Sara Tuttle shares some of her favorite (and easy!) decorating tips. Photograph by David Black, courtesy of Domino magazine.

If you caught the April issue of decorating mag Domino with Drew Barrymore on the cover, you probably got a glimpse of Washington’s own Sara Tuttle, who was featured in this year’s roundup of “The Domino 10,” a super-exclusive shortlist of innovative “decorators on the verge” across the country.

Tuttle, who has been with Bethesda-based Christina Haire Interior Design for nine years, earned accolades for her polished-meets-practical concepts. “I wouldn’t say I had one type of look,” she says. “I always try to work with my clients and make sure the design represents their style. But I do love to mix lots of accessories, antiques, vintage items, and modern pieces. Many of my clients are young families, and they’re looking for something fun and fresh.”

Tuttle is currently taking on new clients, but she notes that those in need of a fast decorating fix can sometimes do it themselves: “I do think it can be really helpful to work with a designer. Just like I don’t cut my own hair or do my own taxes, using a professional designer can help you go beyond your comfort zone and be more adventurous. But if that’s not possible, there are definitely some things you can easily do on your own.” Lucky for us, she was happy to divulge her favorite easy decorating tips:

Cynthia Rowley poses with NBC sports anchor Lindsay Czarniak, who was also at the Marymount fashion event. Image courtesy Marymount by Moshe B. Zuman.

We’ve long been besotted with multifaceted fashion designer Cynthia Rowley, who has lent her whimsical touch to everything from high fashion (with her own eponymous label) to cheap chic (she’s just released her second line for Target) and nearly everything in between—including baby-blue charcoal grills, books, and bicycles.

Rowley made a quick trip to Arlington Friday to receive Marymount’s 2008 Designer of the Year award, catch the school’s graduation fashion show, and spend some time personally reviewing each senior’s portfolio. In the midst of the flurry of activity, she took a moment to spill about what’s inspiring her now and why she needed to get back to New York as soon as possible.

So are you actually wearing Cynthia Rowley?
I am! My dress, shoes, sunglasses, and necklace are all my own design.

We understand your new line, Whim by Cynthia Rowley, is now being rolled out at Target. Give us the inside scoop on what to expect.
It’s a summer entertaining collection aimed at the fashionable family. There are a lot of kids’ toys, a madras-plaid inflatable pool, pink and blue garden hoses, cool beach towels, even a baby-blue Weber grill. It’s all about summer fun.

Is that your favorite season?
I definitely love summer. The hotter the better! We have a little beach house in the Hamptons where my family [including her husband and two daughters] spends time in the summer and does things like surf and play sports. I’m actually a wicked badminton player. My partner and I play all summer long.