Happiness is like a cozy home - it's warm, inviting, and designed to make you feel good. And just like how interior design can spruce up a drab living space, it can also improve your mood and overall happiness. So, let's get started on designing your happy place!
 
First up, color psychology! Who knew that a coat of paint could be the ultimate pick-me-up? But it's true, warm colors like yellow and orange can evoke feelings of happiness and energy, while cool colors like blue and green can create a calming and soothing atmosphere. Incorporating these colors into your home décor can create a positive and joyful environment. I painted one of the walls in my bathroom a delicate pink and I absolutely love it, I would however recommend against going for neon pink, unless you also plan on incorporating flamingos into the décor.   
 
Now, let's talk about natural light. Have you ever noticed how the sun just makes everything better? It's like a natural energy boost that leaves you feeling happy and alive. But, if you're living in a dark basement apartment, don't worry, you can always invest in a few artificial light sources that mimic the sun. Just don't go too overboard, unless you want your home to look like a tanning salon or are planning on growing weed…
 
Next up, decluttering and simplifying. Let's face it, clutter and chaos in your living space can create stress and anxiety. Plus, if your home looks like an episode of Hoarders, you may scare off potential dates. So, it's time to Marie Kondo your life and get rid of everything that doesn't spark joy. Simplify your living space by removing unnecessary clutter, organizing your belongings, and creating a streamlined design.
 
Incorporating natural elements and biophilia into your home design can create a sense of calm and connection to the outdoors. Adding plants, flowers, or even natural materials like wood or stone can bring a sense of peace and tranquility to your living space. 
 
Last but not least, personalizing your space. Adding personal touches to your home can create a sense of comfort and happiness. Displaying personal photos, artwork, or sentimental items can make your living space feel more like home and create a sense of nostalgia and happiness.
 
In conclusion, interior design plays a significant role in creating a happy and positive living space. By using color psychology, natural light, decluttering, bringing nature indoors, and personalizing your space, you can create an environment that promotes feelings of joy, relaxation, and contentment. Interior design is definitely  a fun and creative way to boost your mood and overall happiness. So, go ahead, put on some tunes, grab a glass of wine, and let's get decorating!

So, what's a clutter-bug to do?
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First of all, you have to acknowledge that your clutter may be an emotional issue. Maybe you're holding onto that stack of magazines because one day you’ll actually get around to reading them, even if you haven’t found the time in the last 25 years. Or maybe you're keeping that old t-shirt because you're afraid of letting go of the past, or fear there won’t be enough for clothes in the future, and thus affirming lack. Whatever the reason, it might be time to confront it head on.

Our take on clutter, or decluttering to be precise, is more on an intentional and energetical level, and from experience (as someone who definitely has a hard time getting rid of things), clutter clearing with intention can work wonders for your space and your mindset. So if you're feeling overwhelmed, don't hesitate to reach out for help. Just think of it as a little spring cleaning for your soul.
 
In conclusion, clutter can be more than just a physical problem - it can also be an emotional one. But with a little bit of humor and a lot of determination, you can take the first step to overcoming your figurative and literal clutter, and reclaim your space. So go ahead and set sail towards that decluttering voyage - your inner hoarder will thank you for it.

If you need a little push getting started, check out our lowercase woo-woo consultation in our services or contact us.

It is not as farfetched or uncommon as one would hope, at least not in my house, as well as in Montana where we live. Of course this is an exaggeration to illustrate a point, yet many husbands and wives and other type of domestic partnerships, and even roommates face similar situations.

​What is one to do?
 
Combining husband and wife and different interior design styles can be a challenge, but it's also an opportunity to create a space that truly reflects both partners. look at it as a fun, even if a tad challenging task, as combining elements from various design aesthetics will help you create a unique and personalized space.
 
Here are some tips to help you achieve a successful blend of tastes and styles:
 
Identify the dominant style or common themes
Start by determining which style you want to be the dominant theme in your space. This could be the style that you are most drawn to, or the one that is most practical for your lifestyle. Look for common themes and elements in both design styles. For example, if both partners prefer clean lines, neutral colors, and natural materials, focus on incorporating these elements into the space.
 
Pick complementary styles or create zones
Choose styles that complement the dominant style and work well together. For example, a traditional style can be complemented by a touch of modern, or a bohemian style can be complemented by a touch of industrial. If one partner prefers a more traditional look while the other likes a more modern style, consider also creating separate sub-zones within the space.
 
Create a color palette
Choose a color palette that ties all the styles together. Use neutral colors such as black, white, cream and gray as the base and add pops of color from each style, however make sure it is a limited color palette. Too many colors can detract and make each piece in your room feel like it stands alone.
 
Mix and match
Mix and match furniture from different styles to create a cohesive look. For example, you can combine a traditional sofa with a modern coffee table or a bohemian rug with an industrial pendant light. Combining elements of both design styles and personalities can create a unique look that reflects both partners.
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Use art
One of the wonderful things about using art  in your design is that it can be used to combine a variety of interior design styles. Add an abstract or modern art piece to a room of traditional furniture or pair a landscape with modern furniture. In fact, mixing it up a bit keeps the room from looking too uninspired or stiff.
 
Use accessories
Use accessories such as throw pillows, curtains, and artwork to bring together all the different styles and tie them all together. Choose items that have elements from each style and place them in strategic locations to balance the space.
 
Experiment with texture and patterns
Different textures can help bridge the gap between two different design styles. For example, if one partner prefers a sleek, modern look, add texture to the space through plush rugs, textured fabrics, or woven baskets. Another option is to choose a unifying pattern.

Watch Size and Scale
A word of caution:  pay close attention to scale and size. A giant overstuffed chair will look terrible in a room full of delicate feminine pieces. Keep items similarly sized and scale-friendly.
 
Consider compromise
Compromise is the key when combining two different design styles. If one partner is unwilling to compromise on a certain aspect of their design style, find ways to incorporate that element in a different way. One good way to do this is to make the oddball into the focal point.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to create a space that both partners love and feel comfortable in. Be open minded, and have fun experimenting with different design elements until you find a style that works for both of you. Remember, the key is to create a harmonious balance between all the elements.

It’s important to spend on the areas that matter most. If you were our client, this is where we would tell you to invest in:
 
Countertops:  Functionally, your countertops can take a beating on a regular basis. You want something that will hold up and look great for years to come. Aesthetically they’re one of the first things people notice when they walk into a kitchen. If you ever sell your home, high quality countertops are always desirable.

Cabinetry:  If replacing, our advice is to go with a mid-range cabinet box and door. Splurge on soft closed hinges and glides, and full extension drawer slides: Once considered a luxury, they are becoming more common and a great selling point. If your cabinets are in decent shape or you can’t replace them at the moment, consider refacing, re-staining or repainting them.

Hardware: You’ll be touching your cabinetry hardware every single day, so go for decent quality. Hardware reinforces whatever style you're going for and makes a difference in the final look of your overall design.

Faucet: There's a big difference between the most affordable and the most expensive options, at least from a quality standpoint. Go for mid-range with a stainless-steel body, ceramic disc valve, magnetic spray, pull down design, and reliable, touchless on and off capabilities (a function that is fantastic to have in the kitchen).

Lighting: Under cabinet lighting not only serves an important function as additional task lighting for your countertop, it also provides a beautiful ambiance to a kitchen. If you have an island or a breakfast nook, take the opportunity to select statement lighting for the area that reinforces your kitchen style.
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Quality cooktop or range: Unlike the oven, which typically gets used infrequently by most homes, a cooktop is often the true workhorse of the kitchen, and is typically one of the longest lasting appliances as well.

​And finally, an honorable mention goes to the sink: While you can save a lot of money and get a decent quality stainless steel sink, sometimes a sink really does make the design, such as a farmhouse sink in farmhouse, English country, French country, modern French, and cottage kitchens. Replacing the sink down the road is quite difficult, so better to spend on a quality sink upfront.
 
All these areas carry a big design impact. Many of them have a great ROI and more importantly, will make you love your kitchen even more, whether it's cooking, entertaining, or whichever activities you enjoy doing in your kitchen.

​Final word: If remodeling is not in the cards for your kitchen in the near future, consider a time and cost effective kitchen refresh, which can be done in a short amount of time and at a relatively small investment. Many parts of a kitchen refresh can be DIYed. If you need some friendly advice or a nudge in the right direction to get you started on your kitchen transformation, contact us for one of our design & décor services and consultations.

So excited to kick off this new blog series called “Shop the Designer Style”. Here we'll provide a peek into some of our favorite projects and the inspiration behind them. We'll share tidbits about the people these rooms were designed for, and best of all, our designer sources to buy curated looks for your own space. We'll also share our favorite designer finds such as statement pieces, furniture, art, accessories and décor to help you style your home like a pro.​ ​​

The idea for the color scheme for this SoHo living room design, came up while strolling the cherry blossoms in Central Park, on a trip to New York City this spring. So lucky to have witnessed this fleeting splendor on an impromptu visit!

​Vanessa is a French expat who has lived in Manhattan since the early 2000's. She is 38 and works for a large international bank. She has a small dog named Fifi, and just bought a loft in SoHo. Her career is very important to her, but she’s dating, and her new priority is to find “the one”. She reads French Vogue and Elle Décor and loves visiting the glamourous showrooms in the New York Design Center, on 200 Lex. She reached out to us for help decorating her new apartment, not because she lacks a sense of style, but because between work, dating and Fifi, she simply doesn’t have the time. She's the type of person who values their time over the cost, and has worked hard for that privilege.​​

The reason we are sharing so many details about Vanessa's life is because our approach to designing people’s homes is custom tailored and bespoke. It's important for us to get to know the people we design for, so we can create a space that reflects their true personality and the things that are important to them. 

Additional elements we included in the room such as these pieces can be found in our online Designer Boutique.

Do you have any thoughts on our process, the design of this room, the color scheme or the art and décor choices? Let us know in the comments below!  Contact us if you are interested in any of our design services and don't forget to like and share this post if you enjoyed it ♡.