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Lilliput Lane Tour magical Gulliver’s Gate Cottage

PLUS • Backyard gardens • Top 10 kitchen trends • Landscaping SPRING 2010

with pave stones • Decorating ideas

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contents

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 2 Publisher Carol Peterson General Manager Jerry Urban Production/Graphics Manager Jeri Luce Production Glenn Harrington, Christie Lefforge, Cassie McCampbell Advertising Katherine Crosthwaite, Jerry Urban Advertising Assistant Linda Hood Published quarterly by NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

5399 Clark Road, PO Drawer 70, Paradise, CA 95967 Phone: (530) 877-4413 FAX: (530) 877-1326 For advertising information call (530) 879-7815 Printed by Paradise Post Printing www.paradisepost.com

Backyard Garden: Decorating with benches, swings, fountains and more

Cover Story: A peek inside Gulliver’s Gate Cottage

Remodeling: Top 10 kitchen trends - features worth considering

Outdoors: Create an outdoor oasis using easy to install pave stones

ALSO: 30 Finishing Touch: Artist Sally Dimas invites you to her gallery

Decorating: Creating a cool and affordable style to your living space SPRING

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garden

ackyard arden

Benches and swings, fountains and pools, fences, birdhouses, and a lot more can add beauty to your backyard garden. By Danny Brown

he most useful way to spend your leisure time is through gardening at home. A garden might contain both natural and manmade decorative materials. There are many benefits a home garden can deliver. It brings you close to nature and makes you know more about ecology in a practical way. Gardening relieves you of the accumulated stress and brings relaxation to mind. It is an art and you can gather knowledge from various sources to attain mastery in this field. Gardening at home makes your family members and children to enjoy their leisure time joyfully at your own backyard. Flower and vegetable gardens can also be rewarding, you can enjoy the beauty of the flowers and consume fresh fruits & vegetables with little effort.

Decorating your backyard garden There are many types of garden to choose from, some may enjoy a small orchard while others wish to find solace in rock gardens of Japanese style. First decide on the type of garden you wish to have, and prepare a layout of the area incorporating the type of

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garden

plants and decorative accessories within it. Prepare a good design for the garden and get the necessary materials accordingly. You may include fountains, pools, fences, birdhouses, and lot more to add beauty to your backyard garden.

Backyard garden benches and swings Garden benches and swings must be incorporated within the backyard garden to add delight to the beautiful set up. They make the people to feel as if they were in heaven. The beautiful benches within the natural environment will make a right place to find solace for the elders, and the swings will amuse the children. Wooden Garden Benches: There are many varieties of wooden garden benches available in the market. The differences can be in the type of wood used and the model/style in which the bench has been made. Lutyens, Adirondack, Oxford, and Banana are some of the preferred models. The wooden bench placed outdoor fits into the natural garden set up and makes you feel more comfortable. Due consideration must be given to the climatic conditions of your region, as bad weather can easily spoil the outdoor furniture. So proper arrangements must be made to protect the wooden benches during bad climatic conditions. Cast Aluminum Garden Benches: Those people living in extreme weather conditions can opt for cast aluminum garden benches. They are beautifully molded and can provide enjoy enjoyment for several years. Its durability and light weight nature makes it a better 8

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choice. These benches also come with cushioned seating and the luxurious finishing makes it more attractive. Garden Swings: Children find delight when they are on a swing and adults are no exception to it. There are many varieties of ready made swings available in the market. There are wooden swings and metal swings. These swings, when placed in backyard gardens, attract us to it. It can be a simple swing or a swinging bench, certainly it gets our attention. The rustic-type swing fits into the natural set up of the backyard garden. Choose the swing which is suitable to your environmental conditions. Proper attention to the backyard garden will make it a heaven in your courtyard. Get the gardening tools and spend your leisure time usefully with nature. If you are creative, try to make backyard garden bench with the available materials; for this you may need some amount of sand, gravel, cement and a piece of wood. Swings can also be made on trees adjoining the backyard garden. The amount of interest and dedication you show in maintaining backyard garden will certainly yield fruitful results. Â&#x201E; Author Resource: homeproductsnmore.com offers a variety of wooden garden benches and swings for your backyard. Benches and swings come in beautiful designs and can be bought as sets.

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remodel

Remodeling the Kitchen?

Photo courtesy of Robert M. Peacock

By Jean Patteson

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hen remodeling your kitchen, here’s a word of advice: Don’t just put a bunch of cabinets on the wall. Instead, take the time with the design and spend a little extra to get a kitchen that functions well and looks great — you are going to spend a lot of time in this space.

just with ctions ce.

Know the Top 10 Trends What cabinet features are really worth considering? Here are 10 trends being embraced by designers 1. Two-tiered cutlery divider. When the drawer is open, the top level can be slid back into the cabinet, allowing access to the lower level. 2. Lift-up doors. No more bumping into open cabinet doors. Lift-up models open upward and out of the way. 3. Trash pull-out. This keeps trash bins out of sight but easily accessible. Two bins are better than one. Use them for wet and dry trash, or for recyclable and non-recyclable waste. 4. Roll-out pantry drawers. Even if you have a separate pantry, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s handy to have some pantry storage for frequently needed items close to the food-prep point. 5. Corner Lazy-Susan cabinet. This maximizes storage and makes stored items easily accessible. Even more useful are blind-corner pull-outs. The first set of storage shelves pivots outward when the cabinet door is opened; a second set can then be slid out. 6. Self-opening/closing drawers and doors. With just a touch, these open and close smoothly and quietly. Motorized and non-motorized models are available. 7. Pull-down shelving. A light tug on a pull-bar triggers a mechanism that moves high shelving down to an accessible height. It is especially useful for the elderly or handicapped. 8. Filler pull-outs. Instead of covering filler space between appliances and cabinets with trim, have narrow pullouts installed for the storage of spices, cookbooks, trays, pots and pans, or cleaning supplies.

9. Triple-drawer cabinet. The top drawer holds prep knives and cooking utensils. The deep lower drawers can be used for storing pots and pans or stacks of dishes. 10. Pegged dish organizer. Handy for unloading the dishwasher and easily accessible to children, this low-level drawer has a pegboard base with dowels that can be positioned to hold dishes, bowls, cups and saucers in place. Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s open-plan kitchens mean there are fewer wall cabinets but more base cabinets with storage drawers instead of shelves. Â&#x201E;

When remodeling a kitchen, experts advise incorporating storage elements that allow for easy accessibility.

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Home & Garden Show A sure sign

Spring is near... at the

Soroptimist member, Lily English helps prepare for the 2010 Chico Soroptimist Home, Garden & Antique Show.

he Soroptimist International of Chico Home Garden ous other international projects. The club also donates a variety of scholarships, grants and awards to deserving girls and Antique show is almost here!! Mark your caland women in our community each year. endar for March 20 and 21, 2010, 10am to 5pm at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, Chico. Admission is $5 for Soroptimist, in general, is a service adults, $4.50 for seniors (65) with organization comprised of women from children under 12 free. every profession. The focus of Soroptimist, from the beginning, has been Some highlights of the show to improve the status of women and to include a huge array of vendors, transform the lives of women and children demonstrations by local chefs, lots of around the world. To that extent, good food, bounce house, tooth fairy Soroptimist has supported, among many and face painting for the children, others, such projects as stopping human and DIY demonstrations by Home trafficking, a campaign to end domestic Depot covering such topics as tiling, violence, and currently, the Haitian Relief painting and gardening. — 2010 Show Theme — Project. Soroptimist International is one of The theme of this year’s show,“80 the largest non-profit members of the Years of Giving”, highlights the imporUnited Nations and is a strong voice in matters pertaining to tant part SI Chico has played in the service to women and women and children around the world. children in our community as well as on an international The Home Garden and Antique Show is the major fund level. Since its beginning in 1930, SI Chico has donated raiser for the club. 100 percent of the funds collected from hundreds of thousands of dollars and volunteer hours to various charitable and/or service projects. Some of the more ticket sales are donated locally. All of the profits from the recent donations include $20,000 to Friends of the Library rest of the show are used for local, national and international for a part time employee and updating computers, a dining projects and scholarships. By attending the show, people are room for Catalyst, donations to Jesus Center and Salvation helping SI Chico continue the tradition of service. Army. SI Chico also supports a Women’s Microfinance Anyone who is interested in more information about SI Collaborative, a sewing project in Nicaragua, as well as variChico can visit the website at www.sichico.com

“80 Years of Giving”

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cover story

Travels to

illiput L

ane L

Painting by Glenn Harrington

By Bonnie Sitter

Architect-builder Glenn Bruno and wife Sherry.

tep back in time to the world of fairytales and romantic country cottages and you will step onto Lilliput Lane, a quaint Paradise neighborhood with an old world attitude. The homes here are not large imposing castles. Though if you

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want to build a castle, the designer/builder Glenn Bruno would be more than willing to design a majestic home fit for an executive king. The homes on Lilliput Lane are more like the cottages found in a Thomas Kinkade painting where the warm light from the windows

illuminates a winding stone path, an ancient fountain or an old mossy waterfall. While they might be several thousand square feet, they don’t give off an imposing, domineering feel. No, they are magical. The homes are designed on the

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A cobblestone walkway leads to the front entrance where Bruno has incorporated natural materials and classical elements into his designs. outside to complement the outside landscaping. Every window has a purpose and a centered picture of the outside gardens, adding to the illusion of a fantasy retreat rather than simply a house. “I try to design a home that isn’t dated,” Bruno said.“It will never go out of style. Ten years from now, it

will still be current—just as it might have been thirty years ago.” To do so, Bruno incorporates natural materials and classical elements into his designs. As visitors walk up the cobblestone path to front step of Gulliver’s Gate Cottage, the first home in the subdivision, they’ll notice the green

board and batten green shutters framing the rounded “castle” style window and old fashioned window box overflowing with flowers. The rich texture of stone is all around you from the three rivers stone porch to the stone surrounding the front window.Yet, this stony facade is softened by a >> SPRING

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Top: Leaded stained glass window at homes entry. Bottom: Piano alcove off of the Greatroom. leaded stained glass window display of red roses. Inside visitors can’t help but be impressed by the sweeping staircase and the octagonal-shaped alcove showcasing a grand piano surrounded by walls of windows. Other added bonuses are the structural timber trusses and the built-in cabinets with the bead 16

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Old fashioned country kitchen looks out on the back courtyard with a wood fired oven where the Brunos bake pizza and specialty breads.

board style doors housing the home’s small electronics and other necessities. What is so unique about the design is that it is open with the living room and kitchen sharing the same space; however it does not give off the “living inside a large department store” feel that many open house plans give off.

The kitchen is reminiscent of an old fashioned country kitchen with a kitchen island that looks like a reclaimed antique. Bruno said he designed the island to look like a piece of antique furniture and contracted with Bestway painters to do specialized painting on the cabinets to give it that antique look.

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Top: Stainless steel stove framed by a salvaged brick arch. Bottom: Kitchen island has a clipped corner and faux antique finish. He also put clipped corners on the butcher block top to solve circulation problems inherent in homes with kitchen islands. The island sink is a black matt clay sink imported from France that at first glance looks like a charming old cast iron sink, truly a one of a kind detail to this kitchen. The stainless steel stove is framed

by a wall of bricks reclaimed from a Seattle restaurant and also features a large cedar mantel and a pot filler faucet. A sweeping master suite is located off the foyer and continues the theme of roses with a stained glass transom designed and built by Sherry Bruno. The master bedroom opens to a

private deck with a spa and outdoor breakfast area with views to the waterfall and dipping pond below. One unique feature is the coffee and espresso bar located inside the bedroom. Upstairs visitors can relax inside Gulliver’s Landing Pub and Pool Room. Chipped ceilings add charm to this “attic” game room

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Top: Greatroom with truss ceiling. Bottom: Koi pond fed by waterfall. space, which in truth looks nothing like an attic space and more like an English pub. The exterior of the house is just as impressive as the interior. From the upper deck of the courtyard, you can hear the gentle bubble of the waterfall as it cascades over the rocks and into the pool of koi fish below. 18

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Master bedroom opens to a private deck with a spa and outdoor breakfast area in addition to featuring its own coffee and espresso bar. Mike Gordon designed and hand selected each rock that went into building this water feature. The backyard courtyard is a great place for pizza parties and a little wine in the evenings. Pizzas can be baked right in the wood fired oven outside. In the winter this oven also serves as a cozy outdoor fireplace on chilly nights.

Lilliput Lane seems like it is out of a fairy tale because it was inspired by a famous piece of fiction. The name Lilliput Lane was inspired by the book Gulliverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Travels, where the tiny island of Lilliput was inhabited by the Lilliputians. The name also drew inspiration from a collection of realistic and architecturally accurate

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Top: Stained glass transom designed and built by Sherry Bruno. Bottom: Gulliver’s Landing English Pub and Pool Room. miniature collectables designed by David Tate. The quaint European style cottages are emblematic of Bruno’s vision for his neighborhood. All the lots in this subdivision have been sold; however, Bruno can design and build in this style or any style home on your own lot. “I can evaluate your lot before you

purchase it,” he said.“I won’t design without a site. I work from a realistic site and budget.” He designs his homes to maximize space, function and storage and works to establish personal relationships with his clients. He graduated from Cal Poly in 1970 and is both a licensed architect

and general contractor. He has also won seven Golden Rose Awards for architectural excellence from the Chico Chamber of Commerce. “My first passion is my personal interaction with my clients,” he said, “and working to make their dreams a reality.”

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“I find it quite rewarding to share with our seniors the many benefits await them here in Butte County. I just have to give them a copy of Active Adult Senior Magazines with all the references there are. What especially helps seniors is the center page with the Grid of “Independent, Assisted Living and Nursing Homes” in the county. This makes it much easier for seniors to make an educated decision on Communities in the area. I will continue to hand out this publication to all seniors here in Butte County!”

Robert Lorge DNE Services Insurance Solutions Chico, CA

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outdoors

dd value to a home with landscaping

By Bonnie Sitter irst impressions are lasting. A homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s curb appeal can either invite visitors (or potential buyers) into your home or put your guests on edge, wondering what lies behind the front doors. This is probably why people are trading out their gravel driveways and rickety wooden retaining walls and opting for something clean, unique and impressive. With the advent of concrete interlocking pave stone, you can put your own elegant touch on your driveway, create a resort-style oasis around your pool or a parklike setting in your own back yard. In short you can transform your home into not just a

Pat i o s

place where you hang your hat, but into a place where you can relax and be proud to entertain. Attractive, strong and low-maintenance pave stones give you the look of expensive cobblestone and stamped concrete without the initial upfront expense. Concrete pave stones and segmental retaining walls not only look great, but they also solve typical landscape problems such as soil erosion and slope stabilization. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re also built to support light vehicle traffic, so if your neighborhood is really ambitious, you could even create a pave stone street. Pave stones also come in a variety of shapes, sizes, textures and colors, allowing your imagination to dictate your design. Patios, walkways and driveways can be designed >>

Wa l k w a y s

Retaining Wa l l s

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outdoors

Unlike concrete, pave stone is also easily removable. with the soft sweeping curves of a meandering path or with crisp clean 90-degree angles for a more modern look. Patio designs can be further enhanced by adding borders. There are many choices for stone shapes and installation patterns. The Holland stone designed by the Pavestone Company is a 4x8 inch rectangular shape. It can be installed in a herringbone, parquet or runner bond pattern. More creative uses include installations where two or more colors or color blends are selected to add interest. The Plaza stone is also a popular option because it comes in many different colors and shapes, allowing homeowners to create a more natural stone look. For homeowners looking for a Old World style, the Pavestone Company recently introduced tumbled stones with a more natural rustic antiqued look. 24

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What you want is only limited by your imagination. “The neat thing about pavers is that most homeowners can do it themselves,” said Marshall Ely, owner of Foothill Mill & Lumber in Paradise.“You can have the look of stamped concrete, stone or brick. It doesn’t crack. It’s more versatile and it is low maintenance.” Interlocking concrete pave stones can be installed over existing concrete patios as long as they are in good condition. In most cases, unless the concrete has buckled up, cracks will not cause a problem in overlays. Otherwise, paving stones are installed on a carefully prepared foundation. “You need to make sure the area is compact and level,” Ely said.“It’s only as strong as its sub-base or foundation.”

Unlike concrete, pave stone is also easily removable.You can place it over a septic system, take it up to have your septic tank pumped and replace the stones when you are finished. If you want to put in electricity for a park light or a fountain, all you have to do is move the pave stone, run your electrical wire where you need it and reinstall the pave stone. It’s as simple as that. No concrete mixing, noisy jackhammers needed. Pave stone is also affordable. Unlike stamped concrete which requires professional installation and is often cost prohibitive to do a project in sections, pave stone does not. Homeowners can pick a small project to see if they like to work with pave stones before shelling out thousands of dollars for a large project.

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One popular project is to start with is a tree ring. It’s a great project that most do-it-yourself consumers can complete in one weekend. By installing a ring of pave stones around a tree, the homeowner can create a small raised flower bed and add a little dramatic flair to the landscape. If they like the results, they could then move onto stage two of their project— perhaps a pave stone driveway, dramatic patio, series of raised flower beds or impressive retaining wall. The ability to work on a project in sections also allows the homeowner to better manage his/her budget. For instance if you are working on a walkway but only have enough

money to do a four-foot section, simply level out the walking surface to prevent trip hazards and pick up where you left off at a later date. Now if you aren’t a do-it-your-self kind of person, professional landscapers can always help your make your dreams a reality and do the hard work for you. It’s up to you; however, one thing is certain no matter who installs the product, the end results of a prettier landscape will increase the value of your home. According to the Wall Street Journal publication SmartMoney, landscaping can increase a home’s resale value by as much as 15 percent. Good landscaping translates to

increase curb appeal. Adding attractive retaining walls, flowerbeds, trees and an attractive driveway can definitely make a home more attractive to a buyer and speed up the sale of a home. Ely said he won’t lie. Putting down pave stone is time consuming, but the results and the amount of control consumers have over their projects make it worth it— especially in these more difficult economic times. (left) Retaining walls can be used for a variety of landscape applications from soil stabilization to garden terraces, tree rings and planters. (above) Decorative patios are growing in popularity among homeowners who enjoy low-maintenance outdoor living. SPRING

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A Benefit for Youth Charities of the Paradise Ridge

HeavenScent’s

Almost Forever Gel Candles

…a Chocolate Extravaganza in Paradise!

The Forever Candle is Illuminated by using a tealight.The tealight will illuminate the design and cause the fragrance to be released.

Friday, May 7 Evening of Chocolate & Wine, Saturday, May 1 Chocolate Thunder Motorcycle Poker Run Motorcycle Poker Run & Barbecue, Cash Prizes, Musical Entertainment, Chocolate Treats

a Taste of the Sweet Life Guittard Chocolate & Wine Pairings, Specialty Beer Tasting, Wine Auction, Savory Appetizers and Artisan Food Samplings, Chocolate Fountain and Decadent Desserts, Chocolate Paradise Martinis, Jazz Musical Entertainment

mag

Saturday, May 8 Thursday, May 6 Chocolate Fest Queen Coronation & Chocolate Dinner Celebration Coronation of Fest Queen and her Court, Musical Entertainment, Chocolate Decadence Dinner

5th Annual Paradise Chocolate Fest Chocolate Candy Land, Lollipop’s Ice Cream Shoppe, Chocolate Alley, Chocolate Cuisine Challenge, Chocolate Pancake Breakfast, Chocolate Fest Queen and her Court, Chocolate Cookbook & Live Demonstrations, Chocolate Chase Fun Run/Walk, Chocolate Pie & Ice Cream Sundae Eating Contests, Cookie Stacking Contest, Chocolate Themed Hat Contest, Children’s Games & Huge Inflatables, Art in the Park, Craft & Commercial Vendors, Costumed Characters, Musical Entertainment, Delicious Food & Beverages

Visit www.chocolatefest.us Information: 530-313-7908 or 1-888-593-2079 ext. 1

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OROVILLE 532-1214

decorating

Think reativity, Not Cost

To avoid the bland look that designers call ’matchy-matchy,’ personalization via creative shopping and blending is today’s cool (and affordable) style

pretty clock on a table in your bedroom, another in a hallway and a third in your living room? Group them together, and it’s a collection. Seek inspiration in unexpected Go shopping at home places: “Look in your closet,” Carendi Designer Brian Patrick Flynn is a says.“Do you really like patterns? Or huge fan of mixing old and new a solid color? Bring that into your items to give rooms texture. Search space.” your attic, basement and garage for Find new uses for textiles that hand-me-downs and relics from have history, says Flynn. Cover your childhood. throw pillows with fabric from the “Find any sentimental object with prom dress you can’t part with. Or character, personality or a great frame a swatch of that Hawaiian story,” he says,“and make it the cen- shirt you wore in college. Flynn’s terpiece of a duvet cover is “If it makes you laugh and it space.” made partly makes you happy, buy it. It adds from a An old side personality, and you can’t get Halloween costable that tume he wore as belonged to that at the big box stores.” your parents —Designer Brian Patrick Flynn a child. might look great next to the new sofa you bought last Flea market finds Haven’t got any hand-me-downs? year. And don’t be afraid to make Comb flea markets and antique inherited pieces your own: “Maybe a shops for pieces that grab your piece of furniture your grandmother attention or evoke memories. gave you is not the prettiest color,” “Looking for things that strike you says Carendi. Try spray painting or is more important than saying,‘I’m staining it a new shade. looking for a 30-inch-high table Designer Mallory Mathison sugthat’s round,’ ”says Mathison. gests placing a stack of your favorite Carendi says flea markets are great books in the living room. What we for things like frames, mirrors and read speaks volumes about us. tables. A bit of glossy spray paint It’s also fun, she says, to explore and a $5 item becomes a great focal your home in search of collections point for a room. Secondhand you don’t know you have. Got one sofas and chairs can be riskier, >>

Photos by Robert M. Peacock

Design experts say adding a dose of personal expression to your living space is simpler and far cheaper than you might think.

By Melissa Rayworth hose glossy furniture catalogs in your mailbox offer a pleasant vision of home decorating. They show how easy it is to order up a stylish, thoughtfully designed living space where everything blends smoothly. But where do you fit in that equation? Many of us live in homes that look “very IKEA” or “very Pottery Barn,” but express nothing at all about the people who live there. “You take more ownership of the space when you put it together yourself,” says interior designer Janine Carendi. But “retail stores ... have created an environment that makes it easy for people to buy an ensemble. So, oftentimes, the home does look exactly out of the showroom.”

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since the stuffing may be past its prime. When professionals decorate a room, the best parts are often the one-of-a-kind pieces, says Flynn. Be a little daring, he says, and go as kitschy as you please—even if it means buying a garden gnome for $10.“If it makes you laugh and it makes you happy, buy it. It adds personality, and you can’t get that at the big box stores.” A bonus: Secondhand goods are, of course, ecofriendly.

Get artsy There may be a local artist whose work strikes you and doesn’t cost much. Or homeowners can buy a canvas and “explore their own artistic urges,” says Mathison. And while you’ve got the paint out, she says, try stenciling family members’ monograms on their bedroom walls or headboard.

Give photos a facelift Having pictures around is important, says Carendi. But the trend of printing several shots in black-andwhite and displaying them in matching frames is getting old. Mix photos from different times in your family’s history, says Mathison, and use several frame styles. Technology gives us the freedom to add our own artistic take to old photos: “I like to take old photos and have them blown up to enormous scale,” Flynn says.“Or take 28

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a photo and crop it to maybe just show one side of your grandmother holding her favorite purse.”

Where have you been? Use items that recall places you’ve been or that were gathered during your travels, says Mathison. Consider framing postcards or maps of cities you’ve enjoyed visiting or favorite places you’ve lived. Some maps are free to download and cost just a few cents to print. Your hometown paper may have vintage photos of your birthplace that they’re willing to share or sell for a small fee.Your favorite resort may have a promotional photo of their most spectacular view. Call and ask if they’ll e-mail you the image, and then frame it alongside your own candid shots. The final touch? Carendi suggests regularly lighting candles in your favorite scent to create a signature fragrance for your home. Simple as these projects are, they can change the look and feel of your home.“As you choose accessories and artwork, they become a story,” Carendi says.“And you take more ownership of the space because you put it The Associated Press together.” Creative re-use of architectural pieces mixed with newer decorative pieces—all in harmony with a certain color scheme—can create an oasis of personality.

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finishing touch

Sally Dimas Local artist, Sally Dimas, put her passion for art to work when she opened her Chico gallery 12 years ago. Dimas’ parents were both artistic so art and good music was a part of her family life. The family made regular visits to the Los Angeles County Museum giving her an early appreciation of fine art. Through out the years, she and her husband shared a love of art and enjoyed painting. But things changed when the untimely death of Dimas’ mother caused her to realize that life could be short. So she returned to school to study art and pursue her lifelong dream of having pursuing an art career. Since leaving school Dimas has traveled extensively, always painting. She’s studied with artists in France, Italy, Peru and Greece. Locally, she has studied with Chico artist Ann Pierce. Dimas says her work is representational, yet at times can very abstract and her color choices are warm and friendly. Her desire to share the beautiful world we live in drives her to paint in watercolor, acrylic and pastel. “I am a person who must be renewed through a hand on creative process. When you look at my work see it as the dawn of another new day. Some of my favorite painting locations are Bidwell Park, Mt. Lassen, and anywhere in Europe. Of course as a plein aire painter my personal slogan is HAVE PAINTS WILL TRAVEL.” The Sally Dimas Art Gallery is celebrating its 12th year, and offers a broad range of art by local artists in addition to unique home

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and personal accessories.You will find affordable, quality art you can live with and enjoy on a daily basis, art that will add joy and enrichment to your life. You can visit the Sally Dimas Art Gallery at 493 East Ave. The gallery is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday thru Saturday or by appointment.

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