As Seen in The Electric City News: Styling Bookcases

Recently I re-styled my bookcases. Every six months or so I take a look at my bookcases and think “When did they become this cluttered?” It happens in day to day life; things get put back in haphazardly or if you have little kids you find all sorts of things there that aren’t meant to be there at all! (Think toy spiders and an old granola bar). When this happens I like to completely redo them, and if they are particularly cluttered I like to sort them by color for an extra dose of orderliness! There is a rhyme and reason to this process, so below I’ve outlined some tips and tricks to styling your shelves.

To begin, especially if you’re organizing your books by color, take everything out. Yes, everything! Wipe down your shelves and start grouping your books. In this case, I sorted mine by color. Go through, book by book and put them in stacks based on the color of the spine. I even chose to sort my accessories by color.

Then, start to fill your shelves. If you’re styling by color, I like to organize in the following way: black, gray, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, purple, pink, then white. As I’m putting the books back in I like to stand some upright, lay down small stacks, and lean some against each other. On some of your stacks you can place accessories like bowls, vases, sculptural items and picture frames.

As you work through your bookcases pause every now and then to take a look at your progress. Make sure that your proportions look right, that the books and accessories are evenly dispersed and that everything looks balanced. If you’re low on books or accessories, look around your house or visit your thrift store. And, don’t be afraid to hang pictures on your bookcases! Gather things over the years to fill the shelves that will bring you happy memories. Have fun as you find new items to fill them, empty them and fill them again!

As Seen in The Electric City News: Natural Fiber Rugs

I love a good natural fiber rug. There is something so welcoming about a seagrass, jute or sisal rug that gives a home the look of casual elegance. I am also a believer that a natural fiber rug can go in any house. There are so many weaves, patterns, colors, and textures, that these types of rugs are incredibly versatile. To give you some ideas of how you could use a natural fiber rug in your home, I’ve listed out some different applications.

One of my favorite ways to use a natural fiber rug is layered underneath a vintage rug. In this application, you would want to use a low pile rug with a simple weave. This is a great solution for someone who has a rug that they love, but it is too small for their space. Placing it on top of a sisal or seagrass rug will help with the scale in your room and ground your space.

In a Bedroom or Living Space I love a thicker woven jute rug. You can get pure jute, or a natural fiber blended with wool or cotton, softening its appearance and touch. Something braided or chunky feels cozy and warm, inviting you into a relaxing space.

In a Dining Room I think that a patterned natural fiber rug adds a lot of interest, without being overpowering. A diamond, mermaid, or basketweave pattern can be sophisticated but also inviting, exactly as a Dining Room should feel!

I also love natural fiber rugs with a little color. Whether it be blue threads running through, varying tones of neutrals, or a crisp colored edging, color is a great way to tie in existing textiles used throughout the space. To give you a little more inspiration, I’ve gathered some of my favorite natural fiber rugs on the market. With such affordable options, a natural fiber rug can be a quick and easy way to add another layer of depth to your room.

As Seen in The Electric City News: Selecting Textiles

Selecting textiles can be one of the most fun aspects of design. Strolling through furniture stores, browsing upholstery, window treatments and pillows, mixing and matching fabrics and planning for the pretty details that add so much warmth to your room. When starting from scratch, it can also be a little intimidating! Below I’ve put together some things to keep in mind when selecting textiles for a space.

1)     Plan for the function of the piece. The type of fabric that you will need for a high traffic sofa is different than what you can get away with for a rarely used chair. For a sofa or chair that your kiddos jump around on, or your pup particularly loves, consider a heavy-duty fabric with more texture, or even a performance fabric. They make such beautiful indoor / outdoor fabrics now! On pieces that get less use you could use something more special.

2)     Plan for a color theme. While it’s good to use many colors in a space, adding to them over time, it’s a good idea to begin with a set of colors that you love. Use this scheme to select fabrics that work well together, developing a cohesive space.

3)     Mix and match the pattern, scale and texture of the textiles. Use larger scale fabrics on bigger pieces of furniture or on window treatments, and smaller scale fabrics on smaller pieces. Introduce a combination of florals, plaids, solids and stripes. If you like a more monochromatic look, incorporate an assortment of textures like linen, velvet, cotton, mohair or leather.

4)     Consider the design of the entire home, not just one room. A consistent style throughout your home will give it an easy and harmonious feeling. This will also allow you to move pieces around your house as the years pass and you add in new things.

Considering these simple details when selecting textiles will help you create a space that feels well blended and balanced. It will also set the stage for collecting soft furnishings over time, always evolving to reflect your style. 

As Seen in The Electric City News: Gallery Walls

Filling walls, especially large ones, can be quite daunting. Large walls covered in a gallery of art add so much warmth to a home, but it takes years and years to collect enough art to do so. In past columns I have written about creating gallery walls with art, and even with plates, but there are other ways to create a gallery that don’t include a collection of framed art. Below I’ve listed some ideas for filling empty walls that you may not have thought of – but that will instantly add warmth and interest to any room of your home!

Hats: It’s almost summertime, which means many of us have pulled out all of our straw hats. Instead of keeping them stored in your closet, hang them on your wall for texture and color.

Mirrors: If you visit your local craft or thrift store you will find an array of mirrors for great prices. Collect a bunch of different shapes and sizes and use them to fill a small bathroom, hallway or staircase. Not only will it be beautiful, but it will make the space fill larger.

Cutting boards: If you love a charcuterie board as much as I do chances are you have some wooden cutting boards stacked in your kitchen. Rather than taking up counter space, hang them! They will look warm, inviting, and give you easy access for upcoming entertaining.

Silver Trays and Plates: Again, you may have these stored away for entertaining. If not, you can find them at any thrift shop. Pull out the ones that never get used and hang them on your Dining Room wall! This is a quick way to add a bit of sophistication and shine to your space.  

Another benefit of creating a gallery wall out of a collection of one thing is that it seems intentional and tidy. Enjoy collecting things around your home or around town and freshen up your room by hanging them! Beyond adding interest to your room, hanging some of these things is a great way to store items that might otherwise be taking up unwanted space. That’s a win, win!

PHOTO VIA: COUNTRY HOME MAG

As Seen in The Electric City News: Lampshade Love

When designing a room it is often not the large pieces that make the biggest impact, but the small details that may go unnoticed, that add something special to your space. You can add these details through interesting art, displayed collections, or family heirlooms. One of my favorite ways to add a little something extra is through lampshades.

If you flip through any design magazine you will see beautiful lampshades made out of lovely textiles. In striking solids, playful patterns and rich textures, lampshades are a great way to add another layer of depth and interest to any room. You can add a sense of formality with a silk shade in a bold color, make a formal lamp more casual with a natural woven shade, or add another layer of pattern.

When choosing a lampshade, the color and pattern options are endless. However, there is a rule of thumb for the size. In general, your shade should be about two-thirds the height of your lamp base and double the width.

Charles Eames said that ‘The details are not the details. They make the design.’ I think that this is true now more than ever. As you work to create the design of your home, building layer after layer, thoughtfully chosen lampshades are just another piece of the puzzle. They could also be the perfect way to give your room what every room needs – a touch of something unexpected!

Like many things these days, great lampshades are readily available at affordable price points. To give a little inspiration I’ve rounded up some of my favorites. If you would like details on any of these, feel free to email me!

As Seen in The Electric City News: Hanging Plates

While following designers that I love, looking through magazines and flipping through books I am seeing such a trend of bringing back traditional design and incorporating more ‘things’ into your home. Incorporating more color and patterns, layering textiles and accessories, and filling your walls. As someone who has been preaching ‘layer! texture! pattern! antique! thrift!’ for a while, I for one, am thrilled.

One of my favorite ways to add a touch of this lived in / traditional look is to hang plates on your wall. Plates are something that you probably already have sitting in a china cabinet, and if not you can buy them affordably at a thrift store. If you have the urge to grab a hammer and nails to fill your walls (but have no art), plates might be a great place to start. To give you a jump start, I’ve gathered a few ideas of ways to use plates on your walls.

-        Hang them in a gallery. Collect as many plates as you can, in a similar style but in different shapes and sizes. Begin with the larger plates and platters, evenly distributing them on the wall to make sure that your gallery is well balanced. From there fill in with smaller plates.

-        Hang them vertically on a small wall. If you have a small wall that has always been hard to fill, try hanging a hand-full of plates vertically. This is particularly pretty in a kitchen, where odd wall space often exists.

-        Hang them above doors or windows. The space above doors and windows is so often overlooked, but a beautiful place for a small plate!

-        Hang them above art. I love stacking art, and nothing is more beautiful than a silver tray or pretty plater above a painting. It adds color, goes with any subject, and gives dimension.

Your plates can be hung in any room of the house and will instantly give your home a warm and relaxed feel. I am a big proponent of using and enjoying even the finest things in your home, china included. If you aren’t going to eat off of it, hang it! What a nice way to appreciate something beautiful.

As Seen in The Electric City News: Scaling Furniture

There are so many aspects of Interior Design that I enjoy, some of the obvious being selecting rugs, textiles, lighting, and the finishing touches that pull a room together. One of my favorite parts of a project, though, is space planning. This may not seem as dreamy as planning the perfect window treatment, but it is absolutely one of the most important parts of the process, and for me is like solving a good puzzle.

When space planning for my clients I use a program called AutoCad, which allows me to draw the floor plan of a room. Once that step is complete I can give my clients many options for renovation plans, changes in interior architecture, or kitchen and bathroom layouts. It is also very helpful for furniture planning! When a room is drawn out I can plug in existing furniture to be sure it will fit, and scale in new rugs and furniture to ensure that we get the right size.  It can be very difficult to envision the way something will fit into a room, so seeing it in plan view is very helpful. If you don’t have access to a furniture planning software, there are some simple things that you can do to be sure that your furniture fits properly.

Begin by measuring the room. Even if it’s very basic, measure the perimeter including doors and windows, your ceiling height, and your overall length and width. Keep this handy when searching for large pieces of furniture. Just by having your overall dimensions, you can be sure that you have enough clearances around the large pieces. Keep in mind the size of your room. Smaller rooms should have smaller furniture, larger rooms can take larger pieces. Nothing makes a small room feel smaller than an enormous sofa or table. Once you’ve selected something that you like, tape out the dimensions on the floor. This way you can walk around it, and truly get a sense of how much space it will take up. You can do this for rugs, any large pieces of furniture, and even art.

The comfortable feeling that you get from a well decorated room comes from more than beautiful rugs and accessories. Having furniture that fits properly and is arranged nicely is the unnoticed ‘something’ that makes a space enjoyable. Once you have pieces that are a good scale and proportion you can move them around, playing with the arrangement. It may drive your housemates crazy, but that’s part of the fun!

As Seen in The Electric City News: Baskets

As we enter the second month of the year, everywhere I look people are organizing, purging, and cleaning. There is something so refreshing in the new year about tiding up and hunkering down for the rest of Winter in an orderly and thoughtful space. Which brings me to one of my favorite design tips ever… baskets!

While this may seem like an obvious answer, using baskets throughout your home is one of the most simple and impactful ways to organize. Beyond being practical, baskets are beautiful, rich in texture and color, and instantly add a casual and warm feeling to your room that says ‘Come in, stay a while, and don’t worry about stepping on a lego, because hopefully they are in the lego basket!’

As a Mom, baskets are my favorite way to corral kid’s toys. At our house we have a car basket, animal basket, train track basket, blocks basket, you get the picture. But there are so many other useful and attractive ways to incorporate baskets into your home. In the Winter months, they are great for storing logs, extra blankets and pillows. Baskets are great for collecting magazines and old papers, backpacks and shoes, dog toys and leashes. Baskets make great storage in bookcases, in bathrooms for toiletries, in kitchens, to collect laundry, or as a trash can. For those of us who have recently set up an office in our Living Room, baskets can be a pretty way to organize notebooks, printers, papers, or when strategically placed, can hide cords.

While some baskets can be a little pricey and worth the investment, you can find other great options at antique and thrift stores. Baskets are a great way to add both charm and organization to your home in a simple way.  And after all, what could be wrong about something that is both stylish and sensible?

As Seen in The Electric City News: Choosing a Rug Size

In previous articles I’ve talked about my love for rugs. I’ve mentioned how great they are for designing around, how they instantly add warmth and color to a room and ways to select one for your space. An aspect that I haven’t written about that is equally as important, is selecting the right size rug for your room. Every space is different, but there are some general guidelines that you can trust for choosing sizes, room to room.

In the Living Room the most important thing to consider is the furniture. You want to be sure that the front legs of all of the furniture (upholstery, specifically) fit onto the rug. The rug should extend beyond the furniture at least 12”, while leaving at least 12” of uncovered floor space around the perimeter. Standard working sizes for a Living space are 8 x 10, 9 x 12 and 10 x 13. In the Dining Room the table and chairs should all fit comfortably on the rug, with at least 12” to spare around the table. Again, there should be at least 12” of uncovered floor space around the perimeter. The standard working sizes for a Dining Room are also 8 x 10, 9 x 12 and 10 x 13, depending on the size of your room and table.  In the bedroom the rug size will depend both on the room size and the size of the bed. If the rug is large enough you can put the front legs of the nightstands on top, but if it is not, pull the rug in front of the nightstand at least 6”. There should be at least 12” of rug on either side of the bed and at least 24” of rug in front of the bed. Follow the same guideline with the perimeter, at least 12” of open floor space around. A room with a queen bed should have at least an 8 x 10 rug and a room with a king bed should have at least a 9 x 12 rug.

Say you have a smaller rug that you love but it feels a little skimpy, buy a large sisal rug and layer it on top! I love the look of layered rugs and how they add depth and interest to a room. My last tip for selecting a rug size is when in doubt, go larger. As long as you have at least 12” of open floor space around the perimeter a larger rug will only add warmth and coziness to your room.

As Seen in The Electric City News: Updates for the season: FALL

The temps outside may disagree, but the hearts and minds of most of us say that Fall is almost here! The days are getting shorter, the leaves are beginning to fall and there is a subtle cool breeze if you leave the house before 9 am (only half kidding). Each season feels like a new chapter and another opportunity to make subtle changes in your home that reflect a different time in life. Which means, it’s time for another round up! So, I’ve gathered up some easy and cost-effective ways to update your home this season.

-        Adjust your color schemes. Nothing says Fall like moody blues, deep greens, lots of neutrals and jewel tones. Putting away some of your brighter things to make room for Fall tones can be a quick and easy way to shift the mood of your space.

-        Cozy up. A plaid or cable knit throw will instantly add warmth to any room. Add in a couple of pillows in a chunky fabric, animal print or velvet and the space is transformed. Layer, layer, layer for a space that is interesting, rich in texture and inviting.

-        Implement natural items. Arranging some branches from your yard in a tall vase, surrounded with acorns and pine cones is a great way to bring the beauty of the season inside.

-        Light a candle. Stock up on seasonally scented, taper and pillar candles. Visit an antique or thrift shop for some great vintage candle holders and use them! Nothing gives a home more of a warm and welcoming feeling than the glow of a flickering flame.

-        Set up your stoop. Hang a fall wreath on your door, pick up some mums in a great color and layer pumpkins of different sizes and colors on your front steps. A beautiful entrance sets the stage for a beautiful interior.

As I did last year, I’ve collected some of my favorite affordable items for the season. Now; light a candle, hunker down, turn down the air conditioning (again, only half joking), and enjoy a welcoming atmosphere that will lead us into another beautiful season. See below for direct links to each item!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

As Seen in The Electric City News: The right sheen for your space

The journey to finding the right paint colors in your home can be a long one. You flip through paint decks, search Pinterest for inspiration, put color samples on the wall and agonize over making the right choice. With all of the excitement that comes with finally selecting the perfect shade it is easy to forget the final (and arguably most important) part of the equation… the paint finish! There are multiple paint finish options and lots of reasons, both aesthetical and practical, to choose one over the other. To make this process a little easier, I’ve broken down the most common finishes and offered a little guidance on which finish to use where.

Flat or Matte: While flat paint is great at hiding imperfections in your wall and minimizing reflection of light, it is the hardest of the paint finishes to wipe clean. For this reason, flat paint is best used in rooms with low traffic like closets or bedrooms and ceilings.

Eggshell: Eggshell is a favorite for walls, especially in homes with little ones. Eggshell has only slight reflectivity, similar to that off an egg, but is durable and easy to wipe clean.

Satin: A satin finish has a little more sheen than eggshell and is also a little more durable. This finish is practical in high traffic areas, for cabinetry and built ins, or for low luster baseboards, moldings and doors.

Semi-Gloss: Semi-Gloss offers a higher sheen level and even more durability. Semi-Gloss provides a nice sheen difference between walls and cabinetry, baseboards, moldings, trim and doors.

High-Gloss: If you have nice architectural details, beautiful woodwork, or like a little glam, a High-Gloss finish is for you. High-Gloss is very reflective, durable and easy to clean. The seen level of High-Gloss will show imperfections, so it is a good idea to have a professional paint when going for this look.

Painting a room can make a huge impact on your home instantly. Be sure to make it as beautiful as possible by thinking through your paint finish options and selecting the right sheen for your space. Happy painting!

As Seen in The Electric City News: Before + After

While the progress of any design job is fun and exciting, there is not anything more gratifying than seeing it’s before and after. Seeing a photo of what was existing in a space next to a photo of how it evolved into a client’s dream is so rewarding.

This before and after was a favorite of last year. What was once an enclosed eat in kitchen became an expansive kitchen, mud room and desk area that opened into a warm den with fireplace seating. In this project the clients were open to adding windows, removing walls and redesigning the interior architecture which gave room for multiple space plan options. One of the most enjoyable parts of a renovation project for me is designing layouts for kitchens. There are often several ways to design a floor plan that is functional, interesting and beautiful. I love being able to present clients with multiple options so that they can choose what design suits them best. In this case the clients chose a plan with cabinets that wrapped the perimeter of the kitchen, came out into a peninsula with seating and had an additional island workspace. The cabinets continued along the back wall in the den to create a built-in desk. We were also able to incorporate a separate mud room off of the back door with laundry and a closet pantry. We selected warm neutral colors throughout, allowing for a bright and airy space. We brought color in with great vintage inspired rugs, wooden cutting boards, kantha quilts and pottery vases and bowls.

In the end the kitchen and den spaces were a complete transformation. During a fun collaboration with the clients we were able to update areas in a house that they loved in a fresh and purposeful way. To view the entire project, visit the Stanbury Ct project in my portfolio.

As Seen in The Electric City News: Entry Essentials

An entry of a house is the first impression of the home; the first and last thing that you see as you come and go. Whether it be a large foyer, a mud room, a small hall or straight into your living room, there are several essentials that can make this space both functional and beautiful.

1.      The anchor. The first thing that an entry should have is a piece of furniture. Depending on your size and space this could mean a chest, a console table, a hall tree or a small side table. Whatever it may be, a piece of furniture will give weight to the space and function as a drop off for the items that we take and leave as we come and go.

2.      A catch all. We all have things that we drop off as soon as we get home. They are the same things that we’re scrambling to find as we rush out the door! A catch all, whether it be a pretty bowl, basket, or tray is the perfect solution. Not only will it look nice on your furniture piece but will also save you the headache (and 20 minutes every morning) of finding your keys.

3.      A rug. A good rug can instantly pull a space together. It will give you color, texture and nice cozy feel.

4.      Lighting. You may have a nice chandelier in your entry, or an overhead light of some sort but nothing adds warmth like a wall sconce or lamp. The soft glow of a lamp is like an invitation to come inside and make yourself at home.

5.      A mirror. Both pretty and functional, a mirror is a great for opening up the space with reflection and to take a finishing glance as you head out the door. Hang a small piece of art above it, or lean one against it for an added layer of color.

On top of these five things, fill in with accessories that you love, seating if there is room, hooks on the wall for your coat and scarf and a good dose of greenery. These seemingly simple changes will make a big impact not only on your home, but on the way you feel as you walk through the door. binations. Contact Amie for pillow information.

As Seen in The Electric City News: Pillow Play

Pillows are one of the most important finishing elements in most rooms and a great opportunity to add personality and interest. While coming up with the perfect combination may seem intimidating, there is a pretty straightforward formula to getting a mix that works. Listed below are some guidelines for ‘pillow play’.

Begin by developing a color scheme. Pull colors from your rug, other prominent textiles in the room like curtains, or art. Your color scheme can incorporate multiple colors if the room is already saturated or be completely neutral. Then, use different size pillows. The size of your pillows will depend on the area that you’re planning for, sofa or bed, but in any scenario, you should use a couple of different sizes. For a sofa, for example, a couple of 22” squares, one or two 20” squares and a lumbar is a good size variation. Next, when selecting the patterns, mix it up. Use large scale pattern, small scale pattern, a stripe or a solid. A multicolored pillow with soft lines or block print will add interest and movement, a stripe or geometric print will give structure and balance and a solid pillow will give a break from the pattern. Finally, incorporate interesting textures. Good texture is important for all of the pillows, but most important for the solid. A solid pillow can have as much appeal as a pattern if it’s in a great texture like velvet, linen, faux fur, thick woven wool, hide or adorned with fringe or tassel. Put the larger pillows on the end or in the back, fill in with the smaller pillows, put the lumbar in front and, voila!

If you’re feeling bored with your bedroom or living room, pillows are a quick and affordable update. Play around with different options and styles. And as always, if it’s not quite right, throw in something unexpected! An offbeat color or something vintage is often just what your design needs. After all, these are only guidelines, and design rules are meant to be broken!

For inspiration, I’ve put together some different pillow combinations. Contact Amie for pillow information.

As Seen in The Electric City News: Design Books, A Few of My Favorites

Design inspiration is everywhere. You turn on HGTV, open up a blog or look at social media and chances are you are loaded with ideas, pictures, DIYs and current trends. While I love seeing what other designers are up to while scrolling through Instagram or reading up on a new ‘How To’ on a favorite designer’s blog, nothing is more inspirational (or educational) to me that reading through a great design book. So, I have rounded up a few of my most beloved.

Domino: The Book of Decorating by Domino Editors (Deborah Needleman, Sara Ruffin Costello & Dara Caponigro)

               This is one of the first design books that I owned. Given to me by my Mom when I was in design school it has guides for decorating and styling every room as well as a decorator’s handbook to window treatments and upholstery.

Styled: Secrets for Arranging Rooms, from Tabletops to Bookshelves by Emily Henderson

               Written by stylist Emily Henderson, this book helps you determine your own style and gives ideas on incorporating that style into your home. Complete with her signature quirky touches each space feels unique and interesting.

Mark Hampton: On Decorating by Mark Hampton

               On Decorating is an incredible guidebook on the basics of decorating and creating a home in a timeless way. This book is a compilation of essays and watercolor illustrations written for House and Garden.

Michael S Smith: Houses by Michael Smith with Christine Pittel

               Michael Smith has a way of layering a room together like no one else. In this book he walks the reader through some of his projects, including his own home, teaching us his method to creating the ideal home.

The Great American House: Tradition for the Way We Live Now by Gil Schafer with Marc Kristal

               Written by traditional architect, Gil Schafer, this book gives beautiful examples of renovating and building homes in an updated way, while respecting their historic qualities. He breaks down a house into three elements: Architecture, Decoration and Landscape and showcases four homes designed by him.

Each of these books are very different, offering an abundance of knowledge and inspiration. Whether you are new to your interest of design, eager to expertly style each room, looking for time honored instruction delivered in an entertaining way, ready to learn from one of the greats or a lover of historical architecture and traditional design, one of these books is for you. Not to mention any of them would look great on your coffee table. See, win-win!

As Seen in The Electric City News: Hanging Curtains

Curtains are one of the fastest ways to make a room feel complete. In the right space, they add softness, warmth and texture. Curtains can be ready made, custom, installed on their own or paired with shades but in any execution, there is a proper way to hang them. Hanging curtains with these tips in mind will guarantee that they will be the (seemingly) effortless touch that finishes your room.

First, hang the curtains as high as possible. When buying ready made curtains you are a little limited with this as you chose from set lengths. But when you can, hang them as high as you can up to a couple of inches below the crown moulding. Installing the curtains high will make your ceilings seem higher and your space feel bigger. If you would like to save money by purchasing readymade curtains but want to hang them high, buy the size up and have them hemmed. This will give you a more custom look without the expense. Second, hang the rods wide enough. Rod hardware should be hung 6-10” on either side of your window trim, allowing more sunlight to pass through and giving the effect that your window is larger. When possible, you want your curtains to cover mostly wall, and only a little bit of window. Third, consider your curtain panel width. Single panel curtains can often look skimpy on larger windows. So, when you have a large window, and adequate wall space on either side, consider doubling the curtain panels on each side.  For ready made curtains you can hang two panels per side or have two panels sewn together. Either way, fuller panels will look well planned and intentional. Fourth, get the curtain length right. Curtains can be installed in several ways; barely grazing the floor, pooled slightly on the floor, or puddled on the floor for a more romantic look. I prefer the tailored and clean look of the first option, skimming the floor, but any of these will work, as long as your curtains aren’t too short. You can have beautiful curtains in a fantastic fabric but if they are too short, it is the first thing that you will notice.

Whether custom or readymade, curtains are an opportunity to add another layer of a beautiful fabric to your room. Whether they be formal or casual, tailored or relaxed, when hung well they will make your room feel more polished and complete. Happy hanging!

As Seen in The Electric City News: A Neutral Color Scheme

I don’t know about you but something about this time of year (the feeling of never-ending rain and cold, perhaps?) always gets me thinking about brightening up my home. Lightening up the dark moody tones of fall and winter with fresh and more neutral colors. I am such a lover of the neutral / monochromatic color palette. I am also a lover of color. In the internal debate that I have over which direction our home should go in, color has always won out. But one day, maybe, I’ll ditch all of my deep colors for warm whites, soft linens and jute rugs galore. In this event, and for those of you currently living the neutral life, I have some good tips for executing this look well. While going monochromatic may seem easy, without depth it can come across as one note. Here are some guidelines that will help in creating a beautiful and interesting neutral room.

To start, use a wide variation of color. Even though you’re sticking to a neutral color scheme, there are millions of colors that fit into this category. By incorporating a range of color, from black to white, you add complexity to your room. Dark tones are great for wood furniture, pillows, throws and accents. Light colors are nice for rugs, upholstery and accessories. In my opinion, all neutrals work together. White and cream, gray and brown, black and beige. Don’t be afraid to intermix the unexpected. Next, bring in lots of texture. This is key in a monochromatic scheme, and one of the fastest ways to add depth to your space. Use a variety of textures in the room, in any application: seagrass, wood, leather, hide, faux fur, chunky wool, smooth linen, rattan, and mixed metals. Giving a room details that show that it has evolved over time with pieces gathered and collected is just as important (if not more) in a room with a neutral palette. Then, add pattern. This is true for any space, but easy to forget in a monochromatic room. The patterns that you use can be bold statements or subdued accents. Very often a soft or small scaled pattern will give the effect of a texture. In either use, multiple patterns will add visual appeal. Last, bring in something green! Bringing in a plant, some fresh flowers, or a tree gives life to any room.

If you’re thinking of taking the neutral plunge, this is the perfect time of year to do it! And if you do, send me photos! Maybe you’ll inspire me to do the same.

As Seen in The Electric City News: The Power of 3D

One of the pivotal stages of the Interior Design process is presenting your concept to the client. It is the point where you decide if your vision brings their ideas to life, and how the project will proceed. Being able to communicate your thoughts in a way that helps the client visualize them is crucial. There are many tools that designers use to convey their ideas, and different tools are appropriate for different scenarios. For example, AutoCad drawings can provide the client with plans for interior architecture, furniture layout, lighting placement, millwork and other spatial details. Power point presentations can show the client your ideas for lighting, furniture combinations, rugs and accessories. Samples of flooring, tile, fabric and paint allow the client to see and touch finish options. And inspiration photos are a great way of showing the client how an idea might look in a room. All of these tools play an important role, depending on where you are in the design process.

On of my favorite tools, and one of the most fun to present to a client are 3D drawings. 3D drawings can be used for any space but are particularly effective in showing cabinetry, kitchen and bathroom layouts. They are also great for illustrating changes that you plan to make in interior architecture. When looking at a floorplan of a new kitchen it can be hard for clients to envision how it will look in real life. Will the wall cabinets go to the ceiling? Will the overhang on the island be supported by corbels or legs? Where will the hardware be placed? Where will the backsplash begin and end? What would my cabinets look like in a certain color? How thick should my countertops be? Questions like this are answered easily, and different options can be explored when you can move through the space in 3D form. On top of being a great way of communicating information, nothing gets a client more excited than seeing a room that they have been dreaming about brought to life. One of my wonderful Anderson clients has been kind enough to share one of the images that I created for their kitchen. We explored different possibilities for their kitchen, mud room and sitting area and in the end combined their favorite parts until it was their ideal design. Thanks to the power of 3D this process was fun, exciting and gave the clients a sneak peek into their beautiful new space.

As Seen in The Electric City News: For The Love Of Rugs

Rugs. *Sigh* I love them. In my opinion, a rug makes the room. When designing a room from scratch a rug is the perfect place to start. Rugs can dictate color palette, whether the room is formal or casual, and the general style that you are going for.

It used to (and still can) be that rugs were a huge investment piece. The idea of putting your money towards a hand knotted wool or silk rug that would last a lifetime seemed worth the value. I am not opposed to investing in a beautiful and well-made rug, especially if you are confident in your design style and what you are looking for. A rug that you are in love with, that is classic and will last a lifetime IS worth the value. However, if you are young and still developing your taste in design, have pets and young kiddos out to destroy nice things, or just flat out don’t want to spend that kind of money on a rug then I would make a case for the less expensive (but ever-chic) options out there today.

I am blown away by the gorgeous rugs available at such a reasonable price point. Natural fiber rugs, rugs that are made to look vintage, Moroccan style rugs, stripes, plaids and other great motifs. And while some may be machine made or have synthetic material in them, the qualities that may make some frown upon them are what make them so perfect for many of us today. These rugs are good looking, durable, practical and best of all allow you the option to change your mind as your design style evolves without the “But it was so expensive!” heartache. Rugs like this make it possible to take a risk, or to get the look of an antique rug without the fear of wanting something different one day; or of your dog chewing off the corner!

If you are beginning to redecorate a room but the expense of an investment rug is holding you back, I encourage you to expand your search. Designers who believe in offering affordable options are creating showstopping rugs that can transform your space. Take the plunge! Begin your search for a rug that you love, whether it be understated or bold, that will set the stylish foundation that every room needs.

Just to show you what goodness is out there, I’ve included some of my current favorites. Contact for details!

As Seen in The Electric City News: Designing With Kid's Toys

In many of our homes kid’s toys are a reality. Over the years the supply grows, the clutter spreads and before you know it (especially after Christmas when the pile seems to double) what was once a room with your pretty adult things is now a room with adult things completely covered in less attractive, kiddo things. But do not fret! There are ways for your beautiful pieces to cohabitate with your children’s (grandchildren’s, pets) pieces in a cohesive, pleasant and amicable way.

When organizing toys, the first step is to purge. Go through them, throw out broken ones (so many broken toys!), donate the duplicates and ones that your children no longer have interest in. The next step is to separate the toys into groups: books, cars / trucks, Legos, trains and dolls so that they can be stored by category. I find in our house that when we pull out one or two things at a time that my kids play more intentionally and creatively. Once you have the toys organized, I like to set aside the attractive toys… yes, there are attractive toys! The wooden blocks, whimsical or sculptural toys and nice books. When selecting toys to have out and on display, choose the ones that will elevate your décor. Last, find a home for the remaining toys. When planning furniture for a room, especially a play area, storage is key. You can load up a dresser with clear plastic bins of toys, plan storage drawers under a window seat, or designate a cabinet for toys. For the items that don’t have a home in a piece of furniture, store them in decorative baskets, boxes and jars. I have two boys so in our house, we have a ‘car basket’. It’s a huge basket filled with all of the boy’s cars and trucks that sits under a chair in our Living Room. Never would you know that the pretty basket under the chair is home for monster trucks and Lightening McQueen (except for the wheels that stick out of the top). Pretty baskets in a bookcase are great for small toy storage, a huge basket with a top is great for stuffed animals, markers and pencils become pretty when stored in a nice jar or wooden bowl. Get creative!

By intentionally storing and displaying your children’s toys, you and your kids will both have a new appreciation for them. In the end, a home should reflect everyone who lives there, parents and children alike. Turning the storage of your children’s toys into a design project is a great way to allow them to represent the personalities of both you and your littles.