A Bedroom Sanctuary Inspired By The Sea

Journal Entry 3, Sanctuary Inspired By The Sea

Make Your House Your Home

A house is just a house until it becomes a home and that means personalizing those spaces just for you. It is an understatement to say that since 2020 the word home has taken on an entirely new meaning. In the past few years, it has quite literally become the center of our lives. Out of an emergent necessity, home transformed from traditional spaces like kitchens, dining rooms, and living rooms into new spaces like the office, day care, school, spa, gym, play area, entertainment room, and even in some cases, a place of worship. The latest home room trends to come out of the living and loving of home are the pet room, the pajama room, the spa room, and the extended butler pantry.

I am in awe at the resiliency of the human spirit to adapt in the most adverse situations and I admire the creativity, tenacity, and endurance of those whose lives have been changed in immeasurable ways during the pandemic, post pandemic, and at present with a nation and world in conflict and turmoil.

It is a journey to make a house a home and a more difficult one when you are in the midst of crisis. Life is precarious and we have all at one time or another found ourselves in the midst of the unexpected and have experienced the need to retreat, rest and rejuvenate. It is a hallmark of my design philosophy that everyone’s home should have that place and space we know as a sanctuary. It is essential now and then to step away from life and give yourself a reprieve. It is an old cliche to say that “every day is a gift”, but given the past few days, weeks, months and years, ne’er were truer words spoken.

Gift giving is a wonderful tradition and a joy in the completion of a client project. I am grateful for the many clients I have had whom have allowed me to share in the creative process with them. In turn, many have offered trusted business referrals for which I am most appreciative. I am also grateful for the plethora of industry partners with whom I am affiliated and who are an essential part of my design process.

Redefining Work From Home

Following the pandemic the design industry shifted to accommodate the many who to this day continue to work from home. The home office evolved, the need for a “spaces away from work” also developed and continues to evolve. The concept of sanctuary became an important design buzz word. More importantly than ever, is the sense of well-being, the desire for cozy and comfort and the need for safety and security all which are essential to soothe the soul in challenging times. There has been an increased awareness in the need for functionality, productivity and organization throughout the home from the laundry room to the closet, to the finished attic or basement.

Design, a Harmonious Lovely Layering of Elements

Design is a lovely layering of elements and a masterful mix of components.  In A Design Consultancy, I emphasize “harmony in the home.” As designers, we use a strategic skill set that encompasses mood, harmony, scale, balance, and symmetry just to name a few to create the proper flow in a home. These elements are particularly important in achieving that must have space that I highlight as the sanctuary which in essence could be anywhere in a home. It is that anywhere space that can easily be transformed into that desperately needed quiet, restorative, rejuvenating oasis that affords tranquility and serenity. We realize more each day the need for calm at night amidst the chaos by day.

Some believe that brighter, uplifting and invigorating colors are better at enhancing mood, and in fact they may be suitable in the right location, but in an effort to achieve that spa or zen-like setting I personally feel that the quieter colors are essential. I am almost always an advocate for a calm, serene, understated palette for which I am known.   I have always said that, “If I could add a dollop of whip cream to every color I use, it would be more suited to my design aesthetic and to my ideal clients.”

Color is an intensely personal design element. I focus on softer, less intense variations of a hue in shades and tints. I find nature is a terrific source of color inspiration such as this soft blue akin to the sea or sky.

I am a designer who adores every shade of white and begins every design concept as if it is a canvas. I do leans slightly to the warmer whites but love as well a crisp whiter white They are clean, and pure, yet warm and inviting and are always a perfect beginning for all the other design elements added to a room.

Understated Elegance Inspired By The Sea

Many of my clients are often busy spouses and mothers, and most have professional careers as well. They are engaged in family life, find time to entertain with friends, and maintain an active life often including travel. Throughout their busy activities which may include home schooling, day care, perhaps following children’s activities, socializing, and philanthropic events, at the end of the day they yearn for calm. Softer shades of off-whites, and a soothing palette, as well as subtle pattern on pattern set the stage for the understated elegance which is my signature.

Neutrals, much like an artist’s canvas, is what I define as the foundation for my design compositions especially in a place of rest. My aesthetic is to establish beautiful silhouettes, utilize brush strokes of color, carefully selected patterns, and fabulous textures which are all layered into the composition. 

This ideal became the exact plan in designing a master bedroom sanctuary for my busy professional, work-from-home nursing executive client. The ultimate was to create a bedroom sanctuary providing the necessary respite and rejuvenation much needed at the end of her busy day. Nature was the source of inspiration for her as it often is for me. I presented design concepts and together we chose ideas utilizing the sea as the source of inspiration. She had once lived on the Pacific coast in California and had a great fondness for the ocean.

What exactly goes into a dream master bedroom to create a sanctuary? I listened attentively to her to formulate the concept. We retained some of the cherished things that made up the room and she chose to maintain the warm sand-like colors of the walls. She wanted to retain the richly stained and beautifully carved king sized bed, and a black armoir and a semainier. Apart from that she was open to my vision and one of the things I knew I would want was to infuse a sense of femininity into our ideas to balance the space.

The seaside color palette was a perfect choice for this lovely sanctuary. Rich in texture, warm in coloring, and soft on pattern it was a dreamy, relaxing concept.

The wall color was the perfect neutral back drop, but in order to allow the chosen colors of the concept to to pop, that neutral symmetry was wrapped around the room in a lovely diamond-patterned wall to wall ivory carpet. This calm foundation to the layering process allowed us to then introduce the analogous colors present in the sea and sky. The result was a magnificent spectrum of blues and greens in a variety of tints and shades. I chose an ivory diamond patterned comforter and shams to continue the neutral palette and ground the room, and introduced a lovely seafoam painted beside chest to complement the furnishings. I then used accents of raspberry, a beautiful shade of purple, to complement the colors in this tranquil, subtle, serene ensemble.

Lovely fringed pillows and this textured roll pillow (I love roll pillows) as well as the beautiful floral patterned linen fabric added dimension, interest and luxury. Pillows are like jewelry in interiors, and are a perfect accessory to pull a room together.

The Designers Trained Eye Insures Design Excellence

Design excellence takes a trained eye to achieve a harmonious effect. In most cases repeating colors, adding coordinating fabrics and continuing the layering process enhances the design aesthetic. Each angle of this stylish room is a pretty vignette suggesting loveliness all around. What a welcome reprieve and fabulous space to begin and end each and every day!

We borrowed the client’s artwork from an adjacent room which perfectly coordinated with this concept and added a slight nod to modern in an otherwise traditional room.

Drapery adds luxury to any room and frames a window for added beauty. It serves as an artistic element, can be used for added warmth in a room, and in this case the added silhouette shades beneath the drapery allow for light filtering and privacy.

Window treatments, a favorite aspect of design for me, can add enviable drama to a room. Not only do they frame the picturesque view, they amplify the window itself creating a luxurious and opulent detail. I chose a seafoam colored faux silk for its subtle nubby texture and understated sheen. The decorative trim was chosen to mimic the undulating waves of the sea as well as the curves of the oak bed, an heirloom of the client’s. The windows were furthered adorned with soft sheer Hunter Douglas window shades called Silhouettes, which have a tilt in fabric vane to filter light and add privacy. This added a streaming glow to the room by day, served to close off the outside by night, and they were also functional to protect from intense sun in warm seasons and the cold of the winter months in New England. Decorative rods completed the window grandeur.

The room was donned with a beautifully upholstered swivel arm chair and ottoman, and carefully selected accessories to layer in luxury, and when completed, it became exactly the sanctuary that we had envisioned. This bedroom is now multifunctional as it serves many lovely purposes beyond just sleeping. It is also place for rest, a place for reading, or a respite to enjoy a glass of wine or a favorite movie, or even engage in quiet casual conversation.

Every home needs a space and place like this. It is essential in these trying times, and in coping with the many challenges of life to create that oasis of restoration, that escape, that place of serenity and tranquility. If you find you don’t have that, please feel free to reach out to me so that we can collaborate on a beautiful space just for you. We can work together to address all the element that will suit your home. We will embrace soothing colors, exquisite textiles, proper lighting, soft furnishings, subtle patterns, and just the right accessories to create a custom designed sanctuary just for you.

Ireland: The Emerald Isle

Journal Entry 2, The Gorgeous Emerald Isle

Everlasting Beauty

The cover of this book Ireland, The Emerald Isle is about as idyllic an image as ever there was of Ireland. It is an exquisite representation of the breathtaking natural beauty of the country and the magnificent and majestic castles. The book was a gift, one of the many in a treasured collection we have of Ireland.

Photo credit, Dreamstime/Photofire

Breathtaking Beauty

In all my travels around the globe, never have I been more enamored than with the magnificent beauty of the country of Ireland. Truly it mimicks the gorgeous precious stone it is named after, the emerald, a star struck glimmering green wonder. Surrounded by the unsettled churning sea, Ireland is bathed in the prevalent rainfall and the rising mist which nourishes its everlasting beauty. It is breathtaking in every way from the mysterious deep, dusty blue skies, to the lavish, lush green landscapes; I remember so vividly the unforgettable images of how stunning nature was with infinite shades of blues and the most glorious greens. It’s impossible not to appreciate how moving the vistas are as a foreign and inescapable attraction seemingly beckons you to lie down as if it were a deep green velvet carpet.

The green of Ireland is like no other, and it tests the infinite variations of green on the color wheel. Ireland’s climate, plentiful rain, and ocean mist hydrates the land.Green is a beautiful color often used in interiors to “bring the outside in” and it represents life, growth and renewal. The color green ranges from yellow greens to blue greens, and in Laura Ashley’s book, Color, Using Color to Decorate Your Home, the names of some of the greens remind me so much of Ireland. Names such as Pale Moss, Lichen, Sea Green, Sage, Aragon Green, Nettle, Rosemary, and Forest Green could all well be seen here.

Anam Cara

Many years ago I purchased a book for my Irish husband as a gift. The book by author John O’Donohue was entitled Anam Cara. As the book jacket details, “Anam Cara explores the magical, mystical and spiritual teachings of the Celtic world. It is a detailed treasure trove of Celtic insights, stories, and land teachings on the universal themes of friendship, solitude, love and death.” Anam Cara means “soul friend”. Soul friends are the essence of devotion; they are relationships of purity, honesty, trust, and loyalty which never fail even at death. The book for me was a deeply spiritual and emotional read and fostered great interest in this mysterious land and an intense desire to travel there. As a Catholic the desire to visit this deeply religious land of the infamous St. Patrick soon became a passion.

The words, phrases, paragraphs and passages in the book were fascinating, drawing me in deeper and deeper into its meaning. I repeatedly read pages and took notes and, eventually, I chose to adopt this philosophy in the relationships of my life. I chose less relationships, but infinitely more meaningful ones, where I invested a great deal of time and energy. Having read the book, it was a wondrous prelude to what I found when I finally stepped foot in what I call God’s country. I have never been more moved by a culture or landscape in my life nor have ever felt as connected to the heavens as I was when I was there.

Lovely traditional stoneware (above) and porcelain pottery heralds from Ireland. Most popular Irish porcelain is known as Beleelk, a milky white background with intricate details. It is decorated with with small green clovers and the more valuable pieced are edged with gold markings.

Tour Highlights

In 2016 upon the college graduations of my children, as a family we made the pilgrimage to that beloved country. We chose to take a guided CIE tour, and we began our trip in Dublin where the highlight of the day was a a visit to stunning Trinity College and the Old Library to view the Book of Kells, a priceless illuminated treasure. This masterful work of art, dates back to the 8th century and contains the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John which comprise the New Testament. Encased in glass, it is impossible to express the level of colorful imagery and detail on the 680 pages that comprise the ancient manuscript. The antiquated and impressive Old Library house where the book of Kells is kept boasts 200,000 documents, book, and manuscripts. The college’s impressive entrance is known as the The Great Gate which leads to the Great Court. Commissioned by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592, it is an architectural marvel and was chartered to replicate the iconic and exclusive gothic architecture of Oxford University in the Southeast of England, and Cambridge University in London.

Trinity college is a stately impressive neoclassical architecture style. The motto of the college in latin is Perpetus futris temporibus duraturam , meaning, “It will last into endless future times.” (Trinity College Dublin) The collective libraries of the college house over six million books; it is no wonder it is Ireland’s highest ranked University.

The dream of Queen Elizabeth I fostered the iconic and world renowned liberal college of Trinity, Dublin Ireland.

Traveling through the pastoral landscapes we stopped along the mighty River Shannon where we arrived at one of many monasteries for which this country is noted. Clonmacnoise is a deeply religious experience with a history dating back to 545 AD. Near to the burial grounds we observed the most spectacular of scenes. Against the beautiful landscape the foreboding dark sky and water laden clouds was a perfect picture. The monastary details the history of St. Patrick, the Celtic religion and an ancient burial site. The large stones, statues and monuments weathered, aged and off kilter, spoke volumes of the tributes to those who lie beneath them. It was here that I felt the first of many connections to the heavens. It was an unforgettable image and introduction to an unforgettable place with an odd captivating inexplicable feeling to stay and walk among the buried there.

Ancient ruins from Clonmacnoise and the beautiful River Shannon. The monestary dates back to the 6th Century and was founded by St. Ciaran.

The Heritage Ireland website indicates “St. Ciaran founded his monastery on the banks of the River Shannon in the 6th Century. The monastery flourished and became a great seat of learning, a University of its time with students from all over Europe. The ruins include a Cathedral, two round Towers, three high crosses, nine Churches and over 700 Early Christian grave slabs.”

Sacred ground. Once a flourishing monastery it now lies in ruins in the most lovely and peaceful settings.

Galway, a fun, colorful festive city, will be remembered with jovial merriment as we dined, pub crawled and enjoyed the vibrant energy of the city. Heading southwest the Connemara catamaran cruise was a study of nature exploring the fjord, hillside creations of peat bogs, granite formations, and brilliant reflective lakes. Each day was one idyllic scene after another as we travelled across the land through the Inagh Valley and the Wild Atlantic Way. In a stunning meandering journey which wrapped around Kylemore Loug, we came upon the majestic splendor of Kylemore Abbey nestled in the Druchrauch mountainside. It is a magnificent castle-like architectural wonder, in a picturesque setting of serenity and tranquility and is one of the most beloved attractions in Ireland. Built as a gift by Mitchell Henry for his wife, Margaret, he spared no expense in it’s construction, and sadly when his wife passed away shortly after it was completed, he erected the small but beautiful Gothic church on the premises, complete with a stunning walled garden. The preservation of this Victorian wonder is credited to the Benedictine nuns who at one time used it for a school. Today it is impeccably managed under their dutiful care and a glorious sight to behold.

The entrance to Kylemore Abby is breathtaking. Spectacular stone obelisks are adorned with ivy covered decorative wrought iron lanterns which light the entrance to this stunning treasure tucked into the Druchrach mountainside.

Kylemore Abby, one of the most famous tourist attractions in Ireland, is a a breathtaking Benedictine Gothic Monastery safely tucked into the mountainside and magnificently reflected in the lake to which it faces. It is located in Connemara, in County Galway, Ireland. Connemara is also famous for a deep green uniquely beautiful marble found on the rugged west coast.

Continuing our journey we enjoyed learning about the obedience and intelligence of sheepdogs and the masterful sheep herders that work the countryside. The sheepdogs are incredibly disciplined attentively listening for specific whistle cues by the shepherds. Sheep graze the entire countryside and are sheared for some of the most beautiful high quality wool. Lanolin and natural oils enhance the wool fibers making them nearly water resistance, a fitting characteristic for the climate in Ireland.

Sheep dot the pastures of Ireland. They roam and graze on the verdant landscape and produce some of the finest woolens in the world.

Arriving at the coast of the mighty Atlantic Ocean are the majestic sea Cliffs of Mohr. Rising to 700 feet above sea level at their peak, and about nine miles long, the cliffs are striking and harrowing where windy conditions at the peak could be perilous. Surrounded by glorious mountain ranges the Cliffs bear the brunt of the frigid, raging sea delivering an endless cadence of slapping waves as they swirl around the rocks below. It is a wonder of nature and quite the adventure.

The ragged, rugged edge of the Cliffs of Moher are a spectacular sight. The relentless attack of the sea is unforgiving as it rages below. The formidable cliffs rise a daunting 700 feet above sea level. You can swim in the frigid sea at a temperature of about 53 degrees depending on the season. It’ a very rare photograph that shows little cloud cover in this part of the world.

The Ring of Kerry is one of Ireland’s most popular, scenic and stunning ocean drives. It leads to the iconic image of Skellig island, where a scene from one of the infamous Star Wars movies was filmed. Now populated by thousands of birds, this mountainous wonder rises up out of the water as if to the heavens. Inhabited by Christian monks as a place of pilgrimage, it’s baffling to comprehend the level of skill needed to inhabit the island made of old red sandstone and compressed slate. The clever and proficient monks carved a steep 618 steps upward on the island to find a flat space to live against the ravages of nature in small domed stone dwellings. The monks lived in near isolation and exclusively off the land shunning civilization and devoting their lives to God and prayer. It is impossible to leave this location without admiration for those devoted monks and the challenge of the daily life they lived.

The ever gorgeous and breathtaking Ring of Kerry.

This is a stock photo of Skellig Island as we were not able to tour it as the weather is treacherous most of the year. Touring is strictly monitored and limited.

Departing the astounding story of the island, our afternoon of day five was yet another wonder. Muckross House, a majestic Tudor mansion with a stunning grand facade of windows is on Muckross Peninsula in Killarney. This grand Manor has 65 rooms, three floors and a captivating vibrant, colorful garden graced with exotic trees, shrubs and flowers, long in bloom given precipitation on the peninsula. It remains completely furnished in typical Tudor style with dark heavy woods, excessive carvings, and rich velvet drapery and furnishings.

Muckross House is a stunning glass facade mansion completely furnished in the Tudor style of the period. Dark heavy woods, detailed carvings, heavy furnishings, wrought iron lighting, and fabrics of brocades and velvets define the decoration of the period. This stately home, built on a peninsula is surrounded by lovely gardens lush from the plentiful hydration of the ocean air .

Velvet is an exquisite textile. So inspired by Celtic imagery, I chose this soft green velvet fabric by Robert Allen, for pillows which reminded me of a Celtic pattern. Google describes velvet like this, “The term derives from the Middle French velu, “shaggy.” Velvet is made in the pile weave of silk, cotton or synthetic fibers, and is characterized by a soft downy surface formed by clipped yarns. The wrong side of the fabric is smooth and shows the weave employed.” Velvet was a popular textile especially in the Tudor and Victorian eras as a luxurious fabric often used to decorate the homes of royalty and the wealthy.

Irish farmland is the most glorious blanket of green with perfect soil and climate for growing potatoes. The crop came to Ireland likely from South America, and became a staple for food, and a main source of revenue for the Irish people . Many proud Irish farmers today, despite modern plow equipment remain plowing fields by hand an arduous task. Throughout the fields and landscapes are burial sites for one million Irish that perished from hunger, starvation and disease in the potato blight an infamous period from 1845 - 1852 . The potato famine was also known as the Great Hunger. another one million people emmigrated the country. Two poignantly penned historical fiction reads are, The Irishmans Daughter, by V. S. Kensington, and the heartbreaking story The Orphan Train, by Christina Baker Kline, which details the tragedies of orphaned children sent from Ireland to the farmlands of America. They are intensely thought provoking, sad and very compelling reads.

Throughout the trek within this glorious country, I grew to love it more and more each day as we experienced the art, architecture, landscapes and culture. It was a picturesque moment at nearly every turn showcasing nature in all its glory. Blarney castle was as much as wonder as every other with its very narrow passages and 100 uneven steps to the top, reaching nearly 85 feet. The mystery and magic of the Blarney Stone is an experience. In an odd unexpected twist, to kiss the stone, one must lie backwards, hanging out over the grounds of the castle, (with assistance) and holding onto metal bars. Kissing the stone has many meanings one of good luck, and some suggest the “gift of gab.”

Kissing the Blarney Stone is quite the experience as you must lie on your back, and with a guide, while holding onto metal bars, stretch out of the castle wall to reach up and kiss the Blarney Stone.

Blarney castle like nearly every castle in Ireland, is surrounded by gorgeous gardens, soft rippling streams and a lush landscape. On it’s premises is a garden of intrigue which is known a the “Poison Garden” believed to be created in 1446. Filled with a variety of unique plants and herbs, once medicinally used to create tinctures, potions and poisons, it is interesting to learn of the plants and how they were used.

Waterford completed day six with a wonderful visit to the Waterford Crystal factory and the intricate detail involved in creating this beautifully carved glass. It is decades of mastercraftsmen who have perfected the art of glass blowing, cutting and shaping to create brilliant cut crystal and sparkling home furnishings such as chandeliers, glasses, bowls, vases, and a wide variety of decorative items. We ended this memorable tour in the pretty city of Waterford with a visit to the Medieval Museum, the 13th century Cloistures Hall, a 15th century Mayor’s wine vault and a view of the incredibly elaborate 15th century cloth-of-gold vestments. It was so captivating an adventure there was no time to think of home, nor truly a desire to return. It was a magnificent family experience and absolutely one I would do again.

Forever Inspired, a an Irish Tablescape Theme

To say I was inspired by the beauty of Ireland, is an understatement. I reflect on it’s natural beauty often in design themes as I adored the endless combinations of blues and greens. I greatly admired the patina of the castles, and I am an ardent admirer of rocks, so brown tones and gray shades have become a favorite in color palettes too. Upon returning from the Ireland I came to know and love, it became the theme for a charity tablescape for the Avon Historical Society (Connecticut) that I created shortly after our trip.

Inspired by Ireland I created a tablescape utilizing Blarney Castle imaged tableware, pewter goblets, Irish pottery and gold flatware. Of course the ever beautiful shades of green and blue set the theme.

Antique cherubs hold moss balls for this tablescape as well as a pretty Belleek box for decoration to complete the Irish themed tablescape.

Irish engraved goblets add a final touch to this salute to the Emerald Isle.

I wanted to acquaint the viewers of the tablescape to this magnificent country. I wanted to capture the glorious green rolling hills and velvety pastures, the mysterious dark clouded skies, and the frothy blue of the sea, all a truly exquisitely beautiful palette.

In addition to its lush pastoral landscape, majestic ancient castles, spiritual and religious monasteries and abbeys, and potatoes, Ireland is also known for its beautiful linens, intricately crafted Irish sweaters and woolens, a plethora of pretty pewter, Irish soda bread, delicious ales, Jameson Irish Whiskey and jewelry most notably the Claddagh which is the symbol of love.

Ireland remains one of the most beloved countries I have ever been to mostly for its breathtaking natural beauty. I have had the good fortune to traverse the globe to 34 countries covering six continents. As an interior designer, fashion designer and a business entrepreneur, I derive great inspiration from travels around the world studying the art, architecture, landscapes and cultures. Travelling has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. Wanderlust will always be a part of me.

References for this blog are from my personal travels, Google, Wikipedia, Trinity College, CIE tours, Vagabond Blog, Mukross House Manor. I regret if I have omitted any references.

A Forever Home, Inspired Interiors and A Design Consultancy

Journal Entry 1, Building A Forever Home

Building A Forever Home

Building a home is one of the most exciting adventures of a lifetime. It can also be one of the most challenging. To visualize a two dimensional blueprint as a three dimensional construct is a bit of a gift; to truly analyze it and understand it as a working, operational, and functional home is quite another story.

Architects, masters in the field of the abstract and visualizing three dimension, draft homes with their own creative genius. However, just because a design is architecturally drafted based on conceptual ideas out of the mind of that creative, and then ultimately crafted and built as such by a contractor, does not necessarily mean that that particular design is perfectly suited for you, your family or your lifestyle.

Analyzing a blue print and floor plan to masterfully adapt to the needs of you and your family takes a critical eye. A new home build is a collaborative effort on the part of the homeowner, an architect, a contractor, a host of tradespeople, and often a designer. They each serve a different function throughout the new build process. House plans are just that, a house plan. It’s a transformative process to elevate that house into a home. A designer may well be your saving grace.

Photo, Rebecca Charamut Cass

Living in New England

Fifteen years ago, I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to build my dream home. And I can safely say, it wasn’t a coincidence that that dream home I sought, would revolve around a common style of home popular in the picturesque area known as New England. New England is a stunning depiction of some of the earliest of America’s history with six states each known for their immense natural vistas and views as well as their colorful and cultural marvels. To travel through the States of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont promises endless natural beauty between the stunning coastlines on the east, and the lush mountain ranges to the west. Perhaps the most notable feature of this area is the varying beauty that comes with the changes of seasons. It is a gift to live here as a designer. It affords endless changing visuals in pattern, color and texture.

Homes from farm style cottages that dot the pastoral, colorful and expansive countrysides, lead to small beautifully manicured wineries tucked away down windy country roads with seemingly endless rock walls.

There are quaint, vintage seaside cottages and sprawling ocean homes along the eastern seaboard weathered by the ocean wind and salty air. A plethora of foliage and floral gardens bloom continuously with the seasons’s bounty.

New England has a stunning unmatched beauty with the magnificent change of seasons. Fall is particularly lovely as the foliage changes from vivid green to the warm colors of autumn. This photo of glorious New Hampshire illustrates lush gardens which yield a magnificent floral bouquet and a bountiful harvest. The palette in all its perfection will change yet again as fall makes way for the long cold winter.

Photo, Abby Charamut

All over New England are homes of many style. From the very first time I set eyes on the beautiful magnificent mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, when I was very young, my love of the European infused architecture and exquisite elegance in these homes of a grandeur scale became my dream and my passion. I developed a love for everything European, especially things french-inspired. And as luck would have it, my honeymoon as well as my early career afforded me the opportunity to travel to some of the grandest cities around the globe soaking up the cultures, landscapes and architectural wonders.

Location Location Location

In deciding on where to build your dream home, the old adage, location, location, location is everything. My family roots were from New England ~ this place which holds endless stories of the history of a nation. I settled in the village of Kensington in the town of Berlin, in the state of Connecticut. My sister dubbed a perfectly fitting name for me in the new build I was about to embark upon, what I thought of as my castle, my chateau, my manor in-the-making. She dubbed me “The Duchess of Kensington.” She was right…I felt like a Duchess. The old cliche, “Your home is your castle,” couldn’t have been better said.

My home was modeled after this beautiful stately design by William E. Poole, a brilliant architect. The details of this Federal Colonial, called the Providence, replicate this exquisite style of home which features the finest of New England design very much inspired by the grandeur of Europe. Mr. Poole, inspired by the trademarks of the New England federal style, included, “Palladian windows, medallions, fluted Pilasters and pediment entries” as the hallmark of this stately beauty.

I have lived in my residence for fifteen years and each time I drive by it, I still admire and adore this place I call home. It’s a gorgeous cream-colored Federal style early American home often seen in southern plantations, hence the name, “The Plantation House” by my builder.

The benefit of being the geographical center of this state is that it is a wonderfully strategic location. It allows a perfect two to four hour radius to everything! The majestic Green and White Mountains are to the north, the historical city of Boston is to the northeast, my beloved Newport and Cape Cod are to the east, and cosmopolitan New York City is to the south. New England is perfection…it has all this and everything wonderful in between.

In the process of my new home build, I had been employed as a sewn products expert as a custom interior decorator at a fabric company called, Fabric Place headquartered out of Boston. In what was a stunning surprise to all of us in the summer of 2006, the company began the abrupt closing of all five of their retail locations. I had served many clients while working there for over five years and I was reluctant to let them go. In August of that year, Inspired Interiors LLC, was born and for 15 years I operated my business under that name. More recently I rebranded and renamed my business to more closely align with my design aesthetic. I am a designer of many things….art, fashion, costumes, computers and interiors….hence Rebecca Charamut Cass, A Design Consultancy. Welcome to my little corner of the world and the unfolding of a design story.

Photo, Rebecca Charamut Cass

Inspired Interiors and A Design Consultancy

In the process of building my home, I was thrust into an interior design business when the retail store I worked in closed. I will write more about that in due time. The truth is, if I only knew then what I know now in building a home, so many decisions would have been differently made.

And that my friends is exactly how I ended up here with this blog. I will not lie. Building both a home and a business simultaneously, raising a family, supporting my husband in his professional position, as well as caring for aging parents has been quite the fifteen year adventure. And yes building a home is an arduous process even for a designer. It takes creativity, money, vision, planning, attention to details and most of all patience, and not necessarily in that order.

Think of it much like a journey because that is exactly what it is! To bring the initial project to fruition, to admire the masterpiece you have created, and to accept the mistakes that were made is the culmination of design excellence. But, the reality is, that when you think you are done, you aren’t ~ making a forever home is an endless journey which changes just as you and your lifestyle does.

Yes…building the home of your dreams is just the beginning…so that too is where I will begin. And along the way I will share my love of interiors, fashion, entertaining, beauty, adventure and travel all in the glamorous and glorious world of design! Welcome to A Design Consultancy!

I am Rebecca Charamut Cass, a Connecticut based interior designer. I believe every home should tell the story of where you have been, where you are and where you are going. I believe design is a lovely layering of elements to create a unique composition. My signature style is predicated upon a neutral color palette as the foundation for the design concept. Brush strokes of color are masterfully added and the further layering of pattern, fine furnishings, carefully selected art, and uniquely coordinated accessories complement the design ideal. I strive for a livable luxury luxury experience and comfortable elegance. I look forward to working with you.

The Meaning of My Logo

I am often asked what the meaning is behind my logo. I designed the logo to, in essence, represent the artistic expression of who I am.

The initials of my name mirror the iconic and legendary logo of Coco Chanel who has had a tremendous influence on my design career in both fashion and interiors.

My Catholic religion is at the center of my life, hence the cross at the center of this design. It also represents a compass rose integral in interior design with true north always defined. More than that, it represents my love of wanderlust and the magnificent beauty of art, architecture, landscapes and cultures that I have experienced around the globe.

The fleur de lis at the end of the compass rose is a play on the shape of a heart, which represents love which I believe is the essence of everything. It also is indicative of my love of European monarchial inspiration.

The dot represents a point in time. I have learned through a dynamic and diversified personal and professional journey, that everything in life happens at its “own point in time. “

Hence the launch of this website.

I am a designer most known for a neutral, understated palette with brush strokes of color, a lover of luxurious fabrics and rich textures, and an appreciation for traditional silhouettes, fine art and beautiful details. I adore gold gilding, and imbibe a passion for Old World elegance. In that respect, I hope that this logo clearly depicts that sentiment, and in time will come to be associated with my design aesthetic which is timeless, classic elegance and livable luxury.

Welcome to Rebecca Charamut Cass, A Design Consultancy, and thank you for being here.

Interior Design Services ~ Work With Me

Design is a beautiful, detailed, inspiring process of layering color, texture, and pattern. I tailor and fashion my custom design work to the uniqueness of each and every client.  I believe “home” is your safe haven, your sanctuary, your escape from the fast pace of life. It’s a place for calm, serenity and peace amidst a busy day. It’s a place for fun, entertainment and festivities when filled with family and friends. It’s important to mirror the reflection of your life in your home and design it as the space and place you always dreamed it could be. A well designed home delivers function, comfort, beauty and always, a little luxury.

Interior design is a lovely layering of colors, patterns and textures to create a masterful composition.

Photo, Rebecca Charamut Cass

So how do we begin and what is the process? 

Integral in the design process is the initial discovery call. This allows me to learn a little about you, to review, discuss and understand the scale and scope of your project, and to relay my design philosophy. The designer/client relationship is an important one and the more I understand  you, your lifestyle, your individual or family needs, and what you hope to achieve in the design process, the better I can assist you. The stepping stones to achieving our goals are outlined here in the following four step process. Design fees are computed at the time of service; please call for details. The following is a sampling of design services that are offered.

INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES OFFERED

Art and Custom Art Creation

Carpeting, Area & Broadloom

Design in a Day - Restyle Your Room

Fabric Exploration and Selection

Fashion Color Analysis & Assistance

Floral Arrangements

Furniture and Case Goods

Lighting

New Build and Home Assistance

Paint, Surface Pattern and Wallpaper

Patio Design

Slipcovers

Soft Goods, Bedding, Shams, Pillows, & Cushions

Spatial Evaluation & Floor Layout

Tablescapes

Tile Selections

Upholstery ~ Custom Furniture

Window Treatments, Sheers, Blinds and Shades

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Are you ready to work with an interior designer?

1. The Discovery

Design unfolds. Like all things, it starts at the beginning where  I uncover, through a discovery call your “reasons why.” Why did you reach out to a designer in the first place? Why would you want to work with me? What are things you are struggling with in your home? I find when I talk to a potential client for the first time, that there is often a misunderstanding of what a designer is, and does, but, more importantly what they can do for you. At the core of any successful relationship is the mutual feeling of working together. After you and I (and my team) have had a conversation, have met and done an initial consultation and are in agreement that we will be a great fit, only then can I begin to consider your unique design concept. This is an essential starting point for design success. It will be necessary to answer key questions like what is the scope of the work involved, who are they key players in the decision making, will the designer be totally responsible or do you want to get involved? It will evolve further into the other all important questions like what is your timeline, and what is your budget? My team and I will assist you in a complete understanding of the process.   

2. The Consultation

My initial impressions will be the result of this meeting as I will look at your home differently than you will. However, it is you the client and your history that will be at the core of every decision made. Beyond the discovery and our collaborative efforts, lies a world of opportunity as we begin to explore your design sense. I will want to know about you, your family, your lifestyle and your dreams. I will explore your home’s functionality, the activities in it and any concerns you have. I will have you complete a questionnaire, I may ask you to collect materials, research websites, clip magazines, collect color schemes, and look at things differently. In time, I will present ideas, and assist you in understanding the process, and how it will effectively work for you.  

3. The Formulation

Developing a design concept is the most thrilling aspect of my work apart from the final reveal. It is essentially the exact reason you hire a designer. As the head of my design team, my education and experience have provide me with unique talents, and skills which make me different ~not better ~ but different from other designers. I approach design from three perspectives. 

One is from my background as a fashion designer where I follow the sequence of development from a single design idea which eventually becomes a collection. In design we will analyze a layout, and fully develop a concept that is then literally put into production. In that experience, I have extensively studied silhouettes, fabrics, construction details, and sewing and fabrication a skill that many designers do not have. Textiles, such an integral aspect of design, is particularly important in understanding the hand, which is the feel, the drapeability which dictates if it is a drapery or upholstery fabric, and most importantly durablity which specifies the wear.  

Secondly, my early career began in product development. From inception through to completion, interior design follows the exact same process.  It is an understanding of a sequence, it is being able to work with the necessary team of players to bring it to fruition, it is utilizing resources available and it is accountability.  Timelines matter, budgets matters and just in time delivery matters. I will personally execute your concept as your own project manager, establish a series of steps to keep you informed, and bring it all to fruition. As the bulk of my work is “custom design” which means every detail of the concept is made-to-order, it essentially means I don’t generally source from retail. This type of design may generate a slightly longer lead time but, it is made to your specifications in style, in fabrication and in detail.

Thirdly, I have travelled the world and have worked with past clients on five continents and in over 33 cities. I have experienced design from around the globe and the four corners of the world. The influences from my travel often influence a design concept, especially if it is relatable to my client. I draw strong emphasis of where you too have been in your own life journey, where you are now, and what you are planning for the future, which will be the foundation for our work. I strive for a timeless aesthetic which can move through life as you do.  

4. The Execution: 

The integrity of every job is at the forefront of my mind ~ it’s an authentic approach to making your unique design dreams a reality. To that end, I take great pains to protect the integrity of your project and your design, and do not repeat client work as it truly is designed for you. My industry connections comprise a network of collaborators, trade professionals, artisans and fabricators. I have design affiliations from Boston to New York to North Carolina and around the world. I have worked with hundreds of clients from the simplest of projects to more extensive and complex projects such as new home construction and patio layout and design. I rely on contractors that I have worked with to provide the details necessary to execute each project. I will keep you updated, informed and aware of the process, the project and the execution.

My clients tell me the story of their lives. I listen. Together with a vision, a demonstrated process and most importantly, your life journey, we will unfold your design story. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you.