Goals: Master bedrooms are among my favorite rooms to create for clients. Often, people wait to work on their bedroom until every other space in the house is completed. People spend so much time in their bedrooms, I feel it is a crucial room to complete. The umbrella for designing a master bedroom is creating a sanctuary. This space is your private place to relax, retreat from the world and feel nurtured.

Focus on the Kitchen | Whether you adhere to customs of farm-to-table cooking or not, kitchens are the focal point of any modern farmhouse home. Have your kitchen make a statement with herringbone backsplash, colored cabinets and bold light fixtures over the island to draw visitors’ attention to the heart of your home. Use this opportunity to tailor your space to your exact needs, making every cooking experience a comfortable one.

House of Harth, London, England: Photography courtesy of House of Harth | House of Harth, an online platform for furniture rental, took their shop to the streets of north London to allow potential customers to view their furniture selections in person. Henrietta Thompson and husband Edward Padmore, owners of the brand, say the shop will not only allow them to meet with borrowers face-to-face but will also open up opportunities for discussion about the company’s future.

While all design styles will go in and out of flavor, they always return with just a bit of a twist.  This style is currently referred to by some stylists as "eccentric grandma.” The layering of patterns, colors, trims, floral and geometric wallpaper, plush and hard seating pieces have been a mainstay of English cottage design and never really faded from use. Designers Parish/Hadley, who worked from the 60s to the 90s, and Rita Konig today are masters of this mix of color, pattern and texture. These homes reflect a laid back, cozy style that offers comfort at this time of global challenge.

From the experts: This is a general guideline for tea steeping temperatures and times. Some teas will differ. For example, we recommend steeping Darjeeling tea at 195 degrees for three minutes as we find it can scald the leaves, causing bitterness. Green teas vary greatly but in general the below steeping times and temperatures give a you a good baseline.

—The London Tea Room

Black tea at 205° – 212°F (rolling boil)

Steep: 4 minutes

Green tea (China) at 160° – 170°F

The Pattersons loved living in Hillsboro for its scenic views and tight-knit community feel. However, as their daughters got nearer to driving age, they knew they needed to find a new location to live within their favorite town limits. “We’ve lived in Hillsboro for 25 years,” says wife Mary Patterson. “And we loved our home in Southside Lake development, but as our daughters grew older, we knew we wanted to move closer to town and their nearby highschool.”