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The Essential Tool Every Interior Designer Needs
This may seem like a less than romantic choice for Valentine’s Day, but this subject is near and dear to my heart. I’m talking about SPREADSHEETS. Yes, I am an interior designer who looooves spreadsheets. As an equal part Type-A/Type-B personality, I revel in creating designs, and managing and implementing them. My secret to staying on top of hundreds of details and enjoying myself along the way? The humble spreadsheet.
Budgets
This budget is the cornerstone of every Huntley & Co. project. It’s where we can view all items – comprehensively and in detail, calculate pricing, and track purchasing. I developed a very specific procurement color-coding* system for our budgets, as seen here.
* Color-coding is a love language all its own. If you get it, you get it ; )
Schedules
A renovation or construction project is only as good as its schedules. There are the basics like the plumbing schedule and the paint & finish schedule. But we have also generated bulb schedules, switch/plate schedules, and decorative hardware schedules – like this one. Each is unique. The objective is to transform an “information assault” into easy-to-read, easy-to-implement data.
Timelines
If a client requests a firm deadline, we generate a production schedule (aka reverse timeline) for the project. We plug in key dates — presentation, approval, payments, etc. and correlate that with realistic leadtimes and construction to calculate the installation day. Showing a client the ‘why’ of how long a project will take helps mitigate the sting of unrealistic expectations.
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Are you are interested in learning how to implement spreadsheets into your own interior design business? I will be hosting a free webinar this spring …
I will teach you how to create your own customizable budget and how to use it to outline costs, track orders, and stay on top of all those details!
Fill out the form below and include #spreadsheetsuccess in your Message to receive updates and an invitation to sign-up.
Happy Valentine’s Day. Today is about celebrating love in all forms, not just spreadsheets!
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A Closer Look at Windows
I’ve been discussing windows quite a bit lately – with colleagues, in my last Luxe & Lucid post, on Tiktok, etc. – in reference to café curtains and their installation. So it’s important to note, that they are so much more than a backdrop for drapery treatments, and can be everything from pragmatic to extraordinary. Nerd-out with me and let’s take a closer look at windows.
Anatomy of a Double-Hung Window
A double-hung window is the standard of American homes and the receiver of many a huntleyco curtain. As you can see by the diagram above, it’s far more complicated than its pedestrian reputation would suggest. Knowing all its parts may not seem critical, but it’s certainly useful when conversing with builders, selecting window treatments, and simply understanding how it functions.
FYI: The difference between a double- and single-hung window? Both the upper and lower windows function in a double-hung, whereas the top is fixed with a single-hung.
A Directory of Window Types
There are numerous window styles from classic to modern, everyday to ornate. Seeing them grouped together helps one see the variety that’s available, and how different they all are.
row 1 (L-R): Casement, double-hung, and transom windows; row 2 (L-R): Hopper, Palladian, and picture windows; row 3 (L-R): Awning, oculus, and center-pivot windows; row 4 (L-R): Gable-dormer, lunette, and eyebrow windows.
The Why of a Window
- Transom: Historically a transom window served one or two functions. One, when operable, it provided ventilation in the era before air-conditioning. Two, in narrow row houses, it illuminated dark central hallways by allowing light to pass through from the perimeter rooms.
- Hopper: Hopper windows originated in the 19th century, designed primarily to keep dust and debris from dirt roads out of homes while still allowing fresh air to circulate. Their inward-opening design was ideal for trapping dust as it settled, while the lighter, clean air could flow upward into the home.
- Center-Pivot: This particular window’s main goal was likely a dramatic and modern appearance, but as a center-pivot it also provides excellent ventilation due to the large open area when rotated, and makes cleaning easy with full access to the exterior glass.
- Gabled Dormer: A triangular-shaped projection from the roofline, the gabled dormer brings natural light and ventilation into an attic or upper floor. It also makes the space more liveable with additional headroom, and can break up the expanse of a roof creating a more pleasing facade.
Learning about the reason, history, and/or function behind architectural elements is always fun. I ate it up as a child, grad student, designer employee, and even now. I could never know enough and hope it continues to thrill me.
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The Right and Wrong Way to Hang Cafe Curtains
Café curtains are one of my favorite window treatments. Equal parts practical and charming, they provide privacy without cutting light, and can look sweet or elegant depending on the fabric, length, hardware, etc. They are almost a no-brainer, but not quite. How you hang them makes a difference. There is a right way and a wrong way, so take notes!
The Wrong Placement
A lovely bath, no doubt, and installing cafe curtains was the right choice. The clients have privacy, plenty of light, and can push the curtains aside if they want to enjoy the landscape outside. What would have made this a home run, is if the curtains were hung in alignment with the metal grid – either with the muntin above or the rail below. Currently, the hardware and the window framework are in competition, creating a busier than necessary viewpoint. Sidenote, black or oil-rubbed bronze should have been the obvious hardware choice here instead of brass.
The Right Placement
The windows above and below all have cafe curtains installed with the architecture of the window in mind. It’s a detail that conveys the thoughtfulness behind each space’s design.
A pistachio living room by Nicky Kehoe.
Caveats
1 | Two Approaches
There are two schools of thought when it comes to exact placement of a curtain rod. One, align the rod itself with a muntin/rail. Two, install the rod high enough, so the top of the curtain header aligns with the horizontal element. My opinion is that it should be determined on a case-by-case basis. When the hardware is darker, I think it’s better if the rod aligns, and therefore, disappears. If the hardware is lighter and the fabric is more pronounced, then I align the curtain header with the rail or muntin.
2 | Single-Pane Windows Sans Rail
And what if you have a plain, plate glass window without muntins or a rail? At Huntley & Co., we won’t install cafe curtains in these situations; I think it looks awkward and too forced. Instead, I opt for short drapes that are hung at the inside top of the window as shown in the Huntley & Co. bedroom elevation at right below.
3 | Ready-Made Problems
If you purchase pre-fabricated curtains, you need to be mindful of their measurements. The window dictates the length of the curtain, not the other way around. If you can’t request a specific dimension, order them slightly longer and hem them. Otherwise, your window will scream, “I bought this on Amazon” like (case in point) the kitchen below.
FYI, not only the wrong length, but the wrong fabric, wrong hardware, and wrong placement.
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New and Improved : Hillcrest v.3
My final installment (for now) on the Hillcrest renovation. This area definitely receives the award for most “new and improved”!
The Mudroom (and then some)
Before
What I call Hillcrest’s “back-of-house” was originally three distinct spaces – the den, a bath (I use that term loosely), and a hallway to the rear yard. All three rooms were cramped and too small to function well. In fact, the bath was just a quarter bath; that means a toilet and NO SINK (?!). The whole footprint of this area made absolutely no sense and needed a major overhaul to accommodate a practical lifestyle. First, there was no use wasting space on another sitting room when I needed a proper powder room and coat closet. Second, having a fluffy, large breed dog in Minnesota meant a mudroom was CRITICAL.
(above) The original floorplan. The arrows labeled 1 and 2 indicate the direction of the views shown in the photos.
Before photos of View 1 (above) and view 2 (below). You can see the house was in pretty rough shape. Also visible is the “dimensional texture” on the walls that I mentioned in my last post.
After
Space planning is one of the most valuable skills a designer can have. Working with what you have and “fixing” an area without making it bigger is hugely satisfying. This space just needed thoughtful consideration to make it sing. Now it’s my favorite room in the house. I store my china here and all my fall/winter coats. I can do laundry and pot plants. I use the sink as a wetbar when entertaining. It’s Ursi’s access to the yard and where I wipe her off if she’s wet or muddy. And not to be understated, drenching the room in one color* helped quiet the envelope and make the room feel cohesive. If you have watched my IG/Tiktok video about the Hillcrest upstairs hall, you will know I love to color drench a room/space that has a lot of “perforations”.
* Want to know the paint color? Leave a message on this post to request the spec.
The revised “back-of-house” layout. It actually feels larger and more cohesive now even though I packed six or so functions into it.
After photo of view 1 (above). Closing off the living room made all this possible. The double doors open to my primary coat closet. The cabinet to the left holds my china, glassware, etc.
View 2 (below) includes the sink area, exterior access (the opening was moved), and two doors that open to amenities … see next images. The marble I chose for the counter and splashes is called Arabescato Corchia and is a refreshing counterpoint to the olive green envelope.
(above) Two shots of the east end of room with doors closed vs. open – revealing the powder room and laundry closet respectively. I do have a large laundry room downstairs, but this one is great for smaller, daily loads.
(below L) A closer look at the powder room that now includes an all-important sink! (below R) Detail of china cabinet doors with custom hardware, chicken wire, and striped curtains from Europe. Click the photo to see a video of what I keep inside ; )
A few detail shots worth sharing:
I hope you enjoyed spending time in this part of my home a much as I do! Please feel free to post your questions about selections, etc. I am happy to answer anything requested directly here on the Luxe & Lucid blog.
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New and Improved : Hillcrest v.2
My series on the Hillcrest renovation (aka chez Huntley) continues. Today I am focusing on the living room. It’s the largest room in the house and where I spend most of my time. Be aware, the before photos were taken in the summer whereas the after photos were all shot in winter months. You will see how significantly the temperature of the light changes in Minnesota.
The Living Room
Before
It was the living room’s elegant proportions, wood burning fireplace, and robust cove crown that attracted me when I first saw the house. The room beyond was a small den/study.
After
I retained the cove and the windows, but as you can see, the mantle received a major makeover inluding a plaster overmantle for height. I also scraped the thick, dimensional texture off the walls, refinished the floors, introduced lighting, and added a gracious arched* entry that now aligns with the fireplace.
* See my previous post for the arch origin story.
It’s not obvious because of the coromandel screen behind my sofa, but I closed off the opening at this end of the room (the entry to the den). I didn’t need another sitting room nor did I want my office within view. Closing off that opening provided a proper area for my seating arrangement as well as a place to install my gorgeous screen. Most importantly, repurposing the den gave me the space for a mudroom, powder room, closet, laundry, and china cabinet. Arguably, the best architectural decision of the entire renovation … to be covered in vol 3.
Before
Two additional views of the living room; one facing north (top) and the other facing south (bottom). Note the difference in the opening to the hall, and the deteriorating wallpaper and valances.
The door you see in the entry hall opens to a vestibule. This was another “utility” space that received major changes in order to better serve the house’s function and aesthetics. More on that later.
After
The south side of the room has bookcases on one side (L) and a curved sofa on the other (R). This is my dog Ursi’s favorite spot because she can watch the foot traffic (and bunnies, squirrels, etc.) out the front window.
Above is a view of the south end of the room at night. #goodvibes
See you next week when I share the transformation of what was the den and is now my “back-of-house” miracle room.
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New and Improved : Hillcrest v.1
The new year inspires all of us to make changes in our a) relationships, b) career, c) diet, d) all of the above in service of a better life. As an interior designer, “new and improved” is my modus operandi. My own home has had me knee-deep in renovation since purchasing it in 2022. To describe it as a fixer-upper is an understatement. It was in a tragic state of disrepair when I took ownership with the last “improvements” having been made circa 1975. Not attractive and just the way I like it. The uglier the better. Give me good bones and a hideous interior because I will shine that baby right up and turn it into the beauty it was meant to be.
The Kitchen
Before
An awkward configuration of cabinets (desk next to oven?), laminate counters and linoleum floors are just some of the kitchen’s highlights. The unnecessary bulkhead, small window and contrasting upper/lower wallpaper application make the room appear shorter than it is.
After
The larger scaled, Tecate tiles expand the space and speak to the Spanish Colonial architecture. The raised-panel cabinetry flanking the stove is symmetrical and starts at the ceiling. It’s painted in a cream color that coordinates with the subway tiles, plaster hood, and adjacent trim for a quiet, consistent envelope. I installed a tall casement window with flanking sidelights where the short window used to be to let in more light and heighten the room’s proportions.
Before
Apparently symmetry and alignment were not priorities for the previous owners. Note, the sink and window placement! Clearly the haphazard layout needed to be reinvented for the 21st century. To do this required one important subtraction (hint: look at the lower left cabinet) among numerous others as well as one subtle, but important addition.
After
The first step in reorganization was the removal of the radiator that took up the entire lower cabinet to the left of the sink. Eliminating it gave me the flexibility to move the refrigerator. In lieu of the radiator, I added in-floor heating to this space and other “back of house” rooms. Other features subtracted for good measure included the ceiling fan, jimmy-rigged side-by-side windows, stovetop, and double-swing door to the dining room.
The quietly significant addition is the full height cabinet at the right that conceals the microwave, my small appliances, as well as the trash/recycling below. I loathe clutter, so tucking away miscellany keeps me sane. I added a charming new arched window [directly] above the sink. There are several new arched elements introduced throughout the interior born from an overhang at the front of the house with a recurring-arch detail.
Hillcrest residence exterior
Stay tuned. Next week I will feature another room in the Hillcrest renovation.
Wishing you good fortune for any personal or professional “renovation” plans you have for 2025!
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Palette | Red and Green
What better day to embrace a green and red palette, than today, Christmas. This may seem like a color scheme best reserved for the holidays, but I’m actually a big fan. My own home riffs on this palette. And because both red and green have so many gorgeous iterations, you can do some really interesting things when using them in an interior. I created three designs below in honor of the combo and this magical holiday.
Living Room
Mint and cherry red in an aesthete’s modern living room.
Study
Avocado and burgundy in a textural, eclectic study.
Bedroom
A tomato red canopy bed is tempered by murkier greens and russet, as well as shades of blush.
Short and sweet, but chock full of inspo for your Christmas Day. May your holiday be one of love and laughter. Cheers!
PS: You can source the rooms above on our Luxe & Lucid Pinterest page. Unfortunately, the link will eventually expire.
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Concept Before Color
The most common question I have been asked as an interior designer over the years is, without a doubt, “What are your favorite paint colors?” I suspect it ranks among the most popular design topics of all time. Funny thing is, I don’t have favorite paint colors (shock, awe!). I do not have a stable of SW’s BM’s, or F&B’s that I play on repeat. I liken that to a makeup artist applying the same look to a young, cherub-faced, blonde as she would a middle-aged, raven-haired woman with high cheekbones. Each home has its own architecture, light, and vibe that necessitates its own palette and specific application. How do you figure out that palette and specific application?! Start with a concept.
Example 1 | Delray Beach, FL
CONCEPT
COLORS
RESULT
WHO/WHERE: A beachfront, second home in Florida for empty-nesters.
VIBE: Relaxed, soft-modern
PALETTE: A low-contrast range of beiges and browns with accents of silvery, blue-grey
Example 2 | Washington, DC
CONCEPT
COLORS
RESULT
WHO/WHERE: A city townhouse for a young couple and soon-to-be parents
VIBE: Old-school formal meets youthful cool
PALETTE: From ecru, cafe au lait, and green-grey to caramel, peacock blue, and near-blacks
What you’ll notice is that the Delray Beach and West End palettes are not in opposite hemispheres; there is overlap. It’s the contrast, variety of hues and color temps, as well as the adjacent materials and finishes that set them apart. Both interiors may have shades of creamy-white, but we selected different versions because the light and vibe in DC varies considerably from the light and vibe in Florida. And, of course, the floors were a factor as pairing paint with white oak is worlds away from pairing it with an ebony-stain.
Visit the Delray Beach and West End portfolios on the Huntley & Co. website for a more comprehensive view of each project (note, not all rooms are photographed). Go to Tiktok and view my companion video to this post for additional examples of the concept-color-interior throughline. I am on a quiet mission to change hearts and minds! #conceptbeforecolor
{ PS: Photography and online screens distort the actual colors of the samples shown above. }
All work and projects above are by Huntley & Co. Interior Design
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Tile Installation Aptitude (part 2)
Layout
If you are planning on a subway (stacked or staggered), checkerboard (straight or on the diagonal), or mosaic installation – your layout will be fairly obvious. Sometimes all that is needed is a conversation with your installer, a floorplan, or elevation. However, other layout patterns are available – whether traditional or something born from your own creativity. In these situations, at Huntley & Co. we generate more detailed drawings, and in some cases, even put in a bit of IRL elbow grease.
above left: Simple white and green square tiles dressed up as stripes in a powder room by Chauncey Boothby; above right: Jessica Helgerson may be the queen of historic cum modern tile installations.
below: Here I am laying out tiles piece by piece to create a Carlo Scarpa-inspired floor pattern. This was just the staging area; the tiles were later moved to the master bath.
Spacing
Spacers are available in a variety of sizes. You may choose thicker spacers for more dramatic grout lines or smaller ones for a more cohesive look. It can also be important to have greater spacing for handmade tiles that vary from piece to piece; thicker grout lines will allow space for uneven edges. Note, Clé published a fabulous and informative post called “The Art of the Grout Joint” (referenced here throughout) that I recommend bookmarking for future installations.
above: Brick pavers in a herringbone pattern with varying grout widths of 1/8″, 3/8″, and 5/8″ from left to right.
below: A clever yet simple, modern installation with Clé tiles by Cathy Hong Interiors with narrow vertical grout joints and thick horizontal grout joints.
above left: Spacers in action; above right: A diagram showing 5 different spacer sizes.
Grout Color
The color of grout has a huge impact on a tile installation and can totally transform a room. Whether you choose to coordinate or contrast your grout with your tile, it comes down to what kind of vibe and aesthetic you are trying to create.
Low Contrast Tile to Grout Ratio
above: (L) Edward Martin Graham glossy 3×6 ceramic tiles in color Clay (C) a darky and moody bath installation, (R) garnet-colored Zellige installed in my guest shower
High Contrast Tile to Grout Ratio
above : (L) Yes please to pink tile with black grout; (C) Grout dyed hot pink was an adventourous choice by Good Bones in London; (R) Montauk 4×12 black slate tiles in a herringbone pattern.
Always view grout chips with your respective tiles before making a selection. Better yet, ask your installer to apply test samples to your tile!
left: 3 Artex beige grout options on a creamy subway tile; right: Cream, beige, and dark brown grout sampled on tumbled Japanese mosaics. FYI, I chose the dark brown for my foyer floor ; )
For more ideas and resources relating to tile installations, visit my Pinterest page. I have pinned additional layouts, diagrams, and eye candy for you to bookmark — and hopefully use for your own installs. See you next week ; )
{ PS: The answer to last week’s questions is 8! }
TRICIA HUNTLEY | HUNTLEY & CO.
“The glamorous space where tradition and modernity collide.”
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Tile Installation Aptitude (part1)
Choosing tile for a project is as fun as it sounds, and yet, it’s a finessed installation that can really knock my socks off sometimes. What may seem simple at first glance is actually the integration of very specific products, planning, and talented pros. Aptitude may be just as important as aesthetics when it comes to tile.
Fitting Tile in the Space
Tiling a wet space, like a full bath, can be surprisingly complex. There are pieces for inside corners, outside corners, cove bases, beaks, caps, stops, etc. The bathroom below required 10 separate tile orders! Can you count how many components of the cream tile are in these 3 photos?
above: The walls in my guest bath are a multitude of creamy, crackle-glazed tiles.
Bringing Together Varying Styles
Selecting all the bath tile from one collection wouldn’t be any fun, so you can’t forget to think about how different shapes and thicknesses (not to mention colors and finishes) will fit together in a space. Your installer will thank you.
above: Chocolate-hue’d Zellige tiles wrap the walls of the shower while a black-and-white floral mosaic covers the main bath and shower floors. A grey marble threshold bridges the gap.
Wait … How do I do all of that without mistakes?
The what/where/how of a tile installation is critical, so we generate elevations and supply them to the team. This allows us to determine tile quantity, prep the installer, and firm up contractor pricing.
Color-coding, highlights, bubbles, strikethroughs … If it isn’t obvious, work this detailed often requires a few revisions!
Screenshot of the Week
“What is eclectic?” was this week’s question on Asked and Answered. It’s funny because I use that term to describe my work, yet sometimes find it hard to define. Below is a Houston foyer (note the beautiful floor tile) that I think embodies the look.
⇓ Click the photo below to see how I break down its eclecticism ⇓
Architecture: Reagan & Andre | Construction: Erin Stetzer Homes | Interior design: Studio McGee | Photography: Lucy Call
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Next week I’ll post a Tile Installation- Part 2 and will share the answer to the quantity question at top. If you are the first to share the correct answer in comments (before I post next week), you’ll receive a complimentary give-away from me!
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TRICIA HUNTLEY | HUNTLEY & CO.
“The glamorous space where tradition and modernity collide.”
LUXE AND LUCID
THE MUSINGS OF DESIGNER TRICIA HUNTLEY
