With Memorial Day just around the corner, and entertaining becoming a thing again (yay!), it's time to get ready for some company! Patriotic holidays often take decor too far, and things can become cheesy pretty quickly. To help, we've put together a few tips and tricks for you to strike the perfect balance this Memorial Day.
Food
Arguably one of the most important elements of an event, the food you serve on Memorial Day should be fun and festive, but still delicious. You don't need to take the theme too far - just a few red, white, and blue treats do the trick. A few of our favorite easy options? A charcuterie board with some star-shaped cheese, or a berry trifle! Mix in some classic American bites, and you're good to go.
Beverages
You can never really go wrong with a cocktail, and it's simple to make your signature drink on-theme and tasty. One we're loving right now is a berry spritz - just add berries and a fun straw to this classic cocktail and you're done! Plus, it's super easy to make non-alcoholic, as well.
Tableware
The key to a beautiful event is always in the table setting. Instead of going for the typical paper plates, opt for a more subtle, pastel palette or try a print, like gingham. Whatever direction you take your table in, be sure to keep it simple. Your guests will love the chic twist! Check out a few of our favorite patriotic products to get a look you'll love:
Rattan is nothing new to the design world, as it's been a part of interiors for decades, but we're definitely seeing a stronger interest in incorporating the material and look into our clients' homes these days. The amazing thing about rattan is that it's a super flexible material, meaning it can be used to make almost anything. Another aspect we love about rattan? It works with almost any design style, from traditional to modern and everything in-between. Check out a few ways we suggest incorporating this trend into your home!
Furniture
Lighting
Accessories
Need a little more help incorporating the rattan trend? Consider booking a consultation with one of our interior designers at The Finish for a stress-free, professional touch.
It looks like the Winter weather is finally subsiding, and that means Spring fever for us at The Finish! While Spring cleaning is always a good way to jump start the new season, we also find ourselves wanting to make a few changes to our spaces. If you're like us, you're craving pastels and floral patterns, but it's hard to know where to start. To help, we've compiled a few of The Finish designers' tips and tricks for getting your home Spring-ready!
1. Flora
Bring the seasonal greenery and flowers indoors! We love a potted bulb garden full of hyacinths and daffodils, or flowering branches in a large vessel.
2. Upholstery
A Spring cleaning moment you're probably forgetting? Your upholstery! If you're local to CT, we love Rudy's.
3. Paint
A fresh coat of paint can go a long way! Our designers recommend trying color on your moldings and leaving the walls a neutral for something a little different.
4. Wallpaper
If you're feeling adventurous, add wallpaper to the ceiling for a major "wow" moment. It will make a big impact without changing any of your furniture!
5. Fresh Air
This one may go without saying, but simply opening up your windows and letting a breeze through your home can really breathe new life into it. Don't underestimate the power of fresh, Spring air!
Need a little more help making your home just right for the upcoming season? Consider booking a consultation with one of our interior designers at The Finish for a stress-free, professional touch.
While window treatments may not be the first part of your space that comes to mind when designing, they actually can make a huge difference in the overall appearance of a room. But, with so many options on the market, it's hard to know where to start. That's where we come in, of course! A trained designer is the best way to get things just right, but we've put together a few of our best tips and tricks for getting the look yourself.
Needs
First things first: you need to determine what type of window treatment will best fit your needs. It's important to consider the look of your window treatments, but it's also vital to think about their function. Are you just looking to add a finishing touch to your room? Do you need to block light or sound coming in? Are you in need of a little more privacy? All of these functions will affect the type and style of window treatment that you ultimately select.
Types
There are so many different window treatments, it's important to know what you're options are! We like to think of window treatments as broken into two basic categories: shades and drapery. In the shades category, we have: Roman, Austrian, pleated, and roller. In the drapery category, there are many aspects to consider: gathering style (at the top), fullness, length, opacity, lining, and fabric. To get the best of both worlds, you can combine both shades and drapery!
Let's break these types down a little further:
Shades
Shades are best for when something is right up against or next to a window. They are a bit more tailored than drapery, and should be fitted to your specific windows. You can mount shades within the window frame, or right outside/above the window frame.
Drapery
Drapery has a more flowing feel to it, with less specific measurements necessary to fit to your windows. They should be mounted slightly above/outside the window frame and flow to the floor. Quick tip: the higher you mount your drapery, the taller your ceilings will look (but don't get carried away)! The length is somewhat up to you, as some people prefer drapery to hit the floor perfectly, while others prefer a longer, pooling look at the bottom. Take into account your needs when deciding on opacity, linings, and fabric. If you just want a compliment to your space, a sheer curtain can work well, but if you're looking to stop the sun from coming into your bedroom in the morning, you may want to consider a fabric or lining that blocks light.
Style
Once you know your function and the type of treatment that will best fit your function, it's time to consider your style. Is your space light and bright, or dark and moody? Do you want to add interest and texture with trimmings, or stay sleek and clean-lined? The gathering style you choose should reflect the overall aesthetic of the room. A pinch pleat can be quite formal, while a tab top tends to be more casual. Be sure to take into account your wall color, as the window treatments will be right up against this, and the other colors in your room. Do you want to draw attention with bright hues, or keep it simple with neutrals? Whatever you decide, remember it's okay to change your mind! Sometimes, you really need to see something in your space to know if it's right or not. Don't be afraid to experiment and adjust as needed!
Need a little more help with your window treatments? Consider booking a consultation with one of our interior designers at The Finish for a stress-free, professional touch.
The interior design world is filled with amazing talent. No matter what your style is, there is a designer out there who can make your space perfectly you. Today, on International Women's Day, we're highlighting a few of our favorite women in the business.
Leave a comment to let us know if we missed someone you love!
Patricia Urquiola
Born and trained in Spain, Patricia Urquiola now works mainly out of Milan under Studio Urquiola. She is a boundary-pusher, always striving to break prejudices of design and find connections between the familiar and the unexplored. Her work is on exhibit in museums around the world and she's won several international prizes and awards.
Nicole Gibbons
Based in New York City, Nicole Gibbons is an interior designer, TV personality, and blogger. Under Nicole Gibbons Studio, Gibbons's aesthetic is eclectic and multi-layered. She aims to combine classic design with modern style, seamlessly blending higher-end and affordable brand names through bold colors, patterns, and textures. Beyond her design work, Gibbons is also the founder of Clare, a designer-curated paint start-up focused on simplifying the paint color selection process.
Kelly Wearstler
Kelly Wearstler is admired around the world for her expressive and provocative interiors. She creates multi-layered, sensory experiences through her unique design approach, with a focus on site-specific design. Best known for her hospitality design, Wearstler believes in both challenging design rules and honoring history and location. In addition to her studio work, Wearstler is also the author of several design books and is the first interior designer to teach a MasterClass.
India Mahdavi
India Mahdavi's work is best characterized by her minimalist, but never boring, color palettes. From The Gallery at Sketch to multiple Laduree locations, Mahdavi aims to create a full sensory experience through the use of bold hues. She attributes her draw to playful color schemes to her childhood, and believes that today, surrounded by cold technology, we all seek visual comfort. Rounding out her interior design portfolio are her own furniture and paint lines.
Believe it or not, Spring is right around the corner! The crisp Spring air brings with it the desire to start fresh and keep a clean home. One of our favorite ways to reset for the season is incorporating new, on-trend colors. There's lots of ways to do this, whether you're looking to start small with throw blankets and accent pillows, or go big with wallpaper and kitchen cabinets. Check out some of this season's Pantone color palettes below to get your home Spring-ready in no time!
Need a little more help making your home just right for the upcoming season? Consider booking a consultation with one of our interior designers at The Finish for a stress-free, professional touch.
Bright
Bring Spring's spirit into your home with this beautiful, nature-inspired palette. Cool pinks and warm reds combine effortlessly with lush green and white shades to create the natural escape you've been searching for.
Bold
Spring with a punch! These bold hues take the season's natural elements and make them luxe, ideal for a glamorous getaway moment. The vivid contrast these shades provide will add interest to any space.
Pastel
Finally create the calming oasis you deserve. Combine cool pinks and greens with a vibrant yellow, crisp aqua, and sweet lavender for this perfectly pastel palette. Add in a creamy white for extra freshness!
Shop some of our favorite items in this season's colors below:
There's tons of cheesy Valentine's Day decor out there, and while you may want to make your home festive for the holiday, it's hard to know where to draw the line. Enter: The Finish! We specialize in those extra little touches that will make your space feel done, but not too done. The beauty of this decor? It all doubles as gifts! You can thank us later.
Need a little more help making your home just right this Valentine's Day? Consider booking a consultation with one of our interior designers at The Finish for a stress-free, professional touch.
Florals
Image from Bouqs
Nothing brings a room to life like a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Our friends at Bouqs are a go-to, known for their farm-fresh flowers directly from sustainable sources. They make gorgeous arrangements in any flower or color you'd like, and they even have a "farmer's choice" option to guarantee you get the most in-bloom florals. Hot tip: purchase a large bouquet and split it up into smaller vases around your home for a truly immersive experience!
Candles
Image from The Little Market
Set the mood for a night-in with on-theme candles. Some we're loving right now? These personalized ones from The Little Market. Get a few with cute sayings, names, or important dates and scatter them around for a romantic glow.
Accent Pillows + Throws
It's amazing how much switching up your throws and accent pillows can transform your space. You may already be swapping out with the seasons, but it can be hard to strike a balance between celebratory and over-the-top when it comes to Hallmark holidays. That's why we suggest you stay away from pillows with kitschy sayings, like "be mine," and stick to a color palette that reflects the holiday. Check out a few of our favorite pink and red accents right now:
Kitchen Items
The kitchen is an often overlooked space for decor, but it doesn't have to be! Adding in a pop of color to your dish towels, or a fun baking dish, can make all the difference.
Despite this upcoming year looking a bit more promising than the last, most of us are still stuck in work-from-home mode for the foreseeable future. That coveted work-life balance has totally gone out the window - there is just no natural boundary between work and play anymore. That's why it's more important than ever to establish your own boundaries, and we think your workspace is the perfect place to start!
Keep in mind these seven aspects when creating your home office, and you'll absolutely love the results. Need a little more help pulling it together? Consider booking a consultation with one of our interior designers at The Finish for a stress-free, professional touch.
Location
Image by Ursula Carmona, Homemade by Carmona
Get creative if you don't have a designated room in your home for an office. A closet, a nook, the top of your stairs, a sunroom can all be great places to set up a work desk. The most important things to consider are: privacy, natural light, and outlets!
Layout
Image by Claxy
When considering how to layout a workspace, designers at The Finish always keep in mind the "The Power Position." From your desk, you should be able to see anyone entering your office. You should have this view without placing yourself directly in front of the door, and thus interrupting the flow. The ideal position, according to this method, is at a diagonal at the back of the room and facing the door, so you can see the whole space.
Lighting
Image by Circa Lighting
Good lighting is essential! Try to get as much natural light as possible from a window or skylight. Light temperature should be consistent across all lighting sources. Stick close to 3000K - we like Phillips Warm Glow Dimmable Bulbs best. To avoid glares, don't place overhead lighting directly above computer screens, and don't put a computer screen directly in front of a light source, as that can cause eyestrain. A high-quality task light will be essential for late nights and cloudy days! Have fun with ambient lighting. A large focal chandelier or decorative sconces adds visual interest and a warm glow. In general, a space feels more warm and welcoming with multiple sources of ambient lighting.
Color
Image by Studio DIY
Color can impact your mood and energy levels (yes, color theory is a real thing, and it actually works!). Blue can be ideal for a bedroom, but it's a very relaxing color than can actually make you drowsy, so it's best to avoid it in a workspace. Green is a dominant color in nature and a neutral. It can add vitality to an office and improve concentration. Yellow, orange, and red are attention-grabbers and can make people happy or excited, but they can be overpowering in an office, so they should only be used as accent colors. Purple and lavender are known to stimulate imagination and improve focus.
Furniture
Image by Pottery Barn Teen
Invest in a high-quality chair. Ergonomics are important if you are working at your desk for long periods at a time. Think beyond traditional office furniture - your office space should be a reflection of your home and personal style.
Organization
Image by The Container Store
Most of us are much more productive when everything is in its perfect place, so this is especially important in a workspace. Creating (and sticking to) a filing system is important, and it doesn't have to be hideous! There are tons of at-home office organization systems right now that are anything but standard. Identify what you need to keep organized, what types of pieces would best fit those needs, and then keep your personal style and overall space in mind when purchasing. Don't forget about wire management! Cords criss-crossing everywhere will drive you crazy, but there are many solutions to keeping all your tech gear streamlined.
Inspiration
Image by Ella Gregory, Coco's Tea Party
No matter what your line of work is, it's important to keep yourself inspired. Working long days in the office is one thing, but keeping up your motivation knowing your bed is just a few steps away can be challenging. Incorporate a vision board, fun wallpaper, or art gallery to stay inspired by your space!
Here, we’ve rounded up some of the seasonal must-haves that help you foster a cozy winter home refresh. From faux-fur and fluffy bedding to accent colors and candles, here’s exactly what you need to turn your space into a winter-friendly wonderland.
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