My sister and I are the quintessential city mouse and country mouse.  While I like the city lights and transitional decor, she enjoys small town living with a country flair.

Over the past few months she and her husband have been turning their dated parlor into a country gathering room and I knew that some of you country mice out there would love to see what they’ve done to the place so far.

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Ahhh, summer at the beach. It can’t be beat. Especially around the 4th of July. I enjoy cruising around to see how people have decorated for the holiday. They seem to never disappoint… billowing bunting bedecked the bungalows (there I go again) and patriotic pagentry punctuated porches  (I just can’t help it). Red, white and blue everywhere.  It was a joy to see!  

I know, we all can’t live at the beach or display extravagant decorations, but Read entire post

We passed the first day of Summer last weekend, and it feels like someone turned the heat on. With the heat index over 100  it is simply too hot to spend time outside during the day. We run from building to car back to building very thankful for air conditioning.

If we’re going to spend any time outside it is in the evenings. Once the sun goes down and the occasional breeze kicks up we are ready to relax on the patio.

There is a sentence at the top of the home page that says; I believe every room should have a candle and a cozy throw. I believe that statement is true even if the living space is outside. I find it much more pleasant to enjoy outdoor evenings with candles glowing rather than with lightbulbs blazing. Read entire post

Yesterday was my coworker’s birthday, and I got her a bunch of gorgeous peonies. But I didn’t pick up a vase, so we searched the office for something we could use because I’m not really a fan of the clear square and cylinder shapes we keep on hand. Instead, I like to place flowers in a vessel that’s as beautiful as the poppies that fill it. Here, a few favorites to try: Read entire post

Last week I wrote about outdoor decorating with birdhouses and wouldn’t you know this week I pulled into a mobile home park to turn around and there was another adorable example of  outdoor birdhouse decor.  Thought you’d all love to see it.  Too cute!  (You can click on the photo to enlarge)

Doesn’t it just make you want to run out and buy some birdhouses?

Gorgeous spaces don’t have to cost a lot. It’s all about thinking outside conventional decorating ideas. Textiles are, by far, my favorite design element. Instead of thinking in terms of tradition and using textiles to dress windows or reupholster a sofa, I use fabrics—and items made of fabric—in new ways.

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My nice niece sent me an e-mail last week looking for some ideas on decorating her yummy chocolate brown accent wall around a new TV, and a one  year old baby (he’s adorable). The TV was already mounted on the wall (see  before picture below), but it needed some additional elements to function, accent and contrast the wall. I love a decorating challenge, so  a couple of quick sketches turned into a bunch, just to see what could be designed and give her some options.  Off they went to her. Read entire post

Have you ever dined at a fabulous restaurant and wished that you could repeat the feeling of fine dining at home? An evening spent in an amazing city enjoying delicious food and wonderful company is an experience we would like to taste again and again.

I must admit that when I first heard that HG was going to carry signature pieces from The Palm Restaurant I was a little leery. I guess I was expecting dishes presenting a logo. Then I walked in the store and found this fantastic display of glassware, dishes, flatware, and cookware. Read entire post

I don’t fancy myself a green thumb by any means. In fact, I usually kill plants entrusted to my care—unintentionally, of course. But I want to change. I want to have pretty pots of colorful flowers and gorgeous garden objects on my apartment terrace. But what sort of garden design is right for me? Which is right for you? Take my quiz below to unearth your homegrown style. Read entire post

Maybe it’s the rain, but lately I’ve been thinking about adding color to my kitchen.  I don’t have the style kitchen to support the bold (and beautiful) retro large appliances, but why not add a few unexpected accessories?

How about a blue toaster? Orange simmer pot?  Red mixer?  You get the idea. Read entire post