This week we would like to share inspiration from top designers who execute cluttercore, from our partners at The Scout Guide.

If paring down your wares seems impossible, your assemblage of gorgeous trinkets is bordering on excessive, or your art collection rivals that of small museums, you may be one step away from channeling the over-the-top interior trend known as cluttercore. A design style that embraces the ‘more is more’ mentality, the cluttercore aesthetic urges you to display all your cherished décor, knick-knacks and thingamajigs in a thoughtful, elevated way. Your grandma’s massive china collection? Cover the wall with it. Those colorful coffee table books? Stack them high. Not convinced? Let this round up of 10 fun and funky spaces by Scouted designers help inspire you to channel that maximalist aesthetic that lives within. Because why shouldn’t you fill your space with the things that bring you joy?  To find a Scouted design expert near you, consult The Scout Guide Directory.

Styling by Frances Bailey. Photography by Robert Peterson. 

Patterned perfection –
Designed by Cloth and Kind in Ann Arbor, Michigan. See the rest of the project here.

Photography by Madalyn Yates Creative.

Lean into layering –
Designed by Claude & Coy Interiors in Greensboro, North Carolina. See other projects here.

Photography by Sarah Rossi-Bell of Sélavie Photography.

Mix and match furniture styles –
Designed by Lindley Martens Design in Memphis, Tennessee. See the rest of the project here.

Photography by Mary Margaret Smith.

Perfectly placed mementos –
Designed by ALKMY in Mountain Brook, Alabama. See other projects here.

Photography by Laura Sumrak.

Highlight your favorite wares –
Designed by House of Nomad in Charlotte, North Carolina. See the rest of the project here.

Photography by Read McKendree.

Make mirror magic –
Designed by Jeremy D. Clark in Mountain Brook, Alabama. See the rest of the project here.

Photography by Douglas Friedman.

Gallery wall goals –
Designed by Ryan Street Architects in Dallas, Texas. See the rest of the project here.

Photography by Jessie Preza.

Bookcases that go beyond books –
Designed by Rachel Cannon Limited in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. See the rest of the project here.

Photography courtesy of Melissa Rufty.

Get funky with furniture –
Designed by Melissa Rufty Design Studio in New Orleans, Louisiana. See the rest of the project here.

Photography courtesy of Kirby Foster Hurd.

Opt for oversized –
Designed by Kirby Home Designs in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. See other projects here.

Cloth and Kind appears in The Scout Guide Ann Arbor. Claude & Coy Interiors appears in The Scout Guide Triad. Lindley Martens Design appears in The Scout Guide Memphis. ALKMY appears in The Scout Guide Birmingham. House of Nomad appears in The Scout Guide Charlotte. Jeremy D. Clark appears in The Scout Guide Birmingham. Ryan Street Architects appears in The Scout Guide Dallas. Rachel Cannon Limited appears in The Scout Guide Baton Rouge. Melissa Rufty Design Studio appears in The Scout Guide New Orleans. Kirby Home Designs appears in The Scout Guide Oklahoma City.

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Pragya Mishra is the Founder and Principal of Artscapes, LLC, a Northern Virginia-based landscape architecture firm that specializes in designing outdoor transformations that bring you joy. With 22 years of professional experience, she works closely with each client and her network of top-tier contractors to make each project vision a reality. Follow Artscapes on Instagram @artscapes_living and see examples of past projects on her website, www.artscapesliving.com.

Take a look at our website for all of our listings available throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

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If you love the idea of adding a beachy touch to your everyday space or summer house but are worried about your decor looking too cheesy or kitschy, you’ve come to the right place. Note that there are many stylish decorative items on the market that incorporate shells, surfboards, and other beach-themed motifs that happen to look quite chic. Below are a few of our favorites. 

Shell Shaped Handwoven Rattan Bowls

How cute are these shell shaped decorative bowls? We can’t get enough of the rattan material and could see them looking stunning on a coffee table or dresser top. You can even use them as napkin holders while entertaining; just place some shell-printed paper napkins inside. 

Shell Catchall

If you’re looking for a piece that’s ultra budget friendly, we’re loving this white shell-shaped catchall that will pack a punch anywhere it’s placed. It makes for an excellent jewelry holder on the nightstand or could also house small lotions, hair essentials, and lip balms in the bathroom. It would also shine on open shelving sitting atop a stack of books. 

Surfboard Collection Art Prints

It’s more than ok if you don’t want to go all in and hang a surfboard on the wall. This framed collection of prints is the next best thing—festive yet more subtle. The black and white hues will look excellent in any room of the home. 

Palm Tree Floor Lamp

Though it’s certainly an investment piece, this palm tree-shaped rattan floor lamp sure is a showstopper and will add a sculpture touch to any room. After all, why settle for a plain light fixture when you can decorate with one that doubles as art? Kids and adults alike will appreciate this eye-catching, cheerful piece. 

Lit Coastal Objects

Speaking of lighting, how neat are these lit shell objects that you can display on a table, dresser, or mantel? They even would look fantastic outdoors. Part nightlight, part trinket, they’ll make spending time on the porch after sunset feel even more enjoyable. 

Beach Starfish Garland

Who doesn’t love starfish? This festive garland would look great on the mantel in your living room during the summer months. Choose from various length and color options depending on your décor needs and style.

Beachy Paint Colors

Now that you’ve scoped out your décor, let’s talk paint colors. There are so many wonderful beachy paint colors to use throughout your space. Below are a few of our top picks. 

• Benjamin Moore has put together an amazing coastal inspired paint color palette featuring a number of soothing hues, which range from sunny yellows to calming blues. Whether you’re looking to transform the kitchen, powder room, primary bedroom, or another space entirely, you’ll want to take a look at this paint guide to determine which shades best speak to you. 
• Claire Paint, a Black and woman-owned brand, has risen in popularity in recent years and offers a wide selection of paint colors, many of which are excellent for beachy spaces. Take a look at the brand’s various swatch kits to get a sense of all that you can choose from: In this instance, we recommend focusing on the Whites & Lights, Sunset Shades, and Best of the Blues. 
• Finally, take a look through Sherwin-Williams’s coastal cool hues. Featuring blues, greens, and beyond. These colors will immediately put you at ease and are all inspired by coastal environments. 

Sarah Lyon is a New York City-based freelance writer, originally from Bethesda, MD. She contributes to a number of national design and lifestyle publications like Architectural Digest, Apartment Therapy, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, and more. Sarah also works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots. Find more shelfies on her Instagram page, @sarahlyon9 

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Unseasonably warm weather means many of us are spending more time outside (yay!) and, possibly, planning get-togethers and holidays for the Spring and Summer.

As a host, you want a functional and inviting outdoor space to entertain your guests of all ages, with places to sit and congregate and cook and eat and play.

When designing for clients, we start with these desires. We want to know how we can create joy in your outdoor spaces. From there, I design and we build outdoor rooms that are functional and that flow together into one cohesive yard.

Are you getting the most out of your outdoor space right now? If not, these prompts can help you craft a plan to upgrade your yard this year.

1. How do I want to use this space?
2. What do I need to add to make that possible? Think of equipment, furniture, lights, cooking or heating elements, electronics, grass, wildlife feeders, etc.
3. Where in my space can I build each room/element to accommodate those needs?
4. How will I connect all of the different spaces? In other words, what design elements will I have throughout the space (such as brick around garden beds or grey stone walkways).
5. What safety measures, permits, etc. do I need to consider?
6. When do I need this done?

From there you prioritize your “wants,” list out the materials and equipment you need, schedule your phases, then get started!

I realize not everyone has as much fun doing this work as I do, so if you’d like to outsource the planning, designing, and installing give me a call.

Last year, I had so much fun reimagining and redesigning this backyard and front yard. They had the square footage – our task was optimizing it so they could entertain with ease…and with joy. Learn more about that project on my website!

I hope these ideas inspire you to refresh your outdoor spaces, no matter your budget! Have a happy New Year.

Pragya Mishra is the Founder and Principal of Artscapes, LLC, a Northern Virginia-based landscape architecture firm that specializes in designing outdoor transformations that bring you joy. With 22 years of professional experience, she works closely with each client and her network of top-tier contractors to make each project vision a reality. Follow Artscapes on Instagram @artscapes_living and see examples of past projects on her website, www.artscapesliving.com.

Take a look at our website for all of our listings available throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

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Valentine’s Day may have come and gone but keeping your heart a’flutter with a healthy home is something we can love at any time of year.

 We all know what contributes to a healthy lifestyle – eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, regular exercise, eliminating or reducing alcohol and tobacco. What we may need a brush-up on are the ways we can help ourselves by keeping our home on the wellness track too. A Healthy Home definitely equals a Healthier You in ways you might not have expected.

 As we head into the “Spring Cleaning Season” it’s the perfect time to make sure your healthy choices are paying off in your home as well. Keeping up with these few routine tasks will go a long way in protecting both your home and your health.

 The Kitchen – This area is often called “The Heart of the Home” so it’s a great place to start your Home Health Assessment.

• Ensure all appliances are safely installed and that there are no leaks or faulty gas, water or electrical hook-ups.
• Gas appliances have been in the news over reports that dangerous chemicals and emissions – specifically methane and nitrogen dioxide, a pollutant linked to childhood asthma and other respiratory problems – are affecting consumers inside their homes. If you use a gas stove ensure you have proper ventilation either with nearby windows or an effective vent hood.
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are gas emissions from products like cleaning supplies, paint, furnishings and carpets and long-term exposure can cause respiratory and other health issues. If you can’t avoid purchasing items with harmful chemicals or ingredients, reduce your risk by purchasing items with the smallest packaging available to reduce leftover supplies that can accumulate fumes.
• Water and overcleaning can corrode gas lines so ensure connections are clear and call in utility experts to check if you suspect leaks. Washington Gas Emergency number is 800-752-7520 and homeowners can call 811/Miss Utility if they need to do any work around known or suspected utility lines.
• Keep those dishtowels and sponges clean! These – and your sink drain – are probably the items that get the most cross-contamination in the home and scientists have found 360+ species of bacteria that can survive in a kitchen sponge.

 The Living Spaces – These are the places where we gather with our families, our friends, our pets… and all that they bring with them! A few places to keep at the top of your checklist for routine maintenance.

• Filters, filters, filters. Keep the air you breathe in your home free of pollutants, pet dander and allergens by changing your HVAC filters at least once a season and invest in additional filters to combat other irritants and limit spread of germs and viruses.
• Carbon Monoxide can be emitted from gas appliances like stoves and water heaters and accumulation of the gas indoors can be deadly to humans and animals. It is colorless and odorless and can incapacitate residents before they realize they’ve been affected. Carbon Monoxide detectors cost about $20-$30 each, are recommended on each floor of a house including the basement and garage, and should be within 10 feet of any bedroom.
• Keep indoor humidity levels between 30-50%, the range that the EPA considers best. Humidity levels that are too low can cause breathing and sinus issues and dry skin, while high humidity can concentrate allergens and exacerbate mold and mildew growth and lead to respiratory issues. Abnormal humidity can also stress furniture, building materials and structural supports, especially those made of wood.
• Warning: this report on what’s lurking in your old mattress might cause nightmares. Save yourself sleepless nights and make sure you’re using proper mattress hygiene.  
• Lead-based paint was a common feature of homes built prior to 1978 and it’s not uncommon to find remnants of this paint in windowsills and doorways in older homes. If ingested it can cause a multitude of health problems, especially for children, so it’s important to ensure safe encapsulation (such as by painting over it) or proper removal from the home. This Old House has a quick tutorial on the process with one of their experts.
• Bring in greenery like plants or window gardens for up-close-and-personal air scrubbing.

 The Bathroom – A lot can happen in a little space, especially one that gets so much use.

• Bathrooms are humidity havens which means keeping mold, mildew and biofilm at bay with proper ventilation and regular cleaning.
• Clean your showerhead regularly. The Water Quality and Health Council reports that one of the most commonly found bacteria in U.S showerheads are called nontuberculosis mycobacteria or NTM. They are naturally occurring and can be found in soil, dust, and water, including lakes and streams and they also excel at growing in household plumbing.”

 The Basement – The lower level of your home accumulates a lot more than storage items and may need a bit more attention and investigation to things unseen.

• Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in the soil and is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to EPA estimates. Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and the gas makes its way into homes through porous foundations, walls, pipes and well water. It is found in our DC-Metro region and it’s not uncommon to see radon abatement equipment on the side of local homes. Free or discounted radon testing kits can be found through state resources and can also be purchased at home improvement stores.
• Washing machines and dryers do the hard work of keeping our clothes & bedding clean so it’s important to sanitize them properly. Newer machines are more energy-efficient with cold water but it also means bacteria and germs aren’t as easily killed and can become trapped in rubber seals and washing drums. Regular cleaning with a water-bleach solution is imperative to clear out the washer, and for dryers it means keeping vents cleaned out after each use to reduce accumulating allergens.

 The Garage or Storage Shed – If you’re lucky enough to have this bit of extra space, use it wisely.

• Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Remove unused paint, chemicals and flammables or store them in a well-ventilated and secure area.
• Keep floors and passageways clear to avoid accidents.
• Watch for overloaded extension cords or electrical sockets.

 In our post-pandemic world we’ve gotten very good at making healthy choices while we’re out in public. Bringing that same care and caution into our homes can ensure those healthy habits will keep us safe and strong for years to come. 

Take a look at our website for all of our listings available throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

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This week we would like to share some design inspiration from our partners at The Scout Guide.

Whether you’re embarking on a remodel or seeking an interior refresh, the lighting in your home is not to be overlooked. The world of lighting can be complicated to navigate, from sconces and chandeliers to kelvins versus lumens, and calling on a professional can make a big difference in how you experience your space. Read on for advice from our scouted experts and prepare to see your home in a whole new light.

Interior design by A Custom House. Photography by Claire Crenshaw.

Make a statement.

Gone are the days of nondescript accent lighting. All of our experts reported that this is the year for lighting that makes a statement. Emily Mason, designer of contract sales and marketing at Krell Lighting in Park Ridge, New Jersey, urges clients to embrace oversized fixtures. “An oversized lamp or chandelier enhances the look of a space, adding a halo of drama and luxury,” she explains. “Nothing detracts more from a room than a light fixture that feels too small.”

Spotlight the heart of your home.

If the kitchen is a key gathering space, lighting it should be of the utmost importance. Kristie Spino, owner of Christie’s Lighting in Fletcher, North Carolina, explains that successful kitchen lighting should come from multiple sources. “I always recommend under cabinet task lighting, overhead lighting such as pendants, as well as recessed ceiling lights,” she says. Good kitchen lighting is essential; whether you’re crafting an eight-course meal or making sure not to burn leftovers on the stove.

Be adventurous with your living space. 

The living room is the perfect place to experiment when it comes to lighting. “Lots of chic, indirect fixtures are being used to provide extra illumination in common rooms, like a gallery light over a piece of art,” Andy Cardwell, showroom manager at A Custom House in Austin, Texas, explains. “We’re also loving a printed and pleated lamp shade to make a lamp feel more custom.”

Interior design by Anne Buresh. Photography by Tuck Fauntleroy.

Illuminating the loo. The bathroom is often thought of as a space of pure utility. And while being able to see well enough to put in your contacts is essential, there’s no need to skip out on aesthetics. Anne Buresh, owner of Anne Buresh Interior Design in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Charlotte, North Carolina, is partial to hand blown glass chandeliers in bathrooms and powder rooms to provide visual impact.

Smaller spaces matter, too. 

Providing proper lighting in small spaces—think closets, attics, crawl spaces, laundry rooms, and mechanical rooms— can be an afterthought. For some of these trickier spaces, Mason recommends mounting a light fixture on the header over the door and either using a motion sensor or a jamb switch so the light comes on upon opening. “Be sure to provide a high level of illumination in areas with home appliances, like the laundry room and any mechanical rooms,” she urges. “This is especially important if someone needs to come in to service equipment.”

Interior design by Anne Buresh. Photography by Michael Blevins, MB Productions of NC.

Dial up the dining ambiance. 

When planning the lighting for your dining room, channel your favorite restaurant dining experiences where you’ll find multiple light levels—a chandelier, sconces, and flickering candles on the table. To replicate the look in your home, Buresh notes that dimmers are essential to create ambiance and instant mood for a space. Add them to every light source in the room, from statement chandeliers to buffet lamps. “Everyone always looks better in low light because it imparts such a beautiful glow,” she explains. Added bonus:  subdued lighting sets the perfect mood for a lovely and memorable meal.

Incorporate layers of light. 

According to Mason, it’s important to incorporate multiple sources of light in each room—not just the dining room—to create visual interest and ambience. “You should always include accent lighting, task lighting, as well as general illumination,” she explains. Additionally, like almost all of our experts, Mason touts the usefulness of the almighty dimmer switch. “A dimmer is the key to setting the tone in your space, and allowing you the flexibility to change that tone based on what activity you are currently using that area for.”

TSG Tip 449 from Emily Mason, designer contract sales and marketing at Krell Lighting in Park Ridge, New Jersey; Kristie Spino, owner of Christie’s Lighting in Fletcher, North Carolina; Andy Cardwell, showroom manager at A Custom House in Austin, Texas; Anne Buresh, owner of Anne Buresh Interior Design in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Charlotte, North Carolina. Krell Lighting appears in The Scout Guide Bergen County. Christie’s Lighting appears in The Scout Guide Asheville. A Custom House appears in The Scout Guide Austin. Anne Buresh Interior Design appears in The Scout Guide Jackson Hole.

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