December 2019

For centuries, log cabins have been an architectural staple in the United States, coveted for their straightforward construction and charming design. Over the years, log cabins have evolved considerably from their humble beginnings, with many people opting for modern takes on the traditional design. But the modernization of a log cabin’s exterior also calls for updates to the interior, which requires a bit of a balancing act between traditional and contemporary design. 

The following tips make it easy to cultivate a contemporary, personal interior while honoring the charming, rustic features that made log cabins such a beloved architectural style. 

Mix Materials

Source: houzz.com

Rather than add wood on wood, as is done traditionally in

Source: archpaper.com

Barbara Bestor is a ground-breaking architect known for experimental designs and masterful renovations. Bestor knew in the eighth grade that she wanted to be an architect, eventually joining the likes of Rem Koolhaas and Zaha Hadid by studying abroad at the Architectural Association in London for a year before earning her degree from Harvard in 1987. Bestor went on to earn a master’s in architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles in 1992. 

The architect began practicing shortly after graduating with her master’s degree. She earned early acclaim for her inventive and meticulous renovations of Los Angeles residences, which led to her becoming a go-to preservationist, renovating homes by

Source: uncoverla.com

Downtown Los Angeles’ Historic Core neighborhood is located between 1st, 9th, Main, and Hill Streets and boasts many of the sites and attractions that put LA on the map, like historic architecture, ornate movie palaces, delicious restaurants, and abundant art galleries. 

From the early 1900s to the 1950s, what’s now the Historic Core was LA’s central business district, with many businesses, like now-landmark movie theaters AKA “picture palaces”, establishing roots in the area and drawing more people to it. But the district began to decline in the 1950s as people increasingly used their own cars rather than streetcar lines, allowing them to live further away from downtown, instead shopping, dining, and movie-going in the suburbs

Source: midcenturyhome.com

Blending the indoors with the outdoors is one of the defining characteristics of mid-century modern architecture, and it’s likely among the primary reasons that the architectural style has seen a resurgence in recent years. In today’s highly technological world, many of us are craving more nature in our lives, and the indoor-outdoor harmony of modernist homes makes it easy to get a daily dose of Mother Nature. 

That being said, the style’s connection to the outside world means that it’s critical to give thoughtful attention to the outdoor landscape to maximize the home’s potential. And if you don’t have a ton of experience on the landscaping front, it can be tough to figure out where to even start, so we’ve done it for

All images courtesy of: christmasboatparade.com and @christmasboatparade

If you love festive holiday lights, waterfront views, and general merriment, then you definitely want to check out the 111th-annual Newport Beach Boat Parade. For over a century, the parade has drawn droves of people to Newport Harbor to see the hundreds of boats donning some of the most beautiful light displays you’ve ever seen. 

You’ll find everything from humble canoes to multimillion-dollar yachts, all of which go all out to display unforgettably unique and extravagant holiday lights and decorations, which include special effects, themes, and narratives. There are also fireworks displays, contests for the best decorations, and boundless waterfront houses boasting beautiful

With so many different architectural styles out there, it’s tough to choose a favorite, but the gingerbread variety might be the winner. The delicious holiday staple often nods to historic styles of architecture, particularly Victorian, and instantly brings about quintessential warm and fuzzy holiday feelings. But the delicious type isn’t the only kind of gingerbread house out there. 

In honor of National Gingerbread House Day, December 12th, we’re showcasing some of the best real-life gingerbread houses around, some of which you can treat yourself to dining in or renting for a few nights. And it’s the type of holiday treat that you don’t need to burn off at the gym, which makes it all the better. 

Fairytale Gingerbread House

Located in

Source: pantone.com

In addition to parties, desserts, and decorations, the holiday season also brings about a special treat for design enthusiasts each year: Pantone’s Color of the Year. The authority on all things color, Pantone has been declaring its annual hue for more than 20 years, which never fails to inform everything from fashion to branding to home furnishings and decor. In other words, the color the company honors always becomes an instant trend, so it’s a great place to start if you’re looking to refresh your abode in the new year. 

Last year, Pantone gave the honors to the organic and vibrant hue, Living Coral, which was intended to represent the ocean coral reefs being threatened by climate change. This year, the company set its sights

Source: modtraveler.net

Located in Palm Springs, Twin Palms is a charming neighborhood that’s largely responsible for the desert town’s reputation for being a hub of mid-century modern design. The neighborhood is the area's first modernist tract, thanks to architect William Krisel who designed 90 residences for the land between 1956-1959. 

Twin Palms gets its name from the pair of palm trees that were added to all of the residences’ front laws, but the immediate visual similarities end there. Despite the tract housing, which all shared virtually the same floor plan, Krisel’s artful design choices resulted in each of the houses appearing as custom-built properties. He used various orientations, embellishments, and setbacks to give every home a unique

Small Business Saturday is always a great way to bring awareness (and money) to the countless small businesses that are boosting local economies, but it takes more than a day to keep the little guys afloat. If you love the idea of supporting small businesses throughout the holiday season but don’t have a ton of options in your area (or you don't want to brave the crowds of holiday shoppers), Pinterest now has you covered.

Once reserved solely for cataloging wants, needs, and inspiration, the site recently expanded its offerings, launching an online shop just in time for the holiday shopping mayhem. What’s particularly appealing about the Pinterest Shop is that, in addition to allowing you to get all your shopping done from the comfort of your couch, it

Source: konmari.com

From her heartwarming Netflix series, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, to her bestselling book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo has been making major waves in recent years, and for good reason. In a culture based on consumerism, Kondo’s philosophy, dubbed the KonMari Method, of simplifying, decluttering, and organizing our interiors to feel lighter and happier mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, has refreshed and inspired countless homes and the people that live in them. And her latest venture is likely to do the same. 

Kondo recently launched her very online own shop, KonMari, which features a ton of thoughtful items that are designed to enhance the home. That said, those who aren’t intimately familiar with