interiors for families

Slipcovered Furniture: Family-Friendly or Not?

I see it all the time. Furniture retailers and designers (famous ones, too!) alike lauding the merits of slipcovered furniture as a great solution for busy households with kids and pets. source You know what I’m talking about – best typified by the many slipcovered sofas and chairs at Pottery Barn. Is a slipcover … Continue reading »

10 High-Style Storage Ottomans

An often-suggested furniture piece for families with young children (or, just a lot of stuff!) is a storage ottoman or bench. I have to admit, it’s not an item I’ve personally recommended to many clients or friends, but I have used them in my own home. They have their limitations – chief among them is … Continue reading »

Black + White Bathrooms

Bathroom projects are among the most common renovations people undertake in their homes. They can be exciting, but also stressful. Aside from possibly having to adjust your everyday personal hygeine rituals during the course of construction, and dealing with ballooning budgets and slipping schedules – you’ll need to commit to specific not-inexpensive and not-flexible materials … Continue reading »

Berkshire Home and Antiques

There’s something about going on vacation that just seems to shake the cobwebs from my imagination and open my mind to new ideas and inspirations. I blogged a great deal during my trip to Newport last summer, and this year we are encamped in the Berkshires, overlooking the campus of our beloved Williams College (I … Continue reading »

“Secret Cove” Decorator Show House in Kittery Point, ME

Of course, I had to pick the only rainy day in July for my visit to coastal Maine. But the soggy weather and my directly-related bad hair didn’t put a damper on my day – I was there to see the “Secret Cove” Decorator Show House in Kittery Point. Presented by, and supporting Museums of … Continue reading »

Old House Love

With all apologies to the eponymous Young House Love bloggers, I just have to write a bit about some Old House Love – for the one my husband and I now own. We haven’t moved in yet, but the prior owners moved out this week. I have to say, now that the house is completely … Continue reading »

Inside the California Paints Plant

Today I had the opportunity to tour the plant at the headquarters of California Paints, which is located just a half an hour away from me in Andover, MA. I’ve long been a fan of the brand’s historic color collection (organized by period – so helpful!), developed with Historic New England. In fact, I picked … Continue reading »

High Point Spring 2013 Color Roundup: GREEN Edition

As a color-oriented decorator, I tend to see color first and other details like line, scale, proportion, etc. after that initial impression of hue. Since color is an important element in retail and showroom design, it was a pretty good bet we’d see some great combinations and palettes at High Point Market. And we did. … Continue reading »

Family-Friendly Finds at High Point Spring 2013 Market

I attended High Point market this past weekend for the first time. Although I was only there for a whirlwind day and a half visit, I can’t believe how much I accomplished, learned, saw, enjoyed, and was inspired by. It is an experience like none other! One of my primary objectives in going to market … Continue reading »