Before, the position of the furniture was fighting the angles in the room. The empty space made the room feel cold due to all of the hard surfaces; marble fireplace, mirror above the mantle, and a 2 story wall of windows.

After an Interior Redesign within just a few hours and without buying anything new, look at the difference. We moved the furniture to take advantage of the beautiful view and the architectural elements of the room. We found a grandmother's drop leaf table in the garage, placed it with extra dining room chairs in front of the windows. On rainy days this is now the husband's favorite spot to read the paper and have coffee. We also changed the mantle pieces and added greenery. All of this added a welcoming, warm feeling.

Nancy Faust~Interiors Redesigned by Nancy

If you find that gearing up for a weekend camping trip involves too much frustration and work, here are a few simple tips for staying organized and keeping it fun.

1. Do laundry a few days ahead of time and have the articles you need packed and ready to go. Doing this will help you avoid panicking at the last minute.
2. Keep a storage bin with replenishable articles, paper goods, soaps, sprays,etc. and write your checklist on top with a permanant marker. Replenish after every trip so it is ready to go next time.
3. Keep all camping equipment together in one spot, smaller items can also fit in one large bin that can be easily placed in the car trunk on camping day.
4. Have a good map ready to guide you to your location.
5. Get an early start, keeping in mind heavy traffic times so that you won't be pitching your tent in the dark.

Enjoy your summer, a few steps towards organization will help you enjoy your trip so you can have wonderful memories.

Julianna Hind~Grace Your Space

Brian Santos, The Wall Wizard, is a fourth generation painting contractor that shares all that he learned throughout the years. He shares the whys and how of painting. He teaches you the tips, tricks and techniuqes to create perfect paint finishes in your home or office. He includes Color Selection, Prep and Cleanup, Basic Painting and Faux Finishes. It is a very thorough, practical and easy to understand manual as he guides you with step by step diagrams and illustrations. It is a must for every library. You will also be amazed at the practical tips by using everyday household items that will make your painting more enjoyable and cut your cleaning time in half! Meredith Books, $19.95

Irene Woodworth~One Day Redesigns, Inc.

"A good home must be made, not bought". Joyce Maynard (Domestic Affairs)

Lori Brasseur~LB Designs

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The sweltering month of August calls for one of the easiest get togethers ever- The Ice Cream Social. It may bring to mind an charming, old fashioned celebration, but this perenial favorite is endlessly adaptable from simple children's parties, family gatherings, to sophisticated gourmet evenings. From intimate private parties to community events or fund raisers, an Ice Cream Social is an all time crowd pleaser.

The basics are simple: ice cream, means to keep it cold, serving utensils, bowls and spoons or cones, napkins, toppings, beverages, cups and cookies. The details are dictated by the guest list, the area where it will be held, and the reason for the event.

Ice cream and toppings are the focus. Serving pieces and any additional decorations should be used as accents. Simplicity-fewer items with coordinating colors or details-is the key.

Be creative with the necessities. For a beach theme, keep ice cream containers cold and disguise the carton by placing them in new sand pails filled with crushed ice. Then place the pails in a tray or shallow container filled with sand and shells. Arrange toppings in shell shaped dishes to complete the look.

Want something more elegant? Use a champagne bucket, silver tray, and clear marbles. Disguise syrup bottles by placing them in silver wine bottle caddies, or pour into glass or crystal sauce boats or carafe

Surprise your guests with a creative twist on an old favorite. The necessary elements are probably in your home right now. Use these ideas as inspiration for your special event. For more on this or help with your entertaining needs, call me. Half the fun is in the planning!

Pam Faulkner~Faulkner House

Heading out to the local flea market, in search of treasures, is the perfect way to spend a sunny weekend.

• Arrive early to get the best selection
• Wear old comfortable clothes (don't forget sunscreen) wear a fanny pack or backpack to keep your hands free
• Bring a tape measure, wish list, pencil, paper, swatches, floor plan and plastic bags for your purchases
• Have a plan, whether it be a quick look at everything, then go back to the things that interest you, or start from one corner and really look at everything all the way through. Check for an information booth to see if the vendors are organized by item
• Bring cash as personal checks and credit cards are not usually accepted, even if they are, you may secure a better price with cash
• Don't be afraid to negotiate, asking "is this your best price", or asking for the cash price
• Have a great time shopping around, hearing the stories behind the items

Shopping with an open mind, looking to creatively repurpose items opens up a lot of fun possibilities. Looking through the rough exterior and seeing the "good bones", making a few inexpensive changes, paint, cleaning, etc...can indeed end up being the "perfect" piece. If you didn't find the perfect treasure, you are sure to meet a lot of interesting people and hear their stories.

Barbi Ford~Design By Redesign