As we prepare to leave 2007 behind, and our curiosity becomes peaked at what 2008 might have in store for us, it is a time to reflect on where we’ve been and where we want to go. Every year we start out with the best of intentions and strive to “do” better or “be” better, [ read more… ]
When we renovate or decorate to bring out the qualities we’d like to have surrounding us at home, it’s kind of like Christmas. It’s about looking forward to the wonder of exquisite things about to happen; making an extra special place for someone; giving gifts of comfort and joy; adding more light and sparkle to [ read more… ]
Most furniture stores slow down dramatically at the end of the year as shoppers flock to malls and specialty stores for holiday gift buying. For us, the remainder of December will be a whirlwind of outgoing deliveries and incoming furniture and accessories, as we work to put Humpty back together again for a new year [ read more… ]
What would holiday’s be like without children? The word “Christmas” has always evoked in me a sense of home and family. That’s really what holidays are all about. Whether your children are young, in their teens, or are married with children of their own, holidays have always meant spending time surrounded with the people that [ read more… ]
Each of my children had their own little tree in their rooms. It was theirs to decorate as they wished. When they were very young, I would help them and we would make ornaments for it out of cardboard and Styrofoam. These would be decorated with beans and macaroni that was glued in place and [ read more… ]
Something that you new grandma’s or grandma’s-to-be can do, is every year give your grandchild an ornament that has some significance to the child’s age or current interest. I usually write the date on the back of it. By the time that grandchild is married, think of all the wonderful ornaments and memories that he [ read more… ]
Several years ago a famous designer pronounced that a well-decorated home required the accessory budget to equal (or be greater than) the budget for furniture purchases. While today’s looks may be somewhat cleaner and more streamlined, it still takes an amazing amount of stuff to finish a room. How much stuff may not become entirely [ read more… ]
The world outside our front doors is full of abrupt transitions. Conversations cut off by a ringing cell phone, client meetings running up against soccer practice, steel and glass structures side by side with historic buildings; maybe we crave a little downtime.
On occasion I take a call that goes something like this: “I was looking at a piece of furniture and I want to know where it’s made.” (Describes the piece, which is easily identified.) “Is it made in China?” “Most of the pieces by that manufacturer are made overseas, yes, but the country of origin [ read more… ]
