I hope that this finds you, your family and friends in good health. After staying in our homes for weeks on end, many of us have developed serious cabin fever. Over the years, working with clients in all types of life situations, I have witnessed first hand, how making even the most minor change to a living space, can lift our spirits. 

Since we are pretty much stuck indoors, why not use this time to re-accessorize your home? It is more fun than reorganizing your closets and can instantly give your space a fresh feel and reboot its style. An added bonus is that no purchases are needed, it’s not necessary to discard your existing accessories or leave the comfort of your home!

Celebrate Personal Style

Accessories give a living space interest and distinction. When you use items that truly speak to you, they provide a deeper connection and attachment to your surroundings. They also speak volumes about you to the rest of the world. 

It is both the accessory selection and arrangement that contribute to a successful end result. There are no hard and fast rules to follow, but I find the following rather loose guidelines helpful.

It’s All in the Details

Before you dive in, take a look around your space and assess the situation.              Do your accessories need to be pared down? It’s not uncommon to keep adding and adding items without taking anything away, diluting their effectiveness. Just removing a few items, can make a noticeable difference by itself.

One of the simplest ways to instantly refresh a space, without any financial investment, is to remove all of the accessories and only put half to two thirds of them back. Making sure that they are placed in different locations or grouped together in a new arrangement will make them feel new again!

Some Basics

• The most interesting accessories are personal, imaginative and not dictated by trends or fashion. Juxtapose opposites to create interest. Combine old with new, rare with ordinary, expensive with thrift shop finds.

• Scale is important. The size of an accessory must relate to it’s surroundings. For example, a 12-inch square accent pillow will totally disappear on a nine-foot long sofa or sectional. 

• A composition of items that vary in size, usually feels most balanced when the taller and heavier objects are placed at the rear. 

• Grouping small objects together will create greater scale and presence. I have a collection of small frogs, which are similar in size and color, but varied in material and texture. The group stands proudly atop a stack of  books on my coffee table. Individually displayed, they would become instant wallflowers.

• Not every item can play a leading role. As in a dramatic production, some objects must assume supporting roles so that the “stars” aren’t upstaged. 

• Vary the texture of objects to create contrast and interest. Like items in the same texture, become monotonous. A zillion years later, I can hear my design professor reciting “shiny, dull, rough and smooth”, as he critiqued our school projects.

• Create a collection by grouping items according to a common theme. The common thread can be almost anything… the type of object, the shape, size, color, material, etc..  A friend created a collection of inexpensive white  porcelain bowls in varied shapes and sizes. Sitting on a black table surface, the shapes and textures came alive, making a stark, dramatic statement.

• Last but not least… try not to be too serious. Incorporate some humor whenever possible.

Remember Your Best Friend

Don’t overlook your pet’s accessories. There are tons of stylish, edgy selections to choose from. It’s no longer necessary to have a tartan plaid pet bed in the middle of your mid-century modern living room. If your pet’s bed looks a little worn, take a look online at some possible new options, without ever having to leave home! 

Embrace Change

Ideally the accessories in your home should evolve, as your life and home evolve. When approached as an on-going process, it keeps your living space feeling fresh. 

It is my hope that some of these ideas will inspire you to shake the cobwebs off of your home accessories and shift your mood by bringing some new style and polish to your home! 

We are so excited to share that we have added the following interior design services, which have sprung up from client’s requests.

Loaded with inspiration and ideas, clients have reached out to us because they are struggling with turning them into reality. Some don’t know where to begin. Others have had less than stellar DIY results or didn’t have the right fit with a designer. A little input from a trained professional has helped them move forward successfully.

Take a look. Is one of the following “Design Pinpoints” a good fit for you or someone you know?

 Downsize / Resize Plan

It is always challenging to visualize what will work in a new living space, especially when the size of the space is smaller or the layout is a little different than what you have now.

This comprehensive package includes:

• A two-hour in-person visit to your Manhattan home to review the floor plan and photos of a room in your new space.
• A detailed discussion of your lifestyle and design sensibilities
• The creation of a plan for your new smaller space, which will include selecting and photographing furnishings that are going to be reused from your current residence.
• The creation of a preliminary shopping list of furnishings, rugs, and window treatments needed to complete the design of your new home.

After the meeting, a copy of the floor plan, list of items for reuse and items needed, will be emailed to you and are yours to keep.

The option of adding an additional 30-minute follow-up consultation phone call to this package is available or can be purchased as a separate service in the future. This design call can be used to answer any additional questions that may occur after the initial consultation.

• Please note that requests for consultations outside of Manhattan will include travel time and expenses for travel.

In compliance with state laws, sales tax is charged on all services.

Renovation Consult

Renovations significantly affect the resale value of our homes and the decisions involved can feel confusing and overwhelming. Booking a preliminary consultation on your renovation will help you get a jumpstart on the steps you need to plan, the decisions to be made and prepare you for your renovation.

This detailed package includes:

• A two-hour in-person visit to your Manhattan home to review the floor plan and photos of a room in your new space.
• A discussion of your lifestyle and design sensibilities
• A review and discussion of the inspiration images, ideas and samples that you have gathered.
• Assistance with making the tough decisions and selecting finishes, cabinet styles, fixtures and fittings.

A list of the selected items will be emailed to you and are yours to keep.

The option of adding an additional 30-minute follow-up consultation phone call to this package is available or can be purchased as a separate service in the future. This design call can be used to answer any additional questions that may occur after the initial consultation.

*Please note that requests for consultations outside of Manhattan will include travel time and expenses for travel.

In compliance with state laws, sales tax is charged on all services.

House Call Makeover

During times of personal transition… such as divorce, marriage, retirement, loss of a spouse, etc., our homes are often radically disrupted and don’t feel or function as before. It is often challenging to visualize how your home can transition to support you in this lifestyle change. Having another set of eyes, trained in design and renovation, can help you transform your current living space to one that reflects who you are today.

This in-depth package includes:

• A two-hour in-person visit to your Manhattan home to review the floor plan and photos of a room in your new space.
• A detailed discussion of your lifestyle and design sensibilities
• The creation of a plan for your space, which will include selecting and photographing furnishings that are going to be reused from your current residence.
• The creation of a preliminary shopping list of furnishings, rugs, and window treatments needed to complete the design of your new home.

After the meeting, a copy of the floor plan, list of items for reuse and items needed, will be emailed to you and are yours to keep.

The option of adding an additional 30-minute follow-up consultation phone call to this package is available or can be purchased as a separate service in the near future. This design call can be used to answer any additional questions that may occur after the initial consultation.

• Please note that requests for consultations outside of Manhattan will include travel time and expenses for travel.

In compliance with state laws, sales tax is charged on all services.

Please contact us for fees and rates for these services. I am really looking forward to helping you create a beautiful home, in which you will not just survive, but thrive and enjoy it’s full potential!