Design

We love an all-white decor. It's refreshing, modern and pure. When we do design jobs for our clients, we like using all white furnishings and juxtapose it with black/white photographs and beautiful plants & flowers. The results are often stunning. Here are a few favorites to help you accomplish that look. White Slip Cover Sofa $2000 What goes with it: White Slip Cover Chair $1400" White Tulip $350 As far as maintenance goes, it is true that white gets dirty quickly and is not ideal if you have kids. By choosing the right material such as cotton slip covers that can be washed easily, this look can be easily maintained.

T oday began day one for construction and near the end the garage, crawlspace, driveway, and part of the basement were dug. There is a lot of nice topsoil with some clay mix beneath ... just a tiny little bit of shale type rock that was eventually dug up. Next week they should pour the cement forms.

Hollywood regency, hollywood modern, hollywood retro--these are all the terms that describe the hottest trend in home decorating today. Made popular by Kelly Wearstler of Viceroy, Maison 140 (Palm Spring, Santa Monica) fame, this style involves a lot of mirror, a lot of lacquer, and splashes of bold color. It also makes good use of bold graphics and Asian accessories. Here are a few items that contribute to this glamorous look: This mirror was featured in Elle Decor a few issues back. We love this armoire . It is in black with mirror. In our showroom we show it with a yellow pair of tassels. Awesome! We also like this bedside table : And this hallway chest too (it comes in red and black leather). If you would like to check out the style, a good book to check out is Kelly Wearstler's Modern Glamour, the Art of Unexpected Style She has done an amazing job in this genre Her web site shows her awesome projects.

W e have liftoff! A for sure real green light to start building ... the actual building permit ... issued by the county ... just yesterday! Amen ... and THANK YOU LORD! When my builder called me yesterday afternoon and said he had been in the county building permit office for over two hours waiting for them to issue the permit ... well, lets just say I almost fainted! My dh had all but stopped asking me when he'd call to check on the family how the progress was coming along ... quit asking about the permit all together. Earlier this week, with the hope of the permit, the builder had made arrangements with his excavation crew to be ready next week to start "grubbing" out the land, digging the basement hole, and grading the area for the driveway. Oh, I must remember to go up there today and pick the huckleberries before they're disturbed ... don't worry, we have lots that won't get plowed under. We should have to only take down one tree and a snag (dead...

T he end of yet another week and still no construction. This "productive" week found me checking with the county on my permit ... they yet have issued the PAPER to begin building. Seems there was a question about a beam in the foundation or basement area ... of course, that meant another trip to my favorite engineers ... whom happened to be on vacation. Such efficiency! So I busied myself with selecting windows, interior doors and knobs, trim molding for doorways, baseboards, and windows. I also checked out some nice freestanding gas (wood type) stoves that can be used as supplemental heat in the winter. After watching my pop buy/haul/cut and stack wood for their heat the past twenty years, I'll be happy with the gas version. Yes, I know the wood is the real deal ... but not in my golden years, pleeeze! Here's one of the stoves I'm considering ... along with the windows selected.

E nd of week update on This New House : Have we gotten any closer to starting? Perhaps a little. The county should have the permit ready today (I hope) ... Yesterday the builder gave me a call and asked if I could meet him at a warehouse sale not far from here. There was a company that had gone out of business and the property owner needed to clear out the warehouse ... There were some beautiful hemlock unfinished wooden front doors, stair rail parts and even a set of beautiful (to be stained) interior french doors that we picked up for about 1/2 off wholesale. The stair rail parts were 25 cents a piece and were the style I had in mind ... so I picked up what I needed for $8. Both front and french doors for $275. I just love to find good quality stuff at a bargain price. The front door even has some leaded glass panels at the top. (Peeking through the windows is the frenchdoor.)