6 Design Details Your Guests Will Never Forget

As we barrel towards the holiday season, we naturally start assessing whether our home is ready for entertaining, whether for family-friendly Halloween get-togethers or adults-only New Years Eve soirees. While we love a good total reno and the chance to transform a home into a drastically different gathering space for friends and family, sometimes such a big change isn’t in the cards (or the budget).

Over the years, we have also identified the power of making smaller changes, swaps, and upgrades to create an inviting, appealing atmosphere. Here are six design details from past Sara Hillery Interior Design projects that will make an unforgettable impression on your guests and will hopefully give you a happiness buzz whenever you walk in that space as well.

Showstopping Foyer

Make a big impact on your guests from the moment they walk in with a fresh, tidy, and intentional foyer. This space incorporates both bright and soft whites and adds greenery to ease the indoor/outdoor transition. A playful blue and white striped wallpaper plays well with the lighter, peaceful blue shades of lighting fixture and side table.

Entryways often get clogged with shoes, coats, and bags, but making the effort to create a curated foyer translates to more space in the home to truly express your style and will set the stage to showcase your home to guests. Another plus side: you’ll enter your home after a long day and feel instantly refreshed and welcome.

Custom Architectural Details

One of our favorite ways to bring texture into a space without drastically altering it structurally is to add architectural details. Incorporating moldings instantly makes a room feel intriguing and elegant, and we love the diversity of options and that they can be added from floor to ceiling depending on which area you’d like to highlight.

To add depth to this room with a largely monochromatic color palette, we incorporated panel wainscotting and fluted pilasters around the fireplace, crown and baseboard molding at the ceiling and floor, and casing around the door.

Unique Powder Room

Powder rooms are among the most fun to play with since we like to be daring in small spaces! They are often the perfect room to try dramatic paint colors or wallpapers, but putting some thought into smaller details goes a long way here in general.

Little touches such as a whimsical mirror, funky light fixtures, an interesting faucet, a small bouquet of flowers, even a decadent smelling hand soap can have maximum impact and will have your guests stealing these ideas for their own powder room.

Bar Niche

For consummate entertainers and wannabe mixologists, a stocked bar is a necessity. Why not make every celebration feel just a little more festive with a splashy bar niche like this one? The vibrant color, abundant gold details, crisp marble countertop, wallpapered ceiling, and glam beaded light fixture will make every martini feel like a party! Multiple cabinets contain bottles, glasses, and other bar accessories for when the party is (at least temporarily) over and keep the space looking clean and organized.

Pops of Wallpaper

Wallpaper can get dismissed from design plans because of its past reputation for being fussy and costly to install. There are now easier-to-apply options available, and we’d also argue that the visual impact is worth a little struggle: wallpaper can make guests feel like they are inhabiting a work of art!

Wallpapers come in myriad patterns (we especially love floral and botanicals) and textures. Depending on the size and color of the print, patterns can really bring a “wow” factor, or they can create a soothing, repetitive visual. If wallpapering a whole room feels intimidating, we recommend using it for an accent wall or two.

Curated Art Collection

Many of our clients have spent years if not decades amassing a collection of artwork. Because these collections grow over time, the pieces are often added to an open wall or squeezed into a cabinet. For maximum visual impact, we recommend curating art that is connected by style or form into a specific area or space for display. When entertaining guests who might not know others (or even your family) very well, these collections create an immediate entrypoint for conversation and connection. Who knows? They may even have a unique collection of their own!

Want more design tips? Download our FREE Seasonal Guest-Ready Checklist below to get our curated tips and tricks to prep your home for guests this holiday season. Happy entertaining!

Download the Checklist

Renovation Regret Is Real - But It’s Entirely Avoidable

We love a good renovation–it’s an opportunity to transform a space that no longer serves its original purpose, make changes that support a homeowner’s evolving family situation (such as becoming empty nesters or having additional children), or give an intentional glow up after a long period of residence.

Renovations aren’t to be taken lightly or quickly, however. While we understand the excitement and anticipation surrounding the renovation process, this excitement can often lead to skipping the planning phase, or considering your emotional needs around the space.  But here’s the truth we’ve learned over 20 years of design: renovation regret is real, and it’s almost always avoidable.

The Trouble Begins When Planning Ends Too Soon

Excitement is natural. It’s tempting to dive in, pick paint colors, and start knocking down walls. But skipping the planning phase—or overlooking the emotional needs tied to your space—can lead to costly detours. We’ve seen it happen: electrical lines laid right where a future pool was dreamed. Oversized loft-sized sectionals purchased for cozy cottages. Sentimental elements removed without a second thought. These aren’t just logistical missteps, they’re missed opportunities to make your home feel like you.

Designing With Intention Means Designing With Longevity

A thoughtful renovation starts with a master plan. One that considers not just square footage and finishes, but how you live, how you gather, and what you cherish. It’s about preserving heirlooms, honoring memories, and making space for new ones.

This is where an experienced designer becomes invaluable. We help you fine-tune your goals, anticipate roadblocks, and create a roadmap that reflects your lifestyle—not just your Pinterest board. We’re your sounding board, your advocate, and your guide through the process.

Avoid the “It Looked Good Online” Trap

Furniture regret is one of the most common post-renovation woes. That dreamy oversized sofa? It might overwhelm your living room. A furniture plan and accurate dimensions aren’t just helpful—they’re essential. They save you time, money, and the heartbreak of realizing something doesn’t fit (literally or emotionally).

When done right, a renovation enhances your home’s value, supports your lifestyle, and brings joy for years to come. It’s not just about what’s new—it’s about what’s functional and true to you.

If you’re considering a renovation—or already knee-deep in one—we’ve created a free Renovation Readiness Checklist to help you start with clarity and confidence. Download the checklist below and then give us a call!

DOWNLOAD THE CHECKLIST

Spring Into Style: 5 Interior Designer Approved Home Decor Tips

Warmer weather, finally! As we open the windows to let in the fresh spring air and take pleasure in swapping out our winter wardrobes, we often find ourselves also wanting to refresh our home decor. These updates don’t need to be dramatic but they do wonders for our mood and take advantage of the natural, seasonal cycles taking place outside.

As interior designers, here are some of our favorite easy decor tips you can use today to get your home Spring ready:

1. In bloom

Go beyond the dining room or kitchen floral “centerpiece” by adding fresh, seasonal floral arrangements all around the house.

Stick a bloom or two into a bud vase and pop it on the bathroom vanity and delight houseguests with a mini bedside bouquet from your backyard. Scented or not, these flowers instantly give off fresh spring vibes!

2. Curated layers

Refresh and rearrange coffee table decor, and any other surfaces. In addition to incorporating floral arrangements or plants, you could select a beautiful tray, unique antique pieces, and bring in a candle with a refreshing scent (such as citrus or jasmine).

Adding coffee table books that depict themes of gardens, warm weather escapes, or spring fashion will also add seasonal flair.

3. Pastel palette

Add decorative or spring themed artwork to each room. While there’s no need to redo a room entirely, think in terms of spring colors and bring in decor to reflect this palette. Topiaries and ferns add whimsical spring flair to a room, and swapping out darker paintings or photographs for more vibrant hued artworks will do wonders to enliven a space.

4. Textile touches

Make seasonal accessories swaps. Put away the cozy, heavy blankets, make space for lighter throws or quilts, and don’t underestimate the power of simply trading out decorative pillows.

Selecting pastel colors and spring prints for these accessories will add another layer to the overall spring effect.

5. Tablescapes

Let the “lightness” of spring guide you around the table. Bring out your cheery, patterned place settings, add a floral table runner, and incorporate more fanciful and decorative glassware. We also love using flatware with bamboo or colorful handles.

Even if lingering cool weather means you can’t dine outside just yet, you could get into the picnic mindset with a checkered tablecloth. This season brings out our more playful side, and, after a long winter, we happily embrace that in as many aspects of our daily lives as possible!

Looking for more design tips, or have an interior design project in mind? We are here to help, contact us today!

6 Cozy Spaces Perfect for Fall Gatherings

Each fall, we find ourselves looking forward to spending intentional time with friends and loved ones. After summer months spent traveling and embracing different (dare we say, less frenetic) schedules, there’s something about the cool weather that encourages us to gather together again, and our homes are a favorite spot for this type of entertaining.

At Sara Hillery Interior Design, we focus on making spaces that are usable and functional year round, and taking into consideration the social habits of the homeowners with whom we work is a critical part of the planning process. As a result, these spaces are naturally ready to host parties, small get-togethers, and family nights in.

With the holidays on the horizon, we are sharing 6 spaces and the design details that encourage gatherings and get-togethers with your favorite people. 

1.

fireside glow

This room radiates coziness, and has a tech-free touch we love: there’s no television to be found! The entertainment is sitting across from one another and catching up with rich wood paneling, plush couches with oversized pillows, and a vintage rug all inviting conversation. Get a fire blazing and everyone will naturally tuck in for an afternoon or evening together.

2. take it outside

Outdoor spaces can be cozy too, and, as green-minded designers, we encourage being outside for as long as the weather allows it. Surrounded by nature yet protected from the elements, this screened-in porch offers the best of both worlds. Diffused lighting sources and outdoor entertainment keep gatherings going for hours so bring out some extra blankets and warm beverages and settle in.

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4. A simple design trick

Not everyone loves a big get-together, but a simple design trick can help create more intimate spaces within any size setting. A small table with an activity such as cards or a mini chess board (or perhaps some coloring supplies for little ones) give smaller groups the opportunity to settle in and feel comfortable.

3. Create a cozy nook

Breakfast nooks are a great way to make the kitchen, already the landing spot for most people, into a real hotspot since they maximize available space. No matter what age people are, there’s something joyful about squeezing in around a big table with a variety of snacks to offer.

5. queue music

Need to take a social occasion to the next level? Simply add music. Nothing brings together a group quicker than playing the first few bars of a beloved classic tune–who can resist “Sweet Caroline”? If you’ve got a musician in your house, have him or her take a seat at the piano or ask for volunteers to turn your get together into a sing-a-long.

6. elbow room

This room’s open floor plan is perfect for get-togethers: hosts can prepare and offer food, serve drinks, and mingle all while their guests are within eyesight. We designed this space with unique architectural details such as the coffered ceiling, which adds a central point of interest. The living room design and layout allows for guests to easily flow from the kitchen with ample space to move around. The rooms neutral tones coupled with colorful soft furnishings creates a sense of warmth, encouraging guests to relax.

Does your home feel prepared for entertaining this holiday season? Considering a space refresh or complete design overhaul? We are here to help, contact us today!

Before and After Living Room Makeover

An artsy family’s sense of whimsy and passion for collecting unique art was lost in a drab living space that was weighed down by a busy patterned rug and dated wall adornments. We came in to help create a refined adult retreat that was functional and kid-friendly and simultaneously could serve as a space for the family to show off their one-of-a-kind paintings.

By updating the dark khaki walls with a soft, warm white paint color and refreshing the white molding, the room immediately feels substantially lighter. To continue with this fresh theme, we covered up the dark wood floors with a creamy natural fiber area rug that is both kid and dog friendly.

A simple glass coffee table keeps the space light-hearted and airy, while reflective lamps, vases, and accessories maintain the breezy vibe. Matching mirrors and dark chests on either side of the fireplace balance the room while creating the illusion of an even more open and bright space.

Tying in colors from the family’s amazing art collection into the chairs, pillows, and drapes helps to achieve a playful, yet unified atmosphere. For example, the patterned pillows resting on the blue armchairs reflect a design similar to that of the painting between the drapes, while the bunny-printed bolster pillow maintains the same sweetness as the nearby bird painting. Sprinkles of green in pots on the mantel, in the form of a tableside succulent, or arranged creatively on the coffee table give additional nods to the natural world and keep the space from looking overly pristine.

Combining sleek shapes, organic textures, and the family’s distinctive artwork, we transformed this living room from a dark den into a vibrant, light-filled space perfectly suited for family life, artistic inspiration, and perhaps even a little quiet reflection and reading time.

Get the look!