Celebrating the New Year

Taking some tips from the web's finest in entertaining. This is our collection of ideas from Martha, FoodNetwork, Rachel and more. They are all inexpensive and simple ways to celebrate...enjoy our top five favorites!

Sipping Style

Wrap glasses with short lengths of silk and velvet ribbon, and secure with double-sided foam tape. Use Glue Dots (available at crafts stores) to attach embellishments such as glitter-covered card stock circles or stars. Or use stick-on jewels. Choose materials that play up the theme of your party. For a more organic look, wrap glasses in twine.

Hopes and Dreams
Give guests an outlet for their wishful thinking with wish boxes. Provide scraps of paper for them to write their wishes. Make the boxes from leftover Christmas gift packages. Leave the box without a lid so there is an opening to put the paper slips into. Spray adhesive on the boxes, and sprinkle glitter over them. Cut two holes in the back of each box, and slip a ribbon through so the boxes can hang from the back of a chair. Glue silver glitter onto cardboard letters, and using a glue gun, attach them to the box, spelling out “wish.”

Shimmering New Year's Streamers
Leftover holiday paper gets a fresh start when used to make decorations for a New Year's party.

Confetti Eggs
Hatch some fun: Crack confetti-filled hollow eggs over friends' heads in celebration of the new year. The confetti that comes pouring out signifies all the good days to come.

New Year's Centerpiece
For a contemporary centerpiece that turns into party favors at the stroke of midnight, arrange a group of colorful noisemakers on top of a cake stand (use glasses to hold any items that don't stand up by themselves). Fill in the surrounding spaces with tinsel. When it's time for the countdown, every one of your guests will have the means to make plenty of celebratory noise.

Wednesday's Best Buy!

Now for Sale - These topiaries were designed for outdoor use under all weather conditions. Great for porches, sun rooms and even outdoor decks. Custom made and given texture with its rustic design. Sturdy bases and neutral colors made it a wonderful addition to any garden. Other special gifts and outdoor accessories are now on sale at Sandcastle Interiors so give us a call or stop in to take a look.

Saks gets a facelift

When Saks Fifth Avenue set out to remodel the third floor of the New York flagship, executives enlisted Mancini Duffy, a 90-year-old firm with a retail portfolio that includes Bloomingdale's in New York and the Shops at Fountainbleu in Miami Beach. Saks could have used an arbitration team as well. At issue? How to divvy up the 61,000-square-foot home of the top designer labels, so each of its 49 vendors could have high-profile frontage. Fashion designers, as it turns out, are no different from anyone else when it comes to real estate: What they care about most is that old chestnut, location, location, location.

The designer floor hadn't been touched since the 1980's—and it showed. Relying heavily on pear wood and a ponderous combination of mauve and rust, the overall scheme no longer functioned as a backdrop for luxury goods. Shoppers made their way from a narrow entry, down a single curving aisle off which goods were displayed without distinction. "In the '80's, designers hadn't yet gotten into the business of aggressively controlling their own shops," Mancini Duffy creative director Ed Calabrese says.

Keeping the mall-like center-aisle setup would have been the obvious solution. However, Saks had no interest in obvious solutions—the setting had to inspire customers to explore. To that end, Mancini Duffy used strong architecture, subtle plays of textures and surfaces, and unique objects. About 80 percent of the furnishings and fittings are custom. As explained by Saks senior vice president William Herbst, who handles store planning and design, visuals, and construction, "There's a framework for the vendor, but we still have an identity of our own."

Mancini Duffy gutted the floor, then reconfigured it with three main aisles instead of one to give each designer prime storefront exposure. Of the 49 vendors, the 22 occupying "hard shops" contributed financially to the build-out while adhering to overall guidelines imposed by Saks, such as keeping cash registers out of sight. "Fashion designers have spent a lot of time and money developing their brands," Herbst says of the decision to allow individual vendors to incorporate logos. "Customers identify with those things, so they should see them, but they should also know they're at Saks Fifth Avenue."

Shoppers might not be aware, though, that the store is actually two buildings: the 1920's landmark, facing Fifth Avenue, and a smaller tower behind, added in the 1970's. To make the two sides of the designer floor more cohesive, Mancini Duffy removed the walls around the escalators, which are in the tower, and extended the flooring without interruption—a combination of striped Turkish marble and gray travertine with distressed limed oak. "It's symmetrical and orderly, but there are some asymmetrical things that help break up the monotony of a typical department store," Calabrese says. The ceiling, for instance, is an intriguing panoply of planes and lighting effects.

The endless attention to detail "stimulates the customer's eye," Herbst says. Chains of crystals drape a structural column at the entry. Around the walls of the central rotunda, bronze-beaded curtains hang behind 7½-foot-high panels of backlit onyx; overhead twinkle tiny bulbs of a tree-limb chandelier by Michele Oka Doner.

The rotunda, one of the interruptive elements that Calabrese calls "pauses," is designed to serve as a setting for special events as well as a showcase for new designers. Both here and in the separate boutiques, the floor's less-is-more philosophy dictates that only one of each size be displayed, so Mancini Duffy expanded back-of-house corridors to connect the stockrooms to the fitting rooms, 30 standard ones and the 19 suites that belong to the Fifth Avenue Club, the store's personal-shopping service. Apropos of its name, most of those suites line the Fifth Avenue side of the building, offering views of Rockefeller Center and Saint Patrick's Cathedral. Photography by Adrian Wilson.

Two is company- three or more is a house full!

House guests are a given. For city dwellers who own a country, beach, or farm house outside the city, you are bound to be popular with the city folk needing a weekend away from the hustle and bustle. For city dwellers, there are always a fair share of friends and family visiting looking for a place to stay.

As designers, we often need to think about what happens if you are a guest, (and are lucky enough to be put in a guest room as opposed to a sofa bed) and you need a place to drop your suitcase, your hat and your coat. Overnight guests should be made to feel welcome and you can accomplish that by creating a guest bedroom retreat. Imagine your favorite hotel and recall what accoutrements were placed in your guestroom. You can recreate that same luxury on a smaller scale in your own home, making your own guest bedroom retreat.

Room
If you can spare a room to be dedicated for a guest room ------ great! Otherwise, consider creating a double-duty room (i.e. guest room/home office or guest room/craft room or guest room/library). Remember that a comfortable bed is your first priority. Don't skimp on linens or pillows. It's also a nice idea to include a small TV in the room, so that your guests can catch up on the news or their favorite late night talk show without taking over the family TV.
Also, include a small side table with a lamp and an alarm clock. With the advent of cell phones, a land line is no longer needed in a guest room.

Luxury Items
Put together a small basket of bath items and toiletries. You can include travel sizes of hairspray, soap, dental floss, deodorant, shampoo, lotion, toothpaste, talc, Q-tips, and even a new toothbrush. Make sure to refresh this basket for each new guest (I pick up travel sized items when they go on sale at my discount store or use high quality skin care samples that I've saved from my spa visits). You can also put together a basket to keep in the bedroom, which will include the following items: some interesting and current magazines, a spiritual book, a fiction novel, several bottles of water, a pencil or pen, a notepad, and tourist information and a map about your general area.

Bathroom
The toiletries basket mentioned above could be placed in the bathroom, if this room will be solely for your guest's use. Otherwise, place the basket in the bedroom. Regarding the rest of the bathroom: one complete set of bath linens per guest (bath towel, hand towel and washcloth) should be provided. Purchase a set of simple yet fluffy bath linens that you only use for our guests. That way, you know that the linens will always look their best for your guests.
If your guests will be staying for more than 3 days, you can also place a small wicker laundry basket in the bathroom or bedroom. This feature is very convenient for longer-term guests, who may need to wash their clothes during their visit.

Follow these suggestions, and your guests will think that they're staying at a high end resort! For more ideas and unique accessories for your guest room visit Sandcastle Interiors at 15 Trellis Court (Just off Marshland Road) on Hilton Head Island.

Living large in smaller places.

Making a home in a small space and the strategy – and I am certain that giving up space does not equate to sacrificing style and comfort. On Hilton Head Island we have thousands of villas, condos and beach townhouses that offer a breathtaking view but offer smaller living areas. Whether you decide to reinvent a small closet space or just want create a reading area in a bed room - all these tips apply.


1.) These built-in shelves surrounding the door frames are such a smart and useful design. I would love to try something like this in my new apartment - perhaps in the guest room/office space. (from apartmenttherapy.com)

2.) Get Organized. When you live in a small space, organization is imperative. Built-in storage is a great way to take advantage of floor space, and it often feel less obtrusive than free standing storage units

3.) See the Corners. I think one of the most common misconceptions is that pushing furniture into the corners of a room will maximize living space. This couldn't be more wrong! Pull items away from the corners to prevent your space from feeling claustrophobic and mount lighting and shelves on walls to prevent clutter on the floor.

4.) Invest in Area Rugs – they make a room feel larger and help to designate the different functions of a single space, especially in one-room studios. I browsed the MS Rug Collection from Safavieh this weekend and found several designs that I’d love to have for my living room. (image of a NYC loft from New York Magazine)

5.) Mirrors. Use them strategically and to your advantage. They create an illusion of more space and bring more light into a room. I will probably use them in every room of my apartment, especially in the hallways to prevent them from looking too dark and cramped.

5.) Multitask. Allow for everything – furniture, appliances, rooms – to have multiple functions. For instance, a large table can act as a desk during the day and a dining room table at night, or a console can pull double-duty as a work station. When unoccupied, the guest quarters in my apartment will function as a library and home office.

Samples, catalogs and professionals who know how to match your space are all available at Sandcastle Interiors. We have the experience and knowledge that will help you add amazing accessories to your home and give any space the design it deserves!

Gift Bows...A Need to Know

Wednesday's Best Buy!

Now on Sale - Just reduced by $710.00! This designer love seat is just $900! Red hues and character ruffles lend this sofa to be the center piece of any room or small corner of your home. Additional Love Seats and Sofas are now on sale at Sandcastle Interiors so give us a call or stop in to take a look.

Wallcovering as Art

Some people may be scared off by wallpaper, inundated with ideas of tacky, plastic-looking floral patterns and primary-colored stripes, but some of the freshest trends in wallcoverings can be a great component to decorating your home.
"We all remember the wallpaper growing up that we learned to hate," said Paul Montgomery, owner of Paul Montgomery Studios, maker of hand-painted wallcoverings, adding "But now, there are a lot of patterns that do enhance an interior. Wallcoverings can uplift and inspire and bring a sense of peace and tranquility to a room."

To separate out trend from instant classic, StyleChicago.com researched modern takes on elegant designs for today’s wallcoverings.

Design with Texture
There are many different papers to choose from that will give your room a sense of design.
"Wallcoverings are about adding texture and depth to a space,” said Allison Kettlewell, director of product development for Donghia Textiles, and added "Even the most subtle texture or pattern can add depth and warmth that paint cannot."

Traditional Looks
The hand-painted papers from Paul Montgomery Studio provide a romantic solution for those who want individualized wallcoverings depicting chinoiserie or rich, garden vistas.

Most panels come together to create murals, and look great against white or natural wood molding. To avoid a cluttered look, be sure the wallpapered room is simply decorated with minimalist furniture and a few decorative items.

Go Graphic with Artistic Prints

For those looking for a modern alternative to the traditional look, Surface View offers a unique option. This British company specializes in high-resolution recreations, giving you the option of having wall-sized photograph in your home.

Samples, catalogs and professionals who know how to match your space, wallpaper and colors are all available at Sandcastle Interiors. We have the experience and knowledge that will help you get through the sticky process of choosing and installing wallpaper.

Let there be light in 2010

If you're looking for an inexpensive yet distinctive way to update your home this year, how about starting with your light fixtures? New light fixtures can change the whole look and mood of a room, and are a relatively inexpensive way to update your home. Here are some of the new trends for 2010 that you might want to consider for your own home.

Hidden cable track lighting. The newest type of cable track lighting features hidden cables that use a very low voltage. The cable is virtually invisible, causing the lighting fixtures to appear as if they are floating. This is a great look for non functional lighting in a living or dining room, and can soften the room with specialty light bulbs.

Chandeliers in unexpected rooms. We all have seen the traditional chandeliers in dining rooms, but how about one in your bedroom or even the bathroom? Smaller-sized fixtures are the newest trend in bathroom and bedroom décor, simply hang one in the middle of the room and you have an instant update.

Vintage fixtures. These fixtures are the newest style for homes. Pair odd combinations that reflect strongly from one generation. Rustic colors and worn fixtures are huge this year, and light fixtures that echo their past are more popular than ever. Look for specialty light bulbs that soften the vintage look.

For more information on styles and trends for 2010, visit Sandcastle Interiors to see the newest style for yourself. We have hundreds of lighting options in stock, we can make special orders to customize your home and even install fixtures.

Behind the Scenes

Reporter Jamarcus Gaston shows you what goes into Christmas at America's largest home.

Inspiring Outdoor Spaces

Southern Living's Outdoor Spaces can be truly inspiring. Take a closer look at some of the elements added to each outdoor space and you will find entertaining outdoors is much easier than you think! Candles are a great substitute in fireplaces and around mantels. A large group of small candles will sparkle but not heat - great for summer time festivities or in climates that don't get too cold.

The lone fireplace might seem out of place but by adding furniture and extra sitting areas you can make any fireplace the perfect place to gather. A stand alone fireplace can accommodate smaller groups as well as large groups of people.

Outdoor kitchens are very popular and may people are taking pool houses and sheds and creating an amazing space for you and your family. A rooftop can make all the difference. This space might be outdoors but feels like a living room because of the large rug and pillows.

Bring the inside out by taking accessories that are in your home and placing them around your outdoor fireplace or table. Paintings, pottery, flowers and pillows add the comfort of home to any space outside.

When in doubt add some greenery. Potted plants in all shades give a garden look to porches and decks. Surround your outdoor furniture with flowers and large greenery - you can cover up fading wicker or simply add color.

This outdoor space has greenery and some comforts of home. What makes this space extra entertaining are the speakers. Look closely and you'll find that a sound system was installed that blends into the decor.

Sandcastle Interiors features several amazing collections of outdoor furniture. Feel free to stop in to look at any of our catalogs and accessories. Call us at (843) 842.1370 or stop in at 15 Trellis Court, Hilton Head Island. Just off Marshland Road in Capital Business Park!

Mondays are for boasting

Down south you don't brag about anything you do. Since we are southern ladies we won't do that...we will just post some lovely photos of places we've been and projects we thought turned out nicely. We promise we're not bragging...just showing ya'll what we do...Enjoy!

Exclusive Holiday Colonial Candles @ Sandcastle Interiors

Celebrate the wonderful fragrances of winter all year long. Exclusively at Sandcastle Interiors – Find Colonial Candle’s Christmas collection! These amazing gift collections, stocking stuffers and hostess gifts are going fast! Here is what we have this season -

The unique and elegant oval jar candle from Colonial Candle is a beautiful accessory for any home. It is designed to burn cleanly and evenly all the way down to the bottom, and features an easy peel removable label. Crafted from our premium wax and all cotton wicks, our candles contain superior and distinctive fragrance oils blended by master perfumers to assure you a strong and delightful fragrance experience in your home. From the Winter Brilliance collection (above), a fabulous and festive collection for the holidays. This 5 ounce container is filled with the customer favorite Winter Woods. Enjoy this adorable candle for gift giving and home entertaining. The perfect stocking stuffer!

Shimmer & Shine seasonal collection (above) presents a versatile stylish tealight or votive holder with bling!

Call us to reserve your special gift at (843) 842.1370 or stop in at 15 Trellis Court, Hilton Head Island. Just off Marshland Road in Capital Business Park!

Show Entices Holiday Shoppers

Handmade good lovers and holiday shopping slackers unite! The "One of a Kind Show & Sale" set its sights on New York this year, and the show opened Friday at the city’s Pier 94. The show, produced by Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. and sponsored by Interior Design, was a four-day holiday shopping experience offering unique fine art and fine craft from hundreds of unique artists, artisans, and designers from across the country.Patrons skipped the long lines at big box stores and the pre-packaged factory-made products, as the One of a Kind Show was a refreshing alternative to traditional retail and the ideal place to find one-of-a-kind gifts in a wide range of media and categories including painting, sculpture, glass, photography, ceramics, jewelry, wearable art.

Looking for a one-of-a-kind gift for Christmas? Save time and money when you shop at Sandcastle Interiors. You'll find something for everyone and hundreds of handmade and designer (many gifts under $50!) Call us at (843) 842.1370 or stop in at 15 Trellis Court, Hilton Head Island. Just off Marshland Road in Capital Business Park!

Christmas Gifts: Decor from the Shore

Tis' the season to give great things and thanks to Coastal Living and designer ideas you can give that perfect beach accessories or keep a new treasure for your own coastal retreat. Here are our top 5 picks!


Crab tray with handmade-paper découpage under glass, $42; 917/741-0548 or twigsandmoss.com for retailers Abalone Shell Mirror
(9-inch diameter) with natural shells, $30; 800/472-1885 or jaysonhomeandgarden.com

Abalone Shell Mirror
(9-inch diameter) with natural shells, $30; 800/472-1885 or jaysonhomeandgarden.com

Designers Guild Leblond Moss Throw
$205; designersguild.comWe’re green with envy for this new throw. The jacquard reversible floral print, made from merino lambs wool, is hot off the press. Snatch up a few for friends―and yourself.

Antique Silver Napkin Rings - Each flag pillow represents a letter in the nautical alphabet
$32 for set of six; 888/779-5176 or potterybarn.com

Roost Shell Garden Votives
Set of three, $24; velocityartanddesign.com

What’s not to love about this trio of tiny shell votives? Shells are an easy beachy home accessory, plus the woven raffia gives it that extra oomph of texture.

Don't want to shop online or want a different decor gift for the holiday season? Stop in to Sandcastle Interiors and take a look at our amazing inventory. You'll find something for everyone! Call us at (843) 842.1370 or stop in at 15 Trellis Court, Hilton Head Island. Just off Marshland Road in Capital Business Park!

Wednesday's Best Buy!

Now on Sale - Just reduced by $598.00! This designer sofa is just $2,100! Clean lines and classic style lend this sofa to be comfortable and cohesive in any room of your home. Additional Love Seats and Sofas are now on sale at Sandcastle Interiors so give us a call or stop in to take a look.

Let There Be Light!

The right lighting can change a room from stark and stressful to subtle and comforting in an instant. So choosing the right lighting is important and worth spending some time over. There are several reasons why you may want to choose a lamp as opposed to over-head or wall lighting:

- To create mood lighting
- To light a desk or reading area
- To create a focal point, such as a painting or piece of art
- For convenience, such as on a bedside table


Choosing the Right Style

Choosing the right size is important. If you've decided on a standard lamp to create a general mood then obviously you'll be looking for something tall and large. If the lamp is standing on the floor next to a chair or sofa the bottom of the shade should be level with your ear when you are sitting, so take the appropriate measurements before you go to the store. This will prevent the bulb from glaring in your eyes.

If you're looking for the prefect desk or reading lamp then pay attention to the shape of the shade and how it disburses the light. Measure the distance from the top of the table to the point you want the light to reach so you can choose a lamp that suits your needs. Also, make sure that the lamp is correctly proportioned to the table on which it will be sitting. You don't want to get your lamp home only to find out that it smothers everything on the table. The edges of the shade should not extend beyond the edges of the table top. Similarly you don't want a lamp that is dwarfed by the large surface of the table. Feel the weight of the lamp and choose one that has a weighted base as this will be much more difficult to knock over, which is an important consideration if you have pets or children.

Choosing the Right Shade or Cover

The colour of your lamp shade can make an enormous difference. If you are trying to add warmth and atmosphere to a room, a coloured or patterned shade can be perfect. Shades come in a wide range of materials, choose one that complements the surface its resting on as well as the furnishings around it. Having a lamp shade that is either too big or too small for the light fixture can look odd and out of place. The shade should be no smaller than one-third of the height of the light fixture. The shade should also cover the fixture's hardware and should come just up to the top of the lamp base. It should also be the right shape for the fixture. Using a variety will help create a more comfortable mood and will add to the style of the room. Most of all take your time and have fun picking out the right lamps for you.

Finally, don't be afraid to go bold. Lighting can be one of the easiest ways to showcase a room. Finding that special and unique design will give character to your ceiling, floors and walls.

Lamps shown here are now on sale at Sandcastle Interiors. We have a large selection of one-of-a-kind lamps, chandeliers and accent lighting. Stop in and take a look!

2010 Color of the Year

Pantone LLC, an X-Rite company (NASDAQ: XRIT), and the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, announced PANTONE® 15-5519 Turquoise, an inviting, luminous hue, as the color of the year for 2010. Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise evokes thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a languorous, effective escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing.

Whether envisioned as a tranquil ocean surrounding a tropical island or a protective stone warding off evil spirits, Turquoise is a color that most people respond to positively. It is universally flattering, has appeal for men and women, and translates easily to fashion and interiors. With both warm and cool undertones, Turquoise pairs nicely with any other color in the spectrum. Turquoise adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, complements reds and pinks, creates a classic maritime look with deep blues, livens up all other greens, and is especially trend-setting with yellow-greens.

Whether envisioned as a tranquil ocean surrounding a tropical island or a protective stone warding off evil spirits, Turquoise is a color that most people respond to positively. It is universally flattering, has appeal for men and women, and translates easily to fashion and interiors. With both warm and cool undertones, Turquoise pairs nicely with any other color in the spectrum. Turquoise adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, complements reds and pinks, creates a classic maritime look with deep blues, livens up all other greens, and is especially trend-setting with yellow-greens.

Additionally, Turquoise is one of 3,000 colors available in Pantone’s line of superior-quality, eco-friendly paint. PANTONE Paints combine the accuracy of PANTONE Colors with the beauty of high-performance Dutch paints. Perfect for a powder room or bedroom, Turquoise is an evocative, spa-like hue that adds an undertone of warmth and excitement to any cool space. In the kitchen, Turquoise adds a unique flare to tabletop and appliances.

Sandcastle Christmas Decor

We've decorated for the Christmas Holiday and you will love these new ornaments!

Visit us on Hilton Head Island @ 15 Trellis Court (Just off Marshland Road) Open Mon-Friday 10am-5pm

Furniture Facelift

Are you having your furniture reupholstered or buying the fabric and doing it yourself? Either way, the professionals who will do the work or sell you the fabric are in the best position to advise you. They can see the furniture as well as the material to consider a nap, a repeat in the pattern, and to determine how much yardage you will need. Sandcastle Interiors has the knowledge and experience to get any piece of furniture looking like new. Our showroom includes thousands of samples and ideas for that next project. Stop in and take a look!