Pull up a chair at the dining table of a family member or friend these days, and there's a strong possibility it will be a cane or Chippendale-style chair. The two styles are hot commodities on the flea market and thrift store scene, highly sought after... more »

I just spent six full days — and I do mean absolutely full, morning-till-night days — at North Carolina's High Point Market, which is the largest home furnishings trade show on the planet. By the time... more »

I'm forever looking at upholstery details. I make and buy chairs, sofas and headboards regularly and have studied various tucks, seams and welts for years. Certain details really do define a look of a chair, much like a necklace or scarf can change the... more »

We’ve talked endlessly about “the book problem”; one contributor even referred to Overreaders Anonymous. Sure, using... more »

I start to crave nature like a kid craves candy in spring. I think we're all ready to start spending some time with the brighter side of nature. For those of us still stuck inside thanks to dreary weather, the natural materials and nature-inspired forms... more »

“Functional" might as well be my middle name. I usually create furnishings and accessories that serve more than one purpose, or that can be easily changed out for a different look. After way too much fussing over a complicated... more »

If you do yourself one decorating favor, make it this: Do not match your armchairs to your sofa. I mean, they can have stuff in common and all, but there is just something so stodgy about a matching living room set. Especially when you can have so much... more »

I've never really been a shoe-and-handbag girl. As a matter of fact, my standard-issue shoe is flat and comfortable. Additionally, my handbag hasn't changed for a couple of years now. I know that is a fashion no-no, but I found a cool purse (diaper bag)... more »

Sought-after since ancient times, ebony is a dark brown to jet-black wood grown in tropical Asia and Africa. Due to its dense nature and scarcity, ebony has been used predominantly as a veneer by furniture makers or carved into small objects. Today ebonizing... more »

Call me crazy, but I like making my bed. Smoothing the sheets, squaring the corners, plumping the pillows — the whole process is a treasured daily ritual. I love crawling into my well-made bed at night after a long day of work. Having the right bedding... more »

Many homeowners today are working hard to reduce the amount of space they need. For some it's through better organization; for others it's a smaller house — but plenty of people just want to live more simply. Are you looking for a way to save some space?... more »

Whether you have just signed the lease on your first apartment, or you are working on replacing your college apartment furniture with higher-quality stuff, it helps to have a long-term strategy for furnishing your place. You may not always have... more »

I'm starting to think about moving to a new house later this year, and I'm already feeling both invigorated and overwhelmed by all the possible design choices and furniture upgrades — the decisions feel endless! Slowly I'm realizing that doubling up... more »

Looking at the legs and feet on furniture can be a big help when you're shopping. Whether you are interested in antiques or contemporary pieces that use elements of the past, knowing a little about their design history may give you some extra confidence... more »