cabin fever kitchen

It's just all about the walls..  Believe it or not, this fabulously cabin-like kitchen is actually new construction.. that's right, new!

Megan Rice Yager created this casual, barn-like space with reclaimed wood-lined walls, a traditional farmhouse sink and a fabulous La Cornue oven. 

With a front door that opens right into the kitchen, it's hard for guests to not feel welcome..

The blue and white striped floor can easily be done in your home with basic exterior porch paint and some blue painters tape..

The reclaimed wood is continued into the work area of the kitchen.  Task lighting is done a more non-traditional way with fun, country-inspired lanterns..

Simplicity in the design with no upper cabinets- space is filled with art and beautiful objects instead..

Check out House Beautiful for her full interview and more images of the space.

seeing thanksgiving orange

It only seems right to celebrate one of the best accent colors in honor of my favorite holiday!

Thanksgiving orange (though I'm not sure you'd call it that during the spring or summer months) gives off a fabulous pop in any room.  But when paired with the more subtle browns and creams, it's hardly overwhelming. 

Perhaps it's not even the orange ceiling or special bedding that draws my attention to this Asian inspired room.  I just love the wall art..

Mary McDonald

The subtle orange drapes and throw are the perfect pop in a very calming space..

Suzanne Kasler             

Repeat from last years Thanksgiving post, but I just love this entry way shot complete with orange accessories and a hint of orange in the art..

Windsor Smith

 Lacquering the orange makes all the difference..

 Jeffrey Bilhuber

I'm loving the simplicity of this orange runner with the matching painted stripe above the baseboard..

It's something that can easily be done at home- for little money.

And some orange specialties for your Thanksgiving table..

Bourbon Mashed Sweet Potatoes 

courtesy of Emeril Legasse

2 pounds sweet poatoes

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup of bourbon

3 tablespoons light brown sugar

2 tablespoons molasses

1/8 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  

Place potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Transfer to oven and bake until very tender, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Let stand until cool enough to handle. Cut open each potato and scoop out flesh into a large bowl; discard skins. Add cream, bourbon, brown sugar, molasses, and salt; mash with a potato masher until desired consistency is reached. Alternatively, place potato flesh, cream, bourbon, brown sugar, molasses, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; beat on high until well combined. Serve immediately.

Pumpkin Cookies (my favorite)

1 cup butter

2 cups sugar

1 egg

1 can (16 oz.) pumpkin

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 teaspoons vanilla

4 cups flour

bag of chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream butter and sugar together.  Once smooth, add egg and pumpkin.  Mix in baking powder, cinnamon, vanilla, flour and chocolate.  Scoop onto cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes.  

WARNING: this recipe makes a lot of cookies.. and they're addictive..

Happy Thanksgiving!

jk place firenze

Michele Bonan has my dream job.  No, he's not the next Oprah or J. Crew's Jenna Lyons.  He's not Anna Wintour's second hand man and he definitely is no Nate Berkus.  There aren't any tv shows (that I know of) in the works or a magazine on the way, but as far as I'm concerned, architect Michele Bonan has it better than everyone else.  Why you ask?  Bonan lives and works in Italy and if you ask me, there's no better place to be.  Everyday he's surrounded by beauty, incredible architecture and rich history- the perfect backdrop for any architect's work.  He is privileged to be able to add to the Italian culture through his work, while maintaining much of the country's incredible past and there's just nothing more inspiring than that.

Lonny offered a fabulous peak into one of his fabulous projects, boutique hotel JK Place Firenze in their October/November issue.  Yes, it's true, JK Place Capri also graces the pages, but since Florence is my single favorite city in the entire world (is it bad to make that declaration without having been everywhere?) I'm more interested in posting about what the Firenze version has to offer..

The hotel was designed in a way so that all of the visiting guests would feel almost as if they were visiting a friend's home.  The living areas are warm with orange and gold accents and a wonderful array of architectural references- so perfectly Florentine..

Incredible, original details like the ceiling (top left below) were maintained..

Art filled walls and dark woods make this lounge feel warm and relaxed..

This courtyard dining room is my absolute favorite.. Oh what I'd do for chairs like these in my own dining space..

The lovely library..

Quintessential Florence.. perhaps I'm so enamored with the hotel because I'm imagining the city that lives outside its walls..

Historical architectural details were not forgotten and only enhanced by the classic, yet clean furnishings.

If I had a view like that outside my bath, I'd sit in it all day long..

And yes, just in case you were wondering, the probability of my now stalking Bonan's portfolio and living my design life vicariously through him is very, very high.

design week in review

This last week has been a crazy one for me.  Work has taken over my life (which is a good thing) and I've been out practically every night at various meetings for upcoming events,etc.  I've been so busy, in fact, that I've ALMOST forgotten that Thanksgiving and the winter holiday season is just around the corner..

So here's a little preparation for the winter months.. for you and for me!


Perfectly Plaid
I'll admit it.. I'm a gift wrap fanatic.  My collection is, at this point, ridiculous.  I literally collect papers, ribbon and boxes- and my reasoning is always the same.. I'll use it all at some point. Well, while in Connecticut for work earlier this week, I stopped at Ikea in hopes of adding a few rolls to my collection.  Their holiday papers are fab this year- I'm loving the their use of navy for the holiday season, but it's the plaid paper to the right that made my heart melt.. 

And no, I definitely won't be retiring this pattern once the new year rolls in- it can definitely be used throughout the winter months. 

Williams Sonoma Home has also introduced plaids into their collection.  These cashmere throws are an absolute no brainer..

Are you as thrilled as I am to be welcoming back into the design world?
Feast Your Eyes
West Elm's Festive Edition catalog is to-die-for.  Filled with the most amazing gifts ranging in price from under $25 and up, I'm having a hard time flipping through the pages without wanting to buy one of everything for my friends and family and then, of course, one for me.  Normally buying so much might be a little excessive, but since some of the proceeds from the $25 and under purchases benefit St. Jude's, you can do no wrong!
Some of the fabulous things you can decorate with this holiday season..

Not-So Design Related (for the locals and beyond)

Over the next few months I'll be posting more and more about a wonderful winter event the Junior Committee is holding to raise money for and, most importantly, interest in SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center).  As of now I don't have too many details to share- other than that it's happening in February and we're hoping for a big turnout.  This is going to be a fabulous event and should not be missed.. I know I'll be there!  And as always.. I'll post more information as I have it.

hillcrest kitchen update

After a sleepless night of dog vomit (in his bed, on the floor, in the kitchen and then in our bed- we're so lucky), I can barely think straight, let alone write straight.  But the day must go on- I have lots of work to do.. so instead of getting overly involved in a post I thought you all might enjoy a quick look at a kitchen renovation I've been working on.

I first posted about the project here- a couple images of the original kitchen..

But these days it's looking more like this..

 

 The wallpaper border will definitely be removed..

With the granite ordered and appliance delivery today, this happy client is going to have a functional (though not entirely completed) kitchen for Thanksgiving.  But the end is definitely near- I'll continue to update pictures as the finishing touches are applied!

a clean and very white cottage

I've been waiting, anxiously, for House Beautiful to post the pictures of Lindsey Bond's Alabama home on their website.  After seeing it in the October 2010 issue I knew I wanted to post about it.. but was patient enough to wait until HB's professional shots were available- a terrible scan job of the story just wouldn't do the house justice.

So here it is.. the interior shots that honestly made me consider tearing down our newly installed crown molding, throughout the house, just so we could go with dramatic, ceiling height, white drapes and minimal hardware.  Luckily I was smart enough to think it through before I approached my husband with the suggestion- chances are he would have considered swapping wives before swapping crown..

I have quite the attachment to little white cottages.. probably because I have one of my own..

Clean and simple are the words I would best use to describe Lindsey's house.  Clean angles, a simple backdrop..  The narrow console-height shelf is the perfect option below- an actual console would definitely impede on the space..

More fireplace love with simple shelves flanking.. all in white. The dark accents, including the metal coffee table ground the space..

Another bright, white kitchen.. as much as I love it, I'm afraid I wouldn't ever allow myself to use it- if it were mine there would definitely be red, tomato sauce splatter on all walls and possibly even the ceiling.  But I do enjoy admiring it from afar..

Loving the peacock accent wall and dark wood tones that are continued throughout the house..

The office space looks seriously functional. I love installing shelving over an extra window, like Lindsey did below..  

Antique mirror was used throughout the bedroom (behind a bedside table and a narrow desk) to add light, but in an artful way.. 

See what I mean about the fabulously, simple, but still dramatic, white drapes??

i heart pomegranate linens

With Thanksgiving quickly approaching I think it's safe to say some are already starting to think about their guest list, the menu and, of course, the holiday table.. which is exactly why I wanted to share my new-found love for Pomegranate Linens.  Their fabulous linens are unique, some are even festive, and can be found in lots of different patterns and colors.

Showing off Pomegranate's new Indian print amongst the horses..

 Their Indian ochre apron may, in fact, be the perfect addition to my Thanksgiving holiday this year..

Some of their lovely patterns and colors that can make the perfect backdrop for your table scape.. available in tablecloth and runner versions..

From top left to right: Elise ginger, Elise green, Elise chocolate, Elise ochre; Bottom left to right: Ikat yellow, Ikat blue, Peacock stamp, Ikat ochre

The Elise pattern above is also available in a fabulous laminated place mat- perhaps a better solution if you have a messy eater in your family.  I also adore their houndstooth option below (available in both black and brown)..

If you're looking to personalize (a wonderful holiday gift) Pomegranate's chain stitch napkin are a fun way to go..

And my personal favorite, their embroidery collection..
I could use a set of their french knot cocktail napkins..

and/or their greek key collection..

Though these days I could really benefit from a little reminder to "keep calm and carry on"..

Also available through Pomegranate.. great leather accessories, bedding and these to-die-for raffia totes..

Perhaps if I start carrying around a sunny yellow bag we'll have a short winter..

all images via Pomegranate Linen's website