Design Wise

By Shelagh Duncan We all know that styles are cyclical and, of course, the world of interior design is not exempt. The best aesthetics will resurface again and again. For a while now mid-century-modern design has been gaining popularity and, perhaps for good reason. What is Mid-Century Modern? The shift

By Shelagh Duncan Okay, so you have your new home and now you have to furnish it. Or, you have purchased a house with some furniture and want a fresh look: whatever the reason, if you are looking for a unique and pretty way to furnish your home, consider the

By Shelagh Duncan What better furniture to use in Costa Rica than tropical rattan or bamboo—it is sustainable, lightweight, natural and looks great. Exotic woods like Ron Ron, Laurel and Cristóbal, are rich in grain and colour but these trees take many decades of growth to produce these beautiful woods.

The Devil is in the Details By Shelagh Duncan Once you have purchased your piece of paradise, and decided that it is time to think about building your vacation, part-time or future home, you will ask your builder “How much will the project cost?” The answer isn’t always straightforward and

By Shelagh Duncan Earth Day is April 22nd. This is the time when we should be re-evaluating our efforts to take care of this planet we call home. We all know about the 3 R’s, but we should also be trying in other ways to lessen our carbon footprint and

By Shelagh Duncan It’s Great – because this is the place where everyone ends up! So, move over kitchen – the great room has become a favorite gathering place in the house. Or is it the living room, or family room. Whatever you call it, it’s a multifunctional room that

By Shelagh Duncan What is the better option: searching for yourself, or having a group of professionals guide you through a hassle-free process so you arrive at you new home with everything ready for you? More and more people who come into the store these days are asking about our

Here are some of the most common decorating questions that I have been asked over the years. What Colour Should I Paint My Walls? You can take a cue from your wardrobe – what colours do you love to wear. Which ones get you the most complements? You may love

By Shelagh Duncan Usually, in Costa Rica, we opt for the practical and go with ceramic when we choose flooring for our homes. Well, why not? There are ceramic tiles of almost every colour, pattern, size and style to choose from. But what other options are there?  We know that

By Shelagh Duncan A sofa is one of the biggest furniture investments you’ll make — and one of the most permanent. Even if you’re just buying a budget one for a temporary fix, you know that it’ll eventually get less and less comfortable and the prospect of replacing it will

By Shelagh Duncan The coffee cable is an essential piece of furniture for any living room. Find out what will work best in your space. In the UK, the coffee table was made popular during the late 1800’s, and low tables have been used in other cultures for a long

Getting Your Home to say “Buy Me!” to Prospective Buyers By Shelagh Duncan So, you have decided that you are going to sell your home. It could be that you have seen a fabulous property elsewhere, or for any number of other reasons. The bottom line is that you want

By Shelagh Duncan We love our microfiber sofas and chairs, in fact I always tell people that it is just about the best, and most practical upholstery fabric for our climate, and casual lifestyles. Microfiber is a great fabric choice for down here because it resists deterioration even when exposed