If you’re thinking about updating your home’s look for holiday gatherings, or just your own enjoyment, World Market (AKA Cost Plus) has a brand new lighting line and a dining chair sale, that I find note-worthy. Lower-end, big-box retailers like Target and World Market are experts at taking a trend popular at their big brothers, like Anthropology, and creating a less expensive version/knock-off. Like Anthropology, you purchase the lamp base and shade separately. Lamps, like decorative pillows are a wonderful way to update a room. I switch out pillows at least a couple of times a year, to reflect the…
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Here, in northern California, there are two predominant architectural styles for homes. The “ranch” style home and a Spanish/Mediterranean home. Sure there are many others, but these are the two that come to mind first. Our home (on a cold winter day) was designed to look like a little Mediterranean villa and is fairly typical of homes built here in the ’90’s and beyond. California is also home to some “original” Spanish style bungalows that were built in the early half of the 20th century, that are wonderful, especially the original adobe homes that keep cool during California’s hot summers.…
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When my daughter was little, her room was done with a 4 poster twin bed, found at a garage sale, that I painted a creamy pink. Her bedding was full of ruffles and eyelet material. Sort of early Shabby Chic! Now, I’m seeing much bolder wall color choices, and lots of fun graphics and stencils for the walls.if you have a little girl or teenager in your life right now, you might find a little inspiration in these pictures! How about this for some wild wall treatment? I love the reindeer! Just what every young woman should have, looking out…
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Before Betsy started at West Point this summer, we only made one annual pilgrimage to New York City every fall. We love it there and will be heading east again, next month. In honor of David Letterman, who we enjoyed seeing a couple of years ago, I’ve created my “Top 10” list about NYC. 1. The energy. I feel it in New York more than anywhere. It’s almost like you can reach out and grab a bite of it! 2. The amazing collection of people. Walking downtown, on a weekday morning, I’ve seen a stylish older lady, carrying her bird…
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Today, I’m offering a “grab bag” of ideas and news. First of all, if you ever shop Ballard Designs, they’re having a 15% off sale on everything until midnight, Tuesday night. 11:59 pm, to be exact. One of my new favorites in their mirror department is the Audrey mirror. It comes in 3 sizes, starting at less than $100.00. The larger sizes would be perfect in a bath or over a mantel. You can order it here: Audrey mirror Now, promise you won’t roll your eyes on this one, but I have a big blue and white bowl, that I…
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Before becoming the blog fairy, I would jump at new magazines arriving in the mail; “Traditional Home, Better Homes & Gardens” and many more. Now, thanks to my fellow blog friends and Pinterest, I get more visual stimulation than I could ever hope for! Stacy at Conspicuous Style, recently posted this master bedroom picture and it was love at first sight! 1. Let’s start at the top. The ceiling…you know I love a beamed ceiling! 2. The fireplace! I’ve painted myself into this room, with a good book on a chilly afternoon, enjoying the warmth of the fireplace. 3. The…
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Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is a line of furniture paint from England, that is now sweeping the United States. I doubt that the surgeon general or the head of the CIA knows about Annie Sloan Chalk Paints, (ASCP), but crafters, DIY’ers, and design bloggers are “in the know”. What’s so special about Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, you ask? Well, probably the ease of application is what makes it so unique. It sticks to just about any surface without sanding or preparation, besides having a clean surface. It dries quickly and often one coat will do the trick, followed by the…
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Last year, I hired the amazingly talented landscape architect, David Gibson, to come by our home and give me his thoughts on what to do with the landscaping in the front of our home. Before leaving, he invited us to come over and see his own home’s landscaping, since he wanted to show me how he had used some of the materials he spoke about, for our place. It was a great idea but never happened. Lo and behold, there is a beautiful spread in the September issue of Sacramento Magazine, with gorgeous pictures of the home…inside and out. I…
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