Going dark takes guts — especially in a kitchen, where all-white schemes have been so popular for so long — but Halle and Jeff really pull it off in their New York City apartment. Take a closer look at this dark and handsome stunner. The dark cabinets (in Benjamin Moore’s Mopboard Black) are dramatic and debonair without being overly somber. That’s thanks to the contrasting ceiling and beams (in Benjamin Moore’s high-gloss Simply White).

I can get behind any holiday that’s celebrated with parties, parades, and tons of food. That pretty sums up Mardi Gras season, so I’ll take it! Historically, these days of decadence are in anticipation of Lent, but anyone can get in on the fun, whether or not you’re fasting. And what’s a holiday without crafts? So in the spirit of Mardi Gras, try one of these easy DIY projects for your Fat Tuesday festivities.

Kitchens get a lot of attention — and rightly so! We make several meals a day in there, and it’s where everybody tends to congregate when guests come over (even though you’ve set out the drinks and the snacks in the living room). So, why not start your home renovation design plan in the place where you spend the most time? That’s what designer and blogger Brett did and the result is this stunning kitchen, which she shares with her husband, Brandon.

I am of the opinion (and perhaps you share this sentiment) that going out to eat on Valentine’s Day is just no good. Staying home is cheaper and quieter, and you can totally wear pajamas if you want! Instead of stressing out over reservations, spend your time and energy on cooking (or ordering in) a meal. And while you’re at it, make something fun and festive for your table — if not for your Valentine, then for your Galentines.

My kitchen is cute (the backsplash tile is pretty, and I did my best picking out new brass hardware and lighting), but let’s call a spade a spade: A tiny box of a kitchen can only get so much admiration. That’s why I’m crushing hard on this total kitchen overhaul from Victoria Hudgins at A Subtle Revelry. She took a boxed-in, boring, and dated room and turned it into a showpiece with tons of cool details.

Hot stuff coming through! These blogger-made trivets will protect your tabletops from scratches and burns — and look good doing it. Pick a project, then get directions to make your own. Don’t be intimidated by this trivet from crafter Lia Griffith. You do need a needle and heavy-duty thread to pull it off, but you definitely don’t have to have real sewing skills. Lia provides a full play-by-play to guide your way.

This time of year, I go into hibernation. Forget after-work drinks and Saturday night apartment parties. I’m just not going. It’s not like I want to be antisocial entirely, but when the wind chill means temps are topping out in the single digits, it’s going to take a lot to get me out of the house. Actually, the only thing I’d maybe be willing to leave for (aside from work!) is a super-cozy dinner party.

I consider my apartment to be something of a unicorn: I’m a New Yorker living in a rental with a fully functional fireplace. Yay! Only, I never use it. Why not? Firewood is pretty expensive in Manhattan, and when we needed a place to put our cable box and gaming systems, I begrudgingly agreed to use the cutout for our makeshift media center. Plus, it would be impossible to tell you when the chimney was last swept or the flue checked, so I’d be too nervous to use it anyway.

There’s no need to wing it when it comes to a first birthday celebration. (And yes, I realize these puns are already starting to get ridiculous!) Wynona Leach of Red Carousel styled this birdhouse-plus-garden party for a client (well, technically the client’s 1-year-old daughter, Sanaa) and it’s definitely an idea worth stealing. Wynona decked out the space with pink and green balloons, paper pinwheels, and bunting made out of vintage fabric.

I used to think I was good at adulting when I’d empty a bag of chips into a napkin-lined basket for a party. (Look, snacks!) I’ve upped my game a little in the recent years (homemade spiced nuts, anyone?), but all that pride has gone out the window since I’ve seen the snack stadium movement sweeping the internet.

Flowers are fleeting, and herbs need at least a little bit of TLC. Fruit bowls, though, are a countertop decoration that can be set out and forgotten about. Visitors (and you!) will love the cheer factor a fruit bowl adds to the kitchen. Plus, studies find that setting one out will tempt you into snacking on fruit more often. Health, beauty — what more do you need? Just a little styling help. Before you hit the produce section, check out these well-styled options for some fruitful tips.

Pick a vehicle — any vehicle! Be it a truck, boat, taxi, plane, or train, a transportation-themed party is always a good idea for a little guy’s birthday. Just look at this bash that Megan, the blogger behind Honey We’re Home, threw for her son. It’s simple, sweet, and totally easy for you to recreate. Megan kept the party small (just family), which meant she could host it at home and save big bucks.

Starting a fire creates instant festive feels — that is, if you’re lucky enough to have a functional wood-burning fireplace. But those of us who can’t light up the logs (or have gas-powered flames) have to get crafty when we want that magical fire smell. Where to turn? Fortunately a bunch of companies have started to bottle that signature campfire-like scent.

Christmas lights are fantastic, a tree is fun to decorate, and stockings are great for stuffing. All truths. But if you don’t have a festive scent wafting through your home, then your holiday sensorial experience is missing something. I’m not talking super-strong Pine-Sol here, although if a faint, fresh fir is your speed, I’ve still got you covered.

Once you’ve bought your turkey and all the fixings for a big Thanksgiving meal, shelling out more cash for table decor is probably the last thing you want or even can do. But you know that a pretty tablescape makes the food taste better. At the very least it can’t hurt, right?

I’ve got more stripes in my closet than a J.Crew catalog, so you could say I’m a fan. People think of them as preppy, nautical, even Parisian. Well, why not Halloween-y? Beetlejuice rocked a black-and-white-striped suit, after all. Bloggers Merrick White of Merrick’s Art and Sara Walk of Tell Love and Party worked stripes into their latest Halloween party, and I’m not mod — I mean, mad — about it.

Black is the new orange! At least, that’s what I’m thinking after looking at this pretty gothic tablescape by crafter extraordinaire Lia Griffith. It seriously makes me want to pick up a can of spray paint. For her centerpieces, Griffith collected random vases, glasses, and crockery from thrift stores. Then, she gave each piece a few coats of matte black paint to unify them.

Take a Halloween dinner party outside and the spook factor goes up exponentially. There’s just something inherently creepy about eating under a dusky sky. But the one thing you lose when you go roofless is the ability to create an overhead focal point for your dining table. That means no statement chandeliers, pendants, or fixtures.

A good ghost story is hard to resist — especially as Halloween gets closer and closer — and obviously, a cozy bonfire plays a big part in any scary tale. But what to do if you don’t have a fire pit? If you’re Shannon Smith, the blogger behind Burlap and Lace, you get creative and figure out how to build one with the stuff you do have. See how she built an instant bonfire for a recent backyard ghost story-telling soirée with a little help from The Home Depot.