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Showing posts from May, 2017

Live Like a Comedy Icon in Bob Newhart's Bel Air Mansion

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Coldwell Banker After spending 25 years in his French-Country style mansion, award-winning comedian and actor Bob Newhart has listed the estate for $$.5 million, according to Variety . The property, which sits on 1.37 acres in the exclusive East Gate section of Bel Air, features gorgeous landscaping and plenty of space to live like a prince. The house itself clocks in at 9,169 square feet, with five bedrooms, six full bathrooms, and two half baths. The master suite comes equipped with multiple walk-in closets as well as two en suite bathrooms, and the mansion is outfitted with staff quarters and private office space above the garage. And the well-manicured yard features an in-ground pool and spa, patios, and a pool-side cabana complete with a kitchenette, two bathrooms, and a guest apartment on the upper level. And although Newhart's decor is a bit outdated, the mansion's new owners will have the bones to create a truly breathtaking space. Take a closer look at the propert

This Designer Achieves Quiet Glamour in a Showy Town

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Victoria Pearson DAVID A. KEEPS: This living room has shades of dusty rose and lilac, along with sage and rust. Why such throwback colors? NATHAN TURNER: My clients are in their early 30s with a five-year-old daughter, so these old hues feel new to them, and as a child of the 1980s, I remember these colors fondly. I'm also a big lover of "old lady" style. My favorite thing is using granny chintz in an updated way, so the palette of the living room spun out of the colors in the Rosa Bernal floral fabric I chose for the curtains and chairs. Bright colors that pop tend to wear on you after a while; these are muted but not blah, like so many of the 1980s colors. They have depth, clarity, and light, like watercolors, which makes them more sophisticated and timeless. Using softer hues instead of 18 shades of beige is a great way of doing color without being overwhelming. The wife's study, however, is a lesson in the power of color. Do you call that shade shocking purple?

This 45-Foot Tree Is Every Disney Fan's Christmas Wish Come True

There's nothing like festive decorations to get you into the Christmas spirit. Each year, we look forward to seeing how our favorite stores and attractions will decorate for the season — with Christmas trees at front and center. This year, St. Pancras railway station in London chose to surprise passersby with the most magical tree we've ever seen: It is made entirely out of Disney toys. The 45-foot tree was officially unveiled last Friday by Alesha Dixon, signer and "Britain's Got Talent" judge. Those lucky enough to behold the tree have taken to social media to share snaps of what must be thousands of stuffed animals. You can spot many of your favorite Disney characters, from newer films like Frozen to classics like Micky Mouse. When it comes to this nontraditional tree, we're thinking reactions can go one of two ways: It will either evoke childhood nostalgia — or parents will think it looks like their child's toy room exploded. No matter which side y

4 All-Natural Air Fresheners to DIY This Fall

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As summer transitions into fall, you may find yourself wondering what to do with some of the excess produce from your garden. Fortunately, there are many ways to put that fruit to good use, and one of my favorite DIY projects is making all-natural air fresheners. You can even turn your garden goodies into great hostess gifts while you're at it. All photos: Courtesy of Rheney Williams SCENTED MASON JARS Begin by deciding on your scents. I chose two distinct profiles: Spicy and sweet. Depending on what I'm in the mood for, I've always got something suitable on hand. For each of the following recipes, combine all ingredients in a large Mason jar and fill to the top with water. Cinnamon Citrus Spice 1-2 oranges, cut into slices or wedges 3-4 cinnamon sticks 1 teaspoon whole cloves Several drops of peppermint extract Honey Lavender Lemon 2-3 lemons, cut into slices or wedges 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1/2 ounce lavender essential oil For the stovet

9 Delicious Desserts You Can Make Right in a Mason Jar Lid

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While Mason jars can be repurposed all over the house, it turns out the lids are especially handy when it comes to baking: They work perfectly as mini-pastry pans! Christina Lane Chocolate Caramel Mason Jar Lid Tarts Play around with the fillings in this recipe — substitute a different type of chocolate if you like, use jam instead of caramel, or try cookies instead of graham crackers. The possibilities are endless (and delicious). Get the recipe here. CreatedbyDiane Mini S'more Pies S'mores have never been this good. From the graham cracker crust to the chocolate filling to the toasted marshmallow on top, we won't blame you if you've already started salivating. [link href="http://www.createdby-diane.com/2015/07/mini-smore-pies.html" target="_blank" link_updater_label="external"]Get the recipe at Created By Diane. Dessert for Two Spiced Peach Pies How adorable are these? The ginger, cinnamon and peach filling gives these pastries a

This Stately Home Has a Shockingly Colorful Interior

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Courtesy of Sotheby's International Realty When you think of a $.2 million dollar home in one of America's most upscale neighborhoods, you might picture a refined, understated interior to match a prim and proper outside. But while opinionated neighbors may push homeowners to keep a traditional exterior, the inside can become a playground for stifled creativity. At least that's what we imagine must have influenced the decor of this on-the-market mansion in Bronxville, NY. Two artists currently live in the nearly 6,000-square-foot space, and they left no corner untouched by their craft. Monique Rafferty, a manager at Sotheby's Realty, told Curbed that "one [homeowner] does caricatures and collects historically significant bronze animal sculptures, the other creates wildly colorful installations, sculptures, and paintings." The eclectic (and often neon) design is a nod to the area's artistic past; the home is situated in Lawrence Park, which was once Bronx

This Makeover Proves What a Difference White Paint Makes

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Julie Blanner In a world filled with color, opting for white can often feel like a "safe" choice. It's the paint you choose when you can't agree on a shade, have trepidations about future decor choices, or know you'll be moving soon. This stunning porch makeover, however, proves that white can completely change the character of a room in a truly dramatic way — even more than other rainbow hues might. The project started when blogger Julie Blanner decided to turn her screened-in porch into an open-air dining room. The "before," while spacious, felt oddly claustrophobic thanks to the dull wood surfaces. You barely notice the room's unique shape, large windows, or the exposed beams. But with a fresh coat of white paint, all of these architectural features come to the fore. The new look creates the perfect setting for the rustic dining table, crisp slipcovered chairs, sheer curtains, and the simple wicker pendant. Take a look: Julie Blanner Looks li

This 18th Century Library Could Not Be More Beautiful

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Courtesy of the Klementinum Library While curling up in a corner of your home library is a great way to unwind, nothing (seriously nothing) quite compares to Prague's Klementinum library. Completed in the 1700s, after over 170 years of construction, the Klementinum includes three structures – the Astronomical Tower, Meridian Hall, and a library. Though a number of architectural styles were used among the buildings, the library itself, which opened in 1722, reflects the Baroque period. Inside, a collection of over 20,000 books line the walls. Overhead, mesmerizing ceiling frescoes, painted by artist Jan Hiebl, create a domed effect. Through masterful techniques, Hiebl was able to create the illusion of natural sunlight pouring into the space. Courtesy of the Klementinum Library At the time of its opening, the library was part of the Czech Republic's Jesuit University, and much of its massive collection consists of historic theological literature. Today, however, the Klemen

Home Depot Sold Thousands of Items That Were Actually Under Recall

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Joe Raedle Today, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a list of 28 items that Home Depot stores continued to sell even though the items had been recalled. The CPSC reports that 2,300 units of these recalled products (which date back to 20120 were sold — so you may want to think hard about any shopping trips you made to the home store in the past three years. The commission told NJ.com that the products "put consumers at risk for shocks and burns, among other things." And these aren't the only negative consequences consumers might face — if you purchased any of the items that had been recalled, then resold them, it's considered illegal.  A complete list of products and the details about when they were sold can be found on the CPSC  website, but we've also copied it below — it includes a whole host of items from step stools to garage door openers, to kitchen ranges.  CE Tech 1,000 Ft. Riser Cable Cordelia Two-Lamp Fluorescent Shop Lights Easy

14 Tablescape Ideas for a Stunning Bridal Shower

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Celebrate the soon-to-be-Mrs. in major style. J. Layne Photography Embrace Whimsy A fantasy comes alive with this garden-inspired bridal shower. Beautiful details like the textured flower tablecloth, mini pink teapots at each place setting, and cascading centerpieces make the party even more whimsical. via Ruffled Blog Megan Welker Travel to Hawaii Transport guests to the tropics without spending a fortune. The dessert station in this aloha-themed shower is styled with a gazebo, hanging flower pots, a brass serving table, and tropical accents like leafy foliage and bamboo. via 100 Layer Cake Krista A. Jones Photography and Natalie Franke Photography Stick to a Classic A no-brainer summer shower theme? Americana. It's the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the warm weather by dining al fresco and serving the ripest fruit and produce of the season. The red, white, and blue gives a timeless, nostalgic feel. via Krista A. Jones Photography White Loft Studio Take the Open Sea