It’s hard to believe that next Friday starts Memorial Day weekend, the launchpad of summer entertaining. It’s not too late to renovate your outdoor cooking space in time for the summer season.

Here are the must have items for a gourmet cooking experience:

• Sink: This is a must have and cold water is fine unless you plan to wash dishes. Stainless steel is the best choice for outdoors.

• Grill:  You can build the grill into the cabinets (as shown) or select a free-standing gas grill. And there is always the option for a charcoal grill. Consider the optional extras for your grill: auto-ignition, work shelves, storage and the cooking surface area you need. BTU is the other major selection.

• Power:  This is obvious depending on your grill choice, lighting and if you include a refrigerator.

• Refrigerator: I consider this a very important appliance for the outdoor kitchen. It saves numerous trips to the kitchen.  Under-counter models are readily available and easily integrated into cabinets.

• Cabinets: Storage simplifies outdoor entertaining. They should be weather proof and options range from modular, store bought to custom cabinets suited to the outdoors.

We consider outdoor space design to be one of our specialties. Click here for more examples of our work and here for more outdoor space ideas.

If you’re ready for your own gorgeous outdoor showplace, contact us. We’ll work with your style preferences to create a space that makes you want to live outdoors 24/7!

Escala luxury high-rise condo

I’m often asked this question when people come to my website and see the image of the downtown condo.  Certainly one reason my clients choose a lifestyle on the 23rd floor is the magnificent views.  That also equals windows! So what do they do?

Enter the world of automated window coverings to achieve light control and privacy.  And in the featured project, the clients turned to a Seattle company, Definitive Audio.  Definitive Audio supplied a “whole house” system which included Lutron shades on all the windows.  Using your iPad or iPhone you can seamlessly control the lights, shades and temperature throughout your entire home. “With the simple touch of a button, you can automatically raise and lower shades to add privacy, protect furnishings, and adjust the temperature in a space. Adjust the lights in your whole home using a hand-held remote, wall-mounted keypad, or tabletop control. Control temperature control from keypads, mobile devices and the time clock. Save energy by reducing your HVAC use with the eco button. Seamlessly integrate with other whole home systems such as A/V and security for a complete solution.” (Lutron)

Lutron Remote Controlled Shades

The key to selecting window shade fabrics is the opacity levels of the fabric. What we mean by opacity is how much light can pass through the material. For example 1% means virtual privacy versus 10%-14% so you can see the view from your windows. The fabrics block UV rays. And, similar to a two-way mirror when you are inside, you can easily see out, but if you are outside, you cannot see in.

For more automated window covering options, visit the Lutron website here or if you like what you see here, call us for a consultation!

Over the years, I’ve saved all my cards from my daughter, her first handmade ones from preschool. I especially love the ones which included such things as

1. A breakfast in bed (from a 6 year old – wonder what that would be?) and

2. daily art or paintings for a week.

If you’re like me and want to preserve your children’s cards or drawings in an artistic way, many schools sign on with online art studios, which put images into frames, cards, calendars, mugs, you name it. Here’s one, for example….Artsonia.com.

This is the day when all mothers recall the treasure it is to be a mom. And now that I’m a “mema” as referenced by my 2 grandsons, it’s another amazing experience of love.

This Sunday my very special gift is a visit from my daughter… how fantastic that will be.

As for a great Mother’s Day gift, I love this one from my good friend Debra Prinzing…(reviewed by LATimes today)

You can order the book from Amazon.com.

Happy Mother’s Day!

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“Room to Grow” Contest on Pinterest

Got ideas on how you’d like to redecorate your kid’s room, but don’t know where to begin? You’re in luck! Room & Board, YOLO Colorhouse and Annie’s Homegrown, three great family-­friendly and eco-­friendly companies, have joined forces to sponsor “Room to Grow,” a contest to solve one of the modern family’s perennial design problems – how to decorate your kid’s room so that it reflects their unique, creative spirit. The contest runs May 13 through May 31, 2013 on Pinterest.

If you’re the “Room to Grow” winner, you’ll receive $7,500 worth of kid’s furnishings, floor planning and design consultation from Room & Board; a color consultation, contracted painting services and paint for walls and ceiling valued at $600 from YOLO Colorhouse; and a gift basket of Annie’s Homegrown products plus FREE Annie’s product coupons, valued at $1,500.

To enter, create a “Room to Grow” Pinterest board and categorize it under Home Décor. Pin a photo of your child’s room in need of a makeover along with at least three of each of the following from the master “Room to Grow” Pinterest board:

Room & Board furnishings; YOLO Colorhouse paint swatches; and Annie’s Homegrown snacks. Add #annies, #roomandboard and #yolocolorhouse in the description of each image. Submit a link to your board along with a short description explaining the inspiration behind your choices and how these items will brighten your child’s life.

Submit to contest@roomandboard.com. All entries will be judged by representatives from each company and based on originality, creativity, and adherence to the rules.

For complete entry requirements and Official Rules, visit www.roomandboard.com/roomtogrow. The contest is not sponsored by or associated with Pinterest.

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Spin Art Fun in Seattle

A Room & Board in-store event with fun-­for-­the-whole-­family activities, such as creating original spin art with the YOLO Colorhouse Pedal Powered Spin Art Bike, and sampling healthy snacks from Annie’s Homegrown will take place May 18-19, 2013 from 10-5 on Saturday and 11-5 on Sunday at Room & Board Seattle at University Village, 2675 NE University Village St. Seattle, WA 98105.

This past Saturday, I participated in the 22nd Annual Spring Rebuilding Day organized by Rebuilding Together Seattle. Every year, on the last Saturday in April, Rebuilding Together Seattle partners with corporate sponsors and over 1,500 volunteers to repair 25 homes in one day. Rebuilding Together Seattle brings volunteers and communities together to help low income homeowners live in warmth, safety and independence.

Along with the Junior League of Seattle (the Junior League helped establish Rebuilding Together Seattle back in 1989) and nearly 100 other volunteers, I spent the day working on the home of a lovely gentleman named Clarence.

Early start for volunteers

Creating a safe bathroom

Lots of yard debris to clear

Lots of teamwork

The enthusiasm was high and the effort intense on this all day project. I enjoyed the smiles and teamwork.  And I recognize and  respect the planning that takes place over many meetings. Volunteers ask for donations to support the project and drive all over the city in search of supplies and food. It all comes together on this ONE day.

If you’re interested in volunteering with Rebuilding Together Seattle or want more information on this worthy organization, click here.

It’s time for spring cleaning – time to open your windows and insert the screen doors. Time to switch cold weather and warm weather clothes. Time to clean out your closets. Whether you’re investigating what’s buried on the shelves of your linen closet or organizing one for the first time, I compiled the basics for your review. The number of beds in your home determines the quantity of basics for each bed.

Image courtesy California Closets

For each bed you need the following:

• A quality mattress pad-preferably cotton
• Pillowcase covers-ideally with zippers
• A summer and a winter blanket
• A down comforter depending on your location
• Two minimum sets of sheets (three for a splurge) – one on the bed, one available  with each including a fitted and flat sheet
• A blanket or duvet or both – the blanket is tucked in exposing the skirt with sheets folded over; the duvet is neatly folded at the foot
• King beds require 3 standard pillows (my opinion) and 3 Euro square pillows
• Queen beds require 2 standard pillows, 2 Euro squares (decorative pillows are additional)
• Consider keeping a hypoallergenic pillow on hand as well as extra firm for guest preferences
• Two of every size towel per person using a bathroom (again you can splurge with three)
• Consider extra hand towels and wash cloths for children’s bathrooms
• An inflatable Aerobed® for surprise guests or sleepovers
• Lavender scented liners or candles for an extra touch.

Click on the video below to learn how to neatly fold fitted sheets

Remember, we’re here to help you and guide you. Whether you want advise or all the details handled, give us a call to get started.