February 2023 - Page 7 of 13

February 15, 2023

Brooklyn sees a bevy of rentals list for record prices

It really is the borough of Kings.

Manhattan is no stranger to rental homes in the five-, even six- figure range — but across the East River, a neighbor is catching up. These days, Brooklyn is seeing a number of record-high rental listings hit the market.

Take, for example, a $40,000-a-month rental in Brooklyn Heights that listed with Sandra Cohen of Sotheby’s International Realty shortly before Thanksgiving. It’s a 4,000-square-foot condominium in One Brooklyn Bridge Park whose features include five bedrooms, a corner living room and a chef’s kitchen with Gaggenau appliances. Last month, broker Sarah Williams, the founder of SOCIETE Real Estate, listed a $36,000 spread at 130 Furman St. in Brooklyn Heights with four bedrooms — plus a private roof terrace with space for al-fresco dining and views of the Manhattan skyline. Available this June via Compass, a Greenpoint penthouse at 524 Manhattan Ave. with a triple-story living room, multiple outdoor spaces — including a landscaped roof deck — asks a cool $30,000.

Market data shows these aren’t just one-off examples. According to Brown Harris Stevens research, monthly rentals of $18,000 or more in Brooklyn have indeed seen an increase since 2021. So far this year — hardly two months into 2023 — the market has had 13 such listings with the average rent being $25,205 a month and the median at $22,000.

A peek inside the big-dollar rental at 360 Furman St., which has massive windows looking out to wide city views. — A peek inside the big-dollar rental at One Brooklyn Bridge Park, 360 Furman St., which has massive windows looking out to wide city views.

A view of that rental's open layout. — A view of that rental’s open layout.

Even the unit's sleeping quarters have picture-perfect vistas. — Even the unit’s sleeping quarters have picture-perfect vistas.

“Brooklyn is having its moment in the luxury sun,” said Compass agent David Chang, who lives in the borough and specializes in high-end rentals there. “It’s become a destination with renters moving in from the Lower East Side, the Village and Chelsea, and scooping up luxury properties.” At the same time, added Chang, limited inventory is driving rents up, and properties are being rented at or above market prices.

The rentals at Magnolia Dumbo, a luxury building on Front Street that launched in early 2022, are reflective of this mighty market presence. Jarrod Whitaker, the senior vice president of operations for RXR — the building’s developer — said that in less than 11 months, all 320 residences are fully leased for between one to two years. “We were estimating rents to be $81 a square foot but ended up getting $91,” he said. “This speaks to the vitality of the market.”

Sydney Blumstein, a Corcoran broker who has lived in Williamsburg for the last several years, said she’s personally cashing in on the Brooklyn rental market — which she describes as “on fire.” And she has experienced today’s sky-high prices for herself.

“My husband and I rented out our loft as of February 1st for the first time and are getting $24,000 a month,” she said — and StreetEasy shows that price is among the highest for a home ever rented in Brooklyn. Stretching an entire block, the 139 Powers St. property is a converted warehouse, and offers 4,200 square feet of interior space and an additional 2,500 square feet outdoors. It listed in November for a cool $35,000 per month, as The Post reported, which at that time made it Brooklyn’s priciest rental home on the market.

Blumstein said that she has seen many more pricey rentals of late in Brooklyn than she ever has before — and even at different price levels than the tippy-top of the market, these homes are still fetching higher sums of money.

Blumstein and her husband just rented out this boho-chic Williamsburg home for one of the priciest sums Brooklyn has ever seen.

The Powers Street pad was once a warehouse.

A dining area in the Williamsburg rental.

A yellow-painted seating area with beamed ceilings.

“Properties that are being relisted are going for double in some instances compared with the last time they were on the market,” she said. “I’m about to list a 2,000-square-foot loft in Clinton Hill that rented for $4,000 a month, but this time, the asking price is $8,000. I have no doubt that it’s going to rent.”

The top end of the market aside, prices for Brooklyn rentals overall appear to have reached peak levels.

According to data from Corcoran, the median rent in Brooklyn was $3,695 in January 2023, up 5{61deb032f2f3cf43cd91e0a97f017aab274ddbb67b74a5b085bd003b9ac3cd96} from December and 23{61deb032f2f3cf43cd91e0a97f017aab274ddbb67b74a5b085bd003b9ac3cd96} year-over-year. The average rent was $4,220, a 25{61deb032f2f3cf43cd91e0a97f017aab274ddbb67b74a5b085bd003b9ac3cd96} increase compared with a year ago. What’s more, January was the 16th consecutive month of year-over-year rent growth in the borough.

In another data point, research from Douglas Elliman and Miller Samuel’s most recent rental report shows that the average rental price in Brooklyn in January was $4,165, a record high since 2008. That’s up 31.7{61deb032f2f3cf43cd91e0a97f017aab274ddbb67b74a5b085bd003b9ac3cd96} from a year ago, the highest increase in history for Brooklyn, said Miller Samuel president and CEO Jonathan Miller, and 23.7{61deb032f2f3cf43cd91e0a97f017aab274ddbb67b74a5b085bd003b9ac3cd96} above pre-pandemic rents.

“Rents are high because mortgage rates are high,” Miller said of today’s interest rate climate amid a battle against languishing inflation. “People that are priced out of the purchase market are going to the rental market, and that’s why it’s historically high.”

In addition, Miller said that new development in Brooklyn has been focused on luxury rental buildings, which drive prices up. “These buildings are highly amenitized and upscale, and that means higher rents,” he said.

A look inside the big-dollar 130 Furman St. rental.

StreetEasy economist Kenny Lee agrees. The company’s research indicates that the median rent in Brooklyn is $5,148 — 20{61deb032f2f3cf43cd91e0a97f017aab274ddbb67b74a5b085bd003b9ac3cd96} higher than a year ago. “This increase is largely driven by a rise in new luxury developments entering the market last year, which contributed to one in five new top-tier rental listings in 2022,” he said.

Examples of these swanky developments include Eagle + West in Greenpoint, featuring a co-working center and even a stage for karaoke. Meanwhile, Torre House in Brooklyn Heights has three swimming pools, including one on the rooftop with city views.

Lee said that the neighborhoods with the most top-tier rentals are Downtown Brooklyn, Greenpoint and Williamsburg — and that, at 9,446 units, current rental inventory is 30{61deb032f2f3cf43cd91e0a97f017aab274ddbb67b74a5b085bd003b9ac3cd96} below the average inventory level in 2019. That number is down just 0.1{61deb032f2f3cf43cd91e0a97f017aab274ddbb67b74a5b085bd003b9ac3cd96} from last year.

The ability to afford super-luxury rentals aside, Lee and other industry experts said that Brooklyn has a number of appealing qualities that make it a desirable place to live. Lee points to the greater square footage that the borough’s properties offer per dollar, compared with those in Manhattan. “They allow for more space for home offices for hybrid and remote workers,” he said.

Blumstein said the outdoor space that residents get is a big attraction. “There aren’t as many tall buildings, and you see more sky. You’re still in the city but have a slightly suburban flavor,” she added.

Speaking from personal experience, Blumstein is also a fan of the sense of community. “Your neighbors in Brooklyn are usually friendly and happy to socialize or help out if you’re in a bind,” she said. “You’re never alone trying to find your own way, and there’s a reassurance in that.”

February 15, 2023

Gardening principles | Home & Garden

If you love to grow shrubs, bouquets, and greens, it is a unfortunate point of lifetime you will also be contending with these not so lovable relations. Weeds, toxic vegetation and even stumps and lifeless trees can be stubborn issues, but these strategies will help you find methods that work when nevertheless protecting your cherished vegetation.

A weed is any plant-even an ornamental-that grows wherever you really don’t want it. Common weeds are speedy-escalating, resilient nuisances that not only make the yard glimpse unsightly but also steal vitamins and light-weight from other vegetation, and they may possibly host pests and disorders. But you should never immediately get to for the sprayer to deal with garden and back garden weeds. A combination of the correct. Equipment, some elbow grease and some superior outdated know how will commonly do the trick.

Weeds can be annuals, biennial, or perennial. Annuals and biennials reproduce by shedding seeds-but a one plant of some weeds can unfold by roots, stems, and seeds.

Weed seeds require gentle to germinate. Maintain the soil around your crops lined with natural and organic mulch, black plastic mulch, layers of damp newspaper, or material weed barrier.

Use edging supplies like bricks or underground obstacles of metal of plastic all over backyard garden beds to hold lawn grass and perennial weeds from creeping into flowerbeds and vegetable plots.

Solarizing the soil means allowing the sunshine do the weeding for you. Until the soil and h2o it. Lay a sheet of obvious plastic around the area, anchor the edges with stones and hold out 4 to 6 weeks. The sun’s heat will prepare dinner weed seeds and maybe soilborne diseases as very well. Don’t dig the solarized plot just before planting since cultivating will deliver buried weed seeds to the floor.

Cultivate your garden in the slide by working in plenty of compost. Rake beds or rows into the shapes you want, then mulch the surface area with newspapers topped with straw, chopped leaves or other natural and organic mulch. In spring, there will be weeds to pull and your back garden will be ready to plant.

Instead of digging out weeds and grass, smother them to loss of life with a piece of old carpeting. This process operates very best all through the hottest months of summer months. Remove the cover in the drop, dig up the mattress, and it will be ready to plant very first detail in spring.

You can toss weeds into the pile if they are youthful and have not yet bloomed, due to the fact they have no seeds that will occur back again to haunt you next year. To kill weed seeds, compost wants to heat up to 160 degrees and couple of heats ever get that incredibly hot. Just one alternative is to dispose of weeds in a distinctive compost heap, then use the finished compost only when amending deep planting holes, where by the weed seeds are buried at the very least 4 inches below the soil floor.

Do not allow soil continue being bare for any duration of time or weeds will move right in-they imagine that is their career. If you remove vegetation from a mattress, blanket the openings with mulch or plant a protect crop or a further plant.

February 15, 2023

10 ways to make a practical space look beautiful |

More often than not an island is not only the heart of your kitchen but the heart of your home. It’s a hardworking space that’s used for both work and play – prepping dinner, working from home, entertaining friends, etc. However, amongst all its very practical qualities, it’s also prime real estate for bringing some personality and character in the form of decor to your space.

But as with anything to do with aesthetics in a kitchen, there has to be a balance with practicality. Decor can’t interfere with the everyday running of the room. So how do you style a kitchen island so that it looks beautiful, but can still allow the surface to perform all its daily tasks? We asked a few of our favorite designers for their top tips and expert kitchen island styling ideas that get this balance right.

How can you style a kitchen island?

When designing a kitchen, the key to styling an island, or even a small kitchen island, as with any part of a kitchen, is not to lose too much space to the purely aesthetical. A kitchen should always put functionality first, so when adding beautiful kitchen decor to an island, always think about whether it’s practical – will it get in the way of prepping? Does it break up the eye-line over the island? You really want to avoid it becoming cluttered, so more often than not take the less is more approach.

‘It’s all too easy for an island to end up as somewhat of a dumping ground, so I’d say in a way less is more, ensuring its clutter-free,’ says designer Kate Guinness (opens in new tab). I love decorating with flowers, especially something tall to give some height, and bowls of fruit and vegetables. A lamp can also be an excellent addition and provide extra light.’

1. Bring the outside in with seasonal displays

Modern white kitchen with kitchen island decorated with twigs in a vase

(Image credit: Julie Soefer)

A simple and affordable way to style an island is with fresh flowers, greenery, and fauna. However, we’d recommend exploring your backyard first rather than going with store-bought. Not only can it provide you with free decor, but it also ensures whatever you use is seasonal. Even in winter and early spring, you will find something to add interest to your island – we love the look of bare branches in a simple vase to add height and natural texture.

‘For styling a kitchen island, I like to keep it simple. My go-to styling products for an island include a beautiful piece of pottery and branches,’ says designer Marie Flanigan (opens in new tab). ‘I’m always inspired by what’s in bloom outside and am constantly cutting and adding that foliage to my kitchen island. I also love the pop of color that a bowl of lemons, limes or another citrus provides. Of course, an antique cutting board with beautiful oils, salt cellars, or butter bells can also make a gorgeous statement.’

2. Get a balance between form and function

gray country kitchen island in rustic style kitchen

(Image credit: Cotswold Co)

‘The purpose of a kitchen island is to create additional space within a kitchen to prepare food and – often – to provide an additional space to sit. Any styling should not get in the way of its functionality.’ advises Louise Wicksteed Design Director of Sims Hilditch (opens in new tab).

Rather than bring in pieces that have absolutely zero use in a kitchen, look around your space and turn practical items into a display. ‘We often use herbs, fruit bowls, cookbooks, and chopping boards to style a kitchen island, all of which have a place in the kitchen and bring a lived-in, homey aesthetic to the space – but overall an island should feel clear and uncluttered.’ adds Louise.

3. Often less is more with kitchen island styling

Blue kitchen with simply decorated island

(Image credit: deVOL)

What is the easiest way to ensure your island actually still functions as an island? Keep your styling simple. Rather than clutter your surface with lots of small decorative kitchen pieces, pick out a couple of statement items that aren’t going to take up much of that valuable surface space, but will instead make a noticeable impact.

‘Styling with fewer, larger elements adds impact while keeping surfaces functional,’ suggests Elena Frampton, principle at Frampton Co (opens in new tab). ‘I like to use a mix of sculptural vases and footed bowls which can then be further styled with florals, fruit, and greenery according to the season (or whatever I’m bringing home from the farmer’s market that day!).’

4. Consider the rest of the room

Wooden kitchen with large island with shelving and greenery

(Image credit: Karyn Millet)

When styling your island don’t treat it as a standalone, well… island. Look around the rest of the room and see how any decor you choose is going to fit in with that. For example, if you have open kitchen shelving that sits behind your island – visually there’s already a lot going on there so you wouldn’t want to add anything that blocks the eye line over the island. Experiment, step back, and look at your island styling from all angles to ensure it works with the whole room.

The simplicity of this wooden kitchen means it can handle something oversized and statement on the island and there’s nothing else too busy or cluttering going on elsewhere. ‘Instead of floating shelves, we kept the uppers and included shelves at the end of the island,’ explains Raili Clasen, founder of RailiCA (opens in new tab). ‘This way we were able to style and display a few pieces while avoiding clutter.’

5. Create interest with a mix of heights and textures

Kitchen with an island in Sunflower chalky matt from Sanderson Design Group

(Image credit: Sunflower chalky matt from Sanderson Design Group)

‘When styling your kitchen island, start with functional kitchenware that also has a design-savvy element, and use a rule of “one horizontal item, one vertical item, and one sculptural item,”‘ suggests designer Kathy Kuo (opens in new tab). ‘Rustic cutting boards, small vases of seasonal flowers or greenery, artisan bowls filled with your favorite fruit, a crock of wooden spoons, and stacks of beloved cookbooks are all natural fits for adding a styled look to your kitchen island.’

Consider the shapes, heights, textures, and colors of any decor you have used elsewhere in the space too, and make sure what you bring to the island has a connection. Perhaps choose something to add that’s going to anchor the whole space, and draw the eye so there’s a focus.

‘Treat your island like a dining table and keep it uncluttered and functional by adding a thoughtful selection of objects to dress it up,’ suggests designer Sarah Rosenhaus (opens in new tab). ‘Anchor your island with a tall branchy arrangement in a statement vessel. Add a pretty bowl (fill it with fruit to make it functional) and finish off with a delicious candle. We are not fans of clutter and definitely prefer to keep it simple and impactful. This allows for functional use of the island while making it stand out aesthetically.’

6. Mix and match your island seating

Classic deVOL kitchen with large island

(Image credit: deVOL)

Kitchen island styling isn’t all about what’s going on on the surfaces – your choice of kitchen island seating can bring loads of style and interest to your space. Of course, first and foremost you want your seating to be comfy, but it’s a big, noticeable addition to your kitchen so it should look good too.

We love a slightly mismatched look when it comes to chairs, a clashing of styles and designs is what gives a room so much character. And kitchens can be really tricky places to make super characterful due to them being practical by nature. So bring in that interest with your seating. Shop secondhand for pieces that add shape and texture and don’t worry about them all matching – this classic deVOL (opens in new tab) kitchen proves a quirky mix works too.

7. Create more space for styling with vintage furniture

Colorful kitchen with island

(Image credit: Megan Taylor)

We love bringing non-traditional, non-kitchen-like pieces into a kitchen. Again it brings character and personality and shapes into a space often filled with clean lines and hard surfaces. Pinch this idea from designer Brooke Copp Barton (opens in new tab) and extend your island by placing a vintage find at one end. You’ll get more surface space to play with in terms of decor and you could add some more handy kitchen storage too.

‘For this blue kitchen, we broke up the more functional utilitarian space by adding a vintage wooden cabinet at one end – to mix a bit of old with new and add some lived-in warmth to the space. The drinks tray and cocktails on display also help with the inviting vibe!’ explains Brooke.

8. Open up the ends of an island

Industrial style kitchen with large island

(Image credit: K&H Design)

A large kitchen island can of course be a real asset to a home, but it does add a lot of bulk to the space. This is where perhaps the less is more rule can go out the window a bit, we still want the area to be functional but adding in decor will soften the look of a big island, making it less… solid.

‘For large kitchen islands, source an oversized vase to create different levels. Pick a beautiful bunch of flowers or branches of eucalyptus, depending on the mood; both will add drama. A fruit and veg bowl will add color and texture to the scheme.’ suggests Amelia Brooks of K&H Design (opens in new tab).

And consider opening up the sides of the island as can be seen in this space. More room for decor and gives that island less of an impact ‘We designed this 3-meter-long island for our client’s professionally kitted-out kitchen as he wanted to plate up 16 guests at a time. To stop the island from looking monolithic and make it more of a furniture piece, we opened both ends. This was a good chance for more decorative vases and plant pots to be displayed,’ adds Amelia.

9. Use shelving to keep things on show (but out of the way)

Colorful kitchen with island

(Image credit: Megan Taylor)

If you are designing a kitchen island, always add in some open shelving somewhere, because they really help break up the bulk of the cabinetry and give you the perfect spot to store cookbooks and your most aesthetically pleasing crockery. And if you are looking for ways to add shelving to your current island, source a really simple set of wooden shelving, paint them the same shade as your island and place them at one end for a seamless addition.

‘For this green and pink kitchen, a more traditional space, we built in open shelves at one end of this narrow island to display cookbooks and cups, etc. To my mind, it is always lovely to have your favorite things on display as opposed to having everything shut away in cupboards – and also helps to bring personality to the space. And again here we placed vintage pendants above for a more lived-in feel,’ explains Brooke Copp Barton.

10. Turn a fruit bowl into a beautiful display

Rustic style kitchen with limewashed walls and painted cabinetry

(Image credit: Our Food Stories)

A fruit bowl is often such an awkward thing to find a home for. It’s essential in most kitchens but just never seems to slot naturally into place. However, style it upright and an island can be the perfect spot to turn your collection of fruits into something beautiful.

It’s all in the design of the bowl itself really. We recommend either picking something low-slung or oversized that’s going to comfortably fill the center of your table and make a bit of a statement. Or opt for a small collection of bowls of different heights and shapes and cluster them together. Practical and pretty.

What should you put on a kitchen island?

‘We recommend keeping kitchen island styling simple, to avoid the space becoming messy or cluttered,’ says Clara Ewart, head of design at Kitesgrove (opens in new tab). ‘Choose one or two smaller sculptural pieces, such as a beautifully made bowl filled with fruit or an organic-shaped vase with foliage, which will add character whilst ensuring the space remains organized but beautifully layered.’

What should you not use to decorate a kitchen island?

Anything that gets in the way or clutters up surface space you often use. Map out your island and decide on which spaces you use all the time – perhaps the surfaces around the seating area or the space around the sink – and keep these free of any decor. Instead, look for the lesser-used spot – the spine of the island or one end that doesn’t see a lot of action.

February 15, 2023

8 Bathroom Trends That Will Rule The Design Space In 2023

Loos are no extended viewed as simply purposeful locations, in which decor is definitely prohibited. As the designer place evolves and concepts are up-to-date, bogs are now staying developed as idea-dependent live configurations. These practical sections are designed with equal thought paid to their aesthetics. The most major bathroom furnishings classes that will rule the lavatory structure area in 2023 are examined underneath.

Amazing ground materials: The components utilized for flooring have progressed more than time. Marble, granite, travertine, limestone, and slate are just a handful of illustrations of pure stones that can be applied to develop beautiful floors in a lavatory. Hardwood flooring is another fantastic alternative, but it have to be thoroughly maintained to prevent warping and damage from humidity. Humidity-resistant engineered hardwood is an alternate to this.

Elegant Partitions: Any bathroom appears to be like far better with stones, tiles, and mosaics built of normal elements or glass. Significant-conclude paint and wallpaper can also be used for cladding to produce a lavish and beautiful aesthetic that can be everything from classic to contemporary.

Bathtub tubs: Large soaking tubs are lavish and exceptional for the reason that they give sufficient area for a relaxed dip. They can appear to be opulent whether or not built of acrylic, fibreglass, or solid iron, and they can give a relaxing hydromassage working experience when equipped with heating and jets.

Temperature-managed flooring: They are also getting well known as an added elegant aspect in the lavatory. Heated flooring, which can be designed with electric or hydronic units, give heat and comfort, notably in the course of the winter season months based on locale.

Lights fixtures: In any bathroom style and design, stylish lights is a essential part. A range of lighting options, like as chandeliers, sconces, and recessed lights that can produce a heat location, can be made use of to make the in general ambiance in this functional place. Dimmer switches also assist in regulating toilet lights to build a selection of moods.

Performing area-tops: Marble and granite counter tops, equally of which appear in a wide range of colors and designs, give a contact of elegance and luxury to a lavatory. These stone are also extensive-lasting, attractive, and simple to preserve.

Toilet household furniture: Bathroom home furnishings is an significant aspect of a style strategy. Persons are getting interested in luxury bathrooms mainly because they can be both equally a spa and a particular salon. For bathroom furnishings, it is really essential to select resources that can deal with the humidity and h2o. Stylish bathroom home furniture is generally made of wicker or rattan items that in a natural way resist h2o harm, and teak parts that don’t rot or decay.

Meditation place: The zen practise of chanting can also be finished in spacious bathrooms. For that reason, Japanese-model seats for solo or pair chanting is set up in the recently renovated bathrooms.

These thoughts are no lengthier just afterthoughts in phrases of design, but alternatively modern day shows of memorabilia mixed with superior-stop furnishings and extras.

– The writer is the founder and CEO of Website page 2813
– The views of the author in this post are private and do not constitute specialist guidance of Occasions House.

February 15, 2023

5 unfashionable trends that are dating your interiors |

There are some home decor trends that are timeless, and then there are others that have well and truly past their expiration date. While there’s certainly no one size fits all formula; trends are entirely subjective, after all. There are still a few, five decorating ideas to be precise, that should be resigned to the history books.

But that is not to say that you shouldn’t have any of these home decor ideas if they truly bring you joy. Our affinity towards certain looks, materials, and colors has a lot to do with our personalities, environment, and experiences, so it is always important to choose decor that makes you happier at home, and take what the naysayers suggest with a pinch of salt.

Decorating trends that have fallen out of fashion

‘Fashion fades, style is eternal’ Yves Saint Laurent once said, and the same goes for interior trends, too. However, every so often it is fun to look back on the now outdated decorating trends that we once the height of fashion. But, if you still adore your fantastical feature wall, popcorn ceiling, or even your mirrored closet door, don’t take my advice. A forever piece is a forever piece no matter what I, or anyone else, thinks.

1. All-grey interiors

Living room with TV and grey wall and sofa

(Image credit: Kathryn MacDonald Photography / Kimberley Harrison Interiors)

In the West, grey is associated with dullness, boredom, and old age, so it comes as no surprise that this ‘trend’ was never going to go the distance. Being surrounded by too much grey leaves me feeling drained and depleted of energy, and I am not the only one who is tired of the endless velvet grey sofas, carpets, walls, and decor that have graced homes over the past decade.

‘The decline in all over grey color schemes reflects our ongoing desire to make our homes, in which we’ve all come to spend more time, feel special and layered,’ says Anthony Barzilay Freund, 1stDibs’ editorial director. ‘Patterns and colors, particularly those that evoke nature, are visually interesting and also feel emotionally reassuring.’

Having said that, I certainly don’t despise decorating with grey entirely, in fact, there is an art to perfecting a pared-back palette. Using a grey or white palette is all about adding depth and contrast in different layers and textures

‘The beauty of a neutral scheme is that it provides a wonderful scaffold upon which to hang accents of color,’ says Kimberley Harrison Interior (opens in new tab), the design studio that crafted the layered space above. ‘To make a grey or neutral palette feel designed and considered it’s important to mix and match textures and create subtle color saturations, albeit neutral ones and occasional bursts of color. Just because something is grey doesn’t mean it has to be plain: think about the application too.’

2. The feature wall

Living room fall decor with landscape mural

(Image credit: Simon Bevan / Future)

There is a lot to be said for a feature wall, but have we gone too far in our quest to add visual appeal? I believe so. There is something ‘unfinished’ about this dated trend. If you’re going to paint one wall, paint them all. If you’re going to wallpaper one wall, wallpaper them all. Alternatively, add decorative interest to your ceiling instead – it carries far more visual weight than a single wall ever could. I am all for being brave and bold when it comes to your interiors. No more half-measures; it is all or nothing from now on.

However, if you are going to do a feature or accent wall, then do it right. Scenic landscape murals are the biggest story in decorating today – wonderfully atmospheric and evocative, a feature wall mural will transform a space and capture the imagination.

Using wall mural ideas with a single dramatic image is a bold move, but it is a logical progression if you’ve already used patterned wallpapers. ‘A mural is a powerful tool for the adventurous,’ says Andy Greenall, head of design at Little Greene (opens in new tab). Many mural designs are now available as wallpapers, making them easier to achieve. ‘Three drops of paper that create a whole panel give an instant uplift,’ says Andy. Try painting all the surrounding walls in a complementary color taken from the mural.

3. A popcorn ceiling

Ceiling ideas with blue painted ceiling

(Image credit: Paul Massey)

Is there a former ‘popular’ decorating trend more despised than a popcorn ceiling?

A favorite interior design trend in the ’70s, popcorn ceilings are also known as acoustic ceilings or stucco ceilings. They were initially installed to help absorb sound from above or to cover up any pre-existing blemishes and imperfections in the ceiling. But like many trends from this time period, the popcorn ceiling has fallen out of favor and many homeowners are wondering how to remove a popcorn ceiling, or how to simply disguise this now loathed design feature. However, this is not to say that you should leave your ceiling completely bare – far from it.

As mentioned above, this fifth wall is ripe for rediscovery. The ceiling holds endless possibilities for creativity and should be treated with the same consideration as any other wall in your home.

‘Ceilings are a great way of adding another layer of interest and making a space feel cozier. All too often they are an afterthought but we make sure to consider their potential,’ confides interior designer Nicola Harding (opens in new tab).

There is a multitude of ways to elevate your ceiling with materials, color, texture, and even wallpaper. ‘Ceilings have been overlooked in recent times,’ says interior designer Rachel Chudley (opens in new tab), ‘but when you visit historic houses, the ceiling is often treated as a masterpiece.’

4. Mirrored closet doors

dressing room with wall of closet doors, patterned rug, footstool, two armchairs, side table, shirt hanging up, 2 doors open, retro ceiling lights

(Image credit: Mendelson Group/Tim Lenz)

I have a confession, I still have my mirrored closet from college. It is on its last legs and I am counting down the days until I can make the switch to built-ins. Why do I still have this furniture faux pas, you ask? While I don’t consider myself particularly sentimental, I couldn’t justify doing away with a functional piece of furniture that saw me from childhood to my teenage years. But even I, as a style editor, can admit that I own something so dated.

Mirrored closet doors, a beloved decorating must-have in the ’80s and early ’90s known for adding glamor (or so we desperately wanted to believe), also made small spaces feel larger. But while decorating with mirrors has soared in popularity in recent years, mirrored furniture, especially closet doors have fallen out of favor.

In its place, beautiful French doors, bi-folds, and pocket doors are bringing our homes up-to-date. In my opinion, closet doors aren’t always given the thought they deserve. Very often, we are far more invested in what’s behind them and what they can offer us, but they can have an enormous impact on the space, making it feel cozier, brighter, richer in texture, and bigger even.

5. Mass-produced homeware

Living room with pale grey walls, white cornice, framed maps, dark grey woodwork and mirrored coffee table.

(Image credit: James Merrell)

Interior design is an intricate and extremely personal process, therefore why do so many of us fall victim to the cookie-cutter aesthetic of mass-produced homewares?

The whole purpose of a home is to answer the needs of the individuals living in them whilst reflecting their personalities with good design, space, and functionality, which is why over-produced, impersonal purchases are making our homes look dated, and dare I say, cheap.

Thankfully, recent trends have shown a shift towards curating more sustainable, soulful spaces. ‘If in doubt, be bold,’ advises Tiffany Duggan, founder and director of Studio Duggan (opens in new tab). ‘Clients hardly ever regret investing in one-of-a-kind vintage pieces. Think of your space as a carefully curated Aladdin’s cave of treasures, with each item on display even more fascinating than the last.’

Undeniably, maximalism is back and it is better than ever. Not the big. blowsy florals from the ’80s, but a much more refined maximalism that is not only fashionable but also liveable and unique.

Style mavens such as hotelier Kit Kemp are masters in the fine art of maximalism. But if you’re new to this trend, you’d be wise to exercise caution, otherwise, your experimentation could end up one hot mess. So prefix maximalism with an adjective such as ‘considered’, ‘elegant’, or ‘curated’ and you can make it work. The trick to pulling off ‘elegant maximalism’ is finding a common hook off which everything else hangs. Leave matchy-matchy to the minimalists, you just go with whatever you love and it will work. Happy considered – and sustainable – gathering!

Jennifer Ebert

Jennifer Ebert is the digital of Homes & Gardens, overseeing all features for the website. Covering the popular interior design trends – and outdated trends – is her forte, as well as discovering the latest decorating rules to follow, and the ones to avoid.

February 14, 2023

Look Inside This Interior Designer’s Custom Home!

There’s something fascinating about peeking into an interior designer’s home. After all, they spend each day surrounded by beautiful things, with their finger on the pulse of the latest decor trends. With that in mind, we jumped at the opportunity to talk to Dallas-based interior designer Erin Sander of Erin Sander Design about her own gorgeous abode in University Park. From a custom-designed coffee nook to a vaulted, red-brick annex that serves as a study, this is one home you’ll want to look to for inspiration!

Exterior of an interior designer's home in Dallas, Texas.

Take a peek inside this gorgeous home designed and owned by interior designer Erin Sander!

Located on a quarter of an acre in Dallas city proper, Erin Sander and her family occupy a 5,000-square-foot estate with four bedrooms and five baths. “We built it from the ground up,” Erin explains. “There was another home on the property. In this part of town, older homes with no historical relevance are frequently taken down to host a new house. So we tore the house down, and then I drew the floor and architectural plans for this house.”

Erin designed the home to be casual yet elevated, contemporary yet functional, serene with a subtle edge — hallmarks of her signature style. “Our brand design is ‘relaxed, refined luxury,’ so that was the basis as I was building this new house,” she tells us. “As I was researching different styles, the ‘Belgian farmhouse’ aesthetic really aligned with our brand and my personal aesthetic. So that’s the direction we went.”

The home is awash in natural light with beautiful elements around every corner — understated details that make a grand impact. “As a designer, there are a lot of things that draw my eye on a consistent basis, so I’m constantly getting inspiration from travels, other projects, and things out there in the design world,” says Erin of her inspiration. “There were definitely some architectural features that I wanted to make sure we incorporated, such as the long hallway that terminates in the window, with steps leading up to the second floor. I wanted to have a few moments where there was a beautiful termination, and you can see through the house.”

Long hallway with beamed ceiling and custom fixtures.

“I drew those fixtures for the space, and then an artist made those for me,” Erin tells us. “I also drew and detailed the wood for the artists to lay in that manner on the floor.”

“This is probably where we had to make the most choices for practicality for our family,” Erin says of the living room. “When we moved in, all of my kids were rather young. So all of these are performance fabrics. In the foreground, there’s a McGuire chair in Lisa Fine fabric.” Additionally, the coffee table is custom-covered in grasscloth, and artwork by Katrine Hildebrandt adorns the walls.

As you enter Erin’s home, the first room you’ll find is the annex. Formerly her office, the space now serves as the family study. “It’s a vaulted story-and-a-half space,” Erin says of the room. “Initially, before I had our firm in an office space here in Dallas, I officed from that space. It has great storage, vaulted ceilings, beams, and also more privacy being by itself in the eastern corner of the house.”

This gorgeous space served as Erin’s in-home office but now functions as a study. “My main office is about five miles from my house, in the design district,” she says of her current office space.”

The kitchen stands out with beamed ceilings, rift-sawn white oak flooring, and pale blue accents. An oven range from French manufacturer Lacanche adds a splash of color in just the right spot. “This is one of the pivotal points that went into the kitchen,” says Erin of the high-end piece. “I wanted to insert a little bit of color, and their offerings are broad but not overly broad. Choosing that blue color for the range set the tone for the other blue accents. They also take about a year to procure, so it’s something we had to decide on very early.”

Kitchen with beamed ceiling and island with stools.

With hand-hewn Douglas fir beams and rift-sawn white oak hardwood floors, the kitchen incorporates natural materials with modern appliances. Additionally, an unlacquered brass faucet by Waterstone and a backsplash by Clé Tile offer standout details.

Fixtures in a hand-hewn brass finish, custom-made by Urban Electric Company, are suspended above an eye-catching island with deep-set planking on its sides. Stools in a simplistic Scandinavian design offer practical, easy-to-maneuver seating, and various decorative bowls offer a lovely focal point and a glimpse of Erin’s passion for ceramics.

“You’ll see a bowl of fruit in the very back,” she offers. “That’s a vintage bowl from my grandmother’s collection, and I use that frequently with styling. It’s one of my favorite pieces.” She also references the bowls in the foreground. “They are by a ceramicist out of California, Sara Kersten,” she relays. “I’ve been collecting her pieces for years.”

The countertops, made of honed marble, were an experiment for Erin. “I frequently have to advise my clients on the materiality of their countertops for their kitchens and baths,” she explains. “I wanted to use the marble so I could see the highs and lows of living with it.” Additionally, though it’s tough to spot, the café curtains are made of hand-blocked fabric by Galbraith & Paul out of Philadelphia.

Hallway in Erin Sander's home, culminating in a blue door.

An archway provides a soft entry into the kitchen, while a high-end range from Lacanche picks up the surrounding blue accents. “There are a couple of lighting pieces throughout the home that I drew and detailed, then had made by a local artist,” says Erin. “And that’s one of them.”

Boasting vintage chairs and various collected art pieces, the dining room melds an intimate space with cozy-eclectic decor for a contemporary edge. “The chairs are vintage McGuire — I love to use McGuire pieces in our work,” says Erin. “I just love the texture and the warmth that they bring. I had the seats recovered in a Peter Dunham fabric, and the art piece is from an artist named Addie Chapin. It says in Latin, ‘deo gratias.’ The tallies signify counting our blessings.”

Exposed brick and modern art lend a contemporary edge to the dining room. “The light fixture is from Currey & Company,” says Erin. “It’s a simple, good, high-low moment.”

A collection of pewter dishes adds a dark contrast to the dining room. “They’re my mother’s pewter set,” says Erin, “and the two serving pieces on the bottom are from this great vendor in Austin, Unrefined. We get to make frequent trips to Roundtop, being in such close proximity, so that’s a vendor I found there.”

An affinity for coffee led to one of the home’s most memorable nooks — the coffee station. With a La Spaziale espresso machine (featuring walnut panels from Clive Coffee out of Portland), custom open shelving, and a beautiful backsplash from Ann Sacks’ Savoy series, the space is a go-to morning staple that’s both charming and pragmatic.

“Our family has a longstanding love for coffee,” Erin tells us, “so detailing out this coffee bar was something my husband and I enjoyed doing together. Besides being aesthetically pretty, it has some great, practical components. The refrigerator drawers on the left house all the things for morning coffee. This area gets a high level of use for us. We get beans from all over the country!”

We’re envious of this fabulous custom coffee station!

Arched entryway to room with bison painting.

A glimpse of what’s across from the coffee station showcases a photograph of a bison. “Our family has Western roots,” says Erin. “My husband and I both grew up outside of Denver. We still make frequent trips to the mountains and the West — that’s the origin of that piece.”

In the primary bedroom, a fixture from Oly Studio offers a whimsical focal point. “It’s a flock of birds, and it’s such an interesting thing to look up at every evening!” says Erin. Other standout features include vintage cabinets sourced from Juxtaposition Home in California and custom lamps from a maker in Roundtop, TX. Pale pink chairs add tranquil warmth, as does the custom-made quadrille bedding.

In the master bath, custom white oak vanities add a natural element, while hand-cut limestone floors bring in a dose of character. “We laid it in a pattern that I drew,” Erin explains, “and then interspersed this tiny blue celeste marble mosaic. The blue celeste is what’s behind that freestanding tub as well.”

Master bedroom with white bird chandelier and pale pink chairs.

Vintage cabinets, custom lamps, and a beautiful avian light fixture from Oly Studio round out the master bedroom.

“We designed the master suite to really flow,” says Erin. “It has two entrances and a strong connection to the bedroom, so it all kind of lives as one.” The master bathroom is shown here, complete with a freestanding tub and custom white oak vanities.

Powder bath with ornate, arched interior window.

This moody and wonderful powder room has a charming mock window and antique French flooring from Chateau Domingue out of Houston.

Designed to make use of a variety of materials (one of this year’s prominent design trends), the home’s exterior is flanked by live oaks and potted olive trees. “We were able to have a lot that has a bit more width for this area of town,” Erin tells us, “so I wanted to create something that wasn’t all two-story. I wanted it to be a little bit more approachable. That perspective from the street of having a small courtyard of trees as you pull up was a priority for me.”

Wooden bench in the back yard, surrounded by holly trees.

A custom wood bench from David Sutherland is nestled amongst Savannah holly trees.

Exterior of Erin Sander's home, featuring the entryway.

A combination of materials — such as lime-washed brick and cedar shake — makes for a dynamic exterior.

A special thanks to Pär Bengtsson for the photography.

**********

For more inspiration from interiors across the South, check out our HOME FEATURES ARCHIVE.

About the Author

Jenna Bratcher

Jenna Bratcher is StyleBlueprint Nashville’s Associate Editor and Lead Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville 15 years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a foodie through and through and enjoys exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.