House Beautiful

The House Beautiful reader is someone whose home is her bedrock. She is always improving it because the process – and result – delights her. Happiness in her home comes from easy luxury and highly personal style. Her home is a gift to share with family and friends.

OPEN HOUSE TAKING RISKS • “High risk, high reward” doesn’t just apply to investing: Editorial Director Joanna Saltz speaks to five designers about conquering their fear of going bold—and why it’s worth it.

Free Your Mind • WHAT KEEPS US FROM BEING truly creative? Fear of making a mess or a mistake? Whether you find joy in writing, playing an instrument, crafting, choreography, or otherwise, carving out a specific space for creating will allow you to let go of whatever’s holding you back. (And good news: You don’t even need a whole room to get in on the action.)

Why Creativity Matters Now

And for the little ones… • Kids need a space to let their imaginations soar—but also an actual spot to house every last marker and paintbrush.

Getting the Green Light • When their designer suggested painting the white cabinets this delightful shade, one Chicago family didn’t bat an eye.

The Rufino Reports • For a master class in monochrome, our man-about-town Robert Rufino is thinking pink-minus the saccharine.

THE NO-FAIL GUIDE TO PAINT • There are a million hard decisions when it comes to choosing the perfect color. We just made them all a little easier.

Choosing the Right White • Baltimore designer Laura Hodges on which tint will work best, depending on the light you get.

Daylight Changes Everything • Paint chips are great, but there’s no replacement for testing a color in a real space. Here’s proof: We took one white wall and watched it go from brighter in the a.m. sun to gray by sunset.

Let Your Home Be Your Guide • When you’re not sure where to start, take stock of the details already present.

How Glossy Should You Go? • A slight change in sheen can make a major difference in both durability and light.

Should You DIY or Hire a Pro? • Rick Watson, director of product information and technical services at Sherwin-Williams, has some advice.

Designer-Favorite Specialty Finishes • Forget what you thought you knew about textured walls—these looks are chic, not dated.

Let’s Just Shop! • With pieces available in endless color options, you’ll be saying goodbye to greige and hello to happy in no time.

Designing the DREAM • For over six decades, Barbie® has been a fashion and style inspiration—and her Dreamhouse® is just as iconic. To celebrate the latest model, a modern, three-story Malibu home rolling out May 1, we recruited three design all-stars to envision how they’d bring its rooms to life.

GET GOOD AT BUYING ART • Four years ago, a bona fide Jackson Pollock was discovered in someone’s garage. Too bad we can’t all be so lucky. Don’t give up, says Kaitlin Petersen, editor in chief of design industry resource Business of Home. Here’s what you need to know to start your own collection.

FOOLPROOF ART SOURCES

Bright Ideas in Kitchen Design • Houston’s industry leaders on lighting design

“Time Stands Still in This House.” • In 1974, Mimi Maddock McMakin (then Kemble) began converting a Palm Beach church—that has belonged to her family for nearly a century—into a home. Six generations have passed through this idiosyncratic house, which graced the pages of House Beautiful in 1989. Now, Mimi and her daughter/designer Celerie discuss its unending allure.

The TIME CAPSULE • Decades after this midcentury home was built, one family uncovers its original spirit.

ROOM TO BREATHE • The first step in updating this contemporary Long Island house? Letting go.

A Long-Distance ROMANCE •...