For a romantic or wild setting, traditional or decorative, candles add mood to a room. On a dining table or by the bath, they bring a glow and warmth to any space. Decorative, artistic, scented, and traditional candle tapers, plus decorative pillows add color, pattern, shape, and texture to home decor. Whether showcasing artwork or reflecting light, mirrors and frames are an important element in any decor. Find creative ways to use mirrors, frames, and photographs and try placing a nature bowl table top fountain in your bedroom. The sound of water brings a soothing relaxing peace to your life—then let the romance begin.
FOR THOSE LOOKING TO WALK ON THE WILD SIDE— Safari Themes!
Let your bedroom reflect your adventurous spirit by introducing a safari theme. Start with a base of neutral colors like khaki greens and tans. Add faux animal hide rugs; bedding and draperies in leopard or zebra prints. Select furniture made with dark woods. Adorn your walls with African masks, sculpture and beads.
East Indian Themes
For a blast of color, go East Indian. Paint walls fuchsia, tangerine or purple. Bring in wooden furniture with traditional Indian details like intricate carvings, inlaid bone or colorful hand painting. Cover floors with embroidered wool crewel rugs. Include bright silk bedding, curtains and wall hangings. A temporary change in the colors of a room can be achieved using throw cushions and bed covers. An Indian bedroom needs bright pinks, maroons and vibrant oranges with lots of golden highlights for a sumptuous look. Floral designs with lotus, mangos, peacocks and other Indian symbols help the theme.
GABBING WITH GIGI
Karen asks: I’ve always been a GO-GREEN Lady! Since 
our Gulf disaster, I feel more compelled to change my home into a GREENHOUSE including my lawn; any suggestions?
GiGi: I’m so happy you requested such information. And here it is! Organic Lawn Care For Cheap! And these tips will also allow you more free time as well!
Must do: Set your mower as high as it will go (3 to 4 inches).
Water only when it shows signs of drought stress and then water deeply (put a cup in your sprinkler zone and make sure it gets at least an inch of water).
Optional: Fertilize with an organic fertilizer in the fall and spring. I recommend the Ringer brand.
Have the pH of your soil professionally tested. Add lime if it’s below 6.0 and gardener’s sulfur if it’s above 7.0. How much top soil do you have? See how deep a shovel will go into the soil. Four inches of topsoil makes for an OK lawn. Eight or more inches of topsoil makes a great lawn. What variety of grass should you plant? I recommend Tall Fescue. Check the label and make sure it is pure Tall Fescue. Some places sell seed mix in annual ryegrass and call it—nursery grass. Tall Fescue seed is more expensive than annual ryegrass, makes deep roots, is drought tolerant and makes one of the best lawns for fighting weeds. It stands proud at four and five inches! Kentucky Bluegrass starts to waver at three inches. Tall fescue does well in shade and sun!
Downsides of Tall Fescue: Slow to germinate, it could be two weeks until you see baby grasses. Some think it’s not the prettiest type of grass. The fine fescues (very different from tall fescue) have thin blades and the tall fescues have broad blades. I have to admit that a lawn with the fine blades does look better—as long as nobody walks on it. But who wants grass that you’re not allowed to walk on? A Garden is a Friend You Can Visit Anytime!
Back from vacation and getting back into the swing of things can be tough. You are now in school mode—supplies and clothes shopping, finding those favorite tennis shoes for the kiddos… filling out all that school paper work, deadlines at the office, and the dog needs grooming. The lists goes and on and on! I was pondering the other day how to have a romantic VACATION at home with your significant other —who knows maybe next year. It does seem like something that could turn out to be both fun and easier on the pocketbook. And if you have children at home, maybe a friend or relative could pitch in and take the kids for a few days?
Want to make your love life more romantic? Even the most ardent lovers can use a little romantic inspiration. Whether you’re about to go on your honeymoon, just a romantic getaway, or maybe spend time alone together at home, adding a romantic touch will help put both of you in a vacation moo.
Please contact me with any questions or ideas at: gigi@bhtmag.com
