Traditional kitchens are defined by their details, and creating eye-catching detail is not just as simple as putting legs on an island. But whether they're Old World or Mediterranean flavor, traditional kitchens all share the same basic elements. Here... more »

What it is: Just like it sounds, French country style springs from the gentle hills and valleys of rural France. It's an unstudied, collected approach, built on firmly entrenched local traditions and on cherished objects handed down through generations.... more »

Traditional design can have the reputation for being dark and dated. But by following a few simple principles, you can have a formal, traditional look and skip the stuffy vibe. Look for furniture in traditional shapes and use symmetry and matched pairs... more »

With their gracious porches, well-proportioned rooms and rambling grounds, Southern plantation-style homes in the U.S. have a lot to offer. Whether you are renovating a historic Lowcountry... more »

Stained glass, whether actually stained or enameled or painted, can do more than decorate. It also can tell us a story, hide an ugly view, bring in needed light or even block out too much light. Whatever its intention, stained glass may be inspired by... more »

Built in 1909, this four-story Birmingham, Alabama, home's rich history, architecture and amazing craftsmanship immediately pulled in homeowners David and Atalie Whitley, who bought the house in 2009 after David noticed a for-sale sign on it on his way... more »

Once their children were old enough, art-loving couple Carla and Rinus van Lier reserved their Saturdays in the Netherlands for visiting museums and browsing nearby Belgian antiques shops and fairs. They fell in love with the art... more »

Digging for treasures at a big flea market or antiques fair can be loads of fun, but it can also be just plain overwhelming. I know I get frustrated when, after hours of walking the grounds, I leave with nothing to show for it. The key to having a good... more »

Homeowner Debbie Murray loves to decorate and always keeps her eye out for clever ideas. "I had noticed creative people on the Internet using pennies on floors and backsplashes, and I wanted something done in pennies," she says. "I said to my husband,... more »

Seventeen years ago, Douglas and Kim Nichols sketched out the layout for their dream home on a sheet of paper. Six months later that rough sketch became their charming traditional-style home just outside Atlanta. Fast forward to present day,... more »

It began when I sank into the world's most comfortable white slipcovered sofa in the Shabby Chic store in New York's SoHo in 1999. I got hooked on Shabby Chic. I watched the TV show, I slept on the supersoft sheets and I emulated everything Rachel Ashwell,... more »

How we store our possessions, especially our treasures, requires careful consideration. One storage solution, the armoire, has served people well for hundreds of years, and for good reason. Its evolution from ancient Rome through the time of King Louis... more »

This homeowner wanted the walk down into her condominium's basement to take her far away — all the way to Europe. "The owner wanted to create a cozy Mediterranean wine cellar look," says Lisa Whelan of M.J.... more »

One of the biggest misconceptions that people have about neutral color schemes is that they're boring, which — if you do them right — couldn't be further from the truth. But if weaving in texture, contrast, patina and pattern aren't enough to satisfy... more »