy cabinets. WOW. An incredible design statement. The floating shelves are also in that same shiny lacquer paint.

Large Scale Photographs

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They are back and bigger! Large-scale photos are simply just so cool and chic to me. What is also kinda great is that if you take an awesome photo yourself, get it printed and framed for likely much less than if you were to buy new. But also, if you have the budget, buy from artists!

I adore this example above because the style of the piece contrasts with the aesthetic of the room, but the wallpaper and the photo speak to each other because they both represent nature in different styles.

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This large photo is the perfect way to set the mood for this dining. A little meta, if you will. The photo of people joyfully sharing a meal together is what I would assume the owners of this home want to create every time they host. It adds a lot of life to the space, especially when it’s not being used.

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First off, notice the lacquered ceilings??? Ok, but back to that beautiful could photo. It again contrasts the space in the perfect amount. The colors are in line with the space, but the contemporary style doesn’t, and it creates that perfect amount of, say it with me, tension.

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This is Aly’s (of Aly and AJ) eclectic, warm home. It’s filled with so many fun and wonderful pieces, and one of those is that great photo over the fireplace. The colors perfectly match the room’s palette, raising your eye up, making the room feel taller, and the crispness of the photo adds a distinct, fresh feeling.

Heirloom Textiles

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This one has been brewing, and we think this year, heirloom textiles will be even more popular than last. Vintage-inspired blankets with beautiful geometric, plaid-like patterns. This blue one is a favorite.

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You can spot the pink one on Kendall Jenner’s bed in her newly revealed mountain home. Heidi Caillier knows trends, but never do you feel that you aren’t looking at something that will stand the test of time. And by the descriptor of “heirloom,” that’s exactly what these textiles are meant to do.

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They don’t just have to live on a bed! They are so pretty that you might as well hang them on your walls too:)

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Or use them as headboard fabric.

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This one is a little more modern, but so fun and still feels vintage.

Swans

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Lastly, this is an odd one because I don’t have any environmental shots, but if you’ve looked in almost any design shop, decor section at a big box store, etc, you are seeing swans. I’ve seen them all over Anthro, but also a sweet little independent shop in Brooklyn. Even in fashion. They are coming to a home near you. Be ready. Swans are to 2026 as owls were to 2010.

Ok, that was A LOT of beauty to comsune so I hope it filled you up in a great way. Thank you for being here, thank you for reading, and if you have any thoughts on these decor trends, you know I want to hear ’em.

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: I’ve Been Secretly Decorating My Best Friends House – Living Room Reveal Today!

It happened slowly, then all at once. When we first revealed the pantry, we barely lived in the house, and I had no idea how much I’d cook or entertain here. Turns out it’s a lot (which is wonderful), and therefore the needs of “the hardest working room” expanded quickly (and messily). It is not only a dumping ground for school stuff (piles of notebooks) or hiding quick mess during parties, but Brian and I have become quite the collectors of counter appliances that we actually use. And while putting them on the stairs down to the basement seemed like a fine idea at first (“we barely use this!” we said), not when you actually use it 1-2 times a week. So slowly, I’ve removed the pretty things to make room for what we need – food, my ever-growing supplement library, and appliances.

Styled – 2023

When I saw this shot recently as the opener to a blog post about staying organized, even I was like, “Whoa, this is not a real person’s pantry”. But at the time (3 years ago), we didn’t have the inventory we have now. First, the tall oils needed a home, then the bags of vitamins, then the larger platters and bowls we pull out for most parties. Every few months, I would reorganize (always so messy) and take pretty but rarely used stuff out to the prop garage, making room for actual life.

Real Life – 2026

TOP SHELF: Let me walk you through the changes. Top left is random stuff (including some Brez, which I order online – a 2.5 mg THC drink that is a great weekend wine replacement and super light), then all my protein, creatine, and Gruns vitamins (spoiler, some kids love these, mine do not, but I like them). My slow cooker (love), and platters we pull for parties.
LOWER SHELF: Peanut butters/honey/syrup, dog treats, panini press (kids love these sandwiches), basket for some treats out of reach of kids. Then the air fryer (weeknight chicken strips), which we can plug in below and not even move it down, and the Instant Pot (weekly hard-boiled eggs).
COUNTER: We try to keep this as clear as possible. It has our house alarm keypad, a couple of cutting boards, our bread box (which indeed has our bagels and bread in it), and our $18 toaster that could probably use an upgrade, but we’ll use it til it breaks.

What We Didn’t Change: Three Years Ago

This wall has remained very similar to how we styled it originally, mostly because it’s a sightline that you see from entering the house and while in the kitchen, so it has to look really pretty, or it would bum me out on a daily basis. I love our decanted jars (and for the most part keep up with them). Naturally, the pretty apron and broom were crowded out by the one billion coats that you need in Oregon. Here’s what it looks like now:

I obviously needed a place for that incredible vintage still life painting of pears and figs (on that red and white tablecloth? SHUT UP). That pitcher full of pretty wood spoons is for my own visual pleasure, which I’m comfortable with admitting in public 🙂 I added more jars of decanted beans and lentils (hot tip: keep the bag folded up inside of it so you know what it is and how to make it), and then there are more bowls and cookbooks as I add to my collection.

This is the exact sight line from the kitchen door where almost everyone enters through our house, so while the walls on the left and right can be totally disgusting, the back wall has to remain clean and pretty (Or I need to put a door on this room, which is not on my five-year plan).

What About The Drawers??

These drawers look far more real than they did. I originally designed them to have that gap so that we could put potatoes and onions in them, or just have them easy to access. But it’s just bags of popcorn and chips. The gap doesn’t bother me, but would I do it again? Dunno. This is the first time I’ve thought about it 🙂

Coffee Bar Side – Styled 3 Years Ago

Now good news is that while I haven’t used one scoop of that fancy ass tea I bought to style out this shoot, this side is pretty much the same. Sure, we have more to-go coffees and the plant is now dead (RIP), but it’s almost exactly the same (sorry, we didn’t re-shoot it).

A quick shout-out to the hidden cheap microwave – if you are designing a kitchen soon, I highly suggest this instead of something more built-in. I’ve heard too many stories about the microwave breaking, and then what? This allows us to have a mediocre microwave that works just fine (mostly to reheat coffee and make popcorn).

While there are some rooms I do like to keep looking pretty, this one just stopped making sense, and once I started the transformation, I let her rip. It’s wildly more functional (especially using the appliances actually in the pantry and not even needing to bring them out). I suppose a door on this pantry would make a massive difference, but I know what would happen – I would use it even more as a dumping ground when people come over, a “don’t even look in here” room of shame. 🙂

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

When it comes to choosing permanent materials, I take my risks carefully. I have to really love the style or visual aesthetics of something to sacrifice function. Our kitchen island is the perfect example – would a big “engineered stone topped newly made cabinet island” function “better” than our all wood vintage store counter turned island? What we did was far more expensive, complicated to design (we added the overhang and had it stained to match), and yeah, the drawers are heavier and kinda stick. But this island brings me joy every day, and I’m honestly never annoyed at the wear and tear or the stickiness – I bought into those years ago, mentally. But not everything needs to be “the moment,” and if I’m not super passionate about something aesthetically, I err on the side of function/durability, easy to clean, cheaper, or simply “the easiest thing to do” (yes, designers make that choice ALL the time, too). Take our painted stairs for instance – not stunning, but totally good enough and saved us thousands from having to patch, stain, and repair the OG wood stairs that were in terrible condition that you can’t even notice through the paint. This brings me to the reclaimed wood walls in the guest cottage…

The wood paneling in the cottage is one of the things that I’m willing to spend more on to keep or even add to. The living/kitchen shared space is such a pretty wood on the walls and ceiling, with a lot of imperfections (as you can see) that will be stripped and sanded to be uniform, then we’ll figure out about staining/sealing it. We aren’t considering painting it. WE LOVE IT. The rooms that are already painted (the old prop room and the stairway/upstairs) will get repaired and painted (not stripped and stained). We are still figuring out flooring, so stay tuned on that.

Today’s discussion is trying to get vintage or reclaimed wood to match the OG bathroom wall.

The Guest Cottage “New Bathroom” Walls

That wall is so dang pretty. It’s 5″ tongue and groove (likely old-growth fir or some other softwood species), and while it has a ton of variation, I think once it gets some TLC, it would look pretty uniform. It’s exactly what I want. But it’s the only finished wall. The other three walls are exposed and need insulation, electrical, etc and then would need to get fresh paneling – vintage or new.

So the question became: Is it possible to match the OG paneling on that wall for the other three walls and the ceiling? Or is this a fool’s errand? Will it cost way more than a new simple tongue and groove? Or should we partner with Stuga and put drift on the walls like we did in my favorite room at the river house? I want to do the more interesting thing (and admittedly, new wood would be far less charming), but I also don’t want to negate common sense in order to do it (and we’ll have a lot of other bigger moments in here anyway – i.e., the much-debated “outhouse” and handmade tile by yours truly).

Let’s Talk Numbers: How Much Do We Really Need?

The existing paneled wall is about 153 ft² (minus the door, it’s about 135). If we’re able to match that wall and panel the remaining three sides, we’ll need about 380 ft² with overage. If we include the ceiling, we’ll need to add another 200 ft² to the order (plus a little overage). If we redo the entire room in inexpensive paneling or if we’re unable to match the existing and want to start over with all matching reclaimed, all in, we need roughly 735 ft² (so let’s call it 750ft²). So to recap, just the three walls and ceiling would be around 600ft², but the entire room and ceiling would be 750ft².

That’s a decent amount of square footage. We needed to do some research, so Brian and I went to McGee Salvage, which has the most in town. And the owner, Tobey, was WONDERFUL.

Tobey Parsons. I love nothing more than meeting people who have been specializing in something for decades and are simply a wealth of experience and knowledge. When we went, we were exploring reclaimed wood flooring for the entire downstairs. We honestly didn’t fine anything that made sense (yet) but still exploring it. We plan on painting the flooring a pattern (since the walls are all wood) so it stopped making sense for us to splurge on reclaimed wood flooring.

His inventory was vast and fairly intimidating, but so exciting. He had a lot, and everything had a story. But we weren’t sure if any would directly match the wall we wanted to keep.

The thing is, I don’t want the “reclaimed wood” wall – you know what I’m talking about (see below). I want it to be uniform and have a pretty smooth grain. I want what is similar to the kitchen/living room in the cottage. I don’t want it to be a mix of different tones and grayed-out woods that look more cobbled together.

What I Don’t Want:

Now, it’s not that I don’t like that look ever, but it’s just not what I’m drawn to for this project. To be honest, I don’t even need reclaimed wood to get what I want (which is just a pretty wood-clad room), but I think it’s a nice way to use what we have, and then yes, use what the earth already made. Reclaimed wood inherently has more character (especially old growth that has such pretty grains and ring patterns). Not to mention the good energy – if you are into that sort of thing (which I am). I want wood that has lived a happy life – either happily in a forest treated with love or a former barn where life was lived (which is why I bought all my wood flooring for our house from Zena Forest Products – which, wait, I just realized I should probably consider for this project!). That’s not to say that I won’t use new wood from Lowe’s where it makes sense (that’s what we did in the Art Barn and the garage), but I love anything that holds a story more, which should surprise no one. I’m not super freaky about it, don’t worry, but I’m telling you it makes a difference in how your home feels to have vintage or storied pieces and finishes. Ok, enough of the woo woo stuff!!! Back to wood!

There was some wood that I totally fell in love with, but not enough square footage to meet our needs (the one on the right was so pretty though!). Other wood we liked would need to be sanded and planed, which is something we are considering, but it adds to the cost. When we first went, we didn’t know that we needed either 600 or 750 square feet, so it was more of an information-gathering session.

We pulled together all of these boards, which we thought maybe we could clad and then stain the same, so they had a bit of uniformity (the grain was really pretty), and it’s still something we are considering.

In general, like everything in life, the stuff that I was more drawn to was the most expensive ($8-$10 per linear foot), which will certainly add up. But listen, drywall isn’t on the table here, so it’s either reclaimed or new wood, and no, I’d much rather this room be all wood than paneled and painted (which would be cheaper). I’m open to also just doing what we did in the garage and art barn (just pine tongue and groove), but that seems like the less interesting choice.

I’ve given Tobey (McGee Salvage) our quantities now and am hoping that he can sort through what he has and give us some options. And then I hope those options make sense financially. I’m open to splurging on the wood if it’s stunning, but not if it’s just “good”. One benefit of doing reclaimed is that I think that Brian and I could potentially clad it ourselves since reclaimed is more forgiving than newer paneling – it tends to already have awkward cuts and lots of nail/screw holes, so mistakes are easily camouflaged (I would imagine that Brian and I would specialize in those).

So as of now, I don’t have the exact options for you, but I am also curious if any of you had experience in this or sources that might have the uniform quantity that we want (that makes sense on the walls – not 2″ reclaimed old gym flooring). I just want to be inspired by the beauty of the wood, not “ok great, yeah we can see if we can make this work”. So while the uniform quantity is important, the richness of the grain and the tone of the wood are really important to me. Any insight or ideas are much appreciated.

It’s the last reveal in my apartment before I move you guys!! If you want to see the rest of the space, I already revealed the kitchen, living room, dining room, and of course, the famous closet speakeasy. I’ve done A LOT to this space as a renter, and yes, I’ll have to reverse some of these DIYs when I move out (which is sad but also expected). To me, I’ve gotten to live in such an incredible space that healed me and truly felt like home. That was my one goal when moving in here: to make the space feel like home.

As someone who’s moved a ton of times throughout their life, I know it can take a lot to finally feel settled in a new space (months, years, even). Growing up, I moved all around Orange County because my middle/high school was a charter school, so you didn’t need to live in a specific city to attend (shout out to Orange County School of the Arts). So my parents took that as an opportunity to move around and try out some different cities. I always tried to make my room feel like “me” wherever we went – even if it was just for a year or two. I think this really helped me get into decorating because I had so many fresh, blank slates. Then I went to college, and we all know how that goes – you move pretty much every single year, and your furniture is just a hodgepodge of things you can scrounge together. So I set up and decorated what I could, but I can’t say any of my college apartments were homey (or even cute…)

Once I graduated, I sublet month-to-month in New York while job/career searching, and then I eventually landed this EHD job in LA and moved into my first studio apartment in Hollywood, and that was the first time I was really able to make my own space feel like home. It took a solid 3 years before it stopped feeling like a barebones Airbnb and actually felt like mine. But right as I dialed it in, life threw me for a loop, and I moved to New York (again) only to break up with my ex and come straight back to California, and a few months after that debacle, I moved into this apartment in Los Feliz. So that’s my life story: home edition. Moving into this space – I really just craved the feeling I had in my Hollywood apartment, where I would walk in, and every muscle would relax, and I felt like I could just breathe. Home can give you the feeling of peace and safety when the world outside lacks so much of it. So yeah, I did a lot to this apartment (especially in those other room reveals you saw) – but I FINALLY got it to feel like home, so I was really happy to accomplish that goal.

On the flip side of things, as a renter, it’s important to know what upgrades are going to be the most high-impact to you and then do those things. This is your permission the leave the rest behind. It’s important to remember in the world of picture perfect homes, sometimes, ‘good enough’ is totally fine – ESPECIALLY in a rental. In my bathroom, I was originally considering wallpapering (which I still think would’ve been awesome) but once I realized that my dining room was the room that needed wallpaper more (this wallpaper, to be exact), I invested my time and resources there instead. Had I been here for longer, I would have considered wallpapering, but I really didn’t want to add to my plate of taking even more wallpaper down when I move out (it’s a thing, trust me), and this bathroom was already pretty dang cute. So I decided to just elevate and swap a few small things to make it shine a bit brighter. Let me show you…

BEFORE

That tile!! The little shelf!! THE TUB! It’s all so adorable. The only wonky thing is the fact that that cabinet just doesn’t close all the way (maybe a new 2026 design trend??) The green vintage tile really just sings – I actually found the perfect wallpaper I was going to install but like I said, it ultimately just ended up not being worth it for the cost, effort and removal. So I cut my losses, and instead came up with some affordable, easy swaps that would make the space feel like mine without breaking the bank or having to spend hours undoing it upon move out. And they were all totally worth it.

So I was looking for design ideas other than expensive (but awesome) wallpaper, and I saw this inspo photo and immediately knew I wanted to do something similar.

I loved the idea of doing a “painted crown moulding” to draw your eye upward (and knew I could figure out an even easier renter-friendly way to do it)…

Bath Mat | Towel Holder | Towel | Toothbrush Holder | Vase (Similar) | Stackable Wooden Bowls | Mirror

So this is the new view into the bathroom after my simple renter-friendly upgrades!! The space has so much more personality now, and I can take almost everything with me when I move out, which I love.

I loved the look of that inspo photo so much – so I used this washi tape in two different colors (I could only find this variety pack, so I ended up ordering 3 sets – so I used 6 rolls total, and it covered the whole room). Now, washi tape notoriously doesn’t stick well to dusty surfaces, so I was wary that this would hold up since my apartment can collect a lot of dust being in a city, but I just thoroughly cleaned the wall before I applied it, and it stuck on – no problem. And now it’s held up great for over 6 months! It genuinely worked so well for this space and will be so easy to remove when I have to leave.

Washi Tape | Towels | Bath Mat | Towel Holder

Those towels are so good, I bought a second set for my boyfriend’s house that I’m moving into next month!! They’re the Parachute x Target collab, so the quality for the price is awesome (Parachute’s towels are normally $60-$70+) and I think they’ll last a fairly long time since they’re so forgiving (and are so so soft).

Mirror | Pulls | Knobs | Outlet Cover | Towel Holder | Towel | Trash Can | Mirror | Toothbrush Holder | Window Film

These were truly the easiest swaps – my goal here is to show you that not every space needs a complete overhaul or remodel to look and feel better. The very first thing I did was swap the hand towel holder to this one – it’s from Anthropologie and I had my eye on it for a LONG time. Then, I changed out the boring circular mirror to my DREAM mirror from Soho Home (which I can’t wait to take with me to my boyfriend’s place), then added new hardware (the old ones were crumbling in my hands which was cool, so I didn’t buy super expensive ones because I’ll likely be leaving these), and then added this pretty window film to add some more pizzazz.

OH, and upon moving in, I swapped every single outlet and light switch cover in the apartment to these fun brass ones. They were super affordable but made such a big impact to my everyday.

Wooden Bath Caddy

I’m a firm believer that a bath is basically the same as having a hot tub inside your house. Taking a bath here is actually magical. This tub is so perfect, and if you light a few candles, get your dirty martini and bubbles going, it is DIVINE.

I usually read on my iPad or Kindle (my sister got me into the fairy smut genre, and I cannot get enough…My Fourth Wing, ACOTAR, and Throne of Glass fans RISE UP!), so when it came to styling I only had a few physical books, so please enjoy this photo of My Body by Emily Ratajkowski, hahaha.

The art pieces above the tub are some of my absolute favorites. The skateboard guy I found at Market Market in Palm Springs (if you haven’t been – GO!), the top right is by Mucci (who I found at the Laguna Beach Sawdust Festival and have now put his artwork in 3 of the rooms in my apartment!), and then the top left is actually from my Hollywood studio (it’s a sketch of the view of the Chateau Marmont by the Max Gooding Co).

Light Fixture | Tassel

We didn’t get a good photo of the no-electrical-required light fixture swap (this bathroom is pretty small and hard to shoot, so shoutout to Lyle for doing an amazing job with the photos regardless!!) But I wanted to chat about this boob light upgrade that required NO ELECTRICAL! It was super easy – I just took off the boob light shade, then put the light fixture through the long screw from the original boob light, then secured the same hardware back on and covered it with a tassel. I made a video on it here, so it’ll make a bit more sense, but it was the easiest DIY ever. Someone joked that it went from boob light to nipple tassel, and I’ve never laughed harder. But yes, I highly encourage you to add a nipple tassel to your boob light!! It looks so much better.

This will always be our girly little apartment that helped us heal and grow, and I’ll forever be grateful for this space. I hope whoever moves in next loves every bit of it the way we did. Thank you for reading and checking out all of these makeovers – it means the world!!

*Design by Mallory Wackerman
**Photography by Lyle Nelson

Bathroom trends (much like kitchen trends) are a funny thing to evaluate on a year-to-year basis because they simply do not move that quickly. If they did, by the time you got through the design process, material selection, permitting, contingencies and snafus, and then final install, your spaces would already be obsolete. That would simply be a ridiculous and wasteful way to live in our homes.

That is not to say there isn’t anything to talk about, though, because there’s always a new idea, color trend (like these I wrote up recently for 2026), or material popping onto our radar that makes us scream YESSSSS, including the six concepts below I’ve been noticing more and more in beautiful, finished bathrooms. Like many renovation-required trends, they tend to begin in luxury spaces, so you’ll see a lot of aspirational homes here, but that doesn’t mean you can’t borrow inspiration for your own homes from them. That, or just sit back and enjoy the show for the sake of design entertainment.

Amber-Colored Tile

Last year was all about burgundy zellige tiles, but this year? Amber, caramel, and earthy mustard reign supreme. This color tile is absolutely everywhere right now and is so adaptable to many styles. Take a look above at the killer shower stall our friend Brady Tolbert designed in his home; in true Brady style, it’s cool, contemporary, yet warm and graphically neutral.

However, here, designed by the team at Dunham Robinson, you can see a more traditional aesthetic with the chrome and stone sink, floral wallpaper, and wavy wood mirror. The turmeric-like hue works well to draw attention away from the white fixtures, which could otherwise appear somewhat sterile.

These tiles, in a bathroom by Annie Downing Interiors, are certainly more terracotta than they are amber, but the vibes still hit the same. To me, the takeaway here is how well they play with other jewel tones and saturated shades, such as the deep, chalky blue in the other tile design.

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Tiles aren’t getting all the burnt caramel love; designers like Reath Design (who collaborated with Emily Farnham Architecture on this space, shot by Laure Joliet), are using the color in bathrooms via paint, as well. How marvelous does it look here with the oxblood marble on the vanity and shower stall?

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So far, we’ve seen amber tiles marry beautifully with mustard, black-and-white, denim blue, and deep red. Next up, courtesy of Pierce & Ward (shot by Michael Clifford Photography), is olive green and aqua. What a stunning way to bring new life to vintage pieces such as that sink.

Colored Fixtures

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Two years ago, Caitlin wrote a piece about colored plumbing fixtures in the bathroom as something to keep our eye on (thanks Kohler for bringing these back around more accessibly!), and she was 100-percent right. And look, I know this is fairly niche, but who decided that white porcelain had to be the standard of “safe” choices in a bathroom’s design? “But you might get tired of that pistachio green toilet, Arlyn!” Well, who is to say I wouldn’t get tired of white? We can use the same logic here. If you’re designing a bathroom for home resale, it’s not worth the effort of getting it right, design-wise, but if it’s for you, and you are a fellow color lover, I say GO FOR IT.

It doesn’t have to be something as large or prominent as a toilet, either. Faucets and faucet handles can do the trick, too. Hannah Go of Studio Hanego selected candy-coated red Fantini fixtures for her client’s bathroom. The slap of color is just the right amount of unexpected pigment to break through the beige-and-white color palette, making it feel playful and youthful instead of overly serene.

Here’s another angle of the same space, where Go carried the Fantini faucet into the sink area for a cohesive design story. (That sculptural floral arrangement is by Gentle Offerings out of LA, in case anyone is wondering.)

Another tip-toe entrance into the world of lively fixtures is with a partially-colored item, like this cast-iron farmhouse basin in a room by Hendricks Churchill. And the beauty of a sink like this (or anything cast iron, for that matter) is that it can be reglazed should you need to change the color down the line.

This bathroom by Jamie Haller—shot by Jenna Ohnemus Peffley—highlights two of our favorite bathroom trends so far: amber zellige tiles and a butter yellow vintage sink. The room looks both like a perfectly preserved time capsule from the 1970s but also something that very much could have been designed and installed today (because it was). Good design can be appreciated no matter the decade, in my opinion.

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Giving very different vibes, but the same design backbone is this happy little spot by, yet again, Reath Design. Not only is the sink itself an azure I can barely look away from, but the cross handles on the sink are a sky blue.

Built-In Tub Surrounds

The freestanding tub became the calling card of a luxury bathroom a decade or so ago, but as things happen, that quickly got tired, thanks in great part to property flippers and developers who would shove one into a space even when it didn’t make much sense.

And while a stand-alone tub can still be a wonderful hallmark of a bathing space, of course, don’t underestimate a built-in tub surround. No longer relegated to the second-tier guest bath, they are now being used more and more in primary suites. They have their merits, too: The overhang surface is great storage for bathing supplies, and even decor items like art and candles, as seen above by Heather Peterson Design.

For a bathtub surround worthy of a primary suite, it’s important to be mindful that the surround itself elevates the design, rather than drags it down. Here, designer Nicole Dohmen for Atelier ND Interior brought the large-format stone from the floor up around the tub to create a seamless visual transition.

Here, in a bathroom transformed by Trouthouse, the small square yellow tile of the shower walls comes down around the tub insert, as well. This could have easily been a standard white porcelain tub, but the tile surround creates a more intentional design moment.

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Would I be nervous to have a wooden top and sides to my bathtub? Yes, but certainly, there’s a way to make it work. Either way, it sure does look serene and spa-like thanks to the minds at Honeyedfigs that dreamt up this muted space.

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On the opposite end of muted is this glitz and glam bathroom by Gregory Rockwell. I love how the red marble continues from the bathroom sink basin, tub wall, and floor, and baseboard detailing.

Fluted Glass

Shower details always make our bathroom trends roundup, and this year, we’re covering glass specifics. Fluted details in general have been everywhere for five-plus years, and now they’re frequently being used in contemporary bathroom spaces. Advantages include moderate privacy while allowing light diffusion, added texture, and limiting the visibility of water spots. Bonus points for a cool red frame to make the wall of glass the protagonist of the room’s design, as Megowan Architectural did here.

I’m partial to how youthful ribbed glass can come off looking with a colored door frame like in the previous project. Here, the mauve-lilac Butterfly Studio used here is quite eye-catching, don’t you think?

The international design and property acquisition firm Banda Studio kept things sleek and luxurious in this outrageously covetable bathroom with a frameless fluted shower wall. The vertical lines of the glass texture add a nice rigidity to the more organic veining of the marble and Roman clay or limewash walls and floors.

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Stop. Scroll to the fourth photo. Okay, now we can talk. I really wanted to show this bathroom, in the home of celeb Rita Ora, designed by Joanna Plant, for anyone thinking fluted glass is simply for contemporary bathrooms. It’s not, and certainly has a place in more traditionally minded areas, too.

Stone Basin Sinks

Last year, I presented the idea of raw-edge stone sinks as a trend, and this year, it’s similar but more refined and polished. Full stone sink basins are very popular right now as they strike a balance between simple, clean lines, luxury, and an impactful visual story through dramatic natural stone.

There’s a lot to take note of in this bathroom by Marie Flanigan, including the gorgeous pinkish stone for the sink basin and vanity. The side wall-mounted faucet is a unique approach that, to my eye, keeps the focus on the stone; the pendant light on the left beautifully echoes and balances the small window at right.

Cannes-based firm Caprini & Pellerin designed this elegant luxury bathroom, complete with a deep teal stone basin and countertop. I very much appreciate the slight lip detail (also seen in the Marie Flanigan sink) to limit water spill and run off. The coordinated marble frame around the mirror and lights is a nice touch to mimic the lines of the cabinet and tub in the foreground.

Raw-edge stone is still absolutely appropriate; Ursino Interiors masterfully uses the boulder effect to bring a rustic quality to a luxury space, juxtaposing polished brass and a metal window-frame shower stall.

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Another beautiful example of the visual power of the stone basin vanity, this time in a refreshing spearmint, by Benjamin Vandiver.

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Wall-to-wall installs don’t get to have all the fun. What a compact yet powerful statement this stone sink makes in a bathroom by Zoe Feldman.

Bathroom “Islands”

Bringing up the rear of our trends list today is what I’m affectionately coining the bathroom “island.” Perhaps there is a more technical and accurate name for this, but I haven’t found it. Basically, what I mean by bathroom island is a freestanding unit that houses a key bathroom fixture, such as sinks or a shower.

Case in point, this floating vanity (note the fluted glass! and the stone basins!) in a space by Australian firm Se Déa. In these types of installations, the mirror is most often supported by a metal structure attached to both the island and the ceiling, which can free up valuable wall space and take advantage of positioning that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. Of course, you’d need to run plumbing through the middle of the room rather than along the perimeter.

Another one by Caprini & Pellerin that this time showcases an unusual shower island. It’s quite a cool concept, and the center placement in the room opens up the walls to added storage, display space, and a separate vanity space.

I found this opulent bathroom design via Belgian interior architect Wouter Tousseyn. I’m fairly certain it’s a rendering, but I wanted to include it as another visual study of the sink island, as this angle helps you to see the practicality of a double-sided floating vanity, which can be used from either side by multiple people.

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Pierce & Ward show that the use of a floating bathroom fixture doesn’t have to be one-note, either. Here, they’ve adjoined the sinks and cabinetry to a large soaking tub.

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And finally, proof that it doesn’t have to be this grand thing, either. By LA. M Studio, back-to-back sinks in a narrow cube-like island turn open floor space into a memorable design moment.

—

So now we’ve reached the end, and I have fully exhausted my ability to say another word about a bathroom. After all, how many synonyms can one find for the words sink, bathroom, tub, tile, and the like? I may have gone against my journalist instincts to say the same thing over and over again, but I hope you’ll forgive me and were too focused on the expertly designed bathing spaces to notice.

Any that stood out to you? Any others you’ve taken note of recently that you want to add to the list? Feel free to party on in the comments. I’ll be there responding.

Until next time, friends…

Opening Image Credits: Design by Ursino Interiors, styling by Brittany Albert, photo by Nicole Franzen

Yes, I’m/the whole EHD team is still in a hardcore “let’s make life feel and look better” mindset. For me, it’s been everything from health to beauty to home organization. I’m slowly chipping away at things that have been on my list of to-dos for a while, and wow, wow, wow, it just feels really good to check those babies off. So, in the spirit of January, this is a post filled with mostly decor pieces that are both great looking as they are practical (aka will make your life better). Oh, and it’s all from Wayfair, so you know the prices are great, and that shipping is FAST. I promise that there is so much power in making just one small positive change, even if we think it’s a waste of time if we can’t get everything we have on our lists done all at once. It’s not a waste, and it really helps…I know from experience. So let’s dive in, shall we?

Shoe Storage

I know I talked about shoe storage in my post last week about organizing products, but there were only two options (both great if I do say so myself), but I felt we needed more, and with some variety. These will only focus on shoe storage for entryways or mudrooms (aka the kind you see and want to look beautiful).

What a stunner! Modern traditional style, great looking hardware, holds up to 12 pairs of shoes (at least that’s what it says in the description, AND has a drawer! Oh, sorry, it’s also under $150:)) I just think it’s so chic and offers so much function, even beyond the shoe storage. It does come in a few other colors if black doesn’t work with the rest of your decor.

But you might prefer more of a bench style (it’s nice to have a place to sit when you’re putting on or taking off your shoes), and that’s where this wonderful piece comes in. The perfect amount of detail to make it feel special but not “too much,” holds eight pairs of shoes, and is only $120.

This one I LOVE visually, but clearly it doesn’t have the same storage capacity as the others. I see this one more for the person, couple, family, etc, that doesn’t have a shoe storage problem but does need a bench. Then let’s say if a pair of shoes needs a quick temporary home or if guests come over, then this is a perfect fit. The curves of the arms are so good, too.

Boot Trays

The Portland team made sure I included boot trays because they are well acquainted with wanting a nice-looking place to put their wet and/or dirty shoes. I thought this one was pretty ideal! It has a great MCM style, beautiful stain (there are two other options as well), and two tiers! Double the shoes, double the fun, they say:)

However, if you don’t need two tiers and prefer a tray that’s easy to wipe down, either of these are great looking and work with a ton of styles. The galvanized steel one is $40 and wonderfully classic, and the copper one is $46 with that chic and quiet square pattern on the base. Can’t miss with either.

Weather-Proof Mats

If you need a boot tray, you probably need an indoor weather mat, right? We like ones that are simple, have a nice neutral color, and a subtle pattern. This one is great because it really checks those boxes, and if you read about it, this puppy is durable. This slender size is great too for smaller or more narrower spaces.

Two more options! The blue one reminds me of the one in Em’s mudroom, but it also comes in a variety of other colors, and I LOVE the dot pattern on the brown one (which also reminds me of the one in Em’s mudroom:)).

Memory Foam Rug Pad

Em has been using this exact rug pad since her LA days, and as someone who has had the pleasure of walking on it, it’s soooooo nice. I’ve wanted one for a long time, and 2026 may be the year. Here’s what she said about it in 2020:

“With what feels like 1/2″ of memory foam, this rug pad (combined with this comfy rug) is SO COMFY. We originally bought it because our first Persian rug was pretty thin and I wanted concussion-free wrestling periods. It isn’t just non-slip, it adds at least 1/2″ of underfoot serious memory foam comfort. The only downside is that if you get it EXACTLY the size of your rug then you can see the edge of it, but if you get it too much smaller then you can see the line underneath where it ends. So I ended up cutting an inch or two off so the rug just slightly goes over it. Not everyone is as into comfort as I am but I think these little things are subconscious signals that say, ‘come in, sit, relax, stay awhile,’ which is how I want us to feel in our home.”

Pillow Inserts

I just recently replaced my pillow inserts, and wow, do I notice a difference! If you are in the market, one of the reviewers said this about these ones:

“You know those hotel pillows that we all love so much. Well, these are those pillows. They aren’t too soft to where your head sinks down into the pillow, and you wake up with a crook in your neck, and they aren’t too firm when you feel like you slept on a brick all night and wake up with a stiff neck…”

Sold? Ya, me too.

Nightstands With Charging Stations

Why not have your nightstands work even better for you and have a built-in charging station? If you are someone who leaves their phone in another room while you sleep, you are my hero. But for the rest of us, the idea of having the easiest access to a charging port for one of our many devices sounds pretty amazing. But basic and overly modern nightstands are not really our preference. Instead, look at how great these modern traditional ones are. The black ones have cleaner lines and that cute open nook over their two drawers, while the light toned ones have those wonderful rounded feet. No losing with either of these options.

Here are some more modern options. The fluting on the MCM-inspired one is the perfect detail for just enough visual texture (also only $130). Then how cool is the more postmodern one! Its shape is modern, and the wood texture is so organic-looking and beautiful. Just a great option for a beautiful but unexpected piece (and at the great price of $165).

Storage End Of Bed Benches

As I am sure many of you know, EHD LOVES an end-of-bed bench. Make it a storage bench?? Chef’s kiss. So when I saw this one I knew I had to include it. So pretty, elegant, AND practical.

This bench (as proven by these photos) is perfect for either an entry, hallway, or end of the bed, etc. The colors are great, the style is classic, and from the looks of it, it has a decent amount of storage. No notes.

I feel like this one is a sneaky storage bench. When you look at it, you don’t immediately think “storage bench.” The style is versatile, the color is neutral but fun, and because it’s 100% upholstered, it looks cozy too:) All of the benches are around $200, which isn’t bad at all.

Jewelry Organization

Let’s just say most of my costume jewelry is in a very pretty pink Intentionally Blank shoe box. Not a terrible solution, but it’s not a great one or one I want to display. These two, on the other hand, are a different story. If you read any trend posts from last year or Arlyn’s 2026 color trend post from Wednesday, then you know light blue is one of THE colors currently. It took me by surprise last year, too, and I couldn’t love it more. So if you want to dip your toe into the icy blue world, this light blue jewelry box is perfect. But you are more of a classic natural wood tone person and have the budget to go a little over $100, this walnut beauty is a no-brainer. If I were further along in my bathroom design, I would be having a VERY hard time choosing between these two.

But maybe you’re like, “Jess, aren’t you cute with your three little drawers, but that is NOT going to cut it for my jewelry collection.” Fair! So then here is an option that can be wall-mounted or hung over a door. And not only do you get a significant amount of jewelry storage, but you get a wall mirror too! They also come in other fun colors if black doesn’t work with your overall style.

Now this jewelry armoire says to all of these previous options, “hold my beer” when it opens up and reveals SEVEN drawers, two doors for hanging pieces, AND a top compartment with a mirror. I think the next step up from this would be a jewelry closet. It’s simple, stylish, and gives you so much incredible storage!

Cord Management

It’s 2026, and if you somehow don’t have a lot of cords to manage, then I am very impressed! I feel that most of us there’s at least one area in our home where the cords are out of control, and these cute little boxes can help manage the cord chaos. The white one is meant to sort of camouflage into the background with its simple, sleek lines. The green one is more of a “show me off” gal with that fun color and cool texture. Something for everyone…

…unless you prefer a natural material like this wonderful woven basket option! Again, you can’t go wrong.

If nothing else, I hope this post was a little extra encouragement to keep going with those little improvements in whatever way you wish. Wayfair is, of course, just such an incredible resource that we think should always be a place to look for great pieces that make your home and life better…at great prices. Hope you all have a good and safe weekend.

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: The Mudroom Dog Washing Station: Measurements, How It’s Working + Some Practical Dog Products

Over the holidays, anything “non-urgent” got moved to the back burner (or just put in the freezer, out of sight/mind). So, outside of partnership deadlines and timely end of year admin, I let myself indulge in my family and totally forgot that I had this adorably run-down house that needed my attention. But I’m back and so excited to keep this project moving (but don’t worry, you haven’t missed anything since this post). Today I want to walk you through a few bathroom ideas I’m VERY excited by, that are more fantasy than practical. It’s a big room, 12×16, so it’s going to be perhaps an oddly large bathroom with vaulted ceilings…and a urinal. Just having the basics (toilet, sink, shower) felt dinky and weird. So I’ve got some fun guest cottage bathroom ideas, and I wanted to share them…

Hoping to keep the paneling on one wall and find reclaimed wood to go around the rest of the room. I need 600 square feet (3 walls and ceiling). I have the vision of it clear in my head, but it’s hard to explain. It’s going to be rustic (but cohesive), with a side of “summer camp” due to the amount of wood, but with a cohesive color palette and fun tile and fabric. More to come on the materials.

Ok, so since the room is big and has high ceilings, I want to divide it up and do a “room within the room”. And since I’ve promised Brian a urinal, I want to put that and the toilet in its own room. There are, I’m sure, many ways that I can do this, but I have two main ideas that I love almost equally.

Toilet Room Idea #1: The “Outhouse”

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Ok, so picture this – a small, roofed room inside the paneled bathroom. It would be almost free-standing (grounded against the back wall) with double doors going into it. It could be shaped like an outhouse (but stretched out wide, for double doors and to fit the urinal). I can 100% picture it, and I have zero doubts about this, as odd as the idea sounds. It could be paneled and painted so it fits in the same world but pops off the wood walls (which we hope to match and keep).

I was heavily inspired by this bathroom, below, with the tiled toilet room and shower.

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What a totally delightful (and ballsy) design. This designer put two tiled rooms (with glass blocks, no less!) inside what seems to be more of an old-world bathroom.

One room is for the toilet and one for the shower. Now, while a tiled version of my “outhouse” would be incredible, I think the tile budget might be totally out of control if we did this. But I think it’s the best representation of this out-of-the-box, fantastical idea. Well done, Buchanan Studio! When we first saw it a few years ago, our “Watercooler” Slack channel was a-BUZZ. I know it’s controversial, but we all thought it was just a totally fascinating idea, executed so well.

Toilet Room Idea #2 – The “Through A Secret Armoire”

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I mean, I’ve always wanted to do this (who hasn’t). You walk in, and it’s just an unsuspectingly large armoire (flat roof, not pitched), and then you open it, and it has a toilet and urinal. What a delight! The only caveat with this is that in order for the toilet to fit with the right clearances, it needs to be pretty deep, which, from the side, would give itself away (no armoire is that deep). Most of the ones that I’ve found online steal space from the adjoining room, which we don’t want to do here. So while this idea is a 12 on the fun scale, I fear that the execution of it is more challenging. Not only do I need to either find a massive, beautiful armoire, OR make one, but I need to build it out to be at least 4′ deep, and I think it would stick so far out that it would look dumb.

Our First Renders…

My team is having so much fun using Spoak, so we created some elevations here to show you. Now it’s rough, but it hopefully demonstrates what I’m talking about enough to visualize it and either agree with me or not. Depending on the size of the fixtures we go with (toilet, urinal, sink), we might not be able to bump the structure out from the side wall like this, but I like how it looks with some breathing room if the spacing works out. The sink would likely be vintage (and possibly wall hung), and the water heater location is still TBD (and would have to be small), but we wanted to account for it (it’d likely be hidden within a faux cabinet).

When I was in the space, I mocked up the depth of the outhouse to be a lot more, but now I’m realizing it could be a lot less deep (toilets are about 30″ and front clearance needs to be 15″). But you have to account for framing, so I think we are at least at 60″ from the wall. There are a lot of things to troubleshoot (and build), and this whole idea might not work. But picture this – you are over in our yard at a big outdoor party, and you are told the bathroom is through “that door over there”. Then, when you walk in, you see this quirky room that says “restroom” or “toilet room” on impossibly cute stained glass doors. Then you open them and inside is your own private toilet and urinal (might need to figure out a privacy situation for the stained glass doors, lol…). Maybe it’s a tiled wall inside (or the OG paneling). Maybe a little sconce, too. How cute does that sound???

And Where Does One Shower?

Ok, we’ve got our toilet/urinal and sink covered, so where should the shower go? And what does it look like? Now this might not be a heavily used shower (at least not for many years), so again we can be more creative with it. I had two ideas bouncing around…

The “Floating” Circular Shower Pan

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How fun is this?? I found this as I was researching how to do a shower without having to do all the hot mop shower pan waterproofing stuff (I was trying to avoid hiring out for that). What’s the least amount of “work” to get a shower without using a plastic insert (which I totally considered BTW and might be worth a blog post). So I found these images on Pinterest, which show exposed plumbing with shower curtains all the way around (no tile, no waterproofing walls) and what seems to be just a marble round shower pan on the floor (there are also cast iron claw foot versions). Now, would this possibly pass US bathroom code or inspections? I have no idea, but I’d bet not? But that didn’t stop me from spending no less than 5 hours planning out the bathroom with this in mind. Ultimately, I decided that future-proofing the bathroom by putting in a tub would be smart, which would shift this floating circular shower into the corner, in which case having it be round made less and less sense (I did find some corner quarter-round showers that were really fun, but started to feel a little too complicated).

Corner Shower With Chest Height Pony Wall

Ok then, I pivoted to doing a square or rectangular shower in the corner, but making it look more analog with a chest-height pony wall for privacy (and because I like the idea of a higher wall). And then above the wall, a super cute hanging curtain (almost like a cafe curtain, but that goes from the ceiling to the top of the pony wall), which gives me an opportunity to add a fun pattern/print and texture/softness. Fabric and tile are two of my favorite design elements, so I want to add them in as much as possible. I also love the idea of a column or some sort of decorative (and seemingly load-bearing) post or newel to add some architectural grounding (and for the paneling to butt into).

Here’s the birdseye view, which is not necessarily accurate yet but gives you a better idea of where everything is going to go. We might make the shower a rectangle, and we might do a floor-mounted faucet for the tub, etc (and pretend the sink inside the outhouse is a urinal). But I think it’s super helpful to see where we are headed.

Here’s where we left off. Since then, the framed floor has been started so that we can attach pipes to it for plumbing. But a lot left to consider:

1. Flooring – If all the walls and ceiling are wood paneling, then a tiled floor sure would be nice, but at 12×16, that’s a big floor, and tile is substantially more expensive to install than wood flooring. And we are planning on painting a pattern on the wood floor of the living/kitchen, so I don’t want to do the same in here, or it will be a circus house. We also might need to do under-floor heating in here, as we aren’t putting a Quilt mini split in this room. More to come.
2. Walls – So my goal is to find reclaimed wood that matches the tone of the wall that has beautiful existing paneling on it already (the wall where the outhouse would be). So far, I haven’t found it. It doesn’t need to be exact, and I don’t even mind if the width or profile is slightly different – it can look a bit hodgepodge, but I want the tone of the wood to be similar.
3. Windows – I think we are getting rid of the one on the far wall since it looks out to a fence and is frosted. I think we are going to put skylights in here anyway. We’ll keep the big picture window.
4. Framing – We have to frame the floor to be higher, so I’ll need to troubleshoot raising the door and creating some sort of step-up on the outside.

It’s pretty exciting, and now that my head is fully back on straight (dude, that holiday break killed me this year), I’m extremely excited to keep moving. Just need to get the plumber to respond to me 🙂

*Photos by Kailtin Green

If you love color as much as I do, buckle up, because today, we’re talking color trends 2026 in interior design. Spoiler: There aren’t many drastic moves from the last time we talked about this, really. Millennial gray isn’t back (yet), cool whites haven’t taken over, and orange is still a bit fringe. But many of the shades we talked about last year are still very much on trend for this year…with a few additional surprises.

After consulting fashion trends, trend authorities such as WGSN and Pantone—yeah, even after that Cloud Dancer debacle—and digging deep into my own intuition based on my observations of designers’ work and retail product offerings, I’ve come up with seven colors I feel strongly are already impacting or about to impact how we decorate our homes.

Before diving in, you know I always have an aside. Scrolling through the images I collected made me stop and admire in total awe the absolute treasure trove of beauty we have at our constant disposal. Trendy or not, it’s like…WOW. There is so much to take in all the time that it’s easy to take it for granted, but for just a moment, let’s pause and be in wonder of just how many gorgeous and unique homes and rooms we get to peer into on the daily.

::pauses:: ::wonders:: ::awes::

Alright! Time to admire some colors, shall we?

Color Trend #1: Ice Blue

Let’s start this list off with a color family that is as dependable as water boiling at 212 degrees Fahrenheit: Blue. This cool hue manages to present itself over and over again in different iterations with every new trend wave; last year, it showed up as an icy iteration, and that same ice blue is still ahead of the pack. I personally think it’s a fantastic palate (and palette) cleanser as an addition to all those deep, moody reds and browns we’ve been seeing, but more on that later on the list, so keep scrolling. Icy blue isn’t overly milky or saturated like other denim or Swedish blues that have been popular for the last decade. It’s crisp, clear, frosty, and pale.

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James Huniford used an icy blue velvet sofa as the bright point in the otherwise earthy room he designed for the Kids Bay Showhouse last year, featured on Domino. If you leaned hard into the warm neutral trend and want to inject a little extra oomph now, misty blue is a great way to do that without things feeling overly colorful.

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Case in point: This large room-scaled cabinet unit in a fairly neutral room. It’s such a wonderful way to use a color in a very large way that doesn’t feel overly burdensome or heavy.

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Over a decade ago, I painted my bedroom a similar barely-there blue (with enough depth that it doesn’t feel like it belongs in a toddler’s nursery) and proceeded to recommend it to everyone close to me to the point that I made them feel like there was no other choice. As it happens, I moved on from the color, but it’s back, baby, as seen in this lovely and fresh space by Kerv Interiors. (Be sure to scroll through to get to more images of the bedroom it was used in and all the fun colors paired with it!)

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First, scroll to the second image. Okay, now I can talk. Using ice blue in small but punchy moments like a pendant, sconce, or even piping on upholstery or soft goods is a fun and unexpected way to bring in this color. Another inspiring takeaway from this project by Alice Grace is how utterly delightful this cool blue looks with cherry red (and khaki, which is a trend further down on our list!).

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Icy blue has been increasingly paired with burgundy; in fact, that combo is absolutely everywhere right now, like the previous one I mentioned, but with some more gravitas. It really does a great job of lifting up dense shades, not to mention it feels retro (like the vintage bathroom above shared by House of Moore Design) yet timeless.

Color Trend #2: Teal

This is not the first time I’ve called out teal as a color to watch (you might recall this article, and even here where I mentioned it, as well), so you know I’m serious about it. I’m not the only one, either. WGNS, an international trend forecasting company, named “Transformative Teal” the color of the year for 2026. I personally think, after years of milky and cottage-y versions of blue and green, we’re open again to move complex shades of those colors. Like both blue and green? Then BOOM, Teal knocks them out in one single dramatic punch.

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The more I see designers use a color in more permanent applications, such as tile, the more I know it’s going to have lasting power. Case in point, this sweet little bathroom above by Bright Design Lab.

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Designer Robert Stilin celebrated the color in this beautiful home that was featured in Architectural Digest. Something in this first photo that I want to call out is how radiant teal looks in natural light. It’s one of those hues that plays as nicely in a light and airy space as it does in something moody with limited lighting. And it practically begs to be on a material or surface that has some sheen.

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When I worked at a furniture company after my EHD days, I was shocked that a peacock blue similar to the beautiful velvet above (a space by designer Mimi Shin) was one of our most selected fabrics. It held rank in the top three, sometimes even right at the apex of the list, along with gray and beige. Which makes me think, perhaps teal is just one of those colors that is always with us, whether it’s part of the zeitgeist or not. That said, it’s definitely part of it now and will be for the foreseeable future, IMHO.

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A bathroom fixture such as this sink above in a bathroom by Sophie Rowell of Cote de Folk feels like a firmly cemented approval of teal. Could you swap it out? Sure, but chances are, you’re in it for the long haul with this. It’s a good thing, it’s absolutely marvelous and would make anyone stop and stare for a moment when they entered the space.

Color Trend #3: Amber (A.K.A. Burnt Caramel)

I may have amber down at number three, but TBH, it’s one of the top color trends I’m seeing, especially in bathroom design—which I’ll be covering more in depth next week, so stay tuned for that. But yes, amber, or burnt caramel as I’ve been seeing it called in some places, is absolutely everywhere. It’s a rich, unctuous throuple marriage between rust and mustard (which both had their heyday a few years ago), as well as brown. Some iterations of amber are a bit more yellow, while others are a bit more terracotta brown, but anywhere it lands, it’s earthy but fashionable.

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As mentioned, amber bathroom tiles are *the* material choice of the moment in that space, specifically of the zellige variety. I love how designer Alisa MacConnell paired it with buttery yellow walls and bright brass to keep the jewel tone feeling fresh instead of dour.

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I think the color of this sofa and the walls (in a room by designer Hugo Toro) are kiiiind of up for debate, but I’m including it in the burnt caramel camp anyway. The beauty of this color is that it’s very much a warm neutral but still feels like a color-color. If you’re scared of color or don’t really know how to use it, amber or burnt caramel is a great gateway.

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I just need a moment to take in this gorgeous tile backdrop in a space by Studio Mountain (the tile is by BDDW, a favorite of mine and EHD as a whole). I’m a sucker for a scenic tile, which we normally see in Delft blue and white, but in mustardy amber, it’s so unusual and special.

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Chocolate brown upholstery was all the rage last year, and while it’s still very much trending, a less dense or heavy option is a deeper amber. Isn’t it just delicious on this sofa and basically on every surface of this room by Katie Harbison?

Color Trend #4: Chartreuse

Slap my knee and call me surprised because chartreuse snuck up on me. Really, it shouldn’t have, being that both yellow and warm-toned grassy greens have been climbing the popularity charts over the last year. But chartreuse? That one snuck up on me. Like a new word you’re hearing for the first time, you start to hear it everywhere; this acid greenish yellow has been very much the same for me.

What’s funny, though, is the last time icy blue and chocolate brown were on trend for our homes, chartreuse was also popping off. Curious how that happens, but also, everything has a season and a cycle, and nothing is new under the sun.

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Kendall Jenner’s home by Heidi Caillier was the home tour heard around the internet. If you haven’t seen it, you probably have and just haven’t realized. The image above shows Jenner’s camper, which Caillier also designed. You’ll see this limey chartreuse here as a call back to other spaces inside the actual home, such as the bathroom below:

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Caillier used a chartreuse Zia Tile zellige to wake up all the dark, natural wood tones in the cabin-like bathroom above. A soft neutral or even a burgundy or blue would have been beautiful, but the tart green takes on a whole new life and flavor, similar to squeezing a lime over your tacos. They’d be delicious without it, but with it, they’re exactly as they should be.

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I contemplated not including this photo because the upholstery isn’t necessarily as punchy as chartreuse, but the olive green and golden yellows come together in a similar way for my eye, so here it is for your enjoyment. Cortney Bishop masterfully brings the warm palette together with cognacs, bronze-like wood tones, and natural materials.

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A post shared by Laure Joliet (@laurejoliet)

Electric Bowery, shot by Laure Joliet, is quickly becoming one of my newest sources for fresh inspiration. They use color in a way that feels natural, though, like you’ll see in the next project, they also totally go for it. But here, a just-barely chartreuse sofa is absolutely wonderful paired with ambers, caramels, browns, and a hit of cobalt blue.

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A post shared by Electric Bowery (@electricbowery)

Speaking of Electric Bowery, this dining room showcases my favorite way to use color: pick complementary hues but shift them a bit. Instead of traditional red and green, the chartreuse curtains and wall check the green box, while the brick-toned leather chairs carry the weight for red. It works because that’s simply the science of color, but also looks interesting and unexpected because there are some liberties being taken.

Color Trend #5: Burgundy/Oxblood

Chartreuse may have crept up on me, but oxblood (or burgundy or maroon) sure didn’t. It’s been one of the hottest colors in both home and fashion for the better part of last year, and for me personally, it’s a long-held favorite of mine. It’s such a statement when you use it to paint cabinetry, unapologetic on soft goods and walls, and downright luxurious on stone surfaces for kitchens and bathrooms. If we’re lucky, this one will be around for some time.

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A post shared by Electric Bowery (@electricbowery)

Electric Bowery, I just can’t quit you! Pairing a deep red with dark wood tones is such a gorgeous way of bringing down the visual noise of a burgundy. Keep the contrast low with creamy highlights instead of going for something overly white as a paint companion.

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A post shared by Ainsley Brookins Stewart (@ainsleybrookinsdesign)

Daring to use a dramatic color in a small bathroom—such as the one above by Ainsley Brookins Design—is the design tale as old as time, and burgundy really shines in this application. On the walls, on fixtures, in tiles, with stone…it doesn’t matter how you bring it in, the result is always going to be lush, sumptuous, and grandiose, no matter the scale.

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A post shared by DABITO (@dabito)

Dabito of Old Brand New is a master of #sorrynotsorry color use. This amount of non-neutrals is not for everyone, or even most, but it’s so fun to study and pull from to use in a way you feel most comfortable. I’d never think to pair maroon walls with a rusty brown rug, but it totally works, with a soft green as the bridge.

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A post shared by Nuova Home | студия дизайна интерьера (@nuova_home)

Using oxblood in conjunction with neutral woods, and black and white—like Nuova Home did above—renders something very high-end and easy to digest. A big thumbs up for the color drench on the desk area (between the desk, chair, and lamp).

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A post shared by Marie Flanigan Interiors (@marieflaniganinteriors)

Give me a home library or den, and I’ll dive headfirst into a color like this on all surfaces, as Marie Flanigan Interiors did here. Note her use of sheens to really bring out the character of the wine-like shade.

Color Trend #6: Plum

A hop, skip, and (short) jump on the color wheel from burgundy will give you plum. This cooler-toned cousin of red (or warmer-toned cousin of purple, depending on how you’re looking at it) is more playful and youthful than oxblood, but just as impactful. There’s something about aubergine that always feels like such a risk, but when you pull it off, it has huge rewards. And now that I think about it, plum is kind of like the teal of this side of the color wheel—a hybrid of two colors with its own very distinct personality.

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A post shared by Jase Sullivan (@jasesullivan)

Jase Sullivan, I applaud you. The use of plum on this dresser (and the wallpaper) is remarkable, particularly when used in tandem with the cobalt blue lamp and the earthy green door. And like any other jewel tone, just add neutrals and natural textures to keep things feeling grounded.

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A post shared by Zoe Feldman (@zoefeldmandesign)

An oldie by a goodie from designer Zoe Feldman. I’ve admired this dining room for years, stopping every time it hits my feed. It strikes this very difficult balance of being elegant and “fancy” but still casual, welcoming, and interesting. I think the plum color on the walls, trim, and wallpaper plays a big role in that successful balance.

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A post shared by Zoe Feldman (@zoefeldmandesign)

Another one from Zoe Feldman Design. As you can see, plum is hugely successful with a variety of green and other warm neutrals. Throw in some pink or fuchsia, and you have a well-rounded palate that’s full of intrigue, friendliness, and fun.

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A post shared by domino (@dominomag)

Duelle Studio via Domino shows how plum can transform from grounded and serious to joyful and springy with the addition of lilac, blush, and peach.

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A post shared by AM Interior Design | Seattle/Tacoma Interior Design Studio (@aminterior_design)

I mean, what’s not to love about this bathroom by AM Interior Design? A plum toile? Yes, please!

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A post shared by Natalie Myers (@nataliemyers)

Natalie Myers is so good at modern California cool, using color in a very deliberate way. Mixing that plum hex ground with a chalky mauve-meets-lilac cabinet feels contemporary and unexpected.

Color Trend #7: Khaki

For anyone reading here waiting for something less in-your-face, I’m happy to tell you that we’re rounding out our list with khaki. Look, I wasn’t that excited about it when I first read about it, probably just because the name “khaki” itself is so blah, but khaki is here, and honestly, it’s the absolutely perfect companion to almost every other saturated shade in our lineup. It’s the color that’s quietly been in the background for a while, often being confused with mushroom, or taupe, or beige, or cream. But no, khaki has a depth to it that all those others fall just short of. It’s all those colors combined with just enough yellow and green in it to make it interesting.

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A post shared by Heidi Caillier Design (@heidicaillierdesign)

Heidi Caillier Design has been on this khaki game for years. It’s her base for almost everything if you go back and look through her work. And now I understand why. It gives brown without the heaviness, cream but with more personality, and whispers while taking up space. Honestly, it may be the ideal neutral.

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A post shared by Mieke ten Have (@mieketenhave)

Another one by Heidi Cailier, styled by Mieke Ten Have. The khaki print of the wallpaper works so well with the putty gray-green trim and all the rich wood tones and limestone floor.

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A post shared by Alice Grace (@by_alicegrace)

And finally, I showed this space by Alice Grace as an example of icy blue, but it’s coming back around for its khaki-colored cabinetry. Bonus points for its surprise blue interior (you can see on the eighth slide!).

—

Raise your hand if you’re feeling alive after all that glorious color! Raise your hand if you’re thinking, “You do you, but not for me!” Both opinions are welcome here, because I am an equal opportunity color lover. And honestly, my mantra, which I share often, is that there are no bad colors, just bad uses of color, so on-trend or not, it’s all good.

Take care, design friends. Until next time…

Opening Image Credits: Design by Jess Bunge | Styled by Emily Bowser | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Makeover Takeover: Jess’ Colorful Yet Calm Bedroom Reveal

It’s clear. The mood for January is: declutter and reset. I just spent all weekend assessing countless piles of accumulated clutter and the bountiful re-organization needs of my house. How ’bout you? If you’re following Em over on Instagram, there’s a good chance you saw her doing just the same, and I’m impressed. She’s been crossing off one cluttered area at a time (nightstands, kitchen drawers, kids’ closets), slaying the chaos with vigor and determination. Maybe you caught the awesome storage round-up Jess just shared last week, highlighting some of the best organization solutions out there for just about every spot in your home (my personal faves being the over-the-door storage and this perfectly narrow shoe cabinet).

In many cases, buying new, specific solutions for your organizing needs makes perfect sense. This post isn’t meant to discourage you from seeking out a ready-made system to get you going. If your linen cabinet is exploding and your sheets refuse to stick together, I think these sheet organizers are an incredible, affordable, EASY solve. But this weekend, as I began to take down my Christmas decorations (yeahhh I’ve been procrastinating that one), piling it all next to my “must take to recycling” heap of cardboard boxes, I wondered about what I needed to buy in order to properly store it all ’til next year…and then a lightbulb went off. Did I really need to purchase a new, plastic tote to keep it all together? Or could I just make the most of the Amazon boxes in front of me? I DIY’d my Christmas decorations from brown paper bags and old magazines; what was stopping me from giving these boxes a similar facelift? And what other items do I (or you) have at home already that could be repurposed or reimagined for storage? Well, here are a few organization DIY-deas that I (and the internet) came up with:

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Reorganize With Cardboard:

Cardboard, to me, is such an underrated material. And it’s one I know we ALL have in our homes. My plan for my big pile of empty boxes is to paint or cover them in patterned paper or fabric to give them a new, slightly more aesthetic life. Painting feels like the easiest and most playful method for me, but how cute are these fabric boxes if you wanted to spend a little more time? I’ll store my holiday decorations in them, so I think I’ll paint them to reflect what’s inside, with big snowflakes or little collections of trees and stars. Are they going to be perfect? Probably not! And that’s fine with me.

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A post shared by Linto Antony (@plants.diy.upcycle)

Boxes of smaller sizes could be decorated similarly (or not, just leave ’em as is!) to be used as drawer organizers. Are you one of those people that holds onto their iPhone box for years and years just in case? Use that perfect box in your bathroom drawer to store your hair ties or bobby pins! OR you can follow this tutorial (so easy) to make a custom cardboard drawer divider, just by cutting strips of cardboard to interlock with one another, adding tape to finish the edges. Totally customizable to fit whatever you like 🙂

@thecardboardqueen My Top 5 tips for Cardboard crafting!! 📦📦📦🤎🤎👸 #cardboardboxes #cardboard #crafting #crafts #crafttutorial #craftvideos ♬ original sound – Sherri Madison

More easy cardboard ideas? Use toilet paper rolls to group and organize loose cords. Take cereal boxes, cut them diagonally, and cover them to make magazine holders. OR cut out one side, stack, adhere, and decorate to make a paper organizer. A milk carton can be cut down and decorated to make a great pencil holder (or use a tin can or glass jar wrapped in fun paper, or not!). An empty tissue box is a great way to store loose plastic bags that can be easily pulled from the top. A shoe box is lidded storage just waiting to be customized! Cut a hole in the side, and you have a cable/cord organizer. You can really let your imagination run wild. This woman’s video has some great tips to keep in mind when working with cardboard. I think I’ll try the inside-out method for my Christmas storage to avoid all the labels!

Level Up With Wood Crafts:

@paige.falk I love a good shelf 🫶🏼 #diy #shelvesdecor #shelvesidea #roomdecor #newhomeSLAY ♬ Let's Have Some Fun Alt – The Desperados

I hope I’m not the only one with random wood scraps scattered around. If you’re like me in this way and you’re not afraid of a little sawing, there are plenty of easy DIY storage builds to make. I’ve made a “floating shelf” like this before. A little paint or stain could take this to the next level, but a narrow plank of wood and a few L brackets/screws make a perfect little storage ledge.

@allstylelife My thermostat just got promoted to wall art 🖼️🙌🏼. I love this easy DIY for hiding those little eyesores around the home. All you need are two @IKEA Rödalm picture frames, a couple of hinges, and magnets to keep the frames closed. I used @Command Brand strips to hang mine—so simple! Would you try this DIY? #ikeahack #diypictureframe #torontolife #torontocreator #diypictureframehack ♬ Man I Need – Olivia Dean

This fun idea takes a couple of simple picture frames and some small hinges to create hidden wall storage! A great place to hang up your keys or the perfect way to hide an ugly wall electronic behind a nice piece of “art”. Take it up a notch using a vintage frame and some scrap wood to build it out from the wall a bit and hide shelves inside, like this girl did here.

@tinalemac After moving into this apartment from living in a house, I quickly realized that I needed to add more storage. I got creative with these DIYs and hacks to maximize these small spaces and they are still some of my fave projects to this day ☺️ Can’t wait to see what else we will create in the new place!! #diyideas #diyhome #diyproject #apartmentideas #apartmenthacks #renterfriendly #kitchenideas #diyhomeprojects ♬ After Midnight – Chappell Roan

This girl is making DIYs that are a little more advanced, but I TOTALLY want to steal the sofa sleeve/table idea! Essentially, just attaching three pieces of wood with either L brackets again or pocket holes if you have a jig, then decorating how you like! If you can build that, you could easily build some custom shelf risers using the same method. Or, similar to the cardboard drawer dividers, you could make an interlocking X-shaped, wooden organizer (great for magazines or books), and this tutorial shows you just how easy it is to build. Even easier? Cut small boards to the depth of your dresser drawers to create sturdy dividers to be attached with wood glue, nails, or little screws.

Re-Imagine Existing Storage Solutions:

@purrfecthomee Ikea hack #home #kitchen #organize #homeimprovement #favourite #ikea #organization #decoration ♬ Come Inside Of My Heart – IV Of Spades

Now, let’s say you don’t want permanent drawer dividers, and you’d rather not spend the money on the classic expandable drawer dividers. One of the most versatile, pre-existing storage solutions is this plate holder from IKEA. Look how this person uses them to organize a drawer! So clever. You could also place them out on your desk and store mail, loose papers, art, or, of course, use them as they were intended–for organizing plates (or pans, etc) in the kitchen!

@kylenct At $10 per rack (I got 2!), this is a super affordable and beautiful way to display your books! I’m also downsizing my book collection bc I am not really a maximalist in that way, so it’s fun to highlight a more curated selection in a way that doubles as decor. Original idea by @Grillodesigns ! #diybookshelf #bookshelfhack #livingroomdecor #bookstorageideas ♬ RUNAWAY – pluko

But did you know you could ALSO hang these on your wall as a floating bookshelf?? How cool is this? And again, your creative options are endless with paint or stain. Alternatively, you could take the pieces apart, turn them 90 degrees, and only hang up the doweled sides to function as a peg rail to hang jewelry, hats, scarves–you name it!

@thedoerandthedreamer I have a full blog post about the mudroom too if you want more details! . This is the easier DIY though and can be so customizable! #diyproject #organizationhacks #mudroomideas #shoestorage ♬ original sound – Tara – slow DIY & home ideas

Speaking of wooden dowels, another great idea I came across was using a closet rod as shoe storage! This girl installs it just as you would a normal closet rod, but super low, so you can tuck shoes in between it and the wall. But if you don’t have two walls to hang between, you could always hang a curtain rod low to the ground to use in the same way. An easy way to get your shoes off the ground (but maybe put some contact paper or a back it with a piece of wood to protect your walls from excess dirt).

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A post shared by Aurelie Erikson (@aurelie.erikson)

We can’t talk rods without talking hangers. You might already have some of your kid’s hangers hanging around, and if you do, they’re perfect for hanging pants or jeans in the closet because they’re a way more efficient size for draping clothing over the bottom. Great for slinky tops or skirts too! Another great idea for jeans is to hang them in your closet using S hooks on the rod. Just hook the belt loops onto the S hooks and you have a super simple way to store your pants.

I’m having a bit of a jean storage issue at the moment, and have actually been thinking about using the shoe rod storage technique on the wall behind my bedroom door, but for pants. Think about it, a few small rods stacked and hung up on the wall with just enough space between them to fold and drape my jeans along them? I’m still workshopping this idea, but for now, I don’t hate it.

There are SOOOO many more DIYs I have saved and could share here, but I’m running out of time and don’t want to keep dragging on. So I’ll end with this. Storage is something I think we alllll have to deal with, some more aesthetically than others. In the past, I found it absolutely necessary to buy all matching bins and boxes from IKEA or The Container Store and would go HAM on the plastic drawer organizers. And if that’s your jam, more power to you! But as I take this time to sort through and declutter, I realize just how much STUFF I have lying around. Stuff I need to purge, stuff I need to store, stuff I could repurpose to stuff my stuff away. Of course, it’s so tempting to just buy it fresh and new, and for some things, I still do. If you’re less DIY-inclined, I highly encourage you to check out your local thrift store or Facebook Marketplace for storage solutions. There are so many baskets and bins out there already that might just be the perfect fit for your space. But if you have the time and are craving the creative flex, maybe give one of these storage ideas a try or let one of them inspire a completely new solution! And if it does, please, feel free to share your clever ideas in the comments 🙂

Sincerely, Gretch

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: Finally Organizing Four Huge Problem Areas (…And My Case For Loving January)