Whether this newsletter finds you basking in the sunshine or staying out of the rain (or both within the same day—it is Nova Scotia, after all), we hope you’re having a lovely Spring so far!
As we wrap up a busy first few months of 2025 and look ahead to Fall and even 2026 (yes already, can you believe it?), we wanted to share that we’re accepting new client inquiries for renovations and new builds. Henhouse is a full-service team, from architectural plans to procurement and finishing touches, so now’s the time to get in touch and make your dream home a reality.
If a full build or renovation isn’t in your future, don’t despair. We’ve got just the thing for you, too! In fact, we’ve addressed the issue in the final question of this Q&A-format newsletter. Please read to the bottom for more information—we’d love to hear from you, as always. But first, a pressing decorative matter…
I’m looking for a fresh injection of colour in my home but am tired of all the usual suspects. (I love you, blue, but am ready for something new!) Any suggestions for a fun but liveable hue?
We were just talking about this at our meeting last week. A current colour crush among members of our design team is burnt orange—also known as cinnamon, faded terracotta, marmalade… You name it, we love it. This warm and spicy sun-baked shade isn’t just for Fall! Freshen it up with cream (pale aqua or mint green works well with these colours, too) or give it strength with black. The secret to success, we think, is a version of the colour that’s slightly dusty, not saturated, and has an undertone of pink.
This colour is hot and we’re seeing it everywhere, from lighting and fabrics to tile, furniture, and tableware. Of course, we couldn’t resist compiling a juicy mood board to showcase this sophisticated shade in all its iterations big and small.
If you’re inspired by what you see, here are a few burnt-orange paints to help you experiment with this surprisingly neutral colour:
I’m planning a bathroom renovation but get stressed about whether the metal plumbing fixtures should all match. There are so many choices out there—help!
Think about hardware and plumbing fixtures the same way you might about your day-to-day jewellery. Your rings might be gold, your watch strap black leather, and your earrings silver—and it works because it’s effortless.
We think the same holds true for bath fixtures. When the taps, lights, towel bars, and showerhead are all the same tone and finish, it can overwhelm the eye and feel forced.
But we know, this mixing-metal thing needs to be seen to be embraced, so here are a few examples from our own client files as well as a couple of fearless hotel bathrooms we found during our web browsing.
For our clients’ bathroom refresh, we worked with the nickel gooseneck faucets they had, but added brass touches (the sconce, accessories) and bronze hardware—not to mention black metal mirrors. The result feels polished and decorated.
Our own Senior Decorator & Stylist, Beth Hitchcock, chose inexpensive polished nickel faucets and then splurged on unlacquered brass hardware and custom sconces with satin brass accents.
In this dramatic black bathroom at an ACE Hotel, the brass P-trap under the sink is the only warm metal, which makes it glow.
At the Crosby Street Hotel, black mirror frames would have created too many harsh black lines; brushed brass is a more subtle choice.
Have we convinced you yet? Mixed metals in a bathroom (or kitchen, for that matter) help to create a soulful and sophisticated space.
I’d love help with pulling together my space but fear my budget might be too small for Henhouse. Do you ever offer decorating advice without signing on for a full project?
Indeed, we do! We launched our Decorating Packages late last year, and our design team had so much fun connecting with new clients who may not have reached out otherwise. We helped Vicky with a suite for her mother, and Stephanie with a plan for her open living room and kitchen—just to mention a couple of examples.
Here’s a testimonial from Cynthia, one of our recent Decorating Package participants. Cynthia had just completed a beautiful renovation of her 175-year-old home but needed guidance on some furniture purchases and styling to give her main floor a more pulled-together look:
“When I saw Henhouse’s Instagram reel offering four-hour design consults, I jumped at the chance to work with one of their designers. After viewing photos and making a site visit, Beth provided me with a multi-page mood board for my main floor that included specific suggestions for furniture and accessories, furniture placement, styling advice for open shelves in the kitchen, and creating a gallery wall in the living room. She worked with the family antiques I own and suggested recovering my antique dining chairs.
Her advice was not just, ‘A blue sofa would look great in your living room.’ Beth included a photo and link to a specific sofa for me to consider. All her suggestions included specifics, with links. Everything works together, and Beth kept the total cost within the budget I provided.
Beth made herself available for a Zoom meeting after the consult to go over some questions I had, and I now feel so much more confident about furniture and decor purchases and styling my new space. As someone who agonizes over design decisions and worries about missteps, this was a godsend.”
If you think a Decorating Package is just the thing to help kickstart or wrap up a project in your home, please reach out today. Our two-hour consultation is $500 and our four-hour consult is $950. All sessions include a review of your photos (or site visit, if possible, for the 4-hour consult) and a complete list of recommendations with links to products and retailers.
It’s Spring, let’s decorate!