homes

Even selfies and feet photos can be inspiring when snapped in an irresistible outdoor setting. In search of fresh ideas for outdoor decorating, we devoured the feeds some of our favorite Instagram users. From bold painting techniques to grassy grid patterns, we're dying to put at least one of these to the test. Keep reading to see which snapshots made our cut, and don't forget to add a #casasnap hashtag to your decor-related shots!

Last week we brought you the first peek of this year's Kips Bay Decorator Show House, and today we are pleased to bring you a much closer look at some of the design details that make the project so special. Read on to see some of our favorite moments for the beautiful Upper East Side townhouse that just went on the market!

It seems fitting that Drew Barrymore, the girl next door who's also Hollywood royalty, would live in a stately, traditional home. Now that her country-chic Montecito mansion is up for sale, we can't help but dream about owning it. According to Trulia, this 6,000-square-foot beach ranch boasts everything from lush gardens to a guest apartment. It's already proven fit for entertaining; Drew herself got married here last year. While a cool $7.5 million isn't in the price range of most of us, it's doesn't hurt to admire — or steal the style with similar pieces found throughout this California pad. Click through to see how it's done.

For some of us, the kitchen is a frightening place filled with sharp objects, alien ingredients, and hot surfaces. But for cats, it's a jungle gym of exploration. There are things to play with, sit on, hide in, nibble on, and nap in. If you have a surface, appliance, utensil, or container, then your cat will find a novel use for it. Take a look at some of our favorite cats getting comfy in the kitchen.

We always knew interior-designer-turned-apothecary-owner Alison Evans had great taste, but moving across the country to restore a historic home (in under just four months!) takes vision. Built by a sea captain in the early 19th century, the home hadn't been touched since the '70s, but beyond the layers of dingy linoleum, wallpaper, and carpeting, Alison and husband Jon could envision their dream home. Located in East Orleans, MA, their new hometown is known for its sweet mom-and-pop shops, fabulous farmers market, and the best beaches around — including an exclusive residents beach just a five-minute drive from their home! Keep reading to see some of our favorite design moments in the house and get Alison's tips for starting a decorating project from scratch.

Photos courtesy of Organic Photography

Whether you're planning a major renovation or just want to introduce a bit of luxury to your kitchen and bathroom design, we can help. After checking out the latest at the 2013 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in New Orleans, it seems the hottest doodads are a hybrid of futuristic technology, smart sustainability, and gallery-worthy design. Keep reading to see the seven new items for kitchens and bathrooms we want now!

We'd all love to invest in quality furniture, but sitting down at that sleek new dining table can present some financial hurdles. Luckily, a contemporary Canadian furniture brand is setting out to change that — and at no expense to your aesthetic. By cutting out the middlemen in the industry, Bryght allows people to essentially shop directly from the factories, shedding mark-ups associated with importers, distributors, and sales people — and effectively saving them an estimated 50 percent in the process. Better yet, the brand offers a free 30-day home trial period with free shipping and returns in North America: commitment-phobes, the line starts here!

High-design and high-quality, Bryght's contemporary and transitional collection comes from top international designers who've cut their teeth at companies like Established & Sons, Habitat, and Stella McCartney. In our opinion, it competes with the Crate and Barrels and Room & Boards of the world, but see for yourself. Here are a few of our top picks from the collection.