by Avril

This is my baby brother, Andy Martin and it's because of him, that I have my Silver Lining. Andy passed from a rare form of cancer (sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC)) in the fall of 2004 (you can learn about his cancer cells and Hurricane Katrina here). When he was going to Harvard in the early 90's, he took a class where he learned about carving jewelers wax to make castings. That Christmas, he gave my sister and I a mobius strip design that I still have and wear t

Have you heard of the new term "dopamine dressing"? It's all about choosing outfits that spark joy and elevate your mood, and it’s creating a buzz in style circles right now. This concept highlights the powerful connection between what we wear and how we feel, suggesting that our clothing can be a source of happiness and self-expression. So, why is this same principle often overlooked when it comes to interior design? Why does everyone want what's safe instead of what's magic

I am a huge believer in the power of plants in our interiors, both aesthetically and health-wise (I wrote a blog post about Biophilia here ) . Today I am speaking with Bill Phillips of Green Thumbs of Texas to get some answers about plants for your home. Let's dive in! TSL: What are your top 5 interior plant recommendations that are easy to care for? Bill: The five most popular plants that we use on an interior application are 1. Pothos golden , 2. Jade , 3. Marble quee

Scale = the relative size and proportion of objects, furniture, and elements within a space. In real estate, they say it's all about location, location, location and in interior design, it's all about scale, scale, scale. No matter how stunning your furniture is, if the pieces you buy don’t scale properly in the space, it just won’t work. I never recommend anything for a client until I know the dimensions of their space first. Here are some good rules of thumb to work with to

In a world where quick fixes often steal the spotlight, it’s not uncommon for people to turn to healers, crystals, and other metaphysical tools in the hope of an easy solution to life’s challenges. The allure of a magical transformation that requires minimal effort is undeniable—but it’s important to unravel the truth behind these mystical aids. True healing requires introspection, resilience, and a willingness to confront our own challenges. Embracing a self-healing journey

I recently came across an Instagram post by @sistersvillage that deeply resonated with me. It read: "Your home is an extension of your energetic field. When your home environment is chaotic, this will always reflect in your energy. That is why home practices and rituals such as deep cleaning, decluttering, organizing, and rearranging are just as important as your spiritual practices." Though this is a repurposed and lightly updated post, I felt called to share it again—becau

There's no denying it—things feel chaotic in the world right now. On some days, the weight of it all can feel overwhelming, making it...

In today's digital age, the sheer volume of products available online can be overwhelming. Whether you're embarking on a full-scale home...

Finally a Tik Tok Trend that I can get behind! This one’s been close to my heart for over 15 years—long before it was trending (you can...

When redesigning a space, it’s easy to fall into the idea that you have to choose between old and new or that everything has to be from...