Interior Design Articles by Carole Marcotte

In this new Covid world, some folks will continue to telecommute and perhaps need some home office ideas for the long haul.  I temporarily set up on my dining room table, knowing it wouldn’t be permanent. It’s a pleasant place and I don’t have small children anymore or barking dogs or other noise intrusions. It has worked for me during this temporary disruption in work. Maybe you need permanent home office ideas such as furnishings that function for work, fit… Read More

Okay, it’s that time of year when I go against my instincts and share design trends for the coming year. Yup, it’s true. Catch it now because I’m generally not a trendy gal. I believe in buying what you love and finding classic pieces instead of being a slave to design trends. First up, a round-up of hot color trends for 2020. Grey seems to be fading behind the all-out design trends toward blue. I say good riddance to boring,… Read More

Hey, if Europeans are skeptical, then maybe we should pay attention, right? Of course, 100% local shopping seems unlikely in today’s world, but we can think intentionally about our shopping. Certain items might be better suited to online shopping but shopping locally presents many wonderful opportunities. 1/ See, touch and examine a product. Shopping local allows you to see, touch and consider an item. What you see is what you get, as opposed to online shopping that may not present… Read More

I am having some women over this week and thought I would test drive my Thanksgiving table. I wanted a more white than orange look and I didn’t have a lot of time. A quick trip to the grocery store, some inexpensive flowers and, in less than thirty minutes, I had a natural Thanksgiving table. I started with a brass 3-tiered pedestal piece that is a story in itself. Let’s just say it wouldn’t fit in my suitcase and I… Read More

I attended High Point this past time with no agenda but rather chose to attend some seminars and wander the showrooms. I loved roaming High Point with no schedule except for a couple educational opportunities. Absorbed by the color and feel, I visited showrooms just for fun and didn’t particularly pay attention to “trends.” I just snapped photos of things that caught my eye. First stop at High Point, Hubbardton Forge for brunch sponsored by Designers Today magazine. Enjoyed a… Read More

I don’t like the focus on “househunters” for HGTV shows. I want to see renovation or decorating when watching HGTV because, hello (?), that’s why I tuned in. When HGTV shows first started, design shows dominated the line-up. I first discovered HGTV in 1997 while visiting my sister in upstate New York and it ultimately influenced how I decorate. Decorating Cents Remember the host, Joan Steffend, and how she oversaw rooms that guest designers decorated for under $500? I LOVED… Read More

Textiles and texture in design adds so much to your room. Think about textured curtain trim or your basket collection or even the feel of towels you choose. Layering textiles and texture provide a visual and literal touch in your home. Bedroom pillows Pillows: To do or not to do, that is the question and how many. I have walked into bedrooms where you can’t see the bed for the pillows. I don’t enjoy making the bed let alone having… Read More

Or what you need to know about size, style and type of floor ideas. Floor decisions happen early in the construction phase and the choices vary, given the conditions in different rooms. Rug ideas come later in the decorating phase and things to consider include certain measurements and how they function. Sooo many floor ideas and I just cover some of the more common ones I encounter with clients. Wood you do it in a kitchen? Why, yes, I wood!… Read More

There are many lighting ideas from how lighting functions in our homes to the various lighting styles available. Lighting ideas play such an important role in design. First of all, lighting provides certain functions from ambient, mood lighting or functional reading lights or task lighting in the kitchen. And lighting really helps with the mood you want to create in a particular room. Important lighting measurements There are a few, key measurements that we use on design jobs when it… Read More

I have compiled my best interior design tips for a 7-part series over the next several months. Part One gives general interior design tips and future parts will cover specific areas from lighting to styling tips. My collection of tips grew over the years but they desperately needed sorting. Some tips include thoughts about design while others are more action-oriented. Let me know your favorites or what you’d like to see in remaining series. Don’t stress about perfection. There is… Read More

This design client came to me with a photograph of Scalamandre’s zebra fabric in a vivid red color. I told my design client they also make a wallpaper and that became our jumping off point. With only two walls in the dining room in an open floor plan, this seemed bold but not overwhelming. However, the open floor plan meant the color scheme was now red, black and white. Since we were purchasing furniture for the whole house, our inspiration… Read More

Happy Memorial Weekend to everyone! Whether heading to the beach or enjoying time at home, here’s some red, white and blue decorating to inspire you. This guest bedroom below was a catchall for extra furniture, textiles and art. With new red benches, crisp white walls and lacquered blue beds, a red, white and blue decorating scheme emerged. Now this former drop zone looks cohesive, eclectic and fun. During our redesign days, we love to play with client collections. This client… Read More

I didn’t always pay attention as a child, but my mom taught me a lot about design. In honor of mother’s day, I thought I would share what my mom taught me about design. Her inspiration snuck in through everyday living in my childhood home. Mom inspired me whether preparing the house for entertaining or planning a renovation or hunting for antiques. Her keen eye, love of art and natural elegance influenced me more than I knew at the time…. Read More

After all this rain, I assume the pollen onslaught is over. Therefore, consider it time to break out some spring tips to refresh your home. I plan to clean my covered porch later this week and sit outside again. Pollen be damned. Sometimes the pollen, rain and other spring annoyances make me forget to appreciate the other aspects of this season. So embrace some spring tips, I shall, and I hope you do too.   Sometimes making small changes around the… Read More