Winter floral workshop
Decorate your ho-hum, after-the-holidays table with a colorful winter floral arrangement. A Bachman's designer will demonstrate how to artfully mingle dendrobium orchids, spider mums and freesia, then use beargrass to wrap the container and create a sculptural piece to place within the bouquet. The hands-on floral design workshop is from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 17, 6010 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls. Cost is $50 and includes materials for your take-home arrangement. Register at www.bachmans.com or call 612-861-7311.
Tropical salvage
Looking for unique hardwood furniture that doesn't harm the environment? Ten Thousand Villages has partnered with Tropical Salvage to offer sustainably sourced fair-trade furniture handmade by skilled woodworkers in Indonesia from recycled native wood. The collection includes dining tables, shelving units, sideboards, dressers and coffee tables reminiscent of Craftsman designs. The full line is at the St. Paul store at 867 Grand Av., and select pieces are at the Minneapolis store at 3825 W. 50th St. Call 651-225-1043 or go to www.tenthousandvillages.com/stpaul.
LYNN UNDERWOOD
Consider using rooms in unexpected ways
How would you use your home if you didn't know what the rooms were designed to be? Just think about what your house is missing. Do you need a home office, crafting room, guest bedroom or perhaps a larger gathering space?
Your house might already have the space — but it isn't being utilized the way you need it.
If you have a kitchen island, chances are that's where most of your meals are consumed. Consider repurposing your breakfast room into an office — a place where you can handle finances, plan grocery lists, read cookbooks, send emails and organize your life.
Have fun with the space, and be creative. You may already have the desk — your kitchen table. If not, consider an old farm table or recycled wood door on sawhorses.
Add a splash of color. Try defining the space with a small area rug. Select a comfortable chair; it doesn't need to be a formal desk chair. A slipcovered armchair or funky stool works well, too.
Add a decorative lamp to tie it all together and provide good working light. Control the clutter with baskets, decorative file boxes and book racks.
You will be amazed at how this little space can change your family's life. It makes the perfect spot for a child to do homework while dinner is being prepared. It keeps mail and other household clutter off the kitchen counter and provides a handy spot for electronic chargers.
When entertaining, clear off the desk and stash everything in big baskets or in a closet. Use the desktop to set up the beverage bar or set out hors d'oeuvres.
Has your family outgrown your family room? An easy fix may be as close as your living room. If it's larger than the family room, do a little rearranging and start using that space as your TV room. This will free your family room for other relaxing activities like conversation, reading or playing video games.
The idea is to give yourself permission to use the spaces within your home the way you want and need to use them. The world won't come crashing down if you convert your dining room into a guest room or eliminate your living room.
VICKI PAYNE, Charlotte Observer
