In Renovator’s Notebook, homeowners open up about the nitty-gritty of their remodels: How long it really took; how much it actually cost; what went horribly wrong; and what went wonderfully, serendipitously, it’s-all-worth-it-in-the-end right.  

The first time interior designer Shannon Tate-Giordano made over the powder room in her Massachusetts home, in 2017, she set out to spend the least amount of money that would make the biggest visual impact. She painted the builder-grade vanity black and tacked on some side cubbies for extra storage, painted the floor in a way that made it look tiled, and hung an extra-large round mirror. “I got supercrafty, and I was happy with it,” she says. But fast-forward six years and the inevitable (if you’re a designer, anyway) happened. It didn’t feel like her anymore: “I like things to be a little bit more refined now.”

This go-round, Tate-Giordano set out to spend a little more money on the project. She specifically had her heart set on hand-painted Moroccan floor tile. Her house, though, had other plans for her budget. As she began to prep the floors for reno 2.0, a valve burst, spewing water all over the bathroom floor and into the basement ceiling. As she and her plumber began pulling out the insulation downstairs to air it out, they discovered preexisting mold damage—a problem that came with a steep $30,000 price tag to fix. “It totally threw everything off,” recalls the designer. She moved forward with the powder room project, but with limited funds to dedicate to the space, she decided to go the DIY route once again.

The Receipts 

Tate-Giordano estimates that her original plan of installing Moroccan floor tile would have run her around $4,000 for materials and labor. By skipping that step and deciding to tackle the new vanity and Roman Clay walls herself, she suspects she shaved off nearly $9,500. The only jobs she hired out were to a plumber to do the sink hookup and to an electrician to install her pendant light in a new location. Her total cost came in just under $3,000, excluding a $680 pendant she received for free. 

Here’s a look at some of the materials she ended up purchasing along the way. 

• Anthropologie mirror: $398
• Rejuvenation drawer pulls x 4: $80
• Etsy faucet: $250
• Etsy sink drain: $70
• Portola Paints wall finish: from $28
• Bed Bath & Beyond sink: $148
• IKEA vanity: $350
• Hennepin Made light: gifted (usually $680)

Ahead, in her own words, she looks back at her budget-friendly revamp.

Fake the Look of Tile With Stencils

Because the existing floor is Marmoleum (a water-resistant and sustainable alternative to linoleum), I was able to dry it out enough so that I could glue it back down, sand it, and prime it for paint (it takes paint very well!). Then I cut a star-shaped stencil out of card stock with a razor blade. I used a Sharpie to outline the design and ended up eyeballing it because I have very little patience for a level—I think it looks pretty straight. I filled in the shapes with a mix of colors in Benjamin Moore’s Porch and Floor Paint Finish. It took a while…my back was killing me. 

Start With an IKEA Vanity Base

The old vanity was nothing to write home about, and the cabinet was impractical for storage. I definitely wanted to switch to having drawers. Not wanting to build something from scratch, I bought an IKEA Godmorgon vanity for the shell and custom-made the sides and the drawer fronts out of walnut-stained plywood with a solid wood trim. 

A local stone yard in western Massachusetts had three full slabs of this red travertine, and they told me they’d had it for nearly 15 years. Nobody wanted to buy it! The slabs were three-quarter-inch—the perfect thickness for my vanity. It was a total score.

Double-Check Your Drainage

I was looking on Pinterest and watching videos of how people turn bowls into sinks, and I was like, Yeah, I’ll do that. I went to HomeGoods and found a bowl that was the perfect color. (It was similar to a $500 concrete sink I was eyeing on Etsy.) I felt so smart and so accomplished; I even drilled it for the drain and had the plumber come in and hook everything up once the countertops were in. 

Then, an hour later, I tried it out. All the water was staying inside the bowl. I was so annoyed with myself. Of course, this wasn’t make any sense; why would it drain? The pitch wasn’t high enough. I thought maybe I’d just order the $500 sink, but then I found this hammered copper one at Bed Bath & Beyond and really liked the way it looked. I switched to that, and it was supereasy. I actually figured out how to change the plumbing and I didn’t have to hire someone twice to do it.

Amp Up the Wall Texture With Roman Clay

I had used this Portola Paints color, Rustic, on another project recently, and I thought it was a really nice combination with the warm red travertine counters. I prefer Roman Clay over limewash; it has this really smooth, buttery finish. I applied three coats with a metal trowel to make sure I couldn’t see any of the wall underneath, then added a sealer.

Find Balance by Going Off Symmetry

Hennepin Made reached out to me and offered its Lacuna globe pendant light. Because all of the plumbing is skewed to the left of the mirror, I thought it would be cool to hang the fixture to the right, to fill that void. It’s not a bathroom that I do my makeup in, so it didn’t have to be bright. I wanted it to feel more like a hotel.

I reused my existing art; I felt like it still fit. I started frequenting an antiques shop when we first moved here.  

In the end, I’m actually way happier with how these cost-saving measures look. I like them way more than my original plan, so it’s very satisfying.

Get the Look

Lacuna Globe Pendant, Hennepin Made ($680)

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Godmorgon Vanity, IKEA ($349)

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Ball Cabinet Knob, Rejuvenation ($20)

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Clara Mirror, Anthropologie ($398)

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The post An IKEA Vanity and Floor Stencil Kept My Powder Room Budget Under $4K appeared first on domino.

Obviously we all want our backyards (and even our front yards) to be beautiful spaces where we can relax and entertain. But there’s more that goes into deciding how exactly you’ll outfit your outdoor space. According to a new Thumbtack survey of 1,000 homeowners, the top consideration that people had for designing their backyards wasn’t aesthetic. In fact, it was their dogs.

Forty-three percent of respondents said their puppers influenced them the most, followed by kids (42 percent), beautifying their spaces (41 percent), and hosting (39 percent). The stat is surprising but not completely: A separate study from 2017 found that millennials were buying homes because of their furry friends. 

And when it comes to outdoor spaces, there are plenty of ways to make your backyard canine-friendly—in fact, 39 percent of homeowners said their dream yard would have a fenced-in space. There are also dog pools, dog houses to give shade—or if you’re like Paris Hilton, you can build your best friends their own backyard mansion. And then when it’s time to head back inside, you can even add a paw-washing station to your mudroom. That’s what we call paw-ractical. 

The post This Is the Number One Thing People Are Designing Their Backyards Around in 2024 appeared first on domino.

Sometimes it can seem like there’s no middle ground when it comes to cabinet hardware. The cool-kid picks are certainly design forward, but they’re also quite costly. The most affordable are just that and nothing more: They often skew cheap, and that’s not only in price. So we’re always scanning home tours, renos, and retailers to seek out the best of the bunch. That means the products that balance quality, material, budget, and style. 

Recently we’ve noticed one name pop up again and again, and not because it’s new. Hickory Hardware, a U.S.-based company that has been around since 1893, still designs and makes all of its products in-house in Michigan. To start, we’ve seen them in a Minneapolis kitchen makeover as well as stories about the best rental upgrades. (Pro tip: Plug in Hickory Hardware knobs or pulls into the Amazon search bar to turn up more styles than show up on the company’s home page.) Here are the eight we’re feeling right now, including a contemporary take on oak and a favorite of Lone Fox.

Hickory Hardware Piper Cabinet Knobs

Hickory Hardware Piper Cabinet Knobs, Set of 10, Amazon ($56)

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These Domino reader–favorite knobs have a lot going for them: The design is versatile and timeless, it’s available in three different finishes, and all the hardware needed comes in your package. It’s also pretty rare to find anything on Amazon with a full 5 stars; the Piper is reviewed as “beautiful and sturdy knobs” and “heavyweight.”

Hickory Hardware Williamsburg Cabinet Pulls

Hickory Hardware Williamsburg Cabinet Pull, Set of 1, Amazon ($6)

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These pulls scratch that traditional itch without being too ornate. They’d look great paired with a bridge faucet and marble countertops—and the sizing and finish variations offer ample options to fit your space. You can order one or 10, and each is just $6.

Hickory Hardware Refined Rustic Cabinet Pulls

Hickory Hardware Refined Rustic Cabinet Pull, Set of 1, Amazon ($5)

We love the look of this collection from Hickory, perfect for an Arts and Crafts structure or cozy cottage—and it doesn’t hurt that these pulls have more than 2,000 positive reviews. The iron style makes it look like you sourced these from a vintage bin, and when they’re designer approved as a rental upgrade, what are you waiting for?  

Hickory Hardware Natural Woodcraft Cabinet Pulls

Hickory Hardware Natural Woodcraft Cabinet Pull, Set of 1, Amazon ($4)

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We don’t often see genuine wood hardware in today’s kitchens, but these natural oak handles lend a Scandi-modern feel in their simplicity. “They feel really good in your hand,” Victoria Sass, founder of Prospect Refuge Studio, told Domino. You can finish or stain them, and there are even matching knobs available. If you’re looking for more options, there’s another intriguing shape in the same wood, too.

Hickory Hardware American Diner Cabinet Knobs

Hickory Hardware American Diner Cabinet Knobs, Set of 1, Amazon ($39)

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If you’re seeking a retro vibe, these knobs are it. Harking back to 1950s and 1960s classics, the three-ridged edge is lighthearted without being too nostalgic. They’d look great in an all–stainless steel kitchen, too.

Hickory Hardware Midway Cabinet Knobs

Hickory Hardware Midway Cabinet Knob, Set of 1, Amazon ($8)

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If a touch of glam is what you’re after, the Midway group has it in bounds. Transparent acrylic tops a metal post, and reviewers love the knobs for how quickly they can upgrade a dresser or cabinets. 

Hickory Hardware Pipeline Collection Knobs

Hickory Hardware Pipeline Collection Knob, Set of 1, Amazon ($5 was $8)

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We like that this one is industrial in design without reading “I was a plumber in a previous life.” The Pipeline knobs would fit in well in a loft with exposed brick, sure, but they’ll also hold their own in a home office or bathroom with a darker palette.

Hickory Hardware American Diner Cabinet Pulls

Hickory Hardware American Diner Cabinet Pull, Set of 1, Amazon ($6 was $9)

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The pulls from the American Diner collection call to mind those that Real Housewives of New York star Brynn Whitfield used in her New York City apartment. The cup shape would look great in a bungalow, and this one gets high marks from reviewers for being “very elegant” and “great quality.” 

The post There’s Heritage Cabinet Hardware Hiding on Amazon appeared first on domino.

It’s a tall order to find a stunning dresser that is also affordable. Large armoires are an investment (both budget-wise and from a square-footage standpoint). So what do you do when that dream piece does not exist? Cue IKEA, a can of paint, fresh knobs, and a few other craft supplies. 

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Malm 6-Drawer Dresser, IKEA ($300)

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Tarva 6-Drawer Chest, IKEA ($330)

From Hemnes to Malm to Tarva, all the Swedish retailer’s offerings can be made to look custom if you’re willing to dig out your toolbox and pick up a few extra materials from the hardware store. Choose your favorite look from these 15 IKEA dresser hacks and put aside a weekend to get to work. 

Slap on Slats

The beauty of the six-drawer Malm dresser is that it’s basically a big blank canvas, given the piece doesn’t have any hardware. Kayla Nelson saw it as an opportunity to add some color, personality, and texture. For $200 she covered it in 228 slats cut from MDF and coated it in Gray Heron by Behr. 

Turn It Into a Nightstand, Part 1 

DIYer Jenna Sue has noticed a shortage of large nightstands at an affordable price point, so this creation, which all started with a three-drawer Malm piece, is her giving the world what it craves. Her design hinges on adding pieces of trim at the base of each drawer to give it more of a traditional look, painting it in a chocolaty red hue, and tacking on brass knobs from Amazon. 

Turn It Into a Nightstand, Part 2

Ryia Jose (the blogger behind Kin and Kasa) wasn’t in need of a dresser for her daughter’s bedroom, but she did need a nightstand. So she turned IKEA’s Rast dresser into an ideal storage piece for $75 total by leaving off the toe-kick and bottom drawer, adding fresh feet to the base, cladding the drawer fronts in fluted wood trim, and painting it all in a dark blue. 

Add Definition

After struggling to find a campaign-style dresser for less than $1,000, A Beautiful Mess’s Elsie Larson spruced up a Malm staple with Lewis Dolin bar pulls (they actually cost more than the furniture, but she says the overall savings is still significant). Next up? Corner braces, which she spray-painted to match the shiny brass rods.

Wrap It in Raffia

Rather than drop a cool $4,000 on a piece like Serena & Lily’s raffia-covered Blake dresser, Drew Scott, the YouTuber behind Lone Fox, hacked his Tarva piece for $220. After applying a strip of fine raffia cloth to each of the drawer fronts with Mod Podge, he secured trim around the door edges and painted the wood parts in Benjamin Moore’s Pale Oak.

Beef Up the Pulls

For less than $20, Paper & Stitch blogger Brittni Mehlhoff upgraded her Moppe mini storage chest (a great dresser alternative for a small space or nursery). Her trick: ¾-inch-thick pinewood dowels. She cut the pieces down to size, sanded them, and wrapped them in strips of leather. 

Spice Up the Texture

Erika Lauren of Peony and Honey also used dowels for her DIY—but not the typical wood kind. She cut up rolls of foam, painted them a nude tone, and glued them to the surface to create a channel-quilted look. 

Create a Peekaboo Effect

After assembling her Tarva dresser, blogger Kourtni Munoz of House on Longwood Lane made rectangular cutouts on the drawer fronts using a jigsaw. Then she stained the whole piece so it had a weathered oak finish and stapled cane webbing to the inside of the openings for a beachy-chic feel. 

Build a Dresser Out of Billy Bookcases 

Who said you have to actually start with a dresser? In the awkward hallway that leads to her primary closet and bathroom, Callie Plemel of Home on Harbor installed three IKEA Billy bookcases that were previously in her library and used the framework to design an integrated dresser from scratch. Her construction-savvy husband added drawers to the bottom half of the central bookcase, accounting for one small pullout on the top for jewelry. 

Elevate It (Literally)

IKEA’s Ivar three-drawer chest technically doesn’t come with hardware, but blogger Janelle Burnett changed all that by adding Pretty Pegs’s Greta legs and Stina knobs to two of the dressers (she displayed them side by side to make them look like one piece). The additions were designed specifically for the brand’s furniture, so they attach seamlessly. 

Turn It Into a Changing Table 

Skip specialized nursery furniture by transforming a basic Tarva dresser with some white paint and a colorful pad. Blogger and photographer Erin Kelly sewed the fabric for this cushion herself. 

Go Nuts With Knobs

In order to replicate the look of authentic Jenny Lind furniture, Angelica Kalatzi of My Dear Irene glued flat-back ball knobs around the edges of the drawers. The bright white primer (the blogger used Kilz Adhesion sealer) instantly disguised its dark brown surface. Covering up the knobs will be your biggest time suck, so Kalatzi recommends listening to a captivating podcast for that part.  

Get a Hold on Things With Leather Pulls

It only takes one unexpected material to turn a basic piece of furniture on its head. You don’t have to buy fancy premade pulls for this update. Create your own straps with leather and brass screws. The paint color is all up to you. 

Craft a Mini Library

Can you spot the second IKEA hack? After painting this dresser green and adding sleek knobs to it, Megan Gilger bought two brackets from the company, painted them white, and installed them above the makeshift changing table. She topped the supports with basic wood planks from Lowe’s. Between the cubbies and the shelves, there’s plenty of room for books. 

Go Two-Tone

Shifra Jumelet stained the bottom portion of this dresser a rich brown tone and painted the top a crisp white. But the real surprise was when she swathed all the knobs in a dark dye to create an optical illusion. No one would ever guess it isn’t 100 percent bespoke.

The post A Malm With Sage Green Slats and 14 More Elevated IKEA Dresser Hacks appeared first on domino.

After a long day of traveling, there’s nothing quite like the serenity you feel after you finally check in to your room, line up all your toiletries on the gloriously expansive bathroom countertop, and take a hot shower (or bath, if you’re lucky). Hotel designers take extra care to ensure that their bathrooms create a calming experience for guests—which is why they’re a major source of inspiration for our own homes.

Whether you’re looking to tackle a small DIY project or a major bathroom renovation, there are tons of design tricks to steal from the most luxurious, unique accommodations around the world. Here are some of our favorite ideas.

Embrace an Open-Concept Layout

You don’t need to do more to achieve a spa bathhouse feel—you actually need to do less. Instead of throwing up glass walls and curbs around your shower, make the whole room a wet zone by leaving it open. While this will require digging into the floor a bit for proper drainage, you could end up with something as dreamy as this bathroom at Marrakech’s Farasha Farmhouse.

Bathe Yourself in Flattering Paint Colors

Part of the experience of enjoying your bathroom is, well, being naked. Beige-yellow walls reflecting off fluorescent overhead lighting is not exactly a recipe for feeling amazing about yourself, so we suggest going with a dusty pink hue on the walls and a sexy pop of glossy red, seen here in Alice in Wonderland–inspired hotel Cowley Manor, designed by Dorothée Meilichzon. 

Swap Your Quartz Counters for Colorful Lava Stone

In other bathrooms at Cowley Manor and at Montesol in Ibiza, Meilichzon introduced some shine with basin surrounds in enameled lava stone. Yes, we’re talking about the same lava rock that comes from a volcano. Except after it’s quarried, it’s cut into slabs and topped with a glaze and fired at a high heat. 

Companies like Made a Mano and Pyrolave offer tons of different colors of the superdurable material and will often let you customize your surface to whatever shade you want. 

Get Funky With Your Mirrors

Instead of installing an XL sheet of glass or two basic round mirrors, have some fun with your double vanity design. At the Ulysses hotel in Baltimore, Ash Hospitality got theatrical with burl-wood frames that look like vases holding flowers that are actually lights.

Disrupt the Check

Checkered shower tile is all the rage right now, but throwing off the scheme a smidge by putting a random black tile here, another over there, can ensure your space feels unique and timeless. Leave it to Kelly Wearstler, who designed the Downtown L.A. Proper, to remind us of this. 

Tidy Up With Mint Green

If you want your bathroom to feel neat at all times but don’t want to settle for white, lean into light shades of green. There’s something about a minty zellige or square tile and chrome plumbing fixtures—as seen in this space at Hôtel de la Boétie in Paris—that tricks the mind into thinking you can skip cleaning day. 

Go Monochromatic

In Mauritius’s Salt of Palmar hotel, the showers are done up completely in red square tile, making them a destination in and of themselves. A simple ribbed glass shower screen balances things out, so it’s not too much.

Pair Two Bold Colors

When it comes to color, why stop at just one? L.A.’s Firehouse Hotel is full of inspiring color combinations, including in this bathroom, where mustard yellow tile and tomato red cabinets are an unlikely power couple.

Put Your Tub in Your Shower

Try to name a feature more luxurious than a standing shower that also contains a bathtub. The Ace Hotel New Orleans makes a compelling case for this doubled-up bathing situation, which boasts glossy gray tile and a charcoal ceiling to keeps things cohesive.

Mix and Match

The über-cool Hotel Des Grands Boulevards in Paris made waves for its bold design—and the bathrooms are no exception. Why limit yourself to one tile pattern or color when you can have three? In this space, hexagon wall tiles ground the pale blue paint and pink checkered floor tile, making for one sophisticated room.

The post We’re Only Taking Reno Inspiration From Hotel Bathrooms From Now On appeared first on domino.

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.

We’re told over and over again that the kitchen is the heart of the home, but how are those of us with small spaces supposed to interpret this maxim? Where are we meant to throw our get-togethers over cheese platters when countertop space is nonexistent? We’ll admit it’s not always easy to see the plus side of living in a tiny house or apartment (if for no other reason than the lack of storage), but the 10 cozy kitchens ahead reveal more than one silver lining. Between their mood-boosting bright colors and smart organizational solutions, these spaces defy their size.

The One That Squeezes in a Banquette

Rather than go the typical bistro table route, Jess Bunge, the editorial director at Emily Henderson, built a space-savvy banquette out of red oak stair treads, DIY velvet cushions, and a brass rod secured with a french cleat. (Psst: The benches are freestanding, aka landlord approved.) The wall-mounted backrest leaves just enough clearance to slide into the nook. 

The One With Good Appliance-to-Cabinet Ratio

Homeowners Megan Ananian and Andrew Ginn came to an important realization during their Park Slope, Brooklyn, renovation: They didn’t actually need a standard 24-inch-wide dishwasher. “I have always had an 18-inch dishwasher in all my apartments in the city and I think it’s totally fine,” says Ginn. So in getting rid of their too-big appliance, they freed up more space for drawers, including a narrow one to the left of the oven for a pullout spice rack. 

The One With Smart Flatware Storage

Over their sink, jewelry designer Sarah Burns and photographer Adam Caillier built a separate, deeper shelf for cutlery that they call their “flatware trough.” Not only does the addition free up precious drawer space in their railroad-style apartment, it allows Adam to show off his collection of prized silverware. Other clever ideas in this kitchen? They crafted two freestanding cabinets to house dry good and pots, swagged light fixtures to bring warmth to whatever countertop they’re working at, opted for two chairs and a stool combo in the dining area, and mounted knives and spatulas with a combination of magnetic strips and nails. 

The One With Faux Marble Counters

Instead of tearing out the ugly countertops in her 400-something-square-foot NYC apartment, Madelynn Furlong resurfaced them using a $200 paint kit she scored on Amazon that’s supposed to look similar to black stone. “It’s pretty convincing,” she says, noting that it sort of looks like an ’80s resin marble. To get the look of veining, she applied the Funfetti-like white paint that comes in the kit by holding the spray bottle at a 45-degree angle. 

The Leanne Ford–Designed One

The kitchen in Leanne Ford’s guesthouse is unsurprisingly full of scrappy ideas. The oven is wrapped in a terracotta-colored custom vinyl, the wood used for the open shelving is from the ceiling rafters she removed upstairs, and she hid the fridge behind old confessional doors she found at one of her favorite thrifting spots.

The One With a Modern Dining Setup

What Erin Starkweather’s L.A. kitchen lacks in storage it makes up for in pedigree. The apartment was designed by famed mid-century architect Craig Ellwood, and so there was no way she was touching the cabinets. Instead she admits it “forces me to not hold onto things that I don’t like or need.” Underneath the two bonus upper cabinets that hang from the ceiling, Starkweather leaned into the mod vibes with a set of bent birch plywood chairs, originally designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek in 1935, and his Table 81b design.

The One With Zero Empty Corners

When you see a smaller space, your immediate instinct might be to keep it as bare as possible—but there are other ways. Layering in potted plants and bowls brimming with fruit adds character (and will inspire you to get your five-a-day in), made possible by the homeowner incorporating storage elsewhere. A paper towel holder spans the window, and knives hang on a metal wall strip. 

The One That’s Neutral But Not Boring

With butcher block counters and a retro stove, this all-white kitchen is anything but one-dimensional. We love that the homeowner made use of the dead space above the cupboards, housing storage baskets for some extra function. 

The One That Doubles Up on Open Shelving

You might think floating shelves equal more dust, and to that we say you’re right. But when they look this good, they’re worth it. Keep bulky utilitarian cooking equipment tucked away behind closed doors, and use the open space to display your favorite tools (and that artisanal pepper grinder you got for Christmas). 

The One With Multipurpose Everything

See that little table? The sides fold out for dinner and up to become an extra meal-prep space. Plus it looks like it was sourced from a vintage shop, so it was likely an inexpensive addition. Similarly, a cutting board on top of the stove turns the surface into the perfect area for chopping veggies. 

The post Sprawling Kitchens Are Overrated, and These 10 Tiny Spaces Prove It appeared first on domino.

International Klein Blue, the ultramarine hue favored by mid-century artist Yves Klein, begins as a notoriously fickle pigment that’s hard to work with. Without getting too into the nitty-gritty, it needs a binder to become paint, and with the wrong kind, it dulls—and quickly. But if you get it just right, it’s the kind of color that is naturally enveloping, striking, and grounding all at once. 

Its development was happening around the same time that I.M. Pei and Associates’ Society Hill Towers were being built in the Philadelphia neighborhood of the same name. The concrete trio, constructed in the early 1960s, was a central figure in the urban renewal taking place in Washington Square East at the time. But while the towers often get all the attention, even today, it’s the 37 brick-clad townhomes that anchor the buildings to the rest of the historic area. Each unit rises three stories with a centrally located staircase and is punctuated by arched doorways and clerestory windows, plus a private courtyard and small steel balconies. 

When an empty-nest couple approached Brooklyn-based design firm TBo about helping them renovate one, principals Bretaigne Walliser and Thom Dalmas jumped at the chance.

The owners, who were relocating from nearby Wilmington, Delaware, wanted a home that would feel bright and welcoming and intimate enough for when it was just the two of them, but could flex to accommodate their grown children and grandchildren. Structurally, the townhouse was sound, but the internal systems needed updating and the finishes and layout required a complete overhaul. Original Formica, small ceramic tile, and vinyl were everywhere, deteriorating and worse for wear. The kitchen was narrow, and the bathrooms smaller than what’s preferable these days. One choice Pei made that Walliser wanted to retain, though, was increased privacy as you head upstairs. “The primary idea that he had was that there was social space below on the first two floors, and then it would be increasingly more intimate on the upper floor,” she explains.

Working together with local Hivemind Construction, TBo recast the space in 2023 in a way that honored Pei’s initial vision while adding contemporary, earthy touches that drew on the homeowners’ time living in northern Europe and interest in art. 

First, they removed walls to create easier circulation around the staircase and integrated cabinets with flush doors, which the owners use for pantry goods, cookbooks, wineglasses, and more. After refinishing the original oak flooring (it was, says Walliser, “a crazy orange”), the team took cues from Pei’s choice of material to inform the custom white oak millwork by Loubier Design. Given the smaller scale of mid-century dwellings, this allowed the designer to maximize storage that kept things tidy and navigable, but not too hidden, in the galley kitchen. 

Across the way, Walliser reveals that they tried and tried to cast the concrete countertops and sink in that elusive Yves Klein Blue. “It can’t withstand any heat,” she says, acknowledging its limited alkali resistance. “So when you’re casting concrete, there’s a lot of heat generated from the chemical reaction. If it kills that blue, the pigment just dies and turns gray.” After giving it a few shots, they ended up with cobalt blue, a much stronger and more stable pigment. Then they proceeded to paint the curved base in Benjamin Moore’s Watertown to create one cohesive wow-factor piece. (Bonus: The end caps are cabinets that actually open.) The couple passes a good portion of their time seated nearby, where there are views of their garden through the patio doors.

“One of the challenges we faced was what to do with the stair railing,” the homeowner says. “We had to replace the railing to code, and [had] tried any number of designs when Thom came up with this beautiful, simple metal railing that fits perfectly.” It’s a subtle statement, employing metal and geometry like Pei did, that doesn’t abandon functionality—it’s easy for them to grab as they descend the stairs.

Up those stairs, the primary bedroom is complemented by custom oak wardrobes and vintage light fixtures, like a Murano pendant lamp and Swedish table lamps. The space merges with a small library, where an oak dk3 Royal System hangs opposite an original brick fireplace. Dutch maps, art books, and other vintage ephemera mingle with a Flos kelvin lamp and Mies van der Rohe MR rattan side chair. They are both connected to a primary bath, which is in the darker core of the home. 

Pei’s use of transom-style windows inspired Walliser to employ the technique to bring more light in. “That was a way of borrowing from his language that he had established in the houses and sort of manifesting it in a new way for the owners,” she says. For the bathroom floors, the designers took a page from Bauhaus artist Anni Albers; the cement tile placement is inspired by her work. “We studied her sketches and weavings, along with traditional and modern quilting, and created a series of ‘woven’ tile schemes,” Walliser explains. The idea is mirrored in the other two bathrooms, with patchwork tile in combinations of pink and green and variations on blue. 

From the Scandinavian furnishings and oak wood to Albers textiles, TBo’s thoughtful renovation kept true to the building’s modernist roots without staying stuck in the past. “It’s just very airy; the scale is wonderful,” Walliser says of the new interiors. And that stunning blue makes the homeowners happy every time they see it.

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Marble countertops are more or less a staple of most modern-day kitchens. But despite the material’s sheer elegance and potential to boost your home’s value, it comes with quite a few cons: It stains and scratches easily, not to mention it’s costly. So before you commit to a slab of Carrara, do some shopping around first.

There is a near limitless array of creative ways to outfit your counters: concrete, stainless steel, stained oak veneer—the list goes on. Whether you’re in the market for something low-maintenance or simply want to spend less, these countertop ideas will inspire you to think outside the box and, in some cases, beyond the quarry.

Porcelain 

Most people’s biggest beef with marble is that it stains (one lemon or a drop of red wine will leave a permanent mark). Autumn Hachey’s clients in Balm Beach, Ontario, shared this fear, so their designer found them a material that only looks like Calacatta—it’s actually a thick slab of printed porcelain that’s resilient and resistant to marks.

Terrazzo

If you can’t make your mind up about what countertop material to go with, then terrazzo is probably your answer. It consists of chips of marble, quartz, granite, glass, and other materials, which give the composite its distinct speckled appearance. When designer Hillary Rielly ended up with slabs of this Max Lamb–designed terrazzo, she had to figure out how to make the most of the surface: A statement island is always the answer. 

Zellige Tile

Tile countertops aren’t just a relic of the 1960s. Some homeowners are opting for the unconventional surface—even with trendy textured zellige tile. Sure, the grout lines and bumps aren’t as easy to wipe down as, say, quartzite, but a little extra cleaning is worth it if you’re a sucker for character. 

Soapstone

Soapstone is pricey, but its lustrous, rich color and silky-smooth texture are two reasons why homeowners like baker Ashley Illchuk are willing to splurge. To help compensate for the price, Illchuk and her designer, Jaclyn Peters, opted for a 6-inch backsplash in the same material versus a standard 18-inch barrier. A little goes a long way. 

Laminate 

Forget everything you knew about the dated material. Brands such as IKEA are giving laminate a cool name again by offering options that look like fancier stones. Mallory Fletchall of Reserve Home put the Swedish retailer’s faux marble version in her rental kitchen. Because the stuff is easy to cut, she used extra scraps to make a built-in breakfast bar and a small overhang. 

Contact Paper

Designer Anita Yokota’s countertops appear to be marble at first glance, but they’re really covered in $40 contact paper that’s meant to look like the real deal. To ensure a smooth finish, she went over the surface with a blow-dryer and carefully folded the edges around the sink. 

Granite 

Chris and Julia Marcum gave their dated dark granite counters a totally fresh look by simply painting the walls and backsplash in their kitchen a green-gray (Thunderous by Sherwin-Williams). Now the stone seems like a thoughtful, modern addition rather than an eyesore. 

Concrete 

This material isn’t just for warehouses. Take a design cue from Faye Toogood’s studio, where concrete fits right in with the moody, modern farmhouse–esque vibe.

Butcher Block

Aside from contributing a burst of warmth to a room, this oak countertop from Naked Kitchens is all about allowing for a solid and versatile workspace. Seasoned cooks will want to leave it unsealed so you can chop and cut directly on it. 

Paint

Sam Ushiro translated her signature pastel aesthetic into her rental’s kitchen thanks to a few strategic updates. The countertop is from a kit that allows you to paint a new surface and imitate the effects of having real granite. After putting a black base coat down, add three layers of mineral paint, and then finish with a clear top coat to give it the look you want. 

Corian

John and Gina of Leeward Furniture executed their kitchen reno completely by hand. A custom job through and through, they mixed raw reused oak with a simple white Corian for a truly unique Craftsman look.

Stainless Steel

Why not match your surface to your appliances? In this Los Angeles townhouse, the shiny metal is everywhere, including the cabinet handles and open shelving. The pale teal cabinets keep it from feeling too sterile.

Formica

The manufacturer’s faux marble countertops (a part of its Living Impressions collection) are 20 times more affordable than authentic stone. The surface is painted by hand—a first for the brand—making it all the more lifelike. 

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In the world of kitchen backsplashes, subway tile reigns supreme—but it’s also a tad predictable. Instead see the area between your countertop and upper cabinets as an opportunity to add a dose of character to an otherwise ordinary space. Even though it’s often overlooked, the kitchen backsplash is a spot brimming with untapped potential.

When it comes to selecting the appropriate tile, shape, style, size, and finish all warrant careful thought and consideration. Although here’s the thing: There isn’t one right answer. If you know you want to go bold but aren’t sure where to begin, we’ve got you covered with 10 drop-dead gorgeous spaces in which the backsplash is the undisputed star.

Check Yourself

The backsplash in this English countryside retreat, dubbed Charlotte’s Folly, was so bold that designer Emma Ainscough’s clients almost turned it down at first. Red and white checkers everywhere, and with blue cabinets? “Generally, they agreed that more was more, but this one took a little bit of warming to,” says Ainscough. Paired with sky blue cabinets and a delicate flower-inspired pendant lamp, the result is utterly charming. 

Spread the Love From Wall to Wall

In an open-concept kitchen as large as the one in this Laguna Beach home, designed by Jen Samson, the details can get lost because your eye is going in a million different directions—from the living room TV to the walk-in pantry. So it helps when your backsplash is so all-consuming (a colorful zellige helps) that it reels your attention back in.

Explore the Spectrum of Marbles

“I’m not afraid to be bold and make a statement no matter what people say,” says Eric Bach, the owner of this Echo Park Craftsman, which stars at trippy green marble in the kitchen. It was this exact stone that inspired him to call up designer Leah Ring of Another Human in the first place. She had posted a similar slab on her Instagram and he became obsessed. What ensued from his gut feeling was a gut reno.

Take It to the Ceiling

In order to make this heavy, dark Spanish terracotta tile from Walker Zanger feel modern in this contemporary Brooklyn home, designers Amanda Jesse and Whitney Parris-Lamb covered every possible surface in the stuff, including the vent hood and a small window ledge. The result is minimal yet monolithic—and far from old-fashioned.

Stick to the Cooking Area

Drawing inspiration from Morocco and Mexico, Natalie Saunders and her husband, Louis Litrenta, kept their Joshua Tree kitchen as natural as possible with plaster cabinets, reclaimed wood doors, and an olive green backsplash by Clé Tile applied only behind the stove. The splash of color, which the couple chose to mirror the shades of desert flora, is all the flavor this space needs.

Sandwich Pattern Between Opposing Colors

The graphic Moroccan cement tile Dabito put in his guesthouse kitchenette acts as a barrier between the pink walls and the green cabinetry as well as a visual break from the two whimsical hues. This way, the space reads playful not overwhelming.

Embrace Tiny Details

A backsplash can feel dynamic, even when it features the most straightforward geometric forms. The secret? Vibrant grout. When you step back from this blue and white design, the lines create a textilelike pattern on the wall.

Be Gutsy With Neon

Brynn Jones didn’t have to make a statement with a moody cabinet color or dramatic marble countertop—the electric yellow-green backsplash says it all. The hit of chartreuse also calls attention to the mini shelf running along the length of the cupboards, which houses her ever-growing collection of vintage glassware. 

Turn Your Tile on Its Head

Take a lesson from one of Sarah Sherman Samuel’s latest kitchen projects for graphic designer Bri Emery and lay out half your tile horizontally, half vertically. Depending on where you look, the result is either classic (the swaths of simple stripes) or totally contemporary (where the lines meet).

Save by Going Small

This kitchen ticks multiple boxes in the trend department, including farmhouse sink and rustic-mod cabinetry crafted from plywood. But it’s the backsplash that takes things to the next level. The mini hexagon tile immediately captures your attention, and best of all it’s inexpensive! 

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