Before I had kids, I loved using kitschy childhood favorites to decorate my home-space – Muppets, Hello Kitty, Raggedy Ann. It was good fun at the time, but since my extended adolescence finally ended with a “Push!” and then a “Waah!” three-odd years ago, it’s become a lot less appealing.
 
For one thing, SpongeBob appears on every available surface even if I don’t want him to. Hey, I love the little absorbent, yellow, porous fella as much as anyone, but enough is enough – I do like having décor that isn’t fuzzy, neon, or enhanced with googly eyes.
 
And yet: There’s something cheering about a home inspired by play. Emphasis on “inspired,” as in “I did more than just stick a Monopoly throw on the couch.” Here are some neat ideas that remind us, with a wink, that work is for work – and home is for fun.

Think what you want of former Real Housewives of New York star Kelly Bensimon, but the woman has good taste. Remember when we took you through a tour of her to-die-for New York City pad? Well, feast your eyes upon her 5,800-square-foot Hamptons mansion, which incidentally, could be yours ... if you happen to have an extra $12 million lying around.

Yes, Kelly is up and moving out of her East Hampton estate. Why? Who knows. Doubt it has anything to do with her getting fired from RHONY as A) she owned the house before she was on the show, and B) Housewives don't make that kind of money. But who cares? Thanks to Kelly's decision to put her home on the market, we get to soak up some hot, steamy, unadulterated real estate porn ... Mmmm ... I hope you're alone.

This story really broke my heart because -- in my utterly broke state -- every time I sit on my uncomfortable, lumpy old couch, I wish for a new couch. I have it all picked out: It's big enough to sleep on or slouch on, wide enough for sitting or snoozing, with a chaise on the right side, which would be in front of our bookcase, but that’s okay.

One thing I never wish for is a recliner, because I harbor the paranoid suspicion that such an item would only be lying in wait to devour a helpless pet or baby. And it turns out my paranoid suspicions are entirely correct!

Check out this story of the couch that ate the cat, and the family that made the ultimate sacrifice.

We all know what it's like to get lost in a good book, but today, let's get lost in gorgeous bookshelves instead. I've long admired stunning built-ins (especially when they include a rolling ladder!) and hope to have a library filled to the brim one day.

So enjoy a little breather and admire these beautiful built-in bookshelves I've rounded up for your viewing pleasure.

We all get the itch to change up our home decor now and again, but it's not always possible or practical to replace furniture or to paint the entire house. So let's start smaller with something that we all have: family photos.

But instead of just framing and hanging, think a little differently with these clever ideas for displaying photos in your home. I can't decide which one to try first.

His & Hers Chairs a la Bella & EdwardHow many of you Twilight Saga fans read the books and then promptly fantasized about moving into the Cullen family's modern home set in the deep green forest? Well, so did two homeowners Whitney and Robert, and HGTV's Color Splash designer David Bromstad totally made a Twilight-inspired makeover happen for the Twi-hard couple for an upcoming episode.

Trust me, I watched a sneak peek and this makeover project will leave you drooling for a room makeover of your own. Bromstad's home design ideas capture both the rustic and whimsical fantasy of the feverishly popular movie and book franchises. Plus, one of our favorite vampires pops in at the unveiling!

Check out this amazing The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1 home makeover.

Remember this baby bachelor pad I posted about? Well, it should come as no surprise that the rest of the house is equally as chic, modern, and stylish.

Owner Erin Williamson has the whole mix-and-don't-necessarily-match thing down where the space looks put-together and effortless. It's what we're all striving for, right? Take a look at more photos of the house below. 

When I come across a DIY furniture project, I can't help adding up all the materials and tools and calculating the cost of making one vs. buying one already made. Sometimes, buying a finished product is easier, faster, and cheaper.

But I think these hairpin leg tables are an exception. Three items. That's all you need! A slab of wood cut to your dimensions at Home Depot, hairpin legs, and a screwdriver. Done and done. I'm so impressed with the final look of all these projects, I now want to make a table, bench, or desk for every room in my house.