Blog

Decades ago, iconic American interior designer Dorothy Draper said: “The Drab Age is over. Color is coming into its own again.” The declaration is as timely now as it was then, especially for this homeowner. She, her husband and their two kids share one full bathroom...

While many homeowners are attracted to bright colors, I often find my clients are most concerned with making sure the palette in their home feels “livable.” After all, a color you love in a stunning photo may not be a color you will love to see on your walls every...

When the mercury rises, houses without air conditioning can get stuffy and uncomfortable, making it difficult to relax, eat or sleep. Even if you have air conditioning, you may want to save energy and use it sparingly. Try these tricks to cool down your rooms during...

This yard in west London had always been cherished by its owners. “They really loved it,” landscape designer Peter Reader says. “It’s a strange triangular shape and quite quirky. It has areas of woodland too — unexpected in London — and they loved the atmosphere in...

“How much storage space do I need?” The trick is to assess what you own and decide how you will store it for convenient access. Carefully consider this challenge because poorly organized spaces often become daily irritations, impeding the pleasure of being at...

One of the ways you as a home professional can attract new clients is to showcase your work with appealing photography. David Duncan Livingston, a top interiors and architectural photographer based in the San Francisco Bay Area, has years of experience photographing...

Designers love powder rooms. That’s because these small, intimate spaces offer an opportunity to incorporate a surprising color or pattern that might not work for the rest of the home. Here, designers share the adventurous details they included in six new powder...

Built-in bookshelves, saturated color schemes and plump armchairs create cozy spaces made for enjoying books. Searches for “book nook” are up 69% this year, while searches for “reading corner” increased 45%. Whether you have so many books you need a rolling library...

Find out which option is the ideal partner for your shower-bath combo. If you don’t have the space (or budget) for a separate shower enclosure and bath, you’ve probably decided on a combined shower-bath. But should you go with a shower curtain, or choose a glass...

Listening carefully, not overpromising and being transparent with homeowners can help your projects run more smoothly. Trust is important in any professional relationship. Home remodeling pros need the trust of their clients to work effectively and complete standout...

In a compact yard, it can be tricky to provide sunny and shaded spots, but there are ways to do it. Take a look at these seven gorgeous examples to see how to create a cool-off zone in your own little outdoor space. 1. Create a Green Canopy In this courtyard, climbing...

To recharge your batteries, think about what you want to do, not what you have to do, during your precious respite. So often we look forward to the weekend, but once it arrives, it gets swallowed up by errands and chores — and before we know it, it’s over. That hardly...

A client’s budget and their perception of the value your firm offers can have a huge impact on whether they hire you — and it can affect your professional relationship as the project progresses. That’s why it pays to follow these simple steps to make sure your...

The dog days of summer are upon us. With intense sunlight streaming over our gardens, we’re reminded of just how brutal it can be in the heat. The tricky part is that spots in the garden that are hot now may be less so at different times of the year. Good landscape...

A family’s yard in Southern California was due for an update.  Principal designer Sacha McCrae helped them add curb appeal with plants, pathways and an inviting sitting area in the front yard of their corner lot. McCrae describes her clients as warm, lovely and...

Adding storage components to an entry can help corral items before they clutter up a home. Including lively color and pattern can help set the mood for the rest of the home. You’ll find great examples of both approaches in these stylish mudrooms. 1. Blue-Green...

From the first days, which probably still feel like summer, to the last, when you may notice that first chill in the air, September is a time of transition. Get your home ready for the season ahead by ticking off these to-dos, from adding cozy layers to scheduling...

A bathroom wet room combines a separate shower and a tub in the same area, allowing water from either element to be contained in one location, often behind a glass enclosure. This setup looks great and can save space and improve accessibility for people with mobility...