can you believe it’s already november?! just how cliche is that question? in case you weren’t aware that the holidays are just around the corner, walk into any store or turn on the TV and you’ll be “reminded”. now that the halloween decor in the house has been taken down, i’m shifting gears and while i’m not quite ready to jump wholeheartedly into greenery garlands and fairy lights, i AM starting to make little {and easy!} updates to get more into the festive spirit and have some tips for you to do the same! recently scotties reached out about their new collaboration with genevieve gorder {yes that genevieve gorder from HGTV’s Trading Spaces fame} and i jumped at the chance to incorporate some of the exclusive winter-themed boxes {there are 8 in all!} into my early seasonal decor. i don’t know about you but i’ve had a stuffed up nose for about a month now and max is 3 and goes to school soooooo…we keep tissue boxes in basically every room at this point. i know i’m not alone, amirite? what i love about these boxes is that they are truly functional decor and can be displayed long past january 1 when the holiday cheer begins to fade. the designs echo many of genevieve’s signature + favorite themes such as organic woods, pops of glitter, and scandinavian motifs. looking to make some updates to your house? PRO TIP #1 / mix high end + low end items. that’s my approach in #farmhousedialfano and for the majority of our client projects as well. i may spend $100+ on a really special pillow from mcgee & co but it’s styled next to one from h&m home or home goods. places like target and home goods are great for seasonal items you don’t want to spend a ton on! PRO TIP #2 / think about your updates as seasonal decor vs. only holiday-focused to make them last. not to say that you can’t have a cute nutcracker or ornaments but just like the genevieve gorder designs, there are so many winter-centric decor items that are super festive and cheery but don’t scream holiday {think garlands + wood trees}. PRO TIP #3 / think outside the box. holiday decor doesn’t have to be red + green or blue + silver. and it can be subtle! i love incorporating textures like sheepskin {which i actually keep in the house year-round!}, knit pillows + blankets, patterns such as plaids, and seasonal greenery + florals {faux or real}! check out the entire collection and find them in participating retailers {boston-area friends, i saw them in roche bros. today} for a limited time only! you can also snag a coupon on the scotties homepage. emily ps. my holiday + seasonal decor roundup is live! i’ll be adding to it throughout the next couple of months so be sure to check back often. pps. don’t miss a post {gift guides are coming soon!}. 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 the brands i support+ for allowing us to be a source of inspiration! mStarr is a lifestyle studio specializing in approachable interiors, e-design, content creation, and creative direction.we’d love to work with you! #genevievegorder #farmhousedialfano #interiors #mStarrdesign #scottiesfacialtissues #holidaydecorating #seasonaldecor #interiordesign #interiorstyling #bostondesigner

i’ve got holiday entertaining on the brain! so many of my recent pins have been seasonal tablescape/entertaining/decor related… wanna see more? check out the rest of what’s in my holiday entertaining board, follow along on my pinterest journey, and/or peruse boards such as kitchen, colour, and fa la la la la. BONUS: you can also easily shop my instagram photos in the mStarr shop! emily ps. my holiday + seasonal decor roundup is live! i’ll be adding to it throughout the next couple of months so be sure to check back often. pps. don’t miss a post {gift guides are coming soon!}. 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 the brands i support+ for allowing us to be a source of inspiration! f mStarr is a lifestyle studio specializing in approachable interiors, e-design, content creation, and creative direction.we’d love to work with you! #interiors #pinning #mStarrdesign #holidayentertaining #holidays #tablescapes #pinterest #interiordesign #interiorstyling #bostondesigner

home inspiration by amber interiors the first of the gift guides is here! i was wavering on how many guides to publish but ultimately i find inspiration in them and believe you do too so it looks at least 5 or 6 are coming your way. i’ll be sharing them over the next several weeks, perhaps finishing up closer to the holidays with a last-minute/quick shipping roundup. while i’ll be categorizing everything, there’s bound to be some crossover {ie. i plan to share my favorite small business products which of course could also work for kids/home etc.}. i also plan to include a variety of price points. so without further ado…first up is a guide for the homebody. the weather is getting colder and lots {and lots} of indoor time is in our near future. these items are perfect for staying busy, happy + cozy inside! stay tuned for the next guide: small business items! emily ps. my holiday + seasonal decor roundup is live! i’ll be adding to it throughout the next couple of months so be sure to check back often. pps. looking for holiday entertaining inspiration? i got you covered. ppps. don’t miss any of these guides. 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 the brands i support+ for allowing us to be a source of inspiration!f mStarr is a lifestyle studio specializing in approachable interiors, e-design, content creation, and creative direction.we’d love to work with you! #homebody #mStarrdesign #holidays #giftguide #holidaygiftguide

via farmhouse pottery did you miss our first holiday gift guide of the season? well we’re back with the second! and this one is so important because i’ve pulled items from some of my favorite small businesses. i personally shop both big name + small businesses often and feel both have their place in the retail industry. but there’s nothing better than supporting small businesses and artisans who work so hard every day to retain + gain customers while competing against the amazons, nordstroms etc. of the world. i encourage you to spend some time getting lost in these websites + see all that these businesses have to offer. i’ve only rounded up 14 items but there are SO many unique, handmade and one-of-a-kind gifs out there that anyone would be thrilled to receive. and ps. i’ve spotlighted some of these makers in my makers series! a quick reminder about the gift guides…while i’ll be categorizing everything, there’s bound to be some crossover {ie. i plan to share my favorite small business products which of course could also work for kids/home etc.}. i also plan to include a variety of price points. i’d love to know some of your favorite small businesses! stay tuned for the next guide: small business items! emily ps. my holiday + seasonal decor roundup is live! i’ll be adding to it throughout the next couple of months so be sure to check back often. pps. looking for holiday entertaining inspiration? i got you covered. ppps. don’t miss any of these guides. 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 the brands i support+ for allowing us to be a source of inspiration! mStarr is a lifestyle studio specializing in approachable interiors, e-design, content creation, and creative direction.we’d love to work with you! #aritsan #artisans #mStarrdesign #holidays #makers #giftguide #smallbusiness #handcrafted #handmade #holidaygiftguide

happy thanksgiving week! wayyyyyy back in 2017, domino featured 3 very different tablescapes i designed and it recently occurred to me that i never shared them on here! the timing of the feature lent itself to spring entertaining ideas however they were designed more for the winter + i hope they can provide some inspiration for your own holiday entertaining. i wanted to spotlight one in particular as it feels especially lovely for thanksgiving + the upcoming holidays. the table was photographed beautifully by lindsay hite with florals by true vine + rentals from borrowed blu + peak. this is actually one of my favorite tablescapes i’ve ever designed, and i’ve designed a lot over the years. it’s whimsical yet elegant, organic + homey, and allows for a little imperfection. executing is pretty effortless and to make it even easier, i’ve rounded up some similar items that can help you recreate the look. start with a blue linen tablecloth or runner and either cover your table or if you have a nice wood one, do what i did and show off some of it by draping the fabric asymmetrically {disclosure: at the time, i used a linen top sheet! but i’ve found some actual tablecloths for you…} next up are to layer handcrafted stoneware dinner + salad plates {feel free to add more if your meal calls for it} on the table. i chose to layer unevenly but if you want something a little more streamlined, you can certainly center the salad plate on the dinner plate. to round out the placesettings, you’ll want copper tumblers {you could even use for wine!}, wood, tortoiseshell or gold flatware {vintage if you can find it! check out ebay + etsy} and linen napkins. have fun with your napkin placement and/or fold! layer under the plates, fold loosely and put under the flatware, or pinch it together and place on top of the plates. and lastly, the decor! candles are a prerequisite for holiday dinners but i encourage you to think outside the box. who says candles have to be in candleholders?! i decided to get thin beeswax candles and display them in vintage brass bud vases. you could use candle putty or something similar on bottom of the candles so they stay upright. they look delicate + add a whimsical touch to the tablescape. while you could always incorporate floral arrangements or even dried florals {just keep them low so everyone can see each other!}, i had true vine studios create a “garland” of italian ruscus and snowberries to run down the length of the table. this is honestly as easy as taking sprigs of greenery {whether from a grocery store, floral shop, your backyard or even the side-of-the-road} and layering them on the table. we also used smaller sprigs of ruscus to nestle in the forks. it really adds an unexpected element to the placesetting! to finish the look, remove the heads of some roses and scatter them as you see fit around the table. have fun with it! if you’re looking for some additional holiday entertaining inspiration, see below and check out my holiday entertaining pinterest board. just remember though! no matter what you do, you want your tables to be both functional and beautiful…. emily ps. my holiday + seasonal decor roundup is live! i keep adding to it so be sure to check back often. pps. don’t miss any posts {more gift guides are coming!}. 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 the brands i support+ for allowing us to be a source of inspiration!f mStarr is a lifestyle studio specializing in approachable interiors, e-design, content creation, and creative direction.we’d love to work with you! #interiors #lindsayhitephotography #mStarrdesign #borrowedblu #holidayentertaining #truevine #tablescapes #interiordesign #interiorstyling #peakeventservices #bostondesigner #dominomagazine

harry potter / boden our biggest gift guide is here! and this one is for the littles…specifically toddlers. i am right in the thick of this stage and there are so many fun/beautiful/educational products, this is just a small sampling. max has some of these items and a few are on our list to get for her. a quick reminder about the gift guides…while i’ll be categorizing everything, there is some crossover! the small business guide has some kids products. the homebody guide has products from small businesses. you get the idea. i’ve also included a variety of price points to suit everyone’s budgets {and there are lots of sales happening right now!}. so without further ado… stay tuned for the next guide: ECO-FRIENDLY/DO GOOD gifts. emily ps. my holiday + seasonal decor roundup is live! i continue to add to it so be sure to check back often. pps. looking for holiday entertaining inspiration? i got you covered. ppps. don’t miss any of these guides. 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 the brands i support+ for allowing us to be a source of inspiration!f mStarr is a lifestyle studio specializing in approachable interiors, e-design, content creation, and creative direction.we’d love to work with you! #toddlers #mStarrdesign #kidsgifts #holidays #giftguide #kids #smallbusiness #holidaygiftguide

noaway countertop walnut compost bin just in time for giving tuesday, our eco-friendly/green/doing good/giving back/you get the idea gift guide is here. i had a lot of fun curating this list and as with the other guides, you’ll find a variety of price points. it feels good to give gifts but it feels even better to know that your gifts are doing good for the world. there are some sales happening on some of these and if you purchase TODAY, further donations may be made in honor of giving tuesday. WIN WIN. a quick reminder about the gift guides…while i’ll be categorizing everything, there is some crossover! the small business guide has some kids products. the homebody guide has products from small businesses etc… stay tuned for the next guide: for the teachers/daycare providers! emily ps. my holiday + seasonal decor roundup is live! i continue to add to it so be sure to check back often. pps. looking for holiday entertaining inspiration? i got you covered. ppps. don’t miss any of these guides. 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 the brands i support + for allowing us to be a source of inspiration! mStarr is a lifestyle studio specializing in approachable interiors, e-design, content creation, and creative direction.we’d love to work with you! #mStarrdesign #doinggood #holidays #giveback #giftguide #givingback #ecofriendly #holidaygiftguide #artisan

SUGARFINA COLD BREW GUMMIES t minus 2 weeks til christmas and hannukah, and after some technical difficulties {photoshop is not my friend these days}, i’m back with the next {and maybe final?} gift guide…and it’s one i got MANY requests for: what to get for the teachers or daycare providers. i mostly consulted with two of my best friends who are teachers and thought about what i would want to give to max’s incredible teachers {we actually give a class gift now}, and came up with 11 ideas that i think any teacher would love! but when in doubt, gift cards always are appreciated too: coffee, a massage, mani/pedi, amazon etc. and alcohol. just sayin… a quick reminder about the gift guides…while i’ll be categorizing everything, there is some crossover! the small business guide has some kids products. the homebody guide has products from small businesses, the giving back guide has products for the homebody etc… should i do a final guide? if so, which one would you like to see?! emily ps. my holiday + seasonal decor roundup is live! i continue to add to it so be sure to check back often. pps. looking for holiday entertaining inspiration? i got you covered. ppps. don’t miss any of these guides. 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 the brands i support + for allowing us to be a source of inspiration! mStarr is a lifestyle studio specializing in approachable interiors, e-design, content creation, and creative direction.we’d love to work with you! #mStarrdesign #holidays #giftguide #teachergifts #holidaygiftguide #daycareprovidergifts

t minus 3 days until hannukah + 5 days until christmas eve and if you’re anything like me, you may not be finished with your shopping. like everything this month, it all just kinda snuck on me and while i got a decent amount done weeks ago, i thought i had more time than i actually did! anyhooooo, i’ve rounded up some items you can still snag on amazon…happy shopping and good luck. emily ps. still looking for holiday entertaining inspiration? i got you covered. pps. don’t miss any posts. 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 the brands i support + for allowing us to be a source of inspiration!+ mStarr is a lifestyle studio specializing in approachable interiors, e-design, content creation, and creative direction.we’d love to work with you! #mStarrdesign #amazonprime #amazongifts #holidays #giftguide #holidaygiftguide

a bar cart is both an essential and versatile item to have in your home, especially if you like {or aspire} to entertain. they don’t take up a lot of real estate, which for our house is key, and they’re a good excuse to have some fun with your styling! if you’ve been following on instagram, you’ve seen me making updates to our {previously undesigned + underwhelming} dining room including painting, a new light fixture, sideboard, and installing a fabulous stikwood wood ceiling {more to come on that by the way but you can check out some highlights here}. but there’s a dead space in the corner next to the large window + sideboard so when serena & lily reached out about styling a bar cart two ways, i wholeheartedly accepted the challenge. i chose to style the south seas side cart in black which is the perfect blend of texture, casual and chic which makes it a perfect fit for #farmhousedialfano {i do also love this}. the first way i styled it is for everyday, with the second being a more elevated version for new year’s eve {yes it’s tomorrow!}. you really can’t go wrong with what you put on your cart but typically there are some go-to’s such as booze , glasses, and tools such as bottle openers and cutting boards for cutting lemons + limes. i tend to keep ours fairly simple, partly because we have a couple other furniture pieces in the dining room that store other items we might want or need, and partly because i don’t like it too cluttered. for everyday, i keep out some of our nicer bottles that my husband drinks from often {i’ve been drinking more wine + beer these days} as well as some bitters that can instantly upgrade a basic cocktail. rounding out the mix are beautiful kosta boda glasses we received for our wedding, books, and decorative accents. now while i can certainly embrace glitter/confetti/sparkly things, they’re not really the vibe of our house. what is though: a disco ball! it’s my secret weapon for creating the most beautiful glow and i’ve kept one in our living room for years. for the NYE version of the cart, i brought it into the dining room and found the perfect spot to cast those amazing sparkles! it’s a really simple way to make your cart and room extra festive. to elevate the everyday cart, i added in some additional glasses, swapped out the decorative accents for some star/geode/crystal ones, strung some battery-operated fairy lights, and added a bottle of champagne of course! i also left up the greenery garland over the window but you could add a small wreath if you want as well. you’ll notice that in both versions i carried through some of the same elements {artwork, books, glass shadow box etc.} but with subtle changes, the overall look is different. again, while there are no hard rules for styling a bar cart, i do have some tips! TIP 1 / display items you want or need easy access to and/or those that look great + fit your design aesthetic, preferably a combo of both! TIP 2 / think outside the box…books don’t have to be cocktail related. you don’t need to serve wine in wine glasses. create layers by adding in items you can stack or fill, such as small bowls. TIP 3 / incorporate textural elements such as flowers {fresh or dried} and greenery. TIP 4 / factor in what’s around the cart not just ON it. think: artwork, window shades, hanging plants etc. wishing you a very happy new year + decade! emily ps. don't miss a post. subscribe to our newsletter! DISCLOSURE: this post is written in collaboration with serena & lily and i was compensated with the bar cart and additional product. the post also 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 the brands i support + for allowing us to be a source of inspiration!+ mStarr is a lifestyle studio specializing in approachable interiors, e-design, content creation, and creative direction.we’d love to work with you! #diningroom #mStarrdesign #holidays #newyearseve #barcart #serenaamplily

farewell 2019, hello to a new decade! the past couple weeks have been a whirlwind as they usually are with travel and family/friend celebrations. there wasn’t much downtime but i did take time to do some organizing at the house {ok it was forced because i needed to make room for all of max’s new toys} and i did take a little time to try and wrap up the past year. one of my goals for 2020 is to blog more {hold me to it! please!} so i thought i’d kick things off with a post about some of my favorite items from last year. a seemingly random mix of home goods from serena & lily, gadgets, and fashion + beauty items, i genuinely love all of these and are staples of mine. 01 / one of the newer additions to #farmhousedialfano but i don’t know how i lived without it for so long! goodbye to daily lattes out, i’m LOVING this breville espresso machine. 02 / i added this serena & lily cambria quilt to max’s bed several months ago + it served as a base for me to start layering in additional patterns. 03 / a newer addition to max’s room, this gold sconce from serena & lily instantly elevated it. 04 / the uniqlo teddy bear coat that i basically haven’t taken off in 4 months. 05 / this one little product has transformed my skin (along with the rest of the marie veronique x kristina holey line}. i layer it over my serum as i would lotion. 06 / i’ve had a serena & lily dip dye stool for several years and am such a fan, i just got another. 07 / jenni kayne’s book embodies the best of entertaining…effortless, whimsical, organic. i look to it often for inspiration. 08 / this revlon air dryer was popping up EVERYWHERE and a few months ago i finally bought one. the hype is legit and it is worth its $50 and then some. 09 / another beauty product that i can’t live without, the ice roller helps awaken + soothe my skin, and it also helps when i have a headache or neck tension {the latter of which i live with every day}. 10 / the la jolla baskets from serena & lily are every parent’s dream…they are spacious and hide ALL THE CRAP. we have one in the playroom + in the living room right now. 11 / the cupcakes & cashmere shop earrings that i don’t ever take off. they’re dainty + lovely. 12 / i added these serena & lily topanga pillows to max’s bed over the summer. i wanted to “fake” a daybed and two of these tasseled linen pillows up against the wall do just that. 13 / three and a half years after max was born, i am finally starting to get some of the hair that i lost back. using this temperature-controlled flatiron from t3 has helped minimize further damage. 14 / turning 40 this past year really encouraged me to start taking better care of myself. these vital proteins collagen peptides help my skin + hair, among other things. emily ps. don't miss a post.subscribe to our newsletter! DISCLOSURE: this post is written in collaboration with serena & lily…living well begins at home. i was compensated with product. this post also 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 the brands i support + for allowing us to be a source of inspiration!+ f mStarr is a lifestyle studio specializing in approachable interiors, e-design, content creation, and creative direction.we’d love to work with you! #homedecor #homegoods #farmhousedialfano #mStarrdesign #serenaamplily

i’m finally out of holiday mode and into organization/rearranging/restyling/finishing rooms mode! ha, anyone else?! here’s what’s been inspiring + encouraging me over on pinterest… wanna see more? follow me and/or peruse boards such as kitchen, kids rooms, and outdoor. BONUS: you can also easily shop my instagram photos in the mStarr shop! emily ps. don’t miss a post. subscribe to our newsletter! disclosure: this post may contain 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 the brands i support! mStarr is a lifestyle studio specializing in approachable interiors, e-design, content creation, and creative direction.we’d love to work with you! #interiors #pinning #mStarrdesign #pinterest #interiordesign #interiorstyling #bostondesigner

happy friday! it’s always a good day when lulu & georgia has a sale but it’s a particularly good one when it’s on their rugs! as you know, lulu & georgia is a go-to of mine for #farmhousedialfano and client projects, and i’ve been fortunate to collaborate with them on various occasions. they have a rug for everyone. for every room, for every style, for every price range. truly. i’ve rounded up some of my favorites below and you can get 20% off now through january 21, 2020 with code RUGS20. 01 {our living room rug} / 02 {our kitchen runner} / 03 / 04 / 05 / 06 / 07 {in the #mstarrnatickupdate living room}/ 08 / 09 / 10 / 11 have a great weekend! 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 the brands i support! mStarr is a lifestyle studio specializing in approachable interiors, e-design, content creation, and creative direction.we’d love to work with you! #homedecor #rugs #farmhousedialfano #interiors #pinning #mStarrdesign #rugsale #interiordesign #interiorstyling #luluampgeorgia #bostondesigner

when we bought #farmhousedialfano more than 5 years ago, there was one room i did VERY little to: the dining room. we didn’t have time to get the room painted before moving in and despite it being a central pass-through room, i just never felt motivated to do much more than swap out the light and hang some art here + there. i even kept the curtain rod the previous owners left behind and found some old curtains i had lying around. in other words, this room was not a priority…until the end of last year that is. it has been an exciting, and challenging, project working on the dining room. in the past several months, we’ve painted {benjamin moore white dove which is my go-to warm white and is in other rooms in the house}, installed a stikwood wood ceiling {more to come on that by the way}, put in an amazing rejuvenation light, got a new sideboard {which is technically a media cabinet but i don’t care}, and flipped the table around. it currently looks like the above and i’m loving the direction we’re going in. thanks to all your input on instagram, i’m considering some additional ideas {mirror over the sideboard in particular} and there are several things i already have decided on doing such as getting a bigger rug, a tall plant in the corner, and reupholstering the chair cushions {not a fan of pleather but love the cane backs}. most recently, i have decided that i want new curtains! amber interiors lulu & georgia when we got our new hunter douglas shades through a partnership with innuwindow last fall, i thought that maybe i should just let the beauties shine and skip curtains. but then we added the wood ceiling and to my surprise, it actually makes the cramped room feel taller and i think curtains would really tie everything together nicely. as the design has evolved, so has my desire for new elements. sometimes it does truly take one element to then shape the next decision, and the one after that. in fact, while designing for clients, i typically map out the larger components first {furniture, rug etc.} and like to see how they actually look together before showing decor elements because if something in the first round doesn’t quite work, i don’t want the details to then not work. anyways, i’ve been searching + saving on pinterest and instagram and am feeling all sorts of inspired. the photos above by amber interiors and lulu & georgia are my favorites. those charcoal curtains set against the white windows + doors is so fresh + clean. and there’s something so whimsical about the floaty beige/blush colored ones. bre purposed amber interiors while i’m drawn to darker curtains, i’m not sure the room could handle them. it’s just too small of a space, and with only 1 large window, it might just look too dark overall. or patterned curtains, i don’t think the room could handle either. now i do really like the idea of patterned ones. since i’m planning a simple rug, a pattern might actually be kinda nice but it would need to be the right one and nothing too crazy. maybe a really simple pattern or accent? curtains can be pricey {especially when going custom} and since i know i could switch things up down the road, i’m not sure i want to spend a fortune on this first round. how about those ombré curtains below left? i actually didn’t notice they were ombré at first which means they’re subtle enough to still be simple and classic. i’m not sure i’d go that route but i do like them. a lot. and while i might opt for something a bit sheerer, i do like the traditional combo of a black rod with white curtains and small rod clips as seen below right. image via pinterest studio mcgee lucy and company nicole franzen that studio mcgee image slays me every time i see it. those curtains are a pretty pattern but again, look fairly neutral and accent that shiplap ceiling and tall windows perfectly. and it looks like i AM really drawn to that beige/taupe/blush color as seen in the nicole franzen dining room above right. soooo…what am i to do?! what i’m pretty sure of is a simple + thin black rod with small rod clips to provide some separation and for a lighter look overall. as for the curtains themselves, i think they need to be light + airy {maybe linen} but…since they’ll rarely {if ever?} be closed, i suppose the material could be thicker. the key is not blocking a lot of light and also not doing anything too sheer as it feels too whimsical for a dining room. i’m not sold on a color {or pattern} other than they can’t be a true white given that the walls are so warm. what do you think i should do?! in the meantime, i’ve rounded up some ready-made curtains below and for some fun custom options, check out fabric from rebecca atwood + ellisha alexina! 01 / 02 / 03 / 04 / 05 / 06 / 07 / 08 / 09 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 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 the brands i support! mStarr is a lifestyle studio specializing in approachable interiors, e-design, content creation, and creative direction.we’d love to work with you! #homedecor #diningroom #farmhousedialfano #interiors #diningroomcurtains #mStarrdesign #curtains #pinterest #interiordesign #interiorstyling #bostondesigner

i admit one of the best parts of being a parent is getting to spoil + celebrate your kids on holidays. and while i’m not necessarily one for romantic, lovey-dovey valentine’s day celebrations, i am strongly in favor of doing something fun for max! i’ve picked up some cute things over the past couple months + have rounded up some of my favorites below… 01 candy necklace / 02 this is not a valentine + the wonderful things you will be / 03 FEED lunch bag / 04 personalized necklace / 05 star sneakers / 06 long john jammies / 07 friendship bracelet tattoos / 08 strolley / 09 black heart tee / 10 mini heart waffle maker / 11 heart sandals / 12 fawn doll / 13 superhero dress up kit / 14 ski print backpack / 15 playdough / 16 rainbow cat ear sunglasses / 17 tutu dress 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 the brands i support! mStarr is a lifestyle studio specializing in approachable interiors, e-design, content creation, and creative direction.we’d love to work with you! #gifts #littles #mStarrdesign #valentinesday

i’ve been sharing various kitchen hardware options on instagram {in fact in the picture above, you can see 2 different types of pulls as i continue to try out options!}. i also just added sconces to the kitchen {one is seen above} and thought i would share some of my favorite hardware + lighting combos, all from joss & main. a few notes + advice… / if you’re starting with new cabinetry, you can choose whatever size + width hardware {and therefore center-to-center holes} you’d like. just make sure they are proportionate to the size/width/design of your cabinets + drawers! / if you’ve got existing holes, make sure to measure them from center to center to determine which options will work for you. / finding metals that match can be very hit or miss as pictures can be deceiving. factor in the lighting you have in your home, paint colors, etc. and you might need to try out a few different options. / many of what i’ve shared below come in different colors and sizes so be sure to click through to see them all! 01 / sconce / cup pull / knob 02 / flush mount / pull 03 / chandelier {which looks so similar to our dining room light, just cheaper!} / pull / knob 04 / sconce / pull / knob 05 / pendant / pulls 06 / sconce / cup pull / knob 07 / double sconce / cup pull 08 / chandelier / pull 09 / semi flush mount / pull / knob looking for other hardware and lighting options? visit here and here! 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 the brands i support! mStarr is a lifestyle studio specializing in approachable interiors, e-design, content creation, and creative direction.we’d love to work with you! #farmhousedialfano #mStarrdesign #jossampmain #lighting #kitchenhardware #kitchenlighting #sconces

did you catch the last post? today i’m sharing which sconces + hardware i chose for our kitchen update thanks to my friends at joss & main! with so many changes {backsplash, new appliances, new ceiling lighting and more}, it felt like a good time to add some additional lighting to round out the space and swap out the cabinet + drawer hardware. a couple of weeks ago we had our new café appliances delivered and i am in love. we went with classic + timeless stainless steel bases but upgraded the hardware to brushed bronze to soften the look, and it’s a truly beautiful combination…subtle, unique, and perfect for #farmhousedialfano. so when i decided to add sconces in the kitchen, i knew that i wanted them to be in the brass/bronze family. the hardware that was on the drawers and cabinets before was more of a champagne gold and didn’t feel quite right so this was a perfect opportunity to change things up! so first things first: color matching. my personal belief is that nothing has to match perfectly. that’s just me but i feel the most important thing is to have the right tones. you don’t want to necessarily pair a bright polished gold with a brushed bronze but items that are more muted can pull in the various tones found in many metal finishes. the sconces + hardware i chose are not in your face brass or gold but all work together {and with the bronze hardware on our appliances}. as i mentioned in my previous post, i always recommend ordering a few options {it’s good to start with 1 of each} and seeing how they look in person, with each other, and in your home’s lighting. i have had the waucoba arm light sconce saved for ages and it was a no-brainer for the kitchen. i knew i wanted two…one over the big window next to the open shelving and one over the shelving in the laundry/coffee area. and it’s as beautiful in person as it is online. the hardware wasn’t as straightforward however. after MUCH trial + error, i settled on 3″ farmhouse cup pulls in antique brass from nostalgic warehouse and allison oval knobs from amerock in elegant brass {both available from wayfair}. joss & main has some similar + equally pretty dupes: cup pulls and oval knobs! cup pulls suit a number of design aesthetics and never go out of style, and i really liked the idea of an oval knob that could be displayed horizontally or vertically. while the knobs and pulls aren’t exactly the same tones, they work well together and the colors of the knobs can be found on the outside part of the pulls. i will say however that i’m considering replacing the knobs with similar versions from nostalgic warehouse because they are such high quality. and there you have it. small updates that can make the biggest of differences, right? i do have a disclosure though: we didn’t hardwire the sconces! because our fireclay tile backsplash is handmade brick, it’s not the easiest to drill through and i wanted to be absolutely sure i was going to like the way they looked up. plus, our lighting situation in this room just went through an overhaul the good news is that the sconce can be hardwired or hung with a corded switch…or use the infamous nesting with grace magic light trick which is what i’ve done! what do you think?! i’m so happy! check out joss & main for more hardware and wall sconce ideas. emily ps. don’t miss a post. subscribe to our newsletter! disclosure: this post was sponsored by joss & main. thank you for supporting the brands i support + for allowing us to be a source of inspiration! mStarr is a lifestyle studio specializing in approachable interiors, e-design, content creation, and creative direction.we’d love to work with you! #farmhousedialfano #mStarrdesign #jossampmain #lighting #kitchenhardware #kitchenlighting #sconces

spring is in the air! with so much uncertainty and chaos right now surrounding the coronavirus outbreak, i’m looking at it as a time to focus on stuff around the house…making decor updates, doing some spring cleaning + organizing, and finishing up some projects. the good news is that there are lots of sales happening right now and one not to miss is the annual serena & lily spring design event, where almost everything is 20% off through march 16th. you’ve seen plenty of serena & lily items around #farmhousedialfano {many seen above in max’s room!} and they always sneak into some client projects as well. see my picks below! and remember 20% off pretty much everything* now through march 16th with code FRESHMIX. 01 / the baskets that corral {and hide} all the crap. we keep one in our living room + one in the playroom. 02 / a new arrival rug. would be beautiful in a dining room! 03 / we all know + love the indoor version of their hanging chair, now there’s one for outside with its very own stand! 04 / brass sconce that’s in max’s room. 05 / i just love this new arrival coffee table! beautiful wood tone + versatile shape that fits almost any aesthetic. 06 / just ordered this linen duvet for a new project {in san francisco!}. 07 / another favorite in max’s room…the shape is so playful! 08 / i’ve had my eye on this table lamp for ages… 09 / i first used this dip dye stool in a wedding design years ago! now we’ve got one in max’s room that she uses as a nightstand and one in the playroom. 10 / big fan of the rich colors in this rug. 11 / rattan isn’t going anywhere and this chair reminds me of a rainbow! 12 / how pretty is this shade of green?! 13 / loving the darker legs and woven accents in this barstool. 14 / and finally, the quilt we keep on the end of max’s bed. it also comes in big bed sizes! *exclusions include items in the sale section, gift certificates, art, Limited-Edition PUBLIC® C7 Bike. 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 the brands i support + for allowing us to be a source of inspiration! mStarr is a lifestyle studio specializing in approachable interiors, e-design, content creation, and creative direction.we’d love to work with you! #homedecor #farmhousedialfano #mStarrdesign #springsale #sale #serenaamplily

when sarah sherman samuel + lulu & georgia join forces {you can find their wallpaper in the mStarr southie condo}, the result is usually something pretty awesome. and the new SSS line of rugs + pillows of is no exception. sarah has an inspiring {and sometimes unexpected} instagram feed, has designed homes for mandy moore and garance doré , has other collaborations including cabinet + drawer fronts and tile, and is a fixture in design blogs and magazines. and lulu & georgia? well you know i’m a fan {see here, here, here etc. etc.} the rugs and pillow are offered in a gorgeous earth tone palette and really showcase sarah’s eclectic and recognizable style. below are some of my favorite pieces! one / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight the line doesn’t officially launch until the 29th but you can pre-order now! 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 the brands i support+ for allowing us to be a source of inspiration!f mStarr is a lifestyle studio specializing in interiors, creative direction, editorial design and brand partnerships. got a project? let us know! #homedecor #rugs #collaboration #interiors #garancedoré #amazon #mStarrdesign #concretecollaborative #sarahshermansamuel #pillows #throwpillows #interiordesign #semihandmade #mStarrsouthiecondo #luluampgeorgia #mandymoore

i’m a little late but unless you’ve been living under that proverbial rock, you probably know that the nordstrom anniversary sale is underway. i’ll leave it to the thousands of bloggers + influencers committed to showing every possible item on sale {i actually do really respect the amount of work they put into it} and stick to sharing some of my favorite home finds. i honestly forget at times they have such a good home decor department but i’ve already snagged a couple things on this list. without further ado… one / forged iron bowl that will soon occupy a space on a #farmhousedialfano kitchen shelf two / i discovered this marimekko pattern in the home we rented in wellfleet a few weeks ago and IT’S PERFECTION. it totally clashes with max’s wallpaper but i still may get it to have on hand for whenever. three / classic white + blue and it’s by anthro! four / i get a lot of questions about where i get the various cutting + serving boards seen in our kitchen. well here’s a similar one! five / my favorite candle of all time is diptyque’s figuier. can’t beat this deal. six / a striking yet neutral hand loomed rug that would work great in a kitchen or dining room. seven / i’m not usually one for sayings on home decor but bath mats are an exception. eight / this terrazzo serving board is kinda everything. nine / a colorful pillow that adds a bit of whimsy to any room. ten / love this simple striped duvet. eleven / a textured throw blanket. twelve / we had friends over a couple weeks ago for dinner and with what we were serving, i realized we didn’t have enough serving spoons. at $28 this has been rectified. thirteen / another great cutting board option. fourteen / this rug comes in a few other neutral colors but this whitecap gray is really speaking to me. fifteen / paper towels aren’t attractive. this holder for them is. sixteen / voluspa has some of the prettiest holders and delightful smells. seventeen / marimekko is known for their bold + colorful patterns but i love simplicity of these striped sheets. i’d pair with a neutral linen duvet! the anniversary sale items sell out quickly so i’d act fast if you’ve got your eye on something. happy shopping! 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 the brands i support+ for allowing us to be a source of inspiration!f mStarr is a lifestyle studio specializing in interiors, creative direction, editorial design and brand partnerships. got a project? let us know! #homedecor #mStarrdesign #nordstrom #nordstromanniversarysale #shopping #interiordesign