As I said in my September “Design Secrets” column, U.S. pet owners spent $36 million last year on their pets. That’s a lot! So what’s costing them that much money? Designer pet products are all the rage. I found some affordable ones available at stores like Target. Read the rest of this entry »

Sue Thomas chimes in once again on lighting with this follow-up to last week’s blog entry.

Chandeliers are a great general light source in the dining room. That’s because they direct light up, where it bounces off the ceiling and back down to create a warm, soft glow. Here are a few tips for buying and hanging chandeliers: Read the rest of this entry »

I can’t stress enough how much neutral-colored walls add warmth and make you feel at home. A few months back, my Design Secrets column focused on wall color (Walls that Wow, Jan 2007). I spoke with Donna Harki, my Custom Interiors friend from Henry Ford Village. I call on her frequently for decorating advice related to color, carpets, or baths. She gave me some fantastic advice, which I used right away… Read the rest of this entry »

Special thanks to Sue Thomas, owner of Room Whispers Redesign in Manassas, Va. who has contributed to today’s blog. Here are her helpful hints on how to acheive the best use of light in your home. Read the rest of this entry »

Color affects my mood. Or sometimes, my mood craves a certain color. Lately I’ve been craving calm in shades of sky blue and blooming lavender and aqua and slate gray–complimentary colors that splash harmony and serenity into the air and reflect my personality. As I prepare to move into a new home in Annapolis, Md., I’m thinking of ways to effectively and inexpensively create an atmosphere that does just that. Read the rest of this entry »