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Deena Knight

@deenaknightdesigns

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🩵 The Soulfulness of Home.
DKD is a full service design firm based in Martha’s Vineyard, MA and Memphis, TN.

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🤎W E L C O M E... let’s chat. There has been a great debate lately on whether influencers and content creators should use their platforms to voice concerns over social and political issues. If you have been following me for a while you probably think you have a good idea of where I land on this. But the truth is that I have been struggling with it lately. Swipe thru the slides for some thoughts... by @deenaknightdesigns

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5 years ago

✂️P R U N I N G 💚🍃… I’ve said it many times, there are countless life lessons that come from gardening. One I continue to return to is inspired by pruning, as it relates to letting go.

I can’t tell you how many times, I’ve seen tips around pruning, “deadheading” and “pinching back.” Whichever you’re doing, the idea is that when you trim a plant, you encourage it to push out new growth. It’s the same principle as getting your ends clipped to make your hair grow. But just like with your hair, sometimes you’d rather hold tight to those scraggly ends than give up that length. You know?

Similarly in life…sometimes we need to snip (deadhead), partially cut back (pinch) or make a radical edit (prune) in order to become our more fuller self.

I’m taking a deeper look at this on my substack. Link in bio.

At this point I don’t have an agenda for these substack musings. I’m just letting it flow organically. If I’m feeling brave enough to share, I’ll publish it. If you read it and enjoy it or want to add to the conversation, I’d love to hear from you.

I know soooooo many people in transition. I wrote this with them on my heart. 💚🌱🍃

🍃Reader, how are you with making life edits. Even if you don’t head to Substack for the full context, you can still share in the comments of this post. by @deenaknightdesigns

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a month ago

🌱🌱It’s TiiiiME… (🎶in my best Mariah voice). The hydrangeas have bloomed across the vineyard. Though not quite fully in my own yard (Video is from 2024). I’m in my 7th Martha’s Vineyard hydrangea season and I’m still learning. But I get asked lots of questions. So 1️⃣ S W I P E…to see how we got here.

2️⃣ see below for my top tips for these Endless Summer Macrophylla Hydrangeas:

1. 💙 Don’t panic over color shifts
Blue, purple, pink — same plant, different soil pH. Acidic soil = blue blooms. More alkaline = pink. Martha’s Vineyard soils tend toward the acidic side, so blue girlies often stay true. But I know some friends with pinky purple blooms here. There’s product you can add to make more acidic💜.Check with your local nursery.*

2. ✂️ Know WHEN to prune*
Pruning at the wrong time = no blooms. Endless Summers bloom on both old AND new wood, so you get a second chance even if you mess up. But still, I prefer to just deadhead right after bloom, no more cutting by fall!

3. 🌱 Feed them, but don’t overdo it
Hydrangeas don’t need a ton of fertilizer and too much nitrogen will give you all leaves, no blooms. 🍃 A balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring is usually all they need. And don’t fertilize late in the season. You want them to naturally transition towards dormancy. Late fertilization is the equivalent of giving a child sugar at bedtime. 🍭

4. 💧 Deep roots, deep drinks
In summer heat, hydrangeas want a deep soak rather than frequent shallow watering. 💦And don’t get their leaves wet. These divas don’t like that!

5. ☀️Plant them where they’ll thrive
This variety prefers morning light and afternoon shade. If you’re having trouble with yours, try moving them to a different location in your yard. Once established, they will show out for you, but you can’t force them to thrive in the wrong spot. They are DIVAS!

*🌿 REMEMBER: Not all hydrangeas are created equal. These tips are for Endless Summer. Annabelle, Oakleaf, Limelights, etc. all have different pruning rules, bloom times, color variations and sun needs. What works for one can wreck another. KYV: Know your variety and your growing zone🌸

Comment below: questions ? More tips? taken in Martha's Vineyard by @deenaknightdesigns

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a month ago

🤎D A D. I can’t lie or be too humble here. I’m blessed in the dad department!

First of all I have a great dad. He and my mom didn’t work out (they were wayyyy young when they got married) but I have so many great memories of my dad throughout my life. And I’m grateful for that. We always have the most robust conversations and that goes back as far as I can remember. He always nurtured my mind and gave me such confidence in my ability to think and learn and have an opinion. You see too many examples of men who walk away from relationships and also stop being their kids dad. My dad was not that guy.

Then I met B and got a bonus dad. My father-in-law has to be truly one of the most thoughtful men I’ve ever met. And one of my favorite things in the world is watching him talk to my dad about every topic under the sun. The older my husband gets, the more I see his father in him. And I just love that they talk on the phone every day.

And finally there’s my own kids’ dad. My B. My husband. This morning I got to witness each of our kids pour out words of affirmation and gratitude for everything he is to them. It made my heart burst. When you become a dad at 23, even when you’ve had a positive relationship with your own father, there’s still some growth that has to happen. And he’s done that beautifully and I’ve enjoyed my front row seat.

So yeah…I’m blessed. I’ve got 3 good ones. 🙌🏽

🤎Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and father figures out there. Holding space for those for whom this day is complicated. taken in Martha's Vineyard by @deenaknightdesigns

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a month ago

I’m taking time to reflect today. I hope you are too. taken in Martha's Vineyard by @deenaknightdesigns

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a month ago

T H R O W B A C K with my “grassy” man. 🌱. In honor of 🎾 grass season and the return of the Queen. (So grateful Serena and Victoria were my whole timeline today! 💕)

Last year we tried our hand at playing tennis on grass in Palm Desert (swipe to see me looking very awkward 🫣) . The pros make it seem like it’s not that big of a difference. Fun fact: it was super hard! We were much better at posing for still photos.

🌱 It’s also that time of year when tending to our grass and garden on Martha’s Vineyard becomes our full personality. Maybe we need an official photo shoot for that. Somebody help me work out the concept. ☺️

Hope something or someone made you smile today! by @deenaknightdesigns

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2 months ago

🌱N A T U R A L L Y … From Memphis to Martha’s Vineyard (and even Charlotte before) one thing’s for sure…

There will be hydrangeas. 🌱

Long before they were social media darlings, these big fluffy flowers had my heart.

What’s your favorite plant/flower? And WHY?!

Hydrangeas have long been my jam, but I can also be swayed by whatever is in bloom. 🤷🏽‍♀️ by @deenaknightdesigns

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2 months ago

🤎 W O R K in progress. Sometimes a dual residence means having your heart and your head in two places. Because I take Memphis and Martha’s Vineyard clients, there is a duality that exists in my work experience too. Two of my current projects couldn’t be further apart: one is the ultimate modern and sleek bachelor pad overlooking the Mississippi River and the other is a family friendly multi acre home rooted in tradition and legacy but (of course) with an updated feel.

I was hoping the former would be wrapped by the time I left Memphis but alas it wasn’t. And when I got to MV, the latter was really ramping up.

Anyway…Sharing a bit of the bachelor pad in progress, because the end is coming into sight 🙌🏽. I hate that I can’t be there for the all the fun moments happening on the daily here in the home stretch. Not one surface of this condo went untouched and every detail is fabulous.

My final walkthrough was during the carpet install. I call this media room, “made for a man, but soft enough for a woman” - anyone remember that secret commercial from back in the day?

🤎 taken in Memphis, Tennessee by @deenaknightdesigns

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2 months ago

✨Dedicated to my mini fashionista on her 25th birthday.

We love a diva who isn’t afraid to do her thing. And she has always been that in our family. If there was a tulle skirt, or glitter shoe or bow headband to be had, she had it and wore it fiercely.

I’ve kinda stopped posting pics of my kids because they don’t really post themselves. But what better way than to feature two things she loves: Fashion and culture mixed with the thing I love: tennis.

As for Naomi, I love that she’s found her voice in a way that now speaks volumes. I love that she gives us something to look forward to (besides her tennis) and that it’s bold and curated. I love that win or lose, she’s found a way to bring extra joy to the journey (like others before her.).

So here’s to being bold and brave and marching to the beat of your own drum. And cheers to turning 25 and holding on to sparkle and a free spirit! ✨🥂 by @deenaknightdesigns

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2 months ago

🌱Taking in the last slow mornings before heeding my favorite island’s call. When I’m here in Memphis, I’m all in. And truly, late spring has a particular kind of beauty. It’s been so exciting watching our little flowers blossom. I’ve learned to relish in it before I go. Next time I’m here, this will look so different. It’s honestly, bittersweet to leave it.

Friends, if you could split your year between two places, would you? Where would they be? What might be the most difficult part? taken in Memphis, Tennessee by @deenaknightdesigns

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2 months ago

🩵 B R E E Z I N… with the season officially upon us, I’ve got Martha’s Vineyard on the brain. I get so many requests on where to stay and what to do. I’m also asked if I rent my house. So… 🥁 roll please…

I’m going to start sharing a bit more vineyard content here! First off is a rental opportunity that is close to my heart: @thebluepearl_obmv 🩵🦪

I’ve shared this project before as I worked closely with the client to create this very vineyard coastal retreat in Oak Bluffs. And now, the house has its own IG account. There are still some rental weeks left, so check it out. You can find the link in their bio.

P.S. how pretty is this @graymalin print?! As soon as we saw this new collection premier last year, we knew we wanted it for the kitchen. taken in Martha's Vineyard by @deenaknightdesigns

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2 months ago

John Lewis. 2012. From the book: Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America taken in Memphis, Tennessee by @deenaknightdesigns

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3 months ago