DONATING FURNITURE

In the market for some new furniture? If you're planning to purchase, and you're interested in donating your used pieces to a local nonprofit, Gabberts can ease the process. The store and its design studio recently announced a new initiative to facilitate clients' donations of quality used furniture to the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer. When you buy qualifying furniture from Gabberts and have it delivered, you can also arrange to have your used furniture picked up at the same time and delivered to a Hope Chest store -- at no charge to you or to Hope Chest. Gabberts also will provide an estimate of condition, for tax purposes. And if your used furniture doesn't meet Hope Chest criteria, Gabberts will still remove it and dispose of it. Please talk with a Gabberts associate for details.

organization tips from a pro

Could you use some help getting organized at home? Professional organizer Deniece Schofield, author of "Confessions of an Organized Homemaker," will be in the Twin Cities May 17-18 to to share tips at a "Get Organized" workshop. The workshop will be presented three different times: 10 a.m.-noon or 7-9 p.m. May 17, or 10 a.m.-noon May 18. (Content of all three workshops is the same.) The location is Cambria Suites, 2870 Metro Dr., Bloomington. Cost is $25 at the door (no registration required). For more information, call 1-800-835-8463 or visit www.deniece schofield.com.

HIP HOMEMAKER IN TOWN

Kate Payne, author of "The Hip Girl's Guide to Homemaking," will be dishing up domestic wisdom, with a side of attitude, at the Roseville Barnes & Noble store today (May 15). Payne, an expert on thrift stores, flea markets and creative, low-cost ways to make your space more inviting, will read from her book and lead a discussion, 2-3 p.m., Barnes & Noble, HarMar Mall, 2100 N. Snelling Av., Roseville.

BOBBING FOR ANTIQUES

If you like antiquing, here's a picturesque place to browse: under a big tent surrounded by apple trees. This weekend's "Antiques in an Apple Orchard," at Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery in Stockholm, Wis., will feature 25 dealers of Early Americana from five states. On May 20, from 6-8 p.m., there will be a wine and cheese preview with early buying and live entertainment. Cost for that event is $15 ($25 per couple), which also includes entry on May 21 and 22. The sale will be open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 21 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 22. Cost for the show only is $5. Maiden Rock Apples, Cidery & Winery is at W12266 King Lane, Stockholm (about 90 minutes southeast of Minneapolis). For more information, call 1-715-442-2086.

New colors for QUARTZ

Cambria, the locally based manufacturer of quartz countertops and other surfaces, has added a dozen colors to its palette. Dubbed the Waterstone Collection, the new colors are designed to evoke the natural movement of water over stone. The collection also has a British accent; each color is named for a location in England or Wales, including Buckingham, named for the London palace that is home to the British royals; Braemar, named for a village on the banks of the River Dee, and Westminster. (Gee, wasn't there a wedding there recently?) The new hues expand Cambria's color choices to nearly 100. To see them, visit www.cambriausa.com.

KIM PALMER