My Favorite Things - August
Every month I’m always in awe of the new product hitting our industry and of course I want to try each and everyone but then I blink twice and realize I need to live in reality . . . like most of us. There’s a good reason we call our home the laboratory.
Each month I will be featuring the top 10 products that have caught my eye by going through a show room, meeting with one of my reps or installing an item in one of my clients homes. Let’s get started.
My Top 10 Favorite Things for August 2026
1. Window Treatments
Window Treatments – A True Love of Mine
I have to admit it… window treatments are a true love of mine. There is something so satisfying about putting together the perfect combination of fabric, trim, and the perfect fabric and then seeing how it all comes together when you walk into the room.
I recently had the pleasure of designing custom window treatments for a new home here in The Villages, Florida, and this one is going to be a beauty.
We are using a beautiful, clean linen-like fabric with a leading edge detail on the drapery panels, paired with woven wood shades inside the windows. The combination will help bring the relaxed, classic look of Nantucket to life.
So, What Exactly Is a Leading Edge?
A leading edge is simply a decorative detail added along the inside edge of a drapery panel. Think of it as the finishing touch that makes a pretty pair of draperies look really custom.
There are several ways we can create the look:
Contrast Fabric: Add a coordinating or contrasting fabric along the inside edge of the drapery.
Trim or Tape: Use decorative banding, ribbon, braid, or tape for a tailored look.
Piping: A narrow corded edge adds a clean and polished finish.
Embellishment: For those who like a little more sparkle, beading, fringe, or other decorative details can create a more luxurious feel.
The beauty of a leading edge is that it does more than simply frame the window. It gives us another opportunity to introduce a color, pattern, or texture into the room.
And most importantly, it makes the draperies look custom-designed specifically for your home—not something you picked up because they happened to fit the window!
2. Cabinet Hardware
The Jewelry For Your Cabinets
I have a confession to make: I can get pretty excited about cabinet hardware. Yes, I realize that may sound a little strange—but the right hardware can completely change the look of a kitchen or bathroom.
I recently came across this collection, and I may or may not already be picturing it in my own home. (Stay tuned!)
The linear knurled detailing gives these handles a beautiful combination of modern style and texture. They have just enough of an industrial feel to keep them interesting while still looking sophisticated and elegant.
And because hardware is one of those details you touch every single day, I love when it looks as good as it feels.
They are available in several finishes, including Brushed Nickel, Brushed Satin Brass, Dark Brushed Brass, Matte Black, and Polished Nickel.
They are crafted from solid brass, so they are not only beautiful but built to stand up to everyday life.
These would be beautiful in a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, or wardrobe.
Sometimes it really is the little things that make the biggest difference—and cabinet hardware is definitely one of them.
3. Dining Chairs
When a Dining Chair Becomes the Star of the Room
Dining chairs are one of those pieces that can easily be overlooked when designing a dining room. But the right chair can make a huge statement—and these stopped me in my tracks.
While visiting one of my reps recently, I spotted these beauties sitting on the showroom floor. They immediately caught my eye, and I knew I had to share them.
They have a sophisticated, timeless design, but they aren't sacrificing comfort for good looks. They feature an 8-way hand-tied seat, which provides exceptional support and durability. In other words, they are designed for more than just looking pretty while no one is actually sitting in them!
The chairs are handcrafted from solid white oak and feature an iconic double-link design with beautiful wood and antique brass details. The antique brass ferrules add just the right amount of glamour—almost like jewelry for the chair.
Both chairs are available as host and hostess chairs with arms or guest chairs without arms.
And here is where it gets really fun: the upholstery can be completely customized.
One of the chairs shown is upholstered in leather and the other in fabric, but you don't have to stop there. We can select a fabric that works beautifully with the rest of your home.
Personally, I think these chairs would be stunning with a large-scale print on the back cushion paired with a coordinating fabric on the seat. It would add personality without overwhelming the room.
And if you really want to take the dining room to the next level, there is a matching dining table available—and it is a stunner, too.
4. Florida-Inspired Art
A Little Florida Elegance
If you've lived in Florida for any length of time, chances are you've seen a crane—or two—elegantly strutting around as though they own the place.
And honestly, they do have a certain presence!
This beautiful piece of artwork would be a wonderful addition to a modern, elegant Florida home. It brings in a touch of our surroundings without feeling overly “Florida.”
The artwork is a striking giclée, hand-embellished with gold leaf and beautifully matted with intricate mat cuts and detailing. It is finished in an Italian aged-gold frame, giving it a sophisticated, collected look.
I love pieces like this because they can bring a little personality and sense of place into a home while still feeling elegant and timeless.
5. Give Your Home Office Some Love
Your Home Office Deserves to Be Pretty, Too
Nearly every home I visit has a home office, but I think this is one of those rooms that can sometimes get forgotten.
We spend plenty of time making our living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms beautiful—so why shouldn't the home office get a little love, too?
Whether it's a beautiful writing desk and etagere combination or simply adding a gorgeous guest chair and a few thoughtful accessories, these little touches can make your office feel much more inviting.
This particular desk has a beautiful mix of materials, including a rustic white oak veneer top in a deep Midnight finish paired with a brushed brass base. The result is a curated, modern look that feels sophisticated without being too formal.
It also includes two drop-front drawers that can be used for a keyboard, which makes it as practical as it is beautiful. And it can stand on its own or be configured as either the left or right side of an L-shaped desk.
The coordinating bookcase continues the look with three fixed shelves, tinted glass, a brushed brass frame, and a single drawer with a brushed brass pull.
It's sleek. It's modern. It's functional.
And, most importantly, it makes your home office look like a room you actually want to spend time in—which might even make paying the bills a little more enjoyable. No promises, though!
My Favorite Interior Design Items - August 2026
6. A Show-Stopping Light Fixture
I can't wait to see this fixture hanging in my client's home!
This is going to be a stunning addition to their dining room—and because of the home's layout, it will be one of the first things you see when you walk through the front door and look down the long hallway.
And believe me, this fixture is not going to be shy!
Each individual bulb is hand-blown glass, and one of the things I love most is that you can actually select the colors to work with your design. We were also able to customize the width of the fixture so it would fit the space perfectly.
If you're familiar with the famous glass artist Dale Chihuly, you'll recognize some similarities in the organic, colorful quality of this piece. It has that same artistic, almost sculptural feeling that makes a light fixture become more than just a light fixture—it becomes art.
I have a feeling this one is going to be quite the conversation starter!
Stay tuned for the finished room. I can't wait to show you.
7. A Little Coastal Elegance
This beauty now has a new home!
This sculptural table lamp is now proudly sitting on the entry table in one of my client's homes, and it is the perfect way to welcome you through the front door.
The bright white finish mimics the beautiful, organic texture of natural sea coral, giving the lamp a fresh coastal feel without being overly “beachy.” And that is an important distinction!
The lamp is anchored by a clear crystal base and finished with refined antique brass accents. A crisp white linen drum shade completes the look.
Behind the entry table, we'll be adding a wall of blue grass-cloth wallpaper, which will give the lamp an even more beautiful backdrop.
I love how one special piece can set the tone for an entire space. This lamp may be small, but it definitely has something to say!8.
A trio of ceramic flowers with detailed veining, glazed in fresh Caribbean tones. May be hung on wall or used as tabletop accessory. I’ve purchased several sets an have hung them trailing down a wall over a buffet.
8. A Little Flower Power
Who says flowers have to go in a vase?
I recently purchased these beautiful ceramic flowers, and I love how versatile they are.
The trio features detailed veining and beautiful Caribbean-inspired colors that bring a fresh, cheerful feeling into a room. They can be hung on the wall or used as a tabletop accessory.
I've purchased several sets and have used them in a way I especially love—hanging them in a trailing arrangement down a wall above a buffet.
It's an unexpected way to add dimension, color, and a little personality to a room.
And the best part? No watering required. That's my kind of flower!
9. The Softest Fabric Ever?
I wish you could feel this fabric through the screen! Seriously, this fabric is so soft.
I'm using it in a client's home for sofa pillows and bedroom shams, and I have a feeling these may become everyone's favorite pillows in the house.
I mean, who wouldn't want to take a nap on something this soft?
And, of course, now I'm thinking I need to add a few to my own home. Because apparently, there is no such thing as having too many pillows.
At least that's what I tell my clients!
10. Yes, Wallpaper Is Back—And I'm Here for It!
Wallpaper is back in a BIG way!
I've always believed that a powder room is one of the best places in a home to make a bold design statement. It's a small space, so you can have a little more fun and really let your personality show.
This wallpaper is going into a client's home very soon, and we're taking it all the way—every wall will be covered in wallpaper, and the ceiling will be painted a beautiful, bright blue to coordinate with the vanity.
This little powder room is going to be a stunner!
I love when a room makes you stop and say, “Wow!”—and I have a feeling this one is going to do exactly that.
Stay tuned. I'll be sharing pictures of the finished space soon!
Hope you enjoy this month’s favorite things. I would love to hear your feedback. Can you see any of these items in your home?