My Top Five Trends From High Point Market Fall 2020

We’re officially back from High Point Market (the largest home furnishings industry trade show in the world), and we’ve put together a list of the top trends we spotted in home décor for the rest of 2020 and 2021!

1. Extra Deep Sofas

   One of the most interesting trends we saw all over market was extra deep sofas. With so many of us spending more time at home, working from home, binge watching television, and lounging about it makes sense that sofas are getting even more comfortable.

Imagine taking movie night to the nesx level of coziness with this chaise lounge!

2. Global and Travel Inspired Accessories and Materials

We saw a huge amount of global and travel inspired decorative accessories and materials this market. From rattan wrapped light fixtures to painted pottery, to worldly looking figurines and sculptures.

Our favorites were definitely the textural rattan lighting, each fixture is totally unique a will add interest to any space. Check out this chandelier from the Laura Kirar Collection

These rustic figures, masks, and pottery pieces are a perfect option to round out a space. They are great for accessorizing, filling in holes in bookcases, or standing alone as striking art.

Woven wall hangings have been popular for the past few years and the trend is still going strong. Often times, more affordable than paintings, wall hangings are a great alternative!

We are obsessed with these antique plaster molds repurposed as art pieces! Their well-worn wood has so much character and would add interest to any wall or bookshelf.

If you want to create an escape within your own home, look no further than this jungle themed wall mural. The colors and fine detail will definitely make you feel like you are on safari or in the tropics (without all those pesky mosquitoes)

3. Blonde aND wHITE wASHED fINISHES

Blonde and light wood finished are back in a big way! With the rise of boho chic and coastal cool aesthetic on the rise over the past several years, lighter wood finished have been in high demand. We love the way their tones can be easily mixed in with other materials, colors, and textures without overwhelming a space.

Blonde and lighter finishes are so versatile and buildable! Consider swapping out your dark dining table with a lighter option, the depth that can be created by layering textures and tones allows investment pieces, like a dining table to grow and change with your style for years to come!

Coffee tables and dining chairs are also absolutely stunning in light wood, allowing for the finer details of each piece to be highlighted in a way that feels fresh and new!

4. Rich Earth tones

We saw burnt orange, deep greens, and vibrant ochres everywhere!

We were so inspired by this burnt orange velvet sofa! It would look amazing in a room with light, airy walls or it could be right at home in a traditional study with rich, darker materials.

We swooned over these sienna colored leather pillows and poufs. The color is so versatile and could be used as a more dynamic neutral.

Shades of Persimmon offered a softer take on the burnt orange trend.

We found another swoon-worthy velvet sofa in this deep olive green hue. The classic silhouette pairs perfectly the the statement velvet for a cool, classic look. Green has been very popular the past few years, and we are so happy to see that it will continue to show up in home décor!

5. The Marble and Alabaster “Look”

We saw faux and genuine alabaster and marble all over market this season and couldn’t be more excited! With all the difficulties the world is facing during the pandemic, supply chains too have been impacted driving the price of materials through the roof. Faux alabaster and marble products hit market hard and we are so impressed with their quality!

This faux alabaster statement pendant is a show stopper for sure! These curves would cost a small fortune to create out of genuine alabaster, so this faux piece is a stunning alternative.

We found this natural marble occasional table and loved the idea of each piece being totally unique. This simple design is elevated by the use of natural marble and would look amazing in any space.

This planter has son much subtle dimension, it won’t take away from the beautiful plant it holds, but offers so much visual interest.

Easy Halloween Decorating During a Pandemic

It’s safe to say that Halloween 2020 is not going to look the same as other years. In some communities, trick-or-treating is banned outright, and in others, the festivities are feeling more than just a little subdued. If you have little ones in your life, however, cancelling Halloween is simply not an option. You can still celebrate this fall favorite and herald the beginning of the holiday season with some home-focused activities.

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We are also fans of this modern pumpkin hoop wreath. Both of these can carry your décor through Thanksgiving.

Decorate Outdoors!

Putting up some Halloween decorations well in advance of October 31st will set the festive mood in your neighborhood. We love this dried golden wheat wreath, it’s unique texture will bring warmth to your front door.

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Whether your decorations skew creepy, like these oversized spiders, or slightly more playful, like this trio of bate garden stakes, you can create a eye catching display that’s a visual treat for me than just one night.

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Encourage friends and neighbors to decorate ahead to make the holiday atmosphere last for several weeks: seeing the spirit of Halloween will cushion the blow of a having a less traditional celebration this year. Your family can walk or drive by decorated houses, perhaps making a game of counting the number of spiders, ghosts, or bats along the way.

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Bring the Holiday Home

Especially if Halloween ends up being a home-based affair this year, adding little holiday touches around the house can actually go a long way in keeping the mood feeling festive.

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A cozy plaid throw will be in heavy rotation this fall (and is the perfect thing to hide under during the spooky parts of Halloween movies).

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We also adore this chic, subtle ghost tassel banner for adorning fireplaces and doorways.

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Grab a Pumpkin (or several) and Get to Work.

If pumpkin patches are open in your area and have set up appropriate precautions, going to select your own pumpkins is a time-honored tradition. If not, head to a nearby grocery store and select different sizes or colors, then come home and decorate! Add your finished beauties to your porch or steps to add to your house’s decorations.  Even left au natural, pumpkins look great when grouped together. But first…

Make Roasted Pumpkin Seeds.

We love roasted pumpkin seeds: by the handful, folded into granola, sprinkled on salads. We promise they won’t last long however you decide to use them. Here’s a tried-and-true recipe that you can spice up as necessary

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Play With Your Food

Halloween-themed food is so easy and so much fun to make, your kiddos may even forget all about the candy. Just kidding, they will definitely remember the candy, but at least they can nosh on these creations in between getting their sweet fix.

Mini Pumpkins: Peel a bunch of clementine. Chop up a celery stalk into small pieces to resemble a stem. Stick a celery piece into the clementine and voila-snackable pumpkins!

Ghost Bananas: This is such a simple and sweet idea. Add two chocolate chips as eyes to a peeled banana.

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Mini Mummy Pizzas: Place am English muffin half or a mini bagel half on a sheet pan. Spread on some tomato sauce. Pull apart a cheese stick into shreds and layer/cross the shreds on top to look like mummy bandages. Finally, add two black olives slices as eyes. Toast until warm if desired.

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We hope that everyone has a happy and spoooooooky Halloween Season!

5 Reasons to Hire an Interior Designer

In a world of Pinterest boards, readily available internet design apps, and design savvy homeowners, people often wonder why they would even hire an interior designer and if it’s “worth it”. We absolutely think that experienced, professional designers are worth their weight in gold, and we’ve outlined 5 reasons why you should think about hiring one!

1. The price of a good designer is offset by the connections, time savings, and reduction in stress levels!

Decisions, decisions, decisions! When designing a room or a house, you have tons of choices regarding styles, colors, textures, and more. Thinking about designing or redesigning a house or even a room can be so overwhelming that people often end up giving up and living in a space that doesn’t serve them or their interests. We get it: many decisions can’t be taken lightly. Buyer’s remorse, especially for big- ticket items like custom furniture or a whole house paint job, is painful and real (especially because they are often nonrefundable). By talking through the process of what to expect and things to consider as well as using our years of skill-building and expertise with a huge variety of clients, designers can help make the decision process much easier and streamlined. As we get to know you, we can quickly identify what best suits your personality, preferences, and budget and connect you with the resources you need. We also help ensure your projects proceed in a timely, predictable manner and that the final product is one you absolutely adore.

2. We can broaden your style horizons.

There are a multitude of options beyond mass-produced versions such as those at Crate and Barrel or Pottery Barn, and we are constantly learning about new vendors through trade shows, word of mouth from other designers, antique distributors, and social media. The result: your home looks and feels personalized and unique. Instead of having the same pieces as everyone in your neighborhood, we can help you find artists and artisans that perfectly reflect you and your family. Some of these smaller, independent vendors are often able to customize pieces!

3. Our senses of scale, functionality, and proportion are well-honed.

While many people have a great sense of color, getting a sense of scale and size within a space can be tricky. In addition to our formal training, we’ve worked in a huge variety of homes and living spaces and pride ourselves on our ability to make sure a space feels balanced, fresh, and serene. We know all sorts of tricks to make spaces appear bigger, lighter, and more open, and we create rooms and homes that feel comfortable and chic. As a company proudly run by a mom-of-three, we are experts on stylish, family-friendly living and choosing design elements that durable, sustainable, and hardworking.

4. We can help with projects big and small.

On one end of the spectrum, we offer full service interior design for whole house renovations and new construction. We guide you through the whole process from soup to nuts! Having a professional act as your liaison to help handle logistical issues as well as aesthetic ones keeps the process manageable. Tackling whole house redesigns is a challenge we are happy to accept, but we also don’t underestimate the power of even a single room refresh. Whether through adding new window treatments, helping to select new art, or finding the perfect paint color or wallpaper for an underutilized room, we love taking a space that needs a little TLC and make it functional and livable.

5. Designers work WITH you and the pieces you love and don’t push unnecessary changes.

The job of the designer is NOT to clean house entirely and start from scratch with entirely new pieces and products (unless, of course, that’s what your heart truly desires). We strive to incorporate the elements and pieces you currently have and love into the final edit. Because of our expertise and experience, we have innovative ways to incorporate the collections, keepsakes, and new purchases that tell your story. Our clients love that they end up with a marriage of some of their “favorite things” alongside impactful additions or changes. Our specialty: creating a space that still feels like home…but newer, fresher, more inspiring, and representative of the life you and your family are living.

BONUS REASON!

We recently launched another service that brings interior design right to your mailbox, Design Delivered by SH is a flat fee room by room design and decorating service and a great option for all those do it yourself-ers out there. Click the link below to learn more!

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Covid Safe Fall Entertaining

Picnics in busy parks, neighborhood BBQs, get togethers with friends: oh how we miss thee, especially when the outdoor weather is begging to be celebrated! While the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t over yet, we are hoping that we can gather for meals and hang-out sessions that are safe, small, and outdoors this fall.

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Quarantine or not, we have long loved the cozy vibe of hanging out by the fire. While families and friends might have to keep a little more space between them for the moment, having a mini firepit is an easy way to stave off a little chill and keep the “party” going longer. There are even tabletop versions that are portable (and surprisingly stylish)! If you do have more space and can accommodate a larger pit, roasting marshmallows is a beloved activity for parents and kids (not to mention an easy dessert). And, as long as everyone keeps track of using their own stick, it’s virtually germ-free!

If you plan to spend an extended period of time outside, such as when serving a meal or watching a movie that’s being projected on a wall, an outdoor heater such as the DOME by Heatsail is a great backyard or patio addition. The DOME has a dimmable light and is rustproof and weatherproof, making it useful year-round.

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Some of our favorite outdoor games are naturally suited for the socially distanced lifestyle. Bocce and croquet are among our top picks-both are easy to make safe and sanitary. If you have beanbags for each person, a game or two of cornhole is also a great option! Or you can get a shuffleboard set and some chalk for a novel activity-all you need is a strip of sidewalk or smooth driveway.

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As the weather continues to cool down, pamper outdoor guests and keep them warm with blankets. Pendleton makes some of our favorite wool blankets-these luxuriously soft blankets are beloved for their craftsmanship and quality. We also love these faux-down, cotton blankets from The Company Store and the fact that they are machine washable!

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Getting together with our friends and family (and getting outside the walls of our home) feels more important and precious than ever. With a few simple modifications and backyard additions, you and your guests can focus on catching up and enjoying each other’s company: facing the new normal is always easier when you’re with people you care about.

How to Convert Your Dining Room Into a Home Office

Necessity is the mother of invention, and March 2020 and the months following have put our homes to the test: they suddenly needed to serve as schoolhouses and home offices (not to mention play space). As the COVID-19 pandemic rolls on and the landscape of work-from-home for many sectors becomes potentially permanent, re-configuring and reconsidering rooms in our homes has become a reality for many of us.

A dining room is an ideal place to serve as a defacto home office especially when there are children in the household that also need some school time supervising. Vinyl tablecloths can be a durable and colorful way to simultaneously protect the table and get kids visually primed for their day. Kids will love using a label maker to designate “their” stuff and give them ownership of “their” space, and it’s also a calming way to reinforce consistency during a turbulent time.

Need a little separation from your mini “coworkers” (or your adult partner)? Consider investing in or repurposing a secretary. We’ve also used them in family rooms, living rooms, and bedrooms to help clients carve out a little space of their own. Placing glass shelving above is functional for corralling papers and other stackables and adds a chic, airy vibe. The secretary itself can be closed at the end of the day, an important signifier that the workday is done.

Emily Clark

If your dining room has built-ins, now is the ideal time to refashion them into a library. Whether these spaces hold bookkeeping tomes, children’s activity books for when a Zoom meeting distraction is needed, or even objects that inspire, built-ins keep the room’s chaos looking contained (even when it feels the opposite!). Staying creative is key: we even converted a bookshelf into a desk for one client by replacing on of the shelves with custom depth to allow for more work and knee space.

When the dining room table isn’t an option for a school or workspace, the kitchen island is another popular landing spot for activities. As the traditional school year calendar gives way to summer, this space is ideal for cooking activities, science experiments, and crafts.

Our life’s work is based around creativity and adaptability, and the last few months have demonstrated that design can and should be flexible. Whatever the new normal is moving forward, creating a streamlined, user-friendly work and school space is possible and personalizable.

Sara Hillery’s Mother's Day Gift Guide

Mother’s Day is right around the corner! It’s the perfect time to spoil mom and show her how much you care. We’ve created the ultimate gift guide to help you shower mom with all the love she deserves!

Addison Weeks Jewelry

Addison Weeks is one of our go-to sources for beautiful and unique gemstone hardware, but did you know that the brand actually got their start in jewelry design? Their gorgeous designs are the perfect gift to show mom how much you love her!

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Alexis Walters Lavender Sachets

These organic lavender sachets are a little touch of luxury you can gift to your mom. She can toss these in her dresser or closet and her clothes will smell divine!

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Akola Bracelet Kit

For the crafty mom, why not gift her an Akola Bracelet Kit? With multiple shades of hand-rolled Karatasi beads, raffia tassels & plenty of stretch cord she’ll have everything she needs to create 5-7 unique bracelets! Did we mention that 100% of the proceeds from Akola sales go directly back into supporting the women in Eastern African who create their products?

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Back In The Day Bakery Cookbook

Owners of the beloved Back in the Day Bakery in Savannah, Georgia, Cheryl and Griffith Day created a cookbook to share ways to lovingly craft desserts, breakfast pastries, breads and more! Your mom is sure to love this beautiful and cheerful book!

Art By Amanda Tucker

We love these sweet paintings from Amanda Tucker’s “Mama Collection”. They perfectly capture the love only a mama can give. And as a special treat, enter code HILLERY15 at checkout for 15% for Sara Hillery Interior Design Followers!

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Huger Memory Pillows

From her very first house to one that she raised her family in, Huger Memory Pillows can turn your mother’s treasured home into a beautiful pillow! The creative use of color, fabric and texture gives it an uniquely personalized feeling. These pillows are sure to be a conversation piece and reminder of special times to those who see it.

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The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

This breathtaking story of five extraordinary women and their remarkable journey through the mountains of Kentucky and beyond is such a great read! A story of female empowerment your mom will be sure to love.

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Italian Herringbone Throw Blankets

These cozy throws come in every color of the rainbow; their classic herringbone pattern is perfect for cuddling up under all year round.

Dana Gibson Bamboo Pens

These bamboo pens make writing so much more fun! In a variety of colors there is sure to be one that fits your mom’s style.

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Palm Orleans Pillows

We love Palm Orleans fabrics, and now they offer pillows in some of our favorite prints! These are perfect for the living room sofa or to add a pop of color to a bed!

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Strawberry Fields Flowers and Finds

Keep it classic with a beautiful arrangement from a local florist! Our favorite, Strawberry Fields Flowers and Finds offers a wide variety of arrangements and gift sets that would be prefect for any mom!

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Elsie Frieda Ranny Collection Necklaces

For the fashion forward mom, we love Elsie Frieda’s Ranny Colleciton! Made from African record beads, these colorful statement pieces are sure to be your mom’s new favorite jewelry!

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No matter how you show your love to your mom, Mother’s Day is a special day. We want to wish all moms, grandmothers, step moms, moms-to-be, and Mr. Moms a very happy Mother’s Day!

Bringing The Outdoors In!

Although we help our clients express themselves in a rainbow of colors, it’s no coincidence that many people prefer to decorate in greens and blues. Subconsciously or not, people lean toward these colors because they are commonly found in nature, and we crave that connection with the bigger, biological world around us. In our tech-obsessed, phone-glued-to-the-hand, rush society, coming home to soothing colors and textures that remind us of nature feels like a return to the calmer, rhythmic nature of the outdoors.

Photo Courtesy of Decoration Magazine

Beyond a nature-inspired color palette, bringing the outdoors indoors can mean as grand a gesture as creating easier, literal transitions between your interior and exterior spaces.

Photo Courtesy of Flavia Chic

 Or it can take a much smaller, more subtle form. Our favorite mood-booster, fresh flowers, instantly create a natural focal point in any room and remind us to stop and smell the roses (or whatever you gave in your current arrangement).

Large plants, such as a ficus tree, can provide a more lasting reminder of nature in your home. Consider adding a citrus tree such as a dwarf Meyer Lemon tree for a splash of sunshine; depending on where you live, you can move the tree outdoors for the warmer months.

Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart

Photo Courtesy of House Beautiful

 If you’ve got a brown thumb, try low-maintenance plants such as succulents. Even incorporating a fake tree in the décor may help give you a little lift (and serve as a reminder to head outside for a real nature fix).

The Pass, Byron Bay, Australia (Gray Malin)

Featuring natural fabrics into your home also brings a multi sensory indoor/outdoor experience that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. We often select materials such as wool, silk, bamboo, and linen over nylon and polyester. Not only do we like the fact that they derive from naturally occurring and replenish-able resources; these materials are often more breathable, pleasantly tactile and even tout some cool properties. Cotton and linen, for example, are both fade-resistant. Choose jute or sea-grass for a natural floor covering option: the feel of these natural fibers will instantly bring you back to your childhood years of playing outside with bare feet.

Photo Courtesy of Serena and Lily

Photo Courtesy of Habitus Living

Finally, let there be light! While shutters are common design feature for certain home styles, we favor letting in as much natural light as possible and maximizing views to the outdoors. During some client renovations, we have even added windows to allow more light into the space.

Being in nature has been associated with a panoply of benefits including lowered stress levels, improving mood, and increased ability to focus. It may be a tall order to ask our interiors to do the same, but by choosing natural colors, textures, and fabrics, we can create a pleasurable room that celebrates the outdoors even as we remain indoors.

Photo Courtesy of Old House Online

Passport to Horse and Hunt Country, Middleburg, Virginia

Photo Courtesy of The Salamaner Resort

In the midst of winter and its attendant colds, germs, and cabin fever, having a mini vacay on the calendar is always a smart idea. A recent weekend trip to Middleburg, Virginia, aka the nation’s horse and hunt capital, was just what the doctor ordered.

Named because of its location as the midway point on a popular trading route, Middleburg has been a popular stopping point since it was established in 1787. There’s never been a better time to soak in the town’s history, eat at fabulous restaurants, visit nearby vineyards, and watch (or participate in) equestrian events.

We found these amazing silhouette at a local antique shop!

With the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background, we spent the weekend perusing through the town’s many charming antique shops, finding treasures including paintings, silhouette portraits, and furniture.

Simply walking around town is a history lesson: Middleburg has over 160 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places including The Red Fox Inn and Tavern. Now a boutique hotel with delicious, locally sourced and inspired dining offerings, The Red Fox was established in 1728 and has since hosted famous names like Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Paul Newman.

We would have happily stayed much longer at the Salamander Resort and Spa: they offer trail rides and riding lessons, ziplining, art classes, hiking, even archery and axe throwing among their many activities. And, of course, we would have liked to move in to the spacious spa with its varied treatments including seasonal rituals that incorporate aromatherapy and massage and a special Riders’ Relief Massage.

The Spa at The Salamander Resort

Photo Courtesy of Family Vacation

One of our favorite activities at the Salamander: spending time with the resort’s resident celebrity, a miniature horse named Cupcake! In addition to holding court at the stables, Cupcake also welcomes visitors to the Salamander a few times a week in The Living Room, a popular gathering space.

Cupcake! What a cutie!

Photo Courtesy of Visit Loudoun

We returned from our weekend feeling restored in mind and body…and inspired to seek out more new-to-us spots. Middleburg is only about two hours away from Richmond by car, proving that you don’t have to go far to get away. We can’t wait to visit again soon!

Our Holiday Table

Although we love the traditional reds, greens, and whites that make up the typical holiday table settings, we’ve been know to shake things up a little for our own holiday inspo. For this year’s tablescape, we went for chic, colorful yet understated glam, incorporating obvious nods to nature alongside metallic elements. 

We built the tablescape with a tobacco leaf salad plate from Mottahedeh as prime inspiration. With 27 colors and 22K gold details, it’s an alluring and vibrant focal point that sets the tone for many of the other components on the table. Exotic and playful, with a small phoenix perched on the leaf, the plate (which features one of Mottahedeh’s longest-running patterns) imparts a festive feeling without relying on customary holiday color combinations.

Gold-rimmed powder blue dinner plates by Anna Weatherly and a gold-flecked charger compliment the china pattern and create a luxe, layered feeling. We chose blue glass water goblets to highlight similar hues in the plates, while a crisp white monogrammed napkin keeps the tablescape looking clean and orderly. Wine glasses from Crate and Barrel and antique silverware are timeless and functional: they make frequent appearances at our celebrations.

Nothing breathes more life into a tablescape than natural greenery so we arranged glossy Magnolia leaves with oranges and clementines along the length of the table’s center. In addition to lending their lovely fragrance, the cheerful orange fruit symbolize joy, warmth, creativity and health: all vibes we want to cultivate throughout the year.

There’s no need to overdo a holiday tablescape with heavy doses of florals. We popped bright pink buds into antique silver bud vases for simple yet elegant arrangements that also compliment the three-armed candelabra.

With festive, frosty ornaments hanging from the chandelier, gorgeous plates waiting to be filled with our holiday favorites, and the wonderful company of our loved ones, we are ready to settle in for a celebratory meal that honors the extraordinary year we’ve had and that heralds the one to come!

Happiest of holidays from our table to yours!

Valentine's Day Gift Guide from Sara Hillery Interior Design

Valentine’s Day is all about the love, but whether you have a significant other or not, it’s the perfect day to celebrate loved ones in all forms. Everyone loves getting a little treat and reminder that they are adored and appreciated. With no shortage of V Day gift ideas out there, we are sharing some of the items and experiences on our own wish list!

101 Art Destinations in the U.S.:

Where Art Lives Coast to Coast

Whether you’ve been to the Met 100 times or can’t remember the last time you exposed your eyes to any visual art form, get inspired by this stunning book to explore amazing examples of art, from paintings to cave drawings to murals to sculpture parks, all found in the U.S. Want even more brownie points? Pair this book with some tickets for a getaway to experience one of these destinations IRL.

Find it on Amazon Here

Find it at Jonathan Adler Here

Glam Jewelry Box

Are you or your loved one hiding bling in unsightly boxes or tucking away your jewels in a jumbled mess in a drawer? A lacquered jewelry box will make organizing and highlighting your favorite pieces a cinch. Choose from a white exterior with eye-catching Kelly green velvet interior or fuchsia with a rich navy interior. Classy enough to leave out on your bathroom counter or vanity and portable enough to take with you on vacay.

Agate Bookends

No matter what your décor style is, we always advocate for bringing nature into our interiors. Agate bookends are a gorgeous way to display your favorite books and add instant organic beauty; we also like them on their own as sculptural elements. Dyed and polished to emphasize the naturally occurring ring patterns, these lovelies come in three different colors.

Find it at West Elm Here

Find it at Raven + Lilly Here

Recycled Brass Planter

Fair trade, Eco friendly, woman made, handmade: this recycled brass planter, made in Kenya, checks off so many boxes in addition to being a simple way to add a little shine and glitz to your love’s desk or windowsill. Pot it with a succulent for a low-maintenance, long lasting plant that even the blackest thumb can manage.

Aurora Grace Hand-Painted Chocolates

Anyone can grab some chocolates from the grocery store to surprise their sweetie, but these chocolates are next level charming and elegant. Made using sustainable sourced chocolate and painted by hand, Aurora Grace’s bonbons come in flavors like peanut butter salted pretzel, strawberry balsamic, and birthday cake and are almost too pretty to eat!

Find it at Aurora Grace Chocolates Here

Find Classes on Cozymeal Here

Private Cooking or Baking Class

Give the gift that keeps on giving: a private cooking class for two! Beyond being a fun date night that breaks the typical dinner-and-a-movie routine, you’ll be cultivating new skills that translate into delicious meals and snacks for years to come. Google your city’s options or try a service like Cozymeal that will pair you with top local chefs.

Sara Hillery Interior Design's Last Minute Gift Guide

The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas seems to get shorter and shorter every year and it’s easy to loose track of time and find yourself with a full list of friends and family and no gifts! Fear not! Sara Hillery Interior Design has got you covered with the perfect last-minute gifts for everyone on your list

For the Design Obsessed

Most decorating books focus on one designer; the rest focus on one period, one trend, one room. This book, for the first time, has the big picture: ALL the names everybody must know from the entire 100-year history of interior design. Each designer is profiled and illustrated with three to four photographs of their best work; what we can learn from them—and how they changed decorating forever—is clearly highlighted to catch the eye.

Find it at Barnes and Noble Here

Find it on Amazon Here

For the Art Lover

I LOVE these mini works on paper from Dallas, Texas born painter, Taelor Fisher! With colors to suit any taste, these minis make the perfect gift for the art lovers on your list!

Find them at Gregg Irby Gallery Here

Find Taelor's Larger Works for sale Here

For the Men on Your List

From the spot you met your sweetie to the locale of your favorite watering hole, this unique set of coasters celebrates the neighborhoods that make your city yours! Using her passion for typography and antique maps, graphic designer Aymie Spitzer maps out four sections of a city onto each coaster. She finishes one coaster with the city's name and established date, creating a rustic metropolis in cedar. This charming set is a toast-worthy way to celebrate hometowns, new stomping grounds or favorite corners of the country. 

Find them at Uncommon Goods Here

For the Christmas Lover

We love these bright and playful ornaments from Richmond, Virginia based artist, Elizabeth Poole! These ornaments are made with Papier-mâché, so you don’t have to worry about breaking them, and best of all Elizabeth offers a wide variety of colors and patterns to complement everyone on your list!

Find them at ElizPooleStudio Here

For the Kid who Loves Art

Bring out their inner architect, puzzle maven, and city lover with Blockitecture®, a very sweet set of pine building blocks by designer James Paulius. Create towering city dwellings, complete with green patches of garden (public space is very important in architecture) by stacking and cantilevering the blocks. Balance is everything—try to keep your city from tumbling down!

Find them at Food 52 Here

Happy Hunting!

Sara Hillery Interior Design's Holiday Table

This Holiday Season we put a Sara Hillery Interior Design spin on the traditional Christmas table with a charming blue and white color scheme with hints of gold and glass that feel fresh, like newly fallen snow.

Bringing nature inside is always a priority for us, and this table-scape offers an organic way to emphasize the outdoors even while family and friends savor the most sophisticated of holiday meals.

The napkins are made from our Sara Hillery Home fabric collection in the Virginia Mammals pattern, and served as the overarching inspiration for the holiday décor theme. The toile-with-a-twist design features an assortment of native Virginia animals and trees that brings a flash of delight and whimsy for diners of every age.

A crisp and clean white table cloth contrasts with and highlights the verdant pine and spruce garland that serves as part of the table’s centerpiece. Mini ornaments in varying shades of blue give the arrangement an inviting, festive feel. Gold dipped antlers and darling glazed porcelain deer figurines add glitz while reflecting the light of the antique candelabra, adorned with gold and white ornaments.

 We incorporated white everyday Wedgwood Traditions china into the place setting- this blank canvas lets the food take a starring role. Clear, gold-flecked chargers that peek out from underneath the plates offer a glimpse of glamour and cheer.

 As always, little details are what set holiday decorations and dressings apart and make guests feel special and welcome. SHID marked each place setting with small pieces of wooden logs that held each guest’s name as a playful, yet helpful way to guide friends and family to their respective seats. A sprig of spruce sweetly tied with a ribbon complements the muted, blue-gray shades in the napkin’s design with a boost of greenery. Even the elegant blue water goblets send a signal that this time of year is cause for celebration.

However you decorate your holiday table, however you choose to welcome loved ones to your holiday table, we wish you a very happy holiday season!

Love,

Sara Hillery Interior Design

An Interview with Richard Stone

Decorating with flowers and greenery is one of our favorite ways to change the mood and appearance of a home. The fall and winter holidays are an especially fun time to get creative by incorporating colors, textures, and scents that reflect the vibe of these annual festivities.

Since we are not all born knowing how to make our home look IG-worthy or Pinterest-perfect with flowers, we tapped the brilliant brain of Richard Stone of The Faux Real Co. for some of his personal tricks, tips, and floral favorites. With Richard’s helpful hints, you will have gorgeous arrangements and decorations in no time, which means you can devote your energy to spending it with friends and family (and all that holiday food).

Q: With the holidays approaching, what are some of the best ways to incorporate flowers and greenery into a longer-lasting decorating option?  

A: During the indoor winter months, heat can play havoc with fresh flowers and greenery.  Stick with the tried-and-true like boxwood, eucalyptus, and magnolia, which will continue looking good when they start to dry out.  Carnations unfortunately have a bad reputation, but they look beautiful when arranged in a mound or interspersed in a wreath or garland.  A favorite holiday classic of mine is the Hypericum for a touch of color.

Q: For people who don’t know a lot about flowers or design, it can be really intimidating to try and style an arrangement. Any simple solutions for beginners?

A: When in doubt, I recommend hydrangeas, which can be arranged “en masse” for a beautiful bouquet.  While I love their blooms, I usually arrange them in a container other than a glass vase to hide their erratic stems.  Since one or two in the bunch will die, it’s a good idea to buy a few extra to have replacement stems on hand.  Cut the base of the stem on an angle, and then clip a slit in the stem so they can drink plenty of water.  

Design by Richard Stone

Photo by Weddingstar

Q: There’s nothing sadder than splurging on a bunch of flowers and then having them get all saggy and sad after a few days. What are your go-to flowers for when you want an affordable bouquet that won’t need to be tossed quickly?  

A: Hydrangeas, carnations, and lilies are excellent candidates for a longer lasting bouquet and are readily available.  Steer clear of roses, ranunculus, anemones, and delphinium, which are very heat-sensitive and only typically last a few days.

When creating a bouquet, it’s always important to make sure you’ve stripped off the lower leaves on the stems.  These are what start to disintegrate in the water, and can create a mess, especially in a clear vase.

Q: Some of our favorite bouquets and arrangements contain more than just florals and include fruits or vegetables (like romanesco or artichokes), succulents, or other types of ornamental grass. What are some of your favorite unexpected combinations?

I remember a Christmas tree decorated at Keswick Hall with a garland made of fluffy miscanthus grass seed heads.  At my favorite place on earth, The Inn at Little Washington, a pair of topiary made from dried corn greets guests at the door.  

 If you’re using fruit in a wreath or garland, stick with smaller fruit like lemons, limes, and clementines, which aren’t as heavy and less likely to fall off.  Use a floral pick with an attached wire to secure the fruit to your creation.

Photo by Maryland Gentleman

Q: Are there any new floral trends that have you especially excited? Or do you tend to stick to your favorite tried-and-true options?  

A: I love dried grasses and seedpods in an arrangement.  I once made a fabulous pair of cotton boll topiary for a photo shoot, created with Styrofoam balls and hot glue.  Okra pods are another favorite, which look wonderful in their dried form, or spray-painted gold.  If you’re using dried grasses, such as the miscanthus garland à la Keswick Hall, give the heads a dusting of hair spray to keep them in place.

Design by Richard Stone

Q: Are there any local/native-to-Virginia flowers that you use in arrangements?  

 A: I love bittersweet.  It can make a real mess when the yellow seedpods around the orange berries start to fall off, so I usually restrict this to outdoor use only.  Osage oranges last an incredibly long time but are too heavy to use on a floral pick.  Instead, try arranging the Osage oranges in a large bowl with a sprig of holly berries in between the fruits.  

Design by Avso

Q: If you could only use one type of flower in arrangements for the rest of your life, what would it be?  

A: Peonies.  If they’re cut while the buds are still tight, they will last for a week or two.  When arranging peonies, allow enough room in the arrangement for their large blooms to open.  Don’t pack them in too tight.

Design by RStyle Me Pretty

Create Your Perfect Pumpkins

‘Tis the season for jolly and fearsome jack o’lanterns lining porches and stairs.  For out-of-the-box thinkers or those who simply want to spice up their pumpkin decorating, we bring you some design inspiration:

*Make the most of  extra doilies you have tucked away in a cabinet by using them as a template for spray-painting. All you need is a little tape to keep the doily steady and some spray paint-perfect for those of us who aren’t especially gifted in the freehand design and drawing department. Use a deep silver or gold spray paint for a more dramatic look, or stick with black or white for a more traditional pumpkin.

Pumpkin by BHG

*We love this mod black and white design: the contrasting colors really make the lines and shapes pop. You can get creative and use diamonds, stars, triangles, lightening bolts, whatever strikes your fancy. This chic dichromatic design would look awesome on a tablescape surrounded by delicious Halloween treats.

Pumpkin by Lonny

Save yourself the effort and elbow grease of cutting out a face or challenging shape and scooping out the seeds by just scraping the top layer of the pumpkin (with a lemon zester or clay loop) to make a dramatic design. This type of pumpkin will likely keep slightly longer since only the pumpkin skin is scraped. Whether you tackle a twisty tangle of leafy vines or try scraping out a festive phrase (like “Got Candy?” or “Take a piece of candy…if you dare”), this technique invites endless creativity.

Pumpkin by Good Housekeeping

Although little ones often favor a toothy grin and simple triangle eyes, pumpkins can give off a surprisingly classy vibe when used as a canvas for painting floral designs. The pink petals stand out against the deep blue background and the bright leaves.  We think one of these would also make an amazing hostess gift for any of the spooky and sweet gatherings you’ll be attending this season.

Pumpkin by The Cottage Market

Introducing Sara Hillery Home

Sara Hillery Interior Design (SHID) is thrilled to announce the launch of a new fabric line, created with a deep love for Virginia and several of her defining elements. The collection, which draws heavily from what Sara calls the “wealth of culture” in her home state, includes three patterns in multiple colors (with more to come!).

While helping another design professional with her own fabric line, Sara realized that she wanted to create one herself, albeit with a local, familiar flair. The resulting collection is deeply personal and includes homage to animals that have also made Virginia home, a fundamental print inspired by a plant that’s been integral to Virginia’s history, and the funky kaleidoscope-like effect of combining various counties in Virginia. All of the designs are made on a cotton linen blend and are ideal for curtains, Roman shades, pillows, upholstered furniture, and more.

Virginia Mammals, a pattern that is currently being featured in Sara’s room at the 2018 Richmond Symphony Orchestra League Design House, was inspired by local mammalian species including the Virginia black bear, rabbit, deer, beaver and fox. Available in Blueberry, Mountain Mist, and Multicolored, this toile-like pattern is sweet for children’s rooms but classic enough for use in adult spaces such as a living room, study, or bedroom. We especially love the playful, multihued version for adding a bit of whimsy and intrigue: kids and adults will love pointing out the native animal species.

County Lines carefully turns the lines and shapes defining the cities and counties in Virginia into an ambitious design that initially appears to be an abstract composition of color blocks. Upon closer inspection, it is revealed that SHID includes the expertly drawn shapes of counties and cities, from Albemarle to York. With a design that radiates state pride but is not obviously apparent to passersby, County Lines is perfect for a home whose inhabitants wants to celebrate Virginia history in an innovative way. We also love the idea of sending this fabric off to family and friends who have moved away to keep a little bit of their love for Virginia alive. County Lines is available in more muted Autumn and brighter Spring versions.

Tobacco and its cultivation have been defining factors in Virginia’s history, and Southern Sprigs focuses on on the simple beauty of the plant’s leaves. The pattern was created using a hand-carved block with a resulting print that can take center stage in a room’s design or retain a subtler supportive role. Southern Sprigs’ more traditional pattern makes it incredibly versatile: we can’t wait to display the design on pillows throughout our home! Southern Sprigs is available in Coal, Harvest Gold, and Flint.

Request your own fabric swatches and order yards of this exciting new line here!

Our Curated List of Top Trends from High Point Market 2018

We’re officially back from High Point Market (the largest home furnishings industry trade show in the world), and we’ve put together a list is the top trends we spotted in home decor!

1. Acrylic Frames
A unique and stylish way to display keepsakes, acrylic frames make a dramatic and surprisingly versatile statement. One large acrylic-framed piece of art can serve as a show stopping conversation piece, and we love it equally when this framing technique is used to showcase a series or set of smaller pieces, such as botanical prints or even more sculptural works. A clean and modern way to highlight art, acrylic frames can trend toward fresh and funky for an artsier, younger home or they can be dressed up for a more formal home. Without heavy and ornate frames, the space appears more airy and spacious and the art seems to “float” upon the wall.

Design by Architects + Artisans

Gilded Lily by Tommy Mitchell

Design by Love Your Adobe

2. Geometric Mohair and Velvet Pillows
An easy and playful way to punch up a neutral couch or chair, geometric throw pillows in luscious materials such as mohair or velvet geometric add a bright spot (and some cushy comfort) to any room. In cut velvet or applique, they’re everywhere these days and no wonder: the combo of sumptuous textures, the huge variety of colors and patterns, and their evergreen functionality makes these pillows instant favorite purchases when tossed around your home.

Design by Schumacher

3. Fabulous Occasional Table
Occasional tables dutifully and quietly serve their purpose by holding any number of odds and ends, but the ones we spotted at High Point deserve some extra attention. Whether you go with a brass and natural agate table that will add instant glam to any space, a vividly patterned inlaid marble coffee table with a beautifully curved brass base, or a more minimalist and sleek drink table that features a brass top and a white marble base, these stand out tables have the power to transform a room into a hip, welcoming space.

Design by Matthew Studio

Design by Cristina Celestino

Design by Pulp Design Studios

4. Emerald Green Everything!
Maybe it’s this year’s long winter, but we’re craving luscious, vibrant green in our lives. Fortunately, we spotted plenty of emerald-hued items at the show to add richness and life to interiors. This saturated shade looks great on larger pieces of furniture, and it also makes a lovely accent color for details and home accessories.

Design By Highland House

Design by LilPengeeGems Etsy Shop

Design by Articolo Lighting

5. Handmade Rugs
Gorgeous, handmade rugs never go out of style, but we fell for them hard during our High Point Market wanderings. Who could resist the craftsmanship, design, and sheer size of this stunner from Turkey? Handmade rugs are such a classic design element and true investment pieces that grow more beautiful as they age. In addition to serving underfoot in the typical areas of the home (such as dining, living, and bedrooms), we like to place them in unexpected spaces such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Fell in love with this beauty from Turkey!

Design by Loloi Rugs

Design by Shahban Rugs

HONORABLE MENTIONS

1. Lacquered Pendant Lights
Adding a pop of color and some subtle sheen, lacquered pendant lights are a fun alternative to the more typical metallic versions. As the color and shapes vary widely, the overall design effect is mutable: we found everything from diner chic options to a more geometric and modern style that would suit an office or even a design-forward playroom.

Design by Huhdson Valley, Avery

Design by Stefan Gant

2. Sea Shells
Whether you live by the beach or not, chances are there’s an oceanside getaway that has your heart. To be reminded of your family’s times there, these designs are the answer and take the shell collection display up a notch or two. Coral, shells, and freshwater pearls make up a fantastic and striking chandelier-it looks like something that might hang in a mermaid’s palace! For a more subtle nod to gifts from the ocean, a variety of shells (including eye-catching turquoise limpets) are carefully and artistically arranged by hand to create a stunning mirror. You’ll smile each time you get a glimpse of your reflection framed by such natural beauty. As for this last shell display, it’s easily doable with whatever marine treasures you and yours have found.

Design by Currey Codealers, Chimera Chandelier

Design by Marjorie Stafford

Design by OBX Trading Group

3. Confit Pots
Confit pots have been used in France for several hundred years, and we’re regretting that we haven’t caught on to this trend sooner: French countryside chic never gets old. Functional as well as lovely on display, these typically two-toned vessels add a rustic yet refined appearance, especially to kitchens. The fact that, in a pinch, they can serve as containers to store small knickknacks left around the house? Genius, ma chérie.

Design by Sonoma Country Antiques

How to Create A Perfectly Curated Gallery Wall

Gallery walls are one of the most striking ways to decorate and unify a room. This popular layout is also an ingenious way to make use of a collection of postcards from around the world that you currently have stuffed into a desk drawer, to create a photographic homage to friends and family, or to display multiple pieces of art from diverse media without using up maximum wall space.

To keep gallery walls looking organized and eye-catching, we have a few simple rules. Following these guidelines will keep your gallery wall from looking haphazard and thrown together, yet they still leave plenty of room to get creative and celebrate your space.

*Find ways to make different things come together through framing and matting.

If you are combining varied types of art, media, or material, using similar frames is a wonderful way to keep a cohesive “look” to the gallery wall. Even on a large wall, we don’t suggest using more than five types of frames.

Design by The Lettered Cottage

Using a large matte in one color also helps to create a serene, collected feel even when the individual pieces vary greatly in size.

Designed by the Sara Hillery Interior Design Team

Of course, rules are made to be broken-occasionally. In the Designer House kitchen we created, the color pink served as a dominant and unifying common thread throughout the gallery wall. We framed some of the pieces and left others “floating”; the frames became secondary to the colorful art since the eye is drawn first and foremost to the vibrant, flirty color.

Designed by the Sara Hillery Interior Design Team

*Work your design layout from the outside in.

It can be helpful to decide on a defined shape to serve as an outline for the gallery wall and then choose your art to fit within that space. Containing the art creates order to the wall’s design, while simultaneously allowing you to be slightly more flexible with spacing. For example, this stairway gallery wall uses virtually no spacing between the frames, forming a tightly constructed shape that draws viewers in for closer examination.

Designed by Sunset

To keep a more freeform gallery wall from appearing chaotic, however, use equal spacing between the pieces for a calming, organized appearance.

*Follow the rule of 3.

Selecting three main colors or types of frames greatly contributes to a unified look. The bold yet elegant gallery wall focuses on white, black, and gold for a sleek, high-contrast ambiance. Alternating the frames in gold and black keep the wall from appearing too matchy-matchy, while still appearing curated.

Designed by Sacramento Street

This rule of three can also be expanded to five colors and display options, as in this Texas home. Matted and matte-free black and white photographs mingle with color images and are carefully spaced to allow visitors (and the family members themselves) relive and celebrate important and cherished moments in their history.

Designed by the Sara Hillery Interior Design Team

*Think outside the images and focusing on frames to create visual variety.

Frames can add color and texture to a wall that is otherwise devoted primarily to one color. The black-and-white art selections on this gallery wall include photographs, paintings, and geometric-based drawings. Despite being set against a stark white wall, the art stands out as a result of simple, yet contrasting frames in black, white, and natural wood. The textured frame at the wall’s center draws the focus in and then gently encourages the eye to move along.

Designed by Beneath My Heart

We’ve included some sample gallery wall layouts to use as your guide. As collectors and designers, we adore how gallery walls allow you to showcase some of your favorites items and works of art together-there’s nothing better than being surrounded by all the different things that you love the most and that you have collected along the journey to your current home.

Spring Organizing

It’s the first day of Spring! In with warmer temperatures, flowers in bloom, and people ready to shake the cobwebs out of their homes! However, sometimes organizing one’s home can seem like an impossible task: one recent study found that the average household contains upwards of 300,000 items! And since we’ve never met a child who wasn’t a master mess maker, these tips will have you cultivating a calmer, more organized home and leave plenty of time for enjoying the weather and maybe plant that flower garden you’ve been putting off.

A common organizing mistake people make is to take a half-hearted, piecemeal approach, which typically results in half-sorted piles all throughout the house…and makes you wish you had never started organizing in the first place.

1. Put like things together. (Our #1 rule!)

Available at The Container Store

Not only will this rule make your space appear more streamlined and put together, grouping like items together will make future clean ups much easier and faster (especially for the little ones). The Container Store has a genius product line of “Like-it Bricks” which are modular storage containers perfect for organizing and storing everything from office and art supplies to everything and anything in your pantry!

Organization by Style Blueprint

2. Take Stock

Knowing what you have is so important before you can really effectively dive in to the organizing process. Grouping like things together is a great step in helping take stock of what items you have…and can perhaps convince you that you don’t need yet another elephant figurine the next time you stop at the antique store.  We like to keep a mindset of simplicity when choosing the things that fill our home. As a result, questions like “Do we really need 10 different types of ketchup/64 coffee table books out every day/enough wine glasses to through a ball when we entertain a small group of friends twice a year?” are important when trying to pare down and organize.

Designed by La Dolce Vida

3. Touch it, then move it.

Our solution to the problem of discard and “move” piles is to put things in designated bins in each room to keep floors and areas clear even while you are still in the organizing process. The bins can then be more easily moved to other levels or to the curb. Once you have achieved an organized home, these bins/organizers will continue to be useful: we recommend setting them at designated locations on each floor to help manage the constant movement of items and clutter between floors.

Baskets by Serena and Lily

4. Give everything a home with labels

Labeling also goes a long way: we have all made piles, left to run an errand or tackle some other task, and then returned unsure of what our plans for said pile were. Labeling helps after the organizing process is complete as well; instead of rifling through cabinets or drawers, you simply have to glance at the label to note what lies within.

Pottery Barn Kids Woven Storage

5. Find storage solutions that fit your budget and your home aesthetic

H&M’s home line has a wide variety of visually pleasing bins and baskets at an affordable price.  You don't have to compromise your personal style with a budget!

H&M Storage Collection

6. Involve kids in the process.

Kids are going to accumulate stuff, so helping them corral and organize it from an early age is key. We recommend the IKEA Kallax series for its affordability, versatility, and ability to hold and display lots and lots of toys.

Bookcase by Ikea

Empower kids to partake in the organizing process as well: all that stuff may look like “just junk”, but it’s their stuff and giving them agency over it will help prevent a battle of organizing wills. If your children truly have an overabundance of toys (which ironically can make it harder for them to decide what to play with), encourage them to pick three things a week to get rid of.  This will hopefully reduce overall items and help provide an in/out mindset when they get more toys for birthdays or holidays. Parents should take a back seat during this process, although they can always pick items from their child’s “Toss” bin and store it in the attic for sentimental safekeeping.

Having an organized home can :

*Save time: You know where things are instead of spending hours looking for them

*Help you find more space: Getting rid of unwanted/unused items means you can arrange, display, and use the ones you want to keep.

*Save money: You will have a better grasp of what items you have and can use them accordingly instead of running out to buy pieces you already have. When you do decide to buy something new, being organized will help you find the perfect fit for your space.

*Inspire a less stressed YOU: You can relax without living among clutter and take comfort in the fact that your free time doesn’t need to be spent cleaning/rearranging. embolden

Taking the time and energy to effectively organize your home is well-worth the effort and a wonderful, invigorating way to start Spring off right!

Flirty Fleurs for Valentine's and Every Day!

Nothing says “Valentine’s Day” like flowers, and we admit to loving any excuse to bring florals and greenery into our home. In fact, we don’t think there’s any need to wait for Valentine’s Day to do so: flowers are a welcome, mood-boosting, room-brightening addition to any home any time of the year. Monet once said, “I must have flowers, always, and always.” We couldn’t agree more!

Pinned by Megan VLT

A general rule, you can’t go wrong with orchids for color and ferns for greenery, and we also favor incorporating seasonal blooms. In February, that could mean romantic flowers such as the amaryllis or the star-shaped bouvardia, the almost-sculptural dusty miller, or playful blooms like gerbera daisies and zinnia. If you have the option of selecting flowers and greenery from your own garden, that’s the best choice of all (and a reason to make plans to grow your own cutting garden)!

Arrangement by SHID (pot from Botanical Collections)

A general rule, you can’t go wrong with orchids for color and ferns for greenery, and we also favor incorporating seasonal blooms. In February, that could mean romantic flowers such as the amaryllis or the star-shaped bouvardia, the almost-sculptural dusty miller, or playful blooms like gerbera daisies and zinnia. If you have the option of selecting flowers and greenery from your own garden, that’s the best choice of all (and a reason to make plans to grow your own cutting garden)!

No matter what flower and greenery strikes your fancy, we recommend mixing and matching to create a layered, vibrant, and living array.

Types of Folliage Guide from HGTV

Choose plants that vary the texture of the leaf and petal as well as the scale for an intriguing, unique arrangement. Even if you stay within the same color scheme (greens, for example) you can create a rich, diverse bouquet that brings both contrast and harmony.

Arrangement by Martha Stewart

Fun additions to your arrangement include vegetables such as cabbage. These affordable, ubiquitous, and sturdy “blooms” come in a variety of colors, from white to pale green to deep purple. Paired with whimsical blooms such as hydrangea, cabbages add strength and instantly make the selection appear ready for a still life painting session.

Arrangement by Fior Deco

Choosing flowers and greens that are low-maintenance is absolutely key, especially for botanical beginners. While baby’s breath has earned a reputation among certain florists as a simple bouquet filler, we love using it because it doesn’t die quickly. Its delicate, almost neutral appearance makes it a great complement to more showy blooms. .

Arrangement by Interior Design Box

Plants such as succulents also make for an appealing, unfussy, long-lasting option. A display of a few fern stems lays on some natural flair and is simultaneously easy to maintain or swap out.

Arrangement by SHID

After you’ve picked your flowers and greenery, deciding how to display them is half the fun. There’s no need to keep the arrangement formal in a traditional vase either.

An empty glass soda bottle with a single flower and a ribbon tied around it is an adorable and approachable way to make your floral budget go far, and it instantly adds sweet style for when guests come to visit or to bring a little life into a bathroom or study.

Arrangement by One Charming Party

These wine glass vases add instant drama, but you can also use regular wine glasses. Cutting the stems short to keep the blooms tight around the rim of the glass is a sophisticated way to maximize a few choice blossoms. We picked up a tip from a floral class that will come in handy for virtually any vessel: use clear tape and make a grid on top of your vase or container. This set-up keeps blooms and greenery from falling over and allows you to better curate the bouquet.

Arrangement by Europe 2 You

Finally, don’t be afraid to try experimenting with unfamiliar flowers and creating unique arrangements. While you may not have the same techniques as a trained florist, trust your eye: you know your taste better than anyone else. Bringing in blooms that make you happy or remind you of a joyous occasion, whether it be your own wedding or a long ago childhood walk among wildflowers, will instantly brighten your home and your mindset.

Arrangement from Pinterest

Ultra Violet - Pantone color of the year

Pantone’s Color of the Year last year was an eye-popping, lush green, and this year the company continued its trend of vivid and dramatic shades with its selection of Ultra Violet. At first glance, the rich, super saturated shade might not be our choice for a whole house makeover, but that’s the beauty of this kicky purple: its richness results in plenty of visual punch, even when sprinkled throughout the home with a measured hand.

A curated view of Ultra Violet by the Sara Hillery Interior Design Team

Purple has seen waves of popularity going back centuries. The hue has long been associated with royalty, partially as a result of the cost and rarity of the dye that was once used to create the color. Colors in this family are more versatile than they may appear, with a wide range of shades ranging from bold to airy to neutral. We’ve included another of Pantone’s 2018 colors, Pink Lavender, in the mood board for contrast. This paler shade softens the boldness of Ultra Violet and is more easily visually digested than its grape jelly-like color cousin.

Mixing, matching, and blending purples in your home can result in a pulled-together yet playful vibe. This chandelier from Louise Gaskill incorporates found, Mid-Century glass and bridges divides and designs in both color and time with a style that blurs the line between antiques and modern décor. We also love this chandelier’s southern roots-all of Louise’s pieces are made in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Chandelier designed by Louise Gaskill

Both the gorgeous “Pearl River” pattern on the pillows and the “Vanderbilt Print” fabric of the mood board background belong to the Schumacher brand, a family-owned business since 1889. The pillows’ design originated in 1918, but it feels fresh and elegant, like having a piece of art you can rest against. Juxtaposing the lavender ziggurat Vanderbilt fabric with a more saturated shade would lend a harmonious, classic slant. It also serves as a surprisingly complementary contrast for floral patterns and prints.

Fabrics designed by Schumacher

As proof of purple’s versatility, we also included this Mid-century modern sofa designed by Paul McCobb. The simple lines highlight the color choice, while the understated design enables the sofa to stand the test of time and redecorating. This sofa even has a little secret: while it is is primarily upholstered in lux Maharam cotton, the side and the back are upholstered in vibrant, patterned cloth from the 1940s in India.

Designed by Paul McCobb with Maharam Cotton