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Inspired by Italy – A Year Later
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Inspired by Italy – A Year Later

 

Can we still say Happy New Year, or has that passed by January 12th? It’s been a little over a year since I returned from my Italy honeymoon and I was scrolling through images with a deep desire to pull inspiration from my trip this year. 2024 goal – more detail, more marble + more mosaics!

We took off on our Italian honeymoon in November 2022, very excited to eat great food, see great sites, + of course drink great wine. What I shockingly didn’t anticipate was how much inspiration I would feel coming home from this trip – should have been a no-brainer, but hey, I was just coming down from planning a wedding.


We landed in Rome and started our trip with a tour of the Vatican city – WOW. The amount of detail through these museums is almost incomprehensible. The walls, floors, ceiling are just covered inch by inch of paints, statues + mosaics.


While I think it might be a little… or a lot… overwhelming to detail out every square inch of our homes, I think there are some really cool aspects that can be pulled from these images. Wallpaper on ceilings + ceiling details in general. Many times lighting is the only detail that is seen when you look up in a space. In 2024 let’s aim for more with ceiling details let that be beams, moldings + definitely wallpaper.

 
Design by W Design Collective
Ceiling Moldings – this space feels so much more finished and thought out with the addition of moldings on the ceiling. It’s a small detail that makes an immense impact.
 
 
Design by Jeremiah Brent
 
Here in the United States, I feel like marble can be a scary material for clients – it can stain if you don’t take care of it properly, however, the character a true marble can bring to a design is unmatched. In Italy, it feels like there is endless marble – countertops, statues, trims, it’s everywhere!
The hotel we stayed at in Rome had absolutely gorgeous details, including marble trims around the doorways – I was utterly obsessed and would love to integrate this detail into my future home someday… maybe post-kids with sharpies.

 
 
There were also marble remnants used in the old street food market booths of Pompeii. If marble can last hundreds of years buried under ash and smothered in food, we can make it happen here too!
 
 
More of this this year… who’s down? Bold, dramatic + unique marbles – loving these countertop details!
 
 
Image from IRG
 
I’m clearly digging the marble trim lately – the trim around these doorways with the step detail in the marble + the complimenting fluted detail – to die for!
 
 
Design by E Studio Maria Santos

I could go on and on and on about this trip + the inspiration that could be pulled from it, but I’ll stop here. The ideas are flowing and we’re diving into new projects full of inspiration – reach out if you’re ready to tackle something fun this year! Remember, we launched video sessions last week + are loving the response, let’s book something to chat about your project!
XO,

Caitlin

 

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Sneak Peeks Into Our Tennessee Custom Build!
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Sneak Peeks Into Our Tennessee Custom Build!


If you follow us on Instagram (wink, wink you definitely should…@realmdesignco) you might have seen us post last week some site walk videos and photos from one of our Tennessee projects that is in the works! I think we can all collectively agree, this house is GORGEOUS. Our clients are amazing and have such a beautiful vision for every small and large detail of this forever home and we have been so lucky to partner with them in the design process! Every site walk that I go to is so exciting because we’re in the final 6 months of a 3 year build and it all is coming to life now.

Driving up the long, windy road….past the grazing buffalo (no joke) and rolling hills…you come up to this view. WOW. The exterior is taking shape! Can’t wait to see the stone finished and the siding painted.

 

As promised after our walkthrough, we wanted to follow it up here to share some design concepts that we’ve pulled from for each space. The thing I love most about this project is while there definitely is an overall common theme for the home, each space really does have something so unique and special that make it feel both personal to our clients and so fun and exciting for designing!

Study/Gentlemen’s Lounge

This room is going to be vibey. A dark rich green, cofferred ceiling, leather accents, custom black oak desk…I can already picture it being a space you won’t want to leave! This room has a gorgeous view looking out onto the front property and the special design feature includes wood timber planking from the original cottage. Here are a few design concepts to give you an idea of the direction…

 


2. Kitchen

Some might say the kitchen is the heart of the home and let me tell you…this heart is a stunner. White oak cabinetry, brass hardware, steel door accents, plaster hood details, double island…the cabinetry install just began and we’re so eager to see the progress continue!
 
 


Both of these gorgeous slabs will be in the kitchen – the more dramatic option for the range wall and the whiter slabs for the remaining countertops. In love with these!

Timeless kitchen pendants pulling in those creamy and brass tones.
 

Plaster hood detail with inset shelves….functional AND aesthetically pleasing – win win!
 
3. Details

Probably our favorite element of this home is the unique attention to detail in each and every space. As designers, we love having clients who appreciate the small things like we do! Here are a few design features throughout the home that we’ll let you in on now…

In both the foyer and the primary bathroom there are groin vaults going in…a gorgeous architectural moment that adds so much to a space.

 


Built in cabinetry is throughout this build – and there are a few areas that are going to be SO fun and different with wallpaper and detailed hardware.

Butlers Pantry – our client had a specific inspo she fell in love with that had wallpaper visible behind glass cabinet doors…such a fun way to add character and interest!
 

 
Craft Room – the lady of the home requested a craft room upstairs in the build process that would be a special place for her to do all her scrapbooking and gift wrapping and she wanted it full of bright color and natural light. She wanted a secret entrance through the back of a wardrobe to make it that much more personalized…this is going to be a fun one! The wallpaper set the tone for so much color and we love it!
 
 
 

That’s all the detail we can share for now…maybe this will have to be a two part blog series as the progress continues!

Are you in process with a custom build or another design project? We would love to chat! Reach out via our contact form or book a video session with us to get started.
Have any questions about our Tennessee custom build? Comment below and let us know!

XOXO,
Realm Team
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Hearts, Hearts, + More Hearts! Valentine’s Decor Ideas and Great Grandma’s Cookie Recipe
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Hearts, Hearts, + More Hearts! Valentine’s Decor Ideas and Great Grandma’s Cookie Recipe

I’m sure having a little girl in our house now is getting my creative spirits going for every holiday, but something about Valentine’s Day this year has me very excited. I know it’s a controversial holiday at times, some may say just another holiday to convince you to buy each other cards + presents, but filling my house with flowers and hearts has been so fun!

I knew I wanted to decorate so as one does, I ran to the internet for some inspiration. I found many cute neutral ideas – white flowers, white hearts on the walls + white and tan heart pillows on the couch. I wanted full-fledged pink + red this year – very unlike me.

I found some incredible scores at Target, I’m talking heart garland to line the opening into our kitchen, sale florals at Michaels for a large and in-charge arrangement at the top of our shelves (see below) + the cutest lumbar pillow for our bed. I scored some good sales when shopping mid-January, however, pro tip is to purchase holiday decor at the end of the season for next year. Pottery Barn, Crate + Barrel, and West Elm usually have some killer finds!
 
 
One must for any holiday, is always sugar cookies with the theme in mind of course. We have a very special sugar cookie recipe from my great-grandmother Helen, whom my middle name is actually named after, that is made for many holidays. I was given permission to share the recipe, so instructions are below if you want to make them!
 
 

Great-Grandma Helen’s Sugar Cookie Recipe

Cookies
1 cup white sugar
1 cup butter, softened
2-1/4 cups flour
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda

Mix butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs and mix until fluffy, then add vanilla and baking soda. Slowly add in the flour. Once combined well, refrigerate for 2-4 hours until the dough is firm enough to roll out. Roll out and use cookie cutters to cut shapes. Bake at 375 degrees for 7-9 minutes until the edges start to turn brown.
 
Icing
1/2 stick butter, softened
1/2 package cream cheese, softened
1lb powdered sugar, use less if the frosting is getting too thick
 
Mix butter and cream cheese then add in vanilla. Slowly add in the powdered sugar little by little until the desired thickness is achieved. Color frosting if desired + fill into piping bags to decorate.
 

We hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s holiday season, life’s short, so celebrate them all!

XOXO,

Caitlin

 
 
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Plumbing Fixtures : The Do’s + Don’ts
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Plumbing Fixtures : The Do’s + Don’ts

I spent my 20’s living in rentals. Not just one, actually about 37. Ok, maybe not THAT many but you get the point – I’ve seen some things. And we all know, the glorious reality of renting vs. owning is that you don’t have to pay to change/update/fix anything…buuuuut that also means you have to love or squint your eyes really really tight to “love” what you see. Now, perhaps this feels like a larger problem in my life due to the professional career that I have found myself in, but I can’t remember a single rental apartment/condo/townhome that I lived in where I loved the finishes of the plumbing fixtures. In fact, I do believe it was because of these 72 rentals that I lived in (**exaggerated for dramatic effect) that I have a disdain for chrome. Why? Because it screams “builder bought out warehouse liquidation sale” to me and for some reason, chrome is always the selected finish for nearly 99.9% of rental units.

Now that my rant is over…if you stop reading here…just hear one thing. SAY NO TO CHROME.

Ok, phew. Glad to get that off my chest. Now, let’s get learning.
 
If you’ve ever found yourself in a renovation of a bathroom or kitchen and you jump onto good ol’ Google Chrome for a search of plumbing fixtures you’ll first notice there are endless brands and an even lengthier list of finishes.
 
 
Photo Source: Rejuvenation
 
A few plumbing brands that we find ourselves sourcing from over and over again are Delta, Kohler, Brizo, Rejuvenation, Kraus, and Waterworks (if you are looking for a gorgeous, high-end detail). All of these brands have been “plumber approved” and can be trusted to stand the test of time. Of course, with every brand, there are some lemons so we always make sure to read user reviews and ratings to avoid any issues for our clients.
 
Realm Design Co. “Treat Me To Transitional” Project

Another “designer tip” is not to be afraid of mixing metals and finishes when making selections for your renovation! We know it can be outside of the comfort zone for many but it truly does give a more polished and intentional finished product vs. a space that has the same finish for every item. An easy way to do this is to choose two complimentary metals and alternate them throughout the space! In the above photo, we selected aged brass hardware, lighting, and mirror frames to pair with a clean and classic polished nickel wall mounted faucet. This is a tried and true duo that always looks timeless and well designed.
 
 
Photo Source: Rejuvenation

A good rule of thumb is to pair a matte or aged metal with a polished metal to give a complimentary look rather than a competitive/clashing feel. A flat black paired with a polished nickel would provide a modern and minimal feel (see our powder bath addition photo below for reference) while selecting a satin nickel with a polished brass would give you a softer and warmer design. Most companies offer finish samples of their options so we always recommend getting in person samples to confirm the selections are blending well together.
 
Realm Design Co. “Office + Powder Bath Addition” Project

This is just scratching the surface in the world of plumbing – have any questions? Throw a comment down below and we’ll give you our best advice! Have a renovation in mind and zero clue where to start with it? Shoot us a hello on our contact page and get the conversation started!
If you are already in the renovation process with selections made but could use a set of professional eyes and insight to review, we would love for you to schedule a video session with us and we can tackle it together.
 
 
Photo Source: Pirch Mission Viejo

Cheers to making the world a better place…with no chrome! 😀
 
XOXO,
Realm
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Let’s Chat Video Sessions!
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Let’s Chat Video Sessions!

Video sessions might be our new favorite way to connect with clients. It’s so much fun to come together with ideas, plans, and inspiration and really create a collaborative design together face-to-face in a workshop-type setting.
 
Video sessions are the perfect service if you’re not sure if you need an interior designer, if you’re not sure if we’re the right fit for you and you want to chat through a space together, or if you really just need a starting point to launch yourself into your project. The possibilities are endless for what we are able to accomplish during this time, and it’s truly a service that works the way you want it to.
 
Let’s say you have a living room that you’ve left empty for the past few months (or years) because you’re just not sure how to lay the space out in a functional and beautiful way. You start our session by showing us this photo and giving a few rough dimensions:
 
 

We have the goals in mind to create various seating, comfortable and conversational, display opportunities for art, photos, and special items from your travels. You might even want some options to replace the tile on your fireplace.

An inspirational image you have shows us a variety of textures and materials, yet keeps a bright and airy feel:
 
 
During the call, we pulled together some items that would all look great together and created a space you would be proud to show off to your friends and family.
 
 

You could either add on a floor plan layout for us to determine the exact sizing of items for you, or you could take it from there and measure out your space to fit everything appropriately.

The end result is something you can be proud to show off your friends and family as well as just enjoy on a Friday night with your glass of wine and pizza delivery.
 
 

Our giveaway for a video session is running on Instagram until Monday so if you haven’t entered make sure to before it closes! If you want to book a video session with us, click here, we would love to meet you!

XO,
Caitlin
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The Impeccable Ease and Simple Life of a Working Mom……An Anecdote
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The Impeccable Ease and Simple Life of a Working Mom……An Anecdote


No one ever necessarily told me it was possible to do it all…but is it silly to admit that I expected I could? I remember endless times throughout my childhood, teenage years, and even early adulthood where my mom’s sweet and encouraging voice would offer the words “Hannah, you can do all things…but you can’t do all things WELL.”

In this season of business ownership and raising a small human (who might I add is very…spirited) it can almost feel embarrassingly obvious that my shortcomings make it impossible to feel successful. If I crush a productive work day then I feel mentally and physically spent by the time dinner should be started and my son needs my full, undivided, and energetic focus. Alternatively, when I’m thriving in toddler rearing and feel available and present as a wife and a friend I have a running list in the back of my mind of all the work tasks that I’m falling behind in.
When I returned back to work after my maternity leave I remember feeling almost confused at how I was supposed to mentally juggle both worlds. Those first twelve weeks of motherhood were entirely devoted to my own physical recovery and my son’s wake windows and nursing intake, which somehow felt similar to a workload of TWO full time jobs – and yet, here I was jumping back into a long list of projects and clients and trying to keep my brain operating in simultaneous spinning wheels.
 
And I know every working mom can emphatically agree this transition feels like a LOT.
 
My son is now 2.5 years old and while the parenting role has transitioned from counting diapers to ambitiously consuming every parenting podcast about how to raise a toddler and survive….it still feels divisive to the entrepreneur side of me.

And to be honest, I think that’s OKAY.

I’ve mellowed out over the last few years and given myself more grace to remember no one can do it all…and we aren’t supposed to either. I won’t show up on social media and pretend like i’m not answering emails in my pajamas at 11 pm with Greys Anatomy reruns on in the background because my son is asleep and it’s my quiet time to chug….BECAUSE THAT’S REAL LIFE.

I’m so proud to be a working mom – I love what I do and design is an undeniable passion of mine. I also love being a mom and find it to be the most complicated yet fulfilling and refining role I’ve ever been given. I’m choosing to not focus on my limitations, but rather, create space and margin in my schedule to slow down and enjoy both in all the imperfect and chaotic realness they both offer.

I’m not sure if I’ll ever feel balanced and that isn’t my goal either. I want to be aware of the season of life I’m in – to be flexible enough to ebb and flow with the priorities that show up as both a designer and a mom and ultimately to honor the title I was given to raise a little human and show up for him in the best way I can knowing that life is short.
 
So cheers to all the working mommas out there who are juggling schedules, zoom calls, lunch packing, deadlines, sports games and somehow remembering to shower and eat…we’re in the thick of it but know that we’re in it together!

XOXO,
Hannah

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