Color story: Not-so-mellow yellow

Now that spring is officially here after the longest winter in recent memory, we are ready to celebrate the sunshine and all things bright and cheerful! In our humble option, there’s no better way to do that than to spotlight the happiest hue on the color spectrum—yellow!

We positively adore yellow in home design: not only does it lift your spirits and brighten any space, it also is the perfect complement to each and every neutral! Gray, navy, beige, white….all get a serious style upgrade when paired with a sunny shade of yellow.

Team Bliss recently wrapped up a redesign of Aviva Psychology Services’ office in downtown Boston. We wanted to brighten up the space with pops of color and went for a bold statement with this couch in a gorgeous marigold shade.

You don’t need to commit to major piece of furniture, though, to make an impact! Even small touches—like this yellow planter—are enough to instantly punch up a neutral decor scheme.

Finding a piece of vibrant art that speaks to you is another excellent way to bring a bit of sunshine into your life!

And of course, the most noncommittal way to add a splash of yellow to your home….flowers!

If you’re sold on yellow’s smile-inducing abilities, read on to check out a few of our favorites to purchase now!

If your design mantra tends to veer into the “go big or go home” territory, we’ve got the perfect chair for you!

Meridian Furniture Jester Velvet Accent Chair, $290 at Houzz

Also not for the faint of heart: a bold printed wallpaper for an accent wall that’s anything but boring.

Folklore Print Wallpaper in Marigold, $175/roll at Hygge & West

These adorable little succulent planters would brighten up any drab work-from-home space!

Set of 2 Sunburst Ceramic Flower Pots, $23 at Etsy

Splurge on a fancy candle that will never fail to lift your spirits.

Acqua Di Parma Profumi Dell’Orto Candle, $75 at Bloomingdales

Set the right tone with a cheerful wreath to greet guests at your doorstep.

Faux Magnolia & Lemon Wreath, $199 at Pottery Barn

Pair the wreath with an inviting doormat for the warmest of welcomes!

Sunflower Welcome Doormat, $35 at Pottery Barn

The perfect piece of art for brightening dark spaces or dark moods.

Fluid Craspedia Art Print, $38+ at Minted

Have you ever seen a rug as charming as this one?

Cherry Yellow Rug, $229 at Ruggable

Cleaning up is so much more fun when you can store your clutter in basket as cute as this one.

Small Yellow Basket with Lid, $50 at Etsy

If your couch is begging for a fresh look for spring, look no further than these adorable pillow covers.

Set of 2 Yellow Dandelion Print Pillow Covers, $24+ at Etsy

The perfect accent piece to bring some cheer into your kitchen.

Chantal Yellow Tea Kettle, $50 at Crate & Barrel

Don’t forget to give your outdoor spaces the sunshine treatment!

Yellow Soleil Outdoor Accent Stool, $70 at World Market

Here’s an absolutely lovely faux floral option.

Faux Yellow Forsythia Branches Composed Arrangement, $399

These bee-print sheets would be precious in a child’s bedroom!

Organic Bee’s Knees Full Sheet Set, $99 at Crate & Kids

A modern vessel in a bold shade is just the thing to give a fresh look to any room in your home.

MoMA Raawii Strom Vase in Freesia Yellow, $68 at West Elm

We hope that now you’re feeling inspired to add a splash of yellow to your own home this spring! Whether you go all out with a piece of furniture or simply test the waters with a floral arrangement or accent piece, we’re sure you’ll agree that yellow’s mood-boosting powers are undeniable. Wishing you all a spring filled with sunshine!

~Team Bliss

Icing on the Cake: Let's talk accessories!

Sometimes it’s all about the little things, isn’t it? Of course a home needs the basics—a comfortable sofa, paint colors that sooth, the right lighting—but it’s the accessories that have the power to bring a room together and add that wow factor. Whether it’s an heirloom that has been in your family for years, a piece you picked up on your travels that brings back fond memories, or just something interesting that caught your eye on a recent Target run, accessories tell the stories of our families and bring out the personalities of our homes.

Recently I had so much fun helping a client accessorize her husband’s new home office. Like many of us, he started working from home in the spring when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and needed a permanent space that would look professional for his many daily Zoom meetings and interviews.

The space my clients chose for the office actually used to be a nursery! Their children had moved into “big kid” rooms and the space had built-in shelves already, making it ideal for a home office. After selecting a paint color to replace the baby-friendly wallpaper and moving in a desk and drawers the family already owned, it was time to focus on the fun part—accessorizing, of course!

The first step was selecting a large piece of art to hang on the barn board shiplap wall. We knew we wanted something with bold colors and this lovely piece fit the bill perfectly. We had it framed in gold with the intention of bringing in gold-toned accessories to display on the shelving.

Then, we went crazy shopping for office-friendly accessories that could stand out on the shelves and create a professional but fun Zoom background! Some greenery was a must, and I have been obsessed with the cute and affordable plants from The Sill. A miniature globe, clock, and various frames, vases, and other accents helped pull in the rich tones in the art.

The best part? I never even set foot in the client’s home for this project! Isn’t modern technology great?!? The client sent me photos of the space, and we communicated about the items over the phone and via email. When all the items had been delivered, we set up a FaceTime call so I could direct her where each piece should be placed on the shelves. Even though accessorizing.a room can seem daunting—the options are truly endless!—it’s actually really fun! And although choosing accents for a kitchen is different than doing so for a living room or a bedroom, there are still a few basic rules I like to follow for all of the spaces I style: .

1. Add some interest

This is the place to really let your personality shine through! Don’t shy away from the quirky, fun pieces that will set your space apart. If you see something unique that strikes your fancy, just go for it! Remember, if you get bored of something, accents are far easier and cheaper to swap out than, say, a sofa or window treatments.

Seal Bookends, $38 at Anthropologie

2. Shop one-of-a-kind

This is the perfect opportunity to add gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces to your home without breaking the bank. Etsy is full of hidden treasures from talented artists in every medium and style.

Crushed Speckled Ceramic Pitcher, $70 on Etsy

3. Go green

Plants are a must! If you aren’t feeling confident in your ability to keep a green friend alive, there are plenty of beautiful faux options out there too.

Aloe Plant in Terrazzo Pot, $54 at Terrain

4. Mix it up

Mix textures and materials in your design scheme to achieve an elegant, upscale vibe.

Marble & Wood Geometric Objects, $40 - $50 at West Elm

5. Get lit

Cute miniature lamps do double duty by adding a soft glow to a space while also serving as stylish accent pieces.

Joelle Mini Lamp, $262 at Regina Andrew

I hope these tips inspire you to accessorize your own spaces with confidence and flair! But, if you’re still feeling unsure and want that designer touch, you might want to check out my latest offering, a flat-rate design package (done completely virtually) focusing on accessories.

The package can be purchased on my website by clicking here, and don’t forget that I also offer gift cards (for all of you last-minute holiday gift-givers out there). Give the gift of great design to yourself or someone you love!

I wish all of you a wonderful and magical holiday season filled with joy, love, and laughter. I can’t wait to see what 2021 brings!

~Carolyn & Team Bliss

Treat yourself to a deliciously spooky Halloween

Even though this year has felt a whole lot more like a trick than a treat, there’s something about Halloween that makes me feel like a kid again! I always delight in helping my boys put together their costumes and getting my home ready to welcome trick-or-treaters. The holiday hoopla is definitely going to look a bit different this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still revel in the fun of this devilish day! You know by now that I love a festive tablescape, so why not bring the focus inside this year with a slightly creepy and totally stylish setting for Halloween dinner?

I put together this Halloween decor for a client in another—more normal—year, but in 2020 I’m really feeling a dark, moody vibe (to match our collective frame of mind, perhaps?!?) and am going with a dramatic black and gold scheme. If you need a refresher on fashioning your own tablescape, check out this past blog post first, then read on for a roundup of some of my picks for an elegant—and just macabre enough—Halloween table.

This runner sets a creepy tone with delicate lace that, upon closer look, reveals an intricate cobweb design.

Lace Web Table Runner, $10 at Target

This garland echos the eerie look of autumn’s bare trees that we have all come to associate with Halloween.

LED Light Willow Garland, $27 at Illuminated Garden

These candelabras add height and visual interest to the table (and are giving me some major haunted mansion vibes)!

Black Metal Taper Candelabras, $25 - $30 at World Market

Add in some hurricanes that are spooky enough for Halloween but neutral enough to be used year-round.

Brayton Metal Hurricanes, $13 - $40 at Crate & Barrel

How cute are these little guys? They put a smile on my face, which is reason enough to include them!

Handmand Ceramic Ghost Tea Light Holder, $53 on Etsy

A pumpkin, but make it fashion! I’m swooning over this black and gold version of the veritable symbol of Halloween.

Painted Gold Nailhead Decorative Pumpkin, $9 at Target

I can’t get enough of these guys! Who doesn’t need some skeletons doing yoga in their lives?!? Yeah, that’s what I thought!

Set of 3 Antique Gold Yoga Skeletons, $24 at World Market

Halloween dinner calls for dramatic dinner plates in glossy black with a gothic feel.

Set of 4 Midnight Dinner Plates, $30 at Grandin Road

The plates pair nicely with these slightly creepy (yet somehow…chic?) napkins!

Set of 4 Skellie Toile Napkins, $40 at Williams Sonoma

Finish off your place settings with lovely brushed gold flatware that not only fits the theme but may just end up replacing your old (definitely not as attractive) set.

20 Piece Fortessa Ashton Gold Flatware Set, $200 at Williams Sonoma

As the shenanigans of the day wind down, enjoy a libation in this festive stemless glass! After all, it’s 2020 and you’ve certainly earned it.

Set of 4 Gold Skull Stemless Wine Glasses, $41 at Grandin Road

What are you doing this year to celebrate? I’d love to see photos of your costumes, decor, and other devilish delights—tag me on Instagram at @blissful_interiors. Wishing you and your families more treats than tricks, and a safe and happy Halloween!

~Carolyn & Team Bliss

Cheers to making the most of this summer!

As summer rolls on and COVID-19 rages—along with the debate about the safest way to get our children back in the classroom—I don’t think I’m alone in saying that I could really use a drink! Everything about the future is so uncertain right now and I know that we all are trying to be creative by coming up with new ways to enjoy the season close to or at home.

Design by Blissful Interiors

Personally, I’ve discovered a love of mixology and have been whipping up my own creations after the kiddos are in bed. Trying new cocktail recipes at home is not only a fun creative outlet, but I get to enjoy the finished product too! And because I’m a believer in great design, it’s especially satisfying to pair drinks with the perfect glassware. Here, some of the drinks I’m loving this summer along with my picks for the best glasses in which to serve them!

The Cosmopolitan is a classic for a reason and Ina Garten can obviously do no wrong, so of course I turned to Barefoot Contessa for her take on the girly concoction. After a spike in popularity due to its status as the drink of choice for the main characters on Sex & the City, the drink fell out of favor for a bit and finally is making an overdue comeback—and with good reason! There’s no denying that it’s delicious (and I could never turn down a drink in such a beautiful shade of pink!) However, I recommend ditching the martini glass unless you want to spill at least a third of your precious elixir on the countertop (or in your lap, on the floor, etc.!) Instead, go for an elegant coupe cocktail glass like this one from CB2. It’s far more functional than the traditional martini shape so you can sip the night away while feeling like a 1950s movie star.

I’ve always been drawn to drinks featuring lavender on ritzy cocktail menus at restaurants and bars , so when I came across this recipe from Hunger Thirst Play I was excited to give it a try. It is a bit more complicated but I promise the end result makes it worth the extra work! Plus, you’ll feel oh-so fancy making homemade lavender syrup. It is the perfect drink for a summer evening and somehow tastes even better in an amazing glass. I love the Current Double Old-Fashioned Glass from Crate & Barrel for its modern look thanks to the freeform curves.

The French 75 is another vintage drink that I have been loving this season. Bubbles? Check! Citrusy? Check! Refreshing? You bet! This one checks all the boxes for everything you could possibly want in a summer cocktail. This recipe from Cookie & Kate is the perfect classic version, and there are also plenty of variations for when you’re feeling experimental (the elderflower version is next on my wish list!) I prefer sparkling drinks in a traditional champagne glass, and this one from Anthropologie is like a dream. Gold rim + blush pink ombre = total swoon!

Have you been mixing your own drinks this summer, or taken on any other fun DIY projects? I’d love to hear what you’re doing with your time at home! Hang in there and stay safe, everyone!

Cheers!

~Carolyn & Team Bliss

An outdoor oasis for your summer at home

Hello and happy (almost-official) summer! After being cooped up in our house for what felt like ages, we are spending as much time outside as possible and loving every minute of soaking up the sunshine! I don’t know about you but the gorgeous weather we’ve been having is definitely giving me a more positive outlook on things, even though our summer plans this year look a little different than usual. Parks, beaches, and restaurants are starting to slowly open up again but the reality is that many of us are still spending a whole lot of time at home—and naturally, we want to take advantage of our outdoor spaces!

Recently, a client came to me because she wanted to get her deck in shape for summer. It’s a fabulous area for relaxing and enjoying the great outdoors, but space is limited and she wanted a design that would take advantage of every inch so she and her husband can entertain guests and host casual bbq dinners al fresco! As the “before” photos indicate, the current layout doesn’t lend itself to effortless hosting and needed some rearranging.

In the new layout, I moved the grill closer to the door for ease of moving in and out of the house with food and added a console table directly across for serving. The righthand section of the deck is reserved for the seating, including a bistro table and chairs, rocker, and bench. All of the furniture I selected is small and lightweight so that it is easy to shift around depending on whether my client is having company, doing work at the table, or relaxing on the bench with a glass of wine! We also decided to spruce up the deck with a new dark wood stain and paint the railings a nice clean white. A rug adds extra color and coziness, and the one I chose is reversible for an easy way to switch things up.

After the major elements were nailed down, it was time for the icing on the cake—accessories! Because they are set apart from the rest of your home and its color scheme, outdoor spaces are the perfect place to be daring with bold colors and patterns. I mean, how gorgeous are these plates? Maybe they wouldn’t work as your everyday dinnerware, but they hit all the right notes for a fun summer gathering! The whimsical doormat and mismatched pillows add to the cool, bohemian effect. I love to include lots of green in the outdoor spaces I design, so in addition to two planters I added the herb planter that—bonus!—attaches to the house, thereby saving additional space. Finally, these beautiful lanterns will add a nice ambiance when the sun goes down.

I can’t wait to see how it all comes together, and hope my client spends many, many hours relaxing, laughing, and toasting good friends on her deck this summer. Have I inspired you to spruce up your own outdoor space for summer? I’d love to see photos! And, as always, I’m happy to help or answer any questions you have—get in touch at carolyn@blissfulinteriordesign.com. Stay safe this summer!

~Carolyn & Team Bliss