1. WHAT WILL YOU USE THE DESK FOR? This may seem simple, but it’s the most important question. Are you someone who works in a creative genre with paints, pencils and paper? Do you need to leave your work out from day to day, or can you have a smaller

1. CLEAN LINES. Designing a farmhouse with clean, sharp lines creates a striking silhouette. Farmhouse gables are perfect for playing up angular designs. A steeply pitched gable against a flat metal roof makes for dynamic contrast. Look for where you

• Painter’s tape • Plastic tarp • Level • Pencil • Masking tape (between ½" and ¾" thickness) • Medium putty knife • Premixed joint compound • Water-based primer • Water-based paints of your choice • Larger brush (bristle or foam) • Small (about ½")

1. PAINT. Paint can do wonders for a space, and you can really paint anything—from the walls and floors to the cabinets and furniture. You can even add paint to materials like tile, brick and concrete for a custom look. 2. WALL TREATMENTS. Add an eas

• THE WHY: When it comes to adding interest to the walls of your home office, one of our favorite options is brick. “In the new ‘Zoom era’ of working from home, brick makes all the difference when viewed in the background of a home office,” says Sonj

• You’ll reduce the risk of shoulder and back pain.• After eating, your blood sugar levels will return to normal faster.• You’re more likely to move around, which will increase the calories you burn. • You’ll reduce the risk of leg and foot pain.• St

• VINYL. This is a standard, budget-friendly option that offers energy savings and bang for your buck. “It’s a very energy-efficient material, very low maintenance,” Kathryn says. “They’re welded, framed and fashioned together to be strong, durable a

• DOES MY ZONING ALLOW IT? The first thing to do is find out if your zoning laws allow your garage to be converted into a home office. This can be done by checking your local city or county ordinances. • IS THE STRUCTURE IN GOOD SHAPE? This is critic

New years are always bright, hopeful and filled with new plans. Usually I’m bubbling over in January with home improvement ideas for my own home, but this year looks a little different for me because my husband and I just welcomed a beautiful baby gi

1. RENOVATION SIZE. Before you dive into crunching numbers, consider what rooms you want to include in your renovation. Is it just one space? Are you adding on square footage? Is it interior and exterior? “Most builders will be able to give you a goo

Brand Leader: Victoria Van Vlear Assisting Editor: Kelly McMaster Managing Editor: Anne Brink Digital Brand Manager: Kris Christensen Design Director: Gabby Oh Kristin Dowding, GAP Interiors, Emily Irby, Autumn Krause, Margie Monin, Alice Murphy, Lau

• PATTERNS: Lots of décor is fun, but it can be a hazard for little ones. Southern Studio used brightly colored wallpaper to supply the style for this children’s bedroom. “The pattern provides great interest in a small space, so we kept the other des

1. Why am I keeping this? If the item falls into the “I might need it someday” category, get rid of it. Those “maybes” translate over time into clutter. However, if you have a specific use for it and you know you’ll need it within the next few months

Alicia Armstrong is a wife, mom and the blogger behind Our Vintage Nest. She and her family live in Arkansas, and over the course of the last five years, she’s grown both in her savvy as a blogger and social media influencer, and in the style of her

AmericanFarmhouseStyle.com Our 2021 Project House is in Franklin, Tennessee, and we’ve gotten insider tips on the best places to visit for farmhouse and vintage décor enthusiasts. Become an expert online thrift and vintage shopper with these tips for

• SANDPAPER. As part of the restoration of the original floors, Kayla and her family spent many hours sanding them down. “Who knew it would require so much fine sandpaper to restore 162-year-old floors?” Kayla says. • PAINT. To give their historic ho

• BE FLEXIBLE. Make sure your venue can accommodate different situations. “You’re celebrating the lives of other people, so you need to be able to be detailed for each specific family,” Kayla says. Her business emphasizes hospitality and taking care