My husband turned to me a couple of weeks ago and said, “You know that vintage area rug you’ve got downstairs in our basement studio, trying to cover up the plywood floor? I’ve always hated that. What I’d like to see down there is something more artistic, like an acid-washed concrete floor.” So, I started […]
design
Posted inAt Home, Blog
The Pitfalls of Using ‘Review’ Websites to Help Choose Your Building or Remodeling Contractor
You’ve seen them online, and the ads on TV. Use their website to get reviews before you hire a builder or remodeler (or a doctor, dentist etcetera). Their “list” can save you lots of headache, the ads claim. But how do these sites really work in helping you — or is there more to it? […]
Posted inFeatured, Home
Orange
It rolls off the tongue like grapes on sand paper. The word is not only awkward to say, but orange is a poet’s dilemma. It may be a color always there but less thought of, perhaps like a stagehand whose presence is necessary but not always marquee-worthy. Orange is associated with the fall season and […]
Posted inFeatured, Garden
Make Your Very Own Unique Stepping Stones
Looking for a fabulous garden project to spur your creativity and add personality to your yard? Making stepping stones is an easy way to accomplish both. The following instructions will walk you through everything you need to know and all the materials needed to complete this fun project at home. Louise Martin of Port Orchard […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
How to Choose the Right Table Lamp
A common question I hear regarding home décor is how to choose living-room table lamps so they are the correct height. In most cases, tops of lampshades should be somewhere between 4 and 5 feet from the floor. A variation of 2 to 3 inches is acceptable. If you also have a floor lamp — […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
Clearing the Air Regarding Fans: How to Ensure Yours Works Properly
Most homeowners have a hate-hate relationship with their exhaust fans, be it the one in the bathroom or the one in the kitchen, and as a result they are seldom used. Exhaust fans are designed to remove moisture, grease and particulates from your home, thus preventing these substances from adhering to your walls, cabinetry and […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
Home Décor Tips: How to Mix the Old with the New
A client asked me recently whether modern and traditional pieces can mix together in the same room. She had inherited some traditional sofas and chairs from her grandmother, but her husband prefers more modern and simpler look. The two styles are not mutually exclusive! The sizes, and especially the seat heights, are a more important […]
Posted inFeatured, Home
What’s Hot? From Design and Construction Week 2014
Tossing aside the old adage of “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” this is too good not to share. Needless to say, with 650,000 square feet of contracted display space, 1,500 vendors, 75,000 attendees and sold-out presentations, there were undeniable signs that the recession is waning and that Design and Construction Week at the […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
The Top 4 Remodeling Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make
After years of dreaming and planning, you’re ready to remodel your house into the home of your dreams. Before you take the plunge, keep these four important mistakes far away from your project. 1. Not fully researching your remodeler By skipping this step, you can cost yourself frustration, time and money. Be sure to investigate […]