Matte or satin sheen scuffs up very easily. So, unless you have it professionally done, definitely paint shelves or cabinets with something with a higher sheen.

Metal shades only give directional lighting, which is great for a desk or work area, but not for ambient lighting. Fabric shades are much softer.

As long as you work in a color palette and you style what you already have within that color palette, it's going to look good together.

I would definitely bring silver into your holiday decor.

I'm shocked at how much I'm into Christmas pillows. There's cheesiness, obviously, but then there's really cute ones that are metallic that say "Ho Ho Ho" or "Merry" or cute vintage needlepoint ones.

I personally would rather be a partygoer than a party-thrower.

I set up stations, buy a big vat of chili, and then guests do what they want to do - and I still get to party.