House Design

Oh my this week flew by! I've had such an inspiring few days. I prepped for a photoshoot one day, then we shot the fabulous project on Wednesday. Thursday I played catch up and today I had a meeting with a long time client, whom I adore. We are creating such a perfect home for her and her family, I can hardly stand it. Fall ushers in lots of inspiration for this designing Mama! As I've mentioned, I also have a new logo and website in the works...Eek!! xx. 1. I am not sure where September went but tomorrow kicks off October! It's all a reminder that the cold, dry weather is on it's way to Beantown. My skin tends to get dry during the fall and winter. I am also turning a year older in a couple of weeks and am doing almost anything to hang onto a youth complexion. A dear friend, who is a part of the Beautycounter mission, told me about this cleansing balm. Instead of washing my face with it, I slather it on two-three nights a week before bed. It works wonders and I awake w

This week's design crush is all about limed oak, mixed with white and brass in the kitchen! Feast your eyes on this beauty. Design and images via Bryan Wark . I'm off to style for a photo shoot, one of my favorite things to do! Have a great day lovies...

And just like that, the air has turned, the nights are crisp and the days are growing shorter. I want to wear sweaters, (I have my eye on this one ) tall boots and drink pumpkin beer with the cinnamon/sugared rim. (yes, I drink pumpkin beer with the cinnamon, sugar rim) I spent the weekend with my good friends north of Boston. There are some things I miss about living North of Boston, the pumpkin and apple farms included. After spending the day on a farm with my kiddos, I am ready to change my summer pots and decorate for Fall. This year I'm planning on mixing gourds, pumpkins, purple mums and kale. Here is some decorating inspo: I also shared a pretty front door on my insta account here ! If you are in the Halloween spirit, this would be fun to set up with kids. I am not a huge Halloween person..Reason one: there is always a battle starting at breakfast time over the Hallo candy. Reason two: wrappers end up all over my house, even after I repeatedly say, throw away your wrappers..

1. September has been warm, like really warm here in Boston! I'm sort of looking forward to the cooler weather due next week. I'll be breaking out my cozy sweaters and plaid shirts fo sho. I'm a big fan of layering check and plaid shirts into a high/low look. Purchase this stewart plaid at  J. Crew . It WILL sell out! 2. The concept of, La Latina, is great.   Grace Ramirez brings us on a cooking exploration through South America. I love Latin food and may just need to purchase this hot book! Here is the guac recipe. (I'm addicted to avocados btw) 3. I don't always post food, but when I do, you'd better believe I'll be whipping it up soon! In fact, I'm going to make this yummy sammy for my breakfast in the am. I love a good poached egg....recipe via . 4. I admire everything about this photo. We need to focus on more joy in this world, the news is so depressing. My favorite genre of photography captures people and their emotions. I also appreciate a time

When I was a child I always admired the "dutch door" entrance at my aunt and uncle's house. There was something so welcoming and comfortable about peeking in that top door. Here's a round up of some beauties! I know, I know, they aren't overly practical here in New England with the bugs and long winters and all. We use storm doors around here but someday I'll have myself a dutch door!! Ding, ding, ding! Winner, winner chicken dinner. I LOVE this one. I've started an "addition onto my ranchola inspo board and this dutch door made the cut! I image this as a back door off of a gorgeous mudroom/kitchen area. 

I'm adoring this season's most feminine trend..the ballet flat. It's a chic alternative to heels. I'm  especially eyeing all the lace up versions with the round toe. They couldn't keep this  Miu Miu's edgy version in stock!! Here's my round up, I've included splurges and steels.  1. Steve Madden lace up 2. Aerin Lauder - these are perfection, but wait everything Aerin does is perfection! 3. Cole Haan from Lord and Taylor, they are having a fabulous shoe sale not to be missed:  buy one pair save 20%, buy two pair save 25%, buy three pair save 30%!!!! 4. Sam Edelman - a staple shoe that comes in tons of colors. I am voting for camel today. (more on this shade next week) 5. Valentino - Dreamy 6. Aquazzura - Last year's hot shoe re-vamped.  7. Miu Miu - I still have a pair of Miu Miu boots from about ten years ago. They keep coming in  and out of style and I keep wearing them! ;) 8. A classic .  Finally, these from J.Crew have the look of a balle

Hello, hello! I'm not a professional photographer and I of course will be having my home shot by one of my fabulous photographers soon but I was excited when asked to share my bathroom revamp on the  OPI blog last Friday . As you can see my original bathroom was awash with harvest gold, the popular tile choice of many in the 1970s. It had not been updated by the previous owner in years. Ace Hardware's Clark+Kensington OPI palette is an amazing collaboration.  I can use my favorite OPI nail lacquer colors in my home. In the final phase of the update I had the room wallpapered and I painted an oversized maple mirror I had purchased from Crate and Barrel in the deep, rich OPI shade   Black Onyx .  Check out my design tips and see my guest post  here .  xx My new  Gray Malin print BATHROOM BEFORE: (I can't even)

I love two things about this post! First, "Cottage Love" is one of my favorite series to write and share on Shelter. I try to look for not only cottages but homes that have an intimate, beautifully decorated, attainable style. Secondly, I love to see first hand how something as simple as a fresh paint color, a different furniture floor plan and a few updated accessories can completely transform a room and home. The southern raised interior designer and artist William McClure reminds me of traditional masters such as Billy Baldwin. His dynamic designs are filled with new and old pieces, found objects and a carefully honed modern and classic art collection. These elements all come together to create a unique, individual approach that feels as if it has evolved over time. Featured today is his home. Although, it is an apartment it feels as though it's a free standing house and absolutely has a cottage feel and flair. William is also an artist, you can see his work on his we

I've been in a classically modern state of mind this week. Between working on client projects and brainstorming for my new website I keep going back to strong classic bones with a fresh modern approach. Wishing you a wonderful weekend! Here is a peek at my recent pins... 1. Mark D. Sikes  has released his first   book titled "Beautiful" . His timeless style and love of blue and white speak to me. Each room pictured is better than the next, his work is inspiring.  2. I have always adored a nautical/military pant. All those gold buttons? Yes please. Purchase these here . I would own these for the rest of my life.  3. I rarely leave home without studs on. In fact I think I need these in my life, they're so pretty. Available here .  4. Oscar was a smart man. 5. I tore this Mark Sikes room out of HB last mouth! I adore the mix of color. I'm finishing up my daughter's room and am leaning towards using a headboard!

Don't you just love Thursdays? Me too. NYFW for Spring 2017 winds down today, and don't think I haven't had my eye on the shows, the spectators and the fun street style. There were some reoccurring themes across most of the design houses. They were nostalgia (especially inspiration taken from the 30's, 40's, 70's), COLOR: yellow, green, bright pink, nature (flowers and more flowers) and feminine details to name a few. Here's a sample of what I loved.... Tory Burch :  the beautiful prints, feminine details and preppy moments caught this New England girl's eye. Plus I'm a sucker for parrot green, always have been.  Rag and Bone:  Structured jackets and British prep. This jacket is adorable and certainly makes sense for Springtime in Boston.  Oscar de la Renta I have long loved Oscar de la Renta's beautiful creations. Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia will be at the helm soon. The current studio design team did not disappoint with their lighthearted, ha