Looking to the Past for Design Inspo – Historic New England Home Tours
Living in New England is a blessing if you're a sucker for historic home tours like we are. Plus we have organizations like Historic New England with so many homes to tour.
TV Sets – Interior Design Inspo from Television Shows
A common conversation at Platemark starts like this, “I watched [hot new TV show] last night, and the interior of so-and-so's home was amazing!” Movies…
The Best Designers in the World have the best Clients in the World
People love lists and superlatives, dating way back to high school yearbooks. But the publications are missing the juice: The best designers in the world have the best clients in the world.
What is Luxury (in 30 Seconds or Less)?
Pretty things and expensive things get all the credit, but they're further down on my list.
Fear is the Latest Trend
Fear is the power that fuels inertia. I read somewhere that the all-white room is a byproduct of fear.
Downsizing, Yes, but Don’t Forget Upsizing Too
Many of our clients struggle with the challenges of downsizing. But what about upsizing? Typically out of college, we land our first job, maybe we shack up in a trendy urban neighborhood, then get married, celebrate a first born. But the inevitable arrives, planning for that second (or third) child?
Salon Style: Origins and Influence on Today’s Décor
Not for the strict minimalist, unless carefully and obsessively arranged, this approach involves hanging all the pictures closely next to and atop one another in order to fit them all in.
Does your Home Match (where you are in) your Life?
I bet your wardrobe does. Or your car, your wrist watch or even your boat. What about your home? Do you hesitate to invite people over?
The Best: My Favorites from Art Display to Outdoor Grills
Back by popular demand, here's our roundup of eight superlatives. Call them our favorite things or our go-to brands. When you seek the best, you get what you pay for and you won't be disappointed.
Why is Ironing So Satisfying?
Attacking the noxious wrinkles with a steam wand or heavy German steam iron stirs up a feeling of gratifying satisfaction and completes with a sense of primitive accomplishment that I feel like I can conquer the world.
Are You Embarrassed to Have People Over?
Aren't we all, at some level a bit afraid of being judged? Our homes might be the ultimate reveal into our personal attics of shame.
Isn’t Paint Just Paint?
The one thing that will completely transform a room is an exceptional paint job. It's the type of application that people can understand and relate to, though rarely give much consideration to the varying levels of quality.
I’ll Know It When I See It
We've all said it, but this doesn't work all the time, especially when a kaleidoscope of decisions must be made.
The Nickel and the Dime
The journey of interior design transformation is often more valuable and memorable than the results. This means (to me) gently and thoughtfully leading the client through a series of carefully intended doors.
What Do You Do?
When asked what I did, I would usually get the same blank stare. Not to put down that career choice, it just doesn't incite the type of excitement and enthusiasm that saying “I'm an interior designer” does.
A Thoughtful Job Posting
Platemark has a job opening for a studio assistant. Here are the qualities and qualifications that best align with the position. Does it sound like you or someone you know?
On Speaking Up (When It’s Much Easier Not To)
Often times we see flaws, oversights and potential improvements that no one else sees. Should we speak up and point them out?
Everyone Always Wants What (They Regret) Their Parents Threw Away
You name it, someone will always chime in saying “Oh, my parents had a pair of those and I regret if they'd only kept them!”
20 Questions I Don’t Know the Answer To
There's a lot I know – and a ton I don't. Here's some questions to ponder with me.
I Make Decisions for a Living
A decorated home that consists of, say, 350 elements is actually 3,500 decisions. Or more. Probably more.
Before Company Arrives, Review This Checklist
Our homes never looks as good as when company arrives. Or as worse as just a few hours before. Here's my “fluffing” routine, as I…
What I’ve Learned From Professional Photo Shoots
It's Not All Smoke and Mirrors My first assumption was, when flipping through shelter and home magazines, that nothing was "real". Objects were dropped in…
Things I Wish I’d Known Before Becoming a Designer
This isn't a post steeped in regret, pause or grudge. Rather, I entered this business quite deliberately, with much enthusiasm and energy. I never imagined…
Ignore Sunk Costs When Making New Decisions
We hold on to decisions from the past. Usually, I imagine, because there's a complicated series of (emotional) connections we have to the value of…
I’m Also a Furniture Designer
I'm many things, apparently. Originally (and I mean teenager-originally), chef tendencies shaped my future. If you follow my blog, you can see that is apparent…