Pat J. Fraley

21 Wall Art Ideas That Will Give Your Home Some Major Personality

By Pat J. Fraley 1 week ago

When was the last time you switched up what’s hanging on your walls? If it took you a minute to answer that, you’re probably overdue for a refresh. Switching up your art is one of the easiest ways to refresh a room, and after spending so much time quarantining at home, it’s no wonder Etsy has seen searches for wall art climb 94 percent over the past three months. (Fitting, too, that they’re responding to that interest with the launch of augmented reality on the Etsy app, so you can see what something will look like before you click “add to cart.”)

To help you mix things up, we’ve turned to Etsy’s trend expert, Dayna Isom Johnson, as well as a handful of our favorite designers, for 21 wall art ideas that can liven up a bland room. Scroll through and prepare to get inspired.

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R29 Readers’ Top Stay-At-Home Picks Are All On Sale For July 4th

By Pat J. Fraley 1 week ago

After spending many, many months indoors recently, it’s very possible that you already know your way around a good cyber sale. But just when you thought you’d be swapping screen time for sunshine in honor of one star-spangled holiday this weekend, let us remind you that the 4th of July is also a major moment for some of the year’s biggest markdowns on everything furniture, decor, rugs, and more.

And while we’re on the topic of that stay-at-home life we’ve grown accustomed to as of late, we’d like to point out that many of our R29 readers’ favorite finds over lockdown (fire pits, desk chairs, and breathable bedding, to name a few) are having their prices slashed, all in the name of patriotism as July 4 draws near. So we’re breaking down the top holiday deals by category featuring the season’s most-loved home items so

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51 Small Kitchen Design Ideas That Make the Most of a Tiny Space

By Pat J. Fraley 2 weeks ago

While small apartments and homes offer plenty of charm, they tend to be lacking when it comes to kitchen space. Luckily, there are tons of small kitchen ideas that maximize storage and efficiency. It’s all about working with the layout of your space, whether your kitchen is confined to a single wall, U-shaped, or tucked in a corner. Ahead, we’ve gathered 51 small kitchen design tips to help maximize your space. Whether you’re renovating and starting from scratch or just looking to refresh your existing space, you’ll want to give these a try!

1. Add a prep area

<h1 class="title">Small Kitchen Ideas</h1> <cite class="credit">© Emily Gilbert Photography</cite>
© Emily Gilbert Photography

You may not have space to expand or add a full island, so think about bringing in a table that can do double duty as a spot for prep and dining. Even a narrow console can work as a spot to set tools and ingredients on while you

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How to perfect a manicure at home as nail salons remain closed

By Pat J. Fraley 2 weeks ago
As a salon trip is out of the question, treating yourself to an at-home manicure is an easy alternative: iStock/The Independent
As a salon trip is out of the question, treating yourself to an at-home manicure is an easy alternative: iStock/The Independent

On 23 June, Boris Johnson announced that some lockdown restrictions in England would be eased to allow pubs, restaurants, campsites, hotels and hairdressers to reopen on 4 July, with social distancing measures in place.

These new guidelines haven’t extended to nails salons, however, or spas and tattoo parlours, which will remain closed.

The prime minister explained to the House of Commons that nail salons will be able to reopen when the government feels “confident” the business can operate “in a Covid-secure way”.

The decision to keep salons closed is due to the unavoidable close proximity between nail technicians and customers and often busy waiting areas that can make it difficult to adhere to social distancing.

The move has attracted criticism as nail salons have not had work for months,

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