Home & Garden Blog

“For Maryalice Huggins, old things — particularly fine antiques — are living, breathing beings. Some radiate irresistible allure. Auctions might as well be singles bars.”- NYTimes.com Home and Garden feature article, 11/13

Maryalice Huggins, besides having a beautiful name, loves the artisanal and sumptuous quality of fine antiques and priceless heirlooms. And the heirlooms don’t just have to come from your family! Maryalice loves to mix and match from a variety of contemporary and historical artifacts and time periods, and we can do a lot to learn from her. Thank you, NYTimes.com, for bringing once again a refreshing mix of the old and the new to home and garden styling!

What if you want to recreate the aesthetic of Maryalice Huggin’s home? I suggest we start with a base layer of neutral, contemporary objects. Some standard white walls and solid colored rugs, some geometric sofas and glossy tables. From there, let’s look at some antique, rusted, inspired pieces to give your home a kick. Good objects to look for are mirrors, lamps, and table sculptures. Let’s take a look:

First, the base contemporary layer:

Zuo 900231 Fortress Sofa White: $1,322.00

And the antique lovely to set it off just right:

Uttermost 12525 Hesper Wall Art w/Etched, Antique Mirrors and Pewter Finish: $144.00

Find more contemporary style home decor at Smarter.com.

I am a fan of scented candles, nothing adds that touch of warmth and fragrance like a decent candle. Plus I have learned over the years that all candles are not made equal. The cheaper ones tend to burn quickly and releases harsh chemicals into the air. There have been times in the past when I have lit a scented candle before going to bed and have woken up half choking with the over pungent scent aroma hanging in the air! Not cool or safe for that matter.

Well check out the Jungle Stripe Scented Candle from UnbeatableSale.com.

Reminiscent of the midday sun on tall grass, an arresting zigzag stripe pattern parades arond a textured bisque ceramic cup. Nestled within a creamy scented candle sweetens the air with a sumptuous tropical paradise scent.

Originally $23.08

Sale Price $15.49

If you are interested in purchasing the Jungle Stripe Scented Candle - Click here!

Read - Easy French Furniture Design written by Smarter Guest Blogger Maureen

Find Beautiful Discount Kitchenware & Shop for a Copper Pot Rack Kitchen Grid

Shop for Discount Home Decor & Magical Mirrors

Spring is Here! Time for a Lovely Picnic in the Great Outdoors - Shop for this Manhatten Picnic Case 

This mirror contains a whimsical, fantasy quality that reminded me of Snow White. A lovely choice, this mirror features a floral bow motif and a gold wash finish. It is crafted of a resin/wood composite.

Originally priced at $253.00
on SALE $170.60

If you are interested in checking out this Round Beveled Mirror with Bow, click here.

Wow, super cool! Check out the design work from Juan Pablo Maza. Plot #35 from the Ordos Project is not your typical villa. You won’t find it in Spain, France or Italy. This one is inner Mongolia. The flat landscape is known for some of the most amazing blue skies on Earth but living there is harsh with high winds and extreme temperature grades.

Architect Juan Pablom Maza created a large underground home to take advantage of the ground’s natural insulation but the most striking feature is the suspended living area abouve ground surrounded by a forest of beams! Beautiful!!

(Source: Yanko Design Blog)

While at Smarter Home & Garden Blogs: 

• Boxed Martini Candles - Great Gifts or Wedding Favors
• Discount Mulitmedia Storage Cabinet - Antique White Finish
• Discount Bedding - Low Priced Throw Pillows
• Mazal Tov - Discount Bar Mitzvah Picture Frame
• Hello Gorgeous! - Check Out This Edwardian Home Bar
• Discount Floor Furnace - All the Heat at a Fraction of the Cost
• Easy Deal - Check Out this Red Easy Rider Couch
• Plum Crazy Tiffany Table Lamp - Discount Home Decor
• Discount Dinnerware - Gibson Royal Quilt 30 Piece Set

Boxed Martini Candles

Planning a party or wedding, these Boxed Scented Martini Candles in Silver Plated Cup are the perfect candle accessory. A silver plated martini cup is filled with exotic petal scented ivory wax to create this beautifully candle. Sold individually and boxed as shown.

Price $20.00

(click on the link above to shop or purchase)

Mini Champagne Bottle Candles

I also came across these Mini Champagne Bottle Candles. Made entirely of wax, this little bubbly will get the party started. Sold individually and unscented. Is it weird that I want them just to decorate around my house, Ha!

Price $8.00

(click on the link above to shop or purchase)

Still want more? Click here for a wide variety of Low Priced Candles. 

First of all is it “bar” or “bat” Mitzvah? I always wondered about that..

Well for any of our Hebrew readers who are searching for the perfect gift to celebrate “The Coming of Age” celebration, I came across this detailed and delightful photo frame that I think would be an excellent gift.

The photo frame is featured on your right if you are interested. Best of all is the price.

Originally $20.50 it is currently on SALE for $18.45  (you save 10%)

PLUS: Enter coupon code: FREE5 at checkout to take an additional $5 dollars off

Great deal right!?

If you are interested in purchasing the Bar Mitzvah Photo Frame - Click here!

This Week in Smarter Home & Garden Blogs 

Short on Space? Check out this Great Deal on a Queen Sized Storage Bed - has 12 Drawers!

Shaggy Rugs - Check out this Low Priced Leather Shag Area Rug

Kitchy Home Decor - Cute Carton Vase - Got Flowers?

The Perfect Cocktail Container - Discount Barware 

I came across thi “Carton Vase” and thought it was adorable!

Got Flowers? - Ha! Get it?

U.K. designer James Burgess pours a dash of whimsy into white porcelain. Perfect for dunking one, two or three flowers.

Price $6.95

If you are interested in the Carton Vase, click here.

To bargain shop for more low priced VASES - Click here!

Truth is when I first heard of “leather” shag rugs my first instinct was to cringe a bit. I don’t know why but I immediately got a vision of a hairy bo-hunk with a disco shirt open to the naval, boppin his head and spewing cheesey pick up lines! Ha!

But upon closer inspection I have changed my mind and think it is actually quite chic. Check out the Allover Leather Shag Area Rug from HomeDecorators.com. 

The popular leather area rugs are perfect to accent or even hang on the wall! The leather shag rugs are available in brown, golden sunset, multi and black. The one I have featured is the “multi” color. I think it looks like fall foilage. Which is pretty. My interior design eye pictures dark mahogany furntiure hard wood cheery floors and suede couches….grrrr!

If you want to check out the Allover Leather Shag Area Rug - Click here!

Shop for more Discount Area Rugs - Click here!