Is it possible to design great looking modern traditional trim using classical proportions and guidelines? The short answer is yes. As it turns out, the long answer will take several posts.(As I prepared this post it became clear I could create so much content in response to my question I needed to write several posts on...
Today, I will be sharing my top interior trim tips. This post was inspired by a conversation with a fellow designer who had questions about the proper proportion and scale for the crown moulding in a kitchen he is designing. While I have written previously about this topic, this conversation got me thinking specifically about...
Interior Design Trends are something that Sally and I usually don’t pay much attention to. We write them off to media and marketing hype. Having said that, discussions about emergning 2020 Interior Design Trends in several private FB Groups I am a member of caught my eye in December. The first was a conversation about...
Design a French style master bedroom suite in a Colonial style home? Convention would dictate a New England style interior if you’re renovating a New England Style home, or perhaps today’s mid-century modern look with it’s rooms stripped of detail. On the other hand, “Why not French?” So many clients tell us, “We love to...
I was reminded of the effort it takes to create timeless design as a big stack of great design ideas fell on the floor while I was emptying the DXV Design Panel plan file drawer in preparation for our move from Salem to Northborough. Sketch after sketch, doodle after doodle, lay there staring up at...
This past weekend I spent time revisiting and remembering one of our favorite projects, the renovation of the Forster – Leach House an 1804 Federal Period home in Manchester, MA, whose design is attributed to well known Salem architect, Samuel McIntire. Sally and I have been decluttering and cleaning the office because in the next...
If a house could talk, what would it say? Quite a bit, if you make time to open your eyes and ears and listen. Thanks to the generosity of the Peabody Essex Museum, I recently had the opportunity to visit the Cotting-Smith House, located in Salem’s McIntyre Historic District, and field measure architectural details and photo document...
Scenic wallpaper may seem to be a strange material choice for a bathroom. Yet, Sally and I knew wallpaper was to play a major role in our DXV Design Panel bathroom from the moment we began designing the room. To create our scenic wallpaper, we also knew that Doug, Lena and Brooke of Zoe Design were the...
Creating classical crown moulding profiles is going to be made easy for you in this post. I will be sharing my knowledge and sources, giving you the confidence the mouldings you create in your home will look beautiful. Let’s see what’s behind Door Number 1. The premise behind classical Crown moulding profiles. As I mentioned...
Beautiful crown molding is a wonderful way to enhance the style and feel of your home. DIY’ers and readers who are currently in the design process take note! In this post, I am going to share with you, crown moulding details and specifications (and variations) of several of the crowns we designed for a French...