The 34th annual Historic homes tour is underway in Galveston and I am proud to be one of the 12 designers selected to participate in the A.S.I.D. Showhouse. The house is the second oldest in Galveston and can be toured by the public from now until Memorial day. Please visit the link below to view the house and purchase tickets.

http://www.galvestonhistory.org/34th_GHHT_press2.asp

I just discovered the wonderful and therapeutic world of gardening. As of just a couple of weeks ago I have begun digging up my backyard and redesigning the look. My first project was planting monkey grass along my back fence line to make it feel more enclosed. I trimmed and mulched my trees as well. The next step is concerning the weed problem and fertilizing the grass. My question is, is there any pet friendly products out there that I can use with two active dogs that love the grass? My vet told me to look for products that say "pet friendly" but I can not find any. Please help!

One of my Associates, Avalon Corporate Housing, houses short term assignment employees from all industries. Recently they landed a large client that needed 70 apartments in the next 3 months. After the excitment wore off the work began. After calling all around Houston they were able to secure just 4 apartments. They even experienced leasing agents laughing when asked if they had any vacancies. After a couple of days with the phone stuck to their ears, they were able to secure all the apartments needed but in 5 separate properties.

This is a sure sign that the rental market in Houston is stronger then it has been in years. Apartment buildings are sprouting up all over and becoming occupied just as fast.

Since the start of the new year I have been inundated with calls from clients needing help renovating and their homes instead of staging them for sale. In Houston it seems that the trend is moving more towards homeowners staying put in their current homes and riding out the housing nightmare that we are experiencing across the country.   

Has anyone else seen this trend in their area?

March 28-29 Ladco Design Center is having its annual cleaning out the closet garage sale. Their 80,000 square foot showroom will be open to designers and the public for a sale that can't be missed. Furniture and accessories will be discounted between 60%-80%.

I attended this event last year and found car loads of bargins that I could not pass up.

For more information visit their website at www.ladcodesigncenter.com

A new "Super" Outlet mall is opening March 27th in Northwest Houston. The massive complex is off of Highway 290 and Mason Road. It will feature over 120 designer an name brand stores with a savings of 25%-65%. Be sure to set aside a day to browse through the numerous deals and bargains that await you.

Can someone please tell me what a certified decorator or certified interior decorator is? Please tell me I did not waste all those years in college learning to draft floor plans, elevations, perspectives, etc.etc. Did I also waste 12 years of learning how to design and merchandise model homes? I don't want to appear ignorant I just have never heard of this term until recently. I am really beginning to wonder what these builder's are thinking if they hire someone who has not received a degree in Interior Design. Maybe they think these decorators are less expensive. An Interior designer will help these builders from making costly mistakes, designers know how to make things work and designers stay ahead of the curve. I have worked hard to get my degree and experience in the design field and I just want to know if I wasted all those years for nothing. 

The Houston Museum of Natural Science is hosting this traveling forensic science exhibit February 1st through April 30th. This interactive exhibit invites you to examine "crime scenes" and figure out the who done it using clues around you. This exhibit is great for the budding scientist in your family. Visit the website below for more information and tickets.

http://www.csitheexperience.org/index.html

Saturday February 8th and Sunday February 9th the Harlem Globetrotters will swing into town to play the Washington Generals. This is a must see event! The Globetrotters have been entertaining audiences of all ages for decades and it just keeps getting better. Tickets are reasonably priced so bring the whole family for a night of laughs to remember.

Monday, January 21, 2008 marks Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. Each year Houston puts on a spectacular parade in his honor and this year is no different. On Saturday January 19th at 2:00 p.m. 22 marching bands and 11 floats will make their way down Allen Parkway into downtown in celebration of Mr. King. Come early and dress warm. This event is sure to be a family pleaser.