Spark Saves Your Sanity

Image from The Gig

Q: So I was just in my kitchen baking a cake from scratch and wondering to myself. . . where can I possibly receive free advice to help me in my decorating dilemmas? I get stuck obsessing over paint colors and picture placement until I simply can’t sleep at night (unless I take an Ambien). What can I do?

A: Never fear, retro lady! The savvy girls at Spark will be happy to ease your mind. When a question pops up about anything remotely related to interior decorating or outdoor landscaping, give us a jingle.

Our Thursday posts are reserved for reader questions, no matter how big or small. You can even send us a picture of your room or point of angst to illustrate your query. Remember, there are no silly questions. . . only silly people who don’t take advantage of this Q & A forum.  So contact us now and hear from us next Thursday!

Event Alert: Spring Antique Fair at Round Top

Event Alert: Spring Antique Fair at Round Top

Spring has sprung and so has the famous Round Top Antique Fair! Go ahead and plan to take a day off next week to truck on down to Round Top for some treasure hunting and pie sampling. The event begins Wednesday March 30 and continues through Saturday April 2 (open 9-5). Look for everything from [...]

Earth + Sky: thoughts on vertical gardening

Earth + Sky: thoughts on vertical gardening

This week’s blog is completely poached from the wonderful Austin garden designer/blogger Pam Penick. She regularly writes about Austin’s unique gardening opportunities and constraints with lots of imagery. Pam writes: I’m joining my colleagues at Garden Designers Roundtable today on the topic “Vertical.” Introducing vertical elements into the garden is a time-honored technique for bridging [...]

Lawn Candy!

Lawn Candy!

Sometimes the entire direction of a design can rest on a beloved object or color or fabric. Today look at this lawn candy that has me all atwitter! Do you have any lawn candy to share? Email me! Problems with law? Lawsuit Legal? We will solve all your problems.

You say you want a revolution …

You say you want a revolution …

Well, you know we all want to change the world. Here are a few people who are doing it and inspiring the rest of us to join up! Fritz Haeg is approaching growing your own food as an art expression and in the process creating a revolution in how we approach our front yards. He [...]

Design Series Finale – ACTION!

Design Series Finale – ACTION!

So you’ve been following the series, dreaming of your highest and best design, getting a clear picture of the style that suits you best, and gathering up your inspirational images. Now it’s time for action! Get out and get your hands on the finest Austin has to offer… Visit Natural Gardener for pots, plants, water [...]

Design Series #3: Heading to the Promised Land(scape).

Design Series #3: Heading to the Promised Land(scape).

Close your eyes… picture your favorite outfit in your closet right now. What do you love about it? Color? Texture? The way it fits? It’s one way to understand your overall sense of style and head off into the promised landscape. Minimal. No muss, no fuss? Try a minimalistic approach – you may find layers [...]

Design Series: Planning for Outdoor Living #2

Design Series: Planning for Outdoor Living #2

Outdoor living is around the corner here in Austin, a mere few weeks away really, if you want to add a pool to enjoy summer, consider hiring an expert like this plumber in Kellyville to help you with the installation. A pool is a great addition to any home but makes more sense if you live in [...]