Patterned upholstery, wallpaper, and colorful wood stains are the three trends we keep coming back to on every project. None of them require a full renovation — a pillow, a powder room, or a single stained piece is enough to start. But if your home is still all solid neutrals, plain walls, and natural wood in five years, don't say design didn't warn you.

You don't need a trade account or a design-industry discount to shop like a designer. This is exactly where I start, even on projects with real design budgets.