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,

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,

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.