The Abode Anthology by Abode Virtual Design an Interior Design Blog
Kathryn Burnell Kathryn Burnell

All About Wainscoting

Wainscoting is a classic architectural feature that has been seen in residences and buildings since the English Renaissance, which began in the late 1400s. Wainscoting refers to the addition of wood paneling on the interior of a wall. It originally began to serve as an added layer of insulation. Art and armor were hung on top, and as time went on, the panelling got decorative, especially depending upon the decor style and time period.

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Kathryn Burnell Kathryn Burnell

Trending: Block Print!

Block prints have been trending recently - but they are not new at all. In fact, block prints have been a way of producing printed fabrics since antiquity. In block printing, engraved wooden blocks are stamped onto the fabric. Block prints are also available in wallpaper - if its a look you love, you can wallpaper a room, and add in block printed fabrics. For smaller touches, see some accents below!

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Kathryn Burnell Kathryn Burnell

Shop The Project | Colorful Dining Room

Bringing another “Shop The Project” post today! This is another space from our Colorful Open Floor Plan project, and we’re heading into the dining room. If you’d like to read more about the overall concept for the space and the details on these specific areas, head over to these blog posts here and here.

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Kathryn Burnell Kathryn Burnell

The Unexpected Red Theory

Have you heard of the unexpected red theory? The theory is that in any design scheme, regardless of the overall color scheme or design style of the space, you can (and should) add in a pop of red. Not only will it always work with the scheme, it will actually make your design and your room look that much more interesting.

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Kathryn Burnell Kathryn Burnell

Synthetic Rug Materials

Our last post was all about Natural Rug Materials: Wool, Silk, Jute & Sisal and the semi-synthetic Viscose. Today, we’ll dive into details on manmade rug materials.

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Kathryn Burnell Kathryn Burnell

Natural Rug Materials

Shopping for a rug may sound easy: determine your size and your style, and then start looking through your options! However, once you start looking at materials, you may realize that there is an enormous depth of options. The material that the rug is made from will go a long way in how the rug wears and cleans. In this post, we are going to focus on natural materials, and we will follow up with manmade materials in a later post.

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Kathryn Burnell Kathryn Burnell

Shop The Project | Open Concept Kitchen & Breakfast Nook

Bringing another “Shop The Project” post today! This is another space from our Colorful Open Floor Plan project, and we’re heading into our breakfast nook & kitchen. If you’d like to read more about the overall concept for the space and the details on these specific areas, head over to these blog posts

here

and

here

.

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Kathryn Burnell Kathryn Burnell

How High To Hang Window Treatments?

One question that comes up very frequently from both interior design clients and homeowners is: Where should I hang my window treatments? There are a few design rules-of-thumb, and they are dependent on what type of window treatment you’re planning on using. Let’s dive in

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Kathryn Burnell Kathryn Burnell

Shop The Project | Colorful Great Room

If you’re feeling inspired by our recently featured color-packed Great Room project, we are featuring a collection of pieces in today’s post that take their inspiration from that very project. All of these items have links to shop below.

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Kathryn Burnell Kathryn Burnell

3 Tips For Your Dining Room Centerpiece

There’s not always a whole lot of opportunity for accessorizing in the dining room, so a dining table centerpiece does need to make a big impact. Today, I’m sharing three tips for selecting, as well as a few favorite items that I’ve found over the years. Let’s jump right in!

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Kathryn Burnell Kathryn Burnell

Hardwood Floors: Light VS Dark?

Over the years I’ve worked with countless clients who were planning on either refinishing existing hardwood floors or installing new ones (whether traditional hardwood or engineered), and quite often, there is a light vs dark debate.

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Kathryn Burnell Kathryn Burnell

Myth Or Fact | Dark Walls Can Feel Small

There is a notion that has become quite pervasive over the years - that dark walls make a room feel small. Well, I have good news, especially for those of us that love using dark colors in our homes. This is a myth. Dark colors on their own do not make a room feel small.

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Kathryn Burnell Kathryn Burnell

Shop The Project | Living Room Turned Lounge

This project was featured on our blog earlier this summer. If you were feeling inspired by anything you saw in the design, you’re in luck! Links to shop similar items are below!

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Kathryn Burnell Kathryn Burnell

Favorite White Paint Colors

At first thought, painting a wall white sounds simple. Then, when you’re faced with “which white?” you realize that it’s not simple at all. You can find an “ultra-white” that has minimal undertones, but that will often feel too stark. So, as you’re deciding which white is best for you, it’s best to try and determine what undertone is best for your design and the type of light your space gets. Are you looking for something cooler with gray or blue undertones? Or something warmer with creamy or yellow undertones? You can also lean towards a blush.

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Kathryn Burnell Kathryn Burnell

Shop The Project: Nature-Inspired Primary Bath

This primary bath renovation was completed and presented to my client earlier in 2024. If you’re interested in shopping any of the items found in the project, everything is compiled here!

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Kathryn Burnell Kathryn Burnell

Contrast Trim | How To Pull It Off

Contrast painted trim is a look that I personally love. While it may be “trending” now, it’s not a new trend at all, as moldings in colonial homes have been painted in a variety of hues since the period began.

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Kathryn Burnell Kathryn Burnell

Shop The Project: Adirondack Living Room

Earlier this year I completed this living room design for a second home in the Adirondacks in Upstate New York. Below, you’ll find links for similar items available to shop so you can get the look, or integrate pieces you love in your own design!

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Kathryn Burnell Kathryn Burnell

How To: Work With Gray Floors

You may have seen our earlier post on whether or not gray floors are out. Unfortunately, the trend is moving away from gray and towards a lighter blonde wood. But what do you do if you have gray and you want to move your aesthetic towards that warmer look?

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Kathryn Burnell Kathryn Burnell

Bedroom Walls: Light vs Dark

If you’re planning a bedroom decorating project you’re likely already looking at color schemes. There’s been an uptick in darker bedroom wall colors, which may have you wondering… should I do a light bedroom, or a dark?

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Kathryn Burnell Kathryn Burnell

Pros & Cons Of Window Shutters

When deciding on window treatments for your home, shutters are an option that often get overlooked, though they can be quite practical depending on your needs. When I recommend shutters to clients, I often specify plantation-style shutters with wide louvers (at least 3.5”). Generally, I also recommend matching the shutters to the trim color or stain so they look built-in and blend seamlessly with the woodwork.

Ready for the pros & cons? Let’s go!

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