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HGTV Experience and Finding Comfort on Camera

Melanie Morris August 14, 2020 Beach / Caribbean, Press 0

Has your television intake increased over the past couple of months? It seems like almost every big event is being televised or streamed these days. This way everyone is able to still enjoy their experience while staying safe. For some, being in front of the camera can be a little nerve-wracking. What if you were approached by a big name in the industry and you have to act natural in a social setting that is completely foreign to you? With advancements in technology and the current climate of our world, it wouldn’t hurt to start practicing those on-camera techniques. This will help prepare you when the time comes to put yourself in the spotlight.

My biggest experiences so far in my career have been video shoots with HGTV in the T.V. series Beachfront Bargain Hunt. I was lucky enough to be able to work with them on two occasions and I learned different techniques from both experiences. For this blog, we made it more of an interview-style to help in an interview typesetting. These Q & A’s are about my experience with HGTV and how that has prepared me for any camera-ready moments that may lie ahead.

SHOWTIME

Q: What was it like working with HGTV?
A: The interesting thing about working with HGTV is that we found out that they have a bunch of different professional companies that they hire out to execute the filming. The crews we had the pleasure of working with were lovely. The director was friendly and explained the entire process to us. When the time came to shoot the second show it was really fun because we were able to work with the same camera crew. It was almost like seeing an old friend again. In both instances, we were able to connect thanks to a local real estate agent, Seaglass Properties. We later found out, that was how HGTV sourced their candidates for the television series.



Q: Did anything unexpected come up while filming?
A: The first run we did was about our family’s home which made things a little dicier in the process of the remodel. We were already undergoing the transformation and the shipment for the kitchen materials was held by customs. This put a minor snag in our timeline. We had to make sure to communicate that part of the remodel would be delayed. Sometimes when you ship things to St. Thomas it can be held by the government office so they can inspect your goods which can take up to 30 days.

Q: Were you ever nervous or unsure about what the crew was filming?
A: I was never really nervous because they were so good with us. I, of course, got a little nervous in front of the camera. Sometimes I would have to be reminded not to look directly at the camera when we were done shooting a scene.

Q: What did you gain through the experience?
A: It was fun to share our home and the whole process that it took to get it to where it is now. We thought it would also be beneficial for our daughter to see what reality television is all about. This experience brought some great attention to the island and the interior design industry and how it can be affordable to live here.


Q: Was the result of the work you did with them what you expected?
A: Both experiences were pretty much what we expected. The crew did a very nice job of showing us how we really were. The only difference was we were with them all day every day for 5 days and the result was for 20 minutes of footage. When it came to the second run we shot with Rex, the touring part had to be staged in order to give the whole story. Rex had already purchased the home he wanted to be remodeled. That episode was also originally filmed in the summer of 2017 right before the hurricanes. Unfortunately, after the hurricanes hit HGTV had to pull that episode because the location had been destroyed. It ultimately aired more than a year after it was filmed.

Q: Did you have a different mindset about anything your second time working with HGTV?
A: The second run with HGTV was a little different mainly because it wasn’t about my family’s house anymore. It was more about my expertise and my work with my client which took a lot of the pressure off me. It was exciting to see the rendering I did for the project as part of the finished show that aired!

Q: If the opportunity to work with HGTV came up again what would you do differently?
A: It was a very good experience overall. I would hope that from my experience with them that I would be a little easier for them to work with. Of course, I would not look directly at the camera!

Q: What advice would you have for someone who has not had that experience especially for those who are finding out they need to be comfortable in front of a camera in our more virtual world?
A: It really just takes practice. The more you dedicate yourself to doing the IGTV and any other form of streaming will help you be more yourself in whatever the setting is. If it is a bigger production, know that the crew is there to help you and cast you in the best light. If the opportunity is bringing exposure to you and your business it will definitely help you grow in more ways than one.

Practice Makes Perfect

Below you can find the two episodes I was featured in. Remember, practice makes perfect. Any experience with a television broadcasting station or your DIY video shoot with your phone for an IGTV snippet will help you in more ways than you think.

Season 3 Episode 8
Season 19 Episode 1

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Favorite Daybeds: 7 Examples

Melanie Morris June 18, 2020 Beach / Caribbean, Outdoor Living 0

The hanging daybed has been a HUGE client favorite request in the past couple years, so here are a few of our favorites that you can order online.

Daybeds encourage that slower island lifestyle in a place and time when you really do find the freedom to dive into a good book, doze into an afternoon nap, or indulge in a relaxed happy hour, because you know it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere!

Since we’re all spending a little more time at home lately, why not treat yourself to a special comfort piece to help your porch or yard feel a little more like a summer retreat.

If you have the space and ability to hang a larger size daybed try one of these. They are the perfect place to take an afternoon nap.

The low arm height makes it perfect for propping up a pillow or a peaceful place to stretch out. The 78” size is about the size of a twin mattress.
We love the tropical look of this daybed and all the colorful throws make it even more inviting.

If you don’t have room to hang a daybed, but you still have a good amount of space this is a great option that also provides a little shade.

Another alternative is this classic West Indies style daybed. This option could also work indoors especially in a rental condo.

For those smaller spaces this little single seater is sure to be the most popular seat in the house. These are available with and without a stand.

For a more intimate setting this daybed provides a cozy little nest that would suit smaller spaces with a 51in diameter.

There are plenty of daybed options to promote those zen moments we all need to recharge and refresh our minds, bodies, and spirits.

Enjoy!

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Caribbean Color and How to Bring it Home

Melanie Morris May 19, 2020 Beach / Caribbean 0

Here are some easy ways to bring the colors of the Caribbean home with you.

When you think of the colors of the Caribbean do you think of turquoise waters and hot pink bougainvillea?  Maybe the colorful streets of Old San Juan?  Well if you don’t actually live in the Caribbean, many HOA’s frown upon painting the exterior of your home these colors. Here are our favorite ways to incorporate some Caribbean flair in our client’s homes.

There is a fine line between bright and cheery, and what we like to call “clown throw up” in the world of color.  To avoid color clashes here is our easy formula to enjoy bold fun colors easily.

  1. Start with a neutral base. By that I mean, choose a neutral tone for the flooring, and a complimentary neutral to pale-colored shade on the walls.  Beige and gray can play well together if you select shades with similar undertones.
  2. Large scale items in the room should be fairly neutral or done in solid timeless shades. A navy sofa, for instance, is the furniture equivalent of a good pair of blue jeans. It can go with any top, or set of wild pillows!
  3. Keep your neutrals from being boring by introducing a variety of textures within the neutral color palette.
  4. Choose a key item that you love to set the tone for color. For me, it’s often art, but sometimes it’s a fabulous throw pillow or drapery fabric.  Color inspiration can come from anywhere. We’ve even seen a client’s favorite beaded clutch bag set the color scheme for a space. Your key item can truly be anything colorful that you love! (Ren Spooner shirt anyone?)
  5. Pull out more colors and tones from your key item for pieces like rugs, throw pillows, blankets, and dishes. Add a colorful trim to window treatments to help connect the colors throughout the space.
  6. To add a little extra oomph, consider an accent wall. Even the ceiling can be considered an accent wall.

Waves of color but not over the top were layered in this Caribbean vacation rental bedroom. By using our formula, we were able to accentuate the neutral walls and textured rattan bed frame with the side table in a crisp navy. The white bedding pairs with the textural white lamp, and the BIG color is brought in with the colorful art, Euro pillows, and throw blanket.  The big color items are easy to switch out and update for a fresh look every couple of years.  While the big pieces that are more costly to change will be able to work with a variety of looks.

This design would have fallen flat without the dramatic turquoise accent wall.  The deep color highlights the unique bed in a way that a cream-colored wall would not.  This room is filled with natural beachy textures and cool sandy tones.  The color pieces would be easy to switch out for a refresh in the future.

Product links for living room refresh:
Colorful Cotton Rug
Natural Fiber Rug
Sofa
Art Work
Accent Pillows

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4 Design Lessons I Learned Living On A Boat

Melanie Morris February 18, 2020 Beach / Caribbean 0

You may not know this about me, but I used to live on a small sailboat.  

In fact, I first came to the Virgin Islands because I wanted to sail every day. I thought my visit was only going to last one season, but then I met David and we fell in love and decided to make the Virgin Islands our home. David was living on his sailboat at the time, and I moved onboard with him after our wedding. We sailed our home down island and lived aboard for almost two years before having our daughter. Those of you with kids will understand why we couldn’t stay on the boat at that point — babies come with a lot of stuff!

Living on a boat taught me the values of simplicity and practicality, and that perspective still influences my interior design work today. But that isn’t the only design lesson I learned living on the water with David. Turns out, there are many similarities between designing a custom yacht and designing a custom home on land.

Lesson 1: Pare Down

Living on a sailboat is the original “tiny house” experience. Even large, luxury yachts are typically smaller than the average home on land. This experience will teach you to value your space and prevents a buildup of clutter and other messes.

Even if you’re living on land, consider purging your belongings so you’re only left with the things that serve a purpose or have supreme sentimental value. Try not to view paring down as a negative experience; it taught me how to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, like the feeling of a tidy, organized and beautiful home filled with the people I love instead of extra stuff that wasn’t making me happy.

The kitchen on this new Island Packet Yacht uses every available inch for cooking or storage — a principle I also like to use when designing custom kitchens for my clients like in the image below.
This small condo kitchen I designed uses every available inch of space, and the rich wood grain has the feeling of a yacht.

Lesson 2: Consider the Climate

Just like coastal homes, boats have a lot of exposure to the elements. That’s why experienced shipwrights like my friends over at Island Packet Yachts choose durable materials that can withstand the heat, water, humidity, salt and sand when constructing the interior and exterior of a boat or yacht.

This lesson is applicable to land-based homes also. When you’re choosing finishes, consider the local climate and how the weather will wear on the materials. In the Caribbean, for example, I recommend working with stainless metal, teak wood, rattan and outdoor fabrics. These materials, among others, can withstand the hot summers, salt air and hurricane season well.

Lesson 3: Embrace Marine Materials

Boats and yachts are always designed with durability in mind, but they aren’t the only kind of homes that can benefit from using long-lasting materials. When I’m designing an island home for my clients, I like to use marine materials that give a subtle nod to our surroundings.

In textiles, I like to use solution-dyed acrylic (Sunbrella is one of my favorite brands because their lovely “yachtie” canvas lasts) and rope, which add nautical texture to upholstery and decor items. Round windows or mirrors also evoke a coastal feeling because they look similar to a porthole window. When choosing metal finishes, I like using stainless and antiqued brass because they both have a maritime feel.

All of these materials add an element of seaside chicness without being too obvious or kitschy.

The round mirrors I used in this coastal bathroom remodel mimic the shape of porthole windows the homeowners might see sailing by outside their window.

Lesson 4: Intricate Woodwork Never Goes Out of Style

Wood is a key tool in boatbuilding, not only for creating the structure of wooden boats, but also for constructing interiors. It’s an incredibly versatile material because it can expand and contract with the humidity and movement of the vessel, but also because it’s beautiful and can last a lifetime.

When I’m aboard a ship, I’m always amazed by the beautiful woodworking details and inlays used to add an extra visual element to furniture and flooring. I look for this same level of craftsmanship when shopping for my clients’ homes. In my mind, you can never go wrong choosing a handmade wood item.

Wood inlays are an example of classic maritime design. This inlay, found on an Island Packet Yacht, is exactly the type of feature I look for when shopping for wood furniture for my clients.
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7 Must-Have Accessories for Every Beach Home

Melanie Morris January 31, 2020 Beach / Caribbean 0

While big elements of a design like layout, furniture and flooring certainly have a significant impact on interior design, accents can be the things that make a house feel like a home. And when you’re living that laid-back Caribbean lifestyle, it’s important that your home decor is both beautiful and practical. When decorating your dream island home, make sure you add these seven essential accessories and decor pieces.

1. Shoe Baskets

A home’s entryway is always one of the first places to get cluttered and dirty, and this is even more true for a beach house. I recommend placing a chic basket near your exterior doors to corral flip flops and sand. This basket from Crate&Barrel has a beautiful woven texture and is perfect for storing shoes or even beach towels.

2. A Beautiful Tray

Reasons to entertain guests are plentiful when you have beachfront property. That’s why I always add at least one beautiful tray to a client’s home when I decorate for them; it’s the perfect accessory for hosting friends and family. You could fill this gorgeous Annieglass table from Neiman Marcus with wine and cheese while entertaining, and when the party’s over put it back out to keep your coffee table organized. Make sure it’s dishwasher safe (as this one is) so clean-up is easy!

3. Rattan

Bring the beautiful beach landscape inside your home by adding some rattan details. This woven material is made from palm tree stems, so it’s incredibly durable and adds a rich texture to furniture and decor. Rattan will never go out of style at a beach home and is especially popular in recent years regardless of where you live. This glass Anthropologie serving bowl with a rattan wrapper will add lots of texture to your tablescapes and is sure to become an island classic. I love these mixed with the touch of gold on the tray above as well. It creates an eclectic vibe on the table overall.

4. A Conversation-Starter

Every room needs that one-of-a-kind item that starts up a conversation. These items can be tricky to find — they don’t exactly match, but somehow, they mingle tastefully with what’s already in the space. I love a funky bench or ottoman for that piece. Whether you place it at the foot of your bed or use it as dining room seating, it’s sure to add a fun vibe to your room.

5. A Chinese Lamp

Mixing traditional elements with modern decor is so chic, and nothing is more traditional than chinoiserie — Chinese-inspired decor items that first became popular in 17th century England. You can never go wrong with a blue and white porcelain lamp in the Chinese style. It’s a classic look in any home, and in the Caribbean gives a special nod to the vintage British Colonial style. 

6. Linen Sheets

Nothing says luxury like linen sheets, which get softer with each wash. I always get them in white because they can be easily cleaned and evoke a feeling of cleanliness. This set from Parachute will make you excited to go to bed each night.

7. Natural Wallpaper

Make a statement on one or two walls in your home by installing a textured wallpaper that brings nature indoors. I recommend choosing a vinyl wallpaper (Phillip Jeffries is one of my favorite brands) because it holds up better against the humidity of the tropics.

Here’s what a vinyl wallpaper accent wall looks like in a Lagnappe Custom Interiors client home — gorgeous!