Construction Update & Sneak Peek

View from Kitchen to Family Room

Things finally seem to be moving along with our new house, which is under construction just across town. The hardwood floors are being laid, and most of the trim is in place. Our deck is also mostly finished, and interior painting and tile installation are up next. Here are a few snapshots from the past…

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(Color) Scheming In Our New Home

Benjamin Moore Citrine AF-370

If you’ve read some of my older posts, you know I (with my husband) am knee deep in building a new house. I’ve spent so much time picking all of the fixtures, materials and finishes to ensure that our home will have “good bones.” I’m only now starting to eke out into the world of…

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Animal Prints

Scalamandre Wallpaper - Powder Room by Liz Caan

This post is not about animal prints. Well, not exactly. It is and it isn’t. It’s about prints of animals, not the prints on animals. There, glad we cleared that up. Today, the New England Home Design Blog featured rooms and commentary from  fellow Newton-ite (and fabulous designer) Liz Caan, including this powder room, which inspired the post. The…

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Going Up: Stair Runners

Staircase Designed by LDa

I’m beginning to think about what to do with the main stairs in our new house, which is (still) under construction. I know that, for reasons of safety and aesthetics, I want to do a rug runner from the first floor to the second floor, but I’m unsure on just about everything else – color,…

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Not My Cup Of Tea…Or Is It?

Miles Redd Dining Room

We all have them. Pet peeves. Pre-conceived notions. Things we passionately hate about “bad” design. It’s different for everyone. Some people loathe wallpaper, in general. Others can’t stand the sight of shiny brass hardware, or an overstuffed recliner. Everyone is entitled to their opinion – and we all have the right to love where we…

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6 Tips For Painting Your Nursery

Testing Paint Colors

This post is for all you expectant parents, grandparents, and interested friends and family who are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a precious little one!  One of the most exciting parts of anticipating a baby’s birth is creating their special room in your home. Oftentimes, this involves repainting. It’s the easiest, most basic way to…

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Your Help Wanted: Powder Room Mirror

Powder Room Design

Today, I write not with advice or observations, but with a request for assistance. Don’t worry – it’s a fun one :). Our new house has a teeny-tiny powder room on the first floor. I want to have some fun with it, but my fun is somewhat limited by the lack of space. My biggest…

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A Gothic Revival

Gothic Revival Board

Whether or not you realize it, Gothic motifs are everywhere in contemporary design and furnishings. I guess you could call it a Gothic Re-Revival of sorts. Whenever you see a quatrefoil (super hot right now), pointed arch, or a flying buttress (not likely 🙂 ), that’s Gothic. It can be a little dark and dreary,…

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20 Great Paint Color Names

So…I’m on a bit of a color bender of late. It’s awfully hard not to be when you are eating, sleeping and breathing it, as well as taking a class in it this summer. I’ve begun to hoard things like fan decks and giant-sized paint chips (and no, I didn’t eat them as a kid…

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Automagic Color Schemes With Chip It!

Udaipur Lake Palace color palette

Ever witness a scene, or see a picture that had amazing, beautiful color that inspired you in some way? If you are a design professional (or enthusiastic amateur!), you’re always on the lookout for this type of inspiration – perhaps for a unique, fresh color palette for your own space or a client’s. I’ve been…

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