Metals are the jewelry of the decor world. Whether they’re used on lighting, textiles, or walls, nothing does more to dress up a room than a bit of gold, silver, or bronze.

Professional organizer Shira Gill helps clients live well with less by getting them to shed their stuff.

Make your house kid-friendly by establishing a kiddie area with tyke-scaled tables and chairs.

Oval or square, rustic or chic, wood or marble, there are many factors worth considering when selecting the perfect dining room table.

Alamedans confess to varying states of preparedness when it comes to earthquake planning.

Richard Applebaum donates his time and materials to create an Old Testament garden at an Oakland temple with curated notes on the plants’ biblical significance.

Amanda Bruemmer is active in an organization that teaches the power of growing your own food.

Berkeley residents Bob and Bonnie Hester reclaim their yard with an innovative deck replacement that includes an art glass screen mimicking their Craftsman home.

Crazy-bold Marsala, Pantone’s paint color of the year, looks great at home when used judiciously.

Fashion is fickle when it comes to kitchen design, but color, island treatment, metals, clean lines, bling-free cabinets can bring yours up to date.