It’s been a little over a year since our last post, and with good reason. Now we’re back to let you know what’s been going on behind the scenes with the Mintwood Home team. Here are some fun facts about what we’ve been up to the last year:

• We have been to markets all over the country sourcing exclusive new brands to add to our site! Here are a few of our favorites. 

  • Bungalow 5 

  • Aidan Gray 

  • Newport Cottages 

  • Duc duc 

  • Momeni Rugs

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• We’ve worked countless design hours to create beautiful spaces.  

• We’ve designed six nurseries this year alone for expecting clients across the country. And speaking of babies...

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• Heloise had a baby girl last April, Kavanaugh. Things really change when you are trying to manage two companies and a little one. A big thank you to my clients for being understanding while I figured out how to mom and manage work. See below for some examples of this.

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• To keep pace with all these changes, we’ve grown our Mintwood Home team. We are all working moms to young kiddos. In fact, the sixth Mintwood Home baby (Caitlin's second) is joining the team this winter! 

We’ve been busy for sure, but what hasn’t changed is our love for beautiful spaces and our dedication to bringing you a beautifully curated collection of gifts, furnishings, décor and designer fabrics and wall-coverings. We look forward to bringing you many exciting new things as we overhaul our site, including glimpses into some of Heloise’s recent design projects. Stay tuned to see what’s in store.

Welcome Home!

We are thrilled to finally reveal one of our favorite projects from this past year! We had the privilege of designing Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum's twin girls’ nursery. Hillary reached out with a vision for a feminine while still fun space for her two newest additions.

Because we are based out of the Washington, DC area and Hillary’s home is in Nashville, we did the majority of the space plan and design through phone and email. We stared out creating this mood board and went from there!

 Hillary has the most amazing house manager, Shauna, who helped us run the day by day in the house. All things carpets, painting, electrical she was able to have done without us flying to Nashville. 

To accomplish the look, we designed the room with light pink walls and a beautiful blush accent wallpaper by Philip Jeffries and added some sass with a fun Worlds Away black and white bone stool and colorful blue rug by Surya.

We knew we had to have these sweet animal prints from The Animal Print Shop and partnered with them for these pieces!

Gorgeous light fixture fit for a princess (or two!) by Circa Lighting. 

Acrylic cribs by Pottery Barn Kids. 

Custom draperies by The Shade Store.  

Get the look:

Check out the nursery featured on People Magazine!

Y’all already know we have a thing for blue…so we rounded up our favorites for you. And—we’ve also included our favorite greys. Color magic, friends. A fresh coat of paint changes EVERYTHING.

Blues

1. Farrow + Ball, Inchyra Blue

Image via Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets

2. Farrow + Ball, Stiffkey Blue

Image via Farrow + Ball

3. Benjamin Moore, Hale Navy

Image via Houzz

4. Benjamin Moore, Constellation

Image via Remodelholic

Greys

1. Farrow + Ball, Cromarty

Image via Remodelista

2. Farrow + Ball, Lamp Room Grey

Image via Farrow + Ball

3. Benjamin Moore, Grey Owl

Image via Home Bunch

4. Benjamin Moore, Nightfall

Image via Pinterest

There are lots of paint options when it comes to neutrals, but nothing is as tried and true as a clean white. Grays are pretty and beiges have their moments, but a white wall just speaks to us. It’s like it's begging us to design the space. Trends are fun and will come and go—white walls are simply not one of those trends.

We are rounding up some of our personal favorite whites that we tend to turn to over and over. We’re sticking to Benjamin Moore and Farrow & Ball, because we almost always choose their brands. Why mess with perfection, right?

Crisp
1. Benjamin Moore, Chantilly Lace

 
Image via Dana Casey

2. Farrow and Ball, All White

 
Image via Farrow + Ball

3. Benjamin Moore, Decorator’s White

 
Image via Lily Spindle 

4. Farrow and Ball, Wevet

 
Image via Farrow & Ball Instagram 

Gentle

1. Benjamin Moore, White Down

Image via Writer & Residence

2. Farrow & Ball, Strong White

Image via Emily Henderson 

3. Benjamin Moore, Dove Wing

Image via Home Bunch

4. Farrow & Ball, James White

Image via houzz   

CLICK ON PHOTOS TO SHOP! 

 Destination: Palm Springs

Image via Architectural Digest

There’s a reason why Palm Springs has been called the most instagrammable city in the world. We may be a little biased when it comes to our love for this place—our intern, Gionna, calls Palm Springs home, and Heloise just got back from a Palm Springs bachelorette party—but we are not exaggerating when we say this place is a designer’s dreamland.

Image via Studio DIY

From the ACE to the Avalon to the Parker to the Saguaro to the Korakia, the list of boutique hotels goes on and on. Not to mention, the dining and spa selections aren’t bad either. Palm Springs embodies mid-century modern architecture as well as an old Hollywood glam, while completely maintaining its totally unique, one-of-a-kind feel.

Image via Refinery 29

With inspiration from picture perfect Palm Springs (and because we’re so looking forward to sunny days outside) we’ve added lots of outdoor furniture to the site! From bold hues to patterns that pop, we've curated a list of some of our favorite Palm Springs-esqe products. Even if you can’t make it to SoCal this year, get that Palm Springs feel in your own home. 

6. Curtains: Hang curtains closer to the ceiling than the to the top of the window. This will draw the eye up and makes the ceiling seem taller. 
7. Mantle: When hanging things above the mantle, as a general rule of thumb leave seven inches between the mantle and the bottom of what you are hanging.
8. If you really need help, hire a professional! We offer E-Design packages and in person designer services to those in the DMV area! Click the link below to read more.               

1. Elements Of Style | Erin Gates

Erin has the best style. I love her look--she even has her own line now! Her coffee table book is hysterical, I laughed out loud and learned a ton. A definite must read and a must have for your own coffee table.

 

2. Little Green Notebook | Jenny Komenda

I have been following Jenny for years--really for as long as I can remember. Not only does she have a great look that is modern and fresh, but I also learn so much reading her blog. I love to DYI things and she really teaches you how. She dyed curtains a couple a years ago--I'm still waiting to do that one day. 

3. Bliss at Home - Kristin Cadwallader 

Kristin might just be the sweetest blogger out there. I had been following her for a while when I reached out to collaborate. She is extremely professional and does everything she says she is going to do! The way she uses black and leopard in rooms is just so chic.

 

4. Hunted Interior | Kristin Jackson 

She does the best job helping you find your own style why doing it on a budget. Her ideas are totally original and fun. Love her use of color.

5. The Zhush | Sue de Chiara

Sue always has the best pictures and her posts are oh so inspiring. I was swooning over her recent post about wallpaper. I don't know where she finds all her images, but they will

6. Cuckoo 4 Design | Julia 

Nothing like a little European inspiration, right? Julia is from Germany and living in the US. Her overall neutral color pallet is to die for: chic mastered.

7. Young House Love | John & Sherry

John & Sherry have fixed up multiple houses and have the absolute go-to blog for home DIY projects. (I've mentioned my love for DIY, right?)

8. JWS Interiors | Jennifer Wagner Schmidt

10. Simple Stylings | Summer Hogan
I met Summer this past year and was introduced to her blog. She does the best job writing about real life and uses that simple style to decorate a home for your family. I love all of her posts!

Organization makes people happy. It’s proven! We’re serious—there are actually health benefits to being organized. Feast your eyes on this clutter-free, pretty & practical organization inspo (and tips of the trade).

Bookshelves:

These can either be a cluttery eyesore or completely make a space.

Tips:

1. Color grouping: Try grouping books of similar shades together. You don’t need to go overboard here, group colors that complement each other or belong in the same color family.
2. Bins & boxes: For storage, use some cute bins or boxes. We love this Agate Glass Box Set for cleanly displaying some of your pretties!
3. Keep it simple: We’re getting organized, remember? Avoid placing too many knick-knacks or supplies throughout your shelving. That’s what the bins are for!
   
   Image via BookBub
   
   Image via BookBub
   
   Image via Mintwood Home
   
   

Trays:

Trays are great for organizing the things you have to have in an area, while still keeping the space neat and polished.

Tips:

1. In the coffee table tray you can store the remotes, candle, coasters, etc. Have a lot on your coffee table? Use a few!
   2. In the bathroom, trays are great for perfumes, soaps, and extra toiletries.
   3. By the door, place your keys in a tray and they’ll always have a home!
   4. On your nightstand: books, lamp, candle--voila!
   
                             Image via Erika Bretchel
   
                             Image via The Everygirl
   
                             Image via The Everygirl
   
   Shop trays here.

Bar Carts:
They're everywhere. Bar carts are the perfect way to store and display all your spirits and glasses.

Tips:

1. Mix it up. Add some greenery, some of your favorite knick-knacks, cocktail napkins, etc.
2. Have a plan. Maybe use trays to divide your cart into zones, so you have a place for the essentials,: glassware, bottles, etc. Organization, meet style.
   
                            Image via Style Me Pretty
   
                                   Image via Domino
   Shop for the bar here.
   
   Desks:

Who wants to work in a cluttered space? No one.

Tips:

1. Make sure your work area is well lit! You’ll get more done, and your eyes will thank you. Check out our lamps here.
2. Hang up some inspiration boards. This way you can organize all those samples, articles, photos, etc. you’ve been hanging onto, and they can provide a fun backdrop to your work-space.
3. Storage containers are your friend. File away all the paperwork that always ends up piled on your desk. Bonus—you’ll know where everything is!
   
                             Image via Alice Lane
   
   
   
         Image via The Everygirl