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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.