The thrill of landing the perfect arched storage cabinet, slipcovered sofa, hand-thrown planter, or rippled glassware set on sale is second to none. But the hunt takes hustle. As our editors already spend hours combing the Internet for scores like this, we decided to compile the worthiest for your carts. The criteria? Sales on Domino readers’ most-loved brands and markdowns on quality products with rave reviews. Below, discover our chosen best deals of the week, this time featuring items to get you ahead of annual holiday decor hauls while stocking up on entertaining essentials if you happen to be hosting this year. (Then check back in seven days for a fresh or updated batch as new discounts roll in.)

Schoolhouse: Up to 40% Off Check Pillows and Tea Towels

Linen Check Pillow Black and Flax, Schoolhouse ($80 was $129)

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Crosshatch Plaid Tenugui Cloth, Schoolhouse ($20 was $28)

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We’re fans of a classic check all year round, but the contrasting pattern is especially a favorite at the holidays. Switch things up on your sofa or bed with this design-forward pillow cover crafted from linen and stuffed with a down-filled insert. We also recommend scooping up this versatile cotton cloth that can be tapped as not only a buffer between a table and hot plate or a tea towel, but to sustainably wrap up small trinkets for friends and family. Fun fact: The bright red plaid is achieved using a 100-year-old dye technique from Japan. 

H&M Home: Up to 62% Off Sale Items 

Metal Candle Holder in Black, H&M ($25 was $65)

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Cotton Tablecloth, H&M ($8 was $21)

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We swear it’s not too early to start thinking about how you plan to dress up your holiday table—wait too long and deliveries may get delayed well beyond Thanksgiving. We think H&M’s current sale is so good, though, that not even the best procrastinators will be able to resist stocking up on hosting essentials already. For starters, we found a saturated red tablecloth (the perfect backdrop for playful napkins or placemats) that’s just $8. Top things off with this statement-making centerpiece; its powder-coated metal and modern silhouette makes it a steal at 62% off, plus it can hold six tapers. 

Balsam Hill: Up to 30% Off Artificial Trees

6.5′ Classic Blue Spruce With Clear Lights, Balsam Hill ($499 was $699)

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7.5′ Vermont White Spruce Unlit, Balsam Hill ($899 was $999)

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Usually the best time of the year to buy an artificial tree is after December 25. But this year, we’ve started noticing a few of not just last year’s styles featuring a discount ahead of the winter season but new designs, too. Case in point: You can now score up to 30% on one of Balsam Hill’s artificial spruces and firs. We’re fans of the brand for its realistic branches and full bodies, but we’re even more excited that both of our top picks are under $900 (and ship for free!) for pieces taller than 6 feet. The only caveat: The sale ends tonight at midnight. 

Lulu and Georgia: Up to 50% Off Tapers and Candlesticks 

Wooden Georgian Candlestick, Lulu and Georgia ($33 was $56)

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12-Inch Taper Candles (Set Of 8 Pairs), Lulu and Georgia ($72 was $144)

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We’re firm believers that no table feels officially set without tapers—for formal and informal feats alike. But for special occasions, we’re willing to spurge on fancier pairings, like these pieces we found over at Lulu and Georgia for up to 50% off. Think about it: How dreamy would the moss green candles look sitting atop the Georgian-inspired raw beechwood holders? 

Crate & Barrel: Up to 60% Off Clearance

Candlesticks by Molly Baz, Crate & Barrel ($10 was $24)

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18-Inch Dipped White Taper Candles by Athena Calderone, Crate & Barrel ($10 was $13)

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Lulu and Georgia isn’t our only destination for tabletop decor. Crate & Barrel is also a great source for sculptural taper holders. These final-sale finds are from Molly Baz’s collection, constructed with FSC-certified ash wood complete with weighted bases so you don’t have to worry about one being wobbly or tipping over. We’d personally grab a couple in varying heights while they’re on sale, along with a few sets of Athena Calderone’s 18-inch-tall candles for vertical intrigue. 

Furbish Studio: Additional 20% Off Sale Items 

60-by-90 Delphi Tablecloth, Furbish Studio ($55 was $78)

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60-by-90 Sabine Tablecloth, Furbish Studio ($47 was $78)

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Right now, you can use the code SOMUCHSALE when checking out at Furbish Studio to get an extra 20% off select sale products, including the brand’s cult-favorite napkins, fabric coasters, and tablecloths. For a twist on a classic red and green color scheme, we’d go for the Delphi and Sabine block prints. 

Amazon: Up to 32% Off Metal Candelabra and Stone Bowl 

Creative Co-Op Hand-Forged Metal Candelabra, Amazon ($56 was $83)

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Bloomingville Marble Footed Bowl, Amazon ($48 was $60)

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If your hosting or decorating style skews more traditional than modern, we found the perfect candelabra for you: This hand-forged piece with an antique brass finish can hold three tapers. We think it would look positively chic at the center of a table or on top of a fireplace mantel this holiday season. The same goes for this footed food-safe marble bowl. 

Anthropologie: 45% Off Set of 20 Taper Candles

Maison Pechavy Slim Taper Candle Set, Anthropologie ($70 was $128)

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More tapers on sale, right this way—we found a splurge-worthy svelte set with matching wood holders. The colorful set from Maison Pechavy, while pricey, is deeply discounted at Anthropologie. It’s sold as a set of 20 beeswax candles and three matching wood taper holders in varying heights. Reviewers of other tapers from the retailer are big fans, describing similar finds as “pretty and delicate,” “perfect for a Thanksgiving table,” and “so elegant.” We’d say these check all three of those boxes and then some.

Matches: 30% Off Select Decor and Gifts

Set of 4 Stoneware Mugs, Jade Paton ($95 was $137)

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Set of 2 B34 Ceramic Candlestick Holders, Completed Works ($136 was $195)

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This is a really good gift alert: If you have someone in your life whose love language is a freshly brewed pot of coffee in the morning or their daily rituals include an afternoon break for tea, this mug set is for them. Each mug is handmade with stoneware from South Africa and features a different earthy color and funky handle that will make every sip feel fun. Otherwise, these bulbous ceramic candleholders caught our eye. Save them as a gift or get them for yourself. The glossy finish is sure to lovingly reflect a flicker from a lit candle (perhaps one listed above?) to deliver the ambience every festive dinner party deserves. 

The post This Week’s Best Deals: Tapers, Tablecloths, and Plaid Tea Towels appeared first on domino.

There’s no reason the best gifts under $25 can’t punch above their weight. Things that come in small packages do all the time, right? Chihuahuas, espresso, 35mm film. (We digress.) When you’re buying in multiples or working with a budget, price point is paramount. Unfortunately, presents in the $25-and-under range often skew too cheeky or chintzy. Our picks in this category, however, deliver more than you expect when it comes to their unique quality and under-tree appeal. There’s a giant gauzy scrunchie, mother-of-pearl spoons, sardine-shaped bookmarks—and those are just the tip of the iceberg. Read on to learn about these affordable heavy hitters and more.

Tosaryu Hinoki Aroma Flakes

Tosaryu Hinoki Aroma Flakes, Jinen ($8)

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Forget bath bombs and bubbles. This fabric bag of locally harvested hinoki cypress from the Shimanto area of Japan’s Kochi prefecture can be steeped in water for an aromatic plunge or hung in a doorway to deodorize a room.  

H&M Stoneware Mug

Stoneware Mug, H&M ($9)

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No matter if your caffeine of choice is tea or coffee, we’re staunch believers that you can never have too many mugs. This chunky stoneware is so affordable that we recommend packing it up with either the matching plate or a bag of local beans or leaves you know they already love.

Maison Balzac Two Volute Candles 

Maison Balzac Two Volute Candles, Coming Soon ($15)

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Tapers are great to have on hand, especially as a bulk gift. But if you’re looking for something extra-special, we’ll point you in the direction of this sculptural set from Maison Balzac. Available in a variety of colors (our favorite being the sunshiny Miele), they’ll add a playful punch to an entertainer’s collection. 

Hay Brown and White Check Hand Towel

Hay Brown and White Check Hand Towel, Ssense ($20)

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This cappuccino-check hand towel is Oeko-Tex certified and 100% cotton in a terry weave, so we know it’s as absorbent as it is pretty. 

AF Brass Keychain

AF Brass Keychain, Good Friend ($20)

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Not all keychains are kitschy. For the person in your life who has more than a couple of keys to keep track of, this swanky brass contraption from Japan will keep everything looking tidy.  

Hay Candy Stripe Wash Bag

Hay Candy Stripe Small Wash Bag, END ($9)

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This rip- and water-resistant bag constructed from 80% recycled plastic will keep all their cosmetic necessities safe and dry. We adore the candy-colored stripes and attached loop for easy hanging, whether for a shower spout or tree branch. 

Cork Pops Green Olive Cocktail Pick Set 

Cork Pops Green Olive Cocktail Pick Set, Amazon ($15)

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These dishwasher-safe stainless steel picks are as darling as they are durable. The set of six makes for an affordable fun gift for anyone you know who’s go-to drink is a dirty martini. 

Jayson Home Firenze Notebooks

Firenze Notebooks, Jayson Home ($24)

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The sort of journal the list makers and note takers in your life will want to show off: The marbleized covers—handmade in Italy, no less—are inspired by a centuries-old technique of dipping paint into water, resulting in these vibrant patterns. Eighty blank pages await. 

Revision Picasso Coasters 

Revision Picasso Coasters, Amazon ($25)

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There are plenty of felt coasters out there, but this multicolored check from Revision offers a cheeky twist on the material. We’re smitten with these U.S.-made, hand-cut impressions of Cubist winks and smiles. Better yet, the thick wool is water- and stain resistant (and moisture absorbing!). 

Room Shop Giant Organza Scrunchie 

Room Shop Giant Organza Scrunchie, Lisa Says Gah! ($20)

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Trends these days are ’90s-centric, which means scrunchies are decidedly in. Room Shop’s giant take is the modern upgrade for your pal who always wears their hair back (or loves a statement bracelet). The gauzy nylon fabric will look like a tulle skirt for their bun or pony. 

Sabre Bistrot Spreader 

Sabre Bistrot Spreader, Big Night ($22)

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More than one Domino editor has this iconic French flatware brand on their holiday wish list. If you, too, know someone lusting after a set from Sabre but don’t have hundreds to shell out for a set, go for the next best thing: an under-$25 spreader with the same colorful bistro-style handle. 

A Book of Birds

A Book of Birds, Amazon ($18)

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You don’t have to be a birder to enjoy London-based painter Humphrey Ocean’s illustrious portraits of feathered friends. “What’s not to like? Every page is a delight,” one reviewer writes. It’s sure to be a hit with Anglophiles, little ones, nature lovers, and art aficionados alike.

Anthropologie Dog Measuring Tape 

Dog Measuring Tape , Anthropologie ($16)

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A good gift idea for designers, folks with renovation plans, or those with a golden retriever. This dog-adorned measuring tape finished with a leather trim and pull is an accessory they’ll always want to have on hand. “​​I have four of these measuring tapes in different patterns that I have given as gifts and kept for myself. They are small, accurate, and perfect for measuring sizes,” one review writes. Another keeps theirs in their purse 24-7. 

Jayson Home Shell Spoon

Shell Spoon, Jayson Home ($18)

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Know someone who’d rather be at the beach? Gift a bit of their favorite place with one of Jayson Home’s mother-of-pearl spoons, finished with either a conch or twisted auger shell handle.

Schoolhouse Scallop-Trim Napkin Set

Multi Scallop Trim Napkin Set, Schoolhouse ($14)

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Perhaps the cutest cocktail napkins we’ve ever laid eyes on. These simple, goes-with-anything scalloped sweeties are just $14 for a set of four, making them a perfect gift for those always looking forward to happy hour. 

Wear It Well: Reclaim Your Closet and Rediscover the Joy of Getting Dressed 

Wear it Well Hardcover Book, Amazon ($22 was $26)

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A master class in finding your personal style, this chic book is for the friend who is always lamenting that they have nothing to wear. It’s filled with tips and tricks on how to streamline your closet from a New York–based fashion stylist with 13 years in the industry. 

Revision Sardine Bookmark

Revision Sardine Bookmark, Afternoon Light ($24)

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The simple sardine, now in bookmark form. Avid readers and conservas consumers will get a chuckle out of using this nifty stainless steel essential. 

Mango Felt-Effect Laptop Case

Felt-Effect Laptop Case, Mango ($20)

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Mango is a go-to for affordable streetwear, but did you know it also carries a selection of apparel for your tech? This feltlike case will protect your laptop, and built-in pockets means your giftee can keep all their work supplies, from papers to notebooks, in one place. 

Papier Wave Fountain Pen

Wave Fountain Pen, Papier ($20)

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Never underestimate the value of a good pen. And trust us when we say anyone who cares for their writing utensils will adore this fountain pen from stationary source Papier. The weighty design, featuring a wavy clip, is refillable, and you can choose between a soft sage or luxe all-brass finish. 

Furbish Studio Gloria Oven Mitt 

Gloria Oven Mitt, Furbish Studio ($24)

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Are your mom’s oven mitts looking a little worn? Replace them with this handmade kitchen staple crafted by artisans in Jaipur. We love that the print offers an elevated take on a holiday color scheme—your classic jolly trio of green, white, and red—but is fashionable enough to keep hanging from its built-in loop all year long. 

Russ & Daughters Chocolate Caviar Tin

Russ & Daughters Chocolate Caviar Tin, Catbird ($9)

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Russ & Daughters’s chocolate caviar can be sourced from Catbird, a cult-favorite jewelry retailer with surprisingly good home goods and, apparently, sweet souvenirs. This tin will run you far, far less than the real thing. 

The post 21 Gifts Under $25 Worth Tucking Under the Tree (They’re That Good) appeared first on domino.

Gifting children, whether your own or another’s, is no simple feat. In such shopping scenarios, you’re not just searching for kiddo-approved material but also the parent-pleasing kind—an elusive sweet spot between junky plastic playthings and quality-made snoozefests. It’s also likely you’re looking for options on the more affordable and easy-to-order side. Oh, and don’t forget thoughtful, unique, delightful, and cool. That’s not too much to ask, right? The good news: It isn’t. After spending considerable time clicking through pages upon pages of toys, we found the best gifts for kids hiding on Amazon.

Our most winsome Amazon ideas include a handcrafted wood taxicab, a best-selling balance bike, an Andy Warhol soup can filled with crayons, and even a massive Kodiak bear plush. Shop the fun-for-everyone lineup, broken out by budget, below.

Best Amazon Gifts for Kids Under $10

Easy Carpentry Projects for Children by Jerome E. Leavitt

Easy Carpentry Projects for Children by Jerome E. Leavitt, Dover Children’s Hobby Books ($6)

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Originally published in 1986, this Dover Children’s hobby book is a timeless classic. Written by Jerome E. Leavitt for kids ages 8 and up, the guide contains a collection of charmingly illustrated carpentry activities—from building bird feeders to sailboats to flower boxes. To really level up this gift idea, we’d suggest pairing it with French toy brand Moulin Roty’s toolbox set.

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza Card Game

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza Card Game, Dolphin Hat Games ($7 was $9)

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We were shocked to discover this quirky word-matching game’s 4.8-out-of-5-star rating backed by 45,000 Amazon reviewers. Described by fans as everything from a “wild and hilarious card game” to a “roller coaster of fun and excitement,” we’d venture to guess it makes for one entirely crowd-pleasing gift for both kids and their parents.

Mushie Silicone Pretzel Teething Toy

Silicone Pretzel Baby Teether, Mushie ($9)

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This little pretzel is made using 100% BPA-free and food-grade silicone. The highlights from its positive reviewer praise span “my baby’s favorite teether!” to “I bought this as a gift for a shower, and it’s so beautifully packaged and I’m excited to give it to her!”

Kikkerland Mini Tabletop Bowling

Mini Tabletop Bowling, Kikkerland ($9 was $16)

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A shrunken-down gift that’s ready to keep your little ones occupied during holiday dinners. As one reviewer raves, “Definitely fun! Has cute little magnetic barriers to keep the bowling balls from flying off your table.”

Best Amazon Gifts for Kids Under $25

Mini Dinosaur Portable Lamp

Mini Dinosaur Portable Lamp, Amazon ($10)

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We love a portable mini lamp—this whimsical dino is no exception. The design features flexible limbs and a warm LED light, making it perfect for lighting your little one’s bedtime reading rituals.

Candylab Handcrafted Wood Taxicab

Wood Taxicab, Candylab Toys ($12)

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Skip the plastic monster trucks and head straight to Candylab’s Amazon storefront. The brand offers a stacked selection of handcrafted wood car models, from taco trucks to an Americana collection. We were hard-pressed to choose just one for gifting, but this 1950s-style taxi came out on top.

Thousand Jr. Bicycle Bell

Lighting Jr. Bicycle Bell, Thousand ($16)

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A sweet stocking stuffer for the bicycle-obsessed. Thousand’s lightning-stamped bike bell is crafted from alloy steel and emits a “ding-dong”–style ring when clicked. “Adorable,” one reviewer raves. “My grandson loves this! We got it for him for Christmas.”

Wood Paint Puzzle Palette

Wooden Paint Puzzle Palette, Montessori ($16)

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An artful puzzle for aspiring artists. The wood palette features 18 paint blocks that are crafted to encourage cognitive recognition of colors and shapes.

OMY Ultra-Washable Double-Tipped Felt Markers

Ultrawashable Double Tipped Felt Markers, Box of 16, OMY ($17)

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Anything that’s dubbed “ultra-washable” has kid- and adult-friendly written all over it. We have top-rated marker brand OMY to thank for this giftable set of 16 double-tipped felt markers filled with ink that can be easily removed from any surface with just a bit of soap and water.

Oli & Carol Origami Bath Toy Boat

Origami Bath Toy Boat, Oli & Carol ($18)

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Not all bath-time toys are plastic. This clever origami toy boat is crafted from 100% natural rubber that’s sourced from Malaysian Hevea trees and hand-painted with plant-extracted pigments.

Mudpuppy Andy Warhol Soup Can Crayons

Andy Warhol Soup Can Crayons, Mudpuppy ($19)

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Why gift any old set of crayons when you can surprise and delight with this design-forward soup can full of them? The bundle contains a see-through sharpener and 18 extra-thick crayons with Warhol-inspired names—think: Banana Yellow and Pink Cow.

Le Toy Van Wood Market Fish Crate

Wooden Market Fish Crate, Le Toy Van ($21)

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This market crate stuffed with painted wood fish is designed in Great Britain. We’re pegging the bundle—described by reviewers as “beautiful and simple”—as a smile-inducing surprise for culinary-inclined parents and baby foodies.

Room Copenhagen Lego Storage Brick

Lego Storage Brick, Room Copenhagen ($22)

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These Copenhagen-designed drawers are one creative way to keep your kids’ stuff organized. Fashioned in the shape of oversize Lego blocks, the containers are approved by reviewers for being lightweight yet sturdy enough to hold everything from toys to crafts to desk supplies. But most important, they come approved by the Lego-obsessed giftees who have received them.

Janod Magnetic Piggy Bank

Magnetic Piggy Bank, Janod ($23)

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This literal piggy bank is crafted by heritage French toy brand Janod. Reviewers attest to its excellent quality and thoughtful design, remarking that “the magnetic open/closure is perfect for little hands to manipulate independently.”

Best Amazon Gifts for Kids Under $50

Jellycat Blue Cheese Plush

Blue Cheese Plush, Jellycat ($25)

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Standing 4 inches tall, this outrageously cute blue cheese plush is ready to bring a smile to you and your kiddo’s face. We imagine, based on his facial lines, that this happy little guy is of the Gorgonzola variety.

Ban.do Crayon Vase

Crayon Vase, Ban.do ($26)

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A sweet present idea for a little one who is into all things arts and crafts. This ceramic crayon vase is just over 8 inches high, making it the perfect size for a child’s desk or bedside table. Reviewers call it everything from incredibly well made to cute and highly giftable.

Moulin Roty Wood Flower Press

Flower Press, Moulin Roty ($29)

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We have the heritage French toy brand Moulin Roty to thank for this charming wood flower press. Reviewers call this design a “dream for children!” As one, in particular, raves: “I love this press. My 6-year-old daughter and I have had many hours of fun crafting beautiful designs with our flower press. The best part of the spring and summer was collecting all of the fruits of our labor from our yard and carefully crafting beautiful pieces of art using the blossoms and leaves.”

Wood Rocket Construction Set

Wooden Rocket Construction Set, Tender Leaf Toys ($29)

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The best part about this trio of hand-painted rockets crafted from renewable rubber-tree wood is that they break apart into a multi-piece puzzle. Billed as a STEM toy, kids are encouraged to stack, color match, and count in order to construct the three different rocket ships from scratch.

Race Car Kids’ Backpack

Race Car Kids’ Backpack, Uninni ($29 was $40)

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The race car graphic adorning this pack is giving off Back to the Future vibes—and we like it. On top of that, the cool school bag comes equipped with adjustable padded straps and a waist belt designed to improve weight distribution. We would also be remiss not to mention that the bag touts an unheard-of 4.9-out-of-5-star rating on Amazon, with reviewers praising its quality, affordability, and comfort.

Lund London Bumblebee Water Bottle

Bumblebee Water Bottle, Lund London ($32)

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This buzzy water bottle is designed in the U.K. and crafted from BPA-free, double-walled stainless steel.

Areaware Moon Chalk

Moon Chalk, Areaware ($34)

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These nontoxic, 100% chalk creations are designed to push, pull, rotate, and roll on their chosen canvas—be it sidewalk or board.

Galaxy Night Star Projector

Galaxy Night Star Projector, SunTime ($34 was $49)

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Kids can control this little astronaut with a wireless remote that, once switched on, will cause his helmet to cast eight different nebula effects and twinkling star lights onto a wall or ceiling. The spaceman’s head and arms are movable, meaning you can adjust the projection angle however you please. “Toddler is OBSESSED,” one reviewer writes. “Bought this for my autistic grandson; he was enthralled with it! I want one for myself now, and other members of the family want one, too. The nebula is beautiful,” another attests.

Mindful Affirmation Cards for Kids

Mindful Affirmation Cards for Kids, Intelligent Change ($34)

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This 30-card deck is brimming with affirmation prompts for little ones—spanning from “I believe in myself” to “I am beautiful inside and out.” Accompanying the sustainably sourced paper cards is a little wood stand where kids can display their daily dose of positivity. Reviewers call the deck well made, thoughtful, and a great gift for growing kids.

Baby Balance Bike

Baby Balance Bike, Sereed ($49)

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This sleek four-wheeler is the number-one bestseller in its category on Amazon due to its aesthetically pleasing and ergonomically supportive design. It’s been approved by reviewers as safe for indoor use (i.e., it won’t scratch up your wood floors), fun for kids, and (perhaps most important) quiet.

Best Amazon Gifts for Kids Under $100

Thousand Kids’ Helmet

Kids’ Helmet, Thousand ($60)

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This adorable kid’s helmet comes in six different colorways—although our top gifting pick is the groovy metallic. Each of Thousand’s safety-certified designs comes bundled with a pack of stickers for personalization, an adjustable dial system for a custom fit, and built-in ventilation for sweaty playdates.

Brio Tabletop Pinball Game

Tabletop Pinball Game, Brio ($69)

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An ideal gift for kids ages 6 and up, this classic tabletop pinball board is backed by more than 1,000 Amazon fans as being a quality buy—both in construction and fun. “We have this permanently set up on a table, and every time the grandkids (ages 14 and 11) come over, they have a wonderful time with us. The game is very well made and sturdy,” one reviewer attests.

Mini Portable Audiobook Card Player

Mini Portable Audiobook Card Player, Yoto ($70)

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A portable version of its larger predecessor, Yoto’s mini smart speaker is designed to play audiobook cards containing everything from beloved children’s stories to kid-friendly music and even guided bedtime meditations. The best part, according to past purchasers, is that the travel-friendly gadget provides hours of screen-free entertainment for little ones.

Eggboards Mini Longboard

Mini Longboard, Eggboards ($89 was $99)

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For the budding Tony Hawk. Eggboards’s mini longboard is designed with a compact frame that’s small enough to fit in a backpack and crafted from sturdy 100% bamboo materials. Many reviewers swear by the tiny but mighty board as ideal for kids who are just learning to skate. “Bought this as an introductory skateboard for my 8-year-old. Very stable and small enough for him to carry around. He loves it,” states one buyer.

Best Amazon Gifts for Kids Under $200

Areaware Sterling Silver Barbell Rattle

Sterling Silver Barbell Rattle, Areaware ($110)

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Fans of Brooklyn-based brand Areaware will be pleased to discover it offers homewares that are both design forward and kid-friendly. Our favorite? This hand-tuned, 16-tone rattle. Crafted of German sterling silver in a classic barbell shape, the elegant design is a brilliant baby gift idea.

Polaroid Instant Camera Set

Instant Camera Set, Polaroid ($149)

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Parents will likely relish any opportunity to get their kiddos away from digital devices. Enter: a throwback to the instant-film era. This giftable Polaroid comes packaged with the Now i-Type camera, 16 sheets of color i-Type film, a photo album, and a colorful camera strap.

Le Toy Van Wood Market Stall

Wooden Market Stall, Le Toy Van ($151 was $160)

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While we highly recommend stocking the shelves of this charming market stand with crates of wood produce and fish, we can also see it functioning quite wonderfully as a storage stand for craft supplies. Reviewers rave that the structure is sturdy, beautifully made, and kid approved.

Wicker Doll Stroller

Wicker Doll Stroller, Amazon ($180)

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This delightful rattan pram is sized for pushing dolls around in vintage style—but we can also see it working hard as a sweet storage basket for your kiddo’s toys. “Adorable,” one reviewer writes. “My niece loved this gift and so did her mom! Great quality.”

Vilac Vintage Metal Race Car

Vintage Metal Race Car, Vilac ($199)

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This might be the sharpest-looking kid’s race car we’ve seen to date. The vintage-inspired vehicle is crafted from petrol blue–painted metal and designed by the French toy brand Vilac. “Perfect gift for my 1-year-old, a forever gift,” one reviewer raves. Others attest to its excellent quality and handsome design.

Best Amazon Gifts for Kids Over $200

Manhattan Toy Store Jumbo Kodiak Bear Plush

Jumbo Kodiak Bear Plush, Manhattan Toy Store ($351 was $500)

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As far as unique holiday gifts go, this absolutely massive bear takes the cake. “Do not hesitate to buy this bundle of fur and joy,” says one shopper of this “wildly oversize” stuffed animal. The 40-inch-tall toy is a brilliant mix of slightly terrifying and wonderfully whimsical, but, above all else, it’s durably constructed to withstand years of play.

The post The Best Amazon Gifts for Kids (and Their Parents), Found appeared first on domino.

The color black always makes a minimalist statement and puts whatever it touches firmly in the effortlessly “cool” camp. In a sea of ubiquitous whites and creams that evoke a blank canvas (and can promise a higher future resale), a black exterior house brings some much-needed edge while staying surprisingly timeless. (Look to classic Scandinavian and Japanese designs completely awash in the inky hue for peak inspiration.)

As it turns out, a lot of people want their homes to look a little moody. In August, Behr announced Cracked Pepper as its 2024 color of the year, citing a company survey that found three-quarters of Americans would consider covering an area of their home in a dark color. So why not go for the full facade? Let these 10 houses serve as inspiration. 

The Black Exterior House That’s Indestructible

Sara and Adam Gilmer’s family home in Victoria, British Columbia, was an exercise in compromise, but they both had a clear design vision: Sara has a background in architecture, and Adam is the cofounder of a furniture company. Deciding to clad the exterior in raven-hued powder-coated steel was part of their overall collaborative effort. Another plus: It just so happens to coordinate with the rest of the minimalist interior and ensures there are no costly paint jobs down the road.

The Black Exterior House With Fun in Spades

When designer Kate Hayes first saw this Atlanta property, she deemed it to be a “pretty big ugly duckling.” Alongside her studio partner, Krista Sharif, Hayes completely overhauled the interior and exterior over the course of two phases, focusing on a design that felt energetic and youthful for a family of five. From a brass kitchen backsplash to a ’70s-inspired teen hangout room, the shadowy exterior is one of many design risks that paid off. 

The Black Exterior House by Way of Japan

Plenty of interior changes occurred during the renovation of this 1950s Long Island property by designer Danielle Chiprut of Danielle Rose Design Co. But passersby can get the most satisfaction from the exterior’s major shift. What was once basic red brick with white siding became completely black thanks to the Japanese shou sugi ban method of charring wood to preserve it, alongside a few custom coats on the bricks to match. The windows were given black casements, while the aluminum gutters received a copper finish, completing the home’s newly sophisticated curb appeal. 

The Black Exterior House That’s an Artful Backdrop

After Lindsey Vogl Robinson and her husband, Brad, learned they were expecting baby number five, they hired Liz Hoekzema of KLH Custom Homes to construct a new-build outside Grand Rapids, Michigan. And while Lindsey’s style tends to lean traditional, she relied on Hoekzema to get out of her comfort zone. So she chose to cover the home’s facade in Caviar by Sherwin-Williams to turn “a classic on its head.” Whether set against a fresh coat of Midwestern snow or an aquamarine pool, the black works in all seasons. 

The Black Exterior House With Mid-Century Lines

This mid-century Nashville property hadn’t been touched since it was first built in 1955, so local designer Hannah Crowell wanted to preserve its personality as much as possible while still making it functional for contemporary life. And what better color than black to show off the home’s refreshed architecture—which included raising the roof and adding all new windows, exterior siding, and a second story over the living room.

The Black Exterior House That Allows Nature to Shine

As designer Lea Shain and her contractor, Brett Baer, were considering ways to update this 1944 home in Los Angeles, they knew they wanted to get rid of the boring blue exterior that made it indistinguishable from the other homes on the bungalowed block. Shain felt that white was “overdone,” so she opted for Benjamin Moore’s Wrought Iron for a muted shade that would pop against a new pergola and landscaping. “It’s not so monolithic,” she notes. “There are all these natural elements and tones.”

The Black Exterior House Inspired by Zen

Carlos Naude and his wife, Whitney Brown, of Working Holiday Studio bought a very stressful home at a very stressful time. When they secured this L.A. property during the height of the pandemic, it was extremely run-down—but the designers and surf enthusiasts had visions of making it zen. Naude says that its black exterior was “definitely a choice.” Fortunately, the After Hours by Backdrop shade feels tranquil, like a cool shadow in the blazing California sun.

The Black Exterior House That Frames the Ultimate Vista

Interior designer Betsy Brown purchased her Blue Ridge Mountains vacation home just south of Asheville, North Carolina, sight unseen. So the sweeping panoramic view that came with it was a happy surprise. To put the stunning natural surroundings front and center, Brown went about crafting a space that reflected the landscape, including sourcing local wood and stone. For the exterior, she nixed anything that looked too new in favor of a color that resembled “the dark bark of the trees.” 

The Black Exterior House That Brings Drama to a Saltbox

As much as “modern farmhouse” has trended these past few years, the style continues to have staying power—especially if a dramatic paint color keeps things unexpected. Alabama-based architect Paul Bates took up the challenge on this lakeside property, which features a traditional saltbox frame but feels of-the-moment thanks to the allover black shade. 

The Black Exterior House That Skips Log Cabin Vibes

When publicist Caroline McKay found her 900-square-foot A-frame in upstate New York, she had one rule: No extensive renovations. Thankfully, that kind of heavy lifting had already been done, so she could focus on creating the ’70s-meets-Scandi hideaway of her dreams. Bonus: The striking black exterior magically tops it all off.

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After spending years traveling to places like California and Hawaii chasing waves, pro surfers Quincy Davis and Pat Schmidt knew they wanted to live alongside the laid-back, sun-drenched vibes of the West Coast—without leaving their home on the East Coast. 

“People always ask if I’m from California,” says Schmidt, whose shoulder-length blond hair is often covered by a baseball cap. “But I’m from New Jersey, and I love it out here.” And Davis? The Surfrider Foundation ambassador was born and raised in Montauk, New York, where she owns a boutique, Quincy the Store. 

So when Davis’s mom, a real-estate pro who is always scoping out spots for the couple, came across an 800-square-foot cottage perched directly on the sand, “she knew it would be perfect for us,” says Davis. 

The tiny escape on Napeague Bay is right on the dunes in Lazy Point, a unique locals-only community halfway between East Hampton and Montauk. “It’s a dream,” says Davis. “It feels old school, the way Montauk used to be.” 

The space required a full reno, but adding square footage was not in the game plan. Lazy Point is filled with small beach shacks, so the duo wanted to keep the renovation in that spirit. Their solution? Make it feel brighter and airier by opening up the ceilings, removing living area walls and kitchen upper cabinets, and combining two of the three bedrooms to create an oasis of a primary bedroom while keeping a smaller room for a nursery (the couple is expecting their first child).

Schmidt tackled much of the renovation himself, including a three-day-long demolition—“I just put on a mask and some headphones and got to work,” he recalls—that revealed even more of the home’s rugged 1950s history, like a sailboat tiller nailed into the framing. “Opening up the ceilings made the biggest difference,” he says. “It was like night and day the moment I took them down.”

The mostly DIY reno also allowed them to customize the layout to their lifestyle with surfer-specific tweaks, like an outdoor shower that’s connected to the bathroom. “For two surfers, an outdoor shower isn’t a luxury, it’s a must,” says Davis. 

Some smart trade-offs in the kitchen helped keep the project within budget. “We used IKEA cabinets, which we are honestly really happy with,” says Davis. With the money they saved on custom cabinetry, they bought additional marble to do a countertop waterfall on the side of the peninsula. 

The secret to happily living in 800 square feet with a 150-pound Newfoundland dog and a baby on the way? Plenty of storage: While they were opening up the ceilings throughout the house, the couple kept a little loft area above the bedroom for off-season storage and, of course, a separate shed for their dozens of surfboards. 

“I love the size of the house; it’s perfect for us right now,” says Davis. “It felt more manageable to decorate and easier to focus on the details.” 

And the details are there: After years of owning a boutique, Davis has become a pro at curation. “I know how important it is to only choose the things you really love, especially when you’re working with a small space,” she says. She began by going with a color palette inspired by the home’s location on the dunes: warm neutrals, dusty pinks, muted greens, and calming blues. “It’s very calm out on the dunes, and we wanted to bring that same feeling to the inside of the house,” she adds.

Then they layered on items with meaning such as surf photography and souvenirs from their travels. (Their one regret is that they didn’t buy a rug in Morocco when they were there on a surf trip.) But perhaps the ultimate personal detail is the homemade wood sculptures throughout the home, made by Schmidt. 

“It’s a creative outlet for me,” says Schmidt, who began by shaping wood pieces with a chainsaw, then carving and finishing—or just letting them age on the dunes by the house until they’re beautifully weathered. 

Since working on the Lazy Point house, he started his own construction company, Northbound Builders. Davis says they’ve only just begun: “We learned a lot and we love the home, but I don’t think it’s the last renovation in our future.”

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When Leah Cumming was working as a designer for companies like Nickey Kehoe, Jenni Kayne, and Soho House, the best place to find her wasn’t behind a desk—it was in the studios and workrooms of Los Angeles’s top furniture makers. Cumming recalls one client’s project that involved a custom dining table and side tables: “It was everything from running around the city sourcing hardware to seeing the products be prototyped to the final installation phase,” she says. “Having something that you can look at every day and remember the process, the people who made it, just feels like you have all these points of connection rather than just ordering something from a website and you have no idea where the materials were sourced or who was fabricating it.” She was hooked. 

Fast-forward to last November: Cumming branched out on her own to launch Maison Madeleine, a curated collection of 10 pieces that are designed and handmade in Los Angeles. The name Madeleine stems from her middle name, but it’s also her now 101-year-old grandmother’s first name. “It’s an ode to her,” notes Cumming. The inspiration behind the furniture pieces themselves, and her growing assortment of accessories, is just as personal. 

While Cumming is technically Canadian and spent much of her childhood in Atlanta, she has strong ties to France. Both of her parents are big Francophiles, she says, so she grew up visiting and, eventually, moved to Paris for a few years. “It’s my happiest place,” she says. Soft scalloped edges and shell motifs can be found throughout the collection—details that Cumming attributes to her love of Art Deco design and her upbringing.  

Luckily, after launching her brand, she didn’t have to scramble to find a showroom. The circa-1924 East Hancock Park home that Cumming bought two years ago is the perfect space (for now). “I was so in love with the house [the first time I saw it], but I couldn’t fathom actually getting to wake up here and live here,” recalls Cumming, who initially discovered the listing through L.A. real-estate agent Jenna Cooper’s website, which she checked religiously (mostly for daydreaming’s sake). On a fateful Sunday afternoon, the then renter popped by the open house. “I wasn’t really looking,” notes Cumming. “It was more like, this is such an insane house, I want to see it in person.” When she went to work the following Monday and mentioned to her boss at the time, Jenni Kayne, that she had toured an amazing house over the weekend, Kayne told her to go for it—put an offer in. Three days later, it was hers. 

Today the single-story home is a rotating display of what’s new at Maison Madeleine. At her kitchen island, you can pull up a seat for dinner in one of her hand-carved alder-wood barstools that are based on antique Venetian grotto piano stools. In the living room, guests can lounge on her yet-to-be-released green velvet sofa. (Psst: It’s dropping in January, along with a nightstand that matches her Midnight Bar cabinet.)

Previously, Cumming had the ever-popular Cloud Sofa from RH, which she admits was super-comfortable but due to its inherent slouchiness didn’t always look polished. When coming up with her own design, comfort was still key (peep this one’s deep cushion), but she wanted structured pillows that sit upright no matter what, curved arms, and a splash of color. Complete with two Nickey Kehoe armchairs and a Maison Madeleine coffee table that’s a mix of solid oak and burl wood, the living room is a space you want to “stay in, drink wine, and talk for hours,” she says.

The vintage Hermès scarf that now hangs over the sofa is the first piece Cumming ever had professionally framed. The rattan pedestal and vase were affordable Chairish scores, while the lamp on the bar cart is from Athena Calderone’s collaboration with Crate & Barrel. “It’s like how creating an outfit is all about high and low,” says Cumming of combining investment pieces and big-box finds in the same space. She’s also a proponent of mixing textures: marble with rush weave; linen with travertine; satin with velvet. She can get away with pretty much any fabric choice thanks to the fact that her rescue dog, Pogo, doesn’t track much dirt into the house. “He’s a saint,” she says with a laugh. 

While Pogo will occasionally plop down for a nap on a slipper chair, his favorite place to be is the backyard. “The first thing I do when I wake up is open the doors off my bedroom and he runs outside and lounges in the sun,” says Cumming. One of the previous owners was a landscape designer who had a “Marfa meets YSL in Marrakech” vision, she says, hence the big pomegranate and orange trees and hedging that turns white with jasmine in the springtime: “It’s like a perfect little oasis within the city for me.”

The Goods

Armchair, Maison Madeleine ($3,900)

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Totem Home, Pink Candlestick Holder, Nickey Kehoe ($145)

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Seaside Shell Dish, Maison Madeleine ($225)

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Courbe Green Ceramic Table Lamp by Athena Calderone, Crate & Barrel ($299)

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The post Childhood Trips to France Infuse This L.A. Designer’s Home With Vintage European Vibes appeared first on domino.

The first week that Kim West and her family moved to Austin, she drove past a Victorian with a roomy front porch and white picket fence and thought: What is that house doing here? “I sort of became obsessed with it,” says the interior designer and cofounder of Supply Showroom, a boutique fabric and wallpaper showroom. “I love old things and details, which is sort of the opposite of what the Austin architecture landscape looks like.” For eight of the 12 years she’s been in Austin, West drove by the unusual-looking property daily (it was only five blocks away from her house at the time). She eventually learned it had been transported from Marlin, Texas, decades ago by an architect who wanted to save it from being demolished. 

Then one fortuitous day in 2020, a friend who happens to be a real-estate agent tipped her off: The Victorian was coming up for sale. Her husband, Dave, said he’d only go through the hassle of moving down the street if there was a view—West discovered one on her walk-through the following day. The large window in the attic bedroom overlooks downtown. “He got his view. I got my charm. Everyone’s happy,” she says with a laugh. 

Part of the home’s allure was nostalgia: It looks like a life-size dollhouse. When West was living in London as a kid, she remembers her mom taking her out of school to go to Windsor to look at (and shop for) dollhouses. “It was our favorite mom-daughter activity,” says West. The home’s layout alone reminded her of the townhouses of her childhood, as well as the ones she and her family had more recently lived in when they were in Brooklyn. Plus when you design and sell wallpaper for a living, choppy rooms are a huge perk. “With all the little spaces, I could really explore pattern mixing,” she notes. Today there are a grand total of 13 different wallpapers in her home. 

Like many designers, West started with a color story. As you make your way from the kitchen to the dining room and library, then over to the kids’ TV room, you transition through a sea of blush pink and green to soft blue and coral. “While they are choppy little rooms, they’re all open to each other,” West says of needing to create some sense of cohesion. Luckily, it never takes her all that long to make a decision. “I know what I like together,” she says. A few of her go-to pattern-mixing tricks include pairing a graphic motif with a floral repeat, such as the Thistle print in the bar room, or partnering a small-scale print with a larger-scale one. “I’m a sucker for a floral with something geometric going through it, like a stripe or a gingham,” she explains. The Honeysuckle treatment in the dining room delivers the best of both worlds: “That’s my love language.” 

West isn’t one to relegate pattern only to wallpaper and window treatments, though. She also has a soft spot for patterned sofas—a passion she credits to her fashion industry days (she worked for Jil Sander and Marc Jacobs in wholesale for 10 years before making the shift to interiors). “I found that what all the best fashion people did is find this opposing marriage. Something has to be ‘ugly,’ something has to be weird. Let’s get weird,” says West. Reupholstering the two vintage sofas in the library in a paisley velvet ticked the box. There are three more patterned sofas elsewhere in the house, and West can attest that a print hides stains better than a beige couch swathed in performance fabric. “If you want a bang for your buck, pattern your sofa,” she says. 

Even the sofa on the screened-in porch is covered in a whimsical print, except this one is both patterned and performance. “It can hold up to the wind and rain, all of it,” notes West. The cloud-inspired illustration was a fitting choice for being right next to the pool, plus West and her husband are suckers for blue and white. 

“We’ve had a blue bedroom for the past 18 years,” West notes. The floral Abigail Borg wallpaper in their bedroom is a nod to Dave’s English roots (it’s made in the U.K.), and it was much more budget-friendly than some alternative designs West was considering. (She estimates they needed 60 rolls to cover all of the surfaces in the space). “I think I had my wallpaper hanger here every day for a month doing the house,” she recalls. But not everyone in the family was ecstatic about it. “My almost-12-year-old is rebelling and says she doesn’t like wallpaper,” says West. “She’s like, ‘Why can’t I just have a white room?’ and I’m like, you can…when you’re an adult.”

The Goods

Cameo Curved Wood Nightstand, CB2 ($499)

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Folk Floral Fabric, Supply Showroom (Price upon request)

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Honeysuckle Wallpaper, Supply Showroom (Price upon request)

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Hoffmann Side Chair, DWR ($636)

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The post There Are 13 Wallpapers and 5 Patterned Sofas in This Victorian Home appeared first on domino.

Everyone talks about wanting a house with character, but what does that actually look like? For us, it’s the little details that come to mind: wainscoting in a bathroom, stairwells with swirly spindles, and intricately carved ceiling medallions to name a few. Loving these special architectural elements is easy—painting them, if you so wish, isn’t as straightforward. Luckily, Farrow & Ball’s color curator, Joa Studholme, and creative director, Charlotte Cosby, just wrote a book (really, it’s more like a manual) to assist when you need some inspiration or when you’re facing a paint quandary. In this excerpt from the paint purveyor’s newest release, How to Redecorate, they share their top tips for adding personality to paneled doors, chair rails, picture rails, and crown molding. 

How to Paint a Paneled Door in 3 Colors

What Goes Where

Chair and Picture Rails

Picture and chair rails are often painted white through force of habit or, if the moldings are particularly grand, to draw attention to their architectural beauty. Although there is nothing inherently wrong with this form of decorating, it does tend to create overly busy rooms, because the eye is constantly drawn to the white stripes running around the room rather than to the beautiful wall color or the view. 

Chair Rails

If you decide to pick out your chair rails and make a feature of them, it is best to do so with the same white (or other color) that you have used for the rest of the trim. Alternatively, you could try a tone that is sympathetic to the wall color for a more harmonious visual balance. Simplest of all is to paint over them in the wall color to make them “disappear.” 

And, of course, having a chair rail gives you the opportunity to consider a range of options for the walls: two sympathetic paint colors, a combination of paint and wallpaper, or two different wallpapers—one above and one below the rail. 

Again, there are no rules about which area should be lighter or darker, but using a stronger color above the chair rail than below can create a feeling of the walls tipping in toward you and the room closing in. Using a darker color below the chair rail grounds the room and tends to make it open up and feel bigger. This is especially useful in long, thin entrance halls, where a darker color below the chair rail and a lighter color on the walls will immediately make the space feel wider and airier. 

Picture Rails

There are a number of useful visual tricks that can be played with picture rails to change the appearance of a space. If the picture rail and the area of wall above it are painted the same color as the rest of the wall, the ceiling will appear much higher. On the other hand, if the wall color stops at the picture rail, the eye will be deceived into thinking that that is where the wall ends and the ceiling begins, giving the impression that the ceiling is lower than it really is—a useful device in making a very tall room appear less intimidating.

Another option to consider is to use gradations in color, where the wall and picture rail are painted the strongest color, with a slightly lighter version above the picture rail and a sympathetic white on the cornice. This approach opens up a room, making it feel lighter and more spacious.

Cornices

First, I should point out that moldings have different names on either side of the Atlantic. In Britain, we refer to them as cornices, or covings, while in the U.S. they are usually called crown molding. Whichever term you use, I am referring to the decorative element that runs around the top of a room to cover the transition from wall to ceiling. Embellished cornices tend to be found in larger, more ornate interiors and are to be treasured. The plainer type is generally used in simpler, contemporary homes. However, both can be painted in four basic ways: 

1. Molding and ceiling the same color
2. Gradating color from walls to ceiling
3. Molding and walls the same color
4. Pick out the molding in an accent color

Molding and Ceiling the Same Color

Very often the molding and ceiling are painted the same plain white, either out of habit or a wish for clean simplicity. However, this does tend to make the perceived height of the room drop by the depth of the molding. This is because we register the top of the wall at the point where it meets the white of the molding, making the wall appear shorter than it actually is. Matching the molding and ceiling is most appropriate when the protruding part of the molding, which sits on the ceiling, is bigger than the dropper part, which sits against the wall. In this case, it would look clumsy to have anything but the ceiling color on the molding. It is best to paint intricate cornices as infrequently as possible, to prevent the detailing from becoming clogged up with paint. 

Molding and Walls the Same Color

Painting the molding the same color as the walls will make the walls appear taller and the room feel loftier. This approach is particularly effective with plain convex molding that is used purely as a means to soften the transition from wall to ceiling. Using the same color on the walls and moldings also gives a simple and strong, contemporary feel to a room.

Graduating Color From Walls to Ceiling

To draw attention to your molding, use a subtle gradation of color between the walls and the ceiling, thereby creating a visual balance in the room. With a very strong color on the walls, it may feel uncomfortable to use the same tone on the molding. In this case, it is best to consider a gradation of color. Not only will this make the room feel higher, but the eye will be led gently upward rather than being pulled dramatically toward the ceiling. 

Pick Out the Molding in an Accent Color

It tends to be only the very adventurous who take up the option of painting moldings in a strong color. Doing so creates a sharp contrast between the wall and the ceiling, resulting in you constantly reading the shape and confines of the room, which makes the space feel smaller overall. This method of decoration is most often used when one wants to draw the eye to both the decorative molding and a ceiling rose, which are best painted in the same color.

All too often, decorative moldings, including ceiling roses, have been painted over so many times that they end up losing a lot of their delicate detail. To prevent this from happening and to create an authentic look, use a specialist finish such as F&B’s Soft Distemper. Available in a range of colors, its exquisite soft powdery finish is perfect for very detailed interior plasterwork. Make sure that you check the product details for its suitability in your home, and bear in mind that the molding must not have been previously painted with an emulsion paint.

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“Farrow & Ball: How to Redecorate,” Amazon ($45).

The post How to Paint 4 Tricky Architectural Details Like a Farrow & Ball Expert appeared first on domino.

Sure, a log cabin is cozy, but have you been inside a Spanish-style house? The earthy palette, natural materials, and organic forms immediately envelop you in a warm nestlike space. However, what’s even more unusual about Spanish-style homes versus other architectural styles is that the exteriors are just as comforting. Think: terracotta tile-clad roofs, siding swathed in creamy white stucco (which doubles as a sunlight-reflector in warmer climates), and dark wood support beams that often hold up storybook-worthy balconies. While many of the spaces ahead aren’t anywhere near as old as the Colonial versions that inspired them (most Spanish-style homes in the U.S. were built in the last 150 years in places like California, Florida, and the Southwest), these seven exteriors still exude old-world charm from the inside out. 

The Minimalist Spanish-Style Home Exterior

Before Joelle Kutner and Jesse Rudolph, cofounders of design studio Ome Dezin, entered the picture, the back patio of this Los Angeles home was an uninspiring slab of concrete, the banisters were a rusty brown color, and the facade was practically yellow. Their fresh facelift included smoothing out the stucco siding and painting it white, replacing the upper railings with squiggly iron balusters, and laying down brick. 

The Indoor-Outdoor Spanish-Style Home Exterior

When designer Lindye Galloway began work on her dream ground-up build, she knew exactly how she wanted to lay out her Spanish Colonial: in a U shape that made way for a central courtyard with a pool. To take advantage of the arrangement, she carved out a sitting room on one end and a dining area on the other, both of which are partially covered and have curtains that can be left open or closed depending on the weather. 

The Double Spanish-Style Home Exterior

The power of such a strong architectural language is that it can easily tie together two buildings that might otherwise feel disjointed. Such was the case for Ashley Clark’s Newport Beach, California–based client, who had purchased two houses next to each other and wanted them to feel effortlessly connected—and not just with pathways.

The Desert Spanish-Style Home Exterior

The greater Palm Springs area is known for its mid-century modern architecture, but when Queer Eye cohost and designer Bobby Berk embarked on his house hunt, he landed on this Spanish-inspired gem overlooking the Coachella Valley. Because the home doubles as an Airbnb, Berk decided to give the exterior a hotel-worthy upgrade with up-lit palm trees, whimsical plantings, two outdoor bars, a bocce ball court, and a firepit.

The Single-Story Spanish-Style Home Exterior

Writer-director Meredith Chin’s three-bedroom home might not be grand, but the way she uses her outdoor space is. Many evenings she sets up a projector screen in the courtyard and transforms the terracotta-tiled area into an open-air theater, often debuting her own work. 

The Actually Spanish Spanish-Style Home Exterior

It’s no wonder that the owner of this Ibiza house saw it once—only for a few minutes—before she decided to buy it. The rustic home was practically designed for doing absolutely nothing (if nothing means swimming in the pool and reading a book under the Mediterranean sun). The natural stone patio features a hammered finish that’s characteristic of homes found in the island’s historic district. 

The Green Thumb’s Spanish-Style Home Exterior

Singer Drew Cohen guesses that whoever had painted his home’s facade before he and his wife moved in must have lost track of what the original color was. “It was like eight different shades of salmon,” he recalls. While painting everything one cohesive color came with major sticker shock, now the couple feels like they have their own “personal version of the Chateau Marmont,” with its many sun-loving plants, string lights, and striped seating. 

The post Each of These 7 Spanish-Style Home Exteriors Feels Like an Escape appeared first on domino.

In the new book Cheap Old Houses, authors Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein (the minds behind the addictive Instagram account and website by the same name) collect some of the most thrifty old real-estate buys—then restorations—in the country. In this excerpt, they tell the story of Detroit-based Kamaria Gray and Dakarai Carter and their $110,000 home, which has enough space to transform the yard into a community garden. 

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Roots are important to Kamaria Gray and Dakarai Carter of Detroit. It’s fundamental to their past—they met while working at a nonprofit guiding youth on how to cook healthy, fulfilling meals using fresh fruits and vegetables. A part of the program even allowed students to get their hands in the dirt and grow their own ingredients. The passion for learning how to cultivate food and community was important, and they both knew this interest would be a through-line in their future lives. So when they heard about a cheap old house for sale with a small greenhouse and an acre of land, they began thinking of ways the property could be a gardening-based conduit to growth and connection with the neighborhood. They bought it for $110,000.

The house is their way of establishing roots, too. It has been a staple of their East Side neighborhood since it was built in 1948, replete with five bedrooms and period details scattered throughout. And it’s their first home together, both as a couple and as a family with their new baby, Cozi.

They love their vintage kitchen. A beadboard chair rail bands around the room, culminating at the giant bay window with its deep shelf and a scallop-front metal radiator cover. On top of the shelf is a menagerie of plants basking in sunlight.

Throughout, there are details large and small with throwback vibes: the original built-in vanity station in one bathroom with circular salmon-colored floor tiles, the curlicue newel post, the patchwork of parallelogram tiles in the entryway, and the genuine oversize doorbell chimes hanging in the hallway, awaiting repair.

And then there’s the open-ended display of vintage wallpaper. In the dining room, there’s an embossed square pattern in a muted shade of pink. The foyer has a pattern of beige-colored rosebuds tucked inside gold diamonds. In Cozi’s room, a dainty vine pattern with green tendrils cursives across a cream-colored background. The belle of it all is the bold green and turquoise cameo pattern splayed across the living room, equal parts grounding and explosive with color.

Kamaria considered removing the wallpaper when they first moved in, but no longer. They relish the playful pattern, and it’s important to preserve the multitude of layers that make up their house. “There’s another layer of butterfly wallpaper peeking through the holes,” she notes.

Butterflies hover on the outside, too, as Kamaria and Dakarai continue to build up garden beds and other infrastructure as part of their urban homesteading dream. To a certain degree, the backyard gardens are meant to grow food for their family, but also to directly address the scarcity in local resources that afford them and their neighbors access to fresh food. “We do most of our grocery shopping outside of the area we live in,” says Kamaria, “and we don’t believe that to be fair or necessary. With all this land, it only made sense to create a solution to the problem.”

They emphasize the opportunity to use the house as a gathering space to teach others how to grow their own food and live a more sustainable life. “It’s not every day you come across a house with a greenhouse and an acre in the city of Detroit, especially in a neighborhood like ours,” says Kamaria. “We feel it’s only right to share our good fortune with our surrounding community.”

Cheap Old Houses by Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein, Amazon ($31)

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Reprinted with permission from Cheap Old Houses: An Unconventional Guide to Loving and Restoring a Forgotten Home by Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein. Copyright © 2023. Published by Clarkson Potter Publishers, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

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