Together, Red, White & Blue give a patriotic or nautical feel; separately, they make a bold statement.  Either way, they are palette pleasers that will add pride to your pad.  JCPenney now carries home furnishings that echo that patriotic spirit and are easy on your pocket book.  This year they launched the American Living Collection.  The look has a Ralph Lauren feel, but at a fraction of the price.  Right now they are offering free shipping on orders of $49 or more!

Take a peak at JCPenney in My Secret Database!

It’s time to celebrate the Heart and Soul of our dear Moms.  They nurture us, worry over us and celebrate our victories.  For that, they deserve at least one day of honor!  As you consider gifts of flowers, chocolates and jewelry, I would like to offer you some ideas that hit a little closer to Home.

Current Photos - What Grandmother doesn’t have a brag book with photos of her cherubs?  Keep her up to date whether she is near or far.   The Ceiva Digital Photo Frame allows anyone with a computer to send photos to Mom and they will appear magically before her very eyes.   The frames come in several finishes to compliment her decor.

Rest and Relaxation - Memory Foam mattresses are luxurious but can be a bit pricey.  On the other hand, Memory foam Mattress Toppers are affordable and a snap to install.  They improve support and will reduce pressure on her body.  She will feel refreshed and revived.

New Faucet - Aging hands and arthritis can make it difficult to turn the knobs on faucets.  Surprise Mom with a fashionable new faucet with levers that are easy to turn.  The Danze South Sea Faucet from Fixture Universe has a modern bamboo motif with a brushed nickel finish. Don’t forget to include installation.

Enjoy the day and make sure you share My Design Secrets with Mom!

Bellini Chair from Design Within Reach

1. Good looks - These chairs only make a few appearances a year but it’s most often on holidays.
2. Comfort - I want every guest to stay seated as long as they please, not getting up because their bottom is numb.
3. Easy to store - Stackable is my preference. The folding chairs seem to get creaky and easily scratched when they are leaning up against one another.
4. Low maintenance - Something that will not stain and can be wiped clean easily.

My favorite is the one shown above. It is the Bellini Chair from Design Within Reach. They say it’s suitable for commercial use which means it’s super tough and easy to clean. The design has such clean lines that it would work with anything from traditional to modern. White, charcoal, dove grey and black. $110 each.

Another great option is the Morrow Chair from Pottery Barn. These are also stackable and are reminiscent of a great post-modern design. It comes in black, mahogany and white. One chair for $79 and there are volume discounts for sets of 6 and 8.

Plan ahead for your next large gathering!

Morrow Chair from Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn
FILLED GLASS VOTIVE CANDLE, SET OF 16, IVORY
Votive Candle, Set of 16 $24.00

It’s time to start dressing your home for the holidays. We all have favorite decorations we display each year that give us a comforting sense of ritual and tradition. But I always like to do something a little different each year to celebrate the growth and change that we experience each year. I have a couple of simple ideas that will bring some smiles and wonder to your space.

There is nothing like twinkling candles to give you gorgeous ambient light in a room. They immediately bring a sense of calm and joy to a space. I have all sorts of candles but some of my favorites are small filled votive candles. By “filled” I mean the holder has been filled with candle wax instead of a separate votive that you pop in. They are very small so I use many of them and spread them around the table or on an appetizer tray. It has such a nice effect as opposed to only having 2 candles on a table. You can also place them around the house, on coffee tables, or in the powder room.

Pottery Barn features a set of 16 for $24. These are unscented so they don’t compete with your scents from your food or floral arrangement. If you happen to have a Linens & Things near your home, they have them in sets of 6 for $4.99 at the store but not online.

The other little item that I like is a bit more expensive but really cool. They are light charms by Magnificent Trimmings. These magnetic charms can be added to any iron based home accent. Think chandeliers, sconces, candle holders. Now my taste is usually a bit more on the subtle side but at the holidays I think that a little extra sparkle goes a long way! Don’t forget to look in their “Closeout” section for some good deals.

Happy Holidays to Everyone!