Hello! Hope your new year is off to a fantastic start.

This winter has been pretty mild so far, but that doesn’t mean some of us aren’t super-eager for spring. So what’s my #1 tip for surviving the rest of winter? Start planning your home improvement projects now! 2015 was remarkably busy for our industry (the strongest I’ve seen it since I started my business 8 years ago), and that momentum has set us up for a promising 2016.

So rather than wait until the last minute, start the conversation today! Whether you want to remodel your kitchen, bath, or basement, or perhaps redefine a dated dining room, Lavender & Lotus Interior Design would love to be part of your next project.

Hello, hello! Wonderful to see you again :) And just like that - it’s September.

A popular project this time of year is what I like to call a redesign. This is when we give an existing space a new look or function. Examples may include breathing new life into a living room, turning a guest room into an office, or improving the organization of a mudroom. A redesign may include new furniture, a new color palette or accent color, flooring, lighting, window treatments, accessories, and possibly minor construction.

Contrary to popular belief, not every designer is bound and determined to reinvent the wheel that is your home. I love to incorporate existing pieces and achieve the desired results as efficiently as possible. Most importantly, I work with each client to develop a recipe for change that best fits their needs and goals.

So what project are you looking to tackle in the coming months? Fall is an excellent time to create order after a chaotic summer as well as plan ahead for holiday entertaining. Let’s start the conversation - call or write today!

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Once upon a time, outdoor furniture looked like this…

this…

and this…

Jump ahead to summer circa 2015, the options for outdoor awesomeness are virtually endless.

Here a few of my favorite finds this year.

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Wondering what’s on trend for this year? Let me introduce you to Marsala, Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2015. Marsala is a deep, earthy red that is sure to please. Not only is this color gorgeous with a variety of skin tones, making it an instant sensation in beauty and fashion, but a rich, sophisticated color that will add warmth and elegance to any home or interior. Unlike other trending colors of the past (sorry Orchid 18-3224, you just didn’t cut it for me…), Marsala is an easy-to-live-with trend that is sure to become a classic.

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If you ask me, every home should have a cozy corner of some sort. Check these out:

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Depending on the size of the home, some families may have both a living room and a family room. For others, these terms may be interchangeable. I consider living rooms to be more mature, slightly more formal in nature, whereas family rooms are kid-friendly and casual.

Essential characteristics for a successful space: comfortable seating, appropriate materials, and extra pillows or blankets for snuggly moments. Carefully consider what activities this room must accommodate as well. For example, include a side table and lamp for reading, flexible furniture arrangement for morning yoga or family dance party, and storage for board games/movies/books/etc.

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Next on our merry tour of wonderful spaces, the dining room. Often reserved for more formal occasions, I would love to see this room evolve into a functional medley of sorts. For example, large tables work exceptionally well for puzzle making, crafting, homework, gift-wrapping, and more. A word of caution: be tidy and organized - you don’t want this to become the largest catch-all in your home.

Essential characteristics for a successful space: storage for specialty dinnerware/ linens/candlesticks/etc., layers of (dimmable) light can help create the right mood, and be mindful of chair movement and table proportions when selecting an area rug.

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Apparently “Vintage” is in… but was it ever out? Regardless of whether you consider it vintage or retro, I call it classic.

The wildly popular TV series Mad Men may have increased visibility for vintage fashion and décor in recent years, but many contemporary retailers have delivered this aesthetic all along. For example, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, West Elm, and Mod Cloth all exemplify a vintage vibe.

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I know you’ve been on the edge of your seats waiting for this one. Trend #2 for Spring 2014 is graphic, graphic, and more graphic. Geometric shapes, patterns, clothes, and more - bold graphics are in.

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For the last several months I have been busy with a very special project. In this situation, we are updating the old farmhouse my client grew up in. First on the To Do List: redesign the bedrooms for two little girls (ages 9 and 7). This was a fun and unique opportunity for me to play in the world of COOL and CUTE. Here are couple snapshots for your viewing pleasure.

But the fun doesn’t stop there! The 2nd floor hall and dual stairways received a major transformation as well. Stay tuned for more images to follow.