27. December 2007 by Parker.

For those of you that aren’t creative enough to stack a few books on a table in the corner, this $8.00 gadget is perfect for you. Just grab a soda or water bottle and attach this plastic tripod mount for your camera and set the timer!

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25. December 2007 by Parker.

If you are like me, I love the corner brownie with the chewy crust. I’ll cut them out and stash them away before I serve guests. Now, this Brownie Pan saves the day by providing an entire platter of chewy edged brownies!

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23. December 2007 by Parker.

Sometimes I find items that I am dying to purchase and utilize within my own home but cannot, for the life of me, find a good enough excuse to justify the expediture. These book shelves are a great example of such a product.

Made by Umbra, these metal meets plexiglass shelves are hidden by the cover of a book so that the stack appears to float on your wall. And the second set, which I just discovered, is called Flybrary and looks equally cool hanging mid air. Makes me want to reassess the wall space in my home all over again.

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23. December 2007 by Parker.

I’m like everyone else, I use items in my home in ways in which they were not intended to be used. Example: I have a shoe organizer hanging on the back of my linen closet door and keep all my hair accessories, razors, lotions, etc inside the clear shoe compartments for ease of storage and location. However, for some reason I am less inclined to do the same thing with shampoos, toothpaste, and more in the guest bedroom closet for fear that I will be judged for my frugality by my guests.

This is where this handy organizer by Vitra comes into play. It is conveniently mounted on the back of a linen closet door and neatly holds everything from toothpaste to bandaids to emergency flashlight. It would look great (comes in several slick colors)  on the back of my door if it weren’t for the $310.00 price tag. That’s right folks! THREE HUNDRED AND TEN SMACKAROOS!

So when faced with the option of being judged for being practical (hence, shoe organizer) or going for broke with the professional look, I am starting to believe that my savings of $295.00 will make an excellent cushion for my damaged designer ego.

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23. December 2007 by Parker.

It took designers forever to come up with this sweet bed that looks as cozy as it is handy! Available at DDC.

Now if I could only find a company to make my custom designed bed….Hmm….

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21. December 2007 by Parker.

The new trend in room decorating is using wall decals or wallpapers to create a fun space that can be revamped in a matter of minutes. Check out these playful designs from Wall Pops and keep in mind that some of them are available are your local Lowes, the female friendly hardware store!

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20. December 2007 by Parker.

After years of dreaming of owning a KitchenAid mixer, I finally decided to buy one last year. The decision to purchase one turned out to be a lot easier for me than deciding what color to buy as I wanted something that reflected my personality, easy to clean, and timeless all at once. Turns out my weeks of inner struggle were for nothing as now you can pimp your mixer to look any which way you prefer. Check out these fun mixer decals at Flameka!

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13. December 2007 by Parker.

I just finished my latest article for the Rockdale Citizen and turned it in this morning with the following picture. Special Thanks to Graffiti Zoo for the wonderful chocolates in the photo.

Setting up a guest room for the holidays can be just as stressful as hosting the guests themselves. Whether they will be in your home for just a night or staying for weeks on end, here’s how you can make them feel at home.

Keys to the Kingdom: Guests and hosts often feel compelled to stay in the home to fulfill expected obligations to each other. The guest typically feels rude to just use the home as a base camp for their travels, and the host often feels restricted from their day to day routine by having to entertain the guests, lest they leave them watching the home like an unpaid butler. Give yourself and your guests a declaration of independence by leaving a set of keys and local maps to let them know your life must go on and you will not be offended if they’d like to explore the area.

License to chill: There’s a reason an arm chair is always present in the corner of nearly every hotel room. By providing a relaxing space, you allow your guest to have a private place to retreat with a good book and not feel they have to be socializing with the family pet in the living room. Since guests rarely keep the same hours as their host, providing current magazines, books, or a local newspaper allows them to take advantage of the time when not even a mouse is stirring.

Snackpot!: A mint or candy cane on the pillow is always a nice touch. However, to make them feel like they’ve won the snack food lottery, provide a selection of local specialties such as Graffiti Zoo chocolates or Monastery coffee. Fresh fruits, a selection of prepackaged snacks, bottled water, and even a small coffee maker with cream and sugar, allows them to indulge should they wake early or stay up late and feel uncomfortable raiding the kitchen at odd hours.

Tools of Technology: Fifty years ago this would have meant a rotary telephone. Today this can be a flat screen TV with a DVD player and a selection of movies, as well as an internet connection. If your house is wired, make sure to supply a cable, as most guests don’t travel with one. Wireless? Make sure you leave instructions for logging onto your wireless network, including network name and password, so you do not feel compelled to let them use your personal computer or leave them to seek out local free Wi-Fi just to check their email. Also make sure an electrical outlet is easily accessible for charging cell phones and PDA’s.

I’ll take the floor, thanks: Traveling is hard enough on the body, so don’t compound your guests discomfort by putting an old worn out mattress in the guest room. Would you willingly sleep on your guest bed? If the answer is no, it’s time to replace it. Likewise, avoid mismatching sheets from over the years as this gives your guests the impression you’re scrambling to accommodate them. Make them feel welcome with a quality coordinated sheet set, a fluffy comforter, extra pillows, and additional blankets or a lightweight comforter as the season dictates.

Localized Lighting: Trying to navigate to the bed from the light switch has led to many a stubbed toe, so a bedside lamp and wall plug night lights on the way to the bathroom are some little things your guests will appreciate being in unfamiliar territory. Also make sure the bulbs work before guests arrive so they’re not unintentionally left in the dark.

Command Center: Every guest needs a place to keep track of their personal belongings and the nightstand is the ideal place to start and end each day. Mimicking your own is a good start by including an easy to use alarm clock, fresh flowers, any remote controls for TV, radio or CD players, a set of coasters, and a box of Kleenex. Remember, everything counts in small amounts.

Let me just move a few things…: The cardinal sin most homeowners commit is taking the time to set up a wonderfully inviting guest room and then utilizing it as a catchall storage locker for everything from children’s toys and dust covered exercise machines to file boxes and those jeans from college you still plan to fit into. Make sure to remove any unnecessary clutter that would impede your guests’ enjoyment of the room, leaving ample closet space and at least one dresser drawer so your guests don’t feel like they have to live out of their suitcase.

While these suggestions may seem more Four Seasons than Motel 6, all are practical and considered basic assumptions when paying for a room for the night. A recent survey of women travelers put the average perceived value of a night in a private home at $149, so even if you cannot charge your houseguests, you can at least make them feel like they made a good decision by taking you up on your offer of a brief or extended stay at your chalet.

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12. December 2007 by Parker.

Here is an article I just finished for A Southern Affair magazine, which caters to brides and newlyweds:

As a newly married couple, it is important to evaluate the usefulness and condition of your current furnishings. Whatever you do, do not skimp on these 5 pieces which set the foundation for the rest of your home.

Mattress: Although your home has many new rooms that you cannot wait to add furnishings to, make sure to invest in a good mattress first and foremost. The bed frame itself can come later if necessary, but a decent nights’ sleep should not. So head out to the stores, kick off your shoes, and lie down on as many beds for as long as it takes to find the one that is right for both of you.

Couch: A great couch is a must have for any household. Shop around for a couch that fits your space in size, color, and texture. Pillow back sofas are great for family rooms as you can curl up in them. However, they are not practical for a more formal living space as they are uncomfortable for guests to sit on properly. Look for a couch that is equally comfortable as it is visually appealing and keep in mind the quality of fabric for future stains, wear, and tear.

 Ottoman: Extra seating is a must in any household, especially if you are planning a house warming party. Invest in an ottoman that doubles as your coffee table or hides under a console table when not in use. Though choosing the right fabric is important, keep in mind that an ottoman is one of the easiest and cheapest items in the home to slipcover or reupholster.

 Armoire: An armoire can fit into many different rooms in the house and offer solutions to a myriad of storage needs. You can hide your TV, clothes, paperwork, china, and more in an armoire. The most important aspect to take into account is its size and overall measurements. Do not purchase an armoire that overpowers the space. Instead, look for one that blends into a corner or wall and goes relatively unnoticed.

 Dining Table: If you have space for a table in the kitchen and a dining room, get a dining room set first. Although you may prefer to eat all of your meals in the kitchen as a couple, there should always be room for company to join you. By investing in a dining table with a leaf, you allow yourself the opportunity to invite friends and family over to your new digs. Also note the style of chairs that come with the table and make sure they are as comfortable and versatile as you want them to be (i.e. cushions versus slip covered versus wood).

Armed with the right knowledge, you can confidently head out to shop for the right items for you. Remember that while your home is a big investment, so are your core furnishings, as they set the initial tone for the rest of your space to come.

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8. December 2007 by Parker.

I ran over to Antioch church this morning to finish up their Christmas decorations before their open house this afternoon. Here is a snapshot of the tree in the foyer…

Perhaps I’ll get back over there this week to take a few pics of the wreaths…

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