Happy Halloween!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7NKh6L7xc06qe6ncTKGJWc5qGjhkUnxSniLnT5yZU-4a0gxHrCzEDmqUqT-Gj1xKol7_NrTZQbyLX6ef_ztYSDHLkGdTFsNDt8pDuFfud59G6q3rrXSgTZKd2h3Z4VA_sg0rnkfB4Rg/s1600/Halloween+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7NKh6L7xc06qe6ncTKGJWc5qGjhkUnxSniLnT5yZU-4a0gxHrCzEDmqUqT-Gj1xKol7_NrTZQbyLX6ef_ztYSDHLkGdTFsNDt8pDuFfud59G6q3rrXSgTZKd2h3Z4VA_sg0rnkfB4Rg/s1600/Halloween+2014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />

Happy Halloween!

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Review: Rug Pad Corner - Protection for area rugs

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqfC_puMmxIbYwCRvhtkRf8Ehi0Ir7lF6iPDX5pe3exKaVpNHHXQU-_5MIb87zNUAUlpUh8jLjP-q8g2K9MCRQDCcDZbLzj4QuIwCJEl_DzwwmHGEWltbRwngl994YXeUR3Vx939kHG0/s1600/IMG_5123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqfC_puMmxIbYwCRvhtkRf8Ehi0Ir7lF6iPDX5pe3exKaVpNHHXQU-_5MIb87zNUAUlpUh8jLjP-q8g2K9MCRQDCcDZbLzj4QuIwCJEl_DzwwmHGEWltbRwngl994YXeUR3Vx939kHG0/s1600/IMG_5123.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />There are many aspects of interior design that aren't the pretty and sexy parts, but it doesn't mean they aren't important. A good quality carpet pad will not only protect your floors and carpets, they are safety items as well. According to the<a href="http://www.nsc.org/safety_home/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/Pages/Falls.aspx" target="_blank"> National Safety Council</a> "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">Falls are one of the leading causes of unintentional injuries in the United States, accounting for approximately 8.9 million visits to the emergency department annually (NSC Injury Facts 2011)."</span><br /><br />I've had personal experience with the hazard that slippery area rugs can pose. When my Dad had his stroke in 2000, the rehab hospital (the amazing Spaulding Rehab's facility on Cape Cod) would not release him back to his home without the removal of the smaller area rugs since none had rug pads. And more recently, a close friend's elderly Mom tripped on an area rug that was placed on top of of a wall-to-wall carpet and she's now in assisted living. Tripping on rugs is a big deal to both old and young alike.<br /><br />The folks at <a href="http://www.rugpadcorner.com/" target="_blank">Rug Pad Corner</a> contacted me a while ago offering me three pads to check out and review. Since I've just moved, I did have rugs that definitely needed pads. And, since I have a little dog who loves to race from one end of the house to the other, my rugs were always askew.<br /><br />I was sent three cut to order pads from their Ultra Premium line. These are felt on one side and a rubber on the other.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxcnpD71IL_-Vbshqe8vpcTdtD605dJPBPCVDFpleHbgaM_DpE1Zu77sc6Oi94O9CYJnZesORzoGKROnH36ImxT9ypFQLWXyvuuLpt0zxk2tmfZBJ1JiVaGmZfIG7Tuw_J_HepWg4VYM/s1600/IMG_5125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxcnpD71IL_-Vbshqe8vpcTdtD605dJPBPCVDFpleHbgaM_DpE1Zu77sc6Oi94O9CYJnZesORzoGKROnH36ImxT9ypFQLWXyvuuLpt0zxk2tmfZBJ1JiVaGmZfIG7Tuw_J_HepWg4VYM/s1600/IMG_5125.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />One of my rugs is a vintage (or even antique I'm not sure how old it is) runner that just came out of my parent's house. Although the rug is very heavy and my dog is not, he was still pushing it around with his playful antics. Since I've installed the rug pad (and of course by "installed" I mean laid it under the rug which not easy when the dog is on top of everything!) the rug hasn't budged an inch. The felted side is placed towards the rug and the rubber side is against the laminate floor.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46yoyyY1nHCwUsQ50PrdMe8j1-5iPJUd3F4m7-6P1Bs2lYQyfO5WMbhTWujUUN9pMA7Ti7EjJexVqDPKT6xmiexPe8IJhw1RvlyFdnMY1ej94yaiM2zldVrJ7cUmUId0Wp-acy1bpKrM/s1600/IMG_5126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46yoyyY1nHCwUsQ50PrdMe8j1-5iPJUd3F4m7-6P1Bs2lYQyfO5WMbhTWujUUN9pMA7Ti7EjJexVqDPKT6xmiexPe8IJhw1RvlyFdnMY1ej94yaiM2zldVrJ7cUmUId0Wp-acy1bpKrM/s1600/IMG_5126.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />My other two rugs are in the kitchen. They are indoor/outdoor rugs from <a href="http://www.ballarddesigns.com/marina-indoor-2foutdoor-rug/265548" target="_blank">Ballard Designs</a> sitting on ceramic tile.  These rugs were always out of place and crooked with just daily wear and tear and most especially RoyRoy's running over them like a mad man. The rug pads have stabilized this greatly, though the rugs themselves are so light that they do move a bit over top of the rug pad and I have to readjust every couple of days or so.  But it's nothing like it was before.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYjfAnrqmIoFgybAA4QuFS-Ofp5hnVYwfjT2yKvC4fDMXCUgPnClNR3fJGY9w0aFrd7OHMvvN08t6aS3lVzHpHZg3L3N6_MmbP7snkZTgCaEA2BjyG_sfClQMhlzsF7W-HWUXNqB-iGY/s1600/IMG_5128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYjfAnrqmIoFgybAA4QuFS-Ofp5hnVYwfjT2yKvC4fDMXCUgPnClNR3fJGY9w0aFrd7OHMvvN08t6aS3lVzHpHZg3L3N6_MmbP7snkZTgCaEA2BjyG_sfClQMhlzsF7W-HWUXNqB-iGY/s1600/IMG_5128.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br /><div>Not only are the rugs more stabile but they also feel so much warmer and plusher to walk on. The ceramic tile floor is very chilly and will be downright freezing in the winter I suspect. But the added insulation of the carpet pad has made a huge difference in that regard as well.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.rugpadcorner.com/" target="_blank">Rug Pad Corner</a> uses natural felt and rubber and their rugs are made in America with American materials. There are no imported materials or chemicals and their rugs are hypoallergenic. There are no adhesives used; they use a trademarked RPC Heat Pressed (TM) process with reinforces the materials within the rug pads.<br /><br />Thanks to <a href="http://www.rugpadcorner.com/" target="_blank">Rug Pad Corner </a>for sharing your product with me. While I have received these goods, my opinions are my own based on testing the product for a period of two weeks.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSar2lQHnnWsZS4NFTRDnguJnK7v1L0wLyDiT6_aHQxhXCsjLZpOE4Ohe4PrE88KC0v_jbvoHLCrbSFrNWTw5rqojeae3NLi4-iP8asXlmE35t1NSfm1X0QA1RCYJf9z15tfdSD0jBVzY/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSar2lQHnnWsZS4NFTRDnguJnK7v1L0wLyDiT6_aHQxhXCsjLZpOE4Ohe4PrE88KC0v_jbvoHLCrbSFrNWTw5rqojeae3NLi4-iP8asXlmE35t1NSfm1X0QA1RCYJf9z15tfdSD0jBVzY/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" /></a></div><br /></div>

Review: Rug Pad Corner - Protection for area rugs

There are many aspects of interior design that aren't the pretty and sexy parts, but it doesn't mean they aren't important. A good quality carpet pad will not only protect your floors and carpets, they are safety items as well. According to the National Safety Council "Falls are one of the leading c…

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Peachy Keen - Or is it?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love the color peach in interiors. It has such a romantic feel and it's flattering to most skin tones, without going twee as many pinks can - especially pale tones. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/b0/fe/e8/b0fee8a902cf527bb9c35a7ea88491e9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/b0/fe/e8/b0fee8a902cf527bb9c35a7ea88491e9.jpg" width="611" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of my favorite bedrooms was this pale pinky/peach one that I did a few years ago. The wall was painted peach with a pink wash overtop, which added a very pleasing depth (hard to capture in a photo).  One of the things I most love about peach is that it works with so many other colors that it's almost a neutral. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/50/5c/6e/505c6e50d19257de4e09424d4763df99.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/50/5c/6e/505c6e50d19257de4e09424d4763df99.jpg" /></a></div><br />Soft whites and grays mixed with the peach canopy drapes has an easy feel that's very romantic.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/07/1e/4c/071e4c9cd04980eccc79d1a053f1cb7a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/07/1e/4c/071e4c9cd04980eccc79d1a053f1cb7a.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Peach can be filled with life.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/26/0d/4a/260d4a55a4aac7cced8006837aa0adb5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/26/0d/4a/260d4a55a4aac7cced8006837aa0adb5.jpg" /></a></div><br />It can be kind of casual/bohemian in feel<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/40/f6/a9/40f6a9f29cc63b16b30c092d74890a55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/40/f6/a9/40f6a9f29cc63b16b30c092d74890a55.jpg" /></a></div><br />Or super formal.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/9b/02/4d/9b024d1b9deeb59fd7fc2b2425947b45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/9b/02/4d/9b024d1b9deeb59fd7fc2b2425947b45.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It can add warmth to very traditional architectural elements. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/ed/f7/ee/edf7ee9c598977d3b6c6b5ec8cc15b2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/ed/f7/ee/edf7ee9c598977d3b6c6b5ec8cc15b2a.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And it pairs well with black accents (above and below)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/11/9d/66/119d66e30fced005c6bd6cc5841fecdb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/11/9d/66/119d66e30fced005c6bd6cc5841fecdb.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />It's funny though, when we think of peach, we usually think of these paler tones as shown above.  (or at least I do).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/70/2a/42/702a4207fb964b9b52d4e514286cf0d8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/70/2a/42/702a4207fb964b9b52d4e514286cf0d8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />When I google searched on peach paints by Benjamin Moore, these above were the top results. In this grouping, we're seeing a broader range of hues including pale pinks, yellows and a nearly pumpkin color.  When we look at a real peach and really take in the range of colors, the pale peach is less prominent that are the yellows and deeper tones.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/1d/b4/e3/1db4e37b18745e70ec728849e4e4fba4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/1d/b4/e3/1db4e37b18745e70ec728849e4e4fba4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d1/35/43/d135433023c2e47b2eccfcb62e6f6bdc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d1/35/43/d135433023c2e47b2eccfcb62e6f6bdc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I took the image of the peaches shown above and selected on the color ranges found. It's a beautiful and wide range of colors, isn't it? And only one (top row, 3rd from left) is actually a soft peach as found in most "peach" colored rooms.<br /><br />So, the question I have is, if you see this image:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/04/47/d8/0447d8acac77693f4fe3eceee222440d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/04/47/d8/0447d8acac77693f4fe3eceee222440d.jpg" /></a></div><br />Do you call it peach, or is it orange?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-cd0.pinimg.com/736x/c2/b2/2e/c2b22ee191b316eaf46a1e53d0dd0999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-cd0.pinimg.com/736x/c2/b2/2e/c2b22ee191b316eaf46a1e53d0dd0999.jpg" /></a></div><br />Or coral. Or terra-cotta?<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9M8EGsTHrnGYloHK6yqVnDAf0NRMgiGbzTk-rAVoCHQOVqwxEI3wihIeMkZWruWJeKoS4BrEXrUqcYvngh9JHwmNLHVQdLHtZ5qel-3cs3CGl1bSjexiUcd06lpe2t2Sib6H3XQrToCQ/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9M8EGsTHrnGYloHK6yqVnDAf0NRMgiGbzTk-rAVoCHQOVqwxEI3wihIeMkZWruWJeKoS4BrEXrUqcYvngh9JHwmNLHVQdLHtZ5qel-3cs3CGl1bSjexiUcd06lpe2t2Sib6H3XQrToCQ/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" /></a></div><br /><br />

Peachy Keen - Or is it?

I love the color peach in interiors. It has such a romantic feel and it's flattering to most skin tones, without going twee as many pinks can - especially pale tones. One of my favorite bedrooms was this pale pinky/peach one that I did a few years ago. The wall was painted peach with a pink wash ove…

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DIY It: Making a gorgeous lawn ornament for the holidays

My friend, children's book author and illustrator <a href="http://www.brianlies.com/" target="_blank">Brian Lies</a>, is sharing with us a great project he did last year that turned into this gorgeous, huge, yard ornament for the holiday season.  Brian is a very handy guy and there's not much he can't MacGyver.<br /><br />Usually I don't post holiday - meaning Christmas-ish - topics this early in the season (hello Halloween!) but if this is something you'd like to try, you're going to want to collect your materials now while doing your Fall yard cleanup. (Question - do those in warm climates have Fall yard cleanups to do?). In any event, Brian - take it away:<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJD9rfdGic9Fw-k04wtyTR4vC6rtix4csagUkgdTMaPkC8KDBYUAyG1RFkt-yq42UBBxlghTegI1QBh_iv54KwTxMW731zQvvIGtqtIAxq-wRMFSYDIHeqPfjW151pDc0VDZ-dm2DYe-0/s1600/IMG_2813.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJD9rfdGic9Fw-k04wtyTR4vC6rtix4csagUkgdTMaPkC8KDBYUAyG1RFkt-yq42UBBxlghTegI1QBh_iv54KwTxMW731zQvvIGtqtIAxq-wRMFSYDIHeqPfjW151pDc0VDZ-dm2DYe-0/s1600/IMG_2813.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><span style="color: #38761d;">I was trimming an overgrown wisteria vine at the corner of our garage and thinking about how many yards of vine material I was pulling away, and wondering if there was anything I could do with it all.  So, I took an exercise ball and began to wind the wisteria around it, holding the overlaps together with florist’s wire. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">[Note: if you're doing this project alone, Brian suggests pre-cutting your florist wire so it's ready as needed]</span></span><span style="color: #38761d;">  I started by dividing the ball into quadrants, then going 45 degrees off of those quadrants until I had divided the ball in to triangles:</span></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPg3Ghhpqnn_CaAcKkc8YyOnHFurSIduYIxZC6Sr5TfPdZnYAqbSDqayA4YbWdga6PzJ7rtZAL2nVOlh8LQWFhXdpeJ5MkYDKBWVIoXIpmYm655tSdW9qK6daEyOPIKf0dvAa8Ott6pA/s1600/IMG_2801.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPg3Ghhpqnn_CaAcKkc8YyOnHFurSIduYIxZC6Sr5TfPdZnYAqbSDqayA4YbWdga6PzJ7rtZAL2nVOlh8LQWFhXdpeJ5MkYDKBWVIoXIpmYm655tSdW9qK6daEyOPIKf0dvAa8Ott6pA/s1600/IMG_2801.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Then I deflated and removed the ball:</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKauAXOAWiIZi0FD_gzmgCyhIrlQrlkeXexNVEvBBa3BrXsN-QeLvAq9Vg-NVYZvL7CEWq3Z6nmzUMGejgdWzHOvXcXZbIb6x11PJ5Lr4ukoQiBT_na5Mde0qYcoxPQv8Qb5sfRrXUf2A/s1600/IMG_2802.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKauAXOAWiIZi0FD_gzmgCyhIrlQrlkeXexNVEvBBa3BrXsN-QeLvAq9Vg-NVYZvL7CEWq3Z6nmzUMGejgdWzHOvXcXZbIb6x11PJ5Lr4ukoQiBT_na5Mde0qYcoxPQv8Qb5sfRrXUf2A/s1600/IMG_2802.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><span style="color: #38761d;">And I had an orb made from vines.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0aa2ZaxWuicSHw6rwrTnM6dZtD2K3dTZm66eLmqxZ0NP-2NUFjUBOZkHUYZ98AS8Wfa9DGLgtx3uGk6EZcY7uUrBc2NKqE6pyT-AZlBpIcgDk1Hklk8g8bFWtAcU9gtbvX7Ify6_wa8/s1600/IMG_2803.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0aa2ZaxWuicSHw6rwrTnM6dZtD2K3dTZm66eLmqxZ0NP-2NUFjUBOZkHUYZ98AS8Wfa9DGLgtx3uGk6EZcY7uUrBc2NKqE6pyT-AZlBpIcgDk1Hklk8g8bFWtAcU9gtbvX7Ify6_wa8/s1600/IMG_2803.jpeg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Seems like most people have a string or two of unused Christmas lights around, and I wound several strings around the vines, attaching the strings with florist’s wire as I went.  When I was done, I had a lighted orb—nearly three feet across—which we placed in our front yard, and moved around every few days.  The good thing is that the orb is still in great shape after a year in the garage—the vines dried out into their now spherical shape.  As long as I don’t crush it, we’ll have it to use for at least several years.</span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJD9rfdGic9Fw-k04wtyTR4vC6rtix4csagUkgdTMaPkC8KDBYUAyG1RFkt-yq42UBBxlghTegI1QBh_iv54KwTxMW731zQvvIGtqtIAxq-wRMFSYDIHeqPfjW151pDc0VDZ-dm2DYe-0/s1600/IMG_2813.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJD9rfdGic9Fw-k04wtyTR4vC6rtix4csagUkgdTMaPkC8KDBYUAyG1RFkt-yq42UBBxlghTegI1QBh_iv54KwTxMW731zQvvIGtqtIAxq-wRMFSYDIHeqPfjW151pDc0VDZ-dm2DYe-0/s1600/IMG_2813.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Isn't this just so pretty?? You could make them different sizes - as long as you had different sized inflatable balls to use. Thanks Brian for sharing your project and instructions with us.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0544105699/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0544105699&linkCode=as2&tag=chameleoninte-20&linkId=QHHW3KZRCME36VIY"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0544105699&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=chameleoninte-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chameleoninte-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0544105699" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div><br />Brian's latest book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0544105699/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0544105699&linkCode=as2&tag=chameleoninte-20&linkId=TTDII3H2LXMRY7IX">Bats in the Band (A Bat Book)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chameleoninte-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0544105699" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, has just been released. It's filled with fantastic illustrations and a wonderful text that is entertaining for little kids and grownups alike. I will make a great holiday gift for a little one in your life and you won't mind reading it over and over and over again!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hT-xgY4aHo_qgWQgtnDZTaL_2vKbZmWqZ8u4HXL_tt5OqFWV-yD1JZQwwRoNOWTnjGxTOi_gqhQPcqMEne8peux4At0PznnxST3BeQukD25toCo9CqdLYZDlgOIBObRfuFBiDKH5qiQ/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hT-xgY4aHo_qgWQgtnDZTaL_2vKbZmWqZ8u4HXL_tt5OqFWV-yD1JZQwwRoNOWTnjGxTOi_gqhQPcqMEne8peux4At0PznnxST3BeQukD25toCo9CqdLYZDlgOIBObRfuFBiDKH5qiQ/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div>

DIY It: Making a gorgeous lawn ornament for the holidays

My friend, children's book author and illustrator Brian Lies, is sharing with us a great project he did last year that turned into this gorgeous, huge, yard ornament for the holiday season.  Brian is a very handy guy and there's not much he can't MacGyver.Usually I don't post holiday - meaning Chris…

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Oscar de la Renta - Fashions for Home

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/yo/design-trends-delarenta-ED0410-half-mdn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/yo/design-trends-delarenta-ED0410-half-mdn.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />Sad news this week of the passing of iconic fashion designer Oscar de la Renta at 82. I was actually surprised he wasn't older. The word "icon" is so overused today as much as words like "hero" and  and "diva", to the point where they don't really mean much anymore. We have lots of celebrities and fashionistas, but not that many true fashion icons. When one reaches true icon status, it's hard to imagine they ever weren't here.<br /><br />After all, there was this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chaos-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/080310-jackie-o-300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.chaos-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/080310-jackie-o-300.jpg" /></a></div><br />And so many others, right up to the end:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGctC5pnTuky-tZyZxVMAHjNzk25ZWoe2hsz8VhkLuz2uuSNv7Diaixp9oufyTA9y6m2c-wvpD_brIoXe0K2BWewG4Xc-fEasj6gOqdCVfTLAaVjQ6dj3A_I1P9-mPROe5hv-r6GopPU/s1600/amal_-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGctC5pnTuky-tZyZxVMAHjNzk25ZWoe2hsz8VhkLuz2uuSNv7Diaixp9oufyTA9y6m2c-wvpD_brIoXe0K2BWewG4Xc-fEasj6gOqdCVfTLAaVjQ6dj3A_I1P9-mPROe5hv-r6GopPU/s1600/amal_-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />And of course, his interests included the home with pieces that were both of the moment and timeless.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-RX310_mag031_G_20120221152013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-RX310_mag031_G_20120221152013.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://imagesecod.ctscdn.com/images/656/870/a1e1a7fb-a48e-4d16-aeb2-42f3e6316a44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://imagesecod.ctscdn.com/images/656/870/a1e1a7fb-a48e-4d16-aeb2-42f3e6316a44.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.oscardelarenta.com/products/2cy213/leopard-tumbler" target="_blank">Leopard Tumbler</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://imagesecod.ctscdn.com/images/656/870/07a7b932-437f-4632-9619-194c2ee014cd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://imagesecod.ctscdn.com/images/656/870/07a7b932-437f-4632-9619-194c2ee014cd.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.oscardelarenta.com/home/table-setting/1is307/kent-teak-serving-bowl" target="_blank">Teak Serving Bowl</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://imagesecod.ctscdn.com/images/656/870/adad7dd9-85ec-41cd-9852-5b9b03d3b6ee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://imagesecod.ctscdn.com/images/656/870/adad7dd9-85ec-41cd-9852-5b9b03d3b6ee.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.oscardelarenta.com/home/entertaining-accessories/2cy653/gardenia-brass-napkin-ring-set-of-4" target="_blank">Gardenia Brass Napkin rings</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/2l/design-trends-delarenta-ED0410-11-lgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/2l/design-trends-delarenta-ED0410-11-lgn.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Moroccan side table for Century Furniture</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtVExlxG3K0IxNz1JbtVaV-MgZGynlekBI-PYmEqOFxcfLH0Zy-j4Rd9kp0cLD9CdV0sZL5HYIGy3ehwbohTs7bZ3HYyyBvRApRrft61fXoobY_yUqlOkb5lelT9gMH5Fosa9oz9xhc0/s1600/item11.rendition.slideshowHorizontal.mario-buatta-12-palm-beach-ballroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtVExlxG3K0IxNz1JbtVaV-MgZGynlekBI-PYmEqOFxcfLH0Zy-j4Rd9kp0cLD9CdV0sZL5HYIGy3ehwbohTs7bZ3HYyyBvRApRrft61fXoobY_yUqlOkb5lelT9gMH5Fosa9oz9xhc0/s1600/item11.rendition.slideshowHorizontal.mario-buatta-12-palm-beach-ballroom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Side chairs for Century Furniture</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://imagesecod.ctscdn.com/images/656/870/fc0f7b0d-6b3f-4205-971c-a46376469e3f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://imagesecod.ctscdn.com/images/656/870/fc0f7b0d-6b3f-4205-971c-a46376469e3f.jpg" width="481" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's to you Mr. de la Renta. Thanks for the beauty. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgPlSDr94M2Chg65FoyXMDUWNBJZ8Bb8z6jCZt3dd-tMT1DVcrl9o19tGulbiEkm25EsLZEZ41yYwPqjCdeO883ng7kf69ksvp-oQoAetoO-lNYsy6Tgo3mJoYlrR-s2tNqo2NdWbhNA/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgPlSDr94M2Chg65FoyXMDUWNBJZ8Bb8z6jCZt3dd-tMT1DVcrl9o19tGulbiEkm25EsLZEZ41yYwPqjCdeO883ng7kf69ksvp-oQoAetoO-lNYsy6Tgo3mJoYlrR-s2tNqo2NdWbhNA/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Oscar de la Renta - Fashions for Home

Sad news this week of the passing of iconic fashion designer Oscar de la Renta at 82. I was actually surprised he wasn't older. The word "icon" is so overused today as much as words like "hero" and  and "diva", to the point where they don't really mean much anymore. We have lots of celebrities and f…

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Elegant and subtle Fall Decor

I'll admit it - with the exception of Christmas (and sometimes not much then) I'm not one to do a lot of holiday or seasonal decorating. I have a friend who must have bins and bins of seasonal decorating items and she loves to get her house ready for each seasonal change as early as possible. I admire the effort and energy it takes, but it's just not my thing. And the seasonal Fall/Halloween/Thanksgiving decorating is particularly not my thing. Too orange and brown I guess. It also seems that much of it is overdone with a lot of fakey fake fake items. Maybe it's because I don't have kids... I can see the appeal if one has little kids.<br /><br />I do, however, appreciate a more subtle approach to the season.<br /><br />This is a beautiful long centerpiece for a Thanksgiving table, isn't it? This is from the Lauren Conrad blog (who knew?). Very pretty and can be done with twigs and leaves still available in the yard.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/46/bb/30/46bb3096c6c7bbaf44b2bcef6d375521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/46/bb/30/46bb3096c6c7bbaf44b2bcef6d375521.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />This mantle from the At Home with the Barker's blog is very pretty. The mirror is fantastic and the subtle color palette is a refreshing change from all the bright oranges.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/cd/21/d3/cd21d3a69f25ea20e10b88e5a8140720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/cd/21/d3/cd21d3a69f25ea20e10b88e5a8140720.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br /><br />Karin Lidbeck Brent (for Better Homes & Gardens) creates a simple and easy outdoor display that is bold without being overdone. Some small branches and couple of pumpkins and voila.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/df/da/13/dfda133e19b40d44869833e03e50cee9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/df/da/13/dfda133e19b40d44869833e03e50cee9.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />This centerpiece is just gorgeous. Love the subtle colors.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/34/e6/39/34e6396bd67aeb808e2d0808563f2378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/34/e6/39/34e6396bd67aeb808e2d0808563f2378.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br />A simple tablescape from Dear Lillie.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6b/e7/ee/6be7eed390cd3bba1a83d397a9af2566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6b/e7/ee/6be7eed390cd3bba1a83d397a9af2566.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />This center hall table (how amazing is the center hall itself) is filled with the "bounty of the season" without being over styled.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/18/e6/8f/18e68f557a63613c326f9a04043cdf70.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/18/e6/8f/18e68f557a63613c326f9a04043cdf70.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/linda_merrill/fall-decor/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image links and credits here. </span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />And so, I did do a tiny bit to acknowledge the season. I added gourds to my mantle. That's it. Actually, it's hard to tell in the photo, but the little painting in the center is perfectly "fall" with her berry swathed headdress.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10730842_10204511415521277_4916925148593916953_n.jpg?oh=ce1bc91d3344375d32b01bd56a14ed23&oe=54B9FFC3&__gda__=1424775318_b747515ce6dadca27701686d6da35154" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10730842_10204511415521277_4916925148593916953_n.jpg?oh=ce1bc91d3344375d32b01bd56a14ed23&oe=54B9FFC3&__gda__=1424775318_b747515ce6dadca27701686d6da35154" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />And, on Saturday, I saw this beauty below in an antiques shop and had to bring her home. She's now swathed in my one Hermés scarf, which is handily orange.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfc_7DbPm8j1hDQj9lnaVgyLbLMx3Ai1Vzf8ygZgxJWrt-TzshjL37T2IDf1jgCrnKnv_sv_VFTOKNtg9rMnBOwD0yyqMVUTONyYAStxS0KoBXUdJcamchBJfNakZ2vQW68u6IxjWb_M/s1600/IMG_5151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfc_7DbPm8j1hDQj9lnaVgyLbLMx3Ai1Vzf8ygZgxJWrt-TzshjL37T2IDf1jgCrnKnv_sv_VFTOKNtg9rMnBOwD0yyqMVUTONyYAStxS0KoBXUdJcamchBJfNakZ2vQW68u6IxjWb_M/s1600/IMG_5151.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />How do you like to decorate for fall?<br /><br />Oh, btw - I was just interviewed by Floor Coverings International's blog. You can read it <a href="http://peninsula.floorcoveringsinternational.com/blog-interview-linda-merrill.aspx" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPo2QGz10kefENn_fq-PRJGzrshyphenhyphenFVDwG1ufJ_ytdERq5bYXblGIPkA3UcnoPxcZg4FPwzv7uxoGYqP_ZqIG-3bsdl4m9_1v8tYlblWYW0l87ixkNjD02q8FIPJgCUQ2QJmR1Mo-X-RY/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPo2QGz10kefENn_fq-PRJGzrshyphenhyphenFVDwG1ufJ_ytdERq5bYXblGIPkA3UcnoPxcZg4FPwzv7uxoGYqP_ZqIG-3bsdl4m9_1v8tYlblWYW0l87ixkNjD02q8FIPJgCUQ2QJmR1Mo-X-RY/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" /></a></div><br /><br />

Elegant and subtle Fall Decor

I'll admit it - with the exception of Christmas (and sometimes not much then) I'm not one to do a lot of holiday or seasonal decorating. I have a friend who must have bins and bins of seasonal decorating items and she loves to get her house ready for each seasonal change as early as possible. I admi…

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Famous Palaces depicted at Neiman Marcus' "Home for the Holidays" showrooms

Three of my favorite Boston designers were tapped to create holiday spaces based on famous castles for Neiman Marcus' "Home for the Holidays" event which kicks off their holiday season. Feels a little early, but that's the way of things these days! The event is done in conjunction with the Over My Shoulder Foundation which supports mentoring in the community. The showrooms will be open through January and are free to view. See the press release below for more info.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Gerald Pomeroy of Gerald Pomeroy Interiors in his Balmoral Castle Room </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJC5B6f0MA-q_VtFz8QqBAckoMxeBqQURoW2iat6YdrFJj-ioq-tMRlWzmYdF9umzaj_1u-5heh96BBgcgIiEJXYY6gvzavsaOMkyzToNHMfHKhtiI_8d9JYVx-N_i6yLgP2lh2iU26w/s1600/Balmoral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJC5B6f0MA-q_VtFz8QqBAckoMxeBqQURoW2iat6YdrFJj-ioq-tMRlWzmYdF9umzaj_1u-5heh96BBgcgIiEJXYY6gvzavsaOMkyzToNHMfHKhtiI_8d9JYVx-N_i6yLgP2lh2iU26w/s1600/Balmoral.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10712788_10154707277880052_7164757913268361990_n.jpg?oh=394da62cf40f575bddd836bca5ca1328&oe=54F0B072" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10712788_10154707277880052_7164757913268361990_n.jpg?oh=394da62cf40f575bddd836bca5ca1328&oe=54F0B072" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1969144_548124541956512_3237922038356112647_n.jpg?oh=0b48d1149bcecbaf5978cab0485aacb2&oe=54BB45B9&__gda__=1425151472_2129d030397aea34ae775fa5abad9cc7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1969144_548124541956512_3237922038356112647_n.jpg?oh=0b48d1149bcecbaf5978cab0485aacb2&oe=54BB45B9&__gda__=1425151472_2129d030397aea34ae775fa5abad9cc7" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0px; text-align: center;">Versailles Renaitre created by Paula Daher of Daher Interior Design</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10513341_10154707276855052_4704662757400745983_n.jpg?oh=fe247ddb88b9dd8e0f315aca84da42f1&oe=54B43D5A" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10513341_10154707276855052_4704662757400745983_n.jpg?oh=fe247ddb88b9dd8e0f315aca84da42f1&oe=54B43D5A" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3H9mCyvPiRMcFqxYPywlYQJsX0v-JYLVnOeL8VOt7TzH5gXq0uWaz1dQlv9IoFLdLSI_jEMhcLFUHxYzc82yQCEq3wSIrBMYL1oqXTvXtZNllYLqjR_v68dUwj1R8R5LC3IQB7hXzBA/s1600/Versailles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3H9mCyvPiRMcFqxYPywlYQJsX0v-JYLVnOeL8VOt7TzH5gXq0uWaz1dQlv9IoFLdLSI_jEMhcLFUHxYzc82yQCEq3wSIrBMYL1oqXTvXtZNllYLqjR_v68dUwj1R8R5LC3IQB7hXzBA/s1600/Versailles.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Eric Roseff of Eric Roseff Designs stands in his Winter Palace</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_S5ed9rnC-t7PO3XrArDBC7nk59cdFiCwLfeT5sgdl37lrsHsuyOtsikN2xCro7R7ZtCAo79Pgw4NadnyRijCeT-Np6By0l2XSJktU-qP-wWZ_i29m06PpbNn4KcIKdW48xa3cjtPFw/s1600/WinterPalace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_S5ed9rnC-t7PO3XrArDBC7nk59cdFiCwLfeT5sgdl37lrsHsuyOtsikN2xCro7R7ZtCAo79Pgw4NadnyRijCeT-Np6By0l2XSJktU-qP-wWZ_i29m06PpbNn4KcIKdW48xa3cjtPFw/s1600/WinterPalace.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10703936_10154707277250052_3324959521481758557_n.jpg?oh=5549dd8e627463afeecacdb8095b82b4&oe=54AD7521&__gda__=1421638860_be1575f5bd133ee1f7329d85885f8267" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10703936_10154707277250052_3324959521481758557_n.jpg?oh=5549dd8e627463afeecacdb8095b82b4&oe=54AD7521&__gda__=1421638860_be1575f5bd133ee1f7329d85885f8267" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Photos courtesy of Robert Four</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular; font-size: 12px;" type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="h5"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">“Home for the Holidays” was unveiled Wednesday evening, October 8 at Neiman Marcus Boston kicking off the Neiman Marcus Boston Holiday season. </div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">The three showrooms will be on view and open to the public, free of charge from through January 31, 2015 during regular business hours in the Gift Galleries department of the famed luxury retailer located in Copley Place.  The three custom-designed rooms are each inspired by a royal residence – the Balmoral Estate in Scotland, Versailles in France, and the Winter Palace in Russia.  Each master designer – Gerald Pomeroy, Eric Roseff and Paula Daher – will mentor a junior member of their team to create the showroom – fully engaging their young partners in their design process.</div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Every item featured in the rooms may be purchased. During the course of the showcase’s run, the designers will host special events to speak to the design process.  The showcase culminates in January 2015, National Mentor Month, when the Over My Shoulder Foundation and Cumar Marble & Granite Fabricators will feature a mentoring recognition event open to the public and held on-site at Neiman Marcus Boston.</div></div></div></div></blockquote><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-U06BenfGb-sUCrhtlJ_UHtuMuTmbNL3olrKBEhJuzDw1suLrfeYHhke7RbRaEguiBPkKQXdeete0-WXU6siXdvfR2JWG2Z0AfAAugmFGh9asA6jegsqGTTjSmACJE9Pxgtl0VbZulk/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-U06BenfGb-sUCrhtlJ_UHtuMuTmbNL3olrKBEhJuzDw1suLrfeYHhke7RbRaEguiBPkKQXdeete0-WXU6siXdvfR2JWG2Z0AfAAugmFGh9asA6jegsqGTTjSmACJE9Pxgtl0VbZulk/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" /></a></div></div>

Famous Palaces depicted at Neiman Marcus' "Home for the Holidays" showrooms

Three of my favorite Boston designers were tapped to create holiday spaces based on famous castles for Neiman Marcus' "Home for the Holidays" event which kicks off their holiday season. Feels a little early, but that's the way of things these days! The event is done in conjunction with the Over My S…

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