The 50 Coolest Customizable Holiday Cards Ever

BEFORE: Interior

The design pair notes that the original home was stuck in the past with mismatched flooring, a dysfunctional sense of flow, and an extreme lack of character.

AFTER: Interior

Amanda and Taylor took advantage of the LA views and tons of natural light by opening up the space, and then adding high-end materials and statement lighting to add charm and sophistication.

“The house was extremely dated and choppy up so our goal was to open things up while still having the feel of warmth and cohesion," says Amanda. "We did this through adding natural stone, wood, and warm lighting throughout.”

The result? A design that is elevated, functional, and timeless. "We typically let the bones of the house inspire us and let us guide it into what it wants to be," says Taylor. "This house in particular was different from most of our other projects - much more angular lines and harsh divisions between spaces so we had to find a way to soften things while still not trying to make it something it wasn't."

Bed + Bath Inspiration

Amanda and Taylor have perfected the art of blending modern and traditional elements, creating spaces that feel fresh, cozy, and stylish without being overly trendy. “We added cedar beams on the ceilings in some of the rooms and added lighting and warmer tones to add grounding," says Taylor.

The bathrooms share a cohesive look with the home, from the oak flooring, marble and stone, to nature-inspired materials.

Vistas from the hilltop were important to capture, especially from the stunning master bedroom. "In the primary bedroom, the large glass windows feel like you're part of the landscape, which is important to us," says Amanda.

Furniture and art are intentional in each of the rooms, creating symmetry, function and a warm minimalism vibe. I especially love the way the rooms transition from light to dark as you walk through the home.

The master bathroom is elegant and refined with a mix of marble, wood, and natural tones.

"Paint and furniture are everything!," says Taylor. She suggests picking pieces that are special and not something you can find at any big box store. "Layer layer layer. Layer throws and pillows, textures and paint colors. The more dimension a room has the more intentional it feels. Dont be afraid to add accent pieces for a pop of color and playfulness," she says.

Each bathroom plays into the nature-inspired aesthetic while having distinct features like unique mirrors and vanities.

The kids' room is the mini version of the rest of the home, using oak furnishings and cozy, natural layers with a pop of art.

Organic shapes compliment the overall vibe, giving the home an indoor-outdoor California modern feel.

"It's hard to keep an almost 5,000 sq ft home cozy in every space but it is something we prioritize and excel at while elevating it to meet today's needs," says Amanda.

A moody bathroom adds a bit of drama to the light-filled space.

BEFORE: Exterior

The exterior of the home left a whole lot to be desired.

AFTER: Exterior

The facade transformation is quite literally amazing.

The backyard takes advantage of the surrounding nature and views. Simply stunning!

Dated Lighting

Instead: Look For Sculptural Lighting

Let's start from the top. Sometimes a simple upgrade like new lighting can make such an impact in the room, instantly giving it a more upscale look. Statement lighting in sculptural shapes are on trend and timeless. Think in levels too -- from ceiling to table lamps to create ambience. Too harsh or too dim can make a room feel uninviting and drab too so pay attention to lighting in a room before you completely overhaul it.

Cramped, Cluttered Spaces

Instead: Be Selective With Furniture And Decor

Less is more when it comes to looking elegant, and frankly, not cheap. Remove anything that doesn't feel right in a space (you may find a better spot for it later) and start with the bare minimum. Now start to fill it with furniture and decor that fits the space well and looks like they pair well. Overfilled rooms can make them look cramped and chaotic, and too much decor or mess can create visual clutter, which is not inviting.

Mismatched Styles

Instead: Create A Point Of View

As a home decor enthusiast, I love almost all of it: art deco, modern, vintage, all the trends. Not to say, these trends can't all go together – they totally can! But create a space where they all work together so it feels cohesive. Make sure furniture works well with each other (even ask design advice from retailers). If you add art deco elements to a modern space, keep that thread going throughout the home with similar shapes, materials and textures (without going overboard). Start with an idea, pair down to the necessities, and slowly add what feels right.

Old Paint, Broken Anything

Instead: Keep Up With Repairs

Walls with chipped or peeling paint can make a home look neglected so a fresh coat is always a good idea after three or so years. Fix broken fixtures too like light switches, faucets, or doorknobs to keep your home from looking old and unkempt.

Cheap Materials

Instead: Opt For Natural Materials

Synthetic materials like polyester and nylon can appear low-end so use them sparingly. Of course, there are sometimes budget concerns but opting for a few quality linens, upholstery, or real wood furniture can elevate your home.

Dated Fixtures

Instead: Upgrade faucets, knobs, and handles

My mom was ready to remodel her whole bathroom until I told her that it was fine — she just needed to upgrade her faucet. She did and was so happy with the results. Something as small as a new bathroom faucet, kitchen handles, or new doorknobs can bring your home on trend and help eliminate embarrassing home decor mistakes.

Rental Blinds

Instead: Don't Treat Windows As An Afterthought

While I do love the bare window look, it can sometimes make a room feel unfinished, especially if the windows are not new. As a renter, I couldn't stand the look of cheap rental blinds too. I'd remove them, make my own shades, and reinstall them when I moved out. Using flimsy or outdated blinds can ruin a perfectly beautiful room. It's like the final accessory to complete the look!

Lack of Scale And Proportion

Instead: Create Balance

Area rugs should extend beyond the sofa and not be too small compared to the size of the room. Find furniture that fits the space and hang artwork that balances the room vs. puts it off kilter. This room by L.A. design firm House of Rolison feels harmonious and complete.

Generic Decor

Instead: Add Personal Touches

Using generic, mass-produced decor items can make a home feel impersonal and bland. Create a sense of space and character by incorporating personal touches, such as family photos or unique decor and art pieces.

Overly Themed Rooms

Instead: Scale Back On Thematic Pieces

Overdoing a specific theme, such as nautical or rustic, can feel kitschy and less sophisticated. Instead, use elements of a theme sparingly, like this woodland-themed kids room that features an animal print and little trinkets on a shelf for an adorable touch.

Main Photo by Rachel Claire

Find more home decor inspiration on our Home Decor page and subscribe to our email newsletter for all our home decor tips.

The Best Liquid Eyeliner Ever! 

e.l.f. Expert Liquid Eyeliner (Set of 2)

This is virtually unheard of, but this is probably the best liquid eyeliner you're ever going to wear. 88% of Target's customers recommend it, feeling you're getting the best quality for your money. Though it doesn't have the highest long-lasting rating, it still gets the job done when wearers need it to.

What are customers saying about it?

From Target:

• "i got this eyeliner like a few months ago and let me tell you its the best eyeliner I've ever got, its so easy to apply and good for beginners and STAYS ALL DAY."
• "goes on easily and dries with no cracks to create a flawless look"
• "I've used this liquid eyeliner for years- really can't beat the price!"

From e.l.f. Cosmetics:

• "It's a good liner but it does fade after about four hours so you have to touch it up."
• "It's a great eyeliner especially for hooded eyes."
• "I have tried many and these just seem to stay put and stay smooth for a long time over so many other brands."

NYX Epic Ink Liner

There's a reason why this is considered the best liquid eyeliner on Amazon. It's the overall pick as it's been purchased over 30,000 times and has a 4.5 rating! Also, Amazon noted it's something most customers keep which speaks volumes. So, what makes it so great?

It's a matte, waterproof formula that's going to give you a long-lasting effect and it has a super short precision tip to make your lines look on point. Whether you're going for a cat-eye look or something to complete your Halloween costume, this is your best bet!

Other Popular Liquid Eyeliners

Maybelline Hyper Easy Liquid Pen No-Skip Eyeliner

Aside from NYX's Epic Ink Liner, Maybelline's liquid eyeliner is another popular pick on Amazon. It has a similar precise tip that ensures it'll glide on easily — even if your hand isn't the steadiest. It's also hooded eye-friendly (IYKYK) which should bring a sigh of relief to anyone who's tired of seeing smudged eye makeup.

Stila Deluxe Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

This Stila waterproof liquid eyeliner is perfect for all-day wear! You can create so many looks, from lightly outlining your eyes to packing on the drama. Plus, Amazon customers love how this eyeliner allows them to get "super smooth, fine lines" with "no smudging or bleeding." Incredible!

Glossier Pro Tip

Can I get a little commotion for his vegan liquid eyeliner? It's totally gonna become another beauty staple soon. It's easy to use and has a buildable formula that doesn't waste time drying. Did I mention it's also long-lasting? In the words of my favorite social media sound, "You better get one of these!"

Anastasia Beverly Hills Waterproof Matte Liquid Eyeliner

It seems like the top-rated liquid eyeliners have one thing in common: they're waterproof. And this option from Anastasia Beverly Hills is no exception to that! Plus, this one claims to be highly-pigmented — which doesn't seem like a reach if you know how good Anastasia Beverly Hills' products are.

P.S. There's no parabens, phthalates, or mineral oils in it.

One/Size by Patrick Starr Point Made Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

Rounding this list out is this amazingly vegan liquid eyeliner by One/Size! I've already made a case for their setting spray so it doesn't surprise me that this makes other customers happy too. It glides on super smooth and fits comfortably in your hand so you won't experience a classic case of butter fingers when applying it.

It's also free of the following:

• Parabens
• Formaldehydes
• Formaldehyde-releasing agents
• Phthalates
• Mineral oil
• Retinyl palmitate
• Oxybenzone
• Coal tar
• Hydroquinone
• Triclocarban
• Triclosan