Real Life, Real Style

Real layers. Real living. Real design that lasts. This is a space that doesn’t chase trends or strive for perfection. It’s a place to experiment, shift, and grow—filled with pieces that invite comfort, creativity, and everyday joy. From layered pillows to reframed art and flexible furniture, everything here has been moved, styled, and restyled again. It’s personal, not precious. You’ll see soul in the details: textures that tell a story, corners that evolved with time, and choices that reflect real life—not just a mood board. Every item has been lived in, loved, and linked—so if something sparks an idea, it’s probably right here waiting to be explored.

My favorite things for my home are on this Pinterest Board

What We Love Right Now - July

Lately I’ve been drawn to spaces that feel layered and intentional—where every material brings something to the conversation. Soft sage and minty greens are grounding the palette right now, paired with warm neutrals, subtle pinks, and the natural depth of aged wood. It’s a combination that feels calm without being flat—inviting, but still edited.

I picture these pieces in a room just off the kitchen—a family space that’s relaxed but refined. A round table with a sculptural stone base anchors one corner, while a deep green velvet sofa offers comfort with presence. A vintage-inspired rug and woven-backed chairs add texture and warmth, while brass and glass details introduce polish without fuss.

I always look for contrast: a classic armchair next to a sculptural metal side table, stripes against florals, smooth against tactile. That mix keeps things interesting. Elevated but livable. If you want to see all the things we love, see is our Pinterest Board.

Sconce. Jamie Young // Cabinet Lulu and Georgia //Art Les Terrains // Pendant CB2 // Dining Chair Lulu and Georgia // Marble Table CB2 // Plates // Pink Pillow Lulu and Georgia // Floral Pillow Thread to Form // Coffee Table West Elm // Arm Chair Kathy Kuo // Area Rug Pottery Barn // Sofa Lulu and Georgia // Drink Table Crate & Barrel

The Pinterest Board that holds all the things I love

Italian Summer Vibe

Italian Summer Vibe

We’re officially halfway through summer, and lately, it feels like everyone is posting from someplace beautiful—whether it’s a dreamy village in Italy, a coastal town, or just their prettiest backyard picnic. Most of the time, I’m genuinely happy to see people soaking it all in—but I won’t lie, there are definitely moments when I catch myself thinking, I wish I was there. So this weekend, I decided to bring that Italian Girl Summer vibe home. I started hunting for the little things that create that mood—striped beach towels, sun-soaked scents, rustic ceramics, and breezy linen. And full disclosure: not everything I found is technically from Italy. (So no need to @ me if one of the candles is from Portugal—we’re going for the vibe

This kitchen is one of my past projects, (Cabinets by Topnotch Design Studio ). It’s rooted in classic, timeless design—but what I love most is how easily a space like this can be refreshed with just a few thoughtful layers.

The items in this collage are all about bringing in that Italian Girl Summer feeling: sun-soaked colors, painterly patterns, and everyday pieces that spark joy. A platter here, a pop of lemon yellow there—accessories like these let you shift the energy of a room without changing the bones.

This is the collection I’ve pulled together to capture that Italian Girl Summer energy—warm light, woven textures, and that effortless feeling of being somewhere beautiful (even if you're just home for the weekend). These pieces made me feel excited to reset my space and romanticize the everyday. If you're dreaming of the same, this list is for you. Enjoy my Pins for this Vibe Italian Summer Board

A timeless kitchen with strong bones — warm wood, classic brass, and tailored details. It’s the perfect canvas to build on. With just a few layered touches — soft linen, handmade ceramics, light-dappled glass — you can invite in that effortless, Italian summer feeling.

A timeless kitchen with strong bones — warm wood, classic brass, and tailored details. It’s the perfect canvas to build on. With just a few layered touches — soft linen, handmade ceramics, light-dappled glass — you can invite in that effortless, Italian summer feeling.

I layered this Lucie de Moyencourt platter in front of my everyday cutting boards, and suddenly the whole corner felt more alive. It’s such an easy way to bring in color and pattern—no nails, no paint, no big commitment. Just a little shift. I’m a huge fan of styling that lets you change your mind (often). Commitment? Not really my thing when it comes to decor.

The best of the best accents

We narrowed down the absolute go to’s when styling our projects at Maggie Jerde Design. You cannot go wrong with a single one of these pieces. They have been used countless times in totally different applications. We find a balance between light tones, contrast, color, shape and texture is makes a successfully styled moment.

Evil Eye embroidered pillow from Rebecca Atwood / Beige is not a Color Book from Jayson Home // Blue Porcelin Trays From Jayson Home // Bougainvillea Floral arrangement from Alice Lane // Temple Pillow by Susan Conner (The best pillow of all time!) …

Evil Eye embroidered pillow from Rebecca Atwood / Beige is not a Color Book from Jayson Home // Blue Porcelin Trays From Jayson Home // Bougainvillea Floral arrangement from Alice Lane // Temple Pillow by Susan Conner (The best pillow of all time!) // Blue Vase from Jayson Home // Woven Tray from Serena & LIly // Venice Match book print from Furbish Studio // Bone Trays from Restoration Hardware // Coffered tray from Jayson Home // Floral Tablecloth from Furbish Studio // Blue Inlay Bone Tray from Serena & Lily // Brass Stacking Boxes from McGee & Co // Spiral Book from Jayson Home // Match Cloches from Jayson Home // Plaid Stacking Boxes from McGee & Co // Map Book from Jayson Home // Crystal Orb from Alice Lane // Lilacs from McGee & Co // Eye Paperweight from Jayson Home // Sunday Suppers from Jayson Home // Clawfoot Dish from Alice Lane // Vase by Jill Rosenwald // Silver Envelope Box from Jayson Home // Bone Stacking Boxes from McGee and Co // Olive Tree from McGee & Co

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Accents To Take You Into The Cozy Months

Being based in New England so many of our clients ask that we consider a coastal element to their design scheme. We want to design a space that has can roll into all the seasons in style and with ease. Here are our favorite accents we will be stocking up on.

Pillow // Lulu & Georgia Pillow // McGee & Co Alpaca Plaid Throw // Crate&Barrel Knit Throw // McGee & Co Birch Bundle // Jayson Home Antiqued Metal Tray // Pottery Barn Marble Bookends // Paloma & Co Round Vas…

Pillow // Lulu & Georgia Pillow // McGee & Co Alpaca Plaid Throw // Crate&Barrel Knit Throw // McGee & Co Birch Bundle // Jayson Home Antiqued Metal Tray // Pottery Barn Marble Bookends // Paloma & Co Round Vase // CB2 Live Eucalyptus Branches // Pottery Barn Foot Stool // Jayson Home Table Lamp // Pottery Barn

Kitchen Stool Round Up

WHY WE LOVE THEM

  • Most elements in a kitchen are permanent installations; cabinets, counters, tile, lighting etc… items that can not be swapped out at a moments notice. However, the right kitchen stools can make a huge difference. They can often be the only furniture in a kitchen (if you don’t have a table and chairs) so they carry a lot of weight.

  • If chosen wisely the stool can set the tone of the space. It is something that can can blend into the background or be upholstered in a bright bold pattern.

  • Kitchens contain many hard materials as mentioned above and it can be nice to balanced out with softer materials and texture. Stools can to add a soft dimension to the overall design feel. Since the choice of kitchen stools is infinite we will only begin to scratch the surface below. Read More

Black Rattan Stool // Serena & Lily Backless Linen stool with nails // Pottery Barn Black Winsor Stool // Serena & Lily Woven Back Seagrass Stool Stool // McGee & Co. Striped Linen Stool // One Kings Lane

Black Rattan Stool // Serena & Lily Backless Linen stool with nails // Pottery Barn Black Winsor Stool // Serena & Lily Woven Back Seagrass Stool Stool // McGee & Co. Striped Linen Stool // One Kings Lane

THERE ARE DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO SELECTING THE RIGHT STOOL. WHAT DO YOU WANT MOST OUT OF YOUR STOOL?

  • Practicality - If you are looking for something that can hold up with a lot of wear and tear we recommend you think about the materials.

    • Kids -Select a stool that has a back if you have young kids, you don’t want them flying backwards off the stool when you pass them their bowl of steamed veggies!

    • If you are concerned about the stools getting stained, we recommend selecting an all wood, metal or plastic option. Something that can be easily wiped down with a cloth. If you do want a softer surface, we suggest either using something with a performance fabric or leather. Slip covers are another option that can be removed and washed. (check fabric content to confirm the fabric is machine washable) or that the seat and or back can easily be removed to be upholstered.

    • We love the rattan and natural woven materials that are popular these days. However, do keep in mind that crumbs can get stuck in those little crevices and overtime rattan can unravel. So before you buy, always read customer recommendations and talk to the store about the product’s durability.

    • Space Considerations - Here we recommend you look at backless stools that can slide under the counter. If you are looking at something with a back and arms make sure that the arms will easily slide under the counter. Also backs that have curve designs tend to take up more counter space.

  • Style - This is probably our favorite area to focus on. This is when we are selecting a stool that compliments the space. We believe that a kitchen should speak through its materials (woods, stones, tile and metals) and that the stool is the perfect opportunity to bring something special to the feel but not overwhelm the space. The star is the actual kitchen itself, but the stools play a supporting role.

  • Statement - This is such a fun area to explore, as are want the stools to set the mood in the space. Perhaps you have designed a more neutral kitchen that you plan to keep for the next 15 years but you want to be able to make small adjustments to keep the kitchen fresh. Stools are a great solution. Keep in mind, stools can be pricey, so choose wisely. If you are selecting something that is super trendy, you will most likely want to swap those out in maybe 2-5 years. Make sure you can stomach knowing whatever you spend on them you will be replacing them in a few years.

  • Comfort - So are you are someone who might work from your counter, or read the whole Sunday Times cover to cover at your kitchen counter? You most likely will want to select something that has an upholstered seat and a back. Look at the back height of the stool and see if it hits your back at just the right spot. Also look at how durable the material is and imagine yourself sitting against that back. Make sure it is comfortable!

  • Budget - Stools add up quickly and this is the last place we want you to put your renovation money. We would recommend that you buy something temporary that just blends into the space until you can save up and get what you really want. We believe that the kitchen budget should go to items that will increase the value of your home. See our Kitchen Budget Priorities for more on this. When you are looking for budget friendly items, look for ones that appear to be well made and classic. That doesn’t mean that you can’t purchase something trendy. If you see the right stool at the right price….go for it! Quality items are not always expensive versus poor quality items that can bring down the overall feel for a space.

    BEFORE YOU BUY

  • Counter Stools vs. barstools - Make sure you are getting the right height stool. If you are getting stools that are for a standard kitchen counter, you will want to get COUNTER HEIGHT STOOLS (23” to 28” from the floor to the seat to accommodate a counter that is 35” to 37” high). If you are looking for stools that are for a raised bar, you are looking at BAR HEIGHT ( 29” to 32” from the floor to the seat to accommodate a counter that is 41” to 43” off the floor.) General Rule you want 10” to 12” of space between the bottom of the counter and the top of the seat for leg room. If you are selecting a chair that has arms, you need to make sure that they can slide under the counter or that you have enough space for them to sit in front of the counter.

  • Stool width - The Rule of the Thumb here is that each person seated should have 24” of width per space, So if you are trying to figure out how many stools you need, Take the overall length that the stools will be located (note that this is different from the overall length of the counter because you might have corbels (Design features) or shelving that will not allow the stool to tuck under, so make sure you are measuring the usable area where the stools will sit and divide that by 24”. We like a minimum of 6” (8” to 10” is better) between stools and also between the edge of a stool and the corner of the counter,

  • Make sure to Read the customer reviews, stools need to function in most cases, So read what people are saying.

  • Make sure that the legs can have glides on them so that you don’t scratch your floors.

  • Read the product descriptions, make sure that the materials you are buying are what you see in the image.

NOTES ON STYLE

  • We love it when a stool can bring a sense of warmth to a space that already has enough pattern and color, but still needs a bit more than just a neutral fabric. We recommend looking at a woven or caned stool.

  • Another element that you might want to add to the kitchen to “soften” the space. With exception to maybe window treatments and a rug, seating is the only other opportunity to add a little fabric and pattern into your kitchen design concept. Again, we only suggest this, if this works for your family and if you have chosen a fabric that makes sense for the space. For example; if you are empty nesters who are neat and tidy, you want want to consider a beautiful linen upholstered stool. If you have kids (really at any age) then we recommend that you select a performance fabric, a slip cover that can removed and washed (provided the fabric is machine washable safe) or a stool where the seat and back can be removed and reupholstered with ease. If you can do that, we love adding a small stripe or pop of color to the space.

  • Metal. Yes, yes, and yes. We love it when the pendants and the stools relate. Think of it this way, the lighting of the kitchen is the jewelry and the “stool look” is the handbag! When they work together it creates a beautiful harmony.

  • Warmth - Sometimes all you need to do is add a little warmth and contrast to the kitchen and you can do this successfully by introducing wood or leather .

  • Wood - If you just want a little whisper of something different in a monochromic all white kitchen, a great thing to do is to add in softer tones such as a warm grey wood.

Wayfair Living Room Shopping List

I put Wayfair to the test this Mother’s Day and they passed beautifully. Searching the entire website and making selections of pieces that I would use in my own home or future projects. All if the selections were added to The Steps Furniture Pin Board . One collection that I really thought that had some beautiful neutral pieces that you can build a room of of was Kelly Clarkson’s Home line. The prices are great and they appear to be very pretty pieces, we have not seen any of the pieces in person. Check our Furniture Space Planning Cheatsheets to help plan your living room and also the Living Spaces section, which we just started working on that will have many great features to come.

Settee // Console // Side Table // Chair // Area Rug // Pillow // Beaded Accent // Mirror

Settee // Console // Side Table // Chair // Area Rug // Pillow // Beaded Accent // Mirror

Seating

TABLES & OTTOMANS

ACCENTS & RUGS

ART