: I enjoy making wreaths for fall and winter to hang on my door. I use parts from all kinds of plants in my yard, but I was recently told that I shouldn’t cut the evergreens; I would harm them this time of year. I have removed evergreen branches for years and haven’t noticed any problems, but I also don’t want to hurt my plants.
Home and Garden
Like many young boys, Mark Erickson liked to explore his surroundings and was fascinated with the rocks he discovered. As he became a man, his fascination didn’t waiver and his adventures took him to exotic locations around the world.
DEAR DEBBIE: I am hearing about paint with low VOCs, and saw a display at my local home show. I thought I was safe with water-based (latex) paints. What do you recommend? — Richard.
Majolica was made in many countries, the United States, England, France, Spain, Italy, Germany and Sweden. The word majolica has two meanings to collectors. The first of the tin-glazed pottery known as majolica was made in Spain, then Italy in the 15th century. That type of pottery was popular until the 18th century. Today it can be seen in museums.
Interior designers sometimes assume that the terms they use — especially seemingly common ones — will cause no confusion on the part of a client. It isn’t always so. Take the term “alcove,” for example. Everyone knows it refers to a cozy recess in a room — right? Wrong. Homeowners don’t all have the same image of an alcove. They may be uncertain about what exactly it involves, particularly if construction is going to be necessary.
I’m a firm believer that there are some things in life you can — and should — cheat on. Like your diet. When the hostess brings out a chocolate souffle for dessert, I kiss my calorie counting goodbye for the evening. I also love to cheat on food prep. If I can buy a fabulous meal instead of fix one, why sweat over a hot stove?
Ken and Annette were longtime suburban dwellers, but their downtown jobs and long commutes left them longing to live in the heart of the city. They found the house of their dreams during one of their long city walks — a charming, Victorian-heritage row house. And although it needed tons of work, they bought it with an eye to moving in slowly and retiring there for good.
An exhibit of showgirl costumes was one of the highlights of last week’s Passport to Glamour event at the Las Vegas Design Center at World Market Center Las Vegas.
So you want to invest in fine art, but don’t know where to start?
DEAR GAIL: We’re building a custom home and want to make sure we have enough room in our dining room to fit eight chairs and a buffet. What should the size of the table be and how much room do we need for the buffet? I was also told that tables shouldn’t be more than 48 inches wide. Is that true? — Ruth.
Debbie Wiener is an interior designer who cares about the cleaning-impaired, the decorating-challenged and those who would rather sit on furniture than protecting it from being sat on.
: We are from California and just moved into a new house. The problem is that the water in Southern Nevada is different. My skin is dry and itchy right after a shower. I understand that a water softener is in order, so I bought one that uses salt at a home center and am ready to install it. Fortunately, we have a loop in the garage and I have sweated copper a few times before. Is there anything to look out for?
Clocks are not top of mind for most of us. It’s only at this time of year when we turn our clocks back, and then again in the spring when we go forward, that we actually give them any thought. As an accessory and work horse in our lives, poor clocks are not given their fair share of attention.