What do Dakota Johnson, Emma Roberts, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Hudson, and Tobey Maguire all have in common (other than their top-notch acting skills)? Their interior designer. All five stars have turned to Pierce & Ward to give their homes an Old Hollywood, lived-in feel. Since 2012, Louisa Pierce and Emily Ward, the design duo behind the firm, have created spaces that tell a story: moody living rooms with worn-out leather club chairs and crackling fires; large kitchens with beat-up butcher block counters and antique brass knobs; libraries filled with old books and Persian rugs. It’s no wonder the people who play some of our favorite movie characters want to work with them. In their book, A Tale of Interiors, Pierce and Ward share the renovation secrets that make their spaces feel cozy and a little bit magical—and most of them are surprisingly simple.

Embrace “Ugly” Hues

Shades of beige and brown are rarely the go-to paint colors of choice, but Pierce and Ward, who coined the term ugly colors, say every house needs a dose of muddy tones. “We don’t want rooms to be too pretty and perfect. When you have those filler hues like pea green, puke-y mustard, and baby vomit, it somehow makes it better,” says Ward, laughing. They offset these underappreciated shades with beloved classics such as blush pinks and butter yellows.

Pierce & Ward’s Go-To “Ugly” Colors

Trailing Vines, Benjamin Moore

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Brindle, Benjamin Moore

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Pierce & Ward’s Go-To Pretty Colors

Nutmeg, Benjamin Moore

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Manchester Tan, Benjamin Moore

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Use Inexpensive Tile in Unconventional Ways

Despite having an A-list clientele, Pierce and Ward are both partial to classic, budget-friendly materials like subway tile. “You can do interesting things with grout colors and cover an entire kitchen with it,” says Pierce. They play with format, too. In one renovation, they picked a $5.99-per-square-foot black and white hex tile and laid it out in a floral pattern from floor to ceiling, even covering the range hood in the motif. When the budget allows, the designers also love clay tile for its organic feel and light-bouncing capacity. 

Restore 3 in. x 6 in. Ceramic Bright White Subway Tile ($1.20 per square foot), Home Depot

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Metro Hex Matte White with Black Dot 10-1/4 in. x 11-7/8 in. Porcelain Mosaic ($9.36 per square foot), Home Depot

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Work With the Cabinets You Have

Dakota Johnson could probably afford any kitchen she dreamed up, but in her mid-century California home, Pierce and Ward chose to restore the original 1940s metal cabinetry and spray-paint it in Benjamin Moore’s Alligator Alley. “The house was built by Carl Maston, a really well-known architect in L.A. who was quite ahead of his time,” explains Ward. “We wanted to stick with what was there because it was already so good to begin with.” 

So it makes sense that when installing brand-new butcher blocks or cupboards—their preferred style is a simple Shaker panel—they look for imperfections. “We always tell our cabinetmaker, ‘Don’t make it too perfect,’” says Pierce. “Even if a cabinet is a little crooked, it’s okay.” The designers also place a lot of importance on vintage hardware, which they often source on Etsy. “I just want to find the right brass that’s not too shiny,” says Ward, who always looks for an antiqued finish. “It makes a new house feel so much older.”

Alligator Alley, Benjamin Moore

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Vintage Solid Brass Handles, Etsy ($30)

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Find Inspiration in What’s Already There

For Johnson’s main bathroom, the design duo worked with what they had when choosing a dominant material. “The downstairs level had concrete floors, and the upstairs had old hardwood that needed to go,” explains Pierce. They brought the cement scheme to the upper floor and covered the space from floor to ceiling. Earthy burl-wood mirrors and peachy roman shades soften the harsh surface. “The house was surrounded by trees, and so the setting also came into play,” adds Ward. “What’s outside is really important when choosing a surface or palette.” 

Burl-Wood Wall Mirror, West Elm ($299)

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Fabric Roman Shades, Amazon ($30)

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Don’t Shy Away From Wallpaper All Over

No stranger to a good floral wallpaper, Pierce and Ward often turn to wall coverings to add texture to a room, but they warn there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. “We love sourcing vintage wallpaper because we try to avoid using the hottest patterns,” says Pierce, who also notes that metallic surfaces are a big no-no. When it comes to application, the designers like to cover everything (sometimes even the ceiling) in the most inexpensive option rather than going the high-end route and doing only a feature wall. And for a custom touch, match a shade to use on the moldings and trims: “It gives its own little story.”

Majorelle Wallpaper (Petrol), House of Hackney ($325)

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Block-Print Flowers Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper, Spoon Flower ($129)

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The post The “Ugly” Colors Dakota Johnson’s Designers Use to Give a Room Depth appeared first on domino.

By far the most impressive room on any episode of MTV’s Cribs was the home movie theater. Sure, we’re all familiar with the concept of a TV area, but these spaces—complete with rows of recliners, in-wall stereo systems, and (on occasion) popcorn machines—hit differently. The thing is, from a style perspective, they all tend to look the same: The steps are swathed in slate gray carpeting; the boxy seating is made of squeaky leather. Marie Cloud, the Charlotte, North Carolina–based interior designer behind Indigo Pruitt, knew this when she was tasked with creating a theater for last year’s Southeastern Designer Showhouse in Atlanta. Having never tackled one before, she welcomed the challenge. “You don’t typically see this space decked out, but for me, it was an opportunity to throw my sauce on it,” says Cloud. 

The designer wanted it to be welcoming, cozy, and functional, even when there was nothing actually playing on the screen. “It can be a space where you can throw a girls’ night or your family can gather and just catch up,” she says. “The TV doesn’t have to be on for that.”

Re-create Those Old Theater Bones

The curved ceiling and flexible molding that Benecki Homes and Source in Atlanta introduced immediately made the ground-level room feel like an Art Deco theater. The difference is that these walls are high-tech: The speakers are built within them, so you can actually feel the vibrations of your favorite action movie. But Cloud knows that color is a big part of any sensory experience, too. The designer landed on Farrow & Ball’s Brinjal, a paint that reads as either eggplant purple or Merlot red, depending on the lighting. “When you use jewel tones, it adds a sense of ease to your body,” she says.

Pick Your Lighting Mood, Then Find Your Seat

The key to any movie-watching space is being able to take the room from light to dark so you don’t have to worry about harsh glare interrupting the show. That’s why everything in this space is “dimmable by the dial,” notes Cloud. And when the overhead bulbs and brass sconces are turned off, lit-up onyx pedestals and under-stair strips will help you find your way.

Treat the Lowest Level Like a Living Room

When you first walk in the space, you might think it’s just another living area. There’s a custom Brooke & Wilson sofa, a graphic Moattar rug, a round coffee table, and a long console topped with leaning art by David Coleman Jr. propped on top. For both tables, the designer partnered with Hartstone (the company that handled the hardscaping outside the house). “It added an organic element to the space that felt fresh and clean,” says Cloud. You could plop right down on the couch, have a chilled glass of wine, and never think about watching a movie—that’s the point.

As you make your way up the steps, you’ll find two rows of plush black recliners from RowOne that were designed specifically based off women’s input (both from an aesthetic and comfort point of view). “My goal for this room was for it to be an ode to sisterhood, a space for the woman of the house to bring her girlfriends,” says Cloud. “When they described the intentionality behind the research of this chair, I knew that’s what I wanted in my space.”

Carve Out a Hideout Within Your Escape

Did you spot the pocket door at the back of the theater? That’s for when you really want to feel unbothered. Cloud turned the tiny closet into a book nook–slash–general hideout. “We do too much for others, and sometimes we need a little corner to get away,” says Cloud. “Mine is my [clothes] closet, but it’s not as gorgeous as this.”

The post This Eggplant-Hued Home Theater Has a Secret appeared first on domino.

When I first moved into my Brooklyn apartment, I had plans. I was going to make a slideshow filled with inspiration photos, room by room, incorporating pieces I already had with wish-list items. Most important, I would have a palette, and no item would stray from my designated color scheme. After all, isn’t this what interior designers do?

Well, yes and no. On the one hand, deciding on a grouping of colors for your home can make it look cohesive and calming, but also, in the real world, you wouldn’t chuck a piece of art just because it doesn’t exude the exact right shade of blue.

That said, working within a palette—at least for your wardrobe—has become more popular than ever. You’ve probably seen it in your Instagram feed: women’s floating heads surrounded by a rotating rainbow of color swatches, stopping when they find the most flattering grouping of colors, usually labeled by the seasons. The idea is this: Find your undertone, connect that to a color palette that makes your skin look bright and even, then only buy clothing in those colors.

When I first came across this concept, it was on a group trip kindly hosted by Buick, which was showing off the new colors of its Envista models. The company hired Julia Dobkine, founder of Agile Styling, to hold swatches up to our faces to determine our undertones. Mine, I learned, is cool. Then she worked to find which hues were the most flattering—as in, ones that hid dark circles and made skin look clear and energized. Turns out, I’m a cool summer. (And yes, I dare you to not get Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” stuck in your head after reading that.)

The exercise was fun, but the stakes seemed low. So what if orange-red isn’t flattering on me? I love it, and isn’t personal style all about surrounding yourself with things that you like? “Color analysis isn’t about what you like,” Dobkine repeated during her presentation, much to my surprise. “It’s about what looks best.” When you see how, for example, light pink makes your skin appear smoother and your eyes pop, you emit confidence and happiness, she said. And that can enhance your life in a multitude of ways, across dating, work, and even a trip to the grocery store. 

As a design editor, I started to wonder: Would following my cool summer palette at home make a difference there, too? “Integrating some of your colors—the ones that make you feel the best—into your personal space can feel even better [than doing it with clothing] because it’s a part of your energetic cycle,” Dobkine tells me over the phone a few weeks later. For example, she designed her dining room in her colors—winter, for the record—not just because it makes her look good, but because of the energetic feelings she gets when she’s in that room.

If you want to get superficial about it, you can, she says. For example, if a light purple shade is most flattering on you, painting a wall that color can make your skin look bright as you take a photo against it or even just lounge with a friend.

And while no one is telling you to go out and purchase a new sofa in your palette, one low-commitment way to work in new colors is with bedding. I immediately swapped my army green waffle duvet (because the only green in my palette is a deep teal) for an inky blue one I already had. Did I feel any different? Not immediately, but I did feel more at ease knowing I have a road map for future shopping purchases. 

Now, when I shop IRL or online, I pull up my palette in my photos folder and hold it up to the item I’m considering. Does it match? Then I know it’ll go well in my home—and make me feel like I’m bringing it into a cohesive space. And that makes me feel calmer, happier, and alive. So it may be working after all.

The post I Got a Color Analysis Done to Figure Out My Home’s Perfect Palette appeared first on domino.

Turns out, painting our cabinets green was just the beginning of the color taking over kitchens. Now you can have a matching sink. Kohler just added three shades of green to its assortment (all plucked from the manufacturer’s archives), including the hue Aspen Green.

While the “crisp silver-green” shade was first released by Kohler in 1978, it feels perfectly relevant today with so many people embracing tones like sage and olive in their cook spaces. The heritage color will be offered on select Kohler bathtubs, toilets, and sinks, most notably the company’s Whitehaven kitchen sink. The cast-iron product comes in a variety of dimensions, but at its core, it’s a true farmhouse-style, apron-front sink. And who said it had to be white?

For an even more rustic feel, go for the Brockway utility sink, which is fitting for a laundry room or dishwasher-less kitchen, given that its deep basin is ideal for cleaning plates by hand. If a bolder swatch of green is more your speed, consider Fresh Green, a throwback from 1971, or Teal (released circa 1987), which the company also just rereleased.

This isn’t the first time Kohler has dug through its history books and brought back a discontinued hue. (Psst: It has released more than 100 original colors since 1927.) Last year, in honor of the company’s 150th birthday, it asked people to vote on their favorite vintage colorways and ultimately brought back Peachblow and Spring Green. Little did we know, they had a similar surprise planned for this year.

Here are a few Kohler fixtures we love in the old-but-new olive color.

Whitehaven 23.5-Inch Farmhouse Kitchen Sink, Kohler ($1,363)

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Brockway 36-Inch Wall-Mount Utility Sink, Kohler ($1,875)

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San Souci One-Piece Compact Elongated Toilet , Kohler ($905)

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Artifacts 66-by-32.5-Inch Freestanding Bathtub, Kohler ($6,305)

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The post Kohler Just Reissued a Sink Color From 1978, and It’s Perfect for Kitchens Today appeared first on domino.

“I prefer living in color,” Los Angeles–based artist David Hockney once said. And while I too love a vibrant shade of blue, I don’t necessarily want my New York City living room saturated in it. Recently, I decided it was time for a fresh coat of paint (the faded patina on my prewar walls left me pining for something new), and so I went looking for a lift, a tint with a twist, something clean yet calm. In other words, the perfect shade of white.

After months reviewing dozens of paint chips, I realized it’s true what they say: White is not just white. Yes, it’s a neutral, a blank canvas tinged with subtle tones ranging from warm red to cool gray, but it didn’t take long to learn Benjamin Moore’s Decorator’s White (an industry favorite) isn’t the same as the company’s Super White—a perfect fit for my dim home office but not quite right for my north-facing living room. 

With so many choices out there, I needed to call in an array of experts. Here’s what happened when I asked two paint brand pros, an interior designer, and an app what white paint I should use. 

What the Paint Brand Experts Had to Say

“White spaces love good light, and if the light isn’t good, more nuanced neutrals are required to bring either warmth or character,” Patrick O’Donnell, the global brand ambassador for British company Farrow & Ball, shared with me when I asked him about his process. Over a Zoom call, he offered me an overview of the company’s historical-inspired palette and then, looking around my place, whittled down my options to Dimity, a pale taupe tinged with red, and Pointing, an uncomplicated white inspired by lime pointing in brickwork. “The former wants a little splash of red or yellow pigment, and the latter something just off-white to bring heightened character,” he suggested.

Dimity, Farrow & Ball

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Pointing, Farrow & Ball

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The lack of sun definitely posed a problem, which I conveyed to Natasha Rooney, a color consultant and showroom manager overseeing the new U.S. outpost of Little Greene, another British paint brand. I was eager for Rooney to do a home visit, and she happily made the trek from Greenwich, Connecticut, to see me. She asked me about the room’s status (was I planning to change the upholstery anytime soon), details relating to the space (do I rely mostly on lamps for lighting or will I install overhead fixtures at some point) and what kind of vibe I was after (moody or airy). 

“Sometimes we need the depth to feel the warmth,” she commented while perusing various shades in the Little Greene chart. Like O’Donnell, Rooney was keen about a warmer combination for the room. She also landed on a red-spiked hue called Hollyhock and Shirting, a pure white. She even shared helpful suggestions to streamline the prep process to ensure best results, like how I should dilute my primer to 50 percent color and 50 percent water and degrease the walls with sugar soap.

Hollyhock, Little Greene Paint Company

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Shirting, Little Greene Paint Company

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While I adored all of their selections, the palettes seemed better suited for a sunny, quaint cottage than my one-window, modern-leaning room. I continued on with my search.

What an Interior Designer Had to Say

Next, I persuaded Brooklyn-based interior designer Danielle Colding to stop by after drop-off at her kids’ school. While sipping an espresso, I asked Colding, a classically trained decorator, what she would do. She discussed various projects she worked on with her former employer and mentor, Keith Irvine. Colding flipped through various paint decks and to my surprise mentioned swatches with hints of cobalt and orange as options. “I love the pops of orangey reds. I’d like to keep that alive,” she said, looking around the room at my existing decor before earmarking Benjamin Moore’s Pink Damask, then selecting White Blush to cover the walls.

Pink Damask, Benjamin Moore

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White Blush, Benjamin Moore

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She then gravitated to her go-to, the brand’s Simply White, for the ceiling, window frame, and door. She’s been a fan of its creamy tone long before it became the company’s 2016 color of the year. And while her former mentor’s strategy for trim was a mix of half linen, half white, Colding insisted I forgo painting the baseboards a different shade and use the White Blush wall color from just below the picture rail, bringing it all the way down to the floor. “Subtle, but it will make a big difference,” she exclaimed.

Simply White, Benjamin Moore

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What a Tool Had to Say

Several companies offer online assistance, with Benjamin Moore going a step further with its Color Match Tool. The pocket device lets you scan any flat surface of any color you like and then instantly finds its closest paint match out of the company’s 3,500-plus options through the Benjamin Moore app. I test-drove it using a patch of superpale pink on a Pierre Frey pillow and landed on White Zinfandel, a possible contender but a tad too pink.  

White Zinfandel, Benjamin Moore

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What I Ultimately Chose

Drumroll, please. The samples I finally ordered were Simply White OC-117 and White Blush OC-86, per Colding’s recommendation. As with any paint job, you won’t know if you love it until you try it. On a recent rainy day in NYC, I watched the small pink-tinged swatch marks warm my space right up, confirming that I’d made the right choice for my dimly lit apartment. Now it’s off to the brush aisle. 

Simply White, Benjamin Moore

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White Blush, Benjamin Moore

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The post I Asked 3 Pros for White Paint Recs, and They All Agreed on This Undertone appeared first on domino.

The simplest way to update your kitchen cabinets without replacing them is to paint them. But just because it’s not complicated doesn’t mean it’s cheap. According to HomeAdvisor’s latest 2021 data, it will run you an average of $700, with labor costing between $20 and $50 per hour. The only real way to avoid that expense is to tackle the job yourself. 

So we are looking back to all the expert advice we’ve received, plus some fresh intel from Paul Baik, senior product manager for Behr Ultra and the company’s specialty products. Here’s a few quick tips for how to paint kitchen cabinets like an absolute pro, from the best sealers to the must-have tools. 

The Best Primers for Painting Kitchen Cabinets 

Priming is essential in creating a smooth, uniform surface that is ready to accept a top coat, so you definitely don’t want to skip the step or skimp on a lackluster product. For wood cabinets, Baik suggests starting with a stain-blocking primer that is acrylic based (so it adheres nicely) and mildew resistant.

When it comes to tricky laminate cupboards, opt for a primer that’s designed for intense bonding, like Behr’s Bonding Primer and Sherwin-Williams’s Extreme Bond Primer—picks that are made for tough-to-paint surfaces. It’s important to use an undercoat in the same tone as the door color to get a saturated result, especially if you’re going from light to dark.

The Best Paint for Kitchen Cabinets

The best type of paint for kitchen cabinets is an oil-based enamel or a hybrid alkyd enamel paint in either a semigloss or satin finish, which levels nicely (meaning you won’t see any streaks from your brush) and is superdurable. Two coats, depending on the color you’re going with, should do the trick. 

According to designers, Farrow & Ball’s Modern Eggshell and Estate Eggshell options are a must-try for kitchen cabinets. The former has a 20 percent sheen that is ideal for durability and cleanability, according to designer Gillian Segal. Here’s a brief list of tried-and-true brands:

• Farrow & Ball Modern Eggshell
• Benjamin Moore Advance
• Behr Premium
• Sherwin-Williams ProClassic
• Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane
• Valspar Oil-Enriched Enamel

If you’re working with laminate and IKEA cabinets, avoid full gloss, as it will cause imperfections to shine. You can also use a matte Chalk Paint product for these types of doors after you’ve given them a good sanding and cleaned off any debris. 

How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets 

Step 1: Remove Everything

It might go without saying, but start by taking all your dishes, glassware, and pantry goods out of the cabinets. While some DIYers have gotten by without detaching the doors (Ajai Guyot claims it was easier to paint them on their hinges), most pros suggest taking the extra step, as you can more easily use a roller or spray gun when the panels are lying on a flat work table. Psst: As you unscrew each door, be sure to keep track of which one goes where (you can number them near the hinges with a marker), as it’ll make the reinstallation process a breeze. Finally, cover up the countertops, floor, and walls around the cabinets with rosin paper or plastic tarp to protect them from any unwanted splatter or dust.

Step 2: Create a Smooth Surface

Wipe down your cabinets with a de-glosser solution, then scuff up the boxes and fronts with a medium sandpaper (100- to 150 grit), as it will help you get an even consistency. A random orbital sander tends to be best for the job, as it doesn’t leave many noticeable swirl marks in the wood. Wipe away any dust and apply a fast-drying primer, which will conceal imperfections.

Step 3: Paint Away

Once that’s done, you can move on to the fun part: paint! It’s important to paint wood in a dry environment, preferably where you have plenty of access to fresh air, to prevent moisture from impacting the material’s integrity. Here are some tools to have on hand, according to Baik: 

• A fine-bristle brush (100 percent high-quality nylon works best)
• A mini ¼-inch roller 
• An airless sprayer: .013-inch to 015-inch spray tip, 60-mesh filter
• Optional: 400- to 600-grit sandpaper to use in between coats to allow the next layer to adhere smoothly

Use the brush for small corners and details, and the roller for the main face of the panels. (Just be sure to follow that up with a brush to get rid of roller marks.) Let each coat dry thoroughly (about 24 hours), before lightly sanding and applying the second round. Once the second coat dries, reattach the door and drawer fronts and soak in your newly revamped space.

The post How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets, From Unfinished Wood to Tricky IKEA Laminate appeared first on domino.

As Domino dutifully reported in December, the color experts at Pantone named their 2024 color of the year Peach Fuzz, a warm, optimistic tone that feels like the first bite of the summer fruit.

That said, color of the year (or, in editor-speak, COTY) announcements are a funny thing, and these days, almost every single paint brand, from Benjamin Moore to Behr, decides on one. To poke fun at (or perhaps lean far into) the frenzy, in 2022 cool-kid paint brand Backdrop partnered with cool-kid shop Coming Soon on a macaroni and cheese shade they cheekily named Color of the Year. The description? “Yellow-orange rubber band.” As editors, we cover most of these announcements—but where does one draw the line between clever marketing and real-life application? It’s not as if we all repaint our walls every year to simply follow a trend. 

But Pantone’s selection also came with a promise: “Pantone 13-1023 Peach Fuzz captures our desire to nurture ourselves and others,” reads the company’s website. Nurture, ah. Even saying the word out loud is a bit soothing. And at the risk of sounding a little woo-woo, this month, nurturing was exactly what I was looking for: After three weeks of work travel and day 10 of a not-COVID cough, I checked in for a night at the Walker Hotel Tribeca, where an entire room is currently drenched in Patone’s Peach Fuzz. Would it cure me?

Upon walking into the room, I immediately noticed that there wasn’t an inch of space not devoted to the pinky orange color: The Bed Threads linen sheet set, the Ruggable rug on the floor, the Frigidaire mini fridge (stocked with on-hue beverages)—even the body wash smelled like sweet peach and nectar. And the walls? Color-matched to Pantone via Benjamin Moore. 

It’s easy to roll your eyes at such an obvious brand marketing moment. But wrapped up in a Happy Place waffle robe and sipping from a Pantone mug, it’s also just as easy to feel a sense of peace. When every aspect of a room is one color (rather than just an accent wall—shudder!), the space begins to feel like a warm hug. “I actually like all the peach,” said my artist husband. “It’s calming.” And he’s not wrong. After just a few hours in the space, I saw what Pantone meant: I felt nurtured. 

I even slept better than I normally do in New York City hotel rooms, where traffic can be distracting and light always peeks through the blackout shades. Was it all the peach? Who can really say—I’ve yet to find a study that can prove its healing power—but it does signal to me that a well-designed room, in any color that speaks to you, might be all you need to feel nurtured, too.

Millions of Peaches

Pantone Peach Fuzz Nice Peach Bath Mat, Ruggable ($149)

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Compagnie de Provence Savon de Marseille Extra Pure Liquid Soap in Exfoliating Sparking Citrus, Amazon ($33)

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Native Body Wash in Sweet Peach & Nectar, Target ($10)

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Haden Margate 7 Cup White/Brown Spots Cordless Electric Kettle, Home Depot ($120)

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100% French Flax Linen Bedding Set in Peach, Bed Threads ($196 was $280)

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Limited Edition Cortado Cup, Pantone ($22)

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The post My True Feelings on Pantone’s Color of the Year After Staying in a Room Drenched in It appeared first on domino.

A tablecloth is the backdrop to a dinner party. When setting the stage for your delicious bites to follow, you could go for a muted all-white vibe, maximal pattern-on-pattern look, or beachy cabana energy. If you’re lucky enough to have a linen closet with a few strong options, you can choose your own adventure every time. 

But where to begin? Glad you asked. Cultiver, Parachute, and Bed Threads have impressed us with their bedding night after night, and considering tablecloths from these brands are made out of the exact same linen, we know they’re just as sound. If you’re in the market for a real showstopper, the striped cottons from our just-dropped collab with Heather Taylor Home are an excellent place to start. And if the goal is to ball on a budget, Amazon has a few options that actually look quite expensive. Shop the best tablecloths by style, below, as your big party plans for 2024 await.  

Our Favorite Tablecloth Brands

Best solid tablecloths: Cultiver
Best striped tablecloths: Heather Taylor Home
Best gingham tablecloths: Schoolhouse
Best floral tablecloths: Food52 x St. Frank
Best budget tablecloths: IKEA

Best Solid Tablecloths

Before you delve into the world of prints, it’s good to have at least one solid in your collection. But just because it’s solid doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Two examples: Amazon’s ruffle trim adds a cottagecore flair, and Hay’s contrast stitching adds an unexpected pop of red to an otherwise neutral piece.

Linen Tablecloth, Cultiver ($156)

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European Linen Tablecloth, Quince ($60)

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100% French Flax Linen Tablecloth, Bed Threads ($96 was $120)

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Outline Tablecloth, Hay ($75)

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Pure Linen Tablecloth by Everly, Amazon ($56)

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Linen Fringe Tablecloth, Parachute ($129)

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Sunset Rose Linen Tablecloth, April Notes ($70)

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Retro Farmhouse Ruffle Tablecloth by Glory Season , Amazon ($35)

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Best Striped Tablecloths

We’re big fans of stripes here at Domino—in other words, we go crazy for them. Wide, narrow, bright, soft; you truly can’t go wrong. It’s no wonder editor-favorite Hawkins New York chose a stripe as its pattern debut. It’s offered in six tone-on-tone colorways. 

Medium Stripe Tablecloth , Heather Taylor Home x Domino ($218)

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Awning Stripe Tablecloth, Serena & Lily ($118)

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La Veste Nizam Cotton Tablecloth by Lisa Corti, Matches Fashion ($215)

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Striped Cotton Tablecloth, H&M Home ($37)

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Essential Striped Tablecloth, Hawkins New York ($118)

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Dyed Thread Striped Tablecloth, Zara Home ($30 was $50)

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Best Gingham Tablecloths

Gingham can make even an urban high-rise feel like a country home. Schoolhouse’s unique cocktail of coral and cornflower blue has our heart, but we’re also crushing on the subtle fringe of Serena & Lily’s cotton staple. 

Linen Check Tablecloth, Schoolhouse ($179)

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Linen Buffalo Check Oversized Tablecloth, Crate & Barrel ($190)

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Farmer’s Gingham Tablecloth by Farmhouse Pottery, West Elm ($155)

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Gingham Tablecloth, Serena & Lily ($178)

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Picnic Linen Tablecloth by Madre, Food52 ($270)

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Indigo Gingham Tablecloth by Auntie Oti, Nickey Kehoe ($130)

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Best Floral Tablecloths

A floral pattern can take you in many directions, from a traditional Suzani print to stylized tulip illustrations. When it comes to busier patterns, just opt for solid napkins and dinnerware to balance it all out.

Bright Botanical Suzani Printed Tablecloth, Food52 x St. Frank ($199)

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Sophia Block-Print Oilcloth Outdoor Tablecloth, Pottery Barn ($89)

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Turning Tulips Large Tablecloth, La DoubleJ ($199)

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Yadira Tablecloth, Furbish Studio ($69)

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Meraki Green 100% Cotton Tablecloth by ATOSII, Amazon ($52)

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Rose Rouge Tablecloth, Atelier Saucier ($198)

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Best Budget Tablecloths

Let’s be honest: Dinner parties can get a little messy. Red wine will inevitably spill and tomato sauce will splash. So if you’re not trying to break the bank on a tablecloth, this is your section. When seeking a deal, we look no further than IKEA: Its Vippstarr style is just $6. (Yep, you read that right.) But it’s more than just inexpensive. Made from 100% unbleached cotton, the thin red stitching adds an effortless French flair. 

Vippstarr Tablecloth, IKEA ($6)

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Martha Stewart Honeycomb Modern Farmhouse Tablecloth, Wayfair ($26 was $33)

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Cotton Tablecloth, H&M Home ($10 was $32)

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Linen-Cotton Tablecloth by Zobesta, Amazon ($21)

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Our Shopping Checklist

Size 

There’s no standard size for a tablecloth; you’ll want to pick one according to your table size as well as the type of occasion. For casual gatherings, tablecloths should hang down 6 to 8 inches. For formal events, it can hang down between 8 and 12 inches. So just take your table dimensions and add double the amount you want it to hang down to each side. Easy enough! 

Fabric Types  

Domino editors prefer linen and cotton when it comes to tablecloths, but they aren’t the only fiber sources for this tabletop accessory. There are plenty of polyester options on the market, but we’d avoid those. However, you don’t have to say “no” outright to a blend. Of course, 100% cotton and linen are the cream of the crop for this category, but they will require a bit more upkeep; just a hair of polyester added in can mean the difference of not having to iron with every use. Color-, pattern-, and texture-wise—have fun! Just keep a few things in mind: How your tablecloth choice works with your napkins, and how everything will pair with your chosen glasses and flatware. 

Maintenance

Most picks on this list can be tossed in a washing machine without worry (just stick to cold water and delicate cycles). If you’re struggling to get those wrinkles out, take it out of the wash while it’s still damp and iron on reverse.

Ask Domino

Q: Every time I take my tablecloth out of the linen closet, it has creases from folding. How can I get rid of them without using an ironing board?

If you’re setting the table a few hours before your party, hitting those creases with a spray bottle filled with water is a great trick for releasing lines. When the fabric dries, they’ll be out of sight. 

Additionally, you’d be surprised how much plates, serveware, candles, vases, and whatever you style your table with will conceal the lines. There’s no way your guests’ eyes will go toward the subtle lines when they’re covered by a beautiful tablescape. 

Q: Would you ever layer a tablecloth with placemats?

Never say never! While this can look a bit crowded when done wrong, we think placemats in a contrasting material can be layered over a tablecloth. Think: wicker or resin placemats over a linen tablecloth. Chargers would be a safe bet, as they’re often smaller, and their purpose is more decorative and about complementing the plate rather than protecting the table and catching dropped food.

The post The Best Tablecloths on the Internet, Starting With a $6 Neutral Stripe appeared first on domino.

We see it in the projects of the biggest design names out there, from Sarah Sherman Samuel to Leanne Ford to Jeremiah Brent: ultra-neutral, whitewashed, beige-on-beige, oak wood–filled projects. And frankly, we’re in awe of their restraint to keep every single piece in the palette. Yet lately, we’ve been inspired by a pop of color to break up the beige. Well, not just any color: bright, fire-engine red. Think of it as the evolution of tomato girl summer—but far less specific and with a bit more longevity.  

The trend has already made its way into our closets and even our sock drawers. Just one crimson touch, whether that’s a pair of Adidas or a sweater thrown over the shoulders, can transform the simplest outfit. But rather than a drape a scarf around your neck, why not see red in a throw blanket across your bed, the pillows on your sofa, or any other accent pieces in whitewashed company? Just like it does for your sartorial style, introducing the hue brings a lighthearted cheekiness to a room while also adding an unexpected focal point. Start with our 26 picks, below.

Kitchen Cuties

Red accents lend a touch of retro to cook spaces. Just peek at designer Nick T. Poe’s kitchen; the red trash can and espresso machine add a heritage Americana look to an otherwise neutral space. The color is also welcome in a table setting, giving dinner parties festive energy through serveware, linens, and more.

Red Salt & Pepper Grinder, Alessi ($91 was $130)

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Serenity Porcelain Dinner Plate, Themis Z ($64)

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Omar Strong Coral Vase, West Elm ($140)

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Everyday Salad Serving Set, Nashi ($50)

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Lobster Salt & Pepper Set , The Ark Elements ($34)

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Off-White & Red Small Bowl, Bombac ($46 was $65)

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Red Fantasia 5 Piece Place Setting by Mepra, Amazon ($98)

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Rubbermaid Commercial Products Defenders Steel Step Trash Can, Amazon ($184)

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Striped Tablecloth, Zara Home ($26 was $36)

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Illy X1 Anniversary ESE & Ground Espresso Machine, Sur la Table ($949)

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Details, Details, Details

The beauty of this trend is that it doesn’t take much to dig in. A single picture frame, decorative bowl, or tabletop organizer can offer the touch you’re looking for. 

Duplum Mirror, DWR ($325)

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Mongolian Cashmere Throw, Quince ($129)

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Magazine Rack by Giotto Stoppino for Kartell, Lumens ($235)

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Petal Plate, Sophie Lou Jacobsen ($100)

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Glazed Stoneware Candlestick, H&M Home ($12)

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Sobremesa Vase, Hay ($71)

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Rexite Multiplor Rotating Desk Organizer, MoMA ($62)

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Wavy Picture Frame by The Conran Shop, Nordstrom ($35)

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More Than Just a Pop

In a room full of neutral furniture, these picks will add contrast with a bang rather than a soft pop. Some of our favorite large-ticket items are the least expensive, too, like IKEA’s $125 bentwood chair or Urban Outfitters’s powder-coated metal desk for $199. So go bold—we’ll be here rooting for you.

Ryan Rolling Desk, Urban Outfitters ($199)

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Froset Chair, IKEA ($125)

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Becker Uten.Silo Organization System, Vitra ($485)

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Plain Velvet Pillow Cover, OKA ($70)

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Arbor Table Lamp, Schoolhouse ($499)

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Nest Storage Bed, Schoolhouse ($3,876 was $4,845)

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Eames Wire Base Low Table, Herman Miller x Hay ($595)

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Bit Stool Stack, Normann Copenhagen ($256)

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The post This Fiery Hue Is All Over Street Style—These 24 Designs Bring It Home appeared first on domino.

Black-painted bedrooms are no longer just for vampires and emo music lovers. The daunting shade is actually the most searched hue on Google according to 12 months of data analyzed by Living Cozy. Coming in at 396,000 searches, black bedrooms have 100,000 more hits than white. Not only that, but blue barely cracks the top five with only 217,900 inquiries. 

We know, it’s intimidating—but don’t knock it just yet. While you may assume that a color like Sherwin-Williams’s Iron Ore or Farrow & Ball’s Railings might make your room feel dark and depressing, the effect is just the opposite: The right swatch creates a cocoonlike atmosphere that encourages sweet shut-eye. Ahead, we highlight five ways to make the most of your sacred space without sacrificing aesthetics (or light). 

Embrace It in a Small Space

RHONY star Brynn Whitfield’s bedroom is so small that her bed frame spans wall to wall, but that didn’t stop her from packing in the drama with Benjamin Moore’s Raccoon Fur. The result is utterly cocooning. 

Bring Quirky Details Into the Fold

For Angelee and Eddie Fortuna, painting their new wainscoting black brought dimension to their room, but continuing the color around the windows had the biggest impact: It made the funky placement over the bed look more purposeful. 

Use Plaster, Not Paint

Take a note from hotelier Margot Stern and her boutique property in Todos Santos, Mexico. The texture of the plaster softens the bold hue to a deep gray, while the accent wall still packs a punch. 

Keep It Grounded

By balancing the rich walls with a white ceiling and warm bed linens, Madelynn Furlong’s former Los Angeles bedroom is just the right amount of cozy and not cavelike.

Opt for Just a Stripe

In Little Willow Cabin’s bedroom (renovated and designed by Lauren Espeseth and Steven Jos Phan), a racing stripe of black is painted just above the woodwork. The room is still light and airy, while the color draws your eye toward the gorgeous millwork.

Try These Swatches

Raccoon Fur, Benjamin Moore

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Off-Black, Farrow & Ball

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Cracked Pepper, Behr

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Blackish, Clare ($70 per gallon)

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McQueen, Backdrop ($49 per gallon)

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Black 02 Matt, Lick ($70 per gallon)

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The post The Most Searched Bedroom Paint Color Might Surprise You—But Here’s Why It Shouldn’t appeared first on domino.