I made my annual pilgrimage to the 2016 Newburyport Holiday House tour on Saturday and this year, we were treated to some amazing homes and lovely, though not ostentatious, holiday decorating. The House Tour is put on and benefits the Custom House Maritime Museum of Newburyport. The first house I visited was the 1774 Lowell-Tracy-Johnson … Read more
In honor of Father’s Day, I wanted to repost this piece I wrote in 2008 about my Dad. He passed away the following year. I’m an unabashed Daddy’s girl and I’m happy to admit it. Even though I’m (ahem) somewhere in my 40’s, I still look to my father for advice and wisdom, and … Read more
In the Pink! Designers Guild really had a spectacular booth at the 2008 Maison et Objet show in Paris. I was just drooling over this color palette and mix of patterns and textures. I wouldn’t say flocked wallpaper became a huge trend after this point. But when it’s done well, it’s really great. Sparking business … Read more
I’ve spent the last week sorting and editing my pics from Maison et Objet. It was clear just walking through the show that we are still seeing lots of bling – from chandeliers and crystal to chrome and polished surfaces. Oversize accessories, interesting textures and elaborate fabrics are still going strong. While I saw some … Read more
This was a fun weekend! I attended Thom Felicia’s talk on “Decorating from the Floor Up” sponsored by Karastan rugs. Billed as an interactive workshop, Thom went through the process of creating a design plan starting with the rug and how to bring in colors and textures for the floor, walls and furnishings that will … Read more
I must admit – I like the bling. This is the tray on top of my dresser, filled with some of my favorite things. And though I do like the bling, I love the family history these items represent. The silver dresser set belonged to my Grandmother, Helen, which she received as a young girl, … Read more
This weekend was the inaugural DIFFA‘s Dining By Design Boston 2007. I was lucky to attend the preview cocktail party last evening at the Black Falcon Terminal next to the Boston Design Center. It was cold outside, but the party was hot inside! A big open industrial space was transformed by some of Boston’s most talented … Read more
The Holiday is Nancy Meyers’ romantic comedy from 2006 that is known as much for its set as it is for the stars and story. It’s a sweet story of two professional women, trying to sort out their personal lives by switching homes – a contemporary in trendy LA and a sweet, picture book English … Read more
A certain young lady of my acquaintance is entering high school this year and to celebrate, her parents have given her a complete room makeover. While I have decorated her room in the past, this year, she was in charge. She selected this “Sweet Chenille” dot duvet and sham set from PBTeen. The chenille … Read more
The Junior Man Cave Makeover: I was honored to be asked by Sundays With Liz to do a bedroom makeover for Marcus, an adorable 11 year old boy (ok, don’t tell him I called him adorable, but he is!) who is a huge sports fanatic and a leukemia patient at the Jimmy Fund Clinic of … Read more
Hall of Mirrors Scene from “Marie Antoinette” 2006, directed by Sophia Coppola Versailles Hall of Mirrors, my photo taken 2001 I have finally seen Sophia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette and it was wonderful to see scenes shot in Versailles. I was there in 2001 and the “Louis” style is truly one of my favorites. I really … Read more
A common musical style is known as “theme and variation,” in which a theme is established and then re-created with variations in rhythm, style and color. Each variation is a different “take” on the same theme. Home decoration can be approached in much the same way. For instance, the “nautical” theme is very popular. Each … Read more
What do we think about matching furniture sets? Please, no! The hallmark of good interior design is the coordinated balance of materials – creating a symbiotic relationship between all the elements. Each piece should complement the other. But, matching furniture sets – particularly upholstered sets – are too much and really quite boring. Even if … Read more
First and foremost, let me say very clearly that this is NOT a political post, it’s a post about design and the “bold” new design of the Family Dining Room at the White House which was just unveiled this week. I put italics around the word “bold” for a reason. First, a little history: The … Read more