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As Country Living’s Senior Homes and Style Editor, I’ve seen my share of kitchens over the years, so I know what decorating ideas do and do not actually work in a kitchen. As well, I know which ideas are best for achieving the kitchen style you like, whether you want to embrace cottage style, have a farmhouse-style kitchen, create a British-inspired cook space, or make it something a little in between. Here at Country Living, we have been fans of cottagecore long before the internet deemed it cool. Of all the styles of kitchens, a cottage-style kitchen is tops for having the most personal charm and character (read: sink skirts, colored cabinetry, open shelving filled with personal one-of-a-kind collections, inviting breakfast nooks...). You see, cottage living is all about embracing imperfection and a timeless lived-in style. While those ideas might seem antithetical to kitchen design, they really are not. Even the newest, most state-of-the-art kitchens can benefit from patinaed, less-than-perfect accents. Below, I have rounded up some of the best (and designer-approved) ways to channel that humble cottage look in your kitchen. From ideas for painting your cabinetry to fresh approaches for backsplash tile, these ideas are guaranteed to make your space into something Beatrix Potter herself would envy! For more kitchen decorating ideas, check out these stories:1Lean Into Existing ArchitectureRikki Snyder for Country LivingIf your home is lucky (yes, lucky!) enough to have quirky architectural features, lean into them and allow them to inform your palette and decor as designer Christina Salway did in her wood-filled New York kitchen. TOUR THE ENTIRE HOUSE2Embrace a Cheerful PaletteBecky Luigart-Stayner for Country LivingNothing gives off cottage charm like an equally charming color palette. In this Alabama kitchen, soft, buttery yellow cabinetry pairs with a fruit-themed wallpaper to create a perfectly prim palette. Get the Look:Cabinet Paint Color: Sudbury Yellow by Farrow & BallWallpaper: Fruit by Morris & Co. TOUR THIS KITCHENAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Add A Stove CoveBecky Luigart-Stayner for Country LivingStove coves are a great way to add architectural interest to your kitchen. Back the inset space with beadboard, like designer Trinity Holmes did here, for added cottage appeal. TOUR THIS KITCHENRELATED: Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Stove Coves4Go Wild with WallpaperBrian Woodcock for Country LivingWhile it may seem counterintuitive, bold wallpaper is a great for adding character to smaller spaces. For cramped kitchens with little natural light, stick to brighter, tonal patterns such as the one shown here. Get the Look:Wallpaper: "London Rose" by House of HackneyRELATED: Our Best Kitchen Wallpaper Ideas EverAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Wrap the Room in Open ShelvingHelen Norman for Country LivingDoes your cottage kitchen lack serious storage space? No worries. Display your favorite ceramic finds on kitchen-spanning open-shelving like photographer Helen Norman did here in her farmhouse kitchen. RELATED: These Open Shelving Ideas Will Have You Ready to Rip Out Your Cabinetry 6Mix Your MaterialsHelen Norman, styling by Matthew GleasonIn this colorful cottage kitchen, worn woods and happily patinaed copper craft a curated-over-time feel that amps up the coziness factor. Mix up materials to easily give your kitchen a lived-in feel.TOUR THIS ENTIRE HOUSERELATED: 40 Pretty and Practical Kitchen Backsplash IdeasAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Build Out a Breakfast NookKirsten FrancisNo cottage kitchen is complete without a cozy breakfast nook. In this Connecticut kitchen, designer Stephanie Perez installed a banquette along her wall of windows and paired it with a chippy blue table. Hanging baskets add extra cottage charm. RELATED: Check Out All of Our Best Breakfast Nook Ideas8Mount a Peg RailJody BeckMix utilitarian appeal with classic style by mounting a peg rail along your kitchen’s workspace. While this works especially well with wood-paneled backsplash, it can be used with tile too. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Add Timeworn Character With Unlacquered BrassAnnie Schlechter for Country LivingChanging up the hardware in your kitchen is an easy and inexpensive way to give the space a fresh look. Swapping builder-grade knobs and pulls with unlacquered brass pieces will add timeworn character in an instant. (And, they’ll only look better over time!)RELATED: The Best Blue Paint Colors for Your Kitchen Cabinetry10Skirt Your SinkDavid Tsay for Country LivingTake a note from Heather Taylor and add a skirt to your sink! This quick upgrade, which can be DIY’d in just an afternoon, adds sweet cottage cheer to any kitchen. If you don’t want to DIY, get crafty with store-bought café curtains. RELATED: Sink Skirts Are the Nostalgic Trend Designers Are Loving Right NowAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Hang Café CurtainsStacy Zarin GoldbergIn fact, go all-in on café curtains! These humble window coverings are in the midst of a resurgence thanks to the rising popularity of happily twee decorating. Pick pretty patterns for a white kitchen or stick to calm neutrals in an already pattern-filled space. RELATED: See Why Designers Are Loving Café Curtains Right Now12Stick to Simple TileRead McKendreeIn a house with interesting architectural elements, pick simple finishes and allow the space’s character to shine through. In this 17th century New England cottage designed by Stephenie and Chase Watts, a simple white Zellige tile backsplash extends to the ceiling, allowing the warm wood beams and original flooring to take center stage. RELATED: Should Your Kitchen and Bathroom Tile Match? Designers Weigh InAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Go All-In on VintageMarta Xochilt Perez for Country LivingThrifted finds are the quickest way to bring character to an all-white cottage kitchen. Opt for vintage pieces inspired by your locale and lean into crustier, worn pieces for the ultimate curated look. TOUR THIS ENTIRE HOUSERELATED: 10 Old-School Finds That Add Instant Charm to a Kitchen14Match Your Trim To Your CeilingChase DanielLooking for a weekend project to up the design ante in your kitchen? Then it’s time to bring out a paint can! In this humble Texas cottage, a happy duck egg blue paint color was used on the trim, ceiling, and cabinetry to tie the space together with an easy, approachable feel. A reproduction wallpaper ("Larkspur 1872" designed by William Morris) adds just a pop of pattern. Get the Look:Trim and Ceiling Paint Color: Jamestown Blue by Benjamin MooreTOUR THIS ENTIRE HOUSEAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Pretty Up a Pass Through Dustin HalleckIf your cramped kitchen leaves little room for serving, look into installing a pass-through window! These are steeped in old-school charm and add foster a casual, come-as-you-are atmosphere. RELATED: These Old House Features Need to Make a Comeback Right Now16Paint Your FloorsDana GallagherIf channeling old-school charm is your preferred method of character-building, then try painting your floors! A classic black-and-white checkerboard pattern is a timeless choice, but the options are only limited by your imagination. Psst...old house owners, this is also a budget-friendly way to cover your wonky floors! RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Painting Your Floors Advertisement - Continue Reading Below17Mount a Plate RackCarina OlanderDon’t overlook the power of a classic plate rack, which offers the same (if not better) organizational efforts as regular upper cabinetry or open shelving. Paint the plate rack to match your lower cabinetry or go with a contrasting wood stain. RELATED: 7 Kitchen Storage Mistakes You’re Definitely Making, And How to Fix Them18Go MoodyAli Harper for Country LivingNot every cottage kitchen needs to be light and bright. Lean into the cozy vibes of your home with a dark palette. This Alabama cottage features chocolate brown walls, which are complemented by unexpected hits of primary red and blue. Get the Look:Wall Paint Color: Dark Chocolate by Benjamin MooreRELATED: These Are the Best Brown Paint Colors, According to DesignersAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19Use Salvaged Pieces Reid RollsAdd personality to your kitchen with unique salvaged pieces. Source them from your local architectural salvage yard or antique store, like designer Leanne Ford did with this repurposed china cabinet.TOUR THIS ENTIRE HOUSERELATED: 100+ Best Places to Shop for Salvage and Other Antiques and Vintage Online20Go for Butcher BlockDavid A. LandInstalling butcher-block countertops is a sure-fire way to add humble character to your cottage kitchen. Pair it with other wood accents, like designer Hadley Wiggins did here, for a timeless look.TOUR THIS ENTIRE HOUSERELATED: Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Butcher-Block CountertopsAnna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.  

Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.While some design-minded folks prefer the shiny, unmarked quality of newly made furniture and decor, others opt for the charm and history associated with vintage and antique treasures. Buying secondhand and locally is not only more sustainable, but it's a great way to avoid increased fees from recent tariff policies. There's never been a better time to invest in ready-made pieces that have seen decades (or even centuries) of history unfold. That said, discerning the true value of high-end antiques—whether it be a secretary desk whose top requires a bit of elbow grease to open or a Lalique bottle that bears a tiny chip in the base—is no easy feat. After all, if you don't know the ins and outs of this particular niche, you could very well get duped into overspending.To prepare you for your next outing to the antique shop, vintage store, or flea market, we asked experts in the field for their most helpful shopping tips. Here's what they had to say about sourcing decades-old treasures—without regretting your purchase later. Related Stories Buy From a Reputable Sourcetaikrixel//Getty Images"Fakes are really the rare outliers and not the norm in the world of antiques and vintage furniture," according to Anthony Barzilay Freund, editorial director and director of fine art at 1stDibs. He says that it's always best to investigate the reputation of individual dealers or browse a reputable online marketplace that sells only vetted and authenticated items. "When buying any piece of furniture that purports to be old, it's important that you are working with a reputable dealer who has a history of handling the type of material and a track record of participating in vetted fairs or selling on digital platforms such as 1stDibs that monitor inventory," Freund continues. That way, you can trust the info you're given. "You can perform your due diligence by asking the dealer to provide you with any information about the piece's provenance (who made it, where it was made, and who owned it over the years)."As for antique-hunting at thrift stores and flea markets, you may find a few quality pieces here and there. "And the more you look, the better able you'll be to discern quality," says Freund. So, browse often!Related StoryLook for a Maker’s MarkMany antiques from famed designers bear a stamp or signature indicating who made them—but many don't, and not all stamps can be trusted. "A piece that has a stamp may be an indication that it's by a specific designer, but there have been known cases in which some badly intentioned people use someone else's branding stamp to produce fakes," says Benoist F. Drut, owner of New York–based gallery Maison Gerard. The prolific 18th-century French designer George Jacobs, for instance, was famous for his iconic stamps, but even he didn't mark every piece he designed with a signature, so "you can't rely entirely on the stamp to prove authenticity," Drut says. That being said, he adds, "It's usually obvious if it's a real stamp and not a copy." Herman MillerIf there's an artist or design house you like, do some research first to uncover exactly what type of mark, if any, you should be seeking. For example, one of the most popular vintage pieces is the beloved Eames lounge chair. According to the brand, which still produces some of the designer's original designs, "Labels and stamps can be the best and the quickest method of authenticating your Eames design. It may also help you to date and value your piece." Every Eames piece, from the first designs from the early 1940s to the ones produced now, bears a label. The only exception is the fiberglass shell chair, each of which bears a stamp. Both the labels and stamps feature a series of letters and numbers that can help determine the exact age of the piece. Related StoryAsk for Provenance DocumentsThis may seem like the most straightforward step, but it's usually the least reliable for one key reason. "Pieces that are a few hundred years old move from place to place during their lifetime, and rarely do the papers follow them," Drut explains. In most cases, you simply have to decide whether or not you trust what the dealer is telling you to be true about a piece's provenance. Some items, however, do come with papers that can easily be authenticated. These pieces are typically ones that have been in the family's estate for generations. If such papers aren't available, he adds, a piece may also be listed in probate inventories or wills, so be sure to check everywhere.A piece with family provenance further helps validate its authenticity. In certain occasions, a piece may be seen in an early 20th-century black and white photograph or, in rare instances, in a daguerreotype.—Erik GronningRelated StoryDo Your Own ResearchBeeldbewerking//Getty ImagesIf you're considering an older piece, the dealer from whom you're buying it should have a general idea of the year or decade it was produced. With that information, do some digging about how similar pieces of furniture were made and with which types of materials. "Look at books about that time period and, if you can, visit museums," says Drut. "It doesn't take a professional to see all of the subtle details—such as the materials and techniques used—that indicate if it's authentic or not." Along the way, you might uncover some lesser-known designers whose pieces are still genuine works of art, but may be easier to find and more affordable to purchase. (If an Eames chair is out of your price range, for example, you might want to look into a Plycraft seat.)Related StoryPerform a “Run-Down”Before making a big-ticket purchase, ask the dealer what the piece is made of—the response will be another indicator of authenticity. Take chairs as an example."Plenty of chairs and sofas made today are filled with foam," says Drut. "An 18th-century chair, however, will be filled with horsehair, as foam was not invented until much later in the 20th century."You'll also want to observe where small marks or imperfections in the construction may bear the signature of a handcrafted (as opposed to mass-produced) item. "The process of making a piece of furniture using only hand tools leaves behind 'tool marks,'" says Erik Gronning, Sotheby's head of Americana. "Saws leave a mark called a saw kerf while planes leave plane marks, and modern electrical powered saws and planes also leave marks, but theirs are regular and not inconsistent as one sees with hand tools." Related Story Request Pre-Restoration PhotosGiorez//Getty Images"If the piece has been extensively cleaned and/or refinished," Freund advises, "ask to see pre-restoration photographs." Any reputable restorer regularly enlisted by antique dealers is likely to have a few on hand. Here's the thing about restorations: They're not a bad thing, and they're definitely not a reason to question a piece's authenticity or age. For instance, Drut says, if you're considering buying a 19th-century chair whose back leg is attached with glue, "that's because it's 200 years old and, without the glue, the chair may not be usable." Looking at an image of the chair before the glue was applied can reassure you that you're getting a strengthened original, not a fake. On the other hand, if you find a centuries-old piece that looks spotless, "How can you explain that? You can't," says Drut." An alleged antique that looks too good to be true probably is." Consider what an update may be concealing: "If something has been fully painted over, that often means that someone has something to hide. Stay away," says Drut. More specifically, Gronning adds that "18th- and early 19th-century pieces in their 'original' surface have a very dark or nearly black appearance that, to the untrained eye, could appear dirty or ratty, but it is this appearance that helps authenticate its age." If this is the case with an antique treasure you're considering, it's important to look at any perceived flaws as marks of character. "Antiques and vintage pieces have a patina and personality that one cannot find in a newly constructed object," Freund says. "Rather than viewing this as damage or wear and tear, antique lovers think signs of age give an object a visual interest, warmth, and uniqueness that really enhances the character of a room." Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

If you’re an ice cream fan, there’s some bad news: One of America’s most beloved ice cream brands may soon see hundreds of its in-store retail locations vanish just as summer is beginning. Thrifty Ice Cream counters, which are found in hundreds of Rite Aid locations in California and other states, are facing an uncertain future thanks to the pharmacy chain’s most recent bankruptcy proceedings. Here’s what you need to know. What is Thrifty Ice Cream? Thrifty Ice Cream is an ice cream brand that is owned by the Rite Aid pharmacy chain. The brand was originally founded in 1940 in Los Angeles, where it was sold from soda fountain counters inside the Thrifty Drug Store chain. The brand is iconic in Los Angeles and throughout California, where its cylindrical ice cream scoops are a summer staple for people who want to cool down with a sweet treat. As the Los Angeles Times reported in 2018, until 1975, a scoop of Thrifty’s ice cream cost as little as five cents, and today scoops cost just a few dollars.   In 1996, the Rite Aid pharmacy chain bought Thrifty PayLess Inc., the then-owner of the Thrifty pharmacy store and Thrifty ice cream, for $2.3 billion. After the acquisition, Rite Aid operated over 500 Thrifty Ice Cream counters inside its pharmacies, mainly in California. But now it is likely these Thrifty Ice Cream counter stores-within-a-store are closing. What will happen to Thrifty Ice Cream? Over the past several days, reports have emerged indicating that up to 500 Thrifty Ice Cream stores may close. When these reports mention “stores” closing, they are referring to the Thrifty Ice Cream counters found in Rite Aid pharmacy locations. Rite Aid is currently undergoing its second bankruptcy in as many years, and the pharmacy chain has already announced plans to close hundreds of locations. It’s important to note that this bankruptcy will mark the end of Rite Aid. All of its stores will either close or be sold to other owners. Locations that that ultimately remain open will no longer be Rite Aid stores. (For example, pharmacy giant CVS has said it will take over 64 physical Rite Aid stores in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon.) In 2018, the Los Angeles Times reported that Rite Aid operated more than 500 Thrifty Ice Cream stations; however, the pharmacy chain has significantly reduced its footprint since then, having gone through its first bankruptcy in 2023. Meanwhile, Thrifty Ice Cream’s online store locator tool appears to be only partially functional as of the time of this writing, so the exact number of locations the brand has is unknown. Fast Company has reached out to Rite Aid for clarity on how many Thrifty Ice Cream counters are still in operation and what their fate will be amid the bankruptcy process. But just because Rite Aid is closing locations and filing for bankruptcy, that doesn’t mean Thrifty Ice Cream is necessarily done for good. After selling off most of its pharmacy assets this month, Rite Aid is expected to hold an auction in June to sell its remaining assets, including the Thrifty brand and the Thrifty Ice Cream factory in El Monte, California. It’s possible that a buyer could swoop in to scoop up the Thrifty Ice Cream brand. If so, any buyer may continue to operate Thrifty Ice Cream stores. The counters in the closing Rite Aid stores would no longer be an option, but a new buyer would be free to open Thrifty Ice Cream individual stores, or form partnerships with other pharmacies or retailers to run Thrifty Ice Cream counters in their stores. Thrifty Ice Cream also currently sells its ice cream at retailers including Vons and Albertsons. A buyer may choose to keep the brand alive through retail outlet sales alone. But for now, all this is just conjecture. We likely won’t know the future of Thrifty Ice Cream until Rite Aid’s bankruptcy is completed, or until next month’s auction.

It's no secret that we love a good gallery wall around here. Whether packed with paint-by-numbers, a grouping of salty seascapes, or an expanse of black-and-white silhouettes collected over time, gallery walls bring so much character to any room in your home. One type of gallery wall that particularly makes our hearts skip a beat is an arrangement that incorporates unexpected objects, giving a little wink into your design personality. Maybe it's a graphic game board you scored at a yard sale or three-dimensional finds like trophies, baskets, and other meaningful items that you collect. While square or rectangle framed photographs and artwork are common gallery wall ideas, consider objects outside the literal box to bring individuality and charm, adding visual interest that breaks the grid in the best way.Here, some of our favorite images of gallery walls that feature unique decor items to instantly elevate your own—and not a one of them is another frame or canvas. PedestalsPainted the same punchy color as the wall, a pair of pedestals displays trophies and figurines on a dog-themed gallery wall. Other objects of note: ribbons, brass instruments, and a saucer painted with a hunting scene. BasketsHelen Norman for Country LivingAdd texture and another shape to a gallery wall with baskets, like this set of vintage French ones. Here, the pieces frame a television in a family room.More Ways to Decorate Your Walls:Nautical-Themed ItemsRead McKendree for Country LivingIn this camp-themed boys’ bedroom, the gallery wall is made up of framed art with a sprinkling of nautical-themed items including flags, an anchor, and a pair of mounted oars. These items introduce different finishes, materials, color, and a strong sense of place.PlatesBuff Strickland for Country LivingA charming arrangement of Spode, Wedgwood, and other blue-and-white china mixed with handsome pewter trays perfectly fills a skinny wall area between dining room windows. This proves there is power in numbers! TOUR THIS HOUSEmore dining room decorating ideasPennants Dylan ChandlerAmong a sea of mostly square- and rectangle-shaped items like license plates, framed silhouettes, and signs, a vintage pennant breaks the grid. Above, a round sepia wedding photograph does the same. Game Boards and PaddlesAdam Albright, styling by Kelly Ryan KegansThis is hands down one of the most creative gallery walls we've ever seen. In this cozy breakfast nook, a collection of thrifted finds fills every bit of wall space. Featured items include game boards, paddles, and nautical knickknacks bring dimension and interesting shapes. The tight color palette keeps the arrangement looking intentional and stylish.TOUR THIS HOUSE For More Breakfast Nook Ideas:Antlers and MountsMax Kim-BeeThis gallery wall mix includes a little bit of everything. Framed and unframed silhouettes and oil paintings surround a gold-framed mirror. The entire arrangement is topped off with a majestic 1920s deer mount. Small mounted antlers are another way to add a nod to nature, as well as dimension.TOUR THIS HOUSEAmy MitchellManaging EditorAmy Mitchell is the managing editor for VERANDA and Country Living, where she writes articles on a variety of topics—decorating and design, gardens, and holidays. Amy’s experience in the shelter magazine category spans more than 20 years, as she’s previously held positions at Coastal Living and Cottage Living. Her personal pursuits include cooking, gardening, and hunting her favorite tag sale spots for the next piece of Pyrex for her prized collection.

Moving is something that drains you of time, energy, and money, and you probably don't want to do any extra work if you don't have to. But hear me out: You should still use a big move as an opportunity to declutter. Here is your chance to assess every item you own and make decisions about what you really need. Who knows the next time you'll be able to handle every single possession, categorize everything, and make a truly meaningful dent in your clutter? Why you should declutter right before you move First of all, decluttering before a move can actually save you money. "The biggest mistake we see people make time and time again is underestimating how much stuff they have and overestimating how easy it is to move," says Charles Chica, co-owner of CT Best Movers. "It's best to start by decluttering and getting rid of anything you don't use or need. This works wonders, saving time, space, and especially money." Mindy Godding, President of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals, and Shannon Beller, CEO and co-founder of Wall-Russ, agree, pointing out that if you don't pare down what you own before moving, you'll end up paying for the labor and transportation costs associated with moving stuff you don't need or use. It also makes packing and unpacking easier. Adam Hamilton, CEO of REI Hub, says that the last time he moved, decluttering in the weeks leading up to the big day "really helped" because it got him organized, which made it much simpler to pack. Beyond that, with better organization and less stuff to unpack, the process of settling into the new place was more seamless, too. Start the decluttering earlyA few weeks before your move, start to get into a decluttering mindset. Godding suggests scheduling time to declutter your space before you even start to pack. Evan Hock, co-founder of MakeMyMove, says that packing always takes longer than expected, so the earlier you start with the pre-packing, the easier it's all going to go. He recommends paying special attention to seasonal items and things you don't use daily. Obviously, this is a little tricky, especially if you aren't familiar with decluttering. Here is a list of my favorite decluttering methods—any of these would work well as a template to follow. Some of the techniques do work better as you're boxing things up, though. For instance, the "packing party" is a decluttering method that involves putting everything from a room into boxes, then only pulling out what you immediately need as you need it for 21 days. After those three weeks, you're supposed to get rid of everything you didn't reach for. It could be worth it to pack everything up three weeks before your move, use the packing party guidelines until that time, and then donate everything you didn't touch before re-boxing up what you did use and bringing that to the new place. Many decluttering methods also rely on containers more generally. When decluttering and organizing, there are a few rules to keep in mind: Everything you own must have a place and it must be stored with similar items, ideally in containers. Starting this process a few weeks before the move can actually help you when it's time to relocate, as your stuff will already be categorized and in boxes. Declutter as you packHock says he finds it helpful to keep decluttering even after packing has begun. Your first decluttering sweep should take place a few weeks before you pack and leave, yes, but the job isn't fully done then. Before packing, borrow some ideas from organizing guru Peter Walsh: Envision your new home and what you want every room to look and feel like. Set intentions for each room. Do you want the dining room to feel airy and spacious? Do you want the office to be sleek and minimalistic so you can focus? As you're packing the boxes of items that belong in each room, consider each one and ask yourself if that item contributes to the vibe and function you envision for the space. If it doesn't, get rid of it. If you're struggling to decide what stays and what goes, I put together a list of questions to ask yourself when assessing a tricky possession. These focus on how often you use something, the condition it's in, and whether you could conceivably and economically replace it if you found yourself in a position of actually needing it."If you haven't used it or worn it in the last year, you likely don't need it," says Chica. What to do with the unwanted itemsAnother advantage of starting this process early is that you give yourself some wiggle room if you want to try to sell things—which can actually give you a little extra cash for moving expenses. Online marketplaces like Poshmark and Mercari are great for offloading housewares, clothing, decor, and even some furniture, but they do have the potential to make you wait a while. I am an active online reseller and I can tell you that it's rare to make a sale immediately after listing something, so if you want to make some money off your goods, list them weeks before your move. For bigger furniture or, in my experience, faster sales, list on Facebook Marketplace to keep your sales local. Whatever doesn't sell should be donated, says Hamilton. Use the day before move-out day as a hard deadline. Many local thrift shops will pick up heavy items, like furniture, if you coordinate with them and you can bring boxes of smaller goods in yourself. You can also post these things on Craigslist's "free" section or "Buy Nothing" groups on Facebook, then set them on a curb with clear instructions in your post for how to find them. In the event you opt to just throw stuff out, make sure you're prepared to deal with the volume and associated costs. Shanaiqua D'sa, content marketing lead at Attic Self Storage, warns you may need to hire a small skip or dumpster if you have a lot to toss out and you can't forget to budget for trash bags and disposal containers. Ultimately, this is going to improve your move, even if it takes a lot of time first. You don't want to spend money moving junk, nor do you want to fill your new home with useless things. Moving is an opportunity to start fresh in a lot of ways, so carving out time to declutter is going to give you a jump start on your new life.

Hello and welcome to Modern CEO! I’m Stephanie Mehta, CEO and chief content officer of Mansueto Ventures. Each week this newsletter explores inclusive approaches to leadership drawn from conversations with executives and entrepreneurs, and from the pages of Inc. and Fast Company. If you received this newsletter from a friend, you can sign up to get it yourself every Monday morning. Summer officially starts in a few weeks, but I’ve already ordered and preordered the books that will keep me company on airplanes and trips to the beach. The first Modern CEO reading list was heavy on buzzworthy titles. Last year’s edition was a bit more dutiful, highlighting three works that explored the complexities of capitalism. This year, I’m diving into the lives of the ultrarich, whose impact on culture, society, and policy continues to rise. The Haves and the Have-Yachts: Dispatches on the Ultrarich by Evan Osnos Thanks in part to social media, consumption—of luxury goods, five-star resorts, rare wines, and the like—is increasingly conspicuous. One place where the ultrarich can avoid prying eyes? Aboard their superyachts. As Evan Osnos, a staff writer and podcast host at The New Yorker, writes of such floating mansions: “These shrines to excess capital exist in a conditional state of visibility: they are meant to be unmistakable to a slender stratum of society—and all but unseen by everyone else.” Osnos’s collection of essays promises to shed light on the excesses but also on how the rich amass and keep their wealth and the power that it affords. Personal History: A Memoir by Katharine Graham and Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist by Roger Lowenstein One of the biggest business stories of the year—Warren Buffett’s announcement that he will step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway—and the ongoing struggles of The Washington Post under Jeff Bezos (a superyacht owner), are prompting me to reread two great books on my bookshelf. Personal History is Graham’s candid memoir of the personal and professional hurdles she had to overcome en route to becoming CEO of The Washington Post Company and one of the most admired executives in media. Lowenstein’s masterful portrait of Buffett is part biography, part investing tutorial. Graham and Buffett were longtime friends, and Lowenstein seems to credit Graham with leavening some of Buffett’s thrifty instincts. Stories of Buffett’s frugality—his primary residence is a home he bought in Omaha in 1958 for $31,500—will surely be a good palate cleanser after the Osnos book. Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI by Karen Hao Hao, an Atlantic contributor, is one of the leading journalists covering artificial intelligence (AI), and her book promises to be an unflinching look at the potential and perils of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s ambitions for generative AI, which seem to mirror the “move fast and break things” ethos of many tech companies. Luckily for readers, Hao seems willing to explore the unintended consequences of unfettered AI expansion, including the environmental impacts of water- and energy-hungry data centers. So Far Gone by Jess Walter Walter’s latest book—my one fiction pick—has many of the things I love in novel: a road trip, multigenerational conflict, and a gruff former journalist as the protagonist. In So Far Gone, Rhys Kinnick sets off to rescue his daughter and grandchildren from a radical militia group. It’s a world Walter knows well: As a journalist for the Spokane, Washington Spokesman-Review, Walter covered the 1992 standoff at Ruby Ridge in Northern Idaho, which is credited with fueling the anti-government militia movement. Challenging stuff, but an early review from Ann Patchett confirms why I love Walter’s writing: “Jess Walter managed to build such a warm, funny, loving novel out of so many horrible parts.” What are you reading this summer? What’s on your summer reading list? Please send the name, author, and a sentence or two about why you’d recommend it to modern leaders to stephaniemehta@mansueto.com. I’ll publish a bonus newsletter with reader suggestions before the official start of summer. Read more: summer reading roundup 24 books to read this summer, according to The Atlantic The Economist’s latest “beach friendly” reads The 15 books USA Today says you should read this summer

Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.There are so many details you have to think about when decorating your home. You’ve got the big-ticket items, like the couch, dining table, and bed frame. Then there are the smaller furnishings, such as the coffee table, nightstands, and shelving. Finally, you get to the littlest details that still bring in a lot of character, and that’s where your wall decor comes in. Whether you love a gallery wall or a single statement art piece, there are plenty of wall decor ideas from interior designers to look to for inspiration, no matter your style.It’s sometimes most challenging to figure out the smaller details in your home. There are just so many possibilities, and with wall decor, it’s no different. Do you use all matching frames? How can you make your wall visually interesting without hammering into it? Should you have a theme to your decor, or put up what you want? Well, the designer advice ahead can help stylishly steer you in the right direction.We’ve rounded up 55 of the most beautiful wall decor ideas from design professionals that’ll help spark some inspiration. From solitary pieces to museum-quality layouts to colorful collections, there’s something for everyone.Additional copy by Hadley Mendelsohn and Alyssa Longobucco.Find more impactful decor inspiration: 1Break Up the SceneRead McKendreeThis dining room, designed by Bella Mancini, displays three pieces of coordinating artwork that all connect to form one panoramic image. This triptych style of wall decor is a unique way to add multiple artworks to a space while making it completely cohesive.Tour the Entire Home2Cluster in ThreesMatthew NiemannTo create a well-balanced wall that avoids looking too bare or overly busy, consider arranging your decor using the rule of threes. In her mother’s home, designer Galeana Younger grouped three smaller decor pieces next to a large piece of colorful artwork, creating balance on the wall without overwhelming the space.Tour the Entire HomeAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Choose a Large StatementMatthew NiemannGaleana Younger’s mom had been collecting pieces for years, so it wasn’t hard finding a statement piece for this wall. The art installation shows a dove mounted at the center of a starburst, originally from a church in Puebla, Mexico. When a single piece is this grand, it doesn’t need other wall decor to distract from it. Tour the Entire Home4Make It YourselfMadeline TolleIn this family room, designer Jaqui Seerman displayed a large piece of art created by her client. The bold artwork is the only non-neutral in the space, making it very eye-grabbing. Flanking either side of it are two arched onyx shelves, contrasting with the sharp edges of the frame.Tour the Entire HomeAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Choose Juxtaposing StylesErin LittleThe vivid, modern console table and ornate gilded mirror in this entryway wouldn’t seem to work, yet they do. Designer Christina Salway was given the table for free and chose this ornate wall decor to purposely add some juxtaposition to the room—the resulting look is so bold and unique.Tour the Entire Home6Hang Something PlushErin LittleIf you have a rug that’s simply too beautiful or fragile to roll out on the floor, hang it on your wall instead. That’s what Christina Salway did with this tiger rug that she found in Paris—it helps that it adds a nice deep tone to the white wall.Tour the Entire HomeAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Round It OutLindsay SalazarCara and Tom Fox of The Fox Group chose to use matching round wall decor to flank either side of the fireplace in this client’s living room. They chose to use decorative plates and convex mirrors, but you can bring in organic shapes to the wall with any type of circular decor.Tour the Entire Home8DIY Some ShelvesPar BengtssonThere’s no shortage of cool wall decor at thrift stores and antique shops, so if you find something that’s a bit rough around the edges but almost perfect, don’t be afraid to add a little DIY magic to make it work for your style. That’s what designer Minnette Jackson did for the bracket shelves in this guest room: “I was having a hard time finding what I saw in my head, so I just collected several vintage ones in weird colors and painted them to match,” she says.Tour the Entire HomeAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Hang a CorkboardThomas KuohBy installing a corkboard wall where your family frequently gathers, your wall decor can be ever-changing. Emilie Munroe of Studio Munroe explains, “I had a vision for this breakfast nook with the cork wall.” Munroe continues, “I absolutely love a cork wall. Like wood, it brings a natural element into the vertical space. It grows with age. Teenagers love them—they can drape twinkly lights from it. It’s just a genuine, joyful, uber-functional moment.”Tour the Entire Home10Make It MetallicLaurey GlennSconces are some of the best pieces to add to your wall decor because they boost the amount of ambient light in the space while adding a 3D detail. This sitting room by Lucy O’Brien of Tartan & Toile features an array of metallic shell sconces, which reflect light gorgeously.Tour the Entire HomeRelated Story: "Stripes Are a Neutral" For Philadelphia-Based Designer Lucy O'Brien of Tartan & ToileAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Lend Some LightChris EdwardsThe best way to enjoy a beautiful piece of art? Under the perfect lighting, of course. To ensure your chosen painting or photo gets the moment in the spotlight that it deserves, illuminate it. In this happy living room, designer Charlotte Lucas makes the most of an abstract painting by pairing it with a brass picture light. Tour the Entire Home12Stack Some FiguresAndrew Brown InteriorsA series of framed nude figures is such a natural fit for a bathroom gallery wall. In this petite bathroom by Andrew Brown Interiors, the warm wallpaper makes the vintage artwork pop even more. Tour the Entire HomeAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Create Some Contrast Chris EdwardsChoosing the right wall decor can be a great way to call attention to an already beautiful design scheme, especially if you’re strategic about your choice of color. In this saturated space by Charlotte Lucas, rich teal walls (and ceiling) meet their match in a contrasting piece of artwork by Erik Madigan Heck.Tour the Entire Home 14Secure Art to Your ShelvesAnson SmartBooks run the show in this swanky media room designed by Brigette Romanek, but there's still room for some black and white prints to break up the stacks. Instead of hanging the pieces on a nearby wall or leaning them on a shelf, she secured them to the shelf dividers, alternating the orientation for added dimension. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below15Get a Little WildJessica Klewicki GlynnFor a playful twist on traditional wall decor, take a trip to the wild side with a slew of rattan animal heads. Here, designer Tom Scheerer used a menagerie of mammals to bring cheeky energy to this living room. Tour the Entire Home16Paint Your PassagewaysEmil DervishWall decor isn't just about hanging something new in your space—it can also be about calling more attention to a feature already in the room. In this entryway by Emil Dervish, a gorgeous cobalt blue door steals the show. To bring even more drama, he extended the paint around the doorframe and the wall up, finishing in an arched shape.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below17Make It WorkKate StarkelIn a small space, all your decor needs to work hard for you—there’s no such thing as just an aesthetic pick. For a wall decor idea that marries form with function, look no further than a decorative shelf. This version, seen in a project by Amanda Jacobs, combines decorative carvings with useful hooks and space for trinkets. Tour the Entire Home18Stick to a Tight PaletteKevin ScottMinimalist, modern interiors can still incorporate wall decor, so long as it whispers instead of screams. In this serene bedroom designed by Studio DIAA, a pair of framed prints—featuring airy white frames and a thick white —add a touch of visual interest without compromising the neutral, uncluttered atmosphere. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below19Highlight Emerging TalentLisa PetroleBeauty is in the eye of the beholder—especially when it comes to art. Instead of hanging up a pretty piece that ultimately has no sentimental value to you, why not highlight the tiniest artists in your home? This Texas home is the perfect example, giving prominence to finger paintings over figure paintings. Tour the Entire Home 20Choose a ThemeChris MottaliniOne of the great things about wall art is that "meaningful" pieces can take a different form for each person. In this space by designer Jenny Dina Kirschner, that ethos manifested itself as a gallery wall of stunning portraits, most of which were sourced from Chairish or other antique dealers.

Nicole Crowley (left) and products she got for free or near-free through couponing. Courtesy of Nicole Crawley 2025-05-16T13:07:11Z Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Nicole Crawley has saved $2,000 in the past 2 years using a couponing app to manage household expenses. Crawley, a stay-at-home mom, has honed her strategy to save on baby products and essentials. Crawley has been couponing since she was 15, and says it's worth it to learn how to save. Nicole Crawley has been couponing since she was 15.Now, at 28 and a mom of three, she takes money-saving seriously. Over the past two years, she's saved $2,000 using a couponing app. That can make a real difference in her household, which lives on one income since she's a stay-at-home mother. High day care costs drove her to stay home with her kids; losing her salary means leaning even more into couponing."I still use a lot of the skills and a lot of the shopping techniques to be able to afford the lifestyle that we have kept up," she said, referring to the money-saving methods she learned growing up in a "very, very poor" family. Though she now mainly uses a couponing app, she first accrued savings the old-school way: a couponing binder, rifling through the recycling center for coupon inserts, and even collecting coupons from people in her community who wanted to help out.Those skills are coming in handy in an age when products, especiall those for children and babies, have seen price fluctuations. Tariffs might only increase costs. An April 10 survey of 1,1014 US consumers by market research data firm Numerator found that 83% of consumers are planning on changing up their shopping behaviors in preparation for tariffs, and 48% said that they'll look for sales or coupons. Crawley said that tariffs are a stressor — she's been picking up her couponing to ensure that they have staples in their household."If prices do increase significantly, which I do see happening, it won't hit home as hard and as abruptly," she said.Couponing to save money on kids' stuffWhen she was younger, Crawley watched TLC's "Extreme Couponing," a TV show about people seeking to save as much money as possible and competing to see who can get their bills to be the smallest. While Crawley said the show itself is unrealistic, it did help her launch her own couponing passion. Crawley said that when she first moved out of her house at 18, she paused her couponing for a little while she got settled. But when her first child was born a few years later, and she was trying to make it on her own, she discovered how expensive baby gear was. That's when she threw herself back into the couponing lifestyle. She was able to accumulate so many baby items that she could donate some to her local women's care center; her hauls included baby soap, lotions, and diaper wipes. She also said she took her couponing ethos to other ways of saving — she utilized thrift stores, and would barter her coupon items for other items she needed, like baby clothes or toys.Couponing these days looks a bit different. Paper coupons are less common, and retailers will only allow consumers to use a few at a time, she said. Instead, rebate apps like Ibotta are the place to be these days. That app has helped Crawley save over $2,000. She also takes advantage of retailers' online coupons and online loyalty accounts. One of her most recent household finds: Eight toilet bowl cleaners for $5 at Walgreens. With a universe of deal options, Crawley said she's been focusing her efforts on diapers, formula, and other baby accoutrements.Getting discounts and trying out new productsCrawley also capitalizes on a strategy retailers use to potentially hook new customers: She'll often try new products just because they have a steep discount. When Ragu announced a new kids veggie sauce, she was able to get jars for 25 cents each; it ended up being a hit in her household, and she has 12 jars currently sitting in her pantry.Crawley is still trying to be mindful of overconsumption — she doesn't want to just accrue things she doesn't need for the sake of couponing. She said that she tries to clear some things out when she's run out of space, or they might not be able to use them before they go bad."If I get anything extra that, we might not use this in time, it automatically gets donated to a family in need. I'll post on Facebook, 'Hey, who needs this? Come get it," she said. "Or I'll take it to our woman's care center and they'll dish it out to whoever needs it there."Couponing has been worth it for Crawley's household. She knows it can be daunting to explore, but the work is worth it."When you're planning your grocery excursion with it, making your list, it can be time-consuming," she said. "You're checking multiple apps, you're checking all the coupons, you're checking the ads, you're writing everything down. But I think just an hour to sit down and do it and saving the money makes it worth it."Do you have a story to share about finding ways to save money? Contact this reporter at jkaplan@businessinsider.com. Recommended video

When it comes to efficiently detecting memory issues and optimizing performance, the information shown on the Memory Profiler, as well as the information’s precision, is key. We’re investing significant effort in this area. In two recent blogs, members of my team introduced Memory Profiler 1.0.0 and shared five key workflows to diagnose and examine memory-related issues in your game.Soon, we will be releasing Memory Profiler 1.1 (an experimental version is available now), which includes updated labels and descriptions to explain how memory works and how application memory footprint is calculated.Since memory footprint continues to be a hot topic in our conversations with developers, I’m here to answer your frequently asked questions – specifically, to cover these three topics:What resident memory isHow application memory footprint is calculatedHow to analyze memory footprintLet’s drill into memory allocation in Unity. When the engine allocates memory, it first reserves multiple memory pages in the virtual address space that can fit the requested allocation. Pages are the smallest units of memory management. Virtual address space and physical storage are each organized into pages, and the page size depends on the platform used. For example, on x86 computers a page size is 4 KB.After the engine has reserved enough pages, it asks the operating system (OS) to “commit” physical storage to memory. This is why allocated memory is often referred to as “committed.” Next, the OS registers that the pages now have physical storage assigned and they can be accessed. Your application-reported “total committed memory” will then increase. However, the physical memory footprint of your application stays the same.The footprint stays the same because, even though you’ve committed your region to physical storage, most OSs are lazy and thrifty, so there’s no assignment of a specific physical storage location. As an example, let’s say you decide to write something in the committed region. There is not yet any physical memory underneath the region, so accessing it will incur a page fault. In response, the OS’s memory manager will allocate a previously available physical page in order to complete your operation. Because all operations are performed with page-size granularity, unaccessed pages of the region will remain empty and without physical memory assigned. Similarly, your application’s resident memory size will increase by the total size of all physical memory pages allocated to complete your operation.If a page has not been accessed for a while or demand for physical memory is high, an OS might offload some pages from your allocated region either to compressed memory or a page swap file, depending on what is supported on your platform.In this case, your application’s reported allocated memory will stay the same but resident memory size will decrease.As you might have already realized, if you only look at allocated memory you may be misled by which allocation consumes your physical memory, which can trick you into optimizing something that isn’t a problem. Not only does this waste your valuable time, you don’t see any difference in your application performance and stability.Overall, your application memory state can be described by this diagram:In summary, here’s how the memory footprint is calculated:Physical memory footprint = Application resident memory + Application compressed memory pagesIn Memory Profiler 1.1, the Summary, Unity Objects, and All Of Memory views will not only show Allocated memory size but also provide information about Resident memory. However, this information will only be shown if the Memory Profiler snapshot is made with Unity 2023.1 or newer. With older snapshots, you’ll still see updated UI and breakdown views, but without information on Resident memory.TheSummary view provides a general overview and an essential metric: Total Resident on Device. If your application needs to run on a platform with limited memory, Total Resident on Device is critical for reviewing low memory warnings and out-of-memory evictions. As a rule of thumb, you shouldn’t go over 70% of the total physical memory available on a device.For detailed analysis, you can use Unity Objects andAll of Memory views. You’ll need to select Resident on Device or Allocated and Resident on Device from the dropdown menu and sort by Resident size to see objects that contribute most to the total physical memory used.When analyzing resident memory usage, remember:Managed memory will be dominantly resident. Mono Heap and Boehm Garbage Collector regularly access objects and make them resident.Graphics memory (estimated) is shown as estimated. On most platforms, we don’t have access to information on the exact whereabouts of the graphics resources, so we estimate size based on available information like width, height, depth, pixel format, and so on. This also means we don’t have information about graphics resources’ residency status. For usability reasons, all graphics objects are shown only in the Allocated view mode.Untracked is all memory reported by the OS as allocated by the application, but which lacks solid information on the source of the allocation. It could be native plugins, OS libraries, thread stacks, etc. On some platforms, we provide additional insights into who might have allocated that memory in the group breakdown.When analyzing Native memory, which contains all Unity non-managed allocations used by objects, you’ll see the Reserved memory item. This is memory allocated by Unity Memory Manager but not used by any Unity object during capture. Here’s some helpful information:Reserved memory can be resident, which means that there might have been an object that was recently deleted.You can access additional information about Reserved breakdown by going to the Memory Profiler settings and enabling the “Show reserved memory breakdown” checkbox. By default, this is disabled, as Reserved breakdown doesn’t always contain enough actionable information and requires a deep understanding of how Unity Memory Manager works.You can learn more about Unity Memory Manager and allocation strategies in the allocators setup documentation.On some platforms, we show additional platform-specific groups if they’re of significant size, like Android Runtime on Android. Here are some notes on Android Runtime:On some versions, Android Runtime tends to preallocate a significant amount of memory but never use it. In that case, allocated memory doesn’t add to the application memory footprint and only the resident part of it needs to be considered.If the Android Runtime resident part is taking up a significant amount of the application memory footprint, use the Android Studio profiler to analyze allocations done in Java.Although Android doesn’t have a page file or memory compression by default, the Linux kernel allows applications to overcommit and allocate more memory than is physically available.When capturing, make sure you understand the device you’re using. Some vendors supply the Android Linux kernel with memory compression (zRAM) or vendor-custom page swap file tools.We hope this overview of what to expect in Memory Profiler 1.1 (experimental version available now) and exploration of various topics around memory footprint have been helpful.My team and I plan to continue improving the Memory Profiler to provide more precise and targeted information, as well as warn you about potential out-of-memory situations and how close they might be. Follow the progress on our product roadmap and tell us what you think.Share your feedback with us in the forums. Be sure to watch for new technical blogs from other Unity developers as part of the ongoing Tech from the Trenches series.