Home & Garden Blog

The Gingerbread House of old has gone mod! And it is sweeeeeeeeet! Usually Gingerbread Houses look like medieval castles or your grandma’s house decorated in gum drops but the Gingerbread House created at Red Envelope is completely revamped and modernized. Well if you call 1940-50’s modern, its a tad retro but I love it.

The Modern Gingerbread House features a garage and rock garden, makes a unique gift and is a sure-fire conversation piece. It arrives assembled and is 100% edible and ready to enjoy. If you decide to eat it, you have to do the deed in 30 days, otherwise if left as decoration, it will keep for up to 12 months. For you allergy folks, candies used for embellishment may contain nuts.

Here’s a summary of stats and added perks:

* 100% edible
* may be personalized with up to two lines of 12 characters per line
* house measures 18″ x 13″ x 5 1/2″ high

I realize its a little short notice for Christmas, but its a great idea for next year (it lasts for 12 months!) or if you really love it you can purchase expedited shipping!

To purchase the Modern Gingerbread House, click here.

To shop for more Gingerbread Houses, click here.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

The free standing Chimo burns Ethanol for an eco-friendly and very cozy experience that won’t break the bank. Shown here are the two models, round $1389, and square $1480.. finish reading at FurnitureStoreBlog.com!

Not all Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL’s) are created equal! As many converts to the energy-sipping bulb are aware, some are simply better than others; at warming up more quickly, providing good light quality, and lasting as long as advertised…continue reading at Treehugger.com!

Drink up! So unabashedly unadorned, the Liquid Serving Set by Fusionware soars to the top of my mental list of top designs. The slim proportions and warmth of the stoneware make these vessels perfect for serving up almost anything, see more at Pure Contemporary.

This week in Smarter Home & Garden we covered:

• See the sofa that every AA member dreads….“An Alchoholic’s Fantasy Chair!”
• Grow your very own fresh herbs at home to perfectly season all your home cuisine..
• Discover the multiply uses for discount paper lanterns.
• Spend $100 get $100 back on all products and Christmas Decorations at Frontgate.com!
• Check out the Sketchy Furniture Youtube clip that will boggle your mind!
• Save money on our Deal of the Day! Discount serving pieces for only $14.99 that will surely be a hit at your next Holiday party.

Check out this great deal that a reader sent me! (Thanks Talmadge!)

Apparently if you spend $100 dollars at Frontgate.com you can receive a gift coupon for $100 Off your next Frontgate.com purchase.

Simply enter code: CM12 at checkout and allow 2 weeks to receive your gift coupon by email.

For full details on Special $100 dollar offer, click here.

That said, I checked out Frontgate’s merchandise and they have hundreds of beautiful ornaments, lights and Christmas decorations. The item I chose to feature is their Charles Towne Vine Garland.

Charles Towne Vine Garland is infused with a generous mix of nature’s bounty. Created by floral artisans in the Philippines (my homeland) and hand tied with silk ribbons it is a bona fide original and sold exclusively at Frontgate.com. You could easily use the garland to decorate your home for the Holidays and year around if you wish.

Originally retailed for $199.00 it is now $119.00!

To purchase Charles Towne Vine Garland, click here.

To shop for assorted Christmas Decorations, click here.

To view full details on $100 Special Deal, click here.

Well in support of our country’s effort to go GREEN, I would like to dedicate this post to the wonders of “Indoor Artificial Christmas Trees” !!! (cue uproarious applause)

I have chosen to highlight Frontgate.com because they offer a wide-selection of different “breeds” that are designer quality! They are the most lifelike, full artificial Christmas trees in the business. The trees are pre-lit, so you don’t need to fuss anymore with running around and around your Christmas tree with the lights. Well unless you enjoy that sort of thing, then by all means have at it! Ha!

In my house, I enjoy full, plush trees that are robust at the bottom and allow for alot of ornamentation. I usually purchase Noble Firs or Canaan Firs. The image listed above is of the Pre-lit Noble Fir Christmas Tree, which I believe is the top seller. The level of luxury and quality in these trees really amaze me! Plus they don’t shed or leave water stains all over your carpet, which is a mighty big perk!

Also they have this really cool feature, an interactive Gallery of Indoor Christmas Trees tool that allows you to hover over different styles, learn more about that particular artificial tree, and view a comparison chart. You gotta check it out, its awesome!

Honestly folks, save a tree near you today and go ARTIFICIAL!

To view and shop a wide selection of artificial Christmas trees, click here!

To help you decide check out Frontgate’s interactive tool, the Gallery of Indoor Christmas Trees.

See the impressive home flame collection from Radius design at Furniture Fashion. I particularly enjoy the free floating effect created by the way the fireplace hangs from the wall…

Showers are going GREEN too! Read about H20Kinetic Technology at Landfair Furniture … Delta Faucet Company has reinvented the showering experience — creating a warmer, more luxurious spray that blankets the body, giving the feeling of a high-flow shower with less water…Sound lovely!

Holiday gift giving can stump even the most confident design enthusiast, as it’s one thing to know your own taste, yet another to discern what unexpected gift could put a huge smile on the face of the recipient. Find Fabulous and Fun Holiday gift ideas at Blinkdecor.com…

The green bed from Gervasoni is the ideal bed for people who are concerned about their impact on the environment. The oriental undertones of the green bed are partially due to the distinctive headboard which is made from black bamboo – an excellent sustainable resource. Read more at Trendir.com.

This week in Smarter Home & Garden we covered:

• “Watch Out! Landslides & Falling Cows Ahead!”
• My shag is on fire! Read up on the JCPenney Recall for Fire Hazardous Shags.
• Check out the short homage Todd Oldam gives to George Nakashima. Shows great examples of his work.
• The seasons are warped! When it is cold, it’s really cold. Warm up with a space heater that doubles as an air conditioner for when it suddenly heats up!! Make up your mind Weather Gods!?
• Tis’ the Season to finally be the best decorated Christmas House on the block! Read about great Christmas Decorations and outdoor lighting options.
• Tur-duc-hens?! Turkey-Duck-Chicken for those of you who don’t know, step aside Turkey there is a new tradition in town!