Water: flood your home with style

Water is rushing into the ROM Museum Store this spring with the blockbuster show Water: The Exhibition, opening March 5, 2011. Shop the entire collection to fuse form, function, and fashion with everyday water-related accessories and home decor items. Here are a few fun pieces that will have your space overflowing with the beauty and wonder of water.

Why we love it! This umbrella is a ROM reproduction of an original William Morris design.Why we love it! It's BPA-free, machine-washable, freezable, and foldable!4. [H.sub.2]O MUSIC CD2. REUSABLE WATER BOTTLEAdd some relaxing tunes to your music collection with thisH20 compilation, merging melody with the sounds of water and wildlife for a peaceful mood and calming atmosphere. $17.99A refreshing take on the rigid water bottle, this "fold-and-go" anti-bottle is flexible enough to fit into any pocket, purse, or kiddy knapsack. $10.993. TULIP UMBRELLA1. [H.sub.2]EAU CARAFEStore Hours: 10 am to 6:30 pm, except Friday 10 am to 10 pm. Kids Store: Monday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm, except Friday 10 am to 9 pm. Check out our online boutique at store.rom.on.ca.All items listed on this page are available at the ROM Museum Store.This gorgeous water carafe, cleverly designed to resemble a stack of disposable plastic cups, will keep you hydrated at home or on the go! $39.99Why we love it! It 's super sturdy and hand-blown from crystal clear borosilicate glass.Rain, rain, go away! Step out in style on a rainy day with this beautiful blue and white umbrella, evoking the life-giving power of water with lush leaves and flowers. $34.99Why we love it! Richly colourful illustrations make this book educational and engaging.This award-winning picture book will teach children about the environment and the importance of water conservation. $17.95Keep your eyes peeled for new items that will hit store shelves this spring.DENISE DIAS manages communications for the ROM Governors Office. She has contributed to Toronto Life's style section and the Toronto Star's living section.Why we love it! This mix is perfect for keeping you in tune with nature.

DENISE DIAS manages communications for the ROM Governors Office. She has contributed to Toronto Life's style section and the Toronto Star's living section.

Martha Stewart Visits Newest KB Home Community in Orlando

KB Home and Stewart provide sneak peek of exclusive new home designs and celebrate new community with cupcake decorating contest

In addition to judging the cupcake contest and awarding prizes to the winners, Ms. Stewart also participated in a lively Q&A and delighted the crowd with details of what makes the new home designs so special. Following the reception, guests were among the first to tour a new model home designed and decorated by Ms. Stewart and her team.Martha Stewart at KB Home's Mabel Bridge in Orlando, Fla. Ms. Stewart visited the community on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 in advance of the grand opening of Martha Stewart at KB Home Mabel Bridge, scheduled for Saturday, July 23. The community will be KB Home's 11th community of homes created with Martha Stewart. (Photo: Business Wire)KB Home (NYSE: KBH), one of the nation's premier homebuilders, has delivered over half a million quality homes for families since its founding in 1957. The Los Angeles-based company is distinguished by its Built to Order™ homebuilding approach that puts a custom home experience within reach of its customers at an affordable price. KB Home has been named the #1 Green Homebuilder in a study by Calvert Investments and the #1 Homebuilder on FORTUNE magazine’s 2011 World’s Most Admired Companies list. The Company trades under the ticker symbol "KBH" and was the first homebuilder listed on the New York Stock Exchange. For more information about any of KB Home's new home communities, call 888-KB-HOMES or visit www.kbhome.com.The Martha Stewart at KB Home Mabel Bridge community opens to the general public this Saturday, July 23 at 10 a.m. A special grand opening and food festival event will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will feature summertime dishes, desserts and cool drinks all from Martha Stewart’s recipe collection. For more information about the Martha Stewart homes at KB Home’s Mabel Bridge community, or any other KB Home communities, visit www.kbhome.com or call 1-888-KB-HOMES.Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. is a diversified media and merchandising company, inspiring and engaging consumers with unique lifestyle content and distinctive products. The Publishing segment encompasses the company’s print and digital businesses and is comprised of four magazines, including MSLO’s flagship publication, Martha Stewart Living, periodic special issues, books, websites, digital apps, blogs, and more. The Broadcasting segment produces the Emmy-winning, daily television series, "The Martha Stewart Show," and other original programming on Hallmark Channel, including “Mad Hungry with Lucinda Scala Quinn.” Broadcasting also encompasses Martha Stewart Living Radio on SIRIUS XM Channel 110. In addition to its media properties, MSLO offers high-quality Martha Stewart products through licensing agreements with carefully selected companies, including the Martha Stewart Collection exclusively at Macy's, the Martha Stewart Living line of home-improvement products at The Home Depot, Martha Stewart Crafts with EK Success at Michaels, Jo-Ann Fabric, and independent retailers, the Martha Stewart Pets line at PetSmart. In 2008, Emeril Lagasse joined the Martha Stewart family of brands; MSLO acquired the assets related to Lagasse's media and merchandising business, including television programming, cookbooks, and emerils.com website and his licensed kitchen and food products. For additional information about MSLO, visit www.marthastewart.com.“We design these homes with KB Home to look and feel as beautiful, and function as well as my own homes,” said Martha Stewart, founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. “And the new Martha Stewart model home at KB Home’s Mabel Bridge is no exception. It is absolutely gorgeous with an open and flexible floor plan that allows for lots of natural light, and includes fine finishing details and, of course, a fabulous kitchen—my favorite part of any home.”The Martha Stewart homes offered at KB Home’s Mabel Bridge are beautiful one- and two-story energy-efficient designs ranging in size from 2,294 to 3,277 square feet with four to six bedrooms, two to four baths and two- or three-car garages. Homes are affordably priced, beginning at around $260,000.In addition to offering unique features from Martha Stewart, the KB homes at Mabel Bridge are designed to help their owners save money while also being environmentally conscious. As in all new KB Home communities, the homes will be ENERGY STAR® qualified and engineered to heat and cool efficiently and use fewer energy resources with standard features such as low-E windows, radiant barrier roofing and ENERGY STAR qualified appliances. Also included in all new KB homes is the KB Home Energy Performance Guide™ (EPG), an estimate of monthly electric and/or gas costs for each home as designed as well as valuable information on the home’s relative energy efficiency when compared to a typical new home or resale home.About Martha Stewart Living OmnimediaORLANDO, Fla. -- Martha Stewart and KB Home (NYSE: KBH) last night unveiled their newest collection of homes during a special sneak peek event at KB Home’s Mabel Bridge community in Orlando. One hundred lucky, prospective home buyers were invited to the community to enjoy a private evening reception capped off by a cupcake decorating contest judged by Ms. Stewart herself. The Martha Stewart™ homes at KB Home Mabel Bridge are the latest result of the ongoing and successful partnership between KB Home, one of the nation’s premier homebuilders, and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. When the KB Home Mabel Bridge community opens to the public on Saturday, July 23, it will be the 11th community of KB homes created with Martha Stewart opened since 2006.“It was truly a sweet treat to have Martha here to help us celebrate our 11th community created together and the first homes from the collection to be offered here in Orlando,” said George Glance, president of KB Home’s Central Florida division. “Only at KB Home can you purchase a home created with Martha Stewart, the nation’s leading lifestyle expert. It is a partnership like this one, and the added value of choice and quality it brings to our homebuyers that helps to further set us apart from our competition.”About KB Home

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6801831&lang=en

Schlage Offers Design Savvy Homeowners New Choices in Door Locks with Decorative Collections

Make a statement about your space without sacrificing security

Built to Schlage’s exacting standards, Decorative Collections door locks are made with solid zinc die-cast construction and are easy to install with self-guiding screws. Research indicates that Schlage’s door locks are the most preferred residential door locks by consumers and are used by most home builders.1,2 The decorative handlesets meet industry standards and have the biggest bolt diameter available to consumers to provide extra strength against forced entry, the source of almost 70 percent of break-ins. 3Driven by homeowner desire for further customization and additional design choice, Schlage’s new door locks are a simple way to add a designer door hardware look on a do-it-yourself budget and timeline. Schlage, a business of Ingersoll Rand, is offering Decorative Collections on amazon.com and build.com. The collection will also be available at Lowe’s and The Home Depot online stores, and select brick & mortar stores later this year, and is currently available to the builder community, bringing homeowners even more options for customization within the home.3Crime in the U.S., Dept of Justice- Federal Bureau of Investigations1Nooro Research, independent research funded by Ingersoll Rand, 2011Schlage’s Decorative Collections includes six different designs with traditional, contemporary, and ornate details available in 10 fashionable finishes that complement Schlage’s most popular handleset styles. Each design allows for an affordable, attractive and easy way to add style to interior and exterior doors. Photos of the six new designs and finish options are available at schlage.com.About Ingersoll Rand“Homeowners know good design when they see it, and Schlage’s new Decorative Collections provides the ideal way to easily add a personalized design element and eye-catching focal point that can transform the look of a home without sacrificing security,” said John Evans, president, Residential Security Solutions at Ingersoll Rand.Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) is a world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and efficient environments in commercial, residential and industrial markets. Our people and our family of brands—including Club Car®, Hussmann®, Ingersoll Rand®, Schlage®, Thermo King® and Trane® —work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings, transport and protect food and perishables, secure homes and commercial properties, and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. Schlage is the leader in security devices, trusted for 90 years, spanning both the commercial and residential markets. Ingersoll Rand is a $14 billion global business committed to sustainable business practices within our company and for our customers. For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com.To help consumers learn about common household items that many don’t know the name of, like a decorative rose, which is the official terminology for Schlage’s new door hardware, visit Schlage’s new online “Whatcha-Callit Quiz.” The Whatcha-Callit Quiz tests consumers’ knowledge of the official names of five common household items. After completing the quiz, consumers can enter for a chance to win decorative door locks for their entire home. The contest ends September 27, 2011. Quiz and contest information can be found at www.schlage.com/quiz.CARMEL, Ind. -- Schlage is helping homeowners make one of the easiest, most affordable and yet often overlooked home upgrades with the introduction of six new designs and the launch of Decorative Collections.

3Crime in the U.S., Dept of Justice- Federal Bureau of Investigations

Immortal Living Things: Bug Designs And Ladybug Baby Bedding In Your Youth's Arbor

From an adult point of view bees and wasps sting and ants are a nuisance at picnics, thus it seems counter-intuitive that they should have a nursery themed with ladybug crib set (http://www.babybeddingzone.com/bug-baby-bedding/). The more time you take to view these lovely insect-themed sets, the more your perspective will change for the better.

Even if you are worried about the real bugs found in your garden or on the camping trip, the bugs shown on nursery linens are happy, friendly and pleasant. The thing that many amateur decorators love about these sets that contain dragonfly and ladybug motifs is that the colors in which these sets can be found go great with just about any home decor.New moms and dads who are looking for an animal-themed room will notice that there are lots of insects included in the designs. No matter whether you're going for a jungle look or a farm atmosphere with regard to baby bedding, it's highly likely that among the creatures you love will be insects like butterflies accenting the mood.Even if you are hesitant to cover your daughter's room and crib with bug designs, you will find that insects are often either the primary or secondary theme in the design of baby girl crib bedding set (http://www.babybeddingzone.com/pink-baby-bedding/). As an example, if you were looking for a flower themed bedding, you would find that many of these linen patterns include adorable buzzing bees, cute caterpillars and colorful butterflies.While smaller insect-themed sets generally adhere to standard-sized linens, larger sets include window coverings that are also adorned with the images featured in the bedding pieces. So much baby bedding that is insect-themed can be bought in sets that retail for under $200. By going in this direction, you will have a nursery that is the height of cuteness for your new baby girl, who will also be as cute as any bug in the ensemble.

While smaller insect-themed sets generally adhere to standard-sized linens, larger sets include window coverings that are also adorned with the images featured in the bedding pieces. So much baby bedding that is insect-themed can be bought in sets that retail for under $200. By going in this direction, you will have a nursery that is the height of cuteness for your new baby girl, who will also be as cute as any bug in the ensemble.

Chandelier Lamp Shades

Chandelier Lamp Shades---an epitome of class & style

Available in various style, design and pattern, these shades adds chic elegance to any room and bring a majestic touch to your living room. Various gorgeous materials have been used by efficient craftsman to create a unique piece of artwork. The material ranges from tin and wood to polished brass, metal, ceramic, copper and porcelain. All these lampshades are decorated with rich elegant embellishments.Modern day interior decorators give a strong emphasis on the lamp shades to give an elegant look to your home d�cor. Chandelier lamp shades be it small or large becomes your style statement among your near and dear ones. These lamp shades are an indispensible part of your sweet home. Various designers are coming up with their designer collection to meet the demand of the market. Thus to possess these lamp shades �all you have to do is search for your timeless unique shades.The beauty of these shades are timeless and price can�t be constraint for this piece of shades. They are objects that are treasured and passed on from one generation to another. From Swarovski crystal chandelier lamp shades to antique brass chandelier lamp shades�whatever be your taste, they are embodiment of style . Thus to possess these lamp shades �all you have to do is search for your timeless unique shades.

Modern day interior decorators give a strong emphasis on the lamp shades to give an elegant look to your home d�cor. Chandelier lamp shades be it small or large becomes your style statement among your near and dear ones. These lamp shades are an indispensible part of your sweet home. Various designers are coming up with their designer collection to meet the demand of the market. Thus to possess these lamp shades �all you have to do is search for your timeless unique shades.

Schlage Offers Design Savvy Homeowners New Choices in Door Locks with Decorative Collections

Make a statement about your space without sacrificing security

Built to Schlage’s exacting standards, Decorative Collections door locks are made with solid zinc die-cast construction and are easy to install with self-guiding screws. Research indicates that Schlage’s door locks are the most preferred residential door locks by consumers and are used by most home builders.1,2 The decorative handlesets meet industry standards and have the biggest bolt diameter available to consumers to provide extra strength against forced entry, the source of almost 70 percent of break-ins. 33Crime in the U.S., Dept of Justice- Federal Bureau of InvestigationsCARMEL, Ind. -- Schlage is helping homeowners make one of the easiest, most affordable and yet often overlooked home upgrades with the introduction of six new designs and the launch of Decorative Collections.Schlage’s Decorative Collections includes six different designs with traditional, contemporary, and ornate details available in 10 fashionable finishes that complement Schlage’s most popular handleset styles. Each design allows for an affordable, attractive and easy way to add style to interior and exterior doors. Photos of the six new designs and finish options are available at schlage.com.Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) is a world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and efficient environments in commercial, residential and industrial markets. Our people and our family of brands—including Club Car®, Hussmann®, Ingersoll Rand®, Schlage®, Thermo King® and Trane® —work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings, transport and protect food and perishables, secure homes and commercial properties, and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. Schlage is the leader in security devices, trusted for 90 years, spanning both the commercial and residential markets. Ingersoll Rand is a $14 billion global business committed to sustainable business practices within our company and for our customers. For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com.To help consumers learn about common household items that many don’t know the name of, like a decorative rose, which is the official terminology for Schlage’s new door hardware, visit Schlage’s new online “Whatcha-Callit Quiz.” The Whatcha-Callit Quiz tests consumers’ knowledge of the official names of five common household items. After completing the quiz, consumers can enter for a chance to win decorative door locks for their entire home. The contest ends September 27, 2011. Quiz and contest information can be found at www.schlage.com/quiz.About Ingersoll Rand2Builder Magazine, 1998-2011Driven by homeowner desire for further customization and additional design choice, Schlage’s new door locks are a simple way to add a designer door hardware look on a do-it-yourself budget and timeline. Schlage, a business of Ingersoll Rand, is offering Decorative Collections on amazon.com and build.com. The collection will also be available at Lowe’s and The Home Depot online stores, and select brick & mortar stores later this year, and is currently available to the builder community, bringing homeowners even more options for customization within the home.1Nooro Research, independent research funded by Ingersoll Rand, 2011

3Crime in the U.S., Dept of Justice- Federal Bureau of Investigations

Selecting Quilting Fabrics Using a Color Wheel

Choosing colors to use in your quilt is another opportunity to observe the similarities that the craft has with "fixer-upper" projects undertaken by do it yourselfers. In this case, quilters can use a tool that has been employed by painters and decorators for many years; the color wheel.

In any quilt there are going to be sections that draw the eye and stand out, even if the quilt uses only one color (monochromatic). Monochromatic quilts can use shades and tints to make particular pieces stand out, highlight, or recede.Analogous quilts use colors that are located beside each other on the wheel. They create a natural blending, as each one has a color in common with the one beside it. The color wheel in this case is crucial in determining which colors are analogous with each other.What is the color wheel?On the other hand, a color wheel is pretty important when it comes to analogous or complementary quilts (unless of course you are naturally gifted at color determination!). Complementary quilts utilize colors that lie directly opposite each other on the wheel; an example is a primary color with the secondary color created by mixing the other primaries. These colors can be used most effectively as borders.As the most dominant of the pure colors, yellow is placed at the top of the wheel. The dominance of the colors is also determined by the amount of gray added to each color. Along the right side of the color wheel are the warmer colors. These colors will naturally draw the eye to where they are placed on a quilt, while the cooler colors on the left will complement and help to highlight dominant colors in a quilt with a multi-color scheme. Warm colors can even mean that darker patches on the quilt will recede, due to the natural progression of the eye.The best use of your color wheel in your pattern will happen after you determine the type of quilt you want to make. Monochromatic quilts are the easiest; one color means that all you are dealing with are shades and tints, none of which are depicted on the color wheel. A color wheel is not really needed when it comes to these designs.The color wheel is a circle-shaped piece of equipment that depicts several different colors that the quilter or painter can choose from. These wheels are printed on many different types of surfaces; in fabric shops there may be wheels made from solid wood or even metal; they are very durable and can withstand numerous touches and spins from all the people that handle it. Paper color wheels are less durable and are meant for personal use.Some color wheels have more colors on them than others, but all color wheels will include the primary colors; red, yellow, and blue. These colors will be separated by an equal amount of spaces. The spaces in between the primary colors are the colors formed by mixing varying amounts of each color together; secondary colors )orange, blue, and violet) are located halfway between each primary color combination, as they are the result of mixing equal parts of each color.There is a lot of confusion when it comes to using a color wheel. It is simply a tool that makes choosing different patterns and color schemes easier for the individual quilter. Using one does not mean that you have to go out and buy a whole bunch of new fabric, and it certainly does not mean that you have to dye your own fabrics in order to use it. Instead, just think of a color wheel as a way to cut a lot of guesswork and time out of the process so that you can jump straight into the quilting without fear of the final work appearing out of synch.

There is a lot of confusion when it comes to using a color wheel. It is simply a tool that makes choosing different patterns and color schemes easier for the individual quilter. Using one does not mean that you have to go out and buy a whole bunch of new fabric, and it certainly does not mean that you have to dye your own fabrics in order to use it. Instead, just think of a color wheel as a way to cut a lot of guesswork and time out of the process so that you can jump straight into the quilting without fear of the final work appearing out of synch.

Author: Jan Myers

Gratify Your Stripling's Visitors With Pleasing Bumble Bee Bedding Crib Sets

Bumble bee baby bedding (http://www.babybeddingzone.com/bee-baby-bedding/) is easy to locate and many moms and dads opt for this design because it coordinates easily with various other designs. Bee bedding works great for a larger insect theme but also works well by using multi colored images of flowers and foliage for a cute, charming feel.

A bee theme to your child's room can be more beneficial than you think. Because the item is so popular, you can usually get a fantastic deal if you invest in a little time to compare the store prices. Parents whose budget is limited, which means pretty much all of us, will be wise to choose a bedding ensemble because it will frequently include everything needed for the crib for under $200.You'd better use bee linens in decor focusing on animal kingdom in general- with no difference to their being part of a lively barnyard scene or a dazzling jungle tableau. The wonderful thing about the bee bedding collections that decorators hold in high regard is the fact that it is gender neutral but can easily be transformed into masculine or feminine with a few minor accessories.Sadly, you will find that lacking a plan prior to the hunt will result in selections that may clash with the rest of your home. For those who are not very strict about traditional or contemporary look, the neutral bee bedding sets are more suited.Crib bedding (http://www.babybeddingzone.com/baby-bedding-sets/) patterned with bees allows for any number of wonderful accent colors throughout the nursery. You will find that the off-white collection that has a pale yellow undertone pattern of bees can be put together with walls painted azure and will create a male space that will remind you of a sunny day in the summer.

A bee theme to your child's room can be more beneficial than you think. Because the item is so popular, you can usually get a fantastic deal if you invest in a little time to compare the store prices. Parents whose budget is limited, which means pretty much all of us, will be wise to choose a bedding ensemble because it will frequently include everything needed for the crib for under $200.

Author: Cecelia Kelsi-Brown

Immortal Living Things: Bug Designs And Ladybug Baby Bedding In Your Youth's Arbor

From an adult point of view bees and wasps sting and ants are a nuisance at picnics, thus it seems counter-intuitive that they should have a nursery themed with ladybug crib set (http://www.babybeddingzone.com/bug-baby-bedding/). The more time you take to view these lovely insect-themed sets, the more your perspective will change for the better.

While smaller insect-themed sets generally adhere to standard-sized linens, larger sets include window coverings that are also adorned with the images featured in the bedding pieces. So much baby bedding that is insect-themed can be bought in sets that retail for under $200. By going in this direction, you will have a nursery that is the height of cuteness for your new baby girl, who will also be as cute as any bug in the ensemble.Even if you are hesitant to cover your daughter's room and crib with bug designs, you will find that insects are often either the primary or secondary theme in the design of baby girl crib bedding set (http://www.babybeddingzone.com/pink-baby-bedding/). As an example, if you were looking for a flower themed bedding, you would find that many of these linen patterns include adorable buzzing bees, cute caterpillars and colorful butterflies.Experienced interior designers advise that when putting together a room theme, it is much easier to purchase all of the items as a set rather than piecing together a collection yourself. Doing this will not only be faster and easier, but it will be cheaper. Nursery bedding (http://www.babybeddingzone.com/baby-bedding-sets/) comes in sets of all different sizes that combine everything you would need to complete your daughter's bed.New moms and dads who are looking for an animal-themed room will notice that there are lots of insects included in the designs. No matter whether you're going for a jungle look or a farm atmosphere with regard to baby bedding, it's highly likely that among the creatures you love will be insects like butterflies accenting the mood.

While smaller insect-themed sets generally adhere to standard-sized linens, larger sets include window coverings that are also adorned with the images featured in the bedding pieces. So much baby bedding that is insect-themed can be bought in sets that retail for under $200. By going in this direction, you will have a nursery that is the height of cuteness for your new baby girl, who will also be as cute as any bug in the ensemble.

Author: Cecelia Kelsi-Brown

Cashing in on Coca-Cola Memorabilia: New Ideas for Old Art

Coca-Cola collectors have been cashing in on the company�s advertising memorabilia for years. But finding rare items has always been a challenge. Now, collectors have access to over a century of Coca-Cola�s famous art work, slogans and logos. Thanks to an inexpensive line of Coca-Cola tins and signs, Coke connoisseurs now have an easy and affordable way to add collectible replicas and showpieces to their colorful and highly valued collections.

An original 1943 tin advertisement showing an overseas sailor savoring the tastes of home could cost thousands of dollars in mint condition. This is over budget for most collectors, so they opt for a 12� x 13� replica that costs less than twenty dollars online. One hope of course is that this commemorative piece will be just as valuable as the original someday.Never purchase linens that does not bother to advertise the dimensions and thread count, because even though they might look nice, the quality will be inferior and they won't be the right size for your bed. When you have made up your mind about what effect you want to produce, you can start deciding on the style and colors that will best suit your sanctuary. You will find this exercise requires all your ingenuity and you will end up enjoying the whole process.The art work is not only original, but it represents American ingenuity, American values, and it has stood the test of time. As the company prepares for future campaigns all over the world, a look back at the last century of remarkably successful advertising is sure to inspire more of the same.New Ideas for Old Art workVictorian Girl calendars are also among the most sought-after images.Interior decorators use the colorful and historical appeal of Coke-art as accent pieces. It�s not uncommon to revive Coca-Cola history in a restaurant or commercial setting. But whether decorating at home, planning a special event, or at the office, the vibrant colors and warmth of the art work could provide a very American theme. Designers might find the practical uses for some of the new products to be the ideal balance between function and form.Collectors and traders can add period pieces or unique items to their collections. Whether they are interested in the sights and sounds of the �50s, or prefer something never seen before, the new tins and signs provide many options.They were there for the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam. They were there during World War II when they promised �every man in uniform gets a bottle of Coca-Cola for five cents, wherever he is, and whatever it costs the company.� They were there as the first soft drink in space, 1985. And well into its second century with 400 brands reaching every corner of the globe, Coca-Cola has become an American icon.Coca-Cola memorabilia is well on its way to a second century of success. Of course much of that success comes from the vision and imaginations of first-rate artists commissioned to capture the essence of American popular culture.Since the 1950s, the soft drink�s commercials have kept pace with changing television technology: From black and white to color imagery; from stop motion animation to the super-advanced polar bear animations of the 1990s.But an aggressive marketing campaign isn�t the only reason for the advertising memorabilia�s success. Coke attracts the best and the brightest talent money can buy. Haddon Sundblom, inventor of the modern Santa Claus, Norman Rockwell, and America�s Golden Age illustrator, N.C. Wyeth, all illustrated genuine works of art for Coca-Cola advertisements.As long as you plan carefully and buy the right kind of accessories, decorating your bedroom or for that matter, redecorating, need not be so frightfully expensive. Clearance duvet cover (http://www.babybeddingzone.com/sale/) is available from many internet retailers. It is always best to shop around before you make a final purchase. For any collection that you interested in, be sure that you are entirely aware of what materials used in the construction of each piece.The Future of Coke MemorabiliaThe popular images of war, luxury, romance, and family found in Coca-Cola art has captivated consumers for decades. Those images of days gone-by are being re-issued on collectible Coca-Cola tins and signs, which for many means enjoying the old images in new ways.Help ease away the tension and worries of your stressful day by coming home to a relaxing, calming atmosphere in your bedroom. This can be accomplished quite easily by decorating the room with your choice of the many beautiful damask comforter sets (http://www.babybeddingzone.com/comforter-sets/). If you are looking for a good night's sleep, where you drop off quickly and sleep well, your bedding theme and quality is something you should seriously take into consideration when designing your room.The modern Santa Claus continues to top the list.The Coke girls have always been favorites. They live the good life and drink Coke on the beach, at the soda fountain, or while playing tennis.Wartime imagery of men and women dedicated to the war efforts and American values are very popular.

The art work is not only original, but it represents American ingenuity, American values, and it has stood the test of time. As the company prepares for future campaigns all over the world, a look back at the last century of remarkably successful advertising is sure to inspire more of the same.

Author: Bob Zurn

Peaceable And Simply Good-Looking Living Space Gets Show On Road With Damask Quilt

It has been shown that we receive less sleep than previous generations, and this lack of sleep can affect the mental health and productivity of children and adults alike. While working more and sleeping less is not ideal, we should be able to do everything we can to ensure that the rest we do end up getting is the best it can be given our busy schedules.

Blue damask bedding (http://www.babybeddingzone.com/vintage-bedding/) is currently becoming very popular, and can be used for anything from a baby's crib to a king sized bed, due to the fact that it comes in various sizes. While you may not know it by its formal name, you're sure to recognize this beautiful pattern that generally features images of intertwined leaves, vines and flowers. If you think that damask is only for the 'traditionally minded decorators' then think again, modern designers have discovered that this flexible fabric jazzes up easily.Rich damask sets in gold, browns and reds are extremely easy to find when you want to create a stately and regal feel to your child's little abode. People who prefer a colorful environment to their bed room can consider Damask bedding sets which has it's own impressive bright bedding offerings in colors such as fuchsia and purple. Having the best linens available on your bed can help you relax and sleep after a busy day at work, and help rejuvenate you ready for the next day ahead.The Most Sought-After ImagesThe Amazing Value Behind Coke�s Original Art

Rich damask sets in gold, browns and reds are extremely easy to find when you want to create a stately and regal feel to your child's little abode. People who prefer a colorful environment to their bed room can consider Damask bedding sets which has it's own impressive bright bedding offerings in colors such as fuchsia and purple. Having the best linens available on your bed can help you relax and sleep after a busy day at work, and help rejuvenate you ready for the next day ahead.

Author: Cecelia Kelsi-Brown

Creating Unique Details With Wallpaper Borders (Decorating With Wallpaper)

(ARA) - True decorating distinction lies in details -- little finishing touches and unusual twists that make a room entirely unique. To put your personal mark of creativity in your home, do what many professional interior designers do: Head for the border.

This simple and stylish carafe from the Design Stockholm House is perfect for serving wine or an infused water refreshment. $99.99 each. ROM Member price $89.99.Add some elegance and seasonal shimmer to your table with these decorative pearlescent plates. $19.99 each. ROM Member price $17.99.Double-bordering more than doubles your creativity. By combining two borders from the Winnetka collection, we created a truly custom border in the living room. The four-inch leopard border, placed along the outside perimeter of the ceiling, is the "anchor." Banana leaves on the die-cut border repeat the theme of the wallpaper pattern, while their sculptured, outlined edges reach into the room.Why we love it! It's designed by Swedish artist Nina Jobs, known for her simplicity and clear-cut relationship with nature.Nowhere is this technique more useful than in the kitchen. Kitchens typically contain permanent appliances and cabinets that separate wall space. By installing this elegant leopard print border above the crown molding, the overall space has been unified while also giving the room greater depth and height.If you consider yourself to be a "bees only" member, then your task will certainly become easier, when you attempt to narrow your choice to merely a single or dual collection of the bee theme baby bedding (http://www.babybeddingzone.com/baby-bedding-sets/). If you like a simple and less pronounced bee pattern which allows you to add many other colors to it, you might like the Flutter Bee set by Brandi Danielle. This set has images of sage on a white back ground and features tiny appliques of bees.Why we love it! It makes a great hostess gift.Store Hours: 10 am to 6:30 pm, except Friday 10 am to 10 pm. Kids Store: Monday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm, except Friday 10 am to 9 pm. Check out our online boutique at store.rom.on.ca.

For more border ideas, locate a retailer near you that carries coordinated wallpaper and border collections from S.A. Maxwell Co. by calling (847) 932-3700 or visiting www.samaxwell.com.

Author: Jaima Brown

Bringing in the great outdoors: entertain with mother nature in mind

Summertime is here and the living is easy. Warm weather has everyone spending more time outside--weekend camping trips, picnics in the park, dinners alfresco. It's the season to really enjoy the outdoors. Take cues from the natural world with organic materials like wood, rocks, and shells to fill your space with nature's bounty.

STARFISHDie-cut borders provide sculptured-edge detailing that was once only achieved by tedious hand-trimming around a pattern. To install a double custom border, combine the two patterns on a table, positioning them exactly the way you want them to overlap and join. Measure their combined width. Beginning at the point where the ceiling meets the wall, make a light pencil mark on the ceiling to show how far your custom double border will extend onto the ceiling. Install the straight border first, then overlap it with the sculptured design. This idea works equally well along the bottom of walls, at chair rail height, or wherever else you want to surprise the eye with something special.This striking wooden vase crafted from pieces of delicate driftwood will add a touch of rustic charm to any tabletop or front entrance. $129.99 each. ROM Member price $116.99.It can all seem quite complicated... There is so much out there. Many shoppers get overwhelmed by the many choices of crib sets for girls (http://www.babybeddingzone.com/girl-baby-bedding/). After many hours of searching through all the myriad of crib bedding sets online, you might just give up, buy the something that looked 'nice' only to later find out it is of poor quality and/or doesn't go with what you already have in your nursery. It's also wise to decide beforehand whether you want bees to be the central theme or if you want them just to be part of a bigger theme.Why we love it! It can be perfectly paired with bamboo or leafy grass.This shell-tipped wine-bottle stopper by LSArts will keep you sipping in style at your next BBQ party. $14.99 each. ROM Member price $13.49.AS there is a plethora of designs available for crib bedding ensembles, you must think of and plan the look that you want to create for your little girl's nursery, otherwise your task may become so complicated that you may not be able to enjoy it. You will need to decide what you like best as you have your own unique taste in bedding. Are you wanting your daughter to reside in an old fashioned country style rustic room or are you wanting your daughter's nursery to be more modern?Keep your eyes peeled for new home decor items and accessories hitting store shelves throughout the summer, and shop the entire collection on June 10, 11, and 12 during our Friends & Family Weekend Sale. ROM Members enjoy 20% off the regular price of merchandise in all ROM stores!Why we love them! They're handcrafted from Capiz shells found in the coastal waters of the Philippines.Why we love them! They 're great conversation pieces and accessories for your home or officeScatter these lovely golden treasures throughout your home for a breezy, beachy look. $7.99 each. ROM Member price $7.19.Consider, for example, placing a decorative border on the ceiling itself, connecting that often-ignored overhead expanse to the walls. Decorators often refer to the ceiling as "the fifth wall," another palette on which to apply their art. By surrounding a room, at the ceiling, with a continuous, unobstructed border, you create a "tray" effect that visually holds the room together.SHELL STOPPERLet It Bee, the bumble bee crib bedding set, created by Babe Star having a mix of bee appliques with disproportionately large smiling bees, those are placed in a haphazard order to create a lovely and lively environment is a choice of parents who do not like a set pattern for the nursery of their little baby girl. You have a lot of different accent color choices available to you because the primary color in this collection is white.All items listed on this page are available at the ROM Museum Store.BEACHSTONE PLACEMATPETRIFIED WOODThe border also provides a visual transition between the kitchen and the living room beyond it. Both the leopard border and the banana leaf wallpaper are from the Winnetka collection from S. A. Maxwell Co. Like all Maxwell collections, Winnetka is arranged in groups according to color. This assures easy coordination among patterns within the same room and from one room to another. All design groups in collections by S.A. Maxwell contain several borders in different widths.SCANDINAVIAN CARAFESHELL PLATESWallpaper borders are among the most versatile of decorating tools. Furthermore, they are affordable and easy to install. Nearly any wall takes on a more finished look with the addition of a border. But to achieve real distinction, think beyond merely adding a border along the top of the wall. For new ideas, look up and look down.Now you're on a roll. So why not use your border leftovers to decorate a hat box or a group of shoe boxes and make the inside of your guest room closet as appealing -- and unique -- as the room you've created?DRIFTWOOD VASEWhy we love it! It's kid-friendly and perfect for backyard entertaining.

DENISE DIAS manages communications for the ROM Governors Office. She has contributed to Toronto Life's style section and the Toronto Star's living section.

Author: Denise Dias

Bumble Bee Nursery Bedding In Your Little Angel's Nursery Makes Your Bundle Of Joy Chipper

Bumble bee crib bedding (http://www.babybeddingzone.com/bumble-bee-9-piece-crib-set/) attracts a lot of nature enthusiasts, gardeners and others who like natural themes. Parents find them to be a cute addition to any baby girl's nursery room. Lots of decorators like to use bumble bees in their design projects for a variety of reasons. Without a doubt, bumble bee bedding is loved by both boys and girls alike which makes it a natural choice for any parent designing a nursery.

Double borders don't have to be joined together to give a room a lift. In a guest room, we ran two different, sculptured ivy patterns parallel to each other, 20 inches apart. Both are from S.A. Maxwell's Wicker Park collection. The large basket and ivy border runs just beneath the crown molding at the ceiling, and the diminutive die-cut ivy border "underlines" it 20 inches below. Even more layering is possible. You might add a vertical stripe wallpaper between the two borders and even place the coordinating ivy trail wallpaper from the same collection under all these layers.Bring a piece of the seashore closer to home with this playful placemat made from a colourful collage of beach stones. $19.99 each. ROM Member price $17.99.And don't think bumble bees are 'for boys'; yes, some bee bedding is boyish, but if you look you will see that many are just cute and can be enjoyed by boys or girls, plus many parents mix the bee motif with obviously girlish themes like flowers. It's even great that the majority of the bumble bee collection uses neutral color schemes which allows you many different choices in color accents that fit you.Petrify--from the Greek root petro, meaning "rock" or "stone," means, literally, to turn into stone. These pretty wood stumps, though petrified, retain their original appearance. $44.99 each. ROM Member price $40.49.

Let It Bee, the bumble bee crib bedding set, created by Babe Star having a mix of bee appliques with disproportionately large smiling bees, those are placed in a haphazard order to create a lovely and lively environment is a choice of parents who do not like a set pattern for the nursery of their little baby girl. You have a lot of different accent color choices available to you because the primary color in this collection is white.

Author: Cecelia Kelsi-Brown

KB Home and Martha Stewart to Introduce New Collection of Homes in Orlando

Prospective home buyers can enter to win tickets to a VIP event and cupcake-decorating contest with Stewart as special guest and judge on July 20

Rhode already has earned enough domestic qualifying points in skeet to secure a position in London, where she'll attempt to add to an Olympic medal collection that includes two golds (1996 and 2004) and a bronze (2000) in double trap and a silver (2008) in skeet.ORLANDO, Fla. -- KB Home (NYSE: KBH), one of the nation’s premier homebuilders, and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia today announced their newest project: a beautiful collection of new homes created with Martha Stewart at KB Home’s Mabel Bridge community in Orlando. To celebrate the new home offerings, KB Home is inviting prospective buyers throughout the Orlando and Tampa area to enter to win tickets to a VIP event with special guest Martha Stewart on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at KB Home’s Mabel Bridge community. One lucky grand prize winner will also win a trip for two to New York City to attend a taping of The Martha Stewart Show on Hallmark Channel.For your outdoor patio furniture choices, the old rules still apply to buy quality. Why save a buck on an inferior product just to replace it down the road when it falls apart. With this in mind, tropical hardwood patio furniture has withstood the test of time. Balau, which is a sisterwood to teak, offers a weather resistant durability while still looking very upscale and expensive. Unlike teak, balau is not on the endangered species list and thus more affordable."You don't think of yourself as being the best at what you do," she said. "You do dishes. You eat lunch. You tie your shoes one at a time. You're just like everybody else."In addition to offering unique features from Martha Stewart, the KB homes at Mabel Bridge are designed to help their owners save money while also being environmentally conscious. As in all new KB Home communities, all homes will be ENERGY STAR® qualified and engineered to heat and cool efficiently and use fewer energy resources with standard features such as low-E windows, radiant barrier roofing and ENERGY STAR qualified appliances. Also included in all new KB homes is the KB Home Energy Performance Guide™ (EPG), an estimate of monthly electric and/or gas costs for each home as designed as well as valuable information on the home’s relative energy efficiency when compared to a typical new home or resale home.Setting her sights on another Olympic medal isn't a lofty aspiration for Rhode. After all, she said, "If you don't put yourself out there and aren't willing to share your goal or your dream with anybody, you have no chance of succeeding. It's something that you have to be willing to take the chance on. ... I'm going for a big record. No pressure, right?"It's a continual learning process for Rhode, who hunted on African safaris as a child and was 13 when she grabbed her first world title, in double trap. She had competed in double trap - shooters must hit two clay disks that are released simultaneously - until the event was eliminated from the Olympics after 2004, when she switched to skeet, in which clay targets also are sent airborne from a firing hut, at varying heights and sometimes in pairs.Rhode has perfected her craft with a new shotgun she has sported since 2008, to replace the customized Perazzi she had used for 18 years that was stolen from her pickup truck - and later recovered by police. She's still in search of a perfect 100, having recorded a 98, and she insists that her new gun "has made me even better because it has made me focus harder. It definitely doesn't feel the same. But it doesn't feel bad either."

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. is a diversified media and merchandising company, inspiring and engaging consumers with unique lifestyle content and distinctive products. The Publishing segment encompasses the company’s print and digital businesses and is comprised of four magazines, including MSLO’s flagship publication, Martha Stewart Living, periodic special issues, books, websites, digital apps, blogs, and more. The Broadcasting segment produces the Emmy-winning, daily television series, "The Martha Stewart Show," and other original programming on Hallmark Channel, including “Mad Hungry with Lucinda Scala Quinn.” Broadcasting also encompasses Martha Stewart Living Radio on SIRIUS XM Channel 110. In addition to its media properties, MSLO offers high-quality Martha Stewart products through licensing agreements with carefully selected companies, including the Martha Stewart Collection exclusively at Macy's, the Martha Stewart Living line of home-improvement products at The Home Depot, Martha Stewart Crafts with EK Success at Michaels, Jo-Ann Fabric, and independent retailers, the Martha Stewart Pets line at PetSmart. In 2008, Emeril Lagasse joined the Martha Stewart family of brands; MSLO acquired the assets related to Lagasse's media and merchandising business, including television programming, cookbooks, and emerils.com website and his licensed kitchen and food products. For additional information about MSLO, visit www.marthastewart.com.

Rhode shooting for record fifth straight Olympic medal

Kim Rhode is one of the most decorated shooters in the world, having won four Olympic medals in as many appearances at the Summer Games. If she takes home another piece of hardware next year in London, she'll become the first American to claim a medal in five straight Olympics in an individual sport. In her mind, though, she's anything but special.

Knowing she's qualified for London enables Rhode "to focus on other things as I lead up to the Olympics," she said. Like being consistent as she moves among shooting stations, with most Olympic matches often decided by the narrowest of margins. "It's anybody's day," she said. "Everybody is good. You're talking about the difference of one bird. You either win by one or you lose by one. ... It isn't easy. If it was easy, I would probably be doing a couple other events. But it's not. It's not easy at all."While choosing your patio furniture there are many factors to consider, including budget. Once the amount you would spend on the patio furniture has been fixed, you need to find a way to be consistent with your decorating themes and stay within that budget. Are you going to be entertaining a lot of people? If yes then maybe you look for ways to accommodate your seating needs within the budget you have set. After this comes the style of furniture that you would like and then the colors. Often times a stepping stone approach whereby you purchase as the wallet allows while building your patio furniture collection over time, but with the masterplan always in mind.When you are choosing your patio furniture you must ensure that you take into consideration the space that you need to put it in. Is the place large enough for a chaise lounge or will a rocking chair fit, or is the space small enough for just a bistro set? Is the patio shaded from the sun and protected from the rain? If that is not so then you may need to choose furniture made from materials like teak, balau or aluminum which can withstand the weather conditions. These are some of the factors you need to consider before picking out your patio furniture.For more information about the Martha Stewart homes at KB Home’s Mabel Bridge community, or any other KB Home communities, visit www.kbhome.com or call 1-888-KB-HOMES.About KB Home"Each Olympics makes you grow, and you bring something to the table with experience," said Rhode, who has won 27 international medals. "Maybe you're not quite as nervous. You know a little bit about what to expect, what's going on and how to prepare for that. ... The playing field is becoming very deep. It's good, but it also keeps you sharp."About Martha Stewart Living OmnimediaGuests of the VIP event will be among the first to tour a new model home designed and decorated by Ms. Stewart and her team, prior to opening to the public on Saturday, July 23. They will also enjoy appetizers and refreshments, as well as the opportunity to participate in a cupcake-decorating contest to be judged by Ms. Stewart. To enter to win tickets to the event, prospective buyers can simply visit any KB Home community in Central Florida between now and Thursday, July 14. Winners will be notified by Monday, July 18.

For more Olympic coverage, visit www.gazette.com/olympics

Author: BRIAN GOMEZ

Choosing The Right Patio Furniture

A beautiful home is a reflection of the taste and preferences of it�s occupants. As you have considered the beauty of your indoor furniture, don�t stop there, continue your decorating themes out to your patio and backyard or deck areas too. We live in a time that designers and decorators alike are touting the benefits of taking the beauty and comfort of the indoors and carrying that right through to your patio area. So the choices you make for your patio furniture in turn have a reflection back on your indoor decorating too.

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. is a diversified media and merchandising company, inspiring and engaging consumers with unique lifestyle content and distinctive products. The Publishing segment encompasses the company’s print and digital businesses and is comprised of four magazines, including MSLO’s flagship publication, Martha Stewart Living, periodic special issues, books, websites, digital apps, blogs, and more. The Broadcasting segment produces the Emmy-winning, daily television series, "The Martha Stewart Show," and other original programming on Hallmark Channel, including “Mad Hungry with Lucinda Scala Quinn.” Broadcasting also encompasses Martha Stewart Living Radio on SIRIUS XM Channel 110. In addition to its media properties, MSLO offers high-quality Martha Stewart products through licensing agreements with carefully selected companies, including the Martha Stewart Collection exclusively at Macy's, the Martha Stewart Living line of home-improvement products at The Home Depot, Martha Stewart Crafts with EK Success at Michaels, Jo-Ann Fabric, and independent retailers, the Martha Stewart Pets line at PetSmart. In 2008, Emeril Lagasse joined the Martha Stewart family of brands; MSLO acquired the assets related to Lagasse's media and merchandising business, including television programming, cookbooks, and emerils.com website and his licensed kitchen and food products. For additional information about MSLO, visit www.marthastewart.com.A 13-time national champion, Rhode, 32, of El Monte, Calif., has won a gold and a silver this season on the World Cup circuit, a year after she claimed a world title, as well as two golds and a silver at World Cup events. She'll shoot in September at worlds in Belgrade, Serbia, and in October at World Cup finals in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, and she'll aim for her fourth medal at the Pan American Games, in October in Guadalajara, Mexico.The Martha Stewart homes offered at KB Home’s Mabel Bridge are beautiful one- and two-story designs ranging in size from 2,294 to 3,277 square feet with four to six bedrooms, two to four baths and two- or three-car garages. Homes are affordably priced, beginning in the $260,000s.If you have a garden space in your backyard then you could set it up with some right garden furniture which would add to the beauty of your garden. Having a garden is a luxury that not many can indulge in and with the right choice of furniture you could make it a sanctuary for you to unwind and relax.

Now you can shop for the furniture from your home itself and have it delivered straight at your doorstep. Making this possible is www.AvonleaGardens.com which gives you a great choice of discount patio furniture, garden furniture, deep seating ensembles, and more and all this at good wholesale prices.

Author: Robert George

Marimekko Launches E-Commerce Site in the U.S

NEW YORK, July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Marking another significant phase in its extensive North American expansion plan, Marimekko unveils its e-commerce site in the United States. The online store opened at the brand site, www. marimekko.com, will allow U.S. consumers access to the comprehensive product range, including several collections unavailable in American stores.

About Martha Stewart Living OmnimediaMartha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. is a diversified media and merchandising company, inspiring and engaging consumers with unique lifestyle content and distinctive products. The Publishing segment encompasses the company’s print and digital businesses and is comprised of four magazines, including MSLO’s flagship publication, Martha Stewart Living, periodic special issues, books, websites, digital apps, blogs, and more. The Broadcasting segment produces the Emmy-winning, daily television series, "The Martha Stewart Show," and other original programming on Hallmark Channel, including “Mad Hungry with Lucinda Scala Quinn.” Broadcasting also encompasses Martha Stewart Living Radio on SIRIUS XM Channel 110. In addition to its media properties, MSLO offers high-quality Martha Stewart products through licensing agreements with carefully selected companies, including the Martha Stewart Collection exclusively at Macy's, the Martha Stewart Living line of home-improvement products at The Home Depot, Martha Stewart Crafts with EK Success at Michaels, Jo-Ann Fabric, and independent retailers, the Martha Stewart Pets line at PetSmart. In 2008, Emeril Lagasse joined the Martha Stewart family of brands; MSLO acquired the assets related to Lagasse's media and merchandising business, including television programming, cookbooks, and emerils.com website and his licensed kitchen and food products. For additional information about MSLO, visit www.marthastewart.com.In addition to offering unique features from Martha Stewart, the KB homes at Mabel Bridge are designed to help their owners save money while also being environmentally conscious. As in all new KB Home communities, the homes will be ENERGY STAR® qualified and engineered to heat and cool efficiently and use fewer energy resources with standard features such as low-E windows, radiant barrier roofing and ENERGY STAR qualified appliances. Also included in all new KB homes is the KB Home Energy Performance Guide™ (EPG), an estimate of monthly electric and/or gas costs for each home as designed as well as valuable information on the home’s relative energy efficiency when compared to a typical new home or resale home.The beauty of these shades are timeless and price can�t be constraint for this piece of shades. They are objects that are treasured and passed on from one generation to another. From Swarovski crystal chandelier lamp shades to antique brass chandelier lamp shades�whatever be your taste, they are embodiment of style . Thus to possess these lamp shades �all you have to do is search for your timeless unique shades.Martha Stewart at KB Home's Mabel Bridge in Orlando, Fla. Ms. Stewart visited the community on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 in advance of the grand opening of Martha Stewart at KB Home Mabel Bridge, scheduled for Saturday, July 23. The community will be KB Home's 11th community of homes created with Martha Stewart. (Photo: Business Wire)KB Home (NYSE: KBH), one of the nation's premier homebuilders, has delivered over half a million quality homes for families since its founding in 1957. The Los Angeles-based company is distinguished by its Built to Order™ homebuilding approach that puts a custom home experience within reach of its customers at an affordable price. KB Home has been named the #1 Green Homebuilder in a study by Calvert Investments and the #1 Homebuilder on FORTUNE magazine’s 2011 World’s Most Admired Companies list. The Company trades under the ticker symbol "KBH" and was the first homebuilder listed on the New York Stock Exchange. For more information about any of KB Home's new home communities, call 888-KB-HOMES or visit www.kbhome.com.

SOURCE Marimekko

Martha Stewart Visits Newest KB Home Community in Orlando

KB Home and Stewart provide sneak peek of exclusive new home designs and celebrate new community with cupcake decorating contest

Modern day interior decorators give a strong emphasis on the lamp shades to give an elegant look to your home d�cor. Chandelier lamp shades be it small or large becomes your style statement among your near and dear ones. These lamp shades are an indispensible part of your sweet home. Various designers are coming up with their designer collection to meet the demand of the market. Thus to possess these lamp shades �all you have to do is search for your timeless unique shades.In addition to judging the cupcake contest and awarding prizes to the winners, Ms. Stewart also participated in a lively Q&A and delighted the crowd with details of what makes the new home designs so special. Following the reception, guests were among the first to tour a new model home designed and decorated by Ms. Stewart and her team.Chandelier Lamp shades adds a statement of glamour, exclusivity and high end quotient to your home d�cor. They are sure pieces of attraction to anyone who visits your home. These lamp shades are not just any light fixtures but are glam quotient for your home. Chandelier lamp shades impart to the home decor that distinctive look that separates it from the rest."Our entree into North America has surpassed our expectations and we are enjoying being a part of the U.S. marketplace," states Mika Ihamuotila, Marimekko's CEO. "By launching e-commerce, we aim to serve customers also in areas where our products would not otherwise be available. We have received such a warm reception from U.S. consumers and thus, are so pleased to offer them this special new window into the Marimekko world."Marimekko is a Finnish textile and clothing design house renowned for its original prints and colors. The company designs and manufactures high-quality interior decoration items ranging from furnishing fabrics to tableware as well as clothing, bags and other accessories. When Marimekko was founded in 1951, its unparalleled printed fabrics gave it a strong and unique identity. Marimekko products are sold in approximately 40 countries. In 2010, the brand sales of Marimekko products worldwide were around EUR 150 million and the net sales amounted to EUR 73 million. The number of Marimekko stores totalled 84 at the year end. The key markets in 2011 are North America, Northern Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The Group employs around 390 people. The company's shares are quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd. www.marimekko.comThe Martha Stewart at KB Home Mabel Bridge community opens to the general public this Saturday, July 23 at 10 a.m. A special grand opening and food festival event will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will feature summertime dishes, desserts and cool drinks all from Martha Stewart’s recipe collection. For more information about the Martha Stewart homes at KB Home’s Mabel Bridge community, or any other KB Home communities, visit www.kbhome.com or call 1-888-KB-HOMES.SOURCE MarimekkoMarimekko North America will be in charge of the new e-commerce operations. "Marimekko has such an illustrious history and a strong presence overseas; we have been careful to uphold the integrity of the brand as we expand," says Lynn Shanahan, President of Marimekko North America. "Timing is everything - and the time to bring the increasingly powerful tool of an e-commerce portal is now. We are thrilled to bring Marimekko to the scores of consumers who have asked for an online presence."About KB Home“We design these homes with KB Home to look and feel as beautiful, and function as well as my own homes,” said Martha Stewart, founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. “And the new Martha Stewart model home at KB Home’s Mabel Bridge is no exception. It is absolutely gorgeous with an open and flexible floor plan that allows for lots of natural light, and includes fine finishing details and, of course, a fabulous kitchen—my favorite part of any home.”ORLANDO, Fla. -- Martha Stewart and KB Home (NYSE: KBH) last night unveiled their newest collection of homes during a special sneak peek event at KB Home’s Mabel Bridge community in Orlando. One hundred lucky, prospective home buyers were invited to the community to enjoy a private evening reception capped off by a cupcake decorating contest judged by Ms. Stewart herself. The Martha Stewart™ homes at KB Home Mabel Bridge are the latest result of the ongoing and successful partnership between KB Home, one of the nation’s premier homebuilders, and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. When the KB Home Mabel Bridge community opens to the public on Saturday, July 23, it will be the 11th community of KB homes created with Martha Stewart opened since 2006.About Marimekko:

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6801831&lang=en