Finds Under $50...Red, White & Blue!

The 4th of July is almost here! Why not add some patriotic colors to your home?

Loving this red bowl from Chiasso. Perfect to display that fresh summer fruit!

Nothing more classic than a crisp, white pillow. This great ribbon texture pillow cover will look great in any decor.

Great conversation piece! Awesome "unfinished" clock from MoMA.
These turquoise candle sticks are a fresh take on traditional blue. Only $9.99 each from Z Gallerie.

Do’s and Don’ts of Design…Lofty Spaces

DO Use double-duty furniture.

A small chest or dresser can serve as both a nightstand and can store extra bedding.

DON'T Overcrowd your small space.

Less is more when it comes to accessories!

DO Make use of your vertical space.

Wall mounted shelving can provide excellent storage for books, while still freeing up valuable floor space.

DON'T Forget art!

Visually interesting walls will keep the eye moving all around the room, and make you forget your lack of space!

Finds Under $50...Spice it up

Who knew there were so many cool and modern options for salt & pepper shakers?!?

What's sweeter than a hug? Loving this design from the MoMA store.

These beautiful stainless shakers might just get mistaken for a great centerpiece!

Need a helping hand at the dinner table?
Sweet little birdies to adorn your summer table.

Wallcovering makes a come-back

Wallcovering is still a top trend these days. With styles ranging from grass cloth (hello 1970's) to metallics, to pearl, there's something for everyone!

Here are a few of our favorites:

Grass cloth is back with a vengeance. The wonderful thing about this product is the style can fit in any design setting - from contemporary to traditional. Phillip Jeffries has some wonderful new products, shown below is their gorgeous Soho Hemp line.



One of our all-time faves, Bedazzled from Maya Romanoff. It's a flexible wallcovering consisting of glittering glass beads. Perfect for bathrooms, dining rooms, or any room in need of a little sparkle.



If you're a lover of all that is "mod", Chain Link from Phillip Jeffries is for you! Loving the orange shown here.



Talk about fun! What a great product for your kids' rooms, playrooms, or any fun room! You can paint directly into a "frame", add your family photos, or leave it simply as is. $45 a roll from Graham & Brown.

Do's and Don'ts of Design...Bedroom Design

DO Choose a serene, relaxing color for the walls.
Hues of green, blue, gray, and taupe are most calming.

DON'T Forget to use different elements of lighting.
Utilize different "layers" of light to achieve perfect illumination. You'll need a general, overhead light source, and task/reading light.

DO Invest in a high quality mattress.
We spend 1/4 of our life sleeping!

DON'T Make the TV your focal point.
Try hiding it away in a cabinet, or frame it on the wall to make more of an "artful" statement.

Finds under $50...Mercury Glass

If you love the idea of mixing old with new, you'll go crazy for mercury glass!

An homage to summer...a cute little mercury cricket. Only $12.99 from West Elm.

Amazing vase from Z Gallerie. I love the modern shape mixed with the antique feel of the mercury glass.

Perfect lanterns for your outdoor "room". These range from $6.50-$65 at Pottery Barn.

Lovely trinket boxes from Pier 1. Perfect accessory for any bathroom or bedroom.

Happy Earth Day!

Some fun Earth Day facts:

• The population of the world grows by 211,000 people every day. To put it in perspective...that's a new Akron, OH each day.


• 40,000 acres of land will be converted to desert (about the size of Boise, ID).


• Recycling 1 aluminum can saves enough energy to watch TV for 3 hours.


• Recycling 1 glass bottle is enough to light a traditional bulb for 4 hours!


• April 22nd is the first day of Spring in the Northern Hemishpere and Fall in the Southern Hemisphere. So that's why this date was chosen for Earth Day!


• Only 11% of the Earth's surface is used to grow food.


• In 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park.


• Recycling every newspaper would save 250 million trees per year. Sadly, only 25% of Americans choose to recycle theirs.


• The average individual throws away 4 pounds of garbage each and every day.


• Every year, Americans toss out 16 million diapers, 1.6 billion pens, 220 million car tires, and enough aluminum to rebuild the US commercial air fleet 4 times over.

Makes you think doesn't it?