If you're thinking about updating yours, there are a few countertop trends moving out (and new ones replacing them) that you might want to keep in mind. I asked a handful of designers for the low-down ...

Use 1-1/2-in., 18-gauge brad nails to secure the quarter-round snugly to the baseboard molding every 16 to 20 inches—more if the wall is abnormally crooked. 18-gauge brad nails also create smaller ...