{Party}4th of July 2011

29 Wednesday Jun 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Outdoor living, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

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It’s hard for me to fathom that a year has slipped by since the last Independence Day celebration.

photo by Steven Randazzo

We’ve been celebrating with a group of dear friends for the past 5 or 6 years and it’s always fun and relatively easy since we collectively cook for the feast.

photo by Anastassio Mentis photo by Steven Randazzo

I thought I’d pass along one of my favorite recipes for summer…it’s easy and delicious and perfect for the 4^th. My friends, Linda and Gretchen introduced this recipe to me years ago and it never fails to please a crowd. Enjoy!

photo by Steven Randazzo

CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH BEANS

1 15-oz can garbanzo beans (drained)

1 15-oz can kidney beans (drained)

1 15-oz can lima beans (drained)

1 15-oz can barbecue beans (don’t drain)

8 slices bacon

1 medium onion (diced)

1 cup brown sugar

2/3 cup ketchup

1 Tbl Worcestershire sauce

8-10 oz. cheddar (cut into small cubes)

Parmesan cheese for garnish (Kraft brand works best for this)

Microwave the bacon until crisp and reserve 2 Tbl. of the drippings. Crumble the bacon and set aside. Saute the onion in the bacon drippings until translucent. Combine onions, bacon, cheddar cheese cubes and beans together in a large bowl and stir until well blended. Combine ketchup, brown sugar and Worcestershire to make a sauce and stir into bean mixture. Pour entire mixture into a 13” x 9” pyrex dish, sprinkle with the parmesan cheese, and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Bon appetit!

{Garden}Kooboo chairs and other backyard delights

27 Monday Jun 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Gardening, Gardens, Outdoor living

≈ 12 Comments

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backyard, Kooboo chairs

Please note…I inadvertently published this story when it was not complete. Please excuse the missing pictures from the post on Friday. It’s intended publish date was Monday, complete with pictures. Sorry.

I first read about the Kooboo chair at one of my ‘must read’ blogs, Cote de Texas. Joni had written about them after making her purchase of the more expensive sister chair from Pottery Barn and then buying the Kooboo from Cost Plus World Market. HERE is her latest post about the chairs.

Isn’t this a wonderful outdoor dining space? These are the lovely Kooboo chairs (above). Love the stone pillars and stone table. A lantern over the table is so pretty!

I had mentioned the “need” for new patio dining chairs HERE and HERE and it wasn’t until this year we could actually afford to buy all 6.

The furniture has grayed nicely…the wood chairs look innocent don’t they, well cue the “Jaws” music and be ready to be swallowed by them if you attempted to scoot your chair up to the table!

As you probably know, if you do one thing to your home or yard, sometimes it creates the need for more projects in a given space. Such is the case with our back yard. Here are some of the improvements I’ve made this spring with more to come later.

Ta-da! These are the new chairs. I will eventually have the cushions recovered in a Sunbrella fabric. But for now the white cushions that came with the chairs work just fine and they are comfortable. We used them Saturday night and I’m happy to say that all agreed the chairs were comfortable.

The good news is that the “Jaws” chairs work well in a couple of other locations around the yard. No need to move these when they are acting as seating independent of a table (they are actually very comfortable). I love it when I can re-purpose something instead of eliminating it altogether.

I wanted to plant a bank of hydrangea in what I call my secret garden. I managed to get 3 good sized bushes planted. One is an Endless Summer hydrangea and seems to be putting the other two to shame. I’m hopeful that after a year of acclimating to their new home the 2 ‘homely pink sisters’ will begin to perform and I’ll have a wall of hydrangea growing by next spring.

Because we replaced the killer patio chairs with the Kooboo, we decided to get rid of a pair of Adirondack chairs (along with the foot stool and small table) on Craigslist. The Adirondack chairs were purchased for Hubby’s patio when he had a work assignment in Oakland and while they looked cute on his patio, they have never been very well suited to the corner of the yard we relegated them to. The killer patio chairs look much better don’t you think? I want to add some stone and pea gravel to enhance the area…soon.

Sold on Craigslist Sold on Craigslist

New to the garden…

We will ultimately add pea gravel and there will be a stone border. These “jaws” chairs are comfortable as long as you do not have to scoot them on concrete.

We had the trees in the back yard trimmed, professionally, and what a difference. There was an area of the yard that never saw sun due to the thick foliage. We now have dappled light and everything seems happier (or maybe that is just me!)

Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of the trees trimmed/sun shinning through to the ground after moving the “jaws” chairs to that location.

I’m trying my hand at growing clematis this year for the first time, wish me luck!

The side yard has been a challenge. I planted some camellia a few years back and they were on a snail’s pace as far as putting on height, which is what the wall needed. Well, while enjoying a birthday breakfast at my good friend Debbie’s house I noticed she had a bank of ‘ligustrum’ privets growing along her wall and they reached the top of the wall in a relatively short time. Being the compulsive person that I am I requested that my gardener duplicate this look for me. It will be a year or more before they reach the top but I believe they look better than what we had there before.

These will grown tall and cover the wall in green. So much better than a blank, white wall, don’t you think?

Burgandy ‘iceberg’ rose grows in the side yard and seems very happy.

There are still jobs to be done but hubby and I are pleased with the overall look so far and we’re especially thrilled that none of our dinner guests will end up with a broken limb due to the ridiculously heavy, killer chairs.

Meanwhile, we continue to work on parts of the garden that could use some attention…under the watchful eye of Madison…

We look forward to lots of dining outdoors, if the weather warms just a bit. *I sound like we live in Alaska, seriously, this spring and summer are some of the coolest I can recall and I’m a native born California gal! We’re still enjoying summer and truth be told, I prefer cooler weathers.

How is your garden growing? Do you entertain outdoors much? I’d love to hear from you.

Designer: Ellen O’Neill

24 Friday Jun 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, Designer

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Ellen O'Neill

Does this ever happen to you? You see a home featured in a magazine and it immediately appeals to you. You just know you’d enjoy living in a space designed just like it. Okay, maybe you wouldn’t want to live in the geographical area the home is located in, but you feel a kindred spirit with the designer because the home holds such appeal for you.

That happens to me all the time and while the ‘favorite homes’ file is thick, the feeling is the same. The furnishings, accessories and details in the design are just the way you like them. This happened to me (again) with Ellen O’ Neill, one of interior design’s Leading Style Makers, leading lady at New York’s St. Regis Hotel, and the woman behind Ralph Lauren. House Beautiful featured her Bridgehampton, NY country house and later did a piece on her studio apartment located in Gramercy Park, NY last year and it was love at first site.

Ellen O’Neill’s country house was featured a couple of years ago by House Beautiful. The charming home is located in Bridghampton, New York features a country red and white decor and exudes such an inviting atmosphere. One can rent the home HERE. ln her interview with Christine Pittel Ms. O’Neill explained that the red and white theme resulted in an old metal factory table with peeling red paint she found at a Paris flea market. She built the color theme around that. The designer believes that things that are weather-worn give a room character. It’s that philosophy that resonates with anyone that delights in flea market finds and antiques.

Her interview by Carol Prisant was entertaining and made her sound so well grounded. I know, I’m beginning to sound like one of the celebrity fans that feel like they are “friends” with their favorite celebrity. Guilty as charged, sometimes.

A doggie makes such a nice decorator item!

The faded stripes on the sofa only add to the charm of this space. This is a getaway house so it shouldn’t be too perfect.

All photos for the Bridgehampton house by John Kernick for House Beautiful

The toile and striped fabrics are inspired. Ms. O’Neill said she likes it to feel comfortable, not too precious for use!

Above images are “country mouse” abode, below are “city mouse”…

Ellen O’Neill told HB (Carol Prisant) that when she bought she was ready for a single room studio. She had purchased a home in the country and felt she only needed a small space in town. When she saw the ad that read, “One room with balcony overlooking Gramercy Park, fireplace, outstanding views, key to park,” she was sold. For those of you who didn’t know this (moi), Gramercy Park has its own private park, very much like the private parks in London. {Remember the scene in Notting Hill when Julia Roberts jumps the fence of a private park, with the reluctant Hugh Grant?} The area, built in 1830, is described as possibly the most gorgeous square in New York. One of my favorite parts of the interview with Prisant was when Ms. O’Neill explained that in preparation for the move to the studio apartment she weeded and pared down her inventory of belongings…she said that she lasted about 4 days in her new studio with her minimalist approach. She explained, “I felt so naket, it was almost like I didn’t have clothes on. I really needed my paper and things.” I totally relate, must have my stuff!

All photos for O’Neill’s studio apartment by Thomas Loof for House beautiful.

Ms. O’Neill says that her studio has actually slept 5 using some blow up beds. “There’s so much space that I can have a cat and dog living with me, and relatives staying over”.

This quote was one of the reasons I felt sure I’d like this designer, “I like a sense of humanity in a home. I’ve tried not to like stuff, but face it… I just like stuff.”

The bathroom…part of the tour

22 Wednesday Jun 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, Misc, Renovating

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bathroom

I saved this room for last on my dream-home tour because our sweet little cottage has 2 bathrooms and one is in desperate need of a renovation. Our master bathroom was remodeled in 2001, I can hardly believe it’s been nearly 10 years! The guest bath has had cosmetic changes throughout the years but nothing major has been done. Our renovation, when it happens, will be a simple face lift but we’ll take everything out that is currently within the space so the room should feel a little roomier than its miniscule 5’ x 8’ size once finished.

I might as well start with the largest dream bathroom in my files. I realize this is a little over the top for most homeowners but wouldn’t it be wonderful?!

I want to renovate our guest bathroom using white tile, white sink, tub and toilet and chrome hardware. I visualize a bathtub with wood paneling on the side, white Toto toilet and a white vanity with Kohler’s Ladena Undermount Lavatory (sink) and Kohler’s Double Handle faucet. I’d like to put in Carrera tiles on the floor and white subway tile up the walls to the ceiling in the bath/shower area. I want to install a new, QUIET fan and recessed lights. I will most probably install the new Oval Framed medicine cabinet from Pottery Barn and wall sconces on either side of the mirrored cabinet.

Pottery Barn’s Classic Single Sink Console (or something like it)

Kohler’s Ladena Undermount Sink

Kohler’s Double Handle Faucet

The wood panel on the front side of the bathtub is what I hope to duplicate in our guest bathroom.

I may try to incorporate a built in-the-wall shelf like this…a real space saver.

Pottery Barn’s Lattice Oval Medicine Cabinet (don’t you love this medicine cabinet…it looks like an antique mirror while serving as a medicine cabinet as well).

Pottery Barn wall sconce. The subway tile behind the sconce is what I have in mind for the area above the tub.

You get the jest of what I’m wanting, right?

So come along to see some of the larger, more spectacular bathrooms I dream of, but know that our guest bathroom will be a simple cottage loo when remodeled.

For one of the most spectacular bathrooms I’ve seen in a very long time visit for the love of a house HERE.

This picture of Susan Tully design has been in my file for quite awhile.

Love this toile and love the use of what appears to be a tiny space.

So what do you think? Any suggestions, comments, ideas? …they would be most appreciated. 🙂

Karen

The naturalist…continued

20 Monday Jun 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, Designer, Gardens

≈ 2 Comments

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natural elements

I was wandering around the web this morning in search of inspiration…no surprise, I get some of my best ideas from blog/web sites that share an image or a theory on design. That often triggers an idea and gets my creative juices flowing.

Sea glass colored jars and starfish, a natural for summer. I love the old wood shelf.

A few weeks ago I blogged {HERE} about designers that bring a “naturalist” flavor to their room designs. Rose Tarlow and Tricia Foley are favorites of mine.

The net covered glass buoys are collectibles and so pretty on display with coral and pencil starfish.

So it was with some delight and surprise when I visited the Better Homes and Gardens Decorating site that arrives in my email box a few times a month and discovered their feature on the very topic of decorating with natural elements. Coincidence? No doubt. Still, I found images, courtesy of BHG, that might inspire you to use some of the abundant natural elements in and around your yard to create a wonderful summer mood for your home.

Natural items can be simple plant cuttings. Think outside the box, sometimes seed pods and branches with little foliage make for an interesting and attractive display.

You don’t have to have a house on the beach to appreciate the beauty of natural sea grass (which has been framed here) and when coupled with a book open to a page on starfish, the vignette is complete and wonderful.

This is truly natural…a piece of a tree trunk for the vanity top and what would appear to be the remains of a vine growing on the wall of the bathroom. Perfect for the lodge or cabin. The vine remnants remind me of Rose Tarlow’s room in my previous blog.

I really like the simplicity of a single stem of greenery in an assortment of bottles…various shapes, colors and sizes make this a study in still life. I’ve seen this used on tables set for dinner and it always looks so lovely and has a very calming effect. I believe that is what appeals to me.

Placement of a couple of smooth river stones and a small vase of fern, how simple and still so artistic. The little tray on the larger try appears to have a shell and maybe a baby pine cone. It makes me wonder what the story behind these little finds might be. A nature walk with someone, a discovery while on vacation. It’s personal touches that make our homes interesting and enjoyable.

A grouping of pressed plant material can be impressive and in this neutral palate, the lime green colored plant stands out.

The stone fireplace, natural wood vase and branches and a sisal rug are a trinity of natural beauty.

I love the pendant lights, the Windsor chairs and the antique pitch fork on the wall…very country, very pretty.

This display made me think of a summer project with a child…collecting and placing items in interesting jars could be fun.

Put a birds nest on any table or hutch and instantly I think of spring/summer.

I’m thrilled to see the re-emergence of the antique cloche and various table top green house displays I’m seeing in so many of the design books and blogs.

Do you dress your home for spring and summer? What items do you pull out for the season and then put away for fall/winter?

xxx

What Makes a Dad

17 Friday Jun 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Family, Traditions

≈ 2 Comments

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Father's Day

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagle’s flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so,

He called it…Dad

-Anonymous

I wish all fathers, young and old, a very Happy Father’s Day! I am grateful for the wonderful father my Hubby proved to be and I know Son #1 (and one day, Son #2) will follow his lead.

The Man of the House

15 Wednesday Jun 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Decorating

≈ 2 Comments

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club/lodge style

With Father’s Day come thoughts of men and boys and the rooms they live in.

Captain Frederick Gustavus Burnaby, Tissot

I thought that since Father’s day is this Sunday I’d feature some rooms that I’ve saved in my files, rooms that have what I consider (in my humble opinion) a masculine vibe.

So pack your bags…and hop in the car…

I lean towards the look of what is so often, in the design world, referred to as club or lodge look. I also associate those two words with a masculine leaning. I confess the club look I lean towards makes me think of an imagined London men’s club complete with dark oak, raised panel walls, over-sized club chairs and/or wing back chairs and lots of leather, paisley, plaid and tweed, and campaign furniture.

Image via Slim Paley

My very first visit to London Hubby and I visited Harrods where there used to be a little dining place called the Trafalgar bar…it was a spot for shoppers (probably the men who accompanied their wives) who wanted to sip a pint and enjoy a tea sandwich.

Image via Domino

It was furnished with high-back wing back chairs that were upholstered in a wool flannel plaid fabric and there were dark oak round tables with dark oak paneled walls. I loved it. We were there in March and the room felt warm and cozy.

Image via Elle Decor

It was probably just after that vacation that I felt I had a clear idea of how I wanted our home to be furnished. I’ve stayed pretty true to that vision for the most part.

I realize that a lot of the images I’ve included are bathrooms. I guess that’s because our guest bath is in need of a renovation and that has been on my mind during my search. 🙂

What could be more manly than an explorer and a map?

Wouldn’t it be great to have a bathroom large enough to have a comfy leather chair to rest in?

Image via Slim Paley

Image via tumblr

I could imagine a man enjoying cooking in this kitchen!

Image via Vignette Designs

All you guys out there, have a wonderful week! We’ll keep you in our thoughts when we design…maybe.

Gift ideas for the man of the house

13 Monday Jun 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Personal Information, Traditions

≈ 4 Comments

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Father's Day

Father’s Day is this Sunday and I was thinking it would be fun to shop. Where, you ask?…the World Wide Web, of course.

There’s something so masculine about a crest, isn’t there? (I apologize for becoming side tracked so early in my post)

Be advised, the following gift ideas are items that may tend more towards what I wish Hubby would ask for, as opposed to what he actually wants although there are a few things contained herein that I’m sure he’d like (even if they are out of our price range).

Unlike most women, I don’t think men remember to upgrade or replace their travel bag…isn’t there a formal name for these. I call it a make-up bag but not in front of Hubby.

Hubby already has the pocket briefcase and the cards but he enjoys using them so much I thought it would be helpful to others to know what a great gift this is for the man who likes lists. {Source}

This little desk clock is totally out of my price range but if you can afford it for the man in your life I’d bet he’d think it was pretty cool…or is Cartier a woman’s passion?

If your man loves his Starbucks, so much that he spends $20 or more a week on those Grande Lattes, I highly recommend an espresso maker. I know they are expensive but they sure make a great latte and amortized over 1 year they pay for themselves—if you’re a Starbuck’s / Peet’s latte frequent-drinker.

Okay, maybe Hermes is out of my price range as well as the Cartier clock, but this particular throw looks so soft and I just love the colors and it seems to be more masculine than some throws…is that justification enough?

On to more practical, and affordable items…these RayBan’s are a classic favorite.

There’s nothing like a gift with a history…William Penhaligon, founder of the English perfume house in 1860 was Court Barber and Perfumer to Queen Victoria…the Duke of Malborough {and my hubby} wore Blenneim Buoguet (the fragrance above).

Now I realize that Sperry red canvas shoes may seem like a lousy gift, but I happen to know Hubby would like a pair…shhh, don’t tell him I’ve gotten him a pair!

xxx

Bedrooms…the tour continues

10 Friday Jun 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating

≈ 5 Comments

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bedrooms

Tour of room #5, the bedrooms, of my “dream” house. Most of the images posted are rooms that I’ve admired and thought that IF we ever moved or built (which is highly unlikely) I would do this (fill in the blank with whatever great design idea I have observed).

I like our bed and bed linens but I would like to change the paint color in this room. It is currently painted a Martha Stewart “Tea” and it’s a little more green than I would like.

Close-up of left side of the bed.

Close up of right side. (Note to self, hide the lamp cord better).

This is the dresser/TV area of the room. As you can tell it’s a pretty small room, but we mostly just sleep here so it works.

In our house the master bedroom is the first room off the entry. I have thought this an advantage most of the time…as a light sleeper I could hear our boys come in during their teen years and knew if they had honored their curfew or not!

Board and batten walls, what’s not to love? (Image via House Beautiful)

I like the size of this room and the mix of periwinkle and apple green are very pretty.

I love the beams in this room. I also like the toile wallpaper but I know Hubby would draw the line there.

One of our 3 bedrooms serves as an office and the remaining bedroom is our guest room.

This conveys the current “feel” of our study, very masculine since Hubby spends weekdays there. (Image via Nate Berkus)

This is all I would need (space wise) in the study.

Back to comfy beds that guarantee sleep, right?

Love the painted floors and the old, chippy wicker hamper and the red and white.

Very nice. Sunny yellow paired with soothing blue, I feel relaxed already.

I hope to one day make room in the office for a day bed so that little Olivia (grand daughter #1) will have her very own bed when she visits grandma and grandpa.

Image via Content in a Cottage

This (above) youngsters’ room is very clever. Space saving too! Maybe this would be doable on one wall of our study.

Another built-in bed for some lucky child. (via)

I love the mountain feel to this room. (Image via House Beautiful)

http://brookegiannetti.typepad.com/velvet_and_linen/2010/07/our-bedroom-a-small-redo.html/

I love the ceiling in this room but more than that I love the bookcase. I could see swing arm lamps mounted inside the headboard area. It’s a very cool idea, don’t you think?

Wood paneled walls are always cozy but the push out windows above the bed seals the deal for me. Such a sun-filled room would certainly give anyone a good reason to wake up with a smile on their faces.

This is the beautiful, grown-up bedroom of the talented Brooke of Velvet and Linen. So very French!

I really like the neutral palate and the wood walls.

This would make a great teen room with the mantle for a headboard.

Is your bedroom inviting and a place where you can get the rest you need? Pleasant dreams.

How to keep fresh-cut flowers fresh

08 Wednesday Jun 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Flowers

≈ 6 Comments

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Fresh-cut flowers, how-to

One of my favorite, relatively small, decorative touches is displaying fresh cut flowers in as many rooms as I possibly can.

Image via Brabourne Farms

This time of year (in most of North America) it is particularly easy to obtain beautiful flowers either from the garden or from the market or both.

via

Last Friday afternoon, Trader Joe’s had huge bundles of stocks, grouped by color, for only $3.99.

We were having dinner guests so I purchased the white bundle and by pairing it with my iceberg roses, ended up with flowers in 3 different rooms. One of our guests gave me a bouquet of simple white mums and hot pink daisies (which may have been dyed) so I ended up with 4 sizable bouquets. They make me smile when I enter the room.

To keep them looking fresh and to avoid the murky, mossy, smelly water that can quickly develop in a vase I had to do the following…

1) Cut the stems of all flowers on a slant with a very sharp knife or sharp pruning shears. Remove all leaves and foliage that will be below the water line in the vase, this foliage can increase the bacteria in the water once they (leaves) start to rot due to being submersed.

2) Every day, if at all possible (every other day if you’re really busy) take the bouquet to the kitchen sink and rinse the stems and replace the *water. On the 3^rd or 4^th day clip the ends of the stems to give them a fresh start for drinking the water.

via

*I have read that there are several things you can add to the water to prolong the life of the floral arrangement…I’ve tried most of these steps and find that fresh water daily works as well and/or better than any one of these: a drop of dish washing liquid; an aspirin; a copper penny; a drop of bleach; a packet of the preservative most bouquets come with; or 7-up…(we sometimes have an ant issue and I never want to tempt them by filling my flower vases with a sweet beverage).

via

Once you begin to lose a few blossoms, take the bouquet to the sink (if you have more than one vase of flowers this will be even easier) and remove the dead stems, rearrange and combine flowers from other bouquets until you have a pleasing arrangement. Voila! You’ll be so happy!

via