News

Filter by tags
An Old Friend Reintroduces Carleton Varney to the Charms of Decoupage
Art Artist Carleton varney Creativity Decoupage Design inspiration Design trend Frames Jane cummings Lampshade Palm beach

An Old Friend Reintroduces Carleton Varney to the Charms of Decoupage

By Carleton Varney

Each year I receive emails from talented artists who want to introduce their work to me and my staff. Some offer sculptures and some present watercolors, while others send fabric and wallpaper designs.  In the...
Celebrating Christmas? Involve the Kids in Decorating
Carleton varney Celebration Children Christmas Creativity Decorating Holiday decorations Holidays Maximalist Trees

Celebrating Christmas? Involve the Kids in Decorating

By Carleton Varney

Last week I wrote about embracing simplicity in Christmas decorations. This week, however, is for you maximalists.  If there is any time of year suited for decorating, it is now.  
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...
Pumpkin season brings plenty of colorful inspiration
Autumn Carleton varney Colors Creativity Decorating Dinner party Finding inspiration Garden Gifts Inspiration Style Thanksgiving Vintage

Pumpkin season brings plenty of colorful inspiration

By Carleton Varney

It’s finally here — the season for pumpkin pie. Forget key lime, which I love during the warmer months, but I’m ready for that warm-orange hue on my dessert plate. These fall days signal the start of pumpkin gathering...
Country roads lead to historic town in West Virginia
Carleton varney Creativity Design inspiration Designing Finding inspiration Hospitality Inspiration Travel

Country roads lead to historic town in West Virginia

By Carleton Varney

Fifty years ago, the very popular and talented John Denver released what would become his signature song, “Take Me Home, Country Roads," which, in 2014, became West Virginia’s official state song. The late singer-songwriter wrote of the...
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...
Joyous Color From the Hands of a Child
Art Artist Carleton varney Children Collage Color Crafts Crayons Creativity Grandson Painting

Joyous Color From the Hands of a Child

By Carleton Varney

Here it is, almost March, and I’m still thinking about the holiday season and one of the gifts I got — a special gift, indeed. It’s an artwork made by my 4-year-old grandson, Bowie Varney....
Coloring Books, Dollhouses Nurture Creativity
Carleton varney Children Color schemes Coloring book Colors Creativity Decorating Dollhouse Style

Coloring Books, Dollhouses Nurture Creativity

By Carleton Varney

Lately, believe it or not, I have been busy creating coloring books. In fact, I have just completed a new one called ''Color the Greenbrier Beautiful.'' It is filled with 27 pages of original illustrations to...