The Year of the Rabbit begins on Sunday
You don’t have to wait until Easter to add bunnies to your decor. The Chinese New Year, which begins on Sunday, will celebrate the Year of the Rabbit, which symbolizes longevity, positivity, happiness, intelligence, caution, wit, ingenuity, and self-protection. The Grandin Road Rabbit Coconut Doormat, which retails for $99.50, lets the cute critter make a great first impression. Go to grandinroad.com.
Rebel Walls, Lars Wallin paired up to create a new wallpaper
Rebel Walls recently teamed up with Swedish fashion designer Lars Wallin for a cool new wallpaper collection. Known for his hand-tailored dresses worn by celebrities and royalty, now Wallen will bring that custom touch home with wallpapers featuring remarkable attention to detail with hand-sewn originals. Sequins with sequins and pearls. “A new world opened up when I began designing wallpapers with Rebel Walls. The creativity achieved through the wallpapers was inspiring,” Wallen said in a press release. The collection, which includes five captivating patterns in different colors, launches January 26. Go to rebelwalls.com.
Winter used book sale in downtown Rochester
The Friends of Rochester Hills Public Library will be holding a used winter book sale January 25-29. (Face masks are recommended, but not currently required.) Pre-sale opportunities will be for Friends members from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Jan. 25. (Subscriptions and renewals are available for new members at the door.) Sale hours differ slightly from sale hours. Library hours: 10-8 on Jan. 26, 10-5 on Jan. 27 and 28 and 1:30-4:30 on Jan. 29, bag day when everything you can fit in a standard grocery bag is $5. “We will have over 40,000 items, with an impressive selection of books, both fiction and non-fiction, for adults and children of all ages. We also have a large selection of DVDs, CDs, puzzles and games,” said Committee Chair Anne Gruenewald. The location is 500 Olde Towne Road in downtown Rochester. Go to rhpl.org.
Monique Lhuillier provides inspiration at Pottery Barn
The latest collaboration between Pottery Barn and Monique Lhuillier embodies relaxed elegance at its finest. Inspired by her travels to the Amalfi Coast, Lhuillier, the world-renowned bridal and fashion designer, said on the Pottery Barn website, “From the embroidered linens to the Lily of the Valley glassware, I wanted to showcase the beauty of what nature has created.” Lemon trees are among the lovely decorations. Featured in the Spring 2023 collection. Go to potterybarn.com.
Equipping the pest control patrol
Frozen pipes and fallen trees aren’t the only threats when temperatures drop. A warm home stocked with food is the ultimate destination for pests seeking refuge from the cold. Research conducted by the Harris Poll found that one in eight homeowners in the United States are infested with rodents. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) offers the following seasonal advice:
Seal cracks and holes outside the home and check areas where utilities and pipes enter the building, as rodents can enter a quarter-sized hole.
Remove all moisture locations, including leaky pipes and clogged drains. Pay close attention to kitchens and bathrooms, as these areas are particularly prone to pest infestations.
– Clean vents in chimneys and attics and replace loose mortar and weathered weather around basement base and windows.
Keep storage areas such as attics, basements, and crawl spaces well-organized, well-ventilated, and dry.
Store firewood at least 20 feet away from home and store trash and recycling bins in enclosed areas or use animal-proof covers.
If pests become a problem, contact a licensed pest control professional. Go to pestworld.org for more information.