The Insider: Designer Personalizes Own Prospect Heights Rental With Paint, Lighting, Music

This article features an interview with Betsy Moyer, an interior designer and co-founder of Retreat, where she shares her career journey and five actionable tips to enhance joy in living spaces. Moyer, a serial entrepreneur with a background in creative design and digital content strategy, co-founded The Estate of Things and The Blissfield Acres before launching Retreat in 2020. Retreat specializes in elevated, experiential design for short-term rental properties in the Joshua Tree area, offering services from real estate consultation to interior design. Her professional journey also includes roles as director of digital content strategy for NPR affiliate KCRW and The Design People, and she holds a Bachelor's of Art in History and is pursuing a master's in interior architecture and design. Moyer's passion for home, renovation, and real estate began early in life, leading her to co-launch her interior design and real estate blog, The Estate of Things, in 2008 with Sarah Farrell. This partnership chronicled their efforts in buying, renting, building, renovating, designing, and staging properties, and even included a brick-and-mortar shop. Her collaboration with Kate Shaw, founder of Riley Properties, an Airbnb Investment and Property Management company, naturally evolved into Retreat. Moyer recounts the rapid success of Retreat, noting that they quickly received more inquiries than they could handle after a weekend website launch, indicating a strong market demand for their specialized design services in Joshua Tree. A key lesson Moyer learned early in her career was the importance of balancing client satisfaction with personal well-being, moving from overcommitment to strategic project selection. She emphasizes focusing on enjoyable projects and creating a positive work environment for her team. Currently, Retreat is engaged in an interesting consulting project for new Airbnb construction and an exciting landmark project involving Kate Shaw's latest property, which will serve as a showcase for Retreat's capabilities. Moyer shares a deeply personal life lesson derived from a Rupi Kaur poem, reflecting on the transformative period of experiencing her daughter's birth, her mother's death from cancer, and her own cancer diagnosis and treatment. This period reshaped her perspective and intensified her drive. She credits Sarah Farrell for significantly influencing her design style and her husband for supporting her pursuit of a master's degree in interior design. The five recommendations Betsy Moyer provides for sparking more joy in a living space are: organizing the kitchen with beautiful storage, investing in high-quality bedding and mattresses, thoughtfully considering lighting, ensuring every item has an assigned place, and developing a cohesive space plan, 'vibes guide,' and color scheme. She believes these elements contribute significantly to creating a healthy and joyful home environment. Moyer concludes by proposing a movement centered on wellness in home design, advocating for spaces that support mental and physical health. She also expresses a desire to meet or work with Elon Musk, admiring his innovative spirit and skills, and jokingly suggests he hire her for his vacation home in Joshua Tree, CA. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #Entrepreneurship #Lifestyle #WellnessInDesign #AirbnbDesign #RetreatHome #SmallBusiness #JoyfulLiving

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 editor's letter discusses the common design dilemma faced by homeowners regarding interior paint colors, specifically the popularity of gray walls, which a Zillow study indicates can increase a home's sale price by up to $2,512. The article acknowledges the financial pressure homeowners face in the current real estate market, making them hesitant to deviate from popular trends like gray paint for fear of devaluing their property. This sentiment is extended to renters who often lack the freedom to personalize their living spaces due to precarious lease agreements and limited protections in the U.S. The author argues against the "tyranny of a trend," suggesting that adhering strictly to popular decor styles, such as "oatmeal minimalism," "modern farmhouse kitsch," or "millennial pastels," ultimately leads to a loss of personal expression in one's home. The piece encourages individuals to embrace their unique aesthetic preferences and to make their homes truly their own, rather than conforming to transient fads. It draws a parallel to past design trends like avocado green and wood paneling, which were once fashionable but eventually became outdated, indicating that current popular styles like gray walls will also pass. The article emphasizes that a home should reflect the personality and obsessions of its inhabitants, serving as a personal sanctuary rather than a marketable commodity dictated by fleeting trends. This perspective aims to empower readers to be bold and fearless in their decor choices. To inspire readers, the article highlights several unconventional renovations, including a layered townhouse in Lisbon, an open-concept apartment in Kosovo, and a maximalist 19th-century house in Chicago filled with its owners' eclectic tastes. It also promotes the annual "Dwell 24" list, featuring emerging designers creating innovative furniture, lighting, and objects to help readers furnish their homes uniquely. The author concludes by advising homeowners not to apologize for their individual design choices, whether it's glass bricks, an apron sink, or wall-to-wall carpeting. While acknowledging practical considerations like preparing a home for sale, the overarching message is to prioritize personal style and comfort, asserting that everyone deserves to live in a home that truly reflects their chosen aesthetic. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #RealEstateTrends #PersonalExpression #DesignFreedom #ArchitecturalStyle #RenovationIdeas #DwellMagazine #EmergingDesigners

Nicole Cole, CEO and founder of Vestige Home, embarked on a design project for a couple transitioning from their Boston residence to a condo in Society Hill Towers, a building recognized for its 1960s architecture by I.M. Pei. The clients, a retired art museum curator and a retired political science professor, sought a design that would integrate their extensive collection of antiques, books, and travel souvenirs into a layered and inviting space, all while respecting the building's inherent architectural style. The wife's background as a specialist in historic interiors meant she specifically connected with Vestige Home's approach to creating warm and personalized environments. The design process began with extensive client consultations, a method Cole employs to understand the homeowners' lifestyles and preferences. This particular couple's desire was to infuse their new, modern living space with the rich history and personal stories embedded in their belongings. The challenge was to achieve a cozy and eclectic feel without clashing with the sleek, somewhat austere backdrop of the I.M. Pei-designed condo, which also boasted expansive floor-to-ceiling views that were considered integral to the aesthetic. For the primary bedroom, Cole drew inspiration from Raffles Singapore, a favorite hotel of the couple. This influence translated into the selection of Maxwell’s Le Toucan charcoal wallpaper, which served as a foundational element for the room's design. Complementary pieces included a West Elm velvet pintuck quilt, adding texture and comfort, and a mid-century-modern-style cane headboard, which blended classic and contemporary elements. The office space was designed to be both functional and a reflection of the couple's academic and artistic interests. East Germantown design firm Edgewood Made crafted a wall of walnut millwork, incorporating a custom-designed integrated desk by Vestige Home. A framed poster showcasing the work of British artist Eric Ravilious, a personal memento from the couple's travels, was prominently displayed, adding a touch of their personal history to the professional setting. In the living room, the design focused on creating an inviting space for relaxation and intellectual engagement. A custom sofa from Highland House was chosen for its comfort and style. This was paired with an oversized Woodbridge Furniture coffee table, specifically selected to provide ample surface area for displaying the couple's numerous books, making the living room a central hub for their intellectual pursuits and daily life. The dining room features a bespoke banquette by Vestige Home, designed to optimize space and provide comfortable seating. The banquette is complemented by a Rosanna Corfe bird print, which adds an artistic focal point. Both elements are set against a wall painted in Inchyra Blue by Farrow & Ball, a deep, rich color that enhances the room's sophistication and allows the art and custom furniture to stand out. This design harmoniously blends the clients' cherished possessions with modern custom pieces, creating a home that is both personal and stylish within the iconic Society Hill Towers. #SocietyHillTowers #CondoDesign #EclecticInterior #VestigeHome #I.M.PeiArchitecture #InteriorDesign #CustomFurniture #HomeDecoration #LuxuryLiving