Guides
Renovating a Kitchen: Where the Budget Actually Goes
Kitchens are the most expensive room to renovate — and the most misunderstood. Here's where the money actually goes, and where to spend vs. save.
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Guides, ideas & notes from the studio
Practical advice on interior design, renovating in Essex County, and getting the most from your space — from the team at Fernanda Design Studio.
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How to Choose a Color Palette for Your Home
A cohesive home starts with a considered palette. Here's the designer's method for choosing colors that flow from room to room.
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Interior Design Trends We're Loving in 2026
Trends come and go, but the best ones point at something lasting. Here are the 2026 directions we're leaning into — and how to use them without dating your home.
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Commercial Interior Design That Wins Clients
Your space is talking to clients before you say a word. Here's how commercial design shapes perception, performance, and trust.
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Renovating a Montclair Colonial: What to Know Before You Start
Montclair's Colonials have wonderful bones and a few predictable quirks. Five things worth knowing before you start a renovation.
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Small-Space Design: Making a Compact Room Feel Bigger
A small room doesn't have to feel small. Here are the designer moves that make compact spaces feel open, calm, and intentional.
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Designing a Restaurant That Feels Like Somewhere
In hospitality, the space is the experience. Here's what makes a restaurant feel like somewhere guests remember — and want to return to.
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How to Prepare for Your Interior Design Consultation
A little prep makes your consultation far more productive. Here's exactly what to bring and think about beforehand.
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Inside a Glen Ridge Chef's Kitchen Renovation
A closed-off, dated kitchen becomes the open, hard-working heart of a historic Glen Ridge home. Here's how the project came together.
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Whole-Home Design vs. Room-by-Room: Which Is Right for You?
Should you design the whole home at once or tackle it room by room? Here's how to decide — and how to keep it cohesive either way.
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3D Renderings vs. Mood Boards: Why Seeing Your Space First Changes Everything
A mood board tells you the vibe. A 3D rendering shows you the room. Understanding the difference is the key to confident design decisions.
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Lighting 101: How to Layer Light in Any Room
Lighting is the most underrated element in a room — and the easiest to get wrong. Here's how designers layer it.
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How E-Design Works: Designer Results, Delivered Remotely
E-design brings a designer's eye to your space remotely — a room concept, mood board, and shopping list you execute yourself. Here's how it works.
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Working With an Interior Designer in Montclair: What to Expect
If you've never hired a designer before, the process can feel like a black box. Here's exactly what happens, step by step, on a Montclair project.
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What Does an Interior Designer Cost in New Jersey?
Flat fee, hourly, or cost-plus? A plain-English look at how interior design is priced in New Jersey — and what actually drives the number.
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