Countertop Questions

There are so many choices out there when it comes to selecting countertops for a kitchen or bathroom.  Probably the most popular is granite.  In slab or tile granite is always a great look and available in such a variety of colors and patterns.

The designer and client can also consider other natural stones like marble, soapstone, limestone, travertine.  Let's not forget the manufactured stone and recycled countertops and concrete!  Of course there is also stainless steel,butcher block, wood tops and laminates, but I'm talking stone and stone-like products here.  There are so many quartz like materials out there.  Here are a few names that might come up: silestone, corian, zodiaq, caesarstone, paperstone, hanstone, fireslate and cambria.  I guess I should also put in cultured marble, but I'm not a huge fan.

So I want to hear from you! What are your favorite stones or materials to use on countertops?  Anything ever let you down, post install?  Anything knock your sock off?

Image and design by Rebecca Ward

Winner!

So which one of my readers will be having the sweetest dreams?  The winner of my CSN stores $45 gift certificate!  The winner is: Jamie!!  This is the bed she is eying:

Thanks to all who entered.  Keep on dreaming!

P.S. Jamie please email me your contact info so CSN can send you your gift certificate code.  Thank you!

Sweet Dreams: Giveaway!

Have you been having sweet dreams?  I've been reflecting on how our bed and bedding play a big role in our lives.  Last week I attended and very informative ASID event hosted by Macy's Furniture.  They had one of their mattress reps remind us to tell our clients the importance of a good mattress and that they should be replaced every 8-10 years.  I think it was a good reminder for the designers too. He took a poll of how many of us had changed our mattress in the last 10 years,and there were very few of us! 

There are so many different option for bed sets out there: modern platform, traditional poster beds, cozy sleigh beds.  Since you spend about a third of your day in bed, it should be one worthy of your time.
Do you need a new bedset?  Well, take a look at this CSN site for bedroom furniture to give you some ideas.  Then come back and leave a comment about what your favorite style is and you will be entered in another CSN giveaway!  One lucky winner will win a $45 certificate to use at any of the CSN stores sites.  It could even go toward a new bed set!







Giveaway entry details:
1. visit bedroomfurniture.com and let me know what your favorite bed set or style is.
2. Bonus entry if you are a new follower and let me know
3. Bonus entry if you tweet or blog about this giveaway (be sure to leave a link in the comments)

The winner will be selected Monday morning via random.org.  Good luck and sweet dreams!



Images from CSN store bedroomfurniture.com

New Beginnings

Butterflies have certainly been trending for a while and I'm not tired of them yet.  Besides being beautiful and delicate creatures, they are a symbol of new beginnings and hope.  They transform from a fat, crawly caterpillar into something graceful. 
I was looking through a Gifts and Decorative Accessories Magazine today since it was the first time I'd seen it in my mailbox and ran across an add for Arthur Court accessories, a very popular line of decor given to the new bride and groom.  They have the newer butterfly line which is so appropriate for newlyweds.  I also think it's fun and whimsical for the rest of us to merit having a few pieces:

Have a great weekend!

Images from Arthur Court

What's The Word?

As an interior designer, a variety of vendors snail mail and email me information for different products they want me to use for my clients.  One of many is Wall Words who specializes in wall graphics and word applications.  I am undecided on my opinion of using wall word applications.  I generally like them when I see them installed, especially in commercial settings.  It just doesn't come naturally to me to suggest to my client a "Live, Love, Laugh" application in their kitchen.  I do love a lot of the examples I see in the Wall Words catalog such as the floor to ceiling trees.  Here are a few examples:

What's your opinion?  Have you ever used wall applications like these?

Ready for Harvest

Autumn is one of my favorite seasons.  It's a time of harvest, reflection on what I've done through the year to get me to this point and all the things I have to finish before the new year.  Of course, there is the literal harvest of squash and everything else yummy that is ready for adding to savory dishes.  I love the crisp air, beautiful colors on the changing trees, pumpkin everything from lattes to jack-o-lanterns.  October begins the end-of-year holiday festivities for me. I could buy a whole house full of fall and Halloween decorations each year if budget allowed. Instead, I'll just enjoy suggesting fun decor items for you to go out and harvest.  Z Gallerie and Pier 1 Imports are all geared up for the seasons.  Here are a few items I found on their sites:

First from Z Gallerie, a spooky selection:

Then Pier 1 has fun collection of harvest items:

Are you ready for harvest?

Images from Z Gallerie and Pier 1 Imports