There’s nothing like the Irish countryside to inspire Brad Roemer interior designers as we launch into the Fall season. Sprawling green hills, the serene sound of nature and old Bed and Breakfasts in far away villages have swooped up our creative juices.

If you’re looking for a romantic getaway in Ireland or England, we’ve got you covered with some of the quaintest villages your mind could ever imagine.

Here are the best villages to visit in Ireland, which will clearly explain our fond desire to bring the lush greenery and ancient cobblestones into our homes and offices.

Embrace the Medieval Mile

Marble has been a trend that’s been brimming on our radar for years now and is a big part of the Medieval Mile. Perhaps you’ve heard about Kilkenny through the beer brand, or in  music as a known destination amongst Irish and foreign travellers. The city is known as the Medieval Mile thanks to its long-standing heritage that can be viewed thanks to its narrow European streets and alleys. In the 6th century, the city housed a monastic settlement in which visitors can view the pre-existing round tower from the 9th century. The stone castle that takes over the city is a no-brainer spot for travellers as the extensive land and gardens are a sight worth looking. It’s graciously looming presence was significant when it was built in the 12th century since it acted as a fording point for the River Nore. The Victorian remodel of the castle is open for visitation.

Romance Amongst the Sea and Ruins

The Emerald Isle is a place you want to go to get a true exploration of the coastline. With one of the most romantic hotels for you to splurge on, and the quiet Ardmore’s silent sea views. The ruins of the St. Declan’s Cathedral will bring you a historical vantage point of the city like none other. There’s a wondrous three-mile cliff that you and your love bird can walk hand-in-hand. If you’re looking for ancient, then you’ve got it here. Jutting cliffs, iridescent bodies of water, cloudy skies, you’ll have the chance to enamour the scenery while making your way over to the House of Waterford Crystal, which literally houses the world’s oldest (still intact and functioning! Brilliantly!) lighthouse.

Legendary Scenery in the Kingdom of Kerry

Want to feel like a Queen or King for the day? This enchanting Kingdom serves as one of the most authentic experiences you could ever expect. With miles of rose gardens peaking out from the grassy shrubs, and the lively sound of vibrant folk musicians down the street at the Siamsa Tire, you’ll be doing the jig until your feet cramp up. Go by carriage as you are on your way to visit the 15th century Ross Castle.

Luxuries and Fairy Trees in the West

Galway is a top snag for romance as you walk through the magical scenic gardens at Brigit’s Garden. Here, you will feel one in nature as you tie your ultimate wish to the fairy tree and surround yourself with ancient Celtic folklore and rituals. If you’re looking for stunning, then look no farther but hopping into the car for a short several mile roadtrip down the Sky Road where you’ll view the tumultuous hills, expansive bodies of water and quaint sheep lining the farms. Where lilies and canoes reflect the ornate Kylemore Abbey, your heart’s desire for authenticity will be met more than half way. History of the Abbey’s many innovations, trials and tribulations, romance and tragedy pave across its  Victorian walled garden. Say a sweet prayer in the neo-Gothic church that elegantly peaks up from the bottom of a hill.

 

When something bad happens to you, it’s easy to hold on to that negativity and ponder on about your problems. This simply creates a spiralling effect of other negative occurrences. Experiencing uneasy emotions is nothing abnormal. In fact, they can provide pertinent information about what you need to do psychologically to feel better about yourself. Listen to your feelings and use these tactics to help tackle any sized problem.

You Feel a Weight on Your Chest

Some issue is consistently weighing down on you. It could be that a loved one in your family is sick in the hospital, or that you got in a bad fight with your spouse. Whatever the problem may be, it is taking over a ton of real estate in your brain. If you’re like some of the designers at Brad Roemer, then you may be a self-proclaimed believer in the law of attraction. The more negativity that you think, the more that negative happenings will occur in your life. It’s exactly the rigorous spiral that we were referring to earlier. When you’re dealing with such a heavy weight, then you need to write it out. The cathartic feeling that you’ll have from jotting every thought that crosses your mind on paper will free up some of that juicy headspace. We recommend writing for a maximum of 20 minutes, and to avoid doing this activity too close to bedtime.

Everything Seems to be Going Wrong

Everyone has one of those days where it feels like nothing is going right. You wake up late for work, forget your coffee at home, almost miss the train and have to work extra long at a client’s request. The best thing to do on one of these days is to take a short, ten-minute break where you can let go and do something that you love. This could be writing a poem, blasting a song and singing at the top of your lungs, or cooking a delicious breakfast for dinner. A quick jog around the blog will also do.

Your To-do List Never Ends

Perhaps you take a look at your list of endless tasks and feel stressed because you have to leave on time from work today due to a prior commitment. The stress makes your breathing feel extremely difficult, causing you to have shallow breaths. When this happens, take one minute to sit back and close your eyes. Focus entirely on your breathing with the 4-6-8 rule where you will count your inhale on four and hold for a count of six and finally exhale for a total of 8 counts. It’s like a magical stress-reducer! You’ll feel much more clear-minded and energetic after achieving this exercise.

Your Frustrations Make You Cry

Don’t ever feel ashamed of your emotions. Letting out your frustrations in a healthy way is the best avenue to follow. Brad Roemer always recommends talking to someone you love when the going gets incredibly tough. Knowing that your support system is there to back you up will make you feel relieved after you’ve vented all your thoughts. Don’t indulge in a massive cheesecake, overeat at the diner or chug down your entire glass of wine. Communicate how you’re feeling and you’re bound to feel a little better about the situation.

Normally, Brad Roemer and his wife are pretty decisive when it comes to deciding on which vacation spot they want to go to next. For some strange reason, this year it has been a massive debate. Roemer’s wife would absolutely love to go back to Marrakech for some sweet tea, yet the idea of venturing to the South of France, the Amalfi Coast in Italy and the islands of Hawaii have all taken a large play in the discussion. You’d think that in a world of business where strategic decisions need to be made and engrained in contract form that a week vacation trip would be an easy idea to have a consensus on.

We at Brad’s interior design subsidiary decided to make it easy for him: Choose the South of France, for all these adorable reasons will make you lust over it. After all… France just did win the World Cup!

South of France: Alarming Beauty

The Historic Monument of the Pope’s Palace

There’s more to France than the beautiful hustle and bustle of the country’s capital, Paris. For instance, if you’re wistful for a serene escape into a medieval city, then Provence is a great option. Roemer and his wife could enjoy the realms of the Pope’s Palace in Avignon, a UNESCO site that was built in the 14th century. It also happens to be one of the world’s largest and most important gothic buildings. Entrance into the palace will offer access to over twenty rooms, one of which is the prized papal apartments of Clement IV’s where Matteo Giovanetti’s beautiful gothic frescoes can be viewed.

For Lavendar Lovers

If you need a peaceful walk where all your senses can be alarmed, then the lavender tours at the Senanque Abbey in Gordes is a must-see. Wondering what the reason is for this deeply-rooted love for Provence? It’s the vision of roman buildings rusted over in a light grey in juxtaposed with the blossoming purple lavender fields and lush cypress trees.

By the Water in Marseille’s Old Port

For those who hope to live by the sea, the ancient city of Marseille’s Old Port adorns a breathtaking view of quays from the 1700s. This place is brewing as a local hotspot for lazy lunches, evening jousting and entertainment and meet-up spots. You’ll also feel like the rows of yachts are endless, and recognize the practicality of fishing in the city’s economy. Looking for a fresh catch of the day? You can’t get better than the Old Port.

Gorges du Verdon: There’s Nothing Like It

Think waters as blue as turquoise limestone, and unforgiving views of the canyon from below. You’ll feel absolutely tiny compared to the rest of the world, and gain a massive appreciation for Mother Nature. Use this day trip as an opportunity to rent a boat for a few hours and jump into the sparkling waters for a refresher. If you’re more the adventurous type, feel free to give the hiking trails a go with about 1,500 different routes to choose from that cusp on the edge of the limestone cliffs. Just be wary of where you step because limestone can be especially slippery!

Fourth of July is in only two days, although smack in the middle of the week. We cannot get enough of this annual celebration, sporting cool red, blue and white clothes and sipping margaritas by the swimming pool in the great company of family and friends. While this magical party clad with effervescent fireworks and a seemingly all-you-can-eat buffet fancies us all, the host of the party is often nervously preparing their home and food options before the grand day. It takes one to enjoy the party, but it takes another to make certain that everyone is enjoying said party.

Brad Roemer has thus broken down the necessities of party decorations, activities and favors to take out the hassle of all the July 4th preparations.

Snack Table Decor

This time of year is undoubtedly hot in Oakland, and any healthy and cold refreshment will be greatly appreciated by your guests. We love to kill two birds with one stone by making one of our snacks a part of the decoration. All it takes is several watermelons and a great stencil plus vegetable peeler and you’re practically set. After you’ve cut the watermelon into a few dozen slices, use a stencil on two full, uncut watermelons by spelling out “July” and “4”. This will now become your table centrepiece.

Drink Bar Decor

No one has a good party without a substantial amount of alcohol. Creating a fun drink bar with star DIY banners will direct everyone to the cool refreshments. All you’ve got to do is cut out identical stars via an online star stencil and get a little crazy with glue and glitter. Cut holes in the top of every star and lace through long ribbons that are red, white and blue. Hang the garland both on the edge of the table and on the wall that supports the bar.

A Bloody Mary bar makes for a classic signature drink for your party… unless you prefer strawberry daiquiris, which just so happens to be the Roemer’s go-to party drink! To make this station look pretty, fill cups with pepper-stuffed green olives, pickles, celery,  lemon and lime along with canisters of the mixed drink. This way guests don’t have to worry about  mixing together the right amounts of tabasco, Worcestershire sauce and tomato juice.

Flower Power & Candle Decor

Candles and flowers provide a whimsical feel, especially when hosting an outdoors event.

Brad Roemer loves to make an effortless statement by purchasing cheap glass vases from the dollar store and filling them around with a small United States flag. Fill the vase with water along with blue hydrangeas and carnations as well as white freesia and miniature daisies. Lush greenery should top off the assortment of flowers.

As for the serving platter that is to be placed under the vase, it is recommended to add colorful fruits to the mix while ensuring that they are aligned with the American patriotic colors. We would choose three of the following list: Fresh peaches, apricots, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and cherries.

As for the candles, you can simply lay out small red, blue and white paper bags all around the lawn while inserting soil that is sprayed with OFF and tea candles to top them off. This is a makeshift weapon against those nasty mosquitos that may annoy your guests while eating great BBQ and watching the fireworks from your backyard.

Are you bored of your current home interior design look? Perhaps a quick fix-me-upper would do your space justice. If you feel uninspired to work on your side hustle startup, or to let your creative fingers come up with new musical notes, then it is likely that your space has taken fortress to the drab and messy.

Maintaining a clean and tidy space often comes with the respect that one gives a space they love. You work hard to pay your rent every month and to come home to a safe sanctuary where you can relax idly on the couch without a fret in the world. Sometimes, there’s nothing better than a minimalistic home update to shape up your mood and make you want to dance around your living room all night love with the ones you love (i.e. you’re finally feeling like inviting people over instead of hiding in the embarrassment that is undone laundry).

So, how exactly can you make this home (and mood) transformation a reality? You can put away those amethyst crystals for now… We’ve got a few more practical interior design tips to change up your home for the better.

1. Focus on Neutrals! When your home is infested with all the colors on the rainbow, the eye and mind doesn’t know where to focus anymore. Purchase your large furniture items within a neutral context if you like to have more creative leisure with smaller items such as picture frames and pillows. Brad Roemer’s team loves to opt for neutral greens and mauves for clients who still want a little bit of a color splash.
2. Get Away From the Cramped Space! If you want your space to look larger than it is, then A) stop buying every single cute armour from your town’s flea market and B) Stick your furniture items straight to the walls. This will allow people to believe that your space is larger than it is and a little less chaotic.
3. Store Up the Unnecessaries! You can’t imagine just how many clients Brad Roemer Realtor has dealt with whom have difficulty getting rid of items. Hoarding exists–it’s not only for those outrageous TLC shows. While we recommend our clients to choose to keep items only that bring them true joy, we also encourage individuals to purchase great double-duty storage units. Some clients love the ability to hide their bed and extra chairs in the secrecy of a cupboard… You do you!

 

Make The Happy Couple Remember You Forever

As May is about to melt into June, you may begin to feel the distress surrounding summer weddings. You’ve been searching through Nordstrom’s sale rack, on the hunt for the perfect shoes to match your cocktail dress. Or perhaps the recent Royal Wedding between Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle has you feeling like you need to step up your game as a party guest (I mean, hello Amal Clooney in that mustard Stella McCartney dress that has the entire internet going crazy). Or perhaps you’re like Brad Roemer with a calendar full of engagement parties, bachelor parties (some that require a plane!) and weddings–practically leaving enough time for family. There are many protocols to be followed and much money to be spent when it comes to weddings, but let’s start with the first line of attack: the whimsical engagement party.

Engagement Gift Giving At Its Best

Perhaps your favorite couple has finally sealed the deal. Your best friend got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend of five years. After you’ve expressed googley eyes over her Tiffany’s diamond ring  one too many times, and have congratulated your best friend for this enchanting life milestone, now is the time to think gifts. If you’re not a big gift giver, then deciding what to get the soon-to-be bride and groom can be tough especially if there is no registry involved.

The Protocol for Different Types of Engagement Parties

You may be wondering what the protocol is when invited to an engagement party. Certainly, it’s not any ordinary party where you need only provide a box of beer for you and your host to enjoy. There’s a ring on the table of this one. Depending on the spectrum of formality that the host has put out, you can decipher for yourself whether a gift is necessary. For instance, if you have been notified about the party through word-of-mouth or text and have an understanding that the event will be more semi-formal, then a bottle of congratulatory champagne suffices. However, if you’ve instead received your formal invite in the mail with a return envelope that needs RSVP–likely due to the nature of the event taking place in a fancy restaurant or hall–then it’s proper etiquette to arrive bearing a gift.

Budget Wisely and Choose Carefully

A generous budget for the entire ordeal should be about $200 per person. This includes the engagement party gift, the wedding gift and any showers you would also be invited to. Women are often invited to a separate bridal shower and bachelorette shower, where a token item from the gift registry is recommended for the former and perhaps a cocktail or bottle of alcohol is more fitting for the latter. When it comes to the engagement gift, you have the opportunity to choose a more intimate gift depending on the bride and groom’s personality. The Brad Roemer design team who sometimes designs one-off weddings recommends against sticking to the gift registry if one exists. If you’re not attending an Italian wedding where cash is often preferred over a physical gift to cover the cost of the plate, then leave the gift registry choices for the special day.

A Few Exceptional Engagement Gifts

If you’re not the giving type, then here’s a little food for thought on the best practices for engagement gifts. If your best friend is a major foodie, consider buying them a luxury SMEG toaster if you wish to go big on the gifts, or else small kitchen accessories such as a waffle maker from Urban Outfitters,  a refined bottle of Balsamic Vinaigrette or a minimalist copper, marble and cheese slate will do the trick. If the love bird couple seems to have everything, then you may want to opt for interior design decorations such as a colorful vase, a small eternity rose box from Venus et Fleur, or a set of customized coasters to match the two hometowns of the couple. If they’re more the artistic type, choosing a sweet wire statement bowl or sea-inspired wall decorating pieces would be unexpected but much loved.

It’s a gloomy spring day outside. The rain smells sweeter than honey as the raindrops caress the blossoming bulbs that are just now showing signs of color through the earth. The chirping birds circle their way through the sky from afar. You were planning on going on a whimsical jog, only to take one step outside and fatefully look up at the sky to re-enter your home as quickly as you skipped out the door. So what do you do? You prop up your laptop on your stomach as you lie down on your couch surrounded by a fuzzy blanket and your cat Paws. The coffee maker is sizzling alive in the background and you can’t help but go to your guilty pleasure: Pinterest. You’ve recently made new Pinterest boards to keep your eye on the real estate and interior decor trends that are up and coming. Your favorites are “Southern Homes” (your home is in the wild, wild South), “Palaces and Castles” (since you secretly love to pretend you’re a character in Downton Abbey) and “Fairytale Garden” (to get your landscaping game on fleek).

Create a Dream Home Blueprint

You’re doing the right thing by yourself, creating the blueprint of your future home. Right now your quaint townhouse is smaller than you might have hoped for as you are about to get married in less than six months and know that the two of you are going to be starting a family short after the fact. This circumstance prompted the re-birth of your hobby for interior decor, and you can’t help but feel overwhelmed with the amount of new trends that you can choose from. So let us help break them down for you in a bite-sized pieces so that you can fully take advantage of the trends to come.

Utilize Crown Moulding as an Inexpensive Addition

We’ve all heard about how crown moulding can take an otherwise mundane space from casual to pristine in no time. The standard surrounding this claim is that crown moulding is a feature of more luxurious homes. While it can be this way, it is pertinent to understand that there are hundreds of crown moulding designs to choose from. While some are more intricate, you can just as quickly choose a simple and sleek design for yourself. Minimal crown moulding can be as easy as ceiling and floor linings–and it’s not overly expensive either, costing about $1.50 per linear foot for the simpler designs.

Make Your Backyard a Dreamy Getaway

Who needs to spend hundreds of dollars on a fancy, luxurious getaway with your spouse when you can simply visit your own backyard for the trickling sound of a waterfall and colorful fish swirling around? A few style ideas to take note of are using tall trees and lush plant bushes around the perimeter of your fencing to feel that your backyard is separate from the rest of the city. If you can add a touch fo grass to your space, go for it as the greenery will automatically lift your spirits up. Add a small table in the middle of this space for outdoor summer dinners or opt for a picnic area where you and your family can take those infamous peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

 

 

Do you live in a small studio in New York City, or a college dorm fresh out of high school? It can be quite a wake up call when you have to downsize your entire life into a few square feet. Don’t make your cute studio apartment bring you down into the blues. Brad Roemer and his team of excellent interior designers have worked with countless homeowners and apartment renters that have had to make due with the small things in life. You’ll find that these deviously smart tricks will go a long way into making you feel comfortable and happy in your tiny space.

Choose Your Rug Wisely

While choosing small dangly items for your space and hanging photos way too high up on your wall make it on our interior decor enemies 101 list, small rugs are right there with them on the list. There’s nothing worse that a few small rugs in your already hard-to-breathe apartment. It’ll do exactly the opposite of what you desire by making your space appear even smaller than it already is. This is because a few mismatched rugs can make your studio look broken up instead of one sleek, unison unit. If you’re looking for some good options, don’t be alarmed if you notice a high price tag. West Elm has some great, trendy pieces that are a favorite amongst the Brad Roemer Realtor team for their million-dollar homes.

Rule Out The Size of Your Artwork

Any space can look awkward if its artwork hasn’t been planned out sufficiently beforehand. Think of it this way: A great rule of thumb to follow is to avoid small clustered paintings on a large wall and instead opt for a large painting to match. You don’t necessarily need to go expensive with this one. Your art choosing can be an old advertising that you found in a Parisian vintage shop. Or you can go with comic book clippings as your preferred strategy for bringing out your personality. If you have a small wall, such as near your wardrobe, focus on hanging up smaller pieces.

Off-the-Floor Furniture

If the entire dimension of your furniture is close to the floor, such as a bed or couch that has a skirt that hangs down onto the floor or an armour that fully meets the floor, you lose that sense of airy-ness that you so deeply need in a tiny space.

Choose Shelving Over Bookcases

Need to hang up old textbooks, literary novels and vases you received from your late grandmother? Don’t opt for a bookcase but instead above-the-floor shelving units. Three stacks of shelvings should be the maximum that you’re willing to go for.

What are your favorite tiny apartment decorating secrets? We’d love to hear them in the comments below, they may even inspire our next Brad Roemer design blog post!