Have you seen this house?

The Dakota Home of Celebrities on Central Park West in New York City

For some, the Dakota is the creepy apartment building in Roman Polanski's chilling film Rosemarys Baby. The Dakota is also famous for being the home at one point or another of many other celebrities such as Judy Garland, Yoko Ono, Lauren Bacall, Leonard Bernstein, Rex Reed, William Inge, and Connie Chung.

AMERICAN DREAM

Dream House

DECORATING TIPS

Nothing is more frustrating, that to be out shopping, when you spot a picture, bedspread, or accessory that you love but are not sure if it will match in your home. Here is a tip that may help you shop more effectively:

Don’ be afraid to cut snippets of fabrics, from wherever you can. Under a sofa, inside a seam etc.

Once you have accumulated all your samples, including carpet, paint, wallpaper, fabrics etc., place them in a small picture album (the kind used for Grandchildren) these are small enough to fit in most purses and can be carried easily while shopping. The next time you see something you like, just pull out your small album with the samples, and you can be sure if the color matches.

Create an “Eight Step Sheet” for each room in your home. As most of you have learned by now, I recommend the completion of eight steps for each decorated room in your home. You will see in the new article “Mommy I want….”, I address the fiction rooms and list the completion of each step to help you understand each element. You can do the same. List on your check sheet the following steps:

1. Flooring

2. Walls—Trim—Molding

3. Furniture

4. Window Treatments, Bedding ensembles, Accent pillows

5. Lighting

6. Artwork

7. Accessories

8. Floral/Greenery

Create a miniature color board for visualization and shopping. Another technique I have used over the years, when I’m shopping for a model or customers project, is to staple a small clipping of wallpapers, paint, fabrics etc. to the inside of a manilla folder. Grouping each room together in a small area. This allows you to have a quick reference guide for all the areas you are working on. This is especially helpful to someone who is building a new home or decorating several rooms at one time. Of course this does not fit into a purse, but if you are out looking for specific items for your home, it’s an easy thing to carry around.

I hope you enjoy what’s left of your summer, and we will look forward to cooler days ahead. Be sure to check out the new articles and tips on the website! Until next month……….

HAPPY DECORATING!

SOMETHING OLD - SOMETHING NEW - CREATES A TIMELESS LOOK.

Decorating with a mix of architectural fragments, antiques, family treasures, old furniture, new furniture and modern building materials will accomplish a wonderful eclectic, aged look. This style is very popular in today’s decorating, and allows you tremendous freedom in decorating choices. Most of us have accumulated a variety of items throughout our lives that will work very well, saving us money in the long run. Finding new items is easy, they’re everywhere. Here are some ideas for finding the old, aged look.

Look in old salvage stores for architectural elements that can be used as dividers, doors, window dressings, pedestals, accessories etc.

Walls that are faux painted to look old are a great foundation and provide the perfect color backdrops for your furnishings and fabrics.

Use old furniture as end tables, coffee tables, and focal points. This mixes very well with new upholstered furniture. For example: I used an antique cobbler bench as a coffee table in front of my family room sofa for many years. It added charm and always conversation.

SOMETHING OLD - SOMETHING NEW - CREATES A TIMELESS LOOK.

Old garden furniture can be brought inside. Let the ruts show through the paint.

Old painted furniture, with chipping and peeling blends well, found at antique stores, garage sales, 2nd hand stores, etc.

Vintage fabrics found at antique stores, antique shows, yard sales, Grandma’s closet etc.

Much of what can provide a “timeless feel” is the choice of materials. “You can’t beat nature. It’s already old.” Liberal use of wood and stone throughout a home, will reflect age and charm. Heavy timbers that have been distressed will look like century old beams. Wood floors left natural, with a low luster polyurethane coat will give a wonderful texture to your floors, especially if they are a wider plank.

The most important tip to remember, if you are mixing old and new, is to keep consistent with your colors, as they will become the unifying element to the eclectic mix of styles and finishes.

What Hue Are You?

Match your personality with your favorite colors and find ways to combine the hues you love.

All About Color

Warm Colors

Because we see colors with our hearts -- not our heads -- they have the power to put us in a variety of moods. Read on to learn how your color preference reflects your personality.

For some, a warm and cozy red library or fireplace room makes an ideal gathering spot. Others would trade the intensity of red for a blush of rose with the same tonic effect.

In dining areas, ambers, peaches, or corals spark appetites and electrify the conversation; lemon, jasmine, and golden yellows unleash creative juices in studios and home offices.

Pacifying Colors

Pacifying colors -- blue, green, and purple -- stay reservedly in the background, cooling, calming, and reenergizing weary spirits. Put them in rooms for resting and refueling.

Pale, serene greens slip quietly into a living room, bedroom, or reading room, hushing it with a whisper. Medium greens connect to nature, grounding and freshening the spirits of a home office, family room, or spa. Deep greens comfort a library, bedroom, or sitting room. But lime and parrot greens tend to waken and activate.

Blues and Neutrals

Blues and purples work meditative wonders. Pale azure and glacier blues wash a room in coolness and unstructured serenity. Proud, strong blues work responsibility and contentment into the mood. Pale purple-blues prompt reflection and dreaming.

Neutralizers are the "noncolors": browns, beiges, grays, and white. Perfect for neutral territories of the house, such as kitchens or baths, these colors bridge together rooms, other colors, and moods. They neither activate nor pacify; they blend, combine, and cooperate.

White, another neutral hue, brings out openness, airiness, and an expansive spirit. It generously welcomes other colors into a room, framing them and showing them off to their best advantage

Activating colors, such as yellow, orange, and red, move forward, warming and cheering, and inspiring conversation in varying degrees. Red, the intense one of this group, sparks emotions forcefully. Orange applies less pressure, and yellow merely suggests.

If these extroverted colors please you, put them to work in the activity rooms of your house. Ruby, raspberry, or brick reds pack a punch in entries or halls. Even people who can't relax amid strong colors find a short spurt of red's exhilaration comfortable as they pass through a brilliant hall.

Energizing Environmentally

Lighting, heating, and cooling a home is costly ? to your pocketbook and the environment. By taking steps to save energy, you can help reduce pollution in your community and save money. Being earth-friendly is a win-win proposition.

Here are some energy-saving tips from Earth Share:

• Insulate windows, doors, attics, and crawlspaces against draft. Earth Share says that if all windows in the United States were energy-efficient, we would save up to 2.5 percent of the total amount of energy we consume each year. If you're thinking of replacing a window, look into installing energy-efficient windows ? you'll save money in the long run.
• When replacing appliances, check for an energy efficiency label. Many new appliances come with an Energy Efficiency Rating (EER). The higher the EER, the less it will cost you to operate the appliance.
• Adjust air conditioning and heating thermostats to use less energy when you're not at home or sleeping. When you're at home during the summer, 78 degrees F is a comfortable, energy-efficient temperature. Keep your cooling system well maintained by a professional.
• Wrap your water heater in an insulated jacket. You can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 4,000 pounds a year.
• Turn off unneeded lights and appliances. Lighting accounts for 30 to 50 percent of a building's energy use, according to Earth Share. Simply by turning off unnecessary lights, you can reduce the amount of energy used for lighting by up to 45 percent.
• Use cold water to wash clothes ? not hot water.
• Install a whole-house ventilating system. This system can cool an entire house for about the same price as running an air conditioner in one room.

CLEAN AND GREEN

Ironically, many products that make our homes super clean actually make our environment dirty. Fortunately, now you don't have to choose between home and environment ? and you can save money at the same time. Here are some tips that can help you and the environment, from Earth Share, a nonprofit organization that focuses on environmental education.

• Planning on refinishing some furniture this spring? Use water- or vegetable-based paints, stains, and varnishes. Remember, don't wash paint thinners, household cleaners, oil or pesticides down the drain. Instead, use them up or give leftovers to friends or a charity. Also, you can call your local city hall to find out about the next hazard collection day.
• Adding new color to your walls this spring? When painting, don't sand or burn off paint that may contain lead. Lead particles in the paint can cause lead poisoning. If your paint is peeling, use a wet sponge or mop to clean up the debris instead of sanding. Never vacuum the dust or chips from lead paint; it will only disperse more lead dust into the air.
• Getting rid of the junk in your garage or attic? Hold a yard sale. Talk to your neighbors and organize a community yard sale. You can increase neighborhood relationships, earn some extra cash, and help the environment at the same time. If a yard sale seems like too much work, donate your giveaways to your local nonprofit thrift store.
• Does your water bill seem high? Wasted water hurts the environment and your checkbook. Always fix leaky faucets in your house. A five-minute project can often save gallons of water. You can also place a large rock in a toilet tank to save water when flushing. Be sure to check hoses and sprinklers periodically and fix any leaks.

Cleaning with a Conscience

Americans spend millions of dollars a year on cleaning supplies. This spring, make your own cleaning agents with these recipes from EarthShare and EarthWays, two nonprofit environmental organizations. The recipes are friendly to the environment and to your bank account.

Countertops, cupboards and walls: Dip a cloth in warm water, add dish soap and baking soda (the baking soda serves as a soft abrasive to remove tough spots and light scratches).

Air fresheners: Simmer a small amount of cinnamon, orange peel, and cloves on the stove to give off a pleasant fragrance in your home.

Glass cleaner: Mix 2 tablespoons of borax or washing soda with three cups of water for sparkling windows and mirrors.

Carpet freshener: Sprinkle dry cornstarch or baking soda on your carpet and vacuum.

Rug stains: Rub borax into dampened area, let dry, then vacuum or repeatedly blot stain with a mixture of vinegar and soapy water.

Mildew build-up: Make a paste of vinegar and salt and apply to built-up area.

Furniture polish: Combine 1/2 cup lemon juice to 1 cup vegetable oil, olive oil, or mayonnaise. Apply to rag.

More Tips

• When you buy cleaning products, choose ones that are non-toxic, biodegradable, phosphate-free, and chlorine-free.
• Use natural fiber sponges.
• Reduce paper use. Use rags instead of paper towels and cloth napkins instead of paper napkins.

Give the green light to energy-saving appliances

With rising energy costs and the increased output of harmful emissions, it seems nearly impossible to do your part for the planet without spending a lot of money. In short, going green feels like it costs too much green.

But believe it or not, products are out there that are both effective and affordable — saving the average home around $80 per year. So whether it's a new refrigerator or a simple ceiling fan, we'll show you how to select and buy the right energy efficient products.

What to look for

Nonrenewable energy sources such as fossil fuels and nuclear power make up about 90 percent of electricity use in U.S. homes. By using more efficient products, you can consume less electricity, help reduce pollution and save money. You can identify these products by looking for specific labels, such as ENERGY STAR® and EnergyGuide.

Although some energy-efficient appliances are more expensive, the overall savings in operating costs ultimately pays off the initial purchase price. Here, we've outlined some of the features and functions you should look for when shopping for "green" products.

Clothes washers and dryers

• Features such as automatic water level controls, "suds savers," adjustable spin cycle and large capacity that reduce water use
• Horizontal-axis washers, which can save 6,000 gallons of water a year
• Dryer units with moisture sensors — they save energy and your clothes
• Gas dryers — they cost a little more than electric but are cheaper to operate

Dishwashers

• Features such as booster heaters and smart controls — they reduce water use

Electronics

• Power management features for remote controls and channel memory, which save energy when you're not using them

Home office equipment

• Power management features — they trigger a low-power "sleep" mode when not in use
• Cordless phone models with "smart" chargers and switch-mode power supply circuits

Refrigerators and freezers

• Refrigerators with top or bottom freezers (not side-by-side) — they're naturally more efficient
• Heavy door hinges for a better seal
• Manual defrost, which use up to 50 percent less energy than automatic units
• No through-the-door dispensers and automatic ice makers — they consume more energy, are more expensive and often need repair

Residential lighting

• Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), which use up to 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer

Room air conditioners

• Correctly sized units — they're naturally more efficient

Water heaters

• Low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators, which can cut water consumption in half
• Electric heaters with an Energy Factor (EF) rating of about 0.95, gas heaters with ratings of 0.06 or better and oil heaters with ratings of at least 0.5

BUILD A BETTER MARRIAGE

Marriage may be a two-way street, but that doesn't mean you should travel in opposite directions. Experts know what steers good marriages; here are some couple-strengthening tips:

TALK, BUT DON'T TALK BACK. Tell your partner how you feel and what you need. When you're the listener, don't criticize, debate, dismiss or problem-solve. Recognise that your partner's concerns are as important as yours.

BE OPTIMISTIC. Keep your comments positive - even when discussing problems - and make the efforts to remember and appreciate the good in your relationship.

LEARN TO LEAVE AN ARGUMENT before it's out of control. Tactics include cracking a joke, showing appreciation and backing down.

SHARE YOUR DREAMS. And find a way to help your spouse realize his or hers.

BE FLEXIBLE. When your souse asks you to be accommodating, try.

GO ON DATE. Couples need time as twosomes, to reconnect.

SPREAD THE LAUGHTER

Humour is a contagious condition that's good for you to catch..

Laughter reduces stress, improves memory and helps keep our hearts healthy. The ability to laugh is hard-wired into our systems, and new research shows that it's not only good for us, it's contagious. There's a reason sitcoms are funnier when we're in a group: when we see someone laugh, our brain seems to activate "mirror neurons" that send us into the same fit of laughter.
A little fun can lead to a more positive approach in everyday situations, says psychologist Kelly McGonigal. She teaches guided laughter, a group technique in which you prep your body for the physical work of laughter to reap the benefits: joy and social interaction. "all the efforts we put into reducing stress we ought to put into laughing," McGonigal says. A good giggle helps you:

Scorch kilojoules. Laughing for 10 to 15 minutes increases your heart rate by 10-20%, which means you can burn an extra 40-165k a day. Over a year, that can add up to a around two kilograms in weight loss.

Ease pain. In a US study, experts discovered that children tolerated pain better than usual when watching a funny tv programme.

Stay healthy. Humour increases the production and effectiveness of natural killer cells that stomp out germs. These cells are elevated for at least 12 hours after just an hour of watching, say, Will Ferrell run around inhis underwear.

FRESH IS BEST

Enjoy the taste and great health, while saving money and creating minimal impact on the environment.
PREPARE vegetables just before eating or cooking. Once cut, they start to lose vitamins. Soaking cut vegetables in water also leaches nutrients. Seal cut, unused portions tightly in a plastic bag in the fridge.
DRINK fresh fruit and vegetable juices within three to four hours of squeezing. The longer you leave juice exposed to the air, the more it oxidizes and begins to lose important nutritional value. Consider adding same of the pulp in - it's high in fibre.
RIPEN fruit at room temperature away from direct sunlight, which can destroy nutrients such as vitamins A and C. Refrigeration inactivates the ripening process.
BRUSH UP on correct storage procedures - they help maintain freshness. Your grocer and butcher can advise you on the best methods and will often provide leaflets on storage ideas and preparation tips.
Eat meat and fish within two days of purchase. Refrigerate or freeze fish as soon as possible - the high fatty acid content deteriotes. quickly. Always store meat and fish in the lowest part of the fridge or in the chiller compartment to stop juices dripping onto other refrigerated contents, such as vegetables
WHEN SHOPPING, think about your week's menu and plan to eat the most perishable items first. Leafy greens and herbs have a high water content and tend to go limb and lose their crunch very quickly, whileripe berries and stone fruit bruise easily. Root vegetables, pumpkins, brocolli, apples and oranges, for example, are hardier and last longer if stored correctly...RDFOOD

LARGE WAIST MAY UP WOMEN'S DEATH RISK

New York (reuters health) - Women with large bellies may die earlier or heart disease and cancer that other women, regardless of their weight, a large US study suggests.
The findings, reported in the medical journal circulation, add to evidence that when it comes to health risk, overall weight is not as important as where a person carries the fat.
Pas studies have found that "apple-shaped" people appear to be at particular risk of clogged arteries, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Abdominal obesity has also been linked to certain cancers, such as kidney cancer and colon cancer.
In the new study, researchers at the National Institutes of Health and Harvard Medical School found that middle-aged and older women who were abdominally obese - with a waistline of 35 inches or more - were more likely that their thinner counterparts to die of heart disease or cancer during the study period.
The results highlights the importance of staying trim around the middle as we age, according to the researchers, led by Dr. Cullin Zhang of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Chocolate may lower pregnancy complication

NEW YORK (REUTERS HEALTH) - Indulging in chocolate during pregnancy could help ward off a serious complication known as preeclampsia, new research suggests.
Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is rich in a chemical called theobromine, which stimulates the heart, relaxes smooth muscle, and dilates blood vessels, and has been used to treat chest pain, high blood pressure, and hardening of the arteries, Dr. Elizabeth W Triche of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut and colleagues write.
Preeclampsia, in which blood pressure spikes during pregnancy while excess protein is released into the urine, has many features in common with heart disease, the researchers add.
Women who ate five or more servings of chocolate each week in their third trimester of pregnancy were 40 percent less likely to develop preeclampsia than those who ate chocolates less than once a week.

SEAT BELTS SAFE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - A pregnant woman who wears a seat belt greatly reduces the risk that her baby will die or be seriously hurt in a vehicle crash, according to the University of Michigan researcher's study that debunks the notion that seat belts are harmful to the fetus.
"Seat belts absolutely protect the fetus - and not wearing a belt is a big problem," Dr. Mark Pearlman, who led the study, said.
Pearlman offered some tips on the proper way for pregnant women to wear seat belts.
He said the lap strap should be placed under the belly as much as possible, across the hips. The shoulder strap should be placed between the breasts and to the side of the belly.
Seat belts straps should not go directly across the stomach and should be below the belly button as low they can comfortably go. And the seat belt should be snug, not loose.