Archipelago From Stanley

We love these new stools from Stanley Furniture, available both in counter and bar stool:

Woven materials says Caribbean, and our Tambu Counter Stool proudly expresses just how attractive natural fibers can be. A swivel seat makes it easy to flow with the breezes, and conversations, seaside or barside.

Love Adress Plaques

Door in Wall of Montepulciano

Have you ever noticed that when your friends return from a vacation with their vacation photos there are a lot of photos of doors.  There’s something about a big, weathered oak door with wrought iron hinges or a solid wall with just a beautiful door that taunts a tourist to take a shot for eternity. We went so far as to buy a picture of a door.  In Florenzia we bought from an artist an original piece of art titled “Door of the Supplicant.”  It now is framed and hangs in our living room.

I plead guilty to this fascination with doors and included in this fascination is one for residential address plaques. There are so many ways to announce to all who pass that this address is special.  There are bronze address plaques that just announce the number on the street or welcome you to the Landfair’s or do all that with a theme.  In the west hills where I drive often, the theme might be dueling bucks.  The plaques can be fastened to the house, be hanging to move in the wind or be mounted on a post. I’m not partial to the posts. I’ve seen too many knocked sideways.

Then there are the custom address plaques that catch the eye.  Mine might say, “Welcome to the road less traveled.” I don’t invite many guests over.  Some plaques can double as safety items around the pool: a life preserver that says “H.M.S Landfair.”  When Amber our first Golden Retriever died, she was cremated.  We planted her ashes in a park nearby where she loved to chase squirrels.  Wouldn’t it be great to plant a pet memorial plaque with her name and date on the site?

Window Box Planters For The Neighbors

We have a small tradition in our neighborhood.  When we get a new neighbor, the existing neighbors contribute toward the purchase of a window box planter for the new family. The planter given to us was a cedar box, 36” X 10” X 10” given to us in 1995 and it still sits on the deck today. 

In a change from past years, Bev just filled it with one tomato plant and two basil plants.  I can taste the pesto she’ll make now. Most years it is planted with Cosmos, because they are tall and look pretty in the summer.

Many times we give plants to our mothers on Mother’s Day or plants as get well presents, but how many times do we give window boxes that can be mounted or set on decks and porches.  They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and materials from vinyl, wood, metal and fiberglass.

We’ve noticed that the terracotta pots on the deck, seem to suffer in the winter even if we are able to bring them to a sheltered part of the deck. We find they split and flake off.  Our friend Carol made us some great pots from rolled clay slabs, but they also have suffered.  I suspect it’s time to repot our plants with different materials.

Forgive us for tooting our own horn, but an email like this just makes our day. This wonderful email came from interior designer Deborah Melville and said in part:

I talked to (my client) today and she said, "The furniture is stunning - way prettier in person." They love it! Job well done...thanks for all your help!

Deborah and her client were ecstatic over Stanley Furniture's European Farmhouse collection.  It's described as feeling as if it was gathered over a lifetime of travel and treasure finding. It is both old and new, allowing the collection to serve nearly any decorating style.

Below are pieces that Deborah Melville ordered for her client:

If you want to see what Deborah Melville can do for you, why don't you contact her at:

Dm Designs in Wilsonville, OR Phone:(503) 682-5040

We Love Al Fresco Dining.

We were invited to a good friend’s 70^th Birthday party.  You know when you give a garden party in Oregon before mid-July or after mid-September, you need outdoor patio heaters to guard against icicles hanging off your guests noses. You may need more than two in our state.

We will be celebrating our 20^th wedding anniversary on July 25^th.  We were married in an orchard on a 90-degree day.  I still can remember the beautiful sight of Bev walking out of the trees on her father’s arm. A year after we were wed, one of Bev’s best friends married on the same date at Black Butte by the lake and it was unseasonably cold for that time of the year.  A wedding can be spoiled if your guests are uncomfortably cold.

We love al fresco dining.  It’s a causal way of dining in a garden atmosphere where we can hear the birds, feel the breeze and the sun and smell the fresh air as we savor the delightful flavors.  In Mexico, when we dine outside, we get the added bonus of the stars and the sounds of the surf.  Very few times has it been cold enough for heaters, but the waiters assured us one cold evening that this was unusual for March. They are trained to say that.

Speaking of casual dining, I love buffets.  I love to go down the event server line before the tops are lifted imagining what’s been cooked inside.  Then, I grab my plate as I balance my drink while holding my napkin and silver ware.  Next I put down my drink to dish some of the many salads on to my plate. I grab a roll and butter.  Then pick up my drink and move on, all the time chatting with those I’m with about how great everything looks.  There are usually rice or potatoes fixed one of many ways, so I put down my drink and dish up the carbs, pick up my drink and move on.  I’m running out of room before I get to the prime rib. 

I remember being in Dallas at a buffet hosted by my friend John May of May Petroleum.  He was ahead of me in line and when we came to the Baron of Beef.  The chef was slicing off thin pieces to make it last, I suspect.  John said he would like a piece this thick, holding he thumb and forefinger about a half inch apart. When it was my turn, I said to the chef, “I’ll have what he had!” 

When I sat down at the table I realized I forgot to pick up my drink again. Buffets are great.  The best part is going back for dessert.  There are usually more than a dozen offerings and the trick is to eat as many as possible without people getting wise.

On January 15^th of 2014, I will be 70.  I’m going to have a party outside…in Mexico.

New From Old Biscayne

Izzy Desk - Shown in New Bronze Wood Top w/Black Rubbed Gold Iron Base Hardware: Saborn  Available in all OBD Finishes W: 59” H: 30” D: 28



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Courtney Buffet - Shown in Metallic Antique Pewter Available in all OBD Finishes W: 72” H: 34” D: 22”

Raschella Joins TODL

We offer an extensive collection of designer-oriented framed art, decorative mirrors and lamps. Our framed art is MADE IN USA ...

Kusari Doi Or Rain Chains

I noticed the neighbors two doors away have taken out their downspouts and installed strainless steel rain chains. I am told that when it rains the chains produce a pleasing sound like a wind chime in light rain to the sound of roaring rapids in a downpour.  The chains can be fascinating to watch as the rain runs down the chain or flows down from cup to cup.

For hundreds of years the Japanese have used rain chains (‘kusari doi’ in Japanese).  Wikipedia says “Their purpose of a rain chain is largely decorative, to make a water feature out of the transport of rainwater from the guttering downwards to a drain or to a storage container. (Rainwater is sometimes collected for household usage.)” Japanese temples often incorporate quite ornate and large rain chains into their design. 

Chains for rain come in 8 to 8 ½ foot lengths and in a variety of materials including aluminum, brass, copper, glass, iron and stainless steel. In addition, they come in a variety of styles from linked and double-linked loops to cups with holes in their bottoms to enhance the water flow.

It’s interesting to learn that copper chains prevent the spread of germs.

Research indicates that a copper surface is more effective at preventing the spread of germs than stainless steel. Copper has a 2000 year history of antimicrobial applications in a multitude of cultures. More recent research has sought to determine uncoated copper's effectiveness in stemming the proliferation of infectious disease. At the University of Southampton in the U.K. research studies have shown that many common disease causing microbes such as  E. coli, Aspergillus niger (black mold) and Influenza A, die within hours on copper surfaces.

The only caution I found with rain chains is the possibility of winter ice build up on the chains. Although beautiful, can increase the weight on the gutter.

Time For Green Training

We read so much every day about new developments that are LEED certified.  Many designers and architects have taken many hours of training to achieve their certification to design the new buildings.
But what about the 130 million homes that were built before modern energy and building codes were established. Where does the consumer go for qualified advice to bring their home up to the new standards? Where does the interior designer, architect or contractor get the knowledge to add this element to their repertoire?

The Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI) offers bpi certification to those taking bpi training in Residential & Commercial Energy Analysis, Building Performance Contracting, Solar Design a& Installation, Commercial Lighting and Assessment, Facility Energy Management, Indoor Air Quality, and Green Building Design.

In June 2012 the BPI will extend its certifications to energy auditor, retrofit installer, crew leader and quality control inspector. If you want to be involved in the energy upgrade industry, you might consider getting trained. The best part is the classes are offered by BPI and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

By becoming a bpi building analyst, you will be able help homeowners in those 130 million homes improve their comfort and safety and reduce their energy bills. I don’t need to tell you how the rising prices of energy have impacted the consumer’s wallet. Your knowledge will help homeowners qualify for utility incentive programs that range from tax credit, grants, loans and rebate programs.  Here’s a link to the many programs just in the State of Oregon. 

This is the time to grow a new business or add to your existing one

Introducing Pande Cameron

Please welcome our new advertising client Pande Cameron - Putting the World at your Feet Since 1924.  There are two stores, one in Seattle and the other in Bellevue. They are the second oldest carpet retailer west of Chicago.

After 88 years, father and son Charles and Brad Andonian still insist that their rugs be of the highest quality. They still gladly allow their customers to try a rug in their own home before they decide to buy. And they still believe that, like a fine carpet, treating their customers with honesty and respect will never wear out.

Their best selling carpet is Meshed in rust: sizes range from 2 X 3 to 12 X 18. It’s just a phenomenal rug for the NW as its warm, works in a variety of settings/styles and has about 16 color shades.

What makes a high-quality rug? For Pande Cameron, the rugs are all wool pile on a cotton foundation.  They are handknotted. Weaving of this level has become a specialized and an esoteric art; 4-6 people will work 6-8 months to complete an 8x10 carpet--imagine a 12x18! 

They specialize in sourcing the highest quality weaving houses that utilize skilled artisans who are essentially creating art for the floor!

Pande Cameron offers fine carpets in a variety of styles: Antique Rugs, Classic Rugs, Contemporary Rugs, Craftsman Rugs, Custom Design, Oversize rugs, Transitional Rugs and Vintage Rugs.  In addition they offer some extra services.

When you need a fine carpet for a short term, whether for a temporary residence, staging a home for sale, or a movie production, rug rentals are the solution. Pande Cameron provides an element of beauty and luxury to any setting. They offer several collections with a range of colors and patterns for your consideration.

Professional carpet cleaning is one of the services that Pande Cameron does best! And no matter how careful you are, your rug will become soiled. They recommend cleaning your carpet every 3-5 years in a highly trafficked room and every 5-7 years in less used spaces.

Watch for a special cleaning offer soon.

What to look for in a new house

Today we are pleased to bring you this guest post:

You may be looking for a new house because of a change of lifestyle, or an increase in disposable income, or family changes. You may be looking for a new place to store new, recently purchased furniture. Looking for a new home is a big task, but having a couple of main pointers can help to break this down into manageable chunks to help you with your search.

Most people start with the location because there are many other things that can be changed about a property, but not where it’s actually situated. The right location for you can include a number of factors, and for most people is rarely just about the latest ‘right’ postcode. Travelling distances to work and schools can play a big part, of course. But so can other area features, like proximity to parks. If you have children who need space to run around and play, or dogs which need to be walked and exercised, then this may be more important to you.

We all have lives outside of work and school, so taking into account how you usually spend your leisure time is a key factor to consider. How close you are to pubs, restaurants, cinemas and other leisure related venues can make a real difference to your enjoyment of living where you’ve chosen, so have a wider look at the areas you are considering to see what amenities are available.

When buying a home you generally intend to stay in the same place for a few years, so your personal lifestyle is more relevant than perhaps it would be if just renting a property. If you’re regularly out late, for example, having a station with a taxi company close by could actually be an important point for you.

Another aspect which can affect your choice of location is whether you want a garden. This narrows things down as some areas tend to have more, say, larger older properties converted into flats than others, which can affect the availability of the property type you’ve chosen.

The findaproperty.com website is a great tool if you're trying to find a new place to live.

Call The Experts!

One of our favorite shows on TV is HGTV's "House Hunters International." We are so envious of families that just pick up and move to warmer climates, or move to a country because of their love of its beauty and history. Most advice concerning moves to another country are to rent first before buying.

Now there's another reason to seek short-term accommodations. The summer Olympics are coming to the UK beginning July 27th through August 12th. Wouldn't it be grand to take in the two weeks of competition?

Londoners Robert And Polly Arnold with their three children Rachel, Jonny and Mike have a vast knowledge of Central London. Through their company London Apartments, they can help you find the perfect place for short or long term apartments and hotels stays. They can also provide relevant information about locations and places of local interest.

Let's face it, when you go online searching on your own pictures can be misleading. Wouldn't it be great to have an adviser to steer you toward the valued B&B's and apartments not only in London but in Europe and Worldwide. I know I would!

 Let go of the aggravation and enjoy the Olympics.

Blackware Pottery

Mike is fascinated by pottery in it's many forms. Today he came across Blackware Pottery made in San Ildefonso pueblo near Santa Fe, N.M. Marie/Maria Martinez (Maria Montoya Martinez) and her husband, Julian are credited with developing the art of black on black pottery and today can be quite valuable. Some pieces have fetched $10,000 or much more at auctions.

Maria and Santana Martinez blackware pottery plate with feather designs; image credit on full record

"This style of blackware is achieved by using a polishing stone to smooth over a glossy finish prior to the firing of the pot creating a highly glossy design that has become the hallmark of pueblo pottery."

Have you collected any of Maria and Julian's pottery?

Read more here: http://www.centredaily.com/2012/05/26/3208709/blackware-pottery-commands-high.html#storylink=cpy

Bravado Showroom Closing

I was shocked to get this message on Facebook: Bravado Showroom Closing in September 2012! Bravado had been an ARTS awards recipient and had a great reputation as a retail furniture store that carried some of the same brands as did Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery.

Brad Clifford and Stephan Krupelak say the Pearl retail furniture store established in 2007 has served its purpose and it was time to move on.

Brad will split his time between Portland and Texas where he will go into business with his brother and a third partner. Brad will head up the Whilom Collection for which he will design custom furniture and fabrics.

Stephen will continue his interior design practice in Oregon. His new business name is Domov Interior Design.

The announcement of closing carries with some good news for shoppers. Over the next four months Bravado will be offering their first ever sale of merchandise. The showroom and warehouse will be emptied at great prices.

 For us, it's sad that this economy is closing the doors of another high-end furniture outlet. Brad Clifford and Stephan Krupelak, we wish you all the best.

I really admire those stores that have longevity: Paul Schatz, Parkers, Shleifer and Fishels, to name a few. They have weathered bad economies, changes in taste and the internet and still open their doors daily.

Replacing Cedar With Patio Pavers

Bev and I have plans for our backyard. Right now we have a four-level cedar deck in our small yard. The deck has plenty of privacy for “nature lovers.” Every couple of years we clean the deck, sand it if necessary and re-stain. The bottom level is cedar over a concrete pad of some kind and we’ve just discovered dry rot, because of a small flowerbed that touches the wooden deck. A solution to the dry rot we’ve decided is to rip up the bottom level and replace the wood with paving stone. We envision bringing out the dining table from the house and serving the family on the lower level. At least 12 people can gather around the table. It feels to us like a family dinner you’d see in a Greek or Italian movie.

Why replace wood with patio pavers? Not only do we like the variety of colors available in pavers, but we like the texture of the stone. Through our research we discovered the price of pavers is lower than brick or flagstone and has an additional benefit: paving stone doesn’t chip or crack.

We called our friends at System Pavers and scheduled an appointment. They will come out Monday for a free design consultation worth $300.

We like a design that blends the colors while featuring some gray. We think it would be great to have a raised edge around the one flower bed that would double as extra seating.

Internet Flowers

Yesterday was Mother’s Day and my sister Cheryl and mom came over for breakfast on the deck. Mom received a lilac plant from Bev and me, and sis gave Mom a hanging basket of Geraniums.  Bev received a pot of minature roses and I bought Bev a bouquet of Alstromeria. Flowers can be the perfect gift for all occasions or even for no occasion. 

In the UK internet flowers can be ordered. In addition you can order plants, wines, chocolates and hampers for your special people also online.  Don’t you love to walk into your reserved room in the resort and find a hamper filled with wine, cheese and crackers.  The thoughtful gift from management or the Powers That Be (PTB) just starts your stay off right.

There are so many times that I go online for internet flowers for the friend in the hospital, for anniversaries, for birthdays, for a BIG thank you, for grand openings, for funerals.  So many times we just want to tell someone we are thinking of them and our flowers say we care. 

Online resources abound that help you care for your cut flowers and plants. One source is eHow Home. You can learn how to care for cut flowers or how to transplant those plants to your garden or how to arrange roses in a vase.

A Bit About The Safe

Have you heard the ads on your favorite radio station recommending the purchase of gold and silver for insurance against the ravages of inflation or protection in a world of fiat currencies? I have and most financial planners recommend somewhere between 5% and 25% of your liquid assets be invested in precious metals.  They believe, as do I, that precious metals can act as a hedge against the vagaries of the stock, bond and real estate markets. The big question we all ask when we bring physical metals home is where do I store it?

Some suggest a safe deposit at a bank is the one safe place.  It’s pretty hard for a thief to get into your safe deposit box, unless the thief is the banker or the government. Practically speaking, you may want immediate access to your stash.  What if some crisis happens over the weekend and you need your metals as part of your escape plan.  What if you need your bullion and access to your bank is forbidden.  That means you may want to consider a home safe.

Home safes are relatively inexpensive and come in a variety of sizes.  A 1.3 cubic foot safe is fairly common and would hold a foot high stack of 8 ½ X 11 paper or large enough to hold 1,000 of silver. A safe that size weighs about 100 pounds and might be easy for a thief to carry off, so you night want one bigger.  An alternative to the putting the safe in the bedroom, a common place for thieves to look, is in the basement and you might consider bolting the safe to the floor.

Consumer Reports Money Adviser suggests documents you should keep in a safe and for how long:

Birth and death certificates - Forever

Estate-planning documents - Forever (Unless your executor knows how to get into your safe, also make sure he or she and your lawyer have copies.)

Life-insurance policies - Until the term of coverage ends

Savings bonds - Until you cash them in at maturity (30 years in the case of Series EE bonds)

Stock certificates  - Until you sell the stock or have it converted to direct or street-name registration

Tax returns - At least seven years

Clustered Mailboxes Coming

Mike usually writes about incidents that happen while driving his Yellow Bus on his website, however since we connect with architects, he thought this post might fit here.

One day while he was driving, he dropped off his kids on Cornelius highway and for some reason he needed to turn around.  He was stopped at a side road, so he concluded that he could pull forward to position the bus’s rear end at the entrance to the street and then back up and complete his three-point turn. He didn’t see the mailboxes in his mirror. Then, he backed up and hit them knocking them off its pedestal.  He got out to look and saw there was no damage to the bus or the mailboxes now lying on its back. He felt like a novice driver as his kids looked on.

He was reminded of the incident when our friends at ApprovedClusterMailboxes.com asked him to say a few words about their product. In business since 2004, ApprovedClusterMailboxes provides a lowest price guarantee and a 30-day money back quality guarantee.  Mike’s guess is that we will see more and more clustered mailboxes in our neighborhoods as the U.S. Post Office tries to cut expenses without cutting Monday through Saturday mail service.  One way to do that is to set up secure, clustered mailboxes replacing individual, front door mail delivery. Each cluster could serve eight to 16 families.

Facebook Data Center

Sheehan Partners Prineville, Oregon

To complement the desert surroundings, the architects used earthtoned concrete panels for the perimeter wall and landscaped with large rocks salvaged on the site during construction.
Photo © Jonnu Singleton Photography

Tempo Bar Stools on YouTube

Sitcom Furniture On YouTube

A Bit About Bar Stools

We have ordered a lot of barstools for our interior design clients over the last ten years.  They have been either wood or metal and have come in many styles and many heights.  We were looking at the website of our friends Bar Stools AtoZ.  We noticed that the site has some great information about bar stools on the page titled Barstool Buying Guide:

If you are buying real estate, one of the first questions is, “What’s your budget?”  When you are shopping for bar stools one of the first questions is, “How often will the bar stools be used?”  If the answer is every day, then you will need either metal stools or something in wood that's well made.

One more thing, metals stools while offered in many finishes and are are sturdy, can be heavy to move. Wooden stools can match any décor, but if used in direct sunlight can dry out and fade.

Do you want a bar stool that is stationary or swivels?  Bar Stools AtoZ says the choice comes down to the users.  Is it for the mother-in-law who may want easy access or a child who needs focus. Then there’s the question of how many bar stools do you need for your space and the height of the table or bar.  Bar stools run from 15 to 24 inches wide, and the person using the bar stool needs about 25 inches, so a six-foot plus counter could use up to three stools.  Stools with swivels or arms would need more space. 

There are basically three bar stool heights: Dining is 18 to 20 inches high, Counter is 24 to 26 inches high and Bar is 28 to 30 inches high.  So be sure to measure the height.

Finally, you need bar jokes.  Our friends at Bar Stools AtoZ have some great examples, but they’ve missed a few. In a recently read book titled "Dove Season" by Johnny Shaw, a father and son play a word game called “Walks Into A Bar” in which you pick a subject and then make up jokes about it.  For example the subject is “A Boat.”

A boat walks into a bar.

The bartender says, “I’m sorry we don’t serve boats here!”

The boat says, “But, I’m about to keel over!”

A boat walks into a bar.

The bartender says, “I’m sorry we don’t serve boats here!”

The boat says, “But, I heard you serve schooners!”

A Sprinking Of Clues

Part 9

I thought I told you to stay away from our crime scenes! Those were the words from the Domingo’s nightmare, Captain Bigy from the PDX homicide division. His name was spelled B-I-G-Y, pronounced like the famous rock group. He was a mountain of a man, six foot six and 300 pounds. He was sensitive to the way his name was pronounced and the Domingos always called him Biggie, to emphasize his size.

Bigy looked like a Marine with his hair cut in the high and tight style. He didn’t like the Domingo’s. He’d had to work with them on another case they’d blundered into (and solved) and frankly, he considered their success just beginner’s luck.

“Sergeant Rifler, any idea where this clown came from?” said Bigy, looking at the Domingos.

Sir, we have canvassed the neighborhood and we got a hit. Seems there was a clown entertaining at a birthday party over on Thompson. I’m getting pictures emailed to me as we speak. The Cooley’s said they hired the clown to entertain after the Naitos praised his work. They say he seemed off his game, anxious. He screwed up his balloon animals by popping them and his makeup was not quite right.”

Rachel spoke up! “Biggie, maybe he had cased out the Naitos and returned here this afternoon to rob them. I think you might look at other persons of interest besides the husband. They'd already left for the beach.”

"Captain, look at this!" said Rifler. "Inside the card case, under his cards is another business card. On the back are dates and a name." On the front side is the name address and phone number for Irrigation Supply Depot featuring irrigation supplies, sprinkler heads, and lawn sprinkler systems

The back side says:

Birthday Mindy Hofler 8 years old 2636 NE 32nd 2:00 pm May 12

"Captain Biggie, this clown business is just a cover for a B&E operation and either someone got wise or his competition shut him up."

"That's a big jump in logic from a lowly writer, Domingo! And stop calling me Biggie, It's BeeGee!"

Banana Marion Crunch

Michael just perfected his premier breakfast appetizer.  He calls it Banana Marion Crunch!

1 slice Grand Central Sourdough bread
1/2 Banana
1 Tbsp Marion Berry Jam
1 pat butter

Toast sourdough, spread on butter, thickly apply Marion Berry Jam, add sliced banana.

It is delicious and filling.  Repeat as needed.  Coffee is mandatory.

Celerie Kemble Delivers In "Black & White"

Celerie Kemble, daughter of acclaimed Palm Beach interior designer Mimi McMakin, has recently published a book titled “Black & White (and a bit in between): Timeless Interiors, Dramatic Accents and Stylish Collections.” I liked the book because it's fascinating seeing a focus on just black and white and I liked the advice Kemble gives.

In the book she answers the question: Why Black & White? She responds that Black & White is elegant, versatile, practical, inclusive and classic.  Recently we saw "The Third Man" on TMC.  Talk about classic.  Made in 1949, it's delicious in black & white.

Recently she spoke at the Mint Museum Auxiliary in Charlotte as the guest speaker for its annual Room to Bloom Decorative Arts Symposium fundraiser on April 25 at a private country club. She was quoted as saying:

• We shouldn’t strive for perfection in our homes, there is beauty in things that are worn and imperfect. (This surely applies to people, too)

• A home should reflect the person who lives in it. When you go into someone’s house, you should leave feeling you know them better just by the way their home was decorated.

• Rules of proportion and scale shouldn’t be broken, but other than that, every decorating rule can be broken to suit what you like and what works best for your home. One interior design rule she loves to break is having a large rug with a smaller rug on top, although technically rugs on tops of rugs are a design no-no. (Writing or poetry works the same way.  Know the rules then break them.)

• Have an area where your children can play freely, but also teach them to respect the rest of the house. Instead of getting rid of all your nice things until your children get older, teach them to appreciate and respect beautiful things.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/05/05/3216776/tips-from-a-top-interior-designer.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/05/05/3216776/tips-from-a-top-interior-designer.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/05/05/3216776/tips-from-a-top-interior-designer.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/05/05/3216776/tips-from-a-top-interior-designer.html#storylink=cpy

What's New From Old Biscayne

Old Biscayne Designs has introduced a number of new furniture pieces and their website allows you to inspect their catalog online to your heart's content.

Echo Dining Table 7006B Shown in Antique Walnut Available in all OBD Finishes L: 72” D: 72” H: 30”

Ross Dining Table 7434C Shown in Classic Dark Walnut Available in all OBD Finishes W: 72” H: 30” L: 72”

Karonne 7024A Shown in Queen Shown in Distressed Black Available in all OBD Finishes

Ellis Storage Unit 5083B Shown in Metallic Mica Available in all OBD Finishes W: 84” H: 25” D: 24”

NOT NEW BUT A CLASSIC: Lila Round Dining Table Shown in Metallic Starlight w/Dark Walnut Top Available in all OBD Finishes H: 31” Diameter: 60”

A Bit About The Bunk Bed

I have had a fondness for the Bunk Bed as a solution for space problems ever since I was in the army.  There for six months, at Ft Lewis and Ft Ord, I lived with a platoon of men where we spent hours in the evening polishing our gear and arranging our foot lockers for inspection.  We smoked and laughed, played cards and told stories about our girls back home. Every morning we made our beds so tight that our drill sergeant could bounce a quarter on the army blanket that encased our mattress.

Again a Bunk Bed came to mind as Bev and I watched HGTV’s “House Hunter International.”  Sometimes a family moving to Milan or Puerto Vallerta or New Zealand needs more bedrooms than fits their budget and a solution is to double up the kids in a room using bunk beds. It’s an elegant solution.

According to our friends at BunkbedsAtoZ, these great beds are manufactured in metal and wood; in a variety of finishes and can be twin over twin, twin over full, full over full and even futon bunk beds.

There are some safety items to keep in mind:

1.     The upper bunk should have guardrails and should be close to the wall.  The army violated both of these rules, yet I never saw a tipped over bunk bed and no one ever fell out of bed in their sleep.

2.     The top bunk should be for the older child.

3.   There should be cross ties under the mattress of each bed.  Again, the army violated this rule.  I went to sleep at night with those coil springs of the top bunk sagging in my face.

4.     There should be a ladder and the children should be taught to use it.

5.     No roughhousing or jumping on the beds!

6.     Use a night light so the ladder can be seen for use in the night.

Call us if you have a particular need for Bev to research.

New at Market

From Global Views:

Scratch End Table 24"L x 22"W x 24"H with One functional drawer

Stanley’s New Collection: Arrondissement

Stanley’s new collection is called Arrondissement, a French word that refers to different neighborhoods in Paris– NOT a Parisian collection, but a European lifestyle.  Look for terms in this collection like rustic charcoal, salted black, vintage neutral finish, lost wax hardware… terms that make me want to see more!

New Furniture From Mercedes

From Gizmag, we learn that Mercedes is extending its luxury brand in October of 2012 via a furniture collection that will be sold worldwide in exclusive furniture stores, showrooms and interior design stores.

The initial Mercedes-Benz Style furniture collection comprises one sofa, chaise lounge, sideboard, dining room table with chairs, shelf unit with integrated home theater system, bed and chest of drawers.

The collection is a collaboration with the Formitalia Luxury Group, one of the leading Italian manufacturers of designer furniture.

He Was Hiding

Part 8

There he was dressed as a clown. Dead as all those buried in the Lone Fir cemetery. 

Rachel and I had gone next door at 6:00 to take care of Sam the 15-year old Spaniel for our neighbors spending the weekend at the beach.  We heard a door slam and running feet and went upstairs to investigate. The door off the second floor bedroom had mullions and no curtain.  We could see that a pane was broken and shards lay on the carpet.   

There was a copper smell in the air and we looked for the source.  Just coming out from under our neighbor’s bed was a red rivulet that on closer inspection was blood.  I got down on my knees and looked under the bed and recoiled when I saw the clown.  The clown had been shot right through his red clown nose.  I almost gagged over this bit of business.

“Call 911, Rachel”

“The clown has been dead about 2 hours,” said the ME.  “Looks like a .45, but I won’t know until I do the autopsy.  BTW, we did find a Blomus Stainless Steel business card case on our clown.  John Henry was his name. 

It appears our clown might have been hiding under the bed when he was shot.  I say that because he had a grift bag full of stainless items from around the house. In the bag was a stainless set of candle-stick holders and a Blomus stainless steel picture frame with a picture of your neighbor’s young, beautiful wife."

"Let’s talk with the husband!"

250,000th Visitor

Our 250,000 visitor comes from Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. Welcome! Keep coming back.

When Downsizing, You need Storage

Part 7

“It was great to ski with Mike and Beverly Milligan. Wasn’t it dear?”

“Yes,” John Domingo said to Rachel. “Do you remember when we saw them last? We drove up to Seattle to see them.  That was the time we fish thrown at the Pike Street market and had a fine dinner at Ray’s Boat house.”

Mike and Beverly had just moved from their big house on the lake to the small condo in Kirkland.  They loved the condo lifestyle, however their biggest adjustment was storing much of their furniture in a safe place.  When John and Rachel drove home to Portland that weekend years ago, they noticed the many self-storage businesses, but were unfamiliar with Extra Space Storage they saw along I-5.

 “Do we have that self-storage place in Oregon,” Rachel asked.

“I don’t know, Rachel.  Let’s Google them when we get home.”

Turns out Washington had five locations, as did Oregon.  They even saw there was a Greensboro storage, a Sacramento storage and Miami self storage units.

“John, did you know that 30-year old Extra Space Storage (EXR) is the second largest operator of self storage units in the country. Their stock is even publicly traded on the NYSE.”

“Rachel, we should have bought the stock back in 2009, instead of that cutting horse.  We’d be up 500% instead we’re buying feed for the old nag.”  

Windy Windows and Drafty Doors

Guest post

A friend of mine recently had a “prefab” house built, which essentially means he chose all the pieces, they put it together, and then they delivered it. Watching the process got me really thinking about how much detail goes into planning a home (something I hope to do in the very near future). He had to choose everything from the floor to the ceilings-- cabinets, tiles, counter tops, window panes, and doors. Those last two are of the utmost importance because they were not just cosmetic choices. It's not something I have really considered, but the windows and doors of a house are essential for energy bills, safety, and appearance. Thinking back to some of the places I have lived and rented, the biggest issues I ran into centered around these two essential items. My last home, was a very big (five bedrooms), old, drafty house. Honestly, drafty is probably an understatement, blustery might be a more accurate descriptor. In the wintertime the house was FREEZING and because the many windows and doors were so old and let so much air leak out, it cost a fortune to even attempt to heat it. Instead, I was forced to keep the thermostat low to save on the energy bill, and sit on my couch wearing a winter coat and a blanket anytime I wanted to watch TV or grade papers. It was really an outrageous way to live, and it essentially came down to inefficient doors and windows. The side door from our patio was especially bad. It was not secure at all, could have provided someone with really simple break in strategy. In fact, I locked myself out of the house once or twice and all it took was a firm hip-bump to pop the LOCKED door right open. If I hadn't been living with three guys who were home pretty much anytime I was, I would have really feared for my safety! When the window in one of our doors was accidentally broken, we put in a request for the landlord to get us new, composite doors in hopes that it might help remedy some of our issues, but instead she fixed the glass in the window. I must say I am much happier (and keep a much more comfortable temperature) in the house where I am now, with secure, insulated composite doors and windows.

Dreaming Of Home Libraries

Hello! I'm Jessica, a writer for Arcadian Lighting, a wonderful online resource for affordable light fixtures. Every day I get to search for beautiful interior design inspirations and then share them on lovely blogs. Thank you for letting me stop by today Bev and Mike! If you're anything like me, you'll agree that one of the most beautiful pieces of furniture in a room is a well stocked bookshelf. And a home library would definitely be a dream come true. So, I've collected a few swoon-worthy home libraries. I hope you love them as much as I do!

 

 The traditional style of this home library is perfectly dark and cozy. I love the deep red carpet and pops of yellow and pink throughout the rest of the room.

 

The vibrant orangy red accents in this home library is invigorating, especially when paired with bright brass fixtures. The wall lamps are a neat way to keep the shelves illuminated in the evening.

 

I love that this single wall library has it's own library ladder. The glossy black bookshelf and black and white chandelier are chic touches, as well.

 

Even this tight corner turned home office makes an interesting space for a mini library. The simple, all-white built-in bookshelves help make the space appear larger.

 

The spacious shelves in this reading nook accommodate all types of reading material, from magazines to heavy tomes. The plush seating show that this is a place for some serious reading.

 

I love the bright colors in this cozy dining room, and the surrounding walls of bookshelves makes the room all the more dynamic. The glistening pendant light is a fitting touch.

 

Sacrificing a headboard for an entire wall of books is a small price to pay for such a beautiful and accessible bookshelf within arm's reach.

 

Even kitchen shelves provide an interesting place to stock your book collection. I love that these books are grouped together by color. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Which of these home libraries would you have in your dream home? Let us know in the comments! And be sure to stop by Arcadian Lighting for a few wall sconces or lamps to help you read late into the night!

250,000 Visitors!

Sometime in the next 8 to 10 days, Landfair on Furniture will host it's 250,000th visitor.  We are extremely happy that you've chosen to read our blog.  The traffic would indicate that we are providing worthwhile information and that "You really like us!"

We hope you have fun here, that you chuckle, or say, "I didn't know that!" We'll continue to strive for the 500,000th visitor.

Thank you!

Have You Tried Salt & Straw?

Here's an ice cream store you MUST visit! It's named Salt & Straw, and the flavors may blow your mind.

Kim Malek is the owner and the shoppe has been open since August and here on a windy, cold day, the visitors through the front door didn't end.

I tried several kinds and settled on something conservative: one scoop of Banana with spicy monkey caramel and walnuts in a cup. It had a great taste of bananas and caramel with walnut chunks. The ice cream had a perfect melt. Then I went back for a taste of Pear and Bleu Cheese. It tasted just like pear ice cream with a slight bleu cheese aftertaste. Next I tried Sea Salt ice cream with caramel ribbon.  The sea salt enhanced the caramel and satisfied both yearnings for salt and sweet. Next time I will try Arbequina olive oil.




Bev tried Almond brittle with salted grenache ice cream.  She's hooked! As I said they've been open since August, but already it's Oprah's favorite ice cream and it's been featured in "The Wall Street Journal" and "The Washington Post" and featured on "Sunday Morning."

Be Prepared!

NASA has warned us of the dangers of solar storms and the harm that can come to our electrical systems.  Mike just read “A Distant Eden” a novel by Lloyd Tackitt that takes us on a journey to Texas during and after a huge solar storm hits earth.  The storm ruins our electric grid that moves power across our nation.  The storm also wipes out anything electrical; our computers, phones, pumps for water and gasoline and furnaces and the fuses and computers in our cars and trucks and trains and planes. Soon people are running out of water and starving.  There are no deliveries of food anymore.  The medicines that many need to stay alive are no longer be available.  The author writes that in such a situation, 97% of our population would die in less than a year. Very quickly, we are in a survival battle and it’s useful to know how to treat water so it’s potable, how to catch fish using fish traps and how to cook using solar box cookers.

Most of us have experienced power outages for a period of time.  Here in the Northwest, we’ve had silver thaws when the trees and power lines are covered in ice and we lose power for hours to a few days.  Parts of the country experience floods, tornados, hurricanes and earthquakes and power can be out for weeks or months. I’ve often wondered about generators. Do they plug into the house when they are used for power or do you plug into the generator?  I was asked to write something about the subject and consulted the website of Generators A to Z for the answers. I learned that depending our your needs you can plug directly into a generator, like your refrigerator to keep your frozen items frozen or you can have a transfer switch added so you can run your appliances through the circuit breaker. Generator 101 helps you decide whether to you need a conventional generator or inverter generator and the differences.  Generator 101 also helps you figure how big of a generator you might need, the fuel, the number of hours it can run.  The website has prices for the various kinds of generators.

Reading “A Distant Eden” and familiarizing yourself with solar box cookers and generators could be the difference in you and your family surviving the next disaster.

BTW, right now the Kindle edition of "A Distant Eden" is available for 99 cents: