Life 154 Ideabooks

My friend Jane is one of those peculiar people who gets energy from pulling order out of chaos. She owns and runs a bed-and-breakfast in her home, a hundred-year-old Georgian mansion. Her kitchen is a wonder of organization; even her label maker is labeled.... more »

Start your morning on the right note by crafting a space that lifts your spirits and fills you with vitality for the day ahead. Whether you want to be energized to get moving, or you crave a gentler awakening, the first step is to set up a special corner... more »

Many of these Houzzers' childhood homes were built by grandfathers and fathers, and some are still in the family, being lovingly renovated by the next generation. Some of these home builders learned construction as they went and enlisted help from their... more »

So you know you want to declutter. Or perhaps you know you need to, but the thought of actually doing it makes you want to crawl back into bed and stay there for, like, ever. So many decisions! They make your head hurt. Don't be discouraged if... more »

You've undoubtedly heard of the benefits of creating mission statements for businesses, or even for yourself — but what about writing a mission statement for your home? Part style, part personal values, this short and sweet statement could help you... more »

Years ago I was chatting with an acquaintance, and she referred to a weekly meeting she attended without naming it. I asked her what it was. "Overreaders Anonymous," she said. I froze. I had no idea there... more »

My husband and I began dating when we were still children. He was 16 and I was 15, back in the olden days when people still talked on the phone and wrote letters. By the time we got married and had three kids, we had almost 20 years of correspondence.... more »

Whether you've been letting your home improvement to-do list get the best of you, or are finding yourself comparing your real-world home to professionally styled and photographed ones, it's natural to get a little down on your home from time to time.... more »

Just like with any other romance, the one you have with your house goes through ups and downs. At first glance, you love it all — it's perfect. Then you move in, and all those little things you used to find adorable start to drive you crazy: the squeaky... more »

Let the romantic spirit infuse your home with grace, style and sophisticated sweetness. Display a treasured photo, pick up a lost art or try a DIY project — whether you want to romance someone special or show yourself a little extra love, these 13 ideas... more »

My colleague Laura Gaskill recently showed us a charming makeover of Julia Child's childhood kitchen. It made me think of all of Child's wonderful... more »

Like fashion, people's home design and decor choices say a lot about them. We don't want to jump to conclusions or judge a book by its cover, but often it's not too hard to understand some basics of a person's lifestyle by looking at a room. And... more »

Years ago, when my children were little and our home was awash in toys, laundry and papers — to name the top three categories of stuff I found overwhelming — from time to time, when I was feeling exhausted and entirely beleaguered, I would imagine... more »

Daydreaming about how you would design your ideal kitchen can be fun, but actually doing it is a pretty big splurge — meaning many of us will have to stick with daydreaming for the time being. But even if you can't remodel, spending your energy (and... more »

As with any relationship, the one you have with your house is complex, and as more time goes by, the more convoluted it gets. You learn about your home's quirks, the romance fades, then something magical happens and the "flaws" become part of the reasons... more »