From settling down in a more permanent spot, to joining forces with some type of life partner, to simply aging out of Ikea, there are a multitude of reasons we all eventually transition to that “seeking higher quality furniture” stage of life. But what do you do when your furniture budget hasn’t quite yet transitioned along with you? 

Now that the world is starting to open back up, we’ve been getting the itch to travel again! How about you? To help you plan your next trip — or maybe just to encourage a little bit of daydreaming — we’ve rounded up a list of ten of the most swoon-worthy boutique hotels in some of our favorite destination cities across the globe.

When it comes to a home design project, there’s nothing quite as exciting — or as daunting — as tackling a kitchen. And after almost ten years in the business, with just about as many kitchen projects now under my belt, I’ve learned a thing or two about what it takes to make this central hub of any home as functional as it is beautiful.

As someone who primarily focuses on interiors, it always feels like a rare and special treat when my design work has the opportunity to spill across the threshold to the exterior of a client’s home. These projects are most often focused on things like patios and pool rooms, but today I get to share a fun before and after for a completely different type of project — a new porch addition!

If Marie Kondo made you throw everything away in 2019, left only to be sitting alone in a stark, minimalist apartment for an entire year during the pandemic, chances are you’re at least somewhat open to exploring a “more is more” approach for a more energetic and inspiring space. Here’s how to do it the right way.

A few weeks back, we hosted a fun “Ask Me Anything” through our Instagram stories (Currently saved in our "Fun Stuff” highlight reel in case you’d like to take a look!) where we got to answer many of your questions on topics ranging from paint colors to mixing patterns. As expected there were a few repeat questions, and it got us thinking about the handful of questions Interior Designers always seem to get.

Even if April in Pittsburgh can be a little bit dicey, we can take solace in knowing that warmer temps and sunnier skies are right around the corner. That means it’s time for the great indoors to finally spill back out into the great outdoors as we reclaim our dormant yard space from Mother Nature!

I’m sure you’ve heard it mentioned before that kitchens and bathrooms have some of the greatest impacts on a home’s resale value, and that’s for several reasons.  For one thing, you spend a ton of time in these rooms. They need to be as functional as they are beautiful. Second, they are anything BUT evergreen, meaning our collective design tastes and styles are more likely to change faster than the actual hard materials and fixtures in place degrade and need to be updated. 

In this age of online discount codes, two-day delivery, and instant gratification we’re all more than a little suspicious when it comes to paying the full sticker value for just about anything. I mean, there’s a reason the “S” in “MSRP” stands for “suggested,” right? Now don’t get me wrong — I love a bargain as much as the next gal, but my time and experience in this industry have taught me there’s a painful amount of truth packed into the old phrase “You get what you pay for.” 

Today I’m excited to share with you a recently completed outdoor space I began working on in the spring. These are previous clients of mine and I was so happy they asked me to come back and help them outfit their patio. Outdoor spaces are one of my favorite areas of the home to design. I love the idea of outdoor living and how it can expand the usable space of your property. Its versatility presents a wide range of uses. Relaxing, dining, entertaining, playing, and heck even an outdoor home office - whatever you need it to be!

The concept for a master bedroom has evolved greatly over the years, what was once just a place to sleep has now turned into a more complex multipurpose retreat. 

A question I often get asked is “Can you mix different wood tones?” and my answer is always “Yes!” Naturally, their next question is “Okay, but how?!”  Today, I’m going to share with you four easy steps to mixing wood tones. Try not to think of these as hard and fast rules, but more as guidelines to follow. Combining different wood tones is not just for the pros. By keeping a few things in mind you can achieve a beautiful, cohesive, and intentional look! 

Today, I thought I would talk to you about some common misconceptions the general public often has when it comes to working with an interior designer. Like I mentioned in a previous post 25 benefits of hiring an interior designer, there are a few myths floating around about what it’s like working with a full-service interior designer. I’m here to debunk those rumors and hopefully set the record straight by providing some honest insider information!

We grow up with books. Beginning with picture books, we advance to textbooks, then move on to a wide variety of books we read for pleasure. One thing that never goes out of style is a great coffee table book!  

 With each individual business adopting a different design process and the way they operate, it can be somewhat overwhelming to find a relationship and system that works well for you, the client. The relationship between the client and their designer is super important!  The client is asked to grant a significant level of trust to the designer in a relatively short period of time.   This is not lost on a designer. They understand the uncomfortable feelings that could come along with handing over some control of the aesthetic of your home and personal budgetary information.

If I had to rattle off 10 or so items I’m always on the lookout for as far as home decor accessories go these would be my top picks. Whether I’m looking for a client, or just browsing for myself, these are the items I tend to gravitate towards when I’m styling a home or an individual room.

There are a lot of ideas floating around about what exactly interior designers do.  What services do they offer? What should you call them? Why should you pay someone to help you pick out furniture? Well, the thing is you don’t have to!

When I start working with a new client I usually walk into a space and see the potential of what it could be.  Not in a judgmental way! I’m not picking apart what is wrong with the cosmetics of a house or room so much as I immediately begin to visualize how this space can be best utilized for the homeowner.