Consider it a richer take on neutral decorating. Chocolate brown is emerging as a welcome alternative to the beige and sandy tones that have long dominated living rooms. It adds unbelievable depth to a familiar palette.

Take Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's California home, designed by Waldo Fernandez, as an example of just how fresh this palette can feel. Their brown living room, in particular, shows how brown can feel warm and refined without making a space feel too dark.

Their scheme brings together deep brown tones and dark wood, with pale lime-washed walls and natural stone providing contrast. The darker finishes give the room character, while the lighter surfaces keep everything feeling balanced. Brown is central to the design, giving the space a richness that beige alone can struggle to achieve. To get their look, I'd start with an investment piece: a chocolate brown sofa, then let softer neutrals balance its hue. This sofa from Pottery Barn is my current favorite.

Chocolate brown is also proving surprisingly easy to work with, particularly alongside other natural finishes. As Georgia Metcalfe, Founder and Creative Director at French Bedroom, explains, 'Chocolate brown is enjoying a powerful resurgence in interiors, reflecting a broader return to comforting, cocooning shades that feel both grounding and indulgent. The deep, enveloping hues are being reimagined as a modern neutral, one that offers warmth where minimalist grays can feel cold and stark.'

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This color's appeal also lies in the number of ways it can be styled. Decorating with brown hits just the right note and comes in as many hues as there are colors of earth, which is commonly presumed infinite. The general safeness of the shade means you can afford to play with other elements in your interior, such as proportion and textures as well as large-scale print,' Georgia adds.

She also highlights how differently the shade can work depending on its surroundings. 'Paired with gold accents and velvet, it exudes regal opulence; layered with creams, boucle, or natural wood, it becomes understated and earthy. As a dramatic backdrop, it allows lighter tones to shine while enhancing the depth of tactile materials like leather, linen, or stone.'

Brown doesn't have to mean committing to dark walls or floors. A walnut coffee table, chocolate-colored living room sofa, or darker wooden accessories can bring some of the same warmth into your own home. Cream fabrics and natural stone will keep the palette feeling light, while adding enough contrast to let the deeper shades stand out.

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Choosing the right couch color for your living room is one of the most important decorating decisions to get right, not least because it is often one of the most expensive. With that in mind, the best approach is to choose a couch color that feels modern and relevant, but still timeless.

But what does that look like as we edge towards 2027? We spoke to interior designers to get their take, and contrary to what you might first think, timeless sofa colors don't have to be neutral. Here, designers reveal the five couch color trends for 2027 that get the balance right between trendy and timeless, and there is a real mix between light, dark, soft, and bold.

Among the range of colors designers are drawn to right now, there's a common thread: each color feels inspired by the natural world – colors that are easy on the eye and don't overwhelm rooms with high saturation. And so, if you're on the hunt for color-forward living room sofa ideas that will stand the test of time, read on.

1. Warm Sand

As wall color trends continue to shift away from flat neutrals towards tones with more depth, so do couch color trends. Warm sand tones offer more personality and soul than pale beige or gray, while providing a similarly versatile base for living room color ideas.

'People are looking for interiors that feel grounded and natural without feeling plain,' says Sarah Brown, founder and creative director at Sarah Brown Interiors. 'Dusty yellows offer this while bringing warmth and softness to a space, which works particularly well for sofas that should exude a feeling of comfort.'

But sand isn't a quickly passing trend – its subtlety gives it a timeless feel. 'Sandy yellow is versatile enough to work with an evolving palette, meaning you can make changes to the room around it without needing to replace the sofa,' Sarah explains. 'As a color rooted in nature, it doesn’t have a link to a specific trend that might otherwise feel dated in years to come.'

When styling a sand-colored sofa, layering textures and decorating with vintage can enhance the look. 'Its understated warmth makes it easy to pair with different wood tones, textiles, and vintage pieces,' says Sarah. And if you want to add more color to your scheme, consider a pop of green. 'Chalky whites and fresh greens work well, but the key is to mix in different textures, so the room doesn’t feel flat,' Sarah advises. 'Materials such as velvet and detailed embroidered cushions can help to introduce more depth and a fun touch.'

2. Sage Green

Variations of green sofas are always in style, but for 2027, designers are leaning towards soft sage green to bring calm and balance to living rooms. Not too saturated, this gentle tone works seamlessly with plenty of color palettes, while encouraging a restful, nature-inspired look.

'We're always inspired by nature and the beauty of the color stories found outside,' says Lindsey Herod, who paired a sage green sofa with light blue in this living room. 'Green is always timeless to me. There are so many beautiful shades of green found in nature, and they will always be an enduring reference.'

To keep things looking modern with a sage green sofa, don't make the mistake of everything matching too well: you don't need a green living room to pull off this sofa color trend. Contrast is key in adding interest and design flair, and designers are especially enjoying analogous color schemes. 'Blue always plays well with green,' says Lindsey. 'We love it with a bit of pink, cream, warm tans and browns, and a dash of brass is always nice nearby.'

3. Deep Plum

While designers are loving quietly confident sofa colors for the year ahead, much deeper and moodier shades are just as relevant. One such color is plum – an instantly sophisticated shade that adds depth and warmth to rooms, without feeling overly trend-led.

Designer Rebekah Zaveloff, co-founder and creative director at Imparfait Design Studio, sees plum as a couch color trend that adds soul and personality to rooms. 'There’s a real hunger right now for interiors that feel lived-in and personal, not staged,' she says. 'Deep, saturated color on a sofa does that instantly. Plum specifically hits a sweet spot: it reads as rich and considered without being loud.'

The reason why plum-colored sofas feel timeless is that it's a color that dates back centuries. 'Aubergine and deep plum have been in European interiors forever; think old Parisian apartments, English country houses, the kinds of rooms that look like they evolved over decades,' says Rebekah. 'What makes it feel current right now is the contrast: when you put a plum velvet sofa against a very clean white wall with natural materials and modern art, as you see here, it feels fresh rather than stuffy.'

When choosing paint ideas for your scheme, go for light neutrals to keep the room livable and not overwhelming. 'White or off-white is the easiest and most effective, and it lets the sofa do the work,' she adds. 'Warm plasters and limewash finishes are beautiful too. I’d avoid anything cool or gray-toned. Plum wants warmth around it.'

'For materials, natural textures are your best friend,' Rebekah advises. 'Woven shades, linen curtains, jute or wool rugs, and marble. They keep the room from feeling heavy. For accents, lean into the warm end of the spectrum with pieces in cognac, camel, warm brass, and deep indigo.'

4. Wine Red

Red sofas can seem like a bold choice, but designers are favoring the richest shades of wine red to bring warmth and moodiness to rooms. Although bold, the earthy red color trend is grounding, rather than lively. This is a favorite for designer Zoë Feldman. 'I think we're seeing a continued appetite for more expressive colors in interiors, and wine red strikes that perfect balance between bold and really timeless and sophisticated,' she explains.

'This particular shade of red has a classic richness,' adds Zoë. 'It's been used in beautiful interiors for centuries, so while it may be having a moment, it certainly isn't new. I love that it can feel traditional or contemporary depending on what's around it, which is exactly what prevents something from being overly trendy.'

Rather than restricting red to neutral living rooms, pairing it with tonal shades or something more contrasting altogether feels fresh. 'I always love going tonal and pairing it with a blush color, and lately I've loved seeing it with a pale, dusty blue,' says Zoë. 'I could see a blue on the walls with the deep red sofa, or even a deep red sofa with a blue or blush piping detail. A mohair sofa in that color would be very luxurious.'

5. Inky Charcoal

Another dark sofa color that designers are favoring for the year ahead is inky charcoal, which feels like a stylish replacement for gray. Although neutral, it grounds a room with depth and adds a polished, modern look that works well with pretty much any other color.

Although inky charcoals are dark, choosing one that shifts in tone slightly throughout the day tends to feel more timeless and easy to live with. 'It is a color that reflects and evolves depending on the time of day or the time of year,' comments designer Lucas Goldbach of En Masse. 'It has a chameleon quality which brings it more depth, richness, and authenticity. I think it reflects the movement toward personalization, coziness, and nuance.'

When going for a dark but neutral tone like this one, leaning into the richness of color with dark walls creates a cozy and immersive space, perfect for snugs or TV rooms. 'There is something unapologetic about the enveloping nature of the space,' says Lucas about this snug. 'The additional elements and accents in the space were inspired by the view of a forest's edge through the windows. The ochre-brown tones, tan, rust, green, and wood tones were brought in to reflect the context of the home and the space.'

While each of these couch color trends feels aligned with the overall direction of stylish interiors for 2027, they feel equally timeless. Even though some shades make a bold statement, they all share a feeling of calm thanks to their inspiration from the natural world – something that is always important when thinking about timeless design.

If you're looking for some more steer with your decision, read all about designers' advice on how to choose a couch color, from working with your existing color scheme to more practical color considerations.

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Color is one of the most powerful tools in interior design. It can entirely transform not only a room's look, but the way it feels, too. But any interior designer will tell you there's a balancing act between choosing a brave shade and ensuring a colorful room can truly endure.

Yet, these colorful homes from our October issue strike that balance perfectly. Some are 'quietly colorful' and others braver in palette; but the beauty of each of these rooms is their unique, timeless, and comforting use of color in its many saturated, subtle, and sophisticated forms.

While, of course, some of the latest color trends can be seen throughout, and a handful of hues that feel particularly 'in season' make an appearance, these room color ideas couldn't be more classic. From laid-back living rooms layered in warm neutral tones to an elegant dining room bar swathed in deep green grasscloth, these are the six colorful spaces we here at Homes & Gardens absolutely loved in October.

1. A Study Woven with Seagreens and Blues

Believe it or not, vibrant colors can align with traditional architecture. In fact, designer Lindsey Herod made bold color work in a beautifully classic home.

Here, a palette of seagreen and blue sings against one another, bringing freshness to this study-meets-home-office. 'The color palette is essentially a richer, deeper interpretation of the blue-and-green tones used in the living room, creating a sense of continuity while giving the study its own mood,' explains interior designer Lindsey Herod. 'The homeowner loves music, so we wanted the room to feel equally suited to work and to unwinding. We incorporated a record player and designed the space as a more relaxed music lounge, as well as an additional seating area.'

'I love a four-seat arrangement with an ottoman in the center. It’s such an inviting configuration for conversation and entertaining, and it works especially well in a room that needs to serve multiple purposes. The study functions as his workspace, but it’s also a place to sit, listen to music, and spend time, so we wanted the overall feeling to be comfortable, layered, and welcoming.'

2. An Enchanting Sage Green Bedroom

As we toured around an old townhouse rewritten by Zoë Feldman, a charming green bedroom captured our hearts. The enchanting sleep space swathed in sage green paint made us rather envious of the little girl lucky enough to call the room her own, but also proved to us the soothing tranquillity of sage green.

A quiet color designers are using to create calm, the sage green walls bring just the right amount of character and calm to this bedroom. 'In the daughter's bedroom, we color-drenched the room in a soft grey-green that she could grow into and added in deeper greens in the furniture and accessories for a tonal look', explains Zoë Feldman.

Paired with blush pink bedding, a yellow striped bed, and deeper, organic greens, this bedroom is a lesson in how to create an enduringly timeless children's bedroom.

3. An Intimate Home Bar Swathed in Green

This cozy, cocooning home bar couldn't be more comforting. Featured in a Toronto home designed by Sabrina Albanese, it might be one of the smaller rooms in the house, but its hard to deny its elegance and enduring charm.

Deep green wallpaper and a painted green ceiling create the illusion of intimacy and coziness. The rich wood panelling works side by side, gently enriching the conversation corner. 'The color was selected to make the room feel intimate and quietly dramatic,' Sabrina Albanese tells us, 'with the warmth of a well-worn private members club. The oak panelling gives the space structure and weight, while the green wallpaper above it softens the architecture and draws the eye around the room.'

Rich, cozy, and endlessly sophisticated, luxurious materials, moody colors, and ambient lighting are a match made in heaven in this space. 'It is a deep muted green with a blue, mineral undertone. Textural and very atmospheric rather than bright,' Sarah adds.

4. A Rich Red Kitchen That Exudes Luxury

In this colorful townhouse designed by Olivia Emery, vibrant colors were threaded throughout the home, but the rich burgundy kitchen stood out and left us pining for a comforting cooking space that invites and impresses.

While red has been quietly taking over kitchens for some time, this elegant cooking space feels entirely its own. Thanks to Farrow & Ball's Preference Red and Drop Cloth, as well as some rather luxurious green marble, it's the perfect balance of moody yet still open and bright.

'The color palette was inspired by a magazine clipping the client had of a red kitchen which was in our original discussion pile; we started by looking at greens and blues for the cabinets, but the space was asking for something a bit bolder,' explains Olivia Emery. 'The amazing worktop had already been chosen, and it felt a bit too safe to match with it, so we went for something which was such a contrast that they both spoke out in their own right.'

5. A Comforting All-Brown Sleep Space

Chocolate brown may be a popular fall color trend, but it's also a timeless color that can cocoon and enrich for autumn and beyond. This cozy bedroom is nestled within a Dallas home that brings two distinct tastes together, where the remodel centred on finding a harmonious balance between clients with very different design preferences.

'The palette really came from balancing the couple’s very different points of view. She gravitates toward something more feminine, with a bit of Marie Antoinette romance, while he prefers a more avant-garde approach,' Sara See of Sees Design explains.

'We started with a chocolate-brown raffia by CMO Paris to cocoon the room, then layered in softer, more romantic elements. The linen bed canopy feels intentionally relaxed, but we lined it in a Dedar silk moiré with matching trim to give it an unexpected layer of elegance. Custom monogrammed Leontine bed linens, toile-style drapery and a plum wool-flannel loveseat finished with Houlès trim add femininity, while the antique nightstands bring a sense of history. '

'The whole room became a balancing act between his and hers: romantic without being overly sweet,' adds Sara, 'and sophisticated without feeling too serious.'

6. A Sitting Room Layered with Gentle Pattern and Color

In this Sophie Garland-designed London townhouse, a cheerful plaster pink living room beckoned us to stay. While the pink walls are subtle and soothing, they're also just warm enough to gently enrich the room.

Sophie didn't just rely on classic paint ideas to introduce color; instead, she layered nostalgic patterns, vintage furniture, and vibrant soft furnishings for a dose of whimsy and lived-in charm. Cozy without feeling too seasonal, it's a lesson in using color timelessly, and keeping things inspiring and cheerful without straying too far into one feeling.

'I wanted a soft, pale pink that would bring warmth to the room while still feeling light and neutral,' Sophie Garland says. 'This provided a calm backdrop for the color and pattern introduced through the fabrics and artwork, allowing these elements to bring character and personality to the space without it feeling too busy.'

Each of these rooms uses colorful in its own unique way. From gentle, sage green schemes to spaces layered with a spectrum of rich browns, they prove the power of color in its many comforting forms.

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Our kitchen cabinets are never more crowded than around Thanksgiving and Christmas, when we’re juggling festive feasts alongside everyday cooking.

When space is at a premium, every inch counts when organizing kitchen cabinets – including those awkward cabinet corners we tend to overlook. The secret to making better use of these neglected spaces? The Joseph Joseph CupboardStore 2 Tier Rotating Organizer from Bloomingdale’s.

This clever organizer makes it easy to divide kitchen cabinets into zones, using vertical space without the need for permanent fixtures. It’s a simple, affordable way to make your cabinets work harder and take some of the stress out of preparing a holiday feast.

We're obsessed with Joseph Joseph's clever organizers and storage ideas here at Homes & Gardens, and this clever product is no exception. In fact, we're sure it's one of the things organized people have in their kitchens – so you should too.

What we love most is how the tiered design improves visibility, making it easy to spot and reach bottles, spices, jars, and other ingredients without having to move everything around or stretch to reach items tucked at the back. Much like a Lazy Susan, it also rotates, which makes access quick and convenient from all angles, so you'll never forget items at the back of a chaotic cabinet again.

Professional home organizers love this solution, too. 'I’ve never met a turntable I didn’t like,' says Meggie Mangione, professional organizer. 'Turntables are one of my absolute favorite go-to tools for almost any organizing project. They offer quick, easy access to products that might otherwise get lost in the back of a cabinet. And honestly, who doesn’t love spinning a little wheel like you’re on a game show?

'A simple turn can bring everything into view without knocking over bottles or digging through clutter.'

With this Joseph Joseph organizer, you don’t have to worry about items slipping or sliding around. Each tier features a textured surface and raised edges to help keep everything securely in place, while the shorter top shelf leaves room for taller, more awkwardly shaped bottles and jars.

If DIY or flat-pack isn't your thing, it's also super quick and easy to assemble using the instructions included.

Customers who rate it five stars have commented that it's 'just brilliant' with 'such an excellent design' to 'transform your cupboards,' and that they 'highly recommend' it – so take it from them if you're wanting to avoid trendy storage and wasted money, and instead invest in a solution that sticks.

What Else to Shop

I have curated a selection of other professional-approved organizing essentials to help you keep a tidy kitchen when cooking Thanksgiving dinner.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Struggling with drawers? We also recommend investing in a pegboard organizer, which is ideal for streamlining messy pots and pans.

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The London design scene is booming, fuelled in part by US-based designers and brands expanding into the UK. British designers and brands are making their mark across the Atlantic, too, but with the UK’s design world anchored by a single major design center in Chelsea, the American influx feels particularly visible from this side of the pond.

But crossing the Atlantic is about more than about finding a new market: it’s about discovering a different design culture, a new set of opportunities and a different way of doing business.

This month, I preview the British incursion into Texas Design Week Dallas, and speak to two US-based design pioneers about what it takes to make the leap to the UK, what they’ve discovered along the way, and the opportunities and challenges of establishing a presence on the other side of the pond.

The Brits Are Coming: Texas Design Week Dallas

I'm wildly excited about attending Texas Design Week Dallas for the first time. Granted, it has a LOT to do with my young teen obsession with the Dallas of seventies soap opera fame, but I'm also fascinated by the sheer scale of the Texan homes that cross our desks at Anthology Towers, and the approaches to decorating them that designers necessarily take – so far from my own experience of designing and decorating my own homes (I'm on my ninth renovation, always learning).

I will be attending as many of the panels and talks (and cocktail parties) as I can – but am particularly keen to offer my support to the Brits who have made the trip.

On my list: Conversation with a Legend: Kit Kemp at J Williams Fine Art; then to The Importance of the Decorative Arts and Craft in Interior Design, with my colleague Sarah Spiteri, Global Brand Director at Homes & Gardens Anthology, in conversation with Pulp Design Studios, Russell Pinch of Pinch London, Sara Story, Christopher Farr, and Douglas Wright; next to Cocktails, a Book Signing and Salon Talk with Homes & Gardens US Editor Benjamin Reynaert, and the indefatigable Sarah Spiteri; and to support Ben again, along with Elizabeth Lawrence and Simon Upton, at The Dream Team: Designer, Photographer, Editor and Stylist. And Morning Mimosas, Salon Talk and Book Signings with Nathan Turner and Annie Meyers-Shyer, moderated by Claire German, CEO of Design Centre Chelsea Harbour. I will be homeward-bound for the closing event – a transatlantic conversation between London-based designer Alidad and Claire German, but I will catch up with Claire for next month's column, and report back.

Mimosas seem to be a thing at Texas Design Week Dallas. Explain that to me someone, preferably while passing me one.

Crossing the Pond: 5 Questions for Rosemary Hallgarten

Barely pausing for breath after opening her London showroom, Rosemary Hallgarten, who founded her eponymous luxury interiors brand in San Francisco in 2001, has just unveiled her first gorgeous collection of wallcoverings in both the US and UK. Us Brits are famously precious about our wallpaper heritage, so I asked her five quick-fire questions to find out what she believes a transatlantic perspective can bring to the party.

1: Why London, Why Now?

'Having grown up in Britain, it's been wonderful to establish a presence in London. It's such an international design center, attracting designers from around the world, so it felt like a natural place to expand. There's a strong appreciation for textiles and craftsmanship in Britain, and I'm excited to introduce our approach to natural fibers, particularly alpaca. We've spent years building relationships with artisans and exploring new ways of working with traditional techniques. I hope British designers discover that combination of craftsmanship, texture and contemporary design, and how naturally our materials work in both historic and modern interiors.'

2. How Did Your New Wallpaper Collection Come About?

'The idea came from seeing designers use our textiles on walls. We've approached wallcoverings much like our rugs and textiles, focusing on natural fibers, craftsmanship and the subtle variations that make a material interesting. I love the irregularity of a weave and how a textured surface changes as light moves across it. Our Ombré wallcoverings are a wonderful example, with gradual transitions of color and the softness of alpaca creating movement and depth. Texture works beautifully in both settings, adding richness to a traditional British interior or warmth to a more minimal American space. I think our Nara and Tottori wallcoverings, which incorporate raffia and bouclé, could resonate particularly well with American designers, given their longstanding appreciation for natural, woven materials. Some of our deeper, more layered colors may appeal to British designers. But I wouldn't necessarily divide the collection that way. Natural fibers respond so differently to their surroundings. The same textured wallcovering might create warmth in a smaller, darker British room while feeling softer and more understated in a light-filled American home.'

3. Do American and British designers approach wallpaper differently?

'British designers have traditionally been more comfortable using wallpaper boldly, often throughout an entire room or home. There's a confidence in mixing patterns, colors and periods, and rather than trying to make smaller rooms feel larger, they embrace that intimacy through rich color and pattern. Historically, American designers have been influential in embracing natural wallcoverings like grasscloth and woven fibers which create texture and depth through their subtle irregularities without relying on strong pattern. However this has shifted the last few years with the two approaches increasingly coming together.

'I think American designers are drawn to the history, character and confidence of British interiors, particularly the way patterns, colors and textures are mixed to create rooms that feel collected over time. There's also a long history of British influence on American decorating. Wallpapers were imported from Britain into colonial American homes, and the Arts and Crafts movement, particularly William Morris and his nature-inspired designs, had a lasting influence on pattern and craftsmanship. What American designers continue to admire is that sense of individuality and freedom. British interiors often embrace imperfection, whether it's an antique piece, an unexpected color combination or a mix of patterns that wouldn't necessarily seem to go together. There’s something wonderful about rooms that feel collected rather than overly coordinated.'

4. How Has Living and Working Across Two Cultures Shaped Your Work?

'Growing up in London specifically surrounded by both history and modern craft instilled in me a deep feeling of creating spaces through layers of different visual stories, combining past and present and richness in texture and color. This has informed my creative approach to rugs and fabric and now in turn to walls. Britain has such a strong decorative tradition, in particular on walls, and I was surrounded by homes that embraced wallpaper, pattern and richer, darker colors and I loved the warmth and intimacy of those spaces if not the specific more decorative patterns. Living and working in America has certainly influenced how I've interpreted those ideas. American interiors often have a greater sense of openness and light, while British interiors tend to feel more layered and intimate. I've found myself bringing some of that British warmth into a more relaxed, contemporary setting, often through texture rather than pattern. For me, it's about how materials make you feel, and walls play an important role in that.'

5. What Will the Next Chapter of the British-American Design Exchange Look Like?

'I think it's becoming much more of a two-way conversation. British design has long influenced American interiors through pattern, color and traditional decorating, but there's also a relaxed quality to American design that we're increasingly seeing in Britain. American designers are particularly good at creating comfortable, livable spaces with a strong connection between indoors and outdoors. There's also an appreciation for natural materials and texture that’s influencing both markets. At the same time, American interiors are embracing more of the layering, individuality and unexpected color combinations associated with British decorating.'

The Transatlantic View: What Changes When a US Designer Works in the UK?

Criss-crossing the Atlantic for Homes & Gardens for the past few years has exposed just how starkly different Brits and Americans feel about having an interior designer. As a transatlantic designer recently told me, Americans seek help from interior designers just as they would from a paediatrician; Brits resort to hiring a designer with a bashful sense of disappointment at their own lack of decorative abilities.

So how does it feel for a US designer to work here, in the UK? What changes? What stays the same? To my mind, Portuguese-born, London-educated, and Connecticut-based Claudia F Kalur was the perfect person to ask. Claudia has spent her career moving between European and American design sensibilities. Here, she explains the transatlantic relationship through the lens of a Georgian apartment in London that she recently completed.

Claudia's clients are American. She had already designed their Connecticut country house and New York triplex, which gave her a rare opportunity to work with the same people across three very different settings. In London, however, the brief was clear: this home had to belong to its Georgian surroundings, while still feeling unmistakably theirs.

What changed when you came to design your clients' London home?

'I have been working with these clients for over a decade and their approach to each house is very much in tune with how I view each project I work on – location and architecture tend to be the leading elements of the design.

'In CT, they own the oldest house on their street, dating to the early 1800s. It's a farmhouse with beautiful architectural elements on the stairs, wide plank floors and stone walls. The triplex in NY is on Park Avenue, and it used to belong to a famous NYC socialite. It has a two-storey height living room, a spiral staircase, a stone fireplace and a mahogany library.

'In all cases, the architecture was preserved or restored, but the interiors were designed according to the clients' lifestyle at each of these locations. CT is a summer and weekends house so the interiors were more relaxed, a mix of vintage American furniture with some Mid-Century accents. The New York apartment was the main residence, where they also often entertain large groups. The interiors were more formal, more curated, more chic and the art collection plays a big role.

'As for London, it is their UK base for work so it also meant lots of entertaining. Just like in the other residences, the goal was to stay true to the Georgian architecture and still bring in their personalities in the art and furniture. In London, we focused more on English or in general European art and furniture, and procured as much as we could within the UK.'

The London apartment had lost almost all of its original architectural. How did you restore it differently to an American house?

'I always try to stay true to the period, including in houses in the USA. There are now wonderful architects like Gil Schafer who are designing new classical buildings and working true to period details. So while there were elements I would do differently in a house in the UK, the process would absolutely be the same.

'The architecture was absolutely as something to work with. The renovation in the '80s had removed all the moldings, the doors were new, even the flooring! The only thing that was kept was the original mantel. So we started over.

'The space was re-laid out to add plenty of storage space, to give the two bedrooms ensuite bathrooms, add a powder room, and an office. So we thought, okay, well, let’s open it all up and do it properly. We gutted the flat all the way to the studs and brick walls.

'Then we did our research and started adding elements in each area of the house – all the trims, moldings and plaster work, types of doors, the hardware, the flooring. Certain elements, we did not have to go far for inspiration – the main entrance of the building had been kept intact – the doors, the black and white flooring, some of the moldings. So we made sure there was continuity.'

You were asked to maintain or replace the Georgian elements 'in kind'. What did that mean in practice?

'It meant we wanted to stay true to the period of the architecture. The clients are well travelled, and have an appreciation for art and history. They had considered other areas in London when looking for a flat but the main appeal of this one was not just the location, but also the character of the building.

'They also were very clear that they wanted to use as much vintage and antique furniture and accessories as possible, not just because quality tends to be better than much modern furniture but also because they believe in extending the life of antiques and appreciate the history in each piece.

'I would say that it’s also a very European attitude towards architectural continuity but, yes, for sure very British, and I think the clients felt very strongly about it. In practice, this meant looking at other Georgian flats in the area, and researching, for example, different types of doors and windows.'

So there were Georgian details you had to learn on the job?

'YES! Types of cornices and skirting [base] boards of that period, as well as types of doors and windows.

'There used to be a solid door to the living room but the clients wanted to let light into the hallway, so we thought we would do a pair of French doors with a transom light above – however, we wanted it to fit with the architecture. I spent an afternoon walking around Marylebone looking into people’s houses through the windows to see if the fanlights we saw over the entrance doors could be applied to interiors as well.'

Did the constraints of a smaller London apartment actually make the design more interesting?

'Oh for sure. I love period architecture – I am Portuguese and I have a degree in Art History – and a passion for old homes and buildings. I try to bring this to projects I work on in the USA so working on this project in London, with these clients, was a dream.

'The constraints here were actually just fun challenges. The beauty of working in the UK – versus working on a house in the USA inspired by Georgian architecture – is the availability of resources. It was easy to find the right molding, the trades who knew what to do, how to make a bespoke cupboard, etc, so in that sense, it was easier.

'We identified the needs first – king size bed vs. queen, 7ft sofa versus two loveseats, etc. We also needed to carve out a powder room – the clients entertain often and the last thing they wanted was for guests to have to go through one of the rooms to go to the bathroom. So there was a lot playing around with space, all heads thinking together, but we did it.

'And here we had to reach a bit of a compromise – hence the navy velvet sofa being newly made. We had looked at vintage sofas but they were too small, too formal. That was for sure the element we struggled with a tad so it would work with the rest of the furniture, scale and style-wise.

'The truth is that we also wanted the space to feel not just lived in, but personal and that it had been lived in through the years – it is not unusual to find houses of a certain period and the furniture styles from the 18th century live happily together.'

The apartment combines 18th-century paintings, a 19th-century bookcase, Mid-Century Italian furniture, contemporary art, taxidermy and a Persian rug from New York, Connecticut, Amsterdam, Paris, Gloucestershire and London. Did working in Britain change the way you source, and is there a different attitude towards mixing periods in Britain?

'I already source most of the furniture, lighting, fabrics, etc from the UK – it is my preferred aesthetic so I am very familiar with not only design centers and vendors but I also have regular antiques dealers I buy from. It was super fun to work 'locally' this time, instead of dealing with transatlantic traffic.

'I had no restrictions in terms of 'can I take this or not', for instance, the breakfront bookcase in the living room came from a dealer in Greenwich. He drove it himself and delivered it to the flat.

'These clients were very particular in the sense that they are art collectors and travel substantially. It also felt right – we were not designing a museum, frozen in time. The goal was a building true to its architecture, and an interior that didn’t just respect it, but grew with it.

'So the clients bought art they loved, brought a few items they had bought before at auction like the taxidermy, and we added pieces that made sense in the space but that also had a story.'

Did you deliberately make the apartment feel British, or was the aim to make it feel like your clients?

'Both. We wanted it to be heavily British. They wanted it to be grounded in its history and context – and still feel theirs, with their favorite art and pieces.

'We were inspired by designers like Rose Uniacke, by historic interiors – we visited the nearby Wallace Collection a couple of times – and even by the other houses the clients have. The line that runs though them is that they belong where they are but you also recognize the personality of the clients – the consistency of the mix of antiques with Mid-Century, with contemporary art.'

Did working with British makers and tradespeople change your expectations of craftsmanship?

'Yes – a lot of the makers, I had already worked with but once it was said that the project was in London, I had to readjust my mindset.

'I think everyone knows – and it was an adjustment to me when I moved to the USA 25 years ago – that here everyone wants everything now. For projects in the UK, and the ones I have worked on in Portugal, let’s just say that email replies and call backs are not as urgent!

'In the end it was all good but yes, there was a certain lack of urgency that I had to re-learn. Now the beauty of it was the bespoke side of the carpenters, framers, etc. Architectural design fascinates me and I learned so much from the trades, who had the patience to teach me new terms and how certain details could be made.

'In Europe, there is a certain emotional investment in craft that while it does exist in the USA, it is not as common. In the USA, only at a 0.0001% top tier will you find tradesmen accustomed to period details. You can find wonderful trades, and I have quite a few whom I have worked with for years here in the USA, capable of very high end quality work but not necessarily knowledgeable of period details. It is usually up to me to do the research.'

Why did Plain English feel like the natural choice for the kitchen, and what did the project reveal about British and American kitchen design?

'The client contacted Plain English just before I came on board, while they were just starting the design. The client chose them because the aesthetic seemed perfect for the flat.

'In my mind, there would have been no other choice but a British kitchen company! How could it?

'The kitchens I design for houses in the USA are heavily influenced by British kitchen design – not just Plain English but also Humphrey Munson, deVOL, etc.

'One detail that came up, and does often, is the difference at the top of the cabinets in English vs. American kitchens. In the USA, unless your ceiling is 10ft, cabinetry goes all the way to the ceiling. In the UK, cabinetry is made to look not built-in but stand alone! There is always a gap above the cupboard.

'In this flat, the ceiling was not very high so the space above the cupboards were only something like 10cm. After much back and forth, they did place a molding above them to close that gap.'

Having worked predominantly in America but with a European background, what did working in London make you see differently about American design?

'I am Portuguese – and an anglophile at that; I lived in London for five plus years a long time ago – and I'm US-based but not American. Having said that I have only had American clients and my business is 95% based in the USA.

'I believe in craftsmanship and while it exists here in the USA, the British are much more invested (or trying to) in preserving craftsmanship. I am thinking of all the efforts that someone like Lulu Lytle has been making towards training young people in furniture and lighting making, or Jamb and many other British makers.

'Working on this project, if anything, made me more frustrated for certain projects at home in USA. This obviously does not apply to everyone and I have some wonderful clients who care for quality, but in general, there is an interest in more, better looking but make it faster.

'Often I find that it’s more important to get something that can be made faster rather than wait longer for the perfect piece. And that is what I carried with me and try to impress on my clients here. Better to wait six more months for something you will love for the next 30 years than buy something now that you’re settling for.'

What do you think American designers misunderstand about British interiors – and vice versa?

'That’s a question that is hard to answer. It is without a doubt one of my biggest questions.

'I recently finished a project here in the CT, for a lovely client who shares with me a love for things well made, especially if they are made in England. We had it photographed, a project where I used all my favorite makers – Soane, Vaughan, Penny Morrison, Hector Finch, Besselink & Jones, GP&J Baker, Colefax & Fowler, Armac Martin, antiques dealers in the UK, etc.

'I submitted it to a large magazine in the UK and I was told it was lovely but too American. And it got me stumped. I was expecting a no – you have to at least try, right? – but I was certainly not expecting that answer.

'I have thought long and hard about this and I think it may have meant two things: proportions – it’s a house with large rooms – and too new – nothing looks too old, too worn.

'So I think that is the biggest disconnect between interiors on the two sides of the ocean. You can only design so much a lived-in room – you have to actually live in it. Come back to photograph it 10 years from now...'

What do British designers seem to do instinctively that American designers can struggle to reproduce?

'I have listened a lot to some British designers talk about this subject, like Salvesen Graham and Ben Pentreath and I find it super interesting.

'I also think that no matter how much designers in the USA try, me included, no one does interiors like a British designer. It's in the colors, the textures, the mismatched, the patina and it all works together. In new settings like a lot of houses in the USA, it looks too 'designed'. Not sure any of this makes sense and I am just thinking "out loud."'

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With Halloween behind us and November officially underway, festive planning is kicking into gear. As crisp fall days give way to winter chill, decorating the tree remains the ultimate holiday ritual – and setting the right aesthetic is front and center for Christmas 2026.

A throwback photo of Katie Holmes decorating her living room Christmas tree offers the perfect inspiration for this season's vintage decor trend. Her tree skips rigid, modern styling in favor of an effortless, lived-in charm that feels timeless.

Katie's tree features some rather retro ornaments (just like these from Walmart), proving that character-filled ornaments never lose their appeal. Her Christmas decor balances playful nostalgia with classic holiday warmth, setting a cozy tone for the coming weeks.

Shop the Katie Holmes-Inspired Edit

Ann Couser Kittredge of Dabbling and Decorating explains, 'First, that post of Katie and her tree is a bit telling in itself. Retro and vintage Christmas decorations flood us with memories of our youth or days gone by. She's laughing and decorating a "simple" Christmas tree with what feels right to her. There's no caption or messaging on her post; the post speaks for itself, including the old Pottery Barn hutch in the background (I also had one)... It's a throwback to simpler, happier times.'

Recreating that charm for 2026 does not require a large budget. To recreate the look, Ann suggests, 'By collecting assortments of vintage Christmas tree ornaments at flea markets and thrift shops. They are plentiful these days and very affordable too. I would also repurpose my mother's Christmas ornament collections for that nostalgic look that Katie is enjoying in her photo.'

Focusing on thrifted finds, heirloom pieces, and retro glass accents gives a tree that welcoming, collected-over-time character – nostalgic without feeling overly kitsch, and stylish for years to come.

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We tend to think of spring and summer as the time when our gardens look their best. This is mostly true, unless we're experiencing a severe drought. Yet the fall garden can look spectacular too.

There are a number of plants whose appearance is enhanced once temperatures have dropped and they have fully matured; whether that's through their statuesque seedheads, rich foliage, late blooms or beautiful berries.

Discover the species landscape designers and professional gardeners recommend including in your fall gardening plan for spectacular seasonal interest.

1. Arkansas Bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii)

This pretty clump-forming perennial grows well in full sun, and can cope in partial shade. With its tiny pale-blue panicles in spring and summer, Arkansas bluestar can liven up flower beds and borders, and particularly suits a prairie or cottage garden. However, autumn is when its spiky foliage transforms into something far more spectacular.

'Arkansas bluestar is one of my absolute favorite perennials, and while it has lovely little blue flowers in spring, the fall foliage will knock your socks off,' says New York-based landscape designer, Kat Aul Cervoni, founder, Staghorn Living.

'The leaves are incredibly fine and feathery, giving the plant this soft, almost cloud-like appearance. In fall, the entire thing turns a brilliant golden yellow peppered with oranges and a bit of red - when planted in a large drift, it's absolutely spectacular.

'I especially love how it contrasts with the heavier textures of other late-season perennials and ornamental grasses. I tend to treat this perennial like an ornamental grass or shrub amidst other perennials, due to its superb movement, volume and texture.'

This Narrowleaf Bluestar from Plant Addicts is fast-growing and un-fussy about soil, although it likes a neutral pH level. It can grow to around 3' tall and wide and grows well in zones 5-8.

2. Korean Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha)

Ornamental grasses are a wonderful choice for those who like linear structure, soft texture and movement over blousy blooms and bold colors in the garden. They're also brilliant for autumnal interest but the choice is vast. Korean feather reed grass is a species that Kat favors for its ability to add flair to the fall garden with its feathery tufts.

'If you're not growing ornamental grasses for fall interest you need to jump on the bandwagon,' says Kat. 'Calamagrostis brachytricha aka Korean feather reed grass is particularly gorgeous because its fluffy, almost bottlebrush-like plumes really come into their own in late summer and fall.

'This variety is wide and fluffy in contrast to “Karl Foerster” which is famously upright and architectural. As the season progresses, the plumes mature into these beautiful soft, silvery-tan tones that give a beautiful glow when the low autumn sun hits them.

'I love using grasses like this to bring movement and softness into a planting design, especially when so many other perennials are starting to look a little tired and crispy this time of year.'

This Korean feather reed grass from Lowe's is low-maintenance and suitable for zones 4-9. It can reach 3" tall and wide and produces fluffy pink plumes in the fall.

3. Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia)

Popular in wildlife gardens for its ability to attract pollinators and songbirds, this native shrub offers structure and color across three seasons. Give Aronia arbutifolia plenty of space, as it can grow up five to ten feet tall and three to five feet wide. It prefers wet soil, so add mulch to the soil to retain moisture.

'I'm a huge fan of incorporating shrubs that offer more than one season of interest, and this is one of my faves,' says Kat. 'While red chokeberry does offer delicate clusters of white flowers in spring, the real show starts in fall, when the foliage turns brilliant shades of red and the branches are covered in glossy red berries.

'The berries can persist well into winter, which makes the plant especially valuable once the leaves have dropped. It's also native to eastern North America, and the berries are an excellent food source for song birds, so I love seeing who comes to visit our shrubs for a snack.'

Native to southern Canada and the Eastern U.S., this Brilliantissima red chokeberry from Plant Addicts lives up to its name with its vivid fiery fall foliage.

4. Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)

Another ornamental grass that puts on a dazzling display through fall is pink Muhly grass. Native to the southern US and Mexico, this densely-tufted perennial explodes with a profusion of pink plumes in late summer that enhance the landscape throughout fall.

It can be grown in containers, beds and gravel gardens and thrives in well-drained soil with full sun.

'In summer this grass is unassuming with its thin straight green blades, but as the season changes over to fall this grass is a showstopper,' says Laura Janney, CEO, The Inspired Garden Masterclass. 'The plumes reach out with soft billowing clouds of pink that just float through the fall garden.

'These gentle pink puffs create a beautiful contrast against the straighter lines and textural structures in the fall garden.'

This pink Muhly grass from Lowe's comes in a 3 gallon pot and is hardy in zones 6-10.

5. Ornamental Brassicas

We often look to selected perennials, shrubs and grasses for a reliably attractive transition into autumnal interest. Yet, despite being an annual (or biennial in some zones), frilly ornamental brassicas, such as cabbages and kale, are a favorite for Laura at this time of year.

'Ornamental cabbages are a must in our fall gardens as they add so much color and unique texture,' says Laura. 'Their soft yet sturdy, waxy leaves, and rounded growth make them a standout over any other fall planting.

'Brassicas are so incredibly cold-tolerant, sometimes we see them last through winter and into spring the following year. The best part is that as the temperature drops the colors get richer and more vibrant.'

This ornamental kale from Trees.com will liven up beds, borders and pots with its vibrant pink and green ruffles.

6. Beauty Berry (Callicarpa americana)

Shrubs and trees that burst with beautiful berries shimmer on crisp fall days, when other plants are losing their lustre. And while red and green is a gorgeous color combo, for something a little different, a shrub that stands out is Callicarpa americana.

Otherwise known as Beautyberry, by fall, this plant's inconspicuous flowers have transformed into clusters of mauve-magenta fruits, loved by birds.

'This shrub’s foliage is understated in the summer but come fall it puts on the real show,' says Laura. 'It has small clusters of magenta berries that have a pearly, almost metallic sheen. These little iridescent little jewels just glow up the garden and its texture is unlike any other plant in autumn.'

Easy to grow, this beautyberry bush from Plant Addicts can reach 3-6' tall and wide and is suitable for zones 7-11.

7. Coneflower (Echinacea)

We wouldn't exactly say that coneflowers (echinacea) look better in the fall than in the summer, but they do have their own kind of beauty once the petals have dropped and the statuesque seedheads remain. This striking plant is definitely one to grow for multi-seasonal appeal.

'One of our favorite summer staples is coneflower, as it continues to not disappoint in the fall,' says Laura. 'We love leaving the seedheads as their texture just adds so much interest to the fall and winter gardens.

'When the petals drop, you are left with a sturdy dome with hard-edged bristles, making a beautiful contrast to the softer textures in the garden.'

You can find coneflower seeds at True Leaf Market.

8. Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum trilobum)

Despite its common name, this plant is not a cranberry species; it is so called due to its resembling brilliant red berries. It's actually a viburnum native to the northern U.S. and parts of Canada – and grows well in zones 2–3 in moist, well-drained soil.

'Highbush Cranberry is a Prairie garden favourite that truly shines as autumn arrives,' says horticulturalist, Sharon Murphy, founder, Gardening with Sharon. 'Its attractive maple-like leaves turn beautiful shades of red, burgundy and orange as temperatures cool, while clusters of bright red berries add a spectacular splash of colour.

'The berries often remain into winter after the leaves have fallen, providing food for birds and adding beauty to the winter landscape.

'Give it plenty of room to develop its natural shape – mine is planted where its brilliant fall foliage and colourful berries take centre stage during the fall months.'

This Wentworth Viburnum from Plant Addicts will produce beautiful bright red berries and can grow up to 8-10" tall.

9. Cushion Spurge (Euphorbia polychroma)

This clump-forming low-maintenance perennial suits many types of garden styles from cottage and wildlife to city and courtyard spaces. Cushion spurge is drought-tolerant, great for pollinators and has showy fall foliage that can bring much to the late-season landscape.

'Cushion spurge is a wonderful four-season garden plant that deserves a place on the fall garden list,' says Sharon. 'In spring, its rounded form is covered with brilliant yellow bracts, but its beauty doesn't end when the flowers fade.

'As temperatures cool in autumn, the foliage can develop beautiful shades of red, orange and purple, adding a final burst of colour to the perennial border. Its compact, mounded shape also provides lovely structure among taller grasses and perennials.

'Once established, cushion spurge is drought tolerant and requires little maintenance. Although, wear gloves when pruning, as its milky sap can irritate skin.'

What to Shop

As you can see, there is so much more to rely on than gorgeous deciduous trees, for a fabulous fall display in the garden. Consider what would suit your space and seasonal conditions and liven up your landscape with color, texture and structure, while there is still time.

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There is a particular occupational hazard that comes with working in the interior design industry: you can no longer simply walk into someone's house. You're looking at the curtains. You're wondering why the sofa is floating six inches too far from the rug. You're clocking the overhead lighting, the height of the artwork, and the door hardware that doesn't quite belong. Meanwhile, the homeowner is happily offering you a glass of wine, completely unaware that you've mentally rearranged their living room before taking your coat off.

It's not that designers are impossible to please (well, not always). It's that after years of looking at homes, you start to notice the little things that most people overlook. It inherently becomes you; you live and breathe in those little details, but more importantly, you have not realized how much those little things affect the way a room feels.

The good news? You don't need to renovate your entire house to make it better. Sometimes the difference between a room that feels almost right and one that feels genuinely considered comes down to a handful of decisions you may never have thought to question.

1. Your Curtains Are Probably Too Short, Too Wide or Just Too Much

I'm starting here because window treatments are one of those things that can quietly undermine an otherwise beautiful room. Too often, curtains are hung just above the window frame, stopping awkwardly at the floor, with barely enough fabric to cover the glass. Technically, they're doing their job. Aesthetically, they're missing the point. Curtains should feel like part of the architecture, not an afterthought. Hanging them higher and wider than the window can make ceilings feel taller and windows feel grander. Generous fabric creates softness, movement, and a sense of luxury that even the most expensive sofa can't quite replicate. And please, let them kiss the floor. We're not dressing for a flood. Now, I don't want you to go overboard either – window coverings have a time and a place, and not every single window needs them. Evaluate the space: is it for privacy? Is it to add that extra layer to a room? We’ve come into projects before where we take the drapery out in certain rooms altogether, and instantly the view becomes the main character and the windows feel like they can breathe again. The long and short – pick and choose, and if you do choose yes, make sure they aren't swallowing the glass.

2. Your Lighting Is Setting the Wrong Mood

If the first thing you do when you enter a room is turn on a grid of bright overhead lights, we need to talk. Good lighting is layered, and it should change with the way you use a space throughout the day. I think of lighting as the jewellery of a room. Table lamps, sconces, picture lights and pendants all have a role to play, and together they create depth and atmosphere. A single overhead fixture rarely does a room justice, particularly in the evening when you want things to feel a little softer. I'm also a firm believer in choosing warm-toned bulbs. Your home should feel inviting, not like you're waiting for a dental cleaning. The right lighting makes natural materials richer, colors more nuanced, and people considerably more flattering. It's a small change with a surprisingly big payoff. Also, dimmers – always; that's a non-negotiable.

3. Everything Matching Isn’t the Same as Everything Working

There is a temptation to buy the entire furniture collection, coordinate every finish, and make sure every piece of wood is exactly the same shade. I understand the instinct. It feels safe. But safe can quickly become a little soulless. Think the 90’s bedroom set … the dresser matches the nightstand matches the bench matches the headboard. Just say no. The most interesting homes have contrast. An antique chest beside a contemporary sofa. A slightly imperfect vintage lamp on a beautifully tailored side table. Old wood against fresh linen, polished brass against something weathered. These combinations give a room character and make it feel as though it has evolved. It is collected; you don't want it to look like the showroom of the latest big box store. I'm not interested in making a home look as if it was purchased in one afternoon. I want it to feel collected, layered, and personal. That doesn't mean throwing together a random assortment of things and hoping for the best. It means being thoughtful enough to know that not everything needs to match to belong together.

4. The Small Details Are Doing More Work than You Think

Door handles, cabinet hardware, switch plates, trim profiles and the way one material meets another are rarely the first things homeowners think about. Yet they're often the details that separate a considered interior from one that feels unfinished. This is probably one of the easiest upgrades even in a builder grade home; these are easy upgrades that make a very big difference on the feel of the home. A beautiful kitchen can lose some of its magic when the hardware feels generic. A lovely room can feel strangely flat when every finish is new, shiny and perfectly uniform. Materials need a little variation, and the details should feel connected to the architecture and the overall story of the home. This is where I think restraint matters. You don't need to upgrade every handle in the house or replace perfectly good finishes simply because they're not fashionable. But when you're renovating or making changes, don't leave these decisions until the end. They're not the finishing touches you squeeze into the budget if there's money left. They're part of the design.

5. And Finally, Give Your Furniture Some Breathing Room

One of the most common mistakes I see is trying to fill every corner. A larger sofa, another chair, one more side table, a few extra accessories. We tend to assume that adding more will make a room feel more complete, when often the opposite is true. Good design is as much about what you leave out as what you put in. Furniture needs room to breathe, people need to move comfortably through a space, and the eye needs somewhere to rest. A beautiful piece of furniture deserves to be seen, not wedged between three other things. Before buying anything new, try removing something. Pull the furniture away from the walls if the layout allows, reconsider whether every surface needs an accessory, and pay attention to how you actually move through the room. Sometimes the best design decision is the one that costs absolutely nothing. Ultimately, the things designers notice aren't necessarily the expensive things. They're the decisions that make a home feel cohesive, comfortable, and considered. The right proportions, the warmth of the lighting, the contrast between old and new – none of these require a limitless budget, but all of them require a little thought. And if you take nothing else away from this, please reconsider your curtains. We really do notice.

Interior designer Ashley Montgomery is one of Homes & Gardens' Editors-At-Large for By Design, sharing her thoughts on decor. See the rest of her articles here.

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Christmas decor trends change, but one thing remains constantly important over the years: the festive energy of the room. Whether it's minimalist or maximalist, colorful or neutral, it's essential that your tree reflects the warmth of the season. Though kitsch is currently popular, others master this sense with more muted designs.

Justin and Hailey Bieber's Christmas tree nails the look. Their tree is decked in warm white lights and large white ornaments. Gold accents, such as a star (we love this light-up one from Amazon), tie the tree into the rest of the decor throughout the room. Though the color palette is simple, the impact is as striking as with much bolder designs.

It's a masterclass in making minimalist Christmas decor feel chic yet celebratory.

So, how do Justin and Hailey nail this delicate balance in their Christmas decor? The most important step is decorating with intention and careful planning.

Interiors expert Josh Branigan advises: 'Leaving everything until the last minute and decorating in a rush is one of the quickest ways to end up with a tree that's unevenly lit or baubles bunched together on one side. Give yourself time to plan where everything will go, test your lights before they go up, and step back regularly to see how the room looks as a whole. Spreading the job over a weekend, rather than a single evening, makes it far more enjoyable and the finished result looks much more considered.'

They accomplish this intention by sticking to a cohesive color palette, namely a white Christmas. 'Christmas decorating isn't about having the most decorations; it's about making your home feel warm, welcoming and personal,' states Josh. 'Sticking to a clear color scheme, giving each room some breathing space, and letting a few standout pieces take center stage will make your home look far more stylish. A little restraint goes a long way, and your guests will notice the difference.'

Shop The White Christmas Edit

Sticking to a cohesive color scheme makes your tree feel warm and intentional, like Justin and Hailey's. Here are our editors' picks of white decor to recreate their look.

Another lesson from Hailey and Justin's tree is the power of bringing in an accent color to bring out a festive feel. Between the star and glitter on their evergreen, metallic gold additions make the couple's Christmas decor pop.

'Gold works particularly well with seasonal colors such as light greens, white, hunter, or blue,' advises Irena Cara, Interior Designer & Co-Founder at Nova Wrap. 'Gold has been popular to incorporate into Christmas decor since the first Christmas.'

According to Irene, wrapping your tree in gold ribbon is a simple method for nailing the look. It's versatile and ever-popular. She explains: 'Gold ribbon is so timeless because you don't have to buy into trends every year. Gold ribbon on the Christmas Tree is a simple way to never feel outdated because gold never goes out of style. A gold-ribbon tree will not look out of place in a traditional room where fine furniture is usually highlighted with gold accents.'

Justin and Hailey Bieber's Christmas tree proves that festive decor doesn't have to fit into a narrow box. Instead it's about intention, care, and creating an ambiance you want to sit in throughout the holiday season.

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For many of us, November signals the start of pruning season for lots of deciduous trees. When they have lost their leaves in late fall and entered dormancy, it is an opportune time to give them some attention.

On your property, you may have trees to prune in November for health, size, or safety reasons. It can include keeping statuesque shade trees safe from disease, trimming arching ornamentals away from buildings and power lines, and ensuring popular backyard fruit trees are productive.

Yes, it pays to dedicate time to clearing your yard and planting in November, but it is also a good time to prune. To keep your trees safe, only prune on dry days, hold off if a severe freeze is on the horizon, and always use clean, sharp pruning tools. If in doubt, keep your pruners or loppers sharp with a pocket-sized sharpener like this on Amazon.

Northern Red Oak

The Northern Red Oak is one of the faster-growing oaks used in landscaping. Native to the eastern and central United States, it grows tall and broad and is a popular shade tree with bright red fall foliage.

Because of its rapid growth, it is recommended to assess a Northern Red Oak every 3 to 5 years, as it may require regular maintenance pruning to keep it safe and looking its best.

Oak tree pruning is best done during dormancy, and mid-November is often the start of the season in many climates. Winter pruning reduces the risk of oak wilt, a devastating disease spread by sap-sucking beetles that are active in spring and summer.

This winter pruning guidance applies to all native oak trees, all of which are susceptible to oak wilt. However, red oaks are most susceptible, and trees can die within months of any infection.

American Sycamore

The American sycamore is the largest deciduous tree in North America and can reach 75 to 100 feet tall. If you’ve got the space, an American sycamore can be a specimen tree for privacy or shade. It also has an extra trick up its sleeve – dramatic peeling white bark.

Regularly checking and pruning the tree helps maintain healthy, well-formed branches rather than weak joints that become a potential danger to property or people during storms. If you spot any dead, diseased, or damaged branches, prune them when the tree is dormant from late fall to early spring.

An old American sycamore may need professional climbers to tackle the tall canopy. In some cases, it may be possible to trim smaller trees or lower branches yourself. Here, an extendable pole pruner, such as this 27-foot pole pruner at Lowe’s, is a sensible option so you can cut safely from the ground.

White Ash

The native white ash, which can reach 50 to 80 feet tall, has been extensively planted as a shade tree.

However, the tree is very susceptible to the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle that has killed millions of ash trees across the US over the last quarter of a century.

If you have a white ash, or any other native ash, including green ash, prune only after leaf drop and when the tree is dormant. November offers the opportunity to prune and deal with any corrective issues when the beetles are not active.

To reduce the stress on the tree, make minimal cuts only for health, structural, or safety reasons and never remove more than 25% of the canopy in one year.

Always use the right tool for the branch size when doing any pruning. For example, use a pruning saw for the largest branches. This Corona folding pruning saw at The Home Depot can cut large limbs up to six inches in diameter.

American Elm

An American elm is a tall tree with an arching, shapely canopy. Its spreading habit makes routine pruning necessary if it grows close to buildings or power lines for safety reasons. The large limbs also make it important to inspect trees before winter for broken branches or deadwood that may drop in storms.

American elms are highly susceptible to the destructive Dutch elm disease, spread by elm bark beetles. The beetles are inactive from late fall to early spring, so elm trees can be lightly pruned in November.

Once the leaves have dropped, it is easier to see any dead, damaged, or diseased branches and any weak branch unions that may pose a risk in high winds. Promptly removing deadwood is always important with elm trees, as deadwood is a haven for elm bark beetles.

Mountain Ash

Mountain ash, also known as rowan, is not a true ash tree. It is in the genus Sorbus and belongs to the rose family. It gets its name because its leaves are similar to those of an ash tree.

A mountain ash has creamy-white flowers that attract pollinators, followed by bright berries – which can be red, orange, yellow, or pink – and these fall fruits provide food for birds.

When you grow a rowan tree, it is usually a compact, shapely, low-maintenance tree. It may need regular shaping and pruning to manage the size, improve air circulation and light penetration, and to remove dead, diseased, damaged, or crossing branches. If they need a trim, prune rowan trees during dormancy from November to February.

Start by focusing on the 3 D's and any crossing or congested branches. Remove them with sharp pruners or loppers, such as the Fiskars PowerGear tree loppers at Walmart. This is often all that is required to open up the canopy and keep the tree healthy for the following year.

Apples and Pears

In November, the window for pruning many fruit trees opens, including apples, pears, and quince trees. Knowing when to prune fruit trees is crucial. Pome fruits such as these are pruned during dormancy, unlike stone fruit trees such as plums, peaches, apricots, and cherries, which shouldn’t be pruned in winter and should instead be trimmed in summer.

As for how to prune fruit trees, each needs to be assessed and treated individually. However, always start by removing dead, damaged, or diseased branches, followed by any crossing, rubbing, or growing inwards towards the trunk.

When pruning apple trees, shortening last year’s branches encourages lots of fruiting spurs – but only on spur-bearing varieties, so check your type. And shortening long branches can help them support fruit. But don’t remove too much wood when pruning pears or apples in winter, or you might end up with lots of watershoots to remove next year.

A good set of sharp pruners should be the go-to tool for thin branches, shortening spurs, and removing watershoots. I have had a trusty pair of Felco F2 pruning shears that I have used for pruning fruit trees for more than a decade. You can get a pair of Felco F2 pruners at Amazon.

Shop Tools for Tree Pruning:

Always assess the weather before pruning trees, especially during colder months, to avoid pruning trees during or before periods of extreme cold.

If you make the pruning mistake of cutting before a deep freeze, frost can get into the pruning cut and cause dieback. Check the forecasts before pruning any trees in November, especially in colder, northern hardiness zones.

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While holiday decor trends cycle out faster than the season itself, Jennifer Lopez's former $60.9 million Beverly Hills estate proved that the most commanding look is actually an anti-trend – and it is setting the standard for Christmas 2026.

Instead of chasing fleeting aesthetics, the singer transformed her entryway by ignoring the trend cycle entirely and committing to a single, unapologetic shade: pure gold.

Her Christmas tree was styled exclusively with luxury gold ornaments and matching metallic foliage, demonstrating how a monochromatic palette can deliver instant warmth on dark winter nights rather than feeling flat. Jennifer even matched the setting herself, wearing a cream-and-gold skirt that mirrored the tree's festive glow.

Decorating with gold in a similar way is simple. Start with a classic ornament (like this one from Target), then fill the rest of your tree with other gold and glass pieces.

Shop the Gold Christmas Edit

Interior designers agree that this classic approach bypasses trend fatigue, making it just as relevant for the 2026 festive season as it will be decades from now.

'In my practice, I've seen tons of different Christmas decor styles, but the gold one has always been one of my favorites. There's just something so magical about the way gold glimmers and gleams during the holidays,' comments Vancouver-based designer Keely Smith.

Keely emphasizes that the look endures precisely because it sidesteps novelty: 'Gold Christmas decor is indeed considered timeless because it is a classic color that has been used in winter holiday decor for many years. It adds elegance and sophistication.'

While working with heavy gold accents can feel tricky during the rest of the year, December offers the ideal window to bring metallic warmth into living rooms, entryways, and festive tablescapes.

For homeowners looking to adapt the aesthetic without overdoing it, Keely suggests distributing the tone across key focal points: 'Some of my favorite ways to use gold include draping Christmas garlands over mantels, hanging multiple strands of jingle bells on trees, and placing gold ornaments throughout,' Keely says.

To keep metallic schemes refined rather than gaudy, contrast is crucial: 'Another tip is to mix gold with whites [like these ornaments from Crate & Barrel], silvers, blacks, or blues to keep it from feeling too flashy. Those pairings polish it off and make it feel refined. Also, keeping gold as more of an accent instead of going overboard with it helps, so it doesn't overwhelm the space,' Keely explains.

Pulling the scheme together comes down to letting grounded neutrals anchor the room:

'Little things like gold bells or pinecones placed strategically add just enough sparkle. Balancing gold with neutrals like white or green is key, too, so it all ties together cohesively. Letting one of those be the anchor color and then adding gold as the icing on the cake makes for a classy vibe.' With such timeless hues, this look will surely feel just as beautiful over the holiday a decade from now.

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The most stylish homes all have one thing in common: they're expressive, filled with personality-led interior choices that tell a story, and pattern is often a key element in doing so.

Decorating with patterns – from classic florals to a traditional stripe – is a tool designers often rely on to bring movement and rhythm to rooms and provide a visual break from block colors, but choosing a timeless pattern that won't quickly date is key to ensuring your design choices have longevity.

With that in mind, what patterns feel most stylish for 2027? Here, interior designers and textile experts share five pattern trends expected to be big in the coming year, while also being rooted in history that gives them a timeless quality. Whether you incorporate these stylish patterns boldly with wallpaper or more sparingly with smaller decor, they will no doubt elevate your home with character.

1. Gingham

Gingham is a classic pattern that, over the past few years, has been quietly resurfacing as a stylish way to bring a sense of cottage charm to homes. For the year ahead, designers are expecting to see this ramp up, with gingham becoming a go-to pattern choice beyond just rustic styles.

'We’re already seeing a real appetite for gingham from customers in both the UK and US, which is usually a good sign of where things are heading,' explains Louisa Tratalos, founder of bespoke fabric studio Colours of Arley. 'We’ve all seen gingham before, but it feels very different when you take it out of the expected red-and-white or blue-and-white combinations and put it into an unexpected color. Suddenly it feels graphic, modern, and much more sophisticated. I think 2027 will be about that kind of reinterpretation – taking something familiar and making it feel like your own.'

And while interior designer Michelle Gage is also championing decorating with gingham for 2027, she enjoys it for its classic roots. 'Gingham is a timeless pattern,' she says. 'You can see it being used throughout the last few decades. It feels classic because it's a sort of plaid – and it's two-tone, usually one color being white, so it's a pattern that feels familiar and absorbable.'

'Gingham – like stripes – has been around forever, which is probably why it doesn’t feel like a trend in the first place,' agrees Louisa. 'It’s familiar without being fussy, and there’s something very pleasing about that simple, graphic grid.'

To style gingham in a modern way in 2027, designers are embracing a more-is-more approach with pattern on pattern. 'I love pairing ginghams with florals,' says Michelle, who opted for this approach in this bedroom. 'It feels playful, fun, and fresh.'

And although gingham can lean English country in style, Louisa assures it is just as relevant for more modern spaces. 'It works beautifully on a country kitchen curtain or a traditional upholstered chair, but put it in an unexpected color, or use it as a sheer at the window, and suddenly it feels completely at home in a more modern scheme.'

2. Small-Scale Motifs

One prominent shift some designers are noticing for the year ahead is a shift towards small-scale patterns. 'In recent years, we have seen large-scale prints take center stage in interiors,' says designer Tamsyn Mason, founder of Tamsyn Mason Interior Design. 'I think we are now seeing a shift towards more nuanced designs that layer within a room and reveal themselves more slowly. Small-scale motifs create a gentler impact. They can still feel interesting and detailed, but there is something more soothing about their rhythm and repetition.'

The reason small-scale patterns feel timeless as well as of the moment is that they offer a sense of nostalgia. 'Whether geometric or floral, these patterns often have a wonderful sense of familiarity, in part because they echo the craftsmanship and pattern-making traditions we have grown up around,' says Tamsyn. 'They can remind us of patterns we have encountered throughout our lives and in the homes we remember, but that doesn't mean they have to feel old-fashioned or fussy.'

To reimagine small-scale patterns with a modern look, take inspiration from this bathroom and pair wallpaper with a bolder paint color. 'Smaller-scale patterns are particularly effective on wallpaper, where they reveal themselves gradually, creating a subtle richness that becomes more apparent the longer you spend in a room,' explains Tamsyn.

You could also experiment with using scale to mix patterns. 'Smaller-scale patterns can work beautifully alongside larger, bolder designs, creating a balance that feels both considered and natural,' adds Tamsyn. 'On upholstery, a smaller, more intricate pattern can be paired with bold, colorful cushions, rather than relying on plain fabrics to provide contrast. The smaller scale adds detail and texture, while the larger prints introduce impact and personality. Surprisingly, this combination can often feel more harmonious than a contrast between pattern and block color, bringing greater depth and a sense of ease to a room with a thoughtful interplay of scale.'

3. Traditional Florals

Floral room ideas are another classic within the interior design world, but the types of florals designers reach for are constantly evolving. For 2027, traditional and whimsical motifs that feel rooted in nostalgia are leading the way. 'We are finding that our clients have become a lot more open to florals and less worried about them feeling too traditional or too feminine,' says designer Emily Ruff of Cohesively Curated. 'I think florals feel timeless because they’ve been used in interiors for centuries, and there are so many different interpretations of them.'

'I expect to see a return to more traditional floral patterns, particularly classic motifs like hollyhocks and roses,' she adds. 'These patterns have a nostalgic quality that feels especially relevant as we’re seeing more interest in interiors with warmth, character, and a collected feel.'

Another reason why florals feel relevant for 2027 is that they bring a sense of nature indoors – something that is increasingly being reflected in interior design trends. 'We’ve seen a broader movement toward natural materials, organic elements, and interiors that feel more layered and personal,' says Emily. 'Floral patterns fit naturally into that direction because they bring an element of nature indoors while adding softness and personality.'

As is important with most patterns, getting the scale right is key to making florals work in 2027. 'When you’re incorporating multiple floral patterns into a room, you want to vary the scale so they complement rather than compete with one another,' Emily advises. 'I also like to mix florals with solids, stripes, plaid, and more textural patterns to give the eye somewhere to rest.'

'The key is creating a balance between patterned and solid surfaces, and mixing in different textures and materials,' says Emily. 'That’s what keeps a room from feeling overly themed and allows the florals to feel like a natural part of the design.'

4. Whimsical Murals

Wall murals are one of the most dramatic ways to decorate with pattern, and experts are predicting their whimsical appeal will increase in 2027. 'Murals have become increasingly popular due to their ability to completely transform a space and create a sense of escapism,' says Chloe Vince, senior decorating consultant at House of Hackney.

'The home is a sanctuary to nurture and inspire, and with the change to modern working patterns, more people are spending time at home and looking to invite the outdoors in through nature-inspired patterns and wallpapers,' Chloe adds.

And while murals feel fitting for the way design trends are heading, they are by no means new. 'Decorative murals have featured throughout the history of design, from the Italian Renaissance and Roman antiquity to the chinoiserie style that peaked during the Baroque and Rococo periods,' explains Chloe. 'Nature is the recurring inspiration for murals, from the soft botanicals of chinoiserie to the scenic landscape taken from French archival prints that we see so prominently in today's interior trends.'

With the right design, murals work well in both traditional and modern interiors. 'Nature-inspired murals help to bridge the gap between architectural spaces and the natural world, making them very versatile for both traditional and contemporary spaces,' says Chloe.

'For more traditional interiors, you can opt for an idyllic landscape or beautiful botanicals found in chinoiserie designs,' advises Chloe. 'The soft but rich palette often grounded in greens, browns and blues is timeless and acts as the perfect building block for a scheme.'

'For a playful, contemporary look, our HOLLYHOCKS is a print full of joy and a touch of irreverence,' she adds. 'While capturing the pastoral purity and romance of the English countryside, our punk spirit is embedded in the print's riot of flowers, making it the perfect backdrop for an inspiring retreat.'

Whichever type of mural you go for, a more graphic print alongside can modernize the look. 'I like to add a stripe as a visual break,' says Chloe. 'This helps to soften the scheme and creates a playful but timeless look.'

5. Chintz

For the more maximalist decorating styles, expect to see a return to chintz in 2027. But no longer are we talking about the chintz rooms of the '80s with their elaborately layered look and ruffled textiles; this decorative print needs a level of restraint.

'Chintz has been quietly having a moment for a while, and I think 2027 will bring it firmly back into the conversation,' says Jools Cornell, founder and creative director at fabric studio Pukka Print. 'There’s a real appetite now for interiors that feel more expressive, layered and individual. People are embracing pattern, color and abundance again, rather than feeling everything has to be quiet and minimal.'

And while this traditional print can quickly look dated when a room is overwhelmed by it, the right applications of contemporary chintz feel timeless. 'I think chintz is timeless because the things at its heart – flowers, foliage, color and craftsmanship – never really go out of fashion,' says Jools.

But how do you make this maximalist print work in 2027? 'My biggest piece of advice is not to be frightened of it,' Jools adds. 'Let chintz have a voice rather than trying to make everything else in the room match. I love using it on upholstery, curtains or a single statement piece, then bringing in plain linen, stripes or something more graphic to break things up.'

More unexpected colors can help make chintz feel more modern too, rather than dated. 'Don’t feel you have to use traditional colors,' advises Jools. 'Playing with color and scale can make traditional motifs feel incredibly fresh. I also love mixing periods and textures – an antique alongside something contemporary, polished wood with linen, a floral next to a stripe. The trick is to make a room feel collected rather than themed. Chintz should feel like part of the story, not the whole story.'

The best patterns to decorate with in 2027 are those that work with your existing design, adding personality and movement without overwhelming the room with a themed look. With any of these on-trend options for the year ahead, how they are incorporated will keep them looking contemporary, from experimenting with different scales so a room doesn't look overly matched to going for unexpected colorways.

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Pots and planters need slightly different care from beds and borders, and the right container garden tools can make caring for them much easier. Smaller, more precise tools help you plant, prune and top up the soil in tight spaces without disturbing the roots around them. That's the case whether you're refreshing a few patio plants or trying out new container garden ideas.

Fall is a busy time for containers. Summer bedding comes out, spring bulbs go in and tender plants need moving somewhere sheltered as the weather gets colder. A narrow trowel (like this one from Walmart) or hori hori knife (such as this West Elm one) is ideal for planting into existing displays. And a dibber or bulb planter is useful for getting spring bulbs in at the right depth when planting bulbs in pots.

Some of the most useful picks are the less obvious ones. Wayfair's Cast Iron Plant Caddy has locking wheels to help with moving heavy pots into a sunnier or more sheltered spot. Planter feet (like these terracotta ones from Lowe's) lift containers off the ground, helping them drain in wetter weather, while a waterproof potting mat (like this Target one) keeps soil off the patio when you're repotting. For something more design-led, Terrain's Enameled Steel Watering Can and Red Pig's Garden Hand Rake from Anthropologie look good enough to leave out on display.

We've rounded up 16 of the best container garden tools, covering everything from digging and pruning to watering and moving pots. Many will come in handy if you're planting a winter container and want to keep your patio looking good until spring.

Once your tools are sorted, it's worth thinking about how to protect container plants from winter weather, as pots are more exposed to frost than plants in the ground. Avoiding common winter container gardening mistakes, such as poor drainage or forgetting to mulch, will also help your plants cope as temperatures drop.

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I love the idea of making a Thanksgiving table garland using foliage gathered from the garden. There’s something so lovely about bringing a little of the outdoors inside at this time of year, when the garden is full of rich fall colors, interesting textures and beautiful seasonal details.

You don't need lots of expensive stems to create something special, either. A few leafy branches, some berries, and fragrant herbs can be just as beautiful, particularly when they're gathered together in a loose, natural arrangement.

There's also something meaningful, I feel, about using what you already have. Thanksgiving is all about gathering together, sharing food and appreciating what we have, and I think a garden-gathered centrepiece captures that spirit beautifully. In this weekend's episode of Petals & Roots, which you can watch below, I show you my tried-and-tested method for creating a garden-inspired garland that is textured and fragrant.

What You Need

• Paper-covered wire, which you can find at Amazon
• Alternatively you could use natural twine, or paddle wire, available from Walmart
• Floristry scissors or pruning shears, such these Fiskars bypass pruners from Ace Hardware
• These Martha Stewart dual sided gardening gloves from QVC may also come in very handy, especially if working with spiky foliage or berries
• A selection of evergreen foliage, berries and woody herbs

Inspiration for Making a Thanksgiving Foliage Garland

For me, a garland makes a wonderful alternative to a traditional vase of flowers. It runs along the centre of the table, creating a beautiful focal point without feeling too formal, and its low, relaxed shape means everyone can still see one another across the table.

Every garland will be a little different, depending on what's growing in your garden, which is part of its charm. Simply work with the shapes and textures you find, letting the materials guide you, and you'll create a centrepiece that feels personal, seasonal and connected to your garden.

To start, take a length of paper-covered wire or twine roughly 3-4 ft long, then cut a second length of wire that is longer than the first, and knot them together at the top.

You can see my exact instructions for creating layered foliage bundles in the video above. The trick is to mix up your leaf shapes, textures and colors, adding in berries or a contrasting fall shade at regular intervals.

The best kinds of foliage to use are evergreens with structure, such as bay, which has the added bonus of fragrance. I also love conifer for its shape, and lemon cyprus, which releases a zesty scent when cut. Woody herbs are great, such as rosemary, sage, thyme and even lavender.

Other foliage I would use if I grew them are eucalyptus, pittosporum, blue spruce and myrtle. I love cotoneaster for red and orange berries at this time of year, but you could also add holly, berried tree ivy or rosehips.

Once your garland is complete you can have fun styling it on your Thanksgiving table.

Garlands lend themselves beautifully to being wound around candles, and a few antique-style holders with taper candles in soft fall shades would work really well with a natural design like this.

You could always make some rustic bundles of fresh rosemary to place on napkins, too, or you might be inspired by my napkin micro posy idea from a previous Petals & Roots episode.

What to Shop For Your Thanksgiving Table

Petals & Roots is a bi-weekly video series fronted by me, Rachel Bull, Head of Gardens at Homes & Gardens. Every second Sunday on social, I share my seasonal gardening and flower arranging expertise and advice.

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What if your kitchen appliances didn't have to be an eyesore, and instead could be a beautiful contribution to your decor? Drew Barrymore has been imagining this future for years with her Beautiful Collection at Walmart, but her latest piped launch might be the most design-led yet.

Her new piped toasters, stand mixers, and slow cookers are two-toned, featuring a bold primary color and a secondary color detail. They elevate the entire idea of kitchen appliances. They are available in three colorways: rose and tomato, starry night and buttercream, and thyme green and hydrangea.

In a recent Instagram video, Drew gushes: 'This is the most excited I've been since we launched the brand. I'm not kidding. We've brought out new colors over the years, but this one's got colored piping, and I'm so excited.' Given the fact that the multi-colored toasters and stand mixers have already sold out, it's clear audiences feel the same. Luckily, the slow cookers are still in stock... for now.

Rather than something to tuck away, these two-toned appliances are meant to be displayed and used as a kitchen countertop accessory.

Better yet, you don't need to wait for Drew's other piped pieces to come back into stock to transform your kitchen. Here are our editors picks of her pieces in all of their glorious colorways.

Shop Drew's Colorful Appliances

In 2027, appliances will be more than an afterthought. Drew's collection is the perfect inspiration to start thinking of these pieces is an essential part of your decor.

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For multidisciplinary artist Élan Byrd, one of the best sources of design inspiration is the natural world. Her latest capsule with Lulu and Georgia proves it to be so – complete with organic shapes, natural materials, and a warm palette that brings earth-inspired sensibility to every inch of your home.

Warmly, Élan is designed to help your home feel like the best, most comfortable version of itself. Consisting of furniture, rugs, lighting, and decorative objects, the collection is artful and endlessly inviting. Earth tones like brown, clay red, and light beige ground the collection with warmth and charm, while sinuous curves and angular lines bring a unique, sculptural quality to the range.

Élan and Lulu and Georgia have managed to infuse the collection with rich contrast, too – spanning material, texture, and form. Structured pieces meet curvaceous counterparts – just as the distinct lines of the Maca Cabinet contrast the smooth, undulating edges of the Scoria Coffee Table. Even the lustrous Capiz shell of the Bona Table Lamp offers a striking yet tasteful contrast to the soft, layered linen shade of the Ibis Table Lamp. It's proof of the harmony that exists in juxtaposition – evidenced by nature and redefined for the home through Élan's design eye.

With its healthy mix of statement pieces and grounding finds, the collection can help you embrace the latest interior design trends to create a home that's richly layered, dynamic, and feels like you. Each piece promises warmth and depth in a way that doesn't feel overwhelming or overdone. Plus, when nature's the inspiration, you really can’t go wrong.

As we head into the colder months of the year, make your home feel as inviting as a warm embrace with these evocative pieces from Élan Byrd's new collection at Lulu and Georgia.

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'Avocados are green, healthy, and everybody likes them,' says Mark Abrials, the Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Avocado Green Mattress. I'm asking him where the unexpected name 'Avocado' came from, on a press trip with the brand in Newport Beach, California.

The day began with a woodshop tour, followed by a full mattress factory tour. I've seen how every single layer of an Avocado mattress is produced, stitched, and finished, and tested each and every one, one after the other, in their Fullerton store, a short drive from the factory.

Here's everything I learned, which I deemed the very best mattresses from the brand, and exactly why.

Inside the Factory in Fullerton, California

I've never toured a mattress factory before, and wasn't sure exactly what to expect. What struck me most was the humming activity − in one corner, a factory worker is using a large German quilting machine to create the design on the top of a mattress. In the other, tape edging is taking place, which is done by hand and involves pulling heavy machinery all day. 'I have a lot of respect for these guys,' says Oscar Ruiz, Chief Manufacturing Officer, as he tours us around.

We meet Jose, too. He's one of two people in the entire factory who's trained to do the side stitching, the all-important step that makes sure every layer on the Grand Luxe Mattress stays in place. No adhesives are used, and this task alone takes eight hours − they can make over 100 standard mattresses in the time it takes to make one Grand Luxe. It's no wonder they're currently training a employee to undertake this painstakingly long and precise task.

The tufting is also done by hand. The mattresses are compressed vertically first, before a long needle is pushed through one way and pulled out the other side. This keeps everything tight, prevents migration of the materials, and means body impressions don't happen so quickly, helping to make these organic mattresses last longer.

The part that we're all most intrigued to see is how these colossal mattresses are roll-packed for shipping. The answer is a huge machine that squashes them down to around one inch before they come out rolled, are dropped into a box, closed up, and shipped across the U.S., as well as to Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada. The only variations are the Grand Luxe and Luxury Organic Mattresses, which ship flat, and the Crib Mattresses, which are shipped in plastic to prevent potentially harmful dust from collecting in transit.

Approximately two weeks of inventory are kept in the factory at any one time, and up to 700 pieces, across mattresses, toppers, and more, are made every day.

Mattress Testing at Avocado's Fullerton Store

After the woodshop and factory tours and a brief stop for lunch, it's time for some mattress testing, armed with a clipboard.

My obvious favorite, which is also a top seller for the brand (and America's best-selling organic mattress), is the Avocado Green Mattress. It's comprised of an organic cotton cover over organic latex and wool, which acts as a natural flame barrier, and it's available in five comfort levels, from Extra Firm to Ultra Plush. My preference falls straight down the middle, in the Medium feel.

This mattress suits all sleep positions, which likely contributes to its popularity. Its tight-top sleep surface combines GOLS-certified organic Dunlop latex with moisture-wicking wool layers to cushion pressure points while quickly springing back into shape when you get up.

It doesn’t have that classic sink-in feel, however. If you prefer a plusher, more enveloping sleep surface, the Plush and especially the Ultra Plush versions are better suited to you. The latter features an attached three-inch box-top made from pure Talalay latex, creating an exceptionally soft, squishy feel.

This mattress holds six finished-product certifications: GOTS at the finished product level, OEKO-TEX Standard 100: Class I, EWG Verified, MADE SAFE, and GREENGUARD Gold with UL Formaldehyde-Free. Of 679 PFAS substances screened, none were detected.

If I had to choose one mattress from Avocado, it would be the Green, which we awarded 4.5 stars in our in-depth review, but I'm also equally impressed by Avocado's Wool Mattress. This is Avocado's only completely latex-free organic mattress, which is designed with a hand-tufted tight top to suit side, back, and combination sleepers. It's particularly made with hot sleepers (wool is naturally thermoregulating, so it works to keep a bed cool) and those with latex sensitivity in mind.

Unlike the Green Mattress, this one is available in just one feel − a true Medium, which perfectly suits me. There's no latex or foam at all; instead, the coils contour to your body. The micro-coils, of which there are up to 1,209 depending on the size, at the surface of the mattress are held under more compression than the base coils, which offers immediate give without softening the support below. Sitting at a height of 11.75 inches, this mattress includes two layers of organic wool over premium natural alpaca, along with the coils and an organic cotton canvas cover.

It's impressively comfortable to lie on, with a supportive sleep surface that suits me on both my back and side. It's a mattress I can see myself investing in and enjoying for many years.

My final favorite requires a bigger budget − the Avocado Luxury Organic Mattress, which we recently reviewed, combines seventeen layers of organic and natural materials, in three comfort levels from Medium to Ultra Plush.

Across the Luxury Organic line, you'll find a patented seven-zone innerspring, wound in-house from recycled steel, a reinforced steel perimeter, organic wool, two inches of natural alpaca, organic silk, and hemp. Unlike the Green and the Wool mattresses, my favorite feel in this iteration is Plush, which is the second bestseller for Avocado after the Medium-feel Green.

At the time of writing, it costs $5,799 in a Queen size, and is suitable for side and back sleepers who prefer contouring and pressure relief over a firm surface. An attached pillow-top with contour-cut Dunlop latex provides the plushness, while a micro-coil layer isolates motion and resists settling. For that reason, though a plush sleep surface, with this pick I experienced contouring comfort, without any sink.

If the price is a concern, a recent review from Allyson enthuses, 'I did extensive research on mattresses and chose Avocado for many reasons. Sustainably sourced, organic materials that are better for me and better for the Earth were the main reasons for my choice. The mattress is so comfortable that I do not want to get out of bed in the morning, and I look forward to going to sleep at night.

'My hip and shoulder no longer hurt when sleeping, and I do not toss and turn… I actually sleep! [...] Thank you for designing and making such an ecologically sound, high-quality mattress! I love it!'

Another, written by Barb, adds, 'I shopped around a lot for a new mattress. The Luxury Avocado is exactly what I wanted. It is worth the extra money. No smell, perfect firmness for side or back sleepers, and made of springs, latex, cotton, and wool that are much better for our environment than typical mattress materials.'

While we haven't reviewed this particular pick yet, one of my freelancers is currently testing it in their own home for 30 nights before putting together a comprehensive review.

I do have to give a special mention to Avocado's Extra Firm Mattress. As a side sleeper, it's not suitable for me, but the extremely firm feel is becoming very popular as it fills a unique need. It's also the only certified-organic mattress built for orthopedic-grade support with zero sink and no soft spots. Lying on it feels not far off lying directly on the floor − it's recommended for back and stomach sleepers who need alignment, athletes, and tall or plus-size sleepers, and it supports up to 1,100 pounds. It's a 10 out of 10 on the firmness scale, so side sleepers like me will likely find it far too firm, but lying on it, I appreciate how much it's unlike any mattress I've ever tried before. You certainly won't need to take steps to make a mattress firmer or fix a sagging mattress with this pick.

I've also now seen the Avocado Crib and Kids Mattress, and sampled each and every best pillow available from Avocado. The Side-Sleeper Green Pillow is my favorite (and I'm still using it back home).

More to Shop

Below, shop three more of my tried-and-tested Avocado favorites.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Whichever mattress you choose, it's a good idea to invest in one of the best mattress protectors.

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Few designers create spaces with quite the same sense of atmosphere as Tatjana von Stein. Whether she's transforming a boutique hotel or a private home, her interiors feel theatrical, layered and emotionally rich, blending dramatic gestures with thoughtful restraint.

But in the latest installment of our Layered Lives series, she explains how her route into design was anything but conventional. After studying psychology, working in film set design and dreaming of opening her own hotel, it was a chance encounter on a flight that unexpectedly launched her interiors career. More than a decade later, she has become known for creating spaces that transport people, drawing on influences that range from theater and travel to art, movement and memory.

Here, Tatjana reflects on growing up between cultures, why she believes every project should tell its own unique story, and how designing a home is ultimately less about following trends than understanding the people who will live, gather, and breathe within it.

Homes & Gardens: Is there anything in your childhood that hinted at the career path you’d take?

Tatjana von Stein: Not a direct hint, no, but I was always creating worlds – I had a strong sense of play. I grew up in the Austrian mountains, and I was in nature all the time. I have an imagination, and so you create little worlds through games. I also did a lot of theater – I was on stage as a child, and in doing that, you imagine a world. My mother was always telling stories – she was French, and my father was German, and we would travel to both countries a lot from Austria. They were both very different worlds from each other and from our Austrian mountain village, so I became quite adaptable and found it easy to slip between worlds.

Homes & Gardens: Were your parents creative?

Tatjana von Stein: My mom is an artist, so yes. I have two sisters and a brother, and all the girls in my family are creative. Between my love of theater and their love of art and sculpture and making things with your hands, we were all always creating something. My mother was always painting in the house.

Homes & Gardens: Were you influenced by what your mum was painting and how she was decorating the home?

Tatjana von Stein: The mix influenced me, certainly. I find it easy to mix things and hard to stick to just one style or discipline. I believe that humans are complex and there are layers to everything we do, and I just can't help adding layers and tension to the rooms I create. Later on, my mom remarried, and my stepfather was English and had lived in Hong Kong, so suddenly we had a lot of Asian furniture. Mix that with mountain life, and it's quite a blend! And it taught me a lot about tension.

Homes & Gardens: At what point did you start to think about design as a career?

Tatjana von Stein: I don't have a straight line into this career, I can tell you! I studied psychology, and I was always very fascinated by humans – how people feel and grow. But I found the doctrines of psychology quite hard, as I also have a belief in the mystical connection between us all. I suppose that education has lingered in the way I approach things, with a sensibility toward how people will think and feel in a space. Anyway, I had got a job in documentaries and short films, and that company had a set design department, which I then had a stint in. But it was my 20s, and I was having far too many big ideas. You're either an entrepreneur or you're not, and I most definitely was. I wanted to start a hotel, and never did, but of course now I design them. And I realized that I didn't want to run a hotel – I wanted to create a world for people to inhabit.

Homes & Gardens: So how did you move into interiors from set design?

Tatjana von Stein: At uni, I was always creating spaces where people come together – that's just what I'd do in our dorm rooms or whatever. And by chance, I met a lawyer on a plane to Ibiza, and we got chatting, and she said I had to meet her boss. He was a huge tech entrepreneur who had invested in a furniture brand, a tailoring brand, and a wine brand, and he didn't know how to tie them all together in this office space he had in Clerkenwell. So I came up with a consumer concept for him where you could experience all these things in one space, and I created all these ideas, flows, and experiences. I was like, 'Cool, OK, we have a space,' and he said, 'No, you're going to design it,' and I was like, 'What?!'

Homes & Gardens: How did you tackle it?

Tatjana von Stein: I did it with a friend who was an art director, and the project was fully decorative – working out the art and scrambling to choose a floor. There was no skill to it. Then, after a couple of years, I had an idea – another one of my big ones – that I wanted to create a retail experience where you come and experience craft, and I kept knocking on all these doors, looking for someone to let me. One developer said no but asked me to design a communal space in a building, and even though I said I wasn't a designer, one thing led to another, and I took it on.

Homes & Gardens: Did you feel like you had any idea how to do this?

Tatjana von Stein: The more I work at this, the more I think no one knows what they're doing! I am just intuitive. I understood how to bring people together and why it should look and feel a certain way. Then, fast-forward 10 years, and now I'm designing 300-bedroom hotels and obsessing over the details in joinery. I've worked hard; I've learned architecture and drawing. I walk into a space and see it in 3D. We've gone from creating spaces to designing them, and as a studio, we are now more spatial than decorative.

Homes & Gardens: How does a space of yours bring people together?

Tatjana von Stein: To bring people together, it’s layers. First, it’s about trying to get a sense of the project, to really listen. It's less about coming in and saying, ‘I love this this season,’ and more about really listening, being solutions-based, and getting to know the local sensibility, craft, and materiality. I get a real feeling for the space, and then it’s research – digging into a culture and its art, music, and history is a privilege. In my head, all my work is unique, but the process for each one is the same.

Homes & Gardens: How has your personal interiors style evolved over this time?

Tatjana von Stein: Oh, it has evolved massively. Looking at my homes over the years, some pieces remain, some move. We change, life changes, everything changes all the time. I have things I keep, I have memories, and my home is definitely a showcase of different eras and stories.

Homes & Gardens: How does your home make you feel, having these memories on display?

Tatjana von Stein: I get so much joy. I feel like home is breath and truth. At the moment, I have super-high ceilings – I live in a space that is part of a group of studios that have belonged to famous artists over the years, people like Barbara Hepworth. It has such a sense of light, and I get such a sense of being able to breathe in it. I am very inspired and feel privileged all the time to live there and for it to give me such joy.

Homes & Gardens: Are there any particular objects that hold a lot of memories for you?

Tatjana von Stein: I made a sculpture of a female body in clay when I was a teenager that I still have next to me on my desk. I have never thought of myself as crafty – my mom and sisters were, and they'd make clothes and things, but the idea of embroidery was not appealing to me. My creativity comes in different ways, and next to my sisters, I always felt not very creative. But I made that sculpture, and it taught me that if you apply yourself to something, you can do it, and I like being reminded of that.

Homes & Gardens: Outside of interiors, what fuels your creativity?

Tatjana von Stein: Going to the theater – I love watching the set designs. I can walk down the street, see a pebble, and that can inspire a form. Art, museums, literature, people, objects – everything inspires me.

Homes & Gardens: Do you think that love of theater – performing when young and now being inspired by sets – influences your style and work?

Tatjana von Stein: Yes, I always need theater in my work. Movement is a really big thing for me. I love dance, that sense of play that comes through when people move. I just love the idea of people roaming around in a cocoon that I've created for them and being transported into a different world. I always want everything to be super dramatic.

Homes & Gardens: You've talked a lot about evolution, so as ideas change, how do you ever know when a project is finished?

Tatjana von Stein: Well, fortune favors the brave, but restraint is a big part of my discipline and awareness. In design, there is no right or wrong. You just have to go with the right feeling for a project, have a point of view, and never, ever be generic.

For Tatjana von Stein, every project begins with listening, grows through curiosity, and is shaped by a desire to create places that feel emotionally resonant rather than merely beautiful. Whether she's designing a 300-bedroom hotel or her own light-filled home, her instinct remains the same: to create spaces with atmosphere, movement, and meaning, where memories are made and displayed.

It's a philosophy that explains why her work feels so transportive. Rather than chasing a signature style, she continues to evolve, believing the most memorable interiors are those with courage, individuality, and, above all, a story worth telling.

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At La Paisible, the eighteenth-century farmhouse Audrey Hepburn called home in the Swiss village of Tolochenaz, the living room was arranged with entertaining in mind, but never at the expense of comfort.

Photographed in 1988, the room exemplifies conversational seating, an approach to furniture placement that encourages interaction by positioning chairs and sofas to face one another.

The actress designed the perfect living room layout, creating two separate seating areas to make the most of the space's large proportions, and the result is beautiful.

A pair of yellow sofas anchor one conversational area, while a white suite sits beneath painted paneling and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, creating another zone. To get the look in a modern home, this more muted yellow sofa (from Wayfair) is my favorite starting point.

Eighteenth-and nineteenth-century drawing rooms were often arranged for formal entertaining, with chairs set around the edges of the room to accommodate guests. By the time Audrey's living room was captured, spaces had become more relaxed, with greater emphasis on how people used them.

At La Paisible, she divided the long salon into two seating areas, each with its own arrangement of living room sofas and chairs. It gave guests more than one place to gather and made the room feel less like an oversized sitting area.

40 years later, her technique is just as inspiring. Two smaller seating arrangements can make a generous living room easier to use, giving people somewhere to talk without having to gather around one central sofa.

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Perfecting this living room seating idea also comes down to choosing furniture that can adapt to the room. Tanya Rechberger, the design development manager at King Living, recommends modular sofas for this reason.

'Modular design is a great option to future-proof your sofa,' she says. 'The flexibility to rearrange modules to suit different living spaces or to add and remove sections as your needs change ensures that your sofa will adapt to your lifestyle, no matter how it evolves.'

She also points to the '2-3 Sofa Rule', which offers a simple guide to planning a sociable living room.

'This rule suggests that a living room should ideally have two sofas or a combination of seating that provides three distinct seating areas, such as a sofa and two chairs. The purpose is to create a balanced and harmonious layout that promotes conversation and interaction while ensuring that the seating arrangement fits well within the room's dimensions.'

That could mean placing two sofas opposite one another, or pairing a larger sofa with a couple of armchairs. The key is to give people somewhere comfortable to sit and talk, while making sure the furniture fits the room's scale. Audrey's living room shows how much difference that arrangement can make.

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With the holidays fast approaching, your Christmas cactus should be getting ready to put on its seasonal display. November is an important month in its growing cycle, as shorter days and cooler temperatures help trigger flowering. The attention you give your plant now can make all the difference to how well it blooms in December.

Whether your Christmas cactus is already showing tiny flower buds or is yet to show any signs of flowering, now is the time to fine-tune your Christmas cactus care routine. A few simple adjustments to watering, light and temperature will help keep your plant healthy and encourage a beautiful display of festive blooms just in time for the holidays.

1. Water Carefully as Flower Buds Develop

Unlike desert cacti, Christmas cacti (Schlumbergera) come from the humid rainforests of Brazil, so they need more moisture than you might expect. Knowing how to water a Christmas cactus is particularly important in November, when indoor heating can cause soil to dry out more quickly.

Check the top inch of soil and water when it feels dry, allowing any excess to drain away. A slim-spouted Fiskars Indoor Watering Can from Home Depot makes this easier, while a VIVOSUN 3-in-1 Soil Moisture Meter from Amazon can help you check when your plant actually needs a drink.

Don't be tempted to water more just because your home feels dry. Instead, check the soil regularly and adjust as needed. If your Christmas cactus is already producing buds, try to keep the soil lightly moist to avoid stressing the plant and causing flowers to drop.

2. Give It Plenty of Bright, Indirect Light

Christmas cacti thrive in bright, indirect light, so knowing where to place a Christmas cactus can make all the difference to its flowering. An east-facing window is ideal, while south- or west-facing windows may need a sheer curtain to protect the stems from strong afternoon sunshine. The Room Essentials Sheer Window Curtain Panel from Target is an affordable way to filter sunlight while keeping your room bright.

As November brings shorter days, it's also important to think about darkness. Christmas cacti are short-day plants, meaning they need long, uninterrupted nights to trigger flowering. If your plant hasn't started budding, aim for 12–14 hours of darkness each night. Keeping your Christmas cactus in the dark overnight is particularly important if it's in a room where lamps are regularly switched on.

During the day, a raised display can help your plant make the most of natural light. I love the look of this Hearth & Hand Wood Plant Stand from Target, which is a stylish way to show off cascading Christmas cactus stems. Once buds appear, keep conditions consistent and avoid moving your plant around.

3. Keep Temperatures Cool to Encourage More Blooms

Cooler temperatures are one of the secrets to getting a Christmas cactus to flower. While these tropical plants enjoy warmth during the growing season, a cooler spell in fall helps encourage buds to form. If you're wondering how to make a Christmas cactus bloom, aim for daytime temperatures of around 65–70°F and nighttime temperatures of 55–65°F.

A cooler bedroom or enclosed porch can be a good spot, provided temperatures don't drop too low. A digital thermometer, such as the TempPro Indoor Thermometer and Humidity Monitor, available at Home Depot, makes it easy to keep an eye on changing temperatures and check that your plant is getting the conditions it needs.

Once flower buds appear, move your Christmas cactus back to a comfortable room with temperatures around 65–70°F. Avoid placing it near heaters, fireplaces, or vents, and try not to move it repeatedly between warm and cool rooms, as sudden changes can cause developing buds to drop.

4. Stop Fertilizing and Resist the Urge to Repot

By November, your Christmas cactus should be moving away from leafy growth and focusing its energy on flowering. If you've been feeding it throughout spring and summer, now is the time to stop. Knowing when to fertilize a Christmas cactus is important, as too much feeding while buds are developing can interfere with flowering. Once the blooms have faded and new growth begins in spring, you can resume feeding with a balanced liquid fertilizer, such as Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food for Cactus, available at Amazon.

It's also worth resisting the temptation to repot a Christmas cactus before the holidays. These plants actually prefer being slightly root-bound, so there's no need to disturb them unless there's a problem with the roots or drainage.

If your tropical plant does need a new home, wait until after flowering, ideally in spring, and use a well-draining potting mix such as Miracle-Gro Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix. Choose a pot only slightly larger than the existing one, with drainage holes.

5. Protect Developing Flower Buds

If you've spotted tiny pink, red, or white buds forming at the tips of your Christmas cactus, you're already on your way to a beautiful festive display. At this stage, consistency is key. Keep your plant in bright, indirect light, water when the top inch of soil feels dry, and avoid sudden changes in temperature or location. If you notice buds falling off, it can be a sign that your plant is stressed by fluctuating temperatures, overwatering, or being moved too frequently.

It's also worth deciding where you'll display your Christmas cactus over the holidays. A bright living room, dining table, or windowsill can make a beautiful setting, but keep it away from fireplaces, radiators, and drafty exterior doors. If you want to use your plant as a festive centerpiece, wait until its buds are well developed before moving it. A pretty Threshold ceramic planter from Target is a lovely way to dress it up for the holidays. Once the flowers begin opening, individual blooms can last several days, giving you a colorful display throughout the festive season.

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A little extra attention in November can make all the difference to your Christmas cactus come December. Keep an eye on watering, find it a bright spot away from direct sunlight, and make sure it's not getting too warm. Once those little flower buds appear, try not to move your plant around too much.

Get the basics right now, and hopefully you'll be rewarded with a beautiful burst of color just in time for the holidays.

Color of the Year season is in full swing, which means we've got a pretty good idea of the shades that will be stealing the spotlight in 2027. While organic, grounding greens seem to be the recurring theme for 2027 Colors of the Year, plenty of other liveable tones will be cropping up next year, too, from earthy pinks to warm, saturated neutrals designed to gently cocoon any room they're in.

Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year 2027, Webster Green, is one such luxurious green included in the round-up so far. While the richness of this sophisticated shade is a standout on its own, the coveted paint brand has released a color trends palette designed to bring the daring shade to life.

Made up of warm neutrals, soothing pastels and deep jewel tones, Benjamin Moore's Color Trends 2027 Palette features a range of complementary hues designed to transition into every home. 'Webster Green sits at the core of the 2027 Color Trends palette,' Helen Shaw, Director of Marketing (International) at Benjamin Moore, tells Homes & Gardens. 'Surrounded by seven complementary hues that demonstrate the breadth and versatility of this confident shade. Tawny browns, dusky pastels, softened off-whites and sophisticated ochres come to the fore, creating a palette that takes cues from the past while expressing a fresh and on-trend presence today. Together, they offer a considered approach to color, with plenty of scope for creating spaces that feel both characterful and enduring.'

'The hues of the Color Trends 2027 palette were individually chosen for their enduring appeal, offering a classic charm and contemporary energy to any space,' explains Helen. 'Although each color stands confidently on its own, they also work beautifully when used together in a scheme or throughout the home, creating an easy stylistic connection from room to room.'

Made up of soothing neutrals (White Down, Antique Copper and Shakespeare Tan), grounding pastels (Nelson Blue and Wild Aster) and deep jewel tones (Durango and Townsend Harbor Brown), the palette brings the deep green to life through an elegant mix of complementary and contrasting tones.

'We selected Webster Green as our Color of the Year 2027 for its sophisticated composure that enlivens and adapts across design styles, bridging timeless design with contemporary aesthetics,' says Helen. 'Webster Green is complemented by seven hues carefully curated from Benjamin Moore’s library of three and a half thousand colors. From elegant pales to earthy deeps, each color holds a position in the palette, whether in combination or as a standalone hue, taking cues from the past whilst creating distinctive and noteworthy spaces.'

The palette features a range of timeless paint colors that pair beautifully with a range of tones. The whisper-soft pale blue paint, Nelson Blue, is delicate, soothing, and forever calming, perfect for bringing whismy into kitchens or bedrooms.

'For a look which breathes elegance, pair watery Nelson Blue with the feather-like softness of White Down,' Helen advises. 'Adding darker furnishings and rust tones alongside these colors will create a contemporary space that feels distinctive and full of character.'

Plenty of moody tones feature in the palette, too, designed to balance out the pale pastels. 'A stylish neutral that makes a lovely alternative to grey or beige, Durango pairs effortlessly with the hints of cream within White Down. The golden olive tones of Durango complement light as it shifts through the day, adding texture and depth, while White Down brings a crisp contrast.'

Golden honey tones like Shakespeare Tan are the perfect palette cleanser from the jewel tones and pretty pastels. Caramel honey hues reinvent beige, infused with warming yellow notes to bring cheer to our interiors.

'For something moodier with complex undertones, pair Durango with Shakespeare Tan, a golden hue which evokes dappled sunlight and brings depth to a space,' Helen adds. 'Together, these colors work particularly well in living or dining areas, especially when incorporating the fifth wall, the ceiling, to create an immersive space which draws people in and inspires conversation.'

An earthy terracotta provides a similar grounded warmth. 'To invite warmth into your space, pair White Down with Antique Copper. The spiced undertones ground this brown, and alongside the depth of this white, create a scheme with an inspiring sense of calm, ideal for a study or reading room.'

While Nelson Blue evokes tranquillity and calm, nothing beats a pale pink paint when bringing playful elegance to a room. These 'new neutrals' feel just as gentle as beiges or white paints, but far more interesting; this classic light pink provides a lighter alternative to the rich Webster Green.

'Wild Aster is a graceful pink with the versatility of a neutral,' Helen says. 'Entwined with Townsend Harbor Brown however, and this shade will lift pink hues from the clay-rich tones of this grounded brown creating a soft scheme which sits elegantly in the bedroom.'

Benjamin Moore's Color Trends 2027 palette combines vibrant color trends with liveability and timelessness, allowing you to create a truly well-balanced scheme.

'Together, these eight versatile and intentional shades embody Benjamin Moore’s approach to current color trends,' Helen says. 'Embracing color that is steeped in confidence and breathes the relevance of today whilst remaining grounded in timeless design, and supportive of the current desire for trusted and grounded hues amongst a fast-paced era of micro-trends.'

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Decorating with a warm, autumnal color palette is a timeless way to bring understated elegance to the holidays, and Gwyneth Paltrow's 2024 Christmas tree is a beautiful example of the look. While the American actress and entrepreneur embraced this aesthetic a couple of years ago, its appeal feels just as relevant today – proof that quiet luxury has moved beyond a passing trend to become a lasting approach to festive decorating.

This is exactly how I plan to decorate my Christmas tree this year. I adore quiet luxury colors: the warm browns, soft bronzes, muted golds, and gentle neutrals that bring a sense of richness to a space without feeling overly extravagant. There is something so effortlessly elegant about a festive palette that feels warm, natural, and timeless, rather than dictated by the latest trends.

Christmas is traditionally associated with saturated reds, greens, and glittering golds, but a softer palette of brown, bronze, gunmetal, and warm metallics offers a more restrained alternative. These earthy shades create a sense of richness and depth without overwhelming a space, resulting in a festive scheme that feels considered, sophisticated, and effortlessly inviting.

Gwyneth's tree is a wonderful inspiration for recreating this understated look at home. When exploring your Christmas decorating ideas, look to nature's seasonal spectrum of earthy tones to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere that feels just as beautiful throughout the festive period as it does into January. From the rust-red and golden hues of fall foliage to the copper and chestnut shades of fallen leaves, the natural world offers a wealth of inspiration for cozy, elegant Christmas interiors.

I've noticed more designers, decorators, and homeowners embracing decorating with neutrals and other subdued shades for Christmas, favoring a more subtle approach over the bold, high-impact schemes traditionally associated with the season. Offering a wealth of warm hues that sit harmoniously together, the autumnal palette is loved by designers for its ability to create relaxed, grounding spaces with enduring appeal.

'Walking through woodland is so inspirational, with leaves falling and crunching underfoot in rust, terracotta, and ochre. These colors, especially when used at Christmas, give interiors a calmness and a feeling of serenity. They sit back in a room and don’t jump out at you,' explains Fabric Designer Vanessa Arbuthnott.

Another reason this palette works so beautifully is its versatility. The tones can be layered together for a rich, cohesive scheme, while naturally complementing the timber, natural fabrics, and stone found in existing furniture, architectural details, and furnishings.

The result is a Christmas scheme that feels connected to the home rather than competing with it – a timeless quality that explains why the quiet luxury Christmas aesthetic continues to resonate long after its initial rise in popularity.

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Is it just us, or has everything been feeling a little flat lately? In the age of AI, the smooth interiors that once felt futuristic now look cold and lifeless, and so homeowners are returning to older, intentionally imperfect design styles. Enter: the resurgence of the 2000s Tuscan kitchen.

As showcased in Lady Gaga's California home in 2017, this style has a charmingly weathered look inspired by the Italian countryside. Gaga's take on the Tuscan kitchen look includes gray glass cabinets, black countertops, and plenty of visible accessorization. The paint appears chipped, and all the appliances are out, by design.

With 'analogue interiors' emerging as one of the most popular interior design trends for 2027, we're predicting that Tuscan kitchens will be everywhere. Lady Gaga's effortlessly worn home is the blueprint.

'One of the reasons Tuscan interiors have become so popular recently is due to the welcoming atmosphere and warmth they provide,' explains Mike Whitfield, luxury interiors expert at LUSSO.

'Especially in the kitchen, many designs are now inspired by the Tuscan style as this aesthetic can transform kitchens into an entertainment area. Italy has a renowned food and cooking culture, which is mirrored in Tuscan kitchens.'

So, how can you nail Gaga's trending kitchen look in your own home? Start with natural materials. Mike explains: Natural materials create a tactile and visual connection to nature. Organic materials such as marble and travertine age gracefully, developing character over time, which captures the essence of Mediterranean living.'

He recommends: 'Travertine tiles are one of the most significant elements, offering practicality and aesthetic appeal. These handcrafted tiles display subtle variations, unique veining and a soft, beige tone that perfectly aligns with the Mediterranean theme. The distinctive characteristics of travertine and marble tiles add authenticity that other materials cannot replicate.'

Shop The Tuscan Kitchen Edit

Gaga's kitchen style is all about homey textures and lived-in warmth. Here are a few pieces we love for getting the look.

Recreating Lady Gaga's Tuscan kitchen also requires careful attention to a cozy and enveloping color palette. 'A warm and earthy colour palette is another strong foundation of this style, as it reflects the natural beauty of the Mediterranean landscape,' says Mike. 'Neutral tones evoke a sense of warmth and serenity, reminiscent of sun-soaked shores.'

He advises: 'When choosing colors, consider rich terracottas, warm beige, soft browns and sky blues. Add a touch of bold colour through greenery to create a sense of tranquillity, linking the indoors with the surroundings of nature.'

In 2027, the best interiors will reflect a life well-lived, rather than just the aesthetic of one. Intentional wear and tear are all part of the story.

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When designing a home, it helps to have known your clients for at least a couple of decades. Such is the case for designer Jeff Vance and his good friends, Barbara Glazer and Philip Morton. ‘We hit it off from our first project and, ever since, we’ve been hanging out, traveling together and building houses along the way,’ says Jeff, who is founder and owner of IDGroup, an LA-based multidisciplinary design firm.

Most recently, Jeff, alongside IDGroup CEO, Ferial Sadeghian, has overseen the creation of a new home for Barbara and Philip. Perched north of Sunset Boulevard, in the discreet, verdant enclave that is Trousdale Estates, it’s a property designed to leave visitors mulling over whether it’s a contemporary build, or a thoughtfully evolved original estate; a conceit Jeff and Ferial set out to achieve. The neighborhood was developed in the 1950s by Paul Trousdale and features panoramic views of the Los Angeles skyline, strict single-story height limits and a high concentration of bespoke, mid-century dwellings.

‘Our aim was to create a new home that blurs the boundaries; one that maintains the integrity of mid-century architecture through low-lying lines, while revealing a dramatic, light-filled interior upon entry,’ explains Ferial. ‘In essence, the house was designed to honor the architectural legacy of this historic area.’ After an exhaustive search, the right plot was found, and the existing, unsalvageable house was demolished.

‘It needed to go. It ignored every possible view,’ says Jeff. ‘We adapted to what the site offered so that the new house is now framed by sweeping vistas across the city’s Westside and the Valley beyond, and the outdoor spaces and gardens take full advantage of the landscape.’

Geometry, craft, and texture harmonize here in an exquisite design dialogue between buildings and surrounding natural elements. The house, with its footprint of 10,000 sq ft, is a quietly wondrous space. Beyond an entrance flanked by ceramic sculptor Stan Bitters’ monumental clay walls, a central, 8-ft-wide gallery extends 100 ft through it, lit by a continuous skylight that’s articulated by reclaimed wooden beams.

‘We took that ‘zipper’ all the way through. It starts in the motor court and ends at the swimming pool,’ says Jeff. ‘The light it allows in changes from morning to night, creating beautiful watery reflections inside – a captivating slice of magic we didn’t expect at the outset.’

Floor-to-ceiling steel and glass planes connect each of the rooms to the outdoor spaces, which are designed to be dramatic vantage points. ‘Each room has its own garden – a relationship with what’s outside,’ explains Ferial.

The architecture continues outwards through covered terraces to a sculptural oval pool. ‘The outdoor architecture was the hardest part for the clients to visualize,’ says Jeff. ‘There were a lot of yards, or little gardens, designed to feel as though they were coming into the house itself, done in part to ensure we adhered to the area’s rigorous building restrictions, but mainly because they just look so great.’

This is an intensely personal home, reflecting its owners’ lifelong love of art, travel and visual culture. Barbara and Philip have backgrounds in film and visual storytelling, and over decades have collected artworks, sculptures and textiles, as well as enjoying creating art themselves.

‘The measurements of every artwork were supplied to us before we’d even found the plot,’ says Ferial. ‘Barbara and Philip wanted it all on display, rather than storing and rotating it.’ The character of the house is shaped not only by the build, but by the objects, stories and emotions that have been poured into it and the principle of ‘collecting as a way of living’ has been the guiding light behind the design.

Having previously lived in a more intimate, traditional Californian Spanish-style home (renovated by IDGroup), the new house offers a fresh feeling of space, openness and light. The kitchen is a particular favorite of Barbara and Philip’s, and it’s from here that for the first two months after they moved in, the couple took a photograph of every sunset. ‘They would send us the photos by text, each one more beautiful than the last,’ says Jeff. ‘So, all in all, I reckon they’re pretty happy with the job we did.’

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Design trends over the past few years have proven that a confident approach to decorating with color pays off, giving rooms a richness and depth that is difficult to achieve with neutrals. But even with this in mind, you're not alone if the idea of actually bringing bold colors into your home causes hesitation.

Thankfully, there are some simple decorating tricks you can employ to make bold colors feel balanced, livable, and even calm. It's not about shying away from bold colors or using them sparingly, but knowing how to use them within a whole-room palette to create harmony.

And so, if you're curious about how to pull off the boldest room colors confidently, read on to explore designers' seven tried-and-tested tips that help keep colorful spaces from looking chaotic.

1. Pay Attention to Paint Color Undertones

Paint ideas are one of the most impactful ways of decorating with bold color, so it's incredibly important to choose the right shade. Bold colors used on the walls, when chosen well, can result in a livable space that doesn't feel jarring, but you'll want to start by thinking about the light of your space and how you want it to feel.

'Undertones play a big role any time you are selecting a paint color,' says Arianna Barone, color expert at Benjamin Moore. 'If the room is very dimly lit and you are not bringing in extra artificial lighting, look to more of a midtone than deeper, richer hues. If the room receives a lot of natural light but you want it to feel more cocooning and comforting, then consider opting for deeper, darker hues.'

Sampling is especially important when decorating with bold paint colors, and you may be surprised by how differently they read in situ. 'When a bold color is chosen online or from a small swatch, it can feel striking at first glance, but it rarely reads the same across an entire room,' explains designer London Walder. 'Light changes it throughout the day, while surrounding materials and finishes influence how it feels.'

In this bedroom, designer Lindsey Herod opted for Sherwin-Williams' Bluebird Feather on the walls. Although bold and saturated, the space feels restful since it has been balanced with warm wood tones, textiles, and pattern, while the paint shade itself adds depth. Paler blue paints that lean more gray can often feel distant and flat in bedrooms – using bolder paint colors more confidently can actually end up feeling much cozier.

2. Choose the Right Paint Finish

Just like choosing the right paint shade is important when decorating with bold colors, so is choosing the right paint finish. Instead of defaulting to a matte finish, think about how it can enhance the color as it responds to light throughout the day.

In this study, designer London Walder, principal designer and founder of London Walder Interior Design, used Sherwin-Williams' Black Fox, a warm-toned black paint, in an eggshell finish to create a moody, sophisticated feel. 'When working with bold colors, the finish is just as important as the color itself,' she says.

'The low sheen allows the richness and warmth of Black Fox to come through without excessive reflection or shine,' London explains. 'The subtle finish softens the overall effect of such a deep, saturated color, making it feel inviting rather than overwhelming. The goal was to embrace the room's proportions rather than fight them, creating a sense of warmth and calm while still making a bold design statement.'

'In a smaller room, the combination of a dark color and low sheen creates an enveloping, intimate atmosphere,' she adds. 'The understated finish allows the furnishings, patterns, and textures to provide contrast and dimension rather than competing with the walls.'

When using gloss finishes with dark paint colors, the effect will be much more dramatic, creating an almost mirror-like appearance. Both can work well – it just depends on how you want your space to feel.

3. Color-Drench Your Bold Paint Colors

Once you have decided on the best bold paint color and finish for your space, the next step is to consider how you will apply it. While it can be easy to assume that using your bold paint color sparingly, such as on an accent wall, will make things feel calm, the opposite is often true. Color-drenching, where the paint is used on the walls, joinery, woodwork, and doors, creates a wraparound effect that can actually make the color feel more livable.

'Color drenching creates a cohesive scheme, allowing the walls and woodwork to sit together rather than compete,' says designer Sarah Brown, who opted for this paint technique in this cozy living room. 'Sometimes with bold colors, you have to fully commit, and this technique is a great way to do that in a confident and considered way. It also helps the room feel more connected, while allowing furniture, artwork and accessories to stand out.'

'Carrying a bold color across the walls, trim, and ceiling reduces contrast, creating a surprisingly calm and cohesive environment,' agrees London Walder. 'When thoughtfully considered in context, even the boldest colors can feel timeless and livable for years to come.'

4. Repeat Your Bold Colors Throughout the Space

Using a bold color on the walls or as a piece of furniture doesn't mean you should avoid using it again – repeating the shade throughout the space brings harmony and can make the color more digestible. 'When a random bold hue shows up in a space with no other reference point in the home or the room, it confuses the senses,' says Lindsey. 'When I use a bold stroke of color, I make sure it finds its way into the room in a smaller way in a fabric or textile, for instance, or even artwork.'

While the dark green walls in this bathroom make a statement, the repetition of green – through the flooring and accent chair – gives it an intentional look.

When following this approach, colors don't need to match exactly – some tonal variation can add interest. 'What makes this room work so well is that none of the greens are an exact match,' says designer Lauren Saab. 'Each has its own tone and texture, which adds depth and keeps the room from feeling like the same shade of green is being repeated everywhere.'

To carry this out in your own home, focus on finding balance between the colorful elements. 'If everything is fighting for your attention, you've gone too far,' says Lauren. 'It's important to give the eye somewhere to rest, whether that's through a contrasting material or even a little negative space. You don't need to repeat a bold color in every corner of a room for it to feel cohesive.'

5. Create a Color Hierarchy With the 60-30-10 Rule

Creating a hierarchy between your room colors helps even the boldest of colors to feel balanced, rather than chaotic. One of the best color hierarchy formulas to follow is the 60-30-10 rule, which is demonstrated in this cozy bedroom.

'The 60-30-10 rule establishes a balanced color palette, with a dominant hue making up 60% of the space that sets the overall mood,' explains designer Erin Fearins, partner at Stollar Fearins Welch. 'A secondary color accounts for 30%, introducing depth and interest through either contrast or subtle tonal shifts. The final 10% offers an opportunity for an unexpected accent that brings personality to the room.'

'The 60-30-10 rule can provide a sense of balance without rigidity,' Erin adds. 'Tonal variety and subtle shifts in color allow a palette to feel layered and chic without being overly coordinated.'

In this bedroom, the color hierarchy started with the dark red walls. 'We embraced the 60-30-10 rule in this cozy bedroom by establishing a restful foundation with rich, sienna-colored walls,' Erin explains. 'Layers of complementary terracotta and umber colors introduce subtle tonal variation and depth, while unexpected berry hues in the silk bedding provide a pop of contrast that feels sophisticated yet playful.'

6. Balance Bold Colors With Neutrals

Decorating with neutrals shouldn't be forgotten when employing a bold palette – they can provide a visual break and add softness to the room. 'I love a room that embraces color, but I also think it's important to give that color a little breathing room,' says Ansley Majit, creative director at Lark + Palm Interiors. 'Neutrals can be helpful in creating that balance, allowing the stronger colors to shine without everything competing for attention.'

'If everywhere you turn there's another bold statement demanding your attention, you can start to feel a little assaulted by the room,' adds Ansley. 'There needs to be a moment of relief, somewhere for your eye to rest, so the color can really shine.'

That said, choosing the right neutral tones for your space is key. 'I'm always looking at how colors relate to one another rather than whether they technically match,' says Ansley. 'Undertones matter, but I don't always like everything to be perfectly coordinated. In fact, sometimes the most interesting combinations come from mixing warm and cool tones.'

'In this room, Inchyra Blue by Farrow & Ball has a beautiful dusty, moody quality to it, and the natural materials bring in warmth and texture without introducing another strong color,' she adds. 'There's a balance between the richness of the walls and the softness of the other elements that makes the room feel inviting rather than overly decorated.'

Remember that neutrals offer more variety than the traditional shades you might first think of, too. 'Neutral doesn't only mean beige or white,' says Ansley. 'Natural woods, woven textures, and even deeper, muddier tones can act as neutrals in a space. I think the goal is to create a room that is interesting to look at, but also comfortable to live in. You want the color to make an impression, not exhaust you.'

7. Add Natural Texture to Your Scheme

Balancing bold colors isn't just about the other colors in a room, but the textures, too. Wood tones, for example, bring a natural feel to rooms, allowing bold colors to work alongside them without taking over.

This library room demonstrates this balance between color and texture, with a dark green sofa and teal ceiling teamed with wood-paneled walls. 'The natural wood grounds the room with organic texture and tones, providing a neutral background that lets the bold colors shine without competing,' says designer Nadia Palacios.

'When designing a room with bold colors, wood can act as a connective thread,' she adds. 'It’s a neutral tone for the stronger colors to stand out against, but it also creates a through-line.'

To keep things looking cohesive, look for shared undertones between the wood and bold colors. 'We always make sure the tone of the wood is reflected in selected colors and echoed in the other elements,' says Nadia. 'If the colors are warm, the wood should also be warm-toned. In this room, the central art piece, the ceiling paper, curtains, and throw pillows all play off the wood. It’s all about making bold choices while finding ways to connect them.'

How livable and balanced a room feels isn't just about which colors you use, but how you use them. When a room is decorated confidently with bold hues – using them to color-drench, repeat throughout the space, and sit alongside other colorful shades – the space feels like it has been designed with intention, while using neutrals and texture adds breathing room.

Whichever approach you go for, the key is to focus on creating relationships between each color, so the whole-room palette feels connected, rather than disjointed.

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As the days get shorter, containers can lose their impact after dark. Solar lighting ideas are one of the easiest ways to brighten up your garden during fall and winter. For pots and planters, whimsical solar lights are a fun alternative to standard stake lights, bringing decorative detail to your outdoor space.

These designs bring a playful twist to your backyard lighting ideas, and there's plenty of styles to choose from. Clusters of glowing toadstools give planters a woodland feel, firework and dandelion stakes create a soft burst of light above trailing foliage, and spooky silhouettes offer a subtle nod to Halloween. Many work just as well beyond October, so they can stay in place throughout the season.

If you want to add rustic charm, Pottery Barn's Solar Blossom Lawn Stake is perfect for fall pots with its copper-toned stems, while Terrain's LED Mushroom Stake Light Strand adds character to a planter or garden bed. Amazon's Solar Black Cat & Pumpkin Moon offers a seasonal touch, and Wayfair's Fairy House Statue brings a little enchantment to pots and planters.

We've rounded up 16 of the best whimsical solar lights across a range of styles and price points, from stakes that push straight into the soil to lights that sit neatly on top. And best of all, there are no wiring or outlets needed.

Once you've added your lights, help the planting stand out by adding some of the best fall flowers for pots. And to keep your containers glowing as the nights draw in, it's worth knowing how to make solar lights work in winter.

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While a traditional Christmas wreath will always have a place in our hearts, the growing love for whimsical, more unexpected seasonal designs is bringing a playful new feel to festive decorating.

We're not saying Christmas wreaths are going anywhere, but they are taking new shape in 2026. A playful alternative to long-established styles, Anthropologie's Faux Evergreen Bow Wreath combines the lush, fresh feel of traditional evergreen wreaths with one of this year's biggest holiday decor themes: bows.

Nostalgic, light-hearted, and oh-so enchanting, bows felt bigger and bolder than ever before last year, and they're set to be just as big in 2026, too. Perfect for adding festive spirit to your front door or bringing merriment to your living room, this charming bow wreath can bring a fresh feel to your Christmas decorating this year.

The bow trend makes homes feel instantly cuter. The holidays are all about embracing enchantment, and coquette styles tie beautifully into this theme. They bring even more joy and festive spirit into our homes, whilst providing a refreshing twist on tradition.

While wreaths usually sit on our front doors, this charming style can make any corner feel instantly more festive. Designed to bring a focal point to any room, it's not hard to imagine it hung proudly at the centre of a dining room, or crowning a cozy reading nook.

Don't get us wrong, going down the traditional Christmas decor route isn't a bad idea, either. It'll bring a fresh, wintry feel to your front door, just as your classic round wreath would, but with a much more fun, whimsical feel. Styled with some indoor or outdoor Christmas lights, the Anthropologie wreath will truly come to life. Amazon's Battery-Operated Wire Fairy Lights are dainty enough to wrap around the wreath (best for indoor use), whilst Amazon's Outdoor Green Battery-Operated Fairy Lights will camouflage against the lush faux foliage.

You could even go one step further and enhance your wreath with some Christmas ornaments. A set of colorful glass mini baubles will transform it into a real festive statement. Terrain's Shatterproof Mini Bauble Garland is perfect for adding a little playfulness and vibrancy to your bow wreath to match its whimsical nature, or a handful of Magnolia and Hearth & Hand's Mini Glass Painted Ornament Set would exude a quietly classic feel.

Anthropologie's charming design captures exactly what makes this alternative trend so appealing: decorating for the festive season doesn't have to mean relying on traditional, familiar styles to create a memorable impression. Injecting whimsy into your home needn't be over the top; in fact, a simple bow-shaped wreath can be all it takes to make a room or doorstep feel instantly more merry and bright.

Shop More Unique Christmas Wreaths

Whether you're going bold or keeping things timeless and heritage-inspired, Anthropologie's Faux Evergreen Bow is the ultimate wreath alternative that embraces this year's biggest Christmas trend.

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