By Design

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 […]