Interior design and decorating is about problem solving and it’s all about getting the details just right. Some details are relatively small and others are large, but they all play a part in achieving the best look and/or functionality for the budget. Here I am talking about the importance of pattern matching in window treatments … Read more
When someone is asking for referrals for a service or goods, they invariably say they are looking for something or someone “reasonable”. But, what is reasonable? And, is this the question that we should be asking? This happens all the time in person to person conversations – the old-fashioned “over the backyard fence” type thing … Read more
So, a few hours of HGTV viewing, or a perusal of the real estate section, shows that the open floor plan is really hot. Scorching. And, who am I to tell people what they should want? It sounds lovely – the whole family altogether, kids doing homework and craft projects at the counter, Mom or … Read more
“Accessories, art, plants and flowers bring “life” to any room. Always keep a little in the budget reserved for these finishing touches. Otherwise, even a space with the most beautiful furnishings will look like a showroom, not a living room.” ~ Linda Merrill Last week, interior designer Vivian Benjamin kindly posted my quote on the … Read more
Hello ! I wanted to share my final photoshoot for the Georgian Dollhouse that I designed and built out last Fall. I showed off its Christmas decorations here but hadn’t quite finished the interiors. And now I have! As a bit of a recap – this is a 1:24 scale dollhouse, which is half the … Read more
I was perusing Instagram and came across this stair rug runner installation above on the Annie Selke page. And my immediate response was eye-twitching and a verbal – oh no! This is the Kali Jute rug – which is very pretty as a standard rug, but to my eyes, it does not work as … Read more
Symmetry vs. asymmetry – is it an either or? Symmetry and asymmetry are two fundamental principles of design used to create balance and visual interest in a space. The reality is, we need both when creating a visually appealing environment. Too much symmetry can result in a boring room and too much asymmetry can result … Read more
I went up to the sell out Newburyport Holiday House Tour last weekend and wanted to share some of the photos I took. Due to a time crunch, I only made it to four houses and one wasn’t allowing photos (sadly, it was beautiful!). And as it happened, I’d been in two of the … Read more
One of my favorite annual events is this coming weekend – the Newburyport Holiday House Tour 2022 on Saturday December 10 from 10-4. I wasn’t able to make it last year. In 2020 they turned the tour into an outdoor event which was hugely creative and successful. I believe it was outdoors last year as … Read more
Pantone announced their Color Trends 2023 color of the year this week. Much to the applause of many – it’s a bright, beautiful color called Viva Magenta. Per their announcement video, they said: We’re living in “unconventional times” with all the changes that Covid brought. People are no longer satisfied with the “status quo” of … Read more
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