Tan Leather Sofa Pillows That Suit the Way It Ages
Everyone tells you tan leather is the safe choice. The default. The sofa you buy when you don’t want to think about it anymore, when you’ve spent four months on…
The Best Light Color for Showing Off Pictures
I was standing on a dining chair at nine on a Tuesday night with a framed photo of my grandmother’s kitchen table in one hand and a level in the…
Reading Light: The Color That Actually Helps You Read
Everyone treats reading light like it’s a decor afterthought. Pick a lamp that looks nice on the nightstand, screw in whatever bulb came in the multipack from the hardware store,…
Is Your Reading Lamp Actually Good for Reading?
My sister in law Dana walked into the living room at eight thirty on a Tuesday, looked at the lamp next to my reading chair, and said, “Ben, why are…
Wall Colors for a Bathroom With a Blue Vanity
I used to think bathrooms with colored vanities were a trap. You inherit the thing (a rental, a house you bought with the previous owner’s choices baked in, whatever) and…
Choosing an Outdoor Bulb Color Without Making the Yard Look Harsh
My sister texted me a photo of her own house at 9pm on a Tuesday with the caption “why does my front yard look like a crime scene.” No context.…
Kitchen Wall Colors to Try With Light Gray Cabinets
My sister Marina stood in my kitchen doorway last month, still had her coat on, looked at my walls and said, “Did you paint this yourself, or did the gray…
Charcoal Sofa Pillows and Coffee Tables That Work
I bought my first charcoal sofa in 2011 convinced I was buying black, and I want you to sit with that for a second before you judge me too hard,…
Chocolate Brown Sofa: Pillows and Coffee Tables That Suit It
My sister walked into my living room in January, still wearing her coat because the house was doing its usual impression of a meat locker, took one look at the…
Lampshade Colors That Go With Brass
Brass has a reputation for being fussy. Ask around and people will tell you it only works with white shades, maybe black if you’re feeling brave, and that anything else…