Design Blog

Showcasing Monique's work, solving design challenges and following industry trends...

Spring Cleaning Checklist

Spring is a time of renewal. With the advent of a new season comes a flurry of activities, from dusting to vacuuming to de-cluttering. Now is the time to inspect the interior of your home and make necessary improvements. It’s a great time to refresh flooring, furnishings and accessories in the living room, kitchen, bedrooms, and closets. What’s in your pantry that needs to be recycled?

Do you have a bridal shower or graduation coming up this spring? Events are fabulous motivators for updating your home. That requires some planning, so if larger projects are on your “to do” list, line up your professional team sooner rather than later.

We have devised a checklist for homeowners: Read more…

Posted on:March 29, 2012 Comments: Comments Off Categories: Bathrooms Granite Kitchens Materials

How to Choose Granite for Your Countertops

Granite countertops make your home look elegant and increase its value. Use granite to update a renovation project: in kitchens, in bathrooms, on wet bars, in wine cellars and fireplace surrounds. In addition to countertops, granite works beautifully on kitchen islands and table tops. Granite is a natural substance which Mother Nature created over centuries, therefore, no two slabs are alike, unlike manmade material.

Granite slabs are fabricated – meaning cut and polished – to fit the specific space for which it will be used. Viewing the slab in a showroom will require an appointment in advance, as the granite is extremely heavy to move and display. Read more…

Posted on:March 15, 2012 Comments: Comments Off Categories: Fabric

Tribal Patterns Are Big this Spring

Tribal patterns are all the rage this spring on indoor and outdoor fabrics. This Kravet Ikat is one of the more popular graphics, from the Beacon Hill showroom at the Boston Design Center. This fabric would work beautifully on deck or porch furniture. Ikat is an Indonesian word that translates as “knot” or “to tie” and refers to the dye pattern on fabric.

With spring just around the corner, now is the time to begin thinking of furnishing porches, decks and patios. One of our favorite outdoor furniture companies, McGuire, is having a sale. Known for their distinctive styles, they use long-lasting, sustainable bamboo in their products.I used McGuire dining chairs, upholstered chairs and a round glass-top table on a McGuire base for this three-season porch. Another sought after choice for outdoor fabrics are florals, bringing the elements of nature into the space. You could definitely mix this season’s flame-stitch look with a floral, plaid or a solid, textured fabric.

Posted on:February 2, 2012 Comments: Comments Off Categories: Family rooms

Utilize your space by adding a stylish vignette

Clients often ask how to use an odd bit of space in a room – a corner or a large hallway that might otherwise go under utilized. By adding an attractive vignette in the space – with a comfortable chair, table, lighting, and artwork that coordinates with the larger space – you can create an attractive and functional place to read or snooze.

It is perfectly acceptable to separate a pair of matching chairs in the same room. In this family room, each chair holds court in its own corner. The space gets extra functionality from the sideboard because it can store objects as well display a lamp or favorite pieces of art. While entertaining, it can hold a platter of hors d’oeuvres.

Posted on:January 9, 2012 Comments: Comments Off Categories: Bedrooms

Bedroom Magic!

The homeowners had an unused and unappealing attic space which we transformed into a colorful, bedroom retreat. Designed to accommodate their nine-year-old daughter, Kate, who wanted a bright fun space for sleepovers with her friends.

By using periwinkle blue on the walls, with white trim, and vibrant bedding, Interiors by Monique created bedroom magic, turning this attic into a functional, desirable place.

Posted on:January 5, 2012 Comments: Comments Off Categories: Room Makeovers

Garden Trompe L’Oeil Transforms Basement

During the remodel we transformed this concrete basement into a garden haven. To make the window wells more appealing and to camouflage the exterior concrete, large flower pots were painted on the outside wall which were visible to the inside, completing the look of a garden. This made for a wonderful play area for the young girls that lived in this home.

Posted on:January 4, 2012 Comments: Comments Off Categories: GIfts holidays Pets

December Newsletter – Happy Holidays! New Ideas for Gifts

To view my latest newsletter click here.

It’s hard to believe that the year is almost over! We wish you and your family a Happy Holiday season.
Just in case you are looking for unusual gifts for someone special, here are a few ideas for you:
Pets are an integral part of many of our lives and families, and what better way to celebrate than to dress up your pet is Christmas garb.

A fun resource for the whimsical pet lover is a custom lap bed.
We can customize these beds to match the upholstery and color schemes for your pet-lover. [Here is the website to contact Xan directly:

Posted on:January 4, 2012 Comments: Comments Off Categories: Uncategorized

Updated Laundry Room

Give your laundry room a whimsical look by adding fashionable wallpaper to your space. Instantly your laundry space will turn from boring to unique.

Posted on:December 18, 2011 Comments: Comments Off Categories: Uncategorized

Beach House Winterized

This home on the Rhode Island shore was extremely drafty during the winter months. Monique’s solution to the problem was to install draperies on a traversing pole to keep the heat in and the cold air out. The design enhanced the smaller window to look more in proportion to the larger window. The home owners were very pleased with the results, now that it is much cozier during the chilly winter months.