Wow Home Idea

Ngoc Minh Ngo Before he heads to Washington, D.C. to deck out the White House for its yearly holiday-season spectacle (pro bono!), A-list event designer Bryan Rafanelli was kind enough to create a Christmassy confection for us. And even though he's the powerhouse designer behind celeb-studded events — like weddings for Chelsea Clinton and Allison Williams — Rafanelli still knows how to woo and wow. So much so that even his small parties get equal star treatment: "Whether I'm planning a dinner for 300 or 20, I'm going to sit at the table and experience what guests will see and feel," he says. Here are his seven must-copy tips: 1. Be a maximalist. "Pile it on! You can always pull back. I like to use three to five design elements on the table, so that everywhere you look, you see an overwhelming amount of gorgeous things. Pairing glass and wood is surprising, but the vases add twinkle while the wooden candlesticks provide needed warmth." 2. Think in lay...

We all have secrets — and the best ones lead to a more organized home. Shanty 2 Chic Back Up a Bathroom Mirror Take advantage of all the wall space your floor length mirror eats up by installing some hidden storage for TP and shampoo behind it. Sewing Barefoot Line Bookshelves With Secrets The best place to hide something? In plain sight. These books on a bookshelf seem totally normal, until you look behind them and see that all the pages are missing. Rogue Engineer Trick Out Your Coffee Table It's time to surrender the battle of not letting your kids keep their toys in the living room. Instead, embrace the mess by storing everything in the very heart of it all. Guests will never expect their drinks are resting on top of your most despised clutter. Sawdust 2 Stitches Make Your Entry Way Work Harder Last minute touch ups are usually a stressful mess. But by adding a secret area behind a mirror to store makeup or accessories on your coat rack, it's suddenly the easiest p...

You should own a toolbox — that's a given. But unless you've inherited a load of tools from some handy relative, acquiring the right stuff is easier said than done. So we called David Frane, Editor of Tools of the Trade magazine and former carpenter and furniture maker, to get his advice on how to assemble the perfect toolbox. Illustration by John Swanson Screwdrivers "You'll need different sizes and types so buy an assortment of Phillips, slotted, and square-drive. Look at Klein, which are also made in the USA. They're a heavy-duty, classic design. Be sure to get at least one extra-long shaft screwdriver in slotted and number two Phillips, because sooner or later you will need them to get at things standard shafts won't reach." Illustration by John Swanson Tape Measure "Again, go old school; get a 16- or 25-foot Stanley PowerLock. A 16 will be too short for a framing carpenter or general contractor, but for around the house stuff, it's way ha...