Getting in on the outside

I've been noticing all the new lines of outdoor furniture that have hit the stores and catalogs recently. We have a kind of love/hate feeling about the outdoors here in New England. We do have great weather, but all those fabulous year round California outdoor rooms just don't work here. We get excited about 3-season porches! I was recently gifted with a lovely wicker patio set that I'm very excited about. More to come on it (lots of cushions to recover!). In the meantime, I can't help but swoon over all the beautiful outdoor furniture available today. And at so many different price points too!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://janusetcie.com/">Janus et Cie</a> furniture epitomizes outdoor living, Mediterranean style. Price range: $$$$<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxW5PWFzum3iEokZo7LKXqsKkb6EZWb6-90SwM-yr4f05UwQcmRQ8kaIE2hMNJgq7x8zaaaaq3XkmhXygm-LKstHHb-dDYw7aGlEnMXghjIOv0mFNdvcFA2jLMdC0kOQbC_yG3J7-Eekl/s1600/JetC3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxW5PWFzum3iEokZo7LKXqsKkb6EZWb6-90SwM-yr4f05UwQcmRQ8kaIE2hMNJgq7x8zaaaaq3XkmhXygm-LKstHHb-dDYw7aGlEnMXghjIOv0mFNdvcFA2jLMdC0kOQbC_yG3J7-Eekl/s640/JetC3.png" width="508" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQ_lQ2P9gLKBaqo6jrXifToRSBQSjuR5U9wjUKzoEumy0wj1BwaWU3Z74l82cEEFi9Fj72tlfjnxql276TzQad3BpKgSPCdb5b6l-oum-sqSLGzWxi0bXole_rVl_LvbbwEaAC7GEEKQW/s1600/JetC1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQ_lQ2P9gLKBaqo6jrXifToRSBQSjuR5U9wjUKzoEumy0wj1BwaWU3Z74l82cEEFi9Fj72tlfjnxql276TzQad3BpKgSPCdb5b6l-oum-sqSLGzWxi0bXole_rVl_LvbbwEaAC7GEEKQW/s640/JetC1.png" width="508" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOIPDitA9j9VpowvNCmKELRX6IZ2l9ivTmE_94puW_DHyu8M5zbBEq0P2ToUTKWWG5KhsyAlwTT1xIoC9s7yxPP87i1T2n6b4jqRqt_Lzgvneg8ifMoD0uiRQVjxOJLVLcQQ7hrbLiUee/s1600/JetC2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOIPDitA9j9VpowvNCmKELRX6IZ2l9ivTmE_94puW_DHyu8M5zbBEq0P2ToUTKWWG5KhsyAlwTT1xIoC9s7yxPP87i1T2n6b4jqRqt_Lzgvneg8ifMoD0uiRQVjxOJLVLcQQ7hrbLiUee/s640/JetC2.png" width="508" /><br /><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipE0MfLWf6t_xS0LY9RCxSH3nz6fGhelLNVQuZMWA4zCJJqBmbHi3rHbE4ZBpUQcTPkt4x1-WhOc7R1Ol7HDZQeIE_zsvJLs_UPoI7tZI5MHN78e94YCOW2gbzJhXGc0VntQAM_6AQX18s/s1600/JetC4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipE0MfLWf6t_xS0LY9RCxSH3nz6fGhelLNVQuZMWA4zCJJqBmbHi3rHbE4ZBpUQcTPkt4x1-WhOc7R1Ol7HDZQeIE_zsvJLs_UPoI7tZI5MHN78e94YCOW2gbzJhXGc0VntQAM_6AQX18s/s640/JetC4.png" width="508" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2hmqY7NyRyKtT4Kg38w3l6tjOQFCkDS4zjOtArbwsgBdr3NlGQWQzr-jA3lFvIMnWMrMuUTsrCQsXtNDMZa5ypJRBeP8SQwMydJ_wtyS1Gk5qbZn33ys1EJqQzb6O9cBo-O6jLxrbfJZ/s1600/JetC5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2hmqY7NyRyKtT4Kg38w3l6tjOQFCkDS4zjOtArbwsgBdr3NlGQWQzr-jA3lFvIMnWMrMuUTsrCQsXtNDMZa5ypJRBeP8SQwMydJ_wtyS1Gk5qbZn33ys1EJqQzb6O9cBo-O6jLxrbfJZ/s640/JetC5.png" width="508" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://www.brownjordan.com/">Brown Jordon</a>. Price range: $$$-$$$$<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.brownjordan.com/products/images/location/CampaignGrande.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="369" src="http://www.brownjordan.com/products/images/location/CampaignGrande.01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.brownjordan.com/products/images/location/Kensington.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://www.brownjordan.com/products/images/location/Kensington.01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.brownjordan.com/products/images/location/Madrid.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://www.brownjordan.com/products/images/location/Madrid.01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.brownjordan.com/products/images/location/Monaco.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://www.brownjordan.com/products/images/location/Monaco.01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2102785055"><br /></a><br /><a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/">Restoration Hardware.</a> Price range: $$-$$$<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://image.restorationhardware.com/is/image/rhis/od_d1_2010_seating_2_belvedere?wid=978&fmt=jpeg&qlt=90,0&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.0,0.0,0,0&iccEmbed=0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://image.restorationhardware.com/is/image/rhis/od_d1_2010_seating_2_belvedere?wid=978&fmt=jpeg&qlt=90,0&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.0,0.0,0,0&iccEmbed=0" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://image.restorationhardware.com/is/image/rhis/od_d1_2010_seating_30_antibes?wid=978&fmt=jpeg&qlt=90,0&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.0,0.0,0,0&iccEmbed=0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://image.restorationhardware.com/is/image/rhis/od_d1_2010_seating_30_antibes?wid=978&fmt=jpeg&qlt=90,0&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.0,0.0,0,0&iccEmbed=0" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://image.restorationhardware.com/is/image/rhis/od_d1_2010_seating_34_lajolla?wid=978&fmt=jpeg&qlt=90,0&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.0,0.0,0,0&iccEmbed=0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://image.restorationhardware.com/is/image/rhis/od_d1_2010_seating_34_lajolla?wid=978&fmt=jpeg&qlt=90,0&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.0,0.0,0,0&iccEmbed=0" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://image.restorationhardware.com/is/image/rhis/od_d1_2010_seating_52_nantucket?wid=978&fmt=jpeg&qlt=90,0&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.0,0.0,0,0&iccEmbed=0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://image.restorationhardware.com/is/image/rhis/od_d1_2010_seating_52_nantucket?wid=978&fmt=jpeg&qlt=90,0&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.0,0.0,0,0&iccEmbed=0" width="400" /></a><a href="http://image.restorationhardware.com/is/image/rhis/od_d1_2010_seating_24_antigua?wid=978&fmt=jpeg&qlt=90,0&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.0,0.0,0,0&iccEmbed=0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://image.restorationhardware.com/is/image/rhis/od_d1_2010_seating_24_antigua?wid=978&fmt=jpeg&qlt=90,0&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.0,0.0,0,0&iccEmbed=0" width="400" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/">Crate and Barrel.</a> Price range: $$-$$$<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.crateandbarrel.com/is/image/Crate/outdoorTemplate?$trendFeature$&$image=Crate/outdoor_10_ventura_H2&$text=1+of+5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.crateandbarrel.com/is/image/Crate/outdoorTemplate?$trendFeature$&$image=Crate/outdoor_10_ventura_H2&$text=1+of+5" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.crateandbarrel.com/is/image/Crate/outdoorTemplate?$trendFeature$&$image=Crate/outdoor_img_09_trovata_5&$text=1+of+5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.crateandbarrel.com/is/image/Crate/outdoorTemplate?$trendFeature$&$image=Crate/outdoor_img_09_trovata_5&$text=1+of+5" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.crateandbarrel.com/is/image/Crate/outdoorTemplate?$trendFeature$&$image=Crate/outdoor_10_alfresco_H&$text=1+of+5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.crateandbarrel.com/is/image/Crate/outdoorTemplate?$trendFeature$&$image=Crate/outdoor_10_alfresco_H&$text=1+of+5" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2102785076"><br /></a><br /><a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/">Pottery Barn</a>. Price range: $$-$$$<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/pbimgs/rk/images/dp/products/201019/0007/img69m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.potterybarn.com/pbimgs/rk/images/dp/products/201019/0007/img69m.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/pbimgs/rk/images/dp/products/201017/0027/img32m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://www.potterybarn.com/pbimgs/rk/images/dp/products/201017/0027/img32m.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/pbimgs/rk/images/dp/products/201018/0008/img54m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://www.potterybarn.com/pbimgs/rk/images/dp/products/201018/0008/img54m.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/pbimgs/rk/images/dp/products/201019/0029/img68m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.potterybarn.com/pbimgs/rk/images/dp/products/201019/0029/img68m.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.ballarddesigns.com/">Ballard Designs.</a> Price range: $-$$<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/12335/6h/s7ondemand1.scene7.com/is/image/ballarddesigns/SO553_1?rgn=0,0,2000,2000&scl=5.434782608695652&fmt=jpeg&id=0TTBuqVHBlNNfQUZWINs3V" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/12335/6h/s7ondemand1.scene7.com/is/image/ballarddesigns/SO553_1?rgn=0,0,2000,2000&scl=5.434782608695652&fmt=jpeg&id=0TTBuqVHBlNNfQUZWINs3V" /></a></div><br /><span id="goog_2102785084"></span><span id="goog_2102785085"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ballarddesigns.com/Outdoor-Living/c/images/us/local/page_specific/2010OutdoorLiving/021910Outdoor/collage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ballarddesigns.com/Outdoor-Living/c/images/us/local/page_specific/2010OutdoorLiving/021910Outdoor/collage1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.walmart.com/">Walmart</a>. Price range: $<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/72/29/38/07/0072293807421_500X500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/72/29/38/07/0072293807421_500X500.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/66/79/30/61/0066793061811_500X500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/66/79/30/61/0066793061811_500X500.jpg" /></a></div>And here's my new wicker set at its last home. I was lucky to be given this - it's huge and in great shape. New cushions are underway! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpDJ62GxSUYalIW0odqCVFwjydVdDpy8QyQIx2s_Q9-WBA6UwA06KtKEJGnv2Cst1CfwjLhkea9_dP7CQSizjWa3KXTpaLFQVUTSlxuznnQTOrqKwKdSXCz_wK5D-JB58LSVPcl42RuBv/s1600/lindaswickerset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpDJ62GxSUYalIW0odqCVFwjydVdDpy8QyQIx2s_Q9-WBA6UwA06KtKEJGnv2Cst1CfwjLhkea9_dP7CQSizjWa3KXTpaLFQVUTSlxuznnQTOrqKwKdSXCz_wK5D-JB58LSVPcl42RuBv/s400/lindaswickerset.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />How do you spend your outdoor time?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Getting in on the outside

I've been noticing all the new lines of outdoor furniture that have hit the stores and catalogs recently. We have a kind of love/hate fe...

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Bargain Hunting: Getting the look (and quality) for less

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-G11330_7QNVy5SnscQ0RYOZ6pOKtzY2uJgw3mtjb3Hh3tkKur1ThM9-0P6AEH3tsayMg9dMzGkEXYkFGlJwgiUvQdxO5wZJ1jr1UDAIcAMFnE_DvoeQ1lehnBabAhlCtfyPr8UmdQrO/s1600/loripic2SML.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-G11330_7QNVy5SnscQ0RYOZ6pOKtzY2uJgw3mtjb3Hh3tkKur1ThM9-0P6AEH3tsayMg9dMzGkEXYkFGlJwgiUvQdxO5wZJ1jr1UDAIcAMFnE_DvoeQ1lehnBabAhlCtfyPr8UmdQrO/s320/loripic2SML.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Contributed by <a href="http://web.mac.com/ldolnick/iWeb/my%20website/Welcome.html">Lori Dolnick</a><br /><br />The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, Chicago, IL<br /><br />One of the big themes we saw at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show this year was predominant use of the word VALUE. Value is different from CHEAP. Value is about something that perhaps lasts longer. Or provides better performance. Value is what happens when a product delivers more than expected for what you are paying. Today’s homeowners are on the hunt for VALUE. We see from the statistics that the look of today’s kitchen is changing. Less ornamental – more modern themes. More work done within an existing footprint versus blowing out walls and expanding the square footage - so every inch counts. Today’s Homeowner is remodeling for numero uno. It’s their home – since selling is not really an option. It’s no longer about return on investment – it’s about personalization and comfort. <br /><br />So what were the big VALUES at the show? <br /><br />The LINUS designer faucet from <a href="http://www.blancoamerica.com/">BLANCO</a> starting at $425. Hundreds of dollars less for European made quality and a knock out style. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEV-2I_fje47tm6i6PCcwR4RDU5nnbw4p8Eb8vSDulPYKm4-FTvoQ6MeJR8YqGHs6xS0_1Ubz4DKfAu8UJy6gxb_tPMSx9J7UVYJZcfvysxL7enk9uAowNKJONYJNLreZ7W5y0GjtBQdK/s1600/441197+LINUS+Faucet+SN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEV-2I_fje47tm6i6PCcwR4RDU5nnbw4p8Eb8vSDulPYKm4-FTvoQ6MeJR8YqGHs6xS0_1Ubz4DKfAu8UJy6gxb_tPMSx9J7UVYJZcfvysxL7enk9uAowNKJONYJNLreZ7W5y0GjtBQdK/s400/441197+LINUS+Faucet+SN.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Aspen cabinet hardware from <a href="http://www.topknobsusa.com/">TopKnobs</a> starting from $8 a knob. Half the price of competitive brands for solid bronze with a sealed finish that will last. Lifetime warrantee. Free sample program for consumers and designers. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijugfVOoJcGCwpZUZmB7XUEbVG07RIY0NLnMvK1ckNGjis6QmZTp8CTHBcKu-OnH2MAgfOCNGioU6EAu7Saf-sVPub6zHcy_f3sNC3BF7tW0vcv_ukXK9DduTndveKnmbl5TRzcx_YHCN8/s1600/Aspen_Twig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijugfVOoJcGCwpZUZmB7XUEbVG07RIY0NLnMvK1ckNGjis6QmZTp8CTHBcKu-OnH2MAgfOCNGioU6EAu7Saf-sVPub6zHcy_f3sNC3BF7tW0vcv_ukXK9DduTndveKnmbl5TRzcx_YHCN8/s640/Aspen_Twig.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br />One of the hidden treasures at the show was <a href="http://www.newrivercabinetry.com/">New River Semi Custom Cabinetry</a>. All the features you’d pay more for in custom cabinets like soft close drawers but at a lower price. And believe me – I wish my cabinets had this stuff. And I paid a lot more per square foot for less quality. It’s worthwhile to seek out semi custom cabinet showrooms. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqm8Hhc1Nj0ezSPmniv20NMplsU5trE3pknMI6OAbM3O7F8N4LUg4oF3NIHMCUCh_Y76DD_FLXfIF0-WfWH7T-WvN1gZYWILdsVWQeDVr7QqD9ELbtwJb6XJPWaWbJOxG3K0_ozsFfaeVP/s1600/11+Overall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqm8Hhc1Nj0ezSPmniv20NMplsU5trE3pknMI6OAbM3O7F8N4LUg4oF3NIHMCUCh_Y76DD_FLXfIF0-WfWH7T-WvN1gZYWILdsVWQeDVr7QqD9ELbtwJb6XJPWaWbJOxG3K0_ozsFfaeVP/s400/11+Overall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />GE’s new hybrid <a href="http://www.geappliances.com/GeoSpring">GeoSpring water heater</a> can save you $320 a year in energy. Of course it costs @ $1,500 but the payback would be in under 5 years. Assuming this lasts on average 10-15 years (per DOE), you are getting far more for your investment dollar in energy savings.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidU1wo4aPv_SvDqdYPPteGTUU9maQ-NtocSBK0bwbKQS8vIB60siPg1NmT1ngnFS9MxMkgclAeQRSNMMDj6Ldp-BZugM0yKNjbkt7Sauft6Jeo1CXGN0mJ2N3YUEvM-79l1IYNtPUYPl_B/s1600/geo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidU1wo4aPv_SvDqdYPPteGTUU9maQ-NtocSBK0bwbKQS8vIB60siPg1NmT1ngnFS9MxMkgclAeQRSNMMDj6Ldp-BZugM0yKNjbkt7Sauft6Jeo1CXGN0mJ2N3YUEvM-79l1IYNtPUYPl_B/s400/geo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.stonexpress-usa.com/product-line/stoneskin">StoneSkin</a> is an interesting product for Remodelers or DIY’ers. It’s real stone – but in a peel-and-stick format. Ultra thin and lightweight – it goes on other tiles or over dry wall. (Not saying this might be a permanent fix vs. real tile installed by a professional… but certainly worthwhile to try for the cost. And it beats the look of drywall. Really, drywall is terrible for work areas as it dents and stains.) <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1Z_HCjy4zXRz3WRa0DdYrjSCTasO4JIzWs-ZhjbOAk8V9EeA0ByxXtij-9qP5OgnX-ViJK6aWF7OOpkaJig26Fe2XuqasTr3bOncGqPxXdKdBTx2wVut2OEoflVVDFWQ0VXWphjQnnuc/s1600/stone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1Z_HCjy4zXRz3WRa0DdYrjSCTasO4JIzWs-ZhjbOAk8V9EeA0ByxXtij-9qP5OgnX-ViJK6aWF7OOpkaJig26Fe2XuqasTr3bOncGqPxXdKdBTx2wVut2OEoflVVDFWQ0VXWphjQnnuc/s400/stone.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcsRA5NkuU7FGoWjRqzDILDp02S5c3Rj6sg295zsg1YaCZrrAQa2eIURF70hjbeh4CzO4i1MMqk9AkfRNWbHebGXQ7sK4MKcvWrMMt0_R5eUl5M4Ek4eENDSDtuYSqeSXnyo1L1eVBZ0X/s240/loripic2SML.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcsRA5NkuU7FGoWjRqzDILDp02S5c3Rj6sg295zsg1YaCZrrAQa2eIURF70hjbeh4CzO4i1MMqk9AkfRNWbHebGXQ7sK4MKcvWrMMt0_R5eUl5M4Ek4eENDSDtuYSqeSXnyo1L1eVBZ0X/s240/loripic2SML.jpg" /></a></div>Contributed by <a href="http://web.mac.com/ldolnick/iWeb/my%20website/Welcome.html">Lori Dolnick</a><br /><br /><br />See all Lori's posts <a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/search/label/Lori%20Dolnick">here</a>.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Bargain Hunting: Getting the look (and quality) for less

Contributed by Lori Dolnick The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, Chicago, IL One of the big themes we saw at the Kitchen & Bath Industr...

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The Decorating Diva Profile

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thedecoratingdiva.com/wp-content/themes/arthemia-premium/images/logo/logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://thedecoratingdiva.com/wp-content/themes/arthemia-premium/images/logo/logo.png" /></a></div><br />Several weeks ago I received an invitation from Carmen at <a href="http://thedecoratingdiva.com/linda-merrill-decorative-surroundings/">The Decorating Diva</a> to be profiled on their wonderful site.  The Decorating Diva site has a rich, in-depth level of content and I think they do the most in-depth an interesting designer profiles of any site around.  In addition to the usual history and work questions, they also asked me to provide a list of favorite design elements "Linda's Favorite Things" below and my list of go-to sites for inspiration. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvjhOYd5U6zMrENZW4VmopR9qmF7LieZ1xI2EQCYcsKBCH4tyJLJqzkEIxWB86-wUqGCfaEXltcu2GVEgsZvbFhHrLcGGzDriaq3cR5H-g9wiiFnbvYUrdBMbnC42ij2Q_ki55WEqVfXZ/s1600/FaveThingsonDecDiva.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvjhOYd5U6zMrENZW4VmopR9qmF7LieZ1xI2EQCYcsKBCH4tyJLJqzkEIxWB86-wUqGCfaEXltcu2GVEgsZvbFhHrLcGGzDriaq3cR5H-g9wiiFnbvYUrdBMbnC42ij2Q_ki55WEqVfXZ/s640/FaveThingsonDecDiva.png" width="548" /></a></div><br />So, if you have a moment, check out <a href="http://thedecoratingdiva.com/linda-merrill-decorative-surroundings/">my interview on The Decorating Diva</a> and then spend some time reading their entire site.  A huge thanks to The Decorating Diva - I am so honored!<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

The Decorating Diva Profile

Several weeks ago I received an invitation from Carmen at The Decorating Diva to be profiled on their wonderful site.  The Decorating Diva ...

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