Welcome
Welcome to Brooke Haven! I'm Brooke and this is my haven where I hope to share decorating ideas, DIY projects, room makeovers and great prices on gorgeous finds. I mean, who doesn't love a good before and after?!
Design and décor make me happy, because I believe our surroundings can truly make our lives better. Sometimes, the smallest changes make a big impact! (I'm talking to you new bath mat!) As much as I love finding just the right paint color or the perfect throw pillow, details like these alone don't make a home. Creating a space that is welcoming, calm and functions how you need it – that's what turns a home into a haven.
NOT A DESIGNER
So, I am not a designer. I repeat – I am not a designer! I didn't study at a fancy design school and I am not certified in any way. I have done several major renovations, makeovers and I watch a lot of HGTV (I mean a lot). I will never fly in hand painted wallpaper from Paris or suggest rare tile only found in an obscure town in Portugal. But I do I understand how a room needs to work based on YOUR LIFE and how to create the feeling and function YOU WANT - at a realistic price.
I shop where you shop. I stalk stores like Homegoods, Wayfair, Target and Amazon (of course!) for bargains and some of my most exciting finds have come from Craigslist, flea markets and even on the street! I comb all the big-time stores, always on the lookout for every sale and markdown. Nothing makes me happier than helping to save you money on your favorite home decorating items, furniture, hardware – you name it! When I find something great on sale, I share it with you.
HGTV IS NOT REALITY TV
I love seeing inspirational rooms on Pinterest and on HGTV, but for most of us, this is not reality. Pristine white couches are beautiful, but honestly, they don't always work with kids, dogs, bad weather and other actualities of normal, everyday life. To me, the question is how to plan a real home for real people with real budgets and real life.
PRACTICAL REALITIES – REAL HOMES, REAL PEOPLE, REAL BUDGETS, REAL LIFE
Not everybody has cathedral ceilings, panoramic windows or mountain views. Most of us live in the real world, where design has to take into consideration practical realities. Room size, budgets, available natural light, space, function – the list goes on and on. These are real things that we can't see when flipping through the pages of a glossy magazine.
How do you take advantage of every square inch of a tiny bathroom? How can I help you make the room feel bigger even with low ceilings? Are there ways to use paint and color to create the illusion of a brighter room? YES!
These are just a few ideas, but hope they give you some inspiration on how we can turn your home into your haven!
WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? DÉCOR NEAR AND FAR
My mother always said it's a small world. With technology, it becomes smaller as we create our own virtual neighborhoods. Group texts, conference calls and social media, all help us stay connected with our tribe. The same is true for Brooke Haven! Depending on the project, I can support your projects from near or far. Believe it or not, I've used FaceTime to advise on the installation of a wood accent wall, help plan furniture placement and even how to place that blanket “just so.” For personal shopping for your home, I love to live stream my visits to Homegoods and flea markets, and share treasures found on Craigslist.
I'd love to do a virtual design consultation to help you solve a specific design challenge or create a complete decor plan. Send me photos of your space and I can help from afar! Of course, there's nothing like getting my hands dirty on a project, so if you live in the tri-state area, let's get together! New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are bursting with exciting stores and design ideas – I know we can find the perfect way to make your space just the way you want it. Westchester, Bergen, Fairfield and Rockland counties are all my backyard, so let me know when you're ready to make your home a haven!