A four-poster bed hung with white fringed linens sits at left. A caned two-seat bench sits at the foot of the bed on a wide-planked floor; a white chamber pot sits on the floor at the foot of the bed. At right are walls covered in bright, cheery leaf-patterned wallpaper in greens and whites, a double-hung window with white shutters, and white wainscot. Below the window is a window seat. Caned side and arm chairs matching the bench sit along the right wall. An antique highboy chest sits in the back right corner.
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The Delights of Historical House Museums

by Laura Grey
A large loft apartment with exposed beams, ducts and brick is decorated with midcentury modern (MCM) dining furniture, a Persian carpet, and a dark leather sofa, mixing industrial and MCM styles
Design 101

Decorating with Texture

by Laura Grey No Comments Share this  

Texture is one of the elements of design that does the most to make a room feel welcoming and comfortable. We notice and remember colors and patterns, but textures really make a room feel interesting. They invite us to let our eyes and hands explore a space. Decorating with texture and three-dimensionality can bring warmth, […]

Many Arne Jacobsen Series 7 pale bent-wood chairs arrayed in offset lines seen from above, all with a white floor showing between the many chairs
What's Your Style?

Scandinavian Interior Design

by Laura Grey No Comments Share this  

Scandinavian interior design is a functional and minimalist style. It combines sleek, simple geometric forms with organic shapes using natural materials. Scandi style emphasizes the beauty of decorative elements like wood and glass by adding unexpected curves or textures. The Nordic countries represented by Scandinavian design all have much in common regarding materials, colors, shapes, […]

A glass vase filled with pink and clear glass balls is viewed from above. It sits on a patchwork runner made of patterned fabrics designed by Kaffe Fassett and Philip Jacobs. At left is a vase of evergreen branches decorated with fake red berries and red and green tartan ribbon.
Feature Special Occasions

Quick and Elegant Christmas Decorating Ideas

by Laura Grey No Comments Share this  

Here’s how to decorate for Christmas both quickly and elegantly. Featured here are centerpieces, mantel decor, and large and small Christmas trees.

A view of Wright's studio complex from the sidewalk shows a sseries of low horizontal walls of brick, concrete, and wooden shingles topped by planters designed by Wright. In the center rear is a taller octagonal wooden building that contained the drafting room and the vault that held his blueprints.
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Decorating Tips from Frank Lloyd Wright

by Laura Grey No Comments Share this  

Frank Lloyd Wright (1867 – 1959) is often described as the greatest American architect of the 20th century. But he was much more than an architect. He designed furniture, stained glass windows, tiles, ceramic blocks, sculptures, and decor. Wright thought of his buildings as environments in which every element should work together to create a […]

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Wooden lounge chairs and dining tables on patio with many palms and a cat drinking from the in-ground spa
Outdoor Living Q&A

Caring for Outdoor Furniture

by Laura Grey No Comments Share this  

Q: I’m planning to buy some good-quality wooden outdoor furniture for my deck. My neighbor’s outdoor table and chairs are looking pretty sad already, and they’re only a couple of years old. How should I go about caring for outdoor furniture so that it looks good over the long haul? A: Having a lovely outdoor […]

A view of the contents of a dishwasher as seen from above. At left is the top utensil drawer filled with an antique silver-plated serving fork, a modern Oneida Michelangelo pattern dinner fork, an a cut crystal knife rest. At right is the lower rack of the dishwasher which holds two Mikasa Chatsworth vintage cut crystal wine glasses.
Care & Cleaning Collecting Q&A

Is It Safe to Put Crystal and Silver in the Dishwasher?

by Laura Grey No Comments Share this  

Q: I’ve always heard that you should never put silver, crystal, or china in an automatic dishwasher. Now I’m reading that newer dishwashers and modern detergents are safer for sterling silver, silverplate, crystal, and delicate china. Is it really okay to wash these things in a dishwasher?  A: Modern dishwasher technologies and designs, and today’s detergent formulations, make […]

Antique dining and serving dishes in cream porcelain decorated with purple swags of garlands are placed over a white tablecloth on a long table. Delicate white carved chairs with gilded details are along one side of the table. The wall behind is painted a soft robin's egg blue surrounded by lavish white wainscoting.
Care & Cleaning Collecting Q&A

How Dangerous Is Lead in Dishes and Crystal?

by Laura Grey No Comments Share this  

Q: I often buy vintage dishes, glasses, and serving ware from thrift shops and estate sales, and I inherited a good bit of it from my family, too. I’d love to use it, but I understand older dishes and crystal were often made with lead. Is it safe to use my antique crystal glasses, decanters, […]