Design

Everytime we watch "Design on a Dime", we crack up. While we admire their creativity, some of the stuff just look absolutely terrible. Seriously, do you want an ottoman made from empty Coke plastic bottles? Sometimes cheap just look...cheap! We think there is a better way. Your home can look nice without having to spend a lot of money. Here is a list of what we would skip/splurge on. SKIP: -New furniture that is not well-made or well-constructed. -Cheap home accessories-plastic flowers, pink flamingos, gaudy fabrics fall into this category. -Expensive remodeling jobs that are hard to change, like built-ins, hardscaping and the likes... SPLURGE: -A good house cleaner-a clean house is a relaxing house. -Quality pieces that don't go out of style and will last for life. Focus on quality and not quantity. -Luxury things that don't cost a lot but make you happy-like fresh flowers, scented candles and bubble baths... Just like everything in life, there are many choices when ...

If you read newspapers and watch TV lately, you'd think the world is coming to an end. Seriously, the housing market is tanking, the stock market is spiraling downward, and every one is acting like we're all be heading for the soup kitchen soon. While we don't deny that the economy is terrible--believe us, being in the luxury industry that is absolutely dependent on extra disposable income, we feel it. But here's the thing, is it all that bad? We can all eat a bit less, spend a bit less, drive a bit less, no? We can't really do anything about the big issues, such as the budget deficit and the national debt and the housing crisis, but you can make your home life more comfortable without spending tons of money. You can, and you must--because a comfortable home life will protect you from all the craziness that' s going on. Here's how: 1) Keep the house clean. A clean house makes you more relaxed, keep you organized, and just makes you feel better. 2) Plant a ga...

Have you ever met people that you instantly like? That you can tell the first time you talk that you'll love them for life? The people at Vellum New York are like that. Not only that their company makes great products, the people there are so awesome, so sweet. We hope they will do extremely well... Vellum New York products fit into the Hollywood Regency look perfectly. Here are a few examples: ------------- This elephant status is large in size and looks very pretty in person... We love these ginger jars... This greyhound statue is our best seller. It's very Kelly Wearstler-ish... All of Vellum products are made in Italy.

Asian decor is one of those things that can get cliche really fast if you are not careful. Really, how many Buddha statues can one take? Today, the trend toward Asian decor is a lot more modern, more colorful, more fresh... At the New York show a couple of months ago, we found a great vendor that does this look wonderfully. They are so pricey, oh my god! But their products are very pretty... Here are some of our favorites: ----------------- This pair of foo dogs, which supposed to bring you luck, is pretty large in size and come in white, blue and orange. It's just fun to look at... We love this pair of hand-painted silk. Can you just see them in Elle Decor? This is a nice new twist for an Asian stool. It also comes in a variety of colors.. This marvelous Chinese Pagoda breakfront is so pretty, we can hardly stand it... You can see most of these products on the Jardins En Fleur web site . They are available for purchase through our home accessories store.

Recently the lovely Karen from Alkemie posted about this amazing home belonging to former fashion editor Jane Hess that was featured in Canadian House & Home. I LOVE all the bold color and different styles used here. That bedroom is seriously to die for! You have to check out Alkemie for tons more pictures of the rest of this vibrant home!

Michael Pollan had an excellent piece in last Sunday's NY Times Magazine, an issue focused on food. He wrote a letter to our next president (here in the U.S., coming soon) which outlines what he needs to think about and act on. Our 'food system' in the U.S. is definitely in need of reform, and I'm tremendously pleased to see a resurgence of interest in local food, home vegetable gardens, and 'growing your own.' There's a wonderful initiative (that Pollan comments on) to transform one of the White House lawns to an organic food garden, just like Eleanor Roosevelt did with a Victory Garden push. My gardening companion and I have an acre and a half of land in our (semi)-rural small college town. In these challenging times, why shouldn't I expand my vegetable garden (with rotations) and consider having 'city' chickens, even if they might have to be in a 'chicken tractor'.

Can, can: No not the dance ;) Being a person of frugal ways, I'm always on the lookout at the local thrift stores for canning equipment. My latest quest has been to find a large pot with a lift out basket that I can cook a huge amount of fresh green beans in all at once. This past summer when putting up the beans, I really could have used such an extra pot. It's necessary to have everything in order before you begin the process. Having to cook two batches of beans in a not big enough pot is a waste of time and heating fuel. When I shop at the second hand stores, I usually can zero in on exactly what I'm looking for and be in and out of the shops in a flash. Tuesday was a good find day. Here is the pot I purchased, including the basket, for $2.00. This could be some type of a fry basket/pan that has barely been used. It should work fine. Next quest, a kitchen scale for weighing produce.