Buckle up for a rainbow renaissance.

“There isn’t a shade or color I’ve ever seen that I haven’t liked,” Mario Buatta, with characteristic wit, observed. The late great decorator, who passed away in 2018, would be pleased, then, to see the spectrum of shades and tints that are poised to dominate our homes in the year ahead. Gone are the days of straight-laced, all-white rooms; instead, as we emerge from three (have I got that right?) years of uncertainty, experts predict a rainbow-bright renaissance in 2023 colors.

“The colors [consumers] choose are reflecting their mood—and they are much freer in how, when, and where they use it on themselves and in their homes,” Gemma Riberti, head of interiors at the trend forecasting agency WGSN, tells us. “Going into 2023, color is reflecting well-being, discovery, acceptance, transformation, comfort, simplicity, and (why not) pleasure.”

While some of these observations might sound like sound bites from your last therapy session, the “It” hues I’ve seen come to the fore these last few years show a collective desire for coziness and a closeness to nature (read: green-everything) and more expressive materials (see one of the year’s biggest trends, bold marble). “One of the most significant themes we’ve identified for the 2023 colors is warmth,” Sherwin-Williams’s Sue Wadden affirms. “People are moving away from the cool grays that defined the past decade and exploring hues that exude kindness, serenity, and empathy.”

There were also some surprises in the mix, according to the color experts we spoke to, namely the emergence of a genre of, literally, out-of-this-world colors: “Near-neons and hyper-brights are also making a comeback, driven by the metaverse, with colors making an impact in both digital and physical realms,” Ribaldi says. That entails vivid, bold hues—especially as Gen Zers begin decorating their first homes.

But if you aren’t entirely ready to paint your bedroom acid green just yet, read on for a list of the seven color trends that will be all the rage in 2023.

Green: Sage is giving way to deeper emerald green in 2023 colors.

The color experts have said it before and they’re saying it again: Green shows no sign of fading in our homes, and it’s a surefire bet—whether you opt for a soothing sage or a pale pistachio—the hue will remain in fashion for years to come. “We’ve definitely seen an increased interest in greens this year, with that shade representing three of our top six colorways for 2022,” says Natalie Ebel, copresident of direct-to-consumer paint brand Backdrop. But while last year paint companies were predicting dusty verdant variations (for instance, Benjamin Moore’s 2022 Color of the Year, October Mist), Ebel, along with many other experts, predicted an uptick in punchier, truer greens and emeralds.

What makes green, well, evergreen? International color expert and executive director at Pantone’s Color Institute Leatrice Eiseman, makes the case for its beauty as a neutral. “My students hear me lecture over and over and over again about using green as a neutral color,” she says. “Mother Nature uses it ubiquitously in plants and foliage.” Watch for this hue in everything from marble to tile to furnishings in the year ahead.

Cool Lavenders and Lilacs: Lavender and lilac hues are rising in popularity among Gen Zers.

An emerging color trend that demonstrates the power of newly initiated Gen-Z consumers is the rise of soft, dusty shades of lavender and lilac. 1stDibs, the digital antiques marketplace, saw interest in lavender spike in 2022, up to 14 percent over 6 percent approval the previous year. WGSN forecasters, meanwhile, spotted the shade—which they’ve dubbed “Digital Lavender”—everywhere from Jil Sanders collections to Mercedes-Benz concept vehicles to Andrés Reisinger virtual furniture.

Riberti, along with WGSN’s color strategist Clare Smith, predict the color will dominate tabletop and soft furnishings, in addition to our walls. “It’s a sensorial shade that connects to holistic well-being and digital optimism,” they tell us. “This shade poses that much-needed cautious optimism and escapism that people are craving post-pandemic, and even in times of budget crunch, it is imaginative and creative but also speaks of hope and balance.”

It also speaks to nostalgia: Smith and Riberti have noticed it paired with chrome, glass, and other reflective surfaces, an indication that the ’80s are officially back. 1stDibs also saw a correlation between soft powdery pastels and an increase in ’80s-era interest.

Orange: Flame orange is dousing some walls lately.

Orange, as Pantone’s Eiseman pointed out, has consistently remained “at the bottom of the totem pole.” But her team’s research has indicated that the hue is “definitely on board for next year.” It’s a trend also mirrored in WGSN’s reporting: “Saturated tones will return yet in solid color statements, enabling new forms of self-expression,” Riberti says, like fiery orange. And while some designers might opt for saturated versions of the shade on walls, many will use the pigment to add pop to furnishings and accents. “It’s the combination,” Eiseman says. “There are creative opportunities to put colors together that really tax your imagination.” (I’ll add: in a good way)

But homeowners and designers are also drawn to earthier, terra-cotta-tinged shades. In fact, according to 1stDibs’s latest trend research, burnt orange was its third most popular color, behind (you guessed it) emerald and sage green.

Light Brown: Milk chocolate never looked so delectable.

Forget gray; brown is 2023’s new neutral. In fact, all varieties of this cozy shade are appearing in the color-forecasting tea leaves. “Light browns, dark browns, and beiges are making a comeback because of their earthiness, meaning they ground us and help us feel more connected to the beauty and restorative properties of nature,” says Wadden of Sherwin-Williams.

Before you start getting flashbacks of generic ’90s tract home dens, consider the versatility of today’s beige: “What we’re seeing with the neutrals is that there are many more nuanced neutrals that seem to have an undertone that really pops out at you,” says Pantone’s Eiseman. ELLE DECOR editors are also spotting a variety of finishes with these trending tints, ranging from lustrous taupe lacquer to textured limewash in spaces from kitchens to bedrooms.

Mustard: For ’70s flare, you might try giving your walls a mustard makeover.

Do you prefer honey or dijon? Yellow or hearty whole grain? Whatever your preference for mustard, it’s a go for 2023 colors. In addition to Raspberry Blush, Benjamin Moore named the khaki-colored Savannah Green as part of its forecast for next year. “Almost like gold leaf for your walls, this rich ochre features a balanced undertone of green and yellow,” the hue’s description reads. Chairish, the vintage furniture online marketplace, saw an increase in searches for mustard-colored items on its platform. For our part, we’ve been seeing varieties of mustard everywhere from walls to textured bouclés.

Rose: A lovely, warm unexpected neutral in 2023 colors.

Next year’s outlook is rosy, according to color forecasters—from bright fuchsias to delicate, neutral-leaning pinks. On the subtle end of the spectrum, Sherwin-Williams inaugurated Redend Point, a serene gray-pink, as its 2023 Color of the Year. “This gorgeous hue tells a story about warmth, exploration, and the importance of self-care, and is the perfect example of the warm, versatile, and unexpected neutrals we expect will become increasingly sought after in 2023,” Wadden tells us.

Pantone, meanwhile, named Viva Magenta! as its frontrunner for 2023 colors – a jubilant purply red that felt in line with the digital-first zeitgeist and “this idea of needing more energy, more vim and more vigor,” Eiseman tells us. Mauve is also making moves, 1stDibs predicts; the company saw a 4 percent increase in interest for mauve in 2022, another indication that the ’80s vibes are in our future.

And there’s more: Benjamin Moore named Raspberry Blush 2008-30 as its color-to-watch of 2023. “We love seeing Raspberry Blush on all four walls to make a bold color statement,” Arianna Cesa, the company’s associate manager of color marketing and development notes. “We particularly love it in a dining room as a modern, blushed update on the classic deep red dining room. For those who want to dip their toe into bold color, it’s great for an accent wall, a ceiling, painted furniture, or trim.”

Powder Blue: A feel-good soft trend that adds balance.

Softness has been trending in a major way across the homefront, ranging from amorphous shapes to fuzzy finishes. It’s also appearing in our homes via pale, powdery blues in particular. Experts say it exemplifies a collective desire for calm in a crazy world: “Luminous powdery sky blues and barely-there pastels will speak to the need for softness and for balance, and help support physical and mental health,” Riberti predicts. Chairish, meanwhile, predicted “French blue,” a pretty cornflower hue, will be appearing increasingly in furnishings and accessories. The sky, apparently, is the limit with this feel-good tint.

Wow, the outlook for a colorful 2023 is bright! I hope you found inspiration in the colors shown here. And that’s the tip of the iceberg. You know I’m here to help you pull it all together and find your best color palette for your personal spaces.

If these 2023 colors have inspired you, just give me a call anytime at (407) 743-2399. I’m easy to reach – you can choose a contact method right below this blog post, and we can set up a consultation to explore some lovely, colorful territory together. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com and you can also click this link to message me via my website.

Hello, wild wallpaper and spacious showers. And that’s just for starts, in 2023 bathroom trends.

While we realize that good design outlasts fads, few among us can resist a good trend prediction. So, I’m here to separate the good from the bad and deliver to you the 2023 bathroom design trends that actually look like they will have legs. 

Although bathrooms often go overlooked, they’re a necessary part of any home – and, as the place where we often begin the day, they should set us up for success. So, let’s take a look at what makes sense for bathrooms in 2023.

Bold Powder Rooms

Small powder rooms are the perfect places to experiment with bold color and pattern. The small square footage of this Manhattan apartment gives a pattern extra drama, and creates a visual surprise for your guests. As wallpaper continues its newfound popularity into next year, there will likely be a steady rise of eye-popping powder baths.

Antiques are Finding Their Way into 2023 Bathroom Trends

Spurred by the combined forces of production delays for new furniture and an eye towards sustainability, vintage and antiques are enjoying newfound popularity. Many designers are incorporating them into bathrooms in exciting ways, like what was done here with an antique chest that was retrofitted as a vanity using a vintage sink.

Fluted Edges are One of the Biggest Bathroom Trends for 2023

Fluting is one of the biggest trends on many design radars right now, and the look has myriad uses in a bathroom, whether on cabinet drawers like shown here, or with fluted edges on countertops, detailing on backsplashes, and more.

Next-Level Millwork is Making Its Way into Bathroom Design

Speaking of fluting, forecasters are anticipating a rise in millwork details of all kinds. Lately it’s been predicted that we’ll see more detailed cabinetry in kitchens next year, and I’m betting that will move into the bath space too. While you may not go quite as all out as done for this “Library Bath,” take this as a sign to add a little oomph to those plain shaker cabinets.

Wet Rooms

In this primary bathroom, statement marble (another trend!) and a spacious “wet room” for the shower, provide the feeling of being in a luxury hotel. These extended spaces are notable for many reasons: They tend to be more accessible, making them optimal for aging-in-place, plus they enable the bathroom to be more multifunctional, essentially dividing it into separate rooms without breaking it up visually.

Statement Stone

Bold marble is another look many designers anticipate going strong next year: You’ll note that in this bathroom, when used right, a natural stone surface can act as de-facto wallpaper.

New Wainscoting

When you hear the word “wainscoting” you may envision a 90s-looking beaded half-wall—but today’s designers are making the look chic again. In this bath, a typical half-paneled wall gets a modern, graphic spin with vertical subway tile.

Bidets are Trending Big for 2023 Bathrooms

I hate to break it to you, but If you’re not on Team Bidet yet, you should be. Once mostly regarded by Americans as a European eccentricity, bidets have now become mainstream, with brands like Toto offering them up built into high-tech toilets, or companies like Tushy selling versions you can add onto an existing toilet.

I hope these 2023 bathroom trends have inspired you! If you’d like to have me bring some of these decor ideas into your bathrooms, let me know. You can choose a contact method right below this blog post. And feel free to give me a call anytime at (407) 743-2399, and we can explore bathroom design ideas together. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com and you can also click this link to message me via my website.

It’s a big day when paint company Pantone announces their Color of the Year. The 2023 Pantone Color of the Year, Viva Magenta, is a color that is already trending in the fashion and beauty world and now it’s making its way into interior design.

Just like in previous years, Pantone’s choices for this year’s trending colors are rooted in nature. But Pantone always chooses a color that has a little more edge than other paint companies.

Last year, Pantone chose Very Peri as their Color of the Year, a daring and carefree blue shade that was certainly bolder than the other blue and green shades that were trending. And this year we see a similar interior color trend, the colors are warmer and in Pantone’s case a lot bolder.

Read on to learn more about Viva Magenta, the Pantone Color of the Year 2023, and how you can use this bold color in your interiors, and sometimes enhanced, or subdued with complimentary color schemes.

A Deeper Dive into the Origin, Meaning, and Nuances of Viva Magenta

The story behind Viva Magenta is all about the balance between our digital and physical lives. In recent years, we have responded and reacted with a greater pull toward the natural world, and the Pantone Color of the Year 2023 is chosen to reflect our pull toward natural colors and the movement surrounding sustainability, and ecology.

In recent years, and perhaps as a response to covid and lockdowns, etc., an increased love for nature has also been reflected in our homes, not just with paint colors but also by adding plants, florals (live flowers, prints, and wallcoverings), and living walls to our interiors. And by paying more attention to our outdoor spaces.  

Our current lifestyle trends are at the heart of the Color of the Year selection process. And Pantone feels that Viva Magenta is the perfect rich shade for these times. The origin of Viva Magenta comes from the cochineal beetle. This insect produces carmine dye, one of the most precious, strongest, and brightest colors of the natural dye family.

This year’s color merges the richness, warmth, and strength of the natural world with the rich, open horizons of the digital world. The result is a red shade that celebrates life, Viva Magenta is a bold shade that also adds a fun touch to your home.

How Viva Magenta Can Be Used In Your Home

For a bold statement, you can opt for a magenta feature wall or sofa. But it can also be added as an accenting pop of color through curtains, rugs, pillows, or flowers. Viva Magenta certainly adds a warm and dramatic tone to any room of the house.

Living Rooms are a Great Place to Start

One interior photo shows how you can test the waters with one or two pieces of furniture. Sure, it’s a bit of a commitment, but it also makes a lovely bold statement.

This living room shows a neutral base with white walls, shelves, and furniture that is spruced up with a bold pink rug.

If pink walls are a bridge too far for you, consider painting the ceiling. Ceilings are often a forgotten component, but you can add such an impactful colorful statement to any room by painting the ceiling as you can see in this photo of a home library crowned with a hot pink ceiling.

Pink on pink in this home. The living room walls are painted in an earthy pink shade which is complimented by a hot pink sofa in a traditional style.

A bold pink shade creates a stunning feature wall in the living room.

And this living area mixes up color quite nicely.

Viva Magenta in Kitchens

This home is festooned with colorful wallpapers. But their love for color continues with this hot pink kitchen. The boldness of these rich pink kitchen cabinets looks pretty stunning.

Another room where two pink shades have been combined. Soft pastel pink cabinets and walls are combined with a hot pink tablecloth for a bold color accent in a colorful apartment. This is a very simple way to anchor a deep richness into this kitchen space.

This family home is packed with color and in the kitchen/dining area they placed a hot pink rug on the floor for visual impact, warmth, and depth.

This kitchen in a midcentury home combines green cabinets and walls with deep pink tiles. It shows that green and pink are a great color combination together.

Detouring from the kitchen, and going back to the living room, here is another green and pink example showing a playful pop of color in a more traditional sofa setting.

You can add bold color accents with textiles, decor, and art but why not make a statement with furniture? These built-in cabinets add a vibrant pink color touch to a blue and white kitchen.

This Bold Color in Bedrooms

To make a bold pink like Pantone’s Viva Magenta truly pop you can combine it with darker color tones. This moody gray bedroom shows exactly that, the walls and floor are painted in a dark shade but with a pink throw and rug, you add a joyful pop to the room.

Again, a room where two shades of pink are combined. This pink bedroom in a colorful family home combined a plaster pink shade with a bold pink/reddish rug.

We’ve already seen hot pink as an accent color in the bedroom but you can paint the walls as well as this attic bedroom shows.

Pantone’s Viva Magenta Color Palette

Pantone has also released a color palette with complimentary shades for Viva Magenta. This color palette mainly features light, neutral, natural shades that will make the Pantone Color of the Year 2023 stand out.

top row: Pale Dogwood – Gray Sand – Gray Lilac – Viva Magenta
bottom row: Pale Khaki – Fields of Rye – Agate Gray – Plein Air

Besides these neutral color tones, you may have noticed other color combinations in the images here. For a natural look, you can combine Viva Magenta with green and blue. If you want the 2023 color to really stand out you can combine it with dark gray. Or you can go for a full pink look, where dusty pink tones form the neutral base of your room with magenta color accents.

How do you feel about the Pantone Color of the Year 2023: Viva Magenta? Do you enjoy the bold color, or is it too much for you? Truth be told, I’m still forming my opinion, but some of you will have immediate gut reactions to it. Let me know your thoughts, especially if you’d like to explore using this color in your spaces – I can help you test the waters.

If this bold rich magenta color for 2023 has inspired you, and you’d like to see how to incorporate it into your spaces, I’m always available for consultations. Choose a contact method right below this blog post, or click this “contact” link. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com And you can always call me anytime at (407) 743-2399.

Will 2023 be the year of fluted details or muted tones in living room trends? (spoiler alert: BOTH!)

As 2022 winds down, of course, we’re already looking ahead at what’s trending next for the design world. And, as one of the central gathering spaces in any house, the living room is at the heart of my focus. 2022 proved to be the year of bold wallpaper, warm woods, and a resurgence of antiques—all of which are still going strong. But what’s on the other side of the calendar? The good news? The prognosis is great, with warmth, style, and details galore.

Rich, Muted Tones

If a few years ago saw the heydey of Millennial Pink and the last few years were all about verdant shades, 2023 is shaping up to be all about rich, vibrant colors in muted tones. The feeling evoked in this room portrays that, with a burgundy velvet sofa, deep sage lime-washed walls, and pillows that are the sexier cousin to teal. 2022 also saw designers leaning into deep, dark palettes to evoke warmth and comfort, and that may continue to carry over into 2023 living room trends.

Warmer Neutrals

In terms of neutrals, warm, earth tones complement those rich hues well. Some designers see a trend in 2023 toward warm, non-intrusive, neutral tones and materials, which provide comfort and security. Raw, organic materials, and tones such as brown ocher, offer a cozy-yet-modern grounding base. The living room shown here proves how well the rich hues and warm neutrals pair.

Multifunctionality

Let’s hear it for 2023 being the year we…actually use our living rooms. Now that we know better than ever how we use our homes, they’re adapting to better serve those needs. The single room shown here is designed with areas for reading, napping, drinking, entertaining, and even stargazing.

Fluted Details

This is trending really big now. Fluted and reeded pieces in neutral spaces are especially huge right now. While the look was once reserved for small detail areas, design forecasters predict next year will see it expand into living spaces.

Next-Level Media Experiences

With new binge-worthy shows launching weekly and the desire for increased comfort in staying in more, 2023 will likely be the year many homeowners splurge for an upgraded media experience, whether in the form of a large-scale TV or custom sound system.

Meaningful Collections

It’s been said that the objects we fill our homes with hold the most power to ease our anxieties. Maybe it’s your grandfather’s collection of fly fishing lures, or maybe you’re zealous for antique maps—whatever it is that brings your truest self to your living space is on trend. For example, here, in a New Jersey home for a recently-widowed art collector, the space was designed to showcase the owner’s collection of art and souvenirs.

Daybeds

Maybe it’s their multifunctionality, maybe it’s their element of nostalgia, but we’re seeing a big return to daybeds in large living spaces. Here, a Serena & Lily daybed divides the large living area without blocking the sculptural window. Covered in a Sanderson fabric, it gets a custom look.

Outdoor Living

Living rooms in 2023 will push beyond the house, as outdoor entertaining proves to have real staying power. After all, when you devise your outdoor space with living areas as good as your interiors, do you even need to go inside?

I hope these 2023 living room trends have piqued your interest and inspired you! If you’d like to have me bring some of these living room decor ideas into your home, let me know. You can choose a contact method right below this blog post. And feel free to give me a call anytime at (407) 743-2399, and we can explore some exciting living room decor ideas together. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com and you can also click this link to message me via my website.

Cozy! That’s the word that best defines winter decor. I’ll bet you want your home to be cozy and offer a warm welcome to family and friends, especially at holiday time.

You don’t need to do major renovations or spend a small fortune. Simple little changes to your spaces add that extra feeling of comfort and warmth.

Here are some simple ways to create cozy winter decor:

Cozy winter decor means blankets everywhere

Winter always provides a great opportunity to pull out more blankets and have them all around the home, doing double duty, adding a nice casual style, along with providing actual warmth when needed.

Blankets are an inviting way to make your house more cozy and comfortable. You can use blankets on the sofa, on office furniture, over an armchair, on the porch bench, or anywhere you might want to add a little extra color and texture, and yes, warmth.

Switch out the rugs

Time to put away the sisal rugs and pull out some high and fluffy rugs. In summer, natural fiber rugs are the best choice because they are cooler, in winter it is the opposite.

This season, look for high-pile rugs…remember that key word: cozy.

Invest in pillows

Cushions give you such a great option to introduce colors and textures, as well as comfort. All three qualities together definitely make for a cozy environment. Carry the idea of “warm” throughout your decor upgrades at holiday time.

Here’s another tip: in the wintertime, use pillows with warm. tactile fabric covers, such as textured cloth, crochet, and velvet. Leave the satin covers for the summer.

Add some coziness with warm lighting

The color of the lamps also has a lot of relevance in winter decoration. The yellowish tones, considered warm, refer to fire, fireplaces and bonfires.

The warm colors that lamps and candles can introduce definitely enhances a mood of coziness. Yellowish, warm tones link to fireplaces and the hearth.

Light fixtures, lamps, and ceiling spots can easily convey warm tones of light that let you relax into the wintertime with family and friends.

Keep the whiter lights for places where focus and concentration are needed, such as the kitchen, office, and study.

Plants have their own lush warmth to add to your winter decor

Imagine plants like that yummy hug. Your house is more intimate, welcoming, and comfortable with them. They nicely pull a room together.

Plants are great for any room, whether bringing life and color into the living room, spreading vases around multiple rooms (vases also introduce variety with warm colors, textures, and natural tones), or even plants in the bathroom (they love the moist “hothouse” air).

Do be careful with your selection of plants. Remember that each of them requires a different light level. Research what works best in each location ahead of time.

Scatter candles to warm up your winter decor

Candles are the best! They decorate, illuminate and add warmth. That description is exactly what winter decoration is all about.

For safety reasons, it’s best to place candles in holders of some kind, preventing fires. Glass and mirrors tend to bounce the light all around, adding a nice touch, and metal support bases can add another dimension of warm color into the room.

Also, be mindful of where the candle will be lit. Avoid locations near flammable objects, such as curtains, or dry, papery decor.

Light up that fireplace (or bring one inside)

Winter is also the ideal time to put away the fan and light up that fireplace, of course.

You don’t need to have a masonry fireplace in your living room. Nowadays there are very efficient, portable fireplaces that add that extra warmth for a cozy winter environment.

I hope these winter decor ideas help you find simple cost-effective ways to dress up your home for a wintry, cozy mood this holiday season! If you’d like to have me bring some holiday styling to your home or office, contact me. You can choose a contact method right below this blog post. And feel free to give me a call anytime at (407) 743-2399, and we can explore some lovely winter holiday decor ideas together. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com and you can also click this link to message me via my website.

Who doesn’t love Christmas decorations? If you got a chance to visit the Orlando Museum Council of 101’s recent Festival of Trees, I hope you were as inspired as I was.  

Held annually every November, Festival of Trees celebrates the beauty of the holiday season with designer-decorated trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses, raffles, and more.

This is the 8th year that I’ve participated in the event as a designer and this year I designed not one, not two, but three trees! Whew! It was hard work but so much fun and best of all the proceeds go to the many charities supported by Council of 101.

Silver and Gold Make for an Elegant Combo

Metallica, sponsored by Corcoran Premier Reality. This beautiful and elegant tree mixes silver, gold, and white to create a timeless look.

The Metallica tree I created for Corcoran Premier Realty sold, which means I’ll be setting it up at the purchaser’s location of choice.

The Metallica tree’s skirt, made up of 5 yards of gold polyester material loosely draped around the base, adds the finishing touch.

A beautiful tree deserves to be in beautiful company. If your tree is in the dining area, or near it, don’t forget to show your dining room or buffet table some love. Using the same silver, gold, and white theme, I created a centerpiece to compliment the tree. The candles, feathers, linens, and flatware all add different textures to enhance the overall look.

Here Comes Christmas

Here Comes Christmas, sponsored by Orlando Health.

This is the 2nd year I’ve had the privilege to design a tree sponsored by Orlando Health. While red is a holiday staple, the lime green color really pops and makes any Christmas tree a bit cheerier. Instead of a traditional star on top, I created a tree topper from the same sprays I used in the décor to give the tree added dimension and interest.

May All of Your Wishes Come True

May All of Your Wishes Come True, sponsored by Jon Paul Trevasani, M.D. and the Staff of The Aesthetic Surgery Centre of Maitland.

Soft pinks and gold create a warm and traditional looking tree. I love how this tree gives off an old-fashioned Victorian vibe, yet still looks modern enough for today’s décor.

Want to Decorate Your Tree Like a Pro?

Your Christmas tree is the centerpiece of your holiday décor so give it all the attention it so rightly deserves. 

Here are some of my Pro-Tips to make your tree stand out this holiday season. Warning: Your tree might look so good that the family decides to come over every holiday!

• Invest in a high-quality artificial tree. Christmas trees crafted from premium materials provide sturdy and reliable support for decorations and can stand up to repeated use year after year, while maintaining its beautiful look. 
• Change out your ribbon every year to give your tree a “new” look.
• Use 2 types of ribbon on your tree—a solid and a print or 2 solids to create interest.
• Take the time to fully fluff and shape the branches. Fluffing the branches helps to make your Christmas tree look fuller and more natural. It can be time-consuming, but totally worth it!
• A new tree skirt can change the look of your tree but it doesn’t have to be expensive. I buy 5 yards of pretty fabric and drape it around the base to add a pop of color or interest. And don’t be afraid to think outside the box. In the past I’ve used a white fur rug (Ikea) as a tree skirt and it looked fabulous.
• Design around a theme. A professional-looking Christmas tree has a central look that ties the decorations together. Deciding on a theme before choosing your decorations sets the tone and gives you a clear idea on how to decorate your tree.
• Decorate from the top of the tree and then work towards the bottom. This way, you can easily check your design as you dress up your tree.
• Don’t forget tree picks and sprays. Tree picks and floral sprays come in many forms, such as decorated branches, twigs, berries, or even pine cones. Use them as subtle accents to complement the entire look of your tree. Grouping picks together using floral wire is a creative way to elevate the visual appeal of your tree without overpowering other decorations. Sprays are also great for adding a splash of color to wreaths and garlands, as well.

A beautiful Christmas tree takes time and patience to decorate, but the joy it will give you and your family during the holiday season makes it all worthwhile.

I hope these Christmas tree decorating pro tips have inspired you! If you’d like to have me create some seasonal holiday styling for your home or office decor, you can choose a contact method right below this blog post. And feel free to give me a call anytime at (407) 743-2399, and we can explore some lovely seasonal Christmas holiday decor options together. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com and you can also click this link to message me via my website.

Did you know that most potential homebuyers make up their mind about a property within the first five minutes of walking through the door?

Staging a home is all about creating an engaging, move-in-ready look that gives a buyer an emotional connection with the house. So when my staging partner, Tami Nasvik and I were asked to stage a luxurious lakefront condo in one of Orlando’s most sought-after locations, we were delighted to take on the project.

Attention to Detail

With over 3000 square feet of living space, this condo located on the 5th floor, has breathtaking lake views from nearly every room. But we also wanted potential buyers to soak in the expansive living areas, wood floors, and gorgeous crown molding.

Neutral warm colors and placing furniture in “friendly” configurations invites friends and family to sit and chat in areas that were previously considered formal living spaces.

Buyers are looking for a dining area that will accommodate their furniture, lifestyle, and relatives for family dinners. When staging a dining room, don’t overdo the table’s centerpiece. Here, we used some simple greenery to add a pop of color and interest.

Carmen’s Pro Staging Tip: If you plan on using an area rug under your table, bring it in first and center it under the chandelier or main light fixture.

This oversized family room spans 30 feet long with plenty of room for entertaining or enjoying the panoramic lake views. You’ll notice the room has built-in placement for a TV that can be hidden with closed doors when not in use.

Carmen’s Pro Staging Tip: If you have a TV in the family room make sure the furniture is placed so that you can actually see the screen. Many designers make the mistake of eliminating a TV when staging, but buyers want to envision where to place their own TV and furniture.

Lake Views for the Win

Who wouldn’t want to eat breakfast every morning with this view in sight? There’s no need to overdo the staging here because the view does it all. Simple settings and a centerpiece topiary give the breakfast nook table dimension and bring the kitchen area to life.

Master Bedroom

The bed is typically the focal point in any bedroom, so placement is everything. Orange is a great color (and a favorite of mine!) to accessorize with. It adds both an elegant, yet modern touch to neutrals.

Carmen’s Pro Staging Tip: Don’t put a King sized bed in a room that’s too small. I recommend a room be at least 12 feet by 9 feet to accommodate a standard King size bed. This will leave at least 30 inches of space around the bed for free movement.

Don’t Forget the Outdoors

Enjoy a glass of wine while taking in the stunning lake views.

Show potential buyers how to use every inch of the property. Here, strategically placed lounge chairs and a table make the most of a space that can sometimes be overlooked when staging a home.

Why Stage Your Home?

Even in a red-hot real estate market, staging your home gives you an advantage over other sellers.

A recent survey from the International Association of Home Staging Professionals shows that staging helps sell homes three to 30 times faster than homes that are not staged, and can help increase the sale price by up to 20% on average.

Staging a home can be as simple as moving around a few pieces of furniture to a complete overhaul, and can be done within any budget.

I’d Love to Give You a Tour!

If you’re interested in seeing this condo for a potential purchase, I’d be happy to give you a tour. It’s priced at $849,900 and won’t be on the market for long! You can reach me at (407) 743-2399 to schedule a tour or talk to me about any staging projects you might be planning.

Details on the Condo:

Luxurious lakefront living in guard gated community with a spacious open floor plan on the 5th floor. The unit enjoys plenty of natural light and breathtaking lake views from every room. It features 3 bedrooms plus an office, expansive living areas, wood floors throughout and double balconies. The kitchen is fully equipped with 42” wood cabinetry, granite countertops, and stainless-steel appliances, breakfast nook and sliders leading out to the balcony. This spectacular condo comes with underground parking, a storage unit, access to the community clubhouse, pool, tennis courts, and fitness center. Vizcaya is within minutes to the famous Restaurant Row, is a great location to area attractions, the airport, and so much more. In the evening you have fireworks views from all the major theme parks on a nightly basis. Don’t miss the opportunity to own one of the nicest floor plans in the neighborhood.

Pumpkins That Pop

Trimmings That Transition

Lanterns That Last

Decorations That Work Double-Duty

The fiery red-orange will inspire you to break out of your color comfort zone.

Over the last several years, muted colors have encouraged serenity in our homes. Last year, it was all about green, fostering a connection with nature. Now, Benjamin Moore is looking to a bolder, more courageous future with its Color of the Year for 2023: Raspberry Blush (2008-30). The saturated red-orange is basically the best color in a really good sunset, and it’ll inspire you to break free from your color comfort zone.

“It’s a really charismatic color and doesn’t sit quietly on the wall,” says Andrea Magno, color marketing and development director at Benjamin Moore. “It’s about awakening our senses and getting people to engage with a vivacious color.”

The 2023 color of the year is a trend toward warmer hues

Notably, Raspberry Blush marks a pull toward warmer hues. “We’ve had colors that are on the cooler side of the color wheel for a number of years, and now we’re really starting to see a shift to the warmer colors,” Magno says.

Playing with Raspberry Blush can mean blanketing your walls with it—like as a modern take on the red dining room of the past—or incorporating it in a smaller way through a painted piece of furniture. No matter how much surface area you allot for the color, it’ll bring high energy into any space.

Exciting colors trending for 2023

Raspberry Blush also sets the stage for Benjamin Moore’s color trends palette for 2023. The eight-color palette features an eclectic mix of colors with nostalgic references to periods like the ’80s and ’90s as well as deeply saturated hues found in the wild. “A lot of times people talk about (and we’ve done it, too) looking at nature as a point of inspiration,” Magno explains. “But for this year, instead of looking at more organic, vegetal colors, we were looking at the standout colors—the fiery colors of a sunset, tropical flowers, the depths of the Mediterranean.”

To celebrate Raspberry Blush, Benjamin Moore tapped the electro-funk duo Chromeo to bring the color’s personality to life through a new song fittingly called “Raspberry Blush.” You can also find eight playlists dedicated to each color in the palette on Spotify for an immersive visual and audible experience—perfect for putting on the loudspeaker as you give your home a paint refresh!

Do you love the Benjamin Moore 2023 color of the year?

If this bold new coral color for 2023 has inspired you, and you’d like to see how to incorporate it into your spaces, I’m always available for consultations. If this sounds appealing, we can talk about how Raspberry Blush can enhance your interior spaces. Choose a contact method right below this blog post, or click this “contact” link. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com And you can always call me anytime at (407) 743-2399.

Would you like to mix furniture and decor design styles in your home but don’t know how? Are you struggling to create a cohesive look with the mix of furniture and accent pieces you’ve accumulated?

Mixing takes some practice, but it makes the decorating experience much more enjoyable. This loose style is a great equalizer in interior design. A mixed style snubs its nose at the rules by blending old with new, cheap with pricey, bold with subtle, and classic with trendy.

While there are many different interior design styles, few fit into just one category. More and more people favor a mixed style to play off their existing furnishings and incorporate new pieces. Combining what you have on hand with something completely new and unexpected gives you the license to invent a uniquely tailored style for your home.

The good news is you can easily and beautifully mix different decorating styles, like traditional, modern, or farmhouse, to create a stylish interior. Follow these helpful tips and guidelines to design with confidence.

Pick your main style

One way to start mixing and matching interior design styles is to employ the 80/20 rule. This means that approximately 80 percent of your space should feature one design style, and the other 20 percent can include others.

For example, if you have a living room with a traditional sofa and chairs, for instance, you can lighten the look by adding framed contemporary prints and light curtains in a natural material.

Most people end up mixing decorating styles in their home without realizing it. That’s what makes your home warm and inviting.

The neutral color palette in the example shown here, allows the homeowner to easily incorporate fun and trendy accent pieces without needing to completely redo the room.

Consider your space

A room’s built-in features can influence its style. For instance, white-painted crown molding may impart a traditional look, while an open floor plan and concrete flooring can provide a modern feel.

But there are ways to work in other styles, too, despite your space’s existing structural elements. You can make a traditional kitchen with white cabinets and butcher-block counters look more contemporary by giving it a bold backsplash and modern tile flooring.

Or you can warm a modern space with high ceilings by adding a comfy traditional-style sofa, a rustic brick accent wall, and warm pops of color.

Create balance

Combining diverse design styles is a balancing act. To make your space look harmonious, give each side of the room equal visual weight.

For instance, if a large built-in bookcase dominates one area, you could counterbalance it with an overstuffed sofa on the other side of the room. If your coffee table features a red vase, add other red accessories throughout the space.

If you want to combine two design elements in your room, such as Scandinavian and midcentury modern, intersperse both styles throughout instead of featuring one style at one end and the other style at the other.

Find commonality

You can effortlessly mix contrasting furnishings by accentuating the qualities they share.

For instance, a transitional-style sofa, midcentury accent chairs, rustic coffee table, and farmhouse dining table can look perfect together if your sofa and chairs have similar farmhouse-style throw pillows and your rustic and midcentury furnishings have matching wood tones.

Texture can blend design styles and make a room more interesting. If you have a space filled with industrial-style furniture but would like to bring in rustic features, you could add a live-edge wood coffee table with black hairpin legs and a distressed wood mantel over your fireplace.

Use color to unify

Repeating colors is an effective tactic for blending design styles. A good rule of thumb is to develop a color palette with three to five main colors. You can expand this color scheme by adding lighter or darker versions of its core colors.

You can even turn a design element that’s pricey or stands out from the rest of your decor into a focal point by incorporating its palette into your overall color scheme. For example, if you have a red-brick fireplace, you can pick up its rust color as an accent color in your room to make your fireplace pop.

Know your design styles

It’s helpful to know the hallmarks of design styles when planning your decor. Here are some of the most popular ones:

Bohemian: If you love a global aesthetic, this style, which mixes and matches fabrics and decor from around the world, is for you. Think Japanese block prints, handwoven rugs, and hanging macramé planters filled with houseplants.

Industrial: This style suggests an urban loft or warehouse, and it may include exposed beams and ductwork, high ceilings, concrete surfaces, and sparse furniture.

Modern: A modern style is defined by sleek, clean lines, dark-hued colors—think black-framed windows—and a combination of metal, glass, and steel.

Modern farmhouse: Popularized by designer Joanna Gaines, this style features a light and neutral color palette, homey fabrics like chunky knits and grain sacks, natural and painted wood furniture, decorative wood signs, and rustic shiplap walls.

Scandinavian: Rooms with a Scandinavian theme may have white walls and feature uncluttered spaces accented with lush houseplants, minimalistic furniture, and light wood floors à la IKEA.

Traditional: Traditional design may include luxurious features, such as ornately carved furniture, dark wood finishes, gold flourishes, rich fabrics like velvet, and curved lines.

Transitional: This style mixes modern and traditional styles and may include traditionally inspired furniture that’s toned down in size and ornamentation and a neutral color palette with bright splashes of color.

Tips for Mixing Interior Styles