Moody blues and other trending colors for home interiors

 Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press/USA Today Network Nov. 11, 2023

Coming up with creative color palettes is pure joy for this Southwest Florida interior decorator. I love nothing more than to walk through a home getting to know the space and people who live there, and giving them a color plan that will provide happiness every time they walk in the door.

 Just when I think I have used every possible color combination that includes a variation on the color blue for my area clients, Benjamin Moore pulls out another option for the blues.

 It’s always fun to see what paint companies come up with for their Color of the Year. And this year is no exception with Benjamin Moore’s Blue Nova 825. It’s what the company calls an “out of this world,” mystical shade with just a slight hint of violet. Its inspiration comes from “the brilliance of a new star formed in space,” according to the company.

Benjamin Moore announces that Blue Nova is its Color of the Year 2024. It’s what the company calls an “out of this world,” mystical shade with just a slight hint of violet. Photo: Benjamin Moore

 A velvety hue with classic appeal, it’s a great alternative to navy. It’s an easy color and reminds me of a beautiful nighttime sky. But a new color to consider does not mean that we rush to have our home repainted just because of the hype surrounding it. It just gives us something to think about and to place on our inspiration board.

 My take on Blue Nova and how to use it

And there are many ways to bring Nova Blue into your home. Here are a few suggestions.

 ·       Use it in rooms with good natural light and incorporate accents including oranges, yellows, light blues. Think: sunset colors.

·       Paint an entire dining room in Blue Nova. Use White dove as your ceiling and trim color. Spectacular!

·       It’s perfect for a small powder room. Think: chrome, black, antique or gold fixtures.

·       Love it but not ready to commit? Use just a splash! Try this or any color that you love but aren’t sure about committing to a full room, by using it to highlight architectural features: molding, windows, doors.

Try a color that you love by using it to highlight architectural features: molding, windows, doors and especially the ceiling. Shown: Benjamin Moore Regent Green. Photo: Benjamin Moore

·       Paint a bookcase including the back of the bookcase.

·       Paint the ceiling! It’s the fifth wall and under used. Just a splash on the ceiling may give you all the color you need/want.

·       Color drenching. If you haven’t heard, this is a huge trend. Paint everything in the same color. Everything. Ceilings, walls, woodwork. doors. Color drenching is for brave color warriors and if you are undecided, call a professional for input! 

Color drenching is the latest paint trend. Literally everything drenched in the same color. Only for those brave enough to try it! If you are undecided, call a professional for input.  Photo: Benjamin Moore

·       And if you love this or any color but don’t want to use it on your walls, try it in fabric for drapes or upholstery or pillows, wallcoverings, rugs, accessories.

Bright and cheerful, Benjamin Moore’s Honeybee from its Color Trends palette. Photo: Benjamin Moore

 ·       Paint the front door! Just in time for the holidays and picture your Christmas with Blue Nova as a backdrop. Beautiful.

 But wait there’s more (color)

Benjamin Moore has also released its trending colors for blending traditional and modern design styles. It’s always fun to see some new colors that you may not have considered for your home. Even if it’s just for a new accessory. And such yummy names: White Dove, Topaz, Pristine, Teacup Rose, Honeybee, Regent Green, Hazy Lilac, Polar Shy and Antique Pewter.

 Why is color so important?

• It updates your home without spending a fortune.

• Pulls the space together.

• Makes your home look clean and fresh.

• Color creates a personalized look for your home.

• It makes you happy!

 A few more color tips

Creating a spectacular space in your home doesn’t just happen. It takes thought, effort, planning and careful implementation for a quality result. This is especially true when coming up with a color plan.

·       ALL color has undertones. This is where the mistakes are made. This is where a professional can help.

·       Think about the rest of your home. Color needs to coordinate throughout. A good rule that I follow: No more than three paint colors in the home.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces, color palettes and solve decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information, visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 239-850-5800 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

The soul of a home: telling your story

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press/USA Today Network September 3, 2023

Since Hurricane Ian swept through our area last September, I’ve been privileged to be invited into homes to help homeowners with many different types of projects. From rebuilding and deciding what comes next, renovating, painting, making changes for a new look, downsizing, new color palettes. One thing has become clear: everyone wants a home that makes them feel happy and safe.

As Southwest Florida interior decorator with a passion for design and writing about design, I’m reminded daily that there is very little about the process that is quick or easy. It takes a lot of effort and planning to create a happy home without making mistakes.

When you see a room that you love, there is usually one big reason: the room is designed with the appropriate scale and it flows. A lot of planning and thought went into pulling the room together. It didn’t just happen.

No matter what your style, the sofa is the most important purchase you will make. This Chatam sofa in sky cotton velvet by Serena & Lily with two swivel chairs is the perfect arrangement for seating and comfort. Photo: Serena & Lily.

If you’re thinking about making a few changes to your home or a lot of changes, there are some basic ideas to keep in mind. These are my top 10:

Forget perfection. When it comes to your home, it doesn’t exist. Creating a happy and beautiful home is an ongoing project that evolves over time. So, relax, enjoy the process and don’t stress out!

Have a plan. Before you head out to every furniture store in the area and return home exhausted and confused, make a plan. Include inspiration photos. List your priorities. Put them in the order of importance and check them off the list as your schedule and budget allow.

Have a budget. Everyone has a budget. There are very few of us who have the luxury of doing absolutely everything at once. Once you determine your priorities and have a plan, assign some dollars to each room on your list. It’s all part of the plan that will keep you from making mistakes.

Rule #1. Stop rearranging clutter. It’s still clutter. You can create the best plan with all of the right guidelines but if you don’t get rid of the clutter, your home will never be yours. Which brings us to rule #2: your home is not a storage garage for other people’s memories. If you don’t love it, donate it. Is it easy? No. But it will give you space for new memories and that is worth something.

Tell a story. Your home should tell a story about who lives there. What you love, where you have been, what gives you peace, calm and happiness. What’s important to you. Your story is what gives your home a soul.

Do it once and do it well. Don’t make the mistake of grabbing furniture just to fill a room. If it’s worth having in your home, it’s worth the time and investment to be sure you’re not making a mistake. Ask the questions: is it timeless? Will I still love it in 5 years?

Your home should tell a story about who lives there. What you love, where you have been, what gives you peace, calm and happiness. What’s important to you. Your story gives your home a soul. Serena & Lily’s Brookings floor lamp, Mirimar chaise. Photo: Serena & Lily.

To make a change, you have to make a change. I see this all the time. A client wants to do a refresh or update their home. But when it comes time to actually replace a piece of furniture or try a new paint color, they just can’t do it. They want a change but just can’t make the change. Solution: establish your priorities and move forward.

Create a focal point in every room. This can be an architectural feature, view, mirror, accent piece of furniture or something eclectic. It should be the first thing someone notices when they come into the room. Shown: Serena & Lily’s Pimlico chair and Breakers rattan floor lamp. Photo: Serena & Lily.

Create a focal point in every room. This can be an architectural feature, a view, mirror, accent piece of furniture or something eclectic. It should be the first thing someone notices when they come into the room.

Your sofa is the most important purchase. When it comes to budget, this is where you don’t want to skimp. Make sure you sit on it. Don’t buy it online. And be bold. Try a beautiful new color. Select a style that fits your space. A sectional, two sofas facing each other one sofa with two chairs. Make sure your feet touch the floor.

Blend old with new. This is one of my favorites. A blend of vintage and contemporary gives a room the feeling of having evolved over a period of time. If you have ever been into a designer show house, this is done very well because designers only have a couple of days to create a room that looks like it has been there for a long time. A room with character takes time. Don’t rush it.

Go easy on the accessories. They are the jewelry that complete the look of a room and transform the space. Adding accessories to your interiors gives it a splash of style and personality. Select carefully, edit your collections and only use what you love. If you love too much, put some away and rotate them.

Wrenda Goodwyn is an ASID associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solve decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information, visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 239-850-5800 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit her blog at spectacularspaces.com/blog

It’s spring: tips to declutter your way to a happy home

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press/USA Today Network • April 2023

It’s spring. A time to clear some space for growth and new possibilities.

Clutter stresses us out and makes us tired. Yet, to get past the stress, most people go out and buy more and try to figure out what to do with all of it.

The average home contains 300,000 items or more. The bottom line: we have too much stuff.

Surround yourself with what you love with mindful and intentional planning of what you allow to take up space in your home. Collections and accessories should be a reflection of the homeowner and should bring you joy. Shown against the backdrop of Thibaut’s Point Lobos brown and teal wallcovering from the Natural Resource Collection. Photo: Thibaut.

We read a lot about living a minimalist life. You can call it downsizing. Decluttering. Living with less. Intentional living. And other terms that are just part of the solution. But what it comes down to is letting go of what is not necessary. It’s about being mindful of what you bring into your home.

If you feel like your happy space has become a storage unit for items that you don’t even like anymore, can’t remember where they came from and the problem seems to be getting worse, it may be time for an evaluation of what you are doing. In other words: time to stop the madness.

It can be done. You can start today. Keep reading.

As a Southwest Florida interior decorator, I work with many homeowners who ask for help in deciding what stays and what goes before redoing their homes. It’s not an easy decision. That’s why they call in an impartial person without an emotional attachment to their possessions. I consider it working toward designing a simpler life. Gaining more space that allows you to focus on what’s really important.

Declutter for spring by removing appliances and accessories from the countertops allowing for a clean and spacious look in the kitchen. Shown is Cambria’s Clovelly design with copper and brown swirling veins. Photo: Cambria.

Where do you start? By looking at what you have and working from there to make careful decisions about purchases. Deciding what no longer serves you. Finding contentment with what you have. Letting go of what you don’t need. Thinking carefully about what you buy.

By gaining some control over what stays and what comes into your home, there are instant results. More free time. Less stress. Less worry about how much you are spending. Mindful spending means more $$$ to do something you love.

When it comes to your home décor, there are many small ways to begin to take a more purposeful approach. Pick a couple and give it a try. I think you will like the result. These suggestions go from easy to a little more difficult. All worth the effort.

• Clarify your decorating. Eliminate what you don’t love. Only shop for what you need.

• Delete duplicate items. A good place to begin with this one is your kitchen drawers. And then move on to your closet.

• Clear some surface space: kitchen island, tabletop, shelves. Prioritize what you put out. Make sure it’s what means the most to you. While doing this step, please say goodbye to those dusty fake plants above the kitchen cabinets. Thank you.

• Toss old magazines. You are never going to read the again. Same for stacks of books. Donate them to a library or used book store.

• Pick things up off the floor. Put kitchen appliances in cabinets or drawers.

• Before you make a purchase, decide what you are going to get rid of. Furniture, clothes, accessories.

• Get over guilt. When it comes to your home, it’s all about you and not about storing gifts that you never wanted. The same for items from well-meaning relatives. If they are not working, say goodbye and donate them. Do not let your home become a storage unit for the memories of others.

• Don’t make anyone else feel guilty. Your kids do not want your stuff so clear out what you have been holding on to. Do it today and make the space yours.

• We can’t have it all. Check out your collections and ask yourself if they still work for you. There is no harm in admitting that they no longer serve you. That box of tapes that you will likely never play is just taking up space. And you have no obligation to keep every collectible that you have ever purchased. Our tastes change.

• Ask yourself: is it functional OR do you love it? If the answer is not yes, it’s time to say goodbye. And move on to a more mindful home filled with what is meaningful.

• Instead of stuff, reevaluate your decorating plan with color. Use soothing whites and creams as neutrals and then accent with bright tones. Having less does not mean being boring. Quite the opposite.

When decluttering and creating space at home, carefully consider furnishings, accessories and the use of color. Shown: Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue. Photo: Benjamin Moore.

Living more mindfully is not easy. Emotional attachments are the most difficult to eliminate. If saying goodbye to something causes too much stress, keep it. I will never be a minimalist. I love to surround myself with what makes me happy. But on a regular basis, I declutter. It’s amazing what we carry into our homes and things just live there. They take up residency and we forget about them. Let today be the day you reclaim your home and make it your happy sanctuary. Go clean out a drawer or a closet! Then buy some fresh flowers and welcome spring!

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solve decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information, visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 239-850-5800 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit her blog at spectacularspaces.com/blog

The weather is great! Time to move outside!

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • April 6, 2019

It’s spring and if you are like me, the past few weeks of perfect Southwest Florida weather have you getting outdoors as much as possible. It’s the time to create or enhance your outdoor living space.

Because I was born and raised in the south, I love porches. Today, it can be a porch, a lanai patio or balcony if you are up a level.

When I was growing up, the "porch" was where the family headed after dinner. I can hear my mother saying, "Help me finish the dishes and let's go out on the porch." It was where all important discussions and decisions took place. Even though the "porch" was only a small cement stoop with a couple of aluminum chairs. It was still the place where we retreated at the end of the day. And so did all of the neighbors.

As a Southwest Florida interior decorator, I’ve had many "porches" since those days. Small apartment balconies barely large enough for two chairs, front porches with comfortable wicker furniture, large lanais' with summer kitchens surrounding a pool and filled with friends. But to me, they are all "porches." And I love them all.

Frontgate’s Myla collection brings a laid-back coastal vibe to any outdoor setting. All-weather resin wicker is intricately handwoven in an open looped pattern around durable powder coated aluminum frames. Add a rug to tie the area together. Photo: Frontgate

For years, I have helping my clients makeover their outdoor space as an extension of the home's living space. No matter what the size or budget. I hope a few of my tips will inspire you to move outdoors!

Don’t crowd your space. Decide what is most important. Dining? Relaxing? TV area? And plan the space accordingly with the appropriate sized furnishings.

Protect from water and sun. Purchase cushions with performance fabrics such as Sunbrella.

Anchor your seating area with an outdoor rug. Even on a tiny balcony this works and adds color to the space. It also makes it an extension of your home.

Lighting for atmosphere. If there is space, add an outdoor lamp, twinkly lights, a few lanterns.

Add a bar cart. Yes, it's great for a party but you can also use it for storage...liquid refreshments, cups, stirrers, coasters, books, magazines, speakers, and anything else necessary for a relaxing retreat.

Purchase a new set of dishes, place mats, glasses. Add some color with a few new table enhancements that will bring some fresh, new color to your space. Use them indoors as well. After all, we will soon be heading into summer so let’s make it easy!

Replicated from original watercolor renderings, the Venetian-inspired patterns that artfully accent this outdoor dinnerware collection provide a creative pop of blue and white to an outdoor space. Use it indoors or outdoors. Photo: Frontgate

Something blue. Paint the ceiling blue. Why? It's pretty and adds another dimension to your porch. Giving your own outdoor space a hint of blue is the perfect way to play into history, and it just might keep wasps and evil spirits away, too! According to the legend, years ago, in the deep South, many people painted their porch ceilings a specific shade of Haint Blue, a soft blue-green, to ward off evil spirits called "haints."

It's especially common in the historic homes around Savannah, Charleston and Key West. It’s believed to keep wasp and bird nests from forming because they confuse it with the sky. Two favorites: Benjamin Moore Bird’s Egg 2051-60 and Palladian Blue HC 144. I don’t know about the legend but I love the look.

Anchor the space with a rug. Even small spaces are perfect for summer days. Check out Pier 1's Coastal Collection. Photo: Pier 1.

Add some green. Give it your personal touch with lots of greenery. If there is space, add some pots, a small tree and a vase or two of fresh flowers. Use perennials so you will not have to replace them each year.

Go vertical. Hang a piece of artwork or sign on a wall. This makes it feel like part of your living space.

Tiny space? No problem! Bistro table and chairs may be all that you need. No room for furniture? Fill your tiny balcony with plants and let the outdoors inside.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and certified gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solves decorating problems. Her article appears the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

Company is coming! Is your guestroom ready?

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • February 2, 2019

If you live in Southwest Florida, there’s a chance that family and friends are making their vacation plans right now and they likely include you!

It’s that time of year when the winter weather everywhere else sends them in droves to our tropical paradise in search of sun and fun. And they are planning to stay at your home sweet home.

As a Fort Myers interior decorator, many of my clients are booking their appointments around their houseguest’s arrival and departure dates. Welcome to season in Florida. It’s a busy time.

Which brings us to the bespoke guest room. And how we can make it comfortable and beautiful in time for their visit. After all, if we like them enough to share space in our homes, we want them to be comfortable. Right?

Keep luggage off the guest room floor with a luggage rack. Light and easy to store this Gaspar rack is from Ballard Designs and many homeowners use a couple of these at the foot of their bed for pillows. Photo: Ballard Designs

Think about your favorite hotel room. What did you love about it?

It’s usually not one big thing but a lot of little things. They make a difference.

Like the fresh flowers that one of my friends always has in her guest room and bath.

And the new Christmas sheets with the Eiffel Tower that my best friend had on my bed over the holidays because she knows that I love Paris.

Or the great travel books from places that I have visited that a friend left in my room, knowing that I would stay up and read late into the night.

They all say “Welcome. I’m glad you are here and want you to be comfortable.”

I’ve pulled together a few tips to help you get your guest room in shape so you will be ready to roll out the welcome mat in time for their arrival.

Glam it up in a guest room with a decorating style that pampers your guests. Pottery Barn’s Addison storage bed includes two deep drawers for linen storage. Photo: Pottery Barn

· Spend the night. Sleep in your guest room and check it out. Is the bed comfortable? Is the temperature okay? Is it dark enough for sleeping? Is there a good reading light? Make adjustments.

· Invest a few $$$$. Purchase a new set of sheets. And a couple of sets of towels, washcloths and hand towels.

· Vary the pillows. If you’re like me, you like pillows on your bed. Shams. Decorative. Sleeping. Include both soft and firm so your guests have a choice. Whatever you do, don’t send your old, flat, no-longer-useful pillows to the guest room!

· Be creative. In the guest room you can switch up the decorating to something that you might not do in your own bedroom. Bright colors, artwork, rugs and wall art. After all, it’s a room that will not be used every day.

· If you don’t do anything else…Include a luggage rack. Or a bench or stool that allows for a piece of luggage. No matter how small the guest room is, you can find a space for this and it keeps luggage off the floor (a luxury when you are a guest).

· Clear surface space. Clear out any personal items from surfaces and give your guests a place to put their things.

· Phone charger. Make it convenient so they aren’t crawling around looking for an empty outlet. I just purchased an alarm clock with two USB ports and you can dim the time at night.

· WIFI password. A handwritten welcome note with the password is such a nice touch and costs nothing! Someone did this for me and I still talk about it.

· Those little conveniences. A robe. Shampoos. Hair dryer. Nice soap. Magazines that you know they like. Candles. Fresh flowers. Think about that hotel you loved. And leave a tray for jewelry.

· Bathroom niceties. Extra toothbrush, razors, toothpaste, cotton balls. Items they may have forgotten. And leave some empty space under the vanity for them to store their personal items.

· About the clothes. Chances are that you use the guest room for storage or an extra closet when it’s not occupied. If possible, move a few things out for a few days to give your guests some space. Some empty hangers and a little room in the closet. If this isn’t possible, an over-the-door hanger works great.

· Keys. It’s nice to have an extra key so your guests can come and go as they please. Just be sure to get it back when they leave so you can give it to the next guests!

Ballard Designs.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and certified gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solves decorating problems. Her article appears the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog