We queried local design experts for what’s at the top of their list this summer, including questions about where to tile and how to pick the right pillow for your living spaces; the types of questions we often hear from our readers. The next several pages are a goldmine of professional how-to. You could call it tricks of the trade or simply proof that good taste never goes out of style.
Design Survey
The perfectly sized pillow is . . .
Like most things, the bigger the better! I prefer to almost exclusively use 24-inch pillows on living room upholstery; the oversized look always gives the illusion of the space being more finished.
-Peden Wright, Peden Wright Interiors for 4Rooms
For a sofa, we place two 22-inch square pillows in each arm of the sofa and then layer two 18-inch square pillows. To help combat pillows being tossed to the side, we like using a lumbar pillow in chairs; the sweet spot with the size of the lumbar pillow is about 12 x 16.
-Ashlee Arata, Old Colony Furniture
The more layered, the better. This could be mixing geometrics with solids or textures with patterns. Typically, we prefer a 22 x 22 on a sofa with a 20 x 20 in front.
-Ashley Diggelmann, Nandina Home & Design
We have found that a 20-inch square pillow is the most versatile size to go between sofas, chairs, and beds. A classic animal print such as Brunschwig & Fils Le Tigre Velvet in Cognac always works in any room and with any fabric scheme.
-Caroline Brackett, Caroline Brackett Studio of Design
Fabric for custom pillows
One of our favorite places to find fabrics is through Greenhouse Fabrics. They have hundreds of options with everything from embroidery to oversized prints to a classic geometric. Currently, our favorite patterns from Greenhouse are Lagoon, Sunrise, and Lanai.
-Ashlee Arata, Old Colony Furniture
Pretty much any Indian block print. Vintage or new, I rarely meet one I don’t like. Etsy is actually a great source.
-Vandy Shaefer, Fowler Interiors
I love using large-scale patterns in a living space. I am having a major style crush on Schumacher’s Yangtze River in Aqua. It gives an updated feel to a classic chinoiserie print and has the softest color palette.
-Peden Wright, Peden Wright Interiors for 4Rooms
I recently spec’d Clarence House Dahlia Hand Block in Green for a project, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since.
-Whitney McGregor, Whitney McGregor Designs
Always install tile in…
A mudroom floor.
-Caroline Brackett, Caroline Brackett Studio of Design
A child’s bathroom is a place I find myself consistently going for a fully tiled look. It’s easy to clean, and you don’t have to worry about a rowdy bath time ruining anything!
-Whitney McGregor, Whitney McGregor Designs
Creative specialty tile in a Wet Bar is my favorite because I believe in splurges in a small space.
-Sandra Cannon, Sandra Cannon Interiors
In a family bath. Right now, we are loving Clayton Tile’s Rickert Tile Peronda in Marrakech-Grey mixed with something more modern, like Circle & Square’s Stripes Graphite-Matte behind the vanity mirror.
-Ashley Diggelmann, Nandina Home & Design
Favorite exterior paint color that we’re not seeing right now
In the right setting, a dark olive green adds instant character.
-Amanda Louise Campbell, Amanda Louise Interiors
Winter Ice by Benjamin Moore is a great soft blue for a bungalow or cottage when paired with white trim.
-Caroline Brackett, Caroline Brackett Studio of Design
I am really on a Farrow & Ball Lichen kick. After I used it in my own house, I am noticing similar dusty green colors on home exteriors, and I love it paired with pea gravel and copper.
-Whitney McGregor, Whitney McGregor Designs
Yellow! My favorite exterior yellow is Icy Lemonade by Sherwin Williams. It is filled with an iridescent glow that you can’t quite explain; it’s fresh and looks smart with loads of trim colors, especially white.
-Sandra Cannon, Sandra Cannon Interiors
We love mixing some of the black darker accents, such as windows and doors, with an earthy tone rather than white. Nature-inspired Sussex Green by Benjamin Moore is a beautiful green that transforms a stark farmhouse look into a warm and inviting façade.
-Ashley Diggelmann, Nandina Home & Design
Performance fabric picks
Our favorite performance fabric manufacturer for outdoors is Sunbrella. We have two patterns, with multiple colorways, that we love to use: Chartres is a pebbled neutral that is soft to the touch. The Posh collection in Herringbone offers a timeless design to outdoor collections.
-Ashlee Arata, Old Colony Furniture
I am loving Sunbrella Windowpane in Coastal Blue. It gives exterior spaces a classic menswear look and can be combined with fun patterns.
-Peden Wright, Peden Wright Interiors for 4Rooms
