above: mini flush mounts in our Norfolk Update project I've long struggled with how to address the ceiling in our Big Room (what we call the open concept room that houses the kitchen, dining, and one of our living areas). Meaning I've always wanted to do something. Before we moved in, I was dead set on planking the whole ceiling. And truthfully, it's still a possibility but there are some real challenges to doing pretty much anything: a structural column & a beam that extends into the kitchen cabinets, a vaulted ceiling on one half of the room (an addition at some point), and various small walls, nooks etc. But after 4 years in our house , I still can't shake the feeling that the ceiling feels incomplete. Enter a concept I've loved for awhile AND that can kill two birds with one stone...mini flush mount lighting. Because an additional challenge in this room is that it is lacking in the lighting department. And what it does have is, well, not great: 2 island pendants, track lighting on the vaulted side of the room, and 3 randomly placed recessed lights. a Photoshop mockup of our Big Room with Schoolhouse Alabax Small Surface Mount in Auburn Now people tend to feel strongly about recessed lighting (also called can lights)...they either like it or they don't. I'm somewhere in the middle. I do think there's a place for it depending on the style & age of your home, the type of room, and your overall needs for said room. With that said, I'm a big fan of ambient lighting and creating a cozy & inviting vibe in your home with wall sconces , pendants & chandeliers , table lamps & floor lamps . And given the age of our house (it's from 1898), I'm certainly not looking to add any more recessed lights. My plan is to remove the ill-placed existing ones in the room and replace them with mini flush mounts that will add visual interest and more consistent lighting. The existing lights are all on dimmers and the new ones would be too. the Kitchen in our Natick Renovation project / photography by Erin Kestenbaum above: Heidi Caillier's Portland Project / photography by Haris Kenjar above: Jake Arnold's Brentwood Villa Vendome / photography by Michael Clifford While I do think bigger lights can look good and be a real statement (see Studio McGee's project below), I'm thinking more in the 5-7" (both width & height) range and a TBD layout. Maybe 4 in the living side of the room, 1 in the kitchen area, and 1 in the dead zone, pass-through area by the basement that leads to the entry. The non-vaulted side of the room is pretty standard 8' and I don't want the lights to blend in per se, just to add a beautiful detail that also happens to provide a functional purpose as well. There are so many ways to achieve this and so many lovely options out there to use. above: Studio McGee's Historic Charleston Remodel above: The Misfit House Plum Nelly Project / photography by Kristin Karch above: Jean Stoffer Design The Madison / photography by Stoffer Photography I'm really excited to get an electrician over and vet this out more. I know the look isn't for everyone but I think it'll be exactly what this room needs. I'm hoping that because the ceiling is already hardwired, it won't be a massive job but we'll see! Note: I'll most likely replace the track lighting on the dining side of the room with a few armed sconces ( these ones from our last house) or nicer looking track lighting that doesn't look like track. Below is a list of some great options I found. The best part is that many of these come in a variety of finishes and you can choose which bulb to use which changes the look. note: many are available in different finishes and can accommodate different types of bulbs from left to right, top to bottom one / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight / nine / ten / eleven / twelve / thirteen / fourteen / fifteen / sixteen / seventeen / eighteen emily PS. Don’t miss a post. Subscribe to our newsletter ! Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links which means if you purchase a product I've linked to, I may receive a small commission at NO additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my small business. mStarr Design Studio is an interdisciplinary studio providing bespoke interior decorating services, small batch interior accessories, and content creation. We inspire others to embrace real life & slow design intended to evolve. At the core of who we are is a belief that small details and curated moments matter. That character & charm are rooted in those small, and often imperfect, details. And that design should be layered & feel lived-in. W e’d love to work with you ! 0 Likes

above top source unknown via Pinterest / above bottom source unknown via Pinterest Oh hey, it’s been a hot minute since I last posted! Yet here we are in mid-May, we’ve been in the new house for almost a year (!?), and the nice weather finally seems to be sticking around here in Massachusetts. Which means it’s backyard season! While our offer was accepted last April and we made several visits to the house before moving in June, this has been our first Spring here. It’s been fun to see things bloom and also a bit challenging not knowing what’s a weed and what is still growing in as actual plants and flowers! Because we moved in the middle of June and were fortunate to inherit an overall lovely and landscaped property, we hired a landscaper to do a big cleanup and weekly mowing, and were able to focus on the interior of the house. This allowed us to enjoy the yard and get a feel for how we want to use it moving forward, what we may want to do long term, and what we want to do short term. I really want to lean into the English cottage vibes…lush & floral but with wispy grasses and greenery in a palette of mostly whites, purples, and blues. In all honesty, I find it overwhelming to share everything we have planned or are envisioning at this point 😂 So let’s start with what’s planned for the next several weeks (hopefully)! 01. Tree removal… … this is the key to any major changes. The tree (above) is massive. It’s grown quite a bit in the past year too. It blocks the view from the Big Room (below) and of particular annoyance is that it turns what could be a large outdoor living & dining area into two not so functional ones. The slider on the left is in the Big Room and the slider on the right is in the playroom/office. Since we’re primarily in the Big Room but the BBQ needs to be on the playroom side, it means we have to walk around this monstrosity to get back and forth. It’s just not practical nor do I think it fits the general aesthetic of the yard (currently and as I envision it). Anyways, I was very excited to get the tree down this past weekend but nature had other plans. We found a nest with 3 eggs! Admittedly I was (and still am) a bit bummed because now everything is delayed a bit but the good news is they hatched the very next day and after a close call, we think at least 2 of the babies survived and mom has been with them/bringing food. Could be another week before they’re ready to leave the nest so fingers crossed this tree can come down soon! 02. Stepping stone patio… … the area outside the Big Room slider (where we currently have our lounge seating) will be transformed from grass to a paver situation. This is as much for function as it is aesthetic given that the constant traffic has made for a loss of grass and a lot of dirt/muddy spots and an unevent ground. I’m picturing medium to large size, asymmetrically shaped stones (most likely Pennsylvania Steppers), spaced maybe 3-4” apart with a low growing plant such as creeping thyme planted in between them. Having this space done will allow for more flexibility in how we use the yard and entertain in it. Plus it’s going to be GORGEOUS! There’s a lot to still think about and take into account (like the transition from the pavers to the existing brick patio, not blocking access to our septic tank etc.) and while we want this to look great, I’m not sure I can say whatever we do will be the end all be all to our yard transformation. above top part of the area we’re updating / above bottom a peek at that area from the Big Room above top via Lonny Magazine / above bottom via Wilson Bros Gardens 03. Pergola… … for the holidays, we asked my in-laws for a pergola. We got this one and didn’t bother putting it up over the winter. So I’m looking forward to doing it but the question is where…I’m thinking probably over the seating area where the new pavers will be? I’m envisioning bistro lights (we already have these weatherproof ones ) and plants & flowers! My end goal is to train plants to grow up and over the pergola but will manufacture what I can in the short term, maybe even getting some faux UV safe strands to incorporate. above top via Better Homes & Gardens and Edmund Barr / above botto source unknown via Pinterest 04. Mini cutting garden… … with the intention of growing it. Max has been growing some seedlings and they need a home. Plus I’d really like to plant some wildflower seeds! I’m not totally sure if I want a raised bed of some kind or to just plant them in an area of existing soil/mulch. above top via La Musa de las Flores / above bottom via Google 05. Miscellaneous… ...we need seating for around our fire pit, an herb garden or planters, adding some plants/flowers in and around our stone steps, and a whole lot of power washing! Shop our outdoor products below... And if you’re looking for more inspiration, check out my #farmhousedialfano the sequel…outdoor Pinterest board , and a look at our yard story highlight . emily PS. Don’t miss a post. Subscribe to our newsletter ! Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links which means if you purchase a product I've linked to, I may receive a small commission at NO additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my small business. mStarr is a lifestyle studio specializing in approachable interiors, virtual design, content creation, and creative direction. W e’d love to work with you ! 0 Likes

a moodboard & overall direction for the "new" mStarr design studio Happy New Year friends! I've been working on a rebrand for a very long time. Like very long. Every time I would work on it, something would change. Maybe something small like a color or font but often it was something bigger like "wait why are we even offering that?!" or coming to the realization that I do want to sell some type of products. And it's more than just a visual rebranding, it's really a re-everything! Reestablishing what mStarr is all about , a reevaluation of our offerings ( services and products ), and a revamp of our brand identity with logos, primary colors, icons and more. Let's dig in! who we are mStarr design studio is an interdisciplinary studio providing bespoke interior decorating & content creation services, and handmade interior accessories. We inspire others to embrace real life  & slow design intended to evolve. At the core of who we are is a belief that small details and curated moments matter . That character & charm are rooted in those small, and often imperfect details. And that design should be layered & feel lived-in . mStarr was born out of a passion for, and a need to create. Always embracing a British sensibility by elevating the everyday in approachable ways and creating timeless, nostalgia-evoking designs that are inspired by the past but crafted for present day. our look I was inspired by block prints & classic patterns combined with the right blend of muted & bright colors. And when I was designing our decorative trim , specifically the Tetbury profile which came out of my trip to the Cotswolds last May, I knew I had to incorporate the floral motif in some way. Below is what I landed on and I think it's a perfect representation of both myself and mStarr. what we offer 01. EXPERT DESIGN CONSULTING We believe in... ...bespoke designs that come together layer by layer. ...an intentional & dynamic design process. ...empowering others to create meaningful, comfortable, character-filled homes with our guidance. You :  invest in a 10 or 20 hour retainer block. We:  typically spend the initial hours creating a design concept & plan. The remaining hours are used for 1x per month consultations (done virtually or in person), sending recommendations, answering questions, crafting mockups, even coordinating with trades or other design professionals if applicable. There is flexibility in your investment. The hours are yours to use as you wish and can be spent (for example) space planning, in-person or online shopping, making paint/fabric/wallpaper/finishes selections, vetting out carpentry or millwork projects, decor styling, spacing planning, sharing inspiration or simply bouncing ideas off of us! 02. VIRTUAL DESIGN & DECOR G reat for those not in New England, for smaller projects or for anyone looking for a designer's touch but wants less assistance. You: provide detailed measurements, photos and/or videos and execute the design at your own pace. We: oversee design concepts and craft a bespoke design plan with shoppable links. Available for 1 room or multiple rooms. 03. CONCIERGE CONSULTATIONS A 60 minute video call...  ...for anyone who may be feeling stuck... ...is inspired to make updates but is unsure where to start (or finish)... ...just needs a sounding board.  Topics may include: Incorporating color, pattern, and decorative moulding into your home Art & frame/mat pairings  Paint color and/or wallpaper recommendations Incorporating vintage & thrifted pieces  Hardware & materials  Furniture sourcing Renovation & carpentry projects Seasonal decorating ideas For more on each of our services, click here ! what we make Creating home-related products has been on my mind for years...but what would it look like if I do offer them? Is it in partnership with brands? Designing my own? Producing my own? Items I can't find elsewhere or are too expensive or just aren't executed right? As I figure out where all of this is headed, what I do know is it will be a combo of all of the above. I firmly believe that character isn't reserved for old houses or vintage furniture. I also believe that you don't need to make big or expensive updates to your home to make an impact. So the first items in our product collection are decorative trim pieces that are inspired by historical, whimsical & charming details. Each piece is 1/4" thick baltic birch plywood, 35" long and there are 3 profiles (with more to come): the Tetbury , the Oval Scallop , and the Clover and the possibilities of creating with these non-committal accents are pretty endless: wall & ceiling trim, adding to shelving or furniture, picture frames, Frame TV frames, pinboards, vanities, fireplace mantels, cabinets and more! You'll soon be able to purchase on our website but for now, you can get more details & purchase on Etsy . Bespoke lampshades and photo mats are in the works and you can inquire about both or commission either by reaching out to me here . Looking forward to what 2025 brings. Emily PS. Don’t miss a post. Subscribe to our newsletter ! Disclosure: this post may contain affiliate links which means if you purchase a linked product, we may receive a small commission at NO additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting this small business! mStarr design studio is an interdisciplinary studio providing bespoke interior decorating & content creation services, and handmade interior accessories. We inspire others to embrace real life & slow design intended to evolve.  We’d love to work with you ! 0 Likes

Our 60-90 minute consultations are available for both in-person and virtual projects. This is a great option if you're feeling stuck, are inspired to do something new but are unsure where to start (or finish), looking for paint colors and/or pattern recommendations, or you just need a sounding board. No less impactful, the consultation is meant to target whatever be on your list and to wrap things up in one session. You’ll receive follow-up notes after the session.

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