One of our secret sources is Lulu and Georgia’s sale section. More often than not, it’s dotted with designer names (think: Sarah Sherman Samuel) and items that hit the perfect balance of “statement piece” and “subtle enough” to earn a spot in your home now and in the moving van if and when you find a new place. On a recent dive into the deals, we clocked a ton of really good rugs in the brand’s up to 75% off Rug Sale, as well as more that are stocking the regular deals page. The biggest scores are available through Thursday, June 14; plus enter the code RUGS at checkout to get an extra 20% off select rugs.

You know it best: Sales never last long. To help you find the best of the best, we gathered some favorites to get your shopping started. Dig in.

Sarah Sherman Samuel Checkerboard Hand-Knotted Wool Runner Rug

Sarah Sherman Samuel Checkerboard Hand-Knotted Wool Runner Rug, Lulu and Georgia ($446 was $698)

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We love this classic checked rug because it bridges so many different interior styles: Renaissance glamour (seriously—ballrooms were often anchored in the print), ’90s vibes (thanks, Vans), and so much more. 

Jeanna Indoor-Outdoor Rug

Jeanna Indoor/Outdoor Rug, 10′ x 14′, Lulu and Georgia ($335 was $1,398)

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The slight ombré of this hand-loomed textile is downright sophisticated (and more than $1,000 off). It’s a design you won’t notice as soon as you walk into a room or outdoor space, but it plays an even more important part: setting a solid base for vibrant art and sculptural furniture.

Jake Arnold Woburn Handwoven Wool Rug

Jake Arnold Woburn Handwoven Wool Rug, 6′ x 9′, Lulu and Georgia ($766 was $1,198)

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If you want to keep things neutral but want to increase the edginess just a little bit, feast your eyes on this geometric pattern that goes all in on a handful of textures. 

Bryn Handwoven Jute Rug

Bryn Handwoven Jute Rug, 6′ x 9′, Lulu and Georgia ($229 was $358)

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Earthy and organic, this jute rug will never let you down, no matter what style of sofa, table, or lounge chair you plop on top. Bonus: It was made without any harsh chemicals.

Nina Freudenberger Anni Flat-Weave Wool Rug

Nina Freudenberger Anni Flatweave Wool Rug, 2′ x 3′, Lulu and Georgia ($82 was $128)

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This design was one in a collection inspired by the women of the Bauhaus movement—the background and finished product make it an actual piece of art. (Seriously, we’d hang this on a wall.)

Boswell Hand-Tufted Wool Rug

Boswell Hand-Tufted Wool Rug, 8′ x 10′, Lulu and Georgia ($686 was $858)

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This is a rug with just enough intrigue—curved edges, mossy colorway, contrasting edge—that it will start a conversation. The best part is that it has one of our favorite textile details of the moment: clever borders. 

Sabriel Handwoven Indoor-Outdoor Rug

Sabriel Handwoven Indoor / Outdoor Rug, 5′ x 8′, Lulu and Georgia ($338 was $422)

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We love the bold, single stripe, but the real winner here is the fringe. This detail alone brings it into a new, designer-level territory that will have people asking all about it at your next dinner party.

Simi Indoor-Outdoor Rug

Simi Indoor/Outdoor Rug, 5′ x 8′, Lulu and Georgia ($223 was $398)

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Outdoor rugs can lean a bit bland, but not in this sale section. The geometric motif is fresh, making it a great companion for your next alfresco hang.

Élan Byrd Butte Flat-Weave Linen Rug

Élan Byrd Butte Flatweave Linen Rug, 6′ x 9′, Lulu and Georgia ($718 was $898)

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Inspired by desert landscapes, this pop of color will play well in any room of your home. Cover part of the mountainous scene for a more abstract look or use it to command the room with a full-on view of this work of art.

Lanza Hand-Knotted Wool Rug

Lanza Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, 6′ x 9′, Lulu and Georgia ($830 was $1,298)

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If a rug could channel the soft, buttery goodness of your favorite baked good…well, here it is. Just imagine digging your toes into this plush textile—it’s an investment, but one you’ll be thankful for every time you cross the living room.

The post Hundreds of Rugs Are Up to 75% Off in Lulu and Georgia’s Rug Sale—Shop Our Top Picks appeared first on domino.

In a world where interior trends change quicker than the weather in Iceland, some styles inevitably rise to the top of the pile each season. Speaking of, Houzz just released its Summer Trends report, which shines some light on one particular vibe people are feeling right now: moody living rooms. According to the data, searches for “moody living room” have more than doubled compared to 2023. And The New York Times agrees—the publication recently spoke to decorators about how deep and moody hues can often achieve a calming effect in a living space. 

So how do you nail a perfectly chic moody living room without veering too far into doom and gloom? We’ve pulled together four examples of spaces that get the balance right to get your brain grooving.

Don’t Be Afraid to Go Monochrome

Here’s an idea: If you look around and only see white walls, consider splashing them with a rich color. Use this London home as a guide—the inky blue game room is a very direct contrast to the light and bright rooms throughout the rest of the house. Couches in the same color family push the moodiness even further, and a set of rail shelves allows the homeowners to tell a story through art and tchotchkes. 

Play Around With Plaster

Sometimes one (big) decision will fill your moody quota. The warm texture of the plaster walls in this L.A. home brings an innate intimacy to the space, while the furniture and decor lean on the darker side of earthy. Together there’s a perfect balance of lived-in and meditative—did you see that tree nestled into the end of the long, raw-edge bench? On that note, the seating’s wavy finish balances the angles of the rest of the room.

Channel the Charm of an Italian Summer

Sometimes daydreams can manifest themselves at home. Take couple Caitlin Cavagnolo and Tyler Randall’s Jersey City apartment as inspiration—the entire living room revolves around a single (massive) tapestry. To keep the drama high, all the powder blue doors have a little trompe l’oeil magic trick going on: A darker hue lines the interior of the molding to make them seem deeper than they really are. The space is small, and the hard work of layering texture and pattern pays off in moodiness.

Pair Limewash With an Unexpected Pop of Color

Artists Cristina Martinez and Al-baseer Holly went all in on dusty pink for their Seattle home’s living room walls. The combination of limewash texture and unexpected hues (dusty eggplant and deep sage green) achieve a dramatic effect only intensified by the art collection on the walls. The color palette pops in other places around the home (like the split-color staircase), showing how you can carry calm and moody vibes from room to room.

The post Moody Living Rooms Are Trending—Here’s How to Keep Yours From Going Gloomy appeared first on domino.

We’ll admit it: We’ve watched Nancy Meyers’s The Holiday in the middle of July. Yes, the film is centered around Christmastime, but that’s not why we’re there. We seek constant design inspiration from Meyers’s movies, be it Father of the Bride or Something’s Gotta Give. Every shelf is layered with books and objects; every yard stars immaculately potted plants; every French door is framed by a puddle of drapery. They are the epitome of warmth. 

And you don’t actually have to stream one of her movies to get your fix. You can just log onto Pinterest. According to the platform’s summer 2024 trends report, “Nancy Meyers core” is in full swing, with searches for “Nancy Meyers living room” up +2090% from this same time last year. To get at the root of what it is we’re all hunting for, we took a closer look at the living room belonging to Meryl Streep’s character in It’s Complicated (2009). Turns out, there are seven easy steps you can take to nail her living room recipe. 

Start With a Sisal Rug Foundation 

Sand Oak Sisal Area Rug, Rugs USA ($577 for 8’x10′)

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Shire Beige Woven Sisal Custom Rug, Annie Selke ($1,117 for 8’x10′)

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That warm beige glow doesn’t come from nowhere: It stems from underfoot. Meyers’s spaces are often anchored by a large, durable sisal area rug that instantly brightens up dark wood floors and beams.

Bring Back Slipcovered Chairs

Hinsdale Swivel Chair, Serena and Lily ($2,718 was $3,398)

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Carlisle Slipcovered Chair, Pottery Barn ($1,349)

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Ever Slipcovered Chair by Leanne Ford, Crate & Barrel ($1,699)

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Modern Accent Swivel Chair, Wayfair ($240 was $540)

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There is nothing more casual than a slipcover you can rip off a chair or sofa and throw in the washing machine, but Meyers always makes the easy-living staple look elevated by opting for crisp white fabric. 

Mix and Match Your Table Lamps

Ernest Cordless Table Lamp, Pooky ($150)

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nuLOOM Lindos 30″ Resin Table Lamp, Target ($120 was $196)

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You’re either an overhead lighting person or you’re not—and the director is clearly in the latter camp. Instead of relying on harsh ceiling cans, her living rooms are peppered with table lamps of all shapes, sizes, and shade styles. 

Use Stackable Baskets as Side Tables

Stafford Woven Basket, Rejuvenation ($58 was $69)

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Multicolored Plaited Basket Lid, Zara Home ($90)

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Storage side tables do exist, but they’re often sleek and round. This alternative solution calls for a few lidded baskets—the extra texture will make your living room feel even cozier, plus they just hold a lot of stuff. 

Add Storage in the Form of an Antique-Looking Armoire

Astoria Armoire 32″, Pottery Barn ($1,499)

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You won’t find a throw blanket bin in this living room arrangement. We assume Streep’s character stuffed her extra linens (along with board games and a small TV) inside her wood armoire.    

Stick With Neutral Pillows

Edith Pillow Cover, McGee & Co. ($66 was $88)

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Linen-Blend Cushion Cover, H&M Home ($20)

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Meyers tends to keep her pops of color minimal with a singular armchair or cashmere throw. So her pillow assortments typically skew toward the pale brown and creamy white family, often with a hint of a floral print or fun trim. 

Filter Light With Colorful Window Treatments 

Liz Polyester Linen Roman Shade Cord Lift, Twopages ($31)

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Her love of soft linen fabrics extends all the way to the windows, where you’re bound to find terracotta- or almond-hued roman shades. Now you can give your search bar a break.

The post 7 Steps to Make Your Living Room Look Like a Nancy Meyers Movie appeared first on domino.

If you don’t think Frank Lloyd Wright, Viennese Art Deco, and children’s books have anything in common, hear us out. Take a look at the crop of rugs that has been released this spring and you’ll see that, while they take their inspiration from these disparate sources, it’s all been channeled into a specific element they have in common: borders. New collections from Athena Calderone, Cold Picnic, Josh Greene, Brigette Romanek, and more are putting their all into their rugs’ edges, creating definition with everything from graphic motifs inspired by architecture and cinema to the play of two-tone color. 

We’re all for it: If your sofa or bed goes atop, why not let the edges shine? Here’s an introduction to each, and our top picks among them. 

Athena Calderone x Beni Rugs Salon Collection

There is much to love about Athena Calderone’s latest collaboration with Beni Rugs, the extremely chic New York– and Morocco-based rug brand from Robert Wright and Tiberio Lobo-Navia. Titled Salon, the genesis of these 13 new designs can be charted back to when Calderone first stepped into her new Tribeca home: “[In] this apartment, the datum line of the wood, the Art Deco [details], it inspired me to go dark, moody, more sophisticated, and also more restrained.” She channeled that new point of view, as well as time spent in Vienna, Milan, and Paris, into unique shapes, grids, and lines. Intriguing borders abound here, as Calderone values an edge just as much as the center. The collection also formally introduces a new low-pile style for Beni, a shorter knotted weave with an average 3/4-inch pile. 

Sperl by Athena Calderone, 6′ x 9′, Beni Rugs ($2,619)

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Metropolis by Athena Calderone, 6′ x 9′, Beni Rugs ($2,619)

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Loos by Athena Calderone, 6′ x 9′, Beni Rugs ($2,619)

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Deco by Athena Calderone, 6′ x 9′, Beni Rugs ($2,619)

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Something to love about the group is that almost every piece has a reference point, the kind of specificity that spurs you to hunt down the origin and see it for yourself. For example, the Fassade design, she tells Domino, was inspired by the facade of a building featured in a book by Austrian architect and designer Josef Hoffmann. The walls of Vienna’s Albertina Museum gave the Deco rug its silvery blue hue. You might see a Parisian window frame in the Freunde. 

Cold Picnic Audience/Embrace Collection

The most esoteric of the bunch, Cold Picnic’s Audience/Embrace line debuts rugs and runners with two distinct perspectives—being watched and being held. Drawing inspiration from folklore, children’s books, and cinema, the team created a recurring eye pattern for the Audience design and an outstretched arm motif for Embrace. Made with 100 percent TEX New Zealand wool with a 100 percent cotton backing, each is sheared by hand to achieve an ever-so-sculptural look. It’s giving House vibes in the best way. 

Audience, 6′ x 9′, Cold Picnic ($1,290)

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Embrace, 6′ x 9′, Cold Picnic ($1,290)

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There are two other launches from Cold Picnic that have us excited. One is the company’s first washable line, four variations inspired by writer MFK Fisher’s book How to Cook a Wolf; they’re made to be used in high-traffic places like kitchens, bathrooms, and patios. The other is from the brand’s collaboration with the Brooklyn Museum, a random sheared take on Japanese artist Utagawa Hiroshige’s historical prints of cherry blossoms.

Josh Greene x Marc Phillips Rugs Arcadia Collection

If you’re not familiar with Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian homes, imagine low-slung architecture complemented by local materials, extraordinary light, and the presence of nature. Josh Greene celebrates all that and more with his collection, Arcadia, developed in partnership with Marc Phillips Rugs. 

Gordon by Josh Greene, Marc Phillips Rugs

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Kinney by Josh Greene, Marc Phillips Rugs

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The six hand-knotted, sun-washed wool designs take cues from these buildings, and two in particular present a strong border: the Gordon and the Kinney, which are reminiscent of the carved stone in some of Wright’s houses. The rest of the collection keeps geometry at the forefront, and we’re particularly fond of the Duncan’s multihued grid. 

Block Shop Trellis and Ripple Rugs

Block Shop is no stranger to the rug game, and we always perk up if it has something new to show us. After it made a version for its Los Angeles shop, the Trellis rug became the brand’s most requested style to date—so it decided to go all in. The 100 percent jute stunner is a flat-weave with a textured pattern, and sizing is small to showstopping. The Ripple rug is a jute-wool blend that keeps the border trend going. The cheerful yet not-childlike wiggly edge comes in two color options, one more neutral and the other with a bit more ochre-hued pizzazz. 

Trellis Rug, 6′ x 9′, Block Shop ($915)

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Ripple Rug, 6′ x 9′, Block Shop ($960)

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Both styles are made by V-Weave, an ethically operated, family-run weaving cooperative in India that uses traditional Indian materials like hand-spun Himalayan wool, Bengali jute, and Gujarati cotton.

Arvin Olano x Rugs USA

Rugs USA has made a run recently, working with interior designers like Emily Henderson and Lauren Leiss, not to mention fashion designer Prabal Gurung. One of its latest collaborators is Arvin Olano, who has made a name for himself as a content creator focused on approachable design. Among the 22 rugs he has debuted with the brand, the designs with borders are the true standouts. 

Petra Rug by Arvin Olano, 6′ x 9′, Rugs USA ($336 was $448)

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Gino Two-Tone 100% Wool Rug, 8′ x 10′, Rugs USA ($330 was $440)

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Our favorites: the two-tone Gino, a 100 percent wool number, and the sumptuous Petra, which has a stamped-like quality. They’re both flat-weaves and handmade in India.

Brigette Romanek × Loloi Orly Rug

Of all the designs from Brigette Romanek’s spring collection for Loloi—each is named for a female friend or family member—the ribbed Orly is the only one with a border, and it happens to be our favorite. “I gravitate toward rugs that are versatile and add dimension and warmth to a space,” Romanek tells Domino. And the Orly does just that. 

Brigette Romanek x Loloi Clay Orly Rug, 5′-6″ x 8′-“6, Demarchelier & Co ($1,029)

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Brigette Romanek x Loloi Orly Ink Rug, 5′-6″ x 8′-“6 ($1,029)

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The heathered colorways, which range from natural to ink (we’re fans of the clay), and textures are meant to mimic the veining in stone. The subtly depressed detail around the edge adds just the right amount of visual definition. Made with wool and viscose, they’re hand-loomed and GoodWeave certified.

The post The Edgy Detail We’re Spotting on the Best New Rugs Makes Them Borderline Art appeared first on domino.

There’s only one place your eyes can go when you walk into this Toronto home. At the very end of a long and grand living area, there is a wall with exactly 34 windows, and they’re framed in an orange-hued wood that tells you exactly when they were added: the 1980s. They’re quirky, a little bit random, and there was no way Jaime Zimmerman, the founder of JPZ Interiors, was getting rid of them. Even when her contractor floated the idea of painting the windows, she shut it down. “If you look up close at them, you can see some are losing color, have faded here and there, but it really is what brings that natural feel and character to the house,” she says. “That makes it so special; that’s what I wanted to maintain.”

The outdoorsy homeowners also fell in love at first sight: They had a picture-perfect view of their backyard—what more could they ask for? The problem was that the great room and the surrounding areas (kitchen, mudroom, family room, and dining area) weren’t doing the windows justice. “Everything was really wonky,” recalls Zimmerman. Very few spaces were on the same level. The formal dining room was a few steps up, the entryway was a few steps down—really, there should have been bright yellow “Watch Your Step” signs hanging in every room. Here’s how Zimmerman found calm in the home’s chaotic layout. 

Reduce Tripping Hazards

Lowering the family and dining room level to be even with the rest of the ground floor would have been a construction nightmare, but Zimmerman wanted to at least address one glaring safety issue: the drop off on either side of the fireplace. “They have kids,” the designer points out. “You can’t have an open space here without a step.” She elongated the steps to the left of the thresholds and built them out of white-painted brick, which felt cohesive with some of the room’s existing white brick walls. 

Don’t Give the Neighbors Something to Talk About

In an effort to streamline the layout, Zimmerman opened up the existing peninsula even further so that the kitchen was truly one with the great room. She stayed true to her word on not touching the windows in this space either, even if it meant the owners would have very few upper cabinets. “I really needed to maximize storage as much as possible because the husband loves to cook,” she says. Zimmerman tasked the cabinetmaker with integrating custom organizers for his pots and pans in the drawers closest to the range.

The only thing obstructing the windows is the vent hood. Of course, Zimmerman couldn’t get rid of it, but she wanted to at least ensure it looked good from all angles by painting its boxy frame the same color of the new flat-slab cabinets. “I wanted it to just float there and not to be too impactful,” she says.

Pick Your Wood Tones Wisely

One of Zimmerman’s main challenges was navigating all the wood in the space. She wanted to update the flooring by replacing the terracotta tiles with engineered hardwood but “it was hard to find that perfect match,” she admits. She leaned toward a honey-hued option that exudes the same level of warmth as the existing orangey tones of the window frames and ceiling panels. 

She departed from the wood flooring in the new front entryway with a checkerboard tile and an oak coat closet. For wood furniture and built-ins, her rule of thumb was to opt for lighter stains and species so “they didn’t feel so heavy,” she says. You’d never know looking at the space today that it used to be part of the living room.

Pick Lighting That Doesn’t Shine Too Bright

While the wall of windows maximizes natural light in the house, there’s no getting around dreary winters in Toronto, where the sun goes down as early as 4:45 p.m. Zimmerman’s lighting plan had to be functional, but it couldn’t be too busy. The designer steered clear of grand chandeliers and introduced simple track lights over the central round dining table and mono-point flush mounts above the peninsula. She even lit the way to the family room with simple sconces marking the new arched thresholds and steps.

The formal dining room is the only place she opted for long-hanging fixtures, and even the pieces nearly blend into the backdrop with their textured white shells. “It’s a long and narrow [space], so I felt that adding a series of three was the right move,” she shares. “It played into the linear feel.”

Level the Playing Field

The old front entrance now functions as more of a mudroom. Zimmerman raised the floor so that it is fully level with the nearby kitchen and ditched the double door for a single opening with sidelight windows. Now the owners can pop in and out of the house with their stroller and not have to fuss over lifting it up.

The post How a Designer Worked With, Not Against, a Wall of 34 Windows appeared first on domino.

The scent of Thai basil, mint, and citrus perfume the air of Kim Nguyen’s petite Southern California patio, her slice of respite after a grueling year of recovery. If you didn’t know, you might not guess that the inviting, greenery-filled space below is attached to a cozy studio in an assisted living community, all decorated by her daughter Kate Berry (yes, our Kate Berry).

In Kate’s eyes, an outdoor oasis was essential to her mom’s healing. Kim, a Vietnamese refugee who fled the country with her family in 1975, has been an avid gardener all her life—not to mention a self-made businesswoman, accomplished knitter, skilled cook, mother of four, and grandmother of five. When a stroke left her without the use of the left side of her body last July, her family had to mobilize quickly to usher her through a series of facilities and treatments. Once they settled on a long-term care home, Kate became determined to turn an otherwise cold apartment into a calming, comfortable place to live.

“There’s no right way; there’s no perfect process,” Kate says of feeling your way through caring for a parent after a medical emergency. “There’s no way to anticipate what somebody will need coming out of a situation like that.” What she and her family found out almost immediately was that her mom needed an entirely new suite of furnishings that would work for her condition, was compact enough to suit her new place, and that they could actually afford. Their search led them to West Elm, which has a substantial selection of ADA-compliant furniture. After some trial and error (more on that later), Kate designed a practical yet inviting layout and look with the brand’s help, and it works for her mom and makes everyone who walks in a little more relaxed. 

“It’s not groundbreaking, but it just looks so much better than it was,” she reflects, acknowledging that it’s really the first place her mother’s needs and comfort were put first. “All the nurses say, ‘Your mom’s room is the nicest room!’” Below, Kate breaks down all their furniture and decor decisions in her own words.

A Regular Bed, Made More Supportive

There’s no way around it: Hospital beds are ugly. All of them. We were renting this fancier hospital bed and mattress (uncomfortable, still ugly) that reclines and, come to find out, my mom doesn’t ever use the recliner part except to take her pills at night. She really just needs the bar so she can transfer from her wheelchair to the bed. So instead, I looked at the dimensions of West Elm’s ADA-compliant furniture and sourced pieces from across its collection that fit into that size range and that could be delivered quickly. We got the Leesa mattress and the full-size Romi kids’ bed. Then we picked up an assist rail from Amazon to attach to it. Once we made the switch, she told us she slept until 7 a.m.; it was much more comfortable. It’s upholstered, which really makes a difference. Looking back, my mom could have made do with a twin bed. She’s small, and the stroke left her paralyzed on her left side, so she’s not moving around as much as I anticipated. But it’s nice that the grandchildren and I can lie next to her on the full size.

My brother-in-law also found a remote control set at a hardware store that controls the lights. We’ve connected them to all the floor lamps, plus the bedside and dining table lights so she can easily switch them on and off from her bed.

The shallow media console between the bed and the wall is such a nice narrow option with great storage. It’s where my mom keeps her bedding and other things that she needs, and it holds her TV. She doesn’t need to get in between there because she’s not mobile on that side—she always has to get into bed on the side where her right arm can grab the bar. Once I found out that I could add these simple touches—that the whole space didn’t have to be hospital-grade—that really shifted my perception of what an assisted-living room could be.

A Wheelchair-Friendly Rug Trick

The floors are carpeted, but I wanted to introduce a rug to brighten things up. We picked up a handwoven, Persian-style design that is reversible and not very thick, which in theory makes it easy to wheel over and is great for disguising spills and dirt. My mom initially complained about it because it bunched up under her wheelchair, so we took it out. But the room felt drab without it, so we brought it back and carpet-taped the entire rug. That extra step solved the bunching problem, and the rug added the decorative layer I knew was missing.

The Chair-and-a-Half That Has a Secret

This cute chair-and-a-half is actually a sleeper sofa—it’s been a game changer for us. When we visit, my daughter Quinn and I, or my sister and I, can fit on it and it’s comfortable for us. I can just rotate it if I want to pull the mattress out. Before we added the sofa, my mom would just sit on the bed or in her wheelchair all day, even to watch TV. That’s just not comfortable. Now I can prop her up on the chair to relax and recline. She can watch a show from across the room; her sight is actually still really good despite only being able to see out of one eye.

A Faucet Fix for Easier On-and-Offs

My mom has always been an amazing cook with great knife skills. While she can’t cook in the same way she used to, we’re trying to figure out what she can do. So far, she has a microwave, a rice cooker, and a kettle. We’ve made everything from rice to sweet potatoes in the cooker for when she wants something simple rather than the food that is served in the care facility’s restaurant. My sister added this attachment onto the faucet so my mom could reach it from her wheelchair, too. There are just some things that are more functional than aesthetic, and I had to let go of it not being pretty.

Well-Positioned Shelves

We put up these shelves as a spot for pictures, keys, mail, and other accessories under my mom’s calendar. We installed the one near the door low enough so she could wheel up to it and use it as a mini counter. She can also look up at her schedule and see what she’s doing that week, whether that’s different therapy appointments or activities.

Tables She Can Roll Up To

The dining table is a really simple square oak table with clean lines. It actually comes with two leaves, but for now we don’t need them. We placed it against the wall to give my mom more space and so she can look out onto the patio plants while she has her tea. The legs are wide enough for her wheelchair to fit right in.

The side table next to the upholstered chair is another accessible surface and storage spot. Other than gardening, my mom’s favorite hobby is knitting. She’s really a master of it and has created countless sweaters, hats, scarves, and pants. One of the things that has been really hard on her, and us, is the fact that she can’t knit like she used to. She’s been discouraged this past year, but I’m determined to help her get back to doing it again. To start, I made her needles and yarn easily reachable by putting them in a basket that she can pull from the side table’s shelf while still in her wheelchair. Then I simply tied a thick rubber band to the left armrest of her wheelchair where she can secure a needle. That way, she can knit with one hand. It’s not a perfect system, but we’ll get there.

An Outdoor Space That Smells Like Home

My mom took so much pleasure and joy in her garden in sunny Orange County. She cultivated everything that she had grown up with in Vietnam: passion fruit, citrus, lemongrass, longans. That was her solace, her place to escape and be happy. When she was recovering, my brother brought a humidifier with essential oils into the rehab center so it always smelled like lemongrass and lavender. So even though she couldn’t be in her garden, it would smell familiar. Everyone would come into her room and say, “It’s like a spa in here.” 

In her new living arrangement, we really wanted to create an outdoor space with plants that she could watch flourish, citrus that would bear fruit, and fresh herbs to pluck from a “garden.” When she moved in, my siblings and I outfitted a little sitting area for her and her friends. We installed teak snap tiles over the cement floor, which instantly warm the space up and don’t interfere with the nurses transferring her to a seat. We added a taller rectangle planter that creates a divider wall from the neighboring patio for privacy. With a couple of lounge chairs, a teak and wicker table, and a bunch of plants, it has a whole new vibe.

Personal Touches to Make It Feel Extra-Cozy

There are a number of little things that we did to make her studio feel like home. For one, I took a panel from the Nordic Knot sand-colored shades I use at home and put it up over her sliding patio doors. It provides shade when it’s closed but still filters sunshine into her room; her eyes are sensitive to too much brightness these days. It also adds a layer of softness to the beige walls.

The little glass jar on her nightstand was meant for my niece from a White Elephant we did last Christmas with the grandchildren, but she ended up with it and thought it was so cute. It’s for all her bingo quarters from her winnings (which isn’t much, but that’s not the point!).

My friend Paul Ferney painted a portrait of Quinn that hangs in one sunny corner. The ceramic box on the shelf near her bed was made by my sister when she was a child and my mom has kept it all these years. We put pictures of her and the grandchildren up everywhere; they’re the number-one thing that makes her happy. She loves the pictures of her and the kids in Mexico, the last family vacation we took together before the stroke. My mom left everything behind when we had to get out of Vietnam at the end of the war. As a refugee not having anything when you leave your country, you hold onto a ceramic that reminds you of the time your daughter was younger and photos that transport you to happy times.

This process has been really hard for all of us, but especially Mom; we’re learning to adapt to a new normal. A friend whose father had a stroke a few years ago said to me: “There will be good days and bad days, good weeks and bad weeks, and good months and bad months.” That has given me patience and perspective when dealing with difficult moments. 

The above portrait of her, where she’s smiling, really makes me happy, but not because she looks happy. It’s because the way we knew how to get her to smile was to remind her of a moment she had a couple of months after her stroke. She had to be taken to the ER in an ambulance because of a complication and, after that, she could not stop talking about the handsome paramedic who looked like Kyle Chandler (yes, the coach from Friday Night Lights). She told us how he flirted with her, referring to my sister (her daughter) as her sister. Now all we have to say is “Kyle Chandler” for her to crack a smile. And just like that, a new funny memory.

The post When My Mom Had a Stroke, My Goal Was to Make Her Assisted Living Apartment Calm and Cozy appeared first on domino.

Shopping for curtains isn’t a design task I look forward to. While they’re one of those finishing touches that makes a room look truly done, I don’t relish feeling my way through the maze of materials, sizing, and hardware. That much is clear from the fact that my husband and I didn’t put anything special up in our Brooklyn two-bedroom for four years (don’t judge). Admittedly, there are a few other reasons for the reluctance: We only have four windows total; a building across the way blocks the afternoon sun; and most of the year we have tree coverage that obscures the view in from the street. Ultimately, curtains is the category where I want someone else to do most of the heavy lifting for me. Enter Everhem.

I’ve written and edited my fair share of house tours, and while many use custom curtain and shade services, one window treatment brand has popped up again and again over the past few years: L.A.-based Everhem, founded by interior designer Haley Weidenbaum and her husband, Adam. Sarah Sherman Samuel uses its drapes in her projects; Heather Taylor Home has done a cobranded line; and Gwyneth Paltrow hung its shades in Goop’s New York office. Alyssa Coscarelli swears by the blackout curtains, and Madelynn Furlong turned to the company for her Manhattan apartment. I’ve spotted the window treatments in a photographer’s cozy home, a jewelry designer’s greenhouse, one Connecticut nursery, and this serene primary bathroom. I was intrigued, to say the least: What was it about these curtains that had everyone snapping them up, especially given their higher price point (standard sizing starts at $400)? 

Everhem Café Curtains

In November 2023, our panel of judges handed Everhem a Good Design Award for its cotton-linen blend Café Curtains. Turns out, that was the style I’d been looking for and didn’t even know it. 

Velvet was too heavy for us; paper shades too light to feel long-term. Plus I’m one of those people who actually prefers the sun to filter in in the morning; I don’t like sleeping in pitch black. Offering privacy without blocking the whole window and more romantic in style than top-down/bottom-up shades, sheer café curtains can channel a cottage kitchen or Paris bistro (I’m a big fan of the look at New York’s Corner Bar). In our space, I knew they’d lend the same timelessness that we embrace in all of our furnishings, decor, and paint colors. But, as an editor, I like to test as many products as I can to get a better sense of quality and material. I decided to get in touch with the brand to see if I could try out the curtains at home.

A Little Hand-Holding for Measurements

The measuring process on our initial call—yes, you can choose to talk to a real, live person—couldn’t have been simpler. Ahead of my scheduled chat with Kasandra, one of the customer support managers, she sent me a brief prep guide on products, tools, and more to have on hand. Together over the phone, we measured each oddly sized window in our circa-1800s carriage house, taking note of the width and length of the frames as well as where the hardware would go (we chose to inner mount). There was none of the trial and error inherent in buying curtains off the shelf, not to mention the wasteful nature of lots of packaging and returns—one of the selling points that makes the splurge worth considering in my eyes. 

Customize Like an Interior Designer

Everhem’s café curtains come with more than a dozen customization options, including fabric, pleat style, lining, and hardware. A few days after the call, three neutral swatches (primarily a linen-cotton blend with a small percentage of polyester) arrived, and Kasandra sent several images via email of the different pleat options. After holding up each piece in various lighting throughout the day, I decided on the Bone hue with classic box pleats and matte black hardware to blend in with the window frames. Lastly, I loved the look of two curtains instead of a single panel, so we went that direction. 

Ordering With a Few Clicks

Order quotes are inputted and updated on Everhem’s website so that you can double-check that everything is correct before adding yours to your cart. The brand is clear and up front about the timeline for drapery, shades, or hardware: up to six to eight weeks. That’s because each window treatment is hand-sewn and custom-made in the U.S. While some components like cords might be sourced globally, manufacturing—including cutting, sewing, hardware forging, and powder coating—is done solely by small American businesses. All of that comes with a higher price, of course, so I think Everhem is a better bet for a longer-term rental or a home you own.

The Fine Print

A few things to note before you dive in. All products are final sale; there are no returns unless something is incorrect, damaged, or defective. Your fabric color and pattern selections are limited to six options, but I expect that to grow over time as the brand does. (If you’re in the market for more color and a slightly lower price, try Loom & Decor or Ballard Designs, but you won’t be able to customize to specific measurements or pleat style.) 

A DIY-Friendly Installation

When they arrived, I could see that the hype was real. The products come well packaged in hard cardboard but not overflowing with unnecessary padding, and installation was straightforward. For something more involved, like a floor-to-ceiling look, I could see the process taking longer or the need for hiring a Taskrabbit, but café curtains are very DIY-friendly; it probably took all of 30 minutes to put up the four rods and curtains. The slightly textured panels bring warmth without feeling fussy; the pleats are sharp but not straight as a dart; and they add a little privacy without being lined. Everything about them, even the hardware, is soft and delicate. They do, indeed, finish the room, and without the usual shopping anxiety.

The post I Tried This Gwyneth Paltrow–Approved Curtain Brand to See What All the Fuss Was About appeared first on domino.

Some minimalists have serious willpower. They can turn down an adorable shell-shaped tray or an extra-large platter any day of the week. Then there are the kind who are just really, really good at making things appear neat. Take one look into that type of minimalist’s living room and you’ll see what we’re talking about: streamlined shelves stocked with books, loud artwork on crisp white walls, and billowy houseplants lined up in a row. These are the people the rest of us can learn from. So we dug up eight minimalist living room ideas that, to the slightly messy among us, still feel totally doable. 

Tuck Drawers Under Benches (and the Couch Within Consoles)

This Brooklyn brownstone’s living room is full of illusions. While the sofa appears to be sunken in the floor, it’s actually just the thick wood frame around it that makes it look that way. And you shouldn’t be afraid to sit and sip a glass of Merlot in here because the chunky white linen fabric is coated in designer Claire Hung’s favorite stain-resistant option from Métaphores. As for all the kids’ stuff? Toys are tucked away in the oak-wood drawers underneath the window bench. 

Replace the TV With a Projector

Not all minimalists prefer reading on their Kindle to binge-watching TV. When French artist Aurélie Lécuyer and her husband, Jean Christophe, want to throw a family movie night, they can fire up the projector that’s mounted on the ceiling of their living room. The clever addition means they don’t have to stare at a black screen 24-7 and can soak in the zen of their wood-filled space instead.

Hang Bold Art on Gallery White Walls

Artists Jess Goehring and Nathan See painted almost every room in their three-bedroom Hudson, New York, home white to make it feel a bit bigger than it really is. But it also gave them a sleek backdrop for their loudest works. 

Go Modular

The soft gray palette in Anthony Urbano’s lofted New York City studio is so soothing and calm, but in reality it is meant to move and shift with the day’s activities. The three-piece Bellini-inspired sofa can be configured in a number of ways (lounge chair, love seat, sectional), and the four stools can serve as both coffee table and extra seating. 

Pair Creamy Textures With Natural Greenery

After landing on all-white walls and neutral upholstery for her Manhattan apartment, fashion designer Maryam Nassir Zadeh relied on textures to energize her living room, like a shaggy rug, tweed lounge chairs, a chrome floor lamp, and a palm tree.  

Stick to the Most Iconic Color Combo

There’s something about black and white together in a room that makes it feel instantly tidy. Model and creative director Taylor LaShae doesn’t call herself a minimalist, but her Williamsburg, Brooklyn, living room is the very definition of crisp with its custom marble coffee table, Alex Soffer diptych, and mod Artistic Frame sofa. 

Let the Lighting Call the Cozy Shots…

Liz Gardner and Josef Harris’s Minneapolis home is sparse in the sense that there’s no TV or side tables in their living area, but the corner is utterly cozy with its stone pendant lights that appear to drip down from the ceiling and dried flower stalks crawling up the wall. 

…Or a Curvy Couch

File this Rhinecliff, New York, living room, designed by Post Company, under another way to get by without a rug. The room’s glowy limewash walls and curved velvet sofa are all the welcome you need. Plus without a rug underfoot, all the focus is on the new bleached white oak floorboards and—yes!—that casually placed pile of books. A minimalist would never…or would they?

The post 8 Minimalist Living Room Ideas That Are Still Totally Practical appeared first on domino.

It’s funny how design trends can slip right onto your TikTok feed, tiptoe into your favorite stores, and slide right into your own home before you even realize it’s happening. But chances are you might have noticed a slight softening when it comes to one of the most important pieces of furniture: the sofa. You’re not alone—according to a recent survey from Afterpay, curved sofa designs have seen a 207 percent increase in purchases so far this year compared to 2023. The other item that has seen a significant bump? The curved table.

Sweeping sofa silhouettes have dotted interiors for generations, from Ubald Klug’s Terrazza sofa from the early 1970s to the De Sede DS600 Non-stop sofa of the same era. The new spring collection from Lulu and Georgia shows the range of a single curve. According to the brand, the furniture pieces are inspired by “the craving for everything bright, lighter, and airier.” The Shaw modern sofa is a prime example of this: It serves mid-century vibes with a wavy backrest, but clean lines and caramel-hued velvet bring it right back into the present day—it’s a refreshing (and lighter!) take on the super-curvy sofas of decades past.

Shaw Sofa, Lulu and Georgia ($3,498)

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But back to the topic of curvy tables for a moment, because this particular trend can be tougher to imagine in this space. You may be picturing wavy edges and drum-shaped bases, but, again, this collection challenges the traditional notion of a contoured silhouette. Take the Kent side table. The design drops a set of spheres right in the middle of the rectangular legs. (It’s fun! It’s quirky!) The Lozano accent chair is another favorite, with its chubby legs and rounded seat. The curvy ethos also trickles into the accessories (give the Kester bowl a peek for proof).

Some trends cross that vague and beautiful line into timeless territory, and it seems the idea of all things undulating is (and has been) on that journey. We recommend taking a cue from the Kent table and cozying up your curvy pieces next to a few angles for a splash of fresh contrast.

Shop More Items From the Lulu and Georgia Spring Collection

Lozano Accent Chair, Lulu and Georgia ($998)

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Kent Side Table, Lulu and Georgia ($598)

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Kester Bowl, Lulu and Georgia ($298)

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Potts Round Side Table, Lulu and Georgia ($698)

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Lowry Sofa, Lulu and Georgia ($2,298)

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Talley Sconce, Lulu and Georgia ($198)

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The post This Sofa Style Has Never Been So Popular—Here’s Lulu and Georgia’s Fresh Take appeared first on domino.

About a decade ago, when I asked an interior designer what the best sectional sofa was, she warned me about ones that curve: “They only work in the space you have today—once you move, you’re out of luck.” So for years I took her advice and shied away from couches with corners, too scared they’d dominate my current space and mess up the future floor plan of a down-the-road apartment—one I hadn’t even starting looking for yet. What I didn’t know then is that choosing the best sectional sofa is really about picking a sectional by size. 

Now I’m older and wiser, and I know that sectionals come in all shapes and sizes—and finding one for any kind of room is a total reality, no matter how much space (or cash) you have. So, please, learn from my mistake and treat yourself to a couch you’re comfortable with These are the best sectional sofas for any size home. 

Small Sectionals

Just because you live in a studio doesn’t mean you can’t have a sofa that takes a turn. (This couple does!) Each of these options measures up to 6 feet or less, meaning there’s plenty of space to cuddle up without feeling like your sectional is the only piece of furniture in the room. 

Sloan Sectional, Interior Define ($1,895)

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Range 3-Piece Open Sectional Lounger, Burrow ($1,139)

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Eddy Reversible Sectional, West Elm ($1,399)

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Circuit Modular Sectional, Wayfair ($3,791)

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Medium Sectionals

A one-bedroom apartment or midsize living room provides plenty of space to stretch your legs—each of these offerings is less than 8 feet long—and show off some personality with fabric and pattern. For example, a lilac velvet sectional gives off a luxe vibe (even if it only costs $1,100), while a dark squishy version would go great in your gaming den.

Abisko Sectional in Welsh Gray, Article ($1,599)

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Two-Piece Sectional, Floyd ($1,484 was $2,120)

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Movie Night 3-Piece Modular Sectional, Sundays ($3,480)

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Chamberlin Velvet Sectional Sofa, Urban Outfitters ($1,099)

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Large Sectionals

Families and singles alike will appreciate the roominess of a nearly 10-foot sectional. But with great scale comes great (design) responsibility: The bigger the sofa, the more visual and physical real estate it will take up. A neutral color works best as a base—then pack it with pillows to show off some personality.

Sterling Sectional Sofa, Room & Board ($4,900)

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Hay Mags Sectional, Design Within Reach ($3,476 was $4,345)

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Metro Sectional, Kardiel ($2,097)

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Palo Modular Corner Sofa, Hem ($5,599)

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Extra-Large Sectionals

Okay, okay, I know what I just said about keeping it neutral—but in the case of an almost-12-foot sectional, bigger and bolder is better. For example, a salmon-colored option sets the tone for the entire room—and has enough seating that no one will have to crane their neck during movie night. Similarly, a blue velvet is the perfect welcome after (or during?) a long day of Zoom calls. Or if a white sofa doesn’t bring you instant calm, then this one’s impressively low price tag ($1,230!) just might. 

Harlanda Sofa, Ikea ($1,229)

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Float Sofa, Design Within Reach ($6,796 was $8,495)

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Milo Modular Sectional, Rove Concepts ($4,624)

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Notch Sectional, Crate & Barrel ($3,797)

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The post The Best Sectionals at Any Size (or for Any Budget) appeared first on domino.