Ready or not, here come the holidays!

Believe it or not, as an interior designer, it's not very often that I get to design a home for the holidays! This time of year, my time is mostly spent renovating kitchens and baths, or redesigning living spaces and bedrooms. My clients are generally in a full blown panic to get their homes spiffed up for a house full of guests during the holidays. Sound familiar?

While I love my usual projects, this year I set out to do something a little different during the holiday season. I wanted to use my interior design skills to some how give back to our community. To make a difference. So, my assistant (who is likeminded and felt the same urge to give back) and I spent one morning, many, many months ago, brainstorming ideas over cups of coffee. The idea that resonated to both of us was to put together a Holiday House tour where all the proceeds would benefit a local charity - we chose Womenade of Greater Squamscott.

After several months of planning, loads of hours of shopping, endless amounts of time designing we are now only two and a half weeks away from our event!

The 1st Annual Exeter Area Holiday House tour is set for Sunday, December 7th, 1-4:00pm in Exeter, NH!

Here's how it works. We have paired five of Exeter's finest homes with local interior designers and local florists to design and decorate for the holidays. This is not your usual holiday décor! Prepare yourself to be wowed by the beautiful and creative ideas that these designers and homeowners have come up with - I'm not talking your typical twinkle lights and a few holiday pillows on the couch - we're talkin' WOW FACTOR!

So get your tickets now before we sell out. This is an event you won't want to miss! Tickets are $18 in advance or $20 on the day of the tour. You may purchase your tickets at any of the following locations: Churchills Garden Centers, Cymbidium Floral, Trends, The Willow and G & N Flooring.

And since it's the season of giving thanks, I can't help but thank Womenade of Greater Squamscott for their support as well as all of our designers and volunteers. This event wouldn't have happened with out your time, creativity, energy and support!

Designers:
Stephanie Morrison of Morr Interiors
Carla Green of Carla Green Designs
Ethan Allan of Portsmouth, NH
Claire Abbott of Pattern No. 3
Mandeville Canyon Designs

Florists and Garden Centers:
Cymbidium Floral
The Exeter Flower Shop
Drinkwater Flowers & Design
Churchill's Garden Center
Yankee Clipper
Scamman's Home & Garden

I hope to see all of you on the tour in just a few weeks!

Enjoy the togetherness that comes with the holidays!
Renee

Is it Spring yet?

March is a tricky month for New Englanders. We can hear the birds begin to chirp early in the morning, days are longer, the sun (when it decides to join us) is brilliant. However, it's still cold. The snow is no longer bright white, but an unappealing brown. We long for the buds to start to appear on the bare branches in our yards. Yet we all know, it's still weeks away.

So, for the moment, I'm hanging on to this poignant quote by Hal Borland, as I await springs arrival.

"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips it's turn." 

Hence the reason I am so happy that one of the hottest design trends of 2014 is Window Sheers! Let the sunlight shine in without compromising your privacy! Try a different kind of window sheer, but using some of the new fabric options out there, like woolen and linen.



Photo from Fresh Home



Pop on over to Fresh Home's website to check out all of the predicted trends for 2014. 2014 Design Trends

What to do when the sun just won't shine through? Add your own pop of color.

Turquoise is one of the hottest color this season. And if there's any color that would remind me of warm sunny days, like the ones spent on a tropical beach, it's the color turquoise! And I especially love it when it's paired with pops of orange! A few years ago, I worked with Stephanie Morrison of Morr Interiors to design a model home for Seaglass Village in Maine.  We used lots of oranges with a pop of turquoise for a really fun and bright interior.






To see more pictures of this model home click here:  Mr. Drew Photography


So put a little spring into your step, and some color in your life. A new season is upon us!!

Thinking warmer thoughts,

Renee