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Wallpaper always in fashion

DEAR GAIL: When I walk through model homes I see that they are still using wallpaper. Is it still “in” or are they just using it to add more splash to the models? I am usually a do-it-yourself person and was also wondering if it would be something that I could hang myself. — Ruth [...] [...]

Kitchen Tile Backsplashes that Make a Splash

Dear Gail: We’re remodeling our kitchen and would like some advice on what to do with the backsplash. Our kitchen is fairly small so we’d like to do something special. The three suggestions we’ve been given are: all granite, all tile or 6 inches of granite and then paint or tile. What would you do? [...] [...]

Properly Staged Homes Sell

DEAR GAIL: I’ve received a job offer I can’t refuse, but it’s across the country so I have to sell my house. I know this couldn’t be the worst time, so I need some advice on how to make it look its best. What can I do to make it stand out from all the [...] [...]

Creativity On The Fly – Part 2 – Finishing touches can be creative works of art

Now that you have all of your furniture in place, let’s finish up your rooms with more creative ideas. 
The five-minute floral arrangement
Here are four down and dirty steps to create a floral arrangement on the fly.
Step 1: Take out a clear vase, you know the one under your kitchen sink that you kept from when [...] [...]

Creativity On The Fly – Part 1 – Furniture & Thinking Out-of-the-Box

Everyone is creative in one way or another and has her or his own special way about doing things, whether it’s a flair for putting together a great outfit, hosting a fantastic party, planting a colorful garden or decorating a home. But sometimes we need to pull it together on the fly, which can cause [...] [...]

Design Smart Column – Luggage does more than travel well

  
DEAR GAIL: My husband and I have started collecting old luggage. It all started when we were given a piece of my grandmother’s that she used when she moved here from Germany. It is now almost an obsession and our home is becoming overrun by them. We have so much fun looking for them when [...] [...]

Resolve to make a plan for home’s decor.

Didn’t I just say, “Can it really be Halloween?” and now it’s almost New Year’s. New Year’s Day is my favorite holiday; I love the excitement of a new beginning. I look at every day as a new day to start over, but there’s just something about a new year. It gives me permission to [...] [...]

Wine enthusiasts seek ways to put a cork in it

DEAR GAIL: We are avid wine drinkers and, like most, save the corks. We’ve filled up jars, large wine glasses, bowls, drawers and lots of plastic bags. What can we do with them besides start throwing them away? — Katie P.
DEAR KATIE: I, like you, have lots of wine corks as we enjoy a bottle [...] [...]

Bookcases are not just for books

DEAR GAIL: We have a wall unit in our family room with a set of bookcases on each side of the TV armoire that’s just been junked up with books. We have a lot of books we’d like to keep but some can go. How do I go about decorating them so that they look [...] [...]

Learn More About Color

A new year is on the horizon and you’ll be seeing new colors entering the home fashion industry.  Each year new color palettes are forecasted and those colors are then used as a guide by product designers in developing and creating new consumer products.  
Color is the very first thing that we react to when entering [...] [...]