Spotlight on Melanie Hufhand: Envy-Inducing Kitchen Remodel
Dream homes don’t always come turnkey. Whether it’s your well-worn family home in need of an update or a newly-purchased fixer-upper in need of a full renovation, the vision in your mind’s eye might seem a bit out of reach. That’s where the Home & Willow Design team comes in. You deserve to see your personality, needs, and style reflected in your space. We see your vision, and we’re ready to help you bring it to life.
A kitchen remodel empowers us to make that vision – the one we fell in love with – a reality. This is the transformation in which Home & Willow specializes. When you have a dream, we work with you to bring it to life.
For the Love of All Things Beautiful
Vision, meet Melanie Hufhand. Originally from the charming river city of Decatur, Alabama, she has brought her southern roots to the Hoosier State and fully embraced the Midwest. And if anyone knows about falling in love with what could be, it is Melanie. Transforming her 1930s house into a warm, inviting home (while juggling… well, life), she is no stranger to challenges, trials, tribulations… and triumphs.
As part of the Home & Willow Design team, Melanie brings an unerring ability to listen to clients, delve into their needs and wants, and create spaces that reflect their unique personalities. She’s brought this – not to mention, a critical, creative eye – to many projects.
Kitchen Remodel: Bringing 90s to Now
On a recent remodel, Melanie was tasked with updating the style and layout of a 1990s era kitchen and fireplace. The mission, which she did choose to accept, was to create a warm, inviting home with optimal flow.
A small doorway separated the kitchen and living areas, making the space feel smaller and impeding traffic, if you will. Fixtures, tile, counters and cabinets alike were dated, and the overall feel was a bit cool, closed off, and… let’s just say, it didn’t exactly evoke the vibe you’d want for relaxing with the family or entertaining guests!
Working hand-in-hand with her clients, Melanie approached this remodel one step at a time. The first of which was to eliminate that small doorway and create a large cased opening between the kitchen and living rooms. While still distinct spaces, they now flow together seamlessly. To bring the homeowners’ vision to life, Melanie also:
- Modernized the existing cabinetry by adding trim that extended them to the ceiling. Incredible vertical and visual impact!
- Replaced and moved the island to optimize movement in the “work zone” and create cohesion with the social area.
- Replaced the sliding patio door to fit the scale of the room.
- Introduced new lighting, tile, countertops, and hardware for a top-to-bottom makeover.
- Brought life and flow to the space with fresh paint.
- Integrated new furniture, rugs, artwork, and accessories to modernize the home and add warmth through color and texture.
- Renovated the fireplace, infusing it with a modern yet timeless feel.
The homeowners were thrilled with their transformation, stating, “We wanted a warm, inviting space and [Melanie] gave us exactly that! We love it!”
Mission: Accomplished.
Vision, Meet Reality
Home & Willow Design and Decor not only builds stunning interiors; we build strong, trust-based relationships with our valued clients. This is the only way to achieve results that wow – and that continue to evoke that feeling of home, every day and every time you open the door.
To make your vision a reality, connect with the Home & Willow team. We are ready to listen.
Building or Remodeling Your Dream Home? Relax - And Explore the Benefits of Working with a Designer
You are in control.
You are in the driver’s seat.
You are going to be the one who turns your house into a home.
And you could use some help. Let’s face it: Creating the home of your dreams is an arduous process. When you entrust your remodel or new build to a skilled professional, though, it is one that you do not have to undertake alone – and it becomes a journey of anticipation and exhilaration rather than stress and exhaustion.
Benefits of Working with a Designer
Working with a designer is both a luxury and a necessity for many projects, particularly large-scale and whole-home endeavors. Why put your home into the capable hands of a professional?
You Are In the Driver’s Seat
Your interior designer should be passionate about their work, their art, their science, their process. But first and foremost, their goal is to help you achieve yours. Creating a space in which you are free, comfortable, and empowered to live your life to its fullest is no small task – and you are in control. Every step of the way.
Lead designer and founder of Home & Willow, Stacy Stater, says, “Homeowners are the drivers. We are only the navigators.” Think of it like this: Would you take an important journey without GPS? We love Google Maps, but we also remember who is behind the wheel. This is your dream; with a partner on whom you can rely, you will get there.
And just as you trust your navigation system to help you make the right turns and steer clear of road blocks, it is important that you and your design team have a relationship built on honesty, transparency, and open communication. Then, you have a powerful co- pilot along your home build/remodel journey to help you maneuver through each phase like an Indy 500 pro (...so maybe that’d make us more like your pit crew!).
Designers Earn Their Keep
For some projects, doing it yourself makes sense. When it comes to larger-scale remodels and builds, working with an interior designer can not only save you time (and stress), it saves you money in the long term.
How do designers earn their value?
- They bring their connections and contacts to the relationship. Experienced professionals have worked with myriad builders, contractors, and vendors, and they can often extend trade deals to you. They also have exclusive access to brands that you cannot get otherwise, ensuring ultimate value and cost engineering.
- Selling may not be your goal now or anytime in the future. At the same time, increasing the value of your property is a smart move that can further other objectives, such as building equity or preparing to age in place. Partnering with an interior designer ensures that you love your home now and that it is an asset you can use to plan for tomorrow, all while maximizing its potential.
- Interior designers have an eye for style – and for value. Your project starts with your needs, requirements, desires, and budget. The right professional brings these factors together into a cohesive whole. By clarifying a guiding vision and creating a strategy that encompasses what home means to you, you can work as a team to achieve the perfect balance of design and budget.
- Time is precious. Reclaim yours with an interior designer, who has the expertise, experience, connections, and know-how to check tasks – from fitting and furniture selections to layout possibilities to pricing and sourcing – off your list in a timely, seamless manner.
While your design will ultimately be front and center, it takes meticulous, exacting behind-the-scenes work to make the dream come alive. Imagine if this was off your shoulders – and into the hands of a trusted design partner?
You Avoid Costly Mistakes
To err is human. And most of us are very, very human. But to make mistakes on your build/remodel? Well.. that is human… and potentially very, very expensive. When it comes to design, the details matter. It can be easy to make a room seem cramped instead of cozy or a space to feel closed off instead of welcoming. You may be tempted into following fads instead of staying true to an enduring vision. You might want to light up your life… and end up with a glaring disaster when it comes to fittings and fixtures. Your plan may be aging in place, but the only thing aging is your decor. Even something as seemingly simple as inaccurately measuring can turn out to be a pricey mistake.
Design is more than how a home looks. It encompasses how a home feels and how it functions. By listening, intently and intentionally, to your needs and goals, your designer can create a plan that works for you, for your budget, and for your lifestyle – now and into the future.
Home Is… Everything
We know that home is everything to you and to your loved ones. Creating an atmosphere of warmth, comfort, elegance, and joy is essential, overwhelming… and, ultimately, exciting and rewarding when you work with the right team. Connect with Home & Willow to discuss your project. Let’s bring your ideas, and your home, to life.
2024 Design Trends: What’s New and Innovative This Year?
When the calendar flips to another year, many look forward to seeing (... and hearing, feeling, and tasting!) the latest, hottest trends. It’s a fun way to incorporate a breath of fresh air into our wardrobes, playlists, routines, culinary lineup… And homes?
2024 Design Trends: Fusing Now with Timeless
Our homes are everything, and given the emotional, physical, and financial investment, we understandably want design that endures. As Home & Willow Senior Designer and Founder, Stacy Stater, says, “We like to encourage more timeless, classic looks that will give our clients greater longevity.” At the same time, thoughtful integration of current design trends can revive and rejuvenate your space – while setting you up for style that lasts.
Trends that will age like a fine wine:
Wrapped In Warmth
Some aesthetics emphasize a stark, even austere atmosphere with cool tones. While they can make a space feel light, airy, and calm, they can also make it feel…cold. In 2024, we are fully embracing warmth, and this trend guides us towards warmer tones. This does not mean, though, that your palette is restricted to reds, yellows, oranges, golds, creamy neutrals, browns, and tans.
This is a point that Sherwin-Williams drives home beautifully with their 2024 Color of the Year pick: Upward, which is an “icy blue.” Director of Color Sue Wadden says:
We’re seeing a captivating shift toward warmer colors since 2020, signaling a departure from the cooler grays that have graced our interiors from 2008 to 2019. As designers, we understand that the essence of good color theory lies in striking the perfect balance. That’s where the beauty of icy blues comes into play—they act as an exquisite counterbalance, ensuring all the warmth in our palettes is in harmonious equilibrium.
This is it! This contrast provides balance. The trend towards warmth isn’t about selecting “warm” items and colors just because they’re “homey” and comforting. It’s about considering the entire look and feel and intentionally using design elements to create spaces that exude warmth – and that envelop us in it.
Wallpaper Isn’t Just for Walls
We expect ceilings to be drywalled and white-painted, but what if they became a fifth wall? What if it was a canvas for paints, murals, moldings, or (our top pick) wallpaper? This is a bold move that makes a fresh, innovative statement. The ceiling offers the opportunity to introduce color, texture, patterns, and visual interest to your space.
How you use your “fifth wall” is up to you. Will you make a daring statement with a dark hue or daring pattern? Will you try a sky- or nature-inspired look, bringing the outdoors in? How about a mural-inspired approach or a whimsical print to offset a deep wall color?
Maybe 2024 is your year to be bold – and enjoy the results in 2025 and beyond!
Yes, You Can Sit In That Chair!
Formal interiors are often striking, elegant, and sophisticated. They can also be the types of spaces where people are afraid to kick back and relax (and that includes the ones who actually live there!). We are happy that casual vibes have replaced the formal feel. So, sit down, curl up, pull a bar stool up to the island, and indulge in warmth and comfort.
Instead of sofas that are never meant to be more than perched upon, pillows that must never be shuffled around for an afternoon catnap, or experimental furniture that looks as inviting as a boulder with sharp edges, design is focusing on usable, functional, comfortable, and beautiful. And, why yes, we will have a seat in that indulgent arm chair – and put our feet up on the cushy ottoman!
Au Naturel
In a world that can feel so artificial, it is important that home is a refuge. Natural fibers are a key 2024 design trend – and one that will endure. Cottons, bamboo, silk, linen, wool, rattan, sisal, seagrass, cork, and other materials are a natural fit in furnishings, textiles, flooring, and accessories.
Not only are they beautiful and full of texture, natural fibers are beneficial for those with sensitive skin, more sustainable, and less toxic than many synthetic products.
When’s a Trend Not a Trend?
When it’s home. As Stacy says, “We don’t really concentrate on current trends. We welcome them and receive them as nods toward a certain look.” The focus is not on chasing 2024 design trends (or worse… fads!), but on infusing a fresh breath into classic, long-lasting, resilient style.
It is your vision that ultimately drives your design and that’s what we are passionate about. Whether your home needs a refresh and reset or you are building from the ground up, Home & Willow is here to help you navigate the process. Connect with our team to discuss your project.
How to Establish a Budget For – and With – an Interior Designer
If you feel overwhelmed, you are not alone. This is the single most common issue homeowners face, whether they are building from the ground up or working through their home space by space. You have a vision of what you want to achieve but no idea how to make it a reality. This is where a skilled interior designer comes in. But that opens up another challenge. Budgeting.
Establishing a budget for and with an interior designer can feel just as overwhelming as creating the owners’ suite, kitchen, or whole home of your dreams. This is where we come in.
Five Tips to Establish a Budget For and With Your Interior Designer
We say “for and with” because, yes, you are allocating money to your design project… But you do not have to go it alone. A trusted partner is an invaluable asset at this stage. Work with your designer; it makes a world of difference.
- Acknowledge the Elephant In the Room
When it comes to an interior design project, ideas are flowing and excitement is high. The last thing anyone wants to think about is dollars and cents. Which is exactly why it should be the first thing we think of – and talk about! Budgeting needs to be an early-on and ongoing conversation.
Home & Willow Senior Designer and Founder, Stacy Stater explains, “We try to be very honest and realistic. We have current data on what contractors are charging and are upfront with homeowners. It’s better to allow people to gauge when or if to start a project. We’ve found nothing is more disappointing than trying to make a Filet Dream happen on a Meatball Budget.”
So, let’s bring the elephant out, introduce him round, and make him and ourselves comfortable in each other’s presence.
- Recognize the Value of Working with an Interior Designer
At this point, you may be thinking, “Could I save some money and go the DIY design route?” You can. However, take a moment to consider the value that working with an interior designer brings to your project (and home). Those in the trade not only have a keen eye for detail and style but also exclusive access to top products (called “trade brands”), awareness of how spaces work with each other, and a honed ability to value engineer to ensure exceptional results that align with your budget.
Think of your project as an investment, while the budget outlines and itemizes how you will realize optimal returns.
- Clarify the Scope of Your Project
Start at the beginning. What do you want to achieve? Even if you don’t have every brush stroke of the overall picture, you know what you want to accomplish – or how you want to feel in your space. Services like Designer for a Day can be immeasurably helpful in both clarifying the scope of your project and helping you establish a budget. With Designer for a Day, Home & Willow comes to your home and starts tackling any design issues weighing on your mind. An interior designer creates a list of ideas and solutions. This way, you can begin filling in the details of your picture and get a sense of overall costs.
At this phase, your interior designer can also assist you in prioritizing projects for maximum impact – and value. If your budget is more Meatball than Filet at this point, for example, you can create a multi-phase approach that will enable you to align your style wants with your budgetary needs and/or mix mid-range with designer level items for the perfect fit.
- Understand What You’re Paying for – and How
This should be part of the upfront budget conversation. For example, will you be paying a flat rate for the project or an hourly rate? At which phases/project milestones will payments be made? What is included in your interior design services (consultation, meetings/updates, travel, selections, products/supplies, installation, etc.).
There may be other expenses associated with your project, such as shipping and storage of which you need to be aware. While your interior design team will (or should!) make every effort to clarify all of this for you, never hesitate to ask questions until they are answered to your satisfaction.
- Create a Contingency Fund
Experienced designers have connections and contacts with other industry professionals, and we routinely mine relevant data to ensure we deliver reasonable budget projections. That said, in 2021, an ice storm thousands of miles away impacted manufacturing of water-based and hot melt adhesives, which meant delays (often very lengthy) for several key products. To paraphrase the saying, if a butterfly flaps its wings in Texas… an Indiana homeowner might wait several months for a high-end sofa.
We have become agile in anticipating and responding to interruptions, delays, and other “wrenches in the works,” they can still happen – for a wide variety of reasons. A contingency fund is a crucial just in case measure for overages, a style safety net, if you will.
Home Awaits
At Home & Willow, our passion and experience empowers clients to make their house a home. Budget plays a key role in this process, but it does not eclipse your needs, your goals, or your vision. Let’s discuss your project – how our process will lead to your stunning results.
Kid- and Pet-Friendly Design: Blending Durability, Ease, and Style
Is there a part of you that wants a home that’s always guest-ready? Always elegant, stylish, and that exudes a “they’ve got it together” vibe? And… Does that all seem incompatible with having kids and pets? It can certainly feel that way! The truth is, these household members do make their presence known (often via sticky fingerprints or muddy pawprints) – but you can balance their need to play, create, dream, and, yes, even make a mess with your desire for a lovely, welcoming space.
How?
The Basics of Kid- and Pet-Friendly Design
Home is everything. With some thoughtful choices, it can be everything to everyone – two- or four-legged alike. A few kid- and pet-friendly design tips and tricks we’ve learned over the years.
Fabric Is Your Friend
Don’t cry over spilled milk… Unless it’s all over your beloved sofa! From drinks and dander to finger paints and peanut buttery treats, children and pets can quite the masters of mess. You can’t prevent every spill, smear, or shaggy four-legged mishap, but you can choose fabrics that can help you master tasteful, durable, family-friendly design.
Thanks to advances in technology, fabrics have come a long way. Most are more durable and stain-resistant than their predecessors. Some are even treated with a Crypton bath, which creates a protective layer that is still soft and breathable. That milk you were getting teary-eyed about? C rypton ensures it beads up and does not penetrate into the fibers so you can just wipe it up with a cloth.
For parents and pet-owners, durable, stain-repellent fabric is a true superhero in the home.
Combine Comfort and Durability with Hardwood
You see a sofa, chair, or bed. Your child sees a world of adventure. Believe it or not, they don’t always heed the “no jumping on the furniture” rule. Energetic use from kids and/or pets age your furnishings prematurely. Keep them younger, longer, by choosing high-quality hardwood-framed upholstered options. They will still offer the comfort and sumptuous texture you demand from a cozy couch, for example, but they will deliver a superior sitting experience and last much longer.
Choose Luxe and Long-Lasting
In households with dogs, cats, and kids, nothing beats leather. Full aniline leather made from the top part of the hide (which produces leather of the best quality and durability), which is then treated with aniline die. This preserves the natural grain and unique markings in the leather. It will age beautifully and last throughout the years. Like black, marble, and good lighting, sumptuous, sophisticated leather does not go out of style.
Home Is Everything
These are just a few of the ways you can create the design of your dreams while ensuring it is realistic for the needs and demands of your household. You can have it all: beauty and practicality, style and comfort… and kids and/or pets and a stunning home. Curious to learn more? Connect with Home & Willow. Our well of ideas and inspiration runs deep!
Designing a Heartwarming Holiday Atmosphere
As the holiday season approaches, the air in Indiana becomes crisper, and the leaves turn brilliant shades of red and gold, signaling the arrival of one of the most cherished times of the year. This season is not just about festive decorations and joyful gatherings; it’s an opportunity to transform our homes into warm and inviting spaces that reflect the true essence of the holidays. Here are our top tips on how to create a heartwarming holiday atmosphere in your home.
1. Cozy Color Palette
Warm earthy tones like deep oranges, rich browns, and warm reds are perfect for creating a welcoming atmosphere. Consider incorporating these hues in your holiday decor, throw pillows, and even on your walls for a touch of seasonal charm.
2. Natural Elements
Embrace nature’s wonders by bringing the outdoors in. Decorate your home with locally sourced evergreen branches, pinecones, and festive wreaths. A centerpiece featuring fresh seasonal flowers or a rustic wooden table runner can elevate the natural feel in your design. Remember less is more.
3. Lighting Matters
Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the right ambiance. Opt for warm, soft lighting with candles, string lights, or even a fireplace to create a cozy, intimate atmosphere.
4. Play with Textures
Texture adds depth and character to your interior design. Consider pairing different textures like plush fabrics, faux furs, cozy knits, and natural wood to create a tactile and visually pleasing atmosphere.
5. Scents of the Season
Don’t forget to appeal to all the senses. Fill your home with the inviting scents of the season with candles or diffusers. We love woody scents from Lafco or Nest like Amber & Moss, Teakwood & Tobacco, Sage, Amber or Black Vanilla.
Whether you’re hosting a grand family gathering or an intimate dinner with friends, these design tips will ensure your home exudes warmth, joy, and a dash of Hoosier hospitality. So, let your interior reflect the true spirit of the holiday season and make your celebrations truly unforgettable.
3 WORDS: STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING
If you’re in search of an incredibly delightful dessertto cozy up with on a chilly evening, your quest ends here. Ryan Nelson, executive chef and proprietor of Late Harvest Kitchen in Indianapolis, has generously shared his renowned Sticky Toffee Pudding recipe with us.
Mix the following ingredients together. Add the flour last, slowly:
- 7 oz butter (room temperature)
- 3 eggs
- 2 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla
- 3 cups flour
Boil all of the below ingredients together:
- 2 1/2 cup chopped, dried dates
- 3 1/2 cup water
- 1 Tablespoon baking soda
Combine all dry ingredients and mix well. Using a standard 9×13 baking dish, bake at 275 degrees for 30-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Now for the toffee sauce:
- 1 stick butter, unsalted
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
Combine the butter and the sugar, and bring to a boil. Let it boil for three minutes. Remove the mixture from the heat and slowly add the heavy cream, stirring continually. The sauce will develop a glossy sheen. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Because Home is the Most Important Place
When homeowners take the plunge to build, remodel, or rejuvenate their homes, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Experts at Home & Willow Design can help. Most people have some vision or an idea of what they want their living space to feel like but have no idea how to make it happen. The team at Home & Willow Design helps to solve that. We discover client needs, help them curate a vision, and bring it to life.
WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE?
OUR PEOPLE.
The team at H & W Design is experienced and incredibly talented. Experts at solving problems, clients immediately feel any stress lessen. All parties work together to stay on task and keep the big picture in mind.
OUR STUDIO.
Staffed with creatives, the team of problem solvers at Home & Willow Design also thrive in an inspiring and beautiful space. That’s why we’ve packed our studio with all the essentials. Furniture, rugs, art, and accessories give homeowners the see & touch affair.
OUR EXPERIENCE.
We make it as easy as possible.
1. DISCOVERY SESSION: Let’s meet to see if we are a good fit. We schedule a time to meet to go over ideas and the scope of a homeowner’s project.
2. IN-HOME ASSESSMENT: If it is a remodel or rejuvenation project, there’s no better place to meet than at the Client’s home.
3. VISUAL PRESENTATION: This is the fun part! The designer presents ideas, vision, mood boards, and textiles. The homeowner gets to see their future project come to life!
4. BIG REVEAL: After much anticipation, the big day of delivery and installment has arrived! Your Home & Willow Designer will be there with you.
The Home Team Build Home-A-Rama
The saying “it takes a village” couldn’t be more true when it comes to bringing the First Internet Bank Home-A-Rama to life. This event combines the talent of local builders, designers and architectural teams within six homes. And there was no better team to bring the most unique spaces of our show house – the basketball court and golf simulator – to life than Carrington Homes. With about 30 basketball court and 10 golf simulator installations under its belt, the Carrington team is a local pro on all things fun.
Read more about our partnership with Carrington Homes here.
The Fight for Space While Living Small
Envision the area of your home that is your favorite, or where you choose to spend the most time in. Is it
attributed to the color scheme and ambience? Could it be the seclusion and sense of calm? Most of us
would agree there is a specific reason we have crowned a particular room or nook, our most beloved. My
favorite place to be is in the most organized and agreeable space.
No one intentionally creates a cluttered space to live in, yet it’s a slippery slope! Now take this
human nature, and combine it with apartment or small space living. We have now made a recipe for
thousands of people never fully enjoying their smaller spaces and the potential of where they call home.
Nevertheless, there are tips to turn your small space, condo, or apartment into an oasis you’ll always look
forward to being in.
Work. Your. Lines. Takes advantage of high ceilings and clean lined furniture. Placing drapery
closer to your ceilings gives the immediate illusion of a larger room. Pair this with straight edged
upholstery, and you have doubled your mirage. When working with small spaces, rounded and “puffy”
furniture can often give off the appearance of fullness and make tight areas seem stuffy or small.
Cozy doesn't mean sectional. If you are short on space, you can still have the warm and
snuggly living room, without trying to compact a large sectional wall to wall. Repeat after me, “I must fight
the urge to cover every inch of open floor with furniture”. Keep the intimacy by placing two small side
chairs adjacent or banquette-style to one another.. Marry these chairs with a loveseat or sofa of slightly
larger size. Don’t shy away from focal upholstery pieces, let your scale go a bit here!
Choose a wall. If you are anxious to cover every inch of your small apartment in artwork, mirrors,
and posters. Then do so!.........With one. Trick the eyes and make one wall your gallery! Accentuate the
heights of this wall to avoid the appearance of over-excessiveness. If you’re feeling extra glam, paint your
chosen wall a powder pastel, or an iron oxide black-depending on your mood.
Speaking of color... Just because you live in a small space, does not mean you have to shy
away from your fun side! Colorways are a beloved way to broadcast your tastes. Do so by keeping your
selections in a small circle. Choose a few analogous and flattering tones to play with, whether it be for
your upholstery, drapery, or accessorization. Once you get outside of this colorway, things begin to sit out
of place, and not always in a good way. Remember, the key to our living sanctuary is flow and
agreeability.
Whether you are redecorating a condo, apartment, or extra space that may be leaning on the
smaller side; these small but mindful tips can make the world of a difference. With the right placement and
some tricks of the eye, a minimally sized space can become a project you find pride and HOME in.
