Have you ever wanted to do something but kept putting it off? Maybe due to lack of time, lack of funds – whatever it is. For me, despite my forays into many different craft projects, the one I never did, but secretly wanted to, was to build a dollhouse. Well, to be more specific, to … Read more
Hello – well, despite my usual reticence to acknowledge it – we are officially into the holiday season. With lots of upcoming social events on the calendar from now through the New Year, holiday hostess gifts are important to stock up on. Do you like to personalize the gift to reflect the interests of your … Read more
I’ve recently had two interior design clients coming to me with the same dilemma. What to do with their long and narrow living room? Is this something you struggle with? I wanted to share my suggestions and why I love a four chair seating group. My first example are long-time clients who are early retirees. … Read more
To paint or not to paint – that is the question. Is painting antique furniture okay? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. We’ve all seen the episodes of The Antiques Roadshow where the valuation comes back on a piece that was cleaned and refinished only to find that the cleaning/refinishing reduced the potential value by 50% or … Read more
I love a great sconce. They are all the things – decorative, functional, practical. They add sparkle and light up a space. But, to be functional, they have to be hung at the right height. While working on this New Hampshire farmhouse project, I received an urgent email from my client. For background, their contractor … Read more
But Raspberry Blush IS Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year / COTY for 2023. And I am here for it! I guess I prefer a more declarative color of the year. “Never a backdrop, Raspberry Blush is the definition of charismatic color. This unapologetic shade of red orange had us thinking: bold, bolder, boldest. This … Read more
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