Outdoor entertaining season is here…well at least according to the calendar it is. I know those of you in other parts of the country are enjoying lovely gardens and warm sunshine, but here in the northeast we can’t seem to shake the damp and cold. And “at least it isn’t snow” only counts for so much now that it is MAY. As my friend Nancy remarked this morning, “I think I’m beginning to mold!”! In any case, EVENTUALLY we will get some gorgeous weather to make us forget all about this slime. And when we do it will be full steam ahead with outdoor living and parties so we are planning now in anticipation!
Read More
Are fake plants okay?
I love plants. Really. I do. And I can even keep some of them alive as long as I can reach them easily with a hose while standing on my deck with my morning mug of tea.
Read More
Designing Curtains for Challenging Windows
There are many different shapes and sizes of windows, and some present more of a challenge than others when it comes to treating them. With any window, you first need to know what you are trying to accomplish - adding softness and pattern to a room, framing a view, providing privacy or light control or all of the above! Transom windows, arched windows, Palladian windows, dormers and cathedral ceilings and unusual rooflines all add to the conundrum.
Read More
How to Choose the Right Light Bulb
Today, we are shedding some light on light bulbs. How do you know which light bulb to buy? Soft white? Halogen? LED? Fluorescent? WHICH LED or fluorescent? Do I want ‘warm’, or ‘cool’, or ‘white’, or ‘full spectrum’, or ‘daylight’, or ‘natural’? And what do all those numbers mean?
The light bulb aisle is a vast and confusing place these days.
Read More
Trends in Bathroom Design
So, I’ve run into several , let’s just say, unusual bathtubs in the last few weeks doing some research, and it got me thinking that perhaps it was time to devote a whole post to the subject of bathroom fixtures.
As I have trumpeted many times, choosing your bathroom fixtures and finishes wisely is important because
Read More
Decorating with Black
Black is the newest darling in decorating trends, but is it a fad or a classic? And why did it crash onto the decorating stage?
Read More
The best way to decorate 'ON TREND' now without risking 'DATED DECOR' later
All home decor cycles through trends. Some are fun, but short-lived, some we hope will be short-lived, and some are trends that turn into new classics. Hindsight is 20/20, of course, but when you aren’t sure if a trend will be dated down the road, what should you do?
Read More
5 Key Elements to Creating a Decorating Plan
Whenever you are designing a room, whether you are accessorizing, redecorating, remodeling a room in your house, or moving to a new home entirely, the number one route to a successful outcome is to have a well thought out PLAN.
Read More
Matching Lampshades to Lamp Bases
Lamps. We all need them. Overhead lights, if they exist in a room, are not conducive to reading or creating a pleasant, relaxing atmosphere. For spaces where the furniture arrangement may be flexible, and light is needed at eye level, lamps are the only option. And it is not that easy to find a good one!
Read More
Mantel Styling
As promised, here are some practical tips for styling a mantel, and I’ve included inspiration boards to illustrate a few possible suggestions which can be adapted for your particular style and colors. There are an endless variety of ways to style a mantel, but they all fall into 2 main categories: symmetrical and asymmetrical, or balanced.
Read More
Turn a fireplace into your home's best feature
Fireplaces. There is nothing more gracious or appealing than a room with a fireplace. It gives the room a focal point, a mantel to decorate, and an instant air of home…home and hearth go hand in hand, after all. In my fantasy, I have fireplaces in multiple rooms in my house. And it IS possible to have this even if your house is currently lacking the charm of a fireplace or has a fireplace that is lacking charm…whichever.
Read More
Creating the Perfect Home Office
There are a lot of things to think through when designing a home office. Whether you use the space to work full time from home or just as an organizational hub for volunteer and household activities, it needs to be functional. BUT it also needs to be attractive - especially if it is adjacent to the public rooms in the house.
Read More