Standing Tall—This Fall’s Best Floor Lamps

Target, Better Homes & Gardens

As Autumn nears, change is in the air. Outside, leaves are starting to change color and set the stage for pumpkin perfect views as far as the eye can see. But indoors, something less desirable is going on. Shrinking hours of daylight are transforming interiors into dark, shadowy spaces that make it as easy to go bump in the day as at night. Prefer your home stay light and bright year-round? Then now’s the time shop for floor lamps. 

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Budget-Friendly Garage Organizers

Premier Garage

Named by the New York Times as the “final frontier in home renovation,” garages are basking in the design spotlight. Sleek, chic custom organizers like these make it easy for any garage to go from junkyard to jewel. If you have a robust budget. But what if your decorating dreams are bigger than your bank book? Then you need garage organizers that get the job done in budget-friendly style.

Trend Alert—Galvanized Metal Decor

Lamps Plus, Magnolia Market, Pottery Barn, Shades of Light, Williams Sonoma, World Market

Galvanized metal decor is hotter than a cat on a hot tin roof. This mix of rustic and industrial pairs well with wood and stone finishes, and can be dressed up or down depending on how or where it’s used. Decor made of galvanized metal is  turning up everywhere, including high-end boutiques. Here are six pieces that recently caught my eye.  Bet they will yours, too:

Magnolia Market

Joanna Gaines (of HGTV’s Fixer Upper fame) has lots of galvanized metal in her Magnolia Market shop in Waco, Texas. The Desna Crown shelf has a lot of style going for it with pretty touches like its club-shaped edging. $24.

Magnolia Market

Also at Magnolia Market is this galvanized tin envelope, an artful place to store mail or notes.
($16-small, $20-large). There’s a similar version at Target for $9.99 but this one is better designed so it’s worth paying a bit more for it.

Williams Sonoma

Modeled after a farm churn, this galvanized steel planter (exclusive to William Sonoma) has simple, clean lines. Plus, it’s water-tight and rust-proof so it can be used without concern. $24.95-$39.95/small, medium or large.

Shades of Light

Inspired by the fan blades of a vintage windmill, the Aluminum Fan wall clock is crafted of galvanized metal laced with jute roping. $124.

World Market

The Zinc Elaine laundry box adds retro charm while corralling laundry room essentials like clothespins and dryer sheets. $14.99.

Pottery Barn

Although shown here filled with tabletop, the Rainier galvanized storage cart is also terrific for holding bathroom towels, craft supplies and office stuff. $99.

Lamps Plus

Inspired by industrial and barn light designs, the Fordham galvanized LED outdoor wall light features a seeded glass orb surrounded by a small cage. $79.99

All of these pieces are quite affordable for the style they deliver. As you spy pieces that you like, snap them up without hesitation. As the popularity of decor made with galvanized metal continues to rise, so will prices.

 

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Top 5 Summer Style Steals for Outdoor Living

World Market, Birch Lane, West Elm

If you’re looking for affordable ways to freshen up the look of your backyard, patio or veranda this summer, grab an iced tea and sit down for a quick read because…this round-up is for you.

Spiky Style—Hedgehogs for Home

Parrot Uncle, Creative Co-Op, Anthropologie, Etsy

As a design muse, the hedgehog may seem more than a tad unconventional.  And yet, this little woodland creature is popping up all over the place as an accent that charms -and disarms- with an unexpected sense of style. 

“E” is for Elegant Easter

Mark and Graham, Williams Sonoma, Tory Burch

Easter is a time for dressing up. This year, spiff up not only yourself but your table, too. Dine fine. Make this an elegant Easter everyone will remember with table decor that’s the peak of chic with a dash of contemporary style.

“W” is for Waffles that Wow

Cuisinart, Sur La Table, Fab, Lucy Schaeffer, Chronicle Books

Ever since I was a kid, pancakes have been a Sunday staple in my family while waffles have been for special occasions. But now, we (like many of you) are seeing waffles in a whole new light—as something more than just pancake batter made better by its geometric shape. When filled with unexpected ingredients and cleverly cooked, today’s waffles work wonders and are proving perfect to serve anytime, anywhere. Want to your waffles to wow? Here’s how.

Stylishly Sensible—Decorative Fireplace Screens

John Gruen, Country Living; Horchow, Bellacor, Crate and Barrel, Lamps Plus, Signals

When temps dip, there’s nothing quite like a crackling fire in the fireplace. Yet, each beautiful blaze also creates flames, embers and sparks that homes (and the people in them) need protection from. What’s a stylish, yet sensible solution? Decorative fireplace screens that do their job while also transforming hearths into fabulous focal points.

Horchow

The open metal framework and glass center of the Shay fireplace screen creates a picturesque view that’s contemporary cool. $625.

Bellacor

The Pleasant Hearth Arched fireplace screen puts a clean-lined, contemporary spin on an iconic Gothic architecture element that echoes the calm feel of the fire within. $61.

Crate and Barrel

The Chevron brass fireplace screen adds a touch of mid-century style with its bold chevron pattern. $249.

Lamps Plus

With its soft scalloped frame accented with delicate florals and leaves, the Artemis folding fireplace screen romances the room. $129.99.

Signals

Handcrafted and soldered with 541 pieces of art glass, the Stained Glass fire screen adds gem-like sparkle and is simply stunning. Its price is also more than fair for the look and workmanship that goes into it. $279.95

What I like about each of these screens is that they create beautiful focal points year-round. That’s an idea we design lovers can warm up to very easily.

Stylishly Sensible—Decorative Doormats

Gardeners Supply, Anthropologie, Garnet Hill, Improvements Catalog, Ballard Designs

A few years ago, British’s Queen Elizabeth II had something unexpected at the top of her Christmas list—a new doormat. Practically speaking, this makes perfect sense. We should all protect our floors whether our home is as big as Buckingham or as tiny as a tin can. This year, designers are making that easy to do with durable doormats that’ll weather whatever comes their way with stylish aplomb. 

Design-Worthy Pet Presents

P. Shaw, A. Angle, C. Jordan

People aren’t the only ones hoping for something special beneath the Christmas tree. So are our pets. If like me, you’re looking for something more unique than the typical treat or toy, you’re in luck. Trending high this year are presents that not only pets will adore but design lovers, too.