Fall in the Midwest is one of my favorite seasons - crisp, clear days and nights that can be enjoyed outside for a few sweet weeks. Entertaining during this weather likely means a mix of indoor and outdoor areas for guests - here are a few quick tips from around our table of seasoned hosts.
A Back-to-School Update from Rachel’s Desk
The approach of fall brings transition - back to school, resetting routines and rhythms and sometimes facing new challenges. I’m aware in new ways of how much home means to us - safety, comfort, memory and the familiar. Many of our clients are renovating, building or decorating with that sentiment as the guide as well.
Read moreWays to Personalize your Home with Travel Memories
Some of our best family memories are created when traveling. When we’re away from the everyday those moments become dear, yet fleeting. However, there are many ways to bring home those memories and use them to personalize our homes.
Read moreHow to Prepare for an Organized Home
Designing a place for everything, so everything can be in its place starts with a lot of questions. Questions about how a family lives and operates within in a home and the ways to keep the items that they use most both convenient and organized.
Read moreA Letter of Gratitude to 2022
Reflecting on our year at the studio I'm pleased to see the wide range of projects we've worked on. No matter the size of a job, the satisfaction of helping clients fall back in love with their homes is pretty great.
Family Favorite Holiday Recipes
The holidays are a time full of memories and traditions. This year, we took a minute to capture a few favorite recipes from each family and are excited to share a little bit about what makes then special in the hopes they could become something your family enjoys as well.
The What, Where and Why of Wallpaper
Wallpaper is definitely having a moment - from neutral textures to exuberant pattern and color and everything in between. Here is a quickie primer on the what, where and why of wallpaper.
Our Top Four Basement Design Tips
Creating a welcoming, fun and cozy basement is high on the priority list for many of our clients these days. Folks are wanting the basement to be more useful and more beautiful than ever. Here are a few pro-tips for getting the most out of your underground space:
Window Treatments: The Benefits of Custom vs. Retail Options
A well executed curtain or shade adds a softness and texture that highlights architectural elements and bring a finished and polished feel to a room. From custom to semi-custom to retail, there are a variety of price points on the open market to sort through, in addition to the pros and cons of each approach.
The Design Lessons Found in Nature
Recently I’ve had one of those late afternoon carpools that lands you just far enough from home that it makes sense just to bide your time until pick up instead of more drive time. I’ve been finding different local forest preserves where I can take a walk and I’ve been reminded just how much nature inspires my design work.
Read moreA Peak Behind The Lead Times in the Design Industry
We’ve spent a lot of time telling our lovely clients that their furniture, wallpaper, lighting - you name it - is backordered or delayed. If it helps you to understand the vagaries of the marketplace and how Covid has complicated the supply chain, please read along!
Read moreThe Artists that Inspire Us: Marissa Voytenko
Rachel first met Marissa through mutual friends at a holiday party years ago. After learning about her work and process, she asked to borrow a piece for our studio. We are excited to share her insights and several of her beautiful pieces here.
Read moreLiving with Color: Tips to Weave Color Throughout Your Home
When it comes to how much color you prefer to live with in your home, there are maximalists and minimalists and then a whole lot of in between. Saving the minimalist’s approach for another post, let's dive into how to use color throughout your home.
Read moreHow to Shop for Furniture: Tips Shared with Consumer Reports
Along with other interior design experts, Rachel shared her tips and suggestions to help anyone shopping for furniture and precautions for certain pieces that are better suited for seeing in-person.
Read moreHow Best to Set up your Home as the Pandemic Drags On: Interview On MPR Radio
Providing tips, tricks and insights into how to make our homes work harder for us this year, Rachel chatted with Angela Davis of MPR on her live radio show. Tune in to hear Rachel share advice on all things decorating.
Read moreThanksgiving Table Inspiration
While Thanksgiving may be a little different this year, we’re always excited to have our family around the table. For a little inspiration, we’ve pulled together a few tables that we’d love to gather around.
Read moreThe Art of Creating a Beautiful Interior While Keeping the Budget in Check
An unlimited budget is of course an interior designer’s dream - it simplifies things dramatically. No limits, the world is your oyster and you can focus on thrilling the client and hitting the timeline. But, let’s be real - nobody really has an unlimited budget - it’s all relative.
Read moreArt Selection’s Impact: An approach to bringing art into your home
Much has been written throughout history about the purpose and power of art. While it is simple to acknowledge “great” art and its importance in expressing our humanity, deciding how we bring art into our everyday lives can be overwhelming. Most of us aren’t collectors of museum worthy art, and yet we still want and need inspiring pieces to fill our walls.
Read moreHow Houseplants Can Help Make a Happy and Healthy Home
Before we jump into chatting design in the midst of a global pandemic, let’s acknowledge the stress, anxiety and uncertainty we are all living in. I truly hope reading this journal brings you a moment of inspiration, or at the very least, distraction. Know that while our team is happy to be designing, we hold space for the challenges we are all facing.
Read moreInterior Design in a Covid World
Before we jump into chatting design in the midst of a global pandemic, let’s acknowledge the stress, anxiety and uncertainty we are all living in. I truly hope reading this journal brings you a moment of inspiration, or at the very least, distraction. Know that while our team is happy to be designing, we hold space for the challenges we are all facing.
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