Stylelist Home

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Why invest in a fire pit? Emmy Award-winning television personality and HGTV Design Star finalist Cathy Hobbs agrees that extending our living spaces to the outdoors for year-round use is possible with a fire pit. "Aspects such as outdoor kitchens and fireplaces have long been desired luxury items, and a fire pit is an immensely desirable alternative to a traditional outdoor fireplace." She tells us that this feature has become a popular design element, not only for residential homes, but for vacation destinations, hotels, and outdoor nightclubs. "I have experienced and appreciated fire pits as a key decor element as it relates to creating a luxury environment and creating a seductive mood."

Click through to see some of Stylelist Home's favorite fire-pit picks!

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Have you ever wondered what would happen if a bunch of celebrity interior designers came together to create one totally awesome house? Well, take a peek inside the Santa Barbara Design House and Gardens to find out. Each room was designed by a different style maven, making this house the ultimate interior design showcase. Notable designers include Mary McDonald from Bravo's Million Dollar Decorators, Ryan Brown from Bravo's Flipping Out, and Michelle Workman, whose star-studded client list includes Jennifer Lopez and Kirstie Alley.

From now through Oct. 7, visitors can tour the house, enjoy the decor, and gather inspiration for their own homes. Can't hop on a plane to Santa Barbara within the next few weeks? Check out this slideshow and take your own mini tour.

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When most young couples buy their first home together, they have a clear vision of what they want. For Hammers and High Heels blogger Carla Zidarevich and her husband Alex, they envisioned living in a classic 1920s colonial home. And they got just that — eventually. This house tour shows the blood, sweat, and tears that went into making these newlyweds' dream home a reality.

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Many consider Billy Joel to be a quintessential New York music icon, so it isn't surprising that he lived and worked for many years in one of the most prestigious and one-of-a-kind Manhattan properties: the penthouse at 128 Central Park South. And, lucky us, we were invited by Trulia to visit this fabulous home that's currently on the market by its most recent owners for just under $12 million. The two level duplex with two bedrooms, a private gym, 2.5 bathrooms, 3 fireplaces and the rarest views of the city from its wrap-around terrace is no stranger to celebrities. Before Joel and his supermodel ex-wife Christie Brinkley owned the place, it had also been home to Ted Turner. And once you've seen the sights from this uptown residence, you'll realize why we had to share this house tour.

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The cool weather is finally upon us, and before you know it, Fall will be in full effect. And that means transitioning your home decor from a bright, airy, and summery tone to a more neutral and warming autumnal feeling. Of course, it can be a bit of a drag to remove all your Summer accessories and replace them with more seasonally appropriate pieces. So, we spoke with designers Brita Olsen and Sabrina Soto and the lifestyle site The Foundary to learn about a few key items, design patterns, and go-to colors that you can easily incorporate into your house to make it feel like a crisp Autumn day. Click through our slideshow to see these tips and tricks.

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Chalkboard paint has been around for years, but with new color technology, the sky is the limit for easy and fabulous project ideas using this coating. For instance, HudsonPaint offers 30 colors of the paint and Benjamin Moore's new line of tintable colors allows you to pick up a can in more than 3,000 different hues, casting out the limitations of the classic black, red, and green shades.

Traditionally, chalkboard paint has been used on walls to turn them into vertical, interactive writing centers. But over the years, crafters have expanded to decorating tables, canvases, and other surfaces with this material. Now, these new colorful capabilities have us overwhelmed with exciting crafting and decorating ideas in full spectrum.

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Who knew stressful situation could turn into a peaceful sanctuary? Recently a friend and industry colleague, Josh Michelman, approached me, stressed and in a design emergency. Due to an unfortunate urban incident, he had lost all of his furniture. Compounding the situation, he was beginning a semester of graduate school and a new full-time job. To say the least Josh was a busy man and had no time to deal with his interior design dilemma. Leaving town for a week of work training, he handed me a credit card, gave me a small budget and said, "I trust you. I'd like a place to sleep and sit when I get back." Although Josh trusted me, he didn't leave without a wish list and demands. He needed a space that he could relax, sleep, study and entertain. More challenging, I had to incorporate his random collection of art, photography and travel souvenirs. Keep reading to tour the finished studio!

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We could all use a little relaxation. Unfortunately, between work, school and kids, it's hard to find some time to get away and unwind. So, if you're not able to actually sit on a pretty porch and take in the late Summer breeze, we've put together a little something that will at least help create the setting in your daydreams. Click through our slideshow, take a deep breath, and enjoy the view.

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The exterior of a home is the first thing every home buyer sees, so it's understandable that someone wouldn't look twice at one that was disheveled, nearly 100 years old, and obscured by shrubbery. But when builder and remodeler Royce Flournoy first saw his 1939 Texas cottage, he didn't see a pit — he saw potential. Flournoy completely boosted the home's curb appeal, which is featured in HGTV's September issue, on stands now. Keep reading to find out how Royce revamped the home's beautiful exterior!