Enameled cast iron cookware has long been the crown jewel of French culinary tradition, prized as much for its rustic elegance on the stovetop as for its oven performance.

For generations, French country kitchens have relied on cast iron to hold steady heat for dishes designed for colder months. However, claiming a piece of that heritage usually comes with a price tag, placing iconic European-style cookware firmly in luxury territory.

Enter Martha Stewart, whose Amazon collection brings those exact Old-World design principles to home, unbelievably, for under $47. Leave it to the original influencer to marry time-honored European aesthetics with everyday durability. The result is one of the best Dutch ovens on the market – an heirloom-quality piece that looks beautiful on display.

'This is my Eastholm Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven in Martha Blue [from Amazon]. These distribute and retain heat evenly for slow simmers, braising, making soups and stews, baking casseroles and bread, and more,' Martha noted on her blog, highlighting the culinary functionality behind the timeless silhouette.

In the years I've been working at Homes & Gardens, I've written about all kinds of Dutch Ovens, but what brings me back to Martha's is its signature colorway.

Her 'Martha Blue' bridges two design worlds. The elegant blue finish infuses a touch of her famous Bedford country estate charm into the classic French-inspired aesthetic. It's one of those rare times when Euro-country charm meets Massachusetts (of course, it was Martha who made that bridge).

Aesthetics aside, it's hard to believe how much durability you get for such a price. Beneath the porcelain exterior, heavy cast iron delivers fantastic heat retention, while the lid continuously redistributes moisture back into your dishes.

While traditional European heritage pieces can easily cost hundreds of dollars, Martha's version stands out as one of the most affordable high-performance Dutch ovens on the market. It offers the same heirloom beauty and kitchen versatility for a remarkably accessible investment. However, it's the only piece worth investing in this Prime Day.

Ahead – my list of unmissable Martha-designed pieces that deserve a place on even the most compact countertops.

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More often than not, my midweek meals don’t require much more than a quality large pan and a saucepan, yet my cluttered kitchen cabinets overcomplicate each meal.

I have frying pans, skillets, roasting dishes, and more crammed into my cupboards, despite the fact that I rarely need them all. Unless I’m cooking a multi-course meal (which happens about twice a year), I’d much rather have a few hardworking pieces that can do more.

That’s where the Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro, available at Amazon, comes in. Designed to replace eight pieces of cookware, this versatile pan can braise, sear, steam, sauté, and bake, helping to streamline your kitchen without compromising on what you can cook.

Better yet, this non-toxic cookware gem is currently at its lowest price ever during the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days. For anyone looking to make more space in a crowded kitchen, it’s the perfect time to shop.

The beauty of the Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro lies in its construction. Made with a titanium interior that requires minimal seasoning, the design eliminates PFAS-based coatings to make a kitchen less toxic. It also ensures that the pan is safe up to 1000°F, meaning that it can move from stovetop to oven for searing, roasting, browning, and finishing dishes at professional temperatures.

Because it is so versatile for the everyday home cook, you can usually declutter some of the things that always make your kitchen look cluttered, such as the dedicated sauté pan you use a few times a year or the wobbly fry pan you have been battling for the last few months.

The non-stick claim has been proven, too. Our expert chef Lydia Hayman used the pan in her kitchen every night for three months, and saw no degradation in performance. The even heat distribution allowed steady caramelization of onions; fried eggs and pancakes didn't cling to the surface, especially with semi-regular seasoning, and sauces simmered evenly, with plenty of space to stir without worrying about spills.

When it comes to decluttering your kitchen like a line cook, it is one of the easiest solutions without sacrificing practicality.

What Else to Shop

From other Our Place recommendations to standout non-toxic pan picks, these Prime deals are well worth considering while the sale is still on.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

To keep your pan looking and working at its best for years to come, brush up on how to clean and care for every type of cookware.

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We often spend a long time thinking about what goes on the walls when we're decorating a room, but what happens on the floor is just as important.

The right rug placement determines where furniture sits, how a seating area feels, and, ultimately, whether the room feels pulled together. Just ask Martha Stewart, whose large area rugs offer an easy way to anchor furniture and give a room the considered proportions designers look for.

Her collaboration with Safavieh (available via Amazon) brings together hand-tufted wool, natural jute, and muted, botanical-inspired patterns. The designs are understated enough to work around existing furniture, while the texture and pattern are shaping rug trends for 2027. As ever, she's ahead of the curve.

The collection also has a practical element: Martha's Amazon storefront includes a series of different-sized pieces, some of which retail for $160, making it possible to cover a larger area without spending what you might expect from a designer rug.

As top designers explain, a rug's size can make a bigger difference in a room than you might think. One of the easiest ways to make a living room feel disjointed is to choose a rug that is too small. A rug tucked beneath the coffee table, with the sofa and chairs sitting entirely around it, can leave the furniture looking as though it belongs to separate areas of the room.

Instead, designers (including Abigail Ahern, below) generally recommend choosing a rug that extends beyond the coffee table and underneath at least the front legs of the surrounding seating. It creates a clearer boundary for the seating area, making the whole layout feel more curated.

Shop Martha Stewart X SAFAVIEH Rug Deals

Interior designer and author Abigail Ahern agrees that getting the scale right can significantly affect how a room works.

'In my world, a room just isn’t complete without a rug,' she explains. 'Adding texture, coziness, and a soft spot for your feet to land, they are the finishing touch to any room, but one of the biggest mistakes can be going too small.' She adds that a rug that doesn't fill the space can 'visually shrink the room and make it feel disjointed rather than flowing.'

For larger rooms, Abigail has another solution when a single rug doesn't quite cover the floor plan. 'If a rug isn't quite large enough, I often double up, placing them next to or near each other to create a more generous footprint,' she says. 'It's one of the simplest ways to transform a space; suddenly everything feels more grounded, more cocooning, more layered.'

Martha’s approach is to use the rug to anchor the whole seating area, rather than treating it as an afterthought.

A generous living room rug gives the furniture a more defined place within the space and can make the space feel considered without adding more furniture or decoration. In the end, it's just as important as the thought you'd give to your walls.

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Classic bathrooms exude timeless luxury, but how do we update them for the modern day? By combining traditional marble and tiles with contemporary matte finishes and glasswork, we can achieve gorgeous transitional interiors that straddle the best of both worlds. They feel both stylishly contemporary, but historied.

Jennifer Lopez's bathroom provides the perfect example of how to strike an equilibrium between these styles. The keystone is her black clawfoot bathtub (similar to this freestanding soaking tub from Wayfair). Next to her traditional marble checkerboard flooring, the bathtub keeps the classic look from feeling too stuffy, balancing it with a chic, contemporary detail. Large windows invite her verdant garden in, tying the whole look together.

The elegance of JLo's bathtub demonstrates why transitional bathrooms are the new rage for 2027.

Jennifer Lopez's blended look is emerging as a major bathroom trend for 2027. Mike Manders, Design Expert at Haddon, explains: 'Consumers today are expertly blending classic and contemporary styles in their bathrooms to create spaces that feel fresh yet timeless. Many are pairing traditional elements such as panelled vanity units and classic heritage-inspired brassware with sleek, modern fixtures.'

Recreate JLo's Look at Home

From an elegant black bathtub to marble accessories, here are all the pieces you need to bring JLo's style into your home.

In 2027, all spaces in our home are becoming richer with personality. As JLo demonstrates, pairing modern and traditional elements can help create this characterful look.

Mike advises: 'This thoughtful layering allows the warmth and character of classic design to sit comfortably alongside clean lines and subtle detailing. By mixing old and new, you can achieve a balanced aesthetic that feels curated rather than contrived, making the bathroom a welcoming and personal sanctuary that honours heritage while embracing modern living.'

To emulate Jennifer Lopez's bathroom idea, the most important step is planning for a mix of materials.

'Bringing personality into a neutral or minimalist bathroom is all about layering subtle touches that add warmth and character without detracting from the calm simplicity of the space,' recommends Mike. 'This can be achieved through attention to detail and carefully considered materials - think of the natural veining of marble, the soft sheen of brushed metals, or the understated elegance of stone finishes.'

When it comes to bathroom design, the best styles don't fit neatly into one box. By combining looks, you can create a room that is truly unique.

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There’s something about gingerbread Christmas decor that instantly makes a home feel a little more magical. I’ve just bought Pottery Barn’s Handcrafted Gingerbread Tree for my table, and it’s completely convinced me to lean into the sweet, nostalgic trend this year. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, Amazon’s Gingerbread Christmas Tree Centerpiece is a great alternative – and just as charming.

With its playful details and old-fashioned charm, it’s the kind of decoration that makes you want to turn your home into a little Christmas wonderland. Gingerbread Christmas decorating ideas have been having a major moment, but the tradition behind it is anything but new.

Gingerbread has been part of North American holiday culture for more than 200 years, while gingerbread houses became closely associated with Christmas after the tradition was brought to America by German immigrants. Now, that nostalgic look is popping up everywhere from Christmas trees and mantels to tables and shelves – and I can completely see why.

That’s why I was so excited to spot ALDI’s Merry Moments Gingerbread Tree decoration, which launches on Wednesday 7 October. At just $9.99, it’s an easy and affordable way to bring some of that gingerbread magic to your Christmas tree, and its whimsical design has exactly the nostalgic appeal I’m looking for this year.

What makes ALDI’s collection particularly fun is that the gingerbread theme doesn’t have to stop at one decoration. There are several coordinating pieces, making it easy to build a charming little festive scene throughout your home without everything feeling too matchy-matchy. It’s the kind of collection that makes you want to keep adding just one more piece.

What I love most about gingerbread decor is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Christmas decorating can sometimes become all about achieving the perfect color palette or creating the most sophisticated-looking tree, but gingerbread pieces bring back some of the fun. They feel cheerful, cozy, and wonderfully nostalgic, almost like stepping into a Christmas bakery.

I’d happily mix ALDI’s gingerbread decoration into a tree filled with classic red-and-green baubles, warm white lights, ribbons, and wooden ornaments. The warm, traditional colors work beautifully with pieces you may already own.

And I love that the trend works beyond the tree, too. My new gingerbread centerpiece is going straight onto my Christmas table, while smaller gingerbread-inspired pieces could easily be styled on a Christmas mantel, shelf, console table, or kitchen counter. Even adding just one or two can give a room that cozy, whimsical feel.

The gingerbread decor trend feels current without feeling like a fleeting Christmas theme. It taps into the nostalgia we already associate with the holiday season while giving us a playful way to make our homes feel even more festive.

ALDI’s gingerbread pieces are exactly the kind of Christmas decor I can imagine bringing out year after year. Because when it comes to Christmas, a little nostalgia, a little sweetness, and a lot of gingerbread never really go out of style.

Shop Alternative Gingerbread Christmas Decorations

Gingerbread-inspired decor is a charming way to bring a playful, nostalgic touch to your home this festive season, and I’ve rounded up my favorite styles to help you nail the look this Christmas.

There is nothing more timeless than a beige sofa. Though online critics have been decrying the shade as 'boring' and 'sad,' designers don't agree. Though our take on neutrals is evolving for 2027, this color will persist as a staple in chic homes.

For proof, look no further than Barbra Streisand's living room (spotted on her Instagram), in which a beige sofa acts as the stunning anchor piece. Layered with fluted glass, and a red lamp in the background, the neutral shade feels incredibly rich and eye-catching. A woven fabric brings an organic energy that pulls the whole space together.

It demonstrates that though the way we use beige may be changing, it is by no means 'over' for the coming year.

The continuation of decorating with beige into 2027 fits in with broader trend fatigue and a desire for 'slow decorating' over instant makeovers. Hannah Armstrong, Furniture Buyer at Heal’s advises: 'Interior trends are constantly changing, so if you’re someone who enjoys experimenting with new trends, it’s better to have a simple base, and incorporate trends you want to try subtly, in ways that can be built on if your interior style changes or develops.'

She continues: 'For some people, going all out on one interior style isn’t realistic, especially in an era when people are using their homes to showcase their personality, rather than the very uniform, matchy-matchy interior trends of the past.'

Shop The Beige Living Room Edit

Beige is the workhorse of the modern design color palette, and these are the pieces our editors are looking at to bring the trend into their homes in 2027. They all feel modern and fun.

With these shifts in mind, beige is sure to persist as an interior design trend in 2027. Like Barbra's home shows, it is a comforting, grounding shade that looks good in every space.

Design expert Billy Joe Jarvis states: 'Warm beige is a safe choice if you want your home to feel cozy without going too far with color. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms and hallways and gives you a neutral base that potential buyers can easily imagine putting their own stamp on.'

In fact, Google searches for 'Graubeige' have increased 715% over the past month, while searches for taupe have steadily increased over the past quarter, indicating a continued appetite for warm neutrals like the color of Barbra's sofa.

'Warm interiors have been big throughout 2026, and that is not going to change as we go into the new year, but we are going to see an influx of new warm neutral shades,' says Hannah. 'Graubeige, which is a mix of grey and beige, is a great warm color to decorate with, as it can be complemented with so many different shades. Think soft whites and sage green for creating a calming, natural space, and dusty rose and terracotta for warm, cozy vibes.'

For a layered living room like Barbra's, Hannah recommends: 'With graubeige and taupe being versatile neutrals, they’re easy to incorporate into your home. In the bedroom, layer graubeige linens with green pillows and soft-textured throws to create a calming atmosphere to drift away peacefully. In the living room, color-drenching the walls in graubeige or taupe is a simple yet impactful way to embrace the trend. For a more subtle approach, introduce the shades through wall art, cushions, or a plush rug to add a gentle nod to the look.'

Though popular discourse may be shunning beige, tastemakers and designers are still sticking to their guns on this hue. We look forward to seeing the iterations it will take.

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At first glance, Dakota Johnson’s former living room should feel anything but cozy.

Almost every element of the 1947 Hollywood Hills house is designed (by the acclaimed Pierce & Ward) to let the outdoors inside – from its floor-to-ceiling glass walls to its exposed beams and expanses of timber. However, the room feels settled. Much of that comes down to the decorating. Warm wood, camel-colored velvet and vintage textiles sit together in a palette that lets the architecture take center stage.

Designed by architect Carl Maston, the house is a particularly beautiful example of mid-century California modernism. Its clean lines could easily have been emphasized with white walls and contrasting furniture, but Dakota took a warmer approach.

In this mid-century modern celebrity living room, the furnishings stay close in tone, with honey-colored wood, camel upholstery, and an aged-looking rug creating a natural flow from one piece to the next.

The effect is reminiscent of the Kodak Portra palette, a term used to describe the warm, muted colors associated with the popular analog film stock. In this room, those tones give the interiors an almost photographic quality. Sunlight catches on the wood and velvet, bringing out subtle shifts in color without making the space feel overly decorated.

To follow her example, look to low-slung, matte seating like the Wanetta Sofa in Ochre velvet (from Wayfair). Its light-absorbing pile diffuses light, filling the room with that same golden-hour glow.

Shop the Dakota Johnson X Vintage Color Edit

‘I adore how Dakota's room doesn't try to soften the architecture by hiding it,’ explains Hebe Hatton, the Head of Interiors at Homes & Gardens.

‘The mid-century modern decorating works with what is already there. The wood, camel upholstery and muted rug all have a similar depth and warmth, so your eye moves naturally around the room rather than being drawn to one high-contrast piece.’

That sense of continuity also comes from her furniture choices. Dakota’s low-slung living room sofa sits beneath the windows, preserving the views and allowing the garden to become part of the room. It's not necessary to overwhelm every corner when the landscape beyond the glass provides so much of the interest.

The greenery outside also brings a beautiful change to the predominantly warm interior. Against the honeyed wood and earthy upholstery, the garden's cooler greens feel fresh without disrupting the room’s sense of ease. To Hebe, it's a useful reminder that warmth does not always come from adding more.

‘There’s a tendency to think a cozy living room needs lots of layers, darker colors or plenty of decorative objects,’ she says.

‘This space proves that you can achieve the same feeling through color and material alone. Keeping everything within a considered palette gives the room a sense of ease, while the natural light and garden stop it from ever feeling flat.’

It's a surprisingly simple approach for such a striking house. By allowing similar tones to sit alongside one another, Dakota made a highly architectural space feel personal and comfortable while preserving the qualities that made the house special in the first place.

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Joanna Gaines’ highly anticipated holiday collection at Target just launched, and while everyone was busy fawning over its heritage-inspired Christmas decor, I spotted an unexpected everyday gem. Not a holiday decor idea, but a clever lighting idea. Enter: the Puzzle Light Lamp.

With a T-shaped shade and a cordless design, this lamp was designed to conveniently illuminate holiday game nights – hence its name. But in my mind, this lamp is so much more versatile, and it's certainly not something I'd tuck away in the attic at the end of the holiday season.

It’s the ideal kitchen lighting idea – a portable lamp that's ideal for countertops thanks to its elongated design and the lack of wires. It's convenient, practical, and beyond helpful for prepping as well as softening my space.

Like a cross between a vintage banker's lamp and a museum artwork light, the Puzzle Lamp is an ideal spotlight for illuminating a singular, focused zone in your home. In the kitchen, I imagine it as a helpful task lamp – shedding light on anything from a meal prep space to the words on a cookbook. Even in dark under-cabinet corners, this lamp can brighten up the scene with ease.

Its practicality could benefit lots of other areas in the home. In a home office or even a craft room, it'll provide focused light to whatever you're working on. It can benefit a bar cart, too, shining light on mixed drinks and snacks. Even on a hallway credenza, this light can become a main feature of a stylish vignette – standing behind picture frames to illuminate your favorite memories.

Practicality aside, the Puzzle Lamp is such a chic lighting choice for your home – which makes sense, considering that it was designed by Joanna Gaines. Its brass materiality and grooved base give it a charmingly vintage-inspired look, as if it were a one-of-a-kind antique find. Wherever you place it, it'll warm up the space with character and heritage charm.

Like many of the pieces in Joanna Gaines x Target collections, I have a feeling this lamp won't be in stock for very long. So if you're eager for a new task light for your home, take my word for it – Joanna Gaines' Puzzle Lamp is the one to buy.

How I'd Style The Puzzle Lamp

Once it arrives on my doorstep, Joanna Gaines' Puzzle Lamp is immediately headed for my kitchen countertop. Here's how I'd style it in the space.

Shop More Portable Lamps

As a portable lamp enthusiast, I'm convinced that every home should have at least one of these convenient light features. Shop a few more that are equally as chic as Joanna Gaines' Puzzle Lamp.

The Puzzle Lamp from Joanna Gaines' holiday collection at Target isn't the only light source that I'm excited to use in my home this fall and winter. I've got my eyes on IKEA's KNÖLTÅNG Led Table Light, too – an old-world inspired light idea that brings glowing charm to holiday tablescapes.

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There's no autumnal candle scent quite as iconic as pumpkin spice. With warming, cozy notes that perfectly embody the season, it sets the tone and glow for shorter days and longer, colder nights spent at home.

While almost every home fragrance brand has its own iteration, Diptyque's Citrouille, back for a limited time only, is a chic twist on the old favorite.

With notes of pumpkin, crackling spices, and creamy vanilla, it's a beautiful way to make a home smell like fall as we head towards Halloween.

The very best candles look just as good as they smell. As is always the case with Diptyque, the French-based favorite for all things home fragrancing, this limited-edition take on pumpkin spice delivers on both.

For gourmand lovers, this candle boasts warm, seasonal notes of plump pumpkin and vibrant pie spices, grounded with creamy vanilla. It's less overtly sugared than other alternatives I've smelled, and instead feels like a more subtle take on the classic.

Diptyque candles are made with a mix of mineral and plant waxes, and offer the cleanest burn of any I've tried, easily justifying the premium price point. They also quickly fill even the largest of spaces (I've used mine to scent my living room, for example), and offer one of the simplest ways to make a home smell expensive. For an additional $90, you can also shop a matching Pumpkin Lid, handcrafted in France from biscuit porcelain.

My collection of used Diptyque candles are my favorite candle jars to reuse around the house, too, particularly in my bathroom. Just ensure you know how to get candle wax out of jars safely and correctly.

If you're a lover of fall and want to boost the scent throw of this classic scent combination of pumpkin and spice, try pairing Diptyque's Citrouille Candle with a pumpkin spice fall simmer pot recipe: bubbling pumpkin pie spice, available at Walmart, nutmeg, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla extract on the stove to instantly make your home feel inviting.

This is a tried-and-tested secret realtors use to make a home smell nice, and an easy way to make your pumpkin candle go a little further.

And if Diptyque's limited-edition candle is on your wishlist, though not quite in your price range, the IKEA HÖSTAGILLE Scented Candle is a worthy alternative, housed in a pumpkin-shaped glass vessel with a matching lid.

More to Shop

For more fall-inspired candles and home fragrancing picks, I've curated six more beautiful options to shop below.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Browse more of the best fall candles in our dedicated guide.

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Conversational seating gets to the heart of a living room. It centers time spent with family and friends, orienting the space around social interaction, rather than a screen or design alone.

Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo's living room layout provides a beautiful example. Created by Clements Design, the conversational area centers on an ultra-low coffee table, around which they've centered a lounger and two mid-century modern chairs. Beyond the lounger, the design team has created a mirror seating area with a larger sofa and armchair (like these mid-century-style leather seats from Wayfair). It is totally unique, and completely stylish.

Their living room seating demonstrates how layout can be used to facilitate a welcoming, social space in the home.

Furthermore, Adam and Behati's approach to the living room layout is emerging as a major interior design trend for 2027.

Design expert Natalie Prince states: 'A conversation-first living room is a space designed around people rather than the television. Instead of all seating facing towards the TV screen, furniture such as sofas and armchairs are arranged so that people naturally face each other. Seating is grouped around a coffee table or fireplace, and the TV is either moved off center-stage or hidden away entirely.'

What are the reasons for this shift in how homeowners arrange their living room sofas? Natalie explains: 'After years of screens dominating our downtime, people are now craving spaces that encourage us to slow down, unwind and connect with people, whether it’s catching up with friends at the weekend or making more time to connect as a family in the evening, the living room is where that now happens.'

She continues: 'Hybrid working plays a part too: if your home doubles as your office, many of us want at least one room that feels calm and is screen-free by design. There's also a broader shift towards hosting at home rather than going out, so people want a space that works for entertaining, not just nights in watching TV or movies.'

Recreate Adam and Behati's Look at Home

To recreate Adam and Behati's look, you will need a low-profile coffee table and plenty of stylish seating. Here are our editors' picks inspired by their home.

To replicate Adam and Behati's conversational seating idea, Natalie advises: 'Start with the layout, pull seating away from the walls and angle it inwards so people can face each other at a comfortable distance; around 2.5 meters is the sweet spot for easy conversation. Add a shared focal point like a coffee table, fireplace, or statement lighting rather than the TV, but keep it simple.'

A neutral background, like the cream walls and carpet we see in Adam and Behati's space, sets the tone for this kind of social design. 'Tackle clutter, because a conversational living space needs a calm backdrop,' recommends Natalie. 'Visual noise, such as trailing cables, stacked remotes, and overflowing shelves, can be surprisingly distracting. Built-in or fitted storage is the most effective fix, as it uses awkward alcoves and full wall height to hide everyday clutter, and you can even conceal the TV behind doors when it's not in use.'

A mixture of textures, like the couple's leather and boucle seating, really brings this look to life. Natalie concludes: 'Layer in warmth, use lamps at different heights instead of a single overhead light, soft textures, and a rug to help anchor the seating area and make it more of the focal point of the room. The goal is to create a living space that makes people want to sit down, stay a while, and actually talk.'

Conversational seating is the future of design, and a low-profile dining table with stylish chairs makes it so easy.

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Thanksgiving will be here before you know it, and with it comes a need for quality cookware that does more than just perform on the stove.

The best cast-iron cookware can do it all − sear, bake, and bubble, and transition straight to the table for serving, without the need to juggle extra dishes. However, it often comes with a heavy price tag, especially if you are looking at Le Creuset.

Now, however, IKEA has extended its enamelled VARDAGEN cast iron range to pigmented round Dutch ovens that mimic the look of the big name without the premium price tag. At over $200 cheaper and with similar performance on test, it is an easy decision when hosting on a more modest budget.

Ensuring you have a reliable arsenal of quality cookware should be at the top of your checklist for Thanksgiving. Without it, your Thanksgiving menu risks being more overwhelming than it ought to be, with food sticking or burning, or with extra serving dishes to juggle, making it impossible to keep kitchen counters clear.

Investing in beautiful cookware that performs as well on the table as it does in the kitchen is one of the simplest ways to cut stress, with the bonus of family-style serving subtly taking another task off your to-do list.

Pieces from brands such as Le Creuset and STAUB are certainly show stoppers, and their pieces have always been the best on test. However, the IKEA VARDAGEN collection is a remarkably close second. I personally found that the metal heats evenly, the lid traps moisture, and the enameled coating prevents sticking while ensuring a golden sear. For $40, it is one of the most affordable Dutch ovens I have used, and I have been incredibly impressed.

The new launch more closely replicates the iconic look of the Le Creuset pieces, with round Dutch ovens and a Braiser with the circular ridged lids and flared side handles. The color selection isn't as varied as the big names: the round pot comes in dark gray-green and light yellow, the shallow round pot in light pink, and the original oval Dutch oven in a chic duck-egg blue. However, it still features some classic colors that would work as well with your Thanksgiving table decor as they would with summer tablescaping trends, making them a worthy, lifelong investment.

What Else to Shop

To help upgrade your kitchen ahead of the hosting season, I have rounded up other contenders for the best Dutch oven and the utensils I rely on to simplify cast iron cooking.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

If you want your cast iron cookware to last, it pays to work out how to clean and care for cookware to prevent rust and cracked enamel.

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Seasonal decorating always sparks debate, but nowhere more so than at Halloween. For every person who delights in inflatable ghosts and front-yard graveyards, another finds them garish, chaotic, or downright hideous. This tension between spooky maximalism and understated autumn elegance turns the front porch – the ultimate stage for first impressions – into a seasonal battleground.

If the thought of plastic skeletons and flashing orange lights fills you with dread this fall, take a cue from Martha Stewart. A purveyor of home style for decades, Stewart continues to set the benchmark for seasonal sophistication in 2026.

Her former outdoor Halloween decorating idea is a masterclass in minimal, elevated holiday decor. She skipped the usual horror props in favor of a refined harvest tableau, relying solely on an abundance of homegrown pumpkins and gourds from her garden to embrace the autumnal mood.

Subtle Halloween decor adds a warm, inviting charm to chilly fall evenings, proving that festive styling does not need a theme or a big budget to make a statement. For easy inspiration, Amazon's selection of outdoor pumpkin decor is a great place to start. Your porch is the perfect canvas for seasonal creativity.

Shop the Look

Keep your Halloween decor sophisticated and on-trend for 2026 with a timelessly frightful touch. While fresh pumpkins and gourds bring authentic seasonal charm, their beauty fades quickly in the crisp autumn air.

These elegant faux designs, on the other hand, offer the same warmth and texture – without the short lifespan – ensuring your display stays stylish and inviting all season long.

This fall, decorate with pumpkins for a look that feels classic yet fresh. The humble pumpkin is a timeless autumn staple – versatile, affordable, and effortlessly charming.

Whether clustered on the steps amidst fallen leaves or arranged beside a favorite chair, a simple display of pumpkins instantly adds warmth and character without tipping into clutter or chaos.

There is no need to stick strictly to traditional 'Jack-o’-Lanterns', either. Try stacking speckled gourds and multicolored heirloom pumpkins to channel Martha’s signature harvest elegance, or inject personality with painted or no-carve designs.

Even a simple cluster of classic orange pumpkins set against golden autumn foliage makes a beautiful, welcoming statement. If real produce is not practical, there are plenty of realistic, high-quality faux pumpkins and squash options that can be reused year after year – a smart choice for apartment dwellers or anyone who prefers a no-mess approach.

To finish the look and bring light to dark fall evenings, pair your pumpkins with an element that adds warmth and light. A beautiful, functional lantern makes an ideal pairing. This highly rated Modern Farmhouse Lantern (available now on Amazon) provides the perfect finishing touch – simple, refined, and seasonally timeless for 2026.

Trading spooky clutter for simple, elegant style allows you to recreate Martha’s effortlessly chic harvest display with ease.

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Few faux pas induce quite the stomach drop as arriving underdressed. Everyone else instinctively knew to go semiformal, and you showed up in jeans. In the bedroom, being too casual might be just as embarrassing in 2027.

Since quiet luxury's Succession-era peak, bedding has become a bizarre competition of restraint. Who could get away with the fewest pillows, blankets, patterns, frills? Finally, in a very Y2K way, being ‘extra’ is back. Putting in the effort to look nice, thoughtful, even appropriately reverent toward the ritual at hand.

Fashion is moving on (if you caught the recent NYFW runways), and bedding is following suit, trading minimalism for pattern, personality, and a little creative excess. Trying is chic again. Ahead, five trends for a better-dressed bed in 2027.

1. Confident Colors

If the ‘ice blue’ bedding trend from late summer into early fall was any indication, color is reclaiming the linen closet for 2027. Not all of it will stay quite so bright through the cooler months, but one thing we’ll be seeing far less of is white, even among self-proclaimed minimalists.

‘White bedding will always be timeless, but color is becoming much more sophisticated in the bedroom,’ says London-based interior designer Miriam Prada. ‘I’m increasingly seeing clients ask for richer bedding rather than the traditional white or pale neutral palette.’

‘Personally, I’m a little conflicted: I’m practically the queen of white bed linen because I find it incredibly fresh, timeless and elevated, but even I’m starting to consider color for my own bedroom.’

If the queen of white bed linen is reconsidering, perhaps the rest of us can toe-dip, too. Miriam suggests ‘chocolate, burgundy, olive, or deep blue, rather than bright color' for a first foray. Whether you're a connoisseur or just getting started, Parachute, Brooklinen, and Bed Threads offer courageous sheet shades of every kind.

2. Welcome Back, Throw Pillows

A ‘haute’ bed in 2026, to the untrained eye, was giving hospital. Often just a single untucked top sheet layered over a lumbar pillow, there wasn’t much room for creativity, or comfort, for that matter. In a space meant to be warm and inviting, in 2027 we’re asking: why did beds become… so cold?

‘I believe we can expect the comeback of a beautifully dressed bed. After years of the “relaxed and undone bed” look, I am sensing a desire for bedrooms that feel more intentional and considered, layered with textured throws and decorative pillows,’ says Izabela Marino, the director of interior design at GKV Architects in New York City.

So we’re turning back the clock. Pre ‘unipillow,’ pre ‘ball pillow,’ pre every other token solo cushion that’s been hogging our bedscape, to the 2000s, when we built pillow fortresses from interesting materials like knit, leather, and Mongolian lamb, with total freedom. ‘It is a return of abundance and comfort created by layering textures and tones.’

3. The Dressed Bed

Pillows are part of the return to a little more excess in the layering department, but we’re not resting there. Trim, flange, and the return of the ‘grandma’ bed skirt are all happening not instead of, but in addition to, the throw-pillow takeover.

‘Bedding is being tailored again,’ observes Alex Perez-Rulfo, owner and lead designer of Hacienda Design Studio. ‘For a decade the goal was the bed that looked untouched. A trimmed edge is evidence of a decision; someone chose that color, that width, that finish. It reads as considered rather than staged.’ In the spirit of excess, ‘Contrast flanges, piping, ribbon borders, box-pleat skirts, dressmaker details that the hotel white duvet era erased’ are back. Perhaps this is the real diss of 2027: your bed is underdressed.

‘It started at the workroom level,’ Alex adds. ‘Custom shops that were doing drapery trim work two years ago are now quoting bed linens, and clients are asking for their bedding to be made rather than bought.’ For a similar bespoke look, you can find fanciful flanged finishes at Quince, a dozen-plus bed skirt patterns at GreenRow, and dressmaker details of every variety from LA and NYC favorite Nickey Kehoe.

For all the superfluousness this suggests, Alex wears by a simple formula: ‘Ivory washed linen with a narrow clay colored flange on the shams and flat sheet, then a tailored skirt in the same linen with a 3-inch box pleat at each corner. Nothing louder than that. The trim does the work.'

4. Tailoring

We’ve already reported on bed sheets with borders and the piped bedding trend, two tailored cues defining the edges of duvets, pillowcases, and coverlets that have all the effect of a great blazer or a well-cut pair of slacks.

From cool Scandi names like Nordic Knots to Australian newcomer Hommey, the writing is on the linen. ‘Very subtle contrast detail, a thin piped edge just slightly darker than the base fabric, is coming through strongly from European linen suppliers and making its way into the US market,’ observes Wendi Gee, principal designer at Wendi Gee Interiors in Austin, TX.

Often no more than a barely-there stripe, there’s room to be a little braver with the color combinations. Red on baby blue, cream on chocolate brown. If the bed is getting dressed again, you'd best believe these ‘tailored’ basics will be on regular rotation.

5. Heirloom Layers

We thread our DNA throughout the home. Family photographs, an inherited armchair, grandma’s china in the cupboards. Why cut off the family tree at the bedroom door?

‘The top layer of the bed is becoming the one piece in the room with a history… a quilt, a hand-embroidered coverlet, a woven blanket that came from someone’s family,’ explains Hacienda Design Studio’s Alex Perez-Rulfo. ‘I’m having more conversations that start with “I have my grandmother’s quilt in a closet” than I did five years ago. People want to use what they’ve been storing. Which I love!’

Jade Joyner, principal designer of Athens, Georgia-based Metal + Petal, similarly encourages clients to mix and match their grandmother’s monogrammed pillowcases. ‘It’s the opposite of buying a bedding set,’ Alex adds.

What qualifies as an heirloom is unique to you. The Brits have their florals and ruffled edges. In Southern California, where Alex is based, Mexican and Spanish influences carry colcha embroidery, deshilado drawnwork, and Saltillo weaving. He always recommends a quiet foundation of white or oatmeal sheeting and plain matelassé, ‘so the heirloom piece has nothing to compete with.’ ‘Fold it at the foot rather than spreading it flat, so the hand of the fabric shows.'

And if your family failed to leave you a fabulous textile inheritance, don’t worry. Anything hand-loomed, rather than printed, gets at much of the character.

If 2027 feels too far away, it’s fall for now, and the coziest bedrooms always have these five layers.

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Chrome hardware has gained popularity for lighting and kitchens over the past few years, and now, it's landing in the bathroom. The shiny, modern look is eye-catching and bold, perfect for the homeowner who wants to make a statement.

Justin and Hailey Bieber are just this kind of homeowner, having tapped into the chrome look long before it became a trend with their silver bathtub (similar to the Dorset soaking tub from Wayfair). Shared to Justin's Instagram, the chrome piece looks stunningly contemporary next to their large windows, and then is grounded by white walls. Its so elevated and unique.

Though not everyone will go so bold with their chrome decor, Justin and Hailey Bieber's bathroom idea offers insight into the future, where silver decor will be absolutely everywhere.

Bathroom trend reports for 2027 show chrome decor coming in as a top look. For instance, luxury vintage and antiques retailer 1stDibs reports that search interest in chrome furniture has more than doubled this year.

Mike Manders, Design Expert and CEO at Haddon explains: 'Chrome is experiencing a notable resurgence in bathroom design. This material is appreciated for its timeless, clean, and polished finish. After several years where warmer metals like brass and bronze dominated bathrooms, chrome is making a strong comeback thanks to its versatility and ability to complement a wide range of styles.'

As Justin and Hailey's bathroom shows, the material is also more versatile than one might assume, fitting in well with a range of styles.

'It offers a crisp contrast against natural materials such as stone and wood, enhancing both classic and contemporary interiors,' continues Mike. 'Its reflective quality also helps to brighten spaces, making bathrooms feel fresh. For those seeking a finish that combines elegance with practicality, chrome remains a consistently reliable choice.'

Recreate Justin and Hailey's Look at Home

Whether you opt for full on chrome interiors or just a few accents, Homes & Gardens has you covered. These are our editors' picks for adding the trend to your bathroom this season.

If you are hoping to make a true statement, following Justin and Hailey Bieber's bathtub idea might be your best bet. A chrome bathtub may be expensive, but it will make the ultimate bold declaration of style.

Mike states: 'The bathtub is the crown jewel of the bathroom and probably the biggest investment when renovating this space, so this purchase should be very carefully considered.'

He advises: 'A freestanding bath is the ultimate statement of luxurious design and relaxation, creating a tranquil focal point that invites quiet indulgence. If space allows, there is no better way to instantly elevate the entire room.'

In addition to the finish, it's important to consider the shape of your bathtub. As Justin and Hailey's freestanding design demonstrates, a curved, freestanding design is utterly gorgeous. Mike states: 'The style of the bathtub should set the tone for the overall design of your bathroom and will ultimately depend on your personal taste. You may prefer a timeless, heritage-inspired design for classic charm or choose a sleek, curved and symmetrical form for contemporary sophistication. Either way, the bathtub will set the tone for the rest of the space and should feel in keeping with the style of the basins, fixtures and fittings within the space.'

Integrating chrome, whether it's through your bathtub or just a small tray is the surest way to add chicness to your home in 2027.

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As much as I love to decorate for fall, I try my best to keep seasonal purchases to a minimum – not only to spare my wallet, but to keep my interiors from looking overly cliché, too.

I've done pretty well this time around, reusing fall decor from previous years to give my home a warm and inviting feeling for the cozy season. That said, I've allowed myself to make one purchase to take my home from summer into autumn and complete my seasonal styling. It's not a fall-themed blanket, a decorative pillow, or even a pumpkin spice-scented candle. Instead, I've opted for this chic portable lamp from Walmart.

What first drew me to this lamp was its delectable color. Like a deep shade of red wine, this burgundy hue is one of the top color trends for fall 2026. It's an intense tone, but one that is a perfectly tasteful complement to traditional fall color schemes consisting of brown, green, and mustard yellow.

Beyond color, its form is the next most exciting feature. With its concave shade, rippled light, and tiered base, this lamp is a sculptural, Art Deco-inspired masterpiece – something you'd think would retail for much more than $20. As if it couldn't get any better, this lamp is also portable by design – meaning you can bring it with you around the home, no cord or outlet necessary.

In my mind, this lamp is the only fall decor buy you need to make this season – especially if you're like me and you already own fall-inspired pillows, blankets, and tabletop trinkets. It's such a tasteful addition that taps into the season's hottest design trends and even proves practical long after fall is over.

Not only that, but it can benefit any spot in your home. Some reviewers remark on how it's the perfect bedside table light, a stylish office desk light, or even a cozy reading nook light. And with its dimmable touch switch, you can control the light it emits and, in turn, the ambience it creates.

There's no doubt that Walmart's Red Ripple Portable Lamp will become the star of my home this fall. It's so chic, so versatile, and just what my space needs to feel refreshed for the season.

How I'd Style Walmart's Red Ripple Lamp For Fall

Although the styling opportunities are endless for Walmart's Red Ripple Portable Lamp, I'd use it as a hosting tool to brighten up a tablescape, a countertop, or even a bar cart. Here's what I'd style alongside it.

Shop More Portable Lamps

Portable lamps are one of the most convenient lighting ideas for the home. Aside from Walmart's Red Ripple Portable Lamp, find a few more styles that are equally as desirable.

Walmart's Red Ripple Portable Lamp might be the only thing I've bought for fall so far, but I've got my eyes on lots of new seasonal arrivals – including Lone Fox's new collection for West Elm. This line features tons of decor that transcends the fall season, making it perfect for year-round styling.

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It takes very little for a coastal living room to slip into cliché. However, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s Bahamian retreat shows how much more considered the look can be when the usual nautical references are left behind.

In the coastal living room of their private island estate, the couple has kept the architecture and furnishings simple, allowing the setting to shape the room without dictating its style. A deep blue living room sofa sits against a white backdrop, with natural materials and views of the water bringing the coastal setting into the space.

The blue-and-white palette is an obvious choice for a home by the sea. In their case, though, it feels clean and tailored. No anchor motifs or overtly beach-themed accessories appear. Instead, the connection to the coast comes through the materials and light furniture.

To get the look, the Wesham Slipcovered Loveseat from Wayfair is my favorite starting point. It fits the color profile and has a deep-seated frame designed for lounging.

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s Coastal Living Room Edit

Texture also plays an important role in Tim and Faith's space. The warmth of the wood keeps the white living room walls and upholstery from feeling stark, while the deep blue adds contrast and creates a clear focal point. It's a beautiful approach for anyone drawn to coastal interiors but keen to avoid a room that feels overly themed.

Magdalena Gierasinska, a design expert at Barker and Stonehouse, says coastal style's appeal is closely linked to how we want our homes to feel.

'Beyond aesthetics, coastal style taps into the psychology of relaxed living. It evokes carefree holiday memories, the sun-drenched charm of Mediterranean islands, and the soothing rhythm of ocean waves, all from the comfort of your own home. Its rising popularity also aligns well with a growing desire for homes that feel laid-back and casual, rather than overly formal,' she says.

'To style a coastal look at home, create a focal point in a living room or bedroom by choosing a large piece of furniture, such as a bed or sofa in an azure blue hue. This will be the anchor of the space, and it can be styled alongside whitewashed furniture or rattan for a refreshing touch. A joyful stripe or a hint of green completes the look, bringing a relaxed coastal feel into the home.'

And, for an even more sophisticated take, Magdalena recommends moving beyond the traditional blue-and-white nautical palette and bringing in more natural finishes.

'The words coastal-inspired interiors often conjure up images of a blue, white and red nautical-themed home. However, the essence of the coast can be reimagined with a grown-up color palette of pastel hues and through the addition of natural textures and finishes such as reclaimed wood, stone and jute,' she explains.

'Pair warm yellow walls with reclaimed wooden furniture for a look that feels decidedly sunny, yet also smart and sophisticated. Combine the raw, organic texture of a jute rug with a scattering of patterned linen cushions to emulate the look and feel of a balmy sunny evening spent on the coast.'

Tim and Faith's living room ideas offer a simple lesson in coastal decor. Remember, you don't need to fill a room with seaside references to make it feel connected to the coast. A considered palette, natural materials, and curated furniture can master the aesthetic all on their own.

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The best seasonal decor is a more autumn-inspired take on furnishings you already have in your home, for an organic, complete feel. That's why Martha Stewart's pumpkin colored needlepoint pillows from T.J. Maxx are my favorite autumn accent.

These charmingly understated cushions are both elevated and playful, making them the perfect pick to add a taste of fall to your sofa or armchair. As opposed to traditional Halloween decor, they are designed to fit into your pre-existing design scheme, layered amongst your favorite decorative pillows and throw blankets. I like how the needlepoint design brings in a feeling of tradition, while the seasonal designs feel more whimsical.

Even better, the diamond pattern design can remain out for months, transitioning effortlessly from early fall to halloween, to Thanksgiving. Better yet, it's under $20 from T.J. Maxx for something that looks so specialty.

To style this throw pillow, I would recommend layering it on your sofa. Mixed with other cushions and blankets, the look will feel more understated. Alternatively, it would be a pretty bedroom accent. If placed in the front of your decorative pillows (especially on a white bed!) it would add an elegance to your sleep space.

Shop More Martha Fall Decor

From different shapes of cushions to delightfully neutral faux pumpkins, Martha Stewart's new T.J. Maxx collection delivers no matter what your seasonal style looks like. Here are our editors' picks.

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I’ve been baking for more than 15 years, and I’m fiercely loyal to my bakeware. Once I find something that works, I tend to stick with it until it finally gives up the ghost.

That was, at least, until HexClad launched its first-ever Bakeware Set. As a longtime HexClad cookware loyalist, I’m intrigued by the idea of bringing the brand’s signature non-toxic, non-stick technology to cake tins and other baking essentials, and just in time for fall baking season, too.

The collection reimagines HexClad’s TerraBond ceramic non-stick coating, used across its best non-toxic cookware, specifically for delicate baked goods. Add in a lifetime warranty, and I’m more than a little tempted to rethink my baking cabinet. I can’t wait to get my hands on the collection and put it through its paces this fall.

I have spent hours trawling for the most beautiful bakeware finds for fall, but none have me as excited as the new HexClad Bakeware. It might sound silly to be so excited about some baking tins, but HexClad makes some of the best cookware on the market.

Backed by Gordon Ramsey, the mix of ceramic non-stick with a fine lattice of stainless steel makes for a near-indestructible pan that sears wonderfully, heats evenly, and is easy to clean up afterwards. I don't use anything else in my kitchen.

The bakeware reimagines this fabulous coating with baking in mind. Sweet treats should lift effortlessly away from the surface without sticking or tearing, while the etched surface allows air to circulate beneath your bakes for more even browning. These are both things I will put to the test when I get my hands on them.

The complete six-piece set includes two 9" round cake pans, a 9"x13" rectangular cake pan, an 8" x 8" square cake pan, a 10" x 15" medium baking sheet, and a 9.5" x 14.5" stainless steel cooling rack. All are PFAS-free for peace of mind when baking this holiday season.

What Else To Shop

I’ve rounded up a selection of other standout picks, from the HexClad cookware I rely on most to the essential storage and cleaning tools that help keep your investment in top condition.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

While you are leveling up your home baking setup, consider one of the best stand mixers to make baking effortless.

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How minimalist can a kitchen really be when it is designed for everyday cooking? Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz’s Los Angeles kitchen makes a surprising case for keeping the room remarkably restrained.

The couple’s cooking space is defined by its lack of clutter. White marble backsplashes and pale stone surfaces are left largely bare (except for a beautiful glass vase like this one from McGee & Co.), while appliances and cookware are concealed behind the cabinetry. No open shelves are filled with objects, and no rows of appliances take over the kitchen countertops. Instead, the focus remains on the clean lines of the room.

While this approach is certainly anti-maximalist, it gives their white kitchen a distinctly high-end feel and is also a useful lesson in how to make minimalism work in a room that still has to function properly. The secret, as designers explain, is not necessarily having fewer things, but having somewhere to put them.

Small appliances and daily essentials can be kept behind kitchen cabinets, leaving the main surfaces clear when the kitchen is not in use. This creates a more curated backdrop to adjoining spaces, especially in an open-plan living area.

Shop the Brooklyn Beckham-Inspired Minimalist Kitchen Edit

Brooklyn and Nicola's design also reflects a wider shift in how kitchen ideas are being planned. Increasingly, designers are incorporating additional storage and utility spaces into the wider layout.

‘Hidden functionality will continue to be a major focus in 2027. We are seeing prep pantries, breakfast cupboards, second kitchens, utility spaces and boot rooms being planned from the start of a project alongside the kitchen, rather than being seen as an afterthought,’ says Emily Newmarch, Design Consultant at Kitchens by Holloways.

‘There is still a strong desire for the kitchen to feel functional and uncluttered, but the demands of real life still need to be met,' Emily says.

'Homeowners need space and storage for everyday items such as appliances, food storage, laundry, pet items, coats and everyday clutter. The difference is that these functions are increasingly being built into the wider layout so they can work quietly in the background.’

If you're looking to create a similarly pared-back kitchen, the lesson from Brooklyn and Nicola’s space is to consider storage at the earliest stage of the design process. A breakfast cupboard can house the coffee machine, toaster, and other appliances that would otherwise occupy the countertop, while a prep pantry can provide space for food storage and larger pieces of equipment.

Pocket doors can also conceal these areas when they are not being used, preserving the uninterrupted look of the main kitchen.

This combination of restraint and practicality gives the design its appeal. The kitchen feels polished and highly considered, but it has not sacrificed the functionality needed from a space used every day.

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There is something tantalizingly timeless about a white room. This gorgeously pure color palette feels calming and chic; but the biggest challenge is to keep it from feeling boring. The key is to pair this minimalist color palette with more expressive furnishings. So, what does this combination look like in practice?

Yves St. Laurent's Paris living room is one of our all-time favorite examples. Photos from 1971 showcase the fashion designer's elegant take on an all-white color scheme, featuring white built-in shelves, white armchairs, and plenty of François-Xavier Lalanne sheep stools (Etsy offers relatively affordable reproductions of this design icon). Though the neutral colors ground the space, it's full of life, personality, and characterful accents.

From the artfully cluttered built-ins to the use of texture throughout the space, Yves's white living room is a masterclass in bringing warmth to a pared-back color scheme.

The first lesson to be taken from Yves's space is that combining different shades of white is the key to keeping it interesting. Rather than using one stark hue, he layers the bright walls with the off-white warmth of the natural sheepskin on his stools.

Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director and Color Expert at Dulux, explains: 'White isn’t one-dimensional - heritage-led shades with nuanced undertones and layered finishes can make spaces feel calmer, more inviting and effortlessly sophisticated.'

This technique helps to create depth and coziness, elevating a white scheme from simply calming to truly welcoming.

Recreate Yves's Look at Home

Decorating with white requires careful balance, but Yves St. Laurent's living room creates an easy-to-follow formula. These are our recommendations inspired by his space.

The next lesson in Yves's space is that open storage always works well with an all-white color scheme. His white buit-ins create space to feature books and artwork, which feels so much more interesting and layered than plain white walls.

Bo Hellberg, CMO of String Furniture, advises: 'Treat your shelf like a canvas and create a work of art on top of it with artfully styled "clutter." Not only is it fun to create your own organic and changing artwork from your own knick-knacks, but it is a great way to save space. When you lift things off the floor and use shelving as a storage solution, you create the illusion of a larger space.'

This technique is so helpful because it is versatile and can be fit into a variety of home styles. 'The general rule when choosing furniture for a room you would like to extend is to use slim-line design silhouettes which provide an overall lighter aesthetic,' Bo recommends. 'Modular shelving does exactly this – not distracting from the flow of the room but making a subtle design statement at the same time.'

Furthermore, fall is the perfect time of year to tap into Yves's beautifully styled shelves, which create a cozy feeling in the home as chilly weather sets in.

Cari Bateman, Senior Designer at Neville Johnson, states, 'As we move into autumn and prepare our homes for the colder months, it’s the perfect time to refresh your shelves. Start by taking a look at what you already have and consider the different heights you can create. Design elements such as photo frames, vases and tall candle holders are perfect for adding height, while coffee table books provide a grounding foundation for your styling. Negative space is equally important to create balance. You can also add vases or jugs with seasonal flowers or branches to tune in to the autumn transition. Above all, avoid overcrowding. Take heed of the old saying: less is truly more.'

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Blue and orange are color opposites, so when paired, they make each other look brighter and more intriguing. Though the combination sounds overwhelming, it works every time.

Take, for example, Mandy Moore's bedroom. It anchors on a warm orange bed with a tonal terracotta duvet. Blue accents cover the rest of the room, from the chainmail artwork behind the bed to the round cushions against the headboard, to the geometric carpet and chair. Designed by Sarah Sherman Samuel, it's a cozy masterclass in using color opposites.

Furthermore, the deep texturality of the room makes it the perfect inspiration for fall interiors. The rich colors intermingle beautifully with soft, welcoming materials.

As we move into the next season, warm terracottas like we see on Mandy's bed are a top pick for a cozy bedroom.

Carlin van Noppen, interior designer and founder of Fig Linens and Home explains: 'Orange color palettes are always popular at this time of year because of their association with the changing colors of fall leaves. They also look gorgeous with natural wood, making them the ideal choice for a warm, organic space. Adding pops of lighter blue helps keep this palette from feeling too heavy.'

Recreate Mandy's Look at Home

If you're hoping to recreate Mandy Moore's orange and blue bedroom, these are our editors' top picks. Bringing together a mix of textures and pattern helps bring the look alive.

So, how do you recreate the ambiance of Mandy's look at home? Part of what feels so cozy about this room is the heavy weight of the textiles in the room.

Josh Branigan, a Furniture and Home Interiors Expert at home furniture retailer bedkingdom states: 'One of the easiest ways to sleep better as the seasons change is to match your duvet to the weather. A lightweight duvet that felt ideal in summer can leave you shivering once the nights turn cold, while a heavy winter duvet quickly becomes stifling in warmer months. Keeping a thicker option to hand and switching over as the temperature drops helps your body stay at a comfortable sleeping temperature all night. It's worth refreshing your bedding as the season turns, too, so everything feels fresh and cozy.'

Mixing different materials also helps to emphasize this cocooning feeling. Josh explains: 'Layering is one of the smartest ways to stay comfortable when the weather can't quite decide what it's doing. Rather than committing to one heavy duvet, adding a throw or blanket over the top gives you the flexibility to adjust through the night as the temperature changes. It's an easy, budget-friendly update, and a well-chosen throw or blanket adds warmth and a bit of seasonal coziness to the whole room at the same time.'

It's also important not to neglect the bedroom floor. As Mandy's blue rug demonstrates, these underfoot pieces hugely uplift the ambiance of a space. Josh states: 'Cold floors are one of the small things that make a bedroom feel far less inviting as autumn and winter set in, especially first thing in the morning. Adding a soft rug beside or under the bed gives you something warm to step onto and helps the whole room feel cozier and more insulated. A rug is a quick, low-effort update that instantly makes a bedroom feel more suited to the colder months.'

This season, cocooning colors and materials will be more important than ever.

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Nothing grounds a living room like a chocolate brown sofa. This furnishing is both soulful and practical, creating an undeniable warmth, and in 2027, Homes & Gardens predicts they will eclipse even the beige sofa in popularity.

For evidence, look no further than Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's living room. Their Calabasas home was designed by Waldo Fernandez to capture an inviting, warm minimalist aesthetic. In the main living area, textured wood and a chocolate brown sofa bring this understated energy to life. It feels simultaneously cocooning and light.

Though the whole room is striking, its the velvety living room sofa that ties Kourtney and Travis's entire look together. This Alder sofa from Wayfair is a great lookalike, for anyone who wants to recreate their curved chocolate look.

Though lighter couches are still popular, there's no question that Travis and Kourtney's darker sofa color is eclipsing all others this season. Especially for autumn, chocolate brown offers a cocooning feel that fits into almost any style of room.

Bo Hellberg, design expert and CMO at Scandinavian design retailer String Furniture explains: 'Chocolate brown is a rich, earthy tone that brings warmth and softness to interior spaces. Its popularity has grown significantly over the past year, thanks to its versatility and timeless appeal. Whether used as a grounding statement on its own or as a sophisticated backdrop to complementary hues, chocolate brown creates depth and balance within a room.'

Like we see in Travis and Kourtney's space, it's the ideal pick to tie cooler neutrals together. The cream walls and tan rug instantly feel much warmer when paired with their velvety sofa.

Shop The Chocolate Brown Edit

It doesn't have to be a sofa. Any splash of chocolate brown can help your home feel more welcoming and layered. These are our editors' picks, inspired by Kourtney and Travis's warm minimalist living room.

As we see from the ultra-soft sillouette of Kourtney and Travis's sofa, tapping into the warmth of this look is not just about color, but also about choosing a welcoming shape. These soft, bulbous curves help a textural take on a neutral color palette feel extra warm.

JYSK’s Design and Range Manager, Rikke Blaeside advises: 'The curved sofa trend has given way to all out curvy, chunky mania with bulbous silhouettes taking over. Providing a cosseting and soft finish, bulbous silhouettes will be favoured throughout the cosy season as homeowners seek to create a feel of respite and warmth, while still adding an element of joy and playfulness.'

Just like chocolate brown, this emerging sofa trend is incredibly versatile. Rikke states: 'Beyond just a curved edged, the bulbous silhouette trend encompasses the full piece for an up-sized look that delivers on style and comfort. Homeowners can go all out and create a statement with on-trend sofas or armchairs, or for those wanting a subtle nod, opt for furniture or accessories with rounded, curved elements such as a table with chunky legs or a rounded vase.'

To get started, Homes & Gardens recommends adding a few soft and curvy chocolate brown elements to your living room to ensure you like the look, which can then be upgraded into a full chocolate brown sofa. Travis and Kourtney's home can always act as a guiding light.

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The most interesting kitchen trends might be the ones you have to look down to see. In Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’ Upper East Side townhouse, it's the floor that keeps an otherwise classic white kitchen from feeling predictable. Beneath the white shaker cabinetry and glass-fronted cupboards, there's a glossy black wood floor that's worth replicating.

Designed with William Sofield of Studio Sofield, the kitchen blends traditional proportions with pared-back, contemporary details. The white cabinetry and pale surfaces keep the room light, but the dark kitchen flooring idea gives them something to work against. It also stops the upper half of the kitchen from feeling too conventional (and uniform), particularly alongside the translucent cabinets.

Black kitchen flooring is certainly an unorthodox choice in a space where pale oak and light stone have become such familiar finishes. But it can also add definition to a white scheme without introducing another color. In their case, the dark timber creates a clear contrast with the white plastered range hood, marble island, and warm metal hardware, giving the room a sense of depth that's hard to rival.

Shop the Black Kitchen Edit

‘Embracing dark wood flooring in the autumnal months not only lends natural warmth and depth to your home, but it also offers several practical benefits,’ explains Neel Bradham, CEO and flooring expert at Parador. ‘The deep tones create a cozy atmosphere, bringing richness and contrast to a room.’

The high-gloss finish is particularly effective in this kitchen. It catches the light from above, so the dark floor does not make the room feel heavy, while the timber brings warmth to all the hard surfaces around it. The result is a white kitchen that's unlike any other I've written about in the past.

Plus, there's a practical argument for such dark floors. ‘They are also versatile, fitting seamlessly into modern and traditional schemes alike, and complementing various color palettes,’ Neel adds.

‘Perfect for high-traffic areas, they are particularly low maintenance due to their ability to hide dirt and minor scuffs better than lighter floors. Moreover, the timeless appeal of dark wood ensures your floors will look stunning for years to come.’

For Kelly and Mark, the decision to take the kitchen darker underfoot gives a familiar (but sometimes uninspiring) white scheme a point of difference. It's a reminder that sometimes the detail that makes a kitchen work is not at eye level at all.

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Few homes in Beverly Hills can claim the kind of pop-culture history attached to Taylor Swift’s former bungalow. Bought when she was (feeling) 22, the 1940s property became part of an important period in her career and later became a canvas for a distinctly tailored approach to traditional interiors.

Taylor purchased the three-bedroom Pillsbury Estate in 2011, shortly after the release of Speak Now. While she already had two homes in Nashville, the Beverly Hills property gave her a West Coast base as her career began to move in a new direction.

The house became particularly memorable as the setting for Taylor's famous Vogue 73 Questions interview. It's also reportedly where she wrote 1989, the album that marked her move into pop and produced hits including 'Blank Space' and 'Shake It Off '. This makes it one of the world's best homes, with one of the most celebrated owners of a generation.

Taylor sold the property privately in 2018 to Nicolas and Roxy Bijan, who now own the home. Since then, the couple has reshaped the interiors, changing the layout and decor while retaining the character of the original 1940s architecture.

The result is a home that balances classic Beverly Hills charm with more contemporary luxury. Rather than overwhelming the architecture, the interiors work with it, using daring color, traditional detailing, and carefully chosen materials to give each room its own character.

One of the more notable changes is the addition of a sunroom breakfast area, where the windows allow Californian sun to fill the space and continue to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living.

Elsewhere, the home office takes a moodier approach, with deep jade walls creating an enveloping backdrop. A window overlooking the rose bushes keeps the darker palette connected to the gardens.

The pink-washed bathroom and dressing area is one of the property's most distinctive design features. Inspired by Annabel's, the London private members' club, the space pairs a soft pink palette with a European-inspired vanity area, bringing a touch of glamour to an otherwise restrained scheme.

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The design continues outdoors, where the property's 1.5-acre grounds provide a natural counterpart to the more decorative interiors. As one might expect from the Showgirl's former home, there's a dedicated entertaining area, including an outdoor dining room and built-in barbecue

Beyond the more traditional design landscaping, a private pickleball court adds a distinctly modern element to the grounds, creating a playful contrast with the home's historic architecture.

Now listed for $7.995 million with Drew and Dean Mandile of Sotheby's International Realty, the estate is entering another chapter. But its connection to Taylor Swift remains one of the home's most intriguing details, giving an already characterful Beverly Hills property an unusual place in pop-culture history. We have to say, it's right at the top of Wi$h Li$t.

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If you love hosting a crowd or gathering the whole family around the table at Thanksgiving, you’ll know just how messy and time-consuming prep work can be.

Cramped countertops, endless chopping, and the pressure of preparing food in bulk can make even the most enjoyable holiday feel overwhelming. When there’s a feast to prepare, the last thing you want is to spend hours buried in prep work.

Luckily, Ninja has launched its new PREPi system just in time for hosting season. Designed to take on the work of some of the best food processors, this clever prep shortcut dices, chops, shreds, and purées, while also doubling as storage and serveware. I can't wait to get my hands on one. Here's why.

Designed to take the effort out of slicing, chopping, and dicing, the Ninja PREPi deliverschef-quality results without the tedious hours spent sharpening knives or perfecting your technique.

It uses just three core attachments: A dedicated dicing attachment, one blade for chopping and puréeing, and one reversible slicing and shredding disc. It removes some of the guesswork and cabinet clutter that can come with more complicated food processors, making the system easier to store between uses

The three-part feeding chute can accommodate a wide range of ingredients, too. A small pusher is designed for thinner ingredients such as celery, a medium pusher handles foods such as peppers and cheese, and the large pusher can accommodate bigger ingredients, including potatoes. Whether you’re preparing finely chopped mirepoix or putting together a salad, the PREPi has me genuinely excited about hosting my friends this year, rather than dreading the work that usually goes into our annual Friendsgiving.

Once everything is prepared, you can simply pop a lid onto the container and transfer it to the fridge, ready to use later. That means fewer dishes, fewer food storage containers, and less time spent transferring ingredients between prep and storage.

Cleaning a kitchen after dinner is easy, too. With the exception of the electric motor pod, all of the PREPi’s accessories are dishwasher-safe, making it much easier to close down a kitchen after hosting.

It’s a new kitchen workhorse that gives you valuable time and energy back when you need it most.

What Else to Shop

To help you get your kitchen ready for hosting, I have rounded up a selection of food prep and storage essentials so you can get ahead and be ready for the big day.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

With your prep planned out, consider how you can organize a kitchen to reduce stress.

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Artwork is the jewelry of the home. These are the style-led pieces that create a feeling of completeness in the home, and can be used to transform boring areas from 'blah' to 'ahhhh.' Bringing in art is the secret to elevating unexpected corners into your favorite part of the home.

Take, for example, this awkward corner in Lucy Hale's Los Angeles living room. Designed by Proem Studio, it's an elegant collection of her life. From a green oil painting on the wall to the ceramics on the iron table to the Lalane sheep footstool, it's full of personality and memories squeezed into a small area.

It's evidence that no space is too small to become a character-driven celebration of the homeowner. Decorating with art hardly takes up any space, but makes a significant contribution to a home's aesthetic.

This artful impulse isn't isolated to Lucy Hale's home. In 2027, interior design trends are shifting towards the unorthodox. Rather than following trends, chic homeowners are opting to decorate their homes as uniquely as possible.

Cari Bateman, Senior Designer at Neville Johnson explains: 'We'll continue to see interiors become more layered and personal. Vintage and antique pieces mixed with contemporary furniture create homes with real character. Rich textures, tactile fabrics, patterned wallpapers, and collected objects all help create warm, inviting spaces that feel lived in rather than overly styled.'

'Homes have become much more personal,' she continues. 'We've moved away from the very minimalist, neutral look towards interiors with warmth, personality and a layered feel.'

Recreate Lucy's Look at Home

Though this look centers on bringing in your own style, Lucy's art corner is definitely expertly curated. These are our editors' picks inspired by her look.

Bringing Lucy's eclectic style into your home is all about special, unique objects and mixing vintage with modern pieces. The easiest place to start is with pottery, such as the vases on Lucy's console table.

Design expert Kate O' Brien states: 'Ceramic vases bring a sense of class and grace to a home, but going for a handmade piece goes that extra step to encapsulate romance. Where mass-manufactured pottery may look perfect, the little bespoke imperfections in handcrafted items make them one of a kind in their own way. I recommend choosing a vase alongside a dried wildflower bouquet for an autumnal feel.'

Pairing these objects with mixed textiles helps to bring the look to life. In Lucy's space, we see the mix of ceramic tiles with a Persian-style rug. Kate advises: 'When it comes to prints and patterns, don’t be afraid to mix and match to create contrast and curiosity. Striped curtains can elongate a room, soft floral cushions add comfort, and a bold animal print sofa can be a playful focal point.'

She continues: 'The same applies to furniture; avoid buying full matching sets and choose individual pieces with unique shapes that spark excitement. This is the perfect moment to apply the ‘unexpected red theory’, adding a seemingly mismatched pop of red to create a surprising point of interest. Vintage pieces also play beautifully into the concept of whimsy, bringing character and stories from previous owners.'

Ultimately, creating a similar art corner is about mixing and matching and decorating with your soul.

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As a celebrity style editor, I always find there’s something particularly appealing about seeing a famous couple at home when the room feels as though it belongs to real life. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s Paris apartment has exactly that quality.

The couple had the apartment while they were in France for the filming of Paris Blues, giving them a base in the city during Paul's work.

In photographs of their cozy living room, its personality comes through in the details. A marble fireplace sits beneath an ornate mirror, crystal lamps frame the room, and an antique sideboard adds another layer of history. To recreate the look, I'd start with a beautiful antique-style sideboard, similar to this geometric piece from 1stDibs.

Although it was only their temporary home, Paul and Joanne decorated with antiques in a way that made the room feel collected over time. The vintage pieces have a presence of their own, but they are mixed with the things Paul and Joanne lived with, giving the space a warmth that feels surprisingly easy to recreate in a contemporary home.

Recreate Joanne and Paul's Look at Home

For Darren Price, Partner at ADAM Architecture, this is the appeal of decorating with antiques. 'Decorating with antiques is less about creating a particular period look and more about creating atmosphere. The most successful rooms are those that feel as though they have evolved over time, with objects, furniture and works of art that carry their own stories and memories.'

That sense of evolution is easy to spot in Paul's and Joanne's apartment. The ornate pieces sit comfortably alongside more modest furnishings and personal belongings, letting each object keep its own character. 'An antique can bring a sense of character and depth that something new simply cannot replicate,' Darren says. 'Antiques quite often represent the craft and fingerprints of times gone. They are an immediate link to history.'

You don't need a whole room of antiques to bring that feeling into your own home. An old mirror, a wooden chest, an antique lamp or a chair with some age can give newer pieces something to work against. The key is allowing the room to build up gradually, with pieces that have a reason for being there.

Darren's own work follows this idea. 'In my Architect's Drawing Room for Westland London, I wanted to create a space that encourages you to slow down and look more closely – to pause, remember and perhaps imagine the lives and moments that sit behind the things around you.'

There is something of that feeling in Paul's and Joanne's Paris apartment. The ornate fireplace and lighting establish the character of the room, while the everyday objects bring it back to the people who actually lived there. 'It is that layering of old and new, familiar and unexpected, that gives a room its emotional quality,' Darren says.

For me, that is one of the most appealing things about antiques. They bring a sense of history into a room, but they can also become part of its present. An old piece doesn't have to dictate the style of an entire space. It can simply be one element that makes everything around it feel more personal.

'A home should ultimately feel lived in and personal, rather than perfectly resolved,' Darren adds. Looking at Paul's and Joanne's Paris apartment, it is a sentiment that feels particularly fitting. Its charm comes from the mix of beautiful old pieces and the everyday things that made the space theirs.

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Color of the Year season is in full swing, and next to announce its spotlight shade is Dunn-Edwards, revealing French Press Coffee as the chosen hue of 2027.

So far, there's been a real mix of Colors of the Year announcements, ranging from organic greens (like Behr's Grounded and Sherwin-Williams' Celery) to moody blues (like Valspar's Cottage Door), but a common thread runs through each of these shades: they're all earthy and evocative. French Press Coffee is no different. Reminiscent of dark roasted coffee, this grounding, organic hue rethinks neutrals for the better.

'French Press Coffee is the kind of color that reveals itself gradually,' explains Lauren Hoferkamp, Color Marketing Manager at Dunn-Edwards. 'As light shifts throughout the day, its subtle plum undertone emerges, adding complexity you don't always see in a neutral. It's grounding and restrained yet full of character. With its moody, rich hue, this color works beautifully across a wide range of spaces and applications.'

We have seen such a resurgence in decorating with brown recently. It still has all the versatility and gentleness of a neutral but gives more character than a creamy white or warm gray. Brown is a more confident choice; yes, it's less 'safe', but that doesn't mean it's not timeless. Dunn-Edwards French Press Coffee might be what we'd once consider dark and dramatic, but it's familiar and comforting too, which makes it just as usable as lighter neutral shades.

'Brown is everywhere in the things we find comforting: coffee, chocolate, wood, leather, soil,' Lauren tells Homes & Gardens. 'It's the color of the natural world, so it feels familiar and grounding without asking for attention. It also works across nearly every design style, from traditional to modern to rustic, which gives it a broad appeal few other colors can match.'

The beauty of French Press Coffee is that it's moody and dark without being overwhelming. It brings an effortlessly luxurious feel to interiors, but can feel restrained and grounding with a more pared-back decorating approach and organic materials.

What makes French Press Coffee unique is its color composition. 'It's the undertone. French Press Coffee has a subtle plum undertone that gives it depth and dimension, so it never looks flat or muddy,' explains Lauren. 'It changes with the light, becoming intimate and glowing in the evening and more grounded and neutral in daylight. It's rich enough to make a statement but still behaves like a neutral.'

Always consider the colors that go with brown when introducing French Press Coffee into your scheme. 'It pairs beautifully with creamy warm whites for crisp but soft contrast, and with deep greens for a moody, nature-inspired palette,' Lauren advises. 'It also works with muted sage and olive, dusty rose and terra-cotta, soft ochre and camel. On the materials side, try walnut and oak, aged brass, leather, and stone with warm veining.'

The Coffee Brown Edit

French Press Coffee balances luxury and liveability, confidence with comfort. 'It tells us people are continuing to move away from cool, minimal interiors toward spaces with warmth, depth, and personality,' Lauren says. 'Homeowners want rooms that feel enveloping and intentional, and they're more willing to use color with confidence. French Press Coffee captures that: it's bold, but in a comforting way.'

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My first month at Homes & Gardens Anthology has been something of a whirlwind, in the best possible way. New York in September has provided no shortage of things to do and see: our first Anthology pop-up at Officina 1397 (above, center) produced with my friend and former Martha Stewart Living colleague Hannah Milman; the annual Kips Bay Decorator showhouse kicked off to much fanfare; I spoke about collected, layered interiors at Designing Greenwich to promote my book The Layered Home; scouted new product introductions; celebrated with the New York Design Center; toured the East Fork pottery workshop and previewed new interiors work by new talent at the Brooklyn Heights Designer Showhouse.

So, for the first edition of The Eye, here is a little of what I saw, loved and haven’t stopped thinking about.

A Room Designed for an Imaginary Editor

Dallas-based designer Chad Dorsey’s “Editor’s Office” at Kips Bay was the kind of room I wanted to spend more time in, richly layered with personal touches like polaroids, burnt out cigarettes, novels and old National Geographic magazine piles, this room felt really collected rather than just decorated. Walls were lined in fabric and framed in wood panels to create a massive pinboard, effectively creating a room surrounded by one’s own inspiration, handsome furnishings set a foundation for desk accessories and personal mementos of a fictitious character, one that I wanted to get to know better. The room was lined with postcards tacked to the wall, inspiration imagery torn from magazines and the bookshelves were quite literally, bursting at the seams. Chad’s room reminded me that the best rooms are layered, personal and tell a unique story, and oftentimes the little things, objects and ephemera styled to a T bring those ideas forward most clearly.

Where Pots are Made

I flew down to Asheville, North Carolina to peek behind the scenes at East Fork, the pottery and tableware brand co-founded by Alex Matisse, Henri Matisse’s great-grandson. In addition to a flagship retail shop, new workshop concept reintroducing 100% hand-thrown pieces and a beautiful creative studio space, there’s a mighty series of factory buildings with teams of artisans and craftspeople specializing in the complex chemistry of glazing, mold-making, slip-casting, hand-building and even the production of the clay in which pieces are created. What I’ve been familiar with as a boutique tabletop brand has grown at scale to become a true force in the home and design market. We also had the pleasure of visiting Alex’s mentor, Matt Jones, at his studio in the “Sandy Mush” region of the state, where Matt scoops clay from his backyard to throw and has his own wood-firing kiln (that he built, of course) that looks like a spaceship. Driving around town with Alex in his 1990s pickup truck, I’m most excited to hear about his love of the craft, support and promotion of American pottery traditions and how he intends to grow his business.

A New Furniture Collection, with a Little Excess

In Manhattan’s Chinatown there’s something wonderfully optimistic about Love House’s first foray into original furniture. Founders Jared Heinrich and Aric Yeakey have teamed up with longtime friend and textile designer Spencer Malinski on a collection of five ottomans featuring original patterns with a touch of 1970s excess. The sculptural forms are dressed in four exclusive fabrics including two jacquards and two lush printed velvets inspired by the era’s unapologetically bold “maxi-maxi” prints. I loved seeing how seemingly frivolous flourishes, heaps of Samuel & Sons fringe for instance, become almost architectural through precise draping and cutting. There is a rigor behind all that exuberance, and it’s all a wonder to see.

In Chinatown, a Dealer’s Trove

Just down the street from Love House is my new favorite antiques shop called France Ici Antiques. There’s no sign but the space is filled with unique pieces collected from across the globe by dealer and owner Ian Rosoff who is also a participating vendor at The Ticking Tent this fall. What I love most about the shop is the wonderful lack of preciousness to it. The walls are covered, some artworks are significant pieces while others less so. A small French landscape painting might be hung on top of a verdure tapestry next to a marble bust on an antique wooden column. Pieces from different provenances, periods and even price points live happily together. You have to look twice to not miss anything and you never know what will jump out at you. The delight in spending time in Ian’s shop is less about finding that perfect thing but more about discovering something you didn’t know you were looking for, which to me is exactly the point.

Beneath a Brooklyn Mansion, Something Strange

I stopped by the Brooklyn Heights Designer Showhouse press preview and loved the feeling of stepping into a series of entirely imagined worlds. Set within a landmarked 1852 corner lot mansion, the house has been transformed room by room. I was especially drawn to Brooklyn-based designer Rachael Rosenblum’s wonderfully strange garden-level space. Tucked beneath the main living quarters and featuring a hidden entrance to the sidewalk, the moody, almost otherworldly mix of emerald snakes, plaid wood, unique upholstery details (Rachael also operates a custom workroom) and even a pattern covered Tarot-inspired elevator. There’s something I always enjoy about a showhouse at its best: designers giving themselves permission to push an idea further than they ordinarily might and completely step inside their imagination.

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What does it take for a living room to feel just as beautiful 40 years after it was first documented? Olivia Newton-John has the answer. Photographed at her Malibu home in the 1980s, the room still feels inspiring, with quilted botanical seating, white paneling, and woven accents that give the space a coastal feel (that even carries into fall and winter).

While white living room ideas have a contentious reputation, Olivia showed us that, by expertly combining patterns and natural textures, a neutral space doesn't need to be boring. She chose pieces with staying power, allowing them to sit together naturally in a way that still feels beautiful. Unsurprisingly, designers love her look.

‘White offers an effortless longevity, providing rooms with a clean, calming backdrop that lets natural materials do the talking. Whether that is light linens, warm woods, or bold touches of greenery,’ says Daniel Smith, founder of Danetti.

To get Olivia's look, I'd begin with this beautiful botanical sofa from Anthropologie. Pair it with rattan decor to revive an '80s style that deserves to live on today.

Shop the Olivia Newton-John-Inspired Edit

White plays a defining role in Olivia’s cozy living room. The vertical wall paneling gives the room a sense of character, while the pale finish reflects the natural light and keeps the space feeling bright and open. A dark timber console brings contrast, while the floral upholstery introduces pattern and softness without competing with the rest of the space.

The seating is perhaps the most memorable detail. Olivia’s quilted living room sofa and matching armchair are covered in a delicate print, bringing a softer, more decorative note to the otherwise pared-back scheme. The pale ground keeps the furniture from feeling visually heavy, while the trailing pattern gives the room personality that can be missing from an all-white space.

‘A white sofa is especially timeless. It provides a neutral background you can style up or strip back depending on the season. Add textured cushions, a marble side table or sculptural lighting and the whole space feels elevated without ever becoming overwhelming,’ Daniel explains.

Olivia’s room also shows how much character can come from what you place around a simple foundation. Beside the armchair, an oversized woven lamp topped with a pleated shade (similar to this one from Amazon) brings another textural element to the seating area. Its base feels almost sculptural, while the glass-topped side table keeps the arrangement from becoming too overpowering.

‘The trick is to play with tone and texture so the room feels inviting rather than stark. When you get that balance right, a white living room never goes out of style. Even as bolder trends come and go, white keeps a room feeling fresh, modern and quietly luxurious,’ Daniel adds.

This balance is what makes her living room ideas feel relevant more than four decades later. A simple backdrop, natural texture, pattern, and retro rattan pieces are all it takes. Her look may belong to another era, but her decorating approach still feels fresh today.

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I love to decorate for Halloween; however, I have never been much of a fan of the overly kitschy look that most spooky season decor gives off. I like to stick with the classics – a collection of real pumpkins and gourds piled up on my porch and dotted along my mantel.

I do encounter the same issue each year, though. While my outside Halloween decor display sees me through from mid-September to Thanksgiving, the pumpkins in the house always start to look a bit sad come October. And I am not about to switch to plastic. Instead, this year, I'm opting for faux variations that look as timeless as real pumpkins but are as long-lasting as plastic ones. Enter: ALDI's Burnt Orange Paper Pumpkins.

Despite their simplicity, these paper pumpkins can do so much for a Halloween display. For starters, their burnt orange color is divine – a refined and elegant contrast to the glaring orange shade that most faux pumpkins take. Plus, their paper materiality, honeycomb texture, and height difference can give a fall vignette such visual interest. They'll bring some refreshing, rustic charm and a hint of crafty, DIY flair to your Halloween scene without even trying.

Since they're so affordable (just $7 for a set of two), you can get several packs to style around your home. And after the holiday is over, they're easy to fold back up for off-season storage. Consider them the key to a low-effort but high-impact Halloween display.

I plan on getting a few of ALDI's Burnt Orange Paper Pumpkins for my home. I'll put some on my Halloween tablescape, one on my entryway credenza, and a couple more on my living room coffee table. These versatile holiday decorations will make every room feel on-theme for Halloween without ever looking too kitschy.

Shop Paper Halloween Decor

ALDI's Burnt Orange Paper Pumpkins aren't the only chic Halloween decorations I've bought for the holiday. Below, find a few more accessories that I'm using to give my home an elevated look this spooky season.

I'm convinced that Aldi's Burnt Orange Paper Pumpkins are the perfect alternatives to tacky plastic pumpkins – if not for their DIY appeal and rustic aesthetic, then definitely for their affordability and versatility.

But if you're looking for something a little less crafty, check out our collection of wicker Halloween decor, instead. This trend makes Halloween look chicer than ever before.

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