At the office we use binder clips to stay nice and organized, so why not take the concept home? Unexpected uses give your work tools and old school supplies a second life. How about this great idea? Binder clips are an inexpensive and great way to store sets of napkins and table linens. What other office products can you think of using in your home? Share some of your tricks with us!

Did you know that cooking with your special someone can turn up the heat in your relationship? This spicy info came from a study done by Kenmore appliance’s high-end line, Kenmore PRO, and relationship expert Dr. John Gray. Gray is the author of the well known bestselling book Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus. 1,500 couples were polled and the results said that 82% of the couples who cook together described their relationships as “excellent.”  Only 25% of those who do not cook together could say the same.

I got this great little info packet in the mail from The Summit/Akron Solid Waste Management Authority this week and thought I would share. I thought that reading it out loud would reinforce my recycling efforts in my home. I hope these figures made enough impact on my family members and will on you as well.

• Recycling one aluminum can save the energy equivalent to six ounces of gasoline.
• The energy saved by recycling steel each year is enough to meet the annual electric need of 20% of American households.
• Recycling one ton of plastic saves the energy equivalent to 1,000 to 2,000 gallons of gasoline.
• Making new glass from recycled glass reduces air pollution by 20% and water pollution by 50%.
• Recycling creates almost 5 times as many jobs as waste disposal – in fact, recycling supports 1.1 million jobs in the U.S.

Gas prices are high here in Ohio and they have everyone grumbling. The economy isn’t looking too good either. So if we can make an impact on gas prices, create jobs, and make our skies a little bluer, then what are Summit County homeowners waiting for?

On a recent weekend getaway to Cincinnati, an interior designer and friend of mine said that Sofa Express was going out of business. Shocked because I knew of people who had recently furnished most of their homes with competitively priced Sofa Express furniture, I decided to pursue this rumor only to find out it was true. I tried visiting the website which said it was “under construction” – always a bad sign for a business.

I ran across a post from the Business Courier of Cincinnati. The article begins, “An Ohio furniture retailer with a nearly 50-year history is eliminating its corporate staff and beginning the process to close stores. According to documents filed with the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services, Sofa Express Inc. plans to close all eight of its Central Ohio stores and its headquarters and warehouse. Another six stores in northeast Ohio are scheduled to close, putting 436 workers out of a job altogether. That tally includes 253 workers at the Groveport, Ohio, headquarters.”

Yuck. As if Ohio’s economy wasn’t looking bad enough. The company’s reason for closing is their financial situation. Usually I can’t help but run into news like the closing of furniture retailers in my own backyard, but the company is quietly dragging out the closure. It will take several months for 40 stores to be closed.

Easy. Free. Here’s how you can start doing your part today to make the earth a greener place.

1. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Not only do you squeeze in a workout, but you save energy.
2. Bring your own travel coffee mug to your favorite coffee spot. People do it everyday, so the workers won’t even question your positive action.
3. Carry a reusable tote to the store and avoid wasting plastic bags. I just got a great one for $1.49 at Target, who is just one of many stores that have started carrying them. The impact will amaze you… see Rachel’s rant.
4. According to Rachel who put herself through college by working at a bank, online banking is the greatest thing since sliced bread. It’s free, doesn’t require envelopes or stamps, and gets your payments there on time.
5. Get a library card. Free entertainment. Free knowledge. Free from piles of books and clutter. (Had to throw that in…after all, we are home stagers).
6. Don’t litter. Come on! Do we really need to tell you?
7. Recycle.
8. Free your life from junk mail by removing yourself from mailing lists. It will change your life. Visit www.directmail.com/directory/mail_preference/ or read IdealBite’s Stopping Junk Mail article (a favorite site and great newsletter).
9. Turn your computer, printer, dvd player, stereo, etc. off when not using it. Even the little green (or whatever color) light takes energy in stand-by mode whether your are using the device or not.
10. Turn off the lights when you leave the room.

We’ve got plenty more tips up our green sleeves. Guess you’ll just have to come back for more!

“Can you help me choose colors and furniture?” is one of the most common requests that we get from clients, friends, and family seeking interior design advice. Our response is to find pictures of rooms that they like in magazines. Another option on how to select colors, furniture, fabrics, and flooring is to check out Adrienne Chinn’s Home Decorator’s Color & Texture Bible. Chinn believe’s in starting from the ground up, which we agree with considering most people would rather work with the floor that they have than reinstall brand new hardwood, tile, or carpet. This lovely reference showcases 180 different decorating and color schemes so you will be sure to find inspiration.

The wirebound hardcovered book is published by Firefly Books and sells for $29.95.