#designninja

ICYMI: Among other things, today I dropped off the fabric for the window treatments that are going into the #ckprojectrockledge family room. I was really careful not to drool all over it when we were checking the yardage. 😜 In other news, driving to Bethlehem PA and back during rush hour didn’t seem like a bad idea at the beginning. Oh, and I wish they sold rapid strep tests over the counter. Life would be so much easier. Neither of those things are connected to this fabric, but all were part of my crazy ass Monday. #CKdesignninja #randomthoughts #mondaymood #designninja https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvc2ISrF5iX/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1qyyjr5r7x8gc

I got a NO but then I got a YES. It took just a little nudge, which got me thinking about it all, not necessarily this client. The fear of making a mistake or doing the wrong thing when tackling a home renovation, or simply just decorating, can be gripping and it’s why many either end up with something bland or just copy something verbatim, just playing it safe. (Pro tip: resale value means nothing when you are going to actually live there for years anyway, so why do you care that real estate photos are all white, gray and oatmeal?) The goal is to find YOUR personality and make it come alive in your home. You will love your home so much more when something was done specifically with you and your family in mind. But sometimes you have to let go and let someone make those choices because they can objectively see who you are, what you might like but are afraid to try, maybe even what you don’t even see in yourself, and give you the encouragement, the nudge (sometimes the strong push) to just go for it. That being said, not everything is over the top. Matter of fact, I don’t ever plan anything “over the top”, it’s always just what I think the client can handle, even if it takes a little convincing at first. It’s not my way or the highway, I work clients through it all so that they can feel comfortable with the choices they are making. There are a few who push back, thinking they know exactly what they want but 1. Why did they hire me and 2. If they know, then why can’t they make a decision already? It’s not because the design choices are bad, it’s fear of missing out on something better that hasn’t come along yet. It’s fear of wasting money. It’s fear of trusting someone else to do it for them. It will cause hesitation, delays, frustration, anxiety, and incompletion. The best is when I can feel the trepidation going in, yet I also feel the client’s spark is reachable and I can wiggle my way in there. Sometimes I can start a fire. Sometimes I just light a candle. But my goal always is to get them to glow a little brighter than before. You feel me? Hopefully you will see that light in my new projects. (See what I did there?) #designninja (at New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu1Qnm9l3ia/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1kz5cxg82dtos

Happy Friday! It’s been quite a week. I for one am happy it’s over. While there was some not so fun moments, there were definitely some highlights. One big one is coming up: I’m celebrating #internationalwomensday by going to see @captainmarvelofficial in honor of my very first best friend when I was a kid, the most amazing @kellysued. Talk about powerful women! I had to cancel my tickets from last night so I’m dying to see it today. I hear there’s a cameo! Another highlight was all the pretty stuff arriving and some installs this week. To follow up on my post from yesterday, here is where the washer and dryer ended up and you can see how the space is totally reconfigured the way the client wanted it. For the most part I was just a consultant on this project, although she let me pick all the colors and do the windows and window seat area! Having worked together before, we knew this arrangement would work out well. What do you think? Be sure to swipe through! #designninja https://www.instagram.com/p/Buwupj4FXSg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19mr8wb6xhzax

This one is just for fun, because I like that wallpaper in every color. This teeny tiny hex tile is such a pale blue, and the fabric was just calling my name. Maybe for my future CA house? What do you think? #designninja #alwaysworking #bathroomdesign https://www.instagram.com/p/BusGb3qFvWS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1p804n9n3u95q

I have another powder room refresh coming up and I think I might be able to squeeze a little (well, a lotta) flower power and that pretty merlot colored tiny hex tile into the plan. Throw in a green and navy window treatment, new vanity, mirror, ceiling light, and a fresh coat of paint and I think it will be pretty fantastic. Something about this print is different from the big, mostly pinkish, florals (seen everywhere typically as an accent wall) for me, like the real looking, life-size bugs that add some humor, and might make you jump when you first notice one. I want to wrap the whole little room in it. It definitely won’t be boring. Powder rooms should have a little wow factor anyway, right? They don’t have to be overly fancy or too dressy to deliver the “wow”, fun colors and patterns can do the trick. Would you try something like this or does it scare you? Don’t let it! Have some fun, and remember nothing is forever so jump ALL the way in and try something unexpected. (Or hire someone like me if you need help figuring out how to pull color and pattern together.) #designninja #sundaynight #stillworking https://www.instagram.com/p/BukP3sDF-DO/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=wenwbo9w0fo5

One of my kids claims to hate velvet, which makes me question if she is actually mine. I know I’m not the only one that is drawn to velvety things. You with me? #designninja #velvet (at Short Hills, New Jersey) https://www.instagram.com/p/BueyMXEFAR-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1coeuobrrl3cz

Do you write “okay” or “OK”? Anyway: Okay okay... the powder room is jealous of all the love the family room is getting. So here is the super cool, textured, Art Deco wallpaper that the powder room is going to get. And although the photo doesn’t show it correctly, the paint sample matches and it will be on the ceiling. And all the trim. Oh boy. #goingdark #ckprojectrockledge #designninja (at Chatham, New Jersey) https://www.instagram.com/p/BueCKuVFEs5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1dt4b7apyc3gi

Paint is being purchased today and some color is coming to #ckprojectrockledge by the end of the weekend. And this wallpaper is on the way. This is going to be crazy good. #designninja #staytuned (at Chatham, New Jersey) https://www.instagram.com/p/BucNZbdFsmF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1d6ipk76wz3u4