To create an inspired, contemporary style in your dining room, go for contrast: a rustic wooden table paired with sleek, modern chairs. By matching a rugged surface with smooth, polished chairs, you'll give the space an unexpected, eclectic vibe. Curious? Take a look at 10 rustic-meets-refined dining rooms to kick-start your creativity. Read more

Whether you're a word nerd, a font junkie, or just a fan of creative design, typography accents are a great way to modernize your home decor. From simple tabletop items to statement-making furniture, we've gathered some of the best typography pieces to suit any decorating style. Read more

A painted floor can change the entire mood of a room by adding color and character to the space. Solid white painted floors look clean and crisp, but bold shades and patterns add an extra dash of personality. Stripes, stencils, and strategic stain applications are just a few of the possibilities — click through the slideshow for 10 of our favorite painted floor designs! Read more

Is the Winter season leaving you with a feeling of wanderlust? Indulge your travel dreams by decorating with maps. Whether you'd like to cover an entire wall, a small coffee table, or just a throw pillow, we've rounded up some of the best map decor — plus a handful of clever DIY map design projects. Take a look and decide whether the globe-trotting trend is for you. Read more

Trends come and go, and in the case of interior design trends, many of them stick around for much longer than a few seasons. We've pulled together some of the top design and decor trends of 2011 — some may be new to you, and some may have been favorite trends in the past few years but are still going strong in 2011. Our question, though, is whether or not you're growing tired of some of these Read more

It's no secret that concrete is an incredible building material, and the fact that it's essentially waterproof explains why it's often used to make outdoor furniture and garden décor. But until recently, the stonelike material hadn't quite made its way inside the house. Thanks to some very clever and creative designers, the raw material is one of the greatest new trends in interior décor. With Read more

One of my favorite trends lately is the oversize clamshell. It's beachy but not kitschy, and its scale makes it a statement piece. It's no surprise I've been seeing them in the most sophisticated of homes. If you find one on the beach, you've practically stumbled upon a pot of gold, but you can find authentic shells in antique shops and flea markets. Otherwise, you'll be happy to know that Read more