My Design Secrets

* Inspired by Grayson Handy’s worldwide travels, Flowers For The Home presents over 100 simple and stylish floral arrangements for both everyday and special occasions. 

* Congratulations to Shari D. from Ontario for winning the Flowers For The Home book giveaway!

Handy’s floral designs draw on the cultures and traditions of China, Japan, India, and Morocco; the enchanting French and English countrysides; the diverse terrain of Mexico; the lush tropical rain forest; and the always charming American South. 

Handy discusses the basic floral design principles from each of the nine featured locales – ranging from color palettes to indigenous materials – and provides step-by-step instructions and tips for assembling many of the eye-popping displays.  The specially commissioned photography will encourage the reader to create many of these delightful bouquets, now and for years to come.

* Courtesy of Rizzoli International Publications (With a special thanks to Jessica!) 

About the Authors/PhotographerGrayson Handy is the creative director of New York’s Prudence Designs and Events. Handy and Arturo Quintero’s renowned flower shop, specializing in event planning, caters to top magazines and celebrity clients. Paulette Cole is the CEO and creative director of ABC Home, a New York–based store that carries sustainable-designed furnishings. Ellen Silverman’s photographs have appeared in many cookbooks, including Neiman Marcus Taste, as well as in numerous magazines. Tracey Zabar is the author of Charmed Bracelets.

Would you like to win a copy of Flowers For The Home? 

To Enter Simply…

1. Tell me about your favorite flower.
2. If you are receiving this via email, go back to the site to enter.  Replies by email will not be accepted. 
3. One entry per person.  You have until 11:59PM EST on Wednesday, December 16th to enter.  One random winner will be chosen and announced soon after.   

This beautiful hand-painted mural sells for $139. Enter below to win!

Congratulations to Lynnette V. from Melvin, Michigan for winnng the Jerusalem Pottery giveaway!

Brothers Stepan and Berge Karakashian, and Hagop Karakashian, are a family on a mission: Bring gorgeous, hand-painted tiles to the world.  The craftsmanship they offer goes back to 1919 when the brothers’ father, Megherdich Karakashian, and several other Armenian potters were brought to Jerusalem from Kutahia, Turkey.  These craftsmen were appointed to repair the tiles covering the external walls of a treasured cultural landmark, the Dome of the Rock.  To escape persecution, which many Armenians experienced in Turkey during this time period, they settled in Jerusalem.  Today, the family tradition continues and has extended its reach to the United States.  They still craft tiles that are prominently featured on the street signs throughout the Old City, but lucky for us they are also creating gorgeous accent tiles and backsplash tiles that we can purchase for our own homes!

An example of the street sign tile the brothers have created

Their shop is a sunny space in the Old City filled with unique plates, bowls, candlesticks, mugs, and tiles in many shapes and sizes.  These tiles are a unique way to add a splash of color to your kitchen tile or bathroom wall; with motifs of peacocks, trees, flowers, and animals.  The designs are graceful and the colors are vibrant and rich.  They can be used in kitchens, bathrooms, gardens, fireplaces, or for table tops.

A joyful colorful garden scene - a pomegranate tree with peacocks. This tile mural is hand painted on 12 six inch tiles.

All the decoration is done by hand.  The tile murals are first designed on paper with pencil, and then they are hand painted on the tiles, glazed and fired using traditional methods.  The colors are still mixed according to the same recipes that their father used fifty years ago.   The Karakashians take great pride in their work (it shows) and in maintaining their standard of craftsmanship.  They look to the future with the hope that Karakashians will continue to supply their unique pottery for generations to come.

Would you like to win this Hand Painted Tile Mural?

To Enter Simply…

1. Visit Jeruselum Pottery and browse around.

2. Leave me one comment below telling me what item you would use to help create your Dream Kitchen, Bathroom, Fireplace, etc…

If you are receiving this via email, go back to the site to enter.  Replies by email will not be accepted. 

One entry per person.  You have until 11:59PM EST on Wednesday, November 18th to enter.  One random winner will be chosen and announced soon after.

Congratulations to Claire H. from Santee, CA, winner of the Caribbean Houses Book Giveaway!

The summer has officially ended and fall is now upon us.  In the last few weeks, I am sure that some of you have already seen the temperatures plunge where you live.  In fact, we just had our first cool front blow through.  In South Florida, you can rarely call it a cold front!   The temperature dropped a few degress giving us a hint of what is to come over the next couple of months.  Many people welcome this change of seasons with open arms while others have already started longing for the hot days of summer.  If you would prefer summer year round, you are going to love the book that we are giving away today!

Caribbean Houses is a lavishly illustrated account of the development of historically significant houses in the West Indies. Author Michael Connors, a West Indian decorative arts scholar, examines venerable houses that remain as a testimony to the rich history and vibrant lifestyle that was, and continues to be, an important part of Caribbean culture.

The book is divided into five chapters, one for each European heritage: the Spanish Antilles, the Dutch Leewards, the English Islands, the French Lesser Antilles, and the Danish Virgin Islands. The authoritative text sheds light on the area’s rich architectural and interior design history and gives the reader a unique view of houses that combine the tradition of European styles with the vernacular island forms and decorative motifs.

The lavish new photography captures the stunning exteriors and provides a rare look into the interiors of these historic houses, with exotic tropical hardwoods, indigenous stone, and a blending of local crafts and handiwork with antiques and contemporary furnishings.

With the disappearance of so much of the Caribbean’s historic domestic architecture, the colonial residences that still exist represent an important historical record of the Caribbean’s material culture. 

Would you like to win a copy of

CARIBBEAN HOUSES ?

To Enter Simply…

1. Leave me one comment below telling me what you are going to miss about the summer months.
2. If you are receiving this via email, go back to the site to enter.  Replies by email will not be accepted. 
3. One entry per person.  You have until 11:59PM EST on Wednesday, October 14th to enter.  One random winner will be chosen and announced soon after.

And on another note…

We have recently re-launched My Secret Database and it is truly the best tool on the Internet for helping you find online home furnishing sources.  With your membership, you will gain 24/7 access to my exclusive database of 400+ interior decorating sources; including their price ranges, sample product photos, and other helpful information.  You’ll also receive my monthly members-only newsletter featuring the best design tips and tricks that I have discovered in my professional career.  Plus, when you sign up now, you will instantly receive this special guide: “7 Great Ways to Stretch Your Home Decorating Budget!”

Stop endless internet searches and start spending more time decorating and enjoying your home!  It’s the perfect solution for the do-it-yourself decorator.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN NOW! 

I started My Design Secrets more than a year ago with one goal in mind:  Help people who love home decorating by giving them professional advice and easy access to the best online interior decorating sources.  After receiving a lot of wonderful feedback and learning that close to 100,000 people visted the database last year, I realized that My Secret Database was the answer to many of your decorating prayers!  So, I  was determined to continue sharing my interior design advice and resources.

A couple of months ago, I announced that we would be making some upgrades to the website.  Now, the time has come!  We wanted to make My Design Secrets even more useful, interesting, and fun for all of you decorating enthusiasts. (And for those of you who don’t know, my husband, Tim,  is the what turns “me” into “we”.)

So, here is what’s in store…

Improvements to My Secret Database *

The new database is PHENOMENAL.  When it comes to home decorating, My Secret Database blows any search engine out of the water.  Take that Google!  Here’s why: 

• Search through hundreds of online retailers for the product(s) you need and in the specific style you want.
• View a wide assortment of photos of specific products from the vendors in My Secrets Database. 
• Check out the the handy $-$$-$$$!  These icons will help you stay within your home decorating budget.

*While we wanted to keep doing all this for free, a girl has got to make a living!   With all these great new features, we are confident that you will recognize what a great value it is.  So starting this Wednesday at noon, My Secret Database is going to become a membership only site.  We are sure you will agree that the nominal charge of $9.95 per month is a fair price for access to this incredibly valuable, time-saving database.

Hot New Topics and Inside Tips in the Blog (Free)

The blog will continue to be free of charge and will offer my professional design tips as well as introductions to some of the hottest new decorating sources on the web.  I have lots of great ideas for new topics and, as always, you are welcome to make suggestions.  Feel free to search my existing blog entries covering over 350 decorating topics!

Great New Giveaways

We know you all love a Great Giveaway, so those are definitely going to continue.  We have some great ones lined up for high quality paint, gorgeous home furnishings, and fabulous interior decorating/design books.  And remember, your paid membership will automatically enter you into the giveaways.

Thank You…Thank You…Thank You

I have appreciated your support over the last year and sincerely hope that you will find these upgrades very helpful as you continue to put your personal decorating stamp on your home.

~ Lorrie

Congratulations to our most recent giveaway winner, Jenny Gaskins!  Jenny won the Thompson’s WaterSeal prize package that was valued at more than $100!! 

As many of you know by know, I am a big fan of Thompson’s WaterSeal products.  Whether you need help with your wood deck or concrete patio, Thompson’s has got you covered! 

Thompson’s WaterSeal waterproofers protect your surfaces from the elements and provide the highest level of waterproofing protection available.  With the complete line of Thompson’s WaterSeal deck cleaners, depending on the deck’s condition and the cleaning level needed, you can choose exactly the right cleaner for the job.  Each product in the line satisfies a specific need.  Thompson’s WaterSeal Deck & House stains include their complete wood protection heritage combined with vibrant colors to keep your home looking great through every season.  Thompson’s WaterSeal Concrete Care provides a complete program to give your concrete the beauty and protection it deserves. Concrete Care provides superior products to clean, prepare, protect and beautify your concrete, masonry and stone surfaces.

Right now is the perfect time to buy Thompson’s Water Seal Wood Protectors!  Not only will you get a rebate*, but additionally, $1 per gallon will go toward Niagara Falls State Park, Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park.  This deal is only available until July 5th.

*Get up to $12 as a rebate by mail-in offer. $4.00 back on every gallon of Thompson’s® WaterSeal® Advanced Wood Protector or $3.00 back on every gallon of Thompson’s® WaterSeal® Waterproofer PLUS Wood Protector. Limit of 3 gallons and maximum of $12.

With the Deck Days offer, you can SAVE money on Thompson’s WaterSeal Wood Protector purchases and feel even better by helping to fund protection and preservation projects.  Now, that is a great offer!!

Have a great day! 

Lorrie

Have you entered our Big Giveaway today?  The grand prize is a $200 gift card to Overstock.com.  The runner up will receive a $50 iTunes gift card.  Did you know that you can enter daily to increase your chances of winning?  Drama Arthur sure did.  She entered last months giveaway multiple times and now she is walking away with a $200 gift card to JCPenney.  Congratulations Drama!

And don’t forget about our weekly in-post giveaways.  Currently, you could win two books from author Sarah Susanka: Not So Big Remodeling and The Not So Big Life.  Crys Lewis took the time to enter one of our recent in-post giveaways and she walked away with a Kichler Lighting Chandelier worth $230.  Nice work Crys!  Ed Nemmers and Deborah Stinson have joined Crys and Drama in the winners circle as well.  Both Ed and Deborah have won copies of the Decorating Master Class book.  Kudos to all of you!

Are you going to be the next winner?  Enter The Big Giveaway or the in-post giveaway today!

Are you following me on twitter?  You should be!

~ Lorrie

Congratulations to the Winners of our

The Pocket Decorator Book Giveaway

Mary Casper

Christine Fidance

 Pamela Boersma

Thanks ~ Lorrie

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Win a $200 JCPenney Gift Card!

 

Congratulations to the Winner of our

Thompson WaterSeal Giveaway

Catharine Riehl

Catherine’s deck was overdue for a treatment, so she was very excited to win! 

Congratulations Catharine!!

~ Lorrie

Congratulations to the Winners of our

The Way We Live With Color Book Giveaway

Terry Garner 

Dorothy Lazorchik

Enter to win The Pocket Decorator

Good Luck! ~ Lorrie

Congratulations to the Winners of our

Blue Bell Bazaar Giveaway

Mirje Schwalm – Vintage Chalkboard

Vicki Wurgler -  Vintage Wooden Box

Be Sure and Enter to Win the Thompson WaterSeal Giveaway!

Thanks ~ Lorrie