We recently finished a project featuring clean lines and well edited spaces. Although the client had lived in their home for six years, they had done very little furnishing or decorating. Rather than reflecting the style of our clients, the home read ‘blank slate’ so we were excited to help put their personal stamp on it.

The first element we changed was the paint color, going from a yellow-based beige to a cool, soft gray (Silver Song 1557 from Benjamin Moore). We also used a darker color called Chelsea Gray (HC 168 from Benjamin Moore) in a few of the rooms.

Next, we changed the tile backsplash in the kitchen from a builder basic tile to a more contemporary mosaic. The effect was dramatic; exactly what the kitchen needed. We also installed new light fixtures for the main level office and dining nook.

These simple changes really helped to update the space, and we were ready for furniture, art and accessories at last! The pieces we selected were both beautiful and simple; a nice balance between classic and contemporary. The art and accessories added warmth and visual interest.

This project was successful because the clients feel like their home finally reflects who they are. Thanks to the Lofgreens for being so great to work with!

Granite countertops came in with a bang, they were a luxury commodity and a great selling point to any home. Gradually we are seeing a shift to using quartz otherwise known as Caesarstone or Hanstone. And although we LOVE the look of a solid quartz countertop, there are still a few granites that really look great. One perk that granite has over quartz is it's price - so if you are looking for a great medium range countertop, granite is a great choice.

Granite is much better in a kitchen than marble, yet we love the look of marble in a kitchen... So, there are a few select granites that have characteristics of marble, but the durability of granite. We love this kitchen and the carrerra looking marble. How luxurious...

This very simple gray and white stried granite is simple and gives a great look to the island in this large kitchen. If we had to guess, we would say this is Colonial White granite, one of our favorites.

When using granite as your countertops, white on white gives you a really great look. I love how fresh this kitchen looks, even though there is a bigger grain to the granite than we usually look for.

When you pick the right granite, you can get a unique and beautiful space. Granite doesn't have to mean that your kitchen looks like everyone elses when granite became big. Our main tip - keep the granite light and fresh, dark colors and big veins will weigh down your space and make it feel heavy and dark.

What's your take on granite?

Eclectic style encompasses a variety of periods and styles and is brought together through the use of color, texture, and finish. The mix of these elements is what creates an eclectic style. Spaces decorated in an eclectic style can easily change according to mood, inspiration and budget. The advantage to selecting this style is that you almost cannot make any mistakes when selecting furniture or fabrics to incorporate.

An eclectic look is partly defined by the multitude of fabrics, whether they be patterned, textured or both. The palette can vary, but it's best to stick with a few neutrals to help tie all the elements together. In the sitting room pictured above, blacks, whites, and grays are used to ground the palette so the great design isn't lost among the many hues. Eclectic style is great for highlighting your collections, whether you are an art buff, or have picked up many trinkets on your travels. To incorporate these collections successfully, group objects that work well together to create focal points. Interior Designer, Vicente Wolf’s apartment is a great example of this. We love how he has taken a collection of his favorite chairs and used them to display the photographs from his various trips around the world.

The trick with an eclectic style is using elements and details that have a good conversation together and often times they just feel right together. Or perhaps they have a large contrast in sheen and lines that they make the perfect eclectic statement.

First off today we will explore one area that will increase the curb appeal of your home. The front porch! Above is a picture of a home we are currently working on. The clients are getting ready for a major remodel and addition. We have developed a plan to update the finishes and feel of the exterior.

These are a few of the lovely covered porches we gathered inspiration from. We love how they have green boxwood plants on each side and good lighting. That makes all the difference.

Above is a quick sketch we did of the exterior concept for this house. We love the idea of adding a covered porch with a pergola on the right. The plan is to add shingles and lap board siding to give a charming and classic look. The house is also getting a new architectural shingled roof! We are excited to see the transformation take place.

Contemporary style is one we want to introduce you to today, and is probably the most popular design style for the average young family. Because this style of decorating keeps current with trends, it shies away from the elements of traditional interiors-- simple profiles instead of ornamentation, solid or subtle prints rather than colorful or satin fabrics, and minimal accessories take the place of big collections. While it doesn't have the overt warmth of older design styles, it won't cast a chill either.

Interiors showcase the space rather than things. By focusing on color, space, and shape, contemporary interiors are interesting and fresh. Furniture pieces should be simple and uncluttered, without decoration. Sofas, chairs, and ottomans have exposed legs. Beds and chairs usually have no skirt, trim, fringe, or tassels. The color palette is often neutral, utilizing natural fibers and simple fabrics. Dark woods, mirrored surfaces, chrome, and glass work themselves well into contemporary style. You may recognize the work of designers like Thomas O’Brien and Candice Olson as falling into this style.