Halloween Skeleton Buffet Table

About 19 years ago, I found this idea for a Halloween Party buffet in a cookbook. I made a copy and held on to it in case I ever had a Halloween party. So far I’ve been to many Halloween parties, but I’ve never had one myself. However, it’s such a fun and creative idea that I thought I’d share it on my blog.

This buffet is perfect for kid’s parties, office buffets, costume parties and anything Halloween. So let your creative juices find expression with this fantastic table.

What You’ll Need
6-foot=long paper skeleton (black and white)
Large head f leafy green cabbage
Mylar curtain in a silver color
4 small glass bowls, 3” diameter
2 large glass fruit bowls

Setup
Cover table or buffet with silver Mylar curtain (available at most party supply stores)
Place paper skeleton on Mylar
Carve out the cabbage head so a large glass bowl can be set into it
Put cabbage on head of skeleton
Fill bowl with potato salad and decorate with olives, strips of pimentos and other vegetables to create a face
Roll up deli meats and secure with toothpicks
Arrange deli meats on torso of skeleton. Follow shape if ribs
Fill large glass bowl with coleslaw and place on stomach
Put bread slices down both arms
Set a small glass bowl filled with mustard and mayonnaise on each elbow
Leave paper hands uncovered
Put cheese slices down both legs
Set a small glass bowl filled with mustard and mayonnaise at each knee
Add any detail or decoration using food that you wish to both the skeleton and the table.
As the party goes on, fill skeleton in with fresh food.

It’s ok to use other food instead of potato salad or coleslaw. Use whatever your guests will like.

Happy Halloween!

Decorating Rules to Break #6 thru 10

The decorating rules to break numbers 1 thru 5 (as described in My Newsletter) are:

1. White Walls Make a Room Look Larger
2. Use Same Color Wood Tones in a Room
3. Vintage Pieces Should be Left As-Is
4. You Can't Go Wrong with a Mirror Over the Mantle
5. The bed Should Not be Placed in Front of the Window

But wait....there's more.....

7. Fake Trees and Florals Are Tacky
This rule was probably started by nursery owners. And who could blame them? The quality of today's silk greenery and florals is outstanding. Oftentimes, you have to actually touch them to see if they're real. If you have a green thumb and prefer live plants, that's great, but most of us can't or don't have the time to keep them alive and looking good. Silk is the way to go. But DO invest in the BEST silk you can afford. It makes a huge difference.

8. Paint First

The reality: Paint Last. You can go to Sherwin Williams and buy paint in every color of the spectrum. You can even have paint mixed into any color imaginable. But try finding a rug or an upholstered chair or artwork that ALL compliment the wall color you chose first! Get the idea? A much better plan is to choose fabrics, rugs and upholstery first....THEN chose the paint colors.

9. The Sofa is the Most Important Piece In the Living Room

It IS true that, traditionally, a family/living room has a sofa...but there's no reason why you have to have one, especially if an alternate seating arrangement works best for your family and the way you live. Instead of a sofa/loveseat/chair combination, try an arrangement of all chairs. If a different arrangement works best for you, DO IT. You will be much happier with the way the room functions for you!

10. Place furniture against the wall.

I know that we, in general, are ALL about wanting more space, but this rule is almost never appropriate unless you don't have a choice. Especially in the living or family room, furniture should be arranged in conversation vignettes. Sometimes, more floor space is not as important as intimate, cozy, warm and inviting areas for relaxing and conversation.

Which rule have YOU struggled with? I'd love to hear from you. Write a comment or

Send Me an Email

Till next time,

Alba

Murals of Galveston

It all started at the Star Drug Store, a Galveston landmark, which has been there since 1886. A good friend of mine, who was born and raised in Galveston, asked me to go see it. She wanted me to see if it was still there after Hurricane Ike.

As I approached it, I noticed that there were 2 faux windows on the side facing the alley. They were each painted with a beautiful mural.

There are many mural in Galveston!!

The Seawall, probably the most identifiable part of Galveston, is painted in some parts with large fish...which I'm sure have been underwater more times than not!

These pictures were taken in the The Strand area...a downtown historic area with buildings rich in architecture and history. In most cases, they were facing the alley.

The Prosperity Bank is almost fully covered in murals!

The Old Magnolia Cotton Club...For Sale...mural and all! And I just LOVED this window mural of a horse in an old abandoned cottage near downtown.

Even the Comfort Inn, where I stayed, had murals painted on the lobby wall.

What a great treat to have found these murals. And I'm just certain that there a many more. I'll look forward to returning to Galveston and devote time to their search.

Till next time,
Alba

Decorating a Bookcase for a Contemporary Style

More and more I'm finding that a lot of my clients are shifting from Traditional decor to a more simple and contemporary look. "Clean lines" and "less clutter" are buzz words for this Transitional style. But too often a "less cluttered bookshelf" is a total oxymoron.

So how to fill a bookshelf

for the Modern or Transitional decor?

One way that I LOVE, is to use a monochromatic color scheme.

In this picture, that color is white. All the books have been recovered with jackets made from the same color paper. If you remember from grammar school how to cover a book, you can do this too. Is this stunning, or what? Notice that there are no accessories. This too adds to the minimalism and therefore the contemporary style and decor.

Here's another way to achieve a monochramatic look. For this bookshelf, they have taken TWO colors and used varying values of each...everthing in the same 2 colors, different shades. I love this bookshelf because it could work for both contemporary AND traditional. Imagine changing the 2 traditional chairs that are shown for some that are mid-century modern...they'd be right at home...even with the same bookshelf.

"A house without books is like a room without windows." - Heinrich Mann

Till Next Time,

Alba

Royal Palms and Beach Condominiums

This week's Newsletter is on choosing the right type of tree for your specific decor....so speaking of trees...it should come as no surprise that MY favorite tree is the national tree of Cuba: The Royal Palm


I just returned from spending 10 days in Florida. Royal Palms can be found ALL over Central and South Florida. With their tall, majestic, thick, white trunks...I was in Palm Heaven!

Royal Palms line a residential street in a friend's neighborhood in Miami Lakes.

More Palm-lined streets..this one on the Gulf Coast in Naples

But palm sightseeing was not the only thing I did in Florida. I got to spend time with friends and family...THAT was the best part! (check out those photos on Facebook).

A close second, however, was getting

to decorate a condo in Bonita Springs.

Bonita Springs is a small beach community on the gulf shore near Naples. The requirements were to fill an empty condo, into a comfortable, durable, casual yet classic.."beachy" feel! I was SO excited. How often does a Dallas designer get to do "beachy"? The challenge was to accomplish this without overdoing the "beachy" theme.

Theme decor is tricky, but if you use restraint, it can translate into a classic design that will last for years. For our "beachy" look, we painted the walls in "sand" tones, used a "sea-foam" colored sofa in a microfiber for durability and brought in painted furniture in light tones. The "beachy" was accomplished with the use of accessories and textures that you typically find in tropical decor...shells, starfish, wicker, rattan, ferns, etc. The use of contemporary art elevates the design to an updated, yet classic space.

The main living area

By keeping the "theme" to accessories, the decor remains classic AND versatile.

The master bedroom in tranquil tones of sand and water.

The condo turned out spectacular! I had a lot of fun and I know they will enjoy it for many years.

If you're thinking about incorporating a "theme" in ANY room, give me a call. Done right, it can make the difference between tacky or not...

Adios...for now,

Alba

Decorating No-No's #6 thru 10

#6 Silk Trees in Rattan Baskets

I LOVE silk trees.

They bring a warmth to a home that few accessories can. Of course, I insist on quality silks...trees that look real...and above all,

get rid of the rattan basket!

The pot for the tree is as important an accessory as the tree itself. Replace the standard rattan with a beautiful pot that compliments your decor. It makes ALL the difference.

7. Impulse Buying

If you absolutely love it, and you know EXACTLY where you're going to put it..then go ahead and get it. But if not...impulse buying is just another way of collecting clutter and wasting money. It is much better if you have plan to insure that you get only what will work in your home.

8. Small Accessory Overload

Impulse buying leads to this..small accessory overload. Too many small accessories make the room look cluttered and chaotic. Go for less and LARGER accessories for major impact.

Looks like this mantle could also use my suggestions on No-No # 3 on My Newsletter!

9. Art That is Hung Too High

I know you've heard this before. So go ahead and look at your art. If you maybe "think" it's too high, it probably is. Lower it 2-3 inches.

In this picture, the art appears to be about 18 to 24 inches from the back of the sofa. It should be no more than 8 to 12.

10. Area Rugs without the proper Pad

Pads extend the life of the rug, reduce wrinkling, keeps the rug from slipping on hard surfaces, protects hardwood floors, and allows for easier vacuuming. Any Questions?!

There are different types of pads for hard surfaces and carpets. Make sure you get the right one for your floor.

Don't miss the Decorating No-No's #1 thru 5. You can find them in this week's e-newsletter. If your not getting it, subscribe now:

http://www.dorschinteriors.com/request.html

Till next time,

Alba

The Renovation is Complete: Jonathan's Place

During the last several months I have been participating, as a member of the Interior Design Society, in the renovation of the Mike Modano Cottage at Jonathan’s Place. An effort that touched my heart.

JP is a shelter for abandoned and neglected children. With the help of some VERY generous vendors, we were able to refurbish the interiors into a warm, comfortable and fun place for the children who pass through. We had such a great time, I wanted to share some pictures with you.

That's me on the right with Lisa Mathews, CEO and Founder of JP; An amazing woman who has dedicated her life to the kids.

The main living area showcases a beautiful mural of the JP logo.

In the playroom, a "Tree of Life" served as the canvas for IDS members and JP staff to place their handprints to create it's leaves. The perimiter "flowers" are the handprints of some of the children.

The nursery has a barnhouse motif.

Great Job IDS!!

NEW - Decorate it Yourself Workshops

I am SO excited to introduce my first

Decorate It Yourself Workshop.

Ever wish you could learn the tricks-of-the-trade to decorate your own home? Now you can. These are 1-Day seminars that teach you the step-by-step decorating process that help YOU decorate ANY room in your home using an amazing 6-Step Process that works every time, in every room, whether using what you already have, buying new furniture or a combination of both. All the information is on my website:
http://www.dorschinteriors.com/register.html

After - Using the 6-Step Process

Our first workshop is July 13th. This is such a great opportunity for me to teach and meet new friends. I can't wait!!! I have a great feeling about this.....

Stay tunned for more blogs on our success!

Till next time,

Alba

Are You Neglecting your Foyer?

I enter a lot of foyers in my line of work. Sometimes they're welcoming...sometimes, not so much. What I HAVE found is that in a large percentage of the time, not enough emphasis is spent on making this area a showplace. This needs to change!

Entries are the gateway to the rest of your home.

For key suggestions on energizing your foyer, be sure that you read My Newsletter. If you haven't subscribed, Click Here.

Here are a couple more suggestions that weren't listed.

I love this picture. Drama at it's best, yet very tastefully done. What grounds it is the addition of the floor plant. Plants, no matter where you place them, always evoke warmth, energy and a welcoming feel. Whether you use real plants or quality silks, they're a nice addition to any entry.

Here's something you may not have considered: The front door. If your front door has seen better days, DO something. It doesn't make sense to have a well decorated home INSIDE with an uninviting door for an entrance.

Paining is a an inexpensive and painless way to make a big difference.

Or, you might consider changing the door altogether. Consider one with glass to let the light in. This makes a huge impact..not only on the 'look" (both from the inside and the outside), but also on the "feel". A well lit entry will even seem larger if it's lit by natural light. A beautiful door will also increase the perceived value of your home.

I DO hope this has inspired you to re-visit you entry. Please call me if you need any help.
Till next time,
Alba

Jonathan't Place is almost completed!

Last Friday, we (members of the Interior Design Society) met at Jonathan's Place for a day of work and fun. The work part included installation of the finishing touches...painting, moving furniture, installing foam flooring, cleaning, etc. The plan is to complete the project within the next two weeks. Everyone's done an amazing job so far.



The fun part is seeing it come together...experiencing the generosity of so many talented people and being a part of this amazing group.

Traditional? ..not anymore!

I just completed a Guest Room for a client who first hired me 7 years ago. In those 7 years her style has gradually changed from traditional to a more definite Transitional.

This is a trend that I see more and more. The challenge is: How to incorporate your existing traditional furniture and make the "look" more contemporary?

In my client's case, we needed to work with an antique brass bed. It doesn't get more traditional than that! But look what happened when we added very contemporary metal sculptures over the bed. Voila!!

The "look" is now Transitional.

Of course other elements play a part in pulling this off...the colors used, shapes, textures...
But the point is, you can still update without breaking the bank. So go for it! Give your rooms a lift and your spirit will follow.

And if you need help, call me.

Happy Decorating!
Alba

Ideas for Your Outdoor Decor

Last Friday morning I drove to McKinney airport and took Petunia for a spin. Petunia is my favorite Cessna 152. It was a bit windy and the morning began a bit hazy but after a while it cleared and turned into a gorgeous day.

I LOVE this time of year. It's perfect for flying....but not just flying...living.

Outdoor Living!

That's why I've devoted this week's E-Newsletter to outdoor decorating. Here are a few additional tips that I didn't include in the newsletter.

And by the way, if you're not getting My Newsletter, what are you waiting for?
Click here to subscribe.




Put Out a Bird Bath
Bird baths are sculptural art for the yard. They come in all shapes and styles. Find one you love and place it where you can see it. Our feather friends are sure to appreciate it as the weather gets hotter.

Add a Fountain

If you love the "water" idea, but not the wildlife, try adding a fountain. Whether a standing or a wall fountain, there's nothing like the sound of water. Many fountains are inexpensive, easy to install and create enormous atmosphere. You may consider looking into solar fountains too.

Outdoor Drapes

What better way to bring the indoor atmosphere outside? Outdoor drapes are not only beautiful but also functional. Depending on where you hang them, they can provide privacy plus heat, sun and mosquito protection. But DO make sure they're made for the outdoors. Interior panels won't hold up to the elements.

Hope these have inspired you to get outside and enjoy the outdoors!

Till next time,

Alba

WELCOME!!

I'm SO excited that I finally got this Blog up and running. Today I also published my updated website. New layout, new pictures,..looks GREAT. Do check it out: www.dorschinteriors.com

I've decided to use this medium (my Blog) for "everything that is Alba". Of course, it will mostly consist of decorating ideas, tips, and observations that I don't get to put on "My Newsletter"....but also, my family, my flying and my hobbies will have their place here too.

I hope you'll join me frequently and post your comments with abandonment. We'll have fun together.