In Renovator’s Notebook, homeowners open up about the nitty-gritty of their remodels: How long it really took; how much it actually cost; what went horribly wrong; and what went wonderfully, serendipitously, it’s-all-worth-it-in-the-end right.  

The first time interior designer Shannon Tate-Giordano made over the powder room in her Massachusetts home, in 2017, she set out to spend the least amount of money that would make the biggest visual impact. She painted the builder-grade vanity black and tacked on some side cubbies for extra storage, painted the floor in a way that made it look tiled, and hung an extra-large round mirror. “I got supercrafty, and I was happy with it,” she says. But fast-forward six years and the inevitable (if you’re a designer, anyway) happened. It didn’t feel like her anymore: “I like things to be a little bit more refined now.”

This go-round, Tate-Giordano set out to spend a little more money on the project. She specifically had her heart set on hand-painted Moroccan floor tile. Her house, though, had other plans for her budget. As she began to prep the floors for reno 2.0, a valve burst, spewing water all over the bathroom floor and into the basement ceiling. As she and her plumber began pulling out the insulation downstairs to air it out, they discovered preexisting mold damage—a problem that came with a steep $30,000 price tag to fix. “It totally threw everything off,” recalls the designer. She moved forward with the powder room project, but with limited funds to dedicate to the space, she decided to go the DIY route once again.

The Receipts 

Tate-Giordano estimates that her original plan of installing Moroccan floor tile would have run her around $4,000 for materials and labor. By skipping that step and deciding to tackle the new vanity and Roman Clay walls herself, she suspects she shaved off nearly $9,500. The only jobs she hired out were to a plumber to do the sink hookup and to an electrician to install her pendant light in a new location. Her total cost came in just under $3,000, excluding a $680 pendant she received for free. 

Here’s a look at some of the materials she ended up purchasing along the way. 

• Anthropologie mirror: $398
• Rejuvenation drawer pulls x 4: $80
• Etsy faucet: $250
• Etsy sink drain: $70
• Portola Paints wall finish: from $28
• Bed Bath & Beyond sink: $148
• IKEA vanity: $350
• Hennepin Made light: gifted (usually $680)

Ahead, in her own words, she looks back at her budget-friendly revamp.

Fake the Look of Tile With Stencils

Because the existing floor is Marmoleum (a water-resistant and sustainable alternative to linoleum), I was able to dry it out enough so that I could glue it back down, sand it, and prime it for paint (it takes paint very well!). Then I cut a star-shaped stencil out of card stock with a razor blade. I used a Sharpie to outline the design and ended up eyeballing it because I have very little patience for a level—I think it looks pretty straight. I filled in the shapes with a mix of colors in Benjamin Moore’s Porch and Floor Paint Finish. It took a while…my back was killing me. 

Start With an IKEA Vanity Base

The old vanity was nothing to write home about, and the cabinet was impractical for storage. I definitely wanted to switch to having drawers. Not wanting to build something from scratch, I bought an IKEA Godmorgon vanity for the shell and custom-made the sides and the drawer fronts out of walnut-stained plywood with a solid wood trim. 

A local stone yard in western Massachusetts had three full slabs of this red travertine, and they told me they’d had it for nearly 15 years. Nobody wanted to buy it! The slabs were three-quarter-inch—the perfect thickness for my vanity. It was a total score.

Double-Check Your Drainage

I was looking on Pinterest and watching videos of how people turn bowls into sinks, and I was like, Yeah, I’ll do that. I went to HomeGoods and found a bowl that was the perfect color. (It was similar to a $500 concrete sink I was eyeing on Etsy.) I felt so smart and so accomplished; I even drilled it for the drain and had the plumber come in and hook everything up once the countertops were in. 

Then, an hour later, I tried it out. All the water was staying inside the bowl. I was so annoyed with myself. Of course, this wasn’t make any sense; why would it drain? The pitch wasn’t high enough. I thought maybe I’d just order the $500 sink, but then I found this hammered copper one at Bed Bath & Beyond and really liked the way it looked. I switched to that, and it was supereasy. I actually figured out how to change the plumbing and I didn’t have to hire someone twice to do it.

Amp Up the Wall Texture With Roman Clay

I had used this Portola Paints color, Rustic, on another project recently, and I thought it was a really nice combination with the warm red travertine counters. I prefer Roman Clay over limewash; it has this really smooth, buttery finish. I applied three coats with a metal trowel to make sure I couldn’t see any of the wall underneath, then added a sealer.

Find Balance by Going Off Symmetry

Hennepin Made reached out to me and offered its Lacuna globe pendant light. Because all of the plumbing is skewed to the left of the mirror, I thought it would be cool to hang the fixture to the right, to fill that void. It’s not a bathroom that I do my makeup in, so it didn’t have to be bright. I wanted it to feel more like a hotel.

I reused my existing art; I felt like it still fit. I started frequenting an antiques shop when we first moved here.  

In the end, I’m actually way happier with how these cost-saving measures look. I like them way more than my original plan, so it’s very satisfying.

Get the Look

Lacuna Globe Pendant, Hennepin Made ($680)

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Godmorgon Vanity, IKEA ($349)

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Ball Cabinet Knob, Rejuvenation ($20)

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Clara Mirror, Anthropologie ($398)

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The post An IKEA Vanity and Floor Stencil Kept My Powder Room Budget Under $4K appeared first on domino.

You’ve heard people talk about swapping out their throw blankets and pillows for fresh options as a new season approaches. But while everyone else is fussing over their sofa, you’ll find designer Shea McGee toying with her table lamps. For her fall Target collection, she has introduced a large assortment of mix-and-match light fixtures. Specifically there are six base and six shade styles, and they’re all completely interchangeable. “From a simple tapered shape to a playful gingham print and scallops, it’s easy to find the perfect look for any room,” the designer shared on Studio McGee’s site. 

Really, you can’t go wrong with any arrangement. The idea is to purchase your favorites and, when you tire of their initial placement, move them around. It seems like a small thing, but a quick shade substitute can totally change the way you see a room. Here are a few of the pairings we love the most. 

For a Cottagecore Moment

Gingham Pleated Lamp Shade, Target ($15)

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Ceramic Lamp Base, Target ($30)

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The brown gingham pleated shade will pick up the muddy olive green tones in this ceramic base nicely.

For Year-Round Beach Vibes

Wicker Lamp Shade, Target ($15)

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Turned Wood Stick Lamp Base, Target ($30)

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Turned wood chairs and wicker tables are beach house staples. Combine them in a single lamp form and you can get that feel-good energy for way less. 

For a Nook in Need of Curves

Scallop Pleated Lamp Shade, Target ($15)

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Round Faux Wood Lamp Base, Target ($30)

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If a shelf or console table is looking stiff and you can’t quite figure out why, it might be because there’s not enough shape or texture happening. Pairing this scalloped shade with a faux wood ball base will solve for boring corners.

For Classing Up a Bar or Nightstand

Taper Linen Lamp Shade, Target ($15)

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Stick Lamp Base, Target ($30)

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When a streamlined taper shade and an ultra-thin brass base meet, they look like they belong on the table of a fancy restaurant. 

The post Shea McGee Wants You to Make This Easy Decor Swap appeared first on domino.

The first thing Olga Naiman did when she moved into her Brooklyn condo was to cover the bare, bland walls of the narrow entry with a floor-to-ceiling Fornasetti wallpaper and bright pink curtains to match. “I wanted each room to have a distinct color imprint, a different feeling,” notes Naiman. The interior designer and prop stylist, who is the mastermind behind spaces featured everywhere from Anthropologie to Vogue, has a background in theatrical set design and channels her work as a major source of inspiration in her own home. “On a set, you turn a corner and you’re suddenly in a different place,” she explains.

It’s a practice Naiman readily puts into play in her apartment, which she shares with her partner, Michael Smith, and 3-year-old twins, Laszlo and Lucia. Color is woven throughout, with hits of pattern cleverly layered in. A hue that stands in as a secondary shade in one room takes decorative charge in the next, and graphic prints add texture and depth. “I would never call myself a traditional designer,” says Naiman. “I love bold decor that comes with moments of magic—everything in my home has symbolism or meaning.”

Place Your Bed as the Center of Attention 

Offset a small bedroom with a low-platform bed—the inverse takes up vital real estate spatially and visually—and use nightstands and table lamps as interesting accessories. The cobalt headboard, which Naiman crafted herself after falling short on finding the perfect one, creates a bold stroke of color. Layering in soft textures, like a leopard-print pillow, is another inexpensive way to incorporate pattern into the space. The final touch? “A throw always breaks up the monotony of a bedspread,” says Naiman.

Transform Boring Kitchen Cabinets

Since an entire kitchen renovation was both impractical and unaffordable, Naiman opted to focus on one standout moment: the cabinetry. Inspired by a wallpaper she saw in an Art Deco exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, Naiman refurbished the existing oak veneer kitchen cabinets with a graphic color-block boasting a silver leaf detail. The smaller surface means you can splurge on a design that might be too pricey elsewhere.

Shift Focus From the Walls

Naiman approaches her bookshelves as stackable still lifes (and a way to keep items out of reach of her little ones), using each square of the shelving system as a frame. The shelves earmarked to hold decorative accessories are lined with a graphic wallpaper, while the shelves reserved for books are left blank to avoid an overly crowded feel. The loose checkerboard effect allows the eye to move freely from one composition to the next. “It’s an easy way for renters to add depth to a wall,” she points out.

Let Textiles Do Double Duty

White walls are a rarity in Naiman’s home. Instead you’ll find panels of vibrant fabrics draped around the space (more often than not concealing an unsightly surface), which she attributes to her roots: “I’m Russian, and Russians love rich textures—especially silk—and fabric on the walls.” In the bedroom, a series of curtains disguise 19 feet of closet doors and a wall-mounted television. “Rather than painting the walls, tack up some beautiful fabric,” Naiman suggests. “When you move, take it with you, and you’ll have curtains for your next place.”

Use Color to Succeed Pattern

Primary hues set the tone for Laszlo and Lucia’s room (a nook Naiman carved out from the originally one-bedroom apartment). The walls decked out in chalkboard paint act as a grounding neutral—as well as a creative outlet for the twins. “I told them they could draw on any wall that is black,” says Naiman. She skipped big patterns in favor of displaying the children’s art, which, unsurprisingly, is full of color.

Embrace the Rule of Three

Drawing from elements of photography, the rule of three—or what Naiman refers to as triangulation—follows the idea that the dominant color of a chosen palette should appear within three points of a room: high, low, and eye level. In her living room, Naiman highlights the turquoise, pink, and blue from a painting, emulating the hues by way of the counter stools, lounge chair, and sofa, respectively.

The post To Avoid a Kitchen Reno, This Designer Cleverly Covered Up Her Boring Cabinets appeared first on domino.

Whether you’re living in a small space by choice or not, cramped habitats usually come with a very specific set of problems. Not only does the area have to serve multiple functions (hello, dining table–slash–work desk), but tiny apartments can often be awkwardly shaped. A tight space paired with an equally tight budget means that you might not be able to live out your dream home aspirations just yet, but don’t let a lack of square footage prevent you from trying. Form and function are not mutually exclusive in small spaces, and we’ve got the products to prove it. 

Between solutions for shared bathrooms and fixes for an overflowing kitchen pantry problem, these pieces will help you make the most of any space. Even if you’re not living in a truly tiny home, we’re sure you’ll find something to make your life a little easier. 

A Rolling Cart

Tower Slim Rolling Bathroom Cabinet, Yamazaki ($145)

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Yamazaki’s ultra-slim rolling cart is our go-to for awkward bathroom and kitchen corners because it’s not even 6 inches wide—it can absolutely squeeze next to your toilet and hold spare rolls and cleaning supplies. 

A Wall-Mounted Nightstand

Sidekick Shelf, Blu Dot ($125)

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When you have little walking clearance around your bed, it’s best to skip a traditional nightstand and screw a chic shelf near your pillow. The smaller the surface, the fewer water glasses will accumulate there, making you an automatically tidier person. 

A Ceiling Pot Rack

Chrome Ceiling Pot and Pan Rack, Etsy ($216)

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It’s hard to justify dedicating multiple cabinets or drawers to pots and pans when you have very few to spare in the first place, which is what makes this restaurant-worthy solution so genius. 

A Mirror That’s Also a Shelf and a Coatrack

Quinn All-In-One Entryway Wall Storage, West Elm ($179)

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This entryway piece is a key drop, coat hook, mail catchall, and mirror all in, meaning you don’t have to awkwardly scoot around bulky furniture as you’re trying to make it out the front door. 

An Island on Wheels

Förhöja Kitchen Cart, IKEA ($150)

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Park this birch-wood trolley against an empty wall in your kitchen or in the center of the room as if it were an island. You can also use it as a bar cart (each shelf can hold nine wine bottles). 

A Chic Love Seat

Spruce Street Love Seat, Serena & Lily ($3,698)

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For a sofa under 60 inches wide, look no further than this slipcovered style that’s available in a range of patterns and materials, from 100 percent linen to stain-resistant performance fabric. It also touts a sturdy kiln-dried hardwood frame and soy-based foam cushions.

A Lift-Up Storage Bed

Malm Storage Bed, IKEA ($520)

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By upgrading her classic IKEA Malm bed to this storage model, our style editor, Julia Stevens, gave her towels, bedding, books, winter coats, and totes a proper home in her teeny studio. 

A Desk With Shelving

Pier Office by Hay, DWR ($645)

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For everyone still working full-time from their living room, peep this modular storage system that stars a desktop at the base. 

An Ottoman With a Lid

Skirted Storage Ottoman, The Inside ($399)

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This midsize ottoman can function as a footrest, extra seating, or a coffee table, all while holding spare blankets or board games inside its core.

A Wall Bed–Slash–Sofa

Tango Sofa, Resource Furniture (price upon request)

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We’ve seen Resource Furniture’s wall beds (this one hides a queen-size mattress!) work wonders in multi-use spaces, like a San Francisco basement that can go from kids’ hangout to guest bedroom in a matter of seconds.

A Ceiling Drying Rack

Hanging Drying Rack, George and Willy ($360)

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Want a minimalist laundry room? Air-dry clothes up near the ceiling with George and Willy’s beloved hanging rack, which operates on a pulley system. Because warm air rises, this arrangement actually helps speed up the process.  

An Expandable Dining Table

Linwood Expandable Dining Table (40″–90″), West Elm ($1,499)

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Domino’s chief creative officer, Kate Berry, recently made over her mother’s assisted-living studio, sourcing this streamlined oak table that comes with two leaves that can expand it on special occasions.  

An Entry Bench for Tucking Away Shoes

Metal and Wood Bench, Zara Home ($289)

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For many small-space dwellers, shoes come off and go on only by the front door. This industrial find is 14 inches deep, which makes it handy for stashing boots, but what we love most about it is that it isn’t just a pure rack. The wood bench top and mesh siding help disguise things a bit more than your typical shoe rack. 

A Basket You Can Hang Up

Jonote Wall Storage Basket, Minna Goods ($175)

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This delicate basket might not be able to support the weight of, say, a toolbox, but it sure is great for miscellaneous scarves, mail, notebooks, and dish towels. 

A Flip-Down Dining Table

Wally Table, Resource Furniture (price upon request)

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Resource might be known for its wall beds, but the company also carries a number of other clever items, like this dining table that releases from its upright position with a light touch and reveals integrated storage and internal USB ports and outlets. 

A Secret Vanity Within a Nightstand

Knepp Vanity, Wayfair ($1,780)

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Still sharing a bathroom with roommates? This two-in-one piece lets you comfortably do your makeup next to your bed: A mirror pops up, a bench slides out, and there’s still a large bottom drawer for nighttime reads. 

A Coffee Table With Camouflaged Cabinets

Fortra Coffee Table, Article ($799)

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Most storage coffee tables make you take everything off the top in order to access what’s inside, but not this Article gem. You can get what you need by flicking open the fluted doors on both ends without disturbing your precious arrangement of trays and taper candles.

The post Outsmart Your Tiny Apartment With These 17 Clever Products appeared first on domino.

There are few things we love more than when a brand known for offering luxury designs at affordable prices hosts a big old sale. That’s exactly what Quince, one of our favorite spots to grab supercomfy linen bedding (and more), is up to today. 

The Insider Sale is Quince’s first-ever flash sale and features a curated collection of some of the company’s bestsellers, discounted up to 30%. You’ll have to run—not walk!—because it’s a one-day-only type of event. To keep you from panic shopping, we pulled together some of the things you’ll find in our editors’ carts right now.

European Linen Sheet Set

European Linen Sheet Set, Quince ($136 was $170)

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Linen sheets are a luxury that only get better with age. Quince’s actually get better the more you wash them—softer and cozier without falling apart one bit.

Luxury Organic Sateen Border Sheet Set

Luxury Organic Sateen Border Sheet Set, Quince ($96 was $120)

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These 300-count sheets will get you as close to hotel bedding as you can without actually having to check in to the nearest boutique property. 

100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase, Quince ($32 was $40)

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The pros say there are beauty benefits to sleeping on a silk pillowcase (smoother hair, better-hydrated skin), but we’re here to confirm that it also just feels really good. Choose from 12 colors to match your wind-down vibe.

Organic Airy Gauze Placemats, Set of 4

Organic Airy Gauze Placemats, Set of 4, Quince ($35 was $50)

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Placemats can be more than just a surface to catch crumbs. We love the wavy texture of this gauze, and its 100% cotton construction means they’re easy to clean.

Essential Japanese Damascus Steel Steak Knife Set

Essential Japanese Damascus Steel Steak Knife Set, Quince ($80 was $100)

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Everyone should have a reliable set of cutlery, but many won’t indulge in a stunning crew of super-durable steak knives. This would make a great gift for the friend who counts down the days to grilling season.

4-Piece Stainless Steel Grill Tool Set

4-Piece Stainless Steel Grill Tool Set, Quince ($50 was $60)

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Speaking of barbecues, welcome the warmer temps with a little treat for yourself. The utensils are thoughtful: A special ergonomic grip means you won’t be dropping any burgers, plus the long handles will keep you safe from the heat.

European Linen Double Flange Duvet Cover Set

European Linen Double Flange Duvet Cover Set, Quince ($152 was $190)

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Coastal chic style is embodied in this luxe linen duvet cover. Available in four rich colors (aloe, terracotta, white, and sand), the raw-edge detail is a tiny touch that makes a big difference.

The post Quince Is Having a Rare One-Day Sale, and This Sheet Set Tops Our List appeared first on domino.

The post We Transformed an Apartment With This Performance Fabric Brand’s First Wall Coverings appeared first on domino.

You won’t often hear Nate Berkus speaking about big-box retailers. Instead you’ll find his most common descriptors are things like “1950s Italian,” “1880s Louis XV style,” and “mid-century French.” When he talks about his personal design heroes, he rattles off such names as Angelo Mangiarotti, Alberto Giacometti, Axel Einar Hjorth, and Gae Aulenti. That’s because when Berkus wants to make a home feel truly special, he shops vintage. 

Naturally, 1stDibs asked the interior designer to curate a list of some of his favorite pieces on the online marketplace. In honor of Pride month, Berkus honed in on items listed by LGBTQ+ sellers. Meanwhile, the company will be making a donation to nonprofit advocacy group Housing Works, which provides funding and lifesaving services to those affected by HIV/AIDS and homelessness.

Throughout the month of June, Berkus will be spotlighting 30 of his top finds. Here’s a look at some of his selects so far and why he picked them out from the crowd.

Folding Screen 100 Designed by Alvar Aalto 

Folding Screen 100 Designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek, 1stDibs ($20,377)

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This “terrific architectural staple,” as Berkus calls it, recently made its way into one of his projects in Massachusetts. But if this divider gets snapped up soon, never fear: They’re all over 1stDibs. Depending on the condition and what year it was produced, you can get one for closer to $6,000.

Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Dining Chairs

Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Dining Chairs, Italy, 1970s, 1stDibs ($4,200)

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There’s something sporty about the sledlike base of these sleek chairs, but the cream-colored upholstery isn’t for the faint of heart (or those with little ones present at the dinner table).

Cast Resin Plaster Dado Table Lamp

Cast Resin Plaster Texture Dado Table Lamp, Kacper Dolatowski, 1stDibs ($3,250)

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One ingredient to a great entryway, according to Berkus, is a good lamp—even better if said fixture doubles as a stylish sculpture, like this geometric resin one.

Duanye Hatchett Abstract Painting

Huge Mid Century Modern Texas Artist Abstract Expressionist Action Painting (1992) by Duanye Hatchett, 1stDibs ($7,899 was $9,750)

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Berkus’s designer husband, Jeremiah Brent, previously revealed to us that when the couple searches online for art, they use terms like contemporary, mixed medium, transitional, and geometric. This piece by Duanye Hatchett meets their basic requirements.

Neoclassical Wrought-Iron and Bronze Bench

Neoclassical Wrought-Iron and Bronze Bench, France 1950s, 1stDibs ($9,500)

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We know exactly what it was about this bench that caught Berkus’s attention: The iron and bronze base is designed in the style of Alberto Giacometti.

Large 19th-Century English Pine Cupboard

Large 19th-Century English Pine Housekeeper’s Cupboard, 1stDibs ($11,875)

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We can see Berkus situating this freestanding cabinet against a wall clad in antique mirrors, much like the ones in his NYC dining room.

Mid-Century Modern Lacquer Waterfall Nesting Tables

Mid-Century Modern Lacquer Waterfall Nesting Tables – Jean-Michel Frank Style, 1stDibs ($4 was $5,880)

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Jean-Michel Frank has always been one of Berkus’s favorite designers. “The simplicity of these tables in his style would work in any room,” says the designer.

Hermès Victoria 43 Travel Bag

Hermès Victoria 43 Travel Bag, 1stDibs ($3,040 was $3,800)

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Black and tan is one of his go-to color combos because it’s both classic “and yet not supercommon. The Victoria has always been a great value in comparison to other Hermès styles. And you can fit a lot in it!” shares Berkus.

Gold Leaf Mirror Classical Shape

Gold Leaf Mirror Classical Shape, Midcentury, France, 1stDibs ($2,800)

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There are already seven active offers on this gold leaf-plated bentwood and plaster mirror, and we only have the squiggly decor trend to blame.

Burgundy Glazed Chinese Pottery Jardiniere With Ram’s Horns

Burgundy Glazed Chinese Pottery Jardiniere With Ram’s Horns, 1stDibs ($1,590)

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Leave it empty or fill it with a fern—either way, this pot is a star. Plus Berkus is a sucker for this color and a ram motif.

Dinner Set for 6 by Bottega Vignoli

Dinner Set for 6 (12 pieces) by Bottega Vignoli, Hand-Painted Italian Majolica, 1stDibs ($2,484 was $3,105)

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Adding fancy dishes to your wedding registry seems like an outdated concept until you realize you can go the hand-painted Italian route.

Brutalist Solid Elm Bench, France 1960s

Brutalist Solid Elm Bench – France 1960s, 1stDibs ($5,500)

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“This rough-hewn French Brutalist–style bench works easily in so many locations: the Alps, at the beach, or in Ohio,” Berkus suggests.

Deborah Lea Dresser by Kate Duncan 

Deborah Lea Dresser With Leather and Brass Accents by Kate Duncan, 1stDibs ($18,000)

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Despite its higher price tag, this Brutalist-inspired dresser is already sitting in two customers’ carts, probably because it’s a lifetime investment. The piece is crafted from solid hardwood, leather, and brass.

The post The Nesting Tables That Nate Berkus Says Work Anywhere appeared first on domino.

Listen up, Midwesterners: Frontdoor, an app for home repair and maintenance, recently published a study that revealed the major U.S. cities where renovating fixer-uppers boosts home value the most. Toledo, Ohio, took the number one spot on a top-10 list that includes several other Midwestern cities, as well as Southern and Great Plains capitals (with a dash of Eastern Seaboard in there). To analyze the data, the brand zeroed in on median size and price of homes listed as a fixer-upper on Zillow for the 130 most populated cities in the U.S. Using Kukun’s home remodeling cost estimator, it accounted for the Zillow home listing data (like the cost and added value of renovating main rooms) and local remodeling costs to see which cities came out on top.

Get this: In Toledo, you’ll get a whopping 66 percent increase in value, on average, after renovation. Actually, a refreshed fixer-upper in any of the top-five cities will net you a 50-plus percent boost. Here’s the full list:

1. Toledo, Ohio
2. Detroit, Michigan
3. Springfield, Illinois
4. Jackson, Michigan
5. Cleveland, Ohio
6. St. Louis, Missouri
7. Wilmington, Delaware
8. Lansing, Michigan
9. Montgomery, Alabama
10. Topeka, Kansas

Toledo isn’t just a place to flip houses—it’s also a great location for first-time buyers. Zillow rates it as the second-best metro for newbies among Zillow’s other choices, thanks to extremely low mortgage payments (we’re talking just 26 percent of the average local income).

The study was filled with other nuggets of real-estate wisdom. For example, you’ll get the highest return on investment—the home value you’re adding with the cost of modeling factored in—for a renovation in Miami to the tune of almost 18 percent. Charleston, South Carolina, and Los Angeles aren’t far behind in that category. On the low end, don’t expect to get as much ROI from a fixer-upper renovation in Bismarck, North Dakota, or Augusta, Maine, where renovating is more expensive.

When it comes to the renovations themselves, we weren’t surprised to read that kitchen cabinet upgrades made the biggest difference in value (an increase of about $7,000, or nearly 4 percent). But even just replacing standard lighting with energy-efficient LED bulbs will gain you a thousand or so extra bucks. 

The post Renovating Gets You the Biggest Home Value Boost in These 10 Cities appeared first on domino.

Obviously we all want our backyards (and even our front yards) to be beautiful spaces where we can relax and entertain. But there’s more that goes into deciding how exactly you’ll outfit your outdoor space. According to a new Thumbtack survey of 1,000 homeowners, the top consideration that people had for designing their backyards wasn’t aesthetic. In fact, it was their dogs.

Forty-three percent of respondents said their puppers influenced them the most, followed by kids (42 percent), beautifying their spaces (41 percent), and hosting (39 percent). The stat is surprising but not completely: A separate study from 2017 found that millennials were buying homes because of their furry friends. 

And when it comes to outdoor spaces, there are plenty of ways to make your backyard canine-friendly—in fact, 39 percent of homeowners said their dream yard would have a fenced-in space. There are also dog pools, dog houses to give shade—or if you’re like Paris Hilton, you can build your best friends their own backyard mansion. And then when it’s time to head back inside, you can even add a paw-washing station to your mudroom. That’s what we call paw-ractical. 

The post This Is the Number One Thing People Are Designing Their Backyards Around in 2024 appeared first on domino.

Home Front is a twice-weekly deep dive into the rising—and returning—trends, decor, and teeniest of design details fresh on our radar. Last week, Lindsey, Domino’s digital director, got ready to cut the (lamp) cord.

Subscribe now to get the next Home Front newsletter, and read the full edition here.

In May, we put out a Home Front poll asking what you wanted us to cover next. Not to brag, but my personal contribution to the list—mini portable lamps—eked out the win with 28 percent of the vote. Which means this newsletter is dedicated to all the cordless cuties I’ve encountered since the style popped up on my radar back in 2019-ish. Let’s do this.

I say 2019 because that’s when Hay came out with its iconic bell-shaped PC lamp, one of the first portables I remember taking note of. That same year, &Tradition’s now-ubiquitous Setago light hit virtual shelves. Fast-forward to 2024, and little rechargeable lamps are only getting more distinctive. We’ve already been graced with a fluorescent orange take, a playful painted steel creation, and a mini mountainous delight made of mycelium. A take-anywhere light source feels particularly useful for my new it’s-almost-summer ritual with my husband: sunset dinners on the patio after we put the baby to bed.

On Board

It’s impossible to pick a favorite, so here are nine more I’m eyeing:

1. Middle-of-the-night baby wake-ups have got nothing on this washi paper lantern, which has a handle for easy toting from rocking chair to changing table.
2. I love how Schoolhouse put just as much attention into the design of the bulb as the rest of this space age–y light. (Psst: There’s a round option if the diamond isn’t for you.)
3. Forgoing a cord typically means missing out on dimmability, a nonnegotiable for good vibes. Luckily, Lulu and Georgia is two steps ahead and smartly incorporated a brass knob.
4. Our Friday night pizza tradition would be positively elegant in the company of this slender table topper—the opaque shade directs light downward for a restaurant feel at home.
5. Honestly, the shape of this creamy matte one is so striking, it looks just as good off—let it be sculpture. But if you do turn it on, the charge should last 12 hours. 
6. Rather than mar the plywood-clad ceilings in her living room with hardwired lighting, creative director Bethany Brill relies on the soft glow of a coffee-table lamp.
7. The finial on this shiny, candylike light is for more than just looks—it’s how you turn it on and off or adjust the brightness, all with a tap or press of a finger.
8. Okay, this U.K.-made lamp is totally out of budget, but I’m a sucker for the traditional bone china shade paired with playful powder-coated metal.
9. For whatever reason, most cordless lamps look nothing like their wired counterparts. Audo’s rechargeable version of its standard Torso style, however, is a third the size but has the same linen shade and ceramic base.

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The post You Voted, I Got to Researching: This Mini Lighting Trend Has Big Potential appeared first on domino.