These 13 Rooms From the Kaleidoscope Project Have Us Dreaming of a Getaway

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 highlights an interior design project by Gainesville-based designer Maggie Griffin, who transformed a sunroom into a functional and comforting space for her grandfather, Harris Hardin. The redesign was conceived as a Christmas gift, focusing on creating an environment conducive to Hardin's interests in painting, drawing, and reading. The primary goal was to provide a serene and inspiring area within his master bedroom suite. The project centered around an attached sunroom, which Griffin repurposed into a small art studio and reading nook. The previous bright colors and outdated fabrics were replaced with a neutral palette to establish a soothing backdrop. This foundational change was crucial in setting the desired tranquil atmosphere for creative and contemplative activities. Practicality was a key consideration in the design. A small table was incorporated to hold art supplies, ensuring the space remained organized and inviting for artistic endeavors. To manage natural light, Griffin installed woven sisal blinds alongside double-width draperies. The floral fabric chosen for the draperies featured a subtle combination of oatmeal, brown, and a touch of salmon, contributing to the overall gentle color scheme. Adding a touch of sentimental value, a convertible drafting table/desk, originally discovered by Griffin's late grandmother, Barbara, was integrated into the space. This piece now serves as an easel for Hardin's painting and drawing. The existing flooring, composed of terra cotta and ceramic tiles, was practical for potential paint spills. To enhance comfort and warmth, Griffin introduced an inexpensive, oatmeal-toned rug. This choice allowed for easy replacement in case of spills, maintaining the room's inviting feel without high maintenance concerns. Further enhancing comfort and aesthetics, Hardin’s existing club chair and ottoman were reupholstered in an antelope-inspired fabric. Griffin noted that animal prints often function as neutrals, seamlessly blending into the redesigned space. This subtle pattern added texture and visual interest while adhering to the overall neutral theme. The transformation successfully created a multi-functional space that supports Hardin's hobbies, offering both practical utility and a comforting ambiance. #Gainsville #InteriorDesign #MaggieGriffin #RoomRedo #CreativeSpace #SunroomDesign #NeutralPalette #HomeDecoration

The article explores an often-neglected space in home design that interior designers consistently prioritize: the hallway. While homeowners typically focus design efforts on main rooms such as kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms, a poll of 15 interior designers revealed that 10 experts identified the hallway as a crucial area that should not be overlooked. The hallway, frequently perceived as merely a transitional space, possesses significant untapped potential for enhancing a home's aesthetic and cohesive feel. Designers emphasize that investing creative energy in hallways can transform them into integral parts of the home's overall design narrative. Kelsey Matyas of Kelsey Deirdre Designs describes the hallway as "connective tissue — not just between rooms, but between design ideas." Sarah Beth Wood of Rigby Wood Interior Design highlights that passageways, especially those connecting key spaces, should be carefully considered, particularly in new construction. She suggests incorporating architectural millwork, faceted lighting, and wall coverings to elevate a basic hallway into a special journey. Homeowners often default to neutral paint and bare walls in hallways, neglecting proper lighting and architectural opportunities. This oversight results in a lack of personality in what could be a visually engaging area. Michelle Murphy, founder of Demi Ryan, states that small spaces like hallways can set the tone for the entire home, making it feel more inviting and personal. Yena Jung of By Yena Designs adds that these overlooked nooks and hallways can be transformed into memorable areas that draw attention. The article provides several practical suggestions from designers on how to elevate a hallway's design. Lighting is a key element, with recommendations for playful overhead fixtures like pendants or flush mounts, and decorative wall sconces to illuminate long corridors. Kristyn Harvey of Kristyn Harvey Interiors notes that repetition of light fixtures in longer hallways can create a strong statement. Architectural details, such as molding or wainscoting, are also highly recommended to add visual interest. Ellen Hatton, principal of BVA BarnesVanze Architects, suggests enhancing hallway openings with custom stained wood fretwork, arches, or pilasters instead of simple casing. Wall treatments offer another avenue for transformation, with designers advocating for bright paint colors, funky wallpaper (even on the ceiling), or textural paints like limewash or Venetian plaster, or a high-gloss finish. Ceiling design, often referred to as the "fifth wall," is presented as a significant opportunity to create impact in a small space. Hatton advises experimenting with bold ceiling treatments such as barrel or groin vaults, coffering, or eye-catching paint colors. The article also highlights the importance of mirrors and artwork, suggesting that large canvas prints or gallery walls can make a narrow corridor feel larger and add personal flair. Jung points out that a simple mirror in a corner or on a wall with a window can make a space feel more open and inviting. Runner rugs are recommended not only for protecting floors but also for introducing vintage styles or colorful patterns to transform the hallway's vibe. Interior designer Taniya Nayak suggests incorporating various prints through rugs, curtains, wall art, or even table books for a maximalist aesthetic. Finally, the article promotes the inclusion of tiny built-ins, even in small hallways, to serve functional purposes such as a homework area with a desk, a home bar, or a drop zone in an entry hall. Seth Ballad of DC Ballard & Mensua Architecture notes that even a simple niche bookshelf can add character to the space. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #HallwayDesign #ArchitecturalDetails #LightingDesign #WallTreatments #CeilingDesign #HomeStyling #SpaceUtilization

Fornasetti has introduced a new collection named 'Unusual Living Rooms,' featuring five distinct interior setting proposals. These collections, which include 'Leopardo,' 'Facciata Quattrocentesca,' 'Malachite,' 'Soli a Ventaglio,' and 'Solitario,' are characterized by the brand's signature imaginative and fantastical decorations. Each living room integrates a variety of furniture pieces such as sofas, armchairs, and benches, complemented by tables, lamps, and mirrors, aiming to create an ironic yet sophisticated atmosphere within a living space. The genesis of 'Unusual Living Rooms' stems from two previously undiscovered handwritten booklets found within the Fornasetti archive. These booklets contain a series of unpublished drawings and writings by Piero Fornasetti, showcasing whimsical depictions of suns with human faces and other unique features. One specific living room, 'Solitario,' directly incorporates these unseen illustrations into its furnishing decorations, presenting a cohesive interior theme centered around these original motifs. Barnaba Fornasetti, reflecting on his father's work, notes that the creative insight derived from these ironic drawings, characterized by a lighthearted yet unsentimental approach, inspired the desire to construct spaces that evoke a special ambiance. This vision aims to foster an environment conducive to shared experiences in both time and place. The decorations, whether drawing inspiration from architectural elements, natural forms, or purely graphic patterns, consistently uphold the distinctive aesthetic synonymous with Fornasetti's extensive body of drawings and engravings. The meticulous attention to detail and expert craftsmanship are central to translating these original drawings into tangible, artistic creations. The manufacturing process ensures that each piece authentically reflects Fornasetti's boundless imagination. A notable design feature is the use of specially printed fabrics for the seating, which incorporate trompe l'oeil or optical motifs. These patterns are cleverly extended onto the tubular iron structures of the furniture, generating subtle visual echoes and illusions that enhance the overall fantastical theme. This new collection by Fornasetti reinforces the brand's commitment to unique interior design through a fusion of art and functional furniture. The 'Unusual Living Rooms' embody a creative exploration of interior spaces, offering proposals that are both artistic and practical. The integration of historical drawings into contemporary furniture design showcases a continuous thread of imaginative expression that has long defined the Fornasetti atelier. The collection not only provides furnishing solutions but also curates an entire experience, transforming living rooms into distinct, character-filled environments. #Fornasetti #InteriorDesign #LivingRoomDecor #FurnitureDesign #DecorativeArts #ItalianDesign #HomeFurnishings #ArtisticInteriors #DesignCollection

Michelle DeLaCruz, a designer with DeLaCruz Homes, transformed a primary bedroom in her Buckingham estate into a sophisticated "girl cave," a lavish walk-in closet that also functions as a lounge and gathering space. This renovation was part of a larger project to convert her estate into a family-friendly retreat, which included adding a Santorini-inspired backyard oasis and a new primary suite with separate his-and-hers bathrooms. The new walk-in closet, spanning approximately 300 square feet, was designed in collaboration with California Closets, specifically with Candice Clarke, and is intended to emulate the ambiance of a high-end boutique department store. The space is meticulously designed to showcase DeLaCruz's collection of designer items, such as red-soled stilettos, Chanel totes, and party dresses. Everyday clothing items are stored in a separate, nearby closet, ensuring the "girl cave" maintains its curated aesthetic. Rather than incorporating a traditional storage island, DeLaCruz chose to use the central area of the closet as a practical sitting space, utilizing concealed trunks for accessory storage. The lighting plays a crucial role in the design, featuring cool-toned illumination throughout the room, including within each shelf, a detail noted by California Closets' Candice Clarke as uncommon yet effective in highlighting the displayed items. To enhance its function as a social hub for friends and family, an L-shaped area within the closet is dedicated to refreshments. This section includes a built-in Zephyr fridge, stocked with wine, and a snack drawer containing a variety of treats, from Hawaiian Island Princess chocolates to classic childhood snacks like Cheetos. A Louis Vuitton vase filled with dried roses adds a decorative touch to the counter, and the area is regularly spritzed with perfume, contributing to the luxurious atmosphere. DeLaCruz describes the space as her "retail-therapy enclave," a place where elegance meets comfort and social interaction. This unique design demonstrates a creative approach to personal space, blending utility with luxury and social engagement within a home setting. #DesignInspiration #Entertaining #HomeTours #GirlCave #LuxuryCloset #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #CaliforniaClosets