Design inspiration for a kid's bedroom both you and your child will love!

As an interior designer, I get so much satisfaction out of seeing any of my visions come to life in a finished space. It is a magical feeling that never gets old! I often get asked if I specialize in a specific type of room or space or if I have a favorite. The short answer is no….but I do have to admit that I really, REALLY enjoy designing bedrooms for children!

I think that part of the reason I love them so much is that they give me a chance to indulge my whimsical side and choose fun pieces that might not work in any other rooms in the home!

However, I strongly believe that children’s rooms can be fun and playful without being babyish, and still incorporate beautiful design that fits in with the look and feel of the rest of the home.

I should mention that this same concept can be applied to playrooms as well! I absolutely adore this tree bookshelf, but I think we can agree that it probably wouldn’t make sense in any other room besides one meant for children! It adds a magical element to the room that showcases amazing design for everyone in the family to appreciate and enjoy.

I had the best time on this recent project, designing a “big girl” room for a toddler who was ready to move out of her nursery. It was important to me to make sure that the room could grow along with her and not need a redesign in a few years!

One of my favorite elements of the room is this custom shelving that my client and I worked with a contractor to design and build. They are a great space-saver with lots of storage, and also the perfect place to showcase charming accents like this unicorn bank and gazelle planter.

Some of my other favorite features of this room are the gorgeous crystal flushmount light fixture, floral accents in different textures, and collection of silhouettes of the room’s little inhabitant! I often create these silhouettes to give as gifts to friends and family, and I thought that capturing this sweet little girl at this stage of her life would be an adorable addition to the room.

This is the mood board for another child’s room I’ve been working on. The client needed my help because she had decided on an outer space theme for her toddler son’s room and had purchased a few items she liked but didn’t know how to pull it together. I chose this incredible star and tree wallpaper for an accent wall to go with the dark blue paint that was already in the room, and with some adorable space-themed art, twinkling moon light, and the cutest bedding ever the room is coming together beautifully. It is a great example of how you can incorporate your child’s personality and interests in a bedroom but still keep the overall effect elegant rather than babyish. I can’t wait to share photos of the finished room!

If you’re looking to redecorate or refresh your own little one’s bedroom, I would be delighted to help you create a space with as much sparkle and personality as your child! Whether you have a vision or don’t know where to start, together we will construct the perfect room that will continue to bring you joy as your child grows.

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year! I love the excitement and possibility that a brand new year brings, and I’m looking forward to sharing more of my projects and decorating tips with you throughout 2020!

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For as long as I can remember, the holiday season has been my very favorite time of year. The time spent with loved ones, excitement of giving and receiving gifts, and magical feeling in the air have always made it a treasured occasion, and now that my wedding anniversary and both sons’ birthdays fall between Thanksgiving and Christmas…well, let’s just say that I am feeling downright jolly these days!

I suppose it goes without saying, then, that helping clients get their homes ready for holiday celebrations is an absolute joy for me. Maybe it’s all the glitter and sparkle, maybe it’s the happy memories of helping my mom decorate my childhood home, maybe it’s the looks on the faces of a family seeing their home lit up with the soft glow of twinkling lights! Whatever it is, I get so much enjoyment out of holiday decor and truly believe that even without a professional decorator, anyone can put together a truly beautiful space to enjoy throughout the season.

Choosing a decor scheme can definitely feel overwhelming when the stores are brimming with garlands, ornaments, lights, bows…etc. etc. etc.! I always advise my clients to narrow things down by choosing an overall color and/or material they love and building from there. For example, the family whose lovely home is shown in these photos wanted a preppy, New England vibe to match their personal style. Together we selected this red and black plaid fabric and pearls to guide our decor scheme.

Christmas decor is largely centered around lovely greenery, so selecting a tree and style of garland that you love will set the tone for the rest of your decor. If you are able to invest in high-quality garland, I definitely recommend doing so! Your family will enjoy it for years, and it will make everything else you choose seem more expensive. The one here on the banister and the one over the mantle both have battery-powered LED lights built in, so it adds that magical twinkling glow without extra cords and clutter. And, as with all design, it’s all about the layering and textures here! We used the ribbon, pinecones, and red magnolia stems to create a look with depth.

You can see how the same plaid ribbon makes an appearance throughout the decor scheme for a consistent look. I especially love adding ribbon on a Christmas tree. This allows you to hang all of the special ornaments that your kids made or were passed down to you and still maintain a cohesive feel by keeping the look tied together throughout the home.

I also love to leave some room for fresh greenery whenever possible! There’s nothing like the aroma of pine filling your home to really put everyone in the holiday spirit. Here, I added it to the chandelier for a simple but special touch.

One important thing to keep in mind is that you don’t want your year-round decor to compete with your special holiday items. Definitely plan to temporarily store any of your usual accessories that don’t coordinate with the rest of your scheme.

And, on the flip side, anything that does work can absolutely be included. My client had various books in her holiday color scheme around her home so we decided to use them to display some of her favorite holiday pieces!

Seeing as Christmas is the coziest of holidays, you should absolutely plan to include your cozy blankets and candles into your holiday decor! I love swapping out pillows for fun seasonal ones, and this family’s faux fur throw happened to integrate perfectly into the overall look.

I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas, and I look forward to helping you with your design needs in the new year!

XOXO,

Carolyn

Adventures in DIY

Even if you aren’t always up-to-date on the latest trends in the home design world, I’ll bet you know that “DIY” and “Upcycling” are big buzzwords right now! With the debut of home organization guru Marie Kondo’s “Tidying Up” show on Netflix earlier this year, the concepts of clearing clutter and repurposing what you have are hotter than ever. I had a fabulous time recently as a guest on the “Upcycling with Deb” podcast hosted by Deb Colameta, an author, consultant, and professor who I am also proud to call my friend! We had a great chat about decor and she has inspired me to reconnect with my love of home organization, upcycling, and DIY projects. Click here to listen.

One of my favorite repurposing projects is actually in my very own home! When we moved in to our 1940s Cape Cod-style home a few years ago, I was taken with many of the charming details of the house—but some were pretty impractical for our modern lifestyle! Take, for example, this ironing board closet in the kitchen:

It definitely was not something I could see being a useful part of my life! Instead of allowing it to be an eyesore in my kitchen, I had a vision and decided to turn it into a something I would use every day…a spice rack!

We removed the door, did some repainting, added shelves and…ta da! The most adorable way to display spices and keep them organized and easy to find while cooking.

My conversation with Deb also reinvigorated my desire to a complete another DIY project I’ve had on the back burner for awhile. (Hey, life happens, right?!?) Another interesting detail of my home is this phone shelf and cabinet (remember the days of landlines?), and I have envisioned us turning it into a charging station for our ultra-modern smartphones!

I’m super excited to get this project wrapped up and move on to another! Is there something in your home you’d like to repurpose but don’t know where to start? I would love to help! Send me a note and we can brainstorm to come up with the perfect DIY solution! Happy upcycling, everyone!

Falling in love with these new decor finds

Ah, Fall…it’s officially here! I don’t know about you, but I am happily clutching my PSL and wrapping myself in a plaid scarf while lighting my favorite apple cinnamon candle and arranging a basket of gourds in my entryway! Cliche or not, I love the change of seasons, the chillier temperatures, and the beautiful colors that come along with it. This is the perfect time for a few simple decor updates that will make your space feel cozy and inviting! I’ve chosen a few of my favorite decor items below…whether you pick just one or splurge on them all, you will surely “fall” in love with your home’s fresh new look.

Are you as excited as I am to snuggle with this ultra soft pillow while catching up with the latest on Netflix? I’m partial to the rust color as it integrates beautifully into many color schemes. Whatever color you choose, it will bring a new element of texture and coziness into your living room. (Makura Faux Fur Pillow available at Anthropologie, $68-$98)

Oh my…these colors! Isn’t this wreath absolutely breathtaking? It is the perfect thing to welcome guests into your home this season. I love the mix of many different elements and textures, all in the most amazing color palette for fall. (Fall Abundance Wreath available at Williams Sonoma, $80)

Can you think of anything more perfect than cuddling up with this blanket and a glass of red wine in front of a cozy fire? I love the thick knit and creamy color of this particular throw, but faux fur is a great option here too! (Overlook Throw available at CB2, $129)

I envision these giving a lovely glow to a patio or other outdoor space on a chilly fall evening! They give off such a dark, romantic vibe that is just a touch spooky and an elegant upgrade to the traditional Halloween decor. (Constellation Hurricanes available at West Elm, $19 - $69)

Here is another gorgeous option for your outdoor space! These would be perfect for lighting up a walkway. (Mira Rustic Bronze Lanterns available at Pottery Barn, $99 - $269)

I could not resist this cheeky little doormat! The subtle nod to Halloween is festive without being over the top. (Hand-painted doormat available at West Elm, $42)

Monogrammed pumpkins are one of my favorite fall trends! Whether you go for a faux or real pumpkin is up to you; simply paint it your favorite fall color or leave it au naturale and slap on one of these for the cheapest and chicest way to update your front porch this fall. (Personalized Vinyl Monogram available from EtchCraft on Etsy, $8 - $28)

You can use these charming baskets anywhere in your home (one can never own too many baskets!) but I particularly love the idea of putting one outside under a covered porch to hold a plant. These baskets are adorable enough on their own, but knowing that the company is fair trade as well makes this a no-brainer purchase! (Rukia Colorblock Woven Basket available at The Basket Room, $20-$43)

How absolutely delightful is this candy bowl?!? I love the Los Muertos style—it is a fun way to put a fresh spin on the traditional skeleton motif and you’re guaranteed to be the most stylish candy distributor in your neighborhood on Halloween night! (Los Muertos Ceramic Candy Bowl available at World Market $19.99)

And finally…it really is all about the little things in life sometime, isn’t it? After all, you don’t *need* to sip your cab sauv from this gorgeous glass with an amber-colored stem, but if doing so helps you to sit back, relax and appreciate the beauty of the season and comfort of your home, why wouldn’t you?!? (Amber Wine Glass Set of Six available at Viridian Bay, $28)

I hope you enjoyed browsing my favorite picks for fall! I love helping clients with all of their seasonal and holiday decor needs, so if you are excited to spruce up your home but are overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin just drop me a note at carolyn@blissfulinteriordesign.com. I’d be delighted to help you find your own seasonal bliss!

Hop to it! Time to get your table set for Easter

Hello and welcome to The Blissful Life, a space where I will share my favorite tips and tricks for making your home your favorite place to be! I’m so excited that Boston is finally starting to thaw out after a long winter and I can’t wait to celebrate all things SPRING. I feel like Valentine’s Day just passed but somehow Easter is right around the corner–how did that happen?!?–and putting together this gorgeous tablescape for one of my favorite clients definitely has me in the mood for the holiday!

If you’re planning to host a beautiful dinner for friends and family this spring but are daunted by the prospect of putting together a table that will set the mood and impress your guests, I’m here to help!

The first step of designing any of sort of tablescape is to consider the room in which you’re working. You want your table to enhance what is already going on in the room, not compete with or overshadow it. My client and I had previously selected an amazing trellis-patterned wallpaper for her dining room, and I wanted to pull the indigo blue into the color scheme.

I found this incredible watercolor floral runner at Crate & Barrel, and that set a lovely pastel color scheme for the tablescape. If you’re still having trouble getting started with your own design, you can also see what items you already have and want to feature on your table. This can be a great jumping-off point for picking the direction you are going to take!

After adding a grass runner from Pottery Barn underneath the floral one for some texture, it was time to consider focal objects for the table. This table is relatively long, so I wanted at least three items (five would have worked as well–it should always be an odd number). A fruit bowl (from HomeGoods) is an easy, inexpensive alternative to flowers, and glass hurricanes (I found these at Pier 1) always add an elegant touch!

After the three main pieces were set, it was time to have some fun! I went shopping for pieces in varying heights that could be filler throughout the rest of the design.

The adorable bunnies (from HomeGoods), candlestick holders (from the Dollar Tree), and floral pots and small vases (from Target) scattered among the three focal objects offer visual interest on your table. A quick tip–before hitting the stores, you might want to shop your own home first! Items from throughout the house can easily be repurposed for a special occasion–these vases were already in my client’s living room!

When I began shopping for the dinnerware, I knew I wanted to bring some more of that soft Easter pink into the mix and found these simple but pretty bowls at Pier 1 and added plain white plates so we wouldn’t overwhelm with color. The woven placemats (from HomeGoods) brought in some additional texture.

When it came time to shop for napkins, I wanted to avoid a matchy-matchy floral print – it’s just too predictable! This napkin (from Pier 1) in a large-scale stripe complemented the runner while still allowing it to take center stage and shine.

Finally, it was time for the finishing touches! I added seasonal flowers and simple white taper candles–don’t forget that this is a great time to ask for help from the little ones in your life! They will love being part of a special occasion and will be so proud of the finished product. Sweet Cecily was a wonderful little assistant!

Ta-da! Our table is beautifully set and ready for Easter dinner. If you’re still feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, I’d love to help you put together your own picture-perfect tablescape. You can always get in touch with me at carolyn@blissfulinteriordesign.com for any of your design needs! Happy Easter!