Blog by Beebe Cline, PREC*

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Rocking Chairs and Gliders for the Nursery and Beyond

October 2nd, 2013
Could it be that the nursery is one of the more difficult rooms to design and organize? New parents are so excited about expecting that "they love everything they see," says Pasadena, California, interior designer Amy Peltier. They often find it challenging to edit selections. Also, many new parents turn to nursery shops, which typically carry animal-print and pastel fabrics ...

How to Decorate When You're Starting Out or Starting Over

October 1st, 2013
Few things in life are as daunting as decorating your first home. With so many options available and so many decisions to make, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed. Many of us just retreat into the familiar or the expected, leaving a trail of disappointment (and Linen White paint) in our wake. That condition isn’t limited to the young. These days it’s not unusual for people to ...

Meet a High-Tech Home That Monitors Itself

September 30th, 2013
Not long ago a friend let us borrow her hybrid car so we could travel from Port Angeles, Washington, to Seattle. The car was amazingly energy efficient. A really cool feature was the dashboard display, which provided constant feedback on energy use and source. For example, when we were waiting at a drawbridge, we could see just when the gas engine provided power and when ...

10 Reasons to Try a Moroccan Rug

September 30th, 2013
You've seen them staring up at you from the floors of some of your favorite home photos and even in posh modern hotels. Moroccan carpets have become something of an obsession among the design crowd, and if you haven't yet hopped on the bandwagon, here are 10 reasons to consider giving one a try. But first, a bit of background.A very short history of Moroccan carpets. Authentic ...

Design Lessons From a 10-Foot-Wide Row House

September 29th, 2013
Most of us have that one tricky area in our home that seems impossible to design around. Long walls, narrow hallways, tight corners, no windows — these can be devilish little challenges. But architect Richard Loosle didn't have just one tricky room to fix. He had an entire house full of them: a two-story, 900-square-foot row house only 10 feet wide.The home, which dates back ...

Pick the Right Paint Finish to Fit Your Style

September 27th, 2013
Most would agree that wall color is a key decorating decision, right up there with choosing furniture and pinpointing your style. But what about the finish of your walls? From velvety matte to high gloss enamel, Venetian plaster, decorative finishes and more, the choices are endless — and the decision you make can have a profound impact on the look and feel of your room. Rea ...

15 Home Ideas Fit for a Crowd

September 25th, 2013
I grew up in a blended family with four siblings plus me, and our house could get a little chaotic. In fact, looking back it seems like it was a minor miracle that we all got out of the house more or less on time and well fed every day. If you have a large family, tasks that others take for granted (like laundry) can become major stumbling blocks to a smooth day. If I could ...

Landscape Design: A Secret Garden

September 24th, 2013
We all could use a special place in a garden where we can relax, read a book, enjoy a cup of coffee or simply listen to the birds. It can be a retreat we share with others or use for private contemplation. Whatever the size, purpose or place, the key feature remains the same — it needs to be at least partially hidden from the outside world: a secret garden.One of my design mantras i ...

Make Over Your Bedroom With One Wall of Color

September 23rd, 2013
Add a little spice to the bedroom with ... paint! Whether you're looking for some va-va-voom, a playful environment or a serene atmosphere for rest, an accent wall can strike whatever mood you desire. Take a slide down the rainbow to find just the right color for your bedroom. Busybee Design Ravishing red ...

How to Help Your Dog Be a Good Neighbor

September 22nd, 2013
The doorbell rang the other day and I was surprised to see my neighbor standing on my porch with a beautiful black Labrador retriever on a leash. Mary lost her dog, Shawnee, also a black Lab, to cancer three years ago. Because she and her husband are in a busy stage of life — with aging parents and soon to be grandparents themselves — they agreed that holding off on another ...
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