Filling room and wall spaces in your home with decor can take time, energy, and money. Luckily, Amazon can help inspire your vision while staying within budget, thanks to its most recent drop of new home decor, all under $50.
Amazon’s home hub is brimming with new decor arrivals, with the latest launch including a variety of pieces that are perfect for your bedroom, bathroom, and living room including washable rugs, candle warmers, duvet covers, and more. Not only are these all stylish and versatile, but they start at just $12.
10 Best New Home Decor Arrivals at Amazon
Vevor Three-Tier Rolling Utility Cart, $17 with coupon (was $20)
GlowSol Moroccan Washable Area Rug, from $15
Seenlast Candle Warmer Lamp, $38 with coupon (was $53)
Nlzfk Cosmetic Storage Box, $49 (was $75)
Comfort Spaces Three-Piece Duvet Cover Set, from $27 with coupon (was $36)
Purzen Metal Framed Teardrop Mirror, $43 with coupon (was $51)
Janxin Shampoo and Conditioner Dispenser Set, $20
Bobomomo Rustic Table Lamp, $35
Boailydi Acrylic Necklace Holder, $26
Jacquotha Four-Piece Checkered Hand Towel Set, from $19 (was $23)
Vevor Three-Tier Rolling Utility Cart
Decor that doubles as storage can be hard to come by, but this tiered rolling cart checks both the boxes. The cart is made with a lightweight yet durable plastic that can reliably hold your kitchen dishes and accessories, bathroom toiletries and towels, or store your living room picture frames and books. The multifunctional piece comes with four built-in wheels on the bottom of the cart that can be fixed and locked in place or easily roll around as needed. Plus, it’s easy to clean by just wiping down with a rag and cleaner. Choose from two colors and three or four tiers while it’s on sale with an additional discount.
GlowSol Moroccan Washable Area Rug
One of the easiest ways to add more color or texture to your room is with a rug. This Moroccan area rug features neutral hues and an oriental pattern that can instantly brighten up your entryway, dining room, or guest room. The low pile, non-slip, and non-shedding design and features also ensure you can keep it in the rooms that get the most foot traffic without it wearing down. And if the rug ever suffers from any accidental spills or pet stains, you can simply add it to the washer for a quick clean. The rug is available in six sizes, ranging from 2 by 3 feet to 9 by 12 feet.
Seenlast Candle Warmer Lamp
Get ready to cozy up this winter while watching your favorite movie or with a book in hand next to this nifty candle warmer that doubles as a lamp. Just place a candle under the lamp bulb to enjoy the delicious aroma as the wax melts. Since the candle warmer requires no fire, you don’t have to worry about any flames, smoke, or soot that can linger throughout your home. You can choose the lamp’s brightness and heat levels with four built-in settings; the brighter the lamp, the faster the candle melts. The stand’s height is also adjustable so that you can use candles that are up to in inches tall. Place it on your nightstand, dresser, or coffee table, and enjoy different candle scents throughout the year.
Keep scrolling to see even more recent home decor finds that arrived this month at Amazon, or browse the home hub to see the full list.
Names in the News: People shaping the future of Lake Area business
Published 11:16 am Sunday, January 7, 2024
Maddox joins Memorial Health
Lake Charles Memorial Health System is pleased to welcome plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr.Suma Maddox to its medical staff.
Maddox, MD FACS, is a double board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery.
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She began her training with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from New York University and an MD from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, followed by a residency in general surgery at Brown University.
Originally from Houma, Maddox returned to her home state in 2014 to work as a general and breast surgeon at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans.
The four years as a staff surgeon were pivotal in inspiring Maddox to seek more creativity in her career. Realizing her talent for oncoplastic breast surgery, in which cancer is removed and the breast artistically reconstructed for optimal aesthetic results, Maddox decided to pursue a new path of plastic surgery. After nine years as a general surgeon, she made the uncommon decision to resume training with a three-year fellowship at Louisiana State University in New Orleans in plastic and reconstructive surgery, focusing on microsurgery and breast cancer reconstruction.
Home Furniture expands locations
COVINGTON — Home Furniture Plus Bedding, a leading provider of high-quality home furnishings, mattresses, and decor, is thrilled to announce the upcoming opening of a new store location in Covington, slated to open its doors in 2024.
Located at 70427 La. 21, the new store will mark an exciting expansion for Home Furniture Plus Bedding, offering an extensive range of furniture collections, premium mattresses, and home accessories to meet the diverse tastes and needs of the Northshore community and surrounding residents.
The new store will showcase the latest trends in home decor, featuring a wide array of furniture options including living room sets, bedroom suites, dining room ensembles, mattress collections, and more.
Ochsner Health recognized
Ochsner Health has been included in the 15th annual Gartner Healthcare Supply Chain Top 25 ranking, which recognizes U.S. health systems setting the standard for supply chain excellence.
Ochsner is an integrated healthcare system operating 46 hospitals and more than 370 health and urgent care centers across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Gulf South. Its cutting-edge Connected Health digital medicine program is available in all 50 states, serving members, health plans, and employers nationally.
The Gartner Healthcare Supply Chain Top 25 ranking is determined by both quantitative measures and expert opinion. Quantitative measures show how companies have performed in the past and establish connections between financial health, patient care quality, ESG and supply chain excellence. The opinion components offer a qualitative assessment of value chain leadership and evaluate supply chain performance.
Health systems recognized as leaders in supply chain are those advancing the digital supply chain and attracting and retaining talent in supply chain.
Cormier graduates from Leadership SWLA
CSE Federal Credit Union is proud to announce Chief Human Resources Officer Kasey Cormier has graduated from Leadership SWLA within the class of 2023 through The Chamber SWLA and SWLA Alliance Foundation.
Leadership SWLA is a program created by The Chamber SWLA and the SWLA Alliance Foundation to develop future leaders in Southwest Louisiana. Each year, around 30 individuals from various sectors are selected to receive training from recognized leaders in areas that impact the region.
Cormier joined CSE in 2008 and notes that one of the keys to her success is building professional relationships within the working environment at CSE and within the community.
She is a Southwest Louisiana native who graduated from McNeese State University and worked in the financial industry for 15 years. In addition, she is certified in Professional Human Resources through the National Human Resources Institute, certified as a National Human Resources Professional through Society for Human Resources and certified in National Human Resources Management. She is a member of the Calcasieu Parish 4H Foundation Advisory Council, Society for Human Resources Management and Imperial Calcasieu Human Resources Management Association.
Roath joinslaw firm
Sigler, Arabie & Cannon of Lake Charles is pleased to announce that Cassidy M. Roath has joined the firm as an associate.
Roath’s primary practice areas are real estate, succession administration, and business law. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. She received the degree of Juris Doctor in 2023 from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, where she graduated cum laude and was a member of the Moot Court Board.
Roath was admitted to the Louisiana bar in 2023, and is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association and Southwest Louisiana Bar Association.
Grad program has new leaders
Dr. Twila Sterling-Guillory is the new leader of the graduate nursing program at McNeese State University. Previously, she was the Master of Science in Nursing coordinator. She earned her doctorate degree from Southern A&M University in 2011. Sterling-Guillory joined the McNeese faculty in 2004 and is a family nurse practitioner for Christus Hospice.
Dr. Deanna Harless is stepping up as the new MSN coordinator. She earned her doctorate degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2016 and joined the McNeese faculty the same year. Harless is also a nurse practitioner at Geriatric Resources Inc.
Harless began working as a nurse practitioner in 2000 and witnessed her mentor, the doctor she worked with, teaching his nurses and patients. She found herself teaching others, too. When she had to slow her own practice down, colleagues from McNeese reached out to see if she had an interest in teaching.
Dr. Sara Jones is the coordinator for the DNP program. She earned her doctorate in nursing at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2010.
We’ve ridden the waves of 1970s revivals, wall-to-wall carpeting, the rise and fall of the Ultrafragola, and bouclé upholstery. When we type “interior design trends 2024” into our crystal balls (or indeed, into Google) what are we likely to find? AD PRO consulted the experts, and 2024 promises to be a year of thoughtfully chosen offbeat colors, a mix-and-match approach to the designs of different time periods, and a return to romanticism, with jewel tones and florals offering a flirty, old-fashioned respite from the onward march of technology.
Stone Fruit Chic: Peach and Apricot
Soft, sweet, and just a bit tart, peach and apricot are the dominant hues in the home trends color forecasts for 2024. Pantone declared Peach Fuzz its color of the year, and Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute describes it as “a color radiant with warmth and modern elegance.” Gemma Riberti, head of interiors at trend forecasting agency WGSN, notes that her team has had its eyes on orange. In particular, they note its emergence as “a recharging near-bright in the wellness sector” and as a vivacious alternative to traditional pastels. WGSN’s color of 2024, Apricot Crush, “can be easily paired with neutrals and naturals, and is suitable for textiles, glass, bath, and bedroom products” Riberti says, “but you can also work it to create intriguing narratives: offset it with greens, purples, and blues for vibrant contrast.”
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The classic technique of selecting chromatic bedfellows from opposite sides of the color wheel is also in Champalimaud Design’s toolkit. Principal Courtney Brannan tells AD PRO that when it comes to interior design trends in 2024, “we are seeing all the possibilities of peach and turquoise tones.” Though these shades have a tropical feel to them, they “can also feel neutral,” she says. Case in point: “At the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, turquoise creates an amplifying, formal statement surrounding the Silver Palm Bar.” Meanwhile, in New York City’s West Village, an apartment’s peach plaster wall “has a much more understated presence, calmly backgrounding the artful living space around it.”
That’s So Metal
It’s back to the essential elements (literally) for home decor trends in 2024: chrome, steel, and aluminum are suddenly everywhere. Pinterest Predicts 2024 includes a “Hot Metals” board with a distinctly surrealist aesthetic—gleaming surfaces that resemble the shiny sinew of liquid mercury.
David Michon, author of the Substack newsletter For Scale, thinks this is a natural consequence of the early-2020s overload of earth tones. “The desperate search for some kind of warmth in this cold world has exhausted ‘earthy’ browns and ‘meditative’ grays,” he notes. But don’t be too quick to write off these metallic finishes as industrial: “The many stainless-steel explorations of Milan’s Concorde, Harry Nuriev, or Tejumola Butler Adenuga show us that, in fact, steel simply reflects.” In general, says Michon, these metals amplify whatever vibe a room is already giving. With one notable exception: “stainless-steel appliances, which remain overrated.”
House of Hunt founder Holly Hunt concurs, but with a slightly more muted finish: “I foresee bright aluminums and silver gaining popularity in 2024 after years of gold and black dominating metal hardware and accessories,” she tells AD PRO. “However, I tend to avoid metals that are too shiny and prefer the richness of a brushed chrome or nickel, as they give a more polished and sophisticated look.” Adding to the evidence: Earlier this month, Nifembi Marcus Bello presented an eye-catching suite of cast-aluminum furniture at Design Miami.
Dark and Deep: Jewel Tones
The saturated hues of precious gems are giving the palette of 2024 design trends a sense of velvety mystery. According to Rob Natale, chief of design at Sixpenny, this is thanks in part to the recent dominance of neutrals across interiors. “People are rediscovering color in their homes, which is a welcome shift from the all-neutral palette we’ve seen for several years, and jewel tones are at the forefront of that shift,” he says. “It’s a perfect way to incorporate richness, whether as an accent or as the centerpiece for a space since they create such a strong counterpoint to almost any look.” (Heeding their own wisdom, Sixpenny is currently selling furnishings in an array of gem-inspired hues.)
From 9 a.m. ET on December 22, 2023, to 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 15, 2024, fans have the opportunity to enter for a chance to win the 2024 HGTV Dream Home.
HGTV and FoodNetwork fans have the chance to win the 2024 HGTV Dream Home giveaway in Anastasia Island, Florida. The prize package, valued at over $2.2 Million, includes keys to the home, all furnishings, an all-new Mercedes-Benz E Class Sedan, and $100,000. Eligible fans can enter for a chance to win daily at HGTV.com/DreamHome and FoodNetwork.com/HGTVDreamHome, where they will also find full details of the official rules and additional home features.
The three-bedroom, four-bathroom home sits at approximately 3,300 square feet with views of the Matanzas River and the St. Augustine Lighthouse. The home combines classic coastal elegance with modern touches and layers of natural textures drenched in soothing blue and white hues. Upon entry, guests will instantly be taken away by the beautiful views of the waterfront. The front door leads to the great room with an open concept, including a living room with sleek sofas and a fireplace, a dining room with a beach-inspired distressed table, and a bright blue cabinet-filled kitchen. The laundry room and well-organized mudroom sit between the kitchen and an attached two-car garage. The main bedroom looks up to airy skylights and offers a private retreat from the rest of the home with a walk-in closet and main bathroom.
The house is perfect for entertaining, with two guest suites and a loft that provides a cosy space with a wet bar and a mini fridge. The spacious backyard is a dreamy getaway with an outdoor kitchen and high-top bar, two fire features, a pool, and multiple outdoor entertaining spaces, including a screened-in porch with lounge and dining and a pergola with conversation seating.
Architect Michael Stauffer designed the home, and local builder Glenn Layton Homes brought it to life. The interior design was done by Brian Patrick Flynn.
2024 HGTV Dream Home features overview:
3-bed, 4-bath home with 3,300 sq ft
Views of Matanzas River and St. Augustine Lighthouse
Classic coastal elegance meets modern touches
The front door opens to a great room with an open-plan concept
Main bedroom with walk-in closet and main bathroom
2 guest suites and loft with wet bar and mini fridge
Spacious backyard with outdoor kitchen, high-top bar, fire features, pool, and multiple entertaining spaces
The HGTV Dream Home inspires millions of HGTV fans who enter for a chance to win every year. With this year’s home, we are showcasing Anastasia Island, which offers something for everyone from historical sites to year-round outdoor adventures.
Loren Ruch, Head of Content, HGTV
Anastasia Island is located off the northeast Atlantic coast of Florida, just east of St. Augustine, considered the oldest city in America. The 14-mile island is connected to the city of St. Augustine by the Bridge of Lions, giving access to everything from the charming cobblestone streets and powder sand beaches to historical sites and a wide range of activities. With a rich architectural history, Anastasia Island sits atop layers of local coquina stone formed from seashells used to build the Castillo de San Marcos, a national monument and the oldest fort in the United States. Visitors can explore the St. Augustine Lighthouse, Anastasia State Park, Matanzas Inlet, St. Augustine Amphitheatre and many other local attractions. With endless water sports, scenic boat rides, campsites and majestic views, this seaside escape is the perfect dreamy getaway to call home.
Sponsors of the 2024 HGTV Dream Home include Belgard®, Cabinets To Go, Delta Faucet, James Hardie Building Products Inc., LL Flooring, Mercedes-Benz USA, The Sherwin-Williams Company, SimpliSafe Home Security, Sleep Number®, Trex Company LLC, VELUX® No Leak Skylights, Viva®, Wayfair® and KitchenAid, and Maytag by Whirlpool Corporation.
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Mihaela Lica Butler is senior partner at Pamil Visions PR. She is a widely cited authority on public relations issues, with an experience of over 25 years in online PR, marketing, and SEO.She covers startups, online marketing, social media, SEO, and other topics of interest for Realty Biz News.
Walk past the street-facing 1990s duplex and beyond a 1920s Sears Roebuck kit bungalow, and an accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, rises before you at the end of the property. It’s a slim, two-story rental clad in inexpensive white vertical corrugated metal.
Only then do you realize this single Venice lot has four rental units.
With Southern California in desperate need of housing and state and federal laws constantly evolving to make permitting ADUs easier, the detached home by architects Todd Lynch and Mohamed Sharif of Sharif, Lynch: Architecture feels like a harbinger of what’s to come.
“When the city encouraged us to increase housing, I thought of the Venice property,” said owner Ricki Alon, who had previously worked with the architects and builder Moshon Elgrably on another project. “Given the unique site constraints, I didn’t believe they could do it. I was worried it would be too crowded and negatively affect the small guest house.”
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Alon was hesitant at first, but after a persuasive Zoom call with the architects, they all agreed that a fourth unit would add value to the bustling community.
“We viewed it as a challenge and a way to transcend ADUs in an SB9 world,” Sharif said, referring to Senate Bill 9, the 2022 state law that allows homeowners to convert their homes into duplexes on a single-family parcel or divide the lot in half to build another duplex for no more than four units.
Alon loved their initial sketches despite her skepticism, and the project moved ahead.
“We decided to go as high as possible,” Sharif said of the eventual design, a slim, two-story ADU built on what was previously a driveway. Slipped into the lot, the 1,200-square-foot ADU, or IDU as the architects like to refer to the infill dwelling unit, was built an inch from the 1920s bungalow, five feet from the duplex and four feet from the property line.
Resting a few feet from a dingbat apartment to the south, the ADU is lifted off the ground to preserve two parking spots in the alley and a swimming pool in front. “Its entire width is dictated by that two-car side-by-side dimension,” said Sharif, who teaches in the undergraduate and graduate design studios at UCLA. Lifting the volume to preserve the pool also created shade and an open space that all residents could share.
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“They refused to get rid of it,” Alon said of the water feature. “They insisted on building around it.” Today she admits it was the right decision. “Now, when you walk in, you experience a wonderful, absolutely lovely environment. I’m glad they did not listen to me,” she added with a laugh.
The narrow living room, seen from the staircase, and the first-floor office and en-suite bathroom. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
Even though you can’t see the rental from the street, the ADU has enormous curb appeal and a touch of glamour. A Midcentury-style Sputnik pendant light hangs outside the front door, giving it an elegant feel, and the white cladding gives it a distinctive quality from the other rentals, which are clad in orange metal and gray siding.
Up a short flight of stairs, the front door opens to the ground floor and the two-story entry, which features a compact first-floor bedroom, study and en-suite bathroom.
“We wanted every room to have a bathroom to suit roommates,” Sharif said.
Tenant Henry Schober III, a 38-year-old attorney specializing in data privacy, uses the ground floor as his office and a bedroom for out-of-town guests.
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“It’s a place that I’m comfortable spending a workday in,” said Schober, who goes to the office once or twice a week. “I don’t feel like I’m trapped in my house.”
Tenant Henry Schober III takes advantage of the ADU’s rooftop deck, which offers panoramic views of Venice. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
Up the stairs to the second floor, the main living area and kitchen measure just 13 feet wide; large windows and operable skylights add light and cross-ventilation throughout the linear floor plan.
“The windows make you feel like you’re in an amazing penthouse in SoHo,” Alon said. “It gives the room a great energy.”
The rest of the second floor houses a powder room, bathroom and bedroom. Because of limited space, there was no room for a formal dining room. However, Schober said that’s easier to maneuver than the limited storage, which has taught him to think differently about how he stores and displays things.
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“I eat at the long breakfast bar, and when I have people over, I use the common space or the roof deck,” he said.
The home’s two floors feel like three, Lynch said, “because of the way the stairway draws one upward through the IDU and then because of how the roof steps up again.”
The roof deck serves as another outdoor room, further expanding the living space. From the rooftop deck, Schober has panoramic views of Venice, not to mention ample room for a dining table, barbecue and sauna.
After renting an apartment temporarily a few blocks from the beach, Schober was still determining whether he wanted to rent another apartment in Venice.
“It originally turned me off to Venice,” he said. “The price points were so high. It felt like people were paying for the ZIP Code. Landlords were asking five grand for an apartment next to a parking lot.”
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But when he saw the two-bedroom ADU, he changed his mind. “When I walked in, I thought, ‘I’m going to live here,’” said Schober, who is originally from Philadelphia and moved to Los Angeles from Switzerland.
“The apartment and the secluded feel changed my attitude,” Schober said. “You get the convenience of Venice and access to all the restaurants and shops, but you’re not in the thick of things. I lived in San Francisco for a decade, Europe for six years. I view the apartment as an oasis in a neighborhood that is not as transformed as others.”
Schober said the strength of the architects’ vision is that the unit is quietly tucked away in a congested neighborhood. “Since you are set back from the street, there is no foot traffic,” he added. “It doesn’t feel like I am living among a bunch of units. There is little street noise, and you would never know you live a stone’s throw from Lincoln Boulevard.”
Perhaps most impressive, the ADU defies the notion that you can’t have parking, privacy and quality of living, including a swimming pool, on a tight infill lot with other properties.
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In a sense, Schober said, “It seems the solution to the housing crisis is building up.”
“There is a community feeling, and people know each other,” Sharif said. “They sit around the pool, and it’s very intimate and private.”
After a 10-month building process, the team completed the project this spring at a cost of approximately $410 per square foot.
Looking back, Alon is grateful that she moved forward with the project.
“It’s not just a unit that brings value to the property,” she said. “It enhances the entire property for everyone. Adding housing in this condensed community is important, but this team made it something beautiful that people will enjoy. You don’t have to add a huge amount of square footage to add quality of living.”
Moving to Mexico, moving house or ready for makeover time? The holidays are upon us, and the shopping season is about to go mad! Buying furnishings within Mexico is the smart way to go, as the price of shipping to Mexico can be astronomical, and the delay in shipping goods might mean a Mexican wait (i.e. a looong time).
The Sales are NOW!
November and December sales in Mexico roll over into January, when stores want to move out stock before their new arrivals. The ‘Back to School’ sales in August later in the year are something to watch out for also, but the time for bargains is from now until February!
MND surveyed the scene of best places to buy cool home decor in Mexico – from basic necessities to up-scale, stylish furnishings with wow factor.
So, where do I begin shopping for home decor in Mexico?
It’s true, there are many sites out there, so we found some of our – and our features editor’s – favorites. The cost of furniture in Mexico is about the same as what you would pay in Canada or the U.S. Sprucing up your space with splashes of Mexican handicrafts, art and design elements is going to be a more affordable, and fun, part of your home interior design project.
Inspirational tip: We liked AD Magazine, Mexico’s Architectural Digest, for awesome design ideas.
Handy tips before you begin shopping in Mexico for home decor
Mexico, like the US, has modern and antique furniture ranging from Contemporary to Victorian, and there’s no reason to pay full price when you can get up to 60% and, in some cases, 80% for last-minute bargains.
Bargains
Beyond the regular sales times, the big department stores like Liverpool and Palacio de Hierro have specials all the time, plus brand ambassadors will often be there to offer even more discounts and big blowout sales. Placencia also has sales currently, offering 40% off (and sometimes more) on living room, bedroom, and dining room sets.
Payment Plans
Remember layaway? Some stores like Moblum and Gaia offer payment plan options with PayPal, scheduled bank transfers or recurring credit card payments. So you can splurge on a bulk buy, especially if you’ve got an empty house, or new rooms to fill, and catch up with payments in a leisurely way.
Delivery
Tiffany and Tom Pence moved to Querétaro from Florida in 2018 and report that “deliveries were the most interesting and entertaining part of buying furniture for us. Sometimes the delivery was scheduled 3 days away; other times the deliveries were 2-3 weeks later. Sometimes it was on an official store brand truck, other times on a pickup truck.” So just double-check check you’re clear on the delivery date and get a contact person’s name and number! You’re in Mexico now, and we came for a more relaxed lifestyle after all! It’s just part of it; no sweat.
Identification (yes, take it!) At each store, you’ll need to provide proof of address, and a passport as a form of identification before delivery approval. “My passport has been copied more times in the first 6 weeks here than all my previous years of having a passport. I’m sure my picture is up on the internet or a public bathroom somewhere,” Tiffany Pence says. So – just a reminder!
Give me the best shopping sites, beyond Amazon and Ikea!
Sodimac
It seems to be the most popular furniture and homewares emporium for the Mexican population, according to Similarweb’s traffic analytics. It’s a bit of a quagmire on the website, but bargain hunters and those on a budget can score.
Why shop here? Cheap and cheerful, all the simple basics. Good for kids.
DICO
Basics and bargains! Like Sodimac, the least expensive.
Why shop here? Deals! And cheap beds. Simple furnishings for a rental investment?
Solutions Mexico
We liked this one in Puerto Vallarta and Nayarit, with its invite to, “easily furnish your home in Mexico, whether one piece or your entire home.” They have professional interior decorators who will customize a furniture package and a wide range of gorgeous goods, from mid-range to higher-end.
Why shop here? They offer furnishing tips, over 200 suppliers and shopping tours to Guadalajara, Tonala and Tiaquepaque to hunt for wall art, rugs, decor items and lighting. They offer rental packages for rental owners who don’t want to invest in all their furniture at once, but want to rent their property right away. And their site is in English also, if that helps you!
Gaia Design
Stylish, modern, functional furniture, with a touch of the Scandi design vibe, and an easy-to-navigate website.
Why shop here? 60% off most items right now, free delivery over 12,000 pesos, and an average of 4.6 stars from all the testimonials. They also offer design services and discovery and design advice calls.
Moblum
Mid-range price, modern and stylish furniture from the basic to the more interesting.
Why shop here? Offers immediate delivery, flash sales, promotions, one year warranties. They also have a blog and a roster of interior designers – so you can brainstorm and seek advice.
Moda in Casa
More upscale contemporary furniture, with prices to match. Very stylish – which is immediately apparent on their home page, where the design editor has put some thought into presentation. They have stores in CDMX, Valle de Bravo and Mérida.
Why shop here? “Each piece is made using the best technology and materials in combination with the expert hands of our artisans who craft each piece to be a unique object.” Say no more.
Mobica
Great standard, mid-range modern furniture with a wide selection. Free design services and ‘lookbooks’ to browse through.
Why shop here? They donate to underprivileged children (always a plus point).
Bakan
They specialize in stylish outdoor furniture – from dining sets to banks and benches, umbrellas, and accessories – which combines functionality with good quality and design.
Why shop here? Their exclusive brands have anywhere from 40% to 60% price reductions right now.
Decada
I couldn’t resist these two hip young businesswomen who run this vintage furniture store in Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City, where “each piece tells a story.”
Why shop here? Every piece of their eclectic collection is thoughtfully curated and hand picked, from a vast range of styles. Adding just one or two pieces might jazz up your basic items.
Lagunilla Market
If you’re looking for a quirky shopping experience, and a vast range of antique furnishings, head to La Lagunilla Market, a weekly morning traditional public market in Mexico City, located about ten blocks north of the city’s main plaza, in a neighborhood called La Lagunilla. There are three big, distinct zones dedicated to food, clothing, and furniture.
Why shop here? The authentic Mexican experience is full of oddities and genuine Mexican antiques to die for. Take a break between shopping and having tacos and a michelada at the lunch counter!
Mercado Libre
Mexico’s “Facebook marketplace” is just as spectacular in its range of offerings as its U.S or abroad equivalents. Anyone can sign up, and it’s user-friendly. You just need the stomach for hunting, a bit like thrift shopping. Pick your region, and dive in. There are many current bargains, coupon offers and payment plans connected to all the major Mexican banks. Interest free installment plans are also tempting for shoppers on a budget!
So, take a deep breath and enjoy the ride of mixing and matching this huge and eclectic range of home decor on offer in Mexico, that suits your style and your wallet. Sign up for their mailing lists to get final sale alerts and flash sales – happening now – and take advantage of their payment plans and free design or delivery services. And don’t forget Google translate – or your ID!
Henrietta Weekes is a writer, editor, actor and narrator. She divides her time between San Miguel de Allende, New York and Oxford, UK.
In the coveted Los Angeles neighborhood of Los Feliz, every residence tells a story, and every street corner holds a piece of Hollywood history.
This hillside enclave, gracefully abutting Hollywood and weaving through parts of the Santa Monica Mountains, offers a unique blend of metropolitan allure and serene, natural landscapes — and owning a home here is a symbol of status and exclusivity.
The neighborhood is anchored by one of the largest city-owned parks in the country, the historic Griffith Park, a cornerstone that lends the neighborhood an air of tranquility, uncommon in large urban settings.
“Due to the proximity to historic Griffith Park, Los Feliz enjoys less density and more natural ambiance than most other large metropolitan areas,” shares Konstantine Valissarakos, one of the most preeminent real estate agents in Southern California, deeply acquainted with the area’s charm.
The neighborhood is also home to the two Los Feliz Villages, brimming with quaint, world-class restaurants and amenities. These local treasures craft a sense of belonging, making residents feel part of a “loving neighborhood” – a sentiment hard to find in the bustling city of Los Angeles.
“The two Los Feliz Villages offer quaint, world-class restaurants and amenities, making Los Feliz residents feel like they are in a loving neighborhood,” Valissarakos added, noting that “Los Feliz compares in popularity to other worldwide destination cities where the inhabitants can live anywhere globally that they want and feel special.”
Known for being a top home-buying destination for A-listers and architecture aficionados alike, the area has witnessed a significant surge in home prices, reflecting its growing demand.
“Los Feliz is home to many celebrities. Home prices have gone up in Los Feliz in recent years to match the demand,” the agent adds, highlighting the neighborhood’s appeal. “Finding a characterful or historic home in Los Feliz, akin to an art piece residence, has become a coveted dream for many.”
So then, what homes can you find in the sought-after area?
We’ve reached out to some of the top real estate brokerages with active listings in the area, to give you a feel of the type of homes you can buy in Los Feliz — but be warned, they come with steep price tags.
These figures, though eyebrow-raising, are not at all uncommon for Los Feliz, a Los Angeles neighborhood that has luxury and exclusivity woven into its very fabric.
Standout Los Feliz houses for sale, from a sprawling $38 million historic estate to a film director’s fully restored Tuscan chateau
Owning a piece of Los Feliz is not just about buying property; it’s about embracing a lifestyle desired by many but lived by a few.
And the following listings, all of them Los Feliz houses with a storied past and highly desirable attributes, stand as a testament to the caliber of properties that you can find in the sought-after area. Let’s take a closer look, shall we?
#1 The Cockerham Estate, a $38 million Old World Tuscan chateau
The crown jewel of the neighborhood, the Cockerman Estate is a beautifully reimagined 1914 historic property that’s currently both the largest and highest-priced house for sale in Los Feliz.
Custom-built for Los Feliz’ prolific developer William Mead in 1914, the multi-structure private compound spans two acres and is anchored by a 20,000-square-foot mansion, offering 9 bedrooms, 9.5 baths, and an endless list of upscale amenities.
Meticulously renovated throughout by its current owners, entrepreneur Myra Chan and her husband — with design and oversight by prized architect William Heffner AIA of Studio William Heffner — the Cokerham Estate welcomes visitors with a grand 2-story entry with sweeping staircase and honed marble floors that sets the stage for the luxury we find inside.
Notable features include an elegant library and living room with imported stone fireplace, a bar/lounge (also with an eye-catching fireplace and custom wood details), an expansive kitchen with a breakfast room, fireplace, center island, and a separate prep kitchen along with a covered heated terrace and full outdoor kitchen.
We’d also like to give a nod to the massive primary with a sitting room suite, marble fireplace, terrace with views, his and hers baths, and large walk-in closets.
Listed for $38,000,000 with Brett Lawyer of Carolwood Estates, the massive Los Feliz house also comes with a lower-level entertainment space (which includes a bar and lounge), a home gym with head-on city views, a steam room, infrared sauna and salon/glam room area, and an oversized garage with elevator directly servicing all floors.
#2 A Spanish Colonial Revival estate that dates back to 1929, listed for $15.9M
A timeless gem, this Harry Hayden Whiteley, AIA-designed estate blends the grandeur of Mediterranean estates with the allure of old Hollywood glamour.
With 5 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms in the principal residence and 1 bedroom and 2 bathrooms in the detached guest house, the estate sits proudly on a nearly one acre-sized lot, offering sweeping views that stretch across the LA basin and beyond.
The home greets visitors with a grand two-story rotunda entry, adorned with hand-painted art and a sweeping staircase. The grand living room, featuring hardwood floors, an ornate fireplace, and a balcony, overlooks a pool and the cityscape.
A library with a unique coffered ceiling and a Prohibition-style bar, and a majestic dining room with a wood ceiling and French doors to a veranda enhance its appeal.
The chef’s kitchen is equipped with top-grade appliances and a large island. Upstairs, five luxurious bedroom suites preserve the 1920s charm, with the primary suite offering a spa-like bathroom and walk-in dressing closets.
Additional features of the $15.9 million Los Feliz house — listed with top producer Rita Whitney of The Agency — include a gym, a 2,200+ bottle wine vault, a media room with a wet bar, and a sauna. Lush grounds, a four-car garage, and a motor court complete this exquisite Southern California estate.
#3 An Architectural Digest-featured $9.9M house that’s a piece of Hollywood history
Set on one of Los Feliz’ most coveted streets, Bonvue Avenue, this 5,447-square-foot home is like a trip back in time to Hollywood’s golden era.
And its beauty was just as appreciated back then as it is now — the Spanish Colonial was even featured in Architectural Digest soon after it was built, in 1925.
Sited hillside, the multi-tiered property at 4808 Bonvue Ave takes full advantage of panoramic city views while providing complete privacy at street level. The property is listed at $9,995,000 with Marci Kays and Jonathan Mogharrabi with Carolwood Estates.
Offering 5 bedrooms and 6 baths, the meticulously renovated and well-maintained Los Feliz house features a double-height grand living room with coffered, hand-painted ceilings, towering French doors, a step-down den and wet bar, all accessed from the scene-stealing foyer staircase.
The imported English wood-paneled formal dining room includes a second-level verandah, an ornamental plaster ceiling, and stained glass vignettes — a bespoke detail that runs throughout the home and compliments the many hand-painted oak doors.
A chef’s kitchen, 600-bottle wine cellar, elevator, family room, library, staff rooms, and home offices all round up the home’s interior amenities.
But the amenities continue outside, where the extensive grounds feature multi-level terraces, gravel pathways, hidden gathering spaces and repurposed speak-easy, outdoor dining, and an abundance of fruit trees.
A formal lawn with a period fountain leads to a private pool that’s only visible from the home, adding an extra note of charm and seclusion.
#4 Villa Collina, a $7.245M trophy estate once owned by film director James Whale
Remember when we said that most Los Feliz houses tell a story, and every street corner holds a piece of Hollywood’s history?
This following property is no exception, as it was once home to lauded film director James Whale, best known for directing classic horror films including Frankenstein (1931), The Old Dark House (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), and The Bride of Frankenstein (1935), among others.
Before it was purchased by James Whale, Villa Collina was originally built for Clement E. Smoot, an American golfer who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics — where the American team won the gold medal.
The architect, Henry Harwood Hewitt, is known for designing several staple properties across Los Angeles, including poet Alice Lynch’s former home and the Westlake Masonic Temple in Los Angeles in 1914.
Touted as a “One-of-a-kind authentic dramatic Old World Tuscan chateau in epic setting on a huge flat hilltop lot in prime Los Feliz” per the listing, the 4-bed, 4-bath villa was completely restored before hitting the market for $7,245,000.
Nourmand & Associates agent Konstantine Valissarakos and Richard Yohon at Sotheby’s hold the listing.
Among its many features, 4565 Dundee Drive lists an entertainer’s kitchen with chef’s appliances, built-in breakfast nook and French doors, a primary suite with a fully updated deluxe bath with double sinks, a private office and den, and a redesigned hotel-style full guest apartment which doubles as an oversize spa.
Outside, a well-groomed garden, landscaping, and fountains bring peace and tranquility to the property, while a backyard oasis — with a tiled Roman pool and gazebo with built-in seating — lets guests and residents take in the stellar views.
#5 A Weber and Spaulding-designed architectural gem listed for $5.995M
Before Sumner Spaulding and Walter Weber — the architects behind silent film star Harold Lloyd’s 44-room Greenacres mansion — designed Santa Catalina Island’s storied Catalina Casino, they created this residential gem in Los Feliz.
Located in prime Los Feliz at 3659 Shannon Road, the home was designed to make the most of the panoramic views of the hills and LA city lights with original oversized French doors opening up from the first floor onto the sunny backyard, outdoor dining area, and pool deck.
Boasting 7 bedrooms and 7 baths across 6,408 square feet of living space, the 1928-built home retains many original features, including the classic moldings, hardwood floors, built-ins, the dumbwaiter, and double staircases.
Other unique features of the elegant Los Feliz house include three fireplaces, a first-floor library, a formal dining room, living room, and family room, a first-floor bedroom suite, and a dramatic arched hallway connecting the 6 bedrooms upstairs and the office.
There’s also a massive family room with a fireplace on the lower floor, which opens to a separate section of the yard.
This beautiful property is also listed with Konstantine Valissarakos of Nourmand & Associates and Rick Yohon of Sotheby’s.
Which one of the striking Los Feliz houses above do you like most?
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Set along the sun-kissed shores of Panama City Beach, Florida, a former celebrity residence resurfaced on the market after an extensive makeover — unveiling picture-perfect interiors, a beachfront location that dreams are made of, and a substantial appreciation in value.
Formerly owned by All-American & NFL linebacker-turned-Emmy-winning producer/actor Matt Battaglia, the property at 517 Beachside Gardens has undergone an extensive renovation, transforming it into a coastal masterpiece that blurs the line between luxury and paradise.
As the property graces the market once again, its allure is not just in its pristine design but in its substantial transformation of value.
Listed at a (somewhat) modest $6.95 million in 2019, this beachfront gem has now doubled in price, a testament to the irresistible combination of impeccable style and an enviable Gulf-front setting.
And we’re here to take you on a tour of the $12,900,000 house, now listed for sale with Lesly Simon of Corcoran Reverie.
Key facts & figures
Situated on over an acre, the property boasts an impressive 197 feet of Gulf frontage, showcasing panoramic views of the famed turquoise-hued waters of the Emerald Coast and sugar-white sand.
Bedrooms: 7
Baths: 10
Square footage: 6,096 sq. ft.
Year built: 2019
Lot size: 1.49 acres
Amenities: private pool and sunning deck, oversized covered porch, sitting area with gas fire pit, and private beach walkover
Additional structures: a self-sufficient coach house with two additional bedroom suites, a fully equipped kitchen, and covered patio space
Listing price: $12,900,000
Nestled within the exclusive Carillon Beach community, the residence spans over 6,000 square feet across three meticulously planned levels.
Thoughtful design and amenities
With a focus on seamless indoor-outdoor living, the Florida house was beautifully redone by Jennifer DiCerbo of The French Mix out of Lafayette, LA.
The first level features a spacious living area, wet bar, and direct access to the outdoor oasis, including a private pool, sunning deck, and a covered porch with a gas fire pit.
Three luxurious bedroom suites, a laundry area, and a powder room provide convenience and comfort on this level.
On the second level, the main living area, dining room, and gourmet kitchen open onto expansive wrap-around porches, totaling over 2,000 square feet of outdoor living space.
The kitchen is designed for entertaining, equipped with custom cabinetry, an oversized island, walk-in pantry, wet bar, and professional-grade appliances. Additionally, an office area and powder room are located on this floor.
The upper level and guest retreat
The topmost level features two main bedroom suites, each with a carefully curated design, direct porch access, walk-in wardrobes, and luxurious ensuites. A sitting area with a wet bar and a dedicated laundry center add to the convenience.
Connected by a covered breezeway, the self-sufficient coach house provides two additional bedroom suites, a fully equipped kitchen, and covered patio space, offering a private retreat for guests.
Part of the upscale Carillon Beach Community
The property is part of the sought-after Carillon Beach community, offering residents a host of amenities, including a monitored gate with 24-hour security, three community pools, a children’s park, basketball and tennis courts, pickleball courts, walking trails, a meeting house, and the charming Market Street town center.
With over 3,900 feet of beach frontage, Carillon Beach remains one of the most desirable luxury communities in Northwest Florida.
With its prime location near world-class dining and entertainment venues along 30A and Panama City Beach, the property not only represents a sound real estate investment but also an opportunity to embrace the coveted coastal lifestyle in one of the most sought-after communities in Northwest Florida.
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One of the great joys around Christmas is the opportunity to craft little festive objects. Paper ring chains, elegant 3-D paper snowflakes, salt dough ornaments, and more are easy, affordable, and don’t need a Christmas tree to be displayed, so be sure to craft plenty. Part of the downside of not having a Christmas tree is that it takes up a lot of visual space and acts as a visual centerpiece for the room. Without a tree, you want to create that same feeling of festive abundance, so when it comes to displaying these fun crafts, take on a “more is more” approach. Simply hang your crafts from any surface you can reach — windows, doors, walls, banisters, and even ceilings are fair game.
If you have an amazing bauble and ornament collection, you can still showcase them with or without a tree! Hang your ornaments from some sturdy ribbon, twine, or fishing line for a floating effect, and secure them to the ceiling or light fixtures. They will glisten just as beautifully from your dining room chandelier as they would from a spruce branch. Just be sure they are hung high enough that nobody will go walking into them, and hung securely enough that they won’t fall and shatter. To further fill out the space, hang tinsel, faux garland, ribbons, and anything else you might have normally put on a tree.
Situated in the heart of downtown Portland, Oregon, The Duniway is a Hilton hotel that offers travelers a relatively upscale boutique hotel atmosphere in a great location.
A short walk from many of the city’s most popular attractions, venues, restaurants and coffee shops, it’s a compelling option for guests looking to book a stay at a more locally-inspired hotel in the Hilton portfolio — after all, it’s named after Portland suffragist Abigail Scott Duniway.
Location
The Duniway sits at the corner of SW Taylor Street and SW 6th Avenue in Portland.
The feel around the hotel is a distinct city vibe, with nearby urban squares, tall buildings and Metropolitan Area Express (MAX) light rail trains quietly rumbling by every so often.
Staying here, you’ll be steps from a local winery’s tasting room, a short stroll from coffee shops and restaurants and an easy walk to popular gathering spots like the Arlene Schnizter Concert Hall (0.2 miles) and the Portland Art Museum (0.3 miles).
Pioneer Courthouse Square, shown above, is just over a block away from the property.
The hotel is located on the west side of the Willamette River. If you want to reach the Oregon Convention Center, on the opposite bank, it’s a short drive.
Design elements
When you walk into The Duniway, you’ll immediately encounter the contrast of dark brown wood and leather tones accented by pops of bright color.
You can relax or work at one of the many tables or leather chairs, or make your way to the Mayrose Lounge Bar, which features coffee from local Portland coffee roasters as well as a full complement of alcoholic beverages.
You’ll find Portland and Pacific Northwest-inspired imagery throughout the property.
Accomodations
The Duniway features a relatively traditional room layout that’s been modernized with smart touches and thoughtful design.
The focal point of the room is the 65-inch television integrated into a wooden floor-to-ceiling entertainment center.
The comfortable bed is flanked by attached nightstands, on which you’ll find USB charging ports and reading lamps.
Our room also offered a windowside loveseat and tables perfect for enjoying room service or getting some work done — although you might prefer the desk for the latter.
We were upgraded to a high-floor room thanks to our reservation with Fine Hotels & Resorts (and my Hilton Gold elite status), which gave us a view of downtown Portland.
The bathroom features a white marble vanity and single-use bath products (which is becoming more of a rarity these days) from Badgley Mischka.
Though we didn’t request one, we received an accessible room assignment. As such, the room offered a roll-in shower as well as a bench and hand-held shower head.
Finally, in an upgrade from more budget-oriented hotels — one that was appreciated by this coffee enthusiast — the room features Vittoria Coffee espresso machines.
Food and beverage
Just off the lobby is the Mayrose restaurant, described by the property as an American brasserie that celebrates the progressive culture of Portland.
The restaurant has an open concept feel and, depending on the time of day, is filled with natural light.
Though we didn’t find any single dish to be especially memorable, the meal was perfectly enjoyable and the menu offers plenty of options, whether you’re hoping to sit down and make full use of a property credit like us or simply enjoy a meal without having to leave the hotel premises.
The highlight was definitely an appetizer — the seared gnocchi with pea puree and crispy prosciutto ($14).
We also found the charred brussels sprouts topped with a fried egg yolk, crispy onions and sherry vinegar ($13) to be a bit of a unique take on a dish you find at many restaurants these days.
Our bill came to $97 which, thanks to our dining credit, meant we only had to pay for the tip out of pocket.
Our AmEx booking also entitled us to a breakfast credit of $30 per person, per day.
The Mayrose was packed for breakfast and brunch and featured menu offerings like scrambled biscuit sliders ($13) and an A.M. Banh Mi sandwich ($13).
However, we decided to take advantage of a separate dining option the hotel offers: you can also use property credits and charge meals to your room at The Duniway’s sister hotel, the Hilton Portland Downtown, across the street.
There, you’ll find the restaurant Hop City in the lobby, which includes a market-style area and a sit-down dining room where you can order from an a la carte menu or visit the hot buffet.
My wife enjoyed her breakfast potatoes with an over-easy egg and aioli.
Amenities
A highlight of The Duniway is Abigail’s Hideaway, a plant-filled courtyard on the 11th floor that provides an expansive outdoor area where guests can relax and get some fresh air.
There are several sofas underneath string lights, plus heaters for those cooler Pacific Northwest evenings.
Children might enjoy the giant chess board on the patio, which is open until 10 p.m. each night.
Just inside, the gym includes a Peloton bike (like most Hilton properties in the U.S.) in addition to other exercise equipment and cardio machines.
One room over, an indoor pool offers a place to go for a swim, though there’s not much room for lounging on the rather small pool deck.
How to get there
Located in downtown Portland, travelers arriving by air will likely fly into Portland International Airport, which is about a 15-minute drive from the hotel, depending on traffic.
By rideshare, my wife’s Lyft to the airport cost around $35, though that price can, of course, fluctuate with supply and demand.
Departing later, I walked a block to catch the MAX Red Line to the airport for just $2.50. If I hadn’t run into construction delays and had to switch to a bus — which, to their credit, the hotel front desk warned me about — it would have been a pretty seamless (and inexpensive) trip.
If you’re traveling to Portland with a car or have a rental, parking at the hotel is a bit pricey, at $33 per night for self parking and $55 for valet service.
The Duniway hotel recapped
The Duniway puts guests in excellent proximity to all downtown Portland has to offer, and it offers a distinctly independent, un-corporate atmosphere — not unlike what you’d find at a Hilton Curio Collection-type property.
It also offers great value for American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts guests. Between a property credit and daily breakfast credits, my wife and I saved $220 during our two-night stay, while also getting access to complimentary premium Wi-FI and a guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout — which came in handy ahead of a red-eye flight back to the East Coast.
Terms apply.
(Top photo courtesy of Sean Cudahy)
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