A well placed coffee table book that is exclusive and meaningful both brings authenticity to a space and inspires conversation. My sorority recently published a special edition book as part of the Gamma Phi Beta 150th Anniversary Oral History Project 2024. The Gamma Phi Beta book, In My Words, includes stories and photographs from thousands…
Category: Furniture & decor
Low-key luxury interiors integrate an old money aesthetic into contemporary living spaces with a gradual approach to selecting and upgrading furniture and decor. Learn how to go furniture shopping with your growing family in mind. Read furniture modification and custom decor tips that will bring handmade luxury touches to everything from IKEA furniture to top quality antiques.
#LKRB principle of design: waste not, want not
With a no-waste approach to interior decorating, environmental sustainability and financial sustainability go hand in hand. One of the primary reasons that glamorous historical properties are sold into trusts is because they were built without an eye to maintenance costs. A low-key luxury living space gives thought not only to day-to-day contemporary living, but also…
Furniture mods: upholstering like an expert
Upholstering your furniture with professional results does not require extensive interior design expertise. The papasan chair in the picture was transformed from a modern vibe to a rustic lodge aesthetic with a natural wool pillow cover. I used a wool wash with lanolin to soften the cover for an extra-cozy touch. Pillow covers versus upholstering…
Holiday decor: how to make gorgeous stockings
You don’t need to be a Martha Stewart to decorate your home with gorgeous, handmade stockings. Bucilla stockings are a beautiful do-it-yourself option that anyone can assemble. And, if you don’t want to DIY, there are a lot of mom-and-pop shops that will make custom stockings for you. When I was little, my mom hand…
Holiday decor: how to pick Christmas tree fence
Picking out a simple Christmas tree fence or collar can make it practical to set up a real tree that toddlers and puppies can enjoy. A little fence won’t stop anyone from munching on pine needles entirely, but it will make playtime near the tree a lot easier to supervise. There are a few pre-made…
Furniture mods: how to stain wood
Applying wood stain and a light varnish is a beautiful way to refinish furniture that enhances the original aesthetic of the wood. You can refresh one piece of furniture at a time to ameliorate signs of wear and tear. Or, you can refinish several pieces of furniture from different designers and manufacturers with the same…
Puppy decor: space for a new puppy
Setting up an inviting sleep-and play space for a new puppy is easy if you think from the puppy’s point of view. Dogs need furnishings and toys that are washable and replaceable. If you have a young puppy that hasn’t finished teething, they also need to be able to chew on everything without hurting a…
Custom decor: better than a corkboard
Thanks to the proliferation of do-it-yourself crafters, there are a lot of bulletin board alternatives today that are visually appealing. The custom-made rattan board in the picture supports clips or pegs that can be permanently attached and won’t fall to the floor. I added this rattan board to the wall next to my front door…
Furniture shopping: storage the family will love
When you have a growing family, choosing furniture for storage can seem like a game of musical chairs. Rearranging belongings for young children and pets that get bigger every day, while prioritizing safety and trying to make everything visually appealing, doesn’t require being a natural-born Marie Kondo. With young children or pets, you may find…
Furniture shopping: creating an easy workspace
You can easily create a workspace anywhere in your home with nothing but a mini desk and chair. Home offices can feel overly secluded and take up a lot of space, while a mini workspace can be set up with only a few square feet. I created the workspace in the picture for guests to…