Dolce's Diary

Inspirational Tablescapes

2011-09-22T12:30:00.000-07:00

Frugal House 2011

2011-07-30T14:17:00.000-07:00

Glitz, Glamour and Gorgeous

While Hollywood Regency design is a throwback to another era, it’s still incredibly modern and relevant to today’s hurried lifestyle, where people view homes as havens where they can relax. Our master bedroom design was inspired by and built around the already existing thick sculpted carpet which actually fits right in with the Hollywood regency theme. The carpet is dark blue with hints of green, gold and red. We decided the rest of the room would be more tone on tone white, accented with a fun pop of color-yellow. The paint schematic is a warm gray scale with extra-white highlights. Our furniture pieces tend to have more of a mid-century modern look-while our chair and ottoman are more French provincial. We sprayed all of the wood out high gloss white and to bring as much glitz, glamour and shine we lacquered them. Mirrors are an essential element to any Hollywood regency design so we built individual mirror panels with special decorative accents. The accessories needed to have a flare for the glam and be somewhat theatrical so we used an oversized lamp with crystals, eclectic candleholders, tape canvas art and of course lots of frames. The bed is simple in design but not lacking fabulosity, with its white gator headboard softened with pillows made from vintage blouses. A colorful painting split into several frames makes for a fun abstract look which ties in with the fun yellow pop of color. We used very simple white draperies to finish the windows. No Hollywood room would be complete without a chandelier-we found a great glass and silver one that works perfectly, just enough glam without being overstated. This over the top style is not just for the rich and famous, we created this look for $400 and with a little help from our friends.

A big special thank you to:

Roy LaRue at Butte Custom Upholstery-French Provincial Chair and Ottoman

John Hanania with Abalone Painters-painting

Chico Sherwin Williams-all paint supplies

Upgraded Living

2011-07-30T14:05:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to be apart of the Upgraded Living Team. Melissa will be the resident guru for the home section of the magazine. For those that aren't familiar with upgraded living it is a local publication produced for and by locals. You can find the magazine at almost all grocery stores, coffee shops and of course Dolce Home. Upgraded Living comes out the first week of every month filled with local events, articles and tips-a must have for all chiconians!!

Tiny Eggshell Pots

2011-04-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

Another great spring project-recycle your egg shells and carton and use them as pots for small plants like violets or any sort of succulent. Adding a small amount of moss really sets the look-Happy Spring and thinking green-love it!!!

Fabric Eggs

2011-04-23T10:30:00.000-07:00

From Retro Mama, we have these adorable stuffed Easter eggs. These are great, especially if you have a bunch of leftover scrap fabric from a recent sewing project. Her tutorial shows just how simple this craft is. I can see these be a great decoration, maybe even as a garland if attached to a thick ribbon or something...

http://retro-mama.blogspot.com/2009/03/easter-is-in-air.html

Made in Chico

2011-04-22T13:36:00.000-07:00

Becoming a mother really made me passionate about the about the earth and how the choices we make daily have a huge impact. "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." ~Native American Proverb. However talking the talk and walking the walk are two very different things. I am on a mission to support locally made and locally produced furniture and goodies at Dolce Home. All of our sofas are already made in California, but it wasn't until meeting Royce at the Restoration Company that really got me fired up about finally having a locally made furniture vendor. Not only does he build and produce his own furniture peices but all of the wood used is locally reclaimed and re-purposed from the North-state, mostly in the means of old amazing barns!! So with great excitement we are announcing that we have one of a kind peices made in Chico and reclaimed locally from Royce Peterson. Please do swing by the showroom-the furniture is a must have and of course custom peices can always be produced!! Happy Earth Day!!

Royce Peterson-Repurposing the North States Barns

2011-04-22T12:47:00.000-07:00

While going to college, Royce answered an ad to move pianos. He found out the company also restored pianos. This struck an interest in him.

He became involved in restoring pianos and other furniture including wood working.

Through his 30 year process of working with furniture, by taking apart and putting back together, he learned to see the craftsmanship, good and bad. So he took on building furniture with excellence in mind.
In Royce's creation of heritage furniture and flooring, he found that it was important to use what was already available by recycling Northern California, naturally-aged wood from barns that were scheduled to be burned or torn down. He knew that re-purposing old barns would help the environment and slow down the carbon footprint.

Instant Beach Style Dining Room

2011-04-22T12:28:00.000-07:00

With the North State heat approaching, it’s easy to dream about and be inspired by coastal living. Whether it’s the sound of the surf, the smell of the salty air, there are an endless variety of color and textural beach inspirations. Here are a few design secrets that can revive your dining room and help you to create your own everyday retreat.

-Paint- Small changes can make the biggest difference without costing a fortune. Try painting an accent wall or the back of your built-in cabinets. Here, the look comes from mixing tranquil tones of turquoise moderated by calming creams, golds and dark browns.

-Furniture-To achieve that relaxed beach lifestyle, try using benches instead of chairs. Not only are benches a fun non-traditional alternative but they are a great way to save on space and provide more seating.

-Accessories-Be playful when creating that eclectic look. Don’t’ be afraid to lean or stack plates and cups, the more mix-matched the better. Just keep collections grouped together and you can’t fail. Also, try decorating with a few leaf branches or palms instead of flowers. It helps to bring a look that’s both simple and sophisticated without going overboard with the beach theme.

With any design project remember that the key to a successful look is simplicity….less is always more.

*Shop this look*
The table and benches are a part of the Rope collection and is available at Dolce Home

Re-purposing Stir Sticks

2011-04-19T09:16:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows how difficult it can be to find and pick the perfect paint color. Once you have finally made that decision, it is important to have that color and company information saved. You never know when you might need touch up paint or to give out that perfect color to an admirer. Here's a simple tip-let your stir stick dry and write the color name directly on it. The sticks are easy to store and who doesn't like a re-purposing craft-Happy Spring

Remanat Fabric Ideas

2011-04-10T10:15:00.000-07:00

While in the process of transforming our showroom, we have designed and built two great wall features to showcase our upholstery fabrics in our full service design center. During the organizing and color coordinating process we are pulling discontinued fabrics as well as adding all of your newest swatches. This very long and meticulous process left us with two big bags full of discontinued fabrics...and unfortunately some great ones at that. Because we are all about thinking out side of the box and not wanting to waste and how much fun it it is to re purpose, we have donated half to the Chico State interior design program but the other half we plan on completing some really great fabric crafting projects that will be featured at Dolce. Pictures and how to's for each fabric project to come...happy spring!!!

*To view a few of our concept pics click on the frame above for a larger image*

2010-04-27T13:44:00.001-07:00

Would you like to be added to our newsletter?? Please email us at dolcehomechico@yahoo.com to be put on our monthly newsletter filled with interior tips, trends and event info!!

New Website

2010-04-27T13:38:00.000-07:00

We are beyond excited to have launched our website!! It has taken us several months building the site ourselves.... we aim to please.
You can shop right from the site, check prices, dimensions, and learn more about our design rates and services!!
Visit www.dolcehomechico.com and let us know what you think!!!

2010-03-28T16:33:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to have sarah's amazing art at the shop!! Stop by and check it out..you can also visit her website http://www.sarahballinger.com/.

Sarah's Bio-I’m fascinated by how the many forms of metal, like people, can be complex, whimsical, and textured. And how, like people, metal can be hard and unyielding—yet completely transformable when heated.A new piece starts when I transfer a pencil-sketched idea onto the metal, then use a plasma cutter to cut it out. After cutting, I decide if the image needs to be rusted before I polish, bead, and attach it to right piece of corrugated background.I love the physicality of the work, and the imperfections in the metal (which I ripped off a barn roof). The rust… The holes… The satisfaction of interplay between what’s heavy and bulky, and what’s light and delicate.It reminds me of how I related most easily with the boy next door, with legos, skateboards and setting up jumps in the yard, yet still enjoyed dressing up and doing my hair.It’s the play of opposites, and how, when I look hard enough, I see that none of us are entirely masculine or feminine, but made up of both qualities.In the end, I value the character of old metal, which you won’t find on a fresh piece. Like our bodies, metal shows the marks of a lifetime of sun and rain. It becomes fragile, easily bent, and not always structurally sound—but full of character and untold stories.

Dolce Home Presents: Our Local Favorite Things Event

2009-09-22T16:50:00.000-07:00

Join us in supporting our favorite local business on Saturday October 10th, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00p.m. at Dolce Home Furnishings.173 E. 3rd. Ave Chico CA, 95926

Please bring a canned good to donate to The Chico Jesus Center. Your donation will enter you in a raffle for a chance to win a number of fabulous prizes!

Featured Vendors Include:

All Cats And Dogs
Arbonne: Team Faith
Dolce Home Furnishings
Finishing Touches by Tracy Fry
Girl On A Bike Designs
Honey Run Quilters
Lisa Tosi Photography
Lloyd Liebes Jr Fine Art
Lok’d Clothing
M Creations
Mecca Hair & Nail Studio
P.S.P Studios
Rapture Hair Salon
Red Tavern
Silver Sandbox
Sima Saboury Century 21
Sonia Maria Jewelry
Sorella Boutique
Urban Medspa

2009-07-09T16:36:00.000-07:00

Join us on July 14th from 5:30-7:30pm for our ribbon cutting ceremony. Champagne and appetizers will be served. Hope to see you there!

2009-06-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

ColorLife-Dolce Home is happy to announce our partnership Frazee Paint Chico and their new ColorLife system. The ColorLife palette is the result of an extensive five-year research project to analyze current and future color directions from domestic and international markets. The new palette delivers 1608 colors designed to inspire the professional and the consumer. The colors were influenced by architecture, art, fashion, furnishing lifestyle and the environment.

Ready for a color change? Stop by Dolce Home's showroom to make an appointment for a color consultation today and receive a Frazee Discount Card!

2009-06-05T13:58:00.000-07:00

We are excited to be participating in the Chico Art Walk on Saturday June 6th from 11-5. Stop by for Sangria and appetizers. We will be featuring the talents of local artists Valerie Payne and eighth grader, Ciena Norton. We are also showing canvases by Flo Barnett and Ken Morrow.

Chico Breaking News

2009-05-28T14:27:00.000-07:00

Check out this really cool website. Look under the shopping tab for Dolce deals.

Sangria Saturday

2009-04-25T16:19:00.000-07:00

Dream House

2009-04-25T14:32:00.001-07:00