The 4 Worst Interior Design Trends of 2014

Two terrible trends in one kitchen: honey wood and black granite.

Every year around this time, interior designers declare which trends are the ones to watch (and that we should probably all redecorate our homes with, ASAP). This year, a few completely miss the mark—and will invariably be met with "what were you thinking?" stares come 2015. 

Not-So-Hot Trend#1: Macrame

Los Angeles designer Betsy Burnham recently told the Wall Street Journal (where everyone goes for decorating tips, obviously) that 2014 is going to be the year of macrame. "We haven't seen it since the 70s," she said. "I think it's time." I think she's wrong. And, unfortunately, she's everywhere: In another article, Burnham advised replacing accent walls with macrame art from Etsy. Sorry, but replacing one wrong with another wrong doesn't make a right.

The only macrame I've ever seen was in my muumuu-wearing great aunt's apartment, which was also decorated with shag carpeting. Macrame just might work if you're a pothead, but for those of us seeking a chic look? No way. 

Not-So-Hot Trend #2: Honey-Tone Woods

Just when I thought I'd never have to tolerate the ubiquitous oak kitchens of my childhood again, Elle Decor has predicted a resurgence of lighter, honey-colored woods. What's next—the return of the boxed-in space above kitchen cabinets? Formica countertops? 

Not-So-Hot Trend #3: Pastels

Don't get me wrong, a little pale pink can be sweet. But an entirely pastel palette? Hello, $60-a-night hotel room. When I was a kid, my sister claimed her Barbie's babies were allergic to bright colors, so she forced me to redecorate my Dream Home every time her Barbie family came over. So, yes, maybe I have a knee-jerk negative reaction to pastels. But I still can't fathom going back to the blush tones of the 1980s. Should I expect oversized florals and vertical blinds to make a comeback, too?

Not-So-Hot Trend #4: Black Kitchen Counters

Black granite or quartz countertops are going to be a hot item this year, according to the Zillow Digs Home Design Trend Report. Perfect! After we've all spent years trying to brighten up our kitchens, let's suck out all the light! I can maybe get on board with a black countertop for an island. But the whole kitchen? Spare me. 

8 NEW Treats for Dessert Fiends

Crest Mint Chocolate Toothpaste

I'm a Crest loyalist, but I have my doubts about chocolate-flavored toothpaste. If I really wanted my breath to smell like chocolate, I'd eat a piece of—get this—chocolate. Yet Crest claims the "rich, creamy cocoa flavor" is a calorie-free way to indulge, although I usually like to swallow my chocolate, not spit it in the sink. Skepticism aside, I'll probably be suckered into buying a tube, just to say I tried it. Or maybe I'll go for one of the other slightly more palatable-sounding flavors: Vanilla Mint Spark and Lime Spearmint Zest.

Cookie Dough Oreos

Who, you might ask, buys all of the bizarre flavors of Oreos that have come out over the last few years? Me, that's who. I'm a sucker for novelty products, and in this case, I'm legit excited, because two of my favorite flavors are colliding. These limited-time Oreos hit shelves February 3rd. I'll be the first in line.

Marshmallow Crispy Oreos

If you can get past the stupid name—no doubt, a way to avoid the inevitable trademark trouble of using the term "Rice Krispies"—these Oreos sound just as promising as the cookie dough ones, as long as the marshmallow flavor is authentic, and not some artificial-tasting knock-off (like cheesecake ice cream, which is always a disappointment). These yummies also debut on February 3rd.

Starbucks Tiramisu Latte

Now that I have an Italian last name, I'm obligated to include the new Starbucks Tiramisu Latte, even though I actually hate the dessert. (Just don't tell my in-laws.) I also hate coffee, so I won't be trying this creation, which consists of espresso, mascarpone flavor, and cocoa espresso powder. Unfortunately for tiramisu fans, it's only being debuted in two cities this winter: St. Louis and Jacksonville, since, you know, those Floridians are the ones who really need a hot drink. 

Hershey's Spreads

My mom recently tried Nutella for the first time (a little late on that one, right?), and she loved it. Lucky for her, the food world has finally caught onto the whole hazelnut/chocolate trend, too: Hershey just released a Nutella knock-off, as well as plain chocolate and chocolate/almond spreads. I've yet to try them, but will probably buy a jar the next time I go to the supermarket hungry. 

Hershey's Chocolate Bar 3-D Printer

Don't get too excited, because I'm a little premature on this one: Hershey has partnered with a 3-D printing company to allow people to create custom chocolate bars. No word on when it's going to debut, or how much it'll cost. I foresee the world's first $100 candy bar. 

Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups

My mourning period for Butterfinger B&B's may officially be over. I'm a Reese's Cup fiend, and I feel confident the crunchy, Butterfinger texture will add an extra layer of intrigue to the classic candy. Expect to see a commercial for this new Nestle creation during the Super Bowl!

Dunkin' Donuts Heart-Shaped Cookie Dough Donut

I felt my heart skip a bit when I read the name of this Valentine's Day donut, but then I read the kind-of-disappointing description: The "cookie dough" is really just buttercream filling, with chocolate icing and chocolate chips on top. (Dunkin' claims the vanilla flavor is "similar" to cookie dough.) That doesn't sound like cookie dough to me. Alas, I'm still willing to take my chances.

Make Your Own Chevron Coffee Table Tray!

As I mentioned before, I'm in a bit of a blue phase. Unfortunately, it seems that the rest of the decorating world is not. I have an insanely difficult time finding blue accessories for my living room! (Maybe I should take that as a sign...) But not to be deterred, I've resorted to making my own blue accent pieces.

Several months back, I purchased this tray for $5 from a garage sale:

It was originally red, and I painted it orange. (I had some pillows of a similar color I wanted to match.) But when I realized the pillows didn't match my living room, I was left with a tray that didn't look right, either. 

After months of staring at it with disgust, I finally got around to redoing it. I had some leftover high-gloss royal blue paint from another project, which, on top of the orange (I was in no mood to prime), came out closer to navy. The high-gloss looks great, almost like a lacquered finish, which is all over the place these days.

For the middle of the tray, I bought some blue-and-white chevron scrapbooking paper. I wanted a pattern in the middle, but the size of my tray meant I'd have to buy a million sheets to achieve a seamless look if I chose something crazy like a floral. But chevron? It's just the same thing over and over and over again, making it super easy to match up and keep the flow of the pattern going. 

To apply the paper, I used high-gloss Mod-Podge, and to avoid wrinkles, applied the bottom layer first, pressed down the paper, and waited several minutes for it to dry. Then I applied the top layer of gloss. Of course, a few wrinkles/bubbles are pretty much unavoidable; I fixed these by poking a sewing needle into the bubble, then pressing out the air and applying a little more Mod-Podge. Voila, a classy-looking tray for about $10!

Can You REALLY Paint Upholstery?

Before & After

Reupholstering a chair is expensive—like, upwards of $300 expensive. Of course, going the reupholstery route makes sense if you've invested in pricey furniture. But I've never been willing to take the plunge, since most of the chairs I want to change are Goodwill cast-offs. It's hard to justify dropping $300 to redo a $10 chair. 

Most recently, I decided one of living room chairs needed a facelift. I purchased this one a few years back, and while it looked good in my last apartment's living room, it felt too modern in my current one, with its sleek black legs and off-white fabric. My vision: Make this contemporary piece look like an antique, but with a little colorful flair. 

I chose a daffodil yellow paint for the upholstery (to match a West Elm chair on the other side of the room), and gracefully curved wooden legs to replace the contemporary ones. 

Did I really say PAINT an upholstered chair? Yep! You simply mix acrylic paint with textile medium (sold at Joann Fabrics) and water, which, together, keep the fabric from becoming stiff when you apply the paint. Hint: For about $6, you can get a quart-sized paint "sample" at Sherwin-Williams. (For more detailed instructions, check out this how-to from Hyphen Interiors.)

I bought the legs from Home Depot, which I stained and then accented in a few places with a very light coating of silver spray paint. I can't take full credit here, though: My husband had to put them on for me. (He's handy to have around!) Finally, I added upholstery tacks, following the subtle curve of the arm, with a few more just above the leg. 

I've already gotten lots of compliments on the final product...totally unsolicited, too! So would I do it again? Absolutely—although I'd probably limit my upholstery painting to pieces that are more decorative than functional, since the paint does make the fabric firm (although not crunchy by any means). 

The Truth About HomeGoods

Framingham, MA, is perhaps most known for the Framingham Heart Study, a decades-long research project tracking the health of its residents. But the New England town is also the heartbeat of a company that millions of Americans love: TJX, which includes T.J. Maxx, Marshall's, and my favorite, HomeGoods.

The company dates back to 1919, when two brothers, Max and Morris Feldberg, opened the New England Trading Company, based in Boston. A decade later, they opened their first retail store, which specialized in one item: women's hosiery. (Kind of weird, right?) 

Fast-forward to the 1950s, when the Feldberg family opened a discount department store chain, Zayre (which means "very good" in Yiddish). It wasn't until 1977 that the first T.J. Maxx opened, and from the beginning, the store specialized in "off-price" merchandise—a model that was passed onto HomeGoods, launched in 1992. 
 
HomeGoods is the mecca of discount home decor, essentially Pottery Barn, West Elm, and Crate & Barrel all rolled into one—if everything was on sale. So how does HomeGoods achieve this caliber of incredible?

The store's parent company, TJX, is notoriously secretive about its buying habits. Case in point: When a business analyst asked a very specific question about the company's purchasing strategies, CEO Carol Meyrowitz bluntly replied, "Good try, Paul, but we don't comment on that." She frequently refers to the company's sourcing as its "secret sauce," refusing to share more than the vaguest of details about TJX's behind-the-scenes action. 

Perhaps the most repeated question: Am I buying past-season stuff that just didn't sell? The short answer: no. HomeGoods practices "opportunistic buying," a strategy also used by Ross Dress for Less. Here's how it works: Most retailers order products six to nine months in advance, and send out buyers just four times a year. But TJX does it differently: The company's buyers are on the prowl 40 weeks of the year, purchasing primarily for the present season (so buying for spring in the spring, instead of the fall prior). 

That means they're able to scoop up stock other retailers left behind a few months prior, while still buying in-season goods. TJX considers this an advantage: Opportunistic buying allows them to wait for trends to emerge, then score hot items at a reduced price. "They get better pricing because they're waiting until the last minute," said Morry Brown, analyst with C.L. King. "It could be apparel manufacturers made too many goods and need to sell the excess or it could be some department stores canceled or pushed orders back."

Reps insists this is the company's primary mode of stocking shelves—Merowitz says 85 percent of the product is in-season—although the stores do sell some past season items, which are labeled as such. (For example, in a 2002 lawsuit, Limited Too revealed that it sells past-season clothing to TJX.) And, occasionally, the warehouses stock up on items for later seasons, but that's not the favored approach.

Buying late in the game isn't the only way the company avoids stocking up on items doomed to the clearance aisle. HomeGoods purposefully keeps its inventory "lean" by buying a limited number of each item (sometimes as few as 100), allowing for quick turnover and a fresh flow of new treasures, keeping people like me coming back on a near-daily basis. (Merowitz says she's seen people come to HomeGoods with U-Hauls—and even admits to being a bit of an addict herself, revealing, "I filled up my trunk last week, and I have to stop doing that, because my husband is going to be furious with me.") 

So where does HomeGoods find its seemingly endless supply of one-of-a-kind lamps and accent chairs—enough to fill up every 27,000-square-foot store with unique inventory? Let's start with the website's (somewhat vague) explanation:


HomeGoods buyers travel the world to find the most exciting and unique merchandise available--many of the same items seen in high-end catalogs, specialty and department stores. Through innovative buying approaches and positive vendor relationships, HomeGoods is able to offer a wide assortment of high-quality goods, providing shoppers with a vast selection of unique merchandise along with substantial savings. 

This doesn't tell us much. So I did some digging, and found a 2010 lawsuit against HomeGoods, when a man sued because he sat on a bamboo bench at the store and it promptly collapsed. (The case was dismissed, BTW). Here's the tidbit of note: HomeGoods had purchased the faulty piece of furniture from a distributor, CBK. There's a company, Midwest-CBK, which according to its website, sells "exclusive, innovative, artist-driven products of the highest quality that reflect traditional and updated design trends." Check out a few pics from the showroom...

Totally looks like HomeGoods, right? (The company has showrooms across the country, but you have to be a retailer to gain access. Bummer.) But CBK definitely isn't HomeGoods' only supplier, lest you think the big shots are lying about those global shopping trips. (A quote from a company rep: "A buyer's life here is a lot of travel.") In a HomeGoods blog post, a buyer recently revealed the itinerary of a shopping trip: Italy, Spain, Morocco, Portugal, Hungary, Turkey, and Bulgaria.

So, yes, the merchandise really has as much international flair as the colorful shelves suggest. In fact, in 2012, The Journal of Commerce named TJX one of the United States' top 100 importers. How massive is its scope? The company works with over 16,000 vendors, has 13 buying offices in 10 different countries (including Australia, China, India, and Italy), and has a purchasing team of 900 people (one report said 700 of these buyers work for HomeGoods), who shop in 60 countries, pretty much year round. "Our global sourcing is one of our most powerful drivers, which allows us to buy virtually anywhere at any time," a company insider has said. 

It's taken TJX 36 years to master this merchandising system, which is built on solid vendor relationships. A "very high percent" of the sourcing is done in Europe, although the goal is to create a "very unique exciting assortment" of product. As a result, buyers are encouraged to take "intelligent risks," which may explain the quirky home accessories that seem to be exclusively sold at HomeGoods. (Random aside: Did you know there's a Canadian version of the store, called HomeSense?) 

In a USA Today article, Merowitz said that 85% of the company's products are purchased directly from the manufacturers (although some big-name brands like Coach say they only send 'excess discontinued inventory' to the stores). "We're absolutely fine with every vendor saying they don't do business with us," she said. "It's a very important part of our relationship." So, apparently, in the retail world, TJX is like the friend you secretly hang out with, but would never tell the cool kids about. And TJX is totally cool with that. 

Part of the deal: Unlike department stores, which can return unsold inventory to designers at the end of the season, TJX stores buy stuff and commit to it. In other words, if a buyer purchases a batch of lamps that totally bomb, HomeGoods will keep them until they sell (and yet again, someone like me finds the unloved item on clearance and takes it home). 

My only remaining question: Can I tag along on the next HomeGoods buying trip? 

Lemon Marshmallow Meringue Pie

I know, I know, I’m supposed to be writing about pumpkin, apples, cinnamon—not lemon, the most summery of fruits. But this recipe was practically begging to be made, all because of a bag of lemon-flavored marshmallows. And a slice of pie I ate a year ago.

Let’s start with the mallows: I’m a sucker for novelty foods, especially those involving marshmallow. So, naturally, when I spotted Lemon Meringue Campfire Mallow Bursts (i.e. off-brand fruity marshmallows) at Wal-Mart, I HAD to buy them. Usually, flavored mallows disappoint me. Take Jet-Puffed Pumpkin Spice Mallows, for example, which taste like plain marshmallows that have been spritzed with pumpkin-scented room spray. 

But, WOW! These no-name marshmallows are amazing. The lemon flavor is intense and authentic, so good, in fact, that I nearly ate the entire bag in an evening. Which is why I melted them down into marshmallow crème to use as a topping for my lemon pie.

That brings me to the actual pie: I once had a piece of lemon meringue pie with marshmallow fluff instead of traditional meringue on top. I’ve gone back to the restaurant that served it, hoping for a second slice, but the place never had it again.

So, I’ve been forced to recreate it. I started with a basic graham cracker crust, then borrowed a lemony filling from a Bobby Flay dessert. Finally, I whipped up a batch of homemade Cool Whip, which I combined with my homemade marshmallow crème (these are the things I do when my husband is out of town).

The final result: a tart, beautiful pie, with just enough sweetness to bring me back for more. 

Lemon Marshmallow Meringue Pie

What you need

The crust

1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs

1/3 cup white sugar

6 Tbsp butter, melted

½ tsp cinnamon

The filling

1 ½ cups white sugar

6 Tbsp cornstarch

¼ tsp salt

½ cup fresh lemon juice

½ cup cold water

3 egg yolks, well beaten

2 Tbsp butter

1 ½ cups boiling water

1 Tsp lemon extract

1 Tsp lemon zest (optional)

3 drops yellow food coloring

The topping

1 bag of marshmallows (I used lemon-flavored ones)

2 tsp light corn syrup

1 pint heavy whipping cream

½ cup powdered sugar

1 Tsp lemon extract

1 drop yellow food coloring

Put it all together

1. Make the crust: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Combine the graham cracker crumbs and sugar with the melted butter, and press into a 9-inch pie plate. Bake for 7 minutes. Cool completely.
2. Make the filling: Whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium saucepan, then slowly incorporate the lemon juice and cold water. Add the egg yolks, and mix until smooth. Next, add the butter; gradually stir in the boiling water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. After boiling for 2 minutes, remove from the burner, and stir in the lemon extract, zest, and food coloring. Allow to cool half an hour before pouring into the pie crust. Refrigerate for at least half an hour.
3. Make the topping: Place the marshmallows in a microwave-safe bowl, and drizzle the corn syrup on top. Microwave for 30 seconds (no longer or the mallows could burn), and stir until the marshmallows are smooth and creamy. 
4. Whisk the whipping cream until soft peaks form, then gradually stir in the powdered sugar until fully incorporated. Add the lemon extract and food coloring. 
5. Use an electric mixer to combine the marshmallow creme and the whipped cream mixture. Spread evenly over the chilled pie. Chill for another 4 hours before serving.

Why Do We Yawn?

My husband and I often play a Google game: We type in the beginning of a question, then let Google fill in the rest. It's always funny (and sometimes disturbing) to see what's most often on people's minds. So, I figured, why not do a service to society, and answer these most burning questions? (I know this isn't about decorating or baking. But this interests me, so there!) 


So, Why Do We Yawn?

Just looking at this kitty may make you yawn.

Until recently, the answer to this eternal question would have made you yawn: Scientists simply didn’t know why we open wide when we’re tired. Lucky for you—you curious Googler, you—a 2013 study review from India summed up all the newest research that points to potential purposes of yawning.

Theory #1: Yawning is like a shot of energizing caffeine to your body. According to the researchers, “evidence suggests that drowsiness is the most common stimulus of a yawn." No surprise there. But bedtime isn’t the only time drowsiness sets in—it may also be induced by boredom, which stimulates your sleep system.

So, when you brain is nodding off, yawning may be a way to spike your heart rate and boost your arousal, much in the same way that caffeine does. How? The physical motion of opening your mouth compresses your “carotid body”—a small cluster of sensory receptors in your carotid artery—and this may trigger the release of alerting hormones.

Theory #2: Yawning is a way to cool down your brain. In a recent study, researchers found that three minutes before rats yawned—yes, they yawn too!—their brain temperature was higher than normal. After they yawned, their brains dropped a few degrees. Another study showed that as room temperature rose, parakeets started yawning more frequently.

And, finally, research in humans revealed that when people placed a cold pack on their foreheads, they yawned less than when they held a warm pack to their head. (The scientists note that it may not be so much about brain temperature, though, as the arousing effect of feeling cold.)

So how might yawning act like a fan for your gray matter? Simple: The contraction and relaxation of muscles in your face boosts blood flow, which helps dissipate heat. And if your eyes water during a yawn—as many people’s do—more heat may be drawn from your skull.

Theory #3: We yawn to bond. You know that annoying (and embarrassing) urge to yawn because your neighbor did? Well, you can pat yourself on the back, because it may be a subconscious expression of empathy. Seeing someone else’s mouth gaping open may activate your brain’s mirror neurons, which tell your body to mimic the behavior you're watching—especially if that person is a family member or close friend.

Theory #4: Yawning shields your ears from damage. When you need to pop your ears, what do you do? You open your mouth. Likewise, yawning may serve as a “defense reflex”—a way to protect your ears in situations (like rapid altitude changes) that could trap air in your middle ear. However, because swallowing can also offer this same benefit, this probably isn’t the sole purpose of yawning, the scientists say.

Debunked Theory: Yawning is a sign you're oxygen deficient. For centuries, scientists and laypeople alike thought that yawning removed “bad air” from the lungs and increased oxygen traffic to the brain. However, studies have now shown that people don’t yawn any more than normal when they inhale high amounts of carbon dioxide—which should trigger a need for oxygen, and therefore yawning, if this theory were true.

Steal the Style: Cameron Diaz's Manhattan Living Room

I was particularly excited to read my last issue of Elle Decor, which featured Cameron Diaz's immaculately styled NYC apartment on the cover. Part of my pleasure was, of course, peeking inside a famous person's place. But even better, I recently interviewed her for a story...and she was in this very apartment while we talked on the phone!

What I love about the place: Diaz chose a warm, layered color palette, yet still managed to create a sense of spa-like calm, without the typical white-on-white sterility. As a commenter on the Elle Decor website wrote, "Her home is an aphrodisiac of gorgeous textures, making it impossible to feel cold." 

I'm not crazy about the custom wall covering, which says "cheap Mexican-inspired hotel" to me, as do the pleated lamp shades, with their outdated A-line silhouette. 

These transgressions can be forgiven, though, if only because the splashes of buttery yellow are so delicious. Check out that chandelier! Yellow Murano glass? Amazing.

Want to steal Cameron's style, without the million-dollar price tag? Here's how:

Chester Tufted Upholstered Chair

West Elm, $599

Murano Glass Style Yellow Pendant Lamp Chandelier

Ebay, $310 (Buy It Now)

HeatherBrooke The Galley Cocktail Table in Glazed Gold Iron

I kind of hate the overbearing cocktail table in Diaz's design. It's clunky, and screams "hotel lobby" to me (notice a theme: Parts of this room is really bordering on La Quinta Inn for me). So, in keeping with the elements of the design that I do like, I'd opt for this...

Wayfair.com, $687.50

Calloway Light Beige Linen Tuxedo Back Sofa

Andella Home, $2,435

East End Imports Loft Wool Armchair in Orange Tweed

AllegroShops.com, $418.35

International Caravan Seville Ottoman

Wayfair.com, $95.95

White Ceramic Buddha Head

If this creeps you out (as it does me), any solid white statue will work.

Overstock.com, $36.99

Image by Charlie Kenya Decorative Pillow

Amazon.com, $66.18

Untitled, 1957 Framed Art Print by Franz Kline

AllPosters.com, $254.99