Interior Design Articles by Carole Marcotte

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

All the modern design in Palm Springs inspired my highlights reel below. Modernism Week crammed a lot into ten days and I toured as much as possible. This modern design mecca provided so many takeaways, inspired future design work and just made everyone so darn happy.  Even while waiting in long lines, everyone wore smiles and seemed genuinely delighted to be there. Nostalgic, design geeks abound. Living Rooms Each living room varied and didn’t necessarily represent a strict interpretation of… Read More

I am in a tizzy with the vast amount of modern architecture I’ve seen this past week. Modernism week did not disappoint but this year I saw more examples of modern architecture than ever before. I toured condominium complexes centered around a pool, classic commercial buildings and grand homes evocative of the Palm Springs lifestyle. While modern architecture is a movement with various definitions and complex ideas, it’s interesting to consider the influence on the United States. First of all,… Read More

I think decorating with red should happen wherever and whenever possible. Of course, I am a little biased since red shows up in my own home quite a bit. I love the warmth that red gives as part of an overall decorating scheme. There are different ways and approaches to decorating with red. Decorating with Red Walls Take for example our client’s powder room below that sports bold, red wallpaper. We used this warm persimmon red paper since it also… Read More

After the last blog about home decorating ideas, I thought you’d appreciate some no cost decorating tricks.  You can attack these decorating tricks today with basic household tools and a little time. Reexamine your existing decor for a new, improved decorating scheme. Think of it as retooling what you already have while correcting some common mistakes. 1/ Art Hung Too High Art should generally be hung at eye level which is around 57 to 60 inches on average. This provides the… Read More