Pillow Talk: Can a Throw Pillow Really Be Worth $300?
Why a custom throw pillow can cost $250 or more, from fabric and workroom craftsmanship to fill, trim and one designer's favorite fabric art hydrangea pillow.
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Interior Design & Home Building Resources for Bluffton and the Lowcountry
Practical advice for building, furnishing and decorating a home in Bluffton, Hilton Head and the Lowcountry.
The Nancy Meyers Aesthetic: How to Create a Coastal Home Without the Coastal Cliches
How to create a timeless, elevated coastal home using architecture, warm neutrals and natural texture instead of seashells and beach themed decor.
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Where Do You Start When Furnishing a Room or a Home?
Rug, fabric, art or wallpaper: what should you choose first? Why it pays to start with the hardest piece to find, including a client bedroom that started with a hard-to-find armoire.
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50 Shades of Beige: How to Choose the Best Neutral Upholstery Fabric
Ivory, oatmeal, linen, sand: they all look different once they're in a room. Here's how I help clients narrow a wall of beige samples down to the right one.
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Where I Source Vintage Furniture Online: Chairish vs. 1stDibs
Antique stores are wonderful for unexpected finds, but when a design needs something specific, here is how Chairish and 1stDibs help track down vintage, discontinued and one-of-a-kind pieces.
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Where to Shop for Home Décor in Bluffton SC and Nearby
A local designer’s favorite sources for artwork, pillows, florals, decorative accents and rugs, from Ethan Allen and Branches to Gilman Floors and Fletcher’s in Yemassee.
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A More Flexible Approach to Interior Design in Bluffton
Full-service design without unnecessary markups. Why professional design expertise and thoughtful project management do not have to come with fees and overhead you do not need.
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7 Things We Got Right When Building Our Home in Bluffton
Seven decisions Kary would make again in her own Bluffton home, from a hardworking back kitchen and 12-foot ceilings to millwork, closet storage and a dual zone fenced yard for the dogs.
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Where to Shop for Furniture in Bluffton and Hilton Head: A Local Interior Designer’s Guide
Where to spend more, where to save, and which local and regional retailers make sense depending on what you're furnishing, from Ethan Allen to Furnitureland South.
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The Complete Guide to Building and Furnishing a Home in Bluffton, SC
Everything to think through before building and furnishing a custom Lowcountry home, from choosing a community and interviewing builders to budgeting for furniture, windows and rugs.
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The Complete Guide to Buying a Rug in Bluffton and Hilton Head: What to Look For, What to Spend and Where to Shop
What to look for, what to spend, and where to shop for rugs around Bluffton and Hilton Head, from pet-friendly picks to a hidden gem inside an old train depot in Yemassee.
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Should You Shop at Furnitureland South? An Interior Designer’s Take
An honest take on the world’s largest furniture store, who it suits, who should skip it, and how it stacks up against sourcing locally.
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Free In-Store Designer or Independent Interior Designer: What’s the Difference?
A designer who has worked both sides of the furniture industry on why a free in-store designer works for the store, and an independent designer works for you.
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How to Furnish a Home in Bluffton or the Lowcountry When You Live Out of State
Where to shop, when to order, and who should handle each purchase when you are furnishing a Lowcountry home from another state, and how to avoid paying for warehousing you do not need.
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Where to Shop for Antiques and Eclectic Finds: From Charleston to Savannah and Jacksonville
A designer’s favorite antique shops and vintage markets from Charleston to Savannah and Jacksonville, and how collected pieces keep a home from looking like a showroom.
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How to Style Bookshelves for a Balanced, Collected Look
Five tips for styling built-in bookshelves so they feel balanced, personal and collected over time, not cluttered or overly arranged.
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Before You Build: The Window Decisions No One Warns You About
Windows are not just an elevation decision. Privacy, sun, furniture, and the real cost of covering them all need a plan before you build.
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What Makes a Home Truly Custom
A true custom home goes beyond special finishes. It is about designing a space around how you actually live, from the kitchen to a pet station.
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Building & Furnishing a Home in Bluffton and the Lowcountry: Where to Save and Where to Splurge
Where to spend more and where to save when building and furnishing a home in the Lowcountry, from millwork and cabinetry to rugs and landscaping.
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How Many Stores Should You Shop When Furnishing an Entire House?
How many furniture stores it really takes to furnish a whole house, and how to source upholstery, rugs, artwork, window treatments and accessories the smart way.
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The Difference Between a Good and Great Kitchen Design
What Kary learned building her own home about why kitchen design can make or break a custom build.
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What Does Custom Furniture Really Mean? A Designer’s Guide to Fabrics, Finishes and COM
What custom furniture really means, from fabric and finish choices to contrast welt, trim, fringe, custom sizing and COM.
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7 Things I’d Do Differently If I Were Building My Home Again
An honest look at seven decisions Kary would make differently in her own home, from a tall bed footboard to pocket doors and a too-short dining room rug.
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A Look Inside Cabinetry: Understanding What’s Driving the Price
A look inside cabinetry construction, and what actually drives the price you are quoted.
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Why Hiring an Interior Designer Is Worth Every Penny
The value a designer brings to a build, and exactly where it pays for itself.
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Stressed? This Is Where a Builder Liaison Can Help With the Build Process
Building a custom home is stressful. A builder liaison advocates for you from the start, catching furniture and layout missteps before they are built into the home.
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Stop Losing Money on Change Orders and Allowances
How to protect your budget when allowances and change orders start to add up.
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Choosing Hardware and Fixtures with Ease and Confidence
How to choose hardware and fixtures with confidence, without the decision overwhelm.
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The Rise of the Back Kitchen: The Must-Have Feature in New Homes
Why the back kitchen (or scullery) has become the feature buyers ask for in new Lowcountry homes.
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Coastal Decor Without the Cliché
How to create a relaxed coastal look with color, texture, and natural materials, without the seashell lamps and beach signage.
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Reality Check: Owning How You Actually Live in Your Space
The biggest decorating mistake is designing for who you wish you were, not who you are. An honest look at kids, pets, red wine, and rooms that fit real life.
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Ethan Allen: Blending the Old and New Finishes
How to blend old and new finishes for a home that feels collected over time, not staged.
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Kary takes the time to understand each client’s lifestyle and needs, ensuring every design feels personalized, purposeful, and welcoming. Her passion for design is evident in every detail. From the initial concept through every revision and final installation, she keeps clients and vendors informed, engaged, and confident throughout the entire process.
Jill H.