I recently read an article in the New York Times on design time capsules. Specifically, it talks about homes built and furnished in the 1950's, 1960's and 1980's that remain untouched. If you've house-hunted in established neighborhoods, you've likely encountered one or more these such homes. It got me wondering what about this decade will be "the early 21st-century equivalents of the conversation pit and the avocado refrigerator" (writer Steven Kurutz suggests garage-size family rooms and stainless steel appliances) and whether or not they should be avoided altogether.

Here's a look at some styles we're seeing over and over again, weigh in and let us know what you feel is "so over" and what you think is here to stay.

A quick look around blog-land reveals that many of the design-obsessed are smitten with white kitchens. This one, published in Sunsetmagazine, perfectly illustrates the kind of kitchen that has so many -- myself included -- swooning: white, Shaker-style cabinets, marble counter tops, stainless-steel appliances (restaurant-grade, at that), open-shelving, and vintage-style plumbing. Add white subway tile and it is the stuff kitchen dreams are made of. In this case, the "trends" are all well-established -- even classic -- so what do you think? Will we one day look at this kitchen and think it is "so 2009," or can it stand the test of time?

The other end of the spectrum is a kitchen outfitted with wood-toned cabinets and, you guessed it, granite. This kitchen might be sleek (like this one, featured in Southern Living) or have a more traditional feel. Personally, I think this kitchen will more likely look dated, but maybe you disagree. Perhaps the sheer practicality of granite counters will keep them around.

As spa experiences become more and more accessible, more and more people seem to want to bring the spa home. Thus, the "spa bathroom" is born (this one is from Coastal Living). Features might include vessel-style sinks, mosaic tiles, generously-sized bathtubs and shower stalls, color schemes reminiscent of the sea, and multi-head showers. I can definitely see the appeal, but is this the pink bathroom of this decade?

Another trend in the bath is the use of vintage-style fixtures. Pedestal sinks, claw-foot-tubs, beaded board, exposed plumbing, and polished nickel finishes all lend a cottage-feel to a bath and are popular in both historic homes and newer construction. Again, many of these elements are not new, but their resurgence could garner them the label of being purely a trend, thus the possibility of finding them on the "out" list. (This bathroom was published in Cottage Living).

Open floor plans (like this one from Southern Living) are definitely new, and from my experience, you either love them or hate them. What used to be a purely utilitarian space -- the kitchen -- is now flaunted in the heartof a home and is often attached to the main living space. This is certainly a product of a more casual way of living where meals are eaten from stove to table (or sofa!) and the dining room is often only used on "special" occasions, or even eliminated completely. While I love the cozy rooms of a classic four-square Colonial, I don't see this "trend" heading out any time soon. Though it certainly presents some decorating challenges, it just seems to fit the way most people live today.

What do you think? Will any (or all) of these design elements make us cringe in 15 years? And if you love them now, do you even care?

I absolutely love a hanging lantern. I found one at a local antique store recently and had it rewired then hung it in my dining room. Now, I'm noticing them all over the place, and find myself mindlessly wandering the internet looking for more. I have yet to see a place where I think a lantern doesn't work.

I was chatting with a friend about house work this week. She has just returned to work after maternity leave and her stepson just began the schoolyear. Keeping up her house while adjusting to this new schedule has her feeling pretty overwhelmed. Under the misconception that I am some great housekeeper -- I am most certainly not! -- she asked for some advice. Here are my tips for faking a clean house -- you just need 30 minutes to do it.

Image from Ideal Home

I will preface this post by saying that I am generally opposed to painting an "accent wall," or one wall in a room a different color (usually bolder) than the rest. They usually seem -- to me -- kind of a cop-out, and totally gratuitus, done just for the sake of it. But, with the current trends in residental architecture favoring open floor plans with many walls and angles in one space, I am beginning to see why so many homeowners are drawn to them. Here are my suggestions for doing it well.

Yellow is such a happy color. I especially love it outside, where it pops against green grass and trees. Paired with black and white, it's chic, but still fun.

Painting your front door is an easy, inexpensive update that can be finished in a day. Choose a high-gloss finish, and make sure it's an outdoor formula. If you love this ring door knocker as much as I do, check out Restoration Hardware's version.

I love to see outdoor spaces dressed as nicely as indoor spaces. When hosting a patio party, why not bring your favorite pillows outside? I love this yellow trellis-inspired print.

Okay, so maybe this adorable bicycle has nothing to do with decorating (aside from those fantastic carriage house-style garage doors), but I couldn't help but include it. My husband is a very serious bike rider (ahem, cyclist) and he's dying for me to join him. If I had this pretty little thing to ride, I just might!

Hope you're all having a lovely Labor Day!

(photos: Real Simple, Martha Stewart Living, Country Living)

 An easy way to make a decorating statement is to think outside the box a bit. Rather than task lighting in the kitchen, what about something you might expect to see in a different room, like a chandelier?

This nursery -- by Rhoney Design -- is a great mix of high and low that's inspirational even though I won't be decorating a nursery anytime soon (sorry, Mom). I love that the crib is from Wal-Mart (Baby Mod "Park Lane"), while the window shades are custom made with high-end designer fabric!

The details really make a room special, and this one is full of them. I'm kind of obsessed with the ball-fringe on the crib skirt -- it's a perfect, playful touch. And how clever is a wallpapered ceiling (Daydream Yellow, by Julia Rothman) in a bedroom? Love that.

Repurposing a small chest or dresser as a changing table is a great idea, as what exactly does one do with a changing table in a post-diaper world? I'm sure this piece will always have a place and a use in this home. The giraffe scones by Jonathan Adler are darling! And again, these are sophistocated enough to follow baby Mallory for years.

And don't even get me started on the scalloped edge on those shades! I love the circus tent-like effect of the stripes (Pindler & Pindler “Tamaron” in Raffia). Rug is by Martha Stewart, and the wall color behind the changing table is Glass Slipper by Benjamin Moore.

I'm always a sucker for a kids' room with vintage toys, books and globes. The chandelier is a fun touch, too. A yard sale or thrift store find could give you a similar look after a few coats of white spraypaint -- it doesn't get easier than that!

My husband is mildly obsessed with a locally-produced magazine called Mental Floss. Which is fine by me, as a subscription makes for a great minimal-thought-required birthday gift, and I'm stimulating my local economy at the same time. But of course, now the paper issue isn't enough, and he's constantly scanning their Web site (and Twitter feed) for his daily dose of Mental Floss, and passing the most interesting tid bits to me. This article on mega-store Ikea caught my eye.

So here you go, 5 Things You Don't Know About Ikea (but Should!) by Mac Carey:

1. It All Started With a Car

The inspiration for IKEA’s design philosophy came when taking the legs off of a chair to fit it into a car. IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad was so irritated by the experience that he developed the concept of flat pack design. The novel packing method had a twofold appeal: it allowed easier shopping for urban Europeans who depended on public transportation, and it also lowered the company’s shipping costs dramatically. But the store wasn’t an immediate success. IKEA floundered in Sweden for thirty years (THIRTY YEARS!) before finding an international audience.

2. The Company Had Some Dark Secrets

While we’ve written about IKEA cloaking itself as a charitable institution, that isn’t the blue and yellow über-store’s only dirty secret. While Kamprad today is known as a frugal billionaire who drives a ‘93 Volvo, eats at middle-class restaurants, and outfits his home entirely in affordable IKEA products, his legacy is tainted by his past involvement with pro-Nazi organizations. Between 1942 and 1945, Kamprad joined, fund-raised, and recruited members for a fascist, Nazi-sympathizing group in Sweden. The news only came out in 1994, when his personal correspondence with fascist Per Engdahl was released to the public. Kamprad immediately apologized for his involvement and claimed it was the biggest regret of his young life. He also wrote to every Jewish employee on his staff to issue a personal apology.

Of course, none of this stopped the information from being a point of controversy when the store first arrived in Israel, but the world seems to have forgiven him. Today IKEA is one of the only international companies to spread to both Israel and Arab countries. In fact, the store is so popular in the Middle East that three people were trampled to death at the store’s 2004 grand opening in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

3. The Dining Tables Were Too Small for a Turkey

The beginnings of IKEA in America were inauspicious, with European compact efficiency conflicting with America’s “bigger is better” creed. In the 1980s, for example, many customers bought vases, mistaking them for water glasses. They were also wary of a dining room table that couldn’t hold the girth of a full size Thanksgiving turkey. IKEA’s designers only changed their mindset in how they approached American design after the head of US operations made a stunt of it: He handed out t-shirts to Swedish designers that declared “size matters.” They apparently got the message.

4. The IKEA Catalogue Is Bigger Than the Bible

The IKEA catalogue was and is the company’s greatest weapon in its arsenal. A 300-page missionary text, it goes out to over 180 million people in 27 different languages. Each year, there are more copies of the IKEA catalogue printed than the Bible. A bit of a cult following has also developed around the catalogues, with earnest readers on the lookout for hidden messages in the pictures, such as running references to Mickey Mouse and weird, obscure books on the bookshelves.

5. It’s a Hipster Hangout

Despite early stumbles in America, twenty years later, the store has so ingrained itself into our society that a trend amongst urban hipsters is to host dinner parties at the stores. A meal of lingonberry jam and meatballs at the cafeteria for the host and guests, and the living room displays make perfect venues for a round of Taboo and Pictionary. A blog posting chronicling the first party in Sacramento led to a string of copycats across the country. So far, IKEA management doesn’t seem to be complaining.

I recently finished decorating my guest bedroom (it looked like this for too long!) on a serious budget. I wanted a nice place for quests to relax, and had to work with hand-me-down furniture from both my parents and my husbands parents. Here's the breakdown of what I spent to bring it all together ...

I have long admired beautiful fabric roman shades (like this one, by designer Ashley Whittaker), but thought they were out of the reaches of my budget. Until my friend Jenny (of the blog Little Green Notebook) came up with a way to make them out of mini blinds. Yes, the gosh-awful metal mini blinds that I have on every window in my little ranch house. I found some fabric I loved, and set about to create some for my bedroom. The first time around didn't go so well, but I've got it down to a science now.