Our Room of the Month by Kimberly Rosenberg Rider was designed to enhance the simple architecture of a remodeled 1940s bungalow and pay homage to the client’s love of mid-century modern furnishings. The curved wooden arms on the chairs eloquently capture the stylish simplicity of the mid-century modern movement. More rooms >

What’s an easy high-style look for my first place?

“Simple, fresh and uncluttered is the perfect way to go for first-time homeowners. Don’t go luxe and overwrought. Chances are your first home will be somewhat modest and won’t lend itself to a collection of rococo bombé chests or 10-inch Gothic crown molding.” —Laura McDonald, ASID

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A well-placed antique can be the winning element that brings a whole room together. But is that object you love so much really a valuable antique—or just old? And does that 1950s chair really go with your Victorian sofa? Take designer Mark McCauley’s quiz to test your antique and collectible smarts. Quiz yourself >

A former ferry that is now a bayfront abode. A train depot waiting room-turned-kitchen. A bedroom in a service-station garage. These are examples of the adaptive reuse trend of turning what were once public places or dilapidated commercial spaces into that place we call home. The movement got a big push in 1965 when architect J. Timothy Anderson converted Boston’s Prince Macaroni factory into luxury waterfront housing. In this cookie-cutter suburban world, adaptive reuse is a true breath of fresh air, a high form of architectural and design creativity.

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