Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th Friends,

I live a wonderful, prosperous life here in America. Unfortunately, there were times my mind was closed but fortunately, enlightened, as well. I have felt the pain of loss, and the exuberance of winning. I have had relationships go bad, and have started up wonderful new ones. I am an American, and thankful every day that I was born into the abundance that is America.

How fortunate am I to have the medium available to me to be able to express this to you, as well as, receive messages from friends and loved ones, in the peace and tranquility that America is today. We are truly blessed.

Happy Birthday America. I for one, am proud to say I Am An American.

Enjoy this Independence Day in the warmth of home, the love of family and the company of good friends...

Have a good one from your friends at Interior Desgin!

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

1st Day of Summer!

Courtesy of The Old Farmer's Almanac

Hi Friends,

We love Summer and wanted to share some information and great ways to celebrate the season with you. First, lets get information on the summer solstice facts—plus, fun ways to enjoy summer!

The timing of the solstice depends on when the Sun reaches its farthest point north of the equator.

The word solstice is from the Latin solstitium, from sol (sun) and stitium (to stop), reflecting the fact that the Sun appears to stop at this time (and again at the winter solstice).

In temperate regions, we notice the Sun is higher in the sky throughout the day, and its rays strike Earth at a more direct angle, causing the efficient warming we call summer.

This summer solstice is the day with the most hours of sunlight during the whole year; check your local Sun rise and set times—and how the day length changes!

Now, 10 Ways to Celebrate Summer...

How will you celebrate the solstice and all that extra daylight? Here are 10 ideas plus, some "summer essentials" from the Almanac.com General Store!

1. Light a bonfire: The solstice day was traditionally celebrated by dancing around the bonfires. Check out our dramatic fire bowls and fire pits.

2. Go fishin': We love to get out on the water. Consult our free Best Days for Fishing chart—plus, tackle-box and bait tips.

3. Plant a seed or a tree: Traditionally, to the farmer, the solstice is the midpoint of the growing season, halfway between planting and harvesting, and an occasion for celebration. Browse our neat seeds kits and containers.

4. Cook outside: There's nothing as tasty as grilled food. Have a big cook-out on the solstice. Get a taste of our mouthwatering Grilling and BBQ sauces.

5. Camp: Plan a camp-out to enjoy the great outdoors whether it's a tent in the backyard or a cabin in the woods! Check out the camping store page for some fun ideas. Don't forget the best natural insect repellent on Earth to enjoy the outdoors in peace.

6. Listen to songbirds: We love our feathered friends. Attact birds to your garden with our beautiful bird feeders.

7. Get pampered. Midsummer Day, near the solstice, was said to make old people look younger. It was also thought that walking barefoot in the dew would keep one's skin from getting chapped. Summer certainly does cure the winter dries. You can also check out popular gardener's lotions and fisherman's soaps to soften calloused working hands. There's even an "annulment of time" rejuvenating cream!

8. Let the light in! With all this extra daylight, hang one of our gorgeous suncatchers or decorative accents for your window or porch. Here is the Almanac suncatcher, shot in our town of Dublin, NH, against the backdrop of Dublin Lake.

9. Read a book. Temperatures rise and lazy days ensue. Relax on the beach or the porch and read up on gardening tips, natural health, and more. See our great books and guides.

10. Watch the night sky! In ancient Egypt, the new year was celebrated when the star Sirius rose around the time of sunrise. This roughly coincided with the summer solstice and the annual flooding of the Nile River. Click for our free monthly Sky Map and explore the night sky from your own backyard!

Enjoy these lovely hot Summer days...

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 Father's Day!

Courtesy of SendOutCards

Happy Father's Day Friends,

Today is the perfect opportunity to show our loved ones how much they mean to us, not only on Father's Day but every day of every year.











Enjoy this day with the people most important in your life, family and good friends...

Check back for more creative ideas and enjoy all the timeless treasures of Father's Day; the warmth of home, the love of family and the company of good friends.

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 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

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

Happy Earth Day!

Courtesy of National Geographic

Hi Friends,

In 1970 smog choked major U.S. cities and toxic waste flooded rivers. That same year nearly 20 million Americans participated in events on April 22, spearheaded by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, to draw attention to the environmental issues plaguing the planet and human health. Named Earth Day, April 22 has remained a time to celebrate restoration and stand up for the planet. Today we wanted to share with our friends...

It's Earth Day and we thank each and every person for doing your part.

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 Easter!

Courtesy of Sassy Cats

Happy Easter Friends!

May the simple joys fill your day, hope light your path, the many blessings of Easter stay forever in your heart, and the Origin of The Easter Bunny make your day.

Origin of The Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny is a symbol that originated with the pagan festival of Easter. The goddess, Easter, was worshiped by the Anglo-Saxons through her earthly symbol,the hare or rabbit.

The date of Easter is determined by the moon whose symbolism is strongly tied to that of the hare. In fact, the hare is the symbol for the moon. Ever since the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D., Easter has been celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon after March 21st.

The Easter bunny was introduced to American folklore by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s. The arrival of the "Oschter Haws" was considered "childhood's greatest pleasure" next to a visit from Christ-Kindel on Christmas Eve. The children believed that if they were good the "Oschter Haws" would lay a nest of colored eggs.

The children would build their nest in a secluded place in the home, the barn or the
garden. Boys would use their caps and girls their bonnets to make the nests . The use of elaborate Easter baskets came later as the tradition of the Easter bunny spread through out the country.

Happy Easter 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

1st Day of Spring!

Courtesy of Allison Norton

Hi Friends,

Spring is the most hopeful season of the year. Along with the warmer days and budding blooms that symbolize spring also come the hopes of dining outdoors, and the exciting feeling of trying new activities. Be an advocate of making seasonal to-do lists in order to keep life interesting. Here are a few ideas that will have you ready to embrace any adventure that comes your way before Labor Day. Without further ado, here are 10 Spring adventures that should go on your Spring bucket list…

10 Things to Try This Spring

1. Go to an outdoor music festival.
In the past few years, I have come to associate the month of April with Coachella. If you have never been, there is no better time to go than now (the lineup this year is amazing!). And if you’ve been before…do I even have to convince you? For those of you who don’t live in Southern California, be sure to look into Mile High Music Festival, Outside Lands, Lollapalooza, and Bonnaroo, which are all in the summer.

2. Go on an impulsive weekend road trip.
The best kinds of road trips are the ones that happen in a spur of the moment decision. Pick a place you have always wanted to visit (I’m dying to go to Big Sur), grab your best friend or boyfriend, and just make it happen. Be sure to bring a cool camera to take snapshots along the way.

3. Create a cozy patio set up for springtime entertaining.
My apartment has a darling little back patio that is just begging to be used for an al fresco dinner party. This spring, I vow to add outdoor furniture, twinkle lights, and potted succulents to make the space inviting and useful. If you have a patio, I encourage you to do the same!

4. Springify your closet.
There’s nothing like a bit of spring-cleaning to help get you excited for new warm-weather wardrobe staples. Donate items you haven’t worn in a while, and reorganize the clothing and accessories you plan to keep for a fresh perspective. It will give you a good idea of what to add to add to your spring shopping list.

5. Hike to the highest spot in town.
Los Angeles has some pretty amazing hiking spots that are especially enjoyable on a gorgeous spring day. This season, take advantage of getting a good workout and enjoying the view by hiking to the highest spot in your town. You might even see your city in a whole new light.

6. Volunteer once a week.
Volunteering once a week this spring (and beyond!) is so rewarding, and it will enrich your life. I highly recommend researching a food bank, soup kitchen, or inner city school closest to you and lending a hand. It doesn’t even need to be once a week—even going once a month will make a difference, and it will make you feel good in return.

7. Learn how to nurture.
Practice cultivating something this spring… Whether that means planting an herb garden, bringing home your first goldfish, or buying a puppy, learning to take care of something else will give you a broadened outlook on life.

8. Learn how to bake a pie.
I’ve always wanted to learn how to bake a pie from scratch, and this season I’ve decided to make it happen. Bake a pie with seasonal spring fruits like rhubarb, strawberries, or cherries.

9. Add a flea market addition to your home.
While you may be quite familiar with the flea markets in your area, a vintage splurge might not happen every time you make the trip. Promise yourself one special purchase at your local flea market that you will love in your home. It will refresh your décor for the changing seasons and get you excited about adding more new pieces in the future.

10. Add a few sun kissed strands to your hair.
In my opinion, one of the best parts about spring is that it leads into summer! Get your tresses beach-ready by adding in a few highlights. If your hair is chestnut brown, throw some golden strands into the mix. If you’re a redhead, try a bit of strawberry blonde. And if you have golden locks, bright blonde is the way to go.

These are just a few ideas to get your started, compliments of Allison Norton but if you might also be inspired by Malavika Suresh with Spring Inspiration.

Spring Inspiration: Things to do this spring...

1. Go on a detox/cleanse.

2. Spring clean your home.

3. Have a yard sale (or an e-bay sale) to get rid of what you don’t need anymore.

4. Rearrange the furniture in your home. Feng Shui up your life and bring in a newer and fresher energy.

5. Have fresh flowers in your home.

6. Take care of your legs (it’s time to get those bad boys out!) and toes. Get pedicures and manicures often.

7. Update your Spring/Summer wardrobe.

8. Learn some new hairstyles.

9. Detail your car.

10. Start a brand new project.

11. Plan a summer trip.

12. Start a reading list.

13. Get a new hair style.

14. Take more walks in beautiful places.

15. Ride your bicycle.

16. Have a picnic.

17. Start running again.

18. Drink more water.

19. Wear lighter colours.

20. Start an outdoor hobby.

Both list are great, but whatever you decide to do this Spring have fun with family and friends...

Check back for more great ideas and enjoy this Spring 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 St. Patrick’s Day!

Courtesy of The Holiday Spot

Hi Friends,

Found some history on St. Patrick from The Holiday Spot and thought we would share this information about the patron saint of Ireland with all of you.

Enjoy!

History of St Patrick
St Patrick is known as the patron saint of Ireland. True, he was not a born Irish. But he has become an integral part of the Irish heritage, mostly through his service across Ireland of the 5th century.

Patrick was born in the later half of the 4th century AD. There are differing views about the exact year and place of his birth. According to one school of opinion, he was born about 390 A.D., while the other school says it is about 373 AD. Again, his birth place is said to be in either Scotland or Roman England. His real name was probably Maewyn Succat. Though Patricius was his Romanicized name, he was later came to be familiar as Patrick.

Patrick was the son of Calpurnius, a Roman-British army officer. He was growing up as naturally as other kids in Britain. However, one day a band of pirates landed in south Wales and kidnapped this boy along with many others. Then they sold him into slavery in Ireland. He was there for 6 years, mostly imprisoned. This was when changes came to him. He dreamed of having seen God. Legend says, he was then dictated by God to escape with a getaway ship.

Finally, he did escape and went to Britain. And then to France. There he joined a monastery and studied under St. Germain, the bishop of Auxerre. He spent around 12 years in training. And when he became a bishop he dreamed that the Irish were calling him back to Ireland to tell them about God. The Confessio, Patrick's spiritual autobiography, is the most important document regarding this. It tells of a dream after his return to Britain, in which one Victoricus delivered him a letter headed "The Voice of the Irish."

So he set out for Ireland with the Pope's blessings. There he converted the Gaelic Irish, who were then mostly Pagans, to Christianity. He was confident in the Lord, he journeyed far and wide, baptizing and confirming with untiring zeal. And, in a diplomatic fashion he brought gifts to a kinglet here and a lawgiver there,but accepted none from any.

Indeed, Patrick was quite successful at winning converts. Through active preaching, he made important converts even among the royal families. And this fact upset the Celtic Druids. Patrick was arrested several times,but escaped each time. For 20 years he had traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries across the country. He also set up schools and churches which would aid him in his conversion. He developed a native clergy, fostered the growth of monasticism, established dioceses, and held church councils.

Patrick's doctrine is considered orthodox and has been interpreted as anti-Pelagian. Although he is not particularly noted as a man of learning, a few of his writings remain extant: his Confession, a reply to his detractors, and several letters. The Lorica ("Breastplate"), a famous hymn attributed to Patrick, may date to a later period. By the end of the 7th century Patrick had become a legendary figure, and the legends have continued to grow since then. There are many legends associated with St Patrick. It is said that he used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the concept of the Trinity; which refers to the combination of Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Hence its strong association with his day and name Legend also has that, Saint Patrick had put the curse of God on venomous snakes in Ireland. And he drove all the snakes into the sea where they drowned.

True, these are mostly legends. But, after some 1500 years, these legends have been inseparably combined with the facts. And together they have helped us know much about the Saint and the spirit behind celebration of the day. Patrick's mission in Ireland lasted for over 20 years. He died on March 17, AD 461. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since. The day's spirit is to celebrate the universal baptization of Ireland. Though originally a Catholic holy day, St. Patrick's Day has evolved into more of a secular holiday. Or, rather, 'be an Irish Day '. And the Irish has borne it as part of their national tradition in everywhere they populated and prospered. The Catholic feast day for this most loved of Irish saints has become a holiday in celebration of the Irish and Irish culture. The leprechaun, a Celtic fairy, has become entrenched as a chief symbol for this holiday, as is the shamrock, an ancient symbol for the triple goddess Brigit. It is fitting that this holiday should fall at the time of the year when the return of spring begins to seem at hand.

Happy St. Patrick's 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

Copycat Honey Baked Ham Recipe

Courtesy of The Chunky Chef

Happy Easter Friends,

Save yourself some serious money during the holidays by making your own Honey Baked Ham recipe at home!

This Copycat Honey Baked Ham is one of those recipes you love to have for holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
Calories: 632

Ingredients
▢ 8 lb bone-in spiral sliced half ham
▢ 2 Tbsp butter, melted
▢ 3 Tbsp honey
▢ 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
▢ 1/2 tsp seasoned salt
▢ 1/2 tsp onion powder
▢ 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
▢ 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
▢ 1/4 tsp ground ginger
▢ 1/4 tsp ground cloves
▢ 1/4 tsp paprika
▢ pinch of allspice

Instructions
DRY THE HAM – The hams from the grocery stores come in those sealed bags, which contain water. Give the ham a little pat dry with some paper towels to make sure the butter and honey don’t just slide right off.

If warming in the slow cooker, trim ham to fit (if needed). Depending on your ham and your slow cooker, you may need to shave off a little bit to make the ham fit. If you’ll be warming your ham in the oven – omit this step.

Combine butter and honey then massage into ham. I like to get some of the honey butter mixture in between the slices.

Cover and cook on LOW for about 4 hours. Again, this is for warming the ham in the slow cooker – omit if warming in the oven.

Combine dry glaze ingredients.

Pat half of the sugar mixture on the warmed ham, then broil. Just for a few minutes, until bubbly and a little caramelized. Then remove from the oven.

Add remaining sugar mixture to saucepan with water or ham juices. Heat this mixture to a boil, and boil for about a minute, then remove from heat and brush or pour the glaze over the ham.

Broil ham again. Just for a minute or two, being careful not to let it burn!

Let ham rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. This allows the glaze to fully harden and get that classically crackly crust.

Trim ham if needed, then place in slow cooker. Combine melted butter and honey, then massage over ham, getting in between the slices a little. Cover and cook on LOW 4-5 hours.

At the end of the cooking time, preheat broiler to HIGH, and line a roasting pan with heavy duty aluminum foil.

Combine sugar, seasoned salt, onion powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cloves, paprika and allspice in a small bowl. Pat half of the sugar mixture over the top of the ham.

Broil for several minutes, until bubbly and caramelized, then remove from oven.

To a small saucepan, add remaining sugar mixture. Add 3 Tbsp of either water or ham juices from bottom of the slow cooker. A combination of water/ham juice and bourbon is a nice alternative! Stir, and heat to a boil. Boil for about a minute, then remove from heat.

Brush or pour glaze over the ham, then broil again for a minute or two (careful... don't let it burn!). Remove from oven and let ham rest for 5-10 minutes.

Serve warm or cold and enjoy!

Bon Appétit

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Live well,
Yvonne

Dayling Savings Time Begins!

Hi Friends,

Just a friendly reminder to set your clocks ahead...

Check back for great decorating 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

FREE Printable Easter Templates

Download The TomKat Studio's Easter Banner

Hi Friends,

Throw a memorable Easter gathering with these free printables, courtesy of The TomKat Studio. Kick off Easter with this Pennant Banner. Hang this "Happy Easter" pennant banner above an outdoor brunch dessert table or above the entrance to greet guests.

"Thank You" Tag

Don't let your guests go home empty-handed. Fill a bright bag with treats, and attach a printable tag to give as party favors. Download The TomKat Studio's Easter Favor Tags.

Modern Egg Hunt Invitation

A color palette of navy, Kelly green and sunshine yellow gives this invitation a fun, modern vibe. Silhouettes of a sheep, bunny and chick add a cute touch. Download Printable Easter Egg Hunt Invitation.

Egg Hunt Welcome Sign

This 11x14 inch sign is a great way to greet guests, and the colors coordinate with the egg hunt printable invitation. Download Printable Easter Egg Hunt Welcome Sign

Colorful Happy Easter Banner

Download, print, string and hang this banner for a festive way to celebrate Easter. Download Printable "Happy Easter" Banner.

Animals Banner

This bunny, sheep and chick banner is perfect for a dessert table. Download Printable Easter Animals Banner.

Cupcake Flags

Bring color to dessert with printable flags and coordinating baking cups. Download Printable Easter Cupcake Toppers.

Party Circles

Dress up your menu items with cute animal circle labels. Download Printable Easter Party Circles.

Printable Easter Basket

Let the kids make their own basket by printing free basket pattern and folding it into a cute basket. Download the Printable Easter Basket.

Easter Treat Carrier

Carry your treats easily with this portable jar carrier. Assemble the carrier following the instructions on the free printable pattern, and adorn it with stickers, bows, glitter or anything else you love. Fill two milk bottles with your favorite small treats. Download the Printable Easter Basket Carrier.

Hope you have fun with these free Easter printables; thank you again, The TomKat Studio. The TomKat Studio is our go-to place for decorating ideas, they have everything you could think of and some you wouldn't dream was possible - but they have it. One of our favorite and most called upon to share information and creative resources for you, our valued followers.

Bookmark The TomKat Studio, today...

Happy Easter 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

More Ways to Make Your Bedroom Look Like a Luxury Hotel Room

Courtesy of Lori Johnston and Erica Reitman

Hi Friends,

Last week we shared some great elegant and chic urban boutique-like escape with tips from expert desginers. We are continuing that journey this week with these added tips, again from designers.

Warm Modern

Photo: West Elm

Take a cue from West Elm, the modern furniture and home decor retailer, which plans to open its own brand of hotels, West Elm Hotels. Its guest room design has elements you could bring into your home, including globe pendants hung in pairs and a tufted headboard.

Glitzy Finishes

Photo: Michelle Mentzer Interiors

Mirrors and mirrored furniture are high-impact ways to get a luxury look, even on a budget. You can simply add a mirror, such as this round fish-eye mirror above the bed, which Atlanta designer Michelle Mentzer found at a discount. Or go glam by switching out a basic bedside table for a mirrored nightstand. If you have hardwood floors, add a patterned rug from an outlet store.

More Than the Bed

Photo: Lennar

A sitting area and plush decorative benches at the foot of the bed take this bedroom from comfy home to a sumptuous experience, plus the butter and gray color palette gives the room a restful vibe. Atlanta designer Cindi MacPherson says coordinating colors and fabrics create an extravagant feel in a room.

Map Walls

Photo: Marriott

Go on a journey for your own design style with design elements from Marriott’s Le Meridien guest room. You can decorate creatively with maps and follow the lead of designers with Marriott who used gray, light blue and charcoal for this muted palette.

We would love to hear the successes and challenges of your bedroom makeover.

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

Make Your Bedroom Look Like a Luxury Hotel Room

Courtesy of Lori Johnston and Erica Reitman

Hi Friends,

Hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day and had the opportunity to spend it with the people that are special to you.

It's been a while since our last post and we apologize for that but know we are still here. So let's get started with ideas for the coming months.

Get the feel of a chic urban boutique, elegant escape or countryside resort with these simple tips from designers.

Dreamy Drapery

Photo:Alice Cramer Interiors

There are few things in life that feel quite as indulgent as staying at a luxe boutique hotel. Somehow those hotel beds always manage to feel like a fluffy cloud and the sheets feel as soft as spun silk. And don't even get us started on the bathrobes. You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars or hop on a plane to experience the magic of your favorite hotel room. There are some simple things you can do to recreate the same luxurious vibe in your own bedroom.

Channel the vibe of a modern bed & breakfast with sophisticated, no-frills drapery used in an unpredictable way. Install curtain rods onto the ceiling to create a soft wall of fabric around the bed, which adds height and intimacy, says Alice Cramer, an Atlanta interior designer.

Luxe Sheets

Photo: Werner Straube. From: Kim Scodro Interiors

The easiest way to snazz up your bedroom is to outfit your bed with a gorgeous set of sheets. To keep the hotel room look, go for a crisp, white set of sheets that are at least 300 thread count. Hotel rooms tend to use sateen or percale sheets, but you should choose the material that feels most comfortable to you. If you want to splurge, you can have your sheets professionally laundered, so they come home nice and pressed. And if you find a brand of linens that you truly love, consider purchasing two or three sets so you always have them on hand.

Lush Layers

Photo: GordonDunning

A wallpaper accent wall brings elegance into this bedroom. Atlanta designers Cate Dunning and Lathem Gordon suggest layering a duvet and coverlet for a more luxurious look. Having one “boom-pow” statement pillow can make a big style difference, too.

Clean Palette

Photo: Susan Sully

“Use white as a unifying element when mixing antiques,” suggests author Susan Sully. This homeowner had a variety of antiques of different styles and from various countries. To dial down the formality of the room, the homeowner left the frame over the bed uncovered and stuck to a clean, white color palette. The result is a calming room that feels both eclectic and cohesive at the same time.

Old-Fashioned Finds

Photo: Susan Sully

Botanical prints like these are fairly easy to find at thrift and antiques stores, and they can incorporate an old-fashioned luxury into the bedroom. Framed above the bed, they add a sense of nature and calm. “Painting everything ivory and white and the curtains the same color sets off the dark silhouette of the furniture,” says author Susan Sully. The Jenny Lind Spool bed, an old traveling trunk and shiplapped walls create a cozy feel.

Bedside Glam

Photo: Matt Harrington/HomeGoods

Pile on the pattern. Here, Claire Sulmers of Fashion Bomb Daily layers decorative boxes, a lamp and geometric-shaped accessories for a chic, upmarket result. Group patterns by style, shape and function for added effect.

Desk Update

Photo: Michelle Mentzer Interiors

When including a work space in your bedroom, forget the basic boring desk that’s often part of a hotel suite. This glass-topped desk was an outlet find by Atlanta designer Michelle Mentzer, who paired it with an acrylic Z-shaped accent table from an antiques store. She also saved on the metallic lamp, mirror and glitzy accessories at a home decor discount store.

Enjoy your new bedroom...

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Live well,
Yvonne