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    Blog Posts by House Beautiful Magazine

    • 5 Tricks an Interior Designer Uses to Save Money

      By House Beautiful Magazine | At Home – Fri, Jan 6, 2012 11:45 AM EST

      You'd never know designer Meg Braff was working with a tight budget when she decorated this Palm Beach house for a snappy, 'with it' mom of three. The decorator shares the affordable design ideas she used to stretch her budget.

      living room with starburt mirrorr

      1. Going with an Inexpensive Carpet.
      "The quickest way to blow a budget is on a carpet. Unless you're doing something really special, keep it simple," designer Meg Braff says. She chose affordable sisal for the living room. Starburst mirror from William-Wayne. Sconces from the Brighton Collection. Pouf from West Elm.

      Related: Beautiful Designer Bedrooms



      2. Upgrading Basic Pieces with Trim.
      Braff added a bullion fringe to the sofa to bring in more blue. "You could do the same thing with a sofa off the floor at Crate & Barrel - just add a trim to personalize it," she says. The same idea also elevates plain lampshades or curtains.

      Related: 10 Easy Closet Cleaning Tips



      3. Opting for Balloon Shades.
      For a small master bedroom, Braff chose balloon shades Read More »

    • Amazing Before & After: Horse Stable Turned Kitchen

      By House Beautiful Magazine | At Home – Wed, Dec 21, 2011 12:14 PM EST

      Turning a former stable into a real working kitchen, designer Mick De Giulio added modern touches and farmhouse style for an unbelievable renovation.

      The stable before.
      Before: The Stable
      The barn in Lake Forest, Illinois, needed extensive renovations before it could be turned into a kitchen and guesthouse.

      Related: Colorful Kitchens


      Before: Inside the Barn
      This old door was turned into a pass-through to an outside eating area.

      Related: 20 Decorating Secrets



      After: The Completed Kitchen
      De Giulio designed the pot rack to resemble a wagon wheel, cut in half. Stools by Ebanista covered in Holly Hunt leather. The floor is reclaimed barn planks.

      See more: Designer Living Rooms



      After: The Finished Kitchen
      Designer Mick De Giulio repurposed the three horse stalls by giving each a function: one for storage, with a tall, freestanding pantry; one for cooking, with a Wolf wall oven; and one for cleanup, with a dishwasher, a sink, and cupboards for the dishes. "We just worked with what was there and had funRead More »

    • 11 Things Every Kitchen Should Have

      By House Beautiful Magazine | At Home – Fri, Dec 16, 2011 1:57 PM EST

      Updating your kitchen? We asked designer Mick De Giulio - who designed his first kitchen when he was 19 and has 3,000 projects under his belt - to give us a list of what he thinks are the essentials. Kitchen by Mick De Giulio.
      1. Natural Light

      Look for ways to maximize light, from eliminating cabinets next to windows to using transparent or reflective materials like glass and stainless steel.

      Related: Beautiful Designer Bedrooms

      2. Comfort
      I like to incorporate soft seating, a TV, and - when I can - a fireplace, to make the kitchen the coziest place in the house.

      Kitchen by Mick De Giulio.

      3. Visual Texture
      It's the mix of woods, countertop materials, and finishes that creates warmth, personality, and mood.

      See More: Kitchen of the Year 2011

      4. Stainless Steel
      The consummate neutral, it looks great with everything and will never go out of style. I love its organic quality - it develops a well-worn patina over time.

      Related: 10 Easy Closet Cleaning Tips

      5. An Island
      If space allows,

      Read More »

    • The Best Holiday Gifts for Under $25

      By House Beautiful Magazine | At Home – Thu, Dec 15, 2011 4:14 PM EST

      A boho jewelry box, a modern alarm clock, charitable mugs and more fun, affordable finds to give this year.

      House BeautifulHouse Beautiful1. Beautiful Candle

      This natural wax candle burns cleanly for 60 hours, leaving behind nothing but the wonderful Woodfire scent. Once the candle is finished, the painted container doubles as a pencil or makeup brush holder.

      Holloway Ceramic candle in Woodfire. $20. Illume.


      Related: Colorful Kitchens


      House BeautifulHouse Beautiful2. Charitable Mugs

      These mugs have a hand-painted feel and are generously sized for your morning joe or afternoon tea. A whopping 50 percent of each design benefits a different charitable organization (ASPCA, Teach for America, Boys & Girls Club of America, St. Jude Children Research Hospital, and more) so you can feel good about giving.
      Mugs. $10 each. West Elm.



      3. Personalized Wine
      Who doesn't need a few extra bottles of wine around the holidays? (For last-minute giving, of course.) Millbrook Winery, located in the picturesque Hudson Valley, creates great Read More »

    • 5 Cool Gadget Gift Ideas Under $100

      By House Beautiful Magazine | At Home – Tue, Dec 13, 2011 4:39 PM EST

      The newest tech gifts for everyone on your list, from a digital coloring book for your young artist to a portable DJ station for your music-obsessed teen.


      House BeautifulHouse Beautiful1. Fisheye, Macro, Wide Angle and Telephoto Phone Lenses

      Even the best camera phones have limited abilities when it comes to snapping digital images. This set of three stick-on lenses provides fisheye (for warping effect), macro (for small details), wide angle (for panoramic nature) and 2x telephoto (for distance) capabilities. Just affix the removable magnetic ring over your camera, and the interchangeable glass lenses snap on and off. Even has a cutout for the flash on your new iPhone 4S.
      Three for $49. photojojo.com.

      See More: 20 Fun Finds from the Hardware Store


      House BeautifulHouse Beautiful2. Griffin Crayola ColorStudio HD


      Kids love to color, paint, draw, and scribble, but the detritus can be a handful. This app, the Crayola ColorStudio HD from Griffin, turns your iPad into a coloring book/sketch pad, complete with Crayola crayons, paints, pencils,Read More »

    • A Look Inside the Homes of Elizabeth Taylor

      By House Beautiful Magazine | At Home – Tue, Dec 6, 2011 4:18 PM EST

      She was known for captivating an audience with her sultry screen persona, violet eyes, and tumultuous relationships, but how did legendary actress Liz Taylor live when the cameras weren't rolling? Here's a glimpse inside the places she called home throughout the years.



      1. Childhood Home in the 1930s
      Heathwood, her Georgian-style childhood house in Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, boasted 5,082 square-feet including six bedrooms, servant's quarters, and a tennis court. Designed by architect Matthew Dawson in 1926, it was previously home to artist Augustus John. When Elizabeth Taylor's family moved in, John's paintings remained up on the walls.

      Related: Living Rooms You'll Love

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      2. Her Family Home in Beverly Hills, 1940s
      Holding her chipmunk, Nibbles, the 13-year-old child star poses in her childhood bedroom. Two riding saddles and tack add Equestrian stye, while sheer, ruffled curtains hang in the windows.
      Related: 20 Decorating Secrets



      3. Dressing Table, 1940s
      In the corner of her

      Read More »

    • Dazzling Christmas Ornaments to Deck Your Tree

      By House Beautiful Magazine | At Home – Tue, Dec 6, 2011 3:56 PM EST

      From a sailor swearer to a stockpot, we've found 15 unique adornments for your tree, window, or mantel.

      ornamentornament1. Double Glass Sphere
      Inside each clear glass globe is a pretty, unexpected pop of color.
      In green, $12. West Elm.

      Related: Tour An Open, Casual California Home










      ornamentornament2. Silent Night

      A macabre twist on the holiday, this limited-edition silver glass bulb features a noir photograph by artist Barbara Sullivan.
      Four-piece set, $60. Artware Editions

      Related: Quick and Easy Makeover Ideas




      ornamentornament3. Silver Wishbone

      Simple and elegant, this ornament is a graceful take on the good-luck tradition.
      $15. VivaTerra.

      Related: Expert Kitchen Tips and Ideas








      ornamentornament4. Owl
      What a hoot. A hand-painted glass bird seems both whimsical and wise.
      Set of two. $24. Jayson Home.

      Related: 101 Pretty Plates










      ornamentornament5. Mistletoe Globe

      In glittering gold, this design is an eye-catching addition when hanging on a tree or window.
      $49. Michael Aram.

      Related: 12 Cozy Fall Decorating Ideas








      ornamentornament6. Vintage Octagon

      The unusual shape of this

      Read More »

    • 5 Expert Tips to Wow Holiday Guests at the Door

      By House Beautiful Magazine | At Home – Fri, Nov 18, 2011 2:49 PM EST

      Designers, chefs, and entertainers extraordinaire share tips on making guests feel welcome over the holiday season.

      House BeautifulHouse Beautiful1. Light Candles or Spices
      "A good smell in the air is an unconscious cue to everyone that they're expected, that something good is in store for them, that they're going to be taken care of. Sometimes I burn rosemary in the fireplace, or put it in a cast-iron pan, light it on fire, and walk around the house with the pan, letting the smoke and scent go all over the house." -Alice Waters

      Related: 20 Decorating Secrets

      Read More »

    • Amazing Before & After: A Dining Room Transformation

      By House Beautiful Magazine | At Home – Tue, Nov 15, 2011 12:00 PM EST

      Contributing Editor Frances Schultz redid her dining room - and shares tips on how she did it - for an unbelievable transformation.


      BEFORE: The dining room had yellow paint and nice architectural details.

      Related: 12 Romantic Bedrooms


      AFTER: The finished space works as both a dining room and a sort of library room. "Even if dinning rooms are seldom used, they're so lovely to have. Yet the single-purpose, formal dining room doesn't suit the way so many of us actually live," says Schultz.

      See More: Best Designer Kitchens


      TIPS:

      1. Add Wainscoting
      Wainscoting gives a small room presence. Different treatments above and below a chair rail add another layer of interest and texture to the room.

      See more: See France's Bedroom Makeover

      2. Play with Scale
      Don't be afraid of using big pieces in small rooms; they enhance the sense of spaciousness and scale. Big mirrors are especially effective.

      3. Use Multiples
      Hang art (like my botanical prints) floor to ceiling, whether wall space is limited

      Read More »

    • 5 Ways to Make Your Thanksgiving Table More Special

      By House Beautiful Magazine | At Home – Thu, Nov 10, 2011 5:06 PM EST

      Little tricks - from hand-written place cards to using unexpected color - can help make for a memorable meal.


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      1. Try Untraditional Colors

      The classic color combo of blue and white adds a fresh feel for fall. "Autumnal colors just pop against a blue and white tablecloth. For the flowers, I took the oranges, yellows, and reds of the fruit for inspiration," says Carolyne Roehm. Tableware from Carolyne's personal collection.

      Related: 12 Romantic Bedrooms



      2. Use Bud Vases

      Break up a large bouquet and place each flower stem in a separate vase. "I do lots of single-bud bouquets, placed so you see the person sitting opposite you - so important," says Janice Feldman, the founder of Janus et Cie. Sambonet flatware. Henry Dean tumblers. Venetian glassware is Feldman's own.


      See More: Best Designer Kitchens



      3. Highlight a Unique Centerpiece

      Centerpieces don't have to be a floral arrangement. "I select artifacts my children or I have collected. These pieces have a richness of Read More »

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