Design for a Beautiful Life

Accomplishing Your Dreams Requires Balance

Achieving balance in our lives is accomplished by saying no when we need to and learning to set priorities. And we cannot achieve balance without understanding what our particular needs are. Balance is different for everyone. It means that you have identified your priorities and have not overextended yourself. Balance means you are aware of the dangers of burnout. Balance means that when asked the question, “Are you happy?” you can answer yes.

Ina Garten’s Kitchen of the Year

I’ve been a fan of Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa for a long time and have all of her cookbooks. She’s shown me and others how to entertain easily and serve simple food that bursts with flavor. Now her latest kitchen in East Hampton has been replicated by designer, Robert Stilin for House Beautiful’s Kitchen of the Year 2009.

Kitchen With A Walk-In Pantry

Here’s a beautiful kitchen out of Traditional Home that you’ll love! The two levels of the kitchen island is a great idea, letting guests sit and talk with the cook while dinner is being prepared. The white scheme of the kitchen is also peaceful and calming.

The walk-in pantry is a 9’ x 8’ space off the kitchen. The mirrored doors make the kitchen seem bigger, while adding sparkle. Also, all the breakfast appliances are in there, such as the toaster, coffeemaker, etc. so they’re out of the way of the main kitchen. Great idea!

Misters Cool Down the Heat

by Marcia Blake

I am spending a few days in Phoenix, while my mother recovers from surgery. It is hot outside, the temperature hovers near 107 degrees. The weather report warns of a heat wave coming this weekend, the prediction is 111 to 115 degrees. This is not the type of heat that encourages outdoor living, however, a strategically positioned misting system will cool the temperature by ten to twenty degrees. Enough to make spending time outdoors more comfortable, desirable and realistic in the hot dry heat of the desert.

The misters spray a cloud of tiny water droplets which lay suspended in the air. Before any moisture reaches you, it evaporates, yet cools the surrounding area.

Visiting Paris is Just Not Enough…

I had the chance to visit Paris for three days this last year. Now you may say, “Three days! That’s hardly worth it!” You may be right but at least I had the chance to BE there. That’s the main thing. I found Paris to have an indefinable air that I tried to explain later to my friends. It was a feeling of finding a place …

Making Sense of Your Kitchen

When you look at your kitchen, is it the organized and dream place to cook that you’ve always wanted? If so, skip this! For most of us there is always a better way to have every tool right at our fingertips, just when we need to whip up that omelet or quickly sprinkle lemon zest over the chicken.

Here’s some wonderful ideas for…

Can you have too many cake stands? Never!

Juliska.com is the place to go for gorgeous glass dishes. Their motto is “Possibly the most beautiful tableware in the world” and their offerings are absolutely stunning.
Here are some …

Smart Women Entrepreneurs Pay Attention to Their Surroundings

Your environment contributes to your overall success in many ways. Just like certain types of fish, your business and personal growth will come to a complete halt based on the size of your “tank,” As an entrepreneur, you should consider not only …

A Solution To A Beautiful Uncluttered Life

Our environment is a major component in facilitating a beautiful life. I am an interior designer that cares about designing a beautiful life for myself and passing that desire and knowledge on to my clients. I want to make every aspect of my life, along with…

A Playhouse All For You?

Shell House in Isla Mujeres Mexico from Point Click Home. What a fabulous house! It looks to me like something out of a dream I once had. There are so many questions I have about this house. Is it lived in by the owner or can someone rent it for a vacation? What does the [...]