How interior designer Jenny Rausch transforms her home into a haunted mansion every October

The article highlights how interior designer Penny Morrison transformed a dilapidated 18th-century country house in Wales into a vibrant and comfortable home. The house, built in 1790, is located near the English border and is characterized by its bucolic surroundings, including rolling lawns, a stream, a walled garden, and a forest. The Morrisons, Penny and her art dealer husband Guy, discovered the property 26 years prior during a weekend visit. Despite its unlivable condition, plagued by dry rot and requiring extensive renovations such as a new roof, windows, plumbing, and wiring, they were captivated by the house's historic charm and spectacular views. Morrison's design philosophy prioritizes comfort, evident in her desire for a home where one can relax. She emphasizes that a house's design influences how its inhabitants feel. Her South African upbringing, which fostered a love for open spaces and an indoor-outdoor lifestyle, influenced her vision for the Welsh home. She envisioned a dwelling where ground-floor rooms opened onto the garden, allowing for an entirely open feel in the summer, reminiscent of a Scottish lodge. Morrison’s journey into interior design was unconventional, lacking formal training. She began by working in property development and then decorating show apartments as a sideline. Her reputation as a decorator grew organically after she meticulously renovated her own home, leading others to seek her expertise. During the renovation of their Welsh home, the Morrisons maintained the essential structure of the house, aside from converting several bedrooms into new bathrooms and raising the central staircase ceiling by five feet. They admired the generously proportioned rooms and the expansive views. Morrison is a proponent of using large furniture pieces and grouping collections to amplify space and maintain visual focus without clutter. Her home showcases this approach, with a diverse array of artifacts and her husband’s art collection, many items sourced from country-house sales. As an avid collector of china, she gradually adorned the rooms and hallways with an eclectic mix. The central staircase walls are notably decorated with stuffed animals in glass boxes, and deer heads and antlers, some from hunts on their estate. The designer developed her own fabric and wallpaper line, which she incorporated into the home by reupholstering soft furnishings like armchairs, sofas, and large ottomans. The library is particularly illustrative of her textile passion, featuring contrasting patterns and vivid hues from her fabric and home accessories line, Irving and Morrison, co-founded with Carolina Irving two years prior. These fabrics, sourced from various international locations such as India, Morocco, and Turkey, are juxtaposed with equestrian paintings, leather-bound books, and a portrait of their son, Ted. Morrison avoids a "matchy look," advocating for a blend of items from different periods to create a lived-in, personalized aesthetic. Outdoor spaces also received significant attention. The Morrisons cultivated box balls and sculptural hedges to define the garden's form and redesigned the walled garden to create an outdoor living area for summer. They enjoy dining outside whenever possible, embracing the late-summer evenings. The transformation of the property reflects Morrison's distinctive style, characterized by offbeat colors, fanciful patterns, and a commitment to comfort and individuality in design. #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #WelshCountryHouse #PennyMorrison #TextileDesign #EclecticDecor #HistoricProperty #IndoorOutdoorLiving #FabricPatterns

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 explores 24 Halloween hallway decor ideas designed to transform these often-overlooked spaces into immersive, spooky, and stylish experiences for guests. The suggestions range from subtly eerie to overtly frightening, catering to various aesthetic preferences and levels of intensity. The goal is to make hallways not just transitional areas but integral parts of a Halloween home display, emphasizing atmosphere, creative themes, and memorable visual impact. The article begins by setting the stage for a 2025 Halloween, where hallways are no longer mere passages but destinations for fright and delight. It encourages readers to think beyond traditional decor, suggesting elements like vintage frames with moving eyes, flickering lanterns, gothic candelabras, and draped black lace. More elaborate ideas include motion sensors for unexpected scares, fog effects, and strategically placed skeletons, all aimed at creating a 'haunted manor energy' with a focus on style. Twenty-four distinct ideas are presented, each with a unique theme and suggested elements. For instance, the 'Lucha Libre Haunt' combines cobwebs and string lights with colorful luchador masks for a quirky, cultural twist. The 'Whimsical Trick-or-Treat Trail' uses oversized jack-o’-lantern lampposts and playful signs to create a warm, nostalgic ambiance. For those seeking more intense scares, the 'Haunted Forest Glow-Up' suggests painting walls with sinister trees and glowing eyes, complemented by figures like witches and zombies, creating an immersive, comic-book-inspired horror scene. Subtlety is also addressed with ideas like 'Shining-Inspired Shock,' which uses minimal decor but strategically places eerie twin figures at the end of a corridor, leveraging psychological horror. The 'Minimalist with a Death Wish' concept employs stark white walls contrasted with black paper bats and a single skull, offering a chic yet unsettling vibe. Themes also extend to kid-friendly options, such as 'Kid-Friendly Fright Fest,' which features paper skeletons, bats, and a hopscotch pattern, balancing spooky and sweet elements. Several ideas draw inspiration from popular culture, including 'Upside Down Inspired' from Stranger Things, utilizing red lighting and black vines to mimic the show's dark aesthetic, and 'Stranger Hall' with an 80s Halloween feel. The article also covers broader styles like 'Gothic Grandeur,' which involves velvet drapes, flickering candles, and antique-style furniture for a classic haunted manor look, and 'Halloween Maximalism, But Make It Cozy,' which blends warm textures with quirky gothic elements. Other creative concepts include 'Porchside Arachnophobia,' transforming a porch with oversized spiders and faux blood; 'Volunteer From the Crypt,' using office-style decor with a humorous, skeletal 'volunteer'; 'Webbed-In Wonder,' cocooning an entrance in thick webs and giant spiders; and 'Pure Jack-O’-Lantern Chaos,' embracing an unfiltered, orange-on-orange festive explosion. The 'Fairy Tale… But Make It Pumpkin Cult' idea merges whimsical woodland elements with a slightly sinister, sentient pumpkin theme. Overall, the article serves as a comprehensive guide for transforming hallways into captivating Halloween displays, offering a wide array of options from playful and charming to intensely frightening and elegantly gothic. Each idea emphasizes creative use of lighting, props, and thematic elements to maximize impact and guest engagement. #HalloweenDecor #HallwayDecor #SpookyDecor #HauntedHouse #HomeDecorIdeas #SeasonalDecor #InteriorDesign #CreativeHalloween

This article highlights the design philosophy and home transformation journey of Dana Dore, a professional stylist, blogger, and Instagram influencer known as Adored House by Dana Dore (@adoredhouse). Dore, residing in Farmingdale, Monmouth County, New Jersey, has garnered significant attention for her ability to infuse charm and color into her family’s 1,700-square-foot, builder-grade home, making it appear older and larger than its 12 years and 8-foot ceilings suggest. She emphasizes that with clever decorating tricks, any house can become a dream home, a sentiment she lives by through her personal renovation projects. Dore's design approach relies heavily on vintage decor, which she believes offers unmatched quality and appearance compared to new items. Her home features a variety of pre-loved pieces, from antique art and furniture to restored cabinets, contributing to its unique character. Even the landscaping, with its mature garden beds overflowing with hydrangeas and roses, gives the impression of an established, vintage setting. She attributes her DIY skills and appreciation for antiques to her parents, who fostered an early interest in home improvement, painting, and collecting. This upbringing naturally led her to study art and design, culminating in a 14-year career in retail display before she transitioned into social media content creation. Her family home, shared with her husband Bob and their two daughters, is situated in a quiet, rural community but remains conveniently close to popular New Jersey Shore beaches like Belmar and Manasquan. This proximity influences her design choices, incorporating nautical references and timeless beach objects throughout the interior. Despite initial reservations about purchasing a new colonial-style house that lacked the charm she desired, Dore proceeded with the assurance that she could personalize it extensively. Her philosophy, "Love the one you’re with," encourages homeowners to transform their spaces regardless of the property's original character, especially given the current real estate market's limited inventory of older homes. The transformation of her home began in 2016, focusing on first-floor living areas, the primary bedroom, and her daughters’ room. Her daughters actively participated in designing their "sisters suite," a collaborative effort that reminded Dore of her own teenage experience renovating her bedroom with a Victorian theme. The home showcases an exuberant color palette, particularly favoring summery yellows and greens, complemented by classic patterns like stripes and gingham. Dore's passion for unique finds is evident in pieces such as her indestructible ship-hatch door coffee table, which is ideal for family game nights. She is an avid thrifter, frequently utilizing Facebook Marketplace to source vintage items within driving distance, including her daughters' twin beds, the kitchen table, and a spacious TV cabinet. For a quintessential summer home with a Shore vibe, Dore recommends white bed linens, fresh flowers, and homemade treats made with local Jersey peaches, ultimately advising homeowners to fill their spaces with cherished items for their loved ones. This article showcases Dore's expertise in interior styling, her ability to blend vintage elements with modern comfort, and her dedication to creating a personalized and inviting living space. Her journey from a retail display artist to a prominent design influencer illustrates the power of creative vision and hands-on effort in making a house a beloved home.

This blog post explores the Los Angeles home of artist Hannah Polskin, renowned for her distinctive wave-like patterns. Polskin’s residence serves as a vibrant canvas, where her signature aesthetic permeates almost every surface, including an unexpected focal point: the kitchen island. The article delves into how Polskin integrates her artistic vision into her living space, transforming functional elements into unique pieces of art. The kitchen island, a central feature of the home, is detailed as a prime example of this artistic immersion. Instead of a traditional, utilitarian surface, it is adorned with her characteristic wave patterns, making it a sculptural and visually dynamic centerpiece. The home tour highlights the seamless blend of art and interior design, illustrating how Polskin's artistic practice extends beyond her studio to define her personal environment. The wave motif, a recurring element in her professional work, is shown to be a foundational design principle within her home, creating a cohesive and immersive artistic experience. The article emphasizes the personal and unconventional approach Polskin takes to interior decoration, moving beyond mere ornamentation to an integrated artistic statement. This extends to various aspects of the home, showcasing how furniture, walls, and even unexpected surfaces become integral parts of her artistic narrative. Further insights are provided into how this unique design philosophy impacts the overall atmosphere of the home. The consistent application of her wave patterns creates a fluid and rhythmic environment, reflecting the artist's personal style and creative spirit. The article details specific instances where her art enhances functionality and aesthetic appeal, offering readers a glimpse into a home that is both a living space and a dynamic art installation. The integration of her art into daily living spaces demonstrates a departure from conventional interior design, offering a bold and personal expression of creativity. The narrative also touches upon the practical considerations of living within such an art-infused environment, showcasing how Polskin balances artistic expression with everyday living. Her home is presented as a testament to the idea that personal spaces can be profound extensions of one's creative identity. The article encourages readers to consider how they might infuse their own homes with personal artistic touches, drawing inspiration from Polskin’s daring and cohesive design. It acts as an inspirational piece for those looking to personalize their spaces with unique artistic elements, rather than adhering to conventional design trends. Ultimately, the piece illustrates how an artist’s home can be a true reflection of their craft, providing a unique and personalized aesthetic experience. Hannah Polskin’s Los Angeles residence stands out as an example of how art can be lived in, transforming a house into a deeply personal and continuously evolving work of art. The home exemplifies a holistic approach to design where the artist's signature style is not just displayed but woven into the very fabric of the living environment. #HomeTour #ArtistHome #InteriorDesign #ArtisticExpression #KitchenDesign #WavePatterns #HannahPolskin #LosAngelesHomes #UniqueInteriors