Date: January 4, 2024 | Photography: Rett Peek |
Local pros give us the skinny on ideas for easy updates, their favorite recent trends, and design predictions for the coming year
What are a few of your favorite go-to tactics to refresh a bedroom?
“Paint can easily change the mood of the room. Wall décor is also a fun way to personalize—a gallery wall of photographed memories, large dramatic paintings, fun 3D wall art, or even a funky decorative mirror can transform your space.”
—Briony Kendrick, Kaufman by Design West“Since we spend about eight hours a day in our beds, I would start with new bed linens, a coverlet, and sleeping pillows. Beyond that, I think fresh flowers are a real luxury, and those can be clippings from your yard or picked up from the local grocery store.”
—Kevin Walsh, Bear Hill Interiors“My go-to strategy includes three elements: lighting, bedding, and art. Lighting can be updated with a new fixture or bedside lamps, and swapping out pillows or bed linens can make a big difference. The best part about these updates is that they can be done more frequently, so you won’t have to repaint your room whenever you crave a change of scenery.”
—Miguel Newberg, M.N.’Teriors“The easiest and quickest way to give a bedroom a refresh is first with paint—it’s budget-friendly and can make a big impact! Next, choose a new fabric for your bed pillows. It always makes me happy when I get new pillows for a space.”
—Ashley Brewer, Ashley Brewer Interiors“Revitalizing a weary bedroom is as simple as introducing fresh elements like new lamps, bedding, pillows, and artwork. Each of these components holds the power to invigorate the space, injecting new life and character into the room.”
—Shayla Copas, Shayla Copas Interiors“We refresh ours twice a year with bedding (light or heavyweight, depending on the season), a scented candle, and, of course, flowers from the garden or market.”
—Daniel Keeley, DK Design
What’s the easiest way to boost the curb appeal of a home?
“Change the color or style of the front door to make it a focal point, then manicure the shrubs and lawn. Add pots with seasonal plants and flowers to create a welcoming feel for guests.”
—Casey Sarkin, Casey Sarkin Interior Design“Edit, then embellish. Remove something that is no longer working—perhaps overgrown shrubs, broken planters, or outdated light fixtures—and then add something new and fabulous, like new planters, plantings, lighting, address numbers, or even a new paint job.”
—Daniel Keeley, DK Design“I think one of the best ways to do this is to add landscape lighting and general exterior lighting on your home; this becomes more important especially this time of year as it gets dark earlier. This is something that not only helps with security, but really can make a huge impact on the curb appeal of the home.”
—David Munsey, III, Better Lawns & Gardens“Start by painting your front door with a fresh, inviting color and adding some lively greenery to your yard. Illuminate pathways with outdoor lighting for a charming effect. Don’t forget the details—update hardware, keep the landscape tidy, and add small touches of décor for a polished look.”
—Shayla Copas, Shayla Copas Interiors“I always suggest cleaning flower beds and ensuring the lawn is manicured; I like to add flower pots by the door to help bring greenery to my entry areas. Another tip is to add light to your exterior to accent architectural features. It is just as important as your daytime curb appeal when trying to enhance the exterior of your house.”
—Miguel Newberg, M.N.’Teriors
What element of design are you most excited about right now?
“I am pleased to see more wood and warm tones being incorporated into cabinetry design. These rich hues bring about a sense of warmth to the most-used space in the home. The option of pairing painted and wood finishes is the best of both worlds!”
—Susan Johnson, Kitchen Tune-Up“I am still very into and excited about wallpaper! I love that it’s being used in multiple areas of the home—my answer is always yes to wallpaper.”
—Ashley Brewer, Ashley Brewer Interiors“I’m excited to continue to see outdoor living spaces become more integrated and unique to each person’s home. We are seeing people allow us to think outside the box a little more and push some creative freedom to make their space unique and functional.”
—David Munsey, III, Better Lawns & Gardens“I am loving the organic and natural design elements that are becoming more prominent. Textured fabrics, mid-toned woods, beige and taupe paint, natural stones, curved furniture, and architectural elements lead to warmer and more inviting spaces.”
—Briony Kendrick, Kaufman by Design West“I love using stone like Calacatta Viola or Arabascato Corchia in bolder ways, like door surrounds, mantels, and integrated marble sinks and bathtubs. These veiny, colorful stones create a luxurious tone.”
—Casey Sarkin, Casey Sarkin Interior DesignArchitectural details are what really make a home interesting. It is also what set your house apart from others.”
—Kevin Walsh, Bear Hill Interiors
Which trends do you look forward to homeowners leaving behind in 2024?
“In 2024, I anticipate a shift away from industrial aesthetics that lean too heavily on cold, minimalist designs. Additionally, we might see a move away from overly matching everything in a space, embracing more eclectic and personalized décor. Lastly, the use of too many tech-driven features might take a backseat, giving way to a more balanced approach that prioritizes functionality and comfort over excessive automation.”
—Shayla Copas, Shayla Copas Interiors“I never thought I’d be saying this, but I’m happy to see all-neutral interior homes move on! Adding warmth in color and texture in the home is where I see everything heading in home interiors, and I’m here for it 100%.”
—Ashley Brewer, Ashley Brewer Interiors“I’m going to catch some heat on this one: I think the white house/black window trend is way overdone.”
—Kevin Walsh, Bear Hill Interiors“The all-white kitchen is slowing down, with homeowners requesting more warmth and color into their spaces.”
—Susan Johnson, Kitchen Tune-Up“I don’t know if it’s a trend, but I’d love to eradicate low-quality, disposable furniture. It’s ugly and horrible for the environment.”
—Daniel Keeley, DK Design“It would be amazing to see people selecting items they truly love or hold a special significance to them rather than just following the current popular trends in 2024. Our living spaces are a reflection of our personalities, and the atmosphere we create has a significant impact on our overall well-being and happiness.”
—Miguel Newberg, M.N.’Teriors




