The Number One way to give your Coastal Home a Quick Lift

I couldn’t stop looking at this photo. True, I love the coastal color of the door (it’s actually the same as ours). But in truth my eyes went right to the number ‘1206’. Of course it’s important to have your house number visible for a variety of reasons – safety, identity, etc. However, the house… Read More

How to Select the Best Coastal Paint Colors

How to select paint colors for the home. Read More

15 Surefire Ways to Winterize Your Coastal Home

How to get your home ready for winter weather. Read More

How to create a Timeless Look in Your Home

At the start of a new week, I have to focus on what I can accomplish and the best way to approach my goals. It can be overwhelming until I set up my daily plan. Today’s plan consists of doing what I am doing at this moment – writing to you and sharing ideas on… Read More

Ideas and Looks We are Loving Now

    This morning on my daily walk with Max I bundled up because of the cool temperatures. But the sun was about to shine so I ‘pivoted’ to the thought that it was going to be a beautiful day after all. It seems we are all instructed to ‘pivot’ or re-direct our strategies at… Read More

How to use Colors to Change Your Mood

If you’re like us, you may feel a bit challenged with the near future. That’s certainly understandable, yet there are many things under your control. You can face the day and see the lack, the things you don’t ‘have’. Or, you can take a moment to realize the many things you have around you that… Read More

Designer’s Best Tips for Your Coastal Home

Did you decide to update your summer home this year? That’s great news and well worth the time it takes to achieve your goals. But having a goal is only a wish, although it’s a great start. The real deal in achieving your goal is to have a plan. A plan sets the stage for… Read More

One of the Best Ways to Rethink What you Drink

Now that I’ve started our clean water for drinking at home process, I still feel I need more options for clean water in our kitchen. I would like to be able to go to our faucet and stream clear, clean water vs always using the refrigerator’s filtered water. For the most part, it would be… Read More

7 To do’s to Get your Home ready for Summer

Don’t be fooled by the often rainy and cool season. It’s here temporarily to be replaced by sun, warm temps and beach days. While we don’t live on the beach, we are ten minutes to the ocean, ten minutes to the river and a walk away from the Barnegat Bay. Needless to say, our summer… Read More

Coast into Color Home Inspiration

Now that we survived another non-snow storm, we can start to look toward Spring. We can look toward a new color story in our homes or maybe even our wardrobe. It’s not unusual to find yourself wearing the same clothes in the same shade of black, blue etc. The same is true for our homes.… Read More

Save Time and Money with this Trend

Trend II – Fabrics for your busy life  Since forever, I’ve not been a coupon saver. But, who isn’t happy to save money and time with something you use everyday? Indoor/outdoor fabrics are a ‘what’s happening’ trend for use inside the home (almost as much as they are known for use on patio furniture). They… Read More

5 Top Trends in Coastal Homes this Year

TREND 1 – Color makes a comeback inside the home  I am not the best advocate of following trends. I steer toward classic design that is timeless. But, once in a while, I’ll see or use a design style that might be considered trendy. One of those trends is the use of color on the… Read More

This Color Can Make You Feel Better and Look Better!

If one of your goals this season is better health and the other is a more beautiful home, read on! According to the ‘Worlds Healthiest Foods’ website, eating apricots not only helps to protect your health. But you might also consider adding this colorful beta carotene fruit to feel better on the inside as well. But it’s great for other things as well,… Read More

5 Ways to Feel Happy Soon

In Barry Yeoman’s article “Why The Beach Makes Us Happy” the words “You come back from a beach vacation (or day trip) and find that you’ve got a verve, an energy” mean so much to those who love the Jersey Shore and the Connecticut or Long Island beaches. If you’ve been hesitant about taking a break and… Read More

Coastal Inspiration for You

  Start With a Dream No matter where you are today, you may feel a lack of enthusiasm, or feel doubtful or anxious about the future. Maybe you are still a victim of the hurricane Sandy or working on a home renovation or all the above. Perhaps it all seems overwhelming – you need a quick re-start.… Read More

What Smart Coastal Homes do to Stay Safe and Connected

A few weeks ago I was invited by a coastal architect to discuss how we work with clients. Architect Paul Rugarber, AIA of PDR Designs in Point Pleasant, New Jersey asked if my clients include smart home technology when building or renovating a home. “Yes”, I replied (somewhat tentatively). Though I can’t say I’ve been… Read More

Are you color blind when you try to find the right shade of paint for your home?

If you’re like most people, picking the right colors for your home can be a tricky if not frustrating task. You may like blue, but as soon as you step into a paint store, you’ll find more shades of blue than you thought were possible. Or, maybe you’re tired of your colors and want a… Read More

Easy tips to Design your Coastal Home with Color

  Part I –  Kitchen and Open Plan Family Room Colors One of the hardest yet most important parts of creating your coastal home is your choice of color. Perhaps you are working on a whole house or maybe just a room. Either way, before you set foot in the kitchen and bath store, the… Read More

Quick or Efficient Ways to Get a Coastal Look in your Home

How to design a coastal home Read More