By Design

by Patricia Cove Being a traditionalist at heart, I guess I am a stickler for “the rules.” You know the ones I mean: not wearing white after Labor Day, the man walks on the street side of the woman, the not-so-popular “rules of grammar” and the even less popular “rules of etiquette” that just seem […]

by Patricia Cove Chestnut Hill is blessed with many individuals who study, research and advocate for the preservation of historic buildings. Shirley Hanson and Nancy Hubby, two preservationists and founding members of the Chestnut Hill Historical Society, now the Chestnut Hill Conservancy, have written a wonderful book called “Preserving and Maintaining the Older Home.” When […]

by Patricia Cove Like political movements and automobiles, interiors do not always stand the test of time. They can be lost to months and years of neglect or left to face the cruelties of age and deterioration. Abandoned and forgotten, they become ghostly shells of their former grandeur; and there they remain, waiting, hoping and […]

by Patricia Cove Color, pattern, texture, balance, proportion and scale. These are elements that play a major role within the design profession. And a good designer is able to combine these elements into a cohesive, comfortable and attractive space – one that a client is thrilled to claim as her own. Sounds easy, right? If […]

by Patricia Cove Chestnut Hill has the honor of holding the title of National Historic District, one of only a handful within the city of Philadelphia. The honor is given by the United States Department of the Interior after a thorough inventory of a community’s significance in American history, archeology, engineering, culture and, most notably, […]

by Patricia Cove I miss Dominique Browning. She was once the editor of the now out-of-print House and Garden magazine and an author of several books chronicling her life as a mother, designer, wife and ex-wife. I so admired her ability to lay bare the often humorous, frequently heartrending issues she faced in everything from […]

by Patricia Cove We all know how important personal character is. Although its actual definition can change, depending on who you ask, its inherent meaning usually stems from reliability, truthfulness, and authenticity. Traits that give a person credibility, that stem from a trustworthy and admirable nature. Most often, having “character” is directed at individuals. But […]

by Patricia Cove Trends are like thieves in the night. They sneak in, scope out all your lovely belongings and, one by one, piece by piece, abscond with their beauty, their timelessness and their relevance. And it is done with such abandon that those treasures that trends take away are so much better, in so […]

by Patricia Cove When I started my Interior Design business almost 30 years ago, the world of interiors was much different. Cabbage roses were all the rage, and billowing window treatments complemented all forms of fenestration. Shades of lilac and mauve were the go-to wall colors, and if you were lucky enough to own a […]

by Patricia Cove Interiors: Why do some like clean lines, while others prefer embellishment? Exteriors: What is it about Georgian architecture that evokes history, while Arts and Crafts design evokes nature? Surroundings: Why does one space bring us so much joy, while another, so much consternation? There is something in all of us that responds […]