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Making it personal

Whether you're a fashionista who considers “Gossip Girl” star Blake Lively your idol, an eco-friendly student who thinks Al Gore is “the man” or a dude who decorates with books, you can find the back-to-dorm decor that reflects your personality and tastes. The choices are more varied than ever in this year's crop of cool stuff to trick out your dorm room and turn it into a sweet space. » More

Greener home furnishings

Take the award-winning installation “Lightshowers” put on by DuPont Corian at this year's International Contemporary Furniture Fair. Egg-like polished rocks and smooth slabs of Corian were underlit, with nature sounds generated from a hypersonic speaker. When a person crossed the sound wave's path, it essentially “woke” the sound.  » More

Nailhead trim is a hit

By Liz Seymour
THE WASHINGTON POST

West Elm Nailheads line a headboard upholstered with undyed jute available at West Elm. The style has contemporary and traditional appeal.

Nailheads are everywhere again! The silver-or brass-tack trim looks like jewelry roped around a piece of furniture. It has been spotted on the arms of sofas and chairs and as a detail on a bed frame.

This season, Crate and Barrel is wrapping silver nailhead trim around velvet club chairs. It's especially fitting on a wing chair, even one draped in ivory leather or Scottish tartan plaid, as seen from Williams-Sonoma Home. West Elm has paired nailheads with undyed jute to create an upholstered headboard that's appealing to both traditional and contemporary tastes.

“Nailhead detail is a classic design that mixes very well with modern looks,” said Kate Mulhearn, a spokeswoman for West Elm, which is also selling a nailhead linen window panel. “Nailhead is incredibly versatile. It creates a look that is sophisticated and relaxed at the same time.”