Articles by Elena Vega

Summer Olympics inspiring you to get outside and move? Take advantage of the momentum — and the plentiful warm days still to come — to add a playful element to your yard or patio. It could be something as small as a dartboard or as big as a putting gr…

A small kitchen doesn’t have to feel cramped or cavelike. These designers used strategic layouts, light colors and more to give these four kitchens of 100 square feet or less a more open feel and a polished look — while increasing storage space. See i…

Maybe every family member has a different yard use in mind. Maybe your own wish list is long. Or maybe you just want a backyard that feels cozy for a few while welcoming to many. Resourceful designers can accommodate multiple uses in a single flexible…

In an area that’s bigger than a breadbox and smaller than a wall, framed by cabinets or other features, a kitchen backsplash is a natural place for a striking artistic touch. Whether with vivid colors, a dramatic pattern or both, a bold backsplash can…

Nothing against garden gnomes and stone frogs chilling on rocks, but if you have the budget for a custom art piece — or the time and inclination to hunt through secondhand stores or architectural salvage yards — you can create a garden that truly ench…

Gazing upon a happy color is like opening a window on a beautiful day — it can perk you right up and prompt a smile. The specific color that does the trick is a matter of personal preference, of course, but one thing is universal: Putting some springt…

Sure, backyard terraces are practical. They can help prevent rainwater runoff and erosion and can turn an unusable slope into an accessible retreat. But terraces and other multilevel design elements also can work a bit of design magic, creating a begu…

Celebrating the past doesn’t have to mean taking a full-blown time machine trip. The designers of these kitchens beautifully blended eras and style genres to create looks that feel vintage yet have a modern sensibility. Moreover, each one has a distin…

This Trending Now story features the most-saved bathroom photos uploaded to Houzz between Dec. 15, 2023, and March 15, 2024.Designers use a range of strategies to add style and function to a bathroom, and you’ll find many of them in this countdown of …

When you want a garden that delights the senses and welcomes beneficial insects, a sea of plain lawn or scattered perimeter plantings simply won’t do. For these three makeovers, designers replaced banal stretches of yard with brightly colored wildflow…