Sunday, March 20, 2011

House of a Different Color

If you’ve been looking for a way to make a change in your home but you don’t have a great deal of money and you don’t want to embark on a long “home makeover” journey, you still have options. Look to the simplest, most dramatic, most cost effective way to refresh your environment.

Paint.

Yes, that gallon of paint that costs less than a night out with your favorite person can be your ticket to change. In a room, the effect is obvious. What a gallon of paint will do for any room in your home will amaze you.

The trick is always in choosing the color. You may feel overwhelmed by all the color options and you may feel like once you make a decision you have to live with it.

The good news is that repainting is an easy (and inexpensive) solution if you choose a color you really dislike. The even better news is that there are plenty of professionals that can assist you in the process if you really get stuck.

If you want to play it safe, talk to the people in any paint store, or in the paint department of your local home improvement store, and they can tell you the top selling paint color. They even know what color palettes people are gravitating toward most often. Most even have small samples you can take home and try before you commit. Just be careful that you don’t end up with two dozen samples on the wall. You will never be able to choose once you’ve gone down that road.

On the other hand, if you really want to express yourself but don’t trust your own instincts, call an interior designer to help you with the process. For a reasonable fee they can help you pick several options that will work with your furnishings and accessories, and when it’s done it will feel like a brand new space.

Paint is also the perfect way to update any piece of furniture, or even to unify a mismatched set of chairs. Think outside the box and really get creative. Paint an old sideboard gloss black. Take a second-hand table and transform it into modern piece by painting it a bold color. Take an architectural piece you might not ordinarily see as home décor and give it new life. Take those chairs you have around the kitchen table that are not necessarily a set and paint them white (or black) for a whole new look.

The idea of using paint as a way to transform a space or a piece of furniture may seem simple, but too often we are afraid to take the step and actually commit to color. If you want to start small just buy a can of spray paint and try your hand on painting something simple, like a wicker chair. But beware – once you take that first step you’ll be hooked!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

My first experience with a Sommelier

A sommelier (pronounced /sʌməlˈjeɪ/), or wine steward, is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional, commonly working in fine restaurants, who specializes in all aspects of wine service. The role is more specialized and informed than that of a wine waiter.

Okay, that's the official definition of a sommelier, and we found one (from France, no less!) at a great new restaurant in the Hill Country called Hasler Brothers. Located in downtown Bastrop on Main Street, Hasler Brothers is a bit hard to find but so worth the effort!

Not only was this one of the best steaks I've ever put in my mouth (and my friends agreed!), but the service was impeccable. Having the sommelier stand at our table and give us a mini wine lesson only added to the experience. Our two wine drinkers in the party appreciated the lesson in wine "aerators", as well, and they swear by the tasting techniques he taught them.

It was a fascinating evening for sure! I hope to be back there soon!




Actual floor tiles found in a little shop in the Hill Country. Beautiful!

Worth the Trip to Bastrop!
 



Coolest display of chandeliers I've seen!



            






Artist creation from scrap metal. Love these roosters!

Fabulous Find!

On a recent trip to Lost Pines Resort in the Hill Country, my traveling buddies and I discovered something wonderful on the buffet in the VIP Suite. It's Thai Style Chili Sauce, made by Kikkoman!! By the time we discovered it we were using it for a dipping sauce for almost everything on the buffet. In fact, as you can see by the picture, we asked the hostess if she knew what it was and she was willing to divulge the secret. Lucky us! Now I just have to find it. So far it's not at my local grocery store. The search is on!!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Be sure and visit this store!

Extravaganza

Worth taking the time to stop in at this great little gift shop in Flower Mound. Not only do they have some of the most unique gift items you'll find anywhere and a wide selection of stationery and paper, as well as home decor, but they also do a phenominal job of printing special occasion invitations of any kind. We had a "wedding invitation disaster" and Extravaganza came through at the last minute and not only solved the problem, but gave us a finished product far superior to our original. Check out their web site at http://www.ex-travaganza.com/ and stop in for a visit soon!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Showing off a new grandchild


Speaking as a proud grandmother who was always looking for ways to show off her grandchild, I think this is one of the cutest ideas I've seen! Our newest is due in February and you can bet I'll be copying this idea!