Archive for November, 2011

Free Interior Design Advice, Paint Color

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

 Hello Everyone,

This week’s question comes from Joyce Anthony.  I encourage all of you to offer your feedback for Joyce in the comments section below. 

In the creative process, we all learn from each other.

She writes, “I love the black red and white in this photo and was curious if you could tell me what the wall color is? I am doing this theme for my dining room/kitchen and am having a hard time figuring out what to paint the wall to match yet not be boring white or crazy red! Thanks so much! Joyce Anthony”

I am a big fan of white walls like the room I designed in the above photo.   I find them clean and not boring at all.  They work especially well when there is a lot of accent color and texture in the space. 

What are your thoughts? I’m sure Joyce would love to know.

Thanks,

Lori

 

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Gretchen Bonaduce and Crystalarium Host Toy Drive For Children of Fallen Soilders

Monday, November 28th, 2011

Come one, come all.  Bring your unwrapped, new toy to enjoy food, drinks and music from Gretchen Bonaduce at Crystalarium, November 29, 2011.  8500 Melrose Avenue, Suite 105, 7-9PM. Plus there’s a silent auction with your chance to win a free consultation ($500) or a signed copy of my book Green Interior Design.

Hope to see you there!!

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When A Stranger Comes Knocking, Open the Door, It Could Be CSA

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

Lately I’ve been watching a work colleague show up with all sorts of unusual fruits and veggies for lunch,  discussing things like how to cook fennel what to do with turnips .  So I inquired, “Sara, why do you keep buying things you don’t even know how to make?”  She told me,” it’s from CSA. ”  For those of you who haven’t heard, CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture.  Basically, it’s a bunch of local farms keeping it old school by delivering in-season, non-toxic produce to your doorstep. 

Now, as much as I’m an advocate for having an edible garden, yields are sometimes lacking and the weekly produce run to Trader Joes or the farmer’s market is still a reality.  It was fortituous when a stranger with a daisy in her hair showed up, knocking at my door last night.  She was from CSA.  Although there have been a few robberies in my upscale neighborhood lately and my very good, but very paranoid friend was over for dinner and was vehemently opposed to talking to the unannounced stranger, I opened the door, invited her in, signed up immediately and sent her on her way with a jar of my now famous, homemade fig jam.

I am all for the CSA warriors in their crusade against corporate greed and the systematic poisoning of our population via chemical laden, unseasonable, non-nutritious ”fruits and vegetables” shipped from thousands of miles away and picked at the height of not ripeness. 

Anyone who knows me, knows I grew up without much.  When we did buy fresh produce, it was always what was in season, only because it was abundant and therefore, cheap.  But there’s something to eating what is in season and nature has a funny way of giving us exactly what we need, when we need it.  The CSA works the same way.  You get a weekly or bi-weekly package with seasonal, local and fresh surprises.  Because they send what is abundant in their field, it’s affordable.  I thrown down $60 plus a week for organic fruits and veggies at Trader Joes or farmer’s markets. CSA is half that.   

My first shippment comes next week.  I can’t wait to see what I’ll get. Bring on the turnips and kale (good thing they come with suggested receipes). I’ve got a sense of adventure and one hot husband who can cook in the kitchen too!

 

 

 

 

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