Decorative Towels...Yay or Nay?

(first floor guest bathroom)

A great deal of the interior design of our home has been mostly my decision. I love that about my partner Dan. He has quite a bit of faith in my design decisions. Nevertheless, I do not go forward with a decorating or design project without his opinion. There have been times where we don't see eye to eye on how to interpret a certain look. If he's somewhat reserve or neutral on an idea that I'm certain about, I'll chalk it up as Dan just experiencing a creative block and go forward with my vision. But, when he strongly disagrees with a design idea of mine, then I'll defer to his objection.

I do admit that I have an over the top imagination which can sometimes get carried away. Dan is my lineman. His job is to make sure I don't stray too far and make the design overdone. I wonder if Dan is right in the case of the "decorative towels". He is of the opinion that decorative towels are as out dated as those toilet seat covers that match the bath room rugs. He argues that they don't have function because we don't use them and it just looks too staged. Right next to the sink we offer decorated disposable towels for our guests to discourage them from using the decorative towels. It makes perfect design sense to me. The first photo above is of our first floor bathroom which also has a shower that is never used. However, the fact that the shower exists, I felt complete towel sets belonged there even though they aren't intended for actual use. Have I gone too far? Am stuck in a time warp? Does anyone out there still love decorative hand towels as much as me? Or is it time I replace them with usable towels?

A Benefit Auction In San Francisco With A Very Worthy Cause

(click image to enlarge)

Gian-Paolo Veronese , a good friend of mine, is co-sponsoring the "Toast Atop The Pyramid "which benefits the City Of Dreams, a volunteer based non-profit organization dedicated to helping inner city youths in San Francisco's low income housing communities build brighter futures. For me, this benefit is very special because many of the young adults that stand to benefit from this organizations aid are from my old neighborhood, Bayview Hunters Point. I was born and raised in San Francisco and grew up in what is still considered the city's most under privileged highest crime rate area of the city. It's population consists mostly of poor and low-income families who are primarily African Americans followed by Samoan Americans. When I grew up, the only mentoring programs, like the City Of Dreams, were through local churches. In my case, our local parish was All Hallows. However, there were many kids in my neighborhood that did not have access to church programs and their only mentoring took place at our local public schools that were over crowded and run down. The first time I returned for a visit through the old neighborhood, I learned that many of the kids I grew up never made it out of the neighborhood and were either surviving off of government assistance or have died from drugs or a gang related incident. So,whenever I find myself complaining about the things I don't have these days, my past as a child and young adult eventually reminds me about just how fortunate I am to have the people and things in my life today. And if or when I do forget, my ever supportive partner Dan has always been there to remind me.
The City Of Dreams helps hundreds of young people each year foster healthy goals for themselves. You can visit their website to learn more about the program. If you are in San Francisco on the date of this event, I hope you will join us and offer your support to this very worthy cause. If you would like to contact Gian-Paolo further details, send your request to gpveronese@aol.com.
A special thank you to Gian-Paolo and the other sponsors for this benefit.

Sarah, Duchess of York Celebrating The Young Victoria Film

(From Huffington Post)

I married Her Majesty the Queen's best looking son. I agreed to become a naval wife. Two weeks after we were married, we were separated; he went to sea, and I went to the second floor apartment at Buckingham Palace. I was so sad without him. I saw him for 40 days for the first five years of our marriage. I was broken hearted. I missed him beyond words, beyond the description in these writings. I needed my man.

So I immersed myself into the life of Victoria and Albert. I started by a visit to Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. It was the happiest of their homes, where their nine children would act out charades for their parents, and tend the vegetable gardens for the royal table once a month. I became fascinated by the love story of Victoria and Albert. Maybe because my own great love -- my Andrew -- was not at home. But whatever it took I would study with vigour the love story of these two incredible people. Benita Stoney and I worked tirelessly to bring the book to life. Eventually, George Wiedenfeld published it at Osborne House, followed shortly afterwards by The Travels of Queen Victoria and Albert through Europe.

[complete story]