The best way to kill a department store...

...is to change a successful brand name.

Nice news...

The Tribune reports the manufacture of Frango Mints may soon return to Chicago.

The fork goes on the right? Yes?

Great book reviewed at an interesting web site.

Unusual and inspiring...

Katrina aid from an unexpected source.

Rise and fall...

of a famous name in table settings.

The blogger is always the last to know...

I suppose I'm simply behind the times. I had no idea microfiber table cloths were available.

The other side looks just as nice...

We have it recorded on our TIVO. Eleven minutes into the new CBS thriller "Threshold" you can see Superior Table Pad's top of the line Athena on the scene's boardroom table.

The pad is turned vinyl side down, suede up. Looks nice, but we wonder why they turned it over like that.

When will they be on the internet?

Here's a new shop you may want to know about.

Retro...

Sharon McCormick asks:

Remember when Mom's kitchen table was covered with the bright stuff that wore like iron and smelled like a rubber tire? It's turning up in tony shops and garden shows as a practical but pricey alternative to place mats and fancy linens.

What else do college students have?

Dorm design on a shoestring:

With just $100, a little imagination and some free stuff that is listed on the HBS message boards, you can turn your dorm room into a cozy spot to enjoy throughout the year

Good cause...

Check out how the American Society of Interior Designers donate their time and talents each year. Very interesting project indeed.