WE SPOTTED IT

St. Clair Consignment, offering furniture, home decor and some rental items, is now open in Chaska. The 1,600-square-foot ground floor space is part of the mixed-use Clover Field development that includes residential space. Owner Marcie St. Clair Asao described the mix as "Minneapolis warehouse kind of feel. There's not much oak," noting her stock at the moment includes architectural elements, antiques, furniture from couches to armoires, painted pieces, and "fun stuff" such as china and dishes. St. Clair also rents consigned items for parties, eight items for $35 per weekend. Rentals range from individual items such as a stone table runner to multiples, including wrought iron candelabras. French doors link the consignment store with a periodic market featuring the work of more than 35 area artists. Though not open at this time, the market carries some pieces, such as by Chris Kegel of Chaska, in the consignment store. 114100 Hundertmark Road, Chaska, 612-229-4312. Closed Mondays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun.

DO IT NOW

Want a cheap, quick midwinter perk-up for your pad? Replace the throw rugs at the front and back doors. By this stage of the winter, they're usually grimy and salt-encrusted. Give them a shake, throw them in the washing machine (if they're washable), or treat yourself and your house to a few new rugs if they're not. You can pick up cotton rugs for next to nothing. Your floors (and maybe even your guests) will thank you.

HOT TICKET

The skies are gray. The snow is crusty. Spring is still a ways off. Must be home show season. The St. Paul Home & Patio Show starts tomorrow at RiverCentre. The Minneapolis Home & Garden Show starts next Wednesday. They'll both offer displays, seminars, vendors and indoor gardens. Combine that with a brat and a beer, and it's a darn good reason to get out of the house.

WE SPOTTED IT

St. Clair Consignment, offering furniture, home decor and some rental items, is now open in Chaska. The 1,600-square-foot ground floor space is part of the mixed-use Clover Field development that includes residential space. Owner Marcie St. Clair Asao described the mix as "Minneapolis warehouse kind of feel. There's not much oak," noting her stock at the moment includes architectural elements, antiques, furniture from couches to armoires, painted pieces, and "fun stuff" such as china and dishes. St. Clair also rents consigned items for parties, eight items for $35 per weekend. Rentals range from individual items such as a stone table runner to multiples, including wrought iron candelabras. French doors link the consignment store with a periodic market featuring the work of more than 35 area artists. Though not open at this time, the market carries some pieces, such as these clocks by Chris Kegel of Chaska, in the consignment store. 114100 Hundertmark Road, Chaska, 612-229-4312. Closed Mondays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun.

IN THE MAGS

You could mistake the new special publication from Mother Earth News for Organic Gardening magazine. That's because the magazine, which is available only on news stands, carries the title "Guide to Organic Gardening." All 100 pages are devoted to gardening -- from starting seeds to making your own potting soil to using cold frames to pest control the organic way. Illustrated with a mix of photos and diagrams, the magazine takes a very hands-on approach. Though not every project will appeal to your average back-yard gardener, (Do you really want to build a greenhouse?) this is a fairly comprehensive guide to growing organically.

NEXT WEEK

Fiber artist Sara Langworthy hadn't lived with her mother, a potter, in more than 30 years. But a change in circumstances recently brought them back under the same roof. To make it work, they gave Langworthy's modest St. Paul home an artful makeover.

Marcie St. Clair Asao, Star Tribune
These clocks by Chris Kegel of Chaska will be available at St. Clair Consignment in Chaska.

CONNIE NELSON, KIM YEAGER