Archive for design
November 3, 2009 at 3:30 pm · Filed under design ·Tagged Ogis, Stefano, usebi kitchen kitchen appliances kitchen. space-saving Ludovico Bernardi Michele Monopoli modern kitchen, wood
A kitchen I visited recently was decorated nicely and had loads of open space between walls of cabinets. The owner and I talked about a rolling worktable and in sourcing I found a great site to explore kitchen islands. New technology is bringing these workhorses well into the 21st century with Rubika’s newest design by Lodovico:
Quoting their site: “A sink is tucked beneath the prep surface, plate racks are hidden in a pull-out drawer, and a cooktop is concealed under the table top. Little spaces appear here and there in mysterious fashion, like some enchanted box a magician might use to cut up an assistant and rearrange her parts. If Rubika does work, surely cooks will need to change their paradigm of what constitutes a kitchen, but we should all pay attention to Rubika’s underlying idea that less is more.”
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October 8, 2009 at 2:41 pm · Filed under decorating, decorating tips, design, tablescapes ·Tagged decorating, holiday decorating, holidays, Ladies' Day Out, Park Ridge Country Club, stress-reliever, table settings, tablescapes, Thanksgiving
Ultimate expo
The above is from Tuesday where I displayed my tablescapes for the Ultimate Ladies’ Day Out at the Park Ridge Country Club. I am happy to remind you that the holidays are just around the corner and my table settings and holiday decorating are a great stress-reliever for you and your family.
From the Thanksgiving setting:
Thanksgiving table
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October 5, 2009 at 10:41 pm · Filed under decorating, design, educational programs ·Tagged decorating, style
It is not always easy to define your style, be it expressed in clothing, cooking, or decorating. We are complex creatures and many styles appeal to us. I have found it easier to find out what people DON’T like; that is usually definite.
A fun and easy way to explore your thoughts on this is to take HGTV’s style quiz.
Go ahead and try it. You may be surprised at what you discover about yourself!
decorating styles from designstyleguide.net
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September 21, 2009 at 6:58 pm · Filed under decorating, decorating tips, design, educational programs ·Tagged area rug, blue, color, column, decorating, design, French flea market, green plant, style, theme
Enjoy this video of my design tips presentation and let me know what you think. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgkdbLsI97U
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September 15, 2009 at 8:00 pm · Filed under design, design resources, educational programs ·Tagged Guggenheim
If you are interested in American architecture you will enjoy a novelist’s take on the life of Frank Lloyd Wright in the book Loving Frank. I recently listened to it on cd, and for me it opened a door into Wright’s approach to and philosophy of his work. The novel’s plot is driven by the love affair between Wright and one of his clients, Mrs. Cheney. I was equally taken with Wright’s observations, including “The measure of a man’s culture is the measure of his appreciation,” he said. “We are ourselves what we appreciate and no more.”
I love this Guggenheim cup and saucer. You can buy this and more FLW-inspired designs online.
Guggenheim cappuccino cup and saucer
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September 14, 2009 at 2:25 pm · Filed under decorating, decorating tips, design, design resources, educational programs, window treatments
When I introduce myself it is not uncommon to be greeted by “I love HGTV” and I concur. Here is a helpful clip from their website. Since window treatments can be vexing and expensive, this 3-minute video on grommet panels is fun to watch. Granted, you see that nice installation guy appearing like magic out of the sidelines! But the basic idea is there: installing grommet panels is an appealing, fast, and cost-effective way to solve your window problems.
grommet panels
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September 10, 2009 at 7:51 pm · Filed under bedrooms, decorating, decorating tips, design, design resources ·Tagged bed linens, linens
bed in a bag
It is pretty amazing what you can buy for under $100. The linen industry is highly competitive, especially in the current economy. With the demise of Linens ‘n Things stores (they still have an online store) it’s clear that linens have become available almost everywhere and we can find quality goods in discount stores as well as department stores.
The bed pictured is dressed in a bed in a bag, a 7-piece set that gives you all you need to make a statement in your bedroom for very little money. As you prepare for fall and the chill sets in, why not freshen up your look by replacing those old and tired bed linens. Need help choosing the right look and color? Email me anytime. I would be delighted to answer your questions and assist you in making the right decision.
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August 19, 2009 at 1:29 am · Filed under decorating, decorating tips, design, window treatments ·Tagged curtains, fabric, sewing, valance
Yesterday and today I worked with 2 friends who have great sewing talent and together we put plans in place for a valance design.
This valance pictured, with inverted pleat in contrasting fabric, is a stock diy photo but the design is similar in scope to what we are doing.
Our finished-look toppers will go in a family room where there is currently nothing on the windows but a mini-blind. Matching fabric panels will trim curtains on the large glass sliding doors. I’m excited to finish the project and let you see the results.
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August 18, 2009 at 2:08 pm · Filed under decorating, design, design resources ·Tagged art deco, mirrors, small business
I’m always amazed at the depth and breadth of the selections at MoreHome‘s site. This morning I clicked on “mirrors” and a list of nearly two thousand came up in their collection. This art deco-ish piece is one of my favorites.
art deco mirror
One of virtual shopping’s virtues is that is makes us more savvy as consumers. Our ability to compare pricing and selection soars when we have multiple stores at our fingertips. Now for the reminder: think globally and act locally. Find what you like online, then find similar items near your home. Remember us who are small business owners. We need you and, I daresay, you need us. Let’s work together. So give yourself a treat today: WALK to your nearest shops and support your local businesses.
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