Designer Notes

Designer's Notes

This kitchen contains many green elements: Aura Benjamin Moore paint, CaesarStone counters, Energy Star-rated appliances and reclaimed floors. A wall is removed separating the kitchen from the living dining area. This new open floor plan makes the area appear bigger and floods the space with natural light and good cross ventilation.

By installing brick facade to the large wall, the ordinary track home takes on an urban loft like feel. Using Low-E windows is a green way to avoid high energy costs for heating and cooling and prevents fading of your furniture.



Custom floor-to ceiling resin sliding doors with red metal strips ingrained in the resinprovide ample space for the closet. The red woven area rug and the strips in the sliding doors match the burnt orange wall in the stair hall beyond.



The state of the art kitchen for this gourmet cook owner features Poliform cabinetry throughout, stainless steel appliances and a back-painted glass backsplash that reflects the mood of the owner in the changeable LED light that shines on it.



The dark wenge backdrop to the bed incorporates a cove with a hidden LED lightstrip that can be adjusted according to mood. The simple bed is nestled between 2 floating nightstands. A red woven area rug over the natural wide-plank flooring defines the sleeping area.



The stone mass of the fireplace against the burnt orange wall, the dark wenge cabinetry against the natural wide plank floors and the simplicity of every move make for a powerful focal point in this Washington, DC apartment. The boulders are actually soft poufs for extra sitting.


Looking back from the living room towards the Game room, the striped backs of the lounge chairs themselves become a design feature. Light floods the space from all directions. On winter nights the fireplace becomes the gathering place for drinks and conversation.

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Thanksgiving Table Settings

Add a Touch of Glitz

For a sophisticated but not over-the-top look, balance the sparkle of metallics with natural elements, like fall branches or fresh fruit. Erinn's Tip: "Metallics add a great modern touch to a fall tablescape. Deep copper and bright bronze are a lovely additional to a traditional table. I prefer to bring in natural, textured elements like these seed-beaded placemats so the table doesn't get too glitzy."

Contrast Materials

A humble pinecone adds an organic touch to each place setting. Have fun with materials; contrast ceramic with glass, wood and gleaming metal. Forgo the old standby tablecloth and opt for glamorous, polished silver chargers and chocolate-brown linen napkins.

Bountiful Centerpiece

Set the stage for an unforgettable Thanksgiving feast with a centerpiece that exemplifies bounty. A ghost-white pumpkin, chunky pillar candles and metallic-painted gourds add sparkle.

Simple Sophistication

This place setting layers basic elements to achieve an extraordinary effect.A set of white plates is a great standard to have for your year-round table. You don't have to get something special out just for the season. It's all in the presentation — a crisp linen napkin folded into thirds and laid under a bronze glass plate topped with a miniature pear sets each guests' plate off with style for very little money, time or fuss.

 

Gleaming Glass Accents

Golds and ambers pair beautifully with the traditional browns and oranges of fall. Glass vases can be found very inexpensively in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes at your local housewares store. They're fantastic for adding a splash of luminescent color to the room. So go wild! Bring a bunch home, try them out and return what you don't use.

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Marvin Windows Lunch & Learn

Here’s some great information we heard today from AW Hastings representative, Joe Orsino, about Marvin:

Design flexibility and custom options:  Choose from seven interior wood species, nineteen clad colors, multiple glass and hardware options.  They also have limitless divided lite patterns.

Performance:  Marvin windows and doors resist the most extreme elements.  Each window is crafted with real wood throughout, and the exteriors feature extruded aluminum cladding, which is stronger than roll-form aluminum. 

Energy Efficiency:  All Marvin products meet or exceed federal ENERGY STAR® guidelines and a variety of energy-efficient glass options to meet any need.

Delivery details:  They pay attention to builders’ suggestions in packing and delivering their windows and doors.  For instance, doors are delivered with handles on the side, making it easy for builders to unload.  Another detail you will appreciate:  window hardware mechanisms come attached to the windows so they don’t get lost on site!

Green homes start with green home design.  Call Bonin Architects to see how we can help you design an energy efficient home that will reduce your heating and cooling costs!

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Fall Colors/Part 2 of 2

A Taste of Wine

Designer Shelly Riehl David uses a vibrant color palette in this hideaway bar tucked under an elaborate staircase. Yellow-green walls soften the deep brown cabinetry and pink-striped barstools. Hues of forest green and wine in the barstool fabric display a warm, seasonal flair.

Rich Browns

The chocolate-brown wall color adds a gorgeous contrast against the light-wood bookshelves and fireplace surround. Deep-red draperies and coordinating accessories of bright red add a playful pop of color to this traditional living room. Design by Judith Balis.

Rusted Walls

A sheer gold curtain adds instant warmth and privacy to the separated living and dining rooms. A traditional fall color palette of rust, gold, brown and tan make this Asian-inspired space comfortable and soothing. Design by Vanessa DeLeon.

Pumpkin and Asparagus

Designer Christopher Grubb uses an asparagus-green wall color to add to the eclectic feel of this grand living room. A separate, and warmer, conversation area uses hues of pumpkin orange and brown for a more comfortable and cozy color palette. Orange paisley pillows deliver a touch of contrasting color to the all-white sofas.

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Entertaining/Orange-Scented Mulled Wine

Orange-Scented Mulled Wine


Warm coriander and pungent cardamom―instead of the usual cinnamon―give this traditional spiced wine an earthy floral twist.
–Inspired by Megan Nordtvedt, Seattle

Ingredients


1 large orange
Seeds from 8 cardamom pods
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
3 tablespoons chopped crystallized ginger
8 to 9 tbsp. sugar, divided
2 bottles (750 ml. each) dry red wine
1/4 cup orange-flavored liqueur (optional)
Thin orange slices (optional)

Preparation

1. With a vegetable peeler, pare 8 thin strips zest (4 in. by 1/2 in.) from orange. Juice orange and reserve juice.

2. Wrap cardamom and coriander seeds and ginger in a piece of cheesecloth and tie with kitchen twine.

3. In a nonreactive saucepan, crush orange zest and 7 tbsp. sugar with a wooden spoon to release oils from zest. Add reserved orange juice, wine, and spice packet. Cover and bring to a simmer over high heat, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered, 30 minutes. Discard spice packet and orange zest.

4. To serve, heat wine, covered, over medium heat just until steaming. If you like, stir in liqueur and more sugar to taste. Ladle into heatproof glasses. Garnish with thin orange slices if you like.

This is a new segment for SID, I will feature an Entertainment section periodically to include appetisers, entres', and more.

We all love and enjoy food, we entertain in our homes to show off the ambiance to kick off football, and other sports. Pick a drink, or appetiser and create a theme party, i.e. with this drink I would add specialty cheeses/grapes and a country to celebrate such as Italy.

 I hope you enjoy watching for all of the new posts and recipes. Find Wine Glasses and Decanters at my store.



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Fall Colors/Part 1 of 2

Elegantly Bronze

RMS user KatieKirby transforms her dining room into an elegant, coastal retreat. By tying in bronze hues from the ceiling, wallpaper and draperies, she emits a calming, yet formal atmosphere. An orange and red floral centerpiece brings in familiar fall colors that pop within the room.

Cultural and Exotic

This formal entryway was given a cultural awakening and a splash of our favorite fall hues. The columns display a copper tone also reflected in the floor-to-ceiling draperies. A warm, red Venetian plaster surrounds the focal point of the room: a framed Indian textile. A soft golden wall color tones down the bold orange sofa and red room accessories.

Bold Additions

A soft, neutral color palette is given a refreshing and fall-inspired burst of color with hues of orange, copper and wine.

Comfortable and Chic

RMS user Delltoid opts for a comfortable, lounge living room with a warm, inviting color palette. Chocolate-brown furniture and accessories complement the large pumpkin-orange sofa and surrounding beige walls. An animal-print area rug pulls in the entire palette for a unique and funky twist.

Orange Tones

A fall-inspired orange accent color adds vibrancy to the tan walls and gray fireplace surround. Exotic patterns, colorful fabrics and sheer chocolate-brown draperies make this space elegant and visually appealing.

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Colorful Rooms/Part 2 of 2

This wall treatment  is clearly a labor of love. Painting stripes in several shades of pink and green and mixing them with black and white furniture and bedding is a beautiful combination that is all girl. We especially love the green leaves that extend color out into the room in an unexpected way.

Feel the sunshine in your home even when the weather is dreary. Just start with a neutral palette and bring in sunny warm colors as accents. Design by  DianaMync.

It's hard to believe this family room is located in a basement. A mix of patterned and solid carpet tiles adds warmth underfoot and creates a cozy color palette.

Orange can be a wonderful choice in a dining room. Chose a warm shade and pair it with rich wood and crisp white. The pop of blue from the artwork compliments the orange perfectly.

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