By Jess Chamberlain, Sunset home and design writer

If you're in the Bay Area this season, don't miss our San Francisco Idea House, one of the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified residential remodeled homes in the nation. The house is open 9am-4pm Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through 1/27/2008. Please note: The house will be closed the weekend of 12/21 and 12/28 due to the holidays.

$20 admission; $15 for seniors on Fridays. No children under age 10.

By Jess Chamberlain, Sunset home & design writer; photos by Rob D. Brodman

I can't get enough of these cute little origami gift boxes from Dandelion in San Francisco—one of our favorite one-stop shops for holiday gifts. The small ones (they're available in three sizes) are just $2 a pop and I adore them as packaging for little guest favors at place settings. In the above image I paired the golden jewel with neutral colored plates and a gray felt placemat from our prop room. A fun palette for any holiday.

Stock up! Available in a variety of colors (green, red, gold, silver, multi-color). Small (3" diameter), and medium (3 1/2" ), $2/each; large (4 1/2"), $4 each. From Dandelion (888/548-1968). They ship flat, are sturdy, and quick to fold/unfold.

By Jess Chamberlain, Sunset home & design writer; photos by John Granen

A few home-y things I've been thankful for recently:
- Some old family quilts my mom gifted me, which have come into use as these cold San Francisco nights get colder. (Though I'm also admittedly very grateful I don't live in the midwest).
- Votivo's Red Current candles that absolutely embody the cozy smell of winter.
- Holiday decor that's not married to a single day of the year (pumpkins with smiley faces, dishes adorned with turkey-in-bow-tie artwork, napkins that say "Merry Christmas").

That's what I love about this table setting by Rosanna Bowles, founder of Rosanna Inc in Seattle: Not only was this scene perfect for Thanksgiving dinner, it works for practically any day of the year.

The dinner plates, silverware and glasses are part of her Famile a Table collection. I love her casual arrangements of grapes in silver vessels (yes, they're real fruit—from the vines outside her dining room window!) alternating with her Dauphine candlesticks.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Rosanna for a profile piece we did in our November Inside Seattle section (which readers in our Seattle metro area receive). I loved her tip about repurposeing things on your table: “Use old silver and treasures—take them out of the cupboard and re-energize them," says Rosanna. "I use old sugar bowls as flower holders for the table—keeping arrangements intimate and small, thus not hindering sight lines and conversation.”

So refreshing, and unique. Like every day should be.

Check out her lines here.