There are endless decisions that go into remodeling. So it comes as a huge relief when one of those often overthought choices turns out to be not so complicated (kind of like discovering that reliable, go-to paint color). That’s exactly how I felt when my friend designer Meta Coleman introduced me to maple ball knobs. Not only are they practical and understated, but these low-frill gems are affordable—they range in price from $1.80 to $2.10 each at mom-and-pop hardware stores like Lee Valley. 

1 3/8″ x 1 3/8″ Maple Ball Knob, Lee Valley ($2)

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Initially, I purchased a handful of the warm wood knobs for the new built-in dining room cabinets in our ’40s Bay Area bungalow. There was enough contrast in the room as it was, so I needed to simplify somewhere. You can choose from three sizes; I went with the midsize. Before long, I found myself swapping the shiny brass hardware on my bedroom closet doors for more of the same. Later, when we remodeled our office and our children’s bathroom, it wasn’t even a question. I was using them everywhere. 

Other Ball Knobs We Like

1 1/2″ Wooden Ball Knobs by Weichuan Store (15-Pack), Amazon ($10)

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45mm Solid Wood Ball Cabinet Knob by MaySpringDesignGift, Etsy

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1-3/4″ Wooden Ball Knob, Woodpeckers ($1)

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Unlike traditional hardware, wood ball knobs are easy to customize. You can leave them untreated, brush on a clear coat, stain them, or paint them. And then paint them again and again. Get the idea? Here are some of the many ways you can make them work in your space.

In the Dining Room 

As I mentioned, when we had that set of custom cabinets built for our dining room a couple of years ago, there was already quite a bit happening in the small space: Bunny toile wallpaper. Green trim. Gingham curtains flanking the original French windows. I wanted to maximize all the color, and that meant no interruptions by metal handles or pulls. So I painted the Shaker-style doors and the ball knobs in Farrow & Ball’s gray-green Treron. They add just the right touch of sculptural interest.  

In the Bathroom

For our children’s bathroom remodel, we decided to stick to the original footprint as much as possible, including keeping the vintage pedestal sink and cast-iron tub. We did, however, nix the enclosed shower in favor of drawers and cabinetry. I let my kids choose the wallpaper for the space. Once they settled on this vintage clover wallpaper from Svenskt Tenn, I knew I wanted to paint the storage and trim in Farrow & Ball’s Oval Room Blue, which we had used in our adjacent hallway. By this time, I was familiar with how durable wood ball knobs are, so I was confident they’d hold up to some kid-generated wear and tear. Again, angling for a cohesive look against a busy backdrop, I went with a uniform look that pops off against the white and green foliage. But, who knows, maybe someday I’ll update the knobs in a splashy red hue. 

In the Living Room

I wasn’t the only one falling for the knobs. Content creator Hannah Carpenter discovered them when our mutual friend, Coleman, suggested them as the pulls for an IKEA hack in her Arkansas home. “They’re great for someone who wants something somewhat special but doesn’t want to spend a million dollars,” says Carpenter. To create storage in the family’s den, she took a pair of pine Ivar sideboards and painted them white. To lend the cabinetry a touch of character, Coleman suggested bun legs from Pretty Pegs and, naturally, complimentary ball knobs. 

In the Kitchen

When it came to her kitchen, Carpenter was determined to make the same knobs work against a newly painted backdrop of light blue cabinetry. But this time, she didn’t crack open a paint can. “You can paint them a punchy accent or leave them alone and just let them sort of age and get a little darker with use,” she explains. Even with a steady stream of tweens and teens at home, she says her untreated knobs don’t get particularly dirty.  

The bargain knobs were also the antidote to expensive hardware when stylist and Domino contributing editor Merisa Libbey was refreshing her new-to-her mid-century kitchen in Los Angeles. “I knew we’d be doing some more major renovations down the line and didn’t want to invest ridiculous amounts in making these areas feel better in the meantime,” she says. She was flipping through an old issue of Domino for inspiration when she came across a kitchen featuring an oversize version of the round knobs. She ordered a couple of sizes, testing one in a clear coat and one the same color as her freshly painted cabinets. Ultimately, she went with the former to tie into the oak flooring. “They fit the bill of mixing with my 1950s cupboards while elevating them to a more modern aesthetic,” says Libbey. “I loved them so much, I ended up using them in every room with cabinets—some with paint, some with a natural stain, all supercute.”

The post The $2 Ball Knobs on Every Door and Drawer in My House appeared first on domino.

The Wiggle pillow and pillow covers featured in this story are both currently 20% off for a limited time during Buffy’s back-to-school sale. For more Domino-vetted deals of the week, check out our full guide here.

Sleeping used to be something I’d do for comfort. But as I creep toward 40, lying on my stomach has become the only way I can drift off—but also an increasingly agonizing position come morning. Okay, I’ll just say it: When I wake up after lying on my stomach, my lower back feels as though it’s been set on fire. 

Years ago, a friend recommended a body pillow as a way to ease into side sleeping, which would help with the lower-back problem, but, um, have you ever seen an attractive body pillow? Lumbar pillows try, but they’re not nearly long enough for my almost-6-foot frame.

So when I stumbled upon the wormlike Buffy Wiggle pillow, I knew I had to get one in my bed and between my arms—fast. Unlike most flat body pillows, which just look like extensions of a boring standard version, the Wiggle is a long tube covered in a cozy-soft faux shearling exterior (it comes in three varying shades of a toasty brown, neutral cream, and pinky coral) that can be removed and thrown in the washing machine. The thing is massive, and at almost 7 feet, it’s longer than the width of my queen-size mattress. At night I use it to cradle my head, and there’s still plenty of room left over for me to wrap my entire body around the rest.

Sure, the Wiggle’s body isn’t that far off from those popular U-shaped pregnancy pillows, but because it’s flexible and floppy, you can tie it up into a trendy knot in the morning and no one will be the wiser that it’s your nighttime snuggle buddy. Plus it and a matching cover—also available in linen—are both 20% off right now during the brand’s back-to-school sale. So you can save anywhere from $15 to $21 on the pair.

After using it for two weeks, my lower back started to feel, well, like nothing. My sleep is sound, and my mornings are more energetic. And thanks to its chic shape and feel, when people ask me why I look so well rested, I can say without a dose of irony: I woke up like this. 

20% Off the Buffy Wiggle Pillow

Wiggle Pillow and Cover in Toast, Buffy ($150 was $188)

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The post Buffy’s Wildly Popular Wiggle Pillow Is Back in Stock—And It’s 20% Off appeared first on domino.

If you ask me about bedding, I’ll usually say I’m a year-round devotee of linen sheets. Breathable yet weighty, there’s just something inviting about the material no matter the season. But when things get extra-sticky, I’ll change it up in summertime to chase the elusive cooling properties promised by percale and bamboo sets. Sateen, however, is a material I (previously) did not turn to.

My reasoning for this is because sateen—a type of cotton weave featuring a tight three- or four-over-one—is known for sealing in warmth instead of letting air flow through. This type of construction also lends to a slight sheen in the fabric; I prefer matte. (Here’s a visual: Where percale goes crinkly and linen goes laid-back rumpled, sateen gives rich and velvety.)

So when Quince—known for thoughtfully made and affordable home basics like curtains, rugs, and table linens—debuted what the brand described as “exceptionally soft and breathable” sateen sheets made with organic cotton, my interest was piqued. I won’t lie: I harbored a healthy dose of skepticism, but I was thoroughly intrigued to review them. A set waited patiently in my linen chest until the first hot day arrived this year—and, after a couple of months’ worth of sleep, consider me a cool sateen convert.

Quince Organic Sateen Sheets

Luxury Organic Sateen Sheet Set, Queen, Quince ($100)

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The Soft Feel and Relaxed Look

I had slept on other sets of sateen sheets (namely Dusen Dusen’s funky patterned ones), and while I loved the smooth feel, there’s no denying the weight that comes with them; even with air-conditioning on full blast, they lay more heavily during the summer months. So when Quince’s organic version in white arrived, I expected them to be supple and nice to touch. What did take me by surprise was the actual softness and look of the material, made from 100% long-staple cotton, which was more relaxed and less prim than I’d come to expect from sateen. While the 10 other colors might have a subtle sheen, the white isn’t shiny, nor is it quite a percale-esque crisp. To be straightforward: They’re just a really comfortable texture, like your favorite vintage T-shirt.

The Cool Factor

From the first night my husband and I snoozed on them, I couldn’t get over the heat regulation they provided. I run steamy at night and am always looking for options that’ll keep that in check. While “cooling” is often an overused concept that can be misleading, these are the real deal. They keep my body, and that of my marathon-ing mate, at an ideal sleeping temperature. They’re cool to slip into, and I never warm up to the point where I’m throwing off the top sheet or our quilt. I’ve been reaching for them all season long, even with other organic cotton and percale sheets in my test pile, many of which didn’t have the same immediate softness or cooling factors. They’ve held up to weekly washing, too; no pilling here. I would bet they aren’t just for hot sleepers either. Those who love the feel but sleep cool could pile on a duvet and be set.

Don’t take all of this from just me. Review after review of these buttery sheets heralds them as “supersoft” and  “great quality” at an “unbeatable price.” You can also see several customer photos, too, if you are concerned about colors. Plus you have an entire year to sleep on them to decide whether you like them or not before returning them free of charge. 

A note on the eco-qualities: Each set of Quince’s organic sateen sheets is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified (and labeled appropriately so, with a corresponding number), not just the factories the brand partners with. This is an important distinction, because many companies conflate the two without making it clear to shoppers.

The Thrilling Price

The price is, plain as day, pretty impressive. Compared to other popular sheet purveyors, Quince’s price tag is one of the lowest—we’re talking less than $130 for even a California king set that includes fitted and flat sheets and two pillowcases. If you go for just a fitted sheet and pillowcases, the prices dip even lower. In the case of the organic sateen, which is crafted in India, the quality could masquerade for more expensive brands. Quince credits the eye-popping pricing to its production model, offering that it avoids traditional supply chains in favor of sourcing directly from manufacturers.

The Little Details

Each set is finished off with a single needle-stitch cuff detail, but the very simple addition of “top” and “bottom” labels inside the fitted sheet brings me more joy than it should (I don’t know how many times I’ve had to refit sheets that don’t have this).

The Fitted Sheet Sizing

If there’s one gripe I have, it’s that the fitted sheet has shrunk a tiny bit to where it doesn’t quite reach around my 11.5-inch-tall king mattress with a 3-inch-tall mattress topper. It doesn’t bug me to adjust that in the morning and tuck the generously sized top sheet over it, but just so you know, shrinkage is a possibility.

The Final Word

I sleep on all kinds of sheets looking for the sweet spot somewhere on the continuum of linen, sateen, and percale—the place where I get softness, cooling, and little to no pilling. There are few sheet sets that I return to again and again (ahem, Cultiver’s linen), but I now count Quince’s organic sateen among them.

More Quince Organic Sateen Bedding

Sage Luxury Organic Sateen Sheet Set, Queen, Quince ($100)

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Windowpane Luxury Organic Sateen Fitted Sheet Set, California King, Quince ($100)

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Light Grey Luxury Organic Sateen Fitted Sheet Set, Full, Quince ($80)

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Clay Luxury Organic Sateen Sheet Set, King, Quince ($120)

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The post These Buttery, Cooling $100 Sheets Completely Changed My Mind About Sateen appeared first on domino.

You can’t convince me that anyone actually likes mopping. Having a clean home? Of course. The act of cleaning? Not so much. If there’s a faster, easier way to get it done, I’m here for it. That’s why I initially thought getting an app-operated robot vacuum-mop combo would undoubtedly ensure spick-and-span floors in my apartment at all times. Then I realized how often I actually had to refill the reservoir and that I had to put the tiny mop attachment into the washing machine after Every. Single. Use. Hard pass. I also tried a high-tech steam vac that promises to cut cleaning time in half (and it really did!), but I soon got too overwhelmed—okay, fine, lazy—to properly clean out the gnarly tank of watery muck that got sucked up with every run. When I saw that Swiffer launched its first major revamp in more than 20 years, I thought, maybe a simpler approach will actually make mopping, I don’t know, simpler. Here’s how it went when I gave up all the fancy-schmancy alternatives. 

The very first thing that thrilled me when I unboxed the Swiffer PowerMop was discovering that it actually came with batteries. Is there anything worse than opening a new toy only to realize you have to steal some AAs from your TV remote just to use it? After unpacking the bottle of cleaner and two mop heads that come with the starter kit, I snapped together the rod (which easily comes apart, a detail that also is handy if you don’t have a ton of vertical storage), clicked the bottle into the holster, and stuck the pad of scrubbing strips onto the bottom. Boom. Ready to mop in under one minute. 

Swiffer PowerMop Starter Kit

If you’ve used a Swiffer, there’s not much difference in the way this one operates—push the button on the handle, get a spritz of solution across the floor, and start swiping. Though there is one new feature that’s a major upgrade for me: a 360-degree swivel and the ability to lock the head into a completely vertical position. Being able to easily clean up splatters of dog food from the bottom of my kitchen island was a game changer. And a quick trip around the perimeter of my one-bedroom apartment had my baseboards looking (and smelling!) as fresh as move-in day. This simple addition also makes it that much easier to store the Swiffer in the awkward sliver of space I reserve in my laundry closet for cleaning tools. The scent is strong, but not too, and lasts long enough to make me feel accomplished several hours later. As for the pads, the package says they’re good for about 485 square feet before you should toss them, but I’d say that also depends on how dirty your floors are. 

Other new perks include a base that’s 30 percent larger than past versions, which means more cleaning in fewer swipes, and a quick-dry solution that doesn’t have me tiptoeing around the kitchen for the next hour. I have to say, I do find myself reaching for the Swiffer a lot more often than I’m activating the robot mop or steam cleaner these days. Do I like cleaning now? Not really, but for just $30, it’s feeling like the low-tech route at least makes life (and chores) much more manageable. 

Swiffer PowerMop Starter Kit, Amazon ($29)

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The post Why I Swapped My Fancy $600 Steam Vacuum for This $30 Classic appeared first on domino.

The coffee machine featured in this story is currently $200 off for Amazon Prime Day. For more editor-vetted deals worth scoring during the 48-hour sale, check out our full guide to the best things to buy. 

Here’s a confession: I can’t do anything before my first coffee—it’s so bad I often save a serving from the previous day’s brew, then pop it in the fridge so it’s already on deck in the morning. It’s my pre-coffee iced coffee, and the bleary-eyed 6 a.m. version of myself thanks yester-me every time. When I heard about Bruvi, a single-serve brewer that launched late last year, it had my attention with promises of customization options, seven beverage choices, and, most important, remote brewing capabilities, meaning I could start a batch from bed. Maybe this could turn me into a functional human without my secret stash. 

Inside the box, the Bruvi was wrapped in a Japanese knot canvas bag that added an extra element of luxury to the unboxing process (and a lot less cardboard). Right now, the machine only comes in one color: a creamy off-white with blond wood accents that makes it feel more like decor than a device. Like most single-serve brewers, it was fairly simple to set up: Plug it in, fill the tank with water, run a rinse cycle, and you’re ready to go. One (optional) extra step involves snapping the included charcoal filtration system into the 70-ounce reservoir. As a water snob, I love having the option to pour right from the tap and know I’m still getting a clean start for my morning cup. 

But the absolute best part (aside from the fact that it’s nearly $200 off for Amazon Prime Day)? The Bruvi has got range. It can pump out espresso, coffee, matcha lattes, and steaming hot water for my loose-leaf teas in seconds. In addition to the beverage variety, the technology is impressive for a pod-style machine. Once you insert a B-Pod (the first and only fully biodegradable pods, by the way), drink-specific options appear on a screen the size of an iPhone Plus. With regular coffee, for example, I can choose one of six sizes, my temperature (hotter, or cooler for an iced coffee that won’t melt the cubes), the strength, and whether I want less acid for a smoother sip—all without a busy barista judging my multi-hyphenate order. Plus this one machine has replaced my need for a French press and my single-serve espresso machine, which I’ve previously used for separately depending on my drink choice. Most important, the coffee is actually good. 

In the past, I’d set up old drip machines to percolate around 6:30 a.m. each day, but my body clock is never on the same page as my planner. My eyes either spring open at 5 or I’m hitting the snooze button until 9—that means waking up to nothing at all or a pot that’s already gone cold. Bruvi solves that dilemma by becoming part of my wind-down routine each evening. After I make my sleepy-time tea, I put my mug in place and pop in a pod (right now, I’ve got Wonderland’s Euphoria Espresso on auto-ship) before heading to bed. On days I wake up with an alarm, I schedule my brew in tandem. If I get up naturally, I simply roll over and hit “brew” on the Wi-Fi-connected app, and my Americano is ready before I can slide into my house slippers.

50% Off the Bruvi Coffee Bundle

The Bruvi Bundle Single-Serve Coffee System, Amazon ($199 was $398)

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The post With This New Pod-Style Brewer, I Can Make a Cup of Coffee From Bed appeared first on domino.

The Lomi Kitchen Composter featured in this story is currently $100 off for Amazon Prime Day. For more editor-vetted deals worth scoring during the 48-hour sale, check out our full guide to the best things to buy.

As a seasoned gardener and plant parent, I fully understand the inescapable truth that compost is the best way to feed your soil. So I have two systems set up in my suburban Atlanta yard: a tumbler and a stationary bin. The only bummer about creating your own soil, though, is that traditional composting takes months. So when I saw the ads for the Pela Lomi Kitchen Composter claiming it can transform kitchen scraps into compost in just hours, needless to say, I was skeptical. I pored over online reviews and comments from real users and still wasn’t convinced. I had to try this thing for myself. 

When it arrived, I was immediately impressed with the 100% recyclable packaging. Better yet, all the packing materials can be put in the Lomi—even the bioplastic protective covering. Aside from the composter itself, the box was filled with activated charcoal for the filters and Lomi Pods, the brand’s proprietary blend of probiotics that improves the speed of decomposition while reducing odor. A step-by-step manual shows you how to load the filters and provides a concise list of the dos and don’ts of composting. I was ready to get started. 

Lomi has three cycles, and each one gives food waste a perfectly balanced mix of moisture, warmth, and oxygen levels needed to create compost, which helps speed up the natural decomposition process. The Eco Express mode gives the fastest results while using the least energy. It runs for three to five hours, and a Lomi Pod is unnecessary. However, this mode produces immature compost and should be put in a green bin or added to a larger compost bin to finish processing. The Approved mode breaks down only Lomi-approved bioplastics, runs for five to eight hours, and requires a Lomi Pod. Lastly, the longest cycle, Grow mode, runs for about 16 to 20 hours. It uses low heat to help preserve the beneficial microbes from the Lomi Pod. All the compost produced by the Lomi can be added to indoor or outdoor plants at a rate of 1 part Lomi compost to 10 parts soil. 

So does Lomi really work? Yes. It does exactly what it claims to do: reduce the volume of your waste by up to 90 percent. It accepts most food scraps, leftovers, trimmings from houseplants, and paper. The entire process occurs in the compost bucket, avoiding transfer to a larger heap. I tried all three modes, and at the end of each one, the waste I added to the Lomi was transformed into something that resembled dirt, so I fed it to my houseplants. So far, they seem happy and are growing well. 

One thing to note: You can’t just add anything to the bin. Composting is all about the right mix of browns and greens to create a well-balanced result. I did one cycle with leftovers and some shredded paper, not really paying attention to the balance. The result was a gooey mess that I eventually had to scrape out. (Thank goodness Lomi’s bucket is dishwasher-safe!) Lomi makes it really easy to get the balance right, as long as you follow the recommendations.

More for the pro column: I like that the setup is extremely easy—it’s basically plug-and-go. The machine is sleek and has a simple user interface, so it looks great on the kitchen counter. The process is practically dummyproof. 

There are really only two things I’d change about it. First and foremost, it’s expensive. The Lomi retails for $499, not including the cost of the replacement filters and Pods. (However, the price is comparable to its competitors.) Although this con isn’t a deal breaker, it’s loud while running. It is similar to a noisy dishwasher and makes squeaky and grinding noises periodically. I found it distracting, and it was hard to fall asleep when I ran it on the Grow mode. Then again, it really does make usable soil, well, overnight. 

$100 Off Lomi Kitchen Composter

Lomi Kitchen Composter, Pela ($399 was $499)

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The post I Tested a Countertop Composter That Makes Ready-to-Use Soil Literally Overnight appeared first on domino.

The vacuum featured in this story is currently 30% off for Amazon Prime Day. For more editor-vetted deals worth scoring during the 48-hour sale, check out our full guide to the best things to buy. 

During a recent long-term stay at my parents’ place, I counted a total of seven (yes, seven) vacuums, mops, and brooms around the house. Why did we need this menagerie of supplies, you ask? Well, according to my mother: “This one is for dog hair, that one is for ‘regular sweeping’, this one is for wet messes, but that one works best on…” I digress. I’m not a custodial expert, but there’s no universe where a 1,900-square-foot home needs such an arsenal. So when I heard about the Tineco Floor One S5 Extreme, I was really hoping the new wet-dry vacuum could take the place of at least two superfluous cleaning devices with its double-duty functions. 

Turns out, it can replace almost all of them. Setting up the cordless machine was easy; it’s basically two steps. After unboxing, all I had to do was snap the handle into the vacuum’s base until I heard a click. Then following the quick-start instructions on the box, I filled up the rear canister with water and was ready to go. The device can also be synced to the Tineco app via Wi-Fi, and honestly, that took longer than the appliance setup itself. The app measures all kinds of things about the super-sucker, and I found it oddly satisfying to review my cleaning log, time spent using the vacuum, and percentage of dirt in the water. And you can change the settings, reference the manual, and check the battery level via the app, too. 

33% Off Tineco Floor One S5 Extreme

Tineco Floor ONE S5 PRO 2 Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum, Amazon ($400 was $600)

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As for how it works, there are two buttons on the handle: power and mode. With each tap of the latter, an AI-powered voice announces which of the three functions is in use. Thanks to what the brand calls iLoop Smart Sensor Technology, a fancy term for mess detection, auto mode is able to automatically respond with the proper suction, water, and detergent. Max mode goes into full-force power on all fronts (and you can use it on any hardwood flooring), and vacuum-only mode is pretty self-explanatory. On my first run, I actually forgot to add the cleaning solution it comes with, but it works just as well with plain water. In auto mode, it gobbled up everything from crushed potato chips to squirts of ketchup in a single swipe. Stickier, dried-up messes were no match for the max option. And for the dust and particles unseen by the naked eye, the iLoop sensor changes from red to blue when the floor is officially spotless. 

When it comes to maneuvering, this thing turns on a dime and gets real cozy with the baseboards (this version was released with an upgraded edge design for that very reason). The only downside is that the joint doesn’t angle back flat enough to slide under a sofa. That said, on max mode, it leaves no water behind. I hate directing traffic over wet floors in a houseful of people (and three dogs), and the fact that the tile is dry by the time I’ve moved on to the next section keeps the chaos at bay. 

On a full charge, it promises 35 minutes of run time, but I’ve never needed to use it that long. I can get through most of our all-tile house in approximately one episode of The Office. And when I’m done, there’s a two-minute self-cleaning function that washes the roller while the device is on the charging base that I can start manually or from the app. I’m also a fan of the water tank. I’m sure those of us with allergies can commiserate over the sneeze-fest associated when dumping regular vacuum canisters, but thankfully, this Tineco model eliminates that issue. However, if you don’t want mucky water going down your drain, I suggest emptying the reservoir outdoors if you can.  

As with most things, the real test is earning Mom’s stamp of approval, so I asked if she’d be willing to give up her other floor cleaners in exchange for this does-it-all one. I’m happy to report that four of them now have a new home at Goodwill.

The post My Family Owns 4 Vacuums, But I Found the Wet-Dry Cleaner to Replace Them All appeared first on domino.

I’ve spent nearly every summer since I was born posted up on one beach or another in the Chesapeake Bay. With the very same folding chairs my mother and father picked up from a small shop on the boardwalk many years ago. Needless to say, they’re covered in rust and starting to fade. So last year, I decided it was finally time to break from that family tradition and try something new: Sunflow’s beach chair. In a couple of days, when driving down Route 1, the elevated design will be packed in the trunk. Read on for why, after a full 365 days of use, it’s now my go-to. 

The Chair Beach Bundle

The Chair Beach Bundle, Sunflow ($296)

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While I may not be as enticed by tropical palettes and patterns as my Parrothead parents, there’s still a reason that Tommy Bahama chairs are so popular. Lightweight and comfortable, those durable seats offer everything you need to stay near the ocean from sunrise to sunset, down to a cup holder and zippered pockets for extra storage. But with Sunflow’s bundle option, I realized I could have all that and more—and in a chic cabana stripe, to boot. 

All it took was sinking into Sunflow’s hammocklike silhouette one time to know why it had such a successful debut on Shark Tank in 2020. Its aluminum frame and marine-grade, water-resistant fabric (30% polyester, 70% PVC plastic) means it won’t corrode from saltwater exposure. And sure, it’s on the heavier side, weighing nearly 10 pounds, but I’ve had no issues trekking across sand dune paths, deck stairs, and even the hills of Central Park thanks to its adjustable backpack straps. That added feature is helpful for my petite, five-foot frame; the chair hangs a little low, but I’ve been able to keep it tight and secure instead of flopping around while I walk. 

Of course, for $198, you’d expect this to be the perfect chair—trust me when I say paying $98 more for all the attachments makes it exactly so. I could take or leave the sunglasses case, but the dry-bag zippered pocket has come in handy more times than I can count when high tide comes unexpectedly crashing in. It keeps my phone and other digital devices safe and out of ocean spray, sand, and sun. Throughout the day, my beverages will rotate among a stainless steel carafe and cold brew and a bottle of water, and a carbonated can. Not all of these fit into a universal cup holder, but Sunflow’s is fully adjustable; you can cinch it down for skinnier containers or have it open wide, up to a circumference of 11.5 inches, to comfortably keep even a huge Hydroflask sitting upright. Then once I decide to recline all the way to the farthest, fourth position (basically like lying down) to catch optimal rays, I’ll grab the UV-50 sun shield—which is fully adjustable, too—without having to fuss or bring an umbrella for moments of shade.

One thing to keep in mind is that properly opening and closing the chair takes some getting used to, especially after decades of working with a fold-and-chuck-across-your-shoulder kind of situation. My biggest word of advice is to read the directions—and then read them again. Even if you think you’ve fully expanded it, you probably haven’t. Here’s a tip: The top button will ease the back of the chair up (keep the logo facing toward you), and you’ll want it to be fully extended before officially opening it. 

If the cost is a little steep, and you’re still not convinced, I will leave you with this: This chair effectively made me the envy of my entire family last year—so much so that one cousin purchased a chair for themself promptly after our beach vacation concluded. You better believe I will be adding a pillow and beach speaker to my repertoire this year, too.

More Sunflow Chairs and Attachments on Sale 

The High Tide Beach Bundle, Sunflow ($296)

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Shoshanna Beach Chair, Sunflow ($198)

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The Contour Pillow, Sunflow ($33)

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Waterproof Beach Speaker, Sunflow ($68)

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Welcome to Sofa Week, our seven-day stretch of, you guessed it, sofas. After years spent styling, sitting on, and searching for the best of the best—from bespoke designs to rare under-$500 gems—we’re compiling our couch knowledge in one comfy spot.

Reclining sofas aren’t usually synonymous with design-forwardness. In my mind, they’re more often associated with a group of chip-chomping frat guys plopped atop leathery sectionals for game day—or my grandmother glued to a decades-old seat while shopping QVC. Still, I cannot deny finding the soft-life charm of these laid-back loungers somehow incredibly appealing. Because of this, I have been on a continued mission to find a way to kick my feet up in style. This is how I came to discover the shockingly attractive Homebody reclining sofa, a furniture startup’s genius creation—in all its svelte and slipcovered glory—that seemingly promises to deliver an even comfier and cooler version of the good old-fashioned La-Z-Boy. I was sold.

Speaking of delivery, we’ll start there. It took about seven days between getting the tracking number and having the first box show up (average timelines are between one and two weeks)—pretty impressive considering I’ve waited longer for Amazon orders. Mine arrived over the course of two days, which was okay by me because I wouldn’t have had room in my apartment for all the packages anyway. The Couch is completely modular, so each piece, including the cushion covers, is packed separately. I probably spent more time breaking down boxes than I did actually putting the whole thing together. 

Assembling the 120-inch piece was easier than expected. Although I did have to exercise some patience as I individually covered each component. There was a bit of stretching, some shimmying, and a good amount of sighing involved to get each one just so. The cushions are like putting on a giant zippered pillowcase, but the arms and bases show some wrinkles when not pulled taut enough. That was the part that took some trial and error. Once everything was covered, I lined up the sections (I went with a love seat and armless chair layout for my three-seater, but there are seemingly endless combinations to play with) and secured them with U-shaped connectors that hold it all together, and that was it. The final result looks like an expensive slipcovered sofa. Although it’s pricey ($5,940 to be exact), it is exponentially more stylish than my grandma’s version. 

On the love seat side, I thought there would be some specific strategy involved with setting up the recliner, but even that section just snaps into place and plugs into an outlet. Best of all, the moving piece only needs 2 inches of clearance from the wall, so it doesn’t eat into my living room space. After an hour’s charge, the remote was ready to go (the seat is fully automatic and slides back and forth with the press of a button). There’s even a convenient little pocket on the headrest to hide the remote when not in use. Plus I was delighted to find there’s another switch hidden under the cushion next to a USB and USB-C input, which means charging my phone or laptop is always within arm’s reach. 

Of the seven fabric selections, I made the bold decision to go with the coconut linen. All of the options are treated with a coating of C6 carbon atoms for stain resistance, and without even trying I was able to put the science to the test. On day three of admiring my pristine cloud of a couch, I clumsily spilled black coffee all over the seat. The next day, following a rainy walk, my dog decided it was as good a time as ever to hop up for a nap. Thankfully, my morning brew blotted right up with a paper towel and the muddy paw prints disappeared after a quick spritz of water and a few quick brushes of a kitchen rag. 

As for how my soft life is going, this sofa is playing an integral role in that journey. I’ve probably spent far too many hours sinking into the layers of the eco-friendly down alternative and enjoying the endless lounging positions these edgeless armrests allow. From propping myself up for Zoom calls to seamlessly reclining into TV-watching mode, being a homebody has become a pretty cushy lifestyle. 

The post I Tried a Reclining Sofa That Doesn’t Look Like It Belongs in a Frat House appeared first on domino.

Welcome to Sofa Week, our seven-day stretch of, you guessed it, sofas. After years spent styling, sitting on, and searching for the best of the best—from bespoke designs to rare under-$500 gems—we’re compiling our couch knowledge in one comfy spot.

Finding the perfect sofa is easier said than done. So many elements come into play: style, comfort, size, price, quality—it’s rare to find one that checks every box. But after two years of sitting, napping, hosting, and everything else that life entails, our very own Kate Berry knows she’s found her sofa soul mate—the kind you read about in books—and she’s spilled all the details on what made it the one. 

Like all great love stories, it was one of first sight—the seed was initially planted while Berry was styling Domino contributing editor Jordan Ferney’s home tour. Having been fluffed to perfection for the shots, Ferney’s Hay Mags sofa was photo-ready thanks to its taut fabric. Really, you could jump up and down on it and there still wouldn’t be a wrinkle. But don’t be fooled by the structured design—the cushion was plenty comfortable for lounging.   

At the time, Berry and her husband were living in what she describes as a “shoebox-size apartment” and making it work with their two-seater roll-arm sofa from Suite NY. It was just the two of them when they first acquired the petite sofa, and it was perfect at the time. But as their family grew, their needs changed. When they moved into a larger apartment with their 8-year-old daughter (plus their newest feline addition), it was time for a bigger sofa. 

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Hay Mags Soft Low Sofa

Mags Soft Low Sofa, HAY ($5,695)

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While Ferney owned the original model, Berry opted for the Mags soft low sofa—she favored something with rounded edges to blend with her more classic style. There are 28 fabric options to choose from, but she knew right away that she wanted the cream bouclé (officially called Flambier A5 Cream). “Because the sofa is so large, I wanted something a little more nubby and substantial to support its scale, without bringing in a print,” she explains.  

The textured fabric also mixes well with Berry’s enviable throw pillow collection, which, similar to her wardrobe, she switches out seasonally. While she’s all about whimsical florals and graphic ginghams in the summer, metallic brocades and striped velvets take over in winter. And bouclé is the perfect backdrop for it all. 

While the sofa is made for relaxing, Berry actually spends the majority of her workday there. Long enough to really spread out (it’s nearly 10 feet), she’ll use trays to organize paperwork and then prop her laptop on the armrests—they’re conveniently wide enough to hold a computer. And just like that, working from home is again novel.  

Shop More Hay Mags Sofas

Mags Lounge Sofa, Hay ($4,895)

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Mags Soft Low One-Arm Sectional, Hay ($4,195)

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