Just in case you grow jealous of my beautiful new old house, I must tell you the ugly truth. Like so many things in life, it gets worse before it gets better. Sometimes a lot worse. Because we have to replace all the old galvanized pipes that are rusted and full of...
It's a new year. And hey, it's even a new decade! And while many things are continuing along the same path as they have been in my life, one BIG thing is changing. We bought a house. And it's not JUST a house. It's an over 200-year-old, history-steeped, federal style...
I've been specifying paint colors for about fifteen years, and I've found there are a few specific colors that are the most difficult paint colors to choose. Why would some colors be easier/harder than others? The answer is complicated, but the truth is that four...
Bathrooms and kitchens are the spaces in our homes that most show their age. Creating a classic bathroom design that will be both lasting and "modern" can be a challenge. Design trends are fickle beasts, and choosing the right finishes can leave you overwhelmed by all...
I devote a day a week on social media to a simple question: This or That? Rather than me always telling you what I think or might choose for a project, I want to know what YOU think. And boy, do you tell me! This little design opinion poll is quite popular, and I...
I recently attended Benjamin Moore's 2020 Color Forecast event in Nashville. Presented by my regional designer rep, Candice Carter, at the House Beautiful Whole Home Concept House, the lecture was about the history of paint color in residential settings. As a devoted...
Since I am known for painting the ceiling a different color, I am often asked which ceiling to paint and what color to choose. Like many of the often-asked questions in life, the best answer depends on several factors. If you are considering painting the ceiling a...
I'm excited to share with you the best dining room table EVER. It is in the MOST BEAUTIFUL, MOST FANCIFUL, MOST FUNCTIONAL room in the House Beautiful Whole Home Concept House that I toured last week! Let me show you all the yummy bits of Chenalt James' design: How do...
This week I was invited to attend an invite-only media preview of the 2019 House Beautiful Whole Home Concept House, which is featured in the November issue of the magazine. These kind of showhouses are so inspirational, and I'm dying to share the top trends I saw...
Benjamin Moore announces its 2020 Color of the Year, and it's a blush pink. You may call it "millennial pink", which is what it has been called since Pantone chose it as their 2016 Color of the Year (or at least as part of its duo, explained here). And since...
