But what does it cost?

Last year I met super cute blogger and designer, Lauren Liess, from Pure Style Home at the Design Bloggers' conference in LA. One of my favorite posts is her article Reality Check on what it actually costs to furnish a room. I thought I'd go through a similar exercise.

This week we will look at furnishing a standard living room complete with a sofa, two chairs, an entertainment center, curtains, and all accessories. I am assuming you have had a fire and need to replace everything!  Most of my clients come in with some items to re-purpose, and I design with a mix of price points to reach their budget numbers.  Creating a realistic budget is one of the first steps towards a successful design.

With so many design choices available, how much does it all cost? Look for my next few posts on Low, Medium, and High End design.

Ikea

Pottery Barn


 

 Restoration Hardware

Custom Design

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Window Primer

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If you've ever contemplated a remodel, you know it is all about the windows. Not only do they need to fit your home architecturally, they must function!

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They are a key player in energy usage, air quality, and light control. And did I mention they can be one of the most expensive components?

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The chart below shows all the types of windows. They each have different functions and work with different styles of homes.

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Fixed: Cannot be opened.  They are a good way to save money in certain places in your home.

Double Hung: These have two panels that slide up and down past each other. They are the traditional choice for east coast style homes.

Sliding: Usually seen in motel bathrooms, but starting to show up in modern home.

Casement: These pivot out either with a crank hinge or just a push. They are the easiest to operate.

Awning: Similar to a casement but they hinge at the top. These are often used for higher windows in kitchens and bathrooms.

Art: Heather Knight

We had a lovely dinner at Prospect in the city the other night. In their beautiful lounge I ran into the work of an Etsy artist I bookmarked years ago. Look past the meeting of 'texters anonymous' to the ceramic tiles on the wall.

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If you have ever been tide-pooling, Heather Knight creates tiles that reflect all the textures of the sea.

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A couple of these might find their way into my master bath. I love art in a bathroom, but the moisture can cause problems. This is perfect, tranquil art for a damp space.

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Art for All - Pet Portraits

 My father loves his dog. He loves his kids and his grandkids, but he LOVES his dog. For his birthday I am getting him a custom portrait of 'Daisy.' I found dogartstudio on Etsy.

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You have pictures of the kids up on the wall. But is there a spot for Spot? Here is affordable art that celebrates our most faithful friends. Several of the artists offer custom portraits.

Westie on a Mission, Georgia Fiennes

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Wheaten, Ursula Dodge

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Yellow Brick Road

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Just Eleanor

Entertaining Thoughts - The Kings' Cake

January brings Epiphany, the feast of the three kings. We are not French, nor did I grow up celebrating this holiday. But for me, it wraps up the Christmas season. And only then do we take down the tree! 
There are many versions of the this traditional cake. (Permit me to digress into food nerdiness for a moment.)  The 'Galette des Rois' originated in northern France and is an almond and puff pastry tart. In Southern France they made a brioche and candied fruit 'Gateau des Rois.'  This is similar to the New Orleans version (see below.) I prefer to serve the traditional Galette des Rois as the almond filling is so creamy and delicious. And yes, because puff pastry is so much easier than a yeast dough! Here is a beautiful recipe that works for me every year.

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Galette des Rois (adapted from food network)

Ingredients

• 1 or 2 packages (17.3-ounce) store bought puff pastry sheets, if frozen thaw in refrigerator

Frangipane (enough for two cakes)

• 1 cup soft butter
• 1 cup ground blanched almonds
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 pinch salt
• Egg yolk mixed with 1 tablespoon water
• 1 large dried bean

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. With an electric beater, mix all the ingredients for the frangipane cream just until blended. On a slightly floured cold surface, cut 2 circles the size of dinner plates out of the puff pastry. Put one of them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush one inch around the edge of the circle with egg wash. Spread half of the frangipane cream on the center. Place one dried bean halfway towards the edge and place the second circle on top matching the edges of the circles. Press all around the edges to glue them together. Press softly in the center to evenly spread the filling. If making 2 galettes use remaining cream and follow the same method for preparation.

Decorate the galette with a fork, press edges together all around-no pricking. With the point of a knife, make any kind of design being careful not to go all the way through the puff pastry. Brush the surface with egg wash being careful no to get any on the sides.

Bake the galette in the center of a preheated 450 degree oven for 15 minutes then 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

For the tradition of Epiphany, the one who discovers the bean is made the king or queen of the day and in our house is exempt from evening chores!

If you are from New Orleans you celebrate with a king cake decorated in traditional Mardi Gras colors of gold, purple, and green. I find the yeast dough a bit more intimidating than the pre-made puff pastry!

 

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This year I was inspired by John Besh's book My New Orleans  

I will be making his chicken and sausage gumbo to go with the cake. If it works, I'll post the recipe!!

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Metal Countertops

We've all seen enough Carrera marble in kitchens to keep Michaelangelo supplied for eternity. (Admission: I still love it!)  But it is time to look towards the new and the bold. And I'm talking metal. On the plus side it is non porous, heat proof, and hygienic. On the minus, it can dent, stain, and scratch. This is also known as 'patina.'

Let's start with Stainless Steel. You might think of this for an industrial or modern look.

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Does it bring memories of your high school science lab? Think again.

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This material is equally at home with the farmhouse look. It almost makes me want to arrange flowers! (Except that is not a design skill I own. Further posts to follow as I explore this lack in my design character.)

Let's combine farmhouse and industrial. Are you interested?

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Moving on to Copper.  With finishes that included hammered, distressed, flamed, patinated, and smooth, this metal brings warmth and shine to a kitchen. Again, we are looking at traditional and modern applications.

Brookswood

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Zinc is the new darling of the design world. It is not as blue cold as stainless steel and it will develop a patina. This well published kitchen from a San Francisco showhouse knocked people's socks off with it's night/day, light/dark design. And what was anchoring it? Zinc.

The modern is beautiful, but the traditional is so unexpected. Enjoy these last two beauties. And check out Home Style Choices for an explanation of all the pros and cons of metal countertops.

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Fall Entrances

After a glorious October, it finally feels like fall in the Bay Area. I have put away Halloween, but the pumpkins are still here. How does your front door welcome you home? Here are a few pots and ideas.

The black pot really grounds this fall arrangement. You can plant the ornamental cabbages and just add fall berries as color.

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Another great black urn, this time with hydrangeas. Just plop the 
pumpkin on top!

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Are your hydrangeas dead? Then use what you have. Fall leaves 
create this amazing arrangement. (Again, the recycled pumpkin!)

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Terra Cotta pots filled with ornamental grasses

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If where you live plants are dying. (or if you are skilled at plant 
annihilation like myself) the twigs are always a good choice. 
Their structure and color can make a simple and elegant front door.

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Fall does not always mean orange! A single color statement provides 
wow. The white pumpkins underneath brighten the pot.

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I know. I should have called this post 'The Black Urn.' They do make 
create a fantastic shape and base for just about any planting. 
Happy fall!

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