Interior Design Articles by Carole Marcotte

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

An interior redesign day, where we restyle our client’s existing decor, provides great satisfaction to clients and us. Design That Tells Your Story. We rewrote our tagline recently and it especially rings true in our interior redesign work.  We tell our client’s story, sifting through their collections to best reflect their life.  The Archeology of Interior Redesign I feel like an archeologist when performing our redesign services. Before a redesign day, I worry a lot about displaying the heart of… 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

After working with a variety of clients, I’ve compiled some home decorating ideas that we use in our design process. Our process always begins with an initial consultation in our client’s home. This meeting allows us to discover the client’s style, lifestyle and how furnishings function in their home. Using this information, we make a plan to incorporate their existing decor and purchase new pieces, only if necessary. I’ve listed these home decorating ideas in a specific order to help… Read More

This is my favorite time of year to go through the house. Decluttering your home need not be intimidating, if you attack it bit by bit.  When putting away the holiday decorations, I crave a more decluttered space. First of all, I go room by room and assess general, visible clutter but also dig deeper for hidden things. My bullet list follows “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” so, as a result, decluttering your home takes on a sustainable approach. Suggestions include… Read More

It’s that time of year…time to reveal the 2019 interior design trends. You know I hate these kind of lists because I eschew anything trendy, preferring  the classic and timeless.  However, you can incorporate these interior design trends with a nod to longevity and a fresh spin on timeless design. Here’s my take on interior design trends that will stand the test of time. Glossy Walls I LOVE lacquer. While this interior design trend seems a bold choice, there’s something… Read More

I don’t entertain on a big scale anymore but prefer more intimate gatherings, using holiday tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years. This safety net of holiday tips alleviates the anxiety I begin to feel mid-November. It’s all about the people I love and want to spend time with, not the fuss of preparations. Sorry, Martha. 1/ Plan Ahead I review the December calendar,  spend a lot of time replying no to things I don’t want to do, and… Read More

I returned last night from Phoenix after a spellbinding architectural tour, largely focused on the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright. North Carolina Modernist Houses offers a dizzying array of tour opportunites each year. This one appealed to me since I could tempt Mr. F&F to join me with the promise of desert sun and golf.  So my patient hubby finally experienced an NCMH tour up close, after years of my long-winded architectural tales. This tour which comprised mostly Frank Lloyd Wright inspiration,… Read More

My recent Minimalist Interior Design blog got me thinking about downsizing your home and what that entails. The process of downsizing your home makes you somewhat of a minimalist since you are purging possessions to make the move. Downsizing is different for everyone and really is a function of lifestyle choices. First of all, how much do you want to downsize your home? How much will you give up? Do you want to travel more? Finally, are your kids ready… Read More

I like a good idea. And I love a great idea that helps with organization. But I especially adore these sixteen ingenious ideas for the home that make updates easy and stylish. I constantly read shelter magazines, sourcing design ideas for clients. Sometimes  shorter, informational articles that highlight the latest home gadgets catch my eye. I don’t, however, always get to address these ideas with clients as we mostly focus on design details. But what makes me happpiest in my… Read More