With some of the big decisions out of the way, it was time for my favorite part of any project, selecting specific implementations, finishes, colors, and products. While I love this phase, my clients often find it paralyzing and overwhelming. Lucky for me, in this collaboration I wasn't being asked to discuss the relative merits of Smokey Taupe vs Stone Hearth for a wall color - look them up and you'll see what I mean - but rather helping target striking punches of color to c

I just prefer mine on a wall. I’m talking about blankets, and fabrics, and tapestries … oh my. Every home has at least one problem wall. It’s that looming blank space that begs for something interesting. Anything. It’s usually a big space. And typically in one of the main rooms of the house. So, you have to see it every day. Just as you can revitalize a worn chair or couch with creative, vibrant blankets, so too the wall. Many clients don’t warm to the blanket trend until I s

Need inspiration? Look up. “Tradition” says the ceiling needs to be white. It also says you can’t wear white after Labor Day or drink red with seafood. So when you’re considering painting your room, don’t forget the fifth wall – the ceiling. There are so many ways to make this work beautifully. You just have to figure out the effect you want to create. Do you love the color you’ve selected for the walls and want to envelop yourself in it, creating a warm, cocoon-y feel? Pain

That's what I heard recently, in spades, as guests entered our home last weekend for my daughter's graduation party. We've steadily transformed our eighties-beige & oak (with a touch of mauve) home into a kaleidescope of color and creativity and modernity. Even those friends who think deep taupe is a radical departure from, say, warm taupe -- not kidding, they are actually Pantone colors -- love the space. Most interesting are the men. They check out my vibrant-pink ceilinged

I love a good red. Say ... a cab, merlot, montepulciano, or even a syrah. In my glass. In my home ... not so much. So when Pantone released their 2015 "Color of the Year" -- marsala -- I was less than enthusastic. Recent years have featured emerald and tangerine tango ... and this seemed like a step to the dark side. But whether you like it or not, the design/decorating industry will respond. 50 shades of marsala will be the new norm. For those who don't know, marsala is