How to Revitalize Your Home for the New Year

As we bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, there's something invigorating about the idea of a fresh start. The fall decor is faded, the holiday decorations are put away…why does everything look so bare? The beginning of a new year gives you the opportunity to embrace the spirit of renewal by giving your living space a makeover for the upcoming year. In this blog post, we'll explore simple yet impactful ways to refresh your home and infuse it with renewed energy. And guess what? I'm here to offer you the opportunity to have me, your interior designer, at your service for a day!

Embrace a New Color Palette. Start by considering a new color scheme for your space. Whether it's subtle pastels, bold jewel tones, or calming neutrals, a fresh coat of paint or some new accessories in your chosen palette can instantly transform the ambiance.

Declutter and Reorganize. Out with the old and in with the organized! Take this time to declutter your home, donating or discarding items that no longer serve you. Reorganize your belongings to create a more functional and visually pleasing environment.

Add Greenery. Bring a touch of nature indoors with houseplants. Not only do they improve air quality, but they also add a vibrant and refreshing element to any room. Consider a mix of small potted plants, succulents, or even a statement indoor tree.

Personalize Your Space. Infuse your personality into your home by incorporating personal touches. Whether it's creating a gallery wall with family photos, displaying travel souvenirs, or hanging handmade art, these elements make your space uniquely yours.

Hire Me as your Designer for a Day

Now, here's the exciting part! How about having a professional interior designer like myself work my magic on your space for a day? I'm offering a limited time service called Ask Sabine! Interior Designer Access where I'll spend a day with you, understanding your vision and transforming your room into a personalized haven.

What's Included:

• 15-minute Design Call to discuss preferences and goals for your room

• On-site Visit to assess the space, discuss ideas, and provide immediate recommendations for enhancements or changes (also available virtually)

• Collaborative Design Session exploring layout options, color schemes, furniture placement, and any other relevant design elements.

• Styling and Arrangement. Watch as I rearrange and style your furniture and decor to create a harmonious and balanced atmosphere.

• Shopping Assistance. If desired, we can explore local stores or online options to find the perfect additions to complement your refreshed space.

How to Book:

Ready to kickstart the new year with a revitalized home? Simply click here to reserve your spot!

A new year deserves a fresh and vibrant home to match. By following these simple tips and taking advantage of my exclusive day-long interior design service, you can transform your space into a haven of style and comfort. Let's make this the year your home truly shines!

Q & A: Understanding Color

Understanding color

To better understand color in a space, you must first understand your relationship with color. For me, color has always been part of my surroundings. Being from a Caribbean family of Haitian descent, I have always had a love for color. Whether it was handmade Haitian wooden carvings stained in rich, dark tones or paintings of the Caribbean landscape hung on the walls — color, in my eyes, had a way of adding richness, depth, and life to the simplest things!

Today as an interior designer, I have a deep appreciation for color that goes deeper than what looks beautiful in a space. When dealing with color, I often think about how it makes one feel, think, and behave. I believe that color can evoke emotion and change the perception of a space or thing.

I recently asked a few friends, past clients, and various professionals about their relationship with color and how color affects their lives. I asked questions like, Do you like color? Are you scared of it or drawn to it? What is your favorite color and why? Is your current home decorated with color? The responses fascinated me. I spoke to one person who grew up with collections of art in their home and certain colors bring back memories for them. Most of who I spoke with were not scared or intimidated by it, they actually LOVED color! For some, colors like purple give energy and scream happiness, for others colors like teal gives a sense of calm while others love yellows and reds because it brings joy to life! However, what was interesting to me was that although they loved color and were not scared of it some of them did not decorate with it.

To dive even deeper I went to my friend and color expert Michele Charles Gustafson, BComm, CIC. Michele is a Certified Image Consultant, Color Expert, and International Confidence Coach. I first met Michele on my podcast Coffee n Tea with S & L, and I loved her perspective of color and her explanation of how each of us uses color differently.

Michele Charles Gustafson, BComm, CIC

Sabine: How can color specifically bring out one's personality?

Michele: Color is an element of personal, emotional expression. When done well, color doesn't bring out one's personality; it reflects its truth. Every color has an expression of a character value, aspiration, intent, and action. When one learns to read color in this way, they can match it to their environment from their homes to offices, wardrobes, and personal branding.  

For example, blue isn’t just one blue. Teal, cobalt, cornflower, or cerulean all have distinct values, aspirations, intents, and influences to action. While general color psychology says blue is about trust, the difference in quality and characteristics of a blue will change it from calming trust to persuasive trust to connective trust -- all are different blues.

Sabine: Sometimes colors have the power to affect our mood.  With so many options to choose from, how can we be intentional with our choice of color(s)?

Michele: A big question. Color ALWAYS affects mood. The best way to be intentional is to be aware that color is an art and a science. There is a reason why certain hues draw you in - most people don't know why, though.

The colors that make you feel comforted, at peace, or even powerful have characteristics in common. They are, though you may not be aware, usually fall into groups in your personalized color palette. Once you understand the particular color characteristic in common with the colors that catch your intuition, know that there are more than 30 other complementary hues that can give you new and exciting ways to express yourself. Each color coordinates seamlessly with each other, and all can move between your interior decorating, to your wardrobe, to your mobile phone case -- and with every detail, the expression will feel "like you." 

“We are people. We have things to say with our lives, using color in a personal way can help us express it no matter how blank the canvas, the trends of the day, or the influences around us.”

—Michele Charles Gustafson

Sabine: Do you feel that it's important to balance color with neutrals?

Michele: Neutrals are a must to balance the intensity, activity, and emotional power of any hue, but know, that neutrals carry messages too. Every shade of grey doesn't mean the same thing; every tint of cream doesn't offer the same emotion. Combining hues and neutrals from a complementary color palette adds a fuller range of emotion and intention to any palette combination.

The color psychology of using all neutrals is limited, in my opinion. Even in a modern or minimalist aesthetic, there is always room for some tint, tone, or shade of a hue. We are people. We have things to say with our lives, using color in a personal way can help us express it no matter how blank the canvas, the trends of the day, or the influences around us. 

Michele teaches entrepreneurs, professionals and community-builders to use her Hue and Style® process to turn how they show up into a permanent superpower for personal branding, visibility, and new success. Find her online and socialize with her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share in the comments below your relationship with color.

À la prochaine,

How to Update your Living Room Without Buying New Furniture

They say most people change or update the furniture in their homes every 7 years. I personally believe this is done because as humans we get tired of looking at the same thing over and over. This is probably why we see many companies remodel their place of business every couple of years. Change, no matter if it’s big or small, can be refreshing especially in our homes.

living room design

Your living room is typically the first space guests come in when visiting your home. This maybe a combined living/family space for the entire home or it maybe a separate formal room that is reserved primarily for guests only. Either way updating the decor of your living room can bring new life into your entire home. Even the smallest changes to your living room’s decor can improve your mood and make you more productive.

rearrange your furniture

Rearrange Your Furniture. The right furniture layout can change the productivity of your living room. Often times we place our furniture in one location and never see the other possibilities for the room. If possible try moving your sofa to another side of the room (preferably the longest wall in the room-since the sofa is your longest piece of furniture). If you have an open floor plan try floating your sofa in the middle of the room and move your chairs to the opposite side of the sofa. If moving your sofa is not an option, try moving smaller furnishings like the tv console table or accent chairs.

Change your Wall Color. Color trends change every year. A color palette that was in style 15 years ago maybe outdated now. Giving your living room a fresh coat of paint has the power to transform your room. Be sure the color you choose coordinates with your room’s overall color palette and any neighboring rooms.

lighting fixture

Change your light fixture. Proper lighting is essential in a room’s design. Just like colors can become outdated so can light fixtures. Something as simple as updating your table or floor lamps can quickly update the decor of your living room.

drape a throw on your chair

Add Layers. This may seem like a small change but it is the fastest and easiest way to update the look of your living room. By simply switching out your pillows, throws and area rug you have given your seating area a mini makeover. Be sure to add pillows with different texture and patterns for visual interest. With the seasons changing now is a perfect time to get a new throw to drape against your accent chair, this will add color and layered texture to your chair. Don’t forget about your area rug! whether you have a hard floor surface or wall to wall carpet, adding a rug defines an area. If you have a monochromatic or neutral palette in you living room, updating your rug to a print or texture will complete your space. Make sure your area rug is not too small and fits comfortably within your seating area.

Revamp your Wall Decor. Your wall decor helps tell the story of your rooms design. Start with a main artwork and allow the other wall decor pieces to coordinate with the main piece. Try changing the frame of an existing artwork or print to give it new life in your room.

Share in the comments below when was the last time your living room was updated.

À la prochaine,

Fall Colors to Enhance your Home

The change of seasons always brings new color palettes, textures and designs. I love the fall season because it adds a sense of warmth and comfort to our homes.

It’s time to add some fall accents and one way of doing that is with incorporating fall colors into your overall color palette. The beauty of creating a color palette is the versatility it has. Here are some of my favorite colors this fall.

Plum Brown has a dramatic depth to it. Use this rich eggplant color on your walls with white trim work or wainscoting in a dining room, powder room or bedroom. This color pairs well with Rookwood Amber for a beautiful contrast.

Rookwood Amber is a great warm color to add to your palette this fall. It’s an earth tone color that can be incorporated in a pillow design, window treatments, plants (like mums), artwork or even a fall tabletop accessory (like a pumpkin).

Forestwood brings the fall outdoor colors indoors. This color is inspired by colors found in nature. This deep, rich green is a perfect choice to use in your pillow decor, accent throw or fall bedding.

Santorini Blue can be considered an unexpected fall color tone but this teal base color contrasts beautifully with Rookwood Amber and Plum Brown. It’s the perfect color to add chic and style to a space.

What I love most about these colors for fall are the rich tones in each color. Whether you decide to use these colors together in a palette or separately as an accent to your existing colors they are sure to enhance the overall decor of your home.

What are some colors you are using in your home this fall and what do you love about them? Share in the comments below.

À la prochaine,

Why This Artwork is an Inspiration This Mother's Day

Art is an important element to designing a room. A lot of times, art or wall decor are placed on the walls to "fill in" a blank space. The truth is art should be personal and unique, especially if it's in your home. It should draw an emotional response while complimenting the overall style of your room. 

This past Mother's Day I was reminded of my mother from an artwork I have hung in my staircase landing. It's a print of Picasso's Mother-Child sketch. My late mother, Suzanne Marise, was not an art collector but she owned this beautiful print and hung it in her room. It wasn't until I was collecting her things I noticed it was a Picasso print from 1904. I knew I had to add this to my home in memory of her. I decided to give it a facelift by adding a custom mat and frame. 

P.Picasso Mother-Child print 1904

"The truth is art should be personal and unique, especially if it's in your home." -S.Hayes

This Artwork Is Personal To Me.

Every time I see this Mother-Child sketch I can't help but be reminded of the bond between my mother and me. It's a way of having a little piece of her. Now that I'm a mother myself I understand the precious bond a mother has with her child, it's like no other relationship.

The Layers of the Sketch Remind Me Motherhood Is A Process.

As I look at Picasso's sketch of this mother nursing her child, I notice his multiple sketches of the mother's hand. I love to see the raw sketches of the hand included in the print. It shows the multiple drafts he had to sketch before developing a hand he was proud of. This process Picasso took is similar to the journey of motherhood. As mothers, we make mistakes, try our best but are not perfect. Motherhood is a journey of trial and error driven by love.  

This Artwork Blends With Many Pieces. 

In addition to the sentimental value this artwork has to me, I love the neutral tones and simplicity of the sketch. When selecting a mat and frame I decided to use a monochromatic palette by using a darker tone for the mat and a medium tone for the distressed wood frame. The neutral tones give me the versatility to use this piece on a gallery wall with a collage of other pieces or as a focal point by itself. 

Picasso 1904

No matter what pieces of artwork you use in your home, I hope that this inspires you to get personal with your wall decor. Be sure when you are selecting your artwork to consider the room you are placing it in and how it coordinates with your color palette and decor style. Share in the comments below your favorite artwork in your home and why. I'd love to hear all about it!  

To all the Mothers and Grandmothers I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!

À la prochaine,

Looking to create a color palette from your artwork? Check out: Using Art to Create a Color Palette.

Using Art to Create a Color Palette

As an interior designer, I believe that developing a color palette for your space is crucial to achieving a successful design. Whether you are using monochromatic, complementary, or contrasting colors it's important to define the role that each color in your palette has. If you are having a hard time developing a color palette, draw inspiration from something that already has a color palette like a piece of art.

using art to create a color palette

Art is a great way to develop a color palette because it already has a collection of colors, tones, and shades that you can draw from throughout your room. Let's take a look at a formal living room I designed for a client and how I was able to pull colors from the custom artwork to design the entire room.

This living room included 4 original artwork pieces I had an artist create just for this project. All of the individual art pieces were uniquely different but shared the same colors. The colors inspired me to develop colors for the window treatment fabric, accent pillows, area rug, tabletop accessories, walls, trim, and even the ceiling.

formal living room paint color

color palette

Once you determine which colors from the artwork you want to incorporate in the design section them into categories (e.i. main color, secondary color, accent color, etc). This will help you determine which colors will be used the most and which colors will be used to complement the main color. In this living room the blueish, teal color was the "main color" and the soft browns, tans, and creams were "secondary". Lastly, the reds and purples were "accent colors" used in the pillows and the centerpiece. Each color was carefully selected for a particular role in the living room. 

coffee table centerpiece

Leave a comment below and share where you create your color palette from? Maybe you are asking "How do I find the right artwork?" or "I'm scared I will choose the wrong color?". Let me help, contact me directly at sabine@georgettemarise.com to start on your personal color palette for your room!

À la prochaine,

Color. How to Use it Properly when decorating your home.

Color! Some people are terrified of it and others LOVE it! Where do you fall? As an interior designer my clients require guidance on how to apply the appropriate color palette for their home. In most cases, it is common for people to feel overwhelmed when selecting colors on their own to decorate a space.  Color affects your mood and your perception of a space or object.

"Let's embrace your comfort level with color and learn how to incorporate it into your home." 

using color correctly.  PAINT: SW 6379 JERSEY CREAM

Develop a Palette. Every space needs a color palette. A color palette is an index of all the main colors that are selected for the room.  When developing a color palette first decide on which color will be the primary color in the space. I suggest compiling three to five different colors for your space. Let’s create a scenario using a color palette that consist of teal and rust. A great color to add to the palette would be a neutral color, a latte or a butter yellow to balance the two main colors. 

Choosing your Colors.  Ever go to a paint store to find a color to paint your room and feel lost? The good news is that you will only need 3 or 5 colors for your palette. A good exercise when deciding on colors is to find out what colors inspire you and use them in layers. A trade secret that professionals use often is selecting a primary color for the main walls, a secondary color for an accent wall, and a third color for details such as ceiling paint options.

If you are having a hard time finding inspiration flip through some decorating magazines, browse online or take a trip to a furniture showroom to get some ideas on color combinations that they use and make sure to talk to your interior designer to get a professional opinion on colors you selected for your space. If your inspiration piece has more than 5 colors, choose 3 to 5 of those colors to incorporate in your room.

Using Layers of Color. Once you have determined your color palette, you need to make sure that you have light, medium, and dark colors throughout your palette. Your colors can come from your paint, flooring, furniture, or accessories. You might have a color palette that has 5 different colors that compliment each other and has a hint of warm or cool, but if all 5 colors are the same tone or shade this creates a flat, uninteresting color palette. Even if your room were to consist of one color in order for everything in the room to not camouflage you will need to create a palette with light, medium, and dark tones.

"Making sure your palette has light, medium, and dark tones creates dimension and interest to any room."

I used a mixture of light, medium and dark colors to create a well balanced color palette. Paint: SW 6379 Jersey Cream

In this townhouse living room, I used the lighter tones on the walls, ceiling, ottoman and the area rug.  The medium color tones were used in the sofa, pillows and window treatments, and I used the darkest tones in the leather recliner and the wood floors.

Color is an essential piece to decorating and designing any room. It will affect how you see and feel in a room. Using the proper amount of colors creates layers of interest in a space.

USE YOUR COLOR PALETTE.

Are you still feeling stuck with what colors to use on your walls? Are you worried about making a mistake? Choose my Paint Color Suggestions service today and get hand picked color options perfect for your space. Don't forget to leave your comments below.

Here's to decorating with color!