My Top Interior Designer Tips

Entertaining is Fun

In her famous book Entertaining is Fun, Dorthy Draper recommends switching out your white light bulbs with pink light bulbs when guests come over. Pink is incredibly flattering to everyone, reducing the look of wrinkles and giving you a healthy rosy glow. So much cheaper and easier than plastic surgery or painting the room pink. 

Updates and Great Finds

Pottery Barn Kids Bailey Crystal Chandelier

For years I wanted a crystal ship chandelier, but never got one. I never really had a ceiling high enough for these massive chandeliers. Here is one at 1st dibs for $35,0000.

1st dibs

Last week I was playing around online and spotted this mini Pottery Barn Kids crystal pirate ship version on sale for $70.00 and free shipping. It arrived last evening. Too cute! It might go in my toilet room in the master bath - LOL - why not? Who doesn't want a crystal pirate ship while using the toilet I ask you?

I ran into my HG yesterday and found a Chinese Chippendale brown rattan bar cart for $79.99 and two gorgeous Ann Gish silk dupione pillow shams for $19.99 each that retail for $340 each. All are slated for the master bedroom.

The painters are getting down to the short strokes on the house and will be done by the end of the week. Tomorrow he starts lacquering the guest bathroom in the tandoori orange.

Yesterday I drove to four Home Depots to score enough of the huge globe lightbulbs for the ceiling fans. 100 miles of running around but they look amazing! I am on a mission.

This morning I am off to Michael's for liquid gold leaf as my painter is matching the frame of that massive mirror in the dining room to the Ralph Lauren gold leaf and crystal pagoda lantern that will hang in there.

And I did find a new handyman through my realtor that she has been using for years. I am on his schedule and he seems very nice.

One week from tonight I will be sleeping in my new home.

New topic for your assistance. BTW, I loved everyone's comments yesterday on the question of a TV in the master bedroom - very interesting. I am leaving the Pit Boss grill I own here with GG. Visually I don't want a huge barbecue grill in my new lanai. I just want something small and easy to use with minimal smoke and cleanup. I had an outdoor standing George Foreman electric grill before that I might replace. Any other thoughts? My lanai is not huge and looks out on those gorgeous preserves, so I don't want anything out there to take away from the view. I guess I could just pass on a grill entirely. And what is the deal with the Big Green Egg grills??? Am I missing something amazing? A Japanese style grill does have a certain CC appeal and they are very attractive.

Small Big Green Egg Grill

Here is an electric grill from Target in coral pink for $19.99!

MyMini Personal Electric Grill

But I Don't Want a CFL in My Faux Bamboo Chandelier!

The Little Black Door

There are lots of articles in the press lately on the topic of light bulbs as the phase out of incandescents is now in full swing. Here is my two cents on the subject of light bulbs. I am not a fan of CFLs. I don't find them flattering to rooms or to people. Luckily, I don't really need to use them anywhere in my home, despite the new law.

I posted on Monday about how I use pink 3-way bulbs in all of my lamps. Colored bulbs are not covered by the law, nor are 3-way, so these are safe from the phase out.

Lately I am been really getting into using these round chandelier bulbs in my own home and in clients' homes. I think they look amazing in these vintage faux bamboo chandeliers and in painted brass chandeliers. A great way to update a lighting fixture for a few dollars. Candelabra/chandelier bulbs are not covered by the law.

They are available in clear and in white in various wattages.

Before you start hoarding incandescent light bulbs, check out this list of light bulbs that aren't covered. Since colored bulbs, 3-way bulbs, candelabra bulbs, and specialty bulbs are not being phased out in incandescents, I am just fine.

Exceptions to the law -
*Specialty bulbs
*Reflector bulbs
*3-way bulbs
*Candelabra bulbs
*Globes
*Shatter-resistant bulbs
*Vibration service bulbs
*Rough service bulbs
*Colored bulbs
*Bug lights
*Plant lights