Granite Countertops
Renovating kitchens requires that you know a little something about countertops. Here is what I’ve learned over the years…….although laminate has come … Read more
Wallpaper! It’s back and it’s awesome.
It’s not your grandma’s wallpaper anymore. I’m talking about the new designs in wallpaper, particularly peel-and-stick wallpaper. It comes in a plethora … Read more
Small design changes, big impact
You don’t need to take down walls or build a big addition to make your home more functional or get the storage … Read more
Kitchens islands, to be or not to be
Since Hurricane Florence tore through our city I’ve been hard at work putting flooded homes back together. Sometimes it’s just giving advice, … Read more
Pantone’s Color of the Year 2019
…is Living Coral. As with last year’s choice of “Greenery,” I applaud the use of bright, cheery colors that are meant to … Read more
And now for the trends of 2019
Much like the trends that are going away, the trends making their way into your living rooms this year are all just … Read more
Design trends that should go bye-bye in 2019
I love this time of year, the time of year when the “powers that be” decide what design trends are done. Most … Read more
Joy with Color!
I recently was sent a video of the designer Ingrid Fetell Lee talking about Joy and how it can be achieved in … Read more
Spare bedroom done! Sort of.
Let me start this post by saying the only way I get my husband to finish anything is to invite guests and … Read more
Progress continues slowly after Hurricane Florence
So where was I before Flo hit town????? Oh yes, I was remodeling a spare room. In the midst of my remodel … Read more
After a short break I am back at it
I never really take a break, but after the kitchen trials I decided to leave Shawn alone for awhile and just tackle … Read more
Sometimes you just need a different perspective
I recently received a request from a client to come take a look at her living room and provide some direction. Now, … Read more
Brighten a living room on a budget
So before I start, when I say “budget” I mean that there is one, not that it is done cheaply. We all … Read more
Look up! Ceiling Design
I don’t often get asked to design a ceiling. Let me rephrase that: I have never been asked to design a ceiling; … Read more
2018 Design Trends
It’s January so of course every design magazine, website, and furnishings retailer are touting the new design trends for 2018. I wrote … Read more
Custom furniture
Below is a cube table Shawn built for a client in New Bern. We frequently have clients that see something in a magazine … Read more
An update on “My Old House”
I said I would post pictures as I moved through the renovations in my new old home. Of course, I thought it … Read more
Another custom-built cabinet
Custom cabinetry is not for everyone. In fact, it is not for many people, but if you cannot find what you want … Read more
Faux beams, are they for you?
Should you install faux beams? You see them all the time in photos in magazines, they look great, add some architectural detail … Read more
Built-in bookcases and media wall
We have been busy fabricating custom built-ins for the couple we just finished the kitchen for. They are such lovely people, I … Read more
Home trends: just the bad and the ugly!
I just read an article in Elle Decor listing 30 outdated home trends they hope never come back. Besides being a walk … Read more
