High stress levels, brought on by our busy personal and professional lives, can contribute to a multitude of negative health effects like fatigue, poor immune system, muscle pain, headaches, and more. Having an area in your home to retreat to and alleviate these symptoms will leave you feeling prepared to tackle the day. Read More
As an interior designer in Lake Tahoe, I work with a lot of clients who own vacation rental properties. This includes everyone who caters to weekend AirbnBb”ers,” week-long VRBO”ers” and summer-long renters. Designing vacation rental spaces, in whatever form they may take, is a bit different than designing spaces for full-time residents. Read More
Wall-mounted flat screen TVs are everywhere. They are being installed in family rooms, bedrooms, home gyms and offices, laundry rooms, playrooms and kitchens. And why not, with their falling price points, even 80” flat screens are now within reach. Read More
It’s officially spring! The season of transformation and renewal. As flowers start to blossom and days get longer, we feel more energized in our daily activities. This makes spring an ideal time to deep clean and refresh our homes. Cleaning and adding spring décor will surely brighten our homes, creating an interior that embodies the true essence of the changing season. Read More
I know that in the past, I’ve written about the need to rebel against interior design rules. However, there are a few key “rules” that we designers actually adhere to. It’s not because we follow the rules. We clearly don’t. It’s because these rules actually lead to practical, functional and efficient design. Read More
Utilizing reclaimed wood in design is the ultimate in upcycling. Reclaimed wood is processed wood retrieved from its original application for purposes of subsequent use. In other words, it’s already served a purpose in a previous life and is being given new life. Read More
Interior design rules are meant to be broken. In fact, many of the most inspiring spaces are ones that have done so with boldness and daring. There used to be an unfortunate adage that came out of the 80’s that said, “Don’t mix your metals.” Well, I’m happy to say that it’s time to get rid of that antiquated advice! (1) Read More
A house is not just a home; it is also an investment. And, like other investments, it requires upkeep to maintain and even increase its value. Repairs need to be made and improvements and renovations are required to stay current with design styles, trends and colors. Read More
Japan, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, Morocco, Madagascar, Belize, Western Europe, and beyond….I am extremely lucky to have traveled to some of the most beautiful and intriguing areas of the world. But, there are so many more places to see and explore! Each country/city/location has its own unique design. Local artisans craft some of the most exceptional pieces. Read More
What is a lamp finial? A finial is a decorative ornament that fastens a lampshade to the lamp base. This is the designer’s technical term for what many call a “lamp knob,” “lamp thingie” or “lamp doohickey.” All of these terms mean the same thing. But, whatever you choose to call it, the finial is a prime example of how detail plays an important role in design. Not all lamps require finials, but they are a great way to add decorative interest to your lamp and should tie the overall appearance of the lamp together. Finials can be used on floor lamps, table lamps and sconces and come in a myriad of shapes, sizes and colors. Read More
