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Happy Spring!!
March 2006
In This Issue
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It's nearly 4:00 in the morning and I'm doing what I love best.....thinking of each and every detail for that Redesign, or how much shopping to do for the client, or maybe how absolutely fabulous those window treatments will look once they are installed. My family and friends sometimes think I'm crazy, but it goes without saying that I have the most satisfying career that anyone could ask for. I am blessed everyday meeting so many amazing people. I will continue to create decorating spaces that are unique to you and yours. When we think outside the box, our ideas go beyond the ordinary.

Forcing Spring-Flowering bulbs into bloom indoors during the long dark days of winter is the salvation of the housebound gardener-and it couldn't be easier to do. Hyacinths, Amaryllis, Paperwhites, miniature Irises, Crocuses and Daffodils are all popular choices of bulbs for forcing. If you need to store your bulbs before planting, make sure they get the proper ventilation, by storing them in a mesh bag, or a paper bag with holes. Some bulbs require ten to twelve weeks of cold storage. However, bulbs like amaryllis, paperwhites and lily of the valley often come pretreated and require no cold treatment at all. I like to select earthware, glass pots, or even glass vases for containers. Choose the one that will complete the foliage and depth; the tips of the bulbs should be even with the top of the container. Loosely fill the container and place the bulbs in the planting mix with the pointed side of the bulb facing up-so the soil under the bulbs can grow freely. Use some potting mix to cover the bulbs gently, about 1/4 inch below the top of the container. Water the bulbs well. If you plan to replant the bulbs outdoors, you may want to sprinkle a small amount of bulb booster fertilizer or bone meal on the top of the soil. Move the bulbs to a window with direct sunlight in an area of the house with temperatures in the 60's. To keep the stems growing straight, rotate the pot often. Remember to keep the soil moist, and in 3-4 weeks, you should be rewarded with beautiful flowers. As the bulbs begin to bloom, you can prolong the blooming, by moving the bulbs to an area with indirect sunlight

Favorite Forcers: Most catalogs list bulbs suitable for forcing, but it's worth trying your luck with a few unusual bulbs each season.
Iris Reticulata 'Cantab' Baby Blue with yellow markings
Multi-flowering hyacinths Graceful and old- fashioned
Tulipa 'Prinses Irene' Incredibly fragrant, soft orange flowers with rosy purple
Narcissus 'Baby Moon' Fragrant species with tiny golden blossoms and grasslike foliage
Spring is here!! It's time to take a fresh look at your surroundings and consider redecorating. "Wallpaper is one tool you should not overlook" Today's technology has transformed the world of wallpaper that our grandparents knew. >From the wide range of patterns available, to its ease and affordability, consumers are discovering a whole new world of wallpaper. There are many different types of textiles used to create a variety of textures in wallpaper. Some of these include fabric, vinyl, grass cloth, fiberglass and silk or satin. Vinyl wallpapers are the most durable and can help protect your walls from mold, mildew and stains.

Texture is also an important trend in the wallpaper industry....layering textures to create multi-look patterns and experiment with new textures such as cork. These types of wallpapers, often called "architectural" papers are a dream. Today's wallpaper choices allow consumers to take advantage of old and new styles. They offer something for everyone-from traditional,to contemporary, to retro to classic. Receive 10% off all Wallpaper through the month of April.
A path of stepping stones makes a lovely accent for any lawn or garden, and it's even more special when one or mre of the stones are handmade from your own custom design. Making stepping stones is an inexpensive and easy project that yields big results. Make your stones as fancy as you want; create an entire set with a theme or let your imagination run wild. This is a project that's particularly suited for adults and children to do together, and the results can be displayed for years.
Windows are essential to our well-being. They welcome the beautiful sunlight in, that awakes in the morning, and sweeps through our home until dusk. For most, dressing the windows present many a challenge. How can I block the sun from coming in and waking up the children too early? How can I protect my furniture from fading? How can I bring some architectural interest to my rooms? Or maybe you have a room that faces the street, which makes privacy an important issue. Designing a window treatment involves both practical consideration and aesthetic decision. Consider the practicalities first-these are "givens" around which the design must work. The most beautiful window treatment in the world will not be a success if it doesn't meet your own needs in the area of usefulness. How the room is used will affect the choice of both style and materials for your window treatment.

Now, more than ever, well-dressed windows are the focal point of the room they reside in. When furnishing our homes today, we recognize the impact the windows make, and their view are just like a well thought out frame for a beautiful painting. The appreciation of the decorative hardware that goes along with the treatment, the beautiful crystal finials, all play an important part of the picture. They inspire....they finish the look. We are proud to carry, thousands of high quality fabrics, along with beautiful drapery hardware collections, that we personally select and bring to your home for viewing, in your lighting conditions. If you are looking for ways to frame that window, give us a call to schedule a consultation. We care about how we can be most helpful to you.

We hope you'll find the newsletters enjoyable as well as informative. Please continue to e-mail us on issues that are of most interest. Happy Spring!!

Sincerely,
Nancy Gouveia-Fentross
Bona Fide Designs

 

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