Pretty much everything in your house can be cleaned with a few simple natural ingredients picked up at your next trip to the grocery store.

A big $2 jug of white vinegar will go a long way when all you have to do is mix it 50/50 with water in a spray bottle and make an all-purpose cleaner that also helps disinfect.  A few drops of orange natural essence, (available at natural food stores such as Whole Foods) will help temper the vinegar smell.

Scrubbing with a little lemon juice and baking soda will remove stains from countertops and inside kitchen sinks. And try olive oil or flaxseed oil to polish wood furniture.

(From Yahoo.com)

Suzanne Kasler shows off her new book, Inspired Interiors, which highlights many of the beautiful details of her design work, and showcases her design inspirations and philosophies. Inspired Interiors features a wealth of original design ideas and is a fantastic addition to any collection of interior design books.

Depending on the size of your home, you may have a guest suite, extra bedroom, or even just a pullout sofa bed or futon in your home office. Regardless of how spare or opulent your guest space, it’s important to determine if it’s comfortable and functional for overnight guests. And the best way to figure that out is to spend a night – or a weekend – in the area yourself! We’ve put together a list of things that make for a welcoming, pleasant space for guests. Why not spend a few nights in your guest room to see if yours makes the grade?

One of the biggest design trends I’m seeing emerging for 2010 is juxtaposition. Juxtaposition is pairing high sheen with rough hewn, luxe with recycled and repurposed, traditional with contemporary.