Shelterpop

A Fashionable Room Inspired By Kim Kardashian

Amy Preiser — 2011-08-27T13:00:00 00:00

We love the StyleList's "It Happened Last Night." We love decor. So why not put them together in a shoppable, fashion-fueled room?

This Weekend's Pick: Kim Kardashian

What is it about Kim Kardashian's every move that captivates all the gossip magazines and, let's face it, most people we know? While we usually leave it up to sister site StyleList to check in on her outfits, we couldn't skip over this one, a retro-style homage to a classier, more covered-up era. So Kim, we salute you and your take on this look with a Kardashian-inspired room.

Getty Images; Courtesy photos

And you can get the look in your home with these products:

Clockwise from top left:
Soji Solar Lantern, $25, Bambeco.
Troy Galvanized Planters, starting at $20, CB2.
Bubble Club Sofa by Kartell, $867, Design Public.
Cat Eye Glasses Sleeping Mask by Mary Green, $25, Refinery29.
Palmetto Wicker Accent Table, $149, Pottery Barn.

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The Most Ridiculous Home-Related Fights

Amy Preiser — 2011-07-21T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Kitchen, Bedroom, Your Home, Living Room

From toilet paper wars to the remote control tug-of-war, the home can be a breeding ground for fights. Here, some of the silliest?

Over at The Nest, they're collecting their users' most ridiculous fights. And what I noticed (aside from a serious trend of couple's food issues): So many of these are caused by everyday home occurences. Not that I can't relate. I'd be lying if I didn't admit to fighting over the TV volume, folding the laundry, locking the door -- oh, sadly, I could go on. Instead, I gathered my favorite house-caused tiffs from the post and comments -- plus some new ones from our Facebook friends:

Getty

"We fought about how many times a toilet should be flushed in a day. This was a serious, ridiculous, give-the-silent-treatment kind of argument." --LOISSA

"We got into a fight while assembling the furniture in our new house. If we made it through that, we'll make it through anything!" --AUBREYDUB

"Whether or not to tuck in the sheets at the end of the bed -- every time I make the bed, I tuck them in, and every night, he untucks them." --KDTULLY

"We had a standoff for almost a week to see who would give in first and finally buy toilet paper. For the record, I won." --STEVE+MEL

"My husband and I live in the country, so he thinks we have no need to lock the doors when we are home. I tried to explain to him that I felt better locking the doors while we are sleeping (otherwise, what are locks for?!). He became so angry with me, and started telling me I was basically saying he couldn't protect me. This all coming from the man who can sleep through ANYTHING and can fall asleep while doing any activity (such as driving my brand new car while I was sleeping in the passenger seat). We have had this fight on more than one occasion. Please keep in mind he DOES lock the deep freezer in the basement... seriously? You are more concerned with someone stealing your meat than your wife?!" --GooniesGeek247

"Our most ridiculous -- and first -- fight as a married couple was over the remote control and what to watch. The remote ended up being broken, so that fight cost us $18 for another remote." --AprilSexton

"I stayed mad at my husband for a week because he refused to take the package cover off of his ps3, eventually i gave up and let him keep it on but for some reason it still bugs me." --Doubleeep

"We fight over the thermostat. I like it cold, he likes it hot...I tell him to go put a shirt on!" --Sonya Baker

"We rarely argue, but when making decisions regarding the exterior renovation of our home the question of painting the brick or not painting the brick created some marital stress around here. Guys apparently have a thing against painting brick. Who knew?" --Christine Reuss Wisnewski

"Which direction to put up the tension rod for the shower curtain (because of the bump between the two pieces.) I must have been PMSing that day, haha." --Therese Noren

"Whether it's okay to compile stray items at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the 2nd floor (in an attempt to tidy in fewer trips) until a trip upstairs is necessary. That, and whether it's okay to leave stray socks around the house after they are pulled off." --Anissa Pinkham

"My husband and I argue about disciplining our little fur son because he pees in the house at times. He is 3 years old. I clean his little puddles and talk to him. My husband withholds his favorite treat, non salted saltine crackers, which I think is cruel. Thus we argue and I give him extra crackers." --Maria Smith

"The color of his bathroom. I was fully prepared to let him pick out the color and just give helpful advice, but he joked one time too many that I was going to take over until I offered NO advice at all and now he painted the bathroom the color of a special effects blue screen. I'm not happy." --Carol Frye Bennett

"The TV remote. Hubby either mutes commercials and leaves the room with the remote or surfs during commercials and I miss part of the show. Sometimes I manage to shanghai the remote, but it isn't worth the aggravation Captain OCD gives me over it." --Debbie Keller

"He picks at me because I stuff the trash basket till it looks like the Orville Redenbacher popcorn commercial with the lid rising; I pick at him because it's apparently against his religious principles to ever, under any circumstance, rinse a dish." --Heather Sullivan

Looking for more? Check out the rest of the piece on The Nest or these other great articles:
7 Easy Ways to Get Quality Time Together in the Morning
Are You a Dirty Fighter?
Avoid Thank-You Note Hell

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Q&A With Actor / Bar Owner / DIY-er Anthony Mackie

Amy Preiser — 2011-07-20T14:10:00 00:00

Filed under: Famous Homes, Celebrity Homes

Actor Anthony Mackie talks about building his new bar and explains why he isn't afraid to get his hands dirty "just because I'm in a movie now and then."

The bar that Anthony Mackie built. Photo: Jennifer Cooper

Most people know Anthony Mackie from his roles in The Adjustment Bureau or The Hurt Locker and Brooklynites are now getting to know him as the man behind new Bed-Stuy bar NoBar. But this isn't just any celebrity-turned-nightlife-impresario. Not only will you find Anthony behind the bar most nights, you'll find that he built the bar. And the bar back. And oh yes, the floors. And did we mention this man is not afraid to snake a toilet? Read on to see how he stayed on budget thanks to eBay, why (he says) women aren't impressed with his handy skills and his feelings on mass-market furniture in our exclusive Q&A on DIY Life!

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Home Remedy: How to Make Friends

Amy Preiser — 2011-07-18T14:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Your Home, Living Room, Furniture

We asked four designers how your home can help you make (and keep, and enjoy) friends.

In our latest bid to show you how your home can help solve your problems, we're exploring how it can help you make friends. We reached out to the New York Design Center's new Access to Design designers to get their thoughts and tips on how your home can inspire you to get more creative. (You can also get great advice and find a designer at accesstodesign@nydc.com.)

Courtesy of k.brant interiors

Kirsten Brant of k.brant interiors wants you to focus on seating.
"In this space I built a banquette that wrapped around the entire room so there would be seating for everyone and their friends. A great place for conversations! There are televisions and drink tables for your snacks as well as a bar with a wine fridge and soda storage right next door. Any space with a lot of seating is great for being with your friends and making new ones."

Courtesy of Christopher Coleman Interior Design

Chris Coleman of Christopher Coleman Interior Design is committed to color.
"Create a welcoming hang-out place. Mix and match to bring the friends home! Look for pieces that are eclectic, colorful and modern. Mix shapes and sizes and don't forget the accessories that add a dazzling interest and create conversation."

Stools from PROFILES via NYDC

Richard Lee of Richard Lee Interior Design relies on "portable furniture".
"What I like to use are little benches that can go behind a sofa or under a table, that can be pulled up and perched upon. I call it 'portable furniture', and it can be used to augment other furniture arrangements ... instant conversation-seating additions."

Courtesy of Tara Seawright

And Tara Seawright of Tara Seawright Inc./Interior Design has her eye on materials.
"When designing a room for entertaining, I want to be sure that guests will feel at ease. This space is glamorous, yet still comfortable, and offers surfaces made of marble, glass and mirror -- all of which are appropriate for guests to place glasses on without wondering "do I need a coaster?". The fabrics are also durable, and the rug is patterned to avoid seeing all spills or crumbs. This room also allows the hostess to be at ease, and when your hostess is relaxed everybody has a great time."

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Wine Stain Disasters: Solved!

Amy Preiser — 2011-07-18T11:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Storage & Cleaning, Cleaning

We found some of the worst wine stains out there -- white carpets, pristine tablecloths, you name it -- and are bringing you the best ways to combat those stains.

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Wine Stain Disasters

Can't you just hear the hostess screaming after a cringe-worthy spill like this? No fear. Red wine CAN be removed from a white carpet with

Wine Stain Disasters

Check out more great cleaning articles like our Daily Clean-Up tips and find out what your mess says about you.

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House of Worship: Veranda's House of Windsor

Amy Preiser — 2011-07-13T15:55:00 00:00

Filed under: Design, etc, House Tours

Veranda magazine presents a designer showhouse with a charitable bent.

Perhaps the best part of this "House of Worship": Lucky LA-based readers can visit it and get a firsthand look. VerandaUnVeils: The House of Windsor takes Veranda magazine's perspective on gracious living to the next level, presenting the abstract idea in a tangible, lovely house. Designer Windsor Smith worked with fellow LA designers like "Million Dollar Decorators"'s Martyn Lawrence Bullard and Inner Gardens' Stephen Block.

The house will be open through this Sunday, July 17th, and tickets are available online for $30 and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Children's Action Network and P.S. ARTS. As for that horse? We can't promise it will still be there but we really hope so.

But we can promise you'll come away with a major case of kitchen envy. Oh, to have such neat open shelves!

But that's enough out of us -- check out this video from Editor at Large to see what the designers, their clients and celebrity guests have to say about the house:

TKTKKT

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The 'Housewives'-Approved 15-Minute Clean-Up

Amy Preiser — 2011-07-13T11:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Storage & Cleaning, Storage & Organization, Cleaning

When you only have 15 minutes to clean, how do you spend them? Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen from "Real Housewives of New York" share their trusty get-clean-quick tips.

Last week when I visited the McCord-Van Kempen home for their amazing backyard makeover, I was impressed at how clean they keep their place. Especially with two adorable, rambunctious kids. So I asked Alex & Simon to share their favorite tips on how to clean up the kitchen when in a tight 15 minute window. Maybe you've got surprise guests on the way, maybe you're just running 15 minutes early in the morning and want to whip your place into shape -- no matter what you'll love their easy ideas on what to clean ... and what you can skip.

What are some of your favorite ways to clean things up in a short period of time? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter!

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Crazy/Sexy/Cool? A Cloud You Can Live In

Amy Preiser — 2011-07-12T14:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Fun Stuff, Design, etc, News & Trends

What's better than vacationing in the South of France? Vacationing in the South of France ... in a cloud.

Bruit du frigo

Every so often I come across a house that's so amazing the only thing that comes to mind is the Liz Lemon quote: "I want to go to there". Case in point, this cloud house in Lormont, found through If It's Hip It's Here.

On the outside, it looks like a dreamy, adorable cloud. But inside? A neat vacation spot that sleeps 7. The wood and plexiglass interiors are warm, modern and perfect for holing up with your favorite books and bottle of wine.

Bruit du frigo

And: Bunkbeds! Brilliant. Let's say it one more time: I want to go to there.

Bruit du frigo

Now, it's clear I think this pod is super cool but I want to know what you think: Crazy? Sexy? Or Cool? Originally created by Le Bruit de Frigo and Zébra3/Buy-sellf for last October's la biennale d'art en parcs urbains panOramas 2010, "Le Nuage", that darling cloud pod, is now available to rent out nightly from now through October through the Lormont Tourism office.

Bruit du frigo

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House of Worship: Pierre Cardin's Lacoste

Amy Preiser — 2011-07-12T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Design, etc, House Tours

After tackling fashion, homewares, cigarettes and toilets, Pierre Cardin sets his sights on Lacoste, a tiny village in Provence.

Adrian Gaut for WSJ.

In the latest issue of WSJ., iconic designer and licensing pioneer Pierre Cardin shares his biggest project yet: Reconstructing over 40 buildings in Lacoste, France. And in the process, reimagining the entire small village.

Adrian Gaut for WSJ

Rather than trying to match or recreate the grand, historic architecture of the buildings, Cardin is offering a modern, dynamic counterpoint to the exteriors. Writer Tony Perrottet, who toured many of the locations, describes the finished interiors as a bright escape: "Each room had a different color theme -- vibrantly bright orange, purple, green -- and was filled with [Cardin's] furniture in bold, lacquered shapes."

Adrian Gaut for WSJ

The goal? To turn Lacoste -- which is already home to a satellite campus of the terrific Savannah College of Art & Design -- into a "Saint-Tropez of culture" (those are Cardin's words, not Perrottet's) with galleries, cafes, grocery stores and an annual arts fair, the Lacoste Festival.

Unsurprisingly, Cardin has met with some naysayers -- many locals boycott his shops and cafes and in a coup, convinced him to cancel one of his large projects for the town, a large golf course. Still, we're fascinated by the new-meets-old approach from the now-89-year-old designer. And we can't wait to see what's next.

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Blank Canvas: CanvasPop (Plus! A Special Discount)

Amy Preiser — 2011-07-12T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Design, etc, News & Trends

What's more intimidating than a big empty wall? The endless options of photographs, drawings, screenprints and shadowboxes out there. We're making it a little easier by zeroing in on our favorites.

The best part about curated art sites: They have great taste so you don't have to. But there's something just a little more special -- and a lot more personal -- about hanging custom-for-you artwork.

Enter CanvasPop. They're set up to turn your Facebook photos, phone photos or scanned family photos into art. And when they invited me to try it for myself, I had the perfect challenge. I needed a piece to transform the back corner of my living room: A big empty wall that I've never done anything with except hang a small photo by my brilliant photographer friend Jordan Levie.

My big blank wall, before and after CanvasPop. Photos: ShelterPop

I took their generous offer as a chance to experiment with scale -- and test out how well they handle the details of a photo on a larger-than-life print. As anyone who's ever experimented with blowing up a photo on a scanner knows, images can easily appear grainy and blurry once you enlarge them. Definitely not the look I was going for.

But the site is way more prepared than I gave them credit for: A personal technician emailed me a proof of the photo I chose -- again, another Jordan Levie shot, this time a hyper-colorful, slightly-mysterious shot of a claw machine filled with candy and dollar-wrapped cigarettes. And while the resolution on the shot was big enough to survive perfectly, they have special filters they can play with to pump up a lower resolution shot, ones that even turn your photo into a comic book-style piece.

Some of my favorite pieces on CanvasPop.

When my canvas arrived, I was floored: The image is vibrant and the overall quality is incredible -- thick canvas, perfectly folded corners and it comes ready to hang. I was so obsessed with the piece I picked up an art light to give it even more attention. Doesn't the wall look so much ... happier? It also draws the eye to the back of the room as soon as you walk in, which helps make my living room look enormous.

Jealous? I've got good news: The kind people at CanvasPop want you to try the site, too. From now until the end of July, you can use the promo code ShelterPop15 to get 15% off your order (this cannot be used with any other coupon or discount). And if you're jealous of the photo, you can email Jordan.

Looking for more ideas for jazzing up a boring wall check out the rest of our Blank Canvas columns!

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Just In: Courteney Cox's New Gig as a Home Editor

Amy Preiser — 2011-07-11T17:22:00 00:00

Filed under: Design, etc, News & Trends

The actress/design enthusiast signs up as xoJane.com's Home Editor.

xoJane

It's well-known that home editors have the best-looking houses (not to brag or anything) but the newest editor to join our humble tribe is none other than the stunning (and stunning house inhabitant) Courteney Cox. Over at the already too-much-fun xoJane.com, they've announced that Ms. Cox will share her decorating (and, bonus: beauty) advice.

Her first column's all about beauty products, so we'll have to be patient and wait for her to tackle home. We're hoping there's lots of bargain decor and gossip on her friends' houses. And oh yeah, tons of cleaning advice because we like to pretend she actually is Monica Geller and therefore truly anal-retentive about cleaning.

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Home Remedy: Be Productive

Amy Preiser — 2011-07-11T14:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Your Home, Living Room, Furniture

Feel like you need to squeeze more hours into your day to get everything done? Here's a more realistic solution: Follow these tips for making your time at home more productive.

In our latest bid to show you how your home can help solve your problems, we're exploring how it can help you be productive. We reached out to the New York Design Center's new Access to Design designers to get their thoughts and tips on how your home can inspire you to get more creative. (You can also get great advice and find a designer at accesstodesign@nydc.com.)

Courtesy of Marks & Frantz Design and Decoration.

Lisa Frantz and Lydia Marks of Marks & Frantz Design and Decoration say start with the right storage and the rest will fall into place.
"One of the first things we always ask clients is how they envision using their space? If you decorate so there is functionality along with beauty you will be more productive at home. Design your room to suit your needs -- a great example of this is using cabinetry to create spaces that are specific to what needs to be stored (books, clutter or other odds and ends) so you can stay organized. If there is not room for a home office then cabinets can be added into the bedroom that could function as both bedroom storage and a place to keep all the paperwork organized. We gave this client a large built-in in their bedroom that functions as a multi-use space -- part work area/office, part storage, and it even holds the TV, cable box and wires out of sight."

Courtesy of John Loecke Inc.; Courtesy of Thomas M. Burak Interiors.

Jason Oliver Nixon and John Loecke of John Loecke, Inc. are all about making productivity fun.
"Jason looked up the word 'productive' in the dictionary and fell in love with its colorful synonyms. He is currently scampering about the house peppering his conversation with bon mots such as 'fruitful', 'fecund', and 'prolific'. To wit: 'I was especially prolific today, let's make cocktails to celebrate.'" To create instant fecundity for yourself, Jason and John suggest crafting a work nook that brims over with color and energy. After all, who wants to work in a space that is beige and boring? "Our office looks like a piñata at Punky Brewster's birthday soiree," notes John. "It inspires colorful thoughts and buckets of creativity and reminds us that margarita hour starts at 5pm sharp." Here's an especially fertile space that we 'did up' a few years back with a jaunty John Loecke, Inc.-crafted wallpaper, green grosgrain ribbon trim, a color-blocked carpet, and loads of artwork. This space makes me want to be especially fruitful and fabulous and tackle heaps of paperwork," chortles Jason as the sounds of a margarita-making blender echo in the background.

Thomas Burak of Thomas M. Burak Interiors suggests multitasking furniture.
"To be more productive in the home why not place a desk next to your bed? You can turn those sleepless nights into a quick work session with a handy pad and pen or your computer. And when you're finished, your bed is right there, awaiting your return."

Courtesy of Apropros Furniture through NYDC.

And John Chadwick of Interiors by John Chadwick wants you to file, file, file!
"I have a special book shelf in my office lined with beautiful leather file boxes. Each box is organized with specific subjects. For example, one box is filled with ideas for curtains, another with unusual furniture arrangements, another with meaningful quotes from famous designers, etc. When I am meditating and looking for inspirations, I frequently look through these files to observe what other designers have done and said. It is a well-known fact that good design inspires good design. These files are invaluable to me. After having ruminated for awhile on these good solutions to difficult or unusual conditions, I find that inspiration always comes to me in the most welcome and inspired ways."

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A Very 'Real Housewives' Backyard Makeover

Amy Preiser — 2011-07-08T16:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Famous Homes, Gardening, Garden Tours, Celebrity Homes

Watch Alex McCord and Simon Van Kempen's Brooklyn backyard go from overgrown and under-decorated to polished and playful.

I've seen the McCord-Van Kempen house on "Real Housewives of New York City" and now I've seen it in person. It's big, it's lovely, it's honestly quite jealousy-inducing. Alex told me that they were extremely inspired in decorating the inside but when it came to their outdoor area, they just didn't know what to do. After waiting and waiting for inspiration That's definitely the right time to bring in a professional, and it doesn't get any better than interior designer Elaine Griffin and her team. With her from some seriously bright new pieces (and Alex and Simon's sons François and Johan), the backyard went through a total transformation, in just one afternoon. Want to get a closer look at the process? Check out our slideshow!

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A Backyard Makeover for Alex and Simon

Yes, it's lush, but this space could use some taming.

A Backyard Makeover for Alex and Simon

Color, texture and a better take on greenery.

A Backyard Makeover for Alex and Simon

A lonely bench and play car.

A Backyard Makeover for Alex and Simon

Now it's a grilling station. Yum!

A Backyard Makeover for Alex and Simon

Looks lackluster and out-of-place.

A Backyard Makeover for Alex and Simon

The perfect spot for roasting s'mores. Love those candle holders!

A Backyard Makeover for Alex and Simon

Is cute, but fades into the fence behind.

A Backyard Makeover for Alex and Simon

Is bright, beautiful red. Johan approves.

A Backyard Makeover for Alex and Simon

It's great-looking, but they don't know what to do with it.

A Backyard Makeover for Alex and Simon

Is Accessorized with sweet chairs, mini tables and pillows. Much better, right?

A Backyard Makeover for Alex and Simon

A special thanks to HomeGoods for organizing the makeover and supplying all the incredible outdoor decor and accessories. More thanks to Elaine Griffin for her amazing design work, Harlem Flo for the landscaping and all those stunning flowers and Taylor Made Contractors for their hard work (including painting the playpod!).

Looking for more makeovers? Check out some of our favorite: The four-seasons makeover, a kitchen saved by a "culinary man cave" and see how to make open shelving work for you.

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Just In: Kmart to Launch Gordon Ramsey Homewares Line

Amy Preiser — 2011-07-08T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Design, etc, News & Trends

The celebrity chef and "Hell's Kitchen" host's next stop: Your kitchen table.

Is this what Ramsay's line will look like? Unlikely, but we can dream. Photos: Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images; Getty

It's easy to feel like everyone and their mother is launching their own home line. Diane Keaton did it, Sandra Lee's doing it, even Justin Bieber's in the game. So while we weren't surprised that Gordon Ramsay announced "Gordon Ramsay Everyday," a collection that will be sold exclusively at Kmart. Ramsay credits his fans as the inspiration behind the collection. "By developing this line, I can make the right tools available to them. And in working with Kmart, I can guarantee each product is being offered at an accessible price." he said. Our friends at Curbed, who first shared the news, have pointed out that the chef's devotion to bargain-hunting may fall closer to home than previously thought: He did file for bankruptcy in 2009.

What do you think: Would you buy "Gordon Ramsay Everyday"? Tell us in the comments!

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House of Worship: Elizabeth Taylor's Estate

Amy Preiser — 2011-07-07T14:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Famous Homes, Celebrity Homes

A look inside the home of the fabulous and dearly departed icon.

When Elizabeth Taylor's home appeared in Architectural Digest after she passed away this year, it was the perfect tribute. Her Bel-Air house, which she redecorated in 2010 with interior designer Waldo Fernandez was every inch her signature glamour ... yet somehow soft and private, in a disarming way. From the low-key palette of light blues to the loads of framed family photos, it's clear that Taylor's tastes veered toward the personal. And the theme we can't get enough of? Flowers, flowers everywhere -- from chintz chairs to an opulent garden to the detailing on her shower tile.

Come, take a look:

Firooz Zahedi for Architectural Digest

Looking for more? Head over to Architectural Digest for the full story or see her stunning garden, her many homes and the story of this house hitting the market at 8.6 million.

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Crazy/Sexy/Cool? Painting a Pool With Skateboards (VIDEO)

Amy Preiser — 2011-07-06T14:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Fun Stuff, Design, etc, News & Trends

With spray paint strapped to their boards, a group of street artists turn an empty pool into a wild, colorful piece of art.

English street artist D*Face is known for his inventive work that takes on everything from pop art icons to Hollywood obsessions (maybe you remember his Charlie Sheen gravestone from earlier this year). But his latest project calls upon something much more simple for the real punch: Skateboards. Well, skateboards rigged with spray paint cans. He and friends Salba and Tristan take over this bland pool to create a look that they describe as both "Pollack-esque" and "so rad." We couldn't say it better. Take a look:

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Home Remedy: Get Creative

Amy Preiser — 2011-07-05T11:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Your Home, Bathroom, Living Room, Furniture

Find yourself slumping in front of the TV every evening? Three designers weigh in on how your home can inspire you to be a little more creative with your down time.

We've already explored how your home can make you look younger, wake up early, destress after work and stop fighting. Now, we're putting it to work again. We reached out to the New York Design Center's new Access to Design designers to get their thoughts and tips on how your home can inspire you to get more creative. (You can also get great advice and find a designer at accesstodesign@nydc.com.)

Courtesy of Vanessa Deleon

Interior designer Vanessa Deleon suggests looking to nature for inspiration. So bring the outdoors in! Doesn't this room make you want to write, draw or break out the board games?

Photo: Peter Dressel; Courtesy of Coffinier Ku Design

Interior designer Michelle Slovak votes to rezone the family room.
"Why not designate a corner of your living room for ʻhands onʼ activities other than video
games? Board games donʼt have to be ʻboredʼ games -- there are lots out there. Instead
of the typical square, ʻgame tableʼ, choose a round, pedestal table. This gives you more
room to pull up extra chairs. Make sure the chairs are comfortable. We like chairs that
can do double duty in the living space like these from Dennis Miller."

And Etienne Coffinier and Ed Ku of Coffinier Ku Design start with the bathroom.
"We had a client who works in financial services who told us that he loved to unwind from the stress of work with a great steam. It was obvious that we could have given him just a traditional steam in his shower but we thought we'd have a little more fun and created a real mini-hamam in this New York City apartment by turning one of the bathrooms into a full steam room. The contractor waterproofed the entire room and we tiled every inch of it with a combination of slate, tumbled marble and pebbles on the floor. The rainhead shower is in the center of the room so you can move seamlessly from brushing your teeth or shaving to relaxing in the steam to having a quick cool-down shower. Very crazy but he says he often does some of his best work in this room."

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How Far Will You Take Red, White & Blue?

Amy Preiser — 2011-07-04T14:01:00 00:00

Filed under: Fun Stuff, Holidays

Getting into the 4th of July spirit with decorations? Definitely a 'do'. But how far is too far?

Check out this story from our friends at Curbed!

With Independence Day less than a week away, it's high time to feast the eyes on some prime examples of patriotically inclined houses across this fair nation. Have a look below.

Curbed

Looking for more terrifically patriotic homes? Check out the rest of the gallery on Curbed or see our favorite spaces from Country Living.

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July 4th Ideas From a Presidential Party Planner

Amy Preiser — 2011-07-03T15:03:00 00:00

Filed under: Fun Stuff, Parties & Entertaining, Holidays

Celebrate the 4th of July with these easy party ideas from "America's Sassiest Lifestyle Guru" Steve Kemble.

Some of our favorite red, white & blue looks from Steve's parties! Photos: SteveKemble.com

A festive, memorable July 4th party doesn't have to cost a fortune (or take weeks to plan). We spoke to party planner Steve Kemble, who's planned events for both Presidents Bush, for how you can put together a festive event tomorrow.

July 4th Party Idea #1: Take advantage of inexpensive decorations.
"I love the 4th because it's all about food, flags and fireworks. It's a great time to use inexpensive things like balloons, steamers and patriotic bunting. Or try this creative idea: Take foam core and paint and let the neighborhood kids make a flag with their hands and feet. Handprints make the blue stars, and the feet make the stripes of the flag!"

July 4th Party Idea #2: Rely on kids for decor.
"Ask all the neighborhood kids to decorate their bikes with streamers on the wheels then send them down the block for a bike parade. Parents will love it! And so, so festive."

July 4th Party Idea #3: ...And also, adults!
"Invite your guests to dress in red, white and blue. It's so amazing how everyone dressing the part adds energy and a festive atmosphere. It's decor that costs absolutely nothing!"

July 4th Party Idea #4: Let there be lots and lots of light.
"You've seen those Chinese paper lanterns -- get those in red, white and blue then drop an LED battery-operatd light in there and string them along the yard and on the fence line."

July 4th Party Idea #5: Send guests home with an easy gift.
"Before the party starts, create a custom CD of patriotic songs that you can play throughout the song. Then burn a bunch of them so that each guest can take one home as a party favor! It's a great way to say 'thanks for coming!' and you know they'll play it all the way home."

Looking for more fun July 4th party ideas? Check out...
Fabulous July 4th Party: Simple, Stylish and Affordable
The Ultimate July 4th Party Planning Guide
15 All-American Recipes Just in Time for the Fourth of July!

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What Your Mess Says About You (and How to Change It)

Amy Preiser — 2011-07-01T14:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Storage & Cleaning, Storage & Organization, Cleaning

Not all messes are created equal. Find out what your particular kind of disorder says about you.

...and your family, your coworkers and friends. Honestly -- it's not so bad. Who knew that a mess can sometimes get a positive message across?

Hillary Stein, Flickr

If you have messy: Closets
Chances are you are: Nostalgic -- perhaps a bit too much.
Sam Gossling, author of Snoop: What Your Stuff Says About You notes the connection between old items and our ties to their past. If you've got an out-of-control closet, it doesn't mean you're a pig -- chances are, you're trying to hold on to past events and people through those small mementos.
How to change it: Letting go can be hard. Don't put pressure on yourself to empty out the closet during a quick cleaning session. Instead, take some time to go through the items and identify what justifies keeping in a special place and what you can part with.

If you have a messy: Desk
Chances are you are: Creative.
"Messiness is related to creativity because it tends to juxtapose things that don't normally go together." says Columbia University Business School professor Eric Abrahamson, over on Penelope Trunk's site.
How to change it: In the same article, Illinois-based career coach Kelly Crescenti suggests setting up a filing system and then spending the last 15 minutes of every day organizing your piles and clutter into that system.

If you have a messy: Bed
Chances are you are: Going through a dry spell.
Eek. While you probably realize that clothes, magazines and crumbs on your bed aren't super sexy, have you thought about the subliminal message they're sending? Over on The Nest, they break it down: "A messy bed could be a sign that you don't think of your bed as something you need to keep accessible so you can hop into it on the fly."
How to change it: Try an extra laundry basket for clutter, an extra 10 minutes every morning to put things away or a new, bigger nightstand.

If you have a messy: Sock drawer
Chances are you are: Structured and detail-oriented.
Yes, this one surprised us, too. But Chemistry.com's latest study found that people who are ordinarily the most orderly have the most chaotic sock drawers.
How to change it: Bring in smaller containers to break up the drawer -- this video shows you how.

Tell us: What's the messiest space in your home -- and what do you think it says about your family? And then, find out your cleaning personality!

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