Houzz is an Amazing and Quite Addictive Online Design Resource

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You've obviously seen the Leslie Saul & Associates blog. We hope you're a "fan" of our Facebook page. And now we'd like to point you to another website that, we must warn you, can be very addictive. It's Houzz.com. In case it comes up in conversation, we think it's pronounced like "house". But please let us know if you hear something different. And … [Read more...]

BAC’s Landscape Institute Teaches Course on Healing and Therapeutic Gardens

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We've been talking about the healing power of greenery and gardens. It's clear that good landscaping not only is the frame for a beautiful architecture, but it can also have a positive effect on our minds and even bodies. Leslie is on the Board of Overseers for the Boston Architectural College (BAC), and she's proud of the work the college is doing to … [Read more...]

Healing Spaces

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By Guest Blogger, Roberta Dehman Hershon The four words women fear most: “You have breast cancer.” were spoken to my childhood friend, Beverly Eisenberg in 2004.  While she endured surgery and chemo, I took care of her garden and filled her house with flowers. Ten months after her diagnosis, Bev passed away.  As a tribute to her, her love of … [Read more...]

Women Helping Women

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Fact: According to the latest U.S. Census, 81% of the Massachusetts households living below the federal poverty line are headed by single women.    Are you ready to be a part of the solution? Join us for breakfast and a dynamic discussion about the impact of poverty on women and how they can build a strong foundation to become self sufficient and … [Read more...]

Smarten Up Your Interior Space with Plants

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We've firmly established the healing, soothing, spiritual powers of plants. It turns out they're good for our brains, too. No less an authority than Scientific American says so. The journal reported recently on study in which subject were placed in an office setting with four plants placed around the desk. A similar group was in an office without the … [Read more...]

Gardens Outdoors and In

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Gardens are good for the soul. Humans have an affinity for greenery. We love earthy smells and floral frangrances... the soothing swaying of trees in the breeze... the suddenly noticed sound of bird singing. Maybe it's our collective desire to sneak back into the Garden of Eden, or maybe we all just need an occasional change from steel and glass and … [Read more...]

Green “Stuff”

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We've spotted some cool green products recently that reflect the spring green theme of this month. Enjoy! This is the newest Nike Zoom Kobe VI Grinch Christmas Apple Green basketball shoe: Leave it to Umbria to make a well designed trash can-  Garbino Trash Can: The XO laptop, designed for the nonprofit organization One Laptop Per … [Read more...]

Designer Spreadsheets

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If you think that designers paint their ideas in watercolors every day, think again.  One of the designer’s primary tools is the spreadsheet.  Yes, of course the spreadsheet communicates the selections and specifications for a project, but did you know that the spreadsheet can also be a design tool?  Planning a garden is a great example of using a … [Read more...]

Who’s Afraid of a Little Color?

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Everyone knows that color is one of the most important considerations in a decorating scheme.  The color scheme of an interior space is often the first element to be noticed.  Most people are naturally drawn to certain colors, while feeling repelled by others.  Some cultures attribute symbolic meaning to specific colors.  These meanings sometimes vary … [Read more...]

Hospital Design Incorporates Healing Power of Nature

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It has become clear that healing the body is best accomplished when the mind and the spirit are brought into the process. Interior designers and architects know this, and are trying to make hospitals and other healing centers more than just factories for repairing sick bodies. They're striving to make hospitals soothing, comforting and uplifting. But few … [Read more...]

MARY IMMACULATE WINS NATIONAL AWARD

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MARY IMMACULATE WINS NATIONAL AWARD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT LAWRENCE , MA (April 7, 2011):  Mary Immaculate Health/Care Services (MIHCS) was recently honored with a “Partner for Change – with Distinction Award” from Practice Greenhealth, a national membership organization for health care facilities committed to environmentally responsible … [Read more...]