Did you know that 40% of the paint sold in the United States is to correct PREVIOUS color mistakes? Yep. It’s true. A common error people make is selecting the paint color first and then making decisions about the remainder of the room. Although I ALWAYS recommend paint color last, this isn’t always possible. For […]
What to Look for in a Quality Sofa
At a recent client presentation, I explained the importance of furniture construction and my client turned to me and said “You know, that’s what no one talks about anymore…..quality.” It’s true. We’re bombarded with low prices in the race to the bottom with Wayfair, Overstock, and Ikea. People think Restoration Hardware is high quality because […]
Decorating for clients with asthma or allergies
Spring allergies are here! Since we spend a third of our lives in bed, it’s best to create a sleeping environment that supports our health and wellness. This includes minimizing pollen and allergens that, unfortunately, accompany the flowers that have started to bloom in my lovely corner of Vermont. Because I have bedrooms on my […]
Design Trends from High Point Market 2019
Earlier this month I attended what those of us in the industry call “market.” It’s the largest furniture trade show in the United States and it’s open for 10 days a year. If you have worked with me, you know that I fully embrace our motto of “MODERN LIVING. TIMELESS DESIGN.” We believe in the […]
You’ve got problems and we’ve got solutions
I just booked my flight for High Point, North Carolina. For those of you unfamiliar with High Point (often referred to as ‘Market’ by those of us in the industry), the town that hosts the largest home furnishings industry trade show in the WORLD. It is over 10 million square feet and has roughly 2000 vendors. […]
Interior designers aren’t interior decorators
Last fall a high school student, Sara, joined the RHI family as an intern. She is incredibly smart and dedicated; in fact, she’s the valedictorian of her class. It is a privilege to have her on our team. To prepare for Sara’s internship, I mapped out a variety of lessons that I believed would […]
Working with an interior design firm
Earlier this month, I made a presentation to a civic organization sharing how working with an interior designer will save a client time AND money. Working with a full-service interior design firm allows a client to work on everything at once. We create a cohesive plan which includes: creating a floor plan, selecting flooring, designing […]
My TOP bathroom upgrades
Are you thinking of renovating a guest bath this year? Consider adding one or more of these elements that we’ve employed in recent projects. They add a touch of luxury and are gratifying upgrades. Under-Vanity Lighting is a great way to soften light but it’s also highly recommended for clients aging in place. Plus, your […]
Why ‘European’ is synonymous with good-quality
People frequently ask me what HGTV show(s) I watch for inspiration. I don’t. WHY not, you ask? HGTV has only one job: to entertain. My design colleagues and I are frustrated by the propagation of unrealistic budgets, free labor, bad design, absurdly short timelines and the proliferation of the belief that ‘cheap is good.’ So, what […]
Creating a bedroom retreat
There are two aspects of creating a bedroom retreat. Did you know that we spend over a third of our lives in our beds? The bedroom is where we greet the day and where we return for refuge at night. Our bedrooms should provide respite and these tips will help you create a cozy little […]