That condo at Vantage Pointe you've just bought came with many of the bells and whistles you long dreamed of--granite countertops, beautiful wood cabinetry, floor-to-ceiling windows... But, of course, it didn't come furnished. Putting your distinctive mark on your new space is up to you--the furniture and window treatments, colors of the walls, lighting, floor coverings... There are a lot of decisions to make and, let's face it, it can be overwhelming to go it alone with so many choices of fabrics and paint colors, furniture styles and light fixtures. This can be especially challenging in an urban condo.

Interior designer and realtor Christine Diveley of Christine Diveley Interior Design and Real Estate notes that typically these spaces are smaller than suburban homes, "so every piece of furniture is important, as is scale. Everything counts." She points out that shopping in a large showroom with high ceilings can make crucial choices difficult because it's hard to get the sense of scale you'll need in your more intimate sized home.

Kellie McCormick is president elect of the San Diego chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers, or ASID, and an interior designer with Bast/Wright Interiors. She adds that these spaces often also need to be multifunctional, with a room perhaps serving as an office during the day and bedroom at night.

"Being able to properly plan and design the space can really change the function," she notes. So, even if you feel you have great taste, it may be the moment to hire an interior designer, someone to keep you focused and on track, who gets what you're trying to accomplish, who understands scale, and can create a consistent, functional look for your new home that reflects who you are and how you live.

What Do You Need?
For some projects--purchasing new living room furniture, for example--a furniture store's in-house stylist may be sufficient. If demolition is involved, call an architect. It's that middle ground that calls for an interior designer. They're trained to develop floor plans, coordinate colors, deal with purchasing, and manage installations.

"We can look at the bigger picture for a concept that respects the space's architecture and the client's personality and lifestyle," explains Blakeley. "We want to understand who the users are, how the space will be used, do they entertain. Once we have a concept, we help with a budget and prioritizing what needs to be done."

The Hiring Process
First, think hard about what you want and need. Who is this space for, what will happen in it, what's your budget and timeframe? Perhaps you have a lot of details that need attending to or you just need a couple of hours of consultation to get ideas for choosing furniture, paint colors, and lighting. Then interview designers. Get referrals from people whose taste and judgment you trust, check out web sites, get names from shelter magazine stories or programs on HGTV or San Diego's local ASID chapter web site. They're the design industry's professional organization.

Of course, what you're looking for is someone creative and talented with whom you can work closely, who listens to you and understands what you want, and can lead you through the design process. Among the questions you'll is the designer's education and training, the projects he or she's worked on, and their scope of services.

In fact, you'll want to know if the people you're considering are trained interior designers who belong to the ASID or simply decorators, says Diveley.  "Ask about their experience. Designing a huge house is very different compared with a two-bedroom condo. There are a lot of issues that come up with condominiums, like getting furniture into the space or working with HOA rules."

Discuss fees, communications parameters, and any other concerns you have. Be honest with the designer about your budget and be upfront about asking about fees. Some charge a fixed or flat fee for all services. Some charge hourly, others cost plus--meaning they buy the materials, furniture, services, etc. at cost and then sell it to you at cost plus a percentage you agree to. Those numbers should be transparent, says Diveley.

"Fees can vary from project to project," explains McCormick. "Talking openly and upfront about your budget and what types of services you feel you need is very important. Setting parameters helps you and the designer. For larger projects designers typically put together an in-depth contract that outlines the different phases of design as well as a cost estimate. Some designers do flat-fee contracts, and for smaller projects paying the designer by the hour may be the most appropriate."

Once you've decided on someone, you'll want to sign a contract to define the scope of the project, who's responsible for what, the duration of the project, and the budget.

Be a Good Client           
This is a partnership so as a client you have your responsibilities as well to make sure your project turns out the way you want and to keep costs down and tempers even. A good start, says McCormick, is to do some preliminary research, like looking through magazines and pulling visuals to help express their needs. "This can be extremely helpful because they have something visual and tangible to communicate with," she notes.

Once you are in a working relationship with a designer, the ASID suggests you:

• Minimize changes to your plans.
  
• Consider carefully and make notes before you call your designer.
  
• Stay flexible.
  
• Trust your gut.
  
• Avoid open-ended requests.
  

"When I first meet a client I openly discuss and ask about their goals, discuss budget, and get to the bottom of what they need," says McCormick. "There isn't a fixed formula for hiring a designer, but the first, and I think, the most important component to accomplish is to make sure your client understands that you are listening--whether it be about design ideas, budget, or how many shoes they want to fit in their closet. It all is important. I try to put myself in their shoes and do what's best for them and I think that makes a big difference."

The hearts. The flowers. The chocolates, strawberries, champagne. We know that Valentine's Day is more than a Hallmark holiday, but what can you do with your special someone that let's them know you love spending time with them?

(Photo courtesy of Melissa Clawson)

Downtown San Diego and environs has all sorts of wonderful weekend Valentine's Day options for the romantic couple. Here are some of our ideas. We hope you'll want to try them or that they'll spark some ideas of your own:

• Pick up a picnic lunch from Salad Style or Venissimo and wine from The Wine Bank. Then have a cozy meal together on Vantage Pointe's 10th floor pool deck. Or wander down to the Bay to find a quiet spot at the Embarcadero.
• Take in a special Valentine's Day at the Pops concert at Copley Symphony Hall (across the street from Vantage Pointe). It's the return of their special tribute to music for lovers, featuring the music of Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, Ira and George Gershwin, and more.
• Have brunch at one of the restaurants at Seaport Village and then walk over to the Convention Center or the Broadway Pier to take the ferry to Coronado. Stroll along the water's edge, rent a bike, shop and snack at the Coronado Ferry Landing. It all sounds good.
• Go underground! Take your sweetie to urban lounge Vin de Syrah on 5th Ave. and taste flights of red wines, accompanied by their "Blend Board," which features exotic meats and cheeses paired with their marinated veggies. There's also a "Mixed Veggie Board" if meat's not your thing.
• See the world! Head up to the Reuben H. Fleet's Science Center and go to one of their IMAX movies. Playing now are Under the Sea, The Greatest Places, and Amazon. What a rush!
  

Now, while we have our ideas about what would make for a great Valentine's Day, we also  asked Melissa Clawson of San Diego-Romantics.com to give us her suggestions for some special Valentine's Day activities for downtown San Diego and beyond. Here's what she offers:

• Spend the day discovering Balboa Park.This urban park is a real delight. Visit the zoo, explore the fascinating museums, stroll through the gardens, fly a kite, spread out a blanket and enjoy a meal in this beautiful setting.
• Kayak through the caves of La Jolla in a kayak for two. Share the experience of getting up close to local marine life in the gorgeous scenery of the La Jolla Cove.
  

                                     (photo courtesy of Melissa Clawson)

• Take a stroll on the beach and watch the sun sink into the ocean. San Diego is known for its spectacular sunsets. Best beaches for watching the sunset: Sunset Cliffs, La Jolla Cove, and Windansea Beach.
• Relive the classic love story of Romeo and Juliet performed by the San Diego Ballet. Performances are scheduled at the Lyceum Theater in Horton Plaza for the evenings of Feb. 12 and 13th with a matinee on Feb. 14.
• Share an elegant dessert at Extraordinary Desserts. The desserts are both beautiful and delicious. Dine outdoors at a cozy candlelit table. Located near Balboa Park at 2929 Fifth Ave. and in Little Italy at 1430 Union St.
  

Do you have some ideas of your own for celebrating Valentine's Day? Share them with your neighbors here in the comment section below!

Anyone who opened a utility bill this past summer had to have gone into shock. But perhaps the heat waves experienced throughout the country took such a chunk out of the monthly budget that consumers were a lot more eager to make some fundamental, energy-saving changes in their homes. How about you? Did you mean to alter your home and lifestyle a bit, but lost momentum when cooler fall weather waltzed in? Well, now that we've had some pretty astounding winter storms and chilly temps this past week, it's a good time to put best intentions into action.

According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), each American uses about 10,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually--the equivalent of leaving 15, 75-watt light bulbs on all day, every day. That makes a big impact on our monthly bills and, more importantly, on the planet. Even modest steps can save 20 percent or more of that energy use.

Now, at Vantage Pointe, we've got a lot of this down already, with Energy Star-rated appliances, dual-pane windows, and energy-smart approaches to construction. But, if you're in the market for a condo and have an older home to sell first, making your house less of an energy gobbler could help you in making the sale at the price you want and will give a hand to the planet. And, if you live at Vantage Pointe, there are still some additional actions you can take that will help lower your SDG&E bill.

The question usually is where to start. The ACEEE has a terrific online consumer guide on their website as well as one you can purchase. 

The organization suggests some preliminary approaches--regularly clean or replace the filter in your heating and air conditioning system, reduce the temperature setting on your water heater, install four or more compact fluorescent bulbs starting with the fixtures you use most, adjust your thermostat a little warmer in summer and cooler in the winter, and install water-saving showerheads and faucet aerators.

But, there's more, much more. Here are some other suggestions to consider.

Heating and Cooling

1. Program your thermostat to turn heat down or air conditioning up while you're out.
2. Buy an Energy Star-rated programmable thermostat.
3. Insulate your attic and water heater.
4. Have your heating/cooling systems serviced every one or two years.
5. Shut your fireplace flue after every fire to prevent drafts.
6. Cover your windows on sunny days when it's hot.
7. Keep weather stripping in good condition and caulk gaps.
8. Plant deciduous trees on the east and west sides of your house to shade and cool it by as much as 20 degrees.
9. Buy a tankless "on demand" water heater.

Appliances

1. Replace old appliances with Energy Star-rated models.
2. Replace your top-loading washing machine with a front loader.
3. Do several loads of laundry in one stint weekly, drying the loads back to back to capture the residual heat in the dryer.
4. Run only full dishwasher loads.
5. Switch from washing clothes from a hot/warm cycle to a warm/cold wash cycle.
6. Air dry your clothes in spring and summer.

Electronics

1. Buy power strips for your electronics. They can be switched off to stop the energy losses from "standby power"--the energy that these devices use when they are not in active mode.
2. Turn off your computer when it's not in use, or at least put it in sleep mode.
3. Turn off printers, copiers, and fax machines when not in use.
4. Unplug your cell phone charger and other electronic devices when you're not using them.

Miscellaneous Energy Use

1. Install dimmers on bulbs and install timers for security-related lights (front door, garage, patio).
2. Use solar-powered outdoor lights.
3. Use fans instead of air conditioning--Energy Star, of course.
4. Install Energy Star-rated windows.

Debra Lee Baldwin, a native San Diegan and one of Southern California's best garden writers, has published a new book, Succulent Container Gardens. Perfect for Vantage Pointe residents with our balconies, terraces, and wall-sized windows, the book will inspire you to create magnificent container gardens that have the added benefit of being low water consumers. We asked Debra to give us a preview of the book exclusive to Vantage Pointe.

Enhance Your Outdoor Living Areas with Succulent Plants
by Debra Lee Baldwin

Succulents are carefree plants for condo owners. Because succulents store moisture in fleshy leaves, they get by with much less water than typical potted plants. Succulents grow readily from cuttings, thrive in containers large or small, and come in numerous shapes and colors.

The plants range in size from delicate sedums with rice-sized leaves to trees that suggest something out of Dr. Seuss. The dragon tree, the logo of the San Diego Botanical Garden, is one of many examples. 

All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. My books, Designing with Succulents and Succulent Container Gardens, emphasize soft-leaved, user-friendly plants. These include geometric aloes; aeoniums that resemble large green daisies; echeverias that look like lavender cabbages; and numerous kinds of jade plants---including 'Hummel's Sunset', which has bright yellow leaves tinged with red.

Fountain-shaped agaves, columnar euphorbias and other sculptural succulents with strong architectural lines lend drama to outdoor living spaces. Small, jewel-like succulents---such as those that resemble roses, red-and-green jelly beans, or plump Jordan almonds---are great in sitting areas where the plants can be enjoyed close-up.

If you're creating a balcony or patio garden, unify the composition with pots made of the same material, such as terracotta, or that have the same color glaze. For an upscale look, avoid anything made of plastic and keep utilitarian items concealed. In order to feel surrounded by your garden (rather than looking down on it), use plant stands or bricks to elevate a few of the pots.

Succulent Container Gardens includes wall displays, hanging baskets, miniature landscapes and even bonsais. Elephant's food (Portulacaria afra) can be used to create diminutive trees that appear ancient. Score the limbs with a knife to give the bark a weathered look, and add rocks to suggest a rugged habitat.

Succulents prefer fast-draining potting soil ("cactus mix") that goes nearly dry between waterings. Should you forget to water your succulents, they'll draw moisture from their leaves. These may shrivel a bit, but will plump again when the plant is watered.

San Diego's mild, maritime climate is ideal for succulents, many of which come from South Africa and Madagascar. These are sun-loving plants that need at least four hours of direct sunlight daily. Avoid letting the roots become waterlogged, lest they rot. If you live where temperatures drop below freezing, shelter your succulents beneath an overhang or place them alongside a wall.

San Diego has wonderful succulent specialty nurseries, such as Solana Succulents in Solana Beach. Most large nurseries (like Walter Andersen) also have a good selection. The local chapter of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America meets monthly in Balboa Park and hosts two plant sales a year.

For additional ideas, information, links, and resources, visit my websites: www.debraleebaldwin.com and www.succulentchic.net.

The sixth annual winter edition of San Diego Restaurant Week takes place Jan. 17 to 22. This year, more than 180 restaurants are participating with three-course meals offered at a fixed price of $20, $30, or $40, depending on the restaurant. There are no tickets involved, no passes needed, or coupons. There aren't even any limits to how many restaurants you can visit. Just go to the Restaurant Week website to find the restaurants you're interested in trying, see the menu, and make reservations.

Who's participating? It's a vast list, but there are scores of restaurants in the Vantage Pointe neighborhood for you to check out, among them Cafe Chloe, Stingaree, JSix, Grant Grill, Voyeur, and Cowboy Star, And, if you're interested in dinner and a movie, you might want to try the Harbor's Edge at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. Along with their $30 sustainable seafood dinner, they're showing the Rupert Murray film "The End of the Line," which explores the effect of overfishing on the world's oceans.

Have any favorite places participating in Restaurant Week you want to recommend? Leave a comment so your neighbors can get the benefit of your experience.

What have you got on tap for the cresting 2010? If you live at Vantage Pointe, New Year's Eve can be that much more festive since you don't have to worry about driving around town. So many downtown restaurants, hotels, and clubs are holding New Year's festivities you can take your pick. And, getting there and back is just a matter of walking or perhaps a short cab ride.

We asked some of these neighbors what they are planning so you could get a sense of your choices. And, we even have info about at least one event to help you segue healthfully into 2010.

New Year's Eve celebrations:

Cafe Sevilla has a wealth of options for New Year's Eve partying. The Tapas Bar has dinner seating starting at 6:30 p.m. A five-course dinner with entertainment from a live guitarist is $59/guest. The Midnight Celebration Dinner with Live Guitarist starts at 9 p.m. Five-course dinner & midnight celebration with party favors, champagne toasts & access to Club Sevilla after midnight (21+) is $129/guest. In the Main Dining Room, enjoy a special five-course menu & flamenco show (starting at 5 p.m.) for $69/guest.Dinner and show starting at 7:15 is $99/guest. And, the Dinner, Flamenco Performance & Midnight Celebration (starting at 9:45 p.m. and including champagne toast, party favors and access to Club Sevilla after midnight for guest 21+) is $129/guest. The Flamenco Dinner Show at Club Sevilla begins at 7:30, includes a five-course dinner and nightclub cover for $99/guest. For reservations, call 619-233-5979. Cafe Sevilla is located at 555 Fourth Ave. in the Gaslamp Quarter.

Vela at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront is doing a diner-style New Year's Eve dinner. Small Bites include a Tasting Plate of small producer artisinal cheeses, air-dried meats, olives, hummus, and rustic bread; a Prawn Cocktail of Baja white prawns, harissa cocktail sauce, and herb salad; a Northwestern Dungeness Crab Cake; and Carlsbad Mussels and Fries with white wine, leeks, and chorizo.Entrees range from Myer Natural Beef Meatloaf, Grilled Rob Chop and Local White Bass to Chicken Pot Pie, Cabernet Braised Short Rib, Corned Beef Hash Skillet, and All Natural Beef Burger. You might also want to try the Truffled Mac n' Cheese, the Chive and Gruyere "Cheesy" Fries, Creamed Spinach Gratin, or Garlic Broccolini sides. Yum. Vela is located at One Park Blvd. across from Petco Park. Call 619-321-4443 for reservations.

El Vitral Restaurant is ringing in the New Year with a five-course dinner that includes complimentary champagne and grapes. Dinner times are 8 and 10 p.m. Here's the menu:

ENSALADA DE UVAS
Mixed greens, grapes, walnuts, champagne vinaigrette

QUESADILLA DE LANGOSTA
Flour tortillas, avocado relish, lobster

MARGARITA SORBET
Pomegranate margarita sorbet

FILETE A LOS TRES CHILES
Tenderloin, guajillo, pasilla, ancho, mushrooms, seasonal vegetables

OR

FETTUCCINE DE CHIPOTLE CON CAMARONES
Fresh pasta, mexican shrimp, crema fresca, chipotle

BUÑUELOS
Cinnamon & sugar, fresco cheese and berries

Dinner is $55 per person. RSVP at 619-236-9420. El Vital is located at 815 J St. in East Village.

Stingaree's VIP ticket holder guests will enjoy a hosted bar and hors d'oeuvres from 7:30 to p.m., a champagne toast at midnight, and party favors galor. DJ Crooked will be spinning in the main room while DJ Jalil will be spinning on the roof. General Admission tickets are $50. VIP tickets are $100. Tickets can be purchased at Groove Tickets. Stingaree is located at 454 Sixth Ave.

W Hotel will have 10 DJs scattered throughout the property's five levels with dancing, drinks, and VIP bottle service into the New Year. Recover the next morning at W's Rice restaurant with a gourmet Bloody Mary brunch. New Year's Eve tickets are $60 and can be purchased at nyewsandiego.com. The W Hotel is located at 421 W. B. St.

Side Bar will celebrate the new year's arrival with party favors, a hosted bar from 9 p.m. to midnight, and champagne toast. All featuring DJ Joey Jimenez for a dance extravaganza. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased at the Side Bar site. Side Bar is located at 536 Market St.

Voyeur is all about goth elegance. You'll get plenty of it with spin-masters Wolfgang Gartner and Dave Aude. Presale tickets are $50 and can be purchased at www.wanttickets.com.

Royal India is doing it up in the Horton Grand Hotel Ballroom and the family is welcome. Enjoy an Indo-Chinese dinner from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. with a live singer. From 9:30 to 1:30, Bollywood takes over with music and dance. There's even a separate room for the kids to enjoy cartoon movies. Tickets are $50 in advance for adults and $10 for kids under 10. For reservations, call 619-630-1111 or 619- 752-5555. The Horton Grand Hotel is located at 311 Island Ave. in the Gaslamp.

The San Diego Marriott Gaslamp's annual New Year's Eve party runs from 8 p.m. to 2 p.m. As they say, "start the party on the street, finish in the sky." On the ground floor you'll find DJ Rooster in the lobby, drink specials at Latitude Lounge, and exclusive dining at Soleil @k. Twenty-two stories up is DJ Teknikscian and a midnight champagne toast at Altitude Sky Lounge on the roof. Your ticket includes a complimentary champagne toast at midnight;  unlimited dining at their carving station, sushi station, and raw station; happy hour specials from 8 to 10 p.m., including $5 Skyy cocktails; and party favors. Tickets are $125 and can be purchased on the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp website. The San Diego Marriott Gaslamp is located at 660 K St. in East Village.

New Year's weekend: the hangover. Feeling the need to make amends to your body for all that partying? The Little Italy Mercato will have fitness and nutrition information and demonstrations on Saturday, January 2 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. You can get some healthful information from yoga instructors, personal trainers, and chefs to guide you into a healthy 2010. The Little Italy Mercato is located on Date St. off Kettner. The special fitness and nutrition demos will be on Date between Kettner and India Sts.

And, however you choose to celebrate the New Year, all of us at Vantage Pointe wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2010! Please come visit us at 10th and A.

We all have this picture in our heads of hosting the perfect holiday party with perfect food in a perfect setting. No mistimed meals or burned or undercooked food. No counter-surfing dog digging into the beautifully plated leg of lamb. The house looks gorgeous, the table inviting. Our guests are having a fabulous time at our gorgeous home at Vantage Pointe and we, of course, are easily mingling among them without a bead of sweat showing.

For those of you doubters, yes, it really can be done. But only if you're prepared, organized and don't try to do it all yourself. You can not only have a perfect party, but enjoy it, too.

To that end, we've got some tips for you from entertainment gurus, professional caterers, and an experienced home entertainer to help you find your inner host/hostess for the holidays.

From Gina Frieze, owner of Venissimo Cheese:

Keep it simple is the key.  Some ideas with only three ingredients:

• Something sweet: Leslie Stowe's nutty dark Raincoast Crisp crackers topped with a dollop of blue cheese and a drizzle of honey

• Something savory: A slice of baguette with a schmear of fresh ricotta, then dusted with truffle salt

• Something seasonal: Bore a hole in the center of a baby stilton in a crock, fill with Port wine and scoop out with walnut pieces.

From Scott Thomas, owner of Salad Style and Enoteca Style:

• Have a potluck to save on expenses for large parties.

• Use any of the salads on Enoteca Style's menu, which are relatively the same as Salad Style. 

• Purchase full bottles of homemade Salad Style Dressings! 

• Call a local farm and ask them for a variety box. It's usually $20 and you get a bunch of random vegetables to cook up a rocking Ratatouille for your family and friends. 

From Catt White, manager of the Little Italy Mercato:

• Create and serve a cool signature cocktail, along with beer and wine, instead of messing with a full bar.

• Put notes on serving dishes indicating what goes in, so folks who want to help in the kitchen can, without needing much direction.

• Hire clean-up help. It's the best money I ever spent on a party.

Joshua Alkire, chef with Big City Chefs:

• Tip number one; pour yourself a glass of wine. The holidays are meant to be a fun time of year; don't stretch yourself too thin. 

• Tip number two; Prep your food ahead of time and think ahead with regards to your cooking method. If everything requires the oven to cook or reheat...things are gonna take awhile. Utilize your crockpot if the stove is crowded, and remove all unessential items from your counter tops.

• As for prep work, if you're doing something like sayyyyyyy...Bacon wrapped, almond stuffed dates with lemon truffle vinaigrette (recipe below) you can make everything well ahead of time.

• Tip number four; don't waste time cleaning your place.Throw some vacuum streaks across the carpet, turn down the lights, and don't skimp on the candles.

 

Bacon Wrapped Dates
By Joshua Alkire
Big City Chefs

Whole almonds, lightly toasted
The biggest juiciest dates you can find (Mediterranean markets are a good source)
Apple wood smoked bacon

1. Slice bacon slices in half cross-ways.  Place in a bowl and cover with plastic; microwave for three to four minutes. 

2. Place an almond in a date, and wrap the date in bacon.  Place on a sheet tray, seam side down (use a toothpick if it doesn't stay), and freeze completely.  Place in a sealed plastic bag and they can stay frozen forever.  Or, cover well and refrigerate for a week. They'll be fine. When you're ready to cook em'; place on a sheet tray and bake for 25 minutes in a 350-degree oven. 

3. Place on a platter and drizzle with the dressing; garnish with chopped chives or green onion.

Dressing:
2 tbl lemon juice
1 tbl truffle oil
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper
¼ cup good olive oil (pick this up when you stop for the dates)
1T chopped herbs (optional)

Whisk the first four ingredients together then slowly drizzle in the oil as you whisk vigorously. Make the day of or the day before. You want the lemon juice to stay fresh.

Those of us who live with pets at Vantage Pointe know it can be a challenge to keep a beautiful home. Spills, dirt, and mess are a fact of life. The number one rule, says Julia Szabo, author of "Animal House Style" and self-proclaimed foremost expert of living stylishly with pets, is keep things easy to clean. "Children and pets are little magnets of entropy. Mess follows them around. You have to be able to just wipe it, vacuum it, and forget it."

So, she says, choose washable fabric like denim or durable upholstery like ultrasuede. "Slipcovers are a fashion trend born of necessity," says Szabo. Another solution is woven fabrics. The knit back to them gives extra body. As for color, says Szabo, try to match your shedder.

Flooring like tile, linoleum, and wood are easy to wipe, Szabo adds. Keep hardwood floors light in color to mask scratches. You can also use carpet tiles with durable natural fibers that protect wood and look good, too. She prefers easily vacuumed sea grass area rugs for households with long-hair dogs and sisal for cats.

Don't forget the walls. Low VOC paints are recommended since it keeps it healthy for pets who are forever licking at things.

And, keep it safe--no sharp edges that can harm pets, no glass tables that can break during roughhousing, and no bowls of chocolates on the coffee table; they're toxic to pets.

As pets have claimed more of our hearts, they also claim more home real estate. Fortunately, a number of companies have realized the business potential and offer design solutions that are both functional and beautiful. 

Baby gates for rambling puppies can be less than attractive, but increasingly pet supply companies like Orvis, Dog Gates.com, and jbpet.com are offering gates made of hardwood with oak finishes to blend in with home décor.

You may love the inexpensive dog beds at Costco, but if you want something a little more stylish for your home for your dog or cat, check out beds sold online at Orvis, CatsPlay.com,  Calling All Dogs, and West Paw Design,or locally at Pet People, Target, or City Dog on Park Blvd.

Finally, you can do some quick fixes yourself. If you have pets whose size or age keeps them from easily jumping up on your bed (and you want them there), you can buy little stairs at Pet People and other stores, then cover them with matching fabric. Or pick up a solid wood stepstool and paint or stain it. Other ways you can create creature comforts? Wrap a four-by-four post in sisal fabric for a natural scratching post for the cat. If your cat enjoys hanging out on your desk and acting as a paperweight, buy a simple wood serving tray and a remnant of a soft, washable fabric that will fit in the tray for a makeshift cat bed away from your papers. Pick up inexpensive fleece throws. They're perfect for short hair dogs who may get cold overnight, they come in all sorts of colors and designs to work with your decor and protect your furniture,and, very important, they wash easily.

We love our San Diego brokers and agents, so we're holding a holiday event for you on December 16 from 3 to 6 p.m. in Vantage Pointe's Multi-Purpose Room. Come by and meet or catch up with sales manager Sheridan Mantor and the rest of the crew. Take a tour of our models and see our amenities. It'll be a warm and delicious gathering with an espresso bar serving holiday flavors, hot toddies, and eggnog. Plus, delicious holiday cupcakes.

As part of the fun, you can do a little holiday shopping. We'll have vendors like Silpada and Apple Accessories selling the makings of great gifts: jewelry, purses, scarves, headbands and the like.

And, we're gathering gifts for Toys for Tots. Bring an unwrapped toy and you'll be entered into a raffle for a $100 gift card.

We'd love to see you and wish you happy holidays and a happy New Year. RSVP at 619-696-8000.

There's no need to point out that the mortgage landscape has dramatically changed in the last couple of years. Gone are the breezy days of getting 100 percent financing with little documentation. Today, the financing rules are stiffer and there are fewer investors buying loans on the secondary market. There was a time when Wall Street investors bought home loans, repackaged them, and sold them for a profit. But, as we know, that era is history. Today, lenders still originate the loans but they sell them to a much reduced secondary market. According to Bank of America mortgage loan officer Bob Armstrong, who works with Vantage Pointe buyers, lenders pretty much have three secondary buyers: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA. Of course, if you're a military veteran, there's the VA program.

So, let's talk about these and which may be appropriate for you, as well as how you'll need to prepare to qualify for a loan.

1. Conventional financing with Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. This now requires a minimum 15 percent down payment. They also have pretty tight credit standards, but this can work to your advantage since your interest rate will be lower. As of Dec.12, 2009, there will be a new hard cap of 50 percent debt-to-income ratio. The soft cap--or usual cap--is actually lower at 45 percent, but if you have compensating factors--stable employment, an excellent credit score, money in a reserve account, or secondary employment income that's not used--that cap can be moved up to 50 percent.

2. FHA financing. These loans allow for a 3 1/2 percent down payment. The credit standards are a little more liberal but you'll be paying a slightly higher interest rate and mortgage insurance.

3. VA loans. These government-insured loans for eligible veterans and service personnel are often made with no down payment and lower interest rates than usual. Applicants must still meet set debt-to-income ratios. The VA Loan website has a mortgage checklist for applicants.

We mentioned the debt-to-income ratio, also known as DTI. This is the percentage of a buyer's monthly gross income that goes to paying debt (and taxes and insurance, etc.). There are two main types of DTI. The first is computed by adding your various payments on a monthly basis: the loan (both principal and interest), property taxes, home owners association dues, and content insurance (the insurance you'll need for the interior of your home). This part is known at PITI. The second part, or "back ratio, is the amount of your gross income that goes toward recurring or fixed debt payments, like credit cards, auto loans, alimony, child support, and the like. Take all of this, divide it by your monthly gross income, and you'll get your DTI ratio.You can do a web search of "debt-to-income ratio calculator" and find one that will help you learn your DTI ratio.

Now, let's say you've done your homework and feel ready financially to buy a condo. And, let's say you've found just the right home at Vantage Pointe. The sales person you're working with will give you the names of preferred lenders for you to talk to. Call and make an appointment. Before you go to your appointment, gather the last two years of W2 forms or, if you're self-employed, the last two years of tax returns. You'll also need your most current pay stub and current bank statement showing where the money is for your down payment. If your parents are helping with the down payment in the form of a gift, you'll need a gift letter from them with documentation showing where those funds are. If they're helping you make the purchase, you'll need their income statements, pay stub, and bank statement. Your credit report will be pulled by the lender and have all of your financial liabilities listed, so you don't need to bring that information with you.

While the new DTI regulations are strict, a good lender should be able to help you look at the variables for your situation to help you legitimately meet the criteria. Yes, they'll be looking at your true income. No, 51 percent DTI ratio just won't work. But perhaps there's debt you can pay off immediately. Or a payment like a car loan will be paid off shortly and could possibly be excluded from the debt ratio. These are things a savvy loan officer can help identify.

Finally, don't buy anything until you close escrow. Even if the furniture salesman insists that your purchase won't go on your credit report until after escrow closes. Even if you have a hankering to buy a big screen TV just the day before escrow closes. Don't do it. It will go on your credit report. The report will be checked up until escrow closes. And, you may lose your opportunity to buy your home. As Armstrong says, "Stay focused on the goal of buying a home. Keep your liabilities as low as possible and don't run up your credit cards."