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Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted by Nicole Corradi | | Posted on 1:13 PM

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Thanksgiving snuck up on me this year. I'll be spending my evening tonight fighting holiday traffic and rockslide detours as I drive down to South Carolina to spend the holiday weekend with my family. The 8+ hour drive will be worth it, though, for the time spent and delicious food that I intend on eating entirely too much of. ;) I hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving with loved ones and great food!

-Nicole


Color Match Paint? There's An App For That.

Posted by Nicole Corradi | Posted in , , , , | Posted on 1:05 PM

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Get inspired, take a photo, ColorSnap™ for iPhone does the rest.

If you've struggled with trying to coordinate paint colors in the past, you're not alone! A lot of people have a hard time making a final decision and if you're slightly color blind (which about 1 out of 4 men are) then it's even more difficult. I came across an app for the iPhone today, though, that makes the whole process a piece of cake.

This app, from Sherwin-Williams, seems pretty cool. You take a photo of something that inspires you and it matches the colors in the photo to one of their paint colors. It makes creating color palettes for your space really simple. The app even gives you a preview of the color, the paint name, and the RGB values.

I'm a Blackberry girl (until next year when the iPhone comes to Verizon, or at least that's what I hear *and hope*) so I can't test this out on my own. If you download it and try it out let me know!

Click here to Download it for your iPhone!

Piña Ghouladas and Bleeding Cupcakes, Oh My!

Posted by Nicole Corradi | Posted in , | Posted on 12:57 PM

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Halloween is a fun holiday; it's the one weekend every year that you get to dress up as someone or something else without other people thinking you are crazy. It also comes with a lot of fun "tricks" and "treats" that aren't typically suitable for any other day of the year. Check out these creepy Halloween treats and learn how to make them yourself!

Piña Ghoulada


Courtesy of Martha Stewart.


Bleeding Cupcakes

1) Bake cupcakes using your favorite recipe.
2) Once cooled, dig a small lump of cupcake out of the top. Set the removed chunk aside.
3) Pour a little bit of an edible, reddish, runny substance, such as strawberry jam or cherry pie filling, into the hole.
4) Re-insert removed chunk.
5) Frost the top (thereby covering up the evidence of step 2).
6) Dip a toothpick into some of the leftover jam (filling, sauce, red icing, etc.) and stab the top of the cupcake twice to give the appearance of fang marks.

Courtesy of Michael Singer.

Wine Lovers, Drink Up!

Posted by Nicole Corradi | Posted in | Posted on 11:37 AM

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It reduces the risk of heart disease, promotes the absorption of antioxidants in food, helps metabolize fat, and decreases the risk of osteoporosis and stroke.... plenty of reasons to enjoy a glass of wine daily, right? Well, not that you need any more convincing, but in recent years another benefit to drinking wine has surfaced! This one has nothing to do with your health, though. A company called Jelinek Cork Group offers a beautiful and Eco-friendly flooring product that is produced from recycled wine and champagne corks.



The corks are cut into 1/4" thick circular discs and glued to a paper net backing which is then applied to the floor using glue and grout. This type of flooring is great because it is water resistant (and not slippery) and anti bacterial which makes it a perfect solution for potentially wet areas such as saunas, showers, bathrooms and kitchens. It is also extremely durable which makes it a great solution for areas with high traffic like the restaurant shown below. On top of being a green product (it is 100% natural) cork is also loved for it's soundproofing and insulating qualities.



The cork can be stained any color and paired with colored grout as shown below.



James Velez of Habitus NYC (a retailer of Cork Mosaic) sums it up well, "It's un-tampered virgin cork; its features are the same as the bottle stopper; it seals in the liquid, making it water resistant. So you can use Cork Mosaic on your shower floor, for instance. I actually know of someone who used Cork Mosaic on the deck of a yacht."

Photos courtesy of The Cork House, Domino, Habitus NYC, and CorkStore.

"Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style." ~Billy Baldwin

2009 HOMEARAMA

Posted by Nicole Corradi | Posted in , , | Posted on 12:31 PM

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The 48th annual HOMEARAMA showcase begins this Saturday, September 12, at noon in Mason, OH! Typically the showcase is held each year in June but this year, due to economic conditions, the location had to be changed and the dates pushed back. There are only 5 models this year for the same reason. The new location is near I-71 in the community of Carmelle. The homes are beautiful, as they always are, and are available to be purchased. One has already been sold, but the other four are still on the market. The showcase runs from September 12-27 with a furniture and accessory sale following on the 28th. Tickets are $9 or you can purchase them in advance at Kroger for $7.

My favorite of the five homes, just judging by the photos, is Model 01- The Nottoway. It's 5,819 square feet and has some really beautiful & unique architectural features. It's on the market for $799,000.





For more info/details, visit the official website.

"Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style." ~Billy Baldwin

How to...Redo Your Closet

Posted by Nicole Corradi | Posted in , , | Posted on 11:24 PM

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Charlton Fascitelli, author of Shop Your Closet, gives some basic tips in her book on how to get your closet up-to-date and more organized than ever. I couldn't agree with her suggestions more. In fact, I've been walking myself through these steps at least once a year for the past 8 or 9 years, so I am proof that this system is satisfying and works! It's really quite simple, honestly.

Before you get started, you're going to need to pick a time when you can dedicate a weekend or at least two full evenings after work to sort through your current wardrobe. It may seem like a lot of time but trust me, you will need it! We're all busy people, so if you are serious about doing this you will need to make it a priority (put it in your Blackberry if it helps! I don't know about you, but for me nothing is official until it's in my BB haha). If you don't make it a priority, you will just keep putting it off or you'll get started on it when you don't have time to finish, which will leave you with a big mess and a lot of frustration. (I was guilty of this several years ago... it was a chore to get ready every morning until I finally set aside time to finish the job. Learn from my mistakes- make it a priority & set aside plenty of time!)

When you're ready to get started you will want to sort your clothes into three piles:
1. Give away
2. Throw away
3. Keep

The "throw away" pile is for anything that is damaged and cannot be easily repaired(this SHOULD be a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised what some people hold onto). You can decide what to put in the "give away" pile by asking yourself two simple questions: "Is this something I would buy today?" and "Have I worn this in the past 12 months?". If the answer to either of these questions is NO then it goes in the "give away" pile. Pretty simple. Any items that don't qualify for the "give away" or "throw away" piles can go into your "keep" pile. If you end up with a giant "keep" pile and can't seem to part with anything then it's time to call in a friend. Someone with a good sense of style that knows you well can give you an outsider's perspective and make sure you don't hold onto anything solely because you got a great deal on it.

The next step is key to a visually pleasing, organized closet... Purchase matching hangers! Having a hodgepodge of hangers is a sure way to leave your closet looking sloppy. Get rid of any wire hangers and plastic garment bags you may have acquired from the dry cleaners. Not only are they eye sores, but the hangers are also too weak to hold any garment properly.

Speaking of properly holding garments, make sure you use the appropriate hangers with the garments they are made for (hang coats on a coat hanger, pants on a pant hanger, etc). Also, hang like with like.... Keep your shirts with other shirts, pants with other pants, coats with other coats, etc. Within each of these categories you can seperate the garments even further by grouping them by color. Doing this will make it easier to visualize possible outfits. You should always leave a little bit of breathing room between garments, too. When you jam too many things in a row they end up wrinkled and difficult to look through.

Finally, hang your clothes so that they are all facing the same direction. It makes it easier to find things and looks a lot neater.

The one exception to hanging is sweaters; They tend to lose their shape when hung so they are better off being folded.

These two closets are good examples of an organized, fresh closet:





It may sound like a ton of work, but it's really not as bad as you might be imagining. I guarantee it is worth the time spent!! You will be in closet heaven every morning once you're done and it will be so much easier to put outfits together and find what you're looking for. It saves a lot of time and stress in the long run.

"Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style." ~Billy Baldwin

Color Trends: Fall 2009

Posted by Nicole Corradi | Posted in , | Posted on 11:40 PM

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It's hard to believe summer is nearing its end already for 2009. It's my favorite season and I wait anxiously for it every year. It always seems to fly by, though. In a few weeks the leaves will start changing and fall will be upon us and, as much as I love summer, there is a lot to be adored about fall too. The typical description of the crisp air, beautiful colors, and fresh baked pies is familiar to all of us.

As with every other season, the Pantone Color Institute selects the top 10 colors for fall each year and their choices for 2009 are quite unique in comparison to previous years. As with the spring color trends, designers are maintaining their focus on the "fundamental basics that speak to current economic conditions..." which is wise. Vibrant hues were not completely left out of the mix, though. A splash of color paired with the classic and timeless neutral tones adds that bit of a spark to the pallette to create excitement and energy.

All of the Fall 2009 color trends are shown above, but here is a better look at some possible pairings that you could use in your home or office this season:



This is your typical fall color combination. You can't go wrong with warm hues pulled from nature during this time of year. Try these in your kitchen or family room. Light some candles in the evening to add to the warmth.



This combination of Honey Yellow, Purple Heart, and Iron add a surprising flair to the fall season. It is a playful twist on the traditional pallette above.



A touch of patriotism from American Beauty combined with feel-good hues like Purple Heart and Creme Brulee gives a feeling of refinement and sensuality while embracing creativity and excitement. This combination would be great for a room with lots of natural light to add to the fresh feel it gives off.


"Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style." ~Billy Baldwin

Home Tour: NFL Kicker, Shayne Graham

Posted by Nicole Corradi | Posted in | Posted on 11:04 PM

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I recently visited the home of Bengals Kicker Shayne Graham for a tour of his 3 story condo located along the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati. He purchased this beautiful home a couple years ago and because it was new construction he was able to make alot of the design decisions himself. I was impressed by his choices; He has a good eye for design and great taste.

The kitchen was my personal favorite. It is very elegant, and classy; a great setting for entertaining or unwinding after a long day. The walls of the office and game room display various keepsakes from his successful career in football, both in college and the NFL. I think everyone will appreciate his two walk-in closets with built in shelving for his shoe collection, which you will see in the photos below. All-in-all, Shayne's home consists of two bedrooms, an office/gym, kitchen, living room, dining room, elevator, theater room, game room, and a note-worthy garage to house his red Bentley.

Check out these photos I took during my tour: (click images to view full size)

   

 

   

 

   

 


Instant Facelift...

Posted by Nicole Corradi | Posted in , | Posted on 10:56 PM

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... for your mirror, that is.

I came across a company today that I thought I'd share with you all real quick. It's called MirrorMate, and what they have to offer is worth checking out. You would be amazed how one frame can transform an entire bathroom, and MirrorMate's custom frames make this possible in a matter of minutes. It's all done for an incredible price, too.

These aren't traditional frames; You don't take your mirror down and put it in the frame like you would think. Instead, you simply affix the frame onto the front of your existing mirror. You can visit their website for more information and to watch a video on exactly how it works. Prices range from around $140-$220 which is a significant savings from what you would pay for other framed mirror solutions.

Check out these before & after photos to see the dramatic transformation I'm talking about:

  


  


  

"Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style." ~Billy Baldwin

DreamHome 2009

Posted by Nicole Corradi | Posted in , | Posted on 9:04 PM

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Need inspiration for your home? Look no further than the Merchandise Mart in Chicago!

If you have ever been to Chicago, you may have noticed the 25 story, 4.2 million gross square feet building that spans across two city blocks along the Chicago River in the heart of the city. This wholesale design center houses retail shops, boutiques, showrooms, offices, trade shows, and events year round. Just last week the national Interior Design trade show, NeoCon, took place in the Mart as it does every year in June. It is a 3 day event that draws in over 50,000 Interior Designers, Architects, and other industry professionals and showcases both residential and commercial furnishings/products in one convenient location. In addition to the 1,200 showrooms/exhibits there are also a number of seminars and networking events that registered guests can attend during the show dates.

The best time to visit the Mart, in my opinion, is during NeoCon but there are plenty of permanent showrooms that are open year round too, so it is still a great resource anytime.

One of the showrooms that stays open after NeoCon is over each year is the DreamHome exhibit. It is a showcase for the top interior designers in the Chicago area and serves as a major inspiration for designers and home owners alike. The designs are impressive, inspirational, and trend setting.

Foyer:
    
(Trend spotting: Flowering branches for a more minimalistic approach at a bouquet.)
"Gilding, and the mixing of gold and silver finishes in glass, metal and wood seen throughout the entry, invokes a feeling of elegance and a classic mix of old world and modern design." -Laurel Feldman, Designer

Library:

"Influenced by the art that surrounds the Library, a sense of ultimate harmony is achieved, resulting in a space that bears evidence of eclectic taste." -ASI Interiors, Inc.

Office:

"...John Naisbitt introduced the formula 'high tech/high touch,' which describes our fundamental need to counterbalance the effects of new technology as it replaces human interaction. 'The more high tech,' he wrote, 'the more high touch.'...This home office balances cutting-edge technology with exotic woods and luxurious, natural fabrics...[It] is a personal sanctuary, as much about productivity as it is about individual style." - Janet McCann, Designer

Master Bath:

"It's not just the soothing spa treatments, or the relaxing massages that create the ambiance of tranquility and pampering while visiting your favorite spa, it's the décor. Why not wake up to that environment every morning in your own master bathroom?* My goal was to embrace romance and restrained elegance to create a clean and soothing modern spa-like environment." -Chris Michiels, Designer
(* Get a head start on this by reading one of my previous posts, "Better Baths")

Dining Room:

"In urban living, spaces need to be versatile to meet the demands of our multi-faceted lives. They should be comfortable and also function seamlessly as varied entertaining needs arise. This dining room can accommodate an intimate cocktail party and dinner or can be used for hosting larger-scale gatherings and receptions." -Leslie Jones, Designer

View more about the DreamHome 2009: http://www.merchandisemartdesigncenter.com/dreamhome/index.cfm
Photos courtesy of the Merchandise Mart, ApartmentTherapy.com, & Pagoda Red

"Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style." ~Billy Baldwin

Go Green!!

Posted by Nicole Corradi | Posted in , | Posted on 8:54 PM

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By now, we've all heard the phrase "Go Green" and have been challenged to take steps in our daily lives to do so, but it may have left you thinking, "Okay, but...how??" It's really a lot less complicated than you may think. There are endless resources online, in magazines, in stores, and on the news that provide helpful lists of ways you can start living "green". I've compiled a list for you of some of the most common and simple steps you can take. Check it out:

1. Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs.
This is a very quick and simple way to save energy and money. They are more expensive than regular incandescent light bulbs that you are used to, but they last 10 times longer (10,000 hours rather than 1,500) and use less energy because they convert most of the energy they use into light rather than heat. This causes them to consume 75% less electricity. If you replace one 75-watt incandescent bulb with a 25-watt CFL you could save yourself up to $83 over the life of the bulb.
You can buy them at places like Home Depot, Lowes, Target, Sears, etc.


2. Unplug electronics/appliances that glow.
Items such as TVs, cell phone chargers, printers, DVD players, and anything else that has an LED light that stays on after you turn it off is continuing to use power. The easiest fix for this is to plug them into a power strip that is connected to a light switch. That way you can simply turn all of the items off in one step when you leave your home. It is estimated that this simple adjustment could save you around $200 a year!

3. Recycle old electronics.
Electronics, such as cell phones and computers, contain mercury and other toxic chemicals and should not be thrown away, but recycled. The Consumer Electronics Association created mygreenelectronics.org to help people find a recycling resource in their area. The site also provides a list of electronics, from laptops to baby monitors, that are easier on the environment and your energy bill. You can sell unused cell phones to greenphone.com. You'll receive about $35, and the phones will be refurbished and resold.

4. Conserve water.
Since 1950 we have increased our water consumption by 200%. Conserving water is as easy as fixing a leaky faucet or toilet; a dripping faucet can waste up to 74 gallons a day, a leaking toilet up to 200 gallons a day. You could save about 73,000 gallons of water per year by fixing a leaky toilet (which also saves you $ on your water bill). There are also many great water-efficient shower heads that you can purchase from various hardware and home stores. Front load washers are great as well. GE has a great set that is Energy Star approved and Nicole approved (I have the set in silver and love it! ;)).


5. Buy products with the Energy Star label.
This label serves as a guarantee that the appliance is energy-efficient. In some cases, you could even be eligible for a tax credit for your purchase of an Energy Star appliance. A household with Energy Star products uses about 30 percent less energy than the average household, which is an annual savings of about $570.


6. Adjust fridge and freezer temps.
Refrigerators eat up the most electricity in the household. Maximize efficiency by keeping the fridge at 37° F. and the freezer at 0° F.

7. Turn off lights.
Utilize natural light as long as possible each day by opening up blinds/drapes and turn off lights when you are in another room or not at home.

8. Choose low VOC paints.
When you are choosing paint for your home, look for water based products that emit virtually no VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which lower your indoor air quality and are not good for your health. Sherwin-Williams low VOC paints are a great example.

9. Get some plants.
Another way to keep your indoor air quality pure is to keep certain plants in your home that will remove toxins from the air. If you don't really have a green thumb, some great greens that don't require much maintenance are Golden pothos, English ivy, and peace lilies.

All of these tips and many more are available online at various websites. Just try a simple Google search if you are curious about more ways to "Go Green!" One basic key to remember is to recycle and to look for items made from recycled materials. I'm no tree hugger; a lot of these tips are just very practical and not that difficult to do. I'm all about simple ways you can make a difference in the world and your wallet!

"Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style." ~Billy Baldwin