Supernatural Botanicals

Whether you want to double your living space, replace a heating system or make simple cosmetic changes, if you love your house’s architectural details then read this book before starting your project. The editor of Old-House Journal teams with an award-winning preservationist for fabulous period residences that have old-world character but still function as family homes. After all, that 60-year-old plumbing has to do more than just look charming. “Richly illustrated with color photos, plans, and drawings”

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 Can it, bottle it, smoke it : and other kitchen projects

“The eagerly anticipated follow-up to Jam It, Pickle It, Cure It offers more ideas for adventurous culinary DIYers to stock the larder with artisan food and drink, kitchen staples, tasty snacks, and gift-worthy eats. Want to make your own Plum Catsup (can it!), Strawberry Black Pepper Soda (bottle it!), and Chipotles in adobo (smoke it!)? Join food writer Karen Solomon in the culinary revolution that has changed the way people think about the boxed and jarred food on the grocery shelf, by trying these recipes and techniques for making homemade jams, relishes, pickles, bagels, popsicles, muesli, chips, pastrami, smoked nuts, sauces, syrups, and much more. Perfect for people who want to eat organic, local, and sustainable without giving up favorites like pretzels and sodas, this book will have weekend warriors whipping up mouthwatering foodstuffs for their pantries –and their friends–in no time”–

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A perfectly kept house is the sign of a misspent life : how to live creatively with collections, clutter, work, kids, pets, art, etc.– and stop worrying about everything being perfectly in its place

June 6, 2011

Carter, Mary Randolph.

New York : Rizzoli International Publications : Distributed by Random House, 2010.

“How to make your house a home filled with comfort, ambience, informality, personality, and a welcoming spirit– while living beautifully with all the things you love”.  For all those who choose to live with the messy things they love, this book shows how to do so creatively, happily, and with considerable style ideas. If you have been influenced by the art- and book-filled house of Vanessa Bell, this unique style book will stimulate you with its creative ideas. This volume explores how real-life tastemakers (photographers, textile designers, fashion designers, writers, artists) integrate their life and interiors to live well with their passions, histories, conveniences, and inconveniences. Combining practical tips with liberating philosophy: “Don’t scrub the soul out of your home”; “Make room for what you love” this volume celebrates living beautifully and happily, not messily. Lavishly illustrated with intimate photographs.

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 Italian cooking : at home with the Culinary Institute of America

June 13, 2011

Scappin, Gianni.

Hoboken, N.J. : Wiley, c2011.

Authentic, amazing Italian cooking made easyThis sumptuously photographed guide to cooking all things Italian in the home kitchen will win over both beginning and experienced cooks with authentic and inventive recipes and step-by-step guidance from the experts at the CIA. Covering a variety of dishes from snacks, pickles, and preserves to pasta, meat, fish, and dessert, Italian Cooking is the perfect primer for fresh and flavorful Italian cuisine. With rustic focaccias, long-simmered soups, and entrÉes with aromatic herbs, these vivid recipes are irresistible. Wine suggestions and mouthwatering photographs accompany the recipes. Includes more than 150 fantastic, approachable Italian recipes Covers chapters on Gli Spuntini (Snacks and Little Bites), I Crudi (Raw Dishes), Le Minestre (Soupe), La Pasta Secca (Dry Pasta), La Sfoglia (Fresh Pasta), I Pesci (Fish), Le Carni (Meat), and more Features tantalizing photos by Francesco Tonelli that illustrate cooking techniques and provide plenty of inspiration for the home cook Italian Cooking offers a grand tour through Italian cuisine, covering regional cuisines, wines, and histories along the way.

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Jamie Durie’s the outdoor room

June 22, 2011

Durie, Jamie.

New York, NY : Harper Design, c2011.

Taking readers behind the first season of the HGTV show “Outdoor Room with Jamie Durie,” this edition reveals the secrets behind Durie’s creations and how his signature methods can help anyone create a beautiful outdoor room, no matter the size of the space.

Ensure that bedside lamps are the correct height with this little trick: When you’re sitting in bed, the lampshade bottoms should be at eye level so light will shine on your reading material not in your eyes.

What could be better than winning the HGTV dream home?  Winning the HGTV Green home!  The HGTV 2010 Green home offers so many fantastic gems, like the mud room/recycling center (seriously..that room spoke to me!)  The third floor tower room would be the perfect place to blog from!  Love it.  Take the tour below, then enter to win it at HGTV.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6RmCVQXS3w

Look of the day:  Gorgeous Black and White on Tan.  Clean, classic, simplified, and stylish.  This look courtesy of HGTV’s Rate My Space.  If you adore interior design (it’s practically part of my DNA code), then you’ll love Rate My Space.  Budding designers everywhere with great ideas.  

HGTV’s Dream Home is in New Mexico this year and it’s absolutely gorgeous from top to bottom.  Linda Woodrum, the home’s interior designer, must have had great fun decorating this home, pulling inspiration from Sante Fe decor.   The tile work in the kitchen is mind-blowing .  To me, the style feels sexy-urban with a twist of Santa Fe.  It really works.  There are five days left to enter the Dream Home giveaway.  Enter at www.HGTV.com.   Take a look inside.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYcUG-jZWv8

There’s no doubt that that many of us are channeling our “inner designer” , and at HGTV.com, these designers are showcasing their skills, some of which are simply brilliant.  My favorite backyard makeover of the day is submitted by Sir Chandelier on Rate My Space.  He created this absolutely stunning backyard makeover.  I see French outdoor bistro when I look at this.  The colors are perfection.  The stripped black and white awnings are gorgeous!  The furniture is elegant.  The double-ended fireplace takes the cake.  It makes my head spin with new, creative ideas.  Gorgeous! 

When checking out design ideas, don’t forget to look into the Rate My Space files over at www.HGTV.com.  You’ll be amazed at how creative everyday people can really be with their interiors. 

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Another home office to love!  Take advantage of the niches, arches, and insets in your house.  Remove the doors off of a closet, and create an inset desk with great bookshelves (I did!)  Take advantage of existing alcoves, or have a carpenter build these for you.  It’s an easy project for a professional….questionable if it’s your husband doing the work.  Use your better judgment on that one depending on the husband.

Great idea to take advantage of every inch of space in your home.

HGTV was very smart by making their website (www.hgtv.com) interactive with viewers.  Rate My Space allows you to upload your own design to have the masses rate your space on a scale from one to five stars.

This is one of my recent favorites uploaded to the Rate My Space board.  I think eco-chic when I see this office.  Swoon!  It’s gorgeous!  This particular office belongs to a man, but you could easily add femininity to the room by changing out the the overhead light fixture and adding some fabric panel curtains to the windows.  However, the room easily appeals to both genders as it is.  Very eco-sexy!

Love interior design?  Check out Hooked On Houses blog.

Bamboo is all the rage in eco-chic accessorizing in interior design.  Cluster Bamboo in antique vases or jugs to create a natural “wall” in an open space.  Indoor plants and trees not only create organic focal points, but also cleans the air inside your home. 

In the background, a basket of organic green apples make a colorful, eco-friendly, and organic centerpiece. 

Design trends are all about eco-chic right now.   Rethink your design.  Get creative!