Meet the Bloggers
Betty
A part-time interior decorator, Betty’s “passion and sheer joy” is finding “unusual and intriguing things” for her clients, as well as her own home, which she says amazes her friends. Her decorating style? “Very much in the arena of Alberto Pinto classics, with a combination of Moroccan, Italian, Parisian, British, and American…and an eclectic taste in furnishings and accessories.” A grandmother of three, she blogs from Maryland.
Recent posts by Betty:
I have really appreciated your advice in regards to selecting the right wedding gift for this young couple who will be getting married in June. I also indicated that I had a few other choices that I wanted to share with you. So far, you have all agreed that the best wedding gift that you gave the […]
Posted by: Betty 5/15/08 at 4:58 pm
Wow!! I’ve got to get a wedding gift for a wedding that I will be attending in June. I know that they have a wedding registry, but the bride- to- be and the groom asked that I not adhere to the registry and use my own discretion about what I should buy. They are such a wonderful couple and […]
Posted by: Betty 5/9/08 at 11:19 am
Mother’s Day is the day that we all get to shower our mothers with attention. We are suppose to be doing wonderful things for them anyway, but this represents a special day when we can do extra special things to show how much we love and appreciate them. I miss my mother every day. We were such good friends […]
Posted by: Betty 5/2/08 at 8:15 pm
I love hand towels in the bathrooms, in the powder room, in the kitchen and other rooms according to my needs and my family’s needs. a lot of times when you have company, you want soft and lovely hand towels that accentuate the colors in that room. Also, you want the containers to highlight the colors in the room […]
Posted by: Betty 4/25/08 at 5:06 pm
(Taken from The South Beach Diet)
It is amazing how healthy salmon is for the largest segment of the population. A recent study showed that more people are eatting Salmon then ever before. Much of the attention given to Salmon might be due to the fact that many doctors have shared with patients that Salmon is “heart-healthy” and a wonderful antioxidant […]
Posted by: Betty 4/18/08 at 9:37 am
We all love wall decorations. They make our houses come alive and transform them into homes. When you add the wall art/decor, you can see a major difference in your environment. Sometimes, we can determine the personality of the person by the art that they have selected. Some persons rely on the choices of others to give their home that special touch […]
Posted by: Betty 4/11/08 at 9:45 am
Usually we associate “Less is More” with the hotel industry. However, this is one hotel owner that has been living with the “Less is More” approach to life for quite some time. He has concluded that he prefers to concentrate on the “More” and live with greater comfort. Even though he owns two major hotels and is […]
Posted by: Betty 4/5/08 at 4:35 pm
It is such a great feeling to have your windows and doors free of obstruction- no drapes to pull to the side, no curtains to open, no horizontal or vertical blinds that require work to open and keep clean. But, during the day and evening the windows are free of any kind of obstruction and clear and brignt to celebrate the beauty of […]
Posted by: Betty 3/30/08 at 4:06 pm
I have always had a great love for old pieces that could be integrated in the decoration of the home with newer furnishings and decor. What is most amazing is that some of these pieces that grace my home, could be registered as antique. They have very significant memories for me.
The first of these is this kettle that is held […]
Posted by: Betty 3/21/08 at 7:10 pm
WD-40 was created in 1953 by a chemical company as a rust preventive solvent. The primary purpose was to protect against rust and corrosion and provide water displacement to restore wet or flooded equipment, such as the engine, spark plugs and power tools. However, we have learned that there are at least 43 other uses for WD-40. I am certain that many […]
Posted by: Betty 3/14/08 at 4:02 pm
A few years ago, someone introduced me to the “Flowerpot of Truth.” You’re probably asking yourself, “What is that?” Well, a group of us were asked to take these terracotta clay pots for a special “honesty project” and to go through the magazines, newspapers, books that were provided to us and identify words, pictures, all kinds of expressions that we thought […]
Posted by: Betty 3/5/08 at 11:46 am
Lanterns are now so exciting! The styles are so versatile and glamorous. At one time, the lanterns were used to provide lighting for the outside and merely used inside when there was no other means of light. Now, the lanterns are so beautiful and vary in style, color and design to fit the interest, decor and/or needs that the owner hopes […]
Posted by: Betty 2/25/08 at 9:02 pm
There are so many beautiful and decorative pieces that are made around the world and they contribute so greatly to enhancing our homes and the places that we call our residence. I love shopping and I love finding unusual and decorative pieces that can become conversation pieces for the homes that I am privileged to decorate. It’s amazing. I get an adrenalin rush […]
Posted by: Betty 2/13/08 at 12:08 pm
Have you considered making gifts that you could give to a love one, a friend, a family member or others from towels? Would this even be on your agenda? The best part about it is that the use of the towels could make a great gift. To be in sync with your bathroom, you can make […]
Posted by: Betty 2/6/08 at 12:44 pm
I saw this unusual box in my favorite store and I decided that I had to buy it. I found the carvings on the box tremendous and they looked like ancient script and appeared as though they were scripted by hand. I was drawn to this unusual box, because to me it has “character.” It looked as though ancient history had been carved on it and it resonated beauty and […]
Posted by: Betty 1/22/08 at 9:37 am
We all seek those unique and wonderful pieces that will make our homes look and feel very special. The choices that we make will vary according to our interest and what we feel will be needed for a special room - for the inside or outside of the home. I decided to share some beautiful and interesting pieces that can be treasures for any home, whether they are […]
Posted by: Betty 1/7/08 at 11:15 am
You may have already taken down your Christmas decorations, but if not, here are a few easy storage pointers. Taking down and packing up Christmas decorations can be a chore, but if you have kept the packaging that many of your decorations were purchased in, it might make your job a little easier. […]
Posted by: Betty 12/31/07 at 12:03 pm
I was priviledged to have one of the most awesome experiences recently when I went to Alexandria, Virginia. I was introduced to a company that makes table wines. It was such a surreal experience, especially since I am a non-drinker. You are able to mix your own specialty wine from a variety of wine-stock or settle for the variety that they […]
Posted by: Betty 12/26/07 at 11:57 am
I like the idea of putting Christmas wreaths in places in the home as well as on the outside doors and windows. I like for guests to come to my home and be greeted by Christmas wreaths as another means of celebration. For me, one of my favorite places for hanging a Christmas wreath is on the back […]
Posted by: Betty 12/17/07 at 10:52 am
This is such a wonderful experience! On December 4th the sun was shining so beautifully. The temperature was approximately 37 degrees, but it was such a gorgeous day. It was the best time to take a picture of the Christmas wreath on the front door.¼br> This is a wreath that I made three years ago, but […]
Posted by: Betty 12/11/07 at 12:19 pm
Very often we try to determine how we will use the table dressing/scape that we have in place when the Christmas holidays come to visit. Finding storage space is becoming a problem. I chose to take the red diagonally designed table runner, the two vases that hold the white roses and peonies, the Sparkle Gems that I was able to […]
Posted by: Betty 12/5/07 at 10:11 pm
Immediately after Thanksgiving, a few of my nieces in the area began our Christmas shopping experience. It was my time to have lunch and share about crazy things that we didn’t have an opportunity to discuss at the Thanksgiving dinner- family time. Now, it’s about shopping, getting great bargains and determining the gifts and stores that we will […]
Posted by: Betty 12/1/07 at 10:23 pm
I was really struck by this Home Fragrance Lamp. Most unusual and elegant. It becomes a part of the decor of your home, but most of all, it provides an opportunity for you to have the best fragrances to grace your home in such a masterful way, that you will be floored. This makes a wonderful gift […]
Posted by: Betty 11/29/07 at 2:01 pm
This executive bachelor seeks “Miss Right”and decides to have this “High Drama” dinner party. This party provides an opportunity for him to share with friends his interest in the pursuit of this special lady, while enjoying a delectible dinner. This pre-Christmas dinner was a joy to plan and develop. My role was to collectively create the right atmosphere in this enchanting dining room, that would enhance the entrance into and around this gorgeous home. The exec. spared […]
Posted by: Betty 11/26/07 at 9:11 am
My daughter is redecorating her home and has expressed her desire to receive interesting wall decor for Christmas presents that would accentuate the greecian design in her home. The gifts that I have purchased are wall decoration that reminds me of the remains from a greecian temple that are mounted on a beautiful board that simulates dark brown […]
Posted by: Betty 11/19/07 at 4:49 pm
I went shopping at my favorite store with one of my clients and her sister. We saw beautiful Christmas wreaths that would be perfect to grace any door. They both admitted that the wreaths that they had at home were in the “done stage”. They had put the same wreaths on their […]
Posted by: Betty 11/9/07 at 6:11 pm
So often we see pine cones on the ground around our homes and in the streets and never really think about their value. However, when decorating for the holidays, consider making use of the pine cones and the natural richness that they bring. I decided to include the pine cones with the other major decorative […]
Posted by: Betty 11/6/07 at 2:28 pm
October 31st -Halloween- is my sister’s birthday! She has been saying for the entire year that she wanted to buy cookware like Martha Stewart. I decided that I was going to give her cookware as a birthday gift. However, I probably wouldn’t be able to afford what Martha Stewart uses in her kitchen. But I would give her a […]
Posted by: Betty 10/31/07 at 9:21 pm
This is the time of year when we will start our process of having friends and family grace our homes for dinners and celebrations. It is such a wonderful time because the changing of the seasons, changes the way we began to function. I look forward to having small dinner parties and laughing and talking with friends. I […]
Posted by: Betty 10/23/07 at 10:53 am
Thanksgiving is always an exciting time of the year. Great family dinner. Beautiful and cozy environment. Family members laughing and sharing jokes and old stories about earlier times. Great fun is had by all as you share recipes and what foods are your favorites. You even begin to share about some of your Christmas plans.
You call family members to […]
Posted by: Betty 10/13/07 at 12:49 pm
When I began researching the renovation of the kitchen in my home, I found the cost constantly spiraling out of control. I knew that everything didn’t have to be changed, but contractors were constantly showing me how I would be better off with all of the changes that they had suggested, that I knew would result in my spending a fortune. […]
Posted by: Betty 10/3/07 at 11:40 am
The home is definitely where the heart is! The overall decor, the comfort level of the environment and the colors will often dictate what one feels when they enter a home. At this time, we will merely share with you the dining room, living room and the library, of an exciting home in the Silver Spring, Maryland area.
The Dining Room:
In […]
Posted by: Betty 9/25/07 at 4:54 pm
These lovely 10″ candle-holder-lamps (beaded shades included) are two of the precious items that I found at our favorite store. I got excited, because I realized that they could be used in any room to accommodate a change in the atmosphere. The beads on the shade makes the lighting soft and warm and provides lovely illumination. They are an asset on the dining room table, on the kitchen table, in the living […]
Posted by: Betty 9/17/07 at 8:47 am
I got so excited when I went into HomeGoods two days ago and saw these wonderful displays of some of the most beautiful holiday and seasonal dinnerware to be found anywhere. As fast as the pieces were put on display, they were being purchased by the excited shoppers. Many were looking for additional pieces that the […]
Posted by: Betty 9/7/07 at 4:06 pm
Whether we recognize it or not, lighting plays a significant role in the decorating of our homes. Sometimes we want bright lighting, soft lighting, bold lighting, multiple lighting, etc. We have to find the lighting that is most appropriate for the room, the decor, the style that we wish to put in place. The lighting for […]
Posted by: Betty 8/29/07 at 11:50 am
A lovely table is what we desire to bring life and beauty to a room. On many occasions the central focus on the table is often a floral arrangement or some simplified/but lovely arrangement that highlights the colors in the room, or just the room itself. In some situations the central focus on the table can be a piece […]
Posted by: Betty 8/8/07 at 12:18 pm
It is amazing that we have this attraction to the sea, and the sea shells that often are swept ashore by the water waves. We have a special love and appreciation during the summer; however, we enjoy the beauty throughout the year.
In this remarkable display at HomeGoods, there are intricate designs and all kinds of decorative pieces that have been made with a variety of sea […]
Posted by: Betty 7/25/07 at 12:03 pm
I like decorating with wallpaper and I will sometimes paper the top half of the walls in a room, two walls in a room, or one long wall in a large room. Generally I will contrast the subtle color in the wallpaper with a soft paint color that highlights. If the the overall pattern is quite vivid, […]
Posted by: Betty 7/18/07 at 9:50 am
Yes! You’ve seen this 35″ x 40″ wall art before. It is, indeed, treasured art decor that I was fortunate enough to purchase from HomeGoods more than one year ago. Most recently, on a shopping adventure, I saw this chest that I had to have. Immediately, once the purchase was made, I saw this beautiful Asian design galloping horse in HomeGoods and decided that […]
Posted by: Betty 7/12/07 at 10:01 am
I went into HomeGoods today and I was blown away by this beautiful and exciting display of some of the most gorgeous dinnerware that one could find anywhere. I couldn’t resist. I had to share with you what I was privileged to see. As soon as the manager of this section puts the dinnerware on display, […]
Posted by: Betty 7/3/07 at 2:28 pm
Looking for the interior decorating style and design that is right for your home, for your family and the environment is not always easy. Often, it is easier to help someone else decorate their home. You must decide what makes you happy. Learn what excites you.
For a few years, I tried to find the right design and color coordination for the livingroom. The primary intent was […]
Posted by: Betty 6/19/07 at 12:45 pm
These are wonderful displays in HomeGoods that the display manager referred to as Party Fun. The first is a wide variety of party essentials that could stir the hearts of children and adults. One of the cutest of all items is the Cotton Candy maker. A popcorn machine and an ice cream maker are not in the picture; but […]
Posted by: Betty 6/12/07 at 4:32 pm
It is amazing to see the beautiful treasures of all kinds that come into HomeGoods on a daily basis. The uniqueness and great quality of the tableware affords the customers to purchase not one set, but a few sets of unforgettable tableware for minimal cost. Earlier, I intended to purchase dinnerware for a gift to […]
Posted by: Betty 5/29/07 at 11:15 am
In search of a cabinet for a client, I made my trip to HomeGoods today and saw this beautiful armoire. I could not believe the intricate detail in the design and you could actually touch each stroke by the artistic brush on the flowers, the leaves and the full decoration. The crown molding is absolutely gorgeous! […]
Posted by: Betty 5/24/07 at 9:13 pm
I saw these decorative dogs in my favorite store and just had to get them. Rather then getting one of them, I chose to get two. I knew that I wanted something different in front/sides of the fireplace, but I had not seen anything of interest until I saw these two lovely dogs in HomeGoods. […]
Posted by: Betty 5/21/07 at 11:45 am
I was in HomeGoods today looking for a wedding gift. In the mean time, I got so drawn to this lovely baby furniture that was in isle display. It was so perfect for anyone who is seeking to furnish their baby/kids room. What I love so much about HomeGoods is that you can purchase wonderful […]
Posted by: Betty 5/17/07 at 9:35 am
Stainglass is often used for artistic and beautification purposes. However, this time it is being used to divide space and define space while providing beautification. The open space like-balcony in the kitchen that overlooks the foyer and provides separation of front entrance and kitchen, is on the second level in this tri-level home. To define […]
Posted by: Betty 5/9/07 at 9:21 pm
It is amazing to see the wide range of Dinnerware that HomeGoods makes available to the customers that are so exciting, bold and refreshing. Just recently when I visited the HomeGoods store in my area, I saw these beautiful displays. These plates, cups and saucers, platters and other tableware quench the appetite for those seeking […]
Posted by: Betty 4/28/07 at 8:22 am
Sometimes when we think about organizing our cupboards, our closets, our homes - overall, it appears to be the beginning of a rigorous task. However, with the right methods of organization in place, it can become fun and even exciting. These beautiful boxes I found on the shelves in HomeGoods gave me a sense of excitement. […]
Posted by: Betty 4/23/07 at 4:18 pm
There is nothing like having rain from a wet umbrella dripping in or throughout the house. That’s why this leather cushioned umbrella stand caught my eye when I was visiting HomeGoods one afternoon. It was raining outside and I sougtht a way to shake the rain off of my umbrella. I had a brass stand that met you […]
Posted by: Betty 4/21/07 at 11:55 am