Shelf decorating is like making soup. You can have all the ingredients but it all depends on what you do with them. As in any recipe, you can improvise and create wonders if you know the rules and how to break them. Shelf styling or decorating is no different, darling. So, before you start placing your pretty things read this carefully drafted article with images from my own … [Read more...]
How to Minimize the Average Bathroom Remodel Cost
Why a Good Contractor Can Actually Save you Money The best way to minimize average bathroom remodel costs is to do it once instead of trying to fix what's done wrong. I will never forget how one of my favorite clients turned down two contractors and pointed to the third one that, in my view, was rather expensive. "That guy knows what he is doing," she proclaimed. "I … [Read more...]
Two-Story Foyer. From Drab to Pretty
Here is the question: I recently received a question about a two-story foyer and just could not answer it in two sentences. So, here is the article. "Hi, Marina,Our current project is updating our two-story 9X13 colonial foyer. We like our tile, chandelier, and wood trim. We’re changing the entry door, area rug, carpet on stairs, and, most important, old outdated … [Read more...]
Throwing Away Your Old Sofa? This is What to Do Instead
Old Sofa Saga Many years ago I bought a sofa and when it got old I just could never throw it away. The sofa traveled from house to house, my two dogs slept on it and my kids used it as a trampoline. Then I gave it to my daughter and she used it in her bachelorette Manhattan rental where it was loved (sometimes too much) by many friends. The wine was spilled … [Read more...]
Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy a Leather Couch
In this post, I will review not only how to tell a good leather on a leather couch but also the whole piece from the construction to detailing. I have this leather couch by Elite Leather above for 15 years. The leather and the shape are still good after two dogs, two kids, and many parties. It is true that it was not cheap, I think I paid close to $3,000 but I will probably … [Read more...]
