Today marks the beginning a new monthly series called Styling Essentials. Once a month, I’ll be focusing on a particular interior design styling element, more specifically, I’ll be sharing the exact decor items I source the most and bring to every magazine styling assignment. These are the pieces that many homeowners typically don’t have enough of - or at all. So, I’m here to help you know what to look for, where to find it, and provide tips on how to style it! Think of this new series as a prop stylist at your service!

This month I’ll be focusing on vases, and I’ve broken it down into three categories: statement, accent, and heirloom.

This month I’ll be focusing on vases, and I’ve broken it down into three categories: statement, accent, and heirloom.

There is something very special about styling a home for a holiday issue. Behind the scenes there is a flurry of elf-like work as we gather trees and evergreens, wrap presents, and deck the halls…sometimes in February, or June. Either way, I always consider it an honor and do my best to style in a way that both reflects the homeowners holiday traditions and the vision the magazine has for the feature. Bringing both together through my styling work can in a sense, feel magical to me, even with the large task at hand.

Cheese boards are the perfect appetizer to serve at gatherings - you can assemble one ahead of time and it requires no cooking or extra work upon serving, which means more time for you to prepare the main dish and socialize with your guests. But how do you make your cheeseboard look amazing? Here are a few simple steps to transform your board into a beautiful visual statement.

Hello friends! I have something fun for you today. Lately I’ve been thinking of creative ways to help you with your styling challenges, something that guides you through styling the distinct spaces within your home, in an easy and accessible way.

With that in mind, we’ve created our first free downloadable resource focused on styling open shelves. Today, it’s quite common to see open shelving in kitchens, but it can be very tricky to make them both functional and beautiful. We hope this simple, 3-page, step-by-step guide will take the confusion out of the process and result in gorgeous open shelves that not only work as a useful element of your space, but also show you how to express your own individual styles.

One of the best ways to add character and visual interest to your home is through artwork - particularly vintage or antique pieces. I have a growing collection of oil paintings that I’ve picked up over the years from antique stores and French flea markets, and they’re some of my most treasured finds. Every time I travel abroad, I bring at least one home as a souvenir.

As a stylist, there are certain props I pull for every single photoshoot. Pillows and throws are two of those items. Even if the home appears to be filled to the brim with choices I still bring options and always include a mix of neutrals. They're sort of a secret weapon in styling. Neutrals add a soft, quiet background layer that enables more colorful pieces to pop on camera. It would work the same in your home as well. I promise.

Having spent years immersed in residential and commercial design (which subsequently transitioned to my current career of editorial styling) I've decided to utilize my expertise and help you learn the styling techniques I employ in my work through a new series of posts - Styling 101. Here's what you can expect and our first lesson!