Browsing Archive: September, 2011

Narcissus...Not Narcissist For The Holidays

Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche on Friday, September 30, 2011, In : Flowers

It will only take you 10 minutes today to make your home look and smell beautiful for weeks during the holidays!

The fresh bulbs are now in your local nursery and specialty stores.

All you need for a BIG impact are about 15 bulbs,

a long, narrow and shallow container or trough (this can make a great statement in the middle of a rectangular table or on a mantle),

and some regular pea size gravel or decorative stones.

Fill your container about two thirds with gravel or decorative stone, place yo...
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Running The Stairs

Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche on Tuesday, September 27, 2011, In : Stair Runners

Bare stairs can be great, but if you have old dull wood that needs to be brightened up, are craving the warmth of wool on your bare feet, or just need a change...

placing a runner on your stairs can make all the difference!

There are so many different things that can be done.

You can paint a runner on,

install a wonderful woven cotton piece by Dash and Albert,

Zebra Runners at Overstock.com

release your inner animal,

just paint the rise of your steps the same color as your wall and baseboard w...
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Little Shop Of Hoarders

Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche on Thursday, September 22, 2011, In : Second-hand shops

There's a new little shop in town.

The "Little Shop of Hoarders"!

It is packed full of surprises and styled fabulously.

a wonderful collection of gilt frames

a collection of fire nozzles

A partnership between four friends: Ron Morgan, Therese Long, Tom Burke, and one other. You may remember Ron Morgan from the infamous "Loot" on College Avenue in Oakland. After a long run, Ron decided to move his shop to Lafayette along with his Floral/Garden Club consulting business. But now we are lucky ...
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5 Is The Magic Number

Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche on Tuesday, September 20, 2011, In : Design Rules

Have you ever wondered why your console table top either looks drab or is just unnoticeable?

Wisteria Console

It could be that there isn't anything on it, but more likely that there are the wrong number of things on it.

Wisteria Console

The rule of thumb in styling or designing a tablescape is to use an odd number of items.

Instead of just having a pair of lamps (2), add two family photos and a bowl or vase (5).

Atlanta Showhouse

It's also nice when some of the shapes relate. Round and oval ...
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1000 Filters Of Light

Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche on Friday, September 16, 2011, In : DIY (Do It Yourself) Projects

You too can create a VERY dramatic incredible modern pendant light with 1000 coffee filters!

I've always been one for drama. One of these large lights over a simple dining table is all you need to create atmosphere.

You will need a 22" paper lantern, available at Pier 1 Imports or Pearl River and

approximately 1000 coffee filters (give or take 200).

Just take each coffee filter and fold it in half, then fold it in half again to create a center point.

Place the tip of your index finger in the c...
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Linen Luxury

Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche on Tuesday, September 13, 2011, In : Sheets

Happiness is a soft and sound sleep!

One way to guarantee your sleeping pleasure is the softest and purest sheets.

Garnet Hill Linen Sheets by Eileen Fisher

100% linen sheets are amazing. They keep you cool when you are too hot,

Linoto Linen Sheets

They keep you warm when you are too cool,

Restoration Hardware Linen Sheets

They are luxuriously soft and get even softer with every wash,

Company Store Linen Sheets

Best Deal!

and they last forever...try some!

...
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Salvaged Artefacts

Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche on Friday, September 9, 2011, In : Second-hand shops

If you are passing through Sonoma, you must make a stop at Artefact Design & Salvage. Just make a day of it and have a picnic in the beautiful vineyards while enjoying a glass of wine!

Artefact Design & Salvage is a 4000 square foot showroom filled with wonderful installations (large and small), old artifacts rescued from demolition,

art and lighting,

garden paraphernalia and sculptures,

as well as objects for your home.

You will return with great ideas!

Artefact Design & Salvage
23562 Highway 121...
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Mosaic Masterpiece Anyone?

Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche on Tuesday, September 6, 2011, In : DIY (Do It Yourself) Projects

When we posted the interview with Gina Dominguez, the mosaic tile artist, several people expressed an interest in learning to do their own mosaic masterpiece!

We are in luck. Gina is starting a new class for beginning mosaics on Thursday, October 27th from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. It will be an 8 session class held weekly at her studio at 6206 La Salle Avenue in Montclair. The cost for this wonderful class which includes all materials and equipment is $150. It will provide instruction on the basic und...
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Turn A Table Into An Ottoman

Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche on Thursday, September 1, 2011, In : DIY (Do It Yourself) Projects

Tired of your old coffee table? Have you found a table with great legs or a fine shape at the flea market? How about turning it into an ottoman that you can use as a bench or an upholstered coffee table.

I found this old coffee table at the flea market for $10. It was horribly dirty, and the finish was cracked and dull.

The first thing to do is clean and sand the existing finish.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO THE TOP BECAUSE YOU WILL BE COVERING THAT WITH FOAM AND FABRIC!

After you clean and sand, be s...
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About Me

As an Interior Designer, I am constantly looking for new ways of re-purposing and re-using what people already have as well as finding new resources for affordable furnishings. This is just a place to share great resources, ideas, information about the trades, and ways of doing things yourself to help make your own home fabulous!

- Lori Pepe-Lunché, more about me...

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