Create an April in Paris Party for this month for a special occasion or just for fun. The theme is perfect for a brunch, luncheon, tea or dinner.

You may choose to create a Bohemian Bistro, a quiet Cafe, a Salon du The with sweets from a patisserie or go all out with haute or nouvelle cuisine served on your finest china and linens at Chez Moi, your Guide Michelin 3-star rated restaurant. Consult cookbooks or go online to get recipes and/or menu ideas. You may choose to prepare everything yourself, supplement your cooking skills with prepared dishes from your local gourmet shop or take-out from your favorite French restaurant.

This theme party could be a group effort with everyone contributing a different course. Your guests' culinary skills may be helped along by a trip to the gourmet shop. You may want to prepare the main dish and one course that would be difficult to transport, and have your guests bring hors d'oeuvres, additional courses, bread, wine and dessert to complete the menu. Provide easy recipes to save time and let guests choose what they would like to bring.

Decor and props will depend on the venue. For a French bistro feel, set card tables with plain white tablecloths, napkins, dinnerware and serving pieces. Water pitchers and/or wine carafes, bread baskets, menu cards and bud vases are all that is needed for each table. The tables don't have to be identical, just similarly arranged. The focus is on the cuisine and the conversation. (Candles are only necessary in the evening,)

French street scenes or advertising posters and classic French music or smooth instrumental jazz create a backdrop to the cuisine.

Plan activities for after dinner such as a blind wine tasting. Think Marcel Marceau and start a game of Charades. Play a Paris Tour game and have guests list Ten Top Tourist Attractions in Paris in 5 minutes. Give prizes to the winners. Offer coffee and dessert after the games.

Would you love to entertain more often? I'm here to help! Call me for a consultation and we can create a party planning strategy that fits your needs and lifestyle.
~ Pam Faulkner, Faulkner House Interior Redesign

Most of you have either just finished up your taxes or are knee deep in paperwork getting ready to file your taxes, so this is the perfect time to organize your paperwork/filing for this year.

Set aside a drawer or standing file storage box to use for all of your personal papers. Buy some hanging file folders, manila folders, a labeler or markers, some storage boxes and a paper shredder.

First, purge everything you no longer need. Many people either don't keep the necessary paperwork, or they keep way too much. Go through all of your paperwork and toss unnecessary papers and be sure to shred anything that has your personal information to avoid identity theft. For a list of what to keep and what to purge check out the chart at Bankrate.com by clicking on the link below.

Next, sort what's left into categories and put into labeled hanging file folders: Checking, Savings, Loans, Taxes, Credit Cards, Insurance, Utilities, Important and Miscellaneous. Add more categories as needed. Manila folders can be used to separate information into more specific categories within the hanging folders. For instance; under utilities you could have a folder for electricity, gas, phone, etc. Do this for each category that applies to your specific needs.

Remember, whenever you have information that can be used to file your taxes for next year, i.e. real estate taxes, donations, etc., place this paperwork in a file labeled "taxes" so when you're ready to file next year everything is in one place and ready to go.

Keep one year's worth of paperwork in this file. After you file your taxes next year, take all of this paperwork and put it into a storage box and mark accordingly. Then you will have an empty file ready for all of your new paperwork.~ Lori Brasseur, LB Designs, MA

Document and Information Retention Guide

Planters complete the effect of plants in a room like jewelry completes clothing. A simply appointed room may need a touch of color or pattern . The right combination of plant and planter can accomplish this.

Your selection will stretch your decorating budget if you consider other areas where the plant may be used. An all-weather planter or one that may be used in a sheltered area during the warmer months will allow you to dress your deck, patio or gazebo, making it feel more cozy and room-like.

The planter shown is made of a composition material that mimics concrete or terra cotta depending on the finish. Notice how the plants complement the planter's color and style. Make the container functional as well as decorative by planting an assortment of miniature and standard salad greens and herbs. At the end of the summer, spent plants may be replaced with real or artificial greenery to fit the season. And by the way, a clean, empty planter like this one can make an excellent beverage cooler when filled with ice. See the next month's article for more on this.

Planters and containers are long lasting, versatile and are available in style and at prices that can fit everyone's taste and budget. The planter shown is currently on sale at Horchow.com. For more information on it please click on the link below.

Indoor/Outdoor Planter

This bathroom needed a rescue, so whitewashed cabinets were updated with richly hued enamel paint, and embellished with new hardware that sparkles and updates the formerly dated bathroom. The beautiful blue paint, called Pensive Sky, (BEHR) gives a relaxing luxurious background to the fresh white linens.

Don't let dated bathrooms turn prospective buyers off. Bathrooms are important selling features to homebuyers, let them show with a shine and go from "old" to "SOLD"!~ Julianna Hind, Roomspinners, WA

Here's an April Fool trick courtesy of the Internet that few will resist trying. Unlike most April Fool tricks, no one is a target and everyone can get into the act and have fun.

HOW SMART IS YOUR RIGHT FOOT?

This will boggle your mind and you will keep you trying over and over again to see if you can outsmart your foot, but, it is difficult to impossible to do. Your reaction is pre-programmed in your brain!

1. While sitting, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.
2. Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction.
There's little you can do about it. Before the day is done you are going to try it again, if you've not already done so.

(Please note that this can be infectious and may result in decreased work productivity and contagious laughing if tried at work.)

Spring weather means saying good-bye to winter clothes, shoes, and equipment. Pull everything out of the closet and sort. Be honest when it comes to sorting. If you haven't worn something in a year or two there is a reason. Maybe it doesn't fit, needs repair, isn't your color or it is just wrong for you on too many levels. If it's in good condition, donate it. If not ,throw it away. You only need one set of clothes for painting, gardening or washing the dog. The same goes for shoes. If they are worn, have them repaired if possible AND you love, love, love them, or out they go.

Having a closet stuffed with nothing to wear is a time and satisfaction stealer. Clear out your wardrobe and clear out your conscience. If you had buyer's remorse because of a rash purchase you will be reminded of it again and again until you finally get rid of it. Keeping something because you might use it someday is not a valid excuse after a couple of years. It's mental and physical baggage. Time to move on.

Make a list of what you have and what you need, even what you don't need if that will help. Clean and store last season's things in the appropriate containers or space saving bags. Now, isn't that better? ( Imagine applause sounds here!)

For packing and storing tips and click on the link below.

Seasonal Packing Tips

I am writing this on a beautiful sunny day. It is 63 degrees outside but feels warmer in the sun. Picnic weather approaches!

How long has it been since you have been on a picnic? A real, no fast food, outdoor blanket on the ground, tailgate, or picnic table dining? That long? Then it's time to remedy that.

The food can be simple. It just needs to be portable. PB&J sandwiches to fried chicken, your favorites bundled into a traditional picnic basket accompanied by side dishes and drinks- you have the makings of a great outing. For the easiest portability, make it all finger foods and pack plenty of napkins and paper plates.

Make your first picnic of the season a simple affair. Consider it a trial run or a dress rehearsal for (hopefully!) many more. Make notes for future picnics on things to pack and do, but in general, keep it uncomplicated. For picnic basket ideas and supplies check out the website below, Picnic Baskets Direct.

Picnic Baskets Direct

Spring is the perfect time to look at what we are doing for the environment, our homes and families. Interior Redesign could be thought of as Green Design. It is all about re-using, recycling, renewing, re-grouping, re-utilizing and remixing what you already own. Our services focus on affordable rearrangements using your existing furnishings to create beautiful and functional living spaces.

• Go through your home what furniture, artwork and accessories-what do you really like and need?
• Rethink those furnishings. Can they serve another function in in the current room or maybe another room?
• Worn furnishings may just need a new coat of paint or refinishing. Small touch ups may use a scratch cover or Howard Restor-A-Finish, found at Home Depot. Cleaning and polishing may be an alternative to refinishing your furniture. If you aren't sure how to proceed, check with a company that specializes in furniture care and repair.
• Donate gently used furnishings to charities, sell through Craig's list, ebay, consignment shops or tag sales.
• Before you discard a worn or damage piece, determine if there are parts that may be salvageable. Freecycle is an excellent way to recycle usable materials.
• No matter what avenue you take, think first about how to renew before buying something new.

Springtime is an excellent time for Renewal or Redesign. Interior Redesigners can spot the gems in your home that may have gone unnoticed or unappreciated. Our room makeovers save you time, money, and resources- now that is Green!
~Irene Woodworth, One Day Redesigns, Inc. and The Color And Redesign Institute

Circa Home and Garden in Fairfax will be hosting my presentation, "Revitalize Your Indoor and Outdoor Spaces for Spring" on Sunday, April, 27th at 3PM. We'll be welcoming in the season with ways to bring the freshness of Spring into your decor.

Learn the secrets to brightening your spaces both indoors and out. Find out what every beautifully decorated and functional space must have. See what's Hot and What's Not for Spring and Summer and how to incorporate new trends and ideas into your spaces quickly and easily. Discover ways to use and repurpose decorative accessories that say SPRING!

The program will begin at 3 PM on Sunday, April 27th. Circa will open its doors at 2:30 PM. Refreshments and preferred shopping hours will follow the presentation. Advance reservations are necessary. Seating is limited. Please call Circa at 703-385- 1995 or email CircaGifts@aol.com now to reserve your place!

Circa Home and Garden

Deadlines for scheduling your Spring Redesign Party are closing in fast. The end of April and the first week in May still have openings, so if you or your group are interested in hosting any of the theme parties or a customized event for your interests, please call or email now.

Contact us

The Redesigner's Notebook is devoted to tips and articles relating to interior redesign, decorating, entertaining, organizing and related subjects, and will include contributions from members of the Interior Redesign Industry Specialists association, I.R.I.S., listed below.

If you have an interest or question that you would like to see addressed, or a community event that you would like to see included that relates to our subjects of decorating, real estate staging, entertaining and organizing please contact me. Your comments and suggestions are always appreciated!
~ Pam Faulkner, Faulkner House Interior Redesign

email: faulknerredesign@aol.com

phone: 703-689-9886

web: http://www.faulknerhouse.com