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- Weekly Articles -
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Marqueyssac Chateau and Gardens |
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Known as “The Belvédère of the Dordogne,” the château and gardens of Marqueyssac are perched on top of a chalk bluff about 500 feet above the valley, giving visitors a spectacular panoramic view of the Dordogne River and the Périgord Noir area of France.
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Spanish Tapas |
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While tapas originated in Spain, Spanish tapas integrate Arab flavors from the Moors and cooking techniques learned from the Romans, with Greek, Jewish, and Asian influences. When eating Spanish tapas, you visit much of the world through culinary history.
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International Travel Tips |
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Most of us have mastered the art of domestic travel with weekend trips to Disneyland and road trips to national parks. If you do a bit of pre-trip planning and follow insider travel trips once you arrive, you can calm your nerves and guarantee your trip will begin and end worry free.
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Escape to Door County |
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Located on a 75-mile peninsula surrounded by the waters of Green Bay on the west and Lake Michigan on the east, Door County, Wisconsin, is fast becoming one of the nation’s most popular travel destinations.
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Laboratory Meets Living Space |
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Homes can be sanctuaries, shelters, or simple retreats. They might serve solely as a resting place to lay one’s head or provide a gathering space for family and friends. But they can also be more than a living space, as evidenced by one Los Angeles-based architect who created a home that is equal parts living space and laboratory.
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Maritime Romantic |
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Every summer as a child, Mike Smith would travel with his family to Thousand Islands in upstate New York, where they’d vacation. In keeping with tradition, the couple would also spend summer holidays visiting the picturesque lake area with their two children.
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Rooms with a View |
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When you’re lucky enough to live at the water’s edge, the wow factor comes with the territory. But what happens when your house wasn’t designed to soak up the sweeping views? Just ask Stacey Levine . . .
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Destination: Bermuda |
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Mark Twain once wrote, “Bermuda is the right country for a jaded man to ‘loaf’ in. There are no harassments; the deep peace and quiet of the country sink into one’s body and bones and give his conscience a rest.” Decades later, Twain’s words still ring true.
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Preserving Summer |
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With the summer harvest season looming, it will soon be easy to go overboard at the farmers’ market. All those vendors hawking slim stalks of asparagus, blushing berries, and fresh-from-the-farm vegetables can turn even the most conservative shopper into an overloaded Sherpa, carrying enough food to feed a family for weeks.
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Glorious Gourmet Picnic |
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We may be entering the dog days of summer, but you’ll find no dogs on this glamorous gourmet picnic menu. Instead, your picnic party of eight will be transported to a hill in the Tuscan countryside, a charming Spanish seaside port—anywhere your imagination may take you.
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Have Fun in Your Garden This Summer |
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Anyone who has ever owned a beautiful garden knows that it doesn’t come without a big price—and I’m not talking about a monetary commitment. Of course, there’s certainly that; the plants and everything required to support this wonderful hobby are expensive...
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Newport Beach Nouveau |
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Those who adore the commanding roar of the Pacific Ocean waves, the gentle caress of a crisp breeze, and the brilliant sunsets over the coastal horizon flock to Southern California’s Newport Beach, where the local mentality and the unwavering weather make for a perpetual summer.
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Neutral Territory |
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The hub of the home may be bustling with activity, but the aesthetic doesn’t have to be busy, too. Instead, it can make a statement with softer hues. That was the case for a custom kitchen filled with elegant yet understated elements that will stand the test of time. Read More>> |
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Summer Haven |
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After all, Pararo and Atlanta-based Pineapple House had worked with the couple, major Canadian retailers, on three previous residences (one in Florida, a primary residence in suburban Toronto, and a ski chalet in northern Ontario), so they were comfortable dealing with the couple. Read More>> |
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New York City |
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Before my head hit the pillow after my red-eye flight to New York, I caught a glimpse of the Empire State Building through my hotel room window. This, I thought as I drifted off, is going to be one memorable trip—but not for the reasons you might think.
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Refuge in the Desert |
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The terrain of Tucson offers up rough edges and hardscrabble surfaces. It’s no wonder the family to whom this kitchen belongs wanted a chic oasis to contrast with the mountainous desert vista viewed outside the home’s windows. Read More>> |
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Choosing Outdoor Furniture |
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As outdoor furniture lines have become more elaborate and weather resistant and new products and embellishments like patio heaters or fire pits have allowed us to linger outdoors even on a cool evening, our focus has definitely shifted. Read More>> |
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Progressive Thinking |
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There are times when an elegant sit-down dinner party is an appropriate and enjoyable way to entertain guests. But there are also times when this formal format can feel a little stale or, quite honestly, become a burden for the time-strapped host. Read More>> |
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The Far-Reaching Benefits of Trees |
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Albert Einstein once observed, “The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago—and the second-best time is now.” For being a nuclear physicist and not a landscape architect, he certainly had that theory right.
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Food of Love |
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The French are both proud of and passionate about their food and wine, and with good reason. Despite the fast pace of modern times, a good meal remains an important part of the French culture. Food, wine, long leisurely meals, and good conversation define the good life of France. Read More>> |
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Building a Backyard Garden |
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Two years ago, you didn't even know what microgreens were. Now, you want to grow them - along with snap peas, squash, and Swiss chard - in your backyard. Across the nation, the DIY crowd is planting container gardens on back porches, replacing patches of grass with miniature farm plots, and serving homegrown food for dinner.
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Destination: Arizona |
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Arizona is undoubtedly best known for its magnificent Grand Canyon, the 1,900-square-mile cavern that receives more than five million visitors annually and is one of the United States’ most treasured National Parks.
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Brunch for Eight |
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Spring is right around the corner, and what better way to usher in those warmer days than by hosting a fabulous brunch gathering. With a menu offering something for everyone, feel free to invite several friends knowing you’ll make everyone happy.
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Mount Vernon Gardens |
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Archaeologist Esther White and her support team are digging deep in the Upper Garden to discover how it was laid out and what was planted in George Washington’s day. By the spring of 2011, they plan to unveil a newly planted garden that accurately represents how it would have looked in the 1790s when Washington did his last redesign of the space.
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Country Quietude in the Middle of the City |
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Five years ago, when Valerie Onor, of Valerie Onor Interior Design, was looking for a new home in New York City, she told her husband she would love a little outdoor garden space, never imagining she would end up with 1,500 square feet of lush green and richly flowered rooftop splendor in the middle of Manhattan’s upper east side. Read More>> |
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Duckhorn Wine Company |
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All too often, wineries try to appeal to the tastes and whims of consumers by crafting upward of a dozen or more varietals. The thought, it seems, is that if they create enough wines, each consumer is bound to find one he or she likes. Read More>> |
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From Carriage House to Dream Home |
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The stately image of a sprawling 11,000-square-foot home with pillars, paned windows, and century-old masonry walls evokes historical nostalgia recalling days of hoop skirts, dumbwaiters, and carriages. Read More>> |
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Travels in France |
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Languedoc-Roussillon is a region that is comfortable with contrasts. It’s been nicknamed the new Provence, but it’s so close to Barcelona, Spain, that street signs are in Catalan and tapas and sangria are on menus. Read More>> |
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Blank Canvas |
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Giving a designer complete control to create your dream home is a bit like letting a work colleague steer your career or letting your preteen kids take over the family finances. It’s a risky move, and because of that risk factor, it simply isn’t done. Read More>> |
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Instant Garden Charm for Your Table |
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The ancient art of topiary is a wonderful way to bring fun, versatility, and formality into your garden and home. What’s topiary? Simply trimming and shaping plants into ornamental shapes, which can be any object or geometric shape you can imagine. Read More>> |
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Dynamic Dining Rooms - Modern Comfort |
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Though many modern designs succeed in being clean-lined and contemporary, they also have a tendency to be stark and uninviting.When a modern design is employed in a dining room in particular, it can easily become a small-scale version of a bleak minimalist restaurant. Read More>> |
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Holiday Entertaining for Less |
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This time of year, we’re normally spending big
bucks on multicourse holiday dinners, elaborate parties, and New Year’s Eve celebrations for fifty of our closest friends, no less. But this year, life may have been a bit harder on our wallets ... Read More >> |
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Dynamic Design - Manhattan Residence |
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When homeowners hire a designer to turn the frame of their house into a well-designed home, it’s likely they’ll share their hopes for the final look to help guide their designer toward perfection.
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Warming Winter Wonders |
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As the New Year approaches, you may find yourself resolving to prepare more healthful dinners, but let’s face it; basic salads just don’t seem to fit the bill during this blustery time of year.
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Dynamic Dining Rooms - Feast For The Eyes |
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It takes a visionary to change a space from cavernous to cozy. That was clearly the case for Manhattan-based Charles Pavarini III when he set out to design the dining room in Holiday House to benefit the Greater New York City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Read More >> |
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New Orleans |
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Laissez les bons temps rouler—the official state motto of Louisiana—speaks volumes about the attitudes of New Orleanians, despite the city’s troubles following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. “Let the Good Times Roll!” ... Read More >> |
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Dynamic Design |
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When homeowners hire a designer to turn the frame of their house into a well-designed home, it’s likely they’ll share their hopes for the final look to help guide their designer toward perfection.
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The Suite Life |
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What do you include in the master suite of a
6,000-square-foot home that already claims a game room, housekeeper quarters, theater, bar, gym, outdoor living room, and two dining and living rooms?
- A little bit of everything.
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Fast Fixes for A Healthy Diet |
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With indulgent autumn and winter cuisine starting to show up on restaurant menus, party buffets, and dinner tables this time of year, it’s easy to let good eating habits slip. Read More >> |
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It’s All Greek to Me |
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This menu was inspired by Mom's love of all thing Greek — the country, the people, the architecture, and, of course, the food. I think she must have been Greek in a former life. Read More >> |
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Modern Glamour |
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When interior designer Lisa Sherry was ready to expand her High Point, North Carolina-based company, Lisa Sherry Interieurs Inc., she looked to the rapidly growing city of Charlotte, just ninety minutes south of the furniture capital.
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The Seeds of Great Gardening |
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My friends Lynn and Ralph have a showcase garden, carefully tended as a labor of love. Countless varieties of magnificent bulbs, perennials, and annuals from specialty nurseries fill the beds of their charming hillside residence from early spring to fall. Read More >> |
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Energy Saving Ideas |
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Unless you have a specially designed, energy efficient home, you can almost always reduce your energy costs and improve your home's comfort level. Read More (PDF)>> |
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Getting Your Home Ready For the Winter |
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The energy you expend now will be paid back in full by the energy savings you will experience this winter. Taking these preventative measures will help to protect your home during the winter months. Read More >> |
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Will Shopping Multiple Lenders Hurt Credit? |
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It is not uncommon for home buyers to talk with several mortgage brokers or lenders to compare loan products and interest rates. Read More >> |
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Air Flow In and Out of Your Home |
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Most of us know where there are big drafts in our homes, but we still haven't done anything about them. A good starting point is to close the gaps and cracks around common leaky areas. Read More (PDF)>> |
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Don't Overlook The Garage When Getting Your Home Ready To Sell |
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According to Wasserman, swapping out an old steel-style, raised-panel garage door that once was so very traditional is a huge improvement to a home. Read More >> |
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Air and Your Home's Ductwork |
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Your ductwork in your home can be a big energy waster. But how do you know if there is a problem or where to look? Read More (PDF)>> |
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Price it Right When Selling in Today's Market |
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The most difficult reality for most sellers to face is that prices in their neighborhood may have dropped during the last year or two. Some sellers will find that it may not make sense to sell. Read More >> |
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Humidity and Your Home |
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Your home's humidity level is important for your health and comfort. Moisture is created in your home in many ways from showering and cooking to perspiration and breathing. Read More (PDF)>> |
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Reducing Pesky Dust Mites |
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You can help reduce allergy and asthma problems by talking steps to lower dust mites in your home. Humidity is a big contributor to dust mite proliferation. Read More (PDF)>> |
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Credit Scores Remain Misunderstood |
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And what you don't know about credit scores can hurt you when it's time to buy a home -- especially in a tight credit market. Read More >> |
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Man's Best Friend May Be Costly When Selling Your Home |
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As beloved as pets may be to sellers they can be a detriment to the sale of a home. Regardless of how friendly the pet is, potential buyers can be reluctant to enter the home. Read More >> |
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Improving Air Flow |
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The air flow in your home can be the single, most important factor affecting your energy costs, comfort and health. The average home leaks 60% of its air every hour. Read More (PDF)>> |
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