#diy-wall-trim

#diy-wall-trim

Lately we've noticed designers, artists, and even jewelers making their own collections of knobs, drawer pulls, and handles that are anything but an afterthought-they're a statement.

We don't have very much money. Instead of frames, we use tape. Her roommate, Mara, says that Giverny has a way to use objects like tape to make her walls look awesome.

I'm a planner through and through, so before diving into this renovation, I broke it into manageable steps, starting with pest control and assessing the structure of the shed. As I inspected the exterior, I noticed leaks and wood rot - nothing catastrophic enough to require a complete teardown, but still in need of attention.

"Other than central air being added at some point along the way, this room appears to have not been touched for quite some time," Brielle says. But, of course, old homes come with their quirks. "It has slanted ceilings, uneven floors, picture rail crown molding, attic door access, holes in the walls, and peeling windows," she says. Still, Brielle "immediately fell in love with all of its character and could not wait to transform it into [her] sanctuary."

Traveling to different home trade shows is a big part of my job, and sometimes it's hard for me to fully turn my editor brain off after a day of scouting new products and design trends. The fallout? I'm always looking at my surroundings and snapping photos of clever decorating ideas I see "in the wild." And what I mean by that, of course, is that every restaurant, museum, hotel, store, and so on has something to share.

Because it's so important to the function of my home, it's become an afterthought when it comes to making it beautiful. All I need is a functional, clean space - it doesn't need to feel as relaxing as my bedroom or living room. Plus, it's not like I have the time (or money!) to invest in transforming the bathroom space by hiring a stager or designer. But I'm interested in making each space feel a little more beautiful these days.

After years of modern, ultra-polished aesthetics dominating the design industry, people are yearning for character. Young renters and homebuyers are indicating that new-builds and gut-renovated spaces, despite clean lines and amenities, simply pale in comparison to the aesthetic charm of an older home. And designers agree: There's something undeniably more interesting about a touch of patina or an imperfect silhouette. The romantic, old-world sensibility of vintage design is hard to beat.

Making your home look expensive doesn't require a renovation budget or a personality transplant. Sometimes it's as simple as swapping out the obvious stuff - the cords, the clutter, the tired textiles - for pieces that look considered and grown-up. Ahead are dozens of cheap, highly rated finds that punch way above their price point and instantly make your space feel more intentional, polished, and expensive as hell.

When Sean Spellman opened Dawnlands in Westerly, Rhode Island, last year, it was more than just a new address on the map. Conceived as an art gallery and gathering place, Dawnlands was built entirely by Sean and his family-no contractors, no designers, no outside help. Each board and bench was made with intention, using local pine and sensibility shaped by Japanese, Scandinavian, and coastal Californian influences.

When clutter piles up, closets burst at the seams, and cords snake all over your desk, your home can quickly look - and feel - messy. Or maybe it's your tired furniture or flooring that needs some TLC. The good news is that you don't have to spend a ton on a renovation to fix these problem; in fact, sometimes the solution is surprisingly easy and affordable. And that's where this list comes in, with simple upgrades that help you take control of the things that are making your home look cheap.

Above: This dinner-party-friendly kitchen went wild over on Instagram for a full tour, see Kitchen of the Week: Off-Cut Cabinets Create a Rainbow of Wood in Edinburgh. Photograph by Richard Gaston. Shoppe Object is going on this weekend in NYC; head here for all the details. This Canadian cabin is the surprise star of the month, thanks to Heated Rivalry. Kudos. "Your kitchen objects are filled with feelings": Eager to read this book on "love, loss, and kitchen objects." Ooh, time to paint your stair risers? Our friends at Dosa are part of "The Host, the Guest," an exhibit at Atla in LA; head here for info.

A remodel gives you the opportunity to address functional inefficiencies, but it can also feel intimidating. The easiest way to stop the renovation from taking over your life is to safeguard your daily routines. By investing time beforehand in the necessary preparation, you can ensure that life continues as normal with a makeshift kitchen and a steady supply of ready-to-eat foods. Doing your homework in advance can also ensure you are on the same page with your construction crew, preventing ambiguity and costly corrections later.

Apartment Therapy's January Cure is a free 20-day program that'll help you refresh your home for the year ahead. Sign up here and get all assignments delivered to your inbox. A major step for any home project is getting started - and that includes identifying all the steps and tools needed to get the job done. Today, we're going to do just that, so I'll keep the details brief!