Design Details: Pattern Matching – Getting it right

Blue and white Pattern Match header

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

Getting to the Finish Line with Accessories in 2023

“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

Georgian Dollhouse Final Reveal

Linda Merrill Georgian dollhouse front spring

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

Symmetry Vs. Asymmetry in Interior Design

Linda Merrill modern sideboard with single lamp how to place lamps

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

Newburyport Holiday House Tour 2022 – Beautiful classic homes decked for the holidays

Newburyport Holiday House Tour 2022 Marlboro Street Federal Home 13 dining room

  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

Newburyport Holiday House Tour 2022

Newburyport 2020 Holiday House Tour White Federal High Street 1

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 Color of the Year and Color Trends 2023

Pantone COTY-2023 Viva Magenta color trends 2023

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

Raspberry Blush from Benjamin Moore – Neither raspberry nor blushing

Benjamin Moore Raspberry Blush COTY Colot of the Year Raspberry Blush

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