This glorious weather is so rejuvenating after weeks of back-to-school meetings, soccer shuttling and school picture shenanigans. I feel particularly joyful when I see our Ghostbusters Stay-Puff Marshmallow Man in our yard for Halloween. I'm a designer, but I fully believe in letting the kids decorate!
For new subscribers, in this weekly newsletter I share my top picks for the week - trends or particularly noteworthy design. Each week I share an interior, a real estate listing and a style item that I think are special. I hope you'll let me know what you think!
1] Handpicked: INTERIOR
I hope you've seen the beautiful and patina-driven work of Leanne Ford. She is a little nutty, and a lot talented. I particularly love that she is mixing mid-century and ultra-modern pieces with DIY projects and artisanally made furniture. She also has a TV show with her brother called Home Again with the Fords that's perfect for laundry-folding!
Leanne Ford is fully embracing the trend of lime-washing walls to give them dimension and texture. She generously shares her method here. We have been doing a lot of smooth-plastered fireplaces and this technique would be perfect to give some character to newer homes.
2) Handpicked: REAL ESTATE
I saw this house come on the market in Cambridge this week and was swept away. It is my favorite type of home - untouched! Many people would throw up in their mouths when they see a house like this, but for me it's just potential. Beautiful architectural details to restore (those arched cabinets and brass handles!), generous spaces and gracious architecture.
Don't be scared by old, dirty houses! That's why you have someone like me - to see the potential through the neglect. And usually the old houses are in premiere locations. (PS: It seems to be off the market already which is unusual for this location, so I hope whomever snatches it up knows what a gem they have.)
3) Handpicked: STYLE
I had a client this week ask me to start helping her think about artwork in her newly finished home (for those on IG, it's my #needhamnewconstruction project). As a former art history major, who worked at the Met in gilded age decorative arts but wrote her thesis on pop art, I am inspired by lots of different types of art and love to support artists on shops like Etsy.
One artist who seems to have a universal appeal with my clients is Kerri Rosenthal, who offers a California-chic, pop-art infused aesthetic. Also... she's just really nice to work with!
(I own the "Love is Here" piece in super large format at our Rhode Island house, but shown in plexi block form here.)
She's probably most famous for her Drippy Heart series, which was featured by one of my favorite California designers, Raili Ca.
4) BONUS TOOL: What will it cost?
Be sure to check out my recently released Renovation Spreadsheet that details all the expenses involved in renovation construction and can be used for a single bathroom to a full home.
I hope you love these handpicked favorites! Have a great end to your weekend and I'll chat with you next week!
Isabella x
Isabella Califano Ehrlich - Designer and GC
Milk and Honey Group
P.S. If you would like to consider working together, I'd love to hear from you! Just head to my website here and drop me a line.