Not every project needs dust, debris, and months of chaos. An easy kitchen makeover can transform a home with smart choices and a fresh eye. Skip the sledgehammer—focus on finishes, fixtures, and details that make the difference. We renovate kitchens and baths all the time, and experience has shown us that a few minor updates can be the perfect solution.

The Elms Newport Mansion, a French chateau inspired Gilded Age estate in Rhode Island, features historic home design, formal gardens, and HBO filming ties. This type of historic home design is what happens when you have too much money in 1901 and a taste for France. Architect Horace Trumbauer modeled the house after Château d’Asnières, then wrapped it in Indiana limestone so it would basically last forever.

A stroll through Bristol, Rhode Island, reveals the kind of architectural inspiration that makes this a must-visit for any New England historic home designer. A quiet waterfront town just north of Newport—about an hour from Boston if you’re lucky with traffic. I take projects throughout New England, and this one landed me in a place I hadn’t explored before.

A closer look at architectural details that define historic home design in Boston’s Back Bay—from classic brownstones to one-of-a-kind standouts. Famous for its architectural rhythm—block after block of brownstones, bay windows, and mansard roofs, all standing neatly in line like a (very fancy) army. But take a closer look, and the rhythm breaks—in the best way.

During a recent client meeting, I launched into a full explanation about window treatments. People understand the basics—privacy, light filtering, and sun protection. But as a decorator, I see them differently. Beyond just functional, they’re visual anchors, adding warmth, color, texture, and scale. They soften hard window frames and act as large-scale art.
That’s why we never skip them. In fact, we don’t take on projects where clients won’t budget for window treatments. Yes, they’re expensive, but also essential.

Last week, I joined a smart and lively crew on Boston’s South Shore to talk about fine art in interior design. The South Shore Art Center hosted the panel, led by Executive Director Patrice Maye, following a striking new installation featuring two local artists: Alyssa Fortin and Curtis Speer. I joined the conversation alongside Kelly Netishan and Christina Godfrey—two powerhouse women who know their way around a gallery wall.

Lately, I’ve been posting all things Los Angeles—places to eat, spots to browse, standout interiors showrooms, notable historic homes, and a few visits to homes by Schindler and Frank Lloyd Wright. But this post shifts from buildings, boutiques, and restaurants… to the people. Specifically, the people I met during a week of panels and presentations at Design Los Angeles—and more importantly, the books they brought with them.

Join me on a Los Angeles historic homes tour with stops at three landmark houses: Hollyhock House, Kings Road House, and the Ennis House. From early modernist design to bold geometry and layered texture, these homes still influence how we think about space today. Between vegan meals and boutiques, I squeezed in a few landmark buildings—and this tour was totally worth it.

We just photographed this new construction beach house, finished last summer—but we held off sharing it until the good light returned (translation: no winter shrubs or grey skies). The extra time gave us room to sort out window treatments, hang art, and layer in the final touches. The photos are in, we’ve sent them off to a few media outlets, and now we wait—cue fingers crossed, and maybe a group manifest. We’re proud of this one…

It’s been a while since we shared progress on our K Street project, and while we’ve shared updates on Instagram, the journal posts have been quiet. With six weeks (ish) left in construction, it felt like the right time to offer a peek. This brownstone renovation leans into classic architecture and timeless materials—always our favorite combination. As historic home designers, we’re always balancing restoration and reinvention.

There’s no shortage of design in West Hollywood—Los Angeles shopping and dining at its finest. WeHo has some of the coolest restaurants, brunch spots, and coffee shops around. Every meal (or break from design meetings) offered plenty of inspiration. Beyond strong Americanos and great cocktails, I was drawn to the hospitality design and retail environments—spoken like a true former commercial interior designer.

LA is full of contradictions. A city, but sprawling like a suburb. Industry-driven, yet business deals go down in flip-flops. Full of both grit and glamour; famous, yet somehow still faceless. What I learned is that LA’s architecture is hyper-varied: One block with a Spanish Colonial Revival, the next Craftsman or a Mid-Century Modern. What LA does best is to tuck it’s architectural gems into places you don’t expect.