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Design Inspiration from Keri Russell’s Home

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Keri Russell and Family inside their Brooklyn home

In an article featured in Elle Decor, actress Keri Russell’s brownstone in Brooklyn was spotlighted. We thought we’d share just a few photos of her beautiful home with our readers. If you’re redecorating your home and would like to add a stylish touch to your decor, perhaps these gorgeous photos will serve as inspiration for you!

Inside the living room of Keri Russell’s home, the rug by Shaw Floors, Ochre light fixture, and linen-upholstered armchairs by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams work together to create a cozy and welcome living space.

The chic but welcoming kitchen features a light fixture by Rejuvenation, a kitchen island and cabinetry made out of espresso-stained reclaimed fir, a Sub-Zero refrigerator, and Grohe sink fittings.

The luxurious master bathroom inside Keri Russell’s home a Victoria + Albert claw-foot tub that has Samuel Heath fittings; this tub looks perfect for relaxing in!

Inside the master bedroom, there is a sheepskin rug by IKEA adorning the floor and a chandelier found at an antiques fair serving as the bedroom light fixture. The bed features bedding and headboard fabric by Matteo, and the bedside table was created by Shane Deary, Keri’s husband.

Images courtesy of Elle Decor

Decorative Touches that Gwyneth Paltrow Can’t Live Without

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Gwyneth Paltrow

Elle Decor featured an article spotlighting a few of Gwyneth Paltrow’s favorite things that she just cannot live without, including decorative touches found inside her beautiful home in London, where she resides with her husband Chris Martin of the band Coldplay and their two children. Check out these photos of just a few of her favorite things for design inspiration inside your home.

A well decorated with gorgeous hand-painted wallpaper. This wallapaper by De Gournay is featured on one wall inside Gwyneth Paltrow’s living room.

Seasonal flowers in single-variety arrangements. Gwyneth Paltrow likes to casually arrange flowers like white lilies, peonies, and hydrangeas and place them around her home.

Beautiful, majestic photography featured as artwork inside the home. Gwyneth Paltrow has photography by Darren Almond (like the photo above) featured inside her home.

Whimsical star lanterns hung from the ceiling. Star lanterns by Charles Edwards, like the one seen here, hang at different levels in Gwyneth Paltrow’s stair hallway, so that Gwyneth and her family can gaze at them on their way up to bed at night.

Great Tips for Decorating and Decluttering Your Kitchen

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Are you redecorating your kitchen inside your home? Do you want to add style to your kitchen but also keep it organized and maintain its functionality? This was the charge given to us for the kitchen shown here.

This customer wanted a taste of french country, and yet a classic kitchen.  She and I were delighted with the finished product!  She doubled the size of her kitchen and was able to enjoy the use of this wonderful new island!
When you do a room addition or renovation, you are so happy to complete the project, that clutter and “things” left sitting around will be a thing of the past!
Here are a few tips on helping you stay tidy…

Courtesy of iVillage, check out these excellent tips that are perfect for decorating and decluttering your kitchen.

  • Keep the top of your refrigerator clear of clutter, unless you’d like to feature a modest display of your favorite (and most beautiful) cookbooks. Make sure you add bookends to offset your display.
  • Set up a creative display of your glassware in your kitchen. Feature your pretty glasses on the second shelf in your cabinet, while keeping the glasses you use every day on the bottom shelf, if your cabinets have glass panes.
  • Install a rack underneath your cabinet, and use it to hang and display your beautiful wineglasses.
  • Change up the decorative items (aprons, tea towels, potholders, picture frames, knick knacks, etc) you have inside your kitchen each season. Reflecting the time of year with your decor is a great way to decorate.

Let Janine Terstriep and the staff at The Decorative Touch help you create a kitchen that meets your needs for both style and function.

How to Make Your New Home Look Vintage

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Designers like me spend lots of time looking through magazines to get inspired and make sure we are staying up to date!  This particular photo caught my eye, not because it was so trendy, but because it was so vintage and it just gave me a sense of comfort of days gone by.  No matter what your style, there is always a piece of the past that feels good to us.  I like to incorporate a special something of my clients “past” in their decorating whenever possible, even if subtly…photos of grandparents, treasures of old books…it says vintage in your own small way.

Photo credit Southern Living Magazine

Tip of the Week #19: Why Hire an Interior Designer?

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Janine Terstriep

Janine @ Decorative Touch

I have been asked a lot lately…

Why use an interior designer when there is so much “do it yourself advice” out there?  What does an interior designer really bring to the table?

Boy, if I had a dollar for all the times I have been asked that question in the last few years! It really does seem like out of all the professions, we designers seem to have to “justify” our positions and experience more than any other certified field.

And I think that is the point.  A true designer has years of experience and/or a certification in the field of interior design.  As the client, you have to do your homework and ask for referrals as well as credentials.  Hiring the right designer can save you money, quite the opposite from what most people think.

A good designer should have an interview with you about your project and your goals. Your designer should then explain how he or she works, and ask a lot of questions about your desires for the project you are about to begin.  Your first appointment after the initial meeting should be a productive one. You should feel like you are making some progress in communication and decision making on the first pieces of the puzzle that fit into your design scheme.

Your designer should help make choosing items easy by having selected things she feels would suit your needs based on previous conversations. He or she has access to an extensive reference library that you couldn’t search without having a design degree. My opinion is that you can’t afford not to use a GOOD designer on your project, but you have to find a GOOD one.

Ask your friends and family for referrals and ask your potential designer for references. If you are not comfortable, find a new one…your home is your haven, it’s as important to trust your designer as your doctor.  After all they are doing a type of surgery on your home, and spending your money as wisely as possible. You have to trust them with decisions that can be very costly, which are investments in your home and your lifestyle.  A high level of communication throughout is very important for the process to go well.  So be sure to find someone you can talk to and are comfortable being with.

If you find the right person you will know he or she will have your best interest at heart.  As a designer with 27 years experience, I know my joy comes from truly helping reach beyond my client’s goals…and even better if we achieve that within budget!!

As busy as we are in today’s world, the more need there is to hire an interior designer to help make your home your haven, there truly is a difference.  Costly mistakes of purchasing the wrong pieces, painting the wrong colors, and buying the wrong accessories will keep adding up to money used in the wrong direction.  Call your designer today, you simply can’t afford not to!

Sincerely,
Janine Terstriep
Certified Interior Designer

Kitchen of Diane Keaton

Cooking in Celebrity Kitchens

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We all have a favorite celebrity, and we all wonder about the way they live outside of the public eye. We wonder how their bedroom is decorated, what direction their celebrity interior designer chose for the great room and what do their kitchens looks like. We know many celebrities have personal chefs , but are the designs of their kitchens the epitome of glamour? Are they contemporary or do they have an welcoming design? We found a few celebrity kitchens on Attic Mag and InStyle. Take a look and tell us what you think. Are they what you expected— over the top or nice and lived in?

Gianda de LaurentiisKitchenof Giada de Laurentiis

Diane KeatonKitchen of Diane Keaton

Kelsey GrammerKitchen of Kelsey Grammer

Kristen Bellkitchen of kristen bell

Ima GartenIna Garten

Lovely Lucite

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Plastic furniture is no longer regulated only to your child’s play area. Get in on the fun and decorate with Lucite. As we are seeing more and more of the acrylic furnishings, we are noting its design benefits. Being clear Lucite is extremely versatile and will coordinate with any interiors. The furniture will seem barely there giving the illusion of more space. The clean and polished lines of Lucite can be translated through small decorative pieces or larger furniture such as tables or chairs. Just as your kids’ furniture, the plastic is durable and easy to clean should there be any accidents. We are loving this plastic look of elegance, can you picture some lovely Lucite in your rooms?

bedroom with lucite furnitureDesk with lucite chairlucite coffee tableImages from Odi et Amo

lucite coffee tablelucite lampslucite desk, chair and lampImages from houzz

Leave Them Open

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If your kitchen design is starting to bore you then it’s time to switch things up. Redesigning your kitchen cabinets will give your kitchen the slightest, but noticeable face lift. Traditionally we store all our everyday dishes behind opaque cabinet doors while our finest china gets all the attention in a display case. Transform your kitchen by opening up your cabinets and showing off your stylish dishware. Your cabinet doors can be removed, replaced with glass or simply left open. Painting the inside of the cabinets  adds a pop of color and makes your kitchen inviting. What do you think about open cabinetry?

Open cabinetsImage from Southern Living

Open cabinetsImage from Coastal Living

Open cabinetsImage from House Beautiful

Open cabinetsImage from House Beautiful

Tip of the Week #12: Inspiration

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Have any of you seen the July issue of Architectural Digest?   The article and photos of Cher’s Indian Fantasy are amazing!  What I really love about this is that this home is such a reflection of the home owner. If you don’t see Cher reflected in this space, you are missing something.  She is exotic and over the top in her performances as well as her use of large scale accessories that enhance the rich neutral palette chosen for this daring diva. I commend her designer Martyn Lawrence-Bullard. He truly represented the spicy, bold, woman who lives in this space. And yet, this feels serene and romantic at the same time. Bravo!

I do love Architectural Digest as one of the best design resources for great “ahhh” photos. If ever you need great inspiration there is always something wonderful between the pages of this magazine.  Perhaps our lives are not so grand, but there is always something to modify into our own space. For example, the neutrals chosen for Cher could be a great starting point for many of you, and your accessories like hers  should reflect your personal taste. Accessories are the “jewelry” of the home.  Choose those that make you feel at home. Maybe you would prefer more color, look to your closet. What we wear reflects what we love.  As always, look to your designer for expert advise!
Happy Inspiration,
Janine

In Shape With Your Decor

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measuring tapeDoes your interior design make you eat more or less? According to Dr. Oz there are ways your home décor can help you stay in shape. Sounds too good to be true right?  Well Dr. Oz said it so we are going to keep an open mind. Try some of these home décor tips and see if they help you keep the pounds off this summer.

  • Open and Airy: Keeping the windows and shades in your home open this summer makes you indoor environment light, which will reduce your appetite.
  • Fruit on the table: Keeping a fruit centerpiece on your dining room table will help you lose an extra 5 pounds a month studies show. The sweet smell of flowers increases your appetite while fruit decreases it.
  • Opaque Dishes: Using opaque dishes reduces your appetite because you can not see through them.
  • Go Outside: People naturally eat less in the summer when its hotter outside. Sun light also decreases serotonin levels which reduces any depression or need for comfort foods.

In addition to these tips, remember to eat healthy and continue with your regular exercise routine.

First seen on casasugar.