Category Archives: design ideas

2012 Kitchen Design Trends

Reinventing the hood One of the most striking visual changes we’re seeing in next-generation kitchens is that ventilation hoods are turning into works of art. That’s not a crystal chandelier in the photo above – it’s a stove hood! Now, … Continue reading

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shop local on Etsy for holiday gifts

Do you love the idea of buying local, but find it hard to forgo the convenience of shopping online? Me too. Which is why I’m super-excited about my latest discovery: shopping local on Etsy.Here’s a quick sampler of holiday gift … Continue reading

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living walls

Living walls are cropping up all over the Bay Area! Vertical expanses of greenery provide a restful connection to nature without taking up too much space. They also require less water than horizontal gardens. The living wall at left serves … Continue reading

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don’t just organize – containerize!

Several years ago, I asked my friend Jeri Dansky (a professional organizer) to come and help me with my kitchen cabinets, which were driving me insane. They were messy and disorganized and overflowing with things I frequently needed and couldn’t … Continue reading

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tips for selecting exterior paint colors

#1 Honor the neighborhood. While interior colors are primarily for you and your family to enjoy, exterior colors are a contribution to your entire neighborhood! Take a walk along your street and consider what kind of palette would blend most … Continue reading

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designing spaces that support innovation

What type of environment supports creative thinking? The Bay Area’s most innovative companies have been asking – and answering – this question for years. Touring their offices brings us a great set of “best practices” that can be applied to … Continue reading

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modular wall tiles from Sweden

I can’t wait to use these new sound-absorbing wall tiles in a music room, media room or children’s playroom! They can be customized in unlimited ways to create a textural cocoon, a bold splash of color or a whimsical bit … Continue reading

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living with art

Should you build rooms around your art collection, or seek out artwork to complement your home? The best answer to this very personal question is either/or…both/and. Some art pieces speak to the soul in a profound way, while others are … Continue reading

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backyard waterfall

In the hilly terrain of the San Francisco Bay Area, I’ve seen countless backyards that slope up steeply behind the house. More often than not, this portion of the yard is left to its own wild devices, which can be … Continue reading

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playing with color!

Color is one of the most powerful ways to create emotional impact in an environment. Bright tones engage and arouse, rich natural tones soothe and relax, pale muted tones support moderation and self-restraint. While we see color with our eyes, … Continue reading

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