Newsletters

Susan Mitchell Blavin

    Do Red and Purple Go Together? These 6 Design Ideas Prove They Do!
    If you’re looking to turn heads with your home’s interior decor, you won’t want to overlook using red and purple as design elements. When it feels like everything has been “done” before, this combo doesn’t disappoint. A color wheel will tell you that red and purple should not be combined, since the hallmark of interior design is the use of contrasting colors or monotone colors to create an interesting space.
    Susan Mitchell Blavin
    Jul 11, 2022
    10 Ways Make Your Flowers Last Longer
    We all know a few well-placed flowers can provide an instant fix to a dull space. A fresh bouquet lights up a room and fills the air with a sweet aroma. But, the joy is always temporary, and eventually the flowers wither and die. Here are some easy tips for keeping those beautiful buds alive. The most simple, yet least followed, tip to keep your flowers alive: Change the water!
    Susan Mitchell Blavin
    May 7, 2019
    Warm Winter Style: Choosing a Warm Throw Blanket
    Winter has settled in, and it’s time for hot cocoa, good books and snuggling up in our favorite reading nooks. There is nothing better than finding that perfect cozy blanket to wrap yourself in as the days grow colder.Finding the perfect blanket can be difficult, especially if you’re not familiar with the fundamentals of heat retaining properties of certain materials. Some fabrics are warmer than others, but knitting is also important in determining warmth.
    Susan Mitchell Blavin
    May 6, 2019
    What to Do With an Inherited Collection
    There are many ways to inherit collections. Sometimes loved ones pass and leave behind keepsakes or parents downsize during a move. Collections can be highly personal and carry a sentimental value that outweighs any monetary value. There is no proper way to handle inherited collectibles. Each situation will vary, but often the most difficult decision is the most basic one: do you keep it?
    Susan Mitchell Blavin
    Mar 12, 2019
    Chair Storage Ideas for Small Spaces
    One of the quandaries of living in a small space is finding room to store chairs for guests. Most people only need one or two seating surfaces in each room for day-to-day living. The only practical reason for owning more chairs is for entertaining, but it’s hard to justify devoting precious square footage for guest seating that rarely gets used. Still, it’s embarrassing to make friends sit on the floor when they visit.
    Susan Mitchell Blavin
    Apr 27, 2011
    Pros & Cons: Faux Leather Furniture
    There are many reasons to buy faux leather furniture. It’s cheaper and animal friendly. And, there are many reason not to buy faux leather furniture. Real leather ages well and looks more expensive (because it is). If you’re thinking about buying new furniture and you’re torn between faux and real leather, here are a list of some of the pros and cons. Faux leather comes in many forms and some are better than others.
    Susan Mitchell Blavin
    Mar 2, 2011
    Mandy & Michael’s Crafty Charm
    Name: Michael & Mandy, author of the craft blog Fabric Paper GlueLocation: Arlington — VirginiaSize: 608 square feetYears lived in: 3 Mandy and Michael’s place is just like them, adorable. Both are Nashville transplants who came to the DC area for grad school and decided to stick around. Michael is a criminal defense lawyer and Mandy works as an analyst for Health and Human Services (HHS).
    Susan Mitchell Blavin
    Jan 24, 2011
    Wood Fireplace Alternatives
    If you want chestnuts roasting on an open fire this winter season, but don’t have a fireplace to do the cooking, there are plenty of alternatives out there. So when Jack Frost starts nipping at your nose, you can get warm next to your virtual fireplace which simulates the sounds of a crackling flames. Isn’t technology grand?Many people are unaware that a wood-burning fire is mostly decorative, and its heating properties are essentially worthless.
    Susan Mitchell Blavin
    Nov 29, 2010
    Laundry Organization For Small Spaces
    Laundry is a time consuming task that has a tendency to build up and become overwhelming. If you live in a small space, laundry procrastination can take over large areas of valuable space making your apartment feel cramped and chaotic. We all know the simple solution to this problem: do your laundry every week! But busy schedules always seem to get in the way of regular household chores.
    Susan Mitchell Blavin
    Nov 17, 2010
    Basement Apartments: Tips for Creating Light & Spaciousness
    image:470432eae96168053c0de758ce2daec82b2be1a4 w:540 s:"fit" class_name:"mt-image-center" show_pin_button:"true" show_image_credits:"true" As the economy continues to putter along, city dwellers are finding cheaper ways to live. While some have decided to move out of the city, others have decided to move below it. Once considered dark and undesirable, English basement apartments are now appealing to those who want to stay conveniently located in the city with a smaller budget.
    Susan Mitchell Blavin
    Sep 27, 2010
    How To Tell Real Antique Furniture From Reproductions
    You don’t have to be an expert to identify a genuine antique from a good reproduction — if you know how to spot a few indicative details. Here’s what to look for.GENERAL RULEReal antiques are imperfect and the flaws are inconsistent due to natural use and human construction. Reproductions are symmetrical, smooth and the flaws are contrived rather than authentic.
    Susan Mitchell Blavin
    Sep 15, 2010