September 2021

KEEPING UP

Hear the phrase "Keep rip!" and it immediately feels stressful, maybe for me because of childhood memories of lagging behind my parents as they rushed somewhere. As an adult, I get a nagging sense that perhaps I'm not as on top of things as I could be. But keeping up when applied to the importance of contemplating trends, as we do this month in our annual trend issue, can be a positive and rewarding thing.

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Frosty S'mores Bar

OUTDOOR TRENDS

Make it hot (sauce)

GATHER ROUND

Picture it: The sky dims. The moon peeks through wispy clouds. Leaves rustle. That cool, crisp air can mean only one thing-- it's time to go inside... then come right back out with a tray of goodies for s'mores.

GREEN + PURPLE

Leave it to Mother Nature to come up with the best color pairings. Take, for example, the play between the vibrant green foliage and lush purple flowers of lavender and lilacs. Designers are finding renewed inspiration in this versatile combo, and it's been popping up in decorator showhouses across the country-- a testament to its staying, and trending, power.

TREND ALERT THE NEW CREATURE COMFORTS

IF WE DIDN'T ALREADY KNOW IT, NOW WE DO: THE ONLY WAY WE WANT TO LIVE IS RELAXED. HERE'S WHAT A COMFY HOME LOOKS LIKE.

Destination: home

Designer and blogger Dabito thinks of a home as a living scrapbook of where you've been and where you're going. See how his home tells his story.

The butterfly guy

After helping bring an elusive butterfly back to a garden in San Francisco, Tim Wong shares easy steps you can take to entice winged friends to your own yard.

The bold and the beautiful

FLORAL DESIGNER KELSEA OLIVIA KNOWS HOW TO MAKE A STATEMENT WITH STEMS. SHE SHOWS HOW TO WORK THE LATEST TRENDS-- DYED, DRIED, AND WILDLY PAINTED FLOWERS--INTO YOUR OWN ARRANGEMENTS.

EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN

Floral wallpaper Antique mahogany stools. Iron scroll bed frame. That might sound like a recipe for a house stuck in the past, but in interior designer Fawn Galli's hands, it's the way to give a new build heart, soul, and history. The difference between a museum period room and hip family hangout, though, is contrast. For every antique there's a contemporary counterpoint. In every space there's a surprise of scale or pattern that's fully modern. Call the trend Granny Chic or Grandmillennial or New Traditional. One things clear when it comes to decorating in 2021 and beyond...

Helping pets stay calm when you're gone

With the return to school and work, and everyone getting out more, furry family members may feel stressed about not having you around as much. Here's how to know if your pet is experiencing separation anxiety and minimize the symptoms.

UP FOR THE CHALLENGE

Every school year brings its own issues, but this one has a particular set of adjustments as kids return to school after being upended by the pandemic. Keep an eye on these situations your child might be facing.

ORLANDO SORIA

HELPING HOMEOWNERS REIMAGINE THEIR LIVES AND SPACES WITH DESIGN LESSONS, RELATIONSHIP ADVICE, AND PLENTY OF HUMOR.