Don't Take The Christmas Tree Down Just Yet

Happy Holidays everyone!!! It is puzzling to me why I see people taking down their holiday decorations already. Christmas is until the Epiphany on January 6th. We have all worked so hard and spent so much money to do these beautiful decorations, leave them alone. Enjoy and entertain until the 6th. In my next blog installment, I will give you great ideas on what to do after the tree is down. until that time, enjoy the season.

Dining Room Ideas for the Holidays

It is not too late to do a mini makeover of your dining room before Thanksgiving. I love doing dining rooms in particular. I love the use of color in these spaces. I also love that they are a pop room in a home and should be just a little more bold than the rest of the house. Navy dining rooms have been trending for a while now and I still love that look. Wallpaper is back in again and it is the perfect room to use paper in. Lighting is key in a dining space and one should make sure there is enough light in this space. Sconces are fine, but really don't give off much light. In a smaller dining room a chandelier may be enough light. In larger rooms you may have to have additional sources of light. For more information on this topic just go to www.hunterdonchamberradio.com and then click on Modern Design. You can listen live at 2-3pm E.S.T. or on the podcast dated 11/15/17.

Last minute painting ideas before the holidays

Nothing is more transformative than paint. It is one of the least expensive things you can do to a room that will give you the most impact. Take a look at your holiday photographs over the last couple of years. Does everything look exactly the same? Why don't you change it up a little this year before
the holidays and paint. Colors have changed a lot over the past few years and we are seeing much more blues, grays and dark charcoals. Trim paint is also getting much whiter. The jewel tones of burgundy, gold and green are looking dated. Why don't you consider a navy blue dining room. All shades of dark blue dining rooms are trending on popular social media site. Perhaps you want and accent wall in dark charcoal gray or a wall with the new trendy chalk board paint to reveal the holiday menu. We only have a few weeks left before it all begins. Give it a try, remember its only paint. For more Ideas on paint go to www.hunterdonchamberradio.com and then click Modern Design

How to mix antiques into a modern home

I very often see antiques being underappreciated or overlooked totally. The best looking homes are balanced with a combination of new and old things. Right now with the trend towards modern design people seem to be pulling away from items with a history. Antiques have and always will have a place in decorating your home. Old road signs and commercial things are perfect in a modern home. The eclectic mix makes your home individualized. On Wednesday 10/11/17 The Modern Design Radio Show on WHCR-DB in Flemington will have Susan Nercker as a guest. Susan is the co-owner of Ye Olde Antique & Curiosity Shop. Go to www.hunterdonchamberradio.com and tune into Modern Design live this Wednesday 10/11/2017 from 2-3pm. You can also listen to the show on our podcasts. You will be able to call into the show  @ 908-237-0410 and talk about your experiences using antiques in a modern world!!!

Fashion Lighting

I have become intrigued by all the new shapes and looks in lighting. The shapes are now endless. We see a lot of new lanterns without glass. We see orbs and bigger pieces with mixed metal finishes. There is a lot of chrome, nicked, iron and yes even a new white gold finish. A new light fixture could not only change the look of your room, but can add additional lumens and make your space brighter and more functional. For more information on this and other topic listen to Modern Design on WHCR-DB live Wednesday's from 2-3pm  or listen anytime on our podcast. Got to www.hunterdonchamberradio.com.

Transition to Fall

I can't believe it is almost here folks, but it is Labor Day weekend!!! It is sad but exciting at the same time. Fall brings us wonderful things like pumpkins, gourds and cider. It is all how you look at it. I love decorating for fall and the best place to start is outside your home. Because I have 2 stores, I have to be a little ahead of the curve so I was in the garden centers this week looking for inspiration. This year I am using coxcomb. It is a plant I have spoken of before. It kind of looks like a velvet lasagna noodle. It comes in oranges and burgundy and is very fall. Ornamental gourds and unusual pumpkins are key this year. White pumpkins will trend. The combination of purple and orange is always a favorite.  Finally try fall pansies. Orange pansies are hardy and will last beyond Thanks Giving. For more information on this topic tune in to Modern Design on www.hunterdonchamberradio.com at 2pm today or on the podcast anytime.

Kid's Rooms

More and more parents are hiring me to design their children's bedrooms. I find that so funny. When I was growing up I did not have a say in what my room looked like. Times have changed and today kids have voices. There seem to be trends that often surprise me. Boys always seem to pick the color green and like themed bedrooms. Girls are more likely to pick a shade of blue that boys. Often the blue is a periwinkle or purplish blue tone. Girls are much more interested in storage and closet space for their clothes. For more information on this topic tune into Modern Design Wednesday live at 2-3 pm est.