Author: jennifer

Categories
accessories decorating Shopping

Bookmark these home decor finds

Where we choose to spend money is an actionable step that we can all take to relieve the socioeconomic challenges that African American companies face in our country. While I talked about some Charleston home related businesses to support these companies are small, black owned shops that provide goods via the web. We all love to shop online so next time your’e searching for home decor keep these noteworthy boutiques in mind.

Rochelle Porter Design Atlanta-based artist Rochelle Porter creates bold, vibrant patterns for printed products, including apparel, home decor, electronic device cases, packaging, stationery and much more. Her brand combines her passion for patterns with her commitment to social responsibility.

Rochelle Porter Design
Rochelle Porter Design

Southern Elegance Candle Co. Self proclaimed southern belle, D’Shawn Russell crafts her scents to conjure up a slower, more simpler time. With names like Back Roads, Front Porch, and Summer Bliss these divinely packaged small batch candles are created in Raeford, NC.

Southern Elegance Candle Co.
Southern Elegance Candle Co.

AphroChic Interior designers Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason, curated their online shop with striking pillows, poufs, rugs and lighting. This husband and wife team is dedicated to exploring the intersection of modern design and global culture across diverse populations.

AphroChic
AfroChic

Reflektion Design This home accessories brand is geared to culturally inspired people who love to express their authentic self through design. Sourcing products with a discerning eye for pattern, designer Anitra Terrell offers products that help you create a home that feels collected not decorated.

Reflektion Design
Reflektion Design

Tackussanu Senegal Jasz Dio and Cheikh Biaye bring handmade basket decor by Senegal artisan women to the United States market. Their neutral and colorful wares come in wide variety of sizes and styles so finding one to complement your decor is easy.

Tackussanu Senegal
Tackussanu Senegal

Bolé Road Textiles Born in Ethiopa, Hana Getachew, brings a diverse collection of products to the home decor market. This Brooklyn based designer’s love of color is evident in this expansive home decor shop that helps customers create spaces they love, while supporting economic development in Ethiopia.

Bole Road Textiles
Bole Road Textiles

Effortless Composition: This one-stop shop for eclectic home decor is carefully curated by owner Brittiny Terry. Sourcing from Istanbul to Los Angeles, she partners with skilled artisans to bring fresh designs to life. 

Effortless Composition
Effortless Composition

More fabulous finds can be found on this extensive list compiled by Shoppe Black. Happy Shopping!

Mr. H says: A big business starts small-Enjoy!

Categories
outdoor living travel

Let’s Escape-Vacation eye candy

While the entire world feels on edge, let’s dream of the places we want to escape to when it is safe to do so. When you want break from it all check out these incredible vacation homes that inspire relaxation and rejuvenation.

Spain-A spacious and elegant home in Aloha, in the heart of Nueva Andalucía. Surrounded by a lush, tropical private garden this villa has a large salt water swimming pool and lovely covered chill-out area.

Aloha Spain vacation rental
Panorama

Italy-A restored home built in the tradition of the ancient Roman Villas in this part of Tuscany it is nestled between the Apuan Alps and the Tyrrhenian Sea. From the beautiful veranda overlooking the garden, you can see the Island of Elba, the Gorgona and the reliefs of Corsica.

Tuscan vacation villa
Barnes International

France-Locted in Mougins, this sumptuous new contemporary villa is just 15 minutes away from Cannes and 5 minutes from the Old Village of Mougins and its restaurants. The landscaped and intimate garden has a heated pool and a pool house.

Mougins France vacation rental
Michaël Zingraf Real Estate

Costa Rica-Casa Teresa is a new ocean front luxury villa located on the white-sand beach of Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. Located on the beachfront, the house is walking distance to the restaurants and bars of town.

Santa Teresa Costa Rica vacation rental
2 Costa Rica Real Estate

North Carolina-A little closer to home, this Lake Norman rental property is reminiscent of the traditional lake vacation. Tucked away in a private setting, endless lake views create the ideal ambiance to unplug and relax. Bonus: it is only three hours by car from Charleston!

Lake Norman vacation rental
Stay Lake Norman

Mr. H says: A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you’ve been taking-Enjoy!

Categories
architecture interior design

Spotlight on black owned businesses-home edition

As an interior designer, I love that I’m constantly exposed to designers, artists, and craftsmen from all over the world.  While I work with a few African American people in the Charleston area, I admit that I’ve not made a concerted effort to support local minority-owned small businesses. Like so many others, I am horrified at the many unjust acts committed against people of color in our country. In these uncertain times, moving just a fraction of your purchases to a black business can make an enormous impact. Here are a few local companies and artisans that are committed to making our homes and community a better, more beautiful place.

Iconic Granite & Marble

Offering fabrication and installation of granite, marble, quartz and natural stone countertops in homes and businesses. Iconic Marble & Granite, owned by Cory Steed, has over twenty years experience creating custom kitchens, baths, exterior spaces and more.

Iconic Granite & Marble

Hudson Designs

For well over 30 years, Charles L. Hudson, Jr. AIA, NOMA has been designing custom homes and spaces for commercial and religious projects. His firm, Hudson Designs, with its impressive portfolio, is located in the heart of Johns Island.

Hudson Designs Architect
Hudson Designs

Smithco Services LLC

Husband and wife team, Michael and Cassandra Smith, form Smithco Services LLC. A licensed general contractor, master electrician and master plumber they can handle all your construction needs.

Smithco Services LLC
Smithco Services LLC

Lowcountry Greens

If your yard needs a tune up, contact Tony Spense. Providing landscape design, hardscaping, irrigation and maintenance services, Lowcountry Greens, is committed to providing excellant service at reasonable prices.

Lowcountry Greens

Neema Fine Art Gallery

Meisha Johnson, the owner of this Broad Street gallery, exclusively features original art by Southern African American artist. Alicia Goodwin jewelry, pottery by Winton and Rosa Eugene, and paintings by Ted Ellis and James Denmark are among the seventeen artists that can be found at Neema Fine Art Gallery. A Certified MWBE Woman Owned Business the name Neema translates to favor, grace and prosperity in Swahili.

James Denmark-Neema Fine Art Gallery
James Denmark-Neema Fine Art Gallery

Sweetgrass Basket Makers

One of Lowcountry’s most venerated hand craft is the sweetgrass basket.  Passed down for generations since the 1700s, this art was brought to America through the enslaved people from West Africa. Mary Jackson is one of Charleston’s best known sweetgrass basket artisan and in 2008 was a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship and a 2010 NEA National Heritage Fellow. Her work is on permanent display at the Gibbes Museum of Art.

Local artists include Corey Alston, Tonya Aiken, Mazie Brown, and Chlorissa German. More resources can be found at Mount Pleasant’s Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Pavilion or taking a drive North on Hwy. 17 which is known as the ‘sweetgrass basket makers highway’. The Charleston City Market, which is home to over 50 resident Gullah artisans, is great place to find unique, locally produced products.

Chlorissa German Sweetgrass Baskets
Chlorissa German gullah sweetgrass baskets

Mr. H says: We become stronger when all of us stand together-Enjoy!

Categories
color interior design

5 paint colors that are stressing you out

With our country in the grips of some life altering changes you may be feeling rather stressed. Just turning on the news or scrolling social media can raise your blood pressure and bring on a headache. Its been said repeatedly that our homes are our sanctuary and we should take the steps to actually make it feel like one. Now is the time to consider how your home’s colors may be adding to your anxiety. While you may have noticed that certain colors alter your mood, you may not realize that color affects your subconscious as well. Certain cultures use color to promote health and wellness. Known as chromotherapy, color and light are used to restore imbalances in a persons physical, mental, emotional or spiritual energy. Here are my tips on colors to avoid and the best alternatives if you want to create an oasis at home.

Yellow: Often associated with happiness, yellow can also activate the anxiety center of the brain. Bright yellows, especially neon shades, should be used sparingly as an accent. Try buttery, yellows that remind you of summer days or deep golds that connect you to a sense of the past.

Benjamin Moore Seahorse
Benjamin Moore “Seahorse”

Red: Studies have shown red rooms increase our heart, respiration and blood pressure rates by activating the pituitary gland. Red is a showstopper, making it a powerful design tool for creating drama. Used in excess though it will inhibit relaxation and should be kept out spaces you want to chill out in. Shades of peach and coral will still stimulate creativity and interpersonal interactions without the revved up feeling associated with red.

PPG Hush Puppu
PPG “Hush Puppy”

Black: Talk about dark and gloomy. While black rooms can be so chic, they will do little to make you feel uplifted day in and day out. Try instead cozy charcoal grays which can still feel dramatic though less oppressive than a true black.

Farrow and Ball Plummet
Farrow and Ball “Plummet”

White: On the opposite end, stark white feels clinical and not at all relaxing. Opting for a warmer white, can still feel clean and modern while producing a relaxing vibe.

Sherwin Williams Alabaster
Sherwin Williams “Alabaster”

Green: Popular yellow greens make fantastic accent colors especially when combined with neutrals, however steer clear of these bright yellow greens as they can be mentally overwhelming. While green has been well documented as a relaxing color to be around, stick to softer tones that lean more blue green like Sherwin Williams “Sea Salt”

Our Vintage Nest

Mr. H says: Color can speak to the soul in many ways-Enjoy!

Categories
home office interior design

How to design a home office

So you’ve found yourself having to work remotely, and like many are woefully unprepared to to do so. With the health crisis continuing to loom well into the future, now is the perfect time to take stock of an underused space in your home and create your “go to work” zone. At a minimum your home office is going to need a computer and a surface to set it up on. Beyond these basic components though what additional items you’ll need depends on the work your doing.

The Space. Assess your home for the most underutilized room in your house. The formal dining room that may get used twice a year, the guest bedroom that has been a dumping ground for items that need to be organized or tossed, or even a garden shed can become the perfect home office.

Prefab home office shed
Backyard Eichler

The Desk. Think about what components you’ll need on the desk. Do you to spread out files or use multiple monitors? Purchase the largest desk that will fit into your space keeping in mind you’ll need at least 30″ between the desk and other inanimate objects likes shelves or file cabinets for comfortable passage. Be sure to locate near an outlet too so that a traditional PC, desk printer or lamp can be easily plugged in.

Hekman home office
Hekman

The Chair. Your desk chair should be on wheels so that you can easily move within your workstation. It should be adjustable as well to allow you to ergonomically position yourself for computer viewing. This graphic shows the optimal set up that will help with back and neck pain, eye strain and fatigue.

Ergonomic home office design

The Storage. Consider what kinds of storage you may need when you are working from home. Bookshelves, lateral files or any other specialty furniture needs to be considered when planning your space.

Bernhardt home office storage
Bernhardt

The Equipment. Wireless printers and scanners can be tucked away in a closet though they should easily accessible as well. You shouldn’t have to move a lot of stuff around to add paper or change out an ink cartridge.

The Layout. This plan is about the size of an average bedroom and shows some critical issues to keep in mind when planning your home office. Have enough clear space to maneuver your desk chair and allow for flow around the space and leave enough room to fully open file cabinets drawers.

Home office room design
By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Mr. H says: The first five days after the weekend are the hardest-Enjoy!

Categories
bathroom home keeping kitchen

Six ways to kill the germs and it includes vodka!

Are you currently having trouble finding your usual cleaning supplies? With stores selling out of bleach and other anti bacterial products as soon as they hit the shelves, it’s become difficult to keep your home virus free. Fortunately, you most likely have some natural cleaning alternatives already on hand. Here’s a run down of non chemical based items that are easy on the environment and your own health.

Lemons: This common citrus is nature’s cleaning miracle. Due to their high acidic content, lemons have powerful antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Rub a slice of lemon across your chopping board to disinfect the surface. They are a natural deodorizer and smell great. Use lemon sparingly on counter tops and tile though as the acid can etch the surface.

Debby Hudson

Hydrogen Peroxide: Not only can hydrogen peroxide disinfect your doorknobs, it can clean and brighten your laundry as well. It’s a great bathroom cleaner as it kills the coronavirus and mold. Use caution though, since like bleach, it can ruin bright fabrics and fibers.

White Vinegar: Like lemons, white vinegar is a cleaning powerhouse. It is a weak acetic acid that has robust antibacterial properties. It’s effective in removing stains when diluted in water and can be combined with other natural products like baking soda to clear a clogged drain or clean soap scum.

House Method

Essential Oils: Advocates of oregano oil sing its praises for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Used as a natural alternative to commercial hand sanitizer, oregano essential oil inhibits the growth of bacteria. Other essential oils that have a wide range of medicinal and antibacterial properties include, tea tree, citronella, geranium, lemongrass, orange, and patchouli. Do some research before you use on your skin, since some oils can cause an allergic reaction.

Christin Hume

Vodka: While delicious in a dirty martini, vodka can be used as a disinfectant, remove stains and kill mold. Wipe down a surface and let it air dry to sanitize. Look for 100-proof vodka for the the most antibacterial power and obviously don’t buy the most expensive brand for this task, save those brands for happy hour!

Baking Soda: With no known antibacterial properties, sodium bicarbonate, is still a great product for a healthy home. This eco-friendly and affordable cleaning supply is effective on grease, is a non toxic oven cleaner and when mixed with water is a fantastic all purpose cleaner.

Mr. H says: Cleaning and organizing is a practice, not a project-Enjoy!

Categories
interior design

Eight ways to keep your design project going

I know how you feel… 

There you were planning to start building a new home or renovating your existing space and Boom the entire world seemed to shut down!  During this current health crisis, it is hard to imagine hiring an interior designer, selecting products for your home or visiting a showroom.  Thanks to modern technology though it is an optimal time to get your project started or to keep it going.  Here are eight tips on keeping it on track.  

Make a Wish List:  Create a list of all the improvements you would like to make in your current home.  Imagine how you would like for your home to function and write it down.  The same applies if your embarking on new construction.  How exactly would your dream home work for you and your family? 

Make a home project list

Create a Style File: There are plenty of places to search for design inspiration from Pinterest, to Houzz to any of the national and regional shelter magazines.  Start a virtual file or board of the spaces that speak to you.

Research Product:  Plumbing, lighting and a myriad of other home products can all be selected online. A designer can also assist you with scheduling a virtual visit to a local tile showroom or you can research products on the manufacture’s sites. 

Kohler products online
Kohler

Understand Costs:  Product sites usually have retail prices listed and there are online renovation calculators that allow you to see costs in your area for remodeling and new construction prices. Setting a budget is essential for every project.

Search for a Pro: Asking friends and family for a recommendation is the most direct way to find a designer for your project.  They have firsthand experience working with their firm and can give you the pros and cons.  Searching online can yield a lot of results too though I am a bit leery of online reviews.  A true professional will have a client referral list that you can contact directly for some honest insight. 

Houzz J. Rhodes Interior Design

Pick your Pros: Once you have found designer that seem like a good fit, reach out to set a phone call about your project.  During this initial exchange, describe the scope of your project and your budget.  The designer in turn can give you insight into how they typically run a project, their fees and a preliminary timeline.

Go Virtual: Design pros still can accomplish almost everything they may have done in person before social distancing became de rigueur.   Zoom and FaceTime allow you to give your designer a virtual tour of your home and describe the problems you want to solve in real time.

Embrace Technology:   So much can be done remotely these days.  We have over 25 years of experience working successfully with clients in different cities.  Technology has made it easier than ever to share digital plans, make furniture selections, and ship samples.  Don’t let the current crisis stall your home projects.  Contact us today!

Charleston interior design
J. Rhodes Interior Design, Inc.

Mr. H says:  Home is a shelter from all sorts storms-Enjoy!

Categories
design trends interior design kitchen

What’s next? Home design after a pandemic

In mere weeks our lives have changed and there is little doubt that a new “normal” will emerge once the effects of the Coronavirus have been mitigated both physically and financially. With social distancing, living out our entire lives exclusively at home have created some new design challenges. These are the areas that a future redesign may be most critical.

Entries as drop zones-Studies have shown that the virus can live on surfaces for several days. Foyers may become decontamination areas where packages, some groceries and possibly even clothes and shoes get cleaned or stored, keeping any germs in one place.

Entry drop zone
Jagoe Homes

Kitchens-With restaurant dining rooms closed, many of us have had to become reacquainted with our kitchens. Those with older kitchen are going to have eek out more storage for stocking up and even rethinking their appliances. With multiple meals happening at home it would be nice to have a drawer dishwasher or even an under counter beverage refrigerator.

Dishwasher Drawer
Fisher Paykel

Zoom Rooms-For many, working from home isn’t an issue as you may already have a home office or designated work area. For those suddenly thrust into teleworking and video calls it’s been a real challenge. If you haven’t found the perfect Zoom location where barking dogs and laughing kids aren’t disrupting your meeting with colleagues, it’s time to get serious about carving out that space. Finding a quiet place, with a locking door and pleasant background will show that your job is important to you.

Allie Smith

Fitness-If your thinking of buying equipment while the gyms are closed, some planning needs to happen on where it is going to go. The master bedroom? The new Zoom room? A family conference to get everyone’s input on the best way to set up a work out area would help to make that decision.

Touch Less Devices-I’m personally tired of disinfecting door knobs and light switches on a daily basis. The technology is already available with touch less faucets and commodes commonly found in public spaces. I see an increased interest in incorporating that type of tech in the home. Of course we can always bring back the “Clapper”!

American Standard

Mr. H says: Safety isn’t expensive, it’s priceless-Enjoy!

Categories
interior design

Interior design in the middle of a pandemic

Let’s be honest…you’ve been stuck at home for a few weeks now and your house is really just not working for you. This pandemic has forced a widespread consideration of your domestic environment and you’ve found it challenging combining your family life, work life and your children’s school life all within your home’s square footage.

With potentially several more weeks in lock down now is actually a great time to embark on an interior design project. Spend this time prioritizing your wish list, creating Pinterest or Houzz idea books of your favorite designs and scheduling a virtual interior design consultation.

From carving out a Zoom room, to redesigning your kitchen with an extra refrigerator, there are several ways to safely help you create your perfect plan and improve the function and look of your domain immediately.

Sub-Zero

In the mean time, wash your hands, stay at home and let’s start creating your dream home.

Mr. H says: Challenges are gifts that force us to find new ways to live-Enjoy!

Categories
furniture interior design

Interior design done virtually

With many of us stuck at home these last few weeks, you may be coming to realize that your spaces aren’t working for you and your family. It’s been proven that how your home functions affects your productivity, mood and even your health. Now is the ideal time to solve some of your space dilemmas without leaving the sofa.

Bernhardt

The most requested design advice, regardless of the size of the project, is furniture arrangement. Most clients know how they want to use the room but struggled with exactly how to achieve it. With virtual space planning, we practice social distancing, since I never come to your home. I’ll have you complete a questionnaire, take some photos and send your room measurements. 

Get started with your E-Design here

In a few days, we’ll send you a detailed E-Plan with an ideal layout that includes furniture dimensions.

Let’s get started on your dream home today.

Mr. H says: Your home should be a collection of what you love-Enjoy!