room

If you’re worried your waterfall kitchen island might be phasing out, rest assured, this countertop trend isn’t going anywhere. “We’ve actually seen more people opting for [waterfall islands] over the last couple of years, but they are evolving to reflect more modern spaces,” says Paul Dore, managing director of County Stone Ltd. “When a waterfall island is done well, it doesn’t just follow a trend; it becomes part of the heart of the home.”

There’s an unmistakable appeal to burl wood, a top trending material most recently seen on kitchen cabinets. “With the continued interest in midcentury design, burl wood cabinets are fresh, unexpected, and will be the next ‘go-to’ as a replacement to the over-subscribed blond oak,” says Jane Morgan, owner and founder of Chicago-based R. Jane Morgan Interior + Design.

Being in the thick of my post-grad years has meant realizing it's probably time to upgrade from the college apartment staples I've been hauling around. This includes saying farewell to my worn posters, trading plastic kitchenware for ceramic staples, and—most tragically—retiring the squeaky bar cart. For years, I displayed mismatched glasses, mixers, and collectibles on the four-wheeled fixture, but I've decided to lean into a more refined beverage corner.

Not long ago, homeowners swapped walls for open living spaces that blurred the lines between living, dining, and cooking. But some are experiencing a case of demo-related remorse as builders return to defined gathering spaces rather than open-concept floor plans.

Choose the right bathtub depending on your family's needs, available sizes, and bathroom space. Select between standard and custom tubs and know whether the tub will be used for soaking, kids, or quick showers. Take any accessibility needs (wheelchair access, grab bars, or low entry) into consideration when choosing a new tub.

Like a delicious meal and a beautiful tablescape, effortless conversation is a hallmark of a great gathering. But unlike the lighting, music, menu, and planned activities, conversation is not something you can easily control–but you can help encourage it by how you lay out a room.