Design and lifestyle writer. Bylines in @wsjoffduty @housebeautiful @latimes... Previous life: @nytimes
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Articles by Lexi Mainland
Why Americans Want a ‘Snug,’ a Special Room That’s an ‘Instant Magic Pill’ of Comfort
“SMALL ROOMS set the mind on the right path. Large ones cause it to go astray,” wrote Leonardo da Vinci 500 years ago. And though open-concept floor plans have dominated home design for half a century, designers and their customers are recognizing the old polymath was on to something. A capacious living-dining-kitchen room can feel lonely and uninviting, even unmooring.
Plates as Wall Art? The Chic Way to Do It (That Doesn’t Look Dated)
WHETHER IT was heirloom Wedgwood hung in a stately crest formation or souvenir national-park dishes haloing a mantle clock, plate décor typically signaled status, charm or kitsch—but not cool. It does now. “Like many things in design, hanging plates is a traditional concept that can be made modern,” said Lilse McKenna, an interior designer based in New Canaan, Conn. You can defy convention via a mix of pieces, an amorphous arrangement or an unexpected location.
6 Double-Duty Desks for Working From Home
JOAN BERKOWITZ, a real estate portfolio manager in Manhattan, said she woke up one recent morning, rubbed her eyes and realized the ironing board stored next to her bed could be reborn as an adjustable-height desk. "It’s wobbly, but it works perfectly," she said. For those of us like Ms. Berkowitz, without an office in the house, the new work-from-home reality can necessitate a jury-rigged desk.
6 Double-Duty Desks for Working From Home
JOAN BERKOWITZ, a real estate portfolio manager in Manhattan, said she woke up one recent morning, rubbed her eyes and realized the ironing board stored next to her bed could be reborn as an adjustable-height desk. “It’s wobbly, but it works perfectly,” she said. For those of us like Ms. Berkowitz, without an office in the house, the new work-from-home reality can necessitate a jury-rigged desk.
Three Tricks For Parting Your Hair
Cup of Jo has been running for 13 years (!) so we’ve decided that every week, we’ll be highlighting one of the most popular posts from the past. Here’s one of our favorites, originally published on April 28, 2015… Did you know that one of the quickest (and most dramatic) ways to change your look is to change the way you part your hair? We didn’t understand the power of parts until recently, when Vanessa Alcala, a hairstylist at Marie Robinson Salon in Manhattan, let us in on the secret.
This Brand-New Brooklyn Townhouse Was Disguised to Feel Centuries Old
It was a great challenge: Make a new-build triplex look like it came from London in the 1800s. For starters, the Carroll Gardens neighborhood of Brooklyn was the perfect location, with rows of 19th-century neo-Grec and Italianate houses and deep, neatly planted front yards. So when a thirtysomething Englishman asked New York–and Nashville-based interior designer Benjamin Vandiver to create this old-world British fantasy, the designer took the bait.
This Decorating Technique Separates the Pros from the Amateurs
AMATEUR DECORATORS LIKE you and me struggle with the same array of variables that interior designers do: furniture, lighting, paint, artwork, rugs, window treatments, cats determined to destroy those window treatments. But pros take into account an overarching factor that eludes untrained eyes: a room’s visual connection to the adjacent space. “It’s all about the procession,” said Andrew Franz, an architect and interior designer in New York.
Adult Bunk Beds: A Snuggly Space-Saving Option
ABOUT SIX WEEKS before my daughter’s due date last year, the nesting instinct struck. We were on a family ski trip in Vermont and had just dismounted from a sleigh pulled by a draft horse named Jacques. We had clopped, quite literally, over a river and through the wood. “We need built-in bunk beds,” I told my husband, who nodded under his parka. He looked relieved. I had finally hatched a plan to make space for the new baby.
One-Step Makeover: Books, glorious books
The Roman philosopher Cicero famously compared a room devoid of books to a body without a soul, so maybe it is not surprising that creating bookshelves tends to be near the top of a new homeowner’s list of nesting projects. But Cicero lived more than 2,000 years before e-readers and audiobooks muddied our relationship with the printed page. Do people really still have enough books to warrant a customized space at home? Apparently, yes.
One-Step Makeover: Let there be light
An indoor-outdoor lifestyle — or the potential for one — is a notable perk of living in a temperate climate like California. But what if your home lacks panoramic views, a sunny loggia or a saltwater lap pool? You can add a skylight. Creating a portal to the sky, or updating an old one, offers a substantial and surprisingly affordable way to integrate nature into a home. At their best, skylights provide an abundance of light, fresh air and design impact.
Margaret Thatcher in Her Own Words
In Westminster, Londoners remember Margaret Thatcher while picking up their favorite newspapers, each splashed with its own take on the former prime minister.
What Are Your Favorite Kids' Audiobooks? | A Cup of Jo
This past fall, I found myself stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the way to go apple picking with a carful of kids, some of whom were repeating, “Apple pick your nose!” at the top of their lungs. In an attempt to keep the peace, I quickly downloaded a Charlotte’s Web audiobook (read by E.B. White himself), and here’s what happened… Three hours and 29 minutes of listening later, we arrived back home, the story ended and the children, ages 3 to 8, asked if we could play it again.
How Did You Introduce a New Baby to an Older Child? | A Cup of Jo
I’m due with my second child in about four weeks, and my to-do list is pretty long (e.g., my hospital bag isn’t packed, the nursery isn’t set up and the infant car seat is nonexistent). The past eight months have been a mix of intense excitement and, at the same time, longing for things to stay exactly as they are at home. So, I’ve dawdled. A lot.
Four Fun Things | A Cup of Jo
Mudbound is hands-down one of the best movies I’ve seen in ages. The film, which takes place in the segregated Mississippi Delta during World War II, is impossible to get through without tissues. This morning, it picked up a bunch of Academy Award nominations (here’s the full list), including one for Rachel Morrison in the Cinematography category — the first woman in Oscar history to be nominated. Luckily, it’s streaming on Netflix, so I could do my ugly cry from my sofa.
Do or Don't: Hair Ribbons | A Cup of Jo
Have you noticed the comeback of hair accessories — like scrunchies and headbands — over the past year? There’s another pretty look we’ve been loving lately: the hair ribbon. When worn in tousled hair, the vibe is less Cindy Brady schoolgirl and more effortless. I’ve seen them in silk, velvet, tied in a low ponytail or looped above a bun, and you could wear a bow to a party or even with jeans during the day. Here are five lovely ones: velvet, patterned, short, long and barrette. Thoughts?
A Week of Outfits: Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman
Do you listen to the podcast Call Your Girlfriend? Hosted by best friends Aminatou Sow (in Brooklyn) and Ann Friedman (in L.A.), it’s the shining star of my playlist. Amina, a media strategist, and Ann, a journalist, offer the funniest, smartest realtalk about pop culture, politics and whatever’s top of mind on the internet. Maybe it’s no surprise that they have awesome style, too.
A Week of Outfits: Aminatou Sou and Ann Friedman | A Cup of Jo
Do you listen to the podcast Call Your Girlfriend? Hosted by best friends Aminatou Sou (in Brooklyn) and Ann Friedman (in L.A.), it’s the shining star of my playlist. Amina, a media strategist, and Ann, a journalist, offer the funniest, smartest realtalk about pop culture, politics and whatever’s top of mind on the internet. Maybe it’s no surprise that they have awesome style, too.
What Magazines Make You Happy? | A Cup of Jo
I love podcasts and Instagram and reading the news on my phone — but there are few things that give me as much joy as getting ahold of a fresh magazine. Do you feel the same way? I subscribe to some and others I buy individually when the mood (or an airplane flight) strikes. Here are a few favorites, and I’d love to hear yours… Every time an issue of Bon Appetit arrives in the mail, I sit down and devour it from cover to cover.
Help! A Parenting Question | A Cup of Jo
With three years and seven months of parenting in the books, my husband and I have experienced lots of big milestones with our son, Jasper — figuring out sleep, potty training, the end of pacifiers, starting school — and we haven’t been completely and utterly stumped at any of these turning points. Until now… I’m excited to say that I’m 20 weeks pregnant, halfway there on a huge change for our family, and pretty much the only person we know who has no idea it’s happening is Jasper.
7 Big Fall Books | A Cup of Jo
What books are on your list right now? After a few months of a slow (but intense!) reading ritual, I’ve been diving into some of fall’s buzzy new releases and it feels pret-ty, pret-ty great. Here are the ones that have topped my list, and I’d love to hear what’s on your nightstand lately… Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward If if you have time for only one book, this is my pick.
Before and After: Living Room Makeover | A Cup of Jo
Two summers after my husband, son and I moved in, our Brooklyn apartment was finally feeling like a true family home. We’d painted, changed out old light fixtures and found a place for all the toys. But the living room still needed some love. Why is the last 10% of any project always the hardest? For help crossing the finish line, I recently turned to Homepolish, the interior design service. Here’s the before and after, if you’d like to peek… First, the before shot.
Celebrating a Form of ‘Twitterature’
An article by Randy Kennedy in Sunday's Week in Review section called attention to two momentous events that converged on Monday: World Poetry Day and the fifth anniversary of the first message ever sent on Twitter. To celebrate, The Times asked its readers and followers to compose short poems on Twitter using the hashtag #poetweet. Hundreds of poems, many of them brevity-friendly haiku, flooded the Twittersphere. Below, a few of the submissions.
12 Awesome Piece of Art for Kids | A Cup of Jo
A great piece of art can make a child’s bedroom come alive. But it’s not always easy to find options that will stand the test of time. Here are a few picks that kids can enjoy on their walls for years…
What's the Best Thing You Read This Summer? | A Cup of Jo
What books have you read over the past few months? I’ve finished exactly one book this summer, and even though it was 832 looong pages it was totally worth it… After seeing endless glowing reviews (“It’s not hyperbole to call this novel a masterwork — if anything that word is simply just too little for it,” one proclaimed) and getting the same recommendation from friend after friend for a couple of years, I finally made A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara my summer reading project.
16 Surprising Things About Parenting in Croatia | A Cup of Jo
For the past two years, Amanda and Cameron Marshall have been raising their three young children in Croatia’s capital city, Zagreb, after moving from California.
16 Surprising Things About Parenting in Israel | A Cup of Jo
Our Motherhood Around the World series continues today in the ancient city of Jerusalem. Three years ago, Dasee Berkowitz and her husband, Leon, moved from the States to Israel with their three young children. Here, she tells us about desert camping, her trick for sneaking in dates with her husband and her favorite Jewish ritual… Part of the wall around Jerusalem’s Old City.
A 240-Year-Old Map Is Reborn
In May 2010, a tattered and brittle map was discovered in storage at the Brooklyn Historical Society. Experts identified it as a rare item, a Bernard Ratzer “Plan of the City of New York� map in its 1770 state. Until then, only three copies were thought to exist. After a painstaking restoration to remove layers of shellac and grime and repair dozens of breaks, the map is now behind plexiglass and ready to be displayed to the public. Below is the map before, left, and after restoration.
Do or Don't: Travel Pillows | A Cup of Jo
Do you bring a pillow gizmo with you on an airplane? I prefer to tough it out upright — even on a long overnight flight — and stay awake watching Tom Hanks movies. But I’ve always been curious about what I might be missing.
The Easiest Party Appetizer | A Cup of Jo
What’s your go-to entertaining snack? If guests stop by at the last minute, here’s a freezer standby that’s irresistible… To me, tater tots are the cooler cousins of French fries. They are truly bite-sized, which means they crisp up beautifully in the oven — no messy stovetop frying involved. And they never get soggy or greasy like a baked fry. Also, they only need one swipe of dip before you pop them in your mouth (no double dipping!).
How to Frame Wallpaper as Artwork
Wallpaper looks so beautiful, but committing to it floor to ceiling can get expensive. Plus, what if you don’t like it? (As Oscar Wilde once fretted, “This wallpaper is dreadful; one of us will have to go.”) Here’s an easy and more budget-friendly idea for hanging wallpaper… How pretty does it look to frame pieces of wallpaper? Most makers sell good-sized samples for as little as $5 (sometimes they’re even free!), or you can buy one full sheet or roll to cut and frame.
A Week of Outfits: Kelly Vittengl | A Cup of Jo
Vintage rug dealer Kelly Vittengl recently moved herself and her business, Frances Loom, from Los Angeles to London, to be with her boyfriend. As she adjusts to different weather and different slang — “Right now we’re squatting in a friend’s ‘flat,’ as they say,” she told me — Kelly’s style is also evolving to be a mix of everything she loves aesthetically: flea markets, California, European fashion, denim and female designers.
7 Big Summer Books | A Cup of Jo
Which books are on your reading list these days? After a fall and winter spent consuming mostly news (so much news!) it has felt really great lately to crack open a fresh book and let my mind wander. Here are seven I’d highly recommend… Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout Like her Pulitzer prize-winning book (and HBO miniseries) Olive Kitteridge, Elizabeth Strout’s new novel feels almost like a collection of short stories.
How to Drink Wine Like a Sommelier | A Cup of Jo
A couple years ago, Bianca Bosker became so fascinated with wine and the experts running the cellars at New York’s finest restaurants that she quit her editor job to become one herself. “To taste better is to live better,” she writes in her bestselling new book, Cork Dork, which follows her journey from civilian to sommelier (sum-all-YAY). Here, as part of our month on industry experts, we asked Bianca how to blow your mind with wine… 1. Anyone can become a great taster.
Trend: Woven Design | A Cup of Jo
By Lexi Mainland This spring, we’ve noticed a wide new assortment of beautiful woven pieces to wear or use at home. Some are made of rattan, the natural fiber that was popular in midcentury design (like Franco Albini’s classic rattan ottoman, designed in 1951), and some are seagrass, wicker or even brass — with a look that feels fresh and pretty. Take a look… Thoughts? Favorites? P.S. Jollifiers for the home, and 18 pretty pieces for spring.
IVF: One Couple's Funny, Heartfelt Story
When they started doing IVF last year, Matt Mira and Doree Shafrir were open with friends and colleagues about their quest to become parents. To their surprise, scores of people started sharing their own infertility experiences. “Women and men were coming out of the woodwork,” Doree says.
Spring Trend: The Chore Jacket | A Cup of Jo
A cool spring look that we’ve been spying everywhere is the “chore coat,” an unstructured denim jacket that looks great with any outfit. It’s different from a typical jean jacket because of its long and slightly oversized shape, which makes it feel fresh. The design is based on rugged workmen’s coats that have been made for 200 years.
10 Best Thrillers to Read | A Cup of Jo
Are you into thrillers? (They’re definitely having a moment.) One of the most white-knuckle books I read recently was Tana French’s crime novel The Trespasser. And, although I’m looking forward to more new books, it made me remember the classic thrillers I’ve enjoyed over the years. Have you read anything by, say, Stephen King or Agatha Christie? They’ve stood the test of time and are bone-chillingly scary.
At the Boom Boom Brow Bar, Purple Wax Reigns
Benjamin Norman for The New York Times Deanna Fallar tends to Heather McArdle’s lashes at the Boom Boom Brow Bar in the West Village. More Photos » MALYNDA VIGLIOTTI opened her waxing salon, the Boom Boom Brow Bar, in the spring of 2008, the same week the financial markets began their drastic downturn. And her potential customers, a species of well-maintained New Yorkers who operate under a “No Follicle Left Behind” edict, stayed home.
Four Fun Things | A Cup of Jo
Have you seen this mesmerizing video by data artist Josh Begley? It shows every New York Times front page since 1852 and is such a compelling example of the huge role photography has come to play in our culture. To brighten up my dull winter skin, I’ve been adding a few shakes of self-tanning drops to my everyday face moisturizer, gradually building a spring glow. They make your face look naturally luminous, like you woke up with a little bronzer on. The eight plastic habits to break.
Our Family's Trick for Good Sleep | A Cup of Jo
This is a pretty random tip, but I’ve been shouting it from the rooftops… Do you use a humidifier? I’ve always found them burdensome. I know they help with dry winter skin and congestion, but they’re usually eyesores that weigh a ton, and their tanks get scummy. Recently, though, I found the humidifier of my dreams. It fits on my bedside table (it’s only the length of a cell phone) and is completely quiet.
6 Great Podcasts | A Cup of Jo
Have you listened to any great podcasts lately? (That’s almost a rhetorical question — there are that many good ones out these days.) Last year we rounded up eight favorites, and since then we’ve discovered many more. Here are six compelling podcasts, and we’d love to hear your suggestions… IF YOU Want something gripping LISTEN TO Homecoming WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT Homecoming is the first fiction podcast I’ve ever listened to.
A Sexy Blouse | A Cup of Jo
It’s easy to feel blah in the winter — especially when buried in a wool sweater or a giant coat. But one look we’re really into right now that is truly easy: a silk blouse paired with jeans. One tip for styling is to unbutton it a little and let a lacy bra peek out just a tiny bit. Silk drapes so beautifully, and you just feel good. It’s great for both work or dinner dates, and I’ve officially made it my winter uniform.
The Women's March on Washington: What You Need to Know
A ton of anticipation is building for the Women’s March on Washington this January. Many of our friends and relatives (like Joanna’s awesome mom) are already making plans to go. Are you? If you’re thinking about it or wondering how you can participate without traveling to D.C., we spoke to Breanne Butler, one of the march’s national co-organizers, and found out eight things you might want to know. The basics.
Gift Guide 2016: Co-Workers, Teachers and In-Laws
Who’s left on your holiday shopping list? There are always a few tricky people to buy for, so last week (in our email) we asked who or what were stumping you the most. Your answers: in-laws, co-workers, teachers, nephews/nieces and inexpensive gifts. So, we scouted high and low for dozens of ideas, most of which are under $50… She brought your partner into this world. What gift could live up?
5 Ways to Get Involved | A Cup of Jo
First of all, congratulations are in order, for everyone. It’s one week post-election and we made it. All of us, no matter who we voted for. Since last Tuesday, we’ve talked about coming together as a country and boosting optimism. Many readers have asked for specific ideas about what they can do to volunteer, participate and get more informed. We’ve loved seeing those requests (and we feel the same way) because whatever your political views are, it’s a great time to get involved.
A Woodsy Cottage in New Hampshire | A Cup of Jo
After two decades in New York and L.A., Sarah Storella and her husband, Nick, moved back to his hometown of Bethlehem, New Hampshire, population 972, and took over the family antique store. Their two-bedroom cottage in the White Mountains is the backdrop of their laid-back life with their young daughter, Cleo. Here, Sarah takes us for a peek inside… On living in the woods: Our house is on top of a mountain in the middle of a national forest.
Great New Podcast | A Cup of Jo
The other evening, I texted Stella from the bathtub, where I was listening to a podcast (as one does), and said, “I have an idea.” After telling her about my product idea, she sent back this gif and we cracked each other up with enthusiastic emojis for a full five minutes. That is basically what has happened each time I’ve listened to How I Built This, a new NPR podcast Stella and I are now both addicted to.
5 Big Fall Books | A Cup of Jo
What books are you excited to read over the next few months? It’s peak season for new releases, and this fall’s crop of titles — from a thriller set in 19th-century Ireland to a witty memoir by a celebrated artist — does not disappoint. Here are five top picks… The Mothers by Brit Bennett (October 11th) Brit Bennett’s first novel is easily one of the most anticipated books of the year.
A Century-Old Home in New Jersey | A Cup of Jo
Five years ago, Heather Palmeri and her husband, Andrew, packed up their Brooklyn apartment and moved to leafy Montclair, New Jersey. They’ve created a home that seamlessly mixes modern, midcentury and bohemian style. (They also have a fairy door! And a handmade play house for Veda, 5, and Rex, 2.) Here’s a peek inside… On a house with soul: We closed on our house on 11/11/11 at 11 a.m. — I’ll never forget that. It needed work, but the bones were good and it just had soul.
6 Ways to Follow the News | A Cup of Jo
How do you get your news? For almost a decade before I came to Cup of Jo, the news was my job, so staying up on current events felt like second nature. But now that I’m a civilian, I don’t always have the time or instinct to read everything, even though my appetite for news has stayed strong.
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