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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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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Last but not least, metal is also trending strongly these days. Another classic element to design, metal is great for adding variety, sophistication, and a touch of sparkle to a space. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, but be mindful that different finishes may support or conflict with the character or vibe of a room.

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Morning! One project currently in progress is a kitchen redesign with a super fun client that I originally worked with last year. For this redesign, we will be updating the wall color, light fixtures, and furniture - eventually. Lighting updates, as well as a fresh coat of paint, are two easy ways to bring a lot of change to a space.

Since I’ve been a busy bee researching light fixtures, I thought I would share a few sparkly ones that caught my eye.

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… Sorry. No scary stories here. I’m a bit of a light weight when it comes to scary stuff, actually - always have been. On the other hand, I’m a regular badass when it comes to design. Here are some dark and stormy spaces in the spirit of All Hallows’ Eve.

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I’m back! What a lovely weekend it was. I didn’t end up pinning as much as I had originally planned, but that’s ok. Where I’m at is exactly where I’m supposed to be

In other news, I thought I would share some rockin’ recent finds from Etsy. Man, that site is truly a wonderland of awesome everything. Check it out!

Awesome, right? And who wouldn’t love that Daushound pup…

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When it comes to Art Deco, the word GLAMOUR says it all. A middle ground for modernism, Art Deco was geometric, streamlined, super sleek and sexy. This style occurred during the financial boom of the 20s-30s, but was short lived because of WWII. Examples of Art Deco architecture include the Chrysler Building, Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, and hotels in NYC as well as Miami.

Characteristics of Art Deco include: rounded silouettes, glossy exotic woods, sunbursts, chevrons, zigzags, shiny metals, mirrored furniture, bling, bling, and more bling. Think Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Think flapper girls. Think King Kong. Think the Emerald City in the Wizard of Oz.

Next up, Arts and Crafts. One of my absolute favorites, this style developed in response to the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century. At a time where machines were quickly replacing talented artisans with inferior products, the Craftsman Movement was about celebrating traditional skills and creativity as well as emphasizing the natural qualities of materials. Important names to note during this period are William Morris, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Gustav Stickley.

Qualities to describe the Arts and Crafts style: earthy color palette, natural materials and finishes (wood, stone, slate, leather), built in’s (cabinetry, shelves, benches), stained glass, dark/rustic hardware, beefy/tapered columns, handcrafted textiles and ceramics, and an overall emphasis on nature.

Honest to goodness, I love this style. Arts and Crafts is classic, a great balance of not-too masculine or feminine, it’s architectural, and I love the emphasis on nature. See for yourself.

Hello again! I’m having such a great time with these colorful posts - hopefully you are enjoying them as well. Next in our series is what I would refer to as Blue-Green or Turquoise.

Although Pantone may have coined their “Turquoise” as Color of the Year for 2010, I wouldn’t consider Blue-Green to be out of fashion. After all Blue-Green encompasses a wide range of colors. For example, ”Quarry” is a hot color trend for Fall 2011.

Maybe it’s the soul of summer, but Blue-Green (or Turquoise) is really speaking to me.

If you haven’t noticed by now, the sun has been setting earlier and our days are growing shorter. With less natural light we turn to artificial sources to light up our homes and offices. Unfortunately far too many homes suffer from poor or ugly lighting. But have no fear - Aimee is here.

Have you experienced a kitchen pendant either hung too high or too low?Does your bathroom lighting create harsh shadows? Are you constantly working in your shadow in the kitchen? Lighting changes will make a huge difference to your life. Don’t be left in the dark - cheesy, I know :) Call today!