Decorating Styles and Techniques

The Brits standardized what it means for an item to be sterling silver way back in the 14th century. But how can you tell if something is sterling or not?

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D.

The Chinese have been making porcelain as far back as perhaps the first century. Why did it take hundreds of years for the process to be duplicated anywhere else?

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D.

Milk paint is made of, well, milk. It's also easy to mix, super fast drying, eco-friendly and requires no sanding and priming before use.

By Wendy Bowman

Farmhouse style is an eclectic mix of traditional charm and quirky character that lends a cozy, warm feel to any space where comfort is key.

By Alia Hoyt

Subway tiles were created specifically for use in the New York City subway system, but consumers love them too, as they add a touch of retro urban sophistication to almost any home.

By Alia Hoyt

The glue, the scraping, the mess, the hours of torture and pain. If the idea of using wallpaper anywhere in your home conjures up images of sheer agony, then temporary, removable paper was made for you.

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D.

Wainscoting might conjure up images of stodgy oak paneling. But forget that. This design element has stood the test of time because it can seamlessly blend into just about every style and decor.

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D.

The overlapping rabbet joint that defines true shiplap is the same kind of joint that made seagoing ships watertight.

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D.

Ubiquitous in the 1970s, the papasan chair has a colorful history.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

Give your room a quick and easy makeover with one of these fun paint ideas.

By Blythe Copeland

Opening up your floor plan can completely transform your home -- and the way you live in it.

By Sarah Fernandez

Shabby chic is a design style that celebrates the unique beauty in imperfection. It's about blending a light color palate with distressed surfaces or objects that hint at a more genteel past.

By Sara Elliott

Why is it that when we set out to update a room sometimes it just doesn't quite hit the mark? Yes, we can be proud of the new window treatments and the couch has some smart new pillows, but it still has a time-worn feel

By Doug Wilson

Summer has hit, so let's live it up stylishly in our backyards!

By Doug Wilson

If you know how to preserve your flowers, they can last well into the winter months. Learn about how to preserve flowers in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Your boss is coming to dinner next week and you want to impress him with fancy folded table napkins. Here are two ways to fold napkins.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Your child has been busy making ceramic crafts at day camp and now you'd like to teach her how to decorate them. Read here for some ideas about how to decorate ceramics.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Did you ever wonder how to tarnish copper to give a copper urn an antique look? This article shows you how to tarnish copper.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

You want to make painted furniture look old, but you're not sure how to do it. Learn about how to make painted furniture look old in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Sewing is a hard craft to manage if you're stuck in the corner of a room or can only spread out on the dining room table. If you have your own sewing room, you can put everything in its place and create to your heart's content.

By Emilie Sennebogen

If you work at home, then you probably already know how valuable a dedicated office is. But if you want a room for only reading and writing, then you have to get rid of even more distractions. We'll show you how.

By Emilie Sennebogen

If you have a high-stress job or the pressure of life just seems too much sometimes, a meditation room may be just what you need. But it's pointless if you don't have a room designated to relax.

By Emilie Sennebogen

Whether photography is a hobby, a passion, or a career, it's pretty easy to create your own dark room. This advice can have you developing your own memories in no time.

By Emilie Sennebogen

Silence is golden! But to your husband watching a movie or your son practicing his drums, the louder the better. To lessen the noise level and finally get some peace, consider soundproofing.

By Sara Elliott

Working from home can be an awesome thing with many conveniences. But if you're toddler is constantly barging in or your spouse asks a million questions, then it's time for you to move into your own office -- with your own door.

By Sara Elliott