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“If every house tells a story, each entry hall is an opening chapter. And nothing makes you give up on a book faster than a boring introduction.”

 Jan Showers  -Glamorous Rooms

My 5 Foyer Essentials:

1.  Dark rug made of a durable material. Protects against slips and falls and helps keep the rest of the house clean.

2.  Console/Table. A place for keys, mail, etc.

3.  Coat rack if you do not have room in your entry closet for a visitor’s coat, scarf & hat.

4.  Seating. A comfortable place to put on or take off shoes.

5.  Big mirror.  Check your look before you head out the front door. Also makes the space feel larger and reflect light.

The bedroom is often last on the list when it comes to deciding on a design. But it is a very important space…it can be a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everything, and a room you can really enjoy.

To decide which elements are essential to creating a master bedroom that is conducive to relaxation and a good night’s sleep, think of a luxury boutique hotel room. What makes it feel so relaxing and wonderful?

1. Boutique hotel rooms always feel uncluttered and clean. This is essential to creating calm.

2. There is usually a calming and serene, but contrasting color scheme: dark wood furniture paired with white or light neutrals. Tone on tone…no bright colors or flowery prints.

3. You are surrounded by luxurious fabrics and textures: satin, silk, velvet or suede.

4. They use the highest thread count sheets and the softest, fluffiest pillows. Isn’t it so wonderful to sink into a comfortable bed at the end of a long day?

 5. There is a sleep zone and a separate relaxing zone with reading chair(s), additional lighting and small table…a place to rest a book, or a glass of water.

6. There is always a little bling: shiny metals and glass/crystal .

7. The furniture goes well together but is not a matching set.  Window coverings don’t match the bedding.

There is an element of luxury and sophistication to this style that is very appealing. It is neither masculine nor feminine. It has all the necessary appointments without any of the clutter. Take some (or all!) of these ideas and bring the feeling of a luxury boutique hotel into your bedroom!

If you are looking for a quick & easy alternative to wallpaper and paint, you may want to consider the newest form of wall art: wall decals. The designs are printed on a reusable vinyl with a special adhesive that sticks to walls without hurting them. Super easy: peel and stick! They add a whimsical touch…playful, fun, and modern. Let’s look at some…

If you have a dated bathroom, here are tips to give it a fresh, spa look. I’m not talking full-blown bathroom remodel here…small, affordable things that make a big impact.  I recommend many of these ideas when I stage a home for sale.

The first step is to clear off the counter tops and bath/shower stall of all clutter/bottles and put it all in a pile. Next take everything out of your drawers and cabinets, and add to the pile. Wipe down your drawers & cabinets.

Now go through everything, item by item, and discard everything you haven’t used in 6 months or more. Keep only the must-haves and organize by category and place in baskets or clear organizer trays & bins. Place these in the drawers & cabinets.There should not be anything on the counter top (we will add things to the counter later).

Next, wash all surfaces.  Scrub the grout and tile clean with special cleanser. Everything should sparkle.

Now you are ready to make improvements!

Depending on what your bathroom needs, here are some ideas…

-paint the walls a soft grey/blue

-paint dated oak cabinets white

-add new cabinet hardware

-replace dated lighting

-add a frame around your wall mirror

-add a new shower curtain, towels and bath mat. White makes it most spa-like

-add hotel style towel rack (holds tons!) if space permits

-replace dated sink faucet

-remove all plastic accessories and replace with natural materials such as teak, bamboo,  glass and metal

And last, place decorative glass jars with cotton balls, guest soaps,  etc., on counter, along with  candles and hand towels. I like white.

I just love collections of framed photos on a wall.  Lately, I have been on a black & white photo kick and am having a lot of fun displaying them in my own home. A wall of framed photos can be done in several ways. Here are a few tips.

If you have a common element, you can have different shapes and sizes can still create a cohesive look. For example,  If you have all black & white photos, the frames can be different colors. If the photos are in color, I prefer to stick to one color frame to avoid visual chaos. Also, a grouping of all one color frame will read more clearly as a whole, while a set of mix & match frames will create a more eclectic look.

Create a large imaginary square or rectangle around the frames for a more graphic and symmetrical look, but vary the frame sizes. Or, decide on standard spacing between each frame (1-2 inches), as this maintains balance, but looks more organic. Controlled random!

The center of your photo display should be at eye level (between 60-66”). Most art galleries keep art at 62″.

Before putting nails into the wall, lay out the pictures on the floor.

Photo frames can also be placed on ledges

When designing a room from scratch, I almost always start by helping my clients choose an area rug. Rug selection is a great starting point for establishing the color scheme and basic direction.  It is also a large element in the room and can have a lot of color, pattern or texture, and it is easier to find and coordinate other pieces to work with it rather than the other way around. After the rug has been chosen pull colors out of the area rug to coordinate the upholstery fabrics, paint colors and other accent pieces.  And there you have it!

Candice Olson is my favorite tv design personality. I love the distinctive rooms she creates for her clients. This year she put together a collection of her favorite neutral paint colors by Benjamon Moore and I thought I would pass them on to you. They are beautiful!

1. Nimbus Grey 2131-50-a cool gray
2. Grey Mirage 2142-50-a misty gray/green
3. Pale Oak OC-20-a light beige
4. Niveous OC-36-a classic cream
5. Cloud White OC-130-baseboards, trim & ceilings

With summer just around the corner, it’s time to think about outdoor spaces. One of my favorite structures is the pergola.

Whether it’s al fresco dining you want or an outdoor relaxing space, a pergola provides a beautiful focal point and creates the feel of an indoor room. It defines a space. There are so many possibilities and benefits that make a pergola really special.

You can have beautiful climbing vines intertwining on it. Wisteria, clematis, rambling rose, even grape vines. Outdoor fabric can be draped over top to create a shaded & sheltered space. Flowing curtain panels are another addition if you’d like a private, more intimate feel.

You can hang string lights or hang an outdoor chandelier for night time enjoyment.

A pergola creates a wonderful outdoor entertaining space, as well as adding beauty, character and romance to everyday outdoor living.

Everyone knows the importance of curb appeal when you are selling a home. Here are ten tips to be sure you make a great first impression.

1. The lawn must be green! Lots of water & fertilizers usually does the trick, but you may need to call in the professionals to have it beautiful as soon as possible. It also needs to be mowed & edged.

2. Trim overgrowth that covers windows, block a path, or touches the house.

3. Pull all weeds.

4. Power wash decks, patios, windows and anywhere you see cobwebs, mold or dirt.

5. Remove all lawn ornaments, such as gnomes & flamingos.

6. Remove old play structures or anything that looks like it is past it’s prime. Replace faded cushions on the outdoor furniture with new ones.

7. Plant some colorful annuals and place fresh mulch on all the flower beds.

8. If you have a patio or deck, create a back yard living room to play up the increasing trend to outdoor living.

9. Create a back yard eating area. On the day of a showing, stage an outdoor table setting with pretty table cloth, pitcher of lemonade (actually water with a few drops of yellow food coloring!) and glasses.

10. If you have a front porch, create a seating area with wicker furniture and colorful pillows.

Design ideas are all around. For me, sometimes it’s a fabric, a piece of art, paint swatches…anything really. Sometimes, as a starting point, I’ll take a client to stores that offer furniture & accessories displayed “vignette” style, where items are grouped together as they might appear in the home. It helps me understand which rooms my clients are drawn to so we can reinvent a version of it for their homes.

Crate & Barrel pioneered showing furniture in vignettes, and it really shows how to pull things together… great color combinations, and the importance of art & accessories.   Restoration Hardware, IKEA, Z Gallerie, CB 2, Pottery Barn, and West Elm are some other national chains that offer this. These stores have a wide range of styles and can be found in most metropolitan areas. It’s worth subscribing to the catalogs if you don’t have them in your city.

Another good source for inspiration are interior design magazines. I really like House & Home (Canadian publication), Metropolitan home, Elle Decor, and House Beautiful.

So…go find your inspiration!