Susan R. Pollack

Welcome Mat

Your weekly roundup of the latest news in home furnishings, interior design and home improvement.

Leader Dogs holiday benefit

Puppies and their trainers are sure to take center stage at the annual Christmas Open House preview party Wednesday at Chapman House Classic Home in Rochester. But the festive fireplace mantels, Christmas wreaths and trees, and holiday home decor will get plenty of attention, too. The event is a benefit for Leader Dogs for the Blind. The party, from 6 to 9 p.m., will feature appetizers and a tasting of international wines presented by downtown Rochester's Cose di Lusso wine boutique. Tickets, $25 per person, are available at Chapman House, 311 Walnut Blvd.; or call (248) 651-2157 or e-mail chapmanhousemi@aol.com. The Christmas Open House runs three days, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Nov. 13, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 14.

Donate to a 'Fall Furniture Harvest' in Clawson

Last year, participants filled an entire truck with gently used furniture and household goods at Leon & Lulu's "Fall Furniture Harvest." This year, the goal is two truckloads for the November event, which benefits the Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan. The highlight will be a party and silent auction from 6 to 9 p.m. today, sponsored by Company C; donation forms will be provided. Items will be collected throughout the month in a 42-foot trailer from McKenzie Moving of Pontiac, parked behind Leon & Lulu's, 96 W. 14 Mile, Clawson (the former Ambassador Roller Rink). As a November offer, the store is featuring special prices on all custom upholstery orders. Check www.leonandlulu.com or www.furniture-bank.org.

'Shrine Day' at Birmingham shop

Shoppers at Watch Hill Home Interiors in Birmingham on Saturday will receive 15 percent off most items (such as the vintage camera bookends, pictured, that retail for $75 a pair) as part of the store's fifth annual "Shrine Day." Shop owners Tom and Julie Supanich plan to donate 10 percent of the day's sales to Shrine Schools' annual "Starry Knight" auction fundraiser on Nov. 14. The shop is located at 645 S. Eton St. in Birmingham's Rail District, and Saturday's sale runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call (248) 644-7445.

Northville Holiday Art Market events

Hand-crafted pottery, fiber, jewelry and paintings by local artists highlight Northville's fifth annual Holiday Art Market today through Dec. 12. Shopping, refreshments and a book-signing by "Words to the Rescue" author Steve Fahdi will be featured at the kickoff reception from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the Art House, 215 W. Cady Street; the reception coincides with downtown Northville's regular First Friday art walk. The Northville Art House also will host a free event, Girls Night Out, from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 13. Special activities, including drawings for raffle prizes, continue Dec. 4 during Northville's Candlelight Walk. Regular Art House hours for the Holiday Art Market are 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays (until 9 p.m. on First Fridays only). Call (248) 344-0497.

Kingswood Giftorama: End of an era

The 39th -- and last -- Kingswood Giftorama starts today with a special Champagne opening (starting at $85) and runs through Sunday at the Kingswood campus of Cranbrook Schools, 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills. More than 50 vendors will be at the festive holiday shopping marketplace with gifts for the home and family, plus specialty items such as eco-friendly shopping bags from Walled Lake-based Sacs of Life, at right. Sponsored by the Kingswood Alumnae Association, Giftorama has earned about $3 million since 1971, but the number of volunteer hours required is staggering, and the event is no longer economically viable, organizers say. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; admission is $7. Find coupons at www.giftorama.org. Call (248) 645-3132.

Contact Detroit News Design Writer Susan R. Pollack at spollack@detnews.com.