Everywhere you turn at Nell Hill’s right now, you’ll be greeted by color: rich, powerful, saturated palettes that will make you want to dance. As we do every January, we’ve been busy re-envisioning each gallery in both stores, experimenting with a host of new hues, adding in pops through wall paint, vibrant textiles, sizzling accents and arresting artwork. I have to tell you, I’m loving what I’m seeing.

How comfortable are you decorating with color? I’m always surprised by how many of my friends and customers are nervous about selecting and decorating with bold colors. They question their ability to tell how much color is too little or too much. Or, they aren’t quite sure how to bring new color schemes into their exiting décor.  I agree – decorating with strong colors can be intimidating. That’s why I always take one of two foolproof approaches when I interject powerful pigments into a room.   (more…)

When I’m not using my dining table for entertaining, I like to keep it decorated with a centerpiece that is eye-catching but understated, something that harmonizes with the season. For January and February, those quiet months nestled between the opulence of holiday decorating and the vibrancy of spring décor, I prefer a centerpiece that is clean and crisp, simply stated but intriguing. Here are two great winter centerpiece looks we designed at Nell Hill’s to inspire you.  (more…)

My favorite part of going to the home furnishings markets is previewing the hottest trends in interior decorating. One of my favorite trend-makers to watch is Holly Blalock, a visionary who has the uncanny ability to mix color, pattern and texture in a way that makes interior design not only accessible, but darn fun. I caught up with Holly, who is the vice president of merchandise and marketing for one of my favorite furniture makers, CR Laine, and asked her to share the hottest trends in home interior design for 2013.

Be sure to come see Holly at Nell Hill’s Briarcliff on Feb. 22 for what will be THE Nell Hill’s event of the winter: Unique Style from Your Heart. There will be food and libations and a gift for everyone who attends this free event that benefits the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women. Holly will give a fun and lively presentation at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm on how to find your decorating style and bring it to life in your home. No tickets or reservations required – just drop in and join the party!   (more…)

I’m one of the most disorganized people in the world. I run at such a high speed, my home is in constant chaos. So this January, I’m resolving to change my ways. I’m going to take three key steps to get my year off to a well-organized start. Want to join me?   (more…)

I’m a junky for change and all the positive energy that comes with new beginnings, so I love to make New Year’s resolutions, especially when they revolve around improving my home décor. Since I am surrounded by a crew of amazingly talented folks at both Nell Hill’s stores, I asked a few members of our team to share some New Year’s decorating resolutions you might want to adopt to make your home even more lovely in 2013 (thankfully, none of them involve dieting!!).  (more…)

For my husband, the best day of the year is the day all the holiday decorations come down. It’s not that he’s a Scrooge, it’s just that when you’re married to a retailer, your Christmas season begins in July, so who can blame the guy for being tired of tinsel and trim by the end of December? But for me, boxing up the holiday décor is bittersweet because my home feels a bit bare when all the finery’s gone. So in the next few weeks, I’m going to blog about ways you can brighten your home this winter.

Let’s start on the outside, because no matter what time of year it is, you want your home’s exterior to be lovely to look at – think of all the people who pass by it every single day. It’s easy to keep your outdoor spaces from looking like a sad, frozen wasteland with these five fast tricks.   (more…)

On New Year’s Eve, the stroke of midnight will find me … in bed, fast asleep. (Sorry to be so boring, but after working a gazillion hours during the holiday season, by the time we close the doors of Nell Hill’s on New Year’s Eve, I’m ready to crash!) But if I had the energy to celebrate late into the night, I would want to be at a grand and glorious outdoor fete like my friend David’s. Come peek in on his stunning winter soiree and be inspired to bring in the New Year in style at your home.  (more…)

I get a kick out of helping my mom decorate her home for Christmas, because when we open up the musty boxes of 1950s ornaments, I get to relive my childhood, one felted, flocked or sequin-covered ornament at a time. Pay tribute to holidays past this season by sprinkling in some iconic décor from your childhood or eras gone by. Here are some tips to get your started. (more…)

I’m a huge fan of using items from my garden, like crumbling statuary or weatherworn planters, in my interior decorating, especially during the holiday season when their rustic beauty provides a provocative contrast to all that glitz and glam. Here are a few garden staples you might want to bring inside, too, to make your holiday displays a bit fresher and more intriguing.  (more…)

When I decorate my home for the holidays, I like to get really creative with my dining room décor. I find it energizing to think up new ways to pay tribute to the season in this special space, where my family and friends gather for Christmas dinner. This year’s display is a soft and serene celebration of Mother Nature. If you want to do it up big in one room of your home this year, here are some tips for creating a whole-room display that is as enchanting as a wintery walk in the woods.  (more…)