Design for a Beautiful Life

End Your Shopping Here!

Almost done with your Christmas shopping or maybe you haven’t started yet? Some of my friends and relatives are hard to buy for and maybe yours are too. See my handpicked books and products in my Beautiful Living Store. Click on the picture above or on my front page and you’ll see some great deals from Amazon that can’t miss with your loved ones. Don’t forget Cyber Monday specials today at Amazon for your favorite products.

Tasty Fall Treat

I must be low on calcium but I’ve been craving this combo lately and it fits well as a snack or a light lunch. Cottage cheese and pears are my new favorite thing to eat!

The 2009 Bloggers Ornament Exchange

Time to participate (just for fun!) in the Bloggers Ornament Exchange. Click on the link below (in the picture) to join. Should be lots of fun and I can’t wait to see what my ornament will look like that I receive this year!

My first video!

Learn more about what we do here at Topaz Interior Design LLC. It will open up in your media player. To use the link, you must click on the “read more” below to open the actual post.

Video showcase of products from K/BIS 2009 (kitchen & bath products)

If you’re in the market for building or remodeling a new kitchen and/or bath, take a look at the latest and greatest new products that were shown at K/BIS 2009. These are the trend setters and the latest innovations from the best brands.   Even if you’re not in the market, it’s always fun to [...]

“Crowded and Cozy” Beverly Hills Apartment

Designer Joe Nye loves his small 900 square foot apartment in Beverly Hills. Alexandria Mott interviews this famous designer and his gorgeous and colorful dwelling. If you live in a small space, sometimes bigger pieces are better!

He adds a lot of special touches such as a…

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.