Dramatic and moody, yet tranquil and grounded, Cascades’ versatility carries a wide range of design styles. Embrace the serene atmosphere inspired by its soothing shade.

Why I love it: Dramatic, Versatile, Serene

The Great Indoors

Bring the timeless and simple beauty of the outdoors in with September’s palette and style. Cascades’ dark, majestic green-blue is the perfect shade for naturalist living style. A nature-loving design deserves a gorgeous green hue like this one that envelops interiors with a lush and dramatic feel. As the grounding color of this collection, Cascades has a refined, balanced tone that can stand out on its own or set the stage for the other colors in the collection to shine.

Get the Look: Greenery, Organic Shapes, Wicker

Natural Style

Rooted in modern organic style, this look is all about creating cozy, harmonious spaces inspired by nature. Cascades is the perfect shade for grounding the space and evoking outdoor vibes. Pair with a soothing gray-green like Evergreen Fog to soften the look and create a nurturing, fresh atmosphere. To really capture the essence of the style, lean into its organic side with soft textures, natural materials and earthy accent tones to make your space feel lived-in, warm and welcoming.

Get the Look: Natural Materials, Layered Earth Tones, Textured Fabrics

These colors coordinate well with Sherwin-Williams’ dramatic and moody Cascades (SW 7623) paint color.

If you like the dramatic, moody depth conveyed by the Cascades paint color and would like some help figuring out how to best use it in your spaces, 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 this rich, tranquil shade together. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com and you can also message me via my website contact page.

Why I love Silvermist (SW 7621): Serene. Cool. Relaxed.

Just like the surf that inspired it, Silvermist’s cool tone can look both blue and green. You’ll be ready to embrace both as you drift away on the coastal vibes of this gentle hue that’s so serene, you’ll be dreaming of breezy ocean air.

See How Silvermist Enhances These Rooms.

Silvermist is a calming, breezy hue that evokes everything “ocean”, from the color of the sea, to gentle ocean breezes, to the lovely blue-green patina of ocean glass.

The Seaside Style of Silvermist

The August palette brings the ocean home with just the right balance of delicate hues for creating a relaxed modern coastal space. At the center, you’ll find Silvermist (SW 7621). Its soft, misty blend of blue-green and slate gray undertones gives this hue an effortless versatility that makes it the perfect base color for evoking the casual, calming atmosphere of this look.

Get the Look: Nautical Details, Wicker Furnishings, Greenery

Silvermist Invites You to Relax into Laid-Back Living

Kick back and soak up the easy vibe of a seaside style that’s meant to feel relaxed, refreshing, and full of endless possibilities – just like the California coast. The beachy feel of this palette really starts to roll in as you begin to play with the lighter coordinate hues that echo Silvermist’s delicate undertones. Layer the soft gray of Drift of Mist with an iconic surf spray-inspired color like Sea Salt for a light and airy feel as breezy and bright as a summer day at the beach.

Get the Look: Ocean Photography, Simplicity, Clean Lines

Inviting Coastal Shades

Pay homage to classic coastal Nantucket navy with Big Dipper, a captivating coordinate color that’s just as much at home in Florida as it is in Maine. This alluring hue’s dark blue inkiness makes the perfect moody backdrop reminiscent of the depths of the sea. Embrace the enveloping, cozy feel it creates by pairing with warm wood tones and natural materials, and, to bring a note of harmony, carry Silvermist’s calming tone into the space through accents (bottle and books on the dining table).

Get the Look: Driftwood, Weathered Wood, Striped Pattern

These colors coordinate well with Sherwin-Williams’ easy, breezy Silvermist (SW 7621) paint color.

Draw a relaxing bath with Silvermist setting the stage to wash away any stresses of the day.

If you like the feel of calm, coastal ocean breezes that you get from the Silvermist paint color and would like some help figuring out how/where to use it, 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 this relaxing, serene color territory together. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com and you can also message me via my website contact page.

Why I love Kale Green (SW 6460): botanical, lush, tropical.

Walk on the wild side with a dose of Sherwin-Williams’ tropical treasure, Kale Green.

Kale Green’s lush tone feels like it was picked straight from the tropics and placed into a maximalist oasis where no rules are the rules.

Kale Green’s Botanical Beauty is Alive with Color

Make room for more of what you love with a style and color that brings the fun in an eclectic but elevated way. Kale Green’s lush shade (SW 6460) adds just the right amount of drama for a maximalist look that rides on tropical boho vibes. Whether you use a lot or a little of this hue, it makes a vibrant statement that sets the mood for your space. In a style that invites you to go for it, be sure to bring it with color!

Get the Look: Global Patterns, Rattan Furnishings, Tropical Greenery

Create a Lushly Layered Tropical Vibe by Pairing Kale Green with Other Coordinating Colors

Bold color transforms spaces. A dark neutral like Black Magic has the power to transport. Anchor your maximalist-influenced bathroom in this hue’s dark tone and watch as the brighter shades in the palette combine to create the carefree feel of a tropical escape. Alabaster provides a clean backdrop to heighten the pleasing sense of contrast and acts as a blank canvas. Just a bit of Kale Green amplifies the botanical tone of the foliage and artwork, while a tiny dose of Peppery’s fiery shade pops as an accent. Bringing these tropical pairings together brings an elevated but attainable feel.

Get the Look: Tropical Foliage, Bold Color, Gold Accents

Let this Inviting Shade Set the Stage

When you’re working with such a gorgeous green, why not use it to greet your guests? Kale Green’s dialed-up energy sets the stage for your maximalist story to unfold inside and brings your front porch space alive with a little inspiration from the wild outdoors. Along with just a touch of Peppery, these bolder colors pop against the bright surrounding shade of Alabaster, and create a seamless and harmonious flow to what awaits.

Get the Look: Rattan Furnishings, Global Patterns, Greenery

These colors coordinate well with Sherwin-Williams’ tropical Kale Green (SW 6460) paint color.

If you like the lush color vibe you get from the Kale Green paint color and would like some help figuring out how/where to use it, 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 this lovely, colorful territory together. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com and you can also message me via my website contact page.

In February, my son Jonathan purchased a house built in 1959. You know I’m all about fixing up this one, and the first thing that stood out to Jonathan was the guest bathroom. It’s a narrow 60 sq ft, and very “sixties-looking,” and a bathroom renovation was definitely in order. You can see this in the “before” photos below.

What we renovated

We changed out the vanity (and hardware), toilet, mirror, light fixture, window blinds, and shower head. The flooring was removed and replaced, and the existing wall tile was painted white. This was an interesting process in and of itself.

A special process for the wall tile

I looked at removing the wall tile, and regarding the work that would have to be done to the drywall and plaster, it was going to be a very expensive ordeal. Sherwin-Williams has a multi-part epoxy paint process that you can use on tile. We used 3 coats and you definitely need to hire someone to do the work, and it’s a 2 – 3 day process. First, a primer is put on, and then a couple of coats of the paint, possibly a 3rd coat (we used that 3rd coat). It turned out beautiful, and really does look like new tile!

A closer look at the bathroom renovation work that was done

The only thing you won’t see in the photos (yet) are the window blinds – those are still on order (I think we’re all experiencing supply-chain issues). All total, the bathroom renovation cost just under $6,500. Here’s a breakdown of the work that was done:

Take care of your plants, and they will take care of you by absorbing toxins and formaldehyde and generally cleansing the air you breathe.

How would you like to breathe easier and cleaner at home or in your office? You can do so by adding some selected house plants to your environment. Certain house plants are better than others at adding oxygen to your living space and improving the overall air quality in that space.

House Plants Do Clean the Air

The science behind this suggestion has been around for decades and actually started with a trio of investigators with NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America. They reported that specific house plants were good at removing off-gassing elements from building materials and furnishings as well as air pollutants.

Plants are a natural air purifier because they produce oxygen from carbon dioxide (which you exhale) while also helping remove toxins from the air. Tiny openings in the leaves take in air, and the plant absorbs the carbon dioxide and other substances from that air.

While the plant uses carbon dioxide to make food, it then releases oxygen and water back into the air. Pollutants, on the other hand, are translocated to the roots of the plant, where they may be broken down, used by the plant, or released into the soil.

The use of plants to remove harmful elements from the air is called phytoremediation. If you want to breathe easier at home or at work, feel good about the air you breathe and know you are providing yourself and your family with better air quality, then consider adding one or more of the following air-purifying plants to your home or office space. We will even tell you how to make that plant flourish so you can reap the most benefits from it.

Which House Plants Can Clean the Air?

Aloe Vera: This succulent is probably best known for its ability to help in the treatment of burns and cuts. However, it also takes in benzene and formaldehyde.

If you want a healthy aloe vera, keep it in a sunny place. It also should be planted in a pot with many drainage holes, because the plant does not do well in standing water.

Areca Palm: This tropical plant can live in just about any indoor environment. It has broad fronds that are adept at absorbing formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene.

Be aware, however, that the areca palm can top seven feet in height. If you purchase a small plant, it will grow about 6 to 10 inches a year in indirect sunlight. These plants do enjoy water and fertilizer.

Bamboo Palm: This plant loves the tropics as well as bright, indirect sunlight. Placing the bamboo palm in your environment will help remove trichloroethylene, a toxin that can damage the kidneys and liver.

Care for your bamboo palm by watering it when the soil is dry. Never overwater the palm or let it sit in water, or it will rot.

Boston Ferns: This frond-rich plant does more than improve oxygen levels. The Boston fern also assists in removing formaldehyde from the air. Exposure to formaldehyde is associated with irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, which suggests having a few Boston ferns in any area prone to formaldehyde exposure could be helpful.

Items associated with formaldehyde exposure include cigarettes, carpet, permanent press fabrics, cleaning agents, fertilizers, cosmetics, paints, varnishes, preserved foods, and insulation for electrical uses.

If you welcome a Boston fern into your environment, be prepared to give it a lot of space. The beautiful fronds enjoy soil that is rich in peat moss and is watered frequently and stays wet. You also should mist the plant once or twice a week for best growth.

Gerber (aka, Gerbera) Daisies: If you like to color-coordinate your space, then Gerber daisies could be a good choice. These flowers are available in a variety of colors (e.g., bright red or orange, yellow, medium and striking pink, peach, light purple, and white) and sport broad, green leaves that absorb benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air.

Gerber daisies enjoy direct sunlight and moist soil. For best results, don’t allow the soil to dry between waterings.

Peace Lilies: Do you know which pollutants are lurking in your home or office? If two of them are benzene and trichloroethylene, then it’s time to get some peace lilies.

If you want to grow this beautiful plant, you should know they do not tolerate the cold and that they enjoy a warm, humid climate. They thrive in well-draining soil and indirect light. They can be toxic to pets and humans, so it’s important to wash your hands after touching the plant, and not place them in a home with pets.

Snake Plant (aka, mother-in-law’s tongue): The snake plant comes in a combination of yellow and dark and light greens. It effectively removes formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene, and trichloroethylene from the air. These toxins are often present in enclosed buildings.

This tough plant likes dry soil, so don’t water it too often because the roots can easily rot. Avoid getting the leaves wet when watering. Snake plants prefer indirect light.

Spider Plant: If you want a plant that is super resilient and easy to care for, this is the one. Spider plants can absorb many different indoor pollutants while gracing your room with its long, flowing leaves.

Be sure to give your spider plant lots of bright yet indirect light. It does best in well-drained soil and when the soil is allowed to dry out between waterings.

Weeping Fig: This official tree of Bangkok will look great and perform well in any room, but especially those with carpeting and furniture that may be off-gassing. That’s because the weeping fig helps remove pollutants from these items.

You can keep your weeping fig healthy by providing consistent temperatures and lots of indirect sunlight. Provide the plant with well-draining soil and only water it when the first two inches of soil are dry.

Bottom Line

Using house plants in your home or office is a great, eco-friendly way to clean the air of toxins.

If you’d like to explore how plants can clean the air and brighten your interiors, I’m always available for a consultation to help you decide on the best plants for your levels of light, ease of maintenance, and other conditions in your home or business. There are many options and almost always perfect solutions for any space. If interested, let’s talk more about decorating with plants that can cleanse the air you breathe. 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.

Why I love Sherman-Williams’ Wallflower paint color: it’s a lovely retro, joyful, pastel.

Embrace your inner flower child with a purple pastel who’s anything but shy. This retro muse can lift the mood with a feel-good energy that finds joy in everything. 

Wallflower Gives You Happy Vibes

Slip away from the stress of the outside world and unwind in a simpler space. Rooted in a philosophy of finding beauty in imperfection and joy in the little things, the pastel Wabi-Sabi style blends a minimalist approach with muted pastels. Wallflower’s soft purple shade fits right in with a calming aura that sets the tone in a restorative sanctuary space. Add natural materials to balance the room’s tranquil energy with an earthiness that helps keep this dreamy hue grounded.

Wallflower is Positively Pastel

An uplifting hue like Wallflower (SW 6281) shares its playful spirit wherever it goes. Take a small secondary space that can feel like an afterthought, and once filled with this shade’s happy vibes, it becomes a bliss-filled haven. Feel-good spaces like this lift the spirit and remind us of the unique capacity of color to inspire joy.

These colors coordinate well with Sherwin-Williams’ pale lavender Wallflower paint color.

If you like the color vibe you get from the Wallflower paint color and would like some help figuring out how/where to use it, 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 this 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.

Because a primo backyard improves aesthetics and your home’s value.

Nothing ruins a sunny day faster than a backyard that’s too ugly to enjoy. Plus, a gnarly yard dings your home value, making it a double bummer.

Here are seven backyard before-and-afters to show how yards can become chock full of sunny-day delight — and home value.

#1 Go for a Total Yard Makeover

Whoa. A total landscape makeover takes this home from “The Brady Bunch”-ugly to Insta-lovely.

The Value of Curb Appeal

A well-landscaped and maintained yard will reap more ROI when you sell than a kitchen or bath upgrade.

Landscaping an entire yard is pricey, but you’ll likely get all (or more) of the money back when you sell, says the “Remodeling Impact Report” from the National Association of REALTORS®.

And . . .  you’ll get a fabulous yard to love right now!

#2 Dump a Dying Deck for a Pretty Patio

Decks are great. But when they need more repair than maintenance, it’s time for plan B. This flagstone patio is set-it-and-forget-it, a classic look you’ll still love when you’re eligible for AARP membership. Plus, you’ll recoup the cost if you sell before your membership kicks in.

#3 Swap Dying Grass for an Outdoor Room

Yes, grass adds value. But if mowing and seeding aren’t your thing, it’ll turn more gross than green. An attractive mix of hardscape and low-maintenance plants is money in the bank (returning around 100% — or more — of their cost) and gives you more living time, too. Fewer hours mowing mean more hours sipping cocktails on that fab patio.

Bonus: You can sell your lawnmower when the lawn is gone.

#4 Turn a Tiny Condo Yard Into a Mini Escape

What’s better?

A) A patch of dirt

B) A serenity spot

Yes, exactly. It doesn’t matter if Zen is your aesthetic. The point is you can transform a small yard by building the right features on it. This pint-sized yard lives large with the addition of a water feature, deck, and stone planter.

#5 Clear the Bramble and Make a Yard

Buyers LOVE well-cared-for lawns. A lawn is like an outdoor carpet — perfect to pair with a patio. The raised beds off to the side make gardening an option without overtaking the yard (and are easily dismantled if you want even more lawn).

#6 Upgrade Your Pool Patio

The rule of pools is that they’re all about love; they don’t generally add home value. But let your pool turn into an abandoned waterhole surrounded by overgrowth, and it totally can affect home value — in the wrong direction. A savvy upgrade includes a built-in fire pit and a gorgeous patio, which both have legit ROI.

#7 Plant a Petite Patio in a Flower Bed

A master gardener would replant that dead flower bed. A master relaxer turns it into a budget-friendly patio with concrete stones and tidy brick edgers. It’s money well-spent because patios almost always pay for themselves when you sell, so you’ll feel even better about relaxing with a beer instead of tending to peonies.

Ready to Transform Your Backyard?

If your backyard could use a makeover, please let me know and I can consult with you on how to make it into an outdoor space perfect for your needs. The ideas shown here are just the tip of the iceberg. Message me here, right below this blog post, or click this “contact” link, or you can email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com And you can call me anytime at (407) 743-2399.

New season, new palette. Here are some colorful blooms in spring 2023 paint trends.

As we’ve said goodbye to the winter blues, homeowners and decorators are embracing the fresh new looks that spring brings. For some, embracing the seasonal shift is as easy as assembling a bouquet of flowers or adding some new accessories to the mix. 

But for those who are really looking for a change, a fresh coat of paint is the color equivalent to spring cleaning. Though applying it may require some extra time and elbow grease, the right shade can seemingly transform your space overnight. (Or however long it takes for your paint to dry.)

Oftentimes, spring and pastel colors go together like primer and a brush roller—but there’s more to this season than blushes and sky blues. “Consumers have grown more confident in their taste after spending much time at home in lockdown,” explains Gemma Riberti, WGSN’s head of interiors. “Color becomes the paramount way to update a space without major investments or renovations.”

With the rainbow renaissance in full swing, versatile neutrals and bold, can’t-look-away colors are fair game this season. The catch, Riberti says, is that many people are giving their preferred palette a tonal spin. “It’s about layering the same color in two different intensities or saturation,” she adds.

So many options, so little space—so where to begin? After all, choosing one color from all of the swatches is by no means easy. Though beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, Riberti is sharing the top hues to keep an eye on. From lights to brights, there’s bound to be a shade you’ll love—this spring and beyond.

Earthy Greens

We have to respectfully disagree with you, Kermit: It’s never been easier to be green than this spring.

When the shelter-in-place order went into effect in 2020, biophilic tones like browns and greens mimicked the connection with the great outdoors that so many people desperately craved. Fast-forward three years and verdant tones have become a mainstay in many homes. But this season, we’re not just talking about any old green. Specifically, “Mossy, verdigris, and lichen greens, in particular, are coming to the fore,” Riberti explains.

“What is interesting is seeing them being treated as neutrals,” she continues. “Layering the green walls and furnishings with plants, for instance; [the color is] also ideal for cabinetry.”

Terra-Cotta Reds

Speaking of the color wheel’s outdoorsy offerings, the muted reds that naturally occur in the wild shouldn’t be discounted.

“Russet reds, rust, terra-cotta, amber, burnt sienna, and the like are important,” Riberti explains. “They have an artisanal and sunbaked quality that warms up interiors year-round and works across materials both hard and soft.”

When it comes to interior design, red might elicit visions of Big’s accent wall in Sex and the City. Fortunately, this season’s volcanic tones are considerably less saturated, making it possible for them to fit in a variety of rooms.

“An amber glow is key to this color group, infusing interiors with sunlight,” Riberti adds. “Walls in hospitality and residential projects alike are clad in this tactile terra-cotta pigment, daring this color [to be used] as a kitchen backsplash or in the entryway as well as warming up north-facing rooms.”

Though softer reds might seem like a design dark horse, they’ve been on the industry’s radar for quite some time. In fact, Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams named Raspberry Blush and Redend Point as their 2023 Colors of the Year, respectively.

Light Blue

Equal parts calming and cool, blue has been a consistent power player on the color wheel. But as spring emerges, expect to see a surge of sky, powder, and whisper-soft blues.

Though the deep, notoriously dramatic navy has historically been an obvious choice, Riberti argues that “tranquil blues are also very important to the conversation.” She explains, “We are seeing this quality of blue across a broad spectrum of applications, from displays and beautiful walls and floors to decorative items and furniture.”

Fittingly enough, Chairish predicted that a cornflower color called French Blue would be trending in 2023. As the brand says, “It’s a sophisticated but often subtle way to make a color statement without shouting.”

With the ability to transcend time and trend, lighter blues can be treated as neutrals. While sprinkling in various shades of lapis and cobalt can put blue front and center, this trendy tone will look particularly good with warm woods, pinks, and hints of burgundy, Riberti says.

Lilac

Spring might be perpetually synonymous with light, airy pastels, but Riberti says this tried-and-true palette will look different this year. “Overall, pastels are moving away from candy sugary hues and taking on a more nuanced, more refined direction,” she explains. This season, trade in traditional blushes and soft yellows for a head-turning lilac.

Of course, you’re not the only one who feels the lavender haze creeping up on you: WGSN dubbed Digital Lavender as its 2023 Color of the Year—and for good reason.

“It’s a sensorial shade that connects to holistic well-being and digital optimism,” the trend forecasting company previously told ELLE DECOR. “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.”

Purple is a downright regal choice for wall paint—but Riberti says it’s also an in-demand option for window treatments and ombré tiles.

Textural Black

Though spring and deeper tones may seem at odds with each other, this season is swinging the pendulum toward the dark side. While deep reds and aubergines are trending, Riberti says black is “widely present.” But since black is a drastic shade, it’s important to think strategically about how it fits in your home.

“It is quite dramatic as an effect, so it needs to be used considerately,” she adds. “Nonetheless, dark and textural materials are an important direction at recent shows, especially on wood.”

Instead of coating your floors or walls with an inky black, a touch of noir will feel a tad fresher on wainscoting or window trims.

Fiery Oranges

Calling all maximalists: Spring is encouraging you to fully embrace your bold streak.

“There is definitely a lot more demand for bolder hues, even in paint,” Riberti shares, citing lime green, fuchsia, and fiery oranges as the ones to watch.

Though there will always be space for neutrals, uplifting brights offer something different: a moment for celebration. “There’s that need for joyfulness and unapologetic exuberance that is driving the rise of energetic brights,” Riberti adds. “The growing confidence in self-expression via color translates into a seemingly eclectic yet considerate mixing and matching of different levels in fresh plays on highs and lows.”

If you’re new to statement shades, Riberti says painting your cabinets or doors is a suitable starting step.

Warm Neutrals

Contrary to popular belief, spring’s trendiest colors don’t have to be fleeting. “Color choices should be based on the comfort level of the people within a given space,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

If your personal palette skews more toward the subtler end of the color spectrum, you can’t go wrong with light-as-air neutrals. Not only did Behr name a warm white called Blank Canvas its 2023 Color of the Year, Pantone pegged neutral as a top pigment pick. According to Pantone’s View Home + Interiors 2023 trend report, welcoming creams and ivories “suggest an enduring interest in notes of classic luxury.”

Riberti agrees, noting that spring’s overall palette represents “care and well-being, and the many facets this embodies—from restorative neutrals to nourishing naturals.” And should you want to experiment with spring’s other popular pigments, a warm neutral provides a wonderful backdrop for them.

The color lineup for spring is mostly matching up with color trends discussed in January, when winter was still well upon us. Ms. Riberti was discussing color trends on the horizon for 2023. A couple of unexpected additions like “textural black” have added some interesting possibilities. I’m always available to help you find your best color palette for your personal spaces.

If spring has you itching for a color upgrade, 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 beautiful color territory together. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com and you can also click this link to message me via my website.