Ok…The house is not as organized as it should be, the guests are coming over, and I need a good distraction so nobody will notice anything else. Time to pull out all stops! 

Quadruple Chocolate Brownies 

This is a recipe I cooked up when I was trying to use up all of the chocolate in the house. It happens to be the best brownie I've ever had. But beware...it's addicting.

Once they have a taste, nobody will notice a thing.  They take about 30 minutes to make, start to finish.  This is w...

I always like to have some sort of flower arrangement on my dining table. This only becomes a challenge when I’m entertaining and it’s time to eat.  Usually the arrangement needs to leave the table or is moved down to the end of the table so that everyone doesn’t have to fight the flowers in order to have a conversation. Half the experience of eating is visual after all, so it would be nice to find a way to keep it there. 

This centerpiece can remain in the center of the table because ...

I’m always on the lookout for great ideas for recycling. Especially for those materials that NEVER breakdown and are needlessly swamping our landfill and ocean water. Sometimes you can find really clever and beautiful home furnishings, accessories, and jewelry that are quite unique.

Hatch, in Montclair Village, is dedicated to sustainable living.  There is something for all ages, including great little soft stuffed animals made out of old recycled plastic bottles, to fabulous messenger bag...

This past weekend was perfect for spiffing up the outdoor party area.  I decided to wash all the chair and chaise cushions as well as the throw pillows.

Everything came out perfectly except for the large throw pillow covers.  They were VERY faded, stained, and looked terrible even after washing.  They are about 3 years old, so probably about time to replace…although not at the top of my list for spending money on.

I took them out of the dryer and briefly turned one inside out and was very...

A beautifully curated collection of modern beauties, that is what Modernaire contains in its small space on the corner of Shattuck and Dwight in Downtown Berkeley. 

Bruce Crawford opened Modernaire in Berkeley about 3 years ago after having had stores in Massachusetts and Hawaii.

His inventory covers a wide range, from Art Deco through Post War and Mid-Century. 

You will find Scandanavian designers such as Hans Wegner, Greta Falk,...

We all have at least one space in our home that is completely boring. It could be a dark hallway, the laundry room, or even the half-bath down the hall. There is no good reason not to spiff it up.

   

I used to walk through my upstairs hall without a glance. Then one day I decided to bring the outdoors in and liven it up a little. Now when I walk through (several times a day) I feel like it’s spring!...even when it’s dark and dismal outside.

   

Pepe-Lunché Designs