Inspiring ideas

Step inside chic and stylish homes and get ideas and advice for designing your own space. Truly Chic Inspirations you’ll find parties, weddings, recipes, DIY projects and much more.

It turns out paint trends aren't entirely the result of influence from fancy interior designers or HGTV stars - they also have a lot to do with geography. Behr Paint analyzed the most popular colors in each state, and they found something interesting: homeowners tend to choose locally significant colors, be it the lush greens in Maine or the bright orange of Oklahoma State's mascot. Check out the top color in every state in the colorful map below.

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We so love modern farmhouse design that we've outfitted all of our interiors in the charming style. And now we're ready to move on to the outside of our homes, specifically to our front porches where we hope to spend the long Summer days enjoying the warm weather. Who better to inspire our modern farmhouse porches than the woman who brought the style into popularity, Joanna Gaines? Ahead, we take design ideas from the Fixer Upper star's front-porch playbook.

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As a renter, ugly linoleum flooring is practically inescapable. But as one very resourceful designer proves, there are ways to work around it. Editorial Director for Emily Henderson's design blog and a designer in his own right Brady Tolbert knew he could make the LA apartment he found with good bones but dated kitchen flooring work. His clever and shockingly cheap solution to disguise instead of replace the floor was simple: peel-and-stick tiles. Brady scooped up quarter-inch-thick black and white vinyl tiles from Overstock.com to create a classic yet bold statement for less than $50. While you might not think of vinyl as being an upgrade to linoleum, Brady's choice of scale, color, and layout looks deceptively expensive. Here's how he pulled it off in one day!


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When Sutton Foster, Tony Award-winning actress, star of the hit show Younger, and a recent cast addition to the Gilmore Girls revival, wanted to refresh her apartment, she turned to the mecca of stylish, affordable decor: HomeGoods.

The state of Sutton's apartment was cheerful but in need of some refinement. "Our decor in this apartment was inspired by the view - we have this incredible view of the Hudson with big, sweeping windows that let in a lot of light. Because the apartment is so bright, my husband and I felt like it could handle a lot of color - and we love color!" Sutton said.

Mike Harrison, artist, designer, and Broadway's beloved dressing room decorator, stepped in to help Sutton pick and style the perfect pieces. "Simply swapping out key pieces in your decor can create a huge transformation. You just have to be smart on what changes will give you the biggest bang for your buck," Mike told us.

Check out Mike's top three ways to make a dramatic design change with affordable decor, and then see how he applied them to Sutton's apartment.

1. Focus on accessories that support the mood and color story rather than the furniture.

He explained, "For example, a neutral...

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Luxury and privacy seem to be at the top of A-list celebrities' real estate wish lists. Case in point: 443 Greenwich, an NYC apartment building loaded with amenities to support both a posh and discreet lifestyle. Since the overhauled landmarked building, originally a 19th century book bindery, was reopened as a residential property in 2015, it's been a magnet for superstars. Actor Jake Gyllenhaal is just the latest rumored buyer. He's said to be joining residents including Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, Jennifer Lawrence, Harry Styles, and Meg Ryan. That's a lot of pedigree crammed into one building - especially considering there are only 45 lofts and eight penthouses in the entire property, ranging from just over $8 million for a three-bedroom to $55 million for the sprawling five-bedroom Penthouse A.

In addition to the spacious digs - penthouses are 3,500-9,500 square feet and lofts will range from 2,000-5,000 square feet - the building boasts top-of-the-line amenities, such as a 24-hour doorman to ensure safety and a live-in resident manager always ready to be at your service. When it comes to exiting and arriving, tenants need not worry...

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Marble has long been the counter material of choice in highfalutin kitchens and bathrooms. And while it looks beautiful - how dreamy is a sea of creamy white marble to look at? - it's a huge pain in the derrière to deal with. Any type of citrus will erode it, red wine will stain it, heat can leave burn marks, and even water can scar the material! To mitigate the damage, marble must be sealed two to four times a year. Like we said, tremendous pain, and completely unrealistic in busy homes with kids.

Granite, on the other hand, has been extremely popular over the past couple decades. But its busy patterns and porous surface - which is prone to similar scratches and stains as marble - have been pushed aside of late for a different material: quartz.

Our editors at POPSUGAR have heard over and over again from design pros, HGTV stars, and others that quartz is the countertop choice of today's homebuyers. If you're asking why quartz and why now, you're not alone. POPSUGAR wondered the same thing, so we went straight to the source to find out. We met with Roberto Tiscareno, the director of business development at trendsetting quartz manufacturer Cambria. While we already knew that...

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Olivia Munn celebrated her 37th birthday a few days early - and in dramatic style. The stunning actress jetted off to the picturesque Caribbean island of Turks & Caicos with a group of her friends. And being an A-lister, her accommodations were unsurprisingly luxurious. Olivia stayed at a Beach Enclave North Shore Villa provided courtesy of Booking.com. The 7,500-square-foot, four-bedroom villa easily accommodated up to nine of Olivia's besties. The gang enjoyed dips in the dramatic infinity pool, sunset views from the villa's multiple terraces, lounge sessions on the cozy decks, and dinners al fresco. The group's every whim was taken care of by the property's five-star concierge service. They even surprised Olivia with a birthday cake and Champagne upon arrival! If you're not a celebrity, the property will cost you about $20,000 per week. Yikes! Until we star in a TV show or win the lottery, we'll have to settle for the pictures of this breathtaking property ahead.

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Every Summer, it seems like a losing battle to keep our lawns looking fresh and green. Between the potential for pests, constant need to mow, too much sun, and not enough rain, it doesn't take long for that gorgeous green grass to turn brown and crunchy or long, messy, and full of weeds, not to mention the yellow spots your lawn develops if you have a dog or cat. So instead of investing time, money, and resources into keeping your lawn looking good to no avail, why not try a lower maintenance option with a little more appeal? These gorgeous lawn alternatives can be used in combination with each other or on their own to help you get the most out of your garden, no grass required.

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Tarek and Christina El Moussa have been separated for more than a year now, and during that time, Tarek has used his finely honed real estate skills to design his own abode. The Flip or Flop star invited E! News inside his Newport Beach area bachelor pad. With its whitewashed walls and high ceilings, the airy open-concept home exudes welcoming seaside vibes. And, Tarek says, is the perfect maze for his two young kids to play in.

Wide plank wood floors run throughout, and farmhouse touches add cozy warmth in the form of crossed wood planks, stair banisters, and molding on the kitchen island. Upstairs, 6-year-old daughter Taylor's room boasts not one but two bunk beds - although Tarek says she usually ends up in bed with daddy. Next door is 1-year-old son Brayden's gray-and-white-themed nursery, complete with a plush glider in which Tarek rocks him to sleep at night.

The master bedroom boasts vaulted ceilings with exposed beams. A flat-screen TV is mounted above a fireplace, and a rustic chandelier hangs above the contemporary canopy bed. And did we mention the views? You can see the water from the upper deck in the charming abode, and we're guessing he keeps his boat -...

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A photo posted by Joanna Stevens Gaines (@joannagaines) on


Have you ever fantasized about having the talented husband-and-wife duo Chip and Joanna Gaines help you transform an affordable dump in an ideal location into a styled-to-perfection vintage American dream home? The reality of appearing on Fixer Upper, it turns out, is a tad more complicated than meets the HGTV viewer's eye. If you're seriously considering going on Fixer Upper, here's what you must be willing to do . . .

  • Buy a House in Waco, TX.
  • Chip and Joanna are proud locals, living in and operating Magnolia Homes out of Waco. They want to keep their Fixer Upper clients local, so you must agree to house hunt within 40 miles of the city.

  • Shell Out a Minimum of $30,000 For Renovations.
  • While a reno budget of $30,000 will get your application looked at by Fixer Upper's producers, they specify that the amount of money you can contribute should be reflective of the amount of work you need done; in other words, if you're looking for a complete overhaul, get ready to cough up even more dough.

  • Give Up Design Control.
  • Yes, you read that correctly. All you get is an initial discussion with...

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Calling all mermaids: these inflatable pool toys are sea-queen-approved and will totally speak to your ocean-loving soul. Get your merbabes together for a pool party, or bring these along on your next boating excursion. You'll turn any event into a magical mermaid cove - and you'll have yourself a luxe throne to soak up some rays! From scalloped shells to iridescent tails, there's a float here for every under-the-sea princess.

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No matter what your geographic location is, one thing's for sure when it comes to rental apartments - you most definitely need to show them a little extra love. While home updates are essential, oftentimes landlords have strict rules about what you're allowed to do with your leased square footage. Don't worry, though, there are tons of ways for you to make your rental feel like home without jeopardizing your security deposit. We chatted with some of the top interior designers about their best suggestions on how to turn any rental apartment into a more homey space without doing serious damage to your bank account. Check out what these design influencers had to say and try out a few of these ideas in your own space ASAP.

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If you can't count on towering trees, tall fences, or hedges to shield you from neighboring windows - or just neighbors - when you're enjoying your yard, there's still hope! Hometalk rounded up eight clever DIY projects that can add the privacy you crave. Check out four of our favorite solutions.

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The backsplash is by far the most fun design decision during a kitchen remodel - so why settle for standard tile or stone? Instead, turn an everyday collection into an unexpected backsplash display. The design secret here is the multiples: when small graphic items are arranged side by side, the result is a surprisingly cohesive, curated look. The best part? Not only will a DIY backsplash elevate you to Pinterest goddess status, but employing everyday items (instead of expensive marble or tile) will save you major renovation bucks, too. Win-win? We think so.

Read on for our favorite DIY kitchen backsplash ideas, and be sure to ask your local hardware store for installation tips before trying it at home.

Wine Corks

Memorialize your favorite Merlot by adhering the corks to a wet bar's backsplash in alternating horizontal and vertical pairs. Use the DIY project as an excuse to drink more vino (we won't tell anyone), or simply purchase used wine corks online. They're easy to find and usually super inexpensive.

Dominoes

Get your kitchen's game face on with dominoes. The classic black and white game pieces add a decidedly sophisticated touch when arranged in rows. Complement...

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The Summer heat ain't no joke, so it may seem like running your AC at full blast is the only way to stay cool throughout the hotter months. But what if we told you that there are actually many other practical and effective ways to stay cool this Summer that have nothing to do with turning on your air conditioning unit? Read on as we explore the top eight tips guaranteed to keep you feeling refreshed and comfortable, and not to mention just a little bit richer with all of those energy bill savings!

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The first thing I did when I moved into my new apartment was create my dream vanity. Honestly, it was one of the best home decisions I have ever made. Getting up in the morning and seeing all my cosmetics lined up on a pretty little table is a big-time mood-booster. It's my own little beauty command center. Vanities can get expensive, so we searched the internet for affordable options. These picks are beautiful without breaking the bank. Take a look.

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It's time to get lit. With firepits, that is. Whether you hang out in your backyard a lot or plan to have a party on your patio, a firepit is a Summer essential. Not only does it keep you warm and provide light as the sun goes down, but it also adds a cozy element to an outdoor space. We rounded up our favorite options for your consideration. Take a look!

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Just when we thought our succulent obsession couldn't possibly grow any more, we've just made an urgent discovery that's sending us into a plant-loving frenzy. Black succulents exist, guys, and they're the perfect home decor addition to match our cold, dark souls.

This species of succulent is known as Sinocrassula yunnanensis, a type that features densely packed clumps of rosettes. Its pointed leaves (which somewhat resemble mini pine cones or hedgehogs) are typically a dark green hue, but that color is often so dark that it actually looks more like black than green.

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If Princess Belle Had a Garden, She'd Grow These Rose-Shaped Succulents

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So where can you purchase these rare beauties? A few Etsy retailers, namely Rare Succulents and Blue Sky Succulents, sell the plants online, or you could check with your local gardening store to see if it sells them. We think these one-of-a-kind succulents would look oh so chic in a marble planter filled with white pebbles . . . or, if you're feeling extradark, you...

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Anyone with a love for plants knows how they can cheer up a space! Indoor plants add a pop of color and freshness, and some can even help improve the air in your home. And what better room to freshen up than your bathroom? While it's not always the first room in your home you'd consider adding a plant to, your bathroom actually provides ideal growing conditions for certain species. With the moisture-heavy and often warm temperatures, bathrooms are the perfect place to add some flora to your home.

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We all want our homes to smell nicer, but not everyone can tolerate the heavily scented - and potentially toxic - room sprays that are readily available. If you enjoy a good essential oil drifting throughout your home, we've gone ahead and highlighted our favorite natural scents. Whether you want to dispense a few drops on fresh linens or are looking to deodorize a bedroom, we have eight natural room sprays that will do the job.

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How to Get Rid of Ants in the Kitchen - No Chemicals Required

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Anmer Hall is the 10-bedroom red brick Georgian property that was Kate Middleton's personal project for two years. It stands on the queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk, and her majesty gifted it to William and Kate when they got married. After extensive refurbishments, the couple moved in along with Prince George and Princess Charlotte in 2015, and even after the family moves to Kensington Palace full-time later in the year, it will remain their country residence. So what did Kate do with her blank canvas? Architect Charles Morris worked on the remodeling and added a garden room, while interior designer Ben Pentreath oversaw the decor. He had previously worked with Kate's father-in-law Prince Charles and apparently coaxed Kate into being more experimental with color, encouraging her to go for an emerald green dining room. However, much of the rest of the home has a softer, more traditional vibe. See for yourself ahead.

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Image Source: Getty / Christopher Polk

The Carter family just grew by two, and it seems they've found quite the jaw-dropping hive to accommodate their newborns for the time being. After welcoming twins into the world on June 12, Beyoncé and Jay Z are out of the hospital and reportedly settling down in a sprawling Malibu mansion that's fit for a queen, E! News reports.

Situated on 6.3 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the home boasts 10 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, and a host of luxurious features, from a greenhouse and Gothic-style library to an extravagant guest house and chandeliers made of amethyst and rock crystal. The grounds also include not one but two pools - one is an outdoor infinity pool surrounded by a deck that can accommodate several hundred guests, and the other is Rome-inspired indoor pool pavilion that was featured on HBO's True Blood.

The private hideaway is surrounded by some pretty pristine landscaping; there's a garden for organic produce, a rose garden with more than 1,000 flowers, and even a desert-style garden - because just one garden isn't enough, am I right?

The asking price for this over-the-top property is $54.5 million or $350,000 per month for...

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Monica Mangin continues to impress us with her home makeovers on Lowe's original series The Weekender. And in season two's upcoming episode 13 - which premiers on Lowes.com June 1 - Monica tackles the all-important laundry room. High-design laundry room makeovers have become a hot trend in recent years, and for good reason; homeowners spend many hours in these utilitarian, high-traffic spaces and are willing to do just about anything to make the chore of washing and folding clothes enjoyable. Monica more than delivers, creating a space that easily doubles as an entryway and makes doing laundry seem almost fun! Check out the dramatic before and after images and makeover details ahead.

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When it comes to astrology, let's admit it: who doesn't love reading their monthly horoscope? Gaining insight into your future relating to your career, relationships, health, and beyond is not only intriguing and exciting, but oftentimes, it can be extremely accurate. So, when we heard about a mashup that existed between astrology, design, and color theory, we had to know more.

This hybrid idealism, coined "colorstrology" by astrologist and numerologist Michele Bernhardt, is thoroughly mapped out in her book Colorstrology: What Your Birthday Color Says About You. Michele has created a comprehensive chart of Pantone colors that are assigned to every single day of the year as well as one color for each month. Using ruling planets, sun signs, and the influence of numbers and other important dates, Michele has determined which color creates the highest benefit for each.

So locate your birthday month ahead, and read on as we break down your most beneficial color as well as exciting ways you can incorporate it into your home space for an extra boost of positive energy.

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"I can guarantee that if you buy this true classic you will never lack attention," begins the listing for a pastel aqua trailer. One look at the midcentury gem in question, a 1955 Spartan Royal Mansion dubbed Spartacus, and you'll understand why. It was just listed by Aubrey Avila in North Carolina for $59,000, quite a deal considering it includes all the retro furniture and decor inside the trailer.

Aubrey has decorated the tiny home in an irresistible aqua and copper color palette and outfitted it with soft-closing custom cabinetry, a hammered-copper stove hood, cozy dinette, 32-inch television, top-of-the-line mattress, Bluetooth surround sound, new appliances, and even air conditioning. Yowza! That's nicer than most full-size homes. Take a look at this vintage gem in the pictures ahead, and just try not to be smitten.

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When Joanna Gaines combines two of her favorite things - plants and interior design - the results are astounding. This HGTV star has a knack for creatively sprinkling greenery throughout whatever she's working on, be it a Fixer Upper reno, her own farmhouse, or the displays at Magnolia. Given houseplants can help keep your house cool in the Summer, ward off mosquitoes, and improve air quality, we thought it was worth seeking some inspiration from Joanna on how to incorporate them into our own abode. Check out 20 times we loved how Joanna decorated with plants ahead.

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When mulling over how to step up your outdoor decor game, you may not immediately think of the supercheap goods lining Ikea's endless aisles, but the truth is that Ikea is a treasure trove of outdoor items lovely enough to make you want to camp out on the patio all Summer long. There's affordable outdoor furniture, beautiful lighting options, and more planters and greenery than you'll be able to fit on the deck. Keep scrolling for some serious outdoor decor inspiration, and prepare for the screeching disbelief from your friends when you tell them where you found these gems.

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When it comes to sleek and modern midcentury home decor and accessories, West Elm has it all figured out. From its bold statement pieces all the way to its smaller home accents, it is definitely one of the top shops for all of your home design needs. But if you are currently on a budget, it may seem close to impossible to indulge in all of the latest trends with limited funds holding you back. So instead of just daydreaming about your long West Elm wish list, we have scoured the internet for more affordable alternatives that you can fill your house with today. Read on as we break down our 11 fave West Elm look-alikes for considerably more attractive prices.

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There's something nice about having your friends and family come to you for one raging (or relaxing) pool party. And while that does mean the pressure is on to be the perfect pool-party host, there are a few essentials you can acquire to make it as seamless as possible. We apologize in advance if you have a hard time getting your guests to leave!

Here, we've rounded up all our favorite Summer pool party necessities aside from, well, the pool.

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If you've ever wanted to live like Kendall Jenner, now's your chance. The 21-year-old reality star and fashion model just listed her luxurious Los Angeles condo, which she first purchased back in 2014, on the real estate market for a cool $1.6 million. The two-bedroom, three-bathroom digs also have hardwood floors, wraparound windows, high ceilings, and a gorgeous view of the LA skyline. (So it's pretty much perfect!) Keep reading to see more photos of the spacious open-plan adobe Kendall has already said goodbye to in favor of this sexy Hollywood home once owned by Emily Blunt and John Krasinski.

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