eye candy: new collection from graham & brown

I'm wallpaper obsessed. Nothin' more to it.

Graham & Brown has always been one of my favorite sources for affordable style when it comes to dressing our walls. Here's a look at their newest collection, Odyssey.

You're welcome.

For more "insider" details, click here.

Easy Furniture Makeover: $15 Nightstand!

I moved into a new apartment at the beginning of this month (hence the lack of post updates). As any New Yorker knows, the initial financial shock of moving into a new apartment is numbing. Of course, an interiors addict needs to decorate -- budget or no budget. With little furniture (I was starting almost from scratch) and little budget, it was time for me to get creative.

On my walk home from a client meeting one day, I spotted this sad little nightstand in the window of a thrift store. I walked in to take a closer look and found out they were having a 50 percent-off sale that day. The nightstand was going for a measly $15! Sure, the finish was drabby yellowish-white and the gold gilding was flaking off the sides...but I saw potential in the shape and wanted to give the little gal a shot at a new life.

With a small can of primer, a can of glossy white paint and a bottle of excellent sauvignon blanc (and a couple hours), the sad little thrift store find now gleams as my lovely little nightstand. *Want to refinish a tired piece of your own? Follow these easy DIY furniture refinishing steps and you'll have a "new" addition to your decor in no time.

Want more paint inspiration? Here are my other articles for About.com for October:
Find your color confidence with a new paint-selection tool
How to select the perfect paint color
Decorating with tangerine (Pantone's Color of the Year)

a guide to paint finishes - your new best friend (in decorating)

It's shocking to me how often I'm asked by friends -- and even random strangers encountered in paint stores -- about paint projects. There must be some special sign on my back that I'm not aware of... I don't mind though -- working with paint is easily one of my favorite aspects of decorating. Ever seen a before and after of a room that simply got a new coat of paint? It's incredible what a difference a can or two of color can do to transform a space.

Of all the questions, though, that I encounter regarding paint, perhaps the most commonly baffling one for people is that of paint finishes. Some assume it's just a manner of preference, while some had no idea where was even an option beyond "wet." To assist homeowners with the confusion I recently wrote a guide to paint finishes for About.com. Have a look -- and have all your confusions answered! In the meantime, enjoy these paint inspirations that I'm currently loving...

Want more fantastic reading material? Take a look at any of these articles: 
Fun and Easy DIY Paint Project Ideas
How To: DIY Painted Floors
Paint Color Trends for 2013
DIY Wallpaper Scrap Ideas

well hello there sexy (look down!)

As part of my monthly About.com duties, I recently wrote a piece aimed to inspire readers to fancify old, boring or damaged floors with some paint ideas. And now I'm obsessed with the idea. I'm currently on an apartment hunt for a shiny new-old apartment of my own (which, in Manhattan, is not an easy feat). Thanks to this current obsession, I'm hoping for a place with terribly ill wood floors in need of some Allie lovin' (fingers crossed). Here are some beauties that are currently at the top of my under-foot wish list.

Bringing color back

I love it when I unexpectedly stumble upon something fun and creative. This could probably be a (timely) DIY project -- take a basic, solid chair and add some fun felt accents on the back. Or, just fork out the $500 for this little baby and call it a day.