Homestyle Blog

Category: Gardening

Posted by Bob Dluzen on Fri, Mar 19, 2010 at 3:01 PM

New garden (blogging) season begins

The beginning of this new gardening season for 2010 brings with it some changes to the Gardening blog, which has folded into the Homestyle blog. This should be a great fit, after all doesn't your garden reflect your style?

The other change you may have noticed is there is a new guy contributing.

I plan on sharing with you my experience as a professional gardener for more than 30 years. The gardens I have tended range from a humble plot in the back yard; to a truck garden that grew produce for local markets; to spacious gardens on private estates.

Whether you're formal or informal, showy or subtle, your garden says a lot about you. We'll use this space to discuss these things and more. So drop by again soon to see what's happening in the world of gardening in our area.

Category: Sales

Posted by Susan R. Pollack (The Detroit News) on Thu, Mar 18, 2010 at 3:41 PM

Flexsteel furniture sale in Milford

Thursday through March 30, Your Nesting Place in Milford is offering 40 percent off on Flexsteel furniture such as this sofa, on sale for $1,306 from $2,177. The store is at 332 N. Main. Call (248) 685-7314 or www.yournestingplace.com.

Category: Life's little luxuries

Posted by Susan R. Pollack (The Detroit News) on Thu, Mar 11, 2010 at 3:21 PM

New York's 'jeweler for the home' to appear at Neiman Marcus

New York designer Jay Strongwater, who styles himself as a "jeweler for the home," will meet and greet shoppers Friday afternoon in Neiman Marcus at Somerset Collection, Troy.

Free champagne and sweets will be served during the event, from 1 to 4 p.m., in the third-floor Gift Galleries, as Strongwater shows off his artisan collection of Swarovski crystal studded home accessories. The bejeweled items include floral picture frames and mirrors, figurines, enameled tables and chandeliers.

Shoppers will receive a free gift with a $350 purchase, and Strongwater will sign items bought that day.

Category: Online offers

Posted by Susan R. Pollack (The Detroit News) on Thu, Feb 18, 2010 at 6:36 PM

Join an online club, for free, to buy houseware items

Here's another cabin fever-fighter: Beyond the Rack, an online, "members only shopping club," now offers sample sales on home decor items such as these cute, polka-dotted teacups, pictured. They're called Classic Coffee & Tea by Yedi Houseware.

Billed as "events," the sample sales run for a short period of time and are open to those who sign up -- for free -- on the Web site, here . Use the code: BTRACCESS. Most "events" feature apparel and other fashion items, but other home accessories, at some point, will include Early of Whitney's Bedding, Renwil Mirrors and Art, Culinhome, Rococo Artwork and other brands.

The teacup sale "event" starts at 11 a.m. Friday and runs through Feb. 22, with retail prices cut from $30-$60 to $12-$30.

Just remember, window-shopping is free.

Category: Workshops

Posted by Susan R. Pollack (The Detroit News) on Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 3:01 PM

Pewabic Pottery invites kids to play with clay

Pewabic Pottery in Detroit wants kids to get their hands dirty in a new series of Saturday youth workshops. They'll be held in the pottery, a National Historic Landmark, at 10125 E. Jefferson, across from Waterworks Park. Children will have fun with clay while making a gift to take home, starting with:

- Precious Plaques, by appointment between noon and 4 p.m. Saturday

- Earth Day Shakers, at 10 a.m. to noon, or noon to 2 p.m, March 20

- Flower Pots, 10 a.m. to noon, or noon to 2 p.m., April 17

- Picture Frames, 10 a.m. to noon, or noon to 2 p.m., May 15.

Pre-registration is required for all classes; call (313) 822-0954 ext. 100. Cost for each workshop is $30 per child or $40 for a parent and child. Projects will be ready for pickup four to six weeks after each class.

Nationally renowned for its Arts and Crafts-inspired tile and pottery in unique glazes since 1903, Pewabic also is launching a four-week "hand building" class for kids ages 8 to 15. It will be held on Fridays from 4-6 p.m., starting March 5 and running through March 26. The entire program is $75 per person.

Even if you can't get your child to a class, take a free tour of Pewabic's production area or check out the galleries and museum store, which is open during regular business hours,10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 4 p.m., Sunday. Check the Web site here

Category: Shop for a cause

Posted by Susan R. Pollack (The Detroit News) on Wed, Jan 20, 2010 at 6:14 PM

Join 'Walk for Warmth' blanket drive at House of Bedrooms

Put those old blankets that are just hanging around your house to good use by participating in a blanket drive sponsored, appropriately, by House of Bedrooms in Bloomfield Hills.

You can drop them off any time through Feb. 7 at the store, 1700 South Telegraph, or bring in a pile --- and enjoy refreshments --- at a wine reception from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 27. If you don't have a spare blanket, donations of money are welcome, too.

The blanket drive supports the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency's 20th annual Walk for Warmth event, Feb. 7, which raises funds to pay gas and electricity bills of the Oakland County needy.

At Wednesday's reception, you can sign up to walk or volunteer in the upcoming Walk for Warmth event, whose 2010 goal is to raise $200,000. Representatives of St. Joseph Mercy Oakland will also offer free health screenings and discuss the benefits of walking at 6 p.m. Also on hand will be former WMGC-FM radio host Linda Lanci.

And you can check out the $700 Broyhill Fontana Blanket Chest (pictured) that House of Bedrooms is donating to OLHSA for the silent auction on Feb. 7, the day of the walk.

To RSVP, call (248) 334-4593.

The Walk for Warmth will be held from 1 to 3 p.m., Feb. 7 at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Check here

Category: How To

Posted by Susan R. Pollack (The Detroit News) on Thu, Jan 7, 2010 at 4:45 PM

Learn to paint furniture, throw pots at "Welcome!" classes in Birmingham

What better time than a new year to do some of the things you've dreamed of doing? If you've always wanted to make ceramic pots or jewelry, paint furniture or learn printmaking, the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center offers a full roster of "Welcome!" classes for beginners and workshops starting the week of Jan. 11.

You can register in advance or on the spot at the center, 1516 South Cranbrook Road (aka Evergreen), between 14 and 15 Mile roads in Birmingham.

Check the Web site, here or call (248) 644-0866.

Category: Giveaways

Posted by Susan R. Pollack (The Detroit News) on Thu, Dec 17, 2009 at 5:38 PM

Happy holidays from Homestyle: Win this book

I can't guarantee that it will arrive by Christmas, but if you're a Homestyle fan and interested in learning how to create eye-popping tabletops by mixing treasures hidden away in your cupboards with flea market finds, this book's for you:

It's called "The Vintage Table: Personal Treasures and Standout Settings," by Jacqueline de Montravel and the editors of Romantic Homes magazine.

For a chance to win it, hot off the presses, send me an e-mail at spollack@detnews.com or a fast postcard to The Detroit News - Homestyle, 615 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226.

The deadline is noon Tuesday.

Good luck, and happy holidays from Homestyle.

Category: Cool shops

Posted by Susan R. Pollack (The Detroit News) on Thu, Dec 10, 2009 at 6:01 PM

Attend 'Guys Night Out' at Leon & Lulu in Clawson

Hopefully, your significant other is not the type who buys you a vacuum cleaner, toaster or other boring appliance for the holidays.

Not that housewares, home decor and accessories have to be ho-hum. Consider sending your clueless one to Leon & Lulu, an emporium of stylish home goods in the old Ambassador roller rink in Clawson, for "Guys Night Out."

From 5 to 8 p.m., Dec. 17, the shopping-challenged among us can toss back free hot dogs, beer and popcorn while L&L staff members help them find the perfect gift for you. To ensure that your loved one returns with something you actually want, log onto the Leon & Lulu Web site and detail your heart's desires. Even if the store doesn't carry what you want, staffers promise to help your hubby find it someplace else.

Just know that at Leon & Lulu's, 96 W 14 Mile Road, gift-wrapping is always free.

Category: Online offers

Posted by Susan R. Pollack (The Detroit News) on Thu, Dec 3, 2009 at 4:39 PM

Sign up for English Gardens' online newsletter for special offers

With the holidays closing in this month, now's the perfect time to sign up for English Gardens' e-newsletter. I did a couple weeks ago and every so often a great coupon pops up in my e-mail, such as the one this week for a free fresh evergreen bouquet with a purchase. Specials on other holiday greenery are detailed as well.

You can sign up at www.EnglishGardens.com or when you visit one of the seven stores around Metro Detroit. If you buy something, you'll get a free 2010 calendar with pretty photos of flowers each month -- just the ticket to get you through dark winter months.

English Gardens stores this month are hosting "Make it & Take it Workshops" featuring "Holiday Cheer Topiary" on Dec. 10 (except Brighton and Eastpointe) and "Holiday English Gardens Basket" on Dec. 17 at each location. The workshops cost $24.99, start at 7 p.m. and require in-store or online sign-ups here.