What kind of change in the world is important to you? Your handmade jewelry business can help make the world […]
Source: http://renaklingenberg.com/choosing-a-charity-to-support-with-your-jewelry-business/
04/22/2014
Perfect level of cozy with the right amount of modern
If decorating decisions were ever made based on the weather, then the cold winter months in the northeast would really grant us lots of opportunities to create the perfect hibernation space. Regardless of décor preferences or style affiliations, what most folks seek during this time of the year when the days are short and cold is to be in a cozy room with lots of soft surfaces, plush textures and a color palette suggestive of heat and warmth.
Pari Dispari modern wall unit collection by Presotto Italia is the perfect example of how contemporary interiors can feel cozy, inviting, soft and unobtrusive. Using fireplace as a focal point, Pari & Dispari 339 wall unit composition features deep chocolate and caramel colors with plush leather sofa, low profile modern coffee table and contemporary lighting pieces that exert soft glow.
Pari & Dispari 339 wall unit by Presotto Italia
With a little more contrast, the Pari & Dispari 333 wall unit and bookcase composition is finished in sleek lacquer and rich wooden finish and is paired with luxurious velvet upholstered sofa, understated accessories and simple lighting fixtures.
Pari & Dispari 333 wall unit by Presotto Italia
Source: http://www.eroomservice.com/blog/2014/01/perfect-level-of-cozy-with-the-right-amount-of-modern/
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Perfect Pumpkin Pie
My pumpkin pie gets raves – yours will, too!
Perfect pumpkin pie is not just for Thanksgiving – Christmas is my family’s excuse to indulge twice in this hands-down favorite dessert!
It never seems to fail – another Thanksgiving has passed me by in a blur. As always, I created an imaginative holiday table in nearly restaurant scale. Each Thanksgiving I open my home to entertain between 16 – 23 people nearly single-highhandedly for under $250! Yes, I made that claim -Â two turkeys, 6 sides, 5 desserts – plus self-devised recipes to accommodate a guest list inclusive of diabetes, food allergies and a couple of vegetarians! This would be fabulous fodder for blogging and be truly of use to loads of you who face aspects of my Thanksgiving challenges. The trouble is, that it is so much effort that I can’t slow down to photograph it all for your edification….
But I did manage to sneak into the kitchen when it came time to whip some fresh cream to snap some phone-shots of my famous pumpkin pie.
My mother began making this pumpkin pie when I was very young. I think she originally got the recipe from Family Circle or Ladies Home Journal and it was from a chef from the Nixon era White House.
But it was Dyslexia that made this recipe even better – I misread some of the ingredients list one year, and to my surprise and delight, made it even better! Here is the mixed up recipe….
But first things first – no pie is perfect without Perfect Flaky Crust -
2 c flour
3/4 c Crisco – There’s no substitute for Crisco!
1/2 tsp salt
about 6 tbsp ice cold water
Ice water is key – water should be so cold it nearly has a skin of ice. Mix the salt and flour together and cut the Crisco in with pastry cutter until is about the size of dry oats. Mix the water into the dry ingredient with a FORK; avoid fingers contact with the pastry until the end; skin oil makes crust tough.
I hate fighting with dough, and flouring surfaces makes a big mess and can also toughen crust. So I turn the pastry out onto parchment, then cover it with another piece of parchment. Work the rolling pin in a circle clockwise to roll the dough into an even circle. Remove top layer of parchment, and flip the crust face-down into a big Pyrex glass pie pan, and peel the parchment off the top – voila!
Pumpkin Filling:
1 can of pumpkin – yes, canned – sometimes the best things are simple.
1 c. of brown sugar
3/4 c white sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp salt
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1 can evaporated milk
3 tablespoons dark molasses
Combine everything except for the molasses and evaporated milk. I like to whisk it all together; it makes me feel like I am somehow more connected to the ingredients and the process of combining them.
Add the evaporated milk, folding in slowly.
Add the molasses and mix thoroughly.
Poor into an unbaked pie crust, and bake in an oven preheated to 450 degrees for 15 mins; reduce to 350 and continue baking for 45 more minutes. Remember – it’s not done until a butter knife inserted dead-center comes out clean.
Don’t fret about the knife incisions – whip cream hides all sins deliciously!
I don’t hyper-focus on perfectly crimped crusts – I love the slight imperfections implied in recipes hand-made with love. I serve my pie really cold and dress it up with whipped cream topped with hazelnuts for Christmas.
Handmade Whipped Cream:
Pour a pint of heavy cream into a chilled bowl.
Add 2 Tbsp of sugar and 2 tsps of pure vanilla extract, so that the cream is fragrant but not over-sweet. Chilling the bowl and the beaters helps the cream whip properly into good stiff peaks, if the kitchen is warm from baking.
Top with chopped Hazelnuts. Walnuts have bitter skins that meet the tongue with a tad of regret. If you are a true foodie (or walnut lover) you can always blanch your walnuts and rub off the skins to remove the bitter edge – but Hazelnuts have a flavor made to fall in love with pumpkin at first sight. I serve it cold because the medley of spices is most pronounced when the custard is not warm.
The finished pie – mmmm!
This pie positively dissolves on the tongue, and never, ever disappoints – one reason that my Thanksgiving guests seem to have to be rendered immobile to miss my Thanksgiving dinner…
Sometimes it is the simplest and least expensive traditions that best satisfy and leave the most indelible marks of your caring and generosity of spirit.
Think I’m going to head to the gym – the one draw-back of my perfect pumpkin pie!
Source: http://redoitdesign.com/perfect-pumpkin-pie/
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Home Interior Lighting: Techniques of The Pros
With these home interior lighting techniques, you'll be able to create an optimal home lighting plan.
Source: http://www.interiordesigndetective.com/home-interior-lighting.html
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04/21/2014
Buying Italian Gold Crosses As A Gift Or For Oneself
Buying Italian gold crosses is not a simple task, as easy as walking in a store and picking out a pair of earrings. There are many different types of crosses available for purchase, and knowing the difference between each type is vital, especially if one is giving an Italian gold cross as a gift. Italian jewelry is known for its fine craftsmanship and elegance, making it a superior choice when trying to find a cross to wear. Italian gold crosses are available for all ages and in all price ranges.
There has been a surge in popularity of crosses being worn by both genders. Some people have embraced this trend as a way to openly show their religious beliefs while others are donning crosses just for the sake of a fashion trend, which is akin to sacrilege in some minds. Whatever your reasons for buying a cross either for yourself or as a gift, doing a little research and browsing prior to buying is a wise idea for all consumers.
Italian made jewelry is known for its elegance and fine craftsmanship, making it a natural choice for those who are seeking a finer piece of jewelry for personal wear or a gift. Italian crosses are no exception.
There are many different styles and choices available from each jeweler, and any color of gold is typically available: yellow, white, tri-color, pink, or two-tone, usually in 14K. Briefly searching online will bring up thousands of designs from many jewelers to look at. It is recommended to look online before choosing to buy, just to get an idea of prices, what is available, to educate oneself a little about jewelry in general and what specific crosses may mean, as well as learn a little about individual jewelers.
For those buying Italian gold crosses, it pays to do a little homework. Because when it comes to crosses, there are many different meanings behind the crucifixes that can be found. Italian gold crosses are made specifically with Christians in mind, as well as for Catholics. Some gold crosses are meant for children and teens while others are for adults. There are orthodox crosses, Maltese crosses, and ankh crosses too. Some jewelers have separate jewelry for Hispanics or Jewish individuals.Then, some jewelers have religious medallions, baptismal gifts, and communion gifts available also.
One way to find out a little more if you cannot visit a jeweler who carries a wide selection of religious jewelry and is very knowledgeable is to perhaps check with a religious store, who may have the capacity to order or at least put you in contact with a good jeweler. Another option is to look on the internet for religious jewelers. Though difficult to find, they do exist and many have websites showing their products and offering information to help buyers.
Buying an Italian gold cross is not different from any other kind of jewelry shopping: you will want to consider the person’s age, personal tastes, the occasion for the gift, and how much you wish to spend. If you are shopping for yourself, then these become easier to manage but the question of price becomes more difficult. It is always hard to decide how much money to spend on a piece of jewelry, especially one for yourself. Those seeking an Italian gold cross should stay within their budget while trying their best to find the most suitable piece of jewelry.
Source: http://www.goldpromoter.com/buying-italian-gold-crosses-as-a-gift-or-for-oneself/
04/20/2014
How to find your style
A sneak peak at Pantone Shades in the forecast for 2014 / 2015 inclusive of a test palette I created from sampling Pantone’s image.
The best way to find your style is to identify what you like. Finding your style may be harder than you think!
A reader wrote to me last week and asked me what a transitional Japanese style room might look like. This was an interesting question because it was very specific. Design styles are like that wall of candy bars you faced as a kid in the grocery check-out. Mom invariably limited you to a single choice – but limiting your style choices in your own home puts you right back in front of that candy with no clear limitations other than your budget constraints – narrowing your choices gets harder now. Jennifer’s question was a perfect launching point – she likes Japanese style, less the limitations implied by a literal translation.
To find your style think of creating a transitional style like a painter creates abstract art. The abstract artist in nearly every case began with a firm understanding of conventional ways and means. The measure of their success lies in the choices they made in how and where to bend the rules.
The best place to consider finding your style is to expand on a specific theme by adding or subtracting the best and least that you love. Transitional or eclectic style is created by blurring the distinctions between specific styles. Begin by making a two-part bullet list of :
a) Attributes that define the style you are drawn to
b)Â reasons that you find this style appealing
The Shinto Buildings at Ise, Japan via pitt.edu
When I think of what defines Japanese style for example, 3 mental images push their way to the forefront of my impressions…
1) The Shinto shrines at Ise Japan.
These shrines are built absolutely by hand (no power tools) only to be dismantled every twenty years by new ones built on an immediately adjacent site. The Shinto monks believe the site is purified and building materials renewed in this manner, while preserving the original design from the third and fourth centuries. The new shrines albeit seemingly identical to the old ones are not considered replicas but “Ise re-created.” The-creation process reveals Shinto’s understanding of nature which does not make monuments, but “lives and dies, always renewed and reborn.” At least one imperfection is intentionally built into each recreation, so as not to be so arrogant as to attempt to imitate perfection.
The empty site of the previous shrine (called the kodenchi) is strewn with large white pebbles. The only building on the empty site, which retains its sacredness for the intervening twenty years, is a small wooden shed or hut (oi-ya) inside of which is a post about seven feet high known as shin-no-mihashira (literally the august column of the heart, or more freely translated as sacred central post). The new shrine will be erected over and around this post which are the holiest and most mysterious objects in the Ise Shrine. They remain hidden at all times.
What draws me to this style: I was mesmerized with this place and its phoenix life cycle many years ago when Charles Kuralt visited the shrine for its reconstruction on CBS Sunday Morning. I loved the hand-hewn craftsmanship with clean lines and its embrace of imperfection.
George Nakashima Conoid bench
2) The wood-works of George Nakashima are sonorous of a Japanese aesthetic in my mind. I could not find Kuralt’s interview, but the video below provides the jist defining an impression of an icnic style.
I love the blending of Nakashima’s clean aesthetic and its similarity to Bauhaus era iconic furnishings – a place to begin finding your style?
But I am a true lover of color – to get color inspiration I might look to the forms and colors of a Japanese style garden and that connection to nature, or….
Japanese Garden image via Houzz
…another iconic symbol of Japanese culture and style that flies in the face of minimalism.
Geisha image with Chip it applied
Tailored, yet anything but minimal, the Geisha tradition adds a whimsical burst of unexpected yet controlled frivolity and drama to the Japanese aesthetic. This departure provides a vivid and unforseen color palette to pave any of several paths to a transitional departure…and is echoed in Pantone’s coming trends for 2014 / 2015 as seen in the image up top!
Jananese style reading room by Marsha Schrank Interiors – designshuffle.com
Japanese style is married above with a traditional aesthetic – the color palette, tailored clean lines and jute rug suggest rather than broadcast a Japanese influence.
Maybe you Find your style hidden in the shapes or suggestion of Ming porcelain in a minimal format that speaks less subtly to a Japanese influence. But a bit of sparkle sharpens this minimal landscape, giving a nod to that feminine yet disciplined drama of the Geisha…
kitchen with Japanese flair – Marsha Schrank Interiors
As does the room below, showcasing a whimsical Swarovski crystal branch chandelier reminiscent of the Geisha hair adornments. The room itself draws obvious inspiration from nature and that Japanese aesthetic that erases the lines drawn between in and out of doors.
Interior Designs Inspired by Nature – hotnickcom
When blending styles, take a nod from the Shinto monks – pay homage to your inspiration rather than trying to copy it verbatim. No matter which styles you blend to find your style, the same rules apply:
- Pick a color palette that speaks to your inspirational muse and then put blinders on to reinvention or addition – discipline creates master pieces!
- Suggest connections to your theme through similar shapes and furniture styles – think themed, not theme park!
- Blend styles that have some relationship – think of it like a dinner party you are giving for friends you love, who don’t necessarily love one another. Don’t put styles side by side that have absolutely nothing in common or worse yet, compete.
- Create no more than three focal points – otherwise the eye has nowhere to rest and the brain feels anxious in such a space.
- Experiment!!! It’s design, not brain surgery or a corporate tax return – finding your style will cost no lives nor result in jail time if something goes wrong. Make the list I suggested above about what and why you like the design styles you hope to marry – knowing where you want to go is key to getting there!
- Don’t forget to have fun finding your style :-)
Source: http://redoitdesign.com/how-to-find-your-style/
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Tuscan Interior Design: Unpretentious Elegance
Learn how to evoke the warmth, comfort and serenity of Tuscan interior design styles with these designer techniques and suggestions.
Source: http://www.interiordesigndetective.com/tuscan-interior-design.html
04/19/2014
Gold Hoop Earrings Fit Every Style
Gold hoop earrings are one of the most common styles of earrings on the market. In addition to that, they are very versatile. You can wear them with pretty much any outfit you own. This includes jeans and a casual shirt or an upscale black dress. Since they are created with different types of gold metal and have different levels of plating, you will also find that no matter what your budget it, you can afford to purchase a pair of them. Beside diamond stud earrings, they are the only type of earring to transcend time and have never gone out of style.
There is a style of gold hoop earrings to match every personality type. The most common ones seen in public are the large thin hoops. These are popular because they can be worn by pretty much everyone. They are particularly popular with women who have long hair because you will actually be able to see the earrings through their hair. Those with very short hair may be better served by small hoop earrings that hug the ear. Since you hair most likely will not be covering your ear, it will be easy to see them. If you want bigger earrings then be certain to try them on before you buy them to make sure they look balanced around your face.
Gold hoop earrings are generally made with yellow and white gold. There are some which are made out of rose gold which is pink in color. However, this type of gold is more expensive and you can expect to pay more for jewelry created from it.
If you are looking for something very unique, though, then buying a pair of rose gold hoop earrings will certain make you stand out. White gold earrings pair with the right outfit can also be very striking. For example, wearing white gold with a basic black outfit looks very sophisticated and elegant.
The lower the karats of gold the higher the price you will pay for the earrings. If you are working on a budget but love the look of gold hoop earrings, then shop for ones made with more karats. For example, 14 karat gold earrings cost $100 or more whereas 24 karat gold earrings can be purchased for around $30. Be careful and buy from a reputable seller to avoid buying earrings made from fake gold which can turn your ears green. Do your homework to get the best deal available.
Source: http://www.goldpromoter.com/gold-hoop-earrings-fit-every-style/
Layered Gelee, Pantone Linen, and Pantone Nectarine
Layered Gelee
With the release of today’s Pantone Spring 2013 fashion color forecast, I was inspired to look ahead and find edible color in keeping with the linen and nectar spectrum included in the Fashion Report. I was so inspired by Martha Stewart’s gorgeous layered gelee, combining linen and nectarine in layers of mixed opacity and transparency that sparkle with tones of linen and nectarine!
Left to Right – Pantone Nectarine 16-1360 and Linen 12-1008 from Pantone’s Spring 2013 Fashion Report
This gorgeous dessert has a few steps that are well worth traversing to share a bit of edible fashion report color with your friends!
Ingredients
-
GINGER-CREAM GELATIN
- 1 cup cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 ounce fresh ginger, peeled and cut into strips
- 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
- 1 tablespoon cold water
-
LYCHEE GELATIN
- 1 cup lychee juice from can
- 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
- 1 tablespoon cold water
-
ROSE-CHAMPAGNE GELATIN
- 1 cup rose Champagne
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- Cherry blossoms, for garnish
-
ROSE-CREAM GELATIN
- 1 cup cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
- 1 tablespoon cold water
- 1/4 teaspoon rose water
- 1 tiny drop pink food coloring
Directions
- Make Ginger-Cream Gelatin: Stir cream and sugar in a small pan over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture just begins to simmer. Remove from heat; add ginger. Cover; let infuse 30 minutes. Sprinkle gelatin over the cold water in a small bowl; let stand until softened, about 2 minutes. Heat cream mixture over low heat, and add to gelatin mixture, stirring until dissolved. Strain into glass measuring cup or bowl.
- Make Rose-Cream Gelatin: Stir cream and sugar in a small pan over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture just begins to simmer. Remove from heat. Sprinkle gelatin over the cold water in a small bowl; let stand until softened, about 2 minutes. Add to hot cream mixture, stirring until dissolved. Add rose water and food coloring; strain into measuring cup or bowl.
- Make Lychee Gelatin: Heat lychee juice in a small pan over medium heat just until it begins to simmer. Sprinkle gelatin over the cold water in a small bowl; let stand until softened, about 2 minutes. Add to hot juice, stirring until dissolved. Strain into measuring cup or bowl.
- Make Rose-Champagne Gelatin: Heat Champagne and sugar in a small pan over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture just begins to simmer. Meanwhile, sprinkle gelatin over the cold water in a small bowl; let stand until softened, about 2 minutes. Add to hot Champagne, stirring until dissolved. Strain into glass measuring cup or bowl.
- Assemble desserts (add gelatins in any order you prefer): Fill each glass 1/4 of the way with the first liquid. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes. Repeat with remaining gelatins. Refrigerate until ready to eat, up to 2 days. Garnish with cherry blossoms.
Martha’s Note
If gelatin sets before assembling, transfer to a pan and reheat over low heat until liquid again.
~ Eat Color in Style ~
Source: http://redoitdesign.com/layered-gelee-pantone-linen-and-pantone-nectarine/
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Georgia Company One of Nation´s Largest Rocky Mountain Hardware Dealers
Founded in 1996 in Duluth Georgia, Suwanee Decorative Hardware Inc. is one of the nation´s largest Rocky Mountain Hardware dealers and Georgia´s No. 1 Emtek & Ashley Norton dealer.
Customers can find discount prices, expert service, and a huge display of Baldwin Hardware, Ashley Norton, Rocky Mountain Hardware, Emtek, Schlage, and Top Knobs, among other decorative door and cabinet hardware brands, at the company showroom in Atlanta.
Although the showroom is open Monday through Friday, it is best to call for an appointment before visiting.
Suwanee Decorative Hardware also features more than 16,000 products on its website. It offers free shipping for orders over $199, and ships anywhere in the continental United States.
The company provides free onsite takeoffs and consultations for projects over $5,000 in the metro Atlanta or Knoxville, Tenn. areas.
In addition to door and cabinet hardware, it carries kitchen and bath, plumbing, and home hardware items.
Suwanee Decorative Hardware boasts a Better Business Bureau A+ rating.
Rocky Mountain Hardware is a line of hardware with a simple, handcrafted look as fitting in a rustic log home as in a Mediterranean-style villa.
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Boston, Massachusetts Designer Helps Clients Create Dream Spaces
Residential interior designer Lisa T. Buyuk has helped clients create dream spaces since 1995. The Boston-based designer launched Buyuk Interiors in 2002 after working with two nationally recognized Boston design firms.
She holds a Masters of Interior Design degree from the New England School of Art and Design, as well as a Bachelor´s of Arts degree in Art History and French Language and Literature from Boston University.
Lisa T. Buyuk
Buyuk is a Member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), and holds her NCIDQ Certificate as well as a certificate in Italian design from the Nuova Accademia delle Belle Arti in Milan, Italy.
In 2005, Buyuk participated in the Devon Nicole House Project at Children´s Hospital, Boston.
The project was awarded ASID´s Community Service Award for those whose community service best exemplifies the spirit of bringing design to life in the service of others.
Buyuk Interiors specializes in residential interior design and decoration. Its philosophy is that good design is not exclusionary; it is participatory and collaborative.
While taking into account the individual tastes of each client, Buyuk blends classic and contemporary forms to create each space.
The firm´s clients range from first-time home buyers to executives with multiple residences. Projects include residences in Boston, as well as homes throughout greater New England.
Buyuk´s work appeared in the Boston Globe in February 2012. It has also been featured in Boston Homes and Children´s News.
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Home Interior Lighting: Techniques of The Pros
With these home interior lighting techniques, you'll be able to create an optimal home lighting plan.
Source: http://www.interiordesigndetective.com/home-interior-lighting.html
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