Gift Guide

The latest Sara Hillery Interior Design Gift Guide is here! Scroll through to find the perfect gift for the most fun-loving friend or family member on your list!

 

Suzanne Kasler: Edited Style, Barnes & Noble, $57.50

The queen of edited elegance released a new book!

Palm Beach Playing Cards

Palm Beach Playing Cards, LouLou Baker, $32

These cheerful playing cards provide a little more style than your typical red or blue set.

Metal Poppy Earrings, Amazon, $15

How fun are these metal earrings? Everyone on my team has a pair!

 

Eloise Mirror, Sara Hillery Home, $580

Chinoiserie is always in style!

The Perfectly Imperfect Home by Deborah Needleman, Barnes & Noble, $32.50

Such a happy book on how to decorate and live well.

Custom Backgammon Board, Nine Fair, Price and availability varies

A custom backgammon board brings back a classic game in updated colors.

 

Combed Marble Daily Planner, Papier, $32

This simple and bright planner will keep you organized in style in 2023.

Annie Sconce, Sara Hillery Home, $490

I love the curves and color on this lantern sconce!

Virginia Mammal Pillow, Sara Hillery Home, $300 each

So excited about these winning pillows in last year’s “Made in VA Awards.”

 

Party Tumbler (Set of 6), Zafferano America, $159

I love this tumbler – There is something so fun about polka dots on a table!

Too Much Needlepoint Pillow, Furbish, $104

This needlepoint pillow in such a bright color is way too much fun!

Michael Aram Pink Dogwood Napkin Rings, Moda Home, $100

Love these napkin rings in a dogwood motif as a nod to my home state of Virginia!

 

Mally’s Little Handbook, Mally Skok Design, $22

My friend published this book last summer and it still is a favorite!

Goat Leg Leather Upholstered Stool, Sara Hillery Home, $1,500

Anyone who knows me knows that I love anything that looks like it can walk.

K&K Interiors Preserved Boxwood Single Ball Topiary in Pot, Amazon, $89

A simple topiary can elevate any space.

 

Citrus Clementine Folded by Gina Langford, Dogwood Hill, $48.75

These are the best notecards! I included a custom set in my Lenox Hill tablescape.

20 Piece Bamboo Flatware Set for 4, Sara Hillery Home, $36

A touch of the tropics for your next dinner party!

Set of 4 Batik Placemats in Coral, Amanda Lindroth, $45

I cannot get enough of this cheery batik print!

 

12-Piece Melamine Bamboo Dinnerware Set for 4

Add bamboo details to your holiday table and celebrate the season in style

The Songbird in Blush, Birdies, $120

Peak fashion meets peak comfort. And how fun are these pom-poms?

Scalloped Napkin, Sara Hillery Home, $30

Perfect year-round from Mardi-Gras to Christmas!

 

Thanksgiving Tablescape

 

Sara Hillery Interior Design

Happy Thanksgiving from my table to yours!

This season, I have been inspired by the simplicity of the original Thanksgiving- and have sought to design a humble, earthy tablescape as a reminder of the holiday’s central message of gathering, sharing, and giving thanks.




Sara Hillery Interior Design

A Touch of the Tropics:

Despite the forecast, I have been embracing inspiration from the tropics!

This bamboo tablecloth serves as a playful foundation while its brown hue allows this base layer to remain somewhat muted and very versatile.

Touches of bamboo seem to evoke a casual elegance – and I simply cannot get enough of this natural element! Since designing a table for the 2022 Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala, I have been incorporating bamboo silverware into my recent place settings. This bamboo flatware set now available on Sara Hillery Home acts as an additional cheerful nod to an island paradise.

These natural elements work in tandem to add texture as well as echo the familiar warm palette associated with autumn.



Chargers and China:

How fun are these green scalloped rice paper placemats? They are another earthy yet elegant base for today’s place setting.

In addition to the down-to-earth placemats, blue gold-rimmed China and white bamboo plates are layered on top of one another for a polished yet relaxed look.



Garden Centerpieces:

When tablescaping, be sure to include greenery! Even modest garden herbs in terracotta pots can liven up a table. Moreover, garden herb centerpieces can add an aromatic scent to an already delicious meal!

Sara Hillery Interior Design

 

Sara Hillery Interior Design

Upcycled Napkins:

This season, I have been inspired by the resourcefulness and practicality of the original Thanksgiving and sought to reuse elements- including these napkins- from my personal collection.

Another way easy way to add interest to a tablescape includes alternating napkin patterns. Deviating away from formal and traditional monogram linens, I mixed pink batik napkins with a blue block print pattern which resulted in a vibrant, eclectic blend. I even chose to forgo a napkin ring! 

These simple napkin choices can create a casual and welcoming atmosphere.

 

Sara Hillery Interior Design

Gratitude Notes for Guests:

Finally, handwritten notes of gratitude for each guest act as name cards.

I am hopeful that these messages of appreciation remind each guest how extraordinary they are and that they have a meaningful souvenir to take home.

Thank you for following along!

 

3 Ways to Infuse the Warm, Cozy Color of Orange Into Your Life for Fall

Fall is (almost) officially here, and lately we’ve been seeing an influx of a somewhat polarizing seasonal color: burnt orange. Some people agree with Elle Woods in Legally Blonde: “Whoever said orange was the new pink was seriously disturbed.” Others love the color that instantly reminds them of favorite fall activities like pumpkin picking, trick-or-treating, or pumpkin-spice-latte-drinking. 

 

Our take? Orange may not be a match for pink, but in deep, rich shades it can be surprisingly versatile and chic. Warm and welcoming hues feel invigorating and youthful--just steer clear of bright, electric oranges, which trend toward the artificial. To show you how we would integrate orange, we’re showcasing three examples that range from a pretty considerable commitment to the color to just dipping a toe in (literally). Embrace orange at whatever level you choose, but don’t be afraid to try a new-to-you hue! 

 

This study highlights how orange can be tastefully incorporated throughout a room without being garish or dominating. We used richer shades of orange to create a space that feels vibrant yet calm and professional. The deep orange armchairs are sumptuous and illustrate how certain oranges can act almost as a neutral, playing well with blues, grey blues, and beiges. The rug, trimmed and patterned with orange detailing, helps tie the room together. Orange doesn’t scream here; it beckons, creating an inviting and surprisingly classy ambiance.

Sara Hillery Interior Design

 

Insta: @indigoandwills

You don’t have to feel that it’s necessary to commit to a piece of furniture or a larger room element: try out some orange accent pieces to see if you warm up to this versatile color. Pillows or throw blankets are a great place to start as they are a minimal investment and can be easily swapped out. Or bring the color into a space naturally: cut branches with leaves that have turned a rich orange and arrange in a vase to give life to a room. Orange flowers such as begonias, lantanas, tithonia (or Mexican sunflowers), carnations, or coreopsis are also colorful options.

 

Still not convinced? Take the color out for a spin! Orange infuses sweater, shoes, earrings, and a clutch with an unexpected pop of color and energy so swap in something orange for your typical go-to colors and observe how it makes you feel. It may give you just the lift you need for a marathon pumpkin carving session!

Sister Plus Sister

Something Navy

Siam Hill Tribes

Back to School and Work From Home Desk Set Ups

Whether summer is a whirlwind of activities, vacations, and camps or a time when we simply savor evenings on the porch and more laid-back schedules, we like to use the back-to-school time for a full family work-life recalibration. For our kids, it’s been months since they sat at a desk or did homework, and we’ve also found ourselves working from places outside of the office more frequently as well (especially when the local pool has wifi). 

 

Everyone could use a fresh start getting back to the grind, and having an appealing homework/work-from-home arrangement makes us feel motivated and organized. We combed through some past SHID designs to give you ideas for making the back to homework/work transition as seamless as possible for you and your family! 

 
 

One of our favorite family work and homework set-ups! With wraparound desk space and a tucked away bookshelf, this office is cheerful, minimal, and ideal for co-working, even if your “co-worker” is concentrating on mastering the alphabet.

Sara Hillery Interior Design

 

Sara Hillery Interior Design

 

Let’s get real: sitting at a desk for hours can be a drag, so why not inject a hefty dose of color and fun? Bright pink adds energy and allure, while a multitude of cabinets and drawers make it easy to keep the desk clean and organized.

 
 

This sweet bedside desk is simple, warm, and welcoming. Getting kids used to having a quiet space of their own to draw, dream, or read is an important way to help them build good study and learning habits for years to come!

Sara Hillery Interior Design

 

Sara Hillery Interior Design

 

It’s not a traditional desk, but this cozy yet spacious banquette can serve as the perfect place for a homework session. The light-filled space works just as well for younger kids who might need a little more oversight while parents make dinner as it does for older kids who host a group project session over snacks.

 
 

Calm and compact, this desk set-up doesn’t require much space, but it’s inspiring in its simplicity and usefulness and ideal for kids (or adults) who need to remove as many distractions as possible in order to focus.

Sara Hillery Interior Design

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Spring Gala

 

SHID was honored to create a tablescape for the Lenox Hill spring gala, held on April 28th. The work and legacy of Lenox Hill, a 128-year-old settlement house on the East Side of Manhattan that provides human services including an early childhood center, centers and care programs for the elderly, shelters and prevention programs for persons experiencing homelessness, and more, is beyond inspiring, and I was thrilled to support (and celebrate) them.

Alison Gootee Photography

Alison Gootee Photography

 

Using the gala’s theme “A Garden of Earthly Delights” as a springboard, I incorporated my favorite earthly delights from some of the places I have traveled and lived. With a focus on flowers and fruit trees, I set out to marry my traditional taste and penchant for punchy playfulness in “And the Zest Was History”, a sumptuous visual array full of whimsy and vibrant natural elements. 

 

Many of the tablescape components are a nod to the East and Gulf coasts, highlighting the impact that Virginia, Louisiana, and Texas have made on me and my design sensibilities. The chair fabric from Palm Orleans, for example, features a lively print of oysters and citrus. Oysters are found in abundance along Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay, just south of New Orleans, and in Houston’s Galveston Bay, making them a highly personal and much beloved earthly delight! 

Alison Gootee Photography

Alison Gootee Photography

 

I loved living among satsuma trees in Houston, but, since moving back to Virginia, have had to settle for a different breed of oranges. Their color, scent, taste, and the cheerfulness that they exude inspired me to choose these fruits as the table’s centerpiece as well.  Pink peonies (which echo my garden in Virginia) as well as flowers found farther afield, like the orange pincushion protea flower, honor both a love of home and worldly travel adventures.

 

Naturally, we incorporated our signature SHID blue and white palette when choosing the table skirt, candles, napkin detailing, and even the ribbon for our favors (spoiler: they were delicious chocolate bars from local favorite Miss Maude’s). The table skirt has Virginia references hidden in plain sight: it features creatures that are prominent in the local landscape and the tableware selections include a tobacco leaf plate and dogwood napkin ring. As a nod to Jeffersonian and classical architecture, I even included a Chippendale planter on our table.

Alison Gootee Photography

Alison Gootee Photography

 

And, because every detail is worth attending to (and because I unabashedly love color and texture), I finished the table with pink champagne glasses, pink dogwood blossom napkin rings, clear glasses dotted with vibrant green, tobacco leaf salad plates, bamboo inspired flatware, and round rattan placemats.

 

Special thanks to our patrons: Zafferano America, Quadrille, Pomegranate Inc, Palm Orleans, Miss Maudes Bar of Chocolates, Hines and Company, and Capital Garden Products. Your beautiful products helped us create a lush and colorful table worthy of a place in a garden of earthly delights!

Alison Gootee Photography

High Point Market Highlights 2022

 

We’re back from High Point Market and excited to share our highlights with you. It’s always a whirlwind few days discovering new trends and seeing favorite designers and tastemakers, and we come back feeling inspired and ready for the next design challenge.

 
 

At High Point, we saw designers mixing metals to a whole new level. Brass, black, chrome, and more: these metals were combined in spaces for glam looks that add polish and shine. Showing in groups of three or more, these mixed metals catch the eye and had us coming back for second or third looks. Keep your eye out for designs highlighting polished nickel—we sense a comeback.

 


Yellow was a big color at HPMKT, and it took sunny centerstage in several showrooms we saw. Blue and green were also popular shades with some displays bringing all three colors together through upholstery, fabrics, accessories, and accents. At SHID, we preach the value of incorporating even a pop of color so seeing rooms infused with both bright and subtle hues made us very happy!

 


The influence of British caning is still alive and well. The style at this year’s HPMKT was less “West Palm Beach” and more universal with chairs in various shades to choose from. 

 
 

We spied some cool furniture pieces using burl wood. The gorgeous grain of these pieces come from knobby root growths that, when sliced, reveal an almost bubbly texture. The result: pieces with one-of-a-kind colors and patterns. 

 


We also loved the texture on the cerused oak pieces we saw. Using a wire brush to scrape the wood yields a unique, gently distressed look.

 
 

Several showrooms featured black and white combos, including a lot of lighting with black finishes. Although this color combo isn’t our typical aesthetic, when used intentionally, it can add instant glamour to a space. 

 
 

Bouclé Fabric was everywhere on sofas and accents chairs with vendors assuring us of its lasting appeal dating back to the midcentury modern time period from the 1940’s to 1950’s. You can find bouclé fabric on pieces that stand the test of time for it’s durability.

What do you think… is this for you?

 
 


Speaking of lighting, we also noticed how painted and patterned lampshades have become more common and more accessible than the previous hand-painted versions.

 


We love bringing the outdoors in and a few other trends we spied showed we are in good company. Grass cloth is still popular for furniture items, case goods, tables, inside drawers. And a hot new texture for indoor/outdoor is water hyacinth, woven from the plant’s leaves and stems

Women In Design

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting five ground-breaking, pioneering women designers whose influences are still felt today. Although many female designers did not receive the claim they deserved during their lifetime, they pushed boundaries, experimented, and made incredible contributions to genres and movements within architecture, interior design, furniture design, and landscape design. Their innovative perspectives and willingness to play with color, form, materials, and societal expectations inspire us to live and design boldly.

 

Zaha Hadid

The term “visionary” gets tossed around these days, but Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid truly embodied what it means to redefine a genre. By bending the rules of construction to create free form organic structures made of materials such as concrete and glass, Hadid pushed rigid architectural conventions to their limit. In the process, the “Queen of the Curve” created breathtaking bridges, apartment buildings, museums, arts centers, and more around the globe.

 

Alena Graff Photography

Alena Graff Photography

 

Eames Office

Ray Eames

Her husband Charles Eames may be the more recognizable name, but Ray-Bernice “Ray” Eames’s contributions to art and design in the 20th century were considerable and are still being revealed. Eames experimented with multiple media including painting, graphic design, architecture, and textile design in addition to the iconic furniture design for which the Eames Office is famous.

 

Eames Office

Lumens

 

Dorothy Draper

“Modern Baroque” maven Dorothy Parker was known for her ability to combine unexpected colors and patterns to create interiors that were lively, vibrant, and decidedly anti-minimalist. After creating what is considered to be the first official interior design business in the 1920s, Draper went on to transform hotels, restaurants, and homes. Draper also wrote a beloved design column and was a true influencer: over a million yards of her cabbage rose chintz fabric was sold in the 1930s and 40s!

dorothydraper.com

 

dorothydraper.com

 

Women’s Industrial Design

Eileen Gray

Irish-born and educated in London and Paris, Eileen Gray was a trendsetter in furniture design and architecture throughout Europe. Gray pushed boundaries in both her lacquer work and her experimentation with furniture materials and shapes. Without any formal training, Gray went on to create multiple modern houses including E-1027 in France.

Gray’s designs often created a stir during her lifetime, and, like many women designers, have only recently been appreciated more fully. Fun fact: her Dragon armchair sold at auction for $28.3 million, making it the most expensive piece of 20th-century design ever sold!

 

Women’s Industrial Design

Mary Gaudin Photography

 

Bunny Mellon

Although Bunny Mellon wasn’t a self-proclaimed designer, her style influence, her keen eye for art, and her skill in planning landscapes resonate even today. Known for the classic and traditional elegance of her gardens and her iconic art collection, Mellon redesigned the White House Rose Garden during the Kennedy administration and planned landscapes for Jackie Kennedy, the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society, the founder of Givenchy, and her own multiple homes with her husband, a wealthy businessman and horse breeder.

Artful Living

 

Adventures in Styleland

Wine and Country Life

NOLA Insider Tips

New Orleans is known for many things including being a playground for partying, an epicurean destination, and a music lover’s haven. As my husband grew up there, we’ve made many trips to visit this unique and vibrant city, and we wanted to share some of our tried-and-true favorites in honor of Mardi Gras.

 

Of course, we had to begin with food! Beignets are beloved by tourists and NOLA natives alike. Who could resist this airy sugary fried dough? And, furthermore, who would want to? Grab an order (or several) along with a coffee and chicory café au lait at perennial favorite Café du Monde or head to Mother’s for heartier breakfast options. Either way, beat the crowds and get there early.

Insta via @plates4plates

Insta via @plates4plates

 

Insta via @parkwaypoorboys

 

Po-boys are another New Orleans favorite. Shrimp or surf and turf po-boys from Parkway Po-boys are a must-have every time Julian returns to town. Check out this hearty sandwich’s humble history. 

 


And we would be remiss if we didn’t include spicy, hearty gumbo. The Gumbo Shop in the French Quarter behind St. Louis Cathedral has traditional gumbo offerings including seafood okra, chicken andouille sausage, and gumbo z’herbes as well as other local favorites such as crawfish etouffee and jambalaya. 

Other foodie favorites: GW Fins, Drago’s, Peche, and Galatoire’s.

Insta via @get_eat_beauty (second pic)

 

Insta via @yumbaslicious

 

NOLA without drinks? Inconceivable! Some of our favorite spots include sipping and slowly, spinning at the fabled Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone (the bar actually revolves!), grabbing a Hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s and sitting in the patio for prime people watching, and bellying up for a purple Frozen VooDoo Daiquiri and some pirate lore at Jean Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. 

 
 

Once you’ve tasted New Orleans classics, you may inspired to recreate them at home. Take a class at the New Orleans School of Cooking, and you’ll be mastering BBQ shrimp and grits and bananas foster in no time. If you aren’t headed to NOLA anytime soon, they even have zoom classes to whet your appetite. 

Image via @nolaschoolofcooking

 

Image via @wwiimuseum

Because there is more to do than eat and drink (although if you’re still hungry for more, we also recommend checking out the Southern Food and Beverage Museum), here are a few additional suggestions:

*Visit The National WWII museum for an in-depth history including oral histories, hands-on exhibits, and a 4-D movie experience.

 

*Take a cemetery tour. These somewhat unconventional walks take visitors through New Orleans history by sharing the stories of famous (and infamous) NOLA residents.

*New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz, so we recommend checking out the performances at Preservation Hall or the Jazz Playhouse at the Royal Sonesta, or simply following your ears to the nearest jazz club.

Image via @preservationhall

 

Image via@neworleansmuseumofart

 

*Walk around French Quarter. In addition to the tourist-y shops, there are antique stores, galleries, street performers, and a near constant flow of music. 

*City Park boasts over 1,300 acres and has a mini golf course, botanical gardens, and the New Orleans Museum of Art as well as bike paths and trails. Perfect for walking off all that food (in preparation for the next meal)!

Pantone Color of The Year 2022

PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri, Pantone’s color of the year (and a brand-new color creation), was selected to reflect our changed and changing world. It’s a bold and brand-new color creation that, according to the Pantone Color Institute, “ displays a spritely, joyous attitude and dynamic presence that encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expressions”.

We are all about courageous creativity and bringing a more joyous attitude into our lives and our homes, and colors in the periwinkle family are surprisingly versatile. Veri Peri, which brings together beloved, calming blue with an energizing violet red undertone, can be used throughout the home to give small doses of color therapy.


Between zoom fatigue, the uncertainty of the next few months, and the fact that most of us feel like we’ve been in our own personal Groundhog Day movie since March 2020, injecting a little zest and vibrancy into our lives sounds pretty appealing right now. Cheers to the new year and to new energy in our homes and in our lives!Between zoom fatigue, the uncertainty of the next few months, and the fact that most of us feel like we’ve been in our own personal Groundhog Day movie since March 2020, injecting a little zest and vibrancy into our lives sounds pretty appealing right now. Cheers to the new year and to new energy in our homes and in our lives!

Here are a few ideas for how to incorporate this hue:

This floral periwinkle pillow will add a modern touch and a color boost to a sofa or couch in a more neutral shade.

A periwinkle carpet, particularly with a soft, shag texture, is a feast for the eyes…and feels amazingly cozy on feet too.

In Sara Hillery Interior Design’s County Lines textile, the color of the year gets complimented and contrasted with other saturated shades for a playful pattern that subtly salutes Virginia geography.

Entryway periwinkle flowers

Not sure you want to commit long-term to periwinkle in your home? No problem: in this light-filled entryway, a vase of periwinkle flowers brings a natural, lively pop of color.

2021 Holiday Gift Guide

We blinked, and suddenly it’s the holidays. Gift-giving is one of our favorite parts of the season, and we rounded up several options that are surefire winners. From a chic chess set to personalized candles, you can cross off everyone on your “nice list” (and maybe pick up a little holiday treat for yourself in the process).

 

Make like Beth Harmon in the Queen’s Gambit and pick up one of these Lucite acrylic chess sets. Available in neon orange and yellow or classic black and white, these sleek sets can live on any surface and are sure attract lots of admirers as well as potential game seekers.

Botanical Buildings book

Image via Hetgroen Lab

Image via Jonathan Adler

Image via Jonathan Adler

New design books are always on our holiday wish list. There’s nothing like starting off the year with fresh design inspiration. Some newly released favorites include Botanical Buildings: When Plants Meet Architecture, Where We Work: Home Offices, and Home: A Celebration.

There’s absolutely nothing basic about the baubles from Emily Warden Designs, thanks to Emily’s training in metalsmithing and jewelry design and her impeccable eye for finding and setting gorgeous stones. Her well-designed site makes it easy to shop and extremely difficult to narrow down the gift-buying selection.

Image via Chilewich

Image via Chilewich

Whether you are finally feeling like you can entertain again safely or you are still keeping your dinner crew small, these woven placemats from perennial favorite Chilewich elevate your table settings into art. Eco-friendly and suitable for indoor/outdoor use, the placemats make great hostess gifts that will long outlast a bottle of wine or flowers.

 

Felix Doolittle’s stationery line includes personalized canning labels and bookplates, but we would love to gift a set of signature note cards from the Plein Air collection. Whether you choose a marsh or a countryside field, you aren’t just preserving the art of letter writing when you gift these beauties; you’re also passing on a love and appreciation of illustrated art.

Image via Felix Doolittle

Image via Felix Doolittle

 
Image via Navabella Candle

Image via Navabella

We keep candles burning all winter long, so stocking up on the latest offerings from Navabella is a no brainer, especially since they come in a variety of delectable scents like iced eggnog and mocha mint. You can even personalize these minimalist candles with a holiday greeting!

From all of us at Sara Hillery Interior Design, we wish you happy holidays!

My Top 5 No-Carve Pumpkins for Fall

It’s Fall y’all, and, if you’re like me, you want to spice up your seasonal decor this year. Carving pumpkins with kids is a Halloween highlight and a tradition that’s not to be missed, but keeping some pumpkins uncut makes for easy, longer-lasting holiday decorations. This list of my favorite and freshest no-carve pumpkin ideas for Fall covers a wide range of styles and decors so choose the ones that will enliven your space and get you in the holiday spirit.

 

Classic Porcelain Inspired PUMPKINS

 

I’m a collector of tableware, so of course I immediately fell in love with these Delftware-inspired painted pumpkins. If painting is not a strong suit of yours, don’t worry: the artist has free print-outs available so you can create your own stunning, stress-free Delftware Pumpkins.

Get the step-by-step here!

Get the step-by-step here!

 

Glam Sequin Polka Dot Pumpkins

Get the step-by-step here!

Get the step-by-step here!

 

These are just plain fun! A little paint, glue and sequins is all you’ll need to achieve this Kate-Spade-does-pumpkins look. Kiddos can also get in on the decorating action for these pumpkins. Color creativity encouraged--we would love to see how the pumpkins look painted different colors with contrasting or complementary sequin spots.

 

Neon Stem Pumpkins

 

Who says Fall decor has to be orange and brown? These neon stem pumpkins pack a punch and are sure to be the envy of the neighborhood! We love how fresh, simple, and modern they look when a bunch are arranged together.

Get the step-by-step here!

Get the step-by-step here!

 

Petal Perfect Pumpkins

Get the stp-by-step here!

Get the stp-by-step here!

 

The only downside to Fall is seeing the end of all those Summer blooms, but this decorating method repurposes petals and flowers in a fresh and surprisingly romantic way. Bright and delicate flowers such as hydrangeas create an almost whimsical look, while blooms in darker colors (think chrysanthemums or red yarrow) would set a moodier, perhaps spookier scene.

 

Preppy Painted Faux Pumpkins

 

And finally, if you want your pumpkins on display year-round, why not go for a faux option? A sunny addition to a tablescape or a chic way to make your mantel a little more festive, these bright preppy pumpkins are adorable and would look great during any season!

Get Yours Here!

Get Yours Here!

Before and After Living Room Makeover

An artsy family’s sense of whimsy and passion for collecting unique art was lost in a drab living space that was weighed down by a busy patterned rug and dated wall adornments. We came in to help create a refined adult retreat that was functional and kid-friendly and simultaneously could serve as a space for the family to show off their one-of-a-kind paintings.

before1.jpg

By updating the dark khaki walls with a soft, warm white paint color and refreshing the white molding, the room immediately feels substantially lighter. To continue with this fresh theme, we covered up the dark wood floors with a creamy natural fiber area rug that is both kid and dog friendly.

painting enlarged.jpg

A simple glass coffee table keeps the space light-hearted and airy, while reflective lamps, vases, and accessories maintain the breezy vibe. Matching mirrors and dark chests on either side of the fireplace balance the room while creating the illusion of an even more open and bright space.

Tying in colors from the family’s amazing art collection into the chairs, pillows, and drapes helps to achieve a playful, yet unified atmosphere. For example, the patterned pillows resting on the blue armchairs reflect a design similar to that of the painting between the drapes, while the bunny-printed bolster pillow maintains the same sweetness as the nearby bird painting. Sprinkles of green in pots on the mantel, in the form of a tableside succulent, or arranged creatively on the coffee table give additional nods to the natural world and keep the space from looking overly pristine.

InteriorsSara (25 of 32) (1).jpg
InteriorsSara (22 of 32) (1).jpg
 
painting enlarged.jpg

Combining sleek shapes, organic textures, and the family’s distinctive artwork, we transformed this living room from a dark den into a vibrant, light-filled space perfectly suited for family life, artistic inspiration, and perhaps even a little quiet reflection and reading time.

Get the look!

How To Make the Most of Awkward Nooks

Spaces under the stairs, hall closets, dormer windows, slanted attic alcoves, and basement niches: these awkward areas are common, yet woefully underused. Nooks such as these are often found aplenty in older homes, but almost every dwelling has at least one odd corner or recess. Far from inconvenient eyesores or a waste of square footage, we see them as the perfect opportunity to experiment and play. Homeowners can gain additional, functional space by rethinking these tricky areas and by getting resourceful and creative within the home’s existing structure.

 

For families with young children, awkward and unconventionally sized nooks can quickly be transformed into kiddie havens. An under-the-stairs space can become a “KIDS ONLY” sanctuary by turning it into a playhouse within the home. No matter the weather outside, little ones will love escaping to a getaway that’s just for them and can hold their favorite toys. Bonus: having this tucked-away space to stash their stuff means less clutter in the general living area. Even a small space can be utilized in a fun way: for one kiddie client, we made a hidden door out of a bookshelf that opened up into a space with shelves and toys. What child wouldn’t want a secret passage?


Design courtesy of Von Fitz Design

Design courtesy of Von Fitz Design

 
Design courtesy of M and M Studio

Design courtesy of M and M Studio

Or turn an oddly shaped area into a functional and tidy makeshift mudroom for school and extracurricular supplies. Use your kids’ not-fully-grown stature to take advantage of a space that might be awkward or unusable for a full-sized adult. Small shelves or drawers might seem useless to an adult, but they could become the perfect spots for a child to place their first house key or a daily treasure found while adventuring. And including kids in the planning and ideas stage might just encourage an interest in design!

 

But under-the-stairs spaces need not be reserved for kids. A wine cellar is an ingenious use of such an area. Likewise, shelving to display books, art, and photographs is yet another way to optimize an underused space.

 

The kitchen often ends up serving as the heart of the home, but not every home design includes a spacious set-up and might include an awkward, boxy, or cramped niche or nook. Built-in eating areas beckon family members to curl up in the cozy space throughout the day (especially if it’s surrounded by windows and lots of natural light). Besides sharing a meal together, family members will find themselves using the built-ins for homework sessions, an early morning cup of coffee, a bird-watching session, or even a nap. You can add even more functionality to these built-ins through lift-up seats or pull-out storage!

Design courtesy of Eleanor Cummings

Design courtesy of Eleanor Cummings

 
Design courtesy of Eleanor Cummings

Design courtesy of Eleanor Cummings

While purpose drives these unusual spaces, they can also serve as unlikely and subtle design elements. For example, a deep-set window can easily be transformed into a reading nook that invites the home’s inhabitants and guests to relax and escape from the stress of the world. Even if you don’t intend to use it regularly, such a serene space will add a visual softness and a welcoming vibe to the home.

 

So if you find yourself pondering an awkward space in your home every time you pass it and often wonder how it could be better used, peruse these innovative designs for inspiration. With a little ingenuity, those clumsy corners and niche nuisances can become some of your favorite and functional spots in your home.

Let There be Light: A Bright and Airy Bathroom Makeover

After living for many years with a first floor layout that included a bedroom and a study with only a small bathroom, two empty nesters decided it was time for a change to better suit their lifestyle now. Eliminating the study made way for a major bathroom makeover (and for the addition of a walk-in closet). The resulting room is a bright space filled with tactile and visual details that give the room an abundance of personality.

 

Key to keeping the sleek serenity of the space is the crisp yet inviting color palette. Choosing a soft neutral for the walls and under-the-sink cabinets makes the space feel bigger, calmer, and soothing.

 

To shed light throughout the new space, Sara doubled the room’s natural lighting by adding another sight-line window. In addition to overhead recessed lighting, she also added plenty of shine-reflecting bling in the finishes.

 
 

Pops of color and texture add intrigue and enliven the space. For example, the painting above the mirrored chest is a sea of organically crafted and warmly colored brushstrokes, painted by Sara herself,  while the ushak floor rug creates a cozy, lived-in feel.

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A vintage relief sculpture of a woman in a hat adds an artistic dimension to the wall.

 

Despite its luxe appearance, the shower was finished with tiles in a marbled design in taupes and greys in lieu of actual marble. Tile doesn’t require the maintenance and care (or cost) of natural stone, but still offers a natural, polished look. A panel with a design breaks up the shower area and adds another layer of texture, while the glass door makes the space seem bigger.

With elements toggling effortlessly between the modern and the eclectic, we transformed the bathroom into a bright, relaxing, and soothing oasis that the homeowners will enjoy for years to come.

First Home Essentials

As I get ready to celebrate my anniversary it brings back memories of all the firsts and exciting moments of getting married and preparing to build a life together. Looking back almost 15 years I am sharing a few things I have learned along the way...


Whether you live together prior to marriage or not, moving into your first home as Mr. and Mrs. feels special…and getting a little help in purchasing all the things you want and need is a wonderful bonus of getting hitched. Your registry provides the perfect opportunity for you to request goods, furniture, art, and more that will reflect your relationship and interests as a couple and help prepare you for your lives together. 

So many choices and areas can make the registry process seem overwhelming (Towels! Matching tennis racquets! 35 types of waffle makers!), so we made our list of the Top 5 best things to register for, invest in, and use often. And that last part is of utmost importance: if you don’t have aspirations of hand-making your own noodles for spaghetti night, skip that pretty KitchenAid with the pasta arm attachment. A surefire way to kill newlywed domestic bliss is to end up with cabinets and closets of appliances, décor, and knickknacks that are simply collecting dust. On the other hand, surrounding yourself with beautiful and useful items that you choose together can keep that warm glow of love going.

 

China and Dinnerware

This is the time to splurge! Your wedding is likely the one time in your life someone else will be buying china and dinnerware for you so select pieces you go ga-ga for. While it seems like you can buy anything on the Internet these days, we highly recommend that you take a trip to the store before adding these every day and special occasion essentials to your registry.

 

Hold the mugs, feel the weight of the silverware, examine the plates: these are the MVPs of your kitchen and dining room so you want to make sure you are choosing wisely and for the long haul.

And speaking of the long haul, the price of sterling silver can increase dramatically over time, so if your wedding day yield is a mix and match of silverware pieces, make sure you save some of your gift cards and extra funds to fill out at least one set so that you have it for life. This is a good tip for dinnerware as well: go ahead and purchase the rest or at least several sets. Some stores discontinue lines or even just certain colors, and you don’t want to be stuck without enough pasta bowls or end up with a hodgepodge of mismatched dishes. To get varied looks (and the most bang for your buck), consider picking a simple and classic dinner plate and then adding wild, playful, fun dessert, salad plates or chargers.

 

A good sofa

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Whether you have visions of watching your favorite movies huddled together, hosting friends for wine, cheese, and charades hang outs, or spending lazy Sunday afternoons napping, picking the right sofa is of key importance and another instance where you want to try it out in real life. To choose a sofa that will last whatever life throws at it (and on it), seek out a kiln-dried hardwood frame and cushions with eight way hand-tied springs. As for fabric, we don’t have any hard and fast rules, other than to choose something that’s durable and that you find yourselves drawn to, whether it’s neutral or in a statement pattern or design. If your tastes change quickly, and you love switching things up regularly, consider erring on the neutral side. Throw pillows and blankets are a great way to incorporate bold colors, and swapping out these décor details will be less painful (and expensive) than a whole sofa!

Original art

Art is a deeply individual part of the decorating process, and it’s crucial for adding a personal touch to your home as well as setting the tone and mood. Original art sourced from galleries, Etsy, or your artist friends truly elevate a room and help make the space uniquely yours. One-of-a-kind pieces are conversation starters; even a few smaller, distinctive pieces framed well and hung with care over a second-hand sofa looks much more put together than a poster from college hung with push pins. Trust us: we are hereby giving you permission to throw away, recycle, or move into the attic anything that graced your walls during your college years.

If you and your significant other love a piece of art, it will likely be eye candy to some of your visitors as well, but don’t worry about whether the art is “good” or “worth it” from an investment standpoint. You and your spouse will be the ones living with it so select something that stands out to you! Of course, building your own art collection is rewarding, but for many novice art buyers, it’s more important to select pieces that work for your budget and your style now. You can always save up later for your own little Matisse or Kahlo original!

 

Versatile and investment-worthy furniture

Playing with the size and shape of your rooms and what can fit in it is one of our favorite activities as designers, and you and your significant other can play too with a few foundational furniture pieces. Look for versatile options that are built to last. Select furniture crafted from wood from sustainably certified forests, antique pieces that have stood the test of time, and/or pieces that feature evidence of craftsmanship and expertise, as evident in dovetail details. 

Finding hardworking pieces that can transition between different rooms is a major goal here. For example, a chest of drawers could be used in an entry hall, topped with a lamp and a beautiful bowl for mail and keys. It could just as easily be incorporated into the master bathroom as an elegant way to store linens or as a functional TV stand in the living room. And take your time. Some hand-crafted furniture takes weeks or months to arrive after ordering. The wait will be worth it (and you won’t even remember it) years down the road as you are still enjoying your carefully chosen pieces.

 

Something that you choose TOGETHER

It’s common that one half of a couple takes the registry reigns and makes many of the decisions. If you or your spouse truly doesn’t have an opinion or trusts the other completely, your selection process will undoubtedly be easier than that of two highly opinionated people.

However, we highly recommend that BOTH of you weigh in on the registry and selecting pieces for your new home together. Not only is it a good bonding experience, but having both parties join in the decision-making process will make your home feel like what it should be: a reflection of the both of you. Have some fun and incorporate your common interests, complementary styles, and respective sensibilities. Whether it’s an amazing painting you found in a gallery while on vacation, a statement chair that reminds you of the pink dress you wore on your first date, or a hand-thrown vase that makes you laugh and think of your ill-fated attempt at a couple’s pottery class, find and invest in pieces that make you both happy and that reflect your unique personalities.

Museum Fix

Museums are slowly opening up, and returning to more traditional travel is (knock on wood) on the horizon, but jetting around to the latest exhibitions seems ambitious at the moment.

For those of us who are still committed to armchair travel to get our fix of arts and culture, we have some compelling online options, several of which are hands on and fun for the whole family. 

One of the silver linings of the pandemic is that museums and galleries have put more of their pieces and the stories behind them online, so you can access them anytime!

 

In addition to exploring the museum’s mind-bogglingly extensive online collection of folk art from all around the globe, you can try your hand at some of their DIY art projects, inspired by traditions including Mexican paper making and Japanese fans.

 

Through podcasts, articles, videos, and more the Tate offers a deep dive into numerous pieces in its collection and the passionate creators behind them. We also recommend the  Create Like An Artist series, with fantastic hands-on projects for both kids and adults with options including soap carving, making chocolate paintings inspired by Jackson Pollack, and using the techniques of master watercolorist Joseph Turner.

 

The Louvre Abu Dhabi

Online options at this gorgeous museum are extraordinary. We could spend days exploring, from an online book focusing on clothes and costumes in the collection to curated playlists to spoken word poetry inspired by various galleries to a “futuristic audio and visual experience”.

 

Looking for some bite-sized art education? The National Museum of India’s Museum at Home features short videos on sculptures, artistic traditions, and more. The video gallery also offers quick, insightful dips into India’s fascinating art and history. 

 

This quirky Toronto museum focuses on shoes throughout history (yes, the collection is as amazing as it sounds).  With the museum’s #BSMFromHome offerings, you can brush up on your knowledge of various shoe-making techniques, get a virtual tour of exhibitions, or de-stress with some shoe-themed coloring sheets.

 

If you haven’t been able to cross off the architectural wonders of Petra off your bucket travel list (or if you just want a return trip), this comprehensive “tour” of the Rose City might satiate your wanderlust for a short time. It’s not technically a museum, but there’s enough history and art to make for an educational and inspiring armchair voyage.