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Enjoying autumn on a trip to the Hudson Valley
Antiques Apple cider Autumn Carleton varney Color schemes Colors Creativity Design Fall Hospitality New england Travel Vacation

Enjoying autumn on a trip to the Hudson Valley

By Carleton Varney

Fall arrives with Mother Nature’s brilliant falling-leaf colors — or at least it does up north.  I have just returned to Palm Beach and sunshine after a trip to Rhinebeck, New York, for apple picking, pumpkin gathering and corn husking. We...
HIVE abuzz with surprises — including fresh flowers and a to-the-trade showroom
Antique row Architecture Art Carleton varney Color schemes Creativity Design Designing Finding inspiration Flowers Gifts Green Inspiration Interior design Palm beach Plants

HIVE abuzz with surprises — including fresh flowers and a to-the-trade showroom

By Carleton Varney

Sectional sofas are certainly retaining their comfortable position as a staple of today’s decorating world. If you look at the design preferences of the minimalist set, it’s not unusual to see a sectional sofa placed in...
Lindbergh’s 'Gift from the Sea' is indeed a treasure
Art Carleton varney Color design Color schemes Colors Decorating Design inspiration Dorothy draper Finding inspiration Inspiration Interior design Style Vintage Worth ave

Lindbergh’s 'Gift from the Sea' is indeed a treasure

By Carleton Varney

This year marks the 66th anniversary of the publication of Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s classic, "Gift from the Sea." I have just reread it and was so impressed by its sentiments that I have decided to...
Is That Gray Sofa Really Your Best Choice?
Carleton varney Color Color schemes Decorating Designer show house Furniture Gray Home decor Neutral Sofa Upholstery

Is That Gray Sofa Really Your Best Choice?

By Carleton Varney

If you are seeking are a new sofa, my suggestion is to work with a decorator — and not just because it’s my profession. Upholstery is a key element in establishing the tone and ambience of a room and a decorator...
Decorate with the things you love
Antique row Art Carleton varney Color schemes Colors Creativity Decorating Decorating color schemes Design inspiration Finding inspiration Glamour Historical Home decorating Inspiration Interion design Interior design Palm beach Style Vintage

Decorate with the things you love

By Carleton Varney

In our modern world, we reach out for so many things, don’t we? We reach out for companionship, for comfort, for knowledge and for inspiration.  In the design realm, we constantly reach out to the wider world to review ongoing decorating trends and try to predict what might be stylish tomorrow. Will our floors be bare: no rugs or Turkish carpets, no...
You'll be made in the shade with a colorful beach umbrella
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You'll be made in the shade with a colorful beach umbrella

By Carleton Varney

Labor Day may be on the not-so-far horizon, but it’s still beach time all over the world, from St. Tropez  to Nantucket, from the Hamptons to St. Croix, from Palm Beach to Key West.  That means it’s also beach umbrella time. If you have seen the smart and chic beach...
Don’t be afraid to freshen up traditional furniture
Carleton varney Color schemes Colors Decorating Design inspiration Dorothy draper Finding inspiration Home decor Home decorating Inspiration Interion design Interior design Palm beach Style

Don’t be afraid to freshen up traditional furniture

By Carleton Varney

Decorating and design have been my work for some 63 years, so I guess it is safe to say that I am not a newcomer to the creative block.  And I’ve learned during my career to respect the past while...
Visit Lovango for an island idyll
Architecture Carleton varney Color design Color schemes Design inspiration Dorothy draper Entertaining Inspiration Islands Lifestyle Lovango Plants Resort

Visit Lovango for an island idyll

By Carleton Varney

So how many islands have you been to? Perhaps you have visited the Hawaiian islands? Or those in the beautiful Baltic? Or destinations in the Mediterranean — Mallorca, perhaps, or Ibiza or Santorini?  Floridians have probably taken a trip to the...
Here’s a peach of a fresh decorating scheme
Art Carleton varney Color schemes Colors Decorating Decorating color schemes Design inspiration Dorothy draper Finding inspiration Fruit Glamour Home decor Home decorating Inspiration Interion design Interior design Palm beach Peach Style Summer

Here’s a peach of a fresh decorating scheme

By Carleton Varney

The new summer color is peach.  If you happen to be vacationing along the shores of Georgia, you are certain to come across on a roadside stand, farmers market or shop selling fresh peaches, along with peach cider, peach pie and...