Notes from the Studio

The Design Blog

Where to Shop for Furniture in Bluffton and Hilton Head: A Local Interior Designer's Guide

Where to Shop for Furniture in Bluffton and Hilton Head: A Local Interior Designer’s Guide

Where to spend more, where to save, and which local and regional retailers make sense depending on what you're furnishing, from Ethan Allen to Furnitureland South.

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The Complete Guide to Building and Furnishing a Home in Bluffton, SC

The Complete Guide to Building and Furnishing a Home in Bluffton, SC

Everything to think through before building and furnishing a custom Lowcountry home, from choosing a community and interviewing builders to budgeting for furniture, windows and rugs.

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The Complete Guide to Buying a Rug in Bluffton and Hilton Head: What to Look For, What to Spend and Where to Shop

The Complete Guide to Buying a Rug in Bluffton and Hilton Head: What to Look For, What to Spend and Where to Shop

What to look for, what to spend, and where to shop for rugs around Bluffton and Hilton Head, from pet-friendly picks to a hidden gem inside an old train depot in Yemassee.

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Should You Shop at Furnitureland South? An Interior Designer's Take

Should You Shop at Furnitureland South? An Interior Designer’s Take

An honest take on the world’s largest furniture store, who it suits, who should skip it, and how it stacks up against sourcing locally.

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Free In-Store Designer or Independent Interior Designer: What's the Difference?

Free In-Store Designer or Independent Interior Designer: What’s the Difference?

A designer who has worked both sides of the furniture industry on why a free in-store designer works for the store, and an independent designer works for you.

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Where to Shop for Antiques and Eclectic Finds: From Charleston to Savannah

Where to Shop for Antiques and Eclectic Finds: From Charleston to Savannah

A designer’s favorite antique shops and vintage markets from Charleston to Savannah, and how collected pieces keep a home from looking like a showroom.

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How to Style Bookshelves for a Balanced, Collected Look

How to Style Bookshelves for a Balanced, Collected Look

Five tips for styling built-in bookshelves so they feel balanced, personal and collected over time, not cluttered or overly arranged.

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Before You Build: The Window Decisions No One Warns You About

Before You Build: The Window Decisions No One Warns You About

Windows are not just an elevation decision. Privacy, sun, furniture, and the real cost of covering them all need a plan before you build.

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What Makes a Home Truly Custom

What Makes a Home Truly Custom

A true custom home goes beyond special finishes. It is about designing a space around how you actually live, from the kitchen to a pet station.

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Building & Furnishing a Home in Bluffton and the Lowcountry: Where to Save and Where to Splurge

Building & Furnishing a Home in Bluffton and the Lowcountry: Where to Save and Where to Splurge

Where to spend more and where to save when building and furnishing a home in the Lowcountry, from millwork and cabinetry to rugs and landscaping.

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How Many Stores Should You Shop When Furnishing an Entire House?

How Many Stores Should You Shop When Furnishing an Entire House?

How many furniture stores it really takes to furnish a whole house, and how to source upholstery, rugs, artwork, window treatments and accessories the smart way.

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The Difference Between a Good and Great Kitchen Design

The Difference Between a Good and Great Kitchen Design

What Kary learned building her own home about why kitchen design can make or break a custom build.

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7 Things I'd Do Differently If I Were Building My Home Again

7 Things I’d Do Differently If I Were Building My Home Again

An honest look at seven decisions Kary would make differently in her own home, from a tall bed footboard to pocket doors and a too-short dining room rug.

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A Look Inside Cabinetry: Understanding What's Driving the Price

A Look Inside Cabinetry: Understanding What’s Driving the Price

A look inside cabinetry construction, and what actually drives the price you are quoted.

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Why Hiring an Interior Designer Is Worth Every Penny

Why Hiring an Interior Designer Is Worth Every Penny

The value a designer brings to a build, and exactly where it pays for itself.

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Stressed? This Is Where a Builder Liaison Can Help With the Build Process

Stressed? This Is Where a Builder Liaison Can Help With the Build Process

Building a custom home is stressful. A builder liaison advocates for you from the start, catching furniture and layout missteps before they are built into the home.

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Stop Losing Money on Change Orders and Allowances

Stop Losing Money on Change Orders and Allowances

How to protect your budget when allowances and change orders start to add up.

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Choosing Hardware and Fixtures with Ease and Confidence

Choosing Hardware and Fixtures with Ease and Confidence

How to choose hardware and fixtures with confidence, without the decision overwhelm.

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The Rise of the Back Kitchen: The Must-Have Feature in New Homes

The Rise of the Back Kitchen: The Must-Have Feature in New Homes

Why the back kitchen (or scullery) has become the feature buyers ask for in new Lowcountry homes.

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Coastal Decor Without the Cliche

Coastal Decor Without the Cliché

How to create a relaxed coastal look with color, texture, and natural materials, without the seashell lamps and beach signage.

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Reality Check: Owning How You Actually Live in Your Space

Reality Check: Owning How You Actually Live in Your Space

The biggest decorating mistake is designing for who you wish you were, not who you are. An honest look at kids, pets, red wine, and rooms that fit real life.

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Ethan Allen: Blending the Old and New Finishes

Ethan Allen: Blending the Old and New Finishes

How to blend old and new finishes for a home that feels collected over time, not staged.

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