Summer is traditionally wedding season and we always get asked about good décor gifts for the happy couple. These days a lot of people are a little older and more established when they get married – or maybe they are celebrating second marriages – so they have their own homes and don’t need the usual “starter” gifts like toasters and towels.
It’s always nice to give something people can use in their homes but I caution you to be absolutely sure you know their style and taste. I never buy a décor item as a gift unless I’ve actually been in the person’s house to see what she likes. After all, a gorgeous Asian vase is not likely to work with a recipient’s Tuscan-themed home.
For a more casual wedding, an appropriate and thoughtful gift that goes with any design is a potted plant. I’m not talking about a boring green plant, of course, but something more creative such as a hardy hoya (below) that requires little care or water but blossoms and grows for years. Replant it in a chic neutral container with a bow. The great thing about the hoya or a similar plant is it can be placed anywhere, even a bookshelf, so the newlyweds have flexibility in where they put it.
If you know the color scheme of the couple’s house (ask around to find out) you can buy a luxurious throw to accent their décor. For a more personal gift, have their wedding invitation framed to hang on a wall.
Wine drinkers always appreciate bottles from boutique wineries paired with wine accessories such as artful decanters – some are so dramatic they’re worthy of display – and whimsical wine corks.
Perhaps the best gift of all is one we don’t like to give but love to receive: a home décor or home improvement gift card. Make yours special by tucking in a note with an offer to go along and help select the purchase.
The biggest no-no in décor gift giving is assuming you know what the person wants or needs, which reflects poorly on you. Instead, make sure your gift is something they will actually appreciate or use – not a pricey crystal picture frame that will spend its life on a garage shelf.
Please contact us at Style on a Shoestring if we can help with any of your home design needs.
Style On a Shoestring is proud to announce their involvement in a new Home Ideas Center in San Diego. The center is located at 7081 Consolidated Way, and will give homeowners a place to visit and possibly choose contractors and designers for their home projects.
The center will house 170 spaces in 80 categories for contractors installing windows, doors, outdoor spaces, home theatres and even those offering home additions. Style On a Shoestring will have an information booth and will offer a slide show featuring before and after pictures on past design and remodeling projects.
The new showroom is free to the public and opened Monday through Saturday. For information call 858.549.1700 or go to info@Homeideascenter.com
San Diego’s premiere event returns to the San Diego Convention Center with more designers, exhibitors, and special features than ever before. Advice, solutions and inspiration for all your decorating, remodeling and landscaping dilemmas from more than 300 home and garden specialists await you this April 4-6, 2008.Â
 ArtWalk 2008 in San Diego is a great place to have some fun and view all the local artwork. There are over 300 artists displaying their art for sale. If you are in the market for new art to fill your walls or just want to be out in the sun having some fun then be sure to not miss out!
The annual Home Decorating & Remodeling Show is being held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on Friday the 19th through Sunday the 21st. Admission is Free and there are over 550 booths including carpets, concrete design, hardwood floors, indoor and outdoor furniture, kitchen and home remodeling and more. The hours are 10-7 Friday and Saturday and 10-5 on Sunday. For more information you can call 800-999-5450 or visit www.showsusa.net.
If you can’t make it to the fall show, the San Diego Spring Home and Garden Show is coming up on Feb 29th, March 1, & 2 2008 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
 It is a great place to get ideas!
For more information: http://www.springhomegardenshow.com/
The San Diego Fall Home and Garden Show is this weekend Sept 14th, 15th and 16th 2007 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds!
Friday 11am-6pm, Sat 10am-6pm, and Sunday 10am-5pm
For more information on exhibitors and tickets: http://www.fallhomegardenshow.com/
 I hope everyone can make it!
Wine drinkers always appreciate bottles from boutique wineries paired with wine accessories such as artful decanters – some are so dramatic they’re worthy of display – and whimsical wine corks.