From Marty Goffin - Owner
It’s Summer and I have noticed a direct correlation between furnishing your home and your landscaping. My wife Sue and I bought an older home here in Boise several years ago. The landscaping consisted of a few mature oak trees, lots of arborvitaes and a few varieties of rose bushes.

We have one area that is about 150 feet long and serpentines around the front lawn. It was a tall, wide foot hedge. Sue had the hedge removed and , like a Room, she had a clean slate. She planed out the space with a pencil drawing. First she inserted the larger plants and trees. The space needed 5 major trees, all dwarf evergreens, Japanese maples,, plus burning bushes. She then filled in with medium plants; hostas, rhododendrons, ferns and othermedium plants. Next she added ground covers. The interesting thing, to me, was the way she used color and shades of color. Reds, greens and yellows, light to dark shades, all blended to make it more interesting. I think designing a garden and how the same concept works just as in the home. You start with a floor plan, laying out the major pieces, ie sofa, love, chair, entertainment center and tables. Then you add rugs, major art pieces, lamps and accent tables. Finally finish off with accessories, plants small knickknacks, sconces, clocks and throws. Make sure you have a color scheme, but do not be afraid to mix colors and shades. Even in your choice of woods use some natural pieces and some painted pieces. This can create a nice interest to your room. Make sure it’s fun, comfortable and a reflection of your personality. Think in terms of making a comfortable refuge or a space for entertaining. Ask yourself how do I plan to use this room? My next newsletter, in the months to come, will talk about how to mix colors, different style choices and different room uses. Visit us at Michael’s and we will help get you started. Our trained designers will work with you in our store or in your home free of charge


Don’t ignore the use of mirrors to brighten up a dark room. The mirror doesn’t have to face the windows in order to bring in light; it can hang on any wall. A collection of several small mirrors can also make a big statement. • When considering painting a room, think of the psychological effect of the color. Red is often a good choice for a dining room, as it increases the heart rate and raises the blood pressure, which in turn amps up the appetite. The bed is the focus of any bedroom, and the most romantic rooms make it as cozy as possible. Luxurious sheets and plush pillows are wonderful, but the real key is a comfortable mattress, so make sure to have one that is comfortable for both you and your. Michael’s features the famous TempurPedic Swedish Mattresses, plus our on site mattress store features a full line of Simmons mattresses.