Blogs, Blogs Everywhere!

Blogger Says You Need An Inventory: Mary E. Trimble says on her blog that "a home inventory can save you big money - and headaches - should tragedy strike." Here's more:

The aftermath of a disaster is confusing and frustrating enough without trying to recall the particulars of your possessions. For items destroyed in fire or flood, a household inventory will help you remember what you had. Insurance adjustments are expedited more efficiently when information can be gathered from current documentation.

I don't know much about Ms. Trimble, but I have to admit a certain fondness for her now!

Public Adjusters In The Blogosphere: A public adjuster is a claims adjuster working free-lance, not employed by an insurance carrier. Public adjusters help individuals in contentious insurance claim settlements, but usually at a hefty price (10-15% of the final settlement). The (poorly written) Tampa Bay Real Estate blog discusses how public adjusters can help.

Your insurance company sends out their personal insurance adjuster, that has one thing in mind, to close the claim as cheap as possible.

A word of caution. Public adjusters do not have the best reputation among those in the insurance industry, as you can imagine. Some public adjusters have a reputation for artificially inflating the size of claims, and insurers tend to lump all public adjusters into that category. Bringing a public adjuster into an insurance claim is sort of like demanding to speak to your lawyer in a TV cop show. "Why do you need a public adjuster, we're all friends here?"

We'll stop there for today. Thanks for tuning in!

Farley Home Services provides inventory documentation to homeowners, tenants, small business owners, and landlords. Please visit EverySingleItem.com to see how we can serve you.

State Farm Goes Down Swinging

State Farm Moves to Eliminate Florida Discounts: State Farm Florida, which will soon stop writing new homeowners insurance in the state, is now asking the legislature's permission to remove all the discounts that its remaining policyholders receive, giving those people what amounts to a significant rate increase. Clients receive discounts for such things as having your car and home insured by the same carrier, alarm systems, new plumbing and electrical wiring, hail resistant roofing, and the like. Those discounts, when taken in total, can reduce one's premium by roughly one third.

State Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, called the filing an "outrageous" way of "going around the law" to raise premiums without a formal rate increase. "The insurance companies always seem to find a way to help themselves and neglect the homeowner," he said. [emphasis added]

A Missed Opportunity: Bernard Madoff's personal property is being meticulously cataloged by federal marshals in preparation of a coming auction of his goods. I never thought to apply for the job. Arrgghh.

The forfeiture order signed by federal Judge Denny Chin gave the U.S. government complete control over the $7.5-million apartment and the $3.5-million house in Montauk. (A $10-million Palm Beach home was surrendered earlier this year). Chin ordered the properties and everything inside, including clothing, fixtures, artwork, linens and sheets, surrendered to help pay victims of the estimated $65-billion Ponzi scheme.

Ohio Bucks the Trend (pun intended): My last blog entry noted that insurance rate increases were on the way primarily for coastal states. The Ohio Department of Insurance is saying that 2008 saw significant increases for homeowners insurance premiums. (Ohio has no coastline unless you count Lake Erie.) No word yet from Ohio on future premium trends.

Despite the increases last year, [Ohio Insurance Institute spokesperson Mary] Bonelli said, Ohio auto and homeowners insurance rates are still among the lowest in the country -- and the reason is competition. "There are 266 homeowner writers in the state and 613 auto writers," she said. "That's the third-highest number in both areas." [emphasis added]

Summer Protection Tips From NAHIP: The National Association of Home Inventory Professionals has some travel tips to keep your home safe while you are gone this summer. Here's an excerpt:

Don't place any online or mail orders that could possibly be delivered while you are gone. Packages left outside for days are a strong indicator that nobody is home. Ensure that your lawn is cut. A lawn in need of mowing is an obvious sign that a homeowner may be away on vacation. Those who mow their own lawn should consider hiring a lawn service if away for an extended period of time.

That's about all for today. I don't want to talk about the Gold Cup final just yet. Thanks for reading!

A. J. Farley runs Farley Home Services, a home inventory service for folks like you. Please visit EverySingleItem.com for more details.

Adorable Garden Stools

Ceramic garden stools are everywhere nowadays. We think the trend started with the boutique hotel chains like Mondrian, where they were using white garden stools everywhere. More often seen indoor as decorative items, they are actually meant to be used outdoor. Super easy to clean and versatile, decorative garden stools can be used as seating, side tables, or just for decoration.

We thought instead of the typical white ceramic garden stools, we show you some other ones that are more colorful and interesting.









These range between $200-$250 each. All are from Emissary USA and can be found on our garden stool section.

Pretty Rugs from Surya

We have a soft spot for dainty & pretty looking things. Like things with soft, muted colors; subdued patterns, delicate designs.

It's the reason why we really like this rug collection from Surya. It's full of all the things stated above.

Here are some of our favorites:










The rugs are really inexpensive. They run about $400 (for a 4 x6) to $1100 (for a 8 x 10). They are machine-made with wool/vicose. Purchasing information can be found on our modern rugs section. If you like to see more of Surya's products (they also make fantastic pillows and throws), visit their web site.

Modern Silk Flowers from NDI

Silk flowers have a bad rep, don't they? They are perceived as chinzy and cheap, but truly, they do not have to be. The quality of silk flowers has improved tremendously over the last few years. Now you can find very nice, high quality arrangements that look almost as good as the real ones.

We think the key to pick silk flowers is to find arrangements that are as simple as possible. The simpler they are the more realistic they look. Mixing them with fresh flowers or branches is an effective way of displaying them. Finally, buy the best quality that you can find. Cheap silk flowers are like cheap shoes--you can spot them miles away.

NDI just came out with a new catalog and we thought some of the arrangements are quite nice. Here are some that we like:














You can see the rest of the catalog at NDI. Purchasing and pricing information can be found in our silk flowers section.

Interior design

Featured Designers


Barbara Hawthorn Interiors LTD
Barbara Hawthorn puts her clients at ease from the start as she listens to understand their unique goals and personal tastes. In each setting, be it contemporary or traditional, she creates rooms of timeless quality and inviting beauty. Architectural details, carefully designed lighting and colors that work from room to room are her signature.
1950 Valley Wood Rd,
McLean VA 22101 | 703.241.5588
www.barbarahawthorninteriors.com
Featured Editorial:
- Elements of Style
- Old World Modern



Cachet Furnishings & Interiors
Specializing in both Residential and Commercial Projects, and located in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area, Cachet Furnishings & Interiors is unique in that they are the only local firm that can provide Interior Design, Interior Building Specifications and Custom Millwork all in house.
12322 Bennett Rd
Oak Hill, VA 20171-1608
571.723.4042
www.cachetfurnishings.com
Featured Editorial:
Expert Advice, Window Treatments




DGI Design Group
Diane Gordy creates timeless designs shaped by innovation and grounded in experience. Her rooms are defined by clear architectural definition, subtle contrasts, and a touch of the unexpected. The result is balanced and calming, with a hint of theatre to keep things interesting.
7307 Macarthur Blvd., Suite 214
Bethesda MD 20816-1014
301.229.9539
www.dianegordy.com
Featured Editorial:
- Theatrical Ambitions (see Making a Cozy Cinema Room)
- Dream Kitchens & Bath




Great Falls Distinctive Interiors
Great Falls Distinctive Interiors, Inc. brings interior design to a new level. President, owner and Principal designer, Alice Busch has more than 20 years of experience in residential and commercial design. The benefit of experience and creative talent in pre-construction, architectural detailing and interior design will enhance your home to its highest potential. Successful design emanates a feeling, not just a look.
14740 Flint Lee Rd
Chantilly VA 20151
703.759.4848
www.gfdii.com
Featured Editorial:
- Casual Opulence
- Private Tour, at Home with Marcus Washington
- A House in The Country





Justine Sancho Interior Design
Justine Sancho's firm is dedicated to customer satisfaction. The designer collects each client's thoughts, and tastes; stretches their imagination and creates a comfortable, yet timeless interior. She takes advantage of a wide selection of home furnishings; which include antiques and custom-designed pieces that bring uniqueness and variety to each project.
10112 Norton Road,
Potomac, MD 20854
301.765.6034
www.justinesancho.com
Featured Editorial:
- Playing With Color
- Expert Advice Window Treatments 101

Nordic Architecture: Norwegian Contemporary Villa Design

Norway architect Todd Saunders of Saunders Architecture have been on a quest to come up with a futuristic, fashion-forward and functional villa in Hjellestad, Norway. A great example of Nordic architecture, the villa comes with a sculptural facade and lots of windows to flood the interior with sunlight. Built over three symmetric main modules, the inside of the villa adds to the whole contemporary feeling with custom furniture, large open spaces and mild colors that contrast in the most stunning way. It comes with an open-concept family room, three children’s bedrooms and a play room, a kitchen, the den, the master bedroom and this stunning staircase.









Norway architect Todd Saunders of Saunders Architecture have been on a quest to come up with a futuristic, fashion-forward and functional villa in Hjellestad, Norway. A great example of Nordic architecture, the villa comes with a sculptural facade and lots of windows to flood the interior with sunlight. Built over three symmetric main modules, the inside of the villa adds to the whole contemporary feeling with custom furniture, large open spaces and mild colors that contrast in the most stunning way. It comes with an open-concept family room, three children’s bedrooms and a play room, a kitchen, the den, the master bedroom and this stunning staircase.

London House Blends Contemporary and Classic in a Very Charismatic Way

If you’re like me you think that the style of the house has to be either contemporary or either classic, but can you imagine that such a mix could be as charming as this London house? With sky blue wallpaper and white interior furniture, there’s no way for you to deny the calming ambiance you’re being transferred to. The mind-blowing atmosphere is being supplemented with a large Kitchen dining room area, a great dual aspect living room with wicked (I think that’s the good word) furniture and interesting details, a large chimney breast, a gorgeous bedroom and open plan bathroom with a free standing bath and a glass shower area. Makes you crave for one, eh? – via