SOME OF OUR DESIGN ADVICE FAVORITES!

There’s a lot of “content” out there! We know – when it comes to keeping up with design advice about trends and what makes good design, we get overwhelmed too. Here we’ve picked some of our favorites in the “design advice and inspiration” category, to help cut through some of the noise. Hope it’s helpful!

15 Wallpaper Words Everyone Should Know – Schumacher

If you’re awash in a sea of wallpaper terms, this little glossary has got you covered. The only wallpaper term or category we don’t see here is “peel-and-stick” wallpaper, which makes sense since this is Schumacher’s blog written for professional interior designers, and they don’t manufacture that kind of DIY-oriented wallcovering. But overall, this is very informative!

Contrast Trim: Subtle and Statement Looks – The Indentité Co.

If you’re thinking about getting the woodwork in your home painted something other than white, the photos in the post will inspire you to see new possibilities. Even if you just try this in the common areas of your home (living room, dining room, kitchen), it can really elevate the design vibe of your overall space.

Guide to Kitchen Cabinet Styles – Windermere Real Estate

Trust this Seattle real estate company to write a useful, comprehensive guide to kitchen cabinet styles! Defining everything from Shaker to raised panel cabinets, full-overlay to inset cabinets and everything in between, this guide answers questions you didn’t know you had about cabinet types.

Lacquer Finishes and Why Designers Love Them – Modern Matter

We’re in love with all the bold and colorful lacquer finishes in this post by designer hardware maker Modern Matter! These high-gloss cabinets and built-ins are just stunning, and are exactly the kinds of cabinet painting projects we love doing. I don’t normally share a post by a design vendor or supplier, but this one was too pretty to pass up!

Interior Designer vs. Design Influencer – Styleberry Creative

Why is it that sometimes people who post on Instagram are willing to share their interior design sources, and sometimes they’re reluctant? With Instagram and Pinterest being the go-to interior design inspiration for so many, it’s so tempting to ask where to find those fabulous light fixtures or cool bar stools. But there’s a good reason why many posters don’t freely give out that information. Read this insightful post by Shawn Percival of Styleberry Creative to find out why!

Instagram Etiquette for Interior Designers – the Identité Collective

The post reminds us about the nuances of sharing content on Instagram (and Pinterest as well). Interior designers and photographers earn their living from their work, and it’s not only poor form to fail to give credit, for example, it’s damaging to the offender’s reputation as well. This thorough post by Anastasia Casey of the Identité Collective explains some important do’s and don’ts

How to Decorate a Living Room – Houzz

I found myself nodding in agreement with the points in this article. My favorite, after all the suggestions on using scale, pattern, conversation groupings, etc: don’t try for such perfect order that anything out of place will stick out like a sore thumb. A good read!

How NOT to Decorate around a Dark Neutral Sofa – Maria Killam

Another great post by Maria Killam with the kind of basic interior design principles I wish everyone knew. If you have a dark gray or dark brown or taupe sofa, and especially if you like dark, cozy colors, read this post!! It’ll help keep your space from looking dismal and bland.

Is Brass Out? How to Mix Metals like a Pro – Maria Killam

This useful post has some great examples of mixed metals in bathrooms and kitchens, and distills this common dilemma into some basic principles, so you can make your plumbing and lighting choices with confidence! Great stuff in here.

Do’s and Don’ts for Installing Accent Tile – Maria Killam

When it comes to basic, elemental design advice distilled to its core principles, Maria Killam is one of the best. Here’s another of her informative blogs, explaining the do’s and don’ts of using accent tile in your kitchen or bath. Blogs like these can save us all from making very expensive long-term mistakes!

Magazine-Worthy Kitchens Cannot be Easily Copied – Maria Killam

Maria Killam’s post examines this gorgeous Nina Farmer kitchen, featured in House Beautiful, and explains why you shouldn’t try this at home without expert guidance! (We’re also tickled by this post’s feature of a fabulous kitchen by Haven Design & Construction that we worked on as well, as seen on our Kitchens Before & After page!)

How Paper Moon Painting Took Part in the One Room Challenge – The Pillow Goddess

We were delighted to be part of Better Homes and Garden’s One Room Challenge by painting these kitchen cabinets for Deborah Main, the Pillow Goddess in Austin, TX. Here’s her blog on the whole process, including some impressive before-and-after photos!

COVID-19 Update

SOME OF OUR DESIGN ADVICE FAVORITES!

15 Wallpaper Words Everyone Should Know – Schumacher

Contrast Trim: Subtle and Statement Looks – The Indentité Co.

Guide to Kitchen Cabinet Styles – Windermere Real Estate

Lacquer Finishes and Why Designers Love Them – Modern Matter

Interior Designer vs. Design Influencer – Styleberry Creative

Instagram Etiquette for Interior Designers – the Identité Collective

How to Decorate a Living Room – Houzz

How NOT to Decorate around a Dark Neutral Sofa – Maria Killam

Is Brass Out? How to Mix Metals like a Pro – Maria Killam

Do’s and Don’ts for Installing Accent Tile – Maria Killam

Magazine-Worthy Kitchens Cannot be Easily Copied – Maria Killam

How Paper Moon Painting Took Part in the One Room Challenge – The Pillow Goddess

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