Kristina McGuirk

1 day ago | bhg.com | Kristina McGuirk

Credit: Photo: Courtesy of Plank Hardware Hardware is one of those functional-yet-decorative accents that is easily overlooked, yet it plays a big role in capturing an aesthetic and elevating the look of a home. Traditional hardware is fairly limited to metallic finishes like polished chrome, brushed gold, and deep bronze. A matte black finish is also used often. However, colorful hardware is not as uncommon as it used to be.

4 days ago | bhg.com | Kristina McGuirk

Credit: Ally Brangham Sometimes when you're decorating, things just feel off. Even when your furniture and artwork are perfect, all of the room's colors coordinate, and the decor pieces are carefully curated, a room can still feel unbalanced or disconnected, and often, scale and proportion are the culprits.

3 weeks ago | bhg.com | Kristina McGuirk

It's hard to resist finishing everything (and fast) when decorating, particularly when repurposing a room, embarking on a design refresh, or moving into a bigger place. And it can be especially challenging for someone starting with a lot of blank walls or empty floor space. It might seem easy to outfit your place with cheaper (and often poorer-quality) items to have a finished home fast, but there are many reasons to take your time instead.

4 weeks ago | bhg.com | Kristina McGuirk

Credit: John Gruen The "Buy It for Life" movement (BIFL) emphasizes purchasing high-quality, durable products instead of cheaper products that wear out quickly and break easily, or become outdated due to changing style preferences. It’s the antithesis of fast fashion, and in home design, it means choosing functional and decorative items built to endure physically and aesthetically.

1 month ago | bhg.com | Kristina McGuirk

Photo: John Bessler Among the top design styles last year, ‘modern Colonial’ ranked second, according to data on trending searches released by Google. Updated yet still traditional, modern Colonial style brings simplicity to the classic aesthetic. “[It] blends classic architectural elements of a traditional home with modern features and amenities, all while staying true to the essence of the Colonial style," says Elizabeth Drake, owner and principal designer of Elizabeth Drake Interiors.