Ahhh, pillows. Aside from painting a room, Gentle Readers — which I maintain is the best, most cost-effective way to change a space dramatically — pillows can have an unparalleled impact on a room. But what size? My clients and I do crazy custom pillows all the time, but there are some standard sizes and…
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Gorgeous Outdoor Fabrics: Too Many Choices!!
I am stuck, Gentle Readers. I am working on a porch and poolside patio right now, and I CAN. NOT. CHOOSE. a fabric direction. A huge part of my job is narrowing options for my clients, so this situation is rather embarrassing. Fabric will be a major design element — we need custom seat cushions,…
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Throw Blankets: Unsung Heroes of the Pandemic
As I write to you today, Gentle Readers, I am snuggled up in my living room chair, soda AND water close at hand (forever trying to break the soda habit), with a luscious plaid mohair blanket wrapped around my legs. I’m comfortable and toasty warm. I’ve always appreciated a good throw blanket, but the past…
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What I Did NOT Buy at the Antiques Mall
due to storage limitations, $ considerations, and/or a cold hard dose of reality. Gentle Readers, I hope you had a lovely, restful holiday last week. Ideally, you sat around your houses fantasizing about foyer wallpaper and headboards and family room sofas…oh wait. That’s me. One pre-Thanksgiving afternoon I did a risk assessment and decided to…
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My favorite off-the-shelf pillows right now
Today I thought to myself, “Self, you’ve got to stop thinking about all the crazy stuff going on in the world right now. What’s the biggest distraction you can think of?” PILLOWS, Gentle Readers. I came up with pillows. There’s an article coming out in The Washington Post this week in which I identify my…
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Show House Part 6-1/4: Bookcases and Room Rater
Hello, Gentle Readers! I was going to write about the historic houses I would be visiting if I were allowed to go anywhere, but I thought it would be too depressing. Instead, I shall embrace our circumstances and take a moment to discuss bookcases. Why, you ask? Well, last time, I mentioned that the next…
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Week 9 of Lockdown: They Say Cleaning the House Helps…
Hello, Gentle Readers. Welcome to Week 9 of social isolation, quarantine, lockdown — whatever you want to call it. I hope you are well, physically and mentally. How are things here, you ask? Well…this was breakfast on Saturday: John: What are you doing today? Me (looking up from newspaper): I don’t know. What are you…
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