'Save Energy, Save on Taxes'

If you’ve filed your taxes recently, you’ve probably thought how you could earn a tax break from expenses made this year. Well, have you thought about making eco-friendly improvements to your home?

You can earn tax credits of up to 30 percent off of the following fixes if it totals $1,500 or more (just save your receipts):

• A new roof using Energy Star roofing materials treated with asphalt and reflective metal. The materials help to reduce air-conditioning costs during the summer.

• Skylights installed in the home also qualify, especially if made with a low-emissivity glass.

• A water heater could merit a tax credit if has a thermal efficiency of 90 percent. 

Other home improvements will keep your heating and cooling costs at bay and will contribute to a healthier living environment:

Have small children in the home that like to crawl on the floors? Replace your home carpeting with eco-friendly carpet squares from companies like Shaw Carpet. Unlike old carpeting that emits formaldehyde and could cause health problems, the carpet squares are made from recycled materials and use non-toxic dyes. And when you decide to change the carpeting, you can send the old carpeting back to the manufacturer for recycling.

Reducing energy loss in your home is also as easy as getting a new set of curtains. No, literally. Thermal insulated blackout curtains are proven to cut back on window-related energy loss. And there’s the added bonus: The curtains block out unwanted ultraviolet rays and reduce noise from outside.

While it’s not made from recycled materials, a bed set made from organic cotton is far more eco-friendly than those old bed covers made with synthetic fibers. A bed set made from 100 percent organic cotton means that its cotton was grown free from chemical pesticides and fertilizers. And no unnatural dyes were used – so you can rest easily.

www.besthomefashion.com

'Easter Decorating Crafts'

With Easter only a few weeks away, it has me wondering: Have you got all your bunnies in check? 

I’m referring to chocolate bunnies, sugar marshmallow bunnies, stuffed toy bunnies and even real bunnies if it will make your Easter weekend one to remember.

And when you’re done “huntin’ for wabbits”, check out these two Easter decorating projects you can do with the kids:

Candy Flower Cups

1. Have the children make daffodil candy cups to welcome guests to the Easter festivities. This quick-and-easy craft project requires card stock, baking cups and jellybeans. Look for card stock, baking cups and jellybeans in colors like orange and yellow.
2. Cut out a daffodil shape from the card stock and repeat this for as many daffodil candy cups as you’d like to make. 
3. Have the children fill the baking cups with candy. 
4. Glue the bottom of the baking cup to the center of the daffodil cutout. 
5. Place on top of countertops, use as table settings, or even use to lead the kids to the next scavenger hunt clue. 
6. Alternate Option: Not a fan of daffodils? Make tulips instead. Opt for purple and pink colored card stock and jelly beans in soft, pastel colors.

Eggshell Easter Ornaments

Easter egg ornaments can be hung from trees and bushes outside, or indoors from light fixtures and bouquets of flowers.

1. Instead of boiling the eggs, empty out the egg yourself by poking a hole in it with a needle. Leave the needle instead the egg – the pearly end of the needle will mark the bottom of the ornament. 
2. If you have older children - the eggshells are far to sensitive for small children's hands - have them dye and embellish the eggshells with ribbon and trimmings. 
3. Once decorated, take some ribbon and fold it in half. 
4. Poke a pin through the two ends of the ribbon and secure to the top of the egg. This will act as the ornament hook.

 -S. Gonzalez

*Photo courtesy of marthastewart.com

'London Pattern Play'

Crosby Street Hotel

Hoteliers Tim and Kit Kemp like to treat their guests to the Crosby Street Hotel in Soho to floor-to-ceiling windows, a mishmash of modern prints, and English amenities that consist of a drawing room for afternoon tea.

See how the couple plays with pattern in their own London townhouse – with contemporary artwork in bold colors and antique furniture upholstered in eye-catching prints.

Living Room

Fabric, texture and artwork draw guests to the couple’s living room. Hanging above the mantel is a lively painting created by English textile artist Anna Raymond. On opposite sides of the vibrant artwork are antique Venetian mirrors, its tarnished glass adding to the room’s eclectic charm.

Japanese fashion designer Akira Minagawa designed the sofa and window recesses in charming floral and stripe prints. Silver accents and fresh white flowers play down the prints.

Guest Room

A black-and-white toile de Jouy by Brunschwig & Fils is the same print used for the guest bed’s canopy, pillow and bedding. A white chair and foot stool flank either side of the wrought iron day bed. The French toile gets a modern update with a zebra print area rug. (Try this yourself with toile bedding and a faux fur rug.)

Why the overload of black-and-white pairings works: An arrangement of colorful wild flowers breaks of the dichromatic scheme with a punch of color.

Library

In the library, the Kemps again uses color to brighten up the somber wood furnishings and collection of books. Mirrors enlarge the space. A gold mirror, which dates to 18th century France, reflects punchy prints by Joe Tilson hanging on an opposite wall. Bold color reappears in an armchair by George Smith and chairs in contrasting prints. Fresh cut flowers again bring some color to an antique armoire.

Sun room

The Kemp’s sun room also doubles as a dining room, allowing guests a front row seat to the view outside. The floor-to-ceiling windows, similar in style to the couple’s hotel rooms, allow natural sunlight to pour into the space. A chunky wooden table serves as the centerpiece, accented by antique wing chairs upholstered in bright Bennison fabric. In keeping with the simple dining room table, the light fixture by Kevin Reilly is composed of candles assembled along a glass wreath.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of elle.com

'Spring Forward'

Spring forward with greater savings at Décor Innovation. From now until April 14, save up to 70% select items like quilted covers, linen curtains and curtain rods.

Starting at 15% Off:

 Sheer, check grommet curtains in white

New arrivals consist of airy and light curtains in varying textures just in time for this season.The check grommet curtains are perhaps my no.1 choice, for its subtle departure from the usual sheer solid curtains. Also sheer, these curtains feature ruching with an all-over check pattern in the same color. The end result: a simple and no-fuss way to update your windows.

Check out the faux linen and faux flax curtains, also with interesting texture.

Starting at 20% Off:

 A curtain double-rod in antique pewter

You’re going to need a set of curtain rods to accompany the set of faux linen curtains in your shopping cart. Classic and timeless, the Hampton and Windsor style curtain rods are now $16 off. Choose between a cool or warm finish; the rods are available in either antique pewter or bronze.

The double rod is also a good choice for those who like to have a valence with their curtains.  Hang fabric from the top rod and still be able to draw your curtains thanks to the bottom rod.

Starting at 60% Off:

 Coverlets in springtime colors

With the spring come warmer temperatures and less need for heavy, wintry duvets. You’ll find yourself peeling away the layers on your bed. Cool springtime hues of blue, green and yellow will replace the wintry mix of olive green, maroon and navy shades. But don’t forget that springtime does it have its chilly nights too and you’ll need some extra bed coverage.

A quilted bed cover set in shades of lavender, pink, blue and yellow will brighten things up. The set includes a quilted coverlet to throw on your bed and two shams. On sale for $19.99 (retail price $59.99), the coverlet and shams will not only keep you warm, but you keep you in the springtime spirit.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of decorinnovation.com

'Get Lucky'

Mini pots of gold and four-leaf clover posters are child’s play when it comes to decorating for St. Patrick’s Day. Opt for subtle, but straightforward touches to give your home a little luck from the Irish.

St. Patty's Day napkin rings

 

Before settling down to a St. Patty’s meal of corned beef and cabbage, handout napkin-wrapped silverware with very own Irish napkin rings (see top image). Wrap cording or green ribbon around the napkins. Finish with a real (or artificial) shamrock leaf.

Create your own Celtic wall art with the help of stencils. Celtic designs can be distinguished by its intricate knot work, crosses, spirals and interlacing. Painting onto watercolor paper, apply the craft paint to the stencil. Once finished and dried, mount the watercolor paper over card stock to display. Note: This is a great after-school craft idea for the kids.

Wrap your solid candles in green ribbon, securing with decorative pins that you can take out later.

 St. Patty's centerpiece with green ornaments

It’s time to bring out any/all green vases or pots. Arrange together for a quick centerpiece or scatter about the house. Have your own potted shamrocks in pots/jars/bowls bring some more luck your way. Ask your local greenhouse to provide you with Oxalis plants (aka shamrocks) and Bells of Ireland (long, green plants that also represent luck).

Use green marbles or better yet, green holiday ornaments to fill up a clear glass vase (see center).

You know what they say, “A [green] apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

 Green foliage pillows

Time to bring out all your green household accessories: curtains, pillows, rugs, etc. Or look for such items as solid blackout curtains and print pillows in green hues.  The green accessories will further accentuate your already Irish-inspired environs.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of bhg.com; decorinnovation.com

'Welcome to the Man Cave'

If you have the ultimate man’s man as a husband or boyfriend, you’ve probably heard the phrase “Man Cave” thrown around a few times. But how does the typical bachelor pad/husband’s den suddenly become worthy of Man Cave status?

A quick look at some of DIY Network’s best Man Caves will explain:

Man Cave no. 1

Entertainment in the form of sports and/or movie watching is key to any Man Cave. Flat-screen televisions in HD, the bigger the better, will do the trick. The television is the center of every Man Cave. Please note: A Man Cave is not only the place where the man can unwind and relax, but also serve as a one-stop spot to host all his male friends.

Man Cave no. 2

Next up on the Man Cave priority list is seating. How else are you going to watch the game on the big screen? Large leather couches are preferred over other styles for the following reasons: the look is masculine, resistant to spills, and comfortable. If a leather couch is not in the Man Cave works, expect the couches and ottoman to be in a neutral hue and anything but floral.

In between bouts of football and episodes of “The Office,” there must always be alternative forms of amusement. Darts, video games, guitar hero, dominoes, a poker table, beer pong – you name it, at least one of these must be found somewhere in a modern Man Cave. This is because the party is just beginning.

 Man Cave no. 3

No pinks or yellows are to be found in a Man Cave. After all, why do you think it’s called a cave? Wood accents, neutral shades of beige or brown, or shades of blue and black will set the tone. Emphasis is creating that dark, moody sort of brooding only a man would appreciate. Lighting and furniture accents follow the same pattern. Anything that yells “manly” can also be incorporated into a Man Cave: sporting equipment, decorative sports jerseys, movie posters, etc.

So, is your hubby’s “Men Only” lair worthy of Man Cave status? You decide.

-S. Gonzalez

 *Photos courtesy of diynetwork.com

'Springtime Classics cont.'

Before I get distracted by yet another sale, let me return to my springtime essentials list. From Breton striped shirts, pleated skirts and chambray button-downs, turn your clocks forward with the help of some key spring wardrobe basics.

Jules et Jim

If you’ve ever seen the iconic film “Jules et Jim” in French class, you might have seen the delicious Jeanne Moreau (the object of affection between characters Jules and Jim) donning a striped shirt. The classic shirt hails back to Bretagne (aka Brittany), the northwest province of France and region known for its maritime trade. Sailors from Brittany could often be distinguished by their uniform – which consisted of a striped navy shirt.

Nowadays, the Breton classic can be layered over a delicate feminine skirt, or over a pair of boyfriend jeans depending on the occasion. As for me, I might wear a Breton striped sweater over a collared, button-down shirt with some trousers and a comfy pair of Oxford shoes.

Pleated skirt as seen during NYC Fashion Week

The pleated skirt is no longer a thing of your private school past. Thank the hit series “Gossip Girl” or the catwalk revival of the fifties for its return. Printed and short, it makes a flirty addition to dinner with the boyfriend or hubby. Long and solid, it is an understated foundation piece to go with a print blouse (see photo above) or fitted cardigan. Style tip: Pair this schoolgirl classic with a pair of lace-up booties and a long, light knit sweater, leaving just the ends of the skirt showing.

Chambray shirt at Madewell

Make the most of the working class chambray shirt. Never have I been able to pair one single shirt with so many looks: over trousers; worn loose with jeans; over a simple dress; tucked into a floral skirt; with a T-shirt and pants. Its endless possibilities are what make the chambray shirt such a hit this season. I imagine it’ll be here to stay for at least a few more.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of iseestripes.blogspot.com; elle.com; madewell.com