Honey, I’m Home

We are officially moved into Cotswolds! Someone pinch me… it is still a construction zone, but we are in!!! This is such a surreal moment and I’ve never felt so wholeheartedly at home. Listening to my kids reading in their own rooms last night and waking up in a space so personal to me is unexplainable. This has been a whirldwind, but is such a dream come true and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to share my own aesthetic but also have a showroom for clients with all of my tried and true brands. I get to live in a dwelling that feels true to me and is full of products and finishes that I have sourced for others and loved for a really long time. Want to know a few of my favorite parts?

The Venetian plaster really stands out to me and makes all the difference. A splurge but best investment! I have it in the entry, the great room, the kitchen, the dining nook, and the primary bedroom & bath. I wanted the walls to lean warm and created a custom color-way to get the look (Swiss Coffee). This wall condition speaks for itself, but truly provides unparalleled texture, depth, and movement. The quality and intention behind the hand applied treatment is signature to our projects and therefore had to be in my home!

I’m also so in love with the paint colors, custom millwork/cabinetry, Rocky Mountain hardware, Waterworks plumbing, and all of the natural finishes that are already starting to patina. The LIGHTING!!! The vintage lighting stands out and is one of my favorite items to purvey. You finally get to know where some of the lighting in my home is from IYKYK… Huey x Light and Dwell has sparked so much joy already. I can’t wait to see it in some of your spaces very soon!

I hope this home showcases the value of high quality finishes and materials! I’m so excited for heirloom recipes, family gatherings, and intimate moments with my littles. We are slowly unpacking and I can’t wait to bring you along for even more! Looking forward to photographing this summer and putting all the cherries on top.

Living on a few acres has given me more room to breathe and I am just over the moon that I get to raise my family here…

Pulling back the curtain

This might be the most asked question of Cotswolds thus far…DRAPERY! The window coverings are up and I am so in love with the final result. Everhem was such a pleasure to work with and we are excited to use them exclusively moving forward. Let’s dive in and pull the curtain back on alllll the details *plus some tips & tricks. Here are my five designer-approved do’s and don’ts of drapery and shades.

Color
When selecting window treatments, I prefer to go with soft neutral hues versus a true bright white. This helps add warmth to a space and creates the perfect ambiance to take the edge off. Drapery does not need to be the same color as the wall;. In fact, it shouldn’t be. There should be noticable contrast! If I have a warm white wall, I will pair it with a sand or oatmeal and if I have a cooler wall, I will lean even warmer with a deeper natural color. Hot tip: I never do drapery lighter than the walls and am not afraid of a print!
MATERIAL
I always prefer to use sheer linen drapery in areas where privacy isn’t a concern. I went this route in my cafe curtains, great room, office, and dining room. I love this look because it allows the natural light in blending indoors and outdoors while still adding layered warmth. In the primary bedroom, I ended up layering drapery for a form meets function moment. I did this with a double rod and went with the sheer pebble for the first layer and the sand privacy linen for the second (see my order below). Hot tip: The two tones and weights create the perfect romantic juxtaposition for privacy.
HARDWARE
For drapery materiality, my go-to choice is bronze! Mine are a soft rounded curved return made out of oil-rubbed bronze. I prefer this European-inspired look over a harsh 90 degree or a ball finial end cap to embrace organic form: tt really elevates the look. In the dining room, you’ll notice I chose a ceiling track because the ceilings are low and they have a little soffit. Hot tip: I like to match drapery hardware throughout the entire home.
STYLE
My favorite style of drapes has a European flair: the tailored pleat. The pinched sculptural illusion is voluminous and leans traditional which is an aesthetic I love to incorporate in every project! This style of drapes has stood the test of time and therefore is dramatic yet ageless! Hot tip: use round rings to hang for contrast against the structured style. In order to compliment the refinement of pleats, my favorite style of romans is flat shades! They feel relaxed yet formal and will be a timeless coupling!
installation
The main style purpose of drapes is to create the illusion of height. To do this, try to hang rods as close to the ceiling as possible and go all the way to the floor. Hot tip: I typically hang them 1” off the floor. I do this because linen tends to relax and will hit the floor eventually (which we love!). You may ask, “when do I use roman shades vs. drapes?”. Music break: “FROM THE WINDOW TO THE WALL!”…Shades are perfect for narrow or short windows. Cafe curtains are a great option for bay windows that have a seat or a ledge below them and don’t need privacy. Drapes are best for larger-scale oversized windows typically found on the biggest walls/rooms of the home. Each option can be as neutral or statement-making as the room/home requires!