November kicks off the holiday entertaining season, with Thanksgiving right around the corner. Three design pros offer entertaining tips and show how to create a dining room that’s comfortable yet sophisticated, such as this colorful space designed by Cynthia Evans. The designers also share favorite recipes you may want to add to your entertaining menu.

As another calendar year turns the page, it’s time to start off on a fresh foot. That includes design, where a streamlined simplicity is the goal, such as this space designed by Laura Zender. Careful editing will reduce clutter, and rearranging items can create an invigorated look. A fresh décor can sometimes have the added benefit of clearing our minds. Whether they’re starting from scratch or refreshing a current space, professional designers offer their advice on editing a space.

It’s no surprise that Michiganders love to be near water, and although our summers may not last long, that does not stop us from maximizing our time in the sun. If you’re fortunate enough to have a pool or water on your property, how about a cozy spot adjacent to the water to eliminate trips into the main house or simply for relaxation? Several designers share their favorite summer hideaways.

Light and airy rooms are very welcoming and accommodating, but they sometimes lack the warmth and sophistication that a well-done, dark and moody space offers. Read more about how several of the area’s top designers incorporated these dark hues into their clients’ spaces.

2015 is officially here, and while personal resolutions are a great way to improve one’s physical and mental health, it’s important not to forget the brick-and-mortar that keeps our families safe and sound. We asked designers and MDC showroom staff alike what interior design resolutions they made for 2015. We quickly learned that bathroom renovations were the most popular design project on people’s to-do lists: