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Thursday, October 9th, 2008
The Lou Lou hand hammered lantern would add great ambience indoors or out.  Just add a candle or light kit.

The Lou Lou hand hammered lantern from Just Morocco would add great ambiance indoors or out. Just add a candle or light kit.

 

To most of us, Morocco is an exotic country full of mystery and beauty and its influence is unmistakable.  Lately it’s everywhere in home design.  It has leapt from the tiles on the floor up to fabrics and accessories, rugs and towels.  These items are a great way to infuse the Exotic world-traveler look into your home in small, but fun, doses.

Shop for Exotic Finds in My Secret Database!

 

Many Moroccan tiles come in packs like this - 2 square tiles and 2 tiles that include the border.

Many Moroccan tiles come in packs like this - 2 square tiles and 2 tiles that include the border.

 

I like this Moorish Tile rug from Pottery Barn in the color "Clemantine".  It's an earthy orange that offers a stepped up neutral backdrop.

I like this Moorish Tile rug from Pottery Barn in the color "Clementine." It's an earthy orange that offers a stepped up neutral backdrop.

 

This tablecloth would be a great way to mix it up during the holidays.

This tablecloth would be a great way to mix it up during the holidays. It's from Etsy.

 

A happy teapot with a tile design and beautiful muted colors from the Artful Home.

A happy teapot with a tile design and beautiful muted colors from the Artful Home.

 

 

Did you enter our Free Giveaway today?

Spooky and Kooky Halloween Decorations

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008
The Life-sized Cloaked Grim Reaper from Frontgate would look pretty creepy at night.

The Life-sized Cloaked Grim Reaper from Frontgate is scary even before you see the face (below).

 

Time to get ready for Halloween!  For Thanksgiving and Christmas I like to carefully craft a look that compliments my home.  On Halloween, all bets are off.  The important thing is to make it creepy and fun.   Depending on the ages of the kids in your home or neighborhood you can go from the silly to to the super scary.  Here are some items that made my Favorite Halloween Things list. :-)

Start shopping for Halloween and the upcoming Holiday Season! 

The Krinkles Halloween Cake Stand is fun and colorful just like their Christmas decorations.

With witchy-poo shoes, the Krinkles Halloween Cake Stand is whimsical and colorful, just like their Christmas decorations.

 

Walls Slicks are a great way to make a fun, temporary change.

Walls Slicks are a great way to decorate your walls, doors, and windows. Or you can perk up this year's Halloween party by adding these to the place mats, a table cover, or any other smooth, flat surface that appeals to you.

 

Ugly Dolls from Room Service Home are a fun treat instead of candy.

Ugly Dolls from Room Service Home are a fun treat instead of candy.

 

Magnetic Bats and Pumpkins from Ballard Designs are a quick way to dress up a chandelier or sconces.

Magnetic Bats and Pumpkins from Ballard Designs are a quick way to dress up a chandelier or sconce.

 

These vibrantly painted Skull Masks would dress up a buffet table, foyer talbe or mantel in a snap.

These vibrantly painted Skull Masks would dress up a buffet table, foyer table or mantel in a snap.

 

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In One Door and Out the Other

Monday, October 6th, 2008
Let's start with the entry way. The simple addition of hooks to this mirror from Ballard Designs makes it a great place for keys, your purse and a good once-over before you head out the door.

Let's start with the entry way. The simple addition of hooks to this mirror from Crate & Barrel makes it a great place for keys, your purse and a good once-over before you head out the door.

 

Mudroom. Laundry Room. Garage. Back Door. Front Door.  Wherever it’s located, it’s your family’s direct route into your abode.  They come home from school, soccer practice, or work and they are simply too excited, tired or preoccupied to even think about putting their stuff in its proper place.  Books, jackets, shoes… the list goes on.  Where can we put it all?  I am not offering any miracle solutions but there are some stylish storage options that may make things easier to find when they are heading out again.  And let’s face it, you could use a place for your jacket, purse and keys. :-)

 

The Painted Cottage Locker from LL Bean comes in 5 colors and is durable enough for jackets, boots and whatever else the kids bring home with them.

The Painted Cottage Locker from LL Bean comes in 5 colors and is durable enough for jackets, boots and whatever else the kids bring home with them.

 

If you only have a corner to spare, then this is the perfect place to kick off your boots.

If you only have a corner to spare, then this is the perfect place to kick off your boots.

 

A modern approach keeps it simple but with lots of storage for shoes, leashes, and compact umbrellas.

A modern approach keeps it simple but with lots of storage for shoes, leashes, and compact umbrellas.

 

So whether you are looking for a bench, mirror or bin, jump over to My Secret Database to find what you need!

 

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Ask A Design Question!

Fine Art Giveaway from Teresa McCue

Thursday, October 2nd, 2008

The entry period to win the $100 Company Store Gift Certificate ended yesterday at noon.  We will be announcing the lucky winner tomorrow!

Our New Giveaway is an incredibly special piece of artwork by artist Teresa McCue.  I was lucky enough to be introduced to her work a couple of years ago and I have been mesmerized ever since.  Terry is an immensely talented pastel artist that lives in New Hampshire and translates the beautiful colors and textures of her world into extraordinary loveliness.  And we are so grateful because she has been kind enough to donate one of her “small treasures” to us!

"Tranquil Shore" by Teresa McCue

 

Tranquil Shore is a 5″x5″ pastel painting.  The winner will receive the painting with a white mat and simple cherry frame which measure 15″x12″.  This highly collectible fine art has a retail value of $325!

I asked Terry to tell us a little about her artwork and where she gets her inspiration.  This is what she had to say:

“My work really has two components: The first involves my spiritual connection with the outdoors.  I am enamored of the sights and sounds of nature– the patterns, rhythms, textures and the almost tangible quality of the light.  The second component to my work is an enchantment with color.  Using pastels, I am able to fully explore an infinite variety of the hundreds of hues and values that are at my fingertips.  It fascinates me that a color will appear altered depending upon the other colors that surround it.  I am also intrigued by the ability of color to evoke emotion, be it passion, exhilaration, or serenity.

My pastel paintings, both intimate and large in scale, can be found in private and corporate collections nationwide.  Commissions are welcome.”

Please visit Teresa McCue Pastels to learn more and click here to enter!

Good Luck and thank you, Terry!

~Lorrie


Did you enter our Free Giveaway today?

Period Wallpaper That Works Today

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008
Rookwood Birchwood Frieze features a lovely silouette of a forest.

From the Arts & Crafts movement, Rookwood Birchwood Frieze (16"H) features a lovely silhouette of a forest. With crown molding above and a simple trim below, it would give a feeling of spaciousness in a room with little natural light.

Remember the post I did a couple of months ago about my friend, Amy’s “sucky” pink bathroom?  Well, she has moved to a new home since then (not because of the bathroom, but honestly she does not miss it) and is settling in nicely.  I thought of her pink bathroom today when I encountered the blog, Save the Pink Bathroom.  It’s a cool website with valuable sources for people dealing with a pink bathroom and it has some great daily posts on retro bathrooms in general.  Well, when I was on their site, I found Bradbury & Bradbury Art Wallpapers and long story short, that is what I would like to share today.

This Art Deco Pattern was designed by an architect for a woman aviator's home.  Great for a kid's room.

This Art Deco Pattern was designed by an architect for a woman aviator's home. Great for a kid's room.

Bradbury & Bradbury is located in Benicia, California, which is a quaint little main-street town in the Bay Area that boasts a number of beautiful Victorian Homes.  They have a large population of highly artistic people who craft everything from glass to wallpaper.  I was lucky enough to visit some of their studios because my sister once lived there.  Bradbury & Bradbury handcrafts wallpapers that are accurate reproductions from the Victorian, Arts & Crafts, and Modernism movements whose periods spanned from the late 1800’s through about 1960.  If you happen to be in the middle of an historical renovation, they have you covered; but if you are just looking for cool wallpaper then their Modernism line has a lot of great options.

The Post-War Era featured a lot of cheery, kitchen oriented wallpapers like this one. Great for a kitchen backsplash.

The Post-War Era featured a lot of cheery, kitchen oriented wallpapers like this one. A fun accent for a backsplash in a simple white kitchen.

 

I would love to see this paper in a powder room with while fixtures and brushed brass hardware.

I would love to see this paper in a powder room with white fixtures and brushed brass hardware.

 Shop for Wallpaper in My Secret Database!

 

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Introducing Green Your Decor

Monday, September 29th, 2008

We like to be Eco-Friendly here at My Design Secrets so I would like to introduce you to a great website.

Green Your Decor 

Your guide to stylish, eco-friendly decor.

Jennae Petersen started her website because she wanted to find sustainable and eco-friendly products for her own home that look great and help the planet too!  And now we reap all the benefits of her hard work:-) You will find all sorts of goodies on her site that look great and fulfill the aim to be green.  Green Your Decor features great Giveways and one of my favorite features is her Rooms in a Box Series.  Jennae is very creative and has a great eye for interior design.

So pop over to Green Your Decor and have a look.  Turning Green has never been so much fun!

~Lorrie

Cozy Quilts from The Company Store

Thursday, September 25th, 2008

 

This handsome Hudson Quilt has warm spicy colors and a modern, linear design.

This handsome Hudson Quilt has warm, spicy colors and a modern, linear design.

There’s nothing better than a cozy quilt when Autumn arrives.  Soft and light, these patchwork masterpieces are just the right weight for fall.  Heavy enough to cut the chill but light enough to tote from room to room.  The Company Store has a great selection of quilts in rich colors and eye-catching themes that range from country to contemporary.  Have a look!

Oversized versions of autumns' richly hued leaves are frayed on the edges and appliquéd as if they'd just drifted lightly onto the Sagamore Quilt.

Oversized versions of autumns' richly hued leaves are frayed on the edges and appliquéd as if they'd just drifted lightly onto the Sagamore Quilt.

 

Zebra prints are all the rage in fashion.  Why not pair this quilt with some orange or lavender sheets and make a fashion statement in your room?

Zebra prints are all the rage in fashion. Why not pair this quilt with some orange or lavender sheets and make a fashion statement in your room?

 

The Aravis Quilt has more of a log cabin look and would be at home in a kid's room or out on the porch.

The Aravis Quilt has more of a log cabin look and would be at home in a kid's room or out on the porch.

 

Visit The Company Store and start settling into a comfy fall!

 


Did you enter our Free Giveaway today?

Sneak Peak at Fantastic Holiday Ornaments

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008

 

 

By now you all know that I love The Artful Home.  It’s a great place to find anything decorative or artistic for your nest.  Today I was very excited to receive their 2008 Ornaments catalog.  Normally I am the first one to gripe when the Christmas trees go up on November 1st, but I have been purchasing these little gems for family and friends for a few years and you won’t want to miss it.  This year they have an especially great selection of old favorites as well as some new and innovative designs.  

 

 

The reason I am cluing you in early is that they are made in limited quantities and they do run out.  I have made the mistake of hesitating and not getting the one I REALLY wanted.  The prices range from $20 to $200 so you are sure to find something in your budget.  They make great hostess or thank you gifts at end of the year and I also like to buy one special ornament each year for our tree.  Last year they had a daily contest to win and ornament and I hope they do it again!  So take a little break and enjoy Christmas in September:-)

 

 

Shop for Holiday Decor in My Secret Database!

 


Did you enter our Free Giveaway today?

Martha Stewart Knows Her Stuff

Monday, September 22nd, 2008
A classic Martha Stewart look.

A classic Martha Stewart look. Neutral backdrop, color and pattern repetition with bold accents.

I was in Macy’s the other day when a display of towels caught my eye.  It just happened to be a new Martha Stewart Collection.  I have always admired her color palettes; ranging from mossy green and etherereal blues, to china red and myriad shades of ivory.  Her products are distinctIy displayed in Macy’s and I have also noticed that she is selling collections through a number of other well known retailers.  So, I thought I would take a look and see what she has to offer these days.  Martha’s products reach into many categories and you can see them all in the SHOP section of her website.  But today I would like to point out some of my favorite items from her furniture, rug and lighting lines. 

Opal Point features some very sophisticated designs but always based on classic elements.

Opal Point features some very sophisticated designs but always based on classic elements.

Many celebrities put their names on home design products but hers actually makes sense because decorating, gardening and entertaining have always been her forte.  And she has been very smart about it because instead of starting her own furniture company, she has formed a partnership with Bernhardt.  This is a company that has been known for high quality furniture since 1889.  Martha started her partnership with Bernhardt in 2001 and they now feature 5 lines that are named after her residences:  Katonah, Opal Point, Turkey Hill, Skylands, and Lily Pond; plus there is an upholstery line.  The styles range from cozy farmhouse to modern classics with fabrics reflective of her signature colors.  Katonah, Turkey Hill and Skylands mirror lovingly cared for estate pieces with traditional European styles that Americans have embraced for years.  Opal Point and Lily Pond show some modernism and mid-century looks. 

This bed from the Turkey Hill Collection reflects where Martha started with her first home collection.

This classic, country bed from the Turkey Hill Collection reflects where Martha started with her first home collection.

The Martha Stewart Rug Collection offers a wide variety of cotton, wool and silk rugs with most featuring subtle monochromatic tones, with a few bolder ones mixed in.  Some patterns are offered in 4′ and 6′ rounds which is refreshing because many companies forgo these sizes because they are more costly to manufacture.  I have seen these rugs at Macy’s, Horchow, and the Home Decorator’s Collection.

The Harvest Foliage Rug featured at Horchow has a subtle pattern that would layer well with stripes and florals.

The Harvest Foliage Rug featured at Horchow has a subtle pattern that would layer well with stripes and florals.

I love subtle the colors and 3 dimensional effect of this rug.

I love the subtle colors and 3 dimensional effect of this rug.

The lighting collection, which is manufactured by Murray Feiss, has a great variety of classic fixtures that you wish were in your house when you moved in.  These are the period pieces that I love: Classic Foyer Lanterns, Milk Glass Chandeliers and simple and solid floor lamps.  The lighting collection is available at Capitol Lighting and Lighting Universe as well as other online stores.

Lanterns are my favorite look for a traditional foyer.

Lanterns are my favorite look for a traditional foyer.

 

I would love to see this chandlier in the breakfast nook of a kitchen with white cabinetry and a black and while checkerboard floor.

I would love to see this chandelier in the breakfast nook of a kitchen with white cabinetry and a black and white checkerboard floor.

Martha Stewart furnishings offer some very attractive items that have design staying power.  There is no doubt that the furniture is an investment, but it follows the very same advice that I give to my clients.  Invest in quality furniture that will last you for years and then update your style and color palette with accessories, window treatments, sheets, towels, and rugs.  This allows you to give yourself a little lift while staying in your budget :-)

Shop for high quality investment pieces in My Secret Database!

 

Did you enter our Free Giveaway today?

Light-Hearted Lamps by Altamira

Thursday, September 18th, 2008

23" Periwinkle Spring Buds

Today I would like to introduce you to Altamira Lighting.  This company creates lamps in pleasing palettes that give any room a lift of color and light.  The owners/designers, Gibb Brownlie & Michael Lamar, are alumni of the Rhode Island School of Design, which is one of the premier design schools in our country.  They started their careers by designing a line of ceramic tableware that was tremendously successful.  Soon after their creative wheels were turning and they developed Altamira Lighting in 1993.

13" Cresent Flower Drum Pendent

13" Cresent Flower Drum Pendent

The lamps include elements of ceramic, resin and metal and are carefully created by a team of artisans who fuss over each detail including hand-painted shades and Seuss-like finials.  I am drawn in by their color combinations:  lavender and green; brick and ochre; lime and sapphire.  They provide a beautiful accent to a neutral room or the finishing touch to a room with similar colors.  Table Lamps, Floor Lamps and Pendent lamps round out the offering.

30" Harvest/Brick Geo Willow

30" Harvest/Brick Geo Willow

Right now they are offering 25% off their New Additions and Altamira Classics so it’s a great time to start your love affair with Altamira!

 

Did you enter our Free Giveaway today?