Home Design with Kevin Sharkey

1 "'Country' is an idea -- a texture, a flavour, a state of mind -- and can be perceived in many different ways" (Conran 6).

2 This classic country space lends its identity to the eclectic mix of objects from both the past and present.

3 What a surreal and breathtaking landscape.

4 The incredible chinoiserie wallpaper in this country house study is known for having been wrapping paper holding imports of tea.

5 This calm creek resting under this old stone bridge is nothing short of enchanting.

6 The details of this bench nestled in a stone nook are so charming and unique.

7 Country living is nothing without animals, who according to Conrad, bring a broad and interesting perspective into the world.

8 It's hard to believe that this old Elizabethan manor -- enveloped by romantic wisteria and built from local stone -- is not straight out of a fairy-tale.

9 A hardy country kitchen ideal for throwing together delicious meals, made from home-grown ingredients of course.

10 Nowhere else besides the country will you find an old working bathtub secluded in the corner of a cottage garden.

11 Conran explains that English gardens are not only places for solitude day-dreaming, but also for pride-filled, community-wide social entertainment.

12 This gorgeous shot captures the "love that is to be found in a garden" (Conran 155).

13 This photograph captures proof of nature's brilliant and mysterious power in epic proportions.

14 Look at how deliciously fresh these vegetables look at the Royal Bath & West Show, an agricultural show held in Shepton Mallet.

15 One of Conran's subjects finds great joy and contentment in foraging the countryside for 80 to 90 different kinds of wild foodstuffs.

16 The large hall of a restored medieval manor in Bristol becomes a place to house everything that the owners love and cherish.

1 In "Russian Textiles," Susan Meller reveals her personal collection of incredible Russian textiles, photographed by Don Tuttle.

2 This photograph from the Library of Congress, focuses on a fabric merchant in Samarkand, surrounded by brightly colored merchandise.

3 The colors in this country palace for the Bukhara Emir are incredible.

4 Made in Moscow around 1930, this Turksib depicts the "Turkestan-Siberia Railroad" and the "Daily Life of the Peoples of the East."

5 This pre-revolutionary roller-printed cotton cloth follows a star and crescent motif, made towards the end of the 19th Century.

6 Here is an early 20th Century woman's munisak lined with beautiful and ornate Russian printed cotton.

7 An interesting choice of color on this lining of a silk brocade munisak.

8 A lovely example of the Russian Art Nouveau style.

9 This woman's munisak from Uzbek was created with chartreuse handwoven silk and four other lavish patterned cloths.

10 Such an appealing pattern in this lining of a boy's coat from Bukhara.

11 Here is a post-revolutionary machine printed cloth in a popular pattern from the mid-twentieth Century.

12 Another fantastic machine-printed cotton cloth that was used on the back of an Uzbek embroidery.

13 This post-revolutionary-modern cloth made for a unique horse saddle cover from the 1930s. Many of the designs are specifically Soviet symbols.

14 A Russian early 20th Century print that was inspired by the romanticism of European home design.

15 The particular design of the peacock, branches, and large roses suggest that this Russian lining was inspired by a Manchester design for India.

16 This block-printed cotton chit from Uzbekistan from the 1920s-1930s is characterized by repeating floral motifs and borders.

1 Park Avenue is home to some incredible flower displays.

2 "The Roses" is the dazzling focus of the flower display on Park Ave right now.

3 The colossal blossoms begin at 57th and Park.

4 Artist Will Ryman created 38 gigantic rose blossoms.

5 Ryman chose red and pink for all of the sculptures.

6 The vibrant colors were wonderful to look at during the bleak winter months.

7 I'm thankful these giant critters aren't real..

8 A beetle ascends one of the tallest blooms.

9 This exhibition is Ryman's first public art installation.

10 New Yorkers and tourists were constantly stopping to admire them.

11 The Roses evoke the "larger than life" nature of the city.

12 Some tower as high as 25 feet!

13 The Roses are "planted" among a field of tulips that will be blooming soon.

14 They photograph well against the backdrop of the skyscrapers.

15 The beautiful curves of these sculptures remind me of Georgia O'Keefe's famous floral paintings.

16 Ryman also constructed 20 individual rose petals.

17 The petals are scattered among the trees between 63rd and 65th streets.

18 Ryman says the scale of the sculptures reflects his love of the absurd and dramatic.

19 Imagine getting an arrangement of this size for Valentine's Day!

20 Some of the buds are almost ten feet in diameter!

21 I love the sculptural detail of the prickly thorns.

22 A fiberglass and resin bee perches atop a beautiful bloom.

23 The blossoming trees on Park brighten the morning commute.

24 I was drawn to this handsome scooter sitting beneath one of the beautiful trees.

25 Third Church of Christ on Park has these bright planters outside of their doors.

26 Tulips and daffodils are springing out of the planters on Park.

27 The hyacinths are gorgeous.

28 How can you not stop and admire these beauties?

29 Or these?

30 Magnolias are beginning to open up as well.

31 I love the smell of magnolias.

32 A crowd of daffodils in the Park Ave. median.

33 These tulips caught my eye right away.

34 Their coloring is magnificent.

35 Take some time today to look up, down and around you to admire the spring blooms.

1 Clutter accumulates quickly so staying on top of it regularly is a top priority for me both at home and at work.

2 Take an inventory of what you have and sort out items you no longer need. Set up bins and label them to sort belongings. Make it a project for the entire family.

3 If you're short on space, designate a tote bag or basket and keep it in a closet so that unwanted items can go right inside.

4 If you have the space in the basement or garage, set up a system for sorting items year round. Once a bin is full, donate it.

5 It's helpful for donation centers if you separate clothing from other household goods.

6 Make donations regularly. A good rule is when something new comes in, some old goes out.

7 Organizing a tag sale takes a little planning, but it's another great way to declutter.

8 Online auctions are a fun way to purge.

9 After the auction, pack up your goods and ship them out to the highest bidder.

10 Consignment shops are another alternative for getting rid of your unwanted stuff. Check before you haul though since they often specialize in a narrow range of merchandise.

11 The entry is one of the areas that can get out of control quickly. These rolling bins tucked under a bench keep belongings looking neat.

12 Hooks are another must in an entry. Great for jackets, keys and pet leashes. Hang a few baskets on them too for sorting mail.

13 A message board in an entry or mudroom keeps everyone organized and in the loop.

14 A roller shade installed above makes a perfect cover.

15 A tray in an entryway keeps boots and shoes neat and contained. In the spring, add some river rocks to help the water drain off and evaporate.

16 An entry should always include a landing place for keys, mail and other everyday essentials. A low console gives a modern look.

17 A marble shelf with carved brackets is the perfect fit for this formal entry.

18 As you change out clothes for the season, be sure to edit out clothing you haven't worn or anything that doesn't fit.

19 Changing out the hangers in your closet to one kind will make it look more orderly.

20 Desks are other places that accumulate clutter easily. A small picture ledge hung above is perfect for keeping accessories in reach and off your work surface.

21 Replace a desk blotter calendar with a more graphic wall calendar made with chalkboard paint.

22 Flip front kitchen cabinets work well in a home office to conceal supplies.

23 Accordion folders keep papers ordered and organized so that they can be found easily. No file cabinet needed.

24 The cubbies in this drop-down desk keep small items organized.

25 To keep small papers and notes from getting lost, use a cafe curtain rod and clips to hold them.

26 A curtain is a great way to close off an office space in from another space in a multipurpose room.

27 The desk in my bedroom has plenty of drawer space to keep supplies.

28 I use caviar tins that I've collected over the years to contain push pins, paper clips, rubber bands, etc.

29 Martha's office supply drawer in her kitchen stays organized with metal drawer dividers. Don't even think about removing the label maker.

30 These chunky, stacked shelves hold toiletries as an alternative to a medicine cabinet.

31 To maximize space in a traditional medicine cabinet, line the inside back of the cabinet and door with sheet metal, then use magnetic containers and hooks to hold supplies.

32 I keep my bathroom supplies on a silver tray on a shelf below my sink.

33 Built-in nooks around tubs and showers are made for holding soaps, shampoo and conditioner. I like them much better that shower caddies.

34 Martha's kitchen in Bedford is always the picture of organization.

35 Pin-up boards installed in this family's kitchen organize kids' art work and school papers.

36 Wall mounted bins labeled with family members' names keep things from getting misplaced.

37 Cleaning up as you cook instead of allowing pots and dishes to pile up makes clean-up after a meal much easier.

38 Opaque glass in cabinet doors gives the kitchen a light feeling while still concealing cabinet contents.

39 The risers in my cabinets keep my dishes and glassware in perfect order.

40 A simple cake stand on a kitchen counter can keep everyday essentials neat and within easy reach.

41 A junk drawer doesn't need to look junky. Wood organizers separate items to help you find what you need.

42 Get in the habit of sorting the mail as soon as you bring it inside. Doing it each day will only take a few minutes.

43 A made bed makes the entire bedroom seem more orderly.

44 Making your bed everyday will make you less likely to let other things pile up around it.

45 Sharkey loves to take naps on freshly made beds.

46 The slip-on cover for my bed makes it easy for me to make my bed up in no time every morning.

47 Wiping up spills while they're fresh makes them easier to remove.

48 Bar mop cloths are better than paper towels. More absorbent and reusable.

49 Sweeping the kitchen floor after dinner each night will keep dirt and grime from building up and make weekly mopping much easier.

50 Now that you've decluttered and cleaned up your home for spring, open the windows and sit back and enjoy it's sweet smells.