2020 Home Design Trends Wrapped on Redfin's Blog

Credit: Redfin

I was delighted to be asked to share my thoughts for a recent piece on Redfin’s blog focusing on design trends in 2020. I chose to focus on a paint color trend I saw popping up last year….charcoal gray!

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In 2020, we saw charcoal gray become a popular paint color for home interior use. It’s an unexpected neutral that makes a stronger statement than the usual beiges and whites, and in addition to practicality–it hides stray scuffs and marks!—it serves as an elegant backdrop for gold or brass, pops of color, or lighter neutrals. For the coming year, we foresee globally-inspired decor becoming a major trend. As people get excited to plan travel again after the pandemic, they’ll be similarly moved to decorate their homes in the styles of far-flung locales—and that fresh coat of charcoal gray paint will serve as the perfect backdrop! - Blissful Interiors

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Many thanks to Redfin for including Blissful Interiors in this piece alongside design businesses from across the United States! To read the rest of the article and reflect on the trends of 2020, click here.

An architect's advice for a smooth and satisfying home renovation

Hello and happy 2021! If one of your goals for the new year is to finally tackle those large-scale home projects that have been lingering on your wish list, we’re here to help. In the fall we kicked off a blog series centered around home renovations, and in that first post we discussed how transformative major home projects can be—making them well worth the time, money, and temporary disruptions to daily life!

Credit: Lammert Design Studio

My family is on our own home renovation journey and I’m so excited to take you along with us as the project progresses. When it wraps up, we’ll have an addition that includes a new kitchen, mudroom, and pantry on the main level and a new primary bedroom and bath on the second. We are in the process of getting the building permits required to start construction, so once that is cleared you can be sure I’ll be sharing lots of photos and updates on my social media and the blog! We have been so lucky to work with a wonderful architect—Emily Lammert of Lammert Design Studio in Melrose—so for this installment of the renovation series we’ll explore an architect’s role in the design process and how you can make the most of her expertise.

The final plan for our first floor renovation

Credit: Lammert Design Studio

Architects, like interior designers, are trained to think holistically about your space. They have the ability to see beyond what your immediate needs may be and consider the impact of future changes to the space. After all, no change to your home’s composition can exist in a vacuum, and design decisions that are made hastily and without the oversight of trained professionals can limit the opportunities for redesign down the road—or even require additional time and money to “fix” work done in the past that no longer fits in with the updated blueprint.

Credit: Lammert Design Studio

When beginning a relationship with an architect, Emily encourages you to keep an open mind. “There isn’t just one solution,” she says. “Design is all about options and finding different iterations of solving the same problem.” Have you ever scrolled through Instagram and admired a professionally designed room, wondering how the interior designer managed to combine seemingly incongruous patterns and styles and achieve such an elegant result? Similarly, but on a structural level, architects have been trained to see the world in an alternative way and are able to visualize a wide spectrum of possibilities for your home. As such, hiring an architect to visualize your space is a wise investment through which you’ll reap major benefits down the road.

Credit: Lammert Design Studio

When my husband and I first met Emily, we knew we wanted to build an addition to our home but hadn’t conceptualized anything explicit. In our initial discussions, Emily wondered whether we wanted to continue entering and exiting our home through the front door or if it would be beneficial to add a side entrance with a mudroom for storing coats and boots. We realized that having the extra space for our family’s clutter would be truly life-changing for us, and it is the outcome of a conversation with our architect that opened our eyes to a solution we’d never even considered.

The final 3-D view of our addition

Credit: Lammert Design Studio

While you may be concerned that an architect’s comprehensive renovation plan will put an unattainable strain on your budget, rest assured that it doesn’t have to! Emily stresses that some of her initial work with a new client involves “master planning,” or taking a step back to envision the ideal space and then putting together a plan to work in phases. She adds that “some parts of the plan may not be executed for another three to five years.” This way, when the time comes for these portions of the project, the home is perfectly primed for the next step. Clients are often bursting with ideas for changes throughout their homes but don’t realize that all these little projects aren’t necessarily compatible with each other. The architect is able to step in, understand the client’s desires, and create a feasible, long-term plan for making it happen. I’m personally thrilled by the prospect of continuing to adapt our home to meet our family’s changing needs and am grateful for a relationship with an architect who has the vision and talent to see us through it all.

Credit: Lammert Design Studio

In preparing for your initial meeting with an architect, you’re probably feeling eager to jump right in and get going on your project. However, Emily gently reminds us that “good design is a process that takes time, and design done well is very strategic.” And yes, this may delay the “fun” part—getting the contractor in and seeing the transformation begin—but it is critical to the achieving the results that will satisfy your current needs while leaving the door open for future improvements. Think of the architect as an investigator—she’ll ask lots of questions and examine your home to come up with creative solutions. Before your meeting, consider all of the challenges with your current living space. In our case, we need a large enough dining room to seat extended family visiting from out of town and more closet space on the second level. Whatever needs are not being met by your current situation should be addressed from the start so that your architect can take them into consideration as she works on your space.

Credit: Lammert Design Studio

Emily likes to ensure that her prospective clients are knowledgeable about the architectural process right from the start and offers an informative handout that outlines each step so that there are no surprises and clients can easily follow along as the process unfolds. “Every time I meet with a client, I refer back to the handout,” Emily says. “This reminds the client what phase we are in and where we’re headed next.”  If you’ve never worked with an architect before, you might be surprised to know that she will present multiple versions of potential renovations, all with the goal of solving those problems that were discussed at the outset. One version may offer a scaled-down solution requiring minimal work while another is an opportunity for the client to invest more in major changes. Clients may find that they don’t know what they want until they see it laid out in black and white! Either way, you’ve got options and the architect is there to help you see them all.

Credit: Lammert Design Studio

The relationship between your architect, interior designer, and contractor is a critical one, as each individual plays a distinct part in the process. Ideally, all three will brought into the project early on in order for a relationship to be established. From there, the lines of communication can remain open so that the process unfolds as smoothly as possible. Typically, the architect is the first to get involved—she is trained to think through the technical aspects of the project and will be able to answer critical questions, such as whether local zoning laws allow for changes to the home’s footprint or if the home is structurally fit for a vertical build. However, bringing the interior designer and architect into the conversation at the beginning will allow for their input while keeping them informed on the project’s progress and united under a singular vision.

Credit: Lammert Design Studio

In my personal experience as an interior designer, being a part of the early conversations with a client’s architect results in the most cohesive design and allows for a client’s desire for a particular room layout or furniture to be accommodated in the architect’s plans. In our case, I already had some pieces of furniture and the room layout in mind for our addition so I have been able to work with Emily to ensure that the window placement will work with my selections.

The final elevations for our renovation

Credit: Lammert Design Studio

I hope that this post has offered some insight into what you can expect when you hire an architect for your home renovation and how she’ll work together with your interior designer to make your home your favorite place to be! Many thanks to Emily for taking time to share her invaluable advice and photos of some of her projects. In the next installment of our home renovation series, I’ll talk to homeowners who have already been through the renovation process and want to share what they wish they had known before their projects began. As always, I’d love to hear from you—do you have a renovation planned for this year? What would you like to know more about? I’m excited to hear what you have in store for your homes in 2021!

~Carolyn & 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

Demolition Derby : Introduction to Home Renovation Series

Hello and happy September! Somehow the summer months flew by and I’m struck by how strange life feels as we move into fall with so many of us still working from home and supervising our children’s virtual learning. With all this time spent in our homes and endless opportunities to obsess over details, is it any surprise that there has been a surge in home renovation projects over the past several months? Major news outlets from the New York Times to The Wall Street Journal to CNBC have reported on the phenomenon—and I’m willing to bet that most of you reading have at least thought about making some sort of change to your living space in recent months!

Renovations can seem daunting—and often, they are! However, after all the months of planning and disarray in your living space, the end result is so worth it. If you’re considering making some changes of your own but are feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to even begin, I’m here to help! In the coming months I’ll be publishing a series of blog posts all centered on the topic of home renovations. I’ll share details about what the process looks like, tips for working with an architect and designer, and before-and-after photos of some of my favorite projects—including the gorgeous kitchen shown above! (Wait until you see the before photos, pictured later on in this post—you won’t believe it’s the same space!)

Unless you’re truly a DIY-er and have experience in home renovations, I strongly recommend hiring an interior designer and architect early on in the process. Having them there each step of the way will allow you to see what is possible (and what isn’t!). They’ll work closely with contractors to keep the project running smoothly and make sure your vision is realized in a timely fashion, making your life less stressful and the process far more enjoyable. In an upcoming blog post, I’ll interview an architect to delve deeper into how they approach home renovations and why hiring one in tandem with an interior designer is a wise choice for major projects.

Before embarking on a major home renovation, the first step in my process is to meet with the client and discuss a few major questions:

1. Does this space have a problem that I want to fix?

2. What will this space primarily be used for?

3. How do I want to feel in this space?

Taking the time to thoughtfully consider your answers and communicate them to your designer early on is a critical step towards achieving your ideal space.

My client’s main issue centered around the space being closed off by a wall between the kitchen and dining area. She imagined a space that would serve as the heart of the home, where she could feel relaxed yet energized by the presence of family and friends. Taking down the wall between the kitchen and dining room was a must to create the open space she desired. Adding a large kitchen island was another critical part of the redesign, offering both a place to serve food and gather around during get-togethers and for her children to eat breakfast, and, down the road, do homework and chat with her after school while she cooks.

Using a combination of my client’s vision for the space and her personal style, I created kitchen and dining room mood boards to refer to as inspiration throughout the design process. Mood boards are my preferred way to show clients how everything we selected works together and gives an opportunity to visually compare options. I generally encourage clients to renovate in a way that is true to the character of the home and retain the unique charm inherent in so many of the lovely older homes in Melrose. This house was built in 1938, and with the updates we were aiming for warm with vintage flare.

When taking on any major renovation, I always remind my clients that we are not living in one of the home-design TV shows we all love to binge watch! In real life, projects take time and often hit unexpected roadblocks that can delay progress. If you can keep your expectations for a reasonable finish date in check, you’ll be much more relaxed and happier throughout the process.

From planning to completion, this kitchen and dining renovation took about six months. The biggest and most time consuming part of the project was taking down the wall between the kitchen and dining room and removing a fireplace and chimney. I’m always surprised and delighted to see the finished space come to life and this project was no exception!

I hope that I’ve given you the push you need to set things in motion for the home renovation you’ve been daydreaming about! Remember, home renovations do NOT need to be as scary as they seem. When you have professional designers holding your hand throughout the process, rest assured they’ll be devoted to creating a space you love while helping you get the very best value for the money you’re putting toward such a major project. And, as the before-and-after photos indicate, they can be absolutely life-changing when they are complete!

As I continue this blog series, I would love to hear what else you want to know. Please get in touch with all your home renovation questions, and I can’t wait to share more with you—including my family’s own renovation project—in the months to come!

~Carolyn & Team Bliss