Happy Memorial Day!

Hi Friends,

We Will Remember Them - The ones that we've lost still go with us in spirit. In the faces of Family, their presence still lingers. In the dreams they once nurtured they still shape our future. In the hearts that embrace them, they live on forever. At daybreak and nightfall, as long as there's memory we will remember them.

Thinking of you this Memorial Day and sharing The Ultimate Sacrifice poem by Joanna Fuchs.

The Ultimate Sacrifice:

We set aside Memorial Day
Each and every year
To honor those who gave their lives
Defending what we hold dear.

In all the dark and deadly wars,
Their graves prove and remind us,
Our brave Americans gave their all
To put danger far behind us.

They made the ultimate sacrifice
Fighting for the American way;
We admire them and respect them
On every Memorial Day.

By Joanna Fuchs

Happy Memorial Day from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Outdoor Entertaining Tips for Summer...

Courtesy of Chris Casson Madden

Hi Friends,

Designer Chris Casson Madden shares tips for creating a sophisticated outdoor space perfect for summer entertaining.

Summer is the time for outdoor entertaining. It wasn't so long ago that outdoor entertaining meant a picnic in the park with a drink cooler, paper plates and plastic forks. If entertaining at home, it meant throwing hamburgers on the backyard grill.

Thanks to today's growing trend of outdoor kitchens and rooms with all the comfort of interior spaces, backyard parties have become much more sophisticated. There are high-end grills that allow you to prepare food on a stovetop and exterior kitchen islands that create space for food prep and storage. Refrigerators, wet bars and sinks also are available for outdoor installation.

The secret is to bring your favorite indoor decor items outdoors and to have fun decorating with them. Think about how you want your space to look when planning an outdoor get-together:

Lay out the basic space:
Planning the space before the party is key. First, decide if guests will be seated at tables or will be eating while standing or seated in the nearest lawn chair. When I had my family over recently for a Sunday afternoon get-together, I pulled out some of my favorite Oriental rugs in smaller sizes that I had rolled up for the summer and created seating areas under shady trees for relaxed dining.

Dress the tables:
Use paper for cocktail napkins only; for dining, use cloth napkins. Arrange silverware in inviting "take-one" containers like planters or cachepots. To add color to the table, invest in mix-and-match china pieces in colorful hues.

Centerpieces can be as simple as small containers of Gerbera daisies or impatiens, along with greenery, or even bowls of summer fruit or veggies. I like to use a row of glass canning jars to hold cut flowers from my garden.

Choose food suitable for outdoors:
Place buffet tables in shady areas because direct sunlight will cause even the freshest salad to wilt and dairy-based dishes to curdle. Foods that contain lots of oil or gelatin also don't do well in direct heat; be sure to cover them with waxed paper or old-fashioned netting baskets. A good choice for buffet fare is dishes that serve well at room temperature, like vinegar-based salads, grilled kebabs, beans and noodle dishes.

Light up the night:
If your gathering will last into the evening, add a little romance with lighting. Strands of small, clear lights look wonderful woven through trees, shrubs and fences and they are available in lots of different shapes and styles.

Candles are my favorite source of party lighting; they can be placed as groupings on tabletops in small jars or holders. Consider the citronella variety if insects are a concern. Hurricane lanterns, another lighting option, will stay lit even if it becomes breezy and they can double as centerpieces.

You may also opt for gas- or oil-filled tiki torches in either rattan or metal styles that can be placed in different spots in the outdoor space, creating "rooms" and separate areas or walkways.

Make children feel welcome:
If young ones will be a part of the festivities, plan creative ways to keep them entertained. A table just for the kids is a good idea; cover it with white butcher paper and have crayons available so they can draw to their hearts' content.

Plan ahead, and keep it simple, so you can enjoy your summer gathering as much as your guests will.

Entertain in style while having fun...

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Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Free Printable Summer Flag Banner, Party Invitations, & Party Place Card Templates...

Courtesy of HGTV

Hi Friends,

Get friends in the mood for outdoorsy fun with creative glamping party invitations shaped like popsicles.

Download the Free Printable Popsicle Summer Party Invitations

The entertaining experts at HGTV.com share free party place card and printable party flag banner templates.

Photo by Mike Bullock

Life is just a bowl of cherries, especially during the summer. Download and print this place card template, handwrite guests' names on each flag and use double-sided tape to wrap around wooden skewers. Stick upright into a bowl of fresh cherries, and place at each table setting. Guests will love locating their seat to discover a fresh bowl of fruit, all theirs for the snacking.

Download the Free Printable Place Card Template

Is there anything more festive than a colorful banner floating over the table? Turn up the fun at your next summer soiree by hanging this paper flag garland across the porch ceiling or tied to two stakes in the ground. Simply download and print the flag templates onto colorful card stock, cut out, and connect each one with brads. Who knows, you just might want to keep it hanging all summer long!

Download the Free Printable Party Flag Banner Template #1

Download the Free Printable Party Flag Banner Template #2

Enjoy the warm weather...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Throw the Best Summer Party Ever With These DIY Ideas Kids Will Love...

Courtesy of Brian Patrick Flynn

Hi Friends,

Follow thes must-know tips for keeping everyone super cool and totally entertained.

Water Balloon Pinata

Skip the hard-to-bust candy version, and let kids cool off with loads of water balloons.

Water Gun Paint Party

Load up water guns with acrylic paints, lay out a few drop cloths, then set up an easel and canvas. Your little Picassos will love it!

Bubble Station

Everyone loves bubbles, so make sure you've got plenty of suds, bowls and wands to go around.

Big, Big Bubbles

Keep your ultimate bubble enthusiasts happy with this larger-than-life activity. All you need is extra-sudsy water, a hula hoop and a baby pool.

Get The Homemade Bubble Recipes.

Easy Party Snacks

Serve up tasty wraps with plenty of protein to avoid sugar-crash meltdowns later in the day.

Get The Best Wrap Recipes Kids Will Love.

Cool-Down Time

Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions

Whip up healthy frozen treats packed with vitamins and minerals to keep kids cool and hydrated.

Get The Favorite Frozen Concoctions for Little Ones.

Sponge Ball Bucket Toss

If your kids love water balloons, they're sure to like this game, too. Cut up sponges into long strips, then gather the strips and secure in the middle using zip-ties or twine to create a ball. Soak the sponge balls in ice-cold water, then let the kids start playing. The one that gets the most balls into the bucket, wins!

Chilled Sponge Necklaces

These colorful, ice-cold necklaces are a perfect party favor and a fun way to keep kids chilled out all summer long.

Movie Time

When the sun sets, it's time to fire up the projector for a backyard movie night. Simple molding and a projector are all you need. This projector shelf is designed with thin chain link and eye hooks so it's easy to take down and store away when not in use.

Take 'Em To Go

Keep the fun going long after the party ends with bubble wand party favors.

Enjoy the kiddos...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Happy Mother’s Day!

Hi Friends,

Dedicated to all our wonderful Mothers from your friends at Interior Design - May you enjoy as you are celebrated this Mother's Day with warmest thoughts and special wishes.

A Mother's Eyes

A mother's eyes so often shine with laughter, joy, or tears....and with the pride of seeing children blossom through the years. A mother's lips give kisses, cautions, praise, and good advice. She shares her faith and values through hard work and sacrifice. A mother's hands are busy trying to meet her children's needs, but quick to give applause whenever one of them succeeds. Throughout her children's lives, a mother plays a vital part. She is their shining star, their inspiration, and their heart.

Happy Mother's Day!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Courtesy of History.com

Hi Friends,

Cinco de Mayo gives us the perfect opportunity to share some information on the history of Cinco de Mayo, which we've shared with you below. Enjoy the read...

History of Cinco de Mayo: Battle of Puebla
In 1861 the liberal Mexican Benito Juárez (1806-1872) became president of a country in financial ruin, and he was forced to default on his debts to European governments. In response, France, Britain and Spain sent naval forces to Veracruz to demand reimbursement. Britain and Spain negotiated with Mexico and withdrew, but France, ruled by Napoleon III (1808-1873), decided to use the opportunity to carve a dependent empire out of Mexican territory. Late in 1861, a well-armed French fleet stormed Veracruz, landing a large French force and driving President Juárez and his government into retreat.

Certain that success would come swiftly, 6,000 French troops under General Charles Latrille de Lorencez (1814-1892) set out to attack Puebla de Los Angeles, a small town in east-central Mexico. From his new headquarters in the north, Juárez rounded up a rag-tag force of 2,000 loyal men—many of them either indigenous Mexicans or of mixed ancestry—and sent them to Puebla. Led by Texas-born General Ignacio Zaragoza (1829-1862), the vastly outnumbered and poorly supplied Mexicans fortified the town and prepared for the French assault. On May 5, 1862, Lorencez drew his army, well provisioned and supported by heavy artillery, before the city of Puebla and led an assault from the north. The battle lasted from daybreak to early evening, and when the French finally retreated they had lost nearly 500 soldiers. Fewer than 100 Mexicans had been killed in the clash.

Although not a major strategic win in the overall war against the French, Zaragoza's success at Puebla represented a great symbolic victory for the Mexican government and bolstered the resistance movement. Six years later—thanks in part to military support and political pressure from the United States, which was finally in a position to aid its besieged neighbor after the end of the Civil War—France withdrew. The same year, Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, who had been installed as emperor of Mexico by Napoleon in 1864, was captured and executed by Juárez's forces. Puebla de Los Angeles was renamed for General Zaragoza, who died of typhoid fever months after his historic triumph there.

Cinco de Mayo in Mexico
Within Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is primarily observed in the state of Puebla, where Zaragoza’s unlikely triumph occurred, although other parts of the country also take part in the celebration. Traditions include military parades, recreations of the Battle of Puebla and other festive events. For many Mexicans, however, May 5 is a day like any other: It is not a federal holiday, so offices, banks and stores remain open.

Cinco de Mayo in the United States
In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is widely interpreted as a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with substantial Mexican-American populations. Chicano activists raised awareness of the holiday in the 1960s, in part because they identified with the victory of indigenous Mexicans over European invaders during the Battle of Puebla. Today, revelers mark the occasion with parades, parties, mariachi music, Mexican folk dancing and traditional foods such as tacos and mole poblano. Some of the largest festivals are held in Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston.

Confusion with Mexican Independence Day
Many people outside Mexico mistakenly believe that Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican independence, which was declared more than 50 years before the Battle of Puebla. That event is commemorated on September 16, the anniversary of the revolutionary priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla’s famous “Grito de Dolores” (“Cry of Dolores”), a call to arms that amounted to a declaration of war against the Spanish colonial government in 1810.

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Breathable Bedding Ideas for Summer...

Courtesy of Maria Conti and Farima Alavi

Hi Friends,

Give your bedroom a subtle summer makeover with lightweight bedding perfect for warmer nights.

Keep in mind: Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money from these links.

I think most of us can agree that we get our best sleep when we stay cool all night long. (Nobody wants to wake up in a sweat.) If you still have your thick down comforter on your bed, now's the time to make the switch to something more breathable. Shop our favorite bedding ideas for summer that will make your bed look and feel lighter and cooler.

Joey Washed Percale Duvet Cover

$178 - $288 Anthropologie

Pile your bed with this sophisticated, soft-to-the-touch blush duvet. The timeless design is made from airy, garment-dyed cotton and features a relaxed ruffle trim with subtle zig-zag stitching. Bonus? You'll never lose sleep over questionable production methods with this beauty. The Oeko-Tex certification promises that this duvet design is crafted using eco-friendly production practices and is free from hundreds of dangerous toxins.

Buy It...

Organic Half Moon Duvet Cover

$29.50 - $100 West Elm

Grab this shimmering half moon-stamped duvet to give your bedroom a dreamy dose of celestial style this summer. The fresh design features a white backdrop for a clean look and is crafted from 100-percent organic cotton. Style it with silvery toss pillows, and add charcoal sheets for a high-contrast look.

Buy It...

Linen-Blend Striped Duvet Cover

$59.99 - $79.99 Target

Shop this striped duvet to keep your guest room prepped and pretty for summer guests. Let the creamy fabric and fine stripe details serve as a classic, blank canvas for your colorful seasonal accessories.

Buy It...

Organic Sateen Watercolor Scribble Duvet Cover

$14.99 - $74.99 (Originally $29 - $129) West Elm

Lay on the color and comfort in your bedroom design with this unique, turquoise scribble duvet. The captivating teal strokes will bring a feeling of movement and bright personality into your contemporary or modern bedroom design.

Buy It...

X-Stitch Comforter

$79.99 - $99.99 Target

Adorn your bed with the casual elegance and lasting comfort of this comforter set from Target's Hearth & Hand with Magnolia. Boasting a classic seersucker texture and accented with an embroidered "X" design, this decorative bedding set includes a soft-filled comforter with a 100-percent cotton backing and coordinating pillow shams.

Buy It...

Lilly Pulitzer Fan Sea Pants Reversible Cotton Quilt

$33.99 - $138.99 (Originally $49.50 - $199) Pottery Barn

'Tis the season to toss your heavy-duty duvet into the storage closet and replace it with a lightweight alternative. Our pick is this bright floral one from Lilly Pulitzer. The colorful hues give it a fun, fresh feel. Oh, and it's reversible. Versatility and vibrancy? This is a no-brainer.

Buy It...

The White Company Portobello Duvet Cover

$129 Nordstrom

Drape this dreamy, white duvet over your king-sized bed for a refreshing bedroom design. The lightweight material and classic, crisp design give this duvet a timeless quality that allows it to pair with any existing decor.

Buy It...

Laura Ashley Charlotte Blue Reversible Duvet Cover

$52.99 - $108.99 Wayfair

This cotton duvet set brings a timeless appeal to any bedroom. The centerpiece of the collection is an elegant "tree of life" print that's framed by an intricate double border. The fresh motif is reminiscent of Chinoiserie vases and infuses casual, coastal appeal to your bedroom for summer. Not to be overlooked: The duvet cover is 100-percent cotton and machine washable for easy care.

Buy It...

Peaches Comforter

$99 Urban Outfitters

If you love more of a bold and bright bedding set, this twin-sized, peach-patterned comforter is the one. (It's peach season after all.)

Buy It...

Christian Siriano Spring Flowers Duvet Cover

$120.99 - $148.49 (Originally $219.99 - $269.99) Kohl's

Hot, summer nights begin with romantic summer bedding. This stunning watercolor duvet is here to deliver. It's crafted from 200-thread-count cotton sateen woven cloth and features a mix of pink, peach and teal for a bright and fresh look.

Buy It...

Matouk Matteo Duvet Cover

$297 - $324 Nordstrom

Sweet dreams are made of this — this being a preppy and polished seersucker duvet cover. Translate the classic summer wardrobe staple to your bedding to enjoy a fresh and serene space to unwind throughout the season.

Buy It...

Urban Habitat Maize Cotton Jacquard Coverlet

$71.98 - $174.99 Overstock

Create a soft and sophisticated summer bedroom with this ivory jacquard coverlet set. The tufted details featured throughout elevate the classic design and bring texture to your space. Pair with crisp, white sheets and white Euro pillows to create the ultimate bedroom retreat.

Buy It...

The Curated Nomad Aqua Cotton Jacquard Duvet Cover

$88.19 - $101.69 Overstock

If you love the jacquard look but want a little color, we love this one with its hints of blue, navy and pink. It works perfectly for a guest or teen bedroom.

Buy It...

LC Lauren Conrad Skyler Duvet Cover

$41.97 - $72.97 (Originally $119.99 - $209.99) Kohl's

This cotton duvet cover features a subtle watercolor print in blush that adds a feminine, soft touch to the bedroom. Pair it with copper accents and a gallery wall for texture and that extra oomph.

Buy It...

Tufted Makers Quilt

$178 - $228 Anthropologie

The contrast of the black polka dots against the crisp, white cotton quilt really makes this bedding stand out. It works well in a bohemian- or contemporary-style bedroom.

Buy It...

Sleep Well!

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne