By Nancy September 14th, 2009
Back in 1760, in the French village of Jouy-en-Josas near Versailles, a cotton print manufactory was started and a design phenomenon was born. Toile de Jouy, often just called toile, was originally made to compete with expensive silks. The target market was the general public as interest in decorating had greatly increased at that time, […]
By Nancy September 7th, 2009
Rugs are like art. They are personal, unique, and their patterns can have fascinating history. I have a brother-in-law from Egypt, and each time he and my sister visit his family there, they bring me back a small rug. Each one is different from the other, and I treasure them as I do my other […]
By Nancy August 31st, 2009
Adapted from an article by Sherwin-Williams What do changing energy requirements for light bulbs mean for your house? You’ve probably heard that a recent U.S. energy bill will outlaw incandescent light bulbs and require the use of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which was signed by President Bush, […]
By Nancy August 24th, 2009
I have been a member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) since I started in this industry over 10 years ago. The NKBA has been promoting the kitchen and bath industry for almost 50 years. The local chapter typically meets once a month, often at a fashionable showroom in the area. We drink […]
By Nancy August 17th, 2009
I saw the movie Julie & Julia this weekend. It was fabulously entertaining! Even as a child in the 1970’s I enjoyed watching her TV show. I had forgotten how tall she was– 6’2”. She is quoted as having said, “If we ever get into the money, I am going to have a kitchen where […]
By Lisa August 13th, 2009
I don’t know much about world expos—in fact, I didn’t realize there was one in the planning. However next year in Shanghai, China the next expo will be held and it will showcase innovative solutions to common urban problems. That would be interesting enough, but what really caught my eye was the Polish Pavilion. The […]
By Nancy August 10th, 2009
How “green” is “green”? There is so much confusion, misrepresentation, and half-truths regarding this buzzword, and “greenwashing” is abundant in our culture. Even if you’re not familiar with that term, you’ve probably experienced it: misleading marketing about the environmental benefits of a product. An outrageous example might be “lead paint, the natural choice”. Yes, lead […]
By Nancy August 5th, 2009
In every project, we look for a way to add something with a “touch of the unexpected”. We use this phrase on our business cards and other materials; it’s part of our philosophy. But what do we mean? I read something this morning that sums up the meaning of that phrase. It was an article […]