DO IT NOW

DO IT NOW

Place inexpensive rugs in front of all doors that lead outside to catch salt, sand and any other debris you and yours might carry in from icy sidewalks. You don't want salt staining your heirloom Oriental rug in the dining room or sand scratching your wood floors. Be sure to shake the rugs daily and wash them as often as you can.

HOT TICKET

Give your snirt-filled Minnesota outlook a jolt of color by viewing artwork. See pieces by Caitlin Karolczak through Friday at the Minneapolis Design Within Reach studio at 2939 Hennepin Av. S. Karolczak, whose work is influenced by midcentury modern design, combines oil, pigments and collage as well as recycled materials. "Minnesota Made," through Feb. 15 at Grand Hand Gallery, features bronzes, paintings and ceramics by state artists Tom Christiansen, Francene Christianson and Andrea Leila Denecke. 619 Grand Av., St. Paul.

WE SPOTTED IT

Pottery Barn Kids is hoping you'll not only invite one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish onto your children's reading list, but into their bedrooms as well. The store has introduced its Dr. Suess collection, stamping the Cat in the Hat and several of his whimsical pals onto organic cotton bedding, linens, towels, artwork and even a wall decal, for prices ranging from $24 (a pillow sham) to $189 (quilted bedding). To launch the 10-item line, no less than the Cat himself or a reasonable facsimile thereof will appear 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at 3660 in the Galleria, Edina, 952-848-8705.

WEB WATCH

www.freshpalette.blog spot.com

We're in an inaugural frame of mind. That's why we chose this blog, Things That Inspire, from an East Coaster who grew up in Washington, D.C. Her posts are filled with pictures of grand residences and, frankly, presidential surroundings. Plenty of stuff for us plain old plebes, too.

IN THE MAGS

The Wayzata bungalow of Cathy Iverson and Seth Naeve graces the cover and six pages inside the February issue of Country Home magazine, providing tips on how she freshens her space every three months or so by rotating accessories and installing flea market treasures.

WINNERS CIRCLE

There's no such thing as a free lunch, but HGTV still gives away a new home each year. If you haven't weighed in yet, cast your vote at hgtv.com/dreamhome through Feb. 19 for a chance to win a Victorian-style home in Sonoma, Calif., part of the network's $2 million grand prize giveaway.

STARTRIBUNE.COM

Tour high-end designer Andrew Flesher's "jewel box" Minneapolis condo at www.startribune.com/Insideout.

KIM YEAGER, Connie Nelson

NEXT WEEK

With a strong back, a sturdy wheelbarrow and a plenty of salvaged stones, Bob Sauer turned his Edina yard into a private park, complete with a secret garden.

Beautiful gardens

The weather outside is frightful. Escape by taking a virtual stroll through this year's Beautiful Gardens contest winners at www.startribune.com/gardens.

INside out

Tour some of the coolest houses and gardens in the Twin Cities - from a piano princess Lori Line's dream home to Horst's 457-acre eco estate - startribune .com/insideout.