Small appliances have really come a long way over the past five or even ten years. What used to be black or silver, clunky countertop cookers and makers now can match your kitchen colors and aesthetic better than before. And they’re smaller in footprint than ever, too, which is great when you’re short on countertop space.

I just previewed an exciting countertop introduction coming next month that I can’t say much about right now. But what I can share is how cute the space where the top-secret meeting was held was. You’re looking at a little moment from SoHo’s The Malin, a collection of stylish coworking spaces located across the country. It’s a simple setup — just two chairs, an accent table, and an oversized piece of art. But this area got me thinking about how important an inspiring work setting can be, especially as we transition from summer to fall and get back in the swing of our routines, whatever that may look like for you.

If you’re looking for a seasonal spruce-up, check out the story on Anthropologie Home’s fall collection below. I couldn’t believe just how much the brand is launching, and for a limited time, they’re offering free home shipping for furniture, lighting, rugs, and more. So now is definitely the time to shop! Just want to browse for a little inspo? There’s plenty of that below, too.

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Advice You’ll Love

This Basement Was Just a Cold, Concrete Shell — Now It Feels Like a Sunny European Vacation

You won't believe this transformation.

She Almost Got Rid Of This Weird Bathroom Feature — Now She Couldn’t Live Without It

Maybe you have one, too!

Her Sister Spent 5 Years Renovating Her Patio — This One Piece Finally Completed It

A new dining set is really all it took.

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🍂 I’ve Followed Anthropologie Home for 15 Years, and This Fall Collection Is a Total Standout

🧊 She Put a Vintage Ice Bucket on Her Bathroom Shelf, and It Became Instant Stylish Storage

🕯️ Trader Joe’s $4 Mango Candle Makes Any Home Smell Like Summer Long After August

Small/Cool Tip

Who says you can’t break the so-called design rules of living in a small space? Not Mara Greenwald, who painted her galley kitchen cabinets black — yes, black! — (Farrow & Ball’s Railings (No. 31), to be exact). It’s all about understanding what you’re working with. Because her uppers have glass fronts, and the area gets a ton of light, the black lowers read as dramatic and bold rather than closed-in or cramped. Bravo to her for taking a chance on a deep shade!

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Last week was another one spent spotting trends, from the fall and winter edition of the Shoppe Object trade show in New York City, where I hosted a lively (and inspiring!) panel about entrepreneurship, to a holiday preview held by all the Williams Sonoma brands — Pottery Barn, West Elm, Mark & Graham, Rejuvenation, and GreenRow. I’m having a lot of fun tracking what feels different for this coming season, and we’ll be sharing all of those insights soon. Small spoiler alert: Ralph Lauren plaids aren’t going anywhere, and a new-old color seems to be coming to the fore in holiday collection after collection. And I gotta say, it isn’t what I expected, so you might be surprised, too.

I also got the chance to attend part of a media day for Phillip Jeffries, a family-owned company that’s going on its 50th year of being purveyors of the finest quality wallpapers. It’s amazing that the brand is printing papers literally in what feels like our backyard here in New York City, since their global headquarters is not too far from where I live in New Jersey (or where my Upper East apartment was, for that matter). Those of us who attended got a look at the gorgeous collections they have planned for the rest of 2026, 2027, and even 2028. And by the looks of things, ornate and innovative mixed media papers aren’t going anywhere, and they’re making homes look and feel more personal and bespoke than ever.

I’m just about ready to start hanging wallpaper in my own dining room, after taking a little bit of a construction hiatus following a bathroom renovation that took longer than expected (like most renos do… and to the fault of no one except maybe the old plumbing in my 1928 home). If you’re thinking about squeezing one last project into your summer before it comes to a close, check out the links below. You’ll find color inspiration, decorating picks, and even a cool kitchen trend — plus, a shower ceiling painting project that’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.

Advice You’ll Love

Once Popular in Victorian Homes, Skiffers Are 2026’s Tiniest Decor Trend

And you can grab a set for just $12.

Valspar’s 2027 Color of the Year Is a Specific Shade of Blue You’ve Overlooked for Years

Designers are calling it a new “neutral” — and we totally agree.

She Painted Her Shower Ceiling to Look Like Grand Central’s Famous Constellation Mural for $100

Big inspiration for a small, blank ceiling changed everything.

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Tan France’s First Furniture Collection Is Exactly What I’d Expect From a Fashion Expert

We Searched Thousands of New Home Products — These 10 Were the Clear Winners

Joanna Gaines’ New Collection Is Full of This Vintage-Inspired Blue (It’s the Next Neutral)

Design Defined Five

^{Amy Lamb of NativeHouse Photography}

Designer Kristin Keyes just made Apartment Therapy’s New/Next List as one to watch in interiors. I caught up with her to hear a little bit more about her “secondhand first” decorating philosophy (which is as vintage-packed as you might imagine) and what change she thinks is coming for the industry. Don’t forget to check out her full profile to see more of her work!

Q: In just one sentence, what does good design mean to you?

KK: Well-designed rooms are complete, comfortable, and personal.

Q: What’s one design “rule” you’ll always follow — or happily break?

KK: I’m a total stickler for art placement. We place standalone art pieces so the center of the piece sits 60” from the floor, and, if there’s a stack of two or more pieces, we always put 3” of space between them.

Q: Is there a trend you can’t get enough of right now, and why do you love it?

KK: I’m delighted to see the attention vintage and antique pieces are getting these days. These pieces are beautiful, often higher-quality than their new equivalents, and, importantly, already here, which means they can be used to create projects with shorter timelines and lower carbon footprints.

Q: What’s the shift in design you think we’ll all be talking about next?

KK: Call me optimistic, but I just don’t think the next generation of design clients and DIYers will settle for an interior design model centered on all new furnishings. I think we’ll be hearing a lot more from designers who are taking a secondhand-first approach to their work. It’s gonna be fun.

Q: Is there an object in your own home you could never part with?

KK: My most prized possession is an oil portrait of my distant cousin/ancestor, Alfred, from the late 1800s. It hung in my Grams’s formal living room when I was a child. I swear I saw his eyes dart back-and-forth in the ‘90s.

Speaking of trends, if you haven’t checked out Apartment Therapy’s New/Next List, here’s a shameless plug to do that now. The stories aren’t going anywhere, of course, but we’re truly excited about all the ways the design conversation is going to unfold over the coming months and into the new year. Plus, it’s just plain fun to see what designers and companies are doubling down on.

We’re in the thick of the dog days of summer, so I hope you’re enjoying these quieter (and hopefully, lazier) days. Let these links be your guide this week — and if you only shop one collab, check out what Pierce & Ward just dropped with West Elm. Every last item is perfect, especially if you love a vintage look. It seems like the design duo was aware of some of the trends we called (”Modern Folk” below in particular).

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Advice You’ll Love

“Modern Folklore” Design Is the Nostalgic Trend You’re About to See in Homes Everywhere

Think cottagecore with a side of Little House on the Prairie — and yes, it’s as cute and cozy as it sounds.

The New “It” Color Is Something You Probably Wouldn’t Pick, but Designers Love It Anyway

The design show darling that’s the next big color trend.

From Pizza Hut to Pinterest — Tavern Lights Are Back

The throwback ceiling light designers are shopping for right now.

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This new West Elm collection looks like it was curated over decades.

The best time to shop T.J. Maxx and Marshalls comes down to one letter.

Sheer curtains are back — and they look nothing like they did in the ’90s.

Design Defined Five

Designer and architect Gabriel Yuri of New Operations Workshop just made Apartment Therapy’s New/Next List as one to watch in interiors. I caught up with him to hear a little bit more about his decorating philosophy and what change he thinks is coming for the industry. Don’t forget to check out his full profile to see more of his work!

Q: In just one sentence, what does good design mean to you?

GY: Good design is when things that shouldn’t work together do, and it feels inevitable rather than contrived because it’s responding to the space’s unique context — not only imposing ideas on top of it.

Q: What’s one design “rule” you’ll always follow — or happily break?

GY: I happily break the rule that a space has to commit to one genre or era. I’m working on a mid-century home now, and while I can certainly appreciate homes that function as a time capsule to a particular moment, that’s never been my approach. I’d rather let the different periods it’s lived through sit together, honestly, with room for what’s new and exciting from emerging designers, too.

Q: Is there a trend you can’t get enough of right now, and why do you love it?

GY: Raw, natural materials — plaster or grasscloth wall coverings with a lot of movement, unpolished stone, anything with real texture rather than a flat surface. I’m especially obsessed with stone right now, [specifically] the way I used it in the Silver Lake bathroom as shelving and stepping stones, and I’ve been increasingly working it into custom furniture pieces, too. It keeps a more minimal space from reading as sterile.

Q: What’s the shift in design you think we’ll all be talking about next?

GY: Less conventional homeownership — friends splitting a house, home-swapping, people living in arrangements that don’t map to the traditional single-family model. Real estate is pushing people there, and architecture is finally starting to catch up.

Q: Is there an object in your own home you could never part with?

GY: My Bang & Olufsen Beogram TX2 turntable — it’s as much a piece of industrial design as it is a functional object. I get happy every time I see it while changing out a record.

Happy New/Next Day to all who celebrate! Actually, I should take a step back for those of you who maybe haven’t been following this newsletter all that closely (it’s vacation season, after all!). Over the past few weeks, though, I’ve been teasing that the team at Apartment Therapy has been hard at work tracking trends, assigning and reporting stories, calling in products for photo shoots, and reviewing dozens and dozens of designer portfolios for our mid-summer design forecasting package, the New/Next List. It’s finally here, and I’ve gotta say, it’s bigger and better — and maybe more stylish? — than ever, with so many people touching some aspect of its creation (and for that I’m so thankful)!

So please go check the New/Next List out. There’s something for everyone, whether you want to know the latest vintage furniture style making a comeback, the “it” color coming for your living room, or where to look for inspiration right now if you’re feeling like you’re in a decorating rut. For the first time ever, we’re also profiling five designers who made our New/Next Designer List, and we couldn’t be more excited about the way these creatives are shaping the industry.

From now until the end of August, I’ll be introducing each of our designer winners here. Up first is our bold color whisperer, Daniela Araya, so make sure you scroll down to the bottom of this to get to know her better (and read the full feature on Apartment Therapy). Like to listen to your trend forecasts? Check out the latest episode of Design Defined, where we’re doing a deep dive on some of our faves from the full list.

On top of all that, we’re pursuing our regular fare, too. So give the links below a look, and don’t forget the New/Next List. You’ll be hearing so much more about it soon, it’ll be hard to miss.

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Advice You’ll Love

This “Outdated” ’70s Kitchen Detail Is Trending Again, According to New Data

It may have been in your childhood home.

This One Rug Hack Fixed My Awkward Living Room Layout

Transforming a living room cost under $300 — and less than 30 minutes!

A Year Later, the “Triangle” Method Is Still the Best Way to Decorate Shelves

Plus, a few tips about how you see various items.

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🧈 Anthropologie’s cute new kitchen collection is pure joy (down to the barn-shaped butter dish)

🛍️ 8 French brands you should be shopping for a Parisian-cool vibe

📺 Jennifer Garner convinced me to buy this iconic decor from “The Five Star Weekend”

Design Defined Five

Spreading the joy of color is Daniela Araya’s mission, and her future in design is bold and bright. I caught up with the Hudson Valley-based creative to hear a little bit more about her decorating philosophy and what change she thinks is coming for the industry.

Q: In just one sentence, what does good design mean to you?

DA: Good design means giving a space permission to have fun.

Q: What’s one design “rule” you’ll always follow — or happily break?

DA: I’m not really a rules person, but if I had to name one thing I always do, it’s starting with a feeling before I pick out colors or make any decisions. What I happily ignore: the three-color max rule and the idea that a house has to flow the same way from room to room. I actually like being surprised a little as you move through a house. Let every room be its own thing if that’s what it wants.

Q: Is there a trend you can’t get enough of right now, and why do you love it?

DA: Personality-driven interiors! There’s so much talk about making your home weirder, and while it feels a bit silly to call that a trend, I’m all for it. Being weird is a super power.

Q: What’s a shift in design you think we’ll all be talking about next?

DA: “Loud basics” are about to have a moment. For years the goal was to make functional stuff disappear: recessed lighting, hidden hardware, switch plates painted to vanish into the wall. I think that’s flipping. The same permission people are giving themselves with color (to stop playing it safe) is going to hit the practical stuff, too. People are going to want the small things seen and celebrated.

Q: Is there an object in your own home you could never part with?

DA: I’m a big proponent of a handmade vessel. When my husband and I went to Puglia for our honeymoon, we found this incredible flea market and scored a few beautiful ceramic vessels. I’ve also started collecting vases and sculptures from friends. It’s so important to mix in one-of-a-kind pieces in the house. I’ll look over and think, “My friends made that! How cool!”

In case you missed it, this newsletter became a podcast a few months back. Our small but mighty Design Defined video team — myself, Zee, our senior home editor, and our producers extraordinaire, Karis and Vixon — have been having a total blast playing around with formatting styles and creating different segments for the pod (Karis and I are even taking an Apple seminar tomorrow to learn how to capture all the content we need with just our phones!).

In the spirit of experimentation, though, we thought it might be fun to do a whole episode dedicated to answering YOUR design questions. Think of it as a marathon design Q+A (and by marathon, of course, I mean our typical run time of 20 to 30 minutes). We’re even going to try to rope a pro designer friend into helping us, so you won’t want to miss your chance to get a little free decorating advice.

How can you get involved? Send us your biggest (and smallest!) design dilemmas via email with visuals so we can get an accurate sense of your space and the issue.

We’d love to hear from you about:

• Tricky Layout Issues: Are you stumped on how to make your home flow? Whether it’s a cramped railroad-style apartment or a rare architectural feature that sticks out like a sore thumb in your space, we’d love to help!

• Small-Space Woes: If square footage is your issue, we’ll help you rethink your furniture, decor, and storage solutions to maximize every inch.

• Paint and Color Questions: Stuck between two paint shades and can’t decide? Share your picks, and we’ll walk you through the color theories that totally transform your home.

• Lighting Questions: Is your home lacking in natural light, or are your builder-grade fixtures bumming you out? We’ve got solutions for you!

• Luxe Trends on a “Dupe” Budget: Send us your inspiration plus your budget (whatever it may be!), and we’ll find the chicest (and cheapest!) picks that’ll instantly transform your home!

• This… or that? Are you stuck between two options and can’t choose? Share your design dilemmas, and we’ll be your tiebreaker!

Our inbox is open to all of you — please reach us at designdefined@apartmenttherapy.com. In order to feature you in our podcast, we’ll need at least three photos (bonus points if you can share video!). Please include your name and location in your note to us.

We can’t wait to hear from you! Until then, enjoy this week’s send!

Advice You’ll Love

Designers Say These 5 Bathroom Trends Already Feel Dated in 2026

This list might surprise you.

This $7 DIY Turns Any Thrift Gem Into Beautiful Custom Match Strikers

It’s a one-step DIY you’ll make over and over again.

The 4 Rules Interior Designers Always Follow in Small Spaces

Hint: Look up!

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🥤Anthropologie Upgraded Its Viral Icon Glass — and This New $16 Version Is Even Better

🛒 3 Things I Always Buy at T.J. Maxx, and 3 Things I Always Buy at Marshalls

✨ IKEA’s New Solid Wood Table Is Selling for Under $100 (and Saves So Much Space!)

Small/Cool Tip

Who says lofting a bed is just for college dorms or young kids? Not interior decorator Amanda Heald and her husband, Josh Hull. In the bedroom of their 300-square-foot Brooklyn apartment , the couple built a staircase that leads to a bed platform, where they sleep. Below, there’s just enough room for a nursery for a newborn — and all of the things that come with little babies. Though the setup was temporary (they’ve since relocated to Kansas City), it proves that stealing vertical space is always a good idea — and that a high bed doesn’t have to feel like the top bunk in a child’s (or co-ed’s) bedroom.

I just got back from a whirlwind few days out in Los Angeles with HomeGoods to celebrate the launch of the Peacock Original series, The Five-Star Weekend, which is set in gorgeous Nantucket for all the summer vibes. In all my years as an editor, I’ve never attended a red carpet premiere, so it was very exciting to check an item off of my career bucket list. I guess technically the carpet was tan (likely to stand in for sandy island beaches), but we saw Jennifer Garner and author Elin Hilderbrand IRL (along with a number of other stars!), so it totally counts in my book.

But let’s get to the HomeGoods of it all. The brand created so many amazing, East Coast-inspired shoppable moments for us out West that I want to share with you here — because you know I love a HomeGoods tip. In addition to decorating for the premiere’s cocktail hour and after-party with the cutest beach house finds, the talented team also set up a gorgeous, on-theme dinner party for our group. It was so clever how Team HG moved its freestanding outdoor window box planters inside and filled them with the most realistic faux hydrangeas I’ve ever seen. And hanging woven baskets and trays on the wall as decor? That’s the stuff that coastal design dreams are made of! These are easily replicable ideas for a summer gathering, so I’m going to keep them in mind for entertaining, and hope you do, too.

For more decorating and shopping advice, check out the links below. There’s another smart HomeGoods hack in there, and you know I’ll be sharing more tricks from our private store shopping session soon!

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Advice You’ll Love

Designers Use This One Trick to Make Small Bedrooms Feel 2x Bigger

It doesn’t have to cost a fortune either.

We Discovered Open Shelving That’s Actually Easy to Keep Clean (Designers Love It!)

We honestly don't know why more people aren't doing this.

The “Fake Window” Decorating Trick That Made My Kitchen Feel Twice as Charming

All thanks to a grandmother's good taste!

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🍽️ HomeGoods just convinced me to use living room curtain panels as table runners.

🧺 Skip wreaths — These $10 Aldi scalloped baskets are gorgeous for your front door.

✨This $30 Target pillow makes a chic French trend look easy.

Small/Cool Tip

Think you don’t have space for a Murphy bed? Well, have you checked your entry way? I can’t believe how much this family of five fits into their 650-square-foot New York City apartment. But the brightest idea, IMO, has to be the fact that they carved a primary bedroom out of their entry with a strategically-placed wall-mounted bed. It looks like a cabinet most of the time, which is exactly what you’d expect to find in a foyer anyway. That means the household can use the living room round the clock, too, since it doesn’t have to serve as a back-up sleep space.

This week, the Samsung Art Store launched a partnership with The Whitney Museum of American Art, meaning anyone with The Frame TV can now enjoy a selection of curated works from The Whitney’s collection and archive. As an art history major and museum geek, I’ve been so impressed with the job Samsung has done in picking partners and pieces to spotlight. Whenever art gets seen by more people, it’s always a win in my book (even if the originals are more breathtaking, of course).

As part of this collab, myself and a few fellow editors got to tour part of The Whitney’s permanent collection with a curator in private, before the museum opened its doors one day last month. It was a very pinch-me, New York City moment, and I definitely want to dig more into the history of the museum now that I know a little more about how it came to be. Above, you’re looking at a photo of The Frame with a digital rendering of one of the museum’s most famous works, the portrait of its founder, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, by the artist Robert Henri. The TV was placed close to where the original was hung, and I couldn’t believe how much the screen captured the colors and brushstrokes so true to life.

If you get a chance to check-out the 30+ new works that just came to the Samsung Art Store via The Whitney collab, take a look! You’ll see the above from Henri and a bunch of other amazing offerings from iconic American artists like Wayne Thiebaud, Agnes Pelton, Edward Hopper, Joseph Stella, and more. I truly think when art is more accessible, we all win. And if you’re in need of some extra inspiration to tide you over while we’re hard at work on our mid-year trend predictions over here, you’ve come to the right place. Enjoy this week’s links and tips. Drop me a line if something strikes your fancy!

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Advice You’ll Love

Most People Hide This Kitchen Eyesore — My Friend Did the Exact Opposite (See Why!)

It’s the one time you’ll want to embrace a builder-grade feature.

This $50 DIY Looks Like Custom Wallpaper — But It Started with a Book

Take a page out of this lifestyle blogger’s hack, literally, for a DIY couture look.

Skip Living Room Shelving — It’s Better in Your Bedroom Instead (Here’s Why!)

Seriously consider relocating your shelves to this hidden bedroom spot.

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🪴 I Don’t Have Room for a Garden, So I’m Copying My Mother-in-Law’s Clever Plant Trick

💡8 Multifunctional Table Lamps That Do More Than Light Up a Room (They’re So Practical!)
🏠Move Over, Wood — Designers Are Embracing Cork in 2026 (See How!)

Small/Cool Tip

Wall-mountable drop-leaf tables are the unsung heroes of small spaces, and IKEA’s best-selling BILLY collection not only has one, but it also packs storage to boot. Read all about it here, in our editor Emma Dangel’s BILLY Folding Table product review.

I can’t believe it’s already July! If you’ve been following along with the Apartment Therapy editorial schedule, that means it’s almost time for our New/Next List for 2026. This franchise has quickly become one of my most favorite to produce — and to share with our audience. That’s because it’s all about trends, and whether you personally chase ‘em or not, trends are exciting to track.

This year, though, marks the first time we’re on the hunt for designers to feature as part of the package. We’re looking to spotlight both emerging talents and established creatives, each with a distinctive point of view, inspiring projects, and fresh ideas about how people live and decorate today. And we’re accepting nominations until the end of the calendar day next Monday, July 6!

If you think you (or a colleague) might fit that description, you can find all the details for submitting here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SPCXS3V. Feel free to forward this link to a qualified friend or design firm! At the end of this month, five (5) chosen designers will be featured in an Apartment Therapy designer spotlight, a dedicated editorial profile (similar to last year’s high-performing New/Next feature, which had over a million impressions on site and social media combined!) You’ll also get to know these designers a little bit better here in this newsletter and Substack, too.

Until then, enjoy the links below and the lovely, Van Gogh-inspired floral arrangement above by Julia Testa Flowers, which I received last week. It was sent in celebration of BAND-AID^® Brand’s new collection with The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The blooms are so gorgeous, and the bandages truly feel like wearable art that just might make you smile (even though minor cuts and bruises are still never fun). And on that note, have a happy and healthy 4th of July!

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Advice You’ll Love

Designers Say These Living Room Trends Are Already Out for 2026

You might be surprised by what made this list.

I Asked AI to Give My Boring Entryway a Glamorous Makeover, and I Actually Took Its Advice

I'm honestly still shocked at the result!

I Just Invented a New Way to Get Sunlight Into Dark, Windowless Spaces (No Skylight Needed!)

It’s a solution that may be staring you in the face.

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🪴 This $15 Home Depot Burlap Trick Makes Plastic Planters Look More Expensive

🪞 Grandmillennial Fans Are Obsessed with This Oversized Mirror (You’ll Never Guess Where I Found It!)

💅 This Mid-Century-Modern-Inspired Brand Is Like if West Elm and Castlery Had a Baby

Small/Cool Tip

You don’t always need a full “room” for a design moment like a home office or playroom. And you don’t have to worry about where that space is located either. I was so inspired by my friend (and long-time Apartment Therapy writer) Heather Bien and her latest makeover, where she took an awkward nook in her dining room and turned it into a playroom for her baby. All of her tips make the space super functional, and it still jibes with the rest of her dining area, too.

I love a bedding makeover when the season shifts. There’s just something about trading duvets for quilts — and heavier sheets for crisp, cool cotton or linen this time of year. So I was thrilled to spend an afternoon with the team at The Company Store last week, getting schooled in bed layering with one of the brand’s favorite bedding stylists, Brooke Jacobs.

Jacobs and the team had a fairly neutral bed as a base, which you can see here. And then with the help of switching out pillows, throw blankets, and just a few key accessories, I watched them transform the setup in seconds — several times over! I also got to peek into the design workroom. What’s coming for fall and beyond is gorgeous, and it’s so clear the brand’s designers are truly thoughtful about balancing trends and their committee to quality staples that’ll last for years.

And don’t you worry — I also asked for a few time-saving tips for making a bed that’s still beautiful. I’m saving those for a future article next month. But until then, I hope you enjoy what we’ve been working on lately here at Apartment Therapy. Happy Summer to you and yours!

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Advice You’ll Love

They Stripped This Victorian Living Room to the Studs — And Revealed Its Best Features

What a transformation!

Designers Cringe When They See These 9 Things in a Bathroom

Bye bye, hand towel hung over the toilet!

How to Light a Room with No Overhead Lighting (No Expensive Rewiring Needed!)

I tried one in my own living room, and I’m obsessed!

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🫖 Fans of Mackenzie-Childs may have missed this new courtly check color.

🛋️ Zoë Feldman just launched nursery chairs that feel just like living room furniture.

🧻 11 gifts dads (and grads) actually want (trust us, we asked).

Small/Cool Tip

There’s not much an IKEA BILLY bookcase can’t do. Just ask interior designer Matilde Cascella, who lives in a wonderfully decorated 450-square-foot Greenwich Village studio. Seeking some division of spaces (and a little bit of privacy for her bed area), she actually used four BILLY bookcases (with double extenders) to create “walls.” Hello, one-bedroom, thanks to a flex wall that’s 100% renter-friendly!

If you’ve been following along with this newsletter for a while, then you know I’m a big GreenRow fan. I love the vintage-inspired vibe of the brand and pretty much everything the company comes out with in terms of textiles, tabletop items, and furniture. But now, GreenRow has really created the collection of my dreams: a collaboration with the New York Botanical Garden, one of my favorite places to go in New York City.

I got a chance to see some of the pieces in store last week, and it’s hard to pick a favorite. But if I absolutely had to, it might be the sweet pom print bedding that’s part of the collab, which you can see here — or the gorgeous (hand-painted in Italy!) tulipiere vase. Designers looked into the NYBG’s rare book archives to create the line’s exclusive pattern and prints, and the inspiration translated beautifully onto the products. Wallpaper and rugs are even available, too!

It’s starting to feel like summer, and this collection captures that sunny, easygoing energy I want to experience all season long. Hope you can savor a little bit of sunshine this week, too. Maybe these links will help?

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Advice You’ll Love

A Designer Turned a Dated Primary Suite Into a Hotel-Worthy Escape

You won’t believe this transformation.

4 Outdoor Furniture Mistakes That Make Your Patio Look “Tacky”

If you know, you know!

A Designer Told Me to Stop Styling Shelves This Way

A few quick and easy swaps can take your trinkets from clutter to a true style moment in the blink of an eye.

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🎁 Trader Joe’s just dropped a stylish decor gift that’s already gone viral (just $10!).

🏠 IKEA’s new mini table nails the quiet luxury look for under $50.

🖼️ I asked a designer to shop decor at Michaels — here’s her 3 picks (under $50!)

Small/Cool Tip

No space for a queen mattress in a tiny, narrow bedroom? Have you thought about flipping the orientation of your bed? That’s what Sarah Ingle did in her 325-square-foot Brooklyn apartment. Rotating her mattress — and positioning it like a daybed — made the piece fit her bedroom’s dimensions like a glove (and gave her easy access to her closet). What a brilliant tweak and way to save money, since she thought she might actually have to buy a smaller bed!

This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Fenimore Lane design summit, the brainchild of talented designer Ariel Okin. Part shopping marketplace, part educational experience with pro panels and DIY workshops, the vibes were immaculate for any design lover, starting with the setting, The Mayflower in Washington, Connecticut, which is about as idyllic as it gets (with interiors refreshed by the iconic Celerie Kemble to boot).

The summit was even larger than last year’s — an extra tent for shopping, more activities, and a great mix of returning talent and new companies involved. It’s always fun to make time to go to these kinds of events. You discover up-and-coming brands, see old friends, and typically end up with lots of decorating inspiration and trendspotting opportunities without even trying to find it.

Case in point? I saw so much silver, starting with the shiny vintage vase pictured above, which I bought from a friend and amazing vintage seller, Jacqueline from The Sleepy Flea. Other trends? Shell-encrusted accessories and oyster plates seem to be all the rage right now, though that could be a seasonal thing. And apparently, asparagus is the new cabbage, at least when it comes to decorative dishware. I saw so much Majolica around the summit with this motif. I even discovered that an asparagus dish I bought earlier this year for $30 at Housing Works is actually a 19th century French antique worth about 6 times what I paid! That’s why it’s always worth hitting up your local thrift stores. You never know what kind of gems are hiding there!

Enjoy this week’s reading “assignments” below. We’re talking paint, some very cool show house inspo, and unexpected decorative uses for a few inexpensive, practical finds.

Advice You’ll Love

The One Room Designers Always Paint First (It’s Not the Living Room)

You’ll get the most bang for your buck — and time — here.

Forget ’70s Beaded Curtains — This Luxe Alternative Is So Much Cooler

Part medieval, part glam.

The Vintage Storage Tool That Makes Bedroom Clutter Look Unexpectedly Gorgeous

Say goodbye to your “clothes” chair for good.

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🌺 I spent 7 years looking for a nightstand in my tiny bedroom — then I found this garden gem.

💅 This IKEA patio find makes any backyard feel like a boutique hotel.

🛋️This might be the best sleeper sofa I’ve ever tried, and it fits in my small apartment.

Small/Cool Tip

If a room’s designed purpose isn’t working for you, go ahead and change it! That’s exactly what this family of four did in their 700-square-foot New York City apartment. Instead of keeping the primary (and only bedroom) for themselves, Khrystyne Jaspers and her husband, Nic, decided to give the kids that space. They use a Murphy bed in the living room for their sleep setup, and it just works. Sure, an extra bedroom (or two!) would be ideal, but they loved the home’s light and vibe so much, they got creative with the layout to make it work for them.

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Editors were invited to preview his upcoming Fall collection with Perennials and Sutherland, and the collection is, in a word, gorgeous. But beyond the beautiful rug, fabric, and wallpaper swatches we got a sneak peek of (some you won’t believe are indoor/outdoor-rated!), just looking around the office was a visual treat. The way he deftly juxtaposes artwork and furniture from different periods — and mixes patterns — puts him into a category of his own. Various vignettes with objects big and small were scattered around the space, and truly, there wasn’t a corner where your eyes didn’t want to linger and do some more exploring. His bookshelves were filled to the brim with eye candy!

One of the cooler things I saw that he did, though, was in this little reception area, where you can catch an early glimpse of that new collection. I loved that Fulk found the perfect trompe-l’œil bookcase wallpaper to cover the awkward pony wall coming up from the studio’s staircase. It takes an awkward surface and turns it into a fun, fool-the-eye moment. And this is why visiting a designer’s studio or home (even virtually through photos!) is so major. These spaces are their design laboratories, and you can always find a clever solution to a decorating problem (or many!) just by studying what they’ve done in their own rooms.

You’ll find plenty more ideas below. Hope your start to June is as inspiring as mine was!

Advice You’ll Love

This “Inside-Outside” Method Helps Me Find the Best HomeGoods Deals Fast

It’s my best time-saving tip!

This Living Room Traded Bright Turquoise Walls for a Paris-Inspired Neutral — and the Difference Is Wild

Paint did the heavy lifting in this transformation.

I Used a Shower Curtain in My Bedroom — I’m Obsessed with the Result

And trust me, it’s way easier than you think!

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1. Ban.do Wall Vase | 2. H&M Home Cushion Cover | 3. IKEA Floor Lamp

👨🏼‍🦳 The “Old-School” Decor Trend Designers Are Using to Free Up Kitchen Counters

✨ IKEA’s New $50 Transforming Floor Lamp Looks Straight Out of a Design Museum

💡The Clothing Store That Secretly Sells Trendy “Designer” Home Decor (for Under $20!)

Small/Cool Tip

Sometimes the best sofa for a space isn’t a “sofa” at all. That’s what freelance graphic designer and illustrator Julie Finn discovered in her 320-square-foot Bed-Stuy rental, where the living room anchor is — wait for it — her childhood trundle bed! She wanted a bright, pull-out sofa for lounging and hosting overnight guests. When she couldn’t find a version small enough to fit her space, she transformed her own hand-me-down bed into the perfect sleeper “couch” with pillows for the backrest and a bold orange throw on the seat. What a smart hack!

I can’t wait to share all of the amazing products I found on Wayfair to make this 1920s-inspired, classic-meets-modern bathroom happen — and all of the mistakes I made (and problems we also solved!) along the way. I kept this piece by my friend and seasoned renovator, Laura, in mind when I was in the throws of all the decision making, and it was so helpful! But let’s just say I’m ready to write my own version to add onto her learnings (starting with not asking AI to decide between two bathtub styles for you… and picking the one that it claims “more designers spec” because let’s just say that didn’t work for me or my plumbing!)

I’m going to get into my bathroom renovation process so much, you might be sick of it by the end. But I truly think it will help those of you attempting to take on your own project; I know I feel way more ready for bathroom number two whenever we get started on that. Keep an eye out for all of this content — coming soonest! And until then, I’m going to leave you with the links below (ICYM our Memorial Day coverage because maybe you weren’t in the frigid, rainy Northeast and need to catch up on some reading!?) Oh, and also the scene above: a snap of an authentic Alexander Calder wall hanging surrounded by Garnet Hill’s Anniversary collection, taken at a dinner in celebration of the brand’s 50th (!!!) year. I love surprise-spotting art in the wild, and this collection is so special. Some of the pieces were inspired by the archive, with references that almost date back when this wall-hanging was made in the ‘70s!

Advice You’ll Love

Move Over, Massive Islands — “Micro Islands”
Are Taking Over Kitchens

Here’s why you might want to downsize.

This Whimsical British Decor Trend Will Be Taking Over
American Homes This Summer

It was once a kitschy faux pas — now, they’re totally in vogue.

6 Coastal Design Rules That Designers Say Are Key
for Luxe, Beachy Vibes

It involves color — and a bit of texture.

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✨ This $5 kitchen gem feels straight out of a Parisian flea market.

🍽️ My mom puts this dining room staple in her bedroom for an ingenious reason.

💡Shoppers are obsessed with these “stunning” $20 mood lamps (I’m buying two!).

1.Winco Paneled Sherbet Dish | 2. Threshold Designed with Studio McGee Illuminated Outdoor Patio Clamshell | 3. Matouk Scallop Edge Placement

Small/Cool Tip

Who says a room divider has to be super-sized? Not Paulina, who put an IKEA kid’s room divider next to the dining table in her 538-square foot apartment in Poland. Height-wise, it doesn’t hit anywhere near the ceiling, but it still provides a pop of color — and privacy — without feeling visually heavy in the space. Genius!

It’s the tail end of Design Week in New York City, so if you’re reading this and have been running around in this heat like I have, I hope you’ve been hydrating and getting some rest here and there. Between the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), the Afternoon Light show, and a bevy of brand events and dinners, the excitement around new collections and collaborations has been palpable.

I wouldn’t say I had a favorite activation or moment of discovery exactly — the week is more about the good vibes, appreciating beauty and creativity, and the design community showing up for one another. So it’s all been inspiring on that level. Of course, I saw some cool things, of which you’re seeing just a snippet from above: I absolutely loved the concept behind HiLo, which I discovered at Afternoon Light. The brand’s founder, Laura Deutsch, sources vintage and recycled sofa frames then reimagines them into total showpieces — just look at this serpentine stunner she had on site at the fair! Not only is the business sustainable, but it’s also turning the custom game on its head, since Deutsch can create bespoke items that jibe with iconic sofas and chairs (but may not actually be offered by the parent companies). Brilliant! Plus, you get the satisfaction of knowing that literally no one else has a piece quite like yours.

We’ve been trying to bring the Apartment Therapy audience stories that provide that same kind of discovery — a new trend you haven’t heard of yet, a secret section in a popular store, design advice you maybe wouldn’t think of but definitely want to hear. Hope you enjoy these reads (and this last breath of one of the busiest weeks in NYC design!)

Advice You’ll Love

This “Relaxed” Decorating Trick Makes Pattern Mixing Easier

It’s easier than you think to pull off, and it looks great!

Designers Say These Outdoor Trends Are Secretly Hurting Your Curb Appeal

Watch out for these common pitfalls.

This Is The One Item You’ll Never Find in a Designer’s Home

Three designers unanimously agreed!

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1. Arched Framed Wall Art | 2. Ribbed Decorative Bowl | 3. Rattan Outdoor Solar Lamp

📚 This HomeGoods Find Caught Me Totally Off-Guard (It’s Real Vintage!)

🛒 Designers Say These Kohl’s Decor Finds Look Way More Expensive Than They Are

🧺 The One Home Decor Item Aly Raisman Always Buys at T.J. Maxx

Small/Cool Tip

Who says you need an actual side table next to your sofa? Not Michelle Shea Walker, who used a chair as a little perch for books in her Chicago apartment. It’s a super-smart move in a smaller space, since you can just move the stack on a whim, and use it as extra seating when entertaining.

This year, DOAD moved to a new venue, Storied, and it felt a bit more intimate than years passed in a good way. There may have been fewer vignettes, but the caliber of work was its usual amazing. I went to the press preview so I could focus on the trends emerging across vignettes, and it’s always fun to see similarities play out, even with how different every space is. This year, I saw everything from pops of red and framed wallpaper panels to rugs used in unconventional ways and mirrors hung over mirrors. My favorite micro-trend, though? Wall drapery.

I wrote about wall drapery as an emerging trend about a year ago, but it was cool to spot it out in the wild in not one but two vignettes. Hines Collective designed a space for Saatva and used a sheet to create a makeshift headboard, while the Brownstone Boys created a vibey atmosphere by hanging a rich blueish fabric behind their sofa, topping it off with tassel embellishments. This is such a unique way to personalize a wall; not only is it easier to reverse than paint or wallpaper (even peel-and-stick!), it instantly creates so much drama and texture. I hope to see more versions of this in designer projects, our Apartment Therapy House Tours, and beyond.

I don’t know about you, but seeing fresh decorating ideas really energizes me. I’ve got a bunch more for you below, with a special guest star, Leanne Ford, one of my favorite designer friends. She really marches to the beat of her own drum, and I love that about her. She’s always doing something unexpected, and her new book is chock-full of things you haven’t seen before — I promise!

Advice You’ll Love

I Let AI Give My Kitchen a Makeover — It Completely Changed
My Paint Selection

I had never even considered this color scheme before.

Forget Lint Rollers — The Pros Use This $5 Tool to Fix
Velvet Furniture Instead

It’s so easy but so impactful.

A Designer Took This Tiny 1920s Attic from “Dingy and Dark” to a Fabulous Bonus Room

Pattern drenching is always a good idea.

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1. Perigold Tiffany Reading Lamp | 2. ZARA Morris & Co. Flat Sheet | 3. Williams Sonoma Toile Napkins

🌼 Toile for spring? These decor finds make it feel fresh.

🛏️ My mom’s clever top sheet hack makes my bed look so cozy.

✨The Tiffany lamp is making a surprisingly chic comeback.

This Week’s Coffee Table Crush

The design book biz is booming right now, and I’m obviously here for it. So I’ve been catching up with the authors of some of the new releases I’m most excited about. In this week’s Q+A, designer Leanne Ford, who just published her latest book, Feel Free Home: The Art of Freethinking Design, yesterday is sharing a few of her favorite design ideas and what’s inspiring her right now. You’re going to want to pick this one up. I spent an afternoon looking through it, still feel like there’s so much more to uncover, and can’t wait to try some of her advice in my own home.

Q: What’s one “imperfect” thing in your home you’d never change?

LF: My hand-painted checkerboard floors in the pantry and bathroom at our Pennsylvania home. They are far from perfect — uneven lines, brush marks, little imperfections everywhere — but that’s exactly why I love them. I specifically made sure they weren’t done with tape because I wanted them to feel perfectly imperfect. There’s something really special about seeing the human touch in a home.

In the book, I actually share the recipe for how we did them because I think people get too intimidated by the idea that everything has to be precise or professionally done. Some of the most beautiful things in a house happen when you just go for it. Honestly, we did this as a budget-friendly hack initially to give new life to a few areas where the flooring had seen better days, but I didn’t want to pay to fully replace them. And considering it only cost me the price of a can of paint and a paintbrush, it’s become one of my favorite moments in the house. I’d do it over and over again.

Q: What’s a design choice you used to avoid but now fully love?

LF: Contrary to popular belief… I do not actually paint EVERYTHING white. Ha! But I will admit I was definitely hesitant to fully embrace color stories in a home for a long time. I’ve always naturally gravitated toward tonal spaces and earthy neutrals because I have so much going on in this brain of mine, I need a space to feel calming and not overly stimulating.

But I really got pushed out of my comfort zone while collaborating with Grace Mitchell on our shared property down in Round Top, Texas. During our first “Rough Housers” project together, I was still a little hesitant — it was still all creamy, dreamy shades of white. But by the time we got to round two— where basically the entire house lives in shades of pink — I finally “Embraced the Grace,” as we like to joke. Meaning: I let myself fully commit to a color story.

And honestly, it was such an incredible creative exercise. But we still did it in a way that felt authentic to me because it was still monochromatic… just in shades of pink this time. Everything stayed tonal and earthy. It was dusty clay tones, worn shades of rose, muddy blushes, terracottas, and a whole lot of our custom paint color, “Peige” — colors pulled from nature, not made in a paint company’s conference room. It completely changed the way I think about color in interiors.

Q: What’s an unexpected item you think can instantly make a home feel cooler?

LF: Your personality. Truly. I actually have an entire chapter in the book dedicated to this because I think it’s the thing people forget most when decorating. Have some fun with it. Decorate with books you love, music you love, little knickknacks you’ve collected over the years. Tack your favorite love note right onto the wall. Put sunglasses on a bust head. Let your house speak for who you are instead of trying to make it look like everyone else’s.

And lighting. Lighting changes EVERYTHING. Swap out your builder-grade fixtures whenever you can — but honestly, even just swapping your lightbulbs for warm, low-wattage bulbs and putting everything on dimmers can completely transform the feeling of a home. Good lighting makes people look better, feel better, and want to stay awhile.

Q: If your design style had a soundtrack, what song would be playing while we flip through the new book?

LF: Honestly? Probably a mix of “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and “Help!” by The Beatles. Ha!

“Pure Imagination” because that’s really the spirit of this book. I want people to approach their homes with more creativity, curiosity, and play instead of so many rules. The best spaces happen when you let yourself dream a little.

But also “Help!” because home renovation can make all of us cry sometimes… even the professionals. And honestly, that’s part of why this book exists, too. It’s here to help. It’s here to make people think in new ways, explore new ideas, and problem solve during the toughest moments of creating a home. I want people to reach for this book every time they start feeling stuck — not because it gives rigid rules or “perfect” answers but because hopefully it reminds them to loosen up, trust their instincts, and get creative again.

Q: What’s one decorating risk you took in the book that totally paid off?

LF: The coffee-stained walls over at the cottage on our Pennsylvania property. That one definitely required a leap of faith. We literally used coffee to stain the walls because I wanted them to feel aged, warm, and like they’d quietly existed there forever.

A lot of people would probably hear “coffee walls” and think we’d completely lost it. Ha! But honestly, they turned out so rich and soulful and layered. The walls have this depth and softness to them that regular paint just wouldn’t have achieved.

I think that project really captures the spirit of the whole book actually — using what you have, experimenting a little, not being afraid to get your hands dirty, and trusting that “imperfect” can end up being the most beautiful part.

lWhich brings me to this week’s image, which is of a mood board I snapped at the Clare V. preview last week. The brand is gearing up for another exciting, very giftable home collab come fall that I can’t share details about quite yet, but I was captivated by the patterns, hues, and details they’re embracing for the upcoming season’s accessories. It’s a lot of crimson reds, studded leathers, and whimsical hits of fur (including a bright yellow, Tweety bird-inspired bag!). I can see the palette — and frankly the embellishments — being equally striking on pillows, frames, vases, you name it. So I’m going to keep my eye out for home decor designers to take those cues.

I hope you enjoy what we’ve been working on at Apartment Therapy lately. It’s a lot of creative reuses, trends that are here to stay, and fun shopping swaps right now. Anything to break us out of our potential design ruts!

Advice You’ll Love

Stop Buying Tablecloths and Runners — I Tried This Unconventional Trick Instead

It totally works!

The “Peekaboo Paint Theory” Is the Sneaky Way Designers Add Color to Every Room

It’s inexpensive, too!

7 Design Trends You Won’t Regret Years from Now

They’re worth the commitment.

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✨ This $20 HomeGoods hack turns a simple shelf into a stunning centerpiece

😍 This IKEA gem replaced my 10-year-old KALLAX shelf — and it looks so high end

🕯️ My mother just invented the most gorgeous way to use a toilet paper holder

Small/Cool Tip

If you’ve been enjoying the latest season of actor Jon Hamm’s Your Friends & Neighbors on Apple TV, we’ve got a treat for you. Our House Tour whisperer, Adrienne Breaux, just profiled the apartment of Lena Hall, the Tony Award-winning actress and Grammy-nominated singer currently starring as Ali Cooper, Hamm’s character’s sister, on the show. Turns out Hall’s talents for the arts totally translate into her super-cozy and chic 750-square-foot New York City apartment. From the Farrow & Ball paint colors, and Anthro furniture to the smart storage solutions and incredible artwork, this tour is a must-see. My favorite of her tips? When she wanted a chrome finish on her Frame TV’s trim, she simply wrapped it in automotive tape! Now it matches her framed posters perfectly — and the new “frame” takes up the same amount of visual space as the original.

It’s been a busy month, but somehow, I managed to fit in a very quick trip across the pond to France this past weekend. The Apartment Therapy audience can’t get enough of Parisian style, so when I travel to the City of Lights, I’m always on the lookout for cool apartments, stores, and brands. This visit, I checked out Maison Fermob, the brand’s largest (and fully shoppable!) showroom, which is designed to look like a real home. I wanted to share a little bit about what may be a new-to-you brand, but there’s a good chance you’ve actually seen Fermob before. They’re the company behind the iconic (and super-colorful) metal bistro chair and table sets you’ve maybe seen in places like Bryant Park, in front of Macy’s at Herald Square, and Times Square, just to name a few spots in New York City, for starters.

Fermob has been designing and making quality outdoor furniture and decor in France for about 40 years now. But recently, the brand has turned its attention to outfitting interiors, too, launching several upholstered sofas, shelving units, and so much more — pieces all sturdy and stylish enough to hang inside or out. Even better? The brand has solutions for really small spaces, including the cutest bistro table that can be safely mounted to a railing or balustrade, even in the narrowest of balconies!

I’m hoping to do a deeper dive on Fermob on Apartment Therapy next month. But I wanted to share a sneak peek here, in case you are dreaming about redecorating for spring. I have plenty more to share with you in that regard below, so happy reading!

Advice You’ll Love

I Tried Leanne Ford’s 7-Minute Curtain Hack, and My Kitchen Looks 5x Brighter

A quick and easy DIY.

6 Popular Decor Trends Designers Are Already Retiring for 2026

You might be surprised.

I Painted My Bathroom This Underrated Color on a Midnight Whim — Now, I Get the Hype

Now, I get the hype!

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🎥 Crate & Barrel’s “stunning” new collab feels like old Hollywood meets mid-century European glam

🛒 This retro accessory is everywhere this spring — here’s the one I’m buying

🎁 Anthropologie just dropped Mother’s Day gifts that moms will actually want

This Week's Coffee Table Crush

The design book biz is booming right now, and I’m obviously here for it. So I’ve been catching up with the authors of some of the new releases I’m most excited about. In this week’s Q+A, designer who just published her first monograph, SARAH SHERMAN SAMUEL: The Intersection of Art and Design, yesterday is sharing a few of her favorite things and what’s inspiring her right now. Featuring pages lifted directly from Sarah’s sketchbook alongside over 200-plus gorgeous interior images — many of never-before-seen projects! — this book should be on any modern design lover’s wish list.

Q: Your book suggests a home is almost like a “living autobiography.” What’s one object in your own space that tells your story best right now?

SSS: Probably my sofa — my Rupert Sofa from my collection for Lulu and Georgia — the first sofa I designed. It’s named after my husband and is tailored on the frame but super-soft and squishy on the inside, much like its namesake (and myself). The cushions are usually in some disheveled state from kids climbing all over it, and one of the arms has been chewed by our giant Irish Wolfhound puppy. It is the most comfortable, though, and seems to happily carry all signs of life.

Q: You talk about letting opposites “flirt” (vintage + modern, polished + scrappy). What’s your favorite unexpected pairing you’ve done or seen lately?

SSS: I’ve been experimenting with incorporating my ceramics into my furniture lately. I just made a coffee table with a wood top and ceramic legs and a side table with a ceramic inlay. I love the combination of machine-cut smooth wood mixed with the hand-formed pottery.

Q: So many of your spaces feel deeply personal but never overthought. How do you know when a room is done?

SSS: To me, spaces are living right alongside you so they are never really “done.” Over time, I might bring in a new vase or a new coffee table, and while it feels very slow, years later the room could look completely different without ever intentionally setting out to redesign it.

Q: You mention designing from memory and nostalgia — what’s a childhood detail you keep subconsciously returning to in your work?

SSS: Some of my very best memories are on the shores of Lake Michigan — the way the sand ripples under the waves. I must have hundreds of photos of it from over the years. There’s something so soothing and interesting how the water shapes the land and how it is different every time.

Q: If someone took just one idea from your book and tried it this weekend, what would you want it to be?

SSS: I would hope it would be to just sit down and make something with their hands — just for the simple pleasure of creating.

We sipped tea, played a Traitors-style murder mystery game, and got to try out slow-living hobbies, from faux floral arranging and crafting to meditating and playing games like mahjong — all made possible with products from HomeGoods (which definitely carries way more than just “home goods” these days). My major highlight, though? It’d have to be a three-way tie between seeing how the HG team tablescapes (you’re looking at a version of that above!), seeing samples of two new collections coming to stores soon (“Tropical Serenity” inspired by Southeast Asia and “European Vacation Mode: On”), and shopping at a totally stocked HomeGoods store after hours.

Needless to say, the experience totally filled my design cup. In an effort to fill yours, I’m excited to announce that in addition to launching Design Defined on Substack, we also launched a companion vodcast for Design Defined, today, too! Please check it out where you listen to or watch your pods — YouTube and Spotify for starters. We’re cooking up a ton of extra design content at Apartment Therapy, and you’re most definitely invited!

Advice You’ll Love

6 “Tacky” Home Trends Interior Designers Secretly Love

Welcome back, animal print!

I Asked Martha Stewart How to Make Grocery Store Flowers Look Gorgeous

Her answer was surprising.

I Swapped My Dresser for This Beloved IKEA Staple, and I’m Never Going Back

The easiest upgrade I ever made — I don’t even miss the dresser!

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👀 The iconic Diptyque candle just got its first makeover in 63 years

🍽️ 5 tabletop trends quietly replacing your basic dinnerware

☀️ 3 chic finds designers are buying from Joanna Gaines’ summer collection

This Week's Coffee Table Crush

The design book biz is booming right now, and I’m obviously here for it. So I’m trying something new in these parts: a Q+A with the author of a new release I’m excited about. This week, I caught up with designer, TV personality, and mom of three Shea McGee, of Studio McGee and McGee & Co.. Her debut cookbook, Around the Table: Tables and Traditions for Gathering, is available now. Flipping through the book’s pages, you can tell that Shea just has such an ease about herself in the kitchen, and that’s total goals for me (since I’m not much of a chef myself… yet). Check out the book for her best recipes and even more smart tips for hosting and cooking.

Q: You’re known for timeless interiors. How does that translate to the way you cook and entertain?

SM: I didn’t set out to make that connection initially, but once I started working on this book, it became obvious. I’m the person who will rearrange a cheese board four times before anyone touches it. I care about how the herbs land on top of the salmon. I think about color when I’m putting a meal together the same way I think about it when I’m picking a rug. It’s not that I’m trying to make dinner look like a photoshoot — it’s more that my brain just works that way. I notice layers and texture, whether I’m in a client’s living room or standing at my own cutting board; the overlap was already there. Writing the book helped me realize how much of my designer perspective that I’d been bringing to the kitchen without thinking about it.

Q: Which recipe in the book feels the most “you” right now and why?

SM: My book is organized by season, so right now I’m really into the light spring dishes. My family has been requesting the Market BLTA these days — and I’ve been pairing it with the Tzatziki Cucumbers. It’s easy, comforting, and fresh all at the same time.

Q: When you want to amp things up a bit for a holiday or big celebration, what’s your go-to trick to make everything feel just a little more special?

SM: That’s when I set the table to the nines — a full tablecloth, intentional place settings, a real floral arrangement. I think people underestimate how much the table itself sets the tone for the entire evening. You don’t necessarily have to cook something fancier — just elevate the setting. When guests walk up to a beautifully set table, there’s this feeling of occasion that makes the whole night feel different.

Q: Which dish do your girls request on repeat?

SM: My chocolate chip cookies — no question. It’s something we bake together often, and it’s everyone’s favorite (myself included). There’s flour everywhere, someone’s always sneaking dough, and it’s become a fun ritual for us.

Q: What’s something your family does around the table that you hope never changes?

SM: We share our peaks and pits — basically our highs and lows from the day. It’s one of my favorite parts of the evening and such a great window into their lives without the pressure of asking a bunch of questions.

Q: What’s always in your fridge, no matter what?

SM: Greek yogurt. It’s an easy, tasty way to get protein, and you can take it in so many directions depending on what you’re in the mood for. I love it topped with my homemade granola recipe — and in our house, yogurt and granola isn’t just for breakfast.