Who Needs Walls, Anyway? Here's How to Make One Room Into Many
You can achieve this effect by painting a wall or two — or even a ceiling — in their own hue. (There's a term for a bold version of this: color drenching, or the practice of covering an entire zone, from walls to baseboards to ceilings, in a single color.) The tiny entryway in the apartment of designer Artem Kropovinsky is both elevated and clearly defined by the addition of robin's egg blue paint and larger-scale artwork in coordinating frames. Julia Kropovinska Wirecutter staffer Leslie Grisdale initially painted these walls black as a decorative choice but realized later that the color blocking helped to designate her husband's home-office area. Leslie Grisdale/NYT Wirecutter The tiny entryway in the apartment of designer Artem Kropovinsky is both elevated and clearly defined by the addition of robin's egg blue paint and larger-scale artwork in coordinating frames. Julia Kropovinska
You can achieve a similar effect with wallpaper. 'Every space, no matter how big or small, deserves to have a special moment,' small-space interior designer Shavonda Gardner said when we interviewed her for our guide to removable wallpapers. Pattern and color can have a big impact in tighter spaces such as hallways or mudrooms, she said, 'particularly because those spaces get neglected.'
Designers (and old friends of mine) General and Cristina Casañas-Judd of Me and General Design know about small-space living: They raised their two daughters in an 1,100-square-foot Brooklyn apartment. Frequent entertainers, they took an otherwise underutilized nook in their home and transformed it into a bar area by lining the small cutout space in contrasting graphic wallpaper. Wallpaper transforms this awkward cutout into a striking bar nook in the Brooklyn home of designers General and Cristina Casañas-Judd. Will Ellis
Like wallpaper or paint, wall texture and material can help delineate spaces. Designer and author Oyin Antwi has attached wooden panels to the wall in several projects featured in her book Helping You Love Your Space, No Matter the Size . These sorts of slats are versatile (they come in a variety of colors from light wood to walnut to gray), widely available (from retailers such as Home Depot and Wayfair), and suitable for multiple uses, whether as a corner dining moment or on opposing walls of a living room zone. Wooden panels delineate this dining area by Via Asha Design. In addition to their visual impact, the panels absorb sound. Via Asha Design
But you don't have to spring for pricey paper or crack open a can of Benjamin Moore. You can also group decor, books, and other items you already have to create, say, a blue zone, a green corner, or a neutral area. Subtle, intentional decorating choices like this can give a small space personality as well as a sense of order. A Parisian bedroom is drenched in International Klein Blue by Studio Bravo. Bertrand Noel This living area, in a room also used for dining, takes a subtler approach to blue-themed decor to divide the space. Other small-space techniques pictured: a room divider to section off an entryway, and a sofa used to zone. Katie Okamoto/NYT Wirecutter A Parisian bedroom is drenched in International Klein Blue by Studio Bravo. Bertrand Noel
Employing some of these strategies can help even a small, multifunctional room feel intentional and more relaxing. If you're working from home, designating a work zone distinct from off-work areas may improve that ever-elusive work-life balance. And when you're living with others, having established zones can reduce the feeling of being on top of one another. Using design techniques to organize your space can help you flourish — even within the smallest footprint.
This article was edited by Maxine Builder, Catherine Kast, and Katie Okamoto. Katie Okamoto contributed reporting. We talked to designers and professional organizers, and spent dozens of hours testing and researching, to find the best ways to style and organize small entryways.
To find the best multifunctional decor to maximize space in a small bedroom, we consulted four design experts and tested gear in a tiny apartment.
After years spent researching, testing, and talking to experts, we've rounded up the cutest items that maximize storage and keep small bathrooms clutter-free.
After months of researching and testing removable wallpapers, we found the three best peel-and-stick papers with endless patterns to choose from.
In this guide we highlight some of our favorite sofas we've tested and things to look for before you commit to buying one.
After researching dozens of curtains and trying many at home, we have favorites in a wide variety of colors, fabrics, and prints.
Outfitting a small home takes some planning, but the right gear can make all the difference. Here are our best recommendations for small spaces.
We tested dozens of rugs and found several different styles to suit a variety of price ranges and preferences.
We researched hundreds of floor lamps and tested dozens more in homes and offices. Here we discuss our favorites and how to find one that's right for you.
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New York Times
6 hours ago
- New York Times
Who Needs Walls, Anyway? Here's How to Make One Room Into Many
Color can also be a powerful tool to define areas in a small room without introducing physical divisions, said Thomas Pellerin and Marion Richard, architects with Parisian firm Studio Bravo, in an email interview. You can achieve this effect by painting a wall or two — or even a ceiling — in their own hue. (There's a term for a bold version of this: color drenching, or the practice of covering an entire zone, from walls to baseboards to ceilings, in a single color.) The tiny entryway in the apartment of designer Artem Kropovinsky is both elevated and clearly defined by the addition of robin's egg blue paint and larger-scale artwork in coordinating frames. Julia Kropovinska Wirecutter staffer Leslie Grisdale initially painted these walls black as a decorative choice but realized later that the color blocking helped to designate her husband's home-office area. Leslie Grisdale/NYT Wirecutter The tiny entryway in the apartment of designer Artem Kropovinsky is both elevated and clearly defined by the addition of robin's egg blue paint and larger-scale artwork in coordinating frames. Julia Kropovinska You can achieve a similar effect with wallpaper. 'Every space, no matter how big or small, deserves to have a special moment,' small-space interior designer Shavonda Gardner said when we interviewed her for our guide to removable wallpapers. Pattern and color can have a big impact in tighter spaces such as hallways or mudrooms, she said, 'particularly because those spaces get neglected.' Designers (and old friends of mine) General and Cristina Casañas-Judd of Me and General Design know about small-space living: They raised their two daughters in an 1,100-square-foot Brooklyn apartment. Frequent entertainers, they took an otherwise underutilized nook in their home and transformed it into a bar area by lining the small cutout space in contrasting graphic wallpaper. Wallpaper transforms this awkward cutout into a striking bar nook in the Brooklyn home of designers General and Cristina Casañas-Judd. Will Ellis Like wallpaper or paint, wall texture and material can help delineate spaces. Designer and author Oyin Antwi has attached wooden panels to the wall in several projects featured in her book Helping You Love Your Space, No Matter the Size . These sorts of slats are versatile (they come in a variety of colors from light wood to walnut to gray), widely available (from retailers such as Home Depot and Wayfair), and suitable for multiple uses, whether as a corner dining moment or on opposing walls of a living room zone. Wooden panels delineate this dining area by Via Asha Design. In addition to their visual impact, the panels absorb sound. Via Asha Design But you don't have to spring for pricey paper or crack open a can of Benjamin Moore. You can also group decor, books, and other items you already have to create, say, a blue zone, a green corner, or a neutral area. Subtle, intentional decorating choices like this can give a small space personality as well as a sense of order. A Parisian bedroom is drenched in International Klein Blue by Studio Bravo. Bertrand Noel This living area, in a room also used for dining, takes a subtler approach to blue-themed decor to divide the space. Other small-space techniques pictured: a room divider to section off an entryway, and a sofa used to zone. Katie Okamoto/NYT Wirecutter A Parisian bedroom is drenched in International Klein Blue by Studio Bravo. Bertrand Noel Employing some of these strategies can help even a small, multifunctional room feel intentional and more relaxing. If you're working from home, designating a work zone distinct from off-work areas may improve that ever-elusive work-life balance. And when you're living with others, having established zones can reduce the feeling of being on top of one another. Using design techniques to organize your space can help you flourish — even within the smallest footprint. This article was edited by Maxine Builder, Catherine Kast, and Katie Okamoto. Katie Okamoto contributed reporting. We talked to designers and professional organizers, and spent dozens of hours testing and researching, to find the best ways to style and organize small entryways. To find the best multifunctional decor to maximize space in a small bedroom, we consulted four design experts and tested gear in a tiny apartment. After years spent researching, testing, and talking to experts, we've rounded up the cutest items that maximize storage and keep small bathrooms clutter-free. After months of researching and testing removable wallpapers, we found the three best peel-and-stick papers with endless patterns to choose from. In this guide we highlight some of our favorite sofas we've tested and things to look for before you commit to buying one. After researching dozens of curtains and trying many at home, we have favorites in a wide variety of colors, fabrics, and prints. Outfitting a small home takes some planning, but the right gear can make all the difference. Here are our best recommendations for small spaces. We tested dozens of rugs and found several different styles to suit a variety of price ranges and preferences. We researched hundreds of floor lamps and tested dozens more in homes and offices. Here we discuss our favorites and how to find one that's right for you.
USA Today
5 days ago
- USA Today
Damar Hamlin reveals new tattoo inspired by cardiac arrest incident
Behind every tattoo is a story – and Damar Hamlin's is a doozy. The Buffalo Bills safety is showing off some new ink ahead of the 2025 NFL season, which will be his second since suffering cardiac arrest on the field in Cincinnati. His new art, created by famed tattoo artist Ganga, which covers Hamlin's entire back, works to convey everything about the happenings on the field from that January day. When Hamlin woke up following the near-fatal incident, he famously asked, "Did we win?" Those words are featured prominently on Hamlin's back, surrounded by a "Monday Night Football" logo along with words of encouragement and a "Pray for Damar" flag. Ganga also added a Paycor Stadium element to the entire display, which was famously the site of Hamlin's cardiac arrest. Coupled with plenty of No. 3's, the tattoo managed to accomplish just about every element of the incident. Hamlin's heart stopped after making a tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals on "Monday Night Football" on Jan. 2, 2023. He briefly got up and then fell to the ground, prompting a rush of medical personnel onto the field. After providing CPR, Hamlin was loaded onto a stretcher and into an ambulance. The game was suspended and postponed. In the meantime, Hamlin spent time on a ventilator before being able to talk to his family and breathe on his own on Jan. 6. It was an unforgettable moment in NFL history, one that Hamlin would never forget, especially. Now he has the entire story on his back.
National Geographic
6 days ago
- National Geographic
Who were the original showgirls?
Can-Can dancers at the Moulin Rouge, 1952. Photograph by AA Film Archive, Alamy Taylor Swift is just the latest artist to be enchanted by the iconic entertainers, with their glittering costumes and racy moves. When Taylor Swift announced her 12th album was entitled 'The Life of a Showgirl,' speculation raged as to its contents. Is Swift in her extravagantly feathered, bare-chested era? Though the singer's announcement elicited images of sequins, plumes, and not much else, it also put the spotlight on the trope of the showgirl, a Vegas beauty now vanished from modern performances. Who was the showgirl, anyway? And why is the idea of her so persistent? Like Swift herself, showgirls are revered for beauty, bling, and the ability to bare it all to their fans. Here's a brief history of the iconic performers. Women have long been formidable entertainers, but the original term 'show girl' emerged around 1750, and was first used pejoratively to describe a woman who dressed or behaved showily. 'The girls are mere show girls—like a myriad of others—sing, play, dance, dress, flirt, and all that,' complains a character in Maria Edgeworth's 1841 Patronage, one of the earliest uses of the term. Meanwhile, social changes in the 18th and 19th century birthed the predecessor of the review show, and of showgirls. In England, pubs began expanding into music halls in response to a growing demand for quick-moving shows featuring exciting entertainers. In France, cafés and cabarets became popular venues along with the chanteuses who performed there. Paris' showgirls inspired famous artists at the time—including Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec—and continue to enchant present-day audiences in movies like Baz Lurhmann's Moulin Rouge, which also birthed a Broadway musical. Photograph by Elliott Franks, eyevine/Redux In 1881, French artist Rudolf Salis took the cabaret one step further when he opened Le Chat Noir (The Black Cat), a cabaret he envisioned as a haven for his fellow artists. At first, the venue operated like an artistic salon, but soon Salis realized he had a potential moneymaker on his hands. Over time, the café became one of Paris' most popular, and its variety programming sparked imitators like Joseph Oller and Charles Zilder, who opened their own venue in 1889. They named it after a red windmill, and the Moulin Rouge was born. Can-can dancers and the birth of Burlesque Inside, daring female dancers lifted their skirts to perform the newest dance, the 'Can-Can,' showing their petticoats and more intimate undergarments as they kicked their legs in the air. The club's racy demi-monde of dancers and patrons was a favorite subject for Parisian artists, most notably Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. The shows also included satirical skits that 'burlesqued' the political and social figures of the day. Other venues quickly followed suit as music halls and cabarets became havens for both poorer city-dwellers who could not afford the theater or opera and wealthy people eager to 'slum it' in artsy Montmartre. One of the most famous was the Folies Bergère, which had gotten off to an uninspiring start as a theatrical venue in the 1860s. In 1886, impresario Edouárd Marchand took over as manager, introducing a new show and a new kind of female performer. Taking inspiration from his own love of women and the popularity of dancers and chanteuses, Marchand decided to center the revue on the female form, with nearly nude women a scandalous part of the show. (How to plan a Belle-Époque walking tour in Paris) Showgirls on display The idea soon hopped the Atlantic, and by the 20th century the word 'showgirl' was part of the American vernacular. Theaters touted well-dressed women entertainers in advertisements and show titles, promising a 'Celebrated Chorus of Stunning ShowGirls Gorgeously Gowned,' according to one 1902 ad. It would take an American impresario—and the advice of a shrewd woman—to birth the glamorous showgirl we know today. Florenz Ziegfeld had gained acclaim first by showcasing bodybuilder Eugene Sandow, then by bringing Anna Held, a Polish-French singer and Ziegfeld's mistress, to the U.S., tempting audiences with photos of the nude singer bathing in milk. She suggested he use the formula so popular at the Folies-Bergère, writes historian Eve Golden: 'part girlie show, part fashion show, with some comedy thrown in.' He tried it out, and won big: The Ziegfeld Follies was born, and it would run for over 30 years. This color printed lithograph from 1912 showcases the growing popularity of showgirls in America. (Photo by The New) Illustration by The New York Historical, Getty Images Ziegfeld's 'Follies Girls' were beautiful. But they were known for more than their looks. Fashion and glamour were a critical part of the revue show. As historian Elspeth H. Brown notes, some of the women in such reviews were actually tasked with being fashion models instead of dancers or actresses, putting the 'show' in 'showgirl' as they 'paraded clothing before the audience.' Ziegfeld's shows would give hundreds their start in showbiz. Though some became celebrities, other showgirls were stigmatized for putting their bodies on display. Longstanding connections between the theater, prostitution, and sexual exploitation plagued showgirl revues, and sexual abuse was rife within the profession. Wealthy patrons expected to be able to court—and exploit—dancers who caught their attention, and the musical revue genre coexisted with burlesque shows, strip teases, and other titillating forms of entertainment. That connection remained as showgirls made their way to Sin City in the 1940s and 1950s, chasing the wealth and glamour of a rapidly growing Las Vegas strip. The first modern casino there, El Rancho Vegas, featured the 'El Rancho Starlets,' a group of showgirls renowned for being scantily clad. As Vegas grew and celebrity investment yielded an entire strip of casinos, nightclubs and performance venues, showgirls grew more popular, sometimes even eclipsing the big-name performers on the bill. Casinos became notable for choosing only the most beautiful women to process in feathers and sequins, dazzling showgoers and helping give Las Vegas its reputation for entertainment. Indeed, showgirls are credited with helping the city weather a rough recession, though the genre declined during the 1970s and 1980s. Eventually, though, longstanding shows like the Tropicana's Folies-Bergere began shutting down, and the opulent showgirl revue is now a thing of the past. (The ultimate guide to Las Vegas) But the showgirl's legacy remains. The performers have a long love affair with filmmakers, who have featured their lives in movies like 1995's Showgirls and 2024's The Last Showgirl. Still famed for their over-the-top style, glamorous moves, and bare bodies, their legacy still lives in live theater today. Just don't use the word as shorthand for something seedy. 'None of us like being called chorus girls,' Tropicana showgirl Felicia Atkins told a reporter in 1959. 'It implies a girl with no class. We want to be known as showgirls.' Perhaps Swift will transform the term again, one track at a time.
