Kathy Passarette, L.I. Staging/Decorating

That when P.T. Barnum died in 1891 his estate was valued at $4.3 million dollars. Mr. Barnum made his fortune not just from his circus, but from real estate; some of which he purchased in Port Jefferson on Long Island.

In 1873 P.T. Barnum bought land in Port Jefferson and, using his nephew and a real estate partner as his agents, cleaned up the site by removing dense areas of trees in the area known as Brick Hill. He planned to "erect a good number of houses there".

While the first parcels were advertised in August of 1875, none were purchased until December 1877. This delay was explained by "the hard times and low ebb in real estate". Today, you can visit Barnum Avenue and Oakes Street to see the beautiful homes that were erected here. If you are heading over to Connecticut you might take the Port Jeff Ferry vessel bearing his name.

Kathy Passarette and Creative Home Expressions are based on Long Island, New York, and offer interior decorating, interior redesign, home staging and color consultations. For more information on our services and fees please visit our website at www.creativehomeexpressions.com.

There are certain stores you just love walking into, closing your eyes and enjoying the smells. Bakeries have always been one of my favorites. Although, having recently gone gluten free, I miss having my favorite black and white cookie or a cannoli.

I also like sharing some of the local stores that I have found, that may be missed or overlooked. My son, Anthony, has brought one to my attention that combines both baked goods and a new local store.

Rigogliosi's Bakery makes not only pastries and cookies, but breads, danish, wedding cakes and custom designed cakes. Rigogliosi's had it's grand opening this past Saturday, February 14th, and is located at 2229 Pond Plaza on Route 112, Coram, New York (off Old Town Road). They bake fresh daily, and only use the freshest and finest ingredients.

Another thing I like about Rigogliosi's Bakery is that they are active in the community, donating to various local groups and organizations.

You can visit their website at http://www.rigogliosisbakery.com/index.htm to learn more about them, but better than that, visit them at the bakery, close your eyes and inhale.

Kathy Passarette and Creative Home Expressions are located on Long Island, New York, and offer interior decorating, interior redesign, home staging, color consultations and more. Please visit our website at www.creativehomeexpressions.com for more information on our services and fees.

Lighting can make or break a room, but many people don't give it a second thought. That paint color you labored over choosing can wind up looking like the worst choice you've ever made based on the lighting you use in that room. Let's take a look at the three basic types of lighting.

Task lighting is lighting that performs a function for a task. Task lighting should be in every room in your house. From desk lamps to table lamps, before purchasing a lamp, keep in mind what tasks you will be using it for. Reading lamps should be above eye level so that the light hits the page you are reading. Pendants over a work surface in the kitchen can help you see what you are chopping.

Photo courtesy Lowes

Ambient lighting (also known as overall lighting), lights up the whole room, and can be in the form of a chandelier or recessed lighting, to name two. They are usually on or near the ceiling. Putting ambient lighting on dimmer switches can help change the mood in the room.

Icicle Leaf Chandelier courtesy of Lamps Plus

Photo courtesy of Lamps Plus

Accent lighting is lighting that can help create drama or interest in your rooms. Spotlights, in-cabinet, bookshelf, sconces and even candles are considered accent lighting. While lighting can be used to highlight artwork, some lamps become art in their own right. Accent lighting is an opportunity to have some fun with your lighting choice. Used along with task lighting, accent lighting can give your rooms that warm and welcoming glow that invites you into the room.

It is said that the best designed rooms incorporate all three types of lighting.

Getting back to lamps for a moment; a quick and inexpensive way to change the look of a room is to switch out your lampshades and/or finials. You can change the whole look of a lamp just by changing the lampshade. However, please remove the plastic from the shade before putting it on your lamp. Many people think that if they leave the plastic on it keeps the dust from settling on the shade, but instead it settles on the plastic, making it eventually turn yellow. Take the plastic off and, while vacuuming, just use the upholstery attachment to vacuum the shades.

Photo courtesy of New Brunswick Lamp Shade Co.

Take a look around at the lighting in your home and see where you can shed a little more light in your life.

Copyright 2009 Kathy Passarette, Creative Home Expressions

Kathy Passarette and Creative Home Expressions are located on Long Island, New York, and offer interior decorating, home staging, interior redesign, color consultations and more. Please visit our website at www.creativehomeexpressions.com for more information on our services and fees.

I recently had a reporter use one of my Valentine's Day tips for an article in the Denver Post, which you can read here. It is quite humorous and she lists the tips in a second section underneath the main article.

Here are the rest of the tips that didn't make it into the article:

•· Instead of dining where you always do, choose a new spot. Move a small table in front of the fireplace or into the center of your living room. If the weather permits where you live, go out onto a porch, patio or deck. The beauty of the out-of-doors will add an ambiance that no amount of decorating can top.

•· Create a romantic atmosphere with music wafting through the room. Dim the lights or turn them off, use the glow of candles to not only enhance the romance factor, but to add that attractive glow to your own face.

•· When setting your Valentine table, use your good linens, dishes, silverware and glasses. A small vase of flowers and candles on top of a mirror placed in the center of your table will reflect the candlelight as well as the flowers.

•· No fireplace, no problem. Get the "Ambient Fire: Ultimate Video Fireplace" for 10.99 at Amazon.com, with 9 different fireplace scenes to fit your mood.

•· Scatter rose petals or heart-shaped confetti over the table's surface to add to the décor and romance of your meal.

•· Drape clear, white, or pink bead garlands in your chandelier. The clear beads will reflect the light adding that starlight quality to your surroundings.

•· Visit Omahasteak.com, or visit your local stores, for prepared meals that only need heating up in the oven. Or arrange for a take-out meal for two from your favorite restaurant. Not having to spend hours on preparation will allow you to have a more relaxed evening.

With everyone strapped for time (and cash) these days, you can offer your spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend or significant other a romantic, enjoyable, and relaxing evening. What other way to show someone you love them then to take the time to make an otherwise standard dinner a romantic affair!

Copyright 2009 Kathy Passarette, Creative Home Expressions

Kathy Passarette and Creative Home Expressions are located on Long Island, New York, and offer interior decorating, home staging, interior redesign, color consultations and more. Please visit our website at www.creativehomeexpressions.com for more information on our services and fees.

Photo courtesy of Smith & Noble

The Spring 2009 Mount Sinai Adult Education Program booklet is out! You can view it online here, as well as access the registration form.

My class on Window Treatments will take place on Thursday, March 12, 2009, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in room HS 107 of the Mount Sinai High School, North Country Road, Mount Sinai, New York. The class fee is $10.00; free to senior citizens.

We will be discussing the wide variety of window treatment options available and how to decide which is the best treatment for your windows. Bring pictures of your own windows!

I hope to see you there!

Kathy Passarette and Creative Home Expressions are located on Long Island, New York, and offer interior decorating, home staging, interior redesign, color consultations and more. Please visit our website at www.creativehomeexpressions.com for more information on our services and fees.