If You're Obsessed with Fashion, You Need to See How a Designer Transformed This Home

The Designer Show House, a biennial event sponsored by the Village Improvement Association in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, showcases diverse interior and exterior design inspirations across its 6,000 square feet of space and nearly an acre of outdoor areas. This event serves as a platform for regional designers to present their expertise and offers visitors a wealth of ideas for their own homes. One featured space is a sunken living room, designed by Kate FitzGerald-Wilks of Timeless Design in Landenberg, Pennsylvania. This room embodies a West Indies aesthetic, characterized by bold lines, soft sandy hues, and rich textures. Key elements include vintage stick bamboo chairs painted black, adorned with Kuba cloth and Ralph Lauren zebra-stripe pillows on a slipcovered camel-backed sofa. A mid-century hutch is repurposed as a cocktail bar, complemented by sculptural metal and glass console tables flanking the fireplace. Wood mirrors with faux tortoise shell lean against textured wallpaper, while modern sculptures and art blend with antique books and global treasures. FitzGerald-Wilks also designed the dining room, aiming for a dramatic effect with a backdrop of 200 wine bottles and a striking Dolcetti chandelier crafted from shells and crystals, evoking sea glass. An 8-foot-long reclaimed wine rack sits atop a buffet. The room's color palette consists of soft creams and tans, punctuated by emerald green accents in the chandelier and wine bottles. Windows are framed with woven ikat print panels. An airy sunroom, conceived by Alfred Wolf Home (a new venture from Design Center of Rehoboth or DCOR), was designed to create a light-filled, contemporary transition between the house and garden. This involved removing existing French doors and window grills, painting the room in various shades of white and French gray-green, and incorporating textural elements of white canvas, iron, and marble. The family room, also by DCOR, maintained the warmth of its original paneling and fireplace stone, setting the foundation for a soft khaki and cream palette. The room is furnished with herringbone, tweed, and leather fabrics, offset by tortoise shell wood finishes and local tidal scene artwork. Mary Stewart of M. Stewart Interiors in Bear designed the upstairs hobby room, named "Just Us," intended as a shared family space for various pastimes like painting, photography, reading, chess, and Lego building. The room features updated cherished family heirlooms and is painted simply white to highlight paintings by Nadia Zychal. Nile Johnson of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, designed the second-floor paneled library, drawing inspiration from Rehoboth's laid-back yet cosmopolitan atmosphere. This space offers an updated interpretation of a classic library, decorated in layers of sandy tans. Cyndi and Ron Oronzio and Cathie Sheetz of Dreamweaver Interiors of Rehoboth Beach decorated a bedroom and bath, inspired by vibrantly patterned fabrics. They utilized Robert Allen fabrics as wallpaper for an accent wall, building the room's design around this print. The team selected fabrics for their depth, crisp patterns, contrasting textures, and detailed embroidery, incorporating a bright coral pink accent color and rhinestone embellishments for a feminine touch. Brenda Carder of blcINTERIORS of Rehoboth Beach designed a small guest bedroom, combining natural cotton and linen fabrics with metal and reclaimed wood. Crown moldings add formality. To compensate for limited sunlight, the room was kept light and bright, with a deep navy blue accent wall and touches of bright yellow for warmth. The second floor features art by Libby Zando of Zando Designs and Art Affects in Milton, alongside works by award-winning regional artists. Boardwalk Builders of Rehoboth transformed a hallway into a gallery space by adding wainscot paneling, creating an updated cottage aesthetic that visually broadened the hallway. Mark A. Polo of The Urban Dweller in Boonton, New Jersey, designed the master suite, aiming for comfort with soft textural colors ranging from taupe to blue. The furniture is upholstered to enhance the room's softness, featuring taupe draperies of embroidered sheer linen and silk edged in leather and freshwater pearls. Blonde floors are softened by a long-fiber rug. Outdoors, Erin Walls and Justin Bartels of Bella Terra Landscaping in Lincoln repurposed existing flagstone patios and walkways, adding new stones to create a Celtic-inspired design. The layout divides the space into a grand area for social gatherings and secluded nooks for quiet retreats. Creative Concepts Furniture of Lewes and Ocean View furnished the patios as outdoor rooms with bright coastal colors, including a sectional, loveseat, dining area for six, and lounge chairs, inviting visitors to envision themselves in the setting. #DesignerShowHouse #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #RehobothBeach #DelawareDesign #LuxuryInteriors #OutdoorLiving #DesignInspiration

This article addresses the common dilemma faced by homeowners and renters encountering undesirable, dated design features in otherwise ideal living spaces. It delves into practical strategies for dealing with three prevalent design elements often disliked: wall-to-wall carpeting, drop ceilings, and popcorn walls. The piece aims to provide solutions for individuals who may not have the time, money, or permission to undertake extensive renovations. Regarding wall-to-wall carpeting, often perceived negatively, the article acknowledges that removing it can be a significant investment with unpredictable results. For renters, removal is typically not an option. Hema Persad, an interior designer at Sagrada Studio, suggests layering rugs as a versatile solution. This approach allows individuals to introduce personal style through graphic or abstract designs and neutral palettes while also defining different areas within a room. Furthermore, rugs protect the underlying carpet, potentially safeguarding security deposits for renters. Keyanna Bowen, host of 'Rental Redo,' advises that for long-term renters, engaging landlords about replacing carpet with more durable, sanitary, and low-maintenance options like wood or wood-look laminate floors could be beneficial, as it presents a long-term cost-saving for the landlord. Drop ceilings, frequently associated with institutional or un-homey environments, are another challenge. Persad recommends using paint to create an illusion of increased ceiling height. Painting both walls and ceilings the same color causes the ceiling to visually recede, making the space feel taller. She suggests opting for moody, deep colors such as lush greens, inky blues, or rich burgundy to transform both textured walls and drop ceilings, potentially giving a basement an 'Old Hollywood' ambiance. A crucial piece of advice is to avoid painting drop ceilings a different color from the walls, as this can inadvertently emphasize their low height. Finally, the article tackles popcorn walls, also known as textured or acoustic walls, a midcentury design feature that many find unappealing today. The removal of popcorn ceiling texture is noted as a laborious task best handled by professionals due to the potential presence of asbestos in older applications. If removal isn't feasible, Bowen suggests distracting from the texture by filling the room with beloved items that draw the eye away from the walls. Persad agrees, proposing a gallery wall of cherished art and photos or a hanging plant display. She also introduces a philosophical perspective, encouraging acceptance by recognizing that many people share similar challenges with dated interior design choices. The article emphasizes making the best of existing conditions when direct alteration is not possible. #InteriorDesign #DatedDesigns #HomeDecor #RentalSolutions #DesignTips #DIYHome #SpaceTransformation #HomeImprovement

Social media platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok serve as extensive sources for home design inspiration, offering countless accounts dedicated to various aesthetics, emerging trends, and influencer content. While many influencers meticulously curate their public living areas, only a select few showcase equally impressive and personalized bedrooms. This article highlights nine such influencers whose bedrooms offer a glimpse into their authentic style. Arvin Olano, a member of the 2024 Creator Class, specializes in vintage items and home decor. His bedroom demonstrates that beige can be a sophisticated neutral, complementing muted tones like blue and sage green to create a timeless and serene atmosphere. Eric Wang, a San Francisco-based home influencer, embodies a midcentury-modern aesthetic. His bedroom is characterized by warmth, achieved through accent lighting, yellow hues, light-colored wood accents, carefully selected furniture, and ample natural light, resulting in a clean yet inviting space. Chriselle Lim, a fashion and lifestyle influencer, brings her chic sensibility to her minimalist bedroom. Dark wood tones in the low bed frame, bedside tables, and hardwood floors provide the only color, contrasting with the otherwise warm white palette, making the minimalist design feel welcoming. Maitri Mody, known as @honeyidressedthepug, represents the maximalist end of the interior design spectrum. Her bedroom is playful and dreamy, featuring an accent wall that gives the illusion of a bed floating on clouds. The color scheme in her bedroom, dominated by blues, greens, and creams, is notably cooler than other areas of her home. Mallory Fletchall, a Brooklyn-based lifestyle and home influencer, draws inspiration from the Nancy Meyers aesthetic. Her bright and airy bedroom, painted in an elegant gray-green, is enhanced by gold decor, blending historic details with warm accents and intentional clutter. Lucy Williams, a London-based influencer, offers content on design inspiration and decor curation. Her warm and bright bedroom is accessorized minimally but feels complete, relying on yellow tones with dark accents such as a striped headboard and bedside setup. Her guest room, while busier with bold, eye-catching wallpaper and an angled ceiling, maintains her distinctive style. Drew Michael Scott, known as @lonefoxhome, showcases a remarkable bedroom makeover. His space features diverse textures, a golden ceiling, and warm, neutral tones, reflecting a comprehensive design process documented on his platform. His guest bedroom also stands out with patterned wallpaper for brightness and deep brown elements that unify the bedding and headboard. Shelby Vanhoy, also from the 2024 Creator Class, gained recognition for decorating renter-friendly apartments before transforming her North Carolina home. Her elegant bedroom exemplifies a dreamy transformation from its original state. Finally, Hattie Kolp, who gained a following by documenting the restoration of her childhood rent-stabilized apartment in New York City, demonstrates how to merge historic charm with modern luxuries. Her bright and cozy bedroom achieves a homey feel without extensive decoration, showcasing preserved original details alongside new designs.

This article details a recent remodel project undertaken by Studio McGee in Maryland, focusing on transforming a client's childhood home to better suit her young family. The project involved a comprehensive renovation of a Cape Cod-style house, aiming to synthesize the client's long-held dreams for the space with the design team's expertise. The scope of work included significant structural changes, such as moving interior walls, along with the installation of new finishes and the selection of furniture tailored to the client's unique aesthetic. The core challenge and opportunity lay in respecting the home's inherent character and 'good bones' while introducing modern functionality and style. The article emphasizes the collaborative process between the client, who brought a deep personal connection to the house, and the design team, who translated those sentiments into a cohesive design plan. It highlights the importance of balancing preservation with modernization in heritage remodels, ensuring that the updated space feels both fresh and deeply personal. The remodel aimed to create a home that not only accommodates the practical needs of a growing family but also resonates with the client's nostalgic attachment to the property. The project serves as an example of how thoughtful design can update a home for contemporary living while honoring its past. The successful integration of new design elements with existing architectural features demonstrates how interior design can evolve a space without erasing its history, offering valuable insights for individuals considering similar renovation projects. The transformation showcases how a well-executed remodel can breathe new life into a beloved family home, making it suitable for future generations while retaining its cherished heritage. The article implicitly suggests that such projects require careful planning, a deep understanding of the client's vision, and a creative approach to problem-solving, especially when dealing with pre-existing structures and personal attachments to a space. #HomeRemodel #InteriorDesign #HeritageHome #CapeCodStyle #FamilyHome #DesignProcess #ArchitecturalPreservation #Modernization #StudioMcGee

Interior designers approach home aesthetics with a discerning eye, often avoiding certain elements that might seem popular but can detract from a cohesive and polished look. One such element is synthetic carpeting, which, despite its initial lower cost, may not offer the long-term value and natural fire resistance of high-quality wool. For those on a budget, waiting for sales or opting for area rugs can be a more advisable alternative. Similarly, shower tiles that do not extend to the ceiling are often viewed as an incomplete design choice, with professionals advocating for full-height tiling, or even ceiling tiling, to create a more intentional and finished bathroom space. In practical terms, designers frequently forgo traditional bath towel bars in favor of towel hooks. The rationale is rooted in the busy lifestyles of homeowners, where neatly folding towels over a bar is often impractical. Hooks offer a more organized and accessible solution, while towel bars positioned over toilets are particularly discouraged, with artwork suggested as a more appropriate alternative for that space. Floating shelves, a common feature in many homes, are also out of favor among designers, who believe that good design requires elements to be anchored and grounded. Instead, they recommend well-designed étagères or built-in bookcases that provide a sense of integration within the room. Accent walls, whether painted or wallpapered, are another design trend that often falls short for interior professionals. While they have seen a recent resurgence, particularly in nooks, designers argue that accent walls can disrupt a space's cohesion and distract from other thoughtful details. Instead, they prefer a unified room aesthetic. Ceilings, often dubbed the "fifth wall," are considered crucial but frequently overlooked. Plain ceilings can make a room feel uninspired, leading designers to recommend special treatments, such as a pale wash of color or even more elaborate options like wallpaper or gold leaf, to draw the eye upward and create a sense of spaciousness. Builder-grade vanities are typically avoided due to their lack of character. Designers advocate for custom pieces that reflect individuality, suggesting that homeowners personalize their vanities with bright colors or even custom skirts. Barn doors, unless integrated into a genuinely rustic setting, are also generally dismissed. Their clunky nature and tendency to clash with a home's original architecture make traditional hinged doors or elegant pocket doors more favorable options. Furthermore, kitchens without backsplashes are considered incomplete, as tiles provide essential protection against cooking stains and add a vital layer of color, style, and contrast. Massive kitchen islands with oversized overhangs and excessive seating are seen as potentially intrusive. Designers often prefer more intimate and functional alternatives like traditional work tables, cozy banquette nooks, or custom-built pieces that foster a greater sense of warmth and conversation. Builder-grade hardware, such as generic silver cabinet knobs, is also considered uninspired. This is a simple fix, with designers recommending inexpensive, high-quality hardware that can be easily installed to upgrade a space. Specifically, brass-plated door hardware from past decades is often avoided in favor of solid brass options. Exposed wires from electronics like flat-screen televisions are another common oversight that detracts from a clean aesthetic. Designers recommend concealing these wires either behind walls or with covers for renters. Plastic wall hooks, while functional in hidden areas like closets, are deemed unsuitable for visible spaces such as kitchens or entryways. Lastly, while plastic shower curtain liners are practical, designers advise against using plastic shower curtains alone, even those with decorative designs, preferring more sophisticated alternatives to maintain a chic bathroom look. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #DesignTrends #RenovationTips #KitchenDesign #BathroomDesign #LivingSpace #DecoratingTips #HomeImprovement