Saturday, November 9, 2019

Think Pink

I am so pleased that my high school days with shades of pink and gray are back again, The new color of the year for both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams are new shades of pink. Pink is soft and  feminine and not for everyone but it is fresh and warm,

Monday, May 27, 2019

Seasonal Plantings

This last week in June in the northeast seems to be the best time to get your seasonal planting done for the upcoming summer season. It is probably my favorite time of year because it is the beginning of the Summer season. I love late May and early June. The air is sweet and there is some much beautiful color around. Each year , as most people do, my garden gets better because I learn what works and what doesn't. Also they are constantly coming up with new varieties of plants and new colors so it is a new deal each May. This year I love a few things in particular. One  plant I adore is Ageratum, Ageratum start of small and unassuming but quickly grow and bring gorgeous purple flowers to you beds and pots. They are deer resistant and last until you have to pull them out in the fall. Tuberous Begonia is another favorite. They have an intense rubbery rode like flower that comes in may colors. They are striking and give intense color in a shade environment. Coleus is another shade loving plant. Although they do produce flowers it is intense leaves of purple, burgundy and citrus green that shine. Take a ride to a local garden center this week and get inspired while there is still plenty of stock,

Monday, May 20, 2019

Flooring solutions

Today there are more choices for flooring than ever.  There is hardwood, engineered hardwood, laminate, cork, bamboo, tile that looks like wood, tile that looks like tile and of course carpet.  It is important that you choose the solution that is the most practical for your needs. I tend to always go for hardwood and engineered hardwood throughout the home with the exception of bathrooms. The big thing today is consistency of surfaces. Don't have too many different types of flooring in one space. Also flooring is often fashion driven. Today we are seeing a lot of grays. Keep in mind that flooring is an investment so I suggest picking something in the middle and not too trendy. It will stand the test of time and help in resale.

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

All About Lighting

It seems to me with the trend towards more of an industrial look that lighting is becoming increasingly more important in your home. Things like pendants over an island, large drum fixtures and open lanterns with no glass are all the rage. The modern farmhouse look is still white hot and things like Edison bulbs and  chandeliers with wood on them have never been more popular. Here are some recent purchases for my clients homes:

Monday, April 15, 2019

Caribbean Style

A recent vacation has brought me some new design inspiration. I love beautiful color and with the change to a more industrial look we are seeing much more gray and significantly less color. This is not true in the Caribbean. The blues of the water are inspiring. The pretty buildings in pastels of pinks, greens and yelllows are tranquil and the neutral of pure whites with tans are just beautiful. No wonder so many people choose this area to find comfort and relaxation.  One of the things I most enjoyed was being deep in the ocean and watching the motion of the ship cut through the water and create a palate of beautiful shades of blues and gray.

Monday, April 1, 2019

Spring has Sprung !!!

Nothing says the seasons have changed than adding new annuals to your planters, window boxes and flower beds for signify spring. I am obsessed with gorgeous flowers and plants and am always on a quest to find what is new and what is trending each new season. This year I am seeing a lot of unususal bulbs coming up. There are lots of white snow drops and plenty of crocus mostly in purple this season. I also saw an unusual green flower I never saw before. For more ideas on this topic watch Modern Design on Hunterdon Chamber Radio on Facebook Wednesday's 2-3pm.

Sunday, March 10, 2019

Master Bedrooms need to be Restful

Studies tell us as much as 40% of the population will have an issue with sleep at one point in their life. I very much keep that in mind when I design or update a master bedroom. Here are some things I try to do. First I pick a soothing paint color with a low LRV (light reflection value). Shades of blues, green, grays and soft browns seem to work the best. Stay away from reds, oranges and yellows. these colors are not restful. Secondly I love couples to invest in a really good Mattress. Third I never use foot boards. If you are tall these are very uncomfortable. forth I put all light on dimmers and have adequate light for reading at the night table area. Fifth I usually  remove wall to wall carpet with a good area rug to give you warmth when you get out of bed but not cover the whole room. Finally I use black out lining in all window treatments to keep light out. Your master bedroom should be a sanctuary.

Monday, March 4, 2019

Wallpaper is all new again!!!

I am so surprised how the millennials embrace wallpaper and the older clients don't.
  I think it's because in the 1970's and 80's people were wallpapering every surface. When those homes were sold the next generation had a very hard time getting all that wallpaper off the walls. It was often because the original installation did not prep and prime the walls for wallpaper.
 Today wallpaper is so sophisticated and prettier than even. It should be used in small areas like a powder room. a master bedroom headboard wall or a fireplace focal wall.
The next time you are looking for a change don't be afraid. Try some wallpaper.

Monday, February 25, 2019

Gray-day-ation

Are you starting to get sick of the color gray? I know I am. When gray first began to get popular it was new and fresh. You saw it paired wit black and it was a sharp look. Then over time everything became gray and monochromatic. I began to miss color. Now we still have gray all the time but at least there are little pops of color. The most popular pop colors now are corals and pinks, teals and spa blues, lime green and bright shades of yellow. I am ready for more color all around. Gray can be nice for a time, but don't forget it is the color of depression.

Sunday, February 17, 2019

Beautiful Dishes

I love all types of dishes. I love how special it makes a table look and feel. It may be English transfer ware with pheasants on them paired with amber glass on Thanksgiving or a gorgeous set of Spode Christmas china. Dishes still have a place in our homes and in our hearts.
 These days dishes are most often plain white in round or square. I so like that look, but there are so many other looks for your table. Also mixing and matching are really nice to do.
 Pair that new set of white dishes with a cobalt blue glass salad plate or use a different plate at each chair paired the  same charger plate underneath.
 Soup bowl, gravy boats, salt and pepper shaker can be really fun or really elegant. I have 5 sets of dishes. One is classic white china, but my favorites are actually the inexpensive casual ones I change with each season.

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Is there still a place for antiques in a modern home?

Every time I get a chance to go into an antique show I venture in. I love nostalgia and the past. For me it reminds me of my nana  and her beautiful built in sideboard from the 1920s full of depression glass and her collection of Stangel pottery that  held all the wonderful food she created. In current days design has become so modern it seems difficult to find a place for antiques.
I have to say I have always loves an eclectic mix and now that is how people decorate. Antiques are a piece of history. In a simple and sterile environment of white and gray antiques can warm up a space and tell a story. Decorating is balance so just because we are in a phase of clean lines don't forget to include a little history in your story. It makes it interesting and gives it depth.

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Winter White

As we begin to take down the Christmas decorations we often feel that a room which was great in November, now seem dull and boring.
 January is a great time to try adding a simpler new brighter look for the next season, The Winter season. Why not add pops of white. It can be pillow and throws, paper whites that you start now, some white washed picture frame. White is simple, bright and refreshing. Keep a basket full of pinecones and stack some white birch logs. This rustic winter white look is quite fresh and will take you through till spring.

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Happy Blue Year !!!

I hope everyone will have a safe and happy new year. I am always excited about a new year. I think we will see more color in home fashions again and I am very happy about that. I don't think gray is going away but I feel the pops of color will be even stronger in 2019. Some of the colors I feel will be trending are coral, bright yellow and most of all blue. I already see in my buying lots of blue this year, especially darker shades like royal and navy. Here are some recent examples I found as I was shopping.