As a designer, I of course love when clients are looking to design a wholly unique space with lots of custom details. But, not every budget allows fully custom furniture and finishes. And that’s totally okay, because with some creativity, many items can be customized to fit the plan while still being mainly “off-the-rack” or … Read more
It’s the time of the year for the 2023 Colors of the Year #COTY to be announced by the various paint brands. Behr Paints has announced that Blank Canvas is their selection for 2023. M’kay… I think the color trends are certainly moving in an earth toned direction much like the Benjamin Moore palette that … Read more
Well, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that some form of pink would be the Sherwin Williams Color of the Year 2023 (#COTY). But Redend Point SW-9081? Now, I love pink. Lots of people don’t like any form of pink, but I’m a big fan. Just not this shade. I’m not a dry desert/dirt sort … Read more
I’m pleased to share that I was interviewed for two stories in the newest issue of Coastal Home Life Magazine! One on kitchen design trends for 2023 and the other on fall decor ideas. The first article is on kitchen trends for 2023. (Click here to read) And the second is a timely piece … Read more
Well, it’s a rainy Labor Day here in the States, so what better time (now that summer is basically over!) to update the Dream Home Pool House. As a reminder, I have been slowly working through my own virtual Dream Home. You can see the completed spaces here and where I am with the owner’s … Read more
Reeded and tambour finishes are not new, but they sure are trending! They really are a classic to be found on bedposts and table legs, inspired by Greek and Roman fluted columns (though unlike concave flutes, reeds are convex). This is an excellent example from The Surface Studio in the UK. What is tambour then? … Read more
Bentwood and bistro chairs are always a classic. From sidewalk cafes and Paris to small apartments anywhere else – they certainly add a bohemian flare to most any interior or exterior. Perhaps I’ve got the travel bug, but Paris is calling! What is a bentwood chair? Per the Encyclopedia Britannica: Bentwood furniture is made by … Read more
I’ve been in a gardening state of mind since going on all the house and garden tours recently. I have a yard, but I don’t have the knack (or interest) for gardening. I don’t have a green thumb for indoor plants either. But, I do love an interesting planter and more specifically planter heads which … Read more
Last weekend I took a much needed few days for a coastal getaway up the Massachusetts/New Hampshire and Maine coast. I was attending the Newburyport Kitchen Tour and decided to go up a couple days early. I stayed at The Garrison Inn in Newburyport – a chic boutique hotel I wrote about here. I’d stayed … Read more
I spent a lovely Saturday in my favorite coastal Massachusetts city of Newburyport on a self-guided tour featuring classic modern kitchen renovations in a variety of homes ranging from newly constructed dwellings to renovated historic residences. Each of the nine selected homes in the Kitchen Tour 2022 represent the latest in innovation, functionality and design – … Read more
I’ve got a great, long, post today on the Community Garden Club of Duxbury Garden and Hydrangea tour from last week. The weather was beautiful and the houses and gardens everything you expect from my beautiful, historical coastal New England home town. Enjoy! Duxbury Garden Tour – New “Old” Home This classic Colonial style home … Read more
The historic Nathaniel Winsor Jr. House in Duxbury, Massachusetts was one of the stops on the Community Garden Club of Duxbury Hydrangea Garden Tour yesterday. Duxbury is my hometown and I am very familiar with this amazing Federal era home right in the heart of the historic district over looking the bay. To be honest, … Read more
Hello! This week’s installment of The Saturday List has a little movie magic, tea time and some great advice for anyone embarking on a re-design or renovating project. What’s up for your holiday weekend – it’s July 4th in the States and Canada Day for our neighbors to the north. I’m laying low. I live so close … Read more
I think accessorizing is one of the hardest pieces of the decorating puzzle – it pulls the space together, it tells the story. Too little and the room looks like a furniture store, too much and it can slide into horderville and obscures the beautiful furniture and finishes. When it comes to how to place … Read more
This past weekend I had these beautiful blackout window treatments installed in a client’s home. I thought this was a good opportunity to share a little more about this Casual Coastal project and also some tips on using blackout window treatments in the home. This is the first floor primary bedroom a week after my … Read more
Hello and Happy Saturday! I’ve been busy with installs this week and am overseeing the install first thing today of a pair of black out drapery panels for a bedroom. My clients will be happy to have a nice dark room from now on! Meanwhile, in this edition of The Saturday List, I share a … Read more