Is Pink the color of October?

     In our Midwest, when the Maples begin to turn their amazing colors, and "pop" against the perfectly blue October sky, I think October's colors are red, yellow and orange. But, when October brings cataclysmic drops in the stock market, and news programs frantic with bad news, and Halloween symbols everywhere, I think October's color is black. But, when October is surrounded by the  improbable color of Pink, I know something special is going on.
      Pink no longer just defines Bubblegum or Barbie, but it now stands for one big topic - Breast Cancer, and our determination to spread Awareness, offer Support and find a Cure! I actually love that freedom to talk about something so personal - the "big C-word" whose nasty surprise can sneak up on anyone while they are busy just living their lives. I've heard that most families have been touched in some way by Breast Cancer - so most of us are sympathetic toward the campaign against it.
     I love seeing pink on baseball players, buildings and product packaging. It means we are all on-board to do something about this mean disease...so, most certainly, I believe we will! At Furniture Gourmet, we are celebrating Pink with new Pink items - which make great ways to celebrate our own victories, and to give encouragement to our pink sisters who are going through the fight. If you're looking for something in pink, check out Furniture Gourmet's "Pink Rules" category 

Use What you Have & add Gold!

      Do you like the tradition of bringing out special decorations for each season? I really do, it makes me feel like I am participating in the rhythm of life. It may be a symbolic expression of the very realistic ways our lives must adapt to the changes fall brings, as it carries us on toward winter.  Not everyone has the same weather, but the passing of the months and years affects us all...so let's have a little fun with it!
      And, you don't really have to buy anything new, just think of new ways to use what you have!

       I created a new centerpiece by using things I already owned. I took some artificial apples out of the bowl on the breakfast table and scattered some of them across a tray I owned. I added 3 of my battery-powered candles, and turned them on to test the result.  It makes a wonderful evening centerpiece, with the candles glowing, and is also nice on the narrow table in the entry way. I like its casual, care-free look. The colors work because the red of the tray is complementary to the Granny Smith/Blush green of the apples. They are opposite one another on the color wheel, which means, of all the colors, they are most different.

           You can add a richness to your fall decorating, with some good quality gold spray.  We love the Pineapple as a symbol of Hospitality and confort, and we wanted to dress up our own Large Pineapple.  We liked the results, shown here. This pineapple could be the star of your centerpiece on a table or buffet!

           Speaking of gold spray...do you have silk greens at home that seem a little tired, but are just too good to throw away, and you don't know what you would put in their places?  Here's a fall decorating tip - spray paint!  I use Design Master 24 kt Pure Gold spray to give a light dusting of gold to my tired ivy and other greenery. A light touch will create a highlight for you. Go over your silks second time (be sure to spray outside on a calm day, and use gloves, as the paint always gets on your hands) to add a stronger gold touch to your greenery. Then, tuck the embellished greenery around the oranges, browns and tans of your fall decorating. The touch of green will enliven your fall colors, and the gold will make it look like it belongs. Enjoy!

Fall Decorating Tip - "Go Up!"

Most fall arrangements are horizontal...we scatter the leaves down the table, tumble pumpkins and gourds into a loosely contained river of decorations, and possibly add acorns or apples - and it's all good!  I love that look!  But if you want to change it up a little this year, without a big expense - our tip is..."Go Up!"

That is what we've done with this little collection. We started with a 10" x 6" clear glass vase. We then took a "wired" garland - in this case our artificial Bittersweet Garland, and created a corkscrew shape, rising up from the inside of the vase to extend up over the top, which draws the eye up to the rising bittersweet. We then added a Turban Squash, a collection of Gourds and a scattering of acorns. This look is rather compact, which you could use if you have a smaller area to decorate. You'll also notice a classic triangular shape, created by color, in which our eyes move from the red gourd in front left, up the bittersweet, (with its red berries)  and then down to the right, to rest on the red turban squash. Our eyes enjoy that kind of "movement" in displays. What ways have you used to add a different dimension to your fall decorating? We'd love to hear from you! These items are available separately or in a complete collection at Furniture Gourmet.
Click here to take a look!

"Start with what you have" Fall Decorating Ideas

Many of us are ready to think about how we want to decorate our homes for fall, and this year you might want to "spice up" your displays without spending a lot of money. That's why our series of fall decorating tips are to suggest you start with what you have, and just add a touch or two to freshen up and add a little surprise here and there!

 Start with the wonderful golds and browns and oranges that you already have.  You may have artificial or you may love to buy real pumpkins and gourds each year. We love our artificial Bittersweet that we can use each year.  Then, add the surprise of a different color - in this case, our elegant black pumpkins!  They're new this year, and we love them!  Some decorators say every room should have something black - think about whether your fall display would look good (to you) with a dash of black!  Burgundy is an interesting color, too, to add to the traditional fall colors. Our new burgundy pumpkins even  have a touch of green on them, which is a complementary color to red, so each color brightens the other.

Watch for more decorating ideas which help you to Start with What you Have. Bon Appetit! 

Our McIntosh Apples are On the Move!



McIntosh Apples, Regular & Small







 
Shhhh..., we can't tell you who, but our regular McIntosh Apples have been chosen by a well-known designer and retailer to be on display in their stores all across the country! These apples are wonderful, and have a classic "bite into it" look about them!  You may see them in about a week, and we are very excited to be working with this (unnamed) company!



Large Navel Orange & Large Red Pomegranate




 Last summer our Pomegranates appeared in over 400 well-known bath and body boutiques!  Our fruits are so pretty they find themselves traveling in wonderful company! 

 


I can tell you about a friend of mine who is adding our new Miniature Arbor to a succulent garden she made in her birdbath, when she began to worry about her birdbath becoming a breeding ground for mosquitos!  Yuk!  Much better to have a little garden than more mosquitos!  She promised a picture for me to share with you!  My customers are so creative!



Miniature Arbor & Chair



 Did you know that using your creativity is good for you?  Yes, it is, and we all have creativity, so enjoy yours!  Bon Appetit!   Karen

"Enrich the lives of those we serve..."

The entire vision statement is that we want to: "Enrich the lives of those we serve, as we help them to create and enjoy their homes." Hum. What do I mean by that? I mean that I hope we will inspire each of you to think of your home as a canvas, upon which you can paint a wonderful environment for you and your family, using your own creative vision and love. And, that the mood you create will also enrich your family's life. I also mean that I want our service to be personal and special to each person we touch, and that each point of contact will make your day a little brighter. Or, maybe we could say - to inspire you to think of each day as a gourmet meal that you create to live in...through the care you take to find each ingredient, to add layer upon layer of flavor, and to always serve with love. How do we see ourselves reaching these lofty goals? Well, we are excited about improvements and new products! You can now search on our website, to find what you are looking for, we have added new products and new convenience for your shopping!
Our new line of Miniature Garden Furniture is a perfect way to garden in a small space, or a city apartment. We think you'll like our new Birthday Cake Fragrance in spray and candles...to get your Birthday Party started early - or when you really need to feel like you're at a Birthday Party! We've added new fruits and veggies to our Artificial Fruit Market to help you celebrate a new color you like or every season of the year. Bon Appetit!

Memorial Day Eve, 2011

My Mother and Dad are buried right next to our town's National Cemetery, where today preparations were underway for the big Memorial Day ceremony tomorrow.  Two rows of large American Flags lined the road and small flags were displayed at each grave.  Grass and trees were green from recent rains, and the sound of last-minute mowing filled the air.  As I stood and thought of my parents, I felt that each done the very best they could, and I prayed that I would do the same as I faced the challenges of each day.  I drove away with a feeling of peace.  I thought of the term "balance" which was important in Mother's life, and I felt that my day had indeed been one of balance.  I began today in church, to worship and honor God. Later, for the first time in years, my husband and I enjoyed celebrating a perfect summer day lingering around (and in) a beautiful swimming pool in an absolutely gorgeous setting.  Our time at the pool was followed by my special mission of honoring my parents by visiting their graves.  Afterward, I planned to water my plants and my two new trees. It felt like a very balanced day. I made a potato salad that actually brought compliments my way, and we ate it with a delicious light summer meal that also included fresh corn on the cob.  Our puppy watched us carefully, hoping for a morsel or two. I know not everyone has been blessed with a peaceful, balanced day as I have.  My heart remembers those people who struggle today, and I pray that soon they will be able to experience a simple, normal day again.