SPONSORED POST: 10 Deals We’re Snagging from Overstock’s Giant 70-Percent-Off Sale

SPONSORED POST: 10 Deals We’re Snagging from Overstock’s Giant 70-Percent-Off Sale

Our interior styles are always evolving — that’s half the fun of decorating! We’re constantly tweaking our decor to create a home that feels ever more ours. And while we love it when a guest compliments our efforts, like an area rug or accent chair, that’s not our favorite part. Our favorite part is getting to say, “You won’t believe the deal I got on this.”

Enter Overstock.com. The site known for its discounts on quality home furnishings is having an epic sale that’s ideal for sprucing up your space. And we mean epic: 70 percent off thousands (thousands!) of items, from bedding and curtains to couches and lamps — plus free shipping on everything. There are so many deals, in fact, that you might not know where to begin. Don’t worry: We’ve selected a few favorites to get you started. But bargains abound for every room of the home, so browse the site and snag even more deals before they disappear!

All prices are current as of publication. Prices may fluctuate and may vary by style and color.

SPONSORED POST: Before & After: A Beloved School Library Gets a Rainbow Refresh

SPONSORED POST: Before & After: A Beloved School Library Gets a Rainbow Refresh

When we were kids, there were few places as exciting as the library. We spent hours wandering the stacks and discovering stories that stuck with us into adulthood. And the library at Philadelphia’s Henry H. Houston School has been providing that magical experience since the 1920s!

The K-8 school has long been an inclusive and diverse place for students and their families, with a vibrant academic and social community. But the building is showing its age and, while there are several beautification efforts underway around the school, the library was still dark and drab. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a popular spot for students.

“To build a healthy, productive learning environment, it’s important for the students to believe you love them,” says Principal LeRoy Hall. “When they see nice resources, that’s a sign of care. That’s when you get the most out of them, because they believe they’re in a safe place that loves them.” And there’s a lot of love for these students: In addition to the dedicated staff and teachers, Houston’s Home & School Association stays busy raising money and volunteering to help improve the school environment.

We teamed up with Benjamin Moore on the Paint It Forward project to help give this library a fresh coat of sunshine and a big boost of energy. Benjamin Moore is also invested in community, with independently owned stores staffed with pros who are also neighbors. So you can expect expert advice and local knowledge on every project.

“Having students back in the library will re-invigorate the community to donate books and volunteer time,” Principal Hall says. “The library figuratively and literally connects local residents across generational, racial, and socioeconomic lines.”

To brighten up the library, designer and visual artist Sara Weissler chose a crisp white: Decorator’s White OC-149, which has a cool gray undertone that helps it pop. She made sure to select a scuff-resistant paint — Benjamin Moore SCUFF-X — since the space will get so much traffic.

“A bright, neutral background creates an effective contrast to the medium-tone wood shelves and dividers,” Sara says. “An off-white or light-but-warm color could look dull and blend too much with the wood. This shade of white also makes the eclectic mix of furniture feel more intentional.”

With the backdrop set, it was time to have a little fun: Sara chose to highlight the open space at the top of each bookshelf in 10 different playful hues. Spanning from radiant Ruby Red 2001-10 and mouth-puckering Citrus Blast 2018-30 to juicy Apple Green 2026-40 and the purple undertones of Scandinavian Blue 2068-30, this combo creates a rainbow ombre effect around the room that’s pure delight. Here’s every sunny shade:

“Because this is a children’s library, adding an element of fun is important,” Sara says. “The uppermost level of open shelving is not being used and is not easily accessible, so it’s a perfect place to add some whimsy.”

The kaleidoscopically colorful library is already inspiring new momentum: Before painting began, volunteers arrived in droves to help pack up books and other furnishings. Then they came back to re-shelve them all! Now, it’s time for students and the community — including volunteer reading tutors — to enjoy their newly sparkling space.

“The space has come alive! The new paint job adds character to the room and brightens up the space for our learners and staff members,” Principal Hall says. “It provides a more warm and hospitable learning environment for our students, staff, and community members. The wonderful job will certainly have a positive impact on all that enter.” Here’s to another 100 years of that.

SPONSORED POST: 3 Designers Show Us How to Concept, Plan, and Actually Start On a Room Renovation

SPONSORED POST: 3 Designers Show Us How to Concept, Plan, and Actually Start On a Room Renovation

There’s nothing like getting that big idea for a room makeover or DIY. Your mind is swimming with inspiration, ideas, and daydreams about your brand-new space. You think, “So many possibilities!” And then you think, “So. Many. Possibilities.”

Don’t panic: When you’re dreaming big, the first step is always the hardest. That’s the spirit behind the One Room Challenge®, a biannual design event that encourages people to transform one room in their home with the help of friendly camaraderie, community support, and collective momentum. For participating designers Amber Guyton, Xin Lu, and Tiffany Hahn, the One Room Challenge® is the perfect opportunity to transform a space that isn’t living up to its full potential. With Spoonflower — a creative community of independent artists whose designs are printed on wallpaper, home decor, and fabric — they can choose from more than 1 million designs to help bring their visions to life. And because of Spoonflower’s print-on-demand technology, no time or materials are wasted.

We asked these three designers how they’re setting their projects up for success (and we’re going to check in with them along the way). Break out your notebooks: It’s planning time!

Feeling inspired to transform your walls with stylish wallpaper? Get 20 percent off your Spoonflower order site-wide with code 20ATORCFALL2022 through November 30, 2022.

Amber Guyton’s Loft Transformation

Amber’s Atlanta bungalow is lush and luxe, with bold prints, rich colors, and sumptuous textiles. There’s just one exception: her top-floor loft, currently an uninspired storage area. She wants to turn it into a fun, cheerful space for her niece and nephews.

To get started, Amber considered how she hoped the new room would feel for the kids. “I want to create a beautiful, comfy, gender-neutral retreat that they’ll look forward to hanging out and sleeping over in,” she says. “I also want it to inspire them to dream big and use their imaginations.”

Xin Liu’s Mudroom Update

Xin has an elegant, earthy style: Her suburban Atlanta home feels like a cozy cottage in the woods, from its subdued blues and greens to its myriad houseplants. The only spot Xin isn’t happy with? The mudroom, a busy pass-through space that quickly fills with her family’s jackets, shoes, and bags. “I want it to be functional and beautiful,” Xin says. “And I want a space for everything, so it’s easier to clean up.”

If you’re not sure where to dive into a room redo, considering the space’s functionality is a tactile place to start. Xin wants an improved storage system, with bins for each family member and hooks low enough for her kids to reach. As for beauty? She wants to have fun with this small space by introducing patterned wallpaper. Xin browsed Spoonflower and found three subtle yet eye-catching design options, all by holli_zollinger: Junglia Poppy Grey Wallpaper, Junglia Weave Wallpaper, and Playa Wildflower Wallpaper. (Psst: With several removable options, you can experiment with your Spoonflower samples before you commit.)

Tiffany Hahn’s Living Room Makeover

With exuberant colors and whimsical touches, Tiffany Hahn’s Austin home is instantly inviting. But as her style has evolved, her living room hasn’t really kept up — plus, it could do with comfier seating and less clutter. “My hope is that this space would be a place of incredible peace and comfort,” Tiffany says. “A space where you can set down your coffee mug, grab the coziest blanket, and feel stress melt away like the wax from the lighted candles.”

Follow Amber, Xin, and Tiffany’s progress in the One Room Challenge® on Instagram! When you’re ready to start your own project, Spoonflower has the wallpaper, fabric, and home decor that’ll inspire your next room redo.

SPONSORED POST: Enter for a Chance to Win: A Beautiful, Fully Customized Kitchen Sink Upgrade

SPONSORED POST: Enter for a Chance to Win: A Beautiful, Fully Customized Kitchen Sink Upgrade

Of all the perks our dream kitchen would have, what we’d put at the top of the list might surprise you: a beautiful, well-designed sink. Why? Because the sink is the heart of your kitchen’s workflow: From prep to cooking to clean-up, if your kitchen sink doesn’t function well, you’ll be frustrated every time you use it.

The antidote to all that frustration is BLANCO, maker of ergonomic, durable, and totally gorgeous sinks, faucets, and accessories. Put those components together and you get a BLANCO UNIT: a fully customizable kitchen water hub designed to make every glass of water, colander of fresh veggies, and pile of dirty dishes a little bit easier. We especially love the BLANCO Semi-Pro UNIT, which packs all the power of a professional kitchen in a stylish package for the home chef. The best part? BLANCO is giving one lucky AT reader a free BLANCO Semi-Pro UNIT, featuring seven beautiful components that will transform your kitchen.

To start, the winner will choose from four different sink options: the modern and compact Precis 24 or slightly roomier Precis 27 in white or concrete gray. Both are made with SILGRANIT®, a premium granite composite material that withstands heavy cookware, hot bakeware, and scuff marks. And they pair beautifully with the Rivana faucet, an elegant matte black faucet inspired by pro kitchens, with a pull-down, insulated handspray, magnetized handspray holder, and dual spray patterns.

Then, it’s time to accessorize! The coordinating Rivana soap dispenser keeps things looking sleek. The versatile Foldable Grid is part trivet, part dish rack, part countertop. The Floating Grid fits right into the sink for more surface area, and the Basket Strainer makes neat work of rinsing veggies or draining pasta. Finally, the minimalist Capflow reduces splashing and keeps the sink strainer out of sight. So your sink will always look as good as it performs.

Enter to win a BLANCO Semi-Pro UNIT by filling out the form below. No purchase is necessary to enter. The giveaway begins at 10:15 a.m. EST on September 21, 2022 and ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on November 2, 2022. One winner will be chosen at random. We love your comments, but you must use the official form below to enter. Good luck!

SPONSORED POST: Before & After: A Historic Church-Turned-Educational Center Gets a Welcoming Paint Refresh

SPONSORED POST: Before & After: A Historic Church-Turned-Educational Center Gets a Welcoming Paint Refresh

We’re willing to bet you won’t find more smiling faces anywhere in Houston than BenCheri’ Educational Center. Since 2014, this community hub has offered local youth tutoring, mentoring, and after-school programming. From elementary school to high school, ABCs to financial literacy, BenCheri’ supports students with the knowledge they need to succeed. But the organization offers so much more than education.

BenCheri’ is a popular gathering place for the community, hosting events like carnivals, free book fairs, and summer youth programs. For Founder and CEO Ms. Willie E. Hubbard Brooks, BenCheri’ is a vibrant link to her family. Ms. Willie’s late mother ran an educational center, and her sister is a retired teacher. And then there’s the organization’s building: a historic former church founded by Ms. Willie’s great-grandparents in 1936!

We wanted to celebrate all the heart, soul, and effort BenCheri’ pours into its community — and the beautiful building where it all happens — with a new paint job to help it shine even brighter. As part of our Paint It Forward project, we partnered with Benjamin Moore, who is also committed to community. Benjamin Moore partners with local independent retailers, so you know you’re getting expert knowledge from professionals who care about their neighborhoods.

To honor the building’s historic look and feel, designer and visual artist Sara Weissler selected a fresh, subtle color palette that echoed its clean and simple aesthetic. The whole exterior got a much-needed makeover using Benjamin Moore Regal® Select Exterior Paint in the color Ocean Air 2123-50, which will provide this historical building with lasting protection. The trim and attached wood fencing were painted in the color Redstone 2009-10, a cheerful red with orange undertones sure to catch kids’ eyes.

“Because this is a historic structure, it is important to honor the building’s original look and feel,” Sara says. “We chose Ocean Air 2123-50 for the exterior, which is a hint of blue that doesn’t veer too much from white. Redstone 2009-10, a much brighter red than used before, is a perfect accent color. This mix of soft and saturated colors gives the building personality and adds a joyful pop. Fun and joy are important elements when choosing colors for a building that is a destination for families and children.”

The color is balanced with a sleek and soft color, Chalk White 2126-70, which gives the front vestibule an inviting glow. “Painting the inset entrance bright white nods to the original color and adds dimension,” Sara says. Kendall Charcoal HC-166 is a dark, calm neutral gray that’s ideal for the front steps and ramp. Finally, the window bars got a fresh coat of Benjamin Moore Regal® Select Exterior Paint in the color Black 2132-10 to help them blend in seamlessly.

With its updated exterior, BenCheri’ is paying homage to its historic past while serving a new generation — and we can’t wait to see what they do next. “I feel blessed and exceptionally pleased at the outcome,” says Ms. Willie. “Now our students can come to a brighter, cleaner, and updated center. And due to the beautification of the center, it becomes more inviting to the community.”