KEEP COOL WITH SOLAR AND ROLLER SHADES

The heat is on! While Southern California and Arizona are sunny year-round, during the summer the combination of sun and high temperatures usually finds folks seeking to cool off indoors. Air conditioning certainly helps—and is a must-have in the desert—but keeping the sun’s rays out of your home is also a good strategy.

2023 DESIGN TRENDS COMING TRUE

Toward the end of every year, “experts” like to predict trends for the year to come. It’s pretty rare to take a look back and see if those prognostications came to pass but since we’re almost halfway through 2023 (already!), I thought it would be interesting to see how on the nose some design trend predictions have been.

KNOCK, KNOCK! DON’T IGNORE YOUR FRONT DOOR

The season of rebirth—spring—is an excellent time to think about the first impression visitors get when arriving at your home. Curb appeal includes a number of elements but one of the most important, and often overlooked, is your front door.

The first point of entry into your home is also your first opportunity to make a statement about your design aesthetic and what lies inside. Don’t miss out on this chance to make a memorable initial impression.

SIMPLIFYING HOME RENOVATIONS

The words home renovation terrify most homeowners since it can be daunting to tackle even a modest project. What’s the secret to success? Follow the simple yet valuable tips noted below, from Real Simple, to ensure a smooth and seamless project.

RENEW YOUR CLOSET

Your closet may be one of the most important spaces in your home since it’s where you “put yourself together” every day. But are you giving it the attention it needs? Closets are often taken for granted and not regarded as a priority—but making sure yours is well organized is rewarding and perhaps even timesaving. The beginning of the year is a perfect time to get your closet in order.

SIMPLE FINISHING TOUCHES FOR YOUR HOME

Welcome to 2023! If one of your goals to start the new year is “finishing” your home design but you feel overwhelmed when thinking about it, here’s some good news: there are plenty of small touches that will make a real difference. Here are some ideas from Real Simple magazine:

PERFECT YOUR DECLUTTERING ROUTINE

Year-end is a good time to donate unused items and establish a routine for daily, monthly, yearly and seasonal decluttering. It’s well documented that when you choose to declutter—and have less stuff—you can reap the rewards of a simpler life.

ACHIEVING BETTER SLEEP

Sleep is one of my favorite pastimes but I bet I’m not alone in feeling that getting good quality shut-eye can be a challenge at times. Wondering what this topic has to do with interior design? Keep reading!

WORKING EFFICIENTLY FROM HOME

It’s been almost 20 years since I started working from home, and it was a huge adjustment from my previous 18 years of office jobs. The main challenge I’ve had is sticking to a schedule, in particular seeing my working hours extend way into the evening.

WHAT’S NEW FOR WALLS

Trends are often cyclical, so some things considered passe for years can suddenly become “hot” again. We see this all the time when it comes to clothing and it’s also true for interior design. What’s making a comeback right now? Wall coverings!

FLOORING TRENDS

Just as the right pair of shoes can complete a wonderful outfit, the flooring you choose throughout your home is the ideal finishing touch to the aesthetic you seek. Since flooring has a huge impact on the overall design of your home, and your choice will be one you’ll likely be living with for many years, it’s worth doing your homework before you settle on what’s right for your needs and style.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT RUG FOR YOUR HOME

Is there a single design element that goes a long way toward making or breaking the look you desire? I’d say yes—but you may be surprised at what element that is (or maybe not given the title of this post).

PURPLE LUXURY INTERIOR DESIGN PRODUCTS

This is a dream come true for purple lovers. I know my editor is going to love it. (Editor’s note: Yes, although like you I draw the line at driving a purple car!) Embrace this divine color, whether you go all in or use it as an accent color.

BRIGHTEN YOUR SPACE WITH LIGHTING

If you are fortunate enough to have a home or business with lots of large windows, you know how uplifting it can be to enjoy the best light source of them all: the sun.

LIVING YOUR BEST OUTDOOR LIFE

I recently attended an outdoor kitchen design event sponsored by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and Arizona Appliance & Home.

SPRING FORWARD

Spring Forward Most people who know me might think summer is my favorite season, since I do love it when the heat is on. But I think spring earns that honor from me—since the transition from winter evokes thoughts of rebirth and renewal. This magical season is almost here, offering a great opportunity to spring […]

NEW YEAR COLORS, TRENDS

New Year Colors, Trends I always look forward to this time of year, when the “colors of the year” and new design trends are revealed. This year, I’m excited about the adorned colors and lifestyle trends that are coming into homes as a result of the pandemic. My favorite color of the year is Evergreen […]

READY FOR REMODELING THIS YEAR?

Ready for remodeling this year? Many people make resolutions to start a new year; among the top 10 are exercising more, losing weight, quitting smoking, traveling more and saving more money. Some of those may resonate with you, but maybe remodeling your home is a top goal for you in 2022. As you might expect, […]

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