Nearly a year ago I started planning my next dollhouse build project and shared the plans here. After a bit of an unexpected delay due to the onset of rheumatoid arthritis, I have been able to get back to my build and substantially completed the dollhouse kitchen this week! A reminder of the inspiration and ... Read more The post Summer’s End Beach House Dollhouse Kitchen appeared first on Linda Merrill Interior Designer Decorator South Shore Massachusetts ..read more

It’s early April here in New England – that time when winter coats are still needed despite our desire for spring – and galoshes – because it will not stop raining! There was even snow this week! Okay, in truth once it gets warm I’ll immediately go into “it’s a little bit hot” mode. New ... Read more The post The Romance of Outdoor Dining appeared first on Linda Merrill Interior Designer Decorator South Shore Massachusetts ..read more

You know, they just don’t build things the way they used to. Especially in the “average” housing market. Take for instance, this house. Built in 1914 in Arlington, MA, it was purchased by my great-grandparents in the early 1920’s. This house was built as a two-family for the average middle-class homeowner in the early 20th ... Read more The post Not Your Average Built-Ins appeared first on Linda Merrill Interior Designer Decorator South Shore Massachusetts ..read more

I think accessorizing is one of the hardest pieces of the decorating puzzle – it pulls the space together, it tells the story. Too little and the room looks like a furniture store, too much and it can slide into horderville and obscures the beautiful furniture and finishes. When it comes to how to place ... Read more The post How to place lamps on a buffet or console appeared first on Linda Merrill Interior Designer Decorator South Shore Massachusetts ..read more

There’s been so much talk about AI – Artificial Intelligence – and whether it’s good or the downfall of society. I’d say it’s both. Bad actors can use it for ill purposes such as creating fake images or recording of real people and putting words into their mouths. That’s obviously bad. In the interior design ... Read more The post AI Assisted Design – What is it? Is it good? appeared first on Linda Merrill Interior Designer Decorator South Shore Massachusetts ..read more

What is design for accessible and universal living? I’ll start with what it’s not: When my parents were in their late 50’s, where I am now, they sold their two-story eight room colonial on the South Shore of Massachusetts and purchased what they intended to be their retirement home – a one-story on Cape Cod. ... Read more The post Design for Accessible and Universal Living 2024 appeared first on Linda Merrill Interior Designer Decorator South Shore Massachusetts ..read more

Yes please to the return of luxe window treatments! But – no worries – I’m not talking about super formal treatments like this: Although they certainly have their place: Over the last fifteen years  it seems that window treatments have gone the way of the dodo. I remarked on this a few years ago when ... Read more The post The return of luxe window treatments? appeared first on Linda Merrill Interior Designer Decorator South Shore Massachusetts ..read more

I was recently interviewed by We Love Fire as one of their selected North America’s Expert Interior Designers. I’m honored to be included in this small group of experts and everyone offered some great advice on what they feel is the most important when embarking on a home redo.   What did I share? One ... Read more The post Considering a Home Redo? Tips from the Experts appeared first on Linda Merrill Interior Designer Decorator South Shore Massachusetts ..read more

One small but impactful trend I’ve been noticing is the return of cute pleated lampshades. I’ve always loved them and am so happy to see them make a return – as we move away from all white and gray interiors there’s room for layering and nothing says layered like a pleated lampshade!   Now – ... Read more The post Pleated Lampshades – Trending in 2024 appeared first on Linda Merrill Interior Designer Decorator South Shore Massachusetts ..read more

I was asked to share my best tip for creating the perfect relaxing bedroom. You can read it at The Mattress Insider along with the wisdom of my other design professionals. “My best tip for creating the perfect relaxing bedroom is to avoid having a television set or work space in the bedroom. The bedroom should ... Read more The post Creating the Perfect Relaxing Bedroom appeared first on Linda Merrill Interior Designer Decorator South Shore Massachusetts ..read more