Summer Newsletter: Sips & Tips

Heather Holcombe
Jul 20
3 min read

July 2026

Heather Holcombe Designs

Designing for your lifestyle

Summer Travel, Fresh Perspective

Summer has a wonderful way of slowing us down and opening our eyes to beauty in unexpected places. (I will use that as my excuse for being late with the June newsletter.)

Whether it's a stroll through a charming village, a weekend at the coast, or a visit to a local botanical garden, every destination offers inspiration for creating a home that feels collected and personal.

As designers, we pay attention to the little details—a beautifully weathered door, layered textures in a boutique hotel, the calming palette of sea and sky, or the effortless way indoor and outdoor living blend together. These moments often become the starting point for future projects.

I encourage you to take photos of spaces that make you pause, collect meaningful mementos, and notice the colors, materials, and patterns that speak to you.

Wishing you a summer filled with beautiful travels, lasting memories, and fresh inspiration for the spaces you love most.

- Heather

Decorative divider line in tan and white

Quick Design Wins

Before - The dark wallpaper came with the house when my clients bought it.

After - They wanted a lighter color aesthetic.

This powder room is part of my ongoing Meadowmont project. The clients are longtime friends and clients. The husband is Swedish, and the wife is Cuban. After describing to me what she was looking for in a wallpaper pattern, I was pretty sure she'd love this Swedish brand. She did, and easily selected this mural design, which was printed to meet the dimensions of their powder room. The transformation is extraordinary. From dark black and gold to soothing neutrals that better reflect their aesthetic, rooted in earth tones and nature.

Why Interior Design Is Still a Human - not AI - Business

Measuring the space, presenting samples, and talking through options—the design process is a collaborative journey that ensures the final result is perfectly tailored to your unique home.

Click to Read Article

Summertime is fun and bright time. Here are a few of our favorite items this season. Reach out to us if you're interested in any of them.

Summer Sip

Warm summer evenings - ok with the North Carolina humidity - and the smell of summer in the air. Bring out some chilled glasses and enjoy this perfectl summer sip.

CAMPARI SPRITZ RECIPE:

2 oz Campari

3 oz Prosecco

1 oz Soda Water

Instructions:

Pour the Prosecco, Campari, and soda water into an ice-filled wine glass.
Garnish with a slice of fresh orange.
Enjoy!

Step Into The Past, Today

The renowned English design company Thibaut has reintroduced one of its classic trellis patterns, and clients are loving it. I've seen it done in a front foyer, but it's also very popular in dining rooms, sunrooms, and even powder rooms. Personally, I think they'd be great in a pool house (or pool bathroom) or a beach house.

On the left is its famed classic Oakhurst pattern from 1974. On the right, it was reintroduced in 2025 as a performance vinyl, Canary Trellis. Contact me for colors and details.

What's the biggest design mistake you ever made?

Many years ago, as a young designer, I assumed a kitchen's ceiling height. The cabinets I was designing were supposed to go all the way to the ceiling. They came out a foot too short! I've never made that mistake again.