Here are some lovely interior color trends for 2022 – and how to use them in your home. You may have noticed, we’ve been moving towards a mindset of wellbeing lately. From calming neutrals countering the turbulence of the pandemic to cheerful and optimistic shades, this selection reflects that healing trend and incorporates aspects of wellbeing into the home.

Colors resonate in distinct ways for different people, and while some gravitate towards calming neutrals to counter the upheaval of the past couple of years, others choose to immerse themselves in positive, vivid colors, reaching for optimism. Frankly, I think all of it works to move things (us and all that is wrapped up in our lives) forward with a big smile to the future.

Dulux’s Bright Skies is a fresh and airy blue, Benjamin Moore chose a gentle shade of sage, while Farrow & Ball predicts a cheerful rainbow, from the spicy yellow Babouche No.223 to the lively Breakfast Room Green No.81. All of these make that healing statement of wellbeing for this 2022 year.

Here are some tips on how you can make the most of these 2022 interior color trends in your home.

1. Babouche – the sunny yellow

In 2022, we’ll relish brighter colors that herald a return to normality. The sunny and uncomplicated Babouche is perfect for embracing this – while bold, it never feels garish or overpowering.

Named after the distinctive color of the leather slippers worn by men in Morocco, this shade of yellow can be described as ‘subdued sunshine.’ Despite its bold hue, it’s not overly bright or overpowering, making it perfect for a larger room, where its cheerfulness will intensify. In terms of décor, opt for more minimalist companions, such as simple line drawings, or unobtrusive bright shades.

This buttery yellow can help to brighten a space with limited natural light, and when you consider the color wheel, this particular shade would sit well with a pale blue or a soft pink/red.

2. School House White – the updated neutral

A soft, off-white shade, School House White is designed to look like white in a shaded area. Muted, timeless, and comfortingly familiar, this shade evokes the nostalgia of old schoolhouses. Due to its grounded, unassuming hue, this shade would pair easily with virtually any other color. Ideal for a background on which to feature dramatic, largescale artworks, or even vibrant, statement rugs, it’s hard to go wrong with this particular shade of white.

This shade will also amplify the power of Babouche if you like the idea of combining multiple 2022 interior color trends.

3. Bright Skies – the hopeful blue

This airy and fresh shade breathes new life into any space. It will be a game-changer when people use this tone on their ceilings, with Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director of Dulux, saying it makes the ceiling just ‘melt away.’ This hue is both uplifting and light, while simultaneously being soothing, familiar, and apt for a joyous safe haven. This selection by Dulux was influenced by the aftermath of the pandemic, with many of us craving freedom, expansion, and a return to nature.

This shade has the potential to be the new grey, in a turn towards color with less emphasis on neutrals.

4. Breakfast Room Green – the cheerful shade

The most cheerful of Farrow & Ball’s greens – named after the east-facing rooms designed for languid mornings spent eating breakfast in the dawn light. This soft shade reflects the natural world we’ve often retreated to during the pandemic.

These last two years, many of us spent much of our time reconnecting with our gardens and falling back in love with nature. This shade complements plants, whether art-depicted, or real, and would work well to promote a sense of wellbeing within the home. Pair this shade with Stone Blue for a visual effect that is captivatingly familiar. Due to its calming nature, opt for artwork that speaks to wellbeing.

5. Incarnadine – the comforting red

Rich, warm, and oh-so-comforting, is Incarnadine. This shade combines traditional red while beckoning the spirit of the leisurely Mediterranean. This shade would pair perfectly with warm woodwork and rustic gold touches. Alternatively, angle it towards an edgy twist by pairing it with a bright white shade.

Heighten the contemporary feel in this glossy shade by combining it with a monochromatic palette, or go for opulence with plenty of velvets, deep forest greens or inky blues, and classic antique furniture.

6. October Mist – the palest green

A soft grey-green, October Mist makes a great foundation color from which to build an earthy palette. Much like Breakfast Room Green, this shade encourages a reconnection with the great outdoors and is easy to introduce into your home.

October Mist does well in a farmhouse setting, combined with soft, nature-inspired tones – pale sky blues, a scorched earth red, or chalky whites. A particularly calming color combination puts October Mist with deeper fern greens.

7. Stone Blue – the vintage tone

An appreciation of vintage style shows no sign of faltering in 2022, with the timeless Stone Blue by Farrow & Ball sitting alongside Dulux’s Bright Skies as the most on-trend blue shades.

Named after the indigo pigment imported in lumps during the 18th century, this warm and timeless blue can be used alongside other warm hues to create an inviting, vintage look. Alternatively, decorate with a cooler tone for a cleaner, more contemporary feel. Bonus points if you pair this shade with other simple and familiar colors that communicate that sense of folk and craftsmanship that is present throughout this palette.

Some very nice colors here, breathing new life into interiors looking for a refresh. Not all of the paints are easily available in the US, but there are a lot of workarounds and parallels. I just wanted you to see some lovely color trends making waves now. And, of course, I’m here to help you pull it all together and find your best personal palette for 2022.

If these colors have inspired you, just give me a call anytime at (407) 743-2399 or message me in the window below this blog, and we can 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.

A fire pit is bound to be the centerpiece of many backyard gatherings.

When you have outdoor space, chances are you want to make the most of it, and fire pits are one lively way to create a focal point in your yard. Aside from the gorgeous ambiance they create and memories you can make around them, there’s also an option for everyone’s budget.

Plus, they can range from simple and temporary to elaborate and semi-permanent, depending on your needs. I can help you with any of these, and show you how to get the most bang for your buck.

• You can keep it budget-friendly by going au naturel with stones and stumps for your fire pit and seating.
• Design your fire pit area as you would a room and define the space with a stone or brick “rug.”
• Throw pillows and cushions are the perfect way to cozy up a hard stone space.

1. Keep it budget-friendly (if you need to)

A ring of stone pavers can serve as a simple, inexpensive fire pit. Fire pit designs don’t have to be fancy to be functional and beautiful. You can use what you have to make it happen. Perhaps a ring of large decorative rocks, bricks, cinder blocks, even a hole in your cement. Or, if you have a home that’s made of stone or masonry, consider adjoining a gas fire pit right up to the house itself. This not only allows heat to be reflected from the home back to the seating area, but it also makes it so you have to build less structure.

2. Define the space for your fire pit

A half wall and a stone patio clearly define this space. Fire pits have a strong aesthetic connection to hardscaped areas. Naturally, stonework gives a fire-resistant landing for any sparks but, beyond that, it also provides a defined space for your fire pit area. Consider the firepit like a mini room with a focal point in the middle. It’s not necessary but having a version of a ‘rug’ will help define it. Of course, you shouldn’t use a rug, but a pebble floor, stone, or decking (not with wood fire pits) helps create a conversation area. Another, more beachy option would be sand!

3. Go portable

A portable pit lets you experiment with location. Committing to a built-in fire pit might not be your thing, whether that’s because of budget or not knowing where you’ll want it long-term. Should you not be ready to commit just yet, a portable or modular fire pit is the perfect place to start before taking the more permanent route of customization. If you think you’ll move it around a bit before finding its home, choose one with wheels for easy rearranging. Once many people find their ideal location, they want to create a more permanent structure and design. Remember, I’m here to help you with that, just a phone call or message away!

4. Have fun with string lights

String lights add both light and ambiance. While the fire from the pit will provide lighting on its own, having low voltage lighting or string lights around the space (not over the fire) can certainly add to the ambiance, making the design all the more magical. It’s a relatively easy and inexpensive add-on that can really elevate the space.

5. Arrange a dining table near your fire pit

Increase the utility of the fire pit by adding a dining table. If your fire pit area will primarily be used for gatherings and entertaining guests, placing an outdoor dining table nearby is an addition you won’t regret. Having multiple social areas that can “double-dip” into the fire pit is ideal. Who doesn’t love a tableside flicker?

6. Incorporate pillows and cushions for coziness

Combat a lot of stone with cozy pillows and cushions. With a hardscape design, vibrant pillows and cushions are a simple way to add a cozy contrast to the otherwise cold (fire not included) space. Make your stony space more inviting with these touches – and blankets – so that relaxing by the fire is actually comfortable.

7. Get creative with seating around the fire pit

Stools, stumps, and benches can all help diversify your seating. While classic Adirondack chairs are always an affordable option, getting creative with seating can go a long way when building an outdoor fire pit area. Repurpose something you already have or thrift some fun outdoor stools. Some have also found great success with boulders and stumps.

8. Try swing seating

A bench swing is inviting and unique. If you are willing to spend a little extra money, and classic chairs won’t cut it for you, a swinging seat or lounger is always a fun alternative for both children and adults alike. Remember, safety first! It’s got to be positioned and designed to utilize the fire but not allow for any unsafe situations as well.

9. Think small and close

A fire pit close to your house means easier access and increased use. Fire pits that are too far from the house often go unused and those that are too big won’t feel as cozy or inviting. Keeping them intimate and close to your home, the experts agree, will make them much more functional and allow for better conversation around the fire.

10. Make the fire pit part of your existing outdoor space

Embrace your existing landscaping to dictate the size and shape of your fire pit area. For a fire pit area design that functions best with the rest of your outdoor furniture, tie all of the materials and colors together so everything matches. This will make the space feel more a part of the rest of the design so it’s welcoming and doesn’t get neglected.

11. Opt for an outdoor couch

A couch keeps things cozy. Similar to the swing seating, an outdoor couch is another cozy option for seating if you’re looking to spend a little more. Whether you choose a loveseat, a three-seater, or even a wrap-around, a couch adds extra warmth so you can bring your throw blankets outside and even swap out pillows seasonally.

12. Incorporate storage into your fire pit design

If you position it safely, your woodpile can serve as a design element. Aside from the fireplace and seating, fire pit area designs with storage are a luxury you’ll be glad to have. Consider creative firewood storage or outdoor trunks that can double as seating and storage for pillows, blankets, marshmallow sticks, and the like.

13. Get fancy with a pergola

Overhead structures can also help define a seating area. Pergolas are elegant ways to draw attention to any area of a yard. Whether you build it yourself or buy it pre-built, it’s a whimsical piece of decor to add to a whimsical evening under the stars and by the fire.

14. Add end tables for food and drinks

Tree stumps can serve as great end tables. Adding end tables around your fire pit for s’mores, beer, or whatever fireside goodies you’re consuming, goes a long way. Like with your seating, you can get creative with these tables so you’re not breaking the bank. Check fireplace wood salvage companies for stumps to double as extra seating or cocktail tables.

15. Add heat lamps for year-round enjoyment

Porch heaters can extend the fire pit season for months. Summer nights by the fire always make memories but if you’re looking to use your fire pit area well into the colder months, you’ll want to have additional heat sources.

A misconception about fire pits is that they are a great source of comfortable heating. To have an outdoor fire that is large enough to keep you warm without it getting too hot is hard to balance. Incorporating infrared heat lamps is the best – and safest – way to find this balance.

Insider’s takeaway

With a little creativity, designing an outdoor fire pit space can be fun – and doesn’t have to break the bank. Start by defining your space with stones, bricks, pebbles, or the like, and then add in seating, tables, lights, storage, or other decor to elevate the space and really make it your own. Sticking to a budget? Use what you already have around your yard or head to a thrift shop or wood scrap yard for inexpensive goodies.

I’d love to help you out and show you how to tie everything together to create your perfect vision for your backyard fire pit. Just contact me for a consultation. You can message me here, right below this blog post, or click this “contact” link, or you can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com And, of course, you can always call me anytime at (407) 743-2399.

My 2 Sponsored Christmas Trees for the Festival of the Trees

A special tree honoring our Healthcare Heroes

Cool elegance to inspire warm memories of home

Inspiration is everywhere

I even created a restful space around the Corcoran Premier Realty tree. A special thank you to La-Z-Boy Orlando! They provided the two chairs, side tables and area rug, all of which tie in perfectly with the color scheme of the tree.

A new season of holiday decor will be here sooner than you think

These days, if you’d rather skip the after party to go home, light a candle and break out the slippers, then this lovely neutral is for you. After years of bright jewel tones and chic neutral hues, Sherwin-Williams has announced Evergreen Fog (SW 9130), a strikingly soft and soothing green, as its 2022 color of the year.

“Evergreen Fog is a sophisticated wash of color for spaces that crave a subtle yet stunning statement shade,” said Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. “Evergreen Fog inspires us to begin again and is a great choice for modern interiors and exteriors.”

The calming green represents much more than a deeper dive (and perhaps return) into a more muted palette that is appearing from a wide variety of sources. Wadden explains that in the past few years, neutrals have been warming up and we have prioritized sustainability and organic living more than ever. While just five years ago we may have gone for that polished contrasted look in our homes, more people are flocking to organic textiles and natural materials.

The Rise of Green

Sherwin-Williams isn’t the only major brand touting green in 2022, either. Benjamin Moore’s 2022 Color Trends Report pointed to “October Mist 1495”, a subtly smoky sage, among more earthy and soft-bold colors.

“Specifically, there’s been rising interest in greens. The green color family is so diverse, from calming rich sages like Evergreen Fog to earthier tones and more dramatic emeralds,” Wadden told Forbes Home. “All of our research and these trends helped Evergreen Fog emerge as a clear choice for the 2022 color of the year.”

What’s more: This year’s 2022 color of the year reflects our reality having gone through (and still going through) a worldwide pandemic. Green is often associated with healing and growth, and while it’s simple speculation, it’s easy to correlate the selection for this year’s interior color schemes with what so many of us have realized we really needed over the last year and a half: a calm, safe space.

“Green from a color psychology standpoint is the color of nature and revitalization and growth, and green is emblematic of that newness,” Wadden continues. “The popularity of this soft gray-green right now shows how poignant that color and its meaning are. It’s about rebirth, growth, and beginning again. From the Sherwin-Williams perspective, we announced last year Urbane Bronze as our Color of the Year, which was all about sanctuary, safety, and cocooning.”

Evergreen Fog’s Best Color Pairings

While Wadden maintains that Evergreen Fog is an extremely versatile color, there are a few key colors she would recommend to pair it with.

“The familiar, comfortable nature of Evergreen Fog shines as a reassuring backdrop and freshens up any space,” Wadden said. “Create depth and texture with a mix of natural-looking textiles. Add a little gleam with a fusion of metals—champagne gold, warm brass, or inky black.”

Wadden recommends pairing Evergreen Fog with organic neutrals such as Shoji White SW 7042, Accessible Beige SW 7036, and Woven Wicker SW 9104, as well as tonal luxurious hues such as Urbane Bronze SW 7048, Über Umber SW 9107, and Bakelite Gold SW 6368.

Where to Use Evergreen Fog

I love this hue’s versatility and ability to fit into nearly any design style, including art deco, modern organic, and postmodernism.

“Evergreen Fog brings a regenerative touch to any environment, whether hotel room, restaurant, or office,” said Wadden.

The toned-down and composed color lends itself to dynamic areas of the home, such as lounges and other areas used for rest and relaxation, to encourage the adaptability of the space, but can also be used in entry areas and lobbies to create a comforting welcome.

“Evergreen Fog is such a versatile color that it can be paired with any style of design or décor to help create your desired mood for each room. It serves as a sophisticated backdrop for a home office and is a soothing hue for spaces where you want to relax, like a living room or bedroom,” Wadden said. “I also think that it’s a fresh take on cabinet storage in a kitchen or mudroom or trim paired with white paint for walls and ceilings. It’s as beautiful for exteriors as it is for interiors, and I would use it as a mid-tone for the whole home or a welcoming accent on a front door, shutters, or trim.”

If this new color for 2022 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, let’s talk more about how Evergreen Fog can enhance your interiors. 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.

I love fall decorating! But sometimes the transition from summer to fall can seem a bit sudden when it comes to home decor; however, planning a gradual transition is an easy way to make your home style come together. Instead of swapping all your decor at once, start by slowly bringing in fall accents towards the end of summertime (I know, here in Florida, it’s “fall-ish”). This gradual transformation will help you have a fully festive harvest home by the time the fall season arrives – I’d say, just pre-Halloween to post-Halloween. From simple decor swaps to lighting to comfy additions and more, here’s how to transition your home from summer to fall to get ready for the harvest season.

Put Your Summer Decor In Storage To Make Room For Fall Decor

The first step in transitioning your home from summer to fall is to gather all your summer decorations and items to put into storage. The idea is to start putting away anything that either has a summer theme or gives off a warm summer feeling. This can be a gradual task; you don’t necessarily need to put away everything at once. Start with individual rooms, and continue to place items in storage as the summer season ends. Decorations can be the first to go, followed by more practical summer items that you might still need until the very end of the season.

Summer Items To Place In Storage

• Decorations with summer themes and colors
• Faux plants and flowers
• Summer wardrobe and accessories
• Outdoor seating (this can stay outside until the weather starts to get cold)
• Summer scented candles
• Lightweight bedding, curtains, and blankets
• Summer pillows and seat cushions

Bring Comfort To Your Home With Warm Lighting & Fall Scents

The fall season is all about comfort and coziness within your own home. As you shift your home from summer to fall, it’s important to start bringing in that comfortable aesthetic to make for a seamless transition to the next season. Start adding some comfy cozy elements to each room of your home to get ready for the fall season.

There are so many ways to add warm and cozy elements to different areas of your home. Through lighting, scents, and more, you can easily make the seasonal shift feel natural and normal. Check out some ideas below for inspiration on how to create that cozy feeling in your home.

Cozy Fall Elements To Add To Your Home

• String lights & lanterns. Warm lighting is a great choice for your first fall addition to your home. Adding some string lights and lanterns to your home will give your space a cozy feeling without jumping too quickly into a fall theme.
• Fall scented candles. Bringing fall scents into your home is another great way to gradually transition into the harvest season. Add some fall candles to your home with warm scents such as pumpkin spice, cinnamon, apple cider, bonfire, sandalwood, clove, and more.
• Comfy fabrics. Adding comfortable fabrics throughout your home is another way to create a cozy fall environment. This can include faux fur blankets, large rugs, and plus towels.
• Wood materials. Using wood materials strategically throughout your home is a great way to continue the warm feelings in your space. It can be as simple as adding some wood accents and decorations, to adding a new warm wood side table to your living room, using a wooden planter to hold fall flowers, or adding a wood accent chair to your home. And, of course, so much more.

Add Some Subtle Fall Colors For An Easy Seasonal Transition

While summer color schemes are bright and bold, the fall season has more muted and warm colors. In order to make a smooth transition into the harvest season, you can gradually add fall colors to your home with the help of small accents and other items. This is a great way to make the transition less jarring and more natural.

How To Add Fall Colors To Your Home

There are many ways to bring fall colors into your home; however, you need to start in a more subtle way if you want that smooth transition. Find areas of your home where you can swap summer colors for fall ones, or areas that are lacking a solid color scheme. Here are some easy ideas for adding fall colors to your home in a small way towards the end of summer.

• Add a fall flower arrangement to your coffee table or dining table
• Hang up a fall wreath on your door
• Lay out a fall garland across your mantel
• Display orange and red candles throughout your home
• Hang up fall colored towels in the bathroom
• Use fall-colored string lights throughout your home

Swap Your Throw Pillows & Linens For A Fall Style

Another easy way to transition your home from summer to fall is to swap out your throw pillows and other linens. As mentioned before, fall time is all about the warm and cozy feeling in your home, and swapping out fabrics is a great way to accomplish that. This is an especially good idea if you currently have light and flowy summer fabrics throughout your home.

Make sure to swap these fabrics and linens for thicker and warmer items. Popular fall fabrics include wool, faux fur, and thick cotton. Take note of these elements to include them in your decor spread throughout your space. If you aren’t sure where to begin, check out some ideas below for what to swap.

Fabrics & Linens To Swap For Fall

• Throw pillows and blankets on the couch and bed
• Rugs in your bathroom and other areas of your home
• Window coverings and curtains
• Comforters and bedsheets
• Hand towels and bath towels

Add Pumpkins Gradually To Your Decor For A Smooth Transition

Fall time comes with many iconic symbols, so it’s only fitting to start decorating with those symbols. However, if you want a smooth transition from summer to fall, you have to start on a smaller scale. The best place to start is by slowly adding pumpkins to your decor spread to get a subtle fall appearance.

Pumpkin decorations can come in all shapes and forms. Start by adding a few ceramic pumpkins to your coffee table and entryway table. Then, as the fall season gets closer, you can slowly incorporate more pumpkins through the help of wall signs, patterned pillows, and other themed accents. Starting with just a few pumpkin items will help give off that subtle fall transition without overloading your space.

In addition to pumpkins, you can also slowly incorporate other fall symbols and patterns. This can include things such as plaid, fall foliage, apples, and any patterns with red and orange color schemes. Bring these patterns in with small decorative accents – this will help you notice the change but it won’t give your space a full harvest transformation at once.

Create Small Fall Decor Spreads Throughout Your Home

Another simple way to transition your home from summer to fall is to create small fall decor spreads throughout your home. Small setups throughout your home are a great way to bring the fall feeling to your space in a subtle and seamless way. Find areas of your space where you can create these displays without interrupting the style of the room.

A great place to start is with your mantel. The mantel display in your living room can instantly establish the theme of your space; adding a small fall spread will help you transition into the harvest season. For instance, you can add a small fall sentiment sign with a couple of decorative pumpkins or a grouping of gourds. This may look very simple, but you can always add extra fall accents to your mantel as the harvest season gets closer.

In addition to your mantel, you can also set up small fall decor spreads in other areas of your home. This can include areas like the entryway table, coffee table, kitchen island, bathroom shelf, or bookshelf. Find small open areas to create these displays or even find areas with summer decorations that can be swapped for fall accents. These small changes will add to your home transition in a big way.

I’m always available for consultations and design projects to help you bring fall into your home or business. There are so many beautiful choices to make any space gently transition to the fall and/or holiday season. Or if you do like a clean sweep, I can do it all in one visit. If this sounds appealing, let’s talk more about warming up your spaces with the colors and scents, and textures of the fall season. 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.

Bring a touch of the outdoors inside and add some warmth to your spaces

Decorating with plants is something anybody can do

Breathe easy with the beauty of plants

A little living beauty goes a long way

Now there is one thing to remember

Soho Interior Design offers The Christmas Decorators.

Just a reminder to everyone that booking early to have me and my Christmas Decorators team dress up your home or business for the holidays is a great way to avoid last-minute frustration! Our available slots tend to fill up fast! We’ve been doing Christmas decorating for 5 years now, and have several very pleased repeat clients. If you’re hosting a Christmas or holiday-time party or having family visit for the holidays, we can decorate your home and create that warm, inviting Christmastime vibe!

If you think you’ll be in town and want your home done up for the holidays, early booking is a great way to lock things in. Click this link to check out some of my past holiday projects, showcased on my website. We’d love to customize your home for your Christmas! Just click the contact link on this website and message me here, or you can email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com. And, of course, you can call me anytime at: (407) 947-7718. It’s easy to book The Christmas Decorators!