My decorating style is pretty eclectic. I find pieces I love, then I try to get them to play nice together, sort of like hosting a liberal/conservative neighborhood block party. Some styles are easier to blend than others–shaker is shy and unassuming, mid-century demands that you pay her attention, federal is a bit stuffy at…
Start with art. If you are going to jazz up a room, start with a focal point. A canvas, print or photograph in a central location is a good place to begin. If your favorite piece has been hanging in the same spot for a while, consider swapping it with something from another location or…
Now is the perfect time to design your garden and order or pick-up your seeds. My master gardener friends have alerted me that seed supplies for 2021 will be smaller than normal, and demand will be higher than usual since people are staying at home. Remember that feeling of satisfaction when you snatched the last…
One of my favorite ways to shake the winter blues is to wander around a nursery greenhouse, especially if I’m on the hunt for houseplants. Here are my top three favorite nurseries for wintertime visits. Great Big Greenhouse at 2051 Huguenot Road is my favorite wintertime nursery. The greenhouse is just the right size where…
Now is the perfect time of year to splurge on some new houseplants. I’ve been a long-time fan of succulents and oncidium orchids since they thrive on neglect, but I wanted to share my new plant obsessions. Monstera plants were popular in the 50’s and 80’s, and they are back in vogue again since their…
Before I go, let’s talk some pho. Yummy comfort food is a great way to stay warm and cozy outside, and my current favorite fireside dinner is pho. If you’re unfamiliar, it’s a Vietnamese soup with noodles, fresh herbs and chicken, meat or tofu. The broth is made first, then the other items are added…
I love having friends over, but for safety I’ve been limiting my get-togethers to the backyard. When the weather started getting colder, I looked into outdoor supplemental heating sources and decided to get a fire pit. It was my best purchase of 2020, and I am obsessed. The warmth, the crackling flames, the communal spirit…
Success on the outside starts with success on the inside, so on your journey to warm and cozy might I suggest one of the oldest cocktails, the Hot Toddy. Heralded in the early 19th century as a cure for the common cold, a Toddy or whiskey punch, is a nice way to stay warm on…
A never-fail hot drink for the whole family is homemade hot chocolate. It takes about five more minutes than instant, and it’s so worth it. Inside Outside Hot Chocolate 4 cups whole or 2% milk ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder ¼ cup sugar ½ cup bittersweet or semi-sweet chips or chopped bar ½ teaspoon pure…
Success on the outside starts with success on the inside, so on your journey to warm and cozy might I suggest one of the oldest cocktails, the Hot Toddy. Heralded in the early 19th century as a cure for the common cold, a Toddy or whiskey punch, is a nice way to stay warm on…
