Inspired, personalized, creative interior design by Carla Aston

Loving a white kitchen

October 8, 2012

I love them. I’ve always loved them. I’ve always had one.

(Unless I was renting!)

Even when wood cabinets were all the rage.

I had a white kitchen.

An interview with interior designer and original host of HGTV's Designing for the Sexes , Michael Payne. Hosted by: Carla Aston

Michael Payne explains how couples can share creative control in design projects

September 12, 2012

What follows is the third installment of a four part interview I had with Michael Payne, the famed interior designer who was the original host of HGTV's Designing for the Sexes. Enjoy!

Guest bathroom at Shorebreak Hotel

Need to hide an architectural feature? Try using paint!

September 11, 2012

People have this notion that mouldings and doors should be white and walls should have color, so doing something different can oftentimes be a tough sell to a client. Fortunately though, during a recent stay at Shorebreak Hotel, my guest room featured a great example of how this look can be successfully pulled off.

Gutsy, provocative, distinctive interiors w/feminine style

August 17, 2012

Beauty isn’t only found in sweet, soft and pretty.

It’s also found in simple, gutsy, provocative, distinctive.

Credit: Elle Decor, Designer - Richard McGeehan

A unique, artistic dining room in red, white and blue

July 4, 2012

Look at this unique, artistic dining room colored in red, white, and blue. LOVE!

This spare but colorful dining room in Wisconsin exudes sophistication while still feeling casual and rustic.

The blue concrete floors, natural board walls, and industrial pendants give a real “cabin in the woods” feel. The sculptural French 50’s chairs and classic painting makes a bold statement about the homeowner’s taste and personality. And with a Paul McCobb table, you can’t get more American than that.

Happy 4th, everyone!

Freedom, by design | 13 examples of Americana heritage in the home

June 29, 2012

Nothing makes me feel more patriotic than seeing interiors that have been decorated with artifacts related to the history, geography, folklore and cultural heritage of the United States.