'Super Bowl Throwdown'

Creative Super Bowl centerpiece

Depending on who you ask, Super Bowl Sunday may be the only other day in February to hold lesser or greater value than Valentine’s Day. It may even depend on which teams are your personal favorites – this year, the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers battle it up for Super Bowl XLV Champion title.

However important the day might be, there’s a good chance you’ve already thought about your plans for this Sunday’s game.

Hosting your own party, are we? Or are you attending one yourself?

Whatever it may be, make sure to help out in the decorating department in between deciding whether to order pizza or wings.

Balloons

Except this isn’t a birthday party – make sure to pick balloons in the colors of the two Super Bowl teams. Since I’m neither a Packers or Steelers fan, I would be diplomatic in my use of black, yellow and green. A few special “Super Bowl XLV” balloons make a nice final touch.

Door Decorations and Posters

Let your friends know where the party will be centrally located with the use of decorative hangings for your doors and stairways. If I like my guests to only mingle in the dining room and kitchen areas, I typically decorate only these areas.

Centerpieces

Accent your table of wings, pizza, chips and salsa with a centerpiece of your own creation. Incorporate some live grass and figurines to create your own home field advantage (see abov photo). Or keep it simple with some toy footballs and flowers.

First down? Have a shot.

Decorative party bowls

Football-shaped dishes for snacks, Super Bowl XLV plastic cups and even “First Down” shot glasses make a great addition to the Super Bowl watching. Note: If you plan on using Super Bowl shot glasses, keep an eye on the drinking games so that it doesn’t get too out of hand.

Lawn Decorations

Let your guests know where to find the party with covers to put on the door, lawn decorations, or flag.

Team Memorabilia

And finally, it’s always nice to have an extra jersey or team hat on hand for guests that arrive and are not in gear. Have them choose their ally and let the game begin.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photo courtesy of mustloveweddings.com; partycity.com

'Valentine's Day'

Searching for clever gift ideas for your loved ones on Valentine’s Day? With less than 10 days left, show you care with unexpected gifts that go away from the mainstream.

Melt chocolate and hearts with a fondue set

Nothing gets your heart melting like a gift fondue set. Invite a group of close friends and host your own fondue party: with cheese for the main course and then chocolate for dessert. This fondue set is cast in red enamel with a burner and eight colored prongs. You’ll enjoy the camaraderie in sitting around the fondue pot and dipping pretzels and strawberries into warm, melted chocolate.

Velvet curtains for the little princess

Show your little one the royal treatment with a set of pink velvet curtains (now with free shipping until Feb. 15) only a princess deserves. These soft, plush curtains also come in lilac and seafoam blue. The two panels measure 104” x 84” in graceful pleats. Let’s not forget that these curtains are machine-washable – which is always good news for mom.

Organic floral bouquet

Nothing says “I love you” like a bouquet of flowers from Organic Bouquet. The organic floral company buys carbon offsets from every purchase made to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases emitted from the shipping of its flowers. Organic Bouquet also participates in a similar program that aims to reduce diesel emissions from delivery trucks, by allowing trucks to power their rigs with electricity instead of diesel fuel at select truck stops.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of crateandbarrel.com; decorinnovation.com; organicbouquet.com

'A Taste of Asia'

Asian-inspired living room

Elegance. Simplicity. Serenity. These are words that best describe an interior space inspired by the Orient.

Although I’ve never ventured to Shanghai or Hong Kong, I’ve always been struck by the careful harmony applied to Asian architecture and design.

Not that I can afford a round-trip ticket to the East. Instead, I resort to a few tactics to give my space that Asian candor I’ve long been missing:

Water

With water, there is life. The sound of falling water – in the form of a fountain or a pool of water for fish – is found in many Asian interiors. You would be surprised how soothing and peaceful your surroundings will begin to feel with the presence of water.

Shoji screen with red blossoms

Vibrant Color

To counterbalance the serene water element, a jolt of dramatic color is another prominent characteristic of Asian décor. The color red, for example, often represents good luck. Furniture in lacquered black, in addition to warm tones of brown, beige and gray are also popular. Look for accents with gold trimming.

Greenery

Potted bamboo plants and bonsai trees are found in many Chinese and Japanese homes, respectively. Use lacquered pots with ornate carvings. Adorn the bamboo with red and gold ribbon. There are always bamboo candle holders to set the mood.

An ornate, lacquered wood Asian chest

Natural Materials

Polished wood floors, paper surfaces and natural rocks bring the outdoors in. Invest in a Shoji screen made from a luminescent paper, to either divide your room space or to use as a classic changing area in a bedroom. Furniture should be made of natural elements and serve multiple uses since Asian décor thrives on minimalism.

Floor Coverings

Not that you have to spend thousands on an expensive Oriential rug, but set your sights on one that is Asian inspired. Look for a wool rug decorated with orchids, or purchase a simple tatami mat. The floor coverings should accentuate the color of your bold walls and natural wood flooring.

Taking a trip to Asia doesn’t always require boarding a plane across the Pacific. A home inspired by Asian elements of décor is sometimes all you need!

-S. Gonzalez

*Photo courtesy of uniquehomeandgarden.com