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Working on home and garden projects with a creative bunch of talented, skilled, super fun people is AMAZING. Honestly, it cannot be celebrated enough how fortunate I feel to be around this team every single day.
From renovating an office at the shore and giving it a "modern meets Mad Men vibe," to decorating an entire New England town center for a winter festival, to painting penguins on pumpkins for an Intermediate school fall display, no two days are ever alike.
That's what I love most about REFRESH. It's as different on a daily basis as each team member is, to one another.
Since I love them so much I want to share them with you, so for this week's Bulletin I'm doing an "ASK REFRESH " edition and letting you hear from them unedited, in their voice. Feel free to steal one of their hacks, share in their inspiration and dream along with them as they lay out their design desires.
It's the "ASK REFRESH" edition.
Enjoy.....
XX KL
THE QUESTIONS
If you could design or style anything right now, what would it be, and where?
What is your signature color, and how could you use it, in an unexpected way?
Your personal go-to design hack….
THE TEAM
MIA
REFRESH Stylist
Well if I could design or style anything that I wanted in the whole wide world. It would be something that I have dreamed about my entire adult life. A home in a small town near the ocean. It does not have to be right on the ocean, just close enough so I can smell it. And it does not have to be a big house.
I do love an open concept with high ceilings and with beautiful recycled wood beams. I would paint every square inch white ( yes I know it’s not a color but white is probably my favorite regardless) White to me is clean, fresh, soft and full of possibilities. I would make the kitchen island as large as possible with soapstone countertops. Large wooden bowls of fruit and candles in every size, white of course.
The couches would be deep and comfortable with chunky area rugs laid out over the light colored wide plank wood floors. There would be a special place for a baby grand piano so that my husband could play and work on his one hit wonders. I would hang large abstract art where ever there would be enough wall space to do so.
The windows would be floor to ceiling and curtain free.
My personal design hack would be an armful of driftwood. 😊
KIM
REFRESH Accountant
I would love to design and style a beach house. Preferably in our favorite summer vacation spot, Bald Head Island, NC.
I love to incorporate deep greens or blues with natural elements, like foliage or a decorative pillow or as a pop of color on a wall.
My go to design hack is to freshen up the accessories. You can’t always redesign a room from scratch, so a a few new accessories here or there can transform the feel of a room.
ERICA
REFRESH Social Media Specialist
I would love to design/style a master bedroom. I think it's so important to create spaces that we can come home to at the end of the day that not only comfort us but relax us. Creating that oasis or escape from reality in the bedroom helps reduce stress levels, makes for better sleep, etc.
Well the funny thing is, I'm not one for color, so I would have to say my signature color is white. And by white, I mean, give me ALL of the neutrals. In design, even though neutrals are quite popular, it does seem daunting, especially in a family home. But, I think what is unexpected about designing with neutral tones, is that it can have a homey feel. A lot of people have an assumption that using all white in a home makes it feel sterile and unlivable, but by layering in those, wait for it, neutrals, it can actually bring in alot of dimension to your space. For example, one of my favorite design hacks is layering rugs. Let's say you have a white couch and a light beige jute rug in the living room. By finding simple rugs, like a jute rug to be the base for layering, you can layer another neutral colored rug on top, maybe this one even has a pattern, or very small hints of an accent color. Bring in some different tones of neutrals and textiles by adding pillows, throws, and some wood elements, and you have a whole palette of neutrals going for you in your home.
LESA
Upholstery, Draperies, Design
I would absolutely love to design a whimsical nursery/toddler room right now.
We’re seeing a lot of neutral rooms that will evolve as the child grows, but I would love to go back to how kid’s rooms used to be… very kitsch, colorful, over the top. Fun fabrics, bright colors and lots of playful textures. I live neutral, It’s fun to shake things up from time to time.
My signature color is blush!
I love blush with creams, metallics and black and white, but I also like using it as a neutral…an unexpected pop with jewel tones or reds. I also love a blush ceiling with neutral walls!
Hemming tape is everything to me! My personal (and secret) design hack. I use it at home to make quick pillow covers when I don’t have enough fabric for a standard pillow form. It’s also great for hemming bedding and drapes, or transforming frayed fabric into a decorative throw.
JEN
REFRESH Events
My kitchen is what I am working on… I just moved into a condo and it is dated 25+ years-- a total work in progress… I haven’t had a sink in 2 weeks and the plans keep having to change due to supply and demand issues!
At my studio it is hot pink. And I use it with candles, fitness straps, flowers, guest napkins in the bathroom, Pilates props, pillows, and artwork
Pillows and blankets are my design hack to add texture to a space and hide blandness in a room and give layers and visual interest, plus it's super cozy ;).
