Still Crushing Hard

on Suzanne Kasler. I know I'm not alone in this, since loving her is as unique as saying I think George Clooney is the bee's knees. But, I am what I am, and what I know is that her rooms make me want to crawl right in to that photo. A friend lent me her copy of "Inspired Interiors" and after I promised not to let anything spill on it, I've been pouring through the pages.

What makes me love her is the restraint with colors and how conscious every decision of her's is -- It really feels like every piece is there for a reason, while still being traditional and warm and refined. None of that "don't you want to curl up on this 2x4 and watch a movie" thing, because I'm convinced people really don't LIVE in some of those rooms we see in the contemporary magazines. I'm all for layered rooms (it's usually what I live and breathe by), but the restraint that Kasler has is like a big sigh of "ahhhhh".

Those stairs just make me want to cry, they are so gorgeous.

Seriously. Beautiful. Kitchen.

I've got a thing for bookcases and these are the design equivalent of the aforementioned George Clooney on Oscar Night (Sans Italian girl with the armband tattoo)

I mean really, that sofa and seating area combined with the bed is out of this world.

*All photos courtesy of Inspired Interiors, Suzanne Kasler, (c) 2009

Sunday Soup

I love to make a hearty chili, soup or pasta on Sundays in the Fall. It's become a weekend ritual of mine. Plus the leftovers mean I don't have to think about dinner one night during the week. As I was going through recipes this morning I stumbled across this recipe from Everyday with Rachael Ray that peaked my interest.

Creamy Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup -

Cooking stains and all

The "creamy" hooked me as I love anything cream based. Cream, salt, bread, cheese - those are the ingredients that get me every time. The only ingredient that was missing was pasta... but it would be a good substitute to the wild rice. Maybe next time.

I'm not a huge Rachael Ray fan, but this recipe was so easy and delicious I thought I'd share it.

Creamy Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup

-----------------------------------

Serves 6

Prep - 20 minutes (plus soaking)

Cook - 35 minutes

-----------------------------------

1 ounce dried mushrooms any variety ( I used shitake)

6 cups chicken broth

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

6 carrots, coarsely chopped

1 onion, coarsely chopped

2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage

Salt and pepper

One 6 ounce box long grain and wild rice mix (I added some of the seasoning from a chicken flavored one)

3/4 pound white mushrooms, sliced

1 skinless, boneless chicken breast (I used a roasted chicken from Costco)

1/2 cup heavy cream

1. Using a food processor, soak the dried mushrooms in 1 cup of chicken broth for 10 minutes. Process until coarsely chopped.

2. In large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heart. Add the carrots, onion and sage and cook, stirring, until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add the rehydrated mushroom mixture and cook for about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Stir in the remaining 5 cups of broth, the rice mix and the sliced mushrooms and bring to a boil. I added the already cooked chicken and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. (But if you want you can add a piece of chicken and let it cook for about 25 minutes, remove it and shred it and then return it to the pot.) Stir in the heavy cream; season with salt and pepper and simmer for about 5 minutes.

That's it. So simple, hearty and delicious.

Simmering

Served up and ready to eat with a big crusty piece of bread and a salad.

Great, easy meal. It will reduce down so you may need to add a little more chicken broth but otherwise it's fail proof. Maybe I'll try Rachael Ray again sometime.

Hope you had a great weekend.

Spotted: Paul Villinski & Beer Can Butterflys

My sister called me after Monday's episode of Gossip Girl raving about the new bedroom that (most likely) Christina Tonkin created for Serena's new college bedroom (let's look over the obvious fact that this is NO college bedroom) and instead I want to bask in all that is wheat colored grasscloth, wainscotting, upholstered green and white fabric bedframes and the most noticeable thing... art by Paul Villinski, commissioned for Gossip Girl

Please excuse the TERRIBLE iphone shot of the TV on "pause." It kills me because it's not even the best view of the installation, but that damn DVR refused to stop on the best millisecond of screen time and the episode is not available, nor are any pictures on google -- it also kills me that the walls read as pink, because they are the most wonderful, inviting wheaty-gold.

When I first saw this particular piece, I was reminded of the artist Andy Goldsworthy. If you're familiar with his work, he uses materials in nature to create a pattern like this from found and natural objects. A few examples are below, but really, photographs are all that a person could take home because it's all temporary and created in the environment.


So when Villinski's artwork was shown on GG, I was totally bananas for something that uses this design on a wall and is 3-dimensional. I think artwork in residential homes is so predictable sometimes, but something like this, it's amazing. Seeing his portfolio, it's pretty incredible what he does with (drumroll) aluminum cans. Yup, he makes every one of these butterflys from our old D-coke cans, using some metal snips and a lot of filing.

Wouldn't this be amazing in a child's bedroom?

This one above is actually made from vinyl records

A similar application as to Gossip Girl, but the difference between how the two rooms read is amazing: one comes off as potentially a little cold, whereas GG's was totally warm and chic.

So there it is. My mind is already spinning as to how I could do something similar in a room, potentially on wood panel for portability. Of course it's not Paul Villinski, but then again, I'm no Serena Vanderwoodsen, maybe someday, right?

p.s. I'm going to keep a lookout for photos of the bedroom from Episode 3, season 4 and update this post in the future if something turns up. I'll keep you posted.

Fall Weekend

It feels like Fall here in the Pacific Northwest. I love Fall. Don't get me wrong, I love Summer and this year I'm sad to see it go. Actually it never really came but that's another post. Fall is the time for me to organize the house, watch football and movies with the boys, and start my cooking marathon. I love to cook in the Fall. Maybe it has to do with the ritual of drinking a glass of red wine while I cook. Regardless, I love to make hearty fall and winter foods. Butter, salt and cheese are my middle name. Bottom line is I love to hunker down and hang out without feeling guilty that I should be outside.

What better place to do nothing and escape your everyday chores than a weekend getaway or 2nd home. Since I don't have a 2nd home so I thought I'd create my own mountain hideaway. I can smell the stew and the crackle of the fire (over the wrestling of the kids )

My dream mountain escape vehicle. These are a classic. Wish our Michigan friends still made them.

Home sweet home

Designer - Susan Tully

Dreamy mountain living room for when I need a serene moment...

But, being a Gemini, that mood can change in a instant and I'd want a more vibrant living room.

Designer - Ray Booth

Dream rustic, modern kitchen

Designer - Tom Shearer

Designer - Meg Braff

The perfect place to relax after a long day of snowshoeing or cooking. Not to pretty for my husband or the house.

Designer - Phoebe Howard

Bedroom for the boys. Yes, I would really make them sleep here. I want my boys rooms to be designed for me - not for them. Sorry boys.

I'd wrap up each night with friends and family at this magnificent outdoor fireplace.

Here's to dreaming.

Surprised

So, last night was the first reveal of the Oval Office that was redecorated by famed interior designer Michael S. Smith. I have always admired Michael Smith for his warm, layered yet understated rooms. He has created a name for himself by creating homes that feel lived in and warm but not decorated straight from the showroom. I couldn't wait to see what he did for the Obamas.

Here's the oval office before the redecoration.

And after...

I have to same I'm underwhelmed. I'm the first to admit that I love a neutral palette. I've never been one to turn away a creamy caramel or taupe as the basis for the large pieces of furniture. But, I'm so surprised that there isn't any pop of color or his signature layered fabrics. Did the Obama's worry that the oval office would look too ethnic and therefore pulled Michael back? This room is crying for some pillows at the very least to infuse some personality. Or even some more texture. The start of the room is there but it just doesn't look finished.

I want this room to show some optimism and some fun. Right now it looks like the Bush's are still in the white house. Not the Obamas with their love of fashion (okay Michelle's love of fashion - Barack not so much), culture and the arts. This room is just too uptight for this young family.

Michael, please tell me you aren't finished... I want to see some of your fabulous signature Indian prints and florals.

A Reminder of Beauty

While looking through 100 Layer Cake's blog today I was struck by how beautiful the simplest things can be. It's always been what I'm drawn to, but seeing it done so well makes the hairs on my arms stand up. Isn't it so inspiring to see something like this? Just when I start to get down on design, or feel like no one is getting it, or me, I see beautiful cakes that I just want to put on my coffee table they are so pretty.

The cakes are from Magpie's Cakes in Washington, D.C.

Thank you Veranda

Okay, so I know this house by Melanie Turner has been out in the blogger sphere for awhile now but I can't help posting on it.

Dara, thank you for publishing this gorgeous house! I can't wait to see what's next for Veranda. This gives me high hopes.

Love, love, love the neutral warm palette with pops of yellow.

Hello gorgeous floors. What's for dinner?

So pretty, I had to show another angle.

This kitchen is beyond. It will never go out of style with it's clean lines. Again, love the continuity with the pops of yellow.

Hello hallways. Love that she used different wainscoting treatments throughout the house. Some are casual and beachy while others are more formal.

Simple and relaxing master bedroom. I was expecting a little more pomp - but I love that she did the opposite of what I expected.

The daughters bedroom. The blue and green combination is so fresh. I'd love to add this green to my pale blue bedroom. This bedroom is dreamy - feminine yet tailored. Honey, what do you think?

The family room off the casual eating area and porch. This is one of my favorite rooms because of the color and energy. The Pottery Barn rug is fabulous. Wouldn't see any spills on that rug in my house. They'd be there, you just wouldn't see them!

Casual dining room. So serene. Perfect for my crazy boys!

Porch. Need I say more?

Lovely. Thanks again for pulling this off the shelf Veranda.