Not-So-Extreme Holiday Makeover

So, you've decided to host the perfect Holiday soirée. The Tree is trimmed, the halls are decked and the table is set with your finest china. Everything is just as you had envisioned until you take a look at that dingy old sofa or chair with the threadbare, dirty upholstery. Can your party really be the success you are sure it can be when you are overcome with fear that your guests will notice that your furniture hasn't been updated since 1980? Will someone sit on the chair that Uncle Larry spilled red wine on last Thanksgiving? What about the ottoman that serves as your dogs chew toy!

Have no fear - you still have time to pull off an instant makeover with slipcovers.

These great slips from Before-n-After could be hiding all sorts of sins but you'd never know it.


Whether you go with a ready made or semi-custom slip cover companies now offer many options that give your furniture a custom high-end look. These are not your grandma's sofa throws with chain fringe trim.


Stretch and Cover is a company that has pioneered a new type of stretch fabric that is made specifically for slip covers. The weave is multi-directional and is formulated to rebound and keep its shape.


Each product comes with retainer bars and straps that are designed to help keep the covers in place even with daily use.


For a more casual look try these styles from Conterelle, one of the companies that modernized ready to buy slip cover design.


Found these chenille covers on Overstock.com. They are well priced and available in rich colors.
Another Overstock.com find.




For a brighter and more varied selections of fabrics try The Slipcover Company. They have a large selection and very good pricing.

These dining chair covers are my favorite. I love that they come in short and long skirt styles.



Finally, how about these winter whites? These would look beautiful in any holiday dining room and they only cost $10.99 !!!!!!

Here's hoping your Holiday Parties are smashingly successful. That no one gets food poisoning or drinks too much eggnog and that most of all, no one looks under the slipcovers to see what lies underneath!

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Sleeping in Style

Somehow to me bedrooms seem so much more inviting in the winter. I think it's because they represent warmth and comfort. I find that during the fall and winter I tend to spend more time in my bedroom. Maybe it's due to the fewer hours of daylight but I think I just like the way it makes me feel.

I've been working on my new book The Design Directory of Bedding and thought I would share a sneak peek of some of the beds and bedding styles that will be featured. I would happily curl up and take a mid-winters nap in any of these.

Panel beds


Ornate four poster beds and carved wooden classics.


Fully upholstered beds.


Wicker and rattan


Canopy Beds


Draped beds


Iron Beds

No matter what type of bed you choose for your room I hope you enjoy the winter months cozying up under the covers.

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Christmas Couture

It used to be that only we humans had to choose just the right outfit for that special Christmas party or event, now we have to worry about dressing our pets as well. My own miniature dachshunds have sweaters that my daughter forces them to wear at Christmas time when we have guests although they invariably wiggle out of them before the night is over. I confess that if they were more comfortable in the outfits and didn't try to chew them off I would probably have them dressed all the time. It's like the ultimate doll, a living toy that you can dress to fit your mood or season.


Look at this guy with his Grinch dog outfit - Love the hooves. He doesn't look that happy though.



My dogs would have this shredded into a million pieces in seconds but I love it.


This one looks a bit more sturdy but it's sized for a larger dog.


Another reindeer outfit - this is the coolest dog! She looks so bored.


This one has a sense of humor.



Foofy outfits for foofy dogs.


Since my dogs won't wear outfits maybe I should have them dyed!!!


Looks like someone's been a naughty dog.



This cracks me up. How do they get three dogs to sit still for this picture. Must have been trained by the Dog Whisperer.



Too cute,


Every dog needs their Christmas pj's.


This cracks me up. Does your dog really need a passenger?


Santa's helper



These two have arms - kind of creepy but very funny.


Last but not least let's not forget our feline friends.


Dog outfit links:

www.dogsmartway.com/Dog-Clothing.php
www.wiggle-n-waggle.com/.../Categories
http://stores.thehautehound.com/-strse-698/Reindeer-Costume/Detail.bok
dinkydawg.com/Pajamas
www.brandnewdad.com/.../halloween/christmas.asp
www.mypethaven.com/santa_dog.htm
www.shortorderdogs.com/HyperCart/Category.asp?category=Holiday+Houndz

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Rennaisance Man - Kenneth Jay Lane

The Current issue of The New York Social Diary has a fascinating interview with costume jewelry icon Kenneth Jay Lane.

After spending decades at the forefront of costume jewelry design he has been called, among other things, "the hottest costume jewelry designer around," "the most famous American fantasy jewelry designer of the twentieth century." and "Jewelry's Living Legend". Lane graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1954, and worked as an art director at Vogue.

His residence is as rich and luxurious as his designs.

It is filled to the brim with treasures and mementos that have undoubtedly inspired many of his designs.

A huge array of framed artwork and an impressive book collection adorn every available space in the room.

Collections and keepsakes are carefully placed on tabletops and shelves.


Back to back settees center the room and are lit by twin hanging fixtures. The room reeks of intellectual and artistic pursuit. I would love to get a close up look at some of those prized possession. I am sure each piece has a fascinating story behind it.



Special items are lit individually and others are flooded with ambient light from multiple fixtures in the room.

His trademark jungle themes flow throughout the room as does a liberal dosing of Turkish and Indian accents.



You can see the same influences at work in his jewelry. A golden salamander perched atop a white cuff.
Another cuff with a black and white crystal snake.

Gold Bamboo Bangles
A Black Enamel Flowered Ring

Red Coral Cuff with Pearls.


Ebony Bangle with a Gold Cartouche.


A Gold Cuff with Crystal Star.

Opulent Turquoise and Ruby ring.

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