New Girl in Town!

By Barbara Bussey | February 21, 2011 |

Next time you’re in Carmichael, I recommend that you visit Veranda Living, next to Cottage Girls on Palm, just east of Fair Oaks Blvd. Susan Powers is the proprietor, and you’ll find a very nice mix of vintage antiques and collectables at reasonable prices. It’s worth a visit and a welcome addition to the neighborhood!

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Looking for a Weekend DIY Project?

By Barbara Bussey | February 17, 2011 |

If the weather forecasters are accurate, tomorrow will be a wet one; the perfect day to complete an indoor project. How about creating a “window pane” wall of mirrors, as was done in Amy Dragoo’s Manhattan loft? After painting the wall black, Amy and her husband hung 48 mirrors using a laser level and mirror mastic. Their marriage survived the project, which now brings great light into their main living space!

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Finding Your Authentic Design Style

By Barbara Bussey | February 16, 2011 |

Are you trendy or traditional; cottage or mid-century vintage; contemporary or simply not certain? Well, if you’re not sure, you’re in good company! And that’s where some people can benefit from the services of a design “mentor”…someone who will help you stay true to the style that serves you best. In my mind’s “eye”, good style has little to do with “taste” and everything to do with editing, to maintain a look and feel that’s consistent throughout a home, bringing a harmonious balance to the entire space. Creating “harmony” takes discipline. While I’ll see fun displays of brightly colored hot…

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Happy 50th to Sunbrella!

By Barbara Bussey | February 15, 2011 |

The Sunbrella fabric line is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary, while extending their fabric line from the outdoors, in. Beautiful new colors, design; paired with long wear and easy care. What a deal!

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Orchid Beauty

By Barbara Bussey | February 7, 2011 |

There is almost nothing more gracefully beautiful than a blooming white orchid. They’re also an excellent value, since they’ll bloom in your home or office for a month or two. But what do you do with the plant when it’s finished blooming? Well, if you’re one of the fortunate few, you just place it in your temperature controlled orchid greenhouse. But if you’re like me, the chances of getting that orchid to bloom again are between slim and none. So, instead of tossing the greenery, cut off the old flower stem and replace it with a silk orchid stem! You’ll…

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Mix and Match Bedding

By Barbara Bussey | January 31, 2011 |

Q: Do you want your bedding to look like it popped out of a matching “Bed in a Bag” set? A: No! Bedding is a wonderful way to express a bit of your own personality. Are you conservative, fanciful, modern or minimalist? You can change the look of a bedroom in minutes. With pillow inserts, it’s simple to change out you pillow covers, depending on your mood or the season. Instant-chango!! My longtime favorite pillow is the 26″ square pillow, double deep. Gives great height and a really plush look. Complementary duvet covers accomplish the same effect. My bed is…

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Fine Design at Lorien Hotel & Spa

By Barbara Bussey | January 10, 2011 |

I try to grab every opportunity I can to surround myself with wonderful design, especially when I get a chance to spend some quality time with my daughter. Visiting Alexandria, the town where George Washington announced his bid for the presidency, and stepped down from the job, eight years later, is full of history. I was looking forward to exploring more of the city on foot, but with high temperatures hovering in the low 30’s, I was glad we had a beautiful hotel to rescue us from the cold. Happy trails to you, for a healthy, happy and beautiful 2011!

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Flower Arranging 101

By Barbara Bussey | December 16, 2010 |

It’s simple to create a centerpiece for your table, at half the price of what a florist would charge. (I spent about $20, picking up flowers at my not-so-cheap market) First of all, start with a low profile vase, so you’ll be able to see over the arrangement, while sitting at the table. Fill the vase with florist foam. Then, add greens around the perimeter of the vase, to frame your flowers. Now, insert your flowers into the foam, while continuing to turn the vase, so flowers are distributed evenly throughout the arrangement. Finally, fill in the arrangement with greenery…

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